Authentic Foods

Many people who are new to the gluten-free diet are inclined initially to purchase ready-made muffins, breads, cookies, etc. Nutrition sits on the back burner, and the desire for good-tasting foods takes precedence.

Authentic Foods is one company that is out of the ordinary when it comes to nutritional content, flavor, and convenience. I’ve had the very fortunate opportunity to have a wonderful in-depth conversation with President and Founder, Steven Rice. He explained some of his intentions behind these unique products he personally developed.
His first successful and absolutely delicious gluten-free mix in 1993 was his current falafel mix. I’m telling you, if you like Middle Eastern food like I do, you’ll be particularly impressed by the falafels, especially if you’ve had to give up true-tasting falafels. The falafels are easy to make. I fried them just as I would any falafel, and they remained lightly crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, with all the proper savory herbs. My test team baked rather than fried them, and they too thought they tasted good. The fried version was moister and my preference. Topping both off with a traditional tzatziki sauce made them equally my “Middle Eastern Delight.”

I used Authentic Food Bette’s Featherlight Flour Blend, and it was ideal in our GF baked sweets. We tried it with two different breads Bette’s Four-Flour Blend, made with four-bean flours; while it did add more protein and fiber to my breads, I also liked the variation in flavor, different from what I was accustomed to. I could taste a hint of something, but had I not known the ingredients, I most likely would not have noticed.

Bette Herman says this flour mix can be exchanged one-for-one with wheat flour in recipes, yet you still need xanthan gum, approx. 1/4 tsp person cup for cookies and approx. 1/2 tsp per cup for cakes. I found these to be true measurements.

Allow me to divert and share a few things about Steven Rice. He has a long history in the food business, which starts when he was a teen. He went through admirable educational periods such as acquiring his Bachelors of Science Degree in Biochemistry, intense culinary classes with some of the most famous chefs, then running his own restaurant for 15 years. With a desire to help celiacs and those on the gluten-free diet, he proceeded to start Authentic Food.
Steven is one of those guys that anyone can call up with a nutritional problem or need, and he’ll try to come up with a product or mix to help. With a heart of gold, Steve has been known to help a well-known autistic group in Europe, supplying customized products to suit the restricted and very delicate needs some autistics have. Not many people can add this to their resume.

When I spoke with Steve on the phone, I found it fascinating to hear him convey his care yet also impart the wisdom of the detailed chemistry of foods, which not many understand and can apply. It is this care and this wisdom which make Authentic Food a one-of-a-kind company.

I must add that a wonderful product for any baker to use is the “Dough Enhancer.” This little jar goes a long way, adding texture, moisture, and even shelf life to whole-grain baked products. I mam using it frequently in my GRAIN FREE gluten free recipes.

I have read and reviewed quite a few cookbooks in which the author makes mention of Authentic Foods for acquiring ingredients, especially the flour or mixes. The quality is exceptional.

Steven said his daughter is soon joining him to assist, so we’ll be seeing a lot more Authentic Foods available online, in stores, and internationally.

Tina Turbin, Author
http://GlutenFreeHelp.info

From our home to yours, Tina Turbin
If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at info (at) GlutenFreeHelp.info.