The chicken is coated in corn flour crumbs, not bread crumbs, so it is a gluten-free option. The chicken is then cooked with aged parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings and topped with a tangy marinara sauce.

Chicken Parmigiana is one of the newest additions to Dietz & Watson’s extensive list of gluten-free offerings. In honor of the launch, the company shared this gluten-free recipe:

Gluten-Free Chicken Parmigiana Hoagie

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Dietz & Watson Chicken Parmigiana, thinly sliced (about 4 ounces per hoagie)
• ½ pound fresh spinach, prewashed
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced thin
• ¼ cup Dietz & Watson Mixed Pepper Mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Dietz & Watson peperoncini
• ¼ cup Dietz & Watson roasted red peppers
• Dietz & Watson hoagie dressing
• 4 gluten free hoagie or sandwich rolls
• salt and pepper to taste
• bunch of fresh basil, for garnish

Directions:

1. Toast the rolls until golden brown.

2. Spread ½ Tbsp of the Mixed Pepper Mayonnaise on each side of all the rolls.

3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and add fresh spinach. Sauté until just wilted, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Layer 4 ounces chicken Parmesan slices, 3 tomato slices, ¼ of the onion slices, 1 Tbsp. roasted red peppers and 1 Tbsp. peperoncini on each hoagie roll.

5. Sprinkle hoagie dressing on each sandwich to moisten all ingredients.

6. Top with cooked spinach. Garnish plate with fresh basil.

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Have you been having cravings for potato chips, but aren’t sure if they’re cross-contaminated?  If so, your days of worrying are over!  Good Health Natural Foods, Inc. has come out with several lines of chips that have been tested, certified gluten-free, and are produced in a gluten-free facility. Once I heard about these new chips on the market, I had to get my hands on them.

Francois Bogrand, a French ex-patriot who had emigrated to the U.S., founded Good Health Natural Foods, Inc. in 1992.  Bogrand was initially interested in bringing French food products to the States, and in doing so, he realized the health food market industry had room for exploration.  In 2000, Good Health Natural Foods introduced their first potato chip cooked solely in olive oil, and following that they released a body care line.  In 2004, they began introducing chips cooked in avocado oil.  Milestone Partners, a Philadelphia-based group, bought the company in 2004 and continues to maintain its integrity in the health food industry.

I can’t say enough about how well their website is organized and was impressed with its fully detailed information about allergens, nutrition, and ingredients.  It made me feel comfortable sampling and reviewing their products.  Of their line of 12 gluten-free products, eight of them are gluten-free and manufactured in a gluten-free facility, and four do not contain gluten ingredients, but have the potential for cross-contamination.  I sampled three of their products, which are all processed in gluten-free and nut-free facilities – Avocado Oil Potato Chips Sea Salt, Glories Sweet Potato Chips Original and Avocado Oil Potato Chips Barcelona Barbecue.

I got a group of gluten-eating friends together to do a bit of sampling.  I would say that of the three, the top choice was the Avocado Oil Potato Chips with Sea Salt.  We agreed that the crunch was super satisfying and the medium thickness of the chips allowed them to hold together with every bite.  We couldn’t just stop eating after one chip and proceeded to devour the bag.  I personally liked that they were a bit oily, especially since I knew the oil was such a healthy one; it added a bit of authenticity.  The chips just had that all-American potato chip flavor.  According to Good Health Natural Foods website, these chips contain 30% less fat than traditionally cooked chips.

We found multiple uses for the Avocado Oil Potato Chips. We thought you might try them:

• Dipped in a sour cream and onion dip or in a gluten-free ranch dressing (though some of us felt they were just really good on their own)
• Crushed and use to bread fish
• Added to a gluten-free sandwich
• Used instead of croutons on a salad
• Just eaten alongside a hearty gluten-free sandwich

The next chips we tasted were Glories Sweet Potato Original, which certainly have a lot going for them.  They have no trans fats, are low sodium, GMO free, and gluten-free.  Upon first bite, we found them not greasy, with a pleasantly sweet, fresh, healthy taste to them (and not a salty one).  The crunch to these chips was quite hearty.  They grew on us as we ate them, and by the time we were done, so were the chips!

As we continued to eat the bag, we noticed the chips in the bottom were quite a bit saltier, so it appeared as though the seasoning was not evenly distributed.  We recommend gently shaking the bag before consumption.  We also thought they might go well dipped in hummus.

The last chip we tasted was the Avocado Oil Potato Chip, Barcelona Barbecue style.  We thought these to have the best crunch of the lot and had a heavy garlicky flavor, which is great if you like garlic.  We found the chips with the most flavor to reside in the bottom of the bag, so we would again recommend gently shaking them up before eating.  Though we still ate them all, the consensus was that these chips needed a bit more spice to give them a true BBQ kick.

All in all, we still enjoyed our experience, and I was tickled pink to find gluten-free chips that I could eat and keep eating!  I want to thank the team at Good Health Natural Foods, Inc. for sending me their samples and allowing me to review their products.  I can’t wait to go eat my gluten-free sandwich and chips now!

-Annsley Klehr
Owner, Gluten Freedoms, LLC

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BOLD Organics just joined NFCA’s GREAT Business Association, and they sent a few samples so we could get to know their gluten-free products. The pizza is available in four types: Vegan Cheese, Vegetarian, Meat Lovers and Deluxe – all gluten-free, dairy-free and individually boxed, with 2 servings per pie. Knowing that my boyfriend thinks a day isn’t complete until he’s had meat, I reached for the Deluxe, which is topped with sausage, pepperoni, and (thankfully) vegetables.

The pizza was easy to prepare. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, place pizza directly on oven rack, and bake for about 20 minutes. A quick broil to crisp up the top, and you’re ready to eat.

When the pizza was cooked, the vegetables looked a little soggy. A result of the frozen veggies thawing directly on top of the pizza, and an outcome that befalls many frozen entrees. I feared that the pizza crust suffered the same fate, but not the case. In fact, the crust was quite good: crispy on the bottom, with a slighly doughy bite. No chemical aftertaste, either. The meat was tasty with a nice amount of salt, though my boyfriend said he would have preferred a more rustic cut of sausage, instead of the mini meatball shapes.

Most surprising was the sauce. It was sweet and tomato-y, but with a knock of spice – the kind that sneaks in between the corners of your mouth. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have a sensitive palate, but it’s a great addition that sets the pizza apart.

As for the dairy-free cheese, I had no qualms with it, but my boyfriend could tell that it didn’t melt the same way as a traditional mozzarella. Even with that criticism, he gave the pizza a thumbs up, plus bonus points for the tasty crust.

BOLD Organics Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pizzas are just starting to hit stores. Visit the company’s website to find out if they’re available near you.

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If you are interested in surprising your sweeties or just treating your self with the new Surf Sweets Fruity Hearts do so soon. Currently Fruity Hearts are only available for a limited time. To learn more about this and all of Surf Sweets products visit surfsweets.com. You can also check out the original Surf Sweets review here.

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The trip runs May 27-June 2, 2012 in beautiful Lucca, Italy. Here’s what’s included:

• 7 days, 6 nights accommodation in an 18th century Tuscan villa
• Welcome dinner with our local pasta artisans
• Daily breakfast, with special attention to food intolerances
• 3 hands-on cooking classes with Shauna and Danny Ahern
• Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Hiking Trails
• Laundry Facilities

There are currently eight room options available at the Italian villa, ranging from $2,250 for two twin beds and an ensuite bathroom, to $3,000 for a suite with two bedrooms and an ensuite bathroom. Yes, it’s a splurge, but having studied abroad in Italy (albeit in less glamorous accommodations), I can tell you – this is a one-in-a-lifetime trip.

To sweeten the deal, Jovial Foods will donate 25% of the proceeds to NFCA, so you’ll be helping others with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity while you’re fawning over a homemade, authentic Italian gluten-free meal.

To book a room or read more information: Jovial’s Tuscan Dream Vacation.

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I got a sneak preview of the egg rolls at Natural Products Expo East last September. Feel Good Foods is a member of NFCA’s GREAT Business Association, so I stopped by to ask Vanessa and Tryg what was new. At this point, I had already spent a few hours browsing and sampling, and my stomach was ready for a break. Yet, when I smelled the Gluten-Free Egg Rolls, I couldn’t resist trying one.

The egg rolls could easily rival their Chinese takeout counterparts. They were crispy and crunchy on the outside, with that warm combination of cabbage, carrots and ginger on the inside. Pair them with a gluten-free dipping sauce (Thai Kitchen Pineapple & Chili Dipping Sauce works great), and you’re good to go.

I haven’t had a chance to cook them yet, but given my success with the Gluten-Free Dumplings, I think Gluten-Free Egg Rolls will be a cinch. I’ve also heard that they’re microwaveable, for all you non-cooks.

Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Egg Rolls are beginning to hit store shelves. Look for them at your local Whole Foods Market and specialty food stores. For more information, visit Feel Good Foods online.

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Kettle Cuisine is a member of NFCA’s GREAT Business Association, which supports gluten-free food that is safe, accessible, affordable and understood. Kettle Cuisine showcased some of their gluten-free soups at Appetite for Awareness 2010, and they even sent us samples of their Thai Curry Chicken Soup before it hit shelves. I can say from experience, it was delicious.

This month, Kettle Cuisine is encouraging everyone to get excited about soup by hosting this Facebook contest. To enter, take a photo of yourself holding a package of Kettle Cuisine soup, then upload it to the company’s Facebook page. Invite your friends to vote for your photo. The top 5 vote-earning photos will be named finalists, and the Kettle Cuisine crew will select a Grand Prize winner from that bunch.

If you didn’t catch that, here’s a video that explains it all:

The Grand Prize includes: Red Sox tickets (right field box seats!), dinner for two at one of the city’s finest restaurants, a ride through the city with the original Boston Duck Tours, and hotel and travel accommodations.

If that sounds like a weekend you’d enjoy (and let’s be honest, we all could use a little break), hop over to Kettle Cuisine’s Facebook page to get the full details.

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New Year’s Eve Dishes and Appetizers

Celiac Central’s Seasonal Gluten-free Recipes
The official site of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Celiac Central, is jam packed with information, including gluten-free holiday suggestions and recipes. Many of the delicious recipes found through out the site are contributed by gluten-free food manufacturers like Blue Diamond, Thai Kitchen, French Meadow Bakery, and Rudi’s Gluten-free Bakery just to name a few. These companies also provide support for celiac awareness through generous sponsorships. Check out Celiac Central’s Seasonal Gluten-Free Recipe Box for delicious New Year’s Eve Recipes.

Glutenfreeda: Celebrate New Year’s Eve Gluten-Free
Glutenfreeda Foods is the manufacturer of gluten-free oatmeal, granola, cookies, and frozen wraps. You can read full reviews of Glutenfreeda’s Products here. In addition to tasty gluten-free products, Glutenfreeda also publishes an online magazine. This month’s edition is filled with holiday recipes that would be welcome additions to any gluten-free New Year’s Eve dinner party. While you are there check out an older article with tips on Celebrating New Year’s Eve Gluten-Free.

New Year’s Eve Gluten-Free Libations

What alcoholic drinks are safe and unsafe to consume can be a confusing subject for celiacs. In case you choose to ring in the new year with a toast here are a few clarifications.

Distilled alcoholic beverages including rum, gin, whiskey and vodka are considered gluten-free because gluten does not survive the distillation process. If you rather play it safe and would prefer to avoid alcohol derived from grains then Tequila, White Rum, and Vodka when it is made from potatoes are all safe choices. It is important to be aware of what you are drinking. This is especially true of cocktails which may be made with mixers and other ingredients that are not gluten-free. As always, reading labels and asking questions when someone else is making your drink is an important step in avoiding hidden gluten. Wine and Champagne also make excellent and safe choices when toasting in the New Year since they are made from grapes.

If you prefer beer then you are in luck since there are some great gluten-free options available. Many of them have been reviewed here on Gluten-free Hot Products. Gluten-free beer options include: Redbridge distributed by Anheuser Busch, Bard’s Tale, Green’s Gluten Free Beers and Crispin Hard Cider.

From all of us at Gluten-free Hot Products,
Happy New Years!

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Have you ever dug around in the bottom of the popcorn bowl for those half-popped kernels?  If so, your digging days are done!  Meet Halfpops, an air-popped kernel that is naturally gluten-free and nut-free.  It’s produced in a dedicated facility and certified gluten-free!  According to their website, Halfpops also has zero grams of trans fat, no corn syrup, no artificial flavors, no hydrogenated oils, no preservatives, and no negativity.  It’s the perfect grab-and-go treat.

Since I am always keeping an eye out for new gluten-free products, I spied Halfpops while reading Triumph Dining’s blog. I then decided to call the company and talk to the co-owner, Kevin Meagher.  Kevin and his co-founder Mike Fitzgerald, a former racecar driver, began as soccer league buddies.  Mike, after acquiring the patent for this product, would spend his spare time trying to perfect a half-popped kernel in his kitchen for the next 2 years.  He invited Kevin over to sample his product, and together they created Halfpops, LLC.  The two partners do all their own popping and bagging.

It was great fun to catch up with Kevin on the phone, but once my friend and I started sampling Halfpops, we realized the fun had just begun.  The two flavors on the market are: Natural Butter & Pure Ocean Sea Salt and Natural Aged White Cheddar.  Both flavors lent themselves to that satisfying crunch with a subtle punch of flavor.  Though reminiscent of CornNuts, Halfpops are healthier and more delectable with a gentler but BIG crunch.  For those who crave the bottom of the bowl kernels, these are as good as it gets.  They are completely addicting and healthy for snacking.  Even the dog couldn’t get enough of the Halfpops that fell to the floor!

The butter and salt flavor had a light, salty flavor and buttery aftertaste, while the aged cheddar had a subtle cheesy flavor.  Both are equally enjoyable, depending on the kind of mood you’re in.  As for me who loves cheese on everything, I prefer the natural aged white cheddar.  It’s a snack the whole family can enjoy!

We thought to try Halfpops in other recipes and venues, so here are a few ideas:

• As a substitute for popcorn in the movie theater
• In addition to gluten-free Rice Krispies or as a substitute in Rice Krispies Treats
• Add them to a party mix or trail mix (as seen in the picture)
• Try a Halfpop brittle instead of a peanut brittle
• Sprinkle them on an ice cream sundae
• Sprinkle them on top of green beans instead of almonds for a crunchy addition
• Top a 7-layer bean dip with Halfpops
• Eat Halfpops with gluten-free beer at the bar
• Make them into popcorn balls

As of now, the only downfall is that Halfpops are only available on the West Coast, but you can order them online.

A special thanks to Halfpops for kindly sending us samples and allowing us to review their fantastic product!

-Annsley Klehr
Gluten Freedoms, LLC

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The tortilla chips, which come in six flavors, are made using a process known as “sprouting.” Basically, they let the seeds germinate before they add them to the chip. The sprouted chia seeds, broccoli seeds, quinoa seeds, etc. add nutritional benefits like more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Sprouting also promotes good digestion and nutrient absorption. You can learn more about it on the company’s website: Sprouting: The Difference.

With all those nutrients, you’d wonder if some flavor would be compromised. Not the case. These chips are addictively good, and the perfect size and shape for dipping (they’re just as good solo, too).

Here’s the rundown:

Multi-Grain: These are the closest to a standard tortilla chip. Salty, cruchy and hearty without having an overwhelming flavor one way or the other.  Great for taco dip.

Sweeet Potato (Yes, that’s three e’s): These were my favorite of the lot. I’ve had sweet potato chips before that tasted barely like sweet potatoes, but these left no questions asked. A nice dusting of salt makes them perfectly snackable. I’ll be honest – I ate them straight out of the bag. No dips or pairings needed.

Sweet Chili: This flavor is for the spice fans. There is a good bit of heat – the kind that tickles your throat as you continue to munch. Have a glass of water handy so you can enjoy these without interruption.

Black Bean: I don’t know what it is about black beans that make them tasty so meaty, but these chips fall along that line. They’re surprisingly filling, yet still delicious. Use them to finish off a bowl of turkey or vegetarian chili.

Unbeatable Blues: These are comparable to blue corn tortilla chips currently on shelves. They’re versatile enough for many dips or dishes, but look more intriguing than the classic yellow or white corn chip.

Naked Blues: These are a no-salt version of the Unbeatable Blues. Personally, I missed the salt. The chips tasted a little drab, but nothing that fresh guacamole or fruit salsa couldn’t liven up. If you’re monitoring your salt intake, this is a great option. If not, the other flavors are worth the extra sodium.

Way Better Snacks are available in grocery stores across the country, including Wegmans and Fairway. They will be available in Whole Foods Market starting in January. You can also order them online.

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