Restaurant: Pie By the Pound, NYC Pizza UPDATE EVENT

Two quick items of note -

1. I haven't fact checked it, but PIE has to have the biggest selection of gluten-free beers in NYC. They have all three Green's beers.

2. They are having a gluten-free pizza, beer, and cider tasting event this Thursday, August 18th 7-9pm.

Snack Bars: The Gluten Free Bar - Peanut Butter Chocolate

I recently had the chance to try out a new gluten free bar- aptly named The GFB in peanut butter chocolate. I had already tasted the peanut butter which tasted good if not a little bland. This time around though I was impressed. The peanut butter chocolate had a yummy carob chocolate thing going offset by the peanut butter. It was almost brownie-like but with a smooth exterior and nutty crisps inside and wasn't too sweet.

These awesome little bars though are no joke- being dairy-free, all natural, low glycemic, safe for celiacs, a good source of omega-3 and a mega 12g of protein. True the peanut butter chocolate contains 10g total fat however the main first ingredient is organic dry roasted peanuts. I've been needing a bit more protein lately and the GF bar has really hit the spot. And of course being bar size they can travel along anywhere.

Ingredients:

organic dry roasted peanuts, organic brown rice syrup, rice protein, dates, organic agave nectar, soy protein, semi-sweet chocolate chips, organic brown rice, whole flax seeds, vanilla, sea salt.

Nutrition facts:

Serv. size 2.05oz (58g)

Servings per container: 1

Calories: 240

Calories from fat: 90

Total fat: 10g

Sat. fat.: 2.5g

Trans fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0g

Sodium: 83mg

Total carb.: 28g

Dietary fiber: 2.5g

Sugars: 14.5g

Protein: 12g

Snack bars: The Gluten Free Bar- Peanut Butter

After a much needed break from blogging I am back to reviewing gluten free fare. I recently had the opportunity to try The GFB or The Gluten Free Bar in peanut butter. These bars are dairy-free, all natural, low glycemic, a good source of omega-3 and of course safe for celiacs.

I was first attracted to the packaging and shape of the bar- a no nonsense cellophane wrapper with just the necessary nutrition and title facts sealed around a squarish energy bar. I appreciated being able to view the bar- which definitely looked appealing compared to the freakishly colored protein bars of the past.

Next on to the taste. The peanut butter GFB had a smooth exterior but you could still see bits of the rice and flax seeds. It had a sweet peanut butter aroma that reminded me of candy or something I couldn't quite put my finger on. At first bite I was impressed by the crunchy crisps and the moistness of the bar. Though the peanut butter for all its sweet smell did taste a little bland- it was overall quite tasty.

Perhaps the peanut butter flavor didn't blow my socks off- but what did it for me was the nutrition facts and ingredient list.

The peanut butter GFB really is completely natural with a great list of ingredients and with a whopping 13g of protein! That alone was highly impressive to me in such a small package. At 235 calories and 27g total carbs I can honestly say my hunger was put to rest for a while. It was certainly filling without being heavy and with a glass of water or milk you could easily have yourself a meal. This could be vital for celiac Rob who often is on the go and skips out on breakfast- or skips eating when there isn't enough gluten free food available. The GFB could very well be the perfect pre-party snack- it's small enough for a pocket and as Rob rediscovered recently- it's always a good thing to have something in your stomach if you plan on a few cocktails.

Ingredients:

organic dry roasted peanuts, organic brown rice syrup, rice protein, dates, organic agave nectar, soy protein, organic brown rice, whole flax seeds, vanilla, sea salt.

Nutrition Facts:

Serv. size 2.05oz (58g)

Servings per container 1

Calories: 235

Calories from fat: 85

Total fat: 9.5g

Sat. fat.: 1.5g

Trans fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0g

Sodium: 92mg

Total carb: 27g

Dietary fiber: 2g

Sugars: 13g

Protein: 13g

Crackers: Kitchen Table Bakers: Aged Parmesan Mini Crisps

At this point Rob and I have sampled quite a few of Kitchen Table Bakers' crisps. But really how can we count when these wheat free, gluten free and sugar free delectables are so good. We recently had the chance to try one more - the Aged Parmesan Mini Crisp. Every bit as full flavored and yummy as their larger-sized counterparts, I really loved the minis. They are about half the size and are packed with the same rich parmesan flavor. Because these crackers are made entirely of cheese the smaller size makes them slightly less decadent. The mini crisps will certainly appeal to a sophisticated palette and pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. The only draw-back if I may say is that you really don't need more cheese with them. These are best left on their own.

So without a doubt - you would never even guess the Aged Parmesan Mini Crisp contains no wheat or gluten. These can and should be appreciated by everyone- not just the gluten-intolerant. It's definitely one of the few products out there that can be served with confidence. You won't even have to offer the usual gluten free disclaimer- which Rob hates- other than to indicate to your celiac friends that they are indeed safe and delicious!

Ingredients:

Aged parmesan cheese (pasteurized part skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, non-animal rennet). 100% Aged Parmesan is made in the United States.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 15 crisps (15g)

Servings per container: about 3.3

Calories: 80

Calories from fat: 50

Total fat: 6g

Sat fat: 3.5g

Trans fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 15mg

Sodium: 150 mg

Total carb: <1g

Dietary fiber: 0g

Sugars: 0g

Protein: 7g

Snack bars: Glenny's Brown Rice Marshmallow Treats - Peanut Caramel

Admittedly I'm not a big snacker - and I try pretty hard not to eat too much sugar and/or carbs. This can be a particular challenge with so many gluten free snack foods out there- which tend to contain tapioca and rice flours, etc. On the one hand when you are running out the door and haven't prepared a decent breakfast - or you're on the road traveling and looking for something celiac-safe - and there is only fast food in view- having a convenient travel-sized gluten free snack is a necessity.

Here's where the Glenny's Brown Rice Marshmallow Treats come in. Brightly packaged these yummies contain 9 grams of whole grains, are gluten free, contain 100 calories, are certified USDA organic and 100% vegan. The first one I tried was the Peanut Caramel. I was a bit surprised at how miniscule the bar actually was- I guess I was thinking traditional Rice Krispie treats- which tend not to be celiac safe. Ok so yes- Glenny's does contain all natural ingredients and they certainly resembled those marshmallow bits of heaven, and did indeed have a "peanutty" caramel flavor - but I really found them too sweet. Kids on the other hand - especially those with a gluten intolerance, will love them - and possibly even forget they are gluten free.

Happy (Gluten-Free) Snacking!

Ingredients:

Organic whole grain brown rice, organic marshmallow recipe (organic brown rice syrup, organic evaporated cane juice, organic guar gum, sea salt) organic peanut butter, vegetable glycerol, organic rice bran extract, organic peanut flavor, organic caramel flavor. Allergens: May contain traces of tree nuts, sesame seeds and soy.

Nutrition Info:

Serving size: 1 bar 24g

Servings per container: 5

Calories: 100

Calories from fat: 20

Total fat: 2.5g

Sat. fat: 0.5g

Trans fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 35mg

Total Carb: 17g

Dietary fiber: less than 1g

Sugars: 7g

Protein: 2g

Simply Boulder Culinary Sauces: Pineapple Ginger

Rob and I at last had an opportunity to do some grilling and we were anxious to try Simply Boulder's Pineapple Ginger culinary sauce. These sauces are gluten free and dairy free and made with agave nectar and extra virgin olive oil. We tested ours out by marinading 4 chicken breasts in most of a bottle of the Pineapple Ginger for about 8 hours.

Once we had the grill sizzling we let the chicken cook about 20 minutes. We shared our Pineapple Ginger chicken with an ear (each) of grilled corn and a grilled sweet potato. Wow what a delectable dinner this turned out to be! Our chicken was tender and had a terrific taste that wasn't too overpowering. It was such a treat too to have a gluten free sauce that didn't contain wheat free tamari or soy sauce as its main ingredient. Nothing against it- but it sure is nice to catch a break from it. This pineapple ginger rather had a fresh, light flavor that complemented the chicken rather than became it.

We will definitely be purchasing more Pineapple Ginger in the future- especially if this heat keeps up!

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 2 tbsp.
Servings per container: 12
Calories: 45
Calories from fat: 20
Total fat: 2.5g
Sat. fat: 0g
Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 130mg
Total carb: 6g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 0g

Ingredients:
Water, organic agave nectar, cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, pineapple juice concentrate, organic blackstrap molasses, lime juice concentrate, ancho chile powder, dried garlic salt, dried onion, hungarian paprika, xanthan gum, spices, dried ginger.

Please note the manufacturer provided a free sample, but that didn't change the taste one bit.

Crackers: Kitchen Table Baker's Sesame Parmesan Crisps

I had the fortunate opportunity to try Kitchen Table Baker's Sesame Parmesan Crisps on a train ride from New York to D.C. Granted I was a bit hungry- but with a purchased fruit plate and a glass of chardonnay- I enjoyed a tiny bit of gluten free heaven. Made entirely of cheese, the sesame crisps were smooth, rich and buttery. The nuttiness of the sesame seemed to balance the potentially over-saltiness of the parmesan- and all rolled wonderfully well with the wine.

So yes though I have reviewed all the Kitchen Table Baker crisps I could get my hands on- the Sesame Parmesan really is my fave. It's not as intense as the Everything or the Rosemary; but it just has that perfect combination of a mild crunchy gourmet cracker without overpowering the palette. Sometimes you just want a delicious bite that works together. Make no mistake I'm not saying these yummies are bland- just perfectly delectable and of course wheat free, gluten free, sugar free and all natural to boot.

Ingredients: Pasteurized part skim milk, sesame seeds, cheese cultures, salt, non-animal rennet.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 3 crisps (15g)
Servings per container: About 6
Calories: 80
Calories from fat: 50
Total fat: 6g
Sat. fat: 3.5g
Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total carb.: 2g
Dietary fiber: 1g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 6g