Sandwich – Page 5 – The Celiathlete

August 2, 2013August 2, 2013

Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties bring vegetarian sausage back to my favorite meal of the day

Product: Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties – $3.49+

Breakfast.

I have said it once…I’ve said it a million times. Breakfast is my favorite…absolute favorite meal of the day. I can eat breakfast foods all day and be completely content to do so. And, sometimes, this is exactly what I do. And why not? It should be the most nutritious meal of the day. And often, that’s very true for me.

Then there are mornings where my roommate and I decide to revisit classics and make them so that I can eat them. For awhile, I would bake up cheddar biscuits and slap some Morningstar Vegetarian Sausage Patty between them and have a vegetarian sausage biscuit. It worked. It was delicious. And I loved it. But Morningstar products, as delicious as they are, are not gluten-free. So, when I had to cut gluten out of my diet…the breakfast sausage sandwiches went with it.

Until one day when Cathy and I were wandering around Whole Foods. We never go into the freezer section, but we had time to kill, so we were browsing. And that was when I spotted them. A beacon in the frozen food aisle. Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties. Right there on the front of the box it listed that they are vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free, free from saturated fat, low fat, and made with hearth healthy soy. GLUTEN-FREE VEGAN SAUSAGE PATTIES!! (*DANCE OF JOY*) I had tried other Sol Cuisine products…and it’s hit or miss. So, I made note that they were there and then for weeks kept talking myself out of purchasing them. Then, on drunken grocery shopping night with the roomie, I took advantage of her tipsy state and managed to snag a box of these to try. FINALLY!!

They made the journey home to the apartment and into the freezer. And that was where they remained for a couple of weeks. Until one night I made a batch of gluten-free rosemary cheddar biscuits for my running group. I had leftovers…so I promised to do up Sausage Biscuits for my roommate on Friday.

Well, this morning brought about the morning she had been waiting for. And so…I got the box of Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties out of the freezer, preheated the oven to 350 degrees, and opened up the box.

The patties come in two clear packages, each containing three patties. The first thing I noticed was that these were not all golden brown like the box showed. Nope. They were gray. And in my past experience, I know for a fact that food…should…NOT…be gray! So, needless to say, I was a little concerned. I removed four patties from their sealed packages and laid them out on a lightly oiled cookie sheet, preparing them to bake for 20 minutes. I was hoping that this might put some brown color into them…so they didn’t look gray still. Into the oven they went for 10 minutes. Then, I flipped them over and polished off their baking time with another 10 minutes.

They never did get to be that gorgeous golden brown that you think sausages should be. Even vegan sausages. So…these biscuits were just going to have to hold a gray vegan sausage. I’d just attempt to overlook the color. I plated my roomie’s biscuits first and delivered them to her while I compiled my own gluten-free and vegetarian sausage biscuits. As it takes me a moment due to having to photograph things for this blog, I saw her nibbling away…so I naturally inquired as to what she thought of the sausages. I always get nervous when I ask her that. She is honest to a fault. Her response…”They taste like sausage!” Considering my roommate is neither a vegetarian nor necessitating a gluten-free diet (she eats that way at home because I cook and I am a gluten-free vegetarian), this is one of the best statements that can be made about a vegan product. Honestly.

I settled in with my own sandwich, opting not to throw hot sauce on it this time because I really wanted to taste the sausage itself. Cathy was right. These vegan sausage patties are hearty and meaty and have an amazing texture to them. They may be gray in color, but that can be overlooked. The flavor is astounding. By baking them, the outside got this nice crispiness to it, but the inside was soft and chewy. It honestly tasted like sausage. It had no strange aftertaste, nor did it taste off. It was vegan breakfast patty perfection. I don’t think my freezer will ever not have these in it from here on out.

So…let’s break this all down as usual. First of all Sol Cuisine is a non-GMO company, which I appreciate and love. The Veggie Breakfast Patties, in particular, have 80% less fat than pork sausage. For real. And with how amazing they taste, you could probably fool any carnivore thinking it was real meat. Seriously. They are that good. As mentioned before, these products by Sol Cuisine are gluten-free, wheat-free, saturated fat free, as well as kosher.

Nutritionally speaking, yes…I do realize how highly processed these are. But…when you’re a gluten-free vegetarian…you roll with it. The serving size for Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties is one patty. This will serve you up only 60 calories and 2 grams of fat. These patties are also low carb, only providing 3 grams per patty. In addition, the sodium for a processed frozen food is not so bad, standing at 260 mg. One patty will also provide your body with 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein. They are filling…and delicious…and quite healthy when you break it all down.

I absolutely rave over these. RAVE. Honestly, if you have a Whole Foods store near you (I seem to only be able to find these at Whole Foods) go and purchase some. You’ll see why these have won me over completely. They are just the epitome of vegan (and gluten-free) breakfast sausage patties. They are so versatile and I can’t wait to utilize them in other recipes and with other components in the near future. For now, however, at least I know whenever I bake up some gluten-free biscuits, I can certainly treat myself to an epic breakfast sandwich.

Sol Cuisine…you brought sunshine back to this gluten-free vegetarian’s life. Thank you for redefining breakfast for me!

Gluten-Free Vegetarian Sausage Biscuits made with Sol Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Patties

July 19, 2013

Gluten-free sandwich making a work of at in Erie, Pennsylvania at Picasso’s

Restaurant: Picasso’s, Erie, Pennsylvania

I can only survive so long on protein bars, bananas, Greek yogurt, and ice cream. Although if I could live forever on ice cream, I’d probably do that. But, alas…it is not possible.

And when hitting the road, it’s not easy for me to just grab fast food. I mean…I’m a gluten-free vegetarian. That more than limits the field of places I truly can eat. And eat safely for that matter. After visiting my home town, as brief as it was, and driving back toward Columbus, Ohio…my partners in crime and I figured we best find somewhere to grab some actual food for dinner. We were all basically living off the snacks and ice cream we consumed earlier in the day. I consulted my Find Me Gluten Free app for the cities we would be passing through, and the one with the most options was also the furthest one away.

Erie, Pennsylvania.

After listing off what the app directed us toward, the three of us decided that sandwiches sounded really, really good. And the app was having us head toward Picasso’s. Picasso’s is Erie, Pennsylvania’s first and only truly gourmet sandwich shop. Their sandwiches range from one that has Twinkies on it with cheese and ham, to vegetarian offerings. The kicker, however, was that they offered gluten-free bread. YES!! We attempted to find the place on our own, but soon enlisted the help of the GPS on my phone. And Jenn and I spotted it just outside the ring road that circled the mall there in Erie. We directed Cathy up that way and eagerly got out of the car. Because, yes…we were hungry and ready to eat!

Upon stepping inside the place, I already liked the vibe. The lady behind the counter was very friendly and very nice. She greeted us immediately and we said we were traveling from out of town…and that I was a Celiac. She assured me that they change gloves and take special precautions to prevent cross-contamination. THEY KNEW WHAT CROSS CONTAMINATION WAS!! I felt better about this already. The difficult part now was deciding on what sandwiches to order. After all, these would see us from Erie all the way back to Columbus, Ohio.

After some menu perusal, we all came to our decisions.

Cathy went with Raphael, which consisted of cheese ravioli, baby spinach and mozzarella cheese on sourdough bread ($6.99). Jenn went with The Thinker, which basically has the customer choose three cheeses. I can’t remember exactly what she went with, but I believe it was provolone, mozzarella, and the cheese ravioli ($5.49). Yes…cheese ravioli is considered cheese there at Picasso’s. You gotta love that. And, honestly, where else have you ever seen ravioli on a sandwich? It was an interesting concept and one that intrigued both of them.

My table art at Picasso's — My table art at Picasso’s

As for me…I went with the Gluten-Free Venus De Milo ($8.49 – $6.49 sandwich with a $2.00 up-charge for gluten-free). My sandwich consisted of hummus, onion, shredded carrots, baby spinach, muffalata, tomato, avocado and roasted red pepper mayo on Schär gluten-free bread. Instead of going into a panini press like Cathy and Jenn’s sandwiches, mine was toasted and cooked to perfection in an oven…definitely eliminating the possibility of cross-contamination. They changed gloves and made my sandwich first, before working on my friends. I appreciated everything they were doing to ensure I would not get sick from eating there.

We took a seat with our drinks to wait for our food. What is really awesome is that the tables are painted black and on each one is a little metal bucket that contained sidewalk chalk. See where this is headed? While waiting on food, customers can make some art on these tables, draw, write, play games…whatever. It’s a fun little concept and the three of us put our artistic (or lack thereof) skills to work. Cathy drew what we call a “anorexic Thor” which got us laughing for a good long while.

But soon, food was arriving. Jenn’s sandwich first. Then Cathy’s. As mine was being toasted in an oven, it was taking a little longer. I told Cathy and Jenn to go ahead and eat their sandwiches while they were still warm. Both of them unwrapped their food and began to nosh. And just after their initial bites, my sandwich arrived, wrapped and ready for me to eat.

I can’t speak for them, but both Cathy and Jenn were quite impressed with how well ravioli on a sandwich worked. Why we never thought of this before…is way beyond me! These sandwiches must have been good because all three of us have been lamenting not having a Picasso’s near us. Sadness.

My Gluten-Free Venus De Milo Sandwich (wrapped)

As for my sandwich…well, to start…this was my first time having Schär’s sandwich bread. And it was awesome. Seriously. With gluten-free bread, you either get the ones that hold up or the ones that fall apart. This sandwich was loaded down with veggies as well as hummus and red pepper mayo. So…this had the potential to be very, very messy. But…it was a light golden color and held together, even with all the fillings and toppings and general awesomesauce stuffed in between. The muffalata was a bit scary…because I dislike olives. But…I went with it. I braved it. I figured it all had to come together somehow. And just like any work of art…it all did. The onions, the tomato, the carrots, the baby spinach, the avocado, the hummus, the olives, the red pepper mayo…it made for the perfect bite…every time. In fact, when I’d drip mayo out with some of the filling, I’d scoop it up and devour that too. That is how much I was enjoying this sandwich. It was savory, and sweet, and just A-MAZ-ING!! Seriously, I keep wanting to attempt to recreate it…along with what Jenn and Cathy had. I just know it wouldn’t live up to what we were served there at Picasso’s. Sandwich perfection. Truly. A masterpiece between two pieces of (gluten-free) bread.

I only wish there were more of these throughout the country…like in Louisville or Columbus. You know…where we live and all. We still crave another sandwich from there, which means they are doing something completely right. I loved the off-beat combinations that made up their sandwiches. And every sandwich was named after either an artist or a work of art. Like I said…the concept of this gourmet sandwich shop was fantastic. The fact that the food lived up to the concept was even better.

I encourage you, if you happen to be traveling through Erie, Pennsylvania, to stop in for a bite to eat at Picasso’s. The art of food, specifically sandwich crafting, is alive and well…and done to perfection. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Choose something you’d never dream of finding anywhere else. I promise, you’ll want to go back for more.

Picasso's Gluten-Free Venus De Milo Sandwich — Picasso’s Gluten-Free Venus De Milo Sandwich

June 25, 2013June 25, 2013

Udi’s Gluten-Free serves up a dose of protein with delicious Omega Flax and Fiber bread

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread – $5.99+

When it comes to gluten-free breads, there is one brand that you will always see at the top of the lists. Consistently. They were also the very first gluten-free bread I ever ate. So they set the standard that all other gluten-free breads were to measure up to. Some have. Some haven’t.

I am, of course, speaking about Udi’s Gluten-Free.

Not too long ago, I received a very generous shipment that included not only some of their classic products, but also a few new ones as well. I was elated. And as I work through them, I am having fun discovery items I hadn’t tried yet…and rediscovering the ones I fell in love with originally.

While Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread has been out on the market for awhile, I had not found it in my area, nor had I had the opportunity to try it. As it was one of the loaves of bread included in my big box of gluten-free goodness, I was ecstatic to be able to finally try another variety, besides the three classic standbys – white, whole grain, and cinnamon raisin.

The other loaf of bread was the Gluten-Free Millet-Chia variety, which I absolutely fell in love with when I first sampled it. So, with that in mind, I couldn’t wait to dive into the Omega Flax and Fiber bread. Yesterday…was that day.

It was Monday, which means my dinner has to be quick and easy…because I have to meet up with my running group after a full day at the office by 6:00 p.m. This means, I hurry home and make a vegan and gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich before changing into my running clothes, hurrying to my car, and hoping I beat the traffic into Louisville to make it to the running store in time to run with the group. These are manic Monday’s indeed. But this is my pattern every week.

Last week I polished of the loaf of Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia bread, so while I was at work, I thawed out two slices of the Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread. It was perfect and ready for me to toast up with some vegan cheese sandwiched inside when I got home. And, guess what…I fell in love with this variety too.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread is made from naturally gluten-free ancient grains. The Omega Flax and Fiber bread contains a blend of Omega 3, 6, and 9, is packed with protein, full of antioxidants, and has a good serving of filling fiber as well. And that…is a wonderful combination! This bread is flavored with chia seeds, which supplies a healthy dose of nutrients and contributes to the unique and tasty flavor that each slice contains.

Yes…I said tasty. Because this bread is fantastic. It tasted really good without being toasted, but once I set it in that skillet, it just transformed into the most perfect specimen of gluten-free bread. The omegas, chia seeds, and flax seeds lend this nutty flavor to the bread. I loved how well it held up. Despite having been frozen and thawing in a plastic bag all afternoon, this bread didn’t crumble at all when I spread it with a little hot mustard and put a slice of cheese and some onion slices inside to grill up. This bread held up to the butter that I cooked it in. And it didn’t crumble or fall apart when I flipped it over. Too often I find that gluten-free breads can be quite delicate and brittle. But Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber bread worked perfectly. I loved the flavor and the texture of it. What’s even better about both this and the Millet-Chia bread was that with the additional fiber and protein in these slices, I don’t feel hungry immediately after eating. Most gluten-free breads don’t leave me feeling satisfied, but that’s not the case with Udi’s new Ancient Grains line. I got through my run and wasn’t starving immediately after. That’s a big change from my usual Monday night.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread is 2 slices of bread. One serving will provide you with 150 calories (not bad at all!) and 6 grams of fat (UGH!). I think my biggest complaint with gluten-free products is how many of them have more fat in a serving than the normal equivalent of said product has. It’s a burden I have to bear though, because there is no other way I can eat. In addition, this bread contains 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Loving that. No wonder I didn’t immediately feel hungry. I also love that this bread is low in sodium (260 mg) and has only 3 grams of sugar. It is definitely one of the healthiest gluten-free bread options out on the market.

Once again, Udi’s is proving why they continue to win awards and accolades for their gluten-free products. This bread was fantastic. Taste, texture…everything was spot on. As usual, my only complaint is with the size of the slices. They are so small…I feel like I’m eating half the sandwich my roommate eats. It sort of looks like I am too. Regardless…Udi’s is definitely serving the gluten-free community products that are top of the line. I only hope we continue to get more great additions to the gluten-free product line-up as time goes on.

A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi's Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices — A grilled cheese sandwich made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega Flax and Fiber Bread and vegan cheese slices

May 29, 2013

Wholesome nutrients and a powerhouse of flavor make Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread a favorite

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread – $5.99

Dear Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread:

What can I say? It wasn’t that I was trying to ignore you. I just…I was worried about trying you out. Gluten-free breads and I have this weird relationship. I either love them…or I don’t. I was so concerned about breaking my budget on another relationship that just goes bad at the very start that, despite you always catching my eye…I never acted or sought you out.

I simply…kept you at a safe distance. Always wondering, but never just going for it.

I deeply regret this now. Because, my dearest Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread…you have caught me off guard. You have wowed me. And now…I never want to let you go.

Call me needy…but I need you in my life from now on.

Love,
Me

Udi's Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread — Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread

Oh…the wonderful things I get to discover due to my dietary restrictions. Not too long ago, I received a lovely package in the mail from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods. Inside was a mix of some of their most famous products…and even some new ones that were hitting the market. I was elated. Sometimes finding products, old or new to the market, can be difficult in this area. And now…I had the opportunity to see and taste what I was missing out on…due to geography and some lack of variety in local stores.

In this box, I received two loaves of Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grains Bread. One of these loaves was the Millet-Chia Bread.

Now, perhaps you are like me at first and sort of…turn up your nose at the very thought. Chia…chia…like ch-ch-ch-chia pets. Yes…that sort of chia. But the lesson here is…don’t just a book by it’s cover. Or, in this case, don’t judge a bread just because it contains seeds that usually grow on a pointless head planter on your windowsill. Just sayin’.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread is, in a word, awesome. This ancient grain loaf is baked with hearty grains and contains a wholesome balance of nutrients, vitamins, and a unique flavor. Even more unique is the texture of this bread. It’s soft and chewy, but the chia seeds that are throughout the slices give it this nice hearty, crunchy texture. It was love at first taste and first bite. This bread has a fantastic earthy flavor to it, and the blend of omega-rich chia sees with the millet (yes…like the birdseed!) lends to the fantastic play of flavors and textures on your palate. It’s unique. It’s tasty. It’s…different. I loved it.

Bird seed…and ch-ch-ch-chia. It doesn’t sound like a delicious combination…but it is. Not just delicious, but nutritious too. Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread, shall we?

One serving is 2 slices of bread, which will set you back 150 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. That’s not too bad. In fact, it’s better than most gluten-free breads on the market. Especially for 2 slices. In addition, you get 5 grams of filling fiber and a protein punch of 6 grams. That’s awesome. This bread is naturally low in sodium (only 280 mg) and also low in sugar, topping out at 3 grams per serving. This bread is cholesterol free. And, this bread contains 350 mg of Omega 3.

Nutritious…and delicious. And made from something you’d water to grow over a clay head and birdseed, you wouldn’t think there would be anything appetizing about this blend of grains in bread. But the fact of the matter is…the seeds add this great texture. And when toasted, the flavor is even more incredible. My only complaint, as always with Udi’s bread…is that the slices are so tiny. Like…fit in the palm of your hand tiny. At least these pack a huge punch for such a small portion.

Ancient Grains are all the rage…so seek out and try Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread. I think you’ll be as surprised as I was. And perhaps you’ll be inspired to write your own love letter to a loaf of gluten-free bread. Don’t be ashamed. I’m not. Because this bread is truly worth the love.

A gluten-free grilled cheese and guacamole sandwich made with Udi's Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread — A gluten-free grilled cheese and guacamole sandwich made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread

May 21, 2013

Slide into a vegan and gluten-free burger season with SoL Cuisine’s Original Sliders

Product: SoL Cuisine Original Sliders – $5.49+

For the past month or so, I’ve been experimenting with dinner rolls…as slider buns. And having found out that my very own local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, makes the best I’ve ever tasted…well…sliders have become one of my go-to menu items. And with summer on the way, despite not having a grill, it is burger time.

BUT…being a gluten-free vegetarian sometimes means…I have to make my own sliders. And, trust me, some recipes work out better than others. For one thing, mine tend to not want to hold together, turning to mush and not really having that “meaty” texture to them. Granted, the two recipes I’ve done haven’t really lent themselves to being faux meat, but…the thought was there. When you bite into something that is meant to be a burger…that’s sort of the texture and taste that you are going for.

The other day, after buying yet another bag of allergen-free dinner rolls from Annie May’s…and knowing I had plenty of fresh produce in my fridge…I thought…sliders for dinner on Sunday might be awesome. The thing was…I really didn’t want to make my own. It was a super-busy weekend as it was…and Sunday I had spent a majority of my day listening to the Dalai Lama speak in Louisville. I was starving when I got out of there (no gluten-free and vegetarian options at the venue) and after downing some ice cream…I went grocery shopping for…the Poblano Chick(pea) patties I blogged about not too long ago. Except…the store didn’t have them anymore. My plans were about to go down the tubes.

But…then I remembered the glorious day I spotted SoL Cuisine Sliders (vegan and vegetarian, mind you) at Whole Foods in their freezer section. While it would mean I’d have yet another blog to write (I was backlogged enough I thought) on a product I could eat…I really wanted some real food for dinner that night. So…neglecting my initial response to make something I’ve already had before…my roommate and I headed over to Whole Foods and picked up a box of SoL Cuisine Original Sliders.

It was like it was meant to be. Because this box contained six sliders…and I had six dinner rolls. Awesome! Granted, the serving size for this product is 2 patties…we really weren’t out that much more by adding one more for each of us for dinner. A serving (2 sliders…remember…) will set you back only 100 calories. Yep. 50 calories per slider. Not too shabby, right? I thought it was awesome. The normal serving size also provides a fantastic 13 grams of protein! These vegan and gluten-free burgers are are low in sodium (240 mg) and have 3 grams of fiber. I think I should also mention that two patties is only 3 grams of fat as well. How awesome are these little veggie burgers of gluten-free wonder?!

And they weren’t difficult to prepare either. You can grill them, microwave them, cook them stove top, or put them in the oven. I had other things to prep with dinner…so I decided to do the oven method. I hoped this wouldn’t backfire, as I’m sure grilling or even doing it stove top would have gotten a nice crisp on the outside of these little patties. That being said, I prepped a cooking sheet and laid out all six patties, putting them into a 350°F oven. They had to cook for about 10 minutes on one side…and then flip them over and cook for another 10 minutes on the other side. Perfect, as I would have to throw my dinner rolls in to toast them up for my condiments and add-ons.

They smelled fantastic while they were cooking. And in that time I mashed up an avocado for the sliders, cut up some lettuce, chopped up a tomato, and sliced into an onion…all in the name of gluten-free vegan slider goodness. When the rolls and the sliders emerged, it was time to assemble the burgers. And I was starving and ready to eat.

So easy. A touch of avocado, then lettuce, the slider, vegan cheese, tomato, onion, and then more avocado before placing the top of the dinner roll on and making…the perfect slider. I did this for all of the rolls and patties and served them up to my roommate and I for dinner. She was already digging in by the time I finished putting mine together…and she was raving about the flavor. This was good news, as the SoL Cuisine Tofu Rubs were just…meh…okay. I settled in for my own dinner and lifted a slider to taste.

Oh…yeah…these are keepers. These are one of those products that will continue to find its way into my freezer. Seriously!

The SoL Cuisine Original Sliders are amazing. They are perfection. They taste meaty without being made from meat. In fact…they have such great texture and taste, if you closed your eyes, you’d think you were truly eating a burger. It’s amazing. It’s awesome. I am in love with these. Not only do they have fantastic texture and flavor, but they pair so well with any topping you might want to put on there. I heaped these sliders full with different condiments and vegetables, and they didn’t detract at all from the taste of the burger. These definitely compliment anything you top it off with. Or…if you want to sneak a taste on its own (like I did…for the sake of the blog) know that they are also very delicious on their own. Three sliders were so filling. But I was happily stuffed.

The SoL Cuisine Original Sliders are gluten-free and vegan. They are also kosher, and are a great source of calcium and iron. And what, exactly are they? Well, according to their ingredient listings, these little patties of meat-free, gluten-free goodness are composed of filtered water, soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, dried onion, modified vegetable gum, dried tomato, sea salt, dried garlic, spices, organic lemon juice concentrate, and caramel color. I love seeing ingredients that I recognize. Love it.

So, not only are these a healthy choice for a meal, but they are delicious as well. I can’t wait to purchase more of these, or even try the other two slider varieties in the freezer section: Spicy Black Bean Sliders and Quinoa Sliders. Both sound…awesome! They will both be purchased for the sake of the blog and consumed. I hope they can live up to the high bar the Original Slider set. Totally loving my gluten-free and vegan sliders. Thanks to SoL Cuisine…I don’t always have to make my own. Sometimes…I can just cook them up and leave the prep to someone else.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Sliders made with SoL Cuisine Original Sliders

May 13, 2013

Allergen-free dinner rolls from Annie May’s Sweet Café a must at any dinner table

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Dinner Rolls – $4.50

So, I got a little impulsive when I was at Annie May’s Sweet Café on Saturday morning. It happens. Especially after a good race. And even more so after having not been to the cafe for two weeks. Two long weeks. UGH! Way too long to be away from my favorite place to grab food that I know I can safely eat. But, I’m finally back in town for a little while and that means…I’m back to my routine.

After running a great 5K race in Louisville on Saturday, my roomie and I headed to Frankfort Avenue and pulled up (FINALLY!) into Annie May’s Sweet Café parking lot. It was breakfast sandwich time. And as we were sitting there noshing on our delicious breakfast (which also included an allergen-free doughnut…because…they are doughnuts and I love them!), Cathy spotted a bag of dinner rolls up on the top of the bakery case.

While we were polishing off breakfast, she asked if I wanted to get them to try. I gave her that, “Are you really asking me that?” look and nodded my head while happily stuffing my face with more of the allergen-free vegan breakfast sausage sandwich. With that decided and our breakfast consumed, we went to the bakery case (where I resisted ordering one of the amazing chocolate chip cookies…despite really, really wanting one) and just snagging up one of the two bags of the allergen-free dinner rolls. We went to the register, paid for them, and went on our way.

I had no idea what I was going to use them for at that point. But my roommate had suggested I make tzatziki with the cucumbers I got in my CSA bin. And I had these gluten-free and vegan pablano chickpea patties in my freezer so I thought…why not make sort of a mock falafel slider? These dinner rolls would definitely make the perfect slider buns. Saturday we indulged in both Annie May’s Sweet Café and then gluten-free crepes from Sweet ‘N Savory Food Truck at Louisville’s Buy Local Fair. So, we were pretty full upon returning home that day. But…that’s what Sunday’s are made for.

Sunday evening, I made up my homemade tzatziki and then got the poblano chickpea patties into the oven. While they were starting to cook, I got the bag of dinner rolls off the counter and undid the tie. I pulled out all six of the dinner rolls (carb happiness, yes?) and put them all on a baking sheet. When the chickpea patties were about halfway done, I slid the dinner rolls into the oven to toast for about 15 minutes at 350°F, just to get them golden crispy on the outside. I did make sure I watched them though, as I didn’t want them to burn. The chickpea patties and rolls finished at the same time. I let them both stand for a minute while I sliced up a leaf of romaine lettuce and pulled the tzatziki out of the fridge.

Annie May's Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Dinner Rolls — Annie May’s Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Dinner Rolls

Now…the fun part. I sliced each of the dinner rolls in half. They were so soft and steamy on the inside. They looked absolutely fantastic. It was definitely food porn of the drool=worthy type. I placed a dollop of tzatziki on each bottom half of the dinner roll, added some lettuce, put 1/3 of each patty over the lettuce, topped it off with a little more tzatziki, then put the top of the dinner roll over it. BAM…instant mock falafel sliders. All gluten-free. LOVING it.

But, the real test would come with the dinner rolls. How would they hold up? How would they taste?

I should have known, given that these came from Annie May’s…that they would be epically awesome. I never doubted it for a moment, to be honest. One bite…and I knew that these little dinner rolls had to come to Thanksgiving with me this year. They were soft to begin with, but I wanted to be sure they could hold up to the sliders I was making. So, just that short time in the oven and they got this golden crispness on the outside, but remained soft on the inside. It was dinner roll perfection. And, they didn’t hollow out. You actually got an entire dinner roll. They were light and fluffy on their own, without skimping on the bread part on the inside. They tasted awesome. Perfect. And completely allergen-free.

Annie May’s Sweet Café lists the ingredients for these allergen-free dinner rolls as millet flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, quinoa flour, water, olive oil, egg replacer, agave nectar, apple cider vinegar, and xanthan gum. I recognize all of those ingredients and think that they have really hit the nail on the head when it comes to their bread mix. The flours they use just bake up beautifully. Light. Not dense. Not heavy. And perfect. I was in love with every bite. And I meant it when I said I would buy a dozen or so of these for Thanksgiving, which I am hosting this year and keeping gluten-free…because that’s how my kitchen is.

A big shout-out to my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café for once again bringing me allergen-free perfection. This time…in the form of a simple dinner roll. Sometimes it’s these little things in life…these little kitchen miracles I bring home from your business…that make my gluten-free life so much more amazing. I love you…and can’t wait to try more of your goodies that I have yet to try. Until then…see you on Saturday for breakfast.

Mock Falafel Sliders made using Annie May's Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Dinner Rolls and Moo Moo's Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties — Mock Falafel Sliders made using Annie May’s Sweet Cafe Allergen-Free Dinner Rolls and Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties

May 13, 2013May 13, 2013

Moo Moo’s Poblano Chick(pea) Patties a versatile vegan and gluten-free meal

Moo Moo's Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties — Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties

Product: Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Poblano Chick(pea) Patties – $4.99+

Sometimes…I have to step away from my grocery list and just…splurge on something. Just take the plunge…grab a product that interests me…and try it out. That’s what happened when I was in my local natural foods store a couple weeks ago. I had gone in specifically to pick up some Udi’s Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls while they were still on sale. The problem is…whenever I go into this store for something specific, I find something else that interests me. A lot.

This time…it was a product I had never seen before. Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties.

Intriguing. Definitely intriguing. Especially since I love chickpeas and I love poblano peppers. Screw the budget…screw the grocery list. I was going to get this. I had to try it. I just had to. So, it came home with me and I tossed it in my freezer for a day where I would need it.

Well…on Friday I was greeted with my first CSA bin in two weeks (I’d been out of town the past two weekends and had to cancel them)…and inside were beautiful cucumbers. My roommate suggested that I make my tzatziki using the cucumber. I thought that was a fantastic idea…as soon as I figured out what we would eat with it. Then, on Saturday morning, we finally made it back to Annie May’s Sweet Café, the local allergen-free bakery here in Louisville, and made a splurge purchase of a bag of their dinner rolls. We hadn’t tried the gluten-free dinner rolls yet…so we figured…why not?

And that’s when inspiration struck. As the request for my tzatziki was made…and now we had dinner rolls…what if I used these Poblano Chick(pea) Patties and make sort of a “falafel” slider of sorts. The roomie was totally all about it…so that was the plan. This afternoon, while she took in Timothy Dalton as James Bond (GAG!), I was in the kitchen making my infamous tzatziki. I got it mixed and made and into the fridge. And a couple of hours later…dinner time was approaching.

I went to the freezer and pulled out the box of Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Pobalno Chick(pea) Patties. Not real falafel…but something I could work with, yes? I preheated the oven to 350°F and pulled the tray out of the box. Per the directions, I lifted one corner of the plastic film to vent and put the tray on a baking sheet. Into the oven it went to cook for about 30 minutes. While that was happening, I sliced up a leaf of fresh romaine lettuce (also from my CSA bin) and prepped the gluten-free dinner rolls to join the Poblano Chick(pea) Patties in the oven to get a light toasting.

Moo Moo's Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties with Roasted Corn Salsa (cooked) — Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties with Roasted Corn Salsa (cooked)

They finished up at the same time. I removed the tray from the oven and let it stand for one minute. Then, I carefully removed the film.

The tray contained two large patties made from chickpeas, kettle cooked chili onions, brown rice, roasted poblano and red bell peppers. Included was a roasted corn salsa as well, which I ended up just mashing into the patties. With the dinner rolls sliced, I placed a small dollop of tzatziki on the bottom half, then placed a little bit of romaine lettuce. Next came the mix of Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Poblano Chick(pea) Patties. I separated each patty into thirds and began to spoon up the chickpea-poblano mixture with some of the included corn salsa. I placed this over each leaf of lettuce, then topped it off with a small bit more tzatziki. The top of the dinner roll was placed over everything and…voilà…mock falafel sliders. YES!

I handed my roommate her plate and went to fix mine. And before I even started compiling my round of sliders, she was already digging in. And she was already voicing her thoughts on it through happy grunts between bites. I asked how the chickpea patties were and she said they were really tasty. She, as she is a bread person, raved more about the rolls.

So, with my sliders now put together exactly as hers were, I settled in to my own dinner. I couldn’t wait to try these out. They smelled amazing. They looked stunning, if I do say so myself. So…I lifted one carefully to my mouth and took a bite.

First of all, she was right…the dinner rolls were out-of-this-world good. But…that will be dedicated to another blog.

Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine got it right with these Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties. Honestly. Packed with flavor. The peppers aren’t spicy at all, and the combination of the chickpeas, peppers, onions, and the corn salsa with my homemade tzatziki…it just all played together so well. The toasted roll and the crisp lettuce just were the perfect combo to elevate these from microwave dinner to…fine dining. Seriously…I am in love with this product and can’t wait to purchase more. Maybe I’ll eat it straight next time. Or maybe I’ll make more sliders from these delicious patties.

A little bit about Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine. It was created in 2005 by founder and culinary artist, Michele Rostelli. The company is committed to providing healthy, sustainable, flavorful vegetarian cuisine that is made with only natural and organic ingredients. LOVE IT. You can really taste the quality of the products in each bite. Trust me…I couldn’t stop eating these sliders I made out of the patties.

As for nutrition…you’ll love this. A serving is the entire box (both patties). My roommate and I split the contents, but if you were to sit this down and eat it straight, you would only be consuming 230 calories. You would also only be set back 3 grams of fat. A serving of the Poblano Chick(pea) Patties contains only 510 mg of sodium. But, in addition, you get 9 grams of filling fiber and a kick of 9 grams of protein. These are completely cholesterol free. How awesome is that? Healthy and delicious. Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine totally got this one right.

Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine makes quite a variety of products, some gluten-free, some lactose free, some vegan…some a combination of all of them. But if this is any indication of the quality of their products, then I can’t wait to try more of their gluten-free options. Blown away. Simple, yet powerful ingredients yield delicious products. This certainly proves that.

“Falafel” Sliders made from Moo Moo’s Vegetarian Cuisine Vegan & Gluten-Free Poblano Chick(pea) Patties (on Annie May’s Sweet Cafe Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls)

May 10, 2013

Subway and Quiznos could learn a thing or two about gluten-free options from Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop

Restaurant: Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop, Apple Valley, Minnesota

It has been ages since I have set foot into a sandwich shop. Ages. No Subway. No Quiznos. I used to frequent them all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. Then, the news came that I had to go gluten-free…and these favorite places to grab a quick sandwich fell to the wayside. No gluten-free options available. At least not here. I have heard the rumblings that Subway has tested a gluten-free market in some locations…but nothing further has come of that. Which is too bad. I really loved my lunches from Subway.

My sandwich shop hiatus, however, came to an end while I was visiting Minnesota this past week. I came to see my family, spend time with my grandpa, aunt, cousins…old friends…and run. Run a freakin’ half marathon while there. Because…that’s what I do. Every trip I take these days has to be centered around what I eat and where. It’s imperative, when you have food allergies and intolerance that you have an idea of where you can safely eat while on the go. I am on the go a lot on my trips, even ones to see my 91-year-old grandpa and company.

On my last day in Minneapolis, I was tooling about the Twin Cities, hitting up some bookstores, running stores, indulging in a massive banana split (which I split with my roomie) to celebrate a good race on Sunday…and as 3:00 p.m. neared, and the imminant time to head back to grandpa’s house to pack up and head to the airport for our 7:00 p.m. flight back to Louisville, Cathy and I knew we needed to get some actual food into our system. And it was best done outside of the rather exorbitant airport choices, not that there is ever much that I can eat at an airport.

Before leaving Louisville, we were scouting out some restaurant options and Cathy spotted this small, regional chain called Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop. Why did it catch her eye? Gluten-free options…and not limited to a salad bar. In fact…salad isn’t even an option (like at other sandwich shops like Subway and Quiznos) on their menu. This place is all about the sandwiches, and they proudly serve up a gluten-free option on Udi’s bread. Not just any Udi’s bread though. Erbert & Gerbert’s serves up their gluten-free sandwiches on a specially designed 6-inch Udi’s sub rolls. So, you get to actually eat like everyone else in your party. How amazing is that?

Never heard of Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop before? You are not alone. The small, very regional chain got it’s start more than 20 years ago in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and have since grown to include 50 sandwich shops within the United States. Their sandwiches are given fun names and prepared with flavor as the main focus. If flavor doesn’t shine in a sandwich, why bother eating it, right? So, at Erbert & Gerbert’s…it’s more about finding ingredients that work together, flavors that really inspire and astound the taste buds, and it’s not just an assembly line of various fillings and toppings. Sandwich making is an art. And it’s one that they do very well.

Cathy and I came into the Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop in Apple Valley, Minnesota with an early dinner on the mind. I ordered first, as I was the problem child between the two of us. A gluten-free vegetarian, however, is no challenge here.

My choice of sandwich was a Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger ($6.44 – regular price is $4.49, but there is an additional charge of $1.99 for the gluten-free bread). No problem at all. They rang it up. Cathy chose the Giza ($5.49), which is, basically, Erbert & Gerbert’s BLT Sandwich. It has cherry wood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and Hellmann’s mayo. She got her sandwich on the honey wheat bread.

So…how does a sandwich shop handle gluten-free without the fear of cross contamination? For Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop, it’s as simple as having a separate prep station for the gluten-free options. Psst…Subway…Quiznos…you might want to start taking notes! The chain actually certified three of their subs, the Boney Bill (classic turkey breast sandwich), the Comet Morehouse (ham & provolone), and the Jacob Bluefinger (vegetarian) as gluten-free as they are prepared separately from the rest. You can get any of the chain’s 21 sandwich’s done gluten-free for an additional charge…but those sandwiches will not be certified gluten-free as the ingredients will be taken from the other sandwich prep area. Erbert & Gerbert’s also reworked two existing soup recipes, the Cheddar Cheese & Broccoli as well as the Cheesy Asparagus soups to be gluten-free without changing the flavor of the soup. Gotta love that.

I took a seat at the table and watched as Cathy’s sandwich was prepared on one station by one of the workers behind the counter. Mine was prepared on a separate station by the one who took our order in the first place. Both sandwiches came up to the counter at the same time and she and I tucked back into our booth to enjoy.

Aside from being a certified gluten-free sandwich as well as a great vegetarian option, I bet you are wondering what the hell the Jacob Bluefinger sandwich might be. Let me enlighten you…

Jacob Bluefinger is one of Erbert & Gerbert’s Classic Flavors. For me, it’s a gutted gluten-free sub roll from Udi’s that is packed full of double provolone cheese, tomato, lettuce, Hellmann’s mayo and avocado. Sound delicious? Believe me…it is. In order to pack as much flavor into their sandwiches, Erbert & Gerbert’s removes the soft inner layer of bread and really layers in the toppings. When the sandwich is complete, they place the “guts” of the bread on top of the sandwich and serve it up.

I took one bite of my sandwich…and knew…right then…that I needed to make this at home. Because there are no Erbert & Gerbert’s locations anywhere near where I live. Nope. None. Zero. This sandwich was phenomenal. The provolone cheese really paired well with the sweetness of the avocado. The tomatoes added another nice taste, as they were ripe and just mingled well with the other ingredients. The lettuce was crisp and fresh, bringing some texture to the sandwich. Oh…this was heaven. Here I was…finally eating a sub sandwich. It had been over two years since I had been able to do that. And I did so without any worries or fears that I could get sick from cross contamination. And, the sandwich itself contained all of my favorite things…especially avocado, which I am obsessed with. This cold sandwich was amazing. Packed with creamy flavors that all worked together. I savored every bite I could. This might be the only time this year I got to actually enjoy a gluten-free sub sandwich. And yes…I really enjoyed it. Flavor definitely is key at Erbert & Gerbert’s…and this combination is a stellar winner in my book.

Here in the Louisville, Kentucky area, there are certainly a plethora of sandwich shops. However, these have no options for me nor any way of preparing something safely without fear of cross contamination. In my world, Subway and Quiznos are no-go’s. To have a place like Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop would be amazing. For now, though, it looks like I must leave it as something to look forward to on my annual trek up to Minnesota. I was blown away by the standards and the food here. Now I know why this is my cousin Natalie’s favorite place to grab a sandwich. Delicious. And certified gluten-free! This…is my happy face.

Erbert & Gerbert's Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger Sub Sandwich — Erbert & Gerbert’s Gluten-Free Jacob Bluefinger Sub Sandwich

May 10, 2013

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat in Minneapolis

Restaurant: French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ve probably seen some of their goods in your grocers freezer. I know I have. They have quite a great selection of gluten-free frozen goodies that I have yet to try yet…although I have actually had one of their products. Back in October 2011, just as I was starting to get the hang of this gluten-free stuff…I bought a box of 4 of their Gluten-Free Yellow Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. I was lukewarm on the review…being that I dislike frosting and that it had been frozen prior to consumption.

Of course, I had forgotten all of that up until a moment ago when I began this blog.

Here’s how we wound up here. I was gearing up for a trip to Minnesota and Cathy, the infamous roomie, had said she really wanted to go back to The Bad Waitress to eat while we were there. However, as she was scouting through recent reviews, it turns out The Bad Waitress had been cited for health concerns…so we nixed that immediately. This meant searching a little bit for somewhere new to eat.

Enter the savior of the moment, my aunt Jan, who had been messaging me back and forth on Facebook leading up to my trip. She said some colleagues at the hospital (she’s a surgical nurse) she works in mentioned a great place called French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. She must have been talking about my impending visit and the fact that I am a gluten-free vegetarian, because they mentioned to her the plethora of gluten-free options available…not to mention the gobs of vegetarian offerings. She mentioned this in the message. I looked it up. I sent the link to Cathy. We approved. And Jan said we would definitely go there one day while I was in town.

That day just happened to be Monday. Jan had the day off from work. The cold weather had given way to a beautiful, sunny 78 degree day. And we were out and about in Minneapolis, doing a bit of shopping and whatever else we felt like. Our only plan…be outside and soak up the sun and gorgeous weather. With that agenda in mind, we did a lot of our indoor stuff (like hitting bookstores and the like) that morning. And when lunchtime rolled around, we headed into Minneapolis and down to Lyndale Avenue South, hoping to grab a bite to eat at the French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. We arrived, parking around the corner on the street to the brilliant yellow building. A short walk later and we were entering the premises…greeted by towering black boards that held the menu, written in chalk. It was fantastic and…overwhelming…but awesome.

We gawked for a long moment at the boards, figuring out what we wanted to eat for lunch. Although there are still breakfast items as well…including a gluten-free waffle which was…SO tempting. We got it sorted just in time, because we were up next to order. Jan went first, ordering the California Wrap with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.50). Cathy went for the Incredible Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a side of the Chips and Salsa ($7.50). Actually, I was expecting her to be a bit more adventurous than that when we ate here. That’s so…typical. As for me, I opted for the Roasted Vegetable Sandwich on Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.00). I was given the option, I feel I should mention, of either gluten-free white, multigrain, or cinnamon raisin bread. I HAD A CHOICE!! That made me so stupidly happy.

We were given our table placard, a big card of Edith Piaf, and we went to seek out some dining outside on the side patio. We spotted a table in the sun, but this made Cathy frown. So while Cathy and I made a run to the bathroom, Jan shifted us to a table with an umbrella and put Cathy out of the sunlight. She and I were shaded but still able to soak in the vitamin D. A happy medium.

We were able to sit around and talk while waiting on food. While I had been inside, I snagged a little chipotle hot sauce to add to my sandwich. I mean…we all know I like thing spicy…and with my race run…I could now spice things up as much as I liked or dared. WOOT!

A few moments later and our plates were being delivered. Everything looked fantastic. All of our sandwiches were loaded with ingredients (all fresh and organic, mind you!) and busting at the crusts. I eagerly snapped a picture of my Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with my mixed greens, then sliced that sandwich in half, added some hot sauce and took a bite.

The Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is just what it sounds like. Roasted vegetables. But what all do you get? Let me fill you in. This sandwich is packed full of goodness. Starting with beautifully roasted portabella mushrooms, roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, organic spinach, and then topped off with some chevre goat cheese. Oh yeah…it smelled divine. But even better was the taste.

This has got to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. Honestly. The roasted vegetables only elevate the flavor, and the portabella mushrooms were done to perfection. They weren’t soggy and wet and making my bread to sponge up the fluid and fall apart. On the contrary, all of these vegetables meshed so well with the caramelized onion and the strong flavor of (my favorite) goat cheese. I was in sandwich heaven. And it took every bit of willpower in me not to just devour it on contact. I savored. I even ate the salad of mixed greens, which were lightly dressed in some sort of vinaigrette. Very tasty and the perfect accent to my sandwich, honestly.

This was certainly one of my favorite places in Minneapolis that I have eaten so far. The food was awesome. All of us were so happy with our orders and ate what we wanted. If we hadn’t been so stuffed, I probably would have opted for one of their gluten-free dessert options. Maybe next time. What am I saying? DEFINITELY next time.

With lunch polished off, the three of us continued our day out by taking the light rail down to Nicolette Mall and walking some of our food off. The flavor of that sandwich still resonates with me. I hope to get back to French Meadow Bakery & Cafe the next time I hit up the Twin Cities. It is certainly worth the visit and the trip. The food and service is out of this world. And you can tell they do take great pride in their variety and numerous options for different dietary needs. I know that I totally appreciate it.

Dear French Meadow Bakery…I LOVE YOU. I promise to come back soon. Promise!

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe's Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens — French Meadow Bakery & Cafe’s Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens

May 1, 2013

Sophie’s Kitchen impresses with gluten-free Breaded Vegan Shrimp

Product: Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp – $5.99+

Sophie’s Kitchen is bringing seafood back into my life…without actually being seafood. What’s even better…these items are things I used to enjoy back when I was a meat/poultry/seafood eater. Nothing could make me happier. Finding a gluten-free and vegan substitute for many proteins is difficult at times. However, thanks to the product line-up from Sophie’s Kitchen…I won’t need to worry about that any longer.

A month or so ago, I gave Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Fish Fillets a try. And while they tasted nothing like fish…and the texture wasn’t quite right…they weren’t bad. Not at all. They were actually quite tasty and gave me a reason to make a homemade tartar sauce for my roommate and I to enjoy with them. It was a nice introduction to the products that Sophie’s Kitchen offers. While not exactly like how I remembered fish fillets, these were decent enough.

So, while out at the grocery store a few weeks ago, I spotted the Breaded Vegan Shrimp in the freezer section. With the veggies from my CSA bin, I had it in my head that I could totally throw together some gluten-free and vegan shrimp po boys for dinner one night. My roommate was all for that, so we went ahead and purchased a box of the Breaded Vegan Shrimp and took it home. I picked up some Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls to hold the po boys, and then just had to decide on when to make them.

Work had been crazy…and my training schedule for running has taken up a lot more time since my mileage increase as I train for my first marathon. But a week ago, I made up a small snack to tide us over while I worked on putting my shrimp po boys together.

Sophie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp (baked) — Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp (baked)

Sophie’s Kitchen really outdid themselves on the Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Honestly. They were really easy to cook. Thank goodness. Just let them thaw in the fridge (I didn’t do this, but managed to break them apart so they could cook properly in the end) and put them into the oven to cook as directed. While they were in the oven, I went ahead and began slicing up my vegetables, which included romaine lettuce, carrots, green peppers and shallots. I topped them off with sliced of avocado for my own personal touch. And…I just honestly love avocado. I mixed up some vegan sriracha mayonnaise to apply to the toasted sandwich buns and had that all ready just as the shrimp was finishing up in the oven.

When they emerged, the breading had turned a beautiful golden color and looked like fried shrimp would normally look. Already, I was impressed. I just hoped that it would taste as good as it smelled and looked. So, I got to work assembling the po boys…giving the bread a schmear of the vegan sriracha mayonnaise, then topping that with the lettuce, The shrimp were next, followed by the rest of the vegetables. The avocado topped it off and then I dabbed a bit more of the mayonnaise on top. Dinner…was served.

And, boy, was I ever blown away when I settled in to feast on my stuffed sandwich. The shrimp are packed full of amazing flavor. With all the different components on the sandwich, it was what really stood out. Rightfully so, as it was the protein. But the texture was fantastic. But it was the flavor of the breading and the shrimp itself that really impressed. I was blown away and kept eating and eating and just enjoying every single bite…until I reached the end of my sandwich and had to lick my fingers clean. Just sensational. Sophie’s Kitchen really nailed it on the head with these Breaded Vegan Shrimp. They are, so far, my favorite item off their product list. And while I was on the fence with the fish fillets, I am standing up and shouting my love for this product. Amazing. Delicious. Outstanding. YUM!

For those of you who do pay attention to nutrition facts, as I do, then you’ll want to take note. Each box contains 2.5 servings, which is about 7 pieces of shrimp per person. My roommate and I just split the entire box. We have no shame. In a single serving of these Breaded Vegan Shrimp, you will consume 240 calories and 11 grams of fat. These shrimpy delights are cholesterol free and low in sodium (only 270 mg). Even better, you get 4 grams of protein in each serving as well. Gotta love that.

I can’t stop singing the praises of Sophie’s Kitchen gluten-free Breaded Vegan Shrimp. Amazing. Super delicious. And next time, I may just eat them on their own. But, the po boy was super delicious and I would make and consume that with as much vigor as I did initially. Super yum. Thank you, Sophie’s Kitchen, for bringing seafood back to this gluten-free vegetarian. I. LOVE. YOU.

Gluten-Free Vegan Shrimp Po Boy made with Sohpie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp — Gluten-Free Vegan Shrimp Po Boy made with Sohpie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Breaded Vegan Shrimp