**PLEASE NOTE: While CedarLane DID provide me with these products to review at no cost, I was not in any way paid for my review. The following opinion is hereby my own.**
If you’ve been around the blog, you know I’ve been diagnosed with Celiac disease and I live life gluten-free! When I was first diagnosed, the process took about 6 months, and there was hardly ANYONE making any frozen or ready-made gluten-free items. I ate some weird stuff and made some horrible recipes, can I just say that?! Whew! It was a LOT of trial and error, and sometimes it still is, but now, I’m so thankful for companies who are making life just a bit easier for those of us who live gluten-free. Companies like CedarLane!
I wasn’t at all familiar with Cedar Lane when they contacted me, but all I needed to hear was “gluten-free”, and I was good. Within no time, a lovely cooler arrived filled with their selection of gluten-free tamales! Can we say YUM?!
I found four flavor selections as I unpacked the cooler:
- Chile and Cheese Tamales
- Spinach and Feta Cheese Tamales
- Sweet Corn Tamales
- Roasted Vegetable Tamales
I decided to try the Spinach & Feta Cheese Tamales first, since spinach and feta cheese are both high on my list of faves! The flavor also includes quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, nonfat Greek yogurt and ricotta cheese, too! How can you lose with that?!
After a little warm-up in the microwave, here’s what I got:
And my goodness, it was DELICIOUS!
I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about quinoa inside of a tamale, but the combination of flavors really was fantastic. I loved mine, and gave the extra one to my co-worker, who thought it was tasty, too!
The next day, I tried the Sweet Corn Tamales for dinner.
There are two tamales in each box of CedarLane product. They are individually-wrapped in plastic for ease of microwave-cooking (or you can use your oven).
These were entirely fabulous. The “sweet” really comes through in this flavor, and my husband actually took a bite of mine and then went and warmed up the other one for himself, ha! This one was also probably the most “creamy” as far as filling was concerned.
The last two flavors packed a bit more of a punch.
I really enjoyed the Roasted Vegetable Tamale. The flavors of the vegetables really came through, and I felt like I was eating something quite healthy…and still incredibly tasty! And they had a little bit of a kick to them! Not TOO spicy, but just enough of a little something’ somethin’. So I looked at the ingredients: green, red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, roasted poblano chiles, jalapenos, mushrooms and tomatoes—all combined with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. So there’s where the kick came from!
The last tamales I tried were the Chile & Cheese Tamales. So creamy and a BIG kick to those! If you like spicy, you will LOVE them! If you don’t like spicy, just try the other ones. These are packed with roasted poblano peppers, Anaheim chile peppers, jalapenos, serrano peppers and spices mellowed by Monterey Jack, cheddar and cotija cheeses. It’s a great combo!
All in all, I have to say that my first experience with CedarLane was absolutely fantastic! I’ll be looking for these in my local grocery stores frozen food section, for sure! And CedarLane offers much more! I mean, look at this Roasted Chile Relleno!
They also offer:
- Breakfast selections
- Egg white frittatas
- Lunch entrées
- Vegetarian burritos
- Vegetarian entrees
Check out their website for more information: www.cedarlanefoods.com
You can also connect with them on Facebook HERE or on Twitter HERE!
So what do you think of CedarLane? Have you ever had their products before?
That roasted chili relleno is calling my name! And quinoa is one of my fave side dishes, so I know I would love it. I’ve never seen these before, so thanks for sharing.
I know it! Quinoa is so versatile – but I never thought to use it in a tamale!
I need to try those. I love things like this and all 4 flavors sound awesome.
They really were amazing!
I have never heard of them but I need to look into it because those Chile & Cheese Tamales look amazing right now!
They were so good, Jenn!
That looks really good! I’ll have to make it sometime.
I don’t know how to make these…so I’ll just buy them from CedarLane 🙂
I think I need to bookbook this page for dinner ideas. These are just mouthwatering delicious!
Dorit Sasson
Giving a Voice to Your Story
http://www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
You’re welcome anytime, Doris! (Click the “Recipes” tab on the header if you just want a bunch of recipes at once!)
As someone who has been gluten free for almost 20 years, I love that there are so many choices out there now. I adore tamales and will have to look for these in my local market. The challenge with gluten free is that it’s not always a healthier option. Many of the baked goods and breads lack any fiber and have added fat/sugar so they taste super yummy. I make sure to stay conscious of the calorie count and look for other ways to add fiber. Sounds like these tamales would be a good option.
You hit the nail on the head, Minette! Fat and sugar are often added in to make up for what’s NOT in gluten-free items! But these are definitely not as bad as some!
Definitely reassuring Kristen! The meals you share look yummy 🙂
Question: Any suggestions how to help a 10 year old, recently diagnosed with Celiac disease as well as juvenile diabetes, to eat healthy within his dietary restrictions? There seem to be many products and supplements on the market, but with kids it can be a bit tricky, particularly when on top of it all they are picky eaters! Thanks for the review and eyeopener! HUGS <3
Goodness, that’s a LOT for a 10-year-old to handle! I’d focus on some of his favorite foods and see if there are some substitutes for him. For instance, Mac & Cheese was one of my faves when I was younger, and my mom created a Rice & Cheese dish that was pretty close! Sites like Pinterest help out SO much! And run a search for gluten-free blogs – there are so many more ideas out there than there used to be!
One of my local stores carries a few Cedar Lane products & they are amazing! The Chile & Cheese Tamales are by far my favorite so far. Although I do hope that they carry more products soon because the Roasted Chile Relleno looks amazing!
Doesn’t it?! They sent me these – I’m on the hunt for them here locally now!
Glad there are more and more companies for gluten free options. For me gluten is not the problem, but conventional grown wheat is. And since it is basically every where i find myself often choosing gluten free products. This looks yummy.
These are very tasty, Anna, I think you would enjoy them!
I am always at the gluten free alternatives I find on this site! These look delicious and I will be looking for them in the grocery store! Thanks for the review!
I’m glad you enjoyed, Rena!
We have had these before! They are delicious. I tweeted. 🙂
Thank you, Kristi! 🙂
These sound amazing! So great that there are so many more delicious gluten-free options these days.
I know, it sure does make life easier!
Oooo yummy! I Would certainly try these for sure. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you can find them near you, Krystal!
These tamales look absolutely delicious! I need to try this.
Yes you do! 🙂
My husband’s brother married a gal whose family has a huge tamale making party each year. They really go all out! I have never tried one though. Looks like I’m missing out (they don’t live close to us, we don’t attend the party, but we’ve heard about them often). 🙂
Oh my goodness, that sounds like SO much fun!!!
Those really amazingly fresh and I really like the flavor options. Very healthy.
Yes! It’s always good when healthy tastes good, right?! 🙂
I will have to pick some of these up, I love tamales, especially verde! Mmmm…
Oh, you would love CedarLane’s version, then!
I never look for gluten free foods, but Iam glad there are many options out there. These look good.
Yes, they are! My gluten-full husband even liked them!
Yum!! The selection looks like it has something for everyone. I love that there are various flavor options as well.
Yes, they have a very nice offering, for sure!
I was not familiar with Cedar Lane. Those all look really good to me and nice for lunch. I’d like to try the Spinach and Feta so I will look for those at my grocery store.
Me either, Shirley! I loved the Spinach and Feta – I hope you find it!
Oh i love tamales and those look pretty amazing.
I’d have to say they are, Amber!
I have never heard of them either. I’d like to give the Spinach and Feta tamale a try.
I’m certain you would love it, Erica!
I will look for these at my local store. I have a few family members that absolutely love tamales and that is one thing I don’t make from scratch.
I’ve never tried to, Pam! But these taste homemade, for sure!
I have never heard, or tried any of these! Lookin’ really good though. I’m interested in seeing what the Tamales taste like, nope never had one but YUM looks great!
They ARE great! Hope you find them in your area!
It’s been a few years since I tried their meals, but they were excellent. Thanks for the reminder to pick up a few more.
I’m glad you’re familiar with them, Liz!
I’ve never heard of Cedar Lane and never had tamales, but for some reason my mouth was watering. I am starting to go gluten-free in addition to being vegan. It’s difficult, but worth it!
Oh yes, well, these will help you along!
I haven’t heard of this brand before now. It sure looks like one that is worth trying out
Definitely so!
Cedar Lane products are super delicious! I have tried many of them and have never been dissapointed.
That’s great to hear, Ashley!
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Those sure do look and sound delicious! I have not heard of them but will have to check them out since our diet is gluten restricted!
They’re a fantastic gluten-free option, Anne!
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Hey! I am glad to be back! Your blog looks amazing and you are always so busy! I love it! I decided to comment on this because the other ones were blog hops. These Tamales look so good! They don’t require a lot of work and I love that!
Yay, Alicia! 🙂 Yes, these are SO easy – 3.5 minutes in the microwave. BOOM!
Gluten free or not, those look delicious!! Now I am craving Mexican food.
HA! Sorry about that LOL
These look absolutely delicious. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen them in my supermarket but now I am so totally going to look.
I know it! I hope you have them!
This brand looks new to me but it seems very yummy!
Yes, it was new to me, and yes, very yummy! 🙂