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I was so happy when I received an invitation about two months ago to attend a Schär luncheon and presentation here at Espace here in New York City.  I have long been a tremendous fan of their products and quite honestly when their products appeared at my local grocer, it opened up a new world of taste for me.

The event was really very lovely with a gluten-free cocktail hour that gave attendees time to mix and mingle.  I met some extremely interesting fellow Celiacs as well as a host of medical professionals, journalists, and food industry folks.  The entire afternoon would feature recipes that included items from the Schär product portfolio.  The cocktail hour kicked it off with passed antipasti that included: Mixed Mezze (Tapenade, Caponata, Baba Ghanoush, Feta, and Haloumi cheese); Assorted Bruschette with heirloom tomato, green olive, and cucumber dill; and Mini Artisanal Pizza with goat cheese and pest, roasted artichoke with Manchego, and Margherita with buffalo mozzarella.  It was an absolute dream to have passed hors d'oeuvres and being able to indulge without having to worry about gluten.

After the initial mix and mingle we headed into the main room for lunch.  Again, it was great to finally put real faces to names that had until then only existed online.  I was seated with a fascinating mix of people, from a fabulous health coach to a cookbook author to representatives from the Long Island Celiac association and even GFSoupmom (who works for a fabulous company that makes GF soups I must try).  Each table also had a representative from Schär USA.  The group could not have been nicer and the conversation was so engaging.

I know, you want to know what was for lunch?  Well, Espace and Schär did not disappoint.  The first course was a baby arugula salad with goat cheese crostini in a citrus white balsamic dressing.  It was funny that someone made the comment these are the first thing I normally have to remove referring to the cheese-topped crostini – so true.  For the main course there was a choice of herb crusted fluke with fusilli in a heirloom tomato/basil sauce or Stuffed chicken breast with ricotta and red peppers over penne and mixed baby vegetables.  I had the chicken which was really very good.  It was breaded with Schär bread crumbs (as was the fish) and the stuffing was actually very good.  For dessert there was an amazing Tiramisu and the table was presented with a selection of Schär cookies and chocolate covered strawberries.  The Tiramisu was out of this world.

Now the afternoon was not just about eating – though it definitely was a major part.  There were four very informative presenters throughout the afternoon.  First up was Dr. Alessio Fasano who many of you already know as he’s the Director of the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland.  He gave a truly informative presentation that started with the history of Celiac disease which, I personally found to be amazing.  He then presented some of his research which was equally as interesting.  The sheer numbers of both total Celiacs and the cost associated with properly diagnosing across a range of risk categories was staggering.

Next up was Schär USA’s Director of Nutritional Services Anne Roland Lee who talked about living a balance (and delicious) gluten-free lifestyle.  We all know that as Celiacs we miss out on some of the fortification that others get from gluten-rich foods.  She pointed out that traditional gluten-rich breads are fortified and essentially regulated by the F.D.A. – there are no such standards for gluten-free products.  Schär actually uses alternative gluten-free grains in their products to help provide a more well-balanced option for Celiacs and those with gluten intolerance. Schär is committed to providing Celiacs with great tasting and healthful options which is most appreciated because being Celiacs often presents enough challenges.

Hannes Berger, the president and CEO of Schär USA address the group next and gave insight into the history of the company and some future development plans for the company in the United States.  Donna George, vice president of Schär USA also spoke briefly on where the company was looking to expand.

The final speaker was perhaps the most riveting.  Colin Leslie is an 18 year old with Celiac disease who had what can only be describe as a horrific road to diagnosis that was riddled with misdiagnoses for a host of conditions he never actually had.  His story was not that different from many, who after sometimes years of misdiagnoses, finally meet the one doctor who puts it all together and changes your life.  What makes Colin so remarkable is that he has been a Celiac advocate since he was 13 starting his own walk for the disease to raise money and awareness for Celiac disease.  I highly recommend that you head over to his Web site to learn more about him and his walk.  Truly inspiring.

When we left we were presented with a fantastic swag bag of Schär product and there was one surprise in there – their new par baked Mini Baguettes which I have not seen in the United States.  I cannot wait to pop them in the oven and give them a try.
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The fantastic Tiramisu
 
 
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My friends at Katz Gluten Free sent me a very nice sampling of some of their sweet treats and savory breads – thank you so very much.  I have to say that I could not have been more pleasantly surprise with some of my old time favorites now available in gluten-free form.  I also love the fact that they are right here in New York State.  Perhaps the most important thing (aside from being absolutely delicious) about their baked goods is they instantly transported me to my pre-Celiac diagnosis days where I indulged in challah and rugelech without care and never in a million years thought I would find delicious gluten-free versions. 

To start with, three words – gluten-free rugelech.  Yes, that is right my friends you read correctly.  I do not think there is anything finer than a good rugelech and let’s face it, even in its gluten-filled form good rugelech can be hard to find.  

Well, my friends, look no further because Katz has, what is in my opinion, the best rugelech out there – gluten or gluten-free.  The pastry is so light and flakey (as rugelech should be) that I was waiting for a reaction because I just could not believe they were gluten-free. 

Let’s begin with the cinnamon variety – think of a delicious cinnamon bun and that is exactly what these tasted like.  Little miniature cinnamon buns that were perfectly sweetened so you could enjoy the rich buttery flakey pastry.  It took all of my strength not to eat the entire package but actually they are very filling which is a good thing because three, okay four, made for the perfect dessert after dinner without leaving you feeling like there was a rock in your stomach.  The chocolate variety was equally as good with rich cocoa notes and just lightly sweetened so as not to take away from the nuttiness of the chocolate.  You can actually taste the ingredients – from the subtle saltiness of the butter to the sweet graininess of the sugar – there are the real deal and absolutely perfectly balanced from a flavor point of view.

Next up were the two varieties of cookies: chocolate dipped and chocolate chip.  After sampling the rugelech there was really no question that the bakers at Katz knew what they were doing so the cookies were no surprise – they were simply delicious.  The chocolate dipped were a simple vanilla butter cookie half-dipped in a rich coating of chocolate.  The cookies themselves were the perfect consistency – being crisp and flaky but without falling apart into pieces at first bite. 

The chocolate chip cookies were again the vanilla butter cookie base but this time with chocolate chips throughout each cookie.  These were also perfectly balanced from a sweetness perspective.  The chocolate was not overpowering and played well against the richness of the base cookie.

Now onto the breads…

Yes, there are good gluten free breads out there – we all know that and there’s no surprise there.  However, much like their rugelech Katz is a true standout with their gluten-free sliced challah and challah rolls.  Challah people, challah – I mean it just does not get any better than this.  I could not open the rolls quick enough and was not disappointed.  They are actually airy like challah should be but the taste – oh, the taste!  You first get the subtle hint of sweetness that makes challah so appealing followed by the rich savory notes – rounded out with the ever so subtle bite of the browned crust (which is hard to convey in words – but challah aficionados know exactly what I am talking about).  The sliced bread is equally as good and complex and toasts up a dream.  It is extremely hearty and keeps so well in the freezer and comes back to life without issue.  Perhaps the most shocking about Katz’s challah is that you can eat it right from the package and it tastes like a challah should.

So, to my friends at Katz Gluten-Free, thank you for making the most delicious gluten-free varieties of rugelech and challah – two items I never thought I would be able to enjoy again post-Celiac diagnosis.  To those of you out there reading this – run, don’t walk to their Web site and check out their full product portfolio but if you do not order their rugelech and challah you are truly missing out.

Oh, and they even offer first-time customers the chance to get a free sample pack of some of their delicious items – you just pay shipping.
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The final space in my Favorite Things series goes to Mama Earth bakery out of Nyack, New York.  I truly love it when I am exposed to new companies that cater to a variety of food allergies and consumer preferences – plus I am all for the little guy making it in a very competitive landscape.  Mama Earth is a small company that makes extremely high quality products that are gluten-free and vegan.  I recently had the opportunity to sample some of their products and was really blown away at the not only the fabulous taste but the real attention to detail that went into the products.

I was lucky enough to try five of Mama Earth’s products: chocolate chip cookies; gingerbread men; nutty seed cookies; oatmeal raisin chip; and mint chocolate truffles.

The chocolate chip cookies were, in a word, amazing.  A few simple ingredients were turned into delicious chocolate chip cookies that were free from any dairy products.  I am not sure how Mama Earth does it but they do not sacrifice taste to be vegan.  I am not vegan (quite the contrary) but I honestly would not be able to single these cookies out as anything other than wonderfully fabulous chocolate chip cookies.

Next, in the spirit of the season were the terrifically festive gingerbread men.  These were sweet with just the right amount of a spicy ginger bite.  Again, for being both gluten-free and vegan they tasted just like the gingerbread men I remembered in my pre-Celiac diagnosis days.

The nutty seed cookies were a truly unique stand out among the products sampled.  These cookies were chock-full of sunflower and pumpkin seeds with crunchy rice puffs that gave a highly original texture.  The sweetness of the cookies was accented with a peanut butter undertone that paired perfectly with the meatiness of the nuts (and the walnut meal used in the base).  I am not sure how they came up with his combination but I am sure glad they did as these cookies are unlike any other gluten-free option out there and definitely one of my overall favorite things.

The oatmeal chip cookies came with the caveat that the oats were not certified gluten-free so they went to my partner who absolutely raved about them (as he did with the other products sampled).  We both could not believe that we were not only eating gluten-free but vegan as well without any taste or texture being sacrificed.

The final product I sampled were the mint chocolate truffles that packed a cool mint punch that was perfectly matched with rich chocolate flavor – and the chocolate was organic, very nice.

I wholeheartedly recommend giving Mama Earth a try.  Head on over to their Web site and look through their product portfolio.  They will happily ship their products to you and you can order directly from their Web site. 
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It is no secret that I have a massive sweet tooth.  The wide-range of ever increasing and decreasing pant sizes that have made their way through my wardrobe can attest to this.  One of the things I really missed being Celiac was the oatmeal cookie – the oatmeal cookie that tasted like an oatmeal cookie should.  I have long been a fan of Glenny’s munchies but it was not until I stumbled across these cookies that I was able to sample their sweeter side.  So, as my Favorite Things series begins to wind down the number two spot goes to Glenny’s GF Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

There is something I have longed for since going gluten free – soft, moist, oatmeal cookies.  I tend to stumble across new offerings each time I hit a grocery store which is certainly a good thing and shows that we Celiacs are in fact mainstreaming, woo-hoo!  However, I am also finding that these products seems to disappear once they are out of stock, sometimes never returning.  So what’s a fabulous Celiac to do?  Speak up – ask the manager of the store to carry specific gluten free items or simply order directly from the source.  Most companies now feature online stores where you can order direct from the manufacturer.  Also, in the case of Glenny’s, you can put items on auto-ship which makes life so much easier.

But I digress…back to the cookies.  I was a bit hesitant to try these because I have tried “moist” or “soft” gluten free cookies before and, well, let’s just say the companies were using artistic license.  Glenny’s get’s it right though.  These cookies were just like I remembered, good oaty consistency, good amount of raisins, and…wait for it…the were as soft as fresh baked!  De-lish!  I highly recommend giving these a try if you have an oatmeal fetish.  Oh, and they also have an equally as good chocolate chip variety as well if raisins are not you thing. 
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The fifth favorite thing in my series goes to Betty Crocker for taking gluten-free to the masses.  These mixes are easy and taste like the real thing.  It is nice to be able to pick them up in your local market particularly if you need a quick sweet fix. While I have a multitude of GF option here in NYC, I realize that this is not the case in other areas so having a mix that is readily accessible to a wide-range of consumers garners the number five spot on my list.

Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Having enjoyed the brownies, I decided to give the chocolate chip cookies a go.  Like the brownies, the prep was very easy – stir in the wet ingredients, mix well, and spoon onto a greased baking sheet.  Again, it was all super easy which I really like.The cookies themselves were, like the brownies, a bit flat.  Not sure if this had something to do with the size of my scoops but I did follow the directions exactly as they were written.  The texture was light and airy and there was a very good balance between crispy and chewy. 

From a taste perspective, they did in fact taste like the “real deal” and even my non-Celiac other half enjoyed them as well.  I tend to prefer a more bulked-up cookie so perhaps next time I will try adjusting the scoop size to see if these can be bulked up just a bit.


Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
I have been meaning to publish my review of Betty Crocker’s GF brownie mix for a while but kept getting sidetracked by other sweet GF offerings.  I have to start out by saying that it is fantastic that there is finally a mainstream brand out there that is recognizing (and meeting) the sweet tooth needs of Celiacs -- and it can be picked up at your local grocer.I carefully read the instructions which warned that the mixture would be stiffer than usual and they were not kidding.  After mixing in the wet ingredients, I got a very through workout trying to stir the batter by hand.  The prep could not have been easier though, which was a good thing.  I dumped the batter into a greased baking pan and had to work it so that it would spread out evenly.  Even then, I noticed that the mix yields a rather thin layer of batter.  As it baked in the oven, the kitchen was filled with a nostalgic scent of store bought brownies and this is going to sound strange but it smelled like the Betty Crocker I remembered pre-Celiac.The end result, a rather thin brownie but it was moist and actually really quite nice tasting.  Betty Crocker was able to, in my opinion, successfully replicate their famous mix in a GF variety.  It definitely has a place in the mass market and will no doubt delight millions of children who can now become part of the Betty Crocker generation.  For the gourmet dessert aficionados out there, it is worth a taste and good in a pinch but you will probably want to look elsewhere to get your brownie fix.  Check out Betty Crocker's complete GF line here.
 
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If you are looking for a gluten-free company that makes decadent and EASY mixes – look no further than Gluten-Free Essentials (GFE).  This company out of Kansas makes truly fool-proof mixes (and I mean they could not be more simple) that are absolutely out of this world.  Whatever your taste preference, GFE has something to placate your sweet tooth.  I actually still have a few more items to review in their portfolio but will be making them for the coming holiday as GFM will have his in-laws in from Bermuda.  These cakes and cookies are so good that no one will ever know they are gluten-free – but you might have a tough time sharing them.  Just remember Christmas is all about giving so don’t hesitate serving these to your family our any guests that might show up (either planned or last minute because they whip up in mere minutes).  I actually made a batch of their famous Mudslide cookies and brought them into an office fundraising bake sale and they were a real hit.  Though in full disclosure I actually bought the entire lot back myself (hey, it was for a good cause) and then distributed the cookies to my very appreciative colleagues.  Oh, and Johnita and Maryclara the faces behind the company could not be, well, sweeter.  Be sure to check out Gluten Free Essentials' website to order and for a complete listing of their entire gluten-free product portfolio.

Gluten Free Essentials Decadent Brownie Mix
Continuing with my sampling of Gluten Free Essential’s baking mixes I recently ordered the Decadent Fudge Brownie mix (among others) and it did not disappoint. 

First things first, the mixes are just so simple to make you do not need any advanced planning or a weekend to bake any more.  In fact, I made the brownies yesterday after a long day at the office.  It was a whim, but I felt like something sweet and the oven was already on heating-up dinner so I though Why Not?  The brownie mix requires one additional ingredient than some of the cookie mixes I have had before – apple sauce – so make sure you have some on hand when these arrive.

So, I melted one stick of butter, combined it with some apple sauce and two eggs, mixed and voila, Brownies.  Well, almost – you do actually have to bake them J.  So about 30 minutes later, just as dinner was coming out of the oven so too were the brownies for cooling.  What I love about GF Essentials is that their products are decadent but not overly sweet.  I actually tweaked this mix just a bit as I has some chocolate chips laying around and decided to add them to the already generous amount in the mix.  Hey, I just could not resist!  These brownies also rose much more than Betty Crocker’s GF variety (which I like as well) but these were more cake-like in texture.

The end result?  A fabulously moist brownie that was rich but light and airy at the same time.  I have the remaining brownies chilling in the fridge for a cool treat this evening.  

Gluten Free Essentials Vanilla Sugar Cookie Mix
I wanted to make these cookies a week ago but when the mood struck me I realized I was out of eggs.  While luxuriating in a day off yesterday, and with my egg coffers replenished, I decided to make these sugar cookies.  I have always been a fan of the sugar cookie with its uncomplicated sweet goodness.  It makes no pretentions and is quite possibly the most versatile cookie out there.

The mixes from Gluten Free Essentials could really not be easier (see my previous review of their Cocoa Mudslide cookies).  You simply dump the mix into a bowl, add 1 stick of melted butter (delicious), and stir in two beaten eggs.  Oh, and then you chill it for half an hour.  I mean really, does it get any easier.  Well, I suppose they could arrive baked but GFE mixes let me pretend that I am actually a baker and know what I am doing.  Both mixes I have tried were completely fool proof.

These cookies were delicious.  They remained soft after cooling and were not sugary sweet – just the right amount of sweetness to bring out the wonderful vanilla undertones.  My non-GF partner also raved about these cookies so if you have a GF/non-GF household these are sure to please even the most hardcore cookie fanatics.  Next time I make these I might even get bold and add a few mix-ins or toppings.  Somehow the thought of a Hershey’s kiss centered in each cookie seems quite perfect.

Gluten Free Essentials Cocoa Mudslide Cookie Mix
I recently had the opportunity to sample a brand that I had never seen before and was excited to give it a try.  As many of you know, I am not a baker by any stretch of the imagination so welcome any product that can help me become just a little more like Betty Crocker.  Well Gluten Free Essentials was just the little helper that I needed.

I tried the Cocoa Mudslide Cookie Mix, because quite frankly can you go wrong with chocolate and marshmallows?  First, the instructions could not be simpler – all you need to do is add 2 eggs and a stick of melted butter, mix in the cookie mix, and chill for at least a half hour in the refrigerator.

Once the dough was chilled all I had to do was form it into balls, place on a cookie sheet, and put it in the oven to bake.  It really was fool proof and prep took no time at all.  I had reserved making these on a weekend but now realized that these are so simple, I could easily whip them up after a long day at the office.

The cookies were really delicious.  They were moist and full of chocolate chips and marshmallows but at the same time were not overly sweet.  Their consistency was really smooth and not at all mealy as is sometimes the case with gluten free mixes.  Honestly, you could serve these cookies up to any non-Celiac and they would never be able to tell that they were gluten free.  Gluten Free Essentials clearly got their flour mix right (in this case sorghum and rice) and even when you look at the mix in the bag you can tell it is finely milled to an almost powder-like consistency.

One 16 oz. bag yielded 9 rather large cookies which were my personal size preference.  If you made more normal-sized cookies you could easily double that amount.  I also have Gluten Free Essentials’ sugar cookie mix to sample next and I am definitely looking forward to it – just as soon as I finish these cocoa mudslide treats.
 
 
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Another one from the archives.  Not only were these cookies delicious, they have a fantastic cause behind them.  What better way to get in the holiday spirit than a sweet treat that helps sweeten the lives of others?  Most definitely one of my favorite things.

I tend not to blog about new products, preferring to reserve my reviews for that section on my site.  However, every now and then there are some items that I really want to call a bit of extra attention to.

I was lucky enough to sample a new gluten-free line from a company that actually lives their brand name.  The Greyston Bakery is located just up the road from Gluten Free Mike in Westchester County, New York.  What makes this company so unique is that all of the profits the company takes in go directly to the Greyston Foundation whose mission is to support low-income individuals and families as they forge a path to self-sufficiency and community transformation.  The bakery employs individuals who just need an opportunity to help get their lives on track.  I checked out many of the profiles on their Web site and each story was more inspirational than the next.

I sampled the oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie varieties.  The oatmeal raisin were wonderfully crisp and chock full of sweet moist raisins.  There was a perfect balance between the nuttiness of the oatmeal and sweetness of the raisins.  The chocolate chip were equally as crisp and flakey as their oatmeal counterparts but were filled with sweet chocolate morsels.  Both cookie bases were buttery perfection without being too sugary sweet so as not to distract from the wonderful add-ins.

So the next time you have a hankering for some truly delicious cookies, do as Greyston’s tagline advises and Feed Your Conscience.  What better way to enjoy a sweet gluten-free treat than knowing that your purchase is affecting huge change.

You can view Greyston’s complete line of sweets on their Web site where you can also place an order and learn more about the company.  The gluten-free line is now available and you can view the complete line here.
 
 
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I tend not to blog about new products, preferring to reserve my reviews for that section on my site.  However, every now and then there are some items that I really want to call a bit of extra attention to.

I was lucky enough to sample a new gluten-free line coming soon from a company that actually lives their brand name.  The Greyston Bakery is located just up the road from Gluten Free Mike in Westchester County, New York.  What makes this company so unique is that all of the profits the company takes in go directly to the Greyston Foundation whose mission is to support low-income individuals and families as they forge a path to self-sufficiency and community transformation.  The bakery employs individuals who just need an opportunity to help get their lives on track.  I checked out many of the profiles on their Web site and each story was more inspirational than the next.

I sampled the oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie varieties.  The oatmeal raisin were wonderfully crisp and chock full of sweet moist raisins.  There was a perfect balance between the nuttiness of the oatmeal and sweetness of the raisins.  The chocolate chip were equally as crisp and flakey as their oatmeal counterparts but were filled with sweet chocolate morsels.  Both cookie bases were buttery perfection without being too sugary sweet so as not to distract from the wonderful add-ins.

So the next time you have a hankering for some truly delicious cookies, do as Greyston’s tagline advises and Feed Your Conscience.  What better way to enjoy a sweet gluten-free treat than knowing that your purchase is affecting huge change.

You can view Greyston’s complete line of sweets on their Web site where you can also place an order and learn more about the company.  Their gluten-free offerings are not yet available but you can get a sneak peek if you become a fan on their Facebook page.  The gluten-free line will have: Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies; Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes; Banana Nut Muffins; and Banana Nut Bread and be available for purchase on their Web site starting November 2nd.
 
 
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 So, for some yet to be explained reason, my Twitter account has been “temporarily suspended” which seeing as it never really worked correctly might not be such a bad thing.  While I am awaiting a response from Twitter as to why per se I have been blocked I do not hold out much hope for an explanation (though hope to be proven wrong).  I realized that it is a free service but it clearly is still full of bugs and not working properly.  A quick Google search showed I am clearly not alone and let’s just say their customer support is lacking.  As a result,  all of my communication will now go through this site or via Facebook so really not a huge deal.  Also, quite frankly do people really care what each other are doing every waking moment of the day – probably not.  Quite frankly I do not find myself to be all that interesting and cannot really imagine anyone that I would really need to know what they are doing to the microsecond.  Okay, rant over…back to gluten free land.

I made the most delicious gluten free cookies this weekend from Gluten Free Essentials.  Check out my review here.  They were super simple to make (and I mean super simple) and absolutely delicious.  Also, for the amount the cookie mix yields you get a good bang for you buck.