Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Grand Canyon

Maybe it's the water from the Colorado River. Perhaps it's the Rocky Mountain air. Whatever the reason, there's a plethora of gluten-free bakers that have sprouted in the Centennial State. Udi's in Denver set the bar high with its breads, bagels and sweets, and coming this summer are a line of breads from Rudi's Organic Bakery out of Boulder. Joining those companies is Loveland's Canyon Bakehouse.

Canyon's products debuted in 2009, when co-owner Josh Skow teamed up with baker Ed Miknevicius to create products that people like Josh's wife Christi, who has celiac disease, could enjoy. The bakery makes three breads - Mountain White, Cinnamon Raisin and San Juan Seven-Grain - Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia, Cranberry Crunch Muffins and new Hamburger Buns. All of the products, which are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, also are free of nuts, soy and dairy.

The breads, with 15 slices in a bag, are low in fat - between 1 gram and 1.5 grams per slice. The white and multi-grain breads make for good sandwiches, with the cinnamon raisin well-suited for french toast. Like the Udi's breads, no toasting is necessary; Canyon Bakehouse's versions can be enjoyed at room temperature in the first few days after opening the packages. On several occasions later on, I made my older son sandwiches using frozen bread that defrosted by lunchtime, with good results. The eggy and slightly sweet Mountain White, made with agave syrup and apple cider vinegar, was my favorite of the bread varieties.

Most impressive was the focaccia. Dashed with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary and thyme, the product was seasoned perfectly. It was denser and chewier than the bread loaves - and that's a plus. I recommend warming the focaccia in the oven before eating; cut into breadsticks, it nicely complements a pasta meal. (I did not sample the muffins, which are sold in packs of four, or the hamburger buns.)

Although Canyon Bakehouse's products are not available in area retailers at the moment, the company is working on expanding distribution. However, the baked goods can be ordered online for $4.99 each plus shipping. Shipments to the Delaware Valley can be made using three-day UPS Ground shipping, which is the least expensive option.

DISCLOSURE: While Canyon Bakehouse provided product samples for me to review upon my request at no cost, such compensation did not influence my review. Neither I am nor any immediate family member is an employee, officer, director or agent of Canyon Bakehouse or its respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities, advertising and promotional agencies. My full Disclosure Policy can be found toward the bottom right of each page on Gluten Free Philly.
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2 comments:

  1. I LOVE their Cinnamon Raisin Bread!

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  2. What a GREAT review! I just received an order of their products and my daughter and I dove into the cranberry crunch muffins and they are seriously out of this world! Can't wait until they make it to Arizona! I hope soon!

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