Enter GFHP News and Updates. This post will be somewhat brief and will include a little bit of news along with a link if available so you can find out more.

GFHP News and Updates: August 2010

Happy 100th anniversary Blue Diamond Growers

Blue Diamond recently sent the NFCA information on their 100th anniversary along with some yummy almonds. To celebrate their centennial, they are introducing an extremely informative site that covers the history of Blue Diamond almonds over the past 100 years. AlmondHistory.com features archived photos, historical stories, almond processing and nutritional information, classic recipes and more.

A small portion of almonds contains high amounts of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, calcium and other important minerals, and phytochemicals that may help protect against many common diseases. In addition, thanks to Blue Diamond innovations, almond goodness is now available in a variety of products for those of us who have food restrictions. These products include Almond Breeze®, an almond-based beverage for the lactose-intolerant market, Nut-Thins®, a crispy cracker based on almond and rice for the gluten-free market, and Almond Butter.

Learn a bit more about the powerful almond and the inspiring success story of Blue Diamond by visiting AlmondHistory.com.

Clif introduces Gluten-Free Snack Bar: Clif C

Clif the makers of the well-known and very popular energy and snack bars, Clif Bars and Luna Bars, have released their first gluten-free Clif bar. Similar to all of Clif products, Clif C is made with all-natural, organic ingredients. The bar consists of a nut crust base, with a fruit spread topping. Clif C is currently available in four flavors, apple, blueberry, Raspberry, and cherry pomegranate. I have not tried these my self yet, but I am very curious about them and hope to post a review in the future.

Learn more about Clif C here.

Pro Cyclists Include Bakery On Main Gluten Free Granola in Their Recipe for Success

A July 16th news release from Bakery On Main announced that their Gluten Free Granolas in Nutty Cranberry Maple, Extreme Fruit & Nut and Apple Raisin Walnut, were selected for inclusion in the Garmin-Transitions US Cycling Team’s gluten free anti-inflammatory diet by the team chiropractor, Matthew Rabin. Though these delicious granola combinations were originally created to provide celiacs with a tasty, gluten free snack the founder Michael Smulders is happy to discover that non-celiacs will benefit from the nutritious ingredients and great taste. I am happy about this announcement as well. Gluten-free food that taste great and is good for you too is always good news!

Learn more about The Bakery on Main here.

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Mambo Sprouts Part 3: Gluten Free Pantry
Brownies, Cookies, and Pancakes!

For this review, Mambo Sprouts sent me 3 of Gluten Free Pantry Baking Mixes. I received a box each of their Chocolate Truffle Brownies Mix, Chocolate Chip Cookie & Cake Mix, Brown Rice Pancake & Waffle Mix. After a busy day of baking and tasting I was pretty pleased with these products.

Gluten Free Pantry’s Chocolate Truffle Brownies Mix was my favorite of the three. I followed the directions and let them chill before eating. The product was a dense, and rich chocolate flavor you expect out of a brownie. I was relieved that the brownies texture was smooth instead of grainy as is often the risk of using gf mixes. Another great thing to note is though the brownies that are made from this mix are comparable to results of using the gluten-free Betty Crocker Mixes, Gluten Free Pantry’s mix is cheaper by almost half.

Gluten Free Pantry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie & Cake Mix came in second mainly because I prefer cookies to be bit chewier. That said, the cookies that were produced by using this mix were pretty tasty.  The cookies them self were crispy and filled with pleasant tasting chocolate chips. The overall flavor was pleasant enough that I am interested in getting another box to try out the cake directions.

My favorite thing about Gluten Free Pantry’s Brown Rice Pancake & Waffle Mix is that is contains more brown rice than white. The more gf foods I try that include at least some brown rice seem to taste better and have a more pleasant texture. The pancakes made from this mix were fluffy and light. Mix in or top with some fresh fruit and they make for a pretty yummy morning. Gluten Free Pantry’s Brown Rice Pancakes & Waffle can make two decent sized batches of pancakes or waffles, or can be used to make Irish Soda Bread. This makes the price, the highest of the three mixes, very reasonable.

To learn more about these and other Gluten Free Pantry Products visit glutenfree.com.

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The Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion is the first of its kind held on the food industry’s most prestigious stage. The Showcase Pavilion’s goal is to help mainstream gluten-free foods and revolutionize how individuals suffering from celiac disease and gluten intolerance manage their health through diet and nutrition. The NFCA’s GREAT Program could not attempt to accomplish such amazing and important objectives without the support of so many significant members of the gluten-free food industry. Joining the GREAT Association and GREAT Food Service at the 2010 NRA Show is a long, prominent list of participants.

2010 NRA Show Gluten-Free Pavilion Participants

21st Sensory is experienced in working with companies seeking to launch a quality, sensory appealing gluten-free product.  They have partnered with the NFCA to help to raise the bar on gluten-free products for consumers and the sale value for producers.

Arepas de Choclo is a delicious sweet corn sandwiches with mozzarella cheese in the middle, very popular in Colombia and Venezuela. Once they are cooked these delightful delicacies have tasty, crispy outsides with moist, cheesy centers. Arepas De Choclo are naturally gluten-free ingredients, protected and tested to stay that way.

Bard’s Tale Beer: What would such an epic gluten-free food gathering be without representation from a great GF Beer? Check out our earlier review for Bard’s Tale Beer for our take on this thirst quenching GF Hot Product.

Bertille Baking is a gluten-free, dairy-free commercial bakery out of southeastern Michigan. They specialize in soft, delicious gluten-free hamburger, hot dog and sandwich buns that won’t fail you by falling apart. These patent pending hot dog and hamburger buns come individually wrapped, ready to serve.

Chebe Bread are the manufacturers of a unique product based on Brazilian cheese bread. In addition to being gluten-free, all of Chebe’s products are corn, peanut and tree nut, soy, potato free, and rice-free. Expect them to highlight their rolls and soft bread sticks at this years NRA Show.

Conte’s Pasta has a long and rich history of making pasta. When Conte’s began producing frozen gluten-free pasta they became early pioneers. Their gluten-free line of products is continuing to grow… now offering convenient and great tasting gluten-free pierogies, stuffed shells, gnocchi, and pizza. They will bring their Custom Pizza and Stuffed Pasta to the Gluten-Free Pavilion.

Daiya Foods is an amazing vegan, non-dairy cheese. Unlike so many other dairy-free cheese products out there Daiya Foods cheeses are not soy-based. The result is a non-dairy cheese that has a pleasing texture and melts like dairy cheese.

DeIorio’s Pizza, a leader in the pizza industry, makes gluten-free pizza crust for food service distribution. This not only raises the standard for gluten-free options, but helps facilitate safety and ease in the kitchen. With their par baked pizza crusts, food service operators can make any pizza, any time at their location to the specifications of any customer.

Domata’s Flour is used in high end restaurants by award winning chefs, authentic pizzerias, and home kitchens and is also widely utilized as the base flour in the manufacturing of top gluten-free products. Not only is their one-for-one wheat replacement versatile the most affordable. They will demonstrate the range of their gluten-free flours at the NRA show.

French Meadow Bakery are the manufacturers of high quality, great tasting gluten-free baked goods. They will bring moist and delicious pre-made, perfectly packaged individual desserts to the Gluten-Free Pavilion.

Full Flavor Foods’ experience in the food industry allows them to offer complete solutions for anyone looking to easily incorporate gluten-free options. Their soup and sauce mixes are prepared to completely satisfy customers in the food service, health care and retail markets and are made in a gluten-free and nut-free environment that meets strict standards.

Gluten Free And Fabulous offers a wide variety of pizzas, pastas, cookies, and snacks. They will bring their dried whole grain quinoa pasta to the Gluten-Free Pavilion. This dried pasta is nutritious and holds up to boiling while maintaining a pleasing flavor and texture.

Goldbaums Ice Cream Cones are gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free allowing you to safely enjoy ice cream without skipping the cone.  These cones taste exactly the way a cone should taste and are available in a wide variety of shapes and flavors.

The Grainless Baker provides great tasting gluten and wheat-free foods. The type of products offered are always expanding but the staple categories include bread, rolls, bagels, muffins, pastries, cookies, cakes and fillings. The Grainless Baker will bring their full selection of thaw and serve products including hamburger buns, graham crackers, crumbs and pies.

Healthy Dining’s expert staff of registered dietitians and master’s level health/nutrition professionals consult with restaurants to find menu items that meet specific nutrition criteria based on many of the recommendations of leading health organizations. Healthy Dining dietitians are GREAT trained and leaders in gluten-free ingredient and menu review.

Your Gluten Free Source offers one stop gluten-free shopping and is an amazing example of the distribution capabilities of KeHE Direct. Kehe Direct gives you access to wholesale pricing of gluten-free grocery items. No matter how big or small your business is, you can take advantage of Kehe Foods’ buying power and industry expertise.

Kettle Cuisine offers delicious gluten-free frozen gourmet soup. These heat and serve soups are a convenient, healthy food that tastes just like home made. To learn more about this product check out our full review of Kettle Cuisine frozen soups.

RC Fine Foods is family run company that works with chefs and those in research and development to create unique and customized solutions not only for restaurant chefs but hospitals, colleges, and delis. Their products include gluten-free soup bases, gravies and sauces, dressings, desserts and more.

Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery is bringing a long awaited product to the gluten-free food industry… delicious, nutritious, and affordable sliced gluten-free bread. In addition to their great tasting, healthy sandwich bread they will also be showing off the equally delicious cinnamon and multi-grain breads.

Sandwich Petals makes a gluten-free tortilla that is not only easy to roll but is also nutritious and has a fabulous flavor.  Their tortillas are available in three great flavors: Agave, Spinach and Pesto, and Chimayo Red Chile

SAN-J wheat-free Tamari soy sauce leads the industry as a great tasting gluten-free alternative for commercial and individual use. Since soy sauce commonly contains wheat, people suffering from celiac disease or gluten intolerance have had to pass on the sauces that traditionally would compliment a dish like sushi. San-J has helped by making their gluten-free product available in various quantities from large industrial sizes to convenient individual packets.

Shabtai Gourmet is a unique gluten-free bakery line that specializes in not only gluten-free options, but also lactose, soy, casein, peanut, and dairy-free cookies and cakes. They will be bringing a full line of yummy allergen free desserts to the 2010 NRA Show.

Steel’s Gourmet Foods has a wonderful line of gluten-free sauces ranging from BBQ and Cocktail sauce to Sweet and Sour and the nearly impossible to find gluten-free hoisin sauce.

StoreHouse Foods distributes only the most trusted and respected brands of storable foods in the industry, including delicious gluten-free selections. They offer delicious gourmet meals with generous portion sizes packaged either individually or for institutions.

Schar is a relative newcomer to the US market, but has set the global standard for excellence for years. With an Italian parent company, this full selection of pasta shapes and size meets the needs of any restaurants wanting to expand their options with gluten-free noodles. Schar’s dried pasta seeks to make limp, soggy, gluten-free pasta a thing of the past. But why stop at just pasta? Schar also offers appetizing bread sticks and crostini to make a complete and completely safe gluten-free meal.

TH Foods are the makers of Crunchmaster crackers and chips. These all-natural, gluten-free crackers and chips are made from U.S. grown grains and are baked to be light and crispy. They are an enjoyable part of a healthy lifestyle. A full Crunchmasters review will be coming soon.

Three Senses Gourmet is bringing their delectable Chocolate and Caramel Soufflés to the NRA. These amazing desserts are made from high quality, natural ingredients and just happen to be gluten-free. Learn more about Three Sense Gourmet Soufflés in the GFHP review.

Udi’s Gluten Free Bakery is an artisan inspired gluten-free bakery dedicated to delivering soft, tasty baked goods that can pass for their gluten-containing counterparts. Thy will bring scrumptious gf muffins, bagels, and granola to the Gluten-Free Pavilion.

As you can see The NFCA has partnered with an amazing and impressive line-up of companies.  The only thing missing now is you!

Learn more about The Gluten-Free Pavilion by visiting the NFCA’s official 2010 NRA Event Page.

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Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, sugar free:  those are your restrictions.  Your assignment:  to put together a delectable dessert for your child and his or her friends, who enjoy unrestricted diets.  Sweatin’ yet? Read on, the answer is here.

Earth Café recently released raw, organic, vegan and gluten free cheesecake, made primarily from nuts and coconut.  Sweetened only with agave nectar, their cheesecake is rapidly filling natural food stores in the United States.

I admit, I haven’t had regular cheesecake in a very long time due to my own dietary restrictions. So when I had the opportunity to try some, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I sampled six flavors of cheesecake, with the help of my dessert loving husband, who regularly eats gluten filled desserts at work, and my son, who is gluten, dairy and sugar free, just
like me.  What was remarkable is how all three of us loved the taste, restricted diet or not.  The flavors, Cherry Dream, Rockin’ Raspberry, Strawberry Fields Forever, Blueberry Hill, Who’s Your Daddy?, and Cali Style Lemon, were all unique and delicious.  The cheesecake has a nice creamy texture, and a slightly nutty taste.  The strong fruity flavors, lemon, raspberry, strawberry and cherry, were exceptional.

In addition to great taste, this is cheesecake you can eat without feeling miserable afterwards. An individually packaged slice of  Rockin’ Raspberry contains only 14 grams of sugar, and six grams of protein. Although high in fat (30 grams per slice), this is good fat that comes from raw nuts and coconut, with no cholesterol.

Finally, the cheesecake is as stunning to look at as it is delicious. You can proudly present it to guests at a party and wow them with your healthy cheesecake. Instead of stressing over how I’m going to please the children at my son’s upcoming birthday party this year, I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and ordering from Earth Café.  Check Earth Café’s website for a location near you, or order it online to be delivered directly to your door, frozen and packed in dry ice.

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Stayed tuned for our next polling adventure.

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Grilled Cheese Puffs

Snikiddy Snacks was founded by a mother and daughter team that posses a passion for creating delicious, healthy, and fun foods for the whole family. The NFCA was so pleased to have been able to offer gluten-free Snikiddy Snacks cheese puffs in the goodie bags given out during the May 1st DC Cooking Spree. The staff and attendees of this event quickly became fans of these light and crispy puffs.

Mac and Cheese Puff

Though they are packed with flavor they are far from too salty. The all natural ingredients prevent these real cheese flavored puffs from having that artificial taste many other leading brands have. Snikiddy Snacks cheese puffs are baked not friend. Since they are low in cholesterol and saturated fat it makes them a delicious and healthy snack choice. The best part is that both the Grilled Cheese and the Mac and Cheese flavored puffs are gluten and wheat free. Go to www.snikiddy.com to learn more about these delightful snacks.

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Gluten-Free Rice Chex

has come to the rescue. Last year they modified their ingredients for Rice Chex Cereal to make it gluten-free while maintaining its trademark tastiness. Now they are tackling variety by releasing more flavors reformulated as gluten-free. Corn, Honey Nut, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Chex are all currently in production and scheduled to start appearing on store shelves June 1st, 2009. The manufacturer, General Mills, has replaced the barley malt syrup with molasses in and effort to make these products gluten-free without taking away any of the crunchy, oven toasted yumminess they are known for. If you already like the Chex Rice cereal, or have been looking for a new breakfast or snack option then you are in for a treat. While your waiting for these other flavors check out the delicious recipes listed on Chex.com using the Rice Chex Mix and totally gluten free here. As always it is a good idea to check the labels to make sure your local store is carrying the gluten-free versions of these popular cereals and snacks. Once you have, prepare to enjoy gluten-free crunchy goodness.

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