About Wendy Hofstetter

Wendy is the Social Media Manager for Udi's Gluten Free Foods. Relatively new to the gluten free diet, Wendy is exploring the world of gluten free living one delicious bite at a time.

5 Gluten Free Recipes for Passover

Posted on Friday, April 6, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

Of all the holidays celebrated, Passover may be one of the easiest for those eating gluten free. Why? During the eight days of Passover, those who observe tradition do not eat any regular breads or baked goods. Wheat, oats, barley, rye, and spelt are forbidden, with the exception of matzo, which is made with flour and water. ¹

I have had the pleasure of attending multiple Passover Seder dinners and am always intrigued by the important role food plays in this tradition. One of my favorite memories comes from the Maror (or bitter herbs) part of a Seder I attended about five years ago. The person in charge of grocery shopping for the event picked up horseradish (or so she thought) to represent the bitter herbs. As each of us took a bite, we quickly realized she had purchased atomic horseradish! Our eyes were watering from the heat burning through our noses, but we laughed our way through it.

If you are interested in hosting your own gluten free Passover Seder, or just want to try a few traditional Passover dishes, check out these gluten free recipes from around the web.

1. Gluten Free Matzo
Matzo is the unleavened bread allowed during Passover, but it is typically made with non-gluten free flours. Jules Gluten Free has created a gluten free version that only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Plus, this recipe post includes some interesting history on matzo.

2. Matzo Ball Soup
This Passover classic is comfort food at its best. Traditionally this recipe contains wheat (from the matzo), but in this version (called Potato Knaidelach) from The Shiksa in the Kitchen, potato dumplings are used instead to make it gluten free.

3. Braised Brisket
Brisket is a traditional main dish for Passover meals. According to the author of this recipe, it tastes better the day after you cook it!

4. Carrot Kugel
What is a kugel? According to Wikipedia, it’s a baked Jewish pudding or casserole that is served as a side dish. Try this carrot kugel recipe from Elana’s pantry for your Passover table.

5. Chocolate Rolled Angel Cake
The best way to end a Passover Seder is with a dessert everyone will be talking about. This chocolate rolled angel cake from Gluten Free Canteen fits that bill! With chocolate, raspberry, and espresso flavors it will go great with a cup of coffee.

Have your own favorite Passover recipes? Share them below in the comment section.

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenfreefoodshopping/a/Passover.htm

5 Healthy Gluten Free Snacks

Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

Have you noticed how popular gluten free has become in the past year? Every news broadcast, food-based website, and health-oriented magazine is talking about it and providing advice for those interested. Whether you have to eat gluten free out of necessity or are looking to make healthy changes to your diet, it is important to understand that not all gluten free foods are healthy.

You can find gluten free doughnuts, cookies, and cakes that still have sugars and fats. As with any diet, these foods can still be enjoyed, as long as you enjoy them in moderation. (I am fond of our new dark chocolate brownie bites, which are great as a special treat!)

Lately, I have been seeking healthy snack options to keep my weight and nutrition in balance. Below are five delicious, gluten free foods that are perfect for munching on between meals.

Carrot Oat Protein Balls
I made these bite sized snacks this past weekend to bring with me to work or as an on-the-go breakfast for my commute. Carrots are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and potassium.¹Our Au Naturel granola and the almond flour used in this recipe provide protein to help you stay full. Each ball has 109 calories.Ingredients:

1 cup of Udi’s Gluten Free Au Naturel granola
2 cups of almond meal
3 teaspoons of baking powder
4 tablespoons of coconut oil, melted
1 cup of carrots cooked
¼ cup sliced almonds, crushed

Directions:

Grind the granola in a food processor to create an oat flour
Mix the ground granola with the 2 cups of almond meal in a large bowl
Add the baking powder and melted coconut oil and stir until well combined
Add the cooked carrots to your food processor and blend until puréed
Add the carrot purée to the oat/almond meal mixture and stir well
Roll the dough into balls and then roll in the crushed almonds to coat
Place balls on a non-stick baking sheet and cook in the over for 25 minutes at 350 degrees
Remove balls from the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes and then place in the refrigerator to harden
Yield: 24-28 balls

2. Jalapeños with Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
These spicy snacks are the adult version of “ants on a log.” I eat mine without raisins, but if you need to cut the heat add your favorite dried fruit on top. To make, simply cut jalapeños in half, remove the seeds, and fill with your favorite nut butter. Jalapeños are a good source of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and contain a substance called capsaicin, which may help boost your metabolism.² One word of caution: wear gloves or wash your hands immediately after removing the jalapeño seeds to ensure you don’t touch your face and burn your eyes!

3. Plain Greek Yogurt With Cranberry Granola
Greek yogurt, which has a tangy flavor and a thick consistency, has double the amount of protein and half the amount of sugar as regular plain yogurt with the same calorie count.³ Add 1/8 cup of our Gluten Free Cranberry Granola for some crunch and sweetness for only 60 additional calories.

4. Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
This snack is a fun idea for both kids and adults! Simply grab skewers (or gluten free pretzel sticks) and add your favorite fruits and cheeses. My favorite combination includes red grapes and Gouda cheese.

5. Toast with Avocado
This snack is quick and easy to make, plus it provides your body with heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Avocados are also a great source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C, K, folate, and B6.⁴ Grab one piece of your favorite Udi’s Gluten Free bread (I would highly recommend our new Millet-Chia Bread), toast it to your liking, and place a half avocado on top. Top with pepper or your favorite gluten free seasoning.

Have other healthy, gluten free snack ideas to share? Comment below!

Sources

Announcing Our Newest Gluten Free Products

Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

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This past weekend, we attended the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. With over 58,000 professionals in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry who showcased their best products and introduced new ones, this was a great event for Udi’s to show what we’ve been cooking.

We introduced three new gluten free products that we know you will be excited about. Without further ado, here they are:

1. Vanilla Cupcakes
These moist, delicious vanilla cupcakes are so good, you won’t want to save them just for special occasions. Add a little frosting or eat them right out of the package, either way they are a tasty treat that helps you stick to your gluten-free lifestyle. {Note: Frosting is not included}

2. Classic French Dinner Rolls
Finally, dinner is complete. Our delicious Gluten Free Classic French Dinner Rolls are perfect for sharing at dinner with family or friends. These delicious rolls rival any gluten containing roll. They are so good, no one will know they are gluten free!

3. Whole Grain Seeded Dinner Rolls
Our Gluten Free Whole Grain Seeded Dinner Rolls are just as delicious as our Classic French Dinner Rolls, they just happen to be more nutritious. These rolls are loaded with healthy chia, sunflower, and flax seeds.

4. Classic French Baguette
Family style dining just got better with our new Classic French Baguette. Break off a crusty slice, dip it in your favorite sauce, and savor the joy of this gluten free life.

Are you ready to try our new products? Start looking for them this Summer at your local conventional or natural grocery store. In the meantime, tell us…

Which of these products are you most excited to try? Comment below.

Announcing Our Video Contest Winners

Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

Last month, we launched a video contest asking our social media fans to tell us how Udi’s Gluten Free Foods have changed their lives. Video submissions ranged from serious to funny to downright entertaining. We received a total of seventeen videos, but were only able to award five of them with prizes. Below are the winners’ videos, but to view all seventeen submissions, click here.

1. Best Overall Video: “How Mateo Got His Groove Back” by zombierobphotography
This video tells a wonderful story about a little boy named Mateo who got “his groove” back after switching to gluten free foods. Be sure to look for all of the Udi’s Gluten Free Foods cameo appearances.

2. Most Viewed Video: “Gluten Free/ New Year, New Car, New Job, New Foods” by TJKnowsThings
From an opinion about the Mayan calendar to thoughts on how Udi’s Gluten Free Foods can make you feel better about indulging, this video has it all. This entry had the most views out of all the other entries.

3. Best Product Feature: “My Udi’s New Year New You Story” by EZGlutenFree
Get ready for your mouth to water! This video shows many fantastic ways to use Udi’s Gluten Free products in recipes. This entry left us wanting more.

4. Funniest Video: “The Bread Crumb Diaries” by croznut
Don’t be fooled by the serious intro! This video submission made us laugh out loud at how serious an Udi’s Gluten Free addiction can be.

5. Funniest Video: “One Last Piece” by SamLasky
You probably noticed that this is the second“Funniest Video” we listed. Originally we had a “Best Music Video” award, but didn’t receive any submissions that fit the criteria. We were so torn between this video by SamLasky and the video above, that we decided to give away two “Funniest Video” awards. Enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

The contest may be over, but we still want to hear from you! Comment below with how Udi’s Gluten Free Foods have made a new you.

Peanut Butter Balls {Gluten-Free}

Posted on Friday, January 27, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

Last week I asked our Facebook fans if they have recipes that are so good, nobody can tell they are gluten-free. From cupcakes to orange chicken, our fans had a number of recipes that gluten-free and gluten-full people alike enjoy. (If you want to read through the responses to this question, click here.)

After much deliberation, I decided I wanted to share with you one of my “famous” recipes that is just as good gluten (and dairy) free. I say much deliberation, because I wasn’t sure I wanted to give away the secret! Plus, I made the gluten-free version for my family this past holiday season, but told them it was the “regular” version to see if they could tell a difference. They couldn’t! In fact, they still don’t know they were gluten-free. I also tested the gluten-free, dairy-free version on my co-worker Susannah here at Udi’s and she was in peanut butter heaven.

Warning: If you make this recipe and share with friends or family, you will be asked to make it again. And again. And again. Be prepared!

Peanut Butter Balls
Yields 24-36 balls

Ingredients

2 cups Gluten Free Rice Krispies® (original Rice Krispies® are NOT gluten-free, so be sure to grab the right box)
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 stick of butter, softened (for a dairy-free version try Earth Balance Vegan Butter Sticks)
Up to 1 pound of powdered sugar (amount varies based on test and texture of the peanut butter you are using)
Melting chocolate (I typically buy the trays available at most grocery stores. For a dairy-free version you can melt Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips)

Directions

In a large bowl, crush Rice Krispies with the back of a large spoon (or crush them in a food processor if you have one available).
Add peanut butter and softened butter to the bowl and mix thoroughly until the Rice Krispies are well incorporated.
Begin adding powdered sugar to the mixture 1/4 pound at a time and stir well. Keep adding sugar until all of it is mixed into the Rice Krispies/peanut butter mixture. The dough should be stiff and should not stick to your hands.
Roll the mixture into small balls and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. (I usually put the balls into a baking pan to store in the fridge.
Heat the melting chocolate according to directions or melt dairy-free chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat until all chocolate is melted.
Roll the peanut butter balls in the melted chocolate and place on wax paper to dry. Note: if you use dairy-free chocolate chips to coat the peanut butter balls, you may need to place them in the freezer for 20 minutes to set the chocolate.
Enjoy! They go especially well with a cup of coffee or some chai.

I would love to hear if you decide to make these peanut butter balls! Be sure to come back and leave a comment with your thoughts below.

Different Ways To Use Udi’s Gluten Free Products {Discussion}

Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

This past November we launched our new Udi’s Gluten Free Living Community as a place for people eating gluten free to connect with others. We have just under 6,000 members in our community and many more coming to read the content. I have personally been amazed at all of the gluten-free tips and suggestions our community members and community leaders have posted.

This week, Arlene from Flour On My Face posed this question: How Many Different Ways Can You Use Udi’s Products? Check out what people are saying below and be sure to add your own suggestions!

5 Healthy, Gluten-Free Recipes For The New Year

Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2012 by Wendy Hofstetter

Now that we are five days into the New Year, I wanted to check in with you on your New Year’s resolutions. Did you make any (like one of these 4 gluten-free resolutions we suggested)? Have you kept them so far? One of my personal resolutions is to focus on finding healthier gluten-free options that can help fuel my half-marathon training schedule for the next four months.

Gluten-free does not necessarily mean low calorie or fat free, so I have scoured the internet to find five healthy, gluten-free recipes that you can feel good about eating.

1. Stuffed Peppers
The more colorful a dish is on my plate, the healthier it seems. Ok, so maybe this isn’t ALWAYS true. I mean, Cheetos are bright orange and they are definitely not in my “healthy” or “gluten free” category. However, this recipe for Stuffed Peppers from Elana’s Pantry is a bright and healthy dish that goes great with rice. I usually pick red or orange bell peppers, because I digest them easier, but you can use whichever kind of pepper stirs your taste buds. Bonus: This dish is also dairy-free!

2. Zucchini Noodles and Thai-Inspired Chicken Curry

Photo Courtesy of Alta at Tasty Eats At Home

Have you ever heard of zucchini noodles? Me neither! Alta from Tasty Eats at home created this inventive dish after going grain free. I love thai food…the flavors, the textures, the smells. This healthy option is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or make it ahead of time for an exotic lunch at work.

3. Salmon, Fresh Blueberries and Lemon Salad with Chive Vinaigrette

Salads are a staple in every health-minded woman’s (or man’s) mind, but not all salads are healthy. (Cobb anyone?). This recipe posted by Anne-Marie at This Mama Cooks! incorporates one of nature’s super foods: blueberries.

4. Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Photo courtesy of Sommer at A Spicy Perspective

When cold weather hits, I’m all about the soup. Sommer, from A Spicy Perspective, shows how to make this delicious bowl of warmth from scratch. According to her, “This roasted red pepper soup is gluten free, dairy free, low carb, low calorie and oh so delightful.” After checking out the photos she posted, I have to agree it does look deliciously gluten-free!

5. Flourless Honey Almond Cake
Each of us needs a little something sweet occasionally. This recipe for Flourless Honey Almond Cake from Eating Well is the perfect weekend treat.

What are your favorite healthy, gluten-free meals? Comment below!

4 Gluten Free New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2011 by Wendy Hofstetter

It’s that time of year again…New Year’s resolution time. According to a Forbes article from earlier today, 44% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. No doubt many of them are focused on weight loss, eating healthier, and focusing on what is important in life. Last year, my resolution was to quit complaining. Let’s just say by March, I had amended that resolution to “limit complaining”.

If you’re reading our blog, gluten free living is likely a key priority for you or something you are considering for the new year. So, as we get ready to toast 2011 away, consider choosing one (or all) of these four gluten-free New Year’s resolutions to try for 2012.

Get Familiar With Foods That Are Naturally Gluten Free
I’ve seen it said in many comments on our Facebook page or in our new Gluten Free Living community. Starting a gluten free diet can be extremely overwhelming, especially when you start focusing on foods you can’t have. Instead, decide to focus on foods you can have by getting familiar with all of the things that are naturally gluten free. This list of naturally gluten free products from Kroger is a great resource and can help you create your weekly grocery shopping list. Fruits, veggies, meat, milk, rice…the list is longer than you might think.
Try One New Gluten Free Recipe A Week
It is easy to get caught up in what I call the “gluten-free funk.” Has this happened to you? You rotate the same five meals each week until you’re so sick of chicken and rice that you can’t stand one more bite! The good news is, there are a number of bloggers who post unique and delicious gluten-free recipes each week. Some of our favorites include Gluten Free Girl and the Chef, Discover Gluten Freedom, and Tasty Eats at Home. For 2012, vow to try one new meal per week (or even per month!) to help get you excited about what you’re putting in your body.
Join A Gluten Free Group
Chatting with others who are eating gluten free can help inspire and educate you. If you have celiac disease, I recommend finding a local celiac disease support group. If you’re new to a gluten-free diet or interested in connecting with other people at all stages in their gluten-free quest, check out our new Udi’s Gluten Free Living community and post some comments!
Host A Gluten Free Gathering
There are many differing opinions about gluten-free diets, especially among those who don’t have to eat gluten free. Finding support from your family and friends can be tricky, but hosting a gluten free gathering at your home can help educate them and shift their opinion about your decision to go gluten free. Make some tasty gluten free appetizers and/or desserts, and have a discussion about why you decided to eat gluten free (whether by choice or necessity). Our snickerdoodle cookies are a quick and easy snack that we guarantee your friends and family will love. Also check out this video for making pizza bite appetizers using our gluten-free bread.

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2012? Have other tips for gluten free resolutions? Comment below.

Author Archives: Wendy Hofstetter