Rice – Page 3 – The Celiathlete

February 28, 2015

Product Review: Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice

Product: Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice – $4.69+

You know, it only seems appropriate that in the February Cuisine Cube (aka: Happy V-Day 2015), a package of Forbidden Black Rice was included. Nothing compliments the month of L-O-V-E like something that starts with the word forbidden. Sounds exotic and exciting and…tasty. Tasty because, well, it’s followed by the word rice!

February is all about love. And one thing that I love is receiving my Cuisine Cube each month. I mean, nothing says love quite like a box full of exciting, new, and enticing foods that are new to me and you. But that’s what Cuisine Cube is all about. This small group of foodies are searching high and low for gluten free products that aren’t highly processed, that are made by the smaller businesses and companies…and then…they ship these to you…each month. This subscription is one of the best things I have ever done. I mean…5-6 items for a month (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert…and sometimes an added bonus!)…that’s a fantastic deal. Seriously, you’ll fall in love with this service as quickly as I did. I certainly encourage you to give them a try. With subscriptions starting as low as $29.99…how can you turn that down?

Now, Lotus Foods is not a company that I am unfamiliar with anymore. A few Cuisine Cube boxes ago, I received two pouches of the Lotus Foods Rice Ramen…and I loved them. The products produced by Lotus Foods are recognized for their exceptional cooking quality, taste, texture, and superb nutritional value. The ancient and new rices that compose their products are grown on family farms in limited quantities, on healthy, chemical-free soils. The rice and rice products that are produced by Lotus Foods are found in specialty gourmet, natural food markets, grocery stores, white tablecloth restaurants throughout the United States, becoming a fast favorite of consumers who are seeking healthier options, as well as chefs and foodies across the country.

How’s that for a recommendation, eh? So, last time it was noodles…this time…

Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice.

Legend has it that heirloom forbidden rice was once eaten exclusively by the Emporors of China. It is said to enrich health and ensuire longevity. Forbidden rice is known for it’s beautiful, rich, deep purple color. It has a soft texture and a slightly nutty taste. This rice is high in a class of flavonoid antioxidants called anthocyanins, which is rich in iron and considered to be a blood tonifier. A recent study also shows that a spoonful of black rice brown, or 10 spoonfuls of cooked black rice contains the same amount of antioxidants as a spoonful of fresh blueberries. How’s that for a healthy powerhouse? But, let’s not stop there…forbidden rice provides the richest nutritional value, providing higher levels of vitamins and minerals and fiber than any other bran rice, as well as a comprehensive range of amino acids, proteins, vegetable fats, and essential trace elements that are necessary for the body. It is called “tribute rice” or “longevity rice” and was reserved for the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty to ensure their good health and long life.

This rice is super easy to prepare. As I was being a bit nontraditional (shocker, I know) with mine, I ended up soaking my rice for about 30 minutes in water. And then, I got to cooking it. I turned on the stove and brought it up to a boil. Once I had the rice rocking and rolling in the boiling water, I covered the pan and lowered the heat, letting the grain cook for 30 minutes. When the rice was done, I removed it from the heat and let it sit another 10 minutes.

From there…I fluffed it with a fork and gave it a try. Because, I had to taste it before it was messed with, yes? Yes. LOVE. I would eat this rice however it was prepared. On its own, even without any seasoning, it was honestly really good. There is this great flavor to it. Yes…the rich nuttiness that they mention above is there. The rice is soft and just has this great flavor to it. Don’t let the color dissuade you. It’s amazing.

So, once I knew what it tasted like, I went and added a bit of sugar, some rice vinegar, and salt. And BAMMO! SUSHI RICE! I let it sit while I was at work and then…tonight…dinner was vegetarian sushi! Vegetarian sushi made with the Lotus Food Heirloom Forbidden Rice. It was AMAZING! The forbidden rice actually did great as the sushi rice. It held together gorgeously and really made for a pretty sushi roll. It wasn’t your standard white or brown rice roll. This gave it, not only a great flavor, but also a fantastic look on the plate. It tasted amazing. I have enough to do another two rolls as well, so this makes me super happy!

The Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice is simply made up of black rice. It is gluten-free and wheat-free, non-GMO and vegan. It is love.

As far as nutrition goes, the Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice is a powerhouse of nutrients and a great addition to your diet. One serving is 1/3 cup dry rice. This serving will give you 200 calories and 2 grams of fat. A serving of this amazing rice will also give you 0 mg sodium, 175 mg potassium, and 1 gram of sugar. This rice also gives you 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Filling, tasty, and delicious. What more could you want?

I was excited that I started seeing some of the Lotus Foods products in my local grocery store. I haven’t spotted the actual rices like the Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice, but this was certainly a great introduction to this product. And, I have Cuisine Cube to thank for it!

Vegetarian Sushi made with Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice

February 20, 2015

Product Review: Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes

Product: Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes – $1.99+

It came inside the New Year 2015 (aka: January Cube) Cuisine Cube. It is the height of New Year’s Resolutions and it seemed that that box, in particular, was aimed at new beginnings and healthier choices. God, I love that theme. Because I love making healthier decisions about things I do and what I eat. Granted, I do treat myself here and there, but that’s not only human…that’s normal. But with the theme of New Year Resolutions in January, a lot of what was inside was on the healthier side. Love it. Yes…even dessert.

But…I’m jumping ahead. Because first I need to tell you a thing of two about Cuisine Cube! Cuisine Cube is a subscription service that brings a surprise to your doorstep each month. This unassuming brown box arrives and is packed with an assortment of hand-picked gluten-free goodies, featuring imported and local goods, from smaller artisan companies…rather than the larger gluten-free corporations you find on every grocers shelves these days. You will receive treats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert…and sometimes…an added bonus. Each month you receive a themed cube of some sort, with only gluten-free items inside. Love it! Subscriptions start as low as $29.99. And, trust me, you’ll wonder what you did before it was in your life.

January = Healthy Life Healthy You…New Year…New Start…so…let’s get healthy, yes? YES!! I stand 100% behind this theme.

Well, what says healthy dessert like…rice cakes? Right? Yes? Excited? No? Why not? You should be. Because in the January Cuisine Cube, I found my dessert choice to be Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes. Yep. Dark chocolate covered rice cakes. Now…does that sound a little more like dessert? Yeah…I thought so.

If not…stay with me…

Element Snacks was created by Nadia and Fred, both of whom hail from Europe (Nadia from Italy and Fred from Sweden). They both grew up on real food, no Twinkies or Kool-aid. They believe in feeling great and nurturing our bodies and minds at the same time. They also believe that food should be simple…yet flavorful. It doesn’t mean we have to be 100% all the time. We’re human. But, we can control what we splurge on, and if something tastes like a treat, but carries some healthy benefits with it…well…added bonus.

Enter…Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes. These are just what they sound like, rice cakes, made from non-GMO Italian rice, that are coated with premium Italian Chocolate. Everything in this treat is naturally nutritious and good for you. These chocolate coated snack cakes are gluten-free, vegan, contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no yeast, no preservatives and are non-GMO. Oh yeah…loving every word of that, how about you?

So, it all sounds good in theory, yes? But how is it really?

AMAZING!! Yes…I know, I am the girl who gets excited about rice cakes…but even Cathy (the roomie!) liked this one. The rice cake tastes savory, without any salt. But it is that layer of chocolate that just makes these explode with flavor. Cathy said, “drizzle dark chocolate on anything…” HAHA!! Truth. These are so amazing. Delicious. Nutritious. And YUM!! Dark chocolate only sweetenes the deal. SOLD! I only wish I had more.

Let’s talk ingredients. It doesn’t get more simple than this. The Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes are made from 60% dark chocolate, 40% rice cakes (wholegrain brown rice, rice). Yep. That’s it. That easy. Real ingredients. Real food.

How about nutrition? Well, a serving of Element Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes is 1 rice cake. This one chocolate coated delight will serve up 80 calories and 4 grams of fat. This one rice cake will provide you with 20 mg sodium and 5 grams of sugar. Love that. They are cholesterol free. And, finally, you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, these won’t fill you up, but you will have the sweet and savory taste to leave you feeling fulfilled.

I give huge kudos to Element Snacks and to Cuisine Cube for these delightful, and surprisingly delicious treats. As a known lover of rice cakes, this just took them to the next level. I think I’m in love. With a healthy dessert. We all win.

February 13, 2015

Product Review: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils &Rice – Mild Curry

Product: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry – $3.99+

I’m having one of those weeks. One of those weeks where it just seems like I don’t have enough time. For anything. Let alone cooking. And despite some fresh produce still in my crisper, it was the eve of an early gym morning, late afternoon emotional burnout, and a long day at the office. The last thing I wanted to do, especially with Valentine’s Day goodies to make still, was try to make dinner from scratch. I did that last night…having to eat my delicious Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts…standing up, while stirring a pot of melting chocolate that would become a decadent and rich chocolate mousse.

SIGH!

Don’t get me wrong…I love making gifts for people who appreciate it…but sometimes I just want to sit down and relax. More and more these days, there isn’t enough time to think let alone relax. What would be ideal would be something that I could simply throw in the oven, the microwave, or on the stove, set a timer, and get some stuff done. Like lunches and snacks for lunch the next day.

So, after much searching through both pantry and freezer, I decided to pick out one of the boxes of rice meal things that were lurking right up front. I had about three or four to choose from, but ultimately reached for a brand I know, I love, and I trust.

Lundberg Family Farms.

Lundberg is committed to producing the finest quality rice and rice products. And since 1937, the Lundberg family has been growing healthy, great tasting rice while respecting and sustaining the earth. With the third and fourth generations currently carrying on the family heritage, using eco-friendly farming methods to produce wholesome, healthful rice, rice cakes, rice chips, risottos, and pastas while improving and protecting the environment for generations to come.

Gotta love a company that has a heart.

So, Lundberg Family Farms recently began expanding their line of rice products into these little rice and pasta sides. I picked up some pasta awhile back…but this time I had my eyes set on the new rice sides. I was visiting my friend Jenn in Columbus, Ohio, and stopped into my new favorite store there, The Raisin Rack. I filled up a small basket of items and products I wanted to try that I had a hard time finding in my area. And one of these, at the time, was Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry flavor. The Mild Curry was what actually caught my attention. The other being that these little boxes make for easy meals every now and again. And while I don’t like to cook out of packages, sometimes it just becomes necessary. But, the best part is, you can choose what you purchase to use in these situations. And, for me, Lundberg Farms uses great ingredients, non-GMO, and really cares about the environment. I have never had an issue with any of their products, so…for me…this made for a great meal (my roommate and I split the box between us instead of using it as a side dish).

It was very easy to make. Just combine water, rice, lentils and the seasoning packets into a pan and stir well. Bring it to boil, then turn the heat down, cover it, and allow it to simmer and cook for about 30-32 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Just let it cook. Remove it from the heat and allow it to stand for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving it up. Simple. And it was so hands free. No need to babysit the pan and remember to stir it every now and again. It was perfectly ideal for a night like tonight. I finished up my prep work for lunches and snacks, talked to my sister on the phone, changed into pajamas…and got some gluten-free focaccia bread heated up to accompany the meal. Then, I dished the rice and lentil mixture into two bowls.

It smelled fantastic. Honestly. It had this great cumin and garlic aroma that just wafted up from the pan when I lifted the lid and began splitting the dish between us. The rice was fluffy and the lentils to that perfect al dente. The yellow hue was brought about by the use of most of the curry spices, especially turmeric. I love turmeric. It’s a great anti-inflammatory. And with how bad my back has been lately…it’s my new best friend! So…dinner was served.

And HOLY CURRY GOODNESS…this was fantastic. For one thing, the flavor is mild. So, when it says “Mild Curry” on the box…believe it. This will not burn your tastebuds off or set your mouth aflame. In fact, my roommate actually turned into me for a small moment and said she missed it having a bit more heat. That’s weird for her to say, since she is a heat wimp. But…yes…the mild flavor compliments the grains, rather than overpowers. And that is a good thing. I agree though, I could have used a little more spice level regardless. But, it tasted absolutely amazing. It cooked up to be light and full of these rich Indian flavors. And it was packed with nutrients and healthy carbs…so it made for two very happy diners as we ate our meal.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? One thing I love about Lundberg Farms is their use of real ingredents. You won’t see ingredients you don’t recognize in their products. In the Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry, you will find organic parboiled brown rice, organic lentils, organic rice flower, sea salt, organic spices (ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and fenugreek), organic garlic powder, organic rice concentrate. This box of whole grain goodness is also vegan, non-GMO, cholesterol free, and kosher.

As for nutrition, a serving of Lundberg Family Farms Organic Whole Grain Lentils & Rice – Mild Curry is 1 cup, prepared. There are three servings per box. In this serving, you will be consuming 210 calories and 2 grams of fat. This serving provides 460 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. Both of these are really low for a boxed product. In addition, you will feel full after dining on this because one serving also provides 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein.

I asked Cathy if she would be happy having one of these boxed rice meals from Lundberg Family Farms again, and she totally said she would. And I have to agree. Great flavor. Great texture. And wholesome ingredients. What’s not to love when it’s so easy to cook up and so easy to eat. And good for you too! Gotta love that.

Another product win from Lundberg Family Farms!

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

Product Review: Alce Nero Gallette di Riso Integrale

Product: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale – $3.60+

Ah…the dog days of summer. August. Welcome to the time of year where cookouts are happening, the last hikes through parks and mountains are going down, get-togethers before school kicks in again are taking place…summer is winding down and life is about to get back into that grind for many people.

I was so excited with the eclectic mix of goodies that I received in my August Cuisine Cube. And, honestly, with the exception of the turkey jerky (no offense to the company Field Trip…but I am a vegetarian. HOWEVER…the people at my office LOVED it and ate it up!), I am rounding out the August cube by using up the very last item that remained from that delivery. Hey…don’t judge…I’m a very busy girl! But…I always get around to everything eventually.

Cuisine Cube, for those of you who are just tuning in…is a fantastic delivery service that brings gluten-free products from small and artisan companies to your door. It’s an amazing service and one that I am proud to be a subscriber to. I started back in May and have loved receiving my cubes of delicious treats each month since. Each month you receive 5-6 products (always something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert…with an occasional bonus product!)…and subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, if you’re as curious as I was…go to their site…sign up…and get hooked.

The final product that was featured in my August Cuisine Cube was their “LUNCH” option…Alce Nero Rice Cakes (aka: Alce Nero Gallete di Riso Integrale). It just so happened that I ran out of gluten-free oatmeal this week and needed a lunch option. Sure, I could have hit up my grocery store…but I had things in my pantry that were just begging to be eaten. And the very first thing I reached for, ironically, for lunch today was…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes.

Now, I think I’m an anomaly in life because I actually LOVE rice cakes. I do. I grew up eating these for snacks. Not this particular brand, but my mom had rice cakes in our pantry all the time…and the three of us kids would devour them. Sure, some of them might have tasted a little like packing peanuts…but there was something about that rice flavor and the light hit of salt that just made it…delicious. And my opinion of rice cakes hasn’t changed. It’s one of my favorite snacks to eat…even today. So, I wasn’t at all disappointed to be packing up rice cakes for my lunch. I was actually very excited. I paired it with a product from the September Cuisine Cube (Superbutter Nut Free Seed Butter…in case you were wondering) to make it a little more filling and a bit more of a meal.

At lunch today…I was definitely in for a treat. If you, like me, love rice cakes…then these are definitely for you. These rice cakes were imported from the birth of the rice cake – Italy. They are a good size and thickness. And while they don’t have a lot of flavor, they don’t really need it either. Even when I ate it without dipping it into the spread on top, I thought these were light had the perfect amount of crunch without being annoying. I don’t often buy rice cakes from the store because of the additives that are put into popular brands. The Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made exclusively from organic, whole grain rice. Nothing more. And, yes…they are yummy! And yes…yummy is a technical term.

So, let’s talk ingredients. This is easy…the Alce Nero Rice Cakes are made from…organic whole rice. These are cholesterol free, sugar free, sodium free, fat free, and gluten-free.

As far as nutrition goes…you will love this. A serving of the Alce Nero Rice Cakes is 3 pieces. This serving will deliver 70 calories, 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. Not very filling, but good enough to serve as a lunch, for sure. That’s it. Healthy and delicious!

I love shaking things up and doing different things. It was fun to step away from my daily oatmeal at lunch habit to give the Alce Nero Rice Cakes a try. Low in calories…these are fantastic on their own, but taken up a notch with some nut or seed butter, some jam, or however you want to top it.

To me…rice cakes are nutritious and delicious…and these are some of the best I have ever had. And getting the opportunity to try these was thanks to Cuisine Cube!!

January 21, 2015

Restaurant Review: Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina

Restaurant: Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.), Charleston, South Carolina

With every marathon I run, there is also a celebratory meal. Usually it is on the same day of said race, but Charleston is an odd duck in that it’s marathon runs on Saturday. And we already had eating plans on Saturday. So, instead of changing everything around, we just decided to have the fancy, special meal on Sunday night. And, after scouring a list of places that Amanda sent me (all of which had gluten-free items), it came down to two options – Poogan’s Porch and Slightly North of Broad.

Cathy chose in the end…opting for Slightly North on Broad because of one item on the menu that caught her eye. This was fine with me…there was this amazing honey drizzled fruit plate dessert on their menu that sounded beyond amazing. So…when Amanda came over to help with the planning session…this was decided. And, to make the occasion even more special, Janet (Cathy & Amanda’s mom), offered to pay for our big meal out this trip.

The best part about where we were staying was that Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) was literally right across the street from the hotel. Seriously. So, this meant we could stay out and explore until we absolutely had to return to our rooms. Then, we could all clean up and head out to eat, then come back to change and go out for some more exploring! Of course, when Cathy chose this restaurant, we had no idea this was the case. Amanda enlightened us. Odd, how when it came to eats the only one we really ventured out further than the immediate area of our hotel was Brown Dog Deli. And we were over that way anyway as I was shopping for spices, tea, honey and other local goodies. HA!

So Sunday morning and afternoon was spent walking the streets and cemeteries of Charleston. Honestly, if you ever get to visit this amazing city…just walk it, duck into places, explore. You can take tours, yes, but sometimes it’s just fun to get out there and just find something that intrigues you. I was fortunate enough to have Richie and Amanda with me, to act as the local tour guides. They might as well be locals. They know where everything is…how to get there…and come to Charleston often enough it’s second hand. But, even if you aren’t traveling with your own walking guide books…try something new. We returned about an hour and a half before dinner so we could clean up and get ready to make the walk across the street. I took a shower and changed and then we met Amanda and Richie at their room before hoofing it over to S.N.O.B.

We only had a brief wait while they prepared our table for our 6:15 p.m. reservation. And once we were seated and water (and Coke for Richie) was poured, we were left to peruse our menus until our waitress came over to the table. We immediately informed her that I was a gluten free vegetarian, and she immediately opted up with the Vegetable Plate that they serve. She also said she could see what else could be done for me, but a big plate of seasonal and local vegetables sounded absolutely delicious to me. My decision was made. Now the rest of my dining party needed to ponder what they were going to have. The server gave us a few more minutes to decide.

So, let’s discuss S.N.O.B. here, while we are deciding on food, eh? Because this seems like as good a place as any. S.N.O.B. is described as “an eclectic Lowcountry bistro that brings together an abundance of local ingredients and thoughtful, expert presentation with a friendly, contagious energy.” In other words, very big on farm to table. Love that. They have a nice open kitchen, which I absolutely loved since I love being able to glance over and see what is being prepared as it is being prepared. The food they make is the product of the local farmers, fishermen, and producers. So…very Sean Brock. And I love Sean Brock. And if you don’t know who Sean Brock is…Google him now and learn! The setting is low-light, candles, white table cloth, and soft conversations. You get the sounds of the kitchen…the sizzles, the flames, the dishes clinking, all mixing with the pouring of wine and water, and the clink of silverware as it scrapes up that last bit of food from a pristine white plate. This is S.N.O.B.

So…there it is.

When our waitress returned we all had finally settled on what we were going to eat. Richie opted for the Pan Seared Duck Breast ($27.00), which includes savory blue cheese bread pudding, fig jam, Brussels sprouts, and a honey thyme reduction. He saw duck…he knew what he wanted. Amanda ordered the Grilled Pork Chop ($27.00), which is served with crispy confit potatoes, cabbage, and topped with a sorghum and whole grain mustard glaze. Cathy was the foodie of the group and wanted to try something more than just a large appetizer plate, so she did a medium plate with an appetizer, which is recommended on the menu. For her appetizer, she went with the Herb Crusted Eggplant ($12.00), which is topped off with buffalo mozzarella, green heirloom tomatoes, some sprouts, and pesto. For her entrée, she opted for the Carolina Quail ($16.00), which comes with braised greens, tasso cornbread stuffing, Muscadine glaze (that’s from a particular grape, FYI), and quail jus.

As for me…I did go with the Vegetable Plate ($20.00), which is described on the menu as being “a variety of the best vegetables we can find.” Hey…I’m a vegetarian. There are very few vegetables I don’t like. Very few. So…our order was in and we fell into the din of conversations, discussing everything from our events that day to the other people in the restaurant, to wine bottles we could see from our seats, to how much fun we were having. Lots of laughter and lots of fun going on.

Cathy’s appetizer was up first and we all cast out our appreciative ooohs and ahhhs at the tower of eggplant, cheese, tomatoes, and greens, all soaking in a small pool of pesto. She sliced into it, and said that the eggplant was actually really well cooked and that the cheese was amazing. However, as she went on eating, she got tired of the sprouts getting caught in her teeth, and eventually that herb crust got completely mushy with the mix of the eggplant juice, the pesto, and the juicy tomatoes on top. So, it started off really well…but in the end…all went to mush. She polished it off, save for those greens on top though.

A little after her plate was cleared away, the main courses arrived. Amanda had the largest pork chop I had ever seen in my life. It was only polished off with some help from Richie and Cathy. But…she did eat all her potatoes. Richie’s duck was cooked perfectly and I had never seen him clean a plate until this meal. Cathy was less impressed with her entree, finding her favorite part of the quail to be the pan seared area where it was crispy. She hated the greens with a passion (and she eats greens…I cook them at home). And her favorite part of the plate…the tasso corn bread. Everything else left her rather…unimpressed.

S.N.O.B.'s Vegetable Plate — S.N.O.B.’s Vegetable Plate

As for me…when they said a plate of vegetables, they weren’t kidding. Upon further looking at the menu, what I have found is that this plate is a compilation of every vegetable in house and offered as a side on the menu. This plate was mounded high with high fiber vegetables that were cooked however the side was to be cooked, and paired with three different starches. It was beyond filling. This plate included grilled eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, portobello mushrooms, grilled okra (on the list of vegetables I hate with a passion, so these got left behind!), broccoli (with a sprinkle of Romano cheese), sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, caramelized Brussels sprouts, maverick potatoes, Charleston gold brown rice with some butternut squash, yellow grits (with cheese), some sprouts on top, and some sweet pepper jelly mixed in. The plate was a mish-mash of vegetables, no real plating flair…just piled high. In fact, I didn’t realize I had an heirloom tomato until I moved the eggplant. It was hidden below. That being said…the green beans were…well…green beans. I thought the potatoes were that weird overly-whipped consistency, and ate them by mixing them with one of the vegetables…like green beans or some eggplant just to give it a better texture. The spinach was delicious. I didn’t eat the okra because…GROSS. The eggplant was grilled and good enough…though a touch under-seasoned. The tomato was messy, but fresh and delicious. I love that little hit of sweetness. My favorite things on the plate were the grits, the Brussels sprouts, and the rice. All of which I saved for the last things I ate. And when I was done, I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or not…but it was a massive plate of food that was very filling indeed. I mean, I didn’t dislike it…it was just…okay. They definitely give you $20 worth of vegetables. All local and fresh…so I will give them credit for that.

Afterwards we were asked about desserts. I already had my heart set on something, even though I was filled up to the max. You only get to celebrate once, right? So…to hell with it…desserts all around.

Amanda and Richie decided to split the Crème Brûlée ($7.00), which was a creamy vanilla custard with caramelized brown sugar topping. Cathy went with the Vanilla Ice Cream with a Shortbread Cookie ($6.00) for her dessert. It also came dressed with fresh strawberries. As for me…I went with what caught my eye originally on the menu in the first place…the Fresh Fruit Plate ($7.50), which came drizzled with local honey.

Desserts are a must for me. I love trying desserts when I can. And fruit is one of my favorite desserts to polish off a meal with. The whole drizzled with local honey was an added bonus. Our desserts arrived. Richie had never had a Crème Brûlée before, so this was his first foray into that. Cathy’s ice cream looked fantastic and she crumbled the cookie over it and dove in, enjoying the fresh berries for that added bit of sweetness. My fruit plate consisted of grapes, strawberries, sliced apples, sliced bananas, spear slices, and chunks of fresh pineapple. All of it, as promised, was drizzled with local honey, adding to the sweetness of the plate. But it worked. I mean, it was a plate of fruit, but I couldn’t be happier with it. Everything was perfectly ripe, juicy, and amazing. Delicious and perfect way to end the meal.

While I certainly enjoyed my meal at S.N.O.B., when I return to Charleston next time, I will definitely investigate other options. I am happy for the experience, and loved the company, but the food was just okay to me. Maybe it’s my dietary restrictions…but I wasn’t overly impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike S.N.O.B. by any means. The food was cooked well and tasted good for the most part. But…there is so much more to taste in Charleston…so while the dinner was nice, I’m eager to go elsewhere next time.

S.N.O.B.'s Fruit Plate dessert — S.N.O.B.’s Fruit Plate dessert

January 21, 2015

Restaurant Review: Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina

Restaurant: Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, Charleston, South Carolina

This past weekend, I found myself enjoying my time in South Carolina. Not just anywhere though…but the beautiful and historic city of Charleston. I was going there to run in the Charleston Marathon…and then explore with Cathy (my roommate), and my friends Amanda (roomie’s sister) and Richie (Amanda’s hubby). Now, I’ve never been to Charleston, South Carolina…but this is Amanda and Richie’s favorite place to spend their time. So when they have time…this is their stomping grounds. When they originally heard that I was running the Charleston Marathon, they were very helpful in suggesting things to do while in Charleston. And shortly after leaving their home, Richie called and said they just booked a room at the resort and would be going with us. I was elated. Nothing like going somewhere with people who know the city. I was so excited.

So, we arrived late on Friday night and had to do a bunch of pre-race stuff. Saturday I ran the marathon. Afterwards, I usually can’t stand to stomach anything for a little while. My insides are just all messed up. I mean, come on, running over 26.2 miles will do that to you. So, I went back to the hotel, showered, and then Amanda came over. We settled in as I gave some Greek yogurt a try (for the protein). That stayed down…so I knew I could safely do something for lunch…as long as it was easy to digest and not too heavy.

We had mentioned sushi…and that sounded like something I could handle. And, literally just across the street and up a block was the place we went for said sushi…Wasabi!

We stepped inside and were greeted by the hostess, who I think at the time was unwrapping a snack in the nearby closet. She apologized and picked up three menus, carrying them over to a booth near a window that overlooked the street. We settled into the table and began to peruse said menu. I am BIG on vegetarian sushi. Cathy…not liking much fish in sushi was also looking at vegetarian options. Amanda…she was just trying to decide on what classic roll to get. She’s the non-vegetarian traditionalist who isn’t afraid of some fish in her roll. I asked how many rolls we were getting. Amanda, the regular, said she usually got two. So, I began making decisions based off of that. But the more they talked, the more it sounded like everyone was getting one roll. And Cathy seemed interested in the same one as me. HA! Knew that was going to happen.

Then, Amanda came up with a great suggestion…we could all get one roll each and then split the roll Cathy wanted to try three ways. Amanda is brilliant like that, for real. So, when our waiter returned and was prepared to take our order, we had an idea of what we wanted.

Amanda chose between the two she was eying and ended up ordering the California Roll ($5.00). With the decision made to order an extra roll of the one I had my heart set on, Cathy went off the beaten path and ordered the Calamari Tempura Roll ($6.00). As for me…I went with the Avocado Maki Roll ($5.00). Then, we ordered a second Avocado Maki Roll to split between the three of us. Order was in…now we just sort of sat at our booth and talked about the city and what Amanda had in store for us.

Pretty soon, our sushi rolls were arriving. And we were more than happy to dig in. There was nothing stand-out or noteworthy of this sushi just looking at it. It was perfectly rolled nori, surrounding perfectly packed rice and our filling. Cathy commented that her calamari was giving her the finger…so she set out to devour it before it could insult her further. HA! That’s what happens when your food has appendages and the like. By the steady stream of “Mmmm”…we definitely enjoyed what we were having.

I must say…the 8 slices of the Avocado Maki Roll I had from Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood were absolutely delicious. A little creamy with the fullness of the rice and the texture of the nori. Mmmm…seriously good. I topped each of my slices of with some of the pickled ginger and a touch of the wasabi offered on the side of the plate. It was sheer perfection in roll form. Honestly…amazing. I mean…nothing that any other good sushi place couldn’t do…but it had been forever since I had sushi…and this settled perfectly into my marathon stomach. Lots of flavor and great texture. The avocado was perfectly ripe. It was a heavenly slice of sushi roll for sure.

I was so happy with this place. Amanda had recommended it because it was gluten-free friendly. And it left me wanting to go back for more. I, sadly, didn’t have enough time this time around, but when I return…it will definitely be a stop. If you’re visiting Charleston, South Carolina…and you love sushi…go and try Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood!! Simple food, but done really, really well!

Wasabi's Avocado Maki Roll — Wasabi’s Avocado Maki Roll

January 12, 2015

Product Review: Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Vegetable Egg Rolls

Product: Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Vegetable Egg Rolls – $4.99+

Yesterday, I had a great day of great eating. No…I honestly mean it. It started off at my favorite local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café. I had a delicious breakfast with my roommate and my good friend Patrick. And then…we all went out shopping and spending the rest of the day together. Around 1 p.m., however, our breakfast was gone and we were looking for a light lunch.

Patrick, a vegan, recommended a place, saying he was feeling Asian food. Korean food. However, Asian can be a scary and rather…dangerous…territory for me.

However, he had a backup to his first choice. He took Cathy and I over to a restaurant we had been meaning to try for a long while. Roots…in the Highlands in Louisville. Attached to it was Heart & Soy…but we were really feeling soup and he had quite a few suggestions for each of us. Better yet…both places are both vegetarian, mostly vegan, and had tons of gluten-free options.

Asian food was just what the doctor ordered. I had been craving it for awhile…and this was beyond anything I had in a long time. Most Asian food in my life is P.F. Chang’s…which…let’s face it…isn’t “real” Asian cuisine. So…this was a nice treat and the owner…she was adorable and so sweet. She also knew what Patrick wanted. Cookies. HA!

All of that aside, while I polished off my meal of a small Vegetarian Pho soup and my Sauteed Baby Spinach entrée, Cathy didn’t quite finish her Tofu Clay Pot…so she had some extra. Patrick mentioned pouring it over rice…and Cathy seemed very interested in that idea. I would need something else, as the Tofu Clay Pot wasn’t gluten-free…but I did have baby spinach at home and the idea to recreate the spinach dish I ate and put it with some brown rice. Dinner would be amazing…but I thought it might need a little something more.

For Christmas, my adoptive aunt, Judi, gave me a $50 gift card to Whole Foods. I am one happy girl because now I can start purchasing items I’ve been dying to try but haven’t really been able to justify with my budget. While the three items I decided on today were relatively cheap (I still have over $37 on my card), I was able to not talk myself out of something for fear of not having enough for the basics at the end of the day.

One of my gift card splurge purchases were the Vegetable Egg Rolls made by Feel Good Foods. Let me premise this by saying…I HAVE NOT HAD EGG ROLLS IN THREE YEARS! Yes…three years. Not since going gluten-free. So, when I see the words “GLUTEN FREE” followed by “VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS,” you better believe that box is coming out of the freezer and hitting my shopping basket. And, I had previously tried the Feel Good Foods Vegetable Pot Stickers (and LOVED them!), I felt good about this purchase. I wasn’t going to go, “but what if it sucks…what if I don’t like it?” I was confident it would be good.

Normally, I probably would have gone with the oven baked version of these egg rolls, however…I forgot I had them up until the rice was steaming in my pan on the stove. WHOOPS! So…in a panic, I opted for the pan fry option. And, honestly, I’m so glad I ended up going that way.

But let me come back to that momentarily.

Feel Good Foods has the slogan: Don’t worry. Eat happy. And, with the promise of having no added MSG, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors, I was already feeling good about my purchase. Creators, Tryg and Vanessa met at a restaurant where he was the chef and she was working. When he discovered that she couldn’t have the staff-created meals, he began creating gluten-free versions of the dish. They created Feel Good Foods gluten-free frozen foods after they opened a gluten-free restaurant and were told that they needed to put their food out on the market. Their foods are non-GMO, all-natural and completely gluten-free. You see…Vanessa is a Celiac…so they take food allergies really seriously.

So…egg rolls. It was an easy thing to prepare, thank goodness…since I totally forgot about them until the very last moment. I already had spinach sautéing and wilting down. Crap. But, thankfully there was a simple pan fry method that would get the food done just in time. I got a non-stick pan heating up on the stove with 1/4 cup canola oil. I kept the heat around medium-high, and really let that pan get warm. As it warmed, I opened up the package of egg rolls and placed them on a plate, microwaving them for 30 seconds. Then, using some tongs, I eased each egg roll, flat side down, into the hot oil. I allowed each one to kook until the side was turning a rich, golden brown, then would flip it over and keep each side browning evenly. Once they were done, I removed the egg rolls from the pan and placed them on a paper towel while I served up the rice and topped it off with our perspective toppings…Cathy’s leftovers and my sautéed spinach.

Then…egg rolls were served…with a side of sweet chili sauce (which happened to be in my fridge).

Let me tell you, I will forever pan fry these egg rolls, which will forever have a place in my freezer for sure. I was SO impressed. First of all, by oven frying them, instead of baking them, I got this amazing golden wrap with the most amazing and perfect crispy texture. The vegetables inside were warmed all the way through and packed with delicious flavor and seasoning. I ate my main dish first and devoured the egg rolls, saying that next time I would just have egg rolls for dinner. Holy cow! Most amazing thing ever. Seriously, delicious. It reminded me so much of the egg rolls I used to devour when I ate Chinese food. This little side dish made me beyond happy. I wanted more. I still want more. DELICIOUS!!

Let’s talk about the ingredients. The Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Vegetable Egg Rolls are made with all-natural ingredients. The filling in these egg rolls is made up of cabbage, yellow onion, bean vermicilli, carrots, green onion, corn starch, sesame oil, and less than 2% of evaporated cane syrup, ginger, salt, black pepper, yeast extract and shiitake mushrooms. The wrapper is made up from water, rice flour and less than 2% of eggs, salt and soy lecithin. As for the batter…it is a mix of water, rice flour, corn starch, canola oil, eggs, evaporated cane syrup, baking powder, salt, and soybean oil.

As for nutritional information, the Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Vegetable Egg Rolls aren’t bad at all. Not really. A serving is 1 egg roll, in a box that comes with 3 egg rolls inside. One serving is only 90 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. One serving dishes up 5 mg cholesterol, 400 mg sodium, and 3 grams of sugar. One egg roll also delivers 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

I really, really, really want to thank Tryg and Vanessa for these amazing frozen treats. They cooked up perfectly. They were packed with flavor. They were, honestly, one of the best things I have had since having to go gluten free. I wish I could hug them both. Because now I can enjoy egg rolls again. Asian food is coming back into my life…and this proves that I don’t have to it all from scratch. Sometimes I just need a hot pan and a little sweet chili sauce…the rest…Feel Good Foods takes care of.

It truly is food that you can feel good about…and makes you feel good about eating.

Now…I’m craving more.

December 30, 2014

Product Review: Lotus Foods Rice Ramen + Recipe Bonus

Product Review: Lotus Foods Rice Ramen – $2.75+

Say it with me…

FINALLY!

Finally the gluten-free world gifts me with…gluten-free ramen! I have been waiting a long time for this.

I know what you’re thinking…

“Really? Ramen?”

Trust me…when you are faced with never being able to eat something again…finally is what comes to mind when you suddenly are given that something. I never knew how much I missed ramen…until I was suddenly able to have it again.

And for this great pleasure, I once again have to credit the amazing Cuisine Cube! Honestly, this is the best money I have ever spent each month. It is always a surprise as to what is inside the cube that arrives in the mail. And I am like a kid at Christmas when I open it up. Back in October’s box…Cuisine Cube included not just one, but two, packages of Lotus Foods Gluten Free and Reduced Sodium Rice Ramen.

Two flavors: Millet & Brown Rice with Miso Soup as well as Forbidden Rice with Miso Soup.

Color me excited. I was so ready to make some ramen. After all, I studied Japanese all through college and ramen is a way of life in Japan. Now…it was back in mine.

Let’s talk about Lotus Foods for a moment, shall we? The products produced by Lotus Foods are recognized for their exceptional cooking quality, taste, texture, and superb nutritional value. The ancient and new rices that compose their products are grown on family farms in limited quantities, on healthy, chemical-free soils. The rice and rice products that are produced by Lotus Foods are found in specialty gourmet, natural food markets, grocery stores, white tablecloth restaurants throughout the United States, becoming a fast favorite of consumers who are seeking healthier options, as well as chefs and foodies across the country.

I decided to do an even mix when it came to the two packages of Lotus Foods Rice Ramen that I received from Cuisine Cube. I’d prepare one package as is stated on the package itself. The other…I would cook up in a recipe.

Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen with Miso Soup

The one that I chose to shine on its very own was the Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen. These traditional Japanese-style noodles are created using their specialty rice instead of wheat. Not only are these gluten-free, but both millet and brown rice are some of the most nutritious and easily digestible grains.

Nothing could be easier to cook. Simply bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add in the ramen and simmer for about 4 minutes. Stir every now and again, breaking the noodles apart. When the noodles are soft, remove the pot from the heat and mix in the contents of the enclosed soup package. You can then add in any additional veggies and protein as you wish. I added some corn…because I happen to have a lot of fresh corn in my freezer leftover from this summer.

So…what emerged was a hearty, but delicious miso soup. One that is not only gluten-free, but also vegan and non-GMO. All of Lotus Foods rice products are made from organic rice…and that includes the rice ramen.

So…how did it taste? Fantastic. I love that this is also reduced sodium, as a lot of ramen on the market is overflowing with unneeded sodium. I was impressed with that stat on the nutritional information immediately. But as for the taste…the millet and brown rice lend a rich and nutty taste to the noodles themselves. And the soup pack provided a ton of flavor to the hot water. I love the mix of spices that brought a slight bit of heat and sweetness to the entire dish. It was simple to cook and fun to eat. Chopsticks not included.

Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen with Miso Soup (prepared with corn)

Let’s look at the ingredients in Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen. The ramen is made from organic brown rice flour, organic millet flour, water, and organic white rice flour. The soup pack contains red miso powder (cultured soybeans and rice, salt) tamari powder, salt, red onion powder, dried wakame seaweed, sugar, garlic powder, ginger powder, dried parsley, and dried chili peppers. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, organic, high in fiber and protein, non-GMO, low fat, vegan, and truly delicious!

As for the nutritional information…well…the Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen packs contain 2 servings, so a serving isze is 1/2 ramen with the seasoning. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. This portion will also give you 460 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. See how amazing that sodium level is?! It has 25% less sodium than regular ramen soup. This serving also provides 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. It may not seem like much when you look at it…but trust me…you will feel full after eating your bowl of this ramen.

In addition to the Millet & Brown Rice variety, Cuisine Cube threw in the Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen as well.

Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen with Miso Soup

Forbidden Rice is one of the most nutritious ancient grains. It is made from Lotus Foods heirloom black rice instead of wheat. I love the purple color that these noodles take on. It’s really fantastic. Instead of cooking these up according to the package, I incorporated these into a recipe. But…I’m getting ahead of myself. The forbidden rice ramen also has a delicious nutty taste and a great texture to them. In addition, these noodles are a natural source of antioxidants. This package comes with a savory white miso broth to create the noodle soup with. I, instead, incorporated it with the recipe I made. I added a ton of extra vegetables to create a delicious meal. The recipe will follow the ingredients and nutritional information.

Taste was superb. The noodles are amazing and perfect. I wish Cuisine Cube had included more. But, that’s why they have a Stock Up page on their Web site…to stock up. I hope to do just that…because…YUM!

The Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen noodles are made from organic black rice flour, organic brown rice flour, and organic white rice flour, and water. The soup pack is made from white miso powder (cultured soybeans and rice, salt), salt, white onion powder, tamari powder, soybean powder, mushroom powder, dried parsley, and dried carrots. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, organic, non-GMO, low fat, and vegan. WOOT!

As far as nutrition goes, Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen serves 2 people per pack, so a serving size is 1/2 of the package with the seasoning. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. In addition, this portion gives you 400 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Yes, the Forbidden Rice Ramen contians 33% less sodium than regular ramen. That’s fantastic. And, finally, you will have less than 1gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein. With less of these final two nutritional factors, load this up with hearty vegeatbles or your protein of choice.

Or…do what I did…

Recipe: Ramen Noodle Soup with Sugar Snap Peas, Mushrooms and Corn

Servings: 4-6
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups vegetable broth
1 packet of Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen noodles (dried ramen noodles)
1 can diced tomatoes
1-1/2 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved diagonally
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Hot sauce, such as Sriracha, for serving

Directions:

In a large, heavy pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat.

Add the shallots and garlic and saute for 3 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and saute for another 3 minutes.

Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Add the ramen noodles and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Add the sugar snap peas, corn, and the seasoning packet from the Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen and cook for 2 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper and serve. Add hot sauce, if desired.

~*~*~

Let me tell you, I was amazed with how good this recipe was. And thanks to Lotus Foods Forbidden Rice Ramen Noodles…I was able to create this and cook it up. It had rich depth of flavor. The Forbidden Rice Ramen noodles added a nice hit of bold color. And the soup itself had this great umami flavor. It was rich and loaded with nutrients and fresh vegetables. It was love at first slurp. And there was a ton of slurping going on.

If you haven’t looked into a subscription to Cuisine Cube, I do highly recommend it. In addition, I encourage you to seek out or order Lotus Foods Rice Ramen and give it a try. Especially, if you’re like me, and didn’t even remember what you were missing. It was so delicious. Or, as they say in Japan, “Taihen Oishikattadesu!”

Another product I love, brought to me with great thought and great care from Cuisine Cube. I’m loving this service.

October 19, 2014

Restaurant Review: Moerlein Lager House, Cincinnati, Ohio

Restaurant: Moerlein Lager House, Cincinnati, Ohio

It had been a long day for me. No…really. And, while a part of me was super stoked that I was leaving right from work to drive up to Cincinnati, Ohio, with my roommate, for a concert, another part of me just wanted to curl up under a blanket on the sofa at home. But…there was music to be enjoyed. And she had purchased a set of tickets to see Bastille in Cincinnati awhile back to help cheer me up.

This foot injury has had me pretty down since July…and she thought a surprise and a band I love might just help lift my spirits. It did. but this was a crazy, intense week at work, and my brain was ready to shut down.

Thankfully, that mindset changes when you actually get on the road to an event that you are really looking forward to.

So, at 4 p.m., we departed the office and hit the road up to Cincinnati, Ohio. A couple of days prior, Cathy had made reservations with a place not to far from US Bank Arena (the venue for the show) due to some gluten-free options available on their menu. I love trying out new food places so…WOOHOO! Even better…it had fish and chips readily available for her. YAY! She made the reservations for 6:30 p.m., which would give us some time to hit traffic and get into the city, park, and get to the venue. The last-ditch food option would be Chipotle, if the traffic gods were not with us.

But they were…and we arrived in Cincinnati just before 6 p.m., having only hit some traffic in Covington, Kentucky, just before crossing into Ohio and hitting Cincinnati. We readily found parking and got out, making the short stroll from the parking garage (with it’s $20 event parking!) to the restaurant, which was literally one block up and then over…down toward the river walk. Beautiful night too. Perfect weather.

We walked up the stairs to Moerlein Lager House and stepped inside. There were a few people ahead of us, but most went right to the bar. We stepped up and Cathy mentioned that we were early, because traffic wasn’t as bad as we anticipated…and they were more than happy to sit us down early. Nice. We were shown to a very nice table, somewhere between the rowdy bar and the floor to ceiling windows, which offered a spectacular view of the riverfront. We were given our menus and a menu that had the specials on it, where if any item were ordered off that menu, a donation would go towards a charity. Tempting, but there really wasn’t anything on there for me…and Cathy had her heart set on fish and chips. Our waitress, Kelly, came over to see if we wanted something to drink. We started with water. And when she returned, she asked if we wanted any appetizers or had any questions on the menu. Cathy mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian…and she came over. I think she missed the “vegetarian” part following gluten-free…because she highly recommended the crab cakes. But…hey…she tried. And…working in it’s favor – the restaurant labeled everything V for vegetarian and GF for gluten-free. And wouldn’t you know it…they had a dish that fit both requirements.

Cathy ordered her Fish and Chips ($18.00), which was cod that was battered with their house beer, Hudelphol, and served with a jalapeno tartar sauce, coleslaw, and fries…and decided she’d live dangerously with a non-alcoholic beer (I agree with some friends of mine on this…what’s the point??!), Einbecker ($7.00) to have with her entree.

As for me…I happily placed an order for the Crispy Balsamic Tofu ($17.00). YES! You read that right. This entree was served with a spinach basil risotto and roasted tomatoes, cipoline onions, and wild mushrooms, topped with shaved asparagus and preserved lemon salad. It had actually been a toss-up between that entree, or ordering a few sides and dining on that. Cathy pointed out I could get those sides offered virtually anywhere…but the tofu dish was an original. I agreed…and that’s what I ordered.

Moerlein Lager House's Crispy Balsamic Tofu — Moerlein Lager House’s Crispy Balsamic Tofu

While we waited for food, we discussed the concert…the music…my upcoming marathon…my foot (which to this day still bothers me!)…and the restaurant itself. And, when our food arrived, we were both certainly ready to dive in and devour.

My dish looked beautiful. It was a true culinary work of art. The tofu was sliced on the diagonal, making perfect triangles that had this great crispy coating on the outside. It was all set over this mound of perfectly creamy risotto with the vegetables framing the outside of the dish. Shaves asparagus topped it all off and there was this gorgeous balsamic reduction that was drizzled over the plate. I felt bad slicing into it…but I was hungry, so that moment only lasted briefly.

One bite was all I needed to realize how much I loved this meal. The tofu had this great crispy outside, but inside it was still rich and soft. It was glazed perfectly with the balsamic reduction and the hit of lemon just made it shine. The shaved asparagus was cooked to a perfect al dente and used as not only a garnish, but as a great addition to the roasted vegetables on the plate. The onions were spectacular and the tomatoes were soft and juicy. But the star…the absolute star of this entree was the spinach basil risotto. It was phenomenal. Creamy and rich and packed with great earthy and herby flavors. I was already telling Cathy after one bite that I wanted to recreate this dish at home. She sampled the risotto and understood why. I also had her try the tofu…and she really liked that as well. This dish hit on everything I liked. It had a nice tang to it, but the flavors were simple and real. And I ate the entire thing…possibly in record time.

A dessert menu was brought to our table and after a bit of discussion…and the mention of a Chocolate Creme Brulee ($7.00), Cathy and I decided that we could treat ourselves and split the dessert. Cathy checked with Kelly to make sure the Creme Brulee was gluten-free. She said she thought it was, but would check. It was…and after a small wait, the delicious looking dessert was arriving at our table with two spoons. Holy Moses! This was one spectacular and rich dessert. The burnt sugar on top was fun to crack through, but what it gave way to was this rich and decadent chocolate cream. Cathy described it as high-class pudding. HA! And that’s what it tasted like. It was amazing. And I think once we set the spoons down, Cathy might have licked the bowl a little bit.

Honestly, the service was amazing and I didn’t feel nervous about eating here. The clearly labeled items on the menu helped make it very easy to navigate and to make sure I got what I needed and wanted. And what would be safe for me. Cathy loved her meal, and even enjoyed the jalapeno tartar sauce. She said it was her second favorite tartar sauce she’s had yet. That’s something. The food was outstanding. I mean…it’s not every day I can get a vegetarian dish that is also gluten-free at a restaurant without it being…a salad. So, this was a nice treat, indeed. And one day, when I run the Flying Pig Marathon…you better believe this is the place I’ll be hitting up for dinner.

Thank you, Moerlein Lager House…you exceeded my expectations!

Moerlein Lager House's Chocolate Creme Brulee — Moerlein Lager House’s Chocolate Creme Brulee

September 27, 2014

Restaurant Review: The Grape Leaf, Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: The Grape Leaf, Louisville, Kentucky

It’s not my birthday…but my roommate and I have a tradition to treat each other to a birthday meal someplace new, interesting, or a personal favorite for each others special day. Mine was pushed back to this weekend as my birthday fell on the start of the weekend and I already had Indian food on the mind at my favorite place in Louisville!

So, I had said that what I really wanted was…finally…some Chinese food. We had read a review a couple years ago about a place called the Tea Station in Louisville that had gluten-free options. However, after e-mailing them and not hearing anything back…then the roomie calling and basically being told they can give me rice and vegetables and tofu…and after seeing reviews about how the place has sort of been on a downward spiral…it was time for a second option.

The problem was…I really wanted Chinese food. So, now, nothing sounded like something I wanted.

Perfect.

I tried to get some feedback from Cathy, but she kept saying it was my choice. Which only stressed me out. I narrowed it down to a couple of places…and after scanning the menu pages a few times, I settled…on The Grape Leaf.

Yep. Mediterranean food! I love everything about Mediterranean food…so I figured…why not try out somewhere new and different and interesting? So…after work, we drove out to Frankfort Avenue…and attempted to find parking. We finally managed to find a spot well up the road and made a bit of a hike to the restaurant itself. The Grape Leaf prides itself on being a friendly, locally owned, pan-mediterranean neighborhood restaurant. I loved everything about that statement, so I was pretty excited about it. Not to mention, their chef, Nabil Al-Saba, is the real deal – serving up authentic cuisine since 1992.

Impressive, yes?

We stepped into the restaurant and were greeted by the hostess. We were taken to our table and seated. One of the chairs had a balled up cloth napkin on it, but it was near the window and I was sitting in the seat nearest the aisle. So, I set my purse down in the chair, away from the napkin, and settled in to look at the menu. The hostess/waitress asked if we wanted any appetizers like hummus or grape leaves, but Cathy said this was our first time there so we were going to familiarize ourselves with the menu first. So, she went to retrieve glasses of water while we perused the menu.

When she returned, she asked if we had any questions or if we were ready to order. We had done a bit of discussion while sitting there…but finally settled on what we were going to eat. Cathy went first, as she had the easier order. She went with the Lamb Schwarma with her two sides being the Lentil Soup with Pita and the Cauliflower Rice ($13.25).

I was going with a couple of items on the Appetizer list. I settled on a cup of the Organic Vegan Red Lentil Soup ($4.00) and the Vegetarian Grape Leaves ($7.50). Order was in.

A cup of The Grape Leaf's Vegan Red Lentil Soup — A cup of The Grape Leaf’s Vegan Red Lentil Soup

And just moments later, our appetizer soups arrived. I had to take a picture for the blog, but Cathy dove in and said…”It tastes citrus-y.” That made me giggle and once my photo was taken, I spooned up a bit myself and tasted it. I didn’t get citrus at all, but I did get this smokey-sweet flavor from the paprika that was sprinkled on top. The menu lists the ingredients of this sup as being organic red lentils, extra virgin olive oil, onion, and spices. What it was was this thick and rich soup that had a gentle, tame flavor that was elevated by the dashes of paprika over the top. It was warm and soothing and smooth. And it was a good way to start the meal, for sure.

In fact, we had just polished off our cups of soup when the entrées arrived at the table. Wow. Fast.

The grape leaves looked like…grape leaves. I mean, you can’t really dress those up, can you? Except with spices…like that same sprinkling of paprika…everywhere. I mean…everywhere. I had six stuffed grape leaves on the plate with a dollop of tzatziki and lettuce in the middle. The grape leaves themselves were wrapped around a blend of tomato, parsley, onion, Egyptian rice, and herbs. I cut into one of them. They looked really great. I dipped my fork in the tzatziki and added it to the bite…and gave it a try.

It was…pretty good. It was okay. The textures were great. The grape leaves were cooked perfectly, kept soft. The stuffing was creamy and had a bit of flavor. Not a lot though. In fact, the star of the entire dish was the tzatziki. So, thank goodness for that. I had Cathy try a bite and she liked the creamy inside…but just didn’t look like she was a fan at all. And, sadly, being a schwarma lover…she was most impressed with her side of Cauliflower Rice. I was also…really…really…concerned with how quickly the food came to the table. I watch Kitchen Nightmares…I know how this works…

The food was just…okay. Not meh. Not gross. But not something I would actively make a point to go back and try again. Which…is so sad. This was my birthday meal and it didn’t live up to expectations. I feel cheated. I feel like my going out on a limb…trying something different…was a letdown. Do I get a do-over? We left after paying the bill and decided we couldn’t end the night with food that we weren’t happy with…so we hiked just up the street to The Comfy Cow for kiddie scoops of their Strawberry Fields Forever ice cream.

So…The Grape Leaf…has an amazing reputation…but it wasn’t busy when we were there…nor was the food anything to scream from the rooftops about. It was just…eh…good.

And I was hoping for great. I was expecting great.

I don’t think I’ll be back.

The Grape Leaf's Vegetarian Grape Leaves — The Grape Leaf’s Vegetarian Grape Leaves