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Did you know that April is National Soft Pretzel month? We didn’t, but it seems fitting given that soft pretzels go hand-in-hand with Major League Baseball (whose season just kicked off), springtime county fairs, and a nice, cold bottle of New Planet Beer. We invite you to celebrate the beginning of spring with a bottle of our new Belgian or Amber Ale and a gluten free soft pretzel courtesy of our friend Jules Shepard at gfJules™.
Jules Gluten Free Soft Pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. granulated cane sugar
- 1/3 cup warm water (110 F)
- 1 Tbs. honey or agave nectar
- 1 egg
- Canola oil
- (2/3 cup baking soda for soda bath)
- Melted butter or Earth Balance Buttery Sticks to brush onto tops of pretzels
- Coarse sea salt or other toppings for pretzels
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar and yeast and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk together the remaining dry ingredients and set aside.
Add half of the dry mixture to the wet mixture bowl, together with the egg and honey. Beat on low speed of an electric mixer for one minute, or until well-blended. Add in the remaining dry ingredients and blend until well-mixed. If the dough is too dry, add an additional 1/2 to 1 teaspoon warm water.
Gently roll chunks of dough to approximately 3/4 inch diameter thickness and shape into pretzel twists using gfJules™ Gluten Free All Purpose Flour to dust the rolling surface.
Place on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Liberally brush the pretzels with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and proof for 30 minutes in a warm place.
Preheat the oven to 375 F (static) or 350 F (convection).
5 minutes before the proofing is completed, prepare a soda bath by adding 2/3 cup baking soda to 10 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir until the soda is completely dissolved.
Once the soda bath is boiling, gently submerge pretzels individually into the bath for 25 seconds, flipping over after about 15 seconds. Drain the pretzels and replace onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush the pretzels with melted butter or Earth Balance Buttery Sticks and top with coarse sea salt or other toppings. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until light golden brown. Do not overbake.
Makes approximately 6 traditionally shaped pretzels.
One of the hardest things about maintaining a gluten free diet is actually sticking to it. Between work and other activities, you’re constantly on the go, so you don’t have two hours to spend pouring over product labels as you grocery shop or order dinner out. While we always suggest that you double-checking labels and/or asking a chef or manufacturer before consuming a product or meal, we’ve compiled a list of smartphone apps that can make daily tasks like grocery shopping or eating out easier.
Find Me Gluten Free is a free iPhone and Android app that allows you to view menus, get directions, or call each restaurant. You can also read other users’ ratings or reviews for each restaurants or post your own. Find Me Gluten Free has also introduced two features that are in beta; a recipes tab that allows you to search through gluten-free recipes, and a product tab that you can use to scan product barcodes or browse products to locate gluten-free options.
Gluten Free Restaurant Items is a $1.99 iPhone and Android app that helps you locate and create lists of gluten free options that are available at popular fast food chains and restaurants. All of this information is stored on your smartphone so you don’t have to use Internet data to to access it.
Gluten Free Registry is a $1.99 iPhone and Android app that assists you in location gluten-free friendly restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, caterers/chefs, grocery stores, vacation/resort accommodations and more. You can also use this app to view menus, read/add your own reviews and ratings, or call a business.
Allergy & Gluten Free Diet Tracker by Fooducate is a $4.99 iPhone app that allows you to scan a grocery store product’s bar code, browse by category or search for products to see if they contain gluten or other food allergens. You can also discuss your findings with other users, take pictures of product warning labels, call the manufacturer for more information, and see healthy, allergen-free alternatives.
ipiit, The Food Ambassador is a free iPhone and Android app that helps you locate gluten free food products. Scan item bar codes, customize your food preferences (ex: gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.), compare products, and read users’ ratings or add your own.
Now go get yourself a gluten-free snack!
Break out the green beer and that “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” shirt—St. Patrick’s Day is only 10 days away! If you wake up on March 18th with a St. Patty’s hangover, what’s the first thing you should reach for? We know how hard it is to find gluten free hangover cures and meals, which is why we came up with a list of our favorites.
If you’re someone who craves a spicy, filling meal when you wake up after a night of partying, whip up a Mexican omelette with a side of black beans and gluten-free toast. This trifecta is packed with protein and carbs that will instantly cure that rumbling in your stomach.
For more traditional, greasy breakfast options, reach for a slice of leftover gluten free pizza or a gluten free ham, egg and cheese muffin.
Did you wake up feeling a bit nauseous? Tame your tummy with a bland meal of gluten free crackers or cereal. For a hot meal that will settle your stomach, try a bowl of quinoa or brown rice.
Looking for a healthier alternative that will give you the boost you need to start your day? That lethargic feeling is a result of low blood sugar, so kick it to the curb by blending together some fresh fruit, milk and ice for a delicious fruit smoothie!
We know this goes without saying, but the best way to cure your hangover is to rehydrate, so make sure your drinking plenty of water and Gatorade to help replenish those electrolytes.
What’s your favorite gluten-free hangover cure? Tell us below!
There’s nothing better than spending an entire day shredding perfect powder. So when lunchtime rolls around and stomachs starts grumbling, the last thing gluten-free skiers or snowboarders want to stress about is what they’re going to find to eat on the mountain. While some resorts like Breckenridge sell labeled, gluten-free snacks, most lodges don’t offer gluten-free alternatives. And even if you aren’t leading a gluten-free lifestyle, the food sold at ski lodges is often very expensive, so the best option is to pack your own snacks.
Stumped on which gluten-free snacks to pack? Check out our list:
- Nuts and seeds—they’re naturally gluten-free!
- Home-made trail mix
- Dried fruit
- Gluten-free pretzels or crackers with gluten-free peanut butter. We love Glutino’s Pretzel Snack Packs with Justin’s Honey Peanut Butter.
- Energy bars are easy to stash in your pocket for a quick snack. Larabars are gluten, dairy, and soy-free. LUNA produces a line of gluten-free protein bars. Other gluten-free options include BumbleBar’s Organic Energy Bars and KIND Fruit & Nut Bars.
- New Planet Beer, of course! Find out whether the ski resort your visiting serves NPB in its lodges using our Beer Locator.
What’s your favorite gluten-free snack?
As you watch the Grammy and Academy Awards this month, you may have more in common with the celebrities you see walking down the red carpet. Many notables have started going gluten-free. Some celebs claim that giving up gluten is a great way to lose weight. While it’s true that maintaining a gluten-free diet may lead to positive health benefits, processed gluten-free products oftentimes contain more calories than their glutenous counterparts.
But fear not; many celebrities also avoid gluten due to health concerns. Check out our list of actors, singers, public figures and atletes who have gone gluten-free due toCeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or a wheat allergy.
- Cedric Benson
- Drew Brees
- Bill Clinton
- Chelsea Clinton
- Zooey Deschanel
- Jennifer Esposito
- Scott Michael Foster
- Elisabeth Hasselback
- Keith Olbermann
- Ryan Phillippe
Super Bowl Sunday is just a week away! Whether you’ll be rooting for the Ravens or the 49ers, you’ll need a little something tasty to keep your energy up as you and your friends shout at the screen. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a few gluten-free Super Bowl snacks and recipes.
Gluten-Free Nachos
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free tortilla chips (Frito Lay’s list of gluten-free products, which was updated on January 13, 2013, will give you a few options, or make your own!)
- 4 cups gluten-free cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can gluten-free black beans, rinsed
- 1/2 cup green onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
- 1 cup gluten-free sour cream
- 1 cup gluten-free guacamole
- 1 small can of black olives, sliced
- 1-2 cups of chicken, pre-cooked and shredded
- 1/2 cup jalapeno pepper, sliced (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spread the chips out in a pan, then cover them with shredded chicken, black beans, black olives, green onion, jalapeno pepper, and cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted. Remove from oven and top with sour cream and guacamole. Sprinkle cilantro on top.
Here are some more suggestions for great gluten-free Super Bowl snacks:
- Gluten-free chicken wings are a staple at Super Bowl Sunday parties.
- Fresh fruit or vegetable trays add something healthy to the spread.
- Who doesn’t love gluten-free pizza? If you’re feeling creative, work the dough into a football shape or using topping to write out the name of the team your supporting in the big game.
- Pair some hummus, guacamole, or spinach and artichoke dip with some crunchy gluten-free chips for an appetizer that’s easy to throw together.
Don’t forget to pick up a few packs of your favorite flavor of New Planet Beer, and have a fun Super Bowl Sunday!
Feeling feverish? According to the CDC, the 2012-2013 flu season got off to an early start this year, and since it typically peaks in January or February, many of you may already be feeling its aches and pains. Before you reach for that box of Theraflu, make sure that it’s gluten-free (and good thing you checked, because it isn’t!) Some medications are contaminated with gluten when they’re dusted with flour before they’re packaged, or they’re inactive ingredients are derived from starch sources.
We did some research and compiled a few gluten-free cold and flu remedies below. Please use our list as a helpful guide as you search for gluten-free remedies, but as always, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist about whether or not a medication is gluten free.
Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea™, Sleepytime Sinus Soother™ Wellness Tea, Sleepytime Throat Tamer™ Wellness Tea and Sleepytime® Echinacea Complete Care® Wellness Tea
All Emergen-C products
Vicks® Nature Fusion™ Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief and Nature Fusion™ Cold & Flu Multi-Symptom Relief
Get well soon!
In the last month or so, you’ve painstakingly prepared two delicious, gluten-free holiday meals for a family and friends. During the holiday season, sticking to a gluten-free diet is no easy feat! We’re impressed and think you deserve a break, which is why we’d like to suggest you whip up one of these simple gluten-free appetizers or drinks for your New Year’s Eve festivities.
- Almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts are all naturally gluten-free. However, some manufacturers cross-contaminate nuts during the packaging process, so look for gluten-free labels. All of Blue Diamond‘s products are gluten-free except for their Jordan Almonds and Wasabi & Soy Sauce Almonds.
- Fresh fruit makes a sweet, healthy appetizer that will balance out all of the savory appetizers.
- Vegetable trays also make great, healthy appetizers. Just make sure to pair them with a salad dressing that is certified gluten-free (Hidden Valley, Annie’s, and Organic Ville manufacturer gluten-free ranch dressings).
- For a snack that takes seconds to throw together, cut gluten-free cheese into small slices, and place them on a platter with Glutino crackers.
- Looking for a traditional, crowd-pleasing appetizer? Say no more: Gluten-free Chex Mix.
- Pick a dip to pair with gluten-free chips: Guacamole, Hummus, or Spinach & Artichoke.
- This Spinach, Mushroom and Feta Flatbread makes an irresistible, mouth-watering appetizer!
- Make a big batch of these meatballs, stick some toothpicks in them, and you’re good to go.
- Who doesn’t love beer? Pick up a few packs of New Planet Beer’s Blonde, Raspberry, or Pale Ale. You can also make some refreshing mixed drinks using New Plant Beer.
- Make sure you have some Champagne to toast with at midnight!
From all of us here at New Planet Beer, happy New Year, and we’ll see you in 2013!
