Vegetarian – Page 88 – The Celiathlete

October 18, 2012

Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas look a mess, but taste amazing

Product: Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas – $3.29+

This is definitely one of those cases where looks can be deceiving. For real.

It was the evening of my Fun Run over in Louisville, which meant that I had to book it home from work, eat something, change, and get over to the running store that hosts the run before everyone took off without me. The run usually begins around 6:10 p.m. And that day at work, a meeting I was in ran over and it was closer to 5 p.m. when I walked in the door of my apartment.

That’s when Tasty Bite meals come in handy. I was already planning on eating one, as they are super fast, super simple, and super yummy. The previous evening, I steamed up some jasmine rice to act as a base. All I had to do was reheat that, then heat up the Tasty Bite entree of my choice. The one that was in the pantry was the Chunky Chickpeas.

The packaging of this particular entree shows golden chickpeas that have been bathed in aromatic spices. They looked super delicious. So, after giving the rice a quick warm and dividing it into two bowls (one for me; one for my roommate), I followed package instructions and tore about a 2 inch slit into the little envelope, stood it up in my microwave, and ran it for 90 seconds.

Yes…these meals only take 90 seconds to heat and then enjoy! Gotta love that.

When the pouch was done warming, I pulled it out of the microwave, opened it further and began to pour the contents over the first bed of rice. What came out was a grey, chunky mess. Seriously. It didn’t look appetizing at all. What happened to my golden chickpeas? These looked like chickpeas that had a round of mud wrestling and lost…badly. I emptied the other half into the other bowl and almost turned up my nose.

Granted, the aroma that wafted from the meal itself was fantastic. But the grey color was a little off-putting. I checked the packaging again…yep…golden. So what was this? Ah well. I didn’t have time to come up with reasons in my head. I had a run to get to, and before that…a meal to consume.

“This doesn’t look very appetizing,” I said to my roommate as I carried out her bowl and handed it to her. “But maybe it tastes better than it looks.”

She gazed down into the bowl. “Ewww.”

I went to retrieve the other bowl, gave it a big stir to mix the rice in more, and found that it made the entree look better. As I was walking back out to the couch, my roommate was in the process of devouring the entree. This…was a good sign.

And as I dug in, I knew for certain that the reason for her hasty bites wasn’t because we were running late to my run. Nope. It was because this entree tasted absolutely amazing. The chickpeas warmed and softened to perfection. And the spices. Oh. My. God. The spices were pure Indian through and through. The Chunky Chickpeas entree is actually chickpeas that are added to water, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, coriander, salt, cumin and other spices that really turn up the notch of flavor. These don’t have a lot of extra sauce or juice on them, so they do make a good topping for a salad, or in a tortilla or something. But, I enjoyed them over my rice…despite kind of resembling wet dog food.

Honestly…looks are deceiving. What every bite of the Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas did was deliver a spoonful of layered flavors. This meal isn’t spicy at all, but it doesn’t have to be. The spices that the chickpeas are marinaded in are the stand-out of this meal. Honestly, look past the appearance and put your faith in your taste buds. What you’ll discover is one tasty bite (see what I did there?) after another.

And the nutrition on these is fantastic. A serving is half of the pouch (4 ounces), which only sets you back 210 calories and 7 grams of fat. The sodium content on these is fantastically low. And this particular entree packs a 9 gram protein punch with each serving. Gotta love that. And I did…and still do. The Chunky Chickpeas entree is also vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free.

Indian food that is easy to prepare, easy on the stomach, and easily delicious is available…and it’s available at local grocery stores. Just look for Tasty Bite. And yes…even despite the appearance, I totally recommend the Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas entree. Because underneath all that grey is one flavor-packed entree that is worth raving about and getting others to try.

Tasty Bite Chunky Chickpeas with jasmine rice

October 18, 2012

Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers the true master of the gluten-free domain

Product: Crunchmaster Gluten-Free Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers – $3.79+

I admit it. I was a huge skeptic of this flavor of Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers. I mean, let’s face it…when it comes to choosing between the Original, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Roasted Garlic, and Toasted Onion…the last one I would reach for would be Toasted Onion. Honestly.

That being said, I love the original, didn’t care for the Rosemary & Olive Oil, and I have yet to find the Roasted Garlic in a local store so I can try it. That left the Toasted Onion.

And, as these things go…I was watching the expiration dates on my pantry goodies and eating them as they came up. And it was time for the Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers from Crunchmaster to come to work with me as my afternoon snack. I was skeptical.

So, when my 3:00 p.m. munchies struck, I hesitantly opened up my little container with a serving of the crackers inside popped one into my mouth.

HELLO FLAVOR!

It took me a moment to put my finger on it, but the taste reminded me of something I used to eat as a kid. And then it hit me…Funyuns. Seriously. Aside from the awesome flavor, and the reminiscent childhood snack memories, these were outstanding. No need for cheese, dip, salsa, or anything to dress it up. Nope. These pack enough flavor, enough crunch, enough of everything to dominate snack time on their own. No condiment or topping needed.

Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers are dusted with a Hawaiian style onion seasoning, giving this variety of cracker a hint of sweetness to it. Ingredients are simple: Rice Flour, Sesame Seeds, Potato Starch, Quinoa Seeds, Safflower Oil, Toasted Onion Seasoning, Flax Seeds, Amaranth Seeds, and Tamari Soy Sauce Powder. Recognize those ingredients? I sure do. And that is so comforting when it comes to purchasing something that is processed. Knowing what is in your food is half the battle, for sure!

In addition to the all natural ingredients, Crunchmaster Toasted Onion Multi-Seed Crackers are 100% whole grain, low in saturated fat, certified gluten-free, cholesterol free, and contain no trans fat. A serving (30 grams) will set you back a scant 140 calories and 5 grams of fat. You will benefit from the 3 grams of protein and the low sodium in these crackers as well. They are…fantastic.

If you are looking for a delicious cracker for an event, a snack, or to be included with part of a meal, Crunchmaster is the way to go. Tired of plain crackers, then you have to try the Toasted Onion variety. Honestly, these are my favorite of the Multi-Seed varieties on the market. It doesn’t get much better than these in flavor, crunch, texture, and all-around awesomeness!

Congratulations, Crunchmaster!! You’ve done it again!

October 18, 2012

Nothing processed and nothing artificial in Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch granola

Product: Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch – $3.49+

You know what granola goes great with? Yogurt and fruit. Seriously, it’s one of my favorite things to make in the morning. My yogurt parfaits are legendary. But in order to build a beautiful and tasty parfait, you need a solid, delicious base with the granola you choose.

While out grocery shopping the other day, the manager’s special table included a bag of Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch granola. I had previously enjoyed a bag of their Sweet Cranberry Pecan granola and was pretty excited about this one because of that. Besides, I love raisins and I love almonds…so this had to be good.

On Monday morning, I got to find out. It was a frantic morning already as I took to attempting to caramelize apples for the parfait, get my morning coffee going, and get the gluten-free muffins warmed up and iced for breakfast. Needless to say…I had too much going on at once. However, the bright spot of the morning was I got to try the Love Grown Foods Raisin Almond Crunch.

I tore into the bag and happily reached inside to snag a few of the clusters to eat on their own. This would give me a sense of the flavor associated with it. Let me tell you…this variety of Love Grown Foods granola is fantastic.

The granola mixture itself is a combination of whole almonds, plump raisins, certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, coconut, sunflower seeds, canola oil, flaxseed, pure vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt. What emerges is one of my favorite granola to date. The whole almonds give this granola a nice crunch to the mix. The raisins are sweet. The coconut is the perfect addition to help tame the sweetness from the hone, agave, and raisins. What emerges is a healthy blend that is filling and just simply…delicious.

Love Grown Foods was created by a couple while attending the University of Denver. Each of the young entrepreneurs brought a knowledge of healthy living, healthy eating and love of an active lifestyle to the kitchen. And why not? What emerged was a perfected recipe for granola that started off with simple sample packs and grew from that into a business. And who can argue with a company that delivers amazing flavor in each handful that isn’t tainted at all by artificial sweeteners or sugar. Their granola is sweetened by either honey or agave.

Their food is produced with love…and that is something that is evident in the flavors and care that goes into their products. The granola is out-of-this-world good. And without all the additional sugars that normally go into granola, this is one of the best ones out on the market. In fact, a serving of 1/4 cup will only set you back 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. There are only 7 grams of sugar in a serving, which is fantastic for granola, which is usually heavy on the sugars. Thanks to the almonds, a serving also provides a hit of 3 grams of protein. Gotta love that.

And I do. For real.

Love Grown Foods is my go-to granola these days. They taste great and are good for you. Baked and created with love…and it shows.

October 17, 2012October 17, 2012

Recipe: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers

You know…with all the produce that I get delivered right to my door, it’s amazing I talk myself into buying anything else while out at the grocery store. However, for some reason, I had the urge to make portobello mushroom burgers this week. I have plenty of produce to use already, but no…these just had to be made. I had made up my mind already in my head and all I needed were organic portobello mushroom caps…which my local grocery store happened to have.

The rest…was inspired by a recipe on Pinterest…which I then deviated from to work with the fresh veggies and items I had on hand in my fridge. So…here is the recipe…

Recipe: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Servings: 2
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 portabello mushrooms, cleaned and gills removed
2-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons soy sauce (I used San-J Reduced Sodium Tamari)
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
6 grape tomatoes, sliced into rounds
1/4 roasted red pepper, chopped
1 ounce goat cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used Galaxy Mozzarella Rice Shreds)
2 leaves romaine lettuce
2 buns, split (I used Schär Gluten-Free Sandwich Rolls)
butter for spreading on buns

Directions:

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Combine balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder and onion powder in a small bowl. Pour over mushrooms, tossing a few times, and let marinate for 10 minutes.

When grill is nice and hot, turn heat back to medium and grill mushrooms for about 5 minutes each side.

During the last 2 minutes of grilling, throw buttered buns on just long enough to heat through, melt butter, and impart a nice grill mark on bread.

Remove mushrooms and bread from grill.

Place tomatoes, peppers, goat cheese and mozzarella cheese inside portobello cap. Place in a hot pan and sprinkle water inside. Cover to allow cheese to melt. Remove from pan.

To assemble the burger, place romaine lettuce leaf on bun, then top with the vegetable and cheese topped mushroom. Place top of bun on top and enjoy!

~*~*~

I handed this over to my burger-loving, meat-eating roommate and she took the first bite. Her exact words were, “This tastes like a burger. If you didn’t tell me it was a portobello mushroom, I wouldn’t know!”

Awesome. I must say, the marinade does make all the difference when it comes to eating something like mushrooms. This was a fantastic burger to dine on. I added a little kick to mine buy spreading each bun with some Koops Arizona Heat mustard. It was a really delicious and healthy dinner. And it’s very easy to make and assemble too, which is even better.

Love mushrooms? Or looking for an alternative to red meat? Give this one a try. Honestly…it was SO good.

October 17, 2012

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets win with this pretzel lover

Product: AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets – $5.00

So…I was raised in New York. And if there is one thing New Yorkers love (aside from bagels) it’s soft pretzels. I indulged in them all the time growing up. And then this wonderful nirvana called Auntie Anne’s Pretzels began turning up at every mall on the planet…and my life was complete. I remember making an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel my dinner every night I worked at the CD store at the mall. True story.

And then…the gluten-free thing hit. And suddenly, pretzels, the snack variety and the soft variety fell off my radar. And yes…I was sad. One of my most favorite treats to eat and there was nothing for me.

Okay…so I found an overpriced box of gluten-free soft pretzels in the freezer section of my local natural food store. But, there were only 4 pretzels in it and the price really was outrageous. So, as tempted as I was to cave in and purchase that, the insane price tag kept me from actually doing it. But the crave was there.

Then, last year, I attended the Celiac Awareness Tour when it rolled into Indianapolis. One of the vendors there was AllerEnergy. I had never heard of AllerEngery before, but I was lured to their booth by the smell and sight of gluten-free soft pretzels.

A little bit about AllerEnergy first. This company provides a variety of products that contain carbs and protein for an energy boost that lasts, as well as providing minerals and vitamins that promote good health and well-being. I was told that AllerEnergy is perfect for athletes with food allergies (hey…it’s like they knew all about me!). Their products are constructed of the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to provide food allergic people with high-impact nourishment. The company worked with an industry leading food science organization and began to produce products that were composed of food allergy safe ingredients that would help sustain energy. They provide a full supply of carbohydrates without using any wheat, oats, or other grain specific allergens. These carbs basically are the result of a combination of rice, millet, quinoa, and flax seed.

All that being said…here I was standing in front of the table at the expo and wondering if I was really being handed a warm, gluten-free piece of a soft pretzel. I wasn’t dreaming. It happened. One bite…and I was sold. The texture was perfect. Very soft and chewy. Not dense at all. I needed these in my life. The booth was selling the full pretzels or the pretzel nuggets. I opted for the bite-size pretzel nuggets and that’s what I left the expo with.

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (sprayed with water and dusted with the salt that was included)

Upon arriving home, I stuck them in the freezer as indicated…and then never got around to actually making them. So sad. Maybe I just wanted to savor them. But, I got over that this weekend. I needed something easy for lunch for my roommate and I, so upon inspection of the pantry and the fridge and freezer, I finally pulled these out. I was almost sad to actually be cooking them up…but excited too. I was already anticipating the taste of them again once I scattered them on a cookie sheet, gave them a spray of water and dusted them with some salt.

Into the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. And what emerged was my heaven. Seriously. I had never been so eager to sit down to my lunch. I divvied the pretzel nuggets out between my roommate and I and settled in on the couch. I lifted one nugget and took a bite. I instantly flashed back to why I loved soft pretzels so much…and why I went home with these. They are that perfect density for a soft pretzel. Browned on the outside, and soft on the inside. The salt gave it the extra kick to keep it from being bland. I was just so excited to be eating these, but also wanting to savor each bite. It was not an easy culinary line to tread.

If you are at an expo or know of a place that carries products by AllerEnergy…get the pretzels. Trust me. The full-size or the nuggets. Either one. Why? Because they are so amazing. If you didn’t tell someone they were gluten-free…they wouldn’t know. Honestly.

As for the nutritional value of these…they are actually rather healthy. The entire bag of pretzel nuggets would set you back 495 calories and 5 grams of fat, while providing you with 5 grams of protein. Trust me…these were fantastic. My roommate and I just couldn’t get enough of them. And then, sadly…they were gone.

Now…I need to find them again and buy more. You can purchase AllerEnergy products on their Web site, but I don’t see the Soft Pretzel Nuggets as one of the options…yet.

If you have food allergies and have been craving a soft pretzel…devour one from AllerEnergy. You won’t even know it’s gluten-free…and good for you.

AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (baked and ready to devour...er...I mean eat) — AllerEnergy Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel Nuggets (baked and ready to devour…er…I mean eat)

October 16, 2012

Monical’s gluten-free pizza a solid, but unimpressive slice of gluten-freedom

Restaurant: Monical’s Pizza, Fishers, Indiana

Okay…granted, Monical’s Pizza is actually a chain. A very small chain consisting of over 60 restaurants that are mainly in the Wisconsin/Illinois/Indiana region. But…I had never heard of them and they aren’t in my area. Thus…this chain will be getting a blog.

This past weekend, I was up in Indianapolis to attend the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo. It was a great event with lots of vendors, samples, information, and way too much gluten-free goodness for my wallet to handle. I showed up hungry and took bits and bites here and there. But when all was said and done, and I had covered much every inch of the expo space…I was now ready for lunch.

The original plan had been to go to Uno’s and try their gluten-free pizza. However, aside from already being in Carmel, Indiana, and the other place we wanted to go was where we were, driving South for pizza just seemed…ridiculous. Only because we’d have to drive North again to hit up our ice cream place (aka: the other place). So, after some searching on Find Me Gluten-Free, my roommate found a place called Monical’s Pizza. And…the gluten-free option on their menu is a simple 10″ pizza.

We drove from the expo to the Monical’s Pizza in Fishers, Indiana and were promptly seated with fun activity place mats and the menu. Obviously as I am completely gluten-free…pizza was on our mind. My roommate and I had gone back and forth on what we wanted on the pizza. Originally we thought onions and mushrooms. But upon sitting down, she said the Margherita Pizza sounded good. I told her just to pick one, as I just wanted gluten-free pizza. So, when our waitress returned with the water we ordered as our drink, Cathy took the initiative and ordered Monical’s Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza.

With our order in, we sat around and talked. I actually did some of the activities on the menu. And a little bit later…our pizza was arriving. I did love that it actually took some time to arrive. When I order, I don’t want my food to immediately show up on my table. I don’t want to even think about my food being prepared ahead of time. I want my food made when I order it and fresh when it hits my table.

The thin-crust gluten-free pizza arrived and it looked really amazing. The Margerhita Pizza was a nice version of a white pizza here. The crust was brushed with olive oil and then topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, minced garlic, and Parmesan. It is actually one of my favorite pizzas out there. While this one looked really good, and for the most part tasted very good…I found the gluten-free crust to be a huge disappointment.

Call my a cynic if you will, but since the inception of this blog as a gluten-free blog…pizza has been one of my passions. And while at first the simple, pre-packaged, not made at the pizzeria crusts wowed me, they don’t anymore. I have had one too many amazing gluten-free pizza crusts. Some, like those at the Mellow Mushroom, exceed every pizza crust I have ever had while eating out. Why? Because it feels, tastes, and looks like a real pizza. None of this cracker-thin-crust stuff.

But, at Monical’s Pizza, the thin crust is the standard. It wasn’t bad. The crust didn’t lose its crispness. Nor was it tasteless or grow soggy with the toppings. In fact…the crust wasn’t bad. Not at all. It just wasn’t something that blew me away. And trust me…when it comes to gluten-free pizza, the crust needs to shine. It is what sets it apart. It is the very foundation of the gluten-free pizza. A meh crust will yield a meh pizza which in turn yields a meh response from the gluten-free customer.

Monical’s delivers a solid, good gluten-free crust. It reminded me a lot of Puccini’s Smiling Teeth. Which is…good. Just not great. I love that the option is there…and I am very glad I can go into someplace like this and have the staff take proper care with my food preparation so as I won’t become ill from eating there…but…I love being able to rave about my food.

The toppings on this pizza were executed perfectly. Honestly. The cheese, tomato, garlic, olive oil combination is one of my all-time favorites and I found their toppings to be really good. But the gluten-free crust needs some work. Again, it wasn’t that it was bad, it’s just that I have had better. Much better.

Would I go back to Monical’s for pizza? Sure. I mean, the gluten-free option is there and the pizza was good. Honestly. I just have grown to expect more from gluten-free pizza. This is what happens when you start to get spoiled by restaurants who really know how to safely prepare a gluten-free crust in-house. I’ve had many slices of gluten-free pizza and this one…was rather forgettable when all was said and done, and the pizza completely consumed.

All-in-all…a very good pizza…a lack-luster crust. But…let’s not bite the hand that feeds us, right? I appreciate the gluten-free option and wish more places would take the care and time to offer such things on their menus.

Monical's Pizza Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza — Monical’s Pizza Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza

October 16, 2012

thinkThin Chocolate Fudge a protein-packed rich chocolate treat

Product: thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar – $1.99+

I’m a vegetarian and gluten-free athlete. This means I run. I run often. I run hard. I run far. And this means that despite my diet, sometimes meeting specific diet requirements, like the right amount of protein, can be a challenge.

Well, be that as it may, thankfully there are options out there. One such option are the protein bars offered by thinkThin.

This past weekend, I went on my final training run before the Hershey Half Marathon, which I am running on Sunday. That means I needed to clock 10 miles. And I did it…in record time. However, running long often depletes the body of important nutrients. For me, replenishing my protein stores is of highest importance. Chocolate milk is ideal, but I’m also lactose intolerant, and the chocolate soy/almond/rice/coconut milk options don’t have enough protein per serving to help with muscle repair.

So, after my run, I drank down one of my vegan chocolate protein shakes and then tore into one of the thinkThin bars I had in my drawer of fuel for before/after my runs. On that particular Saturday…it was the thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar.

thinkThin describes this particular protein bar as a smooth, rich, classic fudge flavor. Well, after tearing into the bar and taking a bite, it definitely is rich and smooth. The classic fudge flavor, however, might be a little bit of an exaggeration. Let’s face it…protein shakes and protein bars have that strange protein-ish flavor to them. And even this bar, as decadent as it is, tastes like protein.

But…this is a protein bar…so of course it’s going to have that bit of an aftertaste. With all that being said, what the bar is is a creamy, chocolatey, rich middle coated in (my personal favorite part) chocolate. Mmmm…chocolate. I am a chocoholic and this…this bar was truly satisfying in that aspect. Overlook the aftertaste and what you have is a chocolate bar with nutritional value. It’s like candy…but good for your body (and soul, let’s face it!).

The thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar is packed with 20 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar. You know what? That’s my favorite part of the thinkThin bars. Lots of protein…no sugar. I love it. I am a sugar addict and as an athlete, I try to cut out as much of it as possible…but I love ice cream and chocolate too much sometimes. So this is a nice change of pace when it comes to a protein bar. This particular bar will set you back 240 calories and 8 grams of fat. These bars are naturally gluten-free and with it’s lack of sugar…pretty much guilt-free too.

The important thing to remember here is that this is a meal replacement bar. I ate mine for breakfast post-run. And it did the job just fine. I was satisfied and full until my lunch that afternoon. So, the flavor is a bit…off. You know what? I can deal with the strange aftertaste. The creamy, rich texture was reminiscent of fudge and the chocolate coating helped provide that illusion. Would I buy this one again? Sure. But only after I exhaust the peanut butter varieties.

If you are an athlete, a diabetic, gluten-free, or just looking for a meal supplement bar, thinkThin is one of my favorite varieties to go with. They are packed with flavor, good with texture, and don’t bulk up their products with added sugar. Gotta love that. Go ahead…indulge. It’s not every day chocolate fudge comes with such benefits to the body!

thinkThin Chocolate Fudge Protein Bar (unwrapped)

October 10, 2012

Recipe: Cauliflower “Breadsticks”

This was definitely one of those recipes I had to make to believe that it was even possible. I came across the recipe from my friend Robert, who made them last week for his family and raved about them. And…something of the like had been up and on Pinterest for awhile. I never pinned it though because I was wondering how that might work. Granted, I have a ton of other recipes that involve using cauliflower as the “bread” part of a dish…but this one…this one I never pinned.

But with Robert’s seal of approval…and with a head of cauliflower in my crisper drawer from my last CSA bin…I figured…why not give it a shot? It could bake while I did my circuit training and then as it was finishing up, I could heat up the sauce to dip it in.

So, with massive thanks to Robert and to Healthier Every Day on Tumblr, I share with you this delicious, naturally gluten-free, and very nutritious take on breadsticks.

Recipe:

Cauliflower "Breadsticks" — Cauliflower “Breadsticks”

Servings: 4 (two slices per serving, as pictured)
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Bake 50 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 head of cauliflower, grated
1 whole egg, plus one egg white, lightly beaten
1/4 cup 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs and spices – whatever you love!
1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together (except oil) in a large bowl until evenly distributed.

Line a Pyrex dish with parchment paper and use olive oil to grease the parchment paper.

Spread and flatten the cauliflower mixture on the parchment paper evenly – about 1 inch thick. Square off the edges so it looks like a rectangle or square.

Bake for 40 minutes until slightly dried out, browning, and firm to the touch.

Remove from oven and using a spatula carefully peel away from parchment paper. Flip over and return to oven for 10 more minutes.

**They are a little eggy, but the longer you cook them, the more bread-like and crispy they become.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

As a dipping sauce, I heated up a serving of Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce. It was a nice pairing.

Now, as far as how I seasoned this massive mixture of cauliflower, I simply threw in (and I didn’t measure…just eyeballed it all) some dried parsley, some dried oregano, some dried basil, some dried thyme, some dill weed, some dried rosemary, a touch of garlic powder, and a little dash of ground red pepper. I also mixed in some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. My co-worker had suggested some of my gluten-free breadcrumbs…but I was hungry and didn’t want to fuss with it…this time. I have a feeling I’ll totally be making this again and will include those.

Needless to say…while they aren’t exactly the same texture as breadsticks, they are healthy, low calorie, low carb, and very nutritious. And, they smell like pizza hut breadsticks as they are baking. How awesome is that?

A serving (that’s 2 pieces) will set you back only 95 calories and 4 grams of fat. One serving also provides 6 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of protein. Filling…while also not adding to the waistline. Gotta love that.

Looking to incorporate more vegetables in your diet…this is a great way to do it. I recommend giving it a try. I loved them and can’t wait to make them again…and see how else I can dress up the recipe.

October 10, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan Mediterranean Pizza

Okay…I’ve become addicted to using hummus as the “saucy” part of a pizza. I admit it. Why? Because it challenges me to come up with flavors that will pair well with it. After my use of it yesterday on my version of a Tostada Pizza…I was ready to take on a new challenge. And that’s exactly what I did.

Tonight, I created a version of a Mediterranean Pizza…once again utilizing hummus as the base and building the flavors on that. Tonight’s result turned out to be one of my favorite pizzas that I have created to date. I only wish I had a much more clever name for it. But…that can always change.

There is some prep involved in this, but I promise…all the roasting, toasting, and caramelizing is worth it in the end!

Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan Mediterranean Pizza

Servings: 4 – 12 (depending on the size crust you use)
Time: Prep 40 minutes; Cook 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Pizza crust (either homemade or store-bought) (I used Rustic Crust Gluten-Free Napoli Herb Crust)
Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, roasted
6 organic plum tomatoes, sliced
2 ounces (more if you are doing a larger pizza) goat cheese
4 ounces mozzarella cheese (I used mozzarella flavor rice shreds)
1 cup chopped spring mix lettuce
2 tablespoons (more if your pizza is larger) toasted pine nuts

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Wash the red bell pepper and place on a cookie sheet. Roast in the oven, turning every 15 minutes, until done (about 30 minutes). Place roasted peppers in a covered bowl or brown paper bag to make the skin easier to peel. Once the peppers have cooled, carefully peel off the blackened skin and discard. Pull or cut off the top of the pepper and squeeze gently to remove the seeds. You can do this ahead of time, slice the peppers, and then keep in the refrigerator until you need to use them.

Once your peppers are out of the oven and chopped, dust your pizza stone with cornmeal and place in the oven to preheat. If you are using a pizza pan, you do not need to do this.

Caramelize your red onion. Slice your onions into half-rounds and place in a hot pan with olive oil. Cook the onions over medium low heat, stirring every couple of minutes. Adjust the heat so that they merely sizzle and continue to cook on medium-low to low heat, stirring, until the onions are soft and anywhere from honey-colored to deep brown, depending on how caramelized you like them.

While the onions are caramelizing, get out a small skillet and place over medium-low heat. Pour in your pine nuts and shake the pan until the nuts are a golden brown. Take off the heat and set aside.

Remove your pizza stone from the oven (or prep your pizza pan). If you made your own pizza dough, cook it as you normally would, then remove to add the toppings. If you are using a store-bought crust, simply place the crust in the center of the stone or pan.

Spread a layer of Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus across the crust. Next, sprinkle the pizza with the caramelized onions. Add the slices of plum tomato. Then scatter your chopped roasted red pepper over the pizza.

Using your fingers, break apart the goat cheese and carefully drop small pieces of it around the pizza surface over the vegetables. Add as much as you like. Then, give a light dusting of mozzarella cheese to the pizza.

Place in the oven and cook the pizza for 8 – 10 minutes, allowing the crust to turn golden and the cheese to melt. Remove from the oven and scatter chopped mixed lettuce greens over the top.

Next, drop toasted pine nuts over the top of the pizza and place back in the oven for 1 minute more, allowing the greens to just wilt.

Remove from oven, slice, enjoy.

~*~*~

Whew. Like I said…the prep work that goes into this particular pizza can be quite daunting, but honestly, so much of it can be done ahead of time, or while something else is going on the stove or heating in the oven. Chopping the vegetables is easy

The result, however, is a bold, delicious pizza with an amazing crisp crust. The hummus creates a rich base that pairs beautifully with the roasted, toasted, and caramelized flavors of the toppings to this pizza. I added the pine nuts for a bit of texture and they were a fantastic addition in the end. It was my first time ever using pine nuts and now I can’t wait to try something else with them in it.

Looking for a different sort of pizza to serve on pizza night? Try a blend of Mediterranean flavors that is sure to impress your taste buds and your dinner companions.

October 9, 2012

Wildly enthusiastic over Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Product: Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus – $3.49+

Mmmmm…one of life’s greatest treats is the healthy, delicious, creamy treat of really good hummus. Honestly. What’s better to top off a cracker or dip fresh vegetables in? It’s a far healthier choice than fat-laden creamy dips. And what’s even better is when you find one that really has a great flavor to it and a creamy texture to match.

That’s what Wild Garden does best when it comes to their hummus. While I’ve often had the Traditional variety (in those handy Go Picnic meals), this was the first time I’ve ever had the Sun-Dried Tomato variety of hummus. Needless to say…I wasn’t disappointed at all.

The Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus has an orange-red hue to it…not the standard tan that you normally associate with hummus. Its ingredients are all-natural with no preservatives and no trans-fats. The varieties (they have six of them) are all vegan and gluten-free. This particular variety is made simply with a blend of chickpeas, sesame paste, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, sea salt, natural spices, and citric acid. Anything on there you don’t recognize? I know what each and every one of those ingredients are. Love that.

The Sun-Dried Tomato hummus has a nice, rich tomato flavor to it. It doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a hummus, but the change in the flavor is a welcome one.

A tetra deli pack of Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

I actually used a pack of the Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato as a base for my gluten-free pizza tonight. With the other flavors I was adding, I felt it would work better than a tomato sauce. While I could have done a white pizza, I totally thought hummus would provide not only a good base for the ingredients, but also a nice protein hit.

I absolutely love how it worked with my caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, slices of tomato, and goat cheese. The flavors just blended perfectly together. That was another great thing about Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus – it didn’t detract from the other parts of the pizza. It complimented without overpowering. And that…is a great thing.

This dip is crazy-good. Very creamy and rich. And Wild Garden makes this specific flavor in little on-the-go pouches that means you can take them with you anywhere. I happened to pick up a box of these while out at my natural food store awhile back and I’m finally finding some ways to use them. Of course…my gluten-free crackers and veggies are always available as well.

I’m quite happy with Wild Garden and the products that it puts out. Their hummus is killer. Seriously. I could eat it all and not feel bad about it. The little on-the-go pouches have only 63 calories and 3 grams of fat. The best part…the whopping 6 grams of protein that each pouch provides. As an athlete who is a vegetarian…protein is very, very important to my diet and I seek out ways to get the amount I need. This is a fantastic, not to mention, tasty option!

If you love hummus, I encourage you to try the varieties offered by Wild Garden. Check your local grocery store or natural foods store. Even my non-hummus-loving roommate can’t get enough. I’d definitely call that a win!

My take on a Mediterranean Pizza (using Wild Garden Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus as a base)