Shelia Doloukani

Mary’s Gone Crackers – Perfect Update to an Ancient Classic

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Mary’s Gone Crackers ready for a close up: all filled with whole grain brown rice, seeds, quinoa and sea salt. They are indeed Baked Whole Grains & Seeds.

(Gerry Furth-Sides) A photo of Mary’s Gone Crackers immediately got my attention because I have already fallen in love with Scandanavian ground stone crackers at Trader Joe’s. And they are made right here in the U.S.  Mary’s Gone Crackers turned out to be just as wonderful, if not more interesting, healthy and less expensive.  These remind me of the stars in the posh Spago Restaurant’s bread basket.   These have the same fun snap plus satisfying taste and texture that does not lead to hunger soon after with snacks that contain sugar.  

Four of the 15 flavors of the snappy, nutritious, delicious Mary’s Gone Crackers

In a stone ground product, nothing is added to the organically grown kernel of ground wheat when it made into shore wheat flour.  Here nothing is added, not even wheat to the ground seeds. But here Mary’s Gone Crackers start with a base of  whole grain brown rice and quinoa, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt and brown flax seeds. For the classic SUPER SEED, for example, poppy seeds, seaweed, black pepper and herbs are added.  They pair perfectly with any sharp cheesed cheese because they complement the texture and flavor.

Mary’s Gone Crackers ready for a close up: all filled with whole grain brown rice, seeds, quinoa and sea salt.  They complement any kind of hard or medium cheese.

These organic, gluten-free and vegan crackers are outstanding in the current  “shelter-at-home” snack craze. Mary’s can be paired with cheese, fruit, hummus and other dips.  They are perfect with soups or salads, as well.  This is not a snack that is “not unhealthy” but one that is both healthy and nutritious.  Each cracker offers a hearty source of protein to keep you full longer.  For the 15 varieties and where you can find them, check:Mary’s Gone Crackers.

Mary’s Gone Crackers Lemon Dill adds dill weed, a hint of garlic, lemon oil and herbs. It pairs beautifully with vegetable soups, here asparagus (below)

Mary’s own story: I was a practicing psychotherapist, helping others to manifest their truest selves so they could live full, happy lives. But it took a chiropractor to help me realize mine. When I was 43, my chiropractor figured out I had celiac disease. It causes an inflammatory response when ingesting gluten, a protein found in wheat (and all its cousins), barley, rye and most oats. No wonder I had felt so bad for so long! Armed with this knowledge, I set to reclaiming my vitality and my life.

Added to the classic base, Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed Rosemary includes rosemary, garlic powder and herbs. The crackers add just the right touch to salads, here one of red oak lettuce, dried Cherries, gorgonzola and hazelnuts from Melissa’s Produce

“After cutting out all gluten, I was happier and more energetic than I had ever felt. To make my dietary transition easier, I began baking gluten-free goodies so I’d never feel deprived. (I’d always loved baking!) They had to be organic and gluten free. But if they didn’t taste indulgent, that was a deal-breaker. So I hit the kitchen and began baking crackers for myself – at first.  Neighbors liked them. Friends did, too. Then many others who weren’t gluten intolerant  (count this writer in!). Along the way, I realized my crackers also fed people’s hunger for something authentic and truthful in this processed and fortified world. I decided it was important to share what I had to offer and founded Mary’s Gone Crackers. We are happy she did.  Ideas can be found on the boxes and on the website:

Mary’s Gone Cracker boxes provide a wealth of information and ideas

Mary’s Gone Crackers star on any fruit and cheese board, such as Shelia Doloukani’s Cheese to Board here.

Mary’s Gone Crackers star on any fruit and cheese board, such as Shelia Doloukani’s Cheese to Board here.

Flavor development changed with as the company evolved. Mary developed the Original, Herb, Black Pepper from the Legacy line flavors, tending “to lean into her Jewish heritage in flavor development.”  The newer Super Seed flavors and RTC lines came from Alex and Diane, R&D directors.

Mary’s Gone Crackers boxes are packed with information about the founder and the ingredients

Mary’s Gone Crackers are”Conscious Eating” movements advocates, and support various organizations that ensure the safety of both food and water, federal regulations for healthy school lunches, organic farming practices, and more.  The company’s “Taking Action” is on the website.

Mary’s Gone Crackers REAL THIN CRACKERS in Onion flavor for those who like most of a subtle bread-like cracker

Mary’s Stone Ground Crackers boxes have ideas for serving, and they can star on any fruit and cheese board, such as Shelia Doloukani’s Cheese to Board here.

Make an International “Wow” Cheese Board Garden

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Right in time for Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day, Melissa’s hosted Shelia Doloukani in their test kitchen for a cheese board building class.  A lush display works for any holiday or gift occasion right through the year and can be themed with favorite or seasonal foods for such holidays as Mother’s Day or 4th of July party.

Melissa’s Demo Kitchen hosting Shelia Doloukani, Cheese to Board

Attendees in this and all of Sheila’s classes are greeted by a massive array of hand-picked cheeses and fresh produce for inspiration. Doloukani then walks the class through to a perfect cheeseboard.

Melissa’s tropical fruit makes a unique cheeseboard

Insider tips include Sheila actually  putting together a “garden,” rather than a board, by filling in just about every free space with fruit, herbs or garnish for a lush, abundanza look.

Every inch is filled in on a Cheese-to-Board display 

Feel surprisingly confident about putting together a party cheese board of ready, store-bought items. Your guests will still be “wowed” by the inviting, lavish look, as impressive as a big home cooked meal.

Main components are cheese, meats, veggies or fruits plus accompaniments and individual flourishes for surprise.  Be sure to have utensils for your guests.

Provide utensils as pretty as the cheese boards

1- Cheese. Think variety. Include at least 4 different cheeses on your board from different categories: firm, soft, and semi soft. Firm cheeses such as the English Cheddar here and Parmigian add a “pop” with their sharpness.   Both have a sharp taste easily balanced out with a mild French brie (soft) and goat cheese.  You can also use a soft swiss.  Brie and goat cheese are favorites, especially served with nuts and jam.  A sprinkle of crushed pepper flakes over a more neutral cheese makes it special.

Goat cheese pairs well with fruits and salami

Keep shapes in mind when you choose cheeses to make it more interesting .  Start with different shapes: square, rounds, triangle and sliced Dfferent shapes make for a more interesting cheese board.

How much cheese per person? About one ounce per person if this is an appetizer course and double that for a main event. And, of course, have more on hand to replenish the board as needed.

Meats are key.  This is true even paired with Melissa’s Produce. Visit the deli section at your supermarket and/or any Italian deli and even Trader Joe’s for ideas.  Hint: Proscuitto di Parma and many salamis are soft enough to roll up or fold into “flowers” for an inviting look.  One to 2 ounces of meat per person works.  Add more cheese and bread to a vegetarian board.

Have fun making your board (that’s lemonade in the hands of Pam and Irv Wynuck!)

Fresh. Balanced fresh fruits and veggies pair well with cheeses with classic grapes a must. Red & Green, Muscato(tm) Grapes and Mixed Baby Heirloom Tomatoes may not be exotic, but using the freshest and the best of these adds an unexpected crunch.

Goldenberries, their leaves turned back, are impressive and fun

 Sweet. Honey or jam, dried fruits are always popular, as is dried fruit: dried apricots or dried figs, dates.  Read Robert Schueller’s produce report for 2020 listing  tropical fruits used, now available in many markets.  Sapurana Mangoes, Jackfruit, Goldenberries, Dragon fruit, Rambutans,  Starfruit,  Strawberry,  Papayas, Organic Kiwi, Berries,

Anchor your cheeseboard with cheeses at each corner in different shapes

 Salty and Tangy or Tart.  Caution: cheese is already salty. Walnuts and hazelnuts classics “crunch.”  Melissa’s now makes red walnuts available, which are silkier and softer than standard walnuts.  Any Spanish olives or marinated artichokes are also instant Tangy favorites.  We love Dried Tart Cherries.

Provide the names of cheeses on small cards

Flourishes.   This is a chance to get creative while adding interest and beauty to your display, especially with dense breads (LA Brea Bakery!) crackers.  Trader Joes rosemary or olive!) and in the categories of fresh, sweet, salty, and tangy.

Edible flowers always add “wow” appeal to a cheeseboard

Whimsical Surprise Elements could be delightful edible flowers or even carved wooded bowls depicting a celebratory theme.  Robert Schueller introduced absolutely stunning Italian Mixed Italian Radicchio, which Melissa’s now makes available.  Fresh herbs like dill, rosemary or lavender not only beautiful but lend a wonderful fragrance.

Melissa’s now makes available these surreal-looking Italian radicchios

The How-to Part  

1- Choose a board made of slate, stone or wood; a flat platter can work for small displays, especially for dessert at a dinner party.  We love the new Grommet’s Clever flexible boards because they look like wood but are light and easily washable and has a rubber bottom to prevent slipping on the table.

Add cards with the names of the cheeses and be sure to provide utensils and napkins on the table.

Melissa’s fun, themed napkin holders

2- Create a bold focal point in the middle.  Sheila did this with a dip in a pretty bowl.  Then add balancing visuals from the four board corners with either a whole piece of cheese or another item in a smaller bowl, such as olives.

Anchor your cheese garden board with cheeses in each corner

3- The rest is easy!  Fill in the gaps from center to the 4 visual corners with cheeses, meats, and rest of cheeses and add until you are pleased with the result. We’ve found that leaving the board for a few minutes and coming will remove that too “critical eye.”

Slice or cut cubes into fruit, then turn it inside out for easy eating

Doloukani’s passion with cheese is no surprise after she was also “born to it,” growing up in an industrious Armenian family who served “rich and delicious foods throughout her life.”  It influenced Sheila to travel the world including such diverse places as Seattle, Italy, Australia and Dubai, to learning more about the art of making cheese. She then created her novel cheeseboard business, now eight years old.

Doloukani molded herself into the ultimate turophile, from the Greek word for cheese, tyros, and philos, meaning “loving.” It has been a conversation starter name among cheese aficionados as early as 1938.

For more information on Sheila, including how to order a display or join a class in the LA area, please see: <//cheesetotable.com/.