Cheese – Page 14 – The Celiathlete

May 28, 2013

It’s Qrunch time…and veggie burgers have never tasted so good!

Product: Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burgers – $5.99+

Sometimes a product comes along…and it’s intriguing. It sounds like it could be the most amazing thing ever. It’s vegan. It’s gluten-free. It’s a veggie burger that I don’t have to sit there and ponder the contents of the box. It’s all laid out…right on the packaging. No second guessing. No searching the internet for an FAQ on the company. No secrets. Nothing to hide.

That’s what I first loved about Qrunch Foods Qrunch Burgers.

What is a Qrunch Burger, you might ask. Aside from the earlier prelude that this is, in fact, a veggie burger…let me explain a little more. Because this is not your ordinary veggie burger. Not one bit. In fact, it may be the ultimate veggie burger. I’ve eaten every brand of gluten-free veggie burger out on the market that I can find in this area. And while I have raved about many, disliked a few…believe me when I state that the Original Qrunch Burger is…

THE BEST VEGGIE BURGER EVER!

Don’t believe me? Try it yourself. But…trust me…you’ll want to believe me.

Where was I?

Oh yes…what is a Qrunch Burger. The answer to this is simple. It’s a veggie burger that is “powered” by the superfood – quinoa. And, as a gluten-free vegetarian, we all know that quinoa is one of my most favorite things in this world. But the awesomeness doesn’t end there. This burger is also loaded with organic millet and organic vegetables. It is free of virtually all common allergens (gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, wheat-free, egg-free, nut-free) and made in a gluten-free facility. These burgers are made from all natural ingredients and do not contain any artificial flavors, colors or GMOs.

Even better…it’s fantastic.

Being that it is Memorial Day, my roommate and I decided that we would have the customary all-American holiday feast. But for us…that means veggie burgers (as opposed to hamburgers) and hand cut shoestring fries, which I bake in the oven to crispy perfection. I had a box of the Original Qrunch Burgers in my freezer. As I received a CSA bin with plenty of fresh veggies that I could utilize for these burgers. Yep…we were good to go.

Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burger patty

So, after I made fresh guacamole to go on the burgers (trust me…it’s awesome) and I got the potatoes cut, seasoned, and into the oven, it was time to turn my attention to the actual burgers. I pulled out my skillet and got it warming up while I pulled the box of Original Qrunch Burgers out of the freezer. Once my skillet was properly heated, the patties were put on to cook through. This takes about 5 minutes on each side. I went ahead and put a slice of vegan cheese on the patties to go along with the rest of the Memorial Day festivities. Once each side had been properly warmed and browned on the skillet, it was time to dress the burgers.

I didn’t have any gluten-free hamburger buns on hand this week…so I used gluten-free bread. I dressed the bread with a light coating of vegan Sriracha sour cream, then placed the red leaf lettuce down. The Original Qrunch Patty was next, followed by a tomato, red onion, and then a spoonful of my homemade guacamole. I adorned each plate with a healthy serving of my hand-cut shoestring fries. With the burger assembled, it was now time to settle in for the holiday feast.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I took my first bite. I’ve had some pretty epic fails when it has come to taste and texture of veggie burgers. While most have been passable, the gluten-free varieties just don’t seem to live up to the standard other veggie burgers I used to be able to eat (can’t anymore…because they have gluten in them) laid down.

That is not the case anymore. I took one bite of my Original Qrunch Burger and was in a new happy place. Honestly. What I loved about these was not just the flavor, although it is definitely the best I have had…to date. The texture is awesome. The outside of the patty gets this nice crunch to it. The inside…soft, with that perfect “meatiness” to it that actually makes you believe you are, in fact, eating a burger. I loved how seasoned this patty was. You can even see the organic onion, organic carrots, organic broccoli, and organic spinach in the patty. Nothing fake about these burgers. Seasoned to perfection with garlic and kosher salt. The flavors just popped in my mouth. I was so happy that it took everything in me not to just go into devour mode and shove as much each bite into my mouth at a time. I savored…and I’m glad I did.

Nutritionally speaking, these burgers do rate a little higher on the calorie scale. One patty is 190 calories and contains 11 grams of fat. So…probably not one of the leaner options out there, but not bad as a whole. I’ve definitely encountered worse. Each patty will also supply you with 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Love that quinoa…a protein powerhouse! In addition, these patties are low in sodium, topping out at 150 mg. Loving it.

For a burger that elliminates so many foods and allergens from their line-up of ingredients, what emerges is one of the most amazing veggie burgers I have ever had the simple joy of eating. I don’t think any other burger will find its way back into my freezer. Qrunch Foods has definitely raised the bar with their highly delicious and very tasty Original Qrunch Burgers.

In fact, it seems that other people agree. In a recent taste test done by the Washington Post Food Section, the Qrunch veggie burger came in third on overall merits. And…it was the only allergen-free burger in the top seven. So, it’s not just me. Others agree that Qrunch Burgers are something special.

I noticed these are also available in a Spicy Italian flavor. Oh yeah…I’m going to be trying that out. And very soon.

If you’re looking for a different flavor or a different sort of veggie burger…Qrunch is the way to go. Honestly. Veggie burgers have great potential…but these blew away the competition. No question about it. Qrunch rocks!

A burger made from Qrunch Foods Original Qrunch Burger and served with homemade hand-cut shoestring fries

May 27, 2013

Create your own pizza on Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts (2 Pack) – $5.99+

It was October 24, 2011 when I first was able to finally try Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. I remember the day like it was just yesterday instead of almost two years ago. At this point, my gluten-free journey was in the beginning stages. I had tried Udi’s bread…and loved it. But that was basically all I could find in my area…until one day…the gluten-free gods smiled upon me…and one of my local stores started carrying Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts in their freezer section. I was so happy (and hungry) at that moment, I damned my budget, threw a pack of them into my cart and went home to make some gluten-free pizza for dinner.

Almost two years ago.

Sometimes things change over the span of a couple years. Companies toy around with recipes…sometimes because it is needed (Udi’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls…yes…you…and I still am not the biggest fan of those)…and sometimes because they just want to see if they can improve on the awesome product they already have on the market (Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bread…your new recipe is awesome!).

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the quality, taste, and sheer awesomeness that comes in each pack of Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. Sure, Udi’s now makes pre-topped frozen pizzas…and those are all fine and good. But sometimes…most of the time…I have my own pizza toppings in mind and I want to get into my kitchen and draw on my inner allergic chef and just…create.

Most people would think that would mean…make your own gluten-free crust. I have. And sometimes I still do. But when you’re hungry or in a hurry…you work with what is available to you. And what my area happens to have in almost every grocery store now…are Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

Recently, I received an amazing box of gluten-free goodness from Udi’s of products, both classic and new…to try for my blog. One of the included items was a pack of their Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. As I run a lot and my favorite pre-race meal is gluten-free pizza…this had me stoked. I already knew I was a huge fan of their pizza crusts…although it had been…probably about a year since I had last had one.

Well, yesterday I ran two 5K races…one in the morning and one in the evening. And that meant…Friday night was gluten-free pizza night. Normally, my roomie and I would just pick a local restaurant that had a respectable, safe gluten-free pizza on the menu. But…we’re on a tight budget this month…and now…I had pizza crusts in my freezer. So…yes…I would make my own.

I got out my pizza stone, put some cornmeal down, then got the pizza crusts out of the freezer. I removed one of them and put the other one away. Once my pizza stone was properly heated and the corn meal beginning to brown, I placed the crust down on the stone and began to top it with what ingredients I had on hand. I made my own version of a gluten-free and vegetarian Hawaiian pizza. A little marinara, some homemade gluten-free and vegan bacon, some red onion, chunks of fresh pineapple, and topped it off with Daiya mozzarella vegan cheese. Oh…my pre-race meal was already making me drool and it still had to bake.

Udi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (ready for toppings and baking) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (ready for toppings and baking)

Into the oven it went for about 10-12 minutes. It smelled fantastic as it started to bake, the cheese getting melty and gooey…the pineapple beginning to caramelize under the heat of the oven, the crust turning to that perfect golden brown. Oh yes…this was gluten-free pizza that was going to get me through two races in one day. And it was turning into pizza perfection.

And the best part was…I still LOVED it. Every last bite of it. My pizza turned out brilliantly. The crust baked to a crispy, yet still chewy, perfection. It was able to sustain the heavy pineapple chunks among the other toppings. And it tasted so good. SO good. This crust is light and thin, so you don’t feel like a glutton for downing half of the entire crust (which is the serving size, BTW). I am just as in love with these pizza crusts now as I was almost two years ago. Nothing about them has changed. They are amazing. Top them off however you wish. You can’t go wrong when you’re making it your own. And thanks to Udi’s…you can do this on a super busy night…or if you just want to have some time to relax. Pizza doesn’t have to be about making your own crust. Let Udi’s do that for you…because this is a crust worth slicing into and devouring.

Nutritionally speaking, this is also one of the best pre-made gluten-free pizza crusts on the market. The serving size, as I mentioned before, is 1/2 of the pizza. It makes sharing with someone so simple and easy. My roomie gets her half and I get mine. I leave a zone between the halves for easy slicing, as she uses real cheese on hers…whereas I am lactose intolerant and use vegan cheese on mine. It works out beautifully. A serving of the crust alone will only set you back 190 calories and 5 grams of fat. Trust me…this is on the low end of most of the pre-made gluten-free crusts out there. Believe me…I have searched. On top of that, your half of a pizza serves up 4 grams of protein. AWESOME.

These crusts are made from a blend of tapioca starch, brown rice flour, water, canola oil, egg whites, evaporated cane sugar, tapioca syrup, tapioca maltodextrin, salt, xanthan gum, yeast, and cultured corn syrup solids (to prevent mold). Combine it and what you end up with is one of the best gluten-free pizza crusts in your grocer’s freezer section. These have been on the market for quite awhile…but if you are new to the gluten-free lifestyle or just haven’t spent the money to try them out…I encourage you to do so…and do so now. These are fantastic and…make having a pizza party a whole lot less stressful.

Bake up one for yourself and taste the awesomeness of Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. No really. Do so. Pizza waits for no one.

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Hawaiian Pizza made on Udi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust — Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Hawaiian Pizza made on Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

May 23, 2013

DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta is a gummy, delicate mess

Product: DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta – $2.69+

Ah…gluten-free pasta.

It can be just as good as the full-barrel pasta. Or it can be…beyond disappointing. I always hope for the best and tonight when I got it into my head to make an angel hair pasta dish with some vegan and gluten-free scallops on top. I happened to have some gluten-free angel hair pasta in my pantry, however, so this wasn’t going to be an issue. The most difficult part of dinner prep was going to be making the garlic sauce.

Upon arriving home, the gluten-free angel hair pasta was pulled out of the pantry and I got some water boiling in my large pot on the stove. The pasta that was debuting in my kitchen was none other than DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Angel Hair Pasta…now with Golden Flax. I have had DeBoles pasta before…and it’s been…okay. Nothing to really scream about. But…decent enough to get by.

While I got the water boiling, I prepped some asparagus to roast as a side dish and got that in the oven. Then, I got the gluten-free and vegan breaded scallops set on their baking sheet for when they would join the asparagus in the oven. By then, my water was boiling, so I got the scallops into the oven and then got out the ingredients for my sauce and put the skillet on a burner to warm up.

It was now time to add the noodles to the boiling water. I opened up the box of DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta and poured it into the water. The boiling water immediately calmed, and I gave the pasta a stir until everything was covered by the water. A rolling boil returned and I went ahead to focus on making my garlic sauce, giving the noodles a stir every now and again.

As the pasta began to soften, I noticed how brittle and delicate these noodles were going to be. When I would stir the noodles, they would occasionally split or break apart into smaller noodles. Okay…that’s fine. My mom used to split the noodles in half and cook spaghetti like that. I just…was hoping for something that would really hold up.

DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta noodles, cooked...and unclumpy! — DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta noodles, cooked…and unclumpy!

I cooked these to the perfect al dente (about 9 minutes), then drained them. I shook out the excess water and went to put the noodles into the skillet to mix with the sauce. And that was when I poured them into the skillet that I noticed just how gummy and sticky they were. They clumped together terribly. I was not happy. I poured a little more olive oil into my garlic sauce in hopes that it would help de-stick the noodles, but it didn’t. They just became this massive clump of gluten-free rice noodle pasta. I was livid. Honestly. No good at all.

But the pasta was all I had to work with…so I had to use it, despite it all being one ball of noodles now. I managed to scoop up four servings and place two in Pyrex containers for the following night…and the clumpy noodles that were left went into bowls for dinner. Over the top went the vegan and gluten-free breaded scallops from Sophie’s Kitchen. And then I gave mine a hit of crushed red pepper flakes, where my roommate took freshly grated Parmesan.

Dinner was…served, I guess. The image of it in my head seemed a lot better than the actual result. Stupid pasta. And, just as it appeared, it tasted. Not mushy, but gummy. The noodles broke as you tried to lift them from the bowl, perhaps due to the weight of the other noodles now stuck together…or the fact that this pasta was very delicate. I was not pleased. They tasted fine…the texture was great. But they just didn’t cook up properly, despite me doing everything right.

As for the bowls of noodles in the fridge…when reheated, I went ahead and left the lids off the Pyrex, hoping it might take some of the gumminess out of the noodles. Is it weird that I preferred the noodles on the second day as opposed to the first. My plan did work, although they were still a clump of really short noodles, instead of single long strands of angel hair pasta that could be wound around a fork. Suckage. But…like I said…at least they taste good.

Nutritionally speaking, this is like any other pasta noodle. For a 2 ounce serving (yes…I do measure and weigh), you’ll be set back 210 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. Not too shabby for pasta, yes? Thanks to the flax, you get a nice hit of 4 grams of protein. Unfortunately, the fiber content in this is rather low, so it may not be as filling as a regular pasta noodle would be. But, when you’re gluten-free…you use what you are given. And this is what I had. These noodles are gluten-free, wheat-free, and an excellent source of Omega 3…something this gluten-free vegetarian doesn’t really get regularly.

So…while not a horrible choice for noodles, there are others out there I would return to before picking up another box of DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta. I prefer my noodles not to stick together…break…have a gumminess to them…you know…what any good gluten-free eater should get. Something done right and something done well. These noodles…failed me. And now…I have no love for them. I liked them…but it’s not love.

We’re just…acquaintances.

DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta, now shortened and stuck together, topped with Sophie's Kitchen Vegan and Gluten-Free Breaded Scallops — DeBoles Gluten-Free Rice Plus Golden Flax Angel Hair Pasta, now shortened and stuck together, topped with Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan and Gluten-Free Breaded Scallops

May 21, 2013

Slide into a vegan and gluten-free burger season with SoL Cuisine’s Original Sliders

Product: SoL Cuisine Original Sliders – $5.49+

For the past month or so, I’ve been experimenting with dinner rolls…as slider buns. And having found out that my very own local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, makes the best I’ve ever tasted…well…sliders have become one of my go-to menu items. And with summer on the way, despite not having a grill, it is burger time.

BUT…being a gluten-free vegetarian sometimes means…I have to make my own sliders. And, trust me, some recipes work out better than others. For one thing, mine tend to not want to hold together, turning to mush and not really having that “meaty” texture to them. Granted, the two recipes I’ve done haven’t really lent themselves to being faux meat, but…the thought was there. When you bite into something that is meant to be a burger…that’s sort of the texture and taste that you are going for.

The other day, after buying yet another bag of allergen-free dinner rolls from Annie May’s…and knowing I had plenty of fresh produce in my fridge…I thought…sliders for dinner on Sunday might be awesome. The thing was…I really didn’t want to make my own. It was a super-busy weekend as it was…and Sunday I had spent a majority of my day listening to the Dalai Lama speak in Louisville. I was starving when I got out of there (no gluten-free and vegetarian options at the venue) and after downing some ice cream…I went grocery shopping for…the Poblano Chick(pea) patties I blogged about not too long ago. Except…the store didn’t have them anymore. My plans were about to go down the tubes.

But…then I remembered the glorious day I spotted SoL Cuisine Sliders (vegan and vegetarian, mind you) at Whole Foods in their freezer section. While it would mean I’d have yet another blog to write (I was backlogged enough I thought) on a product I could eat…I really wanted some real food for dinner that night. So…neglecting my initial response to make something I’ve already had before…my roommate and I headed over to Whole Foods and picked up a box of SoL Cuisine Original Sliders.

It was like it was meant to be. Because this box contained six sliders…and I had six dinner rolls. Awesome! Granted, the serving size for this product is 2 patties…we really weren’t out that much more by adding one more for each of us for dinner. A serving (2 sliders…remember…) will set you back only 100 calories. Yep. 50 calories per slider. Not too shabby, right? I thought it was awesome. The normal serving size also provides a fantastic 13 grams of protein! These vegan and gluten-free burgers are are low in sodium (240 mg) and have 3 grams of fiber. I think I should also mention that two patties is only 3 grams of fat as well. How awesome are these little veggie burgers of gluten-free wonder?!

And they weren’t difficult to prepare either. You can grill them, microwave them, cook them stove top, or put them in the oven. I had other things to prep with dinner…so I decided to do the oven method. I hoped this wouldn’t backfire, as I’m sure grilling or even doing it stove top would have gotten a nice crisp on the outside of these little patties. That being said, I prepped a cooking sheet and laid out all six patties, putting them into a 350°F oven. They had to cook for about 10 minutes on one side…and then flip them over and cook for another 10 minutes on the other side. Perfect, as I would have to throw my dinner rolls in to toast them up for my condiments and add-ons.

They smelled fantastic while they were cooking. And in that time I mashed up an avocado for the sliders, cut up some lettuce, chopped up a tomato, and sliced into an onion…all in the name of gluten-free vegan slider goodness. When the rolls and the sliders emerged, it was time to assemble the burgers. And I was starving and ready to eat.

So easy. A touch of avocado, then lettuce, the slider, vegan cheese, tomato, onion, and then more avocado before placing the top of the dinner roll on and making…the perfect slider. I did this for all of the rolls and patties and served them up to my roommate and I for dinner. She was already digging in by the time I finished putting mine together…and she was raving about the flavor. This was good news, as the SoL Cuisine Tofu Rubs were just…meh…okay. I settled in for my own dinner and lifted a slider to taste.

Oh…yeah…these are keepers. These are one of those products that will continue to find its way into my freezer. Seriously!

The SoL Cuisine Original Sliders are amazing. They are perfection. They taste meaty without being made from meat. In fact…they have such great texture and taste, if you closed your eyes, you’d think you were truly eating a burger. It’s amazing. It’s awesome. I am in love with these. Not only do they have fantastic texture and flavor, but they pair so well with any topping you might want to put on there. I heaped these sliders full with different condiments and vegetables, and they didn’t detract at all from the taste of the burger. These definitely compliment anything you top it off with. Or…if you want to sneak a taste on its own (like I did…for the sake of the blog) know that they are also very delicious on their own. Three sliders were so filling. But I was happily stuffed.

The SoL Cuisine Original Sliders are gluten-free and vegan. They are also kosher, and are a great source of calcium and iron. And what, exactly are they? Well, according to their ingredient listings, these little patties of meat-free, gluten-free goodness are composed of filtered water, soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, dried onion, modified vegetable gum, dried tomato, sea salt, dried garlic, spices, organic lemon juice concentrate, and caramel color. I love seeing ingredients that I recognize. Love it.

So, not only are these a healthy choice for a meal, but they are delicious as well. I can’t wait to purchase more of these, or even try the other two slider varieties in the freezer section: Spicy Black Bean Sliders and Quinoa Sliders. Both sound…awesome! They will both be purchased for the sake of the blog and consumed. I hope they can live up to the high bar the Original Slider set. Totally loving my gluten-free and vegan sliders. Thanks to SoL Cuisine…I don’t always have to make my own. Sometimes…I can just cook them up and leave the prep to someone else.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Sliders made with SoL Cuisine Original Sliders

May 10, 2013

Subway and Quiznos could learn a thing or two about gluten-free options from Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop

Restaurant: Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop, Apple Valley, Minnesota

It has been ages since I have set foot into a sandwich shop. Ages. No Subway. No Quiznos. I used to frequent them all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. Then, the news came that I had to go gluten-free…and these favorite places to grab a quick sandwich fell to the wayside. No gluten-free options available. At least not here. I have heard the rumblings that Subway has tested a gluten-free market in some locations…but nothing further has come of that. Which is too bad. I really loved my lunches from Subway.

My sandwich shop hiatus, however, came to an end while I was visiting Minnesota this past week. I came to see my family, spend time with my grandpa, aunt, cousins…old friends…and run. Run a freakin’ half marathon while there. Because…that’s what I do. Every trip I take these days has to be centered around what I eat and where. It’s imperative, when you have food allergies and intolerance that you have an idea of where you can safely eat while on the go. I am on the go a lot on my trips, even ones to see my 91-year-old grandpa and company.

On my last day in Minneapolis, I was tooling about the Twin Cities, hitting up some bookstores, running stores, indulging in a massive banana split (which I split with my roomie) to celebrate a good race on Sunday…and as 3:00 p.m. neared, and the imminant time to head back to grandpa’s house to pack up and head to the airport for our 7:00 p.m. flight back to Louisville, Cathy and I knew we needed to get some actual food into our system. And it was best done outside of the rather exorbitant airport choices, not that there is ever much that I can eat at an airport.

Before leaving Louisville, we were scouting out some restaurant options and Cathy spotted this small, regional chain called Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop. Why did it catch her eye? Gluten-free options…and not limited to a salad bar. In fact…salad isn’t even an option (like at other sandwich shops like Subway and Quiznos) on their menu. This place is all about the sandwiches, and they proudly serve up a gluten-free option on Udi’s bread. Not just any Udi’s bread though. Erbert & Gerbert’s serves up their gluten-free sandwiches on a specially designed 6-inch Udi’s sub rolls. So, you get to actually eat like everyone else in your party. How amazing is that?

Never heard of Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop before? You are not alone. The small, very regional chain got it’s start more than 20 years ago in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and have since grown to include 50 sandwich shops within the United States. Their sandwiches are given fun names and prepared with flavor as the main focus. If flavor doesn’t shine in a sandwich, why bother eating it, right? So, at Erbert & Gerbert’s…it’s more about finding ingredients that work together, flavors that really inspire and astound the taste buds, and it’s not just an assembly line of various fillings and toppings. Sandwich making is an art. And it’s one that they do very well.

Cathy and I came into the Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop in Apple Valley, Minnesota with an early dinner on the mind. I ordered first, as I was the problem child between the two of us. A gluten-free vegetarian, however, is no challenge here.

My choice of sandwich was a Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger ($6.44 – regular price is $4.49, but there is an additional charge of $1.99 for the gluten-free bread). No problem at all. They rang it up. Cathy chose the Giza ($5.49), which is, basically, Erbert & Gerbert’s BLT Sandwich. It has cherry wood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and Hellmann’s mayo. She got her sandwich on the honey wheat bread.

So…how does a sandwich shop handle gluten-free without the fear of cross contamination? For Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop, it’s as simple as having a separate prep station for the gluten-free options. Psst…Subway…Quiznos…you might want to start taking notes! The chain actually certified three of their subs, the Boney Bill (classic turkey breast sandwich), the Comet Morehouse (ham & provolone), and the Jacob Bluefinger (vegetarian) as gluten-free as they are prepared separately from the rest. You can get any of the chain’s 21 sandwich’s done gluten-free for an additional charge…but those sandwiches will not be certified gluten-free as the ingredients will be taken from the other sandwich prep area. Erbert & Gerbert’s also reworked two existing soup recipes, the Cheddar Cheese & Broccoli as well as the Cheesy Asparagus soups to be gluten-free without changing the flavor of the soup. Gotta love that.

I took a seat at the table and watched as Cathy’s sandwich was prepared on one station by one of the workers behind the counter. Mine was prepared on a separate station by the one who took our order in the first place. Both sandwiches came up to the counter at the same time and she and I tucked back into our booth to enjoy.

Aside from being a certified gluten-free sandwich as well as a great vegetarian option, I bet you are wondering what the hell the Jacob Bluefinger sandwich might be. Let me enlighten you…

Jacob Bluefinger is one of Erbert & Gerbert’s Classic Flavors. For me, it’s a gutted gluten-free sub roll from Udi’s that is packed full of double provolone cheese, tomato, lettuce, Hellmann’s mayo and avocado. Sound delicious? Believe me…it is. In order to pack as much flavor into their sandwiches, Erbert & Gerbert’s removes the soft inner layer of bread and really layers in the toppings. When the sandwich is complete, they place the “guts” of the bread on top of the sandwich and serve it up.

I took one bite of my sandwich…and knew…right then…that I needed to make this at home. Because there are no Erbert & Gerbert’s locations anywhere near where I live. Nope. None. Zero. This sandwich was phenomenal. The provolone cheese really paired well with the sweetness of the avocado. The tomatoes added another nice taste, as they were ripe and just mingled well with the other ingredients. The lettuce was crisp and fresh, bringing some texture to the sandwich. Oh…this was heaven. Here I was…finally eating a sub sandwich. It had been over two years since I had been able to do that. And I did so without any worries or fears that I could get sick from cross contamination. And, the sandwich itself contained all of my favorite things…especially avocado, which I am obsessed with. This cold sandwich was amazing. Packed with creamy flavors that all worked together. I savored every bite I could. This might be the only time this year I got to actually enjoy a gluten-free sub sandwich. And yes…I really enjoyed it. Flavor definitely is key at Erbert & Gerbert’s…and this combination is a stellar winner in my book.

Here in the Louisville, Kentucky area, there are certainly a plethora of sandwich shops. However, these have no options for me nor any way of preparing something safely without fear of cross contamination. In my world, Subway and Quiznos are no-go’s. To have a place like Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop would be amazing. For now, though, it looks like I must leave it as something to look forward to on my annual trek up to Minnesota. I was blown away by the standards and the food here. Now I know why this is my cousin Natalie’s favorite place to grab a sandwich. Delicious. And certified gluten-free! This…is my happy face.

Erbert & Gerbert's Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger Sub Sandwich — Erbert & Gerbert’s Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger Sub Sandwich

May 10, 2013

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat in Minneapolis

Restaurant: French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ve probably seen some of their goods in your grocers freezer. I know I have. They have quite a great selection of gluten-free frozen goodies that I have yet to try yet…although I have actually had one of their products. Back in October 2011, just as I was starting to get the hang of this gluten-free stuff…I bought a box of 4 of their Gluten-Free Yellow Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. I was lukewarm on the review…being that I dislike frosting and that it had been frozen prior to consumption.

Of course, I had forgotten all of that up until a moment ago when I began this blog.

Here’s how we wound up here. I was gearing up for a trip to Minnesota and Cathy, the infamous roomie, had said she really wanted to go back to The Bad Waitress to eat while we were there. However, as she was scouting through recent reviews, it turns out The Bad Waitress had been cited for health concerns…so we nixed that immediately. This meant searching a little bit for somewhere new to eat.

Enter the savior of the moment, my aunt Jan, who had been messaging me back and forth on Facebook leading up to my trip. She said some colleagues at the hospital (she’s a surgical nurse) she works in mentioned a great place called French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. She must have been talking about my impending visit and the fact that I am a gluten-free vegetarian, because they mentioned to her the plethora of gluten-free options available…not to mention the gobs of vegetarian offerings. She mentioned this in the message. I looked it up. I sent the link to Cathy. We approved. And Jan said we would definitely go there one day while I was in town.

That day just happened to be Monday. Jan had the day off from work. The cold weather had given way to a beautiful, sunny 78 degree day. And we were out and about in Minneapolis, doing a bit of shopping and whatever else we felt like. Our only plan…be outside and soak up the sun and gorgeous weather. With that agenda in mind, we did a lot of our indoor stuff (like hitting bookstores and the like) that morning. And when lunchtime rolled around, we headed into Minneapolis and down to Lyndale Avenue South, hoping to grab a bite to eat at the French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. We arrived, parking around the corner on the street to the brilliant yellow building. A short walk later and we were entering the premises…greeted by towering black boards that held the menu, written in chalk. It was fantastic and…overwhelming…but awesome.

We gawked for a long moment at the boards, figuring out what we wanted to eat for lunch. Although there are still breakfast items as well…including a gluten-free waffle which was…SO tempting. We got it sorted just in time, because we were up next to order. Jan went first, ordering the California Wrap with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.50). Cathy went for the Incredible Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a side of the Chips and Salsa ($7.50). Actually, I was expecting her to be a bit more adventurous than that when we ate here. That’s so…typical. As for me, I opted for the Roasted Vegetable Sandwich on Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.00). I was given the option, I feel I should mention, of either gluten-free white, multigrain, or cinnamon raisin bread. I HAD A CHOICE!! That made me so stupidly happy.

We were given our table placard, a big card of Edith Piaf, and we went to seek out some dining outside on the side patio. We spotted a table in the sun, but this made Cathy frown. So while Cathy and I made a run to the bathroom, Jan shifted us to a table with an umbrella and put Cathy out of the sunlight. She and I were shaded but still able to soak in the vitamin D. A happy medium.

We were able to sit around and talk while waiting on food. While I had been inside, I snagged a little chipotle hot sauce to add to my sandwich. I mean…we all know I like thing spicy…and with my race run…I could now spice things up as much as I liked or dared. WOOT!

A few moments later and our plates were being delivered. Everything looked fantastic. All of our sandwiches were loaded with ingredients (all fresh and organic, mind you!) and busting at the crusts. I eagerly snapped a picture of my Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with my mixed greens, then sliced that sandwich in half, added some hot sauce and took a bite.

The Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is just what it sounds like. Roasted vegetables. But what all do you get? Let me fill you in. This sandwich is packed full of goodness. Starting with beautifully roasted portabella mushrooms, roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, organic spinach, and then topped off with some chevre goat cheese. Oh yeah…it smelled divine. But even better was the taste.

This has got to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. Honestly. The roasted vegetables only elevate the flavor, and the portabella mushrooms were done to perfection. They weren’t soggy and wet and making my bread to sponge up the fluid and fall apart. On the contrary, all of these vegetables meshed so well with the caramelized onion and the strong flavor of (my favorite) goat cheese. I was in sandwich heaven. And it took every bit of willpower in me not to just devour it on contact. I savored. I even ate the salad of mixed greens, which were lightly dressed in some sort of vinaigrette. Very tasty and the perfect accent to my sandwich, honestly.

This was certainly one of my favorite places in Minneapolis that I have eaten so far. The food was awesome. All of us were so happy with our orders and ate what we wanted. If we hadn’t been so stuffed, I probably would have opted for one of their gluten-free dessert options. Maybe next time. What am I saying? DEFINITELY next time.

With lunch polished off, the three of us continued our day out by taking the light rail down to Nicolette Mall and walking some of our food off. The flavor of that sandwich still resonates with me. I hope to get back to French Meadow Bakery & Cafe the next time I hit up the Twin Cities. It is certainly worth the visit and the trip. The food and service is out of this world. And you can tell they do take great pride in their variety and numerous options for different dietary needs. I know that I totally appreciate it.

Dear French Meadow Bakery…I LOVE YOU. I promise to come back soon. Promise!

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe's Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens — French Meadow Bakery & Cafe’s Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens

May 9, 2013

Gluten-free pizza a huge let down at Pizza Ranch

Restaurant: Pizza Ranch, Apple Valley, Minnesota

This will teach me to allow my roommate to make changes to the original plan. Because, judging by the reviews that I’ve read since just working on this blog, I never would have gone to Pizza Ranch for my night-before-a-big-race gluten-free pizza tradition when a place like Pizza Luce existed within a short drive from my grandpa’s home. Let me tell you…next time I pick the place and we stick to the plan…because when I eat gluten-free pizza…I expect a really amazing gluten-free pizza.

But Pizza Ranch, right off the bat, I could tell wasn’t going to be a place to get something amazing to eat. Too bad. The line was pretty long and we had 10 people in our party as my cousin Molly and her hubby and two kids joined us, as did my cousin Andy and his significant other as well. My friend Heather came over and joined us for dinner as well. Big group…and not everyone quite sure how this place worked.

But my aunt figured it out. We had to either get the buffet (not gluten-free) or go place an order at the front desk. Everything was paid for in advance, and you could have all the pizza you wanted, or a specialty pizza made and brought to your table in its own box. After a little discussion, Heather, Cathy and I decided that the perfect toppings for our pizza that night were best kept mild…so mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions ($12.99). We all got fountain drinks, although I simply got water in mine.

Now, this was not how I wanted to start out Heather when it came to gluten-free foods. We had to wait awhile to actually get our food. Which…is fine. It’s okay when food takes some time to prepare. And yes, it was actually brought to the table in its own box. But by them, my family who had all opted for buffet and my grandpa, who had ordered some 2-piece chicken dinner ($5.49), all had pretty much finished off their meals. So, the pizza got there in time for us to make a show of eating it.

And a show it was. Opening the box it looks like the cracker-crust pizzas I get at every other small chain pizza place that is getting into gluten-free. And that’s fine. If it is done right. At first glance, this one seemed to be, even if a bit charred on the edges. When you’re working with such a thin crust…it happens. However…that being said, Cathy went to snag the first piece from the aluminum sheet it was cooked on, only to find it completely baked onto the disposable pan. I mean…crusted on there good. She managed to get her fork and knife in to hack away at the charred edge that held it in place and finally freed her piece. This made it easier for Heather and I to snag ours, but I was completely mortified. Remember…Heather hasn’t had gluten-free pizza before and this was already scaring me…a patron of the gluten-free pizza scene.

I scraped my piece out of the tray and onto my plate, gave it a little shake of crushed red pepper and sliced off the very tip with my fork. One bite. Instant disappointment. I mean…instant. It wasn’t that the pizza was bad. It wasn’t. It just…wasn’t all that good either. The crust, while crispy and maybe a little too done on the edges, was pale and soft on the inside. It was cooked through, but you couldn’t easily pick up this pizza to eat. It had to be eaten with a fork and knife because the crust was just…mush. Pale, ungolden, uncrispy…mush. And where it was crispy…it was a little too done.

Yeah…I think my disappointment showed. But at that point, you’ve paid for it, everyone else has eaten…so you sort of just eat what you have and be thankful that you’re at least getting your pre-race tradition done. We thought the toppings were fine. The vegetables were fresh. The onions were raw, not caramelized…but…we were at a place called Pizza Ranch. So…such luxuries are not exactly what you should expect. I’m okay with raw onions though. And they tasted fine. It was just too bad that crust ruined the entire pizza experience for me. I was so unimpressed and unhappy with every bite of that pizza. And the fact that the three of us had to literally fight to extract each piece from the tray was only making it worse. My heart was heavy. My pizza was…meh.

And my runner’s spirit was sort of crushed. As was my chance to really show Heather what the food I eat is all about. But…I have a feeling I can fix all of that when we hit up Chicago in October. She just needs to trust me.

Anyway…I had three pieces, Cathy and three, and Heather stuck with two (I don’t blame her). And we all left, discussing how the pizza wasn’t awful it just wasn’t…noteworthy or…good. It was underwhelming. And it honestly made me sad. When you are known for pizza…I don’t care if it is gluten-free…you make a damn good pizza. Even if you are a small, regional chain, only available in nine states…when you make a name off your pizza…make all of your pizza good. Not just the dough you make from scratch. The toppings were really good…the gluten-free crust, however, was not up to my standards. I eat a lot of gluten-free pizzas (because I run a lot)…and this was one of the worst yet.

Thank goodness it wasn’t an omen for race day. And thank goodness we all survived. I don’t think we’ll mosey over to Pizza Ranch again next time I visit Minnesota to run. I think I’ll go where everyone raves about the food and service. Pizza Luce…I’m looking at you. Pizza Ranch…I intend to let you fade from my memory. While I appreciate that you have gluten-free pizza available, we in the gluten-free community prefer to have as good a pizza as those who can dine normally. And, sadly, that wasn’t the case for me.

Pizza Ranch Gluten-Free Pizza with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, onion, and mushrooms

May 9, 2013

A salad for me, but mostly pizza and pasta for gluten-free at Pinstripes

Restaurant: Pinstripes, Edina, Minnesota

So…if you’re anything like me…you’ve never heard of Pinstripes. That was certainly the case up until my first full day in Minneapolis. I was bustling around town with my roomie and my aunt, having hit up the race expo that morning for my half marathon the next day. So, with that one detail (and the major thing we needed to accomplish) taken care of…we were just hitting up interesting places along the way until we needed to head home for a bit and figure out where to grab gluten-free pizza for race night tradition.

While we were trying to decide on where to grab a quick, and semi-light bite for lunch, my aunt, Jan, mentioned a really cool place she and her friend stopped into for drinks one time. Pinstripes. And we weren’t far from it at all.

I was totally game for that…and…they were listed on Find Me Gluten Free with one positive 5-star review. Granted, it’s only one review, but at least it had one on there, yes? So…we decided that after we stopped by the Apple Store to get some of Jan’s stuff sorted, we would grab something to eat at Pinstripes.

Now…I had no idea what Pinstripes was until I stepped inside. It looks like a great Italian/American bistro, with wine bottles and decor to match. However, throughout this amazing set-up, you see a variety of hand painted bowling balls. Bowling balls? You betcha. And here’s why…this bistro not only houses a 40,000 square foot dining and entertainment area, but also features bowling alleys in the back, a year-round outdoor patio and fire pit, as well as party rooms that can accommodate 20-600 people. A little bit of everything and it still looks and feels upscale and classy. They term this “sophisticated fun” and let me tell you…they have the setting all right. It felt welcoming, engaging, fun, and still upscale all at once. Amazing.

As our menus were being grabbed by our hostess, I asked for a gluten-free one and she was happy to accommodate. We were shown to a booth where we all settled in, opting to stick with water at lunch as we’d already treated ourselves to coffee that morning. I eagerly picked up my little slip of a menu and started to gaze down the items listed.

And found myself…sort of underwhelmed.

Pizzas…pastas…and meat-based large plates are what were listed. I didn’t want pasta when I was going to be having pizza that night, and that fact also negated me getting pizza as well. As tempting as it was to get dessert for lunch (the gluten-free menu does offer gelato, sorbet, a Frangelico chocolate cake or a limoncello creme brulee, I needed some actual sustenance as it was the day before a half marathon. The better I ate, the better my body would be the following morning.

When our waitress arrived with our drink orders, Cathy and Jan knew what they wanted and I knew that the regular menu had salads listed. So, I inquired over the Caprese Salad, which by all intents and purposes should have been gluten-free…and…it was. Salads just didn’t make it over to the gluten-free menu, I suppose. With that information, which, the waitress did go back and double check that everything was safe for me to eat before we ordered, we all placed our orders.

Jan and Cathy both decided to order off the small plates menu. Jan decided on the Italian Meatballs ($11.00), which came wrapped up in a sandwich roll with a side salad as well. Cathy, having a craving, went with the Fried Calamari, which came with a marinara for dipping ($12.00). As for me, with pasta and pizza out of the question, I opted for the Caprese Salad ($13.00). Orders were in and we were left to converse, which we did. After all, it had been close to a year since the last time I had visited.

After a little while, our food arrived at the table. Jan’s small plate definitely looked like a full meal, and after a little bit, she opted to forgo the bread the Italian Meatballs were tucked into and eat the protein alone. She raved about them. Loved them. Cathy was really happy with her calamari, loving that they included tentacles and everything. Creepy…I know. But she loves it and doesn’t get it very often.

My Caprese Salad was a work of art, I think. It was a gorgeous presentation that included slices of red and yellow heirloom tomatoes, capped with thick slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, adorned with three fresh leave of basil and all lightly drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It not only looked light and refreshing…it was light and refreshing. Just the type of lunch I needed to have. I sliced through the layers of tomato and cheese and took up a bite…and it all just worked. The cheese was creamy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The tomato was ripe, juicy and sweet, the perfect counterpart to the mozzarella cheese. And that balsamic reduction really tied everything together. And it was a light drizzle so that the salad wasn’t swimming in it. It was like an accessory to the main dish. Even better were the bites that included the leaves of basil, which I would pick and choose sparingly. Amazing. A salad is a simple thing, but when done right, it can blow any entree out of the water. This…was salad greatness.

Pinstripes was a fun, upscale, yet family-friendly restaurant that I’d love to try again. Maybe I’d even do my night-before-the-race gluten-free pizza there. Because…honestly…all three of us really enjoyed our food. It was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and and made up to perfection. The little plates were definitely for big appetites regardless, but we had burned off breakfast by then and still had plenty of time before we hit up the pizza location of choice, which we hadn’t decided on quite yet. After we ate, we went to peek in at the people bowling in the lanes in the back. And then went to see the patio and check out the lakefront as well. It was the perfect afternoon…with a perfect meal to tie us over.

If you happen to be near a Pinstripes, I encourage you to check it out sometime for a lunch or dinner. They are a little pricey, but the quality of the food reflects the service, the preparation, and the care they put into each plate. I loved this place. Locations are sort of regional, though, with one location in Minnesota and three in Illinois.

Totally worth the stop though. I’d go back again in a heartbeat.

Pinstripes' Caprese Salad — Pinstripes’ Caprese Salad

April 18, 2013

Annie’s Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar a fun take on comfort food

Annie's Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells and Creamy White Cheddar — Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells and Creamy White Cheddar

Product: Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar – $3.59+

Oh…your eyes did not deceive you there. You read that right. Shells. And. Cheese. Just like the old days, yes? You know…when you could crack open a box of Velveeta Shells and Cheese and cook it up within 20 minutes and just dive right in and indulge that part of you that just craves, craves, craves that oh-so-good-but-oh-so-bad-for-you comfort food. Hey…sometimes you just have to have it.

Nevermind the fact that this sort of comfort food comes in…a box.

I know…I’m not a huge fan of packaged pastas as it is…but when you live a busy life, such as I do, sometimes cooking everything from scratch just isn’t feasible. I have races to run, group runs to get to, and sometimes, long nights at the office, or workouts to do before I can finally settle in for food. My life is pretty much lived around my training schedule and extracurricular activities.

So, sometimes, dinner does come from a box. Or a package. It just…it has to at times. But I’m very particular about what sort of processed and packaged food makes it into my home. The nutrition information is scoured for certain things. As well as whether or not the item shares equipment with products that my body cannot handle.

I had never seen Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar until I was visiting my grandpa in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their local Cub Foods had it on their gluten-free shelves. It really made me so excited that I ended up buying a box of it and bringing it back to Indiana with me. And, of course, now at quite a few of my natural food grocery stores, I can find this without trouble. But at the time…this was brand new to me…and I totally had to have it in my life.

But, of course, I didn’t get around to eating it until…well…tonight. The expiration date was still a couple months off, but I needed an easy meal tonight. Originally I was to go on a Boston Marathon commemorative run, however, the weather kicked up a storm. But since my dinner was already started on the stove top…I was committed. So, I got some broccolini roasting in the oven while the water came up to a boil. I dumped the small rice shells into the water and gave it a stir. These shells took 8 minutes to reach the perfect al dente. I drained them, then let them sit in the colander while I put 3 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk into the pan and poured in the white cheddar powder that was provided. I stirred and stirred until it was well mixed and then added the pasta back in. Another round of stirring to coat the shells and dinner was ready to be served. I pulled out the broccolette to serve on the side and then dished up a bowl of Annie’s Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar for both myself and my roomie.

She dug in first, and said that it was pretty good. Like most things made with white cheddar, the flavor was a bit milder than usual, but she said it was creamy and good. So, I picked up my bowl and got my plate of broccolini and settled in for my own dinner. Taste time. Moment of truth.

Cathy was absolutely right. The small shells not only cook fast, but they are light and easy to eat. I love that they didn’t expand in size. The cute little shells were just perfect for each little spoonful that I took. The white cheddar, despite being from a powder, actually was quite amazing and delicious. It coated the shells with a light sauce that had a mild tang of cheddar. While this does contain dairy, my lactose intolerance doesn’t go crazy because it can handle small amounts without problem. And this sauce reminded me so much of alfredo…without the fat…that it just sort of…made me happy.

The fact that I was eating a macaroni and cheese with small shells and white cheddar, which I didn’t make myself, which was ready within 15 minutes…made me so stupidly happy. I love mac and cheese…and this was shells and white cheddar, a very rare treat when you have to eat gluten-free. You either make it yourself or go without. Now…I don’t have to.

Nutritionally speaking, this comfort food isn’t too bad for you at all. One serving, or half of the box, will only set you back 330 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. For being a packaged meal, the sodium is rather low (490 mg). And this offers a kick of 7 grams of protein in a serving. That’s awesome. So, overall, comfort food that you don’t feel too guilty about eating. LOVE that.

So in love with this product. So, perhaps packaged goods aren’t always an awful thing. Sure, made from scratch is best, but when time and life keeps you on the go…easy and simple is best. Thanks to Annie’s Homegrown Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar, I can eat the comfort foods I love, keeping it gluten-free, and rather healthy when all is said and done. Combine that with the fact that this product is a fantastic source of Vitamin B6, a good source of calcium, is vegetarian, has no artificial flavors, synthetic colors, or preservatives. And…no trans fat either. Loving it. The cheese that is used in the powder comes from cows that are not treated with the growth hormone rBST.

Happiness can come in a box…especially a box that has white cheddar inside to coat delicate little gluten-free pasta shells. Comfort food taken to happier levels.

Annie's Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar — Annie’s Homegrown Gluten-Free Rice Shells with Creamy White Cheddar

April 11, 2013

Natural Nectar Gluten-Free Sun-Dried Tomato and Oregano Cracklebred a deliciously healthy snack option

Product: Natural Nectar Gluten-Free Sun-Dried Tomato and Oregano Cracklebred – $3.99+

I was in Minnesota when I stumbled upon a few Cracklebred boxes at Cub Foods. You see, I had traveled up to Minneapolis to visit my grandpa and also run in the Minneapolis Half Marathon. Well, I did really well in that race, and as a reward, my roommate told me to pick out some of the gluten-free foods that we had noticed while shopping for foods I could eat while staying with my grandpa and my aunt.

So, I went a little crazy, selecting a few items that had caught my eye and interested me.

One such product was Natural Nectar’s Gluten-Free Sun-Dried Tomato and Oregano Cracklebred. It just looked…interesting, if nothing else.

Well, I get a little overzealous at times with my gluten-free snacks and definitely overstocked my pantry. So this box has been sitting there since the race. The expiration date is in the next couple of months, so it was time to bust it out and give it its time to shine. And hopefully…it would shine.

Everything about this Cracklebred made me want to try it. For one thing, it’s nutritious. No…it really is.

One serving is 3 crackers, which, as you can tell, are a really decent size. Larger than a deck of playing cards. These three crackers will serve you up only 52 calories total. Each cracker is only 17 calories. No joke. These are fat free, cholesterol free, gluten-free, low in sodium (only 115 mg per serving), and low in sugar (only 1 gram per serving). Loving those nutritional facts? Yeah…I did too.

The Sun-Dried Tomato and Oregano Cracklebred is composed of seven ingredients: rice, corn, tomato puree, evaporated cane juice, sea salt, oregano, and soy lecithin. Recognize those? Yep…me too. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. Love that too.

But how do they taste? Well, that is the interesting part, my dear readers. I wasn’t sure what to make of these. They looked like little rectangles of fibery board when I pulled them out of the plastic they were wrapped in. But, the fact of the matter is, they have about the same texture as a rice cake. And, as I stated before, I grew up eating rice cakes and actually find them to be quite tasty. And this…is definitely tasty. These light crackers are flaky and smooth and just packed with flavor. On the first bite, you get that rice and corn combination, but then the tomato flavor sinks in…and your cracker just got savory. Oh, so delicious. And, of course, these are great on their own, but feel free to top them off however you like with your favorite spreads, cheeses or dips.

I’m hooked. And I am so happy to have found these in a few of my local natural food stores lately. So, now whenever I crave…I don’t have to place an order with my family in Minnesota. I just have to head to the store and pick up a box for myself.

Natural Nectar makes three varieties of their Gluten-Free Cracklebred…the aforementioned flavor of my choice, Sun-Dried Tomato and Oregano, but also original and multigrain. I definitely want to try them all.

For a nutritious cracker that has a light, crispy texture and a delicious flavor, definitely give the Cracklbred from Natural Nectar a try. I’m hooked. Even without a spread to top it off with.