All posts filed under: Gluten Free Diet

Tuesday Topics of Interest

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We’ve had Spring-like weather in San Francisco for a couple of weeks now, and although I wish it would rain more, I am happy with the chance that I can enjoy the bright sunny days. So although the plan this morning is to attend one meeting after another, I wanted to share some interesting topics I came across. Just in case you are bundled up at home aching for a distraction or two or three. 😉 Have you see 11.22.63 on Hulu? A suspense thriller based on Stephen King’s novel about the assassination of JFK. Although since it is based on events which actually happened in American and even world history, I found it most interesting to get a glimpse of what would have happened if time travel allowed us to go back in time and ‘fix’ a problem or two. If you have seen it, I have to ask. What did you think of the actor portraying Lee Harvey Oswald’s character. I was feeling a little off this past week, and probably my worst …

Food: Eggplant Pasta

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Here’s how my Wednesday mornings go – at 5:30 a.m. I start with a larger chain grocery store to purchase all the essentials – which include meat. But for some reason the abundant amount of chicken is no longer the case, nor the free-range and organic versions. Quality beef is scarce and seafood is now more prepackaged.  Which might be an indication that I need to slowly get my family used to eating more plant-based, and less meat or just keep on freaking out until the refrigerator sections are filled again. So an hour ago, I announced to my mother that we are not having meet this coming week and all recipes will be mostly veggie based. She batted her eyes at me, and said – whatever you think is best. Here’s what’s for dinner tonight: Eggplant pasta with not so much spice for the little old lady I refer to as MOM 😉  and lots of Parmesan cheese  – trust me. 2 medium eggplants 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon freshly ground black …

Food: Dinner Tonight – From Taco to Chicken Skewers

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I spent the entire morning in line, plus grocery shopping with not much luck in finding everything in one store. What I dislike the most about this sort of shopping experience, is that it is difficult to stick to a menu for the week, like I used to when I trekked over to my favorite Trader Joe’s and picked up the same proteins, plus the ingredients for my weekly, taco, pasta, chicken, seafood, salad and soup dish.  Not complaining hopefully, just painting the picture. Anyway, while stuffing my freezer with all the things I bought  on “I think I might need,” since we can’t just run to the store anymore on a whim to pick up missing ingredients, I had trouble settling on what’s for dinner tonight.  So, I’ve included my first and second choices just in case one stands out over the other 😉 Option One – If you are craving chicken Option two – Taco for any day of the week and then some     {recipe and photo source} {featured image source}

Food: Corned Beef and Cabbage Pie Altered

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A Topic very difficult to avoid right now is the concern and fear over COVID-19, which is naturally on all of our minds . Even if we pretend a strong front, the worry about spreading the disease or contracting it, has become part of our daily routine, as we figure out ways to adapt to a new lifestyle. The only thing I want to ask, is that we don’t freak out, nor become obsessed, but rather do our part through legitimate sources online to help contain the spread of the virus. Not to say that I am downplaying the situation, but panic is the worst enemy in times of global threat or affliction. For the time being I keep my family engaged in much cooking, and alternative conversations to help distract – and finding interesting recipes to consider fits both of my efforts. INGREDIENTS 2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 2″ pieces 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided 1 head of Savoy cabbage 3 thick-cut bacon slices (about …

Food: How to Substitude Ingredients and This Recipe

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I have to admit, I switch up ingredients all the time while preparing a meal. For example – I am allergic to soy, so I use Worcestershire sauce instead. I hate the taste of fish, so I never add fish sauce to any Asian dish. So I was glad to find a list of alternatives here, for ingredients. What have you substituted, and share your experience or other recommendations Here’s a recipe for dinner tonight for the family – spicy eggplant pasta    {featured image source}

Holiday Series: Vegan Pumpkin Mousse

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I am not a fan of pumpkin pie, or cake but I am a fan of pudding or mousse alternative, so I feel like this year, we are going to have this vegan pumpkin mousse on our dessert table for thanksgiving.  So easy to make and naturally spoon right out of the blender. Okay, no I’ll do my best to scoop the masterpiece into serving bowls for a more civilized way of indulging. Ingredients 1 cup (225g) full fat coconut yogurt or coconut cream* 1/2 cup (125g) pumpkin puree  1/4 cup (80g) maple syrup 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt  {more} On another healthier alternative to desserts – here’s a banana Chia pudding recipe – although this one I’m considering for breakfast come Sunday morning.  {featured image source and inspiration for this post}

Zucchini Muffins Kind of Day

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I watched a movie on the Hallmark channel last night – where the perfect single mother bakes zucchini muffins for a road trip to drive her perfect daughter from Los Angeles to Oregon, where she would be attending college. Cute movie, great chemistry among the characters Amy and Noah, and perhaps it is one of the only films from Hallmark where there is actual sexual tension portrayed between the characters. So, besides the chemistry, all I could focus on was the zucchini muffins. Funny how things work on the ‘interweb’, because all of a sudden this recipe popped up across my screen and naturally, since it’s all gluten-free, I decide to bake them over the weekend and…share with all of you right here: INGREDIENTS 1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 medium/large) 2 eggs 1/3 cup olive oil (or avocado oil or coconut oil) 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt 3/4 cup almond flour 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or superfine rice flour) 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 …

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Soup

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I do most of the cooking for my household and my mothers and last night while helping her with dinner, she expressed she was craving a certain white bean soup she made for us while growing up. So tonight, I’ll be making this recipe, adding diced potatoes to the mix. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion chopped 2 garlic cloves minced 1 large carrot chopped 1 celery rib chopped 6 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 3 15-ounces canned white beans drained and rinsed 2 cups baby spinach Fresh parsley for serving Grated parmesan cheese for serving  {more} On another note – have you seen the show Pennysworth? If you have a dark side or can stomach the concept of savagery, then take a peek, and let me know what you think?  Just to clarify I had no idea what to expect, and but now I am hooked and feel I should continue to watch the series. 

Food: Fall Harvest Salad

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Oh the delight of cooking with seasonal fresh ingredients and the idea of Superfoods, or mostly plant-based, which I am testing out recently is the inspiration for tonight’s dinner. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 small butternut squash, halved, peeled, and cut into 1/4 inch half circles 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 cup raw pepitas 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 head kale, shredded 4 cups shredded brussels sprouts arils from 1 pomegranate 4-6 fresh figs (optional) 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese  {no cheese for me or feta if you twist my arm dear family} POMEGRANATE VINAIGRETTE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1/4 cup pomegranate juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey kosher salt and black pepper 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes {more} {featured image source} In case you are also wondering what to watch on television tonight – here’s a couple of suggestions now streaming on Amazon Prime or otherwise.