Plant Based Solutions Launches, Thrills NYC Vegans

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On Saturday night, I had the chance to attend the launch party for the new company Plant Based Solutions and try some of the most delicious vegan foods, one of which hasn’t even hit the market yet.

The creation of longtime vegan and animal activist, David Benzaquen, Plant Based Solutions was founded to provide sales and marketing support to the ever increasing world of plant based food. Last night gave me and a packed room with at least 200 other vegan or vegan-loving foodies a taste from each of the companies they represent.

Among the foods featured were Gardein, Chicago Vegan Foods, The Vegg, Treeline Cheese and DF Mavens.

First up was the black pepper Treeline Cheese. I had been lucky enough to try this a few weeks ago at Lagusta’s Luscious up in New Paltz, and then again last night. It’s a hard cheese made from raw cashew nuts and comes in three flavors: pepper, smoked and classic. I’d recommend you give this one a try immediately. Perfect on a cracker (or by itself as I’ve been known to eat it), you’ll love its mouthwatering taste and ethical ingredients.

The Vegg, an item we reviewed back in July, was featured in the sauce for the squash raviolos, a delicious little dish we enjoyed immensely. Whether you’re making french toast, a vegan hollandaise sauce or any other egg based recipe, the Vegg is a product you’re going to want to try.

Another delicious nibble during the night was the Gardein chick’n featured in the Caesar salad lettuce cups. The texture was just right for a faux meat (and in these little flavorful pieces could trick any omnivore). Thankfully, Gardein is one of those veg items that has gone mainstream. You can grab it at your local Whole Foods, and maybe even (gasp) regular grocery store.

Unfortunately, I had to step out of the event before it was over so I didn’t get to try everything on the creative and delicious menu (put together by Chickpea and Olive).

Thankfully, before I left David gave me a sample of the soon-to-be hottest new thing in vegan desserts, DF Mavens ice cream. Attendees were the very first of the public to try it and I must say, it was incredible. So much creamier than many of the vegan ice creams on the market. We’d dare you to do a taste test next to a dairy based ice cream and tell the difference. We tried the Alphonso Mango (which had lovely chunks of mango in it). Other flavors will include Sicilian Hazelnut Truffle, New Orleans Salted Praline, Del Lago Chocolate, Peanut Butter Fudge Mash and so many more. I can’t wait to try them. Fingers crossed they become available to the public this summer when we’re all desperate for a creamy vegan cool down.

The night really showcased incredible foods, all made without hurting animals. Plant Based Solutions seeks to make them as widely available as possible. As veganism becomes bigger and bigger, more restaurants, grocery stores and food establishments are going to start carrying plant based options. Benzaquen’s new company is going to help products such as these go mainstream. We can’t wait to see it happen.