Vegetarian – Page 69 – The Celiathlete

May 10, 2013

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat in Minneapolis

Restaurant: French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ve probably seen some of their goods in your grocers freezer. I know I have. They have quite a great selection of gluten-free frozen goodies that I have yet to try yet…although I have actually had one of their products. Back in October 2011, just as I was starting to get the hang of this gluten-free stuff…I bought a box of 4 of their Gluten-Free Yellow Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. I was lukewarm on the review…being that I dislike frosting and that it had been frozen prior to consumption.

Of course, I had forgotten all of that up until a moment ago when I began this blog.

Here’s how we wound up here. I was gearing up for a trip to Minnesota and Cathy, the infamous roomie, had said she really wanted to go back to The Bad Waitress to eat while we were there. However, as she was scouting through recent reviews, it turns out The Bad Waitress had been cited for health concerns…so we nixed that immediately. This meant searching a little bit for somewhere new to eat.

Enter the savior of the moment, my aunt Jan, who had been messaging me back and forth on Facebook leading up to my trip. She said some colleagues at the hospital (she’s a surgical nurse) she works in mentioned a great place called French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. She must have been talking about my impending visit and the fact that I am a gluten-free vegetarian, because they mentioned to her the plethora of gluten-free options available…not to mention the gobs of vegetarian offerings. She mentioned this in the message. I looked it up. I sent the link to Cathy. We approved. And Jan said we would definitely go there one day while I was in town.

That day just happened to be Monday. Jan had the day off from work. The cold weather had given way to a beautiful, sunny 78 degree day. And we were out and about in Minneapolis, doing a bit of shopping and whatever else we felt like. Our only plan…be outside and soak up the sun and gorgeous weather. With that agenda in mind, we did a lot of our indoor stuff (like hitting bookstores and the like) that morning. And when lunchtime rolled around, we headed into Minneapolis and down to Lyndale Avenue South, hoping to grab a bite to eat at the French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. We arrived, parking around the corner on the street to the brilliant yellow building. A short walk later and we were entering the premises…greeted by towering black boards that held the menu, written in chalk. It was fantastic and…overwhelming…but awesome.

We gawked for a long moment at the boards, figuring out what we wanted to eat for lunch. Although there are still breakfast items as well…including a gluten-free waffle which was…SO tempting. We got it sorted just in time, because we were up next to order. Jan went first, ordering the California Wrap with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.50). Cathy went for the Incredible Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a side of the Chips and Salsa ($7.50). Actually, I was expecting her to be a bit more adventurous than that when we ate here. That’s so…typical. As for me, I opted for the Roasted Vegetable Sandwich on Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread with a side of the Mixed Greens ($9.00). I was given the option, I feel I should mention, of either gluten-free white, multigrain, or cinnamon raisin bread. I HAD A CHOICE!! That made me so stupidly happy.

We were given our table placard, a big card of Edith Piaf, and we went to seek out some dining outside on the side patio. We spotted a table in the sun, but this made Cathy frown. So while Cathy and I made a run to the bathroom, Jan shifted us to a table with an umbrella and put Cathy out of the sunlight. She and I were shaded but still able to soak in the vitamin D. A happy medium.

We were able to sit around and talk while waiting on food. While I had been inside, I snagged a little chipotle hot sauce to add to my sandwich. I mean…we all know I like thing spicy…and with my race run…I could now spice things up as much as I liked or dared. WOOT!

A few moments later and our plates were being delivered. Everything looked fantastic. All of our sandwiches were loaded with ingredients (all fresh and organic, mind you!) and busting at the crusts. I eagerly snapped a picture of my Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with my mixed greens, then sliced that sandwich in half, added some hot sauce and took a bite.

The Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is just what it sounds like. Roasted vegetables. But what all do you get? Let me fill you in. This sandwich is packed full of goodness. Starting with beautifully roasted portabella mushrooms, roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, organic spinach, and then topped off with some chevre goat cheese. Oh yeah…it smelled divine. But even better was the taste.

This has got to be one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. Honestly. The roasted vegetables only elevate the flavor, and the portabella mushrooms were done to perfection. They weren’t soggy and wet and making my bread to sponge up the fluid and fall apart. On the contrary, all of these vegetables meshed so well with the caramelized onion and the strong flavor of (my favorite) goat cheese. I was in sandwich heaven. And it took every bit of willpower in me not to just devour it on contact. I savored. I even ate the salad of mixed greens, which were lightly dressed in some sort of vinaigrette. Very tasty and the perfect accent to my sandwich, honestly.

This was certainly one of my favorite places in Minneapolis that I have eaten so far. The food was awesome. All of us were so happy with our orders and ate what we wanted. If we hadn’t been so stuffed, I probably would have opted for one of their gluten-free dessert options. Maybe next time. What am I saying? DEFINITELY next time.

With lunch polished off, the three of us continued our day out by taking the light rail down to Nicolette Mall and walking some of our food off. The flavor of that sandwich still resonates with me. I hope to get back to French Meadow Bakery & Cafe the next time I hit up the Twin Cities. It is certainly worth the visit and the trip. The food and service is out of this world. And you can tell they do take great pride in their variety and numerous options for different dietary needs. I know that I totally appreciate it.

Dear French Meadow Bakery…I LOVE YOU. I promise to come back soon. Promise!

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe's Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens — French Meadow Bakery & Cafe’s Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Mixed Greens

May 9, 2013

Gluten-free pizza a huge let down at Pizza Ranch

Restaurant: Pizza Ranch, Apple Valley, Minnesota

This will teach me to allow my roommate to make changes to the original plan. Because, judging by the reviews that I’ve read since just working on this blog, I never would have gone to Pizza Ranch for my night-before-a-big-race gluten-free pizza tradition when a place like Pizza Luce existed within a short drive from my grandpa’s home. Let me tell you…next time I pick the place and we stick to the plan…because when I eat gluten-free pizza…I expect a really amazing gluten-free pizza.

But Pizza Ranch, right off the bat, I could tell wasn’t going to be a place to get something amazing to eat. Too bad. The line was pretty long and we had 10 people in our party as my cousin Molly and her hubby and two kids joined us, as did my cousin Andy and his significant other as well. My friend Heather came over and joined us for dinner as well. Big group…and not everyone quite sure how this place worked.

But my aunt figured it out. We had to either get the buffet (not gluten-free) or go place an order at the front desk. Everything was paid for in advance, and you could have all the pizza you wanted, or a specialty pizza made and brought to your table in its own box. After a little discussion, Heather, Cathy and I decided that the perfect toppings for our pizza that night were best kept mild…so mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions ($12.99). We all got fountain drinks, although I simply got water in mine.

Now, this was not how I wanted to start out Heather when it came to gluten-free foods. We had to wait awhile to actually get our food. Which…is fine. It’s okay when food takes some time to prepare. And yes, it was actually brought to the table in its own box. But by them, my family who had all opted for buffet and my grandpa, who had ordered some 2-piece chicken dinner ($5.49), all had pretty much finished off their meals. So, the pizza got there in time for us to make a show of eating it.

And a show it was. Opening the box it looks like the cracker-crust pizzas I get at every other small chain pizza place that is getting into gluten-free. And that’s fine. If it is done right. At first glance, this one seemed to be, even if a bit charred on the edges. When you’re working with such a thin crust…it happens. However…that being said, Cathy went to snag the first piece from the aluminum sheet it was cooked on, only to find it completely baked onto the disposable pan. I mean…crusted on there good. She managed to get her fork and knife in to hack away at the charred edge that held it in place and finally freed her piece. This made it easier for Heather and I to snag ours, but I was completely mortified. Remember…Heather hasn’t had gluten-free pizza before and this was already scaring me…a patron of the gluten-free pizza scene.

I scraped my piece out of the tray and onto my plate, gave it a little shake of crushed red pepper and sliced off the very tip with my fork. One bite. Instant disappointment. I mean…instant. It wasn’t that the pizza was bad. It wasn’t. It just…wasn’t all that good either. The crust, while crispy and maybe a little too done on the edges, was pale and soft on the inside. It was cooked through, but you couldn’t easily pick up this pizza to eat. It had to be eaten with a fork and knife because the crust was just…mush. Pale, ungolden, uncrispy…mush. And where it was crispy…it was a little too done.

Yeah…I think my disappointment showed. But at that point, you’ve paid for it, everyone else has eaten…so you sort of just eat what you have and be thankful that you’re at least getting your pre-race tradition done. We thought the toppings were fine. The vegetables were fresh. The onions were raw, not caramelized…but…we were at a place called Pizza Ranch. So…such luxuries are not exactly what you should expect. I’m okay with raw onions though. And they tasted fine. It was just too bad that crust ruined the entire pizza experience for me. I was so unimpressed and unhappy with every bite of that pizza. And the fact that the three of us had to literally fight to extract each piece from the tray was only making it worse. My heart was heavy. My pizza was…meh.

And my runner’s spirit was sort of crushed. As was my chance to really show Heather what the food I eat is all about. But…I have a feeling I can fix all of that when we hit up Chicago in October. She just needs to trust me.

Anyway…I had three pieces, Cathy and three, and Heather stuck with two (I don’t blame her). And we all left, discussing how the pizza wasn’t awful it just wasn’t…noteworthy or…good. It was underwhelming. And it honestly made me sad. When you are known for pizza…I don’t care if it is gluten-free…you make a damn good pizza. Even if you are a small, regional chain, only available in nine states…when you make a name off your pizza…make all of your pizza good. Not just the dough you make from scratch. The toppings were really good…the gluten-free crust, however, was not up to my standards. I eat a lot of gluten-free pizzas (because I run a lot)…and this was one of the worst yet.

Thank goodness it wasn’t an omen for race day. And thank goodness we all survived. I don’t think we’ll mosey over to Pizza Ranch again next time I visit Minnesota to run. I think I’ll go where everyone raves about the food and service. Pizza Luce…I’m looking at you. Pizza Ranch…I intend to let you fade from my memory. While I appreciate that you have gluten-free pizza available, we in the gluten-free community prefer to have as good a pizza as those who can dine normally. And, sadly, that wasn’t the case for me.

Pizza Ranch Gluten-Free Pizza with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, onion, and mushrooms

May 9, 2013

A salad for me, but mostly pizza and pasta for gluten-free at Pinstripes

Restaurant: Pinstripes, Edina, Minnesota

So…if you’re anything like me…you’ve never heard of Pinstripes. That was certainly the case up until my first full day in Minneapolis. I was bustling around town with my roomie and my aunt, having hit up the race expo that morning for my half marathon the next day. So, with that one detail (and the major thing we needed to accomplish) taken care of…we were just hitting up interesting places along the way until we needed to head home for a bit and figure out where to grab gluten-free pizza for race night tradition.

While we were trying to decide on where to grab a quick, and semi-light bite for lunch, my aunt, Jan, mentioned a really cool place she and her friend stopped into for drinks one time. Pinstripes. And we weren’t far from it at all.

I was totally game for that…and…they were listed on Find Me Gluten Free with one positive 5-star review. Granted, it’s only one review, but at least it had one on there, yes? So…we decided that after we stopped by the Apple Store to get some of Jan’s stuff sorted, we would grab something to eat at Pinstripes.

Now…I had no idea what Pinstripes was until I stepped inside. It looks like a great Italian/American bistro, with wine bottles and decor to match. However, throughout this amazing set-up, you see a variety of hand painted bowling balls. Bowling balls? You betcha. And here’s why…this bistro not only houses a 40,000 square foot dining and entertainment area, but also features bowling alleys in the back, a year-round outdoor patio and fire pit, as well as party rooms that can accommodate 20-600 people. A little bit of everything and it still looks and feels upscale and classy. They term this “sophisticated fun” and let me tell you…they have the setting all right. It felt welcoming, engaging, fun, and still upscale all at once. Amazing.

As our menus were being grabbed by our hostess, I asked for a gluten-free one and she was happy to accommodate. We were shown to a booth where we all settled in, opting to stick with water at lunch as we’d already treated ourselves to coffee that morning. I eagerly picked up my little slip of a menu and started to gaze down the items listed.

And found myself…sort of underwhelmed.

Pizzas…pastas…and meat-based large plates are what were listed. I didn’t want pasta when I was going to be having pizza that night, and that fact also negated me getting pizza as well. As tempting as it was to get dessert for lunch (the gluten-free menu does offer gelato, sorbet, a Frangelico chocolate cake or a limoncello creme brulee, I needed some actual sustenance as it was the day before a half marathon. The better I ate, the better my body would be the following morning.

When our waitress arrived with our drink orders, Cathy and Jan knew what they wanted and I knew that the regular menu had salads listed. So, I inquired over the Caprese Salad, which by all intents and purposes should have been gluten-free…and…it was. Salads just didn’t make it over to the gluten-free menu, I suppose. With that information, which, the waitress did go back and double check that everything was safe for me to eat before we ordered, we all placed our orders.

Jan and Cathy both decided to order off the small plates menu. Jan decided on the Italian Meatballs ($11.00), which came wrapped up in a sandwich roll with a side salad as well. Cathy, having a craving, went with the Fried Calamari, which came with a marinara for dipping ($12.00). As for me, with pasta and pizza out of the question, I opted for the Caprese Salad ($13.00). Orders were in and we were left to converse, which we did. After all, it had been close to a year since the last time I had visited.

After a little while, our food arrived at the table. Jan’s small plate definitely looked like a full meal, and after a little bit, she opted to forgo the bread the Italian Meatballs were tucked into and eat the protein alone. She raved about them. Loved them. Cathy was really happy with her calamari, loving that they included tentacles and everything. Creepy…I know. But she loves it and doesn’t get it very often.

My Caprese Salad was a work of art, I think. It was a gorgeous presentation that included slices of red and yellow heirloom tomatoes, capped with thick slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, adorned with three fresh leave of basil and all lightly drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It not only looked light and refreshing…it was light and refreshing. Just the type of lunch I needed to have. I sliced through the layers of tomato and cheese and took up a bite…and it all just worked. The cheese was creamy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The tomato was ripe, juicy and sweet, the perfect counterpart to the mozzarella cheese. And that balsamic reduction really tied everything together. And it was a light drizzle so that the salad wasn’t swimming in it. It was like an accessory to the main dish. Even better were the bites that included the leaves of basil, which I would pick and choose sparingly. Amazing. A salad is a simple thing, but when done right, it can blow any entree out of the water. This…was salad greatness.

Pinstripes was a fun, upscale, yet family-friendly restaurant that I’d love to try again. Maybe I’d even do my night-before-the-race gluten-free pizza there. Because…honestly…all three of us really enjoyed our food. It was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and and made up to perfection. The little plates were definitely for big appetites regardless, but we had burned off breakfast by then and still had plenty of time before we hit up the pizza location of choice, which we hadn’t decided on quite yet. After we ate, we went to peek in at the people bowling in the lanes in the back. And then went to see the patio and check out the lakefront as well. It was the perfect afternoon…with a perfect meal to tie us over.

If you happen to be near a Pinstripes, I encourage you to check it out sometime for a lunch or dinner. They are a little pricey, but the quality of the food reflects the service, the preparation, and the care they put into each plate. I loved this place. Locations are sort of regional, though, with one location in Minnesota and three in Illinois.

Totally worth the stop though. I’d go back again in a heartbeat.

Pinstripes' Caprese Salad — Pinstripes’ Caprese Salad

May 2, 2013

Nature’s Earthly Choice cooks up a delicious Sundried Tomato Florentine quinoa dish

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa – $3.99+

I’m leaving tomorrow for a trip. Immediately following work. Which means, tonight will consist of me doing laundry, packing, and generally running around like a stressed out lunatic until I feel I have everything in order and where it needs to be.

Welcome to my life.

That being said, I needed dinner to be of the hassle-free variety this evening. And, thankfully, my previous journey to Minnesota (that’s where I’m heading) led me to the discovery of these little boxes of protein-packed, quinoa goodness. Yep…it was another meal-out-of-a-box night for my apartment, but, as long as the food that comes out of the box is good…it’s not a big deal.

This meal-in-a-box just happened to be another Easy Quinoa meal by Nature’s Earthly Choice. For those of you wondering…yes…I ate one last night too. But, when sell by dates approach and you are going insane trying to prepare for a trip…you do what you can with what you have. And I happen to have some stress-free stuff in my pantry. Every chef needs those from time-to-time…trust me.

Tonight’s flavor…Sundried Tomato Florentine. Sound intriguing? It should. Unlike the Garden Vegetable version that I had last night, I felt that the Sundried Tomato Florentine had a lot more flavor. It was definitely not as bland as I found the previous one. Thank goodness.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa is a good, healthy choice for a dinner. The ingredients are simple, yet packed with flavor, including quinoa (of course), dehydrated sundried tomatoes, potato starch, onion powder, dry milk, salt, yeast extract, garlic powder, spinach, paprika, and spices. Nothing that screams chemical. Nothing that is impossible to pronounce or recognize without looking it up online. Simple, natural ingredients. You have to love that. And without all the preservatives and chemicals, what you get in the end is an amazing clean flavor.

Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa

I thoroughly enjoyed the rich tomato flavor that came with the small dehydrated sundried tomatoes. It really brightened up the quinoa. I told my roommate she’d probably really love it if I dropped pearls of fresh mozzarella cheese throughout it. She totally agreed. But, on its own, the Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa really, really tasted good. It had bolder flavors, and definitely felt like the seasoning was spot-on for this one.

Nutritionally speaking, not bad either. My roommate and I split the box as we were eating it as our entree (with a side of steamed broccoli with some lemon pepper dusted on top). Even doing that, our calorie total was under 270 calories each. How about that?! However, if you are going to go by the serving size, you get about 3.5 servings per box. Each serving (about a cup, cooked) will set you back 150 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Awesome, yes? You get 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein in each serving as well. This is a low sodium food, a serving only containing 230 mg. The Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa is cholesterol free, trans fat free, and saturated fat free. Loving it?

You should be. And, if you like a light, but rich tomato flavor…then this is a great way to get it without slaving over a stove. Two cups of water, the pouch of quinoa, then the seasoning. Boil, let it simmer until the water is absorbed. Serve. It took about 20 minutes on my stove top and while it was cooking, I was able to get a few other things done that needed to be done. On a night where multitasking is key…that was helpful.

I found that I truly enjoyed each spoonful of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa. It wasn’t heavy…but it was filling. The tomato flavor complimented all the other spices and vegetables, without overpowering, but was definitely the star of the boxed meal itself. I devoured it in record time, partly because I was hungry, and partly because it tasted really, really good.

Find these boxed delights at your grocery store because they are certainly worth it. Especially on those nights where you’d rather do anything else than spend the night in the kitchen preparing dinner. Easy, fast, and delicious. Perfection.

Nature’s Earthly Choice Sundried Tomato Florentine Easy Quinoa (prepared)

May 1, 2013

Garden vegetable flavor in an easy quinoa meal by Nature’s Earthly Choice

Product: Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa – $3.99+

I’m a sucker for quinoa. There…I said it. It’s not only a fantastic whole grain, but it is packed with protein that this runner girl needs. For real. But…sometimes I don’t feel like doing all the seasoning, flavoring, and pairing on my own. Not that it’s difficult…I just sometimes don’t want to do it.

Thankfully, quinoa is becoming one of those products that is exploding on the market place. While in Minnesota last year for a race, I was browsing the gluten-free selections at the local Cub Foods near my grandpa’s home. Lo and behold, I discovered four different flavors of this easy quinoa in a box-type meal. Sort of like Rice-A-Roni…but made with quinoa and better ingredients (you know…like real, recognizable ingredients and no partially hydrogenated oils…and no gluten…no gluten!).

I, honestly, have been wanting to crack these boxes open for awhile now, but I’ve got a bit of a backlog in my gluten-free pantry. But…tonight, that all changed. My original plan for tonight was going to be tofu nuggets with carrot fries. The problem was…my tofu was no longer good. Dang it. So, I had to go to Plan B. I had no Plan B. So it was either thaw some gluten-free bread and make a vegan grilled cheese sandwich, or…dig around a little.

I knew these were up on a shelf and coming close to their sell by date. That being said…I now had a new plan for dinner. Plan B was now cooking up a box of the Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa.

Easy…is putting it mildly. This is basically a meal that prepares itself. Honestly.

Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature's Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa — Quinoa and seasoning packets for Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa

Took cook on the stove top, simply put 2 cups of water and the quinoa from the pouch inside the bag into a medium saucepan. Bring the contents to a vigorous boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Open the other pouch, which contains the seasoning mix, and add it to the water. Stir well. Continue to let it cook until the quinoa is tender but still chewy, and white spiral-like threads appear around each grain. Usually this is when the water is completely absorbed. This took about 15-20 minutes for me. Remove the pan from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Good to serve.

I made a quick honey-chili dipping sauce for my carrot fries that I roasted in the oven, and dished up this quinoa dish for myself and my roomie to enjoy for dinner. It’s a good thing she’s used to me doing stuff like this. Needless to say…we settled in to dinner and tucked our spoons into our bowls for tasting purposes.

All around, I’d say that Nature’s Earthly Choice does a decent job with this quinoa blend. You get chunks of vegetables (which were dehydrated in the seasoning pouch and include sun-dried tomatoes, carrots, celery, spinach, dehydrated bell pepper) throughout the quinoa itself, giving it a little color and a bit more depth of flavor. Which…it needs. While this was certainly a tasty dish, I found it to be a little on the bland side. The fact that this is a low sodium choice is a good thing, but a little touch of salt would have probably benefited this flavor immensely.

That being said, it was tasty and very filling.

My roommate and I split the box in half and made a meal of it. Even doing that, the calorie count for each of us was still under 300 calories.

A serving size of Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa is about a cup, cooked. This will set you back only 150 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. There are only 260 mg of sodium in a serving. And with that, you also get 3 grams of fiber, only 3 grams of sugar, and a whopping 6 grams of protein. Awesome. This product is completely gluten-free.

So, I wasn’t as blown away by it as I anticipated, but it was still really good. And, for people who are minding what they eat, or trying to add less sodium to their dishes, this is a great way to do it. Plus you get additional nutritional goodness in the process. I’d buy it again, sure…but I might toss some tofu or a sauce with it, just to liven it up a little.

But…on the whole…not a bad product at all. Quinoa is one of my favorite grains for a reason. It’s nice to change it up from rice every now and again, yes? Why not do it with the nutritional powerhouse that is quinoa. And, make it easy on yourself…let Nature’s Earthly Choice dress it up and flavor it for you. Just cook and serve. Easy…and yummy.

Nature's Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa (prepared) — Nature’s Earthly Choice Garden Vegetable Easy Quinoa (prepared)

May 1, 2013

Eban Bakery baking up delicious flavors of versatile gluten-free breads

Product: Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread – $5.99+

Ah…Dayton, Ohio. I have so many things to thank you for. First and foremost…Sinfully Gluten Free. I can’t go to Dayton and not stop in there for a treat, or lunch, or dinner. It is one of my favorite things in your city.

BUT…that’s not all. I also feel the need to thank you for this little grocery store chain called Dorothy Lane Market. If you are unfamiliar with Dorothy Lane Market, you are not alone. The only reason I took note was that, while driving through Dayton for a chocolate festival, we saw a few of them along the way. My friend Jenn and I were intrigued, and as lunch was not yet being served at Sinfully Gluten Free, we thought to drop in and check it out.

Dorothy Lane Market is a grocery store that sort of specializes in hard-to-find items and products. NICE!! I mean, it has your general produce and brands, but it had a lot of things I had never seen before. Evidence by the fact that I walked out of there with quite a few gluten-free goodies that were not available in my area. So much for just checking it out, right?

One very interesting fact was that they had this amazing gluten-free aisle. And while I was perusing it, an employee came over to talk about the gluten-free items and the fact that a gluten-free tasting fair was coming up. I would have loved to come back for it, but it happened on the weekend I was going to be running in Hershey, Pennsylvania. No good. But I was totally interested in some of the products she was highlighting.

Out in the asile, there was a tray of sample gluten-free bread. The one that happened to be cut up was the Cranberry Walnut Bread from Eban Bakery. She mentioned that Dorothy Lane Market often sells products from local businesses, and they had items from Sinfully Gluten Free as well as Tina’s Sweet Treats, among others. I was overjoyed with the fresh baked items from local bakeries…and ended up picking up a few items. Nothing from Sinfully Gluten Free, as I was going to do that when I got to the bakery itself. But, some Sub Rolls from Tina’s Sweet Treats and a loaf of the bread I sampled, Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread, did make the cut.

Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread (sliced)

With that purchase made, we headed out to eat at Sinfully Gluten Free, enjoy the chocolate festival, and then drive back to Columbus, Ohio.

When it came time to leave Ohio and head back to Indiana, I packed up the cooler with all the gluten-free goodness that I bought from Dorothy Lane Market and Sinfully Gluten Free. And it came home with me. And it got cozy…in my freezer. While the sub rolls were used rather quickly, a loaf of bread sometimes takes some getting around to eating. And, sadly, this one got buried under a lot of other stuff in my freezer. It happens.

Until I cleaned it the other day and organized it. And I knew immediately what to do with this bread.

French Toast.

Oh. Hell. Yes.

But first…it had been so long since I had sampled this bread, I needed to have it on its own. Just to see what all the hype was when I snagged it from the shelf.

Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread is awesome. It is a bit dense and heavy, but a lot of gluten-free breads are. It is just something I have come to expect. However, slice it up, and the slices feel light. They are certainly filling. But the best part is the flavor. The bread is sweet, with the bits of cranberry scattered throughout. In addition, the walnuts bring a saltiness to it, as well as add something to the texture of the bread itself. It is delicious. And I knew it was going to make really amazing gluten-free French toast.

I sliced four pieces of the bread from the loaf and began to prep the egg with some vanilla and cinnamon. I even added a touch of nutmeg. I beat all of that together, then dipped the bread into the egg mixture. The great thing about this bread was that it absorbed the egg without becoming soggy and falling apart. Onto the griddle the slices of bread went to brown and crisp up like French toast should.

In the meantime, I warmed up some gluten-free real maple syrup and mixed together some cinnamon and sugar to dust over the top of the finished product. I flipped the bread over to toast the other side and before I knew it…breakfast was served. Maple syrup and cinnamon and sugar topped it all off.

I settled in with my roommate for breakfast. She was halfway through her French toast before I managed my first bite. She was raving about how yummy it was, so that was a good sign. She was right.

This bread worked fantastic as a base for French toast. Being that it was sturdier than regular sandwich bread, the egg wash didn’t make it crumble or become soggy. Instead it just absorbed it and made it toast up golden and beautiful. The flavor of the walnuts and cranberries took on a caramelized and toasted flavor which only elevated it to the next level. It was phenomenal.

On its own or dressed up, Eban Bakery really blew me away with the flavor, taste, and texture of their gluten-free bread. The Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread is definitely a welcome addition to my kitchen any day.

Eban Bakery is a gluten-free bakery based out of Ohio that specializes in breads, baked goods and sweet treats in small batches that use all natural and organic ingredients, free of gluten, preservatives, and additives. In other words…no bad stuff goes into their goods. Ever. And that is evident with how delicious and amazing their products taste. Love at first bite. When I next find myself anywhere with Eban Bakery goods, I’ll definitely purchase some more. Very impressed.

And thanks to Dorothy Lane Market…I now know of this otherwise unknown gluten-free bakery. Eban Bakery…you’ve definitely won the heart of this Indiana girl. When I next find myself in Ohio, I’m seeking out more of your products and going on a tasting frenzy. The Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread was certainly a great place to start.

French Toast made from Eban Bakery Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Bread

May 1, 2013

Flippin’ the best gluten-free pancakes at Nashville’s The Pfunky Griddle

Restaurant: The Pfunky Griddle, Nashville, Tennessee

As a gluten-free vegetarian, sometimes eating while on the road can be a challenge. Fast food joints don’t work for me. And I’ve never been big on fast food regardless. This often means, especially when I travel to visit my family, that finding a restaurant to stop and eat is a priority. Thankfully…in this brave new world of smart phone apps, there is an app for that.

Find Me Gluten Free.

If you have not put this app on your phone…do so now and then continue reading this blog. I’ll wait.

…

Okay…congratulations! Your dining life just got a lot easier. Trust me.

The midway point between my home and my parents home is…Nashville, Tennessee. There is no shortage of places to eat in Nashville. There are also plenty of places that have gluten-free options. Normally, we’d probably make it easy and stop off at Taco Mamacita or even go to McCreary’s Pub in Franklin, Tennessee. But…while I know there are things I could eat at either one of those places (McCreary’s does not have a gluten-free menu, FYI, but Taco Mamacita does), I just wasn’t feeling the usual haunts. So this necessitated a search.

And naturally…I find a place that specializes is…breakfast and brunch.

When breakfast is your favorite meal of the day…this is one hell of a find. It had brilliant ratings on Find Me Gluten Free, so my roommate and I decided we would stop there on the way home and dine on some pancakes for lunch. Breakfast for lunch. Yep…my favorite way to eat.

The Pfunky Griddle is located on Bransford Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. This is a quaint neighborhood with houses done up into businesses and offices. My kind of area. Parking, however, was a nightmare. We arrived sometime just after noon and there were already parties of people standing around outside. No parking was available in the lot, so Cathy dropped me off to go check on the wait time and she went to circle around and see if she could find somewhere to park. I ducked into the building and stood in a short line at the front where the coffee drinks were being made. I asked about wait time for a party of 2 and was told it would be about 25 to 30 minutes. That wasn’t unreasonable, so I put my name in and went to go see if I could find Cathy and tell her. She had just managed to find a parking spot, so we stood around outside for a moment before I asked if she’d like some coffee while we waited.

The Pfunky Griddle's Honey Child Latte with Almond Milk — The Pfunky Griddle’s Honey Child Latte with Almond Milk

Caffeine while on the road is never a bad thing. And…The Pfunky Griddle has almond milk. Could I love this place any more already? Is it possible? After giving it a little bit of thought, Cathy agreed that caffeine might be a good idea (DUH!) so I told her I would treat us to our café order. She went with a Peppermint Mocha with skim milk ($3.75). As for me…I went with something that I couldn’t get anywhere else. Not that I’m aware of, anyway. Stepping away from my order of a Cafe Au Lait for a moment, I opted for what they call a Honey Child Latte with almond milk ($3.75). The Honey Child Latte is a double shot of espresso, combined with honey, cinnamon, vanilla and your steamed milk of choice. Never heard of anything like it…but it sounded epically delicious. So, I had to have one. Besides, I can get cafe au laits anywhere. This was something I had only seen here. Why not go for it?

The coffee orders were backed up, so it took around five minutes to get our actual drinks. No worries though, Cathy and I weren’t in any hurry. And it gave both of us time to stand in line to use the bathroom before getting seated. Her peppermint mocha was up first, and she commented on how awesome it smelled when I passed it off to her. My Honey Child Latte was up next and when I received it…I couldn’t wait to try it. Photos first…then the taste test.

One sip and I was in love. The combination of the rich espresso worked so well with the spice from the cinnamon, the sweetness of the honey, and the smooth vanilla after tones. It all just meshed so well. Love at first sip. I even made Cathy try it and even she commented on how delicious it was. Smooth, dreamy, and sweet. Just how I like it!

Dedicated gluten-free griddle (placed over the one built into the table) at The Pfunky Griddle

I was about halfway through my latte when my name was called. We eagerly followed the hostess to our table in the back room near the window. The table was outfitted with a griddle in the middle because at the Pfunky Griddle…you flip your own pancakes, bitches! Sorry…but it’s a really, really awesome concept. As we were handed menus, I looked at Cathy and said, “I don’t know what they are going to do, but I need this hot griddle completely cleaned…or I can’t eat on it. Cross contamination.” She nodded and went back to the menu…and lo and behold…there at the bottom was a note that said if you were a Celiac, a special griddle would be provided for you.

I admit…I smiled. I smiled a lot. I was already feeling better about the situation. Our waitress came over to take out drink orders. As we both still were downing or pre-game coffee drinks, we opted for water. Cathy went ahead and told her that I was a Celiac…so the waitress said she would send someone out with a new griddle for us. A few moments later, one of the other employees was flipping off the griddle in the center of the table and putting a new griddle across our table. He had it wiped down and left it there. I felt a whole lot better.

And, when eating at The Pfunky Griddle…you get something you put on that griddle. Cathy and I already had our mind made up. They have an all-you-can-eat pancake deal going. So, we opted for that. We got the gluten-free pancakes ($6.99 per adult per person, including 1 topping each). Cathy chose chocolate chips for her included topping and added walnuts for another option ($0.75). For my included topping, I went with blueberries, then added bananas for an additional choice ($0.75). As we were really hungry, we each got a side with our pancake order. Cathy opted for the 2 biscuits ($1.00), which came with butter and jam. As for me, as it was labeled gluten-free, I stuck with the potatoes ($3.00). Order in.

I noted that our griddle wasn’t turned on, so I went ahead and turned it on, giving it some juice. I wasn’t sure how high to set it to cook, so I opted for around 300 degrees, because I didn’t want to burn anything, so I figured a little extra time on the griddle wouldn’t hurt anyone. Not one bit. Our waitress came out with a a bowl that had packets of ketchup and hot sauce in it. And soon…or food followed.

We received a pitcher of gluten-free pancake batter and little plastic containers that contained our toppings of choice. The waitress set this heaping bowl of potatoes down in front of me and told me to cook them for three minutes on each side. I could handle that. With that…we were left to our own devices to cook up our meal at our table. FUN!

Cathy poured her first pancake and went to sprinkle just her chocolate chips over the top. I would have thrown the nuts in too, but she kept them to just sprinkle over the top after her pancake was plated. I got a couple of spoonfuls of potato working on the griddle then poured my own pancake. I poured way more than I expected and had this monster to start off with. I went ahead and tossed some blueberries and banana slices onto it and let it sit to brown on the one side. The heat was definitely too low as both the pancakes and my potatoes were taking awhile to cook. Cathy went ahead and dived into eating her biscuits, really enjoying the flaky, lightness of them. I turned the heat up slightly, which helped. Soon I found myself flipping her pancake and my own because her first attempt was pretty much a fail. But, I cook pancakes on a griddle at home…so I’m sort of a master.

Gluten-Free pancakes and potatoes on the dedicated gluten-free griddle at The Pfunky Griddle

With the other side working, I went ahead and tried the potatoes.

Oh. My. GOD! No, these were honestly some of the most amazing breakfast potatoes ever. Laced with a delicious garlic flavor, these mashed up spuds were crispy from the griddle on the outside, soft on the inside…and really freakin’ fantastic. The flavor was awesome. I told Cathy she had to try some, and she said she intended to. She went ahead and scooped some up for herself to get it working on the griddle while I plated our first pancakes and poured more batter for our next round. We threw on toppings and then settled in for our first taste.

The batter cooks up beautifully. We each achieved this gorgeous golden color on our pancakes. My bananas even caramelized after I flipped my pancake over and the toppings began to work into the pancake itself. I love a light pancake. Nothing is worse than eating one pancake and feeling stuffed. And here, you can make them as big or as small as you want. You can add one topping, both, or more. Whatever your whim…it’s yours to create. And these pancakes really hit the spot. They were sweet, without being overly sweet. And thin. And light. And just plain delicious. The batter wasn’t heavy at all, making the pancakes almost as light as air when I removed them from the griddle and onto our respective plates. And those potatoes. Oh…hell yes!! Those potatoes were one of my favorite thing. Cathy and I both enjoyed them, getting them golden on each side then moving them to the plate. I added hot sauce to mine, just a dab, which only enhanced the amazing flavor. All together…a carby, delicous, amazing, happy dining experience. One of the best gluten-free pancakes I have ever tasted…and I eat a lot of gluten-free pancakes.

This may be a new go-to place in the near future when passing through Nashville. Very happy. I never felt like I needed to worry about my food. The spatulas were rubber, not the metal ones other tables got, so I am certain they were for gluten-free foods only. I felt completely safe, and completely satisfied with my experience there. I’d go back and stuff myself silly with more of their gluten-free pancakes and potatoes.

For the record, they also have gluten-free bread, so you could have one of their sandwiches, or even French toast if your little heart desired it. The point is…this is a business doing gluten-free right. And I am forever thankful for them. And I’m also glad we stopped in and ate here. On the way out, I even purchased a bag of their gluten-free pancake mix for $5.50. So now I can make some at home too.

My gluten-free joy knows no bounds. Doing flips over everything at The Pfunky Griddle.

Love in brunch form!

My Gluten-Free Blueberry and Banana Pancake with Gluten-Free Potatoes that I safely prepared at The Pfunky Griddle

May 1, 2013

Simply Shari makes a fabulous gluten-free Almond Shortbread Cookie

Product: Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies – $4.29+

It has become quite evident as of late that shortbread is totally in. Totally. Why? Because I have been eating a lot of it recently. Oh, nothing is better than that slight crunch, that buttery flavor, that sweetness that sort of hits on the light side of savory. Yeah…shortbread is pretty amazing.

Gluten-free shortbread can go either way. I’ve had some that have impressed, and I have had some that have fallen short of all expectations. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I picked up a bag of Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies…but it was a risk I was, apparently, willing to take. I had previously only tried one other product from Simply Shari…a frozen pizza…and I fell in love with it. I think that was where my confidence in this product came. That and the fact that I really am a cookie monster…and where there are gluten-free cookies…you will find me.

Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies are a simple blend of recognizable and common ingredients: sugar, unsalted butter, rice flour, brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, cornstarch, potato starch, xanthum gum, water, baking soda, and modified corn starch. Basic, key ingredients to any shortbread, yes? Even better…the products that Simply Shari’s produces are all made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. It definitely takes some of the guess work out of what you are eating…even if it is simply a cookie (or three).

Given that these are almond shortbread cookies, be assured that almonds are a prevalent and important part of the flavor and texture in this flavor of shortbread. This particular flavor has almond slivers throughout the crumbly, buttery cookies. And that…honestly…is what sets it apart from other gluten-free shortbread.

Let me first start by saying…this is, hands down, one of the better gluten-free shortbread cookies out on the market. The almond flavor really meshes well with the buttery, sweet flavor of the shortbread itself. In fact, these are so reminiscent of homemade shortbread cookies. Honestly. The sweetness is just the right amount to make it feel like a dessert. It definitely cleanses the palate. And it has that wonderful shortbread crunch, coupled with the taste and smell of almonds…it’s right at shortbread perfection.

And…even better…is that these cookies aren’t loaded down with calories and fat either. When it comes to other gluten-free treats on the market, these will definitely fit into your diet plan, for sure. There might be a little guilt, but nothing a good yoga session won’t burn off.

A serving of these cookies is 3 bite-size cookies. Yep. Three. These cookies are about the width of a quarter and stand about a half an inch tall. So, they are just the right amount of dessert at the right time. Three cookies will only set you back 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a cookie, as I said before. Additionally, you will take in only 80 mg sodium, 1 gram of protein, and a scant (for cookies) 7 grams of sugar. Loving it? I am.

I’m so very impressed with these cookies that I’m looking forward to opening my next bag of them…which just happens to be the Lemon Shortbread variety. Lemon + Shortbread…two of my most favorite dessert flavors in one? With Simply Shari’s…I bet they are beyond simply delicious.

As for Simply Shari’s Gluten-Free & Fabulous Almond Shortbread Bite Size Cookies…delicious doesn’t even begin to cover the amazing flavor, texture, and lightness that are all pulled together in this fine product. Spectacular snacking and sweet treat potential. And I’m loving every serving of them.

May 1, 2013

A harvest of berry good flavor and texture in every bite of Udi’s Gluten-Free muffins

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

A couple of weeks ago, I was the proud recipient of a box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free, one of the first gluten-free companies to really wow me with their products. This two year journey into the gluten-free world was a struggle at first, and then…I discovered the wonder of Udi’s. First bread I liked. First cinnamon rolls I had after going gluten-free. First muffins that tasted like they were fresh out of the oven at a corner bakery. Yep…I had a deep love affair with Udi’s, which continues to this very day. I have yet to meet one of their products that I don’t love.

Case in point…

Last week, my mornings were hectic and stressful. I was pulling extra hours at the office, trying to fit in my training runs, and still make it to the gym every other day. It meant that cooking something for breakfast was near impossible. I didn’t have time for that. At all. Thankfully, this box came along at the perfect time…and with it…brought perfect breakfast bliss.

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins – $6.99+

Udi's Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffins — Udi’s Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffins

Back in January of last year, I blogged on the epic tastiness that are Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins. What I said back then still applies today. And let me tell you, I have devoured the blueberry muffins on more than one occasion. My mom tends to buy some sort of muffin from Udi’s lineup when I come home for Christmas to visit. This past holiday…blueberry. Yep. Love. Every morning was full of blueberry love. A simple warming in the microwave and it was like it was hot out of the oven. They are soft and moist, and you would never, ever guess that they were frozen or refrigerated prior to consumption. That’s how good Udi’s is with these products. That’s how much care they put into their food. It doesn’t taste manufactured. My favorite part of the blueberry muffins, aside from the sweet berries and moist cakey muffin part…is the crystal sugar that is dusted over the top. It puts a little crunch into the product, which is already flavored with lemon and vanilla. Blueberry muffin bliss…every time. These have never disappointed. And, as long as Udi’s keeps this tradition alive…they never will.

In my mind then…nothing could ever top the Udi’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins.

Or so…I thought.

Udi's Gluten-Free Moist & Delicious Blueberry Muffin — Udi’s Gluten-Free Moist & Tasty Blueberry Muffin

Udi's Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins — Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free (NEW) Harvest Crunch Muffins – $6.99+

Enter…a new product from Udi’s Gluten-Free.

Yes…a brand new product.

What might this product be? Well…muffins for starters, duh!

But, these were nothing like what I expected.

Enter…Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins.

What in the world are Harvest Crunch Muffins? Well, I can elaborate for you.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffins are everything you want a muffin to be…and then some. Not only do they pack a nutritious punch with each muffin, being that they are filled with healthy ingredients that are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals…but they are just sheer awesomeness baked in muffin form. Allow me to elaborate.

Harvest Crunch Muffins are a Udi’s take on a more savory, yet still sweet, muffin, making these ideal for any time…but I devoured mine at breakfast. And when I say devour…I mean devour. What made them so nom-worthy? Well, for one thing, they combine the sweetness of cranberries, with the salty (and texture-giving) pepitas (pumpkin seeds), along with sweet potato and quinoa flour. What emerges is this rich, sweet and savory flavor that is so satisfying to the palate, you’ll find yourself digging in for more. I hope my area gets these muffins soon (we tend to run a year behind on new products in the gluten-free market), because these were crazy-good. Stupid-good. Amazing.

And, as I mentioned a bit earlier…nutritious too.

A serving is one muffin. These come in a pack of four. And with one muffin, you are served 250 calories and 10 grams of fat. That’s really, really good when it comes to muffins. Regular muffins can sometimes be twice that for an entire muffin. I am SO impressed. In addition, you get 4 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein in each serving. LOVING it. These are also low in sodium as well. And I love that the ingredients are all real food that I recognize and don’t need to hit up a dictionary to know what it is I am consuming.

Blueberry muffins will always be one of my favorites, but I really think Udi’s outdid itself with the texture, flavor, taste, and just sheer awesome nutritiounal powerhouse with those Harvest Crunch Muffins. Look for them. Buy them. DEVOUR!! Trust me…you won’t just eat them…you honestly will devour them.

But that’s okay…

Gluten-free goodness can still be hard to come by. Thanks to Udi’s…it’s a given.

Udi's Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffin — Udi’s Gluten-Free Harvest Crunch Muffin

May 1, 2013

Bakery on Main goes Traditional and then gives a fun spin to their gluten-free oatmeal

I have to admit…when I saw the news coming out of Expo West from Bakery On Main, touting two brand new oatmeal flavors. Two very delicious brand new oatmeal flavors. In fact, the flavors just happened to be two of my most favorite treats in the world…which I usually only get if I make them, due to being gluten-free. What might these new flavors be?

Carrot Cake and Blueberry Scone.

Go ahead and read those again. Your eyes are not deceiving you.

Now, back when I was first getting used to my gluten-free diet, I was looking for something I could eat at work that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg and would be quick and easy to make…as well as eat at my desk. The answer: gluten-free oatmeal.

I tried numerous brands, but absolutely fell in love with Bakery On Main. Nothing has come close to the flavor profiles that they weave into their oatmeal. It took a lot of gluten-free oatmeal sampling…but I have become dedicated to this particular company when it comes to oatmeal. It is the best out on the market, and I will forever say that. I should know…I eat it every day for lunch.

Yep. Every. Single. Day.

It makes the anticipation leading into lunch even greater…knowing that I’ll soon have a piping hot bowl of oatmeal to eat and enjoy…and savor. Because I love to savor this oatmeal.

Well, soon after Expo West, I was sent sleeves of each flavor oatmeal they try. I have been eating, enjoying, and growing even more in love with their Strawberry Shortcake, their Apple Pie, and their Maple Multigrain Muffin (which since that post, I have eaten more and more of, and love just as much as the others. Honestly…I should do a blog redux on that flavor. It has earned my respect and the respect of my oatmeal-craving palate). Already I knew their oatmeal was epic. But…there were three flavors I had yet to try. And now…they were in my possession.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Traditional Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

The first one, actually, had been out on the market for awhile. It’s simple. It’s basic. It’s Bakery On Main’s Gluten-Free Traditional Flavor Oatmeal. It doesn’t get much more basic than that. Simple. And sometimes that can be a bad thing. But that is not the case here. In fact, this was the oatmeal I was least enthusiastic about trying. I even brought some fruit to throw into it. Guess what? It didn’t need anything to touch it up. Not in the slightest. While I have never been a fan of just plain oatmeal…I am a fan of this one. A huge fan. I actually incorporated the fruit and then was sorry that I did, because the oatmeal was much more amazing without it. Lesson learned.

This is no ordinary traditional oatmeal. This is traditional taken to the next level. The flavor was amazing. It didn’t lack any sweetness. And the texture…as with the other flavors I have been eating for…over a year now…fantastic. Just amazing. Warm. Rich. Filling. This, once again, proves how amazing Bakery On Main is when it comes to their products. They ensure the quality and flavor of their products. And that means they work hard to achieve flavor perfection. This…is perfection.

Nutritionally speaking, the Traditional Flavor Oatmeal from Bakery on Main is 200 calories per serving and 4 grams of fat. Not too shabby. And just right for a light lunch. Trust me. But the amazing nutritional worth doesn’t stop there. Nope. Let me continue. You see, Bakery on Main has achieved oatmeal perfection with their tried-and-true blend of certified gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flax meal, quinoa, and amaranth. What this does is boost that nutrition profile a little, giving each serving of this oatmeal 8 grams of protein per bowl and 6 grams of fiber. This flavor has no sodium, no cholesterol, no trans-fat, and is sugar-free as well. LOVING that.

Oh…did I mention that it is amazing? Even if you don’t think you like plain oats…you’ll love this one. If I did…I can guarantee that you will too. Trust me, leave the fruit at home. You won’t need it and you’ll only ruin perfection.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

The newest flavors were what I was looking at trying first. And the first one selected:

Carrot Cake.

Yep. Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Oatmeal. Sounds like dessert for breakfast, yes? Oh…trust me…it is so much more. I am a huge lover of carrot cake. Honestly. It doesn’t get much better than a delicious slice of carrot cake. In fact, I’ve created quite a few carrot cake flavored things (pancakes, scones, etc.) just because I love the taste of carrot cake so very much. It’s one of my guilty pleasures. And I am unashamed.

That being said, when I set about preparing this oatmeal just as I have all the rest of Bakery On Main’s oatmeal. I poured out the contents of the packet, which, as always is a base of certified gluten free oats, amaranth, chia seeds, flax meal, and quinoa, making even a dessert-y oatmeal a great source of whole grains. Love it. I added 2/3 cup of water and tossed it into the microwave for 90 seconds. While it was cooking…oh my gluten-free god…it smelled fantastic. I might have drooled more than a little. When it was done cooking, I gave it a stir…and went to take my first bite.

Yep. Dessert for breakfast (or in my case lunch, but really…it’s carrot cake…it’s good anytime!). No doubt about it.

In fact, as I was eating it, my roommate stopped by my desk and asked what smelled so good. I let her have a taste. She’s not a fan of oatmeal at all and she can take or leave (but mostly leave) carrot cake…but she was blown away by this one. Now that’s saying something. I didn’t have any nutrition information on these, but I’m guessing that the calories fall around where the other flavors do, about 200 per sleeve of oatmeal. Remember…these are brand new to the market…as in they hit shelves just recently. But, what I do know from Bakery On Main’s Web site is that this particular flavor was adapted from an actual carrot cake recipe. No wonder it tastes so good. If you like a little bit of dessert in your life without a lot of calories, fat and sugar…give Bakery On Main’s Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Flavor Instant Oatmeal a try.

Product: Bakery On Main Gluten-Free Blueberry Scone Flavor Instant Oatmeal – $5.99+

Lastly, but certainly not least is the other brand new flavor from Bakery On Main in their instant oatmeal lineup.

Blueberry Scone.

Mmmm…scones. We all know that I bake plenty of scones pretty much every week. They are portable, delicious, and guaranteed to be gluten-free when I make them. Among my favorites…blueberry. So, when an oatmeal is given the flavor of one of my favorite breakfast treats, you better believe that I’m anticipating each and every spoonful.

I first fell in love with scones when I visited Europe back in 2003. Every time I’ve gone back, I’ve devoured one or more somewhere…normally at a local café for an on-the-fly snack. But, then I had to go gluten-free…and now scones have to be made by me if I’m going to eat them at all. No problem. But…here…Bakery On Main takes this classic coffee house treat and turns it into a bowl of oatmeal. Not only are pieces of real blueberries incorporated into the mix, but the normal blend of certified gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flax meal, amaranth and quinoa…all providing the perfect nutritional balance to this sweet oatmeal treat.

Let me tell you…not only does this oatmeal smell fantastic as it warmed and cooked in the microwave, it tasted beyond fantastic as well. Just like a blueberry scone. A soft, mushy scone…like the dough before it bakes, warmed through. Yep…nailed it, Bakery on Main. This one totally took me by surprise. I am a huge fan. LOVING each and every spoonful.

Again, this is a brand new flavor and currently there is no nutrition information up on the Web site…but again I anticipate it to fall around 200 calories per serving, with low fat, low sodium, and high in protein with a good dose of your daily fiber. Nutrition while feasting on something that tastes like a treat. It doesn’t get much better than that. YUM!

Total oatmeal love going out to Bakery On Main once again. They won me over with their first three flavors, and they totally went above and beyond all expectations with the release of their new flavors. From Traditonal to Carrot Cake to Blueberry Scone…Bakery On Main is totally making over oatmeal for the better. And all of this gluten-free goodness is hitting shelves in your area…soon. If it hasn’t already. Go seek. Go find. Go enjoy. These flavors are totally worth it.

Satisfy your cravings for a coffee house scone with a savory bowl of Bakery On Main’s Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal. This breakfast treat won’t let you down with pieces of real blueberries, chia seeds and our favorite ancient grains, Amaranth and Quinoa.