Posts Tagged ‘snacks’

Late July Organic Multigrain Tortilla Chips

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

Ever the snack food aficionado, I came across these Late July Organic’s Dude Ranch Tortilla chips at my local Whole Foods.  This was a new brand for me so I though why not give it ago after seeing that they were in fact gluten-free.

The first thing you notice about these is that they are not your typical corn chips but multigrain including corn, brown rice, flax, amaranth, quinoa and chia seeds – definitely an interesting mix.  The chips themselves have a heart consistency with a solid crunch and isn’t that was snack food junkies are always looking for?  The flavor is really unique because it is actually quite complex with acidic notes playing perfectly against subtle notes of sweetness.  You get wonderfully tart and tangy notes from the sour cream and cheese that are elevated by the subtle acidic kick of tomato paired with a hint of spice from onion and garlic powder.

Aside from the taste, I love these chips because they are: organic; non-GMO; whole grain; high in Omega 3s; and free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors.  Hey, if you are going to snack you might was well do it well.  The other thing that really makes Late July stand out is that they donate 10% of all profits to summer camp scholarships.

So let’s recap shall we?  Great tasting – check.  Great ingredients – check.  Great cause – check.  Trust me, you simply cannot go wrong with these.  I cannot wait to pick-up and try come of their other varieties.

You can check out Late July’s complete product line on their Web site where you can also find a store new you who carries them.

Way Better Snacks Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips

Friday, July 27th, 2012

I recently came across these Way Better Snacks Sprouted Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips and have to say that I was really impressed with them.  Snacks foods and Gluten Free Mike are pretty much synonymous and anytime I can find new, healthier options to get my snack fix on with – well, I am always game.

I know what your are thinking – more corn chips – just what we Celiacs need.  I have to say that I was of the same mindset until I really took a look at the ingredients.  These are so much more than just corn chips.  In fact they actually contain sprouted seeds and gluten-free gains which help add benefits that are sometimes lost when eating whole seeds or grains.  Way Better does a way better (pun intended) job of explaining the ins and outs of sprouting.  So on to the taste…

The first thing you notice about these chips is that they are light.  When you bit into them they are still wonderfully crunch but just have that airy feel to them.  Yes, corn is definitely in these chips but so is organic sprouted quinoa, brown rice flour, flax seed, chia seeds, broccoli seeds, and daikon radish seeds.  This blend makes for a complex flavor combination that is full of nutty, earthy notes that really make these chips a standout.  The Chili flavor is also one of the best I have come across in a long while.  It is spicy but not overpowering allowing the subtle undertones of sweet cane sugar to play off of the spicy cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic.  A slight tangy kick courtesy of apple cider vinegar and a hint of saltiness make this a truly addictive flavor in my book.

You can learn more about Way Better’s complete product portfolio on their Web site where can also find a store near you that carries them or order right online.  I know that I for one am looking forward to trying their other varieties.

El’s Medleys New Flavors

Monday, March 19th, 2012

My friends at El’s Kitchen sent me samples of their new Medleys flavors of Cheddar and Sour Cream and Onion.   Now I have long been a fan of El’s Bagel Chips and Medleys since I first reviewed those products a while back.  I was really excited to give their new flavors a try.

Now for those of you that are not familiar with El’s Medleys, they are a crunchy gluten-free snack mix that includes a fantastic mix of flaxseed corn chips, pretzels, potato chips, corn nuts, and bagel chips.  I really liked their Original flavor which was quite unique and their new flavors did not disappoint.

First up was the Sour Cream & Onion variety.  This was a wonderfully tangy flavor combination that paired the tart sour cream with a hint of spiciness from the onion powder.  This flavor really complimented the snack mix without being overpowering allowing you to really enjoy the complex flavors of the bagel and corn chips.

The Cheddar flavor was equally as delicious and had a great cheddar bite to it.  It too perfectly complimented the actual snack mix base without stealing the show.  The other nice thing about this flavor was that it was not overly salty as is often the case with cheese flavors that I have come across.

The fact that El’s products are all natural helps explain why the flavors taste exactly like they read and by just looking at the ingredients on the package – you can actually recognize all the ingredients listed.  I am all about supporting smaller gluten-free companies that are making products outside of the proverbial box and El’s Kitchen is definitely helping to make the gluten-free landscape even more delicious.  You can learn more about El’s Kitchen on their Web site and check out their complete product portfolio – you can even order right from their site and have their products shipped directly to your front door.

 

Bakery on Main Soft & Chewy Granola Bars

Monday, March 5th, 2012

I have long been a fan of Bakery on Main’s products so was really pleased when I came across their Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola bars.  Those of you that follow me regularly know that I am a huge proponent of items that are portable and I can just toss in my briefcase and enjoy on the go.  These granola bars definitely fit the bill.

These chewy bars feature an oat base that is peppered with a host of other grains including: flax; amaranth; quinoa; and chia seeds.  Brown rice syrup and cane juice add the perfect hint of sweetness without making the bars overly sweet.  Subtle undertones of peanut butter add another flavor dimension to these bars and throw in some dried strawberries and crisp rice and these bars are both a flavor and texture home run.

You can view Bakery on Main’s complete product portfolio on their Web site and even order right from the site to have their goodies shipped right to your door.

Utz Rice Crisps

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

I am a huge snack addict and always on the hunt for new delicious products to help satiate my need for salty and savory deliciousness.  The Little Utz Girl’s snacks have long been a fixture in my snack repertoire and when I saw that they made a rice chip, well, I could not wait to try them.

Utz Rice Crisps come in three flavors (Sea Salt, Salsa Fresca, and Sweet Chili) and I picked-up the Sweet Chili variety.  These rice crisps have a fantastic texture from the whole grain brown rice which also adds a nutty dimension to the flavor.  The chip base is whole grain brown rice flour, rice flour, and corn flour with whole grain brown rice added to the flour mix.   The chips are perfectly seasoned with a wonderfully spicy seasoning blend with notes of onion, garlic and of course, spicy chili.  There are also subtle acidic notes of vinegar that help to add another flavor dimension and help to balance the heat of the spice.  These definitely have a spicy kick but are not overly spicy – though if you more of a mild flavor-type, than I would recommend one of the other flavors.

You can learn more about the complete snack Utz snack portfolio on their Web site and even order right online and have their snacks delivered right to your door.

Mediterranean Snacks Baked Lentil Chips and Crackers

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

In keeping with my chip fix of late, the next products that I came across were Mediterranean Snacks Baked Lentil Chips (Cucumber Dill) and Lentil Crackers (Rosemary Herb).  Now I love lentils so I thought why not give these a go?

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 Hummus Chips

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

I am a huge chip person and always on the hunt for great gluten-free options.  Yes, there are tons of great flavored potato and corn chips out there but when I came across these hummus chips from Simply 7 I was really excited.

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.

Laurel Hill Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

If you are a fan of those triangular nacho cheese chips that shall remain nameless but are looking for a natural alternative then look no further than Laurel Hill’s Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips.  These were a new find for me and I am glad that I came across them.

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.

New Product Review, QuestBars

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

My friends at QuestBar sent me a sampling of some of their most popular flavors and as I have been on the road quite a bit this past year decided to give these a full road test.  The bars actually arrived just as I was hitting the road once again so the timing was perfect.  I threw a few into my bag and took off.  Now I know you are probably thinking protein or meal replacement bars are, well, just bars and all pretty much the same.  I too was a bit apprehensive and thought if nothing else I have something to snack on while away from home.  These bars are really proof that all bars are not created equal and as I ate my way through all of the flavors was consistently amazed with the taste a versatility of the bars.

All of the bars have 20 grams of high quality protein with only 4 grams of non-fiber carbohydrates.  They are soy-, gelatin-, sugar-, sugar alcohol-, trans fat-, and of course gluten-free.

The bars come in six delicious flavors so there is something for every taste preference: Peanut Butter & Jelly; Chocolate Brownie; Mixed Berry; Apple Pie; Vanilla Almond; and Peanut Butter.  I was most intrigued by the Peanut Butter & Jelly so tried that flavor first.  It was really a standout and had a rich peanut butter flavor that was perfectly balanced with just a slight hint of fruit sweetness.  Oh, and perhaps the most important thing is that there was no aftertaste – none.  The aftertaste problem with most bars is what put me off from most bars I have tried in the past.  All QuestBar flavors have no aftertaste which is really what won me over.

Next up was the Chocolate Brownie flavor.  Now, I was told to try popping the bars in the microwave for a few seconds for a real taste sensation and the advice was spot on.  I tossed the Chocolate Brownie flavor into the microwave and within seconds had a warm chocolate brownie that was exactly like eating a real brownie.  The rich chocolate flavor was not overly sweet and really tasted like and honest to goodness brownie.  Try throwing one of those other bars in the microwave and see what happens :-) .

The Mixed Berry also heated-up quite nicely and had a nice tart zing to it and was, like the other bars, not overly sweet.  The Apple Pie also warmed up nicely and packed a tart apple flavor that was rounded out with a hint of spiciness you would expect in the real thing.  The Vanilla Almond was perfectly sweet with the robust nuttiness of the almonds paired with vanilla undertones and just a slight bit of crunchiness for added texture.  The final bar was the Peanut Butter Flavor.  This was a simple, rich, peanut bar that was big on flavor.

So if you are looking for a toss and go gluten-free item that also packs a nutritional punch, look no further than QuestBars.  Toss aside your preconceived notions of nutrition bars and definitely give these ago.  You’ll find a few in my carry-on from now on.  To learn more about QuestBars, visit their Web site or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Pamela’s Whenever Bars

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

 

My friends at Pamela’s Gluten-Free recently sent me the brand spanking new Whenever Bars to sample.  Now, those of you that follow me regularly now I am all about great tasting portable snacks that I can quite literally toss and go with.  Well my gluten-free friends, you are going to absolutely love these new bars.  I have been eating at least one bar a day since they arrived – for breakfast or even a mid-day snack that tastes great and is so much better than a candy bar.

First off, these bars contain gluten-free oats.  I know that there is an ongoing discussion in the Celiac community as to whether Celiacs can eat oats and know some Celiacs prefer not to eat them – and that is totally their call.  I, on the other hand, have no problems with gluten-free oats so these bars were a fabulous and most welcome surprise.

So on to the bars…

Whenever Bars come in four great varieties: Oat Raisin Walnut Spice; Oat Blueberry Lemon; Oat Cranberry Almond; and Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut.  All of the bars are high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Whole Grains, and all are free from Trans-Fats.  They are all also wheat- and gluten-free and non-dairy (though the chocolate chip variety does state that the chocolate chunks may contain traces of milk proteins due to manufacturing equipment).

The Oat Raisin Walnut Spice variety is like a giant oatmeal cookie.  Perfectly soft, moist, and chock-full of sweet raisins.  They also have walnuts and chia seeds that add a wonderfully nutty dimension to these bars rounded off by a perfect mix of spices make these the perfect snack for autumn and winter.

Next up are the Oat Blueberry Lemon bars.  These are a real standout.  Their subtle sweetness is perfectly balanced by the tartness of the blueberries and kick of lemon oil.  Add a slight hint of nutmeg and these bars pack a powerful flavor combination.

Onto the Oat Cranberry Almond bars which, like their previous counterparts, are soft and moist.  They are filled with tart cranberries that provide the perfect kick to the sweet oat base.  The final dimension of flavor in this variety is the almonds which add great flavor and texture to these bars.

Last, but certainly not least are the Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut variety.  These are sweet without being overly sweet and the chocolate chunks make these a real treat.  The meaty coconut adds a not only great texture but unique flavor to these bars.

So overall these bars are a homerun.  They are completely portable (you’ll now find them in my briefacase), delicious, and unlike any other gluten-free bar out there.  Not to mention with four unique flavor varieties, there is truly something for everyone.

Pamela’s has a great portfolio of gluten-free products so be sure to head on over to their Web site and check out their complete line of offerings.

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