I picked up a package of Robin Hood’s Nutri Gluten-Free Flour Blend the other day. Normally I am all for gluten but have a gaming friend who is gluten-intolerant so I thought I would put it through my test kitchen.
The package was on sale for $7.49 which is pretty darn expensive but you get almost 2 kg of flour.
The flour is made with “rice flour with sugar beet fibre and potato and tapioca starches” and the package says, “For best results, use with gluten free recipes”. Which is not very helpful. I found out you can find such recipes on Robin Hood’s site here.
Oddly it says on the site to not use the flour for delicate cake recipes like angel food cake but right below that statement there is a recipe for gluten-free spice scented angel food cake.
Whatever. I decided to make my No Fail Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies.
The recipe only calls for 1 cup of flour, the rest is bound together with quick oats.
I made them as usual and…
My friend Kris was too sick to come and play D&D! Doh! We of course had them and they were pretty good. Not as good as usual but surprisingly good. I still found them quite grainy and they dried out quite quickly.
I put a bunch in the freezer and brought them to art class and people were very impressed. My teacher even said, “For gluten-free, these are really good.” Hopefully Kris will agree when she gets to try them when she is feeling better.
It is confusing that you buy this flour and are still supposed to use it for gluten-free recipes. On the package there is a recipe for The Ultimate Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and the only real difference I can see with most cookie recipes is that it uses xanthan gum. Which I think I have because I have a gastronomy kit but who else would have that?
The whole gluten-free universe is a mystery to me but I know a lot of people suffer from gluten intolerance so I wanted to try and see if this was a worthwhile investment. I wish I could say that I could not tell these cookies were gluten-free but that would not be the truth. I found them dry and gritty which is a shame. They were still very edible but they were different from the original. Still, they were a pretty darn good cookie.
I think I need to do more testing before I give a rating. What recipe should I try next?
Make sure your friend can eat oats, as they are usually gluten-contaminated. Many people who avoid gluten also have to avoid oats.
I’d say pick one of the gluten-free recipes from the Robin Hood site that’s similar to something you do make, so you have an idea of how the regular version comes out.
Crap! Well I hope she can still have the cookies. I thought oats were safe but I guess not! Thanks for the suggestion Kenora, will do.
I was told to avoid gluten because it causes INFLAMATION and one month ago I was diagnosed with rhumatoïde arthritis, lupus and sjogrens so gluten is a big no no for me They do sell oats that is gluten free. I am still trying to find recipes and ways to still have a good diet, not easy since I also have to avoid sugar and all milk products. From my research I have found a lot of different products for my diet and now I just have to find recipes that will be suitable for me….not easy!! I am learning a lot though…vexer new there was such a thing as Monk sugar, xantham gum and guar gum!
I am so sorry to hear that your foodie life is such a huge challenge!!! I am currently going through hell with my stomach right now as well. I do hope you find products and food you can enjoy.
If you don’t have an oat sensitivity too this is awesome, also to make gluten free use certified gluten free oats.
OK, will keep an eye out for those too, thanks Dawn!
Thanks for the post Suzie . My doc says I should avoid gluten to help with weight loss . I am going to do some experimenting with gluten free ideas such as breads and pastas . I’ll keep you up-dated .
That would be great. I’m a total fish out of water in this gluten-free territory.
Well, of course you must try that gluten-free angel food cake! Hahahaha! I’ve always, ALWAYS used nothing but Robin Hood flour — I swear by it. So I’m willing to bet that it’s a good gluten-free flour too.
You know, I am considering making that damn food cake, LOL. Robin Hood is excellent which is why I trusted it to invest almost $8 in it!
Can I use the Robin Hood gluten free flour cup for cup with regular all purpose flour
I don’t know. Does anyone have the answer to this please.
They suggest you use their recipes so it is hard to know for sure Llucianna. You can certainly try and see what happens.