Food – Page 66 – The Celiathlete

July 5, 2013

Going Beyond Meat for vegan and gluten-free not-chicken options with Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips

Product: Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips – $4.99+

Something happy happened to me the other day when I was in Whole Foods. Something that I had been hoping for for a very long time.

I discovered…gluten-free vegan “chicken.” Normally…any vegan/vegetarian protein has some sort of ingredient that contains gluten, normally used for texture purposes. Sure, it can be left out, however, that is what the leading brands will tell you…it is for texture. So, for these past two years, save for the Health Is Wealth Gluten-Free Vegan Not Chicken Nuggets, my not chicken food habits have been non-existent. And…to top it off, my grocery store no longer carries the Health Is Wealth Gluten-Free Vegan Not Chicken Nuggets because they were told they were discontinued. I think I cried…no…I did cry when I was told that.

But then Whole Foods saved the day.

The brand…Beyond Meat. Their objective is simple – to become the market leader in the development and introduction of new plant protein products, specifically focusing on perfectly replacing animal protein with plant protein. And to be able to pull this off cost effectively…not just for the company, but the consumer.

Beyond Meat was founded by Ethan Brown, who learned all about animal-based agriculture at his father’s dairy operation in Western Maryland. As he grew up, he developed a career in the clean energy sector and contemplated whether the world would continue to raise and eat animals in such staggering numbers if a plant-based replication of the meat existed. So, he began searching for a way to do just that. Along the way he met Fu-hung Hsieh and Harold Huff at the University of Missouri, and after several years of collaboration, Beyond Meat was born with the sole purpose of driving innovation and progress on meat-free plates around the world.

Enter my little happy dance of joy…because not only is Beyond Meat’s products vegan…but they are also gluten-free. And they come in three varieties: Lightly Seasoned, Grilled, and Southwest Style.

I grabbed the two kinds they had. And I already had a dish in mind. I was going to make my mom’s famous Mexican Chicken Casserole…but do it with the vegan chicken product and vegan cheese. These strips were actually perfect. And with the fact that it was a Mexican sort of dish, the Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips would be ideal. The Grilled was the other version…and those got tucked into the freezer for the time being.

So…how does this stack up?

For a gluten-free and vegan meat alternative…this is actually quite palatable. The texture reminded me of the Quorn variety I ate before having to go gluten-free. And the flavor was just as good…maybe more on the Morningstar level for taste…but that’s not bad. In fact, I could actually, despite it being in a casserole, taste the not-chicken strips. And what I loved about the Southwest Style variety was that little kiss of lime flavor you got with each bite. It was a really nice surprise and a great addition of flavor to the entire dish. These chicken strips didn’t turn to mush when they were cooked in the casserole. In fact, they remained in full strips as real chicken would. I was very impressed. Both with the taste and the texture. This is definitely a substitute I would do again.

Nutritionally speaking, the Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips have 4 servings per container. Each serving dishes up only 130 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. That is awesome!! A serving also contains only 370 mg of sodium and no sugar. That’s always nice to see. And, you will also receive 2 grams of fiber and a whopping 20 grams of protein. Yes…20 grams of protein in each serving. How amazing is that?!

So…what are these not-chicken strips made out of? Well…the basics are water, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, amaranth, vegan chicken flavor, expeller-pressed canola oil, soy fiber, carrot fiber, and they contain 0.5% or less of: white vinegar, salt, lime juice concentrate, garlic, black pepper, chili powder, onion, sugar, cumin, coriander seed, sodium alginate, dipotassium phosphate, titanium dioxide (color), calcium sulfate, oregano, paprika, red and green pepper powder, cayenne pepper. If anything looks confusing to you, the website for Beyond Meat lays out what each unfamiliar ingredient may be. It takes any guess work out of it. And you’ll be happy to know…those couple of chemical sounding ingredients aren’t chemicals but things that appear naturally in nature. Yep. I learned something too.

If you are looking to cut back on meat, or perhaps are vegetarian or vegan, Beyond Meat is a fantastic choice. While there is a literal sea of vegan/vegetarian meat alternatives out there, very few of them on the market are gluten-free. Beyond Meat finally brings the protein back to the gluten-free vegan/vegetarian plate. And for that, I am forever grateful.

With how much I enjoyed the Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips, I am totally anticipating giving the Grilled ones a try too. These were just what I needed!

Mexican “Chicken” Casserole using Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips

July 5, 2013

The best gluten-free food truck, Sweet ‘N’ Savory, gets Cluster Trucked and changes it up…one night only…

Restaurant; Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck, Louisville, Kentucky

I might have mentioned previously how lucky I am to be in an area that actually has a food truck that is dedicated gluten-free and serving the gluten-free (and non-gluten-free) community amazing food. Sweet ‘N’ Savory is the food truck I speak of, based out of Louisville, Kentucky and run by the most amazing people, Richard and Ashley Giannini, who chose to open a food truck specializing first and foremost in gluten-free crepes, with the additional inclusion of smoothies, gelato, and coffee. They are the first and only place to offer gluten-free crepes to the Louisville area. And, let me tell you, this truck is worth hunting down for those crepes. Both sweet and savory versions are to die for and made to perfection. I was hooked on one bite the first time I was ever able to check them out.

You see, Louisville is growing in the foodie world and food trucks are starting to emerge in this city. Nothing could make me happier! Honestly. Especially since I can actually eat at one! Food trucks are amazing things, and thankfully Louisville has places and events where these food trucks gather and people come and choose between the offered menus…making an easy and fun way to dine out every now and again. This past weekend, Apocalypse Brew Works hosted yet another food truck gathering…this time called Cluster Trucked.

What is Cluster Trucked? Well, for one night only, the usual menus offered by Louisville’s finest food trucks got turned upside down. What these trucks would normally offered weren’t anywhere on the menu. In fact, they were serving up something unique and different…and it just made for a fun and interesting event.

The usual suspects…the usual menus…then…the Cluster Trucked effect…

Holy Mole – Usually serves gourmet tacos – went to serving chicken wings (Pok Pok – Vietnamese fish sauce wings w/ fried garlic; Korean Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom tongdak) – Korean BBQ fried chicken w/ sesame; Salsa Verde – green jalapeno/cilantro w/ queso fresco-green onion sauce; Spicy BBQ – spicy sweet tangy BBQ sauce wings; Traditional Buffalo w/ blue cheese and celery)
French Indo Canada – Usually serves a banh mi sandwich from Vietnam and the decadent poutine from Canada – went to serving Indian cuisine (Saag Paneer – curried spinach & mustard greens with fresh cheese; Aloo Gobi – curried potatoes and cauliflower; Tikka Masala – grilled chicken served in a spiced tomato cream sauce; Vegetable Pakoras – onion and cauliflower fritters…all gluten-free, mostly vegetarian and half vegan)
Lil Cheezers – Usually serves gourmet grilled cheese – went to serving hot noodle bowls (choice of Hoisin Beef, Teriyaki Chicken or Sweet Chili Pork, or no protein for vegetarian option, served with Udon noodles with bean sprouts, carrots, pickled cabbage and cilantro, or in a traditional Miso Soup broth….with a gluten-free/vegan option of Banh Pho (rice noodles))
Johnny’s Diner Car – Usually serves steak sandwiches and fries – went to serving loaded baked potatoes (“Comfort Food 101” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with clarified butter, covered in pot roast slow cooked in reduction of Old 502 Winery Bourbon Barrel Red with special seasonings, portabella mushrooms, onions, carrots, garnished with house-made roasted garlic sour cream; “The Elegant” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with clarified butter, goat cheese crumbles, truffle oil, fresh chives, served with side of house-made roasted garlic sour cream; “The Old Fashion” – one pound Idaho Russet Potato with house-made rosemary/garlic infused butter, fresh grated aged Parmigiano Reggiano, whipped sour cream, fresh chives, and hardwood smoked bacon; “Sweet Potato Sundae” – one pound North Carolina Sweet Potato, clarified butter, special blend of brown sugar, korintje cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground orange peel, cloves, & ginger, toasted pecans, whipped cream and a cherry)
Grind – Usually serves gourmet burgers – went to serving low country food (shrimp & grits, crab cakes, etc) (fresh, never frozen sustainably caught Atlantic shrimp served with cheese grits and a spicy tomato gravy; custom-made Stone Cross Farms andouille sausage with cheese grits and spicy tomato gravy; jumbo lump crab cake served with cheese grits and a spicy tomato gravy with a tangy remoulade)
Sweet ‘N’ Savory – usually serves gluten-free crepes, gelato, smoothies, coffee – went to serving gluten-free ravioli and gluten-free cannoli (Shrimp & Crab Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce; Chicken, Pacetta & Goat Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce; Three Cheese Ravioli with Homemade Marinara)

As stated before…my focus was on Sweet ‘N’ Savory…although I could have easily eaten at French Indo Canada as well. Nice to have the option…but I am loyal to my favorite food truck and it had been forever since I was able to actually eat a hand-made ravioli. Yes…the prepared all their ravioli options from scratch. Impressive, yes? When I placed my order, I got the Three Cheese Ravioli with the Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce (it was the vegetarian option) instead of the Homemade Marinara ($10.00). I spoke with Richard and Ashley for awhile…anticipating my first real (as in not bought out of the freezer section) ravioli since…I had to go gluten-free, honestly. I was practically salivating.

The line was getting longer, so I let them get back to work. I loved seeing their truck flooded with orders. And everything was made to order, which means nothing was done ahead of time, save the actual making of the ravioli. These raviolis were dropped into boiling water to cook until they were soft and ready. They were then finished off in a pan with the sauce. It took a little while, but I was happy to wait. Quality food is always worth the wait. I was watching other orders come up ahead of mine and getting really giddy about the moment they would call my name.

Sweet 'N' Savory's Gluten-Free Three Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce — Sweet ‘N’ Savory’s Gluten-Free Three Cheese Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

It happened and I hurried over to claim my gluten-free ravioli and duck out of the warm sun into a shady spot to enjoy. My roomie was already devouring her meal. She opted to go with the chicken wings that Holy Mole offered…and went Korean as an added twist…and was already devouring them. She had sauce all over herself. Which meant she was eating them right. So, with my tummy rumbling and this amazing looking pasta feast in front of me, I was ready to dive in to the eight…yes EIGHT gluten-free ravioli that Sweet ‘N’ Savory prepared.

One bite…and I was almost in tears. The ravioli was, perhaps, one of the most perfect foods I have ever had the option of eating since going gluten-free. The pasta was cooked to perfection. So light, soft, and that perfect al dente that you want. The cheesy filling was melt-in-your-mouth savory goodness. Literally, the ravioli just melted against my tongue. It was the most perfect thing I have eaten in a long time. And holy ravioli, that red pepper cream sauce…I want that recipe because it was the perfect topping for this ravioli. Honest to goodness great food. I gave a ravioli to my roommate to try and she said, “I like your food better!” HAHA!! Victory. We both finished off our meals of choice, me taking my time to just let the various flavors sing across my tongue and taste buds. It was still gone way too fast.

But…there was also mention of gluten-free cannoli ($4.00). Now, I like cannoli and haven’t been able to have it in years. My roommate, however, calls cannoli one of her most favorite desserts to eat…ever. In fact, if we go to an Italian restaurant or any place that offers cannoli…you better believe she’s getting it for dessert. We skittered back over to Sweet ‘N’ Savory and placed an order for two of the cannoli. Ashley got to work on that one as Richard continued to push our the growing number of ravioli orders. Like I said…I love seeing my favorite food truck so busy. This is only a good thing. A short wait later and Ashley was handing over a plate of two fried rolls filled with cream and pistachio, dusted with powdered sugar. They looked…awesome!!

We got out of the way and each took our dessert in hand. This was no ordinary cannoli. The cream on the inside had a fruity flavor…I think it was strawberry. And they had chocolate bits scattered within it as well. Nice touch. It was definitely unexpected. The pistachios on the outside gave a bit more texture and flavor. And then…that sweet confectioners sugar…it was the icing on the cake, as it were. Every bite was just…fantastic. Crunchy, sweet, and bursting with fresh flavors. It was my ideal dessert that night. Nothing could have been better. Not even ice cream.

I loved that this event happened. It was so much fun to come out to a Louisville Street Food Alliance event and see the regular food trucks serving up something out of their comfort zone and norm. It was an absolute blast. And I loved going around and seeing what each truck did to their menu. It was definitely a great time.

Thank you, Sweet ‘N’ Savory…for once again providing this vegetarian and gluten-free foodie a food truck option of amazing, homemade, hand-prepared goodness. Nothing compares to the care, dedication, and love that you put into your business. Your products reflect it. I can’t wait to see you next time!

Sweet 'N' Savory's Gluten-Free Cannoli — Sweet ‘N’ Savory’s Gluten-Free Cannoli

July 5, 2013

Indian inspired Spinach Dal another Tasty Bite on a busy day

Product: Tasty Bite Spinach Dal – $3.29+

I lead a very busy life. No, really…I do. There are some weeks that I just never really find a moment to relax. Between my training sessions, my gym time, my yoga, my JOB, life can sometimes spin wildly out of control and just keep me too busy for my own liking. Honestly. I sometimes have to eat breakfast standing up in the kitchen, I can be that busy.

Monday is one of my busiest and most hectic days. Not only does it mean the start of the work week, but it also brings in my fun run. Every Monday night and I hate missing it. This, however, does require bolting home from work, changing into my running gear, and shoveling some sort of dinner down my throat. I have to be particular though…because in less than 30 minutes after that, I’ll be out running. Not hard…but still. Nothing worse than something not sitting right in your stomach before a run (eggs, anyone?).

Normally, a gluten-free (and vegan) grilled cheese sandwich is my go-to option on Monday night. But…I have a lot of “easy meals” in my pantry and I’m attempting to sort through all that craziness. After all…can’t change up the eating habits until the old stuff is out.

One of the best choices in my pantry, however, is a heap of Indian-inspired meals that are ready in 90 seconds. No…really! These little pouches of deliciousness are made by Tasty Bite and I have found them in regular grocery stores and natural food stores. This past Monday morning, I cooked up two servings of jasmine rice, because that’s easy to reheat in minutes when I get in from work. I figured I could grab one of the Tasty Bite pouches from the pantry and serve up a filling, but not going to kill my stomach when I run, sort of meal.

My flavor of choice – Spinach Dal.

For those of you unfamiliar with Indian food, Dal is simply lentils. And I am a huge fan of lentils!! The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal is a blend of spinach, yellow lentils, and spices. Nothing hot. A lot of people just assume Indian food is going to be hot. I wouldn’t want to eat something spicy before a run either. The Spinach Dal is the perfect balance of mild Indian spices with delicious lentils and spinach, cooked down, and served over the rice I made that morning.

And it only takes 90 seconds. Told you…it’s an easy, go-to, and VERY tasty meal.

I actually prefer spice, but the milder choices make for great Monday Run Day meals, I’ve found. The combination of the carbs from the rice and the protein from the lentils is that perfect balance I need to fuel my body for what is always my second run of the day. The spinach was soft and spiced to perfection. The lentils added a nice hit of texture and flavor…and a bit of meatiness to this vegetarian meal. I found the spices to mesh perfectly with the ingredients.

Speaking of ingredients…what all went into this? You’d be surprised at the short list of natural ingredients. This is why I love having these on hand. The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal meal contains simply water, spinach, lentils, tomatoes, onions, sunflower oil, salt, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, sugar, chilies, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, pepper, and spices. I recognize every ingredient on that list. Every single one. And while there are more than the 6-7 ingredients I prefer to see, most of them are spices and I’m okay with that. The less salt and sugar used, the better.

Nutritionally speaking, this is a healthy choice for a meal as well. One pouch contains two 100 calorie servings. Each of these servings also deliver 5 grams of fat to your daily intake. For being a packaged meal, the fact that it only contains 480 mg sodium per serving is awesome. In addition, you get a healthy dose of 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. While sugar is listed on the ingredient list…only 2 grams are found in each serving. The Tasty Bite Spinach Dal is also vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher! Awesome!

Healthy. Tasty. Delicious. You really can’t go wrong with these. If you love Indian food as much as I do…and need something easy to prepare for dinner one night…look no further than Tasty Bite. And, if you aren’t afraid of cooked spinach and lentils…than the Spinach Dal makes for one of the best choices they have. Very delicious! Very…well…tasty!

Tasty Bite Spinach Dal over jasmine rice

July 5, 2013July 5, 2013

Recipe: Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins

I love to bake. No, really…I do. Just as much as I love to cook. But baking…baking sort of gives you that extra level of difficulty. All measurements have to be precise. Nothing can be off. Not even one bit.

Want to add another level of difficulty to the mix? Try converting a recipe to gluten-free! It’s not always as easy as it sounds. Sometimes measurements have to change. Sometimes other ingredients have to be added.

I had a lot of zucchini due to my CSA bin being laden with it this time of year. I love squash and zucchini. I love playing around with cooking it different ways. And growing up, I was always a huge fan of zucchini bread. No need for that chocolate stuff that gets added to it. Nope. The zucchini and the other ingredients can definitely speak for themselves.

So…every Saturday when I am in town, I have been meeting up with a great group of people to go running. This gets my long run in and I am able to enjoy it with some company…and really focus on the long slow distance (LSD) pace that I am supposed to be practicing. I’m no good at this running slower thing, but I’m learning. It’s important to build up stamina and strength.

That being said, a great group was taking me on a 13 mile run last weekend and I wanted to supply some eats for afterwards. I stumbled across a recipe for Zucchini Muffins in a blog called Eat, Live, Run…so it was maintained by a runner…and it sounded easy and delicious. Plus…I had every ingredient necessary. BONUS. The result? Everyone who took a muffin LOVED it. And so…here is my adapted recipe to make it gluten-free and delicious…and, loved by runners and non-runners alike!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins

Servings: 16
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Bake 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1.5 cups all purpose flour (I used Better Batter Gluten-Free All Purpose)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1.5 cups grated zucchini (about two small-medium sized zucchini)
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract (or, vanilla paste)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon and sugar for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the grated zucchini, eggs, vanilla and oil. Stir well to combine and then gently stir into the flour mixture. Be careful not to overwork this—it will lead to dense muffins!

Fill lined muffin tins about 3/4th of the way up with the batter and then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on each.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden.

~*~*~

These were so moist and delicious. I did feel, however, that the nutmeg almost overpowered the rest of the muffin, so I think next time I’ll do maybe 1/8 tsp nutmeg. Aside from that, these were fantastic. And they keep well too. My roommate and I polished these off this morning after hitting up the gym and they were still as moist and delicious as they were the night I baked them. I received a lot of praise and compliments from my running group on these muffins, so I would say they were a definite hit.

The recipe is super easy…and super delicious. Each muffin has only 136 calories in it

June 26, 2013June 27, 2013

Apple Pie Gelato from Pure Gourmet is a scoop of sweet apple goodness

Product: Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato – $5.99+

I think I need to get the roomie to indulge in beer flights more often…especially just before we hit up Whole Foods. Because when the roomie gets tipsy…the grocery budget gets a little bigger. Mostly because I find stuff I’ve been wanting to try…but know the budget won’t handle it. When the Tipsy Wonder is feeling the after affects of a beer flight with dinner, well…suddenly I start getting gluten-free gifts. Yes…this needs to become a tradition.

Why am I relaying this little anecdote? Well…because this happened on Friday night. And as a result, I ended up with quite a few bits of goodness in my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator. One of my new Thinking Outside The Gluten-Free Budget Because Someone Had A Beer Flight™ purchases happened to be a pint of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato.

Pure Gourmet was created by Philadelphia natives, Andrea Perrier, Kelly MacLeod, and Michael MacLeod. The three of them all shared a love for everything natural and gourmet. That’s why they launched their first line of sorbets, using natural, healthy ingredients. Soon after, they launched a line of gelato. Pure Gourmet’s entire concept is built upon the founder’s passion for enjoying pure foods with naturally bold and intense flavor. And all of their products are gluten-free and kosher. Loving it.

So…out of all the flavors to choose from…I grabbed the Apple Pie Gelato. Why? Because it was on closeout. Whole Foods was getting rid of that flavor. Which meant, the other gelato flavors and the sorbets would still be there. But not this one. Not for much longer. And that is how it beat out the Chocolate Caramel Sorbet. Honestly.

Tonight, the power went out (which means I took pictures of the product by the light of my oil lamp…so they are a bit dark…so sorry!). We had some huge storms sweep through the area and I had, thankfully, just finished toasting up my gluten-free veggie quesadilla when the lights went out. I was hoping they wouldn’t be out too long…but alas…my roommate and I managed to eat our dinner in the dark and there was no sign of the power returning yet. In fact, the storm was still raging outside. So…dishes and then dessert would have to be prepared in the dark.

Dessert was something I had been thinking about all day. I tend to think about food a lot. We had been working on a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles, but only one serving (2 cookies) remained. So I came up with the idea of Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles A La Mode. For real. Each of us got one of the remaining cookies in the bottom of the bowl. Then, one small scoop of the Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato and a sprinkling of the cookie crumbs from the bottom of the container and…BAM…easy dessert.

I passed off a bowl to my roommate and went to tuck the gelato back in the freezer, which would remain closed until the return of the power. She dove in immediately and all I heard was, “The gelato is sooooooo goooooood!”

Happy squee time. But I had to find out for myself. I settled in on the couch. The first thing my spoon touched was that gelato. I wanted to see for myself.

She was so right. It tasted like a frozen apple pie. But…creamy and rich and smooth. I loved the apple flavor. And pairing it with a gluten-free snickerdoodle was an amazing combination. It was like having a cinnamon crust on a delicious apple pie. Honestly. And the sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar over the top just gave it that extra little bit. However, this gelato is crazy-good on its own. Trust me. I tried it without any embellishments as well. You can really taste every flavor in this gelato. And it has the perfect consistency too. Creamy and dreamy. Apple pie…taken to the next level. It definitely satisfied the ice cream lover in me. I wish my Whole Foods wasn’t going to stop carrying this variety. It is fresh apple pie meats gourmet ice cream good. Apple pie a la mode…in just the a la mode part. SO good!

Nutritionally speaking, this is gelato…so understand that it’s a dessert. A treat. Treat it as one. Don’t overindulge. Do NOT…I repeat…DO NOT sit down and eat the entire pint in one sitting. I always measure out or weigh my servings so I know exactly how much I am eating. I am very, very good about sticking to the portion-size. And I do everything to make sure this is always the case.

That being said, a serving of Pure Gourmet Foods Apple Pie Gelato is 1/2 cup (or if you prefer to weigh food, like I do…102 grams). This serving will contain a cold helping of 210 calories and 10 grams of fat. This gelato has 21 grams of sugar, 70 mg of sodium, 40 mg cholesterol, 1 gram of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. Remember…this is a treat. You should never feel bad about having dessert. Just plan accordingly.

And as far as ingredients go, this gelato is not only gluten-free but also kosher. It is made from milk, cream, sugar, evaporated apples, glucose, nonfat dry milk, whey, natural green apple flavor, cinnamon, guar gum, lotus bean gum, and carrageenan. So…I recognize most of those. I had to look up what carrageenan was…and for those of you who want to know, it is a member of the linear sulfated polysaccarides that are extracted from red seaweeds and used throughout the food industry for their gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. These are most often used in dairy and meat products due to their strong binding to food proteins.

Good to know.

I guess.

Anyway…if you haven’t found this yet in your grocer’s freezer…and you love gelato…I highly recommend Pure Gourmet. It is delicious and the perfect compliment to any meal. And I highly recommend the Apple Pie Gelato…should you be able to find it. If not, talk to customer service and see if they can order it for you. Trust me…you’ll want to devour this.

A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle — A scoop of Pure Gourmet Apple Pie Gelato atop an Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle

June 25, 2013

La Pasta offers perfect Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli – $5.99+

Thank you, grocery shopping gods. Thank you for that one day that my roommate and I were at Whole Foods for something specific, but we decided to walk the aisles. Thank you for letting her turn her head at the right time and spot the most epic thing ever in the pasta aisle. Thank you…for La Pasta. And thank you, La Pasta, for your gorgeous Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli.

In the past, my best gluten-free pastas have been of the fresh variety. I blogged about the amazing RP Pasta Company’s fresh gluten-free noodles awhile back. I have some fresh gluten-free gnocchi to try as well from Nuovo. That will be next. But…hands down, the best pastas are the ones that aren’t made to be frozen. Gluten-free pasta can be so finicky and can go from perfect to gummy to mushy within seconds.

Yes…seconds.

But, I wasn’t passing up the opportunity to try these out. So, after going out for gluten-free pizza with a co-worker one Friday night and getting the roomie completely toasted on a beer flight, it was time to go grocery shopping. (Note: Grocery shopping with a sorta drunk roommate is the best grocery shopping ever…because I can buy, literally, anything I want). We hit up Trader Joe’s first and behaved, sticking to the list. So…her sandwich bread and some of their potato chips for her lunch. Then…it was Whole Foods time. And I was prepared for my moment of gluten-free grocery shopping glory.

Walk the aisles? You better believe it. Grab whatever I have been wanting to try? You betcha! I had almost forgotten about the pasta but it struck me just as we were about to head for the checkout line. Whew. Close call. We scurried back to the pasta section and had to make the choice between La Pasta’s Gluten-Free Cheese Ravioli or La Pasta’s Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli. The tipsy wonder chose for me, snagging a package of the Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli.

With no plans in the works for dinner tonight, I figured I could use up the rest of the pasta sauce in the fridge if I simply cooked up the package of ravioli for dinner. Perfect. And not very time consuming either. The part that took the longest was waiting on the 4 quarts of water to come to a boil. But, like any good chef, I just slapped a lid on the pot and it happened a lot faster than it would have otherwise.

With the pasta sauce working on the stove, and the water now heated to a boil, I cut open the plastic packaging holding the little pockets of spinach and cheese wonder and poured them into the boiling water, immediately turning down the heat. It came up to a boil and the pasta cooked for about 2 – 3 minutes. BOOM. Done. That simple.

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (cooked)

I drained the pasta and shook out all the excess water. Then, it was already time to serve up dinner. I split the package between us, which worked out to about 12 ravioli each. These were very light and I could see the stuffing through the pasta after I cooked it up. And it smelled absolutely fantastic. The best part was, nothing was sticking together. Each ravioli easily slid from the spoon I was dishing it up with onto the plate. No casualties of war. Not one. I was already impressed and just praying now that I had cooked them long enough. Hey, I cooked as instructed on the packaging…which sometimes works out…and sometimes does not.

I sauced each plate with a serving of the marinara sauce (Classico’s Florentine Spinach and Cheese, for the record) and topped off my roomie’s with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano and hit up mine with some crushed red pepper. Yummy!! Dinner was served.

Moment of truth. One swipe of the fork and I knew I was in for a treat. The pasta was perfection. It cooked up soft, without turning to mush or becoming gummy and sticky. The little pockets of ravioli held the stuffing, the fresh spinach and ricotta cheese, perfectly. And when I took my first full bite, everything just melted together and made the most perfect bite of ravioli I have ever experience since going gluten-free. It was full of flavor, cooked to perfection, and just made for a perfect bite. I was hooked…and sort of wishing I had more of it on my plate.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli is 95 grams. There are 2.5 servings per container. My roommate and I split the entire package. An actual serving of this ravioli will serve up 170 calories and 5 grams of fat. A serving also contains 40 mg of cholesterol and 480 mg sodium. As far as fiber goes, the Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli only offers 1 gram of fiber, but you do get a healthy dose of 7 grams of protein. Loving it.

And as for the ingredient list, it doesn’t get much simpler than a filling made from ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, sea salt, canola oil, olive oil, black pepper, garlic, potato flakes, and nutmeg. As for the pasta itself…that’s a blend of corn starch, whole dried eggs, potato starch, sea salt, tapioca starch, filtered water and xanthan gum. Yep. It’s really that simple. And it tastes like homemade. That’s the very best part. Tender with a cheesy center that just melts…it melts. It’s awesome.

La Pasta…you’ve won my heart…and my gluten-free pasta loving soul.

For life.

La Pasta Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (cooked and sauced)

June 25, 2013June 25, 2013

Udi’s Gluten-Free serves up a dose of protein with delicious Omega Flax and Fiber bread

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread – $5.99+

When it comes to gluten-free breads, there is one brand that you will always see at the top of the lists. Consistently. They were also the very first gluten-free bread I ever ate. So they set the standard that all other gluten-free breads were to measure up to. Some have. Some haven’t.

I am, of course, speaking about Udi’s Gluten-Free.

Not too long ago, I received a very generous shipment that included not only some of their classic products, but also a few new ones as well. I was elated. And as I work through them, I am having fun discovery items I hadn’t tried yet…and rediscovering the ones I fell in love with originally.

While Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread has been out on the market for awhile, I had not found it in my area, nor had I had the opportunity to try it. As it was one of the loaves of bread included in my big box of gluten-free goodness, I was ecstatic to be able to finally try another variety, besides the three classic standbys – white, whole grain, and cinnamon raisin.

The other loaf of bread was the Gluten-Free Millet-Chia variety, which I absolutely fell in love with when I first sampled it. So, with that in mind, I couldn’t wait to dive into the Omega Flax and Fiber bread. Yesterday…was that day.

It was Monday, which means my dinner has to be quick and easy…because I have to meet up with my running group after a full day at the office by 6:00 p.m. This means, I hurry home and make a vegan and gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich before changing into my running clothes, hurrying to my car, and hoping I beat the traffic into Louisville to make it to the running store in time to run with the group. These are manic Monday’s indeed. But this is my pattern every week.

Last week I polished of the loaf of Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia bread, so while I was at work, I thawed out two slices of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread. It was perfect and ready for me to toast up with some vegan cheese sandwiched inside when I got home. And, guess what…I fell in love with this variety too.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread is made from naturally gluten-free ancient grains. The Omega Flax and Fiber bread contains a blend of Omega 3, 6, and 9, is packed with protein, full of antioxidants, and has a good serving of filling fiber as well. And that…is a wonderful combination! This bread is flavored with chia seeds, which supplies a healthy dose of nutrients and contributes to the unique and tasty flavor that each slice contains.

Yes…I said tasty. Because this bread is fantastic. It tasted really good without being toasted, but once I set it in that skillet, it just transformed into the most perfect specimen of gluten-free bread. The omegas, chia seeds, and flax seeds lend this nutty flavor to the bread. I loved how well it held up. Despite having been frozen and thawing in a plastic bag all afternoon, this bread didn’t crumble at all when I spread it with a little hot mustard and put a slice of cheese and some onion slices inside to grill up. This bread held up to the butter that I cooked it in. And it didn’t crumble or fall apart when I flipped it over. Too often I find that gluten-free breads can be quite delicate and brittle. But Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread worked perfectly. I loved the flavor and the texture of it. What’s even better about both this and the Millet-Chia bread was that with the additional fiber and protein in these slices, I don’t feel hungry immediately after eating. Most gluten-free breads don’t leave me feeling satisfied, but that’s not the case with Udi’s new Ancient Grains line. I got through my run and wasn’t starving immediately after. That’s a big change from my usual Monday night.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread is 2 slices of bread. One serving will provide you with 150 calories (not bad at all!) and 6 grams of fat (UGH!). I think my biggest complaint with gluten-free products is how many of them have more fat in a serving than the normal equivalent of said product has. It’s a burden I have to bear though, because there is no other way I can eat. In addition, this bread contains 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Loving that. No wonder I didn’t immediately feel hungry. I also love that this bread is low in sodium (260 mg) and has only 3 grams of sugar. It is definitely one of the healthiest gluten-free bread options out on the market.

Once again, Udi’s is proving why they continue to win awards and accolades for their gluten-free products. This bread was fantastic. Taste, texture…everything was spot on. As usual, my only complaint is with the size of the slices. They are so small…I feel like I’m eating half the sandwich my roommate eats. It sort of looks like I am too. Regardless…Udi’s is definitely serving the gluten-free community products that are top of the line. I only hope we continue to get more great additions to the gluten-free product line-up as time goes on.

A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi's Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices — A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices

June 25, 2013

Mighty taste and mighty flavor make Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels a mighty breakfast food

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels – $6.49+

I spent all of my childhood growing up in New York. One thing that New Yorkers know is their bagels. Bagels are famous, especially in New York City, and can be found pretty much on every corner and in every bakery. Bagels, when done right, care the most amazing carbohydrate-filled breakfast out there. Especially when toasted, warm, and given a light schmear of cream cheese.

Are you drooling yet?

Two years ago, I was in search of the most perfect gluten-free bagel. I tried so many brands, before finally spending a few extra dollars and purchasing the Gluten-Free Plain variety from Udi’s Gluten-Free. I swore I would never find a more perfect bagel than what Udi’s offered then. And, since that time, they have expanded their bagel selection from just the Plain, to offering Whole Grain and Cinnamon Raisin, and expanding it even more this past year with the addition of the Everything Inside Bagel and the Mighty Bagel.

I was thrilled to receive both the Everything Inside and Mighty Bagels in a nice box that Udi’s Gluten-Free sent to me. While I had thoroughly enjoyed their bagels, I hadn’t made it a habit to purchase them. The reason mostly being that I am on a tight budget and while the craving for a good gluten-free bagel (they don’t get better than Udi’s) hit every now and again, I had too much stuff at home to really justify another purchase. Especially when it comes to breakfast food. Because I am a breakfast girl. Anyway, the box was a true treat as it contained some of their classic items they are best known for, as well as a smattering of their newest products out on the market. It struck a nice balance. And the box definitely made me smile.

Well, the craving for bagels could now be satisfied. And, finally, at long last…today I could truly cave to that craving.

After a 6 mile training run early, early, early this morning, I returned home to hop in the shower and then start getting everything together for breakfast. I had no plans and no idea what to make. I just knew I was running behind more than usual, so something easy would be best. I opened up the freezer and there they were…shining at me like the beacon of gluten-free goodness that they are…Udi’s Gluten-Free Everything Inside and Mighty Bagels. Eenie meenie miney mo…the Mighty Bagels won the draw this morning.

I went ahead and put the bagels into a plastic bag to thaw out while I heated up my oven to toast them (when I was diagnosed as a Celiac, I had to get rid of the toaster as my roomie loves her wheat bread and we had definitely used the hell out of that toaster when I was eating bread too). My roomie was going to experience her first gluten-free bagel. I had no idea what a Mighty Bagel included, but I could see what I thought were chopped nuts hovering on the surface…so now I had to give the package a good perusal.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels include dried cranberries, quinoa flour, sunflower seed, pepitas, millet seeds, and flax seeds. I hadn’t realized that. I just thought they were called “Mighty Bagels” because they were bigger than the original. This is what happens when you don’t read the packaging. No nuts, but plenty of amazing goodness packed into a bagel, that’s for certain. I was really excited about these, because the ingredients reminded me a lot of the Harvest Crunch Muffins that I had back when I first received the Udi’s Box of Awesome.

The moment of truth came about 5 minutes after these were popped into the oven to toast. I put a light schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese over the halves and served one bagel to my roommate and did the other one up for me. Given that Cathy is not a bagel person…she devoured this. In fact, I was still putting the vegan cream cheese on my bagel as she was nomming away, and I asked…”How is it?” I was awaiting…”It’s okeydokey.” Which usually means, “I’m not a fan, but I’m being nice.” But…she said, “It’s really tasty!” SCORE!

My turn. I settled in for breakfast with my bagel, my fresh watermelon slices I cut up earlier that morning, and a cup of coffee. Now fully nestled in my breakfast spot, I took a bite…and it is definitely gluten-free bagel nirvana. Mighty tasty. Just amazing and awesome and delicious. They toasted up to perfection. And the generous scattering of the different seeds and the cranberries is evident…and totally delicious. It definitely added a nice hint of flavor to the bagel. Plain is all fine and good, but this definitely turned up the volume by mighty proportions.

And on the nutrition front…these do okay. They are a bit high in calories, but what bagel isn’t. I guess that’s why I simply paired it with a bowl of watermelon. Anyway, one serving is one Mighty Bagel. This bagel will provide you with 300 calories and 11 grams of fat. Welcome to the gluten-free world. (*SAD FACE*). You get served 3 grams of fiber and an amazing 8 grams of protein. Loving those berries and seeds. These bagels are cholesterol free, low in sodium (370 mg) and contain 9 grams of sugar. For a bagel…not bad. For a gluten-free bagel…definitely not bad.

Once again, Udi’s proves how they remain on top of the gluten-free products lists time and time again. Taste, texture, flavor, even the size of the bagels all compare to the regular (gluten-filled) bagels I ate growing up and into my early adulthood…before gluten and I became mortal enemies. I am thankful to have a company that I can turn to and know they keep their standards high when it comes to their products. You can tell, because more often than not…they hit it out of the park. They certainly won me over with the Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels. Welcome to my freezer…you’ll be there often.

Udi's Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels (one halved, one full) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Mighty Bagels (one halved, one full)

June 24, 2013May 11, 2015

Remembering just how much Udi’s rocks Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies – $5.99+

Want to win me over?

No…I mean it. For real. If you want to win me over…completely…heart, body, mind, soul, and spirit…then there is one key ingredient that you need to wave before me.

A gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie.

Go ahead. Scoff. Laugh. Mock me.

The fact of the matter is, growing up, my mom used to make the most fantastic snickerdoodle cookies. They were sweet with that little kick of spice from the cinnamon. To me, the perfectly balanced cookie. Sugar and spice…and everything nice. My mom made the best snickerdoodles. The absolute best.

I miss her cookies.

I miss snickerdoodles.

Back in November 2011, I picked up a container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies. For a long while now, I had been reading about the epicness of these little bite-size cookies. I was intrigued. Surely they couldn’t measure up to my mom’s. Nothing is as good as mom’s cookies, right? Well…they may not have been my mom’s cookies…but they were close. They came really close.

So, why am I revisiting these cookies? Well, Udi’s sent me a delicious box of some goodies awhile back. Some old products; some new products. I was ecstatic to be given the opportunity to not just revisit some of the classic products, but also get a taste of what Udi’s is bringing to the market that is new to their already expanding product line. And what a line-up it is too!

Of the classic products, I was delighted to see a container of the Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies among the other products. I might have hugged it as I lifted it out of the box. There were no witnesses, so no one can know for sure.

Were they as good as I thought they were back in 2011? After all, I was quite new to the gluten-free world back then. And after being deprived of many things, sometimes things just taste…amazing…due to not being able to have them.

Well, tonight I was on a mission to find out. I retrieved the container of Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies from the pantry after eating dinner. I allow myself a small dessert every night, because we all need to treat ourselves. And I was feeling cookies. Snickerdoodles. How I resisted ripping that container open before now I will never know.

Anyway…two cookies. That’s the serving size. These cookies are three-bite cookies. Meaning…in three bites, they are gone. They aren’t big, but given that you get to devour two of them, it’s like eating a full-size cookie. I settled in, watching the second series of BBC’s “Sherlock” with dinner and finishing it up with dessert (appropriate, yes?).

I can attest that my love for Udi’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies remains high and perched atop a throne of gluten-free glory. These are just as good as I remembered them. Sweet with that kick of cinnamon, lending just the right amount of spice. Oh, and chewy. So soft. Moist. They are so easy to eat. And snickerdoodles are supposed to be a soft cookie. These practically melt in your mouth. They just have that right hit of sweetness from the cinnamon and sugar combination, mingled with the soft cookie texture. It makes for the perfect way to round-off any night. A soft-baked chewy delight of cookie monster glory.

I am still smitten.

Udi’s cookies are made from evaporated cane juice, Udi’s blend of flour (a mix of tapioca, potato starch and brown rice flour) butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, xanthan gum, non-gmo vegetable oil, and baking soda. Nothing unfamiliar or chemical sounding there…which makes me a happy girl. I love a product that I recognize every single ingredient that goes into it.

Nutritionally speaking…these cookies are a dessert and a treat. So, don’t be too shocked at these stats. As I stated, the serving size is two cookies. From these two cookies, you will be taking in 200 calories and 8 grams of fat. Each serving only contains 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein, so these will do little to fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied. Save for the fact that they really do satisfy that sweet tooth. And they should…as these cookies contain 16 grams of sugar per serving.

So, remember that these are a dessert, a snack, a treat. Not something that you should sit down with the entire container and devour while mindlessly watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Sherlock on the BBC network series. Not that I would do such a thing…

*AHEM*

What it boils down to…is everything in moderation. Unfortunately, many gluten-free foods get laden down with more calories and fat and these cookies seem to fall into that category. But, treating them as what they are…a treat…it’s a nice way to round off a day. And the fact that they are super-yummy does help ease the blow of the calorie and fat content…somewhat. Focus on the fact that you are taking six delicious bites of amazing soft and chewy gluten-free snickerdoodle cookies. Then go for a walk. You won’t feel as guilty.

Or…indulge. They are, after all, the most amazing gluten-free snickerdoodles I have treated myself to. Udi’s…you continue to rock my cookie-loving world.

Udi's Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies — Udi’s Gluten-Free Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

June 23, 2013

Udi’s wins on size and flavor, but falls short on texture with new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (large) – $5.20+

Mmmm…food in taco form is always a good thing. I love tacos. I love burritos. I love breakfast wraps. I love just about anything you could possibly think about wrapping up in a tortilla. Seriously. As long as it fits into my diet, I’m all about it. And I definitely love Mexican-inspired dishes. The problem with that is that sometimes it’s hard to find full-size tortillas to work with the dish you have in mind.

Well, awhile back, I received a nice box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods, containing a mix of some of their new and some of their classic products. I was overjoyed to see quite a few of the items in that box and have definitely fallen in love with them…or fallen back in love with some of the classics I had ages ago and haven’t yet worked my way back around to purchasing again. Let’s face it…when it comes to taste and texture, Udi’s is constantly one of the front runners in the market.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large)

One of the new products that was included in this box of Udi’s goodness were the new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas. Udi’s recently came out with these tortillas that look and feel like regular flour tortillas. Honestly. I was simply amazed when I went to use these in a recipe. I mean…wow. It was just like those days when I didn’t have to worry about eating a flour tortilla. I was so excited about putting my vegan shrimp taco fixings on this tortilla too.

I was sent the package of the larger varieties of these tortillas. Awesome. They also come in smaller, taco-sized tortillas as well. So you get your pick. I was ready to have a soft-shelled taco again in my life. And these were such a different feel than the ones I’ve had from Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing how they worked with my fillings of choice.

I’ve cooked these tortillas up two different ways, and I have to say…while I do enjoy the flavor and the taste of these…I’m having a hard time with the tortillas themselves. They are definitely delicious…but the texture is off.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large)

The first time I made up my vegan shrimp tacos, I prepared the tortillas using the microwave method. This means I wrapped the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaved them for the recommended time. Then, these tortillas were piled on with the fillings, lettuce, onion, vegan shrimp, avocado, and some vegan Sriracha sour cream (my invention). I carried a plate of one tortilla stuffed with taco goodness over to my roommate…and sadly…the tortilla crumbled. It just…fell apart. Mine was the same way. So, I ended up grabbing for a fork and we finished off our meal that way.

Last night, I decided to do the warm in a dry skillet technique, hoping for better results. Crossing my fingers, I heated up my large skillet on the stove and placed a tortilla on it to warm before flipping it over and doing the same on the other side. I repeated with the second tortilla. I once again loaded up all the delicious fillings form my Vegan Shrimp Tacos and carried one plate over to my roommate and enjoyed the other for myself. This time, I found that I could pick up the tortilla, however the texture was a bit gummy. So, while my first attempt had the perfect texture, it crumbled…and my second attempt had held up to the toppings, but the texture was off.

I’m at a loss.

I have two more of the 6 toritllas that are included in the pack to go through. I think it will be interesting to see how my third attempt making something with these tortillas turns out. I think I might go classic quesadilla this time and see if that works out in the end. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, because I haven’t read about anyone else having such issues with these tortillas.

I will say this…if you want the feel and the flavor of a flour tortilla…probably something you’ve been missing, this is the tortilla that will fulfill that craving. It is spot on!! However, so far…my attempts at utilizing them for eating has been an epic fail. I love Udi’s…but when I want to eat a taco…I want to pick it up and eat it like a taco.

Yeah…I think the quesadilla thing is next. Hopefully it will have a better result.

Nutritionally speaking, Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas aren’t don’t fare too bad. Not really. One tortilla serves up 170 calories and 4 grams of fat. In addition to that, you get served 5 filling grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. They are relatively low in sodium for a processed food (330 mg) and they are cholesterol free. NICE! You can fill them, stuff them, fold them, and do whatever you like to bring them to life and (hopefully) have good results. My attempts have been an epic fail thus far, but I’m not giving up. Not yet.

I have faith in Udi’s and stand behind their products a lot. However…checking the ingredients…not sure how I feel about modified potato starch being on that ingredient list. Gluten-free foods…should be healthy and not laden with excessive calories or fat. For the most part, Udi’s follows this. But…modified foods, I do have a problem with. So, hopefully they will begin working that out of the ingredients in the future.

So, as far as tortilla love goes…I love certain aspects of this product…but other parts of it don’t work for me. You will feel like you’re eating a real flour tortilla…and that is something no gluten-free tortilla that has come before it has managed. If I can just figure out that perfect cooking procedure and get the product to either not crumble or have a gummy texture…we’ll be in business.

I’ll let you know how those quesadillas turn out.

For now…on the fence with these. It’s not love/hate…but it’s love/like/dislike at the moment. So, there is room for improvement. And hopefully…improvement will happen.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream