Products – Page 35 – The Celiathlete

March 28, 2014

Product Review: Conte’s Gluten-Free Potato and Onion Pierogi

Product: Conte’s Gluten-Free Potato and Onion Pierogi – $6.99+

Dear Gluten-Free Gods of Food and Consumables:

THANK YOU!

Seriously…from the bottom of my gluten-free, vegetarian, foodie heart…THANK YOU!!

Thank you for bringing a company like Conte’s to the gluten-free world. Because, my dear Gods of Awesomesauce…Conte’s hasn’t failed me yet on foods that I used to be able to eat and thought were off limits…until they turned up in a freezer section somewhere. The world just seems right again. And I couldn’t imagine my gluten-free life without Conte’s in it. For real.

So…again…THANK YOU!!

Love,
Me

Honestly…my love letter about Conte’s could go on and on and on and on and on and on and on…

But I’ll stop there because there is a reason I am falling all over myself to praise this company and their foods. Because they made me able to eat pierogies again. Yes…pierogies. Those little pockets of potato…delicious. I ate the hell out of them growing up. They were one of my favorite side dishes to eat with my dinner. And when I went gluten-free…I attempted to make them once. It wasn’t an epic fail…but it wasn’t a complete success either.

Conte’s did the hard part for me. I just didn’t know these even existed until I was taken to this great little natural food store in Columbus, Ohio…called The Raisin Rack…by my friend Jenn. Oh…the trouble and budget-busting I got into there. I might have broken my roommate’s wallet. But she did, in all fairness, hand me a basket and tell me to fill it up. Jenn said we could “Tetris the shit out of that” and so we did. And with it…frozen foods. This meant getting a cooler too…but that was no biggie.

In the frozen section I spotted this teal bag…and it was Conte’s (who makes the awesome cheese ravioli I use all the time). But these weren’t ravioli. No, no, my dear readers. This was so much better than ravioli. This was GLUTEN-FREE PIEROGIES!!! You better believe that bag went into the basket. Along with other things. And I might have carried a few items too…and cheated a little. But…I got away with it in the end. HA!

Well…fast forward to returning home from a weekend away. No CSA bin this week because we were out of town. BOOO! Also, making up hours at work meant long work days and staying late. So, the other night, the roomie and I got home and I went to find something easy to make from either the pantry, fridge, or freezer. My roommate originally said she wanted pasta…but she came back out to the kitchen and said…

“I want the pierogies.”

I was hoping she would say that. Secretly.

So…out came a big pan, which I filled with water and seasoned with salt. I brought it up to a boil and soon added the Conte’s Gluten-Free Potato and Onion Pierogies. I gave them a stir and let them cook away, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. As they boiled away, I got out my sautée pan and melted a tablespoon of butter. I drained the pierogies and then carefully placed them into the pan to let them get a bit of a crunch on them. I always remember my mom cooking ours in a skillet as well. I love that rich, buttery crust that adds a bit of flavor to the little pillows of potato. Mmmm…

They smelled amazing as they cooked away. I flipped them over after a couple of minutes, not wanting to burn them, and cooked the other side. Then…I dished them up and dinner was served.

My roommate actually beat me to the first bite. And she was a huge fan. This definitely bode well in my eyes. I settled into my plate and took a bite too.

Fantastic. Great texture. Amazing flavor. I loved how the dough was soft, but had that nice crust on it from the pan fry that I gave it. The potato and onion filling was seasoned perfectly. It was everything I remember pierogies being…which was so good. So very good. I devoured these…in record time, I do believe. And I kept reminiscing about my mom preparing pierogies for us…and how much I loved them. And now, thanks to Conte’s…I can once again. And I am beyond impressed with how these turned out. They are a bit delicate…so be prepared for them to start to fall apart. But…that’s not unusual for gluten-free products such as this. The main thing was…they were awesome. And I am one happy girl…hoping to be able to find these…somewhere…locally.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? Conte’s Gluten-Free Potato and Onion Pierogies are made from a gluten-free flour mix (rice flour, corn starch, tapioca dextrin, xanthan gum), eggs, water, salt, vegetable oil, potatoes, onions, water, salt, and black pepper. That’s it. Seriously. Clean eating in a package! These are gluten-free, wheat free and casein free. They are also made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

As for the nutrition facts…a serving size is 4 ounces, or 4 pierogies. This serving will give you 180 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. These gluten-free pierogies also serve up 45 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, and 1 gram of sugar. Seriously…not bad. You also are provided with 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Trust me…you will feel full. My roommate and I split the bag and it made for a perfect size dinner. Perfectly delicious!!

I hope that I can find these in a local store, because I’m already craving them again. If not…I know where to get them in Columbus…but I don’t get up there often enough to satisfy my want of gluten-free pierogies. Believe me…now that I’ve had them…it’s all I want.

Conte’s wins me over once again with their amazing product. If you can find Conte’s Gluten-Free Potato and Onion Pierogies…buy them. Make them. Devour them. But do enjoy them. Because…trust me…you will!!

March 18, 2014

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free Large Braided Challah Loaf

Product: Katz Gluten Free Large Braided Challah Loaf – $35.00

Let me tell you…I adore products from Katz Gluten Free. I have been pimping the quality, taste, and everything about their variety of products since I have tried so many of them. However…in order to make a gluten-free breakfast bread pudding with a friend of mine…I needed some gluten-free challah. And I knew the only place to get it was from Katz Gluten Free.

I debated for a long moment over whether to go ahead and order the very, very, very pricey Large Braided Challah Loaf…or just skimp on that line of thinking and get either the sliced challah loaf or the rice challah. I debated. Price had a lot to do with it. I mean…holy gluten-free gods…$35 was a lot to spend on a loaf of bread. But…I figured I wanted to go for quality of what we were making and opted to go ahead and place an order for Katz Gluten Free Large Braided Challah Loaf. I just hoped it was worth the $35 I was spending on it. Oy!

A few days later, the loaf arrived via UPS…and I was really excited to take a look at what a $35 loaf of bread looked like.

Little did I know that when the loaf is called a large braided loaf…it really is LARGE!! Seriously…the size of two of my heads put together. That is not an exaggeration!

I only hoped the Large Braided Challah Loaf was worth the investment in the end. I’d find out on Sunday morning…after a short run…when my friend, Jenn, and I raided her kitchen and began working on a recipe for Gluten Free Morning Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel. We had the recipe picked out prior to the get-together weekend…and I told her if she got the rest of the ingredients, I would get the bread. And with both of us following through on the deal…it was time to open up this monster loaf and see if I made a wise investment.

The bread smelled fantastic the moment I got that plastic wrap off of it. I mean…almost like it was fresh out of the bakery. So amazing. I sniffed the air quite a few times, ignoring the slight hunger rumbles in my belly. There was a lot of time between this moment and breakfast time…so I had to focus on getting it made if I wanted to get myself fed. I sliced off the end piece and, instead of using it as the center of the bread pattern as suggested by the recipe…we cut it up to sample.

Gluten-Free Morning Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel made with Katz Gluten Free Large Braided Challah Loaf

OMG…it was good. It was really, really good. I loved the taste of the crust and the actual challah bread itself. The sesame seeds that are scattered on the top of the loaf are a brilliant touch and a very tasty addition. I wouldn’t have though that those little seeds could be so important, but the taste and texture was only elevated with their presence. I was impressed. And, let me tell you…this is one very soft and fluffy loaf of bread. You’d never guess it because it feels so heavy…but you slice into it and it is just super airy and light. It’s so weird, I know…but that’s the truth. It didn’t crumble or fall apart as I sliced into it, as so many loaves of gluten-free bread can do. And the taste was out-of-this-world delicious. It tasted like it had just been made and pulled out of the oven. It didn’t even need a reheat to make it taste edible. It can go straight from the freezer to the counter top with only a quick defrost. Amazing. Totally worth all $35 I paid for it.

I don’t know how this ranks nutrition-wise as no nutrition information is available on the site. Just know this bread loaf is HUGE!! HUGE!! The recipe we were making called for about 12 ounces and I used less than 1/3 of the loaf. Honestly. The rest is sitting in my freezer until my next culinary adventure arises.

I can, however, list off the ingredients that Katz Gluten Free uses to make its legendary Large Braided Challah Loaf. This gigantic loaf is made from a mix of gluten-free flour (white rice, tapioca, arrowroot, corn, soy, and potato), fresh eggs, palm oil, brown sugar, honey, xanthan gum, yeast, salt, flaxseed, and apple cider vinegar. Mine came topped with sesame seeds, however you can choose to purchase the loaf without the seeds on top. However, if you don’t have an allergy…I highly recommend keeping them on there.

This bread was amazing in the bread pudding that we baked up for breakfast. It’s amazing on its own. It’s amazing with a little butter schmeared on it. It’s amazing with pizza toppings cooked on it. It’s awesome as a grilled cheese sandwich. It holds up to anything and everything. It won’t fall apart on you. The flavor is amazing. The texture is more than superb. And the versatility this loaf offers is unmatched. And you’ll want to use it in a variety of ways…since there is so damn much of it. Not a complaint anymore. One of my favorite gluten free breads I have ever eaten. I will definitely spend another $35 in the future without a second thought.

Thanks Katz Gluten Free…for this amazing addition to my gluten-free menu!!

A slice of Gluten-Free Morning Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel made with Katz Gluten Free Large Braided Challah Loaf

March 14, 2014

Product Review: Boundless Nutrition Perfect Fit Peanut Butter Protein Cookie

Product: Boundless Nutrition Perfect Fit Peanut Butter Protein Cookie – $1.49+

Yep.

The cookie monster is back with a vengeance. Where there is a new gluten-free cookie…it will find a way into my life. And eventually into my stomach. For real!

As I was walking through Whole Foods last week, my roommate called me over to an endcap she was passing. On the end was a display of cookies. Delicious sounding…healthy sounding cookies. I know…cookies aren’t healthy, but these at least provided protein and stuff. Stuff like…green tea in the cookie. Yes…green tea.

Sounds healthier than the butter-laden versions, right? Right.

But…was it any good?

We were going to find out. Because we did end up buying one. Yes. One. To split. Just in case it was…nasty. You never know with these things. You just have to throw caution to the wind. But my roommate and I do that by halves. We had three varieties to choose from: Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, and White Chocolate Macadamia. I, naturally, chose Peanut Butter.

And so, the other night after a delicious dinner, I pulled this out of my drawer of gluten-free treats and cut it down the center to split with my roommate for dessert. I handed her the half that was hers and she immediately took a bite. I told her that if it was nasty…I’d dig up something else. She didn’t seem disgusted. Just disappointed. “It’s okeydokey…kind of bland.”

UGH! I hate bland peanut butter things. But she deemed it edible, so I took my half and settled in to taste for myself. I agree with her…the Boundless Nutrition Perfect Fit Peanut Butter Protein Cookie is…bland. In fact, the peanut butter flavor is very underwhelming. I felt it even might have needed a bit of salt to help it out. That being said, the texture was awesome. If you love a soft, chewy cookie…this is for you. It is both. The peanuts that are scattered throughout are a nice touch. They were definitely edible enough…but I have definitely had far better peanut butter cookies in my life. You can, however, get the flavor of the green tea, which is actually a nice touch. Believe it or not.

So…Boundless Nutrition Perfect Fit Peanut Butter Protein Cookie is made up of hormone-free whey and milk protein concentrates (rBST/rBGH-free), organic brown rice syrup, peanut butter, 0rganic inulin (blue agave), vegetable glycerin, brown sugar, peanut flour, organic coconut oil, sunflower oil, filtered water, natural flavors, non-GMO sunflower lecithin, baking soda, sea salt, antioxidant blend (decaffeinated green tea extract, vitamin C), stevia leaf extract (natural sweetener), and xanthan gum. All ingredients are non-GMO and all natural. These cookies are low in sodium, gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free and wheat-free.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of the Boundless Nutrition Perfect Fit Peanut Butter Protein Cookie is one cookie. One soft cookie. This cookie will give you 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. You will be provided with 15 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, and 7 grams of sugar. Not bad for a cookie, right?! The sodium count is really impressive. And only 7 grams of sugar??! In a cookie??!! That’s awesome. Finally, you will be provided with 4 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein. So, it’s not just sugar…you will be filled up with this dessert and you won’t feel hungry an hour later. Love that.

So, while these are definitely not my favorite cookie out there…these weren’t bad. They weren’t great…but I’m intrigued enough to try out the other two varieties in the near future. Not great…but not disgusting and worth throwing away. I happily ate my cookie for dessert…just wishing I could have had more of that peanut butter flavor. Because I totally love peanut butter. Give me my peanut butter!!

I’ll see what I think of the other varieties…

March 14, 2014

Product Review: Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger

Product: Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger – $3.99+

When you have a product that is actually called the “World’s Best Veggie Burger”…then, by God, you better have the best damn veggie burger in the world.

Prior to having to go gluten-free…I went vegetarian, so I have had pretty much every veggie burger out there. By having to go gluten-free has only helped me to step beyond the very chemical-laden Morningstar veggie burgers and discovered healthier and much tastier options. Made with…REAL ingredients. Loving that.

After reading crazy-good and amazing reviews on the veggie burgers that are done by Hilary’s Eat Well…I knew…absolutely knew I had to try them out. And, on a recent journey over to my local Whole Foods store, my roommate told me to go grab one of the Hillary’s Eat Well veggie burgers from the freezer section. They had quite a few varieties…but I thought it best to start with the original. The burger that started it all.

Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger.

Quite a reputation to live up to, yes? Yeah…

A little history on this burger. Hilary created this recipe back in 2005 for her restaurant, Local Burger, wanting to have it be free of all the common food allergies and artificial ingredients…yet still be packed with great flavor. It was a hit at the restaurant…and now…it’s available to the general public in your natural food stores.

Ready to dive into a delicious new veggie burger and test out my brand new vegetable spiralizer to make sweet potato curly fries…the other night I got down and dirty cooking this frozen patty up. Nothing was easier. I preheated my electric skillet and put a little coconut oil in there. Once it was heated up, I threw both of the patties in, hearing it immediately begin to sizzle. With my spiraled sweet potato going down, I was able to focus on cooking these patties perfectly. These easily took about 3 minutes on each side. Not too long at all. And when I flipped the burgers, they didn’t fall apart at all. Most of the time, my gluten-free veggie burgers crumble. Not these. They held together amazingly well.

Hilary's Eat Well World's Best Veggie Burger (cooked) — Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger (cooked)

I plated the burgers on a gluten-free bun from my local gluten-free bakery, topped it with a bit of red leaf lettuce and some tomatoes. A squirt of Dijon mustard and…there it was. Dinner was served.

Even better…dinner was awesome. One bite and I knew exactly why these is called the World’s Best Veggie Burger. This burger is awesome. Packed with flavor. Not flat at all. And, as I mentioned above, they don’t fall apart as you bite into it, or hold it in the bun. It’s sturdy, yet soft and delicious. And I am now hooked, very eager to try out the other offerings from Hilary’s Eat Well.

The Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger is made up from water, organic millet, organic quinoa, expeller-pressed non-GMO coconut oil, organic sweet potato, organic spinach, organic onion, organic psylliam husk powder, organic arrowroot, organic apple cider vinegar, salt, organic garlic. Real ingredients! Real, recognizable ingredients. I LOVE this! It is corn-free, yeast-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and nut-free. It’s perfection!

As for nutrition, the serving is 1 of the 2 patties that are in the package. This one veggie burger will serve you up 210 calories and 9 grams of fat. It might seem high, but much of that comes from the coconut oil. The Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger also serves up 340 mg sodium. This burger is cholesterol free and sugar free. In addition, you will be getting 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Trust me…you will be FULL!

I love polishing off a meal and feeling full for hours afterwards. And that’s what happened here. I didn’t even have popcorn that night for a snack. It’s not every day a meal fills me up. Very impressed.

So far, the two products I have tried from Hilary’s Eat Well have blown me away. I am SO in love with the World’s Best Veggie Burger. And, as of right now, it really does live up to its name. Brilliant. And delicious. I’m hooked!

A gluten-free and vegan burger made with Hilary's Eat Well World's Best Veggie Burger — A gluten-free and vegan burger made with Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger

March 11, 2014

Product Review: Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips

Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips – $5.29+

I have a great love for all things Glutino.

Seriously.

ALL THE THINGS!

They haven’t let me down yet, and I’ve been fortunate enough to pick up quite a variety of their product offerings over the past couple of years since I had to go gluten-free.

However, while I have enjoyed everything I have tried thus far…I do have to say…they make the best damn freakin’ gluten-free pretzels on the market.

Ever.

End. Of. Story.

From the first time I tasted one of their gluten-free pretzel twists…what seems like ages ago…I was hooked. Addicted. Ready to enjoy way more. I might have a sweet tooth, but that craving for something salty is also a constant thing in my life. I enjoy both…for different reasons. (And lucky me, Glutino makes amazing chocolate covered pretzels…which brings me the best of both worlds). But recently…it’s been the salty side that has been winning.

Lucky for me, a little while back, my roomie made a dash to the grocery store for me while I was making dinner or something and was lacking an ingredient. While there, she surprised me with a gift. She picked up a bag of Glutino’s Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips.

Mmmmm!!

I had other items in my pantry to work through first, but these got their moment to shine today…at my scheduled snack time. And, boy…was I not the least bit disappointed.

Glutino bills the Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips as something you can pile high with cheese, veggies, spread with paté, load up with savories, or use to scoop up dip. So…a chip but in pretzel form. Hence…pretzel chips. HA! Anyway, I chose to eat mine plain this morning…not having any amazing hummus or dip of some sort to use these with…but…it didn’t matter. Even on their own, the Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips do not disappoint. Not one bit.

Just like the Glutino Pretzel Twists and Sticks that came before…these also carry that unique and so completely drool-worthy buttery flavor in each bite. That is my favorite part of crunching into a Glutino pretzel product. Nothing tastes better than that little hint of buttery flavor. Sort of like eating a crunchy and gluten-free version of an Auntie Anne’s pretzel. They are fantastic. Not too much salt – just enough to give each chip that pretzel seasoning that you desire. You gotta love that rich flavor with each bite. And the crunchiness is so good. No soft bites here. These are fantastic!! I’m addicted. No…seriously…I might need an intervention.

I’d like to see someone try…*wink*

As far as ingredients go, Glutino Pretzel Chips are made up from corn starch, potato starch, rice flour, soluble corn fiber, palm oil, salt, cellulose gum, sugar, cellulose powder, soy lecithin, yeast extract, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, onion powder, and garlic powder. They are, as always, completely gluten-free and cholesterol free.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of the Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzel Chips is 30 grams (or about 11 of the chips). This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 3 grams of fat. In addition, this serving has 400 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. These provide 3 grams of fiber, but no protein.

But…they are a snack. And a delicious one at that. So, keep that in mind. Hit the store, seek these out and indulge. Enjoy. And try not to eat the entire bag in one sitting. It will be tough, I know. BELIEVE me, I know. Super good. Super crispy. Super WOW!! Glutino…you win again!

March 7, 2014

Product Review: Gillian’s Foods Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons

Product Review: Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons – $4.49+

Three years.

Three very long years since I last had croutons on my salad. Have I missed them? Eh…sometimes? I mean, there comes a moment when you just want to have that little extra crunch to your salad…not from the lettuce or the carrots or the other fresh veggies that are making up said bowl of raw veggie goodness. Sometimes…that little extra seasoning and crispiness is what you desire. And…when you are a Celiac…well…that doesn’t get to happen.

Sure, I could dry out some gluten-free bread and bake up my own in the oven. Of course. But, do you know how expensive gluten-free bread is??! I’ll use that for my sandwiches and French toast, thank you very much!

Lo and behold, on a recent outing to my mom’s favorite store in the Birmingham, Alabama area – Organic Harvest – I spotted a pouch of gluten-free croutons on the shelf of the very first aisle. Hence a stocking up of various items that I can’t get around here.

That being said…the croutons were from Gillian’s Gluten-Free.

Now, I’ve had one other product from Gillian’s Gluten-Free product line. It was their French Rolls, a gift from my friend Kathy, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And I loved them. I truly did. I used them numerous ways…even as hamburger buns. So, I figured picking up something else of the Gillian’s line-up would be a great way to see what else they can do.

So, into my arms went the pouch of Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons.

Mmmm…garlic.

Ahem.

Anyway…with my CSA bin deliveries back on since I’ve been in town the past couple of weekends, I have a freakin’ heap of lettuce just begging to be used. So, I took the lettuce, grape tomatoes, onion, avocado and cucumber from the bin the other night and made a huge, but epically delicious salad for dinner. And…to add to it…I figured why not give the Gillian’s Foods Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons a go. I got them down from the shelf in the pantry, measured out a serving and…dinner was served.

On their own, the Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons don’t offer much flavor. In fact, they are a little bland. But, no one really eats croutons plain, right? The point is that they compliment the salad and vice-versa. That was totally the case. Once blended on the salad and eaten with the variety of vegetables, these cubes of crunchy garlic-y goodness totally transformed. In fact, I was wishing a serving was bigger than it was, because these were absolutely great mixed in with other ingredients and topped off with a light drizzle of a balsamic dressing.

Both myself and Cathy (the infamous roomie) were impressed. And Cathy loves croutons…so I knew it would be a miracle to impress her. Especially since we were both ‘meh’ on the croutons alone. These little nuggets of goodness add the right amount of crunch and flavor without being too much for the vegetables in the salad. Loving them!

Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons are made from white rice flour, tapioca flour, water, soy flour, guar gum, egg whites, soy oil, yeast, salt, sugar, granulated garlic, oregano and basil. They are shelf-stable and are completely gluten-free, wheat-free and dairy-free.

As far as their nutritional value goes, a serving size of Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons is 7 ounces, or about 4-6 croutons, depending on size. I weighed my serving out. This serving will provide you with only 15 calories and 0.5 grams of fat. Nice!! Not heavy on calories or fat? I love that. You will also be consuming 45 mg sodium. These are sugar-free, trans-fat free, and cholesterol free. Also, you will be provided with 1 gram of fiber, but no additional protein. But if you choose the right veggies for your salad…that’s a non-issue anyway.

Yes…it has been a long, long time since I last enjoyed the crispy, crunchy goodness of croutons on my salad. My hope is that I can find these somewhere around here…or else I’m stocking up when I head to Birmingham next time. Definitely more impressed than I expected. And that…is only a good thing!

Gillian's Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons atop a delicious salad — Gillian’s Gluten-Free Garlic Croutons atop a delicious salad

March 4, 2014

Product Review: Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns

Product Review: Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns – $5.99+

Vegan seafood.

Sounds impossible, right? I would have doubted its existence myself, until a trip to Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati, Ohio last year. My eyes were opened to so much potential and awesomeness. It’s…seafood…made from plant-based ingredients.

Seriously!

And while my journey into the vegan seafood began with Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Fish Filets…which were…eh…okay…I have found other products by this company to be amazing. Like…you wouldn’t even know it wasn’t seafood. I’m not kidding. Taste is sometimes even better. Texture is spot on. Yep…I’m in love with this company. So much, in fact, that the Breaded Vegan Shrimp are always in my freezer.

Between the numerous natural food stores that I shop at each weekend, there is a variety of Sophie’s Kitchen options available. My most trusted spot, however, is Whole Foods, as they seem to have more of the products than anywhere else. And on a recent journey, these amazing products were…ON SALE! So, my roommate and I grabbed one of each.

And…with Fat Tuesday’s arrival…I was in the mood for some Cajun food. This meant I took the Vegan Prawns and rubbed them with a Cajun seasoning (a la Emeril Lagasse) and cooked them in the oven at 375°F for 6 minutes. This really is that simple, I swear.

Why Cajun shrimp? Well, when I was at Disney World this past January and was meeting Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog), I asked how her restaurant was going and explained that it was a dream of mine to open my own. She said to make my signature dish an amazing Cajun Shrimp Alfredo. So…here I took her advice…except I kept mine vegan and gluten-free. Because…I want to be able to eat it, yes? Yes!

Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Prawns (frozen) — Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns (frozen)

Well, being that this was the first time I was eating the Vegan Prawns from Sophie’s Kitchen, I didn’t stir them into the pasta, but rather laid them on tip. And it worked. The dish looked beautiful and the pasta came out perfect. I made up a sauce using So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk, almond milk, nutritional yeast, vegan butter, garlic, fire roasted tomatoes, and a bit more Cajun seasoning.

And I’ll get to the taste in a moment…

Because Fat Tuesday is tonight and I had another idea going in my head.

This time…a Cajun Shrimp Po’boy. With my vegan slaw on a gluten-free sandwich roll. This HAD to happen. I mean…for real. I once again rubbed the Vegan Prawns down with my Cajun seasoning, but this time I decided to cook them up in a pan. I toasted the rolls in the oven, added some local lettuce, slathered them with some slaw and topped them off with the Vegan prawns. My own, personal twist on a Po’boy. Getting in the Mardi Gras spirit here! I cooked the prawns in coconut oil and…OH MY GOODNESS…that was magic. The Cajun seasoning blackened up perfectly. And these were…winning!

So, now I can talk about what I thought about the Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns…

Oven baked or cooked in the skillet, I was beyond impressed with the flavor, texture, and overall taste of the Vegan Prawns. They were fantastic cooked in the coconut oil in the pan though. Reminded me of when I used to help my mom make her garlic lover’s shrimp (with real shrimp, mind you!). And, I think next time I purchase these (and, yes, there will be a next time), that’s what I’m going to do with them. YUMMY!! I thought these meshed well with the other flavors I paired with it, in both dishes. And while baking them in the oven was good…the pan cooking was beyond amazing. I think I found my new favorite way to prepare them. In fact, next time I get the Vegan Scallops…that’s how I’m cooking those as well. Honestly, these are fantastic.

As far as ingredients go, the Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns are made from water, konjac powder, beta glucan, potato starch, paprika, organic agave nectar, sea salt, carageenan (seaweed based gelatin), alginate (from seaweed), and calcium hydroxide. The Vegan Prawns are soy-free, gluten-free, 100% vegan and plant-based, non-GMO, contain no artificial colors, preservatives or MSG. These have no added sugars or artificial…anything. Honestly!

Nutritionally speaking, each box contains 3.1 servings…or 10 of the Vegan Prawns. A serving is 3 prawns, but being as I’m splitting this with two people over two days, we each had 2.5 Vegan Prawns. That being said, a normal serving of the 3 prawns would give you 50 calories. This product is fat free and cholesterol free. A serving will also provide you with only 150 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. And finally, three of the Vegan Prawns provide you with 3 grams of fiber and less than 1 gram of protein.

Discovering Sophie’s Kitchen products has been amazing for me. I often keep one product stocked in my freezer at all times. You never know when you might need it. If you haven’t tried these yet…go to your local natural foods store and check their freezer section. Serious yummy vegan seafood eats here!

Sophie's Kitchen Vegan Prawns (cooked 2 ways) - Left: Vegan Cajun Shrimp Alfredo (baked); Right: Vegan Shrimp Po'Boys (pan fried) — Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Prawns (cooked 2 ways) – Left: Vegan Cajun Shrimp Alfredo (baked); Right: Vegan Shrimp Po’Boys (pan fried)

March 1, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Just Java Bars

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Just Java Bars – $4.99+

Coconut milk and I are seriously becoming best mates.

Really.

I am using it more and more…and not just to splash into my coffee or over my cereal. I mean…I am now making ice cream with it, making soups with it, you name it…I’m probably doing it. And my main source of coconut milk (my only source, actually!) is So Delicious. Why? Because they live up to their name. I have never had a product that I didn’t like from their line-up. That’s saying something, for sure.

Happily, they make more than just half gallon cartons of coconut milk. Yep. They do yogurts and even…desserts. YES! Desserts. Otherwise known as my favorite meal of the day.

I was recently provided with a box of the new So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Just Java Bars. I just recently reviewed the Fudge Bars and Super Strawberry Bars. This was the last in the line of products and the one I was anticipating the most. I mean…java…hello! I won’t lie…coffee and I are also best mates. So, combine coconut milk with coffee and make it a dessert…you are totally speaking my language.

I wonder if So Delicious knew that?

Anyway…after a long day that started with spin class at the gym and ended at physical therapy for my ankle sprain, I was looking forward to treating myself to something sweet and refreshing after a quick dinner. So, after I finished up my meal, I did up the dishes and reached into the freezer for the So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Just Java Bars. I removed two…one for me and one for my roommate.

One taste and I have declared this one my favorite of the bunch. It’s like…eating a delicious frappuccino. Seriously. The best part is, the coffee flavor doesn’t overwhelm this dessert. Too often, coffee-flavored desserts or treats are overwhelmed by that java flavor. But not these. The balance is perfect. And the coconut milk just makes it. Honestly. It just makes this dessert. It’s so smooth and dreamy-creamy. I was happy to savor it slowly, until it started to melt more. Then I had to pick up the pace. The fact of the matter is…SUPER DUPER JAVA-INDUCED YUMMINESS!

You can quote me on that one. OMG…so delicious indeed. These will forever have a spot in my freezer…because they aren’t just good…they are a treat you won’t feel guilty about eating either.

While on that topic…let’s go ahead and peek at the ingredients, yes? The So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Just Java Bars are made from organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, organic inulin, organic guar gum, organic fair trade coffee, natural flavor, organic locust bean gum, and sea salt. Not too bad on the ingredients. Nothing that I don’t recognize. That’s always a good sign.

Nutritionally, these are awesome! A serving is one of the dessert bars. This mini treat will serve you up only 80 calories and 4 grams of fat. One dessert bar also contains 25 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. That’s really good for a dessert! You will also be taking in 5 grams of fiber and only 1 gram of protein.

If you are a coffee-junkie like me…you will love this dessert bar. It is truly amazing. You won’t even guess that it’s made with coconut milk. And, trust me, you won’t miss the dairy either. These are beyond fantastic. These…are what dreams are made of. And I, for one, am a happy dairy-free ice cream loving girl.

Thank you so much, So Delicious!! I love you for life.

March 1, 2014

Product Review: Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend

Product: Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend – $4.99

Quinoa. I love quinoa. I cook with it often. And I have used it as a hot cereal in the morning as well as a side…and even baked it in casseroles. I’ve also supplemented it for rice-based meals, as quinoa has a much better nutrition profile than rice.

Even better…it tastes great.

One day, while hitting up the (seriously) nine grocery stores I shop at every week, my roommate decided to splurge a little and had me pick out one of the new products we hadn’t seen elsewhere before. I noticed some black pouches on a shelf with clearly labeled “gluten-free” markings on them. They were quinoa dishes, that were also touted to be all natural and restaurant quality. Since I am a quinoa whore…I desperately wanted to try one of the variety of flavors. So, I pointed to them and my roommate told me to pick a flavor. As I am less picky than her I told her to pick the one that sounded best to her.

Her choice?

Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend.

Sounds good, yes?

I thought so. So…we brought it home with us. And promptly let it sit in the pantry for a few months. D’oh! But…even though a bin was received today, I already had it in my mind that this quinoa meal was going to be our dinner tonight. And so…it was.

Now, I had physical therapy on my ankle right after work, so this put us home much later than normal. I didn’t take that into account this morning when I noticed the 20-25 minute cooking time on the stove and in the microwave. Ah well. I figured I could pair it with a nutritious kale salad with some fresh veggies and that would help get us through the cooking time.

So, as instructed by the package, I immediately filled a pan with 1-1/2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then added the contents of the pouch. I gave it a stir and set it on medium-high heat, letting it come up to a boil. Once there, I covered it, took the heat down to low and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. The entire time it was cooking, and the couple of times I lifted the lid to give it a stir, the dish itself smelled fantastic.

Like…macaroni and cheese.

I’m okay with that.

Anyway, after it cooked and the liquid was mostly gone, I removed it from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for five minutes. After that, I gave it a quick fork fluffing and dished it up. Dinner…was finally served.

And my, oh, my…this was one crazy indulgent dinner. First of all…hello quinoa. I love you. Pair that with a blend of organic millet and brown rice and you’re talking a filling little bowl of goodness. The cheeses..Romano, Cheddar, and a 12 month anged Parmesan. Amazing. It smelled as good as it tasted. And that texture was rich and creamy, with a little bit of that rice-chewy texture that is just what you need so everything isn’t just one strange texture. It was awesome. The dehydrated mushrooms softened up beautiful. And my cheese-loving roommate devoured it as quickly as I did. Really amazing. I thought it was one of the better packaged items that involved quinoa that we have picked up to date. YUM-A-LICIOUS!

Ingredient-wise…it doesn’t get much simpler than this. The Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend contains parboiled brown rice, quinoa, millet, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Romano cheese, dehydrated mushrooms, sea salt, and dried herbs. Simple ingredients make the best meals. Even when they come in a package.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend is 1/3 cup of the dry mix. There are 2.5 servings per package, which makes about 2 cups when completely cooked. A serving will provide you with 180 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. You will also be consuming 550 mg sodium, and only 1 gram of sugar. Nice! A serving also will dish you up 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein, so you will feel full when you eat this. Trust me. This mix is gluten-free and cholesterol free.

I fell in love with this package of awesome quinoa goodness. The flavors were amazing. It cooked up beautifully. It was indulgent and rich and…just really amazing. I can’t say enough good things about it. They aren’t kidding when they say it is restaurant quality. I can’t wait to try the other 8 flavors out there.

Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend (cooked)

February 28, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk – $5.99+

Love is finding a product that you can literally do just about anything with…and getting creative with it. I love to come up with new ways to make things when I’m in my kitchen. I love to see just what I can accomplish with what I have on hand.

Currently, in my refrigerator, I have two 16 ounce cartons of So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk.

What is cultured coconut milk? Glad you asked.

It’s the dairy-free, coconut milk based version of a creamy, dreamy yogurt. Yes…all you dairy-free people who have lamented the loss of yogurt in your diet…welcome to the world of So Delicious and their fantastic coconut milk based yogurts. Also known as…cultured coconut milk.

I love that So Delicious has released two new varieties of their cultured coconut milk products. I already reviewed the Unsweetened Vanilla Cultured Coconut Milk…but now it is simply the Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk. First of all, as someone trying to keep their sugar intake in check, the unsweetened offering makes me so happy. Even better…it has great texture and good flavor. It actually has a bit of a tang to it, reminding me of a sour cream. And, certainly, this could easily be used in place of sour cream. But…not in my case.

I got into my kitchen last night and decided to use some of the So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk…to make bread. Yep. Bread. Delicious…dairy free and gluten-free Chocolate Chip Yogurt Bread.

Here’s what I found out…my bread cooked up amazing. The Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk made this a very light, very moist bread when all was said and done. The best part was how it tasted. Because this also adds flavor without adding more sugar. And that…that is an amazing thing. I love how versatile this product is. It can be used in dressings, breakfast parfaits, smoothies, as a garnish for meals…you name it. And it does it all with style and without upping the sugars you’re consuming. LOVE!

A serving of the So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk is 1/2 cup or 4 ounces. This serving will provide you with 50 calories and 4 grams of fat. You will be provided with 95 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. The Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk doesn’t provide any protein, but you do get 4 grams of fiber. This product is cholesterol free, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, and made with organic ingredients.

I have truly fallen in love with this product. I am so glad I have two containers of it chilling in my fridge. There are tons of other things I want to try this with. But…below, take a look at how amazing my bread baked up using the So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk. I am beyond impressed. You will be too!

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Yogurt Quick Bread made with So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk