Out for the Weekend

This weekend I ate out not once, but twice. The first was after some very exiting shopping, we bought a shed. This made me very hungry. A pizza place is not the first restaurant that one would think of for the gluten free, but I had a tip about a place nearby that made a gluten free pizza. Also being a beautiful spring day this place had outdoor dining. My hubby ordered a gluten free pizza with grilled veggies. The veggie were to be onion, mushroom, peppers and eggplant. Sounds great.
However, when the pizza came the eggplant appeared to be breaded. Now you would think that common sense would kick in. If the guy was ordering a gluten free pizza the veggies should not be breaded. Being ever the optimist, I had to ask. Who knows the breading could be gluten free. But no. A new pizza had to be made, sans eggplant.
This is not the first time such a thing has happened. We will explain to the waitress that the food can have not wheat products in it and what will appear atop the salad, croutons. We have been presented with gluten free menus from chain restaurants in which almost none of the food can be consumed. Why bother then.
We have had the best luck in smaller places where the chef will actually come out to talk to us.
Chef Harry at the local winery will come out and go over the entire menu with us. If in doubt we have been known to ask for the food package.
We ended up with a good pizza (have had better) and for the incovenience was not charged for it.
Restaurant outing number two was for my honey's 50th birthday. Several member of his family are gluten intolerance. His sister and three spouses of nephews (not blood related). We also have several family members who are vegetarian. We chose an Indian restaurant as all needs would be satisfied and we love the place. The staff is warm and welcoming as well as very willing to describe the food to us. This would be Mirch Masala in Groton. Thanks Raj for a delightful meal.
Indian cuisine is mostly gluten free. Nan is an exception - an Indian flat bread that I love. They serve a crisp "bread" that I do not know the name of which is made from chick pea flour. The only other item made from wheat flour is the pastry part of a samosa (this is an appetizer).
My personal favorite is an eggplant dish called Bagara Baingan. Indian food features lots of vegetables, but often uses a vast quantity of oil and gee, so careful of the portion sizes.
Raj kindly allowed us to bring our own cake. I made the cranberry upside down cake (see previous blog) and a pineapple upside down cake. The pineapple upside down cake was made using the same recipe, just substituting pineapple. I have to say that everyone enjoyed them, including the non gluten sensitive people.
FYI - I did have an event of lack of planning with the cake. I had run out of tapioca flour for my usual gluten free mix and being Sunday morning the local health food store was closed. I ended up having enough gluten free mix for 1/3 of the batter ( I made 3 cakes) and used rice flour only for the remaining 2/3. Crossed my fingers. It came out fine.

More Gluten Free Pizza

Over the weekend I a made another attempt at gluten free pizza, this may be my last. It actually should be my last, but alas, I am bad at giving up. A set back gives me another challenge. I have been told to given up. I may have to play with gluten free pizza dough as a closet activity.
My last attempt was ok, but not great. The crust had a slightly weird flavor and was too thick. It was easy to work with.
I did find a good gluten free pre-made frozen crust. Why can't I achieve this myself. This is why I can't stop. The crust was found in the frozen section of the organic section at Stop and Shop. Not all stores carry it. It is made by Kinnikinnick Foods. It is Gluten free, dairy free and soy free and actually tastes good and has a good texture. It comes in personal sized sheets -- 248 kcal, 7 grams fat and 180 mg sodium per sheet.
I have been advised to just stick with this.
I have also been informed that Family Pizza in Colchester, CT makes a gluten free pizza. Will have to check it out.

Today I am sending out my check for a farm share - can't wait for the veggies to roll in.

Perfect Gluten Free Pizza Search

I have been on a quest for a good gluten free pizza crust to make at home. I tried some mixes and found the flavors lacking. Some are made with garbanzo bean flour that leaves an off taste.
One pre-made crust I tried was down right aweful. I have tried 3 from "scratch" all having issues. Try #1 was a thick, yeast crust. It has a rice flour and tapioca flour base. Turns out my honey likes a thin crust - this one was nice and thick. I might try this again as the flavor was good.
Try #2- a yeast free crust, based on potato starch flour, tapioca flour and cornstarch. This crust was horrible to work with - I fought with it and it won. Not going there again.
try #3, This is the pizza in the picture. A yeast crust with potato flour and rice flour. The batter consistency was like a paste and had to be spread over the pan. I pre-cooked the crust, hoping for a crispier texture. The flavor was good. The crust ended up soggy. My honey liked it overall. The topping was delicious- mushrooms, onions, garlic, red pepper and sun dried tomato. Gruyere, fresh mozzarella and parmesean. Using stronger cheeses gives more flavor for less cheese. Muir Glen pasta sauce.
The search is still on.
Engine 6 pizza in Norwich makes a great gluten free pizza!!