Bariatric Foodie Play with your food
While we were all embroiled in The Bariatric Foodie Pledge,
Quest went and released a new bar – Cookies and Cream! I did a quick and dirty
review of it on social media, but I also asked my pal Shannon (of TacoCasserole picture fame) to give the bars a try. And I gave her a challenge. The
Quest blog challenges Quest lovers to come up with creative ways to use the
bars, so that’s the challenge I put to Shannon. So she played with her food to
make a Quest cannoli! The recipe follows the review.
Enjoy and thanks to Shannon for the review!
Shannon’s Quest
Bar Review
Bar Review
*The products used for this review were given by Quest Nutrition, however, neither the reviewer nor Bariatric Foodie was paid to perform this product review.
Product: Quest Cookies & Cream protein Bar
Stats: 180 calories, 7g fat, 22g carbs, 17g fiber, 1g sugar,
2g erythritol, 21g protein.
2g erythritol, 21g protein.
Cost: Varies, on Quest website it is $2.39 for a single bar,
$24.99 (or $2.08/bar) for a box of 12.
$24.99 (or $2.08/bar) for a box of 12.
*If you purchase Quest Bars using the ad on the right menu bar, Bariatric Foodie receives a small commission.
Packaging:
The wrapper itself was very pleasing to me, the picture was
crisp and I think the large cookie photographed on the package really makes it
known what flavor you are getting.
Another thing about the packaging I like is that I can quickly see the
amount of sugar and protein in the product. Just from a general standpoint,
this makes things so much easier for me when I am looking to purchase a
product, having that info right on the front, and somewhat highlighted makes my
life easier.
crisp and I think the large cookie photographed on the package really makes it
known what flavor you are getting.
Another thing about the packaging I like is that I can quickly see the
amount of sugar and protein in the product. Just from a general standpoint,
this makes things so much easier for me when I am looking to purchase a
product, having that info right on the front, and somewhat highlighted makes my
life easier.
Nutrition:
This product provides 21g of protein in one serving, and is
180 calories. I like that it packs such a punch because, if I am going to eat a
protein bar as my meal (I very rarely do), I want to be able to get as much out
of it as possible. Quest bars are regularly reviewed on Bariatric foodie, and I
believe this bar is about on par with the others in their product line. As an
aside, erythritol, the type of sugar alcohol used in this bar has very little effect
on our bodies, unlike some others.
180 calories. I like that it packs such a punch because, if I am going to eat a
protein bar as my meal (I very rarely do), I want to be able to get as much out
of it as possible. Quest bars are regularly reviewed on Bariatric foodie, and I
believe this bar is about on par with the others in their product line. As an
aside, erythritol, the type of sugar alcohol used in this bar has very little effect
on our bodies, unlike some others.
Aesthetics:
Upon opening the packaging I smelled the protein bar, and as
with most of them I got a very, almost overly sweet smell, not really
distinguished as to cookies and cream but definitely sweet.
with most of them I got a very, almost overly sweet smell, not really
distinguished as to cookies and cream but definitely sweet.
The bar I had left over after playing with my food and
making a cannoli had some very large chunks of cookie in it, which I very much
enjoyed while eating the protein bar in the traditional way. It broke up the
texture of the bar nicely. The bar itself was quite soft and easy to eat.
making a cannoli had some very large chunks of cookie in it, which I very much
enjoyed while eating the protein bar in the traditional way. It broke up the
texture of the bar nicely. The bar itself was quite soft and easy to eat.
It did remind me a bit of cookies and cream, though not
exactly and I don’t think my taste buds will ever be fully confused when it
comes to a protein bar, the protein flavor is always there. More than a cookies and cream flavor it
reminded me of cookie dough. Never having tried their actual cookie dough flavor,
I will say I think this would be an awesome addition chunked up into some
protein ice cream. I also thoroughly enjoyed this as a cannoli, it really had a
crunch and flavor that paired well with the cannoli filling.
exactly and I don’t think my taste buds will ever be fully confused when it
comes to a protein bar, the protein flavor is always there. More than a cookies and cream flavor it
reminded me of cookie dough. Never having tried their actual cookie dough flavor,
I will say I think this would be an awesome addition chunked up into some
protein ice cream. I also thoroughly enjoyed this as a cannoli, it really had a
crunch and flavor that paired well with the cannoli filling.
I have generally been very impressed with Quest bars, and
this one did not disappoint. As an emergency meal, or a snack, or even cooked
into a yummy dessert they are, in my opinion, a decent choice. In my area Quest bars are not so readily
available, and the ones I have purchased locally have usually been very hard,
nothing like this one. Because of this I limit myself to purchasing online
only, and don’t often get the opportunity to do so, as my budget doesn’t always
allow for it. That being said, if I were able to purchase Quest bars in the
future this would be one on my list to buy.
this one did not disappoint. As an emergency meal, or a snack, or even cooked
into a yummy dessert they are, in my opinion, a decent choice. In my area Quest bars are not so readily
available, and the ones I have purchased locally have usually been very hard,
nothing like this one. Because of this I limit myself to purchasing online
only, and don’t often get the opportunity to do so, as my budget doesn’t always
allow for it. That being said, if I were able to purchase Quest bars in the
future this would be one on my list to buy.
Shannon’s Quest
Cannoli
Cannoli
Ingredients:
- 1 Quest
Cookies & Cream protein bar - 4 oz.
ricotta cheese (part-skim or regular, your choice) - 2 tbsp. unsweetened
cocoa powder - 1.5 tbsp.
no-calorie sweetener - Macadamia or
pistachio nuts, whipped cream, and Strawberry as garnish if desired
For this
recipe you will also need: A cannoli-form or a ¼-inch metal dowel, a large, sturdy
glass (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) and some parchment paper
recipe you will also need: A cannoli-form or a ¼-inch metal dowel, a large, sturdy
glass (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) and some parchment paper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Unwrap Quest bar and place between two pieces of sprayed wax
paper. Put in microwave for about 8 seconds, test pliability with finger and
put back in if you cannot easily smoosh the bar, this will make it easier to
roll flat with a rolling pin. - Using your sprayed glass as a rolling pin, roll the bar down
into a slight circular shape in between the wax paper and allow to cool slightly
before peeling off one layer of wax paper. - Using a cannoli form, roll quest bar on the form and place
on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. - Place in preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until golden.
- In a small bowl place ricotta, cocoa powder, and Splenda mix
thoroughly until combined. Transfer to a
piping bag or small sandwich bag to fill the cannoli. Refrigerate until ready to use - Remove cannoli from oven allow to cool well.
- Remove cannoli form and fill with ricotta mixture.
- Once filled, you can garnish as you like with nuts, or fruit
and whipped cream or light cool whip.
