gluten free lifestyle

Baby Cakes

2010-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

I had such a nice day on Wednesday. First, I went to Macy's NYC and got a makeover at the Benefit Cosmetics counter. Then I had lunch at Bar Breton. A gluten free buckwheat galette with ham, swiss cheese, mushrooms and an egg inside, not to mention the salad and the gluten free fries. Also, a glass of wine. Lastly, off to BabyCakes for these goodies.

great bread

2010-06-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

OMG! This bread is unbelievable. Light, yet so tasty. I can't find words to describe it. Have to stock up on it. It is so good you don't even have to toast it. Mmmmmm.

Betty Crocker brownies

2010-04-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

I actually used the Olivio spread to make these brownies and I did not over bake them. They turned out just right. Chewy yet moist. I added walnuts but not the semi sweet chocolate morsels.

Another chickpea salad

2010-03-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I purchased radicchio. I have eaten it before in salads while dining out but I had never used it at home. I think this recipe was from Food Network magazine. You saute 1 cup of fresh parsley in 1/4 cup EVO. You add that to the rinsed chickpeas and radicchio that is cut into wedges. Season with salt, pepper and lemon to taste. The fried parsley adds such a sweet taste. I shared this with a co worker and she loved it. This is actually tomorrows lunch. I feel so healthy and organized.

escarole and beans

2010-03-01T15:35:00.001-08:00

I think that the good in this meal overcomes the bad. You cook the bacon and then crumble it. Then you cook the garlic in the bacon grease, next add the escarole and cook for a few minutes. Add the rinsed beans and season with salt and pepper, heating through. I added dried oregano too. I used white beans one day and pinto beans another. Both were good.

cookies

2010-02-21T15:20:00.001-08:00

These cookies melt in your mouth. They are so delicious I can not believe it. I purchased them at Whole Foods and I want to look for more of their products. Check out their website www.aleia's.com.

Beans, beans, beans

2010-01-06T16:24:00.001-08:00

If I had to go on a strict, strict budget, I think I could live on beans and tortillas (of course, I would want salsa and cheese on them). For example, I had a bean salad for lunch and these beans for dinner. I made them last night, so when I came home from getting a manicure, I did not have to do much. I did make my tuna for the next days lunch.

I got on the scale, and sure enough I did gain TWO pounds. Doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that means I ate 7,000 calories that I didn't burn off!

Italian Food

2010-01-03T13:25:00.001-08:00

This was a too much food week. First, lasagna on Christmas. Then buffets in Atlantic City. Not to mention the cookies and tapioca pudding at home in addition to all the other snacking and eating I did. And now, baked ziti with meat sauce and sausage and peppers with garlic on the side. Oh, and red and white wine. Plus, Spanish food on New Year's Day with a shot of Bacardi. Must mention the grilled cheese sandwich made with GF bread and the large order of Nathan's fries. It's a good thing tomorrow is Monday. Back to work and a "normal routine". But I did get on the floor and do my stretching and toning exercises for the last 3 days.

Swedish Pancakes

2010-01-02T14:41:00.001-08:00

This is even better than it looks. I went to Ikea (first time ever) and purchased lingonberry preserves. I creamed the preserves with butter and added powdered sugar to the pancakes after I spread the lingonberry butter on it. I was transported back to the International House of Pancakes with the first bite. Unbelievably delicious. This was the second one I ate. It was just too good to be true.

I also bought a few other items for the kitchen while I was at Ikea. A drainboard, glasses, a big towel and a ladle. They have a free shuttle bus from downtown. It was a fun day.

Another Winner

2009-12-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

I went back to the GF store to get the bread that I loved and I found these strawberry shortcake cupcakes. They taste just like the real thing. I had to have two. They are not that big but full of flavor.

Unbelieveable

2009-11-24T16:26:00.001-08:00

I purchased this GF bread at a kosher gluten free store. It is called Mezonos Bread. I have never had such a delicious bread in my whole life. It had not been frozen. I ate 2 pieces without toasting them and it was beyond belief good. Then I toasted the two pieces in the photo to eat with my egg and breakfast sausage for dinner. I can't wait for breakfast to eat it again!

burger 'n fries

2009-11-10T19:53:00.001-08:00

This was last Friday nights dinner. For me, the best part is the fried onions. I actually find meat a little heavy on my system and do not eat it that often. The french fries were just right. My Wolfgang Puck frying pan is so good I can drain out the oil after they have cooked for a while and then finish cooking them up. I still put them on a paper towel when finished to drain any excess oil. I have to say, I do not miss the bun at all.

Chicken and arugula salad

2009-11-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

My son's girlfriend was coming over and I know she likes this salad. I added a kirby cucumber and cilantro. The chicken was marinated with red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey mustard dressing and one clove of garlic for 15 minutes. Then I scrape off the garlic and saute the chicken in the oil. After I plate it , I add a tablespoon of the oil to it. A glass of white wine was a perfect accompaniment to this meal. I also made chocolate chip walnut cookies and even the overcooked ones are just to my liking.

Pasteles

2009-10-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in a while. I guess I've been relying on quick and easy favorites. And I can't take the credit for these pasteles. My friend, Blondie, makes them and they are a ton of work. They do contain boneless pork and can be made in many varieties. The basis is green bananas and yautia, a root vegetable along with other delicious ingredients (I'm too lazy to name them all since I type with two fingers looking at the keyboard)! However, I did steam the carrots and added cinnamon, salt, pepper and butter. The carrots were actually left over from my salmon dinner. I love how the pasteles glisten, I add a little hot sauce and it is a very satisfying meal.

Hard Shell Tacos

2009-09-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

I really enjoy these tacos. Normally, I would add green pepper to saute along with the onion and garlic when I make beans but I didn't have any green pepper in the house. The last one was used for peppers and eggs. However, I did have a zucchini in the fridge. I sliced it and quartered it and added it as a topping along with the salsa and cheese and cilantro. It added a nice crunch, I'd do it again that way.

Steak on a Friday night at home

2009-09-11T18:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I forgot to take a picture of another good meal. Rib eye steak marinated in Goya Mojo Criollo and pepper and then cooked on the indoor grill. I sliced up a yellow plantain and cooked it in some extra virgin olive oil with some salt and pepper as well. Then I drained the oil and cooked them again - flattening them some more. I also sliced a zucchini and cooked it with a lot of garlic. I forgot about the avocado, I hope it lasts one more day.

Skirt Steak PR Style

2009-09-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

This was actually my son's meal but I did taste it and as usual it was delicious. No wonder this is the 6th year in a row I have gone back to the same resort. The skirt steak was tasty and tender. It has a chimichurri sauce which is garlic-parsley based with carrot, onion, red bell pepper, vegetable stock, extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried oregano and salt and pepper (red-pepper flakes optional). The beans are wonderful and I love how they plate the rice. My meal was the shrimp with onions and tostones. Too good.

Fresh lemon-limeade

2009-09-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well, you do not have to worry about gluten with this one. I had purchased 5 lemons because it was cheaper per lemon than just buying the one I needed for my salmon. So, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. For every 2 tablespoons of lemon juice you use 1/2 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar (of course to taste). I also had a lime lying around so I threw that in and the 3 to 1 ratio of lemon and lime was so nice. I often make limeade using the same recipe from my Puerto Rican Cookbook!

You can see my new food processor in the background. I haven't used it yet. I'll have to check out the french fry slicer!

Betty Crocker cookies

2009-09-05T11:37:00.001-07:00

I called Betty Crocker to receive my free coupon for a gluten free mix. The only one in the store was the chocolate chip cookie mix so I went with that. I added walnuts and made them pretty large so I only made a dozen instead of 2 dozen. i just baked them a little longer. I'll give them a B rating, that are rather sugary but not bad. I'd rather use my Pamela's mix any day, not that much more work involved and much more flavor. Still, for free I can't complain but I won't be buying them any time soon. They do look like the real thing however.

Starbucks

2009-09-02T16:25:00.001-07:00

I called Starbucks because I had a coupon for a free strawberry banana smoothie and I wanted to make sure it was gluten free. Good news, it is. I'm not a big fan of banana flavor but I do like strawberry a lot. I also inquired about the other drinks and was told that the java chip and vanilla bean are NOT gluten free. I have the gold card and get 10% of all purchases. I enjoy the decaf espresso with foam and caramel drizzle.

Elbows with Clam Sauce

2009-08-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a good home cooked meal. Except I can't take all the credit for this one. The pasta is Tinkayada, of course. The clam sauce is from a place in downtown Brooklyn. They were featured on a CBS food news segment and since my friend lives in that area he went to try it out. We have been eating this once a week for months now. I did used freshly grated cheese, no more of that stuff in the container.

The plate is a Cynthia Rowley. I purchased four of them at a store called Fishes Eddy before they closed the downtown Brooklyn location at a great price. I think they are so cute.

Quinoa

2009-07-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

I could not figure out how to rinse the quinoa since it is so small. What a pain in the neck. I cooked it up and then sauteed a green pepper, half a white onion and some garlic. I added some sofrito, fresh pepper and a little tomato sauce. I tossed in the quinoa and it was very good.
I went back to the cardiologist. I had a major rash from the dye they used to perform the angioplasty and I'm not even allergic to shellfish. I am allergic to a lot of metals like silver and nickle. Who knows if that had anything to do with it. So my heart is good but my nerves are not so great.

Endive and avacado bean and corn salad

2009-07-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I used endive at home. The original recipe was just an endive and avocado salad with a dressing. However, I wanted beans and corn so I added them in and used cumin along with the lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing. The avocado looks so nice in my Havana collection dish from Tabletops Unlimited. I bought a few pieces on clearance at Macy's Herald Square. What a great store.

I'm going to the cardiologist this week. I have been having heart palpitations and my EKG was off. I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. Plus when I went for a dental cleaning they found a loose filling. Always something.

Blueberry Muffins

2009-07-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

What would I do with out Pamela's Products? I had blueberry/walnut pancakes for breakfast. I had a large container of blueberries that only cost $1.99 so I made blueberry/walnut muffins to use up the blueberries. Since I had to clear out the oven I'll make chocolate chip/walnut cookies with Pamela's Mix as well before I put all those pots and pans back in there. The down side to apartment living is a small kitchen. When you like to cook you really appreciate a large kitchen. I especially bemoan the lack of counter space. It can make cooking very difficult.

Waste Not, Want Not

2009-07-19T11:35:00.001-07:00

Fortunately, I was still in the mood for bean salad. This time I used black beans and did not have any avocado because the ones in Key Food were not ripe enough. I can usually pick a good one, but once in a while they are not as ripe as I hoped for. This is going to be my back to work salad (I so do not want to even say those words yet) with the dressing on the side. Since the cilantro was only 99 cents I certainly can't complain.

OOPS!

2009-07-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

I made this salad again and as I was carrying a bowl of it to my son I dropped it. To add insult to injury, I had just mopped the floor. Fortunately, I am the kind of person who can laugh about things like this (after I curse, which I shouldn't). At least it wasn't the whole big bowl that fell. And I did get to take a picture. I remembered to use the setting for food, it does make the colors more vibrant. Now I have to decide what to make next with the cilantro.

Trader Joes

2009-07-15T06:06:00.000-07:00

I went to Trader Joes looking to buy Corn Maiden brand gluten free tamales. I didn't find them but I did come home with gluten free waffles. These are very good. They don't have a funny aftertaste like the Van's blueberry ones seem to. These are plain but very tasty. I went to Trader Joes on a Monday morning and it was not crowded but it is a very busy place usually.

enchiladas

2009-07-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

I finally made enchiladas. As usual I put a lot of onion and garlic. I added zucchini and black beans. The recipe called for mozzarella cheese which was annoying to grate. I had a nice avocado with it. But the best part was the plum tomato garnish with fresh cilantro, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. I'm not a fan of tomatoes but I definitely enjoyed it prepared this way. And I have left overs for tomorrow.

Enjoy Life?

2009-07-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

I ordered Enjoy Life brand cinnamon raisin gluten free bagels on line from Gluten Free Mall but I don't think I'll be ordering them again. I wasn't crazy about them. They do have 300mg omega-3s per serving. I guess that is good and they are free of sulfites and casein. However, I didn't care for the taste and where were the raisins? They are kind of dense, so it is hard to butter them and they are small. That being said, they weren't too bad with my fried egg and breakfast sausage.

zucchini and black bean tacos

2009-07-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I'd better leave my camera in the kitchen if I want to remember to take photos of food. I used soft corn tortillas to make these and I had to go to a Mexican bodega in Coney Island to purchase them because the ones in Met Food had wheat in them. So WHY are they called corn tacos? (a la Jerry Seinfeld) The recipe also called for corn but I only wanted to make enough for today so I left out the corn. I used plenty of onion and garlic and a fresh plum tomato along with the salsa and monterey jack cheese and fresh cilantro. My cilantro looks so pretty in my herb keeper and smells wonderful. Tomorrow is enchiladas, I'd better go put the camera in the kitchen now.

Cool Southwestern Salad

2009-07-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from the July/August issue of Health Magazine. I did not use fresh corn, I opened up a can. However, otherwise I followed the recipe. Romaine lettuce, canned pinto beans, corn, avocado and fresh cilantro. I'm finally using my herb keeper. The dressing is extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, salt, pepper and cumin whisked together. I forgot the cumin but it was still really good. I served it with tortilla chips. Again, I forgot to take a picture. Maybe I'll remember for tomorrow's recipe.

Summer Squash

2009-07-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

I made summer squash ribbons with oregano,basil and lemon served over flat GF pasta. I used dried herbs because they did not have fresh oregano at the market I went to. It was very good. I don't remember which magazine I got the recipe from.
I still had a headache today. Even though I am eating healthy for the most part, I still eat dairy and sugar. Those two will be hard to give up, everything else was easy. I am not giving up my decaf macchiato, that's for sure. I did not have any meat today, and I rarely do.

Tension

2009-07-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a second opinion and the neurologist said that I mainly have tension headaches. I'm sure he is right. I'm still being careful about what I eat and I'm exercising but I think I need a real vacation. Hopefully, it will finally stop raining in New York and I will be able to sit on the beach under my umbrella and read a few good books. Just what the doctor ordered.

Working Out

2009-06-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

I have been working out. Two days a week I work out with a friend. We are doing the Walk Off the Pounds DVD as well as weight training. I really like working out and she absolutely hates it. I keep reminding her to breathe and focus on the movements. We have seen progress. She is also doing Nutrisystem. I'm drinking lots of water, no alcohol and only decaf expresso based drinks. I'm eating pretty healthy, for the most part. No more GF sour cream and onion potato chips, they seem to give me a headache.

Going Bananas

2009-06-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

Well, my headaches are better and this may be a stretch but I think I'll give bananas some of the credit. I felt a headache coming on, ate a banana, and felt better. Coincidence? Who knows. But bananas are a healthy food and when I had a bad virus my potassium was so low I had to take a potassium supplement. Since bananas are high in potassium, maybe it is something my body needed.
I had a blueberry pancake for breakfast, that was good. I also picked up some of the Foods by George english muffins that I love, they are great with a fried egg or peanut butter and orange marmalade. And I'm making lasagna for dinner. I'll have to go easy on that one. But I bought part skim mozzarella and ricotta. There are so many good foods and I seem to be doing better with my stomach/headache problems for now.

Migraines

2009-06-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor and she said it sounded like I had migraines. I think she is right because it did not go away with Advil, only when I went to sleep did I feel better. She also said my gastritis was acting up. Decaf tomorrow and if I have to go off all coffee for a while I will. I just feel frustrated because I feel like I may have to do an elimination diet to pinpoint triggers and that is really hard. I think when the school year finishes I will be better able to deal with that if necessary. I guess I might lose weight if I'm eating super healthy! Too bad all my pants are already big since I lost 20 pounds recently.

Headache Woes

2009-06-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have been having a lot of headaches this past week and I'm not quite sure why. I call them my stomach headaches but my stomach wasn't bothering me that much. I'm cutting down on things. I only had one espresso drink each day and if I had another it was decaf. I'm not ready to give up my Starbucks drink that I love so much. I'm thinking maybe dairy is to blame but I can tolerate some dairy. And then there is sugar (like in Starbursts and Skittles). It is so hard to be really, really good but I did lose my taste for alcohol so that is good. I did not realize that wine and vermouth had gluten in them. Bummer.

Taco Salad

2009-06-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

I adapted a recipe from Health Magazine. Black bean taco salad. I used Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers ( I shredded it), salsa, iceberg lettuce (instead of the suggested romaine), corn tortilla chips, the juice of 1/2 a lime and drizzled extra virgin olive oil on it. I eliminated the tomatoes since I am not a fan of them. It was very good. I should have taken a photo. However, I'm also having a hard time uploading photos lately. I guess my free trial with Adobe Photo Shop expired.

Mexican Flan

2009-05-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Since I am a big fan of Mexican food, I was sure I would like this flan. I got the recipe from Wheat-Free Recipes & Menus book by Carol Fenster. It said it is an almost foolproof version to make in the microwave. Well, I made it and it was good but I am still laughing because I did so many things wrong and it was still good. I did not have a 2-cup glass measuring cup, so I had to nuke the sugar and water in 2 batches. I did not have large eggs, so I used extra large and jumbo. I think I burned the sugar a little for the first batch. I ended up with a lot of extra mixture so I filled the ramekins all the way and they over flowed in the microwave. Maybe custard cups are bigger. I also was not sure what power level was medium. Anyway, I ate one while it was still warm. Oh, and I added nutmeg (good move on my part). I took a What Celebrity Chef Are You quiz on FaceBook and I am Rachel Ray so my strength is cooking with extra virgin olive oil and garlic, not baking.

gluten-free girl

2009-05-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

I just purchased Shauna James Ahern's book gluten-free girl and although I am only on page 45 I feel compelled to comment on it already. She is a teacher of writing and it shows. She is so prolific. Reading her work is such a treat. Even if you are not into cooking, the book is amazing. It is such a good example of good writing, it draws you in and compels you to want to read more. I had thought about purchasing it when it came out but never did and now I was able to use a 40% off coupon at Borders Book Store. Her blog has the same quality of writing as the book. She really puts her "voice" into it as we teach children to do when they are learning to write.

Betty Crocker

2009-05-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just as I thought, when I went to the Met Food supermarket on my corner, they did not have the GF Betty Crocker mixes. It is a small store, so I expected as much. Next, I'll check my local Key Food but I'm not too hopeful there either. I'll have to go to Stop and Shop or Shop Rite.
I was going to make pancakes with canned sliced pears and melted chocolate this morning but it turns out I had used all the chips for cookies. So I improvised. Since I had already opened the can of pears and just put the pears and a little syrup. It was fine, in fact I find the chocolate a little to sweet lately for my taste buds.
I have been eating Activia yogurt for lunch at work and it is very good. I really do think that it helps my stomach.

Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

I really do love Mexican food and enchiladas are one of my favorites. However, I have not attempted to make them at home. So I went with tacos. I use Goya pink beans (canned is quick and easy). I cut up a green pepper, white onion and garlic. I saute the pepper, then add onion, last garlic. Next, the sofrito and seasonings. Throw in the beans and tomato sauce and 15 minutes later-done. I use corn tacos, salsa and extra sharp cheddar cheese. It is so good, I enjoy it so much. I did not have a margarita but that would have been a very nice addition. I wish I had remembered to take a picture.
I also bought the Starbucks gluten free orange cake and it was very good. Perfect, in fact.

Lasagna

2009-04-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

Today I made lasagna. I did not have to make the sauce, that was already made and it had sausage and fresh basil in it. And it was a homemade sauce, I do not use jar sauce. I used Tinkyada lasagna, and it was good. It will taste even better tomorrow when all the flavors come together even more. It is always a little messy the first day. I can not resist picking while I'm preparing it, so it is a little bit of a dairy overload. I guess I should have thought to take the photo before we ate!

Lunch was chickpea salad with onion and cucumber, salsa and the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil to taste. Of course, pepper and a little oregano. I was going to serve the salad over arugula but I got my manicure and did not feel like stopping at the store on the way home.
Desert was Pamela's chocolate chip and walnut cookies. Two are more than enough for me.

Stomach Woes

2009-04-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

As usual, I have good days and bad days with my stomach. However, this past week was not fun. I notice that if I over eat I feel really, really bad. Also butter bothers me, soy seems to bother me now too and I can not drink much coffee. Alcohol is just about out of the picture too. I suppose it is a combination of my sensitive stomach and being 57 but some people seem to be able to eat like horses and drink like a fish with no problems.
While I'm complaining, I might as well also say that not being exposed to computers until middle age also seems to put one at a disadvantage. My skills do not seem up to par when I go on blogs and see what others are able to do. I still have to learn how to make a tiny photo for Gluten Free Living. It is almost like having a second job to learn new things.

Muffins

2009-04-11T17:15:00.001-07:00

I was going to attempt date nut bread sans a recipe but decided to go with date nut muffins using my Pamela's Mix. As usual the results were excellent. The dates made the muffins moist with a very nice flavor. I had 2 after dinner and I'm looking foward to breakfast as well.

GF Tabbouleh

2009-04-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

I had never eaten tabbouleh with bulgur wheat but I did try this GF version with brown lentils. I got the recipe from one of Carol Fenster's books. It was very easy to make and I served it over arugula. I've made 3 different recipes from that one bag of lentils and while they were all decent I may not run to make them again very soon. They were certainly healthy and I do not miss the meat at dinner time. I feel good after a meal like this. I also have some clam sauce and pasta on hand so we won't go hungry.

Petit Cafe

2009-04-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

I was walking about in lower NYC this afternoon with my aunt and we came upon Petit Cafe. The sign outside said gluten free french toast!. We had just finished lunch at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station ( cesar salad with shrimp and lump crab meat was $27.99) but we did have room for desert. They had the best chocolate walnut cookies, almost like a brownie. I was in heaven. Petit Cafe was recently blogged about by Celiac Chicks and they have been receiving visitors from all over. It is a very small place and I'm sure it is packed on the weekends. I would love to go back for the french toast, they serve it all day!

In the Kitchen

2009-03-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

This is a rice and lentil pilaf with spinach and onions. I am glad it turned out well because I was in the kitchen for a long time. I used fresh spinach so I had to was each and every leaf. I should have purchased the pre washed spinach in the bag. I chopped and sliced a lot of onion as well. It calls for cumin and chicken or vegetable broth. The recipe came from Gluten Free Living Magazine. My son and I enjoyed it and it certainly is healthy but a lot of work. Those onions on top made it all worth while.

Cookies

2009-03-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I made chocolate chip and walnut cookies last night using Pamela's Baking Mix. The recipe called for brown sugar as well as white sugar but I did not have brown sugar and made them anyway. The recipe also calls for vanilla extract. Fortunately, I did have that in the house. They turned out well. I was really on a roll and made muffins this morning with her baking mix as well. I was going to take a picture of them but we ate them all. Sorry.

Vacation

2009-03-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

I just booked my trip to Puerto Rico for August. This is one of the reasons I keep going back. Delicious gluten free food like shrimp and plantains with salad. There are many GF foods to be found there. I don't feel limited at all.

Tapioca Revisited

2009-03-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of milk in the fridge and I do not drink milk (haven't since about third grade when I got sick and blame the combination of a tuna sandwich and milk for lunch). I buy it for my son to have milk and cookies. I am lactose intolerant and I did not want to waste the milk so I decided to make tapioca pudding. I usually make it on top of the stove stirring it for about 15 minutes (I read as I stir to help pass the time). However, this time I made the tapioca in the microwave. I cooked it for 12 minutes, stirring every three minutes. The end result was the same as the stove top version. I add raisins, cinnamon/nutmeg and vanilla. I forgot the cinnamon but I now add a little orange extract along with the vanilla extract. It adds a nice taste to it-light and sweet. It is so good for my stomach. I definately will be making this again.

Salad prepared tableside

2009-02-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

At Phillip's Seafood in Atlantic City I order salad with grilled shrimp often. This tossed salad has some bacon, cheese, red onion, greens and cherry tomatoes. I'm not a big fan of tomatoes but last night I cut these small tomatoes into even smaller pieces so that I would eat them. Since the salad is prepared right before your eyes you know it is gluten free (hold the croutons). The shrimp were translucent and I was hungry so I really enjoyed this meal and my cosmopolitan as well. The price is right. I have now earned VIP status (preferred seating is one perk) but I sit at the bar because I have become friendly with the bartender and the service is great. What more could you want?

Cookies

2009-02-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

I have been trying not to purchase packaged cookies but this package caught my eye in Shop Rite. The brand name is Panderos Delights and they are GF Tapioca Cookies (lemon flavor). I also saw the original and chocolate chip versions on the shelf but opted for lemon. They are tiny cookies. 16 make a serving with only 7 grams of sugar. They are not so special but do have a melt in your mouth quality to them. I prefer to bake my own cookies but have been too lazy or busy. These cookies do not have any preservatives, artifical flavors or colors so that is a plus.

Crepes?

2009-01-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

I am considering making crepes. I looked on QVC for crepe pans and I saw one that I liked at a clearance price with free shipping. SCORE! You really do not have to use a crepe pan you can use a fry pan. Of course, I will make them with my Pamela's GF baking mix, there is a recipe on the bag. There are so many options for filling. I like frozen strawberries with their juice and I am going to be searching for more ideas. Any thoughts?

Harrah's Buffet

2009-01-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

This is not the first time I've eaten at this buffet but WOW was it good! I especially liked the collard greens with the seasoning they used and the meat in it. It was $29.99 per person and I was very satisfied but not stuffed. The sweet platanos were just right as well. Even the peel and eat shrimp was tasty and I was already full when I ate them. I ended the meal with a little rice pudding. There was a fancy gelato that caught my eye but that will have to wait for the next time.

Muffins

2008-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

I came across a new muffin recipe. Orange and poppy seed muffins made with sour cream in the mix. I used my Pamela's baking mix as usual. You do not have to add baking powder, baking soda or salt as they are already in the mix. The recipe also called for cranberry orange butter but I forgot the cranberry sauce but I enjoyed them so much I did not miss the special butter. When I do make them again I will make them with the special butter.
I also have a recipe for pecan wedges with brown sugar whipped cream. I will finally get to use my springform pan.

Chili

2008-11-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I made chili. So I picked up some chop meat, beans, green pepper and onion. I added crushed tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper and some garlic. I also add a little sugar because I do not like a hot chili. We had some white rice and avocado on the side. This meal freezes well and will be lunch tomorrow.
I went through my recipe folder and I want to make muffins. I also have a springform pan that I haven't used yet and found a pecan recipe that sounds good. I have been relying on old staples but I need to make more veggies. I start to crave them when I slack off.
I was on jury duty for a few weeks and got home later than usual. It is so easy to get lazy!

Always Ask

2008-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

I was in Atlantic City and ate breakfast at the Showboat. The potatoes that they used to serve with breakfast were not gluten free. They were packaged and gave me a lot of trouble. I inquired about the potatoes today and found out that they now serve REAL potatoes. They were very good with onion and seasonings. However, my recent dental surgery prevented me from really enjoying them. I was quickly filled up from a little of my ham and cheddar cheese omelet and potatoes (due to acid reflux) but at least it is a good weight control method- a forced diet if you will.
I've also discovered as I get older that I can not tolerate more than one alcoholic beverage. Again, this is not a bad thing. Have to look on the bright side of things. The glass is half full, not half empty!

Atlantic City

2008-08-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy going to Atlantic City. Fortunately, I've found a few favorite spots to eat where I can enjoy a GF meal. However, I did learn the hard way. I was eating the home fries at a few hotels not realizing that they were packaged and had flour in them. That hurt, literally. Now for breakfast, one of my spots is Corky's where the home fries are GF. I also like their ribs with baked beans and cole slaw later in the day. And the price is right. The cobb salad at OPA is very good, especially with the $5.00 margarita! Also, Phillip's Seafood is a win-win at happy hour with $1.00 shrimp and oysters. Try a Cesar's salad on the side. At the buffet there are usually enough choices to fill me up as well.
That being said, my stomach has become more and more sensitive. Time to visit the doctor and try to adhere to an eating plan that will sooth my stomach. What works for you?

BABYCAKES CORNBREAD

2008-07-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Today I walked all over lower NYC so by the time I reached Babycakes I was ready for a treat. I decided on the cornbread because truth be told I like my GF brownies and cupcakes alot but haven't tried making corn bread at home yet. Well, was I happy. The girl behind the counter said that the cornbread had turned out very good today, and was she ever so right. The flavors were excellent, the consistancy just right. Well worth the $3.00, I'd even pay more for it.

Bagels Anyone?

2008-07-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased GF bagels at Whole Foods from Glutino. They are sesame and are a good size. Well, I guess I'll give them a rating of B. I toasted them and put butter and I felt it needed a little more so I added peanut butter and orange marmalade. Not bad, the texture and taste were OK. I don't think I'll rush to buy them again because the Whole Foods bread and Foods by George english muffins are much better and these foods are expensive. But if you are missing bagels give it a try and let me know what you think.

For my next treat, I'm going to attempt a key lime pie using Pamela's ginger cookies with sliced almonds as a crust.

Getting Lazy

2008-04-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday night dinner. I was thinking about stuffed peppers and I may do them tomorrow. However, tonight I marinated the thin sliced chicken cutlets in the Goya marinade, added pepper and coated them with Pamela's Baking mix when I was ready to cook them. The cutlets were like butter, so tender when cooked in the non stick pan with the extra virgin olive oil. I chopped garlic for the broccoli and opened a can of corn. Quick and easy. Oh, I also made tapioca pudding with raisins, sprinkled it with nutmeg and cinnamon.
As for the stuffed peppers, I will get the rice from the Chinese take out, mix it with the chop meat, onion, garlic and seasonings. Boil the green peppers for 5 minutes. Fill and top with cheese, then bake. I wonder how it would be with red or yellow peppers?

California Roll

2008-04-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

So many ethnic foods have great gluten free options. If you are a "good" eater, the gluten free diet is really not a problem and you probably eat healthier than the average person. However, we all get lazy and take out is always an option. Today, I picked up an order of california roll at the sushi restaurant. They know me already and ask, "One order or two?". I have my GF soy sauce at home so I am good to go. I cut up a few slices of extra sharp cheddar cheese to put on the rice crackers and poured a glass of burgundy. This is a quick and easy meal that I enjoy. I can have a piece of dark chocolate afterwards and get some health benefits as well from the chocolate! I have been trying not to eat too late at night in the hopes of getting some elusive quality sleep. Getting older certainly is not easy.

Simple Yet Delicous

2008-04-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

I saw a recipe in Cooking Light Magazine for a carrot-onion soup that caught my eye. Quick and easy. It called for yellow onions, I used white onions. I bought Key Food chicken broth which was the only one in the store that had no wheat on the label. It was not reduced sodium but I was not concerned about that. So, 4 cans of broth, 2 one pound bags of carrots (don't peel the carrots, just scrub well with a vegetable brush) and 2 onions later, I was good to go. I added pepper, a little oregano and of course, a little sofrito for extra flavor. You must use the extra virgin olive oil to saute the onions first. I sprinkled some fresh grated cheese on the finished product and Oh! Wow! Couldn't ask for more. I'm going to bring some to work tomorrow to eat with my lunch and I'm going to have some more with my dinner tomorrow. This is a recipe I will make again. It was perfect on a chilly day in April.

What a Bargain!

2008-04-06T07:58:00.001-07:00

Three bunches of asparagus for $1.00! Sounds too good to be true. Right? Well, there is a little fruit/veggie stand nearby (in addition to the many others) and it has been there for years. So I knew that the quality would be good. I cleaned them up, cut the stalks and sauteed them with garlic. I do the garlic first because I like it cooked alot. I added salt, pepper and dried oregano and basil (just a touch). Keep stirring for a while and then keep checking for doneness. They were just the right combination of crisp/tender and were a nice accompaniment to the home made pastelle I was fortunate to have cooking. Of course, now I have alot of leftover asparagus. I'm thinking they would go well in an omelet.
Since it is passover season I was able to purchase the GF assorted cookies that are like the bakery cookies that we can not eat. That was a nice finish to my meal.

Oodles of Noodles

2008-03-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Gluten-Free Mall is a pretty good resource for GF products that you can not find locally. I was missing good old fashioned buttered noodles. So I ordered Glutano Tagliatelle pasta which look like the longed for noodles of pre GF days. The package says to cook 4-6 minutes. I cooked them for 7 and they were still firm. I definately enjoyed them with salt, pepper and butter.
I also ordered GF croutons but have not used them yet. I hope I like them because then I can bring them along when I go out to eat and they will make a nice addition to my salad.

Cheeseburger,Cheeseburger,Cheeseburger

2008-03-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

This old SNL reference comes in handy on this Sunday night. Cheeseburgers are a quick and easy meal, not to mention delicious with fried onions and a can of corn. I had some coleslaw that I made at lunch time to go with the tuna, so I had a bite of the slaw as well. I used extra sharp cheddar cheese on the burgers and they were just right. I don't care for my meat to be well done, so I kept the flame low.
I haven't made anything new lately and I'm also in the middle of a lot of dental work so I'm eating on one side only which is not much fun.

Mexican Style

2008-02-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

Today I went to one of my favorite restaurants Mama Mexico on the upper west side in NYC. As usual, I had enchiladas. We also shared a ceviche appetizer and some fresh guacamole to start. Enchiladas are a comfort food to me. They have a melt in your mouth quality. The combination of ingredients can not be beat. The rice and beans on the side is good as well but that is too much food for me. The specials are always delicious and the service is excellent. The staff is friendly and they can answer any questions you may have. Don't miss out on this experience if you are in the area. You will enjoy it, I'm sure.

Prairie Bread

2008-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

The verdict is in! I went to Whole Foods today and the Prairie Bread was in stock. The minute I got home I put two slices in the toaster oven. Wow. This is the first GF bread that I have ever purchased that I actually like. It has different seeds in it and the texture and taste are very good. It is satisfying and I was tempted to have another slice. I put butter on it as well as orange marmalade and crunchy peanut butter. I think I'll just use it for toast rather than sandwiches.
I'm also going to check out Everybody Eats in Brooklyn. This GF bakery has a variety of products that sound interesting. Stay tuned for an update.

Saturday Lunch

2008-02-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

Fortunately the rain held off. So I was off to Jacque Torres to pick up some dark chocolate bark with 3 different types of nuts in it. What a treat. Then I went to Water Street restaurant next door for lunch. I hadn't had a cosmopolitan in a while so feeling very Sarah Jessica, I ordered one and it was just right. I had a cobb salad, one of my favorite salads. The combination of grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, corn, avacado, bacon and black beans is hard to beat. The dressing was a nice garlicy vinigrette. The bartender had some great music going on and the tremendous TV screen was showing soccer while the two other TVs had hockey and college basketball on. There is a pool table in the back as well. What a nice way to pass a few hours on a Saturday.

Results

2008-02-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally made the meatballs. they were not bad, they were not great. They tasted a little too much like chop meat. I guess if I was grading them I would say B plus or a C. After all, C is passing. I think they were a tad dry. I did leave them in the oven when they were done, I probably should have taken them out but I wanted to keep them warm while the pasta was boiling. As they say, timing is everything in life! I also think that the GF breadcrumbs are definately not as good as Progresso. I don't buy GF breads so I could not use fresh bread crumbs (or day old) as is often recommend. Maybe I'll try a meatloaf next time. I'll have to try to do a gravy. Another thing I'm not really good at. Well, I do have left-overs for lunch. That is a good thing.
This morning I made fresh blueberry and walnut pancakes. Now they were very good. I may make one for breakfast tomorrow if I have time. The large container of berries was only $2.99.
They are not super sweet but in the pancake with butter and syrup, look out!

Super Bowl Meal

2008-02-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

I think of chili as an appropriate super bowl meal. Some corn bread, a salad and your favorite drink. However, I think it is time to make those meatballs this Sunday. I'll cook them in the oven (shock) because they will be nice and soft that way. I'm trying to be creative and come up with an alternative to pasta with marinara sauce. I'll have to dig out the cookbooks and see if anything catches my eye. I'd like some wide noodles and some greens but I'm not sure what would be best. And I still have to make dinner for Saturday. It is too easy to get in a rut and there are so many wonderful fresh vegetables to experiment with. I haven't steamed cauliflower in a while. It is nice with pasta and sauce. Master the possibilities is not just a slogan for Mastercard. It is a way to approach cooking and food with an eye towards healthy eating and variety.
After going through my recipes I came across Mexican Meatball Soup. Sure enough, the recipe was recommended as a Super Bowl half time soup to be served with a make-your-own-sub bar. For me the soup is enough. You mix the lean chopmeat with uncooked rice, cilantro and seasonings and add it to the soup mix the last 20 minutes. I did make this once before and I used regular chop meat. This is described as a hefty soup. It's called Albondigas.

Soup's On!

2008-01-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

What do you do with those left over veggies? You make soup. That's certainly a better idea than wasting your hard earned money on quality produce that ends up in the garbage. What is in your vegetable bin? I saw a green pepper, white onion and garlic. Not to mention a sweet potato. That is a perfect start. In the freezer were canned crushed tomatoes and GF broth. I picked up a can of Goya beans at the market and fresh carrots. Now I was cooking. I sauteed, I added sofrito, beans, etc... and will soon put some GF fusilli in the pot. I thought about putting left over rice but the noodles sounded better. Add more seasoning to taste. I often grate Parmesan cheese on to the soup just before serving. It does not take long to cook and is perfect on a cold winter night. When you are on the GF diet you cook most meals at home if you want to eat healthy. This soup is very satisfying and freezes well. Enjoy.
I plan to try meatballs soon. I haven't eaten them since diagnosis but I think I am prepared to attempt them with GF bread crumbs and a little of Pamela's mix. Stay posted.

Spanish Style

2008-01-25T20:03:00.000-08:00

Pork chops, rice and beans. Now there is a GF meal that is satisfying. I marinate the chops in Goya Mojo marinade for beef, chicken and pork and I also season the chops with pepper. Of course, I cook the chops on top of the stove in a little extra virgin olive oil. The white rice comes from the Chinese take out. They do it perfect every time. I am not a big fan of brown rice, I'll pass on that. I always use Goya beans. Now here is the tricky part. You heat some of the extra virgin olive oil in the pot and then you add the sofrito. I don't care for the store bought ones and the authentic version is a lot of work. So hopefully you have an Hispanic friend who makes their own sofrito all the time and they will give you some, sell you some, whatever it takes. It is a wonderful blend of peppers and cilantro with many other delicious ingredients. You can also put green Spanish olives stuffed with minced pimientos (from Goya) in the beans. I cut them in half. You can use the sofrito when you make soup. Many Hispanics say that they cannot cook without it, and I know exactly what they mean. A good quality hot sauce sprinkled on this meal is the finishing touch. A just-right avocado would be the icing on the cake. Who needs dessert?

Italian Style

2008-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight I will make sausage and peppers. On top of the stove not in the oven of course. I'll add some white onion and garlic and a little seasoning. This does require attention, keep moving everything around in the pan. I do start out with a little extra virgin olive oil so the sausages don't stick. I think I'll make the polenta with this.
I purchased Michael Eberhart's Gluten-Free & Wheat-Free Gourmet Desserts book. It is the best GF book I have ever purchased. The quality of the book is a sight to behold. Don't be put off by the title. The recipes are not difficult. I may start with the award winning carrot cake. This does require purchasing several different GF flours. But once you have them in the house you can do almost anything.
This cold weather really is conducive to baking. Maybe I'll do some muffins tomorrow with Pamela's mix. They are so good when they first come out of the oven. And they stay well for a few days. I only make six at a time so what ever isn't eaten up will go into a zip lock bag.

Sunday Breakfast

2008-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

On Sunday morning I have a chance to eat something I don't have time for during the week. This morning it was maple flavored sausage and a cheese omelet with Prairie Jack cheese with parsley and chives. I picked the cheese up yesterday at Whole Foods and even though it cost $5.99 for 8 ounces I consider it worth the price. I also purchased cinnamon and currant english muffins from Foods By George while I was there. I had one last night with butter, peanut butter and orange marmalade. That was a nice treat. The Prairie bread was not in stock again, I was told that they expect a shipment next week. Unfortunately for me, by the time I get back there again who knows if there will be any left.
Since tomorrow is a holiday, I have the day off. Maybe I'll have an english muffin with eggs over easy. I haven't planned any further than that yet but stay tuned. I have polenta in the house and I'm still thinking what I want to serve with it.

GF puddings

2008-01-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

When you have a sensitive stomach, it is nice to come across a dessert that actually makes you feel better! Tapioca pudding and rice pudding are perfect examples of this. I use 2% milk and when making the tapioca I use slightly less sugar than the recipe on the box calls for. I add golden raisins, vanilla extract and sprinkle on the nutmeg and/or cinnamon. This dessert stores well in the refrigerator as does rice pudding. I use arborio rice but you can also use jasmine rice. Of course, a cinnamon stick would be even better than ground cinnamon. You don't need whipped cream but a few fresh strawberries on top certainly wouldn't hurt.
I think I have gained back a few pounds and I'm going to blame it on the junk food in the teacher's lunch room. Skittles and Starbursts may be gluten free but I sure could do without them. I may have to think about how I'm going to eat less/burn more calories. That is a whole 'nother blog and as a former certified personal trainer I do know what works with out torturing myself. My excuse is the cold weather, having a job, obligations but the bottom line is-if you want to do it-you will do it.

Brussel Sprouts

2008-01-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here is another example of how I adapted a recipe more to my liking. It called for bottle chestnuts which I did not come across. I cut up the red pepper in strips but also added yellow pepper and may have added green pepper as well. It calls for garlic, I may have added white onion. All these veggies go well together, especially since you are coating them with the extra virgin olive oil. Salt, pepper and the best part-caraway seeds. They add a most wonderful flavor. If you are like me and miss rye bread, it was the caraway seeds that make that bread so good. This recipe does require me to take all the pots and pans out of my oven and cook it at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes, stirring as needed. This is high in fiber, can't eat too much at a time but you will want to!
I am guilty of running (not literally) through the supermarket and grabbing the familiar items I usually make. So I treated myself to a pretty recipe file and I try to go through it from time to time to choose one of the recipes in it and write down what I need to buy for it. Even if I don't get the items that day, it is written down and sooner or later I will make that recipe.

Friday night dinner

2008-01-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

It had been a while since I cooked my grilled chicken with arugula and tomatoes. I firmly believe in making a recipe your own. Take out what you don't like, add what you do. I added cucumber to this one. The chicken is marinated in red wine vinegar, olive oil (always extra virgin) honey mustard, pepper and garlic. I toss the salad with oil, salt and pepper. I often serve this with canned corn. I've made this for family and friends and they all loved it. Quick and easy and pretty healthy if you ask me. The cheeseburgers I'm planning for tomorrow night are not quite as healthy but I will cook up plenty of white onion in extra virgin olive oil to put on top of the burger.
Speaking of healthy. Many people do not like veggies because their first exposure to them was a disaster. Canned or frozen or undercooked or overcooked or plain or poor quality. What a shame. I really think that veggies are my favorite food. I want to do more with them and will share my brussels sprouts success in my next blog.

Breakfast

2008-01-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. One of the benefits of the GF diet is that you can not go to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast or grab a buttered bagel from the local deli on the run. I really enjoy oatmeal or cream of rice for breakfast. I hook it up with raisins, chopped walnuts, syrup and nutmeg or cinnamon. It is delicious and does not take long to make at all. A glass of juice, your vitamins and you are good to go. I try to have a healthy morning snack as well. I tend to gravitate towards dried fruits and nuts. They are very satisfying and a great balance of protein and carbs to keep your blood sugar steady.
Of course, I need my coffee too. Thank goodness that my Starbucks double tall caramel macchiato is gluten free. Sometimes I'm in the mood for tea and I like Tetley orange pekoe hot or iced. I stay away from the hot chocolate because all that milk does not agree with my stomach. I rarely eat ice cream any more but it is good to know that Baskin Robbins has gluten free ice creams. In February I like their Love Potion 31.

Chili for dinner

2008-01-16T10:52:00.000-08:00

I haven't made chili for a while so this chilly weather felt like the perfect time do so so. Contrary to conventional wisdom you do not have to cook chili for hours to get great results. I personally do not like fire-hot chili, in fact I like it a tad sweet. I use chop meat, not the lean meat either, and after I brown it, I drain off the fat. I add in the chopped green pepper, then the chopped white onion and then the garlic to cook along with the meat. I add Goya canned red beans (I love Goya products) and canned crushed tomatoes (Red Pack is good or any well known brand). Then the chili powder and other seasonings as desired (pepper, maybe a pinch of sugar and salt). Let it simmer at least a half hour, stirring often, add a little water if needed and taste until it is cooked to your liking. You can serve it with white rice and/or a salad but I like it just as it is and the left overs are even better!

I've mentioned Pamela's products before and I enjoy her cookies as well. Try the peanut butter or the expresso cookies or the chocolate chip cookies. They are all excellent. I also make muffins with her baking mix, adding raisins, walnuts and a bit of spice. Wonderful!

Gluten Free Living Magazine

2008-01-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

I was diagnosed with celiac about 8 years ago. At that time I dealt with it pretty well. I did miss pizza but I soon found Foods By George and ordered his GF frozen pizza crust and made pizza with veggies that was pretty good. I also discovered Gluten Free Living Magazine and had the pleasure of meeting the editor Ann Whalen. I have been subscribing to her magazine ever since. I even wrote a few articles about exercise and GF foods that were published in her magazine. This magazine is the definitive source for reliable information on GF everything. Whether you are newly diagnosed or an old timer like me you would do well to subscribe to this magazine. It keeps evolving. The info is cutting edge. Ann and her staff are on top of things when it comes to the latest legislation, product information etc...

Which reminds me, continue to read labels because products do change. Kellogg's Corn Pops for example. Once GF -now not. I am now eating Enviro Kids Frosted Flakes. I like them with raisins and 2% milk. It sure beats puffed rice. The GF menu is getting better and better, thank goodness.

GF pasta

2008-01-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

I love Tinkyada pasta. I buy the spirals, fusilli, penne, elbows and the lasagna. Tonight I had the spirals with a wonderful sauce cooked for 4 hours with sausage and fresh basil added. I also had leftover chicken cutlets and I made sure to put fresh grated cheese over the pasta. The fusilli will go in homemade soup. I often make shrimp scampi on Monday but I wanted to use up the chicken cutlets leftover from yesterday. My secret ingredient for the scampi is a touch of dry vermouth. Actually, I adapted the recipe from Emeril so I really can't take the credit for that one. I don't use any butter for the scampi, you don't need it, the lemon works like a charm.
When I have a day off I will do the lasagna. Maybe with eggplant or zucchini. The leftovers stay nicely for days. It is such a treat. When the ricotta and mozzarella go on sale I will pick them up. Lucky for me my boyfriend does the 4 hour sauce. We often do a quick marina sauce as well. That takes less than an hour. I watched Chef Lydia squeeze the whole canned tomatoes with her hand on public television so now I do the same but I wear rubber gloves. These are the meals that make you want an espresso afterwards with a slice of ricotta cheesecake.

Ready For Monday

2008-01-13T17:36:00.000-08:00

On the GF diet you must always think ahead. I do keep Progresso Chicken Soup with Rice and their Manhattan Clam Chowder on hand since they are gluten free. Of course, you could always just make yourself a nice omelet in a pinch for dinner as well. Work days require some thought because how many grilled chicken cesar salads (without croutons) can you order from the local coffee shop? One a week is plenty. My fall back lunch is tuna salad. It has to be Progresso tuna in olive oil. I add a lot of chopped white onion, mayo, mustard and pepper and those Kame rice crackers come along for the ride on the F train to work. One of my coworkers gave me her mom's cole slaw recipe and I do that once in a while with packaged shredded cabbage. It is sweet, better than the recipe on the bag! My left overs from dinner are often my lunch. I try not to waste too much food and I think I do a pretty good job. I really love almost every vegatable and beans. There's another option-bean salads. Chickpeas with cucumbers and onions seasoned up with salsa or black bean and corn salad. I've even done a great lima bean salad. Those salads go to the beach with me during the summer. How many more months?

Sunday Dinner and more

2008-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

After having grits with salt, pepper and butter and fried eggs over easy for breakfast, I was off to the eye doctor. It took a while so on the way back I stopped at the original Nathan's in Coney Island. The hot dogs are not GF but the french fries are (skip the processed cheese) and the lemonade is slammin'. I met up with a few friends on the boardwalk and took in some fresh air for a while. Then it was off to the supermarket. I had cheeseburgers on my mind but this rinky-dink store had no chop meat out and I'm not a turkey burger person. So I ended up with thin chicken cutlets which are now marinating in the Goya Mojo marinade and black pepper. I'll use Pamela's mix to lightly flour the cutlets and when I cook them up in a little extra virgin olive oil they will be delicious. I also picked up some broccoli that I will saute with garlic in the extra virgin olive oil of course. I do most everything on top of the stove. It is quick and easy. Since I'm feeling lazy I'll just open a can of corn. I love corn in any shape or form. They actually sell corn on the cob on the beach in the summer in Coney Island rolled in mayo and paprika and believe it or not it is good. Another lady comes by on the beach with little corn tacos. They are predicting a snow storm and I'm reminiscing about the good old summer time!

GF on the run

2008-01-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

After running errands and getting a manicure, my stomach really was grumbling. So I headed to McDonald's with my son who is not on the GF diet. He had a number 7 which looked good. However, I went with the grilled chicken salad-no croutons of course. I did order small fries and they were not bad with my diet coke. Then it was off to Met Fresh to pick up dinner. I got a nice piece of fresh salmon which is now seasoned with pepper and lemon. Baby spinach will be sauteed with garlic in extra virgin olive oil. I use extra virgin for everything except baking. I use canola oil for baking.
Of course, it was now cocktail hour. I cut up some white cheddar cheese with chipotle in it and put it on Kame sesame rice crackers. They go with everything. I poured myself a glass of burgundy and what more could you ask for? This gluten free lifestyle certainly has not cramped my style.

Pancakes!

2008-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I think I have eaten more pancakes since my diagnosis of celiac disease than I did pre diagnosis. I have to thank Pamela for that. I don't know her personally. However, her GF pancake and baking mix is the bomb. Today I made pancakes with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts for breakfast. I use reduced calorie syrup to cut down on the calories. Ha! It is all about portion control of course. I only eat one but it is a nice sized one at that. Actually, I make so many things with her mix that it is my number one favorite GF food. I also make pancakes with chopped canned pears and melted chocolate. Those don't require syrup.
For a change, I also make ricotta pancakes. I'm pretty sure I got the recipe from Cooking Light magazine and adapted it. Pamela's mix has baking powder in it already. These pancakes are more work to make but WOW they are so light and delicious. I've also made pancakes with berries and I like to use the frozen ones as well because the syrup is so good. Of course, pancakes are a weekend treat, usually Saturdays. I'm thinking about grits and eggs for tomorrow.

Options-Options-Options

2008-01-11T17:21:00.000-08:00

I've been reading several GF blogs. Some are very good. However, I seem to notice that the emphasis is either on desserts or the lack of convenient packaged foods. There really are other options out there if you think outside the box. I never was a bread person so the lack of a good GF free bread does not bother me. However, I do intend to try the Prairie Bread at Whole Foods. It was out of stock on my last visit to the Union Square store in NYC. That being said, I'd like to share some of the foods I enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the GF diet and I hope that there are others out there who enjoy ethnic foods that are healthy (or not so healthy) and are a little more creative with their every day cooking.