We made it through another week, friends! Spring is on the way here in New England, and I couldn't be happier about it. I have a few more comfort food favorites to share with you this week, but then you can expect more recipes on the lighter side, full of fresh vegetables and fruits. I'm currently obsessed with all things lemon, so you can expect to see some bright lemon treats coming your way!
If you'd like some dairy-free meal prep options, check out my latest post.
Here are my dairy-free favorites this week:
Hop Water
I love an ice-cold IPA from time to time, but I'm currently avoiding gluten and also trying to watch my carbohydrate intake. This Hop Water is what I've been enjoying lately when those beer cravings kick in, and it's surprisingly delicious and refreshing. This brand also makes Hop Tea, which is a sparkling iced tea with the subtle flavor of hops. I buy both of these on Amazon and at Whole Foods, and it's a great option if you're trying to cut back on alcohol or want to sip something different.
Strawberry Chicken Salad
I've been making this salad for years and it's still a favorite in our house. The recipe has been here on the site since 2010, but the photos were absolutely horrendous. I finally got around to updating them to show this salad the love that it deserves. This is a very simple recipe, but it's full of fresh, crispy vegetables, lean protein from chicken, a sweet touch from fruit, and a bit of crunch from sliced almonds. This is the salad that got my son to finally start eating his greens, back when he was five, and he still loves getting this in his lunchbox. You can find the recipe here.
Cocomels Dairy-Free Sea Salt Caramels
If you or someone you love is avoiding dairy and loves caramels, you have to try these! They are dangerously good. Cocomels are chewy caramels made from coconut milk and covered in a rich 60% dark chocolate. There's a perfect hint of sea salt to balance out all that sweet, and they're just absolutely heavenly. They contain no dairy or gluten, but no one would ever guess. My absolute favorite this week! I get them on Amazon, and they also make toffees, gift-boxed caramels, and plain caramels without chocolate.
Just Egg
I have to confess that I don't love vegan substitutes for real products. I'm usually not crazy about the ingredients, and it's pretty challenging to trick your palate into thinking that fake food products taste similar to the real thing. It's one reason I don't share a lot of recipes with dairy substitutes, but sometimes you just need a good slice of cheesecake or a bowl of mac and cheese.
That said, I've been getting a lot of requests to share more vegan and egg-free options. So I finally decided to give Just Egg a try, which is a vegan egg substitute that many people absolutely love. I have to say that while I don't love the ingredients, I was pleasantly surprised by how this product behaved in my tests. From a food science perspective, this product is absolutely genius. It scrambles just like real eggs, and it set perfectly in my vegan custard toast. It is made in a facility that handles eggs, which is a disappointment for those that are anaphylactic.
I'll definitely be testing with this option going forward to bring more vegan and egg-free recipes. Let me know in the comments if you're egg-free and would be interested in more recipes!
I buy Just Egg at Whole Foods and Target.
Treat Organic Lip Balm
I know this one isn't food-related, but it's something I've been using for a few years and absolutely adore. This is an organic lip balm made from coconut oil, and the flavors are all incredible. These are jumbo-sized balms that last for months, so don't let the sticker shock deter you. They do a great job of fighting those dry winter lips and leave a nice glossy shine if you prefer a more natural look. I get these on Amazon, and you can find a larger selection on Treat's website.
Did you try any of my dairy-free favorites?
Please let me know how you liked them! Did you like this post, or do you want to see something else on the site? Leave a comment below with your feedback. I appreciate it!
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