Review – Page 67 – The Celiathlete

December 18, 2012

Boulder Canyon makes a delicious chip with Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips

Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Beans Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips — Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips

Product: Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips – $2.99+

Who would have thought? A snack chip made out of rice flour and adzuki beans? It doesn’t seem at all natural or like it should be even found in nature. And…well, while not a natural occurrence in our natural environment, Boulder Canyon now delivers this straight to our grocery store aisles. Founded in 1994, Boulder Canyon has been producing all natural, kettle cooked potato chips that go beyond the standard brands in both quality and taste. This isn’t just me speaking…this is the company’s mission statement.

And…the thing is, they can back it up.

Prior to this, I had been able to try a few of Boulder Canyon’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips. I first sampled them here in my area (shocking, I know!) and then found them again at a grocery store out in Los Angeles, California, while visiting some friends. We got them hooked on them as well. And as snack chips went, these were a safe (save for the Malt Vinegar and Sea Salt variety) as far as gluten-free chips went. Better still…they were delicious.

Well, as I’ve gotten more accustomed to the whole gluten-free snack thing…I’ve branched out some. So, when a couple of bags of Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Snack Chips were on super sale at Big Lots…I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try them. A blind tasting this time. No samples from a gluten-free fair or expo…this was something I just saw and went with. At the price with a 20% discount on top of it…I’d be hard-pressed not to make a purchase.

And, as is the norm, I had other snacks to work through first before I got to these…but the magical snack moment arrived yesterday. I needed a quick 3:00 p.m. snack for the office to see me through to when I could cook dinner. I had packed up a serving (1 ounce) of these chips and brought them with me for that purpose. When the time rolled around, I opened up my little container and took my first bite.

I fell in love with them. Yes…with one simple bite. The flavor was so familiar and distinctive…but it was light, non-greasy, and clean. I offered one to my teammate, who has a very picky and discerning palate, and she took a hesitant bite…but soon was crunching on the chip as well. She said the flavor reminded her of Cool Ranch Doritos. She was absolutely right. But it had a better flavor…less mess…and was just better all around. And trust me…Cool Ranch Doritos used to be my favorite chip! So this is saying something!

The Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips (whew…that’s a mouthful…but a delicious one!) are made from rice flour, corn starch, adzuki beans, and corn flour. They are seasoned with chili flakes, cumin, and sea salt. What this does then is lend a little bit of spice and bite to each chip, keeping each taste interesting.

The flavor of these chips, I believe, mostly comes from the adzuki beans, which tend to have a nutty flavor and are commonly used in Japanese dishes. They are low in fat and high in protein. That’s a great combination to base a snack chip off, don’t you think? And with the way Boulder Canyon slow cooks their chips using sunflower and/or safflower oil, you don’t need to worry about trans fat or cholesterol. All of their products are free from both.

The Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Chips have 140 calories per serving and 7 grams of fat. That isn’t bad for a snack chip when it comes down to it. Even though this is a flavor that is based on sea salt…the sodium content is quite low (130 mg) and each serving provides 2 grams of protein. Not too shabby for a snack chip. These particular chips are also gluten-free (obviously) and non-GMO. They are all-natural, so no strange chemicals go into the making of this snack.

The flavor that these chips provide is unmatched. You wouldn’t even guess that they are made with beans. Never in a million years. You don’t taste the beans…you honestly just taste the delicious flavors that are packed into each bite, seasoned to perfection, and made as healthy as a snack chip can be. When you can back up your mission statement of providing superior flavor and superior products, then you’re doing your job well.

Boulder Canyon can definitely back up their claims. I would buy these again in a heartbeat! And as they taste like really fantastic tortilla chips, they’d be perfect to dip in hummus or salsa or even guacamole. Mmmm…something to try next time.

If you are looking for something different when it comes to snacks…be bold (heh…see what I did there?) and try Boulder Canyon’s Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips. I promise…it will be love at first bite.

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

No love for Enjoy Life’s Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar – $4.29+

It was as though my deepest fear was confirmed upon returning home from the office today. After the horrendous taste the Very Berry Chewy Bar left in my mouth (thank goodness my co-worker had some gluten-free white chocolate peppermint popcorn on hand), I was going to go straight home, pull the box out of my pantry and throw it away.

That’s exactly what I did.

And just as I had thought, the next item up in my gluten-free pantry for consumption as a snack was…Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars.

Sigh.

And the more I did think about it, the more I was absolutely certain these were the snack bars that my mom had tried when she started doing some gluten-free foods and told me to stay far, far away. They were not good, according to her initial report. Somehow that conversation had slinked back into my brain after the disappointing snack that I basically spit out this afternoon.

Determined not to revisit that experience with a different flavor bar, my roommate suggested that we go ahead and open one of the Caramel Apple Chewy Bars and break off a piece. We could each try it (me as the gluten-free girl and her as the ‘I don’t need to eat gluten-free, so I’ll be totally honest with you’) and make a decision as if they were palatable enough me to take for snack tomorrow.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

After dinner and a very delicious dessert, I started to get things together for lunches and snacks tomorrow…and remembered that I needed to grab these snack bars. I hurried over to the pantry and removed the box from the shelf, cracking it open and removing one of the bars. I tore into the wrapper. There was no onslaught of apple scent like what happened with the Very Berry one. So…that was already different. However, the tiny little snack bar didn’t look much different from the one I had today. But, I was trying to keep an open mind on this one.

Why? Because I love Enjoy Life. I love that they keep their products free of the top 8 food allergens (gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, fish). I love that, in the past, I’ve enjoyed every product that I’ve tried. I’m especially a fan of their chocolate granola and their seed and fruit mixes. YUM!!

So, here I stood, breaking off the end of one of the Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars and then split that in half so my roommate and I could both have taste. We looked at the little piece in our hand…then at each other…and we popped them in.

Here’s what I can say…the Caramel Apple was a little more palatable than the Very Berry variety. The taste was still cardboardish…and the texture was less than chewy. It wasn’t hard, but it was like gnawing on a wet box. I hated the texture. Very gritty and just…blech. All of that being said, it did actually taste a little like a caramel apple. Very little. But it was there. Especially at the end, when you just manage to get it down. But…that’s not saying much. I wasn’t impressed.

Thankful that I purchased these while they were on stupid super sale…I didn’t feel too bad tossing this box in the garbage can as well.

I hope that in the future, Enjoy Life considers redoing their recipes for the Caramel Apple and Very Berry Chewy Bars. There is so much potential there…but they completely missed the mark with these. And it’s too bad, because I have nothing but good things to say about the rest of their products I have managed to find and sample.

I guess everyone strikes out at some point.

Alright, Enjoy Life…I now need you to redeem yourself again…because the state of these last two products has saddened and makes me a little more apprehensive to try things like…your cereals…which I’ve been eying. Now, I’m not so certain I want to risk the dent they’ll put in my wallet.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar (unwrapped)

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

Enjoy Life’s Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar a tasteless, cardboard-like disappointment

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar – $4.29+

Oh…Enjoy Life. What went wrong here? All other products I have tried, you’ve hit out of the ballpark…and then…with this one…you completely strike out. I love you as a company, and I have always loved and spoken highly of your products, but this…this was just bad.

No. It was disgusting. It was horrendous. It was a complete misstep in the way gluten-free products should be represented on the market. The Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar should have been good. But it reminded me of the cardboard-like taste and texture of gluten-free products years ago…before gluten-free became more prevalent in society and the quality of such items improved tremendously.

Now, I love snack bars as much as the next person…so when Big Lots had these on sale, I snatched up a box. I mean…I love Enjoy Life’s granola, cookies, seed & fruit mixes, Plentils, and chocolate bars. For real. LOVE. In addition, I was quite happy with the Cocoa Loco and Sunbutter Crunch Chewy Bars that I had prior to this one. So, I was quite excited about picking up the Very Berry and the Caramel Apple variety. Although, now that I think back, my mom might have tried the Caramel Apple snack bar and told me to steer clear of it because it was “no good at all.” Hmmm.

Anyway, with these in my pantry, I decided today would be a good day to open them up and take one to work for my afternoon snack. I was on a bit of a roll with the snack bars, having just devoured (and thoroughly enjoyed) Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bars. Something berry flavored would be quite welcome and refreshing. So, into my lunchbox it went. And when my 3 pm snack time rolled around, I removed this from my desk drawer and prepared to enjoy it.

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar

I was rather anticipating greatness with this. When I tore into the wrapper the entire office flooded with the scent of fresh berries. Honestly. Even my teammate who I share an office with asked what I just opened up because it smelled good. I told her…and then went ahead and took a bite.

My teammate glanced over and said, “I have never seen you make that face before.”

Yeah, there have been products that I have tried that I haven’t been thrilled with…but this was just awful. Tasteless. Texture was horrible. And the flavor just was…gross. The entire thing was an abomination of gluten-free snacks. It reminds me of the first time I ate a gluten-free product, years and years and years ago…just to see what it meant…and was totally unhappy with the flavor and texture. And that…that is exactly what this reminded me of. There aren’t a lot of things that I will throw away after I purchase it…but these are hitting the garbage the instant I get home. I don’t even know if I want to risk the Caramel Apple variety.

So, Enjoy Life…I don’t know what to do with you. Love you for some things…cringe with other things. But these Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars were one of my least favorite things I have ever eaten since I had to go gluten-free. That’s no exaggeration. There are so many other companies out there that are doing gluten-free snack bars justice. You…my dear Enjoy Life…company that keeps the top 8 food allergens out of their products…you should be able to step up to those standards and provide the gluten-free community with something tasty and berry delicious.

I’m really let down by this product…and in turn…let down by you. I know you are capable of so much better. Come on, Enjoy Life…time to revamp the product…start fresh…and this time…make it taste good!

Enjoy Life Very Berry On-The-Go Chewy Bar (unwrapped)

December 13, 2012

General Mills’ Corn Chex still a classic and a favorite…and it’s gluten-free!

Product: General Mills Corn Chex Gluten-Free Cereal – $3.19+

I love that General Mills has so many options for the gluten-free crowd when it comes to their Chex cereal. And let me tell you, I enjoy the chocolate and cinnamon and other flavors just as much as the other person. Being able to eat a cereal that actually has different flavors to entice and excite the palate is a very nice change of pace. I have my favorites…oh…I really do.

But the other day while out at Target, there was a bit of a sale on a few of the flavors of Chex cereal. The first one I spotted was the Honey Nut Chex. But upon going back to the cereal section, I managed to snag a big box of the Corn Chex as well.

Corn Chex. I remember the days when only three flavors existed. Corn, Rice, and Wheat. I was always a huge fan of my mom’s homemade Chex Mix…and the corn and rice varieties were always my favorite to pick out. One in particular over the other – Corn Chex.

I imagine that more people get excited about eating the newer flavors in the gluten-free selection over the old standbys, but this morning proved that sometimes you just can’t top the classics. I measured out a cup of Corn Chex into my cereal bowl this morning and snagged a piece to just eat on its own, before I topped off my bowl with a splash of unsweetened almond milk. Immediately I was transported back to my childhood. Breakfast. Snacks. My mom’s Chex Mix. It all came flooding and rushing back. All in one simple, easy taste.

I noticed that in the past, this cereal was marked as gluten-free, but contained Barley Malt Extract (not gluten-free). It looks like the Corn Chex recipe has been revised because the boxes no longer contain that ingredient…so it appears to be safe for the gluten-intolerant and the Celiacs among us. I ate it this morning for breakfast and then went to the gym and have had it all settling for over 4 hours now…without any sort of reaction. I think General Mills put this one in the clear. And I appreciate them taking that sort of initiative.

Corn Chex is back to basics when it comes to cereal. A serving (1 cup) is only 110 calories. It is virtually fat free. And with only 3 grams of sugar, it makes it one of the more healthy choices for a breakfast cereal. The best part…it tastes great. Simple flavors…but they make an impression. Obviously…because these brought back so many memories that now…they’re all I want.

Thank you, General Mills, for making classics like Corn Chex so that those of us who have to eat gluten-free have an inexpensive, classic cereal we can turn to…not just for breakfast, but for snacks and parties too.

December 12, 2012

Tina’s Sweet Treats bakes up gigantic, flaky gluten-free sub buns

Tina's Sweet Treats Sub Buns — Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns

Product: Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns (2 buns per package) – $5.49

I love Ohio for numerous reasons. One of my best friend’s lives there. Countless other friends live scattered throughout the state. And near the Dayton, Ohio area, I stumbled across a great little grocery store called Dorothy Lane Market. What I found inside made me eager to go back. And though I have yet to do so, the bounty of gluten-free products I purchased the one time I stopped in lives on, thanks to my freezer.

Well, I was surfing Pinterest the other day (shock!) and I ran across a recipe for Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwiches. They needed sub sandwich rolls. And…I just happened to have a pair of gluten-free sub sandwich rolls in my freezer thanks to my random stop in at Dorothy Lane Market. If you have never been to Dorothy Lane Market, by the way, and you happen to be going through Ohio…stop. Go. Shop. They have an incredible selection of gluten-free items…including baked goods from local bakeries…and a knowledgeable staff in the gluten-free aisle. I was beyond impressed and ended up stocking up on quite a few things I knew I couldn’t get anywhere else.

And…one such item was Sub Buns from Tina’s Sweet Treats, a gluten-free bakery in Franklin, Ohio. Dorothy Lane Market provides customers with a variety of different items from local businesses that are dedicated gluten-free. I was intrigued. And these really caught my eye. Normally when I make sub sandwiches I use the Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls that are parbaked and just need a toasting in the oven. And I love those. But here was a chance to try something “fresh” and homemade. Not in a facility…but from a bakery. I was truly excited about this.

Well, after the initial purchase, all the fresh baked items found a spot in my freezer. I really had no reason to use them…until a recipe showed up on my Pinterest feed. Knowing that I had every ingredient (including the sub rolls) in my pantry or fridge (thank you CSA bin), I knew these buns were coming out and this recipe was going to get made.

Tina's Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Bun — Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Bun

When I purchased these rolls, I failed to realize just how massive they were. You are definitely getting your money’s worth, that’s for sure. These rolls are about 2 Schär sub sandwich rolls put together. I sliced each ginormous bun in half, loving how the bread would flake away. Ah, I do love homemade, fresh items. I noticed there was some spring in the texture, which meant it wouldn’t be dry. I approved. So, after cutting both of the dino-sized buns in half, I finished sauteing up my mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, topped them off with vegan provolone cheese, and allowed it to melt. Then, onto the sub sandwich buns the filling went. I wrapped each sandwich in tin foil and placed them on a baking sheet in a warm oven for about 15 minutes.

At the end of the warming period, I removed the sub sandwiches, now toasted all the way through, and unwrapped them. Plating was easy. The bread didn’t fall apart. Nor did it get mushy from any residual juices from the sliced portobello mushroom cap that I sauteed. I was impressed! Really. But the real test was coming up. I needed to find out how these tasted. My roommate was already digging into hers when I settled in, and I asked what she thought. She said they were definitely heavier than the Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls, but that it was good.

So, it was my turn now. One bite. And I was immediately reminded of the sort of flaky gluten-free hamburger bun I get at Cheeseburger in Paradise. That’s exactly what the flavor and texture reminded me of. You could tell it was made in a bakery though. The flavors that each bite imparted was enough to prove that. According to Tina’s Sweet Treats’ Web site, the ingredients that go into these sub buns are rice flour, tapioca flour, egg whites, butter, yeast, xanthan gum, apple cider vinegar, and salt. That’s it. And what emerges, whether toasted in the oven or heated in the microwave is a soft, delicious bun that is flaky and soft and perfect to stuff full of whatever ingredients you crave.

I was very impressed by Tina’s Sweet Treats. My roommate actually prefers the Schär rolls over the bakery’s version of a sub roll. But I could go for either. These buns were very filling, but very good and worked well with the sandwich I created. I would totally try other products from Tina’s Sweet Treats, and hope to next time I stop into a Dorothy Lane Market in Ohio. I was quite happy with the taste, texture, and the way the subs held up to the fillings, and the baking in the oven.

Do your sub sandwiches with something fresh and something tasty. Check out Tina’s Sweet Treats. And if you can’t get to Ohio…they do ship.

Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwich made using Tina's Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns — Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwich made using Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns

December 12, 2012

Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes a bite-sized sweet morning treat

Product: Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes – $4.49

Mmmm…donuts!

Even better – Mmmmmm…donut holes!

For awhile, I never thought I’d ever enjoy a donut hole again…unless I made them myself, and trust me…donut making is a lot of tedious work. In fact, I bake my donuts in a donut pan. So, there never really is a donut hole. So, therefore, I never thought I’d enjoy another donut hole again. It was one of those things you don’t realize how much you enjoyed eating them…until you no longer can just run to the store or bakery and just buy some.

And then, Katz Gluten Free introduced their line of donut holes. Two flavors – powdered and cinnamon.

I already devoured my container of cinnamon donuts…leaving me with the package of powdered donut holes, which came free with a special offer order that I placed. Katz Gluten Free was kind enough to make sure I had the powdered donut holes in my order as I had previously ordered the cinnamon ones…and I really wanted to try the other kind. What great customer service from a great company! I was impressed.

Well, I haven’t really had a moment to do my scone baking for gym day this week, so I was looking for something that would work. Lo and behold, my freezer held the key to my problem – Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes. I’d just pair them with a fruit (in this case, naval oranges) and my roomie and I were set after a hard, long cardio workout for a treat for breakfast.

Yesterday was the moment of truth when it came to the Powdered Donut Holes. I got out of the gym and trudged to the office. I simply placed four donut holes onto a plate and gave them a 10 second heat up in the microwave. Serving it with naval orange slices just sort of made it so that I was eating more than just 4 little donut holes.

I brought my roommate hers first. She doesn’t have to eat gluten-free, but she does because I am the cook in the apartment. So I always love to get her take on products. Her favorite gluten-free donuts are Katz Powdered Donuts, so it came as no surprise that she literally devoured the donut holes.

And who doesn’t love donut holes? I do. Let me tell you…the Powdered Sugar Donut Holes from Katz Gluten Free are the best I have had. I know some reviewers have said that they didn’t have enough sugar on them, but I totally disagree. They taste like bite-size versions of the Katz Powdered Sugar Donuts…and is a good and delicious thing. The texture is awesome. It has the right amount of cakey feel to it, without getting too sweet with the dusting of sugar. I loved it. From the first one I popped to the last. I have another round for my roomie and I in the freezer for tomorrow’s after the gym breakfast and I can’t be happier about that. They are fantastic. It would honestly be difficult not to just sit and devour the entire container. This is why I keep them frozen, thaw out the serving as needed, and then give a little warm up to them to give the illusion that they are fresh baked. It works.

It works deliciously well.

I don’t know the particulars of the nutrition information on these. It looks like the label is that of the powdered donuts…so my best guess is that 4 donuts holes (or about 1 ounce) would provide you with 150 calories. That’s awesome. And they really are some of the best donuts I have ever tasted. Yes…EVER. Back before I even had to eat gluten-free.

If that’s not enough of an endorsement for you, I encourage you to hop over to the Katz Gluten Free site and order yourself some of their delectable, delicious donuts. You won’t be sorry.

Now that my stash is almost gone…looks like it’s time for me to place yet another order.

December 12, 2012

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta a noodle worth trying

Product: Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta – $2.99

I was having a minor crisis last night.

For real.

You see, it’s the holidays and every year my adoptive family (aka: my roomie’s family) comes over to the apartment where I prepare a gluten-free meal of some sort and we sit, talk, eat, and eventually I open Christmas gifts from them before I head home to see my family for the holidays. It’s a nice little tradition. Last year, I cooked up a Gluten-Free Tagliatelle with Truffle Butter Sauce. It was a hit. So, I decided to keep with the gluten-free pasta, as most people can’t tell it’s gluten-free…and go from there.

The only difference was that this year this was all happening on a Monday night. This meant that I didn’t have the kind of time to do something fancy and different. So…spaghetti it was. Kind of.

Remember that crisis I spoke about at the top there. Well…this is what it came down to. I thought I had some Gluten-Free Corn Fusilli from Trader Joe’s in my pantry. After all, it was on my pantry list. But…apparently I had used it and didn’t mark it off. Which is not good. I started hunting through the other pastas in my pantry, but none of them would feed around 6 people. I was in full-blown panic mode because I had homemade gluten-free garlic (and cheesy) toasts to cook up in the oven, sauce to do, and I didn’t have a main course.

Sam Mills Gluten-Free Pasta D'oro Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked) — Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked)

So…my roommate put on her super-roomie cape and went out to the grocery store to see what she could get for me. She returned a phone call and a few minutes later with the answer to my prayers – Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Corn Pasta Tubetti Rigati.

That’s a mouthful, yes?

Well, it wasn’t my first choice, but I threw it in the pot of boiling water as soon as she walked it into the kitchen and let it cook up, hoping that it would at least be appetizing.

Wasn’t I truly surprised when it finished cooking (it did take longer than the 8-10 minutes advertised on the package, but…this is what we do to hit that perfect al dente, yes?) and I turned it out into the strainer. None of the noodles were flaking or turning to mush. They were a vibrant yellow color (due to being made of corn) and seemed so sturdy, yet soft. I drained the noodles and poured them back into the pot, added the sauce I was warming on the stove to it and gave it a good mix. Once again, the noodles held together without falling into pieces. I was impressed.

I dished up servings for everyone and placed the homemade gluten-free garlic and cheesy toasts on a plate for all to help themselves to. The bowls of pasta were passed out, I joined everyone in the living room, and dinner was officially served.

Tubetti Rigati pasta is small tubular pasta, sort of like macaroni noodles, but without being curved into elbow shapes. Most often it is used in soups, but I wanted to do something other than elbow noodles with pasta sauce on it. That just seemed…wrong…for some reason! What I loved about the Sam Mills Tubetti Rigati was that the sauce would fill the little tubes of pasta and it would be this flavorful bite each time. I actually quite enjoyed the flavor and texture of this corn pasta.

What is even better is the price. Sam Mills pasta is one of the least expensive gluten-free pastas on the market. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the quality suffers because of it. This pasta ranks right up there with my go-to of Trader Joe’s gluten-free corn pastas. It was just really good. No one could tell it was gluten-free…or corn-based for that matter. LOVE that.

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta is a budget-friendly, high quality choice when it comes to gluten-free pasta. Honestly, I was quite impressed with it. And I would definitely buy it again in a heartbeat.

A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D'oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced) — A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced)

December 12, 2012

The Silver Palate hits a sweet note with San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

Product: The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce – $5.99+

I blame the Manager’s Specials at the grocery store for impulse purchases of pasta sauce. For one thing, it was $3.00 off the regular price, with the expiration date still a ways off. Secondly, it was clearly marked gluten-free. Key word. And…I have plenty of pasta in my pantry at the moment just begging…begging for me to cook it up.

So, it was with all this in mind that I purchased The Silver Palate’s San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce a couple of weeks ago. It looked fantastic, and the nutrition information was right in line with other pasta sauces that I enjoy…if not better. I figured, why not try something new?

Despite the plethora of pastas in my pantry, I didn’t have a single one that would feet up to 6 people. So, when I was hosting my roommate’s family the other night for Christmas dinner, I was at a loss on what pasta to try out this new sauce on. I finally sent my roommate to the grocery store to find something acceptable, and she returned soon after with some corn pasta. It would do. It served 8.

While the pasta was boiling away on the stove, trying to hit that perfect al dente, I prepped some gluten-free homemade bread. Once it was in the oven, into a saucepan went the San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. It smelled absolutely fantastic from the moment I opened up the jar.

The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce (heating on stove top)

Made from tomatoes that are grown in the rich, volcanic soil of the San Marzano region of Italy and the Central Valley of California, this blend of pasta sauce brought about a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The olive oil helped smooth it out. You could taste the ripeness of the tomatoes. It was bursting with flavor. And the basil was a nice accent. Not little flecks of it here or there, but julianned pieces were throughout the entire sauce. You couldn’t miss the vibrant green, chopped, fresh basil leaves. It was a tasty addition and it really livened up the sauce presentation-wise as well.

Once it was heated, I drained the pasta, put it back in the pan, and then poured the sauce over it. Giving it a good mix, I dished it up for the dinner guests and myself and tucked in for conversation and food.

The verdict on the sauce: YUMMY!!

Considering the last impulse buy pasta sauce was a disappointment, I loved the consistency of this one. It was packed with tomato flavor, but not watery at all. So many marinara sauces get watery, but not this one. It was refreshing and light and just meshed well with the corn pasta. A gluten-free pasta lover’s dream come true. I was highly impressed with this sauce.

Even more impressive is the nutritional value. A serving size of 1/2 cup serves up 70 calories and 4 grams of fat. For a jarred sauce, it is relatively low in sodium, tapping out at 420 mg. I love that the sugar content is quite low and that it provides 3 grams of protein as well. It’s a simple sauce with a fantastic flavor. I really enjoyed it. And, compared to the usual pasta sauce I purchase, this one is a deal as far as price. Even when it’s not marked down or on sale.

Highly impressed with The Silver Palate’s San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. It definitely has me interested in trying their other varieties and even some other products. Well done!

A serving of gluten-free pasta with The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

December 11, 2012

Julie’s Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich a gluten-free frozen treat…with a cherry on top

Julie's Organic Gluten-Free Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies — Julie’s Organic Gluten-Free Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies

Julie’s Organic Gluten-Free Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie – $5.99+

I didn’t know they existed until I was wandering down the frozen food aisle of my local Earth Fare grocery store. I was just glancing in and out of the freezers, looking for something…anything…that might catch my eye. Something that might be gluten-free. Maybe. If I prayed really hard and closed my eyes…maybe it would be so.

Or something to that affect…just less dramatic.

The fact of the matter was, I was at the grocery store and as I was searching the aisles, I stumbled across two new flavors of gluten-free ice cream sandwiches from Julie’s. Thrilled? Yes. Ecstatic? Very much. Did I buy them? OF COURSE!

And then…the reality of my overflowing gluten-free pantry hit…and I didn’t get to eat them. Not right away. Not until two nights ago, in fact. Thank goodness there was no freezer burn on them. I would have cried had it been so.

The Cherry Cheesecake Sandwich Cookies are amazing. No…they really are. Picture with me, if you will…two chocolate sandwich cookies (manufactured by Glutenfreeda…so they are gluten-free) that are packed…literally packed full of cherry cheesecake ice cream. If that sounds amazing to you, then let me tell you…this is not a figment of my overactive foodie imagination. No, my friends. This reality was brought to life by Julie’s Organic Ice Cream.

Cherry and chocolate is a fantastic combination as it is, but this ice cream sandwich brings out the best of everything sweet that I love. Cherries…check. Cheesecake…check. Chocolate…check. Ice cream…check. Totally gluten-free too. Which means…I get ice cream sandwiches!!

I had been previously blown away by the taste, texture, and awesomeness of the original (chocolate gluten-free cookies with vanilla ice cream) ice cream sandwiches and the Lemon Yogurt Ice Cream Sandwiches (lemon yogurt between vanilla gluten-free cookies). So, I figured this one had a lot to live up to. But…I have a lot of faith in these products as they have not only impressed me, but impressed my friends who can eat regular ice cream sandwiches. So much that they prefer these instead!

The Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie is a mouthful to say…but it’s a delight to eat. Honestly. I love the way the soft chocolate cookie melts away with the delicious and smooth cherry cheesecake ice cream. Totally wowed by this flavor. The lemon is still my favorite thus far…but this one is a very close second. It was like biting into a cheesecake with a chocolate crust. It brought back so many delicious and amazing memories. I can’t wait to devour the other one waiting for me in the freezer.

As far as sweet, ice-creamy snacks go, the nutrition information on this one isn’t too bad. One ice cream sandwich will set you back 200 calories and 9 grams of fat. That’s not bad for an ice cream sandwich. And, let me tell you, it is worth every creamy, dreamy calorie. For real.

Search high and low for these at your local grocery store…and if you don’t see them, see if the store can order them in. Trust me…you’ll want to take a bite out of these…and then polish it off. It’s hard to eat just one.

Julie's Organic Gluten-Free Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie (unwrapped) — Julie’s Organic Gluten-Free Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie (unwrapped)

December 11, 2012

No pastry shell needed for Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar

Product: Lärabar Über Apple Turnover – $1.99

All the taste of an apple turnover without the guilt-laden pastry shell. I kid you not.

Welcome to the wonderful new line from Lärabar. In early 2012, Lärabar launched their new line of protein bars – the Über. In four flavors, this product combined sweet and salty flavors of classic desserts and brought them into bar form. No joke.

And after a 10 mile run the other day, I was hungry and needing something to satisfy my stomach while I went to an eye appointment before getting a late lunch. I happened to pick up one of each flavor of the Lärabar Über bars on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store. Super sale on a product that is gluten-free…yeah, I’ll buy that. And since they had an abundance of each flavor on the market, I grabbed one of each. The Über bars are available in Apple Turnover, Bananas Foster, Cherry Cobbler, and Fruit and Nut Roll.

First up, by the scientific method of grabbing the box in front…was the Lärabar Über Apple Turnover Bar.

Lärabar is known for making their products strictly from fruit, nuts, and spices/seasoning. That holds true with the Über bars. In fact, the Apple Turnover variety has 9 ingredients in them. That’s it. And they are all things you could find in your pantry. It’s true. They are composed of walnuts, dried apples, brown rice syrup, raisins, dates, pecans, honey, sea salt, and cinnamon. That’s it. Nothing unrecognizable. Defintiely not made up of chemicals that you’d have to Google to figure out what they were (if you dared!) or something completely unpronounceable and unknown to anyone but a chemist. I love that about Lärabar. What you see is what you get.

The Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar contains only 190 calories for the entire bar. It contains 11 grams of fat, but is very low in sodium (125 mg) and serves up 3 grams of protein. Not too bad, overall.

The best part…the Apple Turnover bar tastes just like an apple turnover would. Seriously! It’s fantastic. The combination of dried fruits, nuts, and seasonings really lend that illusion that you are eating a sinful pastry. But you’re doing it at a fraction of the calories and fat. Honestly, you won’t even miss the flaky, fattening pastry crust. I fell in love with it at first bite. And so did my roommate. We both agreed that the apple flavor is there, without dominating. All of the ingredients get their time to shine, and when they are together…you really feel like you’re sitting down to a fantastic pastry. Just…without the guilt. Love that.

These bars are soft, chewy, and provide a hint of sweet/salty flavor to each bite. Not to mention, the Apple Turnover Über bar is gluten-free, dairy free, soy free, made from all-natural ingredients, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, has no added sulfites and no preservatives, fillers or colorings. It’s wholesome and all natural and for that, I feel confident continuing to purchase products from Lärabar. Not only do they fit my dietary needs, but they are delicious as well.

If you love to indulge in a dessert but want to do so without the guilt, I recommend the Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar. And if you are gluten-free…I also recommend this variety. Honestly, you won’t even miss the pastry crust. Just indulge in the moment and savor every bite.

Lärabar…the Apple Turnover bar is Über delicious!