Vegetarian – Page 30 – The Celiathlete

November 25, 2014November 25, 2014

Product Review: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

Product: Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie – $2.75+

I want to thank Cuisine Cube for one of the most epic products ever to arrive in my box. No…this is for real. Because in September, my cube included a cookie. But this cookie was not there for dessert. Nope. It was clearly the item intended for breakfast.

A cookie.

For breakfast.

Being that I am a cookie monster, this totally made my day…my week…my month…perhaps even my year!

And, after running in the New York Marathon and then the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon, I was running out of food in my apartment. And it was a gym morning. And grocery shopping had yet to happen. To much travel time (not time travel, LOL!). Okay, there really isn’t such a thing, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to go to work and get the much-needed grocery shopping done. And this was a morning I was at a loss as to what to have after hitting up the gym.

And then I remembered the cookie I had toted around with me to both New York City and Disney World…just in case I needed something to eat at some point. I never had to break into it on the go…but it was just the thing I needed when I returned home. Go figure.

The Lisa Harris Pantry‘s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is literally what it sounds like: a cookie intended to eat…for breakfast. I love being an adult. HA!

After getting in a good cardio session that morning, I ambled into work and was ready to settle in with something to eat before really beginning my day. This cookie was so convenient. It required no toaster oven, no microwave, and no hassles. All I had to do was open up the wrapper and enjoy. And that’s exactly what I did. The cookie was actually quite large, about the size of a small mason jar lid. And it’s thick too – a perfect drop cookie. I could see the bits of diced apples and the flecks of cinnamon throughout the entire cookie. It looked like a great balance. I also expected these cookies to be hard. But, while they had a crispy-ish outer edge, the center was soft and chewy and amazing. For real. It was, however, very sweet…due in part to the apples, apple flavoring, and the agave. So, I almost wish I had something savory to pair with it because it was borderline almost too sweet. But, it is, after all, a cookie. I thought the flavor was amazing though. I loved seeing the ingredients in the cookie. And I loved the boost of protein that came from the quinoa. As we know, I am always watching my protein intake due to my dietary needs (gluten-free/lactose free/vegetarian). And being so active…protein is a vital part of my diet. So, that was a huge win with me. I loved the texture. It wasn’t dry at all. Had the sweetness been tampered down even slightly, I think it would have been the new breakfast of champions. That being said, I would love to try the other flavor of breakfast cookies that are offered by Lisa Harris Pantry. Because, every day should start with “dessert first.”

So, let’s talk about the ingredients that go into the Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie. This flavor cookie is made from organic rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, quinoa flour, gluten free rolled oats, agave, egg whites, organic diced apples, lecithin, non gmo canola oil, milled flax seed, xantham gum, cinnamon, natural apple flavoring (whole foods compliant), salt. All ingredients are non-GMO. And this particular cookie is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, high in fiber, high in protein, and low in sugar. YES…a cookie that is low in sugar.

While on that subject, let’s go ahead and tackle that all-important nutrition information, yes? A serving of Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie is one entire cookie. And trust me…these thick and moist cookies are definitely filling. One cookie will give you 245 calories and 8 grams of fat. They are cholesterol free. Each cookie has 69 mg sodium and 11 grams of sugar. In addition, you will be getting filled up with 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein! These are definitely hunger satisfying, naturally energizing and perfect for any time of the day, not just breakfast. But the slow-release carbohydrates will definitely keep you going for hours without even the slightest bit of hunger.

I didn’t believe for a moment that a cookie could fill me up, particularly on a gym morning when I tend to be ravenous. But it did. If it weren’t for the sweetness, I think this cookie would be the perfect way to start the day. I mean, who doesn’t like dessert for breakfast? I definitely want to check out the other gluten-free options (not all of the products at Lisa Harris Pantry are gluten free) now. And without Cuisine Cube, I never would have even know these existed!

Another great product brought into my life thanks to Cuisine Cube!

Lisa Harris Pantry's Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie — Lisa Harris Pantry’s Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Morning Sunshine Breakfast Cookie

November 24, 2014

Product Review: Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle

Product: Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle – $5.49+

Sometimes I get big ideas and then wait awhile to actually try them out. When I first spotted the words “traditional egg pasta” on a box of gluten-free tagliatelle from Jovial…I thought immediately of soup.

What?

You don’t immediately think soup?

The reason I thought of soup was, as I was growing up, my mom would make a homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, which required an egg noodle in the recipe. So…this immediately sparked that in my memory. So, I told myself that I could easily make my mom’s recipe…but make it vegetarian. After all, I had one last package of Beyond Meat “Chicken” in the freezer, and for some reason, I think I was mentally saving it to make soup. So…the perfect opportunity presented itself for sure. The only big change was I didn’t make the stock myself. I couldn’t. I wasn’t using real chicken. So, instead…I picked up a couple of the Imagine Vegetarian No Chicken Broth and adjusted the recipe from there.

It worked out brilliantly in the end.

But…that’s not what I’m here to talk about. I am here to discuss the use of the Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle. The pasta is actually the last thing that gets added to the soup. Not only does this help to thicken the broth a little bit, but it also brings a heartiness to the dish. I love a good, comforting bowl of soup. And as we were in the low teens temperature-wise last week…this was the ideal food to have on hand. And my roomie and I ate it…three days in a row.

Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle (uncooked)

Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle was the ideal and perfect noodle for this soup. It is a thin, but longer noodle. Sort of like fettuccine, but different. Did you follow that? HA! It cooked perfectly in the broth with my not-chicken “meat” and my carrots. These noodles absorbed the flavors of the broth and the items cooking in it. And, for the first time, the fake chicken didn’t taste…fake. That was more the broth than the noodle…but that’s an observation I thought I should share. Anyway…Jovial actually managed to make a brown rice noodle that didn’t turn gummy and didn’t fall apart when it cooked. I loved how these noodles held their shape and were so prominent throughout the soup. What’s the point of having a “chicken” noodle soup if the noodles don’t hold up? They really did bring the dish up to where it needed to be. And, even on a reheat, they were perfect. Three days in a row…noodle perfection.

I was beyond impressed. I would purchase these again in a heartbeat to use in other dishes, including pasta dishes with a simple sauce. They went above and beyond my expectations.

Let’s discuss the ingredients that go into Jovial’s Gluten Free Brown Rice Pasta, shall we? These shelf-stable noodles are made from organic brown rice flour and organic eggs. Yes…they really are made from only two ingredients. In addition to being gluten-free, these noodles are also free of casein, tree nuts and peanuts. These are also certified kosher.

As for nutritional information, as far as pasta goes, this is right in line with even the regular stuff. A serving of Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle is 2 ounces of pasta. There are 4 servings in the package. A serving will deliver 210 calories and 3 grams of fat. One serving will also provide you with 40 mg cholesterol, 15 mg sodium, and no sugar at all! You will also be taking in 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. So, yes…these will make you feel full. Trust me. I made vegan grilled cheese sandwiches to eat with them and I was stuffed at the end of my bowl of soup and sandwich.

Another win for Jovial in the gluten-free pasta. Seriously continuing to fall in love with this brand when it comes to my pastas. Great noodles that are easy to cook and use…and don’t fall apart like some other brown rice pastas. That is definitely a win!

Gluten Free and Vegan “Chicken” Noodle Soup made with Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Tagliatelle

November 24, 2014

Product Review: Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna

Product: Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna – $5.99+

Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten-Free products have yet to let me down. Honestly. The two I have had prior to this one have been out-of-this world delicious. And, they reheat so well the following day or so as well. So, I’m having a bit of a foodie love affair with the packaged and easy-to-prepare Mrs. Leeper’s dinners.

The Beef Lasagna was no different.

But…before you freak out…let me assure you…no beef was added to this dish. Much like when I made the Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten-Free Cheeseburger Mac, I substituted the beef with the Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo, which is also gluten-free. So much love for Trader Joe’s for bringing that back to shelves! WOOT!

Another big plus for these meals is how efficient, convenient, and easy they are to prepare. Trust me. I don’t have time every night to prepare something from scratch. As much as I would like to…

And, as I haven’t had my CSA bin delivered in almost a month (this is what happens when you go out of town…then go out of town…then think you’re going out of town, but end up not going out of town…twice…and having already cancelled the bin), I’m basically living off my pantry/fridge/freezer. This…has been my unfortunate life. I hate not getting my fresh produce. I’m trying to get back into the habit of more clean eating, less processed stuff…but it’s been hard when my fresh produce isn’t delivered to my door and my roomie isn’t big on purchasing it from the grocery.

So, instead of living off the land, I’m living off the stocked shelves of my various kitchen stock rooms. So, thankfully I had the Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo in my fridge because that meant…this box could move off my pasta shelf and make an easy dinner. So…that’s what happened.

Preparing the Mrs Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna was easy. I heated up a skillet and put the soy chorizo into the pan. I let it warm up a littie and then stirred in three cups of hot water and the packet of sauce mix included in the box. That all had to come to a rolling boil, and then the pasta was added. The heat was then reduced, the skillet covered, and the pasta allowed to cook for about 10 minutes (or until tender), with an occasional stir. The skillet is then removed from the heat and left to stand for about 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.

So, this dinner took about 15 minutes to prepare and it was totally legit and delicious. The box says that ground turkey or tofu could be substituted for the beef, or the protein could be left out all together. Any way you decide to serve it up, you have a delicious meal that is fast and easy to prepare…and…most importantly…DELICIOUS!

Because, yes…this, like the Mrs. Leeper’s meals that came before, was perfection. The flavors were amazing. The soy chorizo brought a nice touch of heat to the actual dish, but the rich tomato sauce was a great counter-balance to the heat. And the corn pasta was, as always, brilliant. I love corn pasta because it doesn’t fall apart, nor does it get gummy. This cooked to a perfect al-dente, and when the leftovers were heated up later that week, the same held true. I am actually quite addicted to these easy and fast meals.

Besides…I love pasta!

So, let’s talk ingredients. The Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna is made from corn pasta, and a lasagna seasoning, which is a blend of tomato powder, sugar, salt, potato starch, whey, autolyzed yeast extract, onion and garlic powder, hydrolyzed soy protein, citric acid, spices, beet powder, extractives of turmeric and paprika, natural flavor, lactic acid, xanthan gum, caramel color and silicon dioxcide to prevent caking. Not bad, but not clean eating either.

As for nutrition…the Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna serves 5. Each serving contains 130 calories as packaged and 0 grams of fat. You will also take in 0 mg cholesterol, 480 mg sodium, and 3 grams of sugar. A serving will also provide 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Of course, that does change with the addition of your protein of choice.

Another brilliant pasta meal that is ready in about 15 minutes from Mrs. Leeper’s. I am beyond impressed. And, I’m certain I’ll be giving the remaining few Mrs. Leeper’s meals a try…with or without a substitute protein. Guess it just depends on what I pick up and what might or might not work with it. But, if you haven’t given the Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free pasta meals a try yet…do so. It’s like Hamburger Helper…but SO much better!

Mrs. Leeper's Gluten Free Beef Lasagna (prepared) — Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten Free Beef Lasagna (prepared)

November 23, 2014

Product Review: Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

Product: Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

Looking for a good tortilla alternative? Hey…sometimes we are. I know I’m usually searching for some sort of wrap that I can use…in some fashion. And I managed to find a few options in other areas of the country…but never really in my state or region. One product that I have seen, but haven’t gotten the nerve to try are The Pure Wraps. I spotted these at a few of my local natural food stores on end caps and the like…but I just haven’t managed to talk myself into getting them.

Enter my monthly delivery from Cuisine Cube! If I haven’t gotten you curious enough to sign up for a month of this delivery…then you aren’t human. Seriously, click on the link above and check them out. It is affordable and you really do get some interesting and otherwise unknown products each month delivered right to your door. All gluten-free. How’s that for amazing?

So, in only my second cube to arrive, back in June, one of the products included were The Pure Wraps from Improveat. Hmmm…now I didn’t have to talk myself into purchasing them. I now had them within my clutches. Thanks Cuisine Cube! Anyway, I tucked these away in my hall pantry, and sort of had the fact that they were there lingering in my mind for awhile. I just needed a good reason to get them out and try them.

Filling form y quesadillas: The Pioneer Woman's Butternut Squash & Kale — Filling form y quesadillas: The Pioneer Woman’s Butternut Squash & Kale

That moment presented itself in the week following my trip to Walt Disney World to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. My roommate and I are getting back on track with our clean eating and I still happened to have a butternut squash from my bin a couple weeks before. I purchased some organic kale and whipped up a recipe from The Pioneer Woman for her Butternut Squash and Kale. She had a link using it as a stuffing for quesadillas. And I thought…well…I do have those Pure Wraps in my pantry. I wasn’t sure how well it would work, but I figured…it was at least worth a try.

So, that evening, I managed to properly cut a butternut squash without almost losing a finger and without much problem. I cooked up the delicious squash and kale mixture and then it was time for the quesadilla part. I retrieved the packet of Improveat’s The Pure Wraps and opened it up.

Improveat's The Pure Wraps (raw) — Improveat’s The Pure Wraps (raw)

What I pulled out were squares of what almost looked like thin paper. I was now wondering how these would work with the whole “drop in some butter to crisp up the outside” method for the quesadillas. I figured there wasn’t much to lose, so, into the pan one went. It took a moment to begin to brown, but it did…so I flipped it. These didn’t exactly crisp up right away, so when I went to do the other one, I set the first on a paper towel. That’s when it began to crisp up. Maybe it would work. Maybe not. If not, just wrap it around the filling and eat it like…shawarma or something.

But…it did work. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when the wraps charred up and did become solid enough to hold the amazing filling I prepared simply with local squash and organic kale…and a little bit of seasoning. Mmmm. So, there it was…dinner. It wasn’t a normal looking quesadilla,but it wasn’t made with your typical ingredients. So…I cut them in half…and they crumbled slightly, but it worked. Dinner was served.

I was actually so happy with the way Improveat’s The Pure Wraps tasted. Considering they are made from only three ingredients, and not a typical tortilla, I wasn’t sure how well this would work. But they worked perfectly. And it was a different take on how to eat them. Next time, and there will be a next time, I think I will leave them in their natural state. But, even with the attempt at crisping them up, I still got the bit of sweetness from the coconut these wraps are made from. And this really paired well with the earthy and spicy flavors of the squash and kale that I placed inside. I was beyond satisfied with these wraps and honestly will be heading out to the store for more. I’m excited about them. I fell in love with them. And, they fall right into the clean eating regimen that my roomie and I are trying to get back on.

So, what exactly are Improveat’s The Pure Wraps made from? Simple. Each wrap is made from only three ingredients: young coconut, coconut water, and Himalayan sea salt. Boom. That’s it. You can’t get more pure than that! The entire purpose of these wraps being created by Improveat (based out of Atlanta, Georgia) was to have a healthy bread/tortilla substitute that was highly nutritious, free of major food allergens (including gluten!) and convenient for today’s busy lifestyle. It took over two years of research and testing to come up with the right product, realizing the vision of the creators without sacrificing their high standards. Talk about a labor of love…and one that really paid off. These wraps are gluten-free, raw, alkalline, corn-free, soy-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

As far as nutritional information goes, Improveat’s The Pure Wraps come in a package containing four wraps. A serving size is one of these wraps. One wrap will serve up 60 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. They are cholesterol free. You will be consuming 240 mg sodium and less than 1 gram of sugar. Don’t you love that. These wraps won’t make you feel bloated or stuffed either. Each one contains less than 1 gram of fiber and they have no natural protein. Thanks to the coconut that goes into each one, you also get a bonus of 120 mg potassium. Gotta love that.

And you will love these wraps. Honestly. I can’t wait to try them again, and this time just use them in the simple manner they are prepared. Just fill, roll and enjoy. But, on a whole, these were very good the way I prepared them too. They held up to even cooking, which I wasn’t sure how that would work but it did.

So, once again, Cuisine Cube, you have made a believer out of me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to try a product that I had been too nervous to try before. Stepping out of your comfort zone when it comes to food is important, and this made it easy to do so.

Gluten-Free Butternut Squash and Kale Quesadillas made with Improveat's The Pure Wraps — Gluten-Free Butternut Squash and Kale Quesadillas made with Improveat’s The Pure Wraps

November 23, 2014

Product Review: Zena’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Homestyle Cookies

Product: Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies – $5.49+

Cookie Monster is back with a vengeance.

My good friend, Jenn, knows me and knows that I love to try new gluten-free cookies. So, for my birthday, in my little bag of delicious birthday goodness, she provided me with three kinds I hadn’t tried before. Just after heading to New York City…and just before leaving for Walt Disney World…my roommate and I broke into the second brand she provided for me to try.

This time…it was Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I had never heard of this brand before, so I was a little excited to try it.

Okay…a lot.

Why? Two words: Chocolate Chunk!

HELLO!!

Do you see where this is headed? Because who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie, right? It’s the most basic of drop cookies out there. It’s a classic. It’s the go-to cookie of choice. I mean, you’ve reached for a cookie before and bit into it thinking it was chocolate chip only to be disappointed that it was oatmeal raisin, right? It’s happened to all of us. There is something that is so simple, yet so magical and incredibly comforting about a chocolate chip cookie.

But these weren’t just chocolate chips, yeah? These were…chocolate chunks!

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies come in a box containing 8 individually wrapped cookies. Open box…open wrapper…enjoy. Simple and satisfying.

The thing was…I wasn’t completely sold on these at first bite. Here’s why:

The Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies were…bland. If you didn’t happen to get a bite with the sweet chocolate chunks in it, then the cookie itself couldn’t carry it as a delicious dessert. While I found the cookies to be a great soft texture, the sweetness was just…wrong. The base of the cookie should be able to stand alone, but this was seriously lacking unless you got a bit of the chocolate in that bite. And, unfortunately, the chocolate chunks weren’t scattered well throughout each cookie. A lot of times, these chunks were just focused in the center, making it seem like the cookies were scooped and…whoops…forgot the chocolate part. They weren’t bad…we enjoyed them enough to eat the entire box (not in one sitting, but over the course of four days, HA!), but they aren’t a cookie we would actively seek out again.

As for the science of things, the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies are made from soy flour, palm oil, dark chocolate chunks, sugar, brown sugar, canola oil, potato starch, egg whites (frozen), natural flavors, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar, ammonium bicarbonate, Ganaden BC30, and salt. I admit, I had to look up what Ganaden BC30 was…and it is a natural probiotic. These cookies are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and are kosher. They are also cholesterol free!

Now, let’s look at the nutritional value of the Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies. They are…cookies…so don’t expect great things here. A serving size is one cookie. This cookie will provide you with 130 calories and 8 grams of fat. One cookie will also give you 70 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. You will also be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not bad for a cookie, but there are other cookies I’d rather have over these.

So, while Zena’s Gluten Free Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies weren’t bad…they weren’t great either. They made a good enough dessert for the few days I was home between the New York City Marathon and the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon…but they won’t be a brand that I rush out to purchase again.

November 23, 2014

Restaurant Review: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

Via Napoli - Italy Pavilion - Epcot — Via Napoli – Epcot – Disney World

Restaurant: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

It was Epcot Day! YAY! I love Epcot Day. I don’t know why…because so much of it features the World Showcase…which during the Food & Wine Festival…features foods from all over the world. Even the regular pavilions that are standard in the showcase don’t offer much for a gluten-free vegetarian. But I still love Epcot Day.

Since we were in Epcot, on our final night, we wanted to go somewhere in the park for dinner. It took a little bit of back and forth, but we finally decided on Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. It had gluten-free pasta on the menu, so we were good. Something I could eat. Which, definitely was important on Epcot Day…as our morning actually started at the Magic Kingdom…where we at Dole Whip for breakfast. Pictures were taken for proof. I am not ashamed.

But…let’s fast forward.

The entire day was spent doing a few rides and exploring the World Showcase. My friend, Jenn, was having a difficult time on the last day. Her feet…her poor feet…had blisters in places I didn’t know one could get blisters. It was a slower moving day, but I was fine with that. Take in the showcase. Stop and watch the new Lumberjack Show. I miss Off Kilter though…I’m not going to lie. Cathy snagged a lunch in Morocco (she had to have her lamb shawarma!), while Jenn and I toddled over to Brazil for the (naturally gluten-free) Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread). I later had one of my protein bars and half of a clementine (Jenn had the other half) because dinner reservations weren’t until 7:45 p.m. Late.

But, we made use of our time…checking out different things along the way, resting when Jenn needed to get off her feet, exploring the different countries, and shopping. Of course. We got in line for the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros at the Mexican Pavilion…and that sort of ate up (see what I did there?) the rest of the evening down time before food. It was a bit of a stroll back to Italy in Epcot…but Jenn was a trooper…and she got there.

I went up to the hostess desk in the very crowded lobby and let her know we were there for our reservation. She asked me some questions, it was hard to hear her over the din of the lobby. But we got it worked out. And, of course, my food allergy thing. So, there was a short wait…but after about 5 or so minutes, the lobby was emptying and we were up next. The really nice hostess took us all the way to the back for a table with a bench and two chairs. Cathy and I sidled up on the bench. Jenn took the chair this time.

We. Were. Starving.

I perused the menu and noted that, yes, gluten-free pasta was the only option for me. The downside…none of the listed pasta dishes on the menu were vegetarian. Yikes. As I was just starting to look at the menu, the customer liaison came over to speak to me about my food allergy. He noted the gluten-free and pointed out that they do not have gluten-free pizza but any of the pasta can be done gluten-free. And then he was off.

Which left our poor waiter to be the one who would have to seriously help me out. Not that he minded. And as I am the tricky one…I ordered first. And my first statement was…

“Well, I am a gluten-free vegetarian…so…”

He came over to my side of the table to look at the pasta dishes. “Gluten-free…it’s easy,” he said. “The vegetarian…” He looked at all the pasta options again and finally said, “I tell you what…we will have the chef prepare some mushrooms and vegetables with our marinara sauce.”

Works for me. Order in.

Jenn opted for the Lasagne Verde, which is a white lasagna that is stuffed with spinach, parmesan, ricotta, and a besciamella sauce ($22.00). Cathy went for her go-to when we first go to an Italian restaurant…the Spaghetti e Polpettine, which contained hand-crafted veal meatballs in a tomato sauce ($21.00). I have to say, I usually giggle a little when Jenn orders something with cooked spinach or vegetables in it…because most of those veggies get tossed to the side of the plate. But…she is Italian…and she knows her Italian food.

We waited for a bit…no gluten-free rolls or any bread at all at the table. We watched a woman at the table next to us devour an entire pizza on her own, while her dining companions watched her. And as she was taking her last few bites, their food arrived. It was weird. We couldn’t figure out if they were just there to watch her eat (like some crazy Disney World food challenge or something)…but…who knows. She then got to watch all of them eat so…turn around is fair play…or something?

But, soon our attention turned to our own food as our dishes arrived and were delivered before us.

Pasta with Veggies and Marinara — Pasta with Veggies in Red Sauce

I have to say, my bowl of pasta was beautiful. A good helping of marinara sauce (which would have been awesome with a gluten-free bread product of some type!) with a variety of vegetables cooked in. I spotted zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms immediately. And the gluten-free pasta was fusilli…so twisty and perfect for capturing delicious sauce. I will call this dish…”Pasta for the strange gluten-free vegetarian at the table in the back.” Or…more simply…Pasta and Veggies in Red Sauce ($22.00).

Now, this is the second Italian restaurant I have visited at Disney World. Normally we just head over to Hollywood Studios and enjoy our food (complete with gluten-free dinner rolls and gluten-free dessert!) at Mama Melrose’s. But since were were in Epcot…we figured it would be easier to eat there than park hop.

I sort of wish we park hopped…

It’s not that Via Napoli was bad. It wasn’t. The food was actually quite good. It was just…average though. The pasta in my dish was actually cooked to perfection. A lot of gluten-free pastas, especially when crafted from rice flours, tend to get gummy and fall apart. These were a perfect al dente and held up to the marinara and the vegetables. But…there was a lot of pasta in that dish and I ended up picking out the veggies at the end and leaving the noodles alone. I ate about 3/4 of the dish…and that was it. I was done. The marinara had a lot of flavor to it. And the vegetables were a nice touch and I appreciate the chef at Via Napoli for doing that to accommodate my dietary needs. I just…had better. Elsewhere.

Jenn enjoyed her lasagna…after she picked out most of the spinach. And Cathy made sure to eat all of her meatballs. They were much smaller than what she normally gets in a spaghetti and meatball dish, so she appreciated that too. But she too had to soldier on and leave some of her pasta noodles behind.

No dessert here for us…we had plans. Cathy wanted her chocolate cannoli from one of the gelato carts in the World Showcase, and I headed to France to get some Salted Caramel Gelato from an ice cream shop there. Yummy!

So, as it stands, Via Napoli put out good food. I can’t think of anywhere at Disney where I have had bad food. It’s just…Mama Melrose’s had more options for me…and a bit more to offer. So next time…I think I’ll return to Mama Melrose’s. But, thank you, Via Napoli, for the fine cuisine. A little taste of Italy never goes wrong with me.

November 21, 2014

Restaurant Review: Be Our Guest – Fantasyland – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

Be Our Guest - Fantastyland - Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida — Be Our Guest – Fantastyland – Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida

Restaurant: Be Our Guest – Fantasyland – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

It’s probably one of the hardest reservations to get at Disney World at this time. One of the newest restaurants at the theme park itself, Magic Kingdom opened the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland. And yes, just as the name suggests, the basic theme of this restaurant is Beauty and the Beast.This means, should I ever take my neice Kaytlynn to Disney World…this is where we would eat!

We didn’t get the much coveted dinner reservation, however, my Disney Travel Agent and friend, Karen, managed to snag a spot for a lunch reservation. She added it to our Fast Passes and we were good to go for Sunday lunch.

We had big dinner plans that evening at The Wave, so we opted for a “dessert first” approach to our reservation. In other words…forget the real food…give us something sweet!

One of the reasons I had wanted to get into Be Our Guest was the fact that they had…

…wait for it…

…a GLUTEN-FREE CREAM PUFF!!!!

*cough*

Sorry…I get excited sometimes when it comes to things I love but haven’t been able to eat in years.

The rumors were true, however, so once we got into the Fast Pass line and were ushered up the walk to the restaurant, the hostess handed us each a menu and we perused it. I knew what I was getting. Cathy was torn between getting soup or getting a dessert. As Jenn and I were getting desserts and had declared it “dessert first” day…she eventually let go of the soup thought and went with her choice for a dessert. No duplicates. Actually, normally with the three of us…little duplication ever happens.

We stood in line in this amazing Great Hall, with suits of armor and screens that showed images of the items available on the menu. When we got up to the host, he directed us to stand inside and await the help of someone else, who would then direct us to one of the pay stations. We had wanted to charge these to our cards, but were sent to a kiosk thing instead of the cashier. When we questioned it, we were told it would take a card. Jenn was first…and she wasn’t given any option except her Fast Pass. So…onto the bracelet it went. Cathy and I played around with it, and we did find where we could charge it to a card…except it automatically made us use the Fast Pass. So…yeah…that was confusing, convoluted, and just chaotic.

From there, we turned over our menus and were told to take a seat at any of the tables in any of the rooms. This involved a little bit of investigation. The main room you enter was packed. There was a darker room near the back, that had more of a tavern feel to it. But…it was also packed. So, we moved to the more ballroom-ish room. Plenty of seating in there. We pulled up a booth (and chair) at one of the tables at the back. I was facing the rotating statue of Belle and The Beast dancing. Absolutely…gorgeous.

Cathy and Jenn both got “Adult Cold Fountain Beverages” (aka: SODA!) ($2.99), so while they went to retrieve their drinks from the fountains at the other side of the room, I sat and manned the table. While they were gone, a man came over to check our receipts and wrote down something on a pad. I’m assuming this is how they eventually figure out where to bring our food, instead of playing a game of Marco Polo with each and every customer. They returned and I got up to get my drink. I don’t do soda anymore…so I opted for an “Adult Hot Beverage” (aka: coffee, tea, hot cocoa) ($2.39), and had to go retrieve a cup to get some coffee. Caffeine was necessary. The coffee in this room was out of order, but I was told to just go around the corner to the other room as they have coffee there. So…I did.

Brewed hot coffee. Not fancy. Very basic. But…served it’s purpose.

Finally, we were settled in and taking in the entire place. And then, this gorgeous cart rolled up and Jenn was given her dessert. Yes…just Jenn. She ordered the Éclair à l’Orange ($4.19), which was an éclair with a custard filling with zested orange and finished off with chocolate ganache. Jenn loves chocolate and orange together…so this was a definite win. She was kind enough to wait for Cathy and I to receive our treats before she dove in.

And they did…about 5 minutes later.

Cathy went for the obvious Cathy choice…the Lemon Meringue Cupcake ($4.19). This is a vanilla sponge cake with a lemon custard filling and flamed meringue icing. It just screamed Cathy because…it was lemon. And she loves lemon.

As for me…I went with the item on the menu that I wanted to begin with. It is gluten-free. It has no added sugar. It, my dearest friends, is the Lemon – Raspberry Cream Puff ($4.19). It is exactly what it sounds like. A pastry that is filled with lemon custard and topped off with raspberries. Gorgeous.

With all of our sweet treats now present, we dove in.

Be Our Guest's Éclair à l’Orange — Be Our Guest’s Éclair à l’Orange

Let’s start with Jenn. Jenn loved the Éclair à l’Orange. She said it was perfectly orange-y. In fact, it managed to be smooth and light, not heavy like some cream-filled pastries (especially eclairs) tend to be. Her only stipulation…it could have been bigger.

Be Our Guest's Lemon Meringue Cupcake — Be Our Guest’s Lemon Meringue Cupcake

Cathy’s Lemon Meringue Cupcake looked like a little, personal, lemon meringue pie. She used her fork to dive in, the cake portion completely encased in this gorgeous paper. It was small…she said almost like two biter. And it wasn’t knock-you-over lemony, but definitely had that bright citrus flavor in each bite. In fact, when I asked her to describe it, all she could say was…”It was lemony!” Uh…yeah…the name tells me that. So…there you have it. It’s lemony!

Now onto the Lemon-Raspberry Cream Puff. I admit. I heard rumors of the gluten-free cream puff and knew…just knew…it had to be mine. So…here it was…this little dough puff in front of me. I took my fork and cut through the crusty pastry, watching it flake away to give way to the gorgeous, yellow, lemon cream inside. I paired it with the cream and raspberries on top…and we’re talking a heavenly, sinful dessert. I loved that this also had no additional sugar in it. I’ve been trying to cut back on the amount of sugar I consume, which isn’t easy because of natural sugars in things I love…like fruits. But, I don’t really count natural sugars. Still, I didn’t think this really needed any additional sugar. It was light…fluffy, and just a dreamy dessert for a girl who last had a cream puff when this gluten-free journey began…and I cheated. And suffered. And that was the end of that. This…was huge to me. I have to agree with both Jenn and Cathy though…the dessert was small. Which is fine…but I just thought for close to $5, there would be a little bit more. Other than that…we devoured the delectable, delicious desserts, and raved about them the entire time.

Be Our Guest's Lemon - Raspberry Cream Puff (GLUTEN-FREE!!) — Be Our Guest’s Lemon – Raspberry Cream Puff (GLUTEN-FREE!!)

Dessert first…achieved.

Being a grown-up is awesome! HA!

So, while I thought the ambiance of the restaurant was killer…like being in the film Beauty and the Beast…it was really chaotic, really loud, and a bit…of a mess when it came to ordering and checking out. But, it was a great way to dine and I am thrilled my friend Karen managed to snag us lunch reservations. The atmosphere at this restaurant is hard to top. But, in a way…it was like eating at a 5 star cafeteria. If you know what I mean.

I was definitely happy to have the chance to dine at Be Our Guest…and I thank them for offering one of the most amazing and fantastic gluten-free desserts I have had in awhile.

November 20, 2014

Restaurant Review: Red Rooster, Harlem, New York

Restaurant: Red Rooster, Harlem, New York

I totally broke tradition. I did. I was in New York City to run the TCS New York City Marathon…and so far I had managed really amazing gluten-free pizza the night before the race. Normally, after I race, my friends and I go to a pub to celebrate the occasion.

Not. This. Time.

But, it was of my own doing that we ended up in Harlem just after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.

How?

Well…since we were going to be in New York City, I thought it might be fun to check out a restaurant that belongs to one of my favorite chefs of all time.

The venue: Red Rooster.

The chef: Marcus Samuelsson.

After all, we were celebrating my finish at the marathon earlier that afternoon. Why not make it special. So, yeah…I broke tradition and decided to forgo the pub for something…a little different. And I have never made a better decision in my life.

Prior to heading to New York City, I had told Cathy that I really wanted to go into Harlem and eat at Red Rooster. She knows how much I adore Marcus Samuelsson. And, honestly, we’re both foodies…she was right there with me. So, she went ahead and called the restaurant and talked to them about reservations on marathon eve. She mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they said that food for me would not be an issue. With that done, Cathy set up a reservation for 6 p.m., giving me plenty of time to run, shower, walk around, come back and change, and get there with my group of friends. We had reservations for 4 people…me, Cathy, Heather, and my good friend Marisa.

So, that night, I dressed up in this elegant vintage dress…but kept on my recovery compression socks (and wore them with my heels, HA!), and my three friends and I went down to the subway and hopped the train to Harlem. We emerged steps away from Red Rooster. Literally.

And about 10 minutes late. Whoops. But…we got there…before they handed our table away.

We were seated near the kitchen, which was fantastic for me because I could see the people bustling around in there, working hard at the various stations. I loved the feel of Red Rooster…very chic casual. A fun, vibrant, laid back, but classic vibe. It was the kind of place I would want to return to and bring everyone I know…at least once. Totally my style.

Our server, Ryan, came over to greet us. He said that if we had any questions regarding the menu to let him know. I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said that wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, he would go and talk to the chef and see what they could do for me. I thanked him and we all studied the different menu options. At one point, I know Cathy was trying to convince Marisa to try the soup with tripe in it, but that wasn’t happening.

Ryan returned, and said that he mentioned that I had run the TCS New York City Marathon and was a gluten-free vegetarian, to which he said the chef would like to create a dish for me. I was thrilled and thanked him for checking.

With that said, Cathy took one matter into her own hands. We were, after all, celebrating. So, she ordered a bottle of wine for the table. We went with a sweet wine (Heather prefers dry…but she was a good sport), opting for a local Riesling – the 2013 Brotherhood from Washingtonville, New York ($48.00).

We were ready to order, it seemed. Ryan already had mine. He said the chef was going to do up a Vegetable Plate ($21.00) for me. So, I was excited to see what would emerge from the kitchen. Cathy went with Marcus Samuelsson’s signature dish – Helga’s Meatballs, which are served with lingonberries, braised green cabbage, and buttermilk mashed potatoes ($23.00). Heather ordered the Triple-Double Burger, which is served with bacon, jarlesburg, and rooster sauce ($19.00). Marisa did a little picking and choosing, and went with the Upstate Farms Squash Soup, which includes yogurt, honeycrisp apples, and lentils ($12.00) with a side of the Cornbread ($4.00). And, because they sounded good…Heather and I split a side of the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.00).

Red Rooster Entrees: Helga's Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger — Red Rooster Entrees: Helga’s Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger

Ryan went to put or order in and we all got down to talking about New York, about work, about life, about the race, about food, about events…whatever we wanted to talk about. We were in no rush and the restaurant was not rushing us. I loved being able to just drink in the atmosphere.

Just before the food arrived, Ryan returned with our Riesling bottle, pouring a little bit into Cathy’s glass. Cathy lifted the glass and took a sip. And it was love at first taste for her. So he poured some in each of our glasses, and I made sure to keep drinking my water too. No dehydration here.

And then…our entrees arrived, each one settled down in front of us carefully.

The plates…were gorgeous!

Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate - Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts — Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate – Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The chef created a fantastic dish for me. In a bowl on my left was Curried Black Eyed Peas. And on the platter beside it…Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Oh…I will note, these Brussels Sprouts tasted different than the side that Heather and I were splitting. It was chef magic. And it was a beautiful and gorgeous plate. One that I looked forward to eating.

Let’s start with the Curried Black Eyed Peas. Just…WOW. WOW! So much flavor. Lots going on. And yet…simple. I like to traditionally have black eyed peas on New Years Day…and this is how I would want them this year. For real. Just this incredible depth of flavor with the curry spices. Not hot…just simply bringing out more of the peas themselves. One of the best dishes involving peas of any sort I have ever had in my life. And, trust me, I’ve eaten plenty.

The vegetables that the chef prepared were a delicious and filling treat for me. The broccolini was gorgeously cooked and vibrant green. It had the right amount of crisp to it, yet, still soft and easy to bite through. I love broccolini, and this was just as it should be…simple and delicious. The Brussels Sprouts were roasted to perfection, giving that outer layer some depth of flavor, yet keeping the vegetable itself soft on the inside. Fork tender perfection.

My favorite thing, however, on that plate was the Berbere Carrots and Parsnips. HOLY COW! This side is exactly why I rushed out to a spice store in order to purchase berbere. This spice is awesome. It has this great flavor to it, followed with a little bit of heat at the end. It paired beautifully with this root vegetables. In fact, these were what I saved for my last bite. Completely in love with a plate of vegetables. How amazing! My compliments to the marathoning chef. My meal was sheer perfection.

Red Rooster's Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts — Red Rooster’s Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts

And I know you’re wondering about the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts that Heather and I split, right? Of course you are! These were different from the ones that were on my plate. These sprouts had this amazing char to them, but also hit up with a bit of a lemon or citrus flavor. Sprinkled on top were macadamia nuts. It was a combination that I hadn’t had before with Brussels sprouts…and I liked it.

But, wait…there is more!

Because when we celebrate we get dessert too! We were handed the menus so we could peruse the options. Ryan was taking care of another party at that moment, so I asked the new server about gluten-free options. She highly recommended The Green Apple Viking Delight ($11.00). I was game. Heather actually ended up doing that too. Leave it to the Scandinavian Minnesotans to order something with the word “viking” in it. HA! Cathy knew she wanted to have cheesecake in New York City, so her choice was the obvious one…Vanilla Cheesecake, served with yogurt, a granola crumble and pomegranate sorbet ($11.00). Marisa went for the signature dessert of the restaurant, the Red Rooster Doughnuts, which are filled with sweet potato and coated in cinnamon and sugar ($12.00). It came with an icing to dip them in as well.

Red Rooster's Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts — Red Rooster’s Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts

Red Rooster's Green Apple Viking Delight — Red Rooster’s Green Apple Viking Delight

Desserts arrived shortly after and…yeah…we were quite happy with our choices. I thought The Green Apple Viking Delight was like a cold crème brûlée. It was a green apple sorbet set on top of a white chocolate fennel cream. On the side was chopped apple and fennel. And a little tuile was set on top, giving it a little crunch and texture. I was totally in love with the flavors, even though I wasn’t completely certain, at first, that they would work. They complimented each other perfectly and each bite was a burst of sweetness, with a bit of richness from the white chocolate. Divine.

Cathy loved her cheesecake (it looked deconstructed…so cool!) and Marisa was more than pleased with the doughnuts. Needless to say…we are girls. Desserts are awesome. But these…these took awesome up to the next level. Which I guess is phenomenal. Or, in the culinary world, a sweet note to end the night on.

We left the restaurant completely satisfied with the meal. The ambiance of Red Rooster was like no other restaurant that I have been in to date. A live jazz band had started to play during our desserts and we really just took a moment to not only savor the food, but savor the experience as well.

I have been a Marcus Samuelsson fan for years…being able to eat at his restaurant was a dream come true. Having a dish created for me, and having a careful and very caring staff made it unforgettable. I was congratulated so many times on finishing the marathon. It was an amazing day, but that night really just sealed it as one of the best days of my life. Good race…good friends…good food…good times.

Thank you, Marcus Samuelsson and Red Rooster.

November 18, 2014

Restaurant Review: Don Antonio by Starita, New York, New York

Restaurant: Don Antonio by Starita, New York, New York

Restaurants are not hard to come by in New York City. Not at all. It is the birthplace of many a Michelin star restaurant and James Beard Award nominee and/or winner. It is the land of dreams…and a burgeoning hub of chefs and restauranteurs looking to make a name and a statement.

No, restaurants are not hard to find.

GOOD restaurants, however, can be difficult to find with all the options that greet you on every street, avenue, corner, block, etc.

When I was in The Big Apple for the TCS New York City Marathon at the beginning of November, I already knew I wasn’t going to be there long enough to really explore the vast and diverse food scene. Not this trip. What I did know was that I was in town for a marathon, and what that required of this beautiful city was…gluten-free pizza.

The original plan had been to go to this place called Nizza. It had good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free and wasn’t too far from the hotel where we were staying. The problem turned out to be that we were only able to get a reservation for 4 p.m. Granted, I appreciate eating early the night before a race. The problem was…this was too early. Heather was meeting up with her cousin at 1 p.m. for lunch…which would mean she wouldn’t even be hungry at this point. The time couldn’t be adjusted. Cathy and I tried back at the hotel. No later reservations until much too late for my liking.

That being said, I had gotten onto Find Me Gluten Free when we were on the shuttle bus coming back from the race expo and found another option. It was this place called Don Antonio by Starita. And it has only three locations: New York City, Atlanta (Georgia), and Napoli (Italy). Cathy gave them a quick call as there was no place to see about reservations. They informed her that they do not take reservations, but even on a Saturday night, they turn through tables quickly and there is never more than a 45 minute wait.

We took them for their word, and around 6 p.m., began to make the easy walk down to the restaurant.

The place was hopping. There were people standing out on the damp and windy streets. I ducked inside to get my name in with the hostess and was told they would call my name when our table was ready…which would be around 45 minutes. Fair enough. We were told as much on the phone when we called that afternoon.

The popularity of the place was amazing. But part of the reason the front of the restaurant, near the bar, was so crowded was there was a party of 14 there for a birthday party. No joke. So, they were pretty much what was holding up a lot of the tables and movement of the patrons through for their meals. We were in no rush…so we just sort of tucked in against the wall inside and people watched.

Due to the longer than normal wait, one of the waitresses came out with a sample pizza for those who were waiting on a table. I didn’t get to partake, but both Cathy and Heather tried one of the slices. I could tell from their reactions that we made a good decision to come here instead.

Soon, my name was being shouted over the loud din of the diners and bar…by the guy, we assumed, was the general manager. We took to calling him the Italian Adam Levine…because he really reminded us of the Maroon 5 singer. Go figure. And honestly, he could have called my name out again and I wouldn’t have complained.

But…we were nearing 7 p.m. now and I was starting to get hungry. After I stepped forward, he guided us toward a table at the top of a couple of stairs, right in the corner. I took the seat next to the railing, with Cathy taking the bench and Heather taking the seat in the walkway. We were handed menus and all ordered water for something to drink.

Marathon night. HYDRATION!

Cathy and I already knew we were doing a gluten-free pizza. It was just a matter of choosing which one. Part of the draw of this place, in addition to serving gluten-free pizza, was that there were also vegan options. And one of them really stood out to me on the menu. Decision was mine, as it was my pre-race meal. So…we were now ready.

Don Antonio by Starita's Montanarine Genovese (front) and Montanarine (back) — Don Antonio by Starita’s Montanarine Genovese (front) and Montanarine (back)

Heather ordered the Salciccia e Friarielli ($16.00) which was composed of smoked buffalo mozzarella, Italian rapini, sausage, and extra virgin olive oil. She paired it with the Montanarine ($1.00), one of Don Antonio’s famous fried dough puffs, topped off with the signature Starita tomato sauce and pecorino romano.

Cathy decided to try one of the dough puffs as well. She went with the Montanarine Genovese ($2.00), which is a fried dough puff topped with onion, pancetta and pecorino romano. She called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. LOL! For the pizza though…I ordered the Gluten Free Marinara ($15.00), which is a simple and basic pizza on the gluten-free crust, that is composed of tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.

NO CHEESE!! No discomfort from dairy. Happy day.

As Cathy placed the order, she confused our waiter, Antony H, just slightly. Because the friend dough puff was not gluten-free. The pizza we were getting was. So he kept telling her the Genovese was not gluten-free. And she kept assuring him that it was fine…because she was not gluten-free, I was, and we were splitting the pizza…not the fried dough puff. I appreciated him making the effort to ensure safe dining.

We were left to socialize for a little while, and soon, both Heather and Cathy were delivered their appetizer dough puffs. They each took their little ball of Italian friend goodness and took a bite. Like I said…Cathy called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. I think that’s a high compliment. Both she and Heather only had good things to say about their choice.

The appetizer plates were cleared away and soon our pizza was being delivered. Heather’s pizza had this rustic, amazing crust, charred to perfection in the wood-fired oven. It looked amazing.

Don Antonio by Starita's Gluten Free Pizza Crust — Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust

When our pizza was set down, I had to look very closely at it…because this was only the second time in the almost four years I’ve been eating gluten-free, where the crust was actually a crust. No cracker crust here, folks. This was a true, honest-to-goodness, pizza crust. The only other time this has happened has been at my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, in Louisville, Kentucky. Can you imagine my glee to see an actual pizza being placed in front of me! I snagged one of the four large slices, placed it on my plate, and went to take a bite.

Not only was the crust an actual crust…it was good too. Not quite “Annie May Amazing”…but right up there. Probably the second best gluten-free pizza crust I have ever indulged in. Quite honestly. I loved that it had this crispy, yet still chewy texture, especially on the ends. It didn’t get soggy with the pool of amazing marinara sauce poured over the top. The herbs elevated the flavor. And the olive oil was the perfect finishing touch. That marinara sauce, though…that was the star. Followed by the crust. I dove into my second, and much larger slice, soon after I devoured the first. It was not a tiny pie either. It was substantial. And it was amazing. And I was pleasantly stuffed at the end of the dining experience.

I still talk about that pizza. To this very day.

I have to say, if you find yourself in Manhattan and are looking for exceptional gluten-free pizza (or just pizza in general)…head over to Don Antonio by Starita, on West 50th Street. You will be so glad you did. This far exceeded my expectations for sure. And next time I’m in the city…it will be hard not to go back. And, who knows, maybe when all is said and done…I will anyway. Food so good, it is definitely worth the repeat.

Thank you, Don Antonio by Starita. You’re doing gluten-free justice!

Don Antonio by Starita's Gluten-Free Marinara Pizza — Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten-Free Marinara Pizza

October 26, 2014

Product Review: Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies

Product: Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies – $4.99+

My friend Jenn knows me. She knows me very well. So, it should not come as a surprise that my friend who might be a bigger chocaholic than I would, would pack me up a delicious birthday goodie bag complete with different flavors and brands of gluten-free cookies. Cookie Monster…he has nothing on me.

Mmmm…cookies!

I have tried a couple of varieties from Dr. Lucy’s line of cookies…but not the Maple Bliss. I was unimpressed with the crispy sugar cookies, finding the bean flowers used in her flour mix a little overpowering. However, the chocolate chip cookies were really good. So, I was on the fence when I opened up the box of Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies the other night to enjoy for a light, sweet dessert.

Every day should end with dessert. Just sayin’.

So…with one hit and one miss, I bet you’re wondering about how these cookies stacked up.

Honestly…I like them! I mean, I’m not falling all over myself to praise them to the sky, but this is a very good cookie. The flavors are there…sweet maple with the added sweetness of sugar and all packaged in a crispy two-bite cookie. That’s a good blend. They were a little dry, I think…but I’m also used to soft cookies more than crunchy ones…so maybe it’s just a thing. My roommate also loves the flavor but also thinks they are a bit dry. Nothing a glass of almond milk can’t help, right? Right! While also made with that signature bean flour, the flavor isn’t as strong, probably thanks to that maple syrup shining through. Overall…I’d buy these again. And turn them into a base for S’mores. Seriously…that would be awesome. Seriously, these do strike that balance of crunchy without being just…sawdust. The natural sweetness does allow for a great amount of flavor and keeps everything in balance. If you love crunchy cookies…this is a great gluten-free option for sure. Remember though…bean flours do make things taste like…well…beans. But the sweetness helps to balance it out.

Let’s talk about what goes into the Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies, shall we? These cookies are made with Dr. Lucy’s Flour Blend (gluten-free oat, garbanzo/chickpea, potato starch, tapioca, sorghum, and fava flours), organic cane sugar, gluten-free oat flakes, soy milk, molasses, sustainable palm fruit oil, expeller pressed canola oil, olive oil, filtered water, citric acid, and flavoring from non-GMO corn, sunflower lecithin, non-dairy lactic acid, baking powder, baking soda, potassium bitartrate, vanilla extract, salt, xanthan gum, calcium carbonate, annatto, extract color, maple syrup, and cellulose gum.

It feels like a lot of ingredients and some of them do sound a bit more “chemical” than others. But…put them together and you do get a good cookie.

As for nutrition…a serving of Lucy’s Gluten Free Maple Bliss Cookies is 3 of the 2-3 bite cookies. This serving will provide you with 120 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. That, honestly, is GOOD for cookies. That actually impresses me! A serving of these cookies also provides 170 mg sodium and 9 grams of sugar. And finally…you will be taking in 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, making these a non-filling sweet treat.

Cookies are not created equally, but if you love a crunchy, crumbly cookie…and if you love the flavor of maple syrup…these are a fantastic choice. For me…they fall in the middle of the cookie scale. A great cookie for flavor…but I sort of like a bit of softness to my cookies. Like I said…these just seem dry. But overall…not bad. Not bad at all.