Posts Tagged ‘all natural’

Warren’s Foods Condiments

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

My friends at Warren’s Foods sent a sampling of their complete relish and salsa products including Webber’s Original Relish and Louie’s Original Salsa recently to sample.  Now I am a huge condiment person but quite frankly there are so many out there that I typically grab whatever piques my interests when I am at the shelf in the market.  This usually results in a pretty boring experiences as, well, most salsas and relishes are pretty much all alike.  Well, I am happy to report that Warren’s products helped to break the proverbial condiment mold by providing great (and unique) tasting relish and salsa.  Not to mention that they are all natural and use no chemical preservatives – nice!

First up is their Louie’s Original Salsa in both mild and hot varieties.  The mild had a wonderfully fresh tomato taste that has very subtle spicy undertones – but perfect for those who like their spice-level mild.  You really notice how crisp the onion and peppers still remain even after being salsafied.  Noted of spicy garlic and a very subtle hint of curry really help to take this salsa to the next level.  The Hot variety is indeed hot – so if spicy is not your thing I would recommend sticking to mild.  The hot salsa is a similar base to the mild variety with the addition of hot cherry peppers and hot cherry pepper juice.  This gives the salsa a really unique hot kick that other salsa typically use jalapeño peppers for.  Interesting enough you will not find any jalapeños in these salsas (they save those for their relishes).  The heat factor while hot is actually perfectly hot – the kind of spicy that flirts with your palate rather than attacking it.  You can still enjoy the full, robust flavors that the salsa delivers.

Their Webber’s Original relishes were incredibly delicious.  These are more old time type relishes that had me waxing nostalgic for barbecue memories from my childhood.  These are definitely not those emerald green relishes you might be thinking of.  These are rich and dark more grown-up type relishes.  They are a great mix of peppers, onions, with a hint of sugar, and cider vinegar.  The mild variety is their traditional relish and as you move up the heat levels to medium and ultimately hot they add the addition of jalapeños to the mix.  The medium is spicy with a good kick but still compliments whatever you put it on.  The hot variety is very spicy but still paired well with whatever I threw it on.

Both the salsas and relishes are extremely versatile.  I used then on everything from nachos (salsa) to burgers, baked potatoes, grilled cheese – and the list goes on.  So if you are looking for condiments to help spice up your lunches and dinners do give these a try.  You can check out their Web site for more information and to order right online.

Wholesome Chow Mixes

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

My friends at Wholesome Chow sent me samples of two very exciting products from their gluten-free line of products that I was actually tickled to try. You see one of the products I received was a most-intriguing Chocolate Lavender Cake and I am a HUGE fan of all things lavender. The other product was their All-Purpose and Pancake Mix. Now, aside from being gluten-free these items were also wheat-, dairy-, casein-, and nut-free. They are also comprised exclusively of all natural and organic ingredients.

Of course the first product I tried was the Chocolate Lavender Cake Mix which, was, in a word AMAZING. I have to say that this is one of the most unique and best tasting gluten-free items I have come across in all my travels. First of all, the mix itself is fool-proof. Those of you that read me regularly know that I am the first person to say that I am completely challenged in the baking department — it is just not my thing though I do follow instructions well so am always on the hunt for easy peasy mixes that even I can make without issue. Wholesome Chow’s products surpass the foolproof test and, more importantly deliver on taste.

The Chocolate Lavender Cake Mix requires absolutely no baking skills whatsoever and absolutely no fuss in the preparation department. I split the batter into two baking pans and each made a very decent-sized cake. The first thing you notice with this mix is the wonderfully fragrant lavender aroma. It is absolutely heavenly. I was actually a tingle with anticipation waiting for this one to come out of the oven. The cakes rose absolutely perfectly and I could barely contain myself while they cooled — okay I did sneak a piece. Let me be the first to tell you that I rarely gush over a product but open the flood gates — Wholesome Chow has hit the gluten-free ball out of the park.

At first bite you are instantly transported to another place. As the fork nears your mouth you begin to detect the subtle aroma of lavender and in an instant I was transported to my old college days in Provence. I know it sounds hokey, but it is the absolute truth — it was a case of a scent of taste instantly transporting you to another place. The delicate lavender notes were perfectly paired with a rich, dark, chocolate base. Few products I have come across get the flavor balance absolutely perfect but Wholesome Chow has managed to perfectly balance, what in my opinion are difficult flavors to get perfect. The cake itself is über-moist to the point of always tasting like it just came out of the oven even a few days after baking — just store at room temperature as I did and you’ll be good for a few days — if you can restrain yourself. This mix is not to be missed because it takes gluten-free mixes to a whole different and delicious level.

Next up was their All-Purpose and Pancake Mix. Now, I am not a breakfast person during the week because quite frankly who has time? But, on the weekends, I do enjoy a proper sit-down breakfast. Wholesome Chow’s mix is, again, a standout. It’s ultra-fine texture mixes so incredibly well and smooth with just a simple fork. I used a small frying pan with just a bit of butter and the pancakes cooked up absolutely perfectly. I recommend cooking them over medium-low heat to prevent the butter from becoming overly dark and bitter. I have learned that patience is indeed a virtue when it come to pancakes and low and slow seems to produce the best end result.

Be sure to check out Wholesome Chow’s Web site for their complete range of products and more information on their delicious products and to order online. If simplicity and unique flavor combinations pique your interest then you will definitely want to check out Wholesome Chow.

Come To Momma

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Many of my readers know that I am a bit of a lush (read complete lush).  Absolutely no surprise there and, as my tagline says, No Apologies.  I am of the firm belief that it is 5 o’clock somewhere in the world so I never turn my nose up at a cocktail.  The ever fabulous Hoosier Mommas (a women-owned business by the way) reached out to me and graciously offered to send me their all natural, gluten-free, and…wait for it…vegan bloody Mary mix.  Needless to say it took me about two seconds to get back to them and their mix was soon at my front door.

Now here’s a little background.  I don’t particularly like tomatoes – I mean the whole vegetable/fruit discussion pretty much puts me off them.  I just cannot trust produce that masquerades as something it is not.  But I digress…You see I actually cannot stand tomato juice and just the thought of it makes me squirm – oh, and the smell – don’t…get…me…started.  So you are probably wondering why the Hell I would want to try a tomato-based cocktail.  Well, I think we both know the answer – I’ll take any excuse to infuse the sweet nectar of the Gods (read Vodka) into my daily routine.

So one Saturday morning I cracked open the jar of Momma Mix and followed the instructions (add vodka and lots of ice) and mixed up a batch.  I chose the ever-popular (and my personal favorite) Tito’s Vodka for this experiment.  So mixey-mixey and the cocktails were done.  I made one for me and one for my other half who just happens to be Bermudian and descendant from a long line of liquor merchants and quite frankly is a true cocktail connoisseur.

We quickly tucked-in to our cocktails and let’s just leave it a WOW!  Seriously, this mix is basically a meal in a jar.  The ingredients list (and it is a long list) reads like a who’s who of natural goodness and there are quite a few flavor surprises in there that help elevate this mix to a near religious experience.   The mix itself is thicker than you might be used to but as my other half pointed out – that’s what makes it such a standout.  Typically Mary mix thins out as soon as you start drinking and you have to keep adding ice and quite frankly it becomes a whole production – and who wants that?  Momma’s mix held its consistency to the end allowing the lushes, uh, I mean drinkers, to enjoy their cocktails without interruption.

So, I highly recommend that after you finish reading this you head on over to Hoosier Momma’s Web site and check out their complete line of products.  While you are there, do yourself a favor and order a jar (or two) of their mix.  They have a new line of sweet mixers including: Strawberry Rhubarbarita; Lavender Lemondrop; and Beekeeper Margarita coming soon and I for one cannot wait to try them.  Note to Momma: Please send some sweet treats when they’re ready :-) .

Featured

Applegate Recall and GF “Certification”

My take on the Applegate gluten-free chicken nugget recall and [...]

read more

My GF Year In Review

As 2012 winds down I thought it was time to [...]

read more

GF Guide to the Swiss Riviera, Complete Guide

My annual trip to Montreux and Geneva, while always wonderful, [...]

read more

Lima, Peru GF Travel Guide

To most people, Lima is a just a starting or [...]

read more

Bermuda GF Travel Guide

This past year saw me traveling around the globe and [...]

read more

Featured Product Review: Crunchmaster New Products

My friends at Crunchmaster recently sent me two of the [...]

read more

Featured Restaurant Review, Harry’s New York Bar

One of my favorite places on the planet is Montreux, [...]

read more

Product Review: Homestead Gluten Free Easy Roll Mix

I have said it before and I will say it [...]

read more

GFM Helps Kick Off NFCA Blogger A Day Series

May is Celiac Awareness month and my ever-fabulous friends over [...]

read more

GFM on MSNBC.com Travel

I was lucky enough to be featured on MSNBC.com Travel [...]

read more
  • Tags

  • Archives

  • Categories



  • Connect with Gluten Free Mike Connect with Gluten Free Mike Connect with Gluten Free Mike Connect with Gluten Free Mike Connect with Gluten Free Mike Connect with Gluten Free Mike
    Copyright 2010-12 Glutenfreemike.com©
    Site design and development by Hudson Fusion LLC