Sunday, April 22, 2012

Gluten-Free Kettle Cuisine in Canada!

Wow! Where do I begin to tell you how tasty and amazing these gluten-free soups actually are? As some of you may know, I've raved about them on Twitter, and wrote a post about them in the past. I recently got in contact with Kettle Cuisine to see what other flavours they offered within Canada, and they gladly sent the fantastic five my way :)

Posing with Kettle Cuisine's "New England Clam Chowder"


It was a huge deal to try New England Clam Chowder (posing in a nautical shirt to keep with the theme of the box, above) because I've never in my life had this type of soup. As much as it smelled lovely from across the table at restaurants - and however much I always wanted to try, I have a lactose intolerance (and gluten of course) and a lot of soups are off the map for me. The fact that I also do not like straight-up seafood made me hesitant to try.

I took some lactose pills noting that this soup is the only of the variants available in Canada with dairy (it is hard to find good soups that are both gluten- and lactose-free) and simmered this soup on the stove. The aroma that filled the kitchen made me so excited to try; I kept stirring to make sure the cream wouldn't settle on top. I was so impressed with how fresh everything was, once it thawed.

I poured it into my bowl as my husband was looking over my shoulder waiting to be offered a taste after I had a little moment with it. I cannot tell you how fresh and delicious this clam chowder was - it was unbelievable. The hubby is also very, very picky on food and said he would easily order it at a high-end restaurant; it was seasoned so incredibly with sauteed onions, fresh potatoes and hand-shucked clams. This was quite satisfying and I actually can say that I can't wait to have it again!

I am usually the girl that tries something and adds pepper or some sort of spice to everything, but with this soup - along with the other four, I never add a thing. It's as if they made these soups individually - as each time I've tried they stay fluent and are exceptionally tasty!


Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles - This was one of the first flavours I've tried from this wonderful company. I would have to describe all of these soups and chilis as something my mother would have made for a Sunday early dinner, and then sending me home with the leftovers, frozen for another day of enjoyment. I was also surprised at how fresh the veggies were, along with the noodles that stayed intact and did not become a soggy hot mess by the time it got to my stove-top. Again, very impressed - it reminds me of homemade soup. :)

Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans - To be quite honest, I was wondering how the Angus beef would be in this chili. As it was simmering, it smelled so lovely, I just hoped it measured up to the smell. Oh boy, it did!  The beef tasted freshly cut, and I personally love this as a hearty, quick dinner! It filled and satisfied me for quite a few hours.

It took me a little while to write this review of all the flavours, because I really didn't want to rush it, and wanted them to all be tasted at a time that I could really enjoy it and have time to really process all of these (sans toddler running around) ;) She also approves, giving the big "mmmmmmm!" between each spoon-full.

Three Bean Chili - With this awkward weather and snow flurries, I felt the need to bring out this cozy comfort meal the other day. I was definitely surprised with the beans (a great mix of pinto, black and chili beans) and how the consistency was not soggy in any way, or have that "trying too hard" to taste like chili feel. It's also full of Vitamin A (along with the others) a great source of fiber and protein! This really tasted great, and was just the right portion amount to satisfy my hunger :)

Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetable -  Every time I make this soup, I cannot believe how wonderfully fresh and vibrant the veggies are. It's surprisingly hearty with each individual soup filled with red-ripe tomatoes, combined with hand-prepared squash, carrots, celery, green beans and a blend of Italian seasonings to really rev up this soup to perfection. This soup, along with the "Three Bean Chili" soups are suitable for vegetarians.

If you would like to try these five fabulous, gluten-free soups from Kettle Cuisine, they are available in grocery and natural food stores nationwide. You can also check more from this great company that has been specializing in soup, stews, chilis, and chowders since 1986 here. Even if you don't have Celiac disease or an intolerance, they are decadent in their own right and a must-try in my honest opinion.

GIVEAWAY! 

If you're a Canadian resident, and want to get a get a hold of a lovely prize pack from Kettle Cuisine, I will be hosting a contest! All you have to do is make a comment under this post, and you will be entered into a draw where I will announce a winner at the end of this week! Entry ends Friday at midnight EST.

Note: Please make up a nickname so it doesn't process your comment with the default name of "anonymous" once I post your nickname on the blog, you can contact me, and I will give you further details ;)
 
Bon appétit!






Friday, April 6, 2012

HANSON - SHOUT IT OUT!



This album was badly promoted to Hanson's long-time fans. I just learned that they re-released their last June 2010 release a couple of days ago. Now, a lot of you probably think "Oh Gawd! Mmmbop me in the face! I hated that song!"

One summer one of my best friends and I painted the classic orange and black Hanson signature (the one on EVERY cd) as a huge mural on my wall. I remember we dyed our hair with Kool-Aid that same afternoon and sang our hearts out to the "Middle of Nowhere" album. 

Probably one of the best, memorable summers ever. It's funny how we fought over Zac Hanson like it was nobody's business ;)

It's now 13 years after "Mmmbop" was released - and it has been pure Hanson love since. The re-release of "Shout It Out" was written and produced by Issac, Taylor and Zac Hanson themselves. They are probably the most talented musicians and songwriters out there and I have so, so much respect for these Oklahoma born prodigies.

They first lured me in when I heard "I will come to you", as I've never had such a musical/emotional connection like I had with that song, and being young and vulnerable... It's like they wrote the song and was singing it right to me. Watching them act as hobos on the street in that music video, I knew then that this would be a forever love as I fell head over heels in love with those Tulsa (Zac) boys ;)

Come to think of it, I wrote about the "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'"  video eons ago because it featured none other than Weird Al Yankovic! Amazing! Actually it was almost 2 years ago that it was posted :) Cool!

Anyways, I am quite excited about this release as it's good for the soul. One of my favourite tracks is actually sung by Zac Hanson called "Use Me Up" and it's so technically brilliant in the most simplistic of ways. This brotherly trio still gets to my soul after all these years :) Now, I find my mature lust moves on to Taylor... what can I say - I love them all!

Buy the album "Shout it Out" and love up their wonderful talent and production! I'm so impressed :)

I'm going to post it below, because I feel you'll fall in love with it, too :)


Enjoy Zac singing in "Use Me Up" below!