Gluten Free Cheesecake

So… while I was at Safeway picking up a turkey and havarti panini for lunch on Monday, I also went to the bakery section. I love sweets and all things dessert, so I just had to check out the cakes.

Black forest cake, carrot cake, fruit flan, Oreo cake, Boston cream pie…

And then I saw… gluten free cheesecake.

This is a big deal to me because:

1. I love cheesecake.
2. I enjoy gluten free food, especially gluten free desserts.

Needless to say, I bought a platter of gluten free cheesecake in four flavours: New York, raspberry swirl, triple chocolate, and chocolate chip. I wanted to try them all, but my gut instinct told me to try raspberry first. I was pleasantly surprised. The crust, which was made of walnut, had a nice hint of nutmeg and just the right amount of sweetness. It held up well, but what surprised me was how well it worked with the cream cheese filling, which was creamy, rich, smooth, sweet, and slightly tangy. This was not the best cheesecake I’ve ever had, but it’s very good for a gluten free cheesecake.

What is your favourite cheesecake?

❤ Jessica

Oodles of Noodles

When I’m busy and need to fix a quick lunch, I typically stick with sandwiches, salads, or soups.

Today, however, I found out that noodles aren’t as time consuming as I’d thought they would be.

With a pasta maker and 15 minutes, you can easily replicate this savoury noodle dish consisting of egg noodles, a pre-made meat sauce, and raw cucumbers.

Another great thing about this dish is its versatility. If you are craving something Italian, you can make fettuccine Alfredo or penne with mushroom Bolognese. If you want something Asian, turn this dish into a lo mein stir fry! The options are endless, so have fun with it!

❤ Jessica

Turkey and Havarti Panini

Today, I fell in love with a panini.

A turkey and havarti panini from Safeway’s Signature Cafe. All I am going to say is that: turkey + havarti on Country Wheat bread = one delicious combo.

If the other paninis are as good as this one, I think I will have to visit Safeway’s deli counter more often…

Have you tried Safeway’s Signature Cafe paninis?

PS. I was searching for the nutritional stats when I stumbled upon Chatterpie Kitchen. Is the secret ingredient really Caesar salad dressing? I must put this one to the test!

❤ Jessica

Sunny Sundays

This week’s eats:

Pomegranate raspberry sherbetBanana breadCantaloupeLemon Coconut Simply BarAnd last but not least, steak and potatoes homemade flatbread for dinner today. Other news:

1. I attended a dinner party yesterday night, and someone brought the best pastries ever. So… what did I do? I hunted her down, of course, and asked for her recipe. She was super-duper nice and gave me not only the recipe, but some of her tips and tricks and the leftover pastries as well. I can’t wait to share it with you guys. Keep your eyes peeled!
2. I’m all caught up now on Season 4 of MasterChef. Hallelujah! I think Jordan, James, and Jessie will make the top three.

❤ Jessica

Simply Delicious

I was at Costco the other day stocking up on Almond Breeze and hummus when this caught my eye. It’s not a granola bar…
It’s a protein bar called the Simply Bar!

You see, I don’t usually eat protein bars because:

1. They are high in calories, carbs, and sugar.
2. I like to get my protein from minimally processed/natural/”real” food.

But I bought a pack of these because of their amazing nutritional stats. 160 calories, 16g of protein, 3g of sugar, 4g of fibre, 4g of fat, and made from only nine ingredients! Wow.So far, I have tried the Peanut Butter Chocolate, Caramel Peanut, and Lemon Coconut. (More posts on those later!) My favourite is the Lemon Coconut because of the intense coconut and lemon flavours. The tartness of the lemon cuts out the sweetness, making it light and balanced, while the coconut on top gives it a nice texture.

I highly recommend these because they are the best protein bars I’ve ever had. See if your Costco carries them. If not, many health and wellness stores might have them in stock. And if you just can’t find them in stores, shop online at http://www.thesimplybar.com.

Have a wonderful weekend!

❤ Jessica