Food – Page 108 – The Celiathlete

May 11, 2012

A sticky, sweet, delicious (gluten-free) breakfast can be found at Syrup

Restaurant: Syrup, Denver, Colorado

So…does everyone remember my favorite meal of the day?

I’ll give you a hint:

It’s usually the first meal you eat.

Yeah. Breakfast. Oh, how I love breakfast. How I crave breakfast. I can eat breakfast for every meal of the day and be a happy, happy girl. It is the most diverse, most delicious, most creative meal that can be baked, cooked, toasted, sauteed, fried, poached, or done however you like it with a variety of different ingredients. And the combinations…are endless.

I always like to treat myself to one good breakfast/brunch out when I’m on vacation. Last year, my roommate and I hit up a restaurant that specialized in crepes (which we revisited this year and I think I had the most perfect gluten-free crepe of my life!) while in Denver. This year, after a little hunting around, I chose a different place to try. And, we happened to visit it on the day we were flying out. One filling breakfast would be really good before boarding a flight from Denver back to Louisville, yes?

That’s what I thought.

So…we took a short little drive to the Cherry Creek area of Denver and hit up this little breakfast/brunch/lunch joint called Syrup.

What really got my attention when I was researching restaurants in the area was that there was a gluten-free menu. Actually, I’ve come to find out that Colorado is like…some gluten-free haven, so pretty much anywhere you go, there is something gluten-free on the menu…or a separate gluten-free menu if you have to avoid gluten. It’s awesome. Is it any wonder I want to move out there?

This is a little unassuming little place located on the bottom floor of a building. This meant walking down some stairs to enter the restaurant. My roommate and I were shown to a table immediately. The waitress was alerted of my gluten sensitivity and she immediately pointed out that they could make waffles, pancakes, and English muffins gluten-free for me, so, whatever I desired…I could have.

Awesome!

After much consideration and back and forth, I finally settled on a waffle. A nice Belgian waffle sounded awesome. So, order in, I went with the Strawberry Fields Gluten-Free Waffle. This is a delicious Belgian waffle that is covered with freshly cut strawberries that have been sauteed in Syrup’s own handcrafted Strawberry Syrup. Yeah…as we all know…if it has strawberries…it wins.

My roommate opted for a traditional Belgian waffle with traditional butter (because, yes…you do get an option on a flavor of butter) and originally went with the Buttermilk Syrup. She was told that it was a cold syrup, so she changed it to the handcrafted Apple Cinnamon Syrup. And we decided to split an order of the hash browns.

Syrup's hash browns (half order) — Syrup’s hash browns (half order)

With our orders in, we settled in to discuss our trip, some of our favorite things, and drink in the atmosphere. We saw some dishes come out to other diners…fluffy, huge pancakes, and even some lunch-type items as well…sandwiches and the like. It all looked really good.

Before we knew it…our plates were set before us. Let me tell you…not only did my gluten-free waffle look amazing, but it smelled amazing too. The strawberry syrup just sort of brought out everything good and awesome (which is…everything) about strawberries. Especially on waffles. YUMMY!! I love fresh fruit on breakfast goodies like pancakes, french toast, and waffles. This…was heaven for me.

My roommate’s waffle was done to the perfect crispy, soft texture you want in a Belgian waffle. She loved her whipped butter. But, more importantly, she fell in love with the apple cinnamon syrup (which was green, btw!). I tasted it…yeah…it was awesome.

As for my amazing Strawberry Fields Gluten-Free Waffle…all I can say is that I was in a happy, happy place at first bite. I just wanted to savor it. The fresh strawberries were an amazing touch. They were only enhanced by the handcrafted strawberry syrup, which…was a sweet, delightful topping on my waffle. It was swimming in a sea of strawberry flavor and I just wanted to soak all of it up. And I tried to with every bite of my waffle.

The hash browns were lightly cooked. I topped mine with a bit of hot sauce and enjoyed their soft texture with just an outlying crunch on the edges. Very nice and a great compliment with the sweetness of the waffle. I was stuffed by the time I was done eating, but not to the point of feeling too full. It was just the right amount of food. And it was prepared with such care, skill, and done to perfection. Nothing overdone or underdone. The waffle had the right texture, the right crisp, the right amount of sweetness. Yeah…I was in gluten-free waffle heaven.

Whether you wake up for breakfast or just love having a nice breakfast treat, I highly recommend Syrup. Not only does their menu offer pancakes, waffles, and french toast done in a variety of ways, but sandwiches, burgers, eggs, omelets, fruit, oatmeal, salads, etc. are also offered. There is a little something for everyone.

But if you are wise, when you eat at a place called Syrup…order something with one of their specialty handcrafted syrups. I promise, it’s totally worth it. I’m already planning to return next year. I was that impressed.

Denver is lucky. It has a wide variety of fantastic places to eat. But this one…takes the pancake…gluten-free…with a nice topping of…handcrafted maple vanilla syrup.

Oh…yeah!

Syrup's Gluten-Free Strawberry Fields Waffle — Syrup’s Gluten-Free Strawberry Fields Waffle

May 10, 2012May 10, 2012

A little sugar and spice makes Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company’s Cinnamon Sugar popcorn really…pop!

Product: Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn -$1.50+

Popcorn is awesome.

No, seriously!! It really is. It is a naturally gluten-free food. And…oh yeah…it’s delicious.

While traveling to, ironically, Colorado, I stashed a couple bags of Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company popcorn in my luggage for snack purposes while away from home. Why? Because I eat popcorn every night. Air popped, delicious popcorn rounds out my evening. Healthy and a great snack to help with digestion. Honestly.

But, bringing a popcorn popper was out of the question, so I settled for something I had on hand at my apartment…these bags of popcorn that I picked up on sale at Big Lots. I had two kinds, and the one that I busted into first was the Cinnamon Sugar variety.

I had never had cinnamon sugar popcorn before, so I was a bit excited about tasting this. And I was not let down in the slightest. You know when you used to toast up a piece of bread, spread a bit of butter on it, melt it down and sprinkle it with a cinnamon and sugar topping…that’s what this reminded me of. It was sweet with that little bit of cinnamon heat that made the flavors honestly, and forgive the pun, pop.

I was hooked. The first night my roommate and I had a small cup full and we ended up going back for more. And for only 150 calories per 3/4 cup, that’s not bad at all when it comes to flavored popcorn. Nothing will quite match the healthy factor of air popped, but…you work with what you have when it comes to snacks.

I was blown away by the flavors of this popcorn and now am contemplating making a variety of it with my air popped stuff at home. It was like no popcorn I ever had before…and now I am pleasantly hooked.

So, go grab a bag and see why cinnamon and sugar makes popcorn a sweet treat.

May 9, 2012

Amy’s Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque soup an absolute yum-fest!

Product: Amy’s Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque – $2.39+

Okay…second to breakfast foods, one of my next favorite things to savor and enjoy in life for a meal is soup. Why? Because soup can be flavored differently, contain different ingredients, be creamy or chunky or even just brothy. It can have noodles, or vegetables, or whatever in it.

But nothing…nothing…ever compares to a good tomato soup.

It is one of the simplest soups out there, but so many times it just falls flat or tastes…like the can it came out of. And sure, I could go ahead and make my own…but I’m trying out some new things I’m finding at the market. And when Amy’s Organic soups went on sale one day…you better believe I stocked up on some.

On an evening where I didn’t have much time, nothing is easier than to make a gluten-free/dairy-free grilled cheese sandwich and pair it up with a soup. And nothing compliments a grilled cheese sandwich better than…tomato soup.

Lucky for me, I happened to have a can of Amy’s Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque in my pantry. Out it came. The can opener did it’s duty and before I knew it, it was simmering in a pot on the stove. What I noticed immediately was the rich, beautiful, vibrant color of it. Deep red. And it had chunks, not bits, not tidbits, but chunks of tomato swimming in it. Even better…it smelled amazing. Like…homemade goodness from the fruit itself amazing.

I love Amy’s products. The company makes great vegetarian products, but a lot of their options are also gluten-free. This soup is one of those. What I love even more, is that this soup contains only half the sodium of what most brands contain. Gotta love that. No high fructose corn syrup is even in this soup, no MSG, nothing unidentifiable or unnatural. Okay…it might be a little more expensive than that store brand, or Progresso, or Campbell’s, but you are getting quality.

And let me tell you, Amy’s Organic Tomato Bisque soup is a true delight for the taste buds. Honestly. I was enamored with the full flavor. You can tell that the tomatoes included in the soup were ripe, fresh, and delicious. The bisque is the perfect consistency. And it honestly was just the perfect thing to dip my sandwich in while watching some Top Chef one evening after a long day at work.

Yeah…this is going to end up in my pantry again soon.

If you love tomato soup, then I highly recommend going to the grocery store and paying that extra dollar for a quality soup, made with the finest ingredients, with lower sodium, and just an overall better flavor. Go find your natural foods section and find the Amy’s Organic soups. Buy them. Enjoy them. Especially the Chunky Tomato Bisque. Now. Do it. Go.

What are you waiting for?

This soup is one classic treat that tastes homemade without all the prep.

Seriously…go now. Buy it. Enjoy it.

You can thank me later.

A bowl of Amy's Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque — A bowl of Amy’s Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque

May 6, 2012

Strawberries make this crispy cereal from Erewhon a berry good wake-up call

Product: Erewhon Strawberry Crisp Cereal – $4.50+

We probably didn’t really need cereal while we were away in Colorado. We were loaded down with some gluten-free breakfast bars, but for some reason…cereal ended up in our shopping basket on our usual grocery trip for the time we were in Colorado. Hey…we buy groceries so we don’t eat out three times a day. It’s smart!

But, I’m so accustomed to eating cereal in the morning that I wasn’t going to fight the urge to purchase it. So, purchase made.

I was shopping at a little natural foods store in Denver, which is the equivalent of Whole Foods…but at great prices. No…really. The produce and food selection (especially gluten-free) was amazing!! I was just awestruck by it all.

When it came to choosing a cereal, my roommate and I went a little off the beaten path. We could have played it safe…but, you see, we had this coupon for products from Erewhon, a brand we don’t see much of in our area. So when we spotted the Strawberry Crisp Cereal, we just put it in the basket. No questions asked. Didn’t need it…but there it was. And here we were…buying it.

Let me tell you…I’m so glad we didn’t talk ourselves into putting it back. Friday morning was an early morning as we had a meeting out in Boulder, Colorado, which meant up and out of the hotel early to get there in time. Knowing that our big meal of the day wouldn’t happen until around noon-ish, the cereal was a welcome site that next morning. Now, Erewhon’s Strawberry Crisp Cereal doesn’t really look like anything special. It’s simple. It’s the combination of certified organic corn flakes that are crispy and crunchy and sweet. And to add to the flavor, some dried strawberries are thrown into the mix. I was skeptical at first. I have an issue with dehydrated fruits thrown into cereals…but these were strawberries…and strawberries always win.

Well, this cereal was definitely a winner! The crispy texture was awesome and held up in the splash (or pool) of almond milk that was poured over it. The corn flakes were lightly sweetened and were definitely bolstered by the inclusion of the strawberries. And those berries were what shocked me the most. I figured they would taste like cardboard, but with the addition of the almond milk, these little dried strawberries were revitalized. Their flavor was all over this cereal. It reminded me a lot of the flavor of Fruit Loops, which I used to eat the hell out of when I was growing up. It was so good. I only wish the strawberry one was easy to find around here.

Even if you aren’t required to eat gluten-free (like my roommate), I highly recommend giving this cereal a try. Especially if you are a strawberry fiend like me. Because, honestly…anything with strawberries wins. And this took the cereal gold.

May 2, 2012

McCabe’s Bistro and Pub hits gold with Irish atmosphere and menu

Restaurant: McCabe’s Bistro and Pub, Aurora, Colorado

It was that time of year. Time for the annual trek to Colorado.

Why head out to Colorado? Well, there is this fantastic little convention that I have attended for the past four years. I’ve sort of fallen in love with my journey’s out there. Everything is so beautiful. And, it helps that I know a local out there who can direct me to some fantastic food.

Now, my good friend Sharon knows that my roommate and I are big on pub grub (I know…like you couldn’t tell!). So, she called me up a couple days before we headed out and mentioned grabbing some lunch on our first day out there at this little local pub, that makes some of the best Irish food in the Denver area, before going up into the foothills and mountains and having a fun afternoon. Now…how can we say no to that sort of a lead-in? Besides…it’s a pub we had yet to try…and this had to be remedied.

Upon our arrival in Denver, we got our rental car and headed to Sharon’s home. We got things together and she drove us out to the Southlands Shopping Mall. And there, tucked away in this little outdoor shopping center, was McCabe’s Bistro and Pub. It doesn’t look very Irish upon first glance. After all, it is situated in a shopping center. But all of that changes the moment you walk through the door.

That Irish hospitality is evident from the moment you set foot in the door. We were seated in a rustic little booth near the back and given some time to peruse the menu. Although, coming into this, we pretty much had an idea of what we wanted to dine on. Sharon went for the McCabe’s Sirloin Shepherd’s Pie. Cathy, naturally, went for her usual order of fish and chips. And this left me. Being a vegetarian with a gluten sensitivity doesn’t always make pub grub the easiest to navigate. We told the server of my food allergies and she assisted as much as she could. When asked about the fries, though, she indicated they were fried with the breaded fish…so those were out.

What I ended up getting was this fantastic little salad. It is the Pear & Gorgonzola Salad, which is a mix of baby greens with the addition of sliced pears, toasted walnuts, red onion, and a sprinkling of gorgonzola cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette. I was very careful when placing my order, wanting to make sure that I wouldn’t have any problems with what I was eating that might make me ill. I wanted to enjoy this vacation and not worry about getting glutenized, which was what happened at the last pub I ate at in Denver. With the assurance of the server…we talked while we awaited our order.

Soon, it was brought out to the table. While my friends both were served lunch portions, my salad was H-U-G-E. I was okay with that. Because when you are making a meal out of salad, it is best to have it big and filling. And, let me tell you, the combination of flavors really worked on this one. The mild greens paired very well with the sweetness of the pairs, and the bite of the onions gave it a bit of volume. But the star of this salad was the fantastic toasted walnuts. Honestly, when mixed with the drizzle of the balsamic dressing, this was the absolute star of the salad. I found myself saving the walnuts for last because I loved the way they tasted. So delicious.

We all dug in and took our time savoring our food. Perfect size. I was ready now to go out and explore a bit of the mountains and enjoy an afternoon with friends. That’s what this trip was all about. And with McCabe’s so close, I know I’ll be going back and enjoying another meal there next time I’m in town. Just an amazing little pub in an unexpected little place. And when you can enjoy great Irish pub grub with good friends…life is already awesome. The food here…was very good and they made me feel at ease about what I was eating.

Irish hospitality with the volume turned up.

April 19, 2012

Southwest Vegetable Soup another delicious hit from Pacific Foods

Product: Pacific Foods Southwest Vegetable Soup – $2.99+

So…what’s one of my favorite things to eat, friends?

You know this by now…

SOUP!

And nothing gets me going more than a really delicious, flavorful, well-seasoned soup. One of the top powerhouses for flavor is anything that has that Southwestern spice to it. I make my own version from scratch of a Southwest Soup (my mom’s recipe and quite delicious), so when I bought a box of Pacific Foods Southwest Vegetable Soup…it had a lot to live up to.

And for the most part…it did. This soup has a great tomato base, and has bits of black beans, corn, onion, and green peppers in it. It’s definitely not as hearty as the version I make from my mom’s recipe…but it had all those familiar flavors. And that was a good thing. I loved the little hint of spice, brought out in the broth by the chipotle pepper, I presume. It had a nice warming feel to it, and that’s definitely something I look forward to when I eat a soup.

This was just enough when I paired it with one of my infamous gluten-free, dairy-free grilled cheese sammies. That being said, I think it could have stood on its own as a meal. But I can’t have soup without grilled cheese. It’s just not human. Or American. It is culinarily incorrect. Is culinarily even a word?

It is now. I used it in a sentence.

This soup from Pacific Foods is brand new to the line-up. It’s one of their Homestyle soups, and I can see why. They use fresh ingredients, nothing artificial. And…of course…it is gluten-free. I love a good gluten-free soup. They are so difficult to come by at times though.

This soup packed a little Southwestern flavor with healthy vegetables and it made for a really great soup to enjoy while catching up on your favorite television saga (for me…it’s usually Top Chef). If you’re in the market for a delicious vegetable soup…then this soup is it for you. Nothing can beat a rich tomato base with classic garden vegetables, black beans and Southwestern spices soaking in it. It’s really, really good.

So seek out your natural foods section and find this little Southwestern soup in a box. And give it a try for yourself.

A bowl of Pacific Food's Southwest Vegetable Soup

April 18, 2012

Another easy Tasty Bite of Jodhpur Lentils

Product: Tasty Bite Jodhpur Lentils – $3.29+

My kitchen is turning into a little Indian food mecca these days. And while I would love to prepare a curry or some other vegetarian dish from India, I haven’t had a moment to really explore the proper spices and ingredients…yet. I do intend to do something from scratch soon, but the timing has been off on these busy days.

But, that’s why a company called Tasty Bite exists. Because what Tasty Bite has on grocery shelves is a little spice and a little flavor of India in an easy to microwave pouch.

It’s as easy as making up some jasmine rice and then putting the little pouch of goodness into the microwave for about two minutes or less. Then at the beep…your dinner is served. And let me tell you, these little pouches pack a flavor punch.

Tonight, I pulled the Jodhpur Lentils out of my pantry to give a try. These yellow lentils were flavored with the usual suspects when it comes to Indian cooking – cumin, turmeric and chilies. There is a hint of garlic in the sauce. It’s just amazing flavor. And lentils are a fantastic source of protein. If you’re like me, a vegetarian athlete, getting enough protein in the diet can be a bit of a challenge. But lentils are a good way to incorporate that into the diet. And ethnic food like this makes the perfect way to infuse these protein-packed wonders into the diet.

I found the Jodhpur Lentils to be a bit mild by my usual Indian fare standards. But, that was okay as I was running soon after ingesting it. That being said, I found it still to be packed with the right flavors and delicious texture. The yellow color is beautiful and when I mixed these up with the rice, it made for a filling but light meal in the end. The mild flavor, while I am used to bold, spicy flavors, I didn’t find to be a letdown. It was a nice blend of heat and mild flavor. In the end, it was just what the palate needed.

So, if you love Indian food but are afraid of the spice that sometimes accompanies it, I recommend the Jodhpur Lentils by Tasty Bite. It’s a mild introduction to a fantastic culture of flavor and spices. And when you can’t get it from India itself or a local Indian restaurant, then Tasty Bite provides a perfect substitute. I promise…these are amazing.

Oh, and this little package of yellow lentils is also vegan/vegetarian, kosher, and gluten-free. BONUS! So, dig in. You’re treating your taste buds to something fantastic.

Tasty Bite Jodhpur Lentils over jasmine rice

April 18, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Pumpkin Pecan French Toast

It’s a mouthful. I know.

But trust me…this little experiment this morning turned out to be a delicious mouthful.

Now, I admit…I’m not big on French toast. I don’t know what it is. I think growing up I had one too many still-soggy slices that were rushed to the table in an attempt to get us fed and then out the door to catch the bus to school.

But I’m getting ready to head out on vacation so I’m trying to use up things that I have open in my fridge…and as I’ve been using pumpkin recently in a lot of recipes (instead of eggs/oil/butter), I had some pumpkin to use up. So…this is the recipe I created on a whim this morning.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Pumpkin Pecan French Toast

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 8 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices of gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread (I used Udi’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin)
2 eggs
1/4 cup pure pumpkin (I used Libby’s)
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
2 teaspoon brown sugar (optional…for sweetness)
Chopped pecans

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the eggs, pumpkin, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Add the brown sugar, if using. Mix well.

Preheat a pan (for about 3-5 minutes). Spray it with gluten-free non-stick spray or olive oil over medium-high heat.

Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture and place into the pan to cook until golden brown on one side (about 2-3 minutes). Turn the slices over and cook until golden brown on the other side (another 2-3 minutes).

Remove and place two slices on each plate, garnish with chopped pecans.

~*~*~

I added a little pad of butter and some maple syrup to these this morning and they were heavenly. I absolutely loved the variety of flavors, from the sweetness of the syrup and the raisins to the spice of the cinnamon and nutmeg in the pumpkin. And that pumpkin flavor was there, but wasn’t overpowering. Every flavor came out and took the spotlight. It was a culinary experiment totally worthy of a Top Chef Quickfire Challenge.

Or…at least I’d like to think so. But…that can be left to you as well. Go ahead…give this a try. I promise, it’s a filling, low-calorie breakfast treat.

April 18, 2012

Bombay Potatoes make one Tasty Bite after another

Product: Tasty Bite Bombay Potatoes – $3.29+

Yep.

I’m at it again with the quick and easy Indian meals. And why not? There are some nights, like tonight, for example, where standing over a stove or waiting on something to cook up in the oven is just not feasible. I got off work and came home and had enough time to heat up some rice and one of these Indian meals to eat before changing into shorts and a tech shirt and heading over to Louisville for a fun run around a park.

That’s how it works on Monday’s in my little world. Which means, there are no big culinary creations in my kitchen. Not on my fun run nights. Normally it’s soup and sandwich night, but I’ve been working my way through the pile of Tasty Bite meals I bought while they were on sale. Since my selections are all gluten-free and vegetarian or vegan, these are not only quick to heat and eat, but also fall right into my dietary restrictions.

What more could a busy, on-the-go girl ask for?

Tonight’s Tasty Bite selection was the Bombay Potatoes. I was pretty certain these were going to be epic. I was a little more concerned about my roommate enjoying them. The reason being I noticed they included chickpeas. She has said countless times she isn’t a fan…but she bucked up and gave it a try.

So, the Bombay Potatoes are simply chunks of potatoes and chickpeas, slow-cooked in a sauce that is made from tomatoes, onions, and a plethora of Indian spices, like coriander and cumin. It smelled fantastic as I nuked it in my trusty microwave for two minutes. I gave it a stir and then dished up the concoction over two servings of jasmine rice.

While the overall look of it is uninspired…and very brown, the flavor makes up for the lack of color. This meal is fantastic. Not only is it filling, but it is seasoned to perfection. A serving only contains 130 calories and it is also low in fat. In addition, it’s quite filling, especially served over rice (I know…potatoes and rice…double starch…carby goodness for this running girl!). I relished the mix of spices and flavors that were in the sauce and infused into not only the potatoes but also the chickpeas. The texture was awesome and the serving provided a great 5g of protein as well. Awesome for this gluten-free vegetarian as well.

Tasty Bite is three-for-three when it comes to their meals. This is the third one that I have sampled and once again I have fallen in love with the ethnic and authentic flavors, despite coming in a little pouch that gets microwaved for only a few moments. They say good things come in small packages. In this case…so do delicious things.

Tasty Bite Bombay Potatoes over jasmine rice

April 18, 2012

Blue Diamond’s Nut Chips Nacho average gluten-free crisps

Products: Blue Diamond Nacho Flavored Nut Chips – $2.50+

Are you aware that not every variety of Doritos is vegetarian, let alone gluten-free? It’s true. I know because I looked on the Web site and did some investigation. Not gluten-free…I’m used to that. But a tortilla chip that isn’t vegetarian. Now there is something that makes me go…WHAT?!

Not only are Nacho Cheese Doritos (like…the original…the kind that brought about those legendary little corn chips) not gluten-free…but they are not vegetarian either. And that’s sad. Especially since I grew up munching on these tasty delights and have now had to give them up.

That being said, a good substitute had yet to be found.

Then, I picked up a bag of Blue Diamond’s Nut Chips in the Nacho flavor. Previously I had delved into a bag of the Sea Salt flavor and absolutely fell in love with the light, baked, nutty, salty flavor of them. They had more flavor than the Nut Thins, also a product of Blue Diamond, and were shaped like those triangles you love to dip into gluten-free queso and salsas.

So, I was pretty excited and equally nervous when it came to my afternoon snack today. Because either a snack I pack is going to wow me or…I’ll just much my way through it because I’m not enjoying it…but I’m hungry and it has to see me through to dinner. Today…I took one bite into Nut Chips and got that resounding crunch I love. In addition, the cheese wasn’t an afterthought…it was the star. If Doritos were good for you…this is what they would taste like.

And…if you’re like me you do tend to pay attention to those little nutritional details attached to the packet. Nut Chips are baked and not only full of flavor but provide a good crunch, not that wimpy, soggy texture you get with some baked chips. These are made from brown rice and almonds grown in California. A serving size is a whipping 14 chips and only sets you back 130 calories. Not too shabby. A serving only dishes up a lean 4g of fat as well. They are almost guilt-free. Almost. But they are tasty and perfect to fulfill that need for something salty and cheesy all at once.

Who needs those Doritos anyway. Not this gluten-free girl. Not at all. I’ll take these. One serving size at a time.