Gluten Free Snacks: Kay's Naturals Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks - Product Revie #109

Gluten Free Snacks: Kay's Naturals Pretzel Sticks

PRODUCT NAME:                       Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks

BRAND:                                       Kay’s Naturals

COST:                                          $19.00 (12-Pack)

SIZE:                                           1.5oz 

COST PER OZ:                             $1.05                                                    

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            NA

ORGANIC:                                    NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            NA

VEGAN:                                        NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             USA

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:

Kay’s Naturals has a whole line of natural gluten free snacks and cereals that are packed with protein.  A few weeks back, they sent us some of their gluten free products to try.  Among those were these Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks, which is part of their Better Balance line. 

The Better Balance line of snacks is meant to help maintain a balanced diet.  All of the snacks that fall into this category are made with all-natural ingredients, contain 10g of lean soy protein per serving, contains 3g of fiber per serving and contains no trans fats.  These pretzel sticks have 120 calories, 5 grams of fat, 150mg of sodium, 9g of carbs and an impressive 10g of protein per serving.  Seeing these values, I can see these being a great snack alternative. 

One of Kay’s Naturals’ mottos is “Manage your weight without giving up taste.”  They definitely got the taste part right.  The first thing that came to mind when we tried these chips was one of my personal favorite childhood cereals… Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  These Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks have a great cinnamon sugar flavor.  The texture is good too.  It isn’t exactly what you would expect a pretzel to be, but it’s close.  They are firm and give a good crunch when you bite into it.  Our only complaint is that it leaves your mouth feeling a little powdery and because of the sugar, it is sticky and can get stuck between your teeth, but these issues can be easily remedied with a nice glass of water. 

Overall, these pretzels were good.  They had good flavor and pretty good texture.  If you have severe allergies, you might want to be a little careful with these as they are manufactured on the same production line has products containing soybeans, dairy, tree nuts, and wheat.  For more information about these Pretzel Sticks or Kay’s Naturals’ other products, visit their website at: www.kaysnaturals.com.

Taste:  These pretzel sticks have a great sweet cinnamon sugar flavor much like Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.  The texture is good too; nice and crunch, but it does leave a powdery feeling behind after you eat them. 

Labeling:  The labeling on the packaging was easy to read and important information was listed out for easy reading. 

Packaging:  Individually packed in 1.5 servings. 

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:                    2

OVERALL:              3.3

Reviewed 4/19/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Chips: Late July Multigrain Snack Chips - Product Review #108

Gluten Free Chips: Late July Multigrain Snack Chips

PRODUCT NAME:                         Multigrain Snack Chips

BRAND:                                        Late July

COST:                                           $3.39

SIZE:                                             6oz        

COST PER OZ:                              $0.57/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            GFCO

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            QAI

VEGAN:                                        YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              USA

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:

On a recent trip to the supermarket, we ran across Late July Organic Snacks’ multigrain snack chip in a flavor called Sea Salt by the Seashore.  Seeing that it was certified gluten free, we knew that we had to try it.  Digging around on their website, we found out that these chips are organic, certified gluten free, 100% whole grains, has 280mgs of omega-3s, contains no GMOs, no trans fats, and no artificial colors or preservatives.  On top of that they donate 10% of their profits to summer camp scholarships.  What more can you ask for?

Looking at the chip, the first thing that came to mind was that these were tortilla chips.  Take one bite into them and you will quickly see that it is more than that.  They may be in the shape of tortilla chips, but they are so much better.  These chips are made with a mix of seeds and a blend of whole grains like ground whole corn, quinoa and brown rice.  They taste great.  They are very light and crispy and have a nice light flavor.  The variety we purchased was just seasoned with sea salt so you can really taste the flavor of the grains.  The sea salt flavor was very mild and is not something we would eat on its own, but it would be great with your favorite dip. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

These chips have a lot going for it.  They taste great, have great texture and they’re actually pretty good for you.  We had the Sea Salt by the Seashore variety and the serving size for these chips is about 13 chips.  Those 13 chips contain 120 calories (40 from fat), 4.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, just 70mg of sodium, 2 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of protein.  These are pretty good numbers considering many of the alternatives on the market have much higher values.  Combine that with the fact that they are certified gluten free and peanut and tree nut free, and you have yourself a great snack

Overall, we liked these chips a lot.  They are light, have good natural flavor and are pretty healthy for you.  It’s the perfect snack to enjoy with your favorite dip.  These chips are also available in Mild Green Mojo (green chilies with cheese and a hint of lime) and Dude Ranch (tangy sour cream and a perfect blend of herbs and spices).  These are definitely a snack we would buy again.  For more information about these chips or about Late July Organic Snacks, visit their website at: www.latejuly.com. 

Taste: These chips pack a great natural whole grain flavor in a light and crispy chip.  These would be perfect for dipping. 

Labeling:  The graphics on the package were very bright and fun.  The text is easy to read and all of the certification labels are on the bag. 

Packaging:  Sealed chip 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:                     4             

Value:                    3             

OVERALL:              4

Reviewed  4/15/11 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Granola: Love Grown Foods Apple Walnut Delight Oat Clusters & Love - Product Review #104

Gluten Free Granola: Love Grown Foods Apple Walnut Delight

PRODUCT NAME:                    Apple Walnut Delight 

                                               Oat Clusters & Love

BRAND:                                   Love Grown Foods

COST:                                      $4.99

SIZE:                                       12oz      

COST PER OZ:                        $0.42

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        NA

VEGAN:                                    NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          Colorado

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:
Love Grown Foods out of Colorado takes pride in their products.  Their line of Oat Clusters & Love is made with high quality wholesome ingredients to promote a healthy lifestyle.  A few weeks back, Love Grown Foods sent us their entire line to try.  The other day, we tried their Apple Walnut Delight variety and were impressed.

Granola can sometimes be a tricky thing to master.  You usually want to add some kind of flavoring to them to liven them up a little.  This is where it gets tricky.  If you don’t add enough, it ends up being bland, but if you add too much it becomes overly sweet and just ends up tasting artificial.  Love Grown Foods has come up with the perfect combination of flavors for their Apple Walnut Delight Oat Clusters & Love.  They do it right too; free of refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup.  So what is their secret to sweetening up these Oat Clusters & Love?  The answer is apples, coconut and organic agave syrup. 

Nutrition Facts

The flavor of this Apple Walnut Delight Oat Clusters & Love is perfect.  The flavor of the oats is the main attraction here.  You can taste the sweetness of the apples, coconut and organic agave syrup but it is a very light flavor that is just there to enhance to flavor of the oats.  These sweeteners also help with the overall texture of the oats.  The agave helps bind the oats together into clusters and the apples add a nice chewiness to the mix.  Love Grown Foods did a great job selecting the flavors and ingredients for this product. 

One of Love Grown Foods missions is to promote a healthy lifestyle.  They believe in using wholesome ingredients that are good for you.  This means no added chemicals, refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, hydrogenated oils artificial flavors, preservatives and genetically modified ingredients.  Add to that the fact that it is certified gluten free and it is the perfect snack for even the most health conscious person. 

Overall, we liked this product a lot.  It had great texture and a nice light flavor.  It can be eaten alone, but we think it would be even better with yogurt or a parfait.  At $4.99 a bag, the pricing is on par with similar products on the market.  For more information about Love Grown Foods and their products, visit their website at: www.lovegrownfoods.com.

Taste: This granola is great.  It has just a hint of sweetness from the dried apples, coconut and organic agave.  The crunch from the oats and chewiness from the dried apples are the perfect combination of textures.    Although it can be eaten alone, it would probably be even better with yogurt or a parfait. 

Labeling:  The labeling is very simple.  I thought it was nice that they put their Facebook and Twitter addresses on the bag.  I also liked that they left a clear window in the labeling so you can see the product. 

Packaging:  The package is resealable, which is very useful with a product like this. 

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 041111 by Calvin C.   

Gluten Free Pasta: Hodgson Mill Brown Rice Penne with Milled Flax Seeds - Product Review #98

Gluten Free Pasta: Hodgson Mill Brown Rice Penne

PRODUCT NAME:                       Penne with Milled Flax Seeds

BRAND:                                      Hodgson Mill

COST:                                         $3.39

SIZE:                                           8oz                        

COST PER OZ:                            $0.42/oz                          

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

ORGANIC:                                   NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           NA

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            USA

SHELF LIFE:                               30 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:
We have tried many gluten free pastas here in our studio.  There have been white rice pastas, brown rice pastas and corn pastas, but we’ve never seen any made with flax seeds.  That’s exactly what makes Hodgson Mill’s Brown Rice Penne pasta so special.  Not only is it made with brown rice, but it is also made with Golden Milled Flax Seeds.  Hodgson mill sent a few packs of this pasta to us the other week and when we received them, we were really excited to try it out. 

Cooking this pasta up is as easy as any other pasta.  Just boil it in for 4-6 minutes and it’s ready to be tossed with your favorite pasta sauce.  Although I served I didn’t follow their serving suggestion, Hodgson Mill has included a Greek Pasta Salad recipe on the back of the box.  We decided do something a little uncommon with this pasta.  We decided to toss it with some roast duck.  The flavor of the duck is really strong and there is tons of oil that comes out of the duck that is perfect for coating pasta like this.  It was delicious.  The pasta had a good texture.  It was a soft, but just a tad grainy.  I’m not sure if this was caused by the brown rice or the milled flax seed, but it wasn’t very noticeable.  The flavor of the pasta was also pretty good, although the duck sauce might have some part in that. 

Nutrition Facts and Ingredients

As far as pastas go, this one was pretty healthy too with just 209 calories, 1 gram of fat, no cholesterol and no sodium.  The flax seed in this pasta make it a great source for omega 3 oils, which you might know helps lower cholesterol and boosts immunity among many other benefits.  Hodgson Mill is dedicated to doing something special for all of their customers, as their box says.  They put a lot of care in their products.  Not only is this pasta produced in a strictly maintained gluten free facility, but they also test each batch using the ELISA Gluten Assay test to ensure that you are truly getting a gluten free product. 

Overall, we liked this pasta a lot.  It’s gluten free, it’s kosher, it’s produced in a gluten free facility and it has a lot of health benefits.  What’s not to like about it.  For more Hodgson Mill products or for a list of retail locations, visit their website at: www.hodgsonmill.com.  

Taste: This pasta was good.  It had good flavor and other than being just a little grainy, it had great texture as well. 

Labeling: The labeling on this package was very clean and simple.   

Packaging:  Pasta packaged in a recycled 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:                  4             

Taste:                      5             

Value:                     3

OVERALL:               4

Reviewed 3/25/11 by Calvin C. 

Gluten Free Mixes: Sof'ella All Purpose Baking Mix - Product Review #96

Gluten Free Mixes: Sof'ella All Purpose Baking Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                     All Purpose Baking Mix

BRAND:                                    Sof’ella Gourmet Natural Foods 

COST:                                      $5.10

SIZE:                                        16oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.32/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          UKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          CALIFORNIA

SHELF LIFE:                              2 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:

Man, it’s difficult to find good pancake mixes that aren’t gluten free. We’ve reviewed Sof’ella products before, so I was excited to bust open this beautiful box of mix  that they sent to us to try– their chocolate cake was lusciously moist and super satisfying.  The Sof’ella crew got it right again with this all-purpose baking flour, which promises to create everything from fluffy pancakes to cookies to gorgeous muffins.

The brand promises products that are “both rich and moist without the gritty or artificial taste associated with most gluten free flours.” Not to be cheesy, but they’re pretty right on.  I made the amount of batter recommended in the instructions on the back of the box, which turned out to be immense. I proceeded to make one large, fluffy pancake that morning then saved the remaining batter for a family breakfast the next day. The batter managed to feed a family of three multiple pancakes – and I’m pretty sure I could have stretched the batter out even more with a couple of tablespoons of water.

The batter called for one large egg, 1½ cups of water and 1 tablespoon of oil. With an egg substitute or two egg whites, you could have a stack of cakes virtually free of fat, cholesterol and animal byproducts. The batter was thick, and became even thicker overnight, which had an impact, obviously, on the girth and texture of the cake. While I prefer a more hefty meal, some diners requested that the batter be made thinner – simply a matter of personal preference.  In terms of value, the amount of batter was substantial, and there is still enough mix in the bag for another round, though probably not enough for cookies or muffins.

I primed a nonstick pan with butter before doling out a mound of batter. The mix was thick enough that I had to smooth and flatten it into a pancake shape with the spatula. The box recommends that you watch for little bubbles to form on top before you flip, just like normal pancakes, but don’t wait too long. I saw a few bubbles, but not nearly the amount you would see with traditional batter.

Pancakes made with Sof'ella Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix

I simply peeked underneath for that golden brown color, and flipped when I thought it sufficient. All in all, one medium-sized cake took about 3-4 minutes. The butter really soaks in during the cooking process to create a fantastic crunch, so I didn’t add any more once the cake was cooked. A couple tablespoons of jam or syrup, and you’re good to go.  The taste was simply amazing. Sweet hints of vanilla even suggest a faint trace of buttermilk, although there is no such ingredient in the mix. Heck, there isn’t even milk! Even with such a thick pancake, the inside was fully cooked and fluffy as can be. The texture wasn’t gummy or gritty, and it soaked up the syrup perfectly.  Both family members (disclaimer: they are not gluten intolerant and unused to the unique tastes and textures of alternative flours) thought the cakes were “surprisingly good,” and truly enjoyed their meal. When asked if they wanted seconds, both refused, but I prefer to think that two pancakes were more than filling and they just couldn’t eat another bite.

Not that I’m a calorie counter, but I loath to eat heavy breakfasts. To me, eating heavily in the morning slows things down for the entire day. Plus, I like food so much and I prefer to spread meals out into several delicious encounters throughout. So, my favorite part of Sof’ella’s pancakes have to be the ingredients. The mix itself contains zero fat and only 200 calories per 8-inches of prepared pancake. With a small amount of butter and a bit of jam, this is a piping hot, delicious breakfast that I can whip up quickly without feeling weighed down.

Pancakes are no longer a Sunday-only meal! Batter can even be prepared the day before and refrigerated overnight. With a slather of peanut or almond butter and a drizzle of honey, this might just be a new pre-workout ritual.

Check out www.sofellafoods.com for recipes and high altitude baking tips. 

Taste: Fabulous crunch on the outside, with a fluffy center. The batter contains just the right traces of vanilla and buttermilk, which is strange because buttermilk is not on the ingredient list.

Labeling: Beautiful photo of all the potential baked goods one could make from this base on the front of the box: pancakes, muffins, waffles and cookies. While I have only tried the pancakes, I do believe all things are possible with this sweet flour. Ingredients and directions are easy to read. Their Web site is also super navigable and highly recommended for tips and

Packaging: Paper bag in a cardboard box. Both are recyclable and the bag is easily sealed with a clip, ready for later use.

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:            4.7

Reviewed 3/24/11 by Mallory L.

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 Pizza: Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crusts - Product Review #93

Gluten Free Pizza: Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crusts

PRODUCT NAME:                         Gluten Free Pizza Crusts

BRAND:                                        Udi’s Gluten Free Foods

COST:                                          $5.00

SIZE:                                            2 Pizza Crusts (8oz)

COST PER OZ:                             $2.50/pizza crust ($0.63/oz)

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             GFCO

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             NA

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              Colorado

SHELF LIFE:                                  Up to 6 Months 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:

When you hear Gluten Free Pizza, what do you think of?  After tasting a pizza we made using Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crusts, it has me thinking Udi’s.  A few weeks back, Udi’s Gluten Free Foods sent us a pack of their Gluten Free Pizza Crusts to try.  The pizza crusts come in packs of 2 and have a shelf life of 7 days on the counter, 21 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.  It is just a pizza crust so you have full control over what toppings you want to put on it.  It is a great base to start with. 

I have never made a pizza before, but making this one was easy.  The hardest part was probably deciding what toppings to put on the pizza.  After a little thought, we decided to make a chicken sausage pizza with garlic and sautéed green onions.  After spreading gluten free marinara sauce on the pizza, we sprinkled 3 cheeses over the pizza.  Finally we spread the pieces of chicken sausage over the pizza and topped it with sautéed green onion.  We cooked the chicken sausage beforehand so really all we needed to do was to melt the cheese.  We tossed the pizza in the oven at 375 degrees for roughly 5-7 minutes just like the packaging instructed.  A little tip, we decided to brush a little olive oil on the bottom of the pizza crust so it would be crispy and also to prevent burning.  We ended up with a delicious pizza that was extremely crispy.

The best word to describe this pizza is crispy.  If you’re a fan of crispy thin crust pizzas, then this is the pizza crust for you.  It doesn’t even matter if you’re on a gluten free diet it or not; you will enjoy this pizza.  What separates this pizza crust from many of the other, gluten free or not, is the fact that the Udi’s dough is very light.  This pizza crust is made with a blend of tapioca starch, brown rice flour and potato starch.  It is probably the lightest pizza I have ever had.  Bite into it and you will notice right away that this is something special.  The texture is just so light and airy.  Flavor wise, it is good too.  You won’t find any weird aftertaste with this pizza. 

Overall, we loved Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crusts.  This is definitely something I would buy to eat at home.  It has a texture I have never seen with any other pizza I have tasted.  Comparing this pizza crust to other on the market, at just $2.50 per crust it’s a great value for such a good product.  If you’re a fan of light crispy pizzas, do yourself a favor and try this pizza crust.  For a full list of retail locations, visit Udi’s website at: www.udisglutenfree.com.

Taste: Udi’s makes great gluten free pizza crusts.  They are extremely light and crispy and have just the right amount of flavor, letting the toppings do the rest of the work. 

Labeling:  The labeling on this package is very simple.  Like on their other packages, Udi’s Gluten Free Foods utilizes little labels showing that the product is gluten free, dairy free, soy free and nut free.  On top of that, this product is also certified gluten free, certified kosher and contains 8g or more whole grain per serving. 

Packaging:  The packaging is very minimal.  The pizza crusts are placed in a plastic bread bag that is tied at the top with a bag clip.  I had concerns that it wasn’t enough protection in the freezer, but it proved to hold up perfectly fine as I tasted no freezer burn in the pizza. 

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:                    5

OVERALL:              5

Reviewed  3/21/11 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 Granola: Paleo People Cappuccino Crunch Granola - Product Review #59

Gluten Free Granola: Paleo People Cappuccino Crunch

PRODUCT NAME:                      Cappuccino Crunch All Natural Granola

BRAND:                                     Paleo People

COST:                                       $7.90 (2-pack)

SIZE:                                         5oz each

COST PER OZ:                          $0.79/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         GFCO

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:
Who thought eating like cavemen could be so enjoyable? Paleo People, formerly Paleo Women, did. Laura, the woman behind the product, set out to create a granola that would cater to her CrossFit community. Her goal was to create a product that was made with ingredients you would find in the cave dweller days because food back then was at their peak for health and performance. What she came up with was this all natural granola.

Today, we tested their Cappuccino Crunch flavor granola. First thing you will notice is the very attractive packaging that is resealable and of course if you’re familiar with gluten free foods, you will see that this granola is certified gluten free by GFCO. Made with almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, coffee beans, raisins, and dried cranberries among other things, this granola is one of the bests I’ve had. I was feeling a little sluggish this morning and this granola gave me that little pick me up that I needed.

Open up the package and you will be greeted with the fragrant aroma of fresh coffee. The clusters of granola vary in size, but grab a handful and pop it into your mouth and you will notice the nice blend of different textures. The chewiness of the dried fruit, the full bodied texture from the variety of nuts, and the crunch from the coffee beans all come together to create the perfect texture.

This granola is flavored with honey, cinnamon and the sweet flavor from the dried fruit and with 7g of sugar in each ¼ cup serving, it’s reasonable. The flavor is perfectly balanced and not overly sweet like you might find with other granolas that are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and ridiculous amounts of sugar. If you look on the nutrition facts and are scared by the 12g of fat, just remember that the main ingredient in this granola are nuts, which are naturally high in fat, but don’t worry because it’s the good kind.

This granola is good for just about anyone, except for those of you with nut allergies. At about $3.95 per 5oz package, the cost isn’t much different than your traditional granola. Don’t forget to practice portion control either. Just because granola is supposed to be good for you, don’t overdo it. Serving size for this granola is ¼ cup.

Taste: Great slightly sweet flavor coupled with a mild coffee flavor. Whether you like coffee or not, you will probably like this granola. The texture is also very nice with a blend of textures from soft to crunchy.

Labeling: Attractive labeling that is very easy to read. This product is also Certified Gluten Free.

Packaging: Resealable packaging that is great for people on the go.

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:      4.7

Reviewed 012811 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Rice: Lotus Foods Organic Forbidden Rice - Product Review #57

Gluten Free Rice: Lotus Foods Organic Forbidden Rice

PRODUCT NAME:                      Bhutanese Red Rice

BRAND:                                     Lotus Foods

COST:                                       $4.49

SIZE:                                         15oz

COST PER OZ:                           $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

ORGANIC:                                  YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          QAI

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            Bhutan

*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:
Lotus Foods has rice called Organic Forbidden Rice. I’m not quite sure what exactly makes it forbidden, but just because it’s called forbidden, I know I want to eat it. I was surprised to see that this forbidden rice is a black rice. Lotus Foods calls it a medium-size heirloom rice. If you remember from my review earlier this week, heirloom rice natural rice that is grown from indigenous seed stock that is often ancient and hasn’t been hybridized or genetically engineered.

Like the Bhutanese Red Rice from earlier this week, this Forbidden rice is also very good for you. Lotus Foods proudly boasts that this organic rice is high in anthocyanins, a class of flavanoid antioxidants, as well as iron. In fact, they have found a study that shows that a spoonful of black rice has as many antioxidants as a spoonful of fresh blueberries. When cooked, 10 spoonfuls have the same equivalent.

When we first opened up this bag of rice, the first thing I noticed is that it is extremely fragrant. The smell is very similar to dried tea leaves. This rice is also very easy to cook. The package advertises a cooking time of 30 minutes. We decided to go with the set it and forget it way of cooking using our handy rice cooker. We had a little bean curd left over and decided to toss that into the pot with this rice. The final product was a delicious rice and bean curd mix. This rice was also surprisingly soft. It was just as soft as the Bhutanese Red rice from earlier in the week. I’m not sure if it was the bean curd that we cooked this rice with, but we sensed a hint of sweetness and nuttiness to this rice that was very pleasant.

If you are looking for a high quality rice that tastes great, is good for you, and is “forbidden”, this is the rice for you. At $0.30/oz or $0.50/serving, it’s a reasonable price to pay for a Forbidden rice.

Taste: Great nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness, although the sweetness might be from the bean curd we cooked with this rice. This rice also has great texture, nice and soft, but firm enough to hold its shape.

Labeling: Similar packaging to the Bhutanese Red Rice we had earlier in the week, but this rice is certified organic, unlike the last. There is also a nice story about this rice on the back, sans the 1,000 year old glacier water.

Packaging: Air sealed plastic packaging. The amount contained in the package is good for about 5 big eaters.

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 012511 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Rice: Lotus Foods Bhutanese Red Rice - Product Review #55

Gluten Free Rice: Lotus Foods Bhutanese Red Rice

PRODUCT NAME:                        Bhutanese Red Rice

BRAND:                                       Lotus Foods

COST:                                         $4.49

SIZE:                                           15oz

COST PER OZ:                            $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                   UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

VEGAN:                                      YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            Bhutan

*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:
Rice is one of the most popular food items in the world. It is very versatile and can be made into a countless number of things including porridge, pilaf, risotto and even pudding to name a few. Not only is it versatile, but it is also gluten free. With something so popular, it was a matter of time before we finally reviewed a variety of this food marvel. And I think we picked a good one. Lotus Foods, out of El Cerrito, CA has a unique variety of rice that not only tastes good, but is also good for you. It’s called Bhutanese Red Rice.

Bhutanese Red Rice, grown in the Paro Valley of Bhutan, is heirloom rice that is specific to this region. If you were wondering what heirloom rice is, the Lotus Foods website states that it is a term used for plants that are grown from indigenous seed stock that are often ancient and have not been hybridized or genetically engineered. In other words, it is a natural. With over 45g of whole grain per serving, this rice is considered 100% whole grain which means it is good for you. Add to that the fact that this rice is irrigated with 1,000 year old glacier water rich in trace minerals and it is high in fiber and vitamins, this rice proves to be a great healthy rice.

The rice is easy to cook too. You can do it the traditional way on your stove top or you can do it the easy way like we did in a rice cooker. Just add water and in about 20 minutes you have delicious rice. At first, I was a bit apprehensive because the rice looked like it would be hard, but it was actually very nice and soft. It was not overly sticky either like many other short grain rice varieties tend to be. With it’s nice rich red color it also looks very pleasing to the palette. The rice we have had in the past have all been pretty bland with most of its flavor added with whatever sauce we decide to pour over it, but this rice was different. It actually had a nice nutty flavor to it.

If you are looking for a high quality rice that not only tastes great, but is also good for you, this is the rice you are looking for. At $0.30/oz, it isn’t the cheapest rice out there, but I wouldn’t say it’s unreasonable for the quality of product you get.

Taste: Great nutty flavor with great texture. It is soft, but not overly sticky like many white rice varieties.

Labeling: Very simple labeling that gives a lot of great information about the rice on the back. Who would have known that there is rice that is irrigated with 1,000 year old glacier water rich in trace minerals?

Packaging: Air sealed plastic packaging. The amount contained in the package is good for about 5 big eaters.

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 012411 by Calvin C.