Breaking Bread

Finding edible gluten-free bread has been a challenge, to say the least. I’ve tried dozens of brands and have narrowed down my top two store-bought breads (see below).

My husband makes homemade gluten-free bread in a bread machine, which is better, I think, than store-bought bread. If you’re new to the gluten-free diet, I recommend buying one. You can find relatively inexpensive bread makers from Target stores and more expensive ones from Williams-Sonoma. It’s worth the investment because you’ll eventually grow tired of the same old expensive store-bought bread.

You can purchase a variety of pre-made bread mixes and/or follow your own recipe. If you feel you don’t have time to make your own bread or want to ‘change it up’ a bit, try the following two store-bought breads:

Udi’s White Sandwich Bread: Although it is marketed as sandwich bread, it makes a nice crusty French-style bread. Toast, and add a little unsalted, sweet cream butter and feel as though you’re not missing out for a change. The slices are small and ‘light’ so you can also use this bread to make Bruschetta.
Where to find: Lunds/Byerlys
Cost: $4.67

Kinnikinnick White Sandwich Bread: Unfortunately, this bread doesn’t last long in our household. I make egg sandwiches or French toast with this bread in the morning. I use it for lunch sandwiches, and cinnamon toast for dessert. This bread is your ‘plain Jane’ standard white bread and surprisingly, doesn’t taste “gluten-free.” It’s also a good pick for celiac kids who like P&J sandwiches. Anything by Kinnikinnick is usually fairly tasty, especially their donuts!
Where to find: Kowalski’s and natural food stores.
Cost: $6.25

Bob’s Red Mill Hearty Whole Grain Bread Mix: This whole grain bread mix tastes like a wheat bread and contains more protein, iron, and fiber than the white bread mixes. Bob’s Red Mill has an entire line of bread mixes, flours, and cereal grains. I highly recommend all products from this company.
Where to find: Cub, Rainbow, Target, Whole Foods, Kowalski’s, natural food stores.
Cost: $4-5 depending on vendor.

Bob’s Red Mill Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix: Smell this bread rise in your bread machine and you won’t want to leave the house until you’ve had a warm slice. The mix results in a classic white loaf, which is fantastic smothered with butter and jam.
Where to find: Cub, Rainbow, Target, Whole Foods, Kowalski’s, natural food stores.
Cost: $4-5 depending on vendor

There are many other bread brands that you may want to try. Gluten-free bakeries offer great-tasting breads -- some with high nutritional value. I highly recommend Bittersweet Gluten-free Bakery’s bread loaves, located in Eagan, MN (www.bittersweetgf.com).

No doubt you will have to hunt for a bread to break at your own table.