New gut health-boosting ‘superfood’ range hits Ocado, with 15 plant points per serving

From veganfoodandliving.com

Moving Mountains’ new superfood range lands at Ocado, packing up to 15 gut-boosting plant points into quick, flavour-packed meals

If you’ve been hearing about the importance of gut health but aren’t sure where to start, a new vegan food range promises to make it simple.

Nutrition experts recommend aiming for 30 different plant points each week to support a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a key role in digestion and overall well-being. Now, a new range of ‘superfood‘ products has launched in Ocado, delivering 14–15 plant points in one serving, thanks to ingredients like lentils, chia seeds and chickpeas.

Plant-based innovator Moving Mountains has created the Superfood range to pack maximum nutrition into everyday meals, helping shoppers hit their weekly ‘plant points’ target without complicated meal plans.

The brand promised to ‘supercharge your plate’ with its new Spicy Superfood Burger, Spicy Superfood Bites and Superfood Crispy Dippers, all rich in protein and fibre.

Moving Mountains Marketing Manager Eleanor Faragher-Siddall said the company is ‘thrilled’ to bring the range to retail, adding that it makes ‘healthy, plant-based eating delicious and simple.’

The new Superfood range from Moving Mountains promises a convenient way to boost health with whole plant foods. Images © Moving Mountains/Vegan Food & Living

What’s in the Moving Mountains Superfood range?

The Superfood Spicy Burger (£3.50, 200g) is gluten- and soya-free, with 8.3g of protein per 100g. It offers 15 plant points and a gentle kick of spice, making it ideal for burgers, rice bowls or stuffed pitta breads.

The Spicy Superfood Bites (£3.50, 204g) are a source of protein (9.5g per 100g), fibre and vitamin E, with a punchy seasoning and 15 plant points. They work well in wraps, salads or as a snack.

The Superfood Crispy Dippers (£3.50, 210g) are the brand’s newest ‘health hack’. Containing 8.5g of protein, iron, fibre and 14.25 plant points, they’re coated in a golden crunch and pair easily with fresh salads or dips.

Moving Mountains says the Superfood range is not only good for your gut but also better for the planet. According to the brand, producing these plant-based products in the UK uses 92% less CO₂ than their meat equivalents.

The range first launched into UK foodservice earlier this year, where it was well-received by restaurants and catering providers. Now available through Ocado at £3.50 per pack, it’s designed to help shoppers upgrade their everyday meals while supporting gut and planetary health in one go.

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/new-moving-mountains-gut-health-superfood-range-ocado-plant-points/ 

UK: Redefine Meat Rolls Out New Spicy Shawarma to Plant-Based Lineup at Ocado

From vegconomist.com

                                                                                                                 © Redefine Meat

Redefine Meat has introduced a new Shawarma product to its range, now available on Ocado. The Shawarma, which is sold frozen, offers consumers a flavourful and protein-rich alternative for a variety of sandwich options, including wraps, pitas, baguettes, and flatbreads.

“The strong customer feedback and high repeat purchase rates for their products made Shawarma a natural addition”

The new plant-based Shawarma features a blend of spices typical of the Middle Eastern dish, such as cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, along with subtle notes of lamb. Made entirely from natural ingredients, it provides 22g of protein per serving, along with 4g of fibre, while being low in fat and free from cholesterol. The product is intended to provide a healthier option for those seeking a plant-based, high-protein alternative to traditional meat-filled sandwiches.

Priced at £4, the Shawarma is designed to be versatile and can be used in various sandwich styles. It also works as a flavourful addition to sides such as couscous, salads, Halloumi fries, or roasted potatoes. To prepare, the product requires quick heating in a pan, making it a convenient option for a quick meal.

                                                                                                                             © Redefine Meat
                                                                                       

Redefine’s tech-driven innovation

The Shawarma launch expands Redefine Meat’s portfolio, which already includes plant-based offerings such as Flank Steak, Pulled Pork, Premium Burgers, Mince, Lamb Kofta, and Bratwurst. The company has developed its products using advanced food technology, including AI and machine learning for rapid product prototyping and optimization. This approach allows Redefine Meat to refine its products more efficiently than traditional methods of plant-based meat production.

Redefine Meat has been steadily enhancing its offerings, with recent product upgrades focusing on improving both nutritional content and the overall eating experience. Last month, the company introduced plant-based burgers and mince with 90% less saturated fat.

Georgina James, Buyer for Party Food & Vegan at Ocado, commented, “We’re excited to add another Redefine Meat product to our range. The strong customer feedback and high repeat purchase rates for their products made Shawarma a natural addition. It offers a sustainable and flavourful choice for those seeking plant-based options, and we’re confident it will resonate with shoppers.”

https://vegconomist.com/products-launches/redefine-meat-rolls-out-new-spicy-shawarma-plant-based-lineup-ocado/ 

Vegan Seafood Brand Brings Calamari And Shrimp To UK Supermarkets

From plantbasednews.org

The vegan fish market is growing 

A vegan “seafood” brand that stocks realistic alternatives to shrimp, calamari rings, and squid pieces is coming to supermarkets across the UK. 

    HAPPIEE! products will be available to buy at two major supermarkets - Media Credit: HAPPIEE!

HAPPIEE!, a Singapore-based brand launched by Growthwell Foods in 2022, will sell a variety of frozen products in Tesco and Ocado. The products are said to “deliver the same taste and texture as real seafood.” As well as its vegan “seafood,” a plant-based lamb shawarma will also be available. HAPPIEE! uses soy, potato, or wheat protein to create its alternatives, as well as konjac flour for the fish products. 

“We’re excited to offer a product which meets not only the demand of the growing sector but also offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy a plant-based seafood or meat alternative that doesn’t compromise taste or texture,” the company said in a statement. 

HAPPIEE!                        The brand also offers a plant-based lamb shawarma product

The “Calamariee,” “Shrimpee,” and “Squidee” products are available to buy online at Ocado now. They will be released in Tesco stores next month.

The rise of vegan seafood

While conventional meat alternatives (like burgers and sausages) have been around for a number of years, plant-based fish has – until recently – been a relatively niche product. 

But a growing number of brands are now tapping into the booming vegan “seafood” market. A report published in November 2022 predicted that the market would rise to $1.3 billion by 2031. This would mean a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 42.3 percent. 

The report cited “the depletion of natural ocean resources, rise in vegan population, increase in pressure on the global food supply chain, and increase in awareness regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty in farms” as factors driving the growth of the industry. 

The problem with eating fish

It’s well-documented that consuming fish comes with considerable ethical and environmental costs. Around half of the fish we eat are raised on farms. Numerous investigations have uncovered extensive welfare issues on these. Fish will generally be forced to swim endlessly in circles in barren tanks in overcrowded conditions, sometimes with tens of thousands of others. Parasites like sea lice will often be prevalent in their enclosures, and fish may be eaten alive by these. 

The industrial fishing industry catches a huge number of fish at a time with nets known as “bottom trawlers.” These can be as large as 240 meters wide and 160 meters deep. As well as catching fish to be sold and eaten, the nets will kill vast numbers of unintended species like turtles, dolphins, and sharks (known as “bycatch”). The nets also destroy vital coral reefs, ocean ecosystems, and whatever else lies in their path. Longlines may also be used to catch large numbers of fish. These can sometimes stretch on for miles, with hooks every few feet.

The fishing industry is directly contributing to the climate and nature crises. Having lots of fish in the oceans and healthy marine ecosystems helps sequester carbon from the atmosphere. The oceans are by far the biggest reservoir of carbon on earth, holding around 38,000 gigatonnes. Experts have long stated that our oceans are in danger of becoming severely depleted if we continue to fish the way we do. This would lead to the deterioration or loss of these vital ecosystems around the world. 

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/vegan-seafood-brand-uk-supermarkets/

UK: 3 vegan cheeses beloved by top chefs are now available on Ocado

From womenshealthmag.com

The 'fresh' dairy-free cheeses are great in sandwiches, salads, or used in hot dishes 

Once upon a time, vegans craving a cheesy flavour would need to make do with a generous sprinkling of nooch over their dinner.

But fast-forward to 2023, and people on plant-based diets have much more to savour than just the dusty contents of a pot of nutritional yeast, with all sorts of nut cheeses, dairy-free spreads, and even eggless mayo, jostling for a spot on their plate.

And the latest contender for a spot in your sandwich? Julienne Bruno's range of three *fresh* vegan cheeses.

The brand, which launched in 2020, introduced Collection 01 to the market last year which includes Burrella, which has a delicate bite and creamy interior; the lightly whipped Crematta; and Superstraccia, which is made with rich creamy curds.

Created in fresh batches each week in-house using organic soya (the protein) and coconut oil (the fat), all three products are naturally fermented through a bespoke system which makes them the first fresh dairy-free cheeses of their kind.

JULIENNE BRUNO Burrella

julienne brunoocado.com

£4.50

SHOP NOW

JULIENNE BRUNO Superstraccia 175g

ocado.com

£4.00

SHOP NOW

JULIENNE BRUNOocado.com

£3.50

SHOP NOW

Excitingly they have just made their supermarket debut, joining the virtual aisles at Ocado.

They can also be bought at juliennebruno.com, in-store at the Foodhall in Selfridges London, the Harrods Fresh Market Hall, in Daylesford Organic and select Whole Foods Market stores.

So far the vegan cheeses have thrilled home cooks, but the professionals love them too. They're on the menu at the Big Mamma Group's restaurants, The Harrods Tea Rooms, Sushi Samba and Caravan Restaurants.

Philip Khoury, the Head Pastry Chef at Harrods, even commented 'it’s important to note that its success isn’t derived from the fact that it is a vegan alternative - it’s a gastronomic delight that stands on its own.'

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/a43439729/vegan-cheese-julienne-bruno-ocado/

Plant-based diet? Here's how to make your own vegan meatballs at home in lockdown

From hellomagazine.com
By Sophie Hamilton

 Meatballs… but without the meat

Missing your weekly lunch trip to Itsu and their delicious Asian-inspired meals? Then hurrah for this recipe, as the British food chain has shared its recipe for tasty vegan meatballs which we can now make at home on lockdown (cue mini celebration dance). Meatless Farm’s Asian Meatballs are normally exclusive to Itsu but the plant-based company has shared how to make them with its fresh mince, now available from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Ocado and Whole Foods. Get cooking!

Itsu Asian Meatless Meatballs

Serves 4 bowls, cooking time 35 minutes

Ingredients for vegan meatballs

• 400g Meatless Farm Mince
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh lemongrass (or dried)
• ½ deseeded red chilli
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp minced ginger
• ½ tsp minced garlic

Ingredients for Miso and extras (per 1 bowl):

• 1 sachet Itsu ‘miso easy’ traditional flavour in 200 ml boiling water
• 50g Shimeji mushrooms (any mushrooms will do, chanterelle, oyster mushrooms also great)
• ½ tsp truffle oil (use olive oil if not available)
• 4 basil leaves Edamame
• 1 egg (optional)
• 3 baby sweetcorn
• 75g ready cooked rice
• Chopped red chilli (to garnish)
• 1 sliced spring onion
• Sesame seeds sprinkle (to garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

How to make vegan meatballs

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Step 2

Mix the mince with other ingredients in a large bowl and then shape into balls about the size of a golf ball. A 400g pack of mince should make between 10 and 12 meatballs.

Step 3

Place the meatballs evenly spaced into an ovenproof tray lined with greaseproof paper.

Step 4

Bake for 15-18 minutes at 180 degrees.

Whilst you are waiting:

Step 5

Boil your baby sweetcorn in water over a medium heat, until cooked through. Once ready, put to one side.

Step 6

If you have chosen to include an egg, poach the egg in salted water (you can use the same water as the baby sweetcorn, to save time, cleaning up and to add a little extra flavour).

Step 7

Add your truffle or olive oil to a frying pan over a medium to high heat, once heated add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Put to one side so they are ready to add to the finished bowl.

Once your meatballs are ready:

Step 8
Add one sachet of the Itsu ‘miso easy’ to 200ml of boiling water and mix well.

Step 9

Heat up your ready cooked rice pack in the microwave, as per pack instructions.

Step 10

You are ready to build your bowl! Turn your rice into your bowl in a pile, add the miso soup, Asian Meatballs, mushrooms, baby corn, egg and top with all other prepared ingredients. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top to garnish.

To add your own touch, try adding….

Bok choy, seaweed, crispy chilli flakes, asparagus, noodles (instead of rice), bean sprouts, julienne carrots

https://www.hellomagazine.com/cuisine/2020050689363/vegan-meatball-recipe-itsu/