Frozen – Page 7 – The Celiathlete

May 15, 2015

Product Review: Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels

Product: Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels – $5.00

Twas the day of a new product release and I was just sort of…scrolling through Facebook…completely unaware that such a thing was happening. And then, one of my latest obsessions in the gluten-free bread world hit me up with the one thing that I, as a New Yorker, cannot ignore.

BAGELS!

GLUTEN-FREE BAGELS!!

Do you know how hard it is to find GOOD gluten-free bagels? Immensely. Seriously. They are either too small and dense, or too light and fluffy. Or they just taste all wrong. As far as commercially available gluten-free bagels go, after trial and error on so many brands, Udi’s is the only one ever to keep me coming back. The rest were just so many kinds of wrong in texture, flavor, or just feel. Not saying that Udi’s is spot on either. They are a little light in the middle, because, bagels are supposed to be dense and awesome. I took to making my own…and that’s fine…but it’s a lot of work and sometimes it doesn’t always work out as planned.

So, yeah, I sort of released a few cries of joy and immediately went over tot the Canyon Bakehouse Web site to order the latest products they were introducing to the gluten-free market. I skipped the Brownie Bites (for now) and ordered one pack each of the new Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels and Everything Bagels.

HELLO. GOOD MORNING.

They arrived via Fed Ex yesterday afternoon, so I have wasted no time in getting these tasted, tried and reviewed.

This morning, after my spin class, I came home to load up two of the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels into my oven (I do not own a toaster…so this is how we roll in my apartment), went to shower while they toasted, and came out to find them just about ready for the vegan cream cheese!

Life…was good. Almost perfect. Coffee was poured. Bagels were toasted. And the (Better Than) Cream Cheese (non-dairy for my delicate tummy) was spread on each half. I passed the first bagel off to my roommate and then went to retrieve mine, after taking a few moments to simply wash out a few containers and the coffee pot. Time to settle in. Breakfast.

And good morning indeed! Canyon Bakehouse just won my little bagel loving heart. FINALLY…something so close!! SO darn close that I fanned my hand in front of my face as I slowly chewed my first bite. Now, I’ve had gluten-free bagels from NYC specialty bakeries. And these…are nothing like those. But these…these stand out in the gluten-free world for items you can buy in grocery stores and the like. TOTALLY WOWED!!

Before toasting, Canyon Bakehouse have a nice, hefty feel to them. They are pre-cut…all the way through so I’m not tearing at to edges (such is the case with Udi’s). The insides have this amazing looking center, small hole, and a big, crusty, outside to it. It felt like a real bagel. It even looked like a real bagel.

I took my first bite…and it tasted like a real bagel. Yes. I was beyond elated. I loved how the outside was crispy, without being hard. It had some give to it still, and gave way to the perfect, tasted, but still tender bread in the middle. Oh…my…freakin’…gluten…free…bagel. These have an actual bagel taste to them too…not just tasting like…well…gluten free bread. I love the texture and the flavor (yeah…this was the Plain, but still!). Nothing plain about the taste of these. Really phenomenal taste and totally filling. Just as a bagel should be. I felt content. I felt loved. I felt…full…but in a good way. The best way. The “I just consumed something mighty and gluten free and I loved every bite of it so much I might have devoured it faster than I should have but that’s okay!” kind of way. I can’t wait to try the Everything Bagel version as Everything Bagels have always been my most favorite bagels. Remember…I’m a New Yorker.

So, let’s talk ingredients that go into the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels. These amazing breakfast rounds of starchy, carby goodness are made from water, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, cultivated brown rice flour, extra virgin olive oil, organic agave syrup, whole grain sorghum flour, xanthan gum, egg whites, baking powder, yeast, sea salt, and natural enzymes. These bagels are gluten-free (of course), kosher, and non-GMO. They are also cholesterol free and free of trans-fats. YAY! Even better, they are made with 100% whole grains. LOVE IT.

Now, let’s delve into the nutritional facts for these bagels. A serving size is 1 bagel (99 grams), and there are 4 bagels per package. One serving will provide you with 250 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will also be consuming 450 mg sodium, 45 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber, and 3 grams of protein. Trust me, for a bagel this is phenomenal. And, these nutrition facts beat out those of Udi’s Gluten Free Plain and (for those who do eat gluten) a Panera Bread Plain Bagel in everything but protein. Healthier. Canyon Bakehouse has definitely built a better bagel.

And yeah…I’m totally purchasing more of these. My freezer will not be complete without a package of these tucked inside for those mornings when only a bagel will do. These bagels make me feel right at home. And that, my friends, says a lot.

Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Plain Bagels with a schmear of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

God bless So Delicious! Because after swearing off the regular ice cream I used to indulge in each weekend (I miss my local ice cream parlor, but the dairy was too much for this stomach, even with supplements to help with the lactose intolerance), I can now have my indulgence back. Yes…yes I can. And in so many different varieties for a base. Soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk…they have a little bit of everything.

But I’m currently on the biggest cashew milk kick. Seriously. It’s the companion to my cereal in the morning…a creamy addition to my overnight oatmeal…a key component to my dairy free (and creamy) gluten-free and vegan macaroni and cheese. I love it more than soy milk, more than coconut milk, more than almond milk…and it seems to be holding true for the frozen items as well.

Then again, So Delicious has yet to really disappoint me with any product I have ever ventured to try of theirs. It is one very trusted brand in my book.

So, with temperatures soaring outside this weekend, my roommate and I were cooking in and treating dessert as our cool down. So, Saturday evening, after a simple and delicious dinner (after a long day of shopping and buying groceries and other such weekend sundries), I pulled the pint of So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert out of my freezer. It was the other flavor of the new cashew milk frozen desserts that my roommate and I splurged on one day while out grocery shopping. I already reviewed the Snickerdoodle flavor. While we ate, I allowed it the 10 minute defrost time, which is common with non-dairy frozen treats, so that it was scoopable. Then, after clearing and washing dishes up…it was time to unveil the ice cream that awaited us.

I eased off the lid and pulled back the white plastic that sealed in the freshness. I saw an amazing looking white ice cream, speckled with dark chocolate chunks and swirls of golden caramel. I got out the ice cream scoop and easily dished up two servings into the ice cream bowls I had dug out of the cabinet. Delivering one to my roommate, I returned to the kitchen to tuck the pint back into the freezer. By the time I took up my own bowl, Cathy had already taken a taste of hers.

“How is it?”

“Mmmmmm.”

Well…that was all I needed to hear. MY spoon touched the scoop in my bowl, dug in, getting a little bit of everything, and then was introduced to my taste buds. It tasted like a smooth, creamy, rich…butter pecan (minus the nuts) base with a burst of amazing sweetness from the dark chocolate covered cashews. Those, I think, were my favorite part. But this ice cream definitely enhanced all the taste senses. Salty and sweet, it was a perfect blend of flavor and richness. I loved how the caramel ribbons were soft and accented the cashew milk base and the dark chocolate covered nuts that were scattered throughout the pint. They were little bites of joy, for sure. And I happily devoured each bite. My only complaint, and this is a personal one, was that there weren’t enough of the dark chocolate covered cashews for my liking. If these “clusters” are going to be significant to the name of the ice cream, be sure you load your pint down with them. It was a hide-and-seek game with the scoop…but I managed to get these tasty morsels into each serving for both myself and my roommate.

Let’s talk about what So Delicious Dairy Free puts into their Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, shall we? This ice cream flavor is made from cashew milk (water, cashews non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, chocolate coated cashews [coating (cane sugar, coconut oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), chocolate liquor, natural vanilla flavor), roasted cashews (canola oil, safflower and/or sunflower oil, salt)], caramel sauce [organic tapioca syrup, water, molasses, pea protein, natural flavors, organic cocoa butter, sodium citrate, salt, pectin], natural flavor, sea salt, fair trade vanilla extract, gum acacia, and guar gum. It is gluten-free, vegan, cholesterol free, free of trans-fats, and non-GMO.

As far as nutrition goes…aside from being a dessert and an ice cream treat at that, this is actually quite impressive and not half bad as far as the data goes. One serving is 1/2 cup and there are 4 servings in each pint. One serving will provide you with 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, 130 mg sodium, 18 grams of sugars (YIKES…but then again…ice cream!), 24 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

As tempting as it is to devour the entire pint in one sitting, definitely savor it and eat only the serving. It’s okay to treat yourself to a nice, cold, delicious treat and when you do…if you can’t handle dairy like me…then So Delicious has you covered for sure. And…I am a HUGE fan of the new cashew milk frozen desserts. I can’t wait to try the three other flavors!

BIG YUM!

Oh…yeah…it was polished off Sunday night. Didn’t last long. Never does.

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

May 5, 2015

Product Review: Don Tamal All Natural Veggie Vegan Gourmet Tamales

Product: Don Tamal All Natural Veggie Vegan Gourmet Tamales – $6.99+

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Or I should probably say Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Either way…it’s May 5th…Return of the 5th…and yes…Cinco de Mayo.

And I felt the need to celebrate. This time at home…not at Moe’s or Q’doba. Home. Because I have no money. What I did have, however, was a local product in my freezer. Yes. Local. Let me tell you the tale…

It was a few months ago. I was wandering around Whole Foods, attempting to stick to my tight food budget and epically failing at it. But…I was trying. As I was making my way up to the registers, my roommate pointed out a table where a nice gentleman was handing out samples of vegan tamales. Vegan. Gluten Free. Tamales. I had to have this in my life, so I bee-bopped over that way and tried a sample. Cathy was right behind me. He was just removing some fresh tamales from his steamer. He plated a few bits and one bite sold us both. The nice man was actually the founder of the local Don Tamal…and pointed out that we could purchase them in the freezer section and directed us that way. We were already a bit over budget, but we couldn’t pass this up. They were REALLY good.

So, the purchase was made. I took the Don Tamal Veggie Vegan Tamales home and placed them in the freezer. Where they have been ever since.

But…as I said…it’s Cinco de Mayo. Time to get our tamales on.

Don Tamal is a local business based out of Louisville, Kentucky that specializes in…TAMALES. This business strives to provide authentic, all natural, Mexican tamales for people on-the-go who love to eat healthy without sacrificing enticing flavors and textures. Their philosophy is that all people should have the chance to eat delicious food that is free of additives, preservatives, chemicals, trans fats, growth hormones, and genetically engineered ingredients. The reward…traditional food of better quality. In fact, the wife of the founder, Marcela, pursued a PhD in Food Science and Engineering and came up with ways to make flavorful food without sacrificing the texture or flavor. Same traditional fare…better ingredients. A healthier choice.

Oh yeah…they had my attention.

There are two ways to cook up the frozen tamales. You can use the preferred method of using a veggie steamer on the stove top. Which, if I had a veggie steamer, I’d have done. But…I don’t. Luckily…it’s not required. I used the microwave method, where in I wrap the two tamales that come in the package in a very tamp paper towel and place them in a microwave safe container with a lid. I microwaved these for about 3 minutes and 15 seconds (the package says 2.5 minutes, but my microwave is old and not very powerful), and then let it stand and steam for about 1 minute. Then, discard the husk and enjoy!

It really doesn’t get much easier than that. I served mine up with some tortilla strips and salsa. Yummy!

Let me tell you…these are fantastic. I forgot what drove me right over to that freezer in the first place. Holy cow, these were just amazing. The masa was soft and creamy. The veggies that were mixed in tasted so good. And the different veggies stuffed inside…those were just…yummy. Despite having habanero pepper in it, it wasn’t spicy. Which is good, or my roommate (Cathy) would never have let me live it down. Superb. Not bad at all for reheating from frozen. I was beyond impressed back at Whole Foods and tonight just re-introduced to me the reason why. After one bite, I started pointing at it with my fork and finally managing a, “We’re getting more of these tamales” in between forkfuls. It was gone way too soon.

Let’s look at the ingredients that go into the Don Tamal All Natural Veggie Vegan Gourmet Tamales, shall we? These tamales are made from corn dough (corn with lime, vegetable base (organic carrots, organic celery, organic onion, organic tomato, salt, organic and gluten free soy sauce, organic cane sugar, organic maltodextrin, yeast extract, organic potato starch, organic onion powder, organic garlic powder, and organic spices), poblano pepper, organic carrots, organic corn, purple onion, yellow onion, olive oil, organic palm oil, cilantro, organic kale, fresh garlic, spices, aluminum free baking powder, habanero pepper and vinegar. These tamales are made without hydrogenated oils or lard. And, yes, they are certified vegan.

As this is a local business selling these, I don’t have the nutrition information…but…I can tell you…they are YUMMY!

Nutritious. Delicious. Tamales. Happy Cinco de Mayo indeed! Thanks, Don Tamal. I’m heading to Whole Foods for more this weekend!

Don Tamal All Natural Veggie Vegan Gourmet Tamales (cooked)

May 5, 2015

Product Review: Daiya New York Cheezecake

Product: Daiya New York Cheezecake – $8.99+

Earlier this year, around the time Expo West was going on (one day…I will get there!), the leading name in vegan cheese products, Daiya, unveiled a line of cheesecakes. For those of you unfamiliar with the sheer awesomeness of Daiya, let me tell you about my love affair with their products. Daiya is a household name for so many vegans. This brand offers a vast array of vegan options, including cream cheese, frozen pizzas, cheese-like wedges/blocks, non-dairy cheese slices, and, what they are most famous for, their cheese shreds (which melt the best of any vegan option out there). You can imagine the ruckus I made when it was revealed that they were dipping their toes into the cheesecake world.

I grew up in New York – and New York is in love with its…cheesecake. And who doesn’t appreciate a good cheesecake, right? They are rich, creamy, dense, and “oh-so-bad-for-you-it’s-so-good.” Nothing beats a perfect crust with the perfect, dense, creamy layer of cream cheese goodness baked on top. It is the ultimate comfort dessert. You eat a cheesecake when you just don’t give a flying flip about anything else. You eat cheesecake as a treat. You eat cheesecake and you savor each bite.

It has been years since I’ve had a cheesecake. I mean…a real cheesecake. I have made a couple of dairy-free versions of cheesecake…but they haven’t worked out so well. One spilled out of my springform pan, while the other one was the perfect density and tasted good…but it cracked on top…so it wasn’t perfect and pretty. But, hey…I tried.

So, leave it to Daiya to swoop in and save the day.

All hail Daiya!

So, I figured it would be awhile before these turned up in my area. That’s usually how new products unveiled at Expo West happen. BUT…it was different this time. A few weeks ago, I was in Whole Foods and as I was walking down the frozen food aisle, I glanced over and saw a shelf of all four flavors of the cheezecakes that Daiya has put out on the market. For those wondering, these four flavors are: New York, Strawberry, Key Lime, and Chocolate. I made a few happy noises and my roommate and I vowed to pick up one of the Daiya Cheezecakes the following week, when we could bring a cooler and not leave it in the car while we finished up the rest of our shopping.

True to our word, we did return. And after a very short discussion over which flavor we should try first, we unianimously settled on the Daiya New York Cheezecake. Why? Because nothing is better or more versatile than a New York-style cheesecake. Trust me. I know. We purchased the dessert and brought it home, where I put it in the freezer and let it sit while I made some out of town trips and all that good stuff.

But, with my running on hold (which, granted, probably isn’t the time to develop a dessert-crust on a high-fat treat) while I am in recovery and physical therapy for a torn hip labrum, I am making my way through some of the things in my pantry, freezer, and fridge. This Sunday, it was all about the cheesecake!

Daiya New York Cheezecake is fairly simply to prep for devouring. Simply remove the cheezecake from the package and transfer it to a cutting board or plate, and then place it in the refrigerator. Allow it to thaw for 5-6 hours. Then, slice into it (it says it feeds 4-6 people, for the sake of my waist and my weight, I opted for 6) and transfer it to plates. Thaw these slices for an additional 20 minutes at room temperature before serving and refrigerate any unused pieces immediately. If you don’t have 5-6 hours to kill, you can thaw the unwrapped cheezecake at room temperature for 30 minutes, slice it, and then thaw an additional 45 minutes. You should NOT refreeze this dessert. And, according to the box, it is best if consumed within 48 hours of thawing.

So…I did all of the above on Sunday afternoon, allowing the Daiya New York Cheezecake to thaw in the fridge while I went about my crazy Sunday afternoon. After eating dinner that night, I popped into the kitchen and sliced up the dessert, serving up tiny little wedges to both myself and my roommate. Settling in, I was eagerly anticipating my first bite. So…I took it.

And fell in love. Seriously. My first thought was that these were going to taste like Daiya. Let’s face it, my vegan and Daiya loving friends…Daiya products have this particular taste about them. But the Daiya New York Cheezecake doesn’t have that. It is light and soft and tastes like a New York Cheesecake. That’s the great thing about a plain cheesecake. You can dress it up if you want with berries or jams or even caramel or chocolate. But I’m a purist. I wanted to taste it on its own so I could draw a good conclusion on how I felt about the taste. And, I was beyond impressed. While it is nowhere near the density and richness of an authentic New York style cheesecake, it was creamy and rich. I actually appreciated that sort of texture because some New York style cheesecakes are a little hard to swallow. This could be, honestly, the most perfect dessert. I also loved that the graham cracker crust is only a tiny, itty-bitty layer on the bottom, because this made the main focus the cheesecake itself. I don’t want a lot of crust. It isn’t the star of the dessert. It’s that creamy topping that everyone wants. And this was smooth and light. And that…was a winner for me. The cheesecake itself is rather small when compared to a regular one, but…I appreciated the size. No over-indulging. Just right.

So, let’s talk about what goes into a Daiya New York Cheezecake, shall we? The Cheezecake Filling is made from filtered water, dessicated coconut, evaporated cane sugar, coconut oil, tapioca starch, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and/or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, potato starch, pea protein isolate, vanilla extract, sea salt, vegan natural flavors, vegetable glycerine, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, lactic acid, tricalcium phosphate, cultured sugar, agave syrup, titanium dioxide, and vegan enzyme. The Gluten-Free Crust is made from tapioca starch, coconut oil, evaporated cane sugar, brown rice flour, white whole grain sorghum flour, potato starch, filtered water, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and/or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, blackstrap molasses, vanilla extract, milled flax seed, psyllium, leavening, sea salt, xanthan gum, and sunflower lecithin. Whew. This dream come true dessert is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, cholesterol free, and vegan.

So, let’s talk about the nutrition facts of the Daiya New York Cheezecake, shall we? I know it’s a dessert, but it is about half the size of a regular cheesecake…but it will eat like a real cheesecake. I cut my portion down by making 6 servings instead of four, but if you stick to the 4 slices per the box recommendation, you’ll be taking in 16 grams of saturated fat. My thighs are already planning their revenge at the gym today. The fat and sugar contents are both high as well…but…this is a dessert. I get that. SO…with that preface…a serving size is 1 slice (100 grams), with 4 servings per box. One serving will give you 360 calories, 24 grams fat, 16 grams saturated fat, 420 mg sodium, 34 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 17 grams sugars, and 3 grams of protein. So, it’s up there on the calories and fat…so remember…it is a treat. Do not overindulge.

This was, truly, one of the most amazing, decadent, and fantastic store bought desserts I have had the honor of indulging in since having to give up gluten and dairy. Rich, creamy, and sinfully good. Daiya definitely did an amazing job creating this line of cheesecakes and I look forward to trying the other three flavors. In moderation. And after hitting the gym.

Well done, Daiya!

April 30, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $6.99+

A life without ice cream isn’t a very happy life. But, where I used to be able to take something to help me digest milk proteins, my lactose intolerance has only become a little stronger. Sadly, I have said goodbye to my dairy-filled favorite treat in life. Ice cream and I just don’t get along like we used to.

But…thanks to So Delicious Diary Free…ice cream isn’t gone from my life. It’s just…well…a little different. And not a sorbet. Sorbets are all fine and good, but sometimes you just want something rich and creamy and sinful.

Cashew milk is, honestly, my latest obsession. It is my go-to milk of choice these days. Over coconut milk and almond milk. Why? It’s creamier. It’s thicker. It just, to me, tastes better. I love the nutty flavor that comes with it and it just tastes amazing. It’s all I want in my refrigerator these days.

So…talk my favorite beverage of the moment and combine it with…one of my favorite desserts…

That’s what So Delicious did. They have created a new line of non-dairy frozen desserts that are made with cashew milk, instead of soy, almond, or coconut milks. Currently, these ice cream pints come in five different flavors: Cappuccino, Creamy Cashew, Dark Chocolate Truffle, Salted Caramel Cluster, and Snickerdoodle.

You know my first purchase would have been Salted Caramel Cluster…but my Kroger store didn’t have that particular flavor when I was shopping and treating myself. So…my next favorite thing after salted caramel anything (especially ice cream) is Snickerdoodle cookies. Therefore, Snickerdoodle was the pint I purchased. I also have the Salted Caramel Cluster in my freezer now…but Snickerdoodle came first…therefore it gets consumed first.

After dinner tonight, as the week has been crazy stressful and I’ve been on this roller coaster of emotions. Ice cream seemed like the perfect way to wrap up the day. I took out the pint of So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert and let it thaw slightly on the counter while I ate dinner. That way it was scoop-ready by the time dessert rolled around. I opened it up, spooning out beautiful servings of the ice cream treat and serving it up to myself and my roommate.

Snickerdoodle anything has a lot to live up to, as it has always been my most favorite cookie. Ever.

So, when my roommate dug in first while I was dishing up my serving and I hear, “Holy crap! That tastes just like a snickerdoodle!” I knew I was about to experience dessert magic. I stuck the pint back into the freezer and settled in with my own bowl of ice cream. I ran my spoon through the serving and lifted my first taste to my mouth. As it began to melt against my tongue it was love. Sheer, pure, happy love. Meant to be love. Because, YES, it does taste just like a snickerdoodle cookie. We’re talking a cinnamon infused ice cream that is infused with generous bites of actual gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie dough. This just happens to make this THE BEST ICE CREAM EVER! It reminded me of the holidays, as that was when my mom always made her famous snickerdoodle cookies. It reminded me of growing up, of old friends, of home, and of happy places. THIS…was one fantastic scoop of ice cream. It is, by far, the best ice cream (dairy and non-dairy) that I have ever consumed. In my life. If Cookie Monster and the Good Humor Man had children…it would be weird…but it would probably introduce something like this to the world. I almost want to dive in for another serving. But I will resist. For now. I must.

Or not…

Let’s talk ingredients. The So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is made from cashew milk (water, cashews, non-GMO canola oil), organic dried cane syrup, snickerdoodle dough (dark brown cane sugar, natural oil blend (palm fruit, canola and olive), natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid, annatto rice flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, cane sugar, invert sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract, guar gum, baking soda) cinnamon, gum acacia, guar gum, and sea salt. It is verified non-GMO, vegan, kosher and gluten-free.

As far as nutrition goes…well…it’s basically ice cream without the dairy that hurts my tummy. It isn’t going to be a powerhouse of good things…but it’s tasty. And, sometimes, that’s all you need. A serving size of the So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. In this serving you will be provided with 190 calories and 10 grams of fat (much of which is the healthy fat that comes from the nuts themselves!). You will also be taking in 45 mg sodium, 24 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 20 grams sugars, and 2 grams of fiber. It’s a dessert, so you won’t be feeling full after a serving, but it should fill you up after a meal. This ice cream has no cholesterol.

And…it’s basically a cookie on frozen crack. Frozen cashew ice cream crack. It’s…amazing, is what I’m trying to say. If you are like me and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Snickerdoodle cookies…then this ice cream is going to satisfy your love of the cookie and your crave for the ice cream. It’s creamy and rich and perfect. Yes…I said perfect.

I’m in love.

A serving of So Delicious Dairy Free Snickerdoodle Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

Product Review: Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles

Product: Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles – $3.49+

I had heard the rumors…

I had. There had been word of Eggo putting out two (yes two!) gluten-free versions of their infamous waffles. I had seen photographs of the boxes. And yet…despite checking the freezer section at virtually every store with frozen waffles inside…I hadn’t had the fortune of seeing them out in the wild. I didn’t give up though. I never do.

As luck would have it, I finally stumbled across a freezer that held these majestic boxes…at a Target in Louisville, Kentucky. This has now been dubbed “the best Target in my area!” I have since checked other Target stores and NONE of them have these inside. Believe me…if I can get them on this side of the Ohio River, I would…but…for now at least, I’ll have to journey over the river into Louisville if I want to indulge in these beauties.

So, why do I care if I can eat Eggo Waffles? I mean, plenty of mid-size gluten-free companies have had waffles on the market for years. Van’s, by far, have been my favorite, but Nature’s Path also offers quite a selection of these frozen breakfast options. I guess I cared because I grew up eating Eggo Waffles. I did. I was diagnosed as a Celiac until I was 30. My entire childhood is made up of mornings where my mom would toast up some Eggo Waffles (she believed in sending us to school with a hot breakfast in our bellies, whether she made pancakes or French toast, or toasted up something like waffles from the freezer) before sending us out to catch the bus to school. We saved cereal for the weekends. And when I struck out on my own, working a job that didn’t pay much, and just living paycheck to paycheck, Eggo was there to make sure my mornings at least had some sustenance to them. I loved Eggo’s. I mean, what child (or adult, I don’t judge!) doesn’t get a little giggly when they say, “L’eggo my Eggo” to someone, right?

So, yeah…the fact that Kellogg’s was making an effort to put out a gluten-free version of one of their most popular breakfast items was pretty huge. And I was pretty excited. Even the Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Kellogg’s frozen foods, AnneMarie Suarez Davis, stated that Kellogg’s is making sure to not sacrifice the crispy texture and wholesome flavor of their waffles as they move into the gluten-free territory. It was critical for them to avoid the pitfall of some gluten-free items that actually due sacrifice taste and texture when being compared to the original versions. So…their goal…to be as delicious and wholesome as the original Eggo’s.

I’d like to say I could tell you right off if these were just as good as the original versions. However, it has been about 3-4 years since I last had an Eggo Waffle. So, I don’t exactly remember what they tasted like. There are a lot of things I don’t remember what they tasted like since going gluten free. It’s a bit sad at times. And sometimes it is a relief. But this…this is a bit more on the sad side than anything. I know I loved them…both as a child and as an adult…so it was time to put the gluten-free version to the test.

This past week, I needed some non-stressful, easy breakfasts to make. I was beyond tired and sore from the Boston Marathon and my sleep schedule is way off. WAY off. As in…not happening much. I had appointments out the wazoo as well, so the less I needed to do to prepare a breakfast, the better. Additionally…my CSA bin failed to deliver to me on Friday, so I had little to no fresh produce to use. Perfect excuse to just reach into the freezer.

I don’t own a toaster. I got rid of it after the Celiac diagnosis…back before my roommate said our kitchen could be 100% gluten free…and she still had regular bread. I toast everything up in the oven instead, so I preheated the oven to about 450°F and laid out four (a serving size is 2 waffles) of the Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles on a baking sheet. Into the oven they went, where they toasted up in about 5-7 minutes. My oven is never as hot as it’s supposed to be (it’s old!)…so it takes a bit longer on some things. When they came out, they smelled like Eggo Waffles…and were this light golden color…just like regular Eggo Waffles. I spread a little butter and poured on some maple syrup.

I was already in a better mood that morning, just for having Gluten Free Eggo Waffles. No joke. Seriously, it’s sometimes just the simplest things in life.

My roommate settled in with her two waffles first. When she took a first bite, I asked how they tasted. And she said, “They taste like Eggo Waffles.” That being said, she hasn’t had Eggo Waffles in 3-4 years either, because of me…but…we’ll just go with it. I tucked in that morning with my breakfast and sliced off a bite of the waffle. The outside of the waffle was crispy and flaky. It sort of broke into a few little pieces. The inside…soft…and arm. It was almost perfection. I don’t remember much about how Eggo Waffles tasted, but I could definitely tell a bit of a difference with these. Probably the use of oat flour over the enriched wheat flour that the other varieties have. Other than that, however, I couldn’t really tell if there was much of a difference. Soft and fluffy on the inside, crisp and toasted on the outside. That’s waffle perfection. And…to top it off…it was a bit satisfactory to stroll over to my roommate that morning, handing her a plate of waffles and saying, “L’eggo my Gluten Free Eggo.” HAHA! I told you…simple pleasures.

Let’s talk about the ingredients in the Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles, shall we? These waffles are made from water, rice flour, whole oat flour, eggs, sugar, soybean and palm oil, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), 2% or less artificial flavor, xanthan gum, salt, soy lecithin, and whey. These waffles are gluten-free and free from trans-fat.

As for nutrition…for gluten-free waffles, the Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles don’t do too bad at all. A serving size is 2 waffles, and 8 come in a box. This serving of 2 Gluten Free Eggo Waffles will provide you with 170 calories, 5 grams of fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 260 mg sodium, 75 mg potassium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 4 grams sugar, and 4 grams of protein. So it actually is a filling breakfast without being really big. And the waffles are pretty large in size too. Like standard Eggo Waffle big. Bigger than Van’s and Nature’s Path gluten-free versions.

Kellogg’s Gluten Free Eggo Waffles come in two different flavors – Original and Cinnamon. I only have found the Original, but that’s fine. I’m okay with that. I’m okay with these waffles. They were tastier than I anticipated and really live up to the high standard that Kellogg’s set with their regular versions of Eggo Waffles. Seriously, for a quick, easy breakfast, I’d be more than happy to keep a box of these in my freezer. Totally happy. Worth hugging the box in the aisles of Target. And totally worth devouring in the mornings. Really…really good!

April 29, 2015April 29, 2015

Product Review: Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders

Product: Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders – $5.99+

Beyond Meat had me with their vegan and gluten free chicken strips from the very start. I remember first spying those products in my local Whole Foods and immediately latching on to all three varieties and tossing them in the freezer. Since then, they have not only improved on the vegan not-chicken strips…but they have since added to their non-meat repertoire. Beyond Meat has introduced vegan chicken poppers, vegan chicken tenders, beyond beef crumbles, beyond beef meatballs, and beast burgers and beastly sliders.

I have yet to find the poppers and tenders and meatballs anywhere in my area, but I have stumbled across the two varieties of Beyond Beef Crumbles and…more recently…discovered the Beyond Meat Beast Burger and Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders. Now, it’s not every day I stumble across a vegan/vegetarian slider that I can eat. In fact, the only other sliders I’ve seen are made by Gardein, but they aren’t gluten-free. So…the instant I spotted these at my Whole Foods, I knew there was no escaping the tight budget. I’d squeeze it in and give them a try.

Due to my fresh produce and my lack of any sort of gluten-free slider buns…I ignored these in my freezer for a little while. But after hobbling through The Boston Marathon, and not having a produce bin delivered on time…this past weekend, I needed to do something for dinner. I searched my freezer, and have a few options remaining in there. The one that caught my attention was the Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders.

Well…why not? I was going grocery shopping that morning, so I could pick up some Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Dinner Rolls to use as slider buns…I figured. In my head, that was the plan. I think I forgot that the Udi’s Gluten Free Dinner Rolls were a little longer than a standard roll…so when I had everything out to start cooking…I realized I was going to have to slice the dinner rolls in half and then slice them open to make a close proximity of a slider bun.

Dear Gluten Free bread makers….slider buns…create them. I will buy them. For reals!

So while my dinner rolls/slider buns of sorts were toasting in the oven, I got out a saute pan and gave it a splash of olive oil, allowing it to heat up on medium-high heat. Then, into the pan all six of the slider patties went. I was impressed upon opening the package of Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders. The sliders have the appearance of real burgers. So, it’s not a vegetarian patty that looks nothing like a burger masquerading as a burger. These actually look like burgers. I was impressed. They were so easy to cook up too. Simply add the sliders to a touch of oil in a skillet and cook until lightly brown on both sides. It takes about 5-7 minutes. Then…it’s time to eat.

The dinner rolls weren’t a perfect fit for these hearty slider patties, but they worked. So, that’s what matters. I sliced each roll down to “slider” size and then loaded on the burger with a hit of ketchup and…BAM…vegetarian sliders for dinner. It was really that easy. I served these with a side of Zapp’s Voodoo Chips, which if you haven’t tried those…DO IT!

I haven’t eaten any sort of meat in over four years. That being said, back when I was big into burgers…you know…Hard Rock Café knew my burger order…these rank right up there with the real thing. Seriously. They have this great meaty texture…and they were hearty and held up. So often, vegetarian and vegan burger substitutes crumble and fall apart. This is especially true with vegan/vegetarian patties that are also gluten-free. It’s one of my pet peeves. This did not happen with the Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders. My roommate had just had sliders on our way to Boston a week before, and she said these were better than the real thing. WOW! I won’t lie…the texture, the flavor…it was awesome. They were juicy and filling. Oh yeah…they are Beastly Sliders for a reason…I was full from my serving of 3 of them. I loved the smokey flavor that these patties had, sort of lending it to the “I taste like beef, but I’m not” flavor. I’m sort of in love with these. It is just eerie how much these resembled real beef patties in appearance and in taste. It sort of freaked me out. In a good way. These will definitely find their way back into my freezer. I might have to experiment with making my own slider buns, but these were truly fantastic. I was beyond impressed.

Beyond Meat set out to replicate the taste and texture of beef burgers and to prove that there is a better, more sustainable, plant-based way to satisfy any burger craving. In addition, they prove that there is a healthier, plant-based, sustainable way to make a burger without the need to kill animals. We just needed a better burger…and these sliders are definitely proof that vegan burgers can run with the real thing.

Let’s discuss ingredients in the Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders, shall we? These sliders are made from water, pea protein isolate, essential fatty acid oil blend (DHA algal oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and palm oil), methycellulose, carrageenan, calcium sulfate, yeast extract, maltodextrin, potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, tapioca starch, caramel color, sorbitol, beyond nutrient blend (vegetable nutrient extract blend (spinach, broccoli, carrot, tomato, beet, shiitake mushroom), sea buckthorn juice powder, beet juice powder, hydrilla powder, horsetail herb powder, moringa leaf powder, mesquite powder, fulvic minerals, pomegranate seed powder), natural flavoring, spices, salt, l-cysteine hydrochloride, onion powder, sugar, onion extract, paprika extract and garlic extract. Lots of stuff I don’t recognize. I admit. And a lot of ingredients at that. I know. But…WOW. The Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders are gluten-free, soy-free, cholesterol-free, and non-GMO. They are also contain antioxidants, iron, calcium, vitamins B6, B12, D, potassium, as well as DHA and ALA omega-3’s.

So, let’s talk the nutritional value for a moment, yes? A serving of the Beyond Meat Beastly Sliders is 3 sliders. You get 6 in a box. This serving of three patties will provide you with 260 calories, 16 grams of fat, 480 mg sodium, 720 mg potassium, 7 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams sugars (YAY!), 4 grams of fiber, and 23 (YES…23) grams of protein. No wonder you feel full after eating these. WOW!

While I don’t make faux meat products a standard in my home, it is fun to try out products every now and again. The past four years I’ve had many vegetarian/vegan burger patties. In the past three years, I’ve consumed quite a few brands that are also gluten-free. By a long shot, Beyond Meat has provided the best burger patty to date. To think…plant power all the way. Totally in love with the nutritional aspect, the flavor, the taste…everything. Now when I want sliders…I can have sliders. So much love.

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – 6.99+

Twas the holiday season and stress was high. I mean…at the top level of high stress. Why? Holiday season…I just told you. People were everywhere, gifts weren’t bought yet, and I had a grocery list to get purchased.

And so…I began working my way through the crowded aisles of Whole Foods. I don’t normally buy much in the freezer section there, but I always make a point to go down the aisles. This time, however, as I was going through the frozen dessert treats, some bright (and new) So Delicious treats seemed to wave at me. I pulled open that freezer door and spotted coconut milk ice cream treats in the shapes of snowmen and stars. The snowmen were vanilla with a chocolate layer forming the hat. The stars…peppermint.

HELLO!

Unfortunately, the budget was tight as it was the holidays, but my roomie and I insisted that the following week we’d come back and pick them up…because we’d make some more room by then.

And so…we did. And the Snowmen treats were there…but the Peppermint Stars (the ones I really, really, really wanted to try) were gone. I got upset, and we bought the “boring” (they were anything but boring, they were delicious!) Snowman treats and devoured them later that week. We kept returning, week-after-week, to Whole Foods, but the Peppermint Stars spot always was empty. They were either really popular…or weren’t ever restocked.

Until something magical happened soon after Christmas.

I was back in Whole Foods and walking down that frozen food aisle. At the frozen treats, I looked toward the So Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert area and spotted the red, white, and pink box I had been searching for. I pulled open that freezer door and pulled it out, showing it to Cathy. It was the very last box. THE LAST ONE. We had so many errands to run that day, so we asked the Customer Service desk if they could put it in the freezers in the back until we came back. They were happy to do so. And I was happy that I was finally going to have these in my freezer.

However, it seemed my roommate wasn’t as eager to consume them as I was. Every week we polished off another dessert (usually cookies of some sort) and I would list off other dessert options to follow…and the ice cream we had in the freezer was never even considered. BUT…this past week, I asked “Do you want the chocolate cookies from Cuisine Cube or do you want the ice cream bars?”

“Are those the Peppermint Stars?”

“The ice cream I have been referring to all this time that you never want to eat has been the Peppermint Stars.”

“OH! That’s what I want.”

Sometimes…she needs to be smacked. HA!

So…it was Friday night…and it was time to finally dig into the frozen dessert bars that I had coveted since before Christmas and, the dessert gods blessed me with the final box of the season at Whole Foods. I couldn’t wait. So, I got them out of the freezer and pulled out the box. I tore into it, handed one to my roommate and then tore the wrapper off of mine. I had waited three months to finally dig into these. One taste…and I knew it was worth the wait.

The So Delicious Diary Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert was absolutely amazing. For the first time ever, I didn’t feel as though the peppermint flavor overwhelmed the treat at all. It was subtle…but the highlight of the actual flavor in the ice cream. The bar itself was nice and frozen…but melt-in-your-mouth good. It was so delicious (ha…see what I did there?). I mean…it was light and creamy and just…yum. I loved having a little taste of the holidays in April. I really did. So, maybe the wait was worth it. Well, it was. I just wish I could have enjoyed more of these. I’m so thankful I found that one last box before they disappeared for the season. I will be on the hunt for these this next holiday season and hopefully can have more than two nights worth. Because, sometimes, a treat is just worth it. These were beyond worth it.

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is made from organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, inulin, natural flavor, organic beet juice, guar gum, carbo bean gum, and annatto. YUM YUM!! These bars are free of trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, gluten and dairy. They are also kosher. They are perfection in peppermint form.

As for nutrition, you’ll love how these add up. The So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert has a serving size of 1 bar. Four bars come in the box. One delicious star-shaped frozen dessert bar will serve up 100 calories and 5 grams of fat (much of that will be from the coconut milk), 14 grams carbohydrates, 10 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Talk about a dessert you can feel good about indulging in. I am a huge fan of So Delicious, and having the chance to try one of their limited-edition seasonal ice cream treats was amazing. Totally in love. It’s like a frozen candy cane in ice cream format. How can you not love that. I hope they bring these back next year. I’ll load up my freezer with them for sure. DELISH!

March 31, 2015

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

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

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

And it makes me sad.

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

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

You bet your coconuts!

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 30, 2015

Product Review: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust

Product: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust – $6.99+

If nothing else, this blog post is to remind you about how much I love pizza. Pizza is the ultimate food to me. Seriously. It satisfies every food craving I really have. Except maybe chocolate. But I’ve been cutting way back on that, except for an every-now-and-again 1 ounce dark chocolate treat.

But I digress.

Back to the pizza. Anyway, I have a myriad of gluten free pizza crust mixes that have worked and not worked in the past. I’ve tried just about every gluten-free pizza shell out there. If gluten free pizza is on the menu at a restaurant…you better believe that’s what I’m ordering. Pizza…is perfection to me. Food perfection.

It’s my go-to pre-race (half marathon or over) meal, which somehow equals out to the perfect amount of fats, carbs, and protein for me to perform at the top of my game. Trust me, I’ve tested this numerous, countless times.

So, imagine my glee when I was on a miniature shopping spree at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, and came across the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts in their freezer section. I was beyond elated. Seriously. They come in four flavors, so I knew I was going to take one home with me, it was a matter of narrowing it down to which one. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts come in Sun-Dried Tomato & Herbs, Roasted Garlic, Original, and Parmesan and Asiago.

I love garlic…so I went right for the Roasted Garlic flavor.

Now, I had no intention of letting these linger in my freezer for as long as they did. I swear to you. However, that being said, they did. I just had fresh produce and other, older products to work through first. That being said, yesterday was a good day. I guess the Gluten Free Pizza Bites I ate after the soccer match on Saturday got my tastebuds craving more, because both my roommate and I were really wanting pizza.

But I can’t just make any pizza, you know. I had some fresh produce that needed to be used, so I thought…Brussels sprouts on a pizza. That could rule. But what to pair it with? Vegan and gluten-free bacon. Perfect. What else? Bar-b-que sauce, of course! Add a bit of sauteed onion and it would definitely be a nice change of pace for a pizza. After all, who does Brussels sprouts on a pizza?

I DO!

And thanks to having the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust in my freezer…I could indulge in my pizza craving without hassle or going to my grocer’s freezer section for a pre-made one. This one…this one would be all mine.

Super easy. I preheated the oven with the pizza stone and took the frozen flatbread out of the freezer, defrosting it a little in the microwave. Once the oven and stone were heated, I placed two flatbreads onto the stone and then topped it with some local barbeque sauce, some sauteed onions and Brussels sprouts, the vegan and gluten-free bacon, and then a bit of vegan cheese. Into the oven it went for about 10-12 minutes, to allow the cheese to melt and the flatbread/pizza crust to get that perfect crispness on it (I hoped).

Well…it worked. This was, perhaps, the most durable pizza crust that I can buy in a freezer section at the grocery store that I have ever had. Most gluten-free pizzas are thin and fall apart if loaded up with toppings. But because this is also a flatbread, Glutenfreeda has given it some more heft than most gluten-free crusts out on the market. And, even though it was flavored, it didn’t overpower any of the toppings that went on it. The crust toasted up beautifully and sliced into perfect triangles. If using it as a sandwich bread…I’ve heard it can be a little thick for that, but it was perfect for the pizza. And I’m totally looking forward to baking up another round of these tomorrow for dinner. I have more Brussels sprouts, after all. Glutenfreeda really impressed me with their Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust.

Let’s talk ingredients. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust is made from water, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, expeller pressed canola oil (non-GMO), psyllium powder, egg whites, evaporated cane sugar, yeast, teff flour, seasoning (natural roasted garlic flavor, dehydrated garlic, hydrolyzed soy protein, spices, and salt) flax seed, salt, cultured dextrose, xanthan gum, and citric acid. It is wheat-free, cholesterol free, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and contains no trans fats.

As for nutrition…a serving size is 1/2 of the flat bread. I was using this as my meal, so I ate the entire flatbread. As did my roomie. However, if you stick to the serving size, you will be consuming 110 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will be taking in 380 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. Yes…no sugar. LOVE. In addition, you will be consuming 18 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. This does make for a filling meal…but one that won’t break the calorie bank either as long as you are smart with your toppings.

I think, when I can’t pick up a pizza crust from my local gluten-free bakery, I need to find a local store that carries these. Because I was beyond impressed with how it cooked, held up, and tasted. Forget everything you think you know about frozen gluten-free pizza crusts. Pick up a package (there are 4 flatbreads per package) of Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust (in any flavor…but Roasted Garlic is YUMMY!) and see for yourself. It is amazing. You’ll see!

Gluten-Free Brussels Sprout and (Vegan) Bacon Pizza on Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust