This time I picked up their Original Cheese Bites and Tomato, Olive, and Oregano Cheese Bites.  Ever a fan of savory snacks I was really excited to give these a go.  The first thing that you notice is that these delicate baked triangles are super light and airy.  The other thing you notice on the package is that these are both nearly 50% cheese in the ingredient department.

So on to the taste…

The Original variety is wonderfully cheesy without being overly salty.  The cheese is really what these are all about and the real cheese’s flavor really shines through making these the perfect savory snack during cocktails as they do not leave you feeling as though you’ve have a heavy round of canapés.  The Tomato, Olive, and Oregano variety as equally as delicious with the added flavor notes of, you guessed it, tomato and olive that really shine through with the added woodsy spiciness of oregano.

The only problem with these Cheese Bites is that the bags are small and being so addictive you’ll quickly find them empty – so just be sure to pick-up a few extra bags.  You can view the entire Mrs. Crimble’s sweet and savory product portfolio on their Web site where you can also find out where to purchase their products in your area.

All you need to do is head on over to their Facebook page each day to enter to win that day’s prize.  Give their page a “Like” and you’ll get a $2-off coupon to use on any of their delicious products.

I have long been a fan of Rudi’s ever since I tried their Cinnamon Raisin bread at a Rudi’s event where it was love at first bite.

Here’s a bit more detail about the initiative from the brand:

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery is on a mission to help those suffering from gluten-intolerance or celiac disease taste the good life through a 30 day Gluten Freebies Giveaway on Facebook.  Rudi’s Gluten-Free was founded on the idea that you don’t have to give anything up to go gluten-free – the company’s breads and baked goods look, taste and feel like the real thing – and is hosting this giveaway to share how delicious a gluten-free life can be.

“Now that at least one in 133 Americans has celiac disease, according to a study by Alessio Fasano in the Archives of Internal Medicine, we’re proud to show that even if you’re gluten-free you can enjoy food just like everyone else,” said Doug Radi, vice president of marketing for Rudi’s Organic Bakery. “Our 30 day giveaway gives new and old fans on our Facebook page the opportunity to win prizes that will spiff up their gluten-free cooking repertoire and put a little fun in their daily routine to help them live a happy, healthier, gluten-free life.”

Beginning on Feb. 6, fans can log onto the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Facebook page, “Like” the brand and receive a $2 off coupon. Additionally, by visiting the Giveaway tab on the Facebook page, consumers can enter weekly to win prizes given away each day, like Rudi’s Gluten-Free breads and baked goods, a Cuisinart toaster, Crofter’s Organic jams, a Kodak digital camera, and gluten-free cookbooks.

Rudi’s is also sharing the love here at GFM.com.  They have graciously given me a Rudi’s prize pack chock-full of great (and delicious) gluten-free swag.

One of my readers will win the following:

2 Free Product Coupons
1 Rudi’s GF Branded Toaster
1 Rudi’s GF Reusable Bag

Yes, you read that correctly, your very own Rudi’s toaster.

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to their Facebook page and see what’s on offer today.  What better way to start 2012 than with a delicious gluten-free giveaway?

The giveaway has ended.

Congratulations to Ellen A. from Ohio who was the lucky winner.

I am honored to have been named one of the company’s gluten-free lifestyle experts and have provided a host of content that I hope you will enjoy. Be sure to head-on over to their Web site and check out all the great changes they have made. To follow my content, simply click on the Talking Gluten Free tab at the top of the page. I’ll be dishing about everything from travel to going gluten-free at the office and they’ll be two updates a month so there will always be fresh content. So come on over and let’s dish, gluten-free of course.

I received their Euforia Cadeau or gift pack containing eight slices of their thousand layer cake (four slices each of vanilla and spice varieties) with two sachets of Civet coffee which coffee aficionados will know is among the rarest and expensive coffees in the world.  For those of you unfamiliar with Civet coffee, it is made so unique because the beans are eaten by Civets (small mammals that are somewhat cat-like in appearance).  As the beans pass through the animal’s digestive system, its stomach enzymes work to shorten the peptides and increase amino acids – they are then harvested.  Okay, enough science, you are likely wondering what does this mean as far as taste?  Well, I am glad you asked.  The end result is perhaps the best coffee you will ever have – free from bitterness and rich in flavor.  Now on to the real stars of this review – the cakes.

Euforia makes a gluten-free and regular version of its thousand layer cakes.  Were those some red flags I saw some of you raising?  Well, fear not.  The company has practices and testing in place to ensure that their two versions never meet.  According to the company they manufacture the gluten-free version on dedicated days that are exclusively gluten-free.  All surfaces and equipment are intensely cleaned and sanitized on the days in between production runs.  Also, the company produces a higher volume of its gluten-free varieties versus its regular variety.

Each slice arrives individually packaged and from the moment you open a slice the wonderful aroma is the first thing you notice.  The vanilla variety is infused with delicate notes of rich vanilla that make this cake simply delicious.  The spice variety has a mix of exotic spices that are perfectly balanced and play perfectly against the subtle sweet cake base.  You would think that a cake with so many layers would be dense and heavy but that is not the case.  All of the cakes have the most light, airy, and spongy texture that is simply amazing.

Rarely do I come across gluten-free products that are true standouts and Euforia’s cakes are definitely among the select few.  Not only are these luxurious cakes delicious but they are paired with organic Keemun tea or Civet coffee.  Aside from the sample gift pack Cadeau you can order thousand layer rolls, whole cakes, and a selection of fine teas and coffees.  Now the products are not cheap but quality rarely is.  These are labor intensive artisanal cakes to make so paying a premium is well worth it.

Now for the best part…

Euforia is giving my readers a $5 coupon to use on their order and are graciously giving the same Cadeau that I sampled to one of my readers.  To win the cadeau of thousand layer cakes and your choice of tea or coffee simply do one or all of the following: (1) Follow Euforia on Twitter; (2) Friend Euforia on Facebook; (3) Leave a comment here; or (4) send me an e-mail.  If you take advantage of numbers one through three — be sure to let me know which you did by sending me an e-mail.  A total of four entries per person can be earned.  Easy peasy.  The contest will run until January 31st and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.  The winner will be announced on February 1st.  United States and Canadian residents only on this one folks.  To take advantage of the $5 discount, just enter “euforia1k” during checkout.  It is good on any of their cakes.

To learn more about Euforia’s full product line and to have items sent directly to your front door – check out their Web site.

First up was the Baked Lentil Chips.  These were quite a surprise as they were extremely light and airy and better yet have 70% less fat than potato chips but still pack an impressive crunch punch.  The flavor is exceptional and a wonderful blend of spices paired with creamy buttermilk and rounded out with a dash of dill.  Now I am a huge fan of dill and find it often under-utilized – these chips give it a chance to really shine.

Next up was the Lentil Crackers.  These are a bit more substantial in texture than the lentil chips as they are a proper cracker.  The flavor is quite mild initially but as you crunch, the woodsy rosemary flavor begins to manifest itself rounded out and complimented by a salty kick of sea salt.  These are perfect on their own as they are full of flavor but also are hearty enough to handle the thickest of dips.

You can view Mediterranean Food’s complete product portfolio on their Web site but I do believe that only the Lentil Chips (which come in six flavor varieties) and Crackers (which come in three varieties) are the only gluten-free products in their line, at least according to their Web site information.  You can also follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter – not to mention they have a YouTube channel as well.

Simply 7 has a range of Hummus and Lentil chips.  The Hummus chips come in Sea Salt, Tomato Basil, and Spicy Chili Pepper flavors.  I tried the Tomato Basil variety and was pleasantly surprised.  I love chickpeas and love hummus – so these were the best of both worlds.

The chips are light and airy and full of flavor.  These were a perfect balance of the slight tangy notes of the tomato paired perfectly and the Italian spices that dusted the chips.  The chickpea base made for a truly unique chip providing a rich nutty flavor that really sets these chips apart.  You can learn more about Simply 7 on their Web site and view their entire product portfolio.  You can also follow them on Twitter or find them on Facebook.

These are rectangular tortilla strips that are perfectly crisp without feeling overly greasy as is sometimes the case.  The flavor is really bold with the perfect mix of tangy cheesiness (Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano) that is balanced with a mix of spices including onion, garlic, and just a hint of heat from jalapeño make for a more adult version of what you may be more familiar with.  The brand also touts that it has resolved the cheesy finger issue that so often accompanies chips of the orange variety and actually the difference is significantly noticeable – you won’t have to run to the sink to wash off any residue from these chips.  Hey, we’ve all been there.

So, I am definitely a fan and my interest has been piqued and I am looking forward to trying the entire tortilla strip flavor portfolio from Laurel Hill.

Laurel Hill has an impressive portfolio of chips (both tortilla and potato) as well as sauces, salsas, and snack mixes – though, it is unclear on their Web site which are actually gluten-free with the exception of the tortilla chip line.  You can view their full product portfolio on their Web site and also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Better Bread Company actually has a range of gluten-free products from frozen pizzas to pizza crusts to pizza dough and sandwich rolls.  This pizza was the first product of theirs that I have tried and I will most definitely be trying more.

The vegetable pizza was of the wonderful thin crust variety and out of the box had a great amount of cheese and a good amount of mushrooms, peppers, and onions.  You cook it directly on the oven rack and let me tell you, it bakes to absolute crisp perfection.  I was actually amazed at how crisp the thin crust became but still maintained the slight chewy give that you come to expect in the perfect thin crust pizza.  The taste was also exceptional – the sauce had just the right amount of spice and the cheese mix added just the right amount of saltiness.

I often find that frozen pizzas, well, taste like frozen pizza – with the familiar hint of freezer taste.  This was not the case with Better Bread Company’s – just fresh out of the oven.

All of Better Bread Company’s products are made in a dedicated gluten-, soy-, and nut-free facility by a family of Celiacs.  You can learn more about the company and their products on their Web site and Facebook.

Bermuda is a British Commonwealth that most people think is in the Caribbean.  Well, that’s not quite correct.  You see, Bermuda actually lies in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean parallel with North Carolina.  It enjoys the benefits of a warm Gulfsteam keeping temperatures moderate even in the Winter months.  It is a quick hour and a half flight from New York making it ideal for a quick getaway.  The fact that you also clear U.S. Customs in Bermuda on the return makes it even more appealing for a fast foreign getaway as you arrive back in the States as a domestic flight.

I have been visiting regularly for close to fifteen years and from a Celiac perspective have seen great changes in the gluten-free landscape on the islands (yes, Bermuda is actually made up of several islands).  This trip saw perhaps the most impressive leap in gluten-free availability and recognition that I have seen since I first set foot on the island.  This is not to say that Bermuda was in the gluten-free Dark Ages because that was certainly not the case.  I never went hungry in the past but I feel that it has really grown as of late and gluten-free has mainstreamed and still continues to gain momentum.  Bermuda, from a product availability standpoint benefits from the importation of goods primarily from both the United Kingdom and the United States – as well as other countries adding to the product mix.

So what new finds did I come across this most recent trip?  Well, I am glad you asked…

Having family there definitely is a major plus as my in-laws do a bit of gluten-free leg work and shopping prior to arrival so I always have delicious goodies to enjoy while visiting.  This trip some of the nibbles my mother-in-law picked up included cookies from Mrs. Crimbles, breads from French Meadow and rolls from Against the Grain (that would also make its way into my father in-law’s gluten-free version of his famous stuffing).

When In Rome

Now when traveling, the first thing I do is look for local markets in the area that carry gluten-free items.  Bermuda, despite being a small place actually has quite a few options for the Celiac traveler.  There are food markets such as Miles Market, Harrington Hundreds (Smith’s Parish), and the food shop at Marks & Spencer (I scored GF Christmas pudding, Mince Pies, and fruit cake this year).  Additionally there are pharmacies that carry a range of gluten-free snacks for munching.  Snacks imported from the U.K. actually have “Suitable for Coeliacs” printed right on the package making them easy to identify.  If staying in Hamilton the Miles Market is just next door to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Pitts Bay Road has a range of gluten-free products.  The entrance is kind of hidden if you are a first-time visitor so look for signs directing you to the store.  Food is in Bermuda is expensive as most items have to be imported but if you are from a major metropolitan area like New York or Los Angeles  the prices are really on-par with what you are used to.

It is important to note that tourists are not allowed to rent cars in Bermuda but can rent bicycles (Bermudian for scooters) though in all my years I have yet to ride on one.  Depending on where you stay may impact the level of mobility and options you have access to.  Taxis are expensive but could be well worth it for a one-off trip to a market to pick-up a few gluten-free goodies.

Dining Out

Dining out in Bermuda can also be expensive but there are more and more gluten-free options popping-up.  For Italian there is Little Venice (which is part of a larger restaurant group with several restaurants including La Trattoria) which serves up fantastic gluten-free pasta.  I recommend calling ahead to make sure that they have it in stock and then making a reservation so they can note your request.  I did have a conversation with our waitress who did say that if they do run out of traditional pasta they usually can substitute with rice noodles but I got the impression those might be more of the Asian variety but again, that would be in a pinch.  I called last minute and they had gluten-free pasta on offer.  Just tell your server of your dietary restrictions and they will be more than happy to walk you through the menu and let you know what will or will not work.

There are two Fairmont hotels in Bermuda – the Hamilton Princess and the Southampton Princess.  The Hamilton Princess is located in Hamilton and provides easy access to shopping and restaurants in Hamilton.  The Southampton Princess is more of a resort location with private beach.  There is a private hotel ferry that runs between the hotels and guest of one can of course enjoy amenities at either location.

Both locations, as do all Fairmont hotels, now offer Fairmont’s Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menus that cater to a range of dietary restrictions and preferences including gluten-free, vegan, and diabetic.  Be sure to ask for the separate menu (it is different than the Lifestyle Cuisine notations on the regular menus) that offers a starter, main course, and dessert focusing on local ingredients for each specific diet type.  It takes the guesswork out of what to order but as it is Bermuda many of the items are made with local fish or shellfish which I am also allergic too.  But fear not, just talk to your server and they have always worked with me and the kitchen to identify and recommend what will work based on my individual needs.  I can honestly say that I have never had any issue at any Fairmont I’ve visited around the world because the staff is well-trained and very accommodating in working with food allergic or restricted guests.  The Southampton Princess offers more dining options than its sister in Hamilton and Bacci – the Italian restaurant – offers some delicious gluten-free risottos and pasta on its Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menu.  Also, all of the restaurants have individual Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menus so there is a huge selection of gluten-free items.  You could stay a week and never eat the same gluten-free item.

There is no shortage of restaurants in Bermuda and an increasing number have gluten-free options or are more than willing to deal with specific dietary restrictions.  For Indian there is House of India which is allergy-friendly and most items are already gluten-free but also point out ingredients on the menu.  A favorite local place for great food is the Mad Hatters which has a very knowledgeable staff and many items that are already gluten-free.

Cuisine

Bermuda is known for its fish and seafood as well as some more British-influenced foods.  There is no shortage of restaurants ranging from reasonable pub-fare to fine dining.  It is relatively easy to dine gluten-free when you keep to simply prepared grilled dishes.  Some not to miss local gluten-free favorites are fish chowder (don’t forget the sherry pepper sauce);  Hoppin’ John (a rice and bean dish); cassava pie (seasonal and my favorite at Chirstmas); Pawpaw Montespan (unripened papaya casserole, here is my mother-in-laws recipe); and Codfish and Potatoes (a popular breakfast or brunch item) – just to name a few.  On the cocktail front no visit to Bermuda is complete without the Dark & Stormy (Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer) or Rum Swizzle (often referred to as the national drink of Bermuda).

Bermuda has a rich heritage and influences from the U.K., Caribbean, and the Portuguese.  Don’t be shy and give some of the local favorites a try.  Just be sure to always ask for the ingredients as everyone does things to their own recipe and what may typically be gluten-free one place might not be in another.

Bermuda makes for a great long weekend getaway from the East Coast so next time you are looking for a quick trip why not give Bermuda a try.

Departure

Pre-clearance of U.S. Customs makes the journey all the more convenient but here’s a little tip for those of you that are Duty Free junkies like me.  Any liquids, read bottles of alcohol, purchased in the Duty Free shop must be placed in your checked luggage before you clear U.S. Immigration.  And  U.S. Immigration is located as you exit Duty Free – so unless you make some extra room before your arrival at the airport, you’ll be squeezing in your purchases.  I’ll save my Duty Free purchases for other international destinations where the shops are in the sterile zones past security.  Quite frankly the BDA duty free prices were not that great – likely because they have had to inflate the prices because it is tough for the to shift a significant portion of the merchandise.

So if you are looking for a little fun in the sun on an island that is truly like no other, then jet on over to Bermuda and give it a go.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  This brief guide is just some of my favorite places from over the years.  There are of course even more gluten-free and friendly options as well.

I purchased both the Regular and Spicy varieties and could not wait to get home to give them a test run.  First up was the regular variety.  Now, I have had other chips that claim to taste like a familiar food or flavor and more often than not they fall short on delivering – not the case with these.  You see, these actually taste like an honest to goodness falafel in chip form – seriously.

The chips are rather large so make the perfect vessel for dipping but I just kept munching on these straight from the bag sans anything.  They have a remarkable robust flavor that is wonderfully nutty from the beans (chickpea, fava, and black beans) with hints of exotic spices that really take these chips to the next level.  They are perfectly crunchy and have a texture that is reminiscent of a falafel with a terrific graininess that envelops your palate making you think Hmmmm, am I eating a falafel?

Now the plain packed a flavor punch but the Spicy variety really delivers in the heat department.  Again, these are the same base as the regular variety but take the heat-level up quite a few notches.  If you like spicy – these are definitely for you.  Once again the balance of flavors is perfect and while full of spice, you’ll notice that it does not overpower but rather complements the falafel flavor.  At first bite the chip yields a spicy kick but you’ll quickly notices that it does not linger too long as you continue eating.  You will not be running for a glass of water or anything but they definitely have a nice kick.

These bags did not stand a chance and I quickly found myself with empty bags.  Not only are these chips gluten-free but they are also: USDA Certified Organic; Non-GMO; Vegan; Kosher; Trans Fat-, Cholesterol, Coloring-, Dairy-, Nut-, Wheat-, and MSG-Free.

To learn more about Flamous Brands, check-out their Web site for a full listing of their products and follow them on Twitter and Facebook for updates.