Heather

Heather has been happily heating and eating since 1978. She is currently pursuing graduate coursework in anthropology and enjoys eating cheap, convenient, and occasionally tasty meals. She's been an on-and-off again vegetarian for seven years and recently made the momentous decision to go whole hog (or whole not-hog, as the case may be) to adopt a vegan lifestyle. For the sake of her craft (and cheesy deliciousness), she'll still review some vegetarian (cheesy!) meals for Heat Eat Review from time to time.

Latest Reviews by Heather:

The Original Tofurky Roast with Stuffing

November 24, 2008 | Reviewer: Heather

Photo of The Original Tofurky Roast with Stuffing Price: $10.79
Serving: 1/5 a Tofurky, 5oz.
Calories: 250
Fat: 9%, 6g
Saturated Fat: 0%, 0g
Trans Fat: 0%, 0g
Sodium: 21%, 510mg
Protein: 34g
Carbs: 4%, 13g
Fiber: 8%, 2g
Weight Watchers Points: 5 Points

Tofurky says: The Tofurky Roast is a pre-cooked vegetarian feast designed to be the delicious centerpiece of your holiday or everyday meal. Made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, Tofurky is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor.

Heather says: First, a confession. For all the years I’ve spent being a veggie, I have resisted the Tofurky. I’m not sure if it had to do with the name (and ensuing jokes from non-veggie friends) or the idea of a vegetable product trying to be a meat product. Whatever the reason, I’ve snubbed this product for years. This year, however, I decided to finally make amends.

Far from home and sharing Thanksgiving with other veggies for the first time, I thus bought this product and dutifully followed the directions. Now, lest you think this is a pop in the microwave kinda deal, please be warned: it requires baking and preparation. In fact, it felt (and smelled) much like a regular Thanksgiving around my tiny studio. The directions advise including a few chopped veggies, basting, and baking for a little over an hour. I complied, as the picture above might attest.

Far more telling might be the picture below, however. When the feast was done, there were but two tiny pieces left. All in all, the mighty Tofurky was a raging success. All the other veggies and I were impressed, and even the omnivores amongst us were pleased with the taste. Turkey-like? Ehh, not exactly. However, it was delicious for what it is: a Tofurky. If you’re looking for an alternative to poultry, or are catering to vegans or vegetarians this holiday season, I highly recommend this product. Your friends (and the turkeys) will thank you.

Oh, and for those veggies still missing the aesthetic of the bird, I give you: The Tofurky Disguise Kit. Enjoy.

Filed Under 5 WW Points, Cholesterol Free, Four Stars, Tofurky Reviews, Trans Fat Free, Vegan, Vegetarian | 8 Comments

Tofurky “Giblet” Gravy

December 25, 2006 | Reviewer: Heather

Tofurky 'Giblet' Gravy

Price: $3.99
Serving: 2 Tbsp (60g)
Calories: 40
Fat: 3%, 2g
Sodium: 10%, 240mg
Protein: 1g
Carbs: 2%, 5g
Fiber: 8%, 2g

Tofurky says: This rich brown gravy is the perfect topping for the sliced Tofu Roast. Made with unbleached flour, expeller pressed canola oil, natural flavors, herbs and spices, this gravy is then packed with diced, Tofurky cubes or “Giblets.”

Heather says: Oh, and this gravy product kicked ass. In fact, it went faster than the non-vegan gravy at the Thanksgiving table. But please note the “giblets” in quotes. Silliness. In my field, we call this the anthropology “hand quotes,” a tiny gesture that *wink*wink* implies all is not as it seems. I find this particular use of quotes amusing but weird, especially considering the origin of actual giblets – now that’s a Christmas discovery from which I’ve never quite recovered. Anyway, these “giblets” are both non-poultry innards and dee-licious. Yumm.

Filed Under Four Stars, Tofurky Reviews, Vegan, Vegetarian | 1 Comment

Amy’s Kitchen Organic Indian Samosa Wraps

December 22, 2006 | Reviewer: Heather

Amy's Organic Indian Samosa Wraps

Price: $3.89
Serving: 1 Roll, 142g or 5 oz.
Calories: 240
Fat: 10%, 6g
Sodium: 28%, 680mg
Protein: 8g
Carbs: 13%, 38g
Fiber: 15%, 4g

Amy’s Kitchen says: We took lightly spiced organic potatoes, peas and tofu and wrapped them in a wheat tortilla and baked it. The result is outrageously delicious.

Heather says: Yes, another Amy's product. Geez. Really? I know. I can't help myself. You tell Lean Cuisine to start working on their vegan product line, and I'm all over it. Truly.

Anyway, about this product. Like nearly all Amy's meals, the back of this item's box has a great little story about how the product came to be. This one details how one of their cooks, "who is of Indian origin but hails from South Africa" came up with the recipe for these samosas. Only instead of using chapatti, their clever chef wrapped the samosa in a (surprise!) wheat tortilla. That's one of my few critiques of the Amy's product line. Whatever unique name they choose to slap on the front of the box, invariably, if it is a wrap-like product, it'll be little more than a fussy burrito.

So, Amy calls this thing an "Indian samosa wrap." I call it a vaguely Indian fusion whole wheat burrito. Semantics, really, but still. Anywho, let's just call it this: tasty. Although it in no way approaches the deep-fried goodness of a real veggie samosa, I would most definitely buy this item again.

Filed Under Amy's Kitchen Reviews, Four Stars, Vegan, Vegetarian | 8 Comments

Amy’s Macaroni and Soy Cheeze

December 14, 2006 | Reviewer: Heather

Amy's Macaroni and Soy Cheeze

Price: $2.99
Serving: 1 entree, 255g
Calories: 370
Fat: 23%, 15g
Sodium: 21%, 500mg
Protein: 16g
Carbs: 28%, 85g
Fiber: 16%, 4g

(Veggie but not Vegan)

Amy’s Kitchen says:For those who don’t eat cheese, organic elbow macaroni in a smooth sauce made with soy cheese. Lactose free/no cholesterol.

Heather says:Hmm, what to say about this item? First, let me say that I love macaroni and cheese. But this product is not macaroni and cheese, dear readers. No, for it is made with cheeeezzze. Note the “z.” Ridiculous. What is it with soy and vegan items that cause manufacturers to start throwing around weird apostrophes and silly lettering: ch’kn, cheeze, chreese. I mean, really. We’re adults. Stop trying to fool me into thinking your soy product is something it’s not. Silly spelling makes me think of children’s toys (Bratz, for example) and the language of too-cool-for-the-letter-’s’ teenagers. It does not, however, make me think of socially responsible eating and healthy food.

About the product: For all intents and purposes, it tastes pretty much like standard form frozen mac and cheese, but with an aftertaste that might best be described as-um-soy. Honestly, I wouldn’t buy it again. But if you’re lactose intolerant and are dying for some mediocre frozen macaroni product, you might enjoy it.

Filed Under Amy's Kitchen Reviews, Mac and Cheese, Pasta, Three Stars, Vegetarian | 7 Comments