Products – Page 51 – The Celiathlete

May 13, 2013May 13, 2013

Moo Moo’s Poblano Chick(pea) Patties a versatile vegan and gluten-free meal

Moo Moo's Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties — Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties

Product: Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Poblano Chick(pea) Patties – $4.99+

Sometimes…I have to step away from my grocery list and just…splurge on something. Just take the plunge…grab a product that interests me…and try it out. That’s what happened when I was in my local natural foods store a couple weeks ago. I had gone in specifically to pick up some Udi’s Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls while they were still on sale. The problem is…whenever I go into this store for something specific, I find something else that interests me. A lot.

This time…it was a product I had never seen before. Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties.

Intriguing. Definitely intriguing. Especially since I love chickpeas and I love poblano peppers. Screw the budget…screw the grocery list. I was going to get this. I had to try it. I just had to. So, it came home with me and I tossed it in my freezer for a day where I would need it.

Well…on Friday I was greeted with my first CSA bin in two weeks (I’d been out of town the past two weekends and had to cancel them)…and inside were beautiful cucumbers. My roommate suggested that I make my tzatziki using the cucumber. I thought that was a fantastic idea…as soon as I figured out what we would eat with it. Then, on Saturday morning, we finally made it back to Annie May’s Sweet Café, the local allergen-free bakery here in Louisville, and made a splurge purchase of a bag of their dinner rolls. We hadn’t tried the gluten-free dinner rolls yet…so we figured…why not?

And that’s when inspiration struck. As the request for my tzatziki was made…and now we had dinner rolls…what if I used these Poblano Chick(pea) Patties and make sort of a “falafel” slider of sorts. The roomie was totally all about it…so that was the plan. This afternoon, while she took in Timothy Dalton as James Bond (GAG!), I was in the kitchen making my infamous tzatziki. I got it mixed and made and into the fridge. And a couple of hours later…dinner time was approaching.

I went to the freezer and pulled out the box of Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Pobalno Chick(pea) Patties. Not real falafel…but something I could work with, yes? I preheated the oven to 350°F and pulled the tray out of the box. Per the directions, I lifted one corner of the plastic film to vent and put the tray on a baking sheet. Into the oven it went to cook for about 30 minutes. While that was happening, I sliced up a leaf of fresh romaine lettuce (also from my CSA bin) and prepped the gluten-free dinner rolls to join the Poblano Chick(pea) Patties in the oven to get a light toasting.

Moo Moo's Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties with Roasted Corn Salsa (cooked) — Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties with Roasted Corn Salsa (cooked)

They finished up at the same time. I removed the tray from the oven and let it stand for one minute. Then, I carefully removed the film.

The tray contained two large patties made from chickpeas, kettle cooked chili onions, brown rice, roasted poblano and red bell peppers. Included was a roasted corn salsa as well, which I ended up just mashing into the patties. With the dinner rolls sliced, I placed a small dollop of tzatziki on the bottom half, then placed a little bit of romaine lettuce. Next came the mix of Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Poblano Chick(pea) Patties. I separated each patty into thirds and began to spoon up the chickpea-poblano mixture with some of the included corn salsa. I placed this over each leaf of lettuce, then topped it off with a small bit more tzatziki. The top of the dinner roll was placed over everything and…voilà…mock falafel sliders. YES!

I handed my roommate her plate and went to fix mine. And before I even started compiling my round of sliders, she was already digging in. And she was already voicing her thoughts on it through happy grunts between bites. I asked how the chickpea patties were and she said they were really tasty. She, as she is a bread person, raved more about the rolls.

So, with my sliders now put together exactly as hers were, I settled in to my own dinner. I couldn’t wait to try these out. They smelled amazing. They looked stunning, if I do say so myself. So…I lifted one carefully to my mouth and took a bite.

First of all, she was right…the dinner rolls were out-of-this-world good. But…that will be dedicated to another blog.

Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine got it right with these Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties. Honestly. Packed with flavor. The peppers aren’t spicy at all, and the combination of the chickpeas, peppers, onions, and the corn salsa with my homemade tzatziki…it just all played together so well. The toasted roll and the crisp lettuce just were the perfect combo to elevate these from microwave dinner to…fine dining. Seriously…I am in love with this product and can’t wait to purchase more. Maybe I’ll eat it straight next time. Or maybe I’ll make more sliders from these delicious patties.

A little bit about Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine. It was created in 2005 by founder and culinary artist, Michele Rostelli. The company is committed to providing healthy, sustainable, flavorful vegetarian cuisine that is made with only natural and organic ingredients. LOVE IT. You can really taste the quality of the products in each bite. Trust me…I couldn’t stop eating these sliders I made out of the patties.

As for nutrition…you’ll love this. A serving is the entire box (both patties). My roommate and I split the contents, but if you were to sit this down and eat it straight, you would only be consuming 230 calories. You would also only be set back 3 grams of fat. A serving of the Poblano Chick(pea) Patties contains only 510 mg of sodium. But, in addition, you get 9 grams of filling fiber and a kick of 9 grams of protein. These are completely cholesterol free. How awesome is that? Healthy and delicious. Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine totally got this one right.

Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine makes quite a variety of products, some gluten-free, some lactose free, some vegan…some a combination of all of them. But if this is any indication of the quality of their products, then I can’t wait to try more of their gluten-free options. Blown away. Simple, yet powerful ingredients yield delicious products. This certainly proves that.

“Falafel” Sliders made from Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties (on Annie May’s Sweet Cafe Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls)

May 13, 2013

Light and lean gluten-free pancakes compliments of Cherrybrook Kitchen

Product: Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Dreams Pancake and Waffle Mix – $5.99+

I should have known this pancake mix would be epic. Want to know why? Simple. I had previously enjoyed making waffles out of Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Dreams Chocolate Chip Pancake and Waffle Mix. I actually picked up the Gluten-Free Dreams Original Pancake and Waffle Mix while it was on Closeout at my local grocery store. Yep…it was part of that “purge” the store did that totally threw me into a panic and had me scrambling to buy at least one of everything that was marked that I was interested in trying. Thankfully, it seemed they were just getting rid of some overstock. But that meant a good deal on gluten-free items for me. Love a good gluten-free deal…and I don’t come by them often.

I loved the chocolate chip pancake and waffle mix in Cherrybrook Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Dreams line…so I shouldn’t be at all surprised with the results of the Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Dreams Original Pancake and Waffle Mix. I made waffles from that mix, so I figured I’d give a go at pancakes this time. But…not just any pancakes. Nope. I happened to have 6 ounces of delicious, ripe blueberries from my CSA bin. Blueberries are awesome. Especially for runners. Pancakes are awesome too. Especially after a long run. I happened to rock out a 10.9 mile run this morning, so blueberry pancakes seemed like the thing to make.

This mix is so easy to prepare. And, the best part is that it is naturally wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, and peanut free. COMPLETELY. Nothing to even worry about. All it requires, if you use the entire box (I did…I just kept rocking the pancakes until I was out of batter…a total of 21 all together, is add 2-1/4 cup rice milk (I used unsweetened almond milk in mine because that’s what I have), and 2 tablespoons of olive oil (I substituted unsweetened organic apple sauce instead). Easy as pie. Right? You simply mix everything together until it is just combined, then let it stand for five minutes. Since I was making blueberry pancakes, after the five minutes was up, I poured the freshly washed blueberries into the batter and gently folded them in.

With my skillet warmed and waiting, I started dropping 1/4 cupfuls of the batter onto the warm surface and let each pancake cook until the underside was golden brown. That took about 2-3 minutes. Then, once the pancakes became dry around the edges (this batter will not bubble to indicate doneness as regular pancake batter does), I flipped them over. Perfection. Another 2-3 minutes on that side and pancakes were ready for eating. Good thing too, because I was hungry.

I gave my pancakes a small drizzle of real (and local) maple syrup. I bought it yesterday at the Buy Local Fair that was held in Louisville yesterday. It was as if all the stars aligned perfectly. Gluten-free pancake mix…local maple syrup…yep. Breakfast was served.

Inquiring minds, I am certain, want to know how this pancake mix stacked up to the ones that came before. Well, much like every Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Dreams product…I was immensely happy with these pancakes. Light. Fluffy. And super delicious. I couldn’t believe how these cooked up to be so airy and light. Even with the fresh blueberries baked inside, these were some of the most amazing pancakes yet. And they even got that perfect golden crust on the outside. So you get that initial crispiness followed by that soft inside. Pancake perfection. Gluten-free pancake perfection at that.

Nutritionally speaking, it doesn’t get much better than this. One 4-inch pancake made the way I prepared them clocked in at 92 calories, less than 1 gram of fat, only 1.5 grams of protein, and less than one gram of fiber. So…they won’t be very filling…but they will taste amazing. Trust me. I think they would have been divine even without the addition of the fresh blueberries. Those…were just a garnish baked inside. The pancakes, on their own, were fantastic. And I, for one, am very happy to have another four days worth for my roommate and I. It is definitely going to make breakfast simple this week.

Looking for lighter, fluffy, delicious gluten-free pancakes? Look no further than Cherrybrook Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Dreams Pancake and Waffle Mix. Heavenly.

Blueberry pancakes made from Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten-Free Dreams Pancake and Waffle Mix

May 10, 2013

BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery gives Minneapolis a delicious taste of gluten-free living

Restaurant: BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery, Eagan, Minnesota

There are times where I regret waiting so long to get to one of the restaurants or places of interest on my list when I visit a city. That was certainly the case when it comes to BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery in Eagan, Minnesota.

Live and learn!

So, let me set the scene. On Find Me Gluten-Free, Cathy discovered that the Minneapolis area was home to this gluten-free bakery. And it got rave reviews. This meant…I had to check it out. So it was placed on the list with the address to get to while in town. And…life got busy. And before I knew it…it was Tuesday morning, the morning of the day I was leaving. I had gone on a 6.26 mile run that morning. Cathy had some shops she wanted to check out in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Oh, and I had a date with a celebratory banana split after my fantastic race on Sunday morning. I always celebrate races with banana splits. But it was still early and I wasn’t quite ready for ice cream.

As we were heading out toward some of the bookstores that Cathy wanted to hit up, we were driving by the Cliff Road exit. And she remembered…we had the gluten-free bakery to stop into. I’m glad she remembered. I would have cried had I not made it in there. We set the Garmin for the address she had written down and soon we were pulling into this little strip mall. The bakery was open, and it looked like the door was getting repaired as a large piece of wood covered it. No matter…they were open and that was what mattered.

We stepped inside and were greeted immediately. We were asked if they could help us and we mentioned that we were from out of town, that I was a Celiac, and that the very fact that this bakery existed was enough to make me happy. The man behind the counter said he would give us some time to look around and he’d be back in a moment.

The bake case was filled with amazing looking bread loaves, cookies, bars, and the like. The counter top had different gluten-free mixes and even some gluten-free hamburger buns (that I am now kicking myself for not purchasing!). We scoured the case and decided that we would buy one of the half loaves of the Gluten-Free Banana Walnut Bread, a Gluten-Free Lemon Bar (which we would split), and then we each decided we would try one of the various cookies that the bakery made. We were rejoined by the nice gentleman behind the counter where I placed a gorgeous half loaf of the Gluten-Free Banana Walnut Bread. I asked about getting one of the amazing looking lemon bars, and then I chose to have the Monster Cookie and Cathy chose the Lemon Zinger Cookie. He wrapped up the cookies, and placed the lemon bar and half loaf of bread into a bag. We talked about being from Louisville, Kentucky, and he mentioned having been at the 2011 gluten-free expo in Carmel, Indiana. He said so much has changed over the years…and that BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery had been open for nine years now and was still going strong. This spoke very highly to me of their quality and their products…but I had to judge that for myself.

BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery's Lemon Zinger Cookie and Monster Cookie — BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery’s Lemon Zinger Cookie and Monster Cookie

After climbing back into the car, Cathy and I decided we would make our cookies an amuse bouche. I mean, what better lead-in to a banana split than cookies, right? So, she grabbed her Gluten-Free Lemon Zinger Cookie ($1.48) and took a bite of it. Immediately she was elated, saying it reminded her of the Lemon Blossoms my friend Jenn and I make, but in cookie form. I snagged a piece and she couldn’t have been more spot on. The Lemon Zinger cookie was refreshing and zippy. Honestly. I love lemon flavored stuff anyway…and this was awesome. The Lemon Zinger is also a dairy free cookie at this bakery. The other ingredients include white rice flour, sugar, soy shortening, tapioca flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, aluminum free baking powder, sea salt and xanthan gum. The icing that was zigzagged over the top was a combination of powdered sugar and lemon juice. Just really amazing.

The Gluten-Free Monster Cookie ($1.20) intrigued me immediately. It looked like it had a little bit of everything…and all ingredients that I love. And I couldn’t have been happier when I took my first bite. It was sweet, savory, and just amazing and full of flavor. A party in this cookie monster’s mouth, for sure. This cookie really does have it all. It’s a perfect blend of peanut butter, gluten-free oats, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, raisins, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda. So, it was like getting a peanut butter-chocolate chip- oatmeal raisin- butterscotch cookie all in one. Amazing. Sweet…without being too sweet. I gave Cathy a piece of mine and she thought it was mighty tasty herself. LOVED this cookie. I sort of want to make some for myself. Just…yummy. And as a runner, my love of peanut butter and that salty-sweet combo really was matched with every bite of this cookie. YUM!

Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery's Half Loaf of Banana Walnut Bread — Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery’s Half Loaf of Banana Walnut Bread

The rest of the goods sat in the car all day and then made the long flight home from Minneapolis. That following morning, being that we had no groceries in the fridge, meant that I’d simply slice up some of the half loaf of Gluten-Free Banana Walnut Bread ($4.25). First of all…bananas…walnuts…bread. This was going to have to be good. When I opened up the bag that the loaf was in, I could smell the mouth-watering aroma of the banana bread…almost as if I had just pulled it out of my oven. I sliced off two 1/2 inch slices, one for me and one for my roommate. I threw each one into the microwave to warm it up slightly, then kept it simple with a light schmear of Smart Balance and a drizzle of honey.

A slice of BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery's Banana Walnut Bread — A slice of BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery’s Banana Walnut Bread

Bread…perfection. Honestly. This bread is super moist, despite being a couple of days old at this point. We had it this morning for breakfast as well. Still moist. And we’re polishing off the loaf tomorrow morning for breakfast. I just checked…it is still moist. Soft. Delicious. Filled with banana flavor that is only enhanced by the addition of the walnuts. This bread is awesome. I can’t emphasize this enough. Gluten-free bread, when done right, tastes just like any other bread. Regular bread. The kind anyone could eat. If you put this loaf down in front of someone who could eat any type of bread…and had them eat it…they wouldn’t know the difference. I promise you that. This is one of my favorite gluten-free breads I have ever eaten. Just…super yummy!! Super flavorful. Super moist. And super banana-y. This bread is love.

And, last night for dinner, while it was still fresh…Cathy and I decided that we would give that lemon bar a taste at dessert. So, after we ate our gluten-free grilled avocado and vegan cheese sandwiches, I got out the plastic container that held the lemon bar and pulled it open. And that…was where I realized that the flight and the car ride weren’t too kind to the lemon bar. The icing came off with the lid. Whoops. No matter…I could fix that.

BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery's Lemon Bar — BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery’s Lemon Bar

The Gluten-Free Lemon Bar ($3.05) is actually a light, airy lemon cake. I sliced it in half and placed one piece on a plate. I then scraped the icing off the lid and began to attempt to reapply it the best I could to the lemon bar itself. This was…a slight success. You work with what you have. I took the first slice out to Cathy and she immediately dove in. Before I even had icing on mine, she was raving about it. So, this was happy news to me. I put my slice on a plate, reapplied the icing to the top and went out to enjoy.

Cathy was so right. The light cakey base made this unlike the other gluten-free lemon bars that I have had in the past. I absolutely loved this take on this treat. The cake itself was very light, not heavy and dense. The icing…wow…that icing. Just like the icing on Cathy’s Lemon Zinger cookie, the frosting was simply a combination of powdered sugar and lemon juice. As for the light, delicious cake…that was simply eggs, sugar canola oil, white rice flour, potato starch flour, tapioca flour, lemon juice, lemon peel and xanthan gum. I loved how different this lemon bar was compared to the others I have tried from other gluten-free bakeries. The ingredients all worked well together well and baked up lemon perfection. Happiness in every tart lemon bite.

I was so happy with everything that I got from BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery that it has been decided that next time I’m in the Twin Cities…I immediately head to BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery and buy items to feast on the entire visit. This must happen. This WILL happen.

As for you, BitterSweet Bakery…you are amazing and completely delicious. Just the four items that my roommate and I purchased and enjoyed were enough to make me want to continue to go back for more…as often as possible…every time I’m in Minnesota. BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery…this out-of-towner can’t wait to get back into town to visit you again.

Your food is love. And I’m head-over-heels for you!

BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery's Lemon Bar (with reassembled icing of awesome!) — BitterSweet Gluten Free Bakery’s Lemon Bar (with reassembled icing of awesome!)

May 2, 2013

Nature’s Earthly Choice cooks up a delicious Sundried Tomato Florentine quinoa dish

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa – $3.99+

I’m leaving tomorrow for a trip. Immediately following work. Which means, tonight will consist of me doing laundry, packing, and generally running around like a stressed out lunatic until I feel I have everything in order and where it needs to be.

Welcome to my life.

That being said, I needed dinner to be of the hassle-free variety this evening. And, thankfully, my previous journey to Minnesota (that’s where I’m heading) led me to the discovery of these little boxes of protein-packed, quinoa goodness. Yep…it was another meal-out-of-a-box night for my apartment, but, as long as the food that comes out of the box is good…it’s not a big deal.

This meal-in-a-box just happened to be another Easy Quinoa meal by Nature’s Earthly Choice. For those of you wondering…yes…I ate one last night too. But, when sell by dates approach and you are going insane trying to prepare for a trip…you do what you can with what you have. And I happen to have some stress-free stuff in my pantry. Every chef needs those from time-to-time…trust me.

Tonight’s flavor…Sundried Tomato Florentine. Sound intriguing? It should. Unlike the Garden Vegetable version that I had last night, I felt that the Sundried Tomato Florentine had a lot more flavor. It was definitely not as bland as I found the previous one. Thank goodness.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa is a good, healthy choice for a dinner. The ingredients are simple, yet packed with flavor, including quinoa (of course), dehydrated sundried tomatoes, potato starch, onion powder, dry milk, salt, yeast extract, garlic powder, spinach, paprika, and spices. Nothing that screams chemical. Nothing that is impossible to pronounce or recognize without looking it up online. Simple, natural ingredients. You have to love that. And without all the preservatives and chemicals, what you get in the end is an amazing clean flavor.

Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa

I thoroughly enjoyed the rich tomato flavor that came with the small dehydrated sundried tomatoes. It really brightened up the quinoa. I told my roommate she’d probably really love it if I dropped pearls of fresh mozzarella cheese throughout it. She totally agreed. But, on its own, the Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa really, really tasted good. It had bolder flavors, and definitely felt like the seasoning was spot-on for this one.

Nutritionally speaking, not bad either. My roommate and I split the box as we were eating it as our entree (with a side of steamed broccoli with some lemon pepper dusted on top). Even doing that, our calorie total was under 270 calories each. How about that?! However, if you are going to go by the serving size, you get about 3.5 servings per box. Each serving (about a cup, cooked) will set you back 150 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Awesome, yes? You get 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein in each serving as well. This is a low sodium food, a serving only containing 230 mg. The Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa is cholesterol free, trans fat free, and saturated fat free. Loving it?

You should be. And, if you like a light, but rich tomato flavor…then this is a great way to get it without slaving over a stove. Two cups of water, the pouch of quinoa, then the seasoning. Boil, let it simmer until the water is absorbed. Serve. It took about 20 minutes on my stove top and while it was cooking, I was able to get a few other things done that needed to be done. On a night where multitasking is key…that was helpful.

I found that I truly enjoyed each spoonful of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa. It wasn’t heavy…but it was filling. The tomato flavor complimented all the other spices and vegetables, without overpowering, but was definitely the star of the boxed meal itself. I devoured it in record time, partly because I was hungry, and partly because it tasted really, really good.

Find these boxed delights at your grocery store because they are certainly worth it. Especially on those nights where you’d rather do anything else than spend the night in the kitchen preparing dinner. Easy, fast, and delicious. Perfection.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa (prepared)

May 1, 2013

Garden vegetable flavor in an easy quinoa meal by Nature’s Earthly Choice

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa – $3.99+

I’m a sucker for quinoa. There…I said it. It’s not only a fantastic whole grain, but it is packed with protein that this runner girl needs. For real. But…sometimes I don’t feel like doing all the seasoning, flavoring, and pairing on my own. Not that it’s difficult…I just sometimes don’t want to do it.

Thankfully, quinoa is becoming one of those products that is exploding on the market place. While in Minnesota last year for a race, I was browsing the gluten-free selections at the local Cub Foods near my grandpa’s home. Lo and behold, I discovered four different flavors of this easy quinoa in a box-type meal. Sort of like Rice-A-Roni…but made with quinoa and better ingredients (you know…like real, recognizable ingredients and no partially hydrogenated oils…and no gluten…no gluten!).

I, honestly, have been wanting to crack these boxes open for awhile now, but I’ve got a bit of a backlog in my gluten-free pantry. But…tonight, that all changed. My original plan for tonight was going to be tofu nuggets with carrot fries. The problem was…my tofu was no longer good. Dang it. So, I had to go to Plan B. I had no Plan B. So it was either thaw some gluten-free bread and make a vegan grilled cheese sandwich, or…dig around a little.

I knew these were up on a shelf and coming close to their sell by date. That being said…I now had a new plan for dinner. Plan B was now cooking up a box of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa.

Easy…is putting it mildly. This is basically a meal that prepares itself. Honestly.

Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature's Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa — Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa

Took cook on the stove top, simply put 2 cups of water and the quinoa from the pouch inside the bag into a medium saucepan. Bring the contents to a vigorous boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Open the other pouch, which contains the seasoning mix, and add it to the water. Stir well. Continue to let it cook until the quinoa is tender but still chewy, and white spiral-like threads appear around each grain. Usually this is when the water is completely absorbed. This took about 15-20 minutes for me. Remove the pan from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Good to serve.

I made a quick honey-chili dipping sauce for my carrot fries that I roasted in the oven, and dished up this quinoa dish for myself and my roomie to enjoy for dinner. It’s a good thing she’s used to me doing stuff like this. Needless to say…we settled in to dinner and tucked our spoons into our bowls for tasting purposes.

All around, I’d say that Nature’s Earthly Choice does a decent job with this quinoa blend. You get chunks of vegetables (which were dehydrated in the seasoning pouch and include sun-dried tomatoes, carrots, celery, spinach, dehydrated bell pepper) throughout the quinoa itself, giving it a little color and a bit more depth of flavor. Which…it needs. While this was certainly a tasty dish, I found it to be a little on the bland side. The fact that this is a low sodium choice is a good thing, but a little touch of salt would have probably benefited this flavor immensely.

That being said, it was tasty and very filling.

My roommate and I split the box in half and made a meal of it. Even doing that, the calorie count for each of us was still under 300 calories.

A serving size of Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa is about a cup, cooked. This will set you back only 150 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. There are only 260 mg of sodium in a serving. And with that, you also get 3 grams of fiber, only 3 grams of sugar, and a whopping 6 grams of protein. Awesome. This product is completely gluten-free.

So, I wasn’t as blown away by it as I anticipated, but it was still really good. And, for people who are minding what they eat, or trying to add less sodium to their dishes, this is a great way to do it. Plus you get additional nutritional goodness in the process. I’d buy it again, sure…but I might toss some tofu or a sauce with it, just to liven it up a little.

But…on the whole…not a bad product at all. Quinoa is one of my favorite grains for a reason. It’s nice to change it up from rice every now and again, yes? Why not do it with the nutritional powerhouse that is quinoa. And, make it easy on yourself…let Nature’s Earthly Choice dress it up and flavor it for you. Just cook and serve. Easy…and yummy.

Nature's Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa (prepared) — Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa (prepared)

May 1, 2013

Eban Bakery baking up delicious flavors of versatile gluten-free breads

Product: Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread – $5.99+

Ah…Dayton, Ohio. I have so many things to thank you for. First and foremost…Sinfully Gluten Free. I can’t go to Dayton and not stop in there for a treat, or lunch, or dinner. It is one of my favorite things in your city.

BUT…that’s not all. I also feel the need to thank you for this little grocery store chain called Dorothy Lane Market. If you are unfamiliar with Dorothy Lane Market, you are not alone. The only reason I took note was that, while driving through Dayton for a chocolate festival, we saw a few of them along the way. My friend Jenn and I were intrigued, and as lunch was not yet being served at Sinfully Gluten Free, we thought to drop in and check it out.

Dorothy Lane Market is a grocery store that sort of specializes in hard-to-find items and products. NICE!! I mean, it has your general produce and brands, but it had a lot of things I had never seen before. Evidence by the fact that I walked out of there with quite a few gluten-free goodies that were not available in my area. So much for just checking it out, right?

One very interesting fact was that they had this amazing gluten-free aisle. And while I was perusing it, an employee came over to talk about the gluten-free items and the fact that a gluten-free tasting fair was coming up. I would have loved to come back for it, but it happened on the weekend I was going to be running in Hershey, Pennsylvania. No good. But I was totally interested in some of the products she was highlighting.

Out in the asile, there was a tray of sample gluten-free bread. The one that happened to be cut up was the Cranberry Walnut Bread from Eban Bakery. She mentioned that Dorothy Lane Market often sells products from local businesses, and they had items from Sinfully Gluten Free as well as Tina’s Sweet Treats, among others. I was overjoyed with the fresh baked items from local bakeries…and ended up picking up a few items. Nothing from Sinfully Gluten Free, as I was going to do that when I got to the bakery itself. But, some Sub Rolls from Tina’s Sweet Treats and a loaf of the bread I sampled, Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread, did make the cut.

Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread (sliced)

With that purchase made, we headed out to eat at Sinfully Gluten Free, enjoy the chocolate festival, and then drive back to Columbus, Ohio.

When it came time to leave Ohio and head back to Indiana, I packed up the cooler with all the gluten-free goodness that I bought from Dorothy Lane Market and Sinfully Gluten Free. And it came home with me. And it got cozy…in my freezer. While the sub rolls were used rather quickly, a loaf of bread sometimes takes some getting around to eating. And, sadly, this one got buried under a lot of other stuff in my freezer. It happens.

Until I cleaned it the other day and organized it. And I knew immediately what to do with this bread.

French Toast.

Oh. Hell. Yes.

But first…it had been so long since I had sampled this bread, I needed to have it on its own. Just to see what all the hype was when I snagged it from the shelf.

Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread is awesome. It is a bit dense and heavy, but a lot of gluten-free breads are. It is just something I have come to expect. However, slice it up, and the slices feel light. They are certainly filling. But the best part is the flavor. The bread is sweet, with the bits of cranberry scattered throughout. In addition, the walnuts bring a saltiness to it, as well as add something to the texture of the bread itself. It is delicious. And I knew it was going to make really amazing gluten-free French toast.

I sliced four pieces of the bread from the loaf and began to prep the egg with some vanilla and cinnamon. I even added a touch of nutmeg. I beat all of that together, then dipped the bread into the egg mixture. The great thing about this bread was that it absorbed the egg without becoming soggy and falling apart. Onto the griddle the slices of bread went to brown and crisp up like French toast should.

In the meantime, I warmed up some gluten-free real maple syrup and mixed together some cinnamon and sugar to dust over the top of the finished product. I flipped the bread over to toast the other side and before I knew it…breakfast was served. Maple syrup and cinnamon and sugar topped it all off.

I settled in with my roommate for breakfast. She was halfway through her French toast before I managed my first bite. She was raving about how yummy it was, so that was a good sign. She was right.

This bread worked fantastic as a base for French toast. Being that it was sturdier than regular sandwich bread, the egg wash didn’t make it crumble or become soggy. Instead it just absorbed it and made it toast up golden and beautiful. The flavor of the walnuts and cranberries took on a caramelized and toasted flavor which only elevated it to the next level. It was phenomenal.

On its own or dressed up, Eban Bakery really blew me away with the flavor, taste, and texture of their gluten-free bread. The Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread is definitely a welcome addition to my kitchen any day.

Eban Bakery is a gluten-free bakery based out of Ohio that specializes in breads, baked goods and sweet treats in small batches that use all natural and organic ingredients, free of gluten, preservatives, and additives. In other words…no bad stuff goes into their goods. Ever. And that is evident with how delicious and amazing their products taste. Love at first bite. When I next find myself anywhere with Eban Bakery goods, I’ll definitely purchase some more. Very impressed.

And thanks to Dorothy Lane Market…I now know of this otherwise unknown gluten-free bakery. Eban Bakery…you’ve definitely won the heart of this Indiana girl. When I next find myself in Ohio, I’m seeking out more of your products and going on a tasting frenzy. The Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread was certainly a great place to start.

French Toast made from Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread

May 1, 2013

Simply Shari makes a fabulous gluten-free Almond Shortbread Cookie

Product: Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies – $4.29+

It has become quite evident as of late that shortbread is totally in. Totally. Why? Because I have been eating a lot of it recently. Oh, nothing is better than that slight crunch, that buttery flavor, that sweetness that sort of hits on the light side of savory. Yeah…shortbread is pretty amazing.

Gluten-free shortbread can go either way. I’ve had some that have impressed, and I have had some that have fallen short of all expectations. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I picked up a bag of Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies…but it was a risk I was, apparently, willing to take. I had previously only tried one other product from Simply Shari…a frozen pizza…and I fell in love with it. I think that was where my confidence in this product came. That and the fact that I really am a cookie monster…and where there are gluten-free cookies…you will find me.

Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies are a simple blend of recognizable and common ingredients: sugar, unsalted butter, rice flour, brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, potato starch, xanthum gum, water, baking soda, and modified corn starch. Basic, key ingredients to any shortbread, yes? Even better…the products that Simply Shari’s produces are all made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. It definitely takes some of the guess work out of what you are eating…even if it is simply a cookie (or three).

Given that these are almond shortbread cookies, be assured that almonds are a prevalent and important part of the flavor and texture in this flavor of shortbread. This particular flavor has almond slivers throughout the crumbly, buttery cookies. And that…honestly…is what sets it apart from other gluten-free shortbread.

Let me first start by saying…this is, hands down, one of the better gluten-free shortbread cookies out on the market. The almond flavor really meshes well with the buttery, sweet flavor of the shortbread itself. In fact, these are so reminiscent of homemade shortbread cookies. Honestly. The sweetness is just the right amount to make it feel like a dessert. It definitely cleanses the palate. And it has that wonderful shortbread crunch, coupled with the taste and smell of almonds…it’s right at shortbread perfection.

And…even better…is that these cookies aren’t loaded down with calories and fat either. When it comes to other gluten-free treats on the market, these will definitely fit into your diet plan, for sure. There might be a little guilt, but nothing a good yoga session won’t burn off.

A serving of these cookies is 3 bite-size cookies. Yep. Three. These cookies are about the width of a quarter and stand about a half an inch tall. So, they are just the right amount of dessert at the right time. Three cookies will only set you back 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a cookie, as I said before. Additionally, you will take in only 80 mg sodium, 1 gram of protein, and a scant (for cookies) 7 grams of sugar. Loving it? I am.

I’m so very impressed with these cookies that I’m looking forward to opening my next bag of them…which just happens to be the Lemon Shortbread variety. Lemon + Shortbread…two of my most favorite dessert flavors in one? With Simply Shari’s…I bet they are beyond simply delicious.

As for Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies…delicious doesn’t even begin to cover the amazing flavor, texture, and lightness that are all pulled together in this fine product. Spectacular snacking and sweet treat potential. And I’m loving every serving of them.

May 1, 2013

A harvest of berry good flavor and texture in every bite of Udi’s Gluten-Free muffins

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

A couple of weeks ago, I was the proud recipient of a box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free, one of the first gluten-free companies to really wow me with their products. This two year journey into the gluten-free world was a struggle at first, and then…I discovered the wonder of Udi’s. First bread I liked. First cinnamon rolls I had after going gluten-free. First muffins that tasted like they were fresh out of the oven at a corner bakery. Yep…I had a deep love affair with Udi’s, which continues to this very day. I have yet to meet one of their products that I don’t love.

Case in point…

Last week, my mornings were hectic and stressful. I was pulling extra hours at the office, trying to fit in my training runs, and still make it to the gym every other day. It meant that cooking something for breakfast was near impossible. I didn’t have time for that. At all. Thankfully, this box came along at the perfect time…and with it…brought perfect breakfast bliss.

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins – $6.99+

Udi's Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffins — Udi’s Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffins

Back in January of last year, I blogged on the epic tastiness that are Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins. What I said back then still applies today. And let me tell you, I have devoured the blueberry muffins on more than one occasion. My mom tends to buy some sort of muffin from Udi’s lineup when I come home for Christmas to visit. This past holiday…blueberry. Yep. Love. Every morning was full of blueberry love. A simple warming in the microwave and it was like it was hot out of the oven. They are soft and moist, and you would never, ever guess that they were frozen or refrigerated prior to consumption. That’s how good Udi’s is with these products. That’s how much care they put into their food. It doesn’t taste manufactured. My favorite part of the blueberry muffins, aside from the sweet berries and moist cakey muffin part…is the crystal sugar that is dusted over the top. It puts a little crunch into the product, which is already flavored with lemon and vanilla. Blueberry muffin bliss…every time. These have never disappointed. And, as long as Udi’s keeps this tradition alive…they never will.

In my mind then…nothing could ever top the Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins.

Or so…I thought.

Udi's Gluten-Free Moist & Delicious Blueberry Muffin — Udi’s Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffin

Udi's Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins — Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free (NEW) Harvest Crunch Muffins – $6.99+

Enter…a new product from Udi’s Gluten-Free.

Yes…a brand new product.

What might this product be? Well…muffins for starters, duh!

But, these were nothing like what I expected.

Enter…Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins.

What in the world are Harvest Crunch Muffins? Well, I can elaborate for you.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins are everything you want a muffin to be…and then some. Not only do they pack a nutritious punch with each muffin, being that they are filled with healthy ingredients that are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals…but they are just sheer awesomeness baked in muffin form. Allow me to elaborate.

Harvest Crunch Muffins are a Udi’s take on a more savory, yet still sweet, muffin, making these ideal for any time…but I devoured mine at breakfast. And when I say devour…I mean devour. What made them so nom-worthy? Well, for one thing, they combine the sweetness of cranberries, with the salty (and texture-giving) pepitas (pumpkin seeds), along with sweet potato and quinoa flour. What emerges is this rich, sweet and savory flavor that is so satisfying to the palate, you’ll find yourself digging in for more. I hope my area gets these muffins soon (we tend to run a year behind on new products in the gluten-free market), because these were crazy-good. Stupid-good. Amazing.

And, as I mentioned a bit earlier…nutritious too.

A serving is one muffin. These come in a pack of four. And with one muffin, you are served 250 calories and 10 grams of fat. That’s really, really good when it comes to muffins. Regular muffins can sometimes be twice that for an entire muffin. I am SO impressed. In addition, you get 4 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein in each serving. LOVING it. These are also low in sodium as well. And I love that the ingredients are all real food that I recognize and don’t need to hit up a dictionary to know what it is I am consuming.

Blueberry muffins will always be one of my favorites, but I really think Udi’s outdid itself with the texture, flavor, taste, and just sheer awesome nutritiounal powerhouse with those Harvest Crunch Muffins. Look for them. Buy them. DEVOUR!! Trust me…you won’t just eat them…you honestly will devour them.

But that’s okay…

Gluten-free goodness can still be hard to come by. Thanks to Udi’s…it’s a given.

Udi's Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffin — Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffin

May 1, 2013

Bakery on Main goes Traditional and then gives a fun spin to their gluten-free oatmeal

I have to admit…when I saw the news coming out of Expo West from Bakery On Main, touting two brand new oatmeal flavors. Two very delicious brand new oatmeal flavors. In fact, the flavors just happened to be two of my most favorite treats in the world…which I usually only get if I make them, due to being gluten-free. What might these new flavors be?

Carrot Cake and Blueberry Scone.

Go ahead and read those again. Your eyes are not deceiving you.

Now, back when I was first getting used to my gluten-free diet, I was looking for something I could eat at work that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg and would be quick and easy to make…as well as eat at my desk. The answer: gluten-free oatmeal.

I tried numerous brands, but absolutely fell in love with Bakery On Main. Nothing has come close to the flavor profiles that they weave into their oatmeal. It took a lot of gluten-free oatmeal sampling…but I have become dedicated to this particular company when it comes to oatmeal. It is the best out on the market, and I will forever say that. I should know…I eat it every day for lunch.

Yep. Every. Single. Day.

It makes the anticipation leading into lunch even greater…knowing that I’ll soon have a piping hot bowl of oatmeal to eat and enjoy…and savor. Because I love to savor this oatmeal.

Well, soon after Expo West, I was sent sleeves of each flavor oatmeal they try. I have been eating, enjoying, and growing even more in love with their Strawberry Shortcake, their Apple Pie, and their Maple Multigrain Muffin (which since that post, I have eaten more and more of, and love just as much as the others. Honestly…I should do a blog redux on that flavor. It has earned my respect and the respect of my oatmeal-craving palate). Already I knew their oatmeal was epic. But…there were three flavors I had yet to try. And now…they were in my possession.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Traditional Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

The first one, actually, had been out on the market for awhile. It’s simple. It’s basic. It’s Bakery On Main’s Gluten-Free Traditional Flavor Oatmeal. It doesn’t get much more basic than that. Simple. And sometimes that can be a bad thing. But that is not the case here. In fact, this was the oatmeal I was least enthusiastic about trying. I even brought some fruit to throw into it. Guess what? It didn’t need anything to touch it up. Not in the slightest. While I have never been a fan of just plain oatmeal…I am a fan of this one. A huge fan. I actually incorporated the fruit and then was sorry that I did, because the oatmeal was much more amazing without it. Lesson learned.

This is no ordinary traditional oatmeal. This is traditional taken to the next level. The flavor was amazing. It didn’t lack any sweetness. And the texture…as with the other flavors I have been eating for…over a year now…fantastic. Just amazing. Warm. Rich. Filling. This, once again, proves how amazing Bakery On Main is when it comes to their products. They ensure the quality and flavor of their products. And that means they work hard to achieve flavor perfection. This…is perfection.

Nutritionally speaking, the Traditional Flavor Oatmeal from Bakery on Main is 200 calories per serving and 4 grams of fat. Not too shabby. And just right for a light lunch. Trust me. But the amazing nutritional worth doesn’t stop there. Nope. Let me continue. You see, Bakery on Main has achieved oatmeal perfection with their tried-and-true blend of certified gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flax meal, quinoa, and amaranth. What this does is boost that nutrition profile a little, giving each serving of this oatmeal 8 grams of protein per bowl and 6 grams of fiber. This flavor has no sodium, no cholesterol, no trans-fat, and is sugar-free as well. LOVING that.

Oh…did I mention that it is amazing? Even if you don’t think you like plain oats…you’ll love this one. If I did…I can guarantee that you will too. Trust me, leave the fruit at home. You won’t need it and you’ll only ruin perfection.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

The newest flavors were what I was looking at trying first. And the first one selected:

Carrot Cake.

Yep. Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Oatmeal. Sounds like dessert for breakfast, yes? Oh…trust me…it is so much more. I am a huge lover of carrot cake. Honestly. It doesn’t get much better than a delicious slice of carrot cake. In fact, I’ve created quite a few carrot cake flavored things (pancakes, scones, etc.) just because I love the taste of carrot cake so very much. It’s one of my guilty pleasures. And I am unashamed.

That being said, when I set about preparing this oatmeal just as I have all the rest of Bakery On Main’s oatmeal. I poured out the contents of the packet, which, as always is a base of certified gluten free oats, amaranth, chia seeds, flax meal, and quinoa, making even a dessert-y oatmeal a great source of whole grains. Love it. I added 2/3 cup of water and tossed it into the microwave for 90 seconds. While it was cooking…oh my gluten-free god…it smelled fantastic. I might have drooled more than a little. When it was done cooking, I gave it a stir…and went to take my first bite.

Yep. Dessert for breakfast (or in my case lunch, but really…it’s carrot cake…it’s good anytime!). No doubt about it.

In fact, as I was eating it, my roommate stopped by my desk and asked what smelled so good. I let her have a taste. She’s not a fan of oatmeal at all and she can take or leave (but mostly leave) carrot cake…but she was blown away by this one. Now that’s saying something. I didn’t have any nutrition information on these, but I’m guessing that the calories fall around where the other flavors do, about 200 per sleeve of oatmeal. Remember…these are brand new to the market…as in they hit shelves just recently. But, what I do know from Bakery On Main’s Web site is that this particular flavor was adapted from an actual carrot cake recipe. No wonder it tastes so good. If you like a little bit of dessert in your life without a lot of calories, fat and sugar…give Bakery On Main’s Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Instant Oatmeal a try.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Blueberry Scone Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

Lastly, but certainly not least is the other brand new flavor from Bakery On Main in their instant oatmeal lineup.

Blueberry Scone.

Mmmm…scones. We all know that I bake plenty of scones pretty much every week. They are portable, delicious, and guaranteed to be gluten-free when I make them. Among my favorites…blueberry. So, when an oatmeal is given the flavor of one of my favorite breakfast treats, you better believe that I’m anticipating each and every spoonful.

I first fell in love with scones when I visited Europe back in 2003. Every time I’ve gone back, I’ve devoured one or more somewhere…normally at a local café for an on-the-fly snack. But, then I had to go gluten-free…and now scones have to be made by me if I’m going to eat them at all. No problem. But…here…Bakery On Main takes this classic coffee house treat and turns it into a bowl of oatmeal. Not only are pieces of real blueberries incorporated into the mix, but the normal blend of certified gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flax meal, amaranth and quinoa…all providing the perfect nutritional balance to this sweet oatmeal treat.

Let me tell you…not only does this oatmeal smell fantastic as it warmed and cooked in the microwave, it tasted beyond fantastic as well. Just like a blueberry scone. A soft, mushy scone…like the dough before it bakes, warmed through. Yep…nailed it, Bakery on Main. This one totally took me by surprise. I am a huge fan. LOVING each and every spoonful.

Again, this is a brand new flavor and currently there is no nutrition information up on the Web site…but again I anticipate it to fall around 200 calories per serving, with low fat, low sodium, and high in protein with a good dose of your daily fiber. Nutrition while feasting on something that tastes like a treat. It doesn’t get much better than that. YUM!

Total oatmeal love going out to Bakery On Main once again. They won me over with their first three flavors, and they totally went above and beyond all expectations with the release of their new flavors. From Traditonal to Carrot Cake to Blueberry Scone…Bakery On Main is totally making over oatmeal for the better. And all of this gluten-free goodness is hitting shelves in your area…soon. If it hasn’t already. Go seek. Go find. Go enjoy. These flavors are totally worth it.

Satisfy your cravings for a coffee house scone with a savory bowl of Bakery On Main’s Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal. This breakfast treat won’t let you down with pieces of real blueberries, chia seeds and our favorite ancient grains, Amaranth and Quinoa.

May 1, 2013

Sophie’s Kitchen impresses with gluten-free Breaded Vegan Shrimp

Product: Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp – $5.99+

Sophie’s Kitchen is bringing seafood back into my life…without actually being seafood. What’s even better…these items are things I used to enjoy back when I was a meat/poultry/seafood eater. Nothing could make me happier. Finding a gluten-free and vegan substitute for many proteins is difficult at times. However, thanks to the product line-up from Sophie’s Kitchen…I won’t need to worry about that any longer.

A month or so ago, I gave Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets a try. And while they tasted nothing like fish…and the texture wasn’t quite right…they weren’t bad. Not at all. They were actually quite tasty and gave me a reason to make a homemade tartar sauce for my roommate and I to enjoy with them. It was a nice introduction to the products that Sophie’s Kitchen offers. While not exactly like how I remembered fish fillets, these were decent enough.

So, while out at the grocery store a few weeks ago, I spotted the Breaded Vegan Shrimp in the freezer section. With the veggies from my CSA bin, I had it in my head that I could totally throw together some gluten-free and vegan shrimp po boys for dinner one night. My roommate was all for that, so we went ahead and purchased a box of the Breaded Vegan Shrimp and took it home. I picked up some Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls to hold the po boys, and then just had to decide on when to make them.

Work had been crazy…and my training schedule for running has taken up a lot more time since my mileage increase as I train for my first marathon. But a week ago, I made up a small snack to tide us over while I worked on putting my shrimp po boys together.

Sophie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp (baked) — Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp (baked)

Sophie’s Kitchen really outdid themselves on the Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Honestly. They were really easy to cook. Thank goodness. Just let them thaw in the fridge (I didn’t do this, but managed to break them apart so they could cook properly in the end) and put them into the oven to cook as directed. While they were in the oven, I went ahead and began slicing up my vegetables, which included romaine lettuce, carrots, green peppers and shallots. I topped them off with sliced of avocado for my own personal touch. And…I just honestly love avocado. I mixed up some vegan sriracha mayonnaise to apply to the toasted sandwich buns and had that all ready just as the shrimp was finishing up in the oven.

When they emerged, the breading had turned a beautiful golden color and looked like fried shrimp would normally look. Already, I was impressed. I just hoped that it would taste as good as it smelled and looked. So, I got to work assembling the po boys…giving the bread a schmear of the vegan sriracha mayonnaise, then topping that with the lettuce, The shrimp were next, followed by the rest of the vegetables. The avocado topped it off and then I dabbed a bit more of the mayonnaise on top. Dinner…was served.

And, boy, was I ever blown away when I settled in to feast on my stuffed sandwich. The shrimp are packed full of amazing flavor. With all the different components on the sandwich, it was what really stood out. Rightfully so, as it was the protein. But the texture was fantastic. But it was the flavor of the breading and the shrimp itself that really impressed. I was blown away and kept eating and eating and just enjoying every single bite…until I reached the end of my sandwich and had to lick my fingers clean. Just sensational. Sophie’s Kitchen really nailed it on the head with these Breaded Vegan Shrimp. They are, so far, my favorite item off their product list. And while I was on the fence with the fish fillets, I am standing up and shouting my love for this product. Amazing. Delicious. Outstanding. YUM!

For those of you who do pay attention to nutrition facts, as I do, then you’ll want to take note. Each box contains 2.5 servings, which is about 7 pieces of shrimp per person. My roommate and I just split the entire box. We have no shame. In a single serving of these Breaded Vegan Shrimp, you will consume 240 calories and 11 grams of fat. These shrimpy delights are cholesterol free and low in sodium (only 270 mg). Even better, you get 4 grams of protein in each serving as well. Gotta love that.

I can’t stop singing the praises of Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Amazing. Super delicious. And next time, I may just eat them on their own. But, the po boy was super delicious and I would make and consume that with as much vigor as I did initially. Super yum. Thank you, Sophie’s Kitchen, for bringing seafood back to this gluten-free vegetarian. I. LOVE. YOU.

Gluten-Free Vegan Shrimp Po Boy made with Sohpie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp — Gluten-Free Vegan Shrimp Po Boy made with Sohpie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp