Baked Goods – Page 14 – The Celiathlete

October 23, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Sour Cream and Onion Potato Crisps

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Sour Cream and Onion Potato Crisps – $3.59+

I admit…when it comes to snacks, I usually reach for fruit. But, the fact of the matter is…sometimes you want something salty. Something that will satisfy that need for sodium (can you tell I’m a runner?). And finding a good gluten-free chip that not only is crispy, but not oily, and still packing a flavorful punch. It can be a plain chip, but make it a damn good plain chip!

That’s all.

So, awhile back while in Columbus, Ohio, I was shopping and filling a basket at Raisin Rack (seriously…GO THERE! The gluten-free section is FANTASTIC!) when I came across the snacks. I sort of glanced over the protein/breakfast bars and didn’t see anything that caught my attention. But…something did as I walked further down, to where the crackers, chips and pretzels are found.

Glutino.

So I trust it. Great brand.

Chips.

Okay…keep going…getting warmer…

SOUR CREAM AND ONION!

Hold the phone and shut the front door!

But there it was…in that classic white packaging that I associate with Glutino. And it was screaming at me to buy it. I hadn’t had sour cream and onion chips in…what seemed like…forever. Seriously forever. Years. Ages. Eons.

In fact, I hadn’t really enjoyed a good flavored chip since going gluten-free. There are plenty of chips out there…but the nutrition facts just didn’t make them worth the bother of buying. I want to enjoy a snack and not sit there fussing over the calories and fat content. And then get mad for doing that because you have to treat yourself in life. Everyone should. Just don’t make a habit of it, right?!

So…sour cream and onion just sounded pretty freakin’ amazing, if you ask me. So, it went into the basket…and then into my car…and then into my pantry…and then…into my belly! This week, I pulled this bag out to fill in for my usual mid-morning snack (usually an apple or pear or something from my CSA bin…but we weren’t home and didn’t get one!). I slipped the bag open and immediately was hit with that classic sour cream and onion smell. I think my mouth instinctively started to water.

So, I got out the kitchen scale and measured out a serving (28 grams). Perfect serving, if you ask me. And then I put them in my little Hello Kitty (don’t judge!) lunch bag for the following day at the office. When my usual snack time rolled around (I run my life on a schedule!), I couldn’t wait to bite into them. I uncapped the container and took a moment to observe. The chips were thin-cut, and perfectly cut. They had this wavy edge to them. And they weren’t greasy, as these chips are not fried, but baked. I have ALWAYS loved baked chips. Each sliced chip had a decent amount of seasoning on it, without being overwhelming. I breathed in the delicious snack fumes and then didn’t waste any more time.

It is a damn good thing that I measure out my servings. It would be SO easy to devour the entire bag of these amazing chips. The Glutino Gluten Free Sour Cream and Onion Potato Crisps are perfect. Seriously…snack perfection. The flavors are spot on. I mean…just spot on. Perfect saltiness from the potato chip, and then the savory essence of the sour cream and onion seasoning just made this the ultimate snack chip. They are crispy, and not the least bit dry. Perfect snackage, if you ask me. And, again, I would eat all the chips if left alone with the bag, for sure.

SO GOOD!

But, let’s discuss things like ingredients and nutrition, shall we?

The Glutino Gluten Free Sour Cream and Onion Potato Crisps are made from deyhdrated potatoes, corn starch, corn oil, seasoning (reduced lactose whey, onion powder, sugar, milk powder, cultured nonfat milk, dehydrated parsley, citric acid, lactic acid, natural flavors, garlic powder, and less than 2% soybean oil, silicon dioxide and calcium silcate as a processing aid), sugar, maltodextrin, leavening, coy lecithin, baking soda, and salt.

Now for that nutritional information…

A serving of Glutino Gluten Free Sour Cream and Onion Potato Crisps is 1 ounce (28 grams)…or about 12 crisps. This one serving will provide you with 110 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Don’t you love baked chips? I always have! This serving also gives you 270 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. You will also be receiving 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. These chips are cholesterol free as well.

For me, while not a common snack, chips are a great salty treat. And these mix the salty and savory flavor of sour cream and onion. It was a favorite flavor growing up…and the tradition continues. Glutino…you’ve rocked my snack life. Again.

Nice.

September 30, 2014

Product Review: The Pure Pantry Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix (with bonus recipe & coupon code)

Product: The Pure Pantry Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix – $7.29+

A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be sent a free package of The Pure Pantry‘s Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix. I was ecstatic…for quite a few reasons. For the first thing…most gluten-free baking mixes that I have tried…haven’t lived up to expectations. Secondly, the pancakes on the package looked heavenly…so, I could only imagine the awesomeness that was enclosed inside.

Included with the mix were two recipes. I had this perfect vision in my head the moment I saw one for The Pure Pantry’s Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Cornbread (or Muffins). You see…I love chili, soup, and stew. I LOVE…LOVE…LOVE these things…and it’s officially autumn. It’s fall. It’s soup season. It’s time to break into my vegetable crisper and my pantry and whip up some warm, comforting goodness on the stovetop.

Tonight…that’s just what I did. And I pulled out my package of The Pure Pantry’s Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix because the perfect accompaniment to any chili (and I made a fantastic Garden Chili with LOTS of veggies!)…is cornbread, of course!!

This was not my first foray into gluten-free cornbread. I’ve made at least a dozen different versions of it. None of which I have liked. Seriously. None. They just never seemed to hit that perfect cornbread mark! Always a disappointment. If my roommate was game, she’d offer to use the failed versions for some snacks at work…but that was rare. Yeah…my cornbread record since going gluten-free has not been stellar.

So, you can only imagine my anticipation today when, after a long day of fitness, festivals, and…yes…food…I wanted to cook up a light chili and give this cornbread recipe a whirl. What could go wrong? I’d either be amazed…or disappointed once again.

The recipe was very easy and everything needed was in my pantry or fridge already. Don’t you love it when that happens? Combining the mix with corn meal, baking powder, salt, and some liquid ingredients, this epic dough that felt light and airy emerged. I poured it into a greased baking pan and threw it in the oven for about 22 minutes.

What emerged was sheer cornbread perfection. It looked like cornbread. It smelled like cornbread. Once the chili was done simmering away on the stove…I would find out if it tasted like cornbread. About 20 minutes later…dinner was served.

The first difference between the cornbread made with The Pure Pantry’s Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix was that it didn’t feel heavy or dense…even as it came out of the oven. I can tell when I bake whether a recipe is going to be good by how heavy the pan feels as I lift it out of that oven. This didn’t feel heavy at all. It was this gorgeous golden color on top. It cooled briefly before I got out a knife and sliced it into 16 squares. Cutting it was a dream. I could tell that it was going to be a perfect texture due to how easily the knife cut through it. Like butter! It glided right through…no fighting with heavy, gummy insides on this bread. I might have perfection here! Each bowl of chili was served with two squares of the cornbread.

The verdict?!

BEST GLUTEN FREE CORNBREAD EVER!! And, as I stated above, I’ve made so much gluten-free cornbread that I didn’t like or I felt just came out wrong. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this recipe. It was hearty and delicious and so easy to prepare. I loved not just the texture, but how light, but substantial it felt. I loved the flavor…which…for me…was perfect. It wasn’t sweet cornbread…which is just how I like it. Sugar in cornbread is cake. This didn’t taste like cake. This tasted like cornbread. It had that gritty, corn flavor. Honestly…made my night.

I am going to definitely try the sweet recipe that was sent along with this baking mix as well…so stay tuned for that!! But for now, please enjoy this recipe from The Pure Pantry:

Recipe: The Pure Pantry’s Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cornbread (or Muffins)

The Pure Pantry Gluten-Free Organic Old Fashioned Pancake and Baking Mix (with Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cornbread)

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup The Pure Pantry Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix
1 cup organic yellow corn meal
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk (almond milk or rice milk may be substituted) (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/3 cup vegetable shortening, butter, or coconut oil – melted
1 large egg, slightly beaten (or egg replacer)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Grease or butter an 8-inch square baking pan.

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Combine milk, oil, agave, and egg in a small bowl; mix well.

Add the milk mixture to flour mixture; stir until just blended.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes. For muffins, spoon batter into greased muffin cups, fill 2/3 full and bake 15-18 minutes.

This recipe may be doubled and baked as above in a 13×9 inch baking pan.

~*~*~

The Pure Pantry has so many mixes to offer. And they were kind enough to share a coupon code with me to give to all of you, my dear readers. If you are interested in trying their products, skip over to http://www.thepurepantry.com and take a look at their shop. You can get $1.00 off your purchase of any two (2) gluten-free products from The Pure Pantry simply by entering PLU 35147 as you are checking out! Trust me…these products are totally worth it. I have never been so satisfied with a mix than I was with this one. The Pure Pantry might actually be selling gluten-free baking perfection.

But…don’t just take my word for it. Get over to their site…order some of their products and see how life changing your gluten-free foods can be. Simple. Delicious. And…amazing and delicious.

The Pure Pantry is pure gluten-free delicious goodness!

September 20, 2014

Birthday & Boston

It’s September 19…and you know what that means?

It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day, mateys!!

But…it also means that it’s my birthday. I didn’t have anything planned for the occasion…except having my friend Jenn come down for the weekend. Which is awesome, because she’s one of my favorite peeps. Travel buddy…race spectator…professional cheer section! WOOT!

And it was a good day. After work, we all went out for Indian food at Shalimar (my favorite!) and then to the mall. Cathy bought me a new wallet and some socks for an upcoming race outfit. The socks…the wallet is for everyday use, obviously.

And then, we came back to the apartment…stuffed ourselves with slices of my gluten-free and vegan birthday cake, made by Annie May’s Sweet Café, in Louisville, Kentucky. And we settled in for a little while to chat, get caught up, watch some crazy stuff on television, and then get some rest. Long day for the traveler and an early morning in the works for the morning.

I couldn’t have asked for a better day. This morning, I was gifted with a gift card to purchase either the Frozen Soundtrack or Sherlock Series 3 on Blu-Ray. I got some great new running gear from Amanda. I went to work with goodies for the office and they were devoured. Cathy’s mom brought me balloons and roses and a watermelon! Then, home for food. The waiter at Shalimar was taking our order, and I got my favorite, the Broccoli Masala. And he said, “It’s your birthday…you should do something different!” But I said it was my favorite…so that is what I wanted. After the meal, they brought out complimentary rice pudding for the three of us. I love that place SO much. As you can tell…I go there often! Then shopping. Then cake. Now relaxing. Oh yeah…good day!!

Speaking of cake…check out what Cathy and Annie May’s Sweet Café worked up for me:

Which brings me to the next order of business…

On September 12, 2014, at exactly 10:00 a.m., I was able to register for my chance to run the Boston Marathon. On Sunday night…I was pulling up my e-mail on my phone and…there it was…

Boston Marathon Confirmation of Entry Acceptance

OFFICIAL!!

I am so excited. And with the recent injury, I am really just focusing on recovery, regaining strength, and just getting myself to Boston in perfect marathon shape and form. I know it can happen. I have to break some of the habits I have fallen into since the injury. When this e-mail came over, I would have jumped up and down…if I could. But my foot wouldn’t allow that. So, I did this happy dance thing, and Cathy just ignored me. Law & Order was on. I finally said, “Ask me why I’m dancing…just ask me why I’m dancing.” Much screaming and excitement followed.

I still feel that way. So, for now…my plan for NYC is to take in the experience, but not race it. I just can’t. Not with that amount of time off. Not with my foot still bugging me when I take a step. My podiatrist changed up my prescription today…so hopefully something will get better.

But…there it is…

Birthday Bash and Boston Bound!! LOVE!!

September 15, 2014

Product Review: Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzel Bites

Product: Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzel Bites – $9.99+

There was a time in my life, when I worked retail at the mall, that at least one of my meals consisted of a soft pretzel from Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Because, really, there is nothing quite like feasting on a soft pretzel with that delicious buttery and salty flavor. Mmmm…

Don’t make me crave…

Or, actually…go ahead.

Because, with a little help from The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, I was introduced to the most amazing and fantastic convenience gluten-free soft pretzels ever. Now, they aren’t my local bakery’s soft pretzels (which they offer only in July and September…on Wednesdays only), which are freakin’ fantastic. But for something that I can dig out of my freezer and feast on whenever I want…well…these are where it is at, my friends! Just…trust me!

On one of my many trips to Columbus, Ohio, and one of my many stops at The Raisin Rack, I have snatched up some items that I can’t find anywhere else around where I live (and I shop at 5-6 different stores each week). I often crave soft pretzels (especially when Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, KY, isn’t doing Soft Pretzel Wednesday), as is bound to happen each time I go to a shopping mall and have to walk by Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Because…they flood the mall with their delicious smelling pretzels…and I can’t have them. Not one. Not even a sample. It’s sheer torture. TORTURE!

But…now I know…there can be pretzels whenever I want. When those weird cravings hit.

Because of Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen!

Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen was created when Tonya and her daughter were diagnosed with celiac disease. Tonya began searching for gluten-free bakery foods that tasted up to par with their gluten equivalents. After many disappointments and a lot of frustration, she set out to create her own recipes. She started simply by baking in her home kitchen for friends and family and even fellow Celiacs in Central Pennsylvania. Soon, they expanded to selling to local grocery and health food stores. Then they outgrew the home kitchen in 2010 and opened up a gluten-free bakery in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania. Tonya and her company believe that quality and taste do not need to be sacrificed in order to make something gluten-free. They take great care, using a dedicated gluten-free facility to make their products, to ensure that everything they churn out is of the highest standards.

I can get on board with that.

So, after a day of grocery shopping and walking around the farmer’s market and shopping malls, I wasn’t really feeling standing around in the kitchen and cooking something for dinner. So, I opened up the freezer and decided that what this day called for was…soft pretzels. And, yes, I happened to have a box of Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzel Bites in my freezer. I opened up the package and laid out the bites on a baking sheet to cook up. I patted each bite down with water and gave them a light sprinkle of the enclosed pretzel salt. Then, they were placed in a pre-heated oven to allow to cook. These can be done in the microwave, but to get crustier pretzels, the oven is the way to go. And I like that initial crispy outside with the doughy and soft middle. As my oven never heats right, the normal 5-7 minutes these would cook was actually 9-10 minutes for me. I left them in for 9 minutes. And when I removed them from the oven…they looked like pretzel perfection…and smelled like the buttery good aroma that comes from Auntie Anne’s.

My mouth was watering.

I split the entire box with my roommate (this was dinner…not a snack) and served them with some vegan cream cheese for dipping. Because, seriously, soft pretzels and cream cheese are a match made in heaven. Delicious heaven.

I served up my roommate’s plate first. And as I was just getting back to the kitchen, she had already taken a bite and said, “OH MY GOD!” I wasn’t sure if this was a good thing, so I had to ask. She told me to take a bite and look at the center. I did just as she said.

OH MY GOD!

Seriously…OH MY GOD!

The Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzel Bites are JUST like the Auntie Anne’s Pretzels I ate almost every day I worked in retail. Holy goodness. The pretzels themselves are rich and buttery on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The inner part of the pretzel are a thick white middle…nothing that looks dense or heavy or packed with bubbles of air. They were perfection. Soft…gorgeous centers surrounded by the golden crust with the dash of salt on the top. Yeah…these were fantastic. These were light and buttery and amazing. AMAZING!! These made me happy on so many different levels.

So, let’s talk ingredients. At Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen, they believe in using all-natural ingredients. And these amazing Original Soft Pretzel Bites are made from rice flour, cornstarch, tapioca flour, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, potato flour, baking soda, xanthan gum, yeast, and salt. They are all-natural, gluten-free and wheat-free.

As far as nutrition goes…well…they aren’t bad. Not at all. A serving of Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzel Bites is 5 of the little pretzel nubs. Now…I ate half the box and I feel no shame. HA! A serving contains 220 calories and 8 grams of fat. One serving would also provide 35 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, and 7 grams of sugar. Also, you will be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

The Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen Soft Pretzel Bites are something that I intend to keep in my kitchen freezer forever. For LIFE. They are that good. They are so worth keeping on hand for those nights where you just want something that doesn’t resemble the food you eat all week. Maybe you want snack food for dinner. Maybe you’re having a party and need some finger food. These are the perfect treat and the perfect item to keep on hand. Even gluten eaters couldn’t tell these were gluten-free. SO GOOD!

Soft pretzels…whenever I want them…that taste great…that are just as good as the “real” thing?

Tonya’s Gluten Free Kitchen delivers with these Original Soft Pretzel Bites. Oh yes…it doesn’t get better than this!

September 9, 2014

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix

Product: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix – $10.99

I want to give another quick shout-out to my friend (all the way back through middle school!), Rebecca Fifield, who not only is just an all-around fantastic person, but is also a consultant for Tastefully Simple. She was kind enough to send me a batch of the original four gluten-free mixes that Tastefully Simple were putting out on the market. I have one more to go, and this one isn’t one of them.

The product I am reviewing today, the Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix, actually is part of their second round of gluten-free mix offerings, which also brought about a Gluten-Free Coconut Lime Cake Mix. Actually, I am just now realizing that Tastefully Simple sneaked out two more mixes while I wasn’t looking…a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and a Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Pancake Mix. I think I know what I’ll be ordering soon!

Anyway…when Tastefully Simple first released second round of products (Coconut Lime Cake Mix and the Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix), I was determined to buy at least one of them. I would have purchased both, except I was already planning on buying more of the Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix. Hey…that stuff is awesome. So after a little back and forth with myself…I finally chose the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix for this time around.

And last night…I baked it up.

One of the things that makes Tastefully Simple products so appealing is how…simple…they are to make. Normally, they require the addition of 2-3 items, all of which get stirred together and then popped into the oven to bake. Seriously…that easy. I love something that won’t take up too much of my time in the kitchen. Let’s face it…I may love to cook and bake, but I’m a busy girl and I value my time.

As it was, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix only requires 2 cups of chopped apples (and, hey, my CSA bin gave me apples this week!), 2 eggs (or egg replacer if you are vegan), and 1 cup of chopped walnuts (which are optional, but I always add nuts!). So, I poured the mix into a mixing bowl, chopped up two large Gala apples, broke two eggs into the bowl, and then added the walnuts. I stirred the contents until everything was combined and no powdery mix remained in the bowl. This took a couple of minutes because the only liquid in the bowl came from the two eggs, and for a moment I didn’t think it was going to come together. I will never doubt again, because it all mixed in beautifully. I poured the batter into a greased baking pan and threw it into the oven to bake. This normally takes about 45-55 minutes. Surprisingly, my old oven perfectly baked the cake in 45 minutes.

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix (baked and fresh from the oven)

First of all, the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake smells AMAZING as it is baking. We’re in the midst of September, and autumn is coming. This made my entire apartment smell like fall. For real! When it came out of the oven, it took everything in my power to let it cool down before I sliced it up and tried it for myself. I’m not good with self control, but somehow…I managed.

The end result?! One of the most fantastic, moist, and flavorful cakes I have ever had. This is no joke. Not one bit. The apples provide a nice hit of sweetness and texture. The top of the cake gets this nice crust on it, which crumbles as you slice into it. It was a beautiful thing. And the cake itself…aside from being moist, this cake tastes like a flavorful and delicious coffee cake. It has this rich flavor to it, with the cinnamon adding a sweet spice to it that I love and my taste buds crave. I was so surprised with how moist this cake was. I was a bit concerned about it, but I should have known to trust Tastefully Simple. I might be addicted to this cake. Self control is definitely being exercised as I have an entire cake now. It sure does taste like autumn around here.

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients. The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix is made from sugar, rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, salt, cinnamon, and xanthan gum. It is cholesterol free, gluten free and kosher.

The Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Mix isn’t bad for a cake. Remember though, this is for the mix only, but even after everything is added in, the calories and fat all stay in check. A serving of the mix is 1/4 cup, and the mix itself makes 9 servings. This serving will give you 190 calories. It is fat-free and cholesterol free (until you add the eggs, of course!). The mix has only 260 mg sodium and a whopping 29 grams of sugar. But…it’s cake. It’s going to be sugary! The mix itself has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein.

Not bad at all for nutrition of a cake, that’s for sure. I honestly was so pleasantly surprised by this cake. I think it’s going to become a pantry staple in my apartment. Because…wow…I am beyond impressed.

Now, I know you’re dying to try it! You must be. And you should be. So, head over to Rebecca Fifield‘s page and place an order. I promise…you won’t be disappointed.

A slice of Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake (serving size)

September 8, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins

Product: Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins – $5.29+

Some mornings, it’s easy to decide what to make for breakfast. Other mornings, I have way too much going on to make something great and elaborate. These are the mornings that the gluten-free toast and gluten-free bagels usually rear their heads. And yes, I am certainly aware of the “good carbs vs. bad carbs” argument when it comes to breakfast foods and how you start your day. But…with a strict budget and, honestly, the need for something quick that doesn’t take a lot of time some mornings…I have to do what fits into my mornings.

I don’t feel guilty about it. An egg scramble isn’t hard, but to not overcook the eggs, it can take awhile. Where as something like a gluten-free bagel or a couple slices of gluten-free toast can toast up while I take a quick shower, having just returned home from my early morning spin class or from doing laps in the pool. Regardless…some mornings, it’s what has to be done.

So, this morning, despite having some gluten-free bagels in my freezer, I reached for something that I had been wanting to try for a very long time.

And if you read the subject of this post, you already know that I’m talking about Glutino’s Gluten Free Original English Muffins.

After my local Whole Foods stopped carrying the LivWell brand of English Muffins that I fell in love with…and since Katz Gluten Free requires an online order…it was nice to be able to duck into one of my local grocery stores/natural food stores and pick these up out of the freezer section. I did a bit of a double-take, I admit, when I first purchased them, as they are a bit of a yellow-orange color in the packaging. Odd. But, it didn’t deter me from buying them. Nope. So, purchase made, they found their way to my freezer, I found myself out of town and using up other products that needed using…until this morning.

After that morning spin class I previously mentioned, I drove home, turned on the oven and put the two Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins onto a baking sheet. I had left them in a Ziploc bag to thaw while I was gone. I handed my roommate her bowl of cereal, put the English Muffins into the oven and went to take a quick shower. They could cook without me needing to babysit them. I was all about that for sure! Makes for an easy breakfast that can be done while I am doing something else. I love to be able to multitask.

So, after I was dressed and ready for work, I made my way back out to the kitchen, where the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins were still happily toasting away. I pulled down some plates and got out the Earth Balance spread and some blueberry jam (made from real fruit only!). I checked on the English muffins and they were almost to that perfect golden toasty color. So, I got out the butter knife and then grabbed the hot pad holder to remove them from the oven. They looked perfect. I slathered each half of the Glutino Original English Muffins with Earth Balance spread and then…topped that with the most perfect schmear of blueberry jam. It looked heavenly and I was already anticipating my very first bite.

I picked up my plate and settled in for breakfast. I lifted the English muffin and took my very first bite.

I was anticipating something that was heavy and dense and just…not what an English muffin should be. But I was wrong. I was definitely wrong. The Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins actually were quite light. The toasted areas had this nice crispiness to them, but the inner layer was soft and light. I loved that it wasn’t dense. I loved that it felt like I was eating a normal English muffin. In fact, the powdery cornmeal dusted on top helped add to that illusion too. I was loving every bite. And it paired so well with the classic toppings of butter and jam. It was pure breakfast perfection. And now that they were toasted, that strange color didn’t look so scary anymore. I happily noshed away on my entire English muffin, wanting to savor, but not wanting it to get cold either. I found the perfect balance, enjoying every bite and commenting on just how surprised I was by the taste and texture. These were, for sure, a winner!

The Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins are made from water, corn starch, tapioca starch, skim milk powder, corn flour, egg whites, can sugar, canola oil, salt, cellulose gum, yeast, baking powder, gluconon-delta-lactone, pectin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, modified cellulose, corn meal, iron, nacin, tracalcium phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, and riboflavin. Yes…I am aware of how chemically some of those ingredients sound. And that word modified is a bit of a bother. It’s sad…because, if you’re like me and actually care about that sort of thing…it sort of lessens my excitement for these breakfast treats.

A serving of the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins is one English muffin. This one English muffin will provide your body with 170 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. I think that’s freakin’ fantastic. A serving also provides 440 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. Not bad for a bready breakfast item. These English muffins are also cholesterol free. And, finally, this serving will give you less than 1 gram of filling fiber and only 4 grams of protein. So, this is why I paired it with a bowl of cereal…because otherwise, I’d be starving within an hour. It will not leave you feeling full for very long, that’s for sure.

Regardless, I am a huge fan of the Glutino Gluten Free Original English Muffins. Great flavor, great taste, great texture…which means I’ll treat myself to them every now and again. Because, on some mornings, sometimes the only thing you want is an English muffin. And when, normally, due to Celiac or gluten intolerance, this isn’t something that can happen on a regular basis…this is a nice treat indeed. I highly recommend these English muffins. In fact, I even think people who can eat Thomas’ English Muffins would appreciate these as well. There…I said it.

Put it to the test. For me…no need. I’m in love. I’m in love all over again with breakfast. Thank you, once more, for another fantastic product, Glutino. Thank you.

September 4, 2014

Product Review: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits

Product: My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits – $7.99+

Yep…I found another version of the My Dad’s Cookies brand of gluten free cookies at my local grocery store, Lucky’s. I’ve been more than pleased with the flavor and texture of these gluten-free delights. For sure. So, it seems, as long as they have cookies that I haven’t tried yet, I’ll keep going back for more. Why? Because, it seems, I must EAT. ALL. THE. COOKIES.

What started off with buying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies has turned into a bit of a cookie obsession for me. No joke. The My Dad’s Cookies brand are not a gluten free brand that I had heard of prior to visiting Lucky’s…but now that I know of them, and know how good they are…well…I’m a bit unstoppable. For sure.

So, after trying the Gluten Free Black and White Cookies, the Gluten Free Vanilla Grahams, the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti…I went in with a much smaller selection this time around. I keep hoping they’ll restock the Lemon Cookies, but that hasn’t happened just yet. So, from the meager selection remaining, my roomie and I went through the stacks of what was left. And after much deliberation between us, we opted for the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits.

Cinnamon cookies.

Mmmm…two of my favorite things. Cinnamon. And cookies. How can this be a bad thing?

Tonight, I found out. And the answer…it can’t be a bad thing.

My roommate and I often get a little creative with our cookies and with the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits, we thought…S’mores. Nothing beats a delicious s’more, right? It’s even better when I can make it vegetarian (no marshmallows here…just Fluff) with some dark chocolate. Oh yeah. But, I still wanted the cookie to be the star, so I made sure I balanced the campfire favorite flavors to perfection.

The result?

The My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were cookie perfection. The biscuits themselves were sturdy enough to hold up to the additions I sandwiched between them. They didn’t crumble like gluten free graham crackers do and the fluff and dark chocolate squares stayed in place thanks to the sturdiness of these cookies. The texture was perfection. Crispy, but without crumbling, these cookies were a great blend of sweet and spice. The cinnamon adds this nice hint of flavor to the cookies. They reminded me of the crispy bottom of sugar cookies and snickerdoodles. Nothing wrong with that combination, for sure. It was one amazing dessert, for sure. And the My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits made these “no way I’m camping to have s’mores” dessert sheer perfection tonight. These are love.

My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits are made from a gluten free flour blend (tapioca, brown rice, white rice, soy, potato starch, and xanthan gum), sugar, water, organic palm oil, cinnamon, agave syrup, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. These cookies are gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, cholesterol free, and kosher.

As far as nutrition goes, for cookies, these stats aren’t half bad. A serving of My Dad’s Cookies Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits is 4 cookies. These 4 cookies will serve up 150 calories and 6 grams of fat. These cookies also provide 50 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. Not too bad for 4 cookies! And, finally, you’ll be consuming 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A sweet treat that won’t fill you up…but it is full of flavor for sure!

My Dad’s Cookies is definitely baking up gluten free deliciousness in cookie form. And these cookies are no exception. I’ve been really enjoying exploring the different varieties I can find at the store. The Gluten Free Cinnamon Biscuits were just the right cookie at the right time. They make a great treat on their own, or doctor them up. Whatever you choose. But don’t miss out on these!

September 2, 2014

Product Review: BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf

Product: BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf – $3.00

It was two weekends ago that I was walking around the Indiana State Fairgrounds at the Living Without Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest. I had such a great time going up to the various booths, some from big name and well-known gluten-free companies and corporations. And then…some of the booths belonged to local businesses…bakeries and sauce makers and the like. It was an amazing variety and a great time. I had a blast talking to the various vendors, from local and nationally acclaimed businesses and finding out more about their products and/or company.

One booth that I dropped by was BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery, based out of Noblesville, Indiana. The bakery is owned and operated by Jennifer Wiese, the mother of four teenage boys, the eldest of which is on the autism spectrum. She attended an autism conference a few years ago where she learned about the benefits of a gluten-free and casein free diet in helping to alleviate some of the behavioral issues associated with autism. With a limited amount of good gluten-free and casein free food in Nobelsville, and an 8-year-old with limited patience for being asked to give up some of his favorite foods, Weise decided to get creative. With the assistance of her mother, they eventually were able to put together a winning combination of rice, tapioca, coconut, and potato flours, with corn starch, as a base for her baking.

In the end, the diet had positive effects on her son. And Weise wanted her son to be able to eat at social events, often meaning she had to bake a cake or pizza to be offered alongside the glutinous one that everyone else was eating. When people started complimenting Weise on how good her creations were, she began to get asked to bake for their parties.

With the demand there, Weise decided that starting a business was the next step. So, in 2010, BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery opened. Weise rented out kitchen space in a restaurant after hours and would start baking. After a year, she realized she couldn’t keep up with her orders and grow the business like she wanted to, so she rented a bakery and started producing her baked creations on a larger scale. This meant she could do her baking in the morning while the equipment was freshly sanitized and there wasn’t any wheat flour wafting around the air.

Today, Weise’s entire family has gone gluten-free. Now that Weise has more time freed up for working on business, she is interested in getting BeeFree Gluten Free Bakery carried more widely across the region and expanding her line. She recently even developed a cereal for people on the Paleo Diet, which tends to avoid grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar and processed oils.

So…here the bakery was, participating in a huge gluten-free expo. As I strolled up to the table, they were offering samples of their Warrior Mix (which is a cereal). But, for sale, I noticed one lonely loaf on the table…and it caught my attention for one reason – it was LEMON!

I love, love, LOVE lemon flavored things. And so does my roommate. Which, I immediately pointed the loaf out to Cathy and she nodded her head. I spoke to the guy behind the counter and said that I’d love to take the Lemon Loaf off their hands. He picked it up and informed me it was the last one they had. WOOT! Good timing. Cathy passed over the $3.00 they were asking and we walked away with something lemon and delicious looking.

Upon returning home from our day in Indianapolis, Cathy and I sorted out our stash of free goodies and the items we bought, including ones that needed to be refrigerated. The BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf went into the refrigerator. I had every intention of busting into it before today…but we were working hard on polishing off the banana bread I had prepared from the mix I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. And then…we were heading out of town, and taking my own gluten-free zucchini bread loaves with me to my parents home. So…with all of that finally gone…this morning’s after-gym breakfast had to be simple…and I had nothing. NOTHING. Until I recalled…the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf. Breakfast…was served.

That morning, before we left for the gym, I pulled out the Lemon Loaf and opened it up. The serving size was 1/4 of the loaf, so I cut it in half, then cut that half in half…so that my roommate and I each had a serving. I immediately noted the gorgeous lemon yellow color of the loaf. However, I was a bit uncertain about the white layer of thick icing on the top. I’m not big on frosting or icing…and the sheer amount of it was a bit…overwhelming. But…I placed the slices into a container and we were off to face the cardio machines.

After going to the gym this morning, we hiked over to the office and I removed the two slices (or half of the loaf) from the cooler I bring on gym mornings. I placed each slice on a plate and gave it a small warming (about 15 seconds) in the microwave before handing off one slice to Cathy and settling in at my desk with the other.

I cut through the top part, getting the huge chunk of icing with a little bit of the loaf. I took a taste…and aside from the sweetness of the lemon-flavored icing…the loaf itself was moist, rich, sweet, sour, and just plain…delicious! Yes…delicious. I ended up breaking the icing away and cutting it up so that I could get smaller bits of it with each bite instead of having it just sitting on top. Because…there was a lot of it. By breaking it up like that, it definitely gave the loaf more depth as I got a bit of icing with a bit of bread with each bite. Otherwise, I’d just get the icing and it was far too sugary sweet for a breakfast. More like a dessert. Maybe that’s what this was meant for. Dessert for breakfast…it happens. But…with the volume of icing, it was best eaten this way. Trust me.

I was rather impressed with the texture, taste, density, and flavor that came in the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf. It was light, and airy, not dense and heavy. Like I said, my only complaint is that the ratio of loaf to icing was…way off, in my opinion. It was a little overwhelming with that thick layer of icing on top, but I made it work. Truth is, the loaf would have been just as delicious even without the icing. And probably would make it feel like less of a dessert too. But, to each their own, and this is truly just a personal preference.

The BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf is made from sugar, organic enriched rice milk, corn oil, eggs, white rice flour, tapioca flour, corn starch, organic lemon juice, organic lemon peel, coconut flour, potato flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and sea salt.

As for nutrition, a serving of the the BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf is 1/4 of the loaf. In this serving, you will be consuming 250 calories and 11 grams of fat. You will also be consuming 125 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. And finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. It isn’t filling…but it is one sweet treat in the morning.

I love supporting a local business, so I was excited to tear into my BeeFree Gluten Free Lemon Loaf this morning. Fantastic flavor and just the right amount of lemon. For my own tastes, I find the amount of icing a bit of overkill, but it does add great flavor to the loaf. I was one happy lemon lover this morning. And this loaf gets another eating on Thursday. Already anticipating.

August 26, 2014

Recipe: Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

It’s no secret…to anyone…that I love pumpkin. And as we head out of summer and into fall, we have reached the “pumpkin flavored everything” time of year. YAY! But, I have to say, I never let pumpkin season go away in my house. Not at all. In fact, I stock up on pumpkin because I will use it in so many things. As it was, I got a little overzealous this past year with my purchasing of Libby’s Pure Pumpkin…so, my pantry has cans of it. I figured it was time to come up with ways to use it up. Last weekend, I made my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles. This morning…yes…during the work week…I baked up a Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding. I love bread puddings…and this one was no exception. Even better…it is so easy to make.

I spotted the original recipe when Schär Gluten Free posted a link to a blog that had utilized their Gluten Free Classic White Rolls in a bread pudding. Made with pumpkin.

They had my full and undivided attention.

So…this morning…I decided to bake up the recipe that Mama Me Gluten Free originally posted and Schär linked to on their social media site. I made a few changes in the preparation for convenience sake…but in the end…it was just as amazing as the recipe promised.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Servings: 8
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 50 minutes

Ingredients:

15 ounces pureed pumpkin (fresh or canned)
1 1/2 cups milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup organic pure cane sugar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Few small dashes of ground ginger
Few small dashes of ground cloves
Couple of small dashes of ground nutmeg
Package of Schar Classic White Rolls (or any gluten-free bread that is similar in consistency), cubed into 1 to 1-1/2- inch pieces (I let mine sit out overnight to dry out)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top (optional…but delicious)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Place bread in a large bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugars, salt, vanilla paste or extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.

Pour over bread and gently stir until all is covered. Let this sit for about 15 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out with the back of a spoon or a spatula so that it is evenly spread throughout the dish.

Sprinkle pecans over the top, and shake cinnamon and sugar lightly over it all if desired.

Bake for 45-50 minutes.

ENJOY!

~*~*~

A slice of Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Maple Syrup

Oh…oh yes!! This bread pudding is one of the best (and easiest) I have made to date. I served up a wedge of the Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a delicious drizzle of warm maple syrup. If heaven was on a breakfast plate…that would be it. The flavors are amazing. There is the right hint of spice and sweetness to really elevate the savory aspect of the pumpkin. It’s rich. It’s decadent. And the pecans sprinkled with the cinnamon and sugar on top truly lend a great hit of sweetness as well as texture. I am totally going to make this again! But lucky for me, I still have 3 more days worth for eating it.

If you are a pumpkin freak like me…believe me…you’ll want to bake this one up!

August 26, 2014

Product Review: Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread

Product: Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread – $4.99+

For all those different gluten-free bread needs, I often turn Schär. Not only has Schär put out a variety of bread products on the market, they make sure that the products that they do put out are up to their high standards. This is why when I need sandwich rolls or ciabatta or even baguettes…I head to the gluten-free bread section and pull one of these products off the shelf. Yes. Not frozen. I get so tired of having to thaw out my bread…but without preservatives and the like, gluten-free products don’t keep for long if they aren’t refrigerated.

Schär specializes in the development and production of foods for people with special dietary needs, with a goal of becoming a leader in that field. They have very much established themselves as a leader in the gluten-free foods out on the market. They are certainly one brand that I never hesitate to purchase, even if I’ve never tried the product. And since Schär guarantees the highest safety standards in the manufacturing of their products, you can rest assured that you won’t have any contamination from their products. They aim to produce quality and delicious products that ensure the consumer a balanced nutrition and quality of life through their restrictive diet.

In the past, I have often used Schär Gluten Free Baguettes, Ciabatta Rolls, Sandwich Rolls, Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, Table Crackers, and even some of their sweets, like their Chocolate Hazelnut Bars.

So, when my roomie and I spotted a loaf of the Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread at Wal-Mart on sale, we couldn’t pass up that deal. So…we purchased it. And I was already coming up with ideas for sandwiches and the like. I was excited to try it. Honestly. I had my usual brand (Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread) already open, so I didn’t immediately break into my loaf from Schär. Until last night.

You see, last night the Series 8 premier of Doctor Who was playing at my local movie theater. I wanted to keep dinner light and easy so we could get out the door and get to the theater in time. So, I opted to make one of my vegan gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches. Yummy. I try to enhance the sandwich by adding items to it. No time to get really creative, so I sliced up the rest of a tomato and added it to the sandwiches. I spread Earth Balance onto the slices of bread, put the cheese and tomato on and placed it in the skillet to toast.

The first thing I noticed about the Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread was that the slices are very small. If you are familiar with Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread…then think about slices about that size. I’ve grown used to this when I branch away from my standard bread…so…I won’t hold it against Schär. It toasted up nicely on my skillet and the vegan cheese melted as well as vegan cheese can melt. Once each side was toasted, I served up one sandwich to my roommate and one for myself.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich using Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread

She took the first bite and I asked her what she thought of the Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread. She said it was “pretty good.” I think she did actually like it, but prefers our usual Rudi’s brand when it comes to sandwich bread. And…I agree. However, that’s not saying that the Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread isn’t good. It is. In fact, one aspect of it that I did quite enjoy was the wholesome flavor that came with each bite. It almost reminded me of wheat bread, back when I could eat it. I don’t think my sandwich was the best vehicle to test this bread out on, however.

So, tonight…I gave it another test run. And this time, I used it as a base for a Gluten Free Avocado Bruschetta with a Green Sauce (which I made from kale, fresh basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and some salt and pepper). Oh…oh…this was a game changer. I toasted the bread, dry, in the oven for about 10 minutes. It came out a gorgeous golden color…not burned or charred on any of the edges. Perfect. I put the Green Sauce on the bread then topped it off with the chopped avocado. My first bite…and…oh…oh yes! YES!! This was brilliant. This was what that bread was made for. And it turned out the smaller size was perfect for the amount of topping and chopped avocado that I had. Each bite had every flavor and the savoriness of the bread just elevated this dish even higher.

It was the more complex dish that truly won me over with the Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread.

So, let’s talk ingredients, shall we? A loaf of Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread is made from water, corn starch, rice flour, rice starch, soy flakes, potato starch, buckwheat flour, soy bran, rice syrup, soy protein, palm oil, psyllium seed husk (vegetable fiber), millet flakes, yeast, beet sugar syrup, sugar, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (emulsifier), apple extract, salt, calcium citrate, citric acid, tartaric acid, folic acid. This loaf of bread is gluten-free, wheat free, lactose free, dairy free and egg free. It is also cholesterol free.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread is 1 slice of bread. One slice of bread provides you with 80 calories and 1 gram of fat. In addition, you will be consuming 125 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. Love those stats. Finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. The bread won’t leave you feeling full…but it won’t make you feel like you hardly ate either.

So, while it wasn’t exactly love at first bite with Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread, I came around. It just took a second tasting to really value the texture, flavor, and overall feel of this bread. Yes, the slices are small, and yes…it can be tough without some toasting or warming…but in the end…a definite quality product I would be proud to purchase again!

Gluten Free Avocado Bruschetta with Green Sauce using Schär Gluten Free Multigrain Bread