Kettle Cuisine was founded in 1986 by Jerry Shafir after he identified a need in the marketplace for quality soups in the food service industry. The following information is from the Kettle Cuisine website:
In 1986, Restaurateurs serving soup had two options: make it themselves or buy poor quality canned or frozen premade soups. The finest Restaurateurs were not comfortable serving the premade options to their guests so they endured the high labor costs and taste and texture inconsistencies of making soup themselves. The opportunity, as Jerry saw it, was to provide discerning Chefs operating the kitchens of the finest eateries a better option; high quality, fresh, refrigerated soup that they could be proud to serve.
Kettle Cuisine was born. Working closely with Chefs, Jerry developed a limited line of fresh soups using only the finest quality, natural food ingredients and well tested artisan cooking techniques. In the early years, Jerry traveled door to door shopping his new concept around to Chefs who had grown skeptical of premade soups. However, once they tried the finished products they could taste the difference and gradually, one-by-one restaurants in the Greater Boston area began giving Jerry and Kettle Cuisine a chance. Click this link to continue reading about the history and philosophy of Kettle Cuisine…
Upon its 20th anniversary, Kettle Cuisine embarked on a new venture to deliver gluten free soups directly to consumers. When Jerry’s daughter Kate was diagnosed with Celiac Disease nearly twenty years ago and was forced to live on a gluten free diet, Jerry quickly realized how limited the prepared food options were for this growing community of people. In 2006, when the FDA proposed a formal definition for gluten free foods, Jerry finally had his opportunity to serve this community with great tasting, wholesome, real food products. This line of ten single serving, frozen soups is now available in grocery stores in over forty states.
I’ve seen the Kettle Cuisine soups at many of my local grocery stores, but never felt compelled to try them since I make most everything from scratch anymore, but when Kettle Cuisine contacted me and asked if they could send me a few complimentary samples to review, I couldn’t say no! I was curious if they were as good as I have heard others talk about in cyberspace and if they were, I would not mind keeping a few on hand for those inevitable moments when I’m caught unprepared and need to feed my family in a hurry! 😀
All 10 varieties of Kettle Cuisine’s single serving frozen soups are Certified Gluten-Free by GFCO. While 6 of the 10 soups are dairy-free, they do not test the products for casein . The soups are also made in a peanut-free facility. To learn more, please visit Kettle Cuisine’s FAQ page on their website.
We received the following soups to try: Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles, Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables and the Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans.
I can only tell you how the soups were received by my family since I still can’t taste anything (5 1/2 months and counting, but I have an MRI on Monday, so hopefully this will all end soon…and probably because I am going die in the tube from clautrophobia). 😯
Anyhoo, my guys LOVED the chicken noodle and the tomato soup with garden veggies but they were only so-so on the chili. My husband said the flavor of the chili was great, but it was a bit thick in consistency for his personal preference (he’s just too used to the chili I make, which is more soupy and made with ground beef instead of steak).
As you can see, the Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles is packed with big chunks of chicken and vegetables…so different from the canned chicken noodle soup I grew up on, LOL!
Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Chicken Meat, Carrots, Rice Noodles (stone-ground brown rice, rice bran, water), Celery, Onions, Chicken Fat, Sea Salt, Spices.
The Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables was a big hit with my boys, especially with a few homemade gluten-free “Cheez-Its” added on top (this photo was taken before we discovered Luke’s casein intolerance).
Ingredients: Water, Diced Tomatoes in Juice (tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, calcium chloride, citric acid), Ground Tomatoes (tomatoes, salt, citric acid), Zucchini, Summer Squash, Onions, Yellow Beans, Green Beans, Carrots, Celery, Olive Oil, Rice Flour, Scallions, Corn Oil, Spices, Sea Salt, Garlic.
I think the thick consistency of the Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans would make for a great hot dog Coney sauce, or to top baked potatoes!
Ingredients: Tomatoes (tomatoes, salt, citric acid), Angus Beef, Onions, Red Chili Beans, Green Peppers, Green Chilies (green chile peppers, salt, citric acid), Tomato Paste (tomatoes, citric acid), Spices, Pork Fat, Paprika, Sea Salt, Garlic, Organic Pepper Sauce (organic apple cider vinegar, water, organic cayenne puree, salt, organic garlic, xanthan gum, organic spices).
Here’s an idea: Kettle Cuisine gluten-free soups should be available in every hospital for gluten-free patients! The last time I had an overnight stay at a hospital, when Luke was born, there was NOTHING safe for me to eat, which just seemed preposterous to me, being medical facility and all. Kettle Cuisine has an entire section of their website specifically for Foodservice. Just sayin’… 😉
Kettle Cuisine has kindly offered to give one reader (2) FREE product coupons, and two additional readers will each receive (2) $1.00 off product coupons.
To enter for a chance to win, simply leave a comment to this post about:
Which Kettle Cuisine Soup you would like to try most? (click here to go to their product page)
Bonus Entry Opportunities **(Be sure to leave a separate comment for each additional task you complete since this is how I keep track of entries):
- ‘Like’ Kettle Cuisine on Facebook
- ‘Follow’ Kettle Cuisine on Twitter
Using the Random Number Generator, I will pick the winners on Friday, October 29, 2010.
Good Luck! 😀
And welcome to my blog!
Whether you're here looking for advice on how to go gluten free (with delicious kid-approved recipes of course!), or to read some of the latest medical research on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity...or even to read about one woman's rise from the depths of gluten-free despair to a place of downright enthusiasm, it makes no matter. The point is, you are here now so let's have some fun!
The grilled chicken and corn chowder sounds really yummy, but I'd most like to try the chicken noodle soup. Oh, how I miss that. I'm still relatively new to the GF world so haven't learned to cook much with GF products focusing mostly on whole foods, but being sick with a cold last week, chicken and noodle soup was sorely missed.
Liked KC on FB
I think my monkey would like the Carrot and Coriander or the Roasted Veggie. I know he would like the tomato, but the corn oil nixes that one for us. I want to try the Chicken Chili with White Bean (monkey can't have as not dairy free).
I don't think I have noticed these in my local stores. 🙂
I would love to try the Tomato (with an Udi's grilled cheese sandwich, of course).
I had an MRI less than a month ago and get claustrophobic. I survived and you will too:) Hope you will receive answers to whatever is leading you to this procedure.
Would love to try new soup. The chicken with rice noodle sounds great. I like to have soup on hand for the sick days.
I've been on a seafood soup kick lately, so I'd love to try the New England clam chowder.
The roasted veggie soup is looking pretty good to me!
I would love to try the chicken noodle soup. It looks great. And I totally agree with you Heidi. It is outrageous that you cannot eat gf safe in a hospital! I had a very serious case of pneumonia last February and I wouldn't go to the hospital like they wanted because I was so afraid of being glutened (I have read many comments on hospital experiences like yours). Then to add insult to injury the pharmicist said he was not able to find out if the 3 prescriptions I was given – at 7pm at night – were gluten free. It is not right and something needs to be done – I'm just not sure where to start. By the way, my daughter was able to find out on the computer within 5 minutes that the prescriptions were safe to take. Sorry about the soapbox!
Heidi – I hope you get some answers after your MRI! You poor thing!
I would love to try the chili or chicken noodle soup. The tomato soup looks good, but I don't have the patience to make those awesome looking Cheese Its! LOL!
Kim
I, too, have heard great things about Kettle soups. And I am looking forward to trying them on a crisp fall day. Chicken noodles and carrot coriander are first on my list. I really like how high the protein content is in the chicken noodle (it actually has chicken in it!). I wish the carrot coriander had some protein, but I'll have it with some turkey. It would be great if they made a gluten, soy, and dairy free turkey/chicken pot pie soup!!!!!!! Yum! More non-dairy soups would be great!!!! Oh, Manhattan Clam chowder would be a great addition as well.
The tomato vegetable looks great. I do not eat meat, but I husband would like the chicken noodle!
What a wonderful thing it would be to have GF chicken noodle soup all ready to go in the freezer for days when you're feeling under the weather! Thanks for sharing your review.
Um, all of them!!!!!
I'd love the try the carrot and coriander soup
Hmmmmm, I'm going to have to keep an eye out for these. I'd like to try the Roasted Vegetable Soup.
"I still can’t taste anything (5 1/2 months and counting, but I have an MRI on Monday, so hopefully this will all end soon…and probably because I am going die in the tube from clautrophobia)."
Best wishes, with the MRI.
I apologize for not knowing more about this need for testing for you. But I don't. Sorry.
Gentle hugs…
My daughter loves their soup! Thanks for the opportunity to get it free!
Would love to try the tomato soup with some sliced smoked Swiss cheese on the side!
I have tried the Angus Beef Chili and LOVED IT! I would love to try the Clam Chowder (more for hubby than me…his absolutely favorite soup ever!) and the Three Bean Chili sounds good too! My only concern is the amount of sodium, but I guess you "can't have it all" right? And it is just so great to have some convience gf meals available for those hectic days when dinner is just not going to get done in time! Excellent idea for hospitals!
What good news! I need the chicken noodle soup stat! I'll hope over to Kettle Cuisine's web site in a second.
Best wishes with the MRI. My mother lost her sense of taste for a few years and it mysteriously returned. I hope yours is back soon and that it doesn't have a serious cause.
Thank you Carol. 😀
Hugs,
Heidi
I have already tried the chicken and rice noodle soup and it is the closest to homemade that I have ever had. I would like to try the carrot and corriander. Havent sseen that in my local grocers yet. Thanks for the opportunity to try it free.
These soups are delicious! I've had the Chicken Noodle, Roasted Vegetable, and Carrot Coriander–all very good! I'd love to try their Grilled Chicken and Corn Chowder!
Definitely the chicken noodle. I make homemade for my kids when they are sick but what a find if that comfort food was available when I was sick.
I love this soup!
I have been on a big mushroom kick, so that looks yummy to me. I have seen these in my health food store, but didn't know they were GF. Cant wait to try it!
Good luck with the MRI! No taste?? Very strange and very frustrating I'm sure! And I completely agree about the GF food in a hospital. I was admitted a few months ago when I was 7 months pregnant with my 2nd son with a high white blood cell count (27.9 and it should have been 11-14) and pain in my right side. (had an MRI then…I dont know how I fit in the dang tube 7 mo pregers! LOL!) They removed my appendix and I was there a week. The food was horrible and I was afraid to eat anything other then the rice cakes and fruit. BTW, my appendix was fine. I honestly think I was having a gluten reaction from a dinner I had out the night before. Would that cause a high white blood count for several weeks? My GI doc just kinda diagnosed me and sent me on my way and said dont eat gluten. I have no idea if I should randomly get tested or what. Right now I am having horrible skin reactions on my face and eyes and my dermatologist said to go to someone else…LOL! I guess no one wants to deal with me!
Oh wow Amanda! They didn't take your appendix out while you were still pregnant did they? I am really impressed with your abilities to get in "the tube" at 7 months preggers! You must be one of those lucky, cute and adorable pregnant women who only grow a little bump up front! Not I…my rear grew just as rapidly as my front and it's a good thing because it balanced me out and kept me upright (Sam weighed in at 9 Lbs. and 23" long), LOL!
I'm not sure about the WBC count, I will have to see if I can find any info on that for you.
My story with Dr.'s have been much like yours, hand you a diagnosis and send you on your merry way! I am just now finding out that there is MUCH more involved in maintaining one's health after diagnosis, even when on a strict gluten-free diet. I am thinking of flying to CA. to see Dr. Vikki Petersen and hopefully find out the root cause of my ongoing health issues. I think I have a seriously leaky gut (even though my villi are healed) and might be reacting to other food proteins that are crossing the intestinal barrier…maybe even the trace amounts of gluten that could be present in foods labeled 'gluten-free' (under 20 ppm).
I would DEFINITELY recommend follow-up blood testing on an annual basis. I always ask my doctor to order the tTG-IgA, and the anti-gliadin antibody tests (AGA-IgA and AGA-IgG) to see where my levels are and if gluten is sneaking in (I do not experience any obvious side effects from accidental gluten ingestion, so I have no idea when it happens unless I notice the actual occurrence). I would also recommend talking to your healthcare provider about IgG food allergy (intolerance) testing because if you test positive for any of them, it will let you know you have a leaky gut, which can lead to a lot of very big problems down the road, possibly like what I am dealing with right now.
xo,
Heidi
Yes, they did remove it because they "thought" it was the issue, but the pathology showed my appendix was normal. They checked my kidneys and those were good too. I had a high WBC for several weeks and what was strange was how it would go up high then come back down then go back up. (this was after my appendix was removed) I really trust my OB and I know she would never have put me or the baby through the surgery if she didn't really feel that had been the problem, but to this day no one knows why my body did that. I see her next month for my yearly and may have her check it just out of curiosity. And no…I'm not one of those cute women who you want to kick because they gain 25 perfect pounds all in the right places and then say labor does not hurt one bit and leave the hospital in there size 2's. I was the woman keeping Nabisco stock high because of the amount of Chips Ahoy and Oreos I frantically consumed. LOL! You however deserve a medal for a 9lb baby!
I am like you, I show no "normal" symptoms when I get glutened. I always had constipation issues my whole life and always just chalked it up to a sluggish tummy. My hubby would laugh at me because if I got a normal BM you would think I had won the lotto! LOL! I had thyroid issues, but I never felt anything was wrong until we tried to have a baby. We got married on the 4th of July 2005 and decided to try in October of that year. I had no idea I was fertile mertile and was pregnant on the first try. However when we went for our ultra sound the doctor looked worried because the baby was a week smaller in size then it should have been. I just figured I ovulated late. But when we went back in for another u/s at 11 weeks because I was spotting, I had lost the baby. I switched doctors to the one I have now because it was a nightmare with how they handled it. (a sad and long story there) So after my new doctor gave us the ok to try (about 4 months later) we got pregnant, you guessed it, on the first try. But before I knew I was pregnant I had the most horrible stomach pain I ever had in my entire life after eating a sandwich. I was on the floor writhing in pain. I went to the doctor the next day and they told me it might be my gallbladder but my u/s was fine. I just chalked it up to indigestion. I got my positive pregnancy test a few days later. My OB wanted to really watch me because of my previous problem, which I believe saved my son. I had ultra low progesterone and had to take several antibiotics with bed rest, but our son Kane Michael (AKA Monkey) was born on January 26, 2007. Nothing eventful happened until we tried to have a baby again. When Kane was around 18 months I became pregnant easy as before and my doctor watched me like a hawk. But when I went in for my normal 3 month appointment (by this time I had already had two u/s just to check my progress)they could not find the heart beat and a u/s confirmed the loss. My OB wanted to be proactive and asked if she could have the baby sent to the lab for some tests to see if they could find out why we lost it and I agreed. It turns out I had a partial molar pregnancy which is when you start off with a normal fetus (why we had a heart beat) and then abnormal cells that grow at abnormal rates and feed off of the HCG hormone attack the fetus. Our baby would never have had a chance and it would never have been a viable pregnancy. However I could not try for a year to insure all of these "bad" cells were gone. If you have any "bad" cells remaining and then you add the HCG hormone they grow at such a rapid rate and can run the risk of cancer. So I had blood work once a month for a year to ensure we were ok to introduce a new baby to a happy womb.
But I could tell something in my body was just not right. I had lost the baby in September of 08 and in February and March I was still feeling "off". My hair was falling out, I was sick to my stomach every time I ate and had lost about 10 lbs from not wanting to eat. I had rashes for years, but they seemed to be worse and my skin was itchy to no end. My OB just thought I was stressed from the loss, but I knew better. On Easter of 09 I had my breaking point. I had not ate all day in anticipation of our big dinner that night. I ate turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie, rolls, stuffing, and every other gluten filled treat I could stuff in my belly. On our way home I was feeling sick, but that had become normal so I didn't think much of it until the stabbing pain started. I was again writhing on the floor in pain and my hubby was ready to call an ambulance. I told him no and that it would pass, but I was going to find out what the heck was wrong with me. I went to a GI doc and had blood work done. I had heard so much about gluten in the news as of late, but I thought I didn't have the normal symptoms so it would not be CD and my doctor agreed, but said we should test it anyways. I also asked for a food panel though she felt that was "a bit much" but she did what I asked. I had no other food allergies but I was on the border for CD so she recommended the scope. My duodenum was so swollen and inflamed that food was having a hard time getting through it to the small intestine. My biopsy came back positive and I was told get off gluten. So June of 09 I left my world of gluten behind and was pregnant two months later. It was the best pregnancy. (out side the appendix). I had levels so high they thought it was twins at first. I didn't have to take a single extra medication. Rhys Edward (AKA Squirt) was born May 10, 2010.
I'm still learning, growing and trying to figure how to fit this new life into a gluten world and trying to get others to understand this is not a choice. This is a must for my health. I firmly believe gluten caused my miscarriages and has contributed to my thyroid disease and my on going skin issues. People just don't get it. They think, "Well it cant be THAT bad. Just eat it once in a while and you'll be fine. You don't feel sick when you eat it anyways". Its true, I don't get sick all the time. But it IS killing my gut and my spunk, and it would slowly take my life away and I know that. My dad was just diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer (its right above his stomach and he never smoked a day in his life…hummm) and they think I'm nuts to say get off the gluten! For myself I just say why would I do something less then 100% when it comes to my health? I had my pitty party the first few months, but then it didn't become about me. It was about the baby I was going to have, the sweet boy I already had who needs a healthy mom, and the two little babies I never got to meet. I still have my moments of "I hate this", but being that food and cooking is one of my deep loves in life, I try and embrace the challenge I have been given and find ways to make things better. That and I have a every supportive husband who tries his best to like my GF pasta. LOL!
I apologize for the long post. Wasn't this supposed to be about soup? LOL! I must have needed to just put this out in to the world for people who would get it and understand my situation to make me feel a little better and not alone. Its hard when normal folks don't care about your story. I feel better knowing I'm not alone out there and I love all of your ideas Heidi! You amaze me with your drive to make things perfect for your kids and you have such innovative ideas I never would have thought of. Thank you so much for putting so much effort in sharing them and please tell me how you find the time cuz I would love you to bottle it and sell me some! LOL! I hope you get some answers soon on your health and thank you for the test suggestions!
A.
Amanda,
Sorry it took me so long to respond to this, your story has had me in tears! You and I have so much in common and I can totally relate with your story. Thank you so much for sharing it, I think it is very important, not only for ourselves but for others who might be looking for answers. I still haven't shared my entire story because it still gets me quite emotional and I have a hard time getting the words out, but hopefully one day soon I will be able to do that.
Would you be interested in sharing your story in a guest blog post? I think your story is a powerful one and I would hate for it to get lost in an obscure comment section. If you're interested, please email me at heidi AT adventuresofaglutenfreemom DOT com.
Big Hugs,
Heidi
The Angus Beef Steak Chili looks yummy!
I loooove their chicken and rice noodle soup and I would love to try more of them!!
I liked Kettle Cuisine on Facebook!
I have a couple of hints to help you to tolerate the MRI that you are having. First, ask for some valium – I would suggest asking your doctor to prescribe it, if you can reach him tomorrow or early Monday morning, since I am not sure they will have it available at the MRI place. Second, close your eyes and keep them shut from the time they start taking you into the room with the MRI machine until the MRI is over. The first time that I was scheduled for an MRI, I did not have valium or keep my eyes closed. I ended up having to reschedule, because I could not handle it. I have had two MRIs since then, both with valium and with my eyes shut and succeeded both times. If you can't get the valium or don't want to take it, I think keeping your eyes closed may be all it takes. Best of luck!! Shannon has a colonoscopy on Monday, because she has been really sick (colitis, they think). I will be keeping both of you in my prayers that day.
Thank you for the tips Susie, I will definitely be taking your advice on keeping my eyes shut (gonna see about that valium too, if it's not too late).
I will be keeping Shannon in my thoughts too…she is such a trooper with all she has had to endure.
Hugs,
Heidi