Gluten Free Flours and how to use them

photo courtesy of goodygirlred

Here are a few great resources on gluten free flours and how to use them. I think you'll find that everybody has their own opinion on what works best for them and what flours are their favorites.

We'll definitely have a program in the future on what flours to use in your gluten free baking, but for a really quick intro... here's a basic, easy mix that I love:

1/3 cup brown rice flour
1/3 cup sorghum or millet flour (either is fine)
1/3 cup arrowroot starch
+ 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

I use this basic mix for just about everything I bake. It just works well.

You need the xanthan gum in most flour mixes because it helps create the texture that you're used to with gluten-based breads, cakes, muffins, etc... It's a bit expensive... but a little goes a very long way.

I buy all of my flours (except almond flour), xanthan gum, and active dry yeast from Bob's Red Mill online. I've found they have some of the best shipping available and I trust that their flours are gluten free. (You really have to be careful with some companies!) This works for me because I usually buy in bulk once or twice a year and I'm done. However, if you're not a bulk buyer or don't want to buy online:

• Wilson: Harris Teeter carries brown rice flour, tapioca starch & cornstarch (which you can use in place of the arrowroot). Walmart may also carry some of these ingredients, but I'm not super familiar with their small selection near the spices.
• Raleigh: Harmony Farms & Whole Foods carries all of these ingredients and tons more. EarthFare also carries a wide variety of gluten free items.
• Greenville: Kroger's, Lowe's Foods, The Fresh Market, and Harris Teeter are all good sources, and I think you could get everything you need from them. There is a health food store called Oakmont Health Food... the customer service is awful and honestly I don't shop there, but they do carry Udi's bread in stock if you're not up to driving to Raleigh.
• Goldsboro: HealthHabit on Spence Avenue has a great selection of gluten free pantry items (you could probably buy all of your baking supplies there), and they also carry Rudi's gluten free bread in their freezer section. Carlie C's IGA on Wayne Memorial Drive has a LOT of gluten free items, both baking items and other things like gluten free pasta. This is the first place I found gluten free bisquick. The items are not in a separate section, you just have to look for them in every "normal" section of the grocery store.

Here are several posts that explain the differences in flours and why each is important:

Gluten Free Flours 101 (I focus on low glycemic baking):
http://gingerlemongirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/gf-baking-101-gluten-free-flours.html

Simply Sugar & Gluten Free's Series on Gluten Free Flours:
Part 1: http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com/understanding-choosing-gluten-free-flours-part-1-density/
Part 2: http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com/understanding-choosing-gluten-free-flours-part-2-mixing-flours/
Part 3: http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com/understanding-choosing-gluten-free-flours-part-3-the-flavors/
Part 4: http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com/understanding-choosing-gluten-free-flours-part-4/

Gluten Free Mommy's GF Flours Introduction (One of my favorite overviews of gf flours):
http://glutenfreemommy.com/gluten-free-grains-101-the-best-flour-blend/

I hope this info is helpful to people who are new to the diet! :-)

Generation Gluten Free

Exciting News!

At our next Wilson Gluten Free Support Group meeting I'll be showing this short documentary called Generation Gluten Free!

From the website for the video:

"About the Film

Generation Gluten-Free takes viewers inside the Celiac Disease community providing them with a first hand look at how it evolved from a grassroots movement in the early 1990s to the strong, blossoming community that it is today. 

The 42 minute documentary, which was filmed over a two week period during the summer of 2005, focuses on a special group of people who have changed the face of Celiac Disease in the United States. Through their hard work and dedication, the individuals in this film created the resources that have revolutionized day to day life for Americans with Celiac Disease. 

Whether it was founding a support group, developing gluten-free products, transforming gluten-free dining in restaurants, or raising awareness by sharing their Celiac story, this special group helped put Celiac Disease on the map.  

Generation Gluten-Free features members of the Celiac Disease community including:

*Dr. Peter Green, Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University 

*George and Ceil Chookazian, Owners of Foods by George

*Beth Hillson, Founder of the Gluten-Free Pantry

*The Founders and Members of the Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group

*Joseph Pace, Chef/Owner of Risotteria in New York City"

We will have a discussion following the film and talk about how celiac disease has impacted our families & how our journey's have compared to those on the video.

Please mark your calendars for Saturday Sept. 11th, 2010 from 3-5pm at the Wilson County Public Library!  

Next Meeting: Sat. September 11th 3-5pm WCPL

Click here to check out
The Wilson Gluten Free Meetup Group!

Hello everyone!
Just a quick note to remind you about our next Wilson Gluten Free Support Group Meeting:

• When: September 11th, 3-5pm
• Where: Wilson County Public Library, downtown Wilson, NC
• Main Topic: Gluten free shopping resources in the Wilson/Goldsboro/Greenville/Rocky Mount areas

If you have topics to add to our meeting agenda, please let me know! There will be light refreshments available and we'll also be talking about upcoming gluten free events in the Wilson NC area! :-) 

I look forward to seeing everyone in September! Please mark your calenders and come prepared to have a great time! 

Welcome to Gluten Free Wilson NC!

Welcome to the blog for the Wilson Gluten Free Meetup Group. My intention for this blog is to become an easy gluten free resource for the people in the Wilson NC area.

Our first meeting was held on Saturday June 26th 2010 at the Wilson County Public Library. We had 6 people in attendence.

We discussed local gluten free restaurant options in Wilson NC. Some of the restaurants that can accomodate gluten free dining in Wilson are:

• Wendy's - see gluten free menu statement

• Chili's Grill & Bar - see gluten free menu statement

• Ruby Tuesday - see gluten free menu statement

• Jac's Grill - inform server, the chef & manager are aware of gluten intolerance and can make a safe meal.

• Quince - inform server, the chef & manager are aware of gluten intolerance and can make a safe meal.

• Chick-Fil-A - see gluten free menu statement. They have a dedicated fryer for waffle fries! Easy meal is a bunless grilled chicken breast, waffle fries, and a side salad. Fruit & coleslaw are also gluten free!

• Bill's Barbeque - Traci Ellis, wife of the owner of Bill's is gluten intolerant. List of foods that are gluten free & safe to eat from Bill's will be posted ASAP.

• Griff's Steak Barn - Has a large salad bar that has safe, gluten free options. Grilled chicken on the salad bar is gluten free.

• Beef Master - Menu is very simple, steak, baked potatoes, salad. Should be able to accomodate gluten free menu. Make sure to inform server & cook.

• Denny's - inform waitress. Manager & cook are aware of gluten intolerance and can accomodate and make a gluten free meal on a clean grill. Also check their allergen menu.

• Moe's - Do NOT eat corn tortillas. Beans, rice, and vegetables should be safe. Can get a beans, rice, meat & veggie bowl. Check allergen menu.

We will post in depth reviews of these restaurants in the future. If you have been to a restaurant in Wilson NC that has been accomodating to a gluten free diet, please share with us in the comments below!!

We decided that our next Wilson Gluten Free Meetup Group meeting will be held on Saturday September 11th 2010. We will meet again at the Wilson County Public Library from 3-5pm.

Upcoming Events:

• Next Meeting: September 11, 2010 - 3 to 5pm - Wilson County Public Library.

If you would like to join our group, please join from the group homepage. If you have any questions, please email Carrie Forbes at gingerlemongirl (at) gmail.com.