Food – Page 42 – The Celiathlete

June 23, 2014

Product Review: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes

Product: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes – $2.69

Oh…pancakes. I love pancakes. I’m a runner…I’m supposed to live on pancakes, right? I wish I did, honestly. Because I grew up eating pancakes for breakfast, sometimes for lunch, and my family was a big believer in pancakes for dinner. We love breakfast in my family and breakfast for dinner was sort of like a tradition with us. My mom had a great recipe for what was deemed “The Best Ever Pancakes.” I loved it when mom would cook up pancakes, getting the skillet all nice and warm before pouring that perfect, fluffy batter onto it in perfect circles, flipping it as the edges bubbled and revealing this perfect crusty outside with that soft, cakey, light and fluffy inside. Mmm…I’m drooling just thinking about it.

Except…I can’t eat those pancakes anymore. And, ironically, neither can she. With both of us dealing with Celiac diagnosis (mine three years ago, hers late last year), those pancakes will have to remain a fond memory. But, that’s not to say that pancakes are off the menu. In fact…so many different gluten-free pancake mixes and frozen pancakes are out on the market these days. Between that and pizza…you’d think that’s all Celiacs and the gluten intolerant eat. And…I would if I could get away with it. But I also like variety. So…maybe not.

Back as May (Celiac Awareness Month) kicked off, Aldi brought out it’s brand new line of gluten-free products for testing on the market. I heard about it from work and from my mom. So, on Mother’s Day…my roommate and I trekked to the store, found products we could afford, and walked out with one of practically everything…for less than $30. NO JOKE! Talk about a bargain. The kicker was going to be whether or not these products were any good.

As we start our journey through the Aldi liveGfree line that has invaded our pantry(s) and our freezer, I keep an open mind. Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s going to be crap. And, as of today, there is only one product so far that I wouldn’t bother with again (The Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches). Everything else has been decent or even delicious. So, that’s a win. Products that actually fit my budget and are good too? Sign me up. Or at least send me to Aldi every once and awhile (provided they keep this line in stores…and I pray they do!).

I happen to have a fantastic blueberry invasion in my fridge and freezer these days…compliments of my good friend Harry. LOVE blueberries and how good they are for you. And I’ve been eating the hell out of them. With a busy Monday morning at hand, I knew that I needed breakfast to be relatively simple. Aside from having a fruit, yogurt and granola parfait…to round it out…I figured I would try the other version of the frozen pancakes that I picked up at Aldi (I previously reviewed the blueberry variety…ironically). These are simply Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes. Also known as…the standard…the pancake to end all pancakes. If you can’t make a good buttermilk pancake, you’re not worthy of wielding batter and a spatula.

A package of three of the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes

The best part about these, however, is that they are already prepared and frozen. They come in individual servings, already wrapped and ready for their date with some source of heat. The box gives three options…microwave, toaster, and oven. I went with the oven, because it would allow me some time to shower and change before they were done cooking. Perfect. Each wrapper contains three pancakes. I opened up the wrappers, placed the pancakes on a baking sheet, covered them with foil, and put them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. My oven is old…I went for 12 minutes.

Just as with their blueberry counterparts, when I removed them from the oven and pulled away the foil…this cloud of steam emerged and the pancakes were now soft…thawed…and looked absolutely perfect. I placed three on each plate and topped them of with a homemade blueberry compote. There is the irony of the other flavor being blueberry! Anyway…I served up a plate to the roomie and then began some clean-up work in the kitchen while I dug into mine.

I loved this. What I felt was the best part was that rich, buttermilk flavor that you get with each bite. Even with the blueberry compote, you can’t miss the flavor from the pancakes. It was rich and smooth and just pure pancake perfection (try saying that three times fast!). They were so light and fluffy…like they were homemade. Like they were the pancakes my mom used to make (just not as fluffy or epic or delicious!). I will point out these are a bit small…but what frozen pancakes aren’t. I loved the texture…not having anything gritty or gummy. Just soft and chewy and delicious bite after bite after bite. I was actually impressed. I asked Cathy her thoughts and she said, “They don’t have much flavor.” But she also is congested with a summer cold and really can’t taste much at the moment. So, that was a comment I am ignoring and a question I shouldn’t have asked the girl with the stuffed up sinuses. DUH!

Let’s discuss ingredients, shall we? The Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes from the Aldi liveGfree line contain water, rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar, soy flour, potato flour, whole egg powder, canola oil, buttermilk, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, and natural flavors. These are all ingredients that I recognize and box proudly declares that this product contains “No Artificial Anything.” Love that too!

As for nutrition, these are actually really good stats for pancakes. One serving (3 pancakes) of the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes will provide you with 210 calories and 4 grams of fat. NICE! That’s awesome for pancakes. A serving will also give you 40 mg cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, and 9 grams of sugar. The sugar is…higher than I like…but…it’s pancakes. Also, you will be taking in only 1 gram of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Love that protein stat, but the lack of fiber is probably why my stomach was rumbling by 9 a.m. I resisted the urge to snack though. Even though I really needed to do so.

For the price, I really can’t complain about the Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes. I actually savored each bite this morning because they tasted so darn close to homemade. I really am hoping the trial run of this gluten-free line catches on at Aldi because sometimes convenience foods are necessary and they do make life easier. And when they are made right, like these pancakes, they can really add some smiles and sunshine and rainbows and unicorns…or at least something delicious to start (or perhaps end) your day with. On mornings when you are pressed for time or are just running late…something this easy to prepare and to enjoy sure does come in handy. Maybe if I beg and bat my eyelashes Aldi will keep this line around for awhile. I’m one happy customer so far!

Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes (fresh from the oven)

June 23, 2014

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola – $6.99+

It wasn’t in the budget this week. Honestly. But I have a lot of delicious, fresh blueberries at home and needed some way to prepare them. Well…some other way as I’ve already put some in a blueberry compote for gluten-free pancakes and even baked some into dark chocolate and blueberry scones. Mmmm…scones. I’ve been eating them prior to running and after running. So, when I was out grocery shopping, it occured to me that one of my favorite ways to eat blueberries…is in my breakfast fruit, yogurt and granola parfaits. So, while at Whole Foods, Cathy and I were walking through the cereal aisle and she spotted the bright, colorful, yellow packaging of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Granola!

Her eyes fell on the Motor City Crunch variety, which is a chocolate and hazelnut granola. Mmmm…Nutella in granola form. I wanted it. So, I told her we had to get one, because, after all, we had blueberries to eat. So, she grabbed…the Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola??!! After waving chocolate hazelnut at me? That’s just mean and cruel, I think. Next time I’m selecting so I get the chocolate hazelnut. Crazy roomie of mine. Chocolate and hazelnut always win. I mean, I love pecans and almonds, but those are in…pretty much every other granola out there. And Motor City Crunch actually had like a special title and everything It wasn’t just the flavor. It has to be big…it has to be amazing…it has to wait until next time…

Bummer.

But…you just go with it in these situations. So, instead of the one I thought we were getting…the Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola is the actual variety that made it into our shopping bag and then into the pantry on Saturday.

Fast forward to Monday morning. I had spin class to get to by 5:30 a.m. and breakfast had to be quick. So…here it was…blueberry breakfast parfaits. I pulled out the pouch of granola and opened it up. I retrieved glasses to build the parfaits in and then the Greek yogurt and berries from the fridge. I plucked the honey from the pantry. And I figured I had to taste-test the granola before loading it into the parfaits. So, I reached inside and plucked out a large clump of granola.

It was sweet without being overly sweet. It looked like it was packed with sugar…but it’s not. The nuts add a great bit of depth to the flavor and the oats are toasted to perfection. You get that perfect granola crunch followed by the sweetness. I had to take another bit before telling myself that I actually needed to build a parfait and couldn’t just eat the granola. But trust me…I could. While I might have been disappointed that the flavor I wanted remained shelved at Whole Foods…this flavor is top of the line. I mean, honest-to-goodness ingredients and flavors. Low in sugar…packed with enough flavor that makes you almost feel guilty when eating it. It was like a treat. And when I paired it with the ripe and very fresh (and amazing) blueberries and the Greek yogurt…it was a fantastic combination. The pecans, almonds, and oats brought this nice texture, the berries practically burst on my tongue…and the smooth yogurt just tied it all together. This was a wonderful (and tasty) surprise this morning. LOVED this flavor.

So…let’s talk ingredients. Inside a package of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten-Free Pecan Almond Granola you will find certified gluten-free rolled oats, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, pecans, almonds, ground flax seed, coconut, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). That last ingredient sounds very chemical-like…but look at everything else. The sweetness, I now see, is due to the honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup that are included. I can taste the hint of coconut and the seasoning of cinnamon that is included. And the combination is magic on your taste buds. Not only is it gluten-free, but it’s also cholesterol free. YAY!

Nutritionally speaking…these stats are pretty awesome. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Pecan Almond Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide you with 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. That isn’t bad for something that contains nuts. Mostly healthy fats there. A serving also will give you only 25 mg sodium and 6 grams of sugar. This is phenomenal for a granola. You will also be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. It doesn’t sound like much, but you will actually feel full. Trust me.

I always try to get Cathy’s opinion on a product and since this was the flavor that she chose…against my wishes (because NUTELLA!)…I asked her what she thought. She gave her usual…”It was good.” Or whatever. And then I remember she is still fighting off a summer cold and she had just woken up. Dammit. No luck these days with her opinion. And this one I really wanted. Maybe another time.

That being said, despite not getting the Chocolate Hazelnut variety I am enamored with high praise and love for Jessica’s Natural Foods and the Pecan Almond Granola. Delicious. Not too sweet…although it just looks like it should be more sweet than it is. It’s sheer granola perfection and I can’t wait to try the other flavors. But next up…Motor City Crunch. For real!

June 22, 2014

Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms, Garlic Marinara, and a Homemade Basil Pesto

Sometimes, I get more produce in my CSA bin than I can logically begin to work through in a week. Sometimes I think I should go to every-other-week….but then the thought of not getting my fresh fruits and veggies makes me sad. So, I try to come up with clever ways to use some of it up. Last week’s bin had a yellow summer squash and a zucchini inside…and this week’s bin…two zucchinis. I needed to use some zucchini up stat.

Also…I hate some large portobello mushroom caps, two of which were a little busted up…so making my portobello mushroom cap pizzas were not going to be an option. So I thought…what can I do with this? And then I thought…pasta.

But pasta made from zucchini…giving a bit of a low carb option (not that I worry about carbs!). I was going to coat everything in a pesto, but my homegrown basil was…not enough to do that. So I only had a small amount. So, I could garnish the pasta with it. And thankfully I had a jar of RAO’s Homemade Roasted Garlic Sauce in the pantry. Yes! Rescued by a manager’s special! HA!

This recipe was super-easy to make and put together. Even better…super good for you. And, even if you don’t want to mess with making a pesto, the dish won’t lack anything if you leave it out. Or, you can do what I originally had planned and skip the marinara and go with just the pesto! It’s up to you. I’ll put up the recipe for the full pesto recipe just in case. I had to cut mine down to 1/4 the original recipe as I only had 1/2 cup of fresh basil.

That being said…

Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms, Garlic Marinara, and a Homemade Basil Pesto

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients for Pesto:

2 cups tightly packed fresh basil
1/2 cup walnuts
1 to 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (to taste)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast

Ingredients for Pasta:

Olive oil
Chopped/minced garlic
Seasoning of choice (I used herbs de provence)
Sea salt to taste
2 zucchini
3 large portobello mushroom caps, sliced
6 oz of marinara (or 4 ounces of pesto)
Dab of homemade pesto (if not using as the sauce)

Directions:

Make the pesto.

Place the basil, walnuts, and garlic in a food processor fitted with the S blade. Pulse to combine, until the mixture is coarsely ground.

Turn the motor on and drizzle the olive oil in a thin stream. Add the sea salt, pepper, lemon, and nutritional yeast, and pulse a few more times to combine.
Make the pasta:

Use your julienne peeler, spiral slicer or mandolin to create noodles out of the zucchini. I used a mandolin and made long, thin strips of zucchini for noodles. It’s really up to you! Zucchini is usually full of water, so take a paper towel and squeeze them to get out some of the water. Place them in a bowl and set aside.

Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and heat for a minute at medium heat. Add 1 clove of minced garlic and sauté for one minute. Add your mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms begin to release their juices and have browned up beautifully. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Rinse out your skillet (or wipe it down to get out any mushroom residue) and place another tablespoon of olive oil in the pan, allowing it to heat for one minute over medium heat. Add your zucchini noodles to the pan and begin to heat them up. In order to not turn them to mush, do not stir them. Just move them gently around the pan.

Once the zucchini noodles are heated, add the musrhooms back into the pan and season with your seasonings of choice. Definitely add a bit of salt though.

Toss together and then add the sauce (be it marinara or pest0). Continue to toss in the skillet until it is heated through. Transfer to bowls and top off with pesto, if you didn’t use it for your sauce of choice. Or don’t…if you didn’t want to fuss with it.

Serve!

~*~*~

This was so packed with flavor and so delicious. Honestly, it was super delicious. I’d love to make this again and serve it up in the way I intended…with the pesto sauce, but the marinara added great flavor and worked so well with the zucchini and mushrooms. A delicious, low calorie, low carb meal that doesn’t take too long to prep or cook. Dinner…couldn’t be easier.

Give it a shot. I hope you like it!

June 22, 2014

Product Review: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli

Aldi's liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli — Aldi’s liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli

Product: Aldi liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli – $3.29

I am still praising Aldi for their special gift to those of us who have to follow a gluten-free diet as May (also known as Celiac Awareness Month) kicked off. I had heard from numerous people that Aldi was going to test their gluten-free product line, called liveGfree, in their stores to see how it did. Two coworkers of mine snatched up a few products and told me I had to get over there. And then my mom called and said she had gone to Aldi and stocked up on quite a few things as well and that I really, really needed to check out my Aldi.

So, on that very same day…Mother’s Day…my roomie and I did just that. And we pretty much bought one of everything. We didn’t get the flour and dessert mixes because I am overloaded with those…but one of practically everything else. We even found the frozen items in the freezer near the back. Sometimes walking the aisles does pay off. Hey…we were in no hurry and I hadn’t been to Aldi in at least a year…if not longer. Lucky us…we spotted the frozen meals from the liveGfree line…and picked up the vegetarian ones. One of everything. Including the frozen pancakes. Because…pancakes…HELLO!

Well, World Cup is currently going on…a month later. And with busy days and wanting to catch matches…even on a Sunday like today…we had a full morning and it was leading into an afternoon of World Cup watching and chores around the house. Much of my day was spent in the kitchen, prepping meals for this coming week. Just makes life a lot easier. Trust me.

So, for lunch…Cathy and I decided that we’d keep it light (because with the USA World Cup match against Portugal tonight…we’re doing vegan fish and chips)…and thought we’d each of one of the (previous reviewed) Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls and split one of the frozen meals in the freezer. I asked if she was feeling ravioli or lasagna…

Well…as you can tell…she went for the ravioli.

Aldi's liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (frozen) — Aldi’s liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (frozen)

Here’s the best thing about these meals…they are so convenient. Sure, frozen food is never as good as fresh, but I don’t have the time nor the skills to make my own gluten-free ravioli. I’d love to…but…seriously…no. Not right now. Life is far too busy. With the rolls toasting in the oven, I plucked the box of Aldi’s liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli from the freezer and opened it up.

Like most microwave meals, this comes in a microwave-safe tray. I could see the large (loved the size) ravioli and the red sauce and big flecks of cheese all over the dish. I cut a slit through the plastic as directed and popped it into the microwave for 5 minutes. Yep…five minutes. Then let it sit for one minute and…just like that…lunch is served! I cut the plastic away and dished up the ravioli between Cathy and I. Again, I was more than impressed with the size of these. They were at least two inches around. I topped our servings off with the extra sauce and cheese that lingered in the tray and popped a roll on each plate. Time to take a bite.

Aldi's liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (cooked) — Aldi’s liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (cooked)

First of all, I’ve had quite a few gluten-free ravioli’s since having to go gluten-free. Only one…Conte’s…has truly impressed me. Well, color me impressed. Seriously. While this isn’t as good as the Conte’s brand…it is close. The ravioli actually cooks to a nice al dente texture, so it still has a bit of that bite that pasta should have. And, wow…the filling was so delicious. And these were packed with filling. They didn’t skimp on that at all. And for that, I praise them to the sky. So often the fillings in these microwave meals are non-existent…but these oozed cheese. Yummy. And the sauce had a lot of flavor as well. Fresh tasting, even. Maybe slightly oily, but nothing that couldn’t be skimmed off. You can tell it is made from real ingredients, which is actually quite surprising for a microwave meal…from Aldi of all places. Saucy…cheesy…delish!

I might have hoovered my portion…

So, as I mentioned it above, let’s take a look at the ingredients. Amazingly and surprising (to me)…is the fact that these are real ingredients. I recognize them all. Seriously. The tomato sauce part is made from chopped tomatoes, onions, garlic, canola oil, butter, parsley, basil, sugar, and black pepper. The dough is a blend of rice flour, corn starch, tapioca dextrin, water, whole eggs, canola oil, xanthan gum, salt, guar gum, and sodium alginate. The filling is a combination of whole milk ricotta cheese, romano cheese, eggs, salt, and parsley. And then…it’s all topped off with mozzarella cheese!

Seriously??! Yep. Seriously.

Almost makes me feel less guilty about eating a processed microwaveable meal. HA!

As far as nutrition goes, a serving size is 1 package. The entire thing is all yours to eat and enjoy and savor. This meal will serve you up 360 calories and 15 grams of fat. Yep…it is a lot…but it’s a lot of cheese! You will also be taking in 85 mg sodium, 560 mg sodium, and 7 grams of sugar. The sodium is a little higher than I like, but still under 600 mg…so it’s okay. Also you will be taking in 4 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein! Yes!! That’s awesome. And it is a rather filling little meal. Seriously. And…yeah…it’s good too!

I would definitely restock this product in my freezer. And as long as Aldi keeps this line in their stores, I will continue to purchase these items. Because when I can walk out of a store spending under $30 for the huge amount of products I purchased…well…it makes my budget a whole lot better. Honestly.

Thank you, Aldi…for making gluten-free convenience food savory and palatable. Being able to eat something tasty from the freezer that also won’t bust the budget is a fine treat indeed.

I love you for it.

Aldi's liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (cooked and plated) — Aldi’s liveGfree Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli (cooked and plated)

June 22, 2014

Product Review: Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar

Product: Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar – $2.39+

I’m finding I am very on-the-fence about these bars. I’d heard so much good buzz about them, but I’m still not sure I actually like them or not. HA! Does that sound odd? I believe most of it has to do with the texture more than anything else. Because the flavor, much like last time, was there. And, thank the protein bar gods…this was still chewy…but not as chewy as the Chocolate Peanut Butter one…so at least my jaw didn’t get tired and start hurting.

That being said…it’s Sunday. And sometimes on Sunday I just don’t have time to prepare a breakfast. I am usually very busy. So, when this happens…it’s always nice to have something in the apartment that I can just grab-and-go. My stash of gluten-free protein bars definitely fits that bill. And when things were getting hectic and go…go…go…today, I was happy to have packed one of the protein bars from the kitchen.

I know…real food is best…but a Cinnamon Roll flavored protein bar is probably more nutritious than a real cinnamon roll. It is, however, not as delicious.

So, let’s get down to the (literal) nitty-gritty of this product, shall we?

Since I love cinnamon rolls. Honestly…there is really nothing better than a hot, gooey, fresh cinnamon roll. They have always been one of my favorite breakfast pastries…but they are so guilt-inducing. Not that it stops me from downing one or two at a time. The thing is…they are tasty, they are awesome, but they aren’t exactly healthy.

Quest Bar is striving to bring some of the best and most popular flavor combinations that happen in nature to their line-up of protein bars. I tried the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar about a week ago and was…eh. So, today…Cinnamon Roll. Because Sundays are just good cinnamon roll days.

As I was on the road in the middle of my errands this morning, I was definitely needing some form of sustenance. Thank goodness I packed both Cathy and I one of our protein bars. I handed her the LäraBar that she likes and I broke into the wrapper of the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar. I loved that I could see flecks of cinnamon in the bar itself. That was really cool. And it smelled like…a cinnamon roll. This was definitely promising.

I went to tear off a piece to try…and realized that it had the sort of softy and chewy texture the previous one had. So, I wasn’t sure what to make of that. But I popped it into my mouth and began to chew. It did taste like a lightly seasoned cinnamon roll. I will give this bar that. The flavor was spot-on. And it felt a lot lighter than the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar that I ate last week. It was chewy, but it didn’t hurt my jaw to work on it like last time. Improvement. I broke off a bit for Cathy to try and she also isn’t too sold on the texture…but she liked it better than the previous one as well. And we’re both chocolate peanut butter fans…so go figure. This bar had a bit of grittiness to it, I’m assuming from the cinnamon that is incorporated into it. It took a few bites to get used to, but it was decent enough.

Ingredients in the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar include: protein blend (whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate), isomalto-oligosaccharides* (prebiotic fiber), almonds, water, and erythritol. This bar contains less than 2% of the following: sea salt, stevia, lo han guo, natural flavors, and cinnamon. It is gluten-free, contains no artificial sweeteners, and is practically guilt free.

This leads us to the nutritional portion of the Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar. A serving size is 1 bar. This bar will provide you with 170 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will be taking in 5 mg cholesterol, 280 mg sodium, and only 1 gram of sugar. LOVE that low sugar! Also, you will be taking in 17 grams of fiber and 20 grams of sugar. YES…this bar will actually fill you up! Trust me.

So, for me, I’m struggling with the chewy texture (which is better than being rock solid…but…it’s a lot of work to chew that much). In fact, I’m just not 100% sold on these bars. While the flavors are definitely there…mild…but there…the actual bar itself is just…okay. Sure, it tastes fantastic, but damn…I just don’t want to chew 100 times in order to swallow one bite.

I have one more variety of this brand to try…so we’ll see how it fares. As for now…not looking likely that I’ll actively seek these out. Would I eat them again? Sure. But if there are other options, I’d probably go with those first.

Quest Bar Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar (unwrapped)

June 21, 2014

Product Review: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls – $7.49+

Thank you, dearest Raisin Rack, in Columbus, Ohio. Because ever since I heard of the debut of the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Ciabatta Rolls…I’d been wanting to try them out. I used to get samples of their products all the time…but that has sort of stopped in the past year. Too bad, I loved being able to try out products that take forever to make it to my area. While Louisville, Kentucky is quite the foodie mecca, it still lags behind at times when it comes to gluten-free foods in the grocery stores. Even the most dedicated of natural food stores around here (and we have plenty) don’t get in these products for what seems like a year from their debut.

BUT…

Apparently, Raisin Rack, up where my friend Jenn lives near Columbus, Ohio…is quite the opposite.

On a visit there awhile back…I was given the task of filling up a nice basket of products that I haven’t seen before…or have wanted to try…but are not always readily available in our area. I took to this task with a gleam in my eye and products on the mind. And just as my basket was full…I wandered past a freezer at the end of an aisle and glanced down to the bottom…only to see…Rudi’s Gluten-Free Ciabatta Rolls…both types: Original and Rosemary and Olive Oil.

I gave my roomie the gluten-free doe eyes of puppy dog pleading…and she relented and let me add one to the already full basket I was hauling around the store. I opted for the Rosemary and Olive Oil variety because…um…yum! Jenn was helping me Tetris the products so more could get in there. HA! Brilliant.

However, with a fantastic, local, allergen-free bakery in my city…I sometimes don’t get to bread-y things in my freezer for some time. And can you blame me? Well…despite a stop at the bakery this morning…tonight when I was cooking up some zucchini noodle pasta with portobello mushrooms and a garlic marinara sauce with homemade basil pesto…I figured…with the low carbness (is that a word? It is now…) of the meal itself, I would go ahead and give the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls a try. Seemed like a good time to do so!

So…while Germany and Ghana draw in their World Cup match…I began making ribbons of zucchini with my mandolin slicer…chopping up huge portobello mushroom caps…and making my own vegan basil pesto with the pesto Cathy and I are growing on our balcony. As I got the portobello mushrooms into a sauté pan to begin cooking and sweating out…I got out the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls and plucked two from the package. They were actually light and airy…not what I was expecting at all. But…hell…the only other gluten-free ciabatta rolls I’ve had are Schar’s…and they are really good.

Rudi's Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls (frozen) — Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls (frozen)

I preheated the oven to 400°F and placed the rolls on a baking sheet. Once the oven was properly warmed…into the oven the rolls went for 10 minutes. That gave me ample time to not only watch the end of the World Cup match, but also get the zucchini noodles in the pan with some olive oil…add the mushrooms back in…season…add the sauce…and get it all together. They rolls finished up just as I was finishing up placing the zucchini pasta into bowls and polishing it all up with my homemade pesto.

I pulled the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls from the oven. They didn’t look much different from when I put them in the oven…maybe a little more golden…hard to say. But…they smelled fantastic. I’m a huge fan of rosemary…and so is Cathy. We each got one roll and a bowl of my made-only-with-veggies “pasta” dish and dinner was served.

While we watched “The Supersizers Go…Seventies” we indulged in our own meal…thankful we weren’t eating the tinned and powdered rubbish the people in England ate in the Seventies. Real food here. With a side of one simple gluten-free roll.

The Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil are really…really good. Honestly. They may not look like much, but one bite…and you’ll be sold too. The outside of the roll gets that nice crusty, crunchy crust on it. But the inside…still soft and doughy and just…mmmm. I think Cathy would normally melt some butter inside and dig in. But we had pasta…and this sort of bread is great for sucking up the last bit of sauce. And when your noodles are made from zucchini…you tend to have some sauce…or at least some veggies to pile on top. The bread was amazing. I was actually very impressed because, while rosemary is one of my favorite spices…it can overwhelm and overpower quite easily. Not here. They use just the right amount so that you get the flavor without it taking over your palate. Oh, I hope we get these soon in our stores around here. Otherwise…next time I visit Jenn in Columbus, I am taking a cooler…ice packs…and stocking up!

Ciabatta with herbs and olive oil…awesome. And without all the hassle of making up a flour blend that works with this sort of bread and doing it myself. LOVE IT!!

So, let’s talk ingredients. One thing I love about Rudi’s Gluten-Free products is that they use real ingredients…no junk…no chemicals. It holds true with their Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls too. The ingredients are: water, potato extract, tapioca starch, rice flour, rice starch, evaporated cane juice (cane sugar), egg white, yeast, sea salt, xanthan gum, olive oil, rosemary, sodium bicarbonate, garlic powder, natural enzymes.

As for nutrition…I love these stats. A serving of the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls is one roll. With this one roll, you will be consuming 70 calories and 0 grams of fat. YES…FAT FREE!! While on the subject of fat, you won’t find saturated or trans-fats in these rolls either. LOVE. One roll provides 170 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. LOVE THIS! Oh…and they are cholesterol free too! Non-GMO. And you will be taking in 1 gram of protein…but these rolls have no fiber. So don’t make a meal out of these…they won’t leave you feeling full.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the products that Rudi’s Gluten-Free has out on the market. It’s the sandwich bread that I purchase each week. It’s the wraps I purchase to make tacos or the like. And now…it’s the rolls I serve at dinner. Because when a company cares that much about the quality of their food…it shows. Gluten-free foods are a science, but when done correctly…they can knock your foodie socks off.

My feet are bare.

HA!

Rudi’s Gluten-Free…another stellar product!! Thank you for making dinner rolls so delicious!

Rudi's Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls (baked) — Rudi’s Gluten-Free Rosemary and Olive Oil Ciabatta Rolls (baked)

June 20, 2014May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

Pause.

Observe.

Stare at the product listed above.

Did you figure out why I had to have this in my life? Did you?

I’ll give you a hint. Two words.

Not “dairy free” (although my stomach is thankful that it is)…not “gluten-free” (although…if I’m eating it, obviously it is).

Keep looking. Ah…you saw it too?

COOKIE DOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you aware that, growing up, cookie dough ice cream was my absolute favorite thing in life. I mean, it blended two of my all-time favorite things in life…ice cream and cookies. Not just cookies…but that soft, rich cookie dough that everyone (save me) just ate out of the bowl. I love the ice cream…we were just never a cookie dough out of the bowl kind of family. But…COOKIE DOUGH ICE CREAM THAT IS VEGAN AND GLUTEN-FREE!!!

Yes…that is in my freezer. In fact…two pints of it are in my freezer. HA!

The ice cream itself is actually labeled to be a “frozen dessert,” as technically it doesn’t contain any cream…but…we all know it’s ice cream. Made by the coconut milk people, So Delicious (a brand and name I trust!), makers of much epic goodness! Seriously, I’ve yet to find a product of theirs that hasn’t just been amazing! They are called So Delicious for a reason. That’s quite the reputation to live up to…but they do it with style!

This product is just what it sounds like…a vanilla coconut milk based ice cream that is packed with gluten-free cookie dough chunks and crispy chocolate flakes. Happy memories flooded my mind as i pulled this out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes. When you have dairy-free ice cream, you need to let the it sit out to thaw a little so it’s easy to scoop. Just…trust me on this. I am a pro. I haven’t indulged in cookie dough ice cream in ages. And I really haven’t since I had to go gluten-free three years ago. SO…EXCITED!

As it is mega hot and stupid humid outside…ice cream just sounded amazing. Ice cream always sounds amazing though. I grew up in New York and ate ice cream year round…even when it was negative something degrees outside. Ice cream is just one of my comfort foods. And, trust me, not all dairy-free varieties are up to par.

But this one is. I never doubted it since it was made by So Delicious. In fact, I found it to be really good. You can’t even taste the coconut in the base. It just tastes like a light vanilla ice cream. The gluten-free cookie dough balls give this great body and texture. I loved getting to one of the hunks of cookie dough and letting it melt for a moment on my tongue. Mmmm…

…must not raid freezer for other pint…

And the flakes of chocolate give it a great crunch as well. That’s the key to cookie dough ice cream…creamy, gooey, crunchy, sweet, and a bit of salt (from the dough). It’s the most magical ice cream, because it literally can trip every switch on your taste buds. Mmmm…

…put the spoon down…

As you can guess…I LOVED IT!

Let’s take a look at what So Delicious pours into their So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert (which is a tasty mouthful…literally!), shall we? The ingredients are listed as containing: organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, cookie dough (made from rice flour), chicory root extract, chocolate flake, carob bean gum, guar gum, natural vanilla flavor.

How’s that for ingredients, eh? And remember, this ice cream is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

As for nutrition…well…it’s ice cream. A fantastic dairy-free ice cream…but still ice cream. A serving of the So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This serving will dish up 170 calories and 9 grams of fat. Do not freak out over the fat. Yes…some of it is from the “dough” part of this ice cream…but some of it is the healthy kind that you find in the coconut milk. This ice cream is cholesterol free, contains only 35 mg sodium and 16 grams of sugar. Yeah…that is a lot of sugar. But…it’s a treat. A serving will also provide you with 7 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

As I tuck the pint back into the freezer and lick my bowl clean…I just want to reiterate how happy this frozen dessert made me. I can’t thank So Delicious enough for putting a dairy-free and gluten-free cookie dough ice cream out on the market. I’ve been craving cookie dough ice cream for years now…and finally…I have the liberty to indulge.

As you can tell…that’s never a problem with me! If you haven’t tried the So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert…then you’re missing out. So get to your grocery store and snag yourself a pint. It’s a taste of cookie heaven in a creamy, dreamy ice cream base. It’s…all that is good in life! It is, simply put, amazing.

And yes…so delicious! (See what I did there? So clever!)

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

June 19, 2014

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns

Product: Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns – $5.99

I love it when Katz Gluten Free puts out new products. Why? Because it means they are expanding on the line of goodies that I already love and adore. And, trust me, in today’s gluten-free-filled world…quality is what I look for. I’ve been suckered into new products from big companies before only to have a product that tastes like sawdust or something worse. And then…sometimes you get these little known companies that put out the best gluten-free product you have ever tasted.

And that medium can rock back and forth. Honestly. Gluten-free foods are more science than anything else. And if the texture or flavor are even the slightest bit off…well…the consumers will make it known.

I am a huge fan of Katz Gluten Free. Fell in love with their products from the instant I ordered their free Sample Pack (all you do is pay for shipping!) a long, long, long time ago. Okay…it was probably about two years ago, but still…it feels like I’ve been ordering Katz Gluten Free products my entire life. I was blown away by the standards they maintain and the quality of each product they put out for their consumers and customers. If you’re new to gluten-free foods…I highly suggest ordering this pack…and while you’re at it…order the Gluten Free Powdered Donuts…because…they’re amazing. Just trust me and add it to your shopping cart!

Good. Now that that’s done…let me talk to you about one of their newest products! One that I squealed and squeaked and cheered for when I saw the e-mail announcing it to their product lineup. Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. Like…cinnamon rolls…with the icing already applied. Oh…hell yes!! We all know my weakness for a good cinnamon roll. And finding a good cinnamon roll is not easy when you’re gluten-free. HA…there’s an idea for a Tumblr…”It’s Not Easy Being Gluten-Free.” But I digress.

Cinnamon Buns.

Gluten-Free. Freakin’. Cinnamon. Buns.

There…back on track.

I ordered these the instant they came up as a new product. And then froze them, per instructions, until today. Because it was a gym morning…and I was out of foods that were easy to take to the gym in a cooler to have at the office. These…are easy. And, being that they are a product of Katz Gluten Free…I was pretty certain they’d suffice for a breakfast. I wouldn’t take a bite and wish that I had brought something else. Of that, I was certain.

So, last night I removed two of the four buns from the package of Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns, placing them in a plastic bag to thaw. I don’t know why I do this when I know I’m going to microwave the product anyway. I just think it’s easier to get the right temperature when it’s not coming from frozen. So, overnight, they sat and thawed on my counter…and this morning, I packed them in the cooler and hauled my booty to the gym…and then to work. My reward…breakfast that consisted of one of the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. My roomie got the other one.

One quick 20 second zap in the microwave is all I gave each of these rolls. And it was just what it needed. Because I could have eaten them at room temperature…but you want that fresh from the oven feel, right? I know I do. That’s why I normally thaw them and then give a small zap each time I eat a Katz Gluten Free product. I do the same with the donuts…and OMG!

So…I settled in at my desk with my warmed Cinnamon Bun, the icing now all gooey from the quick heating…and that cinnamon filling just ready to be sliced into. I took my fork, gave it a neat cut, and then took my first bite.

And this is where it gets complicated. Because I like these. I like these a lot. The only issue I had with them was that the outer part of the Cinnamon Bun was…dry. Yes…even with the icing. It was just…dry. The further you ate into the bun, toward the center, it was moist (and that may have to do with the filling being inside the roll), but that first initial bite just was not the moist and delicious cinnamon roll texture I was anticipating. BUT…that being said…the flavor was awesome. The cinnamon gave just enough spice…the sugar…sweetness…the icing wasn’t too much, but it kept each bite sweet yet satisfying…without taking over and just coating your mouth in sugar, which can happen. It was just a light drizzle of icing, and for that…I was happy. Because…I’m not a frosting/icing kind of girl. I often find it way too sweet. But this was icing perfection. The Cinnamon Bun, itself, had great flavor. And after that first initial twist in the roll, it got a bit moister. It tasted like a cinnamon roll. Maybe a day old cinnamon roll…but that might be due to freezing (you have to keep them frozen as these have no preservatives in them…as is the case with a lot of baked gluten-free goodies), or the microwave, or a flaw in the roll itself. But…I wouldn’t turn my nose up at these. Not at all. I’m already contemplating when the best time to bust out the other one might be. HA!

Taste good…a little dry on the outside…but delicious once you get to that inside. YUMMY!

So, let’s talk about ingredients. As I mentioned, there are no preservatives added to the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. So, they do need to sit in your freezer if you aren’t going to eat them right away. The Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns are made from a gluten-free flour mix (potato, tapioca, sorghum, white rice, brown rice, and corn), trans free margarine, water, sugar, eggs, brown sugar, confection sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, dry yeast, honey, xanthan gum, salt, corn syrup, baking powder, sunflower lecithin, emulsifier, nutmeg, canola oil, and orange juice. These Cinnamon Buns are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.

As for nutrition…well, it is a breakfast pastry. Yep. Pastry. Which means…sugar, sugar, sugar. It’s true. And while I am trying to cut down on the amount of sugar that I consume…sometimes you just have to have a treat. A serving of the Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns is only one of the rolls. Trust me though…it’s plenty. This one Cinnamon Bun has 280 calories and 15 grams of fat. Yes…15 grams of fat. Pastry. Remember? In addition, you will be consuming 25 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, and 14 grams of sugar. It’s a lot…I know…but not bad for a pastry. These shouldn’t fill you up, considering they contain only 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein…but it kept me going until my morning snack time.

So…a solid product from Katz Gluten Free. I was not disappointed with the Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns. They had great flavor. And since it was only the outer ring of the roll itself that seemed dry…well…I can blame that on freezing them…or even reheating in the microwave. Regardless, that small point isn’t enough to prevent me from picking these up again. But…I’d have to really be talked out of ordering the Powdered Donuts. It’s the truth. I love cinnamon…and these definitely hit all the right flavor tones.

June 17, 2014

Product Review: Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust – $7.50

Forget hitting up the grocery stores on Saturday. I think all I need to do now is hit up that new freezer at Annie May’s Sweet Café on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. Honestly. Because, for me, it’s a one-stop shopping extravaganza of everything I have ever loved to eat at her bakery…or taken home with me.

And that was the entire point of the newest feature in Annie May’s Sweet Café. Simple, safe, gluten-free take-n-bake items that are prepared and frozen…and all you have to do is follow the simple instructions on the label to cook up all the deliciousness in the comfort of your own home. Let me tell you, I was thrilled to hear that this was being added to the bakery…and now that I have bought a few items from the freezer…let me tell you…I hope this catches on and they have to expand. Because…with the garlic bread, the mac and cheese, and the pizza crust…I was set for three meals this week. Simplicity…yet with the high quality and amazing flavor you get in all of Annie May’s products.

Annie May's Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust — Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Having already feasted on the Vegan Garlic Bread and the Macaroni and Cheese earlier this week…that left one of the take-n-bake purchases in my freezer. And tonight…it was dinner. I’m talking about the best pizza crust in the world. No exaggeration there either. And not just a gluten-free pizza crust…but THE BEST in the world. Seriously. I’ve eaten a lot of regular…and now a ton of gluten-free crusts and nothing has topped this one. Nothing. Nowhere. No way! I don’t think it will ever happen.

Want to know why? Because…it is not a cracker crust or some thin little sheet of dough that ends up soggy. This is a substantial, it can hold any and all toppings, sort of crust. It is the crust to end all crusts. It is the Godzilla of gluten-free pizza crusts. It is…REALLY amazing. And I don’t know how she does it, but I’m glad she does. Because whenever I eat a pizza at Annie May’s…my day just gets better. My life just gets better. This crust is legendary. Honestly. You’d never even know it was gluten-free. And now…now…I can make it in the comfort of my own home!

And that’s what I did tonight!

Annie May's Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (frozen) — Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (frozen)

I had a request from Cathy…for a pizza I haven’t made in forever. She wanted…the Meditenuttian Pizza. I know what you’re thinking…”What the what is a Meditenuttian Pizza?” Well, let me explain. It’s a pizza crust, that is given a brushing of olive oil, then a sprinkling of black pepper, then a drizzle of honey. Then, I top mine with vegan mozzarella shreds, caramelized onions, walnuts, and then…I wilt something green over the top in the last minute or so of cooking. Tonight…it was kale. If you can handle dairy…feta or goat cheese is good crumbled over the top as well.

So…here it is. I preheated the oven to 450°F and prepped the pizza crust per instructions, placing it and the parchment paper that is included on a baking sheet. I topped it off with everything (except the kale) and popped it in the oven for about 15 minutes. I pulled it out to put the kale on top and popped it back in the oven for about another minute. Then…just like that…dinner was served.

My Meditenuttian Pizza baked on Annie May's Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust — My Meditenuttian Pizza baked on Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

And, let me tell you…the frozen crust you take home to bake is just as delicious as the pizza crust served when I order in the café on either Friday or Saturday. It has this doughy, thick texture to it, much like the “real” crusts everyone else can get in restaurants. I’ve never had gluten-free crust like this. When it is so reminiscent of the pizza I used to be able to eat…that is saying something. No cracker crust. Nothing that crumbles. This is honest-to-goodness damn good pizza crust. Not only can you buy a plain crust, but you can also purchase frozen already done up vegan and gluten-free pizzas that you can pop into your oven. No need to add your own toppings…she has done it for you. I might try that next time. But…for me…it’s all about that crust. That amazing Annie May’s pizza crust.

For the record, Annie May’s pizza crust is completely allergen free. According to the label, it contains millet flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, quinoa flour, water, egg replacer, agave nectar, xanthan gum, salt, and cream of tartar.

This is a 9 ounce pizza crust. My roomie and I split the pizza (as we do at the bakery whenever we order a pizza) and it is filling. Filling…but heavenly. A slice of gluten-free pizza heaven. I guarantee you won’t find a better crust out there. And I’m glad I can now take it home with me! And I just might…weekly!

Half of my Meditenuttian Pizza baked on Annie May's Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust — Half of my Meditenuttian Pizza baked on Annie May’s Sweet Café Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

June 17, 2014

Product Review: Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins

Product: Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins – $3.99+

I am not going to lie…I’ve been eying the Garden Lites Veggie Muffins since the day I first spotted them in my local natural food and grocery stores. Why did it take me so long to get a box? Well…it probably would have taken me longer, but my roomie surprised me with a box one day after I sent her out on a grocery expedition. I obviously forgot some sacred ingredient to something I was cooking right then…or I would have gone. But the roomie often picks up little surprises when she’s sent on these emergency runs. Maybe it’s to tame me, since I’m usually wound up about missing something I need. Whatever the reason…she brought me a box of Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. And I was all too excited to try them.

I just…never did. They just remained in my freezer.

I think I got all caught up in making my Breakfast Banana Splits and other such “real” food items, that opening the freezer for breakfast hadn’t happened in a long time. I knew they were in there…

Lo and behold…after a week of Cathy being down with a cold and sitting out of gym workouts (meaning I’d go really early and get mine in, then come home and make breakfast instead of hauling it to work post-gym), I had no idea what to have after our time at the gym. I began to search the pantry and fridge. I found grapes…but those only get you so far. I’d include some…but what to eat to refuel and recover?

And then…I remembered the box of Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. Problem…SOLVED!

I know what you’re thinking…zucchini with banana with chocolate chips…how could that possibly be good? Well…zucchini bread is good. Banana bread is good. Both types of bread with chocolate chips are damn good. So…why not combine them? It should work, right?

Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffin (individually wrapped)

I won’t lie…even I questioned it this morning as I packed the box of muffins in the cooler. After the workout, we walked to our office and I got to work on breakfast. These little muffins couldn’t be easier to prepare. They come individually wrapped. And all you have to do is pop the wrapped muffin into the microwave for 35 seconds. Carefully remove the muffin from the microwave and then the plastic wrapper…and viola…your muffin is ready.

I think my biggest fear was that these were going to be soggy. Or mushy. Or just…gross. But, I cooked up all four of them, two for me and two for Cathy, and our breakfast was ready. In less than three minutes. That has to be a new record!

I settled in at my desk with my first batch of work and my breakfast. And after one bite, I knew the stack of paperwork was going to have to wait while I gave my full attention to the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. Oh. My. God! No…really…who knew that a muffin made primarily from vegetables and fruit could taste this fantastic. Or this moist. It was like biting into a luscious piece of banana bread. But with zucchini in it. You can’t even taste the zucchini, you just sometimes get those green flecks in the muffin. And the chocolate chips…just enough to sweeten the deal without consuming the flavor of the muffin itself. This was truly one amazing product and the love I have for it surprises even me. I never would have thought about pairing zucchini with banana…but…damn…it works. It works in delicious ways!

I don’t think my morning could have started any better…

So, let’s take a look at the ingredient list for the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins, shall we? These muffins are made from zucchini, pasteurized egg whites, sugar, pasteurized whole eggs, certified gluten-free oats, soluble corn fiber, semi-sweet chocolate chips, banana, sorghum flour, brown rice flour, corn starch, baking powder, canola oil, natural banana flavor, salt, and vanilla extract.

Recognize all those items? I sure do. And when mixed together and baked…epic things happen, both flavor, texture, and food-wise.

Now, how about the nutritional aspect of these muffins? A serving is only 1 of the Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins. As all we had before working out was a breakfast fruit, yogurt and granola parfait, Cathy and I each had two. But…if you stick to the serving size, you will be consuming 120 calories and 3 grams of fat. In addition, you will be taking in 20 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, and 11 grams of sugar. I know the sugar seems high, and while some of that comes from the chocolate chip, some of it comes from the real banana that is included in the ingredients of the muffins. One serving will also give you 5 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein! These muffins are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free!

Nutritional and yummy too! Gotta love it. And I sure did. I want to try the other varieties of muffins. Yes…they have other flavors. In fact, in addition to the Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins, Garden Lites has Veggie Muffins in the following flavors: Carrot Berry, Golden Corn, Veggie Blueberry Oat, and Zucchini Chocolate! So…I must try all the Veggie Muffins. Because these honestly did impress me. And I lasted all the way through my snack time. And that doesn’t always happen. Good quality food…great product…

I’m hooked. On muffins made with veggies and fruit.

Oh yeah…loving it!

Garden Lites Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Veggie Muffins (cooked)