Going Gluten-Free

My family and I have been on a quest to go gluten-free and we feel much better as a result.  I won’t get into the details of the graphic symptoms we’ve eliminated because I think you can probably guess what they are. If not, drop me a line and I can tell you all about it. In the meantime, read on.

We’ve found it terribly difficult to go completely gluten-free, (my partner Eric is Italian, enough said) as we’re all big bread lovers which is probably why we have the problem is the first place. But now that spring has officially arrived it has proven to be even more challenging.

Going on a Picnic

One of the things we love to do most is picnic at the beach. There’s something about the change of scenery at mealtime that feeds my soul. And frankly speaking, the more we can get out of the house and away from the TV and routine the better in my book. But finding foods that aren’t too crazy messy for our pre-schooler is challenging. 

Sandwiches have always been our go to for picnics as they are easy to hold, easy to eat and you don’t need a knife and fork. Of course what’s even easier is putting your favourite sandwich ingredients into a flour tortilla and away you go.

And while it’s great to think outside the sandwich box and bring along salads, veggies sticks and dip and fruit cut up into star shapes and perfectly presented in a bento box, (I don’t do this very often, seriously I don’t have the brain space to think that far ahead) I want to keep things simple.

And when I say simple, I mean dead easy.

Since going mostly gluten-free we’ve been hard pressed to find products that not only have a nice texture but taste good. Most gluten-free breads are more like bricks. And so we’ve kind of given up on finding any great tasting options.

Until now.

I’ve discovered Rudi’s Gluten-Free tortillas!

I was invited to attend a blogger event at Las Margaritas in Kitsilano where I had a chance to sample Rudi’s Gluten-Free tortillas baked into an enchilada. Man it was good! It was obvious (to me) that the enchiladas weren’t made with flour tortillas and they don’t have the same chewy texture but they were still delicious.

I wanted to try them out for myself so I went on the hunt to find Rudi’s gluten-free products and found them at Whole Foods and at Safeway. We picked up one package of  spinach and one original tortillas and when I got home I immediately set to task making our very first gluten-free breakfast wrap. I was excited to see if our picnic dilemma would be solved! I am happy to report that for the most part it was.

I find the wraps are best if they are used fairly soon after buying. You can throw them in the freezer but don’t leave them in there too long. Because they don’t have that chewy texture they can break apart a bit so don’t ask too much of them. (aka don’t try to stuff too much into your wrap). Otherwise these tortillas are very tasty!

Gluten-Free Breakfast Wraps

Ingredients

• 4 Rudi’s Gluten-Free Tortillas, warmed in microwave or in tortilla steamer
• 1/4 zucchini, diced
• 2 broccoli spears, chopped
• a few tablespoons onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, if desired
• 1/2 teaspoon tarragon, or to taste
• salt and pepper
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• grated cheese
• salsa
• 4 pieces of tinfoil

Method

• Pour olive oil into pan to heat.
• Lightly stir fry zucchini, broccoli and onion until onion is translucent.
• Add tarragon, salt and pepper until fragrant.
• Add eggs and scramble into vegetables.
• When the eggs are nearly done, add cheese and stir until just melted.
• Divide mixture into 4 parts and put onto tortillas. Wrap each tortilla around the egg mixture making sure one end is sealed, then wrap in tin foil.

We’ve been back to Las Margarita’s on Margarita Monday (I won a gift card at the event, how awesome is that?) and enjoyed the delicious sips and chicken fajitias on the deck, which happens to be a pretty sweet spot in the city. They’re pretty kid friendly with crayons and a kid’s menu for your littles and a great spot for people watching.

Have you been?

Enjoy your picnic. Maybe we’ll see you at the beach!

Look for Rudi’s on Pinterest where you’ll find some great gluten-free products and recipe ideas. I didn’t try their bread products but if you do let me know what you think!

I wasn’t compensated for this post but I was treated to a lovely dinner and was given vouchers to try the products. The opinions are my own.