Canadian Celiacs: where do you buy your GF flours?

[powersuitrecall]

We've been living gluten free (for medical reasons) for about a year and would like to start branching out into some recipes that call for some specialty flours / meals (coconut / almond).  Scouring the web seems to show a multitude of options in the US, but few in Canada.  Please share your GF sources!

[GreenQueen]

I make most of my flour in my Vitamix (quinoa, rice, oat from gf oatmeal, almond meal). Otherwise, garbanzo bean flour can be found at ethnic markets (Indian and Asian) and the big Provigos. I find coconut flour at the same places, but don't use it much.

As for other gf ingredients, you can also find tapioca starch far cheaper at ethnic markets. Xantham gum is always pricy and I can only find at health food stores, but I store it in the freezer and it lasts a long time.

Unless you're interested in paleo or grain-free, I recommend finding or adapting recipes that produce something you like with the flours you can find affordably. Takes a little extra time but worth it. I love oat flour (you can also make from whole oats in a Cuisunart) for its closeness to wheat.

[KMMK]

I find most major (or "health food"/bulk stores) have a section of Bobs Red Mill brand, which is the one I'm most familiar with. And also have other brands and mixes in the same section. I bake so rarely that I usually just use mixes.
Unless you are in a really small town you should be able to find the right section in most stores.

[RetiredAt63]

When I went low-carb/gluten-free I basically stopped baking.  I suppose I am Paleo with dairy, mostly.  When I do need a dessert I use the Betty Crocker gluten free brownie mix, and have used Bob's Red Mill flours a few times (had their pancake mix for Christmas breakfast, a treat).  A Foodland near me has a surprisingly large gluten-free section with at least 3 brands to chose from.  I also borrowed a cookbook (forget the name now, America's test kitchen produced it, I think) that discussed what blends (i.e. tapioca, rice etc.) make the best flour, and then had masses of recipes.

BTW, quinoa with a bit of wild rice makes a great hot or cold side dish.  Cook in chicken broth, add sauteed onions, garlic if the family likes it, whatever else sounds good (petit pois?).  I take it and the Betty Crocker Brownies and some cheddar cheese and gluten-free crackers to potlucks so I will have something there I can eat.

[powersuitrecall]

I make most of my flour in my Vitamix (quinoa, rice, oat from gf oatmeal, almond meal). Otherwise, garbanzo bean flour can be found at ethnic markets (Indian and Asian) and the big Provigos. I find coconut flour at the same places, but don't use it much.

As for other gf ingredients, you can also find tapioca starch far cheaper at ethnic markets. Xantham gum is always pricy and I can only find at health food stores, but I store it in the freezer and it lasts a long time.

Unless you're interested in paleo or grain-free, I recommend finding or adapting recipes that produce something you like with the flours you can find affordably. Takes a little extra time but worth it. I love oat flour (you can also make from whole oats in a Cuisunart) for its closeness to wheat.

Good advice - thanks!  I ask specifically about almond & coconut flour because we received a GF cookbook that uses these flours.  I hadn't thought of using our blender to create ingredients ourselves - which seems obvious in retrospect.  I'll give it a shot.

[powersuitrecall]

I find most major (or "health food"/bulk stores) have a section of Bobs Red Mill brand, which is the one I'm most familiar with. And also have other brands and mixes in the same section. I bake so rarely that I usually just use mixes.
Unless you are in a really small town you should be able to find the right section in most stores.

I found Bob's Red Mill in our local specialty store, but they only had small portions (and large price tags).  I was hoping for larger quantities online.  For instance:

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Coconut-Anthonys-Certified-Gluten-Free/dp/B00BSZBEAG/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1482946709&sr=1-4&keywords=coconut+flour

https://www.amazon.com/Almond-Blanched-Anthonys-Certified-Gluten-Free/dp/B0055IRNAC/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1482946774&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=almond+flour&psc=1

I checked out the manufacturer's website - they do not sell internationally.

[powersuitrecall]

When I went low-carb/gluten-free I basically stopped baking.  I suppose I am Paleo with dairy, mostly.  When I do need a dessert I use the Betty Crocker gluten free brownie mix, and have used Bob's Red Mill flours a few times (had their pancake mix for Christmas breakfast, a treat).  A Foodland near me has a surprisingly large gluten-free section with at least 3 brands to chose from.  I also borrowed a cookbook (forget the name now, America's test kitchen produced it, I think) that discussed what blends (i.e. tapioca, rice etc.) make the best flour, and then had masses of recipes.

We've had that same brownie mix a couple of times.  It's killer.

BTW, quinoa with a bit of wild rice makes a great hot or cold side dish.  Cook in chicken broth, add sauteed onions, garlic if the family likes it, whatever else sounds good (petit pois?).  I take it and the Betty Crocker Brownies and some cheddar cheese and gluten-free crackers to potlucks so I will have something there I can eat.

Nice suggestion for quinoa.  We have a huge bag from Costco and I'm always looking for new ways to integrate it into our meals.

[RetiredAt63]

If I were going to do a lot of baking I would head to Bulk Barn, buy the individual flours, and mix my own.  Oh, the cookbook with the tested flour mix was from the Culinary Institute of America

[powersuitrecall]

Was it this one?  https://www.amazon.ca/Gluten-Free-Baking-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/1598696130

In general, do you trust Bulk Barn in terms of cross-contamination?

Edit - Thanks BTW.  It's great to have some responses with experience!

[RunningWithScissors]

Costco sells a gluten-free all purpose baking blend that works well as a substitute in any recipe.  I've used it in pizza dough, cookies and baking powder biscuits with great success.

[KMMK]

Was it this one?  https://www.amazon.ca/Gluten-Free-Baking-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/1598696130

In general, do you trust Bulk Barn in terms of cross-contamination?

Edit - Thanks BTW.  It's great to have some responses with experience!

No, with Celiac disease I wouldn't trust Bulk Barn. If it's non-Celiac intolerance you might be okay.

[powersuitrecall]

Costco sells a gluten-free all purpose baking blend that works well as a substitute in any recipe.  I've used it in pizza dough, cookies and baking powder biscuits with great success.

Great to know.  I've looked at our local costco but didn't see anything.  I'll ask next time.

[powersuitrecall]

Was it this one?  https://www.amazon.ca/Gluten-Free-Baking-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/1598696130

In general, do you trust Bulk Barn in terms of cross-contamination?

Edit - Thanks BTW.  It's great to have some responses with experience!

No, with Celiac disease I wouldn't trust Bulk Barn. If it's non-Celiac intolerance you might be okay.

We are dealing with Celiac disease here.

Things have been much better since removing the obvious gluten sources, but due to continued minor symptoms we need to be more strict.  We've used the wheat-free Bulk Barn mixes in the past, but we will not continue due to the possibility of cross contamination.

We don't do a lot of baking, but it would be nice to have a good source of flour replacements for couple of scenarios like crust for pie/quiche or breading for chicken fingers.

Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

[RetiredAt63]

Some Bulk Barn items are labeled gluten free, but there is always the possibility of cross contamination in the store.  I have been OK with things that should be gluten free (like quinoa that isn't labeled as such, but I am sensitive, not celiac (I think, not tested, not going to be tested).

[GreenQueen]

Watch out for barley malt extract (in chocolate bars, etc). My 94-year old mother-in-law was diagnosed celiac last year and this sneaky, not safe ingredient was bothering her.

Again, I prefer gf oat flour for baked goods, including muffins, pancakes, waffles, etc.

Buckwheat flour is also good option, especially for crepes. Easy to find.

For wraps, warmed corn tortillas are awesome and we love Vietnamese rice paper wrappers.

The best crackers are Crunchmasters from Costco. Delicious and affordable.

[FreedomInc]

Young adult Celiac checking in.

I don't use GF flours myself as I tend to stay away from grains and eating too much processed food, mainly due to sensitivity and irritable autoimmune responses. I have heard Bob's Red Mill is excellent, and I've also seen people make their own flours by grinding up oats in a food processor/blender.

[Lathome]

We use Costco for almond flour and on the odd occasion they also have coconut flour. Superstore (if you're in western Canada) has a great selection of gf options for much less than the health food stores where we live. I've also found deals online at both low carb Canada and natura market in case you don't have other options where you live as they ship anywhere in the country

[Goldielocks]

Was it this one?  https://www.amazon.ca/Gluten-Free-Baking-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/1598696130

In general, do you trust Bulk Barn in terms of cross-contamination?

Edit - Thanks BTW.  It's great to have some responses with experience!

No, with Celiac disease I wouldn't trust Bulk Barn. If it's non-Celiac intolerance you might be okay.

The owner was quite helpful at our bulk barn.  If you go on a quiet time, when owner or manager is there, explain that you want to buy x quantity, but need to have them open a new bag in front of you to ensure no cross contamination, they may just do that, or tell you when the shipment arrives, so you can be there when they open it and get some first.

Or hey, maybe just arrange to buy a whole bag from them...

[Frugancial Advisor]

I've yet to have my cup of coffee this morning and for some odd reason read the subject line 'where do you buy your GF flours as: where do you buy your girlfriend flowers, assuming there was a spelling mistake.

I then started thinking of places I purchased flowers for my wife in the past, and thought maybe OP was looking for a frugal recommendation. Needless to say a few responses in I realized my mistake! Thanks for the morning LOL