The Celiathlete

October 23, 2011October 23, 2011

Wildly egg-static about the food, service, and atmosphere at Wild Eggs

Wild Eggs, Westport Village, Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: Wild Eggs, Louisville, Kentucky

Sometimes, a restaurant opens up. You hear a lot about it from people. You read a lot about it in local papers. You keep saying you’re going to try it out. And then one day…you finally do.

And your life is changed.

It has well been established throughout this blog that breakfast food, in my book, always wins. So when a place is called Wild Eggs and the menu is breakfast and brunch items…well, I’m sold!

Wild Eggs turned out to be one of those places my roommate and I made a snap decision to try out as my belated birthday meal. I couldn’t’ choose a place so she suggested we give this place a shot. Why not? So, we headed that way and were greeted with a line out the door and people milling about with buzzers for when they had a table. This is a good sign, because a busy restaurant means it’s a good restaurant. I hopped out of the car to go get on the waiting list, and was told we would have a 20-35 minute wait. Not bad.

Our wait was a chilly one, but it the time flew and soon we found ourselves seated at a table…right near the kitchen, which delighted me because I could look in and see all the cooks and chefs on the line. Yeah…foodie nerd! I know. But it was COOL! Our waitress came out with a pitcher of water, got our drink orders, and left us to look at the menu. When Diet Coke’s arrived, we were ready to order. My roommate went for the Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Scramble, which comes with skillet potatoes and an Everything muffin.

As for me…I went with the Surfer Girl Omelet (made with egg whites only), no sour cream, no Everything muffin, but a side of fruit would be great, and the skillet potatoes. So…what exactly is the Surfer Girl Omelet? In my case, it was fresh spinach, wild mushrooms, tomatoes, cream cheese, and onion folded into egg whites, and topped with pico de gallo, avocado and fresh alfalfa sprouts. It intrigued me when I saw the menu, and everything was safe for me to eat, and it had avocado on it (YUM) so it won.

We had a small wait for our food to arrive (which means it is cooked to order and not just dished out of big pans) but when it did…it all looked amazing. My food did arrive with the muffin and no skillet potatoes…but they were quick to fix this when I pointed it out. My roommate, who fell in love with the Everything muffin, took mine to take home with her to enjoy the following morning. It all worked out in the end.

The food looked mouth-watering good! I mean, it was breakfast art on a plate. I couldn’t wait to dig in. The omelet itself was packed with flavor. I would never have thought that cream cheese would work in an omelet, but it did. And it worked well. SO delicious, especially when combined with the flavors of the egg whites and the vegetables. I topped mine off with a dash of Cholula hot sauce, as always. The heat from the sauce and the cooling nature of the cream cheese couldn’t have been better matched. Epic breakfast win. The skillet potatoes were browned to perfection too. And there were a lot of them. Delicious on their own or with a smear of ketchup, these were soft on the inside but had that bit of crunchiness on the outside. Just what I look for in skillet potatoes. They are cooked up with some onion, which not only added flavor, but a little more crunch. Right on the money. I couldn’t have been more happy.

When my parents came into town to visit and watch me run in Louisville’s Race for the Cure, afterwards we went out to brunch at Wild Eggs, at my insistence, because I wanted to take them somewhere that they can’t get back in Alabama, and where they can enjoy a wonderful meal. My mom, who also has a gluten-intolerance, ordered the Surfer Girl Omelet (as did I…again!) and loved it. My dad tried the Violet You’re Turning Violet pancakes (which are buttermilk pancakes, topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup) with a side of bacon. Our waitress talked him down to two pancakes instead of the full three because of the sheer size and fluffiness of them and he even couldn’t finish that. He thanked our waitress profusely for talking him down from three. And my roommate got a little crazy this time around and tried the Creole Omelet (a mix of rock shrimp, andouille sausage, bell pepper, onion, and cheddar jack cheese, topped with a Creole hollandaise sauce (which she LOVED), and served with the skillet potatoes and Everything muffin).

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day…but also my favorite. I love eating at Wild Eggs. As much as I love my local standbys (Toast on Market and Lynn’s Paradise Café), Wild Eggs is sheer atmosphere, paired with great service, and delicious food. I can’t wait to find another reason to go back…and bring along some more people for a delicious brunch treat.

Wild Eggs has three locations in Louisville, Kentucky and one location in Denver, Colorado. So…if you live in the vicinity of one or are just passing through one of the cities…around breakfast/lunch time…do go in and enjoy a filling, delicious meal. And then spread the word about Wild Eggs. It’s food worth bragging about!

Wild Eggs' Surfer Girl Omelet with a side of fresh fruit

October 22, 2011

Imagine’s (not so) Creamy Potato Leek soup packed with flavor but lacks texture

Imagine's Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Product: Imagine Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup – $3.99+

This morning…it was officially under 40 degrees outside. Now, it is officially autumn, heading into the bitter cold winter months. And nothing compliments a brisk, chilly day like a warm bowl of soup. Seriously, soup season is upon us!

I love to make soups from scratch, but on a busy weekday, that’s not always feasible. Enter Imagine Natural Creations’ soup line. I have found a wide variety of these at the grocery store (in the natural foods aisle) as well as Big Lots (at a much cheaper price). So, make sure you don’t just head for the soup aisle and give up.

On it’s own, this soup looks like it would be rather bland. It wasn’t. The creamy, rich texture was just perfect for a potato soup. And the seasonings were spot on. Nothing bland about this…but this soup also is low in sodium, so the flavors aren’t coming from added salt and preservatives, but from natural and organic ingredients like the organic onions, organic potatoes, organic leeks, organic garlic, and organic spices.

When I served this soup to my roommate, who is rather picky about food, she looked a bit unimpressed. When she tasted it, she said it had a lot of flavor to it, but it just felt like it was missing something. When I finally sat down with my own bowl of the soup, I could see what she meant. On its own…it’s just a bowl of grayish liquid. Yeah…it looks NOTHING like the image shown on the box. Not surprising, but soup that looks like old dish water isn’t always appealing. The box shows a very creamy, potato-y, soup in a bowl. This was nowhere near as stunning as that image. Yet, while it doesn’t look the most appetizing…it at least tastes amazing. But…she was right…it felt as though something were missing.

The following day, when I cooked the rest of the box up for us for dinner…I did something a little different. I chopped up a couple of organic fingerling potatoes, roasted them in the oven, then added them to the simmering soup on the stove for a couple of minutes. What a difference a little texture makes. While the soup was fantastic before, this just took it to the next level. Adding the roasted potato cuts to the soup not only made it more filling, but it also created a better texture. My roommate enjoyed hers with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

Soups are a tricky thing. Some like them thin. Some like them chunky. I like them both ways, but there was just something so magical to bulking up the base of this soup. While quite good on its own, Imagine’s Organic Creamy Potato Leek Soup was even better when something to bulk up the soup was added. Give it a try. Put your own spin on it. Or enjoy it on its own. It’s flavorful any way you sip it.

Imagine's Organic (not so) Creamy Potato Leak Soup

October 22, 2011

Recipe: Ghost Toast

What’s better than a gluten-free Halloween treat for everyone? This is not only adorable…but really delicious too. I should know. I made it last night!

The recipe was supplied by my friends over at Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery. And I now share it with you because anything this cute and epically delicious needs to be made by all of my dear readers!

Ghost Toast

Servings: 1
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 slice of Rudi’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin or Original bread
Powdered sugar or coconut flakes
Candy (the original recipe called for gluten-free candy corn, but I never have liked candy corn, so I used sliced almonds) – Candy Corn, M & M’s (or any nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, gluten-free pretzels, Tootsie Rolls…get creative to suit your taste buds!)
Butter or butter alternative

Directions:

Cut the edges off the top of the toast to round the top of the ghost.

Toast the bread.

Spread butter on toasted bread.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Add toppings to complete the ghost.

~*~*~

Not only is this recipe easy, but it is such a fun treat! I mean…how easy is that? I loved it. Kids will love it. You will love it too. And just in time for Halloween!

Toast up some ghostly fun today…and enjoy!

October 21, 2011

Rudi’s on a roll with delicious hamburger buns

Rudi's Hamburger Buns — Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Multigrain Hamburger Buns

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Multigrain Hamburger Buns – $5.99+

It’s the story of my life these days. Veggie burger…no bun. Portobello mushroom sandwich…no roll. Going gluten-free meant giving up on ever having a burger or sandwich with the bread served at the restaurant. And for awhile, it meant making my own at home on what gluten-free bread I could find…no actual buns.

And then…Rudi’s hamburger buns were dropped into my lap by the graciousness of the gluten-free gods.

I can’t say enough good things about Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery. They have provided the gluten-free community with outstanding bread products, from sandwich bread, to pizza dough, to buns and rolls for hamburgers and hotdogs. It means we gluten-free foodies can have our bread and eat it too.

My first opportunity to use Rudi’s Multigrain Hamburger Buns came up when my office had it’s monthly lunch meeting. They were ordering sandwiches from a local pizza place up the street. I was prepared to do my usual thing and just bring something in, but the Portobello Sandwich (Portobello Mushroom, Provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato) sounded really good to this vegetarian. So, I placed the order, highlighted and underlined that I did not want bread, and hoped for the best.

The following day, the lunches arrived and I had LOTS of mushrooms with melted cheese and my sides of tomato and lettuce in a bowl. I brought in my Rudi’s Multigrain Hamburger Bun, warmed it in the microwave for a few seconds, sliced it, and put some of the cheesy mushrooms on it, added tomato and lettuce, and now…I was having a sandwich just like everyone else in the office. And man…I bet my roll was better than what this pizza place offered.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Buns have this very pleasing sweetness baked into them, in part from the molasses and honey that are included in the ingredients. When you slice into them, you can see the variety of grains, especially the sunflower seeds. They have this great, bounce-right-back texture, so when you take a bite and everything squishes down, it puffs back up, even better than the real thing ever did. And these are sturdy! It held up to Portobello mushrooms, tomato, cheese and lettuce, without getting soggy on me and falling apart on my plate.

But my love affair with the hamburger buns don’t stop there. At home, I found a great brand of gluten-free veggie burgers. So, the other day, I cooked one up for dinner and put it on one of Rudi’s buns. One again, the added flair of the honey and molasses adds this great hint of sweetness to every bite, which perfectly complimented my veggie burger and toppings. Absolutely fantastic.

One qualm, and it’s just a nitpick, is that the buns do have to be sliced. They do not come pre-sliced, so make sure you have a knife ready for the task. But, these hamburger buns are versatile and packed with amazing, sweet flavor. Try them at your next tailgating event, picnic, family get-together, or dinner. You won’t be disappointed. In fact…you just might go back for seconds.

October 20, 2011

Pirate’s Booty is a gluten-free treasure to behold…and then consume!

Product: Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar – $2.50+

Arrrrrr. Shiver me snackin’ timbers. Hoist th’ Jolly Roger and head for th’ open seas, matey.

Pirates are my thing. Seriously. It was born into me. After all, my birthday falls on International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was bound to happen. So, when a snack emerges that is gluten-free called Pirate’s Booty…you bet your ever-loving’ treasure I’m going to test it out!

Pirate’s Booty already wins for the name and packaging. It’s fun. It’s clever. It catches your eye. But…how does it taste? I was given a bag one day, and not to let it go to waste, it became a delicious afternoon snack for one entire week at the office.

The little corn and rice puffs are very unassuming and could be quite bland. However, that is not the way this snack functions. I had the Aged White Cheddar kind, so each of these little popcorn like puffs were dusted with a real aged white cheddar (none of that fake stuff) and then baked.

They are light and airy, making it an easy snack, and one that won’t fill you up or out. And, wow, are these little puffs addicting! They are flavored to perfection. The dusting of aged white cheddar packs so much flavor in each little bite that you just keep wanting more. So, it’s no surprise that soon after opening my little snack pack, the contents were gone, leaving only the aged white cheddar seasoning on the bottom as any evidence it ever existed. It’s a good thing I portion out my snacks or I’d probably sit down with the bag and eat them all. And despite being trans-fat free, even this pirate has to eat things in moderation. But it would just be so easy to keep going.

The first day I packed these, my roommate, who I work with, kept walking by my desk and sneaking pieces from my bowl. Pirate, right?

So, if you are looking for a healthy, baked, trans-fat free, gluten-free snack…look no further than Pirate’s Booty. Let me tell ya, matey, ye won’t go wrong with this lot of booty. ARRRRRRRRRRR!

October 19, 2011

Follow your heart and stomach to Rudi’s delicious (and versatile) sandwich bread

Product: Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread – $4.99+

I admit it.

I became a gluten-free sandwich bread snob without even knowing it.

It happens. You try a product. You love it. You stick with it. Nothing else will do. Nothing. Even if you never, ever tried it. There is just no way it could live up to the standard that has already been met…right?

I was wrong. Really wrong on this one.

Looking back on past posts, you’ll find me clinging to my go-to bread of choice: Udi’s. And yes…Udi’s is amazing. First gluten-free sandwich bread I tried and fell in love with. And then…I never thought to give other breads (often more inexpensive than Udi’s) a try. And then, the gluten-free gods smiled upon me one day and the UPS man delivered to me a box of gluten-free goodies. One product that was nestled inside was a loaf of Rudi’s gluten-free original sandwich bread.

Dare I cheat on my beloved gluten-free go-to brand? Dare I?

Well, my friends…I did.

And I loved it.

There. I said it. It’s out in the open now.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread. You…are a delectable delight in every bite. Here’s what I love about you:

While you aren’t quite at “normal” bread size, you sure do come closer than the aforementioned brand I had a love affair with.
You have a great texture. Soft. Fluffy. Like “real” bread!
You have a sweetness to you. Your flavor meshes well with anything that might be sandwiched between two slices.
Every single one of your ingredients I can say and identify. Nothing fake about you.
YOU ARE DELICIOUS!

I suppose it’s okay to cheat on my sandwich bread, right? Because every way I fixed this bread up, I was satisfied with the end result. When it toasted, it toasted up to a crispy crunch. When I grilled it, it held up through every flip. When I roasted it in the oven, it got crispy on the edges just as it should. And when I made french toast out of it…well…game over. I was in a gluten-free breakfast heaven.

Honestly, if nothing else, I learned a valuable lesson by branching out a little. It’s that…while you should have brand loyalty, especially when you have found a brand to trust…it’s okay to branch out a little and try other things. Because something equally as good might be just waiting on you to pick it up and give it a try. I admit, I probably never would have moved beyond my gluten-free bread of choice had my eyes not been open. And, Rudi’s gluten-free bread is a whole dollar or more cheaper too. Healthy, versatile, and fits into my budget. Oh Rudi’s…you’re doing everything right. So right.

If this is the beginning of a love affair…how deliciously satisfying it is.

Rudi's Gluten-Free Stuffed French Toast — Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Original Sandwich Bread - Stuffed French Toast-style (stuffed with Laughing Cow Lite Swiss and strawberry jam, and drizzled with maple syrup)

October 18, 2011

Hodgson Mill is putting muffins back on the gluten-free menu

Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix – $2.99+

Mmmmm…muffins!

Muffins are one of those easy, on-the-go, foods that you can just grab and take with you. Either eat it at room temperature or warm it up in the microwave. That’s the glorious thing about muffins…they travel well and are delicious.

As always, my good friend Jenn, was looking out for me one day while grocery shopping and picked up a box of Hodgson Mill Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix, which just happened to be gluten-free (she is always on the search for products for me because she rocks like that!). We figured, the next time I came up to visit, we’d bake up a batch for breakfast and give them a try.

So…that’s exactly what we did.

These are so easy to make. Preheat oven as instructed and line a muffin pan. Then melt two tablespoons of butter. Pour the mix into a bowl, add sugar and melted butter. Then add milk and an egg. Mix well and then spoon into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops spring back when you touch them.

Easy enough. I loved the chunkiness of the batter, in part due to the presence of apple slices. We managed to get 8 muffins out of our mixture. And as they baked, the kitchen smelled absolutely divine. It made me want to go buy apple cider and hit up an apple orchard. Honestly. These smell SO amazing when you bake them up. I took that as a good sign.

We took them out of the oven, surprised by how pale they still seemed (not the golden brown we imagined), but the tops sprung back so they were done. We allowed them to cool for a few minutes before we each took two and settled in for a light breakfast. Aside from the muffins sticking to the muffin liners, these muffins were absolutely delicious. Fresh out of the oven, they are still warm and soft on the inside. One little spread of butter and it all comes together. The hint of cinnamon, the sweetness of the apples. And since the mix is made with milled flax seed, these are also a healthy choice for either a breakfast or a snack. Absolutely delicious.

Jenn sent my roommate and I home with the two that were left, which we ate as a snack on the road. They were far more delicious fresh from the oven and warm, but what baked good isn’t? I can’t wait to try to bake these up here and hopefully will have better luck with the muffin pan liners not sticking.

Taste is what I go for, and these had just the right levels of apple and cinnamon flavor. Nothing overpowered the other. It was perfectly balanced, making a perfectly delicious breakfast and snack that day. The box also gives a recipe for using the mix to make pancakes, which just sounds heavenly, so I think I might need to give that a go.

This mix just happened to provide the first muffins I was able to eat since needing to go gluten-free. What a fresh and great start indeed. I now have a couple boxes of this mix in my own pantry, as well as a couple other Hodgson Mill gluten-free products because these were so good, I now trust the brand. This allergic chef is looking forward to getting in that kitchen and baking up some more gluten-free goodness.

Thanks, Hodgson Mill!

Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

October 17, 2011

Brazenhead Irish Pub’s overpriced, over-seasoned, over-dressed food not worth the authentic pub atmosphere

Restaurant: Brazenhead Irish Pub, Dublin, Ohio

It’s not every day that I have something bad to say about an Irish pub. I mean, it happens…but not often. One reason I love to eat out at pubs is that there is, almost always, something on the menu for a vegetarian that doesn’t involve a salad. I love the ambiance, the atmosphere, and the friendliness of the staff. Pubs are good for that. They make you feel like you’re visiting old friends, or right at home.

But…it was a bit different with the Brazenhead Irish Pub.

It was a beautiful weekend in Columbus, Ohio. I was in town for a soccer match with my roommate and we were visiting our good friend Jenn. As we tend to eat out once while there, and normally at a pub of some sort (as both Jenn and Cathy are huge fish and chips fans!), we opted to try somewhere we hadn’t been yet. Hence, a journey into Dublin, Ohio and our selection of Brazenhead.

From the outside, Brazenhead Irish Pub looks like an old house. Nothing special. Nothing that screams Irish pub. However, step inside Brazenhead, and you’re almost transported into Ireland. Take it from this girl who has been there four times and eaten in pubs there. The atmosphere at Brazenhead is inspiring. Dark wood, rustic tables, it’s the little touches that help give a pub its authentic feel. The enormous bar to your left as you walk in was absolutely awe-inspiring. And, thank the Irish gods, no crappy tourist music playing “Molly Malone” or “Danny Boy.” I hate it when a pub caters to what American’s think of as “Irish” and put on the hokey tourist music.

The bar and interior of Brazenhead Irish Pub, Dublin, Ohio

We were in for a late lunch this day, but we weren’t the only ones. Quite a few small parties filtered in for a late lunch/early dinner. We sat ourselves around the corner from the bar, near the doors leading out to the back patio. Our server handed us menus, took our drink orders, and let us look things over. My friends knew what they were getting, but I had to do a bit of searching.

While this pub didn’t have something beyond salads for a vegetarian (aka: no veggie burgers or portabella mushroom options) they did have delicious sounding salads, unlike any other pub I’ve gone to. So, my friends ordered their fish and chips (at $12.95) and I put in for the Balsamic Salad ($5.00) with a side of their chips (~$3.00).

Here is the bizarre thing about Brazenhead’s menu. Yes…you get chips with your fish or as a side with a sandwich or burger…but these are chips. Not actual fries. So…in the UK or Ireland, you’re really being served “crisps” and not “chips.” In fact, I do believe this is the first pub that I have been to where fries weren’t even an option on the menu. Very strange for a pub.

Food wasn’t rushed out, which I appreciate. We all had time to wander down to the very dark reaches of the bottom floor to use the bathroom (also dark). I do like knowing that my food, at least, was prepared fresh. I don’t mind a small wait when it comes to food preparation and serving. So, this was perfect. But when it did arrive…I was hungry and ready to eat.

My Balsamic Salad was a simple mix of greens, gorgonzola cheese, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries…which was unfortunately swimming in a healthy dose of balsamic vinaigrette. I normally get salads with dressing on the side to avoid this…but had been fortunate enough in recent history not to have my salad drenched in dressing that I didn’t ask. Aside from the overdose of balsamic vinaigrette, the various components of the salad actually worked really well together. The cranberries added a bit of flavor, which was balanced out by the gorgonzola cheese. The dressing, while a bit much, had the right hint of flavor to tie everything together in the end. So, aside from the generous helping of vinaigrette, the salad was edible.

The chips on the other hand…were salty as hell. No, really. I know it’s engrained in the head of every chef to season, season, season…but there is a difference between seasoning and sending your patrons to the salt lick. And, that’s how I felt at first taste of my side of chips. And I wasn’t alone. Both of my friends had equally salty chips as their sides with their fish. We were doing our best to brush over five days worth of sodium content off our chips with our fingers…but we grew tired of that and just eventually stopped eating them. I was glad I had ordered water as my drink because I think the salt content had sapped all of the hydration in my body. Heavy-handed on the salt is an understatement. It sort of…ruined it for us. Both of my friends said the fish was okay, but for the price they paid, they did expect more than the two small planks served to them.

So, while Brazenhead Irish Pub has the ambiance and the atmosphere, what it lacks is good food. Over seasoned, over dressed…I didn’t go out to eat to drink my salad and then un-season every chip I attempted to eat. This just shows a lack of care in the kitchen. Nothing was tasted. Obviously. Either that, or the chef has a strong liking of salt, because it was way too much. For a country being told to watch their sodium intake, those chips were bucking the new nutritional guidelines. Wow. Unbelievable.

Overall…it was okay. Not enough to make me want to go back. The food was mediocre, which is quite sad for a pub. Pub grub is supposed to be delicious. But Brazenhead fell short. It failed to impress this Irish girl. But…if nothing else, it supplied me with a full year’s worth of sodium. So I’m set now until January.

One day…I’ll just learn to send food back. Get it done right or get it taken off the check. Unfortunately…it didn’t happen that day. Too bad…as it was a high price to pay for over-salted, over dressed, overpriced food. It wasn’t bad…it just wasn’t good.

Damn.

Brazehead Irish Pub's Balsamic Salad with a side of chips

October 16, 2011

Food Should Taste Good’s Toasted Sesame chips bring wow factor to snacking

Product: Food Should Taste Good Toasted Sesame Chips – $2.50+

I love the name of this brand. Because it sums up everything food should be about.

Food should taste good!

I love this line of chips. I have tried four different kinds (blogged about only one, I believe…but will remedy that!) and have fallen in love with each and every one.

I was in Chicago when I spotted the Toasted Sesame chips at a little natural foods shop. I had just picked up my packet for the Chicago Half Marathon and while wandering back toward the city-proper, was gifted with a sample of hummus. Now, I love hummus, but the chips that were being offered for free were not gluten-free. I decided if I could find a grocery store I could pick up some baby carrots and at least enjoy the hummus.

Well, baby carrots weren’t an option that day, so as I perused the options I had, I spotted the rack of various chips from Food Should Taste Good. Perfect. Now to find one to pair with hummus. I gave a lot of thought to The Works flavor, but in the end, settled on Toasted Sesame, as that would definitely pair well with hummus.

I didn’t get past the corner before I was tearing into the bag and pulling out a chip. I ate it on its own first, as I normally do when trying a product out. It was to die for. Deliciously seasoned. Not too salty. Not greasy at all. You first taste corn, and then the toasted sesame seeds that are baked into the chips hits you. The perfect balance of flavors that mesh at all the right times. Nothing overwhelming. I could have eaten them without the hummus, but why waste perfectly good (and free) hummus? And, as suspected, they paired perfectly with it. It was the most amazing afternoon snack.

After I ran the Chicago Half Marathon (my first half marathon), I was starving. I hadn’t prepared well at all for what I needed to do to keep energy up during the race. One bowl of cereal was all I had that morning, and I burned through that probably in the first two miles. With nothing to eat along the way, I was running on fumes, but powered through all 13.1 miles. At the end, I ate a banana, but that wasn’t satisfying my stomach at all. My friends had brought a bag with them to carry supplies, and tucked inside was the bag of Toasted Sesame chips I had gotten the day before. PERFECT! Honestly, nothing tasted better to me at that moment than those chips. Although light in sodium naturally, the little bit in them was just right to help restore what I sweated out during the race. And, it helped provide my muscles and body with the fuel I needed to get me through until I ate lunch a couple hours later.

When a company calls itself “Food Should Taste Good,” you hope and expect that their products live up to the name. So far, everything I have had from this brand does just that. In fact…goes beyond what I expect. These gluten-free, cholesterol free, lactose-free, trans-fat free chips are the perfect snack.

Delicious and satisfying. Food should taste good indeed!

October 16, 2011

Alexia’s simple sauté is perfect for a meal or side…and perfectly delicious!

Product: Alexia Sauté Reds – $3.29+

Have skillet. Will sauté.

Sometimes, an affordable gluten-free diet means lots of potatoes and rice. It’s a good thing I like potatoes and rice. Yet…sometimes you just want something a little different. Sure, potatoes (and rice, for that matter) can be done up a million different ways, but when you are playing around with ingredients you have on hand…sometimes you just get stuck in a rut.

Once again, Alexia came to my rescue with her fabulous potato and vegetable sides. This time, the game of freezer Russian roulette when it came to dinner was won by the bag of Alexia Sauté Reds. It’s a blend of red potatoes, baby portabella mushrooms, whole green beans, and onions. And nothing could be simpler to make.

Also included in the package is a frozen package containing a thyme-infused olive oil. Place said pouch into hot water to allow the oil to thaw. Heat a pan on the stove. Once warm, add the olive oil, then the contents of the package. Sauté for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to brown. Yes…it really is that easy. And on a hectic day, who really wants to deal with some fussy thing for dinner?

As in the previous review of Alexia potato and vegetable sides, this can be a side for a group, or makes a perfect dinner for two. Once the sauté is done, dish up and serve.

Here’s what was fantastic about this one. The thyme-infused oil paired so well with the vegetables and potatoes. It just added the right hint of flavor so that nothing was too bland or not seasoned. Nothing else had to be added. No salt. No pepper. It was perfect fresh from the skillet. The vegetables cook to the perfect level of doneness, not burning, not being still too hard. And the potatoes get to the perfect stage, where they only begin to crumble off your fork as you go to take a bite.

These little bags make an easy go-to side or dinner for anyone. And…it’s affordable and easy to make. Nothing beats that. Oh…being gluten-free and vegetarian also wins brownie points from me. So, when you’ve had a long day and don’t want to pull out a slew of ingredients, simply grab a bag of Alexia Sauté Reds…cook…enjoy.

When life is hectic, your dinner shouldn’t be.