Gluten-Free in MKE: Schroeter’s Gluten Free Bakeshop

This post is part of the #glutenfreeinMKE series where I share my dining out experiences, local products to check out, and just general gluten-free goodness in and around Milwaukee.

The star of today’s show…

Schroeter’s Gluten Free Bakeshop’s pizza crusts.

I was lucky enough to score one at our last GF Get Together — Schroeter’s GF Bake Shop has always been generous in their donations to our group!

I’m a big fan of pre-baking, even when it’s not instructed or required. Do I have other crispy crust fans in the crowd? A pizza stone works wonders for this step. (be sure to put the pizza stone in the oven while you pre-heat, then just slide the crust onto the stone and bake until lightly browned)

You can go wild with toppings — I was working with the limited likings of my two best buddies, they were visiting and this was their “lunch-on-the-road” treat for the trip back to Minnesota. They are big pepperoni fans, so pepperoni it was!

After you pre-bake the crust, smother it in your sauce of choice (We used Mid’s, our new go-to sauce… my Mamasita stocked up at Pick ‘n Save before she left.) Then, cheese of choice.

Insider pizza-extraordinaire tip: a mixture of cheeses is the way to go — last time we made homemade pizzas at my sister’s house, she added some pepper jack, why didn’t I think of that? Gave the pizza a little kick.

Would you look at that perfect crust? Crispy. A little color. (my husband says color = flavor!) Bubbly cheese. YUM!

Insider pauntie tip: (pauntie = parent-like knowledge from having so many kiddos in your life + super cool auntie) Kids love to mix it up — cut things into mini pieces or shapes, serve up snacks in muffin liners, call Potato Leek soup Mashed Potato Soup. Trust me.

Yes, it’s in the window, we needed it to cool fast so we could package it up. 🙂

You’ll notice the mini triangles are missing — Mamasita and I had to make sure it was good. We wouldn’t want to send them off with a not-up-to-par lunch. Right?! 😉  Funny story: I set aside several pieces for us to have after the crew took off on their road trip… and when my mama and I went to dive into the snack after they left? There was one little piece left. (somebody with greedy fingers got away with my secret stash, but I can’t blame them — luckily I was munching on them as I packaged them up!)

This pizza was “the best pizza ever,” as Chef Carter put it. And we all know the opinion of a six year old is what really matters. He’s picky when it comes to his gluten-free top picks, and these pizza crusts made his list.

You can find them locally at: A Gluten Free Frenzy, Metcalfe’s, Gluten Free Trading Company and Greater Grains in Racine. They are hoping to get the crusts into Ned’s Pizza, The Trysting Place and other local restaurants. Not at a store near you? Ask your local store manager to contact Schroeter’s to place an order and check out their site to find all of their other delicious products near you. (try the whoopie pies!)

Anyone else tried these pizza crusts? What did you think?

A Gluten Free Frenzy in Brookfield, WI

If there is one thing I have gotten better at in the last two and a half years, it’s label reading.

Isn’t it funny how we can quickly scan a label with words like Monosodium Glutmate, Lactic Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and many other quite-the-mouthful ingredients and not bat an eye? But a word like WHEAT, BARLEY, MALT will cause us to put that item right back on the shelf with a *sigh*. (those in italics are ingredients in Cheetos…no, not the healthiest, but I dig ’em every once in a while)

Wouldn’t you just love to go into a store and NOT have to read labels?

Just stroll through the aisles without a worry.

Stopping at little tables to try the samples they have out that day.

Grab those hard to find items from amazing bakeries across the country.

Then you could grab a deli sandwich and a Diet Coke and be on your way.

Or kick back with a cup of java before you head out.

Now you can.

A Gluten Free Frenzy is THE new place to find gluten free products. Owners Martha and Greg were thrilled to open their doors just a couple of weeks ago. (we’re thrilled too)

Everything in their store is gluten free. NO label reading.

Ok, you might have to label read if you have other allergies too, but a list of “other allergens” is in the works. In the near future you’ll be able to get your hands on the list to see what items are not only gluten free, but also soy free, dairy free, etc.

Their goal is to provide the best variety of gluten free products. I would say they are well on their way.

And it gets better. There are ready-made food options too.

You can grab some bakery items from the front case that are made with mixes they have in the store. The perfect way to try out the mixes before you buy them to make at home. Plus there are samples all over the store for you to try.

Pizza by the slice? Done. They have that too. And they are using crusts they carry in the store. Try. Then buy.

Perfect.

Deli Sandwiches in the cooler? Check.

Mainstream products like Betty Crocker, Chex, and Thai Kitchen?  Double check.

Plans for their Grand Opening are underway for August. And there is talk of pancake/Belgian waffle Saturday’s. Sign me up.

If you find a product you love that they aren’t carrying yet? Just let them know, they would be happy to order it. (No worries, I have already put in a request for Crispin Cider )

We have been chatting about it all week on the Celiac in the City Facebook page. We are crazy excited to have this new store in our community. We are even making a stop there for our Gluten Free Get Together VI on Monday, July 26th.

Want to join us? Check our the invite on Facebook.

Kudos to Martha and Greg!