Products – Page 64 – The Celiathlete

October 18, 2012

Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas look a mess, but taste amazing

Product: Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas – $3.29+

This is definitely one of those cases where looks can be deceiving. For real.

It was the evening of my Fun Run over in Louisville, which meant that I had to book it home from work, eat something, change, and get over to the running store that hosts the run before everyone took off without me. The run usually begins around 6:10 p.m. And that day at work, a meeting I was in ran over and it was closer to 5 p.m. when I walked in the door of my apartment.

That’s when Tasty Bite meals come in handy. I was already planning on eating one, as they are super fast, super simple, and super yummy. The previous evening, I steamed up some jasmine rice to act as a base. All I had to do was reheat that, then heat up the Tasty Bite entree of my choice. The one that was in the pantry was the Chunky Chickpeas.

The packaging of this particular entree shows golden chickpeas that have been bathed in aromatic spices. They looked super delicious. So, after giving the rice a quick warm and dividing it into two bowls (one for me; one for my roommate), I followed package instructions and tore about a 2 inch slit into the little envelope, stood it up in my microwave, and ran it for 90 seconds.

Yes…these meals only take 90 seconds to heat and then enjoy! Gotta love that.

When the pouch was done warming, I pulled it out of the microwave, opened it further and began to pour the contents over the first bed of rice. What came out was a grey, chunky mess. Seriously. It didn’t look appetizing at all. What happened to my golden chickpeas? These looked like chickpeas that had a round of mud wrestling and lost…badly. I emptied the other half into the other bowl and almost turned up my nose.

Granted, the aroma that wafted from the meal itself was fantastic. But the grey color was a little off-putting. I checked the packaging again…yep…golden. So what was this? Ah well. I didn’t have time to come up with reasons in my head. I had a run to get to, and before that…a meal to consume.

“This doesn’t look very appetizing,” I said to my roommate as I carried out her bowl and handed it to her. “But maybe it tastes better than it looks.”

She gazed down into the bowl. “Ewww.”

I went to retrieve the other bowl, gave it a big stir to mix the rice in more, and found that it made the entree look better. As I was walking back out to the couch, my roommate was in the process of devouring the entree. This…was a good sign.

And as I dug in, I knew for certain that the reason for her hasty bites wasn’t because we were running late to my run. Nope. It was because this entree tasted absolutely amazing. The chickpeas warmed and softened to perfection. And the spices. Oh. My. God. The spices were pure Indian through and through. The Chunky Chickpeas entree is actually chickpeas that are added to water, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, coriander, salt, cumin and other spices that really turn up the notch of flavor. These don’t have a lot of extra sauce or juice on them, so they do make a good topping for a salad, or in a tortilla or something. But, I enjoyed them over my rice…despite kind of resembling wet dog food.

Honestly…looks are deceiving. What every bite of the Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas did was deliver a spoonful of layered flavors. This meal isn’t spicy at all, but it doesn’t have to be. The spices that the chickpeas are marinaded in are the stand-out of this meal. Honestly, look past the appearance and put your faith in your taste buds. What you’ll discover is one tasty bite (see what I did there?) after another.

And the nutrition on these is fantastic. A serving is half of the pouch (4 ounces), which only sets you back 210 calories and 7 grams of fat. The sodium content on these is fantastically low. And this particular entree packs a 9 gram protein punch with each serving. Gotta love that. And I did…and still do. The Chunky Chickpeas entree is also vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.

Indian food that is easy to prepare, easy on the stomach, and easily delicious is available…and it’s available at local grocery stores. Just look for Tasty Bite. And yes…even despite the appearance, I totally recommend the Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas entree. Because underneath all that grey is one flavor-packed entree that is worth raving about and getting others to try.

Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas with jasmine rice

October 18, 2012

Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers the true master of the gluten-free domain

Product: Crunchmaster Gluten-Free Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers – $3.79+

I admit it. I was a huge skeptic of this flavor of Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers. I mean, let’s face it…when it comes to choosing between the Original, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Roasted Garlic, and Toasted Onion…the last one I would reach for would be Toasted Onion. Honestly.

That being said, I love the original, didn’t care for the Rosemary & Olive Oil, and I have yet to find the Roasted Garlic in a local store so I can try it. That left the Toasted Onion.

And, as these things go…I was watching the expiration dates on my pantry goodies and eating them as they came up. And it was time for the Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers from Crunchmaster to come to work with me as my afternoon snack. I was skeptical.

So, when my 3:00 p.m. munchies struck, I hesitantly opened up my little container with a serving of the crackers inside popped one into my mouth.

HELLO FLAVOR!

It took me a moment to put my finger on it, but the taste reminded me of something I used to eat as a kid. And then it hit me…Funyuns. Seriously. Aside from the awesome flavor, and the reminiscent childhood snack memories, these were outstanding. No need for cheese, dip, salsa, or anything to dress it up. Nope. These pack enough flavor, enough crunch, enough of everything to dominate snack time on their own. No condiment or topping needed.

Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers are dusted with a Hawaiian style onion seasoning, giving this variety of cracker a hint of sweetness to it. Ingredients are simple: Rice Flour, Sesame Seeds, Potato Starch, Quinoa Seeds, Safflower Oil, Toasted Onion Seasoning, Flax Seeds, Amaranth Seeds, and Tamari Soy Sauce Powder. Recognize those ingredients? I sure do. And that is so comforting when it comes to purchasing something that is processed. Knowing what is in your food is half the battle, for sure!

In addition to the all natural ingredients, Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers are 100% whole grain, low in saturated fat, certified gluten-free, cholesterol free, and contain no trans fat. A serving (30 grams) will set you back a scant 140 calories and 5 grams of fat. You will benefit from the 3 grams of protein and the low sodium in these crackers as well. They are…fantastic.

If you are looking for a delicious cracker for an event, a snack, or to be included with part of a meal, Crunchmaster is the way to go. Tired of plain crackers, then you have to try the Toasted Onion variety. Honestly, these are my favorite of the Multi-Seed varieties on the market. It doesn’t get much better than these in flavor, crunch, texture, and all-around awesomeness!

Congratulations, Crunchmaster!! You’ve done it again!

October 17, 2012

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets win with this pretzel lover

Product: AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets – $5.00

So…I was raised in New York. And if there is one thing New Yorkers love (aside from bagels) it’s soft pretzels. I indulged in them all the time growing up. And then this wonderful nirvana called Auntie Anne’s Pretzels began turning up at every mall on the planet…and my life was complete. I remember making an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel my dinner every night I worked at the CD store at the mall. True story.

And then…the gluten-free thing hit. And suddenly, pretzels, the snack variety and the soft variety fell off my radar. And yes…I was sad. One of my most favorite treats to eat and there was nothing for me.

Okay…so I found an overpriced box of gluten-free soft pretzels in the freezer section of my local natural food store. But, there were only 4 pretzels in it and the price really was outrageous. So, as tempted as I was to cave in and purchase that, the insane price tag kept me from actually doing it. But the crave was there.

Then, last year, I attended the Celiac Awareness Tour when it rolled into Indianapolis. One of the vendors there was AllerEnergy. I had never heard of AllerEngery before, but I was lured to their booth by the smell and sight of gluten-free soft pretzels.

A little bit about AllerEnergy first. This company provides a variety of products that contain carbs and protein for an energy boost that lasts, as well as providing minerals and vitamins that promote good health and well-being. I was told that AllerEnergy is perfect for athletes with food allergies (hey…it’s like they knew all about me!). Their products are constructed of the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to provide food allergic people with high-impact nourishment. The company worked with an industry leading food science organization and began to produce products that were composed of food allergy safe ingredients that would help sustain energy. They provide a full supply of carbohydrates without using any wheat, oats, or other grain specific allergens. These carbs basically are the result of a combination of rice, millet, quinoa, and flax seed.

All that being said…here I was standing in front of the table at the expo and wondering if I was really being handed a warm, gluten-free piece of a soft pretzel. I wasn’t dreaming. It happened. One bite…and I was sold. The texture was perfect. Very soft and chewy. Not dense at all. I needed these in my life. The booth was selling the full pretzels or the pretzel nuggets. I opted for the bite-size pretzel nuggets and that’s what I left the expo with.

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (sprayed with water and dusted with the salt that was included)

Upon arriving home, I stuck them in the freezer as indicated…and then never got around to actually making them. So sad. Maybe I just wanted to savor them. But, I got over that this weekend. I needed something easy for lunch for my roommate and I, so upon inspection of the pantry and the fridge and freezer, I finally pulled these out. I was almost sad to actually be cooking them up…but excited too. I was already anticipating the taste of them again once I scattered them on a cookie sheet, gave them a spray of water and dusted them with some salt.

Into the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. And what emerged was my heaven. Seriously. I had never been so eager to sit down to my lunch. I divvied the pretzel nuggets out between my roommate and I and settled in on the couch. I lifted one nugget and took a bite. I instantly flashed back to why I loved soft pretzels so much…and why I went home with these. They are that perfect density for a soft pretzel. Browned on the outside, and soft on the inside. The salt gave it the extra kick to keep it from being bland. I was just so excited to be eating these, but also wanting to savor each bite. It was not an easy culinary line to tread.

If you are at an expo or know of a place that carries products by AllerEnergy…get the pretzels. Trust me. The full-size or the nuggets. Either one. Why? Because they are so amazing. If you didn’t tell someone they were gluten-free…they wouldn’t know. Honestly.

As for the nutritional value of these…they are actually rather healthy. The entire bag of pretzel nuggets would set you back 495 calories and 5 grams of fat, while providing you with 5 grams of protein. Trust me…these were fantastic. My roommate and I just couldn’t get enough of them. And then, sadly…they were gone.

Now…I need to find them again and buy more. You can purchase AllerEnergy products on their Web site, but I don’t see the Soft Pretzel Nuggets as one of the options…yet.

If you have food allergies and have been craving a soft pretzel…devour one from AllerEnergy. You won’t even know it’s gluten-free…and good for you.

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (baked and ready to devour...er...I mean eat) — AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (baked and ready to devour…er…I mean eat)

October 16, 2012

thinkThin Chocolate Fudge a protein-packed rich chocolate treat

Product: thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar – $1.99+

I’m a vegetarian and gluten-free athlete. This means I run. I run often. I run hard. I run far. And this means that despite my diet, sometimes meeting specific diet requirements, like the right amount of protein, can be a challenge.

Well, be that as it may, thankfully there are options out there. One such option are the protein bars offered by thinkThin.

This past weekend, I went on my final training run before the Hershey Half Marathon, which I am running on Sunday. That means I needed to clock 10 miles. And I did it…in record time. However, running long often depletes the body of important nutrients. For me, replenishing my protein stores is of highest importance. Chocolate milk is ideal, but I’m also lactose intolerant, and the chocolate soy/almond/rice/coconut milk options don’t have enough protein per serving to help with muscle repair.

So, after my run, I drank down one of my vegan chocolate protein shakes and then tore into one of the thinkThin bars I had in my drawer of fuel for before/after my runs. On that particular Saturday…it was the thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar.

thinkThin describes this particular protein bar as a smooth, rich, classic fudge flavor. Well, after tearing into the bar and taking a bite, it definitely is rich and smooth. The classic fudge flavor, however, might be a little bit of an exaggeration. Let’s face it…protein shakes and protein bars have that strange protein-ish flavor to them. And even this bar, as decadent as it is, tastes like protein.

But…this is a protein bar…so of course it’s going to have that bit of an aftertaste. With all that being said, what the bar is is a creamy, chocolatey, rich middle coated in (my personal favorite part) chocolate. Mmmm…chocolate. I am a chocoholic and this…this bar was truly satisfying in that aspect. Overlook the aftertaste and what you have is a chocolate bar with nutritional value. It’s like candy…but good for your body (and soul, let’s face it!).

The thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar is packed with 20 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar. You know what? That’s my favorite part of the thinkThin bars. Lots of protein…no sugar. I love it. I am a sugar addict and as an athlete, I try to cut out as much of it as possible…but I love ice cream and chocolate too much sometimes. So this is a nice change of pace when it comes to a protein bar. This particular bar will set you back 240 calories and 8 grams of fat. These bars are naturally gluten-free and with it’s lack of sugar…pretty much guilt-free too.

The important thing to remember here is that this is a meal replacement bar. I ate mine for breakfast post-run. And it did the job just fine. I was satisfied and full until my lunch that afternoon. So, the flavor is a bit…off. You know what? I can deal with the strange aftertaste. The creamy, rich texture was reminiscent of fudge and the chocolate coating helped provide that illusion. Would I buy this one again? Sure. But only after I exhaust the peanut butter varieties.

If you are an athlete, a diabetic, gluten-free, or just looking for a meal supplement bar, thinkThin is one of my favorite varieties to go with. They are packed with flavor, good with texture, and don’t bulk up their products with added sugar. Gotta love that. Go ahead…indulge. It’s not every day chocolate fudge comes with such benefits to the body!

thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar (unwrapped)

October 9, 2012

Wildly enthusiastic over Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Product: Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus – $3.49+

Mmmmm…one of life’s greatest treats is the healthy, delicious, creamy treat of really good hummus. Honestly. What’s better to top off a cracker or dip fresh vegetables in? It’s a far healthier choice than fat-laden creamy dips. And what’s even better is when you find one that really has a great flavor to it and a creamy texture to match.

That’s what Wild Garden does best when it comes to their hummus. While I’ve often had the Traditional variety (in those handy Go Picnic meals), this was the first time I’ve ever had the Sun-Dried Tomato variety of hummus. Needless to say…I wasn’t disappointed at all.

The Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus has an orange-red hue to it…not the standard tan that you normally associate with hummus. Its ingredients are all-natural with no preservatives and no trans-fats. The varieties (they have six of them) are all vegan and gluten-free. This particular variety is made simply with a blend of chickpeas, sesame paste, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, sea salt, natural spices, and citric acid. Anything on there you don’t recognize? I know what each and every one of those ingredients are. Love that.

The Sun-Dried Tomato hummus has a nice, rich tomato flavor to it. It doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a hummus, but the change in the flavor is a welcome one.

A tetra deli pack of Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

I actually used a pack of the Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato as a base for my gluten-free pizza tonight. With the other flavors I was adding, I felt it would work better than a tomato sauce. While I could have done a white pizza, I totally thought hummus would provide not only a good base for the ingredients, but also a nice protein hit.

I absolutely love how it worked with my caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, slices of tomato, and goat cheese. The flavors just blended perfectly together. That was another great thing about Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus – it didn’t detract from the other parts of the pizza. It complimented without overpowering. And that…is a great thing.

This dip is crazy-good. Very creamy and rich. And Wild Garden makes this specific flavor in little on-the-go pouches that means you can take them with you anywhere. I happened to pick up a box of these while out at my natural food store awhile back and I’m finally finding some ways to use them. Of course…my gluten-free crackers and veggies are always available as well.

I’m quite happy with Wild Garden and the products that it puts out. Their hummus is killer. Seriously. I could eat it all and not feel bad about it. The little on-the-go pouches have only 63 calories and 3 grams of fat. The best part…the whopping 6 grams of protein that each pouch provides. As an athlete who is a vegetarian…protein is very, very important to my diet and I seek out ways to get the amount I need. This is a fantastic, not to mention, tasty option!

If you love hummus, I encourage you to try the varieties offered by Wild Garden. Check your local grocery store or natural foods store. Even my non-hummus-loving roommate can’t get enough. I’d definitely call that a win!

My take on a Mediterranean Pizza (using Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus as a base)

October 9, 2012

Schär doesn’t come up short with Shortbread Cookies

Product: Schär Shortbread Cookies – $4.99+

Yes. The Cookie Monster is back and in full swing. This shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. After all…we all know that I love my cookies.

And it just so happens that one of my go-to gluten-free companies makes some killer gluten-free cookies. But I didn’t know this until yesterday.

The cookies were actually a giveaway at the Gluten-Free Expo I attended back in Birmingham, Alabama. They have been in my pantry just anticipating the day I would get to them. Finally, after much pantry sifting and working through products that expired first…the evening arrived last night. And Schär Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies were my dessert.

These cookies are little golden biscuits of shortbread. But these aren’t typical shortbread. Schär makes gluten-free products, so these shortbread cookies contain no ingredients that have wheat, lactose, or gluten in them. These are made with corn flour, giving them a sweeter taste to them. But it doesn’t stop there, these are also sweetened more with a kiss of honey and sugar.

The result? A delicious golden biscuit that has a slight crunch when you bite into it, but keeps that buttery-rich texture as you chew. They aren’t your typical shortbread cookies, but…trust me…these are amazing and delicious. I could see how they would be fantastic crushed up to use as a crust or as a topping for an apple crisp or the like. They are that smooth, buttery, golden flavor that you remember shortbread as tasting, but these cookies aren’t rock hard and they are just as good on their own…or dipped in melted chocolate. And my favorite part is the lingering taste of vanilla after each bite.

Of note here…while these do have that buttery texture to them, these cookies contain no butter at all. Now that’s a true test for a shortbread cookie, yes? I love the crispiness and richness in each bite. And one serving is 4 cookies. FOUR COOKIES!! YES! And that will only set you back 130 calories. A serving of these cookies has only 5 grams of fat and, get this, only 5 grams of sugar. That’s amazing for a cookie. But with shortbread, you want the sweetness to come from the honey and vanilla…and that’s what you get here.

If you are gluten-free and looking for a different sort of cookie than the run-of-the-mill sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and such that are offered in the grocery stores…seek out Schär Shortbread Cookies. Take a bite out of golden sunshine.

Schär…once again you have impressed me. You definitely live up to your golden reputation for delicious gluten-free foods.

October 9, 2012

Rolling out the spice with Guy Fieri’s 7 Pepper Salsa

Product: Guy Fieri 7 Pepper Salsa – $5.99+

When the jar says, “Burn Baby Burn” on it…I’m expecting this salsa to pack some heat. Heat and spice. That’s what I love about a good salsa. And with one by television chef Guy Fieri, I figured this one would be “off the chain” as he would say.

And…for the most part…it was.

Guy Fieri’s 7 Pepper Salsa is a blend of seven different peppers ranging in level of heat. These include red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, guajillo chile peppers, habenero peppers, chile de arbol peppers, chilaca peppers, and black pepper. Add to that the cooling and mild flavors of tomatoes, onions, lime, garlic, cilantro, and some seasoning, and what you have…is a jar of 7 Pepper Salsa.

Please note…a few of the peppers used are sweet…not spicy. Too much spice is not nice. You want heat, not burn. I don’t know about you, but despite being a spicy food lover, I still want to be able to taste the food. I want more than the spices on my palate. Everything has to mix and blend. No sense burning off my tastebuds with the first bite. How can I enjoy food then?

So…here is the run down on Guy Fieri’s 7 Pepper Salsa:

Is it spicy? Yeah. A little. I think Guy is definitely trying to cater to your average Joe Schmoe here as far as the promised heat. It seems rather tame. No burning going on. No disco inferno in my mouth. A little mild heat is what I got. No breathing fire. None of that madness. Needless to say…I was a bit disappointed by the heat level or lack thereof.

In the lineup of Guy’s salsas, this one is supposed to be the hottest. But I feel that Guy played it safe here with the heat level. So, if you heat freaks out there are looking for something to set your mouth aflame…look elsewhere. This is not the salsa for you. It has the potential to be so much hotter without being stupid hot…but this falls just short of that. Sadly enough.

As for the rest of it…the salsa itself is thick and chunky. I like that in a salsa. I don’t want something that is runny and will fall off the tortilla chip or dribble out of my taco. The various chunks are definitely full of the fragmented chile peppers. Don’t let the inclusion of habanero peppers scare you away. This didn’t singe, scorch, or burn the roof off my mouth. There was no real level of heat that made me rush to grab something to tame it. Nope. This was more of a medium heat variety to me. The flavor is amazing…rich, chunky, and packed with that meaty salsa flavor and texture that I want. But the heat fizzled in the end.

So, while the spice level was a bit of a let-down, let me say this…for a salsa, this is exactly the texture I would be looking for. I don’t mind a milder spice when it comes to these thicker salsas. And I give props to Food Network pawn, Guy Fieri, for bringing his love of spice, salsa, and sauces to the general public. I would totally buy this again. It made a great topper for my Gluten-Free and Vegan Tostada pizza tonight. And now I’m ready to try it out with some tortilla chips as well.

If it’s heat you seek…the burn promised with this salsa will not satisfy you. But if you are searching for a medium-spice, chunky salsa with huge flavor…this will definitely satisfy.

Guy Fieri 7 Pepper Salsa atop a gluten-free & vegan Tostada Pizza

October 9, 2012

Wild about Wild Garden Traditional Hummus

Product: Wild Garden Traditional Hummus – $3.49+

This is one of the best inventions I have ever come across when it comes to simple, on-the-go food stuffs. Hummus-To-Go squeeze packs from Wild Garden. I spotted these at my local natural food store on a shelf and knew I had to try them. So, I bought them. And, then despite the plethora of gluten-free crackers in my pantry and closet…they have just sat there.

Rest assured though…I know this is a good product. You know those amazing Go Picnic meals? Well, the hummus and cracker variety of Go Picnic includes a Hummus-To-Go pack by Wild Garden. And I devour my Go Picnic meals on a regular basis as I am usually on the go and this is far cheaper and less of a hassle for me to eat on the road than trying to find somewhere that can cater to my dietary needs.

So, while I have used the Wild Garden Hummus packs before…this was the first time I have used it in a way that is not the traditional way to eat hummus.

You see…I have gluten-free pizza crusts. Are you following me yet? Well…these gluten-free pizza crusts were sitting in my pantry and nearing their expiration date. So, tonight after a morning of hard cardio at the gym, a day at the office, and then an evening 5 mile run, I was starving. I also had received a beautiful pizza stone for my birthday last month from my dearest friend Judi, and I was ready to test it out. So, after sprinkling it with some corn meal and setting it in the oven to heat up…I got busy on the pizza.

Not just any pizza though. A take on my mom’s famous Tostada Pizza that I grew up eating. Of course, in the years that have passed since I lived at home, I have not only become a vegetarian, but I also had to begin eating gluten-free. So…this meant a few changes had to be made to the original recipe. Instead of ground meat and taco seasoning, I opted for Trader Joe’s vegan and gluten-free soy chorizo. This eliminated the meat portion of the dish and I didn’t need to invest in taco seasoning either. The other change I made was that instead of refried beans (not all are gluten-free!), I used Wild Garden Traditional Hummus instead. The rest of the recipe remained the same as how my mom made it.

So…while the pizza stone heated and seasoned in the oven, I took a gluten-free pizza crust (Rustic Crust, if you are curious) and spread one packet of the Wild Garden Traditional Hummus across the top of it. Then, I topped it with some of the Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo and some green chilies. Once the stone was warm, the pizza crust was place don top of it and cooked for about 8 minutes. The edges were turning a beautiful golden color when I removed it. The next thing I did was add some chopped onion, some tomato, and my vegan cheddar shreds to the top. The stone went back into the oven for 2 minutes. Once more out of the oven to finish it off with some organic spring mix lettuce that I chopped up. One more minute in the oven and…viola! A fantastic Tostada Pizza…vegan and gluten-free style!

Of course…the entire point of this blog was not to give a recipe, but share my thoughts on the Wild Garden Traditional Hummus. Well…what can I say? It worked beautifully in place of the refried beans. Honestly. It was the right creamy texture…but definitely a lot healthier and a lot tastier, in my opinion. It served as the perfect base for the pizza (the sauce, if you will). Paired with the rest of the ingredients, it all just meshed really well. I was quite pleased with it as I wasn’t sure how baking it on a pizza crust was going to work out.

A tetra deli pack of Wild Garden Traditional Hummus

Wild Garden Traditional Hummus is simply made from chickpeas, sesame paste, water, sea salt, natural spices, and citric acid. It is naturally gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and low carb. This brand of hummus has no GMO’s, no preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, and no trans fatty acids. In addition, they are shelf-stable until opened and so good for you. Rich and creamy with a mild flavor, these hummus varieties won’t take away from the food you are pairing with them.

I found the texture and taste to be preferable to the refried beans in the original recipe. It paired well with the spicy hit from the soy chorizo and green chilies. And the vegetables were a shoe-in for paring with hummus. Not only are Wild Garden Hummus varieties great for dipping foods or topping off crackers…but it looks like they make a fantastic base for a pizza as well.

If you are wild about hummus and want to taste one that is packed with flavor and loaded without all the preservatives and additives, Wild Garden Hummus is for you. I found the Traditional to be a fantastic, mild, creamy flavor that left me feeling satisfied and raving over the taste. Wild Garden offers six flavors of their hummus, although not are all available in the to-go packs.

Whether eating at home, needing a snack, or on-the-go…pack some Wild Garden Traditional Hummus. Pack in the protein, the nutrients, and the goodness of hummus done right.

And eat it in whatever way you can dream up…imagine…or crave.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Tostada Pizza (using Wild Garden Traditional Hummus as a base)

October 8, 2012

Bob’s Red Mill bakes up too-good-to-share Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Product: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix – $5.79+

I have a confession to make.

Originally, I didn’t pull out the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix for me. Nope. You see, I have an amazing podiatrist who has gotten me back on my feet and running better than I did prior to the injury that put me on crutches for three weeks. And after setting two new PR (that’s personal records for the non-running lingo peeps) in my last two races, I wanted to bake them something as a thank you. I have quite a few of these Bob’s Red Mill Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix bags in my pantry (thank you Big Lots!), so I thought…why not?

Prep work was easy because I do my bread baking in a bread machine. Yes…this takes awhile, but it takes all the ‘let it rise after kneading it’ hassle out of the equation. Following the simple instructions on the bag, I simply took room temperature water, two eggs, and 1/4 cup of canola oil and placed it into the pan of my bread maker. Then…the mix was added. Finally, the yeast packet that came with the bread mix was added. Now, my bread maker is not specifically designed for gluten-free bread making, but it is a dedicated gluten-free bread maker. So…I set it for the basic setting on a medium crust, hit start and let it run for the 3 hours it takes.

And at first, I was less than excited about the little glob of dough that was being worked by the machine. In fact, I let it run while I settled in on the couch and watched “Thunderball” (the James Bond film…mmm…Sean Connery!). I even wandered into the kitchen to air pop some popcorn at some point and was still set on just baking this up for my podiatrist and his staff.

But then, the baking part kicked in around the end of the movie. Suddenly, my entire apartment smelled like fresh-baked cinnamon raisin bread. It was making my mouth water. And despite having just snacked on popcorn…there was nothing more that I was craving than taking a slice of that and trying it. After the movie, I only had a few more minutes left on the bake cycle, and the aroma was making both myself and my roommate really want to dive into the bread. We were going to try it regardless…just a slice split between us. Then I was going to cut it up and package it up for my podiatrist with a couple of icing options.

But after the bread machine beeped to alert me that the cycle was done and my bread was ready, I eagerly took the pan out of the machine, overturned it to let the bread easily slide out onto my cooling rack, and then…let it sit and cool. That only lasted 10 minutes. I had to try it. Onto the cutting board it went.

It was still probably too early to slice into it…but I needed to try it. It smelled so fantastic. So, my bread knife glided through the still fresh bread loaf and sliced off the end piece. I saw the rise of fresh steam as the slice fell away and I let it sit for a moment to cool. But that was just long enough for me to snap a picture. Then…out came the margarine. I sliced the one slice of bread in half and gave a little spread of the Smart Balance spread over each slice. I handed one to my roommate and I took the other.

One bite…and the first words out of my mouth were…

“I don’t want to share this! I want to keep this here for us!”

She totally agreed.

Good. We were on the same page.

So, aside from making my entire apartment smell like a bakery (and a delicious, gluten-free bakery at that), how was the bread?

Well, the loaf is not going anywhere if that indicates anything. Most gluten-free breads (even those made from mixes), have the tendency to be very heavy and very dense. Not Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Nope. This was light and soft. The inside was moist without being heavy. And the Smart Balance spread that I spread across the sliced part melted right into the bread like a cinnamon-raisin sponge of awesomeness™ just begging to be devoured in seconds. I savored it as much as I could, but the half of a slice that I had was disappearing quickly. The crust on this bread baked to a perfect golden brown and has this amazing flakiness to it. The inside is moist and soft. And the raisins aren’t just an afterthought. Raisins explode from every bite of this bread. They aren’t just randomly scattered. There are plenty to go around and plenty to fill up the bread. No need to even add extra. In addition, the cinnamon flavor is there without overpowering and taking away from the bread. It adds a sweetness to the bread that really compliments the raisins.

So, apologies to my podiatrist’s office, but this bread is staying here with me. In fact, it’s my post-workout snack this morning after hitting up the gym. I’m taking some of my vegan vanilla cream cheese icing in because I think this bread could easily make me no longer miss cinnamon rolls if I dress it up like one. I can’t wait to give this bread a little warming at the office and spread it with some vanilla icing love. Epic breakfast at the office. I hope the aroma of the bread makes others inquire as to what I’m eating. My office is so anti-gluten-free anything that I love being able to make something and get them to try it (few often do) and fall in love with it.

Gluten-free baking and cooking doesn’t get the respect that it deserves. Too many people go into it with a closed mind.

Well, if they were able to try the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread that the Bob’s Red Mill mix created, I bet their minds and mouths would both be open…and ready for more.

I know mine is.

The trick is getting through my workout before devouring my slice for breakfast.

If cinnamon raisin is your thing, if you miss cinnamon rolls, or if you just want to give gluten-free bread making (by hand or by machine…there are instructions for both on the bag of the mix) a try, I encourage you to give Bob’s Red Mill mixes a try. I haven’t been disappointed yet. It’s another one of those, “No way this is gluten-free!” moments…which I love.

SO GOOD!

A loaf of bread made with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix and baked in a bread machine

October 7, 2012October 7, 2012

Bengal Lentils are another good gluten-free and vegetarian Tasty Bite meal

Product: Tasty Bite Bengal Lentils – $3.29+

This review is being written while I sit down and eat a bowl of Tasty Bite’s Bengal Lentils. Yep. It doesn’t get much fresher than this for a review. Because everything I am tasting I can put down right here…right now.

Needless to say…I’m once again rather impressed by Tasty Bite and their prepackaged Indian meals of goodness. While there have been others that have come before this one that I have liked better…this one isn’t bad.

In fact, if there were one thing I would nitpick at…it would be the lentils. Despite heating them for the correct amount of time, they come across as undercooked and crunchy. Which, doesn’t really take away from the dish, but it certainly bears making note of here. Everything else was a flavor-packed home run.

The Bengal Lentils are whole lentils that have been cooked in a light gravy consisting of aromatic herbs and spices. These include garlic, salt, ginger, chilies, coriander, and turmeric. The sauce is a flavorful blend of the lentils, tomatoes, onions, chickpeas and a sunflower oil. The result…a delicious hit of Indian flavor in each bite.

I cooked mine up and served over some steamed jasmine rice. I tend to do that with the Tasty Bite meals as it makes them more filling and more of a meal. Especially since I am splitting the serving (each bag comes with two in it) with my roommate. Besides, I love rice with my Indian meals.

Tasty Bite offers a wide variety of these packaged meals that you heat up in the microwave for about 90 seconds. So easy. And very handy to have on busy evenings or nights where you just don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I often keep a few of these in my pantry for just such occasions.

The Bengal Lentils have a nice, spicy bite to them without the heat being overpowering or too much. The flavors shine through with each bite. Again, I found the whole lentils to be a bit tough…but that is the only negative thing about this meal. The spices are right on par, blending together to make not only a perfect sauce, but the perfect flavors for an Indian meal. For something that is packaged, the nutrition information is rather good.

One serving is half of the package, and only sets you back 160 calories. With it comes a healthy helping of 7 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat, and only 480 mg of sodium, which is awesome for packaged food items. The Bengal Lentils are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and kosher. And…yes…they are quite pleasing to the palate…despite the taste of the al dente lentils.

Tasty Bite yet again offers up a meal that is of restaurant-quality flavor. I wasn’t quite as blown away by the Bengal Lentils as some of the previous varieties I have tried, but still…ate every bite and savored the authentic Indian flavor that accompanied it. And for the price…that’s hard to beat.

Tasty Bite Bengal Lentils over jasmine rice