Frozen – Page 15 – The Celiathlete

January 16, 2014

Product Review: Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia

Product: Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia – $4.99+

It is by sheer happenstance that I have had, since going gluten-free, a slice of gluten-free focaccia bread. And that happy moment occurred at a local, and now relocated (they moved out of Indiana and into Louisville) café here in the area. The restaurant was Earth Friends Café…and their gluten-free sandwiches were made on gluten-free focaccia bread, provided to them by one of my favorite local businesses, Annie May’s Sweet Café.

That feels like forever ago. It was…probably just over a year or so.

While I can still go to Earth Friends Café, it has been awhile. That is something I definitely need to change. Aside from that, however, that was the only time I had something different when I ordered a gluten-free sandwich. No Udi’s. No Schär. No prepackaged, store brand. Nope. It was real and amazing focaccia bread.

And that one time…an eternity ago…set the standard.

I attempted, once, to make a focaccia bread from a mix by Chēbē…which didn’t work out for me…at all. And that was that. Nothing more ever came of focaccia in my gluten-free life.

Until…one day…I was at my local natural food store and I spotted something I had never seen before. While I had heard of the Canyon Bakehouse brand via the various gluten-free magazines I subscribe to, and my annual trip out to Colorado (the Canyon Bakehouse dedicated gluten-free bakery is located in Loveland, Colorado), I had yet to actually taste any of their products. I had wanted to carry some home with me on my last trip to Colorado, but that final trip to the grocery store never actually happened. So…YAY…happy dance in the aisle when I spotted the brand in my area. FINALLY!

The freezer section actually had a few Canyon Bakehouse options inside now, but I zeroed in on the Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia. I have an abundance of gluten-free pasta in my pantry at the moment, so I figured…get some focaccia and get motivated to start cooking some of that up for dinner. With some pleading eyes and maybe a pout, I convinced my roommate to allow one extra splurge this week to our grocery budget. It worked…and the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia made the journey home to my own freezer.

I just returned from vacation, which means my cabinets, pantry, and fridge are pretty much bare, save for a couple of items. Pasta. Naturally. And lo and behold…my freezer had the focaccia bread inside. I knew what dinner was going to be the next three nights. Who doesn’t love a gluten-free rotini with a marinara sauce and a slice of gluten-free focaccia? I didn’t think I’d hear any complaints!

So, after coming home from the airport and letting the focaccia bread thaw for a couple of hours, I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and began to slice the bread into serving sizes. The packages says it will serve 8, so I sliced it in half, then cut those halves in half and then halved those again. Total…8 slices of focaccia. It worked well. I put the slices on a pan and then put them in the oven to toast while I worked on the pasta and marinara. About 10 minutes later, the pasta was ready and I pulled the bread out of the oven. Plating was easy. Bowl for the pasta…focaccia over the bowl. Perfect for mopping up that marinara, yes? Yes!

Settling in to eat, I couldn’t wait to taste the bread. So, I took one bite. And WOW! Canyon Bakehouse has a great reputation for a reason. The Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia caught me off guard. I was prepared to have a taste of something heavy and dense…but the opposite was true. This focaccia bread, while not light, was flaky. The crust was golden from the oven, the inside, soft, flaky, warm, and perfect. It tasted like real bread. TOTALLY!!

Canyon Bakehouse states on their Web site that their mission is to create delicious and nutritious gluten-free breads that the entire family will enjoy. If the Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia is any indication of their standards, then watch out gluten-free world…because this product is stellar. You’d be hard-pressed to tell it was gluten-free. No crazy aftertaste, no too dense. Just really good flavors, really great texture, and just amazing bread all around.

Let’s get down to the chemistry of the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia, shall we? The ingredients are simple and recognizable: water, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, extra virgin olive oil, cultured brown rice flour, xanthan gum, eggs, sea salt, yeast, thyme, rosemary, organic agave syrup, black pepper, and natural enzymes. Nothing fake. Nothing chemical. No words I can’t pronounce. No question marks as to what I’m consuming. Real ingredients that make really delicious bread.

As for the nutritional aspect of this bread…it’s actually not bad…especially since it is gluten-free bread. A serving is 1/8 of the loaf of focaccia. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 4 grams of fat. Much of that fat percentage is derived from the olive oil that is used in the dough. Healthy fat. A proper slice will also provide you with 15 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. That’s not too bad. And, finally, you will be biting into 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein, so you won’t be left feeling empty after eating a slice. I find, so often, that gluten-free bread doesn’t fill me up like regular bread does. That’s not the case with this one. One slice is plenty.

I love how Canyon Bakehouse is thinking outside the box when it comes to products. With the variety of breads they offer (all of which I hope to try very soon), as well as hamburger buns, hotdog buns, and even muffins, the bakery does focus a lot on not just taste, but nutrition as well. I was beyond happy each night I had my gluten-free pasta to have a slice of the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia. It was the perfect compliment, seasoned to perfection, toasted up, with great, flaky texture and amazing flavor.

Yeah…you’re now on my radar, Canyon Bakehouse. And I hope to find more of your products soon!

A slice of Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia

January 8, 2014

Product Review: Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites

Product: Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites – $5.69+

Sometimes, when I get my roommate a little tipsy and then take her grocery shopping, I get to purchase some of the products I’ve practically salivated over trying since I spotted them, but get told “next week” by the roommate and then “next week” turns into never. Song and dance of my life since having to change my diet over two years ago.

So…when I mix in a little alcohol and a twist of grocery shopping, sometimes I can worm a few products into the cart that normally wouldn’t be allowed due to the tight food budget. Ah…I miss drunken grocery shopping.

However, on one such occasion when it happened…I managed to get my roommate to agree to the purchase of Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites. They intrigued me. They looked…interesting, sounded phenomenal, and weren’t too difficult to prepare. So, at first glance in the freezer section, they were a win with me. I kept pointing them out to my roommate on each venture to the grocery store…but the hint never sunk in. The “next week” line was given. Or…the budget was waved in front of my nose.

*sigh*

But…suddenly…she her grocery shopping tyrant barriers were down…and I had one shot. And…persistence and patience paid off. For sure. Because these little treats were in the basket, rung up at the register, and in my freezer before she could sober up.

According to Hilary’s Eat Well Web site, the company is dedicating to making delicious, convenient, and amazing food that is always gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, egg-free, soy-free, yeast-free, and nut-free. The company is best known for their original product, The World’s Best Veggie Burger, which debuted at owner Hilary Brown’s restaurant, Local Burger, in Lawrence, Kansas. With customer demand so high, Hilary’s Eat Well was developed so that she could bring her culinary creations to people who want to live healthy and sustainable lives, but still eat food that is easy to prepare at home and tastes great. The rest of the products that have been created since…must live up to these expectations.

So, why the Original Veggie Bites? What was it that made me glance at them on more than one occasion? They just sounded…interesting. Different. And, yes…all the “free from” on the packaging was also a draw. I love being able to tell if I can safely eat something quickly without having to pull it out of the freezer or off the shelf. So, that helped.

As I am prepping for a journey out of town, my CSA bin goodies have all been used up, I’m trying to keep the clean eating vibe going. These definitely, while processed, fit that bill. And they were easy enough to make, allowing for a stress-free dinner tonight. My roommate and I just split the bag between the two of us.

Cooking them is super easy. The packaging gives two options: oven and skillet. I love to bake things up in my oven, so I chose that option instead of pulling out a frying pan and oil. Besides, given the option, I always bake rather than fry. So, I set the oven for 400°F and put the Original Veggie Bites on a baking sheet. Then, into the oven they went, for 20 minutes. I flipped them over halfway through the baking process. I will say…they smelled phenomenal as they cooked up. And when they were done, I let them stand for 2 minutes, then served them up with some steamed broccoli. Healthy dinner, yes?

Of course…because Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites are made from real ingredients. Seriously. In fact, the packaging lists water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic expeller-pressed coconut oil, organic spinach, organic onion, organic garlic, organic psyllium husk powder, organic arrowroot, organic sweet potato, real salt, and organic apple cider vinegar. See…real…organic…ingredients.

And a serving…get this…is 2 of the Original Veggie Bites. My roommate and I each had 8 bites each. These 2 Original Veggie Bites serve up only 40 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. These tasty bites are cholesterol free and a serving only has 140 mg of sodium. Love that low sodium! In addition, a serving will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, probably not the most filling thing you can eat…but I’m still full and I ate 2 hours ago.

But…how do they taste? Hmm? Well…they taste like really amazing tater tots. The texture is even very similar to tater tots. You can really taste the quinoa and the veggies. I loved how they crisped up on the outside, getting that nice golden crust, and then were soft and savory in the middle. These were one of the most amazing things I have eaten from the grocer’s freezer in a long time. And it really makes me excited to try the veggie burger mentioned above in the very near future. These are honestly fantastic. I think they may always be kept in stock in my freezer. I love an easy meal. And one that is good for you too.

I was beyond impressed with my first taste of a product from Hilary’s Eat Well. I have only heard good things about this company and look forward (and even anticipate) my next purchase of one of these delicious products. Honestly, if you find them in your freezer…purchase them immediately and enjoy them for yourself.

I’m won over by Hilary’s Eat Well. For real.

Hilary's Eat Well Original Veggie Bites (baked) — Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites (baked)

January 5, 2014

Product Review: Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese – $8.00

The weather is getting colder. In fact, tomorrow, here, it isn’t even supposed to crack 0°F. No joke. That’s not common around here, not as of late anyway…but that is so freakin’ cold. And that makes me an unhappy girl. Trust me. I. HATE. COLD. WEATHER.

But with the cold weather comes those warm, hearty meals that fill you up and leave you feeling nice and cozy from the inside out. This includes a vast array of foods, but for me…it’s soups and casseroles…

…and macaroni and cheese.

Yes. Simple. Straightforward. Macaroni and Cheese.

But no ordinary macaroni and cheese will do. I do eat the kinds out of the box…but they are just for those quick meals I need to eat before rushing off somewhere in my hectic and busy schedule I keep. But on these days where I’m hibernating…or simply have some time on my hands…I will always choose a good old-fashioned homemade macaroni and cheese.

Here’s the thing though…I make a damn, damn, damn good gluten-free macaroni and cheese. My roommate will ask for it every now and again and beg and plead for me to make it. And, naturally, I will. It’s my mom’s recipe, which I have tweaked only slightly to fit into my dietary restrictions and to spice it up some. I love my homemade mac and cheese and I do love making it. But shredding the cheese and making the white sauce…it all takes a lot of time. Even if I have it…I sometimes can think of 100 other things I need to be doing.

Lucky me! Yes…once again…lucky me. Lucky me for having Annie May’s Sweet Café practically in my own backyard. Sure, this little bakery offers cupcakes and brownies and cookies and cakes and…all those other delictible naughty treats. But…sometimes…you get take-n-bake specials. I have previously blogged on Annie May’s Take-N-Bake Cinnamon Rolls and have tried (but obviously forgot to blog about…and will remedy that immediately) the Take-N-Bake Crescent Rolls. The take-n-bake options at Annie May’s Sweet Café make all those foods you crave that much easier to make yourself.

And she recently added Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese to that list.

Pardon me while I do the happiest little dance of joy.

Of course…I had to try it. I absolutely had to. I mean…I was heading home soon after dining there on Saturday morning for breakfast so…it only seemed logical, despite not really being in the budget, to give it a go. I was getting breakfast treats to go for Sunday…why not add dinner to the mix too. Just make Sunday (a busy day with everything needing to be done before Monday strikes) that much easier to slog through.

I was beyond excited the day I pulled this out of my refrigerator, preheating my oven to 375°F, per the instructions on the container. It looked so amazing and that was before I even popped it in the oven to bake. Go figure. Once the oven heated, I removed the plastic wrap and set the tray inside for about 20 minutes…the gluten-free breadcrumbs on top were golden and the cheese around the edge was bubbling. Oh yeah…done. And it looked and smelled so good.

Once again, Annie May’s Sweet Café really delivers. One bite and I looked over at my roommate, who was also enjoying half of this tray, and I said, “I think this is better than mine! And I make really good mac and cheese!” What makes it so amazing? Hell if I know. I don’t know what magic Annie May’s puts into their products, but this macaroni and cheese baked up creamy and cheesy, with that nice toasted crunch from the breadcrumbs. It was fantastic. So comforting to the soul, spirit, and body. I had wished I had bought them out of the trays they had. And I intended to do that this past weekend…but they only had one tray left by the time I got there so…I luckily snagged it before anyone else could. I think it might have been a near thing. Anyway…creamy, dreamy goodness in one simple dish.

I mean, right on the label, Annie May’s lays it all out as far as the ingredients: Brown rice flour, water, whole milk, cheddar cheese, and butter.

This is, in no way, a light meal. It’s hearty, it’s warm, it’s filling…but it makes you feel good as you eat it. And in the end, the food you eat should make you feel good.

I can’t say enough good things about Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky. They keep expanding their menu…which is soon to include bagels (and I can’t WAIT for that to happen)…and I have enjoyed being able to try these new additions as they are placed in the case. Yes…we, the food-allergic and even the non-food-allergic of Louisville, Kentucky have one really sweet place on Frankfort Avenue…which I make a point to visit often. It’s that good. The people are amazing. The food continues to get better and better.

No one would even guess it was gluten-free.

Comfort yourself on these cold winter nights with a little bit of gluten-free comfort food. Go to Annie May’s…and get the macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later.

And trust me…you will.

Annie May's Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (baked) — Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (baked)

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013

Product Review: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Product: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles – $4.99+

FINALLY!

Just…FINALLY!

As much as I love gluten-free waffles made from scratch…these days it seems impossible to find the time to actually make them. Trust me…it is an undertaking and a half. Seriously! And, my favorite homemade gluten-free waffles to prepare are…pumpkin! Yep…pumpkin. Delicious. Tasty. And we all know how much I love pumpkin flavored things. Just…YUM!!

These days, however, I just am never home long enough to actually work through the recipe and get the pumpkin waffles made from scratch. So…waffles have been off the menu. Because, regular waffles can be a task and a half to make as well. So…it’s been pancakes, Greek yogurt parfaits with fruit and gluten-free granola, cereal, and things with roasted potatoes…or just gluten-free bagels. No waffles. Not for a very long time.

But that changed. That changed the moment I stepped into the freezer section of my local Whole Foods and spotted…one of the most wonderful things I have ever encountered in that aisle. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles. YES! GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE WAFFLES!! Shout it from the rooftop friends. I did another happy dance of joy in the aisle. I should really stop doing that…but I just get so excited!

This box of frozen waffles is made by Nature’s Path. I tried one other variety of their gluten-free waffles a year or two ago…but don’t remember too much about them. Other than that Van’s gluten-free versions blew them out of the water. For real!

But…let bygones be bygones…and…Van’s doesn’t make pumpkin spice waffles…so…HA! These were in my basket and at the register before my roomie or I could talk ourselves out of the purchase. The deed was done.

And with me taking an early morning spin class a couple mornings a week…these are the perfect thing to throw in the oven to toast while I shower off before work. And that’s exactly what I did on Friday. Friday was already crazy. I had just gotten back in town from my Christmas trip to see my family. My luggage had gone missing and was returned late that night. I was worn out…but really wanted to get a little activity in before settling back into my routine for one day. Spinning did that. And I just happen to get home right as my roomie is waking up. So, I put these waffles in the oven and went to shower. They were done just as I finished off dressing. I warmed up some of my agave maple syrup to pour over them and…just like that…brekkies was served.

Oh…these definitely made an impression on me. The pumpkin spice flavor is there…but not overpowering. There is pumpkin and then there is PUMPKIN. I love pumpkin flavors…but I want to taste the other spices too. In this case…cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect compliments. The waffles toasted up beautifully…their orange color turning a deep golden as they reached the perfect level of toastiness. This gave them this great crunch on the outside, but that soft, steamy center that make every waffle perfect. Oh…it was bliss. Bliss in a pumpkin-y waffle-y form. These made my hectic morning easy…and super delicious. I hope these aren’t a seasonal thing because I really want to stock up!

Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles are made from water, organic pumpkin puree, organic brown rice flour, organic potato starch, organic yellow corn flour, organic soy oil, organic tapioca starch, organic cane sugar, organic potato flour, baking powder, organic flax seeds, organic soy lecithin, organic pear and/or grape juice concentrate, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic spices, and sea salt. Whew. It seems like a lot of ingredients, but I recognize every single one of them. That’s something. And I love how a majority of the ingredients are also organic.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles is 2 waffles. This pair of pumpkin waffle yumminess will serve you up 210 calories and 7 grams of fat. These waffles contain no cholesterol, have only 385 mg sodium, and 6 grams of sugar. Not too bad. They also have 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so not too filling…but I wasn’t starving all morning either. Definitely a healthier choice for breakfast if you have to do the “from-the-freezer” grab on a busy morning. Seriously…worth it.

These waffles are amazing. I love the pumpkin flavor. I loved the texture and taste. The crunch with the warm, soft center. Oh yeah. Perfect for those busy mornings…and always good drizzled with syrup. Makes these winter mornings cozy and warm. Let me tell you…I think I’m in love with a new gluten-free waffle.

Delish!

Nature's Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted) — Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted)

December 28, 2013

Product Review: Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza – $7.99+

Love is pizza.

For real, yo!

No…honestly…one of my favorite things in life is a delicious slice of pizza. You get the right crust, the right sauce, and the right toppings…and you create a meal of perfection.

I was elated when I heard that Udi’s Gluten-Free was introducing gluten-free frozen pizzas to their already epic and delicious line-up of products. I already am a huge fan of their readily available gluten-free pizza crusts…so…take that and top it, box it up, and it’s one more way to make life a little easier on you. Udi’s has four different flavors of gluten-free pizzas: Three Cheese, Margherita, Spinach & Feta, and Uncured Pepperoni. I can eat three of the four, as I am a vegetarian. Although I may pick up the pepperoni version for my roommate to give a taste sometime.

Since this was my first foray with the Udi’s Gluten-Free frozen pizzas, I opted for one that wasn’t just cheese…and chose the Margherita Pizza. I mean…you can’t go wrong with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. Anyone who has eaten a caprese salad can tell you that! I felt good about my decision, and gifted my freezer with one box for starters. It took a couple of weeks to find the perfect evening for a pizza, but as the holidays were approaching and the CSA bins were cancelled due to neither my roommate or I being around…we had to make use of whatever is in our freezer, fridge and pantry. So, after going to the gym one evening (yes…instead of first thing in the morning…blame the Trans-Siberian Orchestra), it was necessary to do something simple for dinner. What better than a frozen pizza, right?

Udi's Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (frozen) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (frozen)

RIGHT!

I was quite excited as I pulled this box out of my freezer and began to preheat my oven to 400°F. I opened up the pizza and peeled away the plastic. Once the oven was heated, I popped the pizza in and let it cook for about 15 minutes.When I removed it from the oven, the crust was crisp and golden, the cheese melted, and it smelled beyond fantastic.

Now, I’ve been underwhelmed by previous frozen (and restaurant) gluten-free pizzas. But I trust Udi’s Gluten-Free…because their gluten-free pizza crust is THE BOMB!! Honestly. If you don’t want to make your own gluten-free crust…reach for one of these. It’s the only one I can find in this area in every grocery store.

So, how did this pizza stack up? I have no words beyond OMG…MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!

And if that doesn’t sum it up, let me say this…this is one stellar pizza. The crust crisped up beautifully…not one part of it was soggy or limp in the middle. It was perfect. The cheese melted and spread out across the tomato sauce. The Italian spices gave it really good flavor. The dollops of mozzarella cheese really helped make this pizza. So packed with flavor. And, honestly, better than most restaurant pizzas (my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café still makes my absolute favorite pizza crust). Flaky, golden, crunchy, and a perfect mix with the toppings. It was perfection!

This frozen pizza is made from an Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (water, brown rice flour, rice starch, potato starch, olive oil, dried cane syrup, tapioca starch, yeast, salt, xanthan gum, calcium sulfate (for freshness)), a tomato sauce (made simply from tomato paste, water, sugar, salt, olive oil, canola oil, granulated garlic, spices, citric acid), low moisture mozzarella cheese, mozzarella cheese, tomato, parmesan cheese, basil and spices. For the most part…all ingredients that are natural and recognizable.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza is 1/2 of the pizza. This half will provide you with 300 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is from the cheese that comes on the pizza. This pizza only has 320 mg of sodium and 3 grams of sugar. It has 25 grams of cholesterol. It also has 2 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. So, yes…it is filling. Even with the thin crust. Trust me.

I love, love, LOVE, Udi’s Gluten-Free. The products the company puts out is amazing and always delicious. The taste, texture, and flavors all matter and they really focus on that when they introduce an item to the market. The frozen pizzas are a very welcome addition. And I highly recommend this vegetarian option…because I was beyond impressed with Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza.

Pick one up from your grocer’s freezer section and see for yourself.

Udi's Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (baked) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (baked)

December 28, 2013

Product Review: Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt

Product: Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt – $3.49+

It was getting so close to Christmas and the nights after work were hectic and frantic. Lots to do…so little time to actually do it in. And that’s when you need something quick, simple, and still nutritious. It’s not always feasible to cook up a meal after a long day at the office or being on the go. Thankfully, there is this great company called Garden Lites, and they make fantastic vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Some of my favorites happen to be their amazing soufflés.

There was something really intriguing and different about this soufflé, however. It was one of their newer flavors, which had actually been out for awhile, but was only now turning up in my local natural food stores. I had to purchase it (along with the previously mentioned Southwestern Soufflé) and try it out for myself. I’ve loved most of the Garden Lites soufflés that I’ve eaten previously. And with one that included chili and cornbread…well…this was awesomesauce waiting to happen.

Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt (cooked)

Sure enough…I popped open the package, tossed the wrapped tray into the microwave for about 3 minutes. Then, I removed the plastic wrap and gave another microwave session for 2 minutes…and viola…dinner was served. My roommate and I were going to split this little dish, so I served it up with some hand-cut, homemade sweet potato fries…which I baked in the oven.

How was this little dish? Well, all I can say is that Garden Lites really, really outdid themselves with this one. The base is a cornbread soufflé, which is light, not dense, and really delicious. Sitting on top of that is this healthy helping of veggie chili, which is packed with veggies and beans. And then, on top…some cheese. Just like the good, old-fashioned classic…but with a healthy twist. The cheese is just an added touch that doesn’t overwhelm the dish at all. The star is that cornbread base. Light and airy…and a perfect match for that chili top. So good.

So…now we get down to the science of this dish…mainly the ingredients and nutrition. What I love about these soufflés is that they are so good…and good for you. The Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains diced tomatoes, fire roasted corn, pasteurized egg whites, black beans, onion, low fat milk, crushed tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, evaporated cane juice, brown rice flower, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, corn meal, cheddar cheese, baking powder, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, ancho pepper, cumin, chili powder, chipotle pepper, a blend of locust bean gum, guar gum, and xanthan gum, annatto extract (for color), and black pepper. It sounds like a lot of ingredients, I know, but they are all ingredients I recognize by name…and not one single chemical. Loving it. It is gluten-free and nut-free.

As for nutrition, the Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains 200 calories for the entire soufflé. Loving it. The entire soufflé will also serve you up 4.5 grams of fat. This one has 10 grams of cholesterol, 650 mg sodium, and 10 grams of sugar. Finally, you will be devouring 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. You will not feel hungry after eating this. Trust me.

Once again Garden Lites and served up a nutritious, easy-to-prepare, delicious little treat that goes from the freezer to the microwave. It’s perfect for these cold nights. And it’s so fast to prepare, and still so delicious. This is, by far, my favorite one I have eaten so far. A little bit of comfort food without the guilt.

This is food love…and it will love you back.

Half of a Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt

December 20, 2013

Product Review: Garden Lites Southwestern Souffle

Product: Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé – $3.49+

Awhile back, I stumbled upon Garden Lites products. And I mean…this was a good while back. Back when really all they were offering were their soufflés. Well…their product line-up has expanded. And yes…they even added some different soufflé flavors.

This isn’t something new. This actually happened quite a bit ago. I just never could find the new flavors. And when I finally did…they sat in my freezer. I just sort of got on this cooking thing and never turned back. I love cooking up something fresh.

But with the holidays in full swing…sometimes it’s too hectic after a long day to start something from scratch. That’s why I was so thankful to have a couple of Garden Lites soufflés kicking around in my freezer.

Forreals!

With being out of town the past couple of weekends, the CSA bin has been on hold. So, no fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to my door. Not until after Christmas when things aren’t as crazy and I’m traveling less. So, after a long day at the office and not much energy to spare the other night…I came home and my roommate and I decided to split a Garden Lites soufflé and enjoy that with some baked, hand-cut shoe-string fries. Always baked…never fried in my home. Just as my mom always did it. That’s how I was raised, peeps!

Anyway…we had two choices for the soufflé, so I just grabbed the one on top. The choice: Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé.

It sounded amazing, combining seasonings with vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, red pepper, green pepper, and even brown rice! Once my potatoes were cut into shoestrings (yes…I do that by hand!), I got them in the oven and then had to wait in order to start the main dish.

Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé (cooked)

Garden Lites soufflés are so easy to cook up. As the potatoes were finishing up, I popped the Southwestern Soufflé into the microwave and gave it a little burst of heat for 3-1/2 minutes. I left it to stand for about a minute before removing the plastic wrapper and then microwaving it again for another full minute.

That’s it. SO easy!

I’ll be honest…I thought it made the apartment smell like Taco Bell…and it has been ages since I’ve even set foot in a Taco Bell. So…that was interesting. I sliced the fluffy soufflé in half and dinner was served.

Tasty!! That’s the best way to describe this soufflé. I loved the fluffiness the egg whites bring to the actual product. The veggies and spices are evenly incorporated and chopped so they aren’t awkward. In fact, bite-for-bite, I loved the variety of flavors and textures. It was a perfect bite…and it even tasted like a taco. Go figure. My roommate loved it too.

So, ingredient wise, the Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé contains pasteurized egg whites, onion, crushed tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, brown rice, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, evaporated cane juice, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, chipotle pepper, chili powder, ancho pepper, and cumin. All real ingredients…all real food. Nothing fake or processed here. This dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and nut-free. Love it.

As for nutrition…the Southwestern Soufflé is actually a really healthy choice. The entire soufflé is the serving and that one item is only 180 calories and contains only 2.5 grams of fat. This soufflé also will serve you up 4 grams of sugar and 650 mg of sodium. The sodium does seem a bit high…but it is a prepackaged food. Not only that, the Southwestern Soufflé provides 4 grams of filling fiber and 9 grams of amazing protein. So good. And good for you!

I loved the Southwestern flair that this souffle carried with it. Loved every bit of it. And every bite for that matter. Looking to add a little spice to your menu on a hectic day? Keep Garden Lites in your freezer and you’ll have an easy meal in less than 5 minutes. And…you’ll love every bite of it. I know I sure did! I’ve always loved Mexican and Southwest flavors…so this souffle was made for me. And I devoured it in kind.

Half of a Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé

December 11, 2013

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough

Product: Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough – $4.99

Dear Katz Gluten Free:

I love you. I love you more and more with each product that I try. From your breads to your pies to your amazing donuts, you continue to keep me coming back, order after order, no matter the cost. You are that good. And I love you that much.

But…you really outdid yourself with the ready-to-use Gluten-Free All Purpose Dough.

Because of you…I could have a calzone for dinner again.

Because of you…I can make my own delicious pies…without the hassle of making my own crust.

Because of you…the gluten-free community continues to get quality food products. Ones that I will continue to purchase…not just for myself but others.

Add the All Purpose Dough to my list.

Yes…I love you.

All my gluten-free love,
Me

Ease! That’s the best part of this product. It not only is peace of mind, but it’s so simple. Thaw out dough. Use. No hassles. No wondering if your own gluten-free concoction will cook up right. This worked. And it worked beautifully.

I’ve been wanting calzones for a long while now. For real. And with a plethora of vegetables that needed to be used up before the next CSA bin arrived, well, I figured I’d see how the dough would hold up to a little of my craving and baking magic. I had this thought in my head that involved this dough, some squash, some crimini mushrooms, and some shallots. I sauteed them up in a pan and added some marinara sauce as well. All I needed now was the casing for the calzone.

Enter Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough. I removed it from my freezer two days before. The evening I was making the calzones, I cut out two very small pieces of dough, as it says it serves 8 and a serving size is only 2 ounces. So…this was going to be a challenge. But, I was up for it. Using a rolling pin, I attempted to shape the dough into a large circle that wouldn’t break open when I added the filling and moved it to the baking sheet. The first couple times, the dough was rolled too thin, so I knew these would be relatively small calzones. I didn’t care. I rolled out two very asymmetrical circles and piled in the filling on one half. I carefully folded over the other half and did my best to crimp the small serving shut. Sure, I could have used more dough, but I am so careful about serving sizes. I stick to them. I think next time I’ll throw caution in the wind and just add a little more. But…I wanted to do it my way this time. Into the oven the dough went…and when about 20 minutes passed, I opened up the oven and it was this gorgeous golden brown and the filling was sizzling (and peaking out of some holes in my dough). Everything was ready. Dinner was served. And gluten-free calzones were on the menu.

Oh. Hell. Yes.

One bite…and I was hooked. At first, it sort of reminded me of the crust of a potpie. Golden and flaky and it sort of had that same texture and flavor. But when you got a piece with the filling in it…magic. Simple food magic. The crust didn’t get soggy and held up to the marinara/vegetable mixture that I stuffed (and I mean literally stuffed) inside. It was gluten-free and vegetarian food magic. And it was made possible and easy because I took a chance with a new Katz product. So easy. So delicious. I can’t wait to use it in other ways.

Katz Gluten Free Web site says the crust is perfect for pies, turnovers, knishes, or any other pasty imaginable. It’s the go-to solution. It’s what I (and other gluten-free foodies) need in their lives! FOR REAL!

Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough is made from their own blend of gluten-free flour (which includes tapioca flour, white rice flour, sorghum flour, and corn flour), palm oil, water, eggs, sugar, salt, and xanthan gum. Not a bad list of ingredients at all. And that flour blend is pure magic. Pure gluten-free food magic.

As for nutrition…there is a reason I stuck to the serving size. A serving size is 2 ounces. This serving (which is a small rectangle of the dough), will provide you with 260 calories and 18 grams of fat. See why I wanted to stick to the serving size? This serving also will give you 55 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. Sadly, this dough does serve up about 9 grams of saturated fat and 35 mg cholesterol in each serving. Another good reason to stick to the meager 2 ounce recommendation. This dough also will give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So do not expect this dough to fill you up and leave you feeling full. It won’t work that way. But…that being said…it toasted up beautifully in calzone form on my pizza stone and made one delicious meal for me and my roommate. We have 3 more servings each of this dough to use and I intend to see how many various ways I can use it. I might attempt perogies next.

Yes, my dearest Katz Gluten Free…I do love you and your products. You just make my life happy, full, and delicious again. This All Purpose Dough will be something I’ll definitely consider using more of in the future. Simple. And delicious.

Who could ask for anything more?

A gluten-free and vegetarian calzone made with Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough

December 7, 2013December 9, 2013

Product Review: Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes

Product: Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes – $5.99+

I’m probably not the best judge when it comes to comparing sea food products with vegan interpretations of them. Honestly. Now, growing up and before I became a vegetarian, I ate seafood. Mostly shrimp. Mostly fried, popcorn, scampi or creole. I was not a huge fan of other fish…but I would eat them. And, to say the least, I made a delicious lemon-crusted oven baked tilapia back in the day.

For real.

But…never, ever did I eat a crab cake before I became a vegetarian and then had to go gluten-free. So, judging these by comparison isn’t going to happen.

Here’s what I can do though. I can go off of flavor, texture, and overall taste. And that was how I approached this product.

The product of which I speak is the Gluten-Free and Vegan Crab Cakes from Sophie’s Kitchen. Now, I’m no stranger to Sophie’s Kitchen, having already tried the Gluten-Free and Vegan Fish Filets, Gluten-Free and Vegan Scallops, and the Gluten-Free and Vegan Breaded Shrimp. While I was blown away by the shrimp, I felt the scallops were good, and the fish filets were…eh…okay.

So…crab cakes. A new challenge for the allergic/intolerant foodie in me.

Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes (frozen) — Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes (frozen)

What I love about Sophie’s Kitchen products is how easy they are to make. The crab cakes could either be baked in the oven, or fried in a skillet on the stove. I’m a health-nut, so I try not to fry things often. I chose to bake them in the oven, which takes about 15 minutes to do. Not too bad at all. They don’t get golden cooking this way, the way the image looks on the box, but I didn’t mind the pale look to them. Remember…never had a crab cake back when I even could. I kept it simple when serving these. I had thought about doing a crab cake sandwich, but didn’t thaw out my gluten-free buns from my local allergen-free bakery. So, instead, I made some homemade kale chips and served the crab cakes over fresh bibb lettuce from my CSA bin. I served a side of Veganaise Tartar Sauce with each cake and…dinner was served in less than 20 minutes. Love that.

But how did it taste?

This is one of my favorite products from Sophie’s Kitchen that I have had the opportunity to try. OH. MY. GLUTEN. FREE. VEGAN. GOD. Seriously…packed with awesome flavor. The texture was great…like lump crab…so that was kinda cool And the blend of ingredients that Sophie’s Kitchen uses to give their faux seafood that fishy flavor worked SO well with these. They are a close second in my favorite gluten-free and vegan things. The first is the breaded shrimp from Sophie’s Kitchen. These are fantastic. They don’t taste fake of bad at all. I loved every bite. Thankfully, my roommate and I made a big dinner out of these…each of us having 2 of the crab cakes instead of the serving size of just one.

Speaking of which…it’s that time in the blog where I bring up the ingredients and nutrition for the products I try. Let’s start with the ingredients. Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan (and Gluten-Free) Crab Cakes are made up of water, pea protein, potato starch, canola oil, seaweed powder, rice flakes (from brown rice), konjac powder, rice vinegar (from brown rice), organic agave nectar, sea salt, celery powder, black pepper, bay leaf, nutmeg, ginger, paprika, dry mustard, cloves, calcium hydroxide. So close to being clean eating…but that calcium hydroxide there at the end sort of killed that.

That being said…it is still a rather healthy choice and one I’d love to buy and indulge in again. In fact, Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes are soy-free, gluten-free, 100% vegan and plant based, contain no preservatives, colors or MSG, and have no artificial anything!! Nice.

Speaking of indulging…a serving size of Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes is 1 cake. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a crab cake!! The Vegan Crab Cakes contain only 170 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. Gotta love that! And, one crab cake also provides you with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not too shabby.

I am falling more and more in love with the products that Sophie’s Kitchen is bringing to the gluten-free and vegan world. And I love that someone, like me, with food allergies, can safely indulge in a product that is vegan as well. So often this is not the case, so it’s so nice when a company goes the extra mile. And that’s why I continue to purchase and eat products by Sophie’s Kitchen.

And now…I must hit up my Whole Foods for more of these amazing crab cakes. It’s happening!

Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes (baked), served over local bibb lettuce with homemade kale chips — Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes (baked), served over local bibb lettuce with homemade kale chips

November 14, 2013

Product Review: Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels

Products: Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels – $6.49+

To this day…thanks to the good gluten-free bagels out on the market…bagels continue to be one of my favorite, easy, breakfast foods (or snack…or even lunch or dinner) to eat.

That’s right. Just as any proper New Yorker will attest…the bagel is the best invention out there. I love them. I loved them back when I could eat “regular” bagels. And I love them now because I have found two brands that do bagels right. One handles bagel thins…but when it comes to all-out bagels…the crispy on the outside, soft on the inside bready treat…I turn to none other than Udi’s.

Udi’s knows how important taste and texture are to the gluten-free community. They strive to provide the best quality, best tasting gluten-free products out there. The first time I ever had one of their bagels…I might have cried.

Okay…I admit it…there were tears of joy. And I think the roomie had to hug me.

Yes…they really are that good.

And, get this…the roomie was never big on bagels…until she had one of the Udi’s Gluten-Free variety. Now…she loves them as much as I do, and is always interested to see what kind of topping I schmear over one in the morning.

Bagels are back with a gluten-free vengeance.

Okay…there is nothing new about Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels. They’ve been out on the market for as long (if not a wee bit longer) as I’ve been gluten-free. It’s just taken me this long to purchase them and try them. Why? I don’t know. I’m a grocery shopping dork, apparently. But…the other day they were on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store…and I couldn’t pass up a pack of these for $2.49. HELLO! They found their way into my shopping basket faster than you can say gluten-free!

Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels (untoasted) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels (untoasted)

Here it was, the Monday after a trip to Huntington, West Virginia, where I ran a full marathon. I was a little sore, very tired, and not wanting to put on my creative thinking cap to actually come up with something to eat for breakfast that day. Thank goodness for splurge purchases on sale items. I reached into my freezer and pulled out two (one for me, one for the roomie) of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels, placed them in a ziplock bag to thaw and became a slug for a good chunk of the morning. Around 20 minutes before the roomie was to get up for work, I turned on my oven to 350 degrees removed the bagels from the ziplock. They were completely thawed and soft (but not mushy…at all!!). I split them in half and set them on a baking sheet. Into the oven they went for about 10 minutes until they were just golden on the top. By then, the roomie was up and ready for some food…same as me.

Why the oven? Because I got rid of my toasted when I was diagnosed with Celiac. The toaster had been used with regular bread and therefore…I couldn’t use it anymore. Toasting bread in the oven is just as easy…it just takes a moment longer to allow it to preheat. I can deal with that. Sure, I miss the ease of a toaster…and yes, I could buy a new one, but my kitchen is the size of a walk-in closet…and I honestly have no room for one.

Anyway…I digress…

Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels are AMAZING! So tasty. I topped off one half with pumpkin spice cream cheese. The other half got a schmear of PB & Jellies Pumpkin Pie Jam (which I bought in Colorado Springs, CO). Why the different options? Well, I was down to just one serving of the cream cheese, so I split it with the roomie!

So…the verdict from both of us is…SUPER YUM! Like YUMTASTIC kind of YUM! Mmmm…mmmm…fantastic kind of YUM! SO YUM! I loved the texture of these bagels and the fact that they are the size of a real bagel, if not slightly bigger. The crust gets this nice crust on it, but the inside remains soft, but toasted all the way through. Perfect bagel texture…and probably better than any regular bagel I had ever eaten. I am beyond impressed! No surprise there!

So, let’s talk ingredients and nutrition, shall we? I know…I know…but it needs to be done. Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagels are made from water, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, non-GMO canola oil, egg whites, dried cane syrup, teff flour, tapi0ca maltodextrin, tapioca syrup, flax seed, xanthan gum, yeast, salt, cultured corn syrup solids and citric acid, dry molasses, and enzymes. So…it’s not completely clean eating…but it’s not as bad as some things on the market.

Nutrition-wise, one serving is one a bagel. This really large bagel will serve you 320 calories and 11 grams of fat. One bagel also has 570 mg of sodium and 5 grams of sugar. In addition to that, this one bagel will also provide you with 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. Trust me…you’ll be more than full after eating one of these…and you won’t be hungry for awhile. LOVE THAT!

I also love how delicious these bagels are…for real. Udi’s really does have it figured out and does a brilliant job of maintaining high standards when it comes to their products. This leaves only one type of bagel left for me to try…the Cinnamon Raisin. And I haven’t found that anywhere around here as of yet.

If you love bagels…you’ll totally love these! Trust me.

Toast one up for yourself and see if you agree!

Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagel (toasted and topped with a schmear of pumpkin spice cream cheese and a schmear of PB & Jellies Pumpkin Pie Jam) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bagel (toasted and topped with a schmear of pumpkin spice cream cheese and a schmear of PB & Jellies Pumpkin Pie Jam)