Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars
Product: Bakery on Main Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars – $5.49
I really, really, really wanted to like these granola bars. Honestly. Why? Well, for one thing, they are the product of one of the best gluten-free companies out there. I fell in love with Bakery on Main through their gluten-free oatmeal and then again through their granola. But, since then, I have had little luck when it comes to their products. When I spotted these granola bars at the Gluten-Free Trading Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I thought it was too good to be true.
Come on…it’s granola bars made to taste like everyone’s favorite go-to sandwich, yes? Peanut Butter and Jelly. Let me tell you…I was sold.
They came home with me and I put them in the pantry…where they taunted me as I worked my way through the snacks with earlier expiration dates. Then, last week, the moment I had been anticipating arrived. These delicious sounding granola bars were going to be my afternoon snack at the office. So, I excitedly opened up the box and placed one of the bars into my lunchbox and happily headed to work.
When my afternoon snack time rolled around, I eagerly took the granola bar out of my desk drawer and opened it up. I paused only long enough to snap a picture of it before I tore into it. Before I get into the flavor, let me tell you a little more about the product itself.
These chewy granola bars are made with certified gluten-free oats, amaranth and quinoa, making them a great source of whole grains. Couple that with the addition of flax and chia seeds and you also get a great source of not just Omega 3, but also Omega 6 fatty acids. Awesome. These bars are also made with real peanut butter and dried strawberries. Bakery on Main’s Web site says that these taste like an actual peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So, yeah, I was ready for my first bite.
Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar
So, imagine my disappointment when I took it…and was hit with not as much salty, nutty flavor as I anticipated. In fact, I feel that these bars suffer from lack of that peanut butter flavor. As for the dried strawberries, they didn’t help matters either. In fact, instead of lending that sweet “jelly” flavor to these bars, what I got was this weird chemical-like taste. The flavor was very off-putting. I tore of a piece of it and walked it over to where my roommate was working and told her I didn’t know what I thought of them and to try it. She said it had a weird aftertaste and I totally agreed with her. I was disappointed…but I was hungry, so I ate the rest of it.
Sadly though, when I got home I couldn’t bring myself to pack another one for the next day. Normally I don’t waste my gluten-free foods, even if I’m not a big fan of them…but I just couldn’t eat these the rest of the week. The flavor was so strange and chemical-like. Which is weird, since Bakery on Main uses no chemicals in their ingredients. Every ingredient listed on the box is something that I recognize immediately. And it is real food…nothing fake. No strange preservatives. These just didn’t sit right with my palate…and so…they were tossed. Since these are not cheap, I took the financial hit in order to enjoy my afternoon snack the following day.
This experience however has not soured me on Bakery on Main. I believe in their products. While I seem to have an on again – off again relationship with their variety of gluten-free offerings, I actually hope I can try their other flavors of granola bars. Maybe a different flavor will sit better with me and my taste buds.
As for Bakery on Main’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Soft & Chewy Granola Bars…I think I’ll stick to the actual sandwich instead. These just didn’t satisfy me and the taste was just off.
Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar (unwrapped)
Awhile back while shopping at one of my numerous natural foods stores, I picked up a package of Rick Bayless’ Frontera brand Red Chile Enchilada Sauce. Why? I was wooed by the wonder and splendor of Rick Bayless, of course. That…and it was on sale, gluten-free, and I figured I could use it at some point.
The problem was…I had never made enchiladas before. For being such a big fan of enchiladas, and Mexican food in general, the fact that this sort of thing was not something I had ever attempted before made the task a little daunting. And for weeks, the Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce sat on the shelf…untouched…and mocking me every time I went to the pantry for something.
But that changed last week when I finally said I was going to suck it up…and make enchiladas. I had a crazy amount of produce thanks to the arrival of my CSA bin so I just sort of made up a filling from things I had in my refrigerator and my freezer. The results? A creamy, delicious vegetarian enchilada that my roommate, to this day, hopes I recreate again soon.
Until then…here is my recipe for these Mexican morsels of cheesy wonder.
1 cup sour cream (I used Tofutti vegan sour cream)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Cabot sharp white cheddar and NY sharp cheddar cheeses)
2 tablespoons butter
8-10 ounces of enchilada sauce (I used Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Make the filling: In a wide frying pan, melt the butter and add the onions. Add the garlic salt and red pepper flakes. Sauté the onion until tender. Add the corn and cumin and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook, stirring over high heat to boil away any remaining liquid. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, half of the cheese, and the chiles. Add the chili powder and salt to taste.
Wrap the corn tortillas in a paper towel and microwave for 40 seconds, flipping them halfway through.
In a 9×13 baking dish, poor a scant amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom and spread it across the bottom of the pan.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling into the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the filling and place, seam side down, in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Cover the enchiladas evenly with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
~*~*~
I was actually quite happy with the way my enchiladas turned out. The corn added a nice hint of sweetness to the filling and I loved how the sour cream added this bit of rich creaminess to it. This also made me fall in love with the Frontera brand of enchilada sauce as well. It was really delicious and the perfect amount for this meal. My roommate and I devoured these over the course of three days and already she is asking me to make it again. Now that I have created my own enchiladas and successfully executed them…I think that’s doable.
Looking for a creamy, sweet, and a little spicy meal for dinner…give these a try. And enjoy!
A decision was made the last time I was in Columbus after a disappointing meal at a local pub. The next place we were going to eat while I was in town was going to be this place called Knead. I didn’t know too much about them at the time, just that they showed up on my Find Me Gluten Free iPhone app. With nothing else to go on, the decision was made.
The day I ran the Air Force Marathon 10K, Jenn, Cathy and I drove back from Dayton, Ohio to Columbus with every intention of getting lunch. Original plans had been to grab a bite to eat in Dayton, but we wrapped things up sooner than anticipated, and after a stop by Starbucks for coffee, we decided just to head back toward Jenn’s and figure out something to eat once back in Columbus.
And it was on the drive back that I remembered…Knead.
Everyone seemed game for it, so that was where we were headed. We were on a mission…for a delicious lunch.
It took a moment for us to locate the place. For the record, there is some construction going on and if it weren’t for the signs indicating that Knead was there and open, we probably would have missed it. The next difficult challenge was finding a place to park. We finally found a public lot a couple blocks away. We parked, fed the meter, and made our way back toward the scaffolding that encased Knead and the other shops that surrounded it.
This will explain why my establishing shot is not of the outside of the restaurant, but rather the inside. You work with what you can. Besides, the inside was so warm and inviting with all the reds, yellows and oranges that decorated the walls. We were greeted immediately upon entering and shown to a nice corner booth (which was round, by the way). Our drink orders were taken and then we were handed menus to look over. I knew that Knead had gluten-free options…I just wasn’t sure what all they offered. So, after our drinks were brought to us, I was about to ask our waiter, however, he disappeared quickly to see to another table. So, while Cathy and Jenn decided on what they wanted to eat, I patiently waited for our waiter to return. It took a little while, but he finally did. And I asked about gluten-free options to which he snagged a different menu and pointed out that everything in red could be done gluten-free. Most of the options were meat-based, so that wasn’t going to work for me. I made one easy inquiry…
Is the frittata gluten-free? He assured me that it was…so I was now prepared to order.
And order away, we certainly did.
Cathy was beyond her breakfast time, so she was the only one of the three of us to order lunch. Her choice, Knead’s famous Motherclucker Sandwich ($13.00) with fries. This sandwich is basically a fried buttermilk Hiland Naturals Organic pastured chicken, served on a toasted challah bun with house cured bacon, aged cheddar cheese, Chef’s garden greens, roasted poblano chile, garlic aioli, and a touch of local honey. She had this with a side of their fries.
Jenn is like me and can enjoy breakfast at any time during the day. She ordered up one slice of their Caramelized Apple French Toast ($5.00), which is done with pagnotta bread. It seems they have a variety of options for French toast, but that day it was caramelized apple…and it looked and smelled fantastic. The apples were toasted and caramelized to perfection and it was served in a warm syrup that just made my mouth water. Too bad I couldn’t even sample it.
Knead’s Hash Browns
As for me, I decided that, since it was safe, I would go with the Frittata ($10.00). This also changes as far as the kind that they serve. But what remains the same is the fact that they use Ohio cage free Holistic Acres eggs. The frittata uses three of these, in fact. And in the variety being served that day, I got potatoes, mushrooms, feta cheese, and rosemary. I ordered this with a side of the hash browns ($3.00), which are gluten-free. So are the fries, for that matter.
With the order in, we sat and talked for a little bit until the food was brought to our table. When Cathy was asked if she wanted ketchup, she was given the option of regular ketchup or the house made variety, which was a tomato ketchup with fennel in it. She opted for the house one with fennel, which had this really amazing sweetness to it. It was actually rather good.
With our food in front of us, we all dug in. Yeah…Knead might be a little pricey, but keep in mind that they use local and sustainable agriculture for their products. That doesn’t come cheap. But the fact is they can back up their prices with the quality of their food. Jenn all but raved over the French toast, which I sort of which they had a gluten-free option for, because it honestly looked so delicious. Cathy found the Motherclucker Sandwich to be moist, light, and hold just the right amount of spice. And the fries…were some of the best she ever had.
As for me…I loved my frittata. It was light, fluffy, and filled with vegetables. The rosemary added a nice sweetness to each bite. And the feta cheese was one of my favorite parts of this egg dish. I love how I could eat the entire thing and not feel like I stuffed myself silly. I savored each bite, enjoying the play of flavors across my taste buds. This was one very well thought out frittata. Everything just worked well together. And the hash browns were fantastically done. Not greasy either. They had a light crisp on the outside and were soft on the inside. Potato perfection.
Yes, Knead is one of those places that sources their produce locally and focus on quality. This is reflected in the products and the food that they serve there. All of us walked out of their with happy bellies and all quite content with every bite of our food. We had other plans for dessert, but the dessert selection is quite amazing sounding as well.
Would I return to Knead again? Of course. With the changing seasons, some of the menu options change as well and I would be curious to see what gets added and what other gluten-free options get included with these changes. I was quite pleased with our lunch that day and hope to return sometime in the near future for another sampling of their gluten-free menu. And maybe next time…I’ll save room for dessert.
It was the eve of the Air Force Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K events…of which I was running in the 10K event. So, I found myself in Dayton, Ohio and in need of a place to eat. Now, Dayton has plenty of places to eat, but the night before a major road race, I try to be a little more careful when I eat out. Obviously, I don’t want to find myself feeling sick because of restaurant cross-contamination.
Thankfully, with the help of my favorite iPhone app, Find Me Gluten Free, I was directed to the Web site of a place called Sinfully Gluten Free in Centerville, Ohio. That day, after checking out the race expo, checking into the hotel, and doing a little book shopping, my friends, Jenn and Cathy, and I headed off to get dinner. I had researched the menu a little prior to the trip to Dayton, so I had an idea of what they offered. And while there isn’t much on their menu, what they offer has a little bit of something for everyone. And that is the important thing.
It was just around 6:00 p.m. when we showed up for dinner that night. I didn’t quite remember the menu, so I went to go and examine the one on the front counter where you place your orders. Cathy already knew what she wanted to get so she was set. Jenn also needed a moment to check it out, since we sort of sprung this place on her. But…she’s always had an open mind when it comes to my gluten-free needs, which is one reason she is so awesome! After a few moments, we all placed our orders.
Cathy had decided to go with the Chicken Strips ($6.99), which was three pieces breaded chicken strips served with a side of crinkle-cut fries. Jenn opted for the 8-inch cheese pizza ($8.99). As for me, I chose to go with the Pizza Sandwich (no pepperoni for this vegetarian) ($8.99), which came with a side of crinkle-cut fries as well. With the orders in, we were told it would take about 20 minutes and to go ahead and find a table and they would bring it out to us when it was ready.
We did exactly that, already discussing what might be a good dessert option while we waited. I mean…we were around food. We were going to discuss the food. We already had it picked out. The three of us would share a Lemon Bar at the end of our meal. It would be perfection.
After our wait, which I appreciate because it means everything is actually done from scratch and not just reheated and brought out, our food arrived. It all looked really amazing. Cathy’s Chicken Strips were not overdone, juicy, and the side of fries was an actual serving! Amazing. She devoured her chicken and fries, complimenting the taste the entire way. Jenn really enjoyed her pizza too. She let me snag a piece of it and I absolutely loved it. Seriously. The crust tastes like it has cornmeal in it, and it baked up crispy and perfect. It wasn’t soggy in the middle. The sauce was fantastic. And it was topped with lots of cheese. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. One of the best slices of pizza I have had.
As for me…my Pizza Sandwich arrived. I double-checked it to make sure the pepperoni was left off of it. And it was. So, my sandwich consisted of pizza sauce, onions, and cheese. Now…that was the perfect sandwich, yes? Just like eating pizza without eating pizza. It looked like it was on Udi’s gluten-free bread, although it must have been bread that they bake up there at Sinfully Gluten Free. I failed to ask, although I should have. But I noticed the loaves in the refrigerator behind the counter that were for sale, which leads me to believe that they use their own bread for their sandwiches. Regardless it was toasted up well and had a nice crispness to it when I bit into it. Like I said…it was like eating a pizza without eating a pizza. I loved it. And the side of fries was a nice touch to my carb-up diet pre-race. Or, at least that’s what I tell myself. The fries were done well. Not soggy. Not burned. Perfect. Not too salty either. I appreciated that, because too much salt can leave a runner feeling dehydrated, which is the complete opposite of what you want pre-race. I hoovered my sandwich, loving every bite of it. And I knew…it was time to go pick dessert.
But then my roommate, Cathy, sprung a surprise on me. Just right of the bake case was some of their baked cookies and brownies up for sale. And I was thrilled when Cathy said I could pick some out to take home with us. I got distracted at this point and immediately started to peruse the goods. In the end, I ended up grabbing one of their Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies, their Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, their Gluten-Free Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies, and their Gluten-Free Mint Chip Cookies. The Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies were the splurge. They were the most expensive, but Cathy said she could tell I really, really wanted them. So…we spent a lot more than intended…but well…more gluten-free goodies for me to try and review, yes?
However, we were on a dessert mission as well. And that meant it was time for a Lemon Bar ($3.50). Sadly, by the time I had snagged like, one of everything, from the goodies, the last couple of lemon bars had been snagged already. I made a very sad face, but the lady behind the counter said they had more in the back. I had never been so happy in my life. She brought them out and put one in a dish for us to take to the table. She told me I might want to give it a chance to warm up, as it was in the freezer. No problem. I went back to the table with every intention of taking a picture of it for the blog…then totally didn’t. And before I realized that, I had already sliced it into three pieces and we had each eaten it. So, without a visual, let me tell you this…
The Lemon Bar at Sinfully Gluten Free is much different from the one I had at Cherbourg Bakery in Columbus, Ohio. This one had a shortbread crust, and on top of it was more of a cheesecake-like lemon topping. It was good. Trust me, it was good. In fact, Jenn said she preferred this one over the one at Cherbourg. The buttery shortbread is a nice touch to the rich, thick lemon topping. And it all balances out quite well. I loved it down to the last bite…which is about where I realized I hadn’t actually taken my picture. Too late. Trust me…this is one of their most popular desserts for a reason. It is fantastic.
That rounded off the evening at Sinfully Gluten Free…but my trial of their products didn’t end there as I left with a bag full of their bakery cookies and a brownie.
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie
Even though I returned to my little town in Indiana, I was now equipped with gluten-free desserts to last over a week. This made me beyond elated. And the first one that my roommate and I tried was the Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cup Cookie ($4.50). Now, I had seen these before on Pinterest (not gluten-free), so I was quite excited about this. I love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as it is. And one of those is the very heart of this cookie. Honestly. These come in a box of 6 cookies, as they are all bite-size. The peanut butter cookie envelops a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The result…a soft outer shell that surrounds the perfect bite of chocolate and peanut butter. This was one of the best cookies I have ever eaten, combining two of my favorite things…peanut butter and chocolate. And…peanut butter cups are involved. I was in love.
I was on a chocolate and peanut butter kick, so the next sweet that grabbed my attention and got my mouth
watering was the Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies ($7.99). First of all, let me reiterate that two of my favorite things in life are chocolate and peanut butter. Put them together and I am one very content cookie monster. These cookies intrigued me and I hesitated for the longest time snagging them to take home with me? Why? They come at a heftier price tag than the rest of the cookies that were out to purchase. But Cathy insisted that if I wanted to try them, I go ahead and get them. And who am I to argue with that kind of logic when it comes to cookies. I’m glad she encouraged me. Because these cookies are sinfully amazing. They start as Sinfully Gluten Free’s basic peanut butter cookie, which is a chewy, soft, light cookie. Oh yeah…forget those hard-as-a-brick peanut butter cookies you are used to buying and/or making. These are super-soft and super rich in flavor. Then, dip half of the cookie in a rich chocolate and you take it to the next level. I love the salty/sweetness to these cookies and really enjoy biting into a soft peanut butter cookie for a change. These…wowed me.
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Chocolate Brownie
The next contender from my gluten-free sweets shopping spree was the Chocolate Brownie ($1.75). Now, I’ve made many a gluten-free brownie at home, but this one was magic. Let me explain. You see, this little brownie loaf, which is about 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches is not heavy at all. Forget that crazy gluten-free aftertaste a lot of brownies have. Not these. These have a rich, fudgy feel to them. That was the best part. Despite having sit on my counter for a couple of days, this brownie was still very soft with every bite. I found it to be one of the best gluten-free brownies I have had to date. I savored each bite of this, as did my roommate. We split it in half and were both just over-the-moon in love with the texture, flavor, and how soft it was. This was a total win in my book. Honestly…a good brownie is one thing, but this sinfully gluten-free one was out of this world. I would buy more of these in a heartbeat.
The last purchase that I sampled was the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies ($4.50). These come packaged in a bag of six cookies that look a lot like
Sinfully Gluten Free’s Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie
chocolate chip cookies until closer inspection. What I noticed were the bits of creme de menth chocolate in there (like chopped Andes candies). The first bite yielded a buttery, soft, rich flavor that paired beautifully with the mint chips that were incorporated. I love mint and these were minty without overpowering the rest of the cookie. You get a taste of the original cookie batter and then you get that kick of mint. I love that the two flavors compliment each other without one outweighing the other on the flavor. I absolutely adore how soft the cookie is. I’m not a fan of hard cookies at all, and this one will just melt in your mouth. Super delicious. And with the addition of mint…super refreshing for the palate as well. Mint chocolate chip cookies never tasted so good.
You know…it’s not every day that I can flat out say that everything that I tried from someplace blew me away. But with Sinfully Gluten Free, that seems to be the case. They have a magic recipe for making light, delicious, fantastic, rich, soft gluten-free baked goods that just blow away the competition. The lemon bar was extremely interesting as I had had one from a different gluten-free bakery earlier that morning. They were nothing like each other…but the rich, cheesecake-like variety at Sinfully Gluten Free was a nice contrast to the other one I had sampled before heading to Dayton. If anything, I hope that this blog sends more people over to this amazing establishment. Try it out for lunch or dinner. And be sure you get dessert and take some of their baked goods home. There were plenty more delicious looking items in the bakery case which were enticing me to try. So…when I go back next time…and there will be a next time, I intend to try something else…and probably snag more lemon bars.
Sinfully Gluten Free proves once again to all the naysayers out there that gluten-free doesn’t have to taste different or be hard, heavy, dense, or dry. Everything I had there popped with flavor and tasted fresh. I will forever rave about this little establishment. So, if you are heading through Dayton, Ohio…take the short trip to Centerville and try out Sinfully Gluten Free. You won’t be disappointed. None of us were. I’m already contemplating my return this coming weekend.
I actually went into Cherbourg Bakery back on December 31, 2011. I did. Because my friend Jenn had told me about them and while we were out and about that day, we decided to swing by and get some New Years treats. The problem was…we waited a little too long. The bakery was pretty much sold out of everything save for the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, a Carrot Cake Muffin, and a Chocolate Cupcake. We actually had our hearts set on the Double Lemon Bars…but they were long gone and the bakery was almost out of treats due to the holiday. Understandable. So, we took one of the items that were left and headed home.
Slices of Cherbourg Bakery’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Carrot Cake Muffin, and Chocolate Cupcake
That night, we split everything three ways and had our first taste of what Cherbourg Bakery could do. The cookie was my favorite thing, which is weird for me since I’m not a fan of oatmeal cookies. But…yeah…these rocked. It was delicate and caramel-y. And the chocolate chips just made it soar. The carrot cake muffin was…pretty good. It was spiced just right for a carrot cake, but it didn’t compare to the cookie. And the chocolate cupcake was…good enough. I thought it felt heavy compared to the lightness of the previous two treats, but it was rich, chocolate goodness in one bite. And, yes…I devoured all three.
I had thought to write up my review based on that…but then found that I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t fair. I wasn’t able to really test them by ordering what I wanted. I had to order what they still had.
But, I had another chance because I often find myself in Columbus, Ohio. So, on the day before I ran in the Air Force Marathon 10K, I was driving past Cherbourg Bakery with my roommate on our way to get coffee at Caribou Coffee and she asked if I wanted to stop in and grab something for me to eat for breakfast, since Caribou has nothing I can really nosh on. I thought this idea was the best idea I heard…so we turned around, parked, and went in.
This time, Cherbourg had everything I could ever dream of and more. Giant blueberry muffins, delicate cookies, the double lemon bars!! They had donuts and brownies and were just brimming with baked goods. I stepped into a gluten-free heaven of baked wonders. And so…when it was my turn to order, I ended up getting a Chocolate Donut (with chocolate icing and sprinkles…because…why not?), a Madeleine Cookie, and one of the Double Lemon Bars. We paid for the treats and left to continue on to the coffee shop.
And I couldn’t wait. I asked my roommate if she wanted to split the Double Lemon Bar right then. Of course she agreed. So, there in the car, I somehow managed to half the creamy, lemony bar in half. I handed her a napkin and her half of the bar and before I could even pick mine up, she had taken a bite and was already in love with it. When I took my bite of the lemon bar, I now understood why these were so popular. The Double Lemon Bar is a refreshing treat with every bite. It is a shortbread cookie base with a very lemony center. Dusted with powdered sugar, you get the right balance of sweetness and tart, while the shortbread cookie lends a buttery, much-needed savoriness to temper the hit of lemon. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten…no joke. In fact, I loved them so much, that when I was at the hotel in Dayton the night before the race, I called the bakery and ordered three more, so Jenn, Cathy and I could each indulge in one for dessert that evening.
Upon arriving at Caribou Coffee, Cathy ordered her breakfast sandwich and got our caffeine for the morning. We took up residence at one of the tables to enjoy the rest of our breakfast. Once she received her breakfast sandwich, I popped open the bakery box and now had to decide if I wanted to eat the donut first or the Madeleine.
Cherbourg Bakery’s Chocolate Donut with Chocolate Icing and Sprinkles
I decided to sample both…but I started with the Chocolate Donut. I broke off a piece of the round, baked wonder and loved how light it felt. Yes…even with the icing and sprinkles. It wasn’t dense or too heavy, especially for a cake-like donut. I was already impressed. Then, I popped it into my mouth…and truly fell under the spell of Cherbourg once again. The donut was moist and rich, the chocolate flavor the start. The chocolate icing melted away, really adding to the stunning richness of this donut. I had to gobble it up. I just couldn’t stop myself. I did pause long enough to share a piece with my roommate, who also expressed a deep love of the chocolate flavor, the light texture, and the all-around awesomeness of the bite. Yeah…it was one perfect chocolate iced chocolatey bite.
And last, but certainly not least was the little Madeleine cookie. Madeleines are classic French teacake cookies. And these had the perfect shell shape to them and everything. I was intrigued by it. And when I broke off my first bite and tasted it…I was forever hooked on these French classics. Cherbourg delivers a buttery, light flavor with every soft bite of these little teacakes. I was enamored by it. I, once again, shared a piece with my roommate and she was also blown away. Considering she doesn’t have to eat gluten-free, hearing her praise the items that I am able to eat made me so happy. I was in absolute love with the products I chose that morning to sample.
Cherbourg Bakery’s Madeleine Cookie
So, while this review might be a little late, it was definitely worth the wait. I wanted to be fair to Cherbourg Bakery when I wrote it. I wanted to critique it on items I truly would order, not just on what was left in stock. I’m glad I waited because it yielded a much better review overall. Now, every time I happen to be in Columbus (like this coming weekend…) I am going to make Cherbourg Bakery a stop. They have muffins, bars, breads, brownies and cakes that have still yet to be sampled. And I hear their seasonal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are one of the most exciting gluten-free goodies ever. And the Monster Blueberry Muffins seem to be calling my name as well.
Cherbourg Bakery, I hope that you live long and prosper in Columbus, Ohio. I know that I’ll frequent you whenever I find myself there. Which is quite often with one of my best friends living there. Keep on rocking those baked goods. What you do is wonderful for the gluten-free community. I have been singing your praises and bragging about you ever since.
Dream Blends Original Unsweetened Almond, Cashew & Hazelnut Drink
Product: Dream Blends Unsweetened Original Almond, Cashew and Hazelnut Drink – $4.19+
From the company that brings you Almond Dream, Rice Dream, Soy Dream, and Chocolate Dream non-dairy beverages comes an interesting blend of nuts in what is being called…Dream Blends.
I’m going to be honest, the moment I saw this sitting on the shelf of my local Earth Fare grocery store, I wanted to try it. But I didn’t snag it right away. Why? Because I live on a budget. I totally waited for a sale, which came about a week later…and that was when I picked up one of these shelf-stable boxes.
I was almost through the last of my unsweetened almond milk, so my cereal would soon be swimming in an unsweetened blend of almond, cashew and hazelnut milks. Sounds delicious, yes? I thought so.
And it was…except…when I first tasted it, I pretty much expected for there to be more of a nutty flavor to it. I found it rather bland on its own. Which was surprising. With all that nuttiness going in, even if this was unsweetened (cutting down on the sugars, you see), I thought it would taste more nuttier than almond milk (and I love almond milk).
But…it didn’t. And, believe it or not, that disappointed me. Honestly.
Now, don’t get me wrong…this blend isn’t bad at all. I found it rather pleasing to the pallet and it definitely mixed well with my gluten-free peanut butter puff cereal and my gluten-free frosted flakes cereal. I used this in gluten-free carrot cake pancakes as well as gluten-free carrot cake scones. And it cooked up well in those goodies. On its own…just in a glass…it was a disappointment.
But when mixed with something else, or incorporated into a recipe…it was magic.
Along with being a blend of three of my favorite nuts, I also enjoyed that this beverage is a good source of fiber, low in fat, enriched with antioxidant Vitamin E and Vitamins A, B12, D and Calcium. It is also dairy-free, lactose-free, and cholesterol free.
Would I consider this a dream blend…yes. And perhaps the original variety has a stronger flavor than the unsweetened. I didn’t dislike this…I just expected a little more bang from the flavor. But, I would definitely buy it again if the price was right.
Looking for a good dairy alternative and want to try some of your favorite nut milks all in one place…then Dream Blends Almond, Cashew, and Hazelnut Drink is for you. All you have to do is decide if you want the original blend or the unsweetened original blend. The choice is yours.
With the success of my carrot cake experiment…I happened to have a lot of carrots left from my CSA bin. While I definitely used some to chop up for salads and the like, I didn’t want any to go to waste. And I was getting ready to head out of town for the weekend. So…what does one do when it’s early in the morning and you’re staring at a bunch of carrots? Shred them up and throw them into pancakes, of course.
I’m a runner. I love pancakes.
This gluten-free and vegan recipe is simple to make…and simply delicious. I topped mine off with a light vegan cream cheese icing which is also easy. I made mine ahead and put it in the fridge, then pulled it out when I got up in the morning to let it soften up before I applied it to the top of the pancakes.
Recipe: Gluten-Free & Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes with a Light Vegan Cream Cheese Icing
Gluten-Free & Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes with a Light Vegan Cream Cheese Icing
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1 tablespoon pure pumpkin (I used Libby’s)
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
2 cups (about 1 pound) finely grated carrot
Ingredients for light vegan cream cheese icing:
4 ounces of vegan cream cheese (I used Galaxy Nutritional Foods Vegan Cream Cheese)
2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups of confectioners sugar, sifted
Directions:
Make the pancakes:
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife.
Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through ginger) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through applesauce), stirring just until moist.
Fold in carrot.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat the pan with cooking spray.
Spoon 4 1/4-cup batter mounds onto pan, spreading with a spatula.
Cook for 2 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Carefully turn pancakes over; cook 1 minute or until bottoms are lightly browned.
Repeat procedure twice with remaining batter.
Make the icing:
Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium-size mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 – 45 seconds.
Stop the machine and add the vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar. Beat with the mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds.
Add another cup of sugar and beat on low speed until combined, 15 seconds.
Add the remaining cup of confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth, 15 – 30 seconds.
Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the frosting until fluffy, 30 seconds longer.
Spread on top of pancakes and garnish with chopped nuts and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
~*~*~
The end result is fluffy, delicious carrot cake pancakes that taste just like a carrot cake. For real. Even a co-worker of mine got to sample one and she said it tasted even better than carrot cake. She doesn’t even like vegetables, so that was a high compliment. And…she is neither gluten-free nor a vegetarian/vegan…so the compliment meant even more when she gave it.
My roommate devoured these every morning I had them. I made up the entire batch and then we had a couple mornings worth. These reheat very well in the microwave and the icing makes plenty to get you through…with some left over. I just used that on another carrot cake recipe I’ll share a little later.
Want to change up breakfast…maybe get in a serving of vegetables first thing? Treat yourself to some gluten-free and vegan carrot cake pancakes. Top them off with the cream cheese icing and savor each bite.
The last time I tried Mediterranean Snacks’ Lentil Crackers…I wasn’t impressed. And it was the flavor I had the biggest hope of enjoying. They were the Rosemary Herb. And…I just found them to be bland. Regardless, dressing them up might have saved them…but I was looking for a crunchy snack for my afternoon at work where I could just reach and snack…and not worry about spreading hummus or loading it up with veggies in order to add flavor.
The same time I had bought the Rosemary Herb crackers, I had purchased the Cracked Pepper variety as well. And as it was the next up in my gluten-free pantry for snacks…it was what I was working with this week while at work. I wasn’t thrilled to say the least when I measured out the 28 gram serving, I was already dreaming of what else I’d rather be having. That’s how unthrilled I was with the last flavor I tried from Mediterranean Snacks.
But…I shouldn’t judge too quickly.
I settled in at the office and was working away. And when my mid-afternoon stomach rumblies occurred, out came my container with the Mediterranean Snacks Cracked Pepper Lentil Crackers. I sighed…picked one up…and took a bite.
And…the difference was amazing. Honestly. I actually liked these.
Not only are Mediterranean Snacks Lentil Crackers baked, which makes them a healthy option, they are also gluten-free. The ingredients include protein-rich lentils, which are also packed with iron and vitamin B1. These don’t remind me anything of the tasteless Rosemary Herb Lentil Crackers I had from them prior. These had good salty flavor with a hint of spice from the cracked pepper. I found that rather appealing, making these far less bland than the previous crackers. I actually look forward to snacking on these.
These would also taste amazing with a topping, such as hummus, salsa, or vegetables. However, these crackers are just fine on their own. I happily munched away on my snack, not feeling the need to put anything on it. I think Mediterranean Snacks hit it out of the park with this flavor.
Oh, I will be buying these again. If you like a great cracker that is light, healthy, and has a little heat behind it…these are for you.
Discover all natural Mediterranean Baked™ Lentil Crackers – your gluten free choice for great snacking! Our crackers are baked with all natural ingredients and protein rich lentils for a uniquely healthy and tasty snack cracker. A staple since ancient times, lentils are among the world’s healthiest foods and are high in protein, iron, vitamin B1 and essential minerals for a healthy diet. Our gluten-free Lentil Crackers provide a rustic taste you’ll love in a low fat, healthier snackea
My CSA bin sometimes surprises me. Not that I don’t know what I am getting each week. But the fact of the matter is that sometimes what I get is so much more than I expected. For example…this past bin I received was to have organic carrots in it. And they did. Huge. Beautiful carrots.
And I thought to myself…what can I make with carrots?
My first thought…carrot cake. I’ve been craving carrot cake since I went gluten-free. I haven’t had the time nor the ingredients to make one myself. But here I had big, beautiful organic carrots in my hand. I found a recipe for one and had pretty much everything for it. I set out grocery shopping and was beginning to find myself outside of my budget. The thought of creating salads from these amazing carrots just didn’t seem right. But, as I was thinking it…I glanced up at my new favorite grocery store and there on the baking rack was a cake mix. A gluten-free cake mix.
Well…right here was the answer to my problem. The mix pretty much did the work. I just had to add water, 2 eggs, and 1 cup of shredded carrots. And I already had all of that back at my apartment. Awesome. I figured I might as well give it a try. Gluten-free baking on a budget is sometimes a necessary evil. I pretty much would prefer to make everything from scratch…but money has been tight recently thanks to the injury to my foot. You work with what you can and do what you can in the budget you have sometimes.
I must say…I had my doubts as to how good a boxed carrot cake could be.
But, determined to make it before my carrots went bad, I stayed up late the other night and gave the Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake a shot. Really easy to put together. Just put eggs, lightly beaten, water, and cake mix into a bowl. Mix together, then fold in the carrots. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake according to the directions on the box. I was milling about in the kitchen as this was baking and it smelled heavenly. So, that was a good start, I thought. When it cooked for 40 minutes, I removed it from the oven, made sure it was cooked through, and let it cool. It felt soft and bounced back like a sponge when I tested it for doneness. Maybe it was possible to get a moist carrot cake from a box.
Once it cooled, I tipped it out of the cake pan and prayed that it wouldn’t crumble and fall apart on me. Much to my delight, it emerged in perfect round cake form. I did a happy dance of joy and then got to work on my Vegan Light Cream Cheese Icing (the cake isn’t vegan, but my icing is). With the cooled cake waiting for me, I spread the icing over the top and then immediately cut into it to try. I didn’t care that it was 10:30 p.m. I really wanted to try it before I put it in the refrigerator.
Let me tell you, I was elated with this mix. I shouldn’t discount all cake mixes…but a fresh carrot cake always is the best option. A dry carrot cake (like what you buy in stores) is not what I like. Well, this was amazing. Very light. Very soft. Moist. Amazing. My roommate doesn’t like carrot cake, but she told me she liked this one. And she ate a very large piece of it for dessert the other night. I had one too. And was quite content to polish off my plate. The cream cheese icing is the perfect compliment to this moist carrot cake.
Simply Organic uses organic ingredients in their cake mixes. To make this one gluten-free, Simply Organic amps up the flavor by using robust maple granules and brown rice flour. It has just a hint of spice, and the delicious flavor of carrot cake. You can’t even tell it wasn’t done from scratch.
I hope to try more of Simply Organic’s gluten-free baking mixes in the future. But this one will definitely find it’s way back into my pantry for sure. I already am craving another slice. Good thing there is one in the refrigerator waiting on me…
A slice of Simply Organic Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with a Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese Icing
Awhile back, I lost my favorite local coffee shop in Louisville, Kentucky. I went there every weekend and enjoyed a delicious latte or mocha made with almond milk. They diligently knew what to leave out because they knew I was lactose intolerant. And then…without warning…they were closed. Gone. And I have had a coffee void in Louisville ever since.
That changed. In a big way. Today.
I knew of Highland Coffee Company. I drove by it every time I headed down to Bardstown Road. They used to have this amazing sign…until Urban Outfitters moved in. But, that hasn’t kept people from this little gem. Sign or no sign, this place was packed when we showed up. I can see what all the buzz (get it…coffee…buzz…heh heh…) is about.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we strolled in. I just knew what the locals were saying. And it was all good. Since the sign came down, there had been an outpouring of support from local businesses on both sides of the river because, let’s face it, Highland Coffee Company is sort of off the beaten track. And to anyone unfamiliar with the area…you could drive right by it and never even know it was there.
Sad. Honestly. Because it’s nothing short of awesome.
After a moment of looking over the menu board, both my roomie and I were already set with what we were going to get. She ordered first…a small mocha with skim milk and some of their homemade chocolate whipped cream ($3.45). As for me…I first asked if they had almond milk…and they did. And I jumped up and down with joy for a moment. And with that happy bit of knowledge, I ordered a small pumpkin spice latte with almond milk ($4.00). And as we were being rang up at the register, Cathy spotted the gluten-free goodies on the counter. Gluten-Free Brownies and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread. The gluten-free pumpkin bread ($3.50) was screaming my name…so Cathy and I decided that we would split a slice of it.
Let me start by saying this…I loved that they had the gluten-free items away from the regular stuff in the case. These were out and tightly wrapped on the counter. Much appreciation for that. That means they are taking extra care to make sure no cross-contamination happened. And for this gluten-free girl…I love that.
The pumpkin bread was unwrapped and placed on a plate for us…with two forks. It looked moist and awesome. I was just too happy about it. I thanked them and took the plate to a table while Cathy went and waited for our drinks. While I was waiting, I went ahead and sliced the pumpkin bread in half. And then…it looked so amazing, I just couldn’t wait any longer. I took a bite of my half.
For anyone who thinks that gluten-free baked goods taste funny, are heavy, or have a strange texture…then they are eating in all the wrong places. For real. This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread was moist, light, and simply delicious. I love pumpkin and this had the right amount of flavor and spic without being overdone. It was a great treat to enjoy as a late-morning snack.
Then…our coffees came up to order. Cathy got hers first and came to set it on the table. Mine was being remade because the barista realized after she steamed the milk that I ordered almond milk and she did whole milk. That would have set my stomach into a tizzy, yes? Anyway…they got it straightened out and my almond milk pumpkin spice latte was up in no time.
Cathy brought the drinks over to the table…and it was go-time. I took my first sip and have to say…anything Starbucks does, Highland Coffee Company does better. WAY better. I fell in love with their pumpkin spice latte. Simple flavor. The pumpkin wasn’t overdone or overpowering. It was just pure flavor with a great shot of espresso. The pour was perfect. No bitterness. And definitely not too weak. It was love at first sip.
I think I found my new favorite coffee spot in Louisville, Kentucky. For real. Because they cater to people like me. They have dairy-free options. Gluten-free options. Amazing employees. A great atmosphere. And really good food and coffee. I’m once again in love with a local coffee shop in Louisville.
If you haven’t found Highland Coffee Company yet…get down to Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. Look for Urban Outfitters. Turn into the lot and walk into the place under the giant coffee cup. You’ll feel right at home. And, much like me, you’ll anticipate your next visit and already be thinking of what to try next.
Happiness does come served in a cup. At Highland Coffee Company anyway.
Highland Coffee Company’s Pumpkin Spice Latte with Almond Milk
The Celiathlete 