Gluten Free Food Reviews

This Lundberg creamy parmesan risotto mix has become a staple in my pantry. It is great for those rushed, no fuss evenings because I know it will be hot and ready to serve by the time my chicken is off the grill. I purchased this 5.5 ounce mix for $2.19 at my local grocery store, it serves my family of four perfectly.

To prepare this mix, you saute the rice in oil or butter until lightly browned, then add the seasoning mix and water. Simmer for 20 minutes or so, and it’s ready! This gluten free parmesan risotto is the perfect density- not too mushy, not too firm. The sauce is indeed creamy with a nice balanced herb and strong parmesan cheese flavor, and pairs well with grilled chicken or fish. There is no hint of a processed or “boxed” flavor as with some side dish mixes- gluten free or not. This is another reason I like it so much. It’s yummy!

The packaging indicates that this risotto dish is best served piping hot, and they’re not kidding. It tastes best straight from the stove- literally. The longer you wait to eat it, the consistency and flavor quality declines, and it just isn’t as good. Also, forget about leftovers and reheating it- it’s not nearly as tasty and flavorful.

PROS: Great flavor and consistency, risotto is perfectly cooked, quick and yummy option for dinner.

CONS: Eat it quick! Doesn’t taste very good as leftovers

Rating:Â 5 stars

Wanna try this mix? Click the link or picture below:

Lundberg - Creamy Parmesan Risotto
From: glutenfree.comIngredients: Eco-Farmed California Arborio Rice, Parmesan and Cheddar Cheese Blend, Salt, Natural Flavors, Buttermilk Powder, Onion and Garlic Powder, Cane Juice Powder, Butter Powder, Whey Powder, Rice Flour, Dehydrated Parsley, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Expeller-Pressed Safflower Oil (Less than 2% Added as a Processing Aid).

Since I enjoy Amy’s frozen version of gluten free macaroni and cheese, I was curious to see what this packaged product would taste like. I purchased the 9.1 ounce bag for $4.59 at my local natural food store. After tasting it myself and researching this gluten free macaroni and cheese online, I have found that you will either love the Heartland Finest white cheddar macaroni & cheese, or you will hate it. Unfortunately, I did not love it.

This gluten free macaroni and cheese is fairly easy and quick to prepare. Just boil the noodles for a mere four minutes, then mix in butter, milk, and the cheese pouch, just like most boxed or prepared macaroni products. This mac and cheese was ready and on the table within 10 minutes! That was impressive! What was also impressive was the fact that each serving provides a whopping 14 grams of protein and six grams of fiber. Very nice. It’s too bad I didn’t like the flavor.

The noodles seemed dense and chewy with a heavy bean flavor and a hint of corn. To me, they just didn’t taste that good, but that may be because I am not a huge fan of bean flour used in noodles and baked goods. The sauce was thick and creamy, but had a slightly sour aftertaste that did not compliment the flavor of the noodles. To me, it isn’t as good as some of the other gluten free macaroni and cheese products out there. I prefer a softer, lighter pasta with a heavier cheddar flavor, and this product featured neither.

Did you try it and like it? Post your comments!

PROS: fast cooking time, high in protein and fiber

CONS: heavy bean flavor, cheese has an odd taste

Rating: 2 stars

Wanna try Heartland’s Finest White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese for Yourself?

Click HERE to purchase from glutenfree.com.Â

Ingredients: Navy Bean Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Cheddar Cheese (milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), whey, buttermilk, salt, disodium phosphate.

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 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!

 

 Yummy! Now this is a great side dish that is easy to prepare and tastes good. And at $2.79 a box, I can handle the price.

This is a packaged organic & vegan rice mix with a nice spinach flavor, There is also a mild mushroom flavor intertwined- however, don’t let the big mushrooms on the front of the box fool you. Like any packaged mix, it never quite looks like it does on the front of the box.

 This mix couldn’t be easier to prepare- just saute the rice in some olive oil, then add water and the seasoning packet, let simmer for 30 minutes and Viola! It’s ready! The rice comes out perfect- not mushy but not too firm either. Per the suggestion on the box, it tastes great with a touch of parmesan cheese and diced fresh tomato on top.

Pros: easy prep, nice flavor, affordable price

Cons: teeny tiny mushrooms

rating: 4 1/2 stars

Ingredients: organic arborio rice, organic dehydrated vegetables (spinach, mushroom, garlic, onion), sea salt, organic evaporated cane juice, yeast extract, organic spices ( tumeric, basil, black pepper, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage), organic sunflower oil, citric acid, natural garlic flavors)