Gluten Free Baking Mixes: Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour

PRODUCT NAME:                        All Purpose Flour

BRAND:                                         Gluten Free Pantry

COST:                                            $4.99

SIZE:                                              16 oz.

COST PER OZ:                             $0.31/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A   

ORGANIC:                                     NO   

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

VEGAN:                                          YES   

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            N/A

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Canada

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:
In the past, I have been generally very forgiving when it comes to vegan and gluten free baking products. I know that vegan and gluten free flours have a very special set of hurtles to overcome. Essentially, without gluten or eggs you are missing a binding agent. The result is often a sad and crumbly mess that implodes in your hand before you can scoop it into your mouth. Despite this, I have been the crumb defender for products just so long as I can get some solid chunks into my mouth and just so long as at least the flavor is good.

That being said, I must be honest: I simply have no way to defend this mix.

I used this flour to make the dinner roll recipe on the back of the box. It seemed easy enough to prepare and also safe to use the company's suggestions.  As I started, I immediately I noticed the tacky texture of the batter and the generally lifeless color of the blend of white rice, potato, and tapioca flours. To try to circumvent the tasteless rolls I pictured in my future I added- fresh rosemary and basil, roasted garlic, and ground black pepper. All my add-ins went into the mix and I felt things looking up. Maybe, just maybe, it could all be okay.

I shaped the rolls and tossed 'em on a baking sheet. Twenty minutes later a savory aroma filled the house. This seemed promising!

I bit into my first roll and actually was pleasantly surprised by the outside. It was lightly browned with a crisp toothiness that I appreciated.  Sadly, moving onward, the inside revealed the true nature of this product. Once my teeth hit the center I was completely repulsed by the repugnant gumminess that awaited me. I thought that certainly the rolls must simply be undercooked and so I put them back in the oven and waited (and waited, and waited). Even with the outsides charred the insides were like paste. There was just no hope for these dinner rolls.

The flavor of the flour was basically non-existent aside from my herbs and thus flavor and texture both get a big thumbs down. Nutritionally. The flour packed each silver dollar sized roll with about 100 calories. Not terrible, but certainly not worth it considering.

Labeling:   The labeling is simple and succinct in terms of nutrition but I had a difficult time determining if and where the product was gluten free certified.  Because Glutino is very known in the GF world I assumed it would be, but found no confirmation on the packaging.

Packaging: The packaging seemed appropriate for the freshness of the product.  The flour was in a plastic bag inside of a recyclable 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:                 1
Taste:                     1
Value:                    3   
OVERALL:              1.7

Reviewed  by Lacy

Gluten Free Mixes: Orgran Pizza & Pastry Multimix

Gluten Free Mixes: Orgran Pizza & Pastry Multimix

PRODUCT NAME:                      Pizza and Pastry Multimix

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:                                      YES               

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            Australia       

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:

Nutrition Facts

Taste:  Pizza! Is this not the untouched promise land for a gluten free vegan?

Friends often use these delectable triangle shaped slices of delight as conduits for good times. Many late nights of the past have found me sadly sulking in pizzeria corners while companions indulged. I’ve gazed on wistfully and even found myself pondering the act of simply chugging the marinara sauce to satiate my craving. This thought was always second guessed by the distinct possibility that even the sauce could be sweetened with barley malt, a decidedly gluten rich ingredient- Boo! Just like alcohol or coffee, pizza is a social lubricant: it just makes fun times funner.  This is a food a simply needed to get in on.

Here in steps Orgran’s Pizza and Pastry Multimix. A bit of research revealed that this company offers a very extensive line of gluten free products and flour mixes. When given the opportunity to focus on the pizza dough mix for review I was ecstatic: get this girl up on that pizza train!

The product, to be clear, is a blend of flours and rising agents. One is instructed to add yeast, sugar, oil, and water, top with whatever ingredients they want on their pizza, and bake. I, personally, topped mine with homemade arugula pesto, balsamic marinated red onions, and olives. I imagine that a cheese and meat topped pie may produce different results. Please keep that in mind.

The taste of the dough itself was quite satisfactory. Before my gluten free days I became accustomed to the nutty, earthy taste of whole wheat products and this is definitely not that.  Orgran’s crust had a bit of a Wonder Bread appeal: not to imply that the product itself is overly processed, but simply to say that the taste recalled more on the bleached-white taste of pizza crusts I ate as a kid- you know, before the health freak adult in me decided to mostly eat whole grains. Most people would see this more generic white flour flavor as a plus-I know I did.

Labeling:    I found this product to have a confusing and excessive amount of text and directions. The box contained instructions in nine different languages and stated that most of the additional ingredients were “optional”. The oil measurement called for 0.7 ounces. When you find an average kitchen with a 0.7 ounce measuring device please let me know. I know that kitchen scales do exist, but as a lay person chef (like most of us) this device simply doesn’t exist in my home.

Packaging: The packaging seemed appropriate for the freshness of the product. It was a plastic bag encasing the flour in a recyclable 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:           3
Taste:               4   
Value:              3   
OVERALL:        3.3

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Mixes: Arrowhead Mills Brownie Mix - Product Review #101

Gluten Free Mixes: Arrowhead Mills Brownie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                        Gluten Free Brownie Mix

BRAND:                                           Arrowhead Mills

COST:                                              $6.49

SIZE:                                                 17.5 oz

COST PER OZ:                               $0.37/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO     

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         NA              

ORGANIC:                                       YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         TEXAS DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

VEGAN:                                             OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN        

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Boulder, CO       

*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:

Arrowhead Mills has played a vital role in the natural and organic baking market since 1960, so I was excited to try this gluten-free brownie mix – especially in such close proximity to our previous experience with Cherrybrook Kitchen's brownies.

I made the Arrowhead treats for my family, and tasted them periodically over 24 hours – directly out of the oven, the next morning and again after dinner – really trying to put my finger on what was bothering me about them.

But first – the baking process. This mix was simple enough to prepare, with ½ cup vegetable oil, two eggs (or egg substitute) and ½ cup water. A quick stir, a pour into the pan and we were done. The ingredients are similar to those in Cherrybrook's mix: evaporated cane juice, rice flour, potato starch and chocolate chips that contain things like chocolate liquor and cocoa butter.

However, I could not account for the strange "after-texture" (I'll get to this in a minute) of the Arrowhead brownies. Everyone who tried them agreed that the initial taste was great – not too sweet, with those special little melted chocolate chunks. Even the consistency at first was pretty amazing, with a soft chewy inside and that well-known crusty coating every brownie should have. This is different than my experience with Cherrybrook's mix, which resulted in powdery soft brownies that melted as they hit the tongue.

And then, in the middle of an enjoyable gluten-free, chocolate-laden experience, everything goes downhill. A strange aftertaste ensues, from what I'm assuming to be the natural flavoring. Hey, I'm a fan of natural sweeteners, but let's just be honest with ourselves, we're dealing with brownies here, not applesauce. In addition to the aftertaste, there is an after-texture that follows, with what appears to be a coagulation of mix. Tiny beads form in the mouth, evoking the thought of seeds (my sister actually thought there were seeds in the batter), and just as quickly as they appear, they dissipate.

It is, of course, possible that I didn't mix the batter long enough. But the more I thought about it, the less I understood the reason for it.

All in all, a chocolaty, chewy, satisfying brownie. I suggest using melted butter in the place of vegetable oil and maybe adding some nuts. In terms of value, you get quite a bit of brownie for your buck, so if the taste and texture are right for you, this mix will be a great staple for your gluten free repertoire.

Taste: Satisfying in the chocolate department. The tiny chocolate chunks were a highlight when the brownies were still warm from the oven. They weren't too sweet, which I enjoyed, but there was a strange "health food" aftertaste, which is due to the natural sweeteners, I suppose. Overall, I was left a bit wanting, probably due to the distracting texture.

Labeling: Labeling is well done, with pleasing graphics and easy to read copy. Directions are in 1, 2, 3 form and simple to follow.

Packaging: Plastic bag within 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:                   5

Value:                  2

OVERALL:        3.7

Reviewed 3/18/11 by Mallory L

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

Gluten Free Mix: Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Fudge Brownie Mix

BRAND:                                   Cherrybrook Kitchen

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                       14 oz.

COST PER OZ:                         $0.43/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                    OPTIONAL

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:          Massachusetts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviewed 022511 by Mallory L.

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

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

PRODUCT NAME:                    Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

BRAND:                                   Bob's Red Mill

COST:                                     $5.99

SIZE:                                       22oz (Makes 24 cookies)

COST PER OZ:                        $0.27/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       In-House

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   Optional

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         Milwaukie, OR

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

REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviewed 020711 by Mallory L.