By Alexander Hymowitz

A couple of weeks ago, I was walking through the supermarket, which I rarely do, and I spotted something very interesting. It was a gluten-free pre-packaged cookie dough by a company that is known for their gluten-filled cookies. The company is called Immaculate Baking Co., and their cookies are quite good.

The cookies are called Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and they come in a red package with the words “Gluten-Free” posted in big letters in the front of the package.

Although you are not supposed to eat raw cookie dough, who can resist? At first, I thought “Wow these are amazing!” and then I thought “Better pop them in the oven.” The cookie dough is pre-packaged and pre-made. You do not need to do anything other than preheat the oven and then pop them in. They are delicious and simple to make, just like any of the regular gluten-filled cookie doughs. All they need is a couple of minutes in the oven, and they are ready to eat.

The cookies look like something out of a bakery. They cooked well and stayed in shape, unlike many other gluten-free cookies. They look, smell and taste great. The cookies taste like normal cookies, but I have to tell you there is a little bit of chalky taste in the end. That is not to say that these cookies were not good, because they were really good.

Immaculate Baking Co. cookies are also really good for two other reasons: You can pick them up at any supermarket (and of course online), and they are also all natural. Enjoy!

Learn more about this Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk cookie dough at ImmaculateBaking.com.

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I had high hopes as I boiled the water. The directions were almost as simple as the ingredients list, which included only brown rice flour and water. After 11 minutes of boiling on high I was ready to give it a try. I’m happy to report that it tasted great! The texture was smooth and far from chewy or slimy. As for the flavor it was simple yet very delicious.  Though this pasta tasted good by its self or sprinkled with some salt and herbs it also held up well to the addition of sauces and vegetables.

Along with the box of Jovial Brown Rice Spaghetti I also received two boxes of their gluten-free cookies, Fig Fruit Filled and Chocolate Cream Filled. The Fig Fruit Filled cookies tasted like a more grown up version of Fig Newtons. The outer cookie was soft and sweet with a even sweeter chewy fig center.

Though I liked the Fig Fruit Filled Cookies, I loved the Chocolate Cream Filled ones. The outer cookie was crumbly and crunchy with a rich chocolate mousse center. Both were delicious and are now among my favorite gluten-free cookies.

If you would like to learn more about these and all of Jovial Foods Products visit www.jovialfoods.com.

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Today, the market is celebrating it's 1-year anniversary. In honor of the milestone, Food For All Market fan Rachel Borofsky shared how this little shop made a big difference.

P.S. If you're in the Philadelphia area, they're celebrating today and tomorrow with free gluten-free samples. See the details.]

Food For All Market

Like many people with food allergies or intolerances, I struggle to find a place to rest my weary label-reading bones. A few bad experiences with tomato bisque have taught me to inquire about the ingredients in my order every time I eat out. I often wondered if a place existed where I could sit down and enjoy a sandwich on gluten-free bread, or a cup of soup made entirely from scratch. Fortunately, I’ve found such a place.

Food For All Market, located in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, provides a sanctuary for food allergy sufferers. Chef and owner Amy Kunkle came up with the concept after experiencing first hand the hardships food allergy suffers experience. Her three children were diagnosed with multiple food allergies, causing her to find alternatives to everyday meals. It was through this experience that sparked her inspiration for the store.

In the market, you will find a grocery section and also a section dedicated to freshly prepared foods. The market’s grocery shelves are stocked with a wide variety of allergy-sensitive items. Here you can find products such as gluten-free pasta imported from Italy, various gluten-free breads, and much, much more.

Despite having these rare grocery gems in the market, it’s the made-from-scratch meals that deserve the most attention. Everything is made fresh from local and organic fare, when available. Their soup, salad and sandwich menu items are available daily and made fresh on premise.

There are also ready to go items in their prepared food section such as their Quinoa of the Day, Acorn Squash Risotto, and Beet Salad, just to name a few. Last but not least, they have freshly baked gluten-free and dairy-free deserts, such as black bean brownies, chocolate chip banana bread and biscotti.

Food For All Market provides a haven where people with food allergies or intolerances can ease our  minds and indulge our senses in the delicious allergy-friendly fare.

Food for All Market
7127 Germantown Avenue
Mt. Airy, PA 19119
www.FoodForAllMarket.com

- Rachel Borofsky, Food For All Market fan

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A lot of gluten-free products claim they taste like the real thing. Sometimes, it’s true; other times, not so much. In the case of Tate’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies, I’ve actually had the ‘real’ gluten-containing thing, and the gluten-free version is spot on.

I grew up on Long Island, and summers often involved traveling ‘out east’ for the weekend. On the way back, we always stopped at a farm stand to pick up a pack or two of Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies. They always were thin, crunchy and stacked in a small tower. And they always went fast.

Today, I still see the familiar stack of Tate’s cookies at the deli near my dad’s house. I’ve even spotted them at corner markets in Philly. But now, the original flavor has a gluten-free companion.

When we received a sample of Tate’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies at the office, I thought “No, this can’t be the same cookie…could it?”

One bite, and the childhood memories came flooding back. The thin, crunchy texture. The buttery and sweet dough. The chocolate chips – melt-in-your-mouth even when eaten straight out of the bag. To top it off, there wasn’t a touch of aftertaste.

I was stunned, in the best way possible. And just like the original, the gluten-free cookies went fast.

Tate’s cookies aren’t thick, chewy or chock-full of chocolate chunks. They’re simple and, despite being packaged, have that homemade appeal. If that’s your kind of cookie, then I suggest you high-tail it to their website and order yourself a pack.

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You may have read about GFree Connect in NFCA’s July e-newsletter, but in the spirit of back-to-school season, I’m giving them another shout out.

The company ships quarterly care packages filled with gluten-free samples and coupons, from nutrition drinks to crackers. Their August 2011 package was just unveiled and is now ready for shipment.

As someone who graduated college not too long ago, I remember how excited I was to get a special delivery in the mail. And when that delivery included snacks that I could stash in my dorm, even better. Now that product reviewing is part of my job description, I’ve merely solidified my love for all foods portable and sample-sized. My coworkers are happy to assist when tasting new gluten-free products, and even my friends who aren’t gluten-free get excited when I bring home a new bag of gluten-free chips or bread mix to try.

GFree Connect has tapped into that interest. Ultimately, the packages are like giant, gluten-free goodie bags. There’s a little taste of everything, and each delivery is different. The packages also strike a nice balance between snacks you can immediately tear into and coupons you can save for later. With food prices on the rise, those discounts can cut down the sticker shock we’ve all been experiencing at the grocery store.

The introductory price is $19.99 for a package valued at $120 (See what’s in the August Care Pack.) GFree Connect is also extending its donation campaign for NFCA. Reference NFCA Newsletter when checking out and 10% of your order will be donated to NFCA’s gluten-free initiatives. To order, visit www.GFreeConnect.com.

If you have a gluten-free college kid, this is a tasty and tasteful way to say “Thinking of You.” If there are no college campuses on the horizon, then treat yourself to a package. You might just find a new favorite.

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If you haven’t heard of it, the GREAT Business Association is a group of manufacturers who uphold best practices for gluten-free food preparation. They keep celiac and gluten sensitive customers in mind, and together, we’re working to make gluten-free products affordable, accessible and mainstays on store shelves.

I was thrilled to see our members at the Fancy Food Show, and even better, they all had new products to share:

Lucy’s Cookies

I ‘met’ Dr. Lucy Gibney via email when NFCA premiered her Alternative Appetites videos, but we finally got face-to-face at Fancy Food. While at the booth, I snagged a sample of her new Maple Bliss cookie, which had the sweet taste of pancakes and syrup, with the same crunch that’s signature to Lucy’s Cookies. Two other new flavors, Ginger Snap and Chocolate Cookie, were equally tempting. If I had more hands, I would have tried them all.

Crunchmaster

I fell in love with Crunchmaster crackers last year during our Holiday Dips & Dishes Recipe Contest, and since then I’ve told friends both gluten-free and not about them. So naturally, I had to check out what was new. In addition to the 7 Ancient Grains product line that debuted at Expo West, Crunchmaster has two new flavors of Multi-Grain Crackers: Roasted Vegetable and White Cheddar. I tried the Roasted Vegetable, and it had the deep flavor its name implies. Perfect to crumble on top of soup this fall.

San-J

Yes, we all love their Tamari Travel Packs, but San-J is far more than gluten-free soy sauce. I sampled their Gluten-Free Brown Rice Crackers a few months ago and found them to be a delightful and unique snack. At Fancy Food Show, I gave their new Gluten-Free Orange Sauce a whirl, tasting a bite of chicken cooked in the sauce. It was a sweet and tangy glaze, with a noticeable but not overpowering orange flavor. Basically, it was just like the Orange Chicken I’ve ordered from take-out menus. San-J, however, comes with a gluten-free certification.

Stay tuned for more from the Fancy Food Show. I’ll be sharing some of my gluten-free finds through August.

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“Tastykakes,” crumb cake, pumpkin pie, oatmeal cookie sandwiches, tiramisu and many more of my favorite enticing treats are available in the book Favorite Desserts Made Gluten Free, by Amelia E. Pohl. The title really does say it all.

The front and back covers are almost good enough to eat as they draw your eyes right into the index, about the author, and about the book sections. With more than 140 gluten-free recipes in this book, there is sure to be something you will enjoy baking and eating.

The author provides “how to” information for those who are new to baking gluten-free, which I find to be very helpful. So far, I have only baked gluten-free once, and that was for the staff at the NFCA office. I will say I found it to be challenging. Amelia, however, is experienced in cooking and baking gluten-free. Her husband was diagnosed with celiac disease, so she took on the challenge and began to cook gluten-free. She now shares her knowledge in three gluten-free cookbooks, this being the first.

Favorite Desserts Made Gluten Free is broken into two separate parts. The first part is filled with classic desserts baked at home. The second part is a bit more interesting and exciting for the gluten-free eater. It contains recipes for make-at-home versions of commercial desserts. Amelia put quotations around the dessert titles to indicate which store-bought favorite she’s mimicking, but transforms the recipe so it’s safe for celiacs to enjoy. I find this to be a great addition to the cookbook.

I plan to take this book home so I can make some more decadent delights for the office to enjoy. And I know I will truly enjoy them as well.

Favorite Desserts Made Gluten Free is available for purchase at www.gluten-free-book.com.

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I’m a gluten eater, so I’m just learning about gluten-free (my uncle has celiac disease). I’ve been surprised to find the variety of recipes available for the gluten-free diet. I wasn’t aware of all the options available for a person with celiac disease, but cookbooks are helping me learn.

Let’s Eat Gluten Free, by New Hampton and Waverly Celiac Support Groups starts out with an impressive table of contents, whether you’re gluten-free or not. The cover art is enticing and makes you want to open the book to see the recipes inside.

The book is broken down into simple chunks, with different sections for appetizers, snacks, beverages & dips; salads & soups; breads & crackers; brunch; main dishes & meats; side dishes & vegetables; bars, candies & cookies; cakes/frosting, desserts & pastries; and miscellaneous food items.

Before any recipes begin, the book explains abbreviations used in the book and gives an overview of how to use gluten-free flours. In addition, the baker and reader are provided with gluten-free baking tips, which I find to be very helpful and useful.

The book is very well organized, and each recipe was donated by an individual. It feels personalized and creative when reading and making a recipe for yourself or a loved one with celiac. Best of all, the book is inexpensive ($15, plus $3 shipping), and there is even an order form in the back of the index so you can share this book with others.

To order Let’s Eat Gluten-Free, contact Betty Bast at rbbast@webiowaplus.net or 319-352-4740.

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As I slowly poured the mini chocolate chip morsels over top of the gooey brownie batter mix, I knew I had made something delicious. With the help of The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free, by Anne Byrn, I had made tantalizing gluten-free treats.

The book offers recipes for 21 layer cakes, 16 bundts, 16 sheet cakes, plus 18 different bars, brownies, cookies, and cupcakes. With this much variety, you are sure to find something gluten-free that tickles your taste buds.

The marbled cream cheese brownies can be found on page 241 and are very easy to make. The book includes dairy-free substitutes and recipe reminders to help guide me the next time I make this dessert. Byrn also offers cleaver and helpful suggestions at the end of each recipe, which I found to be very useful. And to top it off, there are dozens of kid-friendly recipes that can help any little one easily make something truly extraordinary.

The front of the book includes pictures along with page numbers to help connect your eyes to your tummy. And since all of the special treats are gluten-free, you can indulge without worrying about if each product is alright to eat.

Anne Byrn does a fabulous job at taking you step-by-step through each baking process and making sure the dessert turns out just like the picture shown in the front or whatever your imagination has drawn up. I was so thrilled with how my marbled cream cheese brownies came out that I am now preparing to make a chocolate chip layer cake – a surprise for my first day at the office!

The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free is available for purchase online or in bookstores nationwide.

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When a shipment of samples from Kay’s Naturals arrived at the office, it was just in time for our weekly staff meeting. Naturally, the gathering ended with a ceremonial opening of the box, followed by around-the-table tasting of the gluten-free goodies packed inside.

As any smart shopper should, we read the labels before tearing open each bag. We were surprised to discover a hefty dose of protein in each item. The Lemon Herb Protein Chips, for instance? No lie: There are 9g of muscle-building power in each serving.

So, the snacks had nutritional value, but would they taste good? Responses varied across the group, but there were a few standouts that won everyone’s favor:

Cinnamon Flavored Almond Filled Cookie Bites: The newest addition to Kay’s gluten-free line, these Cookie Bites have just the right amount of sweetness, and the almond flavor gave them a kick of freshness that’s typically lost in packaged goods. Within about 2 minutes of opening the bag, we had sampled our way to the bottom. We ate them straight out of the bag, but I could imagine these being quite delightful with milk for an afternoon treat. Cookie Bites for breakfast? I’ll leave that up to your discretion.

Cinnamon Toast Pretzel Sticks: These scored a close second in the “full-to-empty” time trial. (Mind you, there were six of us at this meeting, and the bags were small.) Maybe it was the cinnamon flavor, maybe it was because they reminded us of mini pretzel rods from our pre-gluten-free days, but we liked these. A lot. Sure, we were dusting cinnamon off our fingers and laps for 5 minutes after our tasting spree, but they were worth it.

Sweet BBQ Mix: If you miss the snack mixes typically noshed on game day, this bag has the whole shebang. The pretzels (two kinds!), the crunchy squares, the crispy long things – we never may have a name for them, but they’re all there. The BBQ flavoring is bound to leave some traces on your fingers (which seemed to be consistent with Kay’s Naturals products), but it’s a great smoky, sweet taste that anything labeled “BBQ” should have. If you have to lick it off your fingers, we won’t judge.

Bonus tip: You can order your own sample pack for a tasting at home. Sample packs can be order on Kay’s Naturals website. The actual contents may vary, but the company guarantees certain goodies like their French Vanilla Protein Cereal and Crispy Parmesan Protein Chips will be part of the mix.

One note of caution: If you are highly sensitive to gluten, make sure to read the back of the bag. We noticed that the Pretzel Sticks, while gluten-free, are made on the same production line as products containing wheat and other allergens. The Cinnamon Almond Cookie Bites, on the other hand, are produced on the same line as products containing soybeans, tree nuts, milk and dairy (but not wheat).

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