Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse Pie Crust

                   One of my favorite pie flavors is not one I have ever found in a store.  While strawberry rhubarb pie is a flavor that can be frequently found, raspberry rhubarb is not.  That is why we have to either make it ourselves, or go down to the Chicago restaurant where we first discovered it.  Usually we end up making it, along with many other flavors depending on what fruit happens to be around.

                With Valentine’s Day next month, it is a great time to experiment with different pie flavors and create a unique dessert for the holiday.  This is where Whole Foods comes in.  Their GlutenFree Bakehouse has a ready-made gluten-free pie crust.  If you buy one, you can have a bottom-crust pie.  If you buy two, you can use one as a top crust and create a filled pie.  Both options give you many possibilities to experiment and create your favorite flavor for Valentine’s Day.

                The Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse Pie Crusts are only found at Whole Foods.  They are located in the refrigerated gluten-free case.

              Update: My mom went to Whole Foods yesterday and took another look at their GlutenFree Bakehouse Pie Crust.  She noticed there are actually two pie crusts in each package, not just one.  This is great, because with one package you have the choice of making either a bottom-crust or a filled pie. 

Glutino Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour

              Over the years we have found that when people first discover they are gluten intolerant they become concerned about no longer being able to eat pasta, pizza, and (believe it or not) toaster pastries.  Then the reality of not being able to eat cake, pie, bread, and other baked goods settles in.  The market is getting better at creating these items, but it is not the same as the homemade goods people have enjoyed throughout their lives.

                I have tested many all-purpose gluten-free flours with very mixed results.  Sometimes it is the taste and other times it is the texture of the final product that creates problems.  Recently I found Glutino Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour.  I used it for a batch of madeleines.  While the batter had a gritty texture (as have many other gluten-free flours, in my experience), once the madeleines were baked the texture was gone.  There also was not an unusual aftertaste, which made a better tasting baked good.

                Glutino Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour can be found at Woodman’s and Whole Foods.

Whole Foods GlutenFree Bakehouse Pies

        Not long before Thanksgiving I saw a notice from Whole Foods advertising their GlutenFree Bakehouse Pumpkin Pie.  Since pumpkin pie is one of those Thanksgiving staples, I was happy to see someone had come up with a gluten free version.  This way both those who are gluten free and those who are not can enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving dessert together.

When I went to Whole Foods to see the pie for myself, I found a cherry pie and a pecan pie along with the pumpkin.  I wondered what other flavors could possibly be available and found that GlutenFree Bakehouse also makes an apple pie.  This information I found on the website, www.wholefoodsmarket.com/gluten-free/gluten-free-products, along with the fact that some of the pie flavors are seasonal.  I am interested to see what other flavors may turn up throughout the year.

Way Better Snacks Corn Tortilla Chips

              If you are a chip monster like I am, you want to find a healthier but still flavorful chip.  Way Better Snacks Corn Tortilla Chips fulfils both of these wishes.  The chips are made using sprouted seeds such as flax, quinoa, kale, broccoli, chia, and daikon blended with non-GMO ground corn.  Some flavors, such as Simply Spicy Sriracha and Simply So Sweet Chili, have added spice mixes to create their taste.  The Multi-Grain has brown rice which gives it a unique flavor. 

                  There you have it. The chips are tasty and they are good for you. Woodman’s, Sendik’s, and Target stores are where I have found Way Better Snacks Corn Tortilla Chips. The flavors available vary upon each store location. These chips can also be ordered through the Way Better Snacks website gowaybetter.com.

O’ What a Day Café Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie

                 Last week my mother came home with a brand new gluten-free cookie she found at Sendik’s.  At first I wasn’t sure about trying it.  There have been many I have tried that ended up either gritty or with a weird back taste.  Plus I was running off to exercise and I didn’t think eating a cookie right before that would be the best thing.  So I waited and ate my half when I came home.      

                The cookie was really good.  There was not any grit and I did not find any back taste.  This was especially surprising to me because tapioca flour was part of the ingredients.  Usually I can taste tapioca flour pretty easily and it is not something I particularly care for.  I am happy to say that this time I was not able to taste the tapioca flour at all. 

                Even though I don’t need to eat gluten-free cookies, I would seek this one out and eat it again.  What makes this cookie even better is it is made in a local bakery.  Once the cookie is made, it does not have to go far to reach the Sendik’s Food Markets.  However, the bakery, according to the website, is not a gluten-free facility which could be a problem for those who are extra sensitive to gluten.  For more information, visit www.owhatadaycafe.com.

Pizza at Blaze Pizza

              Since pizza is probably my favorite thing to eat at a restaurant, I am always happy when I come across a new place that has gluten-free pizza.  One of the newest places I have comes across is Blaze Pizza in Brookfield.  They have both regular and gluten-free crusts in which you can choose either one of the pre-determined toppings options or you can build your own.  However, according to the website, all the pizzas are baked in the same oven no matter what kind of crust it may be.  This, as well as the use of the same press for both crust types, could be a concern for those extremely sensitive to gluten.  If you have questions about this, ask the staff.  They are very nice.  When my mom asked about the dough ingredients in concern for my food allergy, they made every effort to find out the information she needed to determine if I could or could not eat the pizza (I could).  This is part of the reason why I am mentioning Blaze Pizza.  Not every establishment will go to such lengths to make sure their customers stay safe and healthy (some won’t at all).  Any one that does, I believe is a place worth mentioning.

                For menu options, gluten-free information, and other Blaze Pizza locations around the country, go to www.blazepizza.com.   

Udi’s Gluten Free Soft-baked Cookies Salted Caramel Cashew

                 Salted sweets are one of the current rages in the culinary world. Udi’s Gluten Free is not going to be left behind. They have a Salted Caramel Cashew soft-baked cookie. It is a great combination of sweet with a hint of salt. This cookie was found at Outpost Natural Foods.