Products – Page 90 – The Celiathlete

October 28, 2011October 28, 2011

Amy’s Kitchen dishes up another fantastic product in gluten-free (and dairy-free) burrito

Product: Amy’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Non-Dairy Burrito – $3.79+

A lot of love goes into the foods that Amy’s Kitchen produces and puts out on the grocery store shelves. That’s evident. After all, the business is family-owned business that grew over the years and expanded and soon…Amy’s Kitchen became the nation’s leading natural frozen food brand. Every product that Amy’s Kitchen puts out is vegetarian…but now there are quite a lot of gluten-free options in her line as well.

Which is ideal for this busy, gluten-intolerant vegetarian.

It’s not everyday you find a company that uses natural and organic ingredients in their processed food products. But that’s what makes Amy’s Kitchen stand out from many of the competing brands out there. And it’s one reason (the other being that EVERYTHING I have ever eaten from their line-up of foods has been spectacular) I continue to purchase these products.

So…what does one eat on a busy evening when there is way too much to do, so slaving over the hot stove to create a homemade masterpiece of a meal is not an option? Well…this happened to me recently and my answer was to open of the freezer and pull out Amy’s Gluten-Free Non-Dairy Burrito. My roommate had one of the regular burritos offered in the line-up that is marked as low sodium.

Amy's Kitchen Gluten-Free Non Dairy Burrito (frozen) — Amy's Kitchen Gluten-Free Non-Dairy Burrito (frozen)

Easy to heat. Just unwrap. Place on plate. Put in microwave. Nuke. Remove from microwave. Enjoy. And while it’s heating up, you can pour yourself a drink or start on a project. Within minutes…dinner is warm and served.

Now, burritos usually aren’t my thing. They are heavy and often way too filling. But the gluten-free burrito from Amy’s Kitchen was just right. Honestly. The gluten-free tortilla was very light, not heavy like most burritos flour tortilla counterparts. With this one being non-dairy (lactose intolerance here!), there was no heavy cheese. It was a light, but filling portion of beans and rice in a mild, tasty, Mexican sauce. And all the ingredients and vegetables and goodness wrapped up inside this light tortilla were organic.

This burrito was mouth-watering delicious. It doesn’t look like much coming out of the microwave, piping hot. It looks a little naked and boring, to be honest. But one bite was all it took to have me hooked. The rice, beans, and vegetables all just come together to create the amazing flavors that burst from this burrito. Trust me, with the mild Mexican sauce, you don’t even miss the cheese. Yes…food can be good without the cheese. This is proof wrapped up in a gluten-free tortilla. I let my roommate have a small taste of mine…and she said she loved it more than the one she was eating. Especially the gluten-free tortilla because it just seemed lighter than the bulkiness of the flour tortilla in her Amy’s Kitchen burrito. GLUTEN-FREE VICTORY!

When prepackaged food can taste this amazing, I don’t feel as bad on busy days just simply digging into my freezer and pulling out something that just needs a bit of a zap in the microwave, or a short sit in a preheated oven. And when food is this nutritious and relatively low in sodium (Amy’s Kitchen does have a low-sodium line, FYI) from the get-go…plus is packed with natural and organic foods, it takes the guilt away from not wanting to cook from scratch. Especially on days you just don’t have the time to do so…or just don’t feel like it. It happens. And now…Amy’s Kitchen is stepping in to help make your quick meals delicious, wholesome, healthy, and in some cases…gluten-free.

Amy’s Kitchen continues to wow me with the products that are put on the shelves. So, if you have yet to try any of them, you’re completely missing out. Don’t let the vegetarian label fool you if you are a carnivore. This just proves that great, pre-made vegetarian meals exist and are good for not just the vegetarians of the world…but the meat-eaters as well.

Go on…let Amy’s Kitchen serve you some amazing food from their delicious line-up. You won’t be disappointed.

Amy's Kitchen Gluten-Free Non-Dairy Burrito (heated)

October 27, 2011

Hodgson Mill bakes up fantastic and moist gluten-free brownies with winning mix

Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix – $3.99+

WINNING!

Let’s start with that because it was how this chocolate treasure came into my life. I had joined an online community doing some giveaways during Celiac Awareness Month and won a couple of giveaways. One I knew about. This one, however, arrived as a complete surprise. But, when given gluten-free chocolate…a lady never turns up her nose.

I’ll be honest. I was a bit reluctant to cook the Hodgson Mill gluten-free brownies up. I was so enamored with the Betty Crocker mix, I didn’t think anything could top it. But I was craving chocolate one day…and this was my next gluten-free treat in the pantry to cook up. And so…that’s what I did.

So easy to make. Very few ingredients. Pop it in the oven, and soon my entire apartment smelled of delicious brownie goodness. If these tasted anywhere near as good as they smelled, it would probably be difficult to keep to just one at a time.

Out of the oven to rest and cool. The brownies cooked up amazing. I mean, with a soft crust on the top and everything. The PERFECT brownie just from the looks of it. Once it cooled down enough for me to slice into it without making a mess…I plated up. Because in my world, chocolate is priority.

Fudgy. Creamy. Amazing. These blew the Betty Crocker ones away. Honestly, one of the best brownies I have ever tasted. So very moist and soft. And they kept that way as my roommate and I worked our way through it for eight days. Nothing went stale. Nothing got hard. They stayed moist and delicious. No heating up in the microwave necessary. Fall off your fork fantastic. These gluten-free chocolate morals of goodness are, bite-for-bite, loaded with chewy, chocolate flavor.

I will never doubt the wonders of Hodgson Mill products ever again. This is the second one I’ve tried. But this one…by far…has been my ultimate favorite. Chocolate done right in all it’s gluten-free brownie glory. It’s hard to stick to a serving. And…I discovered these are delicious on their own. No need to dress it up with Chocolate Cool Whip or drizzle it with melted dark chocolate. Although…we all indulge a little more every now and again. But…it wasn’t necessary and that was the best part. These brownies are so amazing they can stand on their own. Why dress up perfection?

Hodgson Mill won me over again. Gluten-free never tasted so sweet (or chocolatey).

Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brownie (epic yum!)

October 25, 2011November 2, 2011

Vegan and gluten-free cookies a “Lovely” guilty pleasure

Liz Lovely's Vegan & Gluten-Free Triple Chocolate Mint cookies

Product: Liz Lovely Gluten-Free Triple Chocolate Mint Cookies – $3.99

I know…I know. I thought it too. Two 2-inch cookie rounds for $3.99? Are you off your rocker? But cookies are one of those things that seem to win out over price and logic at times when it comes to me. My guilty pleasure is often some variety of cookie, savored slowly, bite-by-bite, while all of the flavors play over my palate.

Naturally…some cookies are better for my foodie tendencies than others.

What I noticed first about Liz Lovely’s cookies when I was in my natural food store…was that they were (OMG!) cookies! Then I spotted that they were vegan (YAY!). And then…some were certified gluten-free (DANCE OF JOY!). Then I spotted the Triple Chocolate Mint variety and my wallet lost out to my tummy rumblies.

Chocolate + Mint + Cookie = WINNING!

So, yes…the cookies are a bit pricey, but they are backed up by their standards and amazing taste. Trust me.

Move over Girl Scouts. If Liz Lovely has anything to say about amazing mint cookies, your Thin Mints are getting a run for their money. Unlike the Girl Scouts offerings, Liz Lovely baked up a delicious vegan and gluten-free cookie that is brownie-licious and satisfying. Honestly, it would be Cookie Monster’s vegan cookie dream. If perfection could be captured in cookie form…the vegan and gluten-free Triple Chocolate Mint Cookies by Liz Lovely would set the bar and hold the standard. Cookie heaven on Earth.

These cookies are chewy and full of dark chocolate flavor. They should be, considering they are a chocolate base with chocolate chips and a chocolate drizzle. But these amazing cookies don’t stop there. No. They get an added bonus with a hint of peppermint oil that just takes them to the next delicious level. Each bite is soft, chewy, and has the perfect balance of dark chocolate and mint. Nothing too overpowering. Absolute cookie perfection.

I never took so long to eat a cookie when I bit into this one. I savored every ounce of flavor, every little bite. Every bit of chocolate was allowed to melt slowly as I savored it down to the last bite. Cookie nirvana.

Do mind the serving size, however. These 2 cookies are good for 4 servings, so you eat half a cookie at a time. Believe me…it’s not easy sticking to that once you have a taste. But these are meant as a treat, so give yourself 4 days of sweet indulgence. More time to savor every little bite.

Whether you gobble down cookies like Cookie Monster, or savor each little nibble to really soak in the flavors, these cookies make a rich, decadent dessert or treat. And, the cake-like consistency will leave you feeling satisfied. Trust me.

I haven’t been able to resist these cookies since finding them. If I am in my natural foods store, one of the gluten-free varieties is coming home with me. So, rest assured, the other flavors will get their time in my blog spotlight. But, with all that said, these have been my favorite vegan and gluten-free offerings from Liz Lovely yet.

Who needs Girl Scout cookies (which I can’t eat anymore anyway)? Tantalize your taste buds with these instead. Trust me. Two cookies well worth the price.

Liz Lovely's Vegan & Gluten-Free Triple Chocolate Mint Cookie

October 25, 2011

Envirokidz Organic Crispy Rice Bars a peanut butter packed gluten-free delight

Product: Nature’s Path Envirokidz Organic Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bars – $2.50+

I love a good gluten-free deal. Seriously. Sales. Manager’s Specials. It’s one of the only ways I can afford to test out some of the products that I do. But even more difficult at times is finding healthy gluten-free snacks that aren’t straight out of the produce aisle.

Don’t get me wrong…fresh produce is my favorite thing in this world. I load up on fruits and vegetables religiously and snack often on apples, berries, and certainly bananas. But sometimes the diet needs a bit of a shake-up and finding a gluten-free alternative often leads to cookies or high-calorie snack bars.

Then, on the Manager’s Special table at my local grocery store, I found a pack of Nature’s Path’s gluten-free line of products that are marketed to kids. Envirokidz Organic Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bars…sounded intriguing enough. I like peanut butter. And when I didn’t have my gluten-intolerance, Rice Krispie treats were one of my favorite things in the world. So…this sounded like a good way to change up the afternoon snack. Not to mention, these are relatively healthy, low in calories and fat, and gives this vegetarian a bit of a protein boost from its use of organic peanut butter in the ingredients.

Here’s the good thing about buying products that are marketed towards children. They often taste amazing. Why? Because kids are finicky eaters. They are the biggest food critics out there and will not eat something that doesn’t taste good to them.

Nature's Path Envirokidz Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bar

I ripped into one of these at work one afternoon when the 3:00 munchies hit hard. And I became hooked immediately. They are soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor. They have the right amount of sweetness in each bite to counter any cravings for something sweet (and less healthy). Not to mention, they are the perfect amount to act as a snack without ruining my appetite for dinner. Let’s face it…I live to eat and cook, so this was my perfect go-to snack. Who would have thought?

These bars are the perfect size (think granola bar size) to be filling, and easy to transport. They have the crispiness in the initial bite, and the soft, melt-in-your-mouth affect that crispy rice bars should have. And…they are flavored with peanut butter. Salty meets sweet. The best combination ever.

Nature’s Path knew what they were doing when they set out to market and make these delightful treats. Kids will love the animals on the boxes. But they will also love the product that is wrapped up inside. Even better…adults will too. And you don’t need to feel guilty about this little indulgence.

Nature's Path Envirokidz Organic Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bar (Unwrapped)

October 24, 2011

Udi’s serves up a slice of gourmet gluten-free pizza

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts – $5.99+

I was shocked the other day when I wandered into one of my local department store’s gluten-free grocery section and spotted Udi’s gluten-free pizza crusts in the freezer. Shocked. I had only spotted these at Whole Foods in Louisville. Now…they were sitting somewhere local and easily accessible.

FINALLY…somewhere near me had gluten-free pizza crusts!

I just happened to be hungry (broke the cardinal rule of never shopping while hungry) at that moment, so I bought a pack of them (it comes with two) and headed home to cobble together some toppings for dinner.

These pizza crusts were bigger than what I thought, so putting two on the same pan didn’t happen. That’s not a bad thing. Two pans out, oven preheated, I set to work on topping the frozen crust. I am on a tight budget these days, so I had to go with what I had laying around. I brushed each crust with olive oil, then sprinkled with caramalized shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, non-dairy Mozzarella cheese, and then some herbed goat cheese. Into the oven it went for about 10 minutes. Then a sprinkling of organic spinach, back into the oven for one minute to allow to wilt, back out. Dinner is served.

Aside from a delicious homemade pizza crust at a gluten-free pizzeria in Okemos, Michigan, I had had the gluten-free pizza at BJ’s Brewhouse and Restaurant, as well as Rudi’s pizza crust (YUM…but not available in stores near me!). But I had heard so many people shout praises over the versatility and delicious flavor of Udi’s pizza crusts. So, I was intrigued and eager to take my first bite.

When I did…I wasn’t disappointed. The flavor is very much like a homemade pizza crust. It’s got a crunch to it from being a thin sheet, however, it is soft to chew. The flavor is, in part, by the use of brown rice flour. It complimented the flavors of my pizza creation, rather than overpower it. Light and delicious. There was no doubt how amazing this product was. And I had heard people talk about making pita chips out of it as well as other great creations, and I can see how that world work…and work well.

Udi’s has been smashing it out of the gluten-free ballpark when it comes to their products. That’s one reason I continue to go back to them. They aren’t just consistent, they are consistently good! When you know a product is guaranteed to be delicious, you make more of an effort to find it and buy it.

Gluten-free and craving pizza is no longer a problem. I can easily serve up a slice of gluten-free pizza pie now. The toppings are a mystery. The taste of the crust shouldn’t be.

Pizza with Udi's gluten-free pizza crust — Udi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust topped with herbed goat cheese and sun-dried tomato pizza with caramelized shallots, fresh parsley, non-dairy mozzarella cheese, and finished off with spinach.

October 22, 2011

Imagine’s (not so) Creamy Potato Leek soup packed with flavor but lacks texture

Imagine's Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Product: Imagine Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup – $3.99+

This morning…it was officially under 40 degrees outside. Now, it is officially autumn, heading into the bitter cold winter months. And nothing compliments a brisk, chilly day like a warm bowl of soup. Seriously, soup season is upon us!

I love to make soups from scratch, but on a busy weekday, that’s not always feasible. Enter Imagine Natural Creations’ soup line. I have found a wide variety of these at the grocery store (in the natural foods aisle) as well as Big Lots (at a much cheaper price). So, make sure you don’t just head for the soup aisle and give up.

On it’s own, this soup looks like it would be rather bland. It wasn’t. The creamy, rich texture was just perfect for a potato soup. And the seasonings were spot on. Nothing bland about this…but this soup also is low in sodium, so the flavors aren’t coming from added salt and preservatives, but from natural and organic ingredients like the organic onions, organic potatoes, organic leeks, organic garlic, and organic spices.

When I served this soup to my roommate, who is rather picky about food, she looked a bit unimpressed. When she tasted it, she said it had a lot of flavor to it, but it just felt like it was missing something. When I finally sat down with my own bowl of the soup, I could see what she meant. On its own…it’s just a bowl of grayish liquid. Yeah…it looks NOTHING like the image shown on the box. Not surprising, but soup that looks like old dish water isn’t always appealing. The box shows a very creamy, potato-y, soup in a bowl. This was nowhere near as stunning as that image. Yet, while it doesn’t look the most appetizing…it at least tastes amazing. But…she was right…it felt as though something were missing.

The following day, when I cooked the rest of the box up for us for dinner…I did something a little different. I chopped up a couple of organic fingerling potatoes, roasted them in the oven, then added them to the simmering soup on the stove for a couple of minutes. What a difference a little texture makes. While the soup was fantastic before, this just took it to the next level. Adding the roasted potato cuts to the soup not only made it more filling, but it also created a better texture. My roommate enjoyed hers with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

Soups are a tricky thing. Some like them thin. Some like them chunky. I like them both ways, but there was just something so magical to bulking up the base of this soup. While quite good on its own, Imagine’s Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup was even better when something to bulk up the soup was added. Give it a try. Put your own spin on it. Or enjoy it on its own. It’s flavorful any way you sip it.

Imagine's Organic (not so) Creamy Potato Leak Soup

October 21, 2011

Rudi’s on a roll with delicious hamburger buns

Rudi's Hamburger Buns — Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Multigrain Hamburger Buns

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Multigrain Hamburger Buns – $5.99+

It’s the story of my life these days. Veggie burger…no bun. Portobello mushroom sandwich…no roll. Going gluten-free meant giving up on ever having a burger or sandwich with the bread served at the restaurant. And for awhile, it meant making my own at home on what gluten-free bread I could find…no actual buns.

And then…Rudi’s hamburger buns were dropped into my lap by the graciousness of the gluten-free gods.

I can’t say enough good things about Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery. They have provided the gluten-free community with outstanding bread products, from sandwich bread, to pizza dough, to buns and rolls for hamburgers and hotdogs. It means we gluten-free foodies can have our bread and eat it too.

My first opportunity to use Rudi’s Multigrain Hamburger Buns came up when my office had it’s monthly lunch meeting. They were ordering sandwiches from a local pizza place up the street. I was prepared to do my usual thing and just bring something in, but the Portobello Sandwich (Portobello Mushroom, Provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato) sounded really good to this vegetarian. So, I placed the order, highlighted and underlined that I did not want bread, and hoped for the best.

The following day, the lunches arrived and I had LOTS of mushrooms with melted cheese and my sides of tomato and lettuce in a bowl. I brought in my Rudi’s Multigrain Hamburger Bun, warmed it in the microwave for a few seconds, sliced it, and put some of the cheesy mushrooms on it, added tomato and lettuce, and now…I was having a sandwich just like everyone else in the office. And man…I bet my roll was better than what this pizza place offered.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Buns have this very pleasing sweetness baked into them, in part from the molasses and honey that are included in the ingredients. When you slice into them, you can see the variety of grains, especially the sunflower seeds. They have this great, bounce-right-back texture, so when you take a bite and everything squishes down, it puffs back up, even better than the real thing ever did. And these are sturdy! It held up to Portobello mushrooms, tomato, cheese and lettuce, without getting soggy on me and falling apart on my plate.

But my love affair with the hamburger buns don’t stop there. At home, I found a great brand of gluten-free veggie burgers. So, the other day, I cooked one up for dinner and put it on one of Rudi’s buns. One again, the added flair of the honey and molasses adds this great hint of sweetness to every bite, which perfectly complimented my veggie burger and toppings. Absolutely fantastic.

One qualm, and it’s just a nitpick, is that the buns do have to be sliced. They do not come pre-sliced, so make sure you have a knife ready for the task. But, these hamburger buns are versatile and packed with amazing, sweet flavor. Try them at your next tailgating event, picnic, family get-together, or dinner. You won’t be disappointed. In fact…you just might go back for seconds.

October 20, 2011

Pirate’s Booty is a gluten-free treasure to behold…and then consume!

Product: Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar – $2.50+

Arrrrrr. Shiver me snackin’ timbers. Hoist th’ Jolly Roger and head for th’ open seas, matey.

Pirates are my thing. Seriously. It was born into me. After all, my birthday falls on International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was bound to happen. So, when a snack emerges that is gluten-free called Pirate’s Booty…you bet your ever-loving’ treasure I’m going to test it out!

Pirate’s Booty already wins for the name and packaging. It’s fun. It’s clever. It catches your eye. But…how does it taste? I was given a bag one day, and not to let it go to waste, it became a delicious afternoon snack for one entire week at the office.

The little corn and rice puffs are very unassuming and could be quite bland. However, that is not the way this snack functions. I had the Aged White Cheddar kind, so each of these little popcorn like puffs were dusted with a real aged white cheddar (none of that fake stuff) and then baked.

They are light and airy, making it an easy snack, and one that won’t fill you up or out. And, wow, are these little puffs addicting! They are flavored to perfection. The dusting of aged white cheddar packs so much flavor in each little bite that you just keep wanting more. So, it’s no surprise that soon after opening my little snack pack, the contents were gone, leaving only the aged white cheddar seasoning on the bottom as any evidence it ever existed. It’s a good thing I portion out my snacks or I’d probably sit down with the bag and eat them all. And despite being trans-fat free, even this pirate has to eat things in moderation. But it would just be so easy to keep going.

The first day I packed these, my roommate, who I work with, kept walking by my desk and sneaking pieces from my bowl. Pirate, right?

So, if you are looking for a healthy, baked, trans-fat free, gluten-free snack…look no further than Pirate’s Booty. Let me tell ya, matey, ye won’t go wrong with this lot of booty. ARRRRRRRRRRR!

October 19, 2011

Follow your heart and stomach to Rudi’s delicious (and versatile) sandwich bread

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread – $4.99+

I admit it.

I became a gluten-free sandwich bread snob without even knowing it.

It happens. You try a product. You love it. You stick with it. Nothing else will do. Nothing. Even if you never, ever tried it. There is just no way it could live up to the standard that has already been met…right?

I was wrong. Really wrong on this one.

Looking back on past posts, you’ll find me clinging to my go-to bread of choice: Udi’s. And yes…Udi’s is amazing. First gluten-free sandwich bread I tried and fell in love with. And then…I never thought to give other breads (often more inexpensive than Udi’s) a try. And then, the gluten-free gods smiled upon me one day and the UPS man delivered to me a box of gluten-free goodies. One product that was nestled inside was a loaf of Rudi’s gluten-free original sandwich bread.

Dare I cheat on my beloved gluten-free go-to brand? Dare I?

Well, my friends…I did.

And I loved it.

There. I said it. It’s out in the open now.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread. You…are a delectable delight in every bite. Here’s what I love about you:

While you aren’t quite at “normal” bread size, you sure do come closer than the aforementioned brand I had a love affair with.
You have a great texture. Soft. Fluffy. Like “real” bread!
You have a sweetness to you. Your flavor meshes well with anything that might be sandwiched between two slices.
Every single one of your ingredients I can say and identify. Nothing fake about you.
YOU ARE DELICIOUS!

I suppose it’s okay to cheat on my sandwich bread, right? Because every way I fixed this bread up, I was satisfied with the end result. When it toasted, it toasted up to a crispy crunch. When I grilled it, it held up through every flip. When I roasted it in the oven, it got crispy on the edges just as it should. And when I made french toast out of it…well…game over. I was in a gluten-free breakfast heaven.

Honestly, if nothing else, I learned a valuable lesson by branching out a little. It’s that…while you should have brand loyalty, especially when you have found a brand to trust…it’s okay to branch out a little and try other things. Because something equally as good might be just waiting on you to pick it up and give it a try. I admit, I probably never would have moved beyond my gluten-free bread of choice had my eyes not been open. And, Rudi’s gluten-free bread is a whole dollar or more cheaper too. Healthy, versatile, and fits into my budget. Oh Rudi’s…you’re doing everything right. So right.

If this is the beginning of a love affair…how deliciously satisfying it is.

Rudi's Gluten-Free Stuffed French Toast — Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread - Stuffed French Toast-style (stuffed with Laughing Cow Lite Swiss and strawberry jam, and drizzled with maple syrup)

October 18, 2011

Hodgson Mill is putting muffins back on the gluten-free menu

Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix – $2.99+

Mmmmm…muffins!

Muffins are one of those easy, on-the-go, foods that you can just grab and take with you. Either eat it at room temperature or warm it up in the microwave. That’s the glorious thing about muffins…they travel well and are delicious.

As always, my good friend Jenn, was looking out for me one day while grocery shopping and picked up a box of Hodgson Mill Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix, which just happened to be gluten-free (she is always on the search for products for me because she rocks like that!). We figured, the next time I came up to visit, we’d bake up a batch for breakfast and give them a try.

So…that’s exactly what we did.

These are so easy to make. Preheat oven as instructed and line a muffin pan. Then melt two tablespoons of butter. Pour the mix into a bowl, add sugar and melted butter. Then add milk and an egg. Mix well and then spoon into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops spring back when you touch them.

Easy enough. I loved the chunkiness of the batter, in part due to the presence of apple slices. We managed to get 8 muffins out of our mixture. And as they baked, the kitchen smelled absolutely divine. It made me want to go buy apple cider and hit up an apple orchard. Honestly. These smell SO amazing when you bake them up. I took that as a good sign.

We took them out of the oven, surprised by how pale they still seemed (not the golden brown we imagined), but the tops sprung back so they were done. We allowed them to cool for a few minutes before we each took two and settled in for a light breakfast. Aside from the muffins sticking to the muffin liners, these muffins were absolutely delicious. Fresh out of the oven, they are still warm and soft on the inside. One little spread of butter and it all comes together. The hint of cinnamon, the sweetness of the apples. And since the mix is made with milled flax seed, these are also a healthy choice for either a breakfast or a snack. Absolutely delicious.

Jenn sent my roommate and I home with the two that were left, which we ate as a snack on the road. They were far more delicious fresh from the oven and warm, but what baked good isn’t? I can’t wait to try to bake these up here and hopefully will have better luck with the muffin pan liners not sticking.

Taste is what I go for, and these had just the right levels of apple and cinnamon flavor. Nothing overpowered the other. It was perfectly balanced, making a perfectly delicious breakfast and snack that day. The box also gives a recipe for using the mix to make pancakes, which just sounds heavenly, so I think I might need to give that a go.

This mix just happened to provide the first muffins I was able to eat since needing to go gluten-free. What a fresh and great start indeed. I now have a couple boxes of this mix in my own pantry, as well as a couple other Hodgson Mill gluten-free products because these were so good, I now trust the brand. This allergic chef is looking forward to getting in that kitchen and baking up some more gluten-free goodness.

Thanks, Hodgson Mill!

Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins