Gluten Free Food Reviews

I thought this single serving of gluten free cornbread from the Lean On Me Baking Company would be great with a hot bowl of soup on a drizzly and particularly miserable autumn day, and I really wasn’t in the mood to make a whole pan of cornbread. Perfect. I picked this frozen product for $2.99 at my local natural foods store. I was curious whether a sugar free, protein packed ( 7 grams!) piece of cornbread tasted any good.

This is what the cornbread looke like fresh from the box. A little icy, eh?

This is what the cornbread looked like after thawing for 45 minutes of my countertop.

The box directions suggest thawing for 10 minutes at room temperature. Ummm, this is not nearly enough for it to thaw and warm enough to eat! After 45 minutes it appeared thawed, so I zapped it in the microwave for 15 seconds for the final warming.

This cornbead is surprisingly moist, almost too much so. It has a springy, smooth texture with a mild corn flavor that is borderline bland. The consistency reminded me more of a cake than a cornbread, as it was not crumbly at all. I definately needed some honeybutter for this cornbread! Overall it is a decent product that is great for soups and chili.

PROS: no crumbling, moist, single serve package, sugar free, 7 g. protein

CONS: almost too moist, bland flavor, long thaw time

Rating: 4 stars

Where Can I Buy This Cornbread?

Lean On Me Home Style Gluten-Free Cornbread (Frozen - 0.25 Unit)

Gluten Free Mall

Ingredients: water, eggs, maltitol, soy protein, soy oil, corn bran, cornmeal, baking powder, salt

If you are one of those newly gluten free people that miss your Van de Kamps or Mrs. Paul’s frozen fish fillets, you are in luck my friend. The Dr. Praeger’s Potato Crusted Fish Fillets just might be what you are looking for. I purchased this product from the frozen food section of my local grocery store for $3.69. It contains six all natural medium sized pollack fish fillets.

These fish fillets may be baked in the oven or pan fried in a bit of vegetable oil. Since I am not a fan of oily fried food, I opted for the oven version. I baked these gluten free fish fillets in the oven for the full 15 minutes until the exterior was really golden and crunchy.

The exterior of the fillet is a crispy crunchy shell that somewhat separates from the fish fillets, but not so much that it takes away from the flavor or texture. The potato crust is very mild with the slightest touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and is definitely not salty like other commercial fish products can be. I loved that! The fish inside appeared flaky and moist with a mild flavor that paired well with the potato crust. I am not a huge fish fan, but these fillets were mild enough for both my children and me to enjoy with fresh steamed veggies and homemade baked french fries. Overall, it’s a great product I would consider buying again.

PROS: perfectly crispy exterior, mild flavor, not at all salty, great for kids and adults, all natural ingredients

CONS: Flavor is on the bland side; Fish fillets aren’t for everyone- if you liked Van de Kamps and Mrs. Paul’s products before going gluten free, then you will like Dr. Praeger’s fish fillets as well.

Rating: 4 stars

Where can I buy these frozen fish fillets?

Dr. Praeger’s Potato Crusted Gluten-Free Fish Fillets (Frozen - 0.50 Units)- from the Gluten Free Mall

Ingredients: Pollack Fillets, Potato Flakes, Potato Starch, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Egg Whites, Salt, Brown Sugar

Mmmmm, who doesn’t like a pizza that is quick and easy to prepare? I found this gem at my local grocery store in the natural foods department. For $5.99, I thought this Amy’s Cheese Pizza Rice Crust Made with Organic Rice Flour and Tomatoes was worth a try. It easily serves two to three people.

Fresh out of the box:

To jazz it up a bit, I added some onion, tomato, sharp cheddar, and basil to most of the pizza, leaving just one section plain cheese. I was curious to see how the crust supported extra toppings. Since my pizza stone was used for a gluten pizza, I opted for a foil lined pan for my baking experiment.

The pizza cooked up nicely in a solid 12 minutes; I found the cheese and crust cooked much quicker than the center. To prevent overbrowning, watch it closely as it bakes and cover the edges with foil if necessary. The edges were definately crispy.

The crust baked up crispy on the bottom with a softer center. It tasted of cornmeal and rice, a mild flavor. The crust was on the thicker side and was able to support whatever extra toppings you throw it’s way. The crust was a solid, decent gluten free pizza crust and is probably one of the more decent semi-thick pizza crust you’ll get from a premade frozen gluten free product, despite it’s somewhat mealy consistentcy and texture. However I wouldn’t consider it flavorful or especially yummy. I think I like my crust a little chewier.

As for the toppings, I actually liked the sauce. There was just enough of it for some flavor - it really balanced out this gluten free pizza so it was neither dry or mushy. It had more of a fresher taste with minimal sweetness. I suggest adding a bit of your own cheese for full coverage if you add your own toppings. The cheese tasted really good and melted quite nicely.

Overall, this is a decent pizza that’s great for a last minute pizza craving. Of course it is not as tasty or flavorful as homemade, but it is decent, especially if you add your own toppings.

PROS: substantial crust, great base for extra toppings, nice balance of mild flavors, organic ingredients,

Cons: Crust has a “gluten-free” taste, crust cooks quickly and has a mealy texture

Rating: 4 stars

Where Can I Buy This Rice Crust Pizza?

WellnessGrocer.com

INGREDIENTS : PART SKIM MOZZARELLA CHEESE (WITHOUT ANIMAL ENZYMES OR RENNET), ORGANIC RICE FLOUR, ORGANIC TOMATO PUREE, FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER SEED MEAL, TAPIOCA FLOUR, ORGANIC POTATOES, ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, EXPELLER PRESSEDHIGH OLEIC SAFFLOWER OIL, ORGANIC HONEY, SEA SALT, ORGANIC RED ONIONS, YEAST, SOY LECITHIN, SPICES, ORGANIC GARLIC. CONTAINS MILK, SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND SOY.

Read what other sites and bloggers have to say about this pizzza!

CeliacFoodReviews.com

Sea at Book of Yum

Shannon at Digestive Diva

Sneako.com

Gluten-Free Essentials sent me this mix to sample during cake month in August. At the time, I just tucked it in my own gluten free pantry. In my house, I have a shelf just for my gluten free products. This shelf is located across the kitchen from our regular panrty that is laden with gluten in various forms hiding in the cracks and crevices. If I spend the cash for a GF product, you can bet I will do what it take to keep it that way. Unfortunately I found out the woes of pantry cross contamination the hard way- uugggh. I am not taking any chances!

Recently I was pressed for time as I prepared dinner. I decided to pound out some chicken breasts and smother them in garlic. I also prepped a green salad ( Ok, kind of- it came in a bag), but I still needed a satisfying side dish that would be ready in 15 minutes, while the chicken grilled outside. That’s where this Gluten-Free Essentials Side Kick Italian Herb & Lemon Mix comes into the picture. The packaging boasts that the product is ready in just 10 minutes. Wha-hoo! Perfect. You can buy this 8 ounce mix online for $2.99, and it makes about four servings.

I found this mix super simple to prepare- just add butter and water and you are ready to go. Once the mix boils, you simmer for five minutes, then cover and let sit for another five minutes. That’s it- pretty simple. I was thrilled with the results! However, I found that my mix was actually ready in 15 minutes instead of 10 from start to finish.

The texure of the rice was simply perfect. The grains were seperate and somewhat fluffy- not mushy and clumpy. They tasted perfectly cooked- just the right consistency- slightly dense and chewy, but still soft. The flavor was a wonderful blend of herbs with a substantial spicy lemon kick. I felt the flavors really complimented each other, instead of competing. This mix also did not have a processed flavor, and did not have an unpleasent aftertaste, as some gluten free products tend to have. Kind of like a party in my mouth! This gluten free rice product paired well with my grilled chicken, and helped me have a hot meal on the table in under 30 minutes. I’ll definately buy this mix for a future meal.

PROS: Great texture, balanced flavor, easy prep

CONS: strong flavor may compete or clash with other dishes - be sure to pair with something mild

Rating: 5 stars

Where Can I Buy This Yummy Mix?

GFEssentials.com

Ingredients: Precooked long grain white and brown rice ( enriched with niacin, ferric orthophosphate (iron), thiamin (B-1) and folic acid, lemon juice powder (maltodextrin from corn and lemon juice), GF herbs and spices.

This mix reminded me of a hot dish my mom used to make my family when I was growing up. I think it was called tuna noodle casserole. Now, I don’t believe it was a favorite of mine, but it was a good meal after homework and playing soccer during the school year. I saw this Mrs. Leepers Creamy Tuna Pasta & Sauce Mix discounted at my local grocery store for a mere $1.39 ( usually $2.79) and thought it would make for a quick meal on a busy day. I also knew I would be eating it on my own, since my husband and kids can’t stand tuna fish in any form. I hoped it was at least edible. You don’t know until you try, right?

This mix is super easy to prepare, and resembles the traditional “Tuna Helper” boxed meals. Just add 6 ounces of tuna ( I used the tuna in the foil pouch), water, milk, and butter. From start to finish it takes about 15 minutes, just as the packaging proclaims on the front. Perfect. I like it already!

I found this mix to have a simple, uncomplicated flavor. The sauce is a thin cream sauce that tastes fairly bland, and allows for the tuna flavor to really shine through. I did not notice a processed aftertaste or excessive saltiness, as the case may be with some dinner mixes. The noodles are a mini lasagna shape made of corn. I was actually surprised at how decent these noodles were! They hold their shape well with no mushiness and grip the sauce in the rippled nooks and crannies.

I would suggest purchasing this mix only if you really like tuna, since the sauce and pasta tastes so mild , the tuna flavor really shows through strong.

Overall, the mix was just “OK.” Definitely edible and might be a good last minute alternative for a hot meal. I would strongly suggest adding extra seasoning and maybe some celery, green beans, peas, mushrooms, or topped with fresh tomato to complete the meal.

PROS: decent noodles, quick prep time, great base for a good meal

CONS: the mix itself is quite mild and bland, add veggies or extra seasoning to complete

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Where Can I Buy This Mix?

Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten-Free Creamy Tuna- Gluten Free Mall.com

OR

Ingredients:Corn Pasta (Organic Corn Flour), Creamy Tuna Seasoning: Cream, Corn Starch, Salt, Onion Powder, Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Vitamin A Palmitate, Soybean Oil, Sodium Phosphate, Dried Parsley, Soy Lecithin, Guar Gum, Spice, Turmeric Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate

Also check out my reviews for the following Mrs. Leeper’s gluten free meal mixes:

Mrs. Leeper’s Beef Stroganoff- gluten free/wheat free/ egg free/soy free

Mrs. Leeper’s Cheeseburger Mac-gluten free/wheat free

Today I have a house of sick and grouchy kids, and a husband that is out of town on business ( not a good combination). After coaxing saltines and sips of Sprite and Pedialite, I needed something quick, filling, comforting, and naturally, gluten free for myself. The box of Amy’s Macaroni & Cheese in my freezer seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I believe I purchased this boxed and frozen product for $3.09 at my local grocery store.

The prep for this gluten free propduct couldn’t be easier. I popped it in the microwave for a total of six minutes, pausing after four minutes for a brief stir. I was also pleased to discover this product did not splatter and mess up my clean microwave. There’s nothing I hate more than food splatters that stink up the microwave! I admit, initially the mac and cheese looked pretty scary fresh from the box:

But the final product looked a bit more appetizing!

This product actually tasted pretty yummy! The noodles were great- soft, but firm enough to hold their shape with no mushiness. The sauce was fairly thick, and stuck to the noodles in little clumps here and there. However, the texure of the sauce was smooth, it just looked a bit clumpy because it was so thick. The flavor of the sauce was also quite satisfying- it tastes like a homemade cheese sauce- no artificial or processed flavors here! If you are looking for the thin, kraft-style sauce, this isn’t for you.

Overall, this Amy’s Macaroni & Cheese frozen product is a yummy product that has a nice homemade flavor. The ingredients are high quality and the portion size is perfect for one person. Add a salad or fruit and you have yourself a nice, satisfying meal in a matter of minutes. This product really fit my needs tonight- fast, tasty and filling. I must note, though, that part of the reason it was so filling was probaly due to the high fat/saturated fat content - 16 total grams of fat per serving- yikes! However for ocasional use, I will definately buy this product again.

PROS: Great flavor and texture

CONS: sauce is really thick; high saturated fat content ( 10 grams!)

Rating: 4 stars

Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheese may be purchased at most local grocery stores in the frozen foods section ( Wegmans, Walmart, Giant, Weis etc).

Ingredients: organic rice macaroni ( organic rice flour, water), organic lowfat milk, cheddar cheese, butter, rice flour, sea salt, annato. No trans fat, added MSG, no preservatives

My sister made this Mrs. Leepers gluten free stroganoff mix during my during my last visit, and I loved it! I couldn’t wait to rush home and try it out for myself.

I purchased this mix locally for $3.29. This one dish mix makes quite a large portion, and could easily serve 3 or 4 hungry people. The preparation itself is quite simple. First, you brown the hamburger, then add milk, water, butter, sauce mix and noodles. From start to finish this mix takes about 25 minutes to prepare.

The mix itself is very basic- noodles and cream sauce complimented by the additional hamburger. It is simple and unsophisticated, and unfortunately, a bit bland. I added onion, sour cream, and fresh mushroom to the mix and it was very tasty! However, after adding so many of my ingredients to maximize flavor, I might as well have made the dish from scratch.

The noodles taste great- no mushiness or issues with texture. They cook perfectly and hold their shape nicely. The sauce mix has a hint of sour cream and is missing “something”, in and of itself it is not that great. My gluten consuming sister noticed a slight aftertaste- you know, the kind most boxed meals have. Also be sure to drain the beef completely- otherwise it looks and tastes greasy.Overall, this is a decent mix that serves as a great base for a nice meal,and one I would buy again.

Pros: great noodles, easy preparation

Cons: For maximum flavor, you may need to add fresh iingredients.

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Where Can I buy this mix?

Mrs. Leeper’s Gluten-Free Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients: Rice pasta (organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour), stroganoff seasoning: sour cream powder {sour cream (cream, cultures, lactic acid), nonfat milk, citric acid, disodium phosphate, natural flavor}, potato starch, salt, rice flour, onion and garlic powder, whey, sugar, corn syrup solids, dextrose, whey protein concentrate, dehydrated parsley, caramel color and autolyzed yeast.

 This 5.5 ounce boxed mix  made by Thai Kitchen serves two people and is a quick and easy meal, if you have the ingredients on hand. I purchased this mix for $2.89 from my local grocery store. It is also sold at the natural foods store near where I live.

To complete this meal, you need to add vegetable oil, chicken, shrimp or tofu, water, bean sprouts and optional garnishes (cilantro, cholis, peanuts, or lime wedges). This stir-fry recipe is simple to make and is fairly foolproof. However, I would not suggest making it without the bean sprouts or protein source ( I tried this and it just didn’t taste that good!). The mix can be made in either a saucepan or wok, both with great results.  The final product had a mild peanut taste that is slightly sweet and not at all spicy. I wish it had a bit more sauce, that would have made a good product great. Overall, I liked it and have already bought it again and again.

Pros: nice flavor, easy to prepare in under 25 minutes

Cons: need lots of extra ingredients, takes longer than 15 minutes- as advertized on their package.

Rating: 4 stars

Ingredients:  Rice noodles ( rice, water), Seaoning packet (peanuts, pure cane sugar, salt, corn starch, spices, chili, cinnamon, pepper, cumin, clove, hydrolyzed soy protein, yeast extract, dried green onions, citric acid, peanut oil, silicon dioxide ( to prevent caking)

Where to buy:

Amazon.com

Most local grocery stores

I purchased this 16 ounce box of soup for $3.29 at my local grocery store. I was excited to find a musroom soup that was labeled gluten-free to use in recipes. I was craving some real beef stroganoff and my favorite, and simple recipe needs this soup.

This is a ready to eat soup that does NOT require you to add water. I found this soup to be moderately thin with a light mushroom flavor. It was not heavy or salty and seemed balanced in every way. It truly is creamy with no bits or chuncks of mushroom to be seen. I did not eat this soup alone  ( only tasted  a spoonful) but found that it worked well in my dinner recipes when I thickened it with some potato or tapioca flour.

 I found it a bit cumbersome to store unused portions of the soup. I sticky tab to cover the opening in the box was insufficiant to keep it sealed, so I had to store the remaining soup in a plastic storage container. However, once I got my mushroom and beef fix, I really had no use for the remaining 8 ounces of soup and it was eventually discarded.

Pros: nice mushroom flavor, may be adapted to recipes calling for condensed soup

Cons: quite thin, a slightly smaller sized box would be preferable for cooking

Rating: 4 stars

Ingredients: coming soon!

Where Can I Buy This Soup?

Amazon.com

 

 This mix comes boxed and ready for prep- just add some butter and water for a nice side dish. And for $2.69 a box, it’s not a bad deal.

To prepare, you saute the rice in a touch of butter, then slowly boil until the water is absorbed into the rice. When I prepared this, I found the final product to be more of a sticky rice; however, not so so much that it became mushy. The alfredo flavor was nice and mild and the alfredo seasonings and sauce clings to the rice.  This is nice because you don’t get an overly saucy or soupy result, it’s just perfect. It also has a nice presentation- it actually looks good. Now, this mix is “OK” overall, and really isn’t a mix I would rave to my gluten-free friends about, but it is good enough to buy again from time to time.

Pros: nice flavor, easy prep, basic side dish

Cons: nothing too special, just “OK”

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Ingredients: coming soon!