Vegetables – Page 21 – The Celiathlete

July 30, 2013

A quick Tasty Bite of Spinach Channa in one little package

Product: Tasty Bite Spinach Channa – $3.29+

Tasty Bite keeps winning me over. Honestly. If there is one thing that this company knows…it is flavor. And even more importantly…flavor profiles. Because what Tasty Bite continues to manage, time and time again, is to get the perfect blend of spices and ingredients to work together…in this little microwavable pouch. Most naysayers would say it couldn’t be done. But, as they have proven over and over again…it can.

I remember first spotting Tasty Bite products on the shelf of my local grocery store. Then…I started seeing more (and other varieties) at the other grocery stores I go to each week (which is between 4-6, honestly). When they went on sale at my grocery store, my roommate and I decided to stock up on the varieties they had…and just hope that they were good.

This was, quite honestly, the best decision we ever made.

You see…we are very busy, very active, very on-the-go people. And there are certain days of the week where cooking a full meal just doesn’t work. When we have places to go and appointments to make, there is just no way I can spend that sort of time in the kitchen. It just isn’t possible. Take Monday’s for example. Yesterday…after running in the morning…then working 8 hours…then with my group fun run that evening at 6 p.m…and travel over into Louisville being figured in, I basically had time to either cook up a Tasty Bite meal…or make a grilled cheese sandwich.

I decided to do the Indian food. Spinach Channa was the next one on the list. What is Spinach Channa?

I cooked up some jasmine rice the evening before, so you can tell which won out in the end. It’s basically chickpeas that are simmered with savory spinach, some herbs, some spices, and given a little kick with the addition of chilies. It sounded great because I absolutely love chickpeas and spinach. And…chilies in everything makes me a happy girl. Give me something with a bit of a kick and what you have is one very, very happy gluten-free vegetarian.

One thing that I love about these Tasty Bite packages is how simple they are. They are good to eat on their own, but if you want to boost the staying power, you can pair it with a protein, pour it over rice, or however else you choose to eat it. Putting it over rice is always my method. Anyway, once you decide how you are going to enjoy your Tasty Bite meal…the rest is simple. Tear a 2 inch slit into the top of the package and pop it into the microwave for 90 seconds. When done…serve however you choose. For me…I pour the now steamy warm contents over my jasmine rice and settle in to eat.

So, how exactly does the pairing of various herbs and spices with spinach and chickpeas taste? Just as amazing as it sounds. The spinach is cooked down into this green, thick, soup-like sauce. The chickpeas are scattered throughout that. And the flavors…they are to die for. Just the right amount of heat from the chilies. The rest…it just all blends together. It makes for one tasty, tasty meal. I really loved the flavors of this one. Not as much as the Vegetable Korma…but this one is good in its own right. Savory…with a small mild heat. And I mean…mild. My roommate is a spice wimp and she didn’t say anything about heat level on this one. So…it’s just enough to give it this added something. That’s all.

Now comes the science part…the ingredients and the nutritional information. Ready?

First of all, one thing that Tasty Bite does pride itself on is their ingredients. They use no preservatives and many of their options are gluten-free. Take Spinach Channa for example…since that’s what I am reviewing. The Spinach Channa is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and kosher. Everything that goes into the package is an actual food. No chemicals. No artificial additives. Just pure ingredients. The ingredient list on this one is simple and small: water, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, salt, cumin, chilies, turmeric, and spices. Recognize all of those? I sure do. And that is a comfort.

Now…for the nutritional part. One serving of Tasty Bite Spinach Channa (5 ounces…or half the pouch) will serve you up 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. For being a shelf-stable option, the 490 mg of sodium isn’t too bad. It’s on the lower end of most processed foods. And much lower than some soups out on the market. Each serving also provides a filling 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. LOVE that.

And, honestly, I loved every bite of Tasty Bite’s Spinach Channa. It was filling. It provided great energy for my evening run, with nothing that upset my stomach. Indian food before a run isn’t everyone’s choice, but with the mild flavors and pairing it with rice, it’s ideal. Honestly. Oh…let’s not forget that it tastes AMAZING. Great flavors, great food, great company. And a great variety to choose from!

But…when in doubt…go for something simple. Spinach Channa is a great place to start.

What more could you want? Except, perhaps, another Tasty Bite…

Tasty Bite Spinach Channa over jasmine rice

July 28, 2013

Glutino puts the gluten-free fun back into dipping with new Tortilla Dippers

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers – $3.99+

Glutino. Glutino. Glutino.

Here is what I love about Glutino – I have yet to try one of their products and not like it. Everything has been impressive and delicious and amazing. So close to what I used to be able to eat…it’s scary…and amazing…full of gluten-free awesomesauce all at once. They were the first to bring me gluten-free pretzels. The first to give me gluten-free toaster pastries. And now…the first to create the ultimate gluten-free tortilla chip…meant for dipping.

Remember Tostitos Scoops? You should. Because they are actually one of Frito-Lay’s gluten-free products. Yeah. Well, think Tostitos Scoops…but done in a completely gluten-free facility. That’s what you get when you purchase Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers.

Glutino’s Web site declares that these Tortilla Dippers are made for the bold, the brassy and the sassy. And that may not be far from the truth. The entire point of a dipper is to get all wild and crazy with what you choose to scoop with them. Or…the toppings you pile onto them. The entire point is that they must, I repeat…MUST…hold up to the toppings or the weight of the scoop, be it nacho cheese, salsa, guacamole, or some other amazing dip of your own creation. If they fall apart or crumble…no good!

I spotted Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers while at my natural food store on an end cap. The Glutino products were on sale…so I allowed the splurge. I knew there would be something I could make with them, regardless. And I was right. It just took me about a month to actually get around to using them. But, my roommate had her last wisdom tooth removed this past week, and after being stuck on mushy food for the entire week, yesterday she had one request…

NACHOS FOR DINNER!

So, I complied. After all, I had some Trader Joe’s queso (gluten-free) in the pantry that was begging for some action. In addition, some black beans that would add some delicious protein. Oh…and avocado. Because if there is a reason to add avocado to something I am going to. Heck, I’ll just eat the avocado. But I digress…

Since she was ready for crunchy food again, I agreed to make some nachos per her request. And I already had everything at home to make it happen. BONUS!

I pulled out the beans and got them heating on the stove. While that was happening, I went ahead and chopped up some fresh tomatoes and got the avocado sliced, pitted, and chopped. Then…the queso was warmed in the microwave. Soon…dinner would be ready. All I needed now was the chips.

So I pulled the Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers out of the pantry and doled out a serving for each of us. Then the beans were tossed on top…followed by the tomatoes, the avocado, then the queso. Dinner took almost no time at all…and was now ready to be served. I added a bit of vegan Sriracha sour cream to the top, and for me a few jalapeno peppers.

Time to dig in and see how the Tortilla Dippers handled my toppings.

The fact was, Glutino did it’s job well. Not only do these chips have an amazing texture and crunch to them, you can really taste the sweetness of the corn. It adds a beautiful balance to the dish you are using them with, honestly. I had to try a chip on its own, and I felt that they tasted even better than Tostitos Scoops. And I used to heat the hell out of those. They didn’t get mushy, nor did they crack and crumble when the toppings were piled on top. I asked Cathy what she thought and she raved about them. This is always a good thing, because she can be rather finicky at times about things that are close to a favorite product…and she really has always loved to the Tostitos Scoops.

So, let’s talk about nutrition. For a chip, these are identical in comparison with Tostitos Scoops. Honestly. A serving is 28 grams, or about 12 chips. This serving sets you back 140 calories and 7 grams of fat. Not bad for a corn chip. A serving also only dishes up 120 mg of sodium, 2 grams of fiber (one more gram than Scoops), and 1 gram of protein. Everything else is identical. This has one gram less in carbohydrates. Aside from that…nothing too different. But when I can get something that is certified gluten-free…that’s what I am going to purchase. So, Glutino…you win!

As far as ingredients go, Glutino’s Tortilla Dippers are made from ground whole white corn, vegetable oil, toasted corn germ, and salt. Four ingredients. Simply made. Simply delicious. Simply good.

Don’t take my word for it though. These are definitely a bit pricier than Tostitos, but I’d pay the extra few dollars again. Without batting an eyelash. And we all know I live on a strict budget…so that’s saying something.

Next time you’re feeling the need to make a salsa, queso, guacamole, or other dip…give Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers a try. I promise…you’ll love them!

Nachos made with Glutino's Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers — Nachos made with Glutino’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Dippers

July 28, 2013

Recipe: Vegan Taco Salad (With a Twist)

Every week, I receive this amazing little green bin on my doorstep that is stocked with fresh, organic, local vegetables. Depending on the week, I can churn through these fresh goodies quickly…or I struggle to use them up before the next week when another great bin arrives. This week, it was one of the slower-through-the-produce weeks as my roommate had her last wisdom tooth removed and was on soft food. But she humored me the other night…and let me use up quite a few of our veggies to create this amazing dish.

I spotted this recipe on Pinterest…and it seemed easy enough…and very, very delicious!! So, with my roomie’s permission and blessing, this is what I fixed for dinner. Of course, I tweaked it a little to use up some of the ingredients I had from my bin…but those will be noted in the recipe.

The recipe itself is taken from the blog Healthful Pursuit. As I said…I added my own fresh veggie twist on it to polish off some of the items from my bin.

Recipe: Vegan Taco Salad (With a Twist)

Servings: 1
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Taco seasoning:

1 tablespoon chili powder
Homemade Taco Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Taco “meat”:

1/2 white onion, sliced
3 tablespoons water
1 cup cooked chickpeas
1 teaspoon taco seasoning

Guacamole:

1/2 avocado flesh, mashed
1 tablespoon finely diced white onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
Juice from 1/2 lime
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Cilantro-Lime Dressing:

1 bunch cilantro leaves, rinsed well
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
2-3 tablespoons honey, to your taste
salt and pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients:

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce (I used cabbage)
1 tomato, chopped (I roasted and chopped organic beets)
Salsa (optional, I didn’t use)
Corn Tortillas (optional, I didn’t use)

Directions:

Make the taco seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.

Add sliced onion and water to a medium-sized saucepan. Heat on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, until onions are softened.

Add chickpeas and taco seasoning and reduce heat to medium. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes, until heated through.

Meanwhile, add guacamole ingredients to a small bowl and mash with a fork to combine. Set aside.

Make the cilantro lime dressing. Feed cilantro leaves through food processor tube and process until finely minced. Add lime juice and process a few seconds. Slowly pour olive oil through food processor tube and process until dressing emulsifies. Add honey, season with salt and pepper, and process a few seconds to combine.

Pile all of the salad ingredients in a bowl. Top with guacamole and taco “meat”.

~*~*~

This made a lot of salad. I doubled the recipe when I made it the other night. It was filling and very, very delicious. I was very impressed with the way the flavors came together. Instead of salsa, I made a cilantro lime dressing, which really topped off all the ingredients nicely. And instead of tomatoes, I roasted up some organic beets by wrapping them in foil and putting them in a 425 degree for an hour and a half. After letting them cool, I peeled off the skins and put them in the fridge until dinner time the following day. Then I chopped them up for the salad. It added a nice earthy flavor. The lettuce was replaced with the cabbage I had in my fridge as well. It was a nice substitution that really, really worked well.

Substitute, dress it up as you like. This vegan taco salad is amazing whether you make it your own or follow the original recipe. Filling, full of great proteins, healthy fats, and great flavor.

I also made my own taco seasoning…and it was awesome!

Go ahead…give this a try!

July 27, 2013

Tasty Bite’s Vegetable Korma a palate-pleasing favorite for Indian food

Product: Tasty Bite Vegetable Korma – $3.29+

You will find this dish on pretty much every Indian restaurant menu you go into. Why? Because it is just one amazing meal that is so full of different flavors and textures, it’s actually exciting to eat. This is no exaggeration. Welcome…to my Monday tradition of easy, fast food…so I can get across the river and go running.

Thank goodness for meals for the busy people in this world. Tasty Bite has mastered the art of creating not only meals that are ethnic, interesting, and super-tasty…but that are also quick and easy to prepare. A simple warming in the microwave for 90 seconds and you’re set and ready to eat. Make it into more of a meal by pairing it with rice or a protein…and dinner/lunch/whatever…is served.

This Monday was like every other Monday prior. I have a running group I adore and always want to make the Monday fun runs that are hosted from my favorite local running store. LOVE the people who work there, who run there, and who just come in there. These are good people. And missing a run always bums me out. Therefore, in the limited amount of time I have after getting off work, getting home, getting ready to run…it leaves very little time to actually prepare and eat a dinner. Besides, before running for at least 3 miles…I don’t want anything too heavy. Carbs are a must. Protein is a must. Time is of the essence.

Tasty Bite seems to fit the description.

And lucky me…I have a pantry full of these easy, quick, and very flavorful pouches of awesomeness.

This Monday…the next flavor on the tasting menu was…Vegetable Korma.

Vegetable Korma is one of the most popular dishes on Indian menus everywhere. And why wouldn’t it be? For one thing, it is packed with fresh and delicious varieties of vegetables. In this case, onion, corn, carrots, potatoes, and spinach. Lots of vegetables, because they are the star of the meal. But, with Indian food especially, you have to flavor it…season it…get that right balance of spice in each bite. And this little meal was heightened by the addition of coconut milk, yogurt, sunflower oil, garlic, chickpea flour, salt, chilies, spices, and turmeric. Are you drooling yet?

You will be. What emerges after a short 90 second zap in the microwave is a steaming pouch that contains what has become my favorite Tasty Bite meal to date. It isn’t much to look at…not really. The sauce is sort of this light green color (the spinach), and it’s laden with chunks of vegetables (LOVE IT). But…it’s not always what it looks like that is any indication of what food tastes like. And that is especially true with ethnic foods. Indian foods more often than others. Take it from me…you can’t just a food simply by its looks. What is hidden inside is what makes each meal sing.

So why did Vegetable Korma overtake every other Tasty Bite meal I have tried to become my favorite? Well…it has this warming curry flavor to it…and it has the savory taste of the garlic and onion and spices. Top that off with the earthiness of the vegetables that make up the dish itself. But what really sets it apart…is that addition of the corn. You get this fantastic pop of sweet flavor with each bite.

It’s simple. It’s easy. And it’s amazing. I don’t just say that about anything. As I normally do, I served this over some freshly cooked jasmine rice. It was just filling enough that I didn’t feel like I’d have it still in my stomach when I went running, but didn’t leave me still feeling hungry.

Perfection.

With that being said, let’s take a quick glance at the nutrition offered up by Tasty Bite’s Vegetable Korma. A serving is 1/2 of the pouch. This serving will provide you with 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. You will also 430 mg of sodium, which isn’t bad for a pre-packaged, shelf-stable meal. This serving also gives you 4 grams of sugar. Aside from that, you feel satisfied after eating it thanks to the 5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein each serving provides. It’s a nutrient powerhouse. Even better, this particular product is also gluten-free, vegetarian, and kosher.

LOVE IT!

No, honestly…I do. As I said, one bite and I was certain this would be my new favorite. It’s amazing. It’s incredible. It’s beyond delicious. It once again proves that Tasty Bite knows what they are doing when they put these meals together and sell them to the masses. I keep going back for more, wanting to try the different varieties that I can on a gluten-free, vegetarian diet. And the best part is…that doesn’t eliminate too many of Tasty Bite’s meals. Love that.

So, if you have a busy night ahead of you and are in need of something good, yummy, and just awesome to eat…go to your grocery store…find the Tasty Bite packs and pick up one or a couple. But…if you are choosing just to do one…I highly recommend the Vegetable Korma. It exceeds all expectations by leaps and bounds. Honestly good food…one tasty bite after another!

Tasty Bite Vegetable Korma over jasmine rice

July 27, 2013

A love letter to Louisville, Kentucky’s Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck

Restaurant: Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck, Louisville, Kentucky

Dear Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck:

Let me start by saying how very fortunate we, the residents of the Louisville area, are to have you in our neighborhoods and at our public events. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, most food trucks would be a bust for me. In fact, I had never had the chance to actually eat from a food truck until you rolled into my life. And, since then, I find myself clearing up my busy schedule just so I can come out to an event or hit up wherever you might be parked and serving on any particular weekend.

But you don’t just put out your typical street food and food truck fare. No…you cooked yourself in a different direction and have set yourself apart from the sorts of trucks (sandwiches, burgers, tacos) that frequent the streets of cities.

But you didn’t stop there with a unique product. Nope. You also made a conscious decision to make your products gluten-free. This is no easy task and it can be quite costly. Not to mention, there are certain stigmas that come with the term “gluten-free” so you already had to get over that hump. But you built your truck, you brought it out to the streets…and that was where I found you.

And my hope is that I never have to let you go.

From my first crepe from your truck…I tested first the sweet ones. I wasn’t too sure how to take those savory crepes…so the ones with chocolate and fruit were my first choices. But…then…one very warm day at a festival in Louisville, I branched out. I tried my first savory crepe…and it was love. It was delicious, heavenly love. And now…the savory crepes seem to be my choice each time.

This past Saturday at the Gluten-Free Fair held at Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville…not only did I get to indulge in another (savory) crepe, but talked my roommate and our friend Greg into trying them as well. My roomie had actually wanted tacos…but in the end went with a crepe. As for Greg…he can sometimes be a bit picky…but he seemed set on the same crepe I was getting. So…orders were in.

Sweet 'N' Savory Food Truck's Veggie Caponata Crepe — Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck’s Veggie Caponata Crepe

The Veggie Caponata Crepe ($6.00) was my choice this time…although I was so tempted to get your delicious, rich Caprese Crepe again. But…this one caught my eye. This one not only sounded super-delicious, but it was made with local, fresh vegetables. Therefore…I had to have it. The Veggie Caponata Crepe was stuffed full with amazing Kentucky eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and roasted red peppers. But the star…the ingredient that made all of these fresh vegetables shine…was the Parmesan cheese. Complete and total love at first bite. It was like eating a delicious gluten-free, veggie pizza. The flavors sang. The vegetables were fresh and their flavor, after being roasted, really became elevated. And that crepe…it is never overdone, never burned, never mushy. It’s always perfect.

Then…on a perfectly hot summer afternoon, you gave to me the greatest gift of all. Gluten-free gelato. I can’t thank you enough for finding a dedicated gluten-free base for your gelato. I can’t wait to indulge in it more frequently. And…you offered a Salted Caramel flavor. Salted Caramel is my favorite flavor…for real. Nothing tops it. It’s what I crave…perhaps because, in and of itself, it is both sweet and savory. That sweet with the hint of salt. It’s the best combination out there…and you…you gave me my favorite without even being aware of that. You must have just known…

I bought one scoop of your Salted Caramel Gelato ($2.50) and was blown away. One of the best salted caramel items I have ever tasted…and trust me…I have had many. I even make my own. You made it to perfection. The right creaminess and richness to warrant a gelato…and the flavor was outstanding. Salty…caramely…refreshing. It was the perfect way to end my food truck feast.

No love letter would be complete, however, without a lot of praise and love going out to the owners and operators of Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck. Much love, much appreciation, and respect go out to Richard and Ashley Giannini. I know this can be quite a costly venture…and one that you have put a lot of your own hard-earned time and money into…but from the heart of someone like me, I can’t thank you enough for not just building a better food truck, but for giving a gluten-free (and vegetarian) girl a place to come and eat at these fun little gatherings and festivals. I never have to worry about the food I purchase from you. I hope to continue to follow you around this beautiful city and give you not just my business, but more business from my roommate (Cathy) and my friends who happen to come along with us.

By the way…Cathy completely loved the Limoncello Gelato.

I count myself one of the lucky residents in this amazing foodie town of Louisville, Kentucky, who have discovered just how beautiful and delicious your products are. But when you take such great care with ingredients and you prepare them to perfection, it’s hard to imagine anything else.

Basically…the point I am trying to make here is…I love you.

And I can’t wait to indulge in more of that Salted Caramel gelato.

Love…food truck style…defined as Sweet ‘N’ Savory.

Love Always,
Karen
(Veggie Food Lover)

A scoop of Sweet 'N' Savory Food Truck's Salted Caramel Gelato — A scoop of Sweet ‘N’ Savory Food Truck’s Salted Caramel Gelato

July 18, 2013July 18, 2013

Charlie’s Pizza rolls out a fantastic gluten-free crust for this Boilermaker runner

Restaurant: Charlie’s Pizza, Utica, New York

It’s the second weekend in July…and that means one thing when you live in Utica, New York.

Yep…

The Boilermaker!

Confused? Don’t be. The Boilermaker 15K Road Race was established in 1976 and has grown to become the largest 15K road race in the United States. Not only that, the Boilermaker is ranked as the most competitive 15K in the world, drawing people from all across the United States as well as from other countries. It’s a big freakin’ deal. And that was why I found myself in Utica, New York this past weekend. I was running in The Boilermaker 15K.

And…as we have established from blogs past…before any major road race, my fuel of choice is a gluten-free pizza.

Lucky for me, a lot of the guesswork on this trip when it came to food was taken out of the equation. My high school friend, Jean, lives in Utica and she was the one who really directed me toward this race. I was going to run it the year before, but…I had a conflict in the schedule. Not this year. So, when I told her that I would require a gluten-free pizza the night before, she was sending me two different local Italian places that both offered gluten-free pizza. They both sounded good, so my roommate and I flipped a coin.

And the winner…Charlie’s Pizza.

Jean said it was her favorite place to grab food, so this was already sounding promising.

After a long day on the road, getting reacquainted with old friends I hadn’t seen in 15 years, hitting up the race expo, and taking my friend Jenn to Florentine’s to place an order for delicious baked goods she used to get when she lived in Utica…we all were rather hungry. So, our next stop was dinner. And that meant we all piled back into Jean’s car and headed toward Charlie’s Pizza.

Looks can be deceiving, and when you first catch a glimpse of Charlie’s Pizza in Utica…well…you might be tempted to go elsewhere. Located next to the Big Lots, it’s a little strip mall sort of joint. It looks like a dive at first glance, but I’ve learned, sometimes these “dives” are the gems of the area when it comes to food. I wasn’t casting judgment. I was going to get my pizza! We walked in to Charlie’s Pizza and it reminded me a lot of those establishments that are run down but for all the right reasons. They’ve got longevity. They’ve been there awhile. One of the ladies behind the counter asked if we were dining in. We said we were so she told us to take a seat anywhere. As we were a party of five, we took the big table at the back, underneath the television. Soon, menus were passed our way and we began to peruse the selections while our drink orders were taken. This allowed the rest of us to decide what we were going to order. Cathy and I were definitely splitting a gluten-free pizza. Jen W. and Jean were going to split a large pepperoni pizza ($14.99). And Jenn went for an order of their Stuffed Shells ($9.99).

All Cathy and I needed to do now was choose our toppings. In the end, we went for what is becoming one of our favorite pizzas to order when all ingredients are available. We settled on a Gluten-Free Pizza with Onion, Mushroom, and Pineapple ($15.50 – small cheese pizza: $9.00, made gluten-free: add $3.00, with two extra toppings: add $2.00; with one premium topping: add $1.50).

With orders in, we settled back into talking. Jean and Jenn W. were high school friends of mine, and when I moved away in 1998, I hadn’t been back to see them. We had lots to talk about and to catch up on, so you can imagine the conversations we had while waiting on food. With their pizza and pasta, there were side salads and soup for “The 3 J’s” at the table. Both Jen and Jean got the tossed salad (minus the olives) and Jenn went with the Italian Wedding Soup. It was a nice way for them to calm their rumbling stomachs. And not too long after they polished those off…food began to arrive.

Everyone’s food looked great. Jenn had expected more than just three stuffed shells with her order, but she said it turned out to be just enough. Jean and Jen’s pizza looked amazing.

But this gluten-free vegetarian was ready to dive into her own pizza creation.

Charlie’s Pizza offers up the usual gluten-free crust…cracker crust. I am not a huge fan of cracker crust when it comes to pizza as it can go wrong so easily. However…Charlie’s Pizza got it totally right. For one thing, the waitress informed us that they pre-bake the crust before they top it and put it in the oven again. This helps get the right amount of crispness to the dough so that it doesn’t remain soggy toward the middle. There is nothing worse than a soggy gluten-free pizza crust. And trust me…I have had my share of those! The cheese was melt-in-your-mouth good. And it really paired well with the fresh vegetables and the pineapple that topped the pizza. The onions and mushrooms were baked in to perfection, so that the flavors melted into the cheese and crust instead of being too bold and standing out. And the sweet pineapple was ripe and added the right hit of sweetness. The sauce was fantastic. And I loved that, while it took a bit of time to eat, the crust never once grew soggy as it sat on the tray. Not once. It remained crisp and a beautiful golden color. No burned edges. No struggling to get the pizza out of the pan. This was easy…simple…and totally delicious. I was impressed.

Highly impressed!!

Much thanks to Charlie’s Pizza for the amazing gluten-free eats the night before what turned out to be a fun, but grueling 15K the following morning. I felt well fueled for the run and have them to thank for not making me break my pre-race-night food tradition. I felt completely safe eating there as it came highly recommended by Jean. The pizza wasn’t greasy…which means everything sat well in my stomach. And it was honestly just really good food made by a great family-run business.

Thanks for the suggestion, Jean. Outstanding pizza to compliment an outstanding trip!

Charlie's Pizza's Gluten-Free Mushroom, Onion and Pineapple Pizza — Charlie’s Pizza’s Gluten-Free Mushroom, Onion and Pineapple Pizza

July 11, 2013

Nature’s Earthly Choice makes a Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil quinoa easy, quick, and amazing

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Easy Quinoa – $3.99+

This is my fourth flavor of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Easy Quinoa meals. And I think I can easily say that this one is my favorite. I started off with one that didn’t impress me at all. It just was bland. The following two were really good. Each one providing great flavor. But this one…this one in particular had it all working for it.

I am, of course, talking about the Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil variety of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Easy Quinoa product line.

For me, quinoa is never difficult or a hassle to make. I find it one of the easier grains to cook up. In fact, I do cook it up often. It is a staple in my pantry and when I do it myself, I can flavor it however I want. But there is something so compelling about having the seasonings and flavors done up for you. So, that was what initially drew me to the Easy Quinoa line. That and the fact that these were at a grocery store in Minnesota and I had never seen them before. Not in my area. Of course, I can find them in regular grocery stores now…but at the time, it was a new thing…and I had to have it.

Tonight brought about the last of the boxes from the pantry. This week has been insane with recovering from being out of town at a convention last weekend to heading out of town to Upstate New York for a race this coming weekend. So, hectic days, busy nights, and a lot of stress mean that dinners are being kept healthy…but simple. And this is just a matter of boiling some water, letting it simmer, fluffing and serving. Awesome.

Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Easy Quinoa

So, before I get to the flavor and taste…let’s start with the ingredients and nutrition. Why? Because that should always be the first place you look on any sort of processed and packaged item you purchase.

As far as ingredients go, this list is pretty basic…quinoa is listed first…as it should be…as that is the basis of this entire product line. In addition to quinoa, you find garlic powder, potato starch, onion powder, dry milk, salt, yeast extract, sugar, olive oil, soybean oil, tomato powder, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, celery flakes, dehydrated bell pepper, spices, and natural flavors. So…while I’m not a fan of the maltodextrin and the glucose syrup…it does make me realize that maybe I should just go ahead and make my own from here on out.

As far as nutrition facts go, a serving size is 1/4 cup of the dry quinoa. The actual box contains 3.5 servings. One serving dishes up 160 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. The Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Easy Quinoa is cholesterol free and contains only 220 mg of sodium. That’s awesome for a packaged item. A serving also has 2 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

But the flavor…the flavor is awesome. Honestly. This was, by far, my favorite of the four flavors of the Easy Quinoa line. The roasted garlic is very prevalent and the olive oil helps provide a healthy fat and this nice hit of flavor as well. But the garlic is what makes it. This could have easily been served up in a bowl, as my roommate and I were making it an entree and each taking half of the box, but instead, I dished it up over fresh Romaine lettuce and touched it up with some fresh organic tomato slices. It made a very nice meal that was just packed with the richness of roasted garlic. Just…fantastic. If I were to purchase any of these again in the future, this would be the one I would get. So look for the pink box, okay?

While I love the simplicity of how to prepare this…boil water, take to simmer, add seasoning packets, let it absorb water, fluff, serve…I think I could make something from scratch that has just as much flavor and probably better and cleaner and healthier ingredients. So, I think next time I’ll just pull the quinoa out of my pantry and season it up myself. After all, there is nothing hard about preparing quinoa. While Nature’s Earthly Choice takes a lot of the seasoning out of the equation, it doesn’t need all the extra bells and whistles. It’s good. In fact, it’s quite tasty…but I think I could do it on my own…and better.

But, for an easy prep meal…this would be a good one to choose.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Easy Quinoa (prepared and served over Romaine lettuce with organic tomato slices)

July 10, 2013

My favorite Tasty Bite thus far has to be the Channa Masala

Product: Tasty Bite Channa Masala – $3.29+

It’s simple. It’s fast. And, wow…is it ever full of flavor and epically delicious. This is no exaggeration. And the most surprising part is this isn’t made from scratch. It comes from this little microwavable pouch. A simple 90 second zap and something to serve it with (I love pouring this over jasmine rice) and dinner is ready in less than five minutes.

LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES!

Is it possible that something tasty can come from a little microwavable pouch?

You bet your Indian-food loving self something can…and it does. So far I have been highly impressed with the line of Indian meals from Tasty Bite, but none have really wowed me as much as the Channa Masala. And the surprising part is just how simple this dish really is.

The night before, to save on time, I cooked up some jasmine rice on the stove top and stored it in the fridge for the following evening. Monday is my evening fun run with my running group, so dinner has to be fast…not too heavy…but substantial enough to see me through at least three miles of road. So, it’s usually grilled cheese or something equally as easy…and since I have a pantry shelf of Tasty Bite meals…these make a quick, easy, and perfect meal for such busy days.

Channa Masala is a slightly spicy Indian dish that uses chickpeas as the main component. Tasty Bite does just that with their version. In addition, they add simple, natural ingredients to the mix. Not one item listed on the pouch is something I am unfamiliar with. In fact…I’ll list the ingredients here: onions, water, chickpeas, tomatoes, sunflower oil, coriander, salt, spices, chilies, bay leaf, and turmeric. Vegetables, beans, a little oil, and some spices. Like I said…all natural ingredients. All ingredients are vegan, vegetarian, kosher, gluten-free…and yes…non-GMO! Here is something I can totally get behind.

So with all that being said, let me dive right in. The Channa Masala was LOVE at first taste. Honestly. One bite and I was hooked. There is a bit of a warm spice…that heat you get when you eat really good Indian food. Not overpowering or overwhelming. Let’s just say my roomie is a heat wimp and this is also one of her favorites so far. It’s just enough to make the bite interesting. Honestly. The chickpeas heat up to perfection and the sauce has that perfect blend of spices and flavor from the vegetables. It went so well over the rice and the entire meal was just amazing. I had to keep myself from hoovering the entire bowl and pace myself, let the flavor linger on my tongue, enjoying every bite. It may not be much to look at, but wow…the flavor, texture, and just outright sheer awesomeness of the meal itself is enough to make you rush out to the store and buy up every pouch on the shelf.

Nutritionally speaking, this is a very healthy meal, for a prepackaged meal. One serving is half of the Channa Masala inside the pouch. This serving dishes up a 180 calories and 8 grams of fat. One serving only has 400 mg of sodium, which isn’t bad for packaged food on the shelf of a grocery store, honestly. It is also cholesterol free. Thanks to the chickpeas, this serving provides a filling 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein as well. Like I said…it’s filling without being heavy…making it the perfect quick meal to turn to on busy days.

As you can tell, I am absolutely LOVING the variety, the flavors, the versatility, and the natural goodness of the Tasty Bite meals that I have had the honor of trying. Channa Masala, however, has quickly worked its way up to the top of my list. I am in love with this one…and already am pondering different ways to dish it up next time. Perhaps in tacos. Mmmmm…fusion!

Take my word…these affordable, healthy, and amazingly quick meals are one of the most fantastic products on your grocery store’s shelves. Purchase them. Enjoy them. Quick doesn’t mean it has to be bad for you. Tasty Bite puts out some of the best packaged food out there. I can attest to that. And with them catering to so many varieties of special diets…it means there is something for everyone.

Gold star, Tasty Bite. Gold star!!

Tasty Bite Channa Masala over jasmine rice

July 9, 2013

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza comes to my gluten-free pizza rescue while out of town

Restaurant: Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Indianapolis, Indiana

So, I’m in Indianapolis. That morning, I ran 10 miles for training. My lunch was a gluten-free cookie and an orange. It was after 6 p.m. and I was starving. I had just finished up a string of back-to-back panels at a local sci-fi convention in Indianapolis, the entire reason I was in Indianapolis in the first place. My initial thought was a gluten-free sandwich from Jason’s Deli, but that would require leaving the convention hotel, driving out to the restaurant, which wasn’t nearby, and sitting and eating. And I honestly just didn’t have the energy.

So, my roommate and I hijacked the computer in the business center and started surfing Find Me Gluten Free.

And pizza…that’s not only convention food…it just sounded really, really, really good.

The most highly recommended place on the search was a local place called Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza. We pulled up the Web site, and…there it was…a 10 inch gluten-free crust. Awesome. We wrote down the number and checked the delivery area. And we were just a block or two outside of the delivery region. Cathy decided it was worth a try to ask if they would deliver to us, as they weren’t that far away. So, she called. And they were more than happy to accommodate. That was awesome.

We placed our order…one gluten-free pizza with mushrooms, red onion, and pineapple ($14.00). It just sounded…really good. With the order in, we were told it would be about 35 minutes, as it was a Saturday. So, we decided to keep ourselves occupied until we got the call that they were nearby. We’d meet the delivery guy in the lobby. We walked around and talked with some people while we waited and when they asked where we ordered pizza from, and we said Jockamo…they all melted and practically salivated on the spot. If that is any indication of what we were in for…I was beyond excited. And really, really hungry to boot.

It felt like no time had passed at all when Cathy’s cell phone rang. We skittered to the front lobby and had only a few minutes to wait before the delivery guy walked through the door and tracked us down. The pizza was handed over and we paid him, extra tip for coming outside of the delivery area. And then…no waiting, we hurried back to the hotel room to dive in and get some food in our stomachs.

I flipped open the pizza box and found the typical pizzeria gluten-free pizza. A cracker crust topped with red sauce, our toppings of choice, and cheese. I snapped a picture and then it was game on. We were starving and the pizza smelled fantastic.

So…we dove in. And devoured the pizza in less than 10 minutes, if that is any testimony as to how good it tasted. And this wasn’t just the “OH MY GOD I AM SO HUNGRY I WILL EAT WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF ME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT TASTES GOOD OR NOT” sort of hungry. It honestly tasted really, really good.

Let’s start with the crust. The thin crust was cooked almost to perfection. Almost. It had a really good flavor, but it just didn’t have that golden crustiness that I prefer with my pizza crusts, which meant, it came across as being a little soggy. Of course, some of that could be a reflection of the fact that it was cooked, packed in a box, put in a car and delivered to us. So, I’m not saying the crust was bad at all. It just didn’t have that crunch to it when I bit into it. The red sauce was fantastic. I’m not just saying that. The tomato flavors were rich and bold and seasoned to perfection. The toppings we selected were fantastic. The mushrooms, onions and pineapple were all cooked to perfection, the pineapple’s sweetness being a nice contrast to the umami flavor of the mushrooms and the bite of the onions. And then…the cheese. A nice hit of saltiness that the pizza needed…creamy and gooey and just…the entire package was phenomenal. Yep. I was impressed.

Like I said…we devoured that pizza in less than 10 minutes, each of us getting three slices each. No holds barred. It was gone as quickly as it had arrived and we were left licking marinara off our fingers and happily discussing how every bite of that pizza was beyond delicious. We were now fortified for the long evening ahead of us.

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza really surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect, just that all the locals were salivating whenever we mentioned where we ordered pizza for our dinner. And that was enough testimony to put my mind to ease. If we had scrolled a bit further through the menu, we also would have discovered that they also offer gluten-free cookies, made by Deihdre Alltop. I didn’t know about these…but now that I do…next time I’m in Indianapolis and order from Jockamo (there will be a next time…YUM!), I think dessert will have to happen as well. Because with a choice of three different gluten-free cookies…you just can’t go wrong.

Needless to say, the service at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, their willingness to come just outside of the delivery area and deliver to us at the convention hotel, spoke volumes of their service. Their food…especially that house made marinara…did the rest of the talking. Honestly, one of the best sauces I have ever encountered on a pizza. It was cooked up really well…the toppings were fresh and complimented the sauce, the crust, everything. I was beyond impressed.

If you are in the Indianapolis or Greenwood area, go by Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza and get a pizza. Dine in, take out, have it delivered. Just trust me…you really want to try it. I was one happy gluten-free pizza loving girl, let me tell you. And I’ve had a lot of gluten-free pizza in my life. This one…is definitely near the top of the list.

Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza's Gluten-Free Pizza with Mushrooms, Red Onion and Pineapple — Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza’s Gluten-Free Pizza with Mushrooms, Red Onion and Pineapple

July 5, 2013

Going Beyond Meat for vegan and gluten-free not-chicken options with Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips

Product: Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips – $4.99+

Something happy happened to me the other day when I was in Whole Foods. Something that I had been hoping for for a very long time.

I discovered…gluten-free vegan “chicken.” Normally…any vegan/vegetarian protein has some sort of ingredient that contains gluten, normally used for texture purposes. Sure, it can be left out, however, that is what the leading brands will tell you…it is for texture. So, for these past two years, save for the Health Is Wealth Gluten-Free Vegan Not Chicken Nuggets, my not chicken food habits have been non-existent. And…to top it off, my grocery store no longer carries the Health Is Wealth Gluten-Free Vegan Not Chicken Nuggets because they were told they were discontinued. I think I cried…no…I did cry when I was told that.

But then Whole Foods saved the day.

The brand…Beyond Meat. Their objective is simple – to become the market leader in the development and introduction of new plant protein products, specifically focusing on perfectly replacing animal protein with plant protein. And to be able to pull this off cost effectively…not just for the company, but the consumer.

Beyond Meat was founded by Ethan Brown, who learned all about animal-based agriculture at his father’s dairy operation in Western Maryland. As he grew up, he developed a career in the clean energy sector and contemplated whether the world would continue to raise and eat animals in such staggering numbers if a plant-based replication of the meat existed. So, he began searching for a way to do just that. Along the way he met Fu-hung Hsieh and Harold Huff at the University of Missouri, and after several years of collaboration, Beyond Meat was born with the sole purpose of driving innovation and progress on meat-free plates around the world.

Enter my little happy dance of joy…because not only is Beyond Meat’s products vegan…but they are also gluten-free. And they come in three varieties: Lightly Seasoned, Grilled, and Southwest Style.

I grabbed the two kinds they had. And I already had a dish in mind. I was going to make my mom’s famous Mexican Chicken Casserole…but do it with the vegan chicken product and vegan cheese. These strips were actually perfect. And with the fact that it was a Mexican sort of dish, the Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips would be ideal. The Grilled was the other version…and those got tucked into the freezer for the time being.

So…how does this stack up?

For a gluten-free and vegan meat alternative…this is actually quite palatable. The texture reminded me of the Quorn variety I ate before having to go gluten-free. And the flavor was just as good…maybe more on the Morningstar level for taste…but that’s not bad. In fact, I could actually, despite it being in a casserole, taste the not-chicken strips. And what I loved about the Southwest Style variety was that little kiss of lime flavor you got with each bite. It was a really nice surprise and a great addition of flavor to the entire dish. These chicken strips didn’t turn to mush when they were cooked in the casserole. In fact, they remained in full strips as real chicken would. I was very impressed. Both with the taste and the texture. This is definitely a substitute I would do again.

Nutritionally speaking, the Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips have 4 servings per container. Each serving dishes up only 130 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. That is awesome!! A serving also contains only 370 mg of sodium and no sugar. That’s always nice to see. And, you will also receive 2 grams of fiber and a whopping 20 grams of protein. Yes…20 grams of protein in each serving. How amazing is that?!

So…what are these not-chicken strips made out of? Well…the basics are water, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, amaranth, vegan chicken flavor, expeller-pressed canola oil, soy fiber, carrot fiber, and they contain 0.5% or less of: white vinegar, salt, lime juice concentrate, garlic, black pepper, chili powder, onion, sugar, cumin, coriander seed, sodium alginate, dipotassium phosphate, titanium dioxide (color), calcium sulfate, oregano, paprika, red and green pepper powder, cayenne pepper. If anything looks confusing to you, the website for Beyond Meat lays out what each unfamiliar ingredient may be. It takes any guess work out of it. And you’ll be happy to know…those couple of chemical sounding ingredients aren’t chemicals but things that appear naturally in nature. Yep. I learned something too.

If you are looking to cut back on meat, or perhaps are vegetarian or vegan, Beyond Meat is a fantastic choice. While there is a literal sea of vegan/vegetarian meat alternatives out there, very few of them on the market are gluten-free. Beyond Meat finally brings the protein back to the gluten-free vegan/vegetarian plate. And for that, I am forever grateful.

With how much I enjoyed the Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips, I am totally anticipating giving the Grilled ones a try too. These were just what I needed!

Mexican “Chicken” Casserole using Beyond Meat Southwest Style Chicken-Free Strips