Bread

Buying gluten free bread can be tricky. There is a broad range of products available, some are fantastic alternatives, others?... well lets just say, I've erased them permanently from my memory. I tried baking bread from a box this time, and the warm familiar aroma is wafting through my kitchen as I type. The product I tried is by Glutino - and labeled as Gluten Free Pantry, it makes a good size white loaf of bread or alternatively a pizza crust. The consistency is remarkably similar to the white bread my mom used to make, although the box says it is 'french bread' it certainly doesn't taste or have the texture of french bread, nor is it dense like most gluten free loafs, its airy and light.I think I would actually even make a sandwich with this bread or french toast!

Gluten Free Pantry French Bread & Pizza Mix

Taste: 9 points out of 10
Difficulty: Low (although it requires some time)

P.F. Changs

Gluten Free Menu: Yes
Staff Gluten Free Awareness:
8 points out of 10
Food Taste:
8 points out of 10
Atmosphere:
8.5 points out of 10
Overall Experience: 8 points out of 10






If you go to America, P.F Changs is a must-go. Its a rare opportunity for us to eat chinese food without worrying about the ingredients. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a restaurant explained my gluten free 'needs' and had an over eager waiter go, 'ya ya no problem' and later, my insides feel something like a coffee grinder!! However P.F.Changs seems to know their stuff and they always put me at ease. Ahh maybe I should bring them to Canada...

P.F. Changs has amazing decor, from the moment you walk in the door you are whisked away to your table, unless you didn't have a reservation and then you are probably waiting for awhile, the gluten free menu is part of the regular menu, which is cool. They have a Singapore Noodle Dish which makes you feel like you are sacrificing nothing. Other items I love love love: Mongolian Beef, Dali Chicken,  Philips Better Lemon Chicken...all great. They have cheaper lunch bowls as well. This place is packed, its a large chain, and yet it has pretty authentic tasting chinese food.

PIZZA!

This was a great discovery. For approximately $5 you get the easiest pizza dough I've ever made. Pre-celiac I made pizza dough with my bread maker, however this is even slicker, super easy!

Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust Mix

Taste: 7.5 points out of 10
Difficulty: Low

Tastes like real pizza, add lots of sauce to keep the crust moist.

Dutch Wooden Shoe Cafe

Gluten Free Menu: No
Staff Gluten Free Awareness: 6 points out of 10
Food Taste: 7.5 points out of 10
Atmosphere: 5 points out of 10

Overall Experience: 7.5

This little cafe located at 3293 Cambie St. Vancouver is a dream come true! It serves mostly only breakfast and specializes in dutch pannekoeks, which is basically a big flat pancake loaded with almost anything you want sweet or savory on top. Since they have gluten free pannekoeks, I had # 21 The Windmill - a pannekoek topped with Edam cheese, egg, tomato, spinach and I substituted the hollandaise sauce and sausage for extra veggies. The sweet and savory flavors were just what I look for, when in the mood to 'brunch'. Note that the chef actually told me that none of the meats would be gluten free, so be sure to avoid.

Cactus Club Cafe

Gluten Free Menu: Yes
Staff Gluten Free Awareness: 7 points out of 10
Food Taste: 8 points out of 10
Atmosphere: 7.5 points out of 10

Overall Experience: 7.5

I had the Jambalaya with chicken shrimp and sausage and brown or white rice, it was delicious even thou certain items have to be omitted from this dish to qualify as gluten-free. Other items on the menu included The Burger (gonna try this one next time) Terriyaki Rice Bowl, or Tuna Tataki. My waitress was very accommodating and the staff manager even wanted to talk with me first to understand exactly what I needed. I will definitely go back!

Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Biscotti is a definite fave of mine..I try to make it different everytime, and then I freeze it and take out a nice crispy piece to go with a cup of tea..

Basic Receipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. This is a flexible receipe, you can vary the flours, and feel free to throw in whatever you have such as cranberries, dried cherries, flax, any kind of nut...

1 1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup almond flour or cornmeal or corn flour (or a mixture of both)
6 tbsp tapioca starch
4 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup nuts walnuts almonds or pecans
1/2 cup chocolate chips
tbsp flax seed

In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients. In another medium bowl beat eggs with sugar and vanilla until combined. Stir into dry ingredients. Grease a large pan. Spread the batter out to form a log. Bake approx. 25-30 minutes until it looks a golden color. Let cool for a couple minutes, then cut into pieces on a cutting board. Put back onto pan cut sides facing up and bake another 15 minutes.

Berry Crisp

This is the easiest of the easy when it comes to dessert. I was out of my precious gluten free oats, but wanted to see if it would turn out without them. I added the walnuts this time and my husband said it was my best crisp yet!

You only need:

3/4 cup plus one tablespoon brown rice flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter
3/4 cup walnut pieces
Cinnamon
Frozen or fresh berries, apples whatever you have - enough to fill a small casserole dish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease baking dish. Combine berries with tablespoon of four and dash of cinnamon. Add to baking dish. Combine Flour, sugar, butter, walnut pieces, dash of cinnamon with a fork and spread on top. Bake for 30 minutes and broil on low for 2-3 min.s to crisp the top some more. Serve with Ice Cream.

So easy...