cheese

The last time I was walking through the specialty foods section of Krogers, I noticed Lundberg Family Farms instant risottos were marked as gluten free. My kids love sushi rice, so I was hoping that I had found something new they would eat, that wasn't a dessert item. The first one that I tried was the Creamy Parmesan Risotto.

The directions were fairly simple to follow. They have both conventional and microwave directions on the box. I followed the microwave directions, and found that I had to cook their instant risotto an additional six minutes before it thickened up properly.

I did serve hot, and it had a creamy, Parmesan taste, but there was nothing spectacular about it. It wasn't a bad taste. It just tasted like it came out of a box. Frankly I would use this as a base to build something better. The next time I use this gluten free risotto, I'm planning to sauté some green onion, grate some additional Parmesan cheese, and add some butter. Unfortunately
neither child liked it.

If I needed a quick side dish for a meal, I might purchase this again. It wouldn't be my first choice, but it wouldn't be my last either.

Though most of the gluten free products that I have been reviewing have been for my daughter, but my wife also has a problem with wheat.  She occasionally needs something to take to work with her to heat and eat, so today I'm reviewing the Fettuccini Alfredo from a new product line called All Natural Gluten Free Café. 

Now this is the first product line that I have seen that is making frozen entrées specifically for people with a gluten intolerance.  In most cases the entrée in their normal product line just happens to be gluten free.  I'll accept either because it give me a greater selection to feed the wife and kids when I don't have the time to cook a full meal.

The reheat directions were simple to follow, and it was heated all the way through when done.  When the film lid came off the package, there was the strong smell of Parmesan and Romano cheese.  It looked really appealing and the rice noodles remained solid when I stirred.

The taste matched the smell.  The Alfredo sauce never clumped, and it evenly coated all of the noodles in the bowl.  Each bite was brought the rich taste of cream and melted cheese to my mouth.  The noodles were a limper than I like, but it did not take anything away from this dish.  Next time I have this, I might pan fry some popcorn shrimp and stir them into the bowl.

I liked it, and my wife liked it for two reasons.  The first was that it tasted really good, and the second was the prebiotics that Gluten Free Café added to the Fettuccini Alfredo.   She has a problem with cream sauces.  She likes pasta Alfredo, but it doesn't like her.  This was the first cream sauce that she has had in a long time that didn't upset her stomach.

This will be bought again.

Like so many others, we were visiting relatives during the Thanksgiving holidays.  That also meant that we had to provide some food for my wife and daughter since most of the family does not have a problem with gluten.  I tested Sweet Oven & Company's Cheese Rolls while I was over at my parents. 

Not only did my daughter like them, but almost every one of her cousins also wanted one.  We had to save a few back so that Charlotte had a few with her meals.  I can understand why the kids liked them.  This was the closest any gluten free roll has every gotten towards being a french baguette.   The crust had a hard crunch like bread should.  It did not crumble away like most gluten free breads.  It stood up to my teeth, and cracked from the pressure of my bite. 

The interior was a complete contrast.  While the crust was hard the bread was soft and chewy.  I was even able to roll it into little balls like a standard white bread.  This was unusual for a gluten free roll.  I suspect that the cheese replaced the gluten needed for these structures.

I also suspect the kids like this gluten free roll because it really is a cheese roll.  This wasn't a roll with some cheese flavoring.  This was a roll made out of cheese and made to look like bread.  It is not subtle in its flavor, but it is really good.  It would not replace a traditional dinner roll because the flavor is to strong, but is an excellent addition to a meal.  

As I stated before, we had to keep people out of these.  Once they tasted them, they wanted more.  These are going to be purchased again.  

One of the problems that many gluten intolerant people have is the lack of a good party cracker. They need something that is sturdy enough to hold up to a cheese spread, but still have a descent taste and texture. Glutino's crackers could just be that party cracker.

The cheddar crackers are a round, two inch disc that could easily hold about any spread. It looks very similar to a Ritz; however, unlike a Ritz or Town House cracker, the cracker is very dense and difficult to break. This will give it an advantage on spreading something over it like a cheese ball.

The taste is very similar to other rice, with a light hint of cheddar in the background. You do taste the cheddar, and the taste becomes strong with each additional cracker that you eat. To me this is an advantage. You will be able to use a wider variety of toppings that the cheddar flavor will enhance instead of over power.

It's a good serviceable cracker that works well plain or with toppings. I would buy this again.