Quest for Pizza

Did you know...pizza crust generally contains wheat? It's true! A food I love, and I cannot eat most of what is made out there. Lucky for me, there are enough wheatophobes in the world today that even pizza restaurants are catering to our needs...and our ever-present pepperoni cravings.

I learned of a local business that has an entry in the wheat/gluten challenged arena: Mississippi Pizza. Now, while I have finally found a decent crust recipe, and it is fun to build your own pie to your specifications, pizza really is something to be shared. It's a social food, and unfortunately, no one ever wants to have a slice of the 'special' pizza at home. You can be sure that my next wedge of cheesy, greasy goodness will be enjoyed in North Portland, at this gracious establishment.

Like a vegetarian in a meat market...

Trying to order a wheat-free meal in a restaurant is an exercise in patience. More often than not, you are isolated in the salad portion of the menu, sans croutons. I guess that's healthy and all, but hey, every so often I need something smothered in melted cheese, OK?! Enter nachos...so long as the tortilla chips are of the corn variety, you are usually safe. Rice-based dishes abound, but watch for those of the Asian persuasion, because then the soy sauce could get you.

Grocery shopping becomes a bit like detective work, too, as you scrutinize every label for wheat and its derivatives. Labelling has become much better, with warnings for common allergens, but the ingredient scan is hard habit to break.

Fortunately, many stores have specific sections (albeit small ones) which contain wheat-safe products. A handful of restaurants have offerings catering to the needs of the wheat-challenged, as well.

Some of my faves:

Trader Joe's - Grocery store of the gods, they publish a list of their gluten-free products (not the same as wheat-free, but it is usually covered here). The Organic Brown Rice Pasta is awesome, though does not translate well in cold pasta dishes.

Hawthorne Fish House - All sorts o' fish & chips, all made with rice flour. Safe for me, and damned tasty, too. Will even satisfy you Portland flour eaters out there. Do try the deep fried cheese curds...gooey heaven!

Old Spaghetti Factory - Did you read that correctly? Oh yes. They recently began offering a gluten-free pasta as a substitute in their standard spaghetti dishes. I no longer need to deny myself my occasional mizithra and clam sauce indulgence.

I am still searching for a really good pizza crust recipe/mix...

How it all began...

I never intended on starting a blog. However, a while back, while lamenting the fact that I can no longer eat wheat without annoying symptoms, I thought there should really be a site somewhere called Wheat is in Everything. Because it is.

OK, not everything. But a lot.

I dare you to try to exclude it from your diet for just a week. Or, just take a trip down the prepackaged, over-processed frozen food aisle at your friendly grocery store. Good luck finding something that isn't pasta, bread, or breaded. Check the label on your favorite can of soup or chili. Soy sauce, salad dressings, etc. It's all around us. And I can't eat it.

I am not complaining, mind you. Discovering the culprit of years of unexplained wheeziness, itchiness, and stomach cramps galore has been a life saver. But it ain't easy, I tell ya.

Here's the best part. I've been a hay fever sufferer for life, and I would often think to myself how lucky I was to not have a food allergy. Life lesson: do not tempt fate in this manner, or you will be answered.

I don't plan to make every entry here a wheat rant, but I gotta do a little bit to support the title. Maybe I'll chat about the house, the hubby, the cat...whatever gets me feeling wordy.