Gluten Free Pasta Sauce: Lucini Italia Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic - Product Review #74

Gluten Free Pasta Sauce: Lucini Italia Tuscan Marinara

PRODUCT NAME:                   Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic

BRAND:                                  Lucini Italia

COST:                                     $23.94 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                       13.5oz each pack

COST PER OZ:                        $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                  YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Canada

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

REVIEW:

Lucini Italia is all about creating authentic handcrafted food using only high quality ingredients. All of their products are prepared in small batches which ensures that the quality of all their products is up to their standards. The other day, we had the opportunity to try their Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic. It is 100% natural, has no added sugars, and is vegan and gluten free, which are all great characteristics for a pasta sauce.

Preparation of this sauce is very easy. The directions give you the choice of microwave preparation or stove preparation. The packaging is microwave safe so if you choose the microwave preparation, all you need to do is vent the package and throw it in the microwave for 90 minutes. We chose to prepare this sauce on the stove so we heated it in a saucepan on low heat for about 10-15 minutes.

We served this sauce over some rice and corn pasta. The consistency of the sauce was just perfect. It was just thick enough to evenly coat all of the pasta. The sauce pouch contained 3 servings in it while our pasta contained 4, so the ratio of sauce to pasta was a little low. If you prefer a higher sauce to pasta ratio, I would recommend paying attention to the serving sizes of the sauce and pasta and plan accordingly. This pasta sauce is also available in a larger jar if you plan on making larger batches. The taste of the sauce was good. The sauce itself was very simple. Diced tomatoes, tomato puree, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, sea salt, roasted garlic, and herbs and spices come together and make a very flavorful sauce. You can really taste the sweetness of the tomatoes and garlic.

With all the high quality ingredients used in this sauce, does that mean it’s healthier too? We took a look at the nutrition facts and compared them to the nutrition facts of a leading brand pasta sauce and found that the Lucini sauce was marginally better. The Lucini sauce had less calories, sodium and sugar. While these numbers weren’t substantially lower, they do impact your daily values less. Combine that with their use of all natural ingredients and nice healthier alternative.

Overall, we liked this sauce a lot. The only thing that concerned us was the higher price tag, but that is due to the fact that it is handcrafted in small batches and is made with high quality ingredients. If these are things you look for in a pasta sauce, this is the one for you.

Nutrition Facts

Taste: The sauce had a nice sweet flavor from the tomatoes and roasted garlic and the consistency was just right. Everything was pureed together so it had a nice thick consistency that helped it stick to the pasta.

Labeling: The labeling on this package was nice. The sauce is gluten free, vegan and holds a Med Mark label, which stands for Mediterranean Mark. According to the Lucini Italia website, “The Mediterranean Mark is a symbol found on authorized food products verifying the product contains no added trans fats in any amount, no more than 8% of total calories from saturated fat, no more than 480 mg of sodium (side items and snacks) or 600 mg (meal-type foods), and no more than 4g of added sugar to support a healthy, balanced Mediterranean-style diet.”

Packaging: Very clever packaging. I have never seen pasta packaged in a microwave safe pouch. It is great for people who are on a time constraint because all you need to do to make this pasta sauce is to toss it in the microwave for 90 seconds.

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

RATING:
Texture:         4
Taste:             5
Value:            2
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed 2/18/11 by CC

Gluten Free Mix: Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix - Product Review #73

Gluten Free Mix: Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix

PRODUCT NAME:                    Sof'ella Chocolate Cake Mix

BRAND:                                   Sof'ella Gourmet Natural Foods

COST:                                     $5.10

SIZE:                                       1lb 1oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.30/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   OPTIONAL

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:
Today, the baking process began with some difficult decisions. Namely, when you have a box of cake batter, do you make cupcakes? A layered 9-inch round? Do rectangles taste as good as circles?

Secondly, what kind of frosting goes best with chocolate cake? Cream cheese? Vanilla? Do I incorporate fruit? At once, I am inspired and overwhelmed with the possibilities this little box of Sof'ella chocolate cake mix offers.

There was a perplexing lack of frosting, or even frosting recommendations on or in the box. They reference you to their Web site for more products and recipes, but don't mention frosting specifically. Luckily, when I checked out the recipes page, the following directions were found to ease my anxiety:

Gluten Free Chocolate Frosting

• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/3 c. Dutch (alkalized) cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (NOTE: Vanilla extract sometimes contains gluten so pay attention to the label)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 sticks (or 16 tablespoons) of unsalted, room temperature butter
• 1-2 tablespoons of water (Depending on desired consistency)

"In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the cocoa, vanilla, [sugar] and salt and beat until smooth. Add water until you've reached a desired consistency."

I take this to be a sign and opt for this classic butter cream on a one-layered round.

The actual baking process is a total cinch. Cream the butter for a minute, add the eggs and mix, then pour Sof'ella's mix in along with a bit of warm water. You should have a thick, beautiful, dark batter. It was a bit sticky, so make sure you have your spatula handy for scraping the sides. In order to handle the batter more easily, you can always spread a little butter on your spatula or spoon to make it non-stick. Pour your batter into the preferred pan, and bake for the amount of time specified on the box.

Now, here's where things can get a little tricky. When dealing with gluten free flours and nontraditional thickening agents, the fear is that you'll either under-bake or over-bake and end up with a hockey puck. Because the consistency of this particular cake is so fragile, you can't really depend on the 'ol toothpick in the middle method for ensuring doneness. It might come out clean, even if the cake needs five more minutes. Also, depending on altitude, you may need to add 25°F to the recommended temperature. Check out www.sofellafoods.com for high altitude baking tips.

I happened to under bake mine a tad, fearing the hockey puck scenario, but the final product was still mighty tasty and super moist.

I hate to mention nutritional facts when we're dealing with chocolate cake here, but without frosting, this cake contains almost two sticks of butter, two eggs, and 23 grams of sugar in 1/12 of a piece. With frosting, we're talking another two sticks of butter and two cups of powdered sugar. I'm not messing around when I say this cake is intense. But I like that in a cake.

In terms of overall value, the mix itself is $5.10. Factoring in the nearly two sticks of butter and two eggs in the batter, along with frosting components, I spent an additional $10, making this at least a $15 cake. So, although the process was easy, and as the final product is a fresh, homemade cake, I momentarily question its value against, say, store bought cake. However, there is something to be said about filling the house with the unbeatable smell of baking chocolate – not to mention the love that goes into homemade baked goods.

In which case, I highly recommend this cake. Perhaps top it with a dusting of powdered sugar and some fresh berries for a lighter experience.

Taste: The taste of the cake by itself is extremely rich. I know why a serving size is 1/12 of the cake – that's all it takes. I almost want to say that it didn't need such a sweet, buttery frosting because the cake itself was so moist and rich. One small piece definitely satiated any and all chocolate cravings I had.

Labeling: Labeling is aesthetically pleasing, with an amazing photo of a layered cake and some cupcakes in the background covered in frosting. Huge, easy to read directions cover the back, and nutritional facts take up one entire side.

Packaging: Box with a plastic bag inside to hold the mix. I have personally deemed the box a tad unnecessary, as it seemed they were having a hard time filling up all that real estate with type and photos.

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:            4
OVERALL:      4.3

Reviewed 021411 by Mallory L.

Gluten Free Crackers: Snapdragon Sweet Bangkok Chili Rice Crisps - Product Review #72

Gluten Free Crackers: Snapdragon Sweet Bangkok Chili Rice Crisps

PRODUCT NAME:                   Bangkok Sweet Chili 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 (2-pack) $0.89oz (6-pack)

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:
Lately we have come to the realization that we love Snapdragon’s products…and with good reason. We have had the pleasure of trying a few of them in the past couple weeks and they have all been great. These Bangkok Sweet Chili Baked Rice Crisps reminds us why we love them so much.

Let’s start with Snapdragon’s signature baked rice crisps. They are one of the tastiest rice crisps that I have ever had. You can definitely taste the sweetness of the rice in it. These rice crisps are baked and not fired which means it has a lot less fat than fried chips. Snapdragon has the flavoring perfected. A lot of times strong flavors like this Bangkok Sweet Chili tend to overpower the flavor of the cracker. So much so that it starts tasting artificial and it just leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth. With this cracker the flavor is not overly strong and is more of a flavor enhancement than the main show. It is a nice sweet flavor; just a little sweeter than the Whole-Grain Brown Rice flavor that we had last week. While the name of the flavor does contain the word “chili” don’t be too afraid because there is only a light hint of spiciness.

This cracker is a great healthier alternative to chips. This are baked, which not only gives it a nice lighter texture, but it also helps with the fat and calorie content. With 140 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 cholesterol, and 120 milligrams of sodium it’s definitely on the healthier side as far as snacks go.

This flavor of cracker is great with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and crunch. It is suitable for just about everyone including people who are gluten free and vegan. This product does contain soy though so if you are allergic, you might want to look elsewhere. There is also labeling on the package that states that this product is manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts so if you have a severe peanut allergy, you might want to be extra careful with this product.

Taste: Great light sweet and spicy flavor in this cracker. The flavor is not overpowering and shares the spotlight with the equally tasty rice cracker.

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. Things to note are that this product contains soy and is processed in a facility that also processes peanuts.

Packaging: The packaging is very simple much like other crackers. The crackers are sealed in an airtight cellophane bag which 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 Cake: Tia's Bakery German Chocolate Cake - Product Review #71

Gluten Free Cake: Tia's Bakery German Chocolate Cake

PRODUCT NAME:                   German Chocolate Cake

BRAND:                                  Tia’s Bakery

COST:                                     $4.95-5.50

SIZE:                                       4oz

COST PER OZ:                        $1.23- $1.38/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               Partial

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

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:
Before this day, I had never tried a German Chocolate Cake, let alone a Gluten free one. I was surprised to find that it was a chocolate cake with coconut frosting and despite its name, has no affiliation with Germany. After having Tia’s Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake, I am a fan of both the German Chocolate Cake and of Tia’s Bakery.

Tia started baking at an early age with her grandmother at her side. She loved baking and had a true passion for it. In 2003, she found out that she was allergic to gluten and refined sugar. It turned her world upside down because she was no longer able to enjoy the treats she had baked all her life. A few years went by and after much coaxing by her family, she got her passion for baking back and started experimenting baking with wheat flour substitutes. In 2009, she started up Tia’s Bakery and the rest is history. She is now selling her delicious baked goods in several stores in 12 states and growing.

Tia’s uses almond and coconut flour in their products. Almonds have high protein content and coconuts have very high dietary fiber content. The combination makes for a very healthy flour blend. This flour blend is not only healthy, but it is also one of the best I have ever tasted. The texture of the cakes is just perfect. It is extremely moist and fluffy. You probably wouldn’t even know it was gluten free if you didn’t look at the package.

The cake itself was not very sweet and had a nice light chocolate flavor. It reminded me of an Asian style cake which is very fluffy and moist like a sponge cake. Most of the cakes sweetness came from the frosting. It was sweet, but not overly sweet. This is probably because Tia’s does not use refined sugars. Instead, she uses organic agave nectar as a sweetener. Tia’s also uses a lot of coconut in this cake. Some of the flour is coconut flour, but in addition to that, they also use organic coconut oil, coconut milk, and unsweetened coconut. So if you’re a fan of coconut, you’ll probably like this cake. The cream is mixed with coconut and pecans. When eaten with the moist cake, it is the perfect blend of textures.

While a lot of the ingredients used in this cake are good for you, it doesn’t mean you should eat too much of it in one sitting. This cake contains 650 calories, 42 grams of fat, 16 grams of saturated fat, 170mg of cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, 59 grams of carbohydrates and 45 grams of sugar. Looking at these numbers, they are all pretty high so you might want to share this delicious cake with someone.

Overall, this cake tastes great and contains high quality ingredients. While it is supposed to be healthy, you will still want to practice portion control. A note from the packaging, this cake contains tree nuts and is made in a facility that produces products containing wheat.

Taste: This is one of the best cakes that I have ever tasted. The texture and flavor was great and I couldn’t even tell that it was gluten free. Take one bite and you will love how the moist cake, coconut and pecans come together.

Labeling: This package has very simple labeling. Tia’s motto is “Scrumptious & Totally Health”. Does it live up to its motto? Scrumptious…yes totally healthy…maybe, but it might take a little more wishful thinking.

Packaging: The packaging was very nice. It comes in a single serving container that is like a Tupperware container that keeps everything fresh. This cake will stay fresh for about 2 months in the freezer.

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 021411 by Calvin C.

Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #9: Daily Sugar Intake

If you’re like the majority of Americans, then you probably have a sweet tooth. From boxes of chocolate eaten on Valentine’s Day to high fructose corn syrup present in many foods, the average American consumes his or her weight in sugar every year, literally. On average, each person in this country eats over 150 lbs. of sugar annually. But are all sugars created equal? And how much is too much?

Sugars occur naturally in food, such as fruits (as fructose) and milk (as lactose). Of course, along with sugar, these foods offer important vitamins and minerals, and, in the case of fruit, dietary fiber. The downfall of the American diet, however, is the added sugar found in foods. This sugar contributes about 16% of the total calories in the average diet, most commonly from sodas, energy drinks, desserts, and candy.

The USDA recommends that people eat no more than 10 teaspoons of added sugars a day. 1 teaspoon of sugar is between 4-8 grams depending on how fine the sugar is. It’s best to aim for foods that are low on the glycemic index—which measures the rate that starches and sugars change your blood sugar levels. Foods that are high on the index, like soda, digest quickly and rapidly release sugar into your bloodstream. This spike in blood sugar causes your pancreas to release a flood of insulin, which disperses the sugar. Your blood sugar levels again drop and you’re hungry again. This cycle of peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels can cause you to overeat and gain weight, possibly leading to obesity. Flooding the body with insulin after a sugar coma can also lead to insulin resistance, which is a symptom of pre-diabetes.

Foods that are low on the glycemic index, like fruit, release sugar into the bloodstream slowly because they are steadily digested (in part thanks to good old dietary fiber).

It’s important not to replace these foods in your diet with artificially sugary substitutes because you may be missing out on essential nutrients (like that fiber).

Added sugar can be a hidden menace. It can be listed under various names—sucrose, high fructose syrup, and dextrose—on ingredient labels and the USDA calls it the “number one food additive.” It can commonly be found in breads, lunchmeat, condiments, and prepared foods. It’s key that you read nutrition labels and monitor the amount of sugar you’re eating each day.

People who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease may be better off than the average American when it comes to eating added sugars. A gluten-free diet requires careful attention to the food and ingredients you eat, which can often lead to healthier eating habits in general. It’s still important to read the labels; high fructose corn syrup and other added sugars could be lurking in many “gluten-free” foods.

By Julia L.

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder - Product Review #70

Kettle Cuisine Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder

PRODUCT NAME:                    Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder

BRAND:                                   Kettle Cuisine

COST:                                     $4.35

SIZE:                                       10oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.44/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       GFCO

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:        NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:        Chelsea, MA

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

REVIEW:
Southwestern Chicken and Corn Chowder… just saying that puts me in a festive mood. This chowder is just one of many in Kettle Cuisine’s line of gluten free soups. If you were wondering what the difference between a soup and a chowder is… it’s the thickness of it. Soups are usually just broth based, whereas chowders are thickened with cream. So if you’re allergic to dairy, you might want to stick to soups. This chowder is great. It’s all natural, contains no preservatives, no artificial colors, no MSG, no artificial flavorings, not to mention it’s certified gluten free. What more can you ask for?

Cooking this soup up is a breeze. You have 2 options, microwave or stovetop. The lack of a microwave in our studio forced us to the stovetop option, but it was still easy. Just release the frozen contents of the bowl into a pot and turn the heat to medium. I decided to add about a half cup of water just to speed it up a little. Make sure you watch it closely and stir it so it doesn’t burn. Chowder is thicker and contains cream, which tends to burn easily if you let it sit too long.

This Southwester Chicken with Corn Chowder was delicious. Kettle Cuisine uses high quality ingredients in their products. Take for example the fresh green and red peppers and the tender grilled chicken in this chowder that is raised without antibiotics on a vegetarian diet. Add to that the corn and the long list of spices and you have a fiesta in a bowl.

Although this soup tastes great, it isn’t the healthiest thing in the world. It contains 230 calories, 10 g of fat, 50 mg of cholesterol, and 620 mg of sodium. These numbers are all a little high, but I decided to compare it to the nutrition facts of a similar regular Southwester Chicken and Corn Chowder. The nutrition facts seem to be about the same. The kettle cuisine version has double the cholesterol, but 140mg less sodium. Point of this is to make sure you are aware of what you are eating and how much it impacts your recommended daily values.

Overall, this chowder tastes great, but as much as we love things that taste great, not all of them are great for us. When eating this, make sure you watch what you eat for the rest of the day.

Taste: Great tasting chowder that is nice and thick like it is supposed to be. The pieces of chicken were much larger than I had expected and was really tender.

Labeling: The labeling on this product is similar to the labeling on the Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles we reviewed yesterday. All of the important information about the soup right on the front. One thing that I didn’t mention on yesterday’s review was the nice picture on the front. I don’t think our bowl looked as good, but it sure tasted good.

Packaging: Usual packaging. It comes in a microwave safe container so it can go right from your freezer to your microwave, to your stomach.

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

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             4
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 021011 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Chicken Soup With Rice Noodles - Product Review #69

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine Chicken Soup With Rice Noodles

PRODUCT NAME:                   Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles

BRAND:                                  Kettle Cuisine

COST:                                    $4.35

SIZE:                                      10oz

COST PER OZ:                       $0.44/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:     YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      GFCO

ORGANIC:                              NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:      N/A

VEGAN:                                 NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:       NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:      Chelsea, MA

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

REVIEW:
Chicken noodle soup is often considered a comfort food. Not so much for people with Celiac and gluten intolerance because of the noodles in there. Jerry of Kettle Cuisine took it upon himself to restore the comfort food title for everyone with his gluten free Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles. After learning that his daughter had to go on a gluten free diet, he decided to create a whole line of great tasting gluten free soups.

The soup comes in individual 10oz servings that are frozen. All you need to do is microwave or heat it a pot on your stovetop and it’s ready to serve. With 140 calories, 3g of fat, and 14g of protein per serving I would consider it pretty healthy. The one thing that you should pay close attention to is the 540mg of sodium in this soup. While it is only a fraction of the sodium in regular canned chicken noodle soups, it does not mean you should over look it. Originally, the recommended daily sodium intake was 2400mg. Last month, the American Heart Association announced a new daily guideline of 1400mg. It’s just something to keep in mind. When eating prepackaged soups like this.

When we cooked this soup up, we opted for the stovetop option because we don’t have a microwave here. It was very easy, just put the frozen contents of the bowl in a pot and heat on medium. Make sure you keep an eye on it and stir it frequently to keep the chicken from sticking to the bottom.

Jerry did a great job with soup with this chicken noodle soup made with chicken stock, chicken meat, rice noodles, carrots, celery, onions, chicken fat, sea salt, and spices. I think the fact that this soup comes frozen rather than canned has helped a lot with how fresh this soup tastes. The chicken and the vegetables are all tender and don’t taste artificial like you would find in a canned soup. You might be happy to hear that the chicken used in this soup is raised without antibiotics and on a vegetarian diet. They also do not add any preservatives, artificial colors, MSG or artificial flavorings.

Overall it tasted great. The saltiness of the soup was balanced by the sweetness of the vegetables. It can be best described as tasting like a vegetable soup with chicken in it rather than a chicken soup with vegetables in it. The main difference being it is not nearly as salty as one of those canned soup deals. We did find that the soup was a still a little salty for our taste. Here’s a tip, if you find the soup a little too salty, just add some water to it to dilute it.

If you’re looking for a healthier chicken noodle soup, this is the soup for you. It has made this comfort food staple accessible to everyone including celiacs and the gluten intolerant.

Taste: Great tasting soup with real chicken and vegetables that actually taste like vegetables.

Labeling: Very nice labeling with all of the important information about the soup right on the front. All natural…check. Gluten free…check. No artificial ingredients…check. The list goes on and on.

Packaging: Usual packaging. It comes in a microwave safe container so it can go right from your freezer to your microwave, to your stomach.

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

RATING:
Texture:         5
Taste:             4
Value:            3
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 021011 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free 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 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.

Gluten Free Snacks: Mary's Gone Crackers Sea Salt Sticks & Twigs - Product Review #65

Gluten Free Snacks: Mary's Gone Crackers Sea Salt Sticks & Twigs

PRODUCT NAME:                       Sea Salt Sticks & Twigs

BRAND:                                      Mary’s Gone Crackers

COST:                                        $4.65

SIZE:                                           8oz

COST PER OZ:                            $0.58/oz

CERTIFIED GLUETEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           ICS

VEGAN:                                       YES

WHEAT FREE FACILITY:             YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            USA

*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:
If you’re looking for something with a great crunch to snack on, we think we have found just the thing for you. Mary’s Gone Crackers’ Sea Salt Sticks and Twigs might just be the perfect salty snack. You might remember last week when we reviewed the Curry flavored version of this delicious snack and how much we loved them. The perfect crunchy texture mixed with all those spices, it was perfect. Like the curry version, we loved these Sea Salt flavored one too. In fact, we might even actually like these more.

I don’t know what it is about the simple flavor of sea salt, but it makes everything taste so right. The sea salt in these sticks and twigs is the perfect complement. It does a great job of highlighting the different flavors of the brown rice, whole quinoa, flax seeds, sesame seeds, amaranth, millet, and chia seeds. Combine that with the same crunchy texture that we have come to expect from Mary’s Gone Crackers and we come out with the perfect snack.

We like to pay close attention to the nutrition fact on the products we eat so it’s no surprise that we paid attention to this one. 150 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 300 mg of sodium is contained in 1 serving of 15 pieces. These numbers are almost identical to the ones on the Curry flavored Sticks & Twigs from last week. The 1 difference you will see is the sodium content. This version has almost double the sodium content. That sounds bad, but not all is lost because although it is more than the Curry Flavor, these still have about 100mg less sodium than a leading brand of pretzels. Regardless, we still recommend practicing portion control with these snacks especially if you are sensitive to sodium or have high blood pressure.

If you’re afraid that these won’t keep long after opening, rest assured because we tested that too. We actually opened these Sea Salt Sticks & Twigs last Thursday and when we ate them today (Monday) they were still nice and crispy with no signs of going stale.

Have we found the perfect snack? It’s pretty darn close. These are perfect for just about everyone, but like we have said in the past for their other crackers we have tried, if you have sensitive teeth, you might want to be a little careful because they are extremely crunchy and some of the seeds are a little hard. At 300mg of sodium, they aren’t horrible, but it is something you should pay attention to, especially if you have high blood pressure.

Taste: Made up of brown rice, whole quinoa, flax seeds, sesame seeds, amaranth, millet and chia seeds this snack has a great crunchy texture, but watch out for those hard seeds that are mixed in. Combine the great crunch with the nice simple flavor of Sea Salt, and you have a great snack.

Labeling: Mary’s Gone Crackers’ labeling is among the best I’ve seen. They use the same theme on all of their packages that makes it unmistakable that this is a Mary’s Gone Crackers product.

Packaging: Regular vacuum sealed packaging.

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

RATING:
Texture:         3
Taste:             5
Value:            4
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 020711 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine New England Clam Chowder - Product Review #66

Gluten Free Soup: Kettle Cuisine New England Clam Chowder

PRODUCT NAME:                   New England Clam Chowder

BRAND:                                  Kettle Cuisine

COST:                                    $4.35

SIZE:                                      10oz

COST PER OZ:                        $0.44/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:      UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

ORGANIC:                               NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:       N/A

VEGAN:                                   NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         Chelsea, MA

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

REVIEW:
Being located on the coast, with easy access to fresh seafood, we have access to some of the best clam chowder in the world. And who doesn’t like clam chowder with its large pieces of clams, chunks of tender potato, and vegetables? It has its own distinct flavor. Each spoonful just melts in your mouth and warms you right up. It’s perfect on a nice cold day. Kettle Cuisine has made a gluten free version of this cream based chowder and it’s a pretty good one.

Like the other Kettle Cuisine soups we reviewed, this one also comes frozen in a microwave safe container, which makes enjoying this chowder on the go a breeze. Just pop it in the microwave for 3-5 minutes and it’s ready. We decided to go with the stovetop method of heating this chowder up, which is just as easy. It just takes a little longer. Put it in a pot and heat on medium to low heat for about 6-7 minutes. As with all chowders, it is a little thick and contains cream so you need to stir it regularly to make sure that it doesn’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pot.

We have been pretty impressed by the taste of Kettle Cuisine’s soups and chowders. This clam chowder did not disappoint. It had a very nice flavor consistent with what we expected from a clam chowder. The clam meat was not overly chewy like in typical canned soups and the potatoes and celery were nice and tender. When you scoop a spoonful into your mouth, everything just melts in your mouth. One thing that we noticed though is that this clam chowder was a little grainy.

Of the 3 Kettle Cuisine soups we have tried, this one is the least healthy one. With 330 calories, 18 grams of fat, 80mg of cholesterol, 6 grams of sugar and a whopping 800 mg of sodium, you definitely have to be careful with this soup. It does have 15 grams of protein though which is nice. Another thing that we noticed was that this soup did not have the Certified Gluten Free label on it like the other 2 soups. I’m not sure if this product actually isn’t part of the certified gluten free line or if the packaging is just older. The nutrition facts aside, this chowder really does taste great.

Taste: Great distinct clam chowder flavor with tender pieces of celery and potatoes. The only complaint that we had was that the texture was a little grainy.

Labeling: The labeling on this product is similar to the labeling on the other Kettle Cuisine. The one thing that we did notice that was different from the other Kettle Cuisine soups we have tried is that this one is missing the Certified Gluten Free Label.

Packaging: Usual packaging. It comes in a microwave safe container so it can go right from your freezer to your microwave, to your stomach.

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

RATING:
Texture:         3
Taste:             5
Value:            3
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed 021111 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Margherita Pizza - Product Review #64

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Margherita Pizza

PRODUCT NAME:                          Margherita Pizza

BRAND:                                         Conte’s

COST:                                           $9.50

SIZE:                                             16oz

COST PER OZ:                              $0.59/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:            NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

ORGANIC:                                     NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:             N/A

VEGAN:                                         NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:              UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              New Jersey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviewed 020311 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Mushroom Florentine Pizza - Product Review #63

Gluten Free Pizza: Conte's Mushroom Florentine Pizza

PRODUCT NAME:                      Mushroom Florentine Pizza

BRAND:                                     Conte’s

COST:                                        $9.50

SIZE:                                          16oz

COST PER OZ:                           $0.59/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:         NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A

VEGAN:                                      NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           New Jersey

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

REVIEW:
Rolled out dough blanketed with tomato sauce, cheese and other delicious toppings; it can only be one thing…PIZZA! Pizza is a favorite among many. Have a guy night out, what do you get?...Pizza and wings. For celiacs and the gluten intolerant, it’s tough because a good gluten free pizza is a rare find. We were delighted when Conte’s out of Vineland, NJ decided to send us a few of their products to try, which included their gluten free pizza. Their pizza is gluten free and all natural.

We decided to try their Mushroom Florentine Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Olive oil. Pick up the box and look at the front, and you will see a beautiful pizza that looks crispy with gobs of melty cheese over it. Just looking at the picture makes you hungry. We couldn’t wait to try this pizza out. The directions on the box said to bake it at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Because we don’t have a formal kitchen, we did the cooking in a small toaster oven. Actual cooking time for us was about 15 minutes. I’m not sure if it was because of the moisture from the toppings, but the outer crust was crispier than the middle of the crust. Maybe if we left it in for just a little longer, but by then, the toppings would’ve burned.

We were busy here at the office today and didn’t get to lunch right away so we ended up leaving the pizza to sit for a while. By the time we got to it, the pizza was lukewarm. We were surprised to find that this pizza was still good. It had tons of flavor and the crust actually had a nice texture. This pizza would be best classified as a thin crust pizza, which I think helps with its texture. The thin crust made it easier to make to a nice golden brown crisp. We also liked the toppings. Many of the frozen pizza have toppings that for some reason taste artificial, probably from the flash freezing. The toppings on this pizza actually tasted how they were suppose to taste with no weird flavors or aftertaste. Conte’s did a fine job with this pizza.

Looking at the nutrition fact on the back, the recommended serving size is a quarter of the pizza. With 240 calories, 10 grams of fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol and 610mg of sodium, these nutrition facts seem to be marginally better than similar frozen pizzas that are not gluten free. When eating products like this, you have to remember to take into account the daily values for each category. Remember to have everything in moderation to follow the recommended daily values.

Overall this pizza was great. A gluten free pizza that not only tastes great, but also has great texture? A few years ago, people probably wouldn’t have believed us, but Conte’s has done right and made a product that they should be proud of. If we’re going by taste alone, this pizza easily gets a perfect. One tip though is to make sure you practice portion control and pay attention to the nutrition facts so you know exactly how much you are eating. If you’re interested in this pizza, contact Conte’s to find a retail location near you or go to their website: www.contespasta.com for a list of retail locations by state.

Taste: Tons of flavor packed in cheesy goodness over a crispy crust. What more can you ask for in a pizza?

Labeling: The picture on the front is an attention grabber. Take a look at it and it will have your mouth watering. While what you end up will probably not look as good as the picture, it is close.

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

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

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

Reviewed 020311 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Snacks: Mary's Gone Crackers Sticks & Twigs - Product Review #62

Gluten Free Snacks: Mary's Gone Crackers Sticks & Twigs

PRODUCT NAME:                      Curry Sticks & Twigs

BRAND:                                     Mary’s Gone Crackers

COST:                                       $4.65

SIZE:                                         8oz

COST PER OZ:                          $0.58/oz

CERTIFIED GLUETEN FREE:      NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         International Certification Services

VEGAN:                                     YES

WHEAT FREE FACILITY:            YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           USA

*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:
Mary’s Gone Crackers has branched out?! It’s true, metaphorically and literally with their new Sticks and Twigs. Today, we got a chance to try Mary’s Gone Crackers’ Curry Sticks & Twigs. If you’re a fan of their crackers, you will love these. These Sticks & Twigs are pretty much the same as the crackers, except that they are rolled up. Couple the new shape with new flavors like this curry flavor and it looks like Mary has another winner on her hands.

Mary’s Gone Crackers describes these snacks as light and crunchy pretzel snacks. I wouldn’t quite consider them pretzels as they don’t have the texture of a pretzel. They have a much more interesting and complex texture than a pretzel does. With ingredients like brown rice, whole quinoa, flax seeds, sesame seeds, amaranth, millet and chia seeds, I would describe them and pretzel stick shaped seed snacks with tons of flavor.

This particular variety is curry flavor and we thought it was a very unique flavor. Curry is a very popular flavor, but I think this is one of the few times that I’ve seen a curry flavored snack food. It looks like they have gone further than just adding a curry flavored seasoning to regular Sticks & Twigs. They have actually mixed the curry flavor into the cracker giving them a light yellow tint throughout. This way, you won’t have to worry about an uneven tasting snack or worry about getting your fingers yellow with the curry powder. With so many flavors, you would think that they have a ton of sodium in them, but at 190mg of sodium, they actually far less than the sodium levels you would find in a pretzel.

We have come to love the products that Mary’s Gone Crackers has come out with. You can feel safe knowing that their factories are dedicated gluten free and nut free facilities. Their products are also organic, kosher, non-gmo, and contain no hydrogenated oils among many other things that make this such a great snack. One thing to note is that like their crackers, some of the seeds are a little hard and can spell trouble for people with sensitive teeth. So if you have sensitive teeth, you might want to stay away.

Taste: Great hint of curry flavor and a nice blend of textures made up of brown rice, whole quinoa, flax seeds, sesame seeds, amaranth, millet and chia seeds.

Labeling: Mary’s Gone Crackers’ labeling is among the best we’ve seen. They use the same theme on all of their packages that makes it unmistakable that this is a Mary’s Gone Crackers product.

Packaging: Regular vacuum sealed packaging.

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

RATING: 
Texture:         3
Taste:             5
Value:            4 
OVERALL:      4

Reviewed 020211 by Calvin C.

Gluten Free Snacks: Snapdragon Wasabi Cashew Crunchies - Product Review #61

Gluten Free Snacks: Snapdragon Wasabi Cashew Crunchies

PRODUCT NAME:                     Wasabi Cashew Crunchies

BRAND:                                    Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cusine

COST:                                      $5.58 (2-pack) $15.90 (6-pack)

SIZE:                                         2.6oz each bag

COST PER OZ:                          $1.07oz (2-pack) $1.02oz (6-pack)

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                    UNKNOWN

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:
If you’re a fan of sweet, salty, and spicy, you will be a fan of Snapdragon Pan-Asian Cuisine’s Wasabi Cashew Crunchies. Imported from Thailand, these delicious clusters of cashews are a great snack for enjoying on the go, while watching TV, and while working in your cubicle. Let me warn you first these pack a little heat from the wasabi flavor. So if you aren’t a fan of spicy food, you might want to stay away from these.

Each bag of these cashew crunchies contains 2.6 ounces, which translates into about 2.5 servings per container. It’s probably a good idea that they pack so little into these packages, because most people would have no problem killing the package in one sitting. Here’s a tip, share the bag with some friends or family to ensure that you practice portion control. At 170 calories, 11g of total fat, 2g of saturated fat, 110mg of sodium and 5g of sugar, they aren’t the best for you, but considering the other options out there, this might be a healthier choice.

Now I must admit, I had no idea what to expect from these cashew crunchies. They were clustered together kind of like granola and looking at the ingredients, there are a lot of sweeteners like cane sugar, cassava glucose syrup, and coconut sugar. At the same time, I saw wasabi as the flavor so there’s sweet and there’s spicy. What gives? I popped one into my mouth and was completely surprised at how good they tasted. First you get the saltiness and heat of the wasabi, but after a few seconds, everything is balanced with sweetness. The sugars also help with the texture by forming a crunchy crust over the cashews.

Overall, Snapdragon’s Wasabi Cashew Crunchies provide a very nice blend of flavors and textures. This snack is best suited for people who like wasabi or spicy food. Also note that the these cashews contain cashews and fish and is manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts.

Taste: Great wasabi flavor which isn’t very strong that is balanced with sweetness. They taste so great that getting addicted to them is highly likely.

Labeling: The labeling on this package is very simple. I liked that they came up with their own gluten free symbol as well as a label notating how spicy it is.

Packaging: The packaging is very well designed. It is wedge shaped so that when stacked in alternating directions, it takes up less space. I also thought it was clever to put the company logo on the bottom side of the package complete with the color specific band so you know exactly what flavor you are about to grab no matter how it’s placed in the 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 020111 by Calvin C.