Surprise! Vinegar Pie

One of our friends on Twitter is Shirley Braden (@Shirleyfge).  She has some absolutely amazing recipes on her blog: Gluten Free Easily and I suggest you try some of them.  Definitely delicious. 

Vinegar Pie
(Click here for a printable version of this recipe.)

1 ½ cups granulated sugar
8 tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled (dairy-free butter should work)
3 large or extra large eggs
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp flour (I used my gluten-free flour mix*)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

*I can’t tolerate many of the healthier, gluten-free flours; e.g., sorghum, buckwheat. Therefore, my gluten-free flour mix is 3 parts Asian white rice flour and 2 parts cornstarch. I gently mix three one-lb bags of the Asian white rice flour and two one-lb boxes of cornstarch in a very large bowl and then store the mix in several airtight containers (like large glass jars). No refrigeration is needed. But feel free to use whichever flour mix you use most often for baking. If you’re not gluten free, you may use all-purpose flour.

Preheat oven to to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 9-inch pie plate very well.

Melt butter. Set aside to cool slightly. While butter is cooling, add other ingredients to mixing bowl. Add butter.

Using electric mixer, beat on high for one minute or until well blended and smooth. (It will look a lot like yellow cake batter.) Pour into greased pie plate.

Bake at 300 degrees for about 50 minutes until top forms a golden crust (center should still be slightly liquid). Cool completely before cutting and serve at room temperature (or cold per preference).

Graul’s Market Does Gluten-Free

In Baltimore County, the local market, Graul’s, is well-known and well-loved, but until recently, not known for its selection of specialty gluten-free foods. It appears that may be changing however. Just last week, I went into Graul’s (Ruxton location) for a gallon of milk I’d forgotten during my regular grocery shopping run and noticed a gluten-free display set up near the produce aisle. They were featuring Bob’s Red Mill products (including the favorite gluten-free Mighty Tasty hot cereal), Betty Crocker’s gluten-free cookie, brownie and cake mixes (for $2.99, the cheapest price I’ve found -- possibly a special introductory price), and snickerdoodle cookies and blueberry muffins from local Baltimore bakery, Sweet Sin.

I picked up a package of Sweet Sin muffins and a bag of gluten-free candy from a natural foods company out of Germany I hadn’t heard of before called Seitenbacher. I opened the candy right away to quiet my squirmy toddler and snuck a piece of the fruity strawberry candy myself. It was delicious and we’ve since been back for more Seitenbacher candies. Graul’s also had gluten-free egg noodles (hard to find!), instant soups called ‘hot snacks’ in tomato, vegetable and potato varieties, instant sauce mixes, muesli, cornflakes and energy bars all made by Seitenbacher.


I spoke with the manager about their new gluten-free goodies. He told me they were recently added in response to requests from customers for more gluten-free items. When I asked about the availability at other locations, he said the Mays Chapel store has had a gluten-free specialty section for over a year. Thanks Graul’s!

Locations throughout Maryland:
Annapolis | Cape St. Claire | Hereford | Mays Chapel | Ruxton | St. Michaels


-Christine

Bringing Gluten-Free Chicago to Baltimore. It's a Win.

Da Luciano's
8343 W Grand Ave
River Grove, IL 60171
708-453-1000
dalucianos.com

This wonderful restaurant is near Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Why am I mentioning it to Baltimore area celiacs? Because they will now SHIP gluten free food!! They offer gluten free food I have literally never seen elsewhere including gluten free ravioli, tiramisu, cannoli, and much more. Check out their website! My husband - who does not have celiac disease - says their gluten free food doesn’t taste gluten-free. (Doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything.) All I can say is I am very happy whenever I eat their food.

This restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who have children with Celiac disease so they really know how to cook for celiacs. If you’re ever in Chicago, it’s a must visit.

-Susan

Gluten-Free and Looking for Your New Favorite Place to Eat (that's not your kitchen?) Your answer is: Pizzazz Tuscan Grille. Go, Now!

www.pizzazztuscangrille.com

711 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202-4320
(410) 528-7772

I've now been to Pizzazz Tuscan Grille more than 5 times, and I'm always delighted with my meal. I thought the only place I could get a gluten-free sandwich -- with the bread -- was either from my kitchen at home or Lilit Cafe in Bethesda, MD. It turns out that Pizzazz Tuscan Grille right in Baltimore is serving up an outstanding selection of gluten-free friendly items. Sandwiches are served on chewy, not crumbly, gluten-free rolls. The crust for the last pizza I had was on a Whole Foods Market Gluten-free Bakehouse crust. If you've eaten one of these crusts, they are dense and heavy, but delicious and (once again) have some chew to them, rather than the typical crumbly and sandy mess that has been the foundation for so many gluten-free items for the past 15 years.

Pizzazz is attached to the Pier 5 Hotel, but from what I can tell, caters not only to the hotel guests, but also to Baltimore's own. With a distinct atmosphere that combines seated dining areas, a bar, order-out, and outdoor seating (when the city isn't encapsulated by three feet of snow and ice), Pizzazz is offering up the right combination right in the downtown Baltimore area. From great food (check out their menu) to a hospitable staff who get to know the regulars and hotel guests with ease.

To be honest, I've only been for Brunch and Lunch, but I'll be going back for Breakfast and Dinner because I want to try a gluten-free pasta dish prepared somewhere other than in my kitchen at home. Plus, there are so many options, it's going to take quite a few visits, and that's ok by me...as well as the family and friends I take with me.

If you're still on the fence about whether you'll go or not, check out their extensive menus. But, seriously, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.

-Kate

Happy? Holidays - Yes!

We, here at Gluten Free in Baltimore, love giving edible gifts because they don't stay around to create more clutter. But, what do you do when that family member, co-worker, or friend is gluten-free? Let us help you with your search.

We happened to stumble across a delicious site: foodzie.com. Check out what Foodzie has to offer...the pictures make our mouths water. Not only did we find some great gifts, we were introduced to many new gluten-free specialty bakers.

But, right here in Baltimore, we have our very own bakery: Brunie's Bakery. Brunie's makes vegan and gluten-free goodies, and we just can't get enough. Our vegan friends and non-vegan friends are satisfied and can share the same dessert.

A Bountiful Harvest

And for those of you who want to try something new, something different, something delectable, check out Vosges Chocolate. As gluten-free folk know, we aren't used to a lot of choices, but Vosges Chocolate brings us luxury and the exotic, all from a kitchen in Chicago.

Triumph Dining's Top 10 Gluten-Free Gifts for 2009

A Guilty Pleasure In Our Own Backyard

Sweet Sin Bakery has opened a retail store near Charles Village. I can't praise this bakery enough. Everything they make is delicious. They also serve my favorite local coffee, Zeke's Coffee.

I went in one morning and wanted some comfort food. For me, comfort food is 'bread' products. I bought a loaf of bread, 4 muffins, a cupcake and a large coffee. While I was in the store I also got to sample a slice of pumpkin pie, a regular slice not a 'sample size'. The crust was perfect, light, flaky and sweet. I expressed how much I liked the pie and was offered another slice.

I'm making Sweet Sin my guilty pleasure at least once a week.

http://www.glutenfreedesserts.com/

http://www.zekescoffee.com/

Hope you can get there soon! It's worth it!

Monica

Ben & Jerry's: Our New Favorites

My birthday was Sunday, and I love ice cream cake, but I haven't been able to enjoy any for a while.  Ben & Jerry's is my new hero.  See, the Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Maggie Moo's cakes all have a cookie crumble or cake layer or both.  Ben & Jerry's allows you to have a gluten-free cake.

You have two options:  1. All ice cream or 2. Bring in your own filling, such as cookies or brownies.

Then you place a special order.  The Ben & Jerry's that I visited had a binder at the counter that listed all the gluten-free ice creams.  I chose Phish Food and Vanilla, chose my cake style from the catalog, and handed over my brownies.  The clerk wrote "GLUTEN-FREE - USE CUSTOMER BROWNIES" in the special instructions.  Even better:  we got a $3 discount for bringing in our own brownies.

I came back a day and a half later to pick it up, and it looked good!  It tasted good too.  As you can see in the picture below, there are two layers of brownie or cookie alternated with two layers of your choice of ice cream.  I chose the chocolate frosting, but there is vanilla as well.

Check out the Ben & Jerry's Website for a location near you!

A Starbucks on Every Corner

I loved the Valencia Cake from Starbucks.  It made me feel 'normal' to say: yes, I'd like a cake with my coffee.  Well, bah hum bug... Starbucks is no longer serving their gluten-free cake.  They claim that it wasn't nutritious enough and have replaced it with a nut-type bar.

Thanks to that, now I'll have to make my own cake... when will I find time to do that?!

I'm off to eat a pint of ice cream.

Monica

Doesn't Everyone Love To Be Fooled By Gluten-Free Products?

So, there's BIG news!  Betty Crocker has 4 gluten-free products out.  So far, the two stores where they've been spotted are the SuperFresh in Timonium, MD and the SuperFresh in Hampden.  Let's see if we can compile a longer list.  I'm sure we can!  Add a comment that shows where you found the latest and greatest.  I've personally tried the yellow cake mix -- delicious.  Monica has bought and baked the Devils Food Cake which "regular gluten eaters cannot tell the difference", and a good friend has tried the chocolate chip cookies, with the same positive results.  So, go!  Get yourself some gluten-free goodies.  See how many people you can fool -- or eat it all yourself, we don't really care either way, just let us know what you think.

(Monica's Caveat:  Be careful of store-bought icing.  You can read the label, but it doesn't always have the right information.  I made the mistake and bought the wrong one and am just now recovering from the consequences of getting glutened.  Lesson Learned:  Make Your Own Icing.  Try this one.)

Starbucks Offering Gluten-Free Goodies!

A few weeks ago, I read a blog post on Starbucks' site about test marketing a gluten-free pastry.  They were looking for ideas on the kind of pastry, how they should package/display it, and what things they should watch out for, especially in terms of cross-contamination.  I was thrilled -- I miss the days of having a pastry with my tea, despite all the extra calories!  The word was they were going to test-market the product this summer, but not necessarily in all stores.  I decided not to get my hopes up -- gluten-free pastries to-go from a mainstream coffee shop seemed just too good to be true!

On my walk into work in the mornings, I occasionally like to stop in at the Starbucks in The Gallery on Calvert & Pratt (downtown Baltimore for those of you outside the city!).  I love their tall, soy, iced chais, especially as the weather warms up!  My coworkers were all having donuts at a floor meeting this morning, so I decided to treat myself instead of feeling left out.  When I walked up to the counter, my eye caught the little sign advertising Gluten-Free Valencia Orange cakes -- individually wrapped to avoid cross-contamination from the other pastries!  I started to get excited, and was thrilled when I found out that not ONLY are they gluten-free, but they're also dairy-free (and soy and tapioca-free for those of you with other allergies)!  And these cakes are delicious - moist, perfectly sweet, and oh-so-gluten-free-yummy.  It was worth the $1.95 I paid, and I'll definitely be buying them again in the future!

For more info on these delectable new goodies, check out Starbucks' Newsroom page dedicated to them.  There's also a celiac.com discussion thread going about them here.

-Lynnae

Monica's Goes Grocery Shopping and We Get Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I started my week with a trip to the grocery store.  Yup, the regular ol' grocery store: SuperFresh.  They don't have a large selection of specifically gluten-free products, but they do have my weekly staples.

I write the items on my list in the order in which I will walk around the store; it helps me to avoid the unnecessary purchases (like candy and potato chips).  Also, since I've started to walk to and from the store, I like to make the trip as quick as possible.

 

So here it is:  The list...

(Directly from my hot pink post-it note):

• Soy milk (I still cannot drink cow's milk.  Thank you, gut...) -- Silk brand (I've tried other brands and for me this one tastes the best.)
  
• Rice Pudding -- Kozy Shack
  
• Yogurt -- Dannon or Yoplait brands are labeled Gluten Free!
  
• Cream cheese--Philadelphia
  
• Corn tortillas – Pepito
• Eggs
• Lunch meat – Oscar Mayer (Lucky me!  It's on sale this week!)
• Canned Black beans -- Goya or Hanover
• Tomato Soup -- Pacific
• Canned tuna -- Chicken of the Sea
• Canned chicken – Valley Fresh, read the label, it should say GF, if it doesn't, err on not trying it.
• Rice Chex Cereal -- General Mills
• Peanut Butter--Jif Brand, but I also have 'natural' versions of peanut butter that are just as delicious and w/o the extra stabilizers and stuff, but Jif is the best to make my favorite cookies!
• Banana
• Pear

There are plenty of items that I already have in the pantry and freezer that I can add to this week's staples for my meals.  What's already in the pantry and freezer:

• Frozen broccoli and spinach -- store brand
  
• Whole Foods Bakehouse -- pizza crust and sandwich bread
  
• Glutino bagels
  
• Canned diced tomatoes (usually less expensive and won't spoil) -- store brand
  
• Bag of potatoes
  
• Bag of onions
  
• Fresh garlic and ginger
  
• Corn meal – Quaker
  
• Premade polenta – Sun of Italy
  
• Brown Rice
  
• Rice noodles (found in the Asian section of the store)
  
• Pasta -- DeBoles Corn or Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta products
  
• Grits – store brand or Quaker
  
• Marinara sauce – Rinaldi original or marinara
  
• Goya's canned tuna stuffed olives (I love Goya!)
  
• Cook and serve pudding – jello
  
• Tortilla chips – Utz, Tostitos
  
• Salsa – many kinds, Mrs. Renfro’s is my current favorite (read the label, it should say GF, if it doesn't, err on not trying it.)
  
• Tofu – NaSoya
  
• Canned pineapple -- store brand
  
• Ground flax seed -- Bob’s Red Mill
  
• Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch (It's a new find for me and it's a great price, compared to other bars)
  
• Lara bars -- all the flavors are good
• Carnation Instant Breakfast (dark chocolate, all flavors but malt are ok)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 c. Peanut Butter

1 c. granulated sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1 Tbs. GF vanilla flavoring -- McCormick

4 eggs

1 bag chocolate chips -- Nestle

 

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together. Drop 1" spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly browned. Cool and Enjoy.

 

We baked these cookies at Christmas and I took them to my Super Bowl party. No one knew the difference. It was fun to see the reactions of family and friends when I told them the cookies were gluten free!

 

Gluten Free doesn't mean that you have to give up what you really love. It gives you a license to be creative!

Welcome to Monica and Her Outstanding Gluten-Free Hunting!

Monica is our newest associate contributor.  She's been quite active on our site for some time now, leaving great comments, and helpful pieces of advice.  She's been gluten-free for 2 years now.  Living with fibromyalgia, Monica decided to try the gluten-free diet as a potential treatment and form of relief.  Two years later, it must be working because she continues to eat gluten-free.  As always, we like to introduce our contributors with a list of their favorite foods; Monica's list includes:  hummus & carrots, pizza, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, nuts, lara bars, and a gluten-free diet staple:  chips and salsa.  In addition to enjoying great gluten-free food, Monica enjoys running & cycling, everything having to do with dogs, and the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

Monica is a great gluten-free goodies hunter.  She brings with her some outstanding news: Gluten-Free Cakes and Cupcakes right here in the Baltimore Metro Area (and D.C.!).

Cakelove

American Can Company

2500 Boston Street, Suite 4B

Baltimore, MD 21224

410.522.1825

Cakelove helped Monica's boyfriend (perhaps he's actually the actual gluten-free goodies hunter in the relationship?) out and he scored bonus points by getting a gluten-free chocolate cake with fresh strawberry icing to share with friends after dinner at Nacho Mamas! 

gf Meals by Your Dinner Secret

We were sitting around discussing several Celiacs we know who don't follow the gluten-free diet strictly, and then continue to complain about their miserable symptoms.  These are the ones who are too busy to take care of themselves, don't have the time to recognize that the gluten-free diet isn't like a weight-loss diet; rather, it is a lifestyle.  That's where gf Meals comes to the rescue!

In a world where much of our grocery store's freezer section is filled with TV dinners, the gluten-free diet has been slow to catch-up; however, that's no longer the case.  gf meals offers entrees, side dishes, baked goods that will be delivered directly to your door and ready to cook. In our busy world, this may be the ticket to remaining healthy.  

Click here to visit gfMeals.com

Sweet Serendipity

Bean Hollow Coffee and Confections

8059 Main Street

Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-465-0233

Last Sunday, I ducked into a place in historic Ellicott City I’d never been before, Bean Hollow Coffee and Confections. While I was ordering a cup of joe, I happened to see chocolate raspberry tarts and chocolate dipped cheesecake in the pastry case labeled, “gluten-free.” I was absolutely euphoric. I couldn’t believe I’d stumbled upon a place where not only could I get a gluten-free treat, but I also had to a choice to make: tart or cheesecake.

In the end I went with the tart, promising to go back for the cheesecake soon. The tart was truly decadent and the coffee equally satisfying.

The next day, I called Bean Hollow’s owner to thank her for having gluten-free goodies in the coffee shop. She told me she’s been carrying gluten-free desserts for over a year. She started offering them because she “tries to have something for everyone,” even for those with allergies and intolerances. All of her gluten-free desserts, which also include a chocolate mousse cake and pecan tart, come from the local Baltimore bakery, Sweet Sin.

The other great thing I noticed was that the gluten-free desserts had their own separate tray in the pastry case. Cross-contamination was covered. Pretty sweet.

*Sweet Sin Bakery 

410-366-5777 

IKEA: Not just for furniture anymore

Yes, Ikea is known worldwide as a home furnishings store.  However, here's a little known fact: They have a few gluten-free products (those in the freezer case are some of our favorites!). Every Almondy tarta is gluten-free and delicious. 

So, after searching out some "build-your-own" furniture, and accessories to store all your great gluten-free products, go search out some "thaw-your-own" desserts at their Swedish Market!

Where?

Baltimore, MD

8352 Honeygo Blvd.

Baltimore, MD  21236

College Park, MD

10100 Baltimore Ave.

College Park, MD  20740

The latest and greatest gluten-free home baked cookies

If you're looking for delicious, warm from the oven, gluten-free cookies go to the freezer case and find Glutenfreeda's Real Cookies.  From chewy snickerdoodles and sugar cookies to chocolatey-peanut butter cookies, they have an entire range that are easy to bake quickly.  I highly recommend searching these out.  If you're in the baltimore area, check out: The Natural in Timonium or Roots Market in Olney.

If you want to order online check out their website.

The Most Delicious Gluten-Free, Vegan Carrot Cake Ever Made

Great Sage

5809 Clarksville Square Drive

Clarksville, MD  21029

443-535-9400

As promised, I'm reporting back to you.  Great Sage has gone above and beyond my expectations.  When we picked up the cake, I was impressed with how delicious it looked, and a bit worried by just how heavy this cake was.  As we drove to the party, it felt as though a small infant was sitting on my lap.  That's probably an exaggeration, but it gives you the idea.  Well, after several jokes had been made about its weight, we cut the cake.  The cut cake revealed, three layers of moist carrot cake, with thin layers of icing in between each layer.  This cake was so moist and delicious, everyone loved it, including the skeptics and those disgusted by previous encounters with gluten-free food and/or vegan food.  I would drive the 40 minutes any day to get a few more bites of this carrot cake.  I, of course, would have to feast on all of the other amazing food they serve.

Vegan & Gluten-Free?

My cousin is vegan, and I am gluten-free.  For his birthday my family thought it would be a great idea to get him a vegan cake.  After calling what seemed like thousands of places, I finally contacted Great Sage in Clarksville, MD.  Well, they apparently have a gluten-free, vegan carrot cake.  I am quite excited to try it tomorrow and let you know the results.

Sweet Sin Bakery

123 West 27th Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

410-368-5777

www.glutenfreedesserts.com

I had my first taste of Sweet Sin Bakery's desserts when I bought several of their mini-desserts from the freezer case of the Whole Foods Market in Mount Washington.  Yes, I did have to let them defrost, but once they had, I couldn't keep my hands off of them because they were so excellent.  I have not tried all the various options from the freezer case (which is a very small portion of what the Bakery actually offers), but I will say that the Pecan Tart (which is also dairy free), the Lemon Meringue Tart (also dairy free), and the Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Tart are decadent.  I actually had doubts that they could be gluten-free because they were so delicious!  But, no, they are indeed gluten-free.

If you want to see their extensive list of gluten-free offerings, go check out their website: Your mouth will be watering; I promise.

Flourless Chocolate Cake: the ultimate restaurant dessert that just might be gluten-free...

It just so happens that as the number of restaurants that accommodate gluten-free diets increases, so does my opportunity to try various versions of the gluten-free classic restaurant dessert:  The Flourless Chocolate Cake.  My question always is: Is this actually gluten-free? because, let's face it: it may not be...and that would be a problem.  Luckily, the flourless chocolate cakes usually are gluten-free, and how could I possibly pass up the opportunity to eat cake at a restaurant?

I have now tried several different versions of this dessert:  Bluestone, Woodberry Kitchen, Roy's (and I believe there are others that I am forgetting at the momen).  Each is phenomenally rich, and just what the doctor ordered.

After spending several years ordering the Creme Brulee (which typically is gluten-free -- as long as they don't ruin it by sticking a cookie on top), that I absolutely adore, it is nice to have the option between a light and creamy custard dessert and a rich and dense cake.  So, next time you're out: give it a shot...I can assure you that you won't regret it.

And, just for kicks, here's one recipe (out of hundreds) for Flourless Chocolate Cake:

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate

1/2 C. unsalted butter

3/4 C. sugar

3 large eggs

1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  
• Butter an 8-in. round cake pan.  Line the bottom with wax or parchment paper, and butter that as well.
  
• Chop chocolate into small pieces.
  
• In a double broiler, melt chocolate pieces with butter, stirring until smooth.  Remove top of double broiler and whisk in the sugar.  Add eggs and whisk well.  Sift 1/2 C. cocoa powder into mixture and whisk until just combined.
  
• Pour batter into pan, and bake in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes (or until the top has formed a thin crust).
  
• Cool cake on rack for 5 minutes, and invert onto serving plate.
  
• Dust cake with additional cocoa powder, if desired.
  

Recipe courtesy of epicurious.com.