News & Notes: March 28, 2014

The popular 4C brand of bread crumbs now comes in a gluten-free version - two actually. Certified by the Gluten Free Certifying Organization, 4C Gluten Free Crumbs are made with rice flour. The seasoned variety (plain is the other) is blended with herbs, spices and 100% imported Pecorino Romano cheese.

All-gluten-free Steadfast Beer has grown the distribution footprint of its Sorghum Pale Ale (which you can read about in this 2012 post), Golden Blonde Ale and seasonal Pumpkin Spice Ale beyond its home base of Albany, New York to encompass all of New Jersey. In addition to their current lineup of gluten-free ales, Steadfast plans to release a new beer, Steadfast Oatmeal Cream Stout, in year-round 4-packs as well as quarterly 22 oz. “Special Editions” of the same beer this year. April 2014 marks their second anniversary of conducting business and will be commemorated with the release of a Belgian-inspired Biere de Garde in 22 oz. bottles. Steadfast will be participating at the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival next weekend.

First Draft: New Planet Beer

By Chris Betz

Coors isn't the only popular beer born in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. In 2008, Pedro Gonzalez co-founded Boulder-based New Planet Beer after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Today, all-gluten-free New Planet has six beer styles and is available in 46 states.

News & Notes: March 21, 2014

Old City Philadelphia Tex-Mex restaurant Lucha Cartel (207 Chestnut St., 267-761-9209) notes gluten-free options like vegetable tamales, chicken enchiladas and spicy shrimp on its dinner menu. The chips are prepared in a dedicated fryer (at any restaurant, always confirm separate preparation of fried foods if you have Celiac Disease or are sensitive) and there are a variety of margaritas and a hard cider on the drinks menu.

The acclaimed Tre Famiglia in Haddonfield (403 N. Haddon Ave., 856-429-1447) has introduced a gluten-free menu featuring chicken parmigiana over penne, shrimp Alfredo, gnocchi and spinach manicotti.

Café Roma, the casual Italian restaurant at Caesars in Atlantic City (2100 Pacific Ave., 609-348-4411), offers a modest gluten-free menu.

What's New for Passover 2014

There's much to celebrate at Passover if you're gluten free, Jewish or not. Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the biblical exodus from Egypt, begins this year on April 14. It's a time when many more gluten-free products are available at supermarkets. This grew out of the observance of certain segments of the Jewish population to refrain from eating any wheat products during Passover. The packaging of many gluten-free products is expressly labeled as such, while others have a "non-gebrokts" notation. (As always, read the ingredient label before buying and consuming a particular item.)

News & Notes: March 14, 2014

Five years ago tomorrow, I started Gluten Free Philly with the shortest of posts and the intention of sharing my own experiences as the father of an 8-year-old boy with Celiac Disease. We were always calling food manufacturers, trying new products and dining out at restaurants anyway, so I decided to create an outlet to share this information with others who could benefit from it. Little could I have imagined that I'd be still blogging five years later amid a tremendous boom in the number and variety of gluten-free foods, accommodating restaurants and dedicated bakeries. Our school district now offers gluten-free lunches daily, gluten-free concessions are available at every major sports venue in Philadelphia, and nearly every supermarket in the Delaware Valley has at least a modest selection of gluten-free groceries. I'm extremely fortunate that so many of you have taken this journey with us and I appreciate the wonderful recommendations, comments and notes you have shared with me over the years. I take no greater pleasure in writing this blog than when a reader tells me that he or she has benefited from something they've read about here.

Fighting for a Slice of Apple Pie

There's a war brewing among the nation's beer companies for a share of the growing hard cider market. The country's biggest selling line, Angry Orchard - produced by Samuel Adams owner Boston Beer Co. - is being challenged by two new hard apple ciders from the biggest alcoholic beverage producers in the United States.

News & Notes: March 7, 2014

Indian restaurant Coriander in Voorhees (910 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., 856-566-4546) lists many gluten-free items, such as spicy corn soup, tandoori lettuce wraps, and the chicken kebab trio, on its menu.

Gluten-free pasta is available at Spring House's Po Le Cucina (805 N. Bethlehem Pike, 267-663-7204), where the kitchen keeps a dedicated pot on hand. Many items are or can be made gluten free. (Thanks to reader Shari S. for the tip.)

Say Cheez in Princeton (183D Nassau St., 609-924-2454), has gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches, and the kitchen will prepare in a saute pan with a clean spatula upon request.

Soup Opera

Most everyone has a favorite cultural soup. Maybe you want for won ton, get misty for matzoh balls, or go ga-ga over gazpacho. It's hard to go wrong with the Italian trifecta of minestrone, pasta fagioli and lentil & pasta. Mrs. Leeper's, a longtime gluten-free pasta maker, has just introduced a convenient way to prepare those three Italian favorites.