Gluten-Free – Page 116 – The Celiathlete

February 14, 2012

Baking up gluten-free goodies with Gluten-Free Bisquick

Product: Gluten-Free Bisquick – $5.19+

I was ecstatic the day I was out shopping at the grocery store and ran across a box of Betty Crocker’s Gluten-Free Bisquick. Prior to having to go gluten-free, I would use Bisquick in any number of recipes…specifically my mock Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits, or pancakes, or desserts (like strawberry shortcakes!).

There was one minor problem with the gluten-free variety…and that was the price tag. It is a smaller box than the original, which obviously contains less product, and is around twice the price. Talk about a baking whammy. So, it remained on the shelf until one day when my roommate treated me to one of her infamous gluten-free gifts.

We were out at the grocery store and she told me to pick something to try. My hands immediately went for the box of Gluten-Free Bisquick. Why? I had visions of biscuits dancing in my head, of course.

So, it’s pure irony that when I pulled it out to use it…it wasn’t for my pancakes, my cheddar biscuits, waffles, or shortcakes. Nope. I used it for gluten-free lemon streusel muffins.

Gluten-Free Lemon Streusel Muffins made with Gluten-Free Bisquick

No joke.

As the base for these muffins, I felt the Gluten-Free Bisquick worked wonders. It made a very creamy, rich base when mixed with the other ingredients. And it didn’t overshadow the lemon flavor that was added by both the zest and juice of one lemon. It provided a great base in which to bake with, safely, for people with a gluten intolerance.

And the finished product was pure magic. Honestly. The muffins are moist, soft, lemony, and hold up to a warming in the microwave. They don’t stick to the pan liners. I know a lot of this is due to the fact that I used a trusted product. Sure, it wasn’t for my original intention, but I reached for Bisquick prior to my dietary changes.

Why should that change? What emerged was a fantastic treat, which shouldn’t be surprising. Being gluten-free doesn’t take away from the quality. So with a name like Bisquick, trusted over the years, the same should hold true for the unleaded version.

I was impressed. And next time I have a box of Gluten-Free Bisquick, those cheddar biscuits are going to be made!

Thank you, again, Betty Crocker, for giving your fantastic products back to the gluten-free community. I am, once again, impressed!

February 13, 2012

Not wooed by Bards Sorghum Malt Beer

Bard's Gluten-Free Original Sorghum Malt Beer

Product: Bard’s Original Sorghum Malt Beer – $2.79+

I’m going to once again call this one an unfair tasting because, as I mentioned in my previous gluten-free beer post…

I. HATE. BEER.

Loathe it, really. Even the good stuff I got overseas…I took one sip and was done with it. Granted, this purchase was made for the sole reason of cooking with it, but in order to make the blog legit, a taste test had to be had.

What I discovered is…Bard’s Sorghum Malt Beer tastes…like beer.

*shudder*

Now, if you like beer, then you’ll absolutely love this. And you’ll also like the nice price tag that accompanies it. It is, by far, one of the cheaper gluten-free beers out on the market.

Bard’s isn’t all bad. I find it hard to find fault in a company that took it upon themselves to bring beer back to the over 2 million people who have a gluten intolerance. It was the first company to embrace the gluten-free community and bring beer back into their lives. For that, they are to be commended. They are trailblazers. And their Sorghum Malt Beer contains no gluten, wheat, oats or rye. Safe for the gluten-intolerant among us.

But, for someone like me, who will cook with beer, but hates to drink it…Bard’s is not the right fit for me. It was a good (and less expensive) option for my gluten-free chile con queso. It’s light flavor was just the kick the queso needed without the beery aftertaste.

As a company, I give full admiration to Bard’s for paving the way for gluten-free beers in the market. If only I was a beer drinker. But…if you are a beer drinker…and you actually do like the taste of beer…this brand is totally for you.

Bottoms up.

February 13, 2012July 22, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I love broccoli cheddar soup. Honestly. I used to eat it all the time when I’d go to restaurants. And then, I became a vegetarian and know that a lot of places make their soups with chicken stock. To top it off, I then found out I had a gluten intolerance, and most creamy soups are made with flour.

This one is no exception, except I substituted the flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour and vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. What emerged as it simmered away on the stove was a vegetarian and gluten-free version of a classic soup. And yes…it tasted absolutely fantastic!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 60 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon melted butter (I used Smart Balance)
1/2 medium chopped onion
1/4 cup melted butter (I used Smart Balance)
1/4 cup flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour)
2-1/2 cups half-and-half (I used Horizon Organic half & half)
4 cups vegetable stock
1 lb. (16 oz.) fresh or frozen broccoli florets
1 cup grated carrot
Kosher salt and freshly grated pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat, and sauté onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add additional butter and flour, whisking for 3-5 minutes to create a roux. Whisk while adding the half-and-half and vegetable stock. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Stir in the broccoli florets and grated carrot. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer over low heat for 30-35 minutes.

Remove soup from heat and pulse with an immersion blender until smooth. Or, puree the soup in batches in a food processor until smooth, adding mixture back to the pot.

Return pot to low heat and stir in cheddar cheese. Simmer for 10 minutes, and serve.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

I have Pinterest to thank for bringing this recipe to my attention. I adapted it for my own dietary needs. And it really was a fantastic, creamy, delicious soup. Perfect for these winter days. And it was so easy to make. The most labor intensive part was shredding the cheese and carrot. The rest…simple.

It’s winter. That means soup’s on. So go ahead and make up your own batch tonight!

February 13, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Lemon Streusel Muffins

Lemon. It’s refreshing. The flavor lends itself to dishes and really turns up the volume. And I love lemony things. LOVE!

Lately I’ve been in a scone making mindset when it comes to breakfast for the mornings I am a slave to the gym. They’re easy to warm up when I get to work and settle in for the day ahead. But, then I saw this recipe come over my Twitter feed from Delight Gluten-Free Magazine and I knew that this week the scones were going to take a backseat to muffins.

This recipe makes far more streusel than you are ever going to need. So I have my leftovers in the fridge awaiting a pancake morning! However, the muffins bake up light and the lemon flavor is AMAZING! Seriously, it’s the right hit of lemon without lacking flavor and without overpowering the muffins themselves.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Lemon Streusel Muffins

Servings: 15 muffins
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Bake 25 minutes

Ingredients for the Streusel Topping:

1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour (I used Gluten-Free Bisquick)
1 cup granulated sugar (I used Truvia)
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup butter, melted

Ingredients for the Muffin Batter:

2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour (I used Gluten-Free Bisquick)
3 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar (I used Truvia)
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup skim milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and non-stick spray.

To make the streusel topping, in a small bowl combine all topping ingredients and mix together until crumbly. Set aside until ready to use.

For the muffin batter, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla, milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix together on medium speed.

Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.

Pour batter evenly into the 12 muffin cups and sprinkle topping evenly over the 12 muffins.

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool before serving.

~*~*~

Honestly, one bite and I knew that these were even better than I anticipated. Do note, I actually ended up using 1/3 cup of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour with the Gluten-Free Bisquik because…I didn’t have enough in the box. That’s the biggest problem with companies that delve into gluten-free products is they give you so much less than the regular variety. But it didn’t affect these at all. And I’m looking forward to savoring each bite after I hit the gym this week.

If you love lemon, you’ll definitely love these!

February 13, 2012

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mint Creams a fresh sensation all its own

Product: Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mint Creams – $2.99

Damn you, Trader Joe’s!

I keep falling in love with your products. The problem is, most of the time I go in there for something specific (this time it was your extra virgin olive oil) and these little plastic containers of goodness stare back at me from…everywhere!!

Last time, it was the dark chocolate mint covered espresso beans.

This time…your Dark Chocolate Mint Creams begged for me to bring you home. Mint and dark chocolate is my weakness (obviously), and after wondering (briefly) why these were not in my life, they found their way into my shopping basket, to the register, in a bag, and in rightfully in my life.

What Trader Joe’s did here was find the love child of a York Peppermint Pattie and a Junior Mint. I’m serious. It’s like the best of both worlds. The dark chocolate is the key to making this work, however. It’s bittersweet, deliciousness lends it’s rich flavor to the creamy, fresh mint cream in the middle. It’s a York Peppermint Pattie on steroids. In a good way.

Even better…the box not only labels these as vegetarian but also containing no gluten ingredients. BONUS! I felt completely safe when I bought these and dug into them.

If you love mint and chocolate, then these little treats are for you. Honestly, they are a step above the both Junior Mints and York Peppermint Patties. And I love both of those (and both are gluten-free as well). So this was a worthwhile purchase for me because…yeah…two of my favorite minty chocolate treats all rolled into one fantastic, delicious, plastic container of Trader Joe’s goodness.

This goes beyond tasting the sensation. These are chocolate. These are peppermint. These are awesome.

February 11, 2012

Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin Bread is a sweet breakfast in the making

Product: Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $5.99+

First, I have to get this off my chest. Bear with me for just a moment…

FINALLY!!!!

You know, as a patron of the gluten-free food scene, I am a fan of Udi’s products as much as the next person. Their cookies are off the charts. Their muffins are soft, spongy goodness. Their bagles…taste like bagels! And while their bread was the first gluten-free bread I ever, EVER tasted, my last few loaves have been riddled with holes, which makes enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich, a peanut butter sandwich, or any kind of sandwich for that matter, a bit of a task. Near impossible. And it was so frustrating because, in a sense, I’m paying for air. Bread with pockets of air carved into them. And with the $5.99 price tag attached to these loaves, I was not willing to go through that again.

Observe my last loaf of Udi’s bread:

Despite how amazing their gluten-free bread is…I swore it off. Because I felt cheated.

And then, wouldn’t you know it, my local grocery store had loaves of Udi’s bread on sale. And the rule for me is if it’s gluten-free and vegetarian…and it goes on sale…then I get it while I can afford it. So, I didn’t ignore the sale. And since I had yet to try it, and my roommate encouraged me it would be good for the blog…I bought a loaf of the Cinnamon Raisin Bread.

This morning…I decided to give Udi’s it’s second chance. So, imagine my delight when I opened up this loaf of bread, removed two slices, and found them WHOLE (not holey)! Things were looking up! Perhaps the Udi’s bread ban could finally be lifted. I haven’t gotten past the first two slices though, but this is a promising start.

Now, the important part. How did it taste?

Well, I did say that Udi’s made amazing products. Their gluten-free Cinnamon Raisin Bread is no exception to that rule. The texture is fantastic. The cinnamon flavor pairs deliciously with the raisins that are prevalent in every slice. There is no skimping on the ingredients here. I topped mine off with a smear of gluten-free (and vegan) margarine and a light dusting of powdered sugar. YUMMY! I was definitely in breakfast heaven this morning. I bet this would be amazing made into French Toast. Hmmmm…breakfast tomorrow, perhaps.

That being said, I still find their bread to be much smaller than other gluten-free breads out there. While size isn’t everything, I do find that the Rudi’s brand of bread (each flavor: Multigrain, Original, Cinnamon Raisin) is of equal quality, uses only natural ingredients, and has a better size ratio going for it. And…it’s usually $1.00 cheaper than Udi’s if not more.

However…I’m not saying that Udi’s isn’t up to par. That is not the case. I enjoy their products immensely and really find them to be at the forefront of gluten-free foods out on the market these days. I just can’t always rely on their bread to make a perfect gluten-free sandwich.

Maybe the times are changing. I’ll have to see how this loaf works out as I go further into it.

Yes, gluten-free products do cost more…but for health, for quality, for peace of mind, it’s sometimes necessary. I think Udi’s is one amazing company that specializes in gluten-free products, manufactured safely. If you mention gluten-free bread, theirs is usually the first brand that comes to mind or is mentioned. That’s saying something. The products they put out back up their outstanding status in the land of gluten-intolerance.

I am a fan. And slowly…very slowly…they are earning my respect back for their bread.

February 11, 2012

Dreamy ice cream without the dairy – Almond Dream Bites take over my freezer

Product: Almond Dream Bites (Vanilla) – $5.99+

Ice cream. It’s the dessert of champions. It’s best when homemade, of course, which I used to do growing up. It’s something I intend to do again this summer thanks to the acquisition of an ice cream maker on my birthday. But, until I make some room in my freezer (getting there!), store bought ice cream is what I manage. Dairy-free for me…gluten-free always!

It was a coupon for Almond Dream products that brought about the purchase of these little nuggets of non-dairy ice cream goodness. I had thought about getting the unsweetened almond milk, but as I passed by the freezer, these caught my eye. And they had to come home with me. Almond milk went back on the shelf…ice cream won. I mean, it usually does, right?

Well, for me it does.

This vegan ice cream is made from almonds. Yep. Almonds. These are basically a non-dairy, gluten-free version of a bon bon, minus the trans fat or highly refined sugars. Oh yeah…loving that. These are perfectly bite-size, and fun to just pop into your mouth and let them melt against your tongue. The rush of chocolate and vanilla flavor is amazing. The chocolate shell is rich and smooth and the vanilla ice cream inside is sweet and satisfying. Oh, these were good. These were amazingly good.

When I was in Ireland, I fell in love with ice cream bars known as Magnums. Well, Magnums have since made it to US soil, and they are fantastic. Well, these were basically a bite-size, non-dairy version of those amazing ice cream treats. The same taste principles apply…rich, smooth shell over sweet, delicious ice cream. Oh…so good.

I anticipate future purchases in the Almond Dream non-dairy, gluten-free line-up. If these are any indication of the product I will be consuming…well…I’ve been won over. And it sure is nice to eat ice cream without having to take a supplement to help with digestion, yes? Honestly, you’d never know there wasn’t a lick (get it? Ice cream…lick? HA!) of dairy in these little treats.

So, treat yourself to a melty sweet treat. Almond Dream Bites are a novelty worth buying. The only downfall is the little container doesn’t refill itself. But that’s why we have nearby grocery stores!

Indulge. Even in winter. These are totally worth it.

February 10, 2012

Almond Breeze blows me away with Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk

Product: Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk – $3.49+

The life of the lactose intolerant doesn’t have to be ruled by lactose-free milk. There is such a variety out there these days that sometimes choosing what to get while out at the grocery store is the difficult part.

As most of you know…I’m more than slightly obsessed with milk alternatives. From coconut milk to rice milk to hazelnut milk to almond milk, I have tried a wide variety of products.

This time, I returned to one of my favorite brands for almond milk, and gave their Unsweetened Vanilla flavor a try. And now, I have to wonder what took me so long!

The great thing about the unsweetened varieties of these various milks is that no sugar gets added to it. I don’t think “milk” should be laden with sugar, so when I buy, I go unsweetened. Always.

Low in calories and with no saturated fat, almond milk is a great milk substitute. The only thing it really lacks is a protein punch. The vanilla variety is flavored with natural vanilla flavor. With the lack of (unnecessary) added sugar, this means the beverage isn’t too sweet, nor too overpowering.

It’s fantastic poured over cereal in the morning, or warmed and mixed into a hot chocolate, or even to bake with. I’ve done all of them with fantastic results. Almond milk rocks my world. Add a little vanilla to it, and it’s like manna from heaven. Honestly, Blue Diamond is doing something very right when they make their Almond Breeze drinks. Enough to make me want to go back for glass after glass. And with only 40 calories per serving…why not?

Indulgence never tasted so good!

February 10, 2012

Garden Lites invites you to eat your broccoli in souffle form

Product: Garden Lites Broccoli Soufflé – $3.49+

This was it.

The last one. My freezer now stands void of these amazing mini-meals. But this was a journey well taken and one that was full of surprises and fantastic flavors. I love finding a variety of good quality products by an amazing company that does food right. Frozen meals don’t have to be full of processed crap. Garden Lites prides itself on the fact that they don’t laden their meals down with phony nutritional ingredients to keep their products “fresh.” On the contrary, what you get is a meal that is not only hearty, but delicious and packed full of flavor. Real flavor. You can taste the vegetables that go into the making of each dish. And yeah…they taste amazing.

The last soufflé to be tried out was the Broccoli Soufflé. Once again, I loved the colors that were apparent, even from underneath the plastic wrap that steams the soufflé for the first 4 minutes. Amazing. It smelled fantastic as it was being heated up in the microwave. But, broccoli has always been one of my favorite vegetables.

Yes. I was one of those kids who loved eating my vegetables. We had vegetables with every dinner. In fact, when my mom cooked she always tried to put something in from every food group. Perhaps my early love of vegetables led me to the path of vegetarianism that I took up a couple years ago.

Regardless, what is awesome about Garden Lites products is that they are filled with vegetables…and spices. It’s that easy. It’s that simple. There are no guessing games when it comes to what goes into their products. Even better, all of the soufflés are low calorie and very low fat. What more could you want?

Well, the Broccoli Soufflé has joined the ranks of my favorite flavors of the six that I tried. It comes in second, I believe. It reminded me a lot of a veggie omelet, the broccoli really being the star of the dish. As it should be. I love how smooth and easy these are to eat and how simple they are to make. Tonight I devoured my half (again, I didn’t realize it was one per box, so my roommate ate the other half) with a serving of Ore Ida Crispy Crowns. And I was full at the end of it. Delicious. Hearty. And healthy.

I’m so happy to have discovered these products. My freezer is just waiting for me to fill it up again. And I intend to. And now I have an idea of which ones I really loved the best.

Want a fun way to eat your vegetables, get to your grocer’s freezer and look for Garden Lites. Healthy, hearty, veggie goodness.

February 9, 2012February 9, 2012

Imagine’s Creamy Carrot Almond is what’s up, doc!

Product: Imagine Organic Creamy Carrot Almond Soup – $3.99+

It had to have been on sale.

Honestly. Because who really goes out of their way to buy carrot soup? I know I’m a vegetarian and all, and I do love my vegetables (and most of them out there too!), but…come on! Carrot soup?

Perhaps it was the almond that appealed to me then.

Whatever it was, tonight it was up in the pantry shuffle – that little dance you do when you stock up on items, probably because of a sale, and they just sort of sit there as you go through the stuff you are familiar with. Yeah…that.

I was…concerned to say the least. I mean…I like carrots. I love almonds, but how would they mesh in soup form?

The answer?

Harmony. Honestly. While the soup does mostly carry a carrot flavor, it isn’t overpowering. It’s not like drinking carrot juice or any of that. The texture of the soup is fantastic. It’s a creamy soup, but it isn’t too heavy and it isn’t too thin either. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and sweet and…carrot. The almond, I think, helps to tone down the carrot flavor and really bring out the richness of the soup.

I enjoyed mine with a gluten-free and dairy free (thank you Rudi’s Multigrain Bread & Veggie Slices) grilled cheese sandwich, which complimented the soup to perfection. When it’s a cold, gray day outside, a hot bowl of soup and a sandwich just sort of make the world right again, and warm you from the inside out.

Imagine really created a gem with this soup. It is vegan (yes, despite the word creamy in the title), organic, and a complimentary blend of carrots, onions, spices and…yes…almond butter. It may not sound appetizing, but trust me…it’s a delightful play of flavors across your palate.

Shop your organic food section. Give these organic, delicious soups a try. A good majority of them are gluten-free. All of them are organic, and contain organic ingredients. You can taste the quality. If you are feeling adventurous…go ahead, grab the Creamy Carrot Almond soup. Believe me…you’ll polish off the bowl.