Gluten Free Snacks: Jaxn's Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Stix - Product Review #79

Gluten Free Snacks: Jaxn's Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Stix

 PRODUCT NAME:                   Sweet Potato Twice-Baked Potato Stix

BRAND:                                  Jaxn’s

COST:                                    $17.95/6pack

SIZE:                                       5oz/pack

COST PER OZ:                        $0.60/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Georgia

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.
REVIEW:
The story of how Jaxn’s Sweet Potato Twice-Baked Potato stix all started when Jaxn went on a date with a cheerleader who ordered sweet potato fries. From that point on he was hooked. The story might sound a little farfetched, but who knows it just might be true. Funny stories aside, there is a lot to like about sweet potatoes fries. The slightly sweet flavor combined with the salty seasoning, makes for the perfect snack. The Sweet Potato Twice-Baked Potato Stix made by Jaxn’s adds to it the healthy aspect of the popular snack. Their version, which is basically a sweet potato snack stick is all natural, gluten free and contains 75% less fat than regular potato chips.

Pop open the bag and you will find little round orange sticks that resemble sweet potato fries. Although the only similarity between this snack and sweet potato fries is looks, I will say that these things are great! The fact that they are twice baked ensures that these delicious snacks are light and extremely crispy. The flavor of these potato sticks was very interesting. You get the sweetness of the sweet potato, but Jaxn’s has also added their own blend of seasoning which includes brown sugar, sea salt, ground white pepper , cinnamon, red pepper and lime. This blend of flavors does a great job in bringing out the natural sweet flavor of the sweet potato.
 

Nutrition Facts

The package claims that these potato sticks contain 75% less fat than regular potato chips. With just 2.5 grams of total fat per serving, I think that’s a fair claim to make. Calories, cholesterol and sodium all seem to be pretty good as well. Each serving of about 18 pieces contains 70 calories, 5 milligrams of cholesterol and 150 milligrams of sodium. With values like this, it makes this snack the perfect healthier alternative for fried chips and French fries.

Overall, we loved Jaxn’s Sweet Potato Twice-Baked Potato Stix. Great flavor and texture in a healthy snack, what more can you ask for? In fact, I even left them open on my desk over the weekend and they were still fresh and crunchy. While their story on their back was poorly written, but funny none the less and their tag line of “A half-baked kid becomes a twice-baked guy!” seems a bit out of place, if you base everything on the product alone, these twice-baked potato stix will have you hooked too.

Taste: These potato stix are extremely light and crispy and the seasoning adds a great touch of saltiness that doesn’t over power the snack, but instead brings out the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.

Labeling: While the graphics on the package was nice, we found that tagline of “A half-baked kid becomes a twice-baked guy!” and the cheerleader story a little a little inappropriate.

Packaging: These Twice-Baked Potato Stix come in your typical potato chip bag. The only recommendation I for them is to maybe put more air into the bags. We found a lot of half broken pieces in our bag.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 022811 by Calvin C.

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #11: Is Dim Sum Gluten Free?

A dozen or so shiny metal carts go strolling from table to table. Hungry guests wait in anticipation waiving their stamp cards in the air as if they’re hailing for a cab to see if their favorite dishes are found in the mountain high stacks of small steamer baskets. It sometimes gets competitive with a mad dash to get the food you want. Some people, including myself, sometimes treat it almost like a competitive sport. If you ever had it, you definitely know I’m talking about dim sum!

Not sure what it is? Some describe it as Chinese tapas and traditionally eaten during lunchtime with the accompaniment of tea. When you go out for dim sum, you “yum cha,” which directly translates to “drink tea.” Dim sum are small plates of Chinese food, such as dumplings, buns and various meaty concoctions.

Dim sum has emerged in popularity in the past years. It may still be foreign to some. If you have celiac disease, food you are unfamiliar with may sometimes be a challenge. The good thing is that many of the dumplings you see being pushed around in those carts use a rice-based wrapper, instead of wheat. The bad thing is that, like most Chinese cuisine, there is a probability of the food in question of containing soy sauce, particular salty foods.

For example, har gow is shrimp filling encased in a rice-based pleated wrapper. The wrapper if safe to eat, but the shrimp filling may contain traces of soy sauce. It varies from one restaurant to the next, so if you can’t establish clear communication with the servers or chefs then you may want to pass. But this and other similar looking dumplings can be okay to eat.

Congee is a safe bet. This is a delicious rice porridge and that is made with different foods added, from sea food, to bamboo shoots, to salted duck eggs. It’s traditionally made with white rice and cooked for several hours.

There are also different kinds of “cakes” you can try. It’s not exactly a fluffy cake you get on your birthday. Really, they don’t resemble any sort of traditional cakes. These are savory cakes, usually containing pork and dried shrimp. They’re flat and rectangular in shape and can be made with daikon or taro. For added flavor, it can be eaten with the spicy oil found on your table with the other condiments.

And no meal is complete without dessert. There are assortments of sweets you can try. Sesame rolls are one thing you’ll see common in most dim sum restaurants. They’re gelatinous, thin sheets of sesame rolled up. Mango pudding is…well, it’s pretty much what its sounds like. It’s topped with a sweet helping of evaporated milk.

Well, it may be a challenge to eat at a Chinese restaurant when you’re trying to avoid wheat and soy sauce, but there are definitely still plenty of options. Most dim sum restaurants will take special orders off the dinner menus. There’s a lot of rice and rice noodles-based dishes that are free of wheat. This is also the best time to let them to know to use salt in place of soy sauce, since these are likely made to order. Dim sum, specifically the dumplings, are usually made before hand and cooked or steamed before they’re carted out.

So while dim sum is still a mystery to some, definitely give it a try.



By Justin Chu

Gluten Free Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix - Product Review #78

Gluten Free Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Fudge Brownie Mix

BRAND:                                   Cherrybrook Kitchen

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                       14 oz.

COST PER OZ:                         $0.43/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                    OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          Massachusetts

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
"The sweet solution for food allergies," is the motto for Cherrybrook Kitchen, the company that created the mix for these fantastic brownies. Not only is the mix gluten free, but completely vegan and nut free as well. According to their Web site, all equipment is dedicated solely to products that never touch dairy or nuts, and all goods are batch tested for traces of dairy, nuts and gluten for consumer safety.

I'm always in awe when something this good is made out of ingredients like cocoa butter and tapioca starch, but Cherrybrook Kitchen has turned my baking world upside-down once again.

I used a square 9x9-inch pan, one medium-sized bowl for mixing and a large spoon. To stay vegan, use 1/3 cup of a butter substitute, 2/3 cup of water and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cherrybrook's Web site recommends Fleischmann’s™ Unsalted Margarine and Earth Balance™ as dairy-free alternatives. I used real butter in the test kitchen.

The butter has to be completely melted, and since we're not dealing with eggs, I poured the freshly melted liquid straight into the mix. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well (don't bother getting out the electric mixer, it's not necessary), and you've got yourself fresh batter in a matter of minutes.

Pour batter into your pan and place on the bottom shelf of a preheated oven. The box says "12 minutes for fudge-like brownies or 14 minutes for cake-like brownies." I'd have to argue that 12 minutes produced more of a liquid-like brownie, so set your timer and check on them after 12 minutes. Another five did the trick for me, and produced a combination fudge-cake brownie that melts in your mouth.

I'm not a huge fan of dense, decadent brownies, so these were really my style. They're so light, they verge on crumbly, but I was still able to eat them in square chunks with my hands. There are great little chips of vegan chocolate mixed in that melt to create sweet little surprises as you chew, which complement the not-so-sweet brownie base.

The foundation of the mix is rice flour, and I have to say, you can definitely tell. The chew that is created when using wheat flour is replaced with an airy texture that dissolves almost as quickly as it hits the tongue.

Nutritional facts say there are 140 calories in 1/12 of the tray, without the added butter or oil. If you stay vegan, chances are you're staying in a decent calorie zone. There are only 16 grams of sugar per portion as opposed to last week's chocolate cake, which contained 23 grams without frosting. My only concern is that they're so weightless, so neutral on the sugar spectrum, you'll eat them all at once.

As a side note, I left the tray at a friend's house and was informed that they actually got better the next day, so you have that to look forward to – if they last that long!

Taste: The taste was light, a cloud of chocolate that isn't too sweet at first bit, then hits your tongue with little blasts of sugary goodness from the chocolate chunks blended in the mix. Chocolaty without being overwhelming is nice, but be careful not to eat the whole tray in one sitting – this is very possible.

Labeling: The labeling is adorable and easy to follow. They used graphics and copy well, providing company information on one side, directions on the back and super cute animations.

Packaging: Box with a plastic bag inside to hold the mix.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            2
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 022511 by Mallory L.

Gluten Free Bagels: Udi's Whole Grain Bagels - Product Review #77

Gluten Free Bagels: Udi's Whole Grain Bagels

PRODUCT NAME:                    Whole Grain Bagel

BRAND:                                   Udi’s Gluten Free Foods

COST:                                     $6.00

SIZE:                                       4 Bagels (14oz)

COST PER BAGEL:                  $1.50

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        COLORADO

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.   

         

REVIEW:
We have tried Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin Bagels in the past and we loved them, so when we got a chance to try their Whole Grain variety, we jumped at the chance.  Last time, we went with the sweet so this time we decided to go with savory.  It was a nice sunny day so we decided that we would have lunch by the water.  The perfect lunch to go along with the view was open faced bagel sandwiches using toasted Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bagels, fresh cream cheese, sliced pork tenderloin and green onions sautéed with garlic.  Everything went together perfectly. 

Udi’s bagels are great.  They have the perfect texture because they have a similar texture to a regular bagel, firm and chewy, but with an even lighter texture.  We received these bagels last week and because we couldn’t get to them right away, we decided to freeze them.  Even after being frozen for about a week, after a quick toast they came out tasting fresh.  These bagels worked especially well for a sandwich because they are firm and can hold piles of toppings.  Bite into the sandwich and you have the perfect balance of textures.  The sandwich was delicious and filling. 

When we wrote our review for Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin Bagel, I expressed concern about the nutrition facts because I thought that the sodium, calorie and fat content were a little high.  Unfortunately I had the same concern with this bagel.  I know these bagels are whole grain and whole grain is supposed to be good for you, but with 280 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 470 milligrams of sodium, these whole grain bagels have even higher fat and sodium content than the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels.  Despite this, I wouldn’t say that these bagels are unhealthy to eat. It just means that you have to pay attention to what you are eating so you can plan your day’s meal accordingly to ensure that you don’t go over your recommended daily values.  It would be a shame to miss out on these delicious bagels because Udi’s makes the best bagels I’ve ever had, this includes regular bagels that contain gluten.

Ingredients for Udi's Whole Grain Bagels

Overall, we really enjoyed Udi’s Bagels.  They are delicious and have one of the best textures I’ve ever had in a bagel.  You get the best of both worlds; the firmness and chewiness we’ve come to expect from a bagel but with a lighter texture that makes chewing this bagel not such a workout.

Nutrition facts for Udi's Whole Grain Bagels

Taste: This bagel has a great texture.  It is chewy and firm like a regular bagel, but lighter.  Toast these up and make a sandwich for a great lunch.

Labeling:  The labeling on this packaging is very simple and strait forward, everything you need to know is stamped right on the front.  Gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, whole grain, certified gluten free, and kosher, it’s all there on the front.    

Packaging:  You will find your normal bagel packaging here.  It is the typical plastic bag with the bag tie ring to seal it up.  If you decide to freeze these bagels, you might want to put them in a freezer safe resealable bag. 

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 5             

Taste:                     5             

Value:                    2

OVERALL:              4 

Reviewed 022311 by Calvin C

Gluten Free Sauce: Spicy Nothings Classic Curry Simmer Sauce - Product Review #76

Gluten Free Sauce: Spicy Nothings Classic Curry Simmer Sauce

PRODUCT NAME:                   Classic Curry Simmer Sauce

BRAND:                                  Spicy Nothings

COST:                                    $6.50

SIZE:                                       12oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.54/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                  YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        California

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Imagine coming home from a long day at work, exhausted and hungry. One of those frozen things just isn’t enough and you want something home cooked for dinner, but just don’t want to spend hours making it. The people over at Spicy Nothings have created just the thing for you. Imagine a home cooked curry dinner in about 30 minutes. It’s possible with Spicy Nothings’ line of curry sauces. They come in 5 varieties including: Lentil Curry, Coconut Curry, Spicy & Tangy Curry, Spinach and Cream Curry, and of course Classic Curry. These sauces are all gluten free, all natural, vegan and delicious.

Who knew cooking a delicious curry dish could be so easy. All you need to do is sauté up some meat and/or vegetables, add in the Spicy Nothings Curry Sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve your creation with some rice or bread and you’re set…a delicious meal in under 30 minutes.

Inspired by India and made in USA is one of Spicy Nothings’ mottos and they’ve done their homework too. They have all the spice and flavor you would expect from an Indian curry, but without all the heat. The Classic Curry sauce is labeled medium. Coming from a family where curry makes an appearance on the dinner table at least a few times a week, I thought this sauce was great. A tip when using this sauce, you will not need to season your meat or vegetables when you use this sauce. It has tons of flavor on its own and is actually just a tad salty on its own. When mixed with rice, you get a very nice balance of flavor. Another thing I liked about this sauce was that it wasn’t grainy like many other curry sauces. It has a nice smooth yet chunky texture which is perfect.

Overall, we thought this sauce was great. We had it with chicken and we had it with eggplant and it worked well both times. Cooking in under 30 minutes was a plus in our busy work day. It doesn’t take much of this sauce to add some flavor into your meal so split it into 2 cooking sessions. Just remember to refrigerate. At $6.50 per 12oz bottle, it’s quite expensive, but if you figure in the time you will save, it makes it makes a little more sense.

Taste: This sauce packs a great authentic curry flavor with just the right amount of heat. It tastes the best when it is served over rice.

Labeling: The labeling on this sauce is very simple and easy to read. It is all natural, gluten free and vegan.

Packaging: The packaging is your usual glass bottle. It’s the perfect size to reuse for some curry powder after you finish off delicious sauce in it.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING: 
Texture:         5
Taste:             4
Value:            2
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed 022211 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Muffins: Udi's Double Chocolate Muffins - Product Review #75

Gluten Free Muffins: Udi's Double Chocolate Muffins

PRODUCT NAME:                    Double Chocolate Muffins

BRAND:                                   Udi’s Gluten Free Foods

COST:                                     $6.00

SIZE:                                       4 Muffins (12oz)

COST PER MUFFIN:                $1.50

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        COLORADO

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Udi’s motto is “making gluten free delicious” and after tasting their Gluten Free Double Chocolate Muffins, we can say that it’s a fitting one. Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, located in Denver, CO is one of the biggest names in the gluten free world. They make a large variety of gluten free products including breads, bagels, pizza crusts, granola, and of course muffins and they are sold in over 3500 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

I’m a big fan of muffins and an even bigger fan of chocolate so I was very interested in trying these Double Chocolate Muffins. Open up the package and you can immediately smell the chocolate. I have had other gluten free muffins before, and I could tell right away, that this was not your typical gluten free muffin. The gluten free muffins I’ve had before have been dry with a texture that was not even remotely close to what a muffin should be. Muffins should be soft and moist and have some substance to it and that’s exactly what we have here. As far as taste and texture goes, it was perfect. One thing I would change about the muffin is to maybe make the baking trays a little shallower so that the muffins overflow over the top a little more. I’m a big fan of the tops of muffins because they are nice and sticky and just delicious. I was a little disappointed to see that this muffin didn’t have much of a muffin top.

Flavored with evaporated cane juice, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and lemon flavor, this muffin has the perfect sweetness. Although I didn’t taste the lemon flavor, I definitely tasted the cocoa flavor. The chocolate chips were mixed into the muffin and added little pockets of sweetness and a crunch, which we thought was a very nice blend of textures. The muffin was extremely moist and chewy, which surprised us because it’s the gluten that usually makes baked goods chewy. As far as gluten free muffins goes, this one is the closest to the real thing I have ever had.

Udi’s is a great company that has gone to great lengths to provide great tasting gluten free products products without having to sacrifice flavor or texture. This muffin is not only gluten free, but it is also soy free, dairy free and nut free. You will be glad to know that these muffins are also Certified Gluten Free and made in a dedicated gluten free facility so you don’t have to worry about cross contamination with other gluten products.

Overall, we thought this muffin was great. It had a very subtle sweet flavor and was extremely moist. They were so much like regular glutinous muffins that I couldn’t even tell the difference. If you’re a fan of chocolate and like muffins, I’m sure you’ll like this one. One thing to note is that while these muffins don’t contain any tree nuts, they are produced in a facility that also processes tree nuts, so if you are allergic, you might want to be careful with these.

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients for Udi's Double Chocolate Muffins

Taste: Great taste with just the perfect amount of sweetness. The texture is spot on and is just as moist as a regular muffin.

Labeling: Gluten free, soy free, dairy free and nut free…these muffins are great. The labeling on them was very simple and provided all the info you would want to know about them.

Packaging: The packaging for these muffins was great. It’s a recyclable plastic container that holds 4 3oz muffins.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 022111 by Calvin C.

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #10: Salt: It's What's for Dinner

Next time you go to eat, check those nutrition facts. Salt is in many of the packaged foods available out there. Even something as simple as a home-prepared sandwich can send your sodium levels soaring.

We've previously reported on salt; it's used for food preservation, taste, and nutrition. However, the USDA recently released new dietary guidelines that now recommend a lower salt intake for certain "at-risk" groups. These groups include African Americans, people over the age of 51, and people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease. People in these groups tend to have blood pressure levels that are more sensitive to sodium. It's recommended that they only consume 1,500 mg a day compared to the 2,300 mg advised for the general population.

Why the change? According to the USDA, a growing body of research suggests that your blood pressure decreases as you eat less sodium. The recommended sodium levels are based on a study called "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Sodium trial" conducted by the National Institutes of Health. The study found that aiming for a sodium intake of 2,300 mg reduced the average blood pressure of the participants. Blood pressure was lowered even further when participants tried to eat just 1,200 mg of sodium a day.

High blood pressure is a big concern when putting together these recommendations because it's a large, contributing factor in cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. Despite the USDA's maintained recommendation of 2,300 mg of sodium a day for the general population, health groups like the American Heart Association still recommend that you eat no more than 1,500 mg of salt each day, even if you are not in one of the mentioned "at-risk" groups.

So how can you lower the amount of sodium you're ingesting each day? Of course, be conscious of labels and nutrition facts on packaged foods. However, high-sodium foods are not always to blame. Remember that a sprinkle of salt here and there in your own home-cooked meals can add up over the day. Just ¼ tsp. of salt is 500 mg of sodium. That's a third of your total daily intake! The USDA notes that frequently eating foods that are low in sodium can still contribute to excess ingestion. About 7% of the sodium in the U.S. diet is from yeast-breads and 5% is from pasta. Did you expect that?

Overall, these new recommendations are emphasizing the impact that excess sodium can have on the human body. Whether you have high blood pressure now or not, monitoring your salt intake is now just as important as eating the correct amount of calories or staying on top of how much fat you consume.

By Julia L.  

Gluten Free Pasta Sauce: Lucini Italia Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic - Product Review #74

Gluten Free Pasta Sauce: Lucini Italia Tuscan Marinara

PRODUCT NAME:                   Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic

BRAND:                                  Lucini Italia

COST:                                     $23.94 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                       13.5oz each pack

COST PER OZ:                        $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                  YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Canada

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Lucini Italia is all about creating authentic handcrafted food using only high quality ingredients. All of their products are prepared in small batches which ensures that the quality of all their products is up to their standards. The other day, we had the opportunity to try their Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic. It is 100% natural, has no added sugars, and is vegan and gluten free, which are all great characteristics for a pasta sauce.

Preparation of this sauce is very easy. The directions give you the choice of microwave preparation or stove preparation. The packaging is microwave safe so if you choose the microwave preparation, all you need to do is vent the package and throw it in the microwave for 90 minutes. We chose to prepare this sauce on the stove so we heated it in a saucepan on low heat for about 10-15 minutes.

We served this sauce over some rice and corn pasta. The consistency of the sauce was just perfect. It was just thick enough to evenly coat all of the pasta. The sauce pouch contained 3 servings in it while our pasta contained 4, so the ratio of sauce to pasta was a little low. If you prefer a higher sauce to pasta ratio, I would recommend paying attention to the serving sizes of the sauce and pasta and plan accordingly. This pasta sauce is also available in a larger jar if you plan on making larger batches. The taste of the sauce was good. The sauce itself was very simple. Diced tomatoes, tomato puree, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, sea salt, roasted garlic, and herbs and spices come together and make a very flavorful sauce. You can really taste the sweetness of the tomatoes and garlic.

With all the high quality ingredients used in this sauce, does that mean it’s healthier too? We took a look at the nutrition facts and compared them to the nutrition facts of a leading brand pasta sauce and found that the Lucini sauce was marginally better. The Lucini sauce had less calories, sodium and sugar. While these numbers weren’t substantially lower, they do impact your daily values less. Combine that with their use of all natural ingredients and nice healthier alternative.

Overall, we liked this sauce a lot. The only thing that concerned us was the higher price tag, but that is due to the fact that it is handcrafted in small batches and is made with high quality ingredients. If these are things you look for in a pasta sauce, this is the one for you.

Nutrition Facts

Taste: The sauce had a nice sweet flavor from the tomatoes and roasted garlic and the consistency was just right. Everything was pureed together so it had a nice thick consistency that helped it stick to the pasta.

Labeling: The labeling on this package was nice. The sauce is gluten free, vegan and holds a Med Mark label, which stands for Mediterranean Mark. According to the Lucini Italia website, “The Mediterranean Mark is a symbol found on authorized food products verifying the product contains no added trans fats in any amount, no more than 8% of total calories from saturated fat, no more than 480 mg of sodium (side items and snacks) or 600 mg (meal-type foods), and no more than 4g of added sugar to support a healthy, balanced Mediterranean-style diet.”

Packaging: Very clever packaging. I have never seen pasta packaged in a microwave safe pouch. It is great for people who are on a time constraint because all you need to do to make this pasta sauce is to toss it in the microwave for 90 seconds.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         4
Taste:             5
Value:            2
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed 2/18/11 by CC

Gluten Free Mix: Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix - Product Review #73

Gluten Free Mix: Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix

BRAND:                                   Sof'ella Gourmet Natural Foods

COST:                                     $5.10

SIZE:                                       1lb 1oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         California

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Today, the baking process began with some difficult decisions. Namely, when you have a box of cake batter, do you make cupcakes? A layered 9-inch round? Do rectangles taste as good as circles?

Secondly, what kind of frosting goes best with chocolate cake? Cream cheese? Vanilla? Do I incorporate fruit? At once, I am inspired and overwhelmed with the possibilities this little box of Sof'ella chocolate cake mix offers.

There was a perplexing lack of frosting, or even frosting recommendations on or in the box. They reference you to their Web site for more products and recipes, but don't mention frosting specifically. Luckily, when I checked out the recipes page, the following directions were found to ease my anxiety:

Gluten Free Chocolate Frosting

• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/3 c. Dutch (alkalized) cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (NOTE: Vanilla extract sometimes contains gluten so pay attention to the label)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 sticks (or 16 tablespoons) of unsalted, room temperature butter
• 1-2 tablespoons of water (Depending on desired consistency)

"In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the cocoa, vanilla, [sugar] and salt and beat until smooth. Add water until you've reached a desired consistency."

I take this to be a sign and opt for this classic butter cream on a one-layered round.

The actual baking process is a total cinch. Cream the butter for a minute, add the eggs and mix, then pour Sof'ella's mix in along with a bit of warm water. You should have a thick, beautiful, dark batter. It was a bit sticky, so make sure you have your spatula handy for scraping the sides. In order to handle the batter more easily, you can always spread a little butter on your spatula or spoon to make it non-stick. Pour your batter into the preferred pan, and bake for the amount of time specified on the box.

Now, here's where things can get a little tricky. When dealing with gluten free flours and nontraditional thickening agents, the fear is that you'll either under-bake or over-bake and end up with a hockey puck. Because the consistency of this particular cake is so fragile, you can't really depend on the 'ol toothpick in the middle method for ensuring doneness. It might come out clean, even if the cake needs five more minutes. Also, depending on altitude, you may need to add 25°F to the recommended temperature. Check out www.sofellafoods.com for high altitude baking tips.

I happened to under bake mine a tad, fearing the hockey puck scenario, but the final product was still mighty tasty and super moist.

I hate to mention nutritional facts when we're dealing with chocolate cake here, but without frosting, this cake contains almost two sticks of butter, two eggs, and 23 grams of sugar in 1/12 of a piece. With frosting, we're talking another two sticks of butter and two cups of powdered sugar. I'm not messing around when I say this cake is intense. But I like that in a cake.

In terms of overall value, the mix itself is $5.10. Factoring in the nearly two sticks of butter and two eggs in the batter, along with frosting components, I spent an additional $10, making this at least a $15 cake. So, although the process was easy, and as the final product is a fresh, homemade cake, I momentarily question its value against, say, store bought cake. However, there is something to be said about filling the house with the unbeatable smell of baking chocolate – not to mention the love that goes into homemade baked goods.

In which case, I highly recommend this cake. Perhaps top it with a dusting of powdered sugar and some fresh berries for a lighter experience.

Taste: The taste of the cake by itself is extremely rich. I know why a serving size is 1/12 of the cake – that's all it takes. I almost want to say that it didn't need such a sweet, buttery frosting because the cake itself was so moist and rich. One small piece definitely satiated any and all chocolate cravings I had.

Labeling: Labeling is aesthetically pleasing, with an amazing photo of a layered cake and some cupcakes in the background covered in frosting. Huge, easy to read directions cover the back, and nutritional facts take up one entire side.

Packaging: Box with a plastic bag inside to hold the mix. I have personally deemed the box a tad unnecessary, as it seemed they were having a hard time filling up all that real estate with type and photos.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         4
Taste:             5
Value:            4
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 021411 by Mallory L.

Gluten Free Crackers: Snapdragon Sweet Bangkok Chili Rice Crisps - Product Review #72

Gluten Free Crackers: Snapdragon Sweet Bangkok Chili Rice Crisps

PRODUCT NAME:                   Bangkok Sweet Chili Rice Crisps

BRAND:                                  Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cusine

COST:                                    $6.58 (2-pack) $18.75 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                      3.5oz each box

COST PER OZ:                        $0.94 (2-pack) $0.89oz (6-pack)

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         Thailand

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Lately we have come to the realization that we love Snapdragon’s products…and with good reason. We have had the pleasure of trying a few of them in the past couple weeks and they have all been great. These Bangkok Sweet Chili Baked Rice Crisps reminds us why we love them so much.

Let’s start with Snapdragon’s signature baked rice crisps. They are one of the tastiest rice crisps that I have ever had. You can definitely taste the sweetness of the rice in it. These rice crisps are baked and not fired which means it has a lot less fat than fried chips. Snapdragon has the flavoring perfected. A lot of times strong flavors like this Bangkok Sweet Chili tend to overpower the flavor of the cracker. So much so that it starts tasting artificial and it just leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth. With this cracker the flavor is not overly strong and is more of a flavor enhancement than the main show. It is a nice sweet flavor; just a little sweeter than the Whole-Grain Brown Rice flavor that we had last week. While the name of the flavor does contain the word “chili” don’t be too afraid because there is only a light hint of spiciness.

This cracker is a great healthier alternative to chips. This are baked, which not only gives it a nice lighter texture, but it also helps with the fat and calorie content. With 140 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 cholesterol, and 120 milligrams of sodium it’s definitely on the healthier side as far as snacks go.

This flavor of cracker is great with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and crunch. It is suitable for just about everyone including people who are gluten free and vegan. This product does contain soy though so if you are allergic, you might want to look elsewhere. There is also labeling on the package that states that this product is manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts so if you have a severe peanut allergy, you might want to be extra careful with this product.

Taste: Great light sweet and spicy flavor in this cracker. The flavor is not overpowering and shares the spotlight with the equally tasty rice cracker.

Labeling: The labeling on this package is very simple and clean. All the important information is right on the front of the box. This cracker is gluten free and vegan. Things to note are that this product contains soy and is processed in a facility that also processes peanuts.

Packaging: The packaging is very simple much like other crackers. The crackers are sealed in an airtight cellophane bag which is placed in a paperboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 020911 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Cake: Tia's Bakery German Chocolate Cake - Product Review #71

Gluten Free Cake: Tia's Bakery German Chocolate Cake

PRODUCT NAME:                   German Chocolate Cake

BRAND:                                  Tia’s Bakery

COST:                                     $4.95-5.50

SIZE:                                       4oz

COST PER OZ:                        $1.23- $1.38/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               Partial

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        California

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Before this day, I had never tried a German Chocolate Cake, let alone a Gluten free one. I was surprised to find that it was a chocolate cake with coconut frosting and despite its name, has no affiliation with Germany. After having Tia’s Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake, I am a fan of both the German Chocolate Cake and of Tia’s Bakery.

Tia started baking at an early age with her grandmother at her side. She loved baking and had a true passion for it. In 2003, she found out that she was allergic to gluten and refined sugar. It turned her world upside down because she was no longer able to enjoy the treats she had baked all her life. A few years went by and after much coaxing by her family, she got her passion for baking back and started experimenting baking with wheat flour substitutes. In 2009, she started up Tia’s Bakery and the rest is history. She is now selling her delicious baked goods in several stores in 12 states and growing.

Tia’s uses almond and coconut flour in their products. Almonds have high protein content and coconuts have very high dietary fiber content. The combination makes for a very healthy flour blend. This flour blend is not only healthy, but it is also one of the best I have ever tasted. The texture of the cakes is just perfect. It is extremely moist and fluffy. You probably wouldn’t even know it was gluten free if you didn’t look at the package.

The cake itself was not very sweet and had a nice light chocolate flavor. It reminded me of an Asian style cake which is very fluffy and moist like a sponge cake. Most of the cakes sweetness came from the frosting. It was sweet, but not overly sweet. This is probably because Tia’s does not use refined sugars. Instead, she uses organic agave nectar as a sweetener. Tia’s also uses a lot of coconut in this cake. Some of the flour is coconut flour, but in addition to that, they also use organic coconut oil, coconut milk, and unsweetened coconut. So if you’re a fan of coconut, you’ll probably like this cake. The cream is mixed with coconut and pecans. When eaten with the moist cake, it is the perfect blend of textures.

While a lot of the ingredients used in this cake are good for you, it doesn’t mean you should eat too much of it in one sitting. This cake contains 650 calories, 42 grams of fat, 16 grams of saturated fat, 170mg of cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, 59 grams of carbohydrates and 45 grams of sugar. Looking at these numbers, they are all pretty high so you might want to share this delicious cake with someone.

Overall, this cake tastes great and contains high quality ingredients. While it is supposed to be healthy, you will still want to practice portion control. A note from the packaging, this cake contains tree nuts and is made in a facility that produces products containing wheat.

Taste: This is one of the best cakes that I have ever tasted. The texture and flavor was great and I couldn’t even tell that it was gluten free. Take one bite and you will love how the moist cake, coconut and pecans come together.

Labeling: This package has very simple labeling. Tia’s motto is “Scrumptious & Totally Health”. Does it live up to its motto? Scrumptious…yes totally healthy…maybe, but it might take a little more wishful thinking.

Packaging: The packaging was very nice. It comes in a single serving container that is like a Tupperware container that keeps everything fresh. This cake will stay fresh for about 2 months in the freezer.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:          5
Taste:              5
Value:             2
OVERALL:       4

Reviewed 021411 by Calvin C.

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #9: Daily Sugar Intake

If you’re like the majority of Americans, then you probably have a sweet tooth. From boxes of chocolate eaten on Valentine’s Day to high fructose corn syrup present in many foods, the average American consumes his or her weight in sugar every year, literally. On average, each person in this country eats over 150 lbs. of sugar annually. But are all sugars created equal? And how much is too much?

Sugars occur naturally in food, such as fruits (as fructose) and milk (as lactose). Of course, along with sugar, these foods offer important vitamins and minerals, and, in the case of fruit, dietary fiber. The downfall of the American diet, however, is the added sugar found in foods. This sugar contributes about 16% of the total calories in the average diet, most commonly from sodas, energy drinks, desserts, and candy.

The USDA recommends that people eat no more than 10 teaspoons of added sugars a day. 1 teaspoon of sugar is between 4-8 grams depending on how fine the sugar is. It’s best to aim for foods that are low on the glycemic index—which measures the rate that starches and sugars change your blood sugar levels. Foods that are high on the index, like soda, digest quickly and rapidly release sugar into your bloodstream. This spike in blood sugar causes your pancreas to release a flood of insulin, which disperses the sugar. Your blood sugar levels again drop and you’re hungry again. This cycle of peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels can cause you to overeat and gain weight, possibly leading to obesity. Flooding the body with insulin after a sugar coma can also lead to insulin resistance, which is a symptom of pre-diabetes.

Foods that are low on the glycemic index, like fruit, release sugar into the bloodstream slowly because they are steadily digested (in part thanks to good old dietary fiber).

It’s important not to replace these foods in your diet with artificially sugary substitutes because you may be missing out on essential nutrients (like that fiber).

Added sugar can be a hidden menace. It can be listed under various names—sucrose, high fructose syrup, and dextrose—on ingredient labels and the USDA calls it the “number one food additive.” It can commonly be found in breads, lunchmeat, condiments, and prepared foods. It’s key that you read nutrition labels and monitor the amount of sugar you’re eating each day.

People who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease may be better off than the average American when it comes to eating added sugars. A gluten-free diet requires careful attention to the food and ingredients you eat, which can often lead to healthier eating habits in general. It’s still important to read the labels; high fructose corn syrup and other added sugars could be lurking in many “gluten-free” foods.

By Julia L.

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder - Product Review #70

Kettle Cuisine Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder

PRODUCT NAME:                    Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder

BRAND:                                   Kettle Cuisine

COST:                                     $4.35

SIZE:                                       10oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.44/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Chelsea, MA

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder… just saying that puts me in a festive mood. This chowder is just one of many in Kettle Cuisine’s line of gluten free soups. If you were wondering what the difference between a soup and a chowder is… it’s the thickness of it. Soups are usually just broth based, whereas chowders are thickened with cream. So if you’re allergic to dairy, you might want to stick to soups. This chowder is great. It’s all natural, contains no preservatives, no artificial colors, no MSG, no artificial flavorings, not to mention it’s certified gluten free. What more can you ask for?

Cooking this soup up is a breeze. You have 2 options, microwave or stovetop. The lack of a microwave in our studio forced us to the stovetop option, but it was still easy. Just release the frozen contents of the bowl into a pot and turn the heat to medium. I decided to add about a half cup of water just to speed it up a little. Make sure you watch it closely and stir it so it doesn’t burn. Chowder is thicker and contains cream, which tends to burn easily if you let it sit too long.

This Southwester Chicken with Corn Chowder was delicious. Kettle Cuisine uses high quality ingredients in their products. Take for example the fresh green and red peppers and the tender grilled chicken in this chowder that is raised without antibiotics on a vegetarian diet. Add to that the corn and the long list of spices and you have a fiesta in a bowl.

Although this soup tastes great, it isn’t the healthiest thing in the world. It contains 230 calories, 10 g of fat, 50 mg of cholesterol, and 620 mg of sodium. These numbers are all a little high, but I decided to compare it to the nutrition facts of a similar regular Southwester Chicken and Corn Chowder. The nutrition facts seem to be about the same. The kettle cuisine version has double the cholesterol, but 140mg less sodium. Point of this is to make sure you are aware of what you are eating and how much it impacts your recommended daily values.

Overall, this chowder tastes great, but as much as we love things that taste great, not all of them are great for us. When eating this, make sure you watch what you eat for the rest of the day.

Taste: Great tasting chowder that is nice and thick like it is supposed to be. The pieces of chicken were much larger than I had expected and was really tender.

Labeling: The labeling on this product is similar to the labeling on the Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles we reviewed yesterday. All of the important information about the soup right on the front. One thing that I didn’t mention on yesterday’s review was the nice picture on the front. I don’t think our bowl looked as good, but it sure tasted good.

Packaging: Usual packaging. It comes in a microwave safe container so it can go right from your freezer to your microwave, to your stomach.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             4
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 021011 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Chicken Soup With Rice Noodles - Product Review #69

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Chicken Soup With Rice Noodles

PRODUCT NAME:                   Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles

BRAND:                                  Kettle Cuisine

COST:                                    $4.35

SIZE:                                      10oz

COST PER OZ:                       $0.44/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      GFCO

ORGANIC:                              NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

VEGAN:                                 NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:      Chelsea, MA

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Chicken noodle soup is often considered a comfort food. Not so much for people with Celiac and gluten intolerance because of the noodles in there. Jerry of Kettle Cuisine took it upon himself to restore the comfort food title for everyone with his gluten free Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles. After learning that his daughter had to go on a gluten free diet, he decided to create a whole line of great tasting gluten free soups.

The soup comes in individual 10oz servings that are frozen. All you need to do is microwave or heat it a pot on your stovetop and it’s ready to serve. With 140 calories, 3g of fat, and 14g of protein per serving I would consider it pretty healthy. The one thing that you should pay close attention to is the 540mg of sodium in this soup. While it is only a fraction of the sodium in regular canned chicken noodle soups, it does not mean you should over look it. Originally, the recommended daily sodium intake was 2400mg. Last month, the American Heart Association announced a new daily guideline of 1400mg. It’s just something to keep in mind. When eating prepackaged soups like this.

When we cooked this soup up, we opted for the stovetop option because we don’t have a microwave here. It was very easy, just put the frozen contents of the bowl in a pot and heat on medium. Make sure you keep an eye on it and stir it frequently to keep the chicken from sticking to the bottom.

Jerry did a great job with soup with this chicken noodle soup made with chicken stock, chicken meat, rice noodles, carrots, celery, onions, chicken fat, sea salt, and spices. I think the fact that this soup comes frozen rather than canned has helped a lot with how fresh this soup tastes. The chicken and the vegetables are all tender and don’t taste artificial like you would find in a canned soup. You might be happy to hear that the chicken used in this soup is raised without antibiotics and on a vegetarian diet. They also do not add any preservatives, artificial colors, MSG or artificial flavorings.

Overall it tasted great. The saltiness of the soup was balanced by the sweetness of the vegetables. It can be best described as tasting like a vegetable soup with chicken in it rather than a chicken soup with vegetables in it. The main difference being it is not nearly as salty as one of those canned soup deals. We did find that the soup was a still a little salty for our taste. Here’s a tip, if you find the soup a little too salty, just add some water to it to dilute it.

If you’re looking for a healthier chicken noodle soup, this is the soup for you. It has made this comfort food staple accessible to everyone including celiacs and the gluten intolerant.

Taste: Great tasting soup with real chicken and vegetables that actually taste like vegetables.

Labeling: Very nice labeling with all of the important information about the soup right on the front. All natural…check. Gluten free…check. No artificial ingredients…check. The list goes on and on.

Packaging: Usual packaging. It comes in a microwave safe container so it can go right from your freezer to your microwave, to your stomach.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             4
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 021011 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Snacks: Snapdragon Whole Grain Rice Crisps - Product Review #68

Gluten Free Snacks: Snapdragon Whole Grain Rice Crisps

PRODUCT NAME:                   Whole Grain Brown Rice Crisps

BRAND:                                  Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cusine

COST:                                    $6.58 (2-pack) $18.75 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                      3.5oz each box

COST PER OZ:                       $0.94/oz (2-pk) $0.89/oz (6-pk)

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

ORGANIC:                              NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

VEGAN:                                 YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:       Thailand

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:
Have you ever eaten something that just reminded you of your childhood? That’s exactly what happened to me when I ate Snapdragon’s Whole-Grain Brown Rice Baked Rice Crisps. As a kid, I grew up eating Chinese rice crackers. Some of you might know what I’m talking about. They are the oval shaped rice crackers that come packed in pairs in a orange and green package. They were so good because they were light and crispy and had a nice salty, yet sweet flavor from the MSG sprinkled on them. Although these crackers weren’t the healthiest, they were a common snack in my home. When I tasted Snapdragon’s Whole-Grain Brown Rice Baked Rice Crisps, it was like a trip down memory lane. Only this time, these crackers were actually pretty healthy.

Pop one into your mouth and you will be greeted by the perfect light flavor. If you’re curious, this cracker is flavored with salt and soy sauce powder. The flavor isn’t overpowering and is just there to enhance the sweet flavor of the whole grain brown rice that this cracker is made of.

These Whole Grain Brown Rice Crisps are great. In fact I think they might even be better than the rice crackers from my childhood because they are even lighter and crispier. Being baked and not fried helps cut the fat down to only 3g per serving and calories to 110. Add to that the fact that these crackers contain 26 grams of whole grains per serving, have no MSG, and contain to trans fats and this is a great healthy alternative to chips. With 155 milligrams of sodium per serving isn’t bad either considering most chips have about double that.

If you’re looking for a nice healthy snack alternative, look no further than Snapdragon’s Rice crisps. A quick note…these crackers contain soy and is manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts so if you are allergic to both, you might want to be a little cautious with these crackers.

Taste: Great light flavor that enhances the nice sweet flavor of the whole grain brown rice that it is made of.

Labeling: The labeling on this package is very simple and clean. All the important information is right on the front of the box. This cracker is gluten free and vegan.

Packaging: The packaging is very simple much like other crackers. The crackers are sealed in an airtight cellophane bag and is placed in a paperboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             5
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 020911 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Mix: Bob's Red Mill Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix - Product Review #67

Gluten Free Mix: Bob's Red Mill Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

BRAND:                                   Bob's Red Mill

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                       22oz (Makes 24 cookies)

COST PER OZ:                        $0.27/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       In-House

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   Optional

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         Milwaukie, OR

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging. We cannot verify the accuracy of this information. For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

It's easy enough to buy a bag of gluten free goodies at the grocery store, but when you want hot, out-of-the-oven fresh cookies, you're on your own. At first glance, gluten free baking might seem intimidating as most recipes call for a myriad of bean flour and natural thickeners, but Bob's Red Mill Chocolate Chip cookies makes things simple.

If you don't have the energy to start from scratch, Bob is your man. This Oregon-based company has been producing a variety of whole grain products since 1978, which now includes an entire gluten free line. Bob's Red Mill is dedicated to producing legitimately gluten free flours and mixes, all tested in their own custom facility to adhere to the R5 Elisa Test (a state-of-the-art and highly accepted kit that accurately detects 1.5 parts per million (ppm) of gliadin, a glycoprotein that helps make gluten).

Bob's gluten free chocolate chip cookies come in Bob's signature simple bag equipped with everything you need to get started. All you need to supply for completion is a half a cup butter or margarine, one egg and two tablespoons of water.

The mix itself is animal and dairy free, so you can make this recipe vegan if you so choose by simply using your favorite egg and butter substitutes. The package even suggests a cornstarch and water substitute for the egg. For the test recipe, I used the real deal, but I'm a sucker for butter.

The process began with my room temperature butter, which I creamed with electric beaters. I then added one large egg and the recommended two tablespoons of water. At this point, the mixture looks a tad watery and isn't completely mixing together, but remember, water and oil don't mix, so you're fine.

From there, it's just a matter of adding Bob's mix, which I folded in with my spatula, then kneaded with my hands until the dry bits were completely saturated with buttery goodness. And ... that's it. You're ready to start spooning tablespoon-sized rounds onto a greased baking sheet. Pop the sheet in the oven at 350° for about 15 minutes, and get the milk ready for dipping.

Tiny tip: If you like your cookies a wee bit raw in the middle, take them out at 15 minutes. My cookies needed an extra five minutes or so to cook all the way through. I suggest just keeping your eye on them after the initial 15, and don't worry if they don't turn super brown on top – they're still ready.

In terms of simplicity, you can't get much better than this. I used one large bowl, some beaters and a spatula. I didn't even have to measure anything.

It seems to me that if you're going out of your way to heat up the oven and dirty the dishes, you want a really delicious, satisfying cookie. Well, you're truly in for a treat with these puppies. They have a slightly crunchy outside and a gooey center with all of the familiar flavors of your traditional chocolate chip morsel.

Because they are made with such ingredients as garbanzo bean flour and potato starch, they're bound to have a slightly different texture, but the consistency only added to their gooey chewiness, so it worked in the cookie's (and my) favor.

Without all of the added butter, these goodies are not too shabby in the health department with three grams of fiber and only two grams of fat. An estimated 260 calories per serving after preparation isn't bad either. The serving size is two cookies, and I personally I could only eat one of these hefty, two-inch beauties.

Another quick tip: I added a few drops of vanilla extract to the second round to make them taste even more authentic.

You can find Bob's Red Mill brand at almost any grocery store, usually in the baking section. For more information or to buy in bulk (some people really like cookies!), please visit www.bobsredmill.com.

Taste: Just what you would expect from grandma's oven: Authentic chocolately, buttery goodness. These cookies are super satisfying. Eat hot, right out of the oven with a cold glass of milk.

Labeling: You'll find that all of Bob's Red Mill products are found with similar no-nonsense labeling you can easily navigate. Simple baking directions and nutrition facts are found on the back.

Packaging: A simple bag that can be resealed with some tape or a clip. No unnecessary boxes or bags within bags to feel guilty about.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         4
Taste:             5
Value:            5
OVERALL:      4.7

Reviewed 020711 by Mallory L.