Monella – For grating and melting

In Italy, Monella is that mischievous little girl, always restless, who fills everyone around her with energy. At Veggie Karma, we have given that name to a light, versatile product with a mild flavor that, when it comes into contact with heat, melts and expands just like her vitality, enveloping pizzas, empanadas, gratins, or oven-roasted vegetables with freshness and personality.

Ingredients

Soy drink* (79%), coconut oil*, sea salt, corn starch*, kappa carrageenan*, nutritional yeast*

*From organic farming.

Nutrition information (approx. per 100 g)

• Energy value: 607 kJ / 146 kcal
• Fat: 10,36 g (of which saturated: 10 g)
• Carbohydrates: 8,89 g (of which sugars: 0,62 g)
• Protein: 3,41 g
• Salt: 1,6 g
• Calcium: high content, thanks to the tofu present in the soy drink

(Indicative values, subject to production variations)

Suitable for

• People with lactose intolerance
• Vegetarians and vegans
• People with celiac disease

Allergens

• Contains soy.
• May contain traces of tree nuts and lupins.

Pairing and culinary use

• Pizzas: achieves that irresistible melty, creamy effect.
• Gratins and lasagnas: adds a golden finish and a mild flavor.
• Empanadas and focaccias: enhances the filling with a smooth, delicate touch.
• Oven-roasted vegetables: adds texture and a delicious contrast.
• Recommended pairing: serve with young white wines or fresh sparkling wines, and for a non-alcoholic option, with citrus kombuchas or fresh herbal infusions.

FOOD MYTHS: SOY:

Soy contains the nine essential amino acids the body needs.

It is therefore a good source of plant-based protein, vitamins, and minerals that are crucial in helping reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Soy is best in its natural form

However, this can only be said when soy is consumed in its natural forms, such as edamame—the beans themselves—or products made from them, such as tofu or miso. These contain no added sugar, fats, sodium, or preservatives.

Why do people say you should not consume it?

One component of soy, isoflavones, which are similar to estrogens, has generated the most controversy. Early scientific studies linked them to the growth of cancer cells, and it was also believed that they affected female fertility and interfered with thyroid function.

The conclusions have changed over recent decades, and one of the most serious studies was published last year in the U.S. journal Cancer. It determined that this legume of Asian origin does not represent a risk for developing breast cancer. On the contrary, it may be associated with a lower risk of death, according to the study, conducted over nine years, from 1995 to 2005.