Gluten-Free Goodness Made Easy

French Meadow Bakery Shares Wholesome, Gluten-Free Meals in Honor of Celiac Awareness Month

Minneapolis, MN – May 3, 2010 –The month of May puts a spotlight on Celiac Disease, one of the most common genetic conditions in the world. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, 1 in every 100 people is living with Celiac Disease, 97% of whom will go undiagnosed.

The entire month of May is dedicated to Celiac Disease, when Celiac organizations, those living with Celiac, and companies that produce much needed gluten-free products are banning together to help spread the word about this lifelong, digestive disorder that affects both children and adults. Not only is this month a critical time to enlighten the public about the disease, but it is also an important time to empower those who have been diagnosed with tools to make their diet and lifestyle as simple and delicious as possible.

French Meadow Bakery Offers Meal Solutions for the Gluten-Free Lifestyle

Going gluten-free can often challenge even the best cooks in the kitchen, but French Meadow Bakery, the nation’s oldest continuously certified-organic bakery in the U.S., shares recipes and products with consumers that ensure e a gluten-free lifestyle as not only be delicious, but also deceptively easy.

Chef Mark Stussi, C.E.C., Rich Products Corporation, recognizes that meal time one of the hardest times for those with Celiac. “It is increasingly easier to find gluten-free products, but it is still difficult to identify items that taste good, not to mention finding easy ways to incorporate them into a recipe,” said Stussi. The rise in Celiac diagnoses led Chef Mark to “create wholesome, simple recipes incorporating French Meadow Bakery gluten-free products into achievable, everyday meals.”

“In addition to our line-up of great-tasting and nutritious products, French Meadow Bakery is proud to offer solutions for the gluten-free lifestyle,” said Beth Naffziger, brand manager for health and wellness, French Meadow Bakery. “We all know that gluten-free meal preparation can be a daunting challenge. As an internationally recognized, gold-standard provider in the gluten-free industry,shares several simple ways to incorporate our delicious products into recipes that make mealtime a snap.”

French Meadow Bakery Certification

French Meadow Bakery understands the seriousness of food allergies and intolerances. The bakery’s gluten-free products are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and carry the seal of the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO.org). The products are also free from lactose, casein, peanuts, tree nuts, and preservatives. An independent laboratory periodically tests and verifies the company’s allergen claims. The extensive gluten-free portfolio includes breads, pizza crust, tortillas, rolls, brownies, cookies, muffins, cakes and cupcakes.

“People with Celiac Disease must be able to easily identify products they can trust,” said Naffziger. “Our certified products can take the guesswork and worry out of buying gluten-free foods.”

French Meadow Bakery Offers Great Taste

Although the safety and quality of gluten-free products is of paramount importance, taste is also a key factor that sets apart many gluten-free offerings. “French Meadow Bakery has made flavorless gluten-free foods a thing of the past,” said Naffziger. "Taste is one of our key priorities. We’re thrilled that our extensive lineup offers a bounty of flavorful products that continue to be delicious hits!”

French Meadow’s great taste is evidenced by their award-winning gluten-free lineup. The products have been featured and endorsed by numerous nutritionists, foodies and chefs, including America’s #1 nationally syndicated health & wellness talk show, “The Dr. Bob Show.”

About French Meadow Bakery
French Meadow Bakery™ is the oldest, continuously operated, certified-organic bakery in the U.S. Founded in 1985 by Lynn Gordon as a means of making healthy bread for her macrobiotic diet, the bakery is internationally recognized as a leading provider of naturally delicious and nutritious bakery products and desserts that are certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, yeast-free, and kosher.

French Meadow Bakery won Grocery Headquarters' “Selling Wellness Trailblazer Award” in 2007, and received Bon Appétit’s“Ten Best Bread Bakeries in the U.S” on two separate occasions. The company's performance breads are endorsed by nutrition experts Dr. Barry Sears, Dr. Andrew Weil, and Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman.

French Meadow is based in Minnesota and has a global strategic business alliance with Rich Products Corporation (http://www.rich.com). The company maintains its commitment to the environment through small farmers, community involvement and innovative healthy eating. Its trend-setting products are available nationally at mainstream grocers and independent natural food stores. For more information, visit http://www.frenchmeadow.com or call (877) 669-3278.

French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Recipes

Gluten-Free Vanilla-Flax French Toast

2 slices French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread

1 egg

¼ cup skim milk

1 tbsp ground flax

½ tsp vanilla

Whisk egg, milk, flax and vanilla together. Heat sprayed pan over medium heat. Place bread in egg mixture and coat both sides. Place bread in hot pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve with yogurt, fresh berries or syrup!

French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free “It’s Greek to Me” Pizza

Garlic Paste Ingredients

Garlic Oil

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, roasted

Instructions: Make a paste with garlic and oil and let stand for up to 3 days.

Pizza

French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

1 oz baby spinach, shredded

2 oz feta cheese, crumble

Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

8 sundried tomato pieces, sliced

Instructions:

Remove one French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Pizza Crust from packaging. Brush GF pizza crust with garlic infused olive oil as the “sauce” layer. Artfully garnish with the remaining ingredients. Place in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes. This is a very light and healthful pizza. Enjoy!

*Variation:

Options for a more hearty pizza, spread black olive tapenade as the “sauce” and add remaining ingredients on top and bake.

Roasted Red Pepper & Red Onion Quesadilla

2 French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Tortillas

¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Red onion slices

Roasted red pepper slices

Heat sprayed pan over medium heat. Put one tortilla in pan and layer with cheese, red pepper and onion. Top with other tortilla. When cheese has melted, about 3 minutes, flip quesadilla and cook three additional minutes. Cut into four pieces and serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Cinnamon Tortilla Crisps

4 French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Tortillas

Cooking spray

Cinnamon and sugar

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Slice each tortilla into 8 wedges. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Place sugar side down on pan. Spray other side with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip chips over and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve with fruit salsa, yogurt dip or plain!