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My friends at Health Flavors recently sent me a fantastic box of Orgran and Candy Tree samples so that I could give their products a go (Thanks Josef).  In all honesty, until the package arrived, I had never heard of or tried any of their products so this was a very welcome opportunity.  Orgran is an Australian brand that makes a side-range of gluten-free products and one of their importers/distributors, Health Flavors, is located just north of New York City in Westchester County.

The products I sampled included: (Orgran-branded)Essential Fibre Rice and Corn Pasta; Corn Pasta (Penne); Rice and Corn Pasta; Buckwheat Pasta; Molasses Licorice; Toasted Corn Crispibread; Vanilla Cake Mix; and Multi-Grain O’s with Quinoa.  From the Dutch company Candy Tree came Organic Strawberry Vines.

Needless to say, it took me a bit of time to work my way through all of the products I received but in the end I was beyond pleased with quality and, more importantly the taste of the products.  So onto the reviews…

First up was the Molasses Licorice.  Yes, that’s right you read that correctly an honest to goodness gluten-free licorice.  You are probably thinking that’s all well and good but it can’t possibly taste like the real deal.  Wrong!  I am a self-confessed licorice junkie and I have missed my sweet little dark morsels since being diagnosed with Celiac.  This was the first time in many, many years that licorice has crossed these lips and in one word it was HEAVEN.  First of all, there is no way you could even tell that this was gluten-free.  It was so wonderfully soft in texture and the taste!  It was mildly sweet (as a good licorice should be) but had the wonderful licorice bite to it that exploded onto your palate with just the right amount of spiciness.  Trust me, I know my licorice and this is quite possible the best (gluten-filled or gluten-free) that I have ever come across.  It comes in a great resalable pouch that keeps the candy nice and soft.  The licorice pieces do stick together but isn’t that half the fun – pulling them apart as the anticipation builds?  If you love licorice like I do, do yourself a favor and give this a try.

Next  up was the Toasted Corn Crispibread.  This was quite unexpected indeed.  I suppose I was expecting something similar to a Wasa Crisp flat bread-type cracker but while this had the same shape it was far better tasting.  Think naked cheese doodle because that is exactly what it tasted like.  A large, flat, cheese-doodle without the dreadful orange powder that gets all over your hands.  I really enjoyed these and topped then with everything from cream cheese, to dip, to brie and the held up extremely well.  What is nice about these is because they are plain you can pretty much pile anything on top without having to worry about combating flavors.  I even snacked on these plain as they make for a great tasting treat that is terrifically crunchy.

The next product in my gluten-free tasting frenzy was the Multi-Grain O’s with Quinoa.  Now I was not sure what to make of these at first.  I was thinking, hmmm, these look too healthy to actually taste good.  I have always been a fan of quinoa so was intrigued by these O’s.  They also contain psyllium fiber which is great and not something you see everyday in a breakfast cereal.  So how did they taste?  Well, they are quite plain and actually reminded me of plain Cheerios – and is quite frankly the closest we Celiacs will get to them.  If you are restricting your sugar intake for whatever reason then these would be a perfect option.  What I really liked about their plainness was that I could mix them into other cereals or add a bit of sweetener without ruining the taste and more importantly without overloading it with sugar.  If you are looking for a sugary sweet breakfast option then look elsewhere because that is not what these are about. 

The pastas were enjoyed during a pasta marathon I decided to have.  I prepared a small amount of each of the pastas I received (Essential Fibre Rice and Corn Pasta; Corn (Penne); Rice and Corn Pasta; and Buckwheat).  I topped them all with same sauce to get a feel for how they not only tasted, but more importantly held up when loaded with sauce.  The Essential Fibre and Rice and Corn pasta was very good as was the Corn penne and Rice and corn (mix) pastas.  All cooked perfectly to al dente and tasted like pasta should with a wonderful hint of graininess that really made them taste like the real thing.  Perhaps the biggest stand-out was the Buckwheat variety.  It was one of those things I just never bothered to try – quite frankly because I just didn’t think it would compare to more traditional grains in taste.  Well, I will be the first to admit I was wrong.  The Orgran Buckwheat spirals was quite possibly my favorite out of all the pastas sampled.  It had a great (and delicious) nuttiness to it that really paired well with my sauce of choice (creamy white) and held the sauce perfectly.  It had a truly complex flavor that, while pronounced, did not take away from the sauce – and I can see this being a truly diverse pasta able to compliment any sauce you top it with.

Back to the candy front, I was eager to try the Candy Tree Organic (yes, organic) Strawberry Vines.  These were produced in the Netherlands (on of my all time favorite destinations) and were really very, very good.  These were far more subtle in flavor than the Molasses Licorice I raved about earlier but still full of flavor without being too sweet.  The small vine shapes are like mini-Twizzlers and I really enjoyed these as well.

Finally to the pièce de résistance of the products…the Vanilla Cake Mix.  This was the last item I needed to prepare so that I could give a comprehensive overview of the Orgran products I received.  This past Saturday I finally found some time to bake a cake.  Well, I didn’t really need a large chunk of time as the mix was really simple – just throw in eggs, margarine, water, and mix.  Simple.  While mixing the magnificent aroma of vanilla emerges and I could tell that I was going to be in for a treat.  30-35 minutes later I pulled a perfectly brown, well-risen cake from the oven.  I of course sneaked a slice in the middle of the day and was truly amazed at the amazing taste.  It was truly full of fragrant vanilla but not too sweet so that you could really appreciate the complexity of the flavors all melding together to make a fabulous vanilla cake.  My non-GF other-half raved and raved about how good this cake was and we found ourselves sneaking pieces various times throughout the day.  Ultimately the cake only survived until Sunday evening and I now have to place an order for some additional boxes J. 

Overall I was really impressed with the Orgran products and it was good to see a company that clearly tries to provide healthful, great tasting options to Celiacs.  You can view the complete gluten-free product line on their Web site.  You can find their products at a variety of online retailers that carry gluten-free products.  If you are on Facebook, why not become a fan of Orgran Natural Foods USA?
 
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.
 
Gimme A Break! 07/16/2009
 
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Okay, it takes a lot to piss of Gluten Free Mike.  I mean I am a pretty easy going guy.  However, the other morning I went to a different Starbucks than my norm and noticed no Gluten Free Valencia Orange Cake in the display case.  Did not really think much of it at the time as I just thought they were out.  After all they are delicious.  Well, apparently that is NOT the case and the news broke on Twitter yesterday that Starbucks is essentially discontinuing the cakes and tweeted We heard that it was too much of a treat, and not a nutritious snack. The @KindSnacks bar is replacing it."

Are you freaking kidding me Starbucks?  Not a nutritious snack?  Have you looked into your display cases as of late?  I sure did this morning and perhaps the small scone at over 400 calories or perhaps a single cookie weighing about the same.  Wash it down with a 500 calorie Venti Caramel Frappuccino perhaps?  Don’t hide behind nutrition Starbucks when you in the indulgence business.

Oh, and for the record one Sesame and Peanut with Chocolate Kind Bar has 225 calories, 131 of which are from fat with 14.6 grams of sugar – yeah, that’s a healthy option.  This is not an attack on Kind Bars in any way.  I am just stating the facts the way Starbuck positioned them.  Frankly I can get a Kind bar at any deli here in the city so big freaking whoop that they are on the counter in Starbucks.

Okay, my rant is over but GFM is pissed that he finally had a real GF option (albeit an indulgence) that he could snack on with his coffee like all the “normal” people do.  If I want to shove a cake into my gob it is my call – I am a big boy and can make my own nutritional decision, thank you very much.