Food Reviews

Review: Absolutely Gluten Free Tahini Bars (Delicious!)

September 27, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Okay, I have a confession to make before I get to the review of these delicious snack bars. When I first received these bars to review on the food blog, I took SCADS of pictures. I took them in their packaging, I took them out of their packaging. I took them alongside coffee (amazingly delicious with coffee), I took them on snack trays.

I photographed them in my kitchen and I even photographed them beside my flower bed, where I loved to snack away while working with my beloved zinnias.

Now… understand… I regularly write reviews on the food blog (as well as my other blogs), so photographing products, e-mailing the pictures to myself, saving, and posting them are as old hat to me as putting ice in my tea glass.

And yet….

For the first time in my life, I lost 95 percent of the pictures I took! I’m sick about this because this is a wonderful snack and one of the foods I’ve been sent that I was the most excited about.

I’ve checked and rechecked ,my iPhone, my iPad, and my e-mail. Know what I came up with? TWO PICTURES – TWO, OUT OF PROBABLY THIRTY! And – it gets worse. The two I actually found? Basically the same picture – just different angles.

{Insert thirty screaming emojis right here.}

At any rate, I want to tell you all about these snack bars (the press release is published at the end of my review, so you can read even more about them).

The bars are available online (through Amazon) and come in these delicious varieties: Pistachio, Vanilla, and Cocoa Nibs. Being a chocoholic, I was completely prepared to favor the cocoa nibs like a favored child but the vanilla and pistachio bars said, “Not so fast, mom…” Each of the three are just phenomenal and (as is the case with my three beautiful daughters), I couldn’t pick a favorite if I had to.

Tahini Flavor

I will point this out, in complete fairness and full disclosure – you need to like the flavor of tahini to appreciate these snack bars. There is more tahini flavor in these little guys than in any hummus I ever made or met. Given the name, this isn’t much of a surprise, is it? The flavor of cocoa nibs, vanilla, and pistachio is evident in each of the three varieties, but make no mistake about it, tahini is the star of the show and she does not allow you to forget this fact.

Think of Greta Garbo allowing any of her co-stars to steal her spotlight. Not happening.

{Review Continued Below… Beneath the second of the two remaining pics…. sigh}

While I feel absolutely SICK about the missing pictures, I do have to cut myself just a little bit of slack. One of my daughters was very, very sick this past summer and my mind was, understandably, elsewhere. She had chronic diarrhea, nausea, pain, and (since she was unable to eat) was losing weight at an alarming rate. After many doctors, procedures, and even a scope, it was determined that she had a horrible case of gastritis and needed weeks of medication and recovery. She spent nearly her entire summer sick and hurting while her mom (that’d be me) spent it worried sick.

I’m not using this as an excuse for the picture catastrophe (all I can figure is I e-mailed them to myself, deleted the pictures, and they never made it to my e-mail). I’m actually using this as a testimony to these bars. While Emily was recovering, the Tahini bars were often the one thing she could hold down – and they seemed to settle her stomach. I always attributed this to the simplicity of the product. They’re free of so many things that are difficult to digest and contain ingredients that are beautifully natural and easy to handle.

They, literally, were a God-send for her.

If they’re easy on someone’s digestive system that’s under complete FULL attack, they must be as good as they’re cracked up to be!

After I tried these delicious gluten-free bars, I researched the Absolutely Gluten-Free band – completely determined to buy everything they make. I was delighted to see that they make a great selection of gluten-free foods – and, yes, I have every intention of trying them all!

I hope you’ll visit their website and find these bars (Pistachio, Vanilla, and Cocoa Nibs) on Amazon or in your local stores, if you can find where they’re carried. These would be IDEAL for after-school snacks or treats for the office desk, lunch box treats, and handbag. For a while there, I had one in my purse at all times!

Press Release:

NEW! SNACK BARS TAKE THE TAHINI CRAZE TO HEALTHY, DELICIOUS NEW HEIGHTS

Absolutely Gluten Free Introduces TahiniBAR, the Energy Bar Made From Sesame Seeds

Available in Three Exciting Varieties: Cocoa Nibs, Pistachio, and Vanilla

Absolutely Gluten Free, maker of all-natural crackers, flatbreads, and pizza that are both delicious and gluten-free, is taking on the energy bar category with the launch of TahiniBAR, a grab-and-go sesame seed snack that weighs in at only 100 calories. All varieties are certified OU Kosher and dairy-free.

TahiniBAR is leading the pack in many of today’s hottest food trends:

Demand for authentic Mediterranean food, particularly seed-based spreads like hummus and tahini, is on the rise in the United States, with even more growth in the forecast.

The market for healthy portable snacks has seen dynamic growth; bars are more widely available and consumed on a more casual basis than ever before.

The gluten-free movement continues to gain traction as shoppers become more mindful of diets that support health and wellness. In fact, more than 30% of Generation Z and Millennials say they are willing to pay a premium for gluten-free products.

Finally, consumers are expecting intriguing new textures and flavors, and they want to indulge in ingredients like fruits, nuts, and chocolate.

Sesame seeds are truly one of the most ancient foods on earth. In fact, sesame plants are the oldest known plant species to be grown primarily for their seeds (pods) and oils rather than for their leaves, fruit or vegetables.

Health Benefits – Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, molybdenum, and selenium. These translate into a variety of health benefits including cholesterol-lowering phytosterols, heart health, improved blood pressure, hormone balance, as well as cancer fighting and fat burning properties. Sesame also helps boost nutrient absorption and energy levels, too.

TahiniBAR satisfies all of these demands in a novel new format. Like tahini and its decadent dessert cousin, halvah, the energy bars are made from all-natural roasted sesame seeds. Sesame seeds help boost energy levels and are a good source of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and potassium. Much lower in calories than many other bars, this 100% gluten-free treat is available in three delectable varieties – Cocoa Nibs, Pistachio, and Vanilla – and sold in packs of 7 bars (4.4 oz.). The MSRP is $3.99 – $4.49 per 7- bar package.

Absolutely Gluten Free is headquartered in Bayonne, NJ, and currently has a line of gluten free flatbreads and crackers, Superseed Crunch, Blondies and cauliflower crusted pizza, among other items, available in stores nationwide. Follow them on FB and Twitter @AbsolutelyGF and online at www.absolutelygf.com.

Plush Puffs: Hand-Crafted Gourmet Marshmallows That Will Blow Your Mind!

March 30, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Have you ever heard of Plush Puffs Gourmet (Handcrafted) Marshmallows? If not, hold on to your smores, your summer is about to get deliciously exciting. These are unlike any marshmallows you’ve ever tasted or seen. These hand-crafted artisan marshmallows are packed with so much flavor you’d think you were eating an entire dessert. While they are excellent in hot chocolate and even coffee, I think they’re at their best either eaten right out of the box (especially the Toasted Coconut or Caramel Swirl marshmallows!), roasted over a campfire, or teamed up with graham crackers and chocolate for the world famous smores… something I wouldn’t venture into summer without.

Toasted Coconut Plush Puffs

My favorites are the Toasted Coconut and the Caramel Swirl. They’re out of this very world. Given that coconut is one of my personal culinary obsessions, it’s not surprising that this was the first one I tried.

They’re just as delicious as you’d imagine – and, frankly, a lot of fun to eat.

Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs

I tasted the Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs and was as blown away by them as the coconut ones. My daughter, Brittany, is all about caramel, so I sent the rest of the box with her to work. About an hour later, she texted me and said, “OMG! THESE ARE ADDICTIVE!!!” – including all kinds of happy emojis.

Addictive is the perfect word for these little beauties.

Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs

The Plush Puff Story

Once upon a time (Halloween time that is) a young boy asked “hey Mom, let’s make pumpkin marshmallows today”. Mom said, “hmmm, that sounds interesting, let’s give it a go!”. Well, that Mom called another Mom (who both coincidentally already worked as chefs together) and they went to it. After many painstaking hours in the test kitchen and many “almost batches”, Plush Puffs were born! Much to our delight, a whole bunch of other flavors turned out beautifully, and finally a special flavor we added last fall Pumpkin Praline! From the first hit, Toasted Coconut to the Chocolate Chipetta, they have all been a labor of love. In fact, it is still hard to resist more than one taste test when the batches are being made. – Read More…

Peppi-Mint Plush Puffs Marshmallows

The Peppi-Mint Plush Puffs Marshmallows are especially pretty, aren’t they? They have a really strong peppermint flavor and, if you love peppermint, you’ll find them to be a beautiful match made in heaven!

Like the two flavors above, these would also make wonderful smores and would be downright gorgeous roasted over a fire.

Mochaccino Plush Puffs

Last but certainly not least are the Mochaccino Plush Puffs. The minute you open the box (even before you open the bag), you know what you’re in for. The aroma reminds me of a coffee shop… something that I find especially exciting. These (along with the Toasted Coconut marshmallows) are my favorites for floating in hot chocolate. Both are unspeakably delicious.

Visit Plush Puffs Hand-Crafted Marshmallows for more information.

One of our cats, Delilah, admiring the deliciousness.

If You Don’t Like Ghee, It’s Only Because You Haven’t Had the BEST Ghee: Ancient Organics

January 4, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link)

When I first tried ghee, I thought it was horrifyingly bad. So bad that I was certain I’d never touch it again.

Fast forward to today…. I am, now, a complete and total Ghee addict.

So how did I get from point A to bullet point B? I tried a different ghee!

I read a lot of Paleo articles, use Paleo cookbooks, and stalk the Paleo crowd on social media. While I don’t follow the Paleo diet exclusively, I do incorporate it into my cooking and eating. Paleo cooking uses A LOT of ghee, so I figured it’d be worthwhile to simply try a different brand rather than completely throw ghee out the back door (something that my store-bought ghee had me tempted to do).

My husband ordered a jar of Ancient Organics Ghee on Amazon and, as soon as it came, we tested it out.

What a difference a label makes! Seriously, I cannot even begin to figure out how Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link) gets it so deliciously right when other ghee get it so frightfully wrong.

Maybe the description below will give us a little insight…

Product Description from Ancient Organic’s Amazon Page:

Ancient Organics Ghee is a premium cooking oil celebrated for its taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal qualities—it is unlike any other ghee on the market today. Our Ghee is hand-crafted over an open flame and made in small batches, ensuring you will always get the freshest Ghee. With an uncompromised commitment to quality and an obsessive attention to detail, we guarantee you won’t find a more pure, better tasting Ghee. Ghee is the complete distillation of butter— the end result of a long, slow, careful clarification process that removes all the moisture, lactose and casein, making it completely shelf stable AND a perfect choice for people who are lactose intolerant. The difference between Ghee and clarified butter lies in their flavor and shelf stability: Ghee is superior on both counts Ayurveda recognizes ghee as an essential part of a balanced diet and is considered to be the very best oil one can eat. It has been used for centuries as a digestive and elimination aid, for energy, sexual vitality, skin and eye health, as a lubricant for the joints and for alkalizing the blood. Comprised of full spectrum short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids, Ghee contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids along with vitamins A, D, E and K. Our Ghee is one of the highest natural sources of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) because we use only the highest quality organic butter of pastured cows. Our golden Ghee has a delicious caramelized and nutty taste that will enhance the flavor of any culinary creation. It has one of the highest flash points (485ºF) and it is simply the best choice for high temperature cooking. Substitute our Ghee for olive oil, butter or vegetable oil in or on anything from soups, potatoes, rice and vegetables, with eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, smoothies or popcorn—the possibilities are truly endless. Try it—you will love it!

What is Ghee?

Ghee is a healthy alternative to cooking – far better than vegetable oil. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, recognizes Ghee as a very important part of a healthy diet. It also considers ghee to be the best fat one can eat.

Ghee is as easy to implement in your cooking and eating as it gets. Use it in place of olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter. Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link) is so delicious we even have an after-dinner routine we’ve followed for over a year. We spread a little ghee on a small square of dark chocolate, then sprinkle Pink Himalayan Salt on top.

It is outrageously delicious. Trust me.

Eggs fried in ghee are also out of this world good. The high-temperature quality of ghee performs beautifully in sautés and stir fries.

I’ve even added a little ghee to soups and oatmeal and found that it gives a rich flavor that brings out the best in every other flavor.

Heck, it even takes popcorn up a couple of notches. Last summer I popped some popcorn for an afternoon baseball game. Instead of melting butter, which I’ve done for popcorn for 112 years, I reached for the ghee and melted a tablespoon of it. OMG. I have not used butter on popcorn since.

But here’s the thing – it has got to be Ancient Organics Ghee (Amazon link). Has. Got. To. Be. The rest I’ve tried are nowhere near as good. I can’t explain it but I can darn sure taste it. This particular brand occasionally runs out on Amazon (which tells you all you need to know about how great it is). Before we learned to stock up, we’d every now and then find “not available” or “In stock on… (insert later date)” on the Amazon page. This led to the need to order other brands and/or experiment with store-bought ghee.

Seriously – they don’t even taste like the same thing!

I hope you’ll try as soon as you can. You’re going to love it. If one size is temporarily sold out, buy the other size. If you get a “In stock on..” message, throw it in your cart and wait!

Yes, it’s costlier than some other ghee, but it is infinitely worth it.

EDIT: I have, since doing this review in 2018, literally searched for a comparable ghee so I could come back to this ghee review and give another option – even if it was a “close second” brand. I can’t find one! This remains the absolute best there is and I honestly can’t even find a close second. Trust me, I wish there WAS a comparable ghee that was readily available on the store shelf but, sadly, there is not. ~ Joi (3/12/2022)

Fun and Delicious: The Little Kernel Miniature Popcorn (Review + Delicious Recipe for Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars)

November 13, 2017 By Joi Sigers

Have you seen -or heard of – The Little Kernel miniature popcorn? I hadn’t when I was first contacted to try it in exchange for a post on the food blog. But one look at the Little Kernel guy and I was hooked. That combined with the fact that I’m BEYOND obsessed with popcorn made me downright giddy at the prospect.

The Little Kernel is a better-for-you snack with a unique, hulless, “miniature kernel.” Popped in 100% pure olive oil, each popcorn is gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, kosher and certified whole grains.

My favorites were the Sweet & Salty Kettle and the Butter Flavored while my husband was wild about the Truffle Sea Salt. I have a funny relationship with Truffle salt – I like it for a few bites, then, I’m ready to move on.

If you love truffle salt as much as my husband does, however, this will become your new addiction.

As for me and my taste buds, we’re sticking with the Sweet & Salty and Butter Flavored. I’m intrigued by the other flavors available too – especially the White Cheddar and Pink Himalayan Salt. They both sound out of this world good.

Where to Buy The Little Kernel Miniature Popcorn:

The Little Kernel is on Amazon – something I love since I pretty much live on Amazon. It’s super-easy to just throw a bag or two or twelve in the cart along with whatever lovely little something caught my eye at the time. Just click the link (Amazon) and shop for the variety of Little Kernel you’re craving.

You can also order The Little Kernel Miniature popcorn from their website.

You are going to love this popcorn – it’s uncommonly delicious and just a lot of fun to eat.

One of my favorites, Sweet & Salty, stars in the great recipe below from @snacksalldayeveryday. Just be sure to order plenty of The Little Kernel to use in the recipe AND for popping directly into your mouth.

Trust me on this one.

Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Recipe Credit: @snacksalldayeveryday

2 cups of rolled oats
3 1/2 cups The Little Kernel Sweet & Salty
1/2 cup puffed rice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in one bowl (using about 1/2 cup of popcorn only).
2. In microwave, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract and melt until smooth.
3. Combine this with dry ingredients and then line a dish with this mixture (tightly packed about 3/4 inch high).
4. Chill in fridge for 20 minutes.
5. Then combine remaining popcorn with honey and add this on as a second layer (tightly packed).
6. Chill for another 15 minutes or so, cut, drizzle with melted chocolate, and serve. No baking necessary.

Dive In!

Bacon and Eggs Salad with a Creamy Mayo Dressing

May 24, 2017 By Joi Sigers

Bacon and Eggs Salad My love of animals, birds, butterflies, and bees is so great that it’s a part of my DNA. I’m somewhere between a modern day Snow White and Ellie May Clampett (without the little men or pigtails – though I’d kind of fancy having both around).

As you’d expect, I only buy cage-free eggs. They cost a little more, but the way I see it.. it’s more than worth it. The thought of any animal being confined and miserable – unable to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and… well… life – makes me miserable and that’s a feeling I’m not wild about. The way I see it, if we were to all DEMAND better for animals (be their voice, if you will), their treatment will improve.

Talk about worthwhile goals!

When I saw Nellie’s Free Range Eggs website, the first thing that caught my eye was a precious picture of a beautiful little girl holding a beautiful hen like a cherished pet. Not only am I obsessed with animals, having raised three beautiful little girls of my own – I’m terribly partial to that “critter” as well!

Above the precious picture were the words that have stuck with me… “We Love Our Hens.” Maybe it’s because I’m a sentimental animal lover with few rivals for the title of Queen Sentimental Animal Lover, but that struck a chord with me. The love for their hens has led Nellie’s Free Range Eggs to be Certified Humane (click the link to learn exactly what this means).

Teaching Kids About Healthy Cooking and Humane Living

{Continued Below…}

My Buddy, the Nellie’s Free-Range Eggs Hen (My Cats Love Her)I’m a huge advocate for teaching girls and boys how to cook (safely, healthily, and deliciously). When our girls were growing up, they took turns helping in the kitchen. I showed them simple things like…

how to always turn the pot handles toward the back of the stove
how to pour ingredients safely to keep them from splattering all over your face
how to handle knives without incident
where to store eggs in the fridge (not on the door)
what foods need refrigeration and what ones don’t
how garlic powder and an iron skillet make the best burgers ever
etc, etc, etc..

While it wasn’t really an issue when my girls were children, today parents and grandparents would be great to teach their little cooks about food allergies and intolerances. Teaching them that it’s always considerate to take things like allergies into consideration when cooking for others.

I’ve also preached to my daughters (and anyone else who’ll listen!) about the importance of mastering certain recipes that’ll serve you well throughout your life. Egg recipes are among the ones that I think are most important to master.

Everyone should be able to make EXTRA special…

fried eggs
scrambled eggs
boiled eggs
egg salad (Best Egg Salad Recipe EVER)
omelets

As is the case with many recipes, perfecting egg recipes simply takes practice – and attention to detail. I love eggs to distraction – I guess that’s why I have (over the years) worked so hard to perfect my egg recipes. It’s why I’ve always found ways to get eggs into as many meals as possible.

They aren’t just for breakfast you know!

When it comes to summer meals, one of my favorite ways to enjoy eggs is a Bacon and Eggs Salad with a Creamy Mayo Dressing.

{Bacon and Eggs Salad Recipe Below…}

Bacon and Eggs Salad

Round up the usual suspects: Romaine Lettuce (or your favorite leaf lettuce – don’t let me tell you what to do), chopped green onions, bacon, hard-boiled eggs (chopped), tomatoes if you’ve got them… and any other vegetables you want to invite. Most of the time, I want the bacon and eggs to be the stars they are, so I keep things ridiculously simple.

Creamy Mayo Dressing:

For some reason, the dressing looks almost yellow in the picture below, but don’t let it fool you.. it’s white. I guess the mid-day sunlight coming through the kitchen window pulled a fast one.

1 cup mayo (I love Duke’s and Hellman’s)
4 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 TBS sugar
salt and pepper

This is the basic dressing I use for the Bacon and Eggs Salad – but you can jazz it up a little with chopped chives (fantastic on just about any tossed salad) or other herbs. You can also add a little lemon juice if you so desire. Again, I don’t want anything upstaging the bacon and eggs, so I keep it basic. As you can see from the pics, the last time I made this I didn’t even involve tomatoes. They sat in a bowl looking at me but I was like, “Nah, I’m good…”

{Concluded Below…}

Hard-Boiled Eggs without Pepper? I Do NOT Think So! As long as we have our children’s attention, we should also teach them about compassion. Along with my love for great, healthy food and cooking, I passed on to my girls a great love and compassion for every human and animal involved in the process – from farm to table. The kitchen is one of the easiest places to do this. Strike up conversations with your kids about the importance of things like supporting local farmers and buying free-range eggs. Visit Nellie’s Free Range Eggs with them (they’ll love the pictures!) and show them “the right way” to do a business.

I was sent a gift certificate for Nellie’s Free-Range Eggs in exchange for telling you all about them. I decided to do more than just tell you about them… I decided to RAVE because everything about the way Nellie’s does business makes this animal lover’s hear soar.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Place your free-range eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Place the pan on high heat and cook until it reaches the boiling point. Take the pan off of the heat (don’t forget to turn off your burner… I used to be AWFUL about that!) and cover the pan. Allow the eggs to sit in their hot bath for about 13 minutes. Peel, pepper and enjoy!

National Hot Breakfast Month with Kruteaz Gluten-Free Mixes

February 1, 2017 By Joi Sigers

While September is National Breakfast Month, February is National HOT Breakfast Month. Given that I am a bona fide breakfast fanatic, I feel that breakfast not only deserves two months, but it’s well within reason for it to have 10. Seriously, what’s not to love about breakfast food? Waffles with syrup seeping into its crevices, pancakes with butter melting down the sides, blueberry muffins with their warmth and sweetness, scrambled eggs with Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs with cornbread, French toast with cream cheese and orange marmalade nestled in between its delectable layers..

Let’s make that 12 months breakfast deserves.

In honor of National HOT Breakfast Month, I’m going to feature a new breakfast recipe or idea each day of the month. These recipes will be perfect for breakfast OR supper (ironically my favorite time to enjoy breakfast food). The recipes will be quick and easy, gluten-free, and packed with flavor and goodness in each bite. Quite a few of the recipes will feature some of my kitchen staples:

Krusteaz Gluten-Free Mixes
Krusteaz Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour
T-fal Non-Stick Skillet (review upcoming)
T-fal Waffle/Sandwich Removable EZ Clean (review upcoming)
Eggs (color me obsessed)
Bacon
Berries – I’m crazy about blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries and work them in any chance I have.

I’ve declared my great love for Krusteaz Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour on the food blog before. I’ve even posted recipes for Cranberry Pecan Cookies and White Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies using this perfect gluten-free flour. It’s a staple in my gluten-free kitchen. In fact Krusteaz is synonymous with gluten-free baking as far as I’m concerned. Mind you, all of their products aren’t gluten-free, but the ones that are could not be any better.

That’s why I immediately jumped on their gluten-free mixes:

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix
Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffin Mix
Gluten-Free Honey Cornbread Mix
I just saw on their website that they now have a Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix – O.M.G. I’ll be looking for that at Meijer’s today!

A few days ago, I wrote about the Gluten-Free Honey Cornbread Mix in my recipe for Sloppy Joes Cornbread Pizza (other level delicious). If (like my cornbread loving husband) you can’t get enough of the flavor of great cornbread, you’ll love this idea for putting a breakfast spin on the Cornbread Mix – serve it with scrambled eggs or a breakfast casserole. Cornbread is delicious with butter and jam or even apple butter. Use it in place of toast for extra flavor.

Plus, let’s face it, there’s just something so right about the way cornbread looks in an iron skillet. Krusteaz Honey Cornbread Mix is the best cornbread mix I’ve ever had (gluten-free or not) and is as good as homemade cornbread. To get a crunchier bottom, use bacon grease in the skillet instead of shortening or oil. It gives it wonderful flavor, too. This is the mix I used (along with the bacon trick) for my stuffing last Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING.

Have you ever taken a slice of hot cornbread and covered it with buttermilk? I remember seeing my grandmother and mom tear cornbread into pieces, place the pieces in a bowl and pour buttermilk on top. When I was a kid, I thought they were nuts. When I got a little older, curiosity got the better of me and I poured some buttermilk on hot cornbread – poking holes and letting it seep down into the golden goodness. Words CANNOT tell you how delicious this is. These ladies were onto something!

Krusteaz Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffin Mix

Blueberry muffins are, in my opinion, one of the most perfect comfort foods in the world. Maybe it’s my fascination with berries, but I could eat them every single day of the year. They can be a little time-consuming, though, if you make them from scratch – but, unfortunately, most mixes are closer to comedy than comfort. The little dry things that pass for blueberries amaze me, and not in a good way.

Krusteaz Gluten-Free Blueberry Mix uses plump little blueberries (packaged in a separate can in the box) that you drain, rinse, and simply throw into the batter. This mix couldn’t be any simpler and it couldn’t be any more delicious.

The muffins aren’t just quick, easy, and delicious, they have a little extra magic we gluten-free eaters RESPECT – they’re as good the second day as the first. For whatever reasons, this is often rare with gluten-free baking (whether from mixes or scratch). Somehow, with each subsequent day, the flavor deteriorates. I can’t vow for day three because they certainly didn’t stick around that long! I actually made myself hide one away so I could test it’s “next day/leftover” flavor. It passed with flying yummy colors.

These guys are phenomenal.

I didn’t this particular time, but you can toss in chopped pecans or walnuts and/or white chocolate chips for fun.

For easy cleanup, use paper liners – I’m not sure why but cleaning a muffin pan is near the top of my most hated kitchen chores. Paper liners keep the peace.

Krusteaz Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix: Two Meals/One Mix

I have used (and loved!) Krusteaz Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix for pancakes – they’re perfect each and every time. I recently bought a new T-fal Sandwich Waffle EZ Clean, however, and was anxious to use it, so I made the Waffles recipe on the back of the box. The recipe calls for 1/2 the box but I wanted to see how the mix would do refrigerated overnight, so I doubled the recipe, using the whole box.

I made some blueberry waffles for my husband and I last night (above) and they were stupendous. Seriously, they were out of this world delicious. Served with eggs over-easy and bacon, it was a supper we raved about all night. BTW, T-fal is as good as it gets for making breakfast or anything for that matter. I’ll go more into their goodness in upcoming posts, including an in-depth review of my newest T-fal non-stick fry pan.

Also, I wanted to let you know that later this month, in celebration of Pancake Day (March 3rd), Target will offer 15% OFF select non-stick cookware in stores and online. The sale will take place from Feb 27th – March 3rd. I’ll remind you as the dates draw closer.

To add berries to your waffles, gently stir in the desired amount after you’ve combined the other ingredients.

My husband was floored when I told him the waffles were from a mix. When he picked himself up, I told him the blueberry muffins we’d had a few days prior AND the cornbread for the Sloppy Joes Cornbread Pizza were also from mixes. He looked at me like I had two heads but I finally convinced him by showing him a box. He agreed with me that Krusteaz was in a class all their own.

I refrigerated the rest of the mix overnight and this morning decided to add a few extra ingredients for fun. I chopped up a few handfuls of almonds and threw them into the mix. Then I added a tablespoon of healthy chia seeds (pictured below).

I was really anxious to see if this mix did well refrigerated overnight because for anyone with busy mornings knows that putting together even a simple mix can FEEL time-constraining. Whereas making the mix the night before (maybe even while you’re in the kitchen making supper) and stashing it in the fridge is much more time-friendly.

I was thrilled to see (make that taste) that the waffles are every bit as good the next day.

Two delicious meals/One quick and easy mix? Come on, what’s not to love about that!?

Homemade Whipped Topping

I wouldn’t dream of serving waffles without homemade whipped topping – it just wouldn’t feel right. To make a wonderful topping (so much better than the stuff in tubs or cans), simply use your blender and combine 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until very stiff peaks form.

So there you have it… quick and easy ways to use and LOVE Krusteaz gluten-free breakfast mixes. These are simply out of this world. In the coming days, you’ll see Krusteaz and T-fal, for that matter, pop up in more breakfast recipes. In the meantime head over to the Krusteaz website for recipes and more information. You can find these mixes in most grocery stores. I find them, without fail, in Kroger and Meijer’s.

AMAZON:

Find Krusteaz Gluten-Free Mixes on Amazon
Find T-fal on Amazon

Herdez Salsa Verde… A “Can’t Possibly Live Without” Condiment

December 8, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Every now and again, I like to do a “Shout Out” post to some of my favorite foods, ingredients, and culinary obsessions. First off, let me just say that this is not a “sponsored post,” or ad in any way, shape, or form. This is just a food blogger going all “fan girl” about one of her favoritest favorites.

I list some of my culinary obsessions on the side —–> as a way of letting other cooks and bakers know what I strongly recommend. You’ll notice that Herdez Salsa Verde is there which, if we’re being honest, may seem like a strange bird among the other “ingredients.” After all, salsa verde isn’t considered an ingredient in the sense that vanilla extract, herbs, and white vinegar are. It does, however, make your entire life more delicious – so, there’s that.

Why am I Obsessed with Herdez Salsa Verde

For one thing, this is the best salsa verde I’ve ever tasted. If there’s one on the market that tastes even half as good, I haven’t found it yet. Well, in full disclosure, I’m not even looking…

It’s a quick and easy way to give just about anything an extra little kick. The taste is fresh and ridiculously flavorful.

We always (as in always, always, always) have multiple jars on hand – it’s as though we’re afraid the apocalypse will happen and we won’t have enough. At this very moment, we actually have three in the refrigerator and two in the pantry.

We might have a wee problem here.

{Continued Below the Bowl of Chili…}

My Favorite Ways to Use Herdez Salsa Verde:

A little or a lotta on chili is fantastic.
On chili dogs
On top of migas (or omelets, scrambled eggs…)
Poured over loaded nachos
One of my favorite ways to use salsa verde is on frozen gluten free burritos (Amy’s, Red’s..) and CedarLane’s Sweet Corn tamales. One of my favorite lunches is actually salsa verde poured over a CedarLane Sweet Corn Tamale. Insanely delicious.
Herdez Salsa Verde is actually wonderful on top of any “Southwestern Style” frozen meal. Sometimes frozen/microwavable meals can be a little dry, the salsa verde adds flavor and counters any dryness that may be going on.
Poured over softened cream cheese and eaten with thick tortilla chips or thick Kettle Style potato chips
On tacos
On taco salad
On taco pizza
On cheese pizza
With Chicken Tortilla Soup
On black bean burgers
With Rice, Beans, and Roasted Veggies in a bowl

Basically, once you fall in love with the flavor, you’ll knock your own socks off with the number of ways you can find to enjoy it.

Herdez Salsa Verde is usually found in the Mexican Food’s section in grocery stores and is, of course, also available on Amazon (Amazon link).

Montana Mex: The Most Exciting Sauces and Ketchup Your Kitchen Ever Invited to Dinner

October 17, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Montana Mex Tomato Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, and Habanero Sauce

As mentioned in my Montana Mex Avocado Oil Review, I also received a set of delicious Montana Mex sauces to review:

Montana Mex Tomato Ketchup
Montana Mex Sweet & Spicy Habanero Sauce
Montana Mex Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, because I’m honestly not sure where to begin. My fingers are typing so hard and fast, my cat’s expression is somewhere between fear and awe. I love each of these condiments so much and am so eager to tell you about them, I’m kind of star struck.

Why don’t we take them as they are in the picture, left to right. Each one is gluten free and is a perfect 10 on a scale of 1-10.

Montana Mex Tomato Ketchup

My family is a little odd when it comes to ketchup. We are ketchup picky and proud of it. My husband and youngest daughter (before trying Montana Mex’s Ketchup, that is) have only eaten Heinz ketchup for years. They simply want nothing to do with any other brand. As for my other daughters and myself, we love Heinz and Hunt’s evenly. Again, that was before tasting Montana Mex’s Tomato Ketchup.

This stuff is phenomenal. It tastes like you’d expect homemade ketchup to taste.

It’s… well.. words are failing to show up but let’s put it like this: If ketchup were a supermodel, it’d be Montana Mex Tomato Ketchup.

This FULL and FLAVORFUL ketchup is perfect on fries, hamburgers, corn dogs, tater tots (don’t look at me like that, you know you love them too), onion rings, hash browns… everything. It presents a quandary – the fact that it tastes like a gourmet ketchup makes you want to save it for extra special foods (hash browns from scratch, for example)…. but the fact that it’s so spectacular means it’s your go to for tater tots and hot dogs too.

Just. So. Dang. Good.

Montana Mex Tomato Ketchup and Habanero Sauce

Montana Mex Sweet & Spicy Habanero Sauce

I’m sure I’ve confessed before to being a big wuss when it comes to hot sauce. While peppers (bell peppers, mini sweet peppers, jalapenos..) are a staple in my kitchen and I probably don’t go a day without using them in some form, I cannot handle really hot peppers. I’m pretty famous in my family for this ridiculous weakness. And yet… and yet… here I was putting Montana Mex’s Habanero sauce on anything that didn’t move.

Sure, I squealed each time while reaching for my iced tea, my husband’s ice tea, and the cat’s water bowl… but I couldn’t stop. The flavor is just so ridiculously fantastic. The rest of my family simply enjoyed each drop without the floor show I put on. It’s just delicious.

My taste buds will play truth or dare with this sauce any day of the week.

Montana Mex Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce

Like ketchup, my family is also a bunch of snobs when it comes to BBQ Sauce. We have our faves and that is that. As the brand did with ketchup, Montana Mex broke down our snobby barriers and introduced us all to a new favorite BBQ Sauce. This particular delicious BBQ Sauce has a perfect blend of spice and sweetness that makes it mesmerizing. It’s thick, which is something else I always appreciate about a sauce.

It made one of the best BBQ Chickens I’ve ever had in my life – and I’ve had a life filled with BBQ chicken. With this sauce’s thick deliciousness, the chicken never knew what hit him.

Did I mention it was thick?

And delicious?

Where Can You Find These Montana Mex Sauces?

Apparently these sauces aren’t on Amazon yet (I’ll come back here and edit the review if they ever show up on Amazon… I’ll be the first to know, as I live on the website). In the meantime, see Where to Find Us on Montana Mex’s website for more information.

Visit Montana Mex‘s Official Website for more information and read more about their delicious sauces here.

You can also follow Montana Mex on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Montana Mex Avocado Oil: Review of a Complete Obsession

October 17, 2016 By Joi Sigers

A while back on the food blog, I wrote a glowing Montana Mex Seasoned Salts review. I still use them daily and love them wildly. If you aren’t familiar with these world-rocking salts, read the review – then try them for yourself. They’re found, conveniently, on Amazon.

It turns out Montana Mex has more than just badass seasoned salts. They also bottle their badassery. Because I’m one lucky food blogger, I received a bottle of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil to review. I will also be reviewing a few of their other better-than-they-have-a-right-to-be condiments in a follow up post.

But let’s stick with this addictive, smooth and flavorful EVOO for now – as it deserves our full attention. See the picture above? If you see a photo of something I’ve reviewed, pictured alongside the product I bought on my own, you know it was a huge hit. I ordered my own bottle before my review bottle even ran out!

Montana Mex Avocado Oil is a 100% natural, cold pressed, extra virgin avocado oil with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Not only is it (naturally) gluten free, it’s non-gmo verified and kosher certified to boot. See the words “… with high levels of antioxidants” on the front of the bottle? Yeah, I’m crazy wild about that.

‘Cold pressed’ simply means that all the goodness is still inside. It has not been treated or heated. The avocados are simply handpicked, mashed and then pressed to give you nutrient rich avocado oil.

Simply delicious and deliciously simple.

Roasted Asparagus and Carrots with Montana Mex Avocado Oil

My Favorite Ways to Use the Montana Mex Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Avocado Oil

It is ideal for frying eggs – which I then season with one (or a combo) of the seasoned salts (Chile Seasoned Sea Salt, Sweet Seasoned Sea Salt, Picante Seasoned Sea Salt). I have always loved a mixture of butter and EVOO when frying eggs. The butter brings the flavor to the party, while the EVOO keeps the butter from embarrassing itself. This beautiful Avocado Oil doesn’t need any butter, thank you very much, as it has plenty of flavor on its own.
I also love this Avocado Oil for sauteing onions and other vegetables. It gives them an extra subtle flavor that brings out their best.
One of my favorite ways to cook chicken strips is to marinate them in a mixture of Italian Dressing, honey, and lime juice for a few hours. Then I fry them in an iron skillet with a little olive oil. Montana Mex’s Avocado Oil gives these strips even more flavor. Somehow the lime and honey (two of my personal culinary obsessions) work with the avocado oil in a way they don’t work with any other oil. The flavor combo is like a match made in culinary Heaven.
Vinaigrettes – This is a fun and tasty new way to add excitement to your tired old vinaigrette recipe.
Drizzled on top of vegetables before roasting, it gives them an extra layer of flavor.
When I made a huge taco salad a few weeks ago, I drizzled a little Montana Mex Avocado Oil in a dish and added a little lime zest and fresh black pepper. It made a delicious dip for heated tortillas.

Basically, I use it anywhere I typically use EVOO. The above are just a few that come to mind (because I make them so often).

Why I have this review listed under “Christmas Gift Guide Ideas”

Foodies and cooks get a special kind of excited when we receive gift baskets filled with new ingredients, foods, condiments, etc. Placing something unique and extra cool like Montana Mex Avocado Oil (as well as their salts and condiments) in a bag with colorful dishtowels or a great looking set of salsa bowls is thoughtful… heck, it’d give you hero status. Trust me.

Visit Montana Mex‘s Official Website for more information and read more about their delicious Avocado Oil here.

You can also follow Montana Mex on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

The BEST Gluten Free Sandwich Bread I’ve Found…..

August 23, 2016 By Joi Sigers

It’s been a few years since I had to give up gluten and wheat and, while there are a million and one wonderful “alternatives” and gluten free foods on the market, the gluten free sandwich bread that’s available has always come “just short” of rocking my world. There have been brands I’ve liked and even a few that I thought were probably as good as it was going to get…

… that is, until I tried a new brand a few months ago. I haven’t picked up another brand of gluten free since.

What is the magic brand that finally got it all right? KROGER! That’s right… Kroger Brand Gluten Free White Bread is the best gluten free sandwich bread I’ve ever eaten. Sandwiches are soft and fresh-tasting again. Those of us who eat gluten free have a solid understanding with gluten free bread – you have to toast it for anything remotely delicious.

Until now.

Kroger’s gluten free bread is soft enough to make a great, “normal” sandwich and you can leave the toaster on the shelf.

It’s soft, delicious, and even “folds.”

If you aren’t familiar with gluten-free bread, just trust me on this one… if you find one that actually folds, never let him go!

Look at the picture above. What do you see? That’s right…. it folds! Uh huh uh huh uh huh, life is good again.

Problem is, most gluten free bread does NOT fold. In fact, if you even dare to try and fold it, it’ll fall apart right in the fold. I once told my cat that I think it’d be easier to fold a graham cracker than a piece of gluten free bread.

After I found Kroger’s Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread, I stopped buying any other brand. Kroger’s tastes better, looks better… it folds… it’s even cheaper than the rest.

One day I wheeled right up to the spot and the white bread was sold out. They had a few loaves of Kroger Gluten Free 7 Grain Bread, so I bought a loaf.

It’s as good as the white sandwich bread – seriously, it’s out of this world good. Actually, I think I like it even better.

And it folds, too! The 7 Grain Sandwich Bread is sheer perfection with peanut butter, chicken salad, and tuna fish.

I 110% recommend both of these gluten free sandwich breads – they’ll blow you away.

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Krusteaz Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix: Two Meals/One Mix

AMAZON:

Herdez Salsa Verde… A “Can’t Possibly Live Without” Condiment

Montana Mex: The Most Exciting Sauces and Ketchup Your Kitchen Ever Invited to Dinner

Montana Mex Avocado Oil: Review of a Complete Obsession

The BEST Gluten Free Sandwich Bread I’ve Found…..

T-fal… As Good as Good Gets

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Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Teaching Kids About Healthy Cooking and Humane Living

Bacon and Eggs Salad

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Krusteaz Gluten-Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix: Two Meals/One Mix

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