Gluten Free Product Reviews

Katz Gluten Free Vanilla Rugelech

2010-12-27T15:17:00.001-06:00

Katz Gluten Free has released a new flavor of Rugelech! As I'm sure you guessed from the title to this post, the new flavor is vanilla :) I'm sure I must have mentioned how vanilla obsessed I am in past posts so you can imagine my excitement over this new snacking option.

Katz is doing a Winter Grand Prize Giveaway to help roll out this new product. The Grand Prize is a huge box filled with one each of the Katz goodies. To enter the drawing (winner will be chosen on Jan. 3, 2011) follow this link to the Katz Page :)

One more thing before we move on to the review stuff: Katz has also supplied GFPR with a free sample pack to give to one lucky winner! To enter, just read this post and leave a comment. A winner will be chosen at random from all available entries on Monday, January 10, 2011. Now on to the review!

Ease of Use

Katz Gluten Free Vanilla Rugelech comes ready to eat - except that it may be frozen. Just thaw, munch and enjoy.

Appearance

This is definitely a "yum" inspiring appearance. Little pinwheels topped with a sprinkling of sugar and glistening with glaze.

Taste and Texture

The texture of Katz Gluten Free Vanilla Rugelech is amazing. Each little bite absolutely melts in your mouth. Perfect pastry has been achieved here.

The flavor is a bit too mild for me. The rugelech has a lightly sweet flavor with only a hint of vanilla. D.D. called them bland, I'm going to say that they are more geared toward adult taste buds.

Versatility

I'm pretty sure that what you see is what you get here. Though I do have to say that these would make gorgeous sundae toppers.

Overall Value

A 7 oz. container (about 10 pieces) costs $5.14 on the website. I think that price is a bit steep, but not horrible.

Rating

I recommend this product for everyone to try. I do have to admit, however, that if the cinnamon and vanilla flavors were side by side, I would grab the cinnamon first.

Gluten Free Bisquick

2010-11-12T16:03:00.003-06:00

I'm sure that I'm not the only person on a gluten free diet that did backflips of excitement when I first heard that gluten free Bisquick was coming our way. (Figurative backflips, of course, I am not nearly that athletic.)After all, I am one of the newly gluten free, only two years. I remember vividly how easy meals used to be. I could eat anything, anywhere. For some reason Bisquick seemed like a return of this freedom and normalcy.

It took awhile to reach my local stores after being released. I was worried that it would be hard to find, or that I might not be able to find it at all. Thank goodness for MyBlogSpark! They offered to send me some to try and I was backflipping once again. Not only did they send me the gluten free Bisquick, but an entire prize pack to go with it. You may have guessed, Bisquick and MyBlogSpark have also provided one to give away! Look for details at the bottom of this post :) For now, on to the review!

Ease of Use

This depends entirely on what you are making. I used the mix to make waffles, pancakes, biscuits and dumplings. The pancakes and waffles are an easy mix-and-pour prep. D.D. loves the ease of this and now makes waffles every chance she gets.

The biscuits and dumplings took a bit more work since they required cutting shortening into the mix before adding liquid. Overall, though, I have to declare that this is a very easy product to use.

Appearance

Gluten free Bisquick seems to have a habit of always looking the way it should :) It browns nicely and has a visible texture.

I kinda went picture happy with this product. Here are pictures of gluten free Bisquick in the form of chicken and dumplings and as pancakes. Both look great, if I do say so myself.

Taste and Texture

Oddly enough, this also varies by what you make. The flavor of everything is great. It tastes like Bisquick! Everything has that flavor that pops a bit. The difference is in the texture. The pancakes and waffles turned out perfect. The texture was smooth and happy, exactly what waffles and pancakes should be.

The biscuits and dumplings had a texture that was a bit grainy. They were fluffy and had a great crumb inside, perfect crisp on the outside, but a bit grainy. I wish I could describe it better than that, but it was very subtle, almost like an aftertaste.

Versatility

Gluten free Bisquick is incredibly versatile. It can be used to make anything! There are recipes on the box and more on the website. Though I adore versatility, I may be sticking to pancakes and waffles, due to the slightly grainy texture. I will experiment a bit more before making a solid decision on this.

Overall Value

It seems that even the best products have their issues, and here is the biggest one for me. The package contains about three cups of mix, just enough for one batch of biscuits and a batch of pancakes. The box can be had for just under $5. This is not a bad price, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Rating

Gluten free Bisquick comes with my full recommendation, and a solid, "I love it!" from D.D. She loves to use our new pan to make her "Whoo Cakes", which were just too cute not to be pictured :)

The Giveaway details were removed from this post when the contest was completed. Thanks!

Gluten Free Cookbook Review: Cooking for Isaiah by Silvana Nardone

2010-10-06T13:49:00.001-05:00

I’m so excited right now! This is the first cookbook I have reviewed for GFPR, and it is fantastic! I had to create a whole new criteria and format for this, so let me know what you think. Are there any categories I have left out?

Cooking for Isaiah was inspired by pure love. This is the first thing I noticed when I opened the book. The second thing I noticed was that Silvana Nardone knows what she is talking about. I learned so many new tips just by reading the first few pages that the recipes became secondary (for about five minutes...)

Informational Content

This review was an adventure for me in more than just testing recipes. You may have noticed that I don’t do many gluten free flour reviews on GFPR. That is because I am afraid of gluten free flour. Most of it tastes horrible and yields bad results for me. I am no baking genius, so finding my own special blend has never been an option.

Well, Silvana Nardone apparently IS a baking genius. In the very front of her book she gives a recipe for her flour blend. She also goes into detail as to why she uses the brands she uses. Knowing my issues with flour, I chose not to substitute anything in the book and began gathering ingredients for this blend - Only to find that Shiloh Farms Tapioca Starch rates right up there with the Holy Grail in quest status. There are no stores near me that carry it (I’m working on this.)

I finally ordered it online, and I am so glad I did! Silvana’s gluten free flour blend is exactly what she promised it would be. It performs great and tastes even better! For the record, this WILL be the flour I use from now on.

Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Frosting

Another discovery I made with this book is rice milk. (Very easy to find :) I had always used soy milk, but I’m not fond of the flavor it has when it is heated. Again, Silvana was right on when she recommended the flavor and usage of rice milk.

The third big Ah-Ha I got from this book is the fact that I have seriously neglected and underestimated my waffle iron. She uses it for everything from breakfast to sandwiches to dinner bread, and then back to breakfast with hash browns. Brilliant!

Recipes and Versatility

I suppose a review for a cookbook should focus on the recipes, so I will tell you about those too :) They are amazing! Every recipe is gluten free and dairy free, but you would never know it. The flavors that are used are so creative and tasty. The recipes themselves are easy to make, but have a great presentation that other people wow over.

The first recipe I made was Cinnamon-Toasted Belgian Waffles. They were wonderful. The waffles turned out light and fluffy with the most amazing crispy cinnamon and sugar topping. The recipe recommended topping them with syrup, but they really don’t need it. My whole family stood around in the kitchen munching with a waffle in each hand and saying, “Mmmm...” with every bite. My mother-in-law was here that morning and was so impressed that she was still talking about it days later. She couldn’t believe that something gluten free and dairy free would have that depth of flavor.

Other great recipes to look for include:

Meatloaf Sandwiches on Sun-Dried Tomato Waffle Bread
Chicken Rice Tetrazzini with Mushroom Gravy and Mustard Crumbs
S’Mores Pancakes with Marshmallow Sauce
Sugar and Spiced Doughnuts
Oven-Fried Frito Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (pictured)
And so many more!

Overall Value

Cooking for Isaiah sells for around $25 and is well worth every penny.

Rating

As I made my way through other recipes in the book I grew more attached to it. Every recipe brought new flavors and happy mouths to my table. I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-09-21T21:01:00.002-05:00

Time again for a goody out of the Katz Gluten Free box! I’m not sure what I can say in introduction for this one besides chocolate and cupcake- yeah, D.D. was stoked :)

Ease of Use

Take it out of the box, remove the paper liner and eat. Nom nom nom.

Appearance

Each one is a perfect representation of what a chocolate cupcake should look like.

Taste and Texture

The flavor of Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes is nice and rich. They are a dark chocolate flavor that has some depth. The problem comes with the texture. They are a bit dry. The majority of the cupcake has the dense texture that I love in gluten free cake, but that perfect pointed top is almost crunchy. They are unfrosted, so maybe adding some frosting at home would soften them up a bit.

Versatility

Though it was not a thrilling texture to bite into plain, the mixed texture of the cupcake was perfect for a sundae. I cut them in half, put some frozen yogurt on top and added hot fudge. Soooo good!

Overall Value

This package of gluten free cupcakes retails for $5.49 for six cupcakes. Add tax and you’re paying around a dollar per cupcake. I can’t say that this ranks too high on the value scale.

Rating

The texture in a sundae was so perfect that there is no way I could withhold a recommendation here.

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-09-17T19:58:00.006-05:00

I think I have eaten enough gluten free chocolate chip cookies to be considered a connoisseur (who hasn’t. right?). That didn’t mean that I was any less happy to pull the chocolate chip cookies out of the Katz Gluten Free goody box :)

Ease of Use

No big directions here, just munch.

Appearance

Each gluten free cookie is about the size of a silver dollar. They have a generous amount of chocolate chips.

Taste and Texture

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies are slightly soft in texture. The chocolate is rich and melty and there is quite a bit of it. The cookie itself does have a bit of that gluten free flavor that I am not fond of.

Versatility

I’m pretty sure that chocolate chip cookies can be used for just about anything. They can be crunched up for a crust, added to sundaes, packed in lunches or hoarded in a office cabinet :)

Overall Value

You get a good amount of cookies for $4.70.

Rating

I’m not sure these are my favorite flavor in gluten free chocolate chip cookies, but they have a great texture and come recommended.

Katz Gluten Free Cinnamon Rugelech

2010-09-08T16:39:00.003-05:00

Part of the fun of doing gluten free product reviews is all the new food that D.D. and I get to try. We are creatures of habit and if it weren’t for GFPR we would probably stick to the same stuff all the time. I love variety, and I love adventure. GFPR has given us an excuse to explore and have little adventures everyday.

Katz Gluten Free Rugeleh turned out to be a tasty adventure for both of us. If you can believe it, I actually had to talk my sugar-monster into tasting the rugeleh.

“A cross between a cookie and a cinnamon roll?!” she asked skeptically, “If you say so, Mom.”

I thought the hesitation a bit strange, but when it comes to food we all have our hang ups, right? She did taste them, and then kept tasting. I cut her off after four :)

Ease of Use

Katz Gluten Free Rugeleh comes ready to eat, right out of the container.

Appearance

Yes, they do taste as good as they look :) Each one is approximately 2 inches in diameter- great size for munching.

Taste and Texture

We had the pleasure of trying the cinnamon flavor. It provided the perfect mix of cinnamon sugary goodness. The cinnamon was warm and delicious, the sugar was just the right amount of sweetness. The texture was amazing. So light and flakey, yet firm at the same time.

Versatility

D.D. is certain that the resemblance to cinnamon rolls makes this gluten free rugeleh a breakfast food. I’m not so sure...

Overall Value

One box of Katz Gluten Free Rugeleh costs around $5.00. For that price, you get a fair amount of this tastiness.

Rating

We loved them!

Katz Gluten Free Marble Cake

2010-09-06T18:24:00.001-05:00

Ease of Use

It should be super easy to eat Katz Gluten Free Marble Cake, and after the first serving it is :) When you first open the package, though, you ought to have a hammer and chisel, an exacto knife and some scissors handy. Okay, I am over-dramatizing, but this is some good packaging. The cake is baked in a paper liner (like muffins). Then it is wrapped in plastic and placed in a plastic snap-lid box, which is then wrapped in more plastic. This product does not get my green award, but it sure is air tight and fresh!

Appearance

I wish I had taken a picture of the pieces from the first half of the cake. Those pieces were more evenly marbled.

Taste and Texture

Katz Gluten Free Marble Cake offers a variety in taste and texture. The yellow cake is sweet and tasty, but a bit dry. The chocolate, on the other hand, was so moist that it was almost wet. It had a deep, rich flavor that was pretty intense. I found myself wishing that I could have a large chunk of the chocolate cake all by itself.

Versatility

I have to admit that I am drawing a total blank on this one. Any ideas?

Overall Value

This gluten free marble cake sells for $5.19. That is not a bad price, really. It’s about average for any store-bought cake this size- gluten free or otherwise.

Rating

D.D. and I are both pretty fond of this cake.

Katz Gluten Free Honey Muffins

2010-09-02T18:13:00.002-05:00

Regular GFPR readers will know that my daughter D.D. and I do most of our reviews together. We like to share each new food and talk about the flavors and textures we like (and don’t like). Both of our opinions put together make up the reviews that you see here... But not today. I have to confess that I did a mean mom thing and practically hid the Katz Gluten Free Honey Muffins from D.D. I shared everything else in the box with her, but kind of counted these as a personal indulgence :)

She was pretty confused when she was digging through the cabinet and found that half of the muffins were missing. She turned to me and said, “When did we get these?”

I tell you, it was one of those rare parent-child role reversal moments. I got the guilty look of a cornered child and said nonchalantly, “Oh, those? They came in the box that Katz sent us.” At which point she sighed deeply and asked if she could have “at least one”. Of course I relented. Shame on me for trying to be selfish, right? It’s just that these muffins are perfect to go with my morning coffee, or afternoon smoothie, or whatever.... I’ll let the review itself tell the rest of why these gluten free muffins are a perfect mommy treat.

Ease of Use

Take the muffin out of the package, peel off the paper and eat it. I do recommend that you have a plate or a napkin handy as a crumb catcher, though.

Appearance

They look good, huh? Inside they have a fine crumb and dense texture.

Taste and Texture

Honey Muffin- enough said! Or maybe not :) These muffins (to me) are what you would get if you crossed a graham cracker with a spice cake and took out the gluten without affecting the flavor. They are dense and crumbly, but not dry at all. I’m more of a savory flavor person than sweet so I was thrilled to discover that Katz Gluten Free Honey Muffins are not over-sweet. They are just sweet enough to satisfy, but not so much as to upset my stomach in the early morning.

Versatility

Due to the fact that they are not too sweet, Katz Gluten Free Honey Muffins make a perfect accompaniment to savory soups and stews. They are great for breakfast or snack time.

Overall Value

Katz Gluten Free Honey Muffins are $5.99 for a 6-pack, and worth every penny.

Rating

I love them! D.D. thought they were pretty tasty too (when she finally got one :)

Kellog's Strawberry Slam Yogos

2010-08-25T17:38:00.001-05:00

The gluten free product review for today is another pick from Mr. Man. As usual, Mr. Man's menu items should have their ingredients labels double and triple checked before purchasing in case the ingredients change after posting. Yogos Bits are made by Kellog's, who says on their site that Yogos are manufactured gluten free and may be suitable for a gluten free diet. To me, that is legal-speak for, "If you get sick, please don't blame us." :)

I, personally am wickedly sensitive to contamination in any form and have never had an issue with eating Yogos Bits. D.D. and I eat them all the time- and enjoy them every time!

Ease of Use

Strawberry Slam Yogos Bits are packaged for individual servings, which makes them perfect to pack in lunches or snack on while working.

Appearance

Yogos Bits are little colorful balls. The Strawberry Slam flavor comes in dark and light pink.

Taste and Texture

I haven't tried the other flavors of Yogos Bits, but Strawberry Slam is totally addictive! The outer coating of yogurt is not hard, but it is solid. It has a smooth, sweet flavor and is great to bite into. The chewy inside is a bit tangy. The combination of flavor and texture is amazing!

Versatility

I really haven't explored this, I just eat them. I do think they would make pretty decorations for cakes. Especially since different flavors bring a plethora of color.

Overall Value

Each box of Yogos Bits has six individual packs and can be bought for just under $3. The individual servings are a good size for snacking. Not a bad deal, really.

Rating

I love 'em!

Deli International Gluten Free Pizza

2010-08-11T23:08:00.001-05:00

It’s frozen pizza time again. D.D. can’t get enough of the stuff. She actually picked this one from the store herself and was very excited to bring it home to me. I think part of the excitement was due to the fact that frozen pizza in our house has become synonymous with family movie night. Whatever her motivation, I heard little else from the moment she got home from the grocery store but how excited she was about her “real gluten free boxed pizza”. (So cute!)

Excitement is contagious, I suppose. I was even more excited when I saw that the Deli International Gluten Free Pizza she had picked came with the CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) Seal of Recognition. I got glutened a little while ago, so it was nice to have that extra bit of security in the gluten free status of dinner. As for the pizza itself, well, read on...

Ease of Use

Take the pizza out of the box, unwrap it and bake it (on a tray) in a 400 degree oven. The box says to bake it for 15-18 minutes. I baked it for 18 minutes because I like my pizza well done. Turns out, that was the perfect amount of time.

Appearance

I think you will agree that this gluten free pizza looks pretty good. The only thing the picture doesn’t show is the bald spot that was there when I pulled it out of the box. I covered the spot with a stray pepperoni before baking and couldn’t even tell where it had been later.

Taste and Texture

The crust of Deli International Gluten Free Pizza was great. It had a good flavor and a fabulous texture. It was nice and crisp around the edges and not at all soggy in the center. The sauce was tangy and had a good flavor. There was just the right amount of sauce on the pizza.

Then there was the cheese... I have no love for the cheese on this pizza. It was the imitation-type mozzarella that feels funny in your mouth. Well, in my mouth, anyway, D.D. thought it was fine. The crust and the sauce were good enough that I still enjoyed the pizza, but I have to say that this pizza is better for kids taste buds than an adults.

Versatility

It is a gluten free frozen pizza, not much room for interpretation...

Overall Value

The pizza cost $8.49 at the grocery store. It was a decent size. D.D. and I split it and were both satisfied. The cheese thing haunts me a bit here, making me name this as a bit pricey.

Rating

You have D.D.’s whole-hearted recommendation for Deli International Gluten Free Pizza. She was very happy. I’m still on the fence a bit, myself, but not enough to give it a thumbs down.

Dinty Moore Beef Stew

2010-08-02T22:50:00.007-05:00

Mr. Man has picked a great gluten free product to review today. Dinty Moore Beef Stew (made by Hormel) has been a staple in my house for as long as I can remember. I love soups and stews and always stock my pantry with a few cans for my lazy nights. In the gluten eating days I had two favorites, but one of them didn’t survive the gluten free purge. I can’t even tell you how excited I was when I saw that Dinty Moore Beef Stew had gone gluten free before I did! Even better, it is labeled gluten free right on the can! In fact, on a perusal of their website, I found that this scrumptious meal contains none of the major allergens. You can find this beef stew in the soup isle of just about any grocery store. Read on to find out why you should.

Ease of Use

Dinty Moore Beef Stew is all about heat and serve. This can be done on the stove or in the microwave and only takes a few minutes.

An added bonus for me (since lately I am can opener challenged) is that the cans are the pop-top kind. They can be opened by anyone anywhere.

Appearance

This stew has a thick rich base filled with large chunks of beef, potato and carrots.

Taste & Texture

Yummers! The beef is lean and tender, the potatoes and carrots are perfectly cooked. The beef gravy is rich and flavorful. The overall effect of the stew is tasty, warm and comforting.

Versatility

Really, no matter how you fix it, this will always be stew. I have served it a number of tasty ways, though. Heat it up with some frozen peas in it for a fresh flavor and some extra nutrition. I’ve used it as a pot pie filling, served it over rice or in a bread bowl. It tastes great any way you serve it.

Overall Value

I love the fact that you can buy Dinty Moore Beef Stew everywhere! Seriously, they even carry it in most gas stations. The price varies depending on what size you buy and where you buy it, but you can almost always get a filling amount for under three bucks.

Rating

D.D. and I both love Dinty Moore Beef Stew and eat it on a regular basis.

Contes Cheese Ravioli

2010-07-28T13:19:00.007-05:00

I ate gluten free cheese ravioli this week! This is exciting for me because I've been ravioli-less for over two years. I didn't even know they made gluten free ravioli until Poj surprised me with it this week. As a longtime fan of stuffed pasta, I cannot tell you how happy it made me that he found Contes Cheese Ravioli. It is frozen, so you will find it in the freezer case where you buy your gluten free goodies.

Ease of Use

Contes Cheese Ravioli cooks for 6-8 minutes in simmering water. You have to watch them closely. Too little time in the water and the pasta will be tough and chewy, too much time and the pasta will turn to mush and shred on you.

Appearance

This picture shows the outside of the ravioli in all it's shining glory. The inside is made of firm ricotta cheese with bits of green herbs mixed in.

Taste and Texture

The texture of these gluten free raviolis is fantastic! The pasta is soft enough to melt in your mouth (in the good way). The filling stays firm enough to add just the right amount of bite and texture.

Unfortunately, the flavor is pretty bland. The pasta has almost no flavor and the filling was very mild. On the other hand, bland flavor is much better than bad flavor :)

Versatility

This is where the bland flavor could be a benefit. These gluten free cheese raviolis are endlessly versatile because they will take on the flavor of any sauce you put on them. I even see great possibilities for dessert ravioli.

Overall Value

Contes Cheese Ravioli comes in a 12 oz. package, which holds 2 1/2 servings. The package will cost upwards of $10. The price and the small amount combine to place this gluten free pasta firmly in my "special occasion" category. They will be great for anniversary dinners and such, but cost too much to feed them to the family on a weekly basis. On a side note, what is the recommended use of that half serving? Is that for the child in the house?

Rating

I recommend this gluten free ravioli to stuffed pasta addicts everywhere.

Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars from Enjoy Life

2010-07-19T15:22:00.001-05:00

Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars from Enjoy Life are up for review today. Back in the gluten eating days we loved cereal bars and Newton bars, but I didn't see many of those options when we started our gluten free adventure. D.D. and I were excited last time we went to the store and really looked to see how many gluten free snack bar options there are now. As official snack addicts, we take this stuff seriously (well, as seriously as we take anything...)

Ease of Use

Enjoy Life On-the-Go Bars are individually wrapped which means they are super easy to take along and eat anywhere. They are also pretty solid on texture and not melty so they are purse approved.

Appearance

I am really drawing a blank on how to describe the appearance, and I realize that the photo I snapped is a bit blurry. I hope it gives a good enough idea...

What I can tell you is that these things are tiny! When D.D. first unwrapped one she exclaimed, "Look Mom! They're so cute and little!" There are five bars in a box. In order to share the wealth equally, D.D. and I split bar number five between us. Each of us got about a bite and a half, and I take small bites.

Taste and Texture

Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars have a good flavor to them. They taste very natural and, dare I say it- healthy! The flavor is mild without being bland. I love the fact that they aren't super sweet, just enough to make your mouth happy. I would like a bit more caramel flavor, though.

These gluten free snacks have a nice chewy texture. There are different textures mixed in, a little grain, some softness and a couple chewy apple bits. They are solid and firm.

Versatility

I bet you could make a pretty tasty crust out of these, but it wouldn't be very cost effective. I recommend that you use them as they were intended- just eat them :)

Overall Value

A box of five 1 ounce bars will cost you $3.99. That's not a terrible price, but not a great bargain either. These go too fast in my house to buy them all the time, but they are perfect for roadtrip snacks.

Rating

I recommend Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars from Enjoy Life on the basis of taste and texture. They won't fill you up, but they are a great blood sugar boost in the afternoon.

Glutino Penne Alfredo

2010-07-07T18:59:00.001-05:00

This week, when my husband brought home a new gluten free product to try, D.D. and I were both stoked. This new product moment just may be our favorite time of the week. When Poj says, "Oh yeah, I picked up something new for you to try." D.D. and I both rush to read the box and exclaim over the contents and wonder what new experience is in store. (I have mentioned that we're total food geeks, right?)

This time the product was Glutino Penne Alfredo. It was a gluten free frozen T.V. dinner that boasted alfredo sauce on brown rice penne. We LOVE alfredo! And, it was from Glutino, a gluten free company that has provided many hours of food happiness in the past. Which is why I'm a little sad about today's review of Glutino Penne Alfredo. To be honest, I considered not writing it, but I started GFPR to do honest reviews- So here goes...

Ease of Use

I love the ease of this product. You open the box, take it out of the wrapper and throw it in the microwave. Heat it for four minutes, give it a stir and heat it for one more minute. Pretty simple.

Appearance

Okay, this is where I started to encounter problems. When I stirred it to mix the penne with the alfredo sauce, the pasta began to shred. Most of the pieces that didn't shred were stuck in large clumps. Also, the alfredo sauce is almost translucent, which is a bit off-putting to me.

Taste and Texture

True to appearances, the gluten free pasta was gummy and overcooked. Once it began to cool it started clumping together even more. The sauce was a bit bland, more like a white cream sauce than alfredo. I added some pepper and a lot of grated parmesan to improve the flavor.

Versatility

Gluten free frozen dinners are never very versatile. They kind of just are what they are:)

Overall Value

Glutino Penne Alfredo costs $5.79 for a 10.6 ounce box. That is a bit much to spend on a single serving meal (in my opinion) but is really not that much more than most gluten free convenience meals. The thing with this is that by spending a little more I can buy the pasta, parmesan and butter needed to make penne alfredo for the whole family. It definitely wouldn't be ready in five minutes, though.

Rating

It pains me to say it, but I cannot recommend this product based on the fact that I would not purchase it again myself.

WOW Chocolate Brownies

2010-06-30T14:16:00.001-05:00

It is no secret that my house is full of chocolate lovers. As such, there are few things we appreciate more than a great brownie. Brownies are that happy place where fudge meets cake and everyone can rejoice in the pure yumminess of it all. This week, my husband handed me a package of gluten free chocolate brownies from WOW Baking Company that blew the top off of any other brownie I have ever had. Seriously, these things are so good that I kept them next to my desk so I could grab one whenever.

Ease of Use

WOW gluten free chocolate brownies come from the freezer case in the grocery store. I didn't realize that at first, so the first one I ate was frozen. It is still a toss up as to whether I like them frozen or thawed better.

Appearance

I can't say that these gluten free brownies are pretty, really, they look like fudgy brownies.

Taste and Texture

WOW Chocolate Brownies literally melt in your mouth. They are so rich and fudgy. It's like eating fudge, but without the sugar overload. The only issue I had (especially when eating them frozen) was the fact that the chocolate chips in the brownies were a bit unexpected and broke the flow of the chewy meltiness.

Versatility

There are several uses, I'm sure, but the only thing I'm thinking of is ice cream sammiches! So good! One more thought, D.D. just walked in and suggested that we use the last two brownies to make melted marshmallow sandwiches at our cookout tonight- She IS brilliant!

Overall Value

Each tub of gluten free WOW Chocolate Brownie goodness is $5.99. That will get you about a dozen brownies.

Rating

I'm sure it is fairly obvious how much I love WOW Chocolate Brownies. Everyone, gluten free or not, needs to try these at least once.

Schar Ciabatta Parbaked Rolls

2010-06-23T23:09:00.002-05:00

A couple weeks ago, D.D. and I had a shopping day. She needed some new summer clothes and we needed some time together. We had a very strict budget (and she's a ten-year-old tomboy) so we decided to hit the thrift stores rather than the trendy shops. Well, thanks to superior bargain sniffing skills, we came in way under budget. Somehow we ended up at the grocery store with the surplus... Yes, we are big enough food geeks to spend the extra money in a grocery store.

We had a lot of fun! There were so many treats on the shelves that I hadn't seen yet that we spent an hour making choices. Surprisingly, I have not been disappointed by any of them, including today's gluten free product review: Schar Ciabatta Rolls.

Regular readers of GFPR will probably have noticed that I don't do many bread reviews. This is because I am a total bread snob and most gluten free bread is not so great. I get nervous whenever it comes to trying new gluten free bread, and I avoid it. Occasionally, though, I have to branch out a bit and these rolls looked good! Besides, D.D. reminded me that it had been too long since we had made any Ultimo Egg Sammiches- and you need good, sturdy rolls for that.

Ease of Use

Schar Ciabatta Rolls are made to be baked in the oven before eating. Take the gluten free rolls out of the super-sealed package and put them on a cookie sheet. Bake the rolls for 8-10 minutes in a 400 degree oven. This is not a grab and go food, but they are worth the effort. Once the package is opened, the remaining rolls need to be refrigerated and eaten within five days.

Appearance

These are cute little squares of gluten free roll goodness. Seriously, they are small, only about three inches long. They are light in color and all are uniformly shaped.

Taste and Texture

Schar Ciabatta Rolls have a slightly crusty outside and a soft and warm interior. They are very moist and tender. As seen in the picture, they have a textured crumb inside with plenty of nooks and crannys. They are not a bit dry or crumbly.

The flavor of these rolls was wonderful. I noticed a slightly sourdough-like flavor, which I love. D.D. and I both dug in with pleasure, and she was ready for "round two".

Versatility

These are rolls. Gluten free rolls! That pretty much means that the sky is the limit as far as versatility is concerned. They are great for sandwiches (small ones), but definitely good enough to eat by themselves (dinner rolls to go with a roast beef dinner perhaps?)

Overall Value

Here's the rub- Schar Ciabatta Rolls are a bit pricey at about $6 for four. Since my food budget is as limited as my clothes budget, I won't be getting these gluten free rolls as often as I'd like.

Rating

I recommend Schar Ciabatta Rolls because they are mighty tasty.

Kinnikinnick Vanilla Glazed Gluten Free Donuts

2010-06-16T23:29:00.001-05:00

I am more than excited about today's gluten free product review. Until I found these, I had been donut free for two years. That is just not okay! D.D. and I argued a bit over whether to get the vanilla or the chocolate first, but luckily she was distracted by some ice cream just in time :)

I'm not trying to get sappy or anything, but Kinnikinnick Vanilla Glazed Gluten Free Donuts provided me with an unexpected smile. I live right down the street from one of the best donut shops in the city. Before going gluten free it was a fun treat for D.D. and I to stop in and grab a couple donuts on our way to whatever adventures the day held. I didn't realize how much I missed this until I got to share a donut with my daughter again this week, and it tasted good! It was a small reminder that it really is the little things in life that make the difference.

Ease of Use

Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Donuts come frozen in boxes of six. I expected to open the box and have to pry the donuts apart. This was not the case :) There is a plastic wrapped tray inside the box that kept the donuts from sticking to each other, very handy! I did have to re-wrap the tray in a zip-top bag to store the donuts after the first use.

Frozen or not, Kinnikinnick Vanilla Glazed Gluten Free Donuts are fast and easy. Put them on a plate and microwave them for 15-20 seconds to thaw them. Be careful not to cook them too long- The glaze will melt and the donut gets chewy.

Appearance

These gluten free donuts are perfectly shaped with a thick layer of white glaze.

I tried really hard to get a good picture, but I'm not a great photographer and that glaze is darn shiny.

Taste and Texture

Kinnikinnick Vanilla Glazed Gluten Free Donuts are cake style donuts. The glaze is thick enough that it is more like frosting. Both the donut and the glaze are delicious. There is a bit of the "gluten free flavor", but nothing worth complaining about. I was surprised at how good the texture was, soft and crumbly- just the way a donut should be.

Versatility

This is not the most versatile product, but a gluten free donut needs no other purpose :)

Overall Value

About $6 for six gluten free donuts. Not a bad price, really.

Rating

I love Kinnikinnick Vanilla Glazed Gluten Free Donuts. I can't wait to try the other flavors!

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

2010-06-11T17:25:00.002-05:00

More great stuff from Tropical Traditions today, folks! Since the change of seasons I have been all about the hair. I have super long hair that I love, except that I get these crispy ends. (yes, CRISPY!) Even right after a trim. I think it's some strange combination of heat, humidity and sneaky little end-crisping gnomes. Whatever the cause, I found the solution in Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Hair Treatment.

Ease of Use

This varies a bit. When the oil is cold (ish) it is solid. I take a bit and rub it between my hands to liquify it. When the oil is warm, I just dip a couple fingers in the jar. Once my hands are oiled, I massage the oil all through my hair from the tips to the roots. I personally put a lot more on the ends than at the roots. I have to be careful not to use too much, though, more than a few drops and my hair goes from shiny to an oil spill.

Appearance

When cool, the oil is solid and white. When warm, the oil is crystal clear.

Scent and Texture

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Hair Treatment has a light coconut scent, almost like toasted coconut. The texture is, well, oil.

When used in my hair, it almost seemed to thicken the strands. My hair felt strong and looked soft and shiny. The ends were no loger crispy, but did remain a little stiff. I'm still experimenting to see if long term use improves my hair even more.

Versatility

Throughout the life of this blog, Tropical Traditions has definitely provided some very versatile products. The hair treatment is no exception. As far as I can tell, it is just pure coconut oil.I use it as a whole body moisturizer as well as a hair treatment. I do love the fact that I have an all in one product here that I can use head to toe and still snack on if the mood strikes :)

Overall Value

A 16oz. jar costs $19.95. If you use it like I do (even adding use for the body) it will last a very long time. I haven't even made a dent in my jar yet.

Rating

Recommended- Especially for people who are plagued by sneaky little end-crisping gnomes.

The Giveaway

If you are familiar with Tropical Traditions or GFPR, I'm sure you saw this coming- Tropical Traditions will send one lucky reader their very own jar of coconut oil hair treatment to try for themselves. First, though, Legal Guy says:

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review,

and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation

to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

To enter to win a jar of coconut oil hair treatment from Tropical Traditions, you must first use this link to sign up for their newsletter. After you've done that, come back here and leave a comment to tell me why you want it. (i.e. End-Crisping Gnomes, Split-End Sprites, Frizz Faeries, etc.) On Monday, June 28, 2010 I will compile the entries and have D.D. draw one at random out of a hat to be the winner.

One added note, if you post your entry using a profile URL, please make sure that the profile contains an email address for me to reach you. If I can't email you to get your address, there is no way for me to send you a prize, and then we are both sad. Good Luck-

This giveaway has been completed, Thank You!

Glutino Pretzels

2010-06-09T18:34:00.002-05:00

Gluten free snacks! Is there anything better than crunchy, munchy snacks? Not for me! Today, I offer for your product reviewing pleasure: Glutino gluten free pretzels. These babies come in three flavors: twists, sticks and sesame- all are equally happy :)

Ease of Use

Too easy! An entire bag can disappear right before your eyes :)

Appearance

They look suspiciously like pretzels... These little twists have marks on one side like they were grilled- interesting!

Taste and Texture

Crispy, crunchy, light and delicious. These taste and feel like "real" pretzels. Even my dad, who usually won't touch gluten free food liked them enough to grab another handful. He said in surprise, "They taste just like real pretzels!" Good job, Glutino :)

Versatility

There are probably endless uses here, but let me share a couple of my favorites: Dip these gluten free pretzels in chocolate, wrap them in turkey, munch them by the handful or sit across the room from your daughter and see who can catch the most in their mouths :) I also saw a recipe the other day where crushed Glutino pretzels were used to coat baked chicken.

Overall Value

About five bucks for a large bag :) Makes me happy!

Rating

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that I have given Glutino gluten free pretzels the highest possible rating.

Tandoor Chef

2010-06-07T17:19:00.001-05:00

I have been away for a long time! My dad had surgery on his knee a few weeks ago and I have been spending a lot of time at "The Ranch" with him. I loved the time, even though it kept me away from GFPR. Good news is, I ate a lot of food so I have a lot of reviews coming up :)

The gluten free product review for today is one that was fun for me to explore. Tandoor Chef sent me several of their gluten free frozen entrees to try (Disclaimer guy says: Although this product was sent to me, I was under no obligation to give a review- good or otherwise...) Not all of the products that Tandoor Chef makes are gluten free, so make sure to check the label and ingredients before you buy. (Tandoor Chef makes this easy by labeling each product with gluten free, vegan, medium spiced, etc. on the front of the box.)

I have never had much experience with Indian Cuisine so I was a bit nervous about venturing into unknown territory. D.D. loves anything that involves chicken, so she jumped right in. We both ended up enjoying the experience. We sat at the table together dipping bread in the sauce of two of the gluten free frozen entrees and discussing everything from complex spicy flavors to life in general. As for the food itself, well, read on:

Ease of Use

In the grand tradition of frozen entrees (gluten free or otherwise) Tandoor Chef makes preparation super easy. Pull the tray out of the box, puncture the plastic and heat for about five minutes. Once heated, pull off the plastic, stir and eat.

Appearance

The gluten free food I received from Tandoor Chef fell in the color scheme of either orange or green :) The orange ones were a heavily spiced, creamy, bisque-like sauce with yummy chunks of either cheese or chicken in them. The green ones were creamed spinach, again with chicken or cheese.

Looking at them, D.D. was put off by the appearance of the creamed spinach. I had to talk her into taking a taste. Once she tried it, though...

Taste and Texture

I have to admit to being very impressed by the quality and flavor of all of the Tandoor Chef gluten free frozen entrees. Usually frozen meals are a bit lacking, but these were not. The flavors were rich, bold, spicy and fresh. There was not a bit of mushy-yuck in any of them. (Not even the Pad Thai, which was delightful) The "homemade style cheese" had a nice bite and texture to it. The chicken was all very tender and all of the sauces were downright addictive! Even D.D., who avoids spicy food like the plague, kept coming back for more. (The spinach ended up being a favorite.)

Versatility

I'm not sure where to go with this one... The gluten free food made by Tandoor Chef definitely is more on the side of convenient than versatile.

Overall Value

Tough call here. Each box will ring up at almost five dollars, but the portions are deceptively large. The day that D.D. and I split two between us we had leftovers.

Rating

I highly recommend the gluten free offerings from Tandoor Chef. They were a whole new adventure in eating and they even pleased a ten-year-old's palate.

Gluten Free Cracklebred from Natural Nectar

2010-04-21T14:43:00.001-05:00

I've done reviews for gluten free crackers, and some for gluten free breads, but today is a first for GFPR! Today I get to do a review for something that is neither bread nor cracker, but something in between. I found Gluten Free Cracklebred from Natural Nectar in my mom's pantry. It was something I'd never seen before, so you know I had to try it!

Ease of Use

As easy as food can be!

Appearance

Gluten Free Cracklebred from Natural Nectar has a very porous texture. It is obvious from a glance that we are dealing with a light and airy snack.

Taste and Texture

Appearances are not deceiving here. Cracklebred is indeed light and airy. It's taste and texture reminded me of Cheetos Puffs, without the cheese powder. Honestly, at first bite I wasn't sure I liked the flavor. It is very different- Sort of bland and flavorful at the same time. I kept taking bites (the texture drew me in) and the more I ate, the more I liked it. I found myself going back for more.

Versatility

Cracklebred has a light texture that goes great with salads and soups. It also holds up to toppings well.

Overall Value

Each box costs around $3 for 21 crackers. Not a bad price, especially when you look at the fact that Cracklebred has no trans fat, no cholesterol and only 17 calories per slice.

Rating

I'm not sure that Cracklebred is for everyone, but I can't seem to stop eating it :) I recommend that everyone try it at least once.

Chocolate Tortilla Chips from Food Should Taste Good

2010-04-19T17:07:00.000-05:00

My husband does the majority of the grocery shopping in our house. This created a new adventure for me when we agreed that he would pick a random gluten free product from the grocery store each week for me to try for GFPR. A lot of what comes home is a variation on other brands I've tried. We've tried a plethora of gluten free crackers, crusts and cookies. I was a tad surprised when I asked for the latest find and was handed a bag of chocolate flavored tortilla chips.

Yes, Chocolate Chips! I looked sideways at the bag and said, "Seriously?!" He just shrugged and replied, "You said to be creative." About that time, D.D. walked into the room. Her eyes completely lit up when she saw the bag. Right there she decided that since they were chips, they didn't fit under the candy rules, which meant she could have as much as she wanted :)

I checked the nutrition information and had to agree with her when I saw that there were only 4 grams of sugar per serving. We decided that these new chocolate chips were a great addition to the popcorn for Family Movie Night. I made D.D. wait until then to open the bag.

Ease of Use

As easy as a bag of chips should be! The bag is thick enough that the rattling didn't even detract too much from the movie soundtrack.

Appearance

The chips look a lot like the picture on the bag. They are thick and have an uneven texture. The bag, I must say, is very stylish.

Taste and Texture

First, the texture: Chocolate Tortilla Chips from Food Should Taste Good have a great texture. They are thick, textured and crunchy. The sea salt is visible on each chip and creates an extra demension to the snacking.

Now for the flavor: Oh my! These gluten free chips have a rich dark chocolate flavor that is hard to resist. It is a sweet and salty snacking combination worth repeating!

Versatility

I'm sure we could find a million and one uses for Chocolate Tortilla Chips, but I can't keep them on hand long enough to find out what they are. I would love to hear the uses that you have found.

Overall Value

The bag of Food Should Taste Good Chocolate Tortilla Chips can be bought for under $3. Unfortunately, The chips don't last very long- I'm honestly not sure if that is due more to the small quantity in the bag, or D.D.'s chocolate addiction. Whatever the reason, our bag didn't make it through the whole movie :)

Rating

I recommend that everyone try these chips at least once.

Tropical Traditions Organic Hulled Millet

2010-04-14T23:02:00.003-05:00

Since changing to a gluten free diet, I have been more aware of my nutritional needs. Before, I was one of those rare fast food junkies that always opted for the whole grain breads and chips in the stores. It was very depressing to me that going gluten free not only meant a lot of tasteless spongy food, but most of it was pure sugar as well.

I started exploring the food available to me in my new gluten free life (hence the gluten free product review blog) and have found some great stuff out there. Reading those labels began to take it's toll, though, and I knew I could do better than I ever had before to offer my family good nutrition. I began to study the other grains that were available to me. It was very encouraging to discover that there were a lot of whole grain, healthy options out there, even for people who can't eat wheat.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous when I received the bag of millet from Tropical Traditions to try. As stated, I've done the research and I know how healthy millet is, but buying a loaf of gluten free bread made of millet is a lot different than just eating the millet itself.

D.D. had a nervous reaction as well, "Mom, that's what I feed the birds!" I replied with, "Well, if it's good enough for them, then we may like it too." We swallowed our nerves and tried the most basic recipe for millet I could find. I'm glad we did! This was another learning experience that I am more than happy to share with all of you.

Ease of Use

Tropical Traditions Hulled Millet is pretty easy to prepare. It can be made on the stove, or in a crock pot or a host of other cooking options. The cooking methods and times are very similar to brown rice.

Appearance

These little grains are pretty! They have a pearly sheen with a tan color. I had to talk D.D. out of playing in the bag because they feel neat in your hands. Once cooked, the millet looked a lot like couscous.

Taste and Texture

The cooked millet from Tropical traditions had a nice bite to it. It was a little like brown rice, but with more texture due to the smaller grain size. It has a great mouth feel. The flavor was mild, but delicious. I was very pleasantly surprised by both the flavor and texture that this gluten free whole grain offered.

Versatility

Honestly, I'm going to say that this is the best part about the millet from Tropical Traditions. You can use it for anything! It can be used at breakfast as a hot cereal, at lunch as part of a salad and a side dish or main course for dinner. It can be mixed in to any dish to add texture and flavor, it would be a fantastic substitute for barley in soup... The list goes on! Those of you who are industrious enough in your kitchens to have a grain mill can even make your own whole grain millet flour.

Overall Value

My jaw just about hit the floor on this one- A five pound bag of organic, whole grain hulled millet from Tropical Traditions is only $8.88! Get a ten pound bag for $15.54. I get very excited about low prices and with this kind of versatility, this is a LOW price! (Not that I'm suggesting it should be raised :)

Rating

I love the stuff! I'm very glad I tried it and I can't wait to find many more uses for it.

The Giveaway

If you are familiar with Tropical Traditions or GFPR, I'm sure you saw this coming- Tropical Traditions will send one lucky reader a five pound bag of millet to try for themselves. Before we get into that, though, we have to see the legal stuff:

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review,

and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation

to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Back to the fun stuff! To enter to win a five pound bag of gluten free whole grain millet from Tropical Traditions, you must first use this link to sign up for their newsletter. After you've done that, come back here and celebrate the versatility of this product by leaving a comment telling me your best use for the millet. It can be a recipe, or just the name of a dish, but make it fun.

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 D.D. is going to pick her five favorites from the list. Out of the top five, we will draw a random winner out of a hat. If you need a little inspiration, check out the recipe section of the Tropical Traditions site.

As usual, please make sure that there is a way to contact you within your comment. Good luck to all who enter!

This giveaway has been completed, Thank You!

Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers

2010-04-12T14:13:00.000-05:00

Back in the days of my gluten innocence, one of my favorite snacks was cheese and crackers. Not just any cheese and crackers, though. I had to have the gourmet crackers with garlic and herb cheese spread. Luckily for me the cheese spread is gluten free, but I've had a hard time finding gluten free crackers that would hold up to the spread and create the flavor I was looking for...Until now.

Ease of Use

Inside the main package are two smaller cellophane wrapped packages. They are easy to open, but keep the gluten free crackers nice and fresh.

Appearance

Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers are large and golden. They have slightly raised edges on the top which makes them perfect for any kind of toppings.

Taste and Texture

Both the flavor and the texture of these gluten free crackers are a bit complex. They are dense and crunchy, yet light and crispy at the same time. The flavor is slightly pungent and bold, but not overpowering. They are the perfect gluten free crackers for strong cheeses and pate, but a little too much for soups and basic uses. For me, they are more of an indulgent treat than an every day snack.

Versatility

Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers would make a delicious crumb topping or a flavorful surprise crust for certain casseroles. As with most crackers, the possible uses seem to be endless.

Overall Value

At $6.29 per package, the cost per cracker is about 30 cents. That's not too shabby!

Rating

I recommend Schar Gluten Free Table Crackers for those times when you need bold flavors or something a little extra special.

Gluten Free Houston Sandwich Rolls/Hamburger Buns

2010-04-07T17:23:00.000-05:00

For our gluten free product review today, we're going back to gluten free breads. More to the point, gluten free rolls :) These rolls from Gluten Free Houston can be used for just about anything. Three out of the four that got sent to my house were commandeered by my daughter to make mega-egg sammiches. It takes quite a bun to stand up to the sausage, bacon egg and cheese sandwiches that D.D. loves, so this was a great test.

Ease of Use

These gluten free buns are not split when you get them. They cut cleanly and easily with any kind of serrated knife. The cut is not so clean with a butter knife, however, as evidenced by the amount of crumbs left behind when D.D. tried.

Appearance

Gluten Free Houston does not skimp on the portion sizes when it comes to their gluten free rolls. The buns are large enough to make an impressive sammich.

Taste and Texture

The first thing I should point out about these gluten free rolls is the smell. Right out of the package they have a fresh baked smell, with not a hint of strangeness.

They taste great! The flavor is very fresh and tasty. It is also versatile enough to compliment any type of sandwich. The only issue that I had was that they are dry. Not a crumbly, grainy type of dry (which is common) but more like a day-old baguette. On the other hand, it is probably the texture that makes these gluten free rolls so spread friendly. The bread doesn't absorb moisture the way that a lot of gluten free breads do. The lack of sogginess makes for a better sandwich experience overall.

Versatility

I could not even begin to list all of the possible uses for these gluten free rolls! The flavor is such that they are good for anything you can imagine needing gluten free bread for.

Overall Value

You can get a 4-pack of Gluten Free Houston Hamburger Buns for $6.95. I wouldn't call this a bargain price, but it's not completely extravagant either. The value of this product fits into my "sometime indulgence" category.

Rating

Gluten free Hamburger Buns/Sandwich Rolls from Gluten Free Houston come recommended by both D.D. and I.