Nueva Cocina Review

 What is one of the most common chronic health disorders in western countries and affects approximately 3 million American?  It’s Celiac Disease, also known as gluten intolerance, which causes symptoms that range from mild weakness and bone pain, to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss.   Sufferers cannot eat specific food-grain antigens that are found in wheat, rye, and barley, and he only treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet.  With May being Celiac Awareness month,

 Nueva Cocina, the nation’s first line of all-natural, healthy and authentic Latin rice dishes, seasonings and soups, is taking you on a culinary adventure by bringing attention to the condition and by showing you that eating gluten-free due to Celiac Disease or other food allergies, can still be delicious.  We will be featuring gluten-free recipes all month, and we’re offering a 20% discount off on our Gluten-free Variety Pack, which features two each of our gluten-free rice mixes, soups and seasonings.  Click here http://www.nuevacocina.com/store/2386/Gluten-Free-Pack.aspx and enter in the code NOGLUTEN when purchasing.

One of the most common misconceptions about gluten-free foods is that they taste bad or bland and have a strange consistency.  Nueva Cocina founders Celeste De Armas (who is gluten sensitive) and Corina Mascaro set out change this perception. “From the very beginning, our intention was to create a line of products that we would want to eat ourselves, and feel good about serving to our family and friends.  We knew that there was nothing available in the Latin food category that was 100% natural, met the gluten-free dietary needs of millions of people, and at the same time, tasted amazing.”  Today, 16 out of 18 of Nueva Cocina products are gluten-free. The Coconut Raisin Rice parfait recipe below will tantalize your taste buds and take eating gluten free from drab to ‘delicioso.’  

Coconut Raisin Rice Parfait

 1 box of Nueva Cocina Coconut Raisin Rice

1 Cup of unsweetened coconut milk
1 Cup of cream of coconut
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tub of gluten-free pudding (you can also cook the instant kind)
Whipped cream (you can use Cool Whip or make your own with heavy whipping cream)

Follow the directions on the Nueva Cocina box to cook the Coconut Raisin Rice.  Once cooked, add 1 cup of cream of coconut, 1 cup of the unsweetened coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of butter.  Cook on low heat until liquid is absorbed and rice has a thick and creamy consistency, approximately 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and refrigerate covered for at least an hour.  When ready to serve, spoon a layer of pudding into a wine glass, then add a layer of the rice mixture.  Continue to build your layers and top it off with whipped cream.  Garnish with toasted coconut and/or fruit of your choice.

My thoughts-With more and more people going to GLUTEN FREE, there should be more options.  I am so glad that finally there is a Latin cuisine option.  Nueva Cocina has great easy to read and follow directions on each product.  The Picadillo is our favorite.  My mom really liked the Coconut Raisin Rice too. 

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Samples provided for review.  These are my honest opinions.