review and giveaway :: the vegg

The Vegg: Looks like egg yolk. Boy does it smell and taste like egg yolk. But it's vegan!

I've been wanting to veganize Pan de Mallorca forever. This fluffy blond sweet roll hails from Spain and is popular in Puerto Rico. But egg yolks are a centerpiece ingredient. Let's face it: while a pinch of turmeric is a spectacular tool for infusing vegan foods with a non-toxic blast of yellow color, it does nothing for the flavor. If I wanted authentic Pan de Mallorca, it was time for me to call in the big guns. Enter The Vegg.

The Vegg, vegan egg yolk substitute

The Vegg is the world's first vegan egg yolk. It has been sweeping plant-based circles by storm and no wonder. It's opening up a whole new world of culinary possibilities to herbivores. Even though I read the rave reviews, I must admit after scanning the ingredient list – mostly nutritional yeast– I was skeptical.

My powdered sugar-dusted Pan de Mallorca owes its yellow color and fluffiness to The Vegg

My skepticism disappeared when I cut open the package, whizzed it up in the mini-food processor as per the directions: 1 tsp = 1/4 cup water. The intensely sulfuric odor of eggs [It comes from the black salt.] almost knocked me over, and the almost phosphorescent yellow glow was sunglass worthy. The aroma alone told me it would work. And work it did: my beloved Pan de Mallorca is officially sunny yellow and vegan-friendly.

Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

I also remember years ago my friend Kim making Caesar Salad Dressing many years ago with an egg yolk. The recipe stuck in my head all this time, so I made my own version with The Vegg and it is, without a doubt, the creamiest, eggiest dressing I have ever had. Yes, it's even eggier than dressing with egg. And no nasty salmonella!

Massaged Kale Salad with Vegan Caesar Dressing and Pan-Seared Soy Curls

Tonight, I used the Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing to dress a massaged kale salad topped with Pan-Seared soy curls. I don't mean to be a tease: I'll post all these recipes for you soon; they are definitely keepers. But for now, let's cut right to the chase: The Vegg is a winner, and I have already cleared out a permanent corner in my pantry for it. The fact that 10% [quite a large sum!] of net proceeds are donated to Compassion Over Killing only makes me love it more.

What would I change? I wish it came in a bag with a ziplock.

Giveaway Contest: Win a Free Packet of The Vegg

Speaking of winners, the nice folks at The Vegg are giving away a package of The Vegg to two, count 'em, two lucky Urban Vegan readers. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what you will make first using the Vegg. I'll announce the winners this weekend.

So be a good Vegg, and leave a comment.