Vegetarian – Page 81 – The Celiathlete

December 18, 2012

Full-fledged and fantastic French toast that conjured up tears of joy…and a very full belly!

Restaurant: Annie May’s Sweet Café, Louisville, Kentucky

I’ve blogged about my local allergen-free bakery a few times now. But here’s the thing…they keep drawing me back in. Not only are their baked goods amazing (trust me, you wouldn’t guess that everything the serve there is gluten-free), but they offer specials each day they are open.

One of my favorite days to go to Annie May’s is Saturday. Why? Because they serve my favorite meal of the day: BREAKFAST!

A couple of weeks ago, my roommate and I were in the bakery for their allergen-free waffle breakfast. Unfortunately, their waffle irons were giving them issues that day. After a little bit of waiting…which we didn’t mind…the waffles finally emerged. But that week, when they reopened on Tuesday, they announced that after the issues with the waffles over the weekend, they threw away their waffle irons and would now offer a variety of French toasts instead.

I was immediately intrigued. Granted…I make French toast with my gluten-free sandwich bread at home all the time. And I do it a variety of ways too. Plain, stuffed, etc. But…something just screamed at me that I needed to have Annie May’s French toast.

Unfortunately…this is the holiday season and the past couple of weekends have been busy, busy, busy. Between races, shopping, holiday events, and long runs…getting over to the bakery in time for breakfast has not been easy. And the same seemed to be true for this weekend as well. Except my roommate, Cathy, is made of complete awesome. Despite heading out to Indianapolis for a race on Sunday, she said that this Saturday we could grab breakfast over at Annie May’s Sweet Café.

Much rejoicing and happiness. And after running a couple of errands in the morning prior to heading up to Indianapolis, Indiana for the race expo, packet pick-up, and whatever else we felt like doing, we pulled into Annie May’s Sweet Café with rumbling tummies ready for some food.

Of course, we now faced a dilemma. You see…they are also offering breakfast sandwiches, including one that is allergen-free…that had veggie sausage and everything. Oh…so tempting. And we almost went with that, but we had been discussing French toast prior to that. So…we stuck with that.

So, we each decided to get the Cinnamon French Toast ($9.99). I got mine with Earth Balance and she chose butter. But we both got maple syrup. Mmmm. It sounded heavenly. While we waited on our meal, we decided we would each enjoy one of Annie May’s delicious gluten-free doughnuts. The case had a variety of Gluten-Free Apple Cider Doughnuts. And I chose the Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut ($2.49) and Cathy went with the Chocolate Ganache Apple Cider Doughnut ($2.49). Oh, it was a fine way to take away the tummy rumblies.

Let me tell you, though…after devouring my doughnut, imagine my surprise when my order of Cinnamon French Toast came out to the table. Being so accustomed to my usual French toast, I figured sandwich bread slices.

What emerged from the kitchen, however, were two thick-cut slices of gluten-free brioche bread, sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, and cooked to perfection. There was this beautiful golden crust on it. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I was suddenly regretting the decision to calm the hunger with a doughnut just prior to receiving the plate.

After giving a light spread of Earth Balance to each slice of bread, I sliced into the brioche, loving how the crusty outside gave way to the soft inside of the bread. I gave it a little dunk in my maple syrup and took my first taste.

It has been years since I have been able to eat French toast that wasn’t any thicker than the store-bought gluten-free sandwich breads. One bite and I thought I was going to cry. I now remembered why I fell in love with French toast. Because when it is done with the proper bread, it is beyond amazing. Honestly. There is just something so fantastic about eating a slice of French toast done with brioche. The thick-cut bread honestly makes all the difference. Tears of joy. Just…honest tears of joy at that first bite.

The French toast was super delicious. The crust was awesome…and I kept saving it for the last bites. I mean crisped up to perfection, golden, and seasoned with cinnamon. It melted with each bite. Pure perfection in French toast form. I was so happy.

But…these were definitely very filling. And after that first slice of French toast, I realized that either my roommate and I should have skipped the doughnuts or we should have split an order of the French toast. It was FILLING. But…we also were aware that we were not going to eat again until dinner in Indianapolis, so we polished off our plates and managed to waddle out of there quite full and quite satisfied.

My roommate can have French toast at any restaurant and she was raving about Annie May’s. The Cinnamon French Toast just hit the spot. Both of us killed off the food on the plate and enjoyed it down to the very last bite…even if we were already stuffed to the max. The French toast is definitely worth the trip into the bakery. Trust me…it is the best French toast I have eaten…anywhere. And the fact that no one would be able to tell it was gluten-free is what makes it even more amazing. Done to perfection…I’ll be dreaming of this breakfast for weeks.

If you live in the Louisville, Kentucky area, you should make a stop at Annie May’s Sweet Café a priority. Even if you don’t have food allergies, the food is so delicious, no one would be able to tell the difference.

I’m already looking forward to my next breakfast at Annie May’s Sweet Café. There is a gluten-free veggie sausage breakfast sandwich awaiting me. And I can’t wait to try it out. Because I haven’t had anything bad from Annie May’s Sweet Café yet. I have a feeling that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

Thank you, Louisville, for this gem of a bakery! Because of Annie May’s…I’ve been able to enjoy things I thought were forever off my food list. But because of this great bakery…that is no longer the case. And, more often than not, the item I purchase and indulge in is better than what I recall from before the food allergies struck. And that, dear foodies, is a food miracle.

Annie May's Sweet Café's Gluten-Free Cinnamon French Toast (with Earth Balance and maple syrup) — Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon French Toast (with Earth Balance and maple syrup)

December 18, 2012

Vegetarian sushi just got amazing at Dragon King’s Daughter

Restaurant: Dragon King’s Daughter, Louisville, Kentucky

Sushi!

Let me say it again…SUSHI!

I love sushi. Vegetarian sushi, of course…but I am enamored with it. The problem is…most of the people I know…are not. For real. Well, at least the people that I live near. Plenty of people I know would love to get sushi with me…they just live in other states and cities.

So, imagine my elation when my my dear friend, Amanda (the roomie’s sister) chose to have sushi as her celebration meal for graduating with her Masters degree in English Literature. I mean, jump for joy happiness. SUSHI!! In fact, it was all Amanda and I could talk about in the weeks leading up to the outing. Even on the day of, we had our own little countdown to sushi on Facebook. It was epic.

Well, I let her choose the place to go, sending her some of the better sushi places in the Louisville area. She, ironically chose the place the receptionist at the office has been raving about for quite awhile. And I was one happy girl.

The place: Dragon King’s Daughter.

Dragon King’s Daughter is located on Bardstown Road and is a contemporary Asian-fusion restaurant, offering traditional items on the menu as well as contemporary fare with a unique twist. The best part is…they can cater to anyone: the adventurous, the timid, the vegetarian, the vegan, the gluten-free, the meat eaters and the fish-loving. It was perfect for the three of us in our party. Amanda loves sushi. I love vegetarian sushi. And Cathy doesn’t like sushi at all, but the Asian-influenced tacos caught her eye.

We were greeted the moment we stepped inside and shown to a table. Our waiter came over with water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. We stuck with just water…this time. And I went ahead and gave the heads up that I was a gluten-free vegetarian. He said he would go check on what veggie sushi was safe and returned a moment later, saying that if I specified gluten-free…any of them could be made gluten-free.

Joy and happiness.

So…in went our orders.

Cathy, the non-sushi eater opted for the Chorizo Yaki Onigiri ($4.50), which is a rice ball with Mexican chorizo sausage and cilantro, pan-fried in sesame oil and served with wasabi pesto. With it, she ordered the Shrimp Tempura Tacos ($10.00), which is shrimp tempura and avocado slices topped in mango chili sauce. For the record, she fell in love with the mango chili sauce. I mean…in love. And she devoured her tacos, praising them with each bite.

Our Master of the evening, Amanda, opted for the regular sushi rolls. Of the variety offered on the menu, she decided on two of the three that caught her eye. The first one was the California Roll ($8.00). The California Roll is exactly what it wounds like – blue crab, cucumber and avocado. She really enjoyed that one. The other was the Shrimp Tempura Roll ($5.50), which is shrimp tempura, spring mix, and unagi sauce. Devoured. Both of them. Just devoured.

As for me, the gluten-free vegetarian, I had a nice variety of veggie sushi to choose from. It made me so extremely happy. So, after some pondering, I decided to go with some flavors I hadn’t tried before when it comes to sushi. I also went with two sushi rolls. The first one I opted for was the Buffaroll ($7.00). The Buffaroll…I know…it sounds different…is a sushi roll filled with avocado, cucumber, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Oh, my sushi roll!! It was completely different from the sushi I normally end up getting, which means vegetable rolls normally. Not this time. And let me tell you, the mix of mozzarella with the rice and the vegetables was a spectacular. I fell in love with the soft texture and the varied flavors. The other roll I went with was the Summer Salad Roll ($8.00). The Summer Salad Roll is a mix of fresh mozzarella, organic spring mix, red onion, avocado, cucumber, and cilantro with a spicy mayo drizzle. Oh. My. God. No…for real. This was a fantastic blend of flavors. The spicy mayo drizzle was phenomenal. It really, really set off the rest of the items in the sushi roll. The vegetables were fresh and amazing. I loved the different textures and how the blend of rice, nori, cheese, and crispy vegetables just gave the entire roll some depth. But yeah…that spicy mayo was awesome. I would get this roll again every time I went there to eat.

Now, with that being said…I think it is safe to say that I was beyond impressed with Dragon King’s Daughter. And here is the best part…they are opening a branch across the river in New Albany, Indiana…just up the street from where I work. I think there are many sushi lunches in my future. And I am totally looking forward to that.

It is definitely safe to say that all three of us were impressed and quite happy with the service and the food at Dragon King’s Daughter. Each of us polished off our plates and were quite satisfied with each and every bite. We left there quite happy with our meal without being overly stuffed. It was the perfect meal with the perfect amount of food and the perfect hit of seasoning and flavor.

Yeah…I want the New Albany location to open…like…yesterday. I was that happy with my experience. Until then, I’m happy that this place is in Louisville and when the sushi craving hits, I can enjoy…and even my roommate can find something for her non-sushi eating palate.

Mmmm…can’t wait.

Dragon King's Daughter's sushi rolls: Back: Summer Salad Roll; Front: Buffaroll — Dragon King’s Daughter’s sushi rolls: Back: Summer Salad Roll; Front: Buffaroll

December 18, 2012

Boulder Canyon makes a delicious chip with Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips

Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Beans Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips — Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips

Product: Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips – $2.99+

Who would have thought? A snack chip made out of rice flour and adzuki beans? It doesn’t seem at all natural or like it should be even found in nature. And…well, while not a natural occurrence in our natural environment, Boulder Canyon now delivers this straight to our grocery store aisles. Founded in 1994, Boulder Canyon has been producing all natural, kettle cooked potato chips that go beyond the standard brands in both quality and taste. This isn’t just me speaking…this is the company’s mission statement.

And…the thing is, they can back it up.

Prior to this, I had been able to try a few of Boulder Canyon’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips. I first sampled them here in my area (shocking, I know!) and then found them again at a grocery store out in Los Angeles, California, while visiting some friends. We got them hooked on them as well. And as snack chips went, these were a safe (save for the Malt Vinegar and Sea Salt variety) as far as gluten-free chips went. Better still…they were delicious.

Well, as I’ve gotten more accustomed to the whole gluten-free snack thing…I’ve branched out some. So, when a couple of bags of Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Snack Chips were on super sale at Big Lots…I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try them. A blind tasting this time. No samples from a gluten-free fair or expo…this was something I just saw and went with. At the price with a 20% discount on top of it…I’d be hard-pressed not to make a purchase.

And, as is the norm, I had other snacks to work through first before I got to these…but the magical snack moment arrived yesterday. I needed a quick 3:00 p.m. snack for the office to see me through to when I could cook dinner. I had packed up a serving (1 ounce) of these chips and brought them with me for that purpose. When the time rolled around, I opened up my little container and took my first bite.

I fell in love with them. Yes…with one simple bite. The flavor was so familiar and distinctive…but it was light, non-greasy, and clean. I offered one to my teammate, who has a very picky and discerning palate, and she took a hesitant bite…but soon was crunching on the chip as well. She said the flavor reminded her of Cool Ranch Doritos. She was absolutely right. But it had a better flavor…less mess…and was just better all around. And trust me…Cool Ranch Doritos used to be my favorite chip! So this is saying something!

The Boulder Canyon Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips (whew…that’s a mouthful…but a delicious one!) are made from rice flour, corn starch, adzuki beans, and corn flour. They are seasoned with chili flakes, cumin, and sea salt. What this does then is lend a little bit of spice and bite to each chip, keeping each taste interesting.

The flavor of these chips, I believe, mostly comes from the adzuki beans, which tend to have a nutty flavor and are commonly used in Japanese dishes. They are low in fat and high in protein. That’s a great combination to base a snack chip off, don’t you think? And with the way Boulder Canyon slow cooks their chips using sunflower and/or safflower oil, you don’t need to worry about trans fat or cholesterol. All of their products are free from both.

The Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Chips have 140 calories per serving and 7 grams of fat. That isn’t bad for a snack chip when it comes down to it. Even though this is a flavor that is based on sea salt…the sodium content is quite low (130 mg) and each serving provides 2 grams of protein. Not too shabby for a snack chip. These particular chips are also gluten-free (obviously) and non-GMO. They are all-natural, so no strange chemicals go into the making of this snack.

The flavor that these chips provide is unmatched. You wouldn’t even guess that they are made with beans. Never in a million years. You don’t taste the beans…you honestly just taste the delicious flavors that are packed into each bite, seasoned to perfection, and made as healthy as a snack chip can be. When you can back up your mission statement of providing superior flavor and superior products, then you’re doing your job well.

Boulder Canyon can definitely back up their claims. I would buy these again in a heartbeat! And as they taste like really fantastic tortilla chips, they’d be perfect to dip in hummus or salsa or even guacamole. Mmmm…something to try next time.

If you are looking for something different when it comes to snacks…be bold (heh…see what I did there?) and try Boulder Canyon’s Rice with Adzuki Bean Natural Sea Salt Snack Chips. I promise…it will be love at first bite.

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

No love for Enjoy Life’s Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar – $4.29+

It was as though my deepest fear was confirmed upon returning home from the office today. After the horrendous taste the Very Berry Chewy Bar left in my mouth (thank goodness my co-worker had some gluten-free white chocolate peppermint popcorn on hand), I was going to go straight home, pull the box out of my pantry and throw it away.

That’s exactly what I did.

And just as I had thought, the next item up in my gluten-free pantry for consumption as a snack was…Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars.

Sigh.

And the more I did think about it, the more I was absolutely certain these were the snack bars that my mom had tried when she started doing some gluten-free foods and told me to stay far, far away. They were not good, according to her initial report. Somehow that conversation had slinked back into my brain after the disappointing snack that I basically spit out this afternoon.

Determined not to revisit that experience with a different flavor bar, my roommate suggested that we go ahead and open one of the Caramel Apple Chewy Bars and break off a piece. We could each try it (me as the gluten-free girl and her as the ‘I don’t need to eat gluten-free, so I’ll be totally honest with you’) and make a decision as if they were palatable enough me to take for snack tomorrow.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bar — Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar

After dinner and a very delicious dessert, I started to get things together for lunches and snacks tomorrow…and remembered that I needed to grab these snack bars. I hurried over to the pantry and removed the box from the shelf, cracking it open and removing one of the bars. I tore into the wrapper. There was no onslaught of apple scent like what happened with the Very Berry one. So…that was already different. However, the tiny little snack bar didn’t look much different from the one I had today. But, I was trying to keep an open mind on this one.

Why? Because I love Enjoy Life. I love that they keep their products free of the top 8 food allergens (gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, fish). I love that, in the past, I’ve enjoyed every product that I’ve tried. I’m especially a fan of their chocolate granola and their seed and fruit mixes. YUM!!

So, here I stood, breaking off the end of one of the Caramel Apple On-The-Go Chewy Bars and then split that in half so my roommate and I could both have taste. We looked at the little piece in our hand…then at each other…and we popped them in.

Here’s what I can say…the Caramel Apple was a little more palatable than the Very Berry variety. The taste was still cardboardish…and the texture was less than chewy. It wasn’t hard, but it was like gnawing on a wet box. I hated the texture. Very gritty and just…blech. All of that being said, it did actually taste a little like a caramel apple. Very little. But it was there. Especially at the end, when you just manage to get it down. But…that’s not saying much. I wasn’t impressed.

Thankful that I purchased these while they were on stupid super sale…I didn’t feel too bad tossing this box in the garbage can as well.

I hope that in the future, Enjoy Life considers redoing their recipes for the Caramel Apple and Very Berry Chewy Bars. There is so much potential there…but they completely missed the mark with these. And it’s too bad, because I have nothing but good things to say about the rest of their products I have managed to find and sample.

I guess everyone strikes out at some point.

Alright, Enjoy Life…I now need you to redeem yourself again…because the state of these last two products has saddened and makes me a little more apprehensive to try things like…your cereals…which I’ve been eying. Now, I’m not so certain I want to risk the dent they’ll put in my wallet.

Enjoy Life Caramel Apple Chewy On-The-Go Bar (unwrapped)

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012

Enjoy Life’s Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar a tasteless, cardboard-like disappointment

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars

Product: Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar – $4.29+

Oh…Enjoy Life. What went wrong here? All other products I have tried, you’ve hit out of the ballpark…and then…with this one…you completely strike out. I love you as a company, and I have always loved and spoken highly of your products, but this…this was just bad.

No. It was disgusting. It was horrendous. It was a complete misstep in the way gluten-free products should be represented on the market. The Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar should have been good. But it reminded me of the cardboard-like taste and texture of gluten-free products years ago…before gluten-free became more prevalent in society and the quality of such items improved tremendously.

Now, I love snack bars as much as the next person…so when Big Lots had these on sale, I snatched up a box. I mean…I love Enjoy Life’s granola, cookies, seed & fruit mixes, Plentils, and chocolate bars. For real. LOVE. In addition, I was quite happy with the Cocoa Loco and Sunbutter Crunch Chewy Bars that I had prior to this one. So, I was quite excited about picking up the Very Berry and the Caramel Apple variety. Although, now that I think back, my mom might have tried the Caramel Apple snack bar and told me to steer clear of it because it was “no good at all.” Hmmm.

Anyway, with these in my pantry, I decided today would be a good day to open them up and take one to work for my afternoon snack. I was on a bit of a roll with the snack bars, having just devoured (and thoroughly enjoyed) Lärabar Über Apple Turnover bars. Something berry flavored would be quite welcome and refreshing. So, into my lunchbox it went. And when my 3 pm snack time rolled around, I removed this from my desk drawer and prepared to enjoy it.

Enjoy Life Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bar

I was rather anticipating greatness with this. When I tore into the wrapper the entire office flooded with the scent of fresh berries. Honestly. Even my teammate who I share an office with asked what I just opened up because it smelled good. I told her…and then went ahead and took a bite.

My teammate glanced over and said, “I have never seen you make that face before.”

Yeah, there have been products that I have tried that I haven’t been thrilled with…but this was just awful. Tasteless. Texture was horrible. And the flavor just was…gross. The entire thing was an abomination of gluten-free snacks. It reminds me of the first time I ate a gluten-free product, years and years and years ago…just to see what it meant…and was totally unhappy with the flavor and texture. And that…that is exactly what this reminded me of. There aren’t a lot of things that I will throw away after I purchase it…but these are hitting the garbage the instant I get home. I don’t even know if I want to risk the Caramel Apple variety.

So, Enjoy Life…I don’t know what to do with you. Love you for some things…cringe with other things. But these Very Berry Chewy On-The-Go Bars were one of my least favorite things I have ever eaten since I had to go gluten-free. That’s no exaggeration. There are so many other companies out there that are doing gluten-free snack bars justice. You…my dear Enjoy Life…company that keeps the top 8 food allergens out of their products…you should be able to step up to those standards and provide the gluten-free community with something tasty and berry delicious.

I’m really let down by this product…and in turn…let down by you. I know you are capable of so much better. Come on, Enjoy Life…time to revamp the product…start fresh…and this time…make it taste good!

Enjoy Life Very Berry On-The-Go Chewy Bar (unwrapped)

December 13, 2012

General Mills’ Corn Chex still a classic and a favorite…and it’s gluten-free!

Product: General Mills Corn Chex Gluten-Free Cereal – $3.19+

I love that General Mills has so many options for the gluten-free crowd when it comes to their Chex cereal. And let me tell you, I enjoy the chocolate and cinnamon and other flavors just as much as the other person. Being able to eat a cereal that actually has different flavors to entice and excite the palate is a very nice change of pace. I have my favorites…oh…I really do.

But the other day while out at Target, there was a bit of a sale on a few of the flavors of Chex cereal. The first one I spotted was the Honey Nut Chex. But upon going back to the cereal section, I managed to snag a big box of the Corn Chex as well.

Corn Chex. I remember the days when only three flavors existed. Corn, Rice, and Wheat. I was always a huge fan of my mom’s homemade Chex Mix…and the corn and rice varieties were always my favorite to pick out. One in particular over the other – Corn Chex.

I imagine that more people get excited about eating the newer flavors in the gluten-free selection over the old standbys, but this morning proved that sometimes you just can’t top the classics. I measured out a cup of Corn Chex into my cereal bowl this morning and snagged a piece to just eat on its own, before I topped off my bowl with a splash of unsweetened almond milk. Immediately I was transported back to my childhood. Breakfast. Snacks. My mom’s Chex Mix. It all came flooding and rushing back. All in one simple, easy taste.

I noticed that in the past, this cereal was marked as gluten-free, but contained Barley Malt Extract (not gluten-free). It looks like the Corn Chex recipe has been revised because the boxes no longer contain that ingredient…so it appears to be safe for the gluten-intolerant and the Celiacs among us. I ate it this morning for breakfast and then went to the gym and have had it all settling for over 4 hours now…without any sort of reaction. I think General Mills put this one in the clear. And I appreciate them taking that sort of initiative.

Corn Chex is back to basics when it comes to cereal. A serving (1 cup) is only 110 calories. It is virtually fat free. And with only 3 grams of sugar, it makes it one of the more healthy choices for a breakfast cereal. The best part…it tastes great. Simple flavors…but they make an impression. Obviously…because these brought back so many memories that now…they’re all I want.

Thank you, General Mills, for making classics like Corn Chex so that those of us who have to eat gluten-free have an inexpensive, classic cereal we can turn to…not just for breakfast, but for snacks and parties too.

December 12, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Portabello Mushroom Cheesesteaks

Who says being a gluten-free vegetarian is boring? When you can cook up something as amazing as a cheesesteak sandwich, without even touching any meat…now that’s awesome. And it is possible. And thanks to my stock of gluten-free breads in my freezer, I happened to have gluten-free sub buns at my disposal. And, thanks to my CSA bin, I had all the vegetables already in my home.

Thanks to the wonder that is Pinterest, I stumbled across this recipe and knew, immediately, that I had to make it. As previously stated, I had every ingredient necessary to make it happen. But…I had a few days of using things up and a holiday dinner that had to come first. Thus…this recipe didn’t get made until last night. But, wow…was I ever happy I went ahead, trusted Pinterest, and made it.

The recipe comes from a vegetarian food blog called Oh My Veggies. The original recipe is for four sandwiches, but I had only 2 sub buns and it was just my roommate and I eating…so why make the extra? I just cut it in half. But this is the amazing recipe for you to try as well. Trust me, the meaty portabello mushrooms will make you not even miss the lack of meat in this sandwich.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Portabello Mushroom Cheesesteaks

Gluten-Free Portabello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwich

Servings: 4
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 extra-large portabello mushrooms, gills removed, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. red wine
salt + pepper to taste
1 small green pepper, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
8 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese (I used Veggie Slices Provolone Flavored vegan cheese)
4 sub rolls, sliced lengthwise (don’t completely cut the top from the bottom, though!) (I used Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns)

Directions:

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add mushrooms and cook 3-4 minutes, or until softened and browned. Add wine and increase heat to high. Cook until liquid has evaporated, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to bowl.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Carefully wipe skillet clean. Heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add green pepper and onions; cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Return mushrooms to skillet and stir to combine. Top vegetable mixture with cheese slices. Once cheese has melted, remove from heat.

Divide veggie mixture into sub rolls. Wrap each cheesesteak tightly with foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and unwrap carefully.

ENJOY!

~*~*~

Loved these! Absolutely LOVED these from first bite to last. My roommate thought some sort of sauce on them might be good next time. I could see what I could come up with. I loved the way the portabello mushroom cap perfectly mimicked the meat that would normally go inside this sandwich. It was seasoned perfectly, the vegetables were tender and flavorful, and the cheese just sort of topped it all off. All of it melted to perfection inside the gluten-free bun that I used.

I would totally make this again in a heartbeat. Beyond impressed with how delicious and amazing this meal was. If you love a good, hearty sandwich…I totally recommend making these. Totally delicious.

December 12, 2012

Tina’s Sweet Treats bakes up gigantic, flaky gluten-free sub buns

Tina's Sweet Treats Sub Buns — Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns

Product: Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns (2 buns per package) – $5.49

I love Ohio for numerous reasons. One of my best friend’s lives there. Countless other friends live scattered throughout the state. And near the Dayton, Ohio area, I stumbled across a great little grocery store called Dorothy Lane Market. What I found inside made me eager to go back. And though I have yet to do so, the bounty of gluten-free products I purchased the one time I stopped in lives on, thanks to my freezer.

Well, I was surfing Pinterest the other day (shock!) and I ran across a recipe for Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwiches. They needed sub sandwich rolls. And…I just happened to have a pair of gluten-free sub sandwich rolls in my freezer thanks to my random stop in at Dorothy Lane Market. If you have never been to Dorothy Lane Market, by the way, and you happen to be going through Ohio…stop. Go. Shop. They have an incredible selection of gluten-free items…including baked goods from local bakeries…and a knowledgeable staff in the gluten-free aisle. I was beyond impressed and ended up stocking up on quite a few things I knew I couldn’t get anywhere else.

And…one such item was Sub Buns from Tina’s Sweet Treats, a gluten-free bakery in Franklin, Ohio. Dorothy Lane Market provides customers with a variety of different items from local businesses that are dedicated gluten-free. I was intrigued. And these really caught my eye. Normally when I make sub sandwiches I use the Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls that are parbaked and just need a toasting in the oven. And I love those. But here was a chance to try something “fresh” and homemade. Not in a facility…but from a bakery. I was truly excited about this.

Well, after the initial purchase, all the fresh baked items found a spot in my freezer. I really had no reason to use them…until a recipe showed up on my Pinterest feed. Knowing that I had every ingredient (including the sub rolls) in my pantry or fridge (thank you CSA bin), I knew these buns were coming out and this recipe was going to get made.

Tina's Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Bun — Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Bun

When I purchased these rolls, I failed to realize just how massive they were. You are definitely getting your money’s worth, that’s for sure. These rolls are about 2 Schär sub sandwich rolls put together. I sliced each ginormous bun in half, loving how the bread would flake away. Ah, I do love homemade, fresh items. I noticed there was some spring in the texture, which meant it wouldn’t be dry. I approved. So, after cutting both of the dino-sized buns in half, I finished sauteing up my mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, topped them off with vegan provolone cheese, and allowed it to melt. Then, onto the sub sandwich buns the filling went. I wrapped each sandwich in tin foil and placed them on a baking sheet in a warm oven for about 15 minutes.

At the end of the warming period, I removed the sub sandwiches, now toasted all the way through, and unwrapped them. Plating was easy. The bread didn’t fall apart. Nor did it get mushy from any residual juices from the sliced portobello mushroom cap that I sauteed. I was impressed! Really. But the real test was coming up. I needed to find out how these tasted. My roommate was already digging into hers when I settled in, and I asked what she thought. She said they were definitely heavier than the Schär Sub Sandwich Rolls, but that it was good.

So, it was my turn now. One bite. And I was immediately reminded of the sort of flaky gluten-free hamburger bun I get at Cheeseburger in Paradise. That’s exactly what the flavor and texture reminded me of. You could tell it was made in a bakery though. The flavors that each bite imparted was enough to prove that. According to Tina’s Sweet Treats’ Web site, the ingredients that go into these sub buns are rice flour, tapioca flour, egg whites, butter, yeast, xanthan gum, apple cider vinegar, and salt. That’s it. And what emerges, whether toasted in the oven or heated in the microwave is a soft, delicious bun that is flaky and soft and perfect to stuff full of whatever ingredients you crave.

I was very impressed by Tina’s Sweet Treats. My roommate actually prefers the Schär rolls over the bakery’s version of a sub roll. But I could go for either. These buns were very filling, but very good and worked well with the sandwich I created. I would totally try other products from Tina’s Sweet Treats, and hope to next time I stop into a Dorothy Lane Market in Ohio. I was quite happy with the taste, texture, and the way the subs held up to the fillings, and the baking in the oven.

Do your sub sandwiches with something fresh and something tasty. Check out Tina’s Sweet Treats. And if you can’t get to Ohio…they do ship.

Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwich made using Tina's Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns — Portobello Mushroom Cheesesteak Sandwich made using Tina’s Sweet Treats Gluten-Free Sub Buns

December 12, 2012

Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes a bite-sized sweet morning treat

Product: Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes – $4.49

Mmmm…donuts!

Even better – Mmmmmm…donut holes!

For awhile, I never thought I’d ever enjoy a donut hole again…unless I made them myself, and trust me…donut making is a lot of tedious work. In fact, I bake my donuts in a donut pan. So, there never really is a donut hole. So, therefore, I never thought I’d enjoy another donut hole again. It was one of those things you don’t realize how much you enjoyed eating them…until you no longer can just run to the store or bakery and just buy some.

And then, Katz Gluten Free introduced their line of donut holes. Two flavors – powdered and cinnamon.

I already devoured my container of cinnamon donuts…leaving me with the package of powdered donut holes, which came free with a special offer order that I placed. Katz Gluten Free was kind enough to make sure I had the powdered donut holes in my order as I had previously ordered the cinnamon ones…and I really wanted to try the other kind. What great customer service from a great company! I was impressed.

Well, I haven’t really had a moment to do my scone baking for gym day this week, so I was looking for something that would work. Lo and behold, my freezer held the key to my problem – Katz Gluten Free Powdered Donut Holes. I’d just pair them with a fruit (in this case, naval oranges) and my roomie and I were set after a hard, long cardio workout for a treat for breakfast.

Yesterday was the moment of truth when it came to the Powdered Donut Holes. I got out of the gym and trudged to the office. I simply placed four donut holes onto a plate and gave them a 10 second heat up in the microwave. Serving it with naval orange slices just sort of made it so that I was eating more than just 4 little donut holes.

I brought my roommate hers first. She doesn’t have to eat gluten-free, but she does because I am the cook in the apartment. So I always love to get her take on products. Her favorite gluten-free donuts are Katz Powdered Donuts, so it came as no surprise that she literally devoured the donut holes.

And who doesn’t love donut holes? I do. Let me tell you…the Powdered Sugar Donut Holes from Katz Gluten Free are the best I have had. I know some reviewers have said that they didn’t have enough sugar on them, but I totally disagree. They taste like bite-size versions of the Katz Powdered Sugar Donuts…and is a good and delicious thing. The texture is awesome. It has the right amount of cakey feel to it, without getting too sweet with the dusting of sugar. I loved it. From the first one I popped to the last. I have another round for my roomie and I in the freezer for tomorrow’s after the gym breakfast and I can’t be happier about that. They are fantastic. It would honestly be difficult not to just sit and devour the entire container. This is why I keep them frozen, thaw out the serving as needed, and then give a little warm up to them to give the illusion that they are fresh baked. It works.

It works deliciously well.

I don’t know the particulars of the nutrition information on these. It looks like the label is that of the powdered donuts…so my best guess is that 4 donuts holes (or about 1 ounce) would provide you with 150 calories. That’s awesome. And they really are some of the best donuts I have ever tasted. Yes…EVER. Back before I even had to eat gluten-free.

If that’s not enough of an endorsement for you, I encourage you to hop over to the Katz Gluten Free site and order yourself some of their delectable, delicious donuts. You won’t be sorry.

Now that my stash is almost gone…looks like it’s time for me to place yet another order.

December 12, 2012

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta a noodle worth trying

Product: Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta – $2.99

I was having a minor crisis last night.

For real.

You see, it’s the holidays and every year my adoptive family (aka: my roomie’s family) comes over to the apartment where I prepare a gluten-free meal of some sort and we sit, talk, eat, and eventually I open Christmas gifts from them before I head home to see my family for the holidays. It’s a nice little tradition. Last year, I cooked up a Gluten-Free Tagliatelle with Truffle Butter Sauce. It was a hit. So, I decided to keep with the gluten-free pasta, as most people can’t tell it’s gluten-free…and go from there.

The only difference was that this year this was all happening on a Monday night. This meant that I didn’t have the kind of time to do something fancy and different. So…spaghetti it was. Kind of.

Remember that crisis I spoke about at the top there. Well…this is what it came down to. I thought I had some Gluten-Free Corn Fusilli from Trader Joe’s in my pantry. After all, it was on my pantry list. But…apparently I had used it and didn’t mark it off. Which is not good. I started hunting through the other pastas in my pantry, but none of them would feed around 6 people. I was in full-blown panic mode because I had homemade gluten-free garlic (and cheesy) toasts to cook up in the oven, sauce to do, and I didn’t have a main course.

Sam Mills Gluten-Free Pasta D'oro Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked) — Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked)

So…my roommate put on her super-roomie cape and went out to the grocery store to see what she could get for me. She returned a phone call and a few minutes later with the answer to my prayers – Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Corn Pasta Tubetti Rigati.

That’s a mouthful, yes?

Well, it wasn’t my first choice, but I threw it in the pot of boiling water as soon as she walked it into the kitchen and let it cook up, hoping that it would at least be appetizing.

Wasn’t I truly surprised when it finished cooking (it did take longer than the 8-10 minutes advertised on the package, but…this is what we do to hit that perfect al dente, yes?) and I turned it out into the strainer. None of the noodles were flaking or turning to mush. They were a vibrant yellow color (due to being made of corn) and seemed so sturdy, yet soft. I drained the noodles and poured them back into the pot, added the sauce I was warming on the stove to it and gave it a good mix. Once again, the noodles held together without falling into pieces. I was impressed.

I dished up servings for everyone and placed the homemade gluten-free garlic and cheesy toasts on a plate for all to help themselves to. The bowls of pasta were passed out, I joined everyone in the living room, and dinner was officially served.

Tubetti Rigati pasta is small tubular pasta, sort of like macaroni noodles, but without being curved into elbow shapes. Most often it is used in soups, but I wanted to do something other than elbow noodles with pasta sauce on it. That just seemed…wrong…for some reason! What I loved about the Sam Mills Tubetti Rigati was that the sauce would fill the little tubes of pasta and it would be this flavorful bite each time. I actually quite enjoyed the flavor and texture of this corn pasta.

What is even better is the price. Sam Mills pasta is one of the least expensive gluten-free pastas on the market. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the quality suffers because of it. This pasta ranks right up there with my go-to of Trader Joe’s gluten-free corn pastas. It was just really good. No one could tell it was gluten-free…or corn-based for that matter. LOVE that.

Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta is a budget-friendly, high quality choice when it comes to gluten-free pasta. Honestly, I was quite impressed with it. And I would definitely buy it again in a heartbeat.

A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D'oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced) — A serving of Sam Mills Pasta D’oro Gluten-Free Tubetti Rigati Corn Pasta (cooked and sauced)