Products – Page 91 – The Celiathlete

October 16, 2011

Food Should Taste Good’s Toasted Sesame chips bring wow factor to snacking

Product: Food Should Taste Good Toasted Sesame Chips – $2.50+

I love the name of this brand. Because it sums up everything food should be about.

Food should taste good!

I love this line of chips. I have tried four different kinds (blogged about only one, I believe…but will remedy that!) and have fallen in love with each and every one.

I was in Chicago when I spotted the Toasted Sesame chips at a little natural foods shop. I had just picked up my packet for the Chicago Half Marathon and while wandering back toward the city-proper, was gifted with a sample of hummus. Now, I love hummus, but the chips that were being offered for free were not gluten-free. I decided if I could find a grocery store I could pick up some baby carrots and at least enjoy the hummus.

Well, baby carrots weren’t an option that day, so as I perused the options I had, I spotted the rack of various chips from Food Should Taste Good. Perfect. Now to find one to pair with hummus. I gave a lot of thought to The Works flavor, but in the end, settled on Toasted Sesame, as that would definitely pair well with hummus.

I didn’t get past the corner before I was tearing into the bag and pulling out a chip. I ate it on its own first, as I normally do when trying a product out. It was to die for. Deliciously seasoned. Not too salty. Not greasy at all. You first taste corn, and then the toasted sesame seeds that are baked into the chips hits you. The perfect balance of flavors that mesh at all the right times. Nothing overwhelming. I could have eaten them without the hummus, but why waste perfectly good (and free) hummus? And, as suspected, they paired perfectly with it. It was the most amazing afternoon snack.

After I ran the Chicago Half Marathon (my first half marathon), I was starving. I hadn’t prepared well at all for what I needed to do to keep energy up during the race. One bowl of cereal was all I had that morning, and I burned through that probably in the first two miles. With nothing to eat along the way, I was running on fumes, but powered through all 13.1 miles. At the end, I ate a banana, but that wasn’t satisfying my stomach at all. My friends had brought a bag with them to carry supplies, and tucked inside was the bag of Toasted Sesame chips I had gotten the day before. PERFECT! Honestly, nothing tasted better to me at that moment than those chips. Although light in sodium naturally, the little bit in them was just right to help restore what I sweated out during the race. And, it helped provide my muscles and body with the fuel I needed to get me through until I ate lunch a couple hours later.

When a company calls itself “Food Should Taste Good,” you hope and expect that their products live up to the name. So far, everything I have had from this brand does just that. In fact…goes beyond what I expect. These gluten-free, cholesterol free, lactose-free, trans-fat free chips are the perfect snack.

Delicious and satisfying. Food should taste good indeed!

October 16, 2011

Alexia’s simple sauté is perfect for a meal or side…and perfectly delicious!

Product: Alexia Sauté Reds – $3.29+

Have skillet. Will sauté.

Sometimes, an affordable gluten-free diet means lots of potatoes and rice. It’s a good thing I like potatoes and rice. Yet…sometimes you just want something a little different. Sure, potatoes (and rice, for that matter) can be done up a million different ways, but when you are playing around with ingredients you have on hand…sometimes you just get stuck in a rut.

Once again, Alexia came to my rescue with her fabulous potato and vegetable sides. This time, the game of freezer Russian roulette when it came to dinner was won by the bag of Alexia Sauté Reds. It’s a blend of red potatoes, baby portabella mushrooms, whole green beans, and onions. And nothing could be simpler to make.

Also included in the package is a frozen package containing a thyme-infused olive oil. Place said pouch into hot water to allow the oil to thaw. Heat a pan on the stove. Once warm, add the olive oil, then the contents of the package. Sauté for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to brown. Yes…it really is that easy. And on a hectic day, who really wants to deal with some fussy thing for dinner?

As in the previous review of Alexia potato and vegetable sides, this can be a side for a group, or makes a perfect dinner for two. Once the sauté is done, dish up and serve.

Here’s what was fantastic about this one. The thyme-infused oil paired so well with the vegetables and potatoes. It just added the right hint of flavor so that nothing was too bland or not seasoned. Nothing else had to be added. No salt. No pepper. It was perfect fresh from the skillet. The vegetables cook to the perfect level of doneness, not burning, not being still too hard. And the potatoes get to the perfect stage, where they only begin to crumble off your fork as you go to take a bite.

These little bags make an easy go-to side or dinner for anyone. And…it’s affordable and easy to make. Nothing beats that. Oh…being gluten-free and vegetarian also wins brownie points from me. So, when you’ve had a long day and don’t want to pull out a slew of ingredients, simply grab a bag of Alexia Sauté Reds…cook…enjoy.

When life is hectic, your dinner shouldn’t be.

October 16, 2011

Udi’s cookies a chip off the ol’ gluten-free block

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies – $5.99+

Just call me a real-life cookie monster. They are my second favorite treat. Ice cream will always be my first. So, one day while perusing my local grocery store for manager’s specials, I found Udi’s brand cookies on a table in the bakery. These were not on sale, but I knew I had to try them.

Why?

Because Udi’s was the first really delicious gluten-free brand I tried after having to go gluten-free. I was in Boulder, Colorado…and eating out at a restaurant called The Buff. I was prepared to, as I normally have to do now, order something without the included toast, but I noticed on the menu the option for gluten-free toast. SOLD! And it just so happened to be Udi’s bread. Back at the hotel in Denver, I had purchased a loaf of Udi’s bread for my roommate and I to use for our breakfast/lunch so we wouldn’t eat out all the time. I loved what I tasted at The Buff…and so, my love affair with Udi’s began.

And it has never stopped. I’ve tried two types of their muffins, I’ve had their bagels, and, of course, I’ve had their bread. But the cookies…this was the first I had seen of them in the area. The store only had a few packages…and they were all chocolate chip (which is my favorite type of cookie anyway so…that didn’t matter!), so I picked one up and actually paid full price for them. Don’t judge. I’m a woman with a gluten-free sweet tooth.

The package made it as far as the car before I had it open and my roommate and I were each trying one out. Instant cookie heaven. These look like they would be hard and crumbly, but they are actually the perfect cookie texture. A little crunch, but soft. And sweet. They are flavored with molasses, vanilla, and evaporated cane juice. It was the perfect level of sweetness and the chocolate chips were the star. Honestly…great chocolate chip cookies to munch on! I only wish they were bigger. These cookies are, honestly, about the side of a half dollar.

But the flavor does make up for the lack in size, and the serving size is two cookies. So it really is the perfect amount in the end.

The difficult thing now is finding them. That grocery store no longer carries them. My local Whole Foods and Rainbow Blossom don’t carry them. My other go-to grocery stores stock different varieties of gluten-free cookies…but not Udi’s. So, I found a delicious treat, but now I can’t buy it.

Hopefully they will work their way back into the products stocked by my local grocery store. Thankfully, they are a bit more plentiful in other places. Next time you feel like a cookie monster, reach for Udi’s gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. They are…cookie perfection!

October 13, 2011

Chebe makes naturally gluten-free bread naturally delicious

Side dishes can be the bane of my existence sometimes when it comes to meal planning. While making a gluten-free main course is easy now, finding the perfect side isn’t always as simple. In fact, sometimes it can be a nightmare. Especially when you are having guests over and gluten-free spaghetti is on the menu. Who doesn’t like a little bread with their pasta? After all…it’s one of the best things to sop up all that extra sauce, right? (Okay…so I know how un-Italian it is to have bread with the pasta, but I’m an Irish girl, LOL!)

The idea that something is gluten-free doesn’t always sit right with people. The uninformed automatically assume that it is going to lack flavor…or taste of cardboard. Surprise all you naysayers out there…gluten-free food is full of flavor and often better tasting than what others might call “the real thing.”

While out shopping at a local natural foods store, I stumbled across a couple packages of Chebe bread mixes on sale and decided a splurge was necessary. After all…I had spotted other Chebe mixes at the grocery store, but was never brave enough to pay full price for them in case I didn’t like it. But…decision made…the mixes were purchased and I now had some options in my pantry should I need them.

That case did arise a few weeks later, when my roommate and I invited our friend Greg down to help me celebrate my birthday. That night, I was going to cook up some gluten-free spaghetti and vegetarian meatballs. My roommate suggested I make one of the mixes up to accompany the dish. I agreed, selecting the Original Bread Mix from the pantry. Then, I gathered all the necessary ingredients (olive oil, shredded Parmesan cheese, 2 eggs) and got to work on following the directions on the packaging to create the little bread balls that were shown on the cover.

Chebe Original Bread (pre-bake) rolled and ready for the oven

The dough was easy to mix and roll, each little ball staying in the right form. The oven was preheated and ready by the time I finished, so into the oven they went while I prepared the rest of the meal. By the time the pasta was cooked, drained, and mixed in with the sauce and vegetarian meatballs, Greg had arrived and everyone was hungry. The Chebe bread was pulled from the oven, smelling AMAZING, mind you, and I topped them off with a brush of melted margarine and garlic powder.

The bread cooled as I plated up the pasta and took it out to my roommate and our guest. I returned for the bread, stacking it in a small bowl and bringing it out to my eager (and hungry) guinea pigs. Keep in mind, these two do not have to eat gluten-free…so the gauntlet was thrown down. My roommate took a bite and immediately went back for another one. I asked what she thought and she said, “These are good!”

But Greg…my real challenge as he is very particular about his food…had to have his own say. “These aren’t good,” he said. “These are AWESOME!”

And that was when I knew Chebe had hit it out of the ball park. Grabbing my own little bread-ball of goodness, I took a bite, finding it perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. PERFECTION. Absolute perfection. And so delicious. The bread not only baked to perfection, but it wowed me (the chef) and my two fellow diners. I mean, knocked us off our feet. In fact, we all just kept grabbing for more, leaving only a few standing in the bowl. They later were reheated to have with breakfast the next day. And guess what…they were still crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Who needs “real” bread? Real bread is what Chebe is about.

In fact, the company prides itself on the fact that it never was about being gluten-free. The recipe for this bread, which is a staple in Brazil, is naturally gluten-free. Naturally good for you. Naturally delicious. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, rice-free, potato-free, yeast-free, tree nut-free, iodine-free, sugar-free, peanut free, and non-GMO. Nothing gets added to make it better. All ingredients are recognizable…and the list is short on the package. Seriously. If that doesn’t make you feel good about a product, well, I don’t know what will.

This bread would have been equally delicious with just the mix and no added flavors (the Parmesan, the garlic butter, etc). I can attest to that. And now…I’m hooked on Chebe. I don’t want to make pasta again until I have more. I want to cook up other mixes…create meals around them. When a product makes me want to create a meal around it…then there is something special to it. I will sing my praises for Chebe because when something is this good by nature…then everyone needs to try it.

Everyone.

Chebe Original Bread, lightly brushed with a melted garlic butter

October 13, 2011

Van’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Waffles bring dimples of joy to the breakfast table

Hey! Leggo my…

On second thought…keep your Eggo waffles. They have yet to go gluten-free.

I’m not trying to be facetious here, but breakfast options can be limited for people on a gluten-free diet. I eat a lot of eggs. But after awhile…eggs get boring, no matter how you season or serve them.

Thank the gluten-free gods for companies like Van’s Natural Foods, who seem to be embracing the gluten-free community and offering up a variety of breakfast items that are quick and easy. Just pop into the toaster and serve.

While I have limited options around where I live, I have managed to find two gluten-free options from Van’s in my grocery stores. The previously reviewed gluten-free French toast sticks…and the gluten-free blueberry waffles.

Now, there is a plethora of gluten-free waffles out on the market. I’ve found one other kind here…and as a previous blog indicated, I didn’t like them. So I was a bit skeptical when it came to how Van’s waffles would measure up. But…my trepidation was short-lived.

First of all, they smell of blueberry heaven as they toast in the toaster. Despite being frozen, they emerge crisp and slightly brown from my toaster and hit the plate. A quick drizzle of syrup and I’m ready to eat. Breakfast is served…in less than five minutes. That doesn’t happen often for me…so this is a nice treat.

One bite…and I’m hooked. These waffles are sweet, probably in part to being flavored with fruit juices as well as berries. These hold up a little better to the syrup, as opposed to the Nature’s Path Wildberry ones I had previously consumed. While still growing soft as the syrup soaked up, these maintained a level of toastiness that satisfied my waffle-loving breakfast-foodie soul. The addition of the blueberries and blackberries gave the waffle the right amount of flavor. These were “Van”-tastic. (See…I made a pun!)

So many people think gluten-free means tasteless, bland, and boring. Thank goodness there are companies like Van’s Natural Foods out there striving to prove people wrong by producing quality gluten-free products. Gluten-free is delicious. And now…gluten-free mornings can be simple and satisfying. Check your grocer’s freezer and give these waffles a try.

October 13, 2011

Pacific Natural Foods squashes competition with low sodium versions of fall favorites

Pacific Natural Foods Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash soup. There are fewer things in life that make me happier than butternut squash soup. Seriously…THIS is comfort food to me. The rich, creamy flavor of soups made from squash just hit the mark for me. Some people consider comfort food a casserole or a rich dessert. To me, nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup.

Why?

Well, soups have potential. Every soup can act as a base for something else. But the true challenge of any soup is if it can stand on its own.

As far as pre-packaged soups go, I’ve had a lot of success with Pacific Natural Foods. Even better, quite a few of their savory flavors are available with 50% less sodium. Since The Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments released the dietary guidelines earlier this year, lowering American’s intake of sodium to 1500mg a day (or about half a teaspoon), sodium has been the topic of conversation. But, it is something that my roommate and I have been watching for years. High blood pressure runs in her family, so keeping an eye on sodium intake is just something we’ve always done when choosing processed foods.

My local grocery store has quite a huge lineup of different soups from Pacific Natural Foods. Since I LOVE squash soups, their Creamy Butternut Squash soup was one of the first to hit the cart during a recent sale. And nothing could be easier to make. Pour out serving, heat on stove. Serve. It’s that simple. You have time to make a grilled cheese sandwich to accompany it if you so desire.

I had high hopes for this soup when I settled in one chilly evening for dinner. One spoonful and I was swimming in soup heaven. This creamy soup has so much going for it. It has a slightly nutty flavor in part due to the fresh butternut squash that Pacific Natural Foods ensures is used in their soups. But, it’s seasoned and there is a hint of a spice behind that initial flavor. Closer inspection of the ingredients show that hits of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger are used to season this soup. Flavor. This soup is bursting with it. From the smooth, creamy texture to the hint of spice as you swallow…this is everything a butternut squash soup should be. And only 280mg of sodium per serving. Winning!

This soup is also gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. Which fits right into my dietary guidelines. Well done, Pacific Natural Foods…for once again showing that less really is more and that processed foods don’t have to load up on sodium to be packed with flavor. Food can naturally be good. And Pacific Natural Foods proves it over and over again with their delicious soup lines.

It’s soup season…don’t just take my word for it…savor it for yourself.

A bowl of Pacific Natural Foods Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

October 13, 2011October 13, 2011

Fall flavors ignite the palate in Alexia’s Harvest Sauté

It’s that time of year. The days are growing shorter. The air is getting that crispness to it. The leaves are changing color. And farmer’s markets are shutting down for the season. Grocery store produce aisles are packed with fall vegetables – potatoes, squashes, apples, etc. These are some of my favorite flavors which is why autumn is one of my favorite seasons. The foodie in me eagerly awaits those sensuous fall flavors and aromas…how simple spices can ignite a simple dish.

What Alexia Foods does with their Harvest Sauté is mix together some fall favorites and create a treat that is colorful and packed with flavor. This frozen bag is meant for a side…but my roommate and I split it between us and enjoyed it as our main course the night I cooked it up. Nothing could be easier. Inside are the frozen vegetables and a pack of sage-infused olive oil. Simply thaw the oil pouch in hot water and pour into a pan. Heat and add the blend of red potatoes, onions, whole green beans, and carrots. Sauté for about 10-12 minutes, until the potatoes begin to brown. Serve.

It’s that easy.

No additional seasoning is needed. The sage-infused olive oil adds tremendous flavor, and is enough to help cook the vegetables without leaving them laden in oil, greasy and inedible. The vegetables absorb the cooking oil, so each piece is seasoned in the pan as it cooks. Nothing is left undercooked. The time given to sauté everything is perfect. The potatoes almost fall apart on your fork.

What I loved about this blend was how reminiscent it was of foods I was given in Ireland. Most Irish meals are served with vegetables in the colors of the Irish flag (green, white, orange). And here we have green beans, potatoes, and carrots. Even for being a pre-packed frozen side, what Alexia Foods manages is to bring together healthy items, cooked in a healthy manner, and good enough to be eaten on its own or shared with others as a side.

I picked up four different types of these potato sides from Alexia Foods on a trip to the grocery store…and this was just the first tantalizing taste of what else was in store for me. What a way to start.

Looking for a fantastic flavor this autumn? Add some of Alexia Foods’ delicious potato and vegetable sides to your Thanksgiving feast. Or, wrap yourself up in your snuggie one night and treat yourself to something indulgently simple and delicious for supper. It’s not only a side…it can be what is for dinner.

October 12, 2011

Ooh la la…Van’s Gluten-Free French Toast Sticks a delicious morning treat

Van's Gluten-Free Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

No one is on top of their game in the morning. Not even me…the constant early-riser. There are days that I love to stand over the stove and cook up an omelet or some egg scramble, perhaps mix up some gluten-free pancakes, or bake up some home fries. And then there are mornings when the last thing I want to do is spend the morning in the kitchen, draped in my apron, trying to keep my work clothes clean while I attempt to make something edible.

That’s when the freezer section in the grocery store comes in handy for most people. When you have to eat gluten-free…it can be a bit more of a challenge. However, unlike other frozen breakfast food companies, Van’s Natural Foods seems to have embraced the gluten-free community. In my grocery store, I’ve found waffles and the cinnamon French toast sticks. It’s a start for this area, and I have no doubt that soon I will see other options there.

My local grocery store was running a 2/$5.00 special on Van’s products one day when I was in there. Spotting the blueberry waffles and the cinnamon French toast sticks (both clearly marked as wheat and gluten free), I decided to give them a try. Why not splurge a little on the grocery budget for a few more moments of rest on the sofa in the morning with my book? Sometimes it’s worth it.

Thank goodness…Van’s was more than worth the purchase.

Now…the packaging is a little deceiving when it comes to the French toast sticks. The image shows sliced bread sticks, covered in cinnamon and sugar, looking ample and fluffy and…picture perfect. The actual product is a lot different. The actual frozen bread is very thin. There is no sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar on the top. And not even when toasted does it begin to look fluffy and as picture-perfect as the box. But…I try not to judge a product on its cover…meaning, I don’t always give credence to the appearance on the box. What product actually looks exactly like what’s pictured anyway?

So, the bread-shaped slices went into the toaster, long enough to crisp and give me time to warm up the syrup to pour over the top. I tore the sticks apart, drizzled with a bit of syrup and settled in for my quick breakfast…already having my doubts. But when I sliced into one of the sticks, it had the perfect level of crispness. The texture was pleasing to the palate – light, not heavy. That way you don’t feel like taking a snooze immediately following your morning meal. It’s okay that the bread is thin, because instead you get a nice crispy outside, but a soft center. The bread is more cinnamon-flavored than topped with cinnamon. It’s sweet, which the brown sugar that is in the flour mixture plays a roll in, I’m sure. However, it meshed well together.

While they weren’t much to look at, even upon toasting, what Van’s brings to the breakfast table is a gluten-free treat that is not only fun to eat, but also delicious. Food doesn’t have to look just like the box, as long as it delivers in flavor. Van’s product may not look like much, but what it lacks in appearance is quickly made up for in texture, and more importantly, taste.

Gluten-free breakfasts are simple and simply good again. Thanks to Van’s Natural Products.

October 12, 2011

Rudi’s makes a heavenly slice of (gluten-free) pizza

It is virtually impossible for me to eat pizza these days. Which is sad…honestly. Because I love pizza. I love everything there is about pizza. In fact, I love playing around with different toppings and seeing how the flavors mesh. But, being a gluten-free vegetarian doesn’t always make this easy. Especially around where I live. In fact…unless I venture over the Ohio river to one of two local places that offer a gluten-free pizza…then I’m usually out of luck.

And then Rudi’s gluten-free pizza crust came into my life. Literally. In a box from UPS.

Suddenly pizza was back on the menu. And better (and healthier) than any restaurant-served pizza, I now had the opportunity to prepare my own…any way I wanted it. The little allergic chef in me rejoiced at the opportunity to not only try a new product, but to lay down some new flavors in a pizza.

Here’s what I love about Rudi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust…EVERYTHING!! First of all…the calorie and fat content beats any ready-made crust in stores. My roommate wanted to make regular pizza while I had gluten-free…but she didn’t like the nutrition information she was looking at. Aside from that, all the weird and unpronounceable ingredients in a lot of the store-bought pizza crusts can’t be good for your body. I recognized everyingredient on the Rudi’s gluten-free pizza crust package. In the end…my roommate got to have some gluten-free goodness for her pizza as well.

Seasoned Rudi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts — Rudi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts, seasoned with olive oil, rosemary and some crushed red pepper

That night’s pizza was a goat cheese and potato pizza with a splash of rosemary. Epic goodness…but only enhanced by the amazing crust that acted as it’s base. I laid out the crust, brushed it with a bit of olive oil and seasoned it with rosemary and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper. I laid down some Mozzarella Flavor Veggie Shreds (that’s non-dairy mozzarella cheese), some very thinly sliced potato, chunks of goat cheese, and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes.

Into the oven it went and I crossed my fingers.

Here’s what I expect from a pizza crust (even the ready-made ones)…for it to bake to a delicious crisp. For it to not fall apart and drop all my toppings into my lap or onto my plate. For it to only add to the flavors of the pizza, and not take away from it. So, after baking in the oven, I pulled the pizzas out, sliced them to perfect portion size, and took my first bite.

The crust…was perfection. It had a sweet flavor to it, which really balanced out the flavors of the pizza toppings. It had a nice texture. The flavor was outstanding. I was hooked at my first bite. Seriously. I closed my eyes and took another bite, focusing on every burst of flavor from the crust. The texture was outstanding. And, the other half of the pizza was dinner the next night, so into the refrigerator it went. In most cases, pizza crusts grow soggy overnight in the fridge, making the next day’s pizza experience…not anywhere near as delicious as when it was freshly baked. But after about a minute in the microwave, the cheese was sizzling, the pizza was heated through, and the crust…still had crispness. It didn’t fall apart, even when reheated. That speaks volumes. I couldn’t believe how amazing this product was.

I will sing my praises for Rudi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts…because it is a slice of gluten-free heaven. The perfect combination of natural ingredients created the perfect crust for any pizza. It’s fantastic…either way you slice it. Choose your own toppings, go to town, and rest assured that your pizza will taste better than anything a local place with a gluten-free option can offer.

Craving pizza? Go hit up your grocery store for Rudi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts. They do pizza a favor by taking pre-made crusts to the next level, providing a gluten-free option, and making it naturally healthy and delicious. You can’t argue with perfection and that’s what Rudi’s offers in every delicious slice.

Pizza is back on this girl’s gluten-free menu…and it has never tasted so good!

Rosemary, Potato & Goat Cheese Pizza on Rudi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

October 11, 2011

Veggie Slices give a dairy-free twist to (grilled) cheese

It’s a classic. Grilled cheese. We eat it when we’re kids. We eat it as adults. There is just something that is so comforting about that sandwich. It’s comfort food. You can enjoy it in any season because it pairs well with soups, salads, or a side of potato chips. You can eat it with just cheese, or dress it up with caramelized onions, a slice or two of tomato, sauteed mushrooms, or whatever might please your palate that day. Gourmet grilled cheese restaurants and food shops are popping up everywhere. And we love it.

But sometimes cheese doesn’t love you back. When I discovered I was lactose intolerant, I had to find an alternative to one of my favorite comfort foods. My local grocery store, while it doesn’t have much, did have a variety of different flavors of Veggie Slices, one of the products that Galaxy National Foods produces. Having had good luck with their Veggie Shreds, I decided I would give it a shot.

Out of all the choices offered, I decided to go with the pepper jack flavor for my sandwich. After purchasing it, I brought it home and immediately started to warm up a skillet to make my sandwich. I opened the pack and pulled out one of the slices, very much like American cheese slices. Peeling back the plastic, I took out the “cheese” slice and placed it on some gluten-free bread. And so…into the pan it went.

A slice of Veggie Slices Pepper Jack Flavor "cheese"

My biggest concern was how it would melt. I love a gooey sandwich, where when you pull the grilled cheese slices apart, the cheese just stretches with it. I noticed that as my bread was toasting, the cheese wasn’t really melting. I gave it a flip, and continued it on the other side.

Plating up, I sliced it up…

Veggie Slices do melt…a little. But, I won’t hold the lack of gooey melty goodness against the company. Why? Because it tastes good. Just like cheese. This pepper jack flavor doesn’t have the spicy bite of real pepper jack, but there are undertones of that flavor. I mean, nothing will be as good as the real thing. But this is a good enough substitute. The “cheese” tasted like cheese…so that was a good start. And the slice did melt…just not up to what I grew up with. But…this is a different sort of grilled cheese, right? So it will be different.

Another thing I loved about Veggie Slices is how they are loaded with calcium. These slices don’t have any cholesterol or lactose in them. AND…they are gluten-free. Not only that, the calorie and fat content of these little slices are quite low, making them a great option for cheese lovers who are looking to cut a little fat out of their diet.

I think a lower heat might help the Veggie Slices melt better. A gradual heating of the bread as it toasts might give it a bit more time. But this product has a place in my fridge now. And I have two other flavors just waiting for me to give them a try. And I can’t wait…because for a cheese alternative…Veggie Slices does well. I was impressed. When my only complaint is that the pepper jack lacked the spice associated with it, well…that’s speaks highly of the product.

I look forward to trying Veggie Slices on gluten-free veggie burgers and other meals in the very near future. Great product for the cheese lover in all of us.

Veggie Slices Grilled Cheese — Grilled cheese sandwich using gluten-free bread and Veggie Slices Pepper Jack Flavor "cheese"