Easy Curry Dinner

I'm always on the look out for easy, gluten-free dinner recipes.  I love curry and nothing is easier than Patak's curry in a jar.  I get it from Target, but I'm sure it's available at other stores.  I combine with chicken and veggies (peppers, onions, mushrooms) and a little rice and that's it.  Plus there's always leftovers.  

Artichoke Dip - awesome gluten-free appetizer

With the holiday party season approaching, I wanted to share one of my favorite appetizer recipes: Artichoke Dip.


2 cans artichoke hearts (marinated in water)
1 can diced green peppers (1/4 cup)
1 cup mayo
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tsp chopped garlic


Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a baking dish.
Bake 30 - 40 minutes.
Serve immediately with your favorite gluten-free cracker.

Holiday Recipe: Cranberry Compote

With the holiday season upon us, I would like to share a crowd pleasing, gluten-free cranberry dish.  I brought it to my Thanksgiving celebration and it was a huge hit.  


24 oz. fresh cranberries
Finely grated zest of one lemon and one orange
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of orange juice


Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine zest, berries and sugar in a bowl.  Put in baking dish.
Drizzle with oj.
Bake 30 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and the majority of berries have popped.  Stir occasionally. 

Red Stag Menu

This past weekend I dined at the Reg Stag in NorthEast Minneapolis.  I enjoyed my steak and wine, but the thing that impressed me the most was their menu.  The Red Stag did a great job of identifying items that were either gluten-free or could be modified to become gluten-free.  Thank you, Red Stag, for caring about the gluten-free crowd.

Town Hall Tap - new Minneapolis Pub

Town Hall Tap recently opened in South Minneapolis (48th and Chicago) and I, for one, am really excited.  I was impressed by their beer selection - 2 ales and 3 ciders are clearly labeled as gluten-free.  The food menu doesn't call out gluten-free items, but they are willing to modify items to accommodate the gluten-free crowd.  I enjoyed my beer and meal and will definitely go back again.

Gigi's cafe - veggie tamale

Gigi's cafe is one of my favorite places to pick up a quick bit to-go.  I was very saddened tonight to find out Gigi's is no longer offering the best item on the menu, the veggie tamale.  I know it's under new ownership, but I can't believe they got rid of the tamale.  It was amazing and gluten-free and I hope they bring it back.  For those of you that eat at Gigi's, please request them to offer tamales again.

Lund's and Byerly's - gluten-free to-go

When trying to get good food fast I'm usually jealous of my friends and family who can eat sandwiches, soup and other quick items.  I was recently impressed by the to-go/deli area of Lund's and Byerly's grocery stores.  There is a clearly marked section with gluten-free dinners and sides to bring home and warm up.  I tried a couple of the Indian dishes and they are really good.  I'm impressed by the taste and the ease of shopping.

Pizza Luce - great gluten-free restaurant

Pizza Luce has a lot more to offer then just gluten free pizza.... how about amazing artichoke dip, (gf bread comes with it) tasty salads, and even a chocolate dessert bar.  Also, for all you vegans, the gluten free pizza crusts are made without dairy.
http://www.pizzaluce.com/

Best Fresh Gluten-Free Bread: French Meadow

To be honest, since going on a gluten-free diet, I rarely eat bread.  Most gluten-free bread is heavy and bland.  The vast majority of gf bread is sold frozen and doesn't really appeal to me.  


My craving for bread changed after I found fresh bread by French Meadow Bakery.  I am crazy about the Cinnamon Raisin.  It is amazing!!  You must try it.


Check out their website, http://www.frenchmeadow.com/.  There is even a store locator.

Estrella Daura

Last night I was at my regular bar in Minneapolis, Buster's.  They were out of my go-to beer, RedBridge.  I was slightly bummed, but they had a great alternative.  
Estrella Daura is a gluten-free, pilsner beer that is brewed in Spain.  I haven't had a pilsner is quite some time which made me enjoy it even more.  It was also voted the world's best gluten-free beer.
http://www.estrelladamm.com/en/daura_gluten_free_beer/

Highland Grill - St. Paul

I wanted to give a shout out to the staff at the Highland Grill in St. Paul.  I ate lunch there last week and they were very knowledgeable and accommodating.  They do not promote themselves as being gluten-free, but they will go out of their way to make dishes work for you.  I really enjoyed the steak salad murphy.  
http://www.highlandgrill.com/

Quinoa Tabouleh

I was feeling a bit adventurous and attempted to make tabouleh with quinoa.  My husband ate it without me and I didn't hear anything bad.  I'll take it as a good sign.

Recipe:

1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup chicken stock - I love Pacific brand

1/2 teaspoon salt (could use a little less depending on taste)

1 tomato diced

1 cucumber diced

6 scallions chopped

1 cup parsley chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa in a mesh strainer.  Toast the quinoa in a hot dry frying pan until fragrant.

2. In a saucepan boil the chicken stock.  Stir in quinoa and salt.  Simmer covered for 12 minutes or until the stock is fully absorbed.  Fluff with a fork and leave covered in the pan for 10 minutes.

3. In a large bowl toss the tomatoes, cucumber, scallions and parsley.  Add quinoa.

4. In a small bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper.  Mix together and toss with veggies.

Caffe Naturally

For those of you who live or visit Green Bay, WI, you will be happy to know there is a gluten-free restaurant called Caffe Naturally.  I was really impressed by their farm to fork philosophy as well as a 100% gluten-free kitchen.  I know I will check it out the next time I go to Green Bay.  http://caffenaturally.com/

Best Pasta Brand

Behind pizza, pasta is the second thing people tell me they would not want to give up with a gluten-free diet.  Fortunately, there are a lot of gluten-free pasta brands out there.  My personal favorite is Tinkyada.  Tinkyada is great brand made in Canada.  It can be found in many gourmet grocery stores.  Made from brown rice, it tastes and resembles traditional, wheat pasta.  I used in a cold pasta salad dish and no one even noticed it was gluten-free.  If wheat eaters can't tell it's gluten-free, I'm sure you won't be able to either.

SUSHISAMBA NYC

I would highly recommend SUSHI SAMBA in NYC.  I thoroughly enjoyed my 3-course meal.  My only disappointment is they did not have gluten-free soy sauce.


Warm mushroom salad:

Scallops and veggies:

Mango sorbet:

Accidents Happen

This weekend I visited friends in NYC.  It was a great time filled with shopping and eating.  Everything we ate was amazing and all the restaurants were very accommodating to my dietary needs.  


I felt great, until I accidentally ate gluten on Sunday.  These things happen from time to time and this accident was completely my fault.  I felt rushed in a busy deli and picked an option I thought would be ok.  Turns out it wasn't ok.  When the stomach pains hit, I was lucky enough to be at my friend's apartment.  It was a good reminder to slow down and take the time to ask about the ingredients.

Best Soup Brand

As the cooler weather approaches I start to get a craving for soup.  The best brand to make at home is Pacific.  They have a variety of tasty flavors.  I believe all the different kinds are gluten free and many are vegan friendly.

Quinoa Cookie

If you have never heard of quinoa, you're not alone.  Until recently, I was not aware of this super, gluten-free grain despite the fact it dates back to the Inca Civilization.  It was one of the staples of the Inca diet.  I'm planning to introduce into my diet as well.  Be on the look out for future posts on my quinoa experiments.


If you're not ready to make a meal with quinoa, I have a great quinoa snack option, Tree of Life's Quinoa Macaroon Cookies.  They are great and not bad for you.

Birthday Baking

I usually do not bake, but decided to make an exception for my birthday.  I wanted to try out a couple new mixes.


Brownies: Betty Crocker (Purchased at Target for a great price)
Betty Crocker did not disappoint when it came to creating gluten-free goodies.  I'm really impressed by the quality and price.


The directions were really easy, from start to finish under 30 minutes.  I did add a little water as the mixture was a tad dry.  The only other thing I would do differently is make it in a pan smaller than 11X7 as they came out pretty thin.  Overall, I'm pleased with the taste and texture.  I would definitely make them again.

Chocolate Chip Cookies: Pamela's

As they warn you on the directions, the dough is pretty dry which made it tough to create nice looking cookies.  I accidentally burned them a little, but they taste ok.  Not the best cookie out there, but I would be willing to try other mixes made by Pamela's.

Pleasant Surprise

I have fabulous friends, who all happened to have weddings this year.  I will attend a total of nine weddings, including my own.  I love the opportunity to celebrate with those close to me, but it also causes me some worries.  Will there be anything I can eat?  Will I get sick?  Will it ruin my day? 

My pleasant surprise this year came from an unusual source... caterers.  Having made it through seven weddings so far and not getting sick is a huge accomplishment.  I owe it all to caring friends and knowledgeable caterers.  All I can say is don't be afraid to write gluten-free please on your RSVP card (if it is plated).  If it is buffet speak up and ask the staff.  It will put your mind at ease and let you make the most of a special day.

IBS is BS

I don't usually watch Dr. Oz, but I caught a bit of the show today.  Elisabeth Hasselbeck was on and she said "IBS is BS."  I firmly agree!  Like Elisabeth, I was diagnosed multiple times with IBS.  I don't believe in IBS and worked hard to determine celiac was the actual problem.  Don't settle for an IBS diagnosis, take the time to figure out a way to feel better.


I also thought Dr. Oz did a good job describing celiac, see below for links to some of the videos.


http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/celiac-disease-advantages-gluten-free-diet?hs317=billboard_1


http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/wednesday-dr-oz

No Thanks, I'm Allergic!

When traveling, especially in foreign countries, it can be difficult to explain a gluten - intolerance.  No matter how empathetic a server may be, it can be very difficult to ensure complete understanding of a food allergy.  While on a business trip in Sweden, I was mistakenly given meals containing gluten multiple times.  It was quite embarrassing, not to mention inconvenient, to make emergency bathroom trips with my Swedish colleagues waiting for me to return. 

During the trip, I was lucky enough to discover a great book: NO THANKS, I'M ALLERGIC!  From Arabic to Vietnamese, this handy, little book explains in 37 languages what gluten-intolerance is and the foods and drinks I can't consume.  This book is a life saver!  The rest of my trip in Sweden made eating out a much more enjoyable experience.  

I would highly recommend picking up a copy.  It is published by Nicotext, www.nicotext.com.

This book also translates lactose and nut allergy information.  So tell all your friends with food allergies to get a copy.

Best Frozen Pizza

To keep with the pizza theme, I thought I should share my fav frozen pizza: Glutino.  I try to stay away from processed foods, but every now and then a girl needs a frozen pizza.  Glutino is the best.

Best Pizza in the Twin Cities

When I tell people I am gluten-free, I frequently get a response of all the foods they would miss if they had to be gluten-free.  Pizza is among the top of the list.  Like many others, yours truly loves pizza.  After a long quest to find a normal tasting piece of pie, I was introduced to Galactic Pizza in Minneapolis.  It is amazing!  I love the Pizza Alla Vodka.  If you live or visit the Twin Cities, I would strongly recommend a trip.  Besides the 3-D menu (with glasses) and the super-hero delivery guys make it worth your while as well.