Good morning! It feels like forever since I have created anything new to share. Life takes over and the next thing you know, it’s been a year, or two. Let’s just say, things are always crazy in my life and there has certainly been too much going on. Good things, but still.
I’ve been in on a Facebook discussion about gluten-free waffles, and other prepared foods so...it’s time to blog. LOL!
I can’t, honestly, say that gluten-free baked goods are going to taste exactly like those baked with traditional wheat. BUT...there are things that you can do to make those foods taste better. Spices and flavorings work wonders. Textures are a bit different as well, but with time, you will adjust and possibly not be able to tell the difference. My best girl-friend, Misty, will tell anyone that she doesn’t like anything gluten-free but, the truth is, she eats gluten-free at my house on a regular basis and never knows the difference. Many of my closest friends have taste tested baked goods for me for years and truly say they can’t taste the difference.
The difference?
First of all, I NEVER use a prepackaged ‘mix’ for anything. Yes, gluten-free all purpose flour is a mixture but that doesn’t count. It doesn’t take more than an extra five minutes to make a cake or muffins from scratch than it does to open a box but the texture and taste difference is incredible. A boxed gluten-free cake mix tends to be dry and crumbly. My cakes are so moist that we have to give part of them away or keep in the refrigerator, lest they begin to mold before we can finish it.
So here’s a short list of my favorite gluten-free products and where I find them.
All purpose flour - Bob’s Red Mill or Krusteaz, online or my local grocery
Pasta - Jovial, Sam Mills, (both on Amazon) or Barilla (grocery)
Frozen Waffles - I prefer Van’s if I don’t have time to make my own. (Grocery)
Bread - Udi’s is my favorite. I like thier multi-grain and the cinnamon raisin. It’s the closest to real bread, I just wish it was thinner sliced.
Cookies & Crackers - Schar is my go to (grocery), the graham crackers and shortbread are favorites.
So, that’s about the only things that I like to buy pre-prepared. I discovered years ago that’s it’s as quick to put sauces and soups together from scratch as to open a can. I have other allergies as well so I only use Kitchen Basics for broth, it’s the cleanest one out there. I will occasionally buy frozen diced vegetables if I’m in a hurry or if I find them on sale. Frozen is as healthy as fresh. Eikhorn flour will produce a creamed soup or gravy that will rival any made with traditional wheat if you can tolerate it.
I know the struggle and I do hope this helps.
Questions? Leave me a note.
Enjoy!
