Around Town...

1. Did you know BJ Ryan's in Norwalk CT has Gluten Free Beer? Woop Woop
2.  Did you know that Fratelli Market in Stamford CT has an AMAZING selection of Gluten Free Food to go? Prepared meals, fresh pastas and desserts???
3. Did you know Rizzuto's (the old Conte's) in Westport CT has gluten free pasta on their menu... as well as a stellar happy hour!
4. Did you know the Schoolhouse at Cannondale in Wilton CT can make any option on their menu Gluten Free? And most already are- even better!
5. Did you know that Valencia Luncheria in Norwalk CT can make their Arepas skillet roasted instead of the fryer?
6. Did you know that Beach Cafe in Fairfield CT has Taco Tuesday- $2 tacos and they are Gluten Free?

Blondie or Brunette?

I chose a blondie today... a scrumptious, melt in your mouth, can't put it down- blondie. I am getting to the point where I can honestly say- Gluten Free's the Way to Be! People are finally creating a product I don't have to pretend to like so that the person who bought it for me feels good. I find myself NOT throwing away items and actually enjoying food again- well processed food that is. I have to constantly remind my family that potatoes are naturally gluten free... and I can eat a ham animal (long story, but yes I though their was a ham animal at one stage in my life). Back to my first gluten free brownie, in this case a blondie... Freed Goods Co, is an organic company that bakes brownies and blondies. Their are five different kinds that they offer: Chocolate, Chocolate Walnut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Walnut, and Blondies. 5% of freedgoods profits go to support infertility education, research and treatment... and if you are celiac, like myself, you know that this is a very large (and scary) part of our lives that we could be faced with.

So just think- your eating dessert for a very rewarding cause! 

I'm Glowing!!!!!!!

I can honestly say that I have not had a better Gluten Free cookie- EVER. Ok maybe it comes close to a cookie made by this tiny little bakery in Seattle- buuuuut I don't live in Seattle, so case closed! If I stuck this cookie onto plates at Easter Dinner, no one would have known it was gluten free ever! For all you "gluten fulls" out their- I'd put you to the challenge. I am so impressed with this brand- Glow, Gluten Free- that I can't wait to get another box. Priced at about 5.99 for a box of 7 large cookies, not that flaky stuff we are used to. These cookies have substance to them!!! I definitely approve of their tag line "try all of our scrumptious flavors.... you might just glow from head to toe!" I am sure you can tell- but I am already glowing!  I do have to note, the ingredients might be the trick- garbanzo & fava bean flour, as well as palm oil- who woulda thunk? This also brings me to the point that these cookies are not like other gluten free cookies loaded with fat and sugar- they actually have a nutritional value- I mean??? Healthy???
Grab a box, or four (Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip,Gingersnap and Snickerdoodle)... Put your feet up with a large glass of mike and DIVE IN... don't jump! Trust me...

Mom's Home Cookin... to go!

After running around all day looking for more Gluten Free Waffles, I stumbled upon this magical little box at Balducci's... Beef Pot Pie you say, with a cheesy polenta crust- I don't know about you but that about wet my taste buds. In fact, I couldn't wait to get home, drop my bags, turn on the oven and pop that little baby in! Twin Hens prides themselves on being Artisan Comfort Food- and it is. Bell and Evan Chicken is used in their chicken pot pie and their vegetable pot pie is 74% organic. Any mom can agree that this is a good meal from step one! While the only pot pie offered gluten free is the beef pot pie- it was worth the 45 minute cooking time. The crust came out crispy and the beef tender. Twin Hens definitely know what they are doing! Next time you are in Balducci's or Whole Foods check and see if your store has it- you won't be disappointed!

One Pierogie, Two Pierogies, Three Pierogies... FLOOR

Can we say died and went to heaven, or bed from a food coma! Contes (which I have mentioned before in my blog) has created delish gluten free pierogies. Stuffed with a heaping of potato and onions, they are great snack or meal! Cooked stove top in a pot of water for 9 minutes, its a quick treat... just don't forget about them because I did that once and a few popped open- don't worry though, I still devoured them...
Make sure you click on the Conte's link I have provided because they are limitless on the meals one could create, and have a ton of microwaveable meals too. A nod to the gluten full people- they sell "your people food" too!
Up next: Conte's Stuffed Shells... they are in my freezer and I will let you know after tasting, but from the looks of things- me like!

Wanton Soup... umm ummm good!

Chinese food is a major comfort food for me... and its super easy and super cheap to make at home. While in Rhode Island last weekend we tried out this recipe and it was awesome, so I thought I would share. Because my sister in law has a shellfish allergy we doubled the pork and did not add the shrimp- I am not sure I would ever add the shrimp it was so good, but that is for you to decide!

Wantons: mix the below together and let sit covered for 25-30 minutes for flavors to intensify.
6oz pork- finely chopped
8 fully cooked shrimp
1 bunch of scallions chopped
2 tbs gluten free soy sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp finely chopped ginger

After letting mixture sit, mix one teaspoon of mixture into rice paper wantons. Wet edges of wanton, press and seal. When wantons are done, cook in three cups chicken broth for 4-5 minutes. Add scallions for garnish. I love love loved this dish... and hopefully you will too! It was hard to find the rice paper wraps, and if you find this a problem too- you can always make these into meatballs and bread with GF breadcrumbs... again you won't be disappointed, the flavors are magical together!

Pork Enchiladas with a Salsa Verde Cream Sauce

Is your mouth watering already? It should be... although this is a bit more labor intensive it is well worth it.

In your crock pot: 1 Boston Butt, a few garlic cloves and 1/4 cup of water. High for 8 hours... let sit for  10 minutes.
While that is cooking, make the Salsa Verde from below recipe. (or for a quick fix: Trader Joes Salsa Verde!) Mix with 1 cup sour cream. Heat over low heat until warm.

Putting The Enchilada Recipe Together

Cut the roast into small pieces, say 1" x 1/2". Remove any visible fat.

Heat 3/4 cup canola oil in a small frying pan over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, dip one corn tortilla in the oil for a second or two until it becomes soft. Drain the oil and place the tortilla on a plate. Pat the tortilla with a paper towel to absorb excess oil if you wish.

The secret to great tasting enchiladas is dipping the tortillas in hot oil to soften them.

Add a tablespoon or more of the Verde enchilada sauce to the tortilla and spread the sauce around. Add a spoonful or more of pork across the center of the tortilla and roll it up with the seam side down. Place in an over proof dish. Continue making the rest of the enchiladas in the same way. Generously cover the enchiladas with the enchilada sauce. Sprinkle shredded monteray jack cheese over the top.

Heat in a 400 degree oven until sauce and cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 - 10 minutes.