Gluten Free Bars: Larabar Jocolat Chocolate Hazelnut Bar

PRODUCT NAME:                  Jocalat Chocolate Hazelnut

COMPANY NAME:                  Larabar

COST:                                    $1.99

SIZE:                                     1.7 oz

COST PER OZ:                       $1.17                     

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     Yes

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      Unknown

ORGANIC:                              Yes

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      USDA organic

VEGAN:                                  Yes             

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       Unknown

LOCATION OF FACILITY:       N/A      

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:

Taste: 

If I were to have an emergency food supply, Larabars would almost certainly be first in the box. They are unequivocally healthy, satisfying, calorically dense, sugar free, vegan, gluten free, soy free, organic, and kosher. Many of them are raw. They are sweet without being overbearing. They satiate. They taste absolutely awesome.

While I have much experience with Larabars, I have never had the benefit of indulging in their Jocalat flavors. When asked if I would like to review the Chocolate Hazelnut bar, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I had one thought and one thought alone: This is going to taste like Nutella. I thought it, I hoped it, I willed it. And mostly, my wish was granted.

Larabar’s Chocolate Hazelnut Larabar absolutely smacks of- well- chocolate hazelnut. The taste of the bar is full and thick with deep cocoa undertones. The texture is chewy and moist with crunchy hazelnut bits interspersed throughout. Eating the bar is a delight, and perhaps my favorite quality that the bar possesses is that the ingredient list is the smallest, safest, sanest one I have ever seen in something I consider a treat. Dates, hazelnuts, almonds, and unsweetened chocolate make up this little wonder and its amazing what the combo of such few items can create in the flavor department. As I bit into my fruit and nut bar I was transported. I exclaimed “this is like a brownie!” into the lonely abyss of my room. I was *excited* and in a way that I just couldn’t keep to myself.

If you are like me and obsessed with wholesome foods while looking to have a slightly sweet snack that is completely good for you then this is it! I don’t eat sugar but I must admit my sweet tooth perseveres regardless. Larabar’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar is a snack you can feel good about eating. It is much more wholesome then a sugary chocolate bar, and even though its “healthy”, its not some flavorless disappointment.  If you want a real, raw, good for your body, mind and soul snack then I highly recommend Larabars. Jocalats are kind of a Godsend! This seems a melodramatic statement, but I need to be mega honest here for gluten free sweet loving community.

This particular bar packs in 200 calories and ten grams of fat. It may seem that this is a lot for a small treat but the healthy fats can keep you full for quite some time, thus making the bar a very worthwhile snack.

Labeling:

Labeling of this product was clear and concise. It was very sufficient.

Packaging:

Larabars are wrapped in a foil-like aluminum sheath. Although it is not the most environmentally sound way to wrap these treats, it seems appropriate for the freshness of the product.

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:           3
OVERALL:     4

Reviewed  by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Chips: Boulder Canyon Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips - Product Review #110

Boulder Canyon Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips

PRODUCT NAME:                         Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips

BRAND:                                        Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

COST:                                           $23.88 (12-Pack)

SIZE:                                             5oz        

COST PER OZ:                              $0.40/oz         

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              Boulder, CO

SHELF LIFE:                                  6 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:

When it comes to chips, potatoes are king.  They come in different shapes and sizes and it’s all about what you like.  We were at the supermarket last week and came across these Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Canyon Cut Wavy Potato Chips.  We have had Boulder Canyon chips in the past and they are great, so we knew we had to give these a try.  Like their other chips, these are also all natural and gluten free.  These chips come in Honey BBQ, Sour Cream & Chive, Totally Natural, and Salt & Cracked Pepper.

If you’re a potato chip purist, you will love these chips.  Take one bite into them and you can really taste the potato, especially in the Totally Natural variety.  The chips are light and crispy and are the perfect consistency.  The waves add strength to the chips, which is great for dips.  If you decide to enjoy these chips with dip, the waves will help hold the dip. 

These chips are simple.  The totally natural is contains potatoes, vegetable oil and salt and the other varieties are similar, but with flavor additives.  The Totally Natural variety contains just 150 Calories, 7g of fat, 135mg of sodium, and 2g of protein.  Comparing this with similar chips on the market, these are pretty good values.  The other varieties have similar nutrition facts, but slightly higher sodium content (200mg range). 

Overall, we loved these chips.  They had great potato flavor and had the perfect texture and consistency. It is the perfect chip for a potato chip purist.  For more information about these Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Canyon Cut chips, visit their website at: www.bouldercanyonfoods.com

Taste: These chips are great.  They are perfectly seasoned and have a great light crunch. 

Labeling:  The labeling is very simple.  These are all natural, gluten free and delicious.

Packaging:  On the packaging, they have a Green Energy label.  They purchase renewable energy credits to cover 100% of their products.  They chips come in a chip bag made of a mixture of plastic and paper. 

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 4/20/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Pasta: Tinkiyada Organic Brown Rice Penne Pasta - Product Review #97

Gluten Free Pasta: Tinkiyada Brown Rice Penne

PRODUCT NAME:                        Organic Brown Rice Penne

BRAND:                                       Tinkyada

COST:                                          $4.49

SIZE:                                            12oz

COST PER OZ:                             $0.37/oz                              

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            N/A

ORGANIC:                                    NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            N/A

VEGAN:                                        Unknown

WHEAT FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Canada

SHELF LIFE:                                3 Years                 

*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:
Tinkyada out of Canada is a company that is dedicated to making good tasting rice pasta.  They specialize which means that all of their machines are dedicated to process only rice and no other grain or cereal.  Not only is this pasta gluten free, but it is also corn free, egg free, dairy free, casein free, meat free, soy free, nut free and peanut free.  It’s the perfect allergy friendly pasta. 

Cooking this pasta is just as easy as cooking any other pasta.  All you need to do is it on medium-high for 16-17 minutes.  The cooking time seems a little high compared to other pastas, but it was surprisingly accurate.  The package claims that this pasta is not mushy, is al dente, and has good consistent texture.  All of these statements are accurate.  As long as you follow the directions, you will have consistent pasta every time. 

The taste and texture of the pasta was perfect.  This pasta is made of brown rice and you can tell right away.  Usually, pasta is really bland and really doesn’t taste like much, but this one had tons of flavor.  This pasta had the distinct, slightly sweet, brown rice flavor.  The texture was spot on too.  We were afraid that we overcooked the pasta with such a long cook time, but it held up perfectly.  It was firm, yet chewy and held its form.  The package was right; it was al dente, not mushy and had good consistent texture. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

Overall, we loved this pasta.  It was everything you can ask for in a pasta; great flavor, good consistency and good texture.  With 200 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and just 25mg of sodium per serving, this is a fairly healthy pasta too.  The only downside is that it is a little pricy at $4.49 for a 12oz package.   

Taste: This is a great tasting pasta with good texture.  It is definitely one of the best we’ve ever had.   

Labeling: There is a lot of writing on this packaging.  While it can get confusing at times, it is all there for informational purposes. 

Packaging: Vacuum sealed plastic packaging. 

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 on 3/24/11 by Calvin C   

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Gluten Free Pizza Shells - Product Review #94

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Gluten Free Pizza Shells

PRODUCT NAME:                       Gluten Free Pizza Shells

BRAND:                                      Conte’s

COST:                                         $5.99

SIZE:                                           2 Shells                

COST PER SHELL:                      $3.00

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                       NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            New Jersey

SHELF LIFE:                               Up to 1 Year Frozen

*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:

Conte's Pizza Shells with Sausage and Green Onions

Yesterday, we posted a review of a pizza crust we had tried.  What we left out was that we actually tried 2 different pizza crusts that day; the other was Conte’s Gluten Free Pizza Shells.  Conte’s calls them shells and Udi’s calls theirs crusts; really these two terms can be used interchangeably.  Conte’s sent these to us a couple months back and they have been sitting in our freezer for the perfect occasion to review them.  Much like Udi’s pizza crusts, Conte’s pizza shells also come in packs of 2 however the Conte’s ones are a little larger at 10” a piece.  So how did these pizza shells stack up against the competition?

We prepared these pizza shells exactly the same way as we prepared the Udi’s version.  First we spread a layer of gluten free pizza sauce over the shell then topped it with cheese, chicken sausage and green onions.  The cooking directions call for baking these pizzas in a 425 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.  We opted to stick with the lower temperature of 375 degrees like the Udi’s version because we were afraid it would burn and it paid off.  The pizzas were baked for about 10 minutes and they came out perfectly done. 

There are many different types of pizzas.  There’s thin crust, thick crust, stuffed crust, bread stick crust and the list goes on and on.  Then of course, there are different textures to pizza as well.  You might like your pizza crispy, doughy or maybe a combination of both.   Conte’s pizza shells are very unique.  It contains several different traits.  First off, it is definitely a thin crust pizza; the pizza is probably about a half inch thick.  Then we go into the texture of the pizza.  It is all going to depend on how you cook the pizza.  We cooked it at 375 for about 10 minutes.  The bottom came out slightly browned and crispy, but when we bit into the pizza, the crust was also doughy.  It was much chewier than the Udi’s version; not in a bad way though.  Whether you like this pizza dough or not will all depend on how you prefer your pizza.  If you prefer a pizza that is crispy almost like a chip, you may or may like this pizza.  If you’re a fan of doughy yet crispy pizzas, you will love this pizza crust.   

In our research about these pizza shells, we found several other reviews for this product.  A lot were good, but there were some that weren’t so good.  The main complaint was that these pizza shells arrived broken.  We inspected our shells when they arrived and we did notice some small cracks in the crusts, however it maintained its overall shape fairly well.  My recommendation to Conte’s would be to add a piece of cardboard to the packaging so that the shells will not bend as easily and keep their shapes better. 

As far as nutrition goes, we know that pizza isn’t always the best for you and that you should always practice portion control when eating it.  While this pizza isn’t the worst thing for you, in fact it has only 1 gram of fat per serving, which is pretty good.  What concerned us a little was the 330mg of sodium per serving.  The serving size is 1 slice and there are 8 per container so that means a quarter of a pizza shell contains 330mg of sodium.  That means 1 whole pizza shell contains 1320mg of sodium. This is a pretty high number, but you also have to remember that we haven’t even accounted for the pizza sauce, the cheese and other toppings that are also usually high in sodium.  So here’s a tip, when making a pizza like this, make sure you look at the nutrition facts of the crust and the toppings you plan to put on it and of course, when enjoying your creation, practice portion control. 

Taste:  The taste and texture of this pizza crust were pretty good.  It is best suited for people who prefer a doughy crust although if baked correctly, it can also be crispy. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this package was very simple.  It consisted of 2 stickers, one of the product label and the other of the nutrition facts. 

Packaging:  The packaging was very minimalistic.  The pizza shells were just shrink-wrapped.  I think the addition of a cardboard backing would help provide the necessary support to keep the shells intact. 

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:                    4

OVERALL:              4

Reviewed 3/23/11 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Cake: Shabtai Gourmet Raspberry Roll - Product Review #86

Gluten Free Cake: Shabtai Gourmet Raspberry Roll

PRODUCT NAME:                         Raspberry Roll

BRAND:                                        Shabtai Gourmet

COST:                                           $7.29

SIZE:                                             12oz                      

COST PER OZ:                              $0.61/oz        

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              New York

*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:
Recently, Shabtai Gourmet sent us some treats to try.  One of them was their Gluten Free Raspberry Roll.  It came freshly baked sealed in plastic to keep it fresh.  Shabtai Gourmet’s Raspberry roll consists of yellow cake with raspberry filling which is then rolled in coconut. 

There is a lot going for this Raspberry roll.  It is gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, soy free, casein free, lactose free, corn free, certified kosher and contains no preservatives.  It’s just about all the things a health conscious person looks for in a product.  Those of you with severe allergies, you will be happy to hear that all the ingredients that enter their facility are gluten free, casein free, lactose free, soy free, and dairy free. 

When I think of a raspberry roll, I imagine a roll that is moist and spongy with a sweet filling.  Shabtai Gourmet did a great job with the filling.  It was sweet and sticky just like I expected it to be.  As for the cake, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.  It was powdery and flakey and just a tad dry.   

Shabtai has a lot to offer.  They have put a lot of care and effort into their baked goods.  If you have a sweet tooth and you like a healthy product you can count on, this is the product for you.  For a full list of retailers, visit Shabtai Gourmet’s website at: www.shabtai-gourmet.com

Taste: The filling was nice and sweet and the cake was powdery and flakey and just a little dry.  The moisture from the filling helped the overall texture to come together.  The coconut sprinkled over the outer layer was also a nice touch.  

Labeling:  The labeling was very simple however the font was not very clear and a little small. 

Packaging:  Shrink wrapped roll placed in a plastic bakery container. 

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:                 2             

Taste:                     3             

Value:                    2

OVERALL:              2.3

Reviewed 030911 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Meal: Snapdragon Indonesian Peanut Rice Pasta Stir-Fry - Product Review #82

Snapdragon Indonesian Peanut Rice Pasta Stir-Fry

PRODUCT NAME:                     Indonesian Peanut Rice Pasta Stir-Fry

BRAND:                                    Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cusine

COST:                                      $6.78 (2-pack) $19.32 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                        6.7oz each box                 

COST PER OZ:                          $0.51/oz (2-pack) $0.48/oz (6-pack)  

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     OPTIONAL

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:
We already know that Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cuisine makes great crackers, but did you know they make a line of Rice Pasta Stir-Fry kits, some of which are gluten free?  They have Pad Thai Ginger, Hunan Sweet and Sour and of course the Indonesian Peanut Rice Pasta Stir-Fry that we are reviewing today. 
Pop open the box and you will find dry rice noodles and a sauce packet containing all the flavoring you will need to cook up this meal.  This meal in a box is very convenient and can be prepared in about 15 minutes.  All you need to do is place the dry noodles in hot water for a few minutes, heat vegetables and, if you want, meat in a pan and stir fry everything up together for a complete meal in about 15 minutes.  I will admit that I did not cook this up myself, but I was watching the whole time and know that just about anyone can cook this up. 

For our tasting, 2 boxes of the meal in a box were stir fried up with chicken, snow peas and green onions.  The good thing about this product is that you have full control over what you want to add to it.  You can add just vegetables for a nice vegetarian dish or, for us carnivores, you can add meat.  It came out great and I was surprised to see how much we ended up with.  The rice noodles are thin and flat and had a sticky, but firm texture which is sometimes tricky to get with rice noodles because once they are overcooked, they tend to become mushy.  This is where letting them sit in hot water to cook came in to play.

The sauce for these noodles is the main character of the dish.  It is a slightly salty, slightly sweet and slightly spicy peanut sauce.  Snapdragon says that this Indonesian Peanut sauce represents the five classic flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami which is Japanese for “savory taste.”  The sauce brings tons of flavor and texture to the dish because there are actually little pieces of ground up peanuts in the sauce.  Needless to say, if you are allergic to peanuts, this is not the dish for you. 

Nutrition Facts

With box meals like this one, you always have to be a little more careful with them and read the labels.  While they are relatively cheap, they are not always the best, nutrition-wise because they often contain a lot of sodium.  This one does contain 740 milligrams of sodium which is a little high.  What surprised me was that it contains 250 calories, 2 grams of fat and no cholesterol which is actually pretty good if you compare it with similar products.

Taste: This rice pasta stir-fry packs a ton of flavor.  The sweet by the salty and spicy come together for the perfect blend of flavors. 

Labeling:  Snapdragon has great labeling.  We especially liked their logos on the bottom right corner of the box that showed that it was gluten free, cooks in 15 minutes, is vegan and has mild spiciness. 

Packaging:  Paperboard box with individually packaged ingredients

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 02/23/11 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Mixes: Orgran Cornbread & Muffin Mix - Product Review #81

Gluten Free Mixes: Orgran Cornbread Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                   Cornbread and Muffin Mix

BRAND:                                  Orgran

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                      13.2 oz

COST PER OZ:                       $0.45/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       Allergen Free International

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

VEGAN:                                  OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        UNKNOWN   

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Australia

*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:

There are a few things in life with which you should not settle. Marriage is one. Mediocre cornbread is the other.

Today’s baking extravaganza involved a simple box of Orgran’s cornbread mix, and ended with a strange aftertaste.

However, I’d like to begin on a positive note, which is to say that this product gets an A+ in the food allergy department. The product is certified gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, yeast, GMO, soy and nut free. This is very impressive, and for what it’s worth, I probably could not make a product like this on my own. Now, read on …

The process itself was quite simple, beginning with a mere egg, a couple of tablespoons of oil and a glass of milk. Amidst three different languages and some unhelpful graphics, I was able to deduce that you’re just supposed to mix all of the ingredients into a bowl and pour the batter into a pan. The text on the box is so distracting, I thought it might be more complicated than this, but the entire process only took about five minutes – not bad.

The house was immediately permeated with the sweet smell of fresh cornbread, along with which comes visions of savory-sweet goodness drenched in butter.

Some preemptive tips – if you do decide to use this mix – are to line your baking apparatus with butter and to stand ready with a toothpick to check for readiness. I baked the bread for the recommended time and it came out done, but not very brown on top. At this point, one is left with the daunting decision of leaving it in the oven and getting a perfect crust, leaving it in and getting an overdone pan of bread with a hopelessly yellow top or accepting it for what it is – which is pretty much done.

I wasn’t feeling very adventurous, and the inside didn’t seem like it could take anymore baking, so I opted for the pale version.

Before we talk about taste, I have a disclaimer: The box recommends a couple of different ways to prepare this classic side dish. In hindsight, I really wish I would have made the batter up as a cornbread pancake or made muffins. Perhaps with a little more grease involved, I would have come out with a more authentic tasting product. There’s also the option of mixing in some chopped jalapenos or corn kernels. That never hurt anyone.

Taste: The initial sensation within the first three chews or so is that of your typical crumbly cornbread. A bit of crunch on the outside and a soft, chewy inside make me crave homemade chili and greens.

Labeling: Holy bunch of text, Batman. Every square inch of this box is covered in writing. You know that this is a bad idea when I can’t even recall what they were trying to convey from all of those words. The bad news is that the directions were a bit hard to find amidst the clutter. The good news is, I now know how to make this cornbread in Spanish, Italian and German. Muchas gracias!

Packaging: Plastic bag in a cardboard 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 030211 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 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 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 Pizza: Conte's Margherita Pizza - Product Review #64

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Margherita Pizza

PRODUCT NAME:                          Margherita Pizza

BRAND:                                         Conte’s

COST:                                           $9.50

SIZE:                                             16oz

COST PER OZ:                              $0.59/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              New Jersey

*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:
Margherita Pizza, named after Queen Margherita, is a popular pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. It was first made in 1889 for the queen and was made specifically for the purpose of to show the colors of the Italian flag. Conte’s has their own take on this popular pizza with their Gluten Free Margherita Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil. One thing that you will notice immediately is that the basil is missing as a topping, but there is basil in the tomato sauce. This gluten free pizza crust is made with rice flour and corn starch. Topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, Romano cheese, roasted garlic, and olive oil, this pizza is sure to please just about anyone.

Baking this pizza was a breeze. Just take it out of the sealed plastic packaging and pop it in the oven at 450 degrees. The directions said to make it for 10-12 minutes; however we were baked it in a toaster oven that just doesn’t get as hot as a conventional oven so we ended up baking it for closer to 18 minutes. At that point, we had a nice crispy pizza with piping hot cheese on it. I’m not sure what we did wrong, but this pizza ended up looking more like a cheese pizza than the Margherita Pizza pictured on the box where the cheese was marbled with the tomato sauce.

Just like the Mushroom Florentine pizza we reviewed yesterday, we found this pizza to be very tasty. The roasted garlic was a very nice touch that added even more flavor to the pizza. This pizza had similar nutrition facts as the mushroom Florentine reviewed yesterday, but with a little less sodium at 550mg. Please note that although this pizza has 60mg less sodium, this is still a high sodium content. Although we know this pizza tastes great and you probably want to eat it all by yourself, we highly recommend sharing this pizza or splitting it into separate meals.

We thought this pizza was great. With both the Mushroom Florentine and the Margherita pizza being so good, it’s hard to choose which one we like more. If you’re looking for this pizza, you can find a list of retail locations on Conte’s website: www.contespasta.com.

Taste: Great crunchy crust covered with mozzarella and Romano cheese. The addition of roasted garlic and olive oil finished off the whole package to make this a delicious pizza. Note the high sodium content though and practice portion control.

Labeling: I don’t know who their photographer is, but he/she did a great job photographing the pizza. Every time we look at it, it makes our mouths water.

Packaging: Your typical frozen pizza packaging. You will find a vacuum sealed frozen pizza in a cardboard 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:            2
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 020311 by Calvin C.