Review – Page 43 – The Celiathlete

January 3, 2014

Product Review: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix – $5.00

I am a lucky one!

I am. I am one lucky lady.

And I’m about to tell you why.

I live just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. One short drive over a bridge and I am in the city. I can see Louisville from my apartment. I’m that close. But it’s not the city itself that makes me feel lucky. It’s the gem that sits at the heart of it.

Recently, Louisville has really come onto the foodie scene. With chefs showing up on television shows, the restaurant scene exploding (especially over in NULU), and features in food magazines like Food & Wine, Louisville really has something to offer for everyone.

Yes. Everyone.

Including me – a gluten-free vegetarian.

The place – Annie May’s Sweet Café, located at 3110 Frankfort Avenue. It’s a short little journey there…and one that I make weekly…if I’m in town. I don’t miss any opportunity to support this business and the people who make this genuinely good food. And trust me…you don’t need to have a food allergy to enjoy the products that they put in their case and offer Tuesday – Saturday.

Really, trust me. My roomie eats there every week with me. I’ve taken my running friends Natalie and Harry there. I’ve taken my sister there. I’ve taken my friend Greg there…and he is hooked on her Allergen-Free Double Chocolate Brownies. Trust me…he always buys at least two when he’s in town. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to tell her food was gluten-free or dairy-free it wasn’t advertised. Seriously. Good eats. All around.

But today, I am not just going to talk to you about the business. Today…I want to talk to you about one of the mixes that is available for purchase from Annie May’s.

I’m talking about Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix.

Yes. More pancakes. The world would be a better place if more pancakes were consumed. But…they must be good pancakes. I’ve eaten a lot of different pancakes since going gluten-free. Frozen, from mixes, from restaurants. And this mix really does cook up some fantastic pancakes. I actually utilized the mix two ways to be honest. I did my first four pancakes just plain…made as the bag instructed me to make them. But for the second batch…I added Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips…and made chocolate chip pancakes for the following day. The mix is so easy to make and it has a great texture. I just had a good feeling when I put it all together in my mixing bowl and then scooped up the 1/4 cup to set on the skillet.

The pancakes cooked to perfection. No joke. Golden and crusty on the outside. They were a thing of beauty. In fact, I might have let out a little squee of glee and did a little hop-dance of joy in the kitchen after I flipped the first one. Because it was gorgeous. A stunning and perfect pancakes. I only had to be sure not to burn them. And…I didn’t. I totally rocked these out and they fluffed up and got all soft and hot in the middle. I am drooling just writing about them. Then, after serving them up with real maple syrup…I devoured. And as I was savoring and scarfing all at the same time…I got the chocolate chip version cooking.

Once again…perfection. I tucked these into a container and put them in the fridge. I had a spinning class to take on Friday morning, so I figured when I got back from that, I could pop these bad boys in the microwave, nuke them to reheated perfection, and serve them up with that maple syrupy goodness. I was so pleased with how well these reheated. Honestly. So many times you just get a soggy, mushy mess. While these don’t get that golden crust they have fresh off the skillet, they don’t wilt and fall apart after a day in the fridge either. They reheated really well and maintained the integrity of the previously consumed pancakes…still so delicious…down to the last bite.

I have two pancakes left. Can you guess what I’m eating Sunday morning? HA! I can’t eat them tomorrow…I’m going to Annie May’s Sweet Café for their amazing breakfast menu. Might even splurge and get a few extras. Because…I can. And I want to. And so…I will.

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t live in or near Louisville, Kentucky. Annie May’s Sweet Café ships! Yes…they ship. Just go to this page and place an order. Trust me…you will not be disappointed. And, yes…the Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix is available for order. So…don’t think. Just do. DO IT!

And…I still count myself as one very lucky lady to live near a place that has a restaurant that I feel totally and completely at ease in. I know I can get good food there…and I will continue to bring my friends and family there. So far, no one has been disappointed.

And to Annie May, Kenna, and the staff…keep up the good work. See you tomorrow morning!

Perfect pancakes made from Annie May's Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix — Perfect pancakes made from Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix

January 2, 2014May 11, 2015

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread – $8.99

Let me give a big shout-out to Tastefully Simple consultant and a friend of mine from high school, Rebecca Fifield! It is because of her that I have these products in the first place. You see…back when I was in high school, I wasn’t gluten-free. In fact…I don’t think anyone in my hometown even knew what a Celiac was.

It turns out that there is magic in the Interwebs…and thanks to the magic of social media…you reconnect with people. That’s how Rebecca and I got back into touch. And she, knowing I am Celiac and having to eat gluten-free now, sent me packets of Tastefully Simple’s new gluten-free line-up of mixes.

Well…it’s the New Year. January 1st. And my roommate and I have set a few goals for this coming year. And we are wasting no time getting settled into the new routine. That being said, tonight I was simply cooking up some black eyed peas with some kale for dinner. I know that doesn’t sound gourmet, but some believe that eating black eyed peas on New Years Day will bring prosperity. I’m all for that. The recipe mentioned something about serving the meal with cornbread. I don’t have cornbread and I didn’t have enough cornmeal in my pantry to rock out a batch of it from scratch.

That being said…I remembered I had these mixes ready for me to try. So, I climbed up to the top shelf of my pantry and began to pull each one up until I found the one I was seeking.

Gluten-Free Beer Bread.

Yes. Gluten-Free Beer Bread. And…I just so happen to have gluten-free beer on hand. I’m not a beer drinker, mind you, but I make a killer queso with it…so I tend to have it in the house in case. So glad I did…because I was more than excited to get this bread cooking.

And guess what? Tastfully Simple really is simple!! This mix is super easy to put together. I got down one 9 x 5 bread pan and buttered the inside. Then, all I had to do was add to a large bowl…the mix, the gluten-free beer (or you can use soda), and 1 egg. There is an option to add 3 tablespoons of melted butter…which I decided to do.

That’s it. Whisk it together. Pour it in the pan. Drizzle the melted butter over the top (if you’re using it…but I highly recommend it). Set it in a 350°F oven for about 50 minutes…and you have yourself a beautiful loaf of gluten-free beer bread.

YES! It really is that easy!

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread

What’s more…I was drooling as this was baking in my oven. My apartment smelled (and still does) so amazing. Fresh-baked bread is one of my favorite smells…but this aroma was beyond fantastic. I resisted the urge to open the oven and sneak a peak the instant I started to smell it. That being said…I allowed it to cook for a full 50 minutes, preparing the rest of dinner as it was finishing up. And when my timer went off, I pulled a gorgeous, golden-crusted loaf of gluten-free bread out of my oven. I turned it out of the pan…and it was perfect.

I let it cool slightly as I finished up the last of the black eyed peas and kale we were having for dinner. I knew the bread needed to cool a bit more…but I was ready to dive in. So, I sliced off two slices…one for me and on for my roommate. It sliced beautifully, still steaming in the middle. Fresh. Hot. Gluten-Free. Bread.

Well, we settled in for our New Years Day feast and I immediately had to sink my teeth into the beer bread.

OH MY BREAD GODS! No…this is, by far, one of the best gluten-free breads I have ever made in my kitchen. The mix forms into this light, not dense, loaf of bread. I think the carbonation from the beer helps with this. The flavor is buttery, and light, and totally amazing. The texture is perfect. Not dense. Not heavy. And it’s soft…and the right amount of chewy. It is gluten-free bread perfection. I am going to have to order more of this from Rebecca…and stat!

Let’s talk ingredients now, shall we? The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread is a mix of rice flour, whey, sugar, potato starch, tapioca flour, baking powder, whey protein concentrate, cassava flour, brown sugar, salt, yeast extract, natural flavors, maltodextrin, and xanthan gum. Not a bad mix of ingredients there.

As for nutrition…the way I prepared the bread…the stats would look like this:

This mix contains enough for 13 servings. One serving of this bread would provide you with 138 calories and 3 grams of fat. You would also have get only 6 grams of sugar, no fiber, and 3 grams of protein. Amazing stats for bread, yes? YES!

And…trust me when I say that this bread is really, really, really good. Tastefully simple. Tastefully gluten-free. Tastefully devoured.

So, if you want to give it a try, hop on over to Rebecca’s Tastefully Simple Page (www.tastefullysimple.com/web/bfifield) and place an order now. You won’t regret it. I am so happy to have this in my life. Thank you, Rebecca! And thank you, Tastefully Simple!

December 31, 2013

Restaurant Review: The Village Anchor, Anchorage, Kentucky

Restaurant: The Village Anchor, Anchorage, Kentucky

Twas the weekend before Christmas and my roommate and I were set to have our official Christmas dinner out at a local restaurant. We started this tradition of a holiday meal a couple years back. It gives me a break from the kitchen, which, no matter how much I love to cook, is always welcome, and gives us a great excuse to try out a restaurant we might not have picked otherwise. It’s usually a little more upscale…a little pricier…but this only happens once a year. The splurge is worth it.

This year, the roomie chose the restaurant. It was one we had visited before, but never had the luxury of eating there. I ran a short mile run there during the summer. In fact, I never had set foot in the restaurant part, only the bar – The Sea Hag – prior to this visit. We chose the earliest dinner seating available, as we knew this was going to be a crazy-busy weekend for dinners out.

The Village Anchor opened at 5 p.m. We were actually there way ahead of schedule, so we took the opportunity to walk up and down the streets of Anchorage. If you’ve never been to Anchorage, Kentucky…it’s gorgeous. Go there and be awed. It was even more beautiful as a lot of the homes and businesses were lit up and decorated for the holidays. I love this time of year for that reason.

At 5 p.m. though, we were both starving and ready to get our meal on. We stepped into the restaurant itself and were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess. I gave her my name, which the reservation was under, and she picked up a couple of menus and took us through the dining room, sitting us down at a quiet table not too far from the hearth. And that fireplace had a nice fire going in it too. It felt like the perfect winter’s night.

Our server, Alan, came over to introduce himself. Our water glasses were filled and we were asked if we’d like anything else to drink. We both decided to stick with water. He said, “I noticed that we have a vegetarian with a gluten allergy…” I raised my hand. “That would be me!” He gave me a very relaxing smile and said that the chef could do up a great roasted veggie plate for me as an entree. He mentioned Brussels sprouts, asparagus…yeah…he won me over right there.

What this also indicated to me was that The Village Anchor pays attention to the reservations that are made through Open Table. I have made reservations before for so many other places, but this was the first time my food allergies were ever addressed right away without me having to bring them up. I raise a glass and give high kudos to The Village Anchor for this. As always, I get a bit nervous when I try out somewhere new…but this really put my mind at ease and relaxed me for the rest of the meal.

The Village Anchor's Hummus Trio (top to bottom: Roasted Garlic, Jalapeño-Cilantro, Caramelized Onion-Chipotle) served with fresh veggies for dipping to make it gluten-free — The Village Anchor’s Hummus Trio (top to bottom: Roasted Garlic, Jalapeño-Cilantro, Caramelized Onion-Chipotle) served with fresh veggies for dipping to make it gluten-free

But…we weren’t just here for the entrées. Like I said…this was our holiday meal. And after just taking in a very light breakfast, followed by a movie…we were pretty much famished. So, Cathy already knew she was going to try out a cup of the award-winning Elk Chili ($6.00) as her starter. We inquired what might be a good option for me. Alan said he would recommend the risotto, but it has soy sauce in it so it’s not safe for me. I told him I’d be good with the fresh fruit…but he had other ideas. He sure did. And what I ended up getting for my starter was their Hummus Trio ($11.00), which came with fresh sliced vegetables instead of the pita and the grilled crostini.

The Hummus Trio is a plate that contains three different house-made blends of hummus: the roasted garlic, jalapeño-cilantro, and caramelized onion-chipotle. As I said, my version came with sliced carrots, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. SO good. I thought the roasted garlic hummus was really rich. I love roasted garlic…and blending it into the hummus gave it this nice flavor that went so well with the vegetables. This one turned out to be Cathy’s favorite. The jalapeño-cilantro was the next one I sampled. I actually expected this one to be spicy…but it was actually rather mild. Even Cathy thought so when she tried it…and we’re talking about a heat wimp here. The flavors were great and I loved the freshness that came with each dip. This one went really well on the carrots. My personal favorite was the caramelized onion-chipotle hummus. OH MY HUMMUS GODS! I sampled this one ahead of Cathy and knew she’d be fanning her mouth. While not super-hot…it did have a kick to it and a slow burn. The caramelized onion was a brilliant addition, lending a little hint of sweetness to the hummus itself. Needless to say…this met a very messy death. If you love hummus, get this. Just trust me!

It was now time for the entrée round. As this was a pub, Cathy already knew what she was getting…Fish and Chips ($15.00). Her meal also came with house-made tartar sauce and coleslaw. She’s not a coleslaw person normally…but she ate the hell out of that coleslaw. I might need to see if the kitchen will give me the recipe. Red cabbage, raisins, and carrots…but it was the vinaigrette-like dressing that made it. Yes…we asked if it was safe for me to try and after checking with the chef, Alan assured me it was. It was really good.

The Village Anchor's Chef Creation - Roasted Veggie Plate — The Village Anchor’s Chef Creation – Roasted Veggie Plate

The chef got to play around with my dish and what I got was a vegetable plate masterpiece. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly roasted, perfectly perfect vegetables. And what a variety as well. My Roasted Veggie Plate ($16.00) came complete with roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, and some sauteed spinach that was cooked with garlic and red onion, topped off with tomatoes. It was AMAZING!! I love that the chef included potatoes as well for something more filling. They were cooked to perfection and seasoned with some fresh herbs. Carby goodness. Yum! The asparagus was really done well. It still had a bit of crunch to it, without being raw. I loved the depth of flavor that were drawn from these. The spinach and the Brussels sprouts were my two favorite things on that plate though. The spinach was wilted and cooked to absolute perfection. I loved the hint of garlic, the bite the red onion gave it, and the sweetness of the red tomatoes. I was in heaven. And the Brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection. No burned edges…just flavor and lots of it. I was beyond impressed with this meal. Here I was expecting to get stuck, once again, with a salad. But The Village Anchor totally made my night!! They definitely went above and beyond for me.

With this being a holiday celebration…we managed to save a little room for dessert. The special that night, in honor of the holidays, was a Cranberry Crème Brûlée. Now, more often than not, the crème brûlée is a safe choice for the gluten-free…but I wanted to be certain. Alan was prepared for this and said that he would check with the chef. He returned a few moments later with the word – the Cranberry Crème Brûlée was gluten-free…the only other things on their menu that are gluten-free is the ice cream, which is provided by The Comfy Cow. I get Comfy Cow ice cream a lot…so I decided to give the Cranberry Crème Brûlée ($11.00) a try. It even came with a cinnamon whipped cream. It sounded delicious. Cathy opted for the Granny Smith Apple Crisp, à la mode ($8.00).

When our desserts arrived I was just so happy to be able to enjoy a dessert while eating out at a restaurant. Thrilled. And my Cranberry Crème Brûlée looked beyond amazing. I was ready to dig in…and had to do the thing where I crack the caramelized sugar on top. It shattered and through the custard, I spotted the red cranberries at the bottom. One bite…I was in dessert heaven. SO good. And that spiced cream that was served with it definitely complimented the holiday flavors and added this little hint of spice and warmth to the dish. I polished it off…and was definitely full. But pleasantly so.

Holiday meals are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. The Village Anchor not only had a fantastic, cozy dining area, but the food was amazing. The staff was more than prepared to work around my food allergies. And they didn’t act like I was an inconvenience either. I love that the chef prepared a dish specifically for me…taking care to make it beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. Both Cathy and I were beyond impressed with The Village Anchor.

You better believe we’ll be coming back for more in the very near future. My hat is off to the staff, the kitchen, and the owners of this fine restaurant just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. I was immediately made to feel at ease about my food and knew that I was in good hands. They didn’t disappoint. And now…I’m spreading the word as much as I can. Local places are always worth checking out – but this one is something special. This one is a keeper!

The Village Anchor's Cranberry Creme Brule — The Village Anchor’s Cranberry Crème Brûlée

December 30, 2013

Product Review: Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

Road's End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreeze — Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

Product: Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese – $3.49+

For the past two weeks…I have been without my CSA bin. It has been…tough. I have been trying to make a point, however, to attempt to use up products/items from my fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Fast forward to Friday night. It was the first full day back in town for me after having flown in the day before after visiting my family for Christmas. Without fresh produce readily available, and a tight, tight budget due to the holidays…it was time to make due with what was in the apartment. No big deal…there is plenty to choose from.

And it just so happened I remembered picking up a box of Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Diary Free Penne & Chreese (yes…chreese!) when I spotted it on a super closeout at my local grocery store. For fear that I might never try it otherwise or never have the opportunity due to possibly not being able to find it anywhere else…I panicked and purchase one box. Just one. Just to have on hand.

I am so glad I did that, because after a stressful day of travel, a long night, an early morning, a full day at the office, and a lot on my mind…an easy dinner was just what I needed. And this…just sounded good.

If it wasn’t…I had a backup plan. Don’t laugh. I often do this when I try new products.

Anyway…nothing could be more stress-free than this! I came home from work and got a pot of water boiling on the stove. As soon as it had come to a boil, I poured in the noodles and allowed them to cook for about 10-12 minutes. I didn’t want to overcook them, because, let’s face it…pasta, especially brown rice pasta…gets really gummy when it’s overcooked. I wanted that perfect al dente. I managed it too. I drained the noodles just as they reached that perfect state, then…in the same sauce pan…poured in 1/2 cup of almond milk and the powdered chreese packet which came in the box. I stirred them together until they combined and had no clumps. Then, back onto medium heat, and the pasta was added back in. I gave it a stir, and let it cook for another couple of minutes, to thicken the chreeze mixture as it blended with the noodles. Done.

I poured half into a bowl for my roomie and saved the other half for me. Time to dig in.

I was actually a little worried about not liking this one. But…this is definitely one of my favorite boxed gluten-free mac and cheese. Don’t laugh. It’s true. What did I love about it? Aside from noodles that were normal size, and not teensy-tiny, it cooked up perfectly. The dairy-free cheese (chreeze) mixture thickened up beautifully after the noodles were put back in. And the flavor was remarkable. I loved how the cheese sauce clung to the noodles. I love how my noodles weren’t left swimming in sauce, as most gluten-free boxed mac and cheeses do. I loved the thick, rich flavor of the chreese. It had a great balance of flavor…the creamy richness of an Alfredo with the flavor of cheddar. So good. It was major mac and chreeze love.

I love saying chreese!

Anyway…the nitty-gritty basics.

Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese contains a gluten-free rice penne. As for the gluten-free Chreese (vegan cheese), that is a blend of organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca starch, enriched nutritional yeast, organic green lentil flour, salt, organic garlic powder, organic yellow mustard seed, organic onion powder, and annatto powder. The ingredient list is all recognizable…no chemicals, no weird preservatives. Just awesome gluten-free goodness.

Nutritionally speaking, Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese contains 2 servings per box. A serving contains 320 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a mac and cheese. And you get a lot. This pasta is cholesterol free, contains only 350 mg sodium, and has less than 1 gram of sugar. Awesome! In addition, a serving provides 6 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. See what I mean? You will feel full…and you’re only eating a cup. That’s the serving size! Awesome!

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed chowing down on this fantastic boxed macaroni and “cheese.” They vegan cheese that is used in place of real cheese doesn’t taste fake at all. I loved the flavor. And it is easy on my tummy…as I am lactose intolerant and cheese can really be an issue at times. So…YAY!! I would definitely recommend this to everyone. Even cheese lovers, like my roommate, will eat it. She loved the richness and the texture. And, yeah…it doesn’t lack in flavor. SO damn good!

Find it. Try it. Love it.

Road's End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese — Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013

Product Review: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Product: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles – $4.99+

FINALLY!

Just…FINALLY!

As much as I love gluten-free waffles made from scratch…these days it seems impossible to find the time to actually make them. Trust me…it is an undertaking and a half. Seriously! And, my favorite homemade gluten-free waffles to prepare are…pumpkin! Yep…pumpkin. Delicious. Tasty. And we all know how much I love pumpkin flavored things. Just…YUM!!

These days, however, I just am never home long enough to actually work through the recipe and get the pumpkin waffles made from scratch. So…waffles have been off the menu. Because, regular waffles can be a task and a half to make as well. So…it’s been pancakes, Greek yogurt parfaits with fruit and gluten-free granola, cereal, and things with roasted potatoes…or just gluten-free bagels. No waffles. Not for a very long time.

But that changed. That changed the moment I stepped into the freezer section of my local Whole Foods and spotted…one of the most wonderful things I have ever encountered in that aisle. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles. YES! GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE WAFFLES!! Shout it from the rooftop friends. I did another happy dance of joy in the aisle. I should really stop doing that…but I just get so excited!

This box of frozen waffles is made by Nature’s Path. I tried one other variety of their gluten-free waffles a year or two ago…but don’t remember too much about them. Other than that Van’s gluten-free versions blew them out of the water. For real!

But…let bygones be bygones…and…Van’s doesn’t make pumpkin spice waffles…so…HA! These were in my basket and at the register before my roomie or I could talk ourselves out of the purchase. The deed was done.

And with me taking an early morning spin class a couple mornings a week…these are the perfect thing to throw in the oven to toast while I shower off before work. And that’s exactly what I did on Friday. Friday was already crazy. I had just gotten back in town from my Christmas trip to see my family. My luggage had gone missing and was returned late that night. I was worn out…but really wanted to get a little activity in before settling back into my routine for one day. Spinning did that. And I just happen to get home right as my roomie is waking up. So, I put these waffles in the oven and went to shower. They were done just as I finished off dressing. I warmed up some of my agave maple syrup to pour over them and…just like that…brekkies was served.

Oh…these definitely made an impression on me. The pumpkin spice flavor is there…but not overpowering. There is pumpkin and then there is PUMPKIN. I love pumpkin flavors…but I want to taste the other spices too. In this case…cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect compliments. The waffles toasted up beautifully…their orange color turning a deep golden as they reached the perfect level of toastiness. This gave them this great crunch on the outside, but that soft, steamy center that make every waffle perfect. Oh…it was bliss. Bliss in a pumpkin-y waffle-y form. These made my hectic morning easy…and super delicious. I hope these aren’t a seasonal thing because I really want to stock up!

Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles are made from water, organic pumpkin puree, organic brown rice flour, organic potato starch, organic yellow corn flour, organic soy oil, organic tapioca starch, organic cane sugar, organic potato flour, baking powder, organic flax seeds, organic soy lecithin, organic pear and/or grape juice concentrate, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic spices, and sea salt. Whew. It seems like a lot of ingredients, but I recognize every single one of them. That’s something. And I love how a majority of the ingredients are also organic.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles is 2 waffles. This pair of pumpkin waffle yumminess will serve you up 210 calories and 7 grams of fat. These waffles contain no cholesterol, have only 385 mg sodium, and 6 grams of sugar. Not too bad. They also have 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so not too filling…but I wasn’t starving all morning either. Definitely a healthier choice for breakfast if you have to do the “from-the-freezer” grab on a busy morning. Seriously…worth it.

These waffles are amazing. I love the pumpkin flavor. I loved the texture and taste. The crunch with the warm, soft center. Oh yeah. Perfect for those busy mornings…and always good drizzled with syrup. Makes these winter mornings cozy and warm. Let me tell you…I think I’m in love with a new gluten-free waffle.

Delish!

Nature's Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted) — Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted)

December 28, 2013

Product Review: Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza – $7.99+

Love is pizza.

For real, yo!

No…honestly…one of my favorite things in life is a delicious slice of pizza. You get the right crust, the right sauce, and the right toppings…and you create a meal of perfection.

I was elated when I heard that Udi’s Gluten-Free was introducing gluten-free frozen pizzas to their already epic and delicious line-up of products. I already am a huge fan of their readily available gluten-free pizza crusts…so…take that and top it, box it up, and it’s one more way to make life a little easier on you. Udi’s has four different flavors of gluten-free pizzas: Three Cheese, Margherita, Spinach & Feta, and Uncured Pepperoni. I can eat three of the four, as I am a vegetarian. Although I may pick up the pepperoni version for my roommate to give a taste sometime.

Since this was my first foray with the Udi’s Gluten-Free frozen pizzas, I opted for one that wasn’t just cheese…and chose the Margherita Pizza. I mean…you can’t go wrong with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. Anyone who has eaten a caprese salad can tell you that! I felt good about my decision, and gifted my freezer with one box for starters. It took a couple of weeks to find the perfect evening for a pizza, but as the holidays were approaching and the CSA bins were cancelled due to neither my roommate or I being around…we had to make use of whatever is in our freezer, fridge and pantry. So, after going to the gym one evening (yes…instead of first thing in the morning…blame the Trans-Siberian Orchestra), it was necessary to do something simple for dinner. What better than a frozen pizza, right?

Udi's Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (frozen) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (frozen)

RIGHT!

I was quite excited as I pulled this box out of my freezer and began to preheat my oven to 400°F. I opened up the pizza and peeled away the plastic. Once the oven was heated, I popped the pizza in and let it cook for about 15 minutes.When I removed it from the oven, the crust was crisp and golden, the cheese melted, and it smelled beyond fantastic.

Now, I’ve been underwhelmed by previous frozen (and restaurant) gluten-free pizzas. But I trust Udi’s Gluten-Free…because their gluten-free pizza crust is THE BOMB!! Honestly. If you don’t want to make your own gluten-free crust…reach for one of these. It’s the only one I can find in this area in every grocery store.

So, how did this pizza stack up? I have no words beyond OMG…MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!

And if that doesn’t sum it up, let me say this…this is one stellar pizza. The crust crisped up beautifully…not one part of it was soggy or limp in the middle. It was perfect. The cheese melted and spread out across the tomato sauce. The Italian spices gave it really good flavor. The dollops of mozzarella cheese really helped make this pizza. So packed with flavor. And, honestly, better than most restaurant pizzas (my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café still makes my absolute favorite pizza crust). Flaky, golden, crunchy, and a perfect mix with the toppings. It was perfection!

This frozen pizza is made from an Udi’s Gluten-Free Pizza Crust (water, brown rice flour, rice starch, potato starch, olive oil, dried cane syrup, tapioca starch, yeast, salt, xanthan gum, calcium sulfate (for freshness)), a tomato sauce (made simply from tomato paste, water, sugar, salt, olive oil, canola oil, granulated garlic, spices, citric acid), low moisture mozzarella cheese, mozzarella cheese, tomato, parmesan cheese, basil and spices. For the most part…all ingredients that are natural and recognizable.

Nutritionally speaking, a serving of Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza is 1/2 of the pizza. This half will provide you with 300 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is from the cheese that comes on the pizza. This pizza only has 320 mg of sodium and 3 grams of sugar. It has 25 grams of cholesterol. It also has 2 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. So, yes…it is filling. Even with the thin crust. Trust me.

I love, love, LOVE, Udi’s Gluten-Free. The products the company puts out is amazing and always delicious. The taste, texture, and flavors all matter and they really focus on that when they introduce an item to the market. The frozen pizzas are a very welcome addition. And I highly recommend this vegetarian option…because I was beyond impressed with Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza.

Pick one up from your grocer’s freezer section and see for yourself.

Udi's Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (baked) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza (baked)

December 28, 2013

Product Review: Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt

Product: Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt – $3.49+

It was getting so close to Christmas and the nights after work were hectic and frantic. Lots to do…so little time to actually do it in. And that’s when you need something quick, simple, and still nutritious. It’s not always feasible to cook up a meal after a long day at the office or being on the go. Thankfully, there is this great company called Garden Lites, and they make fantastic vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Some of my favorites happen to be their amazing soufflés.

There was something really intriguing and different about this soufflé, however. It was one of their newer flavors, which had actually been out for awhile, but was only now turning up in my local natural food stores. I had to purchase it (along with the previously mentioned Southwestern Soufflé) and try it out for myself. I’ve loved most of the Garden Lites soufflés that I’ve eaten previously. And with one that included chili and cornbread…well…this was awesomesauce waiting to happen.

Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt (cooked)

Sure enough…I popped open the package, tossed the wrapped tray into the microwave for about 3 minutes. Then, I removed the plastic wrap and gave another microwave session for 2 minutes…and viola…dinner was served. My roommate and I were going to split this little dish, so I served it up with some hand-cut, homemade sweet potato fries…which I baked in the oven.

How was this little dish? Well, all I can say is that Garden Lites really, really outdid themselves with this one. The base is a cornbread soufflé, which is light, not dense, and really delicious. Sitting on top of that is this healthy helping of veggie chili, which is packed with veggies and beans. And then, on top…some cheese. Just like the good, old-fashioned classic…but with a healthy twist. The cheese is just an added touch that doesn’t overwhelm the dish at all. The star is that cornbread base. Light and airy…and a perfect match for that chili top. So good.

So…now we get down to the science of this dish…mainly the ingredients and nutrition. What I love about these soufflés is that they are so good…and good for you. The Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains diced tomatoes, fire roasted corn, pasteurized egg whites, black beans, onion, low fat milk, crushed tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, evaporated cane juice, brown rice flower, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, corn meal, cheddar cheese, baking powder, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, ancho pepper, cumin, chili powder, chipotle pepper, a blend of locust bean gum, guar gum, and xanthan gum, annatto extract (for color), and black pepper. It sounds like a lot of ingredients, I know, but they are all ingredients I recognize by name…and not one single chemical. Loving it. It is gluten-free and nut-free.

As for nutrition, the Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt contains 200 calories for the entire soufflé. Loving it. The entire soufflé will also serve you up 4.5 grams of fat. This one has 10 grams of cholesterol, 650 mg sodium, and 10 grams of sugar. Finally, you will be devouring 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. You will not feel hungry after eating this. Trust me.

Once again Garden Lites and served up a nutritious, easy-to-prepare, delicious little treat that goes from the freezer to the microwave. It’s perfect for these cold nights. And it’s so fast to prepare, and still so delicious. This is, by far, my favorite one I have eaten so far. A little bit of comfort food without the guilt.

This is food love…and it will love you back.

Half of a Garden Lites Veggie Chili & Cornbread Melt

December 20, 2013

Product Review: Garden Lites Southwestern Souffle

Product: Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé – $3.49+

Awhile back, I stumbled upon Garden Lites products. And I mean…this was a good while back. Back when really all they were offering were their soufflés. Well…their product line-up has expanded. And yes…they even added some different soufflé flavors.

This isn’t something new. This actually happened quite a bit ago. I just never could find the new flavors. And when I finally did…they sat in my freezer. I just sort of got on this cooking thing and never turned back. I love cooking up something fresh.

But with the holidays in full swing…sometimes it’s too hectic after a long day to start something from scratch. That’s why I was so thankful to have a couple of Garden Lites soufflés kicking around in my freezer.

Forreals!

With being out of town the past couple of weekends, the CSA bin has been on hold. So, no fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to my door. Not until after Christmas when things aren’t as crazy and I’m traveling less. So, after a long day at the office and not much energy to spare the other night…I came home and my roommate and I decided to split a Garden Lites soufflé and enjoy that with some baked, hand-cut shoe-string fries. Always baked…never fried in my home. Just as my mom always did it. That’s how I was raised, peeps!

Anyway…we had two choices for the soufflé, so I just grabbed the one on top. The choice: Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé.

It sounded amazing, combining seasonings with vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, red pepper, green pepper, and even brown rice! Once my potatoes were cut into shoestrings (yes…I do that by hand!), I got them in the oven and then had to wait in order to start the main dish.

Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé (cooked)

Garden Lites soufflés are so easy to cook up. As the potatoes were finishing up, I popped the Southwestern Soufflé into the microwave and gave it a little burst of heat for 3-1/2 minutes. I left it to stand for about a minute before removing the plastic wrapper and then microwaving it again for another full minute.

That’s it. SO easy!

I’ll be honest…I thought it made the apartment smell like Taco Bell…and it has been ages since I’ve even set foot in a Taco Bell. So…that was interesting. I sliced the fluffy soufflé in half and dinner was served.

Tasty!! That’s the best way to describe this soufflé. I loved the fluffiness the egg whites bring to the actual product. The veggies and spices are evenly incorporated and chopped so they aren’t awkward. In fact, bite-for-bite, I loved the variety of flavors and textures. It was a perfect bite…and it even tasted like a taco. Go figure. My roommate loved it too.

So, ingredient wise, the Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé contains pasteurized egg whites, onion, crushed tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, black beans, corn, brown rice, red pepper, green pepper, corn starch, evaporated cane juice, canola oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic, chipotle pepper, chili powder, ancho pepper, and cumin. All real ingredients…all real food. Nothing fake or processed here. This dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and nut-free. Love it.

As for nutrition…the Southwestern Soufflé is actually a really healthy choice. The entire soufflé is the serving and that one item is only 180 calories and contains only 2.5 grams of fat. This soufflé also will serve you up 4 grams of sugar and 650 mg of sodium. The sodium does seem a bit high…but it is a prepackaged food. Not only that, the Southwestern Soufflé provides 4 grams of filling fiber and 9 grams of amazing protein. So good. And good for you!

I loved the Southwestern flair that this souffle carried with it. Loved every bit of it. And every bite for that matter. Looking to add a little spice to your menu on a hectic day? Keep Garden Lites in your freezer and you’ll have an easy meal in less than 5 minutes. And…you’ll love every bite of it. I know I sure did! I’ve always loved Mexican and Southwest flavors…so this souffle was made for me. And I devoured it in kind.

Half of a Garden Lites Southwestern Soufflé

December 11, 2013

Product Review: Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough

Product: Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough – $4.99

Dear Katz Gluten Free:

I love you. I love you more and more with each product that I try. From your breads to your pies to your amazing donuts, you continue to keep me coming back, order after order, no matter the cost. You are that good. And I love you that much.

But…you really outdid yourself with the ready-to-use Gluten-Free All Purpose Dough.

Because of you…I could have a calzone for dinner again.

Because of you…I can make my own delicious pies…without the hassle of making my own crust.

Because of you…the gluten-free community continues to get quality food products. Ones that I will continue to purchase…not just for myself but others.

Add the All Purpose Dough to my list.

Yes…I love you.

All my gluten-free love,
Me

Ease! That’s the best part of this product. It not only is peace of mind, but it’s so simple. Thaw out dough. Use. No hassles. No wondering if your own gluten-free concoction will cook up right. This worked. And it worked beautifully.

I’ve been wanting calzones for a long while now. For real. And with a plethora of vegetables that needed to be used up before the next CSA bin arrived, well, I figured I’d see how the dough would hold up to a little of my craving and baking magic. I had this thought in my head that involved this dough, some squash, some crimini mushrooms, and some shallots. I sauteed them up in a pan and added some marinara sauce as well. All I needed now was the casing for the calzone.

Enter Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough. I removed it from my freezer two days before. The evening I was making the calzones, I cut out two very small pieces of dough, as it says it serves 8 and a serving size is only 2 ounces. So…this was going to be a challenge. But, I was up for it. Using a rolling pin, I attempted to shape the dough into a large circle that wouldn’t break open when I added the filling and moved it to the baking sheet. The first couple times, the dough was rolled too thin, so I knew these would be relatively small calzones. I didn’t care. I rolled out two very asymmetrical circles and piled in the filling on one half. I carefully folded over the other half and did my best to crimp the small serving shut. Sure, I could have used more dough, but I am so careful about serving sizes. I stick to them. I think next time I’ll throw caution in the wind and just add a little more. But…I wanted to do it my way this time. Into the oven the dough went…and when about 20 minutes passed, I opened up the oven and it was this gorgeous golden brown and the filling was sizzling (and peaking out of some holes in my dough). Everything was ready. Dinner was served. And gluten-free calzones were on the menu.

Oh. Hell. Yes.

One bite…and I was hooked. At first, it sort of reminded me of the crust of a potpie. Golden and flaky and it sort of had that same texture and flavor. But when you got a piece with the filling in it…magic. Simple food magic. The crust didn’t get soggy and held up to the marinara/vegetable mixture that I stuffed (and I mean literally stuffed) inside. It was gluten-free and vegetarian food magic. And it was made possible and easy because I took a chance with a new Katz product. So easy. So delicious. I can’t wait to use it in other ways.

Katz Gluten Free Web site says the crust is perfect for pies, turnovers, knishes, or any other pasty imaginable. It’s the go-to solution. It’s what I (and other gluten-free foodies) need in their lives! FOR REAL!

Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough is made from their own blend of gluten-free flour (which includes tapioca flour, white rice flour, sorghum flour, and corn flour), palm oil, water, eggs, sugar, salt, and xanthan gum. Not a bad list of ingredients at all. And that flour blend is pure magic. Pure gluten-free food magic.

As for nutrition…there is a reason I stuck to the serving size. A serving size is 2 ounces. This serving (which is a small rectangle of the dough), will provide you with 260 calories and 18 grams of fat. See why I wanted to stick to the serving size? This serving also will give you 55 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. Sadly, this dough does serve up about 9 grams of saturated fat and 35 mg cholesterol in each serving. Another good reason to stick to the meager 2 ounce recommendation. This dough also will give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So do not expect this dough to fill you up and leave you feeling full. It won’t work that way. But…that being said…it toasted up beautifully in calzone form on my pizza stone and made one delicious meal for me and my roommate. We have 3 more servings each of this dough to use and I intend to see how many various ways I can use it. I might attempt perogies next.

Yes, my dearest Katz Gluten Free…I do love you and your products. You just make my life happy, full, and delicious again. This All Purpose Dough will be something I’ll definitely consider using more of in the future. Simple. And delicious.

Who could ask for anything more?

A gluten-free and vegetarian calzone made with Katz Gluten Free All Purpose Dough

December 9, 2013

Product Review: Vegenaise Tartar Sauce

Product: Vegenaise Tartar Sauce – $4.49+

Ah…tartar sauce.

I have a love-hate relationship with this condiment.

For one thing, when I used to eat fish, I normally would drown it in ketchup. Mmmm…ketchup.

But every now and again, I’d give the tartar sauce a try. And I never really liked it. Sometimes…I was pleasantly surprised and then lulled into this sense of false hope…and I would try it somewhere else and it would be gross and just…not to my taste.

Then, when I had to go dairy-free…I totally ditched this sauce all together.

But, when I was reviewing some items from Sophie’s Kitchen (vegan sea food, FTW!), my friend Kari mentioned the crab cakes with the tartar sauce from Vegenaise. Vegan. Tartar. Sauce.

Okay…I was intrigued. I knew two local grocery stores carried the vegan crab cakes from Sophie’s Kitchen…and I knew Whole Foods had the Tartar Sauce from Vegenaise. So…I set out a spot in the budget to purchase and then consume both.

My roomie was on board and so…we hit up Whole Foods and purchased both items. Dinner was going to be interesting. I just prayed it all was good.

So…a little while ago, I pulled the vegan crab cakes out of the freezer and said that dinner would be those…with a healthy helping of homemade kale chips. And I would serve the cakes over bibb lettuce from my bin. Originally I was going to place them between gluten-free buns…but I was out of those. So…this was my compromise. I heated the crab cakes as instructed on the box, and while that was working, I got the vegetables working and finally…the sauce.

My roommate has the same sort of love-hate relationship with tartar sauce as well. She is not gluten-free nor vegetarian, but since I am the cook in the apartment, that’s what she eats. She is a huge aficionado for fish and chips when we go out to eat, however…and she has made a habit to at least try the house tartar sauce. Sometimes she raves…sometimes she picks up the ketchup and goes to town. But we thought we would give Vegenaise a fair shake. So, into a little dish, I spooned out a serving of the Vegenaise Tartar Sauce. The crab cakes finished, I plated everything…and it was time to dig in.

I was a little worried about flavor, but I trusted my friend Kari. She raved. She and I like a lot of the same flavors and foods…so…I was worried, but I had high hopes. I know now to always trust Kari…because the Vegenaise Tartar Sauce was some of the best sauce I have tasted in my life. Not just tartar sauce either…spanning ALL THE SAUCES! Filled with a tangy, delicious flavor, it was the perfect compliment to the vegan crab cakes and the greens I served them on. OMG…so freakin’ good! It was love at first taste and I took the opportunity to pile it onto my vegan crab cakes until it was gone. Now I keep thinking of other vegan sea food dishes where I could utilize this sauce. It is SO good.

Veganaise Tartar Sauce is made from a base of Vegenaise (vegan mayonnaise), sweet relish, yellow onion puree, white wine vinegar, vegan Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and xanthan gum. Not bad when it comes to ingredients, right? My thoughts exactly. And nothing is weird…it’s all ingredients I have heard of and trust. Vegenaise is also vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and soy-free. Loving it!

Nutritionally speaking, on serving is 2 tablespoons. This serving will serve you up a side of 120 calories and 13 grams of fat. It seems high, but it is a vegan mayonnaise-based sauce, right? And regular mayonnaise would be the same way. So, it’s really not too bad for what it is. This small serving also gives you 125 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. That’s awesome. This is also trans-fat free and cholesterol free. In addition, this sauce has no fiber in it, but you do get 2 grams of protein. So, yeah…it’s not totally healthy, but it isn’t bad for you either.

And did I mention how freakin’ good it is? Seriously. In love with a sauce. It’s my new favorite. YUMMY!!