Baked Goods – Page 10 – The Celiathlete

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Product: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti – $7.00

I love coffee. I really do. I wasn’t always that way, however. Coffee came to me later in life. I loved the smell and hated the taste…up until I became a barista. Then…life sort of changed. And not only, over time, did I develop a taste for coffee, but I now knew how to properly make it.

Sometimes, I like to spice up my mornings a little bit. No…not by adding cayenne pepper to my scrambled eggs (although I have been known to do that, HA!)…

…I mean having a treat with my morning cup of coffee. And one of my two favorite morning treats with coffee is a biscotti. The other is my homemade madeleines…but I digress.

Well, it just so happened that my March 2015 Cuisine Cube had a container packed with biscotti for the “Breakfast” portion of the box. YAY!

For those of you not familiar with Cuisine Cube…think about how awesome it would be to have lesser-known, smaller company, artisan gluten-free company products shipped straight to your door once a month. Think of the joy opening said box would bring you and how trying new things entices you. You get a product for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert. And sometimes…you get a bonus. Who doesn’t love a bonus? If that got your heart pumping, that’s what Cuisine Cube is all about. And, this subscription service is available for as low as $29.99/month. Pretty awesome, yes? You betcha. So, if you’re curious and want to try something new and exciting and different…hop over to their site.

Because, sometimes, you get products in the box that are like Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. I mean, it’s a treat to have while you drink your wine, your coffee, your tea…whatever. Have it any time of the day, but I like to go the classic route and dip my biscotti into my morning coffee. It is love. And who doesn’t love starting off their morning with a cookie, right? Technically, I suppose a biscotti is consider a biscuit, twice baked so that it is extra dry and crunchy. And if you’ve never had one…you’re totally missing out.

Dolci di Maria was created by Mari Tantillo, who created gluten-free and dairy-free desserts for her two young children who had food allergies and sensitivities. She was urged by her friends to start selling her desserts because they were so delicious. Dolci di Maria strives to create fine gluten and dairy-free desserts that strike a perfect balance with texture and taste. Everything is baked fresh with natural and organic ingredients. Even better…many of the products offered by Dolci di Maria are vegan.

So, with all of that being said, this week I decided to stop looking at the container of biscotti that came in my Cuisine Cube, and finally open it up and have one with my morning coffee (a delicious local blend, for those wondering). Despite being a dry treat (they are meant to be dipped, after all), I always take my first taste without anything else. That way I can judge what something tastes like and if I like it. And…when it comes to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…I like it…but I don’t love it. It has nothing to do with the actual biscuit itself. It actually has a great texture to it…and it holds up to the coffee dunking, that I do religiously when I get gluten-free biscotti in my clutches. So that was the part that I was okay with. The part I wasn’t okay with, when it came to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…was the overwhelming licorice flavor. I hate licorice. And this biscotti definitely had a heavy taste of it. I inspected the ingredient list on the bottom of the package and discovered the use of anise. That will do it. It was just…too much for me. I think I was hoping for something with more vanilla flavor than the anise. It didn’t go well with my coffee…nor did my tastebuds really enjoy the licorice flavor. A little bit of anise goes a long way…and in this batch…it took it too far. The biscotti itself is great…the flavor just didn’t work for me, and that’s more of a personal preference than anything else.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that are in the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti, shall we? These classic Italian treats are made from brown rice flour, pure cane sugar, cage-free eggs, potato starch, tapioca starch, Earth Balance™, baking powder, xanthan gum, anise and vanilla extract, and sea salt.

The nutrition information for the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti is very nice though. You don’t feel so bad treating yourself at breakfast to a crispy Italian biscuit when you look at these stats. A serving is 1 of the biscotti, which will give you 65 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be consuming 73 mg cholesterol, 102 mg sodium, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and 8 grams of carbohydrates. These have no fiber.

If you don’t mind the flavor of anise (or that licorice-like flavor) than you will probably love everything about the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. For me, the texture was great…it was perfect for dipping, but the anise flavor just overpowered the rest of the biscuit and, for someone like me who dislikes licorice, it was a bit too much. That being said, now that I know I can find Dolci di Maria products at my Lucky’s Market in Louisville, Kentucky (discovered that via the Web site), I am curious to try other products as she has brownies, pancakes and other flavors of biscotti to see if I like them better.

At least I got a morning treat in my Cuisine Cube this month. The Dolci di Maria may not have enticed my taste buds, but I now know to look for other products in my area that might play nicer with my palate.

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies

Girl Scouts Toffee-Tastic Cookies — Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies

Product: Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies – $5.00

GIRL. SCOUT. COOKIES.

Hello!! Welcome back to my life little overpriced morsels of goodness.

No joke, it has been four years since I had a Girl Scout Cookie. Four long years. It seemed each year I would be tortured at the grocery store or local department stores when the little, adorable girls in their sashes and uniforms would ask me if I wanted to buy a box of cookies. And I had to sadly decline, because being a Celiac…me and my Girl Scout Cookie days were over.

It was sad. I mourned the loss.

Because…I’m a cookie monster. My dessert of choice is always the cookie.

Well, last year there was a small group of states that had a test market for gluten-free Girl Scout Cookies. And I wasn’t in that test market. Nor was anyone I knew. So, that was sad. And I went another year without them in my life. But this year…this year the Girl Scouts put out two different flavors of gluten-free cookies.

Yes. TWO!

They are: Toffee-tastic and Trios.

So, with this in mind, I went to my grocery store religiously…I haunted department stores…and not a single Girl Scout could be found. Not one. I was sad. Sad enough to make mention of my woes on Facebook. And then, my very good friend, Jean, up in Utica, New York, sent me an amazing care package with not just one, but two boxes of the Toffee-tastic flavor. I did a dance of joy…if I had room or had been able, cartwheels might have happened. But there was squees of happiness and delight. And…you better believe I immediately tore into one box.

I mean…HELLO!! Four years without Girl Scout Cookies in my life…it was ON NOW!

Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. Yes, it’s another shorbread-like gluten-free cookie…but I don’t care. One…I love shortbread. And two…IT’S A FLIPPIN’ GIRL SCOUT COOKIE! That being said…this rich and buttery cookie is crispy, and smooth and busting with this caramel-y toffee like chips throughout. These cookies are going to wow your tastebuds because they totally wowed mine. The toffee bits are the best part, giving a little extra kick to the crispy, shortbread cookies. I look forward to mine each night when I open up that box and take out a serving. They’ll be gone way too fast, I’m certain. I mean, these boxes contain 1 sleeve of 14 cookies. So, I have two boxes…and then…I wait until next season when they will hopefully be back.

Concerned about how gluten-free these cookies are? They are NSF-certified gluten-free, which ensures that all the ingredients and production complies with federal regulations for gluten-free labeling. I haven’t had a reaction to them, and I’ve been feasting on them all week. So…there is that.

Let’s talk about what goes into these cookies, shall we? The Girl Scout Toffee-Tastic Cookies are made from rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, butter, palm oil, brown rice flour, butter toffee bits, invert sugar, and contains 2% or less of salt, soy lecthin, xanthan gum, and baking soda.

As for nutrition…let’s talk cookies. These are cookies. so they aren’t going to be great for you. But as far as cookies go, these aren’t bad. YAY for Girl Scout Cookies. Especially as a nice treat. (Cookies, as with any sort of sweet or dessert, should be a treat…) The serving size of the Girl Scout Toffee-Tastic Cookies is two (2) cookies. This serving will give you 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams of sugar, and absolutely no protein or fiber to speak of. But…a nice change of pace, especially if Girl Scout Cookies have been off your radar for awhile now.

I was actually surprised and impressed by how much I have been enjoying these cookies. Especially if you are a lover of shortbread…this just takes it to the next level. The right amount of buttery, rich flavor with that hit of sweetness from the toffee bits. Heaven. Pure…Girl Scout…heaven!!

Now…to find some Trios…

April 7, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix – $5.79+

It was Easter Sunday and I woke up early. I haven’t been sleeping well due to bouts of chronic pain in my back and hip. So, I got out of bed and came out to the living room to do my stretches assigned to me by my physical therapist. It was as I started doing these that I thought to myself:

“Self…what are we having for breakfast this beautiful Easter morning?”

Since I am currently in a state of no running at all…I had plenty of time to come up with something. And for some strange reason, I recalled having two bags of Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix in my pantry. I bought these and a chocolate cake mix (which I have used already and didn’t review because I never tried the finish product…I made it for someone else…so now I have to purchase another bag) on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store…for $1.99. How fantastic is that?

I knew very little about the Mina’s Purely Divine products when I bought them, just that I had seen them featured in ads in my gluten-free magazines. That was the only familiarity I had with them. So, with the recollection and the realization that I had two pouches of the Gluten-Free Allergen-Friendly Bread Mix in my pantry…I thought…

Bagels.

Because when I already fail at baking up gluten-free bread more often than I succeed…why not bake bagels. Because that is SO much easier! *SARCASM*

That being said…I had it in my head now to make them. It was going to either end well…or be a complete and epic fail. It wouldn’t be my first. So, while the roomie was still slumbering in her room…I went into the kitchen and plucked one of the bags of Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix off the shelf and set out to work.

Long story short…for my first time making bagels (and gluten-free bagels at that!)…this worked wonderfully. They didn’t rise as much as I had hoped they would, but they did rise some in the 30 minutes I gave them to just sit. I think next time I’m going to try the oven on warm thing that a friend suggested and see if it makes any sort of distance. They held up to boiling in the water and even the actual baking. Totally impressed. But the real challenge was going to be in the taste.

By the time the bagels were in the oven and baking (given a little bit of egg wash over the top and a sprinkling of the “everything spice” that I picked up in Charleston, SC, the roomie had emerged and was ready for some brekkies. I told her that breakfast was currently in the oven…and I would have it ready once the timer went off. It was already starting to smell amazing, so when she asked what it was, I actually told her.

Bagels.

She looked really surprised. “You made bagels?!” You see…she has suffered through more than one epic gluten-free homemade bread loaf fail…so I wasn’t insulted at all. I nodded and as I pulled them out of the oven, called her over to take a look. They were perfectly golden on the outside. Fresh and hot out of the oven, I didn’t want to slice into them so just put some vegan cream cheese in a bowl and said we’d dip (kind of how I used to eat soft pretzels). So, onto some plates the bagels went while the rest cooled on the pan. I handed a plate and bowl of the cream cheese over to her and went to get my own. She started her cry of “hot, hot, hot!” as she broke it open and steam from the fresh bagels swirled up from the little breakfast goodie. She took a bite and said, “It tastes like a bagel!”

Now, she’s had Everything Bagels from some of the top-flight bakeries in New York City…and she seemed quite content to dive into my first attempt at ever making bagels. Trust me…she’s quite the critic and if she doesn’t like something…she’ll say so. But she thought the texture and the flavor were spot on. And after I got settled to try it for myself…I totally agreed. As a New Yorker, bagels were a way of life growing up. I still love them, but am often relegated to getting the frozen versions from Udi’s (as they are the only gluten-free bagels outside of Jennifer’s Way in NYC that have come close to tasting like the real thing!)…which is fine in a pinch. But these…these were mine. And they wouldn’t have been possible without Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix, for sure.

Truth…I can’t wait to make these again with the other batch. Maybe get a bit more rise out of them so that middle gets all fluffy and amazing. Cathy said these were very reminiscent of the ones we ate at Jennifer’s Way back in March, which I took as a high compliment as my first bite of one of Jennifer’s Way bagels made me cry. Good tears. This mix worked beautifully and made amazing bagels. Talk about taking a risk and having it pay off in the end.

Let’s discuss the ingredients in Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix. This mix is made up of organic rice flour, potato starch, organic cassava starch, organic sorghum flour, arrowroot starch, rice flour, teff flour, sea salt, yeast, xanthan gum, and guar gum.

As far as nutrition goes, the Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix contains about 13 servings, with each serving being about 1/4 cup. A serving will provide 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 23 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, 1 gram fiber, and 1 gram protein. That’s really good for a bread mix. I am very impressed.

If you have access to Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix…and feel like taking on a challenge, go ahead…whip up your own homemade gluten-free bagels!! You’ll be very impressed with the results.

Recipe: Gluten Free Everything Bagels

Gluten Free Everything Bagels made with Mina's Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix — Gluten Free Everything Bagels made with Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix

Servings: 6-12 (I made 8 good-sized bagels!)
Time: Prep 1 hour; Bake 18-20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package, approx. 2⅔ cups Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix
1 cup warm water
2¼ tsp yeast (included)
1 tsp + 1 Tbsp sugar, divided
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp molasses
3 quarts water
1 egg white, whisked (optional)
sesame or poppy seeds for toppings (optional)

Directions:

Add to mixer bowl, 1 cup warm water, 1 tsp of sugar and the yeast. Whisk and let rest for 10 minutes.

Add to yeast mixture: 1 cup of bread mix, the rest of the sugar, the oil, the molasses, and mix well.

Add last 1-2/3 cups of bread mix. Mix on medium high for 5 minutes.

Scrape out on a lightly oiled surface. Form dough into a log. Cut into 6 large or 12 small pieces. (I went for the middle and did 8 perfect size pieces). Roll each piece with lightly oiled hands into a 6″ rope. Shape in a circle, crimping edges.

Arrange bagels on parchment paper. Cover with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft free area for 30 minutes. Dough will be tender at this point after the initial rise.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Bring 3 quarts of water to a slow boil. Gently using oiled hands, or spatula, drop each bagel, one at a time, into the water. Boil in small batches, do not crowd. Simmer for 30 seconds on each side, flip over once. Drain on rack for 5 minutes.

Brush with whisked egg white (optional) and sprinkle the toppings on at this point, if using.

Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes for large bagels and 15 minutes for small bagels. (It took mine 18 minutes…so if you do 8…go with that!)

Cool on rack.

DEVOUR!

~*~*~

I was so impressed with the way Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix baked up perfect, delicious bagels. And with this being my first time ever attempting such a culinary feat…well…it just made me want to improve on it.

That being said…WOW!! Total and complete WOW!! Find Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix and, seriously, give this recipe a try. I am dying to do it all over again! Maybe even improve on it some. We shall see!

Mina’s Purely Divine is purely amazing, purely awesome, and…yes…purely divine! Just WOW!

March 30, 2015

Product Review: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust

Product: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust – $6.99+

If nothing else, this blog post is to remind you about how much I love pizza. Pizza is the ultimate food to me. Seriously. It satisfies every food craving I really have. Except maybe chocolate. But I’ve been cutting way back on that, except for an every-now-and-again 1 ounce dark chocolate treat.

But I digress.

Back to the pizza. Anyway, I have a myriad of gluten free pizza crust mixes that have worked and not worked in the past. I’ve tried just about every gluten-free pizza shell out there. If gluten free pizza is on the menu at a restaurant…you better believe that’s what I’m ordering. Pizza…is perfection to me. Food perfection.

It’s my go-to pre-race (half marathon or over) meal, which somehow equals out to the perfect amount of fats, carbs, and protein for me to perform at the top of my game. Trust me, I’ve tested this numerous, countless times.

So, imagine my glee when I was on a miniature shopping spree at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, and came across the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts in their freezer section. I was beyond elated. Seriously. They come in four flavors, so I knew I was going to take one home with me, it was a matter of narrowing it down to which one. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts come in Sun-Dried Tomato & Herbs, Roasted Garlic, Original, and Parmesan and Asiago.

I love garlic…so I went right for the Roasted Garlic flavor.

Now, I had no intention of letting these linger in my freezer for as long as they did. I swear to you. However, that being said, they did. I just had fresh produce and other, older products to work through first. That being said, yesterday was a good day. I guess the Gluten Free Pizza Bites I ate after the soccer match on Saturday got my tastebuds craving more, because both my roommate and I were really wanting pizza.

But I can’t just make any pizza, you know. I had some fresh produce that needed to be used, so I thought…Brussels sprouts on a pizza. That could rule. But what to pair it with? Vegan and gluten-free bacon. Perfect. What else? Bar-b-que sauce, of course! Add a bit of sauteed onion and it would definitely be a nice change of pace for a pizza. After all, who does Brussels sprouts on a pizza?

I DO!

And thanks to having the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust in my freezer…I could indulge in my pizza craving without hassle or going to my grocer’s freezer section for a pre-made one. This one…this one would be all mine.

Super easy. I preheated the oven with the pizza stone and took the frozen flatbread out of the freezer, defrosting it a little in the microwave. Once the oven and stone were heated, I placed two flatbreads onto the stone and then topped it with some local barbeque sauce, some sauteed onions and Brussels sprouts, the vegan and gluten-free bacon, and then a bit of vegan cheese. Into the oven it went for about 10-12 minutes, to allow the cheese to melt and the flatbread/pizza crust to get that perfect crispness on it (I hoped).

Well…it worked. This was, perhaps, the most durable pizza crust that I can buy in a freezer section at the grocery store that I have ever had. Most gluten-free pizzas are thin and fall apart if loaded up with toppings. But because this is also a flatbread, Glutenfreeda has given it some more heft than most gluten-free crusts out on the market. And, even though it was flavored, it didn’t overpower any of the toppings that went on it. The crust toasted up beautifully and sliced into perfect triangles. If using it as a sandwich bread…I’ve heard it can be a little thick for that, but it was perfect for the pizza. And I’m totally looking forward to baking up another round of these tomorrow for dinner. I have more Brussels sprouts, after all. Glutenfreeda really impressed me with their Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust.

Let’s talk ingredients. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust is made from water, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, expeller pressed canola oil (non-GMO), psyllium powder, egg whites, evaporated cane sugar, yeast, teff flour, seasoning (natural roasted garlic flavor, dehydrated garlic, hydrolyzed soy protein, spices, and salt) flax seed, salt, cultured dextrose, xanthan gum, and citric acid. It is wheat-free, cholesterol free, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and contains no trans fats.

As for nutrition…a serving size is 1/2 of the flat bread. I was using this as my meal, so I ate the entire flatbread. As did my roomie. However, if you stick to the serving size, you will be consuming 110 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will be taking in 380 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. Yes…no sugar. LOVE. In addition, you will be consuming 18 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. This does make for a filling meal…but one that won’t break the calorie bank either as long as you are smart with your toppings.

I think, when I can’t pick up a pizza crust from my local gluten-free bakery, I need to find a local store that carries these. Because I was beyond impressed with how it cooked, held up, and tasted. Forget everything you think you know about frozen gluten-free pizza crusts. Pick up a package (there are 4 flatbreads per package) of Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust (in any flavor…but Roasted Garlic is YUMMY!) and see for yourself. It is amazing. You’ll see!

Gluten-Free Brussels Sprout and (Vegan) Bacon Pizza on Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

Product Review: Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites

Product: Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites – $6.99+

They had me with the product name – Pizza Bites. PIZZA. BITES. PIZZA-FREAKIN’-BITES! As in…pizza rolls? Maybe? Possibly? Could I be that fortunate to stumble across (finally) one of the products that I no longer ate, not because it was made of crap (and they are), but because they were my favorite go-to snack when I needed something to eat while very, very busy?

Well…kinda.

In fact, these were more like breaded cheese ravioli, rather than pizza bites, but we’ll go with it. Let’s just run with it. Pizza Bites! WOOO!

So, I found these at my local natural food store, Rainbow Blossom, and had a freakin’ dance of joy in the freezer section. Honestly. I mean, I’ve been to parties where pizza rolls are laid out and everyone is just enjoying a few here and there. I get to stare at them. Dammit.

No longer.

Thanks to Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet…Pizza Bites (rolls…ravioli?) are back on my every-now-and-again want list. And now…I know where to get them. After purchasing these, I had to go through more fresh produce before allowing myself an indulgence from the freezer or fridge…but after a full day of professional soccer and time with friends…I needed to have something quick for dinner. I was going to do up some green beans with almonds, but my roommate was craving pizza. So…these made their debut in our kitchen.

Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet came about from Neil Russo, a professional chef who was hard at work on gluten-free recipes, which he was striving to perfect after hearing about the many people connected to himself that were having a hard time finding food while on a gluten-free diet due to intolerance or Celiac disease. After experimenting on his Italian bread loaves and Tiramisu, Russo was ready to give his food to the world. He first introduced the gluten free food in his restaurant, where he got high praise. Soon, he opened up Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet. And from there…the frozen versions of some of the classic Italian foods he perfected in gluten-free form. So good, that people even would ask if he was certain it was gluten free. All of Russo’s products are prepared in a strictly gluten-free facility.

So, two hungry soccer fans (my roommate and I) were ready to give these a try. I was surprised, when I opened up the bag to find large ravioli like bites inside. I was definitely expecting more of the pizza roll just from the name. They were frozen, lightly breaded stuffed pasta. But…I was hungry. Cathy was hungry. Pizza. Bites. Rolls. Whatever. Give us something delicious in some sort of pizza form.

Cooking the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites is super easy. Simply preheat the oven to 350°F and place the frozen bites on a cookie sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 5 minutes. Take out when or if the cheese starts to show. Mine cooked in 10 minutes without the cheese leaking out or anything. Bonus.

So, it was chow time. I dished up half the bag for my roommate and half for me. That was about 6 of the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites each. We settled in with an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series and dug in. One bite…and I couldn’t argue…they were delicious. I was a bit thrown by the ratio of dough to filling…but that is a small, slight complaint. I thought there was too much dough encasing a cheese filling…that was a little scant. The pocket had more air than filling, but it was still crispy on the outside with a melty, molten center, regardless. And yes…they were really, really great. Delicious. Amazing.

Yeah…I’d buy these again.

Let’s talk about the ingredients that are in Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. These pasta pockets of pizza goodness are made from gluten free flour (rice flour, corn starch, tapioca dextrin, xanthan gum, rice extract) tomatoes, part skim mozzarella, vegetable oil, soybean oil, soybean lecithin, water, whole eggs, yellow corn flour, ricotta, onions, sugar, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, parsley, basil, and black pepper.

As for nutrition, this isn’t bad for pizza bites. There are three servings in a bag of the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. One serving is 4 pieces. These 4 pieces will provide you with 260 calories and 15 grams of fat. You will be taking in 40 mg cholesterol, 430 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. In addition, a serving dishes up 27 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

I was actually impressed by Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. But, what’s not to love about a company that does 100% gluten free products right, that is family owned and operated, and has exceptional quality. And…they are doing products no one else has managed to put out there. And they are doing them well.

If you can find Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites in your grocery store or natural food store freezer…buy them and try them. You’ll love them. And…pizza rolls are, kinda, back in your life. And that…is amazing in and of itself. For real!

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies

Product: Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies – $3.99+

And so the great kitchen purge continues…

So…let me explain this once more for those just tuning in. At some point, last year, I won an online sweepstakes where the prize was a box of each flavor of Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies. They arrived in the mail and I dutifully placed them on the shelf of my pantry to enjoy at a later time. As I am currently working on getting a majority of processed foods out of my pantry, desserts for the rest of the month are pretty much covered…with Figgies & Jammies.

Now, I was already aware of these amazing little Fig Newton type cookies from when they first debuted back in 2014. I went searching high and low, but my area just didn’t have them in stock. I eventually found them in Columbus, Ohio at The Raisin Rack…and purchased one (of all four flavors…because I was on a budget) and immediately fell in love with them. Luckily I can pretty much find them anywhere now. But…I won these. And winning things is awesome.

If you’ve been sleepwalking through your own gluten-free journey, haven’t found these, didn’t know about them, or missed it in my previous blog, Pamela’s Products Figgies & Jammies come in four different flavors: Blueberry & Fig, Raspberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and Mission Fig.

Tonight…I was all about the Strawberry & Fig.

Prior to the Strawberry & Fig flavors, I have already delved and devoured my way through Pamela’s Blueberry & Fig and Pamela’s Raspberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. I mean, you can’t beat having gluten free Fig Newtons that actually taste good. Trust me…there are a few other attempts at fig stuffed cookies…but none of them have set this level of high standards. And, naturally, it comes from Pamela’s Products. One brand I trust with everything. No exaggeration. And every flavor I like more than the last. So blueberry is delicious, but at the bottom of my list…then raspberry…now strawberry…

…I like this trend.

I also enjoy having a guiltless treat for dessert after a long day and a quick dinner. I believe in dessert. We all have the right to reward our hard efforts of the day, the long hours, the struggle to get through, with some sort of treat. Fruit…cookies…cake…brownies…ice cream…whatever your poison…treat yourself. It’s actually good for you. Good for the soul. Nothing big…just a taste is all you need. And luckily, Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Figgies & Jammies are a 2-3 bite wonders (which is bigger than traditional fig cookies, for sure! I’m looking at you Fig Newtons!). LOVE.

So…Strawberry & Fig. Strawberry. Fig. Two of my most favorite things in the world. I am obsessed with figs. I am beyond obsessed (and have been for my entire life) with strawberries. So, naturally, this pairing seemed like a match made in heaven. Oh…trust me…it is. One bite…and that’s all I needed to fall in love. Just like the previous two flavors, Pamela’s Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies are moist, spongy cookies that are filled with real fig and strawberry. Think Fig Newton minus the gluten. But not minus the flavor. In fact, I think I enjoy Pamela’s version of these cookies more than I ever enjoyed Fig Newtons. No joke. Even the different flavors. But Strawberry & Fig is definitely bursting with this classic combination of fruit. Blending it with the soft cookie on the outside adds a level of savoriness to the product itself. It’s magic in every bite. I. Am. Truly. Addicted.

So…now that I’ve raved about the flavor, let’s take a look at what goes into Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. The cake-y cookie on the outside is made from a gluten-free flour blend of brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice flour, and xanthan gum, in addition to evaporated cane sugar, organic non-hydrogenated palm oil, organic invert sugar, grape juice and whole rice syrup, sweet whey powder, glycerin, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, and lemon oil. The jam filling is made from strawberry paste, fig paste, and citric acid. These cookies are gluten-free, egg free, contain no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no corn syrup, no cholesterol, are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, and are kosher certified.

As for nutrition…well…these are cookies. But I am not ashamed to eat one of these cookies. They really have fantastic stats for being a treat. A serving is 1 of the Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Strawberry & Fig Figgies & Jammies. This one cookie will provide you with 100 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be taking in 25 mg sodium, 11 grams of sugar (it is a cookie…so I try not to panic!), and 18 grams of carbohydrates. Finally, you will be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. A treat that won’t fill you up, but is just enough to satisfy. You gotta love that.

Once again, beyond impressed with the standard, quality, and amazing flavor that I find in every Pamela’s item I try. The gluten-free community no longer has to fear missing out on some of their favorites or having their version taste flat and boring. With Pamela’s…that won’t happen. Flavor, quality…and just sheer awesomeness in every bite. Total win!

March 23, 2015

Product Review: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Dr. Praeger's Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes — Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Product: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes – $4.99+

You might be able to tell that I’m on a bit of a sweet potato kick. And who can blame me? Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses. I mean, this one food is an excellent source of B6 vitamins and potassium, but in addition to that, you will be provided with over 400% of your daily needs for Vitamin A and 37% Vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta-carotene, which has been shown to reduce risk of developing certain types of cancer, offers protection against asthma and heart disease as well. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite plant powerhouses when it comes to foods I consume often.

While I love to incorporate baked sweet potatoes into recipes or stuff them with healthy avocado and some onion and eat them fresh out of the oven…I recently found my stash of frozen sweet potato pancakes in my freezer. I knew they were there, I just made no effort to actually pull them out to eat. Go figure. But with a lack of fresh produce coming in from my bin these last couple of weeks, I have been doing some slimming down on what I have in my pantry and my fridge and freezer. Last week, I ate a different variety of sweet potato pancakes, more like the familiar pancakes I would settle in to at breakfast.

And that’s one of the first things I noticed about the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes from Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods. They look more like hash browns than your breakfast pancakes. Which, is fine by me, for sure. While I liked the Julian’s Recipe version, I found that they tasted a bit…odd. But that wasn’t the case with the ones from Dr. Praeger’s.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods began in 1994, when a New Jersey cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Peter Praeger, and his medical partner, Dr. Eric Somberg, helped keep a family business alive by purchasing Ungar’s Gefilte Fish, a popular kosher food company within the Jewish community. The two doctors set out on a mission – to introduce people to nutritious food that actually tasted great. They opted to keep the Ungar’s brand, but also developed Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods to include all natural and convenient (and wow…they are convenient!) frozen products that could appeal and draw in a wider consumer based. This family owned and operated company has grown into a leader in the all-natural, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher frozen food categories, with products ranging from veggie burgers to home-style veggie cakes, to breaded fish items, and veggie-packed goodies for children too in their “Kid’s Littles” line, and many more options. The Dr. Praeger’s items are found in the frozen or ethnic foods section of most retailers, but certainly in most natural food stores.

I’m quite familiar with the Dr. Praeger’s brand. In fact, I have enjoyed some of the Kid’s Littles (hey…I’m a kid at heart!) and have tried the veggie burgers as well…and have loved everything I have tried. But, I won’t lie…I was beyond intrigued by the Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes when I spotted them at Whole Foods awhile back. This morning, as I was packing like a wild woman to head out to New York City for some birthday shenanigans with my roommate (her birthday is tomorrow), as well as a possible race (depending on my hip), I needed something that would be filling, yet easy to prepare. I hit up my pantry, but all the mixes just seemed time consuming. My freezer was next, and the final bit of breakfast-like food (hey…pancakes are pancakes…even if they are savory!) caught my attention when I spotted the white box for Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. SCORE!

I pulled out four of the individually wrapped pancakes (think of a large hash brown, and you get the basic size and thickness of these pancakes) and placed them on a baking sheet. I put them into an oven set at 450°F and baked them for about 5 minutes before turning them over and baking them for another 4 minutes, or until they began to brown. Simple and something that I honestly didn’t need to babysit. I just had to check in every few minutes to make sure I wasn’t burning them. That gave me some time to throw things into a suitcase…HA. Granted, I should have done that the night before…but I was busy watching Star Trek – The Original Series. Priorities.

So…first of all…these aren’t your typical pancakes that you might imagine drowning in maple syrup and devouring for breakfast. Nope. They aren’t thin and light and look like something you cooked up in a skillet that morning. Like I said…these will remind you of a hash brown. And they are hearty and thick just like hash browns too. Seriously. These are amazing. I loved these more than the previous round of sweet potato pancakes (savory and more of the breakfast pancake type) that I had last week. These are actually perfect for a healthy snack, a light meal, or a side dish. Honestly. But mine…mine were going to be breakfast for my roommate and I. And after I had them baked up, I served them up with some marshmallow fluff (which I toasted with my kitchen torch) and some roasted almonds on top. I served them up and settled in for breakfast before finishing up my packing that morning.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes are AMAZING. Hearty and healthy is one thing, but these also tasted amazing. These are made from real food and real ingredients, so nothing tasted off or weird when I dove into these. I sort of wish I cooked them up with some scrambled eggs and topped them off with a bit of ketchup, but I still have two more pancakes in order to do that with. So it’s all good. These have great sweet potato flavor and tasted really good the way I dressed them up. But when I sampled a piece on its own, that amazing sweet potato flavor just came through. And that was what I wanted. Honest. Real. Healthy. Food. A sophisticated hash brown masquerading as a pancake. I LOVE IT! And I loved these. I sort of want to stock my freezer with them for future use. Seriously. If you want an easy and go-to option for your clean eating diet. THIS…would be my suggestion.

Let’s discuss ingredients. Real ingredients and real food is what you’ll find in Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. These delightful disks of goodness are made from sweet potatoes, egg whites, potato flakes, expeller pressed canola oil, brown sugar, arrowroot, and salt. That’s it. Amazing. Clean eating in your freezer! These potato pancakes are gluten-free, kosher, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, and free from saturated fat and trans fats.

As far as nutrition goes…these are little pancakes of power. The nutrition stats on the Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes wowed me and they will wow you too. A serving is 1 pancake, but my roommate and I each had 2 this round as it was breakfast. One pancake will serve you up 80 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. One sweet potato pancake will also give you 120 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. One serving also provides you with 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so filling without being too filling. Double it to two pancakes, and you’ll be full until lunch time. Trust me. I know I am.

I was completely impressed with and blown away by Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes. I’m not kidding when I saw these will find their way back into my freezer. Honestly, they were beyond what I anticipated and totally captured my attention and the attention of my taste buds. Delicious. Healthy. And amazing. You can’t beat that. If you haven’t tried them…do it now. Next time…ketchup!

March 6, 2015

Product Review: Julian’s Recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes

Product: Julian’s Recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes – $3.99+

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but it is also my favorite meal of the day. If I have said it once, I have said it 456,793 times (or more)…I. LOVE. BREAKFAST.

And I don’t always even stick to traditional breakfast either at breakfast time. That being said, you can also find me devouring breakfast foods at lunch and dinner. At times, I have eaten breakfast food at every meal of the day. Those are the best days. Nothing makes me happier than a good, delicious breakfast…at any time of the day.

Lucky for me, this doesn’t always have to mean time in the kitchen. Now, pancakes are one of the best food inventions in life. You will find no shortage of pancake mixes, syrup, and toppings in my kitchen. They are, positively, one of my most favorite breakfast foods to ever exist. And I LOVE to make them…especially on Sunday morning so that they are hot and ready by the time my roomie decides to get up and join me for some coffee.

And while I think from scratch is the best, I do not scoff at gluten-free mixes and even frozen pancakes that have hit the market. While Julian’s Recipe has put out a few other gluten-free pancakes in the past (Belgian Chocolate, Blueberry, Buttermilk)…this was their first foray into gluten-free savory pancakes. And…it just so happens to be made from one of my second favorite things in life – sweet potatoes.

Enter Julian’s Recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes to your grocer’s freezer. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember where I might have picked these up. Maybe Whole Foods. Maybe Earth Fare. Maybe even Rainbow Blossom. I might have gotten them from Raisin Rack when I was in Columbus, Ohio…or I might have picked them up at Organic Harvest while in Birmingham, Alabama. Where I bought them is unimportant. What is important is how they taste.

On this cold morning, where I am packing to leave for Birmingham, Alabama just before noon…I figured it was a good day to break these out of my freezer and give them a try. Nothing is more comforting on a snowy, cold, March morning…than pancakes. Especially savory pancakes.

Don’t believe me? Do it yourself. HA!

So…let’s first talk about Julian’s Recipe. Mostly known for their gluten-filled Belgian waffles and European-style breads, Julian’s Recipe has broken out a line of gluten-free pancakes. Which, I have never tried…despite myself. The company is named after founder Alexander Dzieduszycki’s son, Julian. The recipes are ones he adapted from his own family’s recipes. And the family tradition won’t stop there as Julian has developed a love of cooking and is often Dzieduszycki’s inspiration and muse for new products and recipes. So, when they stepped up and began offering gluten-free pancakes…the gluten-free world got to see what all the fuss was about. In addition to the sweet pancakes (chocolate, buttermilk, blueberry) offered for gluten-free consumers, this new line Julian’s Recipe introduced has three savory options…Vegetable Medly, Yukon Gold, and…naturally, the Sweet Potato ones that I am trying out.

Preparing these are easy. You can do it two ways…via the oven or the stove. I love cooking frozen pancakes in my oven, so that’s how I did it. Simply put the pancakes on a baking sheet and into a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes. When they emerge, they will be toasty and warm, and smelling amazing. I loved these at first whiff.

Savory pancakes are a different beast for sure. And, my non-gluten-free roomie said that these tasted “odd” to her. “They don’t taste like pancakes.” Then again…savory pancakes won’t. They are good though. Crispy and golden on the outside with that soft pancake in the middle. Sweet potato flavor throughout. We ate ours this morning with some maple syrup, however, next time I might put some marshmallow fluff over them with some pecans and use the kitchen torch…take them to that next level of pancake goodness. Overall…they were good. Great texture. All flavor.

The Julian’s Recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes are made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, milk, gluten free flour (blend of white rice flour, potato starch, corn starch, organic brown rice flour, tapioca starch, xanthan gum), egg whites, whole eggs, canola oil, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, and yeast extract. These are kosher and gluten-free.

As far as nutrition goes, you are going to love these! A serving of Julian’s Recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Pancakes is 1 pancake. But because these nutrition facts are awesome, my roomie and I each had two this morning. Sticking to the serving size though, 1 of these savory pancakes will give you 70 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. Stay with me…it gets better. A serving has only 10 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. If you are a carb counter…only 13 grams of carbohydrates. And, you get 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein per pancakes…so, yeah, doubling up makes it awesome…and filling.

Nothing is better than a breakfast that is delicious, filling, and not guilt-inducing (like donuts or muffins or the like). While pancakes are not hard to make or cook from scratch, frozen pancakes, especially ones with savory ingredients, are nice to have on hand for those mornings, afternoons, and evenings where you are just short on time, patience, and money in your budget. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, these new savory pancakes from Julian’s Recipe are sure to fulfill any breakfast or pancake craving.

February 28, 2015

Product Review: gfJules Cornbread Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: gfJules Cornbread Mix – $6.26+

I am a stranger in a not so strange land. Seriously. Because for the past three three years that I’ve had to be gluten-free…I’ve followed, discussed, and even met the infamous Jules Shepard, AKA: Jules Gluten Free, AKA: gfJules. And, despite all of that…it has taken me up until now to actually try one of her products! Hard to believe, right? Truth of the matter is…no store in my area currently carries any of the Jules line. I hope that changes.

So…it was due to my November 2014 Cuisine Cube (aka: the Thanksgiving Cube) that my Jules drought finally came to an end. Thank you, Cuisine Cube. Because, honestly, I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to be able to give this an easy try, without it involving some online ordering and shipping and…yeah. So, yes, Jules brand is not new to me…but it is. Confused yet? Don’t be.

Jules Shepard is one of the biggest advocates and leaders that I know in the gluten-free community. She was diagnosed with Celiac back in 1999 and embarked upon her new diet. As a former attorney who was unwilling to accept the dry, gritty, vacuous foods that the gluten-free community was limited to. Two years later, Shepard perfected an all-purpose flour blend that allowed her to continue her passion for baking. Soon, people were begging for her to sell it commercially…which she did. She introduced this flour blend back in 2008, with her former company, Jules Gluten Free, and now exclusively through her new company – gfJules. Not only is she an entrepreneur, but Shepard has written three highly regarded books and attends various speaking engagements at gluten-free consumer, business, and trade gatherings. She is the mother of two children, hosts a weekly radio show, pens one of the gluten-free community’s most active blog, organizes an annual Gluten Free Cookie Swap, and personally monitors all forms of her social media network. She’s doing it all…but not letting her high standards slip in the slightest.

So…here I was, three years after having discovered Jules via Facebook and Twitter, having met her in person last year at a Gluten Free Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, and having spent forever longing to try her flour and mixes…it finally happened. Thanksgiving. A time for giving thanks and eating comforting and hearty foods. Like…cornbread. And that is what Cuisine Cube sent me!

gfJules Cornbread Mix (prepared) — gfJules Cornbread Mix (mixed)

The gfJules Gluten Free Cornbread Mix is a gluten free cornbread mix that “will put a smile on anyone’s face.” Or, so I was told by the Web site. As cornbread is one of Jules’ favorite sides, she took extra care when she crated this mix, making it so authentic, some restaurants even serve it and don’t promote it as being gluten-free. It’s really easy to prepare and make too. Simply whisk together sour cream, milk and an egg. Stir in the mix using a fork or whisk until smooth. Spread into a hot buttered pan (or into muffin cups) and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cornbread is done when the edges are crispy and brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That is…if you bake it according to the instructions on the box.

By now, you should know…that’s not what I do.

Before I get to the recipe I used this amazing product in, let’s discuss it, shall we?

I loved how a light and airy this batter was once I had it all mixed together. It just whisked up beautifully and perfectly. I had a good feeling that this wasn’t going to bake up heavy and dense like most gluten-free cornbread…and I was right. The cornbread turned a perfect golden in the oven, the edges browning perfectly. And it had this amazing crust that gave it some great texture. And the inside was light and soft and moist and…so good. It ranks up in my top gluten-free cornbreads I have made and tried. I am blown away by just how delicious and perfect this bread was. Now I want to try more of her mixes…and will have to skip over to her Web site and make it happen. This was one of the best parts of this entire dish.

gfJules Cornbread Mix (prepared, not baked)

The gfJules Cornbread Mix is made from the following ingredients: yellow cornmeal, modified tapioca starch, cane sugar, potato starch, cornstarch white rice flour, corn flour, baking powder, flaxseed meal, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, tocopherols (vitamin E). It is made in a certified facility free of gluten, wheat, dairy – all of the Top 8 food allergens. All her ingredients in the cornbread mix are also non-GMO. Love it.

The gfJules Cornbread Mix makes 8 servings per box. In each serving, you will be provided with 160 calories and 1 gram of fat. This serving will give you 490 mg sodium and 5 grams of sugar, which is really good for cornbread, if you ask me! And, finally, you will be taking in 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

And now…how about the recipe that featured the always amazing gfJules Cornbread Mix? I won’t keep you waiting any longer, I promise…

Recipe: Gluten Free and Vegan Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake

gf Jules Cornbread (prepared) on top of the Gluten Free and Dairy Free Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 4 hours; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups uncooked gluten-free elbow noodles (I used Meijer Gluten Free Corn Pasta Elbow Noodles)
3/4 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds (if you do dairy…freshly shredded cheddar works!)
2 1/2 – 3 cups of leftover chili (I used Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili)
1 batch of your favorite cornbread (I used gfJules Cornbread)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Bring the water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the directions on the package, taking about 1-2 minutes off of the cooking time, as the noodles are going into the oven.

While the noodles are cooking, mix up a batch of your favorite cornbread (just the batter…do not cook it!) and get the cheese prepared.

Drain the pasta when it’s ready.

In an 8 x 8 inch baking dish, spray non-stick cooking spray. Add the pasta to the botom of the dish. Then top it with a layer of cheese. Then add the chili. Top with the cornbread batter, spreading it evenly over the top with a spoon. It’s okay if it doesn’t reach the edges.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden on top and cooked all the way through. You can use a spoon to lift up the cornbread layer to make sure that it is completely cooked. Cooking times may vary with the cornbread mixture you use, but keep an eye on it and check it. The cooking time might increase due to the “wet” layers that are underneath the layer.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

I don’t think a better upper crust could have existed. No doubt about it. gfJules lives up to the high pedestal that I have regarded it on since I first discovered Jules Gluten Free three years ago. So happy that, because of Cuisine Cube, I finally got to try one of her amazing products. It was everything I thought it would be. Maybe even more. Count me one happy cornbread loving girl!

And, if you have yet to give gfJules a try, or Cuisine Cube for that matter…head over to the Cuisine Cube page and sign up for at least a month. If you aren’t impressed (but, trust me, you will be), you can opt out after that. With plans starting as low as $29.99/month for each cube, you get the convenience and amazing pleasure of having box of gluten-free goodies arrive each month, featuring lesser-known and smaller gluten-free artisan products. I have been amazed, wowed, and completely blown away at times by the items I have had the opportunity to find out about and try thanks to Cuisine Cube. We aren’t talking sample sizes either…you get a full size product, as you would purchase it in the store. So…what are you waiting for? Go sign up!

And, gfJules…I loved meeting you this past year…and I have really enjoyed finally getting to try one of your outstanding and top-of-the-line gluten-free products. I hope more people hop over to your site and order. Now that I have tried it…there’s no stopping me now!

February 28, 2015

Product Review: Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix – $8.00

It’s the New Year. Time to make resolutions and then, over the course of a month…break them. Right? Yes. Right. It’s the way it works every year. You vow to stop eating chocolate…to go to the gym…to eat more vegetables and less potato chips. You promise to get into a habit…make it a routine. But then…by MLK Day…you’re already off the wagon.

And you know what? That’s okay. We’re in the midst of winter here. Cold temperatures and lack of sunlight have a funny way of killing off any bit of motivation out there. We’re human. It happens. But, it’s also okay to enjoy the little things in life and to be less strict with yourself. Resolutions can be broken…but they can be picked right back up on where we left off. That’s the best part.

Being that it is January…and the New Year has come and gone…and the weather outside is frightful(ly cold)…I’m a lover of all things comforting when it comes to food. Tis the season for those hearty meals that make you just want to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace and dig in while losing yourself. Ah…it’s a wonderful thing. And, when it comes to winter comfort foods…nothing is better than soups, stews, chili, and pasta, right? Of course!! Those are classic comfort foods if you ask me.

Well, in the January Happy New Year 2015 Cuisine Cube, we were served up a few products that were good for you…but also a guilty pleasure and comfort. That’s the wonderful thing about Cuisine Cube…you just never know what to expect from one box to the next. One cube guarantees a product that is good for a breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert. And sometimes, like in the case of January, you get a bonus item. In this case…another snack. YAY!

I know, if you’re reading this blog regularly, you are familiar with the service that Cuisine Cube offers…but just in case you are a newbie…first of all…welcome. Secondly…hop on over to Cuisine Cube’s Web site and take a look at this fantastic service. This small group of foodies put together a completely gluten-free box of goodness each month with 5-6 products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…some local…some not-quite-so-local. I’ve discovered so many amazing products after I signed up for this service back in May. And…you get a cube delivered right to your door each month…starting at $29.99. So, yeah…I encourage you to check them out. Have a little surprise each month and enjoy a few products you might never have tried or known about before. It doesn’t get much better than that.

With that said, the January Cube was packed with a lot of healthy foods. Seriously. The dessert was dark chocolate covered rice cakes. Yes, there will be blog on those soon…stay tuned. Even the most comforting of foods inside…is healthy-ish! And I’m okay with this. But…I’m also dealing with a bit of the winter blues…so when I saw the unassuming cloth pouch of Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix…my brain immediately turned to comfort food. And with that, I set out to do more than just make the chili and eat it. You know, reinventing a product is something I love to do.

First, let me talk a little bit about Mary Ann’s Beans. Chili can be comfort food, but Mary Ann’s Beans is making it a part of a healthy lifestyle. All of the soup and dip mixes are nutritious and low in sodium. They have options for vegetarians, gluten-free, and offer all seasoning mixes that are made with no salt, no sugar, and no MSG. In other words…it’s good for you. And these soups tastes great too.

Mary Ann's Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix (dried beans and seasoning packet) — Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix (dried beans and seasoning packet)

Make Mary Ann’s Beans part of your heart healthy lifestyle with our delicious and nutritious low sodium soup mixes. With flavors to please every palate, and options including vegetarian and gluten-free, your whole family will love our soups. Our all natural soup, dip and seasonings mixes are hand made with no salt, no sugar, and NO MSG. Mary Ann’s Beans most famous mix is the Gluten Free White Chili Mix that was in the January Cuisine Cube. And, honestly, I can see why!! These mixes do take some time to make, but, trust me…it’s well worth it.

Mary's Ann's Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix (beans soaked) — Mary’s Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix (beans soaked)

Last night, I soaked the packet of dried white beans in water. I drained them and rinsed them. And then…set out to cook them. The instructions included on this chili mix package give two ways to cook it…in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours or…on the stove top for 3-4 hours. I went with the stove top method. And making this chili is super easy. The actual instructions do call for chicken, as it is a white chili. But, as a vegetarian, I just left it out and kept it strictly the beans and the can of chopped green chilies. I used Vegetarian No-Chicken Broth as well, instead of chicken broth. Cooking it is time consuming, but it yields amazing results. With the stove top method, you simply combine the white chili beans, 6 cups of broth (vegetable, non-chicken, chicken…), a 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies, 1-1/2 – 2 cups of boneless cooked chicken (if you are using…if you are a vegetarian like me…it’s fine to leave it out!), and the contents of the spice packet that is included, into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and allow it to simmer for 3-4 hours, or until tender. I let mine go for about 3-1/2 hours and it was perfect. Add a bit of salt at the end voila…your chili is ready to eat.

What emerges is this hearty and thick chili that has this light, and slightly spicy taste to it. White chili is amazing, even without the chicken, and it makes for a beautiful and eye-catching addition to any potluck or chili cook-off. But I was not just going to cook up this fantastic product and just eat it straight. You know better than that. I did, however, take a few spoonfuls to see how it was. And, let me tell you, Mary Ann’s Beans is doing comforting winter food right. The flavor is familiar…the texture is hearty and rich…and the spice is a mild heat. If you like hotter (I do), you can put in jalapenos instead of chilies, but my roommate isn’t a lover of spice, so I kept it mild. At the end of cooking, I added some salt and a hit of berbere seasoning…and it made pure chili perfection. If you love chili…you will love this.

Mary Ann's Beans White Chili Mix (prepared) — Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix (prepared)

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? Mary Ann’s Beans White Chili Mix is made from great northern beans, navy and yellow eyed beans, dried onions, garlic and spices. As stated before, these are gluten-free, contain no salt, no sugar, and no MSG. This mix is also cholesterol free.

One pouch of Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili Mix contains about 6 servings. One serving will give you 190 calories and 1 gram of fat. A full serving will also dish up only 10 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. As for being filling…it’s chili…it will be filling. You get 13 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein in each serving. I do love hearty, nutritious, comfort food. And this is all of that rolled into one.

But wait…there’s more!! I created an amazing (vegan and gluten-free) ultimate comfort food dish using the prepared Mary Ann’s Gluten Free White Chili Mix. Trust me, your winter blues will disappear while you dive into this dish.

Recipe: Gluten Free and Vegan Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 4 hours; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups uncooked gluten-free elbow noodles (I used Meijer Gluten Free Corn Pasta Elbow Noodles)
3/4 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds (if you do dairy…freshly shredded cheddar works!)
2 1/2 – 3 cups of leftover chili (I used Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili)
1 batch of your favorite cornbread (I used gfJules Cornbread Mix)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Bring the water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the directions on the package, taking about 1-2 minutes off of the cooking time, as the noodles are going into the oven.

While the noodles are cooking, mix up a batch of your favorite cornbread (just the batter…do not cook it!) and get the cheese prepared.

Drain the pasta when it’s ready.

In an 8 x 8 inch baking dish, spray non-stick cooking spray. Add the pasta to the bottom of the dish. Then top it with a layer of cheese. Then add the chili. Top with the cornbread batter, spreading it evenly over the top with a spoon. It’s okay if it doesn’t reach the edges.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

Oh. My. Gluten. Free. Comfort. Food. Gods. No…really. If you love a hearty winter meal, this is the way to go. I loved the rich flavors that the Mary Ann’s Beans White Chili brought to the dish. It was the centerpiece…the middle layer…the glue. And it was an absolutely amazing addition to this entire dish. When winter has you hiding under the blankets longing for something warm and wonderful to eat…this will definitely fulfill that desire. Either that…or a big, steaming bowl of just the chili on its own. However you serve it up…flavorful, creamy, and just…so good!

It was thanks to the amazing products that Mary Ann’s Beans put out and Cuisine Cube sent me that I was able to piece together this hearty, and amazing dinner. For the record, the gfJules Cornbread Mix (review to follow) is also a product I received from Cuisine Cube in November. So, as you can see…it is definitely a service worth trying out. Seriously, your inner foodie will thank you for it.