Osem Pretzel Thins

The thing I have missed most, in my 18 years of being gluten free, are pretzels.
I LOVE pretzels. They are my downfall.
So much so that I used to have nightmares that I ate gluten filled pretzels and I would wake up thinking it was real.

I have over the years found pretzels I love... First was Glutino but then they changed their recipe.
Second was Snyder’s but I get tired of them - too crunchy. Most recently and still tops are Gratify pretzel sticks.

But there is one other brand that I like and I only get them at Passover: Osem Pretzel Thins.

These pretzels are not like regular pretzels to me but if you have ever had a butter pretzel that is what they remind me of. They are buttery, crunchy but not hard, sweet, salty and truly a delicious flavor. These are dangerous, though, as I could easily eat a whole bag and not even realize it.

As I said this isn’t a traditional pretzel as I know them but I love them any way. I found these at Giant.

Oberlander Black and White Cookies

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum

On my goodness these are delicious!!

I LOVE Passover. There are so many gluten free options at this time of year. I really appreciate it. I will have a few more things to post over the coming days.

These cookies are wonderful. They are sweet, crunchy, almost fully coated and a good size cookie.
I am so glad I bought these at Giant (and they were on sale).
If you like sweet cookies, go out and get these.
They really are soooo good.

Gordon Ramsey’s Pub and Grill Atlantic City

I may end up doing a few of these posts. This is by far one of my favorite places to eat and I have eaten there quite a few times.

They have an extensive gluten free menu and the servers either know the answers or they will ask the chef. I have never gotten ill there and they have always watched out for me when I have asked about certain items on the menu.

My favorite thing of all is that they always have creme brûlée on the menu and a few times it has had a special flavor. The most recent was a plum compote and it was DELICIOUS!! I forgot to take a picture so that is what I wrote about it first :)

This meal I ordered the pork chop based on the servers recommendation and it was wonderful. Tender, juicy, and so tasty. There was a topping but at first they did not serve it because they thought there may be an issue with the bourbon used. I decided to tempt it and I am sooo glad I did. It was a perfect compliment to the pork with fig, golden raisins and sauce, and I did not have any ill effects but one would have to make the decision for themselves about eating it if that is the meal chosen. Mind you, even without the topping, the pork is wonderful.

I added their mashed potatoes and they may be some of my favorite mashed potatoes ever. Buttery but you could easily taste the potatoes.

My Mom even ordered a meal that happened to be gluten free. It was almost what I ordered but as I said the server recommended the pork chop but next time I might get the chicken. It is pounded thin, wood grilled and served with cauliflower and tomato.

This is an expensive place to eat but I say without a doubt I don’t mind the costs as every meal I have had here has been perfect, delicious and different.

Please note this is a different Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill than the one in Las Vegas. Unless the Las Vegas place has changed in the past 4 years, I would choose this establishment any time over the other. And honestly I would chose this place over many other places too.

Williams Sonoma Gingerbread Spice Quick Bread

At Christmas I saw someone post about Williams Sonoma Gingerbread Spice Quick Bread and I was determined to obtain a bag. Off we went to King of Prussia Mall and lo and behold there is a Williams Sonoma there. After being told they didn’t carry the gluten free version but then finding it all over its own shelving unit, I was purchasing my bag.

The original cost of this mix is $14.95. I was quite sticker shocked but I was determined. When I finally got to the register I was pleasantly surprised to find out the cost that day was $5.95!! I won’t lie that made me so happy. To pay $14.95 for something I have never tried and knew little about, was quite daunting. But $5.95... much better.

Now the best part!

We had a snow day today and I was wanting to bake something. I pulled out the mix and just happened to have all the ingredients! So I was making the bread.

So was it worth $5.95??

It was worth $14.95!!!

Oh my goodness, it is soooo good. Just opening the package, it smelled soooo good. It whipped up quickly and easily. It baked perfectly and exactly per the instructions. It was soft, full bodied, so tasty and best of all it didn’t have that harsh gingerbread spice flavor that some products have. It is smooth and soft and really just tastes so good. I will easily spend $14.95 for this in the future but I will always hope it will end up being $5.95.

I highly recommend this mix.

Caruso’s Souderton PA

I have been wanting to go back to Caruso’s Brick Oven Trattoria in Souderton PA for a little bit now. Last Saturday finally presented the opportunity. We almost couldn’t get a seat, so I suggest making a reservation if you are indeed going to go there for dinner... especially before a show at Montgomery Theater.

It took a little while for our server to come to our table but once she did, she was attentive and helpful when it came to gluten free options and offering her thoughts on different foods to try. We started with the nightly appetizer special that was naturally gluten free... if you order the up charged gluten free bread (worth every penny). It was a smoked mozzarella ball over broccoli rabe and pea sauce (which was incredible) with capicola and the gluten free bread. I was grateful they put the capicola on its own plate as I am not a fan of it. The gluten free bread also came out on its own plate and it was basically a pizza crust. It was de.lic.ous! Writing about this appetizer right now is making my mouth water. It was so good that I don’t even have a photo except of the left overs we took home (sorry).

Then I chose to get the gluten free version of their chicken parmesan. It is grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce with a side of very interesting gluten free pasta. There were two breasts of chicken and no joke the meal turned into 3 servings for me and it was only $15!! There is no up charge for gluten free meals, just the bread. This is the only place where I have had that experience of not paying more for gluten free pasta, etc. A nice change.

My husband chose to get a gluten free pizza. It was the same “bread” that we had for the appetizer and it was topped with so many things. It tasted good but it was a little “soggy” and not easily eaten like a pizza. I think just sauce and cheese would work best for the crust and maybe not all the toppings he had.

Then for dessert they only have creme brûlée as the gluten free option, lucky me that I LOVE it and am trying to become an expert at trying it every where I go. It was more like a thick pudding but it was excellent. They even topped it with powered sugar which enhanced the sweetness and was a great ending to an excellent meal.

I can not vouch for if this is a celiac friendly place as I did not inquire about how all the food was made but I can tell you I did not get ill or for that matter even get a little tummy upset from the onions or garlic which is pretty common for me. I can’t wait to go back and after writing this post, I am ready to go back right now.

I highly recommend this place but please inquire for your specific needs for gluten free. Also remember to make a reservation to insure you get in and do not have to wait or even worse be turned away.