Gluten-free Gourmet B1tches

Gourmet B1tches is the latest food truck to (possibly) roll out onto the streets of Toronto. Right now I hear it's mostly focused on private parties/events/catering, but is working to get a licence to hit the streets, at which time you'll see the sleek black and purple truck in your 'hood selling gluten-free bites on the go.



We went to the launch party recently, so we'll give you the run-down: both Mark and I agreed the best item was the Balinese chicken on a corn tostada. We have to admit that we found the other items in need of a little bit of work - just a detail here or there to fix - but feedback cards were provided, which we made use of, and continuous improvement is a good thing. I was impressed with their desire to find out what we thought about each dish.



With feedback from the folks who were at the event, I think they'll sharpen up the details. And, on a more general note, I say the more options out there, the better, so that everyone can enjoy the food truck craze (including those who can't have gluten). They also have salads and ceviche, which are not always easy to find at food trucks, so if healthier options are what you're looking for then you've just found your best bet on four wheels.

Yours in food,
-Stacey

Every nut-lover's dream...

Nut-lovers: There exists a bakery in Toronto which specializes exclusively in nut products (there is 1/4 lb. of nuts in every bag of their product, actually). And I have to tell you - I've tried all their products first-hand and they are delicious.

The Nut Bakery sent us some samples of both their low sugar and pure cane sugar varieties of Grainless Granola (chunks), Grainless Granola (bars), Pecan Walnut Chocolate Macaroons, and Chocolate Nut Chunk. The latter two were definitely our favourites.

None of the products were too sweet, and just one or two pieces gave you energy for days (I'd recommend everyone have an emergency bag at work - you never know when a late night where you need brain power will come, because as we all know nuts are incredible brain food and I've also heard they can have a mood-stabilizing effect).

The only fault I found with them was that the low sugar varieties, of course, have a bit of an aftertaste that the pure cane sugar ones don't, which is simply part and parcel of having to use a sweetener in place of sugar. But it provides a nice alternative that diabetics can savour. Also, those with Celiac disease can indulge safely in these products, as all are gluten free because they use nuts in place of grains.

I had brought the remains of my least favourite, but still delicious, Grainless Granola Bars to work and my colleagues were amazed. I told them I wish they could've tried the Chocolate Nut Chunk and the Pecan Walnut Chocolate Macaroons, but I ate them all before any leftovers could make it into the office!

Here is a list of places where you can get your hands on their products if you're interested in trying them out.

Yours in food,
-Stacey