Pregnancy Cravings Satisfied With The Best Gluten Free Treats: Donuts, Bagels, & Sweets Galore Archives - Page 4 of 4

April 8, 2014

A Delicious Gluten Free Sweet Treat By Katz

I first met the Katz brand on one of my very hungry days in my 2nd trimester of my pregnancy. I was meandering through my local health food store scouting out new and potentially delicious gluten free products when I zoned in on these delicious looking chocolate cupcakes covered in chocolate frosting and sprinkles. While I was pregnant, the baking me kind of took a back seat, so you can understand my excitement when these little beauties came into my sight. Selling for about $5.99 for a pack of 4 cupcakes I was willing to give them a try and I was so glad that I did!

These cupcakes are divine. The chocolate cake portion is textured more like a moist brownie which I am a huge fan of. Atop the cupcake is a thin layer of sweet chocolate frosting, just enough to add a sweet frosty finish to the cupcake. Finally, what cupcake is complete without sprinkles; so to finish theirs off, Katz has dusted half of the frosted cupcake tops with sprinkles. And let me just add that these sprinkles are the good kind, the long, soft sprinkles that add a little extra something to your bite! My only complaint, is that I wish that the whole cupcake top was covered in those delicious sprinkles! Ever since I was little, I always loved sprinkles on top of cookies, cupcakes, cakes, you name it, it was sprinkled. More sprinkles, the better! Such a perfect finish to a sweet treat!

Over the past few years, I’ve tried my fair share of gluten free cupcakes. Overall, the mixes that are available now produce exceptional products and are becoming more affordable as more brands join in. As fantastic as the mixes are, however, every pregnant woman would agree that there are certainly days that go by that you would love to just bite into a perfect pastry without having to make it yourself. Unfortunately, when it comes to purchasing premade gluten free desserts like cupcakes they tend to really lack in the texture department and usually fall apart after just one bite. I’m so happy to share that Katz products have become the exception to this trend! I must say, it was worth every penny to purchase these premade cupcakes that I could enjoy each and every bite of from start to finish without them crumbling apart, thanks to their brownie texture!

iuo — Just take one out of the freezer and enjoy!

Similar to many of their other products, these cupcakes should be stored in the freezer and therefore have an extended expiration date. This is an added bonus if you wish to take advantage of one of Katz’s many special offers and buy these ahead of time for a special event or just to stock up on treats for the little ones for months to come. When you’re ready to enjoy these, you only have to pop one (or two!) out of the freezer and either take a bite right away or let it thaw for a few short minutes!

Like I mentioned earlier, I purchased these from a small, local health food store for about $5.99. Unfortunately, Katz products aren’t easy to find in stores locally around me so I typically order their products online. On their website, Katz offers a pack of 4 frosted cupcakes for $5.79. A plus with ordering from the website is the amazing promotions that Katz frequently offers. Many a time, I’ve purchased products with significant discounts paired with their flat rate shipping fee of only $7.99 for purchases under $50 (free for orders over $50!). So sign up here today for emails for their new products, coupons, and company information and keep an eye out for sales on products that you’d like to try or have already fallen in love with!

If you’re interested in ordering these cupcakes, you can find all of their nutritional information here (these are also dairy and nut free too!)! While you’re there, make sure you check out many of their other fantastic products, such as their everything bagels or chocolate frosted donuts. To catch a sneak peak at these items, check out my bagel review here and donut review here.

As you probably have learned from several of my other product postings, I am a huge fan of Katz’s products and truthfully can say that they helped me through many a pregnant day! Not once have I purchased a product of theirs and come away with any ounce of disappoint. So take advantage of their many special offers and indulge in these special chocolaty delights!!

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 19, 2014

Naturally Gluten Free and Deliciously Healthy Pregnancy Snack

During pregnancy, indulging in healthy and delicious snacks are a must. It never fails, no sooner have you finished your breakfast or lunch and you’re hungry yet again. That little one inside of you is helping you burn calories way quicker than usual so always make sure you keep an easy snack on standby. One of my personal favorites is a sliced Granny Smith apple with either peanut butter, hazelnut spread, or Smart Balance’s new dark chocolate peanut butter for dipping. The best apart about this snack…it’s naturally gluten free!

A perfect snack, sliced green apple and chocolate peanut butter spread.

Apples and peanut butter are a powerful snack, providing a much needed healthy dose of fiber, protein, and calories. The combined effects of the two are perfect for a late afternoon or late morning pick-me-up. Any apple or peanut butter will do the trick, I prefer the Granny Smith, Fuji, or Wine Sap (highly recommend this one during apple picking season) combined with a Smart Balance brand peanut butter or their new chocolaty flavor, all of which are gluten free. Depending on the sales that week, I’ll also indulge in Jif and Skippy peanut butter which are also gluten free and a bit more cost friendly as they are put on sale quite often. No matter which varieties you prefer, make sure you always keep your cabinets stocked for this perfect gluten free, pregnancy snack!

TIP: Peanut butter by nature is gluten free, however always be sure to check labeling on any peanut butter brand that you purchase. Smart Balance is one of the healthier and gluten free brands of peanut butters and always indicates gluten content, or rather lack of, on their labels.

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 17, 2014

Katz Does It Again…Welcome Back to My Life Gluten Free Bagels!

Being a member of the forbidden bread group, typically bagels do not usually fit in to the gluten free diet. However, several companies have produced gluten free options such as plain and cinnamon raisin bagels for the gluten free eater to enjoy. Katz has once again raised the bar, providing several new varieties of bagels that I for one have not seen or smelled since I walked into my local bagel shops many years ago.

During a pregnancy with dietary restrictions, you find yourself constantly making compromises during each meal finding what you want to have does not necessarily match with what your diet allows you to have. Many a pregnant morning, I craved a doughy everything bagel that was toasted and layered with cream cheese, a huge no no according to my gluten free diet. Sadly, this was one craving that I had to ignore or at least substitute with a frozen plain bagel from our grocery store. Although I was quite happy and thankful for this option, especially how convenient it was, that nagging craving motivated me to do a little searching online. That’s when I stumbled upon Katz’s bagel options; I was elated when I discovered that they offered my all time favorite bagel flavor and at a reasonable price. After an extremely quick shipping period, I finally was able to enjoy one of Katz’s everything bagels with a thin layer of low fat cream cheese along with a piece of fruit on the side, a perfectly filling and nutritious breakfast that could tidy me over until a late morning snack.

Katz does it again, welcome back to my life everything bagels!

Their everything bagels are covered in a combination of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds and are enjoyed best by a light toasting. They are a bit thinner than the average regular bagel but still maintain the wonderful doughy texture that is signature to the bagel.

Once toasted, they are perfectly complimented by a low fat cream cheese spread or butter if you prefer.

Everything bagels lightly toasted and layered with low fat cream cheese.

I have welcomed everything bagels back into my life with open arms. They are a wonderful treat every now and then, pregnant or not pregnant, and have made many gluten free eaters feel a bit more welcomed in a world of gluten! To check out other Katz bagel varieties and pricing take a look at their website here and make sure to sign up for their emails as they frequently have promotions on their products.

TIP: When following a restricted diet, especially while pregnant, don’t be afraid to do a little searching on the internet to find what you’re looking for, you may just discover a wonderful company as I had in Katz who will provide you with a number of delicious options that will make both you and your baby very happy!

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 15, 2014

Gluten Free Swirled Blackberry Cheesecake

Over the years, I’ve done my fair share of searches for gluten free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes and usually come up short handed. I’ve now learned and hope to share with you regular recipes that I’ve adapted to be gluten free and produce quality products that please even a non-gluten free eater. I look forward to opportunities to experiment on items that are rarely if ever available in a gluten free form. Here I’ll introduce you to one of those coveted products, the cheesecake! Cheesecakes by nature are composed of a typically gluten free cheesy portion atop a gluten filled crust. Rarely are chain restaurants or bakeries able to produce a gluten free cheesecake option either omitting the crust altogether or creating a gluten free crust base. I’m here to introduce you to my version of a gluten free cheesecake that is both delicious and simple to produce!

While grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a wonderful new product, Mi-Del Gluten Free Pie Crusts coming in chocolate, ginger snap, and graham flavors. I was so excited to take advantage of this new product at only $3.49 (I was lucky enough to purchase it on sale as it’s normally $3.99, still not bad). Although it’s a simple cookie crust that isn’t terribly difficult to put together, its modest cost and convenience persuaded me to try it out and I had just the recipe in mind to do so. With the purchase of the chocolate pie crust and a few other items, as well as Driscoll’s base recipe obtained from their website I’m presenting the Gluten Free Swirled Blackberry Cheesecake!

Wonderful blackberry puree swirled into a gluten free baked cheesecake on top of a chocolate cookie crust.

Note: This recipe makes two cheesecakes using the Mi-Del Gluten Free 9 inch pie crusts. If you’d like to just make one, half all ingredients.

Ingredients for Filling:

2 cups Driscoll’s Blackberries, divided
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract for blackberry filling (McCormick)
1 cup sugar for cheesecake and 2 tsp sugar for blackberry filling
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese (I use store brand 1/3 less fat Neufchatel Cheese) TIP: Keep cream cheese at room temperature for a little while before making cheesecake or soften in microwave before use as it will mix much better if softer.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract for cheesecake
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream (I use light Daisy sour cream)

Crust: 2 Mi-Del Gluten Free Chocolate Snap Pie Crusts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Puree 1 cup blackberries in a blender, chopper, or food processor and strain out seeds (discard seeds) leaving about 1/3 cup puree.
Add 1 tbsp vanilla and 2 tsp sugar to puree, mix, and set aside.
With an electric mixer, combine 3 packages cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar at low speed until blended.
Add 1 tsp vanilla extract to cheesecake mixture.
Add 3 eggs, one at a time on low speed.
Add 1/2 cup sour cream and mix until combined.
Total volume of batter is enough for two pie crusts so divide into two portions.
Spoon half of the first portion into the first pie crust.
By teaspoonful, add single spoonfuls of blackberry puree to the filling and swirl around with a toothpick, repeat until half of the puree mixture has been added to the first cheesecake.
Add remaining cheesecake filling and blackberry puree to second pie crust and repeat the swirling instruction.
Both pie crusts should be filled to just below or even with the top of the crust.
Bake on the same rack for about 50-60 minutes or until edges are just set and center jiggles slightly.
Turn oven off, prop door ajar with the handle of a wooden spoon, and let cheesecakes cool in oven for about 1 hour.
Remove from oven, cool completely, and place in the refrigerator until cold all the way through. (I refrigerated overnight but if you bake in the morning, these should be cold by dinner time.)

Gluten free blackberry swirled cheesecake atop a chocolate cookie crust.

You can garnish cheesecakes with remaining blackberries when serving or just enjoy them while baking.

A delicious slice of gluten free cheesecake!

My dear husband has become such a trooper through these past few gluten free years and has become my taster dummy for many of my gluten free concoctions. I knew this cheesecake would definitely be a hit and sure enough he fell in love with this recipe, even with the gluten missing. The cheesecake is incredibly creamy and has just the right amount of sweetness swirled inside of it thanks to the blackberries! And the chocolaty crust, I cannot say enough good things about this one; both the flavor and texture of this crust were the perfect base, complimenting the cheesecake beautifully. I’ll definitely be repeating this recipe for years to come, even making a gluten free cheesecake for myself and a regular cheesecake for my gluten eaters!

Sincerely

Lindsay

March 11, 2014

A Family Favorite: Baked Macaroni and Cheese Done Gluten Free

One of the worst transitions that an Italian pasta lover has to endure when going gluten free is saying goodbye to beautiful baked ziti, creamy, white veggie lasagna, and ricotta filled ravioli or tortellini. Early on in my gluten free diet, I experimented with all of the gluten free brands of pasta that were available at the time, the best that I had found was Tinkyada brown rice pasta which maintained its texture well while cooking. A common problem with gluten free pasta is its ability to turn mushy, as without the gluten, there isn’t a good binder to hold everything together. Tinkyada pasta both in its taste and texture was as close to non-gluten free pasta as I could remember, however cooking it was slightly complicated and could produce a mushy product with only an extra minute of cooking. Another downside, as is the case with many gluten free products, is the cost of gluten free pasta is much higher than that of regular pasta. Tinkyada pasta for instance, depending on shape, can run about $3.99 for a 12 oz bag while a mainstream brand like Barilla charges $1.00 for 16 oz of the same type of pasta.

For the past couple of years and while pregnant I persevered and made do with the gluten free pasta available but unfortunately never grew very fond of the products that were available nor the amount of money that I was spending on them. Wonderfully though, in the past few months mainstream pasta brands have thrown their hats into the gluten free ring and have produced fantastic products. Brands such as Ronzoni and Barilla have provided gluten free options that are not only more enjoyable to eat but are much more economical. For most of my pasta cooking, I now use one or the other mainstream brand and get rave reviews from my family. On the occasion though when lasagna is on the menu, Tinkyada is my go to brand for these noodles as they don’t yet exist elsewhere but hopefully will soon (fingers crossed).

One dish that I fell in love with while pregnant that was so versatile that it embraced the original gluten free noodles at the time and has since now married so well with the Barilla and Ronzoni options is my mother-in-law’s baked macaroni and cheese. I first had the joy of tasting her macaroni and cheese prior to going gluten free and fell in love with the perfect ratio of cheese sauce to pasta as well as the breadcrumb topping that was the metaphoric icing on the cake. Soon after my first tasting I had converted to a gluten free diet and feared that I had my first and last encounter with the delectable dish. However, my mother-in-law, being the kind and accommodating soul that she is put together a gluten free version and made her daughter-in-law’s sensitive tummy very happy. So I’m sharing today with you a converted version of my mother-in-law’s baked macaroni and cheese that brings a smile to not only my face but also my husband and little one’s faces as well. Thank you Grammy!

Ingredients:

2 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons butter (I use Smart Balance which is marked gluten free)
2 tablespoons all purpose flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill)
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp red cayenne pepper
12 oz finely shredded cheddar jack cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni (I use either Ronzoni or Barilla, any shape will do)
Breadcrumbs to sprinkle on top
Remember as always to check all labels and call necessary companies to verify gluten content if in question as labels do change frequently and can do so between purchases.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook pasta in salted water for about 3/4 of the directed cook time.
While pasta is cooking, melt butter in saucepan over low heat.
Whisk flour and garlic salt into melted butter making a thick roux.
Heat mixture over low heat until it becomes smooth and bubbly.
Keep mixture at low heat and stir in milk and cayenne pepper.
Stirring frequently, bring mixture to a boil.
Remove from heat and add in cheese.
Stir cheese sauce at low heat until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth.

Add sauce to baking dish, then layer cooked pasta, and repeat
Once all pasta and sauce are used, dot top of macaroni with butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Dust breadcrumbs (and a little garlic salt if you’d like) over top of macaroni and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, cool for 5 minutes, and then enjoy!

Finished baked macaroni and cheese, ready to enjoy in about 45 minutes. — Finished gluten free baked macaroni and cheese, ready to enjoy in about 45 minutes.

Although my husband and daughter enjoy the gluten free version I usually prepare a gluten free and non-gluten free version. Typically I cook about 6 oz of gluten free pasta and 10 oz of the non-gluten free pasta in separate pots. I make one serving of the cheese sauce made with the gluten free flour and divide it proportionally between the two dishes just as I directed above. Just as I top the gluten free macaroni with the gluten free breadcrumbs I do the same with the non-gluten free equivalent with regular Italian breadcrumbs. When making both forms of any dish though you have to be careful with cross contamination, i.e. using the same spoon to mix the pasta, etc. I prefer to split the recipe making gluten free for myself and regular for my husband and daughter for a number of reasons, mainly because they do not require a gluten free diet and it’s healthy for them to keep gluten as part of their normal diet but also it is more economical to make a portion with regular pasta which is much cheaper.

This recipe is truly a family favorite and is made in our house at least once every other week (trust me, we would eat it more often but try to limit our pasta consumption). It was by far one of my favorite dishes while pregnant and thankfully I never lost a taste for macaroni and cheese like I had with many other dishes. Pregnant or not, give it a try and I promise you won’t even miss the gluten!

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 5, 2014

The Holy Grail of Gluten Free Donuts

There’s nothing worse than a nagging craving that you can’t fulfill, especially while pregnant. While living a gluten free pregnancy, this is bound to happen. There were many days during my pregnancy that I couldn’t stop thinking about eating a donut, especially the chocolate frosted and sprinkled kind from Dunkin Donuts. Much to my dismay, these donuts are full of gluten and totally off limits in my diet. After scouring food stores and searching online I did find several brands of gluten free donuts, unfortunately after trying them I learned they didn’t resemble a regular donut in neither price nor texture and taste.

After a quick trip to a local health food store I stumbled upon the holy grail of gf donuts. The brand to which I’m referring is Katz Gluten Free. You’ll soon learn that this is truly one of my favorite brands of gf products. In fact, their site boasts that they accommodate to a number of food allergies so if you face any other dietary restrictions you might just be in luck. While they are known for producing a number of products, today I’ll highlight the donut.

My personal favorite, that I purchased first, was the chocolate frosted donuts. I literally was in heaven when I took my first bite and I certainly was a happy mommy-to-be. They are a perfectly textured cake donut, not too dense and not too crumbly, very reminiscent of Entenmann’s donuts.

Defrosted chocolate frosted donut. — Chocolate frosted donut after defrosting.

Donuts have a perfect texture, not too dense or crumbly. — Donuts have a perfect texture and are very moist.

Katz donut selection certainly does not disappoint ranging from glazed to custard filled. Each variety is as delicious as their non-gluten free competitor. Take a look here to browse their entire selection and pick out which ones you’d like to try, you won’t be disappointed!

Most of their products, including the donuts, are stored in the freezer, and can be kept upwards near 10 months. The best method to prepare the donuts is to thaw them at room temperature; it doesn’t take long at all for these to become soft enough to eat. I would recommend to take one out of the freezer when you first get up in the morning, leave it out at room temperature while you get ready, and by the time you’re done you’re morning prep it would be perfect (if you prefer a warmed donut, you can always zap it for a few seconds in the microwave at this point). If you’re in a hurry and you forget to defrost one you can certainly try microwaving, however you want to be very careful as these heat up very quickly with very little heating, and especially those with frosting as they’ll melt completely. I would say to microwave between 5 and 10 seconds to start and see how tender it is at that point and go from there.

Price wise, Katz products are definitely comparable if not cheaper than a majority of the other brands that offer gluten free donuts. Depending on variety, Katz donuts will end up costing anywhere between $4.49 to $6.99 per box. The chocolate frosted that are my favorite cost $6.99 for a box of six.

Depending on location, Katz products can be hard to find in store though. In my area, I have only been able to find them in a local, privately owned health food shop. That being said though, you can always order online from their entire stock of products with an affordable standard flat rate shipping fee of $7.99. Also, they even offer a sample package for free with a promo code to first time customers which contains several types of breads and pastries, all for only the price of shipping, if you’re interested check it out here!

TIP: Katz offers deals very frequently on their products so sign up for their newsletter today here and you’ll surely receive an offer that’s too good to pass up!

Sincerely,

Lindsay