Alright, I know, I know…it’s still April…but I have several little things to talk about. Actually I don’t ever consider my “little things” very little. They definitely are big in their own right, especially when something I mention directly affects you. So here goes.
Starbucks Gluten-Free Cake Available May 5
Tick tock! In a matter of days Starbucks will launch its first gluten-free menu item. The product is Orange Valencia Cake. According to the Starbucks “Ideas in Action” Blog, the cake is “a delicious, moist, citrus cake bursting with Valencia oranges and topped with crunchy almonds. Not only is it gluten-free, it is also prepared with 7 simple ingredients: Whole Eggs, Valencia Orange Pulp, Almonds, Sugar, Orange Peel, Gluten Free Baking Powder, and Orange Oil. Plus it delivers 30% of your daily value of vitamin C.” Nice – Getting vitamins WITH my cake. MMMM.
But I digress. The products will be available at area Starbucks on May 5th – 8 days from now if you’re counting. According to the blog, you should look for a “pastry case with a sign that says ‘gluten-free’.” There you’ll find the cake unwrapped so you can see it, but once you order it you’ll notice it does come prepackaged to prevent cross contamination.
Gluten-Free Bread Baking Demo in Brainerd/Baxter Area
I received a notification for a gathering in Central Minnesota for Saturday, May 23rd. According to the pamphlet says Jules E. D. Shepard author of Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten-Free Eating “will be showing us how to make delicious sandwich bread, buttermilk biscuits, scones and more!”
It’s all happening at the Northland Arboretum, in Baxter, Minnesota May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. The cost is $25 for people who register before May 17th. After that date, the registration fee jumps to $35 per person. Email Jewel’s Food Market (located in Baxter) at info@jewelsfoodmarket.com or call 218-825-9225 to register.
More Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menus
So I’ve been alerted to two establishments that have gluten-free menus. One is perfect for the boater. Maynard’s which is on Lake Minnetonka, has gluten-free options for customers including steak, fish and burgers. It doesn’t mention how the foods are prepared to ensure (as much as they can ensure) the “gluten-freeness” of the food, so you will want to talk to a manager or chef before eating.
A reader of TheSavvyCeliac, brought to my attention Thayer’s, a bed and breakfast in Annandale. Every Friday night it has what appears to be a beautiful gluten-free menu consisting of appetizers, soups, pasta…and when was the last time you ordered a gluten-free grilled ham and cheese sandwich? Cool.
Annandale is about 45 minutes outside of the Twin Cities – up Interstate 94 from here. So if you’re ever in that neck of the woods, you should check it out. All of the food for this Friday Gluten-Free meal is supplied by A Gluten-Free Me, based in Annandale. They also take orders and can ship items to you.
Last Chance for Making Tracks for Celiacs Twin Cities
Hey only 2 ½ weeks before the big fundraiser in Victoria, Minnesota (happens on May 16th). This is the one last chance I have to convince you that if you’re gluten-free and in Minnesota, this is the event to check out. We have 50+ companies involved, tons of food to sample and in some cases purchase. Registration for the 5K walk is free! If you want to run, preregistration is $20. Race-day registration is $25. This event raises money for the University of Maryland-Baltimore’s Center for Celiac Research. Please come, bring your family, strollers, children, wagons and have a great time! For more information go to www.celiacwalk.org or donate online at www.twincitiesrock.org.
Tags: baking, gluten-free, menus, restaurants, Starbucks
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