Review – Page 40 – The Celiathlete

March 1, 2014

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

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

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

Even better…it tastes great.

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

Her choice?

Urbāne Grain Three Cheese and Mushroom Whole Grain Quinoa Blend.

Sounds good, yes?

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

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

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

Like…macaroni and cheese.

I’m okay with that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 28, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk

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

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

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

What is cultured coconut milk? Glad you asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 28, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars – $4.99+

I have one person to blame for my obsession with anything So Delicious! Honestly. Because I was turned onto these fantastic products simply by having some of the vanilla coconut milk at my friend Heather’s apartment one morning when I was visiting. She asked if I had tried it and then went on and on about how wonderful it was. I took a sample.

I was hooked.

So…I’m not pointing the finger at you, Heather…I am thanking you. Because of you, I have this love affair with products from So Delicious Dairy Free.

Recently they launched a couple of new products…one of which is some mini coconut milk dessert bars. Yes…coconut milk based dessert bars. They do it brilliantly. I reviewed the Minis Organic Fudge Bars the other night…but a new flavor steps into the spotlight tonight. And right there with chocolate, this happens to be one of my favorite flavors in life.

Strawberry.

I love strawberries. I love strawberry flavored things. I apparently love strawberries and coconut milk in a frozen form. Because from my first taste of this bar, I was hooked. So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars are…well…super. I’m not kidding. If you want to taste something that tastes like real strawberries…look no further than this dessert. And it isn’t fake strawberry flavor either. That amazing strawberry taste…that’s real strawberries. Organic strawberries at that. It’s amazing what real ingredients to do the flavor of food. I was instantly a fan of this frozen treat. Instantly. It was all I could do to saver each taste until it was all gone. I wanted it to last forever. But these little bars are mini…and they melt. So…it can’t go on forever. But, there are four to a pack, so you can indulge three more times after that first initial one.

And you’ll want to. Rich, smooth, creamy…it’s hard to believe that these don’t have any dairy in them. Who says you can’t make a fantastic frozen dessert without real milk and cream. These bars are proof. Not only are they creamy and dreamy, but they taste amazing. And I love that they are the perfect size too. So often, desserts can outweigh the dinner entree. Not here. You get a great portion and great flavor. This company is named So Delicious for a reason!

Let’s talk ingredients. According to the package, the So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars are made from organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, organic strawberries, organic inulin, natural flavor, organic guar gum, ascorbicacid, organic locust bean gum, and organic beet juice concentrate. Not bad. I know what all the ingredients are.

Nutritionally speaking…you’ll love these! One serving is one of the mini bars. This will provide you with 80 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 5 mg sodium (love that!) and 9 grams of sugar. Considering much of that sugar is coming from real fruit…that’s not bad. Not bad at all. A serving will also give you 5 grams of fiber. These bars, however, contain no protein. These are cholesterol free, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, non-GMO and certified organic. YAY!

If you love strawberries…you’ll dive right into these bars. Taste-for-taste they just get better as you go along. I absolutely loved everything about the SO Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars. Everything. Down to the plant-based and compostable stick. Saving the environment the So Delicious way.

So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Super Strawberry Bars (unwrapped)

February 28, 2014

Product Review: A Taste of Thai Pad Thai for Two

Product: A Taste of Thai Pad Thai for Two – $3.59+

I’m very fortunate that I live near one of the best Thai restaurants in the nation. Yes. I will go as far as to say that. However, that being said…I also can’t afford to eat out much these days. My money is better spent on travel and food experiences outside of my own neighborhood.

And race fees.

But…that’s a horse of a different color.

As I’m getting through a very long two weeks of no CSA bin filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, I’m scraping my pantry, fridge and freezer for things to eat until Friday. It’s coming. But it’s been a very rough two weeks of eating processed foods. Some good…some better…none horribly bad. I do pay a lot of attention to nutrition information when I shop and when I do buy something in a box or package…I mind the ingredient list and nutrition information above everything else.

Anyway…with nothing real to make food out of, save for a container of organic baby kale and a red onion…I pulled the final Thai food box out of my pantry. This time it was the Pad Thai for Two from A Taste of Thai. It sounded brilliant and the picture on the box looked drool-worthy. One thing I didn’t take into account was that the box literally only contained rice noodles and the Pad Thai sauce. No joke. So…I had to think. And I thought…kale and onions…caramelize…sauté…add noodles…BAM! Dinner. Why not? My roomie seemed game for that too, so I set to work.

Pad Thai Sauce and Rice Noodles in A Taste of Thai Pad Thai for Two

I boiled some water and put the rice noodles into a large bowl, covering it with the hot water and letting it sit for 20 minutes. As the noodles were soaking, I went ahead and sliced up the last of my red onion and got it into a pan over medium heat to begin the caramelizing process. I, not thinking, started this in a smaller sauté pan…remember this later. The onions were caramelizing beautifully, so I went ahead and added a couple handfuls of organic baby kale. I sautéed it until it wilted down and turned bright green. When the noodles were ready, I drained them and then added them to the small sauté pan, realizing then my error. Somehow, I managed to contain it all in the pan and still swoosh it and stir it. I didn’t risk tossing it as the pan was rather full of Thai goodness. After about 4 minutes, I added some chopped (and toasted) cashews that I decided to add at the last moment, and then the packet of sauce. All of this was mixed in that itty-bitty pan, but it got the job done. And soon, I was dishing it up into two bowls and after about 30 minutes…dinner was served.

Was it worth it? Yes!! It was. I enjoyed this little boxed meal more than I thought I would. I thought the onion, cashew and kale were perfect additions (and very non-traditional, I know!) to the mess of noodles and sauce because they brought different flavors and textures to the meal. The rice noodles actually ended up being cooked perfectly. They didn’t stick together, as I was afraid they would because normally that’s what happens with rice noodles. I was pleasantly surprised. The sauce was tangy and sweet more than spicy, which was a nice change of pace (but you know I love my spicy foods!). And it was easy to eat this noodle dish with chopsticks without making a huge mess. No mess at all, in fact. I found that I truly enjoyed eating this meal. I would definitely consider buying it again for one of those quick-to-make meals where I have time for a little prep work and cook time…but it isn’t a flash in the microwave either. LOVED it!

So, let’s talk ingredients, yes? As I mentioned, the box contained a packet of rice noodles and a packet of sauce. The rice noodles are simply made from rice flour, water, and modified (I hate that word!) tapioca starch. The Pad Thai sauce was made from palm sugar, tamarind juice, water, shallot, sweet radish, garlic, soybean oil, potassium chloride, maltodextrin, miso, salt, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract, paprika oleoresin, citric acid, alpha-tocopherol, and chili oleoresin. I know…not very clean…and some very hard to pronounce words. Ugh. So much promise…

Let’s now talk nutrition. A serving is 1/2 of the package. This serving will provide you with 391 calories and 3 grams of fat. This will also provide you with 433 mg sodium and 16 grams of sugar. That sugar is off-the-chart. YIKES!! As for the sodium…it’s under 600 mg, so I can live with that. Without the additions…this dish has no fiber, but does provide 5 grams of protein. Of course, then I added onions, kale, and cashews and that really bumped up some of those nutrients, but hardly added any calories at all. Love it.

So…yes…this is a highly processed item…and the nutrition factors aren’t fantastic, but they aren’t totally bad either. The sugar content is high, but that is mostly contained to the sauce. And the overall taste and textures were a huge hit. My roommate and I loved eating them, but will probably try to do more from scratch. But, in a pinch, on those just scraping by weeks…this will do!

A Taste of Thai Pad Thai for Two (prepared with caramelized onion, kale, and cashews)

February 27, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Vanilla Cultured Coconut Milk

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

Do you know what love is?

Love is…a new and fabulous product from a company who prides itself on good quality products. And, lucky me…I had the opportunity to test drive a few of these new products from So Delicious!! I have not been disappointed.

One of the new products out there from So Delicious Dairy Free is their 16 ounce containers of Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk. They have two varieties of the unsweetened ones…plain and vanilla. And let me tell you…these do not disappoint.

I am a huge smoothie fan. And, for Christmas, I was given a personal blender. So smoothie making is SO much easier now. They are great for pre-run and post-run fueling and nutrition…as long as you use the right ingredients. Well, I’m not running much right now due to a severely sprained ankle. But…smoothies are still one of the best things in life. So…this week, I broke out a tub of the So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Vanilla Cultured Coconut Milk.

It was brilliant. I put 1 cup of the Unsweetened Vanilla Cultured Coconut Milk into my blender, then added 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon of flaxseed, and then a tropical fruit mixture of frozen fruit (mangoes, pineapple, strawberries, and peaches)…gave it a whirl…and viola. Smoothie.

Let me tell you…this makes a smooth, rich and creamy smoothie without adding sugar to the mix. There is plenty of sugar via the fruit that is used. I love having that option as I am trying to cut back a bit on the sugar I consume. This is one of my new favorite products from So Delicious. And it is so versatile. I used one of the plain ones in a very…very different manner and I’ll post about that in a bit. The fact of the matter remains, the vanilla doesn’t overpower or overwhelm. The cultured coconut milk is creamy and dreamy. It makes this velvety smooth, low sugar smoothie and it is fantastic. Every last bit of it. Fantastic. Slurp that smoothie down…it’s good for you. The bit of coconut flavor really played well with my tropical fruit blend. So much love.

This product is nutritionally sound too! A serving size is 4 ounces, or about 1/2 cup. This serving will dish you up 60 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. You will also be taking in 95 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. LOVE IT! This product has no protein in it, but you do get 4 grams of filling fiber. If you need a protein boost…use a good and trusty protein powder. This product is cholesterol free, gluten-free, and vegan.

I can’t say enough good things about this product. I am over the moon for it. And I can’t wait to share what I did with the plain unsweetened either. Although the vanilla would have worked just as well too. I don’t think my fridge will ever be without this now. I am, above all else, hooked. Loving it! I promise…you will too!

Tropical Smoothie made with So Delicious Dairy Free Unsweetened Vanilla Cultured Coconut Milk

February 25, 2014

Product Review: Tasty Bite Agra Peas and Greens

Product Review: Tasty Bite Agra Peas and Greens – $3.29+

There is more to my life than just pizza, ice cream, and cookies. Really, there is. And the proof is in this blog. I have an eclectic love of food, even with my dietary restrictions. I love to try different types of cuisine and often do, as long as the food can safely be made vegetarian and gluten-free. One of the easiest cuisines to navigate with this specific diet is none other than Indian food.

Now, I have my go-to Indian restaurant here in town. And I love the food. I grew up eating this type of food at my neighbor’s home…so Indian cuisine has always been one of my favorite things. I love the smell of curry. I love the taste of the spice blends. I could eat Indian food every night for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it.

It’s all about depth of flavor.

That being said, I have been without my CSA bin for two weeks now, due to being out of town. Fresh vegetables and fruits are not in my apartment currently. So…I’m pulling things out of the pantry to avoid grocery shopping and to get me through to Friday when I do get my CSA bin once again. YAY! Tonight…the final Tasty Bite meal came out of my pantry. It was time…

Tonight’s Tasty Bite was the Agra Peas and Greens. Agra Peas and Greens is basically peas in a creamy sauce of leafy greens and cashews. I’ll be honest with you…neither my roommate nor I knew what to expect from this meal. I mean, I like peas well enough, but it just wasn’t jiving with me. I think my roomie was trying to put off the inevitable…but it reached critical here in the apartment when it came to food. I don’t know why we were both expecting not to really like this meal.

Anyway, as with all Tasty Bite meals, nothing is simpler. I cooked up some jasmine rice this morning so that I could just simply reheated it when I got home to serve with the meal. Then, the little pouch of Indian food goodness is vented with a 2-inch tear and then popped into the microwave for 90 seconds. And just like that…a warm Indian meal is ready to serve. It is so easy. So, I split the rice and the contents of the package between two bowls and dinner was served…in less than five minutes.

I admit, Indian cuisine isn’t the prettiest cuisine out there, but it sure is one of the tastiest. And despite our initial reluctance to dive into this one…both Cathy and I were pleasantly surprised with how much we liked this. The peas gave the entire dish a nice hint of sweetness. It was just what was needed. This particular dish is very mild, no heat at all in each bite. I didn’t mind there not being heat this time though, because of the flavors that played across my palate. Fantastic. The sauce was awesome. I could taste the cashews. I was thrilled with this meal and savored each and every bite until my bowl was completely empty.

The Agra Peas and Greens meal from Tasty Bite is made up of water, green peas, tomatoes, onions, fenugreek greens, cashew paste, spinach, cream, watermelon seeds, sunflower oil, salt, garlic, ginger, sugar, tumeric, spices, and chilies. Put it all together and a surprisingly delightful entree emerges.

Nutritionally speaking, the Tasty Bite Agra Peas and Greens is a smart choice. Honestly. A serving is half of the pouch that it comes in. This serving will deliver 140 calories and 10 grams of fat. It seems high in the fat, but a lot of that does come from the cashews. A serving also provides 3 mg cholesterol, 410 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. From a serving, you will also get 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, making it rather filling.

I love that this dish completely caught me off guard. I was so ready to not like it and found myself loving it more and more with each bite. It’s a non-spicy, easy, tasty bite…and it’s in your grocery store. Trust me…you’ll want to pick this one up and try it for yourself.

Tasty Bite Agra Peas and Greens over jasmine rice

February 25, 2014

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Fudge Bars

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

Many of you already know that I am a huge fan of So Delicious. Their coconut milk and almond milk (as well as products made from said non-dairy milk) are amazing. I have yet to try something that I don’t like. That’s the thing about a company named So Delicious…it has to live up to it.

Recently, So Delicious Dairy Free released a couple of new coconut milk products. And I was fortunate enough to receive some of these products in the mail. I was out of town this past weekend, so I didn’t get to dive right in…but now that I’m back…I’m was beyond eager to give these products a try.

I started…with one of the most basic ones.

My choice: So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Fudge Bars. These little fudgsicle like treats are a coconut milk dairy-free frozen dessert. And they are chocolate. And you know…one of the ways to my heart is through chocolate. I’m a choc-o-holic. I owe that to my grandma because she ate the heck out of chocolate. It was her favorite thing in life. And I can’t blame her. So, not only are these frozen bars made with delicious chocolate, but also that sweet hit of coconut milk. Sounds like the perfect snack, yes?

You better believe it. The Mini Organic Fudge Bar was my dessert tonight. I was so eager to rip into the wrapper and devour. But…I paced myself. Because dessert is meant to be savored. And this frozen treat is worth every moment of savoring. It won’t last too long though, because it does melt. So…do keep that in mind, okay?

First of all, this is the perfect and ideal size treat. Not too much and not too little. As Goldilocks would say…it’s just right. And it is. Honestly. The actual bar itself is around 3.5 inches in length, so in the grand scheme of things…not as mini as the product name might lead you to think. That’s a nice bonus. The consistency is so ice cream like you won’t believe that you’re not eating a full-blown-to-the-max-with-dairy ice cream bar. No cows were used in the making of this chocolate treat. Seriously. Velvet smooth. And the flavor is incredible. I fell in love with the rich flavor of the chocolate combined with that smooth coconut milk flavor. It is a winning combination in my book. I think my roommate got tired of hearing me comment on how delicious dessert was. Best of all, I didn’t have to bake it or make it. It was in my freezer just waiting for me…begging me…to just try it.

There is no going back. I want this in my freezer for life. For afterlife too, if that’s possible. This sweet tooth was beyond satisfied.

As far as ingredients go, the Mini Organic Fudge Bars contain coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic inulin, organic cocoa, organic dried cane syrup, water, carob bean gum, guar gum, natural flavor, salt, and carrageenan. These bars are vegan, cholesterol free, and gluten-free. All ingredients are also non-GMO! I totally approve.

As far as nutrition goes, you will absolute do a flip for these. A serving is 1 bar. The box comes with 4 inside. One of the So Delicious Dairy Free Minis Organic Fudge Bars will serve you up only 80 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. You will be consuming 10mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. Not bad for a treat! And you will be provided with 3 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Super yum!! Thank you, So Delicious, for introducing me to this new product!

I’m doing my best right now not to go raid my freezer for another one.

Because…I want another one.

Do search out this new product from So Delicious Dairy Free. Nothing is better after a long day than a sweet treat without the guilt. Enjoy!

So Delicious Diary Free Minis Organic Fudge Bar (unwrapped)

February 24, 2014

Product Review: Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup

Product: Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup – $2.79+

The weather outside is back to being frightful. I wish it would just warm up. Honestly. I am so done with winter.

One thing, however, that is good about colder temperatures outdoors is…soup! Granted, I can happily eat soup in the spring, summer and fall, but it just feels so right and homey when consumed in winter. Especially on really bitterly cold days.

My roommate and I actually had picked up this box of soup at Trader Joe’s awhile back. But other soups came first…mostly homemade. And this kept its place in the pantry. That is until last night. What was so different about last night? Well…I had nothing in my fridge or pantry due to being out of town and cancelling my CSA bin for another week. Sure, I grabbed a few items at the grocery store, but nothing condusive to a soup. And I really, really wanted soup.

Thank goodness my pantry is usually stocked with some sort of soup or vegetable broth. I chose to make vegan and gluten-free BLT sandwiches and serve it with bowl of the Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup. An easy, stress-free dinner. Just what I needed as my day had been rather tiring and long, mostly on the road. Cathy said she was okay with that dinner and so…that’s what I ended up making. I pulled the soup box out of the pantry and put 2 cups of it into a bowl, reserving the other 2 cups for today when I make the same dinner again because…well…I can and I have everything!

The soup was easy enough to warm up, so while it warmed on the stovetop, I toasted some bread to top with baby kale, tomato slices, and slices of vegan and gluten-free bacon that I made a week ago. It’s good to go from freezer to pan and it is awesome. I posted the recipe a couple weeks ago and just linked it there. Anyway, the soup was a crazy purple-brown color. So, yeah…not the most appetizing looking soup, but it smelled fantastic as it cooked. I stirred it on occasion while taking care not to burn the bread in the oven nor the bacon in a pan on the stove. I managed. And as everything finished up and the bread slices were spread with Veganaise and topped with the vegetables and bacon, I got out a ladle to dish up the soup.

I filled the bowls with a serving each and settled in for dinner. Soup and sandwich. Classic…and one of my favorite combinations. I almost did gluten-free and vegan grilled cheese…but the BLT was too tempting. And it worked so well with this soup!

First of all, this soup was not much to look at, but HELLO FLAVOR! The seasoning of this soup was beyond amazing. It had a little bit of heat and layers and depth to each spoonful. I tend to dip my sandwiches into my soup, especially when it’s a non-chunky soup like this, and it meshed really well with the vegan and gluten-free BLT. I thought as far as flavor went, this soup had it going on. The spice was just enough…not too strong. And the other flavors, garlic, cumin, and chipotle didn’t overpower. I sipped at this soup, really just taking it in to form my opinion. And when I asked my roommate what she thought of it, she echoed exactly what I was thinking. It was good…but it was lacking something. It was just…black bean broth. It was missing…something. That’s the thing about boxed soups, all you get is the flavor base. When you make it at home, it’s usually thicker, maybe chunky, has more depth. That’s what this lacked. It wasn’t bad, don’t get me wrong…but it was just lacking. That’s why when I cooked the rest of it up tonight, I made some homemade crackers to float on top. HA! I can be resourceful.

That being said, Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup is made up from filtered water, black beans, onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, flavor concentrate (tomato puree, sea salt, sugar, canola oil, spices, chipotle pepper, natural flavor), tomato paste, garlic, sea salt, olive oil, cumin, guar gum, and black pepper. For being the last ingredient listed, the black pepper and chipotle flavors really do stand out the most. But, I like heat, so I’m okay with that. None of these ingredients raised any flags to me. I recognized them all.

Nutritionally speaking, Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup is almost a rockstar. A serving is 1 cup of the soup. This 1 cup bowlful will provide you with 70 calories and 1 gram of fat. A serving also dishes up 520 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. While it seems a bit high in sodium, it is a packaged soup and I knew that when I purchased it. And, in the grand scheme of things and compared to other soups on the market, 520 mg of sodium isn’t the worst I have seen. A serving of this soup also provides 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. So, you will feel full…trust me…after eating this soup. Yes…even without the chunks.

So, the basic feeling on this soup is that, it is good and tasty, but definitely lacking. I liked the spices and the heat, but the texture was just…not quite what I expect when I hear the term black bean soup. I was disappointed there, but would definitely consider getting this soup again, perhaps to use more as a base for a chili, or next time add some rice or vegetables or…even black beans, instead of a soup on its own.

Trader Joe's Latin Style Black Bean Soup (with my homemade crackers) — Trader Joe’s Latin Style Black Bean Soup (with my homemade crackers)

February 24, 2014

Product Review: Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies

The Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Product: Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies – $5.49+

My friend Jenn knows the way to my heart. She knows what can lift my spirits. She knows how to get me to smile.

Three words.

Gluten Free Cookies.

Yep. That does it every time. And this past weekend, when I went up to visit and escape my real life where I live for awhile, she totally lifted my spirits and helped me find that smile that has been absent during this winter year. And that was before the cookies were even mentioned.

Saturday was a busy day…and one that included many culinary adventures. But, as the night was winding down and before we all settled in to watch Despicable Me 2, we (being Jenn, Cathy and I) quickly made our way to the kitchen because we were celebrating Jenn’s birthday and cookies had to be had. For real. Out of the freezer she pulled a package of Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I think I might have salivated immediately.

Cookie monster, remember?

Anyway…we knew these wouldn’t take too long to cook, so we got right to work, preheating the oven to 325°F and prepping a baking sheet with parchment paper. I tore into the cookie dough package and removed the tray of 12 balls of dough. From there, Jenn and I began to remove the cookie dough and place the little balls of chocolate chip gluten-free joy onto a baking pan, about 2 inches apart. When the oven was up to the proper heat, we popped the pan inside and let it cook for 16 minutes.

Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough

Longest 16 minutes ever. The three of us had a little snack of Jenn’s homemade pink salad…while we were waiting…because it seemed logical. And, for the last five minutes, we all just sort of stared at the timer…eagerly awaiting our chocolate chip treats. Except we were cooking from frozen, we gave them a little longer, but not much. When we removed them, they were golden balls of cookie dough, because we didn’t pay attention to the part of the baking instructions that said to flatten the cookie before shoving it in the oven. Whoops. No worries. We now had to let the cookies sit for another 5 minutes. That was sheer torture, because now the kitchen smelled like chocolate chip cookies. As those five minutes finished, Jenn scooped a cookie off the sheet to plate it. Then she said the most glorious words ever (and honestly is one of so many reasons she and I get along so well) when she exclaimed, “Screw this one cookie thing! We’re each getting two!”

There were no arguments. At least not from Jenn or I. Cathy might have looked a little bit startled but she happily complied to the 2 cookie vote.

I won’t lie. I was the first person to take a bite. It was still very soft in the middle…not raw…but close. We probably should have let them cook a wee bit longer since we were cooking them from their frozen state. But…they were really good. The cookie dough was fantastic. I loved the buttery flavor of the cookie itself and, even more, the sweetness from the chocolate chunks that were throughout the cookies. They didn’t skimp on the chocolate, and I appreciate that so much! I love that no bite was without a bit of chocolate. The flavor actually reminded me of these large cookies that my school district offered from K-12 grades that were soft and chewy and just above that half-baked level. They tasted so much like that and it brought back some really happy memories. I enjoyed these so much. I might have licked the crumbs off the plate.

The next day, Jenn sent Cathy and I on our way with two more for each of us. I found that I liked them even more on the second day. I might have gotten a little hungry halfway home so we had a bit of a snack. One part of this snack was one of the cookies. Soft in the middle. Chewy. No hard bites that break your teeth. Still amazing and delicious. YUMMY! I might be addicted to these. The other two were consumed as dessert after dinner that night. And I once again reminisced about how good they were…how amazing they tasted…but now…they were gone.

Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies are made from semisweet chocolate, palm fruit and canola oils, brown sugar, potato starch, tapioca starch, sugar, rice flour, whole eggs, invert sugar, water, natural flavor, xanthan gum, baking soda, and guar gum. No crazy ingredients that make me question what they might be doing in food…or foody treats like cookies. These cookies are also completely dairy-free as well.

Now let’s talk nutrition. I know…cookies. Cookies are treats and really not nutritionally sound…but…COOKIES! This from a true cookie monster. Let’s remember…everything in moderation. And if you stick to the serving size, these really aren’t too bad on the nutrition scale. A serving is 1 cookie. This cookie will give you 150 calories and 8 grams of fat. This serving will also provide you with 10 mg sodium, 85 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. Yes…that is a lot of sugar. About 3 teaspoons per serving, actually. But, remember…cookies. These are cookies. Finally, one cookie provides you with less than 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, these aren’t made to be filling. And with all that sugar, they won’t be. But…yeah…they are beyond tasty.

I love that Immaculate Baking Company has a few gluten-free options in their product lineup. Honestly. Even more…I am beyond impressed with the way the Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies baked up and came out. Yes…even with the misstep on our part for baking time. They are really delicious with great flavor and at least a chunk of chocolate in each bite. I want to fill my freezer with these and cook them all the time.

Consider this cookie monster hooked!

Immaculate Baking Company Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies

February 24, 2014

Restaurant Review: Cap City Fine Diner and Bar, Columbus, Ohio

Restaurant: Cap City Fine Diner and Bar, Columbus, Ohio

Twas two days after my friend Jenn’s birthday and I was visiting her. That was not planned. Okay…maybe it was. I mean…birthdays are so much fun and I wanted to go visit Jenn anyway. The need to get away from life where I am currently living was a necessity more than anything. And good friends always offer the best times when you need your spirits lifted and your soul cleansed.

After a morning of delicious gluten-free crepes and an afternoon spent out shopping at the used book stores, a treat at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and a stop at the natural food store that literally BROKE my budget (OMG…gluten-free things that I had not even known existed!), Cathy and I were going to take Jenn out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. I let her know ahead of time and she, even though she didn’t have to, chose a place that features a gluten-free menu.

The place…Cap City Fine Diner and Bar.

And at 5 p.m., we rolled up, parked, and made our way into the restaurant.

First of all, the place was nothing like I expected. Located on the end of a strip mall, the outside is very unassuming…save for the 50’s style door you walk through to enter the diner. We were greeted by the hostess after a moment and requested a gluten-free menu for me. We were shown to a table and settled in when our waitress, Candie, came over to get our drink orders. Despite the day of celebration, we all just stuck to water. She went over some specials, and the vegetable soup did spark my interest. So, after she went to fetch our waters and returned, I asked if it was gluten-free. She said she thought it was, but she would go double-check. When she returned, she regretfully informed me that it was not gluten-free. I had to options in mind for dinner. They had gluten-free fries offered and that was really tempting. If I did that, I’d be getting a salad. And it was pointed out by Jenn and Cathy that I could get a salad anywhere. True…but I can’t get fries everywhere. That being said, I made up my mind.

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar's Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls — Cap City Fine Diner and Bar’s Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls

Cathy and Jenn ordered what they normally order when we go out to a restaurant that has this on the menu – Fish and Chips ($15.99). As for me, I went with the Gluten-Free Seasonal Vegetable Plate ($14.99). Candie asked if I wanted some gluten-free dinner rolls. I was taken aback. I wasn’t expecting that. I eagerly nodded my head and gave her a “Oh…yes please!” Happiness.

Orders were in, and we fell into conversation about future plans, things happening around us, the waiter with the really awesome mustache, ate dinner rolls (mine gluten-free…theirs regular)…that sort of thing. The dinner rolls, for the record, were warm, flaky, and delicious! I kept myself to just one. And then…our actual food arrived.

My veggie plate looked amazing. I mean…I read the description, but this was beyond what I expected. This plate was stunning. The colors were vibrant. The presentation was inviting. I was beyond impressed and totally ready to dive in and try it out. But, I composed myself enough to take a picture. Then let my roomie photograph her fish and chips for her own blog (which maybe one day she’ll actually put up on the interwebs). And then she promptly stole some of my rice…because she said she really wanted to try it. LOL! I also let her steal a tortilla chip and some of the hummus.

Oh…I’m getting ahead of myself here. I haven’t yet described the actual food on the dish yet. The menu described the Gluten-Free Seasonal Vegetable Plate as being composed of very wild rice, sliced almonds, goat cheese, roasted red pepper hummus, warm roasted vegetables and cured olives. I asked for my plate to not include the olives because I disdain olives so much. I don’t even want to have to pick around them. The plate came with corn tortilla chips on the side. The rice had the slivered almonds, corn and craisins in it, really amping up the volume as well as the presentation. The roasted vegetables were a mix of asparagus, broccoli, carrots, red pepper, portobello mushrooms and garlic. It was topped off by a very liberal sprinkling of goat cheese. It looked fantastic.

And it was. Just popping with flavor. The corn tortilla chips were my least favorite part, actually and ended up being left on the side of the plate. The vegetables were roasted to perfection, however. Packed with flavor and cooked just enough to get them to that brilliant bright hue that catches the eye and really whets the appetite. I was SO ready for bite after bite. I ended up using dabs of hummus on my vegetables. The roasted red pepper hummus was good, but I found it to be very oily and a bit bland. I felt like it needed a little more seasoning or spice to it. Believe it or not, though, my absolute favorite part of this entire dish…was the very wild rice. I loved the play on flavors and textures with the perfectly cooked rice, the crunch of the slivered almonds, the sweetness from the corn and the craisins. It was absolute perfection. Everything meshed and mingled well on the plate and I was quite content with eating it.

If I had one complaint it was that the entire plate was swimming in oil. While I love olive oil as much as the next person, I think there is a thing as way too much. And this definitely got to that point. But, the flavors were great and I devoured everything but the chips. Delicious!

Would I dine here again? I’d be willing to give it a try. I might do the salad and french fries next time though. Cathy said she’d be willing to try a burger the next time as her fish was good…and fell solidly in the middle of everywhere she ate up until now. Not a bad showing…but it didn’t wow her enough to try it again. But…each of us are willing to give it another try with other food options.

So, a good showing by Cap City Diner. We had a great time there. And we did enjoy the food. It was a great night out with good friends and that was fantastic in and of itself. Good food and good times. Just what I needed.

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar's Gluten-Free Seasonal Vegetable Plate — Cap City Fine Diner and Bar’s Gluten-Free Seasonal Vegetable Plate