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Back to Eden Bakery's Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

(Grant Butler/The Oregonian)

By LAURA B. RUSSELL

When

's storefront opened in 2009, the Alberta street bakery focused exclusively on vegan goods. Although they served some naturally gluten-free items, as co-owner Garrett Jones states, "gluten free was not on my radar."

As customer requests for gluten-free treats started rolling in, Jones played around with creating a gluten-free flour blend to satisfy demand. But in 2010, when co-owner and partner John Blomgren had to start eating gluten free, things got personal. Jones the duo's chef and recipe developer worked on perfecting the gluten-free blend not only for flavor and texture, but also by removing other allergens such as corn and potato. In July of 2012, Back to Eden transitioned into a 100 percent gluten-free facility. The bakery now provides satisfying treats for everyone, whether they're gluten free, vegan, or not.

Recipe included with this story:

.

Back to Eden serves a variety of breakfast, savory, and dessert pastries whose flavors change with the seasons. Scones, muffins, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, quiche, doughnuts and more are offered daily, in addition to savory lunchtime soups, salads, and chili. Another highlight is the ice cream menu, which includes both soft serve and hard scoop, all dairy free. And in addition to the extensive list of sundaes and shakes, Back to Eden makes something nearly impossible to find in the gluten-free world: homemade waffle cones. Don't wait until summer to try them!

Back to Eden Bakery: 2217 N.E. Alberta St.; 503-477-5022.



Gluten-Free Field Trip: Harvester Brewing Gastropub



Our hometown gluten-free brewery has taken things to the next level by opening a tasting room and Gastropub. In addition to sampling

's fantastic lineup of gluten-free beers, you can grab a savory apple and cippolini onion tart, a grass-fed beef burger, Olympic Provisions salami cotto sandwich, homemade pizza, and more from the 100 percent dedicated gluten-free kitchen. The pub and tasting room are open noon to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.

Harvester Gastropub: 2030 S.E. Seventh Ave.; 503-928-4195.



-- Laura B. Russell is a Portland freelance writer and author of the forthcoming cookbook