The Gluten-Free & Unique Highlights of Expo West

March 10, 2014|Food & Beverage|Caroline Sarda4

Gluten-Free was front and center this year at Expo West 2014 – which broke records this year.  Imagine this: 67,000 industry members showed up to see what more than 2,600 exhibiting companies had on display.  This year also saw the most first-time exhibitors in the event’s history with a lot of hot new products.

I tasted and sampled many products, some of which I will be adding to XL Vita. I will soon be sharing those with you but in the meantime, here are the products that stood out for me amongst thousands of products.

Gluten-Free Pizza

Chef Anthony Russo’s All-Natural gluten-free Pizza – This pizza was outstanding. The thin crust has the perfect consistency of regular pizza crust. Even if you don’t have a sentitivty or allergy to gluten, there is no denying that eating gluten is not good for you. But who doesn’t like pizza? So, if you’re looking for a ready-made gluten-free pizza, you will love Russo’s. I’m sure it would make any Italian mama proud!

This pizza is a real winner! It is by far the best gluten-free pizza I have ever tasted. They aren’t national yet but are currently available at HEB, Kroger, Tom Thumbs and independents in Texas, New Seasons Markets in Portland, Yokes and Huckleberrys in eastern Washington, Reasors in Oklahoma and will soon to be available in Whole Foods and Albertson’s in the Rocky Mountain areas.

Gluten-Free Vegan Burgers

Carla Lee’s gluten-free NutBurgers – This is a yummy vegetarian burger like no other I have ever tasted. I sampled a Thai Coconut NutBurger and NutTacos. They are:

• 100% Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Soy-Free
• Non-GMO

With ingredients like organic brown rice, organic carrot juice, sunflower seeds, cashews, avocado oil, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric, avocado, sea salt, black pepper, sage, cumin seed, how can you go wrong?!

Found in the frozen section of your health store or grocery store, these NutBurgers will help anyone maintain a healthy plant-based diet without sacrificing taste, texture, and flavor. I normally never eat frozen foods but have to admit that I went nuts for NutBurgers!

Gluten-Free Organic Vegan Kosher Ice-Cream

Mr. Dewie’s is a dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free “ice cream” alternative, made from almond and now cashew milk. Last year and tasted and loved their almond milk desserts – I even wrote about them. This year, I tried their new cashew milk desserts and was in heaven.

Their Chocolate was creamy and actually tasted like chocolate. Patrick, my hubby, who is particular about his chocolate being that he’s Swiss, asked for seconds and made all kinds of ooos and awwws while stuffing his face. Their Caramel Almond Crunch was out of this world. Their desserts are delicious and decadent that it takes only a spoonful to be in dessert heaven.

Mr. Dewie’s desserts are:

• Non-GMO
• Kosher
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Made with organic ingredients

Gluten-Free Water (imagine that!!!)

Vertical Water – I was walking right passed this booth because it was the end of the day and my feet were aching but my head kept turning as I walked by.   I was intrigued. 100% pure maple water? This was something I have never seen.  Vertical Water is:

• Clear, crisp, and pure with a delightful, hint-of-maple flavor that would be great on its own or in a smoothie.
• Only 15 calories per serving – that is one tasty, low-calory drink!
• Made with a mission to conserve American forests. Instead of selling the wood from their forests, owners can keep more trees vertical by sharing their maple trees’ water (hence the name Vertical Water).
• AND!  gluten-free !!!  😉

You should be able to find these fantastic products at a health food store or grocery near you. Check their websites for locations.

Have you tried any of these brands? What are your favorite gluten-free, dairy-free foods? I’d love to know!