Product Review: Catelli Gluten Free Pasta

Catelli recently sent me a box of their new Gluten Free pasta to see what I thought of it. It is produced in a dedicated gluten free facility and certified by the Canadian Celiac Association. In my opinion, any company that goes the extra mile to have their Gluten Free product certified by the CCA, is one that truly has Celiac consumers on it's mind.

*All opinions are my own and I have not been financially compensated in any way.

I can happily tell you that hubby, who is super critical of anything Gluten Free and our 5 year old grilled cheese and pizza pocket lover really enjoyed the pasta right along with me. 

Catelli is a great example of just how far we have come with Gluten Free pasta. It cooks in under 9 minutes and stays nice and al dente. It does't fall apart in the water, nor is it mushy on the plate. This pasta will not disappoint even the most harsh critic in the family.

I love preparing pasta for my family just as much as they enjoy eating it. It's one of those staples that  is great to have in the pantry when you want a no fuss meal. But it can also be so much more than that! The only limit is personal creativity and time. To save on time, I try to have a few vegetables in the fridge that are pre cut and ready to go. Add sauce and you are all set.

While supplies last, you can grab a coupon for $1.00 off of any Catelli Gluten Free pasta product here

With American Thanksgiving soon upon us, the Catelli recipe below is sure to be a quick and easy hit for those who are celebrating.

Festive Fusilli Stuffing

Create a new holiday tradition by serving this stuffing-inspired pasta dish alongside your roast turkey and trimmings.

 Prep Time: 25 min                                                   

Serving: 8 to 10 (makes about 7 cups/1.75 L)

 Ingredients:

2 tbsp (30 mL) each butter and olive oil

1 large cooking onion, chopped

1 cup (250 mL) each chopped celery and grated carrot

3 tbsp (45 mL) finely chopped fresh sage leaves

1 tbsp (15 mL) each finely chopped fresh rosemary and thyme leaves

1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper

1 1/4 cups (300 mL) chicken or vegetable broth

3/4 cup (175 mL) dried cranberries

1 pkg (340 g) Catelli Gluten Free Fusilli

1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley leaves

 1.      Heat butter and oil in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Sauté for 8 minutes or until softened and fragrant. Stir in broth and cranberries; simmer for 8 minutes.

 2.      Meanwhile, cook fusilli in a large pot of boiling salted water for 7 minutes. Drain well; transfer fusilli to a large bowl. Add the skillet mixture and parsley; toss well to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

 Tips:

·        This stuffing can be served any time of year along-side roast chicken, pork or pan-fried fish.

·        For a vegan stuffing, use all olive oil and vegetable broth. 

·        Make the stuffing up to 1 day ahead. Transfer the fusilli to a casserole dish. Drizzle with a little extra broth and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. 

 Per serving (about 3/4 cup/175 mL): 213 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 6 mg cholesterol, 226 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 7 g sugars, 3 g protein.

Product Review: Barilla Gluten Free Pasta

Some exciting news in the world of pasta - Barilla is introducing a line of Gluten Free pasta! It's made with non GMO corn and rice in a dedicated Gluten Free facility. With four varieties to choose from (spaghetti, penne, rotini and elbows) the meal possibilities are endless. I was happy to learn that this pasta was created with Celiac's in mind and not just for the diet hungry fadsters. The wonderful folks at Barilla kindly sent me some pasta to sample.

When I first opened the box of spaghetti, I noticed the colour right away. It is just like "regular" spaghetti, not gritty or gray like some of the other brands that I have tried. The instructions on the box are very simple and to the point. Ten - eleven minutes in boiling water while stirring occasionally. 

My family and I really enjoyed the spaghetti. It has the texture that I remember (pre Celiac diagnosis) growing up with and it tastes great. The only items that I added to the pasta were tomato sauce and frozen peas. Sometimes simple really does pay off. It was a great meal that paired nicely with an Udis bun doubling as garlic bread.

Not sure what to make? Check out Barilla's  recipe page for some inspiration.
As for the price point of 2.79- $3.29, no complaint's there.

Barilla Gluten Free pasta is in the process of hitting stores. Expect to see it widely available by the end of 2013.

If you have had the chance to try Barilla Gluten Free pasta, let me know what you think.

Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons - Review

With all the talk of American franchise Dunkin Donuts offering an array of pre packaged Gluten Free goodies, you can imagine my delight when out of nowhere Canada's beloved Timmy's surprised us with Gluten Free coconut macaroons! Totally unexpected AWESOMENESS right?!

Yes, I have a sweet tooth ;)






Let's talk about why I am loving this yummy treat -

• Tim Horton's rolled this product out the right way - with Celiac customers in mind. A first of it's kind in Canada.
• It is certified Gluten Free through the Canadian Celiac Association's Gluten Free Certification Program and that is no easy feat. They have very strict policies that keep Celiac health a number one priority.Check my photo above for the seal of approval.

• Price point is $1.29 for a pack of two macaroons. That alone says that Tim Hortons cares as they are not attempting to nickel and dime us like most companies who venture into the Gluten Free world.

• Each package is individually wrapped and prepared off site in a dedicated facility.

I would not  consider myself a coconut fan but I really enjoyed the texture and flavour of this sweet little meringue style confection! The added bonus of a chocolate drizzle is just enough without going overboard. If you are not normally a sweets person, this is most likely not a product for you. 

They are small enough to fit in a purse or a small lunch bag while being packed full of flavour. Makes for an easy to take "just in case" snack for those adventurous moments where something Gluten Free may not be easily accessible.

It's a great product for a treat and by treat I mean something that is consumed in moderation. Yeah, it's quite sweet so lets go there for a nano second - This is a snack. It is by no means meant to be healthy. Does anyone honestly walk into a donut shop and expect health food? I think not. So with that being said I applaud Tim Hortons efforts to create a Gluten Free item on their menu.

We now have an option on the road. Seeing as there is a Tim Hortons on nearly every block and every major highway exit in Canada, finding these babies should be easy peasy. We drove to Florida last year and a certified option like this would have been a welcome convenience! I can imagine the joy of Celiac cottage goers as well. 

The website states that the Gluten Free macaroons are available for "a limited time" which is kind of disappointing. But I understand that they probably want to see how well it is received before they make any long term decisions regarding it. I for one am hoping that this product does well. If it does, perhaps we could see Gluten Free prepackaged muffins and donuts in our future.

Thank you Tim Hortons for being Celiac friendly!



*Disclosure : I was sent a free sample of Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons. My opinion is that of my own and was in no way affected.

Easy Eats For A Gluten Free Trip

With Summer finally here, that means a lot of us will be going on little getaways. Driving, flying or just spending the day away from home, it's always best to have a safe food plan. Below is a list of my favourite items for on the go and the best part (aside from taste) is that they do NOT require heating or cooling. How's that for simplistic awesome?!

Enjoy Life Mountain Mambo is a tasty seed and fruit mix that comes in a resealable pouch. I love this product and buy it regularly! It's the perfect trail mix with it's lovely balance of sweet and salty. There is also just enough chocolate to fill that sugar craving while maintaining it's healthiness.

GoPicnic Ready To Eat Meals

I stumbled across these by accident when we drove to Walt Disney World last October. What a genius idea - they really are a picnic meal in a box. The Turkey Pepperoni & Cheese was my absolute favorite!

Bummer note - currently not available in Canada. Will have to stock up next time I'm in the States!

LARABAR Fruit and Nut Bars are a very convenient travel item. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar is one of my favourites - it really is like eating cookie dough! There are 19 different kinds of bars, 9 of which are available in Canada. 

Enjoy Life Crunchy Cookies

These cookies offer the right amount of sweetness and the perfect snap of crunch. I buy them in individual packages of two at my local Bulk Barn. The large boxes are great for home, but the smaller double packs are perfect for on the go. Each of the 4 flavours gets a star in my book!

BlueWater Seafoods Review and Giveaway

I was approached by BlueWater Seafoods and asked if I would like to review one of their Gluten Free products. After thinking about it, I said yes and was sent a very useful sling bag and a free product coupon to redeem for one of their Gluten Free items.

I chose to take on this review because I feel that BlueWater Seafoods truly wants and values my honest opinion. To me, that is VERY important.

I chose to try the Haddock Classic Grill. 

Out of the box

Ever hear the phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover"? Well we have a case of that here.  Upon opening the box, you are presented with two packaged fillets that leave a lot to the imagination. 

Frozen food is not pretty. It's convenient.

I followed the instructions for oven use. If anyone is brave enough to try the microwave route, please let me know how that goes for you. 

In the oven

Being Celiac, its hard to find fish that you can just pop in the  oven and eat. Almost everything is breaded *cringes* in wheat. I had not explored eating fresh fish very much as all that pin boning and prep scares me to be honest.




I have to say that I am really impressed with the Gluten Free indication on the top right corner of the box! If more companies took little steps like this, my grocery shopping time would be cut in half. 



BlueWater Seafoods  participates in the Trusted Catch program.

"BlueWater is committed to protecting and enhancing the sustainability of seafood resources and is working actively to support this under our Trusted Catch program. Trusted Catch encompasses all of our sustainability initiatives, from sustainable seafood sourcing to other green efforts including a more efficient plant and distribution network.

Regardless of where our seafood is caught and processed, BlueWater uses the same strict, rigorous quality control processes to ensure that we provide you with the safest, most wholesome and delicious seafood products on the market – not only for today, but for generations to come."

Eighteen minutes after oven entry (oven temperatures vary) dinner was ready. What a transformation! The frozen brick turned into a beautifully cooked piece of fish. My first impressions of this fish were boldly changed upon taste. It was moist and flavorful. Usually, I'm the first person at the table to add a sauce or a dip to what I am eating. Not this time though. The seasoning really enhanced the flavor of the fish without overpowering it. No need for anything extra here.

The verdict? Pretty sure that I will by this product again as it is very simple to make and the price point of $4.99 per box is not overkill. I like that this is something  I can make for myself on a busy night, without a hassle. Since I only cooked the one piece of fish, I am eager to try out a recipe from the BlueWater website with the next piece.

Finished baking

Don't forget to visit the BlueWater Seafoods website and make sure you check out their  awesome Gluten Free recipe section.

Dinner!

The great folks of BlueWater Seafoods have supplied me with THREE prize packs to host a give away with.

 Each prize pack consists of

• A Free Product Coupon to sample a Bluewater Seafood product of your choosing
• A BlueWater Sling Bag

To enter the contest, follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Good luck everyone! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway