Sauce – Page 4 – The Celiathlete

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Le Veneziane Micrawable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express

Le Veneziane Microwaveable Penne Al Pomodor E Basilico Pasta Express — Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodor E Basilico Pasta Express

Product: Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express – $6.99+

Pasta. We all know that pasta is one of my favorite things in the world. I grew up begging for spaghetti each week. I wanted my mom’s spaghetti when my birthday rolled around each year. Forget dining out. I wanted my mom’s cooking. I didn’t care if it was store-bought boxed pasta noodles. Her sauce made it. And that’s what I wanted. Pasta (in all forms) has been one of my favorite dishes to just dive into. Ultimate comfort food. Ultimate meal.

Even after the Celiac diagnosis…one of the first things I sought out were pasta alternatives. There are so many out on the market. Some good…others not-so-good…and some that rise above and beyond the bar. Like…even better than true pasta level of amazing.

Back in my September 2014 Cuisine Cube, I was presented with a box of Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico (Penne with Tomato and Basil) Pasta Express. And, yes, even the pasta freak in me didn’t immediately make this up. But…I’ll explain why in a moment.

For now, let me give you a quick run through of what Cuisine Cube is all about. Cuisine Cube is a monthly subscription service that delivers healthier, lesser-known, smaller artisan bakers/companies gluten free goodies to your door. Each box contains 5-6 items (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert, and a bonus sometimes!) and subscriptions start as low as $29.99. Go to their site and check them out. I’ve really enjoyed my year of Cuisine Cube and intend to keep my subscription rolling. In fact, I might have to go in for the long-term subscription instead of the month-to-month. I’m that committed. LOVE.

So…yes…I realize that September is about 7 months ago and that I am just now reviewing a product from that Cube. BUT…it is the last item from the September 2014 Cuisine Cube. And that was one very delicious cube for sure! The Dinner portion of that box was dedicated to a 1-serving microwavable pasta meal made by Le Veneziane. Now, I have had Le Veneziane products before and have always been impressed, so I was quite happy to see this company included in the box. I had no idea they made microwavable pasta meals. The things you learn!

Le Veneziane corn pasta is actually a very great choice for people trying to stay healthy and for people who follow the Mediterranean Diet. Why? It has a very low fat content. How about that? Le Veneziane is now one of the most modern companies using high-quality corn and producing amazing gluten-free pasta, polenta, sauces, and cookies. They put out a high quality product because they believe in using the highest quality ingredients from flour and corn. It is milled properly and kept in the right conditions to make sure that nothing, including being 100% gluten free, is compromised. Love that integrity and devotion.

So, last night after a very busy day that included breakfast at my favorite gluten-free bakery and lunch of gluten-free crepes from my favorite food truck at a festival…I wanted something light for dinner. This was ideal because my roommate and I could split it and it would be the perfect amount. To accompany it, I made some homemade gluten-free dinner rolls (even though I was so tempted just to grab some out of the freezer section). So, while the rolls were cooling, I went ahead and opened up the Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express. Inside was a microwaveable dish that I peeled the top off of and a measuring cone so that I could get exactly 300 ml of water as directed by the instructions. The corn pasta in the container was perfect. It had this deep red-brown powder inside too. And when I added the water and mixed it well, everything got this muddy brown color. I hoped for the best and popped it in the microwave for 10 minutes.

Le Veneziane Micrwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express (cooked)

When 10 minutes elapsed, I pulled the tray out of the microwave, a little put off by the brownish color of the sauce. But, I gave it a stir and then dished up half to my roommate and half for me, giving us each a dinner roll to have with it. When I handed her the bowl she said, “That’s an interesting color sauce.” HAHA!! Everyone was thinking it; she just said it aloud.

Well, despite the rich brown color of the sauce, the Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express was actually very delicious. I shouldn’t have doubted it. The sauce was thick and rich with a tomato flavor that was peppered with the right hit of basil. It was really quite delicious. The pasta, despite being nuked in a microwave, were cooked to that perfect al dente. The homemade rolls made the perfect side item for this meal. And even eating just half of the dish itself was more than enough. Very filling. But very, very good. I don’t know where to find more of the microwave meals from Le Veneziane, but I will keep my eyes open for them now. It’s nice to have a delicious and healthy meal in 10 minutes sometimes.

So, let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express pasta is made from corn flour, emulsifier, and the sauce is made from tomato, cream, salt, melted cheese powder, onion, garlic, basil, and sugar. This is 100% gluten-free.

As for the nutrition information, the Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express portion is 1 pack. In this serving, you will be taking in 350 calories and 7 grams of fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 820 mg sodium (um…yikes!), 64 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar, and 8 grams of protein. See what I mean…it’s filling. And delicious.

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for letting me try a new product from Le Veneziane that I didn’t even know existed. I’ll be on the watch now for more microwavable pasta meals by this great Italian company.

Half of a serving of Le Veneziane Gluten Free Microwaveable Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express with a homemade gluten-free dinner roll

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015

Product Review: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini + Recipe Bonus

Product: Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini – $5.99

There are probably a few things that you know about me by now. These may include the fact that Cuisine Cube has revolutionized my life in introducing me to products I never would have known about or thought to seek out. Another fact may be that I am a pasta-holic. Yep. I love pasta. I know…that whole athlete who loves pasta thing is pretty cliche (hey…my pre-race night of carb loading doesn’t include pasta…always gluten-free pizza!). But, ever since I was a child and could eat my first plate of spaghetti…I was hooked. I love any and all pasta and sauces. And while my options for pasta and their sauces have narrowed after first becoming a vegetarian and then, a year later, being diagnosed with Celiac…well…I haven’t let it hinder me from devouring one of my favorite food groups in the world. Yes…pasta is a food group. It…it just is.

But, before I go into detail about this new-to-me brand of gluten-free pasta, let me share with you some information about the people who brought it into my life. Cuisine Cube is run by a small group of foodies who have put together a completely gluten-free box of goodies and then sends them to your doorstep each month. These boxes contain 5-6 full-size products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…mostly local…some not as local. Some you may even have heard of before, but most will be new to you. I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May and have never looked back. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99…which is a great price and great incentive to sign up for this subscription box service and try out some gluten-free products you have been too nervous about purchasing yourself or, perhaps, didn’t even know existed.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini (cooked)

So…Pastabilities. Yes…you had me at the name. I love the play on words. And I was beyond excited to pull a gluten-free pasta out of my March 2015 Cuisine Cube. Pasta + me = LOVE. Seriously, we are a match made in carb heaven. We are BFFs for life. And it will always be this way. One of the first things I staked out when I had to go gluten-free was good gluten-free pasta. While there are uncountable varieties out there on the market…the key word there was good and not all of them fall into that category. I want a gluten-free pasta to be like real pasta. I don’t want it to fall apart or turn to mush. I want it to cook through and have that perfect al dente bite to it. I want it to reheat well if I cook too much of it and need to eat some for lunch the next day. I want it to pair well with a variety of sauces and I want it to stand out.

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini does exactly that. Tagliolini is a long, flat ribbon-shaped pastsa that is similar to linguini or fettuccine, and is traditionally from the Northern regions of Italy. This brand is crafted from high quality ingredients. Even better, the actual pasta itself is manufactured in Italy using bronze dies that give the pasta a matte look and makes the surface rough…which is perfect for sauces. We all want sauces to stick to our noodles, not fall away like water. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is also made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

YAY!

Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is fantastic. Seriously. This pasta is made with a blend of 70% corn and 30% rice, which makes it cook up within 8-9 minutes to a perfect al dente texture. And the taste…amazing. It isn’t gummy and it isn’t mushy. It has that “real” pasta feel. Like it was just made fresh for you. Completely gluten free to boot. As a connoisseur of gluten-free pasta, this ranks right up there as one of the best. It is fantastic. These ribbons of pasta held their own with the arrabbiata sauce, which makes me one happy pasta lover. Nothing worse than going to take a bite of pasta and having it fall apart and needing to chase it around on your plate. Pastabilities is, honestly, gluten-free pasta done right. And it really is amazing.

Let’s talk about ingredients. Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is made from corn flour and rice flour. That’s it. Simple. Perfection.

As for nutrition, this is phenomenal for a gluten-free pasta. A serving of the Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini is 2 ounces. In this serving, you will be consuming 200 calories and 1 gram of fat. You will also be taking in 1 gram of sugar. This pasta is cholesterol free and sugar free. And, trust me…it will fill you up just like “real” pasta as it packs 45 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein!

So, what do I do? I go for a traditional approach to pasta in an nontraditional way. I cooked up the pasta as I normally would…but served it in tacos instead of in a bowl. Yes…spaghetti tacos.

You see, my roommate has apparently led a very sheltered life and had never indulged indulged in the Italian/Mexican infusion that is…Spaghetti Tacos. It’s a traditional iCarly treat…one that my friends have raved about and that I have eaten myself. And no one should ever miss out on spaghetti tacos. So, below is the easy and delicious recipe for Spaghetti Tacos featuring…Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini!

Recipe: Gluten Free Spaghetti Tacos

Spaghetti Tacos made with Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients:

4 Gluten-Free Hard Taco Shells (I used Trader Joe’s)
4 ounces Gluten-Free Pasta (I used Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini)
1 cup Gluten Free Pasta Sauce (I used BonGiovi Arrabbiata Sauce)

Directions:

Cook gluten-free pasta according to directions on the package. Don’t overcook it. Get it to the perfect al dente texture.

While the pasta is boiling, start warming up the sauce.

Preheat the oven to 425°F and toast your crunchy taco shells for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven.

Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Allow the noodles and sauce to cook together (this is for flavor).

Spoon the pasta and sauce into the taco shells. Top with your favorite pasta toppings (cheese, red pepper flakes, etc).

Devour.

~*~*~

If you haven’t tried the wonder of Spaghetti Tacos…remedy that. It has revolutionized my roommate’s world. I mean, savory good pasta inside a crunch tortilla shell…yeah…that’s good eats right there. And thanks to Pastabilities Gluten Free Tagliolini…I had the perfect pasta to introduce this meal to my friend with. It doesn’t get any better or fun than this.

Don’t miss out on amazing products like this one. Hop on over to Cuisine Cube and sign up today for a subscription. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

March 30, 2015

Product Review: Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce

Product: Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce – $6.99

It was the heat of summer, August 23rd, when I ventured up to the Indianapolis to visit the Exposition Hall of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. I was attending the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest and was so excited to see the number of big name brands who had booths there. But even more exciting were the booths from local artisans and businesses that had gluten-free products to offer.

One such booth was the Master’s Hand BBQ booth. Master’s Hand BBQ line of products was created by Steve Beers over 20 years ago. He began with the original flavor (now called A Taste of Heaven), and after people who would eat the foods he would put with it (meatballs, pulled pork, and other food varieties for weddings, graduations, and get-togethers), it was suggested that he start marketing his sauce. It didn’t really go further than that until his daughter, Amanda, came to him and insisted that they look into the process for marketing the infamous sauce. Once everything was in place, they began with famers markets and had such success that they moved on to fairs and craft shows. Meat markets and grocery stores began finding them and they have now grown their production line to being available in over 80 retail locations. This business is based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

We had the great opportunity to try some of their spice rubs and their BBQ sauces that they had out for sampling while there. While I am a fan of hot, my roomie is a spice wimp. We wanted to definitely get one of the sauces, so we compromised and went for the medium heat one. When I was craving a pizza last night, I decided to do it up with some BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, and top it off with my vegan pepper jack shreds, some sauteed onions and some roasted Brussels sprouts. Then, to cap it off…some vegan and gluten-free bacon. YUMMY! I was out of BBQ sauce in the fridge…so…it was between this one and the Stubbs Sweet Heat that my roomie and I purchased before I reorganized the pantry and found this jar of Master’s Hand BBQ sauce. As I had Master’s Hand longer…it won.

And it kept winning. This is one fantastic sauce. I, naturally, had to try it before slathering it on top of the gluten-free flatbreads that were making up our pizza crusts. The Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) is a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. The Web site says it is great for bits, chicken, sloppy joe’s and ham. However…I can now say it’s great on a BBQ pizza as well. Even one topped off with roasted veggies. Fantastic. I loved the smokey flavor and the sweetness and how the medium heat doesn’t overwhelm anything, but leaves a nice spicy note on the tip of your palate. It simply is BBQ sauce perfection. And now I know where I need to get my BBQ sauce from now on. Seriously unlike any other sauce out there. Thick, rich, sweet, savory…it’s everything you want a BBQ sauce to be. So in love with the Master’s Hand line.

So, let’s talk ingredients. Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is made from tomato concentrate, brown sugar, cane sugar, onion, molasses, kosher salt, onion powder, cayenne powder, spices, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and celery powder. All of the products that Master’s Hand offers are free of high fructose corn syrup, gluten, and MSG. They are all natural! And they are all delicious too.

As for nutrition, a serving of Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ sauce is 2 tablespoons. This serving will provide you with 80 calories. This is a fat-free condiment. It is also cholesterol free and trans fat free. You will be consuming 160 mg sodium and 22 grams of sugar. A serving gives you 24 grams of carbohydrates, but no protein or fiber to fill you up.

Seriously, if you love BBQ sauce, you need to give Master’s Hand With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce a try. Trust me…when it comes to a smokey/sweet flavor that feels good going down and tastes amazing…this is the sauce for you. Once you’ve had this, all those store brands will seem inferior. Very impressed. Craving more for sure.

And if you don’t live anywhere near Fort Wayne, IN…you can order their products online. Highly recommended.

Gluten Free BBQ Brussels Sprouts Pizza made with Master's Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce — Gluten Free BBQ Brussels Sprouts Pizza made with Master’s Hand BBQ With Integrity (Medium) BBQ Sauce

March 30, 2015

Product Review: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust

Product: Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust – $6.99+

If nothing else, this blog post is to remind you about how much I love pizza. Pizza is the ultimate food to me. Seriously. It satisfies every food craving I really have. Except maybe chocolate. But I’ve been cutting way back on that, except for an every-now-and-again 1 ounce dark chocolate treat.

But I digress.

Back to the pizza. Anyway, I have a myriad of gluten free pizza crust mixes that have worked and not worked in the past. I’ve tried just about every gluten-free pizza shell out there. If gluten free pizza is on the menu at a restaurant…you better believe that’s what I’m ordering. Pizza…is perfection to me. Food perfection.

It’s my go-to pre-race (half marathon or over) meal, which somehow equals out to the perfect amount of fats, carbs, and protein for me to perform at the top of my game. Trust me, I’ve tested this numerous, countless times.

So, imagine my glee when I was on a miniature shopping spree at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, and came across the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts in their freezer section. I was beyond elated. Seriously. They come in four flavors, so I knew I was going to take one home with me, it was a matter of narrowing it down to which one. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crusts come in Sun-Dried Tomato & Herbs, Roasted Garlic, Original, and Parmesan and Asiago.

I love garlic…so I went right for the Roasted Garlic flavor.

Now, I had no intention of letting these linger in my freezer for as long as they did. I swear to you. However, that being said, they did. I just had fresh produce and other, older products to work through first. That being said, yesterday was a good day. I guess the Gluten Free Pizza Bites I ate after the soccer match on Saturday got my tastebuds craving more, because both my roommate and I were really wanting pizza.

But I can’t just make any pizza, you know. I had some fresh produce that needed to be used, so I thought…Brussels sprouts on a pizza. That could rule. But what to pair it with? Vegan and gluten-free bacon. Perfect. What else? Bar-b-que sauce, of course! Add a bit of sauteed onion and it would definitely be a nice change of pace for a pizza. After all, who does Brussels sprouts on a pizza?

I DO!

And thanks to having the Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust in my freezer…I could indulge in my pizza craving without hassle or going to my grocer’s freezer section for a pre-made one. This one…this one would be all mine.

Super easy. I preheated the oven with the pizza stone and took the frozen flatbread out of the freezer, defrosting it a little in the microwave. Once the oven and stone were heated, I placed two flatbreads onto the stone and then topped it with some local barbeque sauce, some sauteed onions and Brussels sprouts, the vegan and gluten-free bacon, and then a bit of vegan cheese. Into the oven it went for about 10-12 minutes, to allow the cheese to melt and the flatbread/pizza crust to get that perfect crispness on it (I hoped).

Well…it worked. This was, perhaps, the most durable pizza crust that I can buy in a freezer section at the grocery store that I have ever had. Most gluten-free pizzas are thin and fall apart if loaded up with toppings. But because this is also a flatbread, Glutenfreeda has given it some more heft than most gluten-free crusts out on the market. And, even though it was flavored, it didn’t overpower any of the toppings that went on it. The crust toasted up beautifully and sliced into perfect triangles. If using it as a sandwich bread…I’ve heard it can be a little thick for that, but it was perfect for the pizza. And I’m totally looking forward to baking up another round of these tomorrow for dinner. I have more Brussels sprouts, after all. Glutenfreeda really impressed me with their Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust.

Let’s talk ingredients. The Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust is made from water, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, expeller pressed canola oil (non-GMO), psyllium powder, egg whites, evaporated cane sugar, yeast, teff flour, seasoning (natural roasted garlic flavor, dehydrated garlic, hydrolyzed soy protein, spices, and salt) flax seed, salt, cultured dextrose, xanthan gum, and citric acid. It is wheat-free, cholesterol free, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and contains no trans fats.

As for nutrition…a serving size is 1/2 of the flat bread. I was using this as my meal, so I ate the entire flatbread. As did my roomie. However, if you stick to the serving size, you will be consuming 110 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will be taking in 380 mg sodium and 0 grams of sugar. Yes…no sugar. LOVE. In addition, you will be consuming 18 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. This does make for a filling meal…but one that won’t break the calorie bank either as long as you are smart with your toppings.

I think, when I can’t pick up a pizza crust from my local gluten-free bakery, I need to find a local store that carries these. Because I was beyond impressed with how it cooked, held up, and tasted. Forget everything you think you know about frozen gluten-free pizza crusts. Pick up a package (there are 4 flatbreads per package) of Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust (in any flavor…but Roasted Garlic is YUMMY!) and see for yourself. It is amazing. You’ll see!

Gluten-Free Brussels Sprout and (Vegan) Bacon Pizza on Glutenfreeda Gluten Free Roasted Garlic Artisan Flatbread and Pizza Crust

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

Product Review: Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites

Product: Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites – $6.99+

They had me with the product name – Pizza Bites. PIZZA. BITES. PIZZA-FREAKIN’-BITES! As in…pizza rolls? Maybe? Possibly? Could I be that fortunate to stumble across (finally) one of the products that I no longer ate, not because it was made of crap (and they are), but because they were my favorite go-to snack when I needed something to eat while very, very busy?

Well…kinda.

In fact, these were more like breaded cheese ravioli, rather than pizza bites, but we’ll go with it. Let’s just run with it. Pizza Bites! WOOO!

So, I found these at my local natural food store, Rainbow Blossom, and had a freakin’ dance of joy in the freezer section. Honestly. I mean, I’ve been to parties where pizza rolls are laid out and everyone is just enjoying a few here and there. I get to stare at them. Dammit.

No longer.

Thanks to Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet…Pizza Bites (rolls…ravioli?) are back on my every-now-and-again want list. And now…I know where to get them. After purchasing these, I had to go through more fresh produce before allowing myself an indulgence from the freezer or fridge…but after a full day of professional soccer and time with friends…I needed to have something quick for dinner. I was going to do up some green beans with almonds, but my roommate was craving pizza. So…these made their debut in our kitchen.

Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet came about from Neil Russo, a professional chef who was hard at work on gluten-free recipes, which he was striving to perfect after hearing about the many people connected to himself that were having a hard time finding food while on a gluten-free diet due to intolerance or Celiac disease. After experimenting on his Italian bread loaves and Tiramisu, Russo was ready to give his food to the world. He first introduced the gluten free food in his restaurant, where he got high praise. Soon, he opened up Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet. And from there…the frozen versions of some of the classic Italian foods he perfected in gluten-free form. So good, that people even would ask if he was certain it was gluten free. All of Russo’s products are prepared in a strictly gluten-free facility.

So, two hungry soccer fans (my roommate and I) were ready to give these a try. I was surprised, when I opened up the bag to find large ravioli like bites inside. I was definitely expecting more of the pizza roll just from the name. They were frozen, lightly breaded stuffed pasta. But…I was hungry. Cathy was hungry. Pizza. Bites. Rolls. Whatever. Give us something delicious in some sort of pizza form.

Cooking the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites is super easy. Simply preheat the oven to 350°F and place the frozen bites on a cookie sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 5 minutes. Take out when or if the cheese starts to show. Mine cooked in 10 minutes without the cheese leaking out or anything. Bonus.

So, it was chow time. I dished up half the bag for my roommate and half for me. That was about 6 of the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites each. We settled in with an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series and dug in. One bite…and I couldn’t argue…they were delicious. I was a bit thrown by the ratio of dough to filling…but that is a small, slight complaint. I thought there was too much dough encasing a cheese filling…that was a little scant. The pocket had more air than filling, but it was still crispy on the outside with a melty, molten center, regardless. And yes…they were really, really great. Delicious. Amazing.

Yeah…I’d buy these again.

Let’s talk about the ingredients that are in Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. These pasta pockets of pizza goodness are made from gluten free flour (rice flour, corn starch, tapioca dextrin, xanthan gum, rice extract) tomatoes, part skim mozzarella, vegetable oil, soybean oil, soybean lecithin, water, whole eggs, yellow corn flour, ricotta, onions, sugar, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, parsley, basil, and black pepper.

As for nutrition, this isn’t bad for pizza bites. There are three servings in a bag of the Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. One serving is 4 pieces. These 4 pieces will provide you with 260 calories and 15 grams of fat. You will be taking in 40 mg cholesterol, 430 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. In addition, a serving dishes up 27 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

I was actually impressed by Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites. But, what’s not to love about a company that does 100% gluten free products right, that is family owned and operated, and has exceptional quality. And…they are doing products no one else has managed to put out there. And they are doing them well.

If you can find Russo’s Gluten Free Gourmet Pizza Bites in your grocery store or natural food store freezer…buy them and try them. You’ll love them. And…pizza rolls are, kinda, back in your life. And that…is amazing in and of itself. For real!

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp

Product: Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp – $5.99+

Dear Sophie’s Kitchen:

I love you. I love everything about you. I love everything you develop and offer to the vegan and gluten free community. Your products have gone from wowing me to astounding me. Sometimes I go into something thinking that it will end up horribly wrong, but then…everything about it just seems right.

That was how I felt about the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp.

For the record, back when I used to eat seafood (and other meats)…shrimp was my favorite thing in life. However, that being said, I never developed a taste for coconut shrimp. I don’t know why…but that was the case. It disgusted me. So, why, then, was I ever tempted to even purchase a vegan version of a seafood I didn’t like? I have no clue. No answer. Nothing except that I get really excited when I see new products from a beloved and trusted company, and that is the case with Sophie’s Kitchen. I have loved everything from the Fish Filets to the Crab Cakes to the Calamari to the Shrimp and Prawns. Love. Just lots of vegan seafood love. I went into it nervous and a little bit concerned and found out that sometimes, the vegan version from Sophie’s Kitchen is even better than I remember the original and actual seafood version being.

Talk about amazing, right?

So that…my dearest readers…has to be why I picked up a box of the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp. I got new product happy. I couldn’t help it. It was in my freezer for awhile…just begging to be made. And with a little determination to clear out items that I’ve been hoarding in my freezer/pantry/fridge…I made sure that this box of vegan seafood got used this weekend. Enter…Sunday night.

My roommate was craving shrimp po’boys. She told me so. And she reminded me of the box of vegan coconut shrimp in the freezer. I told her that I was a little bit nervous about those as I never liked coconut shrimp to begin with…but she insisted. Po’boys. Besides…one more item out of the freezer. So, Saturday night, I pulled the shrimp out of the freezer and placed it in the fridge to thaw. I finished up grocery shopping (and discovered my local store stopped carrying the gluten-free sandwich rolls…so I had to purchase gluten-free hotdog buns…which are SO not the same!) and came home to a fun afternoon of hanging out with my downstairs neighbors, eating gluten-free lemon chiffon birthday cake (I made it…as my roomie requested it for her birthday and that happened while we were in New York City), cleaning up the apartment, getting laundry done, and taking a nice walk in the beautiful weather. We were both ready for dinner soon after 5 p.m. And Sophie’s Kitchen makes it a breeze.

While my makeshift sandwich rolls (aka: hotdog buns) toasted in the oven, I prepared a sweet chili aoili to put on top of the sandwich itself. I sliced up some grape tomatoes and washed a mixture of various super greens (kale, spinach, arugula). Then, as the hotdog buns were finishing up in the oven, I put a spoonful of coconut oil into a hot pan and gave a quick pan fry to 12 of the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp. I mean, coconut oil just seemed logical to me. I allowed them to cook on one side for about 3 minutes, then flipped them over to find them a perfect golden brown on the side that had cooked through. So, I did the same on that side, then removed them to a paper towel and began to assemble the po’boys. A little Veganaise…the greens, the tomatoes, the vegan shrimp, then the aoili to top it all off. It all came together so well…even if the bread was a bit of a challenge.

Okay…so I ate a bit of the shrimp on its own first. Why? Because I needed to taste it without my drizzle of aoili on it. Guess what? My tastebuds lit up. And I was amazed with how much I loved this flavor. Honestly…the texture was meaty and perfect…with the crispiness of the breading on the outside and the soft vegan shrimp on the inside. There was this nice sweet kick in the breading that I absolutely adored. And sort of wished I was eating these outside of the actual sandwich itself. Both my roommate and I saved a shrimp to eat alone. Sophie’s Kitchen definitely did it once more and let me know that I can, in fact, love coconut shrimp. Either tastes change or, more likely, they just do it better than the real thing. But, I devoured this faster than any other product I’ve tried from Sophie’s Kitchen. Big, big love!!

So…what exactly is vegan seafood made from? Well, the Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp is made from water, konjac powder, pea protein, potato starch, coconut powder, rice flakes (from brown rice), canola oil, paprikia, fenugreek, organic agave nectar, sea salt, turmeric, white pepper, alginate (from seaweed), and calcium hydroxide. Is it clean eating…nope. Not even close. But…it’s not too bad as processed, frozen products go. Not at all. These are soy-free, vegan (100% plant based), non-GMO, gluten-free, contain no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors, no MSG, they are free of trans fats, and they are cholesterol free. These also contain no added sugar. Nothing about them is artificial. Nothing.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Coconut Shrimp is 4 pieces of shrimp. This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 10 grams of fat. This serving also gives you 150 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. A serving will give you 12 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and less than one gram of protein. You’ll feel full, but mostly due to what you pair it with. In this case…I made it into a sandwich…and that definitely gives it a dinner heft that kept me full until the next morning.

Once again, blown away by how much I am loving the products that come from Sophie’s Kitchen. Seriously, if you turned vegan, vegetarian, or are gluten-free and want some breaded “seafood”…I encourage you to seek out Sophie’s Kitchen and try it. Take it from me…you’ll fall in love with the products. If Sophie’s Kitchen can make me fall in love with coconut shrimp…imagine what it can do for you.

I’m so glad to be dining on this once more tonight. Beyond YUM!

Sophie's Kitchen Gluten Free Coconut Shrimp in a Gluten Free Vegan Coconut Shrimp Po'Boy — Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten Free Coconut Shrimp in a Gluten Free Vegan Coconut Shrimp Po’Boy

March 24, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne – $3.99+

I am a do-it-yourself kind of girl these days when it comes to pastas. Not so much making my own gluten-free pasta noodles (I haven’t gotten to that level yet), but I prefer to make my own pasta meals instead of buying the boxed stuff…just because I get some say into what goes into my meal. That being said, sometimes…I make exceptions to this rule.

Such an exception came to pass awhile back, when on a rare trip to Walmart, I discovered that Van’s had come out with a small line of gluten free pasta sides (or meals in my case). Seriously! I think I knew that the gluten-free pastas were around, I had just never seen them in my area out in the wild. Apparently, braving Walmart does have it’s advantages. I won’t lie…my Walmart has a rather extensive and impressive gluten-free section. So it was really no wonder I found these there. I just never go to Walmart…so it was a nice coincidence in the end.

Prior to this one, I reviewed the Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta, which I dished up to not just my roommate, but my good friend and roomie’s sister – Amanda. Now, Amanda doesn’t get exposed much to gluten-free foods…unless I subject her to them. And she loved the Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta when we enjoyed it for dinner one night. That left two other gluten-free pasta dishes in my pantry from Van’s. And last night, after a long week, I just wanted a brainless meal to prepare and enjoy. Something warm and comforting, as it was a rainy night to boot. I went to the pantry and spotted the remaining two boxes of Van’s Gluten Free Pastas: Ultimate Cheddar Penne and Rotini and Red Sauce. I had my roommate make the final decision…and knew before I even asked that she would go cheese. When I ask her anything and one items involves cheese…that is the one that will be selected. No problem though. Totally game.

Van’s Gluten Free choices have never disappointed me. Never. Never ever. That’s a lot to live up to, mind you. But Van’s puts a lot of love and care into their packaged foods. And Van’s does believe that nutritious is delicious and that’s why they make their gluten-free pastas with whole grain brown rice, delivering more than a full serving of nutrient dense whole grains. The cheese sauce over a perfectly cooked pasta…that’s love to me. Seriously. And, you can always add in some vegetables or chicken (if you eat meat…which I don’t…) in order to bulk it up. But as my roommate and I take something that serves three and split it between the two of us…it’s the perfect amount in the end.

Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne is a breeze to prepare. Seriously. Simply boil 6 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Add the pasta and allow it to return to a medium boil for about 8-9 minutes, until it is al dente. Stir occasionally though, so that it doesn’t stick to the pan. Very important. Oh…and DO NOT overcook the pasta. Rice pasta can go from perfect to mush in a moment. So keep an eye on it. Drain the pasta and give it a rinse. In the pan you cooked the pasta in, add 3 tablespoons of fat free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk) and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (I used Earth Balance), and allow it to melt together over a low heat. Then whisk in the cheddar powder until it is smooth. Then, add the pasta back into the pan and stir them together. Serve.

Oh…this was good. Think Kraft Mac & Cheese…but better. WAY better. The pasta cooked up perfectly. It didn’t take too long, but it had that right bit of al dente-ness to it. I think I just made up a word there…but go with it. The sauce though…that’s where the magic happens. No…this sauce is not vegan. Yes…it has milk in it…but by using the dairy alternatives for the butter and milk, I cut back on the dairy I was consuming. It worked. The lactose intolerance was there, but it was mild because there isn’t a lot of dairy in this little box of cheesy pasta goodness. I know, my homemade gluten-free (and dairy free) mac and cheese rocks, but when I don’t have time to do all the prep work and baking that goes into it…this is a definite contender to have on hand in my kitchen for nights where I want a big bowl of comfort food in a snap. Deliciously creamy, cheesy noodle-y goodness.

One thing that Van’s proudly states is that they use only ingredients that they are proud of. And that is definitely evident when I read over the list of ingredients they use for the Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne. These ingredients are gluten-free penne pasta (brown rice flour, white rice flour), aged cheddar cheese seasoning (cheddar cheese nonfat milk, salt, shey, sugar, buttermilk, rice flour, natural flavors, annatto extract (for color). Nothing too spooky or weird there, right? That’s right. Van’s Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne is gluten-free, kosher, egg free, contains no trans fats, and has no artificial flavors.

So, how about the nutritional value of a big bowl of gluten-free cheesy pasta noodles? Actually…not too bad. Not at all. Before it’s prepared, the with butter and milk (of your choice), a serving (with 3 per box) contains 210 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. A serving also has 5 mg cholesterol, 520 mg sodium, and 3 grams of sugar. One serving will also give you 48 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein. It will be filling, even as a side.

Once again, Vans Gluten Free has lived up to its standards and name. These little boxes of pasta are not only convenient, but easy to make and delicious too. No one would guess they were gluten free if you didn’t tell them. Yep…when I am in a pinch, these might be my go-to meals. Super impressed once again!

March 23, 2015

Product Review: Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken

Product: Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken – $6.49+

Ever since I discovered Sol Cuisine vegetarian and vegan protein products, I have been hooked. Seriously. I’ve tried falafal, burgers, and sausage from this fantastic company. One thing that really caught my attention was how Sol Cuisine focuses on organic, non-GMO Kosher, halal, wheat-free, gluten-free, nutritious and delicious ingredients that aren’t loaded with fillers and chemicals. Yes…they are actually healthy and good for you!

Now, I used to do these “faux-meat” replacements all the time when I first went vegetarian. This came to an abrupt end (for the most part) when I was diagnosed as a Celiac. Most meat-replacement products out on the market contain vital wheat gluten or wheat protein to “give it better texture” and other such excuses. Very few companies have made the leap to both vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free for their protein products.

Some have and have failed. Some have and been successful.

Sol Cuisine…has definitely been successful. This was not the first product I have tried from Sol Cuisine, and it certainly won’t be the last. That being said, this was the first of the frozen meatless chicken meals that they put out last year. I have had this in my freezer for a long while, just begging to be used. I have gone to focusing on more natural and fresh ingredients, especially since I get a CSA bin delivered to my door each week. When I leave town though…my bin gets canceled and when I return, I usually try to make the most out of what I have in my freezer, fridge, and pantry.

I returned from New York City this past Monday with very little in my fridge. I wanted to still keep it nutritious and healthy, but really was on a tight budget after the trip. So, I managed to get enough to pick up a few necessities (kale, tomatoes, and some other necessities)…and said the rest could be done through pantry/freezer picking. And that’s when I discovered (all the way in the back) the packet of Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken that I picked up at my local Whole Foods…a bit ago. I kept saying I was going to make it…then never did. No excuses this time. Tuesday after work…this is what came out of my freezer.

Sol Cuisine’s Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken incorporates an authentic recipe from Cuernavaca Mexico and brings it to your home – vegan style. I was hoping for something rich and spicy and saucy and yummy. I even served it up as it suggested on the package, but taking my gluten-free corn tortillas and rubbing them down with some oil and toasting them in the oven for some homemade tostadas. Seriously. So easy and can be done while the meal is cooking. You can get tostadas already made, but why? They don’t take much time to make…just a warm oven and a timer so you don’t burn them and remember to flip them. HA!

As I was having a busy week, trying to make up the entire day I missed with delayed flights out of NYC, I needed easy, but healthy dinners this week. And the Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken definitely fit the bill. It is so easy to prepare. Simply open the package and remove the sauce packets. Place into a bowl of hot water for about 4 minutes to thaw out.

Then, you can either cook the meatless chicken on the stovetop or in the microwave. I find these things work best on the stovetop…so that was the method I used. To cook on the stovetop, simply place the frozen strips into a lightly oiled skillet and sauté over medium heat for about 3-6 minutes. Then add the sauce and stir until heated through. SO EASY! The microwave technique is super-easy as well and just involves pouring the sauce over the strips in the bag it came in and microwaving the open bag for about 3 minutes on medium…allowing it to rest for 1 minute before serving. Stovetop worked for me and it yielded an amazing end product too. The sauced and cooked chicken was placed on my homemade tostadas over some kale and spinach and arugula. And…dinner…was served.

Now, I’ve had plenty of meat replacements since becoming a vegetarian. Since then, I’ve found a few meatless chicken products that are also gluten-free. This is one of the first times that I haven’t gotten that fake soy/tofu/weirdness that I often do with such products. Not one bit. It tasted amazing. The strips of meatless chicken had a great texture too, chewy without being too chewy or rough. It was amazing. The sauce was spicy with just enough heat that I knew my roommate could tolerate it. I was right…she said it was the perfect level of heat. Meaning…there wasn’t too much of a kick. Not, at least, to the level I like it…but it was really good. And the sauce coated the chickenless strips perfectly, without watering down everything. It was thick and rich and perfect. Pairing it with the greens and the tostada brought nutrients and a great bit of texture and crunch to the dish. I loved it! Every bite of it.

Let’s look at ingredients, shall we? The Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken Strips are made from filtered water, soy protein isolate and concentrate, okara, a vitamin and mineral blend (potassium, magnesium, rice flower, iron, B3, zinc, B12, folic acid, Copper, B1, B6, and B2), expeller pressed sunflower roil, yeast extract, tapioca starch, sea salt, and spices. The sauce is made from filtered water, tomato paste, onion, cane syrup, sunflower oil, garlic, lemon juice concentrate, sea salt, chipotle pepper, turmeric, natural flavor and spices.

As for nutrition, I loved what this offered per serving. A serving size is 1/4 of the package. One serving of strips dishes up 60 calories, 2 grams of fat, 110 mg sodium, 190 mg potassium, 2 grams of carbohydtrates, 2 grams of fiber, no sugar, and 10 grams of filling protein. The sauce dishes up 30 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 120 mg sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, no fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. So, all-in-all…AMAZING!! And it tastes amazing too!!

My roommate and I actually split the entire package between the two of us…and it was so amazing and guilt-free!!

Once again, Sol Cuisine has astounded me with its flavorful and delicious (and healthy) options for a gluten-free vegetarian. I am in love with this meal. And now I want to try the other varieties in my Whole Foods freezer…which are Ginger Lime Teriyaki Meatless Chicken and Tangy Korean BBQ Meatless Chicken. Both sound intriguing and amazing. And I’ll definitely pick up the Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken again too! SO DELICIOUS!

Sol Cuisine Smoky Chipotle Tinga Meatless Chicken (prepared), served over fresh greens and an oven-baked tostada

February 17, 2015

Product Review: BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle

Product: BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle – $8.50+

When it comes to gluten-free pastas…I’ve pretty much tried them all. Made with beans, made with rice, made with corn, made with lentils, made with potato…yeah…there is very little about gluten-free pasta that I haven’t tried. Sure, there are some brands that I still need to explore…but my budget says “NO” for the moment, as they are quite pricey.

However, some pricier gluten-free pastas are worth it. I discovered BiAglut while at a Gluten Free Expo in Carmel, Indiana about three years ago. I was a newbie to the gluten-free world and this nice couple had a booth and totally won me over on this pasta. Seriously…they sold me from first bite. I was in love.

Problem…BiAglut is not available in any stores around my area. BOOOOO!!

I have since found it twice…once at foodie heaven (aka: Jungle Jim’s) up in Cincinnati and also at The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio. None of which are technically near me, but they are places I visit…and therefore, if the budget has some wiggle room, I can splurge a little on pasta.

Because…I have always been and will always be a lover of pasta. Even if it is gluten-free pasta.

That being said…no one would ever guess the Tagliatelle (or any other gluten-free pasta made by BiAglut) is gluten-free if you didn’t tell them. It is some of the most fantastic gluten-free pasta on the market. Why? Because it is 100% Italian. Produced in Italy and made by Italians. The company began in 1964, wanting to fulfill the needs of main customers and individuals with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, who needed to follow a gluten-free diet. The brand offers a unique and full line of gluten-free products ranging from pasta to breads and bread substitutes, flours, cookies, crackers, snacks and desserts. Fifty years later…still going strong and still producing high quality products for the gluten-free communities.

So…back to me being a lover of pasta. I hate pasta that turns to mush after it is cooked. I hate pasta that doesn’t taste like pasta. And when you do gluten-free…it is hard to find one that really satisfies everything you used to love about regular pasta (if you were ever lucky enough to have that…and I was).

Enter BiAglut. Seriously…there is no comparison out there on the market. I have yet to have a gluten-free pasta best this one. And while I have had a few different varieties of BiAglut pasta…last night, I cooked up the Tagliatelle in a low fat and low calorie cauliflower alfredo sauce. And it was amazing.

BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle pasta nests

This pasta is not only hearty and delicious, it is also easy to prepare. The BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle comes in nests. There are 7 nests to a package. A serving is 2 nests. I find that to be a lot of pasta so, my roommate and I split three nets between the two of us. It was perfect. And prep is simple. Boil water with salt and drop in the nests of pasta for about 6-8 minutes. Then…BAM…done. Noodles are cooked to a perfect al dente. Then I just warmed up the alfredo I made from fresh cauliflower…stirred in the noodles and dinner is served.

LOVE. So much love!! The noodles hold up, even to a “creamy” sauce. They don’t turn to mush and they stay in the long, thick ribbons that they are supposed to be. In other words…pasta perfection. These noodles were the perfect compliment to the creamy and healthy alfredo that I made. And it made for a balanced and delicious and filling dinner in the end. So much love for these noodles. Easy to prepare. Perfect in the dish. I can’t say enough good things. Every time I revisit BiAglut for a pasta noodle, I continue to remember why I am willing to overspend my budget for their noodles. Amazing…every time.

Let’s talk ingredients! The BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle is made from cornstarch, tapioca starch, eggs, milk proteins, carrot pulp, carob seed flour, and salt. That’s it. Love it. It is gluten-free and wheat free.

As for nutrition, this pasta is amazing. A serving size is 2 nests of noodles. This serving gives you 250 calories and 2 grams of fat. This serving will also provide you with 100 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, and 1 gram of sugar. One serving will also dish up 2 grams of fiber and 8 amazing grams of protein. I told you…it doesn’t look like a lot…but it will fill you up.

Whenever it comes to making room in the pantry for a gluten-free pasta, it will always be BiAglut Pasta Mia for me. A new favorite…the Tagliatelle. I’m hooked. And I am loving it.

BiAglut Pasta Mia Tagliatelle in a Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

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.