Off to a Great Start!
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake with Buttercream Cider Frosting
My four-day vacation is off to a great start, at least food-wise that is. I woke up this morning with a craving for my old time favorite: a coffee and toasted coconut scone from Shelburne Falls Coffee in Northampton, Massachusetts. Since I became gluten-free, I have not touched a scone at Shelburne Falls Coffee. I think about them though. I remember how much better the coffee tasted with those crumbly delights.
This morning I picked up my coffee, sans scone, and I decided to go in search of a replacement for that favorite breakfast treat. River Valley Market came to mind immediately because they have quite a few gluten-free options. The selection doesn’t end with prepackaged foods. It actually gets pretty amazing if you visit the Quarry Café Bakery where they have some mouth-watering gluten free cakes that are baked fresh on the premises. The first time I found this hidden jewel, I stood at the display case for a good long time just admiring the vegan and gluten-free creations: Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, Marjolaine, Pumpkin Cake with a Cider Buttercream Frosting, all gluten free. I couldn’t believe I could eat these works of art, and I was touched that someone in the kitchen had taken the time to make gluten free goodies that look just as good as the other options in the case. Of course, the test would be if they tasted as good their gluten counterparts. Well, I couldn’t do a taste test for obvious reasons, but I did recruit a few family members that day to share a generous slice of the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. We were all stunned by the artistry and quality of the dessert. Since that day, I have become a River Valley Coop member and all my trips to Northampton include a trip to the Quarry Café Bakery.
Today, as I drove to the market, I reminded myself that I would not find an exact replacement. I needed to be open to the idea of buying some gluten-free cereal or some fruit and yogurt if there were no gluten-free muffins or scones in their bakery. If they had a scone waiting for me, great. If not, I would make do with a pre-packed food option in the store.
To my wonder, there was a gluten-free breakfast option waiting for me at the Quarry Café. Although it was not clearly labeled, or jumping up at me saying, “Here I am Jennifer! Eat me!”, it was evident that I would find something to eat because of the notice they had posted in their café. The sign outlined their efforts to accommodate customers with dietary restrictions and food allergies, but it also stated that the food is prepared in a kitchen where wheat, dairy, nuts and other allergens are used. Yes, it is a disclaimer of sorts, and some people may not feel comfortable ordering a meal that has been prepared outside of their own kitchen because of the risk of cross contamination. What spoke to me in this notice was that River Valley Market takes health seriously and they want to make an effort to have menu options for all their customers.
Quarry Cafe Bakery Delights at the River Valley Market Coop
After reading that notice, I was more confident that they would accommodate me if I requested a gluten-free breakfast. I figured they would be flexible given their cake selections, but I still feel a little uncomfortable when I ask for food accommodations in a restaurant.
Can I tell you how wonderfully kind the Quarry Market staff was with me? I am all smiles right now just thinking about it! I told the cook that I wanted to have a breakfast egg sandwich with a gluten-free bread option, and she assured me that it would be no problem. She went out to the store, picked out a package of gluten-free English muffins and prepared my breakfast to go on the grill.
Yes, my Shelburne Falls coffee tastes a lot better now with this warm, cheesy, gluten-free egg sandwich.
Scone? What scone?
