Food – Page 25 – The Celiathlete

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Product: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti – $7.00

I love coffee. I really do. I wasn’t always that way, however. Coffee came to me later in life. I loved the smell and hated the taste…up until I became a barista. Then…life sort of changed. And not only, over time, did I develop a taste for coffee, but I now knew how to properly make it.

Sometimes, I like to spice up my mornings a little bit. No…not by adding cayenne pepper to my scrambled eggs (although I have been known to do that, HA!)…

…I mean having a treat with my morning cup of coffee. And one of my two favorite morning treats with coffee is a biscotti. The other is my homemade madeleines…but I digress.

Well, it just so happened that my March 2015 Cuisine Cube had a container packed with biscotti for the “Breakfast” portion of the box. YAY!

For those of you not familiar with Cuisine Cube…think about how awesome it would be to have lesser-known, smaller company, artisan gluten-free company products shipped straight to your door once a month. Think of the joy opening said box would bring you and how trying new things entices you. You get a product for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert. And sometimes…you get a bonus. Who doesn’t love a bonus? If that got your heart pumping, that’s what Cuisine Cube is all about. And, this subscription service is available for as low as $29.99/month. Pretty awesome, yes? You betcha. So, if you’re curious and want to try something new and exciting and different…hop over to their site.

Because, sometimes, you get products in the box that are like Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. I mean, it’s a treat to have while you drink your wine, your coffee, your tea…whatever. Have it any time of the day, but I like to go the classic route and dip my biscotti into my morning coffee. It is love. And who doesn’t love starting off their morning with a cookie, right? Technically, I suppose a biscotti is consider a biscuit, twice baked so that it is extra dry and crunchy. And if you’ve never had one…you’re totally missing out.

Dolci di Maria was created by Mari Tantillo, who created gluten-free and dairy-free desserts for her two young children who had food allergies and sensitivities. She was urged by her friends to start selling her desserts because they were so delicious. Dolci di Maria strives to create fine gluten and dairy-free desserts that strike a perfect balance with texture and taste. Everything is baked fresh with natural and organic ingredients. Even better…many of the products offered by Dolci di Maria are vegan.

So, with all of that being said, this week I decided to stop looking at the container of biscotti that came in my Cuisine Cube, and finally open it up and have one with my morning coffee (a delicious local blend, for those wondering). Despite being a dry treat (they are meant to be dipped, after all), I always take my first taste without anything else. That way I can judge what something tastes like and if I like it. And…when it comes to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…I like it…but I don’t love it. It has nothing to do with the actual biscuit itself. It actually has a great texture to it…and it holds up to the coffee dunking, that I do religiously when I get gluten-free biscotti in my clutches. So that was the part that I was okay with. The part I wasn’t okay with, when it came to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…was the overwhelming licorice flavor. I hate licorice. And this biscotti definitely had a heavy taste of it. I inspected the ingredient list on the bottom of the package and discovered the use of anise. That will do it. It was just…too much for me. I think I was hoping for something with more vanilla flavor than the anise. It didn’t go well with my coffee…nor did my tastebuds really enjoy the licorice flavor. A little bit of anise goes a long way…and in this batch…it took it too far. The biscotti itself is great…the flavor just didn’t work for me, and that’s more of a personal preference than anything else.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that are in the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti, shall we? These classic Italian treats are made from brown rice flour, pure cane sugar, cage-free eggs, potato starch, tapioca starch, Earth Balance™, baking powder, xanthan gum, anise and vanilla extract, and sea salt.

The nutrition information for the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti is very nice though. You don’t feel so bad treating yourself at breakfast to a crispy Italian biscuit when you look at these stats. A serving is 1 of the biscotti, which will give you 65 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be consuming 73 mg cholesterol, 102 mg sodium, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and 8 grams of carbohydrates. These have no fiber.

If you don’t mind the flavor of anise (or that licorice-like flavor) than you will probably love everything about the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. For me, the texture was great…it was perfect for dipping, but the anise flavor just overpowered the rest of the biscuit and, for someone like me who dislikes licorice, it was a bit too much. That being said, now that I know I can find Dolci di Maria products at my Lucky’s Market in Louisville, Kentucky (discovered that via the Web site), I am curious to try other products as she has brownies, pancakes and other flavors of biscotti to see if I like them better.

At least I got a morning treat in my Cuisine Cube this month. The Dolci di Maria may not have enticed my taste buds, but I now know to look for other products in my area that might play nicer with my palate.

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit

Product: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit – $4.99+

It was the start of a new year. Yes. January 2015. And what happens at the start of a brand new year? New Year’s Resolutions! WOOO!! I am proud to say that I don’t make resolutions, because I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I do, however, try to make each year a good one and try to improve on some things.

Like…eating better.

Well, my New Year 2015 (January) Cuisine Cube, took a lot of the work out of that by providing a box of 6 healthy choices for food/snacks. YAY! So, as you all are pretty much aware, Cuisine Cube is a delivery subscription service that brings smaller, lesser-known, artisan products from the gluten-free food world to your door. Yes, some of them I have heard of…but most I haven’t. And that’s the beauty of this service. Without it, I’d have no idea that some of these products or companies even existed. And, subscriptions start for as low as $29.99/month. It’s a great deal and a great service. If you haven’t tried it or have been meaning to give it a try…do it. You’ll end up loving it as much as I do.

So, January was all about healthy products it seemed. And the product that was packed inside for the Lunch option was this great little Indian spiced meal kit from Jaali Bean. It was the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit. It sounded beyond delicious as I am a huge…and I mean HUGE…lover of Indian food. Around here, I can find a plethora of the Tasty Bite Indian meals, but this was the first time I ever heard of Jaali Bean. Already, I was intrigued.

Jaali Bean was created by Brian and Molina Junkins, a husband and wife team who shared a passion for food, family, and healthy living. They also had a passion for helping people discover the amazing flavors and tastes that are incorporated in Indian cuisine. They challenge everyone to toss aside their preconceived notions about preparing Indian cuisine at home, because they make it all happen within minutes with these great little kits they put together. It is super easy and the are just loaded with all-natural ingredients and all the spices that make you fall in love with Indian food.

They really do make it easy. The Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit comes with two packages attached. Inside is the brown rice and lentil mixture. In the smaller pouch…the spices. Simply set a pot on medium-high heat and heat up 1 tablespoon of oil. Put the spice packet in and stir for about 40-50 seconds. You’ll know when it’s done when you get that amazing aroma out of the spices. Do not burn them. Add 2-1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and give it a stir. Let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. All the extra liquid will get absorbed. Trust me. It works. You are left with a fantastic pot of moist and creamy looking rice that smells as amazing as it looks.

But the true test is always with the taste.

And, let me tell you…Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Rice Kit cooks up an amazing taste of India. Better than Tasty Bite…and as close to authentic restaurant quality as possible at home. Amazing. I grew up eating Indian food, thanks to my neighbors up the way, who were from India. The cuisine has always resonated with me. And I know what is good and what isn’t. Jaali Bean is delicious. Seriously…delicious. The rice cooks up rich and creamy, seasoned to perfection. It’s mild in flavor, so add a kick of your own heat if, like me, you like things a little spicier. I think my only complaint was that there wasn’t enough peas for my liking. How’s that for a complaint, eh? Seriously, perfectly seasoned and it cooks up beautifully. Nothing else I have had packaged has come close to tasting this close to the real deal. I am beyond impressed.

So…let’s discuss what all goes into the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit, shall we? This kit is a combination of par boiled long grain brown rice, orange masoor lentils, peas, spices (which include cumin, mustard seeds, coriander, dried red chili powder, and amchur powder), salt, cane sugar, tomato granules, and nutritional yeast. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, vegan, and non-GMO.

As for the nutrition information in regards to Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit…I was very impressed. A serving is 1 cup and there are 4 servings per package. Each serving will provide 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, 380 mg sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 6 grams of protein. Healthy, filling, and delicious. You can’t go wrong.

Honestly, I’ve never seen Jaali Bean products around here, so without my subscription to Cuisine Cube, I might still be in the dark. With that being said…these products are now on my radar and I know how to get my hands on them via the Internet, if I can’t find any here. And that, my friends, is a very good thing. I’ll definitely keep these on hand for a quick and easy go-to meal.

On a side note, this product wraps up my January 2015 cube. The only product I didn’t get to blog on was the Budi Bar, because somehow I missed the note on freezing it and it got all fuzzy and moldy. I was sad when I had to throw it away. But…perhaps I’ll run across them somewhere around here. Or, I’ll just order one online. We’ll see.

Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit (prepared)

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies

Girl Scouts Toffee-Tastic Cookies — Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies

Product: Girl Scout Gluten Free Toffee-Tastic Cookies – $5.00

GIRL. SCOUT. COOKIES.

Hello!! Welcome back to my life little overpriced morsels of goodness.

No joke, it has been four years since I had a Girl Scout Cookie. Four long years. It seemed each year I would be tortured at the grocery store or local department stores when the little, adorable girls in their sashes and uniforms would ask me if I wanted to buy a box of cookies. And I had to sadly decline, because being a Celiac…me and my Girl Scout Cookie days were over.

It was sad. I mourned the loss.

Because…I’m a cookie monster. My dessert of choice is always the cookie.

Well, last year there was a small group of states that had a test market for gluten-free Girl Scout Cookies. And I wasn’t in that test market. Nor was anyone I knew. So, that was sad. And I went another year without them in my life. But this year…this year the Girl Scouts put out two different flavors of gluten-free cookies.

Yes. TWO!

They are: Toffee-tastic and Trios.

So, with this in mind, I went to my grocery store religiously…I haunted department stores…and not a single Girl Scout could be found. Not one. I was sad. Sad enough to make mention of my woes on Facebook. And then, my very good friend, Jean, up in Utica, New York, sent me an amazing care package with not just one, but two boxes of the Toffee-tastic flavor. I did a dance of joy…if I had room or had been able, cartwheels might have happened. But there was squees of happiness and delight. And…you better believe I immediately tore into one box.

I mean…HELLO!! Four years without Girl Scout Cookies in my life…it was ON NOW!

Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. Yes, it’s another shorbread-like gluten-free cookie…but I don’t care. One…I love shortbread. And two…IT’S A FLIPPIN’ GIRL SCOUT COOKIE! That being said…this rich and buttery cookie is crispy, and smooth and busting with this caramel-y toffee like chips throughout. These cookies are going to wow your tastebuds because they totally wowed mine. The toffee bits are the best part, giving a little extra kick to the crispy, shortbread cookies. I look forward to mine each night when I open up that box and take out a serving. They’ll be gone way too fast, I’m certain. I mean, these boxes contain 1 sleeve of 14 cookies. So, I have two boxes…and then…I wait until next season when they will hopefully be back.

Concerned about how gluten-free these cookies are? They are NSF-certified gluten-free, which ensures that all the ingredients and production complies with federal regulations for gluten-free labeling. I haven’t had a reaction to them, and I’ve been feasting on them all week. So…there is that.

Let’s talk about what goes into these cookies, shall we? The Girl Scout Toffee-Tastic Cookies are made from rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, butter, palm oil, brown rice flour, butter toffee bits, invert sugar, and contains 2% or less of salt, soy lecthin, xanthan gum, and baking soda.

As for nutrition…let’s talk cookies. These are cookies. so they aren’t going to be great for you. But as far as cookies go, these aren’t bad. YAY for Girl Scout Cookies. Especially as a nice treat. (Cookies, as with any sort of sweet or dessert, should be a treat…) The serving size of the Girl Scout Toffee-Tastic Cookies is two (2) cookies. This serving will give you 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 19 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams of sugar, and absolutely no protein or fiber to speak of. But…a nice change of pace, especially if Girl Scout Cookies have been off your radar for awhile now.

I was actually surprised and impressed by how much I have been enjoying these cookies. Especially if you are a lover of shortbread…this just takes it to the next level. The right amount of buttery, rich flavor with that hit of sweetness from the toffee bits. Heaven. Pure…Girl Scout…heaven!!

Now…to find some Trios…

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Luke’s Mutli-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers

Product: Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers – $4.49+

I won’t lie. When I received my March 2015 Cuisine Cube in the mail and, as I always do, tore into it to see what goodies awaited me, the product I was actually the least excited for were the crackers. Why? I dunno. I think they just looked too much like the Mary’s Gone Crackers and Crunchmaster Crackers that I’m already familiar with. So, yeah, I sort of tossed these up on the shelf of my pantry and left them there for most of the month.

I should have known that Cuisine Cube wouldn’t steer me wrong.

As you all are aware by now, Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that delivers a box of gluten-free products from lesser-known companies and artisans – from each course of the day. There is a product included for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snack. Sometimes…a bonus product too. Love those little bonuses. And you get this cube of goodness delivered to your door starting at $29.99. I signed up for it almost a year ago and haven’t been disappointed yet.

So, I should have known better than to doubt their gluten-free snack wisdom. In the March 2015 cube, I received a box of Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers. From the picture on the box, of a polygon shaped cracker with butterfly wings, I immediately likened it to the predecessors I have consumed before – as I mentioned – Mary’s Gone Crackers and Crunchmaster (especially Crunchmaster). Not impressed, I delegated it to the top shelf of my pantry, until the evening I cooked up the Lentilicious meal (previously reviewed) and my roommate said it would be nice to eat it with some crackers.

LIGHT BULB!

So, let’s first talk a little about Luke’s Organic, shall we? Luke’s Organic was created by Luke (who else?) who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when he was 7 years old. Ever since then, he has been on the lookout for great tasting, gluten-free snacks. Of course, for the longest time, such snacks didn’t exist. Everything tasted like cardboard or tree bark. But not anymore. And adding to the growing array of snack choices is Luke’s Organic.

Snack crackers barely catch my eye anymore. I’ve pretty much been there and done that and just sort of…like them. Nothing has really blown me away. So, I was actually quite surprised to open up this box of Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers and discover something very unlike Mary’s Gone Crackers and Crunchmaster. Perhaps not in looks, save that Luke’s crackers look more corn chip than the darker appearance of the previously mentioned brands. So, there was that. But appearances aren’t everything. And when I popped one into my mouth to make sure it would be worth packing as a side to my delicious Lentilicious…I was even more amazed.

HOLY GLUTEN FREE CRACKER, BATMAN! Or something. Forget cracker. These taste more like an amazing tortilla chip. Like…restaurant quality. Like…why don’t the tortilla chips I buy at the store taste as good as the ones I’m stuffing my face with here at this restaurant…good. See what I’m getting at here? These crackers are so different from anything else I have had since having to go gluten-free three years ago. It’s a cracker…and a chip…and a nutritious snack as well. And, for a sidelined active girl like me…that’s just what the doctor ordered (well…that and an MRI, but that’s for another blog). Seriously, these will take away any salty craving without braking the calorie bank. And they are made with whole grains, they are organic, and are non-GMO. WINNING! There is absolutely no corn in these…but that’s how they taste. The magic of the culinary world. Just WOW!

So, now that I’ve kind of already lead into all the good stuff that goes into Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigran & Seed Crackers, let’s talk about the happy ingredients that make these up, shall we? Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers are made from Luke’s Organic Grain & Seed Blend (brown rice flour, millet flour, quinoa flour, amaranth flour), organic potato starch, Luke’s Organic Oil Blend (sunflower safflower and/or red palm olein), organic sesame seeds, sea salt, and organic red quinoa seeds. These crackers are made in California, are organic, are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, peanut/tree nut-free, whole grain, non-GMO, and kosher. They are also cholesterol free and contain no sugar. WOOT!

As for nutrition, the facts are as follows…Luke’s Multi-Seed Multigrain & Seed Crackers contains about 3.5 servings per box, with a serving being 1 ounce (or 28 grams…or around 12 crackers). This serving will dish up 140 calories and 5 grams of fat. This serving also will give you 150 mg potassium, 85 mg sodium, 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. The lack of sugar is great for someone like me who is trying to cut down on sugar (and not really succeeding…as of yet).

You know, appearances really are deceiving. And this just goes to show you can’t judge a product by it’s box. I was beyond impressed with the crunchy texture, the amazing taste, the light hit of salt, and…well…everything that this snack cracker had to offer. Forget anything that you normally reach for…try something new and exciting. Find Luke’s Organic or order online. I would never steer you wrong…and these…these are worth every moment of the hunt for them.

May the grocery store shelves be ever in your favor…and may they have your favorite flavor!

(HA…I’m a poet too!)

Thank you to Cuisine Cube for surprising me with this product and showing me that something that looks like your typical cracker is anything but that. Luke’s…you’re awesome. I shall be enjoying you again soon!

April 8, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentil Meal

Product: Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentil Meal – $4.99+

It was the heat of the summer – July 2014. Yes…think back with me. I was in my third month of Cuisine Cube and was sent a box full of goodies, most of which I have already used up. Only two remained. One is the Citrus Herb breadcrumbs, which is meant for chicken, but as a vegetarian, I’ll repurpose them (like on broccoli or tofu or something)…and the Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentils.

If you’re veterans of my blog, you know all about the amazing delivery service that is Cuisine Cube. If you are new, then let me give you a quick run-down. Cuisine Cube is a gluten-free subscription box that specializes in pantry/meal items, delivered to your door once a month. Included are 5-6 products, not samples, but full-size products, that cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, a snack…and then an added bonus once and awhile. It’s fantastic. I’ve been introduced to products and small artisan companies that specialize in gluten-free products that I otherwise never would have known about.

One of these is definitely Lentilicious. Lentilicious originated in a small town near Byron Bay, Australia. It was a startup company for two women who wanted to share their love of quick, easy and nutritious food – mainly lentils. Lentils are a nutrient dense “superfood” that cooks up quickly without having to soak them. Lentils are bursting with planty protein and dietary fiber, and red lentils, such as those found in Lentilicious meals, are low on the glycemic index and also low in fat. Lentilicious offers a package that is nutrient rich, quick to make, portable, and a surefire way to keep you full and provide sustained energy. Oh…it’s also good for you.

So…now almost a year had gone by and these were still in my pantry. Definitely no good. I’m working my way through my pantry and freezer and finally getting to the stuff that I’ve put aside for way too long. I am so sorry that I waited so long to try the Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentils. Why? Well…you’re about to find out.

First of all, Lentilicious meals are super easy to make. It takes 20 minutes of your day. That’s it. You can cook them in the microwave or on the stove. I opted for the stovetop…which was just more convenient for me. Either way…20 minutes. So, to prepare by stovetop, I simply poured the entire packet of lentils and spices into the pot and covered with 3 cups of cold water. I simply brought that to a boil, lowered the heat, and allowed it to simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, just stirring every now and again. That’s it. EASY! I cooked this up while I was cooking dinner. It required no extra supervision. Because, this was going to be lunch for my roommate and I for half of this week. Monday and Tuesday…this was what we were having. And, as it cooked up, I could already tell I was going to love it.

In fact, I reheated these at work both days, and each day I was complimented on how delicious my lunch smelled. But, food is all about the scent and the flavor. So…it was time to give it a taste. Let me say this…AMAZING!! This tastes like a lentil chili. The texture and the flavors are phenomenal. I thought it was spiced up to perfection, with a mild hit of Mediterranean spices and this creamy, yet “meaty” dish. I was in love at first bite and would savor each spoonful. Total win! It was also filling and just tasty. Beyond impressed. Already making some plans to seek it out or at least order it online.

With all that being said, let’s take a look at what goes into the Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentil Meal. This meal is made up of red split lentils, sundried tomatoes, onion flakes, sea salt, and contains less than 2% spices. That’s it. Clean eating, indeed!! This product is gluten-free, vegan, kosher, low GI, non-GMO, 97% fat free, high in protein and high in fiber. LOVE IT!

As for nutrition, a pouch of the Lentilicious Mediterranean Lentil Meal contains 4 servings. Each serving will provide you with 180 calories, 1 gram of fat, 240 mg sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein. AMAZING! Lentils and I are BFFs forever.

Once again, Cuisine Cube delivered an amazing product! Totally loving, and now on the hunt for, Lentilicious. If you are looking for an amazing plant-based source of protein…lentils are a fantastic choice. Even better…you simply have to add water to and cook up! Lentilicious for the big win!

April 7, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix – $5.79+

It was Easter Sunday and I woke up early. I haven’t been sleeping well due to bouts of chronic pain in my back and hip. So, I got out of bed and came out to the living room to do my stretches assigned to me by my physical therapist. It was as I started doing these that I thought to myself:

“Self…what are we having for breakfast this beautiful Easter morning?”

Since I am currently in a state of no running at all…I had plenty of time to come up with something. And for some strange reason, I recalled having two bags of Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix in my pantry. I bought these and a chocolate cake mix (which I have used already and didn’t review because I never tried the finish product…I made it for someone else…so now I have to purchase another bag) on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store…for $1.99. How fantastic is that?

I knew very little about the Mina’s Purely Divine products when I bought them, just that I had seen them featured in ads in my gluten-free magazines. That was the only familiarity I had with them. So, with the recollection and the realization that I had two pouches of the Gluten-Free Allergen-Friendly Bread Mix in my pantry…I thought…

Bagels.

Because when I already fail at baking up gluten-free bread more often than I succeed…why not bake bagels. Because that is SO much easier! *SARCASM*

That being said…I had it in my head now to make them. It was going to either end well…or be a complete and epic fail. It wouldn’t be my first. So, while the roomie was still slumbering in her room…I went into the kitchen and plucked one of the bags of Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix off the shelf and set out to work.

Long story short…for my first time making bagels (and gluten-free bagels at that!)…this worked wonderfully. They didn’t rise as much as I had hoped they would, but they did rise some in the 30 minutes I gave them to just sit. I think next time I’m going to try the oven on warm thing that a friend suggested and see if it makes any sort of distance. They held up to boiling in the water and even the actual baking. Totally impressed. But the real challenge was going to be in the taste.

By the time the bagels were in the oven and baking (given a little bit of egg wash over the top and a sprinkling of the “everything spice” that I picked up in Charleston, SC, the roomie had emerged and was ready for some brekkies. I told her that breakfast was currently in the oven…and I would have it ready once the timer went off. It was already starting to smell amazing, so when she asked what it was, I actually told her.

Bagels.

She looked really surprised. “You made bagels?!” You see…she has suffered through more than one epic gluten-free homemade bread loaf fail…so I wasn’t insulted at all. I nodded and as I pulled them out of the oven, called her over to take a look. They were perfectly golden on the outside. Fresh and hot out of the oven, I didn’t want to slice into them so just put some vegan cream cheese in a bowl and said we’d dip (kind of how I used to eat soft pretzels). So, onto some plates the bagels went while the rest cooled on the pan. I handed a plate and bowl of the cream cheese over to her and went to get my own. She started her cry of “hot, hot, hot!” as she broke it open and steam from the fresh bagels swirled up from the little breakfast goodie. She took a bite and said, “It tastes like a bagel!”

Now, she’s had Everything Bagels from some of the top-flight bakeries in New York City…and she seemed quite content to dive into my first attempt at ever making bagels. Trust me…she’s quite the critic and if she doesn’t like something…she’ll say so. But she thought the texture and the flavor were spot on. And after I got settled to try it for myself…I totally agreed. As a New Yorker, bagels were a way of life growing up. I still love them, but am often relegated to getting the frozen versions from Udi’s (as they are the only gluten-free bagels outside of Jennifer’s Way in NYC that have come close to tasting like the real thing!)…which is fine in a pinch. But these…these were mine. And they wouldn’t have been possible without Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix, for sure.

Truth…I can’t wait to make these again with the other batch. Maybe get a bit more rise out of them so that middle gets all fluffy and amazing. Cathy said these were very reminiscent of the ones we ate at Jennifer’s Way back in March, which I took as a high compliment as my first bite of one of Jennifer’s Way bagels made me cry. Good tears. This mix worked beautifully and made amazing bagels. Talk about taking a risk and having it pay off in the end.

Let’s discuss the ingredients in Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix. This mix is made up of organic rice flour, potato starch, organic cassava starch, organic sorghum flour, arrowroot starch, rice flour, teff flour, sea salt, yeast, xanthan gum, and guar gum.

As far as nutrition goes, the Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix contains about 13 servings, with each serving being about 1/4 cup. A serving will provide 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 23 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, 1 gram fiber, and 1 gram protein. That’s really good for a bread mix. I am very impressed.

If you have access to Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix…and feel like taking on a challenge, go ahead…whip up your own homemade gluten-free bagels!! You’ll be very impressed with the results.

Recipe: Gluten Free Everything Bagels

Gluten Free Everything Bagels made with Mina's Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix — Gluten Free Everything Bagels made with Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix

Servings: 6-12 (I made 8 good-sized bagels!)
Time: Prep 1 hour; Bake 18-20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package, approx. 2⅔ cups Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix
1 cup warm water
2¼ tsp yeast (included)
1 tsp + 1 Tbsp sugar, divided
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp molasses
3 quarts water
1 egg white, whisked (optional)
sesame or poppy seeds for toppings (optional)

Directions:

Add to mixer bowl, 1 cup warm water, 1 tsp of sugar and the yeast. Whisk and let rest for 10 minutes.

Add to yeast mixture: 1 cup of bread mix, the rest of the sugar, the oil, the molasses, and mix well.

Add last 1-2/3 cups of bread mix. Mix on medium high for 5 minutes.

Scrape out on a lightly oiled surface. Form dough into a log. Cut into 6 large or 12 small pieces. (I went for the middle and did 8 perfect size pieces). Roll each piece with lightly oiled hands into a 6″ rope. Shape in a circle, crimping edges.

Arrange bagels on parchment paper. Cover with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft free area for 30 minutes. Dough will be tender at this point after the initial rise.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Bring 3 quarts of water to a slow boil. Gently using oiled hands, or spatula, drop each bagel, one at a time, into the water. Boil in small batches, do not crowd. Simmer for 30 seconds on each side, flip over once. Drain on rack for 5 minutes.

Brush with whisked egg white (optional) and sprinkle the toppings on at this point, if using.

Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes for large bagels and 15 minutes for small bagels. (It took mine 18 minutes…so if you do 8…go with that!)

Cool on rack.

DEVOUR!

~*~*~

I was so impressed with the way Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix baked up perfect, delicious bagels. And with this being my first time ever attempting such a culinary feat…well…it just made me want to improve on it.

That being said…WOW!! Total and complete WOW!! Find Mina’s Purely Divine Gluten Free Bread Mix and, seriously, give this recipe a try. I am dying to do it all over again! Maybe even improve on it some. We shall see!

Mina’s Purely Divine is purely amazing, purely awesome, and…yes…purely divine! Just WOW!

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015

Product Review: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini + Recipe Bonus

Product: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini – $5.99

There are probably a few things that you know about me by now. These may include the fact that Cuisine Cube has revolutionized my life in introducing me to products I never would have known about or thought to seek out. Another fact may be that I am a pasta-holic. Yep. I love pasta. I know…that whole athlete who loves pasta thing is pretty cliche (hey…my pre-race night of carb loading doesn’t include pasta…always gluten-free pizza!). But, ever since I was a child and could eat my first plate of spaghetti…I was hooked. I love any and all pasta and sauces. And while my options for pasta and their sauces have narrowed after first becoming a vegetarian and then, a year later, being diagnosed with Celiac…well…I haven’t let it hinder me from devouring one of my favorite food groups in the world. Yes…pasta is a food group. It…it just is.

But, before I go into detail about this new-to-me brand of gluten-free pasta, let me share with you some information about the people who brought it into my life. Cuisine Cube is run by a small group of foodies who have put together a completely gluten-free box of goodies and then sends them to your doorstep each month. These boxes contain 5-6 full-size products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…mostly local…some not as local. Some you may even have heard of before, but most will be new to you. I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May and have never looked back. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99…which is a great price and great incentive to sign up for this subscription box service and try out some gluten-free products you have been too nervous about purchasing yourself or, perhaps, didn’t even know existed.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini (cooked)

So…Pastabilities. Yes…you had me at the name. I love the play on words. And I was beyond excited to pull a gluten-free pasta out of my March 2015 Cuisine Cube. Pasta + me = LOVE. Seriously, we are a match made in carb heaven. We are BFFs for life. And it will always be this way. One of the first things I staked out when I had to go gluten-free was good gluten-free pasta. While there are uncountable varieties out there on the market…the key word there was good and not all of them fall into that category. I want a gluten-free pasta to be like real pasta. I don’t want it to fall apart or turn to mush. I want it to cook through and have that perfect al dente bite to it. I want it to reheat well if I cook too much of it and need to eat some for lunch the next day. I want it to pair well with a variety of sauces and I want it to stand out.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini does exactly that. Tagliolini is a long, flat ribbon-shaped pastsa that is similar to linguini or fettuccine, and is traditionally from the Northern regions of Italy. This brand is crafted from high quality ingredients. Even better, the actual pasta itself is manufactured in Italy using bronze dies that give the pasta a matte look and makes the surface rough…which is perfect for sauces. We all want sauces to stick to our noodles, not fall away like water. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is also made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

YAY!

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is fantastic. Seriously. This pasta is made with a blend of 70% corn and 30% rice, which makes it cook up within 8-9 minutes to a perfect al dente texture. And the taste…amazing. It isn’t gummy and it isn’t mushy. It has that “real” pasta feel. Like it was just made fresh for you. Completely gluten free to boot. As a connoisseur of gluten-free pasta, this ranks right up there as one of the best. It is fantastic. These ribbons of pasta held their own with the arrabbiata sauce, which makes me one happy pasta lover. Nothing worse than going to take a bite of pasta and having it fall apart and needing to chase it around on your plate. Pastabilities is, honestly, gluten-free pasta done right. And it really is amazing.

Let’s talk about ingredients. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is made from corn flour and rice flour. That’s it. Simple. Perfection.

As for nutrition, this is phenomenal for a gluten-free pasta. A serving of the Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is 2 ounces. In this serving, you will be consuming 200 calories and 1 gram of fat. You will also be taking in 1 gram of sugar. This pasta is cholesterol free and sugar free. And, trust me…it will fill you up just like “real” pasta as it packs 45 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein!

So, what do I do? I go for a traditional approach to pasta in an nontraditional way. I cooked up the pasta as I normally would…but served it in tacos instead of in a bowl. Yes…spaghetti tacos.

You see, my roommate has apparently led a very sheltered life and had never indulged indulged in the Italian/Mexican infusion that is…Spaghetti Tacos. It’s a traditional iCarly treat…one that my friends have raved about and that I have eaten myself. And no one should ever miss out on spaghetti tacos. So, below is the easy and delicious recipe for Spaghetti Tacos featuring…Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini!

Recipe: Gluten Free Spaghetti Tacos

Spaghetti Tacos made with Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients:

4 Gluten-Free Hard Taco Shells (I used Trader Joe’s)
4 ounces Gluten-Free Pasta (I used Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini)
1 cup Gluten Free Pasta Sauce (I used BonGiovi Arrabbiata Sauce)

Directions:

Cook gluten-free pasta according to directions on the package. Don’t overcook it. Get it to the perfect al dente texture.

While the pasta is boiling, start warming up the sauce.

Preheat the oven to 425°F and toast your crunchy taco shells for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven.

Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Allow the noodles and sauce to cook together (this is for flavor).

Spoon the pasta and sauce into the taco shells. Top with your favorite pasta toppings (cheese, red pepper flakes, etc).

Devour.

~*~*~

If you haven’t tried the wonder of Spaghetti Tacos…remedy that. It has revolutionized my roommate’s world. I mean, savory good pasta inside a crunch tortilla shell…yeah…that’s good eats right there. And thanks to Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini…I had the perfect pasta to introduce this meal to my friend with. It doesn’t get any better or fun than this.

Don’t miss out on amazing products like this one. Hop on over to Cuisine Cube and sign up today for a subscription. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

March 31, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola – $6.99+

It was Whole Foods and Cuisine Cube that got me hooked on the amazing and healthy granola that I have more than indulged in since first discovering it in the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods. This granola is Jessica’s Natural Foods. I haven’t met one of her granola’s that I haven’t liked. And the one I am reviewing today is my third variety I have tried.

This speaks very highly of any product when I keep going back to the brand. And let me tell you, when it comes to gluten-free granola, Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right. You’ll want to eat it straight out of the bag. I’ve done it…while sprinkling it on top of my fruit and Greek yogurt parfaits.

As stated above, the granola I chose this time around was the Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products. How can you not love that?

Originally called Motor City Crunch, Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is just what it sounds like. Toasted oats that are loaded with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and hazelnuts. Think…Nutella in gluten-free granola form. Does that peek your interest? It did mine! This was the original flavor that I had wanted to try when my roomie (Cathy) and I first discovered this brand at Whole Foods. It was the flavor she waved at me, then selected a different flavor in the end. Talk about a tease. That wasn’t happening this time. When we needed granola to go with the 2 pounds of fresh strawberries we received from the CSA bin, I said that the Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods would be the perfect match. Cathy couldn’t argue with that.

So…this week’s breakfast…Greek yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits. One of my favorite things in life. For real. Building these is simple. A little granola on the bottom, then some Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey or agave, fresh berries. Repeat. Then top off the last of it with the granola and honey/agave. It makes a filling, fresh, nutritious, and amazing breakfast. Trust me.

And, let me tell you, I was completely right about this granola. It is exceptional. I mean, completely indulgent and sinful. But, it isn’t bad for you at all. The rolled oats are toasted to a great crunchy texture, and coated with chocolate. Hazelnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips are incorporated throughout. And when the chocolate chips hit your tongue, they melt. It is…A-MAZ-ING! I can’t think of a time I fell so in love with the flavor of the granola. But this…this was true love. Love at first bite. Love in a Nutella-like formation. Love for a food might seem strange, but, until you taste what I have, you won’t know the true level of obsession you might develop for a granola. Honestly. The absolute best. THE BEST I have ever tasted. I would eat it in a bowl on its own, on a parfait, over dairy-free ice cream, by the handful, spoonful, or 1/4 cup full. If you love chocolate…this will satisfy your tastebuds. Bite after bite after bite.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. This granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, hazelnuts, ground flax seed, coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is gluten free, cholesterol free, kosher, and non-GMO.

As for nutrition, for being a chocolate based granola…this is actually really, really impressive. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. This granola will provide you with 30 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. That’s amazing for a granola. You will also be consuming 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So, yes…you will feel full after eating it. As this is lower in sugar than most granola, that helps keep you satiated as well.

Love is chocolate. Breakfast love is chocolate for breakfast. Jessica’s Natural Foods totally gets this and understands that sometimes we just want something decadent, but healthy, for breakfast. And that is what you get in Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. It’s a healthy, filling treat that will definitely liven up your breakfast, your snack, your lunch, your dinner, or even your dessert. Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right…and nothing is more right than this Chocolate Hazelnut Granola.

Delicious!

March 31, 2015

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+

It finally happened. I gave up on ice cream. Seriously. It had been months…months…since I have had any sort of dairy based ice cream. My stomach just can’t handle it. No matter what sort of supplement I take to offset the reaction to the lactose…it was no longer helping. And I was suffering.

And it makes me sad.

But…thankfully, one day I was at Whole Foods and spotted a pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert that really caught my eye. I’d seen and even had some of the Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss products before. But this was a brand new flavor. And it was my favorite flavor to boot.

Yes, friends…we are talking Salted Caramel. Not just salted caramel though – for Luna & Larry’s took it to the extreme (which is good!) and added…CHOCOLATE! So, you can imagine the worlds Salted Caramel & Chocolate on a dairy-free ice cream pint would grab my attention, right?

You bet your coconuts!

And that’s how this pint of frozen non-dairy goodness ended up in my freezer. True story. And, as I’m working my way through the stuff I’ve stockpiled in my freezer and pantry, this dessert was up tonight. As I am quite familiar with non-dairy ice creams needing a bit of time to thaw in order to scoop the stuff, I went ahead and set it out while my roommate and I partook of the dinner I cooked up (a delicious meal of green beans and almonds). Once dishes were done and the kitchen was cleaned up…dessert was up next.

Prior to this pint of ice cream, I have only tried the Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars…and I loved them. This brand is a bit pricey, which means I don’t treat myself to it very often. That being said, they have won numerous awards for their ice cream treats. All of which, mind you, are dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. Award winning ice cream in numerous magazines and food awards? Yes…I needed these in my life more often. And so…a pint of the actual non-dairy frozen dessert (ice cream) made it to my freezer.

Let me just say this…WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!! Seriously, wow!! I loved this ice cream at first bite. First, you get this toasted coconut flavor, followed by this rich salty caramel tone. And throughout the entire spoonful are little bits of chocolate. It makes for the ultimate and perfect bite. The dessert itself is cool and refreshing. And creamy! So often non-dairy desserts like this get flaky and overly frozen, but this was smooth and decadent. I was beyond impressed. In fact, if I had my way, I’d eat the entire pint without sharing. But I did…share. And my roommate (who loves ice cream and can have regular stuff) absolutely loved it. She agreed, the coconut-caramel base really makes this dessert shine. I am in love!!

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into this pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. This ice cream is made from organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic caramel, organic caramel swirl, organic fair trade dark chocolate, organic coconut cream, organic coconut oil, and sea salt. This delicious dessert is cholesterol free, soy free, gluten free and vegan.

Now, let’s talk about nutrition. Welcome to the world of coconut milk. You will see a few more calories and a bit more fat. But it is a healthy fat, so try not to freak. That being said, this is a dessert and should be treated as a treat. Don’t eat the entire pint (even if you want to!). A serving of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This serving will dish up 210 calories and 14 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 200 mg sodium and 18 grams of sugar. You will be taking in 21 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of fiber. It’s ice cream…it’s not going to fill you up.

Looking for a new way to shake up your dessert? I highly recommend the much acclaimed Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss line of non-dairy frozen desserts. Especially the Salted Caramel & Chocolate pint…because it doesn’t get much better than salted caramel and chocolate. For real!

March 30, 2015

Product Review: Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce

Product: Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce – $6.99

It was the heat of summer, August 23rd, when I ventured up to the Indianapolis to visit the Exposition Hall of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. I was attending the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest and was so excited to see the number of big name brands who had booths there. But even more exciting were the booths from local artisans and businesses that had gluten-free products to offer.

One such booth was the Master’s Hand BBQ booth. Master’s Hand BBQ line of products was created by Steve Beers over 20 years ago. He began with the original flavor (now called A Taste of Heaven), and after people who would eat the foods he would put with it (meatballs, pulled pork, and other food varieties for weddings, graduations, and get-togethers), it was suggested that he start marketing his sauce. It didn’t really go further than that until his daughter, Amanda, came to him and insisted that they look into the process for marketing the infamous sauce. Once everything was in place, they began with famers markets and had such success that they moved on to fairs and craft shows. Meat markets and grocery stores began finding them and they have now grown their production line to being available in over 80 retail locations. This business is based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

We had the great opportunity to try some of their spice rubs and their BBQ sauces that they had out for sampling while there. While I am a fan of hot, my roomie is a spice wimp. We wanted to definitely get one of the sauces, so we compromised and went for the medium heat one. When I was craving a pizza last night, I decided to do it up with some BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, and top it off with my vegan pepper jack shreds, some sauteed onions and some roasted Brussels sprouts. Then, to cap it off…some vegan and gluten-free bacon. YUMMY! I was out of BBQ sauce in the fridge…so…it was between this one and the Stubbs Sweet Heat that my roomie and I purchased before I reorganized the pantry and found this jar of Master’s Hand BBQ sauce. As I had Master’s Hand longer…it won.

And it kept winning. This is one fantastic sauce. I, naturally, had to try it before slathering it on top of the gluten-free flatbreads that were making up our pizza crusts. The Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) is a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. The Web site says it is great for bits, chicken, sloppy joe’s and ham. However…I can now say it’s great on a BBQ pizza as well. Even one topped off with roasted veggies. Fantastic. I loved the smokey flavor and the sweetness and how the medium heat doesn’t overwhelm anything, but leaves a nice spicy note on the tip of your palate. It simply is BBQ sauce perfection. And now I know where I need to get my BBQ sauce from now on. Seriously unlike any other sauce out there. Thick, rich, sweet, savory…it’s everything you want a BBQ sauce to be. So in love with the Master’s Hand line.

So, let’s talk ingredients. Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is made from tomato concentrate, brown sugar, cane sugar, onion, molasses, kosher salt, onion powder, cayenne powder, spices, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and celery powder. All of the products that Master’s Hand offers are free of high fructose corn syrup, gluten, and MSG. They are all natural! And they are all delicious too.

As for nutrition, a serving of Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is 2 tablespoons. This serving will provide you with 80 calories. This is a fat-free condiment. It is also cholesterol free and trans fat free. You will be consuming 160 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. A serving gives you 24 grams of carbohydrates, but no protein or fiber to fill you up.

Seriously, if you love BBQ sauce, you need to give Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce a try. Trust me…when it comes to a smokey/sweet flavor that feels good going down and tastes amazing…this is the sauce for you. Once you’ve had this, all those store brands will seem inferior. Very impressed. Craving more for sure.

And if you don’t live anywhere near Fort Wayne, IN…you can order their products online. Highly recommended.

Gluten Free BBQ Brussels Sprouts Pizza made with Master's Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce — Gluten Free BBQ Brussels Sprouts Pizza made with Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce