Side Dish – Page 3 – The Celiathlete

March 10, 2015

Product Review: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice

Product: Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice – $2.49+

There are quite a few brands and companies out there that I entrust my gluten-free lifestyle to. These are the ones that I can find on a regular basis…the few, the proud, the ones carried in most, if not every, grocery store or department store with a food section. One such brand is Hodgson Mill…who has brought quite a few different products to the gluten-free folks that make up a good percentage of the population these days, whether for medical or dietary reasons.

We all have to have these go-to brands that we can hit up in a pinch. So, when I find new products by such brands, I don’t really hesitate to purchase them. They go into my shopping basket (if the budget allows) and then into my pantry. That’s the circle of my gluten-free foodie life.

While at Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, awhile back, I stumbled across a couple of packets of Hodgson Mill products that I hadn’t seen around my area. These were for their new Quinoa & Brown Rice sides, which come in five flavors: Lemon Pepper, Garlic & Herb, Italian, Mediterranean, and Spicy. I normally would have immediately lunged for the Spicy version, but as this is something I’d be sharing with my roommate (who is a self-professed spice wimp), I opted for something else. As she is a connoisseur of all things lemony…the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice Side seemed like a win to me.

And so…it came home…and sat in my pantry. Until tonight. Because of having no CSA bin delivery for the past two (going on three) weeks, I’ve been trying to make due mostly with what I have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. As these next couple nights are going to include me packing for my upcoming trip to NYC, for my roomie’s birthday, some Broadway shows, and the NYC Half Marathon, I needed foods that wouldn’t demand too much of my time, but still be healthy and filling.

Instead of reheating some of the risotto I made last weekend, I decided to save that for tomorrow and plucked the package of Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa and Brown Rice out of the pantry. Instead of serving it as a side, we’d simply split the entire package and have it as a meal. We do that a lot with sides. I mean…why not? If it has the nutritional value to double as a meal for two people…might as well go for it.

So, after a long, frustrating, and tiring day at the office…I came home and immediately put 1-3/4 cup of water onto the stove to bring to a boil. I emptied the contents of the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice packet into the boiling water, covered it, and lowered the heat to allow it to simmer and continue to cook…which took about 15 more minutes. Once the water was absorbed, it was done. I took the pan off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. While all this was cooking, I was able to put together everything I needed for lunches and snacks for both my roomie and I, which freed up some additional time for me later on. Love that. When the five minutes ticked past, I fluffed the mixture with a fork and served it up between the two of us. We settled in for dinner.

I want to say, this mix cooks up to the perfect texture. The quinoa and brown rice are a perfect match for each other, making a filling, and satisfying dish (whether a meal or as a side). However, that being said, the seasoning was definitely lacking. In fact, my roomie and I actually had to add some salt (which we never do) and even gave it a hit of berbere. Because, hey, why not? But, once we had everything properly seasoned, this was really delicious. I think Hodgson Mill took extra precaution not to overwhelm the mix with the lemon and pepper flavor, but that’s really what I want when I purchase something that boasts a lemon pepper flavor. So, while the taste was a little bland, this was a really great dish. Easy to prepare…just season it when all is said and done.

As far as ingredients go, the Hodgson Mill Lemon Pepper Quinoa & Brown Rice side is made from organic whole grain prewashed quinoa, whole grain parboiled long grain brown rice, organic garlic, organic onion, organic herbs, organic carrot, organic black pepper, organic bell pepper, organic tomato, organic red pepper, organic spices, organic orange peel, organic lemon peel, and citric acid (contains mustard). This blend is gluten-free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, all natural, and kosher.

Nutrition-wise…this isn’t a bad choice to serve as a side or as a main dish. There are 3.5 servings per pouch, with one serving being 1/4 cup. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 45 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. You gotta love that. One serving will also give you 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. God bless quinoa!

If you are looking for a healthy side or a hearty dinner without breaking the bank and without having to spend a long time in the kitchen, Hodgson Mill has you covered. Just make sure you check the seasoning when you finish cooking these up. You’ll also get a nice protein kick from the quinoa…and the brown rice is a great addition to add a bit of bulk and body to the dish. Lacking the lemon…that’s my only complaint. Otherwise…a nice product!

March 9, 2015

Product Review: Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with Quinoa

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with Quinoa – $2.99+

One of the healthiest and best diets out there these days is the Mediterranean diet. There is little question as to why. Largely plant-based and focused on seafood and lean proteins, the Mediterranean diet offers a whole lot of health benefits without giving up delicious tasting foods.

But I am no Greek and the Mediterranean diet seems almost Greek to me when it comes to figuring out foods to prepare and the best way to do it. That being said…thankfully there are shortcuts out there. One such shortcut is to pick up a box of Nature’s Earthly Choice falafel varieties. I have previously tried some quinoa products from Nature’s Eartlhy Choice, so trying out falafel (which I love and ate a whole hell of a lot of before going gluten-free) seemed like the next step. I purchased a box of Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel from The Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio…quite a bit ago. This once again fell prey to my use of my fresh produce rather than processed and packaged goods…which is not a bad thing. But this past week and this week ahead, I have no CSA bin for my fresh produce, and trying to keep the budget in check, I am using up foods that I have in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. Out with the old…and hopefully not replacing the highly processed foods with more in the future.

That being said, Nature’s Earthly Choice is not a bad option when it comes to foods that come packaged. In fact, Nature’s Earthly Choice was created in 2005 and founded on the principles of creating healthy products. Originally, this company launched products that were made of quinoa (for the gluten-free), farro and wheat berries, with the expectation of living up to their mission to provide healthy and wholesome products to the public and consumers. Since then, they have added wild rice, chia, hemp, basmati rice, a continent grain blend, and other grains to their list of products, continuing to maintain the healthy aspect of their foods and expand their line to allow for new and delicious items. Their products are easy to prepare and hassle free as far as cooking. No matter the dietary needs (they offer products that are gluten-free, rich in omega 3’s, high in protein, offering alternative grains), Nature’s Earthly Choice is passionate about the products they create and are committed to delivering the best tasting and highest quality products to support everyone’s unique healthy lifestyle.

So with my past love of falafel, I decided finding a mix for a gluten-free falafel, a flavered one at that, would be something worth checking out. It takes time for me to get around to these things at times…but I do get there. And tonight, after yesterday’s long ride home from Birmingham, Alabama, and my upcoming trip on Thursday to New York City…I needed something easy and something delicious to cook up for dinner. This week was going to be a short, but busy one. My meals needed to fit into my time…I didn’t have time to linger in the kitchen over a hot stove, babysitting something that needed constant stirring and such.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel was so easy for me to make after a long day of physical therapy appointments and work. Seriously. I came home, poured the mix into a bowl, mixed it with 3/4 cup water and let it sit for 10 minutes. After it has sit (make sure not to let it sit too long), I formed it into 10 patties and set it in a skillet with 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Giving each patty a chance to cook for about 4 minutes on each side, letting it brown up evenly and beautifully and get crispy on the outside. I served mine with lemon hummus…because I had it in my fridge, believe it or not.

As for how it tasted…well…I’m ambivalent. On its own, I wasn’t impressed. It was bland and a little…dry(?), I suppose. There was a small hint of garlic flavor, but nothing that really stood out. Now, when I paired the Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel with the lemon hummus…magic. It worked. The hummus brought it out. True falafel…nope. Nowhere near it. A passing acquaintance…definitely. Would I purchase it again…eh…probably not. It wasn’t bad…it just didn’t blow me away. It didn’t make me reminisce about the days of falafel from the nearby Mediterranean restaurant. It just made me long for those days all over again. It just wasn’t everything I hoped it would be.

Let’s talk ingredients, shall we? The Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel is made from fava beans, chickpeas, quinoa, potato starch, garlic powder, spices, onion powder, and salt. This mix is gluten-free, cholesterol free, and dairy-free. There is also an option for baking the falafel, but I always find a pan fry seems to work best on such products.

A serving of Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic Falafel is 1/4 cup dry mix, or about 2.5 small falafel patties. As I was making a dinner out of this, my roommate and I split the entire box, making 5 falafel patties for each of us. One serving, however, would give you 150 calories and 1 gram of fat. A serving will also provide you with 150 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. One serving will give you 8 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein, making this a very filling and long-lasting meal choice. You won’t be hungry immediately following your meal. Trust me.

While this ended up being quite a filling meal, the lack of taste and proper texture just sort of left me half empty. When paired with a dipping sauce or spread…this was amazing. But on it’s own, there was nothing that stood out or made me wish I had more boxes of this in my pantry. Decent…but not a favorite.

February 28, 2015

Product Review: gfJules Cornbread Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: gfJules Cornbread Mix – $6.26+

I am a stranger in a not so strange land. Seriously. Because for the past three three years that I’ve had to be gluten-free…I’ve followed, discussed, and even met the infamous Jules Shepard, AKA: Jules Gluten Free, AKA: gfJules. And, despite all of that…it has taken me up until now to actually try one of her products! Hard to believe, right? Truth of the matter is…no store in my area currently carries any of the Jules line. I hope that changes.

So…it was due to my November 2014 Cuisine Cube (aka: the Thanksgiving Cube) that my Jules drought finally came to an end. Thank you, Cuisine Cube. Because, honestly, I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to be able to give this an easy try, without it involving some online ordering and shipping and…yeah. So, yes, Jules brand is not new to me…but it is. Confused yet? Don’t be.

Jules Shepard is one of the biggest advocates and leaders that I know in the gluten-free community. She was diagnosed with Celiac back in 1999 and embarked upon her new diet. As a former attorney who was unwilling to accept the dry, gritty, vacuous foods that the gluten-free community was limited to. Two years later, Shepard perfected an all-purpose flour blend that allowed her to continue her passion for baking. Soon, people were begging for her to sell it commercially…which she did. She introduced this flour blend back in 2008, with her former company, Jules Gluten Free, and now exclusively through her new company – gfJules. Not only is she an entrepreneur, but Shepard has written three highly regarded books and attends various speaking engagements at gluten-free consumer, business, and trade gatherings. She is the mother of two children, hosts a weekly radio show, pens one of the gluten-free community’s most active blog, organizes an annual Gluten Free Cookie Swap, and personally monitors all forms of her social media network. She’s doing it all…but not letting her high standards slip in the slightest.

So…here I was, three years after having discovered Jules via Facebook and Twitter, having met her in person last year at a Gluten Free Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, and having spent forever longing to try her flour and mixes…it finally happened. Thanksgiving. A time for giving thanks and eating comforting and hearty foods. Like…cornbread. And that is what Cuisine Cube sent me!

gfJules Cornbread Mix (prepared) — gfJules Cornbread Mix (mixed)

The gfJules Gluten Free Cornbread Mix is a gluten free cornbread mix that “will put a smile on anyone’s face.” Or, so I was told by the Web site. As cornbread is one of Jules’ favorite sides, she took extra care when she crated this mix, making it so authentic, some restaurants even serve it and don’t promote it as being gluten-free. It’s really easy to prepare and make too. Simply whisk together sour cream, milk and an egg. Stir in the mix using a fork or whisk until smooth. Spread into a hot buttered pan (or into muffin cups) and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cornbread is done when the edges are crispy and brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That is…if you bake it according to the instructions on the box.

By now, you should know…that’s not what I do.

Before I get to the recipe I used this amazing product in, let’s discuss it, shall we?

I loved how a light and airy this batter was once I had it all mixed together. It just whisked up beautifully and perfectly. I had a good feeling that this wasn’t going to bake up heavy and dense like most gluten-free cornbread…and I was right. The cornbread turned a perfect golden in the oven, the edges browning perfectly. And it had this amazing crust that gave it some great texture. And the inside was light and soft and moist and…so good. It ranks up in my top gluten-free cornbreads I have made and tried. I am blown away by just how delicious and perfect this bread was. Now I want to try more of her mixes…and will have to skip over to her Web site and make it happen. This was one of the best parts of this entire dish.

gfJules Cornbread Mix (prepared, not baked)

The gfJules Cornbread Mix is made from the following ingredients: yellow cornmeal, modified tapioca starch, cane sugar, potato starch, cornstarch white rice flour, corn flour, baking powder, flaxseed meal, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, tocopherols (vitamin E). It is made in a certified facility free of gluten, wheat, dairy – all of the Top 8 food allergens. All her ingredients in the cornbread mix are also non-GMO. Love it.

The gfJules Cornbread Mix makes 8 servings per box. In each serving, you will be provided with 160 calories and 1 gram of fat. This serving will give you 490 mg sodium and 5 grams of sugar, which is really good for cornbread, if you ask me! And, finally, you will be taking in 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein.

And now…how about the recipe that featured the always amazing gfJules Cornbread Mix? I won’t keep you waiting any longer, I promise…

Recipe: Gluten Free and Vegan Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake

gf Jules Cornbread (prepared) on top of the Gluten Free and Dairy Free Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pasta Bake

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 4 hours; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups uncooked gluten-free elbow noodles (I used Meijer Gluten Free Corn Pasta Elbow Noodles)
3/4 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds (if you do dairy…freshly shredded cheddar works!)
2 1/2 – 3 cups of leftover chili (I used Mary Ann’s Beans Gluten Free White Chili)
1 batch of your favorite cornbread (I used gfJules Cornbread)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Bring the water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the directions on the package, taking about 1-2 minutes off of the cooking time, as the noodles are going into the oven.

While the noodles are cooking, mix up a batch of your favorite cornbread (just the batter…do not cook it!) and get the cheese prepared.

Drain the pasta when it’s ready.

In an 8 x 8 inch baking dish, spray non-stick cooking spray. Add the pasta to the botom of the dish. Then top it with a layer of cheese. Then add the chili. Top with the cornbread batter, spreading it evenly over the top with a spoon. It’s okay if it doesn’t reach the edges.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden on top and cooked all the way through. You can use a spoon to lift up the cornbread layer to make sure that it is completely cooked. Cooking times may vary with the cornbread mixture you use, but keep an eye on it and check it. The cooking time might increase due to the “wet” layers that are underneath the layer.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

I don’t think a better upper crust could have existed. No doubt about it. gfJules lives up to the high pedestal that I have regarded it on since I first discovered Jules Gluten Free three years ago. So happy that, because of Cuisine Cube, I finally got to try one of her amazing products. It was everything I thought it would be. Maybe even more. Count me one happy cornbread loving girl!

And, if you have yet to give gfJules a try, or Cuisine Cube for that matter…head over to the Cuisine Cube page and sign up for at least a month. If you aren’t impressed (but, trust me, you will be), you can opt out after that. With plans starting as low as $29.99/month for each cube, you get the convenience and amazing pleasure of having box of gluten-free goodies arrive each month, featuring lesser-known and smaller gluten-free artisan products. I have been amazed, wowed, and completely blown away at times by the items I have had the opportunity to find out about and try thanks to Cuisine Cube. We aren’t talking sample sizes either…you get a full size product, as you would purchase it in the store. So…what are you waiting for? Go sign up!

And, gfJules…I loved meeting you this past year…and I have really enjoyed finally getting to try one of your outstanding and top-of-the-line gluten-free products. I hope more people hop over to your site and order. Now that I have tried it…there’s no stopping me now!

February 28, 2015

Product Review: Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice

Product: Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice – $4.69+

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

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

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

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

Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vegetarian Sushi made with Lotus Foods Heirloom Forbidden Rice

February 27, 2015

Product Review: Earth’s Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Nuggets

Product: Earth’s Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Nuggets – $4.99+

We are all young at heart, right? Right!

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself as I sit here with a box of frozen nuggets that are geared toward, and honestly meant, for children. HA! I don’t care.

(You will note I am eating off of Wonder Woman plates so…)

You see, I’ve been craving the hell out of some vegetarian chickenless nuggets. But, sadly, the only gluten-free and vegan chickenless nuggets I have ever found…are no longer produced by that company. Which…is really too bad, because they were awesome. I wish, out of things I’ve stocked in my freezer, had I known those would stop being made, I had stocked my freezer full of them. For when that weird craving hits.

That being said, the other snowy day while cruising the aisles of Target, I started walking the refrigerator aisles. In truth, I was searching for the gluten-free Eggo waffles. Which…I know is all Monsanto, but…I kinda want to find them and try them just once. Don’t hate. They didn’t have those, but the bright blue box of Earth’s Best caught my eye. They had LOTS of great options for children, from gluten-free nuggets (real ones with the clucking chickens and all) to gluten-free French toast sticks (I need to try those too!). But the box labled “Sweet Potato Nuggets” caught my eye. I pointed to it…”Those don’t have chicken, do they?” My roommate opened up the freezer and checked. Sure enough…made from sweet potato. No chicken.

Welcome to my freezer little potato nuggets.

And as I’m marathoning (not the running kind…not right now!) Game of Thrones currently as much as possible (halfway through Season 4!), and am without my CSA bin because I was supposed to be out of town last weekend…I’m making due with what I have in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. And these were in my freezer. And as I’m trying to move more processed food out, this seemed like a good day to do this (most of what is left is easy breakfast fixings…so…be prepared for easy morning meal time!).

These are so easy to prepare. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place all the nuggets on a pan. Cook for 15 minutes, turning the nuggets over halfway through. Let sit for a minute before serving.

I divided the entire box of Earth’s Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Nuggets between my roomie and I as three nuggets each would not do! Nope. It’s okay though…and you’ll see why when you hit that nutrition information below. What I ended up with was a plate of food…that children will love. Me, as an adult with a more developed palate…liked these well enough. But love…nah. Not quite love. The breading is really good. It doesn’t get crispy in the oven, but it does toast up nicely. Inside the nuggets is this deliciously sweet filling that is primarily sweet potato. It’s rich and soft and just…flavorful. My roommate said that they tasted “like those nuggets you would get in TV dinners.” I didn’t eat TV dinners growing up, so I can’t vouch for that…but if I had eaten TV dinner nuggets…this is probably what they would taste like. Not bad. Just…not what I was expecting. Like I said…the little ones in your life will LOVE these. I might purchase them again if a nugget craving hits unexpectedly. Maybe.

The Earth’s Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Nuggets are made by the Hain Celestial Group. The sweet potato filling is made from sweet potatoes, egg whites, evaporated cane syrup, rice starch, corn starch, expeller pressed canola oil, non fat milk, sea salt, organic maltodextrin, organic natural butter flavor, spices, dehydrated onion, garlic powder, vitamins & minerals. The breading around these little potato nuggets is made from dried potatoes, rice flour, salt, spices, dried garlic, dried onion, maltodextrin, natural flavors, expeller pressed canola oil and water. The batter mix is made from corn starch, yellow corn flour, rice flour, xanthan gum, and spices. That’s a lot to go into these little nuggets. I think anyway. That being said, these nuggets are gluten-free, an excellent source of Vitamin A and beta carotene, fortified with iron, zinc, and 6 B vitamins, and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.

Let’s talk nutrition. I am a growing woman, not a child…so my roomie and I ended up splitting the entire box, which is about 18 nuggets in total. That being said, a serving size is normally 3 of these nuggets. A regular serving of Earth’s Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Nuggets will dish up only 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. A serving will also provide 140 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. These nuggets are cholesterol free. A serving will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. So, not made to be super filling either.

So, overall…these were…okay. Not brilliant, but not bad either. A great way to get children to eat their veggies and get some important nutrients, for sure. Oh…and they pair well with ketchup. Just sayin’.

February 13, 2015

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

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

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

SIGH!

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

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

Lundberg Family Farms.

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

Gotta love a company that has a heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another product win from Lundberg Family Farms!

February 2, 2015

Product Review: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix

Product: Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix – $7.95+

It’s time for another rewind as I work my way through my pantry these days. Hard to believe that I’m just now polishing off the very last of the first Cuisine Cube I ever received. But…it’s true. I am. I tend to overlook mixes when I get them because…well…I get distracted by using up the fresh produce that I receive in my CSA bin. And, sometimes…mixes and my pantry become BFFs for awhile. Until, one day, I’m looking for something and see a mix and go…”Oh…I forgot I had that.”

For the past couple of weeks, I have had every intention of using up the last product from the May 2014 (the Cuisine Cube that started it all!) cube. Really. I even took it to a weekend getaway with me, having every intention of baking it up with my friend. But, we had other menu plans and this returned home with me. I kept telling my roomie…”I need to use this mix…this weekend…” And it never happened. I had originally thought to turn it into a pizza crust, but that was going to involve yeast and time that I didn’t have…so I decided to just bake up the recipe on the back of the bag…for the Zema’s Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia.

So…first let me give you a recap of Cuisine Cube and the services that they offer. Cuisine Cube is this great subscription service that will deliver, right to your door, a cube of happiness and goodness, each month. Subscriptions are affordable and definitely worth it. In fact, depending on the service you choose, a subscription to Cuisine Cube can run you as little as $29.99 a month. What a deal, eh? And, for this low rate, you will receive 5-6 products from small and lesser-known artisan companies that offer gluten-free products. It is a great way to cut out the highly processed gluten-free stuff you can find in nearly every grocery store this time. You receive a product that will cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, dessert…and sometimes…a bonus! Seriously…it is fantastic. And I love trying out brands and products I never would have known about before…or even thought about taking a chance and trying, should it be available in my area. And most of these items…are not.

So…yesterday…it was the magic day. I was already cooking up a vegan (yes…you read that right!) shrimp and grits for dinner and as I was about to get started on that, I remembered…”OH…I still have that focaccia bread mix!” To which my roommate said, “Well, make it up and we’ll have some with dinner.” Smart lady, my roommate. So…as I knew that a pizza version and some other recipes (which they have online) involved yeast and rise time…I opted to do the package recipe. And this product was none other than Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix.

Zemas Madhouse Foods is committed to manufacturing gluten-free, ancient grain baking mixes that help support a clean eating lifestyle through the use of minimally processed ingredients that can be safely incorporated into diets that are limited, allergy-free and diabetic. They are committed to keeping their products free of dairy, soy, rice, yeast, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, additives, trans fats, preservatives, and refined sugar. I loved what I was reading already. So, the challenge was going to come with the baking and the tasting. Would it live up to the hype?

Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix (prepared)

The recipe was easy and I had all the ingredients necessary to prepare it. Save for a rimmed cookie sheet. So, instead I baked mine into a pie pan. I figured, if anything, it might just require a bit more cooking time. So, I first combined the wet ingredients: egg whites, water, agave nectar, and apple cider vinegar. After that was all mixed together, I poured in the mix and whisked it together some more. Then, it all went into my round cake pan, which I lined with parchment paper. I topped it off with slices of grape tomatoes and then some dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Then, just a hit of Himalayan salt. Drizzled it with olive oil and…into my oven it went for about 45 minutes. And…the entire time it was baking it smelled AMAZING! When baking time was up, I tested it to make sure it baked through (I was using a smaller baking vessel, so it would be thicker than if I had baked it on a cookie sheet (Note to self: Purchase rimmed cookie sheet!)…and it was. So, it sat to cool slightly while I made the rest of dinner. Once dinner was prepared, I sliced a wedge of the Zemas Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia…and sat down to a hearty dinner.

As I mentioned above…making focaccia bread with Zema’s Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix really made my apartment smell fantastic. My roommate even said, “If that tastes half as good as it smells…” So, I dished up her vegan shrimp and grits first and gave her a side of the Tomato Herb Focaccia and as I went to prepare my plate, I heard her say, “The bread is good…but a little dry.” Focaccia isn’t supposed to be dry…rather have a great outer crust and a chewy inside. So, as I settled down to eat my own dinner, I went for the bread first.

Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia Bread (baked)

Zemas Madhouse Foods baked up a really great looking loaf of focaccia bread. No kidding. It had that golden outer layer, and when I sliced into it…it was a bit softer. However, unlike most focaccia’s that get it’s chewy inside from little pockets of air that get there from kneading and/or beating, this definitely had a more cake-like texture to it. Much denser. No air pockets. I took a bite…and my roomie was right, the Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia, baked form the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix definitely did taste a little dry. Maybe not dry…but heavy and dense. Which was a bit of a letdown. That being said, the flavor…OH MY GOD…the flavor was amazing. When I eat a slice tonight with dinner, I’m going to serve it with some olive oil and herbs de Provence. I think having something like that or a marinara to accompany the bread will only enhance the flavor and maybe take away from the dense nature of the inside breading. I loved the mix, however, especially with the herbs baked right on top. Just fantastic eating. I just wish it had baked up differently. And, perhaps, it was baking it in a cake pan that messed with the end product…but it wasn’t enough for me to ditch the entire loaf and cut my losses. Not at all. Amazing flavor can make up for a multitude of sins, for sure.

So, let’s talk about what ingredients go into the Zemas Madhouse Foods Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Mix. This mix is composed of sorghum flour, millet flour, organic flax seed meal, potato starch, tapioca starch, hemp seeds, and contains less than 2% of the following: aluminum free baking powder, organic quinoa, chia seeds, organic rosemary, xanthan gum, and sea salt. This mix is free of trans fats, cholesterol, sugar, and saturated fat.

As for the nutritional information, for the mix itself (not made up into a focaccia bread of pizza dough), the facts are that a serving is about 1-2/3 tablespoon of the dry mix (or about 13 grams). This serving will give you 45 calories and only 1 gram of fat. From this serving, you will be taking in 55 mg sodium and 0 sugars. You will also be consuming only 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. If you were to make the Gluten-Free Tomato Herb Focaccia as I did, with the ingredients I listed above, your nutritional information alters slightly. I made it so that the bread would make 16 servings (16 small wedges), which would provide 78 calories per serving and only 3 grams of fat. A wedge would also give you 134 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar (from the tomatoes!). And, finally, one serving provides 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, meaning it’s not a very filling serving, but you won’t be starving either. Definitely pair this with a meal.

I love the idea and mission that Zemas Madhouse Foods has set into place for their business and their foods. And while I was underwhelmed by the texture of the focaccia I baked up from the Zemas Gluten-Free Rosemary-Millet Focaccia & Pizza Crust Mix…it really hit a high note when it came to flavor. I loved the different spices and seasonings and how I could taste all of them. I think I even have another product (that I found when I was out of town) that is part of Zemas product lineup, so I am eager to try it and see how it comes out.

If you’re looking for a healthier way to eat, despite your dietary restrictions, I definitely recommend not only Cuisine Cube, but also products from Zemas Madhouse Foods. I think the texture was more in part of how I baked it and now want to try to do it the way it was intended. That being said, I can’t wait to see how more of Zemas products fair in my kitchen. Thank you Cuisine Cube…for introducing me to this amazing, and forward-thinking gluten-free company that is trying to help us live a healthier and more nutritious life.

A slice of Zemas Gluten Free Tomato Herb Focaccia

January 22, 2015

Product Review: Hardbite Lightly Salted Parsnip Handcrafted Chips

Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips (aka: Eat Your Parsnips)

Product: Hardbite Lightly Salted Parsnip Handcrafted Chips – $6.00+

As many of you know, back in May, I decided to give something new a try. With this step, I subscribed to this fantastic service called Cuisine Cube. With Cuisine Cube, you receive 5-6 gluten-free products from small and/or local businesses…those products and companies that you won’t find at your local grocery store. It’s amazing the food that I have discovered. And, the cube is generally well-rounded in that it includes an item for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert. And then, sometimes…a bonus! And this service starts at $29.99, depending on how frequently you want this box of goodness delivered to your door. If you’ve been reading about it in my blog and putting it off, hesitant to try something like this out…just take action. I promise, you will not regret this purchase.

That being said, my life has been really busy as of late with so much traveling going on. I feel like I am rarely ever home. However, these past few weeks have given me the opportunity to work through some of the products from previous Cuisine Cubes that I didn’t have the chance to get to before. This has been quite an amazing couple of weeks.

Now, let’s ask a serious question here…

Who likes potato chips? Plain? Sweet potato? Lightly salted? Barbeque? You name it…but there is something so addictive and amazing about potato chips. From their light feel to their crispy and salty texture. Mmmm. They are the ultimate pig-out snack. And by that, I mean if you eat out of a bag, sometimes it is really hard to stop…and before you know it…the entire bag is gone. We’ve all been there and done that. Don’t worry…we’re human…and that’s normal. This is also why I do not ever eat out of a package anymore. I portion out things I could mindlessly eat…such as chips.

Back in October, when they mailed off the Non-GMO Project box, Cuisine Cube included a bag of Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips, with the grand title of “Eat Your Parsnips.” I love chips made from parsnips. I often find gluten-free variety chip bags (like with beet chips, sweet potato chips, parsnip chips, and regular potato chips) and have always loved the little bit of extra flavor that parsnips bring to those mixes. But this bag…this bag was dedicated to the often misunderstood parsnip.

If you are unfamiliar with what a parsnip is…it is a root vegetable…resembling a cream-colored carrot. In fact…this vegetable is sort of a cross between a carrot and a potato, if that tells you anything. What the people at Hardbite did was reinvent the parsnip by turning it into a light and crunchy snack. I mean…who doesn’t like potato chips, right?

Well, a parsnip is different from a potato. It’s sweeter, for one thing. And that’s the first thing I noticed when I took my first bite into one of these long, lightly salted chips. The sweetness does take a moment to get used to, but, thankfully, the lightly salted exterior helps to tame it. Salty and sweet. Who doesn’t love that? In addition, these chips definitely bring the crunch factor. From a company that calls themselves “Hardbite,” I would expect nothing less. And, let’s be honest…it just sounds so much healthier to eat chips made from parsnips than from potatoes, yes? I mean, our starchy potatoes are amazing and wonderful…but they do get a bad rap. If you are a fan of light chips with a big crunch and a sweet and salty flavor…these are definitely for you.

Hardbite was founded by a potato farmer based out of British Columbia. In fact, this is the only potato chip manufacturing plant based out of British Columbia. It was founded 12 years ago when, Pete Schouten, the owner, founder, and a farmer was on a quest to perfect the potato chip. I know that doesn’t sound like much of a quest, but it was enough to get Schouten to start up Hardbite Potato Chips. When the opportunity arose, he grabbed at it and became an owner in this local company. It all started with a single frier and a desire to make the very best chip on the market. Hardbite is picky about what goes into their chips and make their chips with ingredients that are free from GMOs, trans fat, gluten and cholesterol. They use the finest and freshest ingredients and dress their different flavored chips with aromatic, natural seasonings. All chips are cooked in small batches to give Hardbite chips that defining crunch. The Hardbite product line now consists of seven unique flavors for all snacking occasions!

So…interested yet?

Let’s talk ingredients. The bag of Eat Your Parsnips…also known as Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips…is made from parsnips, non-hydrogenated sunflower oil and/or non-hydrogenated canola oil, sea salt. Yes…that is really it as far as ingredients go. Three ingredients…big flavor.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving of Hardbite Handcrafted Lightly Salted Parsnip Chips is 28 grams (or about 16 chips). This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 13 grams of fat. In addition you will be consuming a light 105 mg sodium and only 1 gram of sugar. Finally, these chips give you 1 gram of fiber and less than 1 gram of protein. Not filling, but chips never are. They do make for a nice snack though in between meals…or paired with a veggie burger or sandwich, for sure.

Real ingredients…real attention to what goes into their food. This Canadian made chip is a healthy and great alternative to the standard potato chip. They can be a little sweet, but if you like that sort of thing, you will definitely fall in love with these chips. And if you are a sucker for a crunch…these definitely bring it.

Yet another brand I never would have even known about or tried if not for Cuisine Cube. Because of this monthly service, products like these chips from Hardbite, make their way to my kitchen and then…I can go and find out how to get more if they strike my fancy. Great service. Great products. Great food. Thank you, Cuisine Cube!

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.

January 10, 2015

Product Review: Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta

Product: Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta – $3.99+

It was one of those rare visits to Walmart that brought the Van’s Gluten Free Pasta selection into my life. My local Walmart has a small, but very diverse, gluten-free section. I don’t make it a habit to shop there, but if I have to go in there for something, I always swing by that section to see what there is. So often, I find items I haven’t seen anywhere else. That was the case…back then…when it came to the Van’s Gluten Free Pasta meals/sides. I hadn’t seen or found them anywhere else. Now, I pretty much can find them everywhere in the wild…but this was a new thing. And I admit to snatching up all three varieties to add to my pantry.

It is no secret that I am a pasta lover. I mean…growing up, spaghetti was my favorite dinner ever. I would beg my mom to make it each week. I wanted it on my birthday. I wanted it for breakfast. I’m Irish by heritage, but I think I’m Italian somewhere too. What? The pale skin and reddish-blonde hair don’t make you think Italian? HA!

Anyway…these have been sitting on my pantry shelf for a little while now. I never really had a reason to bust them out. I churn through my CSA bin stuff first and then hit up the stuff in my pantry. But, I’ve been on a CSA bin drought this past week as I was away at a friend’s house so put a hold on the bin. This means…dinners were now being prepared by the items I still had in my pantry/fridge/freezer. I am paying off Christmas plane tickets…I wanted as little on my grocery list as possible.

The week was going well. But I realized I have a trip coming up. A fun and exciting trip with my roomie, her sister, and her brother-in-law. Heading to Charleston, South Carolina. I have never been, but everything I have heard about it makes me so excited to be going. I am really looking forward to it. But, what I did realize was that we hadn’t all gotten together to discuss the trip and what we wanted to do. So…we got in touch with Amanda and she said she was able to come over last night. And I was now hunting for a dinner for the three of us.

When I hit up the pantry, my eyes immediately fell on the Van’s Gluten-Free Pasta meals/sides. I pulled out the box…and each box served three. PERFECT. Now it was just a matter of selecting the flavor. I asked my roommate which one sounded good to her, and she said that she was interested in the Creamy Herb & Garlic flavor. With that settled…I was now prepared for dinner for three. I paired it with vegan and gluten-free garlic bread and gluten-free rosemary bread sticks, which were kicking around my freezer.

After work yesterday, I knew Amanda would be on her way. So, I immediately got into the kitchen and put a pot of water on to bring it to a boil. She arrived just as the water was starting up…so it was perfect timing. I opened up the box of Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta, being greeted by red penne noodles and a little plastic pouch of seasoning. I removed the pouch and poured the red noodles into the pot, giving it a stir and letting it come back up to a boil. The bread went into the oven to warm through and I spent the rest of the time getting out the almond milk and the vegan butter needed to prepare the rest of the dish. And I was still able to entertain and carry on a conversation. This dish is definitely not labor intensive. LOVE that. As much as I love being in the kitchen, when I have people over, I want to spend my time with them…not hovering over the oven or stove.

The box stated that it would take about 8-10 minutes for the pasta to cook through to the perfect al dente. I think it took about 10-12 minutes for me. But…it eventually got there. I turned the burner down to low and removed the pot from the heat, pouring out the contents and letting the noodles drain. I then dropped the 2 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of (almond) milk into the pot and let it all melt together. Then…in went the seasoning packet. I gave it a stir and just worked it together until this thick and delicious smelling sauce emerged. Then…the noodles went back into the pan and I stirred it all together, coating each noodle to perfection. There was no excess sauce. Just the perfect amount. And it looked awesome.

The garlic bread and bread sticks finished up and I pulled them from the oven and sliced each one into thirds. Then, I dished up the Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta into three bowls and delivered one to Amanda, one to Cathy, and kept one for myself. Dinner was served.

I won’t lie…I was beyond nervous to be serving something up to Amanda that I hadn’t tried yet. She is always willing to try my gluten-free foods and is very patient with me…but sometimes a new product is a bust…and being that this was untested by me…I was just hoping for the best. But…we all came to the same consensus. It was BEYOND delicious. WOW! The flavor profile was amazing. The sauce is creamy, without being too much. It brings this great garlic flavor, without being overpowering. And the earthy herbs lend a depth of flavor to each bite. The red noodles looked fantastic coated in the sauce, and they provided a perfect vehicle for the creamy nature of the sauce itself. We devoured this meal. Honestly. And the entire time couldn’t stop talking about how good it was. SCORE!

I should have known not to doubt Van’s when it comes to their gluten-free products. I haven’t met one I have disliked yet.

Let’s talk ingredients! The Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta is made with gluten free penne pasta (brown rice flour, red lentil flour, beet powder, tomato powder), garlic and herb seasoning (reduced lactose whey, rice flour, milk powder, parmesan and romano cheese, natural flavors, salt, sugar, spice, and garlic powder). It is low in fat, low in calories, and filling.

As for the nutrition information, a serving of the Van’s Gluten Free Creamy Herb & Garlic Pasta is 1/3 of the box, or about 2.4 ounces (68 grams). This serving will provide you with 320 calories and 3 grams of fat. You will also be consuming 5 mg cholesterol, 46o mg sodium, and only 2 grams of sugar. That’s really good for a packaged pasta with a sauce. Trust me. And, finally, the serving gives you 3 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein. Trust me, you may find the serving to appear small, but you will feel full after eating it. It wasn’t just amazing…it felt like a full meal! Perfect serving size of pasta too.

If you are like me and try to keep a few items in your pantry for those nights you don’t really have a lot of time to cook…or want to hit up the grocery store for special ingredients…be sure to keep some of the Van’s Gluten Free Pasta dishes in your pantry. I love how this one turned out and now I can’t wait to try out the other two varieties in my pantry. In addition to the Creamy Herb & Garlic, Van’s Gluten Free Pasta includes flavors such as Ultimate Cheddar Penne and Rotini and Red Sauce. I’m already looking forward to the next excuse to make this easy-to-prepare pasta dinner.

SO much love. You really need to give it a try…seriously. Just…do it!