Vegan – Page 16 – The Celiathlete

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 31, 2015

Product Review: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola

Product: Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola – $6.99+

It was Whole Foods and Cuisine Cube that got me hooked on the amazing and healthy granola that I have more than indulged in since first discovering it in the breakfast aisle at my local Whole Foods. This granola is Jessica’s Natural Foods. I haven’t met one of her granola’s that I haven’t liked. And the one I am reviewing today is my third variety I have tried.

This speaks very highly of any product when I keep going back to the brand. And let me tell you, when it comes to gluten-free granola, Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right. You’ll want to eat it straight out of the bag. I’ve done it…while sprinkling it on top of my fruit and Greek yogurt parfaits.

As stated above, the granola I chose this time around was the Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods. Jessica’s Natural Foods was started by Jessica Mindell, an avid baker with a background in engineering. Back in 2009, her husband discovered that he was gluten-intolerant and said that he missed oat-based granola. Once Mindell was able to find gluten-free oats and a certified gluten-free facility, she was able to launch her healthy, delicious granola. Since then, her bags of granola have expanded to over 25 states. Mindell’s passion for natural foods means that she always bakes with simple, pure ingredients and keeps health and nutrition at the forefront of her products. How can you not love that?

Originally called Motor City Crunch, Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is just what it sounds like. Toasted oats that are loaded with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and hazelnuts. Think…Nutella in gluten-free granola form. Does that peek your interest? It did mine! This was the original flavor that I had wanted to try when my roomie (Cathy) and I first discovered this brand at Whole Foods. It was the flavor she waved at me, then selected a different flavor in the end. Talk about a tease. That wasn’t happening this time. When we needed granola to go with the 2 pounds of fresh strawberries we received from the CSA bin, I said that the Chocolate Hazelnut Granola from Jessica’s Natural Foods would be the perfect match. Cathy couldn’t argue with that.

So…this week’s breakfast…Greek yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits. One of my favorite things in life. For real. Building these is simple. A little granola on the bottom, then some Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey or agave, fresh berries. Repeat. Then top off the last of it with the granola and honey/agave. It makes a filling, fresh, nutritious, and amazing breakfast. Trust me.

And, let me tell you, I was completely right about this granola. It is exceptional. I mean, completely indulgent and sinful. But, it isn’t bad for you at all. The rolled oats are toasted to a great crunchy texture, and coated with chocolate. Hazelnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips are incorporated throughout. And when the chocolate chips hit your tongue, they melt. It is…A-MAZ-ING! I can’t think of a time I fell so in love with the flavor of the granola. But this…this was true love. Love at first bite. Love in a Nutella-like formation. Love for a food might seem strange, but, until you taste what I have, you won’t know the true level of obsession you might develop for a granola. Honestly. The absolute best. THE BEST I have ever tasted. I would eat it in a bowl on its own, on a parfait, over dairy-free ice cream, by the handful, spoonful, or 1/4 cup full. If you love chocolate…this will satisfy your tastebuds. Bite after bite after bite.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. This granola is made from certified gluten-free rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic honey, brown sugar, expeller pressed sunflower oil, hazelnuts, ground flax seed, coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). This granola is gluten free, cholesterol free, kosher, and non-GMO.

As for nutrition, for being a chocolate based granola…this is actually really, really impressive. A serving of Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola is 1/4 cup. This serving will provide 135 calories and 7 grams of fat. This granola will provide you with 30 mg sodium and 7 grams of sugar. That’s amazing for a granola. You will also be consuming 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So, yes…you will feel full after eating it. As this is lower in sugar than most granola, that helps keep you satiated as well.

Love is chocolate. Breakfast love is chocolate for breakfast. Jessica’s Natural Foods totally gets this and understands that sometimes we just want something decadent, but healthy, for breakfast. And that is what you get in Jessica’s Natural Foods Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. It’s a healthy, filling treat that will definitely liven up your breakfast, your snack, your lunch, your dinner, or even your dessert. Jessica’s Natural Foods does it right…and nothing is more right than this Chocolate Hazelnut Granola.

Delicious!

March 31, 2015

Product Review: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – $5.99+

It finally happened. I gave up on ice cream. Seriously. It had been months…months…since I have had any sort of dairy based ice cream. My stomach just can’t handle it. No matter what sort of supplement I take to offset the reaction to the lactose…it was no longer helping. And I was suffering.

And it makes me sad.

But…thankfully, one day I was at Whole Foods and spotted a pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert that really caught my eye. I’d seen and even had some of the Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss products before. But this was a brand new flavor. And it was my favorite flavor to boot.

Yes, friends…we are talking Salted Caramel. Not just salted caramel though – for Luna & Larry’s took it to the extreme (which is good!) and added…CHOCOLATE! So, you can imagine the worlds Salted Caramel & Chocolate on a dairy-free ice cream pint would grab my attention, right?

You bet your coconuts!

And that’s how this pint of frozen non-dairy goodness ended up in my freezer. True story. And, as I’m working my way through the stuff I’ve stockpiled in my freezer and pantry, this dessert was up tonight. As I am quite familiar with non-dairy ice creams needing a bit of time to thaw in order to scoop the stuff, I went ahead and set it out while my roommate and I partook of the dinner I cooked up (a delicious meal of green beans and almonds). Once dishes were done and the kitchen was cleaned up…dessert was up next.

Prior to this pint of ice cream, I have only tried the Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Bars…and I loved them. This brand is a bit pricey, which means I don’t treat myself to it very often. That being said, they have won numerous awards for their ice cream treats. All of which, mind you, are dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. Award winning ice cream in numerous magazines and food awards? Yes…I needed these in my life more often. And so…a pint of the actual non-dairy frozen dessert (ice cream) made it to my freezer.

Let me just say this…WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!! Seriously, wow!! I loved this ice cream at first bite. First, you get this toasted coconut flavor, followed by this rich salty caramel tone. And throughout the entire spoonful are little bits of chocolate. It makes for the ultimate and perfect bite. The dessert itself is cool and refreshing. And creamy! So often non-dairy desserts like this get flaky and overly frozen, but this was smooth and decadent. I was beyond impressed. In fact, if I had my way, I’d eat the entire pint without sharing. But I did…share. And my roommate (who loves ice cream and can have regular stuff) absolutely loved it. She agreed, the coconut-caramel base really makes this dessert shine. I am in love!!

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into this pint of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. This ice cream is made from organic coconut milk, organic agave syrup, organic caramel, organic caramel swirl, organic fair trade dark chocolate, organic coconut cream, organic coconut oil, and sea salt. This delicious dessert is cholesterol free, soy free, gluten free and vegan.

Now, let’s talk about nutrition. Welcome to the world of coconut milk. You will see a few more calories and a bit more fat. But it is a healthy fat, so try not to freak. That being said, this is a dessert and should be treated as a treat. Don’t eat the entire pint (even if you want to!). A serving of Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss Salted Caramel & Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is 1/2 cup. This serving will dish up 210 calories and 14 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 200 mg sodium and 18 grams of sugar. You will be taking in 21 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of fiber. It’s ice cream…it’s not going to fill you up.

Looking for a new way to shake up your dessert? I highly recommend the much acclaimed Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss line of non-dairy frozen desserts. Especially the Salted Caramel & Chocolate pint…because it doesn’t get much better than salted caramel and chocolate. For real!

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 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: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips

Product: Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips – $6.00

It was in my January 2015 Cube (Happy New Year) that I was introduced to a plethora of new products from my Cuisine Cube subscription. Healthy options to get your New Years resolutions rocking and rolling and to start the year off on the right track. It ranged from gluten-free oatmeal to dark chocolate covered rice cakes (both of which were fantastic). But saddled into the seat for a snack in January was a product that left me overly excited and jumping for joy and eagerness to try.

Plantain Chips.

Oh hell yes!

So, before I trudge further into my review of this little packaged snack of tropical goodness, let me first tell you a little bit more about Cuisine Cube. I discovered Cuisine Cube through a Groupon offering of sorts and from my first box to my current one, I have been hooked. This is a subscription service that sends you a box each month that is loaded down with 5-6 full-size gluten-free products for your foodie tastebuds to enjoy! No joke. These products always include something for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert…and every now and again, you get a bonus item. It’s fantastic. Really. And subscriptions start as low as $29.99. So, be sure to skip over to their Web site and check them out. Better yet…try them out.

Why?

Because you will be introduced to products like Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips! Talk about biting into something I wasn’t expecting. I have sampled plantain chips before, but this was the first time they actually snacked like a chip. Usually I find them way too sweet, but with the blend of tropical and robust flavors that Miti Miti Foods adds to these dried plantains, you get a little bit of everything. First of all, each and every trip is crunchy good. I mean…CRUNCHY!! I love that. Chips should be crunchy, even when made out of fruit. They are seasoned with paprika, coriander, and cardamom…giving them an added savory feel. It really cuts down on the sweetness. And that’s where the magic happens.

I LOVED these chips. Seriously. They reminded me of really good french fries. You know…those savory crispy ones…not the mushy, squishy ones. Yep. That’s the flavor they carried. Sort of like a really amazing potato chip. I couldn’t stop eating these. Seriously. I popped one to try. So did my roommate. Her initial thought was that they were “chalky” but I didn’t get that at all. I found greatness. I found something amazing and different. I found…probably one of my favorite snacks to date. I am addicted to them. They are perfectly fried to a golden brown and carry everything my palate wants in a snack. Having the bag in my general vicinity is dangerous…because it is one of those snacks that if I start eating, I can’t stop. Which is why I have to dish out the serving size. With the sweet and savory flavor with that perfect crunch in each bite (the thinner chips are my favorites…but they all are crunchy), I’m beyond addicted to these. I won’t go to rehab either. If I want chips…these are what I want. From now on!

So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into a bag of Miti Miti Latin American Foods Plantain Chips. These chips are made from plantains (obviously), a seasoning mix that includes salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, oregano, paprika, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, coriander, and cardamom, spices, canola oil, and garlic powder. This snack is not only gluten-free, but also cholesterol free, sugar free, and vegan.

As for nutritional information…fear not. These equal or might even be better than your standard potato chip. And trust me…you’ll prefer these over a potato chip any day. A serving size is 30 grams (or around 15 chips). This serving will give you 160 calories and 10 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 120 mg sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar. One serving also gives you 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein, making it a good snack that can take you through to dinner time.

Feel good about snacking again! Don’t feel guilty about a treat in the afternoon or with dinner. Miti Miti Latin American Foods make it so you can feed your snack side with something different and more nutritious than the standard potato chip. Thanks to Cuisine Cube, I am feasting away on Miti Miti Plantain Chips and loving every bite.

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

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 10, 2015

Product Review: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Qrunch Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables — Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables

Product: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables – $3.99+

Ah…back to one of my favorite things to talk about.

No. Not food. Although I do like to talk about food.

Nope. What I’m about to introduce you to is yet another way that being Celiac/gluten-free doesn’t have to detract from what options are out there for breakfast. Aside from the natural gluten-free goodness of real foods, such as eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits…there are a plethora of gluten-free breakfast mixes that can help you bake up pancakes, muffins, and scones. There are frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast sticks, bagels, muffins, cinnamon rolls…the list is endless.

But what really caught my eye a couple of months ago when I randomly dropped into my local Meijer was a new product from a company that I trusted. The company being Qrunch Foods. The product – something they call Toastables.

Qrunch Foods set out with a mission, and have since worked hard to carry it out – to create great-tasting, gluten free foods.

Those of us who have made our way through the gluten-free foods out on the market know that gluten-free foods have come a long way. No longer do you need to fear something tasting like cardboard or wood pulp (although…there are instances this still holds true). But finding something that stops you in your tracks and makes you go, “Damn…I’d never guess this was gluten free!” is a rare find at times.

Qrunch Foods came out with their line of Toastables back in 2013. Prior to this, you might have seen and tried (and loved, like me!) their gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian Qrunch Burgers. LOVE me those Qrunch Burgers. So, that’s why I didn’t hesitate to pick up one of the two varieties (of four!) of the Qrunch Foods Toastables from my grocery store. A trusted brand can speak volumes.

My choice: Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are made from ancient whole grains (organic quinoa, organic amaranth, and organic millet) which provides a unique and filling breakfast. They are, as always, 100% natural and 100% gluten-free. The idea behind the Toastables is that they are lightly sweetened and go great with any sort of breakfast topping you might enjoy…from syrup to honey to nut butters to jellies to cream cheese. Whatever floats your breakfast boat. They look like a mix between a cereal-coated French Toast stick and a hash brown. I’m okay with this. And making them is easy too.

Simply pop these into your toaster for a couple of cycles and they are ready to eat. I was eating these after going to the gym and heading into the office. This meant that I didn’t have a gluten-free toaster to use. Other options include cooking over medium-high heat in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per side…except I didn’t have a stovetop. Luckily, my office does have a taster oven, so I baked these for about 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees until they were nice and warm throughout. I served these up with a little bit of maple syrup. Yummy.

I bet you’re wondering how they taste. Well, they were nothing like I anticipated. I loved the crunchy outer shell that I got from baking it (and you would too if you baked, used the skillet, or toasted it in the toaster). If you microwave it, you will lose that aspect of the Toastable itself. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastable had a grittiness to it, which comes from the various grains that are used to comprise it. I’m on the fence on whether I liked that aspect or not. It tasted a little dry…but the maple syrup I topped it off with helped with that. The flavor was subtle, but I could definitely catch hints of the cinnamon and vanilla that were incorporated into the Toastable. It was a quick bite, but quite filling. Sort of like a dry, crunchy French toast or waffle…which isn’t a bad thing. I just sort of expected a little more tenderness on the inside. Although, overall, not bad. Not bad at all. Thank goodness for maple syrup!

Let’s discuss ingredients. The Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables are made from water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic refined coconut oil, organic arrowroot starch, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, organic vanilla extract, sea salt, organic cinnamon, and organic non-GMO canola oil. They are not only made with ancient whole grains, but also 100% gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and corn-free.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving is 1 of the Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables. There are four Toastables in each box. This one serving will give you 120 calories and 4 grams of fat. This will also give you 135 mg sodium and 1 gram of sugar. Loving that. These are cholesterol free and free of trans fat. You will also be taking in 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So don’t let the size of them make you think they won’t fill you up. These will hold you for the morning.

So, not an astounding find, but one that does make for a different and tasty breakfast for sure. It’s easy to prepare…just takes a little time if you are toasting it up in the toaster oven or toaster, but as long as you aren’t famished, that’s not a problem at all.

Qrunch Foods Toastables are available in four flavors: Cinnamon-Vanilla, Blueberry-Lemon, Rich Maple and Original. Look for them in your grocery store freezer.

Qrunch Foods Cinnamon-Vanilla Toastables (toasted)

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.