Vegetables – Page 12 – The Celiathlete

August 26, 2014

Restaurant Review: Papa Roux, Indianapolis, Indiana

Restaurant: Papa Roux, Indianapolis, Indiana

When it comes to food, there are certain cuisines that I absolutely love. Seriously. From Italian to Indian to Greek and more…there is something about the various tastes, seasonings, and textures of each different type of food that just awakens my palate every time.

One such cuisine that I love to eat, but haven’t had much of it in the past…oh…8 years…is Cajun!

YUM!

I love Cajun food, and not just because it famously is known to be spicy. I mean, we all know that I like it hot and spicy…but there is something so comforting and simplistic, even when the dish is anything but easy. As a vegetarian, a lot of Cajun food doesn’t fall into my diet. As a Celiac…it makes it even harder. We have a couple of small chain Cajun places around here, but they aren’t making the real deal. I forgot just what I was missing up until Saturday afternoon, when Cathy and I followed up our Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest with a lunch date with our good friend, Greg.

As you guys know, Greg can be quite particular about the places and foods that he eats. Well, for years now he has been raving about the food at a local Cajun place called Papa Roux. And he always pointed out that this particular place had plenty of vegetarian options…as well as gluten-free. While we are in Indianapolis quite often, we never seem to be there at a decent time to actually go to Papa Roux. So, we default to a personal favorite – Cheeseburger in Paradise.

But…NOT. THIS. TIME.

I was excited to try out Papa Roux. With all that Greg had talked it up to be, I was happy that he decided that would be our place to meet and eat that day. Cathy and I arrived just as Greg had pulled in. So we had good timing. Papa Roux may not look like much from the outside, but don’t let the dive atmosphere turn you off or away. Go inside. And you’re in for a treat.

Upon entering, you are greeted at the counter where you place your order. I had to look at the options for me, and finally decided that I was going to get the Spicy Tomato Creole ($8.00). I ordered an unsweetened iced tea with that (that’s free, by the way!) and then let Cathy get her order in. Cathy opted for the Chicken Po-Boy ($9.00) with a handcrafted lemonade to drink ($2.00). And Greg went for the Spicy Bean Chili ($8.00) with an unsweetened iced tea as well. You pay there, put a name on the order, and go find a table.

At the table, you get to choose your sides. This was exciting. You can choose as many as you want and as often as you want. When you dine-in at Papa Roux…the unlimited sides are free and unlimited. Honestly. I knew my creole was going to be spicy, so I went with something soothing and refreshing. Applesauce. Greg got the Coleslaw and something else, which I don’t recall. And Cathy opted for the Red Beans and Rice.

Our drinks arrived and we were invited to sign the autograph wall. Yes…the walls inside Papa Roux are covered in signatures. It’s a really cool, very nice touch. So, both Cathy and I added our signatures to the graffiti. And, after a little bit of a wait (they cook to order!), our food was soon arriving.

The first thing I noticed…Cathy’s Chicken Po-Boy was bigger than her head. She said she’d be lucky to make a dent in it. But after she pulled it apart, ate the chicken with the spicy mustard and coleslaw mixed in and not much of the bread, she managed a bit more than expected. The star was the stuff inside, not the giant, thick bread, for sure! Greg let me try the chili that he ordered, as he had raved about it for as long as he’s raved about the restaurant itself. He said it wasn’t as spicy as usual, and I had to agree…because my Spicy Tomato Creole was spicier than his chili.

So…how was the Spicy Tomato Creole? Spicy!! And that’s a good thing. It had this nice, rich flavor…like an amazing marinara, with a kick. The heat was perfect…for me. Some might have said it was too much, but I didn’t find it to overwhelm or completely kill my palate. Nope. This was amazing. Before I was a vegetarian, my mom would make a fantastic shrimp creole for Thanksgiving each year…so the creole definitely caught my attention. I loved the chunks of tomato and onion that were throughout, lending a bit of texture. And the spice definitely didn’t overwhelm but I wasn’t underwhelmed either. It said “spicy” in the title, so I wanted spicy. And it delivered, for sure. I was impressed. The stew, itself, came with small servings of rice that were dished on the side…just the right amount. The applesauce was delicious too…not sure if they make it, but the cool, soothing nature of it was a nice compliment to the spicy creole stew I was devouring.

We were all quite happy with the food, the prices, and the experience overall. I can see why Greg raves about Papa Roux all the time. I already want to go back and try more of their gluten-free and vegetarian stews. Really fell in love with the place. The atmosphere is great. The service is good. And the food…beyond fantastic. And any reservations I might have had about just how gluten-free the food was going to be was put to rest when the person who took our order at the counter asked if it was a dietary preference or an allergy. YES! A place that truly gets it.

Thank you, Greg…for finally getting us to Papa Roux to try the amazing food and take in the place in person…instead of through your mouthwatering stories of what you’ve had there. Thank you, Papa Roux, for giving me a safe, delicious, and spicy meal that day. It was just what I needed.

And soon…I’ll be back for more. I can’t wait.

Papa Roux's Spicy Tomato Creole — Papa Roux’s Spicy Tomato Creole

August 26, 2014

Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest – Indianapolis, Indiana – August 23, 2014

GF Jules and me at the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This past Saturday, I had the honor of being able to attend the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest up in Indianapolis, Indiana. I love going to gluten-free expos and events and Indianapolis seems to always have one at some point during any calendar year. This year was no exception, and I was thrilled to read about the new location for this year’s event – the Indian State Fairgrounds. With all the vendors and exhibitors I saw listed, I knew this year’s event was going to be HUGE! I was not let down at all.One of the magazines I currently subscribe to, Gluten Free & More (formerly Living Without), was putting on the Living Without Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest in various cities this year as a way to show those with food allergies and/or sensitivities that we can live life without deprivation and missing out on delicious food. It was a coming together of the magazine, as well as over a hundred of their favorite exhibitors to celebrate living well. And it was open to anyone who wanted to stop in.

Tickets went on sale and, as a subscriber, I received a free entry, and then received a discount code for another ticket…so I had Cathy taken care of as well. So, on Saturday morning, we ate a light breakfast before climbing into the car and hauling up to Indianapolis. We timed it perfectly because we burned through our breakfast just as we got up there, about 30 minutes after it officially opened.

And…there was already a line waiting to get in.

Oh…that made me happy, indeed.

It was a hot summer day already and standing outside in the blazing sun didn’t sound like too much fun…but it wasn’t going to be a long wait. Just about 5 minutes, at the most. And while standing in line, I got to listen to people who have done expos like this before (like me) describe the events and how things work to the first timers. I even got to geek out over favorite products and the like for a few moments. I love making gluten-free friends!

Before we knew it, we were inside the doors, in the air conditioning, and getting the tickets scanned. We were given blue wristbands to wear (for re-entry purposes and to show we paid!). Cathy and I put them on and headed into the expo proper. We were greeted at the door by people passing out reusable shopping bags from Glutino (a personal favorite!). Perfect for all the samples and products you are bound to pick up and buy.

Trust me, you don’t walk out of these events empty-handed.

Cathy and I decided that we were going to be systematic about our approach to each table/vendor/aisle. We’d start on one side and then work our way up, then come back down the other side. This was a good plan in theory, and we decided to start in the middle aisle to avoid the congestion of the end aisles. We soon found out…no matter what…it was just hopping and congested. People were surrounding tables, getting free samples, trying products, trying local baked goods, and the like. So, we ditched our original systematic plan for the…let’s just see what there is and wriggle into open areas when we can.

We’re pros. HA!

That being said, we began our Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest at the Glutino/Udi’s/Earth Balance booth, which was giving out samples of Udi’s Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Cashew Cookies as well as Glutino’s Gluten-Free Multigrain English Muffins, schmeared with Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread. It was all crazy, crazy delicious. I actually have the Glutino English Muffins in my freezer, I just haven’t tried them yet. Now…I know buying them wasn’t a mistake at all. They were delicious. And that Earth Balance Creamy Coconut and Peanut Spread…out-of-this-world good!

And from there…it only got better. We made a point to stop by each vendor’s table and talk to them about their products, if we had tried them. If we hadn’t…we would ask all about them. I made a point of raving to the Pamela’s Product people about the Figgies & Jammies. Because they are awesome and worthy of praise. I talked to the Hodgson Mills representative and when I mentioned being a food blogger he said to reach out to the Hodgson Mills team anytime. I was told the same thing by various other vendors as well. And one local vendor who was selling the most amazing bar-b-que sauce and seasoning (which we purchased) said to tag her on Facebook when I use their products so they can read my blog. I was having a great time.

I think, though, the best moment had to come at the Freedom Foods table. Because, as many of you are aware, Freedom Foods only makes my favorite gluten-free cereal, Tropic-O’s. NOM NOM! I can’t find this cereal here anymore, since my Whole Foods stopped carrying it, so my parents ship it to me from Birmingham, Alabama. We have a system down. But, recently, they put out a gluten-free, dairy-free, and not-free version of Nutella…which I fell in love with. My local Kroger is the only place that had it…and I bought the last jar of it a few weeks ago. It has never been restocked. So…I stocked up on some Quinoa Pancake Mix, lots of “Smudge” (that’s the Nutella stuff!), and a few other products to try, all the time raving about how much I love their products and how they honestly care about what ingredients go into all of their stuff. It didn’t hurt that the guy at the table had a New Zealand/Australian accent. HELLO! I actually ended up going back to the table before leaving that day and buying 4 more jars of Smudge. I hadn’t opened the one I had at home for fear I would never find it again. Now…it’s on!

I was able to sample some of the best gluten-free Snickerdoodles I have ever eaten. And this pasta that was made from lentils that tasted exactly like regular pasta…but I couldn’t afford the hefty price tag on it. Unfortunately. It was nice to sample it, however. At the very back of the building, for those over 21, was the gluten-free cider/beer tasting area. There was so much food and samples…so I was glad we ate light. And Cathy and I have a system down…where we split a sample so we aren’t filling up on our own. It always works at these events.

However, I have to say the greatest moment ever was when I finally got to meet GF Jules in person. GF Jules (formerly Jules Gluten Free) was one of the first Celiac/Gluten-Free bloggers/recipe makers/amazing people I started to follow on social media after my diagnosis. While I have been to events where she has been present, I have never been able to actually meet her. That changed. We discovered that we were food allergy soul sisters, both of us being vegetarian Celiacs who also can’t handle dairy. Go figure. She was so nice and just so easy to talk with. I picked up one of her cookbooks, which she signed, and she was kind enough to take a picture with me. I might have geeked out a little bit. Or a lot. You know how it goes…

And soon, after a couple hours of tasting, testing, buying, talking, and exploring, our time at the expo drew to a close. We were going to meet our friend, Greg, for lunch that day, so we bid adieu to the fantastic event and made our way out to the car.

This event was probably the best one I have attended so far. Great people, great vendors, great information all around. And I came home with samples and products to try in the very near future. Can’t argue with that, right? Right!

I hope they return next year. I’m already making plans to attend. If one of these events happens near you…I definitely encourage you to go!

August 18, 2014

Product Review: Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce

Product: Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce – $9.95

When your Cuisine Cube delivers a box that is 1/2 meat-friendly…you get a little creative. Honestly. I was willing to part with the Field Trip Cracked Pepper Turkey Jerky, as there was no way I could possibly eat that being a vegetarian. But the other two items…the sauce and seasoning meant for burgers…those I could use. I just had to get a little creative in my kitchen.

And I do love it when a cooking gauntlet is thrown down. And this box did just that. For months now, I had a recipe idea just percolating, and the inclusion of the previously blogged on Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning Mix and the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce meant that I was being issued a veggie burger challenge, whether Cuisine Cube knew it or not. And I guarantee you…they didn’t know it. Ultimately though…the challenge was accepted. Using items in my pantry (lentils) and from my CSA bin (VEGGIES!), I set out to make a specific veggie burger that I had been talking about creating for awhile, just never really had a reason to actually do it. I admit, it was a whole lot of fun getting into that kitchen and getting my creative chef’s hat on.

And that’s how it worked out in the end. I made this amazing burger with lentils and farm-fresh ingredients, topping it off with some Russian red kale and a green tomato. But this burger needed that condiment to tie it all together. And that’s where the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce came in. While the label itself touts this sauce as being perfect to use with any meat (from poultry to beef to elk to pork and so on)…I was really going to put it to the test by pairing it with…a veggie burger of my own making. I hope the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. doesn’t hold it against me for not using meat. But this vegetarian was still willing to give their product a vessel…albeit made from lentils and veggies. Would it matter?

Let me tell you, this sauce is awesome. This is literally AWESOMESAUCE! HA! The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce was a great flavor elevator. It brought this nice tangy flavor to the burger. The sauce brought together both sweet and savory, enhancing each bite. The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce honestly lifted every bit of my veggie burger and just added a nice sweet and tangy touch. While it is advertised as being rich and thick, I found it to be slightly runny, and I promise, I did shake it up. That being said, it went way beyond delicious. Now I’m trying to figure out how to get more without the $10 price tag. Because I’m hooked.

The Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce is made from what the company describes as a secret blend of Lowcountry herbs and spices that help bring flavor to any meat (or in my case…veggies and lentils). It is made from water, distilled water, vinegar, molasses, sugar, onions, salt, garlic salt, cloves, tammarind extract, chili pepper extract, tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder and gluten free xanthan gum.

A serving of the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce is 1 tablespoon. This serving provides you with 15 calories. It is fat free, cholesterol free, and contains no fiber or protein. The sauce, however, does provide 200 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar.

Yet again, Cuisine Cube brings a product I never, ever would have heard about or tried without it surprising me with its inclusion in the box. Very happy with this month’s offerings for sure. And my roommate is already pondering other ways to use this sauce in the future. Delicious!

Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce on my Homemade Gluten-Free Veggie Burger

August 18, 2014

Product Review: Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning

Product: Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning – $3.95+

Maybe it’s the “end of summer” last call in this month’s Cuisine Cube, but I was hit up with a product I couldn’t eat (Field Trip Cracked Pepper Turkey Jerky) as a vegetarian, and then, as I was eagerly pulling products out of the box…noted the burger sauce and the burger seasoning.

You’d think I would do as I did with the turkey jerky and put it in the break room as fair game for any hungry or burger-loving co-workers. But not me. You see, one thing I love doing is creating products in my kitchen. And never have burgers been completely limited to meat. Especially where I am concerned. What I did was started to ponder what a vegetarian could create using these products meant for burgers and lo and behold…it came to me.

I decided I would create a veggie burger (using green lentils for the main source of protein) and figured I could use the Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning Mix as I would if I had been cooking with meat. It was brilliant. It was…a good reason to dig out those lentils.

Last night, I donned my skull and crossbones apron and set myself to work, creating my veggie burger. Lentils, mushrooms, and more all got cooked up, and after giving it a little mash, in went the seasoning. I immediately loved how light and citrus-y it smelled. It had this very bright aroma to it and I knew it was really going to elevate my veggie burger. Happiness. I chilled the base and after about 30 minutes, pounded out about 10 actual patties, freezing 8 of them and using two for dinner (one for me and one for the roomie!). Some olive oil on my skillet and down went the patties. No cheese necessary…I was topping these with Russian red kale and green tomato.

Within a couple of minutes, the burgers had a beautiful sear on them and I lifted them off the skillet and put them in the gluten-free buns (which I purchased from my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café). Dinner was served (with a side of smashed purple potatoes!). I topped these off with the Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Burger Sauce (see next review!) and then…settled in to see how my own play on a veggie burger came out.

I can honestly say, thanks to the Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning, I didn’t need to add anything more to these burgers as I formed the base. No extra salt. No other spices or herbs. This was just what these lentils, mushrooms, and other veggies needed. The seasoning itself wasn’t too strong, but you could definitely taste the variety of flavors that made up this mix. The veggie burgers that I made with the Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning were pure perfection…especially when it came to balancing flavors. Brilliant.

The Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning Mix is made from garlic, thyme, black pepper, salt, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, onion, parsley, natural lemon juice powder, sugar, and citric acid. This mix is all natural, cholesterol free, and gluten-free. And…it’s perfect for carnivores and herbivores alike. Trust me.

A serving of the Dinner Tonight Burger Seasoning Mix is 1 teaspoon. This one serving will provide you with 5 calories and less than 1 gram of fat. You will be taking in 135 mg sodium. Finally, this serving gives you 0 grams of protein and fiber.

Once again, Cuisine Cube provided me with a product I never would have known about or tried…but thanks to it being in my cube, I found a purpose for it. I’m not going to let a vegetarian keep me from trying whatever I can in these boxes of happiness each month. The jerky was one thing…but burger seasoning…hell, I can figure out a use for that! One delicious veggie burger later, not using it with a meat base made no difference, this seasoning mix should be raved about. Absolutely loved it. And now, I have my first official recipe for my own cookbook.

Thank you Dinner Tonight and Cuisine Cube!

August 17, 2014

Restaurant Review: Blaze Pizza, Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: Blaze Pizza, Louisville, Kentucky

What’s the deal with restaurants and that tasteless, pre-made, pre-packaged gluten-free pizza crust? It’s so rare to actually receive a freshly made pizza crust…unless you happen to have a specialty bakery in your area…like I do. But, not everyone is that lucky, and those who aren’t are usually left to those cracker crust gluten-free pizza shells that it seems every place serving a gluten-free pizza uses.

That was what I was prepared for when my roommate and I decided to try out the newest (small) franchised chain and place to offer a gluten-free pizza option in Louisville.

Blaze Pizza.

I had heard things about Blaze Pizza. Good things. My good friend, Harry, raved about the place, telling me all about how it’s like a Subway or Qdoba for pizza. And that they offered a gluten-free crust. I had heard that they offered a gluten-free option and had definite interest in checking it out. Instead of my normal Saturday breakfast, my roomie and I skipped the gluten-free bakery and made plans to meet Harry for lunch at Blaze Pizza.

Unfortunately, Harry’s appointment he had prior to the lunch meeting was running over and he had to cancel. So, it was just Cathy and I on Saturday. And our first experience with Blaze Pizza.

Blaze Pizza prides itself on exceptional quality pizzas that are fast-fired (3 minutes!) and cooked to perfection. It starts with made-from-scratch dough and then topped with either some of their classic toppings…or you can build your own. Whatever you like from there healthful, artisinal ingredients. It’s up to you. And then, they are placed in a hot oven…3 minutes later, you receive your pizza, crust thin and perfectly crisped…and you’re ready to dig in. That’s Blaze Pizza.

So, when Cathy and I stepped inside, I was expecting the usual song and dance. Order a gluten-free pizza and watch that pre-made crust get unwrapped and settled onto a tray to help keep cross-contamination to a minimum. But…that’s not what happened. We ordered the gluten-free pizza (extra $2.00 for gluten-free crust) and immediately the cashier asked if it was a preference or an allergy. I told them it was an allergy, that I was a Celiac, and even though I was about to ask for a glove change, he instantly said, “Would you like us to do a glove change?” I blinked. I might have stared surprised for a long second. “Um…yes, please. I was just about to ask!”

So, as he called back to the girl for the gluten-free crust he said…”GLOVE CHANGE!” The person who was working these amazing pizza crust presses (I so want one…it takes a heap of dough and presses it into a perfect 11 inch thin crust) changed her gloves and reached for the gluten-free dough. YES…DOUGH! It went onto a special tray and then into the other (and I’m assuming dedicated) pizza press. In a quick second, fresh pizza crust was settled onto a wooden plank in a special tray and set for saucing. The cashier reminded the people on the line (who were busy with a large party ahead of us) that they needed a glove change. But, instead, to make sure it happened, the girl running the pizza press, who had just changed her gloves, went ahead and asked me what sauce I wanted.

Here was where I thought I was going to have a problem. I was watching as the saucing station would ladle one of their six sauce options onto the dough and then use the ladle to move the sauce around the dough. As a Celiac, I was beyond curious as to how this was going to work and was going to ask the sauce people as my tray moved. But instead, my pizza went to the end of the line with a separate sauce station. I wanted the red sauce. So, the untouched sauce went onto my gluten-free crust. I was asked what cheese, and I ordered the vegan cheese (extra $1.00 charge) and the pizza press girl with the clean gloves loaded up the pizza with the vegan cheese. Then I added the toppings i wanted…which were red onions, roasted red peppers and mushrooms. We got a sprinkle of dried oregano over the top and it was set to go into the oven.

All together, the build-your-own pizza was $7.00 even for unlimited toppings. With the added cost of getting the gluten-free crust and the vegan cheese, the pizza ended up running $10.00. Cathy got a fountain drink and I got a bottle of water and we went to take our seat. Cathy had me save a table while she went to watch the pizza get fired.

The glove change was written on the paper that the pizza dough is placed on. Cathy watched as they paced the pizza into the oven on one side of the oven away from the other pizzas. They were constantly moving the pizzas around, but they kept mine segregated from the rest. As the pizza was about to come out, the oven person noted the glove change on my paper, so before he touched the paper or anything else, he took off his gloves, washed his hands, and put on fresh gloves. Then he moved the pizza off the silicone tray onto the paper and reached over to the far end of his station to grab a fresh set of tools (cutter, tongs) all with bright red handles, which I am assuming was for gluten-free orders because they were on the opposite end of his station. He sliced up the pizza to order, not touching any other order, pizza, or tools until he was done with my order.

I was impressed.

So…now came the moment of truth. How would this pizza (of my own creation) taste? For the record, Cathy and I decided to call our pizza creation the “Comrade Pizza” because (with the exception of the mushrooms) every ingredient was red. HA! Get it?

I wanted to dig right in, so I took a hot slice of pizza, immediately noting the beautiful, crisp, and charred crust. My mouth was watering. And with one bite…I knew…I was now in love. My God…what a difference a crust made from fresh dough makes. This was phenomenal. I loved hearing that crisp crust crunch with each bite, without it tasting manufactured. Those cracker crusts often just taste…bland. This had flavor. This was crusted to perfection. This was…pizza magic. Seriously good pizza. This was also the best I had ever seen the Daiya vegan cheese melt into an ooey-gooey mass of cheese goodness on a pizza. Seriously. It looked like real cheese.

Not only was I impressed with the pizza at Blaze Pizza, I was more than impressed with the care that the employees and the owners put into keeping those who have a gluten allergy as safe as they can. Honestly, I went in there a bit nervous about my meal…but my fears were immediately put to rest. I would, with confidence, return to Blaze Pizza again and enjoy another fantastic pizza. And I intend to do that. Because I still have to get some pizza with my friend Harry.

Maybe this week. I might be craving…already.

Thank you, Blaze Pizza…for the fantastic experience. I swear…I will be back!

The “Comrade Pizza” from Blaze Pizza in Louisville (gluten-free crust, red sauce, vegan cheese, roasted red peppers, red onions, mushrooms)

July 21, 2014

Product Review: Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Dumplings

Product: Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Dumplings – $5.99+

There are quite a few things I really miss in my life at times. Like…makes me sad and really wanting to cry kind of miss. Maybe not the way I miss my family (and I really miss my family)…but people and food have relationships too. And one of my favorite cuisines growing up was none other than Chinese food or Asian-style cuisine.

It was tradition in my family to visit my great grandmother in Winona, Minnesota, every year that we went to visit both sets of grandparents. And one thing that I always looked forward to when visiting my great grandma was…Chinese food. She always ordered in the most amazing Chinese food in town. It was always egg rolls and chow mein and rice and there was more of it than the group of us could eat…but we always gave it our best shot. It was tradition. It was one of the many highlights I experienced growing up and something I came to look forward to every time we headed over to great grandma’s house.

I haven’t had true Chinese food since I went gluten-free…three years ago. The sauces…the way things are cooked…it’s risky. And it’s a risk I no longer am willing to take. It’s sad, because Asian food is one of my favorite types of cuisine. Sure, there are places like P.F. Chang’s that offers a gluten-free menu…but the vegetarian choices are very limited…and that’s not true Chinese.

Then…along came a little miracle in my Whole Foods (and other natural food stores) freezer section. A company, known as Feel Good Foods, introduced the first (and I believe the only) gluten-free Asian dumplings and egg rolls to the market. The hardest part was choosing if I wanted egg rolls or dumplings. It was a tough decision, but I finally chose the dumplings. One of the interesting things about this company is that it was created by husband and wife duo, Chef Tryg and Vanessa Phillips. They created Feel Good Foods gluten-free frozen foods after they opened a gluten-free restaurant and were told that they needed to put their food out on the market. Their foods are non-GMO, all-natural and completely gluten-free. You see…Vanessa is a Celiac…so they take food allergies really seriously.

Cathy had some leftover rice from our treat on Friday at the local Indian restaurant. So, after work and a trip to the gym, I wanted something that was easy to prepare and wouldn’t require me to read off a recipe or attempt something new. With the rice in the fridge, I figured I could steam up some of the last of the jasmine rice in my pantry for myself and then pull the Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Dumplings out of the freezer to prepare while my rice was cooking on the stove.

These are super easy to prepare. In a non-stick pan, add a cup of water and 1 tablespoon of oil. Bring it to a boil and add the dumplings to the pan, flat side down. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-high, leaving the dumplings in the pan until the water completely evaporates. It takes around 10-11 minutes. They are fine to eat on their own, but I served mine with rice. These even come with a fantastic dipping sauce, which I ended up just pouring over the top so that the rice could absorb it too.

I settled in for dinner and dug into my little bowl of Asian gluten-free food. I wasn’t sure what to expect…but I was very happy with what I started to eat. The dumplings were soft and tender, with a nice crust on the flat side that was on the pan. The rest of it was that doughy stickiness you associate with potstickers. Amazing. The stuffing inside the wrapper was flavorful and very much like a delicious egg roll. So it was like a dumpling with an egg roll flavor. Happy girl right here. And the dipping sauce helped add a bit of seasoning and flavor to the entire dish. I am already wanting to restock my freezer with more of these. And the egg rolls for that matter. Delicious!

The Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Dumplings are a simple blend of ingredients. The wrapper is made from water, sweet rice flour, rice flour, potato starch, canola oil, salt, xanthan gum, and corn starch. The filling is a combination of cabbage, yellow onion, bean vermicelli, carrots, green onion, corn starch, sesame oil, and less than 2% of evaporated cany syrup, ginger, salt, black pepper, yeast extract, and shiitake mushrooms. The dipping sauce is made from water, organic tamari soy sauce, sugar, ginger juice, garlic juice, and natural flavors of garlic and black pepper. These dumplings are gluten-free and cholesterol free.

Real and recognizable ingredients. LOVE it.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving size of the Feel Good Foods Vegetable Dumplings is 4 dumplings. There are two servings per box. One serving provides you with 290 calories and 9 grams of fat. They contain 430 mg sodium and 3 grams of sugar. These contain 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. The sauce packet contains 45 calories, is completely fat free, has 10 grams of sugar, and 2 gram of protein. Not bad for a frozen package of gluten-free foods.

If I could hug both Chef Tryg and Vanessa, I totally would. Because of them, I am once again able to revisit one of my favorite cuisines…Asian. And I can’t wait to try the Vegetable Egg Rolls and replenish my freezer with the Vegetable Dumplings. These are one of my favorite frozen dishes I have had to date. It might be the nostalgia, but I definitely think it has more to do with the product itself. Taste, texture, flavor and just all around goodness.

It doesn’t get much better than this!

Chinese food is BACK in my life!

Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Dumplings and Dipping Sauce

July 21, 2014

Recipe: Broccoli Masala

Ever since I started going to my favorite (and Louisville’s most popular) Indian restaurant, one of the best dishes I have ever eaten has been their Broccoli Masala. No joke. It is amazing. It has so much depth of flavor. I always get mine done up spicy…because I love some heat with my food.

I’ve done a baked version of a Broccoli Masala before and even blogged on it…but I wanted to see if I could find a better recipe to use. And, lo and behold, I found one that would incorporate items that I already had in my apartment. I had broccoli from my last CSA bin, before having to take a couple weeks off as I was out of town. I had onion. I had cherry tomatoes. And so…this recipe from Spicy Treats just seemed ideal. I made up my mind to make it…so after I got home from work, I got busy chopping up veggies and seaming some rice on the stove top.

The rest…was just a matter of cooking. It was so easy and Cathy even preferred it to the baked one I made previously. It’s still not Shalimar’s (that would be my favorite Indian restaurant)…but it is, so far, the next best thing!

Recipe: Broccoli Masala

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium sized crown of broccoli, chopped into small florets
1 big onion, sliced
1 tomato, chopped (I just sliced grape tomatoes in half)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon curry powder
salt to taste
cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
2-3 teaspoons coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds

Directions:

Wash Broccoli crown, drain and chop into small florets. Chop the onion , tomato, and crush the garlic and keep ready.

Heat oil in a pan.

Add fennel seeds and when they splutter, add garlic and saute it.

Add onions and saute for 1-2 minutes or until it turn light golden brown.

Add tomato and saute until soft and mushy.

Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, cumin powder, and curry powder. Stir fry well.

Add broccoli florets. Season with enough salt and then add a dash of water. Stir fry for a minute.

Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the florets turn soft and tender. Do not over cook. The broccoli should retain that bright green color.

If you are using it, add the cilantro and stir fry for a moment.

Serve over steamed jasmine rice.

~*~*~

My roomate really dove into this dish, loving the further depth of flavor that the addition of the tomatoes and the onions made. In addition, the coconut oil made the perfect oil in which to cook the vegetables. They cooked up to perfection, and I hit the seasoning just right for my roommate (she is not one who likes spicy foods…I do). So, that was a win. If you prefer a spicier meal, add more chili powder. This delicious and nutritious meal is a great and fun way to enjoy Indian food in the comfort of your home. Simple to make…and delicious too.

And now I’m craving…

July 21, 2014

Recipe: Gluten-Free Charred Corn Tacos (with Homemade Taco Seasoning)

So…I was back from some time away and without my CSA bin for yet another week. I still had a couple of produce items from the week prior in my fridge. Nothing that would have gone bad while I was out of town for the weekend…but…you know…just some things I hadn’t gotten to just yet. One of these items were 2 ears of corn. I had previously grilled up the other 2 ears of corn that were in the bin…and I really, really wanted to try something different this time around.

So, I went on a little bit of a hunt…and somehow discovered the amazing recipe for Charred Corn Tacos (as well as homemade (so it can be gluten-free) taco seasoning) from Joy the Baker. I was elated. Because I love tacos and because it was definitely a different and unique way to consume said corn…and do something different with your average tacos. The best part? This recipe was super easy and I just needed to swing by the grocery store for a couple of items that I didn’t have due to not getting my produce bin.

If you love tacos…I highly recommend these. If you are a carnivore…I swear, you won’t even miss the meat!

Recipe: Gluten-Free Charred Corn Tacos (with Homemade Taco Seasoning)

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 25 minutes; Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients for Taco Seasoning:

2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions for Taco Seasoning:

Toss together. Store in a jar. Apply liberally to most everything.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Charred Corn Tacos:

2 ears of fresh corn, kernels cut from the cob
a handful of chopped scallions
a handful of sliced cherry tomatoes
a seeded fresh Serrano pepper, chopped
a liberal amount of homemade taco seasoning
4 corn tortillas
1 ripe sliced avocado
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions for Gluten-Free Charred Corn Tacos:

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the corn and allow to char for several minutes. Stir infrequently to allow the corn to really char.

Remove from the heat and stir in scallions, cherry tomatoes, jalapeno, and taco seasoning to taste.

Warm up the tortillas.

Spoon the charred corn into the tortillas. Top with avocado.

DEVOUR!

~*~*~

My roommate declared this one of her favorite taco dishes that I have ever prepared. And, a couple years back we did what we called a “Tour de Taco” where I did different flavors and versions of tacos throughout the entire week. To hear that sort of exclamation really made my day. The char on the corn really does make all the difference, so be sure you start to get that blackened color on the kernels. These aren’t too spicy…and the seasoning is perfect. Honestly, it just brought this wash of flavor to the entire dish. Top off however you like. I added kale to mine for a bit of a leafy green. It was awesome. My roomie had me whip up some vegan Sriracha sour cream and I topped mine with hot sauce. However you like it…it’s yours for the making.

July 21, 2014

Product Review: Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burger

Product: Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burger – $5.49+

I remember, back in the days before I was diagnosed as a Celiac, I was simply a vegetarian. And as a vegetarian, I often would pick up different meat alternatives to try out for dinner. One of my favorite brands I would return to was Gardein. Gardein was a company that began with a simple dream – to use the power of vegetables to create healthy fast food. It was something the CEO and the company did very well. In fact, Gardein products are now served in various restaurants, including numerous restaurants at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

I do, however, remember and even recall someone asking…and did so myself…after I had to go gluten-free…for Gardein to consider making gluten-free products. The original response those three years ago was that taking the vital wheat gluten out of the products would jeopardize the integrity of said product. Therefore…no go. In fact, so many of the vegetarian/vegan meat companies took that stance. And for a long while, a vegetarian meat product didn’t cross my lips. Sure, there were a few options I tried and some that I liked. But none were like the ones I used to devour every week.

Until…

Gardein announced that it had some gluten-free products coming out to the market. And lo and behold, my newest local grocery store in the Louisville area happened to have some of these products. I have a CSA bin that gave me TONS of leafy greens this week. So, I figured it would be a good time to perhaps make up some veggie burgers. I was pretty set on one of my standards…Hillary’s Eat Well or Qrunch or something along those lines. But as I was passing by the freezer section in Lucky’s…there they were…a beacon of refrigerator light shining down upon them as if they were a gift from the gluten-free gods themselves.

Gardein’s Gluten-Free Veggie Burgers. In fact, there were a couple of different varieties to choose from: Garden Veggie Burger and a Chipotle Black Bean Burger. My roomie and I actually swear there was a gluten-free beefless burger there as well. Honestly! Not just the Beefless Ground. But I can’t find anything on that on their Web site. But…trust me…we saw it because it was in the running to come home with us.

Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burgers (cooking)

Anyway…dinner time tonight meant…veggie burger time. Gluten-free veggie burger time. So, I started up the oven to cook the remaining sweet potato fries to go with the burgers and then pulled out my skillet to get it heated up. The Gardein Garden Veggie Burgers were taken out of the freezer and I carefully (NOT!) pried them apart with a sharp knife so I could have two of the four in the package. Then, I placed a bit of coconut oil in my skillet, let it melt, then put the patties down to cook. The bag said it would take around 4 minutes on each side. This was perfect. I got my gluten-free hamburger buns (Rudi’s Gluten Free Multigrain Hamburger Rolls, in case you were wondering!) out, sliced, and put in the oven to toast. Then, I flipped the veggie burgers over to get the other side cooking as well. As things were finishing up, I sliced a tomato, rinsed some of the lettuce I had in my crisper drawer, and got out some vegan cheese to melt over the top of the patty. As the fries finished up and the buns finished toasting, I placed a cheese slice on each patty, tossed a bit of water into the skillet, and then covered it so that the steam would perfectly melt the cheese.

As that was happening, I placed some condiments on each bun, then got the lettuce placed onto the bun itself. I removed the Gardein Garden Veggie Patties from the skillet and let them sit (per instructions) for one minute. Then I placed them patty over the lettuce, topped it off with the tomato and the top of the bun and VIOLA…dinner was served…with a side of sweet potato fries!

Settling in for dinner, I was really looking forward to trying a new brand of veggie burger. Especially since it was from a brand I used to trust as a vegetarian. They definitely didn’t disappoint. Whatever integrity Gardein thought it would lose by making gluten-free products…didn’t happen. Honestly. The Gardein Garden Veggie Burger was amazing. It was perfectly crusted on the outside, but the inside was soft and bound together with real vegetables, brown rice, and oats. I loved that I could not only take a bite of the burger and have it taste like a real burger…but I also got a bit of a serving of vegetables (corn, peas, peppers). I could see the brown rice cooked throughout and giving the patty some depth of flavor and a bit of volume and density. This burger was a very good size too…no skimping by Gardein. I loved seeing that. And it had a great, almost nutty and fresh taste to it. It was love at first bite with me. And I am happily assigning this the top spot on my gluten-free veggie burger list. Yes…it really is that amazing and that good. And…it will actually fill you up!

Now that I’ve mentioned that…I might as well get down to the ingredients and nutrition, yes? Yes!

Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burgers are made from water, cooked brown rice, roasted vegetables (non-GMO corn, red and green bell peppers), carrots, onions, gluten-free rolled oats, peas, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, non-GMO soy protein concentrate, modified vegetable gum, dehydrated garlic, organic cane sugar, onion powder, sea salt, spices, yeast extract, natural flavors (contains gluten-free soy sauce), paprika, citric acid. Simple ingredients…but huge flavor. These burger patties are gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO.

Nutritionally speaking, I am so in love with these stats, you just can’t imagine. So often, the gluten-free veggie burgers are laden in calories and fat. I guess it’s just how the companies try to make up for it being (GASP!) gluten-free. But Gardein turned out one fantastic product and managed to do it and keep both calories and fat in check. A serving of the Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burgers is one burger. This serving will dish up 110 calories and 4 grams of fat. Yep…you read that right! LOVE IT! One burger will also give you 280 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. These burgers are cholesterol free. One burger patty will also give you 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein.

Did I mention how delicious these are? Delicious and nutritious! Gardein was a little gun-shy to take on gluten-free. It tookk them a couple of years, but after listening to the numerous requests by consumers, they have entered the gluten-free market. And they did so with a bang. If you are looking for an amazing gluten-free veggie burger, run to your store and find the Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burger. Trust me…it will be the best you’ve ever had.

Amazing.

Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burger (with lettuce, tomato, vegan cheese on a Rudi's Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Roll) — Gardein Gluten-Free Garden Veggie Burger (with lettuce, tomato, vegan cheese on a Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Roll)

July 20, 2014

Product Review: Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini

Product: Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini – $5.50+

That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? Wow. But…it is one that is worth attempting to say (preferably with an Italian accent). Because what we honestly and truly have here is the finest, best, and closest-you’ll-ever-get-to-the-real-thing gluten-free pasta. I raved about Biaglut a long while back…a couple years ago, when I reviewed the Biaglut Maccheroncini (Elbows). I even had another one of their pasta offerings, but didn’t blog on it. I think I was overwhelmed with blogging and thought, “gluten-free pasta is pasta…what more can I say about it?”

I’m actually really sad that my thought process went that way. And here’s why…

Biaglut honestly is the best gluten-free pasta out on the market. It’s not easy to find. But if you do find it…or if you can order it online, I honestly encourage you do to so. It is amazing. It has the texture and taste of “real” pasta. Nobody would even suspect that it was gluten-free. That goes for all three varieties that I have now tried.

This latest round of gluten-free pasta a lá Biaglut was brought to me by the amazing Cuisine Cube. My June box contained this sack of amazing pasta. And since I’ve been out of town, I haven’t gotten to play around with my bin ingredients lately. But that changed. That changed last night when I decided to do up some pasta…but in a different way. I still have a pantry of various pastas to use…but the Biaglut was right there and I really wanted to attempt this one with a “spaghetti” type noodle. And since Cuisine Cube sent me some Bucatini in my box…I was ready to rock and roll!

My recipe involved very little. A Gluten-Free and Vegan Caprese Spaghetti, as it were. So, what I did was slice up two tomatoes and lay them on a baking sheet. I covered each slice with a slice of Teese vegan mozzarella cheese. Then, I put it in the oven for about 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to get melty and good. While that was baking…I got some water into a big pot and set it on the stove to bring to a boil. Once it was there, I put 4 ounces of the Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini into the water (a serving for both my roomie and myself) and let it begin to cook. The bag said it would take around 7-8 minutes to get to that perfect al dente. I gave it a stir every now and again, but just let the boiling water work it’s magic. And, wouldn’t you know it? Seven minutes later…the Bucatini was cooked perfectly. I drained it and began to assemble my pasta…

A serving of Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini (cooked)

Bucatini…a drizzle of olive oil, topped off with the slices of tomato with the melted vegan mozzarella, a sprinkle of fresh basil, and then a drizzle of a red wine reduction. Dinner was served.

So, bucatini gets their name from the Italian word, “buco,” or “hole.” It is similar in shape to spaghetti, but the hole allows water to enter as it boils, speeding up the cooking time and also making it ideal for slurping up your favorite sauce. Naturally, then, I make a pasta dish without a sauce. HA!

Let me tell you though, Biaglut knows what it’s doing. Honestly. This pasta had a great texture and amazing flavor. It worked so well with the slices of tomato, the vegan cheese, the fresh basil, and the red wine reduction. It just…came together in perfect harmony. The pasta was actually ideal, despite there not being a true sauce on this dish. It actually made me realize how much I missed eating spaghetti. Especially one that actually felt like I was eating spaghetti and not bits of spaghetti brown rice noodles that turned to mush despite not being overcooked. It was a very nice change and made for one of my favorite meals. Sometimes getting creative in the kitchen and having it come out perfectly means…having the right base for said dish. Biaglut was just that. And I am, once again, forever going to sing high praises for this product.

Biaglut products are made from the finest gluten-free ingredients with authentic Italian recipes. This company isn’t playing around. The Biaglut team has worked for years to perfect the recipes for their gluten-free products to have them taste like, if not better than, that of the comparable gluten containing products. They believe that gluten-free products shouldn’t mean sacrificing taste and flavor.

So, while on this subject…let’s take a look at what goes into the Giaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini, shall we? The ingredients include: cornstarch, potato flour, lupin flour, lupin proteins, and mono and diglycerides (emulsifier). Very few ingredients. And all of them, when put together, create the ideal gluten-free pasta. Just take my word on this one.

As for nutrition, a serving of Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini is 2 ounces. This serving provides 190 calories and 1 gram of fat. In addition, this serving gives you 15 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. This pasta is cholesterol free. You also get 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

Biaglut, honestly, is top of the line when it comes to gluten-free pastas. If you can find these and/or order this brand, I highly encourage it. You’ll never find this pasta to turn to mush or fall apart. Biaglut’s quality is worth the price it takes to have this pasta in your pantry. You’ll never go back to other brands. I promise you that much.

Gluten-Free Caprese Spaghetti made with Biaglut Pasta Senza Glutine Bucatini