Vegetarian – Page 21 – The Celiathlete

April 27, 2015April 27, 2015

Restaurant Review: Upper Crust Pizzeria, Boston, Massachusetts

Restaurant: Upper Crust Pizzeria, Boston, Massachusetts

So…I was in Boston…for The Boston Marathon. And you know what it means when I’m gearing up for a race. The traditional night-before-the-race gluten-free pizza. It is a must. Sure, I can do gluten-free pasta, but pizza seems to be my mojo. My magical little race-day helper. And so, this tradition has gone unchanged whenever possible.

I consulted with a good friend of mine, Julie, before heading to Boston, looking for restaurant recommendations, especially for pizza. She sent me so many different options, I was elated to see how many options were available in Boston. If you are a Celiac or gluten-free and planning on a trip to Boston, trust me…it is so easy to find something to eat there. It’s wonderful. Never before have I had so many options in one place.

With her high recommendation, and the praise of my high school friend, Lydia, it was decided that we would be noshing on Sunday night (Monday is marathon day in Boston!) at a place called Upper Crust Pizzeria. They have several locations throughout the Boston area, but as we were spending the day hiking the Freedom Trail, we decided that we’d wind our way out toward Beacon Hill and land there right around dinner time.

We actually ended up getting there sooner, rather than later, so we ducked into some candy shops and walked around the Beacon Hill area until around 5 p.m. That was when we made our way back to the little establishment and stepped inside.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. This was one tiny little establishment, indeed. In fact, the kitchen was on the far right as you enter, with one long community table in the middle of the restaurant. That was it. We lucked out in that people finished up eating by the time we ordered, so we had a place to settle in and eat. Because there was no way the pizza would make it back to the hotel and still be hot.

Cathy and I had scouted the menu prior to leaving for Boston and already knew what we were going to get. This left my friends Heather and Jenn to either have pizza by the slice or split a pizza. As Heather wanted pepperoni and Jenn does just cheese, they ended up getting two slices each.

Their slices were ginormous!! Seriously!! Holy cow. It made me more than a little concerned over how big the gluten-free pizza slices were going to be and whether Cathy and I could eat it on our own.

But, our 14-inch gluten-free pizza arrived a short time after their slices…and it looked fantastic. We ordered one of the custom pies that is a “local favorite.” It’s called Charles Street ($19.00 – the gluten-free crust is a $2 upcharge), and we had it made on the gluten-free dough. It comes topped with portabella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and fresh garlic. For the sake of my stomach, we asked them to go light on the cheese on this pizza. And it looked absolutely fantastic when it arrived at the table. We paused long enough in our hunger to snap a picture before diving in, each peeling off a slice. The pizza is their “small” size…and it’s actually quite big…but it was perfect for 2-3 people to share. And since we hadn’t eaten much that day, it was perfect for Cathy and I to split without any help.

The Charles Street pizza at Upper Crust Pizzeria is AMAZING! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Totally and honestly. I ate a bite on its own and immediately was all “Mmmmmm.” Like in “Mmmmmmarathon” and “Mmmmmmore please” and “Mmmmmmgoooooood!” But then, I doctored it up with some dried herbs and a little bit of red pepper flakes. My stomach fears no spice, not even before a marathon. The crust of the pizza was thin, but not a cracker crust. You could definitely tell it was white rice flour based, but it wasn’t a distracting overlying taste. In fact, the crust was one of my favorite things about this pizza. I love a good crust, but I also love to indulge in more pizza…so a thin crust is a nice thing in my book. Cathy tried a bit of Jenn’s pizza and said the gluten-free crust was even better than the original. Score!! I loved the earthiness that flavored this particular pizza. The Charles Street had this great balance of savory with a hint of sweetness from the sundried tomatoes. It was amazing. I devoured every slice. For the first time ever, I think Cathy finished her pizza just as I was polishing off mine.

I can’t say enough good things about this pizza. At first I was a little uncertain, due to the venue more than anything. I mean, one table…and no room when we arrived for us to sit and enjoy…it was a little intimidating and off-putting…but a spot cleared up and we settled in after ordering, and all of us were happy with our pizza. I would go back and eat here the next time I was in Boston, even if there wasn’t a marathon involved. Really fantastic. There were a few other signature pizzas that they make that sound absolutely amazing, so I’m definitely eager to return and give them a taste.

If you’re in Boston…and you want a great gluten-free pizza…find one of the locations for Upper Crust Pizzeria (or go to the original one, like I did, in Beacon Hill) and order up a slice of heaven in pizza form. I know I’ll be back. Oh yes, I will be back!

Upper Crust Pizzeria's Gluten Free Charles Street Pizza — Upper Crust Pizzeria’s Gluten Free Charles Street Pizza

April 14, 2015

Product Review: Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter

Product: Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter – $12.99+

When it comes to food, nothing completes me more than any sort of nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter (technically, not a nut butter…but close enough!), etc. I love them. Give me any flavor (add in honey, chocolate, coconut) too. I love it. It is, perhaps, my ultimate comfort and snack food. When I’m stressed out, I just want a spoon and the nearest container of peanut butter. No joke.

For awhile now, I’ve noticed and heard of a brand of nut butter that contains seven different nuts and seeds. Needless to say, I knew a few people who swore by this stuff. Loved this stuff. And…as chance would have it…I found this stuff at my local Whole Foods Market.

Problem…it was between $12.99 – $17.99 a jar. And, as much as I love nut butters…even I couldn’t justify spending that much on a simple (seven variety) peanut butter. As much as it intrigued me.

Until…it went on sale. Granted, the original crunchy is in the lower end ($12.99) regular price, but it was on sale for $9.99 one day I was in Whole Foods. I still have money on a gift card I received for Christmas (best gift ever!), so I figured…why not? I wouldn’t find it any cheaper. I made my purchase and never felt one iota of remorse. YAY! Expensive peanut butter. Now I’m living large.

So what is it about Nuttzo? Nuttzo is a gourmet nut and seed butter that, each variety, contains seven different nuts and seeds. It is billed as the healthiest and most unique super-butter on the planet. They have three different flavors…available in the crunchy and smooth varieties: original, power fuel with chia, and Peruvian dark chocolate. Said to be, perhaps, the next big next big thing in nut butter. They are easy to spot too…standing upside down on the shelf. Why upside down? Because they are a little “nuttzo.” Heh. Actually, it’s because all the oils that naturally separate in natural peanut butters will now be at the bottom of the jar and not the top. Open it without the mess. YAY! All of the Nuttzo flavors and products are 100% organic, contain no added sugars or oils, are high in healthy fats and protein, contain flax in every flavor for your daily Omega 3 ALA’s, are gluten-free certified, non-GMO certified, and kosher certified.

I love it already. Good to know there are ways for a gluten-free. dairy-free, vegetarian to get those important Omega 3’s.

So, while the price had me doubting my purchase…on Sunday, I needed a light lunch (as I had made an epic breakfast and would be making an epic dinner!), so my roommate suggested open face peanut butter sandwiches. I said, “Should we try the expensive peanut butter?” She said that it had to happen sometime. So…down from the top shelf of the pantry my jar of Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter came. I flipped the jar over, opened it up, looked inside and the chunky, nutty and seedy goodness, and gave it a swirl. I doled up spoonfuls for my roomie and I to “sample” while I put a schmear of it on two pieces of gluten-free toast.

My roomie thought the honey I was going to drizzle on top would make it better. Me…I was quite happy with all the different things going on in the Nuttzo. I love smooth peanut butter, but chunky peanut butter…that’s another level. And this…this is the supreme being…the god of all crunchy and chunky nut butters. You actually have, swimming in this smooth sea of nutty goodness, chunks of cashews and peanuts and the other nuts (which I will get to), not to mention flax seeds and sunflower seeds, just adding to the texture. Happy day. I loved it straight off the spoon. I loved it spread across a toasted slice of gluten-free bread. I loved it driizzled with honey. The only thing I don’t love about it is the steep price tag. But with all those expensive nuts and seeds inside…I can see why that’s the case. It just means that if I decide to splurge on nut butter…it will happen only once or twice a year. This stuff is fantastic…but it is pricey. Like…I could buy 13 individual cups of Greek yogurt for the price of one jar of this nut butter. Is it worth it…yeah. I think it is. I mean, what’s not to love about something that excites your palate and is smooth and chunky and gritty and rich and tasty and just everything you want from a nut butter all in one? Absolute nothing. Except Nuttzo.

Granted…I have a great Vitamix now. I can probably make this myself for a lot less…but sometimes…convenience wins out.

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? With nut butters you usually have 1 to 2 ingredients. Well, if you buy organic and natural, like I do. This is that…but loaded with nuts and seeds. In fact, the Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter is made up of organic peanuts, organic cashews, organic almonds, organic flax seeds, organic brazil nuts, organic hazelnuts, organic sunflower seeds, sea salt. LOTS of flavorful nuts and seeds…all that give it this fantastic flavor, sweetness, and texture. All without adding unnecessary things like sugar. LOVE!!

As far as nutrition information goes, this is one very super-nutritious, high protein, amazing nut butter. One serving, of the Nuttzo Original Crunchy Seven Nut & Seed Butter is 2 tablespoons. This serving will provide you with 180 calories, 16 grams (healthy) fat, 70 mg sodium, 7 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram sugar, 3 grams fiber, and 7 grams of protein. Like I said…powerhouse. This nut butter, for someone with my dietary restrictions, is definitely worth the cost. Heck, it’s worth it’s weight in gold!!

Love comes in so many different forms. When you’re an athlete with food allergies, sometimes love is as simple as a jar of expensive nut butter called Nuttzo. I might be “Nuttzo” for being willing to pay for said nut and seed butter, but this gives me so many nutrients in just a serving that I think it’s worth it. Bought it on a whim, scoffed a little at the price, loved it when I tried it…now…completely obsessed. It’s hidden so I just don’t take a spoon and eat the entire jar. Because, trust me, it would happen.

April 14, 2015April 14, 2015

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix – $10.99

I know some pretty amazing people. I really do. One of such people is a friend of mine from high school. Awhile back, she contacted me and said that Tastefully Simple was releasing some gluten-free products that she would love for me to try. My friend, Rebecca Fifield, just happens to be a Tastefully Simple Consultant. So, she sent them to my. And then Tastefully Simple released more products…and I bought them and some of the ones that had originally just been sent to me. And I loved every one of them that had tried.

I think what I love most about what Tastefully Simple is doing with their gluten-free mixes is that they are making it so easy to make bread or pizza or cake cookies or pancakes. They take all that fancy flour mixing and make it so you have it in one easy place, and only need to add 2 ingredients to it. I love it. LOVE it.

And now, thanks to both Rebecca and my own trial-by-fire with the gluten-free products that Tastefully Simple offers (they’ve added cookies and pancakes since I last looked!)…I’m obsessed. Because, as much as I love baking and cooking and being in my teeny-tiny kitchen…I love simplicity too. Because baking can be stressful…gluten-free baking can be catastrophic if anything is off.

That’s the glory of Tastefully Simple. They take that guess work off.

So, with me heading out of town on Friday evening, the main goal this week is to use up all the fresh produce that would otherwise go bad in my absence. So, with fresh basil and some tomatoes and onions lurking about, I remembered that I had a Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix in my pantry. So…pizza it would be. AND…it would last for three days between my roommate and I. Added bonus. No more cooking the rest of the week. YAY!

Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix (prepared)

Preparing the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix is super easy!! For real. That’s why there is the word “simple” in the brand. HA! To prepare the crust, simply combine the crust mix with 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The dough will be sticky. Cover it losely with plastic wrap and let it stand for 10 minutes at room temperature. Using lightly oiled hands to prevent sticking, spread the dough out on a pizza stone or a 12-inch greased pizza pan. Bake it for 10 minutes in a 400°F oven.

While it’s baking…mix up the sauce. It’s a breeze. Simply combine the sauce mix with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and tomato sauce. Spread it over the warm crust you have now baked for 10 minutes. Add your favorite toppings (in my case…tomato, onion, basil and Daiya vegan mozzarella cheese shreds) and place back in the oven to cook for another 17-20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Slice into 6 pieces and devour.

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Pizza Crust & Sauce (baked)

The quality, however, always comes in the taste test. And they totally nailed it. The dough wasn’t too sticky when I went to press it out on the pizza stone. And, it cooked up to this amazing crispy, golden brown. The sauce and toppings didn’t make it soggy. It held up to slicing and being moved onto plates. And I loved the flavor. It had this amazing crusty quality that just made it work. It was the perfect base for my toppings of choice. And it was one of my favorite crusts I have made at home. It was easy, and it didn’t take too long to bake up either. Perfect way to enjoy my dinner tonight. Tastefully Simple is not only making gluten-free delicious, but easy too!

So, let’s take a look at what Tastefully Simple puts into their Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix, shall we? This pizza crust mix is made from rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar, baker’s yeast, potato starch, cassava flour, salt, less than 2% hydrogenated palm kernel oil, soy lecithin, baking powder and, xanthan gum. The sauce mix is made from maltodextrin, dehydrated garlic, garlic powder, salt, dehydrated onion, spices, roasted dehydrated garlic, sugar, Romano cheese, less than 2% of natural flavors, toasted sesame oil, citric acid, whey, cheddar cheese, hydrolyzed soy protein, disodium phosphate, and silicon dioxide (anticaking).

As far as the nutritional information for the Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix goes, this isn’t bad for pizza. Really. A serving size is 1/6 of the package. This serving will dish up 200 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 810 mg sodium (it’s a little high, yes), 43 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams sugar, 1 gram fiber, and 4 grams of protein.

If you love pizza and want that “from scratch” appeal with a golden, crispy crunch, without it being the frozen cracker-crusts that the gluten-free community are otherwise delegated to having…then give Tastefully Simple’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix a try. Hop on over to my friend, Rebecca Fifield‘s, page and place an order. Not only will you be amazed with how easy this is to make, the taste, texture, and everything else will win you over. I promise you that.

A slice of gluten-free pizza made with Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix — A slice of pizza made with Tastefully Simple Gluten Free Pizza Crust & Sauce Mix

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015

Product Review: Krumville Bake Shop Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Krumville Bake Shop Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookie

Product: Krumville Bake Shop Double Chocolate Chip Cookies – $24.00+/-

Don’t panic. Don’t panic at that price. That’s for about 8 cookies. So $3.00 per cookie from a gluten-free bakery…that’s about what my local allergen-free bakery runs.

Okay…with that public service announcement, welcome to yet another Cuisine Cube item! I’ve been doing really well this month working my way through my box of delicious goodies, not really leaving much to settle in the snack drawer or kitchen pantry. YAY!

You all know everything there is to know about Cuisine Cube by now, but in case there are some newbies out there…the quick run-down is this…

Cuisine Cube is a monthly subscription service were a gift box will be sent to your door with goodies inside. These are meal/pantry items that are the full-size products, not little sample sizes. That’s a huge deal, as most of the time these services send you sample products only. You can sign up for a monthly, three-month, or six-month subscription, which begin as low as $29.99 per month. Each box you receive will contain one item from each major meal of the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert. And then, sometimes, you get a bonus treat. Bonus treats are always a nice and welcome surprise. I started with Cuisine Cube a year ago, and absolutely love it.

So, as I’ve been working my way through the March Cube, I got into the dessert yesterday. We all know that I am a strong believer in dessert. I am even more of a believer when said dessert is…cookies. Because, first and foremost, I am a cookie monster. They are the perfect dessert and there are so many variations and textures. Love. You just don’t get bored with cookies.

In the March 2015 Cuisine Cube, the dessert was a container of Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Krumville Bake Shop, which is located in Brooklyn, New York. Krumville Bake Shop was founded by Antonella Zangheri, who was diagnosed with Celiac in 2009. She grew up in Emilia Romagna, a region of Italy known for its rich culinary heritage, and now she would be giving up many of the foods she grew up eating. Not only that, she was highly disappointed with the gluten-free products that were available, noting that she saw a need for more exciting options. And that is how Krumville Bake Shop was born. In fact, Zangheri creates amazing focaccia, cookies, muffins, and specialty cakes that taste as good as the foods she grew up eating – just minus the gluten! Krumville Bake Shop’s mission is to provide wholesome, fresh, and delicious gluten-free products, using only the best ingredients. All of Krumville’s products are free of GMOs, artificial flavorings, and preservatives. They use high quality flour blends that are made with whole grains (sorghum, brown rice, millet) and utilize a vast selection of ancient grains as well. By perfecting their special flour blends, Krumville can offer baked goods with unique flavors and extraordinary textures. And, to limit the use of refined sugar, the bake shop uses agave nectar as much as possible.

I am falling even more in love the more I learn about this company.

This month’s dessert option had me at Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. I mean…double your chocolate, double your delicious fun, right? I think so. I actually paid attention this time and noted the “Refrigerate Me” tag on the Cuisine Cube product rundown, so into the fridge these went. And as April has gotten under way, I decided it was time to bust into these. So, last night after eating my Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie…this was going to be dessert. I went to retrieve the clam-shell container from the fridge and popped it open. I removed two cookies…one for myself and one for my roommate to try. It was a very good thing that I then put the container back in the fridge, because I don’t know if I would have stopped at one cookie.

First of all…these cookies have a perfect texture. Crunchy outside and a bit of chewiness on the inside. They explode, with each bite, with fantastic chocolate flavor. I mean…wow. Not overpowering. Not too much. But just right. It satisfies that every craving for chocolate. Seriously. Because the cookie has this richness to it, and then you get this little burst of dark chocolate with the chips baked into them. It’s one of the most perfect cookies ever. They are about the size of a Chips-Ahoy Cookie…but way better than any of that processed garbage I used to eat. These…are amazing. Bite-for-bite. But hide them away in the fridge, or you may find yourself cookie-less and 3 pounds heavier for it.

Worth it. Totally worth it.

The container doesn’t have any of the nutrition information on there, so I can’t give you the rundown of calories/fat and all that per serving…but I can tell you what ingredients go into these fantastic cookies. The Krumville Bake Shop Double Chocolate Chip Cookies are made from Guittard chocolate, unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, brown rice flour, light brown sugar, sorghum flour, eggs, pure cane sugar, potato starch, milk, sweet rice flour, rice starch, vanilla extract, baking soda, sea salt, and xanthan gum.

Believe me when I say that these cookies are phenomenal. They are the right hit of sweetness and that perfect level of chocolate for this major chocaholic. For real. I am glad these get tucked away after I pull out that night’s worth for my roommate and I because we’d probably kill off the entire container in one go. Dessert and cookie perfection. Nicely done Krumville Bake Shop and Cuisine Cube.

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015

Product Review: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix + Recipe Bonus

Neat - A Healthy Alternative to Meat Original Mix — Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix

Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix + Recipe Bonus – $4.99+

I am so excited. And the reason why is simple. I have found the meat replacement, Neat, at a few of my local stores. My Kroger, my Meijer, and even a few of my natural food stores now carry these little pouches of meat replacement goodness. Now, mind you, I’m not one who often will replace meat in a dish. I usually will use something like tofu or mushrooms instead, but there are some recipes (from my childhood, especially!) that just call for using an actual meat replacement. I have a few go-to brands that are gluten-free as well as either vegetarian or vegan. But ever since I received a pouch of the Mexican Mix from Neat in my Cuisine Cube back in October, I was hooked. I just had nowhere in this area to purchase it on my own.

Until now.

Up until yesterday, my pantry held the Italian Mix and the Original Mix. I’m using a few things up in my pantry (I have a bit of an overstock, HA!), so I decided I would go ahead and bake up some of the Moon Rabbit Foods pie crusts that I had from another Cuisine Cube. I could freeze two of them, and then give using the third one a shot in an old family favorite, which I would adjust to make gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix (before adding eggs/egg replacer and water) — Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix (before adding eggs/egg replacer and water)

With a pie crust baked up…it was time to make the filling. As I was using my mom’s recipe, I began to brown the sweet onion while I mixed up the ingredients for the Neat Original Mix. This is really easy. Simply empty the Neat mix into a bowl, add two eggs (or egg substitute) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well. Once the onions had began to soften, I added the neat mixture and cooked it on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes, chopping at it as one would with regular ground beef. It looked and smelled perfect. I added the tomato paste, cooked it a few moments longer and then put it all in the pie crust. On went the topping of Daiya cheese and…into the oven it went.

Before I talk more about the original mix, let me tell you a bit about Neat. Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients. It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians. At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it. And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat. Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form. All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water. Then, you just cook it in a skillet, as you would ground beef, for about 7-9 minutes. It’s really easy…and really delicious too.

Neat - A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix (prepared) cooked with onion and tomato paste — Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix (prepared) cooked with onion and tomato paste

So, a vegetarian and gluten-free Cheeseburger Pie…that was what this was used for. When I sliced through the pie crust and the filling, I was just anticipating the crumbling and falling apart. But Neat surprised me. Much like my mom’s recipe (which used real meat as I wasn’t a vegetarian at that point), this all stuck together and made for a perfect slice. The Neat seemed to be the meat replacement I was looking for. And it was the perfect choice for this recipe for sure. I dished up two slices of the Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie and handed one to my roommate and settled in with mine. My roommate took the first bite and said that it tasted dead-up like a cheeseburger. That’s good. She’s not a vegetarian, nor is she dairy-free or gluten-free like me. But this impressed her. It impressed her a lot. The most disappointing aspect of the dish was the pie crust and that was a whole unrelated product, and it still worked out well in the end.

The Neat Original Mix is fantastic. I mean, it is so close to the real thing. As I said, I don’t often do meat replacements, but sometimes when revisiting old recipes I grew up with, it is necessary. I don’t think any other replacement for beef will come close to what Neat does for these dishes. This is the second time I have used a Neat product and both times I have been beyond impressed. The taste and texture are phenomenal. Even meat eaters won’t realize they aren’t really eating meat. That’s the wonder and the glory of this product. Anyone can have it (unless they have a nut allergy) and enjoy it. It was, for the second time, love at first bite. And it was wonderful to be able to adapt an old family favorite to fit my dietary needs.

A slice of Cheeseburger Pie (gluten-free, dairy free, and vegetarian) made with Neat - A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix — A slice of Cheeseburger Pie (gluten-free, dairy free, and vegetarian) made with Neat – A Healthy Alternative For Meat Original Mix

Let’s now take a look at what goes into the Neat Original Mix. This product is made up of pecans, garbanzo beans, gluten free whole grain oats, organic whole grain gluten free cornmeal, garlic, onion, sea salt and spices. Simple. Delicious. Clean eating! It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

As for nutrition, the Neat Original Mix is a powerhouse. A serving is 40 grams and there are 4 servings per pouch. One serving will provide 190 calories and 15 grams of fat. You will also be getting 232 mg sodium, 11 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 4 grams of protein. It is filling, so it makes a fantastic substitute for meat. But there is that added bonus of protein from the nuts that are blended into the mix.

It really did make a great addition and the perfect substitute for actual ground beef in the following recipe…

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie

Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix
2 organic cage-free eggs
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 gluten-free pie crust (either made from scratch or bought at the store)
2 cups Daiya Mozzarella Cheese Shreds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pour the Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Original Mix into a medium bowl. Add two eggs (or egg replacer if vegan) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the Next Mexican Mix and onion. Cook until vegetables begin to soften and the Neat can be chopped into a meat texture. Add the tomato paste and stir well. Allow it to heat through for a few minutes to marry the flavors together.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust and top with 2 cups of Daiya cheese shreds. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and pie crust is browned (with any luck). Slice and serve.

~*~*~

I have fallen head-over-heels for Neat. It is, without a doubt, the healthiest replacement of meat out on the market. I am thrilled that it is more available in my area. In fact, with so many places carrying it, I’m guaranteed to be able to pick it up at one place or another when I need it for a dish.

Neat…you are by far my best find and my favorite substitute in old family recipes. Nothing else can do what you do! So much love.

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015

Product Review: Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix

Moon Rabbit Farms Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix — Moon Rabbit Foods Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix

Product: Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix – $8.79+

So, for awhile now, I’ve been wanting to revamp another one of my mom’s famous recipes. Making it not only gluten-free, but also vegetarian. Oh…and dairy free too…but that’s pretty much a given when it comes to me, right? The actual dish is her delicious Cheeseburger Pie. Normally, the crust of this amazing meal is made from crescent rolls from the grocery store fridge area zone. You know, that place I hardly visit these days.

Sadness.

But…then I got to thinking…what if I cooked up a pie crust and used that instead. Sure, it wouldn’t be the flaky crescent roll shell that this meal was known for, but I was already going to get rid of the whole meat thing (using a meat substitute) and use Daiya cheese for the cheese. So…why not give a different sort of crust a try?

The problem is…pie crusts and I have never really gotten along. We are anything but BFFs. Then…lo and behold…the Thanksgiving (November 2014) Cuisine Cube arrived in the mail. And inside was Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix. Everything in the November Cuisine Cube could have been used for Thanksgiving itself…but I wasn’t allowed to host this year so most of it was used at my own discretion. Well, the final product is up now…but first…

Cuisine Cube is run by a small group of foodies who have put together a completely gluten-free box of goodies and then sends them to your doorstep each month. These boxes contain 5-6 full-size products from small, lesser-known artisan producers…mostly local…some not as local. Some you may even have heard of before, but most will be new to you. I signed up for Cuisine Cube back in May and have never looked back. Subscriptions start as low as $29.99…which is a great price and great incentive to sign up for this subscription box service and try out some gluten-free products you have been too nervous about purchasing yourself or, perhaps, didn’t even know existed.

Such as Moon Rabbit Foods. Never head of this brand before in my life. Moon Rabbit Foods follows a philosophy of choosing the finest ingredients and using the latest techniques of the craft of baking to give those living a gluten free lifestyle (like me!) a rare opportunity to enjoy delicious refined pastries and baked goods. Their baking and pastry blends provide a source for hard-to-find gluten-free products, allowing customers to enjoy that high quality at home, and even allowing them to add their own inspirational touches. So, here, in my clutches was a pie crust mix. I had no reason to make a pie. No one ever wants desserts at the family dinners. I usually do because I never really get to eat much of what is offered (part of why I love to host). But, I also hate being the only person to eat dessert, especially when I’m the one providing it. So, instead of going sweet, I opted to go savory and attempt to recreate a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian version of my mom’s Cheeseburger Pie recipe.

Cross your fingers…

This mix makes 3 9-inch pie crusts. I went ahead and cooked them all up because…well…I could freeze the rest of them instead of just letting the mix sit and having to haul out all the equipment (a food processor, really) and ingredients (only 3) to do whenever I felt the need to make a pie. Because if I did that, it would only get used this one time. Therefore…all or nothing. So, I took 1 cup of the pie mix and mixed it with one stick (4 ounces) of butter (or vegan butter) and pulsed it until it looked like cornmeal. Then, in went 3 tablespoons of cold water and I ran the food processor until it all came together. I formed the dough into a 6-7 inch disk and then put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then I rolled it out and fit it into a pie pan. It fell apart at some points because pie crusts hate me, but I managed to get it into the pie pans and into a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Out come the par baked crusts…and there you have it. Use it as you will.

For the rest of the recipe, I used NEAT original mix and prepared the recipe from my mom’s cookbook as it would have been prepared regularly. YAY! That recipe will go in the review for NEAT. So stick with me here. Let’s talk about how the pie crusts cooked up and the rest of that important stuff.

A slice of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie on the pie crust made from Moon Rabbit Foods Gluten Free Pastry & Pie Mix

First of all, I think I sort of expected them to be a little more golden. They cooked, but they were still a pale white color. I poked it to make sure it wasn’t still dough. Then I figured it would get more golden as it cooked with my filling of Neat, tomato paste, onion, and vegan cheese…but it still remained a pale shade of…pale. It was cooked…it just didn’t look that way. It was a bit disconcerting. It tasted good though, so I guess that’s the important thing. It may look underdone, but it is quite a good pie shell. I was actually happy to have a pie crust that didn’t incorporate sugar into the mix as I was using it for a savory dish. This made this a great substitute for the refrigerated croissant rolls that used to make this light, flaky crust for this dish. Being a thinner crust also helped as well. So, once again, looks can be a wee bit deceiving. It’s all in the taste, when it all comes down to it.

So, what exactly is in the Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix? According to the package, this mix is made up of potato starch, cassava flour, rice flour, sea salt, unrefined cane sugar, and xanthan gum. That’s it. Small list and all recognizable ingredients makes me a happy girl. This crust is gluten-free and vegan. It is also cholesterol free and fat-free until you add the butter…

As for nutrition, the Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust Mix has around 24 2 tablespoon servings in the package. A serving will provide 60 calories, 115 mg sodium, 16 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber and no sugar or protein. No sugar or protein is added to the mix so…it remains that way in the end. When it’s prepared, all of this changes depending on your ingredients and the like.

If you need an easy pie crust, I highly recommend Moon Rabbit Foods Pastry & Pie Crust. Yet another product I never would have even know existed (and, hence, never would have made my mom’s Cheeseburger Pie (albeit vegetarian and dairy free)) if not for Cuisine Cube. Loving this service and the new products and companies that it introduces to me.

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Le Veneziane Micrawable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express

Le Veneziane Microwaveable Penne Al Pomodor E Basilico Pasta Express — Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodor E Basilico Pasta Express

Product: Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express – $6.99+

Pasta. We all know that pasta is one of my favorite things in the world. I grew up begging for spaghetti each week. I wanted my mom’s spaghetti when my birthday rolled around each year. Forget dining out. I wanted my mom’s cooking. I didn’t care if it was store-bought boxed pasta noodles. Her sauce made it. And that’s what I wanted. Pasta (in all forms) has been one of my favorite dishes to just dive into. Ultimate comfort food. Ultimate meal.

Even after the Celiac diagnosis…one of the first things I sought out were pasta alternatives. There are so many out on the market. Some good…others not-so-good…and some that rise above and beyond the bar. Like…even better than true pasta level of amazing.

Back in my September 2014 Cuisine Cube, I was presented with a box of Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico (Penne with Tomato and Basil) Pasta Express. And, yes, even the pasta freak in me didn’t immediately make this up. But…I’ll explain why in a moment.

For now, let me give you a quick run through of what Cuisine Cube is all about. Cuisine Cube is a monthly subscription service that delivers healthier, lesser-known, smaller artisan bakers/companies gluten free goodies to your door. Each box contains 5-6 items (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert, and a bonus sometimes!) and subscriptions start as low as $29.99. Go to their site and check them out. I’ve really enjoyed my year of Cuisine Cube and intend to keep my subscription rolling. In fact, I might have to go in for the long-term subscription instead of the month-to-month. I’m that committed. LOVE.

So…yes…I realize that September is about 7 months ago and that I am just now reviewing a product from that Cube. BUT…it is the last item from the September 2014 Cuisine Cube. And that was one very delicious cube for sure! The Dinner portion of that box was dedicated to a 1-serving microwavable pasta meal made by Le Veneziane. Now, I have had Le Veneziane products before and have always been impressed, so I was quite happy to see this company included in the box. I had no idea they made microwavable pasta meals. The things you learn!

Le Veneziane corn pasta is actually a very great choice for people trying to stay healthy and for people who follow the Mediterranean Diet. Why? It has a very low fat content. How about that? Le Veneziane is now one of the most modern companies using high-quality corn and producing amazing gluten-free pasta, polenta, sauces, and cookies. They put out a high quality product because they believe in using the highest quality ingredients from flour and corn. It is milled properly and kept in the right conditions to make sure that nothing, including being 100% gluten free, is compromised. Love that integrity and devotion.

So, last night after a very busy day that included breakfast at my favorite gluten-free bakery and lunch of gluten-free crepes from my favorite food truck at a festival…I wanted something light for dinner. This was ideal because my roommate and I could split it and it would be the perfect amount. To accompany it, I made some homemade gluten-free dinner rolls (even though I was so tempted just to grab some out of the freezer section). So, while the rolls were cooling, I went ahead and opened up the Le Veneziane Microwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express. Inside was a microwaveable dish that I peeled the top off of and a measuring cone so that I could get exactly 300 ml of water as directed by the instructions. The corn pasta in the container was perfect. It had this deep red-brown powder inside too. And when I added the water and mixed it well, everything got this muddy brown color. I hoped for the best and popped it in the microwave for 10 minutes.

Le Veneziane Micrwavable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express (cooked)

When 10 minutes elapsed, I pulled the tray out of the microwave, a little put off by the brownish color of the sauce. But, I gave it a stir and then dished up half to my roommate and half for me, giving us each a dinner roll to have with it. When I handed her the bowl she said, “That’s an interesting color sauce.” HAHA!! Everyone was thinking it; she just said it aloud.

Well, despite the rich brown color of the sauce, the Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express was actually very delicious. I shouldn’t have doubted it. The sauce was thick and rich with a tomato flavor that was peppered with the right hit of basil. It was really quite delicious. The pasta, despite being nuked in a microwave, were cooked to that perfect al dente. The homemade rolls made the perfect side item for this meal. And even eating just half of the dish itself was more than enough. Very filling. But very, very good. I don’t know where to find more of the microwave meals from Le Veneziane, but I will keep my eyes open for them now. It’s nice to have a delicious and healthy meal in 10 minutes sometimes.

So, let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express pasta is made from corn flour, emulsifier, and the sauce is made from tomato, cream, salt, melted cheese powder, onion, garlic, basil, and sugar. This is 100% gluten-free.

As for the nutrition information, the Le Veneziane Microwaveable Gluten Free Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express portion is 1 pack. In this serving, you will be taking in 350 calories and 7 grams of fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 820 mg sodium (um…yikes!), 64 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar, and 8 grams of protein. See what I mean…it’s filling. And delicious.

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for letting me try a new product from Le Veneziane that I didn’t even know existed. I’ll be on the watch now for more microwavable pasta meals by this great Italian company.

Half of a serving of Le Veneziane Gluten Free Microwaveable Penne Al Pomodoro E Basilico Pasta Express with a homemade gluten-free dinner roll

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Product: So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – 6.99+

Twas the holiday season and stress was high. I mean…at the top level of high stress. Why? Holiday season…I just told you. People were everywhere, gifts weren’t bought yet, and I had a grocery list to get purchased.

And so…I began working my way through the crowded aisles of Whole Foods. I don’t normally buy much in the freezer section there, but I always make a point to go down the aisles. This time, however, as I was going through the frozen dessert treats, some bright (and new) So Delicious treats seemed to wave at me. I pulled open that freezer door and spotted coconut milk ice cream treats in the shapes of snowmen and stars. The snowmen were vanilla with a chocolate layer forming the hat. The stars…peppermint.

HELLO!

Unfortunately, the budget was tight as it was the holidays, but my roomie and I insisted that the following week we’d come back and pick them up…because we’d make some more room by then.

And so…we did. And the Snowmen treats were there…but the Peppermint Stars (the ones I really, really, really wanted to try) were gone. I got upset, and we bought the “boring” (they were anything but boring, they were delicious!) Snowman treats and devoured them later that week. We kept returning, week-after-week, to Whole Foods, but the Peppermint Stars spot always was empty. They were either really popular…or weren’t ever restocked.

Until something magical happened soon after Christmas.

I was back in Whole Foods and walking down that frozen food aisle. At the frozen treats, I looked toward the So Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert area and spotted the red, white, and pink box I had been searching for. I pulled open that freezer door and pulled it out, showing it to Cathy. It was the very last box. THE LAST ONE. We had so many errands to run that day, so we asked the Customer Service desk if they could put it in the freezers in the back until we came back. They were happy to do so. And I was happy that I was finally going to have these in my freezer.

However, it seemed my roommate wasn’t as eager to consume them as I was. Every week we polished off another dessert (usually cookies of some sort) and I would list off other dessert options to follow…and the ice cream we had in the freezer was never even considered. BUT…this past week, I asked “Do you want the chocolate cookies from Cuisine Cube or do you want the ice cream bars?”

“Are those the Peppermint Stars?”

“The ice cream I have been referring to all this time that you never want to eat has been the Peppermint Stars.”

“OH! That’s what I want.”

Sometimes…she needs to be smacked. HA!

So…it was Friday night…and it was time to finally dig into the frozen dessert bars that I had coveted since before Christmas and, the dessert gods blessed me with the final box of the season at Whole Foods. I couldn’t wait. So, I got them out of the freezer and pulled out the box. I tore into it, handed one to my roommate and then tore the wrapper off of mine. I had waited three months to finally dig into these. One taste…and I knew it was worth the wait.

The So Delicious Diary Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert was absolutely amazing. For the first time ever, I didn’t feel as though the peppermint flavor overwhelmed the treat at all. It was subtle…but the highlight of the actual flavor in the ice cream. The bar itself was nice and frozen…but melt-in-your-mouth good. It was so delicious (ha…see what I did there?). I mean…it was light and creamy and just…yum. I loved having a little taste of the holidays in April. I really did. So, maybe the wait was worth it. Well, it was. I just wish I could have enjoyed more of these. I’m so thankful I found that one last box before they disappeared for the season. I will be on the hunt for these this next holiday season and hopefully can have more than two nights worth. Because, sometimes, a treat is just worth it. These were beyond worth it.

Let’s talk about ingredients, shall we? The So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is made from organic coconut milk, organic dried cane syrup, inulin, natural flavor, organic beet juice, guar gum, carbo bean gum, and annatto. YUM YUM!! These bars are free of trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, gluten and dairy. They are also kosher. They are perfection in peppermint form.

As for nutrition, you’ll love how these add up. The So Delicious Dairy Free Peppermint Star Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert has a serving size of 1 bar. Four bars come in the box. One delicious star-shaped frozen dessert bar will serve up 100 calories and 5 grams of fat (much of that will be from the coconut milk), 14 grams carbohydrates, 10 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Talk about a dessert you can feel good about indulging in. I am a huge fan of So Delicious, and having the chance to try one of their limited-edition seasonal ice cream treats was amazing. Totally in love. It’s like a frozen candy cane in ice cream format. How can you not love that. I hope they bring these back next year. I’ll load up my freezer with them for sure. DELISH!

April 12, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti

Product: Dolci di Marie Gluten Free Classic Biscotti – $7.00

I love coffee. I really do. I wasn’t always that way, however. Coffee came to me later in life. I loved the smell and hated the taste…up until I became a barista. Then…life sort of changed. And not only, over time, did I develop a taste for coffee, but I now knew how to properly make it.

Sometimes, I like to spice up my mornings a little bit. No…not by adding cayenne pepper to my scrambled eggs (although I have been known to do that, HA!)…

…I mean having a treat with my morning cup of coffee. And one of my two favorite morning treats with coffee is a biscotti. The other is my homemade madeleines…but I digress.

Well, it just so happened that my March 2015 Cuisine Cube had a container packed with biscotti for the “Breakfast” portion of the box. YAY!

For those of you not familiar with Cuisine Cube…think about how awesome it would be to have lesser-known, smaller company, artisan gluten-free company products shipped straight to your door once a month. Think of the joy opening said box would bring you and how trying new things entices you. You get a product for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert. And sometimes…you get a bonus. Who doesn’t love a bonus? If that got your heart pumping, that’s what Cuisine Cube is all about. And, this subscription service is available for as low as $29.99/month. Pretty awesome, yes? You betcha. So, if you’re curious and want to try something new and exciting and different…hop over to their site.

Because, sometimes, you get products in the box that are like Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. I mean, it’s a treat to have while you drink your wine, your coffee, your tea…whatever. Have it any time of the day, but I like to go the classic route and dip my biscotti into my morning coffee. It is love. And who doesn’t love starting off their morning with a cookie, right? Technically, I suppose a biscotti is consider a biscuit, twice baked so that it is extra dry and crunchy. And if you’ve never had one…you’re totally missing out.

Dolci di Maria was created by Mari Tantillo, who created gluten-free and dairy-free desserts for her two young children who had food allergies and sensitivities. She was urged by her friends to start selling her desserts because they were so delicious. Dolci di Maria strives to create fine gluten and dairy-free desserts that strike a perfect balance with texture and taste. Everything is baked fresh with natural and organic ingredients. Even better…many of the products offered by Dolci di Maria are vegan.

So, with all of that being said, this week I decided to stop looking at the container of biscotti that came in my Cuisine Cube, and finally open it up and have one with my morning coffee (a delicious local blend, for those wondering). Despite being a dry treat (they are meant to be dipped, after all), I always take my first taste without anything else. That way I can judge what something tastes like and if I like it. And…when it comes to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…I like it…but I don’t love it. It has nothing to do with the actual biscuit itself. It actually has a great texture to it…and it holds up to the coffee dunking, that I do religiously when I get gluten-free biscotti in my clutches. So that was the part that I was okay with. The part I wasn’t okay with, when it came to the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti…was the overwhelming licorice flavor. I hate licorice. And this biscotti definitely had a heavy taste of it. I inspected the ingredient list on the bottom of the package and discovered the use of anise. That will do it. It was just…too much for me. I think I was hoping for something with more vanilla flavor than the anise. It didn’t go well with my coffee…nor did my tastebuds really enjoy the licorice flavor. A little bit of anise goes a long way…and in this batch…it took it too far. The biscotti itself is great…the flavor just didn’t work for me, and that’s more of a personal preference than anything else.

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that are in the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti, shall we? These classic Italian treats are made from brown rice flour, pure cane sugar, cage-free eggs, potato starch, tapioca starch, Earth Balance™, baking powder, xanthan gum, anise and vanilla extract, and sea salt.

The nutrition information for the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti is very nice though. You don’t feel so bad treating yourself at breakfast to a crispy Italian biscuit when you look at these stats. A serving is 1 of the biscotti, which will give you 65 calories and 2 grams of fat. You will be consuming 73 mg cholesterol, 102 mg sodium, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and 8 grams of carbohydrates. These have no fiber.

If you don’t mind the flavor of anise (or that licorice-like flavor) than you will probably love everything about the Dolci di Maria Gluten Free Classic Biscotti. For me, the texture was great…it was perfect for dipping, but the anise flavor just overpowered the rest of the biscuit and, for someone like me who dislikes licorice, it was a bit too much. That being said, now that I know I can find Dolci di Maria products at my Lucky’s Market in Louisville, Kentucky (discovered that via the Web site), I am curious to try other products as she has brownies, pancakes and other flavors of biscotti to see if I like them better.

At least I got a morning treat in my Cuisine Cube this month. The Dolci di Maria may not have enticed my taste buds, but I now know to look for other products in my area that might play nicer with my palate.

April 9, 2015May 11, 2015

Product Review: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit

Product: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit – $4.99+

It was the start of a new year. Yes. January 2015. And what happens at the start of a brand new year? New Year’s Resolutions! WOOO!! I am proud to say that I don’t make resolutions, because I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I do, however, try to make each year a good one and try to improve on some things.

Like…eating better.

Well, my New Year 2015 (January) Cuisine Cube, took a lot of the work out of that by providing a box of 6 healthy choices for food/snacks. YAY! So, as you all are pretty much aware, Cuisine Cube is a delivery subscription service that brings smaller, lesser-known, artisan products from the gluten-free food world to your door. Yes, some of them I have heard of…but most I haven’t. And that’s the beauty of this service. Without it, I’d have no idea that some of these products or companies even existed. And, subscriptions start for as low as $29.99/month. It’s a great deal and a great service. If you haven’t tried it or have been meaning to give it a try…do it. You’ll end up loving it as much as I do.

So, January was all about healthy products it seemed. And the product that was packed inside for the Lunch option was this great little Indian spiced meal kit from Jaali Bean. It was the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit. It sounded beyond delicious as I am a huge…and I mean HUGE…lover of Indian food. Around here, I can find a plethora of the Tasty Bite Indian meals, but this was the first time I ever heard of Jaali Bean. Already, I was intrigued.

Jaali Bean was created by Brian and Molina Junkins, a husband and wife team who shared a passion for food, family, and healthy living. They also had a passion for helping people discover the amazing flavors and tastes that are incorporated in Indian cuisine. They challenge everyone to toss aside their preconceived notions about preparing Indian cuisine at home, because they make it all happen within minutes with these great little kits they put together. It is super easy and the are just loaded with all-natural ingredients and all the spices that make you fall in love with Indian food.

They really do make it easy. The Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit comes with two packages attached. Inside is the brown rice and lentil mixture. In the smaller pouch…the spices. Simply set a pot on medium-high heat and heat up 1 tablespoon of oil. Put the spice packet in and stir for about 40-50 seconds. You’ll know when it’s done when you get that amazing aroma out of the spices. Do not burn them. Add 2-1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and give it a stir. Let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. All the extra liquid will get absorbed. Trust me. It works. You are left with a fantastic pot of moist and creamy looking rice that smells as amazing as it looks.

But the true test is always with the taste.

And, let me tell you…Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Rice Kit cooks up an amazing taste of India. Better than Tasty Bite…and as close to authentic restaurant quality as possible at home. Amazing. I grew up eating Indian food, thanks to my neighbors up the way, who were from India. The cuisine has always resonated with me. And I know what is good and what isn’t. Jaali Bean is delicious. Seriously…delicious. The rice cooks up rich and creamy, seasoned to perfection. It’s mild in flavor, so add a kick of your own heat if, like me, you like things a little spicier. I think my only complaint was that there wasn’t enough peas for my liking. How’s that for a complaint, eh? Seriously, perfectly seasoned and it cooks up beautifully. Nothing else I have had packaged has come close to tasting this close to the real deal. I am beyond impressed.

So…let’s discuss what all goes into the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit, shall we? This kit is a combination of par boiled long grain brown rice, orange masoor lentils, peas, spices (which include cumin, mustard seeds, coriander, dried red chili powder, and amchur powder), salt, cane sugar, tomato granules, and nutritional yeast. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, vegan, and non-GMO.

As for the nutrition information in regards to Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit…I was very impressed. A serving is 1 cup and there are 4 servings per package. Each serving will provide 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, 380 mg sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 6 grams of protein. Healthy, filling, and delicious. You can’t go wrong.

Honestly, I’ve never seen Jaali Bean products around here, so without my subscription to Cuisine Cube, I might still be in the dark. With that being said…these products are now on my radar and I know how to get my hands on them via the Internet, if I can’t find any here. And that, my friends, is a very good thing. I’ll definitely keep these on hand for a quick and easy go-to meal.

On a side note, this product wraps up my January 2015 cube. The only product I didn’t get to blog on was the Budi Bar, because somehow I missed the note on freezing it and it got all fuzzy and moldy. I was sad when I had to throw it away. But…perhaps I’ll run across them somewhere around here. Or, I’ll just order one online. We’ll see.

Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit (prepared)