The first thing I thought about when diagnosed with Coeliac Disease was...what am I going to eat for breakfast - I can't eat bread! ...and then panic struck.
Subsequently I didn't eat bread or pasta for about a year because I couldn't bear the taste or texture. This was however 9 years ago and all that was available was Dietry Specials mini sized loaves where you had to eat 5 sandwiches to make up for a 'normal' sized sandwich...and then the soul destroying moment you realise you have used one load of bread to make one sandwich.
However - saying this manufacturing companies are now more conscious about the size of their gluten free bread loaves, and now thank the lord above we have 'normal' sized bread.
If you just don't have the time to make your own bread (which of course is always the best) below are some of my favourite loaves of bread that survived my scrutiny.
No 1. Genius Triple Seeded Sandwich Loaf
This is the only bread that I have found not to break up when open for more than a day - or in fact while still on the shelves. It is a well known fact that Gluten Free Bread can break up easily and my old trusted trick was to toast the hell out of it before I ate it. Fortunately - with this loaf you don't have to do that - although it tastes equally as nice toasted. Well done genius. It's the only loaf of pre made bread I buy now days.
Av price £3.00 from most leading supermarkets (Waitrose, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's)
No 2. Marks and Spencer Brown Bloomer
For an own brand bread, this is actually really tasty and freezes well. for that fresh baked bread taste the M&S range of breads are actually really good. They may be a bit more expensive than other brands, but when it comes to taste and size these slices make a decent sandwich.
Priced between £2.35 and £3.00 In M&S stores around the country
No 3. Multi-seeded BFree Bagels
These little fellas are quite hard to find in the UK. Irish gluten free brand BFree hit the supermarket shelves last year. I met the Bfree team at the Allergy show and managed to get some samples...there were and still are the best Gluten Free Bagels I have tasted (hence why they are in my top 5!). Whilst not the traditional loaf, they are great for breakfasts and lunches - especially packed with my favourite fillings - cream cheese and smoked salmon....ummmm...you wait until you try their fajitas made with their fajita kits
No 4. Beyond Bakery Fresh Bread
Now I know that this bread is not a packaged loaf but because it is so good! With the range from baguettes and ciabatta to seeded loafs - you can't beat fresh bread.
The sandwiches they make at Beyond Bakery are the best I have tried, even with my adventurous home made concoctions. Give them a little visit - Charlotte Place just off Tottenham Court Road ... go on..you know you have to. If not for the bread, than you need to try their danish pastries.
Prices range from £1.75-£4.25
No. 5 Udi's Tiger Bread Loaf
Tiger bread, with it's distinctive taste and texture is something I miss sinking my teeth into after dunking into a bowl of soup or packing with chicken mayo and salad.
This is a great substitute, although I have had a few loaves with a bit of a grand canyon in the middle. Half of me felt cheated, but then...you can't help air bubbles! It has though, reduced my cravings for a super sandwich or brilliant cheese on toast - just like my granddad used to make me.
From £2.00-£2.50 Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsburys
So there we have it.
My top 5 breads that are out there on the market. What I will say about Gluten Free bread is that everyone has their own tastes, likes and dislikes. These are just my top 5 that I have managed to stick with.
No comments:
Post a Comment