Product Review: Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin

Jac's Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin
Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin

Product: Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin – $3.50+

Many of you know by now that back in May, I signed up for this amazing delivery service that sends a box of gluten-free goodies to my doorstep.  All for a very reasonable fee.  The company is Cuisine Cube, and the seek out lesser-known gluten-free companies and the products that have to offer.  It’s great, because I know that a lot of us hang onto the same brands and are hesitant to branch out and try something new and different.  Cuisine Cube totally takes the guess work out of the equation and each month is like Christmas, opening up this box and seeing what products await you inside.

It’s my favorite delivery day.

Well, it is the end of November, and while I was away at Walt Disney World, running in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, my cube arrived.  Never fear, it was waiting for me upon my arrival home.  A special box this time…all Thanksgiving themed.  I loved pulling out the variety of items and tying it back to the Thanksgiving table…which now will provide plenty of options for me!  However, I knew one particular product that was included inside wasn’t going to survive long around me.

Three of my favorite words: Pumpkin. Pecan. Muffin.

HELLO!!

The business that is responsible for bringing these into my life is Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro, which is Long Island’s first certified gluten-free bakery.  How about that?!  And to think, I was in New York City back at the beginning of the month to run in the TCS New York City Marathon…and I didn’t even know this place existed.  Trust me…this knowledge has now been filed away for my eminent return to the Big Apple.  A little bit more on Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro though…

Jac’s was opened back in 2009 by owner, Jac, who was diagnosed with Celiac disease and then, later in 2010, an egg allergy.  Being a professional bakery, Jac had to now find new ways to prepare the same foods she already loved…now sans gluten.  After years of trial and error, she perfected her recipes and opened up a 100% gluten-free bakeshop and bistro on Long Island.  All of her products are natural, 100% whole grain, use no refined sugars (only organic sugars), are 80% organic, and, according to her Web site, 500% extraordinarily scrumptious.  In addition to the items she sells in the shop itself, she also offers cooking classes.  That is super cool.

In this vacuum-sealed pouch, inside the November Cuisine Cube held what looked like the biggest, most amazing pumpkin muffin I have ever seen.  Literally, it fit into the palm of my hand.  It was epic.  And…honestly, two of my favorite ingredients are pumpkin and pecans.  And in the fall, I really do want ALL THE PUMPKIN FOODS AND DRINKS.  I mean…it’s that time of year.  And these things are only available during certain times of the year.  So when a muffin turns up…a muffin I can eat that I didn’t have to make myself and is ginormous…oh yeah…I take immediate notice.

Which is why this treat inside my Cuisine Cube has already been devoured.  Obviously.  I’m blogging on it, right?

It was…of course…a gym morning.  I mean, what better time to indulge in things than after hitting the gym, right?  Hey…I’ve been out of town…it happens.  Anyway, I brought the Pumpkin Pecan Muffin to work with me and sliced into the packaging.  A bit of the top layer came off the crown, but, all in all, the muffin traveled well and held up.  I set it down on my plate and gave it a short warm-up in the office microwave.  Then, I returned to my desk, muffin ready…and settled in with my fork to take my first bite.

Oh…wow.  This muffin hit all the right notes at all the right time.  The pumpkin flavor was perfect.  It wasn’t too much, nor was it overly spiced.  The nutty flavor came through as well, and gave the muffin a bit more texture and kept it from being “squishy-soft.”  It was perfect.  And I am particular about the amount of moistness in a muffin.  Whatever Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro does when they bake their muffins, they need to keep doing it.  I was loving each and every bite, savoring it as much as possible.  I am certain I was consuming more calories than I should, but it was perfect from the first to last bite, and when you’re enjoying a baked goodie for breakfast…just enjoy it.  Let go of the calorie count for one meal.  If it’s delicious, it’s worth it.  I can’t tell you the nutrition information on this product as none was provided…but it was GOOD (yes…caps lock good!).

The Pumpkin Pecan Muffin from Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro is made from almond milk, applesauce, organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice flour, oat flour, arrowroot, organic almond flour, organic coconut flour, golden flax meal, guar/xanthan gum, eggs, organic coconut yogurt, baking soda/powder, vanilla, pumpkin, and pecans.

Trust me…whatever amount of calories and fat may be inside this muffin, you won’t care.  I don’t care.  It was scrumptious!

So, yet again, my Cuisine Cube brought a product that I otherwise would never have known existed into my life.  From there, I learned more about the business, and have every intention of getting over to the actual shop the next time I am in New York City (*crossing my fingers for March*).  I love that this particular muffin not only engaged my taste buds, but also my curiosity.  And that’s the wonderful thing about Cuisine Cube.

As for Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro…you wowed me at first bite.  And now…I only want more!

Jac's Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin (unwrapped)
Jac’s Bakeshop and Bistro Pumpkin Pecan Muffin (unwrapped)

 

Product Review: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Cookie
Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Product: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie – $2.75+

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for one of the most epic products ever to arrive in my box.  No…this is for real.  Because in September, my cube included a cookie.  But this cookie was not there for dessert.  Nope.  It was clearly the item intended for breakfast.

A cookie.

For breakfast.

Being that I am a cookie monster, this totally made my day…my week…my month…perhaps even my year!

And, after running in the New York Marathon and then the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon, I was running out of food in my apartment.  And it was a gym morning.  And grocery shopping had yet to happen.  To much travel time (not time travel, LOL!).  Okay, there really isn’t such a thing, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to go to work and get the much-needed grocery shopping done.  And this was a morning I was at a loss as to what to have after hitting up the gym.

And then I remembered the cookie I had toted around with me to both New York City and Disney World…just in case I needed something to eat at some point.  I never had to break into it on the go…but it was just the thing I needed when I returned home.  Go figure.

The Lisa Harris Pantry‘s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is literally what it sounds like: a cookie intended to eat…for breakfast.  I love being an adult.  HA!

After getting in a good cardio session that morning, I ambled into work and was ready to settle in with something to eat before really beginning my day.  This cookie was so convenient.  It required no toaster oven, no microwave, and no hassles.  All I had to do was open up the wrapper and enjoy.  And that’s exactly what I did.  The cookie was actually quite large, about the size of a small mason jar lid.  And it’s thick too – a perfect drop cookie.  I could see the bits of diced apples and the flecks of cinnamon throughout the entire cookie.  It looked like a great balance.  I also expected these cookies to be hard.  But, while they had a crispy-ish outer edge, the center was soft and chewy and amazing.  For real.  It was, however, very sweet…due in part to the apples, apple flavoring, and the agave.  So, I almost wish I had something savory to pair with it because it was borderline almost too sweet.  But, it is, after all, a cookie.  I thought the flavor was amazing though.  I loved seeing the ingredients in the cookie.  And I loved the boost of protein that came from the quinoa.  As we know, I am always watching my protein intake due to my dietary needs (gluten-free/lactose free/vegetarian).  And being so active…protein is a vital part of my diet.  So, that was a huge win with me.  I loved the texture.  It wasn’t dry at all.  Had the sweetness been tampered down even slightly, I think it would have been the new breakfast of champions.  That being said, I would love to try the other flavor of breakfast cookies that are offered by Lisa Harris Pantry.  Because, every day should start with “dessert first.”

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that go into the Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie.  This flavor cookie is made from organic rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, quinoa flour, gluten free rolled oats, agave, egg whites, organic diced apples, lecithin, non gmo canola oil, milled flax seed, xantham gum, cinnamon, natural apple flavoring (whole foods compliant), salt.  All ingredients are non-GMO.  And this particular cookie is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, high in fiber, high in protein, and low in sugar.  YES…a cookie that is low in sugar.

While on that subject, let’s go ahead and tackle that all-important nutrition information, yes?  A serving of Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is one entire cookie.  And trust me…these thick and moist cookies are definitely filling.  One cookie will give you 245 calories and 8 grams of fat.  They are cholesterol free.  Each cookie has 69 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar.  In addition, you will be getting filled up with 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein!  These are definitely hunger satisfying, naturally energizing and perfect for any time of the day, not just breakfast.  But the slow-release carbohydrates will definitely keep you going for hours without even the slightest bit of hunger.

I didn’t believe for a moment that a cookie could fill me up, particularly on a gym morning when I tend to be ravenous.  But it did.  If it weren’t for the sweetness, I think this cookie would be the perfect way to start the day.  I mean, who doesn’t like dessert for breakfast?  I definitely want to check out the other gluten-free options (not all of the products at Lisa Harris Pantry are gluten free) now.  And without Cuisine Cube, I never would have even know these existed!

Another great product brought into my life thanks to Cuisine Cube!

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie
Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

 

 

Product Review: Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

Improveat's The Pure Wraps
Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

Product: Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

Looking for a good tortilla alternative?  Hey…sometimes we are.  I know I’m usually searching for some sort of wrap that I can use…in some fashion.  And I managed to find a few options in other areas of the country…but never really in my state or region.  One product that I have seen, but haven’t gotten the nerve to try are The Pure Wraps.  I spotted these at a few of my local natural food stores on end caps and the like…but I just haven’t managed to talk myself into getting them.

Enter my monthly delivery from Cuisine Cube!  If I haven’t gotten you curious enough to sign up for a month of this delivery…then you aren’t human.  Seriously, click on the link above and check them out.  It is affordable and you really do get some interesting and otherwise unknown products each month delivered right to your door.  All gluten-free.  How’s that for amazing?

So, in only my second cube to arrive, back in June, one of the products included were The Pure Wraps from Improveat.  Hmmm…now I didn’t have to talk myself into purchasing them.  I now had them within my clutches.  Thanks Cuisine Cube!  Anyway, I tucked these away in my hall pantry, and sort of had the fact that they were there lingering in my mind for awhile.  I just needed a good reason to get them out and try them.

Filling form y quesadillas: The Pioneer Woman's Butternut Squash & Kale
Filling form y quesadillas: The Pioneer Woman’s Butternut Squash & Kale

That moment presented itself in the week following my trip to Walt Disney World to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon.  My roommate and I are getting back on track with our clean eating and I still happened to have a butternut squash from my bin a couple weeks before.  I purchased some organic kale and whipped up a recipe from The Pioneer Woman for her Butternut Squash and Kale.  She had a link using it as a stuffing for quesadillas.  And I thought…well…I do have those Pure Wraps in my pantry.  I wasn’t sure how well it would work, but I figured…it was at least worth a try.

So, that evening, I managed to properly cut a butternut squash without almost losing a finger and without much problem.  I cooked up the delicious squash and kale mixture and then it was time for the quesadilla part.  I retrieved the packet of Improveat’s The Pure Wraps and opened it up.

Improveat's The Pure Wraps (raw)
Improveat’s The Pure Wraps (raw)

What I pulled out were squares of what almost looked like thin paper.  I was now wondering how these would work with the whole “drop in some butter to crisp up the outside” method for the quesadillas.  I figured there wasn’t much to lose, so, into the pan one went.  It took a moment to begin to brown, but it did…so I flipped it.  These didn’t exactly crisp up right away, so when I went to do the other one, I set the first on a paper towel.  That’s when it began to crisp up.  Maybe it would work.  Maybe not.  If not, just wrap it around the filling and eat it like…shawarma or something.

But…it did work.  In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when the wraps charred up and did become solid enough to hold the amazing filling I prepared simply with local squash and organic kale…and a little bit of seasoning.  Mmmm.  So, there it was…dinner.  It wasn’t a normal looking quesadilla,but it wasn’t made with your typical ingredients.  So…I cut them in half…and they crumbled slightly, but it worked.  Dinner was served.

I was actually so happy with the way Improveat’s The Pure Wraps tasted.  Considering they are made from only three ingredients, and not a typical tortilla, I wasn’t sure how well this would work.  But they worked perfectly.  And it was a different take on how to eat them.  Next time, and there will be a next time, I think I will leave them in their natural state.  But, even with the attempt at crisping them up, I still got the bit of sweetness from the coconut these wraps are made from.  And this really paired well with the earthy and spicy flavors of the squash and kale that I placed inside.  I was beyond satisfied with these wraps and honestly will be heading out to the store for more.  I’m excited about them.  I fell in love with them.  And, they fall right into the clean eating regimen that my roomie and I are trying to get back on.

So, what exactly are Improveat’s The Pure Wraps made from?  Simple.  Each wrap is made from only three ingredients: young coconut, coconut water, and Himalayan sea salt.  Boom.  That’s it.  You can’t get more pure than that!  The entire purpose of these wraps being created by Improveat (based out of Atlanta, Georgia) was to have a healthy bread/tortilla substitute that was highly nutritious, free of major food allergens (including gluten!) and convenient for today’s busy lifestyle.  It took over two years of research and testing to come up with the right product, realizing the vision of the creators without sacrificing their high standards.  Talk about a labor of love…and one that really paid off.  These wraps are gluten-free, raw, alkalline, corn-free, soy-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

As far as nutritional information goes, Improveat’s The Pure Wraps come in a package containing four wraps.  A serving size is one of these wraps.  One wrap will serve up 60 calories and 2.5 grams of fat.  They are cholesterol free.  You will be consuming 240 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar.  Don’t you love that.  These wraps won’t make you feel bloated or stuffed either.  Each one contains less than 1 gram of fiber and they have no natural protein.  Thanks to the coconut that goes into each one, you also get a bonus of 120 mg potassium.  Gotta love that.

And you will love these wraps.  Honestly.  I can’t wait to try them again, and this time just use them in the simple manner they are prepared.  Just fill, roll and enjoy.  But, on a whole, these were very good the way I prepared them too.  They held up to even cooking, which I wasn’t sure how that would work but it did.

So, once again, Cuisine Cube, you have made a believer out of me.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to try a product that I had been too nervous to try before.  Stepping out of your comfort zone when it comes to food is important, and this made it easy to do so.

Gluten-Free Butternut Squash and Kale Quesadillas made with Improveat's The Pure Wraps
Gluten-Free Butternut Squash and Kale Quesadillas made with Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

 

Product Review: Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists

Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice
Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice

Product – Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists – $3.19+

So…I’ve been savoring a product that I received in my first ever Cuisine Cube (May 2014)…for good reason.  You see…I love sweets.  No surprise.  I mean, I’m all about eating healthy and all that, but I believe treats are a welcome part of life.  And without treating yourself every now and again, you will go insane and be no fun at all.  This is why I believe in dessert after dinner.  Moderation is key, of course, but…I think your day of eating should end with a treat, be it fruit, a piece of candy, ice cream, a cookie, a brownie, or a slice of cake.  You’ve earned it.  Even if it’s just a bite.

Well…having just signed up for my monthly cube of gluten-free goodness, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.  I, of course, had read about Cuisine Cube before actually choosing to sign up for the delivery service…but knew next to nothing about what would all be involved.  What is involved is that, every month, a delicious box of gluten-free goodies arrives, spanning the entire spectrum of meals.  One breakfast item, a snack item, a lunch item, a dinner item, a dessert item, and then…every now and again…a bonus.

In May 2014’s cube…there was a bonus.  This one included…

CANDY!

Yes…I am an athlete…but I’m also a real person…and I like candy as much as my 7 nieces and nephews do.  However, when I had to go gluten-free three years ago…certain candies that I loved were now off the table, as it were.  One such favorite treat was…Twizzlers.  Not only did Twizzlers make mouths happy throughout my childhood and…yes…even my adult life…but I loved them.  Simple flavored licorice (only the red…not a fan of black licorice at all!)…fat free…chewy…delicious.  Something so simple and yet…so fundamentally iconic.  Makes mouths happy, indeed.  But…Celiac disease happened…and Twizzlers became only a fond, distant memory.

Until…May 2014.  Inside my Cuisine Cube that month was…this little pouch of little organic licorice twists.  The brand was Candy Tree.  I’d never heard of them before but now I wanted to marry them.  Hey…sometimes it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy.  I vowed I was going to eat them and relive all my Twizzler moments.  I put them in my snack drawer…and thought about opening them on countless occasions and then…I just…didn’t want to.  I didn’t want to fall in love with them and not be able to have them again.

But, after not really wanting to make anything for dessert tonight, and not feeling cookies (shock!)…I wanted something light.  And, then I remembered the licorice twists in my drawer.  The package held two servings…perfect for my roommate and I to split between us.

Candy Tree was actually founded in 1984 by two parents who were concerned with what their seven children were eating.  They began to cook up lollipops, toffees, licorice and hard candies, all made with organic ingredients and using an organic corn malt as a base.  They then would flavor these treats with real fruit and organic apple juice.  These treats are made in Holland, with strict precautions being taken so that there is no gluten contamination.  So…you are literally getting something to satisfy your licorice craving without all the bad stuff.

And…tonight…I opened up the little plastic pouch and split the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists between myself and my roomie.  Moment of truth.

I don’t remember much about Twizzlers, as it has been three years since I’ve had them…but I do remember them being really soft and chewy.  The Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists…are not as soft and chewy.  My roommate, who literally just had Twizzlers on Friday, said the same thing.  They are a little tougher than licorice twists she’s used to…but the flavor was amazing.  You would be hard pressed to believe that these organic licorice twists have no added sugar at all.  None.  Everything comes from the real fruits and fruit juices that help to create these.  While these were a little tougher than I normally would like licorice…I just want to say…I WAS EATING LICORICE!!  So, I didn’t care that they had a little bite to them.  They were packed with great flavor and they were sweet without being over-the-top sugary sweet.  In fact…I ate through my serving in what is probably record time.  You try not having something you love for three years and then having something that is the gluten-free equivalent in your grasp and see how long it lasts.  HA!

So, let’s discuss what the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists are actually made from, shall we?  These licorice twists are made with organic corn syrup, organic rice flour, organic rice starch, organic apple juice, organic concentrated fruit juice: raspberry (3%), organic flavor: raspberry, citric acid.  This product is gluten-free, wheat-free, milk/casein free, soy free, and organic.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving size of the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists is 40 grams (or 1/2 of the package).  There are two servings per package.  A serving will provide you with 140 calories.  These are completely fat free.  One serving also will give you 19 grams of your daily sugar intake.  A serving has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein.  So, it isn’t filling.  It’s candy.  A treat.  Enjoy it.

So…while they weren’t the highly processed (thank goodness!) Twizzlers I grew up eating, they were very delicious.  It was a very nice throwback to a candy I used to devour at every waking moment.  These were a great, organic, no sugar-added treat that I would be more than happy to eat all over again.  Thank you, Cuisine Cube, for introducing this fantastic candy treat to me.

Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists
Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists

Product Review: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix + Recipe Bonus

Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix
Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix

Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix – $4.99+

For the last few issues, I’ve noticed that my Delight Gluten Free magazine has had ads for this vegan meat replacement called Neat.  I was beyond intrigued and immediately went on the hunt in my local natural food stores.  Sadly, but not surprisingly, no one in my area carried this product.  At least not yet.  I said I’d get online and see if I could order it, but, naturally, I forgot to do that.  Story of my life.

I can’t help it.  I have too much to think sometimes and these mental notes and reminders get lost in the shuffle.

But then…it was as if they felt the need to answer my unspoken prayer…my favorite monthly delivery arrived.  Cuisine Cube’s October cube arrived in the mail and I immediately tore into it, wondering what sort of surprises awaited inside.  And if you haven’t looked into ordering a Cuisine Cube yet…get over to their Web site and try it out.  Seriously, this is one of the best investments I have ever made.  Receiving gluten-free items from smaller and lesser known companies each month has become a treat I look forward to every month.  So…if you have made a mental note to check them out, and it’s gotten lost in the shuffle…click on the link above and check it out.  For real.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog…

So, October’s Cuisine Cube arrived and one of the items inside was…you guessed it…because I’m blogging about it…Neat – A Replacement For Meat!  The version included in the box was the Mexican Mix.  Neat, for the record, also has an Original Mix (for burgers/chili), an Italian Mix (for “meatballs” and lasagna), and also a Breakfast Mix (for quiches and breakfast sandwiches).  Let me tell you…I did this happy little dance of joy and might have squeaked a bit when I pulled that pouch out of the cube.  Seriously…after reading about it and looking for it…I finally had it in my clutches!

As a gluten-free vegetarian, vegan/vegetarian meat substitutes are hard to come by.  Most vegan/vegetarian meat substiutes have some sort of vital wheat gluten in them.  And a lot of companies refuse to go the gluten-free route because it would “jeopardize the integrity of the product.”  BOOOO!!  So, up until recently, I’d just season up some tofu and work with that.  But…it’s not the same.

So, what exactly is Neat?  Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients.  It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians.  At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it.  And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat.

Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix (in a skillet with chopped onion and chopped green pepper)
Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix (in a skillet with chopped onion and chopped green pepper)

Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form.  All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water.  Stir all the ingredients together and throw it into a skillet over medium heat, just as you would ground beef, for about seven minutes.  To make it into crumbles, as it cooks, stir and chop it up, and what you end up with is this perfect texture of meat crumbles that is not just completely vegan/vegetarian…but also gluten-free!

Now…gluten-free and vegetarian tacos are sort of something I’m famous for.  I have gotten really creative with how to prepare tacos (Tour De Taco happens often at my apartment) to make them not just gluten-free, but also meat free.  And a meat replacement hasn’t been used in a long time.  So, while I had a pouch of the Mexican Mix from Neat, I decided to bring back an old favorite of mine as a kid, back when I ate meat and would basically beg my mom to make this for dinner.

What I did was cook up my mom’s famous Enchilada Hotdish.  Normally this is made with ground beef, but this meant I could use the Neat Mexican Mix for a different purpose.  Tacos…been there, done that.  Enchilada Hotdish…haven’t had that in AGES!!  So, that’s what I did.  I picked up a gluten-free and vegetarian can of chili and I got a roll of Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese…and the rest was vegetables and seasonings I already had at home.  Perfect.

So, tonight…I pulled out the Cuisine Cube treat of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix and set out to prepare it.  I chopped up the vegetables that were needed and then retrieved the can of chili and the vegan nacho cheese (which I substituted for the cheddar cheese soup) and had them ready with my seasoning.  First things first…preparing Neat.

Super easy.  I poured the powdered contents of the package into a medium mixing bowl.  Then, per the instructions, I added two eggs and the water and mixed it up.  It created this…sludge of sorts…but I trusted it and went with it.  I had a non-stick skillet on the stove and put the Neat into it to start browning.  The vegetables were also added so they could start to get soft before I added the rest of the ingredients.  With everything in the pan, and heated through, I began to assemble the hotdish itself.  This meant putting the “meat” mixture into the casserole dish, then layering it with tortilla chips, then repeating it.  Into the oven it went to bake and about 30 minutes later…viola!!  I was enjoying a version of my mom’s Enchilada Hotdish.

So…how was it?

It is not an exaggeration when I say I want to marry Neat.  For real.  WOW!  I was SO impressed, not only with the flavor, but how great the texture it.  Here is a company that is getting ti right.  Going into the pan to cook, it didn’t look appetizing or promising, but it all came together.  And it was the perfect meat substitute for the beef that would have been normally used in this recipe.  I am thrilled with this product and think I’ll be placing an order to try ALL the Neat products.  And, I also might straight-out make tacos next time.  But, I figured I should really put this product to the test.  Trust the hype…it’s amazing.

Also…tested it out straight from the pan on the tortilla chips and…oh…yum.   Makes a great dip too!  HA!

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish (made with Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix)
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish (made with Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix)

Let’s first delve into the nitty-gritty ingredients and nutrition of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix.  The Mexican Mix version of Neat is made from pecans, garbanzo beans, organic whole grain gluten free cornmeal, sea salt, and spices.  So, where this is meat-free and dairy-free, and also gluten-free…it is NOT nut-free.  So, if you have a nut allergy…this product is not for you.

As for nutrition, a serving of Neat Mexican Mix is 40 grams and each pouch contains 4 servings.  This serving will give you 21o calories and 15 grams of fat (healthy fat as it is coming from beans and nuts).  A serving will provide you with 333 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar.  And, trust me, the 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein will leave you feeling full…whether you’re making a hotdish or having taco night.

But…there is more!

I’ve decided, since it worked out so well, that I would share the recipe I used this product in.  This is a family recipe of my mom’s and it is SO delicious!!  If you are not a vegetarian, you can use 1 pound of lean ground beef…and if you can handle dairy, please use your cheddar cheese soup (as long as it is gluten-free!)…but this is how I prepared the dish tonight…with great success!!

Recipe: Gluten Free Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 package Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix
  • 2 organic cage-free eggs
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 package Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
  • 1 can vegetarian chili (I used Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium Medium Chili)
  • 1/2 can water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F.

Pour the Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix into a medium bowl.  Add two eggs (or egg replacer if vegan) and 2 tablespoons of water.  Mix well.

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the Next Mexican Mix, onion, and green peppers.  Cook until vegetables begin to soften and the Neat can be chopped into a meat texture.  Add the chili powder, vegan cheese sauce, chili and water to the mix and mix well.  Allow it to heat through for a few minutes to marry the flavors together.

In a 9×9 oven-proof dish, place in layers, alternating the meat mixture with 1 package of tortilla or nacho chips.

Bake for 30 minutes.

~*~*~

Thanks to Cuisine Cube and Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat, I was not only able to recreate a version of an old family favorite, but it tasted so much like how I remembered it tasting when I was growing up.  I couldn’t have been happier tonight as I sat and devoured my dinner.  I can’t wait to get my hands on the other Neat products.  Talk about having a desired product land in your lap!!

Seriously…seek out this product!!  I highly recommend it!  The product is so versatile…beyond just a protein base for tacos.  Try out the recipe above or use it in one of your own family favorites.  You will not be disappointed.  I promise!

Recipe: Grilled Eggplant with Gluten Free Couscous and Greek Yogurt Dressing

Sometimes…it’s fun to ignore those magical CSA bin vegetables and go off the beaten path.  Besides, while I love having fresh and local produce delivered to my door, I also love the fun and buzz of the local’s farmer’s market.  And that’s exactly what my roommate and I did this week.  While we have some great bin ingredients, there was an amazing recipe in the October 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times…and the only ingredient I currently had in the home was the couscous.

Don’t panic.  This is gluten-free couscous that came in my Cuisine Cube this month.  I was pretty stoked about that and really wanted to use it right away.  So, that same day as I was flipping through the Vegetarian Times magazine (that had also just arrived)…one dish stood out, as it utilized couscous.  When Cathy read the magazine after me, she also spotted it.  So, that Saturday morning, we went out to a large farmer’s market in Louisville and picked up the necessary ingredients to make this dish.

I prepped most of it last night, so today, the only thing I needed to do to complete the dish was slice and grill the eggplant.  Simple…

Recipe: Grilled Eggplant with Gluten Free Couscous and Greek Yogurt Dressing

Grilled Eggplant with Gluten Free Couscous and Greek Yogurt Dressing
Grilled Eggplant with Gluten Free Couscous and Greek Yogurt Dressing

Servings: 4
Time: Prep 30 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients for salad:

  • 2/3 cup couscous (I used a gluten-free brand)
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds, divided
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, diced (1 cup)
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar

Ingredients for dressing:

  • 7 ounces low-fat plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup chopped Persian cucumber
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves
  • 1 green onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic

Ingredients for eggplant:

  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint
  • 2 small Italian eggplants, each but on the bias into 6 slices

Directions:

To make the salad: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan.  Stir in couscous.  Cover pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes.  Transfer to bowl and cool for 10 minutes.

Stir 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds and remaining ingredients into couscous, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Chill for 1 hour, or overnight.

To make the dressing: Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

To make eggplant: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.  Whisk together oil and mint in a small bowl.  Brush eggplant slices with mint oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired.  Grill slices 4 minutes per side, or until tender and nicely grill-marked.

Divide salad among plates.  Top each serving with 3 eggplant slices, 1 tablespoon of remaining pomegranate seeds, and 2 tablespoons of the dressing.

Serve any remaining dressing on the side.

~*~*~

I made only one minor change.  Instead of making the mint oil, I instead added a hit of cayenne pepper, cumin, and garlic powder to the olive oil instead, then brushed that over each slice of eggplant and grilled it.  It worked out perfectly.  And the mint dressing is so light and fresh that it really just brings everything together on the plate.  I highly recommend this hot and cold salad.  It’s simple and easy and beyond delicious for sure!  I can’t wait to make it again.

Product Review: Molina di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous

Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous
Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous

Product: Molina di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous – $3.00+

There was a time…back before I was diagnosed as a Celiac…when I used to make numerous dishes with a grain known as couscous.  But, as couscous is made from the semolina of hard wheat…so any couscous dish I started to ignore or substitute quinoa.  It worked…but it wasn’t the same.

You cannot imagine my excitement when I opened up this month’s Cuisine Cube and found a box of Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous.  I was beyond thrilled.  Seriously, I might have done a happy dance in my office.  Okay…I did do a happy dance.  And with that being said, I was already making plans in my head to recreate some of my favorite couscous dishes with this little box.  My roommate immediately said, “BREAKFAST COUSCOUS!”  Which, is definitely going to happen.  But…it just so happened that I ended up making a salad first with this product.

It was this month’s issue of Vegetarian Times, highlighting hot and cold salads.  And the one that really, really caught her attention was one of Grilled Eggplant with Couscous and Greek Yogurt Dressing.  We looked over the ingredients and they all seemed within reason to pick up at the local farmer’s market (as none of the ingredients were in the CSA bin this week), so I made a pact…if we could find the ingredients, I would cook up the dish.  Because now…I could absolutely use couscous in a dish that asked for it.

The shopping was a success and last night, I found myself prepping most of the ingredients for our dinner tonight.  I cooked up the couscous, seeded the pomegranate, diced the cucumbers, chopped the green onion, and chopped the mint leaves.  I blended together the yogurt dressing ingredients, after a quick run to the store for the actual yogurt itself.  It was the one ingredient we forgot about.  HA!  Not bad.

Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous (cooked)
Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous (cooked)

I have to say…the couscous is easy enough to cook.  I actually didn’t follow the ingredients on the box.  I went off the instructions in Vegetarian Times for the cooking of the whole-wheat couscous they used in the original recipe.  So, instead of 2/3 cup of couscous with 2/3 cup of boiling water, I used the 2/3 cup of couscous and 1 cup of boiling water, letting it cook for 5 minutes.  Usually the said amount of boiling water and the same ratio of couscous would sit for 2 minutes, then the box says to add oil or butter and cook for 3 more minutes over a slow flame.  The way I did it worked just as well, and when the 5 minutes was up, I emptied the pan of couscous into a bowl to cool for 10 minutes.  Then I added the pomegranate seeds and the remaining ingredients, seasoning with olive oil and white wine vinegar.  I let it chill overnight in the fridge.

After work today, my roomie and I returned home and I set out to grill the eggplant and piece the dish together.  That’s what I did.  I plated the couscous salad, then topped it with the grilled eggplant, gave a drizzle of the Greek yogurt dressing and topped it off with a few more pomegranate seeds.  It looked amazing.  And it tasted just as good!

Now, my roommate said her least favorite part of the dish was the couscous, but to me, it was one of the highlights.  Maybe it was because I haven’t had it in a long time.  But I did nothing special to season this couscous, as I used to hit up the regular couscous with cayenne while it steamed.  I left this one plain, as I was adding enough flavors via the fresh ingredients and the oil and vinegar…and a touch of salt to season.  I thought the texture was clearly different.  This was a lighter, smoother, not as gritty couscous, but it was the perfect ingredient for this dish.  In fact, I can’t wait to try it in my “Breakfast Couscous” later on this week.

The grains of the Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous were finer and smoother than regular couscous.  However, this is not to say that it was mush.  Anything but that.  In fact, the grains were still very noticeable on the palate and tongue.  I found that it really blended well with all the fresh vegetables and ingredients that were placed on top of it.  It was perfection…quinoa wouldn’t have been the same.  The couscous was perfect.  And it tasted brilliant.

I was beyond impressed!

So, I bet you’re wondering what a gluten-free couscous is made from.  Simple.  One ingredient is all that is listed on Molino di Nicoli’s Web site – corn flour.  Yes, the Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous is simply corn flour.  That explains the different texture from regular couscous…but ultimately still delicious.  It felt more like grits than couscous…but…it will do.  Different…but close enough in my eyes.

As far as nutrition goes…well…let me see if I can figure this out.  A serving size of Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous is 50 grams, which is about 1/4 of a cup.  This serving will provide you with 177 calories and 0.5 grams of fat.  You will be consuming 0.002 mg sodium (yes…that is the actual measurement) and 0.3 grams of sugar.  A serving provides you with 1.3 grams of fiber and 3.8 grams of protein.  It’s not too filling, but you won’t fell starved an hour later either.  Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous is gluten-free and cholesterol free.

I will be savoring this couscous for as long as I can, as I have a few more dishes I want to make with it.  But tonight’s meal was a success.  It was the perfect base for the grilled eggplant and the light and lively dressing that brought everything together.  Beyond happy.  It’s not exactly couscous, but when you’re gluten-free…this is close enough.  Close enough…and really, really good!

Thank you, once again, Cuisine Cube.  Because of you…I’m one happy couscous eating girl again!

Grilled Eggplant with Greek Yogurt Dressing over a Gluten Free Couscous Salad using Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous
Grilled Eggplant with Greek Yogurt Dressing over a Gluten Free Couscous Salad using Molino di Nicoli Gluten Free Couscous

 

Product Review: Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn

Little Lad's Lemon Herbal Popcorn
Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn

Product: Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn – $2.25+

Popcorn.

When done right, popcorn can be one of the healthiest snacks out there.  I gave up microwave popcorn ages ago (for the most part…sometimes…it’s the only option), and have been using the hell out of my air popper.

Truly, it is almost a nightly tradition to enjoy some air popped popcorn, seasoned with herbs and a little drizzle of olive oil (healthy fat that is also a belly flattener).  Usually enjoyed while watching a Gordon Ramsay show or Torchwood or Dr. Who or…American Ninja Warrior!  Something.  I don’t watch much TV…but I usually unwind at the end of a long day with some sort of television show on Netflix or Hulu.

And I grew up feasting on popcorn while watching a movie at home or winding down at night.  And every Sunday…it was my family’s dinner.  Honestly.  Popcorn has always been a favorite food in my family…and I carry that tradition with me today.

I was actually really excited when my July Cuisine Cube arrived and I pulled this bag of popcorn from the box.  For one thing…the words popcorn were enough to entice me.  But toss the word “lemon” in front of it…and you have a really happy girl.  Lemon is one of my favorite seasonings and often do a lemon pepper popcorn at home as one of my seasonings.  This…had it done for me.

The item I received was a bag of LIttle Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn.  Little Lad’s is a small family restaurant in Portland, Maine.  Their mission was to create a place where people could bring their families and friends and enjoy a restaurant quality meal that focuses on bold flavors and high nutrition.  One of the creations that this restaurant created was an herbal popcorn that their customers raved about and couldn’t get enough of.  This was no dull popcorn either.  And the Lemon Herbal Popcorn version is one take on this popular product.

Little Lad’s Herbal Popcorn is made from organic lemon and fresh herbs.  Yes.  Organic and fresh.  Bet you didn’t see that coming.  This variety of popcorn doesn’t use any animal products and is gluten-free.  And, the Lemon Herbal Popcorn is made with whole grains!  According to the package, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this popcorn goes towards health education in Africa.

Like I said, I usually air pop popcorn at night, but last night, I was feeling lazy.  Master Chef was on and, for once, I didn’t want to drown it out with my air popper.  So, I went to my pantry and pulled out the Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn, pouring it into two bowls and giving one to my roommate while I settled in with the other one to watch the show.

Here’s the deal…packaged popcorn is either going to be amazing or fall flat.  I knew the moment I opened the Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn bag that it smelled fantastic.  That was a good start.  I popped one of the popped kernels into my mouth…and it was settled.  This popcorn definitely fell into the good side of packaged popcorn.  In fact, what it reminded me of was day-old movie theater popcorn (movie theater popcorn tastes the best a day later, seriously!) with lemon flavoring.  Seriously.  You may not think that sounds appetizing, but, honestly, it does.  The balance of lemon flavor and savory herbs is perfection.  You get this great sweet and sour take on the seasoning, which plays well on the palate.  And the lemon doesn’t take over and completely overpower the product.  There is never too much lemon and too little to counterbalance it.  And that is a difficult balance to find.  One that I’m still working on when I make my lemon pepper popcorn at home.  So, I was quite content snacking on Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn last night.  It was refreshing and delicious.

So, how wholesome and nutritious is Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn?  You know I was going to get to that.

Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn is made from non-GMO popcorn, organic evaporated cane juice, organic lemon, herbs and spices, non-GMO soybean oil, and sea salt.  This popcorn is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and vegan.

As far as nutrition goes…it’s pretty outstanding.  A serving of Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn is 30 grams (or half of the 2 ounce package).  This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 7 grams of fat.  A serving will give you 45 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar.  And, you will be consuming 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

Not bad for a snack last night, right?  That’s right.  I’ll never stray from my air popped popcorn, but having this option last night was a delicious, easy treat.  Thank you, again, Cuisine Cube, for your continued success in bringing me products I had never hard of before…would probably never hear of without these deliveries…and that actually taste amazing.  Another winner from my monthly selection.

Little Lad's Lemon Herbal Popcorn
Little Lad’s Lemon Herbal Popcorn

Product Review: Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies

Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies
Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies

Product: Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies – $6.50+

Oh…dear!! My cookie noshing habits had been tame as of late.  An occasional splurge here and there…but I was getting it under control.  Because, as a cookie monster, any gluten-free cookie with me is fair game.  I absolutely love cookies.  They are just…the perfect dessert.  So many varieties…crunchy, chewy, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, made with chips, candy, stuffed, topped, iced…so many ways to make a cookie.  You can let your imagination run wild…and let your taste buds and stomach profit from it.

Mmmm…cookies.

So, imagine my face when I pulled the bright, hot pink box of one of my favorite gluten-free cookie producers out of the August Cuisine Cube and read what had just arrived.  Liz Lovely Cookies??!  Hell yes!!  Happy dance!!  But wait…what’s this?  Crunchy cookies?  Liz Lovely is doing CRUNCHY cookies now?

Um…that’s…fantastic.

So, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Liz Lovely, they were one of the first gluten-free cookies that didn’t remind me that I was eating a gluten-free cookie.  Big, chewy…a serving being only half the cookie…I could get them at my local natural food store and would purchase a new flavor each time until I worked my way through them all.  It was hard to stick to that actual serving size…but I behaved.  But…Liz Lovely was known for those chewy, big cookies.  So this…this was new.

Turns out, for years now, Liz had so many consumers and people inquire about small snack cookies…to which she always replied that those sorts of cookies weren’t what they did.  But it seems it all fell into place one night…and out of it came a new product…a new line of gluten-free crunchy cookies from the fantastic Liz Lovely.

These are currently out in four different flavors: chocolate chip, double chocolate, oatmeal raisin, and ginger snap.

The bright pink box declared that the cookies that Cuisine Cube sent into my life were…Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies.

Mmmm…chocolate.

Mmmm…cookies!

Okay, so normally it takes me the entire month to work through the Cuisine Cube that I receive, but this cube has been a bit of an anomaly.  For one thing, one product I had to place in the break room at work…the Field Trip Cracked Pepper Turkey Jerky.  This vegetarian can’t and won’t even eat that.  But, the boys at work have been enjoying it.  So, there we go.  And then, last night, I went ahead and plowed through three products.  Yes…three!

And after I used the first two for dinner…it was time for dessert.

And I happily pulled open the box of Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies.  They smelled…amazing.  They were these thin little rounds, about the 2 inches in diameter, if I were guessing (and I am).  Small, thin…and yes…crunchy.  Nothing I have ever associated with Liz Lovely.  So…I was beyond intrigued as to how I would like these.  As I have stated before, I am more of a soft cookie lover than a crispy cookie lover…but I do love cookies regardless and don’t hold the softness or crispiness factor against any cookie.

I removed four cookies, passing off two to my roommate and snagging two for me.  Yes…this time you get two full cookies…not just half of one.  YAY!  I settled in for my dessert and took a bite.

WOW!  First of all, I believe that these cookies completely encapsulate the best part of something like a pan of brownies.  These cookies taste just like that crispy edge of the brownies that bakes along the pan.  That is one of my favorite parts of a brownie and these cookies mimic it both in crunch, texture, and flavor.  I might have drooled upon taking my first bite.  These have a nice, rich, chocolate flavor…bold and decadent.  The cookies have a great crunch to them, and they are easy to chew and one of the greatest things I may have ever eaten in cookie form.  Holy Double Chocolate Crunchy Goodness!!  I was so tempted to go and count cookies to see if there might be an odd number so I could sneak another one…but I didn’t.  I behaved.  I kept it to the serving size.  And, for the life of me, I don’t know how I didn’t give in to the temptation.  Seriously…these are amazing cookies.  You can tell how much work, love, and joy goes into the making of these cookies because they reflect that in not just flavor but quality.  And I am totally in love.

Let’s talk about those ingredients and nutritional facts, shall we?

The Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies are made from cane sugar, chocolate chips, white rice flour, palm fruit oil, water, potato starch, cocoa powder, tapioca flour, molasses, Ener-G Egg Replacer, vanilla extract, sea salt, baking soda, xanthan gum, and natural tocopherols (vitamin E).  Not too bad for a sweet treat, right?  These cookies are vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol free, kosher, made with non-GMO ingredients and all natural.

As far as how nutritious these are…well…they are cookies so…

A serving of the Liz Lovely Gluten Free Crunch Double Chocolate Cookies is 2 cookies.  These cookies will deliver 130 calories and 6 grams of fat.  These two cookies will also provide 90 mg sodium and 12 grams of fat.  That’s not bad at all for cookies.  Not at all.  And finally, these cookies will provide you with 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of sugar.  These will definitely not fill you up…which means you can snack on them before dinner.  HA!

Okay…so maybe not.  But, you’re an adult right?  Have dessert first every now and again.  Live it up.  Change it up.  Be a little wild!

I am enamored with these cookies.  I want to make them last forever, but cookies never last long in my home.  I’m a cookie monster for a reason.  And these will be devoured each night until they are gone.  But, now I hope I can find a place to purchase them and/or order them online because…yeah…I’ll be dreaming about these cookies for a long time.  Who says a chewy cookie girl can’t cross over to the crunchy side.

Go ahead…take a bite and see for yourself.

Product Review: Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce

Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce
Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce

Product: Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce – $9.95

When your Cuisine Cube delivers a box that is 1/2 meat-friendly…you get a little creative.  Honestly.  I was willing to part with the Field Trip Cracked Pepper Turkey Jerky, as there was no way I could possibly eat that being a vegetarian.  But the other two items…the sauce and seasoning meant for burgers…those I could use.  I just had to get a little creative in my kitchen.

And I do love it when a cooking gauntlet is thrown down.  And this box did just that.  For months now, I had a recipe idea just percolating, and the inclusion of the previously blogged on Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning Mix and the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce meant that I was being issued a veggie burger challenge, whether Cuisine Cube knew it or not.  And I guarantee you…they didn’t know it.  Ultimately though…the challenge was accepted.  Using items in my pantry (lentils) and from my CSA bin (VEGGIES!), I set out to make a specific veggie burger that I had been talking about creating for awhile, just never really had a reason to actually do it.  I admit, it was a whole lot of fun getting into that kitchen and getting my creative chef’s hat on.

And that’s how it worked out in the end.  I made this amazing burger with lentils and farm-fresh ingredients, topping it off with some Russian red kale and a green tomato.  But this burger needed that condiment to tie it all together.  And that’s where the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce came in.  While the label itself touts this sauce as being perfect to use with any meat (from poultry to beef to elk to pork and so on)…I was really going to put it to the test by pairing it with…a veggie burger of my own making.  I hope the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. doesn’t hold it against me for not using meat.  But this vegetarian was still willing to give their product a vessel…albeit made from lentils and veggies.  Would it matter?

Let me tell you, this sauce is awesome.  This is literally AWESOMESAUCE!  HA!  The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce was a great flavor elevator.  It brought this nice tangy flavor to the burger.  The sauce brought together both sweet and savory, enhancing each bite.  The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce honestly lifted every bit of my veggie burger and just added a nice sweet and tangy touch.  While it is advertised as being rich and thick, I found it to be slightly runny, and I promise, I did shake it up.  That being said, it went way beyond delicious.  Now I’m trying to figure out how to get more without the $10 price tag.  Because I’m hooked.

The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce is made from what the company describes as a secret blend of Lowcountry herbs and spices that help bring flavor to any meat (or in my case…veggies and lentils).  It is made from water, distilled water, vinegar, molasses, sugar, onions, salt, garlic salt, cloves, tammarind extract, chili pepper extract, tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder and gluten free xanthan gum.

A serving of the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce is 1 tablespoon.  This serving provides you with 15 calories.  It is fat free, cholesterol free, and contains no fiber or protein.  The sauce, however, does provide 200 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar.

Yet again, Cuisine Cube brings a product I never, ever would have heard about or tried without it surprising me with its inclusion in the box.  Very happy with this month’s offerings for sure.  And my roommate is already pondering other ways to use this sauce in the future.  Delicious!

Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce on my Homemade Gluten-Free Veggie Burger
Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce on my Homemade Gluten-Free Veggie Burger