Vegan – Page 46 – The Celiathlete

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

No love for Enjoy Life’s Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar – $4.29+

It was as though my deepest fear was confirmed upon returning home from the office today. After the horrendous taste the Very Berry Chewy Bar left in my mouth (thank goodness my co-worker had some gluten-free white chocolate peppermint popcorn on hand), I was going to go straight home, pull the box out of my pantry and throw it away.

That’s exactly what I did.

And just as I had thought, the next item up in my gluten-free pantry for consumption as a snack was…Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars.

Sigh.

And the more I did think about it, the more I was absolutely certain these were the snack bars that my mom had tried when she started doing some gluten-free foods and told me to stay far, far away. They were not good, according to her initial report. Somehow that conversation had slinked back into my brain after the disappointing snack that I basically spit out this afternoon.

Determined not to revisit that experience with a different flavor bar, my roommate suggested that we go ahead and open one of the Caramel Apple Chewy Bars and break off a piece. We could each try it (me as the gluten-free girl and her as the ‘I don’t need to eat gluten-free, so I’ll be totally honest with you’) and make a decision as if they were palatable enough me to take for snack tomorrow.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

After dinner and a very delicious dessert, I started to get things together for lunches and snacks tomorrow…and remembered that I needed to grab these snack bars. I hurried over to the pantry and removed the box from the shelf, cracking it open and removing one of the bars. I tore into the wrapper. There was no onslaught of apple scent like what happened with the Very Berry one. So…that was already different. However, the tiny little snack bar didn’t look much different from the one I had today. But, I was trying to keep an open mind on this one.

Why? Because I love Enjoy Life. I love that they keep their products free of the top 8 food allergens (gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, fish). I love that, in the past, I’ve enjoyed every product that I’ve tried. I’m especially a fan of their chocolate granola and their seed and fruit mixes. YUM!!

So, here I stood, breaking off the end of one of the Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars and then split that in half so my roommate and I could both have taste. We looked at the little piece in our hand…then at each other…and we popped them in.

Here’s what I can say…the Caramel Apple was a little more palatable than the Very Berry variety. The taste was still cardboardish…and the texture was less than chewy. It wasn’t hard, but it was like gnawing on a wet box. I hated the texture. Very gritty and just…blech. All of that being said, it did actually taste a little like a caramel apple. Very little. But it was there. Especially at the end, when you just manage to get it down. But…that’s not saying much. I wasn’t impressed.

Thankful that I purchased these while they were on stupid super sale…I didn’t feel too bad tossing this box in the garbage can as well.

I hope that in the future, Enjoy Life considers redoing their recipes for the Caramel Apple and Very Berry Chewy Bars. There is so much potential there…but they completely missed the mark with these. And it’s too bad, because I have nothing but good things to say about the rest of their products I have managed to find and sample.

I guess everyone strikes out at some point.

Alright, Enjoy Life…I now need you to redeem yourself again…because the state of these last two products has saddened and makes me a little more apprehensive to try things like…your cereals…which I’ve been eying. Now, I’m not so certain I want to risk the dent they’ll put in my wallet.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar (unwrapped)

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

Enjoy Life’s Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar a tasteless, cardboard-like disappointment

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar – $4.29+

Oh…Enjoy Life. What went wrong here? All other products I have tried, you’ve hit out of the ballpark…and then…with this one…you completely strike out. I love you as a company, and I have always loved and spoken highly of your products, but this…this was just bad.

No. It was disgusting. It was horrendous. It was a complete misstep in the way gluten-free products should be represented on the market. The Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar should have been good. But it reminded me of the cardboard-like taste and texture of gluten-free products years ago…before gluten-free became more prevalent in society and the quality of such items improved tremendously.

Now, I love snack bars as much as the next person…so when Big Lots had these on sale, I snatched up a box. I mean…I love Enjoy Life’s granola, cookies, seed & fruit mixes, Plentils, and chocolate bars. For real. LOVE. In addition, I was quite happy with the Cocoa Loco and Sunbutter Crunch Chewy Bars that I had prior to this one. So, I was quite excited about picking up the Very Berry and the Caramel Apple variety. Although, now that I think back, my mom might have tried the Caramel Apple snack bar and told me to steer clear of it because it was “no good at all.” Hmmm.

Anyway, with these in my pantry, I decided today would be a good day to open them up and take one to work for my afternoon snack. I was on a bit of a roll with the snack bars, having just devoured (and thoroughly enjoyed) Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bars. Something berry flavored would be quite welcome and refreshing. So, into my lunchbox it went. And when my 3 pm snack time rolled around, I removed this from my desk drawer and prepared to enjoy it.

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar

I was rather anticipating greatness with this. When I tore into the wrapper the entire office flooded with the scent of fresh berries. Honestly. Even my teammate who I share an office with asked what I just opened up because it smelled good. I told her…and then went ahead and took a bite.

My teammate glanced over and said, “I have never seen you make that face before.”

Yeah, there have been products that I have tried that I haven’t been thrilled with…but this was just awful. Tasteless. Texture was horrible. And the flavor just was…gross. The entire thing was an abomination of gluten-free snacks. It reminds me of the first time I ate a gluten-free product, years and years and years ago…just to see what it meant…and was totally unhappy with the flavor and texture. And that…that is exactly what this reminded me of. There aren’t a lot of things that I will throw away after I purchase it…but these are hitting the garbage the instant I get home. I don’t even know if I want to risk the Caramel Apple variety.

So, Enjoy Life…I don’t know what to do with you. Love you for some things…cringe with other things. But these Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars were one of my least favorite things I have ever eaten since I had to go gluten-free. That’s no exaggeration. There are so many other companies out there that are doing gluten-free snack bars justice. You…my dear Enjoy Life…company that keeps the top 8 food allergens out of their products…you should be able to step up to those standards and provide the gluten-free community with something tasty and berry delicious.

I’m really let down by this product…and in turn…let down by you. I know you are capable of so much better. Come on, Enjoy Life…time to revamp the product…start fresh…and this time…make it taste good!

Enjoy Life Very Berry On-The-Go Chewy Bar (unwrapped)

December 13, 2012

General Mills’ Corn Chex still a classic and a favorite…and it’s gluten-free!

Product: General Mills Corn Chex Gluten-Free Cereal – $3.19+

I love that General Mills has so many options for the gluten-free crowd when it comes to their Chex cereal. And let me tell you, I enjoy the chocolate and cinnamon and other flavors just as much as the other person. Being able to eat a cereal that actually has different flavors to entice and excite the palate is a very nice change of pace. I have my favorites…oh…I really do.

But the other day while out at Target, there was a bit of a sale on a few of the flavors of Chex cereal. The first one I spotted was the Honey Nut Chex. But upon going back to the cereal section, I managed to snag a big box of the Corn Chex as well.

Corn Chex. I remember the days when only three flavors existed. Corn, Rice, and Wheat. I was always a huge fan of my mom’s homemade Chex Mix…and the corn and rice varieties were always my favorite to pick out. One in particular over the other – Corn Chex.

I imagine that more people get excited about eating the newer flavors in the gluten-free selection over the old standbys, but this morning proved that sometimes you just can’t top the classics. I measured out a cup of Corn Chex into my cereal bowl this morning and snagged a piece to just eat on its own, before I topped off my bowl with a splash of unsweetened almond milk. Immediately I was transported back to my childhood. Breakfast. Snacks. My mom’s Chex Mix. It all came flooding and rushing back. All in one simple, easy taste.

I noticed that in the past, this cereal was marked as gluten-free, but contained Barley Malt Extract (not gluten-free). It looks like the Corn Chex recipe has been revised because the boxes no longer contain that ingredient…so it appears to be safe for the gluten-intolerant and the Celiacs among us. I ate it this morning for breakfast and then went to the gym and have had it all settling for over 4 hours now…without any sort of reaction. I think General Mills put this one in the clear. And I appreciate them taking that sort of initiative.

Corn Chex is back to basics when it comes to cereal. A serving (1 cup) is only 110 calories. It is virtually fat free. And with only 3 grams of sugar, it makes it one of the more healthy choices for a breakfast cereal. The best part…it tastes great. Simple flavors…but they make an impression. Obviously…because these brought back so many memories that now…they’re all I want.

Thank you, General Mills, for making classics like Corn Chex so that those of us who have to eat gluten-free have an inexpensive, classic cereal we can turn to…not just for breakfast, but for snacks and parties too.

December 12, 2012

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta a noodle worth trying

Product: Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta – $2.99

I was having a minor crisis last night.

For real.

You see, it’s the holidays and every year my adoptive family (aka: my roomie’s family) comes over to the apartment where I prepare a gluten-free meal of some sort and we sit, talk, eat, and eventually I open Christmas gifts from them before I head home to see my family for the holidays. It’s a nice little tradition. Last year, I cooked up a Gluten-Free Tagliatelle with Truffle Butter Sauce. It was a hit. So, I decided to keep with the gluten-free pasta, as most people can’t tell it’s gluten-free…and go from there.

The only difference was that this year this was all happening on a Monday night. This meant that I didn’t have the kind of time to do something fancy and different. So…spaghetti it was. Kind of.

Remember that crisis I spoke about at the top there. Well…this is what it came down to. I thought I had some Gluten-Free Corn Fusilli from Trader Joe’s in my pantry. After all, it was on my pantry list. But…apparently I had used it and didn’t mark it off. Which is not good. I started hunting through the other pastas in my pantry, but none of them would feed around 6 people. I was in full-blown panic mode because I had homemade gluten-free garlic (and cheesy) toasts to cook up in the oven, sauce to do, and I didn’t have a main course.

Sam Mills Gluten-Free Pasta D'oro Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked) — Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked)

So…my roommate put on her super-roomie cape and went out to the grocery store to see what she could get for me. She returned a phone call and a few minutes later with the answer to my prayers – Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Corn Pasta Tubetti Rigati.

That’s a mouthful, yes?

Well, it wasn’t my first choice, but I threw it in the pot of boiling water as soon as she walked it into the kitchen and let it cook up, hoping that it would at least be appetizing.

Wasn’t I truly surprised when it finished cooking (it did take longer than the 8-10 minutes advertised on the package, but…this is what we do to hit that perfect al dente, yes?) and I turned it out into the strainer. None of the noodles were flaking or turning to mush. They were a vibrant yellow color (due to being made of corn) and seemed so sturdy, yet soft. I drained the noodles and poured them back into the pot, added the sauce I was warming on the stove to it and gave it a good mix. Once again, the noodles held together without falling into pieces. I was impressed.

I dished up servings for everyone and placed the homemade gluten-free garlic and cheesy toasts on a plate for all to help themselves to. The bowls of pasta were passed out, I joined everyone in the living room, and dinner was officially served.

Tubetti Rigati pasta is small tubular pasta, sort of like macaroni noodles, but without being curved into elbow shapes. Most often it is used in soups, but I wanted to do something other than elbow noodles with pasta sauce on it. That just seemed…wrong…for some reason! What I loved about the Sam Mills Tubetti Rigati was that the sauce would fill the little tubes of pasta and it would be this flavorful bite each time. I actually quite enjoyed the flavor and texture of this corn pasta.

What is even better is the price. Sam Mills pasta is one of the least expensive gluten-free pastas on the market. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the quality suffers because of it. This pasta ranks right up there with my go-to of Trader Joe’s gluten-free corn pastas. It was just really good. No one could tell it was gluten-free…or corn-based for that matter. LOVE that.

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta is a budget-friendly, high quality choice when it comes to gluten-free pasta. Honestly, I was quite impressed with it. And I would definitely buy it again in a heartbeat.

A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D'oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced) — A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced)

December 12, 2012

The Silver Palate hits a sweet note with San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

Product: The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce – $5.99+

I blame the Manager’s Specials at the grocery store for impulse purchases of pasta sauce. For one thing, it was $3.00 off the regular price, with the expiration date still a ways off. Secondly, it was clearly marked gluten-free. Key word. And…I have plenty of pasta in my pantry at the moment just begging…begging for me to cook it up.

So, it was with all this in mind that I purchased The Silver Palate’s San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce a couple of weeks ago. It looked fantastic, and the nutrition information was right in line with other pasta sauces that I enjoy…if not better. I figured, why not try something new?

Despite the plethora of pastas in my pantry, I didn’t have a single one that would feet up to 6 people. So, when I was hosting my roommate’s family the other night for Christmas dinner, I was at a loss on what pasta to try out this new sauce on. I finally sent my roommate to the grocery store to find something acceptable, and she returned soon after with some corn pasta. It would do. It served 8.

While the pasta was boiling away on the stove, trying to hit that perfect al dente, I prepped some gluten-free homemade bread. Once it was in the oven, into a saucepan went the San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. It smelled absolutely fantastic from the moment I opened up the jar.

The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce (heating on stove top)

Made from tomatoes that are grown in the rich, volcanic soil of the San Marzano region of Italy and the Central Valley of California, this blend of pasta sauce brought about a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The olive oil helped smooth it out. You could taste the ripeness of the tomatoes. It was bursting with flavor. And the basil was a nice accent. Not little flecks of it here or there, but julianned pieces were throughout the entire sauce. You couldn’t miss the vibrant green, chopped, fresh basil leaves. It was a tasty addition and it really livened up the sauce presentation-wise as well.

Once it was heated, I drained the pasta, put it back in the pan, and then poured the sauce over it. Giving it a good mix, I dished it up for the dinner guests and myself and tucked in for conversation and food.

The verdict on the sauce: YUMMY!!

Considering the last impulse buy pasta sauce was a disappointment, I loved the consistency of this one. It was packed with tomato flavor, but not watery at all. So many marinara sauces get watery, but not this one. It was refreshing and light and just meshed well with the corn pasta. A gluten-free pasta lover’s dream come true. I was highly impressed with this sauce.

Even more impressive is the nutritional value. A serving size of 1/2 cup serves up 70 calories and 4 grams of fat. For a jarred sauce, it is relatively low in sodium, tapping out at 420 mg. I love that the sugar content is quite low and that it provides 3 grams of protein as well. It’s a simple sauce with a fantastic flavor. I really enjoyed it. And, compared to the usual pasta sauce I purchase, this one is a deal as far as price. Even when it’s not marked down or on sale.

Highly impressed with The Silver Palate’s San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. It definitely has me interested in trying their other varieties and even some other products. Well done!

A serving of gluten-free pasta with The Silver Palate San Marzano Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

December 11, 2012

No pastry shell needed for Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar

Product: Lärabar Über Apple Turnover – $1.99

All the taste of an apple turnover without the guilt-laden pastry shell. I kid you not.

Welcome to the wonderful new line from Lärabar. In early 2012, Lärabar launched their new line of protein bars – the Über. In four flavors, this product combined sweet and salty flavors of classic desserts and brought them into bar form. No joke.

And after a 10 mile run the other day, I was hungry and needing something to satisfy my stomach while I went to an eye appointment before getting a late lunch. I happened to pick up one of each flavor of the Lärabar Über bars on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store. Super sale on a product that is gluten-free…yeah, I’ll buy that. And since they had an abundance of each flavor on the market, I grabbed one of each. The Über bars are available in Apple Turnover, Bananas Foster, Cherry Cobbler, and Fruit and Nut Roll.

First up, by the scientific method of grabbing the box in front…was the Lärabar Über Apple Turnover Bar.

Lärabar is known for making their products strictly from fruit, nuts, and spices/seasoning. That holds true with the Über bars. In fact, the Apple Turnover variety has 9 ingredients in them. That’s it. And they are all things you could find in your pantry. It’s true. They are composed of walnuts, dried apples, brown rice syrup, raisins, dates, pecans, honey, sea salt, and cinnamon. That’s it. Nothing unrecognizable. Defintiely not made up of chemicals that you’d have to Google to figure out what they were (if you dared!) or something completely unpronounceable and unknown to anyone but a chemist. I love that about Lärabar. What you see is what you get.

The Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar contains only 190 calories for the entire bar. It contains 11 grams of fat, but is very low in sodium (125 mg) and serves up 3 grams of protein. Not too bad, overall.

The best part…the Apple Turnover bar tastes just like an apple turnover would. Seriously! It’s fantastic. The combination of dried fruits, nuts, and seasonings really lend that illusion that you are eating a sinful pastry. But you’re doing it at a fraction of the calories and fat. Honestly, you won’t even miss the flaky, fattening pastry crust. I fell in love with it at first bite. And so did my roommate. We both agreed that the apple flavor is there, without dominating. All of the ingredients get their time to shine, and when they are together…you really feel like you’re sitting down to a fantastic pastry. Just…without the guilt. Love that.

These bars are soft, chewy, and provide a hint of sweet/salty flavor to each bite. Not to mention, the Apple Turnover Über bar is gluten-free, dairy free, soy free, made from all-natural ingredients, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, has no added sulfites and no preservatives, fillers or colorings. It’s wholesome and all natural and for that, I feel confident continuing to purchase products from Lärabar. Not only do they fit my dietary needs, but they are delicious as well.

If you love to indulge in a dessert but want to do so without the guilt, I recommend the Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bar. And if you are gluten-free…I also recommend this variety. Honestly, you won’t even miss the pastry crust. Just indulge in the moment and savor every bite.

Lärabar…the Apple Turnover bar is Über delicious!

December 10, 2012

Another Lärabar treat with Apple Pie flavored bar

Product: Lärabar Apple Pie – $1.99+

It seems apple pie is everywhere these days. I guess it just comes with the time of year. Apples are always in season, but so many people associate them with the fall/winter. It is, after all, the height of apple cider time. And I do love apple cider. Heck, I just love apples. One of my favorite desserts is apple crisp, after all.

That being said, yesterday was another race morning. Nothing big. No reason to cream an entire protein bar down my throat before the run. Thankfully, I have a bunch of Lärabar mini bars still in my run-snack drawer. And the next one up just happened to be…Apple Pie.

I packed this away in my bag to take with me to eat an hour before the short 4K run. After all, the race wasn’t long…but I knew the cereal I ate when I woke up wouldn’t last through to the 9:00 a.m. start time. I always come prepared with a bar on race days now. There is nothing worse than standing at that starting line and hearing your stomach rumble. Or worse…being halfway through and realizing your cereal has burned off and now…you’re running on fumes. Best to just properly fuel.

So, the Lärabar Apple Pie Mini Bar accompanied on my drive over the river to Louisville, Kentucky and the park that was hosting the run. I actually pulled into the park exactly an hour before the race started. So it was perfect timing. Out came the Lärabar. I unwrapped it and took a small bite.

Okay…it actually does taste like apple pie. I can safely say that because my dessert last week was gluten-free apple pie. Honestly…this was just like having a slice. Really good. Although, even though it tastes like apple pie…it isn’t one of my favorite ones. Maybe it is the underlying hint of cinnamon that just kept creeping into my palate. But, while it was good, some of the others have been far better. But, it can be hit or miss with protein bars. That’s not to say this one wasn’t good. I would eat it again if it were offered to me. I wouldn’t turn my nose up at it. It’s just really not up to par with the other ones that have come before it. (Cashew Cookie is still my absolute favorite!)

So, a little information about this little protein bar. The Lärabar Apple Pie Mini Bar is comprised of of six ingredients. That’s it. These are dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. I knew there was cinnamon in there. All together, you sort of get this illusion that you are biting into a slice of apple pie…crust and all. The apples really shine. And the cinnamon gives it that warm flavor to it, though I found it a bit overpowering at times. As for the nuts and the raisins and dates…it just lends to that illusion of crust and filling. The texture was soft and yes…this one was delicious, despite not being one of my favorites.

The mini bar offers you 90 calories and 5 grams of fat. It only has 2 grams of protein to it. Not much on that protein, now that I look at it. The full-size bar, however is a bit more. It would set you back 190 calories and 10 grams of fat. With it, you would get 4 grams of protein. But…it is definitely filling and the fiber count (3 grams in the mini; 5 grams in the full-size) is the reason for that.

Again, this was a really good bar, it just wasn’t as amazing as some of the other ones I have eaten. That being said, if you love apple pie…then you will truly love taking a bite into this bar.

December 8, 2012

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

It’s winter time…and you know what that means? It means my CSA bin is throwing Brussels sprouts at me again. As you will recall, the first time Brussels sprouts turned up in my bin…I was at a loss. Not only had I never eaten them…but I had no idea how to cook them. I finally cooked them up in a Creamy Brussels Sprouts Bake which my roommate and I did enjoy.

But we weren’t blown away by it.

This time, when I pulled out the Brussels sprouts, I was determined to find a different way to cook them. So, in the end I went with the most basic, rustic, perfect way…simply roasting them in the oven. And it only takes 4 ingredients to make this happen.

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves.

Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper.

Pour them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Serve immediately.

~*~*~

It doesn’t get much easier than that. Honestly. And they smelled so good while they were cooking. When I dished them up to eat with dinner, my roommate took the first bite and said that they reminded her of when I made kale chips.

NICE!

You know what? She was right. This is definitely my favorite way to eat Brussels sprouts. Nothing fancy. Just letting the vegetable shine. Who would have thought something this basic, this simplistic could win my taste buds over.

Now I know exactly what to do next time Brussels sprouts turn up in my bin.

December 8, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan Pumpkin Mac and “Cheese”

Awhile back, I did a gluten-free version of a recipe that came from The Brokeass Gourmet that intrigued me. It was a Brown Butter Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. And it was delicious.

It is definitely the time of year for pumpkin flavored things, so when the office potluck luncheon rolled around this week, I decided I would make the Brown Butter Pumpkin Mac & Cheese. And then, after pondering for a bit, I decided to do things a little differently. For one thing, it was going to be vegan, as we do have a vegan in the office and I wanted him to be able to eat it too. Secondly…I was going to do a different recipe that put a little more emphasis on the pumpkin portion of the entree.

So, after some searching I found a recipe that originally came from The Inventive Vegetarian and modified it to fit the ingredients I have (vegan & gluten-free). The end result…was better than I dreamed.

Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan Pumpkin Mac and “Cheese”

Servings: 6-8
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 box elbow macaroni (I used BiAglut Gluten-Free Maccheroncini)
2 cups almond milk (I used unsweetened)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (I used Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour)
2 cups Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds (I prefer the Daiya wedges, so I just shredded an entire Daiya Cheddar Wedge)
1 can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon soy sauce*
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if you like heat)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat the almond milk in a small saucepan, but don’t boil it.

In a medium pot, heat the oil over medium heat and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk for about 2 minutes to create a smooth roux. The mixture should darken slightly during this time.

Still whisking, add the hot almond milk slowly and cook for a minute or two more, until the mixture has thickened. A good way to check is to dip a spoon into the mixture, then run your finger over the back of the spoon. If the mixture does not run into the streak made by your finger, it’s thick and good to go.

Add in the pumpkin puree and stir until smooth. Keep it on the heat for just a minute or two, until the puree is warmed through.

Take the almond milk mixture off the heat and stir in the vegan cheese, soy sauce, and spices. Partially cover and let the mixture sit as the cheese melts.

While waiting for the cheese to melt, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your macaroni. Cook it just shy of al dente (subtract a minute or two from the al dente cooking time on the box). Drain the noodles when they’re done.

Once the cheese has fully melted (it will take a little longer with this stuff than with real cheese), taste and adjust any of the spices, as well as salt and pepper, to your liking. The whole mixture should now have a nice, velvety texture to it. Add the cooked macaroni (and the onions if you’re adding them) and stir well. Pour the whole mixture into a 9×13 baking dish, or a deeper casserole dish.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

The difference between this pumpkin mac and cheese and the previous one is the pumpkin flavor is definitely more pronounced in this one. I think that has to do with the seasonings used more than anything. It was creamy and delicious and those who ventured to try it at the office luncheon all said it was really good.

*Now, I do want to note that if you are using real cheese and not making this a vegan recipe…do not add the soy sauce. The soy sauce is basically used as a seasoning for the extra umami that soy cheese needs. Real cheese…you’re good to go without it.

Very impressed with this recipe. If you love pumpkin and mac & cheese…give this one a try.

December 8, 2012

BiAglut Maccheroncini best packaged gluten-free pasta around

BiAglut Maccheroncini (Gluten-Free Elbow Pasta)

Product: BiAglut Maccheroncini (Elbows) – $5.45+

I’m declaring it now. Right there in my subject line for this post. After all years of searching for the best pre-packaged gluten-free pasta, I think I may have finally found the crème de la crème. I didn’t think many things can live up to the standard that RP’s fresh gluten-free pasta set…and then I find it…just waiting to be discovered in my pantry.

Fresh pasta is always best, but it’s not always the most practical.

When it isn’t practical, BiAglut should be. Trust me, I have tried mostly every gluten-free pasta out there. Rice noodles, corn noodles, tofu noodles, quinoa noodles…I’ve had them all. Some do better than others. Some brands I prefer over others. Some are just easier and more cost efficient in the end. That being said, I think I would pay a pretty penny to have more noodles from BiAglut.

BiAglut is an Italian brand of gluten-free products that have been produced in Italy for more than 45 years by the Italian affiliate of H. J. Heinz Company. The company’s main focus is on individuals with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those who follow a gluten-free diet. By keeping to this focus group, the brand offers a variety of gluten-free products to the market, including pasta, breads, bread substitutes, flours, cookies, crackers, snacks, and desserts.

But the main item that BiAglut is known for is…their pasta.

I was at a gluten-free expo awhile back and BiAglut was one of the companies there. It was a very small expo with very few vendors. But the people who were at the BiAglut table had me try some of their pasta and I loved it. Great texture. Great flavor. It was cold…but…well…you can’t have everything. After a little discussion, my roommate and I decided to go ahead and buy a bag of their noodles. They had very few options left (yes…it was going fast), so I snagged the very last bag of BiAglut Maccheroncini (elbows).

And then…it joined the plethora of other noodles in my pantry. And it sat…as I worked my way through the rest of them.

But, then we had another dreaded office potluck. I say that because, with the exception of one or two other people in the office, nothing brought in is something I can eat. Granted, being a gluten-free vegetarian does limit my diet, but it is nice when someone puts for the effort to make something that I can also eat so I’m not stuck with just two things on my plate (the two items I bring, mind you).

With that in mind, I signed up to bring two dishes…some crock pot caramelized apples and a vegan pumpkin macaroni and cheese.

I checked my pantry list and the next pasta noodle to have it’s day in the spotlight was the BiAglut Maccheroncini. I was kind of sad to be using this pasta on my office because I knew full well that since I was the person bringing it in…hardly anyone would touch it. It’s…weird. It’s…*GASP*…GLUTEN-FREE! I swear to God, no one in that office quite understands what that means and just won’t even try the food I bring in…which is why I hate to bring things in. I can cook for myself at home and it will save me money, time, and food that won’t go to waste because only 2-5 people are eating it.

BiAglut Maccheroncini (cooked and drained)

That being said, I sucked it up and went ahead and made the items I signed up for. Early that morning, I stood in the kitchen boiling a pot of water to pour the BiAglut Maccheroncini in and allow it to cook most of the way. It only took about 6 minutes to get to where I needed them to be. I mean…it was fast. Most gluten-free pasta noodles have to be boiled for around 12-16 minutes, if not longer, to get that perfect consistency. Not these. They were done so fast I had time to spare.

After I drained the noodles, I put them back into the big pot and poured my vegan pumpkin cheese sauce over the top of it. With a spatula, I stirred it all together, delighted in the fact that the noodles were holding together. They weren’t turning to mush. They weren’t falling apart in the sauce or with the movement of the spatula. I was already impressed. Then, the mixture was poured into the baking pan and into the oven it went for about 45 minutes.

When it emerged…the noodles were still perfect. They already survived boiling and baking. I was very surprised. I’m just not used to my gluten-free pastas being so sturdy. Well, before I could serve this to myself and the brave few who just might have a little taste at the office, I had to make sure it was good. I plucked a noodle from the casserole dish and…oh yeah…it was good. The noodle was a perfect al dente. Perfect. It cooked up beautifully in the sauce and didn’t fall apart in the baking process.

The true test was going to be lunch. So, about 10 minutes before lunch was to be served, I got to the kitchen and pulled my mac and cheese out of the fridge. I brought a splash of almond milk to add to the pasta for when I reheated it, and poured it over the top. Then, into the microwave it went. As I reheated it a few minutes at a time, I would stir it around to make sure it heated evenly. And the noodles held together. They didn’t crumble as I stirred them. They didn’t shred. They held. And I was so elated.

The moment of truth came – the office luncheon began. My roommate, myself, and the office vegan I knew would be eating the macaroni and cheese. Others seemed a bit hesitant. Some took just a smidge. Most didn’t even give it another look because…I made it…therefore it’s gluten-free and must be disgusting. Ignorant fools!

As I sat down to dig in…I was hoping I’d be as impressed with the BiAglut Maccheroncini as I had been this entire time leading up to the first actual bite. One bite and it was all the confirmation I needed. Through boiling, baking, and nuking, the BiAglut Maccheroncini not only held its shape, but it still tasted great. It didn’t mush up or disintegrate under pressure. It is pure, honest, gluten-free pasta perfection.

BiAglut Maccheroncini is made from cornstarch, potato flour, lupin flour and lupin proteins. No eggs. No dairy. And what comes of this is the best packaged pasta I have had to date. Gluten-free pasta is so tricky, but BiAglut held up to everything I could put it through and still tasted great in the end. And, on a personal note, it worked very well in my vegan and gluten-free pumpkin mac and cheese. Tasted great.

Best texture. Best quality. Best all-around when it comes to dry pasta. BiAglut is amazing. Now I wish I had purchased more of their products at the time. Guess I’m going to have to get online and place an order.

If you can find BiAglut…I encourage you to try it. It is heads and tails above the competition. It’s happiness in pasta form.

Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Mac & Cheese made with BiAglut Maccheroncini