New York, Bagels, and Gluten Free

I was born in New York and even though I left when I was 8 years old, whenever I return, I head for those comfort food items I associate with the good times.  Like pizza, bagels and a street corner hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut.  Last week, I returned to New York City for a cousin's wedding. It was the first time I've been back in many years. The first time I've been back as a gluten free diner (allergy related).

Which means.... bummer... I can't eat pizza, bagels or a street corner hot dog.

In the world of gluten free, pizza was replaced fairly successfully, and hot dogs can be enjoyed with mustard and sauerkraut off a plate. But a bagel! Not being able to pick up a New York bagel with cream cheese made me want to cry.

When I arrived at my Uncle's apartment on the upper west side, I noticed something strange in his refrigerator. A package of gluten free  Udi's Bagels.  I learned my Uncle has recently joined the hoards of gluten free initiates and is thriving on the new diet. I have never tried Udi's gluten free bagels but I have tried other brands... and, well, yuck...

Gluten free baking is an art form. I could make this a very long post about different gluten free baking brands but this is about BAGELS...

Hungry, I opened the package.  They looked interesting.  They had a nice texture, of course, a lot denser than normal bagels.  But okay, what the heck, I stuffed one in the toaster.

It popped up a few minutes later looking nice and toasty.  Brown with a hint of crunch.  I lathered it in butter.  I put it to my lips and bit down.  It was delicious!  I have never had such a great textured gluten free pre-packaged bagel in my gluten flour-less life.

I came home to Los Angeles.  I went to my favorite grocery store, Fresco Community Market in Los Angeles which carries many gluten free options.  I purchased my own package to test it again. This time I bought Udi's Mighty Bagel.



I just finished it.  Every last crumb, and then sat down to write this post.

Click here to read more about Udi Baron and his wife Fern from Denver, Colorado.