Thanksgiving... recipe's for the takin...

Here is my line up for Thanksgiving Dinner... a few can't do with out recipes and a few that are just naturally gluten free just the way they are! There is no holding back in our kitchen~!

Turkey: Tim LaBant from The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, is all about the salt brine... and he will even prep your turkey (local and organic) for pickup on Tuesday the day before. If you want to take it one step (or one less step further) the team at The Schoolhouse will prep your entire Thanksgiving Day dinner for you! mention you are gluten free, as you might want to skip on the stuffing... BUUUUUT all the sides other than that- including the soup- are naturally gluten free. He doesn't add fillers, or take any short cuts- so it is bound to keep you eating more and saving less room for dessert!
Stuffing: http://udisglutenfree.com/recipes/Dinner/29
Mashed Potatoes... you are right out of your mind if you have to thicken your potatoes with flour.. .other than that... your safe! Add a little chicken stock for extra flavor!
Creamed Red and White Pearl Onions: http://wednesdaychef.typepad.com/the_wednesday_chef/2005/11/barbara_lynchs_.html
you will not regret the labor you put into this!
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup: http://anyoneforseconds.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/roasted-butternut-squash-soup-gluten-free/ the name says it all: Anyone for seconds?
Brussels Sprouts:  keep it simple and natural... http://nymag.com/restaurants/articles/recipes/pansearedbrusselssprouts.htm or add some bacon and a simple toss of olive oil to the pan for a different flare
Cranberry Sauce: I go old school here.. there is NOTHING better than Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce out of the can... sorry can't beat it in my mind, its just never going to be passed!
Pumpkin Pie with a Gingersnap Crust: http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,186,153172-248201,00.html... ok make sure your gingersnaps are GLOW cookies and you are all set here~!

Take 2...

A real life bagel... well as I mentioned before, take 2... even better... Udi's Gluten Free. I was told and didn't listen, and I should have. I still have been hesitant to taste the bread- I am sure you completely understand this- half the stuff out there is DISGUSTING, and we are supposed to just roll over and pretend we like it, or better yet, pretend that we are not offended by how much we have to pay for food that tastes like cardboard. BUT Needless to say, I will be tasting their bread, and the newest item to their roster: Cinnamon Raisin Bread- hellooooo french toast! Real food= Real taste, and that is one thing that Udi's has!

So, one word (or 68) of advice... join their facebook group for the best recipes and new ideas! It's great! And they are not over powering with their posts- again, AMAZING! http://www.facebook.com/udisglutenfree

A long long time ago...

It's been since I have been blogging. I am SO bad! But... since then, it's been so good! Best News: They are going to be continuing every Thursday through the Winter at Gilberties in Westort... and a little birdie told me that my favorite Gluten Free pastry girl- Peace Tree Desserts, might be there too... a girl could only hope!

First let's discuss Westport Farmers Market... This year:
Collyer Catering: Quinoa- EVERY week, a different type- can we say: lunch?
Raus Coffee: The Cold Roman, first of all, we all need a wake up call, or at least I do... it's the start of my day!
Sugar & Olives: Gluten Free cookies, and they melt in your mouth... a real cookie, not any of that fake sugar sh*t
There is another farm stand, and it's sad but I can't remember their name- so here is my description- they sell lamb, and sheep milk and cheese... there they also have feta pesto... you will not only love it, you will dive into it over and over and over again... a staple to any party
Arugala from any market you can't miss, but the microgreens from Two Guys From Woodbridge... those are something to talk about!

COOKIE MONSTER

So remember back in January how I told you about the best cookie ever from Seattle? It was called the Monster cookie and the fact is- I can't live with out it. My father just made a visit to my sister last week and brought me home two! This is after my sister, who is not gluten free, bought probably 3 or 4 with promises to send them, which never got fulfilled. I don't blame you AC- the cookies are THAT GOOD. In a recent iming session with my sister I learned that the company in Seattle now sells their mixes online! My sisters response after I said I want some "   Anne:  ha, ok! i can take orders too but no guarentees on fulfillment...ha ha...and no refunds either"... So find them at Cinnamon Works at Home  . I can't give them a better testimonial then to just say- I have NEVER had a better gluten free cookie then the ones from here... (sorry all who have tried!)

A few of my favorite things...

It's been awhile.. it's summer and although that is not an excuse... I have slacked. But I am back with a few favorite things to start getting myself back on track.

Blue Dolphin Dinner; Katonah: gluten free pasta, and the best BEST sauces to boot. Live it and you will love it! I can't say enough about this place- it's definitely worth the drive!

Partners; Norwalk: Pork Chops Italiano, with the gorgonzola salad. The gorgonzola salad alone speaks words, but these pork chops will keep you coming back for more.

The Goose; Darien: here I have to first start off with mentioning the booze. Chris behind the bar has put a lot of effort into making sure they have tons of gluten free favorites: redbridge, titos, rose, firefly! And as for food- can't go wrong with the steak fritte... o my golly. Let your waiter know you are GF, they will take care of the rest!

Sugar and Olives; Norwalk: Cranberry chocolate chip cookies, if you are at the farmers market on Thursdays in Westport, these are a hot number... so get there early ( I tend to miss them more often than not! )

Mirabelle Cheese Shop; Westport: Barratta... need I say more, that soft delicate middle that falls apart and melts in your mouth... do it!

A Little Kick of Summer... Ali Style

Ahhh... a little bit of heaven just touched my lips. Immediately I have to share- cause you deserve to know the BEST recipe I can dream of for summer was just plated in front of me. Not at a Restaurant either, Ali, a great friend (and who knew??? a great chef) just taught me a little bit about crab cakes that even my fans in Baltimore would be proud of... so here goes... eat your heart out, or stuff your face- I know I just did...

Crab Cakes:
1 lb crab meat- she used one can bumble bee lump crab and one of the fresh minced crab meat (Phillips to be exact)
1/4 cup chopped pepper (red for color)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayo- Hellman's- obvi
1 egg
1/2- 3/4 cup bread crumbs (ALEXIA's is amaz)
1tbsp old bay- don't be afraid to overfill the tablespoon
1/2 tsp dry mustard
dash of Worcestershire sauce

combine the above and in a buttery skillet fry to your hearts desire- extra crispy for me! And don't forget about the sauce...
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tbsp dry mustard
1/1/2 cups mayo- Hellman's- obvi
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp paprika
1 1/2 horseradish
2 tbsp sherry
chopped parsley- for prettiness
salt and pepper to taste
mix and obviously apply generously. The combinations of the two above will create a bond your taste buds never knew they had- SERIOUSLY

Take me out to the ball game... Celiac Awareness Night

Come one come all- to the metropolitans! WOO HOO, Gluten Free with the Mets. Now- not only can we enjoy a gluten free beer there... we can also eat hot dogs, brats, and much more. a Celiac Disease Awareness Night at Citi Field May 25th. Money raised will support the Long Island chapter of R.O.C.K. and the Celiac Disease Center At Columbia University. Here's sneak peek at the gluten-free food now available there. Can't wait to fill up the car, and head on down!