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Review: Pillsbury Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Just last month I shared the news that Pillsbury was launching three new gluten-free refrigerated dough products and yesterday I finally located them in a local Giant Eagle store.  I didn’t have an easy time locating the products, It was the second Giant Eagle store where I looked for the new products that I finally found them.  The first location didn’t know anything about the products, but after speaking with the manager, she was going to do her best to get them in soon, in addition to some other new gluten-free items.

I have a fun weekend of sampling planned out, but we couldn’t wait to dig into the cookies.  Since the dough is already prepared, it is simple to make as many as you wish at a time.  I opted to make 4 cookies, 3 for Jon and 1 for me.

The cookies are simple to prepare. Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spoon dough by the tablespoonful onto a cookie sheet for 11-13 minutes.

IMG_6820The cookies didn’t spread a whole lot and were a little thicker than my homemade chocolate chip cookies.  The dough is pretty firm when it is used right from the refrigerator, so I suspect that has something to do with it.  It was all we could do to let these cookies cool down a bit to set before we dug right in.

I wish you could smell the heavenly aroma coming from these cookies!  There is nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie!  A little crisp on the outside and melty, gooey chocolate on the inside!  I don’t think Jon stopped telling me how good the cookies were the whole time he was eating them!  I know we will be buying these again!

The tub of Pillsbury gluten-free Cookie Dough costs $4.99 and has roughly 16 cookies worth of dough (when measured by the tablespoonful).  This is a wonderful way for friends and family to be able to accommodate gluten-free guests without a high risk of cross-contamination.  Simply line the cookie sheet with parchment paper for a clean surface.

Have you tried the new Pillsbury gluten-free Cookie Dough?

Recipe: Gluten-Free Quinoa Cake

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 3 Comments

I am always on the lookout for delicious and nutritious recipes. This gluten-free Quinoa Cake fits the bill. The cake is made with quinoa flour, sorghum flour and almond meal as the flour combination.  The cake also calls for coconut palm sugar as opposed to regular sugar, which can help prevent blood sugar crashes that make you hungry.

quinoacakeGluten-Free Quinoa Cake

  • 2 cups quinoa flour
  • 1/2 cup sorghum flour
  • 3/4 cup almond meal
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 3 organic eggs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup seedless dates
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  1. In a mixing bowl, mix together flours and dry ingredients
  2. Add eggs, oil, vanilla and orange juice. Then beat to combine.
  3. Stir in the carrots, coconut and dates by hand.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  5. Pour the batter into the backing pan and bake for about 25 to 35 minutes. Then enjoy!

While the cake does have a decent-sized ingredient list, the instructions are simple, making this a recipe to add to your list of “Must Try” recipes.

Summer Gluten-Free Tips

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Summer is here, or it is supposed to be. Try telling that to my hands, which needed gloves when I ran outside Tuesday morning. I had numb fingers by the time I was done!  With summer comes cookouts, picnics, get togethers and situations that may complicate eating gluten-free.

Many popular or traditional “summer” foods are naturally gluten-free, making things a little easier to navigate when eating away from home.  Fresh fruits, vegetables and garden salads are naturally gluten-free on their own as long as they aren’t dressed with a salad dressing or toppings that contain gluten.  Corn-on-the-cob and most baked beans are also gluten-free, making them great go-to choices when in doubt of other, more complicated dishes.

Grilled meat on barbecue grill --- Image by © Royalty-Free/CorbisMost burgers, steaks, hot dogs and brats are safe, but always consult the package or chef to verify.  Grilled chicken is also a good choice so long as it has not been marinated in a marinade that contains gluten (think anything with soy sauce or a BBQ sauce that may not be gluten-free).  If you are not manning the grill, check with the grill master to ensure your food is not contaminated with gluten from food that does contain gluten, if the grill is not 100% gluten-free.  Another way to avoid cross-contamination at a cookout is to cook the meat inside on the stove or in the oven in a separate pan.  Safe is always better than sorry, and most hosts are more than happy to accommodate.

If you are attending the home of someone you don’t know well and /or you feel uncomfortable with the food circumstances, make sure to eat beforehand or bring along your own food in case there is nothing safe.  I always keep emergency food in my purse or car so that I am not left starving with no safe food options.  Hungry Kim = cranky Kim.  Gluten-free bars, trail mix made from nuts and dried fruit, string cheese and crackers all make good, portable options.  Make a gluten-free dessert to share.  Not only will this give you something to look forward to, but you can show everyone else how good gluten-free can be!

What is your best tip for summer time picnics or cookouts?

Review: Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Joe Joe’s

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

I feel like I have said, “Trader Joe’s does it again!” so many times on this blog, so what is one more time, right?  Trader Joe’s does it again!  This time they have debuted a gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookie to rival the non-gluten-free fan favorite of our childhood past.  gluten-free Joe Joe’s.

I was thrilled when I hit my closest Trader Joe’s store over the weekend and these cookies were on the “new products” end cap.  A box of the gluten-free Joe Joe’s sells for $3.99 and has roughly 14 servings or 28 cookies.

IMG_6537Joe Joe the Toucan has some great suggestions as to how to the sandwich cookies.  I personally like #3, “Nibble lightly around the edges with beak in a circular fashion until cookie is devoured.  Squawk loudly.”

Of course we all know the proof is in the pudding cookie, right?  True to Trader Joe’s reputation, the cookies are amazing!  They are everything I expected them to be and more!

Above and beyond the fact that these cookies rock, if they put a smile on a child’s face because they are no longer the one who can’t have the same treats their friends are having, that is enough for me.  Kids have enough to deal with these days.  They shouldn’t have to worry about standing out because they have to follow a special diet.

Have you tried the new Trader Joe’s gluten-free Joe Joe’s?

Recipe: Gluten-Free Squash and Caramelized Onion Quesadilla

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Welcome to the first day of June!  May was officially Celiac Disease Awareness Month, but as far as I am concerned, every month should be Celiac Awareness Month.  I take every opportunity I can to educate people on Celiac Disease and the gluten-free diet.

The most important thing is proper diagnosis. Next up is realizing that gluten-free food doesn’t have to be tasteless food. I gladly share samples, meals and treats with my non-gluten-free friends and family to show them that I may have to follow a special diet, but I eat well. Where there is a will, there is a way.

French Meadow Bakery has a line of gluten-free products including tortillas.  Check out this mouthwatering recipe below.

Gluten-Free Squash & Caramelized Onion Quesadilla

2 servings

Ingredients:

· 4 French Meadow Bakery gluten-free Tortillas

· ½ white onion

· 1 Tbsp. olive oil

· ¼ cup mashed squash (any variety like acorn, butternut, etc.)

· ¾ cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

Directions:

1. Chop onion into small pieces and heat olive oil in pan over medium heat.

2. When hot, add onions, stirring occasionally.

3. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until onions are golden brown. Set aside.

4. Heat pan to medium-low heat and add 1 tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of cheese. Then add half of onions and squash. Top with another sprinkle of cheese and another tortilla.

5. Cook for about 3 minutes. Flip over and cook for another 3 minutes until cheese has melted and tortillas are golden brown.

6. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Nutrition Facts:

2 servings per recipe

395 calories, 12 grams fat, 366 mg sodium, 55 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams fiber, 20 grams protein

French Meadow Bakery products can be found at Whole Foods, Safeway and natural food markets nationwide.