There has been a common ingredient in my past two CSA bins that have arrived at my doorstep on Friday evenings. For the last two weeks, my bin has had asparagus in it. And I absolutely LOVE asparagus. But I hadn’t even used the previous week’s bunch and here I was with a fresh stock of it as well. I needed to come up with something…and fast. I could always toss it in with pasta…or make up a risotto, both options I have done before. But…I wanted to try something different. Think outside the box.
And thanks to a pin that showed up on my feed on Pinterest, I had to look no further than a simple pizza.
Pizza!
This truly was a simple pizza, made with ricotta cheese, asparagus, Parmesan, garlic, salt and pepper. That’s it.
I figured, why not try it? After all…I had some vegan ricotta cheese lingering in my fridge and now had a recipe to use it in again.
So, last night for dinner, I baked up a gluten-free version of the recipe that was posted on Just A Taste, a blog about exploring life through food. Hmmm…my kind of blog. Anyway, I made the necessary adjustments to make this fit into my gluten-free diet. Below is my version of the original recipe.
Recipe: Gluten-Free Asparagus and Ricotta Pizza
Gluten-Free Asparagus and Ricotta Pizza
Servings: 2 (half of the pizza)
Time: Prep: 15 minutes; Bake 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Udi’s gluten-free pizza crust, or gluten-free crust of your choosing or making
Cornmeal, for dusting baking sheet/pizza stone
Olive oil
3/4 cups ricotta (I used Tofutti Better Than Ricotta Cheese)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I used 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
1 pound asparagus (medium thickness)
Lemon, for garnishing
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 500ºF.
Sprinkle your baking sheet or pizza stone with cornmeal. Place the pizza dough/crust on the baking sheet and brush the top lightly all over with olive oil.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus length-wise into thin ribbons. (There’s no need to remove the tough ends first, as you can use them to more easily grip the asparagus as you peel them. Just make sure not to shave off any of the tougher part.) In a small bowl, toss the ribbons with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
Spread the cheese mixture all over the pizza, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges, then evenly distribute the asparagus ribbons on top of the cheese.
Bake the pizza for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating it half-way through, until the crust is fully baked and golden brown.
Remove the pizza from the oven to a cutting board, drizzle it with fresh lemon juice.
Slice and serve.
~*~*~
The picture over on the blog I got the original recipe for was much prettier than mine…but my vegetable peeler was not liking the asparagus. It just didn’t want to shave it cleanly. So, I made do with what I could manage. And probably got a little overzealous with the amount I put on the pizza…but…it was a nice change of pace for a pizza.
I loved how even the vegan ricotta cheese melted down to creamy perfection, forming the perfect base layer for this pizza. When roasted in the oven on the pizza, the asparagus took on the texture of a green pepper. It was fantastic. I loved each bite of this pizza. And the crust was golden and crispy and held up to the unwieldy toppings that I tossed on there. Next time…prettier asparagus shavings. But this was good for a first attempt. I would totally make this again. And I might have to try other pizzas with that vegan ricotta base. The creaminess mixed with the crunch of the crust and the crisp, oven-roasted asparagus really made the texture of this pizza perfect.
I encourage you to experiment with some asparagus…and whip it up on a pizza. It was amazing.
Product: Sunstart Chocolate Wrapped Golden Crunch Cookies – $6.50+
There are very few cookies in this life that I have met that I haven’t wanted to just shove into my mouth and devour. Honestly. There are flavors I prefer to others and certain brands I would buy ahead of others. There are ones I would make before I made others. But there aren’t a lot that I would take one bite and just…feel so unimpressed.
But that was how I felt when I cracked open my box of Sunstart Chocolate Wrapped Golden Crunch Cookies.
I had never seen this brand before in my life. However, the Gluten-Free Trading Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had them on their shelves. And as I was making a conscious effort to purchase products from that store that I had never found anywhere else, these cookies made the cut. And I was pretty excited about them. I mean…chocolate makes everything worth biting into, yes?
Eh…not really in this case. Which I am truly sad to report because I was pretty excited about these cookies. For one thing, they are imported from Northern Ireland. One of the draws of this particular brand is that it is gluten-free, wheat-free, egg-free, cholesterol- free, and yeast-free. Hence part of the “Freefrom” branding that this company does. One reason I was stoked about trying these was how allergen-friendly it was. According to the box, these cookies are reminiscent of British digestive biscuit, coated on one side with chocolate.
Like I said…chocolate = delicious. Sadly, the chocolate was my favorite part of these cookies. One bite and I was less than impressed. Not to say that they were horrible. They weren’t. But I have so many gluten-free cookies in my pantry, I’ve decided not to waste my time on ones that don’t wow me. And these didn’t. At all. The actual biscuit part has a slight coconut flavor and texture…which didn’t work for me, oddly enough. Also, while the photo on the box shows a cookie liberally coated in chocolate, the reality is…quite different. In fact, you can see the golden biscuit through the light chocolate coating on the actual cookie from the box. So disappointed. I was expecting this thick layer of chocolatey goodness…and was left with just enough to put some sweetness into each bite.
Granted, these cookies are actually a decent size (about 2.5 inches across) and clock in at only 85 calories per serving with 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a cookie, especially a gluten-free cookie. But the flavor was just…not there for me. The texture was rather dry and crumbly, more like shortbread without that buttery flavor. In fact, this cookie was more like a Girl Scout Samoa…just lacking that caramel flavor. But…overall…just such a disappointment. I had high hopes for these, especially with those nutrition facts…but…they were just…eh.
And this cookie monster doesn’t want to waste time on cookies that fail to impress.
While Sunstart makes other gluten-free cookie options, I think I’m done with them on just this cookie itself. Not impressed to pour any more money into their products. I wanted to like these…I really did. And I liked them…I just didn’t love them. Nor did I feel the urge to go back for more or hide them so I didn’t eat the entire box in one setting. That, in and of itself, speaks volumes.
Okay…two posts in a row dedicated to Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky? Overkill? Never. Why? Because I go here often. And there is a reason I continue to return weekend after weekend after weekend. The food they bake up and cook up is worth the trip over the river. It’s one sweet or savory indulgence…and even if it means I only get it on Saturday morning’s due to living on the Indiana side of the Ohio River…than so be it. One day of treating myself is worth every moment in that cozy little bakery on Frankfort Avenue.
Normally on Saturday mornings, I get my long run or my race in and then my roommate and I hurry over for some amazing breakfast food at Annie May’s Sweet Café. I am truly addicted to their allergen-free donuts and their allergen-free and vegan breakfast sandwich. Seriously. It might be borderline unhealthy obsession…but I constantly am talking about breakfast at Annie May’s before the weekend even hits. I guess that speaks highly of their breakfast service…so if you haven’t been in there for breakfast…get over there this Saturday. I mean it.
But…this past Saturday we opted to do something…different. And it completely threw off Annie May and Kenna at the shop. But, they were more than happy to accommodate the change, of course. We actually arrive shortly after 11 a.m., instead of our usual 9:30 a.m. time. Why? Well, I ran in the Papa John’s 10 Miler that morning and clocked a fantastic time. Afterwards, instead of heading right to Annie May’s for breakfast, we did a little browsing at Half Price Books to kill off some time. The reason? Gluten-free pizza.
Yes, for their lunch portion of the fare offered on Saturday’s at Annie May’s…they cook up individual gluten-free and vegan pizzas. With a variety of offered toppings. As we had grown so accustomed to their baked goods and their breakfasts…Cathy and I chose to hit up the lunch service and see what the pizza was like. Now, I had my usual pre-race fuel of a gluten-free pizza at The Mellow Mushroom the night before…but we were totally getting different toppings and I was quite curious to see what the pizza crust was like here. They actually sell frozen pizza crusts at the shop, by the way.
So, we placed our order for one of the 9-inch gluten-free pizzas with vegan cheese ($9.99), and added tomato and onion for our toppings ($0.50 each). Kenna went ahead to get working on it and Cathy and I took a seat and anticipated our lunch. We were both rather hungry at that point, having eaten breakfast long before my race, and splitting a banana afterwards to just get us through to when we could get to the café and order lunch. For the pizza at Annie May’s…you can get a half (3 slices) or a full 9-inch pizza (6 slices). As we were splitting the pizza, we got the full one as we knew it would be just enough. We were right.
The pizza arrived after a short wait and I set to taking pictures for the blog while Cathy anticipated that first slice. With the photos taken, I dished us each up a slice and we dug in.
First of all…I love that for the onion they used red onion. It is my favorite onion, by far, and it works so well on pizza. The tomatoes were nicely diced and scattered over the top. The tomato sauce was light and flavorful, seasoned very well. And they use Daiya cheese, which I am a huge fan of, when it comes to vegan cheese. It melts to perfection and it totally complimented the rest of the toppings on this pizza. But the true star of any gluten-free pizza is the crust. So often gluten-free pizzas get relegated to that thin, cracker crust. The type that is immediately crunchy coming out of the oven. There is little to it. And it often can’t stand the weight of the toppings. I’ve eaten my fair share of cracker crust gluten-free pizzas. And that crust is okay…but it’s not…the pizza crust I remember.
At Annie May’s Sweet Café, you get an actual pizza crust. I mean, it’s no deep dish…but that’s good. I don’t like deep dish. But you get an actual crust. A fluffy, actual pizza crust that you can slice of bite into and actually feel like you’re eating a real pizza. It was such a nice change of pace from the norm of eating gluten-free pizza out. I was so thrilled. And everything about it just made my lunch that much more satisfying. It was golden brown, baked to perfection. The toppings were warm and the vegan cheese was melty, gooey, good. Cathy and I made very short work out of our 3 slices each.
And we loved, and yes, savored, every bite!
And we split one of their chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Because I love those cookies. So. Much.
This is how gluten-free pizza is done properly. Totally impressed. Maybe when the summer hours kick back in at Annie May’s my pre-race Friday pizza will be enjoyed there more often. So glad we decided to give the pizza a try because I was beyond impressed.
Whether it’s for baked goods, specialty cakes, breakfast, lunch (served throughout the week), or pizza on Saturday…stop in to Annie May’s Sweet Café and treat yourself to some gluten-free and even some allergen-free treats and meals that will blow you away. Anyone who says gluten-free is tasteless obviously has been dining and eating at the wrong place. Annie May’s Sweet Café hits all the right flavor notes and makes everything to perfection. Delicious perfection.
Annie May’s Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizza with Daiya Cheese, Tomato, and Red Onion
People start running for a variety of reasons. Most of the time it has something to do with weight…or loving beer…or wanting to eat more without the guilt. And that’s all fine and good. I don’t begrudge these types of runners…not at all. At least they are being active. But, my advice…find a sport or activity you actually love doing. Do you like to bike? You burn a ton of calories biking…give that a shot. Do you like to walk? You burn as many calories walking a mile as you do running a mile. One just gets you there faster. Don’t expect to stick with running if you don’t really love to run.
That being said…for me, running is about passion. There are very few things I can honestly point to in this world and say…”This defines me.” But running…running does. And I think that’s why I get a bit aggravated with the ones who buy into every gimmick…or new running fad that enters the market. Running doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s easy. One foot in front of the other…forward motion. You don’t have to be fast. Running doesn’t come with a rule book. But for anyone out there whose head might be spinning from all this newfangled running stuff…here’s simple advise: Wear proper shoes for your feet, get out and run…and don’t worry about how fast or slow you are, and eat your meals and treats without regrets. Okay? This is how I live…every day. You know why?
I simply love to run.
I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed lacing up my shoes, heading outside, cranking out a couple miles, and returning home, sweaty, spent, and feeling better than when I walked out the door in the first place, until I discovered what running meant to me. The runner’s high is very real…and I love that feeling of complete domination when everything on a run goes right. I don’t have to run fast or steady. I just need to feel that pavement under my Nike’s and take in the sights, sounds, and beauty of whatever road I choose to run.
You see…running runs in my family. Kind of. It’s not a gift. Nor is it a talent that is passed down from generation to generation. If it were, my dad and his sister would be runners…but they aren’t. However…my grandpa was. And he picked it up late in life. I can’t recall a visit with my grandpa that he didn’t head out for hours to run and come back sweaty and ready for a shower. You see…he found joy in his runs. He found himself. He found…solace, space, euphoria, and freedom. I never understood why he ran. I just knew that he started to run in his 50s and he didn’t stop until his late 80s. He’s run marathons in other countries. He’s competed in countless road races. And, when he stopped…it was as if I picked up the torch and found out just what it meant to him to run. Because I can’t imagine a moment without that feeling I get when I run.
One of my favorite races happened in February 2012…in Birmingham, Alabama. It was the Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K race. And my brother-in-law, who had just taken up running, our friend Armand, and myself were running in it. But grandpa was in town and he said he was going to come along to cheer or see if they needed volunteers to help with water stops or whatever. And then, he ended up signing up to walk the course. So, I got to be in a race with my road hero. It meant so much to me. Especially since Celiac is something I live with and why I have to be gluten-free. I’ll never forget that race and how much I smiled when grandpa crossed that finish line. I was there to cheer for him…and it still makes me smile to this day.
Running didn’t come easy. In fact, it hurt. It hurt a lot, at first. Back in 2003, I was in Ireland with one of my best friends and our car was struck head-on by a truck. Both of my knees dislocated and since then had been giving me problems. My first attempts at running were done on the smallest track in the world, the one at my gym, where 18 laps gets you a mile. It took me awhile to work up to 18 laps. I bought knee braces that hindered me, so I went without. And soon, I found my knees no longer bothered me. And 18 laps wasn’t so daunting.
I had heard about an upcoming 5K in Louisville, Kentucky…right in my backyard, at Cherokee Park. I told my roommate that if I could run 3 miles in under 30 minutes at the gym, I was going to sign up and make it my first race. I gave it a go…and at the end, I managed. I was tired. I was out of breath. But I managed.
So, on April 9, 2011, I arrived at Cherokee Park, not realizing how hilly it was, ready to pick up my race number, receive my t-shirt, and go for a run. My roommate and the receptionist at the office I work in came out to cheer me on. I didn’t know where to line up or where I was going. I figured I would just follow everyone else. This, by the way, is still my method when it comes to racing. I’m not speedy enough to lead the race, so I just go where everyone else does. I ran that 5K race in 30:28…and it felt like the hardest thing I had ever done. But…I was ready for more.
Since then, I have run in every sort of weather imaginable. I have been injured badly twice, once in June 2011 after the Activate America 5 Miler in Frankfort, Kentucky, where I spent the rest of the summer out of running with a stress fracture in my right foot and bad runner’s knee in my right knee, and on July 21, 2012, when I tore my plantar fascia at the Grand Slam 4 Miler race in Louisville, Kentucky. I truly missed running when I was down with these injuries. I would cry, and I know I was a terror to live with. My roommate was very supportive and very, very kind to put up with me.
See…passion. If I didn’t love to do it…I wouldn’t have been crying because I couldn’t.
I’ve run countless 5Ks, some 4 milers, some 5 milers, a couple of 10Ks, some quarter marathons, a 15K, half-marathons (in fact, I ran a total of 6 last year!), and am now in training for my first marathon, which I will take on in October. I’ve come a long way from that girl on the track at the gym.
I was spring cleaning the other day and getting some organization done around the apartment. My roommate was helping me get my running gear and goods in order and when I pulled down the medals I had simply been hanging on a Care Bear on the top of my bookshelf. She said to organize them and take some pictures. So…I did. It’s like looking back almost 2 years in time and seeing what all I managed to accomplish…plus more that I have no awards for, but happy memories.
Below are the pictures we took of the various awards I have been lucky enough to receive during my life on the run.
Participant Awards:
Race Participant Medals – Top Row: Athenaeum Volksmarch (walking) (2009), Geist 5K (2011), Indianapolis Women’s 5K (2011), Tap N Run Louisville (2011), The Shamrock 2 Miler (2012); Bottom Row: Hope For The Children 5K (2012), Bunny Hop 5K (2012), Geist 5K (2012), The Leprechaun 2 Miler (2013)
Division Awards:
Race Division Awards – Top Row: Tomorrow’s Children 5K (2011 – 1st in division), Doug’s Run 10K (2011 – 1st in division), Tomorrow’s Children 5K (2012 – 1st in division), Pro.Active For Life 5K (2012 – 1st in division), Activate America 5 Miler (2012 – 2nd in division), Walk Away From Colon Cancer 5K Run (2012 – 3rd in division), Million Mutt March 5K (2012 – 1st in division); Bottom Row: Reindeer Romp 4K (2012 – 3rd in division), Santa Hustle Half Marathon (2012 – 3rd in division), Frostbite 5K (2013 – 2nd in division), Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler (2013 – 2nd in division), Polar Bear Grand Prix (2013 – 1st in division overall from 3 races), Run For The Gold 3K (2013 – 1st in division)
Race Medals (10K-Half Marathon):
10K – Half Marathon Race Medals – Top Row: Chicago Half Marathon (2011), Big Hit Quarter Marathon (2011), OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon (2012), Rock ‘N Sole Quarter Marathon (2012), Minneapolis Half Marathon (2012), Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon (2012); Bottom Row: Air Force Marathon 10K (2012), Big Hit Quarter Marathon (2012), Hershey Half Marathon (2012), Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon (2012), Santa Hustle Half Marathon (2012), Disney Princess Half Marathon (2013)
And, not pictured are the pint glass I received for taking 1st in my division at the Race for the Berries (2012), the Louisville Slugger Bat I received for winning 1st in my division at the Big Hit Quarter Marathon (2012), and the Hot Chocolate 15K (2012) finisher’s cup I picked up in Columbus, Ohio. It was full of chocolate goodness. What a great reason to run!
You know…the bling is nice and all…but I never run these races trying to walk away with an award. I stay and I cheer for those who do. Sometimes…I get surprised and win one myself. But the fact is…I run these races because somewhere out there on the road, through my own training runs and through races, I found myself. I found my smile. I found something in life I love to do. I don’t have to be good at it. I just have to be good enough for me.
And I am. I’m strong. And I’m getting stronger and better. I know this was something I was meant to do. I wish I had realized that earlier in life. But here I am in my early 30s and I have some of the best conversations with my grandpa about running. We compare race shirts. I listen to his stories about running in Germany and around Minnesota. My inspiration continues to inspire me to this day.
I have my grandpa to thank for giving me the inspiration and the drive. I have that little track at the gym for giving me my initial running challenges. And I have a small, local race on April 9, 2011 to thank for getting me hooked on the sport. When it comes down to it…if you want to do something for life…make sure it’s something you love.
My life has changed for the better since I took up running. I can’t picture my world without my time to run…be it on my own or in a race. It’s soothing. It’s fun. And it’s my passion. These legs have carried me pretty far in two years. I can’t wait to see where else they take me next!
Me crossing the finish line of the Papa John’s 10 Miler – Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky
Race: Papa John’s 10 Miler
Place: Louisville, Kentucky
Date: April 6, 2013
Time:1:18:52
I hate not being at the top of my game for a race. It doesn’t happen often. In fact, this year has marked the first time since I took up running where I have actually run while sick. It just hasn’t happened to me before. But these past two races in the Louisville Triple Crown of Running have proven that even when my body is fighting off sickness…it can do amazing things. Even when I doubt it.
Bronchitis sucks. It sucks regardless, but it sucks even more when you are a runner. Breath control is so important when it comes to running…and when each breath is a wheezing gasp, it sort of makes an easy run feel that much harder. I started to come down with bronchitis on March 17th, just after the Run For The Gold 3K in Frankfort, Kentucky. Since then, it has been a struggle for me to train for my upcoming races, particularly my half marathon in 27 days up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But, I’ve trained through it. I’ve slowed down…because I don’t like breaking into a coughing fit…and I’ve come to terms with between the end of this bronchitis and the start up of allergy season…this might turn into an interesting spring racing season for me.
Oy vey!
To put it bluntly…on Saturday morning, when I woke up and got dressed to go run in the Papa John’s 10 Miler…I felt off. I felt very off. I’d take a step and I’d lose my balance. This hadn’t happened before. But, no time to worry with it. I had cereal to eat, coffee to make and then consume, and a race to get to.
My roommate work up about 45 minutes after I was up. I usually like to get up over an hour ahead of her so I don’t feel rushed, but she wanted to be down at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium at 7 a.m., and she is notoriously S-L-O-W in the morning and I really, really, really didn’t want a 4 a.m. wake-up. So, I set my alarm for 5 a.m., told myself that I would immediately get up and make coffee (she can’t drink hers right from the pot…it has to sit and cool down for like 20 minutes…but, get this, she doesn’t like cold coffee either…) so it would be ready. I got the coffee pot working and went to go slip into the other uniform my company purchased for me to run in. NCL representing in Louisville! WOOT!
This uniform is red…and…as this was Saturday, the Louisville men’s basketball team was attempting to make their way into the Final Four…so I knew red was going to be one popular color. So that Cathy would be able to spot me at the end of the race, I decided to wear my pink compression socks and a bright orange BondiBand. This BondiBand just happened to be the exact one I wore to last year’s race…that declares: Beat The Hill! It seems fitting, given that the 3 middle miles of this race are spent inside one of Louisville’s hilliest parks: Iroquois.
I figured my clashing, but colorful, attire would at least make it a bit easier to see me coming as I rounded into the stadium and headed for that finish line. Hey…runner’s don’t have to match and I love being, as my co-worker puts it, “Rainbow Brite.” Which means…the more colors, the better. And the brighter…the better. I laugh at people who are afraid of being a riot of color. Running isn’t about being a fashionista, it’s about being a fastiniesta!
So, when Cathy dragged her hiney out of her room, I handed her a bowl of cereal and sat down with my own and a cup of coffee. I ate and got my small dose of caffeine then went to clean my dishes. I was pretty much set to go, except to brush my teeth. So, I did that, gathered up what I needed and let her pin my bib onto my shirt. She scrambled around making last minute additions to her packing in her backpack, added my SmartWater and my Arbonne vegan chocolate protein shake. She grabbed the sign and we headed out to make the drive over the river to Louisville and attempt to find parking around Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Believe it or not, parking was super easy. So, we were now down there with plenty of time to kill. Oh well. We wandered up toward the stadium and I ducked inside to use the bathroom, you know…the kind that has a flushing toilet and running water (I am a princess!). With that, we went to take the stairs up to the bridge that would then take us over a hill, around a corner, past the busy Starbucks and a line of port-a-potties to about where the start was going to be. The starting gate was inflated and ready to go…but no one was really up that way yet. Everyone sort of hung back and did their stretching and whatever pre-race rituals they have.
I moved away from the wafting air of the port-a-potties and began to do my usual pre-race stretches. I wanted to make sure I got plenty of stretching in because I knew those hills at Iroquois Park were going to be difficult, even on the tale end of bronchitis. I don’t run Iroquois Park much due to it being way out of the way. Cherokee, Seneca, and the little park over near where I live…I run those often. Not Iroquois. It isn’t in the best part of Louisville for one thing…and it just, as I said, isn’t really convenient for me to run in. I think I should start doing more of it so I can really work on those hills.
With my muscles stretched, I finally saw some movement of runners up toward the starting line…so Cathy and I made our way up that way as well. I shed the hoodie I was still wearing, given the air was still a bit chilly at that point. Just nudging up toward 50 degrees. It was perfect weather for the run. I was just going to run what felt comfortable to me. No sense pushing too hard and throwing myself into a coughing fit. That was the plan. The National Anthem was sung and we all stood there, with no flag, but still respectful. And then…we were told that we had about 10 minutes to the start of the Papa John’s 10 Miler. So, Cathy gave me a hug and told me to have a great run…and then she disappeared, leaving me standing with my peeps…the other runners who were just as eager to get underway.
The wheelchair racers (there were two of them this year…one in a racing chair and one in a regular chair) were sent off a minute before the rest of the pack was. The countdown was on. And soon, we had the “Runners…set.” And the air horn sent us off on our way once again.
It took about a minute to get up to the starting line. I hit my Garmin and stepped over the sensor. And I never heard my Garmin beep, so I hit it again…saw Cathy…waved…and kept on trekking with the group I was with. I glanced down once at my Garmin and noticed it wasn’t even counting my time…so I restarted it and was now a bit off for the rest of the race. But…I wasn’t going to utilize the Garmin. I just wore it because…I always do.
And so, we wennt down Third Street, where Churchill Downs was visible in the early morning light. The first mile had us winding through neighborhoods and down the streets toward Iroquois Park. A water stop came up very early and I think most runners chose to bypass it and keep on trekking. The first three miles of this race are relatively flat, except for a few minor inclines in the road. Nothing too taxing. But after you wind down Southern Parkway and over on to New Cut Road…Iroquois Park is straight ahead. And that means…it’s time to run for the hills.
The route through Iroquois Park was winding and hilly. We enter the park near a small playground and immediately hit the path that will take us by the beautiful amphitheater and into the wilderness. Don’t get me wrong, I find Iroquois Park stunning and beautiful. The races I run there are always challenging and push me to the very brink of my ability. And I always tell myself to dig deep and find my strong. But today…I was being zen…this race was just about getting to that finish line. And that seemed daunting when my legs got their first taste of the hills that awaited me. Not only did my legs feel the burn, but so did my lungs. For the first time since starting the run, I was no longer breathing easy. I had that lingering phlegm in my throat, that no matter how often I cleared it…would come right back. The lungs were definitely not happy with the additional effort. But, when I signed up for the Triple Crown of Running, I didn’t count on having bronchitis either. You just do what you can and hope for the best.
Somehow, I managed those hills and fought the burn in my chest and throat and rocked out those three miles through the park. I pushed myself just enough to feel the effort on the uphills, and I coasted on the downhills. I grabbed a water bottle just after Mile 4 and took a sip just to get something wet in my throat. I tossed the rest of it and continued on. And that was all it took. With a great deal of determination, I made the turn out of Iroquois Park and back onto Southern Parkway. That meant that I was down to the final four miles. I knew I could do this. I was suddenly feeling a lot better about the race now that I was through the most challenging part.
There is one thing that I will always applaud this race for, and it is the scattered entertainment along the way. The various DJs that spun out tunes as we ran past were very much appreciated. I no longer run with an iPod in races, finding that it is more of a hindrance than a help. I run better without a pace being set for me. I know, I used to whine and complain about not being able to wear my headphones…now, I’m happy to leave them behind. The evolution of a runner. Anyway, the music was great and some runners, like Fleet Feet Louisville’s very own Jeff Wells, hopped out of the course to go and boogie to Love Shack. It made me smile and I was having a blast.
Before I knew it, I was coming up on Mile 9, right at the corner of the Starbucks…the very one we started near. I could see Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and knew I just had to get up that hill and from there, it was straight on down, into the stadium, and across that finish line. It was hard. My legs were not feeling the last hill here…but I was so close. I pushed, and I fought my way up that hill and when I crested it, I coasted down with other runners and pressed on toward the turn that would take us toward the stadium.
I remembered how difficult it was to go from asphalt to AstroTurf from the previous run, but I still hit that softer surface and had to regather my footing a bit. That is NOT an easy transition. That being said, the finish line was a short spin around the football field. I rounded that first corner…and could hear Cathy yelling at me. I rounded the next corner and the finish line was ahead. I attempted to give some kick to my step…whether that worked or not, I don’t know. I’m still working on that final kick at the end of the race. And with bronchitis…I wasn’t pushing it.
Me after finishing the Papa John’s 10 Miler with a new PR. Feeling good even if I felt off that morning!
And I finished. I finished strong. And smiling. And I felt great. The Brightroom photographer up on the ladder leaned down and said, “Congratulations, Karen!” No, my name is not on my bib…he notices my sign at every race. Does that mean you’re famous when the race photographers recognize you and can call you by name? LOL!
Anyway…the official results of the 2013 Papa John’s 10 Miler were that I finished in 1:18:52 seconds, shaving over 10 minutes off my time from last year. I couldn’t believe it. Especially since I felt I ran Iroquois much better last year. Shaving 10 minutes off of a finishing time is awesome. And that happened when I was having gluten issues, retaining water, and fighting bronchitis. ROCK ON!! I was 525/6108 overall, the 91/3466 female to cross the finish line, and I was 20/600 in my division. I couldn’t be more proud of myself.
After the race, I made my way out to the recovery area and spotted Cathy with the sign. I ran up a hill and we celebrated with much screaming and jumping over my new PR for a 10 mile race. I enjoyed a banana and my Arbonne protein shake. And then…we made our way out to attempt to get to our car.
If I haven’t said it enough, I am going to say it again…the Louisville Triple Crown of Running is such a great race series. This is the second year I have participated in all three races and I am very much looking forward to doing it again next year. Maybe even getting a little faster…a little stronger…and a little bit better on those hills. But of all the races, I’ve always loved the 10 Miler the most. Why? I love distance races so much better than 5Ks and the like. Which makes this race so ideal for me…not a sprinter…but one who is in it for the long run.
One thing I did notice, though…last year I stated in my blog that at each of the Triple Crown races, I set a new PR. The same held true this year. How awesome is that? Oh yeah, I’m already gearing up for next year!
Tomorrow marks the last race in the Louisville Triple Crown of Running, and it all comes to an end with the Papa John’s 10 Miler. I absolutely loved this race last year. We had rather perfect weather for it. Low 60s and no sun. Cloudy the entire time. I remember my race photos have my sunglasses on top of my head for the entire race. Never needed them once.
It’s going to be a little cooler this year…and there are a few things I’m working through in order to have a good race. Most of these are beyond my control. I can only say a prayer to the Goddess of Running (that would be Atalanta, FYI) and hope for the best. And, while I’m not 100% okay with that, I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve had to ever since the Rodes City Run 10K and my epic battle to race with bronchitis. No one said running was easy. If it was…everyone would be doing it.
While my bronchitis is in remission, finally (all it took was a lot of running inside on the dreaded treadmill…which is boring…especially on longer distance days), I’m still coughing and I am still a but snuffly from it. Breathing is coming easier, but I still wheeze and have to clear phlegm from my throat on occasion (is this TMI?). I’ve gotten back into running outside, though normally not in the mornings now. I do hit the dark sidewalks on Monday morning, in case I can’t make it to my group run that evening, but mostly I’ve been running home from my office. I’ve been doing okay with that, finding my easy pace to be faster than it has been…but maybe it’s because I can actually see where I’m going. Being able to see your running path makes all the difference, trust me!
For some reason, unknown to me, ever since going off my medication for bronchitis, I have been retaining water. Badly. And it sucks. I don’t know how to remedy this problem…but it’s been with me all week and I’m really tired of it.
On Easter, the stepdaughter of my friend Amanda gave me some bits of candy from her Easter basket. Normally I would just set this aside…but she was watching and waiting for me to eat the offered sweets that she was willing to part with. So, I ate it. And discovered quickly that this was a huge mistake. You see, being a Celiac means I have to be very careful about the things I eat. And not all candy is gluten-free…especially holiday candy because it is usually processed in a plant that isn’t set to deal with cross-contamination. Or…that brand just doesn’t do gluten-free in the first place. I am usually so good about this…but for some reason, on Easter, I got careless. And my intestines have been dealing me fits ever since. Lesson learned…but not the week I needed to learn such a lesson. UGH. I’m smarter than that…I don’t know why I reacted like that…but my stomach has not been happy with me all week and it has made my runs home…interesting. Thank goodness for Kroger and their public restroom along the way. (Again…is this TMI?).
So, with all of that in mind…I’ve made a pact with myself. On Saturday morning, I am running 10 miles…for me. Not to better my time. Not to chase down friends or compete with others there. No. I’m not doing that here. This race is my redemption race. This race is to prove to myself that despite obstacles…and challenges…and the cards that life has dealt to me…I can run with my heart and be happy with whatever result comes from it. I know this is a tough course. Three miles of it go through the extremely hilly Iroquois Park. Three miles of it right in the middle of the race. That means legs could be feeling strong…or feeling tired. Lungs could be doing well, or fighting for each breath. The point is…I’m not running this for the sake of running it. I’m running this race because I need to run this race…for myself. Not for time. Not for glory. Not for a new PR. I just need to do it because every iota of my body is trying to shut me down…and I am stronger than that. I can overcome bronchitis, gluten, and water retention and have an amazing run. Forget the race part. This is truly just for me.
I know quite a few people are using this race as their build up to the Derby Festival Mini Marathon…a race I have yet to run. I know, that’s strange being that it is right here in my backyard…but I’m always racing the following weekend in a different half marathon. Therefore…I haven’t done this one. I have no doubt I could churn out back-to-back weekends of half marathons…but…I want to be ready for the one I am doing in Minnesota. It means a lot more to me than running in the Derby Festival Mini. But…I’ll get into that in a different post.
So, if you see me on Saturday out there, battling my lungs, my stomach, and the hills…give me some words of encouragement. I’ll need them and appreciate them.
On lunch today, I went down to Louisville to pick up my race packet. I’m as ready as I’m going to be. And…except for the few niggling issues with my body…I’m feeling good about it. I’m okay with where I am for this race on Saturday, and that’s the most important part.
I know. I know. I’m an adult. A responsible, reliable adult.
But when I saw Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky, announce their Easter boxes of goodies ($25.00)…I had to have one. I’m like a kid in a candy store whenever I go in there for breakfast or to purchase an allergen-free/gluten-free treat. I can’t help myself. Everything I have had there has been a delightful party in my mouth. Honestly. I enjoy taking my non-gluten-free friends there because…you can’t tell that these products are allergen-free. You just can’t. Annie May and Kenna do amazing work. And their box of Easter goodies is no exception.
I picked up my Easter box when I stopped in for breakfast on the Saturday morning before Easter. Along with the Easter box, I went ahead and purchased two other items that I would enjoy on Easter. Take-and-Bake Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (with a vegan icing) ($12.00) and Take-and-Bake Allergen-Free Biscuits ($12.00). Happiness is carby goodness in a delicious form that I can actually savor, enjoy, and devour.
Annie May’s Sweet Café Easter Box of Awesome™ (plus 4-pack Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls and 4-pack Allergen-Free Biscuits)
So…what all was included in this Easter box that made me feel like a kid again? Well, you basically got to assemble it yourself…as in, pick 5 items from a list that they provided. So, after a little deliberation with my roomie, we made our final choices and I called in the order. I chose to make my Easter box up with a 2-pack of allergen-free Chocolate Cupcakes, a 2-pack of allergen-free Chocolate Chip Cookies, 1 gluten-free Peter Rabbit Sugar Cookie, 1 allergen-free Sunbutter Candy Bunny, and a 4-pack of allergen-free Chocolate Boulders. Also offered for these Easter boxes were an extra-large allergen-free sugar cookie on a stick (if you can’t have eggs…as the Peter Rabbit Sugar Cookie had egg in it) and an egg-shaped Whoopie Pie of your flavor of choice.
All week I was anticipating picking up my box of Easter goodies as well as my Easter day additions. I went in for breakfast that morning (again, if you haven’t tried their breakfast sandwiches, you are missing out!) and then picked up my goodies. I think I skipped happily out of the bakery that morning, carrying this box of wonderful goodness to my car. Easter came early for me. And I couldn’t wait to dive in.
The first item from the basket that my roomie and I decided to try was the cupcakes. Why not? They looked absolutely sinful and decadent. And…it had been awhile since I had a cupcake. My attempts to make allergen-free cupcakes at home usually result in…my cupcakes getting soggy. I haven’t figured out why yet. So…cupcakes…it had to be cupcakes.
Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Chocolate Cupcakes are a rich and moist treat. I was so happy when I first bit into this item. They often have cupcakes in their case, but I’m normally in there for breakfast and have yet to really just go in there and pick up a bunch of sweets to try. It will happen. So, this was my first ever taste of one of their cupcakes. Let me tell you…I am hooked. The cake was moist and soft and packed with rich chocolate flavor. It was heaven. I’m not much of an icing person, but the chocolate ganache icing was amazing. It really elevated the richness and the sweetness of the cupcake to that perfect dessert level. It wasn’t too much. It was just enough to make you feel like you were truly indulging after dinner. I savored every bite of it. And even saved a chunk of the cupcake with the icing on it for last. Which is very weird for me…but it happened. Cupcakes were an epic and total chocolate win! I must sample more cupcakes in the very near future. YUM!
So, Easter morning rolled around…
I went for my morning run and returned home very excited and eager to get started on breakfast. Why? Because it was Easter Sunday, which meant the first treat I got would be popped into the oven and warmed to a golden, ooey-gooey goodness. Ah…it would be the perfect start to the holiday.
Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Icing
This treat, of course, is the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls with the Vegan Icing that I purchased separate from the basket. Now, I’ve indulged in Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Take-And-Bake Cinnamon Rolls before…but I was at a friend’s house and for some reason, her oven was on crack. And despite baking these rolls longer than advised, they were still doughy in the middle. Disappointment. But…not in my house and definitely not in my oven. Annie May stuck the sticker with the directions right on my cinnamon roll packaging. I was to bake them in the oven at 325°F for 20 minutes. Annie May did tell me that sometimes it does take longer to get them golden…it all depends on the oven. Well, I stuck them into my oven for about 25 minutes total, and when they emerged…they were beautifully toasted to a golden perfection. They smelled amazing. And I gave each roll a healthy schmear of the vegan icing provided with them. As I settled in, my roommate was already about halfway through one of her rolls, munching diligently and happily. I took this as a good sign. I sliced into one of the cinnamon rolls with my fork and took a bite of the hot roll. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Heaven in cinnamon roll form. These were light, and had the right amount of cinnamon tucked inside each roll. The pastry outside was crisp and golden, but that inside was soft and chewy and perfect. I had to remind myself to chew slowly and enjoy or I might have devoured both of my rolls in seconds. That is no exaggeration. These were so delicious and very, very filling. Which was good…because Easter lunch was going to be running about an hour and a half behind schedule…
After doing a bit of cleaning around the apartment and slicing up some fresh pineapple to take to Easter lunch, it was time to get to work on my other Easter treat for myself. Those amazing sounding Take-And-Bake Allergen-Free Biscuits. Annie May’s Sweet Café had been talking about these on their Twitter and Facebook feeds for awhile…and I just never had a reason to pick them up…despite wanting to…desperately. But, I figured these would be the perfect starch for me to bring to Easter lunch with me…as the bread that everyone else could eat would be off limits to me. And much of the food being cooked up wouldn’t work with my food allergies or my vegetarian diet. So, some hearty allergen-free biscuits sounded like just what I needed. I decided to cook these up ahead of time at my apartment to not interfere with what my roommate’s sister was doing at her father-in-law’s house for Easter lunch. Best to streamline and make things easier. That kitchen can be hectic on the holidays as it is. Why add to the insanity? Besides, this ensured no cross-contamination. Which is always a good thing.
Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Allergen-Free Biscuits
So, into an oven at 325°F these little biscuits of dough went for about 40 minutes. The instructions said 3o minutes, but Annie May told me that there was a chance they would have to bake a little longer. Simply slice into one of them with a knife and check to make sure the center wasn’t still doughy. I did that, and they needed only a bit more time. Ten minutes, and they were perfection. I covered the tray with aluminum foil and wrapped it in a towel. Then, I drove to Corydon for Easter lunch. And the plan to eat at noon turned into eating at 1:30…but my biscuits were still warm the way I packaged them up. So that meant no reheating in the microwave. WOOHOO! I took two and Cathy took two and I immediately broke off a piece and popped it into my mouth. I had been anticipating eating these all morning; I was wasting no time now.
These allergen-free biscuits are phenomenal. Absolutely what I thought they should be. I wish I had been able to slice into them and enjoy fresh out of the oven. Next time. Because I can only imagine how epic they are having not sat around for 2 hours. BUT…given the circumstances of the holiday…what can you do? Honestly, these are really delicious. The inside bakes to this fluffy and soft consistency. And the outside gets golden. These have the best bread-flavor ever and would be awesome to build a sandwich with or…even use as a burger bun. Seriously delicious. And two of them filled me up. I didn’t need the pineapple, green beans or boiled potatoes. I would have been fine making a meal out of two of these biscuits. Trust me…these will be purchased again…and eaten straight from the oven. I can’t complain…even after 2 hours of sitting after baking…these were made of total win.
As full as I was on Easter, I didn’t get to eat any of the desserts I provided for the get-together. One of them had dairy in it…so that wasn’t happening anyway (hello peanut butter cheesecake bars!). The other was lemon bars, which I intended to eat a small square of…but I was just so full from dinner, dessert didn’t sound good at all. So, I skipped it and when I returned home, went to work on cleaning the rest of the apartment. Before I knew it, it was past 7 p.m. And I was now ready for my dessert. As I had this great Easter box of goodness…I went to decide what to have from it this time.
Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Allergen-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
For Easter…it was the allergen-free Chocolate Chip Cookies. Now, I’ve had these chocolate chip cookies before. There was a morning when the waffle maker at Annie May’s was giving their dough hell, so for our wait, we were given free chocolate chip cookies. And, in my post about it…I said that they were, perhaps, the best I had ever tasted. We all know how much of a cookie monster I am. Well, after having the chocolate chip cookies…again…I can honestly declare them my favorite gluten-free chocolate chip cookie I have ever eaten from anywhere. Love is finding that right consistency for a cookie…and people can be so subjective when it comes to what the perfect cookie is. Annie May’s chocolate chip cookies are sheer perfection. They have this beautiful golden crust on the outside…but they are so soft and chewy. The mini chocolate chips give the perfect amount of sweetness in each bite. And they don’t crumble or crack when you bite into them. I savored mine. As much as I could. Each bite was slow and I made sure I enjoyed every bit of that cookie until it was gone. Oh, these cookies are going to be coming home with me more often. That’s what happens when you fall in love.
Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Gluten-Free Peter Rabbit Sugar Cookie
Skip ahead two days. Monday meant no treats from my Easter box because it was my group run with my running store. That meant I get home at a non-dessert time, so these sweet treats had to wait an extra day. No worries though. Because I already knew the next item that was going to be up for noshing. The extremely adorable gluten-free Peter Rabbit Sugar Cookie. This cookie comes attached to a stick, which definitely makes me feel like a kid. Which, I love. It’s those little touches that bring out that giddy, kid-side, and I do enjoy showing that side of me. I feel like I have to be so serious at the office most of the time, it’s nice to have something as simple as a cookie on a stick and feel like a kid in a candy store. And these cookies are extra special…and here’s why. That adorable image of Peter Rabbit in the icing…that’s hand painted. Yes…hand painted. Almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Sugar cookies aren’t usually my thing. I’ve always been a huge fan of chocolate chip cookies. Or snickerdoodles. I love snickerdoodles. But, these sugar cookies were really, really delicious. The icing itself is more like a candy coating. It’s sweet, but doesn’t take away from the sugar cookie itself. And as for the cookie…perfect. Not too sweet. Not gritty. Cookie perfection. Honestly. My roommate and I split this cookie in half (because there was only one in the basket) and we both agreed that, while we both loved the chocolate chip cookies more, this was really good. It was just such a shame to eat all that beautiful handiwork that went into decorating it. Well…not really. It was delicious and perfectly balanced. Who knew Peter Rabbit could taste so sweet?
So, naturally, the next goody that came out of the basket was the other item which we only had one serving. The Sunbutter Candy Bunny. Completely allergen free. And super, mega, delicious. Think of a Reeses Cup on crack. Because that’s what this is. The chocolate was a rich, dark coating. Inside this cute bunny shape was a delicious helping of sunbutter. Sunbutter, for those of you who may not know, is a peanut butter alternative made from roasted sunflower seeds. And it’s really, really good. Completely allergen free as well. I have always loved the combination of chocolate and peanut butter (or a peanut butter substitute) because you get that sort of salty-sweet aspect working. This was no exception. This was to die for. I sort of wish I didn’t have to split it in half and share it, because it was really that amazing and delicious. I need to find out if Annie May’s creates other chocolate and sunbutter delights because I was blown away by this candy. Melt-in-your-mouth good. Oh…so good!
Which, naturally brings us to the final chapter of the Annie May’s Sweet Café Easter Box of Awesome™…the allergen-free Chocolate Boulders. What are Chocolate Boulders, you ask? At first glance, they look like dark chocolate covered cake balls. I was…almost right on that assessment. These rich, chocolatey balls of goodness are fudgey, on the inside and covered in a dark chocolate coating on the outside. The result…a smooth, creamy, amazing bite. My roomie and I had intended to eat one tonight and save the other one…but then…we each ended up eating two tonight for dinner. We couldn’t help ourselves. These were so delicious. But, they are rich…in the best of ways. If you’re going to do chocolate boulders of extreme yumminess…you go big or go home. And Annie May’s really delivers with these. If you have a major chocaholic in your family…this would be the treat to gift them. I was in a state of chocolate nirvana with each tasty bite.
As I have now and forever dubbed the box of Easter treats from Annie May’s Sweet Café the Easter Box of Awesome™…it is safe to say that everything inside of it lives up to that title. In one word: AWESOME!
If you live in or around Louisville, Kentucky…or if you find yourself just passing through…do yourself a favor and stop into Annie May’s Sweet Café for a treat or for lunch. They have special Tuesday through Saturday. And on Saturday, you can even grab some breakfast…and treat yourself to one of their amazing allergen-free donuts. Trust me…the calories are totally worth the splurge.
Like I said…their products are AWESOME! So are the two ladies in charge – Annie May and Kenna. Drop in and pay them a visit…purchase some of their amazing products…and enjoy. You’ll be so glad you did.
They’ve certainly made my life a little more indulgent and delicious…and awesome!
Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Classic French Dinner Rolls – $8.99+
You read that right. But go ahead…read that blog title again. Befuddled, are you? Did I mistype? Am I playing some sort of cruel practical joke?
Not at all. What you read is the absolute truth.
Last year, Udi’s unveiled their new dinner rolls (two different kinds: Whole Grain and Classic French), and my area finally got them in. It only took a year. And trust me…I’ve been hunting high and low.
Why? Because every attempt I have ever made at making my own gluten-free dinner rolls have had less than satisfactory results. Too heavy. Too dense. Not the right taste. Wrong. Wrong. All wrong.
But that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. Because Udi’s made gluten-free dinner rolls a no-hassle event. Honestly. These rolls are kept in the freezer. And even though they come from a frozen state, they are so easy to prepare. Put them on a pan and cook from 10-15 minutes. What emerges are perfect dinner rolls, crusty on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Light. And. Fluffy.
These rolls are so versatile. Sure, you can serve them up as a side at dinner, with a schmear of butter. Or…you can use them in other ways too. In fact, that’s exactly what I did tonight. After a 4.5 mile run after work, I wanted to come home to an easy-to-prepare dinner. My thought…sliders. While I didn’t have any gluten-free veggie burger patties prepped, I did have some of my gluten-free and vegan homemade bacon in the freezer. I also had some fresh veggies…tomato, avocado, onion, spinach…a deluxe BLT slider looked like it was shaping up.
Udi’s Gluten-Free Classic French Dinner Rolls (toasted and fresh from the oven)
So, I preheated my oven to 400°F and put the rolls onto a pan. Into the oven they went…for about 5 minutes. Just enough to warm them through. After 5 minutes, I pulled them out and sliced each of them in half. I topped one half with a slice of vegan cheese. Then, I turned on the broiler. Back into the oven they went for a couple of minutes…just enough to melt the cheese. They emerged lightly toasted to perfection. I topped off each slice with the veggies and the vegan and gluten-free bacon, gave it a schmear of my own creation – a sriracha vegan mayonnaise. I pressed the halves together and…viola…Deluxe Gluten-Free and Vegan BLT Sliders. All compliments of Udi’s and their Classic French Dinner Rolls.
I am not going to gussy this up with flowery words. The Udi’s Gluten-Free Classic French Dinner Rolls are AMAZING! Honestly. If you had company over for dinner and placed these in a bread basket for dinner…no one would even guess that they were gluten-free. My roommate, as we know, does not have to eat gluten-free and she LOVED these rolls. Loved them. Especially how weightless they seem. They taste fantastic…on their own or dressed up however you like it.
If you haven’t tried these amazing dinner rolls from Udi’s Gluten-Free…you are missing out. Find them. And if you can’t…see if your grocery store or natural food store can order them in. Trust me. They are amazing and I intend to always keep them stocked in my freezer. I can build meals around these…or just let them shine as a side.
Thank you Udi’s…for filling the dinner roll gap I had in my life. Much love.
Gluten-Free and Vegan Deluxe BLT Sliders made with Udi’s Gluten-Free Classic French Dinner Rolls
Product: La Veneziane Gluten-Free Corn Meal Farfalle – $4.39+
Mmmm…pasta. I love, love, love, love, love pasta!! But, being gluten-free…you have to find the perfect pasta in order to truly enjoy any pasta dish you might have had prior to needing to go gluten-free. That’s how it was with me. And while I like brown rice pasta well enough, I find that on the reheat, it gets mushy and falls apart. And sometimes, on the initial cooking, it gets mushy and falls apart. This can be really, really aggravating.
But, pasta lovers…do not fear. There is a plethora of gluten-free pastas out on the market these days…and all of them are different, cook different, hold up differently, reheat differently…so you do have your options. And, being the pasta-fiend that I am…I am slowly making my way through the ever-growing varieties that are offered.
Normally, I probably never would have stumbled across Le Veneziane. But, I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a race and there is this amazing little store called The Gluten-Free Trading Company. Everything in there is…naturally…gluten-free. And I went there…twice…in the short time I was in town. It called to me. Imagine grocery shopping without having to read every label. The guesswork was done for you. It was all gluten-free. It was all safe. YAY!
La Veneziane Gluten-Free Corn Meal Farfalle noodles
I tried to be selective in the items I chose to purchase there, opting for brands and products I had never seen or heard of before. In the back, they had shelves of gluten-free pastas. And one of the ones that caught my eye was Le Veneziane. This pasta is made with Italian first choice cornmeal. So, it’s more of a corn-based pasta than a rice-based pasta. In the past, I have preferred corn pasta over rice for a gluten-free option, mainly because it holds together better, doesn’t get mushy, and the texture is just preferred.
I chose the La Veneziane Farfalle because it was ‘bow-tie’ pasta. And I hadn’t had a gluten-free farfalle yet. Not only that, these little “bow-ties” weren’t filled in…rather the shapes were more intricate and delicate. I had to try it.
Last night, I decided to modify my mom’s famous recipe for macaroni and cheese and make it with gluten-free pasta (as I normally do) and add some fresh veggies from my CSA bin. Why not? Of course, the most important part was choosing a good pasta. And, after digging through my pantry, I opted for the La Veneziane Corn Meal Gluten-Free Farfalle. I figured it would not only make an interesting mac and cheese, but hopefully a delicious one too. I wanted a corn pasta for this because with the added broccoli and, of course, the cheese, it could be quite heavy and I needed my pasta noodles to hold up.
Le Veneziane is produced by Molino di Ferro. It is their gluten-free pasta line and offers up light and easy-to-digest corn pasta options. These pastas have a very low fat content, making them ideal for those who are attempting to stay healthy, but still enjoy Mediterranean cuisine. Yes…a balance can be found.
La Veneziane Gluten-Free Farfalle does cook up very light. The noodles were amazingly light, yet sturdy. The survived the initial boiling, to just under al dente. Then, they were dumped into my casserole dish, mixed with fresh vegetables, spices, and my gluten-free white sauce. And then, on top of all of that…they were baked for 45 minutes. And they held their shape and were sheer perfection in the end. I am very picky about how my noodles hold up, especially in classic dishes, and La Venezian Gluten-Free Farfalle, despite looking delicate, held its shape.
A serving of homemade gluten-free macaroni and cheese (and veggies) made with La Veneziane Gluten-Free Corn Meal Farfalle
Texture-wise, this pasta is awesome. As I said, it cooked and baked to a perfect consistency. At al dente, it had the right amount of bite to it. And, despite being made from corn meal, this pasta doesn’t add any sort of corn flavor to your dish. You would assume regular noodles were being used. That’s another thing…no one would even guess that these noodles were gluten-free. They held up, didn’t become mushy, and just complimented the rest of the ingredients in the macaroni and cheese itself. For that, I am thankful. I grew up eating this dish quite often. Nothing beats my mom’s homemade macaroni and cheese. And I love being able to enjoy it with a pasta that is worthy of it.
La Veneziane Gluten-Free Farfalle Pasta will serve up 200 calories per serving, which is about 56 grams dried pasta. The container has 4.5 servings in it. There is only 0.5 grams of fat in a serving (LOVE THAT!). No sodium, no cholesterol. And a nice helping of 4 grams of protein in a serving. Love that. It’s a healthier choice for a pasta and one that I wish I could find easier.
The pasta cooks rather quickly, about 8 to 10 minutes in boiling water. And it really is sheer perfection. It’s a low-fat, high quality pasta that I would love to find around here and incorporate into more dishes. So impressed by it and how well it held up to everything I put it through in order to make this dish. Delicious and dependable. That’s what La Veneziane serves up with their corn meal pasta.
I hope to find this somewhere around here…or maybe head back to Milwaukee in the near future and pick up more of this brand. I was so impressed.
Homemade Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (with veggies) made with La Veneziane Gluten-Free Corn Meal Farfalle
It seems like it has been ages since I reached into my pantry for a Tasty Bite.
Does that sound weird to you?
It shouldn’t. You see, there is this amazing company called Tasty Bite, who specialize in these little pouches of deliciousness. I am not exaggerating. I have bought many a pouch of ethnic-style cuisine. Why? Because there are some days that I don’t have time to cook up lentils or beans for a homemade curry, Indian dish, or even something with a bit of Asian flair. I wish I did always have that time, but I work full-time and I run…a lot. And all of that does cut into the hours of my day. And when standing in front of a stove and cooking dinner means that it might be 7 p.m. before I sit down to eat…I’d rather reach for something I know will be good. And it’s simple and takes only about 90 seconds to prepare.
This past Monday was my traditional fun run night. This means I book it home from work, eat something, and then drive into Louisville to hit up my running store, and hopefully traffic doesn’t make me late. Because I run with a group of people there and I hate missing my run.
This means…easy dinner. Nothing that will upset my tummy. And it has to taste good.
As I’ve had amazing luck with the Tasty Bite meals…I just happened to have one in easy reach in my pantry. That morning, I cooked up some jasmine rice that I could easily reheat for a couple of minutes before warming up my Tasty Bite meal.
On today’s menu…Tasty Bite Madras Lentils.
Madras Lentils is a classic combination of lentils, red beans, and classic Indian spices, all in a creamy tomato sauce. The ingredients of this pouch are so simple and recognizable. Water, tomatoes, lentils, red beans, onions, cream, salt, butter, sunflower oil, chilies, and cumin. That’s all. Everything in this pouch is pronounceable and probably something you’d rind in your pantry, on your spice rack, and in your fridge. You have to love that. I know I do.
So, I gave my rice a quick nuke in the microwave, splitting it between a bowl for myself and my roommate. Then, I tore a small opening in the bag for Tasty Bite Madras Lentils, placed it in the microwave for 90 seconds, and let it heat all the way through. That’s all it took. In this pouch emerged a steaming bag of creamy lentil goodness. It smelled fantastic.
I split the bag (it serves 2) between my roommate and I and handed her a bowl. We settled in to eat…and were both blown away.
If you like spicy Indian food, the Madras Lentils are probably not going to be your first choice. However, for those days you want to give your palate a break from the heat and bring flavor to the forefront…I highly, highly recommend the simplicity, yet delicious flavors of Tasty Bite Madras Lentils.
I admit, sometimes Indian food isn’t the prettiest cuisine to look at. But use your other senses and you will be amazed. For a pouch of food with simple ingredients and flavors, this really does hit the mark on taste. The sauce is creamy, yet smooth. You can see the lentils and tomatoes, two main ingredients that should easily stand out. And yeah…while there is a small hint of spice, it’s not a hot spice. Rather, it warms you on the inside and leaves you just wanting to go and take another bite only to experience it again.
I am a huge fan of Tasty Bite. I have yet to have one of their little pouches of easy-to-make cuisine that I haven’t liked. The simplicity of the preparation, ingredients, and the flavor really make these meals worth every cent. If you can find them…buy them. Try them all. Just…make sure the ones you pick up are gluten-free.
The Madras Lentils is not only gluten-free, but also vegetarian and certified kosher. One serving (half of the pouch) is only 150 calories and will provide you with only 6 grams of fat. The sodium content is at 510 mg, which is a little high, but this is processed food, so I’ve come to expect that. It’s actually on the lower end when you compare it to other pre-packaged items along the same line. And, best yet, a serving packs a protein punch of 7 grams. NICE!
Delicious. Nutritious. And easy to make. In no time you’ll be sitting down to a classic Indian meal. And all it took was a little microwave time. You gotta love that.
The Celiathlete 