One of my recent gluten-free discoveries are the wonderful cookies from WOW Baking Co. They are a company out of Kent, WA that creates their delicious cookies in small batches. Whatever they do, they have captured the essence of a gluten-laden cookie in a gluten-free form. Their Snickerdoodle cookie is an extremely decadent treat that makes me crave more and more of them. They are a nice big cookie........no flat, crumbly cookies here. This is a cookie you can wrap your hand around and get into! The Oregon Oatmeal is pure genius. It has dried cranberries and dried apricots encased in a marvelous and satisfying oatmeal cookie that in a healthy kind of way does remind you of Oregon......moist and chewy....yum! The peanut butter cookie is above reproach and that is saying a lot. They have other flavors; lemon, chocolate chip, and molasses ginger. And I have heard their brownies are astonishingly good. You can find these treats in the frozen food section of the Health Mart at Hy-Vee Stores. They sell them individually and they also have mini cookies in little plastic tubs to purchase. I am quite certain that if I bought the tubs of cookies I would eat them all in one sitting.....consequently I only buy one cookie at a time for a special treat! http://www.wowbaking.com
Another recent astonishment has been the local finding of Graeter's Ice Cream at my Bakers Store on 132nd and Maple. Now I have a friend back east who used to describe in glorious detail the creamy, custardy flavors of this ice cream. She told me people ordered it from all over the world and had it shipped to them........I was somewhat skeptical, because I consider myself somewhat of an ice cream snob. I search out gourmet ice cream like some people look for a good book........hard to find but so worth the time and effort. The Graeter family has been making this ice cream in Cincinnati since 1870......I think they have it down pat. They make their ice cream in small batches as well.......are we seeing a trend here? They make it by what they call a French Pot Process. And in many cases (depending on the flavor) they drizzle their own homemade dark chocolate slowly into the ice cream.......the result is hard to describe.....but not hard to eat. Most flavors are gluten-free. The most inspiring flavor I have found is the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. I have been known to serve this elegant ice cream for dessert for dinner guests and they always say the same thing...."this is the best ice cream I have ever eaten". I saw Graeters participate in an ice cream showdown with another family owned company on the Food Network, and Graeters won, hands down! I would recommend that the next time you need to have an ice cream fix that you run to Bakers and try Graeters....this stuff isn't cheap...about $4.99 a pint. But imagine how much it would cost if you had to have it shipped to you:) http://www.graeters.com.
Another nod to Ron Popp of Wheatfields. I stopped by the other day to see what was new and they had gluten-free kolaches! I had a blueberry one and it was just heaven! Who would ever think in a million years that I would eat a kolache again....I have said it before and I will say it again.....Ron Popp you are my hero. http://www.wheatfieldscatering.com
Wave Bistro - I must give Kudos to this new discovery........Wave Bistro. I probably have driven by the place a hundred times and never even gave it a glance. A friend suggested we have dinner there and I went with some misgivings since they didn't have a gluten-free menu. But not to worry, when we arrived I informed our waiter of my celiac issues and he was completely knowledgeable and was able to point out many dishes on the menu that would be gluten-free.....no kidding, he knew what he was talking about! I tried the Lemon Creamy Almon Shrimp not knowing what to expect. I couldn't believe the wonderment of the dish. It was indeed creamy and crispy and flavorful and delicate and heavenly all at the same time. I have never had a dish quite like this but I will definitely be having it again. It surpassed my expectations and was just fabulous. I also tried the Miso Chilean Sea Bass....oh my again words are hard to choose to describe this dish. I try not to order Chilean Sea Bass often because it is after all an endangered fish, but damn my conscience I could not help myself. And boy was I glad that I had no conscience that night. This fish was delicate, refined, melted in your mouth, and was probably the best Chilean Sea Bass I have ever experienced. They had other entrees that I did not try that were safe for me; Medallion of Pork Tenderloin.....the mind boggles, Salmon Roulade and actual desserts I could eat. I had a chocolate mousse torte that made me swoon. It was a layer of milk chocolate, a layer of white chocolate, and a layer of darke chocolate that was all married together in the most decadent of ways. It was silky and heavenly and very much the special ending to a very special meal. I highly recommend this Bistro to everyone......celiac or not.
Will Spring ever arrive.........hope "springs" eternal......get it?????
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Wheatfields Did It Again & Other Notables
Well, Wheatfields hit a homerun again! With my curiosity peaked over the excellent gluten-free offerings I have tried so far, I of course had to try more. I chose the chocolate layer cake and let me tell you it was divine! Each moist and creamy layer oozed a rich chocolate texture and taste that had me swooning from the get-go! The richness of the fudgy chocolate cake and the gooey wonderment that was the buttercream frosting was a completely love rendering experience that I strongly recommend. Four layers of cake...........that is non-existent for the gluten-free bunch! And that amazing filling between each layer and chocolate frosting that beautifully finishes the cake............can you say cake love? I certainly can and will again very soon. Ron Popp, you are my hero and I am guessing that you will soon be a hero to many other cake deprived celiacs in Omaha.......hip, hip, hooray!
Cantina Laredo
Now this perky cantina in hip Midtown Crossing is one of my new favorites for Mexican fare. They have a very interesting and eclectic menu that features items that are marked with an icon if they are indeed gluten-free. I am going to start backwards with the dessert because I am a flan/custard/creme brulee freak. The flan is a velvety version of the standard with a little twist........suffice to say if you like orange liqueur, you will love this.......or even if you don't, you will love this! Each bite is inspiring.......inspiring you to take another spoonful!
Next let's talk about the guacamole. Can we talk?? They come to your table and make it in front of you. Now there has always been something charming to me about people making food in front of you.....maybe it is the fact that you know exactly what is in it......or maybe it just seems more personable and I do love live entertainment! But, whatever it is, it works here. The stuff makes you want to dance on your sombreo and sing romantic Spanish love songs....(to the guacamole of course)and all the while trying to figure out how to stop eating it so you have room for the infamous flan at the end of your evening.
Several of their gluten-free menu items have been tried and were both hits with me. The Camaron Pablano Asado is so richly rewarding and full of surprises. It teases the tastebuds with just the right combination of spices and layers of flavor that definitely shines from beginning to end. I asked the waiter what his favorite dish was on the menu and this was his recommendation. He was right....it is a winner and not the typical fare. The Brisket Tacos are amazing and alas, I order them way too often. They are presented on little delicate looking corn tortillas and loaded with the most tender, slow-cooked brisket and paired with sweet red onions that are still a little crisp. The combination is just short of awe inspiring. As far as gluten-free sides go their mango jicama slaw is a fresh and crisp sensation that is not to be missed. Ditto on the Barracho Beans. These guys seem to have their act together and know that great, fresh food and some flashy presentation thrown in for good measure are crowd pleasers.
Cantina Laredo
Now this perky cantina in hip Midtown Crossing is one of my new favorites for Mexican fare. They have a very interesting and eclectic menu that features items that are marked with an icon if they are indeed gluten-free. I am going to start backwards with the dessert because I am a flan/custard/creme brulee freak. The flan is a velvety version of the standard with a little twist........suffice to say if you like orange liqueur, you will love this.......or even if you don't, you will love this! Each bite is inspiring.......inspiring you to take another spoonful!
Next let's talk about the guacamole. Can we talk?? They come to your table and make it in front of you. Now there has always been something charming to me about people making food in front of you.....maybe it is the fact that you know exactly what is in it......or maybe it just seems more personable and I do love live entertainment! But, whatever it is, it works here. The stuff makes you want to dance on your sombreo and sing romantic Spanish love songs....(to the guacamole of course)and all the while trying to figure out how to stop eating it so you have room for the infamous flan at the end of your evening.
Several of their gluten-free menu items have been tried and were both hits with me. The Camaron Pablano Asado is so richly rewarding and full of surprises. It teases the tastebuds with just the right combination of spices and layers of flavor that definitely shines from beginning to end. I asked the waiter what his favorite dish was on the menu and this was his recommendation. He was right....it is a winner and not the typical fare. The Brisket Tacos are amazing and alas, I order them way too often. They are presented on little delicate looking corn tortillas and loaded with the most tender, slow-cooked brisket and paired with sweet red onions that are still a little crisp. The combination is just short of awe inspiring. As far as gluten-free sides go their mango jicama slaw is a fresh and crisp sensation that is not to be missed. Ditto on the Barracho Beans. These guys seem to have their act together and know that great, fresh food and some flashy presentation thrown in for good measure are crowd pleasers.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wheatfields Forever!
Send up a flair, alert the media, Katie bar the door and throw a ticker tape parade! Wheatfields is now featuring gluten-free bakery items!! Yes, I know......fantastic news isn't it? In the old days (BC-before celiac) I was a frequent visitor to Wheatfields and a huge fan of theirs. Imagine my disappointment when I could no longer go there without sadly passing by the amazing array of pies, cakes, pastries, rolls, cookies, breads that assaulted all my senses, as I entered the restaurant. It was virtual torture, so alas I did not go to my favorite restaurant very often. But low and behold, that has changed! So far (and I say so far because I will be sampling every gluten-free item they have, I have tried the pecan roll, the oatmeal raisin cookie, and my own personal favorite: the infamous strawberry wedding cake. What can I tell you and where do I begin? Now those of you that are familiar with trying to find gluten-free baked goods are probably used to much disappointment and frustration.........not so at Wheatfields!!
First the pecan roll. Of course (and this is wonderful) it is big like their other rolls! That in itself is a small miracle to me. Usually if you are lucky enough to find a cinnamon or pecan roll it is about half the size of it's gluten-laden counterpart and somewhat ho-hum! (Not to mention that it is usually frozen.....blech!) Now I heated this pecan-drenched delight this morning and I had my own little party at breakfast. It was gooey, it was decadent, it was everything that their original pecan rolls are, but better, because I could eat it!!! I highly recommend this little trip to heaven! I really need to go buy a cinnamon roll there tomorrow.
Next....the oatmeal raisin cookie. Ahhh, it was chewy, not dry, it was filled with flavor and homemade goodness, and it was a big giant cookie! Again, usually gluten-free cookies require a microscope to actually see them and they usually are less than stellar. This cookie is a winner on every count...........go get some!
And last but certainly not least.........the strawberry wedding cake. Now there has always been a soft spot in my heart for this sinful cake. Everything about it is what makes me love cake. It is moist, it is creamy, it assaults your taste buds with layers of surprise and delight and bursts with the tart freshness of strawberries all at the same time. This cake had officially gone off my radar as I could no longer partake in it's lovliness. But alas, when I ate that gluten-free version of the cake yesterday I was carried back to when I first had Mr. Popp's masterpiece of cakes! It tasted the same as I remembered. Life is good..........this is nothing short of a miracle to me.
Now understanding that it is no small feat to come up with gluten-free recipes that actually taste like they are not gluten-free............ my hat goes off to Ron Popp and his wonderful bakers. This is news-worthy folks and has made my weekend totally sublime. If you have to eat gluten-free for whatever reason.........run don't walk to Wheatfields on Pacific and I guarantee you will go back and try everything that they have to offer. I understand there might be a gluten-free menu in the works.......be still my heart! I am signing off for now......Wheatfields is still open.......yay!!
First the pecan roll. Of course (and this is wonderful) it is big like their other rolls! That in itself is a small miracle to me. Usually if you are lucky enough to find a cinnamon or pecan roll it is about half the size of it's gluten-laden counterpart and somewhat ho-hum! (Not to mention that it is usually frozen.....blech!) Now I heated this pecan-drenched delight this morning and I had my own little party at breakfast. It was gooey, it was decadent, it was everything that their original pecan rolls are, but better, because I could eat it!!! I highly recommend this little trip to heaven! I really need to go buy a cinnamon roll there tomorrow.
Next....the oatmeal raisin cookie. Ahhh, it was chewy, not dry, it was filled with flavor and homemade goodness, and it was a big giant cookie! Again, usually gluten-free cookies require a microscope to actually see them and they usually are less than stellar. This cookie is a winner on every count...........go get some!
And last but certainly not least.........the strawberry wedding cake. Now there has always been a soft spot in my heart for this sinful cake. Everything about it is what makes me love cake. It is moist, it is creamy, it assaults your taste buds with layers of surprise and delight and bursts with the tart freshness of strawberries all at the same time. This cake had officially gone off my radar as I could no longer partake in it's lovliness. But alas, when I ate that gluten-free version of the cake yesterday I was carried back to when I first had Mr. Popp's masterpiece of cakes! It tasted the same as I remembered. Life is good..........this is nothing short of a miracle to me.
Now understanding that it is no small feat to come up with gluten-free recipes that actually taste like they are not gluten-free............ my hat goes off to Ron Popp and his wonderful bakers. This is news-worthy folks and has made my weekend totally sublime. If you have to eat gluten-free for whatever reason.........run don't walk to Wheatfields on Pacific and I guarantee you will go back and try everything that they have to offer. I understand there might be a gluten-free menu in the works.......be still my heart! I am signing off for now......Wheatfields is still open.......yay!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lovely Fall
Well, I haven't written for quite awhile. I have been traveling for my job a lot and volunteering a lot and something had to suffer apparently. So I guess it was my blog. I am back on track now and I have some observations to share with you. Since I have been traveling frequently, it was hard not to notice the complete and total lack of gluten-free food in airports. Trust me it is non-existent............nada, nothing! It is like looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! A person could starve to death at an airport. Yes, I can hear you wondering....why don't you pack food to take with you? Well, because I have no way to keep things cold and you are really limited as to what you can take on an airplane these days. Yes, I pack some fruit, gluten-free bars and some nuts.......but strangely when you are traveling those delightful items loose their charm fairly quickly. I managed to find a few things but it took a long time and some super sleuth skills. Then there is the whole cross-contamination issues.........people working at airports are not really interested in the fact that if you ingest untoward items that you will probably get sick on the airplane and that brings up all kinds of lovely issues. I managed to eat fairly safely when I was in actual towns because I had done a little research before embarking on my journeys. It made me want to start talking to the airport powers that be and lobbying for gluten-free food! Anyway, maybe in my next life:)
So I have also been out to eat a lot lately with friends and relatives (What else does anyone do in Omaha, Ne, but eat out?) and that is also a slippery slope.......not to mention very frustrating when your friends want to go somewhere that you know is dangerous for you and has very few redeeming qualities for anyone with celiac. Note: Carlos O'Kellys now has a gluten-free menu. Kona Grill's gluten-free menu is top notch and their passion fruit creme' brulee is a small slice of heaven! Chili's has a gluten-free menu, as well as Red Robin. (I have never gotten glutenized in any of these establishments.) I really like Biaggis gluten-free menu and their pizza is magnificent!
So I went out to lunch today with my Mom and I became somewhat agitated at all the baked goods they offered at the cafe (Summer Kitchen) so I came home and made some kick-ass pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. Here is the recipe:
1 Betty Crocker Gluten-free yellow cake mix.
1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding
3 eggs
1 stick of butter
2 generous teaspoons of vanilla
1 & 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 & 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup milk
Mix it all together and then beat with mixer for 2 minutes. Pour into oblong pan (9X12) that you have greased and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool bars and then frost with cream cheese frosting........and enjoy the heck out of them and share them with your friends....they won't know that they are gluten-free! Happy Fall to All!
So I have also been out to eat a lot lately with friends and relatives (What else does anyone do in Omaha, Ne, but eat out?) and that is also a slippery slope.......not to mention very frustrating when your friends want to go somewhere that you know is dangerous for you and has very few redeeming qualities for anyone with celiac. Note: Carlos O'Kellys now has a gluten-free menu. Kona Grill's gluten-free menu is top notch and their passion fruit creme' brulee is a small slice of heaven! Chili's has a gluten-free menu, as well as Red Robin. (I have never gotten glutenized in any of these establishments.) I really like Biaggis gluten-free menu and their pizza is magnificent!
So I went out to lunch today with my Mom and I became somewhat agitated at all the baked goods they offered at the cafe (Summer Kitchen) so I came home and made some kick-ass pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. Here is the recipe:
1 Betty Crocker Gluten-free yellow cake mix.
1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding
3 eggs
1 stick of butter
2 generous teaspoons of vanilla
1 & 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 & 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup milk
Mix it all together and then beat with mixer for 2 minutes. Pour into oblong pan (9X12) that you have greased and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool bars and then frost with cream cheese frosting........and enjoy the heck out of them and share them with your friends....they won't know that they are gluten-free! Happy Fall to All!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Summer Stuff
Hello, everyone! It has been awhile since I have written! I have been traveling and my computer blew up so I have been very busy and remiss in writing. I want to mention a few new things. First of all, Bisquick now makes a gluten-free version of their original Bisquick mix. I made biscuits and a coffee cake with it and they both turned out well. Before celiac, I was a religious user of Bisquick so this was very good news to me! I have only seen it at the 108th HyVee, but I know it will be showing up soon everywhere.
I don't think the Cheesecake Factory Gluten-free menu is ready yet......maybe this fall.
I have been sampling some other gluten-free menus and I have been pleasantly and happily surprised. The Bone Fish Grill has a delightful gluten-free menu. Many offerings and not just your typical...........don't order this with a bun nonsense. On their appetizer offerings, their edamame is beyond delicious! I could eat that stuff by the pound! Their fish items are very tasty and the staff is very captivating and extremely accommodating. And, it is not as expensive as you might think! It is a winner to me. And their creme brule makes me dance in happiness!!
Biaggis has quite a lovely gluten-free menu too! Lots of pasta dishes and their pizza was so good I had to use all my willpower not to gobble it all down like a pizza deprived crazy woman! They even have gluten-free bread for dipping..........what a concept, right? Very lovely options and again they were extremely accommodating and more than happy to make suggestions and speak with the chef...........that is all we really want, right?
Keep an eye out for HyVee Health Market bag sales. The store on 156th and Maple is now carrying Udi's cinnamon rolls.............they are excellent when heated and they even come with frosting! I have already raved on previously about how much I like Udi's muffins and pizza crust!
LaCasa has terrific gluten-free pizza and there is something very comforting about going back to places that never change and that is a good thing.
I must run, but will no longer take so long between posts.......enjoy the end of summer and keep stopping at those wonderful fruit and vegetable stands around town...........local produce.....the best!!!
I don't think the Cheesecake Factory Gluten-free menu is ready yet......maybe this fall.
I have been sampling some other gluten-free menus and I have been pleasantly and happily surprised. The Bone Fish Grill has a delightful gluten-free menu. Many offerings and not just your typical...........don't order this with a bun nonsense. On their appetizer offerings, their edamame is beyond delicious! I could eat that stuff by the pound! Their fish items are very tasty and the staff is very captivating and extremely accommodating. And, it is not as expensive as you might think! It is a winner to me. And their creme brule makes me dance in happiness!!
Biaggis has quite a lovely gluten-free menu too! Lots of pasta dishes and their pizza was so good I had to use all my willpower not to gobble it all down like a pizza deprived crazy woman! They even have gluten-free bread for dipping..........what a concept, right? Very lovely options and again they were extremely accommodating and more than happy to make suggestions and speak with the chef...........that is all we really want, right?
Keep an eye out for HyVee Health Market bag sales. The store on 156th and Maple is now carrying Udi's cinnamon rolls.............they are excellent when heated and they even come with frosting! I have already raved on previously about how much I like Udi's muffins and pizza crust!
LaCasa has terrific gluten-free pizza and there is something very comforting about going back to places that never change and that is a good thing.
I must run, but will no longer take so long between posts.......enjoy the end of summer and keep stopping at those wonderful fruit and vegetable stands around town...........local produce.....the best!!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Just Some Random Thoughts
Well, I have been extremely busy and then went to Colorado. I am now back and have been playing "catch-up" for a few days. And let me just say that is always the hardest part of coming back from vacation..........that and trying to get back into your old routine!
So whenever I travel, I always go with a certain amount of anxiety and trepidation. New places, new restaurants..........new ways to become glutenized and taken unaware! But anxiety does not seem to be beneficial in my world any longer, so it takes some strategy and common sense to try and navigate through the unrelenting pitfalls of being a stranger in a strange land. When I travel I rarely bring much of my own food.........too much of an inconvenience, a big hassle, possibly no refrigerator available and it is just basically a big pain in the butt!! But I do my homework before I leave on my journey and that makes things much easier. There are so many places that offer gluten-free alternatives now that it is reasonably safe if you know what you are doing. Do some research on line and then call ahead to restaurants that claim they have a gluten-free menu to verify that fact. Make a list and keep it with you when you travel. I had some happy surprises while I was in Colorado. Places like zoos and museums (which I thought would only offer junk food), had wonderful healthy selections. Delightful salad bars, gluten-free pizza, fresh fruit, and many other "safe" choices. Let's just say I never went hungry and that my options were many and varied. Also, as many of you probably already know, Mexican restaurants have many gluten-free options. Just stay away from anything made with or near a flour tortilla! I am still having problems with Oriental restaurants and the wheat-laden soy sauce. I solved that by getting some little to go paks of soy sauce and carrying some with me all the time. One never knows when one could get a mad craving for Oriental food and I am always prepared. They are always more than happy to make the dish you order without soy sauce. And believe this or not some restaurants actually use gluten-free soy sauce.........not many, but a few.
I feel like my trip was successful on several levels including the choices that are now available to us. And just as an aside............I think Colorado is way more cognizent of gluten-free living than Nebraska............I'm just saying...........
HyVee Stores are now carrying Udi's Gluten-free Bagels. They are really good and they make the best sandwiches ever! I am trying to get them to carry Udi's Cinnamon Rolls.........I have heard they are very lovely.
Have you ever been in the grocery store and walked by the bakery section and looked at all the Artisian breads and rolls as the fragrant aroma of their wonderfulness surrounds you with a dizzing sense of longing? Me too...............once and awhile I even get a little crazy mad about it and then I think about people with real problems and keep moving right past the bakery! Then the feeling of being deprived passes and I move on to the gluten-free section! And how often have you ever had someone say to you.............."it must be so hard to try and eat anything good". Most of the time I correct them and say "not as hard as you might think", but sometimes
I just nod my head and say yes, you wouldn't believe the difficulty......sigh.....and then I realize again that some people have real problems that can't be solved by not eating wheat and I just keep smiling.
Have a safe and stupendous 4th of July and keep smiling! Linda
So whenever I travel, I always go with a certain amount of anxiety and trepidation. New places, new restaurants..........new ways to become glutenized and taken unaware! But anxiety does not seem to be beneficial in my world any longer, so it takes some strategy and common sense to try and navigate through the unrelenting pitfalls of being a stranger in a strange land. When I travel I rarely bring much of my own food.........too much of an inconvenience, a big hassle, possibly no refrigerator available and it is just basically a big pain in the butt!! But I do my homework before I leave on my journey and that makes things much easier. There are so many places that offer gluten-free alternatives now that it is reasonably safe if you know what you are doing. Do some research on line and then call ahead to restaurants that claim they have a gluten-free menu to verify that fact. Make a list and keep it with you when you travel. I had some happy surprises while I was in Colorado. Places like zoos and museums (which I thought would only offer junk food), had wonderful healthy selections. Delightful salad bars, gluten-free pizza, fresh fruit, and many other "safe" choices. Let's just say I never went hungry and that my options were many and varied. Also, as many of you probably already know, Mexican restaurants have many gluten-free options. Just stay away from anything made with or near a flour tortilla! I am still having problems with Oriental restaurants and the wheat-laden soy sauce. I solved that by getting some little to go paks of soy sauce and carrying some with me all the time. One never knows when one could get a mad craving for Oriental food and I am always prepared. They are always more than happy to make the dish you order without soy sauce. And believe this or not some restaurants actually use gluten-free soy sauce.........not many, but a few.
I feel like my trip was successful on several levels including the choices that are now available to us. And just as an aside............I think Colorado is way more cognizent of gluten-free living than Nebraska............I'm just saying...........
HyVee Stores are now carrying Udi's Gluten-free Bagels. They are really good and they make the best sandwiches ever! I am trying to get them to carry Udi's Cinnamon Rolls.........I have heard they are very lovely.
Have you ever been in the grocery store and walked by the bakery section and looked at all the Artisian breads and rolls as the fragrant aroma of their wonderfulness surrounds you with a dizzing sense of longing? Me too...............once and awhile I even get a little crazy mad about it and then I think about people with real problems and keep moving right past the bakery! Then the feeling of being deprived passes and I move on to the gluten-free section! And how often have you ever had someone say to you.............."it must be so hard to try and eat anything good". Most of the time I correct them and say "not as hard as you might think", but sometimes
I just nod my head and say yes, you wouldn't believe the difficulty......sigh.....and then I realize again that some people have real problems that can't be solved by not eating wheat and I just keep smiling.
Have a safe and stupendous 4th of July and keep smiling! Linda
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Gluten-free products and where to get them
Well, summer is upon us and what a welcome relief it is! I have been painfully busy with too much work and precious little time to devote to the blog site. However, I am still madly dashing around going to gluten-free samplings, visiting Hy-Vees and Health Markets and eating a continuing stream of cupcakes and other tempting goodies. When I say madly dashing, I should say sprinting in an effort to keep any extra poundage from clinging to my hips and other applicable body parts. It is a daunting challenge believe me..........but, in my attempt to find real quality gluten-free products, I must persevere and march on.
And so first I must give a much needed thumbs-up to Bakers Supermarket at 132nd & Maple. They are starting to feature many more gluten-free products in their health market section......YAY!! They are now carrying Kinnikinnick bagels, English muffins, hot dog & hamburger buns, donuts and pizza crusts. They also carry Amy's gluten-free frozen cakes and some French Meadow gluten-free cookie dough (also frozen). They have acquired a fantastic selection of various mixes and they really seem to be seeking to increase the variety and availability of stuff......good for them!!
One item that Bakers is carrying (in their regular ice cream section) is Graeter's Ice Cream. Now this may not mean much to some, but being an ice cream lover I had heard "stories" of Graeter's and their amazing ice cream. Graeter's started out as a beloved family institution in Cincinnati, OH in 1870. One family started the busines and several generations later, the family is still running the business. They use a very interesting process to make their ice cream called French Pot process. And they make it in very small batches. People have literally been flocking to their ice cream stores for decades. They also ship their delectable pints of ectasy anywhere in the US. So imagine my surprise and delight when I saw the pleasing little pints sitting on the shelves in the ice cream section at Bakers! I bought my first pint and took it home with palpable anticipation. I chose Blackraspberry Chocolate Chip..........how could I not? As I took my first spoonful, I was initially taken with the creaminess and richness of the ice cream. Then the bursting flavors of the blackraspberry and deep rich chocolate combined to make the happiest of explosions in my mouth. This stuff is outlandishly good. One spoiler.........I think you could become easily addicted to the quality and deliciousness of this treat and it may cause you to turn your nose up at other brands of ice cream. OK, two spoilers.........it could also cause you to spend extra time on the treadmill, but it would be sooooo worth it!
Since it is Summer, I am going to talk about another ice cream treat. Remember ice cream sandwiches?? Yes, well I do, and of course that is all they were to me............a memory. But, alas and take heart, I found a gluten-free ice cream sandwich and it is surprisingly good! It is made by Julie's and it is organic and also goes under the guise of GlutenFreeda's. They too are at Baker's now in the health section. They are a divine and a delightful treat that does not eat up your calorie allowance for the day, but offers you a very satisfying respite of momentary pleasure and decadence. How can argue you with that..........and why would you?? As Rachel Ray says........YUM-O!
OK, and now five minutes to indulge me on the gluten-free soapbox. I have been sampling various offerings at several stores lately and I must say I am not that impressed with many of the new products they are getting in. The mixes are dry and not all that exciting. I have written here before about the fact that you need to jazz up gluten-free mixes and definitely add more butter fat. But, it makes me sad to think that many people settle for ho-hum products just because it is easier or they don't know where really good stuff is hiding. They accept that their new lot in life is to eat semi-yucky stuff if they want anything that resembles bread, cake or muffins. Remember, that is not the case and there are good, quality products out there, but you have to find your voice and you have to speak up. Most stores are only too happy to order in things BUT you have to ask them and you may have to ask them more than once. And restaurants are getting better with gluten-free menus (more show up all the time)..........I understand the Cheesecake Factory will have a gluten-free menu in July. But, we still need to speak up and we need to speak up loudly..........you can make a difference!
And so first I must give a much needed thumbs-up to Bakers Supermarket at 132nd & Maple. They are starting to feature many more gluten-free products in their health market section......YAY!! They are now carrying Kinnikinnick bagels, English muffins, hot dog & hamburger buns, donuts and pizza crusts. They also carry Amy's gluten-free frozen cakes and some French Meadow gluten-free cookie dough (also frozen). They have acquired a fantastic selection of various mixes and they really seem to be seeking to increase the variety and availability of stuff......good for them!!
One item that Bakers is carrying (in their regular ice cream section) is Graeter's Ice Cream. Now this may not mean much to some, but being an ice cream lover I had heard "stories" of Graeter's and their amazing ice cream. Graeter's started out as a beloved family institution in Cincinnati, OH in 1870. One family started the busines and several generations later, the family is still running the business. They use a very interesting process to make their ice cream called French Pot process. And they make it in very small batches. People have literally been flocking to their ice cream stores for decades. They also ship their delectable pints of ectasy anywhere in the US. So imagine my surprise and delight when I saw the pleasing little pints sitting on the shelves in the ice cream section at Bakers! I bought my first pint and took it home with palpable anticipation. I chose Blackraspberry Chocolate Chip..........how could I not? As I took my first spoonful, I was initially taken with the creaminess and richness of the ice cream. Then the bursting flavors of the blackraspberry and deep rich chocolate combined to make the happiest of explosions in my mouth. This stuff is outlandishly good. One spoiler.........I think you could become easily addicted to the quality and deliciousness of this treat and it may cause you to turn your nose up at other brands of ice cream. OK, two spoilers.........it could also cause you to spend extra time on the treadmill, but it would be sooooo worth it!
Since it is Summer, I am going to talk about another ice cream treat. Remember ice cream sandwiches?? Yes, well I do, and of course that is all they were to me............a memory. But, alas and take heart, I found a gluten-free ice cream sandwich and it is surprisingly good! It is made by Julie's and it is organic and also goes under the guise of GlutenFreeda's. They too are at Baker's now in the health section. They are a divine and a delightful treat that does not eat up your calorie allowance for the day, but offers you a very satisfying respite of momentary pleasure and decadence. How can argue you with that..........and why would you?? As Rachel Ray says........YUM-O!
OK, and now five minutes to indulge me on the gluten-free soapbox. I have been sampling various offerings at several stores lately and I must say I am not that impressed with many of the new products they are getting in. The mixes are dry and not all that exciting. I have written here before about the fact that you need to jazz up gluten-free mixes and definitely add more butter fat. But, it makes me sad to think that many people settle for ho-hum products just because it is easier or they don't know where really good stuff is hiding. They accept that their new lot in life is to eat semi-yucky stuff if they want anything that resembles bread, cake or muffins. Remember, that is not the case and there are good, quality products out there, but you have to find your voice and you have to speak up. Most stores are only too happy to order in things BUT you have to ask them and you may have to ask them more than once. And restaurants are getting better with gluten-free menus (more show up all the time)..........I understand the Cheesecake Factory will have a gluten-free menu in July. But, we still need to speak up and we need to speak up loudly..........you can make a difference!
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