Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust Challenge

Allegies? Growing up, the only meaning that word held for me was “seasonal allergies” that came when everything turned yellow in the spring. In the recent decades, and since having children, that word has come to mean so much more. For my own family, it means preschool girl is/was allergic to eggs (we switched to organic and things are much better) and toddler boy has a suspected allergy to penicillin. As I’ve met other mothers and young children, I’ve learned many are dealing with food allergies. Many of my adult friends are now suffering from allergies as well, specifically wheat allergies and/or Celiac disease, making their diet a huge concern. In fact, my mother-in-law, best friend from high school and the best man from our wedding have all become wheat intolerant.

For our daughter’s egg allergy, we simply avoided baked goods and omelettes (it was a little more complex, but not much). A wheat allergy is more difficult because wheat (or traces of it) can be found in so much more. So, any relief a sufferer can get is welcome. Enter, Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods

Udi’s offers a comprehensive line of gluten-free baked goods that are produced in a 100% gluten-free facility. Their goal is to make fresh breads and pastries daily that look and taste like their conventional wheat counterparts. It may seem like a small thing, but buying bread, bagels and muffins for your gluten-free child is a HUGE thing. And buying bread, bagels and muffins that your whole family can enjoy together is a HUGE thing.

My mother-in-law is planning to visit during the upcoming Easter weekend. As such, I was anxious to try some Udi’s products to see how they compare with the conventional versions with which I am familiar. I was was happy to participate in the Udi’s January Pizza Challenge where families make their own pizzas using the Udi’s gluten-free pizza crusts.

Gluten-Free Pizza Challenge

My children and I have never made pizza at home. I know, as much as we cook we’ve never made pizza from raw ingredients, so all of us were excited to try this for the first time. And, of course, the kids had a marvelous time deciding what toppings their pizza would sport. They were also slightly full after eating almost half of the raw ingredients during assembly. We made both pizza crusts contained in the package because they average 10 inches in diameter.

We cooked the pizzas a little longer than the 5-7 minutes recommended on the crust packaging, but were very happy with the results. Our pizzas were yummy! The crust was nice and crispy on the outer edge, while still softer and chewy (er) in the middle. The whole family enjoyed the pizza and, while the crust was not like a big 2-inch thick doughy crust from some national chains, that’s not our style anyway. I think Udi’s succeeded in making a crust that can appeal to the masses, not just those suffering gluten intolerance.

I will also mention that we received a sample of their snickerdoodles and blueberry muffins as well. They are all gone. Yum! (Though I’m always a proponent of more blueberries.)

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods offers a tasty line of products that include breads, muffins, granolas, bagels, cookies, hamburger and hot dog buns and pizza crusts. For anyone avoiding gluten, Udi’s can fill the void that wheat-based products leave when omitted from the diet. And they do it with great tasting products. As a hostess, I’m looking forward to having items on hand when visitors come. I won’t feel so helpless when planning meals.

Or Not to Buy… If you and your family are not sensitive to wheat, Udi’s products may not be necessary. But those snickerdoodles might be worth a try!

Shop! Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods are available in may national retail outlets including your local grocery store, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and online at http://udisglutenfree.com/products/. Indeed, Udi’s is now available at 50 Wal-Mart stores across the country and the store will carry 5 of Udi’s best-selling products (soft white bread, soft whole grain bread, plain bagels, chocolate chip cookies, and pizza crust) in the bakery department. To find a store near you and learn of coupons and special offers, be sure to visit the Udi’s website and check out the store locator.

Thanks to Udi’s for providing samples.