Recipe: Kale Chips

We all love potato chips, but hate the calories and fat that come with them.  Here is an interesting twist on chips, made with fresh kale, a little seasoning, and a dash of olive oil.  These will change your snacking life forever…and for the good.

Kale Chips

 

Kale Chips
Kale Chips

 

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 10 minutes

Ingredients:

 

  • 1 bunch kale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (or seasoning of your choice)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner.

Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.

Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

~*~*~

This is a simple, nutritious, and delicious snack.  I could devour the entire pan and not feel guilty about it.  I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this recipe, and since my first attempt, have seasoned with garlic salt, with crushed red pepper, and other such ingredients.  Get creative.  You can’t go wrong with a snack that is so good for you.  Trust me, you won’t be able to eat just one!

Recipe: Gluten-Free (and Vegetarian) Rice Krispie Treats

It’s like a right of passage when you are a kid.  Rice Krispies + Marshmallows = Rice Krispie Treats.  And you devour these because they are so chewy and gooey and made of snap, crackle, yum!  When I became a vegetarian, this was easy to modify.  When I had to go gluten-free, I could no longer enjoy Rice Krispies.  Then…they created Gluten-Free Rice Krispies and these treats were back on my menu.

Gluten-Free & Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats


Servings: 12-16
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Total 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Ingredients for Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients for Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats


  • 3 tablespoons butter/margarine
  • 1 (7 oz) container of Marshmallow Creme
  • 6 cups Gluten-Free Rice Krispies


Directions:

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat.

Add Marshmallow Creme and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat.

Add Gluten-Free Rice Krispies cereal.  Stir until well coated.

Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray.

Allow to cool.

Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treat
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treat

 

~*~*~

This recipe is not only simple, but delicious.  And a favorite treat from my childhood is now back into my life.  What more could this allergic chef ask for?  Enjoy!

 

Kelloggs finally creates a big gluten-free snap, crackle and pop!

Gluten-Free Rice Krispies
Gluten-Free Rice Krispies

Product: Gluten-Free Rice Krispies – $3.99+

Snap.  Crackle.  Pop.

You remember growing up with Rice Krispies, right?  From a cereal that “talks” to those delicious, marshmallow-y treats that mom made, Rice Krispies are engrained as a delicious part of growing up.  And I loved them.  Even as an adult, I devoured the cereal.  But when I had to go gluten-free, like most of my cereals, Rice Krispies had to drop off my radar.

But then, Kellogg’s did something brilliant.  They did something amazingly smart and great for their brand.  They developed gluten-free Rice Krispies.  And the first time I saw these on the shelves at the grocery store, I had to do my best to resist purchasing them.  The only reason for that is my grocery stores sell that at over $4.15/box.  When I wandered into department store that also had groceries (Wal-Mart, folks, don’t judge!  I am on a tight budget!), I found it at $3.99 and it came home with me.

So, what was the first thing I did with these little puffs of rice?  I made gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats, of course.  And, since I’m also a vegetarian, I used Marshmallow Creme instead of marshmallows.  But, naturally in the baking process, I had to swipe a few puffs to taste on their own.

These Rice Krispies are made out of whole grain brown rice and are made minus the barley malt (which is the source of gluten in original Rice Krispies).  What I found was these little puffs of rice were less sweet than the original brand.  But they were still very full of flavor and in no way bland.

As for how the vegetarian and gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats turned out…well…they were fantastic.  Chewy, gooey, soft with that initial crunch…and safe for someone like me to eat.  The perfect (and easy) dessert to make.

Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats
Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats

With the leftover cereal in the box, I used it as my breakfast cereal.  And it brought a smile to my face when I poured my almond milk over it and the cereal began its signature snapping, crackling, and popping.  I had to carry it over to my roommate to let her listen.  Yeah, sounds stupid, but I was really that happy about it.

I wish more companies would take on the task of creating a gluten-free version of their cereals (Cheerios, are you listening?).  This 12oz box (YES!  You get the same size box of gluten-free cereal as you do the regular…what a concept!) brought me so much joy and made me able to not only eat a cereal from my past, but whip up a delicious dessert that was safe for me to eat and that I could share with others.  I mean, everyone loves Rice Krispie Treats, yeah?

Don’t fall into a cereal slump.  When Kellogg’s developed and produced this product, they did the gluten-free community a favor.  A product of my childhood, now children who could never before eat actual Rice Krispies (gluten-free knock-offs are all around!) now get their day in the sun.  So, fill a bowl, pour on your milk of choice, and have a conversation with your cereal again.  For old time’s sake.

Gluten-Free & Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treat
Gluten-Free & Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treat

A hint of spice makes everything nice about Rudi’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin bread

Rudi's Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Rudi's Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $4.99+

I have a local gluten-free tasting fair to thank for introducing me to quite a few products that I will eventually be reviewing.  But, more than anything, I thank my natural food store for giving me the opportunity to try things that I normally would pass on due to my financial situation and the high cost for most products that I can eat.

That being said, while I have had a successful run with products made by Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, I hadn’t tried their Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread…until a plate was handed to me at the tasting fair.  And, quite honestly, my life changed.

I know that sounds pretty facetious to say, but it’s the truth.  But I don’t just spend my money on any gluten-free product.  Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is not only affordable…but epically delicious.  So, I bought a loaf and brought it home.  Just a couple bites was all it took for me to snatch this product up and take it home.  That already speaks volumes.

But the food is what should do the talking, and what I’ve discovered with Rudi’s is that they make high quality, delicious, and affordable gluten-free products from basic, natural ingredients.  You won’t find a thing on the list of ingredients that you don’t recognize.  That is amazing reassuring.  No chemicals, mixed with care and love, and winning over the gluten-free (and even non-gluten-free) hearts and stomachs nationwide.

This bread is fantastic on its own.  Fresh from the bag.  It’s soft and rich.  But toast it up in the oven or the toaster and you really set your senses on fire.  This bread smells amazing as it toasts.  It reminds me a lot of the holidays, when the scent of cinnamon hangs in the air as cinnamon rolls are baked fresh in the oven.  Except…I can’t eat just any cinnamon rolls anymore…but this bread gives that burst of cinnamon flavor with an added kick of the sweet raisins.  And Rudi’s doesn’t skimp on the raisins either.  We’re talking plump, big raisins throughout the bread.  I didn’t expect that…but I’ve come to learn that Rudi’s puts a lot of care and consideration into their products and that is one of many reasons I continue to buy their line of food.

Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is great on its own, but I’ve found on race days, smearing it with a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter does amazing things for my energy levels pre-race and throughout.  It’s become a tradition now.  It pairs well with apple butter, or just plain butter.  It’s fun to dress up for Halloween (see my recipe section for Ghost Toast) with confectioners sugar and bits of candy.  It is so full of flavor that it mixes well with anything you put on it.

And…the best part is the size of the slices of bread.  While not quite at regular bread size, Rudi’s comes close.  I feel like I’m eating an entire piece of bread, because it looks like a full-size piece of bread.  It’s a bit of a comfort.

Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is substantial in size, in flavor, in spice.  The cinnamon is prevalent throughout each bite.  The raisins compliment the natural flavors of the bread.  And, overall, this product is one of my favorite things to buy when I’m treating myself to something gluten-free.  I mean, it now powers my runs on race days.  When you have to run on gluten-free carbs, do yourself right with the ones you choose.  For me, I will always be fueled by Rudi’s.

Love cinnamon and raisins?  Then you’ll love to give this bread a try.  Dress it up or keep it simple.  It doesn’t matter.  It’s delicious any way you slice it.

Whole-y Gluten-Free Bread – Udi’s Whole Grain Bread is the little loaf that could

Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread
Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread – $5.99+

Udi’s Whole Grain Bread has the distinct honor of being the first gluten-free bread I ever tried.  Seriously.  I had gone gluten-free a couple months before I actually tried it, but had avoided buying any bread (basically, I had cut it out of my diet completely) due to the high cost of the shrunken loaves offered in grocery stores.  Let’s face it…the gluten-free bread loaves contain about half the bread of a normal loaf, and the size of the slices…about half that of normal bread.  It’s frustrating from a budget standpoint…so I just wasn’t going to have it.

And then…I made my annual trip out to Denver, Colorado for a convention.  And in order to stay in a budget, my roommate and I shop the local grocery store for food, allowing one meal out a day.  So, as we were shopping, we spotted a display of Udi’s bread at a very reasonable price.  This shouldn’t be a shock, as we were in Denver – where Udi’s is based out of.  So, we picked up a loaf, grabbed a jar of peanut butter, and called it a mission successful.

But we didn’t get to try the bread right away.  We had other plans the following morning, including a drive to Boulder, Colorado to tour the Celestial Seasonings factory and then…brunch at The Buff.  It just so happened that at The Buff, the menu includes the option for your toast to be gluten-free.  And what kind of gluten-free bread does The Buff use?  Udi’s.

So, my first taste of Udi’s bread was in an plain toast form…served up with my giant (and delicious) omelet.  And, it was good.  REALLY good.  This meant the stuff back at the hotel room wasn’t as scary as I was making it in my head, right?  Absolutely right!

The following day our breakfast consisted of a peanut butter sandwich, with said peanut butter smeared and smooshed between two slices of Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread.  It was so full of flavor, so soft, and it reminded me of what real bread tasted like.  I was so worried that the gluten-free products would lack texture, or flavor…but not Udi’s.  The texture was spot-on for bread – soft, but sturdy.  You know, able to at least contain what gets sandwiched in between without going soggy and falling apart.  The flavor was amazing.  If I didn’t know I was eating gluten-free bread, I’d never suspect it.  Fantastic flavor.  It won over my bread-loving heart.  In fact, I vowed that the high price was now worth it when it came to gluten-free bread…as long as it was Udi’s.  Bread was back in my diet again.

And so…the gluten-free bread snob in me was born.  I admit it.  Nothing else would do.  I couldn’t buy any other type of gluten-free bread.  Udi’s was it.  When something is done so well, why risk your budget on something that may not be as satisfying.  Stick with what you know and what you love.

Yes, the slices of bread are rather small, but they still fill you up.  I promise.  My only complaint is that in more loaves than not, the slices have large holes in them.  I can work around that when eating a peanut butter sandwich, but when I do up my grilled cheese, holy bread isn’t really an option.  So, be mindful that your loaf may not be as “whole” as you like.  But the taste will amaze you and you’ll fall madly in love with the Udi’s brand…just as I did.  When it comes to choosing gluten-free products, I have yet to be let down by Udi’s.  And while I have blogged about other products, this type of bread still remains the reason I fell in love with Udi’s in the first place.

Toast it.  Grill it.  Eat it straight out of the bag.  Brush it with olive oil and some seasonings and make garlic toast (yes…I’ve done this!) to have with gluten-free pasta.  Whatever your wish.  Whatever suits your fancy…this bread holds up to anything you can do to it.  However you enjoy your gluten-free bread, enjoy it with Udi’s.

Fall in love with bread again.  Fall in love with Udi’s.

Earth Friends Café serves up a little something for everyone…and all of it (locally) fantastic!

Earth Friends Café
Earth Friends Café, New Albany, Indiana

Restaurant: Earth Friends Café, New Albany, Indiana

Stop the presses!  Hold the phone!  Insert double take…here.

A local café…as in…where I live…that serves up not only vegan/vegetarian food…but also gluten-free options?!  Have I stepped into an alternate universe?

Not quite.  What I have stumbled across, however, is a fantastic little café in my own backyard.  The little shop opened up in April 2011, so it’s pretty new on the scene.  The owner, Stacie, placed a specific emphasis on giving the locals a place where they could get vegan, vegetarian, local, organic, fair-trade and cruelty-free items all in one place.  And she did all this with gusto…in a town that has seen nothing like this before.

I had been told about this business, first by my former journalism professor, and then by a vegan co-worker who raved about it.  With two glowing endorsements, I knew I needed to try it out.  So, I took a long lunch one day from my office and my roommate and I headed out to give their food and drinks a try.

The menu is simple, fresh, and seasonal.  It only took me a moment to decide what I was going to have.  The same held true for my roommate.  She ordered up the Smoked BBQ Chicken Quesadilla (which is made with local smoked chicken, mind you!), with a side of the organic applesauce ($7.95), and paired it with the most amazing White Chocolate and Hazelnut Mocha (made with organic skim milk) ($4.20).  Honestly…for not liking coffee drinks, she devoured this one.

As for my lunch, I went with the Veggie Wrap (on a gluten-free wrap), which is smeared with roasted red pepper hummus and filled with spinach leaves, carrots, green peppers, toasted pumpkin seeds, and I topped mine off with Daiya vegan cheese with the seasonal fruit as my side ($6.95).  And, my drink of choice, a Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte ($3.45), which was done with almond milk!  FINALLY, a local café that gives the option of either almond milk or coconut milk…because sometimes soy milk isn’t gluten-free and there is no guarantee that it won’t affect you if you are gluten-intolerant.  So, this made me extremely happy.

Earth Friends Café's Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte with Almond Milk
Earth Friends Café's Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte with Almond Milk

The latte was, in a word, to die for.  It smelled like a freshly baked sugar cookie…and the taste matched.  Brilliantly timed espresso shot, so that it didn’t overpower the other flavors that were working in the drink.  The almond milk (I’m still stupid excited about having a local place that gives this option!) was steamed to the perfect perfection and I had a healthy dose of the foam on top (my favorite!).  I think I fell in love with that drink.  I did steal a small sip of my roommate’s drink creation and I was blown away.  Honestly, she won the coffee pool that day.  It was like drinking a dessert.

As for the food…well…we were blown away by it.  Honestly.  My wrap was so delicious…packed with flavor and food.  There was no skimping on the filling here.  The vegetables were fresh, crisp, and paired so well with the hummus.  The gluten-free wrap and the vegan cheese were amazing compliments to the fresh flavors that filled the actual sandwich.  One bite…and I was hooked.  One of my favorite parts of the wrap was the inclusion of the toasted pumpkin seeds.  Never would have thought about it, but it just added a bit of texture and flair.  And it was amazing.  As for the hummus…I was hooked.  No bit of that spread was going to waste.  It was a very filling, very delicious meal.  The fruit that came on the side was also fresh, chilled, and ripe.  I was in local foodie heaven.

Both my roommate and I polished off our meals and drinks…and were quite happy with our experience.  The staff there is fantastic.  Very friendly.  Very talkative.  I mean, we had a long conversation with our server, Remy, about U2 and concerts.  It was friendly, casual, and it didn’t feel like the first time I had stepped in there.  I already felt like part of the family.  I felt like I belonged.  And with the various options (meat, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)…this place is heads and tails ahead of the game in this area.  There really is something for everyone to enjoy and if what we sampled was any indication of what the rest of the menu is like…prepare yourself for a tantalizing foodie journey.  All in a bare-bones, minimalist shop…just off the beaten path in my town.  It’s a diamond in the rough.

Oh…and as a side note regarding how amazing this place can be…on a recent Facebook posting, Stacie was letting followers know about the pumpkin waffles being served up on Saturday morning.  I asked if they were gluten-free and she came back quickly saying that if I let her know when I’m coming in, she can make me up gluten-free waffles.  What other business goes to that length for their patrons?  I am beyond impressed.  I’m sold.  I want to get the word out about this fantastic business…get people in there.  Because I want this place to be around for a long time.  Selfishly so I can enjoy the benefits of this business…but unselfishly…this is a local business run by local people doing great things for the community (the owner has a flair for animal rights!).

If you live in New Albany, Indiana…or close by…or if you happen to be passing through…get to Grant Line Road.  Get to Earth Friends Café.  Get amazing food and service by amazing people doing amazing things.

I am hooked.  Soon…you will be too.  I promise!

Earth Friends Café's Veggie Wrap (on a gluten-free wrap w/ Daiya vegan cheese) with seasonal fruit
Earth Friends Café's Veggie Wrap (on a gluten-free wrap w/ Daiya vegan cheese) with seasonal fruit

Udi’s bite-size cookies “raisin” the bar for gluten-free cookie monsters

Udi's Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Udi's Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Product: Udi’s Gluen-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – $5.99+

What is it about cookies?  I can’t resist them.  Honestly.  Crisp and crunchy or chewy and soft…I love them.  I can (and do) devour every variety of them.  I have yet to meet a cookie I didn’t love.  Granted, there are some flavor combinations I prefer over others, but get down to the heart of the matter…cookies are awesome and should be consumed.  But since having to go gluten-free, I can’t just walk up to the counter of The Great American Cookie Company and place an order anymore (Sorry, Double Doozies).

While there are a wide variety of gluten-free cookies out there, some fall short where others shine.  So, finding the best cookie for your gluten-free buck shouldn’t be a gamble.  Thankfully, there are some reliable names to fall back on to ensure good flavor, good texture, and just goodness in every gluten-free bite!

Udi’s is one of these companies I trust.  And their gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies are an epic treat, best consumed in three bites.

The small, but mighty, Udi’s cookies are a definite treat.  For me, the difficult part is finding a store in the area that carries them.  I managed to find the chocolate chip variety once at a grocery store.  I picked those up.  Returned soon after and…they were gone.  And they have yet to return to the shelves there.

I was over in Louisville, Kentucky one day and happened across a grocery store.  My roommate and I love to shop manager’s specials so we ducked inside.  We found a few practical things, but there…near the back of the store, was a small wooden stand that was populated with Udi’s gluten-free bread, granola…and COOKIES!  Since I had already tried the chocolate chip variety, I was down to either the oatmeal raisin or the snickerdoodles.  I was feeling the oatmeal raisin that day (although, granted, this has never been my favorite type of cookie to choose from), so that was the splurge purchase of the day.  Let’s face it…when you can’t get Udi’s cookies in your area, you buy them when and where you can.

I like oatmeal…I like raisins…so why oatmeal raisin cookies don’t ever top my list of cookie flavor favorites, I’ll never understand.  But…one nibble on one of Udi’s…and my mind might be changing.

These soft, bite-size cookies are filled with sweet flavor.  You can taste the sweetness from the molasses and the hint of spice from the cinnamon.  But what really makes these cookies is their soft texture.  No crunch…just a soft cookie to bite into.  I loved it.  And the oatmeal texture in cookie form didn’t bother me at all.  In fact, I felt the oats complimented the cookie rather than try to command it.  The ingredient worked as a team with the raisins, the gluten-free flour mixture, the spices, the sweeteners.  Yeah…oatmeal raisin cookies done completely right.  Had to have been.  Because I loved them.

Even if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, find these cookies…and try them.  They are soft, small, chewy morsels of cookie goodness.  Bite-for-bite…they are amazing.  It’s hard to not just consume the entire package of them.  But, pace yourself…especially if you’re like me and find it difficult to locate these cookies.  I limit myself to one per day (the serving size is 2 cookies), that way they last longer.

So, yes…Udi’s once again wowed me with one of their gluten-free products.  These cookies taste better than any homemade oatmeal raisin cookie I have ever eaten.  I’m hooked.  You should be too!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Chocolate Scones with Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

I love scones.  Seriously.  I always have.  They are delicious little treats that are good for a snack…or better yet…breakfast.  I used a scone recipe off of the package for Pamela’s Products Baking & Pancake Mix…tweaked it…and came up with this recipe.  Try it out.  Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Scones with Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

Gluten-Free Chocolate Scones with Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels
Gluten-Free Chocolate Scones with Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels


Servings: 12
Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup Nestle’s Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2/3 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.

Mix the dry ingredients together.

Cut in the butter using two knives.

Add the milk and beaten egg.  Mix together with a fork.  Dough will be thick.

Drop large, tall dollops of dough (scones will spread when baking) onto lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Liz Lovely puts brownies to shame with vegan & gluten-free chocolate fudge cookies

Liz Lovely Vegan & Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge Cookies
Liz Lovely Vegan & Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge cookies

Liz Lovely has done it again.

Literally.

On another visit to my favorite natural foods store, I followed through with tradition and picked up yet another gluten-free cookie as a treat to myself.  Because life without a little indulgence isn’t really life.  And who can beat a delicious vegan and gluten-free treat?  Not me.  Especially when it involves chocolate.

Chocolate is my kryptonite.  We all have weaknesses and I am not ashamed to admit this…at all.  Put chocolate in cookie form and I’m yours forever.  Especially these days when cookies I can eat are harder to come by…and way more complicated to bake (but I’m working on that!).

What wasn’t to love about Liz Lovely’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge Cookie?  One bite…and I think I melted away with the goodness.  Honestly.  This one came close to beating out her Triple Chocolate Mint as my favorite.  Close.  These cookies have a bit of a crunch on the outside…but are crumbly and soft on the inside.  Dusted with a fine coat of sugar, these cookies are sinful…in all the best ways.  It’s like biting into a brownie…without the heaviness associated with that.  In fact, a nice added treat was that these cookies had little chocolate chips sprinkled throughout them…for an added chocolate bonus.  Not too filling…light…soft…chewy…oh, and trans-fat free!  WINNING!

Yes…I have a sweet tooth!  But treating myself to 1/2 of an amazing gluten-free and vegan cookie (the serving size) every now and again at the end of the day is a nice reward.  Everything in moderation is okay.  And, despite how amazing the Liz Lovely cookies are, I do manage to pace myself on consumption and stick to the serving size.  It just means I have more days to enjoy and savor the treat.

For moist, melt-in-your-mouth, soft, vegan, and gluten-free cookie goodness…find Liz Lovely cookies and take a bite of awesomeness.  Each variety I have tried has been amazing.  Gluten-free and vegan cookies that honestly do put brownies to shame.  Treat yourself.  Share with a friend.  Indulge a little.

With cookies as amazing as this…it’s more than allowed.  It’s encouraged!

Liz Lovely Vegan & Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge Cookie
Liz Lovely Vegan & Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge Cookie

Veggie burgers are back with a gluten-free vengence

Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger
Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger

Product: Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger – $3.99+

It’s tough being a vegetarian with a gluten intolerance.  Honestly.  Because it seems every ounce of vegetarian faux meat products out in the market contain gluten.  This isn’t an exaggeration either.  Morningstar Farms no longer stocks my freezer because I can’t eat their products.  Boca no longer has a place.  Neither Quorn nor Gardein are options either.  So when cookouts hit or those infamous bar-b-ques start…or if you just want a veggie burger…options for vegetarians are plenty.  Options for a gluten-free vegetarian…well…not so much.

Then…the seas parted and a heavenly florescent light at the grocery store somehow directed me to these little delights…Veggiburgers from Franklin Farms.  And they come in three different varieties – original, portabella, and chili-bean.  My local grocers only stock the original and the portabella, and that is a huge start for this area.  Seriously.

I was ecstatic when I purchased these and brought them home for dinner.  Sure, there is always a little apprehension when trying a new product.  What if it’s doesn’t taste good?  I’m a proponent of the school of theory that nothing gets thrown away.  So if a product doesn’t please my palate…it still gets eaten.  So, I won’t say that I was at total ease when I started cooking one of these up for dinner the other night, but, it was thrilling to finally have a vegetarian line of foods that work with gluten allergies.

Here’s what I noticed straight away.  Unlike the boxed brands from Morningstar Farms, Quorn, Boca, etc…these burgers aren’t really made to look like your normal, run-of-the-mill burger.  The vegetables that make up a good portion of these burgers (WHAT? Vegetarian burgers made from vegetables?!  What a concept!) are actually visible.  I spotted bits of corn, mushrooms, red pepper and onion straight away.  It sort of reminded me of the veggie burgers I had overseas while in Ireland last New Years.

These are so easy to prepare too and they literally only take minutes.  On my grill pan, I just had to heat it for about 2-3 minutes on each side and these burgers were good to go.  I’ve also cooked them via the microwave on days I am in a hurry.  It doesn’t subtract from the texture by doing that, which is a rare thing, indeed.

Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger
Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger (on a Rudi's gluten-free hamburger bun)

So…with my Franklin Farms Veggiburger plated up (and topped off with sauteed mushrooms, and non-dairy Swiss cheese melted on top (YUM), and placed on a gluten-free hamburger bun (a la Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery), I was ready to dig in and give this a go.  One bite, and I was hooked.  It was full of flavor.  The burger itself is soft, but packed with flavor from the vegetables that are throughout each patty.  I might have been nervous when I was cooking these up, but one bite and I was so glad I gave this brand a try.  I was eager for the next bite, and before I knew it…I had consumed the entire thing.

These little gluten-free patties pack a great hit of protein…12g in one serving.  And even better, only have 100 calories in a patty and only 2g of fat.  For the runner in me…this is awesome!  So, nutritious and taste good too.  Oh…let’s not forget the most important aspect of this vegetarian protein…it’s gluten-free!

FINALLY!

So, for all those vegetarian companies out there who say they can’t make their products gluten-free because it will mess with the texture…take note.  Franklin Farms created a nutritious, delicious vegetarian burger that I’m thrilled with.  It was moist, delicious, full of flavor, and the texture and taste were spot-on.  It can be done.  And, thankfully, there is a company out there willing to give the gluten-intolerant vegetarian something to nibble on.

Thank you, Franklin Farms!  Because of you, veggie burgers are back on my gluten-free, vegetarian menu.  Not only are you delicious…you fit my dietary needs.  That’s no small thing, mind you.  But you managed.  And I loved your product down to the last bite.  Epic vegetarian, gluten-free yum!

Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger
Franklin Farms Original Recipe Fresh Veggiburger (with non-dairy Swiss cheese and suateed mushrooms on a Rudi's gluten-free hamburger bun) with Sweet Potato Fries