I was intrigued to learn that a company called Jovial, which is known for its allergen-friendly Italian foods, recently launched gluten-free mac & cheese to its lineup. As a result, I accepted an offer to try some.
For those not familiar with Jovial, it was founded in 2010 by a husband and wife team to make high-quality Italian foods accessible to their gluten-sensitive daughter. The company also sells flour, beans and olive oil, among other products.
I liked both the white cheddar mac & cheese ($4.99 for a 6 oz. box) and the dairy-free vegan mac ($4.99 for a 6 oz. box), for the main reason that if someone didn’t tell me they were gluten-free, I wouldn’t necessarily have known.
The former is made with real cheddar cheese and has 270 calories, 5 g. of protein and 55 g. of carbs per serving. The latter is made with brown rice pasta and also has 270 calories, 5 g. of protein and 55 g. of carbs per serving.
“Our organic gluten-free mac & cheese makes comfort food accessible for all,” Jovial Foods VP of Marketing Allison Houle said in a statement. “The best part is, with our pasta, you won’t even know it is gluten-free!”
I do want to point out that the pasta is made using bronze dies and slow drying. This process gives the pasta a texture that can more easily hold onto sauces and gives it a good chew.
Also of note, I cooked the pasta a few minutes longer than the prescribed cooking time, and it was still al dente. In other words, this pasta holds onto its firmness and avoids becoming mushy.
In Madison, you can purchase Jovial products at Whole Foods starting in July.
Photos courtesy of Jovial
Tags: vegan
