Gluten-Free Product Review: Celentano Gluten-Free Ravioli

I have been dreaming of gluten-free fresh or frozen pasta for a while now, so I was very excited to pass the frozen pasta section at our local Publix and spy a whole bunch of new gluten-free options!  The gluten-free cheese ravioli was my first pick to try, and it was a complete win.  I slightly undercooked it because I like al dente.  I only lost two in the cooking, and it was enough (with a small salad) for a meal for two.  The texture and flavor is perfect, and you simply add whatever sauce you choose.  I tried to go back for the meat ravioli, but the case was cleaned out.  I hope the grocery manager takes that as a sign to keep stocking. 

Homemade Frozen Yogurt

I've really missed soft-serve frozen yogurt.  You can never really be sure the stuff they serve at yogurt places is gluten-free, and you can be pretty sure there's cross-contamination.  I tried the obvious first:  put some store-bought yogurt into the ice cream maker.  Not only did it work, it only took a few more tweaks to make something so tasty, rich and creamy that you'll never be tempted by TCBY again.

I use the Publix store brand fruit on the bottom lowfat yogurt.  While it is fantastic straight out of the ice-cream maker, after a few hours it gets pretty hard.  I would need to thaw it out for a while (20 minutes or so) before serving once it has frozen overnight.  I could make it creamier straight from the freezer by reducing liquid and increasing fat.  That can mean using full-fat yogurt (or greek-style) or using all cream instead of cream and milk.  Added sugar will help (to a point), as will a small amount of guar gum.  Since we tend to finish it off pretty quickly, this isn't a problem. 

Homemade Frozen Yogurt

Freeze the bucket of your ice-cream maker according to directions (usually for at least 24 hours).  Leave it in the freezer until ready to process. 

Combine the following in a separate bowl:

12 ounces of sweetened/flavored yogurt (I use fruit on the bottom)
OR
12 ounces of plain yogurt plus jam, honey, or other sweetener to taste

AND
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar (optional, depending on flavor desired)
1 cup fresh berries or fruit, chopped small (optional) or nuts

Mix everything together
Process in ice cream freezer until slightly thicker than soft-serve

Serve immediately, or freeze up to two hours first.  After two hours, let thaw on counter for 20 minutes before serving to soften up.  

Serves 4 at 1-2 scoops each, or 2 at NOMNOMNOMNOM size servings. 

Gluten-Free Featured Product: Edy's Fruit Bars

GLUTEN FREE FEATURED PRODUCT
A regular postings of gluten-free products that I use myself and are available in my local grocery store.  You can check your local store for these items, order them online, or ask your store to stock them. I do not have any relationship with the companies in question, nor do I receive any form of compensation for these reviews. Gluten-Free status is based on information from the manufacturer, the current Cecelia's Marketplace shopping guide and personal experience, and may change if the company changes formulation or manufacturing processes.

Edy's Fruit Bars
These are a fantastic frozen snack, as they contain real fruit and aren't over-sweetened.  My partner goes through the Coconut bars like crazy, while I like the lemonade and strawberry best.  The Coconut bars have shreds of coconut, and while the underlying flavor is delicious, there is a texture problem for me. 

According to their website, the following flavors are gluten-free.  To verify, go to their website, click on "Flavor/Ingredient Search" at the bottom of the page, and select "gluten-free" in the pop-up box.  Many of their ice cream flavors are also gluten-free and will come up in the listing. 

Gluten Free Featured Product: Ore-Ida Potatoes

GLUTEN FREE FEATURED PRODUCT
A regular postings of gluten-free products that I use myself and is available in my local grocery store.  You can check your local store for these items, order them online, or ask your store to stock them. I do not have any relationship with the companies in question, nor do I receive any form of compensation for these reviews.

Ore-Ida Frozen Fries
Gluten-free fries are hard to get.  Restaurants rarely have a dedicated fryer, and so their fries are generally unsafe due to cross-contamination from breaded products.  That's why the Ore-Ida fries have been a great find for us.  I particularly love the sweet potato fries, while my partner's partial to the waffle fries.
the parent company, Heinz, offers a full list of their gluten-free products, including regional variations.