Gluten Free Dumplings: Feel Good Foods Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

PRODUCT NAME:                    Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

BRAND:                                     Feel Good Foods

COST:                             $8.40

SIZE:                                           10.75 OZ 

COST PER OZ:                           $0.78             

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                      NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         NEW YORK, NEW YORK

SHELF LIFE:                                UNKNOWN

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

REVIEW:

After several dumpling dinners my friends have enjoyed and I have had to sit out from, I was excited for my chance to enjoy safe, gluten free shrimp dumplings at home. Feel Good Foods makes their handmade shrimp dumplings with a wrapper made of a blend of sweet rice flour, rice flour, potato starch, and corn starch, these dumplings were savory, chewy, and not too filling. Since my celiac diagnosis, I have been taking steps to wean myself off of an eight-year long vegetarian diet so I can have more food choices instead of less. I am still a bit squeamish about eating any meat or fish, and I found Feel Good Foods’ Shrimp Dumplings not overwhelmingly fishy. They combined the shrimp with vegetables and herbs, like carrot, green onion, ginger, garlic, and cilantro to make a savory, well balanced filling. The provided dipping sauce tasted like tamari with a bit of a kick. It was dressed up with a little added ginger, garlic, and black pepper to dress it up a little bit.

My only gripe with this product was the instructions for preparation. It says the dumplings should be placed in a non-stick pan with 3/4 of a cup of boiling water (which will turn milky in color and texture as the dumplings cook) where they would sit and steam with a lid on, for approximately 13 minutes. The water was supposed to evaporate. However, when I prepared the dumplings, the water never evaporated; instead it turned into a thick, white, glue-like paste. Upon second glance of the directions, I noticed this note, in small font below the instructions:

“For best results dumplings must be prepared in a non-stick pan.”

I was using my perfectly seasoned, slick cast iron frying pan, which I cook everything in. I grabbed a Teflon-coated pan from my cupboard, and scooped the dumplings, which had turned into gooey blobs, into the new pan. I fried the dumplings on all sides until they were golden brown, and managed to salvage the meal. I wish Feel Good Foods had explicitly instructed me to use a Teflon pan instead of a cast iron, because I consider my cast iron to be non-stick.

Taste:   These dumplings were salty, chewy, and flavorful. The filling, made of shrimp and vegetables was not too fishy or dense. I found these dumplings to be a perfect appetizer or main course.

Labeling: The front of the package stated that these dumplings were made with all natural and gluten free ingredients. The back has a symbol indicating that Feel Good Foods is part of the Celiac Spure Association, and the package is created with wind power. There is also information about the company, preparation instructions, an ingredients list, and nutrition facts.

Packaging:  

Eight dumplings were inside of a plastic bag housed inside of a cardstock 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:           5

Value:          3           

OVERALL:    3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Sauce: Rosa Mexicana Kitchen Veracruzana Sauce

PRODUCT NAME:                  Veracruzana Sauce

COMPANY NAME:                  Rosa Mexicana Kitchen

COST:                                    $3.99

SIZE:                                     12 fl. oz.

COST PER OZ:                       $0.33      

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

ORGANIC:                              No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

VEGAN:                                 Yes

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       No

LOCATION OF FACILITY:       New York, NY

SHELF LIFE:                          Unopened - 18 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:

Taste:

I admit, I was skeptical of this product. For starters, this “Veracruzana Sauce” looks an awful lot like “salsa”. I have no problem whatsoever with this fact (hey, I love a Mexican flair!) but this particular version was one that you don’t need to refrigerate until you open it and , as a rule, I find this to generally be an indicator that a salsa will be less fresh, and consequently less delicious. In addition to this fact, this salsa hails from New York City, which is not exactly a utopia or mecca for Mexican delights. I had a bias, it’s true. But my bias was wrong.

Vercruzana Sauce is delicious. It is indeed similar to salsa, but is made much more complex by incorporating capers and olives into the tomato/jalapeno/onion fold.  While the tomato paste base has a bit of a “Pace Picante Sauce” mouth feel it lends itself to be a silky background for the rich olive flavor. The capers aren’t exactly texturally identifiable, but there is a bit of a brine-y after taste that is excessively pleasant to my particular mouth, which just so happens to love all foods of a fermented or vinegar-esque nature.

The ingredients list is mostly simple (the only unmentioned addition is a bevy of spices) but the addition of sugar (albeit toward the end of the list) throws me off a bit. The sauce has a tang just from the tomato and it seems unnecessary to toss that little devil sugar into the mix. It seems that a lot of products these days arbitrarily add sugar because (duh) Americans seem to have a taste for it, but when it shows up in a product that has no reason whatsoever to be sweet, I always take pause.

Calorically, this sauce is an excellent condiment. At five calories per Tablespoon, it is just about the same as most non-olive-including salsas with that much more flavor. It is suggested that you pair this sauce with seafood but since I am vegan I simply used it to top a gluten-free veggie burger and it gave my meal a southwestern flair without adding as many calories as ketchup or vegan mayo would.

Labeling:

Labeling of this product is clear and sufficient.

Packaging:

This spread was packaged in a recyclable glass jar. The packaging seemed sufficient 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:               4.5       

Value:              3.5

OVERALL:        4

Reviewed by Lacy D.

Gluten Free Crackers: Crunchmaster White Cheddar Multi-Grain Crackers

PRODUCT NAME:                   White Cheddar Multi-Grain Crackers

BRAND:                                  Crunchmaster

COST:                                     $3.29
 
SIZE:                                       4.5 OZ
 
COST PER OZ:                        $0.73/oz
 
CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES
 
CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO
 
ORGANIC:                               NO
 
CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A
 
VEGAN:                                   NO
 
GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES
 
LOCATION OF FACILITY:        LOVES PARK, IL
 
SHELF LIFE:                           1 year

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

REVIEW:

Crunchmaster produces a line of gluten free, rice crackers baked in the Japanese “Usuyaki” style, which translates to English as thin and flat. They pride themselves on using all natural, whole grain ingredients made without any preservatives or artificial flavors. Additionally, many of their most commonly used ingredients, like rice, sesame, quinoa, amaranth, and flax seeds are grown locally in California.  Crunchmaster was nice enough to send us some samples of their newest flavors, one of which is the White Cheddar flavored Multi-Grain Crackers we reviewing today.

Crunchmaster’s white cheddar flavored multi-grain crackers were rich, flavorful and not too heavy. I usually steer away from snacks blasted with a powdery cheesy coating, like Doritos, because of an aversion to high sodium doses and too many questionable ingredients. These thin crackers were filled with good grains and seeds, like sesame seeds, millet, quinoa, flax, corn, and rice while still maintaining an addictive, junk-food sort of flavor. Containing only 120 calories per serving and five percent of the daily-recommended sodium intake, Crunchmaster’s white cheddar crackers are a manageable and relatively healthy indulgence.

Crisp, and flavorful, these crackers would be great with more cheese sliced and piled high on top, or if you are like me, eaten directly out of the bag as a quick snack on the go. I really enjoyed the bits of whole seeds embedded within each cracker because it created a multi-textured experience, while still being simple, tasty, and easy to snack on. These multi-grain crackers were relatively low calorie and I was able to eat 15 crackers per 120 calorie serving. They were also low fat and not too salty. 

Taste:  These crackers were cheesy, crunchy, while still being light and crispy. They were easy to munch on and I felt satisfied prior to overeating. They were also savory without being overly salty.

Labeling: The front of the package stated that not only are these crackers certified gluten free, but were a good source of fiber, cholesterol free, saturated fat free, and low fat. The back had a little information about the crackers, an ingredients list, and nutrition facts.

Packaging:   The crackers were packaged inside of a resealable, foil lined plastic 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:      4
Taste:          4  
Value:         3
OVERALL:   4.3

Reviewed  by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Cookies: So Far Gluten Free Decicacies Chocolate Chip Shortbread

PRODUCT NAME:                          Chocolate Chip Shortbread

BRAND:                                         So Far Gluten Free Delicacies

COST:                                            $2.50

SIZE:                                              3 OZ

COST PER OZ:                               $0.83

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:             NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:              N/A

ORGANIC:                                      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              PLEASANTON, CA

SHELF LIFE:                                 2 WEEKS

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

REVIEW:

I feel pretty lucky to be living in the Bay Area post celiac diagnosis. Gluten-free establishments seem to be popping up left and right, from Mariposa and Crave bakeries, to bars serving sorghum beers, and of course, Gluten Free Reviewer Grocery. Adding to the roster of great celiac-friendly joints is Pleasanton’s So Far Gluten Free Delicacies.  Created in 2009, So Far was founded by a daughter looking out for her mom who recently found out she had celiac disease. After much trial and error, Mom, and the rest of us are able to enjoy delicious gluten free treats from this great little bakery. Made from simple ingredients which are reminiscent of gluten-y desserts longed for by individuals with wheat-free diets, So Far presents a line of deserts which are safe and taste great.

So Far’s four-pack of chocolate chip shortbread cookies were half gone by the time I was a couple blocks away from the Gluten Free Reviewer headquarters.  These small square cookies were buttery, rich and not too sweet. They were a little bit dry and crumbly, but not in a gross way; they were the way shortbread cookies are supposed to taste. They reminded me of biscotti and if they had survived more than a couple hours in my presence, they would have been great with a cup of coffee or tea. The cookie itself had a really nice and subtle almond flavor which allowed the chocolate chips to really shine. The cookies in this four-pack tasted gourmet and had a sophisticated taste that differentiated them from a regular old, run of the mill cookie.

These very satisfying cookies were made using rice flour, cream cheese, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, almond extract, salt, chocolate chips, and veggie oil; ingredients, excluding the rice flour, which are found in most conventional baked goods. This gives the cookies a familiar taste, without the strange chemically or overly dry taste experience associated with other gluten free deserts.

Taste:  Buttery, subtly almond, and chocolaty, these cookies were delicious and not too sweet or rich.

Labeling:  So Far packaged their chocolate chip shortbread cookies in a sealed plastic sleeve with a sticker on the front stating what the product was, who made it, and information about their gluten free status. Since So Far is a small bakery, legally they do not have to provide nutrition facts, but they did have a sticker listing all ingredients used.

Packaging:   Four cookies were packaged in a sealed plastic sleeve.

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: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Cookies: So Far Gluten Free Delicacies Frosted Sugar Cookie

PRODUCT NAME:                          Frosted Sugar Cookie

BRAND:                                         So Far Gluten Free Delicacies

COST:                                           $2.50

SIZE:                                             2.5 OZ

COST PER OZ:                              $1.00/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              PLEASANTON, CA

SHELF LIFE:                                 2 WEEKS


*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:

So Far is quickly becoming one of my favorite local gluten-free bakeries and has created another mouthwatering treat with their adorable frosted sugar cookie. Shaped like a sunny yellow flower, this delicious cookie tasted just the way I wanted it to; like the soft, buttery cookies I used to have fun decorating as a kid with my mom. These rich sugary cookies had a subtle hint of both almond and vanilla, which appealed to both the kid in me as well as the foodie I have become. They were flaky, but not crumbly, dry or hard. The soft sugar cookie was topped with a very sweet and fluffy frosting. On its own, the frosting would have been way too sweet but it was balanced by the more subtly flavored cookie, creating a very tasty flavor combination.

Made with simple, common ingredients like rice flour, cream cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, almond and salt, this cookie is not pretending to be a health food. It is just a very similar alternative to a sugar cookie that is sorely missed by celiacs and gluten sensitive people. So Far prides themselves on the act of avoiding the tendency to use any chemicals or unnatural ingredients; they even use natural plant-derived dyes to color their frostings. Their products taste as if they were made from scratch, with lots of care and attention to detail.

Taste: Buttery, sugary, rich, and sweet, these cookies could satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. They were very similar to cookies I enjoyed before celiac diagnosis. The frosting was very sweet and complimented the rich cookie nicely.

Labeling: This frosted sugar cookie was packaged singly in a sealed plastic sleeve with a sticker on the front stating what the product was, who made it, as well as their gluten free status . Since So Far is a small bakery, legally they do not have to provide nutrition facts, but they did have a sticker listing all ingredients used.

Packaging: One cookie was packaged inside of a sealed plastic sleeve.

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 by: Jennie L.