Gluten-Free – Page 92 – The Celiathlete

September 27, 2012

Annie May’s Sweet Café hits a gluten-free (and allergen-free) sweet spot in Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: Annie May’s Sweet Café, Louisville, Kentucky

I don’t know how I didn’t know about this place sooner. Well…I actually found out about it months ago and have been following their Twitter feed, hearing about the gluten-free goodies that they are whipping up, not just in their bakery, but for breakfast and lunch too. Why it took me this long to check them out probably had to do with me putting my foot down and saying that this year I really didn’t want to bake my own birthday cake. Because, let’s face it…no one should have to bake their own cake.

That was what lit a fire under my roommate and she made a call to Louisville’s only completely gluten-free, soy free, peanut free, and tree nut free bakery. Even better, upon request, most items can also be made without egg and/or dairy products. Living in this area with food allergies just got a lot more delicious.

You see, the owner of Annie May’s Sweet Café, Annie May McGill, was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance back in 2009. What grew out of that was a mission to create amazing allergy-free recipes. She is joined by Kenna Nelson, a pastry chef who was also a Biology major. She finds the chemistry behind gluten-free baking fascinating and from this pair…Annie May’s Sweet Café grew. By 2010, Annie May’s was a wholesale delivery service. And a year later, their current shop opened up. And thank the gluten-free gods for them. Annie May’s mission is to provide desserts that taste so good, you wouldn’t even be able to guess that they are gluten-free. Let me tell you…mission accomplished. In fact, the recipes that she developed over the years taste so amazing, many of the customers who visit or frequent Annie May’s Sweet Café don’t even have food allergies. Food that good is worth opening a shop for. In addition to the small selection of goodies in the bake case each day, Annie May’s also offers a dine-in eating option. And, you can place an order on anything and customize it as you need.

Once again…how did I not get to this place until now?

I guess I just needed to have my birthday roll around. And when it did, my roommate made a call and ordered me a simple 6″ Strawberry Cake with a Vegan Chocolate Ganache icing. Nothing fancy, you wouldn’t think. Just a simple gluten-free cake that myself and her family could enjoy after my birthday lunch. I actually did a happy dance of joy when she came over to my office and told me she had just placed an order with Annie May’s Sweet Café for my birthday cake. I had to wait until Saturday, the day of the lunch with her family, for the cake, but…I could do it. Of course, all week it was all I talked about and I totally couldn’t wait to go and pick it up on Saturday morning.

Anticipation makes the week move slowly, but Saturday morning arrived. After going for a very short run (I was running a 1/4 Marathon on Sunday morning), Cathy and I hopped into the car and drove over to Louisville to get some morning coffee, pick up my race packet, and…finally set foot in Annie May’s Sweet Café. Coffee was first, and we did that in rather quick time at our new favorite local spot in Louisville. From there, it was time to hit up the bakery.

As we drove up Frankfort Avenue…we missed the little corner shop at first. I spotted it as we drove by, actually. So, we turned around and came back, parking and preparing for our first visit to Annie May’s.

As we stepped inside, there was a large group of people around a table, drinking coffee and enjoying some food. I skipped up to the counter with Cathy, who let the lady behind the counter know we were picking up my birthday cake. As she went to go get it, I began scoping out the bake case. Everything looked so delicious. I was drooling. And, the cereal I ate for breakfast was now long gone…and the café smelled so good. I think Cathy felt the same way because she said we should get something to eat.

Much rejoicing.

Annie May's Sweet Café's Vegan & Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut and Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut — Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Vegan & Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut and Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut

It just so happened that Annie May’s had a delicious looking selection of Pumpkin Doughnuts done four ways – Maple Glazed, Chocolate Ganache, Cinnamon Glazed, and Cinnamon Sugar. I was in heaven. First a birthday cake…now allergen-free and vegan pumpkin doughnuts. Pardon me while I pull a Wayne’s World here and bow down to both Annie May and Kenna and chant, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” Well, since there were doughnuts involved we each had to get one. I went with the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49) and Cathy opted for the Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49). They graciously packed them up in a box, we paid, tipped, and headed out to the car.

And then…the cop moment of the day happened. I was sitting in the parking lot of Annie May’s Sweet Café with my Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk Latte from Highland Coffee, noshing on a gluten-free pumpkin doughnut. Life had never seemed so good than that moment. I eagerly opened the little box that cradled the doughnuts in paper. I handed Cathy a napkin and her chocolate ganache covered doughnut. Then I grabbed mine and eagerly took a bite.

OH. MY. GOD. The gluten-free doughnut gods were smiling on me that day. These were beyond fantastic. These were beyond amazing. These topped Katz Gluten-Free Donuts (because these didn’t have to be frozen…these were fresh and you could tell). These were one of the best doughnuts I had ever eaten. The consistency was that of a normal cake doughnut. It had that heavy, filling feel to it. The flavor was tops. I loved the sweetness of the added cinnamon and sugar on the outside of it. It was soft, chewy, and sooooooooo delicious. Cathy was making happy noises as she noshed on the chocolate ganache version. And, of course, we each broke off a piece of ours to share with the other. Let me tell you…the chocolate ganache pumpkin doughnut was out of this gluten-free world. The chocolate added a kick of rich sweetness that blended so well with the cake-like doughnut that it coated. I loved it. Seriously.

So, if the doughnuts were any indication of what would happen with my cake…I was riding high on gluten-free cloud nine. We left Annie May’s Sweet Café, resisting the urge to go back in for more doughnuts…although the temptation nearly won us over. After a quick swing by Slugger Field to pick up my race packet, we headed back home with the cake…and a lot of growing anticipation to cut into it. But lunch had to happen first. And so…it did.

My birthday cake from Annie May's Sweet Café: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache — My birthday cake from Annie May’s Sweet Café: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache

Afterwards, however, we all congregated back at our apartment for gifts and goodies. Goodies being…a slice of my 6″ Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache Icing ($20.00). I opened up the box and was just wowed by the cake. And that was before even slicing into it. It looked beautiful. No corners were cut. Annie May’s took great care and even wrote Happy Birthday Karen on it in delicious vegan icing. Seriously…they are artists there. They have to be, because my cake was one of the most beautiful desserts ever presented to me. Especially since I had to go gluten-free. I almost cried.

Cathy and Amanda took on the task of dressing up my cake with candles. And after I made a wish and blew them out…I went into the kitchen and began to slice into this gluten-free birthday masterpiece. This 6″ round cake is meant to serve 8 people. We had five. So, I cut pieces accordingly. And when I scooped out the first sliver…I was wowed. Not only was this cake a work of art on the outside…it was also one on the inside. Layers of strawberry cake with the vegan chocolate ganache greeted me. It was just beautiful. I cut out slices for everyone, then settled in on the living room floor with a fork and took my very anticipated first bite.

If Heaven were a birthday cake…it would look and taste like this one. In fact, I hope Heaven is a birthday cake that looks and tastes like this one. The strawberry cake itself was loaded with flavor. Often times, strawberry cakes can fall short when it comes to taste, but not this one. The cake was moist, bright pink, very strawberry (my favorite fruit, by the way), and not heavy or dense. And the vegan chocolate ganache was to die for. Rich with chocolate flavor, it coated each layer and made an amazing icing for the cake. Yeah…Heaven better be a lot like this cake because it sure as hell (heh…pun) tasted like Heaven to me. For the next couple of days, my roommate and I got to enjoy a couple more slices, making me one very pleased birthday girl.

I was beyond impressed by the quality and care that goes into the goods at Annie May’s Sweet Café. Honestly. The doughnuts were a great way to get a first impression. But the birthday cake they made for me was the chocolate-coated icing on the cake (literally!). I am so impressed that Annie May’s is now going to become a frequent stop on our trips over to Louisville on the weekend. Why? Because I love to support local businesses, even more when they cater to dietary restrictions like what I have. I want to try everything in their bake case. I want to stop in for their dine-in food and give everything they make a try. They didn’t just make me a gluten-free birthday cake…they made me one of the most delicious cakes I have ever eaten a slice of. No exaggeration. It beats out anything I had before I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant. It made me want to order a cake just for the hell of it. Sort of that need to try everything. Start working down the list.

I will resist…but I won’t keep myself from going back in and getting more goodies from the bake case. There is plenty of amazing allergen-free goodies to go around and for me to sample. For now, I thank Louisville for this gem of a business. It has definitely just made my list of favorite spots to go in Louisville. And…being right in my backyard, I sense that my Saturday mornings just got a lot more delicious.

Thank you, Annie May’s Sweet Café for making my birthday special…and for keeping an allergen-free business where I know I can safely enjoy the food and goods that you serve. I am forever in your debt.

And you better believe I’ll be back.

Now…excuse me while I go and sing your praises once more to everyone…

A slice of my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache birthday cake, prepared by Annie May's Sweet Café — A slice of my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache birthday cake, prepared by Annie May’s Sweet Café

September 26, 2012

Gluten-free pizza taken to a new height at Mellow Mushroom

Restaurant: Mellow Mushroom, Louisville, Kentucky

It was the day before a big race. And for me…that means…pizza.

Seriously…it brings me good racing mojo. It’s superstitious, yes, but it seems to work out. As of now, all my best races have been run the day after I had pizza for dinner. Why mess with the system, right? It also just so happened to be the weekend of my birthday. My birthday was earlier in the week, but my roommate’s family wanted to treat me to a lunch at any place of my choosing.

Now, this normally wouldn’t be a problem, but I tend to attempt to choose places that have options for everyone…and as a gluten-free vegetarian this isn’t always easy. Not everyone is keen on the tofu scene, if you catch my drift.

However, just recently, a new pizza joint opened up in Louisville, Kentucky. It was one I had been wanting to try out for ages, as they have locations throughout the states. Yes…I realize that this makes them a chain, but the gluten-free pizza is worth writing about. The place I speak of…is The Mellow Mushroom.

Now, a year ago, I had been invited up to Indianapolis for a birthday party that the birthday girl set at The Mellow Mushroom due to the gluten-free options. Just for me. And then, sadly, due to reasons I couldn’t get around, I couldn’t attend. But I had been talking about getting to a Mellow Mushroom ever since the invite…and it just never happened. I knew that Louisville was in the process of getting one, and a week before my birthday, as I drove by the location, I noticed that it was open. The answer to where to have my birthday lunch was answered.

So, Saturday afternoon rolled around and Cathy’s family arrived at the apartment. We took two cars over and figured we would meet up inside of the Mellow Mushroom itself. There is little to no place to park on Shelbyville Road, so we ended up parking at a lot up the way. Cathy’s mom managed to find a close spot, which was good for her and Aunt Judi. So, it all worked out. We were actually the first to arrive in the end, however, so Cathy, Amanda and I went inside and got a booth for five people. The three of us shared one side, and we left the other side open for Cathy’s mom and aunt. We were perusing the menu and trying to decide on what to get when the rest of the party showed up.

That being said…an appetizer was ordered. Not for me though, as there really are no gluten-free appetizers for me to enjoy. I was actually okay with that though, as I knew that the only size the gluten-free pizza came in was rather large, despite my roommate and I splitting it. They got the Spinach Artichoke Dip (7.95), which was this bowl full of cheesy, gooey cheese and artichoke hearts served with garlic toast. The rest of the table devoured it. And we were ready to place an order for our meals.

Amanda and Judi each contented themselves with one of the half hoagies that the menu offers. And Cathy’s mom got a 10″ Funky Q Chicken Pizza ($13.95).

Cathy and I were pretty set on what we wanted to get. We ordered the Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza ($19.95), which is served on a 12″ crust, which in Mellow Mushroom land…is six slices all together. The Kosmic Karma pizza means my gluten-free crust was topped with their red sauce base, then covered with feta and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Roma tomatoes. The extra finishing touch is a beautiful pesto swirl. I mean, this pizza was a work of art.

The Mellow Mushroom makes no qualms about the amount of time that it takes to serve their pizzas. They put a lot of work into them and that means, yes, they do take some time. That was the whole point of the appetizer that the rest of the table had. But when food arrived, we all were very happy with the items we had.

The Kosmic Karma pizza is absolutely delicious. I love the tomato-y combination of Roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and the red sauce, which made an amazing base for the crust, which is made at The Mellow Mushroom and is a great combination of bean flour, tapioca flour, and rice flour. This made for a very crispy crust that didn’t fall apart when I bit into it. And the flavors just worked so well with the vegetarian toppings. I was one happy girl upon my first bite. And I savored each one. Honestly. I went back for a second piece, while my roommate tried out a slice of her mom’s regular pizza. She told me she preferred the gluten-free crust to the regular. That is definitely saying something.

I was so happy with the pizza that the Mellow Mushroom brought out. Their gluten-free crust was crunchy, flavored well, and held up to the toppings. I devoured it and then took the rest home to nosh on throughout the week. Guess what…the crust reheated with a crunch still. It made me love the Mellow Mushroom even more. I can’t express my elation with the flavors, the food, and the service we received there. I had a great experience and just loved everything about the establishment.

I intend to go back very soon for more amazing gluten-free pizza. Why? Because it really was that good.

Mellow Mushroom's Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza — Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza

September 26, 2012

Really spice up snack time with Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries

Product: Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries – $3.49+

So…a couple weeks ago, I tried out my first ever Snikiddy product. While this company makes a plethora of gluten-free snacks, I had yet to pick any up. Why? Mostly my budget. But when my grocery store ran a sale on them, I was all about seeing what they were all about.

Prior to this, I had only tried the Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries. And I loved them. They were packed with cheesy flavor, but didn’t leave that crazy orange residue on your fingers. I loved the texture, the taste, everything about them.

The other flavor I bought at the time was Snikiddy’s Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries. I was quite excited to be trying these out after how much I enjoyed the plain cheddar ones. I dished up a serving size, 28 grams, and took them to work with me this week. At snack time, I pulled them out of my desk drawer, and popped the top. I snagged my first little fry, popped it in my mouth.

And BAM…cheese flavor. Right off the bat. My first thought was that these weren’t spicy at all. And then, that was when the heat kicked in. It wasn’t hot, but you could totally taste that jalapeno flavor through the mix of cheese, tomato, onion and garlic. I loved the spice. But just hadn’t expected it to be that pronounced. I actually coughed a little bit. My office mate looked over at me, and I said, “Wooo…spicy!”

But, that was what set these apart from the regular cheddar ones. These baked fries have that nice addition of heat to them, which blends well with the mix of cheddar and parmesan cheese that are incorporated onto each fry. I thought they tasted a lot like a fry that had been dipped into a cheesy, spicy queso. So delicious. That hit of heat at the end of each bite really makes these a showstopper. My palate was on fire…but in a good way.

Just as before, the Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries by Snikiddy are all-natural, gluten-free, wheat-free, contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, and are low in saturated fat. These snacks are also very low on sodium and contain 50% less fat than regular potato chips. Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries are vegetarian, kosher, cholesterol free, and contain no MSG. One serving will only set you back 130 calories, and the serving size is a decent amount.

And they are spicy. These amazing little finger snacks are like having seasoned fries without the guilt. And the nice crunch is like what you would get when biting into Cheetoes…but with more healthy ingredients and nutritional stats.

These amazing snacks are hot, hot, hot…so if you like to add a little spice to your snack time, I highly recommend these.

September 25, 2012September 25, 2012

Dish up your ice cream in one of Goldbaums gluten-free ice cream cones

Product: Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cones – $3.49+

There is just something so whimsical about ice cream cones? Perhaps it just reminds me of my childhood. There wasn’t a summer that went by that my family didn’t get into the car and drive across town to The Dairy Barn, which served up soft serve ice cream during the summer season. It was a fun treat and I savored the crunchy cone as much as I did the sweet ice cream that topped it off.

I think that is why being able to have ice cream cones means so much to me now. When I had to go gluten-free, I didn’t think I missed them. It had been ages since I had truly devoured ice cream in a cone. I was grown up now. I always got a bowl. It wasn’t a big deal. I wasn’t really missing out on anything, right?

Well, that was what I thought. And then gluten-free ice cream cones went on sale at my local grocery store. They were running a closeout on their entire gluten-free section, so my roommate and I grabbed what we thought we could use and took it all home. About a month ago, I had an ice cream cone for the first time in years…and for the first time since going gluten-free.

It was actually a surprise the other day when I sent my roommate out on a mission to get a few missing items from the grocery store. She headed out and when she returned, she had the necessary items…and a surprise. A different brand of gluten-free ice cream cones.

This time, the brand is Goldbaums, which is a company that was established in 2007 wanting to fill the gluten-free niche in the U.S. food industry. Gluten-free products were already out on the market, but CEO, Leah Parnes, felt they lacked certain qualities. With a mission in mind, Goldbaums set out to create gluten-free food perfection, starting with pasta and then branching out from there.

One of these products is the Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones. These ice cream cones are not only gluten-free, but low in calories. In addition, these are flavored with vanilla, giving them a very pleasing sweetness to them. I also loved the crispy nature of the cones themselves. They didn’t get soggy when the ice cream began melting, and they held up against the dripping ice cream as well. I didn’t end up with a mess on my jeans or shirt, so that spoke volumes to me. I loved how crisp and light these were, not taking away from the flavor of the ice cream, but adding a touch of flavor to the palate.

These ice cream cones are very low in calories. A scant 11 calories is all you’ll be set back. These also only contain 3 grams of fat per cone. Not bad for a treat. Not bad at all. The cones are also kosher, GMO-free, and vegan.

These flavorful, sweet, and crunchy ice cream cones really rounded out my scoop of ice cream. I was tempted to make up another one, but resisted the urge. I’ve been savoring the cones ever since. My roommate is even in love with these.

And…Goldbaums makes a variety of different cones. So as long as I can track down the rest…I can continue to sample more gluten-free goodies. And that just might mean getting more dairy-free ice cream. I can live with that sacrifice.

Major props to Goldbaums for an amazing, high quality, very tasty product. My ice cream is once again a true treat to eat.

Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with a scoop of So Delicious Neapolitan Ice Cream

September 25, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (with a Light Cream Cheese Icing)

The obsession with carrot cake these days all began with the abundance of carrots in my CSA bin this past week. I had a ton of them arrive and needed some way to use them. Chopping them up in a salad is an option, but that’s so conventional. After experimenting with a gluten-free carrot cake mix…then making my own gluten-free carrot cake pancakes…I thought to myself…”Self…why not make gluten-free carrot cake scones?” And why not, indeed. It was only logical.

So, below is a recipe of my own creation. These are good to eat on their own, but I love to top it off with my light cream cheese icing. Why? Because it sort of brings that whole carrot cake aura to the scones. Besides, it is absolutely delicious.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (with a Light Cream Cheese Icing)

Servings: 12
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Bake 17 minutes

Ingredients for scones:

2-1/4 cups Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix
2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 dash ground cloves
1 dash ground ginger
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp pure pumpkin (I used Libby’s)
2/3 unsweetened almond milk
1 cup shredded carrots

Ingredients for light cream cheese icing:

4 ounces of cream cheese (I used Galaxy Nutritional Foods Vegan Cream Cheese)
2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups of confectioners sugar, sifted

Directions:

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (no icing)

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Mix the baking mix, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, cloves, ginger and peanuts together.

Add the vanilla, applesauce, pumpkin, and almond milk. Mix together with a fork. Dough will be thick.

Fold in shredded carrots until well incorporated throughout the dough.

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

Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Make the light cream cheese icing:

Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium-size mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 – 45 seconds.

Stop the machine and add the vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar. Beat with the mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds.

Add another cup of sugar and beat on low speed until combined, 15 seconds.

Add the remaining cup of confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth, 15 – 30 seconds.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the frosting until fluffy, 30 seconds longer.

Spread or drizzle over the top of the scones.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I whipped these up one evening. But the texture is great and the flavors just pop. They are quite good on their own, but the icing is, forgive the pun, the icing on the cake. This just makes carrot cake part of the scones seem more carrot cake-like. These are an easy breakfast to prepare and keep in the fridge. Just remove the icing to drizzle over reheated scones to allow it to soften before topping them off.

Completely happy with these and can’t wait to get loaded down with more carrots!

September 25, 2012

Soft and chewy texture of Bakery on Main’s Peanut Butter and Jelly granola bars can’t save the bad aftertaste

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars

Product: Bakery on Main Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars – $5.49

I really, really, really wanted to like these granola bars. Honestly. Why? Well, for one thing, they are the product of one of the best gluten-free companies out there. I fell in love with Bakery on Main through their gluten-free oatmeal and then again through their granola. But, since then, I have had little luck when it comes to their products. When I spotted these granola bars at the Gluten-Free Trading Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I thought it was too good to be true.

Come on…it’s granola bars made to taste like everyone’s favorite go-to sandwich, yes? Peanut Butter and Jelly. Let me tell you…I was sold.

They came home with me and I put them in the pantry…where they taunted me as I worked my way through the snacks with earlier expiration dates. Then, last week, the moment I had been anticipating arrived. These delicious sounding granola bars were going to be my afternoon snack at the office. So, I excitedly opened up the box and placed one of the bars into my lunchbox and happily headed to work.

When my afternoon snack time rolled around, I eagerly took the granola bar out of my desk drawer and opened it up. I paused only long enough to snap a picture of it before I tore into it. Before I get into the flavor, let me tell you a little more about the product itself.

These chewy granola bars are made with certified gluten-free oats, amaranth and quinoa, making them a great source of whole grains. Couple that with the addition of flax and chia seeds and you also get a great source of not just Omega 3, but also Omega 6 fatty acids. Awesome. These bars are also made with real peanut butter and dried strawberries. Bakery on Main’s Web site says that these taste like an actual peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So, yeah, I was ready for my first bite.

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar

So, imagine my disappointment when I took it…and was hit with not as much salty, nutty flavor as I anticipated. In fact, I feel that these bars suffer from lack of that peanut butter flavor. As for the dried strawberries, they didn’t help matters either. In fact, instead of lending that sweet “jelly” flavor to these bars, what I got was this weird chemical-like taste. The flavor was very off-putting. I tore of a piece of it and walked it over to where my roommate was working and told her I didn’t know what I thought of them and to try it. She said it had a weird aftertaste and I totally agreed with her. I was disappointed…but I was hungry, so I ate the rest of it.

Sadly though, when I got home I couldn’t bring myself to pack another one for the next day. Normally I don’t waste my gluten-free foods, even if I’m not a big fan of them…but I just couldn’t eat these the rest of the week. The flavor was so strange and chemical-like. Which is weird, since Bakery on Main uses no chemicals in their ingredients. Every ingredient listed on the box is something that I recognize immediately. And it is real food…nothing fake. No strange preservatives. These just didn’t sit right with my palate…and so…they were tossed. Since these are not cheap, I took the financial hit in order to enjoy my afternoon snack the following day.

This experience however has not soured me on Bakery on Main. I believe in their products. While I seem to have an on again – off again relationship with their variety of gluten-free offerings, I actually hope I can try their other flavors of granola bars. Maybe a different flavor will sit better with me and my taste buds.

As for Bakery on Main’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Soft & Chewy Granola Bars…I think I’ll stick to the actual sandwich instead. These just didn’t satisfy me and the taste was just off.

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar (unwrapped) — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar (unwrapped)

September 25, 2012

Recipe: Cheese and Fresh Corn Enchiladas

Awhile back while shopping at one of my numerous natural foods stores, I picked up a package of Rick Bayless’ Frontera brand Red Chile Enchilada Sauce. Why? I was wooed by the wonder and splendor of Rick Bayless, of course. That…and it was on sale, gluten-free, and I figured I could use it at some point.

The problem was…I had never made enchiladas before. For being such a big fan of enchiladas, and Mexican food in general, the fact that this sort of thing was not something I had ever attempted before made the task a little daunting. And for weeks, the Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce sat on the shelf…untouched…and mocking me every time I went to the pantry for something.

But that changed last week when I finally said I was going to suck it up…and make enchiladas. I had a crazy amount of produce thanks to the arrival of my CSA bin so I just sort of made up a filling from things I had in my refrigerator and my freezer. The results? A creamy, delicious vegetarian enchilada that my roommate, to this day, hopes I recreate again soon.

Until then…here is my recipe for these Mexican morsels of cheesy wonder.

Recipe: Cheese and Fresh Corn Enchiladas

Servings: 5
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

10 corn tortillas
1/4 cup onion, minced
dash of garlic salt
dash of red pepper flakes
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chiles
1 cup sour cream (I used Tofutti vegan sour cream)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Cabot sharp white cheddar and NY sharp cheddar cheeses)
2 tablespoons butter
8-10 ounces of enchilada sauce (I used Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Make the filling: In a wide frying pan, melt the butter and add the onions. Add the garlic salt and red pepper flakes. Sauté the onion until tender. Add the corn and cumin and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook, stirring over high heat to boil away any remaining liquid. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, half of the cheese, and the chiles. Add the chili powder and salt to taste.

Wrap the corn tortillas in a paper towel and microwave for 40 seconds, flipping them halfway through.

In a 9×13 baking dish, poor a scant amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom and spread it across the bottom of the pan.

Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling into the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the filling and place, seam side down, in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Cover the enchiladas evenly with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the enchiladas.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Serve and enjoy.

~*~*~

I was actually quite happy with the way my enchiladas turned out. The corn added a nice hint of sweetness to the filling and I loved how the sour cream added this bit of rich creaminess to it. This also made me fall in love with the Frontera brand of enchilada sauce as well. It was really delicious and the perfect amount for this meal. My roommate and I devoured these over the course of three days and already she is asking me to make it again. Now that I have created my own enchiladas and successfully executed them…I think that’s doable.

Looking for a creamy, sweet, and a little spicy meal for dinner…give these a try. And enjoy!

September 25, 2012

You need a little Knead in your life while visiting Columbus, Ohio

Restaurant: Knead, Columbus, Ohio

A decision was made the last time I was in Columbus after a disappointing meal at a local pub. The next place we were going to eat while I was in town was going to be this place called Knead. I didn’t know too much about them at the time, just that they showed up on my Find Me Gluten Free iPhone app. With nothing else to go on, the decision was made.

The day I ran the Air Force Marathon 10K, Jenn, Cathy and I drove back from Dayton, Ohio to Columbus with every intention of getting lunch. Original plans had been to grab a bite to eat in Dayton, but we wrapped things up sooner than anticipated, and after a stop by Starbucks for coffee, we decided just to head back toward Jenn’s and figure out something to eat once back in Columbus.

And it was on the drive back that I remembered…Knead.

Everyone seemed game for it, so that was where we were headed. We were on a mission…for a delicious lunch.

It took a moment for us to locate the place. For the record, there is some construction going on and if it weren’t for the signs indicating that Knead was there and open, we probably would have missed it. The next difficult challenge was finding a place to park. We finally found a public lot a couple blocks away. We parked, fed the meter, and made our way back toward the scaffolding that encased Knead and the other shops that surrounded it.

This will explain why my establishing shot is not of the outside of the restaurant, but rather the inside. You work with what you can. Besides, the inside was so warm and inviting with all the reds, yellows and oranges that decorated the walls. We were greeted immediately upon entering and shown to a nice corner booth (which was round, by the way). Our drink orders were taken and then we were handed menus to look over. I knew that Knead had gluten-free options…I just wasn’t sure what all they offered. So, after our drinks were brought to us, I was about to ask our waiter, however, he disappeared quickly to see to another table. So, while Cathy and Jenn decided on what they wanted to eat, I patiently waited for our waiter to return. It took a little while, but he finally did. And I asked about gluten-free options to which he snagged a different menu and pointed out that everything in red could be done gluten-free. Most of the options were meat-based, so that wasn’t going to work for me. I made one easy inquiry…

Is the frittata gluten-free? He assured me that it was…so I was now prepared to order.

And order away, we certainly did.

Cathy was beyond her breakfast time, so she was the only one of the three of us to order lunch. Her choice, Knead’s famous Motherclucker Sandwich ($13.00) with fries. This sandwich is basically a fried buttermilk Hiland Naturals Organic pastured chicken, served on a toasted challah bun with house cured bacon, aged cheddar cheese, Chef’s garden greens, roasted poblano chile, garlic aioli, and a touch of local honey. She had this with a side of their fries.

Jenn is like me and can enjoy breakfast at any time during the day. She ordered up one slice of their Caramelized Apple French Toast ($5.00), which is done with pagnotta bread. It seems they have a variety of options for French toast, but that day it was caramelized apple…and it looked and smelled fantastic. The apples were toasted and caramelized to perfection and it was served in a warm syrup that just made my mouth water. Too bad I couldn’t even sample it.

Knead's Hash Browns — Knead’s Hash Browns

As for me, I decided that, since it was safe, I would go with the Frittata ($10.00). This also changes as far as the kind that they serve. But what remains the same is the fact that they use Ohio cage free Holistic Acres eggs. The frittata uses three of these, in fact. And in the variety being served that day, I got potatoes, mushrooms, feta cheese, and rosemary. I ordered this with a side of the hash browns ($3.00), which are gluten-free. So are the fries, for that matter.

With the order in, we sat and talked for a little bit until the food was brought to our table. When Cathy was asked if she wanted ketchup, she was given the option of regular ketchup or the house made variety, which was a tomato ketchup with fennel in it. She opted for the house one with fennel, which had this really amazing sweetness to it. It was actually rather good.

With our food in front of us, we all dug in. Yeah…Knead might be a little pricey, but keep in mind that they use local and sustainable agriculture for their products. That doesn’t come cheap. But the fact is they can back up their prices with the quality of their food. Jenn all but raved over the French toast, which I sort of which they had a gluten-free option for, because it honestly looked so delicious. Cathy found the Motherclucker Sandwich to be moist, light, and hold just the right amount of spice. And the fries…were some of the best she ever had.

As for me…I loved my frittata. It was light, fluffy, and filled with vegetables. The rosemary added a nice sweetness to each bite. And the feta cheese was one of my favorite parts of this egg dish. I love how I could eat the entire thing and not feel like I stuffed myself silly. I savored each bite, enjoying the play of flavors across my taste buds. This was one very well thought out frittata. Everything just worked well together. And the hash browns were fantastically done. Not greasy either. They had a light crisp on the outside and were soft on the inside. Potato perfection.

Yes, Knead is one of those places that sources their produce locally and focus on quality. This is reflected in the products and the food that they serve there. All of us walked out of their with happy bellies and all quite content with every bite of our food. We had other plans for dessert, but the dessert selection is quite amazing sounding as well.

Would I return to Knead again? Of course. With the changing seasons, some of the menu options change as well and I would be curious to see what gets added and what other gluten-free options get included with these changes. I was quite pleased with our lunch that day and hope to return sometime in the near future for another sampling of their gluten-free menu. And maybe next time…I’ll save room for dessert.

September 25, 2012

Sinfully Gluten Free an angelic slice of the gluten-free life near Dayton, Ohio

Restaurant: Sinfully Gluten Free, Centerville, Ohio

It was the eve of the Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K events…of which I was running in the 10K event. So, I found myself in Dayton, Ohio and in need of a place to eat. Now, Dayton has plenty of places to eat, but the night before a major road race, I try to be a little more careful when I eat out. Obviously, I don’t want to find myself feeling sick because of restaurant cross-contamination.

Thankfully, with the help of my favorite iPhone app, Find Me Gluten Free, I was directed to the Web site of a place called Sinfully Gluten Free in Centerville, Ohio. That day, after checking out the race expo, checking into the hotel, and doing a little book shopping, my friends, Jenn and Cathy, and I headed off to get dinner. I had researched the menu a little prior to the trip to Dayton, so I had an idea of what they offered. And while there isn’t much on their menu, what they offer has a little bit of something for everyone. And that is the important thing.

It was just around 6:00 p.m. when we showed up for dinner that night. I didn’t quite remember the menu, so I went to go and examine the one on the front counter where you place your orders. Cathy already knew what she wanted to get so she was set. Jenn also needed a moment to check it out, since we sort of sprung this place on her. But…she’s always had an open mind when it comes to my gluten-free needs, which is one reason she is so awesome! After a few moments, we all placed our orders.

Cathy had decided to go with the Chicken Strips ($6.99), which was three pieces breaded chicken strips served with a side of crinkle-cut fries. Jenn opted for the 8-inch cheese pizza ($8.99). As for me, I chose to go with the Pizza Sandwich (no pepperoni for this vegetarian) ($8.99), which came with a side of crinkle-cut fries as well. With the orders in, we were told it would take about 20 minutes and to go ahead and find a table and they would bring it out to us when it was ready.

We did exactly that, already discussing what might be a good dessert option while we waited. I mean…we were around food. We were going to discuss the food. We already had it picked out. The three of us would share a Lemon Bar at the end of our meal. It would be perfection.

After our wait, which I appreciate because it means everything is actually done from scratch and not just reheated and brought out, our food arrived. It all looked really amazing. Cathy’s Chicken Strips were not overdone, juicy, and the side of fries was an actual serving! Amazing. She devoured her chicken and fries, complimenting the taste the entire way. Jenn really enjoyed her pizza too. She let me snag a piece of it and I absolutely loved it. Seriously. The crust tastes like it has cornmeal in it, and it baked up crispy and perfect. It wasn’t soggy in the middle. The sauce was fantastic. And it was topped with lots of cheese. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. One of the best slices of pizza I have had.

As for me…my Pizza Sandwich arrived. I double-checked it to make sure the pepperoni was left off of it. And it was. So, my sandwich consisted of pizza sauce, onions, and cheese. Now…that was the perfect sandwich, yes? Just like eating pizza without eating pizza. It looked like it was on Udi’s gluten-free bread, although it must have been bread that they bake up there at Sinfully Gluten Free. I failed to ask, although I should have. But I noticed the loaves in the refrigerator behind the counter that were for sale, which leads me to believe that they use their own bread for their sandwiches. Regardless it was toasted up well and had a nice crispness to it when I bit into it. Like I said…it was like eating a pizza without eating a pizza. I loved it. And the side of fries was a nice touch to my carb-up diet pre-race. Or, at least that’s what I tell myself. The fries were done well. Not soggy. Not burned. Perfect. Not too salty either. I appreciated that, because too much salt can leave a runner feeling dehydrated, which is the complete opposite of what you want pre-race. I hoovered my sandwich, loving every bite of it. And I knew…it was time to go pick dessert.

But then my roommate, Cathy, sprung a surprise on me. Just right of the bake case was some of their baked cookies and brownies up for sale. And I was thrilled when Cathy said I could pick some out to take home with us. I got distracted at this point and immediately started to peruse the goods. In the end, I ended up grabbing one of their Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies, their Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, their Gluten-Free Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies, and their Gluten-Free Mint Chip Cookies. The Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies were the splurge. They were the most expensive, but Cathy said she could tell I really, really wanted them. So…we spent a lot more than intended…but well…more gluten-free goodies for me to try and review, yes?

However, we were on a dessert mission as well. And that meant it was time for a Lemon Bar ($3.50). Sadly, by the time I had snagged like, one of everything, from the goodies, the last couple of lemon bars had been snagged already. I made a very sad face, but the lady behind the counter said they had more in the back. I had never been so happy in my life. She brought them out and put one in a dish for us to take to the table. She told me I might want to give it a chance to warm up, as it was in the freezer. No problem. I went back to the table with every intention of taking a picture of it for the blog…then totally didn’t. And before I realized that, I had already sliced it into three pieces and we had each eaten it. So, without a visual, let me tell you this…

The Lemon Bar at Sinfully Gluten Free is much different from the one I had at Cherbourg Bakery in Columbus, Ohio. This one had a shortbread crust, and on top of it was more of a cheesecake-like lemon topping. It was good. Trust me, it was good. In fact, Jenn said she preferred this one over the one at Cherbourg. The buttery shortbread is a nice touch to the rich, thick lemon topping. And it all balances out quite well. I loved it down to the last bite…which is about where I realized I hadn’t actually taken my picture. Too late. Trust me…this is one of their most popular desserts for a reason. It is fantastic.

That rounded off the evening at Sinfully Gluten Free…but my trial of their products didn’t end there as I left with a bag full of their bakery cookies and a brownie.

Sinfully Gluten Free's Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie — Sinfully Gluten Free’s Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

Even though I returned to my little town in Indiana, I was now equipped with gluten-free desserts to last over a week. This made me beyond elated. And the first one that my roommate and I tried was the Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie ($4.50). Now, I had seen these before on Pinterest (not gluten-free), so I was quite excited about this. I love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as it is. And one of those is the very heart of this cookie. Honestly. These come in a box of 6 cookies, as they are all bite-size. The peanut butter cookie envelops a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The result…a soft outer shell that surrounds the perfect bite of chocolate and peanut butter. This was one of the best cookies I have ever eaten, combining two of my favorite things…peanut butter and chocolate. And…peanut butter cups are involved. I was in love.

I was on a chocolate and peanut butter kick, so the next sweet that grabbed my attention and got my mouth

Sinfully Gluten Free's Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie — Sinfully Gluten Free’s Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie

watering was the Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies ($7.99). First of all, let me reiterate that two of my favorite things in life are chocolate and peanut butter. Put them together and I am one very content cookie monster. These cookies intrigued me and I hesitated for the longest time snagging them to take home with me? Why? They come at a heftier price tag than the rest of the cookies that were out to purchase. But Cathy insisted that if I wanted to try them, I go ahead and get them. And who am I to argue with that kind of logic when it comes to cookies. I’m glad she encouraged me. Because these cookies are sinfully amazing. They start as Sinfully Gluten Free’s basic peanut butter cookie, which is a chewy, soft, light cookie. Oh yeah…forget those hard-as-a-brick peanut butter cookies you are used to buying and/or making. These are super-soft and super rich in flavor. Then, dip half of the cookie in a rich chocolate and you take it to the next level. I love the salty/sweetness to these cookies and really enjoy biting into a soft peanut butter cookie for a change. These…wowed me.

Sinfully Gluten Free's Chocolate Brownie — Sinfully Gluten Free’s Chocolate Brownie

The next contender from my gluten-free sweets shopping spree was the Chocolate Brownie ($1.75). Now, I’ve made many a gluten-free brownie at home, but this one was magic. Let me explain. You see, this little brownie loaf, which is about 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches is not heavy at all. Forget that crazy gluten-free aftertaste a lot of brownies have. Not these. These have a rich, fudgy feel to them. That was the best part. Despite having sit on my counter for a couple of days, this brownie was still very soft with every bite. I found it to be one of the best gluten-free brownies I have had to date. I savored each bite of this, as did my roommate. We split it in half and were both just over-the-moon in love with the texture, flavor, and how soft it was. This was a total win in my book. Honestly…a good brownie is one thing, but this sinfully gluten-free one was out of this world. I would buy more of these in a heartbeat.

The last purchase that I sampled was the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies ($4.50). These come packaged in a bag of six cookies that look a lot like

Sinfully Gluten Free's Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie — Sinfully Gluten Free’s Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie

chocolate chip cookies until closer inspection. What I noticed were the bits of creme de menth chocolate in there (like chopped Andes candies). The first bite yielded a buttery, soft, rich flavor that paired beautifully with the mint chips that were incorporated. I love mint and these were minty without overpowering the rest of the cookie. You get a taste of the original cookie batter and then you get that kick of mint. I love that the two flavors compliment each other without one outweighing the other on the flavor. I absolutely adore how soft the cookie is. I’m not a fan of hard cookies at all, and this one will just melt in your mouth. Super delicious. And with the addition of mint…super refreshing for the palate as well. Mint chocolate chip cookies never tasted so good.

You know…it’s not every day that I can flat out say that everything that I tried from someplace blew me away. But with Sinfully Gluten Free, that seems to be the case. They have a magic recipe for making light, delicious, fantastic, rich, soft gluten-free baked goods that just blow away the competition. The lemon bar was extremely interesting as I had had one from a different gluten-free bakery earlier that morning. They were nothing like each other…but the rich, cheesecake-like variety at Sinfully Gluten Free was a nice contrast to the other one I had sampled before heading to Dayton. If anything, I hope that this blog sends more people over to this amazing establishment. Try it out for lunch or dinner. And be sure you get dessert and take some of their baked goods home. There were plenty more delicious looking items in the bakery case which were enticing me to try. So…when I go back next time…and there will be a next time, I intend to try something else…and probably snag more lemon bars.

Sinfully Gluten Free proves once again to all the naysayers out there that gluten-free doesn’t have to taste different or be hard, heavy, dense, or dry. Everything I had there popped with flavor and tasted fresh. I will forever rave about this little establishment. So, if you are heading through Dayton, Ohio…take the short trip to Centerville and try out Sinfully Gluten Free. You won’t be disappointed. None of us were. I’m already contemplating my return this coming weekend.

Sinfully Gluten Free's Pizza Sandwich with Fries — Sinfully Gluten Free’s Pizza Sandwich with Fries

September 24, 2012

Cherbourg Bakery providing Columbus, Ohio with delicious gluten-free & nut-free treats

Restaurant: Cherbourg Bakery, Columbus, Ohio

This review…is long overdo.

Here is my confession –

I actually went into Cherbourg Bakery back on December 31, 2011. I did. Because my friend Jenn had told me about them and while we were out and about that day, we decided to swing by and get some New Years treats. The problem was…we waited a little too long. The bakery was pretty much sold out of everything save for the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, a Carrot Cake Muffin, and a Chocolate Cupcake. We actually had our hearts set on the Double Lemon Bars…but they were long gone and the bakery was almost out of treats due to the holiday. Understandable. So, we took one of the items that were left and headed home.

Slices of Cherbourg Bakery's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Carrot Cake Muffin, and Chocolate Cupcake — Slices of Cherbourg Bakery’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Carrot Cake Muffin, and Chocolate Cupcake

That night, we split everything three ways and had our first taste of what Cherbourg Bakery could do. The cookie was my favorite thing, which is weird for me since I’m not a fan of oatmeal cookies. But…yeah…these rocked. It was delicate and caramel-y. And the chocolate chips just made it soar. The carrot cake muffin was…pretty good. It was spiced just right for a carrot cake, but it didn’t compare to the cookie. And the chocolate cupcake was…good enough. I thought it felt heavy compared to the lightness of the previous two treats, but it was rich, chocolate goodness in one bite. And, yes…I devoured all three.

I had thought to write up my review based on that…but then found that I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t fair. I wasn’t able to really test them by ordering what I wanted. I had to order what they still had.

But, I had another chance because I often find myself in Columbus, Ohio. So, on the day before I ran in the Air Force Marathon 10K, I was driving past Cherbourg Bakery with my roommate on our way to get coffee at Caribou Coffee and she asked if I wanted to stop in and grab something for me to eat for breakfast, since Caribou has nothing I can really nosh on. I thought this idea was the best idea I heard…so we turned around, parked, and went in.

This time, Cherbourg had everything I could ever dream of and more. Giant blueberry muffins, delicate cookies, the double lemon bars!! They had donuts and brownies and were just brimming with baked goods. I stepped into a gluten-free heaven of baked wonders. And so…when it was my turn to order, I ended up getting a Chocolate Donut (with chocolate icing and sprinkles…because…why not?), a Madeleine Cookie, and one of the Double Lemon Bars. We paid for the treats and left to continue on to the coffee shop.

And I couldn’t wait. I asked my roommate if she wanted to split the Double Lemon Bar right then. Of course she agreed. So, there in the car, I somehow managed to half the creamy, lemony bar in half. I handed her a napkin and her half of the bar and before I could even pick mine up, she had taken a bite and was already in love with it. When I took my bite of the lemon bar, I now understood why these were so popular. The Double Lemon Bar is a refreshing treat with every bite. It is a shortbread cookie base with a very lemony center. Dusted with powdered sugar, you get the right balance of sweetness and tart, while the shortbread cookie lends a buttery, much-needed savoriness to temper the hit of lemon. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten…no joke. In fact, I loved them so much, that when I was at the hotel in Dayton the night before the race, I called the bakery and ordered three more, so Jenn, Cathy and I could each indulge in one for dessert that evening.

Upon arriving at Caribou Coffee, Cathy ordered her breakfast sandwich and got our caffeine for the morning. We took up residence at one of the tables to enjoy the rest of our breakfast. Once she received her breakfast sandwich, I popped open the bakery box and now had to decide if I wanted to eat the donut first or the Madeleine.

Cherbourg Bakery's Chocolate Donut with Chocolate Icing and Sprinkles — Cherbourg Bakery’s Chocolate Donut with Chocolate Icing and Sprinkles

I decided to sample both…but I started with the Chocolate Donut. I broke off a piece of the round, baked wonder and loved how light it felt. Yes…even with the icing and sprinkles. It wasn’t dense or too heavy, especially for a cake-like donut. I was already impressed. Then, I popped it into my mouth…and truly fell under the spell of Cherbourg once again. The donut was moist and rich, the chocolate flavor the start. The chocolate icing melted away, really adding to the stunning richness of this donut. I had to gobble it up. I just couldn’t stop myself. I did pause long enough to share a piece with my roommate, who also expressed a deep love of the chocolate flavor, the light texture, and the all-around awesomeness of the bite. Yeah…it was one perfect chocolate iced chocolatey bite.

And last, but certainly not least was the little Madeleine cookie. Madeleines are classic French teacake cookies. And these had the perfect shell shape to them and everything. I was intrigued by it. And when I broke off my first bite and tasted it…I was forever hooked on these French classics. Cherbourg delivers a buttery, light flavor with every soft bite of these little teacakes. I was enamored by it. I, once again, shared a piece with my roommate and she was also blown away. Considering she doesn’t have to eat gluten-free, hearing her praise the items that I am able to eat made me so happy. I was in absolute love with the products I chose that morning to sample.

Cherbourg Bakery's Madeleine Cookie — Cherbourg Bakery’s Madeleine Cookie

So, while this review might be a little late, it was definitely worth the wait. I wanted to be fair to Cherbourg Bakery when I wrote it. I wanted to critique it on items I truly would order, not just on what was left in stock. I’m glad I waited because it yielded a much better review overall. Now, every time I happen to be in Columbus (like this coming weekend…) I am going to make Cherbourg Bakery a stop. They have muffins, bars, breads, brownies and cakes that have still yet to be sampled. And I hear their seasonal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are one of the most exciting gluten-free goodies ever. And the Monster Blueberry Muffins seem to be calling my name as well.

Cherbourg Bakery, I hope that you live long and prosper in Columbus, Ohio. I know that I’ll frequent you whenever I find myself there. Which is quite often with one of my best friends living there. Keep on rocking those baked goods. What you do is wonderful for the gluten-free community. I have been singing your praises and bragging about you ever since.

I have a feeling…the best is yet to come.

Cherbourg Bakery's Double Lemon Bar — Cherbourg Bakery’s Double Lemon Bar