Simple Baked French Toast

Yum! Recipe here.

Squished Bread?

Ok, Udi's you've won my love.  Let me share with you how we met.  It was a very warm day on May 1st in Baltimore, MD.  I was disappointed that I had been unable to attend the annual Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K in the morning, but when I was finally able to get back to my day, I headed to Whole Foods Market to stock up.  Now, up until this point, my standard bread was Whole Foods Market's Gluten Free Bakehouse's loaves. Yes, it needed to be toasted, but I was ok with that...it was good.

Being a gluten-free food finding machine, I was able to find every new gluten-free product they had in stock...and that happens to include Udi's granola (in the cereal aisle), loaves of fresh bread & bagels (with--you guessed it--the fresh bread), and cinnamon rolls (over in the bakery).  And yes, I bought all of them.  That's the confidence I have in Udi's.  Where did this confidence come from?  My tweeps on Twitter who just won't say a single negative thing about Udi's.  It was when I went to grab a loaf of bread that I realized that these people probably weren't lying.  This gluten-free bread is squishy.  Now, if there is one thing gluten-free bread buyers have never had to worry about: squished bread.  Well, Udi's, we now have that problem...and that may be the highest compliment you may receive.  (Oh, and the fact that you don't actually have to toast the bread to make it palatable.)

So, on this 91 degree day, as I unloaded my bags of groceries, I discovered that the guy who had bagged my groceries had placed something heavy on top of one of my loaves of Udi's bread, and the loaf was squished! Not crumbled, but squished... And a smile came across my face because I knew something good had entered my life.  So thank you Udi's for my new squishy gluten-free bread products.

Woodberry Kitchen: consistently delicious

This past weekend I enjoyed a fantastic gluten-free meal at Woodberry Kitchen. The bustling eatery has already been reviewed by Gluten Free in Baltimore, but I thought I'd add another happy dining experience to the blog. For those who haven't been, Woodberry Kitchen has a gluten-free menu with only slightly fewer choices than the regular menu. With so many options, I labored over the decision of what to order -- until the server dropped off a plate of warm gluten-free bread. It was only the second time I've had gluten-free bread in a restaurant (the first was at Hemingway's in Killington, VT). With soft, warm bread, the decision was easier -- I wanted soup to start. So, I kicked off the meal with a bowl of velvety Heirloom Pumpkin Soup, lapped up with warm gluten-free bread. For dinner I chose a vegetarian option, the Hot Pot with a smoky cauliflower sauce. Importantly, the menu pointed out in obvious, large font that they do not have a dedicated gluten-free fryer. I appreciated being immediately informed of that potential source of cross-contamination (for dishes with French fries, crispy onions, etc., ask for them to be left off or swapped out for something else). I also appreciated how the staff announced "gluten-free" as they dropped off each dish -- they were paying attention.

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Week

Starting next Monday, September 14, Trader Joes will be offering gluten-free samples and cooking ideas at their Towson store. “We thought it would be different and fun,” says the clerk who told me about their plans for “gluten-free week” after seeing gluten-free rice bread, English muffins and pasta in my cart. 

Note: Only the Towson location will be doing gluten-free demos. 

Trader Joe’s No Gluten products.

Trader Joe's Towson (649) 

1 E. Joppa Rd. 

Towson, MD 21286 

Phone Number: 410-296-9851 

Trading Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm 

Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

My personal favorite email thus far:

Hi,

I saw a menu online of Pizzazz that says they have gluten-free bread for sandwiches and cornmeal crust for pizzas upon request. I haven't been yet, so I don't know how good any of it is, but I thought it was worth letting you guys know. The website is http://www.pizzazztuscangrille.com/index.html. Thanks for having a site for those of us in Baltimore that have celiac!

Thanks,

(Gluten Free in Baltimore Reader)

Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

711 Eastern Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: 410.528.7772

Hours:

M-Th - 6am to 9pm

Fr-Sa - 6am to 10pm

Sun - 7am to 6pm

***From the online menu:  Whole wheat bread or gluten free bread can be substituted on most of our sandwiches. Rice or soy cheese can be substituted for $1.50 extra.

GlutenFree Bakehouse: Bread, Scones, and Pie. Oh My!

This is Part II of a new series dedicated to answering the question:  What's in Your Pantry?

When Whole Foods Market opened their Gluten Free Bakehouse, (sometime around 2005) everything became a little better.  It was a day to be celebrated: bread, personal-sized pies, scones, muffins, brownies, biscuits, cornbread, cookies, pizza crust, pie crusts, cakes & cupcakes...all packaged and sitting there in the freezer section just waiting and wanting for me to eat them.

The Sun-dried Tomato and Roasted Garlic sliced bread, when toasted, is the perfect compliment to a turkey sandwich.  The sandwich bread is versatile and works well as toast to accompany eggs and bacon for breakfast, chopped and baked into croutons for a salad for lunch, or slathered with butter, garlic, and parsley for garlic bread to accompany a big gluten-free Italian dinner.

The first product I fell in love with, though, were the Almond Scones.  They're huge, so remember to cut them in half.  All that needs to be done is let them thaw in the refrigerator, and then eat.

Of course, at Thanksgiving, it was fun to have a pumpkin pie and pecan pie pre-made sitting in my refrigerator.

I also find that their pizza crusts, while not so great for pizza, make a great base for gluten-free focaccia:  just brush with olive oil add some herbs and bake:  Moist, chewy, and delicious in minutes!

-Kate

Editor-in-Chief

Gluten Free Italian Food

If you haven't had a large gluten-free cheese pizza in a while, you'll want to try Conte's Pasta Gluten Free Cheese Pizza.  It has a thin crispy crust, delicious tomato sauce, and just the right amount of cheese.  It's not personal sized, like Glutino's version, so there's room to add your own toppings.  It's done in 10 minutes.

In fact, it's so delicious, I'm going to purchase some of their other gluten-free products:  Ravioli, Lasagna, Gnocchi, Pierogies, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Manicotti, and Stuffed Shells. 

I was able to find the pizza at The Natural in Timonium, MD; however, the other products I'm going to have to purchase online.  I'll be sure to let The Natural know which one's they should stock up on!  I'm just so excited.

I'm thinking about having a full Italian Meal:  Against The Grain Baguette made into Garlic Bread, a delicious Salad, and Ravioli!  

Some days when I get home from work, I just want to shove something in the microwave and be done with it.  (Ok, so I'm one person, so I always want to do that...) Gluten Free Cafe frozen entrees are delicious.  I'm particularly fond of the Fettucini Alfredo.  I've also found these at The Natural.  

Gluten-free Baguettes? The scoop on gluten-free breads...

Against the Grain Gourmet did it.  They made an outstanding gluten-free baguette.  I'm not sure it's exactly like a gluten filled baguette, but if you toast that sucker up, it certainly seems to come close.  It's lightweight and chewy on the inside, and crispy on the outside.

For sandwich bread there are a few great options:  Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse, Glutino (available at Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, The Natural Market), Kinnikinnick (The Natural).

Enjoy! (But remember to toast it!)

The Natural Market

The Natural Market

2149 York Rd

Timonium, MD 21093

410-560-3133

Hours:

Monday - Friday:  9:30am - 8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am - 7pm

I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of The Natural in Timonium, MD.  Their selection of gluten-free products just keeps expanding, and they keep continuing to find new and improved products.  They have some outstanding frozen foods, especially Glutino's frozen personal sized pizzas as well as some gluten-free TV dinners that are quite good.  (TV dinners--as far as I recall--were never top-notch gourmet food anyway...)  

The shopping center is currently under construction, but it's worth the trip!

If You Would Rather Purchase Products Than Eat At A Restaurant...

I realized recently, as I was going to make myself dinner, that I haven't posted about stores that stock gluten-free products.  I've been so focused on the difficulties of eating out when gluten-free, that I just completely glossed over the fact that there are many places in and around Baltimore where one can purchase gluten-free products and ingredients.  If the stores have provided lists of gluten-free products, you can find them as links below.  I will also list a few of my favorites as well.  So, with that in mind, here we go:

Whole Foods Market [Harbor East]

1001 Fleet Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-528-1420

Gluten-Free Products List

Whether you are a visitor to Baltimore staying in one of the hotels in Harbor East, or a long-time Baltimorean, Whole Foods Market is the place to go for gluten-free products. While this store has gluten-free products scattered throughout, my favorite place is in the freezer section right in the middle of the store.  If you are walking toward the back of the store, the right side of the freezer section contains a section of gluten-free products from their Gluten-Free Bakehouse.  Their sandwich bread is especially good!  If you continue back, Van's Waffles are also in the freezer section.  Be sure you check to make sure you've grabbed the gluten-free version (some aren't!).  On the left side of the freezer section, there is a wide variety of Amy's frozen products.  Once again, you'll have to make sure that you are buying a gluten-free product, because some of them aren't!  As you'll see from the products' list, there are hundreds of gluten-free items located throughout the store.

Whole Foods Market [Mount Washington]

1330 Smith Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21209

410-532-6700

Gluten-Free Products List

While the parking can be a little hectic at times, this Whole Foods Market also has an outstanding selection of gluten-free products.  Head to the back of the store and on your left you'll find the freezer section.  You'll have to try the Whole Foods Bakehouse Gluten-Free Pie Crusts; they are fantastic for quiche!  This store also stocks some of Sweet Sin Bakery's Individual Desserts right in the same freezer case.  They are quite pricey, but if you're looking to indulge, I'd definitely recommend the Pecan Tart, but there are probably four or five others to choose from as well.

Whole Foods Market [Annapolis]

2504 Solomon's Island Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

410-573-1800

Gluten-Free Products List

Whole Foods Market [Gaithersburg]

316 Kentlands Boulevard

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

301-258-9500

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Towson]

1 East Joppa Road

Towson, MD 21286

410-296-9851

Gluten-Free Products List

Whether you happen to be in Towson visiting one of the colleges, visiting family, or you just live in or around Towson, Trader Joe's is an excellent place to stock up on gluten-free products.  Once again, the parking situation is not optimal, but you'll realize it was worth it when you get home and try a bite of their Sweet Without Wheat Tiramisu.  While I wasn't ever a big fan of Trader Joe's--I'm not really sure how I came to that conclusion--I certainly have changed my mind.  They have some fantastic gluten-free products:  from fully-prepared entrees and desserts, to gluten-free ingredients.  You'll have to pick up one of their Sweet without Wheat frozen desserts.  It's in the first aisle on the left in the freezer.  I do not recommend any of their homemade gluten-free breads, but that doesn't mean the rest of the gluten-free products aren't any good...I also highly suggest their gluten-free Granola that sits alongside the rest of their cereals and granolas.  In fact, I'm eating some right now as I type this.  My personal favorite is the tropical forest variety, but that's just me.

Trader Joe's [Pikesville]

1809 Reisterstown Road

Pikesville, MD 21208

410-484-8373

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Columbia]

6610 Marie Curie Drive

Elkridge, MD 21075

410-953-8139

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Annapolis]

160 F Jennifer Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

410-573-0505

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Gaithersburg]

18270 Contour Road

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

301-947-5953

Gluten-Free Products List

The Natural [Timonium]

2149 York Road

Timonium, MD 21093

410-560-3133

Gluten-Free Products

You might be in Timonium because you live there, or because you're visiting the Maryland State Fairgrounds, or because you're visiting family.  No matter why you're there, The Natural is a great resource for gluten-free products.  The Natural is hidden at the very end of a Shopping Center in Timonium, across from the Maryland State Fairgrounds.  When you enter the store, head right down the aisle straight ahead of you, and you will find a huge variety of gluten-free products on your right.  The Natural stocks lots of Ener-G products, so if you're a fan, you'll be in heaven.  If you're like me, they have plenty of other products to keep you happy and coming back.  From Glutano cookies and crackers, to Pamela's cookies and Glutino breakfast bars, Tinkyada Lasagna noodles and other gluten-free pastas.  Now, I am personally disgusted by Ener-G products, but that's my opinion.   But, don't stop there, keep walking to the freezers in the back of the store and you'll find Glutino frozen pizzas: cheese or spinach and feta.  I highly suggest picking up one of these.  They make a great lunch or dinner.  I find them filling, despite their rather small size.  On the right wall freezer section, you'll find even more frozen foods:  Kinnikinnick products, such as sandwich bread and their delicious cinnamon rolls.  I recommend Glutano's Bagels.  You'll have to wander around the store to find the other hidden gluten-free goodies, but it's worth it.

Wegmans [Hunt Valley]

122 Shawan Road

Hunt Valley, MD 21030

Gluten-Free Products List

If you've never been to a Wegmans, you have not experienced everything there is to experience.  Wegmans is HUGE.  If you have social anxiety, I recommend not going on a Weekend.  I'm not making this up:  there was a Bus Tour one weekend that stopped at Wegmans.  Anyway, you'll have to do a bit of hunting for the gluten-free products, but many of them are located right in the middle of the store, where organic foods and health supplies are.  While Wegmans is huge, I've always been slightly disappointed by the lack of variety of products.  But, you'll find lots of glutano products (from cookies to crackers to pastas) in their gluten-free aisle.  Grab a bag of Glutino pretzels.  You won't be disappointed, unless you were looking for them to taste exactly like gluten-filled pretzels...  Anyway in the freezer case right near the gluten-free aisle, you'll find Glutino sandwich bread and bagels, as well as Foods By George gluten-free cornbread (which is outstanding, especially as part of a cornbread stuffing!)  Refer to the product list link above for a full listing of gluten-free products.  Many of Wegmans' brand products will say whether they are gluten-free.

Lilit Cafe

7921 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD  20814

301-654-5454

http://www.lilitcafe.com

So I had my second ever gluten-free sandwich at a restaurant.  The first was at a restaurant in Canada.  I've eaten lots of "gluten-free sandwiches" where the way the sandwich becomes gluten- free is that I ask for it without the bread; however, this time was different.  The contents of this sandwich were graciously surrounded by two pieces of gluten-free bread.  Lilit Cafe is a bit of a drive from Baltimore, but completely worth it.  Not only will you enjoy a delicious gluten-free meal, you can stock up on the amazingly delicious products from Sweet Sin Bakery.  The Cafe has them in their refrigerated section.

The sandwich I had was the Turkey Caprese -- and yes, they knew to toast the bread.  It was the perfect lunch sandwich.  The Cafe is a big combination of gelato shop, liquor store, gluten-free shop, and cafe.  It's the perfect place to go to grab lunch, or to sit and eat a cup of gelato on a hot summer's day.

Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse

The Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse

Baltimore has two Whole Foods Markets:  One in Mount Washington and one in Harbor East. There are also locations in Annapolis, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, and Rockville.  I will be writing about the Mount Washington and Harbor East locations, because those are the only two that I have visited in the area.

Anyway, Baltimore's Whole Foods Markets offer selections from their Gluten Free Bakehouse in the freezer sections: from the Sandwich Bread to Blueberry Muffins to Almond Scones, Banana Bread, and Carrot Cake to Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and Walnut Brownies to personal sized pies, such as apple and pecan.  You can view the full list of Product Offerings here.

I must say, their gluten free sandwich bread is quite delicious (yes, it still must be toasted, but really it only needs to be warmed up), I like their almond scones too.  I find their pizza crust to be delicious not as the crust for pizza, but as the base for focaccia, or cut up for sandwiches. Their pie crust is outstanding as the crust for quiches.

So, yes, these are expensive products, but if you put them in your freezer, they last for quite some time and they are delicious.  So if you happen to be craving delicious bread, a good muffin, or banana bread, stop by Whole Foods Market and pick up a few frozen gluten free goods.  I promise: You won't regret it.

Favorites from the Grocery Store

In no particular order

1. Great Breakfast: Glutino Plain Bagels toasted with Cream Cheese
2. The Perfect Lunch: Whole Foods Market Sandwich Bread toasted with Chicken Salad
3. For Lunch or Dinner: Glutino Frozen Personal Pizza: Spinach & Feta or Tomato & Cheese
4. Great Dinner with the possibility for leftovers for Lunch: Tinkyada Tricolor Fusilli Pasta with Chicken, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Black Olives, Artichoke Hearts, and Olive Oil
5. Great Breakfast Food: Erewhon Rice Twice Cereal
6. Trader Joe's Sweet without Wheat Tiramisu Dessert Cake
7. Whole Foods Market Frozen Pie Crusts as the crust for Quiche Lorraine
8. As a great snack: Glutino Pretzel Sticks & Peanut Butter
9. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Van's Waffles toasted with a little Butter and Maple Syrup
10. When I have no time: Amy's Frozen Meals
11. When I want to feel like a kid again: Dinosaur Shaped Chicken Nuggets with Heinz Ketchup or Kraft Barbeque Sauce

Toast the Bread...and other gluten-free tips

1. If you want to be able to enjoy the $5 loaf of sandy, gritty gluten-free bread...put it in the toaster.  It will taste better; I promise.
2. Gluten-free food is expensive.  Freeze what you don't use to make it last longer.
3. Don't eat the pasta without some type of sauce.
4. Watch out for cross-contamination -- keep your gluten-free products gluten-free!
5. Get a second toaster, and use it only for gluten-free products.
6. Remember that food isn't actually the only part of your life.