Mugging! Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Cake from Shirley J

A few weeks ago, I got an email that made me giggle like a little school girl. It was from a company that I had never heard of, asking me if I’d have any interest in trying a couple of their products. The products named were Mugging! Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Cake and Gluten Free Whisk Bliss, and the company is Shirley J. Well, I checked the links to the website to get an idea of what these products were and I’m telling you that I couldn’t reply fast enough with a resounding YES!

Mugging! Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Cake is a super quick gluten free brownie mix that you make in individual mugs. This stuff is pure fun! D.D. and I could not wait for this package to arrive. As usual, in the interest of full disclosure: This product was sent to me by Shirley J to try. I am under no obligation to give a favorable review, pander to the company or sell my firstborn.

Bella Lucia Gluten Free Pizzelles: Anise Flavor

I have not had a pizzelle in so long that I forgot they existed. It was pretty exciting to see them waiting for me on the shelf after Poj went shopping this week. D.D. couldn't wait to tear into the package since she had never tried this type of cookie before and was completely unfamiliar with anise. I tried to tell her that it was the same flavor as black licorice, but she's been gluten free for so long she barely knows what licorice is. Oh well, one more chance to educate her tastebuds, right?

Rudi's Gluten Free Tortillas

Rudi's has gotten into the gluten free tortilla game, and they obviously know how to play. There are three different flavors, and each one is pretty special. D.D. and I attacked these like a couple of vultures and made sure to thoroughly test them... for you, of course.

Katz Gluten Free Vanilla Rugelech

Katz Gluten Free has released a new flavor of Rugelech! As I'm sure you guessed from the title to this post, the new flavor is vanilla :) I'm sure I must have mentioned how vanilla obsessed I am in past posts so you can imagine my excitement over this new snacking option.

Katz is doing a Winter Grand Prize Giveaway to help roll out this new product. The Grand Prize is a huge box filled with one each of the Katz goodies. To enter the drawing (winner will be chosen on Jan. 3, 2011) follow this link to the Katz Page :)

One more thing before we move on to the review stuff: Katz has also supplied GFPR with a free sample pack to give to one lucky winner! To enter, just read this post and leave a comment. A winner will be chosen at random from all available entries on Monday, January 10, 2011. Now on to the review!

Katz Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I think I have eaten enough gluten free chocolate chip cookies to be considered a connoisseur (who hasn’t. right?). That didn’t mean that I was any less happy to pull the chocolate chip cookies out of the Katz Gluten Free goody box :)

Deli International Gluten Free Pizza

It’s frozen pizza time again. D.D. can’t get enough of the stuff. She actually picked this one from the store herself and was very excited to bring it home to me. I think part of the excitement was due to the fact that frozen pizza in our house has become synonymous with family movie night. Whatever her motivation, I heard little else from the moment she got home from the grocery store but how excited she was about her “real gluten free boxed pizza”. (So cute!)

Excitement is contagious, I suppose. I was even more excited when I saw that the Deli International Gluten Free Pizza she had picked came with the CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) Seal of Recognition. I got glutened a little while ago, so it was nice to have that extra bit of security in the gluten free status of dinner. As for the pizza itself, well, read on...

Contes Cheese Ravioli

I ate gluten free cheese ravioli this week! This is exciting for me because I've been ravioli-less for over two years. I didn't even know they made gluten free ravioli until Poj surprised me with it this week. As a longtime fan of stuffed pasta, I cannot tell you how happy it made me that he found Contes Cheese Ravioli. It is frozen, so you will find it in the freezer case where you buy your gluten free goodies.

Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars from Enjoy Life

Caramel Apple On-the-Go Bars from Enjoy Life are up for review today. Back in the gluten eating days we loved cereal bars and Newton bars, but I didn't see many of those options when we started our gluten free adventure. D.D. and I were excited last time we went to the store and really looked to see how many gluten free snack bar options there are now. As official snack addicts, we take this stuff seriously (well, as seriously as we take anything...)

Glutino Penne Alfredo

This week, when my husband brought home a new gluten free product to try, D.D. and I were both stoked. This new product moment just may be our favorite time of the week. When Poj says, "Oh yeah, I picked up something new for you to try." D.D. and I both rush to read the box and exclaim over the contents and wonder what new experience is in store. (I have mentioned that we're total food geeks, right?)

This time the product was Glutino Penne Alfredo. It was a gluten free frozen T.V. dinner that boasted alfredo sauce on brown rice penne. We LOVE alfredo! And, it was from Glutino, a gluten free company that has provided many hours of food happiness in the past. Which is why I'm a little sad about today's review of Glutino Penne Alfredo. To be honest, I considered not writing it, but I started GFPR to do honest reviews- So here goes...

Contes Margherita Pizza

This gluten free product review comes from a lazy day and a search for convenience : )  I'm still looking for that perfect gluten free pizza experience.  Contes Margherita Pizza with roasted garlic and olive oil offered me another option to try.

Ease of Use

In the grand tradition of frozen pizzas, Contes Margherita Pizza is super simple.  Heat the oven, pop the pizza in and you're done.  I cut mine before eating, but nothing says you have to...

Appearance

Before and after it is cooked, Contes Margherita Pizza looks like any other frozen pizza.  The cheese is a big shred size and covers very well.  The crust is thin and looks crispy.  There are no chunks on the pizza, despite what the picture on the box shows.

Taste and Texture

The flavor of this gluten free pizza is fantastic!  It has a fresh tomato and garlic flavor that is quite pleasing.  Be prepared to have pretty potent garlic breath for awhile after you eat it.

The outside crust is nice and crisp.  It has a good flavor and texture.  The crust under the toppings is a different story.  It doesn't crisp up and stays very soft and "stick to the teeth chewy".  It still tasted good, but gave the impression of being undercooked (even after baking ten minutes longer than specified).

Versatility

You can top Contes Margherita Pizza with just about anything.  Other than that, despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to use pizza for anything other than pizza.

Overall Value

 Contes Margherita Pizza costs about ten dollars for a 16 oz. pizza.  It's a decent size and value.

Rating

For the fresh tomato and garlic flavor, I would recommend this gluten free pizza.

Gluten Free Cheese Based Crust Pizza

Van Harden has introduced the Cheese Based Crust Pizza. The slogan is, "No bread, no kidding!" A pizza with no bread? This I had to see.

It is an interesting concept. With no bread, there is no gluten, but what about crust? I set out to do this gluten free product review with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Ease of Use

Super, super easy! This pizza even comes in it's own pan. You pop it in the oven for ten minutes. After it is baked, let it stand for about five minutes to firm up the crust. After that you can cut it just like any other pizza.

Appearance

Cheese Based Crust Pizza is very thin. It bakes up the perfect golden brown color. It is very greasy, which really comes as no surprise when you consider that the entire gluten free pizza is made of cheese.

Taste and Texture

I was shocked by the fact that the Cheese Based Crust actually had a texture like bread crust. It was firm and held up pretty well.

The crust had a sharp, complex flavor that proved the claim on the box that several cheeses had made the whole thing possible. It was great! I loved both the taste and texture, but the grease was a bit much for my stomach.

Versatility

You can change the toppings a million different ways. Either way you slice it, pizza is still pizza.

Overall Value

Gluten Free Cheese Based Crust Pizzas cost ten dollars each in the store. One pizza will give you eight average sized slices. The price itself is comparable to most pizzerias, and less than a lot of other gluten free pizzas. Most gluten free pizza crusts by themselves run about the same price and you have to top them yourself.

Rating

Tough call on this one. As great as this gluten free pizza is, I can't give it the highest possible rating. The grease is just too much. I definitely recommend it for an occasional late night pizza fix.

Create a Bug Fruit Snacks from Betty Crocker

This week's gluten free product review takes me back to childhood and the simple things in life. In order to properly try Create-a-Bug fruit snacks I had no choice but to open a few packages and play with them. My daughter made some pretty silly looking creatures and had a lot of fun.

Ease of Use

Open package, eat. You can take as much time creating between step one and step two as you want.

Appearance

Betty Crocker Create-a-Bug fruit snacks come in a variety of shapes and colors. There are heads, wings and bodies in colors ranging from yellow to electric blue. Admittedly, it is hard to tell what some of the pieces are, but that made it more fun in the long run. With those pieces we had to use our imaginations and come up with uses. Thus, a head became feet and wings became fins.

Taste and Texture

Create-a-Bug pieces come in strawberry, orange, cherry and grape flavors, at least that's what it says on the box. I'm convinced there is more flavor than listed though. The bright blue ones are downright tangy and I couldn't attach a certain fruit flavor to them. They are all very good though.

As for texture, I love it! To quote the little one, "These are the good kind." Fruit snack connoisseur that she is, I must defer to her judgment. These are not the jelly-like fruit snacks that are like gummy bears. They are the softer, chewier versions. They have a bit of a bite to them.

Versatility

Art projects and ice cream toppings come to mind.

Overall Value

No gluten free pricing here, folks. A ten pack of these fruity cuties will run under three dollars.

Rating

These really are fun. I recommend you pick up a box.

*Note: From now until November 14, 2009, you can enter in a giveaway to win your own box of Create a Bug Fruit Snacks from Betty Crocker along with a lot of other great stuff!

Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup

I don't miss Ramen anymore! It is very freeing to be able to say that. Convenience was the main factor with all that noodlely goodness, but now I've got that covered. Thank you Thai Kitchen! My favorite flavor is Spring Onion, and that will be the main reference for this gluten free product review.

Ease of Use

Thai Kitchen makes their Instant Rice Noodle Soup super easy to make. There are two main ways of preparation, and they yield slightly different results, both of which are great. With the stove top prep. directions, you boil the noodles for a few minutes. This gives very soft noodles, and the rice starch begins to come out a little and thicken the broth so it sticks to the noodles.

You can also use hot water prep. For this, you boil the water first and then add the noodles. Cover the dish to trap in the heat and your noodles cook (still in just a couple minutes) without releasing starch. The noodles are a little firmer and the broth stays this and clear.

Appearance

This gluten free noodle treat is actually very pretty. The seasoning packet includes real onions and flavored oil. The end result is long noodles and a flavor filled broth that doesn't feel instant at all.

Taste and Texture

A slight hint of spice gives these gluten free instant rice noodles a lot of extra body. They taste really good! Thai rice noodles are not as finicky as most gluten free noodles when it comes to overcooking so there is not as much danger of overcooking. (They are noodles, so the possibility always exists) The noodles have a nice firm texture that is great to slurp!

Versatility

I'm sure there are a million and one uses for Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup. Unfortunately, my creativity button is stuck today and all I can think of is, "eat, yum!" You're on your own for this one.

Overall Value

The dollar per package price tag is bigger than a package of Ramen, but the quality is better and I can actually eat this. A gluten free meal for a dollar? I can get behind that.

Rating

I keep several packages in the pantry for quick eats. Absolute must have as far as I'm concerned.

Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals

Facing the gluten free product review criteria today is Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals. The sneak peak pack I received from Marie Natural Botanicals was so full of good stuff that I wanted to spread the love a little and switch up the reviews a bit.

I am happy to announce that, although this killer company does not yet have a home on the web, there is now a number you can call for product information and ordering. It is: 888-666-0894.
Okay, on to the Body Balm!

Ease of Use

Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals is like a wicked fun science project! It comes in a cute little tin and is a solid consistency. It almost reminds me of lip gloss, but in a bigger container. When you scoop some of the Body Balm out of tin it is slightly grainy and textured. Once you begin rubbing it between your hands, though, all texture disappears and you have nothing but oil. I was a bit nervous about this at first, because I hate to be greasy. I took the plunge and spread it on.

Here is where it gets really cool... Within five minutes there was no greasiness, no residue at all! My skin was baby soft and I didn't have to stay off the furniture! So, not only is Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals easy to use, it's really cool!

The only thing I would change is that there would be a mini scoop or something to help it out of the tin. I just hate getting things stuck under my nails.

Appearance

Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals is a creamy color with a slight shimmer. It looks like it might be a bit dry and hard to spread.

Scent and Texture

I think I covered the texture section pretty well in the description of use, but the scent is as yet untouched :)

The scent is soft, fresh and clean. It has notes of citrus and spice, but also something softer, like baby powder. Also, the scent lasts all day, all night too for that matter.

Versatility

There is a bit of versatility to this gluten free skin care product. The scent is made in such a way that it will blend with and complement virtually any perfume.

Overall Value

A 4oz. tin of Love Yourself Body Balm by Marie Natural Botanicals will run you about $14.50. The tin will last about a month with regular use. It seemed a bit pricey to me at first glance, but when you factor in the fact that it will replace all of your other lotions and creams with no need to re-apply during the day, it's well worth it.

Rating

I am seriously addicted to this product. It is an absolute must have.

Glutino Strawberry Wafer Cookies

I love wafer cookies! Before I went gluten free I would buy the variety pack, with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors in it. They were fun to eat and even though they were packed with sugar they felt like they were better for me than heavier cookies.

It stands to reason, then, that I would seek to find that same happiness with gluten free wafer cookies. I've tried two brands now, but will review them separately because this is not a comparison site. The gluten free product review for today is Glutino Strawberry Wafer Cookies. Look for Schar Vanilla Wafer Cookies to follow.

Ease of Use

I honestly cannot think of a way to make eating a cookie hard. I do need to point out that wafers are very sensitive to temperature, humidity and breakage. Once the package is opened you should transfer the cookies to an airtight container or they will be stale in a day.

Appearance

Four thin flaky layers of cream colored wafer separated by thick light pink filling. These cookies are thicker than the ones I used to by in bulk and promise to be a real treat.

Taste and Texture

How does Glutino do it? Wafers are picky things. They are often either too brittle or too soft or (gluten free or otherwise) carry a strange flavor. My personal opinion on Glutino Strawberry Wafer Cookies is that they are perfect. Not too hard or soft. They have enough layers that they don't break immediately when you touch them.

The wafers themselves taste very good. The strawberry cream layers are tangy and sweet. Delicious!

Versatility

These are great to dip in puddings or custard. I wouldn't recommend using them as a crust because they will get very soggy very quick.

Overall Value

There are about 18 cookies in every box. Remarkably, none of them are broken in the box due to the packaging. There is a foil bag containing the cookies that has been nestled inside a cardboard box. This matters in value because most people will pay more for cookies than crumbs. They sell for $4.59 a box online.

Rating

I love them!

DeBoles Corn Spaghetti

Ahhh, pasta. One of the things most missed by people new to a gluten free diet. There are so many options available, and some are not so great. Some, however pass the test. DeBoles Corn Spaghetti did, read on to find out why.

Ease of Use

Cooking gluten free pasta can be a bit of a challenge, and DeBoles Corn Spaghetti is no exception. Bring the water to a full boil. Add the pasta and then stir and separate the strands until the water boils again. If you don't, the pasta will clump up.

The instructions say cook 8-10 minutes, but I recommend you begin checking for doneness at 6 minutes. This will ensure that you don't overcook, giving you a pot of mush.

Appearance

DeBoles Corn Spaghetti has strands that are a light yellow-orange color. It looks like spaghetti.

Taste and Texture

DeBoles Corn Spaghetti has the closest taste I've found to regular spaghetti. It works well with any sauce, including olive oil, and has no unpleasant aftertaste.

If cooked right, the texture of this gluten free pasta is perfect. It has a nice bite to it and has no problem winding around a fork.

Versatility

Top it, mix it, anything goes! I've even used it as a crust for a spaghetti pie.

Overall Value

You can buy DeBoles Corn Spaghetti for about $2.39 a box. Not too shabby!

Rating

This has become one of my favorite gluten free products, and a must have pantry staple.