Mr Kiplings Hot Cross Pies

These hot cross pies are not new but I felt that they taste like hot cross buns because of the fruit peel so if you like that then these are for you.

Lidl Vegmondo Pesto Lasagne Tofu

Lidl Pesto lasagne with minced tofu.

I love lasagne and tofu so this was a match made in heaven.

It delivered so I was happy because the pesto sauce was really nice and strong but the lasagne sheets were not quite soft enough.

The consistency of the sauce is really thick like curd and does not go runny when you heat it up and the tofu pieces are finely minced which blends in nicely.

Very tasty but photos can't do it justice.

#ssglidl

Lidl Vitasia Mushroom Steamed buns

This is a review of the Lidl Vitasia Mushroom Steamed buns.
It's a pity I did not get any photos of the box because I didn't expect them to be that nice.

Although labelled as mushroom, they were buns filled with glass noodles and black fungas.

Similar to Shanghai veg buns but nicer with a cute size like a xiao long bao.

Small but well filled and I liked the way the bun wasn't too thick with a lovely texture compared to the ones you can't swallow in Asia.

This was very similar to the vegetable buns I got from Sainsburys called the bao holly for Christmas but much much better and affordable.

I felt that the Sainsburys ones were probably pricey as it was a Christmas product.

Plant/Vegan Smoked Salmon alternative winner

I love Veganuary 2023 because this year there was smoked salmon alternatives available at the supermarket.

The first one I managed to get hold of was the Aldi Plant Menu no salmon which was really impressive I decided to try ASDA and Squeaky Bean for comparison.

The Aldi Plant Menu won me from the start.

Although, they could be from the same manufacturer with the same ingredients, they are very different in taste because they are made to each supermarket/brands requirement.

I liked the way you can buy them as slices rather than in sandwiches because you get to appreciate the taste and can eat it however you want.

I felt that it is just as pricy as salmon so I am not sure if this is to level up with salmon or the costs to make this product just like lab diamonds and real diamonds.

At first, I thought this salmon alternative was going to be the same as the vegan konjac salmon sashimi but it was a million times better.

With the Aldi one, as soon as I opened the pack, the smell was promising as you get that smoked salmon smell.

Touching it with my fingers, it was impressive as it truly felt like salmon your fingers will get slightly greasy just like touching salmon without any fishiness.

Trying it on its own, the taste was bang on and it didn't really need any other seasonings or flavours.

If you add dill and lemon juice, it is just like having the cured salmon at IKEA.

It was just as delicious on baguette so if I closed my eyes I would have thought it was salmon although there is a slight aftertaste if you eat too much.

The texture is just like salmon which melts in your mouth and a slight resistance like jelly.

Visually the only giveaway is the uniformity and the square slice because you can't get salmon like that.

Second best was Squeaky Bean which was close but on the sweet side.

Last was ASDA because it was too smokey, salty and sweet but ok when eaten with a bagel for example.

I'm not vegan but it is interesting trying these like molecular gastronomy.

M&S Perfectly poached eggs (Marks and Spencer)

M&S have recently started selling these ready to eat Perfectly poached eggs which are causing a stir because it's something you can make at home yet there are many people like me who simply do not/can not cook even though it is really simple!

I think it makes sense to sell them because lots of cafe/restaurants use these ready poached eggs so why shouldn't they be available to shoppers.

Although, I don't cook I appreciate the available of lots of ingredients and ready cooked things that you can assemble with your creativity.

These perfectly poached eggs definitely delivered just like these do at the restaurants and cafes.

Perfect for people like me :)

Most importantly, the shells have been removed!

Priced at £2 but reduced to £1.43 today.

@marksandspencerfood

#ssgmarksandsparks

Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices (Vegan)

Finally got my hands on this Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices which is on promotion for £2.44 with a Nectar card at Sainsburys after failed attempts at Waitrose.
I felt I had to try it for comparison after trying the ALDI plant menu no salmon and the ASDA OMV no smoked salmon version since they were quite nice.
Touching the slices, you get that oilyness just like the real thing.

As for the smoky aroma, the smokiness wasn't as strong as ASDA.
The taste was on the sweet side just like ASDA but not too salty but nice when you have it with some lemon and dill.

I felt that this was the best way to try it out because when you have it with bagel and other stuff you taste less of it as it just becomes an accompaniment. 

@squeakbeanveg

#ssgveganuary

RYVITA SWEET Crispy snacks???

Times have changed with Ryvita reinvented with chocolate and not with cream cheese.

I was quite surprised to see that Ryvita has launched a new sweet snack along with their savoury crackers.

At first, I thought it was the regular Ryvita crackers coated with chocolate but they are not.

Somehow, I feel that the original crackers coated in chocolate would be nice but the new crackers are different made with a rice and corn base which made them even lighter but I disagree with it being healthier because rye is much healthier.

Anyway, the texture reminded me of those Asian rice corn crackers which are slightly chewy and yeasty and stick to your lips when they are wet.

To be fair, these new snacks were really tasty because the chocolate goes well with it and I liked the way the layer of chocolate is really thin so that it does not get too rich.

#ryvita