Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Tasty croissants...

Thought I would share this photo of delicious tasting croissant rolls that you can find the recipe for at the Maninis Flours home site. Stop bye and check out this, and the many other delicious recipes made with their gluten free Maninis  flours...See ya there! Yum!!!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Nothing about nothing.....

Hi all. Today's post is basically nothing about nothing....I would be doing a product review today but my car was rear ended on Monday while I was sitting at a red light, and I am just not up to it. It is another rainy day here in Ohio and it would normally be one of my favorite days to tinker in the kitchen baking and such, but today is just not one of those days.

I don't know how long it will take for me to be back on top of things, but I promise to try my best to be testing products for review again very soon. Until then I can say that the blueberry cooler recipe I last posted is absolutely delicious.  And I am so glad I do have a few gluten-free cupcakes stored away like a squirrel in my freezer just for days (weeks)  like this.

Chores will have to wait until the stiffness goes away...and meals will be pretty much from the crock pot, or the nearest restaurant! Glad I have several easy recipes on hand.

I have several bread mixes to review, along with cheese snacks, soups, and a few other products, so please bear with me through this transition. I am sooooo in the mood to try a new bread mix sent to me from Charles Luce but am just not up to the task at the present. Darn!!! I am so in the mood for a great slice of warm homemade bread...

I hope your week is going well and you are becoming more accustomed to a gluten-free lifestyle. Until next post....be safe, and enjoy your gluten-free week.

Sharon

 

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Next On the List - is Blueberry Bliss!

I am definitely not a big water drinker, and with the hottest days of summer upon us I needed to find a way to keep myself  hydrated...I find water tasteless, so it does nothing to satisfy my taste buds, or quench my "mental" thirst. I do however realize it is something my body needs to survive. So when I came across this delicious recipe for a blueberry soda I decided to give it a try.

Everyone knows blueberries are not only an excellent source of fiber, but they also contain vitamin C, as well as manganese, potassium, and vitamin K. I figured this way I would be getting the much needed water which I seem to avoid to keep my body healthy, along with quite a few added benefits. I found it was not only refreshing, but quite delicious, and satisfied both needs. With blueberries at the peak of their season it is a drink that is not only good for you, but also cost efficient.

As "Mikey" use to say in the cereal commercial from years ago..."Try it, you'll like it". Oops...did I just give away my age????? The directions are quite easy, and it is well worth the few minutes it takes to prepare. I hope you enjoy...


Ingredients:
 
1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
9 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar
 
Directions for making Syrup:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Slowly bringing to a simmer over medium heat, stir constantly until all the berries have popped, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from the  heat and let cool.
  2. Pour syrup into an airtight container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate overnight.
  3. To use, take out of the refrigerator and strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days (in the refrigerator)
To make the drink you will need ice; blueberry syrup from the above recipe; and sparkling mineral water.

Directions:
1.  For one drink, fill a tall glass with ice. Add 3 Tbsp. of the Blueberry Syrup and then top with seltzer water. Stir gently and enjoy!  It is so refreshing and great for hot summer days!
 
Enjoy your gluten-free week!
Sharon
 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

FABE'S cookies...

Morning all. It is finally a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio after all the rain the past few weeks. I am so glad to see a glimpse of sun!

This past week I seemed to be on a "sugar rush' with all the gloom surrounding me. So since sweets always seem to lighten my mood it was a perfect week to try some cookies sent to me from Fabe's all natural bakery. You will find no refined sugars in Fabe's products as they believe in sweetening  natures way, with things like beet juice syrup, palm sweetener, and organic white grape juice, producing a healthier "sweet".

I had the opportunity to sample three of their cookies, the Coconut Macaroon, Dark Chocolate, and their Cranberry Orange. I had to say their Coconut Macaroon was at the top of the list for me. I loved the sweet taste and texture of the cookie. It reminded me of a Mounds bar without the almonds, or the chocolate of course...

Second on my list would be the Cranberry Orange. Its flavor was a mild orange flavor with just the right amount of chewiness. Last on my list was the Dark Chocolate. I love my chocolate as you all know, and although this cookie was a nice flavor, it did leave me desiring just a little more.

The cookies are not of the dunkable nature, but each contained its own distinctive taste and texture, and I love the idea that they contain NO refined sugar....Lord knows I could use some help in that area!!!

The cookies ARE certified gluten-free, although they are made in in a factory that also manufactures products containing soy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, and wheat, as they do offer goodies made with gluten as well, to those who are not gluten intolerant.

Their gluten free line consists of several options:

Cakes: Chocolate Fudge, and Homestyle Carrot

Snacks:
Mini Fruit & Nut Cake - 4" Which is only available Oct.-Dec.,
and a Chocolate Fudge Cupcake 


Mini Cookies:  come in 6.5 oz Tubs and are available in Dark Chocolate, Cranberry Orange, Ginger Snaps, and Organic Macaroons

Single serve cookies: - 2.25 oz come in Dark Chocolate Cookie, Cranberry Orange Cookie, and Organic Macaroon Cookie

Pies: come in - 6" & 8" which include a Dutch Apple Pie as well as  Pumpkin

They even have a  gluten free pie crust  in a - 8" version which was recently added to their list, in case you would like to bake your own.


If you live in a area where Chuckie Cheese restaurants are available then you will most likely find their Fabe's chocolate gluten free cupcake available to enjoy, as they have teamed up with the company to bring a smile to the faces of those of us who usually have to pass on the occasional Birthday cake offered there for parties....Its also a healthier way to have your cake and eat it to :-)

You will find no preservatives, artificial ingredients, refined cane sugar or juice, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or GMO in Fabe's products, so they are indeed a healthier solution to offer your kid's.

This company truly believes in their products. Not satisfied? They will give your money back- 100% guaranteed good taste.

I will be in Pennsylvania this coming week for a family visit and we are planning a family outing to Chuckie Cheese's...I can't wait to try the chocolate cupcake!!! 

So until next time...Have a great gluten-free week!
Sharon

 

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

New York Joe's Onions...

Dreams do happen....New York Joe's Onions,  or N.Y.J.O. in its shorter term, is by far one of the best onion style relishes I have ever tasted. This "hot-dog" onion sauce, as Joe Cachia the owner of the company calls it, comes in two recipes, the Original, and the Mild. Joe is a retired school teacher from Brooklyn who's home-made onion sauce became so popular with family and friends, that in 2010 he decided to take the leap from a home-based cook to a commercial hot-dog topping entrepreneur after moving to the sunny Florida Keys.

Now first let me tell you that I am not from Brooklyn New York as Joe originally is, so plain old ketchup and onions sat just fine with me being the country girl that I am. That is until last week when I tried Joe's onion sauces on grilled hot dogs, and Italian sausages over the holiday....Wow! I definitely will look at eating my hot dogs and sausages in a whole different way now.

The Original sauce on the dogs and burgers was quite a hit, and the Italian sausage on a bun smothered with the Mild onion sauce topped with some grilled green peppers was definitely something to write home about. Makes me a little jealous that I was not brought up in Brooklyn :-)

 My husband could not get enough of this sauce, and I actually had to remind him to share with our guests. It is now his favorite topping for everything from steak, to chicken, and fish.. All kidding aside, this product really grabs not only your attention, but your taste buds as well.

Even people like Woopie Goldburg, and Guy Fieri, have raved about these sauces. In 2012 Joe's Mild sauce won a Silver Scovia Award. I had no idea what this Award was so I looked it up on the Internet...Seems it is a Award given to fiery foods and barbecue sauces found to be the best. I agree that this onion sauce wholeheartedly deserves such a award.

The nice thing about Joe's sauces is you can buy in bulk as they have a shelf life of 2 years. This sauce would be great on sizzling fajitas, as well as a great breakfast scramble, the possibilities are endless. The list could go on....and on...I know my husband and I are big fans!

Thanks Joe for a great product, and for continuing our education in this area....

Till next time....Have a great gluten free day.
Sharon




 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Crystal Noodle Soup...

It's another overcast day here in Ohio today....where has all the sunshine gone? Days like today remind me of Fall, except for the site of the lush green foliage I can see out my front living room window. I was just recently diagnosed with having a very low Vitamin D level, and gloomy days like today sure don't help.

I sat around for awhile wondering what could boost my mood...BESIDES chocolate :-) If it is going to be gloomy out I needed  to think about what I could make to lift my spirits for lunch. Mmmmm...
I have always loved a good bowl of soup and a sandwich on a dreary day, so today would be perfect.

Last week I had received three different varieties of soup from Crystal Noodle to sample and review. Since I have a special love for onions I decided to try their Caramelized Onion soup. I enjoy making home made soup on a cold Winter day, but being we are in the middle of summer with just one of those completely gloomy days looming overhead and no place to go, I decided to try something quick and easy.

I had some cooked bacon leftover from yesterdays breakfast so I threw it on some gluten free rye with a slice of cheese, and made a bacon-grilled cheese sandwich. Then I threw some water in the microwave to boil to add to the soup cup. While the soup steeped I finished the grilled sandwich and then sat down to a very tasty lunch.

The Caramelized Onion soup is as delicious as any onion soup you will find in a restaurant, minus the bread and cheese of course, but never the less very delicious. I enjoyed the taste of the onions with the texture of the mung bean noodles. These noodles are a clear thin noodle made from the mung bean, and are flourless, making them gluten-free, and always non-fried. The cup makes a 1.09 oz serving of soup and was quite filling  with only 110 calories. It did not disappoint! I am anxious to try their other varieties as well.

Although the Sodium percentage was slightly higher that the regular canned onion soups I currently stock in my cupboard, I would definitely add this to my grocery list in the future. The fact that these soups are gluten-free, have no added MSG, 0 Trans fat, are great for Vegetarians, and ready in three minutes make them great time savers. Not to mention it was great tasting as well, as all the fresh ingredients are freeze dried to preserve the taste.

You all know how I love to experiment....I believe by adding just a touch of cornstarch as a thickening agent that this could make a wonderful glaze for pot roast.....Mmmmm...

Well until next post, have a great gluten-free day, and check out Crystal Noodles site where you can purchase the soups. You'll be glad you did...

Sharon

Buckwheat - Gluten Free -- Grass Free

 Buckwheat, which is actually not in the wheat family at all, has somehow gotten a bad rap over the years. I personally have avoided it basi...