Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce
Product: Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce – $6.99
It was the heat of summer, August 23rd, when I ventured up to the Indianapolis to visit the Exposition Hall of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. I was attending the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest and was so excited to see the number of big name brands who had booths there. But even more exciting were the booths from local artisans and businesses that had gluten-free products to offer.
One such booth was the Master’s Hand BBQ booth. Master’s Hand BBQ line of products was created by Steve Beers over 20 years ago. He began with the original flavor (now called A Taste of Heaven), and after people who would eat the foods he would put with it (meatballs, pulled pork, and other food varieties for weddings, graduations, and get-togethers), it was suggested that he start marketing his sauce. It didn’t really go further than that until his daughter, Amanda, came to him and insisted that they look into the process for marketing the infamous sauce. Once everything was in place, they began with famers markets and had such success that they moved on to fairs and craft shows. Meat markets and grocery stores began finding them and they have now grown their production line to being available in over 80 retail locations. This business is based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
We had the great opportunity to try some of their spice rubs and their BBQ sauces that they had out for sampling while there. While I am a fan of hot, my roomie is a spice wimp. We wanted to definitely get one of the sauces, so we compromised and went for the medium heat one. When I was craving a pizza last night, I decided to do it up with some BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, and top it off with my vegan pepper jack shreds, some sauteed onions and some roasted Brussels sprouts. Then, to cap it off…some vegan and gluten-free bacon. YUMMY! I was out of BBQ sauce in the fridge…so…it was between this one and the Stubbs Sweet Heat that my roomie and I purchased before I reorganized the pantry and found this jar of Master’s Hand BBQ sauce. As I had Master’s Hand longer…it won.
And it kept winning. This is one fantastic sauce. I, naturally, had to try it before slathering it on top of the gluten-free flatbreads that were making up our pizza crusts. The Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) is a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. The Web site says it is great for bits, chicken, sloppy joe’s and ham. However…I can now say it’s great on a BBQ pizza as well. Even one topped off with roasted veggies. Fantastic. I loved the smokey flavor and the sweetness and how the medium heat doesn’t overwhelm anything, but leaves a nice spicy note on the tip of your palate. It simply is BBQ sauce perfection. And now I know where I need to get my BBQ sauce from now on. Seriously unlike any other sauce out there. Thick, rich, sweet, savory…it’s everything you want a BBQ sauce to be. So in love with the Master’s Hand line.
So, let’s talk ingredients. Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is made from tomato concentrate, brown sugar, cane sugar, onion, molasses, kosher salt, onion powder, cayenne powder, spices, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and celery powder. All of the products that Master’s Hand offers are free of high fructose corn syrup, gluten, and MSG. They are all natural! And they are all delicious too.
As for nutrition, a serving of Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is 2 tablespoons. This serving will provide you with 80 calories. This is a fat-free condiment. It is also cholesterol free and trans fat free. You will be consuming 160 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. A serving gives you 24 grams of carbohydrates, but no protein or fiber to fill you up.
Seriously, if you love BBQ sauce, you need to give Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce a try. Trust me…when it comes to a smokey/sweet flavor that feels good going down and tastes amazing…this is the sauce for you. Once you’ve had this, all those store brands will seem inferior. Very impressed. Craving more for sure.
And if you don’t live anywhere near Fort Wayne, IN…you can order their products online. Highly recommended.
Gluten Free BBQ Brussels Sprouts Pizza made with Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce
Product: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips – $6.00
It was in my January 2015 Cube (Happy New Year) that I was introduced to a plethora of new products from my Cuisine Cube subscription. Healthy options to get your New Years resolutions rocking and rolling and to start the year off on the right track. It ranged from gluten-free oatmeal to dark chocolate covered rice cakes (both of which were fantastic). But saddled into the seat for a snack in January was a product that left me overly excited and jumping for joy and eagerness to try.
Plantain Chips.
Oh hell yes!
So, before I trudge further into my review of this little packaged snack of tropical goodness, let me first tell you a little bit more about Cuisine Cube. I discovered Cuisine Cube through a Groupon offering of sorts and from my first box to my current one, I have been hooked. This is a subscription service that sends you a box each month that is loaded down with 5-6 full-size gluten-free products for your foodie tastebuds to enjoy! No joke. These products always include something for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert…and every now and again, you get a bonus item. It’s fantastic. Really. And subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, be sure to skip over to their Web site and check them out. Better yet…try them out.
Why?
Because you will be introduced to products like Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips! Talk about biting into something I wasn’t expecting. I have sampled plantain chips before, but this was the first time they actually snacked like a chip. Usually I find them way too sweet, but with the blend of tropical and robust flavors that Miti Miti Foods adds to these dried plantains, you get a little bit of everything. First of all, each and every trip is crunchy good. I mean…CRUNCHY!! I love that. Chips should be crunchy, even when made out of fruit. They are seasoned with paprika, coriander, and cardamom…giving them an added savory feel. It really cuts down on the sweetness. And that’s where the magic happens.
I LOVED these chips. Seriously. They reminded me of really good french fries. You know…those savory crispy ones…not the mushy, squishy ones. Yep. That’s the flavor they carried. Sort of like a really amazing potato chip. I couldn’t stop eating these. Seriously. I popped one to try. So did my roommate. Her initial thought was that they were “chalky” but I didn’t get that at all. I found greatness. I found something amazing and different. I found…probably one of my favorite snacks to date. I am addicted to them. They are perfectly fried to a golden brown and carry everything my palate wants in a snack. Having the bag in my general vicinity is dangerous…because it is one of those snacks that if I start eating, I can’t stop. Which is why I have to dish out the serving size. With the sweet and savory flavor with that perfect crunch in each bite (the thinner chips are my favorites…but they all are crunchy), I’m beyond addicted to these. I won’t go to rehab either. If I want chips…these are what I want. From now on!
So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a bag of Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips. These chips are made from plantains (obviously), a seasoning mix that includes salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, oregano, paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, coriander, and cardamom, spices, canola oil, and garlic powder. This snack is not only gluten-free, but also cholesterol free, sugar free, and vegan.
As for nutritional information…fear not. These equal or might even be better than your standard potato chip. And trust me…you’ll prefer these over a potato chip any day. A serving size is 30 grams (or around 15 chips). This serving will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 120 mg sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar. One serving also gives you 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein, making it a good snack that can take you through to dinner time.
Feel good about snacking again! Don’t feel guilty about a treat in the afternoon or with dinner. Miti Miti Latin American Foods make it so you can feed your snack side with something different and more nutritious than the standard potato chip. Thanks to Cuisine Cube, I am feasting away on Miti Miti Plantain Chips and loving every bite.
Product: Goodie Girl Gluten Free Mint Slim Cookies – $4.99+
I feel cheated.
This past winter, my holiday Swiss Colony catalog came in…and with it, their Gluten Free and Sugar Free catalog as well. I usually never purchase anything for myself from Swiss Colony…but I was paging through and saw these new cookies they were offering…Gluten Free Mint Slims. The photograph looked all the world like what was, once, my favorite Girl Scout Cookie – the Thin Mints.
The description in the catalog read: Refreshing mint cookies with a chocolatey coating are sure to be a family favorite!
I said, “OHMYGODGLUTENFREETHINMINTS!” And I placed an order. 12 ounces of cookies…for $19.95+tax.
*sigh*
They weren’t going to ship until January 19…so I had a bit of a wait…but one day, my beloved Swiss Colony box arrived at my office and I tore into it…finding two bags (each 6 ounces) of Mint Slims from a company called Goodie Girl Cookies.
Hmmm…
Well, regardless, I ripped into the first bag and dug in. And then shared some with a select number of people in my office. And that was that. I think it wasn’t what I was expecting to arrive. And now that I am getting around to a review (as I opened up bag #2 yesterday), I find out that these bags are available on the Good Girl Cookies Website for $4.99/bag. So, yeah…I feel a bit cheated. Not by Goodie Girl…but by Swiss Colony.
However, what is done is done. And now you have the long and rather unfortunate tale of Swiss Colony’s betrayal and cheat tactics. So, let’s get down to the Goodie Girl Gluten Free Mint Slim Cookies, shall we?
Goodie Girl Cookies is based out of Tribeca, New York, specializing in creating gluten-free cookies with surprising flavors, as well as exciting twists on cookie classics to evoke memories of childhood. Founder, Shira Berk, also a mom and native New Yorker, began her journey to create an all-natural, super-delicious line of cookies that are all gluten-free back in 2010. Her intention was to create cookies that were intended for anyone to eat, but still be accessible to the 30%-and-growing number of population who had to avoid gluten. What began in a home kitchen soon grew to be made in a kitchen incubator in Queens, then to another one in Brooklyn, until now, where Goodie Girl Cookies now produces their gluten-free cookies at a contract bakery in Long Island, New York. An interesting aspect, I would like to point out, is that neither Berk, nor anyone in her family is Celiac, gluten-intolerant, or in need of a gluten-free diet. Berk And they not only loves to bake, but has created serious buzz around these cookies.
Specifically…the Mint Slims…or their take on the infamous Thin Mint Cookie from those little Girl Scouts.
Growing up, Thin Mint Cookies were my favorite treat. And as a Girl Scout, we ordered a bunch of boxes all the time for my family. It was the only flavor of Girl Scout Cookie you would find in my house. Ever. There were no others. So, for the past three years, since going gluten-free, having to bypass the Girl Scouts at the local grocery store has been heart-wrenching. I see that green box and it’s all I want. And thanks to Goodie Girl Gluten-Free Cookies…(and for Swiss Colony for now introducing me to Goodie Girl)…they’re back in my life.
So, these aren’t perfect. The main difference being that the Girl Scout variety is coated in a rich, amazing dark chocolate. And I LOVE dark chocolate. The Goodie Girl Gluten Free Mint Slim Cookies are…coated in milk chocolate. They aren’t quite as rich and sinfully good because of this…but…they are close enough. Even the people at the office thought so. And that being said…here’s a bit more on the flavor of these cookies…
The Goodie Girl Mint Slims are crunchy, just like the Girl Scout counterpart. They have this amazing mint flavor that may rival that of the Girl Scouts for sure. The coating, for me, however, just was wrong. It didn’t have the richness that the Girl Scout Thin Mints have. But, that’s also me, who prefers dark chocolate to mint chocolate any day, so…it’s more of a personal thing than anything. Other than that…these are spot on. I had one co-worker wrinkle up her nose when I offered for her to try one, and when she did, she admitted that they tasted just like the Girl Scout Cookies. Never count a gluten-free copycat out. EVER! Sometimes…they are just as good if not better as the original. I count these as just as good. Seriously…it hits all the right notes.
The Goodie Girl Gluten Free Mint Slim Cookies are made from chocolate coating (made of sugar, palm kernel, palm oil, cocoa processed with alkali, nonfat dry milk, soy lechithin), sugar, butter, the Goodie Girl Flour Blend (white rice flour, corn starch, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, powdered milk, potato starch, and xanthan gum), cocoa, whole milk, vanilla extract, pure peppermint flavor, baking soda, and salt. They are…just the right amount of wrong. In a good way. A very rock ‘n roll way.
As for nutriton, let’s keep in mind that these are cookies, shall we? The Goodie Girl Gluten Free Mint Slim Cookies come in a serving of 2 cookies (with 6 servings per bag). Each serving will give you 160 calories and 9 grams of fat. These two cookies will also provide you with 10 mg cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, and 12 grams of sugar. These cookies also provide 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein, meaning they make a perfect non-filling dessert or snack. Granted, with Girl Scout cookies you get to eat 4 cookies for almost a perfect match in the nutrition area…but beggars can’t be choosers, can we? I just think the Girl Scout cookies are a bit thinner, maybe less dense on the filling as, weight-wise, a serving of 2 Goodie Girl Mint Slims is 30 grams and 4 Thin Mints from the Girl Scouts is 32 grams. Light bulb!
If you are a gluten-free cookie monster…er…lover…like me, and if you have been missing those Girl Scout Cookies something fierce, I urge you to hop over to the Goody Girl Web site (not Swiss Colony!) and place an order for the Mint Slims…stat. Trust me…you won’t regret it. You’ll never regret cookies. Especially these.
It was a long journey home that day from an afternoon event in Dayton, Ohio. But, if there is one thing there is always time for, it is a stop into Foodie Heaven (aka: Jungle Jim’s) on the way through Cincinnati, Ohio. This is one of the most impressive stores you will ever enter. And you will leave a changed foodie, for sure.
One thing I will hand to Jungle Jim’s…they carry some gluten free products, on shelves and in the freezer, that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Reason for that – they are often from local Ohio companies. Love seeing a business help out the little local ones. For sure.
And, for some reason, that very afternoon, I really, really, really needed to have donut holes in my freezer at home. I didn’t know this, mind you, until I strolled past the gluten-free freezer area in Jungle Jim’s and saw the little plastic cup that was piled high with the little chocolate balls of cake donut goodness. Oh…I had to have them. So…I bought them. Even though I was doing everything in my power to not purchase items (such as snacks and donuts) on that trip…it happened regardless. And they made it home and into my freezer…where they remained.
Until this morning.
You see, I’m having a rough weekend. This is not me being a drama queen. I really am. I was supposed to be in Birmingham, Alabama, with good friends of mine, participating in the Mercedes Marathon Weekend. I knew a few running the half marathon and I was running the full with my training partner, Matthew. Except winter storms blew through, and while everyone else risked the roads and the weather, I stayed put. I missed seeing my nephew run in the Kid’s Marathon on Saturday (which meant more to me than anything else), and I’ve just been down and out all weekend. Seeing my friend’s Facebook feed flooded with pictures of the event hasn’t helped with my mood either.
So it was totally a donut kind of a morning. And lucky for me…I had a cup full of Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes.
The world might be safe from me yet today…
Sonny Marie’s was created by Christine Coleman, whose son, Danny, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at the age of 11. This brought about drastic changes to the family’s lifestyle as they chose to join Danny in his fight against gluten. It was hard for Coleman to see her son missing out on pizza, cake, donuts and all the other goodies his friends were sharing, which is what inspired her to develop her own donut recipe, so delicious, that even Danny wouldn’t know the difference. And she crushed it. Since then, Coleman has worked on expanding on their line of gluten-free products to help others have that “I can’t believe it’s gluten free” moment and not be deprived of the joy of food.
For me…the joy of food this morning was inside this little plastic cup that held 10 little glazed chocolate donut holes. That, my friends, was bliss this morning.
The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes are…exactly…as I remember the chocolate glazed Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts to taste. I used to eat the hell out of those, so when I pulled half of these out for me and half for my roommate, I was already feeling better. They were the perfect size (no skimping) and felt like the perfect density. After spilling coffee on myself…I returned to finally dig in…
Without even a warmup in the microwave (I let them thaw overnight to get to room temperature), I was hooked with one bite. Yes…one bite. First of all…the cake donut was the perfect consistency. Not heavy and dense. Not light either. But cakey through-and-through. So many gluten-free cake donuts are heavy and intimidating…not these. Not one bit. The chocolate flavor was rich and delicious and the glaze was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Seriously. Perfection. I was sad I only had 5 of these to devour. I probably could have eaten the whole cup on a morning like today. Good thing I have friends who help keep me from over-indulging on treats. Oh, but these were so good. Mighty tasty. I didn’t even care that my breakfast was mostly sweetness and sugar…and then…I still didn’t care. Chocolate is a girl’s best friend on days like today…and this one just comforted me. For the moments of breakfast…I was content. I even licked the glaze off my fingers when I was done. Good to the very last bite.
Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are produced in her Coleman’s home. It is even labeled as such. That being said, they are made in a facility that uses peanuts and pecans, so if you have a hyperactive nut allergy…these might not be for you. Nuts are one of the few things I happen to not be allergic to.
The Sonny Marie’s Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts are made from sugar, rice drink, molasses, white flour, mechanically pressed organic palm oil, egg, potato starch, cocoa, tapioca flour, sweet rice flour, baking powder, vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol (35%) salt, apple cider vinegar, xanthan gum, and cinnamon.
As these are produced at home, I cannot give you nutritional information as none is provided on the packaging. But, I’d say close to what the Chocolate Glazed Munchkin’s run at Dunkin’ Donuts. Give or take a few calories and fat. Hey…they’re donuts. Indulge or don’t.
My theory in life is…every now and again, you have to treat yourself. I was having a bad morning…so, I treated myself. I don’t eat donuts or donut holes every day…but these were beyond worth the splurge. Sonny Marie’s products are available in many local shops in and around the Cincinnati area, including Jungle Jim’s. Make the journey…because these are totally worth eating. I wish I had purchased another cup of them.
Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina
Restaurant: Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina
With every marathon I run, there is also a celebratory meal. Usually it is on the same day of said race, but Charleston is an odd duck in that it’s marathon runs on Saturday. And we already had eating plans on Saturday. So, instead of changing everything around, we just decided to have the fancy, special meal on Sunday night. And, after scouring a list of places that Amanda sent me (all of which had gluten-free items), it came down to two options – Poogan’s Porch and Slightly North of Broad.
Cathy chose in the end…opting for Slightly North on Broad because of one item on the menu that caught her eye. This was fine with me…there was this amazing honey drizzled fruit plate dessert on their menu that sounded beyond amazing. So…when Amanda came over to help with the planning session…this was decided. And, to make the occasion even more special, Janet (Cathy & Amanda’s mom), offered to pay for our big meal out this trip.
The best part about where we were staying was that Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) was literally right across the street from the hotel. Seriously. So, this meant we could stay out and explore until we absolutely had to return to our rooms. Then, we could all clean up and head out to eat, then come back to change and go out for some more exploring! Of course, when Cathy chose this restaurant, we had no idea this was the case. Amanda enlightened us. Odd, how when it came to eats the only one we really ventured out further than the immediate area of our hotel was Brown Dog Deli. And we were over that way anyway as I was shopping for spices, tea, honey and other local goodies. HA!
So Sunday morning and afternoon was spent walking the streets and cemeteries of Charleston. Honestly, if you ever get to visit this amazing city…just walk it, duck into places, explore. You can take tours, yes, but sometimes it’s just fun to get out there and just find something that intrigues you. I was fortunate enough to have Richie and Amanda with me, to act as the local tour guides. They might as well be locals. They know where everything is…how to get there…and come to Charleston often enough it’s second hand. But, even if you aren’t traveling with your own walking guide books…try something new. We returned about an hour and a half before dinner so we could clean up and get ready to make the walk across the street. I took a shower and changed and then we met Amanda and Richie at their room before hoofing it over to S.N.O.B.
We only had a brief wait while they prepared our table for our 6:15 p.m. reservation. And once we were seated and water (and Coke for Richie) was poured, we were left to peruse our menus until our waitress came over to the table. We immediately informed her that I was a gluten free vegetarian, and she immediately opted up with the Vegetable Plate that they serve. She also said she could see what else could be done for me, but a big plate of seasonal and local vegetables sounded absolutely delicious to me. My decision was made. Now the rest of my dining party needed to ponder what they were going to have. The server gave us a few more minutes to decide.
So, let’s discuss S.N.O.B. here, while we are deciding on food, eh? Because this seems like as good a place as any. S.N.O.B. is described as “an eclectic Lowcountry bistro that brings together an abundance of local ingredients and thoughtful, expert presentation with a friendly, contagious energy.” In other words, very big on farm to table. Love that. They have a nice open kitchen, which I absolutely loved since I love being able to glance over and see what is being prepared as it is being prepared. The food they make is the product of the local farmers, fishermen, and producers. So…very Sean Brock. And I love Sean Brock. And if you don’t know who Sean Brock is…Google him now and learn! The setting is low-light, candles, white table cloth, and soft conversations. You get the sounds of the kitchen…the sizzles, the flames, the dishes clinking, all mixing with the pouring of wine and water, and the clink of silverware as it scrapes up that last bit of food from a pristine white plate. This is S.N.O.B.
So…there it is.
When our waitress returned we all had finally settled on what we were going to eat. Richie opted for the Pan Seared Duck Breast ($27.00), which includes savory blue cheese bread pudding, fig jam, Brussels sprouts, and a honey thyme reduction. He saw duck…he knew what he wanted. Amanda ordered the Grilled Pork Chop ($27.00), which is served with crispy confit potatoes, cabbage, and topped with a sorghum and whole grain mustard glaze. Cathy was the foodie of the group and wanted to try something more than just a large appetizer plate, so she did a medium plate with an appetizer, which is recommended on the menu. For her appetizer, she went with the Herb Crusted Eggplant ($12.00), which is topped off with buffalo mozzarella, green heirloom tomatoes, some sprouts, and pesto. For her entrée, she opted for the Carolina Quail ($16.00), which comes with braised greens, tasso cornbread stuffing, Muscadine glaze (that’s from a particular grape, FYI), and quail jus.
As for me…I did go with the Vegetable Plate ($20.00), which is described on the menu as being “a variety of the best vegetables we can find.” Hey…I’m a vegetarian. There are very few vegetables I don’t like. Very few. So…our order was in and we fell into the din of conversations, discussing everything from our events that day to the other people in the restaurant, to wine bottles we could see from our seats, to how much fun we were having. Lots of laughter and lots of fun going on.
Cathy’s appetizer was up first and we all cast out our appreciative ooohs and ahhhs at the tower of eggplant, cheese, tomatoes, and greens, all soaking in a small pool of pesto. She sliced into it, and said that the eggplant was actually really well cooked and that the cheese was amazing. However, as she went on eating, she got tired of the sprouts getting caught in her teeth, and eventually that herb crust got completely mushy with the mix of the eggplant juice, the pesto, and the juicy tomatoes on top. So, it started off really well…but in the end…all went to mush. She polished it off, save for those greens on top though.
A little after her plate was cleared away, the main courses arrived. Amanda had the largest pork chop I had ever seen in my life. It was only polished off with some help from Richie and Cathy. But…she did eat all her potatoes. Richie’s duck was cooked perfectly and I had never seen him clean a plate until this meal. Cathy was less impressed with her entree, finding her favorite part of the quail to be the pan seared area where it was crispy. She hated the greens with a passion (and she eats greens…I cook them at home). And her favorite part of the plate…the tasso corn bread. Everything else left her rather…unimpressed.
S.N.O.B.’s Vegetable Plate
As for me…when they said a plate of vegetables, they weren’t kidding. Upon further looking at the menu, what I have found is that this plate is a compilation of every vegetable in house and offered as a side on the menu. This plate was mounded high with high fiber vegetables that were cooked however the side was to be cooked, and paired with three different starches. It was beyond filling. This plate included grilled eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, portobello mushrooms, grilled okra (on the list of vegetables I hate with a passion, so these got left behind!), broccoli (with a sprinkle of Romano cheese), sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, caramelized Brussels sprouts, maverick potatoes, Charleston gold brown rice with some butternut squash, yellow grits (with cheese), some sprouts on top, and some sweet pepper jelly mixed in. The plate was a mish-mash of vegetables, no real plating flair…just piled high. In fact, I didn’t realize I had an heirloom tomato until I moved the eggplant. It was hidden below. That being said…the green beans were…well…green beans. I thought the potatoes were that weird overly-whipped consistency, and ate them by mixing them with one of the vegetables…like green beans or some eggplant just to give it a better texture. The spinach was delicious. I didn’t eat the okra because…GROSS. The eggplant was grilled and good enough…though a touch under-seasoned. The tomato was messy, but fresh and delicious. I love that little hit of sweetness. My favorite things on the plate were the grits, the Brussels sprouts, and the rice. All of which I saved for the last things I ate. And when I was done, I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or not…but it was a massive plate of food that was very filling indeed. I mean, I didn’t dislike it…it was just…okay. They definitely give you $20 worth of vegetables. All local and fresh…so I will give them credit for that.
Afterwards we were asked about desserts. I already had my heart set on something, even though I was filled up to the max. You only get to celebrate once, right? So…to hell with it…desserts all around.
Amanda and Richie decided to split the Crème Brûlée ($7.00), which was a creamy vanilla custard with caramelized brown sugar topping. Cathy went with the Vanilla Ice Cream with a Shortbread Cookie ($6.00) for her dessert. It also came dressed with fresh strawberries. As for me…I went with what caught my eye originally on the menu in the first place…the Fresh Fruit Plate ($7.50), which came drizzled with local honey.
Desserts are a must for me. I love trying desserts when I can. And fruit is one of my favorite desserts to polish off a meal with. The whole drizzled with local honey was an added bonus. Our desserts arrived. Richie had never had a Crème Brûlée before, so this was his first foray into that. Cathy’s ice cream looked fantastic and she crumbled the cookie over it and dove in, enjoying the fresh berries for that added bit of sweetness. My fruit plate consisted of grapes, strawberries, sliced apples, sliced bananas, spear slices, and chunks of fresh pineapple. All of it, as promised, was drizzled with local honey, adding to the sweetness of the plate. But it worked. I mean, it was a plate of fruit, but I couldn’t be happier with it. Everything was perfectly ripe, juicy, and amazing. Delicious and perfect way to end the meal.
While I certainly enjoyed my meal at S.N.O.B., when I return to Charleston next time, I will definitely investigate other options. I am happy for the experience, and loved the company, but the food was just okay to me. Maybe it’s my dietary restrictions…but I wasn’t overly impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike S.N.O.B. by any means. The food was cooked well and tasted good for the most part. But…there is so much more to taste in Charleston…so while the dinner was nice, I’m eager to go elsewhere next time.
Restaurant: Brown Dog Deli, Charleston, South Carolina
The Brown Dog Deli is definitely one of Charleston, South Carolina’s little gems. It’s definitely not your average deli…but it is serving up some fantastic food.
And if that doesn’t sound like an intro to Diner’s, Drive-In’s and Dives…I don’t know what does!
But let’s face it…I don’t sugarcoat things. And when I am told over and over again by my Charleston regulars, Amanda and Richie, that I must go eat at the Brown Dog Deli…well you bet your sweet tennis balls and Nylabones that I do. HA. Dog references FTW. Don’t you love it when I laugh at my own jokes?
With this in mind, and packed schedule on Saturday, we made the decision to hit up the Brown Dog Deli on Sunday morning/afternoon for an early lunch of sorts. And after wandering around downtown, hitting up the market, shopping, and just taking in some of the history and beauty of Charleston, we were ready to sit down to a light-ish lunch. We were doing dinner out that night, so we wanted to hit this up early. Naturally, this means we got there at noon. HAHA! But, it was okay.
This funky little diner is located on Broad Street in downtown Charleston, and everyone seems to love it. When we arrived, at around noon on-the-dot, we were greeted by a server and led to a booth. The place had a few other people in there, but it wasn’t hopping. Our server, Meredith, came over to get our drink orders. And Cathy went ahead and gave her the heads up on my food allergies and dietary restrictions. She immediately came back with the fact that they had gluten-free bread and wraps and that they had a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. She retrieved that for me and then filled our drink orders.
I originally was just going to get the Gluten-Free Hummus and Veggies Wrap ($6.95), which would have been a wrap made with roasted red pepper hummus, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, red onions, feta, sprouts and spinach. It sounded really good…but the more I looked over the menu and the more my friends were talking about all the different things they were getting (and with the sort-of exception of Cathy…it was something you could only get at this restaurant). So, I ended up changing my mind.
As it was Amanda got what she always gets at the Brown Dog Deli…the Mesquite Turkey Croissant Sandwich ($7.95), which is made up of brie cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, sprouts, red onions, and cranberry-pepper jelly, served on a croissant. It is her favorite thing on the menu. Richie’s favorite sandwich was no longer on the menu, so he decided to try something very different, the Apple “Butter” Jeans Sandwich ($7.95), which is composed of warm melted brie, sliced Granny Smith apples, local apple butter, fresh arugula, mesquite smoked turkey, honey ham, and prosciutto, served on a panini-pressed local French baguette.
Cathy really was interested in the chili that was being offered that day, so she decided she was going to do a cup of that. It was the Southwest Beef and Beer Chili ($3.95) and she opted to pair it with a Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese ($5.95), selecting Yellow Cheddar, White American Mozzarella, and Goats Cheese as her three cheeses for the sandwich, and choosing to have all of that toasted up on Sourdough Bread.
As for me…I ditched the Hummus and Veggies Wrap and thought to do something I hadn’t seen on a menu anywhere else. I opted for the Gluten-Free Portobello Philly Sandwich…light on the cheese ($6.95). This sandwich was made up of marinated portobello mushrooms, sautéed with peppers and onions, Boar’s Head Vermont yellow cheddar and white American cheese. They had Udi’s bread, which they toasted up to help keep it from immediately falling apart with the wet ingredients.
There was no shortage of things to discuss while we waited on food, but when it arrived, I was so excited. Like I said, this restaurant came highly recommended…and it was now packed with a line waiting to get in. We had good timing. And when food did arrive at our table, I was definitely ready to dig into my sandwich.
So how was the Gluten Free Portobello Philly? It was fantastic. The marinated mushrooms gave this sandwich a “meaty” texture. And the onions and peppers were cooked to perfection…keeping them flavorful and crisp, but also cooking them down so they weren’t raw. They were fantastic. The bread did start to fall apart, but that’s the nature of gluten-free bread. Especially Udi’s. But, with that aside, they were good about keeping the cheese light, and it probably would have been just as fantastic without it on the sandwich. I thought everything was seasoned perfectly.
And I was not alone. Clean plates…that is what we left at the Brown Dog Deli. Cathy loved her soup, and would dip her sandwich into the thick and spicy soup. She raved about the creaminess of the cheeses in her sandwich and how they all, surprisingly, worked when put together. And Amanda and Richie both loved what they ordered. Especially Richie…who had to get something he had never had before. Lunch was later than planned, but a total success. And then, we all purchased matching shirts from the Brown Dog Deli as well.
SO. MUCH. LOVE.
Anyway…if I were to point out one restaurant to anyone wanting to eat the local fare in Charleston, South Carolina…this is the place I would send them. They work with dietary restrictions, they are careful, they create great food…and you will not regret any wait you might have to get a seat inside. It’s worth it.
Brown Dog Deli…I’m coming back next time I’m in that fine city. I can’t wait to try something else!
Brown Dog Deli’s Gluten Free Portobello Philly Sandwich
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina
Restaurant: Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina
This past weekend, I found myself enjoying my time in South Carolina. Not just anywhere though…but the beautiful and historic city of Charleston. I was going there to run in the Charleston Marathon…and then explore with Cathy (my roommate), and my friends Amanda (roomie’s sister) and Richie (Amanda’s hubby). Now, I’ve never been to Charleston, South Carolina…but this is Amanda and Richie’s favorite place to spend their time. So when they have time…this is their stomping grounds. When they originally heard that I was running the Charleston Marathon, they were very helpful in suggesting things to do while in Charleston. And shortly after leaving their home, Richie called and said they just booked a room at the resort and would be going with us. I was elated. Nothing like going somewhere with people who know the city. I was so excited.
So, we arrived late on Friday night and had to do a bunch of pre-race stuff. Saturday I ran the marathon. Afterwards, I usually can’t stand to stomach anything for a little while. My insides are just all messed up. I mean, come on, running over 26.2 miles will do that to you. So, I went back to the hotel, showered, and then Amanda came over. We settled in as I gave some Greek yogurt a try (for the protein). That stayed down…so I knew I could safely do something for lunch…as long as it was easy to digest and not too heavy.
We had mentioned sushi…and that sounded like something I could handle. And, literally just across the street and up a block was the place we went for said sushi…Wasabi!
We stepped inside and were greeted by the hostess, who I think at the time was unwrapping a snack in the nearby closet. She apologized and picked up three menus, carrying them over to a booth near a window that overlooked the street. We settled into the table and began to peruse said menu. I am BIG on vegetarian sushi. Cathy…not liking much fish in sushi was also looking at vegetarian options. Amanda…she was just trying to decide on what classic roll to get. She’s the non-vegetarian traditionalist who isn’t afraid of some fish in her roll. I asked how many rolls we were getting. Amanda, the regular, said she usually got two. So, I began making decisions based off of that. But the more they talked, the more it sounded like everyone was getting one roll. And Cathy seemed interested in the same one as me. HA! Knew that was going to happen.
Then, Amanda came up with a great suggestion…we could all get one roll each and then split the roll Cathy wanted to try three ways. Amanda is brilliant like that, for real. So, when our waiter returned and was prepared to take our order, we had an idea of what we wanted.
Amanda chose between the two she was eying and ended up ordering the California Roll ($5.00). With the decision made to order an extra roll of the one I had my heart set on, Cathy went off the beaten path and ordered the Calamari Tempura Roll ($6.00). As for me…I went with the Avocado Maki Roll ($5.00). Then, we ordered a second Avocado Maki Roll to split between the three of us. Order was in…now we just sort of sat at our booth and talked about the city and what Amanda had in store for us.
Pretty soon, our sushi rolls were arriving. And we were more than happy to dig in. There was nothing stand-out or noteworthy of this sushi just looking at it. It was perfectly rolled nori, surrounding perfectly packed rice and our filling. Cathy commented that her calamari was giving her the finger…so she set out to devour it before it could insult her further. HA! That’s what happens when your food has appendages and the like. By the steady stream of “Mmmm”…we definitely enjoyed what we were having.
I must say…the 8 slices of the Avocado Maki Roll I had from Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood were absolutely delicious. A little creamy with the fullness of the rice and the texture of the nori. Mmmm…seriously good. I topped each of my slices of with some of the pickled ginger and a touch of the wasabi offered on the side of the plate. It was sheer perfection in roll form. Honestly…amazing. I mean…nothing that any other good sushi place couldn’t do…but it had been forever since I had sushi…and this settled perfectly into my marathon stomach. Lots of flavor and great texture. The avocado was perfectly ripe. It was a heavenly slice of sushi roll for sure.
I was so happy with this place. Amanda had recommended it because it was gluten-free friendly. And it left me wanting to go back for more. I, sadly, didn’t have enough time this time around, but when I return…it will definitely be a stop. If you’re visiting Charleston, South Carolina…and you love sushi…go and try Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood!! Simple food, but done really, really well!
North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Blondie
Product Review: North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie – $8.50+
Double your pleasure. Double your fun. Double your dessert.
Trust me…that is not a complaint.
I was surprised with my Holiday 2014 (December) Cuisine Cube when I found two amazing desserts inside. Even better…two of my favorite things for dessert. Cookies (which I’ll nosh and blog about later) and brownies. Not just one brownie…but two brownies. Pardon me whilst I drool a little.
In case you haven’t been paying attention, back in March I signed up for a fantastic gluten-free food delivery program called Cuisine Cube. Each month, I am sent a box of 5-6 different gluten-free products from smaller and lesser-known gluten-free companies. Some…are just from local bakeries…much like the product I am eating today. Cuisine Cube is a fantastic way to broaden your gluten-free culinary and foodie horizons, because, honestly, I never would have even known any of these products existed for the most part. New to me…and I’m loving it. I have already vowed to hit the Stock Up page on Cuisine Cube’s site more than once to get more of a product that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Dessert x 2 this month. As it should be with the holidays. Hey…I’m a runner and I work out. Dessert is not an option; it’s a way of life. I was raised having dessert every night after dinner…and that tradition carries over even now when I am on my own. It’s the best way to wrap up the day. A little treat at the end.
So, the first dessert I reached for was the one that came with two options. Yes. I am talking about North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble. Why “Double Trouble?” Well…inside this little unassuming bag are two decadent looking dessert bats. Yes. North Brooklyn Eats included a Heath Bar Crunch Blondie and a Double Chocolate Brownie.
Before I discuss the dessert bars themselves, let’s discuss North Brooklyn Eats for a moment. The local small town bakery is dedicated to making homemade confections that are gluten-free and “don’t suck.” (I pulled that right off the little info thing online!) It is run by two brothers, Josh and Michael Kimberg out of Beacon, NY, in the Hudson Valley. It is the goal of these two brothers to change everyone’s perception of gluten-free dessert. They specialize in gluten-free cakes and muffins, but, obviously, have other baked goods to offer as well, but desserts are their forte.
And yes…they are knocking it out of the park. A simple Double Trouble Home Run!!
As I believe in everything in moderation, including dessert (even if my sweet tooth says otherwise), I only ate one dessert bar at a time. And I split each one with my roommate (who is not a Celiac and doesn’t have to eat gluten-free). We started with (because I deemed it so) the Heath Bar Crunch Blondie.
The only thing I did to this blondie was that I gave it a quick warm up in the microwave. Desserts are always better when warm (when it comes to things like brownies, bars and cookies). It smelled absolutely fantastic when I removed it from the microwave. I got a knife and sliced through the blondie. Immediately I liked what I could see. The edges had this nice crispy border to them (my favorite part of any brownie!) and the inside was soft and chewy. I gave half to my roommate (Cathy), and kept the other half for me to devour. I tucked in under my snuggie (Hey…it’s cold here!) and dove in.
Holy dessert gods!! I have always loved brownies and enjoyed blondies. This blondie was definitely done up very well. The North Brooklyn eats Heath Bar Crunch Blondie tastes like…a Heath Bar…but in a more rich and decadent form. It’s like a sweet snack transformed into a delicious dessert. And I loved it. The blondie was baked to perfection, golden and speckled with toffee and chocolate goodness. It was a nice play of flavors on the taste buds for sure. I was just casually eating each little forkful, until I just had to pick it up and shove it in my face. Well, maybe not so barbarian and brutishly…but I did give up on the fork method as just getting my fingers on this treat was a necessary pleasure. It was moist and crumbly and just perfect. If heaven were a brownie…it would be a blondie! THIS particular blondie!!
The North Brooklyn Eats Double Chocolate Brownie was up the next night. Meaning…it was totally scarfed up tonight. HA! If you love chocolate…you will totally love this. This brownie…think cake-like, not fudgy, is a rich, chocolatey, delicious treat from the first bite to the last. I love that it isn’t overly sweet. It hits all the right notes. The brownie itself is light and soft in the middle, not heavy and dense. I love that. It makes me feel like I can eat more! The edges had that fantastic crunch to them, but inside was all chocolate and all business. Chocolate brownies with chocolate chips. Yeah…you can’t go wrong with that. Insanely good! Double insanely good.
As this is a product from a local bakery in the New York City area…there isn’t any information as to what ingredients they use or the nutrition information. But…they are brownies and blondies…assume it’s a treat. If you’re anything like me…you can split it with a friend or loved one. All the taste, half the guilty pleasure…er…guilt.
Two nights, two desserts, two fantastic dessert bars…all brought to me by the awesome people at Cuisine Cube…as well as the master bakers at North Brooklyn Eats. I’m still dreaming of dessert. If you want the best of both dessert bar worlds…opt for North Brooklyn Eats Double Trouble – Double Chocolate Brownie + Heath Bar Crunch Blondie. Enjoy every last bite! And then…go buy more.
I totally broke tradition. I did. I was in New York City to run the TCS New York City Marathon…and so far I had managed really amazing gluten-free pizza the night before the race. Normally, after I race, my friends and I go to a pub to celebrate the occasion.
Not. This. Time.
But, it was of my own doing that we ended up in Harlem just after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
How?
Well…since we were going to be in New York City, I thought it might be fun to check out a restaurant that belongs to one of my favorite chefs of all time.
The venue: Red Rooster.
The chef: Marcus Samuelsson.
After all, we were celebrating my finish at the marathon earlier that afternoon. Why not make it special. So, yeah…I broke tradition and decided to forgo the pub for something…a little different. And I have never made a better decision in my life.
Prior to heading to New York City, I had told Cathy that I really wanted to go into Harlem and eat at Red Rooster. She knows how much I adore Marcus Samuelsson. And, honestly, we’re both foodies…she was right there with me. So, she went ahead and called the restaurant and talked to them about reservations on marathon eve. She mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they said that food for me would not be an issue. With that done, Cathy set up a reservation for 6 p.m., giving me plenty of time to run, shower, walk around, come back and change, and get there with my group of friends. We had reservations for 4 people…me, Cathy, Heather, and my good friend Marisa.
So, that night, I dressed up in this elegant vintage dress…but kept on my recovery compression socks (and wore them with my heels, HA!), and my three friends and I went down to the subway and hopped the train to Harlem. We emerged steps away from Red Rooster. Literally.
And about 10 minutes late. Whoops. But…we got there…before they handed our table away.
We were seated near the kitchen, which was fantastic for me because I could see the people bustling around in there, working hard at the various stations. I loved the feel of Red Rooster…very chic casual. A fun, vibrant, laid back, but classic vibe. It was the kind of place I would want to return to and bring everyone I know…at least once. Totally my style.
Our server, Ryan, came over to greet us. He said that if we had any questions regarding the menu to let him know. I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said that wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, he would go and talk to the chef and see what they could do for me. I thanked him and we all studied the different menu options. At one point, I know Cathy was trying to convince Marisa to try the soup with tripe in it, but that wasn’t happening.
Ryan returned, and said that he mentioned that I had run the TCS New York City Marathon and was a gluten-free vegetarian, to which he said the chef would like to create a dish for me. I was thrilled and thanked him for checking.
Glasses of Brotherhood Riesling
With that said, Cathy took one matter into her own hands. We were, after all, celebrating. So, she ordered a bottle of wine for the table. We went with a sweet wine (Heather prefers dry…but she was a good sport), opting for a local Riesling – the 2013 Brotherhood from Washingtonville, New York ($48.00).
We were ready to order, it seemed. Ryan already had mine. He said the chef was going to do up a Vegetable Plate ($21.00) for me. So, I was excited to see what would emerge from the kitchen. Cathy went with Marcus Samuelsson’s signature dish – Helga’s Meatballs, which are served with lingonberries, braised green cabbage, and buttermilk mashed potatoes ($23.00). Heather ordered the Triple-Double Burger, which is served with bacon, jarlesburg, and rooster sauce ($19.00). Marisa did a little picking and choosing, and went with the Upstate Farms Squash Soup, which includes yogurt, honeycrisp apples, and lentils ($12.00) with a side of the Cornbread ($4.00). And, because they sounded good…Heather and I split a side of the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.00).
Red Rooster Entrees: Helga’s Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger
Ryan went to put or order in and we all got down to talking about New York, about work, about life, about the race, about food, about events…whatever we wanted to talk about. We were in no rush and the restaurant was not rushing us. I loved being able to just drink in the atmosphere.
Just before the food arrived, Ryan returned with our Riesling bottle, pouring a little bit into Cathy’s glass. Cathy lifted the glass and took a sip. And it was love at first taste for her. So he poured some in each of our glasses, and I made sure to keep drinking my water too. No dehydration here.
And then…our entrees arrived, each one settled down in front of us carefully.
The plates…were gorgeous!
Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate – Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The chef created a fantastic dish for me. In a bowl on my left was Curried Black Eyed Peas. And on the platter beside it…Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Oh…I will note, these Brussels Sprouts tasted different than the side that Heather and I were splitting. It was chef magic. And it was a beautiful and gorgeous plate. One that I looked forward to eating.
Let’s start with the Curried Black Eyed Peas. Just…WOW. WOW! So much flavor. Lots going on. And yet…simple. I like to traditionally have black eyed peas on New Years Day…and this is how I would want them this year. For real. Just this incredible depth of flavor with the curry spices. Not hot…just simply bringing out more of the peas themselves. One of the best dishes involving peas of any sort I have ever had in my life. And, trust me, I’ve eaten plenty.
The vegetables that the chef prepared were a delicious and filling treat for me. The broccolini was gorgeously cooked and vibrant green. It had the right amount of crisp to it, yet, still soft and easy to bite through. I love broccolini, and this was just as it should be…simple and delicious. The Brussels Sprouts were roasted to perfection, giving that outer layer some depth of flavor, yet keeping the vegetable itself soft on the inside. Fork tender perfection.
My favorite thing, however, on that plate was the Berbere Carrots and Parsnips. HOLY COW! This side is exactly why I rushed out to a spice store in order to purchase berbere. This spice is awesome. It has this great flavor to it, followed with a little bit of heat at the end. It paired beautifully with this root vegetables. In fact, these were what I saved for my last bite. Completely in love with a plate of vegetables. How amazing! My compliments to the marathoning chef. My meal was sheer perfection.
Red Rooster’s Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts
And I know you’re wondering about the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts that Heather and I split, right? Of course you are! These were different from the ones that were on my plate. These sprouts had this amazing char to them, but also hit up with a bit of a lemon or citrus flavor. Sprinkled on top were macadamia nuts. It was a combination that I hadn’t had before with Brussels sprouts…and I liked it.
But, wait…there is more!
Because when we celebrate we get dessert too! We were handed the menus so we could peruse the options. Ryan was taking care of another party at that moment, so I asked the new server about gluten-free options. She highly recommended The Green Apple Viking Delight ($11.00). I was game. Heather actually ended up doing that too. Leave it to the Scandinavian Minnesotans to order something with the word “viking” in it. HA! Cathy knew she wanted to have cheesecake in New York City, so her choice was the obvious one…Vanilla Cheesecake, served with yogurt, a granola crumble and pomegranate sorbet ($11.00). Marisa went for the signature dessert of the restaurant, the Red Rooster Doughnuts, which are filled with sweet potato and coated in cinnamon and sugar ($12.00). It came with an icing to dip them in as well.
Red Rooster’s Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts
Red Rooster’s Green Apple Viking Delight
Desserts arrived shortly after and…yeah…we were quite happy with our choices. I thought The Green Apple Viking Delight was like a cold crème brûlée. It was a green apple sorbet set on top of a white chocolate fennel cream. On the side was chopped apple and fennel. And a little tuile was set on top, giving it a little crunch and texture. I was totally in love with the flavors, even though I wasn’t completely certain, at first, that they would work. They complimented each other perfectly and each bite was a burst of sweetness, with a bit of richness from the white chocolate. Divine.
Cathy loved her cheesecake (it looked deconstructed…so cool!) and Marisa was more than pleased with the doughnuts. Needless to say…we are girls. Desserts are awesome. But these…these took awesome up to the next level. Which I guess is phenomenal. Or, in the culinary world, a sweet note to end the night on.
We left the restaurant completely satisfied with the meal. The ambiance of Red Rooster was like no other restaurant that I have been in to date. A live jazz band had started to play during our desserts and we really just took a moment to not only savor the food, but savor the experience as well.
I have been a Marcus Samuelsson fan for years…being able to eat at his restaurant was a dream come true. Having a dish created for me, and having a careful and very caring staff made it unforgettable. I was congratulated so many times on finishing the marathon. It was an amazing day, but that night really just sealed it as one of the best days of my life. Good race…good friends…good food…good times.
There are a few traditions that I keep when I run. The first thing is…after a big race, I hit up a pub or a Mexican restaurant. Don’t ask me why or how this became “a thing” as mentioned in the previous review…it just did. But the other thing I do is treat myself to something creamy, cold, and delicious. Mainly…ice cream.
Here is the sudden caveat, however.
While I have, in the past, been able to tame the lactose intolerance by taking a lactase supplement…it hasn’t been working out so well for me in the recent weeks. Frustrating. Because I am an ice cream nut. Oh…and this is one tradition I refuse to let up on.
Before leaving for Minneapolis, Cathy was already on the hunt for a place to uphold this long-standing tradition. And so…she found Izzy’s. And what made Izzy’s Ice Cream (aside from being a local specialty ice cream shop in the Twin Cities) stand out from the other options was…they had soy ice cream flavors. YAY! No dairy to wreak havoc on my tummy. This…made me happy! So…so…so very happy!
What made the Izzy’s experience even better was, that day, I was spending the afternoon with my grandpa. Yes…the very man who got me interested in running. Cathy and I took him out to lunch at The French Meadow Bakery & Café in Minneapolis. Then, afterwards, I told him that we were going to get celebratory ice cream at Izzy’s Ice Cream. If he was interested, I’d love for him to come along. He was certainly interested! So, we made the short 10 minute drive from our lunch spot over to St. Paul. Izzy’s Ice Cream awaited…and we entered and couldn’t wait to get started.
As I was the goofy one, Cathy made me order first. I asked about the soy ice cream flavors, hoping that there was a chocolate or peanut butter option here. But, alas…my options today were either Soy Strawberry, Soy Mango, Mango Sorbet, or Strawberry Sorbet. I was just a little disappointed. A little. At least they had other options instead of just sorbets though. So, without chocolate to fulfill my craving…I opted for the best option available. Strawberry. Because I am not a fan of mango. Not really.
So…order in. On a gluten-free ice cream cone (because…yeah…they have those and…yeah…I wanted one because I never get ice cream cones!), I ordered a regular scoop of Izzy’s Soy Ice Cream ($3.75) with the Izzy Scoop (a 3/4 ounce scoop) of the Strawberry Sorbet on top. Because that’s what Izzy’s does. You get this cute little scoop atop your scoop. And it’s like…an added bonus of ice cream awesomeness. And…I GOT AN ICE CREAM CONE! I might be 34, but sometimes I want to be 5 and eat my ice cream out of an ice cream cone. Added bonus, because she knew of my gluten-free and lactose intolerance, she wrapped the scoop in paper before she dished up my ice cream. How fantastic is that?! Guaranteed not to give me a tummy ache!
Cathy ended up getting a regular scoop on a regular sugar cone of Izzy’s Lemon Custard with the Izzy Scoop of Ricotta Ice Cream ($3.75). And grandpa…grandpa went classic. Traditional. As grandpa’s tend to do! He was torn between the vanilla and the chocolate, but ended up getting a kiddie scoop of the Chocolate Ice Cream on a cake cone. Oh…and they topped it off with a little chocolate candy on top. Nice touch!
The verdict?
Really good. Really solid (as in it had good taste and texture…not that it was rock hard!) ice cream. Cathy thought the ricotta flavor was interesting, but, naturally, loved the lemon custard. Seriously, if you give this girl a choice between ice cream or custard, she’ll choose custard…which is awesome. And if there is lemon involved…she is all over that. Grandpa really enjoyed his cone of chocolate ice cream.
And my choice…was good. I loved the creamy nature of the soy strawberry ice cream. I loved tasting the real bits of strawberry inside. And the topper of strawberry sorbet made it a berry-licious treat indeed. But, even more than the ice cream, I was happy when I got to crunch and munch on the gluten free sugar cone. I love ice cream cones more than most adults should…but when you really can’t have them, you tend to appreciate them more when you can. It’s the little pleasures in life…like soy ice cream and…gluten free sugar cones at an ice cream shop.
Life was good that day. I had a great afternoon with my grandpa. We had great eats and treats. And he even loved the ice cream.
A great place to go…with spots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. You better believe I’ll be back. And maybe this time they’ll have some Soy Chocolate for me.
Izzy’s Soy Strawberry Ice Cream with an Izzy Scoop of Strawberry Sorbet on a Gluten Free Sugar Cone
The Celiathlete 