It was almost five years ago that I made a decision to become a vegetarian. And as of this month…three years ago that I had to go gluten-free. My…time sure does fly! That being said, when I first became a vegetarian, my life was filled with Morningstar Veggie Bacon Strips and faux meat products…which…looking at now makes me cringe due to the number of chemicals and processed crap that are in them. Besides that…most all processed-to-death faux meat products contain vital wheat gluten…which means…I can’t consume it anyway.
Honestly, after three years I’ve worked around this. But, you see, my roommate has a love of BLT sandwiches. As you know, Cathy eats what I eat at home, so she’s 80% gluten-free and vegetarian. But when we go out…meat is her treat (think those Beggin’ Strips commercials…). Anyway…she’s acquired this taste for BLT sammies…and with a plethora of lettuce from my CSA bin, she put in that request.
So…I needed bacon. And no one makes a gluten-free and vegetarian version of this. So, I had to make it myself. And it’s mainly made up with…beans. So…beancon? I guess? The recipe was adapted from the No Meat Athlete…and now…will forever be made and kept in my kitchen. What’s even better…after you cook the batter up and slice it, the slices can be kept in the freezer and go immediately from the freezer to the pan. Oh yeah…beancon time!
1/2 cup dried adzuki beans, or other small red beans
1/3 cup whole grain buckwheat groats (not buckwheat flour)
1 tsp onion powder
1/3 tsp garlic powder
1/3 tsp rubbed sage
1/2 tsp thyme
1-1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp liquid smoke (not all brands are gluten-free, but Colgin is…and that’s what I use)
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1-1/2 tbsp coconut aminos (I subbed San-J Gluten-Free Tamari)
1 tbsp tomato paste
1-1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
1 tsp coconut oil (may sub any oil you prefer)
1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
Rinse the beans and buckwheat, place in large bowl covered with several inches of cold filtered water; let soak overnight.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Drain and rinse the soaked beans and buckwheat. Place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with an s-blade, along with all of the other ingredients. Pulse several times to combine, scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl and continue pulsing until uniform, but not completely pureed.
Line a 9 x 13 casserole dish or rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with baking spray. Place bacon batter in pan and spread evenly with a spatula. You may choose to spray another piece of parchment paper lightly with baking spray and press the paper on top of the mixture and flatten with your hands. Remove and discard the top piece of parchment paper, then use a spatula to spread over and fill in any bare spots.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 24-32 strips, whatever size you prefer, I cut mine into 1 inch by 4 inches slices (Do this by making one lengthwise cut down the center, and then 12-16 cuts across the shorter side).
At this point freeze any strips your don’t plan on eating immediately. Frozen strips can go straight into the skillet at a later date, no need to thaw first. To fry, heat a skillet with a small amount of oil and fry both sides to desired level of crispiness. You may also choose to fry slices in cooking spray, for a less crispy, but still very delicious result.
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The liquid smoke gives it that smokey feeling of bacon and they taste great. Honestly. I made this once before and used them on breakfast sandwiches, to pair with pancakes, and now…on BLTs. Brilliant recipe. Bacon really can be for everyone…even gluten-free vegetarians and vegans. Because this no meat treat is a delicious, homemade, and easy recipe. And no chemicals. Real food. Real good!
Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger
Product: Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger – $5.99+
Lately…I’ve been doing my best to make my own veggie burgers. I’ve been a vegetarian for 4 years now and gluten-free for 3 years…and while there is definitely more of a market for gluten-free/vegan or vegetarian burger patties out there…not all veggie burgers are created equally. I’ve done plenty of experimentation. And, before I had to go gluten-free…I was all about the Morningstar patties. There were none better.
Then…going gluten-free took them off the table and out of my freezer. At first, I lamented this. However, then I went back awhile ago and looked at the ingredient list on Morningstar patties…and cringed! It’s mostly chemicals. YUCK! Maybe this gluten-free thing was a blessing in disguise.
That being said, I’ve found some great veggie burgers and some not-so-great veggie burgers. I’ve had burgers that have fallen apart as they cooked and burgers that wowed me.
Tonight…I tried a different veggie burger.
Made by Health is Wealth, the company that once upon a time made vegan and gluten-free not-chicken nuggets. They no longer make them anymore. Which I still cry about. BUT…they do make veggie burgers too. And these, at least, are vegan and gluten-free.
My natural food store carried two of the varieties of Health is Wealth. The burgers themselves are called Sprout Burgers. Why? Because they are actually made from organic sprouted grains – specifically quinoa, amaranth and millet). These vegan and gluten-free burgers are made with non-GMO soy as well, are baked and never fried, and are packed with flavor. They come in three flavor options – original, Chipotle Bean, and Mushroom and Onion.
With my plethora of romaine lettuce, red onion and roma tomato from my recent CSA bin, a gluten-free veggie burger dinner was definitely needed. So, I pulled out the gluten-free sandwich rolls my local gluten-free bakery (shout-out to Annie May’s Sweet Café on Frankfort Avenue) from my freezer to thaw while I was at work. When I got home, it was just a matter of getting the burgers cooked.
That task was easy. While I toasted the rolls to make the buns, I put the Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burgers on my skillet to cook through. That took about 4 minutes on each side. It didn’t take long at all. I plated up the burgers on the toasted buns with the vegetables and some vegan sriracha sour cream…and dinner was served.
So…how good can the Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger taste?
AMAZING! First of all, this burger does not crumble. It won’t fall apart as you try to bite into it. The texture is meaty and awesome. The flavor is just the right amount of spice with the right level of spice. It has just enough heat to keep it interesting. The beans add a lot of protein. And the flavor is amazing. I was so impressed with the Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger. I’m also excited that I have two more patties left in the freezer for my roommate and I to eat later this week. These are fantastic. Even meat eaters (like my roomie) will enjoy these. They are hearty, healthy, and just amazing.
So…what sort of ingredients go into vegan and gluten-free burgers? Well, in the case of the Health is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger…the following: non-GMO hydrated textured soy protein, organic sprouted grains (millet, quinoa, amaranth), non-GMO isolated soy protein, black beans, corn kernels, canola oil, molasses, red pepper, seasonings (sea salt, tomato powder, garlic powder, lime juice), food starch, hydrolyzed soy protein, modified cellulose gum, oat fiber, garlic powder, caramel color, onion powder, sea salt, maltodextrin, yeast extract, lemon juice.
It seems like a lot…but at least it’s not just a load of chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients.
Nutritionally speaking, a serving of the Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger is one patty. This one patty will serve you up 90 calories (REALLY good for a veggie burger) and 3 grams of fat. These are cholesterol free, contain 420 mg sodium, and only 2 grams of sugar. One serving also gives you 3 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. You will definitely feel full.
I absolutely LOVED this burger. My roomie did too. In fact, we both said that we’ll have to try the other Health Is Wealth vegan and gluten-free burgers. They were that great. Loved the texture, the flavor, and everything about these. The price isn’t too bad either. Not for 4 patties in a box. If you haven’t given these a try…make sure you do. They are really fantastic.
Health Is Wealth Sprouted Grains Chipotle Bean Sprout Burger (cooked)
In the South, it is customary on New Year’s Day to eat black-eyed peas to ensure good luck and prosperity. Now, I am not a southern girl, but I did spend 6 years of my life in Birmingham, Alabama (where my family still resides). Prior to that, I was a New Yorker all the way. And now…relocated to Southern Indiana…where the Louisville, Kentucky food scene is taking flight, well…I can’t say that I don’t try anything new!
Granted, traditionally, this dish would be served with collard greens…but I’m a kale girl myself. Love me some kale. And I just happened to have kale in my crisper drawer…because…what girl doesn’t? So, on New Year’s Day…I cooked up a my kale with black-eyed peas and hoped that it would bring luck and prosperity to me this year.
It’s too early to say whether this worked or not…but what I can say is…the dish was phenomenal. I played around with a recipe out of my Clean Food cookbook. Whether you have always followed this tradition or are just hearing about it, like me, I figured I had nothing to lose by cooking it up. And neither do you!
Remove the stems from the kale and chop the leaves into bite-size pieces.
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until soft. Add the kale and stir until it turns bright green and wilts. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, to keep the kale from burning.
Add the black-eyed peas and vinegar and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes to heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve.
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It’s traditional. It’s easy. It’s delicious! I was actually surprised. I’m not a huge fan of Southern food…but this was fantastic. Seasoned perfectly. Really packed with flavor. And carrying a traditional promise of good fortune and luck. If nothing else…I at least got a fantastic meal out of it.
So go ahead…branch out. Try something clean, something new, and something totally yummy!
Product: Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt – $3.49+
It was getting so close to Christmas and the nights after work were hectic and frantic. Lots to do…so little time to actually do it in. And that’s when you need something quick, simple, and still nutritious. It’s not always feasible to cook up a meal after a long day at the office or being on the go. Thankfully, there is this great company called Garden Lites, and they make fantastic vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.
Some of my favorites happen to be their amazing soufflés.
There was something really intriguing and different about this soufflé, however. It was one of their newer flavors, which had actually been out for awhile, but was only now turning up in my local natural food stores. I had to purchase it (along with the previously mentioned Southwestern Soufflé) and try it out for myself. I’ve loved most of the Garden Lites soufflés that I’ve eaten previously. And with one that included chili and cornbread…well…this was awesomesauce waiting to happen.
Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt (cooked)
Sure enough…I popped open the package, tossed the wrapped tray into the microwave for about 3 minutes. Then, I removed the plastic wrap and gave another microwave session for 2 minutes…and viola…dinner was served. My roommate and I were going to split this little dish, so I served it up with some hand-cut, homemade sweet potato fries…which I baked in the oven.
How was this little dish? Well, all I can say is that Garden Lites really, really outdid themselves with this one. The base is a cornbread soufflé, which is light, not dense, and really delicious. Sitting on top of that is this healthy helping of veggie chili, which is packed with veggies and beans. And then, on top…some cheese. Just like the good, old-fashioned classic…but with a healthy twist. The cheese is just an added touch that doesn’t overwhelm the dish at all. The star is that cornbread base. Light and airy…and a perfect match for that chili top. So good.
So…now we get down to the science of this dish…mainly the ingredients and nutrition. What I love about these soufflés is that they are so good…and good for you. The Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains diced tomatoes, fire roasted corn, pasteurized egg whites, black beans, onion, low fat milk, crushed tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, evaporated cane juice, brown rice flower, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, corn meal, cheddar cheese, baking powder, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, ancho pepper, cumin, chili powder, chipotle pepper, a blend of locust bean gum, guar gum, and xanthan gum, annatto extract (for color), and black pepper. It sounds like a lot of ingredients, I know, but they are all ingredients I recognize by name…and not one single chemical. Loving it. It is gluten-free and nut-free.
As for nutrition, the Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains 200 calories for the entire soufflé. Loving it. The entire soufflé will also serve you up 4.5 grams of fat. This one has 10 grams of cholesterol, 650 mg sodium, and 10 grams of sugar. Finally, you will be devouring 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. You will not feel hungry after eating this. Trust me.
Once again Garden Lites and served up a nutritious, easy-to-prepare, delicious little treat that goes from the freezer to the microwave. It’s perfect for these cold nights. And it’s so fast to prepare, and still so delicious. This is, by far, my favorite one I have eaten so far. A little bit of comfort food without the guilt.
This is food love…and it will love you back.
Half of a Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt
Awhile back, I stumbled upon Garden Lites products. And I mean…this was a good while back. Back when really all they were offering were their soufflés. Well…their product line-up has expanded. And yes…they even added some different soufflé flavors.
This isn’t something new. This actually happened quite a bit ago. I just never could find the new flavors. And when I finally did…they sat in my freezer. I just sort of got on this cooking thing and never turned back. I love cooking up something fresh.
But with the holidays in full swing…sometimes it’s too hectic after a long day to start something from scratch. That’s why I was so thankful to have a couple of Garden Lites soufflés kicking around in my freezer.
Forreals!
With being out of town the past couple of weekends, the CSA bin has been on hold. So, no fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to my door. Not until after Christmas when things aren’t as crazy and I’m traveling less. So, after a long day at the office and not much energy to spare the other night…I came home and my roommate and I decided to split a Garden Lites soufflé and enjoy that with some baked, hand-cut shoe-string fries. Always baked…never fried in my home. Just as my mom always did it. That’s how I was raised, peeps!
Anyway…we had two choices for the soufflé, so I just grabbed the one on top. The choice: Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé.
It sounded amazing, combining seasonings with vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, red pepper, green pepper, and even brown rice! Once my potatoes were cut into shoestrings (yes…I do that by hand!), I got them in the oven and then had to wait in order to start the main dish.
Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé (cooked)
Garden Lites soufflés are so easy to cook up. As the potatoes were finishing up, I popped the Southwestern Soufflé into the microwave and gave it a little burst of heat for 3-1/2 minutes. I left it to stand for about a minute before removing the plastic wrapper and then microwaving it again for another full minute.
That’s it. SO easy!
I’ll be honest…I thought it made the apartment smell like Taco Bell…and it has been ages since I’ve even set foot in a Taco Bell. So…that was interesting. I sliced the fluffy soufflé in half and dinner was served.
Tasty!! That’s the best way to describe this soufflé. I loved the fluffiness the egg whites bring to the actual product. The veggies and spices are evenly incorporated and chopped so they aren’t awkward. In fact, bite-for-bite, I loved the variety of flavors and textures. It was a perfect bite…and it even tasted like a taco. Go figure. My roommate loved it too.
So, ingredient wise, the Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé contains pasteurized egg whites, onion, crushed tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, brown rice, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, evaporated cane juice, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, chipotle pepper, chili powder, ancho pepper, and cumin. All real ingredients…all real food. Nothing fake or processed here. This dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and nut-free. Love it.
As for nutrition…the Southwestern Soufflé is actually a really healthy choice. The entire soufflé is the serving and that one item is only 180 calories and contains only 2.5 grams of fat. This soufflé also will serve you up 4 grams of sugar and 650 mg of sodium. The sodium does seem a bit high…but it is a prepackaged food. Not only that, the Southwestern Soufflé provides 4 grams of filling fiber and 9 grams of amazing protein. So good. And good for you!
I loved the Southwestern flair that this souffle carried with it. Loved every bit of it. And every bite for that matter. Looking to add a little spice to your menu on a hectic day? Keep Garden Lites in your freezer and you’ll have an easy meal in less than 5 minutes. And…you’ll love every bite of it. I know I sure did! I’ve always loved Mexican and Southwest flavors…so this souffle was made for me. And I devoured it in kind.
Obviously. Because when I went to Huntington, West Virginia, I made a point to go by Huntington’s Kitchen.
So, when I had some sweet potatoes that I needed to use up from my CSA bin this past week, my roomie suggested that I finally get around to making the vegetarian chilli recipe from your Web site.
We only needed a couple of items for the rest of the dish itself…so it was on!!
What I love about this recipe is how much depth of flavor the roasted sweet potatoes add to this dish. It’s indulgent, but guilt-free. So healthy. I think it might be my favorite chilli so far.
So…thank you, Jamie Oliver.
And for my followers and readers…here is the recipe:
1 level teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus extra for sprinkling
1 heaped teaspoon ground cumin, plus extra for sprinkling
1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling
olive oil
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 onion
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 red chilli
1 green chilli
2 cloves garlic
2 cans beans (I used black beans and great northern beans)
2 cans chopped tomatoes (I used Muir Glen organic fire roasted tomatoes)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle with a pinch each of cayenne, cumin and cinnamon, drizzle with olive oil and scatter with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat then put them on a baking tray.
Peel and roughly chop the onion.
Halve, de-seed and roughly chop the peppers.
Pick the cilantro leaves and put aside, finely chop the stalks.
De-seed and finely chop the chillies.
Peel and finely chop the garlic.
Put the tray of sweet potato in the hot oven to cook for 40 minutes until soft and golden.
Meanwhile, place a large pan on a medium-high heat and add a couple lugs of olive oil. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cilantro stalks, chilli and spices and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
Drain the cans of beans, then tip them into the pan with the tinned tomatoes. Stir well and bring to the boil, then reduce to a medium-low heat and leave to tick away for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and add a splash of water if it gets a bit thick.
Get the roasted sweet potato out of the oven and stir it through your chilli with most of the cilantro leaves.
Taste and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, if needed.
Scatter the remaining leaves over the top, and serve with some soured cream, guacamole and rice or tortillas.
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Best vegetarian chilli I have ever made. Or eaten. I love the sweet potato. It’s a super nice addition to the ingredients and really sets this chilli apart from other vegetarian chillies. It has a mild heat…which is perfect for my roomie. I like mine a little spicier, so if you’re like me, feel free to turn up the heat as you desire.
This recipe freezes really well, which is great, because you’ll definitely want more!
While out grocery shopping this weekend…my roommate and I both made it abundantly clear that we were craving burgers. Now, she’s a carnivore…and I’m a vegetarian…but she loves veggie burgers…especially when I make them out of real ingredients…fresh…not frozen…not a patty of artificial preservatives and more chemicals than a science lab holds.
Which…makes me incredibly happy!
I’m heading to Chicago this weekend…nothing major…just RUNNING IN THE CHICAGO MARATHON…that’s all. So, I’m trying to use up as much of my produce that will inevitably go bad while I’m out of town. So…I had a brilliant moment of brilliance while out running 4 fast miles this morning. Because…when I run…I think about food. And I thought…purple sweet potato…and some sort of bean from the pantry. I have cans and varieties, folks. When you’re a vegetarian…this happens. So…after returning home and taking a shower…I got to work in the kitchen creating my base for my veggie patties that I would form upon returning home from work. A sit in the fridge might actually help the mixture, yes?
I seasoned it up with paprika, cumin, salt, onion powder, and a little hit of black pepper. That’s where the smokiness comes from. The rest…well…see for yourself…
Recipe: Gluten-Free Smokey Purple Sweet Potato and Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Gluten-Free Smokey Purple Sweet Potato and Chickpea Veggie Burger (with a side of homemade beet chips)
2 cups coarsely mashed sweet potatoes (or yams), about 2 large potatoes (I used purple sweet potatoes, but you can use any variety)
1 cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup gluten-free bread crumbs (I used Southern Homestyle Gluten-Free Corn Flake Crumbs)
1/3 cup flour (I used Better Batter Gluten-Free All Purpose)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Pierce the potatoes (I used 2 large) all over with a fork and place on in the microwave on a paper towel. Microwave for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove the potatoes and slice them in half, allowing them to cool enough so that you can scoop out the flesh.
In a large bowl, coarsely mash beans with a fork. Add the sweet potatoes and mash together. Add in the cumin, paprika, onion powder, spices, salt, pepper, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, and flour. Mix together until combined.
Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes or all day while you’re at work (like me). This will help make it easier to form them into patties…but they still can be quite messy. Trust me. then place bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This helps form them into patties, but as a warning they are still somewhat messy.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or olive oil).
Remove the mixture from fridge and form into 8 equal patties. Once the skillet is hot, place the patties in the pan and allow to cook on one side for about 5-6 minutes. Make sure it has a nice crust on that first side before carefully flipping it over and allowing to cook for another 5-6 minutes.
Toast buns if desired. I toasted the gluten-free hamburger buns I picked up from my local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café.
Assemble the burger with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
I served mine with homemade beet chips.
Yum!
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These burgers can be a bit crumbly…but they are so packed with flavor. I loved the smokiness brought on by the paprika. And the sweet potatoes and chickpeas definitely made a nice base for this patty. All it took was a little binder and my favorite toppings (kale, caramelized onion, and avocado slices)…and dinner was an epic burger of vegetarian awesomesauce. I also made a vegan roasted garlic sriracha aioli to top off the burgers. DELICIOUS!
I am so glad I have 6 more of these patties in my freezer. They were truly fantastic. A lot of flavor in each bite. That’s how veggie burgers should be done. They were a bit crumbly…but on the whole…a total win.
Between Disneyland and the little out-of-the-way places that we ducked into for food and anything else…I was well-fed and felt very safe in my food choices while visiting friends in California. In fact, Indy and her hubby, Evan, even went out to Whole Foods and picked up gluten-free cookies and some gluten-free crackers for me to have while staying with them. They are, honestly, the best. Nice to have people take my food allergies and everything else in stride and not totally panic. Best hosts…EVER!
So, I spent a total of three days at Disneyland and then one full day seeing bits and pieces of California. All the while…taking in food and enjoying every single bite. I’m breaking this posting down into two separate posts because…well…the dinner I had at Napa Rose needs its own little post. Honestly. Because it was the best meal I have ever had. (Sorry, Mom…but it’s true!).
So…I guess we’ll start at the very beginning…
Flo’s V8 Cafe – Cars Land – Disney California Adventure Park
Flo’s V8 Café, Cars Land, Disney’s California Adventure Park
You know…I give Disney props. Both theme parks on each coast do their best to work with people with specific diets and specific food allergies. And this was incredibly clear when I sat down to eat a “light” lunch (I was getting pizza later that evening) while out and about in California Adventure on Saturday. I hadn’t yet made it to the race expo, but I knew I needed a small bite to get through until it was time to eat my required pre-race gluten-free pizza. We were in Cars Land at the moment, so we stepped into Flo’s V8 Café and took a look at the menu board. When we got up to the register, my traveling party (Cathy, Indy & Tawn) all decided they were going to eat elsewhere…which made me not want to eat here…but…I wasn’t sure what there would be outside that would be nutritious and still filling. At the register, I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian so the cashier went to go and retrieve the chef. The chef came out a couple of moments later and I reiterated that I was a gluten-free vegetarian. She said it wasn’t a problem and mentioned the items I could get, including the Citrus Turkey Salad, sans turkey. Actually, none of it sounded like anything I wanted…the side dishes were just…eh…meh. And the salad was…well…a salad. But, I needed something…so I said I would give the Citrus Turkey Salad ($11.49), no turkey, a go!
I paid the cashier and took the receipt up to the counter. And my salad came up…gluten-free roll…but…UGH…the turkey had been placed on the salad. I mentioned that my salad wasn’t supposed to have turkey on it, so the worker at the counter sent it back to the kitchen and spoke with the chef. It took a few minutes, but my new salad came up, gluten-free roll, little dish of dressing, GODZILLA-sized salad, which was a basic mix of mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, and yellow peppers. It came with a citrus-tarragon dressing. And trust me…this salad was HUGE. I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it. But, if anything was certain, I was going to devour that roll. The roll, by the way, looks like the Udi’s gluten-free rolls I can buy at specialty stores around here. I think they were Udi’s. I loved the roll. I loved it to pieces…and pieces…and pieces until it was all gone.
The salad itself was fresh and crisp. And the dressing made a nice flavor addition to the raw vegetables. It was…a general salad, just taken to extreme proportion. I ate about 3/4 of it before I called it quits. It was just a lot of food. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, the dressing was served on the side instead of just being poured over the salad, and perhaps drowning the vegetables. It was good. But…let’s face it…it’s a salad I could have made at home for a lot cheaper.
Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port – Tomorrowland – Disneyland Park
Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
It was the evening before the Disneyland Half Marathon, and Indy and I were in desperate need of some carbs. And it is a requirement…I mean one of those dead-set superstitious athlete requirements for me to eat gluten-free pizza the night before a big race. It has to happen. If it doesn’t happen…I make it happen. Somehow.
Indy knew that this was a must coming into the trip, so she asked around at Disneyland about good places to get a gluten-free pizza. She was directed to Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port, which is a cafeteria-style, quick service joint in Tomorrowland. We got there just before a flood of people and we spoke to one of the people manning the counters about gluten-free and vegetarian options. She said she would go and fetch the chef. I ended up standing there for around 10-15 minutes waiting on the chef, long enough for a couple of employees to ask if I needed help. Indy and Tawn had already gotten their pastas and were now waiting with me. Cathy was waiting because we weren’t sure if this was going to be a personal pizza or one we’d need to split. You just never know.
After the wait continued, I told Indy and Tawn to go and pay and eat while their food was still hot. I didn’t want them to settle in with cold pasta. Gross! So, they finally agreed, and just after they walked away…the chef finally emerged to talk to me. I told him that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said I had two options…a gluten-free personal cheese pizza…or gluten-free rice noodles with a tomato marinara. Night before the race…it has to be pizza. So, I put in my order for gluten-free cheese pizza ($8.99). I was told it would take 10 minutes so to go ahead and pay and then come back to the counter in about 10 minutes. I did just that, grabbed some plastic dinnerware, napkins, and some crushed red pepper packets and went to join my friends. Cathy had gotten one of the pizza slices and some breadsticks and joined them in eating. And I watched them eat for about 5 minutes as it took me awhile to pay. When 10 minutes was up, I got up from my table and made my way back to the counter to, hopefully, get my food. But my pizza wasn’t up yet. There was a group of four ahead of me. And that took about 5 minutes for them to get their gluten-free pizzas served to them. Then…it took another 3-5 minutes waiting on mine. By now Indy and Cathy were done eating. When my pizza was sliced and finally put on a plate…I went to rejoin my friends and only Tawn was still nomming on her pasta.
The pizza was nothing to write home about. It was the same gluten-free cheese pizza I ended up getting while at Disney World in February. Just a small, personal-size pizza on a gluten-free crust (at least the crust was fluffy), with tomato sauce and cheese. It was…okay. I mean, I have definitely had worse…but I have most definitely had better. I seasoned it with some red pepper flakes and just wolfed it down. At that point I was starving and we had World of Color Fast Passes and the clock was ticking. Nothing to write home about. Just…pizza. Eh. Not impressed.
Hungry Bear Restaurant – Critter Country – Disneyland Park
Hungry Bear Restaurant, Critter Country, Disneyland Park
It was the afternoon after I ran 13.1 miles through Disneyland and Anaheim, California. It was just three of us. Indy, who also ran, said she needed to rest and recover. Poor thing. So this meant our new guide for the day was the great, the epic, TAWN!! And she knew all the places to hit. We had a busy and very stressful morning…between race logistics, running, cheering, and finishing…then heading out to the park…
We rode rides and soon we knew we needed to eat something small before we hit the hotel early to rotate through showers and start getting ready for the most epic meal of our lives…courtesy of Indy. But…that gets it’s own post. For now…we focus on what I ate for “lunch” the day of the Disneyland Half Marathon.
I had heard tales and rumors that Hungry Bear Restaurant did gluten-free sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries are one of my most favorite things in the world. Honestly. Sure, fries probably aren’t the best recovery meal…but they were what I wanted. That was it. It was all I needed. Tawn walked me over to Hungry Bear and I headed up to go place my order. I reached the cashier and told her I heard they could do gluten-free sweet potato fries. She confirmed this and said she’d go and get the chef.
The chef emerged a few minutes later and said that fries could certainly be done gluten-free. I said that was all I wanted and went ahead and put in the order – gluten-free sweet potato fries ($3.99). I was sent up to the counter and I passed off the receipt and was told it would be a few minutes. I politely stepped aside, knowing this would be the case. But a few minutes turned into 5. Then 10. Soon the staff was shouting back to the kitchen about the gluten-free sweet potato fries because it had been on order for 15 minutes. The manager came out to apologize to me, saying that there had been a mix-up in the kitchen and it would be a few more minutes. He offered me a free dessert, but none of their desserts were gluten-free so I passed. After just over 20 minutes, my one little serving of sweet potato fries came up and I snagged them, went to grab some ketchup and finally went back down to meet Tawn. She had been waiting a long time. We had left Cathy at a table with her lunch, and it was long gone by the time we returned. Tawn went off to find herself something to eat and I finally dug in.
To their credit…the sweet potato fries were perfect. Crispy on the outside, soft in the center. Warm. Hot. Seasoned well. And just what I wanted. They were phenomenal. Definitely better than the oven baked ones that I make at home. I mean, I love making my own, but there is something so fantastic about sweet potato strips that are literally fried to perfection, seasoned well, and served up piping hot and fresh. So, while I think I aged a little standing in line waiting on an order the kitchen at Hungry Bear Restaurant forgot about…it was well worth the wait.
Tiki Juice Bar – Adventureland – Disneyland Park
Tiki Juice Bar, Adventureland, Disneyland Park
DOLE. WHIP. Need I say more? Let me say it one more time. DOLE WHIP! I love Dole Whip and ended up coming to the Tiki Juice Bar twice during my 3-day stay in Disneyland.
The second time I contemplated getting a Dole Whip Float…but wasn’t sure I had enough money for one. So, both times I ended up getting the standard Soft Serve Dole Whip ($3.69). LOVE.
It’s pineapple goodness in a cup. One that I will always take time to indulge in whenever I roam at Disney. Yeah…Dole Whip is an experience. One that shouldn’t be missed. EVER!
Carnation Café – Main Street, U.S.A. – Disneyland Park
Carnation Café, Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland Park
The only other request that I made for while the four of us were all at Disneyland was simple. I needed gluten-free Mickey waffles in my life. So, Indy, as always being the rockstar, sought out a place that served them. She’s awesome like that. So, after a late night and an early morning (for me…as I went running for 7 miles for my marathon training), we headed into Disneyland for our last meal together as a group of four. Tawn was leaving that afternoon to head back to Fresno.
We arrived at Carnation Café just ahead of our reservation time. We were asked if we wanted to sit outside or inside. It was such a gorgeous morning that day that we chose to sit outside, as long as we were somewhere shady. The hostess found us the perfect spot and we all settled in and started to look at the menu.
When our waitress came over to the table, she explained that we actually had a different server, but he was on his break so she’d be taking care of us until he returned. We went ahead and told her that I couldn’t have gluten, something they were already aware of because Indy mentioned this when she made the reservation. Of course none of this was an issue. She said she’d go to get the chef and he would go over some options with me. He did emerge a few minutes later and asked what I was interested in having for breakfast. I gave him the hopeful eyes…Mickey waffles? He said he wasn’t sure they could make gluten-free Mickey waffles due to the surface they were cooked on…but he might be able to do regular pancakes (not Mickey shaped). But he said he’d go double check. He returned after everyone else placed their orders and said that he could make me gluten-free mini Mickey waffles safely. I was a happy girl, because I really, really wanted Mickey waffles while at Disneyland. Dreams really do come true.
I went ahead and ordered gluten-free Mickey waffles ($10.49) with fresh fruit instead of the sausage or bacon side…since I am vegetarian. They were happy to make that substitution for me. I also had this with fresh brewed Joffrey’s Coffee ($2.99).
The coffee was really good. Not too bitter. I sweetened it with real sugar…as my coconut sugar was left back in Indiana. After a short wait…out came our food. Only Tawn and I kept with the plan to get waffles. Indy ended up getting the Huevos Rancheros and Cathy got the All-American Breakfast.
My mini waffles were…delicious. Definitely not the golden crispy goodness that Tawn got out of her Mickey head waffle. But…the miniature Mickey waffles tasted amazing. I poured a little pure maple syrup over them and dug right in. I was given four Mickey waffle heads and ate all four of them without any shame or guilt. The fruit was gone in a flash. I am a fruit monster. They were able to accommodate me and get me the item on the menu that I truly wanted. Carnation Café was made of win.
So were the waffles…for the record. Epic…gluten-free…WIN!
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – Disneyland Resort Area – Disneyland Hotel
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Disneyland Resort Area, Disneyland Hotel
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is like no other bar you have ever experienced. The food they serve is unique bar food. The drinks they serve are fun. The manner in which some drinks are served are SUPER fun and invoke chanting and lights flashing, ships going down, all of that. It’s a place you have to go to grab a drink. And, as this was our final day in Disneyland…we chose to do just that.
Food choices, for me, were rather limited. But, Indy was telling me about this amazing Green Papaya Salad ($?.??) that they served. We inquired with the bar tender about the ingredients and he went to check with the chef to see whether it was gluten-free and vegetarian. Turns out…it was. So, while Cathy and Indy split the Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans, I was served up a refreshing and quite delicious Green Papaya Salad.
No trip to Trader Sam’s is complete without having one of their famous drinks. As I’m always iffy and careful with alcohol…I decided to go with one of the non-alcoholic beverage specials served at the bar. My choice of Sam’s No Booze Brews was the Jungle River Sunset ($4.49) which is a mix of orange juice, falernum, and hibiscus grenadine, all topped off with soda water. And, yes…I ate my garnish.
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – Paradise Pier – Disney California Adventure Park
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Pier, Disney California Adventure Park
It was getting late and our plan to see Fantasmic that night was about to be put into action. That being said, our appetizers from Trader Sam’s were long gone and we were definitely ready to eat some food. We ended up coming to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta…because we were just really wanting Italian or something. Because originally I was going to get something else, but when they kept mentioning the pizza and pasta place…it just sounded better.
So, we entered Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and it was another counter service sort of thing. I went up and mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they sent for the chef. He was out in no time. Honestly. And when I told him I was a gluten-free vegetarian, he immediately mentioned the two standbys that the Italian restaurants have on hand at Disneyland…a personal-size gluten-free cheese pizza or rice noodles with a tomato marinara sauce. I’ve done the pizza. It’s the same as always…and not really worth the repeat. So, I went with the Gluten-Free Rice Pasta with the Tomato Marinara ($9.49). He said it would take about 10 minutes. And when he went back behind the counter, he immediately changed his gloves to start preparing my food. I breathed a sigh of relief. Cathy ordered a regular Spaghetti With Meatballs and Indy went with the Five Cheese Ravioli. They were both made to order, but Cathy’s came up way ahead of ours. We sent her outside to get us a seat. About 5 minutes later, my spaghetti arrived. And this serving was HUGE. We’re talking the King Kong of spaghetti dishes. Holy crap!! I figured I’d get maybe halfway through it and be done. Indy’s was the last to come up…so she was the last to join us at the table. Cathy had already started eating…I was just starting…so we had timing. At least none of us were left without food when all was said and done.
The rice pasta was really al dente. Not bad…but not as soft as normally rice pasta would be. The tomato sauce was rich and delicious and really made the dish, in my opinion. The spaghetti really would have been lackluster and disappointing without it. I sprinkled a bit of crushed red pepper onto the pasta to give it that slight kick that I like. Me and spicy food make for a loving relationship. Honestly. I like it hot. So, the spaghetti, like the quick service pizza, was…just okay. Nothing to really write home about…or go on any longer in this blog.
Indy’s Egg Scramble of Awesome
Indy’s Egg Scramble of Awesome
When you have fresh ingredients in your garden…what happens? You make your husband and your friends one of the most epic egg scrambles ever. Honestly…this was amazing. So delicious. So yummy. I still think about it. That’s why a homemade dish is being put into my blog. None of you, unless you also know Indy, will be able to taste this dish. None of you will get to enjoy it for the low cost of FREE…at her kitchen table…while drinking fresh and really delicious coffee. It’s just not going to happen.
She cooked and diced and sauteed potatoes in coconut oil, added fresh vegetables from her garden, and then scrambled up some eggs. Simple…but highly, highly delicious. One of my favorite breakfasts I’ve ever consumed. And it was filling. Perfect way to start off a day that took us to many glorious sandy locations!
The Local Peasant – Sherman Oaks, California
The Local Peasant, Sherman Oaks, California
This gastropub has no sign hanging up outside. There is no neon flashing the name of the pub. This is one of those places that if you didn’t know it was there, you would walk right on past it. Thankfully, it turned up on Find Me Gluten Free…and it just happens to be one of Indy and Evan’s favorite dining spots in their area. And I picked it. All by myself!
It was our last night in Los Angeles, and it was also Indy’s birthday. So, we went out to eat…although she told me to find somewhere. I was mainly focused on finding Cathy a place to have some fish and chips, so I focused on that first. The menu for The Local Peasant had not only vegan options marked, but also gluten-free options marked. And my requirement to eat something with avocado while in California would definitely be fulfilled.
It was a special night, so I went against my usual abstaining from alcohol for training purposes…mostly because it was Indy’s birthday and we were celebrating. But, they also had Green’s Quest Gluten-Free Triple Ale ($15.00). I’m not a beer drinker…at all…but it was a celebration. And, besides, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees was at the table next to ours. I needed something to take the fangirl edge off.
Where there is beer…there is also food. Our waitress just happened to also be gluten-free (in fact, her entire family is)…so she was a huge help. But…as I said…I had my heart set on something with avocado in it. I had to eat avocado while in California. It had to happen. So, when it came to dinner, my choice was obvious…the Edamame Vegetable Salad ($11.00). Why was that obvious? Because this salad was composed of edamame, corn, jicama, green beans, roasted peppers, avocado, toasted pepitas, and cashews with a rosemary and ginger vinaigrette.
It sounded like no salad I have had anywhere else. It had avocado on it, and really…it just sounded awesome. When it arrived, it was in a huge bowl…and I happily dug in. The vegetables were so fresh and awesome. I loved the texture the cashews and pepitas gave the entire dish. The green beans still had that nice, fresh crispness to them. The edamame is always one of my favorite things…and it was super good. Loved the depth the roasted peppers gave. The avocado, however, gave it this amazing creaminess. It was topped off with that really flavorful vinaigrette that really just brought everything together. It was the meal I needed to have. It was the last thing I would eat in California. It was…fantastic.
I’d go back to this gastropub in a heartbeat. And I hope to…the next time I find myself in California!
~*~*~
So…there it is. What I ate in California. I didn’t blog about the fries from In-N-Out Burger…because I did that back in 2011. But I did go there…and their frier is dedicated to just potatoes and makes their fries completely safe for me to eat. Part 2 will be all about the fantastic dinner that Indy treated our party to at Napa Rose. Trust me…that was a dining experience I wish I could relive over and over again. But you’ll read about that in the next blog…
Product: The Good Bean Smoky Chili and Lime Chickpea Snack – $2.99+
Forget chips. Honestly. Forget the over processed, unhealthy, and sometimes laden with chemicals and ingredients that you don’t recognize and probably shouldn’t be consuming after all. There are other options out there that are not only healthier, but taste better?
Ever have kale chips? They are easy to make…or, for a price, you can buy them already made in a variety of flavors. But, healthier crunchy options don’t end there.
Ever have crunchy chickpeas? You know…chickpeas that have been roasted in the oven so now they are hard and have this amazing crunch to them? If not…you should. And if you don’t trust yourself to make them right…no worries. The Good Bean has taken the guess-work out of the preparation and is putting the amazing tastes of all-natural, roasted chickpeas on the shelves of grocery stores. I found mine at Whole Foods, but have spotted them at other natural food stores.
Prior to today, I had already tried the Sea Salt and the Sweet Cinnamon versions of this snack. This left two flavors still needing my attention. Black Pepper (which I can’t find anywhere!) and Smoky Chili and Lime. I love me some spice, so I saved the Smoky Chili and Lime version for the end of my roasted chickpea journey (or at least until I can find the Black Pepper variety around here). It would be my afternoon snack, the one that would see me through the tail-end of my day at work. And with the success of the previous two flavors…I was quite happy to try this particular one. I mean…come on…it’s spicy, right?
The Good Bean’s Smoky Chili and Lime flavor was apparently inspired by the fantastic flavors that are found in Spanish and Mexican snacks. They chose to use Spanish Paprika, which provides a great smokey flavor without a lot of heat, to pair with the smoky chili flavor in their spice mix. The Good Bean states that this specific chili…is the “naughtily assertive Mexican Chipotle.” But…don’t worry. To tame the chilies and keep the heat under control, The Good bean blended in lime…just to give an extra zing to the chickpeas and to take away just a smidge of the heat. After all…you want to be able to taste the snack…not your tastebuds burning.
Which now brings me to how they taste. I’m…on the fence. While I have raved about the other flavors I have tried…this one is just…different. And that’s saying something coming from me. Here’s why. I love spicy foods. I love the burn and the heat. And, yes, The Good Bean’s Smoky Chili and Lime Chickpea Snacks definitely has a generous spice coating on each roasted chickpea…but the lime…the lime seems to overpower everything. In fact, I commented that I felt like I was eating a fruity cereal more than a spicy snack. Considering this was the flavor I was looking forward to the most, it’s a huge let down. If I wanted to eat Fruity Pebbles, I would have bought them. The fact is…I bought a snack that promised heat with their usual rich chickpea flavor. And all I really get is a hint of the spice…and then a whole lot of lime. Talk about a let down!
So…with that in mind, let’s discuss ingredients and nutrition. One serving of The Good Bean Smoky Chili and Lime Chickpea Snacks is 1/4 cup (or 35 ounces). This serving provides you with 150 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. Like the other flavors, this one is also cholesterol free and has only 260 mg sodium. You also get 6 grams of filling fiber and a great 6 gram hit of protein with each serving. And with only 5 grams of sugar per serving, you can feel good about your choice. These snacks are all low in carbohydrates, contain nothing over-engineered, nothing artificial, are low in fat, gluten-free and also nut free. The Smoky Chili and Lime variety contains roasted chickpeas, brown rice syrup, spices, coarse salt, lime juice concentrate, gum arabic, non-GMO and expeller-pressed canola oil. These particular snacks are also considered clean eating. WIN for my new diet.
Don’t get me wrong…the Smoky Chili and Lime variety is good enough…it just wasn’t what I had expected it to taste like. Way too much lime for my tastes and not enough of that smokey chile flavor that is promised on the package. Still…a healthy and nutritious choice for a snack. Same satisfying crunch as a chip…but giving you so many more healthy benefits without the added fat, cholesterol, and unnecessary ingredients. The Good Bean puts out very good products that they should be proud of. I am happy to have this sort of snack in my life. And maybe…maybe they have inspired me to give roasting chickpeas at home on my own a try.
Just maybe…
A serving of The Good Bean Smoky Chili and Lime Chickpea Snack
Tasty Bite keeps winning me over. Honestly. If there is one thing that this company knows…it is flavor. And even more importantly…flavor profiles. Because what Tasty Bite continues to manage, time and time again, is to get the perfect blend of spices and ingredients to work together…in this little microwavable pouch. Most naysayers would say it couldn’t be done. But, as they have proven over and over again…it can.
I remember first spotting Tasty Bite products on the shelf of my local grocery store. Then…I started seeing more (and other varieties) at the other grocery stores I go to each week (which is between 4-6, honestly). When they went on sale at my grocery store, my roommate and I decided to stock up on the varieties they had…and just hope that they were good.
This was, quite honestly, the best decision we ever made.
You see…we are very busy, very active, very on-the-go people. And there are certain days of the week where cooking a full meal just doesn’t work. When we have places to go and appointments to make, there is just no way I can spend that sort of time in the kitchen. It just isn’t possible. Take Monday’s for example. Yesterday…after running in the morning…then working 8 hours…then with my group fun run that evening at 6 p.m…and travel over into Louisville being figured in, I basically had time to either cook up a Tasty Bite meal…or make a grilled cheese sandwich.
I decided to do the Indian food. Spinach Channa was the next one on the list. What is Spinach Channa?
I cooked up some jasmine rice the evening before, so you can tell which won out in the end. It’s basically chickpeas that are simmered with savory spinach, some herbs, some spices, and given a little kick with the addition of chilies. It sounded great because I absolutely love chickpeas and spinach. And…chilies in everything makes me a happy girl. Give me something with a bit of a kick and what you have is one very, very happy gluten-free vegetarian.
One thing that I love about these Tasty Bite packages is how simple they are. They are good to eat on their own, but if you want to boost the staying power, you can pair it with a protein, pour it over rice, or however else you choose to eat it. Putting it over rice is always my method. Anyway, once you decide how you are going to enjoy your Tasty Bite meal…the rest is simple. Tear a 2 inch slit into the top of the package and pop it into the microwave for 90 seconds. When done…serve however you choose. For me…I pour the now steamy warm contents over my jasmine rice and settle in to eat.
So, how exactly does the pairing of various herbs and spices with spinach and chickpeas taste? Just as amazing as it sounds. The spinach is cooked down into this green, thick, soup-like sauce. The chickpeas are scattered throughout that. And the flavors…they are to die for. Just the right amount of heat from the chilies. The rest…it just all blends together. It makes for one tasty, tasty meal. I really loved the flavors of this one. Not as much as the Vegetable Korma…but this one is good in its own right. Savory…with a small mild heat. And I mean…mild. My roommate is a spice wimp and she didn’t say anything about heat level on this one. So…it’s just enough to give it this added something. That’s all.
Now comes the science part…the ingredients and the nutritional information. Ready?
First of all, one thing that Tasty Bite does pride itself on is their ingredients. They use no preservatives and many of their options are gluten-free. Take Spinach Channa for example…since that’s what I am reviewing. The Spinach Channa is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and kosher. Everything that goes into the package is an actual food. No chemicals. No artificial additives. Just pure ingredients. The ingredient list on this one is simple and small: water, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, salt, cumin, chilies, turmeric, and spices. Recognize all of those? I sure do. And that is a comfort.
Now…for the nutritional part. One serving of Tasty Bite Spinach Channa (5 ounces…or half the pouch) will serve you up 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. For being a shelf-stable option, the 490 mg of sodium isn’t too bad. It’s on the lower end of most processed foods. And much lower than some soups out on the market. Each serving also provides a filling 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. LOVE that.
And, honestly, I loved every bite of Tasty Bite’s Spinach Channa. It was filling. It provided great energy for my evening run, with nothing that upset my stomach. Indian food before a run isn’t everyone’s choice, but with the mild flavors and pairing it with rice, it’s ideal. Honestly. Oh…let’s not forget that it tastes AMAZING. Great flavors, great food, great company. And a great variety to choose from!
But…when in doubt…go for something simple. Spinach Channa is a great place to start.
What more could you want? Except, perhaps, another Tasty Bite…
The Celiathlete 