the valencian company dacsa group was born at the end of the 60s as a corn semolina grinder, until in 1982 it expanded the business creating the iconic brand of dacsa rice. Now, the multinational has joined the trend plant-based with its own brand of products, using a pea own proteinand with the collaboration of Rakel Cernicharolast winner of top chefwho signs the first fully vegetable fifth-range dishes.
So, with the name of Hi Vegs!Dacsa inaugurated its own seal of vegetable products following the trail of already established brands, with Heura or Garden Gourmet from Nestlé as the most recognizable. The novelty of the Valencian company is precisely the line designed by the chef and owner of karakwith a Repsol Sunwith the idea of offering ready-to-eat dishes, with own recipes differentiated and vocation of haute cuisine in fifth range.
Actually, more than “haute cuisine”, one should simply speak of professional cooking, since the concept of a Tex-Mex burrito does not exactly correspond to the idea of a high-end restaurant. In any case, before giving an opinion and properly must try to judge. And that is what we have done in our kitchen.
Presentation and characteristics of the product
the catalog of Hi veg! currently consists of 15 products, divided into four groups: ready to cook, ready to prepare, ready to spread and ready to eat. The “haute cuisine” range of Rakel Cernicharoof the latter, is made up of three references so far, all three under the same presentation in a glass jar.
They are fifth-range dishes that contain all the ingredients already prepared and that only need one brief application of heat to taste them properly, although they could well be eaten raw. Like the canned cooked legumes, it is therefore a pre-cooked canned product that does not require refrigeration for its conservation as long as it remains closed.
The three dishes are: vegetable curry of chickpeas and red quinoa, vegetable filling for burritos and a bowl of snacks with black rice and mushrooms in teriyaki sauce. We have been able to try the second, perhaps the most interesting because there are still not many proposals for 100% vegetable Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine that contain protein.
The glass jar contains 290g net weight and it tells us that it can be stored in a cool, dry place, away from the ground and direct light, until the best-before date, almost one year. Once openmust be kept refrigerated and consumed within five days.
Ingredients and nutritional composition
The list of ingredients Complete, in order from largest to smallest quantity, of this product is the following:
- Water, tomato, corn (16.9%), red kidney beans (16.3%), textured pea protein, onion, sunflower oil, tamari (water, soy, salt, alcohol), ají panca (aji panca, salt , citric acid, sodium benzoate), salt, paprika.
Regarding the nutritional composition, we have:
mean values | per 100g |
---|---|
Energetic value | 197 calories |
fats | 11.9g |
of which saturates | 1.3g |
carbohydrates | 9.1g |
of which naturally occurring sugars | 2.4g |
Dietary fiber | 4.5g |
proteins | 11g |
Salt | <0.1g |
preparation and tasting
As we said, this preparation is from the fifth range and therefore it is already completely pre-cooked; you just have to heat it up to eat it. The packaging itself tells us that we can do it in the microwave, transferring the content to a suitable container with lid or covered with film, for one minute at medium power, or we can sauté it in a pan with a little olive oil.
We have opted for easy, since, let’s not fool ourselves, the objective of these products is to save as much time as possible, as well as utensils, and thus we do not waste oil. The canister opens easily, making the pop which guarantees a good seal, and it is not difficult to extract the content. although everything it’s a bit under pressurethe beans, which are the most delicate, are at the top and fall almost alone to overturn the jar.
Then it will be necessary to help us with a spoon to remove all the content, which goes by layers, with the protein and sauce mix below altogether. The corn is easily recognized and the beans manage to remain, in general, quite whole. We remove a little to mix everything and we heat it in the microwave, covering with plastic film.
The truth is that it already smells better when it gets hot and brings back memories of cooking. tex mexalready with a smoky touch in the environment. We serve it with slightly warmed wheat tortillas and avocado, as suggested by the manufacturer.
A single bottle is enough to two generous servings of burritos or tacos, especially if we thicken the assembly a little more by adding the avocado, mixed lettuce, tomato or pepper, which is what we did with the leftovers the next day. It has a good texture no dripping liquidand the protein perfectly fulfills its function of substituting minced meat or accompanying legumes.
It’s rich, but it’s barely spicy and it lacks juiciness
The chili is noticeable but the lovers of spicy they will barely notice, and perhaps a slight extra spiciness would have been good. What we do quickly perceive at the second bite is that it lacks juicinesssomething very typical of vegetable proteins, which is why we crown our burritos with cheese grated emmental and some mexican sauce.
conclusions
In the absence of tasting the other two references in the range, the vegetable preparation for burritos signed by chef Cernicharo more than meets its function: to offer an original and tasty dish, versatile and easy to eat, that does not taste like prefabricated and nutritionally balanced, as well as being 100% vegetable.
Since it can be kept for many months in the pantry, it is a good resource to have closet ground and set up a lunch or dinner in a few minutes, yes, adding wheat or corn tortillas to the table, fresh ingredients extra vegetables and some sauce that adds moisture and freshness to the whole. Guacamole or even a homemade yogurt dip would work great.
It is appreciated that the vegetable protein used by the company is national, with textured pea protein Made in our own production plant, a pioneer in our country. You cannot boast of plant products to reduce environmental impact if you then import the ingredients to third parties.
Valentina Salsa Picante, Mexican Hot / Spicy Sauce, Pack of 3 x 370 – Gluten Free, Low in fat and sugar – Pack Promoo
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