Gluten Free Frosting Mix: Pamela's Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                   Dark Chocolate Frosting Mix

BRAND:                                  Pamela’s Products

COST:                                    $4.49

SIZE:                                      12 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.37/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

ORGANIC:                               NO                        

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

VEGAN:                                  YES                                        

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO, but Dedicated Machinery   

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Ukiah, California            

SHELF LIFE:                           1 year                                   

*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:

Frosting mix is always a good thing to keep around because in a pinch, and we know that that pinch inevitably occurs more often than not, it’s there, it’s quick and it’s a no brainer.  Pamela’s Dark Chocolate Frosting mix would be my mix of choice.  It is delightfully rich and chocolate-y.  It is a pretty sweet frosting, but has a hint of the bittersweet in there.  It is what a good dark chocolate should be and has the intensity of true cacao flavor.  Its texture is creamy and spreads really well.  A big plus with this mix, is that you can control how thick the frosting is by how much liquid you add to it.  It’s nice to have the flexibility as some recipes might be better with a slightly thinner frosting while others require a dollop of thick chocolate goodness.  Also, it doesn’t leave that pasty texture on your tongue like a lot of mixes do. 

The recipe for the mix is right on the back of the bag and couldn’t be easier.  You add butter or margarine and some water and voila!  I used soy-free dairy-free butter and it worked great with that too.  One of the great things about a good frosting mix is that it becomes the base for a lot of different kinds of frostings.  You can manipulate this mix into many different styles of frostings by just adding cream cheese, sour cream or milk, if you do dairy, or you can opt for the vegan versions of any of these if you don’t.  One bag can be the go-to base ingredient in whatever you might need it for and it is this versatility that I like keeping in my cupboards.

The bag has a lot of extra recipes printed on it that you can add to the frosting to take it to the next level.  They suggest mocha frosting, chocolate orange frosting, chocolate raspberry frosting to name a few, and they all sound really delectable.  I am planning on trying the chocolate orange frosting next time myself and baking some caramelized orange cupcakes to go with it.  Should be a nice treat for the gorgeous fall weather we’ve been having.

There are 12 servings in the bag, each of which is about 180 calories if you prepare it the way they suggest.  That’s quite a heavy dose of calories, but this is more of a treat than anything.  Just remember…everything in moderation.   Pamela’s is a local company here in Northern California, which I love to support.  They have a really great website with all kinds of recipes as well as detailed product information if you want to find out more about their line.  All in all, this is a great frosting mix with a wonderful chocolate flavor and one I would recommend to keep in the cupboards when you need a good chocolate frosting.  For more information about this product or any of Pamela’s other products, visit their website at: www.pamelasproducts.com.  You can find this and many other Pamela’s products at GFR Grocery. 

Taste: sweet with hints of cacao and bittersweet chocolate

Labeling: Bright colorful packaging with clear gluten free labeling

Packaging: simple bag with mix inside.  Not a lot of packaging which reduces waste

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 by

Krisztina L

Gluten Free Crackers: Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains Crackers Hint of Sea Salt

PRODUCT NAME:                    7 Ancient Grains Crackers Hint of Sea Salt

BRAND:                                   Crunchmaster

COST:                                     $2.69

SIZE:                                       3.54 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.76/ oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       NA

VEGAN:                                  YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Loves Park, IL

SHELF LIFE:                           1 Year

*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:

Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains Hint of Sea Salt crackers are a wonderfully satisfying snack.  They are crisp yet bold, with a full-bodied crunch.  They stand true to their namesake, having only a hint of saltiness, nothing too overpowering that masks the slightly nutty flavor of the grains that are packed into each cracker.  These are great snacks all on their own, having a whole grain flavor that combines well with the toasty quality of the rice.  They are actually quite addictive.  I certainly wasn’t able to stop at just one.  They also make excellent vehicles for hummus, cheese, olive spread or a slice of your favorite veggie to name a few ideas.  Their strong taste combines well with savory things of all kinds, which makes them a really good cracker to have around just for yourself or when you are expecting guests.  They are really tasty and are certainly a snack that everyone can enjoy.

Crunchmaster has a very thorough website where you can find out all sorts of facts about their company.  They grow their rice in Japan and follow pretty strict rules of harvesting and aging to create their rice crackers.  They seem to respect traditions of the East and combine them with our Western expectations of flavor and the result is indeed, a very delicious cracker.  Fifteen crackers are 130 calories with 2.5 grams of fat, which really isn’t so bad at all.  Their ingredients are honest and simple, actually containing the grains that they advertise on the packaging.  They have quinoa, amaranth, millet, and flax packed in there, which all combine to make a well rounded multi-grain cracker.

Check out the website for other flavors, products and more info: http://www.crunchmaster.com/

Taste:  crispy full-bodied multigrain flavor with a undertone of toasted rice

Labeling:  Inviting “healthy-looking” label clearly written and informative

Packaging: cardboard box with non resealable bag inside

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RATING:

Texture:                5                             

Taste:                   5                             

Value:                   3      

OVERALL:             4.3

Reviewed by Krisztina L

Gluten Free Tamales: Primavera White Corn and Zucchini Tamales

PRODUCT NAME:                    White Corn and Zucchini Tamales

COMPANY NAME:                    Primavera Tamales

COST:                                     $9.99

SIZE:                                       18 oz

COST PER OZ:                        $.55                                   

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                              YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                  YES                         

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        N/A      

SHELF LIFE:                           1 Week Refrigerated

*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:

Taste:  The tamale is, in my opinion, a wheatless gold mine. It is almost always free of those little gluten buggers that make us sick, and its probability for deliciousness is through the roof. That being said, it is extremely difficult to find tamales that use ingredients that I consider healthy, and ones that are also vegan. In steps the lovely saviors at Primavera Tamales, a company out of Agua Caliente, CA.

Karen Taylor, owner of Primavera Tamales, has clearly made a commitment to the excellence of her product. Her website reveals that she has gone to many lengths to synthesize the authentic (traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico City, and Michoacan to take cooking classes) and the political (she uses only local and organic produce and eschews hydrogenated oils and shortenings.)

These White Corn and zucchini tamales are absolutely awesome. Despite the vegan-ness of them they are nowhere near being the  dry, crumbly, and bland corn pocket you might imagine. Primavera's tamales are moist, well formed, and tasty. The masa is flavorful, delicately spiced with hints of garlic and cumin. The white corn creates a textural nuance that surprised and delighted me, while the zucchini was marinated in a slightly spicy red sauce that rounded out the creamy texture of the outer encasing. There was no dairy present in my tamale but a milky mouthfeel was created just by the melding of fats and corn. Although Primavera DOES indeed offer a variety of dairy filled tamales, it almost seems completely unnecessary to imagine adding anything to the beautiful simplicity that is the vegan version.

Calorically, I was pleasantly surprised by Primavera’s facts. Each tamale clocks in at 250 calories (which is very little for a tamale, probably because there is no added cheese). When paired with a simple salad and some salsa, I find one (maybe one and a half if you’re really hungry) to be a perfectly sufficient meal. Although they are indeed high in fat (how do you think they get so moist?) the product ultimately satiates and keeps a consumer full for quite a while so in the end, it all seems worth it.

Labeling:

I found labeling of this product to be very sufficient. All the nutrition information was very clear and concise which I particularly appreciated as Primavera is a small scale company and many of those do not bother to glean nutrition information of their products.

Packaging:

Packaging of this product was a double plastic bag wrapped with a zip tie. It seemed appropriate for the freshness of the product and could easily be frozen without having to transfer containers.

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:            4

OVERALL:      4.5

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Gnocchi and Pesto: Emilia Rice Gnocchi & Cucina & Amore Pesto Alla Genovese

PRODUCT NAME:                             Pesto Alla Genovese

BRAND:                                              Cucina and Amore

COST:                                                  $3.99                   

SIZE:                                                    7.9 OZ                 

COST PER OZ:                                    $0.50/oz                          

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                N/A

ORGANIC:                                          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                N/A

VEGAN:                                              NO   

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:                   YES   

LOCATION OF FACILITY:                 Richmond, CA  

SHELF LIFE:                                        UNKNOWN

PRODUCT NAME:                             Rice Gnocchi    

BRAND:                                             Emilia Brand                       

COST:                                                 $6.99                   

SIZE:                                                  16 OZ                            

COST PER OZ:                                   $0.44/oz                          

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:                 UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                 N/A

ORGANIC:                                         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                 N/A

VEGAN:                                             YES   

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:                   UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:                   ITALY

SHELF LIFE:                                       UNKNOWN

*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:

I have never had the pleasure of trying gnocchi before today. It makes me slightly resentful of my parents for raising me on macaroni and spaghetti, and not introducing me to these delicious buttery dumplings sooner. I have nothing to compare Emilia Brand’s Rice Gnocchi to, which was made with rice flour and potato instead of the traditional wheat and potato combo, but I found the texture and flavor very satisfactory.  I found these dumplings soft, chewy and the stick to your ribs type of filling. The dumplings were slightly salty, and made from a smooth dough with a nice texture.

I tossed my gnocchi in Cucina and Amore’s Pesto alla Genovese Basil, and the two products made an ideal match. The soft saltiness of the gnocchi paired with the richness of the pesto made for a decadent dinner that kept me rubbing my belly long into the evening. As I said, this pesto was rich, therefore a little bit goes a long way. It melted nicely on the gnocchi and coated each dumpling evenly, filling all the cracks. The pesto was very smooth and finely ground. I have made simple pesto at home, using only olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, basil, salt, a little lemon, and parmesan. Cucina and amore used more exotic ingredients like chestnuts in addition to pine nuts, potato puree, and Grana Padano Cheese, giving it a more complicated, gourmet taste. Since the flavor is so rich and you only need to use a little bit at a time, I used the leftover pesto on sandwiches and on top of scrambled eggs with veggies, giving all my meals, breakfast lunch and dinner an extra kick of basil.

Taste:  The gnocchi pesto combination was pleasant, filling, and decedent. The gnocchi was soft, chewy, and buttery (without actually containing butter!). The pesto was rich, savory, and very enjoyable. All in all, this was a lovely main course.

Labeling:

RICE GNOCCHI

The label was on the front of the rice gnocchi package and stated nutrition facts, cooking instructions, and an ingredients list. There was no label stating that this product was gluten free or made in a gluten free facility, but upon reading the ingredients list, I didn’t find any gluten ingredients used.

PESTO ALLA GENOVESE BASIL

The front of the package stated that this product was made with all natural ingredients and had no preservatives, the back and sides had information about the product, an ingredients list, and nutrition facts. This product also did not state anywhere that it was gluten free, but like the gnocchi, it used no gluten ingredients.

Packaging:  

The rice gnocchi was inside of a plastic, vacuum, sealed bag. The pesto was packaged in a glass jar with a cardstock label wrapped around the package.

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

Gluten Free Baking Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                     Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake Mix

BRAND:                                    Cherrybrook Kitchen

COST:                                      $4.45

SIZE:                                        16.4 oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.27

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        NA

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        NA

VEGAN:                                   YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         NO        

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         Massachusetts

SHELF LIFE:                            1 Year                                   

*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:

I love to bake.  My gluten allergy diagnosis meant that I had to rediscover and research how to bake again.  I love making things from scratch and seeing how the chemistry of it all comes together and creates a fun, and sometimes unexpected, outcome.  When I go to the store to get my myriad of flours and starches, I notice that there are more and more baking mixes popping up in the baking isles that are gluten free.  Most of the time I am weary, because I think all of us have had bad experiences with mixes of all kinds, glutinous or gluten free.  But every once in awhile you need something quick and fast and ready to go in a few minutes that you can toss in the oven and have it ready.  So what do you do?

I’m going to point you in a good direction: Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake Mix.  I made up a batch of cupcakes with the mix.  It was super easy and I had the whole thing together and in the baking cups in 5 minutes.  I usually add things to mixes, like extra spices, some chai or cocoa, or liqueur, or whatever strikes my fancy, but this time I just wanted to try it out bare bones and simple. 

I think a simple good chocolate cake is really tough.  It’s either too sweet or too fluffy, but this mix is pretty darn good.  It’s spongy and light, not dense like a lot of gluten free baking.  The chocolate is a Belgian cocoa powder, which is more like a bittersweet cocoa in its smell and flavor.  I appreciate that it’s not too sweet because you can add honey or agave nectar to the mix and adjust it yourself if you want to.  Also, the dark chocolate flavor allows more leeway in the kind of frosting you pair with the cake mix.  This would be fabulous with anything from peanut butter, cream cheese, to raspberry frosting.  I sampled my batch with the Mimicreme Healthy Top Whipped Cream, which has a tasty nuttiness to it and it was a great match.

I also think experimenting with filling these cupcakes with something would be a good idea.  All in all, I really love this mix but I want to stress that it’s an excellent thing to start with.  In a pinch, this is a great chocolate cake mix, but I think its real use is as a base to add to.  It doesn’t want much, but a little creativity can go a long way and make something honest to something extraordinary when you’ve got something that’s this good to springboard off from.

The Cherrybrook Kitchen company is very allergen conscious, paying attention not only to gluten free, but nut, dairy and eggs as well.  They have various lines of their products, not all of which are gluten free so when seeing their products make sure you see the wheat and gluten free labeling.  Their website is very detailed and provides a lot of allergy information.  

Taste: Good chocolate cake, dark bittersweet chocolate flavor and not too sweet.  Is good on it’s own but would be amazing with some creative add-ins.

Labeling:  Clear gluten free label and friendly packaging.  The instructions for how to make the recipe are both printed as well as instructed by pictures.  I love instructions with pictures.  It makes the whole thing homey and straightforward.

Packaging: Cardboard box with baking mix wrapped in plastic inside.

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:                  4             

OVERALL:            4.3         

Reviewed by Krisztina L

Gluten Free Cereal: Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

PRODUCT NAME:                                     CRISPY BROWN RICE CEREAL

BRAND:                                                         EREWHON 

COST:                                                             $5.65

SIZE:                                                               10 OZ

COST PER OZ:                                              $0.57/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:                       YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                      GFCO

ORGANIC:                                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:                      OREGON TILTH

VEGAN:                                                         YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:                         UNKNOWN                       

LOCATION OF FACILITY:                         SAN FRANCISCO, CA

SHELF LIFE:                                                  8 MONTHS

*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 folks at Attune Foods have created an industry consisting of several lines of all natural snacks made with the consumers’ digestive health in mind. Erewhon is made up of of seven organic and gluten free versions of classic cereals like Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies. All their products feature simple, all natural, allergy conscious ingredients. Made with certified gluten free ingredients and without common allergens like dairy, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts, Erewhon organic cereals are safe and delicious for most everyone.

Rice cereal, while it appears to be safe, is usually not safe for people with gluten sensitivities. This is because it is often sweetened with barley malt. However, this is not the case for Erewhon’s Crispy Brown Rice cereal. While it is similar to conventional Rice Krispies cereal in texture and induced childhood memories with a snap, crackle, pop, it is distinctly different because of its certified organic label and simple, all natural ingredients list. Also unlike Rice Krispies, Erewhon’s Crispy Brown Rice cereal was nutty, a little salty, and not very sweet at all. This is a huge relief to those, like myself, who crave a more savory breakfast.

I poured unsweetened almond milk over my bowl of crispy brown rice cereal and enjoyed it with bananas and raspberries on top. The cereal was light and airy, but a little too light for my appetite. I tend to eat pretty big breakfasts, and at a meager 110 calories, this cereal left me feeling hungry a couple hours later.

Taste:  nutty, crispy, and slightly salty, this cereal tasted the way I expected an organic puffed rice cereal to taste. I enjoyed mine with almond milk and fruit, which made for a nice, very light breakfast or snack.

Labeling: The front of the package featured the products name, its organic, gluten free status, and its standing as a 100% whole grain cereal. The side of the package had nutrition information, its certification labels, and ingredients. The back had an overabundance of information about the product and brand.

Packaging:   Nine 1cup servings of cereal were packaged in a plastic bag inside of a classic cereal 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:        4
Taste:             4

Value:            3
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed  by: Jennie L.