Food – Page 28 – The Celiathlete

February 23, 2015

Product Review: Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes

Product: Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes – $5.99+

It was a long journey home that day from an afternoon event in Dayton, Ohio. But, if there is one thing there is always time for, it is a stop into Foodie Heaven (aka: Jungle Jim’s) on the way through Cincinnati, Ohio. This is one of the most impressive stores you will ever enter. And you will leave a changed foodie, for sure.

One thing I will hand to Jungle Jim’s…they carry some gluten free products, on shelves and in the freezer, that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Reason for that – they are often from local Ohio companies. Love seeing a business help out the little local ones. For sure.

And, for some reason, that very afternoon, I really, really, really needed to have donut holes in my freezer at home. I didn’t know this, mind you, until I strolled past the gluten-free freezer area in Jungle Jim’s and saw the little plastic cup that was piled high with the little chocolate balls of cake donut goodness. Oh…I had to have them. So…I bought them. Even though I was doing everything in my power to not purchase items (such as snacks and donuts) on that trip…it happened regardless. And they made it home and into my freezer…where they remained.

Until this morning.

You see, I’m having a rough weekend. This is not me being a drama queen. I really am. I was supposed to be in Birmingham, Alabama, with good friends of mine, participating in the Mercedes Marathon Weekend. I knew a few running the half marathon and I was running the full with my training partner, Matthew. Except winter storms blew through, and while everyone else risked the roads and the weather, I stayed put. I missed seeing my nephew run in the Kid’s Marathon on Saturday (which meant more to me than anything else), and I’ve just been down and out all weekend. Seeing my friend’s Facebook feed flooded with pictures of the event hasn’t helped with my mood either.

So it was totally a donut kind of a morning. And lucky for me…I had a cup full of Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes.

The world might be safe from me yet today…

Sonny Marie’s was created by Christine Coleman, whose son, Danny, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the age of 11. This brought about drastic changes to the family’s lifestyle as they chose to join Danny in his fight against gluten. It was hard for Coleman to see her son missing out on pizza, cake, donuts and all the other goodies his friends were sharing, which is what inspired her to develop her own donut recipe, so delicious, that even Danny wouldn’t know the difference. And she crushed it. Since then, Coleman has worked on expanding on their line of gluten-free products to help others have that “I can’t believe it’s gluten free” moment and not be deprived of the joy of food.

For me…the joy of food this morning was inside this little plastic cup that held 10 little glazed chocolate donut holes. That, my friends, was bliss this morning.

The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes are…exactly…as I remember the chocolate glazed Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts to taste. I used to eat the hell out of those, so when I pulled half of these out for me and half for my roommate, I was already feeling better. They were the perfect size (no skimping) and felt like the perfect density. After spilling coffee on myself…I returned to finally dig in…

Without even a warmup in the microwave (I let them thaw overnight to get to room temperature), I was hooked with one bite. Yes…one bite. First of all…the cake donut was the perfect consistency. Not heavy and dense. Not light either. But cakey through-and-through. So many gluten-free cake donuts are heavy and intimidating…not these. Not one bit. The chocolate flavor was rich and delicious and the glaze was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Seriously. Perfection. I was sad I only had 5 of these to devour. I probably could have eaten the whole cup on a morning like today. Good thing I have friends who help keep me from over-indulging on treats. Oh, but these were so good. Mighty tasty. I didn’t even care that my breakfast was mostly sweetness and sugar…and then…I still didn’t care. Chocolate is a girl’s best friend on days like today…and this one just comforted me. For the moments of breakfast…I was content. I even licked the glaze off my fingers when I was done. Good to the very last bite.

Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are produced in her Coleman’s home. It is even labeled as such. That being said, they are made in a facility that uses peanuts and pecans, so if you have a hyperactive nut allergy…these might not be for you. Nuts are one of the few things I happen to not be allergic to.

The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are made from sugar, rice drink, molasses, white flour, mechanically pressed organic palm oil, egg, potato starch, cocoa, tapioca flour, sweet rice flour, baking powder, vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol (35%) salt, apple cider vinegar, xanthan gum, and cinnamon.

As these are produced at home, I cannot give you nutritional information as none is provided on the packaging. But, I’d say close to what the Chocolate Glazed Munchkin’s run at Dunkin’ Donuts. Give or take a few calories and fat. Hey…they’re donuts. Indulge or don’t.

My theory in life is…every now and again, you have to treat yourself. I was having a bad morning…so, I treated myself. I don’t eat donuts or donut holes every day…but these were beyond worth the splurge. Sonny Marie’s products are available in many local shops in and around the Cincinnati area, including Jungle Jim’s. Make the journey…because these are totally worth eating. I wish I had purchased another cup of them.

WOW!

February 22, 2015

Product Review: CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie

CraveRight Gluten Free Sesame Crunch Cookie

Product: CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie – $3.99

I was so lucky this past Christmas, to be given one of my favorite gifts – a $50 Whole Foods Gift Card. I vowed to only purchase products I have been meaning to try and just haven’t been able to “justify” for my tight weekly budget. So, soon after the New Year passed, I decided to do a first round of product sweeping.

Now, naturally gluten free foods (fruits and veggies) I get delivered to my door. Unless I have cancelled my CSA bin that week, I am pretty set on those. And while I am doing much more clean eating these days, I decided to venture over to all those snack foods that are what all gluten-free people get stuck with. Cookies, chips, candy…

Whoever said eating gluten-free will make you lose weight has never walked through the gluten-free sections of their local grocery or natural food stores. Just sayin’.

And with that being said…we also know that the women in my family have quite the sweet tooth. Oh yes…we all do come by it honestly. And while for some people it’s cakes and cupcakes that they want…for me, it’s always been the simple, yet ultimately delicious…COOKIE. Call me cookie monster, because I love cookies. All types of cookies. I have my favorites, sure, but…cookies are my kryptonite.

Well, there I was, perusing the aisles I had been skipping whenever in Whole Foods, when the giant cookies near the bottom shelf sort of just…sang to me. It was a brand I was unfamiliar with – CraveRight. So, I leaned down and picked one up…noting that these were not just gluten free, but also dairy free, soy free, egg free, nut free, and corn free. They used no flours or starches, and actually was billing itself as a “natural meal replacement.” Really? A cookie? There were three flavors of the jumbo cookies – Sesame Crunch, Chocolate Chunk, and Brownie Chocolate Chunk. Next to them were cookie packs of the same cookies, smaller scale, more inside. My roommate said, “get one of the big ones…just in case we don’t like them.” Okay…good point. I was all set for that Brownie Chocolate Chunk and I somehow let her talk me into the Sesame Crunch. “You don’t often see sesame cookies!” That was her thoughts on that matter. And…I went along with it. And this CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie…made it home with me.

CraveRight was created in 2009, creating “crave-worthy cookies that don’t sabotage wellness goals but reinforce them.” Tired of seeing so-called “healthy snacks” that weren’t really that good for you being sold on the market – many of which could not be eaten by people with food allergies and intolerances, and the taste all wrong – Roya S. came up with the idea of creating delicious, healthy treats – specifically their specialty – their 100% vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free cookies. All of the cookies are baked and prepared in a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free facility so cross-contamination is not a problem. CraveRight cookies are baked up being packaed with antioxidants and essential amino acids. Not only that, they are proud that their cookies contain no empty-calorie ingredients – no flours, starches or fillers. The CraveRight cookies are rich in iron and calcium, and low in sodium as well. And, the company sources their ingredients from nearby, making sure that the ingredients are minimally processed (without chemicals) and made with only the finest of ingredients, free of contaminants.

Which, all sounds really good on paper, right? But how do they taste?

I can only vouch for the CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie…which I split with my roommate last night for dessert. You know, I was having a bad day…I just ate an amazing comfort food dinner and was all set for dessert. I grabbed the CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie off my counter and declared it to be dessert. If anything could make me feel better, it would be a cookie, right?

So, as is typical with huge cookies…I cut it in half and gave one side to my roommate while claiming the other for myself. I climbed back onto the couch, restarted the episode of Game of Thrones I was watching, and took my first bite.

And I think my nose wrinkled up a little bit. But it was only one bite. Maybe my palate just needed cleansing. So, I gave it another taste. Nope. This was not a cookie I was enjoying. The CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie was everything I didn’t like about a cookie. The texture was crumbly. I’m fine with a bit of crunch on my cookie, but I don’t want it to crumble when I try to eat it. I have no kitchen or dining room table in my apartment, and I don’t want to have to vacuum my couch after dessert, thank you very much. The flavor lacked sweetness. I mean, regardless of whether a cookie is billed as a “healthy meal replacement” or not, I want it to taste like a cookie. And this didn’t. It tasted like…a snack. Like those savory sesame sticks that were put into snack mixes and most people skipped eating. I think I was expecting something like a sunbutter cookie…a little more richness and depth of flavor, but that’s not what I got at all. They were bland and rather…tasteless. That bit of sesame came through in the end, but that’s about all I can say about that. It was not a winning cookie in my book, and we know I eat lots of cookies. The part near the middle was slightly chewy, but everything else was just…wrong. I wasn’t a fan at all.

Neither was my roomie.

As far as what goes into the CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookies…it seems rather basic. So…that is good. These cookies are made from sesame seeds, palm shortening, demerara sugar, tahini, sesame powder, water, chicory extract, flax meal, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Not actually a bad list of ingredients.

It’s just too bad they didn’t come together to form a cohesively delicious cookie.

Since the CraveRight Gluten Free Sesame Crunch Cookie is billed as a “natural meal replacement” and carries the sentiment “Crave One. Eat Two.” on each package, let’s really focus for a moment on these nutritional facts. A serving size of the CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie is 1/2 of the cookie. Yes…half. This half will deliver 170 calories and 13 grams of fat. These cookies are cholesterol free, have only 90 mg sodium per serving and only 5 grams of sugar. One serving will also give you 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. I still don’t think I’d eat a cookie instead of my dinner though. Just sayin’.

So, color me unimpressed and highly disappointed. I was not at all craving another bite of the CraveRight Gluten Free Sesame Crunch Cookie. In fact, it was a struggle just to get the half I had finished. It wasn’t what I wanted in a cookie at all, “healthy” or not. Beyond disappointed. I felt cheated out of my dessert last night.

You win some, you lose some.

CraveRight Gluten Free Jumbo Sesame Crunch Cookie

February 20, 2015

Product Review: Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes

Product: Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes – $1.99+

It came inside the New Year 2015 (aka: January Cube) Cuisine Cube. It is the height of New Year’s Resolutions and it seemed that that box, in particular, was aimed at new beginnings and healthier choices. God, I love that theme. Because I love making healthier decisions about things I do and what I eat. Granted, I do treat myself here and there, but that’s not only human…that’s normal. But with the theme of New Year Resolutions in January, a lot of what was inside was on the healthier side. Love it. Yes…even dessert.

But…I’m jumping ahead. Because first I need to tell you a thing of two about Cuisine Cube! Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that brings a surprise to your doorstep each month. This unassuming brown box arrives and is packed with an assortment of hand-picked gluten-free goodies, featuring imported and local goods, from smaller artisan companies…rather than the larger gluten-free corporations you find on every grocers shelves these days. You will receive treats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert…and sometimes…an added bonus. Each month you receive a themed cube of some sort, with only gluten-free items inside. Love it! Subscriptions start as low as $29.99. And, trust me, you’ll wonder what you did before it was in your life.

January = Healthy Life Healthy You…New Year…New Start…so…let’s get healthy, yes? YES!! I stand 100% behind this theme.

Well, what says healthy dessert like…rice cakes? Right? Yes? Excited? No? Why not? You should be. Because in the January Cuisine Cube, I found my dessert choice to be Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes. Yep. Dark chocolate covered rice cakes. Now…does that sound a little more like dessert? Yeah…I thought so.

If not…stay with me…

Element Snacks was created by Nadia and Fred, both of whom hail from Europe (Nadia from Italy and Fred from Sweden). They both grew up on real food, no Twinkies or Kool-aid. They believe in feeling great and nurturing our bodies and minds at the same time. They also believe that food should be simple…yet flavorful. It doesn’t mean we have to be 100% all the time. We’re human. But, we can control what we splurge on, and if something tastes like a treat, but carries some healthy benefits with it…well…added bonus.

Enter…Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes. These are just what they sound like, rice cakes, made from non-GMO Italian rice, that are coated with premium Italian Chocolate. Everything in this treat is naturally nutritious and good for you. These chocolate coated snack cakes are gluten-free, vegan, contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no yeast, no preservatives and are non-GMO. Oh yeah…loving every word of that, how about you?

So, it all sounds good in theory, yes? But how is it really?

AMAZING!! Yes…I know, I am the girl who gets excited about rice cakes…but even Cathy (the roomie!) liked this one. The rice cake tastes savory, without any salt. But it is that layer of chocolate that just makes these explode with flavor. Cathy said, “drizzle dark chocolate on anything…” HAHA!! Truth. These are so amazing. Delicious. Nutritious. And YUM!! Dark chocolate only sweetenes the deal. SOLD! I only wish I had more.

Let’s talk ingredients. It doesn’t get more simple than this. The Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes are made from 60% dark chocolate, 40% rice cakes (wholegrain brown rice, rice). Yep. That’s it. That easy. Real ingredients. Real food.

How about nutrition? Well, a serving of Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes is 1 rice cake. This one chocolate coated delight will serve up 80 calories and 4 grams of fat. This one rice cake will provide you with 20 mg sodium and 5 grams of sugar. Love that. They are cholesterol free. And, finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, these won’t fill you up, but you will have the sweet and savory taste to leave you feeling fulfilled.

I give huge kudos to Element Snacks and to Cuisine Cube for these delightful, and surprisingly delicious treats. As a known lover of rice cakes, this just took them to the next level. I think I’m in love. With a healthy dessert. We all win.

February 20, 2015February 20, 2015

Product Review: Danny Macaroons Plain & Chocolate Macaroons

Product: Danny Macaroons Plain & Chocolate Macaroons – $8.50+

Ah…the battle is real. Me…versus coconut. I sometimes love it. I sometimes hate it. It is all in the context of how it is utilized in whatever it is I am eating. Which means…I have this charming love/hate relationship with anything coconut. And that’s how it is. I will either love it…or hate it.

For me, a lot of where coconut goes wrong is the texture. Some people are okay with it…but if it isn’t baked into something enough, coconut can sort of taste like…your chewing dead bugs. Not that I’ve ever made a habit of chewing dead bugs…that’s just the mouthfeel I get from raw coconut. Or…at times…things with coconut on/in them.

So…enter my latest dessert challenge from Cuisine Cube!

Before I go any further…let me introduce, or for some of you, reacquaint you with Cuisine Cube. Cuisine Cube is a gluten-free subscription box that specializes in pantry and meal items. This is actually a very nice change of pace from other subscription boxes, as those tend to be more snack oriented. With Cuisine Cube, you get 5-6 items in each box…always a breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert item. And…at times…a bonus! And we all love bonuses, right? Subscriptions start at $29.99…so head over to their site and check them out. You’ll be glad you did.

I haven’t looked back yet! Loving my monthly box of surprise goodies.

This most recent Cuisine Cube, the Happy V-Day 2015 (aka: February) cube, had a lot to offer. But, naturally, I went straight for dessert. Because…sweet tooth. Hello! And this month, the dessert was brought to us by a local New York City bakery known for…macaroons!! I’m talking about Danny Macaroons, which has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine, ABC News, The Chicago Tribune, Serious Eats, the New York Post, and more! They are the premier coconut macaroon producer in New York City, proud of their “super delicious, gourmet, handmade coconut macaroons.” In fact, Danny Macaroons offers over 45 flavors, so there is bound to be something for someone…even coconut lovers/haters like me.

And they might be right.

This week, with all the snow and sub-zero, my original plan to make my own dairy free ice cream…or raid the two items of dairy free ice cream I have in my freezer…went out the door. Trust me…I can eat ice cream anytime…but…I was cold. Just cold. So I wanted something…not cold. That being said…I went to the pantry and went through items that I had that would make a good dessert. I had a few cookie options, so I went ahead and snagged the little container of four macaroons that came in my recent Cuisine Cube. I’m not the biggest lover of macaroons…but some have won me over. So, it was worth the try. I asked my roomie if she wanted to do the chocolate or the plain ones first. To my surprise, she said chocolate. I figured chocolate would be winning…and said I would have done it the other way around…but went with her decision.

Round 1: Danny Macaroons Chocolate Macaroon – Oh…this was good. This was damn good. While it had that weird coconut texture, I was able to overlook it because of the delicious chocolate. It was decadent and light and fluffy…and just…amazing. The right hit of sweetness from the chocolate and a bit from the toasted coconut. It was soft and made to perfection. I was in love.

Round 2: Danny Macaroons Plain Macaroons – Okay…so this one fell flat for me…and here’s why. It was too much coconut. Yep. Too much. Flavor. Texture. Nothing to really cut it. It was toasted to perfection and light and amazing…but the coconut just took over. And, while I get that macaroons are coconut…it was just too much for me.

So…you win one…you lose one. How’s that?

Danny Macaroons Plain & Chocolate Macaroons are made from sweetened coconut, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, egg whites, pure bourbon vanilla extract, and salt.

This package did not have any of the nutritional information…but…they are a dessert treat. Treat it as such. Take one now…save the rest for later. BAH…who am I to tell you how to eat your treats?! Right?! What works for me doesn’t work for the macaroon lover who scarfed all four in one sitting. And that’s okay. It is, after all, a sweet treat!

Seriously, if coconut and macaroons are your thing, then you will absolutely fall in love with Danny Macaroons. Honestly, when it comes to the macaroons I have tried…these have been some of the best. Despite the handicap of my love/hate relationship with coconut, they still acted as a fantastic, light dessert after two meals this week. I think if you’re looking for a healthy, coconutty treat…these are for you. And with all the flavors on their site…what’s not to love. Next time…I hope I get Salted Caramel. That being said, this wasn’t a complete flop. Coconut lovers will flock to these…so Cuisine Cube totally has that down in this dessert option. For people like me…well…it wasn’t a throw away for sure. In fact, I actually really enjoyed the chocolate one. Just goes to show…everything is better with chocolate.

February 20, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters – $3.99+

I. HEART. VAN’S.

Honestly…best gluten-free waffles you can find in the freezer section of the grocery store. For real. Best gluten-free French toast sticks too. Some of the best boxed gluten-free pasta meals. Amazing gluten-free crackers. Yes…Van’s has impressed me each and every time they have put out a product for the gluten-free market.

I won’t lie. I have a bit of a Celiac crush on them.

Shhhh.

So, this past week, I was out and about at Target, spending all my money on all the seasons of Game of Thrones (my newest obsession!) on Blu-ray, when it occured to me that my roomie and I didn’t have any gluten-free granola in the house. Considering at least twice a week I make delicious breakfast parfaits that require said granola, this had to be fixed. And, wouldn’t you know it, Target recently started carrying a good amount of gluten-free breakfast things. Technical term…things. So, the two of us meandered over to the grocery section to see if we spotted anything we liked.

Our eyes immediately went to the KIND brand and we snagged a bag of it and then prepared to move on. But my wandering eyes spotted something else. Van’s…granola?! What was this? I didn’t even know that existed. I didn’t know it was out in the wild! And now I really, really wanted to try it. Why? Because Van’s Gluten-Free = OMGYUMMY!

So, without any hesitation, the pack of KIND granola we settled on was back in place and the bag marked NEW carrying that infamous red flag that reads: VAN’S…now made its way into our little shopping basket. Game of Thrones…granola. Do we know how to party or what?!

So, one morning this week, I got everything geared up to make big, big breakfast parfaits. I had the new granola to try…I had kiwi fruit from my CSA bin…I had Greek yogurt. So…the assembly began…but not without me first sneaking a taste of the granola.

Bad idea.

Very, very, very bad idea.

Because one taste of the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters and I was beyond hooked. Holy Moses and the Gluten Free Gods! I mean…think of the most fantastic Rice Krispies treat you have ever had…then multiply it by at least ten. Maybe more. This soft baked granola is exactly what that tastes like. Trust me. I used to devour Rice Krispies treats whenever possible. This is a little bit sticky, very soft and chewy, packed with sweetness, with a hit of the dried fruit and the savory nuts to bring it balance and amazing texture. I wanted to eat the entire bag and not share. Not even put it in a parfait. It was sheer perfection the way it was…straight out of the bag. So much love. One big gooey clump of granola…one very happy Celiathlete. Beyond amazed. Beyond impressed. Simply put…I was blown away. This is one of the only granola I now will have in my pantry.

One of those reasons is how much Van’s actually cares about what they put into their products. And the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters are no exception. They even put on their label: “Ingredients: (That we are proud of!)”. WINNING! So, what goes into the Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Granola Clusters? Glad you asked! This granola is comprised of gluten-free whole grain oats, brown rice syrup, walnuts, invert cane syrup, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, dried blueberries, cane sugar, unsweetened coconut, honey, flax seed, gluten free oat bran, almonds, vanilla extract, sea salt, and mixed tocopherols for freshness. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, cholesterol-free, kosher, made with whole grains, and contain no artificial flavors or colors.

As far as nutrition goes…loving the stats on the Van’s Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Soft Baked Whole Grain Granola Clusters. One serving is actually a whopping 1/3 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 130 calories and 5 grans of fat. You will also be provided with 30 mg sodium and only 6 grams of sugar. This serving will also dish up 2 grans of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

And, trust me…you’ll just eat it straight out of the bag. You won’t want to stop. You’ll wish you had dished out a portion size. And then you won’t care. Because…just wow!! WOW!! Another winner in the Van’s Gluten Free product line up. I’m going back for more of this granola this week. Because, yeah, we polished it.

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015

Product Review: Dear Coco Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon

Product: Dear Coco Polar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon – $4.50

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. No…really…it is. For the first time all year, we actually have snow accumulation here. And I’m kind of unhappy about it. While I do love the snow…I don’t like being out in the snow. That being said, my roomie and I braved the slick and unplowed streets to go into work, only to be sent home just before lunch.

And, for some reason, I decided that it would be totally awesome to plant myself in the snow and make a snow angel at my apartment. Snow…down my shirt and jeans. Makes for one very cold Celiathlete! Trust me. My roomie, however, found this incredibly amusing. Go figure.

I think, perhaps, Cuisine Cube knew that winter had one last blow to deal us. Because inside my February 2015 (Happy V-Day 2015) Cube, was one of the most interesting and exciting products ever. It was a bonus item. A beverage. And, as many of us know, Cuisine Cube ships a box off each month to your doorstep that has 5-6 items in it. A breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert…always. But this time…there was a beverage slot to fill. Cuisine Cube is a subscription service where these amazing gluten-free products from lesser-known, smaller artisan companies make there way to you via the mail once a month. The service starts at $29.99…and it is totally worth the investment. I have fallen in love with this service. You will too, if you give it a try.

So…February…snow…beverage…

Cuisine Cube introduced me to Dear Coco. Dear Coco is a boutique artisan chocolatier specializing in innovative small batch chocolates, which are handcrafted in Maryland and designed to transport around the world. The company, Dear Coco, says that each of their chocolate sis a journey and they invite everyone to explore every destination, whether familiar, exotic, or unexpected. By that, they mean they have a variety of different flavors of chocolates that you are sure to find something that entices and delights your taste buds.

In this particular cube, I had a Dear Coco Polar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon. The idea behind these little treats is that you can enjoy a decadent and gourmet hot chocolate in minutes, complete with a fluffy (and vegan) marshmallow already inside. These Hot Chocolate Spoons are created with handcrafted dark chocolate ganache topped with a vegan marshmallow and dipped in premium tempered Belgian dark chocolate. The gist is…you warm up your milk (be it dairy or not…for me…almond milk) in the microwave and then place the hot chocolate spoon into the hot chocolate and stir until it is completely melted.

I didn’t do this, however. My roommate wanted to try it as well so we just ate it without making it into hot chocolate. We had hot chocolate with it…but we devoured the spoon it it’s original form…as a dark chocolate coated vegan marshmallow.

It was AMAZING. So, now I feel the need to order more of these so I can actually make it into hot chocolate as it was intended. But, without allowing it to melt into beverage form…this was one amazing treat. The chocolate was dark and rich and really high quality…no extreme bitterness. The marshmallow was melt-in-your-mouth good. And the peppermint flavor in the Dear Coco Polar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon didn’t overpower or overwhelm, but rather complimented the entire treat. I need more of these…stat.

The Dear Coco Polar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon is made from premium Belgian dark chocolate, non-GMO vegan butter, organic brown rice syrup, pure peppermint extract, vegan marshmallow, salt, dried mint leaves. These are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher, contain no corn syrup, no trans fat, no preservatives and no food colors. LOVE IT. They come in three different flavors: Polar Peppermint, German Gingersnap, and Belgian Double Chocolate.

I don’t know about nutritional information as none is listed on the packaging or the Web site…but it is super delicious and made from real and high quality ingredients. And…who cares. It’s hot. It’s chocolate. It has a vegan marshmallow. We all win.

I really loved having a beverage option in my Valentine’s Day Cube from Cuisine Cube. It was a super nice change and a great surprise to open up and find. I sort of wish I had used it as intended, but that’s why they are available for order on the Web site. Regardless, the Dear Coco Polar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoon was a decadent and sweet treat to savor on a cold, snowy afternoon. And I am now planning my order because now I really want to just use these as hot chocolate. I mean…dark chocolate…hot chocolate…vegan marshmallow…dairy-free goodness.

Yep…I’m completely enamored. LOVE!

February 17, 2015

Product Review: BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle

Product: BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle – $8.50+

When it comes to gluten-free pastas…I’ve pretty much tried them all. Made with beans, made with rice, made with corn, made with lentils, made with potato…yeah…there is very little about gluten-free pasta that I haven’t tried. Sure, there are some brands that I still need to explore…but my budget says “NO” for the moment, as they are quite pricey.

However, some pricier gluten-free pastas are worth it. I discovered BiAglut while at a Gluten Free Expo in Carmel, Indiana about three years ago. I was a newbie to the gluten-free world and this nice couple had a booth and totally won me over on this pasta. Seriously…they sold me from first bite. I was in love.

Problem…BiAglut is not available in any stores around my area. BOOOOO!!

I have since found it twice…once at foodie heaven (aka: Jungle Jim’s) up in Cincinnati and also at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio. None of which are technically near me, but they are places I visit…and therefore, if the budget has some wiggle room, I can splurge a little on pasta.

Because…I have always been and will always be a lover of pasta. Even if it is gluten-free pasta.

That being said…no one would ever guess the Tagliatelle (or any other gluten-free pasta made by BiAglut) is gluten-free if you didn’t tell them. It is some of the most fantastic gluten-free pasta on the market. Why? Because it is 100% Italian. Produced in Italy and made by Italians. The company began in 1964, wanting to fulfill the needs of main customers and individuals with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, who needed to follow a gluten-free diet. The brand offers a unique and full line of gluten-free products ranging from pasta to breads and bread substitutes, flours, cookies, crackers, snacks and desserts. Fifty years later…still going strong and still producing high quality products for the gluten-free communities.

So…back to me being a lover of pasta. I hate pasta that turns to mush after it is cooked. I hate pasta that doesn’t taste like pasta. And when you do gluten-free…it is hard to find one that really satisfies everything you used to love about regular pasta (if you were ever lucky enough to have that…and I was).

Enter BiAglut. Seriously…there is no comparison out there on the market. I have yet to have a gluten-free pasta best this one. And while I have had a few different varieties of BiAglut pasta…last night, I cooked up the Tagliatelle in a low fat and low calorie cauliflower alfredo sauce. And it was amazing.

BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle pasta nests

This pasta is not only hearty and delicious, it is also easy to prepare. The BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle comes in nests. There are 7 nests to a package. A serving is 2 nests. I find that to be a lot of pasta so, my roommate and I split three nets between the two of us. It was perfect. And prep is simple. Boil water with salt and drop in the nests of pasta for about 6-8 minutes. Then…BAM…done. Noodles are cooked to a perfect al dente. Then I just warmed up the alfredo I made from fresh cauliflower…stirred in the noodles and dinner is served.

LOVE. So much love!! The noodles hold up, even to a “creamy” sauce. They don’t turn to mush and they stay in the long, thick ribbons that they are supposed to be. In other words…pasta perfection. These noodles were the perfect compliment to the creamy and healthy alfredo that I made. And it made for a balanced and delicious and filling dinner in the end. So much love for these noodles. Easy to prepare. Perfect in the dish. I can’t say enough good things. Every time I revisit BiAglut for a pasta noodle, I continue to remember why I am willing to overspend my budget for their noodles. Amazing…every time.

Let’s talk ingredients! The BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle is made from cornstarch, tapioca starch, eggs, milk proteins, carrot pulp, carob seed flour, and salt. That’s it. Love it. It is gluten-free and wheat free.

As for nutrition, this pasta is amazing. A serving size is 2 nests of noodles. This serving gives you 250 calories and 2 grams of fat. This serving will also provide you with 100 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, and 1 gram of sugar. One serving will also dish up 2 grams of fiber and 8 amazing grams of protein. I told you…it doesn’t look like a lot…but it will fill you up.

Whenever it comes to making room in the pantry for a gluten-free pasta, it will always be BiAglut Pasta Mia for me. A new favorite…the Tagliatelle. I’m hooked. And I am loving it.

BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle in a Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

February 16, 2015

Product Review: Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps

Product: Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps – $4.99+

The pantry is being hit up hard this month, and this is only a good thing, my friends. This means I’m finally not dragging my feet anymore and attempting to clear things out that I’ve been ignoring over time. When I get busy…things get pushed further and further to the back and I get lazy and just put things in front of it and grab for that stuff first. I’m human…it happens.

But I’m making a total effort in my attempt to reorganize my home…my kitchen…my life…and my schedule…to get the older stuff out and make some room on these shelves. I’m also using more fresh produce, so sometimes the boxed and packaged stuff just falls to the wayside.

But, I’ve been making a concerted effort to combine the packaged items I’ve been ignoring with the fresh produce I get from my local CSA. It’s a good way to compromise. And this past week, my roommate and I have eaten dinner at home every night, packed up healthy lunches and snacks, and incorporated fresh produce into healthy breakfast options to eat while busy and on-the-go. And it’s been awesome and amazing. And even though it was tempting to say, “Screw this, I’m going to Shalimar for some Indian food!” tonight…we didn’t. We came home. I got out some items and I used the last of last week’s produce to create…dinner.

Awhile back I made Crispy Broccoli, and homage to Red Lobster’s Fried Calamari appetizer that is served with amazing fried broccoli and red peppers. When I had to go gluten-free…the fried plate of deliciously bad for me things was off the plate. I used another product in my pantry when I made this the first time. And yes, much like this time around, it was a Cuisine Cube item.

Cuisine Cube, as I am sure all of you are aware by now (but if not…pay attention!), is a great service that provides amazing gluten-free products from small, artisan, and lesser-known companies, delivering them right to your door each month. You get 5-6 items in each cube (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert…and sometimes…a bonus). They scour the gluten-free foodie world finding the highest quality, not-found-in-the-grocery-store products to send to you to try. I have found so many amazing products I never would have known about because of Cuisine Cube. Even better, plans start as low as $29.99 a month. If you haven’t checked them out yet…hop over to their site and do so. You will not regret it.

In my November (Thanksgiving 2014) Cube, I had a package of Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps. And yes…these little crisps are just what they sound like – little discs that are made entirely of aged Parmesan cheese. Oh…that peeked your interest, didn’t it? It certainly grabbed my roommate’s attention…because she is a cheese fanatic. So, a snack chip that is made only of cheese…that’s her dream come true!

Kitchen Table Bakers was created by Barry Novick, who at the age of 55, left his every day job as a hospital administrator and began to learn the ins and outs of starting his own business. With a lot of help and encouragement, he set out to make these little wafer crisps made completely of cheese, just like the ones they began making in their own kitchen. The first All Parmesan Gourmet Wafer Crisp was created in the summer of 2003, and soon they were in such demand that larger batches had to be made. Their goal, since beginning the business, was to create a gourmet product that would satisfy even the most discerning palate while meeting diverse nutritional requirements. They are always careful to use only the highest quality of aged cheeses and seasonings. The wafer crisps can stand on their own, be used as a chip for dipping, as a base for a canapé or with a fine glass of wine. Even those this endeavor has moved beyond their own humble kitchen, they believe in keeping the integrity of their products to reflect the true beginnings of the company.

Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps are little wafer crisps made out of aged Parmesan cheese…with each crisp being about the size of a quarter. They (as with all of Kitchen Table Bakers products) are wheat free, gluten free, trans fat free, sugar free, rich in calcium and protein, and naturally low in calories and carbs. I was using mine as a coating for broccoli which I was going to crisp up in the oven. But, I naturally had to try one of the crisps on their own. One bite…and I kind of felt bad crushing these up in a food processor…because it reminded me of that crispy edge of cheese you’d get on pizzas. I mean…exactly in taste. It was one of the most amazing snacks I ever popped into my mouth. Rich, buttery, seasoned to ignite each and every taste bud on my tongue. These little crisps were just…fantastic. And, being that they were made completely of cheese, I wasn’t sure how they would work as a coating for my broccoli…whether I would get that crispy effect or whether I would just have a cheesy mess. But there was only one way to find out. So…I ground them up, coated the vegetables, and let it all bake.

They did not become that much of a cheesy mess. But it did layer on this crispy, amazing layer of flavor to every bite of broccoli or red pepper. Seriously…it was amazing. The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps were fantastic. Next time…I’m just keeping them as a snack and not re-purposing them. SO rich and delightful. Like eating a bit of the best part of the pizza in each bite. I was beyond blown away. Cruncy, caramelized goodness, but also very light and flakey. It was the perfect bite…all in one little cheesy wafer.

The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Crisps come in 8 flavors: aged Parmesan, sesame, garlic, rosemary, Italian herb, everything, flax seed, and jalapeno.

I want to try them all. That is how much I loved these.

So, let’s talk about ingredients. So easy here. The Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps are made from aged Parmesan cheese. That’s it.

As for nutrition, a serving of the Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps is 15 crisps, with there being about 3.3 servings per bag. One serving will provide you with only 80 calories and 6 grams of fat. One serving will dish up 15 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, and 0 grams of sugar. So healthy. And, finally, you will not be taking in any fiber, but these mini crisps do give you 7 grams of healthy protein. WOW!

Yet another fantastic product introduced to me by Cuisine Cube. If you haven’t signed up yet…stop hesitating and start doing. And, hop over to Kitchen Table Bakers and see about locating these in your area and/or ordering from them online. Trust me…you will not regret it.

You outdid yourselves this time, Cuisine Cube!

Crispy Broccoli made with Kitchen Table Bakers Parmesan Mini Crisps with a side of homemade Gluten Free Tomato Herb Foccacia Bread

February 13, 2015

Product Review: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils &Rice – Mild Curry

Product: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry – $3.99+

I’m having one of those weeks. One of those weeks where it just seems like I don’t have enough time. For anything. Let alone cooking. And despite some fresh produce still in my crisper, it was the eve of an early gym morning, late afternoon emotional burnout, and a long day at the office. The last thing I wanted to do, especially with Valentine’s Day goodies to make still, was try to make dinner from scratch. I did that last night…having to eat my delicious Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts…standing up, while stirring a pot of melting chocolate that would become a decadent and rich chocolate mousse.

SIGH!

Don’t get me wrong…I love making gifts for people who appreciate it…but sometimes I just want to sit down and relax. More and more these days, there isn’t enough time to think let alone relax. What would be ideal would be something that I could simply throw in the oven, the microwave, or on the stove, set a timer, and get some stuff done. Like lunches and snacks for lunch the next day.

So, after much searching through both pantry and freezer, I decided to pick out one of the boxes of rice meal things that were lurking right up front. I had about three or four to choose from, but ultimately reached for a brand I know, I love, and I trust.

Lundberg Family Farms.

Lundberg is committed to producing the finest quality rice and rice products. And since 1937, the Lundberg family has been growing healthy, great tasting rice while respecting and sustaining the earth. With the third and fourth generations currently carrying on the family heritage, using eco-friendly farming methods to produce wholesome, healthful rice, rice cakes, rice chips, risottos, and pastas while improving and protecting the environment for generations to come.

Gotta love a company that has a heart.

So, Lundberg Family Farms recently began expanding their line of rice products into these little rice and pasta sides. I picked up some pasta awhile back…but this time I had my eyes set on the new rice sides. I was visiting my friend Jenn in Columbus, Ohio, and stopped into my new favorite store there, The Raisin Rack. I filled up a small basket of items and products I wanted to try that I had a hard time finding in my area. And one of these, at the time, was Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry flavor. The Mild Curry was what actually caught my attention. The other being that these little boxes make for easy meals every now and again. And while I don’t like to cook out of packages, sometimes it just becomes necessary. But, the best part is, you can choose what you purchase to use in these situations. And, for me, Lundberg Farms uses great ingredients, non-GMO, and really cares about the environment. I have never had an issue with any of their products, so…for me…this made for a great meal (my roommate and I split the box between us instead of using it as a side dish).

It was very easy to make. Just combine water, rice, lentils and the seasoning packets into a pan and stir well. Bring it to boil, then turn the heat down, cover it, and allow it to simmer and cook for about 30-32 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Just let it cook. Remove it from the heat and allow it to stand for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving it up. Simple. And it was so hands free. No need to babysit the pan and remember to stir it every now and again. It was perfectly ideal for a night like tonight. I finished up my prep work for lunches and snacks, talked to my sister on the phone, changed into pajamas…and got some gluten-free focaccia bread heated up to accompany the meal. Then, I dished the rice and lentil mixture into two bowls.

It smelled fantastic. Honestly. It had this great cumin and garlic aroma that just wafted up from the pan when I lifted the lid and began splitting the dish between us. The rice was fluffy and the lentils to that perfect al dente. The yellow hue was brought about by the use of most of the curry spices, especially turmeric. I love turmeric. It’s a great anti-inflammatory. And with how bad my back has been lately…it’s my new best friend! So…dinner was served.

And HOLY CURRY GOODNESS…this was fantastic. For one thing, the flavor is mild. So, when it says “Mild Curry” on the box…believe it. This will not burn your tastebuds off or set your mouth aflame. In fact, my roommate actually turned into me for a small moment and said she missed it having a bit more heat. That’s weird for her to say, since she is a heat wimp. But…yes…the mild flavor compliments the grains, rather than overpowers. And that is a good thing. I agree though, I could have used a little more spice level regardless. But, it tasted absolutely amazing. It cooked up to be light and full of these rich Indian flavors. And it was packed with nutrients and healthy carbs…so it made for two very happy diners as we ate our meal.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? One thing I love about Lundberg Farms is their use of real ingredents. You won’t see ingredients you don’t recognize in their products. In the Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry, you will find organic parboiled brown rice, organic lentils, organic rice flower, sea salt, organic spices (ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and fenugreek), organic garlic powder, organic rice concentrate. This box of whole grain goodness is also vegan, non-GMO, cholesterol free, and kosher.

As for nutrition, a serving of Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry is 1 cup, prepared. There are three servings per box. In this serving, you will be consuming 210 calories and 2 grams of fat. This serving provides 460 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. Both of these are really low for a boxed product. In addition, you will feel full after dining on this because one serving also provides 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein.

I asked Cathy if she would be happy having one of these boxed rice meals from Lundberg Family Farms again, and she totally said she would. And I have to agree. Great flavor. Great texture. And wholesome ingredients. What’s not to love when it’s so easy to cook up and so easy to eat. And good for you too! Gotta love that.

Another product win from Lundberg Family Farms!

February 10, 2015

Product Review: Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds

Product: Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds – $6.99+

Sometimes, it’s not just my pantry that keeps products for awhile. Back at the beginning of summer, I finally found a local store that carried a certain sandwich bread that I had been searching high and low for. You see, gluten-free bread has always been expensive, and since this particular bread only came with 8 pieces and was about $7.00, I really needed to make sure my budget was going to allow for it.

And so, it was because I finally had it within my clutches, I purchased a box of Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds.

Amy’s Kitchen and I are BFFs. For real. Her gluten-free products are amazing. All of her products are vegetarian…with a good chunk of them being vegan as well. How’s that for amazing, eh? I haven’t met a product from Amy’s Kitchen that I haven’t fallen in love with. And, for awhile, I was stashing her frozen meals and canned soups/chili in my freezer and/or pantry. When I moved to more of a clean diet, I went for more natural foods rather than frozen and processed. But Amy’s still had a place in my heart…and when anything called for vegetarian chili or the like…it is her brand that I turn to.

So, when I saw online awhile (like years!) that Amy’s Kitchen had created gluten-free Sandwich Rounds (I assumed these were like Sandwich Thins), I went on the hunt. When I came up empty handed, I just sort of gave up on it. Until Earth Fare opened up in my area…and lo and behold…there on the shelf…the Sandwich Rounds. No conversation or budget stopped me from putting that in my shopping basket and bringing them home. Into my freezer. And…there they sat. For a long while. I just kept buying loaves of bread. I didn’t even think about these again until I was reorganizing my freezer and starting to work through the items inside. And when I rediscovered them…I had an idea of how to use them.

Veggie burgers.

Because I had been craving. So, I picked up some of my favorite gluten-free veggie burgers from the store on Sunday (Franklin Farms is the brand, in case you were wondering…delicious and low calorie!). And this morning, I pulled the box Amy’s Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds out of the freezer and removed two of the flat breads to thaw while I was at work.

And this was my only disappointment with this product. I thought that these would be a lot like the Sandwich Thins I used to eat when I was eating horribly unhealthy “diet” bread. Those were thin little bread rounds that were sliced in half. These looked like small three-inch pizza crusts more than sandwich bread. And…in order to actually make a sandwich (or in my case a burger), I would have to double the bread. One piece is just that…one piece. No way to slice it in half to make a sandwich you can pick up. So, forget about that burger…it now became and open-faced sandwich tonight.

So, yeah…I was already a little disappointed. But, after I slid the Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds into the oven to toast slightly while the burgers cooked and the mushrooms and onions were marinating in bar-b-que sauce. As those finished up, I removed the now warmed thin bread rounds from the oven and began to put together the open faced sandwiches…trying not to be too disappointed that in order to make an entire burger, I’d have to double my calories and everything else. So…this would have to do. A little BBQ sauce on the round, then the veggie patty, melted vegan cheese, and then the barbeque onions and mushrooms to top it off. I served it with a side of Zapp’s New Orleans Style Voodoo Kettle Chips (which are totally amazing!).

Settling into dinner with an open-faced burger instead of an actual burger was a bit of a let-down. But…after I took my fork and knife and sliced into everything and gave it all a taste…all was forgiven. The Amy’s Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are totally amazing. In fact, they taste like mini pizza crusts. So, now I kind of want to do little individual pizzas and use these as the base. They are amazing. And they even held up to the sauce, the burger, the toppings…without getting soggy and falling apart. Color me impressed. The disappointment for not being able to pick up my dinner faded. The taste, texture, and all-around goodness of this product made up for it in spades. Holy cow!

Let’s look at the ingredients! Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are true to Amy’s Kitchen form. Using only ingredients that are recognizable. No fake stuff here. These little sandwich rounds are made from organic rice flour, filtered water, organic sunflower seed meal, organic tapioca starch, organic potatoes, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic agave nectar, sea salt, yeast, and organic rice bran extract. These little sandwich rounds are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, cholesterol free, and kosher. Love it.

A serving of Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds is (sadly) one round. This one round piece of bread will provide you with 90 calories and 4 grams of fat. This serving will also give you only 135 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. You will also be taking in 1 gram fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, they aren’t very filling, but it’s nice not to have a calorie-laden burger/sandwich. I only wish these could have been split so that I could have picked up my burger instead of having to go all fine-dining on it with a fork and knife.

I am not kidding…Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds are fantastic. If you happen to find these in your store, I recommend the splurge. Make an open face sandwich…or if you don’t mind 180 calories and 8 grams of fat in one sitting…make a full one. For me…I think mini pizzas are up next. What started off initially as disappointment transformed into nothing but pure joy. This product is truly amazing. I love them!

An Open-Faced BBQ Mushroom & Onion Veggie Burger on an Amy's Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Round — An Open-Faced BBQ Mushroom & Onion Veggie Burger on an Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Sandwich Round