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The final space in my Favorite Things series goes to Mama Earth bakery out of Nyack, New York.  I truly love it when I am exposed to new companies that cater to a variety of food allergies and consumer preferences – plus I am all for the little guy making it in a very competitive landscape.  Mama Earth is a small company that makes extremely high quality products that are gluten-free and vegan.  I recently had the opportunity to sample some of their products and was really blown away at the not only the fabulous taste but the real attention to detail that went into the products.

I was lucky enough to try five of Mama Earth’s products: chocolate chip cookies; gingerbread men; nutty seed cookies; oatmeal raisin chip; and mint chocolate truffles.

The chocolate chip cookies were, in a word, amazing.  A few simple ingredients were turned into delicious chocolate chip cookies that were free from any dairy products.  I am not sure how Mama Earth does it but they do not sacrifice taste to be vegan.  I am not vegan (quite the contrary) but I honestly would not be able to single these cookies out as anything other than wonderfully fabulous chocolate chip cookies.

Next, in the spirit of the season were the terrifically festive gingerbread men.  These were sweet with just the right amount of a spicy ginger bite.  Again, for being both gluten-free and vegan they tasted just like the gingerbread men I remembered in my pre-Celiac diagnosis days.

The nutty seed cookies were a truly unique stand out among the products sampled.  These cookies were chock-full of sunflower and pumpkin seeds with crunchy rice puffs that gave a highly original texture.  The sweetness of the cookies was accented with a peanut butter undertone that paired perfectly with the meatiness of the nuts (and the walnut meal used in the base).  I am not sure how they came up with his combination but I am sure glad they did as these cookies are unlike any other gluten-free option out there and definitely one of my overall favorite things.

The oatmeal chip cookies came with the caveat that the oats were not certified gluten-free so they went to my partner who absolutely raved about them (as he did with the other products sampled).  We both could not believe that we were not only eating gluten-free but vegan as well without any taste or texture being sacrificed.

The final product I sampled were the mint chocolate truffles that packed a cool mint punch that was perfectly matched with rich chocolate flavor – and the chocolate was organic, very nice.

I wholeheartedly recommend giving Mama Earth a try.  Head on over to their Web site and look through their product portfolio.  They will happily ship their products to you and you can order directly from their Web site. 
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It is no secret that I have a massive sweet tooth.  The wide-range of ever increasing and decreasing pant sizes that have made their way through my wardrobe can attest to this.  One of the things I really missed being Celiac was the oatmeal cookie – the oatmeal cookie that tasted like an oatmeal cookie should.  I have long been a fan of Glenny’s munchies but it was not until I stumbled across these cookies that I was able to sample their sweeter side.  So, as my Favorite Things series begins to wind down the number two spot goes to Glenny’s GF Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

There is something I have longed for since going gluten free – soft, moist, oatmeal cookies.  I tend to stumble across new offerings each time I hit a grocery store which is certainly a good thing and shows that we Celiacs are in fact mainstreaming, woo-hoo!  However, I am also finding that these products seems to disappear once they are out of stock, sometimes never returning.  So what’s a fabulous Celiac to do?  Speak up – ask the manager of the store to carry specific gluten free items or simply order directly from the source.  Most companies now feature online stores where you can order direct from the manufacturer.  Also, in the case of Glenny’s, you can put items on auto-ship which makes life so much easier.

But I digress…back to the cookies.  I was a bit hesitant to try these because I have tried “moist” or “soft” gluten free cookies before and, well, let’s just say the companies were using artistic license.  Glenny’s get’s it right though.  These cookies were just like I remembered, good oaty consistency, good amount of raisins, and…wait for it…the were as soft as fresh baked!  De-lish!  I highly recommend giving these a try if you have an oatmeal fetish.  Oh, and they also have an equally as good chocolate chip variety as well if raisins are not you thing. 
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Continuing with the Indian theme of my recent favorite thing,I have selected these wonderful Bhuja Indian snacks from Majans for the number 3 slot in my Favorite Things series.  The taste and texture of these snacks will have you wondering Is this really gluten-free?  Thankfully, yes they are and they are really unique to boot.  I always have a few bags on-hand as you never know when guests will pop-in or when a snack craving will strike.

I came across these snacks when I was putting together my gluten-free contingency travel pack for my previous trip.  I actually sampled two varieties but will start with the original variety.  What’s nice about this snack is that you really feel like you are indulging in a gluten-filled snack.  There are wonderfully crunchy multi-grain noodles (from chick pea, yellow peas, and some GF starches) that are just AMAZING paired with wonderfully flavorful rice crackers scattered throughout.  The mix is also chock-full of green peas, peanuts, and sweet sultanas – all in a great spicy coating that has a bit of a kick but is not overly powering.

The spicy variety makes for a piquant surprise and makes for a great snack that will definitely please the pickiest of guests.  The spicy version is much like the original mix but features a eider crunch noodle throughout in lieu of the assorted rice crackers featured in the mild variety.  If you are a fan of spicy then I highly recommend picking-up a package and giving it a try.These snacks go extremely well with cocktails (making a great little bar mix) as the savory snacks subtle saltiness with hint of sweetness makes for the perfect combination with a nice wine, gluten-free beer or cider, or mixed cocktail. You can check out their complete product line on their Web site. 
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I am a huge fan of Indian cuisine so no favorite list would be complete without some tasty gluten-free options that not only taste fantastic but are also super easy to heat up even on the busiest of evenings.  I love to have these dishes as sides no matter what I am serving.  They all pair well with a variety of main courses so don't be shy and definitely give them a try.

I was surprised to see this line of Indian heat and eat products in my local grocery because quite frankly their selection is hit or miss and the main reason that I will travel to another market in another town.  As many of you who follow me know, I am a HUGE fan of Indian cuisine.  It has always been one of my favorites but is one of those things that was a either a restaurant or take-away thing.  My mother does in fact make a curry that is out of this world but it is not something I personally would make for myself particularly during the week when time is at a premium.  So, I am always on the lookout for quick and easy packaged sides that taste authentic in all their spicy glory.  Yes, technically these are more entrees than sides but I love to use them as exciting sides that spice up even the most mundane of main courses.
Kitchens of India most definitely meet the authentic criteria.  I don’t want some toned-down version that is tailored to local palates.  I want the full-experience that can transport me to the streets of Mumbai with a single fork-full. 

To-date I have sampled the Pindi Chana (chick peas with potatoes), Dal Bukhara (Black Gram Lentils Curry), Rajma Masala (Red kidney bean curry), and Navratan Korma (Mixed Vegetable and Cottage Cheese Curry).The Pindi Chana was absolutely delicious.  It was nice and spicy but not in an obnoxious sort of way.  It had a wonderful bouquet of spices swimming in the rich sauce that was flavored with pomegranate seed powder and tea leaves extract.  If you do not like spicy than this variety is probably not going to appeal to you.    The black lentils were not as spicy as the chick peas but were equally as flavorful.  They had a great creamy texture that paired so well with some roasted chicken that sopped-up the sauce.  They had just a subtle hint of chili powder.  The red kidney beans were actually very surprising because they were not all mushy (nor were the onions)  as I would have expected but were still nice and firm after being heated.  Again, this variety will appeal to a wide-range of spice preferences as it was more low to medium in the spice department.  I am a huge Korma fan but was admittedly leery when it came to a pre-packed variety.  I had vision of broken-down pieces of cheese turning into a gloppy mess when poured into a bowl.  I was wrong.  I don’t know how they do it but the cheese was swimming in a fragrant sauce chock-full of vegetables (peas, kohlrabi, potatoes, onions, and even cashews) and the cheese was still intact in terrifically firm pieces.I still have a few more varieties to sample and am definitely looking forward to it.  You can view Kitchens of India complete line of products on their Web site.
 
 
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The fifth favorite thing in my series goes to Betty Crocker for taking gluten-free to the masses.  These mixes are easy and taste like the real thing.  It is nice to be able to pick them up in your local market particularly if you need a quick sweet fix. While I have a multitude of GF option here in NYC, I realize that this is not the case in other areas so having a mix that is readily accessible to a wide-range of consumers garners the number five spot on my list.

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Having enjoyed the brownies, I decided to give the chocolate chip cookies a go.  Like the brownies, the prep was very easy – stir in the wet ingredients, mix well, and spoon onto a greased baking sheet.  Again, it was all super easy which I really like.The cookies themselves were, like the brownies, a bit flat.  Not sure if this had something to do with the size of my scoops but I did follow the directions exactly as they were written.  The texture was light and airy and there was a very good balance between crispy and chewy. 

From a taste perspective, they did in fact taste like the “real deal” and even my non-Celiac other half enjoyed them as well.  I tend to prefer a more bulked-up cookie so perhaps next time I will try adjusting the scoop size to see if these can be bulked up just a bit.


Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
I have been meaning to publish my review of Betty Crocker’s GF brownie mix for a while but kept getting sidetracked by other sweet GF offerings.  I have to start out by saying that it is fantastic that there is finally a mainstream brand out there that is recognizing (and meeting) the sweet tooth needs of Celiacs -- and it can be picked up at your local grocer.I carefully read the instructions which warned that the mixture would be stiffer than usual and they were not kidding.  After mixing in the wet ingredients, I got a very through workout trying to stir the batter by hand.  The prep could not have been easier though, which was a good thing.  I dumped the batter into a greased baking pan and had to work it so that it would spread out evenly.  Even then, I noticed that the mix yields a rather thin layer of batter.  As it baked in the oven, the kitchen was filled with a nostalgic scent of store bought brownies and this is going to sound strange but it smelled like the Betty Crocker I remembered pre-Celiac.The end result, a rather thin brownie but it was moist and actually really quite nice tasting.  Betty Crocker was able to, in my opinion, successfully replicate their famous mix in a GF variety.  It definitely has a place in the mass market and will no doubt delight millions of children who can now become part of the Betty Crocker generation.  For the gourmet dessert aficionados out there, it is worth a taste and good in a pinch but you will probably want to look elsewhere to get your brownie fix.  Check out Betty Crocker's complete GF line here.
 
 
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When looking back through the past few months of product reviews I came across this one that is a quick and easy snack or meal and perfect when you are looking for a GF crunch sensation.  The fact that they are also antibiotic-free makes them even more appealing and baking them in the oven helps bring up the health quotient even more vs. their deep fried counterparts.  These will transport you back to an earlier time and their simplicity allows for pairings with more complex and “adult” sauces.

As many of you may already know, I am a big fan of interesting textures – likely given the lack thereof while I was becoming acclimatized to a GF lifestyle.  Well, I stumbled across these chicken nuggets on Fresh Direct (a local online grocery delivery service here in N.Y.C.).I can safely say that aside from my own GF cutlet recipe (which you can find on my Recipes page) these are a close second and do not require nearly as much effort.  Quite frankly can't we all use a little convenience?  My gluten eating partner has also given them his seal of approval (something that does not always happen, particularly with my GF replacements).I have long been a fan of Applegate Farms Sunday Bacon which does not contain nitrates so when I saw they made a gluten free offering that was antibiotic-free, I thought why not give them a try?  Well, I was not disappointed.  If you bake them on a well sprayed foil-covered cookie sheet flipping them once one side becomes golden brown – the result is a super crispy morsel that will make you forget all about Mc Nuggets (though as a rule I do not eat fast food).  Now, they do tend to stick a bit, even on a very well greased pan, but a little gentle nudging does the trick.After my initial order of 2 packages I immediately ordered another 8 to store in the freezer – no joke.  These are great on the weekends or when your other half might have a hankering for gluten one evening.  I serve them with a homemade creamy horseradish sauce or my version of spicy cocktail sauce (both recipes to follow soon).  Delish!
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Lucky Number 7 12/22/2009
 
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If you are looking for a gluten-free company that makes decadent and EASY mixes – look no further than Gluten-Free Essentials (GFE).  This company out of Kansas makes truly fool-proof mixes (and I mean they could not be more simple) that are absolutely out of this world.  Whatever your taste preference, GFE has something to placate your sweet tooth.  I actually still have a few more items to review in their portfolio but will be making them for the coming holiday as GFM will have his in-laws in from Bermuda.  These cakes and cookies are so good that no one will ever know they are gluten-free – but you might have a tough time sharing them.  Just remember Christmas is all about giving so don’t hesitate serving these to your family our any guests that might show up (either planned or last minute because they whip up in mere minutes).  I actually made a batch of their famous Mudslide cookies and brought them into an office fundraising bake sale and they were a real hit.  Though in full disclosure I actually bought the entire lot back myself (hey, it was for a good cause) and then distributed the cookies to my very appreciative colleagues.  Oh, and Johnita and Maryclara the faces behind the company could not be, well, sweeter.  Be sure to check out Gluten Free Essentials' website to order and for a complete listing of their entire gluten-free product portfolio.

Gluten Free Essentials Decadent Brownie Mix
Continuing with my sampling of Gluten Free Essential’s baking mixes I recently ordered the Decadent Fudge Brownie mix (among others) and it did not disappoint. 

First things first, the mixes are just so simple to make you do not need any advanced planning or a weekend to bake any more.  In fact, I made the brownies yesterday after a long day at the office.  It was a whim, but I felt like something sweet and the oven was already on heating-up dinner so I though Why Not?  The brownie mix requires one additional ingredient than some of the cookie mixes I have had before – apple sauce – so make sure you have some on hand when these arrive.

So, I melted one stick of butter, combined it with some apple sauce and two eggs, mixed and voila, Brownies.  Well, almost – you do actually have to bake them J.  So about 30 minutes later, just as dinner was coming out of the oven so too were the brownies for cooling.  What I love about GF Essentials is that their products are decadent but not overly sweet.  I actually tweaked this mix just a bit as I has some chocolate chips laying around and decided to add them to the already generous amount in the mix.  Hey, I just could not resist!  These brownies also rose much more than Betty Crocker’s GF variety (which I like as well) but these were more cake-like in texture.

The end result?  A fabulously moist brownie that was rich but light and airy at the same time.  I have the remaining brownies chilling in the fridge for a cool treat this evening.  

Gluten Free Essentials Vanilla Sugar Cookie Mix
I wanted to make these cookies a week ago but when the mood struck me I realized I was out of eggs.  While luxuriating in a day off yesterday, and with my egg coffers replenished, I decided to make these sugar cookies.  I have always been a fan of the sugar cookie with its uncomplicated sweet goodness.  It makes no pretentions and is quite possibly the most versatile cookie out there.

The mixes from Gluten Free Essentials could really not be easier (see my previous review of their Cocoa Mudslide cookies).  You simply dump the mix into a bowl, add 1 stick of melted butter (delicious), and stir in two beaten eggs.  Oh, and then you chill it for half an hour.  I mean really, does it get any easier.  Well, I suppose they could arrive baked but GFE mixes let me pretend that I am actually a baker and know what I am doing.  Both mixes I have tried were completely fool proof.

These cookies were delicious.  They remained soft after cooling and were not sugary sweet – just the right amount of sweetness to bring out the wonderful vanilla undertones.  My non-GF partner also raved about these cookies so if you have a GF/non-GF household these are sure to please even the most hardcore cookie fanatics.  Next time I make these I might even get bold and add a few mix-ins or toppings.  Somehow the thought of a Hershey’s kiss centered in each cookie seems quite perfect.

Gluten Free Essentials Cocoa Mudslide Cookie Mix
I recently had the opportunity to sample a brand that I had never seen before and was excited to give it a try.  As many of you know, I am not a baker by any stretch of the imagination so welcome any product that can help me become just a little more like Betty Crocker.  Well Gluten Free Essentials was just the little helper that I needed.

I tried the Cocoa Mudslide Cookie Mix, because quite frankly can you go wrong with chocolate and marshmallows?  First, the instructions could not be simpler – all you need to do is add 2 eggs and a stick of melted butter, mix in the cookie mix, and chill for at least a half hour in the refrigerator.

Once the dough was chilled all I had to do was form it into balls, place on a cookie sheet, and put it in the oven to bake.  It really was fool proof and prep took no time at all.  I had reserved making these on a weekend but now realized that these are so simple, I could easily whip them up after a long day at the office.

The cookies were really delicious.  They were moist and full of chocolate chips and marshmallows but at the same time were not overly sweet.  Their consistency was really smooth and not at all mealy as is sometimes the case with gluten free mixes.  Honestly, you could serve these cookies up to any non-Celiac and they would never be able to tell that they were gluten free.  Gluten Free Essentials clearly got their flour mix right (in this case sorghum and rice) and even when you look at the mix in the bag you can tell it is finely milled to an almost powder-like consistency.

One 16 oz. bag yielded 9 rather large cookies which were my personal size preference.  If you made more normal-sized cookies you could easily double that amount.  I also have Gluten Free Essentials’ sugar cookie mix to sample next and I am definitely looking forward to it – just as soon as I finish these cocoa mudslide treats.
 
 
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Many of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter know that I took a brief hiatus the past few days.  I decided to surprise my father on a complete whim and fly down to be with him on his first day of chemotherapy.  Needless to say it was a total surprise to my parents (something I am really not good at – I can never keep a surprise a surprise) and really brought a smile to my father’s face.  This is his second bout with pancreatic cancer after almost two years of being cancer-free.  Well, he is a true fighter and already ahead of the curve so all I can do is remain hopeful and stay positive. 

I did not anticipate one of the largest blizzards in a long while to hit the East Coast so had to extend my trip a bit to avoid getting stranded along the way.  Everything worked out fine and a slight tweaking to my itinerary and I was home a day later than planned (which gave me an extra day with my father).  I also did not anticipate getting a speeding ticket that requires a court appearance in February which resulted in me seeking out an attorney to be there on my behalf.  Apparently there are some really rediculous speeding repercussions "down south" but I am putting my faith in my attorney to hopefully just get me a hefty fine and be done with it -- though I might not be so lucky, we'll see.

Thanks to US Airways who actually flew in an empty regional jet to get passengers back to NYC and their staff at Wilmington (ILM) who were helpful in making changes to my itinerary.  In the end it was all a lot less painless than some other travelers had to endure and for that I am truly grateful. 

My Favorite Things series will resume tomorrow and will be adjusted to carry you through the end of the year.
 
 
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Another one from the archives.  Not only were these cookies delicious, they have a fantastic cause behind them.  What better way to get in the holiday spirit than a sweet treat that helps sweeten the lives of others?  Most definitely one of my favorite things.

I tend not to blog about new products, preferring to reserve my reviews for that section on my site.  However, every now and then there are some items that I really want to call a bit of extra attention to.

I was lucky enough to sample a new gluten-free line from a company that actually lives their brand name.  The Greyston Bakery is located just up the road from Gluten Free Mike in Westchester County, New York.  What makes this company so unique is that all of the profits the company takes in go directly to the Greyston Foundation whose mission is to support low-income individuals and families as they forge a path to self-sufficiency and community transformation.  The bakery employs individuals who just need an opportunity to help get their lives on track.  I checked out many of the profiles on their Web site and each story was more inspirational than the next.

I sampled the oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie varieties.  The oatmeal raisin were wonderfully crisp and chock full of sweet moist raisins.  There was a perfect balance between the nuttiness of the oatmeal and sweetness of the raisins.  The chocolate chip were equally as crisp and flakey as their oatmeal counterparts but were filled with sweet chocolate morsels.  Both cookie bases were buttery perfection without being too sugary sweet so as not to distract from the wonderful add-ins.

So the next time you have a hankering for some truly delicious cookies, do as Greyston’s tagline advises and Feed Your Conscience.  What better way to enjoy a sweet gluten-free treat than knowing that your purchase is affecting huge change.

You can view Greyston’s complete line of sweets on their Web site where you can also place an order and learn more about the company.  The gluten-free line is now available and you can view the complete line here.
 
 
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If you’ve been a regular reader of my blog you will know that I absolutely LOVE pasta.  Being Italian, the biggest blow when diagnosed was the prospect of a bread and pasta-free existence.  When I was first diagnosed there were few pasta options and the ones that were out there, well, let’s just say they got the job done but offered little in the way of true satisfaction.  Today, there seem to be an infinite number of gluten-free pastas in a range of sizes, shapes, and flours.  Well maybe not quite infinite but it feels that way to me.  Every time I visit my local specialty grocer I see more and more gluten-free options popping-up from around the world – and yes it is my sworn duty as a GF blogger and proud Italian that I try each and every one I can get my hands on.  So the number 9 spot goes to Le Veneziane Gluten-Free Pasta.

On the recommendation of an Italian friend who said this was the best pasta out there I eagerly placed an order of four different shapes.  Ordering was easy enough through Amazon.com which had an online storefront for a company out of Boston who would actually ship the order.  Now I paid for normal shipping and the pasta was literally at my door the next day – well done.I was so eager to give this pasta a try as I love new GF items and I LOVE pasta. 

This is an Italian corn-based pasta that is available in some quite uncommon (for GF pasta) shapes which makes for a nice change from penne and fusilli.  I opted for the gnocchi (dry), spaghetti, pipe rigate, and tubetti rigate.  First on deck, the pipe rigate.I was craving a creamy alfredo sauce so wanted something that would capture the sauce nicely and the pipe rigate more than satisfied this need.  The uncooked pasta really looked like the pasta I remembered in my pre-Celiac days but the question remained…how would it taste?  Well, I am happy to report that my Italian friend did not let me down and it was really quite possibly the best pasta I have had to-date.  It cooked to a perfect al dente and the texture was indistinguishable from the traditional semolina version.You can view the company’s Web site (in English) to view their entire portfolio of products.