Snyder’s Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

It’s always nice when you can find gluten free products in a “normal” grocery store; it’s downright exciting when a favorite regular-food brand puts out a gluten free food.  Such is the case with Snyder’s of Hanover’s new Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks.  After a couple of hiccups in getting the GF ball rolling, Snyder’s new pretzel sticks have been certified by the GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization) and each bag clearly shows the GIG (Gluten Intolerance Group) seal of approval.  According to GFCO, their goals is to provide “a uniform system, using strict standards to certify a product gluten-free and enables people to easily identify GF foods with confidence.” Read More »

 I’ve been gluten free since 2002, and I’m embarrassed to say that up until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t tried Uno Chicago Grill’s Gluten Free menu, which they’ve been offering for almost 2 years. Actually, the last time I was there, it was still called “Pizzeria Uno”. But recently, a bunch of us were stuck at Washington, DC’s Union Station for a couple of hours, and there just happened to be a Uno’s there, which seemed to be the only restaurant in the station offering gluten free foods.

I was pleasantly surprised. No – really, I was GIDDY! There was pizza! There was beer (Redbridge)! There was dessert! Read More »

It is the right of every person to be able to enjoy cookies at holiday-time, no matter the holiday. Even Celiacs and people following a gluten free diet should be able to have yummy treats to celebrate the holidays. Jules Shepard, from Jules Gluten Free Flour Mix, has once again come up with a GF recipe that really, truly is just as good (if not better) than the “regular” (with gluten) recipe. Bake up a batch and offer them to your favorite little kid. I assure you, they will be a hit. (But make sure to save some for yourself!)

Jules’ Holiday Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1⁄4 cup shortening (e.g. Earth Balance® or
Spectrum® Palm Oil Shortening)
1⁄4 cup canola oil
2⁄3 cup granulated cane sugar
2 egg yolks
2 tsp. gluten-free vanilla extract
1 3⁄4 cup Jules Gluten Free™ All Purpose Flour
1⁄2 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. water (as needed)
food coloring (optional)
colored sugar or frosting (optional)

Read More »

No need to be jealous of your gluten-eating family and friends at Thanksgiving dessert; there are lots of gluten free options that will be the perfect ending to your perfect Turkey Day.

No one does GF baking better, in my opinion, than Jules Shepard of Jules Gluten Free Flour Mix. Watch her video (below) on making her perfect pie crust.

Now that you know how to make crust, try some of these delicious fillings:

Here’s the pumpkin pie recipe that’s been on the Libby’s Pumpkin label since 1950.

Apply Crumbly Pie

• 1 Jules’ pie crust (uncooked)
• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith or other tart apple)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon GF flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup GF flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter Read More »

Gluten free side dishes

What’s Thanksgiving without side-dishes? Just plain ol’ turnkey dinner, right? Fortunately, lots of side dishes are naturally gluten free, like mashed potatoes and most sweet potato recipes, and either canned or fresh cranberry sauce. Sadly, it’s our old favorites that are gluten-FULL. Read on for some GF tweaks to these classic recipes.

Green Bean Casserole

Don’t panic! You can still have your Green Bean Casserole, just substitute the cream of mushroom soup for this recipe from The Gluten Free Cooking School, or try Progresso’s Cream of Mushroom soup. Don’t use the usual French fried onions on top (they have gluten), but try Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings by Frito Lay. Yes, Funyuns, that very same snack you probably skip over in the chip aisle is gluten free and makes a great, crunchy topping. Read More »

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, togetherness, feasting and gluten. Yes, unfortunately, gluten is abundant on most holiday tables, in stuffings, gravies, pies, rolls and more. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In the next few articles, I’ll offer some good alternatives to your gluten-filled Turkey Day favorites. Read More »

It’s not often you can walk into and store and walk out with batteries, cute socks, mascara and gluten-free donuts, but that’s exactly what I did last week at the Target in Plymouth Meeting (2250 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA). Their newly expanded grocery department has a great selection of GF products, some old favorites and some I’d never heard of before. Read More »

Five Guys has earned quite a following up the East Coast since 1986, when the first one opened in Virgina. Most Celiacs (or anyone keeping away from gluten) wouldn’t think of eating at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, having been burned by fries cooked in non-dedicated oil and having to pick pieces of bun off their burgers. Five Guys is more than happy to make a hamburger or cheeseburger with no bun, and since they’re made on the spot, when you order, you can have it any way you want it. Five Guys’ toppings, which are all FREE, include mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, grilled onions, pickles, onions, relish, grilled mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, hot sauce, A1 sauce and barbeque sauce. And because they’re not frying onion rings or anything else breaded, the French fries are free of gluten and full of flavor. In fact, at my last visit to the Five Guys in Devon, Bob, who took my order, made sure to tell the people who were making the food to keep my burger FAR AWAY from the buns. Thanks, Bob! Read More »

For better or worse, the Gluten Free lifestyle is gaining in popularity. While some in the community may bicker over its trendiness, one thing is for certain: bringing GF food into the mainstream is causing more and more restaurants and stores and manufacturers to sit up and take notice. There are more GF offerings at more locations than ever before.

One surprising addition has been The Olive Garden’s Gluten Free menu. Who would have thought that an almost strictly pasta restaurant would have GF offerings? Of course, you can always get their salad sans croutons, but now they have a GF pasta on their Garden Fare options menu. Pennine Rigate with Marinara is a hearty marinara sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and herbs served over gluten free penne pasta. Read More »