Review: Gluten Free Houston Baked Goods

Do you dream of delicious gluten free baked goods that are super-moist and have a delicate texture? I do! An amazing Texas based bakery by the name of Gluten Free Houston bakes up a comforting assortment of homemade gluten free baked goods that will not only live up to your dreams, they will exceed your expectations!

A Message from Gluten Free Houston:

"Are you in search of gluten-free solutions for yourself or a family member? Then, I can help. I have spent the last six years developing my own hand-made gluten-free baked goods. When I first started out, all I came up with were lumps of bricks! It's not easy to produce really good baked goods without the gluten protein found only in wheat, barley and rye flours. It is complicated and time consuming, but I have hit on a formula that works. Even my non gluten-free friends think everything is fantastic.

As you probably already know, living gluten-free is somewhat expensive--the ingredients are very pricey, but very high quality. I decided that if I am going to take the time and effort
to bake things for myself, my family members and friends who do not eat wheat, it might as well be the best it can be, with the best ingredients. It's impossible to produce fresh gluten-free baked goods on a large scale. Everything has to be frozen and it's really not very good. When it's hand-made and fresh, it is fabulous.

If you are a gluten-free person, you don't have to have baked items with weird after-tastes, grainy stuff in your mouth, and that strange, slightly "off" taste. You can and should have the best. Bear with me here, because these items are not inexpensive. However, I can guarantee that they are much better than anything you can buy that is frozen, and better than any mass-produced fresh items. That is why I am doing it my way---very small selection of items, in very small quantities, that are available fresh and delicious. Otherwise, why bother?"

My Personal Gluten Free Houston Experience:

Gluten Free Houston sent me samples of their Gluten Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Gluten Free Carrot Cake Muffin Loaf, Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake, and Gluten Free Hamburger Buns to taste. The cakes are so moist and delicate that each bite practically melts in your mouth! The claim that there is no funny after-taste with Gluten Free Houston 's baked goods is 100% accurate; these baked goods could be served to any group of gluten-eaters and they would NEVER know that they were eating gluten free treats! The cakes are in loaf form, and they slice up beautifully.

My family was in agreement that Gluten Free Houston's Hamburger Buns were among the very best we have tasted. We served veggie burgers on them recently, and they were a big hit.

Thank you for letting my family sample your fabulous goodies Gluten Free Houston!

BUY IT:

You can order a tasty assortment of gluten free baked goods form Gluten Free Houston's online store. If you live in the Houston area, click here to find a Gluten Free Houston retailer near you.

Get the latest news from Gluten Free Houston:

- Gluten Free Houston on Twitter

- Gluten Free Houston's newsletter

- Gluten Free Houston's blog

- Gluten Free Houston on Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post; I received complimentary baked goods for review purposes courtesy of Gluten Free Houston. The opinions I have expressed are solely my own; I was not required to post a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

GIVEAWAY WINNER: P.F. Chang's China Bistro $50.00 Gift Card

And the winner is...

#60 lilybiscuit

Congratulations! You were e-mailed on 4/23/10. Please respond to my e-mail within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to P.F. Chang's China Bistro for sponsoring this giveaway!

Restaurant Review: Anthony's Restaurants in the Pacific Northwest - Now Offering Gluten Free Menus!

As I have shared with you in the past, just about nothing makes me happier than finding new restaurants offering gluten free menus, where my daughter with Celiac Disease can enjoy safe and delicious meals. I was thrilled when Anthony's Restaurants recently contacted me to share their exciting gluten free news; here is what they shared with me:

"Currently 150,000 Americans are struggling with Celiac disease— rendering them unable to eat restaurant items containing gluten; the protein found in wheat, barley and rye (as well as often-debated oats). Compounding that, as many as 1 million Americans are gluten intolerant. This rapidly growing disease has prompted a gluten-free menu revolution across the nation. Anthony’s has made an effort to be at the forefront of these changes, implementing new, gluten-free menus in addition to its current menus across all 19 of its restaurant locations."

Anthony's Restaurants are eager to share the wonderful news about their new gluten free menus with as many people as possible, and asked if my family and I would be their guests so I could share my feedback with all of you. I have much to share about my family's gluten free dining experience at Anthony's, but first, here is some background on Anthony's Restaurants:

About Anthony’s Restaurants:

"Anthony’s Restaurants, with more than 2,000 team members, owns and operates a family of 19 privately held restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest. From classic 'to-go' eateries to casual dining and relaxed dinner houses, Anthony’s core commitment to fresh Northwest seafood, complemented by local produce, Northwest wines and microbrews, is the foundation for each restaurant.

To ensure Anthony’s commitment to purchasing only the highest quality fresh seafood, Anthony’s opened its own seafood company in 1985, located at Pier 91, Seattle. Anthony’s is proud of its continuing commitment to quality and value, which has made it the place for fresh Northwest seafood throughout the Pacific Northwest."

My Personal Anthony's Gluten Free Experience:

Last weekend my family had the pleasure of sampling the new gluten free menu at Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland Washington; it is located on the Eastern shores of Lake Washington and boasts stunning views of Hunts Point, Sand Point, and the Seattle skyline. We were seated at a table with a waterfront view that was absolutely breath taking! It was so relaxing watching the setting sun glisten on Lake Washington as we dined... what a delight!

Because all of Anthony's seafood is fresh, new gluten free menus are printed each day to reflect that day's offerings. My husband and I were impressed with the lovely selection of starters, entrees, and desserts available on Anthony's new gluten free menu; it is obvious that they took their time in deciding what types of dishes would appeal to a wide variety of gluten free diners.

We choose to start with the Dungeness Crab Cocktail; which was fresh and sweet, just as crab should be. My daughters devoured the Crab Cocktail... and my husband and I felt lucky to each get a few bites! I don't think my 7 year old had ever tasted crab prior to that moment; she has now added it to her favorite foods list which makes me very happy.

Anthony's is well known for its ultra-fresh local Oysters. After mentioning that I had never been brave enough to try an Oyster on the Half Shell our friendly server Kyle Ross offered to bring me a Pacific Penn Cove Select Oyster on the Half Shell, caught fresh that very day in Samish Bay Washington. Dining Room Manager Jennifer Johnson suggested that I follow my Oyster on the Half Shell with a swallow of Champagne. Feeling a burst of bravery, I "slurped" the Oyster from its shell and chased it with a swallow of champagne as Jennifer recommended. Although I still can't say that I am an oyster fan, I could definitely tell that my Oyster was super fresh. I am certain that Oyster lovers will appreciate Anthony's impressive selection of fresh, local, Oysters on the Half Shell.

The Gluten Free Entrees My Family Sampled at Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland Washington:

All of the gluten free dishes my family tried at Anthony's were extremely delicious and of the highest quality.

I was treated to buttery, melt in your mouth Lobster Tail. I have had lobster many times in my life, but I never remember it tasting this good! It was perfectly cooked and absolutely divine.

My son ordered the Roasted Garlic Prawns, which were butterflied and roasted with garlic butter, fresh lemon, and sprinkled with gremolata. I have never seen this boy eat so fast in my life... by the time I took the first bite of my entree, my son had already eaten half of his Roasted Garlic Prawns! He said that his prawns "rocked." I snuck a little bite of his prawns, and he was right, they did rock!

My tween-age daughter had the Fresh Wild Chinook Salmon, which was oven roasted and finished with Sundried Tomato Basil Butter. Yes... it was as fabulous as it sounds! My daughter loved it, and after trying a bite my husband and I both agreed that it was the freshest salmon that either of us have ever tasted, hands down.

My youngest daughter with Celiac Disease feasted on the Double R Ranch Signature Top Sirloin Steak which was hand-cut and pan seared until it was perfectly medium rare, just as she ordered it. After trying her first bite, she proclaimed that Anthony's was now her favorite restaurant, and asked if we could eat there again soon. Of course we said yes, because both the gluten free food and the service at Anthony's was top-notch.

All of our entrees were served with savory mashed potatoes and fresh steamed vegetables, as well as our choice of a chilled Oregon Bay shrimp cocktail or a delightful spinach salad with bacon, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese tossed in a fantastic dill vinaigrette. Some of us ordered the spinach salad, and others shrimp cocktail, so we could share with one another. As with the gluten free entrees, the accompanying gluten free dishes were delicious and fresh.

After our meal we enjoyed a choice of either a fresh seasonal strawberry-rhubarb sorbet, or Anthony's Burnt Cream (aka Creme Brulee). These desserts were not too heavy, were expertly prepared, and acted as the perfect ending to the perfect meal.

About Anthony's Gluten Free Safe Practices:

"In preparation for implementation of Anthony’s Restaurants Gluten Free menus, a team meeting was held at each restaurant to go over the following information and procedures. The restaurant managers and regional chefs trained the front of the house and the kitchen teams.

Anthony’s Gluten Free menus items were specially selected with Nutritionist, Beverly Utt of Simply Nutrition, and are created using gluten free ingredients. Ingredients were confirmed gluten free through our purveyors and manufacturers and to the best of our knowledge are deemed gluten free.

Anthony’s kitchen teams have been trained to treat a gluten meal as any other severe allergy. They have been trained to change gloves, use new pans and bowls and use extreme caution when handling a gluten free meal. With the availability of gluten free menus we are able to assist the changing needs of our guests."

The Bottom Line:

The gluten free community can feel confident that when dining at any of Anthony's Restaurants 19 Pacific Northwest locations they will enjoy fresh, delicious, food that is gluten free and Celiac-safe.

Gluten Free Taste of Home commends Anthony's Restaurants for making the needs of the gluten free community a priority, and for doing it so deliciously.

Special thanks to Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland Washington, in particular Dining Room Manager Jennifer Johnson and our server Kyle Ross, for providing my family with a lovely and memorable gluten free dining experience.

Click here to find the Anthony's Restaurant nearest you in the Pacific Northwest.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review; I received a complimentary gluten free menu sampling for review purposes courtesy of Anthony's Restaurants. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cookbook Review: Allergy-Free Desserts: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free,Soy-free and Nut-free Delights

Looking for desserts free of gluten and allergens? If so, I recommend you pick up a copy of the wonderful new cookbook Allergy-Free Desserts: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free,Soy-free and Nut-free Delights by Elizabeth Gordon. True, these tasty recipes are completely free of gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, and eggs, but you'll hardly notice the difference! Inside of Allergy-free Desserts you will find recipes for cakes, cupcakes, pies, quick breads, cookies, and dessert bars.

The other day I made the Cola Cake recipe from the Allergy-Free Desserts cookbook, and it was amazing! Imagine a moist, sweet, chocolatey cake complete with a rich chocolate glaze... the taste is reminiscent of a Texas Sheet Cake. I will definitely make the Cola Cake recipe again, and I look forward to trying many of the other tempting recipes in the Allergy-Free Desserts cookbook as well (Super-Quick Cinnamon Coffee Cake is next on my list to try)!

Allergy-Free Desserts: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free,Soy-free and Nut-free Delights by Elizabeth Gordon:

• Featuring 82 recipes and 44 full-color photos

• Recipes that taste just like the real thing—but without the gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, or eggs

• The perfect dessert cookbook for the millions of people who suffer from food allergies or Celiac Disease

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

"Elizabeth Gordon is the founder and owner of Betsy & Claude Baking Company, a mail-order gluten, dairy, egg, soy, and nut-free bakery. She trained in cake decorating under Toba Garrett at the Institute for Culinary Education."

For more information, visit Elizabeth's Web site: www.betsyandclaude.com

BUY IT:

Click here to purchase your copy of Allergy-Free Desserts: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Soy-free and Nut-free Delights cookbook by Elizabeth Gordon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post; I received a complimentary copy of Allergy-Free Desserts: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free,Soy-free and Nut-free Delights for review purposes courtesy of Wiley Publishing. The opinions I have expressed are solely my own; I was not required to post a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Giveaway & Review: Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking by Stephanie O'Dea

I am excited to offer a giveaway for the wonderful cookbook Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: the Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking by Stepahnie O'Dea. If you are a fan of affordable, delicious, gluten-free, family-friendly recipes, this is the cookbook for you! This very special cookbook has been featured on Good Morning America and the Rachael Ray Show, and now (2) lucky winners will have a chance to win a copy of their own!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"Stephanie O'Dea made a New Year’s resolution to prepare dinner in her slow cooker every night for a year and document the experience on her blog, crockpot365.blogspot.com. The easy, affordable recipes she developed were a hit with other time-strapped home cooks, particularly because she gave an honest verdict about her family’s opinion of each one. Soon, her blog was averaging 15,000 hits a day.

Packed with recipes for everything from a gingerbread latte to a delicate, restaurant-quality cheesecake, O’Dea’s first cookbook, "MAKE IT FAST, COOK IT SLOW", proves that slow cookers are far from old-fashioned. And because one of O’Dea’s daughters has a wheat intolerance, all of the recipes are gluten-free.

A self-described cheapskate and busy mom, O’Dea appreciates the ability to make healthy meals with minimal hands-on prep time. The dishes in MAKE IT FAST, COOK IT SLOW include an extraordinary range of culinary possibilities, from kid-friendly dinners (Applesauce Chicken, Barbecued Shrimp) to gourmet fare (Corn Risotto, Sweet and Sour Caramelized Onions) to classics (Beef Stew, Minestrone Soup) and a whole section of “fun stuff” (Baby Food, Glycerin soap, even Crayons!). The “Takeout Fake Out” section (Mongolian Beef, Falafel, Gyros, Chimichangas) is so comprehensive that you’ll never order delivery again. And just like on her blog, O’Dea includes a quick, funny assessment of her family’s reaction to each recipe in the book.

MAKE IT FAST, COOK IT SLOW provides parents and children everywhere with the chance to be creative and resourceful in the kitchen. With dishes that are reliable and accessible, and yet still remain adventurous to the palate, O’Dea proves that the slow cooker is moving fast!"

MY TWO CENTS:

I have been a fan of Stepahnie O'Dea's family friendly gluten free crock pot recipes for a long time; prior to the release of her book I printed her recipes from my computer and put them in a 3 ring binder in my kitchen. I am thrilled to now have the recipes that my family has grown to love available to me in a convenient book.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes from Make it Fast, Cook it Slow:

- A simple recipe for Mac n' Cheese (pre-cooking the noodles is not necessary!)

- A super-easy recipe for healthy home-made granola

- A mouth watering recipe for falafel

I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed in Stephanie O'Dea's delicious recipes... they are always tasty, easy to prepare and my family loves them! Best of all, using my slow cooker frees up loads of time for me to spend doing other things I enjoy.

BUY IT:

You can purchase a copy of Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: the Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking by Stephanie O'Dea at your favorite online book seller or at a book store near you.

WIN IT:

(2) Lucky winners will each WIN (1) copy of the book Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking by Stephanie O'Dea (retail value $19.99).

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY:

Visit my Freebie Fairy blog to enter (Please do NOT leave entry comments on this post, as they will not be valid entries).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post; I received a complimentary copy of Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking for review purposes courtesy of Hyperion Books. The opinions I have expressed are solely my own; I was not required to post a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best of Luck!

GIVEAWAY WINNER: Gluten Free Baking Mixes and Flour from Better Batter

And the winner is...

#76 julie

Congratulations! You were e-mailed on 4/14/10. Please respond to my e-mail within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to Better Batter for sponsoring this giveaway!

Restaurant Review and $50.00 Gift Card Giveaway: P.F. Changs China Bistro - Newly Expanded Gluten Free Menu!

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO LAUNCHES EXPANDED GLUTEN FREE MENU!

Enhanced Offerings Includes 5 New Beef Entreés and a Total of 28 GLUTEN FREE Dishes!

I am so happy to share this exciting news with you; one of my very favorite restaurants, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, has recently announced their newly expanded Gluten Free Menu! P.F. Chang's new gluten free menu features beef entrees for the very first time.

Now, anyone following a gluten free diet can savor a broad range of menu options, such as P.F. Chang’s signature Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Mongolian Beef, and even a Flourless Chocolate Dome for dessert!

P.F. Chang's says:

“More and more of our guests are asking for gluten free options and we’re proud to offer them a greater variety of P.F. Chang’s classics,” said Gregg Piazzi, Director of Culinary Training for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. “P.F. Chang’s is sensitive to all of the food allergies and dining requirements of our guests and we strive to serve customized cuisine that meets each diner’s individual needs.”

"P.F. Chang’s upholds a rigorous gluten free cooking process to ensure the dietary safety of guests with celiac disease. The restaurant’s staff takes all the necessary measures of precaution during the preparation and serving of gluten free dishes."

My personal P.F. Changs gluten free experience:

My family recently had the honor of being treated to a gluten free tasting at P.F. Chang's Alderwood Mall location in Lynnwood Washington. Our experience was both delicious and educational!

Our journey began with a friendly greeting from P.F. Chang's Operating Partner, Apryl Haney, who took the time to answer our questions about the dishes on the gluten free menu. I was especially impressed with how seriously Apryl took my daughter's dietary restrictions. Because my daughter is not only gluten free, but also dairy free, I needed to know which items off of their gluten free menu did not contain dairy. To ensure she provided us with accurate information, April entered my daughter's dietary restrictions into her computer and presented us with a list of every item P.F. Chang's had to offer that was both gluten and dairy free! I think it is so fabulous that P.F. Chang's does not try to "guess" if their guests can eat their menu items safely, they ensure it!

Before dinner, Apryl offered to give me a tour of the kitchen, so I could see just how seriously P.F. Chang's takes safe gluten free food preparation. Whenever a guest orders from the gluten free menu, the ticket is boldly marked as gluten free. Prior to preparing the meals on the gluten free tickets, kitchen staff automatically change into a new pair of gloves to avoid cross contamination. There is a separate area in P.F Chang's kitchen reserved only for cooking gluten free meals in specially designated gluten free woks. There is also a separate pot for boiling gluten free rice noodles. A complete set of kitchen utensils are also set aside solely for gluten free use.

When prepping the gluten free meals, the ingredients are placed on bright red plates that alert the cooks that these foods are to be prepared in the gluten free cookware, using specially prepared gluten free sauces which are stored in covered containers in the gluten free cooking area. These people have a gluten free system that works!

My P.F. Chang's kitchen tour was very reassuring (and fun!). There was not a doubt in my mind after watching the gluten free practices in P.F. Chang's kitchen that our meals would be not only delicious, but safe to eat. I was even more impressed when Justin Land, P.F Chang's Culinary Partner, came to our table to talk about how seriously P.F. Chang's takes their responsibility of cooking for the gluten free community. He explained that all kitchen staff and servers are thoroughly trained to understand the high safety standards that P.F Chang's requires when serving gluten free and other dietary restricted diners.

About the food...

YUM! Just thinking about it right now is making me hungry! We ordered five gluten free dishes (two were also dairy free) for my family to share. My young daughter with Celaic who is also dairy free is a very picky eater, and gave her dinner of GF Philip's Better Lemon Chicken "5 stars." We also enjoyed one of the new beef dishes, GF Mongolian Beef; this Asian classic lived up to it's savory reputation, with tender slices of beef in a slightly spicy sauce, and a generous amount of fresh green onions... absolutely delicious! Possibly the favorite of the entire family collectively were the phenomenally good GF Singapore Street Noodles; perfectly cooked rice noodles with a lime infused sauce are tossed together with crisp-tender veggies, chicken, and shrimp... this dish was out of this world! We also feasted on GF Chang's Lemon Scallops, which were cooked to perfection and practically melted in your mouth; this dish was one of my very favorites. The GF Shrimp with Lobster Sauce was devoured instantly by all of us, with it's mild sauce proving especially pleasing to the children. My family is looking forward to trying more of P.F. Chang's gluten free menu items.

I love the famous P.F. Chang's "Special Sauce," which is mixed table side by your waiter. This sauce is so balanced in it's flavors that it tastes wonderful on any of the dishes you order. I especially love it on the rice. P.F. Chang's "Special Sauce"consists of the following gluten free ingredients: Tamari soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sweet chili sauce, pot sticker sauce, and hot mustard. It was a beautiful thing to watch the waiter remove the gluten filled soy sauce and pot sticker sauce from the mixing area, and replace them with gluten free versions prior to mixing our sauce; we did not have to ask him to do this... it is done automatically for P.F. Chang's gluten free diners.

To cap off our spectacular gluten free meal, we were offered a fabulous sounding gluten free Flourless Chocolate Dome for dessert; it wasn't dairy free, so we opted to pass in respect of my daughter's dairy intolerance. However, noting my children's disappointment, Apryl (the manager) promptly offered my children bowls of fresh berries, which they eagerly accepted and enjoyed. Honestly, I think my girls would rather eat fresh berries than cake any way! If you order the gluten free Flourless Chocolate Dome when you visit P.F. Chang's, please leave a comment on this post and let me know how it was!

P.F. Chang's has won my families patronage indefinitely... we cannot wait to go back! If you are on a gluten free diet and there is a P.F. Chang's near you, do yourself a favor and order from their newly enhanced gluten free menu; it could quite possibly be the tastiest decision you have ever made!

P.F. Chang's newly expanded Gluten Free Menu:

Starter: GF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps - $7.95

Sides: GF Spinach Stir-Fried with Garlic, GF Garlic Snap Peas, GF Shanghai Cucumbers

Soup: GF Egg Drop Soup Cup

Noodles: GF Singapore Street Noodles

Entreés: GF Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, GF Moo Goo Gai Pan, GF Ginger Chicken With Broccoli, GF Philip’s Better Lemon Chicken, Chang’s Spicy Chicken, Chang’s Lemon Scallops, GF Salmon Steamed With Ginger, GF Cantonese Shrimp or Scallops, GF Mongolian Beef, GF Beef, GF Beef a La Sichuan, GF Pepper Steak, GF Hong Kong Beef with Snow Peas, GF Dali Chicken

Rice: GF P.F. Chang’s Fried Rice

Vegetarian: GF Buddha’s Feast

Desserts: GF Flourless Chocolate Dome

Lunch Bowls: GF Buddha’s Feast, GF Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, GF Moo Goo Gai Pan, GF Beef with Broccoli, GF Pepper Steak

Click here to find the P.F. Chang's location nearest you.

WIN $50.00 worth of P.F. Chang's China Bistro Gift Cards:

I am GIVING (1) Gluten Free Taste of Home follower $50.00 worth of P.F. Chang's China Bistro Gift Cards!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY (mandatory):

1) Become a Gluten Free Taste of Home follower (must follow PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect in the side bar of this website; LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me that you are now following Gluten Free Taste of Home PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect, AND also tell me the name of a dish you would like to try from the gluten free menu at P.F. Chang's China Bistro. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES: (each entry comment must be entered separately to be a valid entry):

2) Follow P.F Chang's China Bistro on Twitter. (1 entry)

3) Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Gluten Free Taste of Home website AND to the Gluten free menu page on the P.F. Chang's website. Please LEAVE ME A COMMENT with THE LINK TO YOUR POST or it will not count. (3 entries)

4) Sign up or the P.F. Chang's China Bistro e-mail list. (1 entry)

5) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of The Freebie Fairy website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

6) Follow me on Twitter AND tweet the giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT with the link. MAXIMUM 1 tweet/RT per hour please! (1 entry PER tweet/RT)

7) Follow my Freebie Fairy giveaway & product review website PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar of The Freebie Fairy website) and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

8) Grab my Gluten Free Taste of Home button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code in the side bar of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY*

Giveaway ends on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. PST (late entries will not be posted). Winners will be selected by random.org. Winners will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before new winners are selected.

*REMEMBER... please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry so I can contact you if you win.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review; I received a complimentary gluten free menu sampling for review purposes courtesy of P.F. Chang's China Bistro. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best of luck!

Review and Discount: Gluten Free Zing Bars

As you know I am always on the lookout for healthy and delicious gluten free protein bars. I found a company who has taken protein bars in a new direction... Zing Bars! Zing Bars are called "Nutrition Bars" because they are the only bar created, owned, and operated by nutritionists. The creators of Zing Bars say: "“We created Zing Bars as a healthy snack for our patients. We needed a bar that would be satisfying and sustaining with well-balanced, all-natural ingredients. And if we actually expected patients to eat this bar, it had to be delicious.”

I love the fact that Zing Bars offer the perfect balance of protein, low-glycemic carbs and heart healthy fats... all in a great tasting convenient bar. All five of the Zing Bar flavors are delicious; even my husband who usually doesn't like bars loves the Almond Blueberry (GF/SF) flavor! My personal favorite is the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip (GF/SF). My oldest daughter loves the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor GF/SF), which I must agree is very tasty! My youngest daughter who follows a gluten free/dairy free diet loves the Cranberry Orange (GF/SF/DF) and the Peanut Butter Chocolate flavors (GF/SF/DF). I was so pleased that Zing created two dairy free options so my gluten free, dairy free daughter can enjoy them!


"All Zing Bars are wheat free & gluten free. Using the ELISA method, we routinely test each flavor for gluten (and the gliadin subfraction) at an independent laboratory. All Zing flavors test below 5ppm gliadin and 10 ppm gluten, which is the lowest amount detectible with current technology.

All Zing Bars are made from hormone-free, antibiotic-free ingredients and contain nothing artificial. This means no high-fructose corn syrup and no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or chemical preservatives of any kind. A wholesome choice for adults and kids!"

Zing Bars are also soy-protein free, which is rare for a protein bar! Great news for those of you who cannot tolerate or choose to avoid soy.

If you're on the market for a healthy gluten free nutrition bar that will appeal to the tastes of your entire family, I definitely recommend giving Zing Bars a try!

BUY IT:

Purchase directly from the Zing Bar website to *SAVE $10 per box of Zing Bars with no limit as to how many boxes you can purchase (i.e. if you purchase 3 boxes you will save $30). *Use coupon code gftaste at checkout; offer expires May 31, 2010.

You can also click here to find the Zing Bar retailer nearest you.

Want more Zing in your life?

Follow Zing Bars on Twitter, and sign up to receive the Zing Bar newsletter and e-coupons.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post; I received complimentary Zing Bars for review purposes courtesy of Zing. The opinions I have expressed are solely my own; I was not required to post a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

GIVEAWAY WINNERS: Gluten Free Cereals from Cerealvit

And the (2) winners are...

#4 redfuzzycow, AND #16 chandice

Congratulations! You were e-mailed on 4/8/10. Please respond to my e-mail within 48 hours of receipt, or new winners will be chosen.

Special thanks to Riega Foods for sponsoring this giveaway!

Giveaway & Review: Gluten Free Baking Mixes and Flour from Better Batter

I am a baking maven... any excuse to bake works for me! I am always on the look-out for gluten free baking products that help make baking tasty treats for my family and friends a "piece of cake" (forgive the pun, I couldn't help myself!). ;-) Even though I love baking, I don't have a lot of free time to dedicate to it (chances are you don't either). This is why I get so excited about companies like Better Batter; they have figured out how to mix up the perfect Gluten Free Flour, Gluten Free Pancake & Biscuit Mix, and Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix. The results of baking with Better Batter products are phenomenal, the taste is spot-on, and they save me time!

The Gluten Free Flour from Better Batter was designed to replace regular all-purpose flour cup for cup in your favorite recipes. I made a delicious Coconut Cake on Easter using Better Batter's Gluten Free Flour, and my whole family loved it! The cake was moist, had a delicate crumb, and tasted wonderful. I also made a few snack cakes with equally successful results. I am so impressed with this flour! I recommend that everyone try Better Batter Gluten Free Flour, it is a real winner in my book.

Pancakes are a Saturday morning favorite at my house; usually my kids start pleading with me to make them as soon as I wake up. I am happy to make them pancakes if I have a good mix to speed up the process. I had been faithfully using a leading brand of gluten free pancake mix with good results, until my daughter recently needed to stop eating dairy products. Because the other mix contained dairy, I had to discontinue using it. I wondered if I would ever find another gluten free pancake mix that my whole family liked, that was also dairy free. Better Batter to the rescue! Take a look at the photo of Better Batter's Gluten Free pancakes (above)... YUM! Yes, they really do cook up that light and fluffy! My family likes the Better Batter pancakes better than the previous pancakes I had been making, because of their light texture. I can't wait to whip up some biscuits with this mix... maybe tonight!

Ahhh... brownies. When done right, there are few baked goods that appeal to more people. What's not to love? Brownies can be fudgy, moist, rich, and decadent OR they can be dry, gritty, rock-hard and inedible; it all depends on the mix or recipe you use. I hate to say that I have tried some brownie mixes in the past that were not up to par. I am happy to report that my first bite of brownie made using Better Batter's Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix was pure bliss! I have just two words for you: SUPER FUDGY! My family prefers our brownies fudgy, sometimes we even slightly under bake our brownies to achieve a fudgier texture. With Better Batter's Gluten Free Brownie Mix, no under baking is necessary; the brownies come out perfect when baked as directed! My kids have proclaimed the Better Batter Brownies as "The best gluten free brownies they have ever had." Try them for yourself... you'll see.

Better Batter Gluten Free Flour was created by Naomi Poe; I love the story of how Better Batter was born...

"She wanted a flour that would work in her mom’s old recipes, look right, and taste right. The alternative — having to do something resembling either a lab experiment or a religious ceremony for something simple like chocolate chip cookies (five flours, two specialty ingredients, and prayer that the recipe would actually work) — wasn’t an option any more.

One late night, she threw up a desperate prayer to the Almighty and went to bed. That night she had a dream. In it, she was mixing up a formula for a new kind of flour. Waking up, she took this idea – this formula – and literally ran down to the kitchen, concocted the flour mix, and made her mom’s famous apple pie.

Better Batter Gluten Free Flour was born! A friend liked it so much she offered to buy it. Word spread, and the company’s been growing ever since!"

WOW... I think it is so neat that the recipe for Better Batter Gluten Free Flour came to Naomi in a dream! Keep on dreaming Naomi! I cant wait to see what you come up with next. :)

BUY IT:

Receive reduced shipping on case lots, and wholesale prices for bulk flour purchases when purchasing directly from the Better Batter website, or click here for a list of retailers.

WIN IT:

I am GIVING (1) Gluten Free Taste of Home follower a Better Batter Complete Sampler (contains: 2.5 lb. flour, 2.5 lb. pancake & biscuit mix, and (2) fudge brownie mixes) Retail value $37.00.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY (mandatory):

1) Become a Gluten Free Taste of Home follower (must follow PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect in the side bar of this website) AND visit the recipes page on the Better Batter website; LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me that you are now following Gluten Free Taste of Home PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect, AND also tell me the name of a recipe you would like to try that you found on the Better Better website. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES: (each entry comment must be entered separately to be a valid entry):

2) Follow Better Batter on Twitter. (1 entry)

3) Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Gluten Free Taste of Home website AND to the Better Batter website. Please LEAVE ME A COMMENT with THE LINK TO YOUR POST or it will not count. (3 entries)

4) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of The Freebie Fairy website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

5) Follow me on Twitter AND tweet the giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT with the link. MAXIMUM 1 tweet/RT per hour please! (1 entry PER tweet/RT)

6) Follow my Freebie Fairy giveaway & product review website PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect (in the right hand sidebar of The Freebie Fairy website) and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

7) Grab my Gluten Free Taste of Home button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code in the side bar of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (1 entry)

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY*

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. PST (late entries will not be posted). Winners will be selected by random.org. Winners will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before new winners are selected.

*REMEMBER... please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry so I can contact you if you win.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this review; I received a complimentary Better Batter Complete Sampler for review purposes courtesy of Better Batter. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Best of luck!