I do try not to eat a lot of processed foods but sometimes life gets in the way and you need to grab something fast. I also like to try things that I can’t usually get gluten free in a restaurant. There are plenty of other supermarket own brands that are amazing quality but Asda, Sainsbury & M&S are my nearest so most of my shopping comes from there. I will be trying more over the next few weeks so watch this space. These are my tried and trusted favourites.
Asda Garlic Baguette
I almost cried when I first tried this because when I first went gluten free, garlic bread was the thing I missed the most with a Spaghett Bolognese or Carbonara. I tried a couple of flatbread style ones but they just didn’t hit the spot. This one crisps up well and is lovely and soft in the centre. Perfect consistency and so tasty.
Warburton’s Tiger Loaf
The search for bread has been a long and difficult road over the years but when Warburton’s launched their artisan range it took things up a notch quality wise. This is one of the few loaves that I actually use to make a sandwich as usually gluten free bread is only acceptable to me if its toasted. Warburton’s have recently launched the seeded version of this which is just as good. Only criticism is that you sometimes get holes running through, less than with other brands but still ruins a good sandwich.
Sainsbury’s Free From Scottish Salmon Fishcakes
I have got these a few times on a yellow sticker deal so can often be bought for less than £2. Large, thick portions which makes a change for a gluten free product, and packed full of salmon. One is plenty with some veg or chips and salad.
M&S Honey & Mustard Dinky Sausages
Another item that is not readily available in many places. A bit pricy but nice for a treat or picnic. You get a decent amount in the pack to (almost) justify the price – great for sharing. Also easy to eat the whole box as why share with people who can eat the cheaper version!
M&S Made Without Wheat Spaghetti Carbonara
The dietary information for this meal lights up red like a Christmas tree so definitely not one for every day but this was once my go to if I ever needed lunch to heat up at the office as I worked next to an M&S so have tried a lot of their range. I don’t make carbonara at home as my husband isn’t a fan so I really enjoy this as an occasional treat. Spaghetti stays al dente with no sogginess and the sauce is really tasty.
Asda Fusilli/Penne
This is one of the best supermarket branded pastas I have tried. Most of them go too soft or soggy (including the Asda gluten free spaghetti from the same range which used to be good but just recently has started boiling down to mush). I find this Fusilli and the Penne to be consistently good.Add to boiling water for 11 minutes, no more no less and it holds its shape perfectly.
Kikkoman Gluten Free Soy Sauce
I cook a lot of Chinese and Thai Style food and this is great for stir fries. I still find it a bit frustrating that we cant differentiate between light and dark soy with gluten free versions but I am so grateful to have it. Goes in my homemade egg fried rice as well as my regular stir fries and Thai Basil Pork. The same brand does a gluten free Teriyaki which I am yet to try.
Asda Free From Chicken Kievs
Giving Asda a lot of love in this blog but I do really enjoy a lot of their range and feel like they are constantly adding to it and improving their existing products. Decent sized portions and good quality chicken. Great for a something to throw in the oven with some chips when I’m late home from work.
M&S Made Without Wheat Sausage Rolls
Another time where I had tried other brands in the early days and given up on getting good quality. I was not impressed with the Genius frozen version as they seem to go brittle in the oven, however the M&S fresh offering is lovely hot or cold. Nice texture and not too crumbly. I usually end up getting these at the motorway services if the sandwich options are limited.
Schar Brioche Rolls
The only choice if I am making burgers. These are the same ones that are used for the McDonalds gluten free burgers in Italy and a couple of other locations in Europe. I do find them a bit stodgy when uncooked but they are fab when lightly toasted.
Old El Paso Tortilla Wraps and Tacos
The tacos are naturally gluten free so can be found in the usual Mexican food section in most larger supermarkets. The wraps can be bought as part of a recipe kit or separately. I find these to be the most flexible and they really do roll rather than fold so you don’t get the cracking or breaking up that you get with some of the other brands.
Schar Gluten Free Pizza Bases
I enjoy the Schar ready made frozen pizzas but there’s usually just a choice of plain cheese and tomato or salami so I usually prefer to get these bases and make my own. You get 2 full size bases in each pack (approx £3-£3.50) which are individually sealed for freshness. I usually use tomato puree mixed with fresh tomatoes and then top with fresh or dried herbs, pepperoni and mozzarella or chicken and peppers, sometime with green pesto. I find they need a bit longer to cook than what is stated on the pack, but other than that my preferred option for pizza at home.
We Love Cake Sticky Toffee Cakes
There are a few in this range, I have also tried the Raspberry Ripple flavour which are also lovely but the Sticky Toffee are my current favourite. They come in individually sealed packs of two with two in each box so four in total. Each portion is pretty much bite size so I do usually end up eating both. Nice light consistency, good quality topping and sprinkles – very sweet.
Asda Free From Chicken and Mushroom Rice Noodle Pot
I haven’t found anything close to replicating a Pot Noodle but this new-ish offering from Asda isn’t a bad effort. Poor water, stir and leave for 4 minutes. I usually stop the water just below the line as I like my noodles to pretty much absorb all the water. I was impressed with the fact that for the first time every all the dried ingredients mixed in successfully and didn’t leave the usual concentrated goop in the bottom of the pot. I had previously quite enjoyed the Singapore Noodle pot from the old free from range but these seem to have been phased out or at least not available for a while in my branch.
Promise Bread Rolls
Another of the small handful of options that I can eat as a sandwich without toasting. Lovely light airy texture. The white ones are very floury though and it gets everywhere so make sure you’ve got a piece of kitchen roll handy! I’ve also recently tried their sliced seeded loaf which was tasty but a little on the heavy/dense side. Think they’ve cracked it with these rolls though.
Asda Free From Profiteroles
These are frozen and have to be defrosted before eating. The pack instructions say 1 hour 15 minutes, I would say closer to 2 hours or more is needed but depends on preference. Not too dry and good amount of cream filling. Small separate sachets of chocolate sauce provided so you can split into portions.
Sainsbury’s Free From Cheese and Bacon Quiche
Asda used to do an almost full sized quiche and then it suddenly ceased to exist. Picked up this smaller version in Sainsbury’s which is very good. Pastry a nice texture and not overly thick or crumbly so doesn’t fall apart. Would be nice to have a larger size to share with someone else or last longer. M&S and Tesco have similar sized options but I prefer the Sainsbury’s version. They also do a cheese and onion flavour.
Birdseye Gluten Free Fish Fingers
These have been around for ages and they also do the full sized breaded cod fillets. I always keep a pack of these in the freezer as I love a fish finger sandwich with salt, vinegar and ketchup. Coating stays crisp and the fish is flaky without falling apart.
Whitby Seafoods Gluten Free Wholetail Scampi
I have bought this in Asda and Morrisons previously. Nice light crispy coating and tasty non-slimy fish. There is probably just enough to make two meals from one box these days and thats possibly being generous. Nice with chips and garden peas, takes me back to my 80s/90s childhood freezer dinners when Scampi was the height of luxury in our house!
Asda Free From Gravy Granules (ChIcken)
After wavering back and forth with Bisto Best for years and eventually believing it to be causing me to react in some way, I gave this one a try and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a fraction of the price and can be made to a lovely thick consistency. I have also tried the beef version which I don’t think is anywhere near as good, too salty and sometimes doesn’t thicken up well. The chicken one is now the preferred option for my Sunday Roast.
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