GLUTEN-FREE BOSTON

UPDATE: Clover Food Truck

2011-06-27T14:41:00.005-04:00

WARNING: I have been informed by another individual that a cashier at Clover Food Truck said that the chickpea fritter is NOT fried in a dedicated gf fryer...therefore, the item is not safe for Celiacs! Although I did not get sick, you might...so don't try it!

Oh. My. Lord.

Clover Food Truck...I love you so much that it is difficult to express in words, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway. Of course I was nervous at first, since food trucks are scary to navigate, especially since food trucks are new to Boston, but I decided to give Clover a shot at the Dewey Square location. At first, I got the chickpea fritter sans pita bread after confirming with the cashier that it would be gf, but then I started eating it and was very confused as to whether or not she knew what she was talking about. I decided to shoot a tweet to @CloverDWY in order to confirm that the chickpea fritter was gf, and their Executive Chef @RolandoRobledo confirmed that it was! Okay, now that all of that has been sorted out, let's get down to the food details.

We've got the chickpea fritter sans pita bread, with a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and spices, pickled vegetables including carrots, red cabbage, red onions, lettuce, and a sauce made of tahini, lemon juice, water and salt. Full details here. This thing is absolutely PHENOMENAL. The combination of textures and flavors is delightful, and I find myself craving this meal all the time. The ingredients are super fresh, and you can taste the difference. The chickpea fritter is very light, not greasy at all, and works well with the zingy hummus.

You'll also notice the basil lemonade next to my chickpea fritter, which was perfectly refreshing for a warm spring day. It has chopped raw basil, lemon juice, sugar, and water.

The Clover Food Truck is simply awesome, so check out their menu and find a way out of your office and get to one of their trucks ASAP (sometimes they run out of food/ingredients, and the line can be super long).

Locations: Clover DWY, Summer Street and Atlantic Ave near South Station T Stop (more locations below at their website)
Website: http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/?page_id=2248

Cactus Club Review - Part Two/Update

2011-06-27T14:23:00.005-04:00

Way back in the summer of 2009, I posted a review on Cactus Club in Back Bay. Back then, "gluten-free" wasn't in their vocabulary, and all you could do was cross your fingers and say a prayer that you wouldn't die. However, Cactus Club has had a new chef for several months, and they are now all-aboard the gluten-free train, and my recent dining experience there was both safe and delicious!

In the past, my favorite meal was their black bean enchilada, but now they have a new and more authentic version of the dish. The enchilada de frijoles has a creamy tomatillo sauce, spinach, red onions, cheese, and a nice kick of heat.

As much as I missed my old black bean enchilada, the new and updated version surpassed my expectations. The sauce was the best part, as it had a combination of tang and sweetness that was well balanced. The portion size was too big for me, but I was happy to have my leftovers for lunch the next day.

I also tried the tostada de aguacate with avocados, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a black bean spread. The tostada is a great appetizer, and the contrasting textures (crunchy tostada, creamy avocado, and smooth black bean spread) is enjoyable, fun, and fresh.

Items that can be made gluten-free are marked on their menu, and most of their menu can be ordered gf. I also have to point out that Cactus Club has the best chips and salsa in Boston, and phenomenal guacamole. The margaritas are delicious and addicting also. Enjoy a great meal on their outdoor patio, or head over after work for half-priced appetizers Monday-Thursday.

Location: 939 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
Website: http://bestmargaritas.com/

GFBoston on the road: S'MAC NYC

2011-06-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

SO many of my Twitter followers (follow me @gfboston) have recommended that I try S'MAC in the East Village for gluten-free mac and cheese, so I finally listened to them and decided to try the place out.

I have to say, much to my sadness, that you were all very wrong. I tried the four cheese mac with cheddar, muenster, gruyere, and peccorino, and it was the grossest most inedible meal I've ever had in my entire life...I couldn't even finish eating it. The macaroni was hard and tasteless, and the combination of cheeses did not work at all (smelled like old sweaty gym socks, and I say that as an insane lover of all cheeses). On top of all of this, the thing was OOZING with grease, and not in a good way at all.

I probably washed my face ten times after eating this and still felt disgustingly greasy. Perhaps it was just the four cheese mac, and the others are tastier, or maybe they were just having an off day, either way it was a horrible experience.

As you all know, I'm always willing to give places a second chance, so S'MAC and I will have another encounter at some point in the future. Props to S'MAC for keeping the mac and cheese relatively cheap though (~$8), and for even offering gluten-free mac and cheese at all.

Location: 345 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003
Website: www.smacnyc.com

Back Bay/Newbury Street Restaurants

2011-04-07T12:33:00.009-04:00

Many people have been asking me about Back Bay/Newbury Street restaurants that accommodate gluten-free diners. Many of the Newbury Street restaurants are on the nicer side, and are easily able to edit meal ingredients. Also, Boston, like NYC, is a city that is very aware of gluten intolerances and other allergies, and every single restaurant is mandated by regulation to have a sign in its window saying “before you order, please let us know if you have any allergies.” In addition to this sign, restaurant workers have been required to complete training in regards to allergens. All of this being said, you MUST tell your waiter or waitress about your gluten intolerance…do not expect to go to any restaurant and look at the menu and think that you can decipher on your own what is safe and what is not. Below are my recommendations:

On Newbury Street
*The Otherside Café (gluten-free menu)
*Stephanie’s on Newbury
*Sonsie
Tapeo
Capital Grille (pricey)
Papa Razzi (chain restaurant, gluten-free menu)

There are also restaurants on Boylston Street...

On Boylston Street
Cactus Club
*Sel de la Terre
Atlantic Fish Co. (pricey)
Top of the Hub (pricey)
Uno Chicago Grill (chain, gluten-free menu)
*Turner Fisheries (gluten-free menu, inside of the Copley mall)
Legal Sea Foods (chain, gluten-free menu, inside of Prudential Center)
Wagamama (chain, gluten-free denoted on regular menu, inside of Prudential Center)
P.F. Chang’s (chain, gluten-free menu, inside of Prudential Center)

All of the above restaurants are restaurants that I have actually eaten at, but there are some additional restaurants that I have heard about with g-free options that are in the Back Bay/Newbury Street area listed below:

Maggiano’s Little Italy (g-free menu)
The Melting Pot (g-free menu)
Cafeteria Boston
Davio’s (g-free menu)
Globe Bar and Cafe
Vlora

Lastly, I’d like to point out that restaurants with asterisks (*) next to them are my favorite restaurants. Happy eating!

The Meat House

2011-02-18T11:23:00.006-05:00

Photo courtesty of http://onceuponasmallbostonkitchen.blogspot.com/

"The Meat House is the modern revival of the neighborhood butcher - only better!"

The Meat House has several locations in Massachusetts, and I frequent the Coolidge Corner location for premium gluten-free meats. The best part about The Meat House is that they have gluten-free marinated meats for purchase with little "no gluten" stickers on them for simplicity. The Coolidge Corner location also has a designated gluten-free section in the back of the store with various gluten-free products such as Schar breadsticks, Udi's granola, and gluten-free pasta as well.

My favorite item at The Meat House is the Burgundy Wine steak tips, and I also tend to go home with J.K. Scrumpy's Solstice Organic Hard Cider. The marinated meats are affordable and can be purchased either depending on the amount you want from the butcher or choosing a pre-packaged (yet still fresh) version.

Address: 1285 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Hours: 9am-8pm

Website: http://www.themeathouse.com/index.html

The Fireplace GF Biscuits

2011-02-18T11:08:00.006-05:00

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I am obsessed with The Fireplace in Brookline. I can be found at the bar with friends and my favorite bartender every Wednesday night, and an additional reason for my obsession is the gluten-free biscuits. The biscuits are absolutely out of this world, and the only reason that I put so much butter on them (see above pic) is that I simply like butter...not because I have to mask any icky fake-tasting gluten-free ingredients. In addition to the biscuits, The Fireplace has an awesome gluten-free menu with seasonal New England fare.

Fireplace GF Menu: http://www.fireplacerest.com/menus/gluten-free.php

Address: 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Phone: 617.975.1900

Opentable

Twitter!

2011-02-18T11:05:00.001-05:00

For those who do not know, I am a mad tweeter...and I can be found at twitter.com/gfboston.

Follow me for continual updates on my GF adventures!

SUPER BOWL FOOD!

2011-02-06T20:13:00.003-05:00

Just a few pictures of what I've been eating tonight! My amazing homemade fried chicken and Velveeta/chili dip. Hope everyone has a great night!

Glutenfreeda Burritos

2011-01-31T12:20:00.006-05:00

I've been wanting to try these Glutenfreeda burritos for a long time! I first found them at a Whole Foods in Dallas, TX, and the bean and cheese burrito was pretty good for what it was (a frozen burrito). I found more burritos at A Matter of Health in Nanuet, NY the other day, and thought I'd give the vegetarian dairy free rice and beans burrito a try.

This burrito was sad in every way, shape, and form. It packed some spicy heat, but otherwise both the dough and the inside contents were entirely flavorless. Sometimes we just have to remember that there are certain foods that we should not miss. Gluten-free frozen burritos are no better than glutenous frozen burritos, and frozen shortcuts are not always the answer for the Celiac who craves a taste of normalcy (but on the plus side, each burrito was ~$3).

Turner Fisheries

2010-11-21T18:41:00.002-05:00

I recently posted a review of Turner Fisheries on my Examiner site here. About 99% of their menu is gluten-free or can be prepared gluten-free. It's an amazing place with outstanding food, and you should check out my review on the Examiner for more information and pictures!

The Abbey

2010-11-21T18:21:00.004-05:00

I was so excited to see The Abbey finally open up around the corner from my apartment. Washington Square is already a great neighborhood full of wonderful restaurants and bars. The staff is very knowledgeable about gluten, but if you're just looking at the menu on your own, you'll assume that you won't have many options.

On a recent visit to The Abbey, I had the mussels sauteed in white wine and garlic. I usually try not to eat mussels very often because they aren't very filling for me, and this proved true again with this starter portion, but I scarfed them down so quickly that I was practically drooling over the idea of getting another plate. The sauce was really light and fragrant, and I imagine that if I were able to eat the fries that came with the dish, the sauce would've been great for dipping purposes.

The food is great, the cocktails are delicious, the staff is beyond friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the prices are affordable and non-guilt inducing. If you haven't been over to The Abbey yet, make sure to get there early or be prepared for a wait...the place is small and always packed!

Location: 1657 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02445
Website: http://www.abbeyrestaurant.com

My FAVORITE Sandwich

2010-11-21T17:51:00.002-05:00

This is my absolute favorite sandwich everyone, so I thought that it was time to share it with all of you...its my version of a club sandwich!

Ingredients:
1. Udi's or Glutino plain bagel
2. Turkey bacon
3. Tomatoes
4. Hellman's Mayo
5. Lettuce
6. Provolone cheese
7. Turkey
8. Ham

It's a pretty simple sandwich, and the only thing that takes time is cooking the bacon and toasting the bagel (if you use Udi's, the bagel doesn't need to be toasted). It is seriously the best sandwich and has the perfect mix of flavors. Sometimes I add a bit of ground dijon mustard as well. Enjoy!

Nebo Connects with Cold River Gin for Gluten-Free Combo

2010-11-04T13:57:00.005-04:00

NEBO CONNECTS WITH COLD RIVER GIN FOR GLUTEN-FREE COMBO
For Immediate Release

Nebo, the upscale Italian restaurant and wine bar in Boston’s North End, has teamed up with Maine Distilleries Cold River Gin to provide customers with a new Gluten-Free cocktail and cuisine combo.

Nebo has been offering its customers the option for Gluten-Free dishes since 2009. Now, Nebo has added the perfect cocktail to add to the meal. It’s called the Perfect Pear.

The Perfect Pear is made with Gluten-Free Cold River Traditional Gin, Prosecco di Lunetta and Pear Syrup. The cocktail will be served with Nebo’s legendary Gluten-Free Sausage and Wild Mushroom Ragu over Creamy Mascarpone Polenta.

"We feel the Perfect Pear is the perfect complement to our popular Polenta dish,” says Nebo co-owner Carla Pallotta. “Adding the two Gluten-Free options together helps alleviate some of the worry for those customers who have dining restrictions caused by Celiac Disease”.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, roughly 1 in every 133 people has the disease. Some 200 thousand Americans have been diagnosed with (CD), but approximately 97% of those afflicted with the disease are not even aware they have it.

ABOUT NEBO
Opened in June of 2005, Nebo’s central proximity to the city’s most sought after tourist destinations and contemporary chic European atmosphere make it the perfect spot to enjoy a unique and memorable dining experience.

Born in Boston’s culturally rich North End neighborhood, chef/owners Carla and Christine Pallotta stand inspired by their mother’s and grandmother’s classic Italian recipes as well as their travels throughout Italy and other European regions.

Nebo’s stylish décor, reminiscent of modern Italy, is all natural wood, chocolate suede and brick surrounding a 120 person capacity dining area and full wine & liquor bar showcasing a magnificent marble top, glass shelves and plasma televisions. m-wed 5-11pm, th-sat 5pm until late night.

Visit www.neborestaurant.com

Top Ciders

2010-10-27T08:41:00.007-04:00

It was sad when I first became diagnosed in college and found out that I couldn't hit the keg of Natty Light anymore, but hard cider helped me get over my sorrow. Not only am I totally obsessed with hard cider, but I've had a hand in converting many beer lovers over to my side. Below is a list of the top five amazing ciders that you can get your hands on (not in any particular order):

1. Hornsby's
- Found at the Shaws/Star Market on Commonwealth Avenue and Cambridge Wine & Spirits

2. Strongbow
- Found at Reservoir Wine and Spirits, Gimbel's Liquors, most liquor stores in Boston area
- Served at The Regal Beagle, The Lower Depths Tavern, Coda, and Cornwall's

3. Woodchuck
- Found at Coolidge Corner Wine and Spirits, Reservoir Wine and Spirits, Gimbel's Liquors, Shaw's/Star Market on Comm. Ave, The Wine Press, Mission Hill Liquors, Cambridge Wine & Liquors, most liquor stores in Boston area
- Served at Coolidge Corner Clubhouse, Clery's, The Rattlesnake, Cheers, Boston Beer Works, Mission Bar and Grill, Tavern in the Square

4. Original Sin
- Found at Blanchard's Liquors, Cambridge Wine & Spirits
- Served at Deep Ellum (it's not on the menu, but it's kept behind the bar), The Publick House, Grendel's Den, Audubon Circle, The Other Side Cafe, Mission Bar and Grill

5. Magner's
- Ubiquitously found in Boston area liquor stores, basically guaranteed
- Served at almost every bar in the Boston area -- Cityside Bar and Grille, An Tua Nua, Clery's, Cactus Club, The Rattlesnake, Faneuil hall area bars, Sunset Cantina, White Horse, Cask'n Flagon, Washington Square Tavern, Atlantic Beer Garden

Pizzapalooza!

2010-10-27T08:22:00.003-04:00

I took a trip to Pizzapalooza in Newton last month to fulfill my neverending search for the best gluten-free pizza, and I have to say that their pizza is competing for top dog in my book.

The sauce was INSANELY good...not too acidic, and definitely had a serious kick. My only complaint is that the crust was kind of crumbly, so it was difficult for me to eat like the New Yorker that I am (fold each piece in half). That being said, the crust was absolutely delicious and didn't have any hint of weird non-glutenness. My boyfriend said that this was the best gluten-free pizza that he's ever tasted, and that he couldn't even tell that it was gluten-free (he was able to eat their regular pizza and compare it with my gf pizza).

The best part about Pizzapalooza is that all of their regular pizzas can be made gluten-free! Also, their individual gf pies are cheap! I'm definitely looking forward to going back and trying a different pie.

Publick House

2010-09-29T12:51:00.002-04:00

I recently contacted The Publick House in Brookline to inquire about any gluten-free options they might have. Below is the e-mail I received in response:

"Hi GFboston,

We do not have a distinct gluten-free menu at this point, but we often have people with gluten allergies dine without much difficulty. All of our waitstaff and kitchen staff are very sensitive to food allergies and dietary restrictions, and menu items are made to order, so a number of them can be modified to be gluten free.

Regarding the fries, we have two different kinds. The regular hand-cutfrench fries are fried in oil that fries breaded items, but our Belgian-style frites are fried in their own separate oil, so that is a possibility.

Thanks,
The Publick House"

As a Publick House lover, I will DEFINITELY be over for some Belgian-style frites ASAP! Very excited :)

Rattlesnake Bar

2010-09-10T16:50:00.009-04:00

I usually go to the Rattlesnake because they have an awesome roof deck and they make big and strong whiskey sours. I decided to have dinner there with a friend, and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome!

I had the Grilled Tijuana Caesar salad with salmon ($12.50), which had grilled hearts of romaine, corn salsa, and Caesar dressing with a kick. It comes with croutons, but I obviously declined. The salmon was flaky and seasoned perfectly.

My dining companion had the Thai Tuna Salad, but he isn't gluten-free and I'm not sure if the salad can be made gluten-free. The salad had peppercorn and coriander–seared Ahi tuna with seaweed salad and baby tatsoi in Thai peanut vinaigrette with ginger and soy–marinated tofu & bean sprouts ($14). He absolutely loved his salad as well.

We also tried the Hudson Valley Duck Tacos ($11), which normally come in deep fried flour taco shells, but we chose to substitute corn taco shells instead. Our server warned us that this might not be a good idea, and he was definitely right. The tacos had molasses and cola-marinated duck breast with cranberry-rosemary risotto & truffle-cranberry glaze. It was a disaster of a meal; the flavor combination did not work at all and the different aspects clashed with each other. There was just too much going on at once.

Overall, we enjoyed our experience and our meals; the service was wonderful. I have been salivating just thinking about my salad, and I can't wait to go back and have it again. I'm just going to pretend that the duck tacos didn't actually happen!

Location: 384 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (Back Bay)
Website: http://www.rattlesnakebar.com/

Orinoco

2010-09-10T16:17:00.004-04:00

After a recommendation from one of my twitter followers, I visited Orinoco in the South End with some of my friends. I drooled over the menu for days, as I had heard that something like 95% of the menu was gluten-free!

I started off with the trio of empanadas for $8 (cod, domino, and mechada) and a glass of white sangria. Truthfully, I didn't know what was in the domino or mechada at the time, so I wasn't exactly sure what I was eating, but they were all great! I think I was just so excited to be eating an empanada that I totally lost all of my focus and control. The domino empanada had black beans and cheese, while the mechada had shredded beef and cheese.

Next, I had an arepa for $6 , which is a traditional Venezuelan corn pocket sandwich. I chose the pernil arepa, which is roasted pork shoulder, since pernil is a dish that my family has been making for my entire life. It was a bit on the dry side, but still flavored well. I'm not a fan of mojo sauce, but perhaps if I had been it would've masked the dryness of the pork. I loved that I was able to eat a sandwich, and the corn had great texture and flavor.

Next time I go back, I want to try the reina pepiada arepa, the orinoco salad, and the cordero tradicional. See their website to drool on your own, and head into the South End or the Brookline Village location to enjoy friendly and quick service and delicious food.

Location: 477 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA (South End)
Website: http://orinocokitchen.com/

Gaslight Brasserie du Coin

2010-09-10T15:30:00.005-04:00

I visited Gaslight with my sister for one of my birthday dinners. I've heard a lot of people rave about the food here, and I've been pining over the menu for quite some time, so I was really excited to finally visit.

I have to say that it was a pretty awful dining experience overall. My first qualm was with the host. We arrived 15 minutes early and were told that we would have to wait until our exact reservation time to be sat, so we waited about 5-7 feet from the host stand so that we wouldn't be missed when our time came. As a former host and server myself, I prefer if someone arrives early so that I can seat them and hopefully the table can turn over quicker, but since every restaurant is different, I didn't mind waiting. By the way, the entire front room of the restaurant was empty and there were tons of tables available (therefore our little 2-top could've been swapped out with a different reservation).

However, while waiting, about 10 other parties walked in and were sat immediately; while some of these reservations could've been late, I cannot imagine that that was the case for all of them. Our reservation time rolled around, and the host continued to seat every party that walked in except us. We waited 5 more minutes until we approached the host, and we were then made to wait another 10 minutes. When we were finally sat, we were sat next to the open kitchen door and it took 35 minutes for our order to be taken. As a result, I spent most of my time at the restaurant being extremely angry, which is rare for me. Our table could've been turned over 1+ hours earlier if we had just been sat when we immediately walked in.

Our server was very nice and experienced, but very absent during our time there. Luckily, the food was amazing, or I would've left very unhappy. I had the escargot and the steak tartare.

I have heard that Gaslight has the best escargot in Boston, and I have to confirm that this is true. The steak tartare was also absolutely amazing.

My sister had a beet salad and french onion soup (non-gf). I tried her beet salad and it was outstanding; it also went really well when mixed with the steak.

As much as I hated my time at Gaslight, the food was so great that I would return again.

Location: 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 (South End)
Website: http://www.gaslight560.com
Bill Total: ~$53 excluding tax and tip (including carafe of wine and dessert)

Conte's Gluten-Free Ravioli

2010-06-30T12:14:00.006-04:00

Okay, I hate giving bad reviews, but sometimes it must be done. I made Conte's gluten-free cheese ravioli last night for dinner, but things didn't work out the way that I anticipated.

I followed the package instructions and tested one and it was al dente, so I threw it back in and kept heating for a few more minutes on med-high heat. When I took them out, my first bite was great, but I attribute this to the fact that I haven't had ravioli in a while. As I kept eating, I became increasingly underwhelmed. I decided to save the rest of my meal as leftovers for lunch today in an attempt to give the ravioli another shot.

Round two didn't go so well either. The texture is still sort of rubbery/meaty, and the cheese inside doesn't have much, if any, flavor. My poor sad fat ravioli...oh and by the way, I totally thought, based on the package picture, that I was going to have lots of little raviolis, but instead ended up with these supermonstrous ravioli instead.

As with all "bad" reviews, I don't hate the company, just the particular product; I am MORE than willing to try out any of Conte's other gluten-free products. Actually, I don't even hate this particular product, I just think that it bored me and made me upset that I paid $8 for a "blah" meal.

**FYI I purchased the ravioli at the Shaw's on Beacon Street in Brookline, MA

Fish Tacos

2010-06-29T09:48:00.009-04:00

I've been using MyRecipes.com (as well as recipes from Southern Living) a lot lately, and trying to focus on eating foods that won't clog my arteries and prematurely kill me. The other night I used a recipe for Snapper Tacos with Chipotle Cream and, as always, added my own adjustments and special touches.

My recipe is below, and the original recipe can be found here: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=348357&cookbook_id=5305510

Photo Source: MyRecipes.com (link above)

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup sour cream
Salt, add amount for your taste preference
1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded and minced
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1 tablespoon butter
Red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, or paprika
Cumin, add amount for your taste preference
Cinnamon, add amount for your taste preference
4 garlic cloves, minced
Chopped fresh cilantro, about a hand/fistful post chopping
1 pound tilapia (4 fillets)
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
3 limes, cut in half and ready to be squeezed
Corn tortillas (this recipe makes about 10 tacos)

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine sour cream, salt, and chiles; set aside. Only add as much of the chile can as your taste buds can handle. This stuff is smoky!

Season fish with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, tomato, cumin, salt, cinnamon, red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning or paprika, and minced garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently and adding some cilantro every minute. Arrange fish over onion mixture in pan; cover and cook 3 minutes. Turn fish; cover and cook 2 minutes. Break fish into chunks. Stir in lime juice and more cilantro; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Warm tortillas for about 30 seconds. Fill each tortilla with mixture; top each serving with chipotle cream. Enjoy!

**FYI, I got the tilapia fillets for $8 at the River Street Whole Foods in Cambridge, and used Mission White Corn Tortillas and Chiles in Adobo Sauce from the Shaw's on Commonwealth Ave in Allston

Gluten-Free Cheesesteak

2010-06-19T20:15:00.011-04:00

This is one of my favorite meals to make for dinner, but I try only to make it sparingly as a result of my fear of clogged arteries. IT'S CHEESESTEAK TIME!!!!!!!

INGREDIENTS:
GF baguette (I use Against the Grain)

American, cheddar, or provolone cheese
Shaved or thin pieces of steak (Whole Foods or Trader Joe's)
Onions and or green peppers, or other additional toppings to your liking

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Season meat to your liking
2. Turn broiler on
3. Cook meat in frying pan to your liking

4. Lightly toast your bread in the broiler
5. Place the meat on the bread once its cooked, then add your cheese and put the
sandwich (open faced) into the oven for the cheese to melt

Enjoy!

**FYI...I got the shaved steak at the Coolidge Corner Trader Joe's ($5). My backup option is the River Street Whole Foods (~$4), but at WF I get thinly sliced steak rather than shaved steak.

A GF Cocktail Party Menu

2010-06-18T19:13:00.010-04:00

In light of my sister and her boyfriend moving into a new apartment together, she decided to celebrate by hosting a housewarming party. She also decided to put me in charge of the menu. After lots of research, I came up with the following menu in order to please the non-GF, as well as the GF....

FIG DIP
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fig-and-Olive-Tapenade/Detail.aspx

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped dried figs

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2/3 cup chopped kalamata olives

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

Directions:

1.	Combine figs and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, and liquid has reduced. Remove from heat, and stir in the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, and cayenne. Add olives and garlic, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
2.	Unwrap cream cheese block, and place on a serving platter. Spoon tapenade over cheese, and sprinkle with walnuts. Serve with GF bread or crackers (Glutino crackers).

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Prosciutto-Wrapped-Asparagus/Detail.aspx

Ingredients:

1/2 pound prosciutto, sliced

1/2 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel

cheese, softened

12 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2.	Spread prosciutto slices with Neufchatel cheese. Wrap slices around 2 or 3 asparagus spears. Arrange wrapped spears in a single layer on a medium baking sheet.
3.	Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until asparagus is tender.

STUFFED CRIMINI MUSHROOMS WITH GRUYERE
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Stuffed-Crimini-Mushrooms-with-Gruyere/Detail.aspx

Ingredients:

36 crimini mushrooms, stems removed

1/2 cup olive oil

2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion

1/3 cup minced shallot

6 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf

parsley

3/4 cup chopped fresh chives

3 fluid ounces lemon juice

2 cups GF bread crumbs or crumbled crackers

5 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese

Directions:

1.	Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add mushrooms, and cook for about 3 minutes. Drain, and set aside to cool.
2.	Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, shallot, garlic, parsley, and chives. Cover, and let the vegetables sweat for a few minutes to release the aromas. Remove from heat, and stir in the breadcrumbs and lemon juice.
3.	Preheat the oven's broiler. Scoop out the mushroom caps, and fill with the bread crumb mixture. Place on a baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese.
4.	Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve hot.

BACON WRAPPED DATES WITH BLUE CHEESE
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bacon-Wrapped-Dates-Stuffed-with-Blue-Cheese/Detail.aspx

Ingredients:

1 pound sliced bacon, cut in half

1 pound pitted dates

4 ounces blue cheese (Maytag)

Directions:

1.	Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.	Slice dates in half, and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese, and place them into the center of the dates. Close the halves of the dates, and wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside. Secure each one with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.
3.	Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.

STUFFED RED POTATOES
http://www.finedinings.com/stuffed_small_red_potato_appetiz.htm

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds small red potatoes (about 20)

1 cup sour cream

4 bacon slices, cooked crisp, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons chives, snipped
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese, finely grated
Fresh rosemary garnish

Directions:

1.	Bring potatoes to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and continue cooking until they are fork-tender but still firm. Drain; put into cold water to stop the cooking action then drain again. Using a sharp knife cut each potato in half, do not tear the skins. Scoop out and discard centers of potatoes with a melon baller leaving a 1/4-inch wall. Cut a thin slice off bottom of each potato allowing them to sit level on a plate.
2.	In a medium bowl combine sour cream, cooked bacon, seasoning salt, black pepper and snipped chives. Spoon sour cream mixture into halved potatoes until they are stuffed full; sprinkle with cheddar cheese and serve, or if you prefer they can be placed under the broiler to melt the cheese. Either way these stuffed red potatoes are very tasty. Garnish with fresh rosemary.

BACON AND BLUE CHEESE SLIDERS

Ingredients:

1 pound/package of ground beef
8oz blue cheese (Maytag)
1 pack of bacon

Salt and pepper for seasoning
Gulden's spicy brown mustard
2 GF baguettes (Against the grain), cut into pieces that are sized similarly to the burger patties

Directions:

1.	Set the oven to broil. Season the meat with salt and pepper (I use Adobo seasoning). After you season the meat, add a few teaspoons of Gulden's spicy brown mustard to the meat and mix it in well. Shape the meat into mini burgers, and break off pieces of the blue cheese and incorporate it into each burger.
2.	Cook the bacon (usually 1-1.5 slices per burger). Once the bacon has cooled and you have dried it of its grease, crumble all of the beacon into pieces (not too small). Add the bacon to each of the mini burgers.
3.	Place the burgers on a cookie tray or in glass cookware. Before putting the burgers in the oven, dribble some of the bacon grease over the burgers. Place in the broiler and keep an eye on the burgers constantly. You'll be able to "eye" whether or not they are done.

CAPRESE SALAD ON SKEWERS
http://www.finedinings.com/appetizer__caprese_on_a_skewer.htm

Ingredients:

Cherry tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil leaves

Extra- virgin Olive Oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Wooden skewers or toothpicks

Directions:

1.	Using a melon baller make small round balls from Mozzarella the same size as cherry tomatoes or purchase small rounds of cheese the same size as the cherry tomatoes.
2.	Thread cherry tomatoes, basil leaf and Mozzarella cheese ball on a skewer; continue threading skewers making as many appetizers the size you like. Drizzle with a top quality olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve these cute little guys.

GF Boston On The Road: Eatonville

2010-06-18T18:34:00.009-04:00

My visit to DC brought me to Eatonville in Adams Morgan. As a fan of African-American literature, I was blown away by the Zora Neale-Hurston inspiration, the antebellum America setting, and of course, the menu. The entire experience was amazing, and I didn't even mind the 30 minute wait because I got to have a drink in a rocking chair in front of a live folk band.

I started off by drinking a Georgia Peach, which consists of Georgia Moon Peach Corn Whiskey, Sweet Tea, Citronge, and Lemonade ($8). The drink was served in a mason jar and I was instantly hooked! After a few Georgia Peach's we headed over to our table.

The place was packed, and therefore things were a little slow, but our server was sweet and checked several times with the kitchen each time I had a question about whether something could be prepared gluten-free.

I wanted the catfish with jalapeno-cheddar grits, braised collared greens, and tomato butter ($16), but was informed that the fish wouldn't be the same without the breading. My backup choice was the Bourbon BBQ Baby Back Ribs with corn on the cob, coleslaw, and Cajun fries ($21). I nixed the fries and subbed mashed potatoes, and ordered a side of the jalapeno-cheddar grits.

I totally underestimated what I ordered because I found myself surrounded with an overwhelming amount of food (which lead to a massive to-go box later on!). The ribs were cooked PERFECTLY, and everything was seriously outstanding. The grits could've used a few more jalapenos, but were still absolutely delicious.

If you live in the DC Metro area and haven't been to Eatonville, book a reservation and get yourself over there ASAP. If you're heading in from out of town, put it on your to-visit list and have a Georgia Peach for me!

Location: 2121 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202-332-9672)
Website: http://eatonvillerestaurant.com/index.html

The Otherside Cafe

2010-05-20T10:03:00.004-04:00

Unaware that our beloved Sonsie doesn't open for brunch until 11am on Saturdays, a friend and I decided to head over to The Otherside for breakfast and sangria instead.

Breakfast Burrito sans tortilla

I got the Breakfast Burrito without the tortilla, which consisted of scrambled eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, onions, jalapenos, chipotle, cheddar, and guacamole served with salsa and spicy sour cream on the side. The meal was SO super delicious that I can still taste it. My dining companion got the Huevos Rancheros and absolutely loved the vegetarian chili in the meal.

Perhaps our best decision was to split a pitcher of sangria at 10am. I usually get their white sangria, but the red was potent (in a good way) and really great also.

The Tex-Mex Tango is next on my list for brunch meals at The Otherside Cafe.

Price: $10 each for pitcher of sangria, $8 Breakfast Burrito, $9 Huevos Rancheros
Location: 407 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115-1801
Website: www.theothersidecafe.com

GF Boston On the Road: Sticky Fingers

2010-04-14T23:01:00.007-04:00

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, guess what? I'm going to DC on May 7th, and will be bringing you some serious GF Boston On the Road tweets and posts. I'm so excited that I've decided to offer a preview: STICKY FINGERS BAKERY.

I have been dreaming about the GF Spice Cake cupcake since June. This cupcake is not a joke, and I am not kidding when I say that I can still taste it 10 months later. If you happen to be in DC, be sure to take a trip over to Sticky Fingers.

I haven't been to Buzz in Alexandria for the much-talked about GF brownie, but it's at the top of my list for my early May visit.

Restaurant: Sticky Fingers
Location: 1370 Park Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20010
Website: www.stickyfingersbakery.com
**Photo courtesy of: Gluten Free Bird

Surprise!! You've been poisoned!

2010-04-14T22:20:00.004-04:00

I had a pretty awful encounter at a national chain recently. We ordered an appetizer, and although our server was knowledgeable about gluten, she checked with the kitchen AND a manager just to ensure that I would be okay. After assuring me that the meal would be gluten free, and after we ate until we were stuffed, a manager came running over to our table...the conversation went something like this:

Manager: DID YOU EAT IT????
Me: Umm what...?
Manager: There was a mistake! There was gluten in your meal! Did you eat the sauces?
Me: Yeahhhhh I did. There isn't even anything left...
Manager: Do I need to call 911 or an ambulance?

It turned out there was soy sauce in the sauces we were eating, and neither the kitchen nor the other manager on duty knew that soy sauce had gluten in it. Not only was I "surprise poisoned," but the staff MAJORLY failed (excluding the server...she was awesome) by not knowing #1. where gluten could be found and #2. essentially anything about gluten intolerance.

No, I didn't need an ambulance, but yes, I definitely needed to complain. So, what should you do if you are "surprise poisoned?":

Don't leave the restaurant without letting the manager know that you are NOT okay with what happened.
Call corporate headquarters.
Send an e-mail to whichever address they list on their website, even if it's just a submit comment form online.
Keep doing #2 and #3 until someone gets back to you.
If any of the above fail, blog and tweet until someone sees it and gives you a call.

In the end, the restaurant comped our meal on the night we visited. I called and submitted an online query, my dinner company also called to complain, someone from risk/liability called me back, I received a $50 gift card and my dinner company received a $25 gift card.

We're definitely going back for our free food/booze AND to make sure that they have learned their lesson from my visit...because if it happens again, I won't be so nice the second time around.

Dining Out: Top 5 Recent Meals

2010-04-08T19:08:00.003-04:00

1. The Elephant Walk; Amok Royal - a spicy, custard-like preparation of fresh crab, bay scallops, catfish and shrimp with coconut milk and complex Khmer seasonings; steamed in a banana leaf cup and garnished with cilantro and red bell pepper

2. Fugakyu; Spicy Snow Crab Maki - snow crab (real crab), tobiko, cucumber, spicy mayo, and scallion...but what really made it amazing was also that I asked for shrimp and octopus inside as well

3. Pops Restaurant; Goat cheese, sage, and onion jam omelet

4. Deep Ellum; Deep Ellum Breakfast Burrito (sans tortilla) - 2 scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, green onions, tomatoes, hot sauce and house made sausage

5. Chipotle; Crispy Chicken and Crispy Vegetarian Tacos - cilantro rice, sour cream, cheese, black beans, pico de gallo...and either chicken or not

Pops Restaurant

2010-02-12T14:28:00.005-05:00

In the South End, Pops Restaurant has made some major changes to its menu and interior. How do I know? Well, because I work there. Before the recent reopening with the new bar, the staff sat down together to talk about the new menu items and ingredients.

We literally went through every single item, and I asked Chef about anything that sounded suspicious. As a result, we now keep a handy dandy list of everything that can be prepared for a Celiac. A lot of our items have a lot of hidden ingredients that aren't listed on the menu, so if you are gluten intolerant, PLEASE be sure to tell your server...it's a small restaurant and kitchen, so if you don't make this clear then you will definitely be contaminated.

I'm happy to report that Pops is even more committed to allergies than before.

Need a quick small bite? Try the Carnitas "nachos" made with corn masa and sriracha sour cream.

Want something heartier? Go for the duck confit (the best I have EVER had) and sub the mashed potatoes for the gnocchi.

Location: 560 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
Website: http://www.popsrestaurant.net/

Chicken & Asparagus Casserole

2010-02-12T14:16:00.004-05:00

I've been cooking a lot of casseroles lately as a way to save money and make what I buy stretch for multiple meals. I keep my grocery budget between $100 and $120 and I only buy groceries every other week, so it's important that whatever I buy lasts!

I found this amazing recipe on Glutenfreeda.com that I'm literally obsessed with, so if you're looking for a cheap and easy meal...here it is:

Turkey & Asparagus Casserole
(I used chicken instead of turkey)

Ingredients

12 oz. gf pasta
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cremini mushrooms, sliced

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons gf flour
1 cup milk
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 cups cooked turkey, shredded (or chicken!)
6 oz. fresh mozzarella, diced

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the asparagus and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente; drain.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots; sauté for 1 minute. Add the bell peppers; sauté for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms; sauté for 2 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375°.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the gf flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly and cook until thickened. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until blended. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the vegetables, white sauce and turkey. If necessary adjust seasonings to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Transfer the mixture to a greased 13x9 inch baking pan and top with fresh mozzarella. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top and the casserole is bubbling. Serve.

Against the Grain Gourmet Rolls

2010-02-12T14:03:00.003-05:00

Oh man, Against the Grain Gourmet certainly knows what they're doing. Their rolls and baguettes are the closest to normal that I've ever experienced.

The rolls are flaky and buttery, and have been great for the cheesesteaks I've been making. I've also used the baguettes to make cheesesteaks, but I'm really just too lazy to cut the bread that frequently.

Either way, I highly recommend Against the Grain, and am on the lookout for their bagels! I've only been able to find the rolls and baguettes at the Whole Foods on River Street in Cambridge, MA. But if anyone has spotted them anywhere else, let me know!

Price: ~$5 - $6
Website: http://www.againstthegraingourmet.com/products.html

Caesar's Manicotti

2009-10-22T08:42:00.005-04:00

I've written about Caesar's foods before, and the last time I had a mediocre opinion of the stuffed shells. The manicotti, however, is amazing. No hint of gluten-free taste, the shells are soft out of the microwave, and the cheese is undoubtedly the best part.

I'm not sure why, but Caesar's doesn't have a website. I've purchased Caesar's at Whole Foods and Stop and Shop. My next Caesar's product review will be the lasagna...let's see if it can match up to my favorite Amy's veggie lasagna.

Price: $4.99
Location: Stop and Shop
*The picture above was stolen from Kraft foods

Lucy's Cookies

2009-10-22T08:24:00.006-04:00

I stopped at the Symphony Whole Foods yesterday between work and class to pick up some dinner, and happened to run into these gems. I bought the sugar cookies and they are super tasty. They almost taste like Sandie's and have that hint of pecan taste.

If you happen to see them at your local Whole Foods, definitely pick them up. And if you happen to know where they sell the cinnamon cookies, then let me know!

Price: $4.99
Website: http://www.drlucys.com/

Twitter

2009-09-24T12:27:00.003-04:00

For anyone who didn't know, you can follow me on twitter @GFboston!

http://twitter.com/GFboston

Woodman's

2009-09-22T14:52:00.007-04:00

After a lovely day at Crane beach, my friends and I stopped at Woodman's to grab a bite to eat. I struggled for an extensive amount of time trying to decide what I could possibly eat at a fried seafood place.

After settling on chowder, the cashier asked me if the reason for my indecisiveness was just that I didn't like fried food. When I told her I had Celiac disease, she informed me nonchalantly that they happened to have gluten-free batter that almost everything could be fried in (the only things that aren't GF are clamcakes, onion rings, and sandwiches).

UMMM..excuse me?! There isn't a sign that says that ANYWHERE. Needless to say, I FREAKED out. Fried seafood heaven! I got popcorn shrimp and it was so delicious that I still dream about it. Each dip into tartar sauce or ketchup was outstanding.

Dear Woodman's, You need to advertise this kind of thing more! I would've visited you all summer if I had known that I could eat fried seafood before, after, and while on the beach.

Location: 121 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929
Website: http://www.woodmans.com/

Pigalle

2009-08-19T19:27:00.005-04:00

My non-gluten-free companion for the evening was running late, so I sat at the bar and tried to ignore the bartender and host while on the phone. However, the staff at Pigalle makes another seemingly uptight French restaurant feel warm and inviting. The host was extremely accommodating and the bartender provided me with a drink menu despite my refusal; both were friendly and non-intrusive.

The crowd was older, the room dimly lit with candles, and the overall feel of the restaurant was expensive, yet not haughty.

Don’t try to get the eggplant timballo, because your heart will be crushed when you find out that it has gluten in it. Do tell your server that you have a gluten intolerance, as there are a lot of hidden ingredients containing gluten that aren’t listed on the menu.

The lobster cocktail appetizer was crisp, light, and refreshing with hearts of palm and citrus sabayon. The citrus was lovely, and the simplicity of the dish worked well.

Atop my entrée of braised shortrib were fried onions. The combination of the onions, shortrib, and corn provided a great combination of texture and flavor. The shortrib was immensely succulent and tasted as if it had been braised in a red wine. But alas, the Celiac diner cannot have the accompanying mushroom agnolotti and substitutions aren’t allowed. The truffled corn beurre blanc was rich, creamy, and delicious.

The best part of dinner was the chocolate mousse dessert. The mousse had a harder exterior and a softer interior. I normally hate nuts, but the tiny “crunchies” combined with the mousse and berries were phenomenal. I would return to Pigalle simply for this dessert.

The experience at Pigalle was enjoyable, but not mindblowing. Perhaps my expectations are too high during restaurant week, but I truthfully can’t imagine why none of these “top” restaurants are leaving me wanting more. I also had what I refer to as a “Celiac attack” afterward, so do with that information what you will.

Location: 75 Charles Street South, Boston, MA
Website: http://www.pigalleboston.com

Top of the Hub

2009-08-16T15:56:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, my restaurant week hasn't been going well so far. I wrote about my confusion with Atlantic Fish Co on Monday with a new article in The Examiner, and now I'm sad to say that Top of the Hub didn't exactly knock me off my feet either.

My non-gluten-free companion and I started off with an "escarole, radicchio, and endive salad with icicle radish, candy striped beets, lemon vinaigrette, and crumbled blue cheese." I have to be frank and say that the escarole tasted dirty. The radicchio combined with the lemon vinaigrette tasted like orange-chocolate liquor, which was practically vomit-inducing for me, since that is my least favorite flavor combination.

Our second course was a bacon wrapped pork tenderloin topped with a fig and stuffed with Italian sausage, Fontina cheese, and Spinach resting in potato puree and sage jus. It read hit-or-miss, but was actually exceptional. My pork was a bit dry, but everything else about the dish was outstanding. The stuffing was a pleasant surprise inside of the pork, and dipping the pork and stuffing into the potato puree and sage jus gave you a pop of Thanksgiving in your mouth. The fig was fine, but the dish would've been great without it as well. The flavors were distinct, yet understated.

The last course was creme brulee. I need to rant here...I have a serious problem when I'm spending money at a high-end restaurant so that they can serve me a junior high dessert like creme brulee. Thanks for wowing me Top of the Hub; if I wanted creme brulee I would've gone to Finale.

Even though the pork tenderloin kept me happy, I think I'll only return to Top of the Hub for their cocktails.

Location: 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA (52nd Floor)
Website: http://www.topofthehub.net/

GF Boston on the road: The Blue Ridge Brewing Co.

2009-08-13T16:53:00.010-04:00

My non-gluten-free companion had heard that The Blue Ridge Brewing Co. had the best brunch in Greenville, so we spent our Sunday morning under an umbrella on their patio.

We both got The Brewhouse Classic Bloody Mary with a bottle of hot sauce on the side. This was hands-down the best Bloody Mary that I have ever tasted. It wasn’t too spicy and had just the right amount of kick.

My non-GF companion had the Brunch Sammich, which was a ham, bacon, egg, and cheese on a toasted English muffin. He loved the sandwich and subbed the side of potatoes with grits. The grits were smooth and creamy, and definitely won me over.

I had the Low Country Shrimp Hash with potatoes, ham, shrimp, and spices. The ham was a standout ingredient and the potatoes were tender and spiced well. The presentation was enticing and every few bites got me a surprising jalapeno or pepper.

We also had their fresh orange juice, which didn’t have the same taste as European orange juice, but didn’t taste like bottled orange juice and was very refreshing after the Bloody Mary kicked in.

Blue Ridge Brewing Co. is definitely recommended if you happen to be in the Greenville area, and I’m sure that the rest of their menus are equally as appetizing as their brunch menu.

GF Boston on the road: The Lazy Goat

2009-08-13T15:12:00.009-04:00

After a long day driving around in North Carolina, we headed back to downtown Greenville for dinner at The Lazy Goat. The Lazy Goat is nestled between the Reedy River and The Hampton Inn; the ambiance at night is seductive and tranquil with waterfalls and dim lighting.We sat on the patio and our server was kind and attentive. My non-gluten-free companion asked if they had a gluten-free menu, and I was surprised that they had a menu with highlighted and specific options detailing what I could and could not have. I was also surprised when I found out that they ran out of the meal that I wanted, and that a lot of the ingredients on the gluten-free menu hadn’t been updated on the current menu.
We started off with a braised octopus dish that had herbed tomatoes, shaved fennel, and arugula. The octopus was firm, and, although it was supposed to be the highlight of the dish, the tomatoes stole its thunder. The herbed tomatoes were ripe, natural, and divinely ascorbic, and paired well with the shaved fennel and arugula; the overall combination of tastes was well balanced.
My non-GF companion ordered the Nararre Style Trout, which was presented beautifully in a large, shallow, red bowl. The chorizo in the potato and chorizo filling was unrecognizable, and the filling was rather starchy overall. The fish was cooked well and the haricot vert and tomatoes complimented the fish nicely, but the fiery roasted tomato vinaigrette had more of a citrus than fiery taste.
As previously mentioned, they ran out of the Jamon Serrano wrapped flounder that I wanted, and when I tried to order the Butternut Risotto, I found out that it had been changed to a Primavera Risotto. I was ambivalent about the amount of ingredients in the Risotto, and unfortunately my instinct was correct. The lemon basil finish was overwhelming and the squash and fava bean combination didn’t exactly work with the mascarpone cheese; the tomatoes also seemed out of place. However, the risotto was cooked flawlessly, and the mascarpone was delicious.
The food at The Lazy Goat didn’t stand up to the ambiance. There seemed to be a lack of attention to detail, both in the menu’s descriptiveness and in preparing the food. We had a great time, but wished the food could’ve matched our experience and service.

GF Boston on the road: The Laughing Seed Café

2009-08-11T16:34:00.013-04:00

A day trip to Asheville, NC resulted in a visit to The Laughing Seed Café I think I squealed when we found out that they had gluten-free options specified on their menu, as we unintentionally stumbled upon the restaurant via google.

We started our meal off with fried gluten-free Shitake corncakes. The corncakes were soft and fell apart when you cut into them. Although we couldn’t really taste the mushrooms, the corncakes were absolutely divine. The corncakes had an earthy and humble taste, and the creamy dressing drizzled over them had a nice hint of ginger.

I decided to keep it simple and stick to a Mediterranean salad, while my non-gluten-free companion chose a Tico Burrito.

The salad had “cherry tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers, feta cheese, a Greek Feta dressing, and was garnished with seasoned artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and pepperoncini.” All of the ingredients were extremely fresh, and the feta was definitely the standout ingredient. I couldn’t taste the dressing, but the vegetables were all so juicy that their combination provided a dressing of it’s own.

We ended our meal with a gluten-free chocolate chip and coconut cookie, which our server told us was the best gluten-free cookie around. Well, she fibbed on the cookie, as it was rather grainy and overtly sugary to compensate for the missing glutenous ingredients. It wasn’t a bad cookie, it was just far too sweet and crumbly.

Overall, The Laughing Seed Café was a unique and delightful experience. I truly appreciate any restaurant that takes the extra step to provide notification of gluten-free options. Every little step counts toward helping the GF community!

Location: 40 Wall Street, Asheville, NC
Website: http://www.laughingseed.com/index.php?page=1&clicked=hdhome

**the Shitake corncake picture belongs to http://dinnersready.blogspot.com/

Visit my Examiner page!

2009-08-04T13:31:00.001-04:00

I write for The Examiner as the Boston Gluten-Free Food Examiner! You can read my articles here

Betty Crocker GF Cookies

2009-08-03T18:47:00.012-04:00

I was considering ordering in bulk on Amazon before I saw that the Shaw's at 1065 Commonwealth Avenue had all of the gluten-free Betty Crocker mixes!

The package warned me that the mix might be grainy, and one of my twitter followers warned me that the cookies baked better as bar cookies rather than drop cookies, so I was prepared for a rather tedious experience.

However, I was pleased to see that my mix was neither grainy nor crumbly, and in fact was quite smooth. I think it's because I used melted vegetable oil spread instead of butter.

I got about thirty-five absolutely delicious cookies out of my mix. I made these suckers on Saturday and they are STILL just as soft as they were when they came out of the oven.

There is no distinguishable difference between non-gf box cookies and Betty Crocker's new gluten-free option. Even the raw cookie dough tasted "normal," and I obviously ate about six or seven cookies worth of raw cookie dough.

As many of you know from my tweets, I've been eating the cookies for breakfast over the past few days. Oops!..but yes, they are that good and you should buy them if you can find them.

Nebo restaurant

2009-08-03T12:52:00.012-04:00

I had the pleasure of dining at Nebo restaurant the other night thanks to Regan Communications Group. The atmosphere was quiet and intimate, and we had a great time trying gluten-free pizza, pasta, and an excellent eggplant dish.

We tried the Christina pizza, which was a white pizza with corn, mozzarella, and sweet sausage. The crust was cake-like and unlike any other gluten-free crust that I've had before. It almost reminded me of corn bread, both in taste and consistency, which worked really well with the Christina pizza, but I'm not sure if it would work as well with a red sauce pizza. The sausage was definitely the standout ingredient in the pizza.

In addition to the pizza, we also tried the Amatriciana pasta with sweet onions, pancetta, and "spicy" red sauce. My non-Celiac companion for the evening couldn't tell that the pasta was gluten-free, and we both were in love with the suace. The sauce was zesty, rather than spicy, and had a great down home taste that distinguished it from most red sauces that I've tried. The pancetta was tender, tomatoes fresh and juicy, and the onions provided a subtle contrast in the dish.

Our final dish was the Timballo di Melanzana, an eggplant dish that blew us away. The baked mozzarella totally made the dish, and the eggplant had a nice smoky taste and was cooked perfectly. I can still taste the dish when I look at the pictures that I took.

We spoke with Carla, one of the owners, throughout our meal about ingredients, meal options, and the history of the restaurant. It was great to talk to someone who was so dedicated to a cause that didn't directly affect her own diet. The staff at the restaurant is dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience for gluten-free diners, and they are truly passionate about helping the gluten-free community.

My only complaint is that my Mango Cosmo was ridiculously acidic and didn't actually taste like mango. I didn't know that they had Redbridge beer or dinner specials until we finished our meal, but our poor server had broken his glasses during his shift and could barely see us or anything at all, so we were very understanding of the limitations that came with the service that night.

Overall, we had a great time at Nebo and I seriously appreciate all of the work that the staff has put into creating their gluten-free menu. Whether you're going on a date, or looking to have a quality homestyle meal with friends, Nebo is a wonderful place with an extensive gluten-free menu.

Enjoy Life Snickerdoodles

2009-08-02T15:10:00.006-04:00

My heart melted the first time I ate an Enjoy Life snickerdoodle cookie. It was one of the first gluten-free cookies I tried, and it is still probably one of the best gluten-free cookies I've eaten in the past three years.

Enjoy Life snickerdoodles are perfectly round pieces of bite-sized gluten-free heaven, softly bedaubed in cinnamon sugar. If you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll find yourself abandoning the two cookie serving size in less time than it takes to open the box.

I'm so addicted that I avoid buying them because I know that I will single-handedly kill the box in two days. My non-Celiac friends also love these cookies and are amazed that they are gluten-free, which is always a testament to how "real" a product performs despite it's gluten-free label.

Recipe: GF fried chicken

2009-07-29T13:55:00.012-04:00

If there were a restaurant that served the kind of gluten-free fried chicken that graces a family's dinner table, I would surely be in some kind of alternate universe. Until that restaurant surfaces, I've figured out a way of my own to enjoy GF fried chicken.

What you'll need:

1 pack of chicken wings/wingettes
Goya sazon
salt and pepper
paprika
cayenne pepper
3-4 eggs
gluten-free flour
vegetable oil

What to do:

Rinse the chicken, season it with the sazon.
Add about half a bottle of vegetable oil into a deep pot. We're deep frying these suckers so you need to have enough vegetable oil so that you don't need to add more later, and so that the wings can be covered fully and float in oil.
In one bowl, combine flour, paprika, and cayenne. In the other bowl, crack and beat the eggs. Just eyeball the ingredients here, but the problem with GF flour is that it doesn't have much flavor without the additional spices.
Dip each wing into the egg, then into the flour mixture, then back into the egg, and then back into the flour mixture before you drop it into the oil.
Leave enough room in the pot so that you can flip the wings around. Don't take the wings out until they are golden, brown, and crispy. It should take anywhere from 6-10 minutes for every three wings.

Serve with veggies cooked in olive oil and lemon juice...the result:

Use any leftovers for a chicken salad sandwich or a southwestern salad with crunchy tortilla strips and corn.

Veggie Planet

2009-07-26T12:29:00.007-04:00

Good Lord, I love me some VP. Nestled in an alley between the COOP and Border Cafe in Harvard Square, Veggie Planet serves meat-free pizzas, salads, and entrees on rice. The pizzas aren't gluten-free, but your problems are easily solved by asking for whatever you want on rice instead.

If you visit VP before 5PM, you can get a double header (two entree choices on one base). I always get Mexican Bean and Caesar Salad on Coconut Rice.

The Mexican Bean is made of "smoky black bean puree, monterey jack cheese, and cherry tomato salsa," while the Caesar has "tomatoes, broccoli, olives, Parmesan, Caesar dressing, and tofu croutons." There are also big crunchy chunks of cheese in the coconut rice, which are undeniably my favorite part of the meal. The combination of both entrees on a hot bed of coconut rice just melts my stomach...I've been hooked since my first visit.

VP is usually pretty busy, especially around lunch, so it's always helpful to call ahead and place your order. It's also a small place, and after 5PM there are concerts and you can only eat in the dining room if you have tickets to the show. Other than these slight drawbacks, the staff is friendly and the restaurant uses local and organic ingredients, and also donates a percentage of its profits back to the community.

Price: $7.25 for a double header (they only take cash!)
Location: 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 - (617) 661-1513
Website: http://www.veggieplanet.net/

GF Boston on the road: Mozzarelli's

2009-07-20T19:00:00.013-04:00

I couldn't wait to get to Mozzarelli's this past weekend after tweeting back and forth with the joint all last week.

I LOVE the light but crunchy pizza crust (fav GF pizza crust ever), and their mozzarella is so cheesily divine. The mushrooms on my pizza were perfectly cooked. I normally like spinach, but it was a bit on the harsh side. Once I took it off, however, it left a nice hint of taste on the pizza that made me happy to keep eating.

Chef Elai said that I could take a piece of cake with me, so I chose the marble cheesecake! It was a bit on the rich side, but if you have a sweet tooth you can totally handle it. I plan on eating it over the course of a few days..trying to mitigate the fact that I've eaten pizza and Mexican food for the past three days straight.

Price: ~$12 for one GF slice, one non-GF slice, one can diet coke, one can pepsi
Location: 38 E 23rd St, NYC
Website: http://www.mozzarellis.com/

GF Boston on the road: Risotteria

2009-07-19T19:35:00.008-04:00

Well, I was on the road to home this weekend and visited a few of my favorite GF places while I was there.

I obviously stopped by Risotteria...each time I go I make someone else get the risotto so I can have the pizza. I'm sure everyone has noticed, but it's my personal goal to taste every gluten-free pizza that I can find.

My recent favorite at Risotteria has been the Sicilian style mozzarella, portobello, and truffle oil pizza.

The crust is sponge-like and thick, and the truffle oil brings an earthy, yet mild, taste to the pizza.

My mom had the "Saturday" risotto with shrimp, garlic, mozzarella, and hot peppers.

The risotto had the perfect consistency. It was peppery, and the shrimp were bountiful and extremely fresh. The jalapenos were overpowering at times, even for people who love spicy food, so we took them out after a few bites.

Overall, I love the risotto here much more than I love the pizza. The pizza IS really good, but perhaps I've been on pizza overload recently, as I found myself not as in love as I had been in the past.

Oh, I also had a Bard's beer, which I hadn't had in the past. I still prefer Redbridge.

Price: $44.00 for risotto, pizza (+$2 for Sicilian crust), and beer
Location: 270 Bleecker Street bt 6th and 7th, NYC
Website: http://www.risotteria.com

My Mac & Cheese Trick

2009-07-17T17:22:00.006-04:00

When I was growing up as a non-Celiac, I was personally more of a Stouffer's Mac & Cheese girl. But as I grew up, I started to appreciate the Kraft Blue Box as a way to regain the calories I lost from running during high school.

So when I was diagnosed and first tried Annie's version of blue box mac and cheese, I quickly realized that I would never be eating mac and cheese out of any form of box for the rest of my life. Yeah, I actually think it's THAT bad.

Only within the past year did I come up with, what I believe to be, the most brilliant idea EVER...

I use Annie's Homegrown teal box mac and cheese for it's noodles, and Kraft's blue box mac and cheese for it's sauce mix! THE SAUCE MIX IS GLUTEN-FREE! Just be sure to follow the cooking instructions for the sauce mix from the Kraft box and not the Amy's box.

Cactus Club

2009-07-17T16:59:00.009-04:00

If you are a Celiac or have any sort of gluten-intolerance or allergy..DO NOT EAT HERE...EVER!

The manager will tell you that they will be super careful and use different cutting boards/etc so that you won't get sick, the servers will tell you certain meals will be okay for you, but really, I'm not sure if anyone understands the concept of gluten-intolerance at this restaurant. In fact, no one who works there knows if there is flour or wheat in any of the salad dressings.

I have gotten sick every single time that I have tried to eat here. Do not get nachos. Do not get rice. Do not get tacos with white corn tortillas. Do not get enchiladas (although the black bean enchilada is totally out of this universe amazing). Seriously, you will poop your entire gastrointestinal tract out of your body for over two days. Have I warned you enough?

However, DO get Cactus Bowls (ginormous margarita bowls that will make you blackout drunk), and DO get the corn tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole. The guacamole is probably the best I've ever had, and the salsa is thick and spicy.

Location: 939 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
Website: http://bestmargaritas.com

Al Fresco Chicken Sausages

2009-07-13T23:42:00.012-04:00

In a hurry to make dinner? Al Fresco brand all natural chicken sausages are gluten/nitrate/nitrite/preservative/MSG free, quick to heat, and easy to pair with almost any side dish.

Gulden's spicy brown mustard pairs perfectly with Al Fresco's Spicy Jalapeno chicken sausages, which I love to eat with Hungry Jack original mashed potatoes or Green Giant's Simply Steam Nibblets Corn in Butter Sauce.

The Al Fresco website also provides a great list of recipes for each product you click on, in case you're interested in making a bigger and better meal with your favorite sausage flavor.

Calories: 130 per link (in the Spicy Jalapeno sausage)
Price: ~$3.99-$4.99
Website: http://www.alfrescoallnatural.com/

Top 10 Common Supermarket Items

2009-07-11T21:23:00.003-04:00

You're hungry and don't live in a big city where you can get fancy GF items easily...you're on a budget and can't afford all of those pricey GF items...you're sick of reading ingredients and you just want to walk around the supermarket without tears in your eyes...

WELL, here's a top ten that will help you eat like a non-Celiac, keep some money in your pocket, and save you time at the grocery store (oh, and I actually walked around my local supermarket to find the easiest and most universal products possible) :

Blueberries with honey or strawberries with sugar - a great snack during the day or for dessert
Taco night - soft white corn tortillas (ex: Mission Tortillas), or hard corn taco shells (ex: Old El Paso), ground beef/veggies, lettuce, salsa, cheddar, and sour cream...you can use your dinner leftovers for lunch the next day
Snacks in cups - I always buy Snack Pack or Jell-O pudding, Mott's Apple Sauce, or Yoplait yogurt to carry around in my bag
Chex cereal - For breakfast or for a snack, Chex cereal has made almost all of their products GF (excluding wheat and multibran Chex)
Think cans - Bumblebee tunafish, Bush's Baked Beans (except Bush's Best Chili Beans), Del Monte canned fruits...I love to buy and heat canned refried beans and combine them with fat free sour cream, reduced fat cheddar, and cooked veggies to put on top of tortilla chips for nachos
MACAROONS - I've found that most macaroons are gluten-free and sooooo good
Eggs and potatoes - omeletes, fritattas, sunny side up, fried with cheese, egg salad...baked, twice baked, mashed, diced in a salad, or sliced and fried for french fries..take advantage of the versatility of potatoes and eggs!!
Rice - plain old white, basmati, or jasmine rices can be great sides or entree bases..especially for stir fry's and Hispanic or Asian foods..plus, think LEFTOVERS
Smart Ones - the following are GF, and we all know that Smart Ones are relatively universal in supermarkets: Broccoli & Cheddar Potatoes, Lemon Herb Chicken Piccata, Fiesta Chicken, Santa Fe Rice & Beans, Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Grilled Chicken in Garlic Herb Sauce, Home-Style Chicken, Chicken Santa Fe
Polly-O String Cheese - I may not be in elementary school anymore, but I don't care...Polly-O is totally my jam

Et cetera to consider if you can find it in your supermarket: Lundberg Rice Cakes, Lundberg Risotto (not all are GF), Smart Food popcorn, Utz brand chips/popcorn/cheese doodles (mostly everything), PICKLES, hummus, microwaveable popcorn, raisins, FritoLay products (mostly everything...incl Pork Rinds), Marzetti's Ranch Veggie Dip (eat it w/ celery or baby grape tomatoes), Green Giant Simply Steam (garden vegetable medley, corn in butter sauce, cauliflower in butter sauce), POPSICLES!

Zing! Pizza and Roti

2009-07-11T19:21:00.009-04:00

Zing! Pizza and Roti is a small, sustainable, mostly local and organic Porter Square joint with about five tables, ten-to-twelve chairs, four stools, and a really cool/laidback vibe. The staff was awesome and super friendly. A girl named Anna helped me decide between the Jon Doe regular cheese and Sundance Kid. Even though I totally understand why the GF pizza isn't sold by the slice, I still get upset when my already complicated and expensive GF life encounters another hurdle. (FYI: I've never found any restaurant that sells GF pizza by the slice, so I'm not just complaining about Zing)

From reading the website, I knew that it was going to take more time than a regular pizza to make, but when I was told it would be about thirty-five minutes...well, I was glad that I didn't have anything to do, that I didn't wait until I was starving to drive over, and that I brought a book with me. Thirty-one minutes later (yeah, I timed it), my ginormous pizza box emerged and my grumbling stomach was totally psyched for what my background research told me would be an outerbody GF experience.

I ordered a half Sundance Kid (turkey sausage, organic tomato sauce, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes, and mozz and parm cheeses) and half Blue October (roasted butternut squash puree, fresh baby spinach, caramelized onions, with mozz and blue cheese crumbles) pie on GF crust.

The GF crust was phenomenal: soft dough, crunchy crust, no white rice aftertaste, and definitely didn't taste GF overall. I definitely think that the sausage should be spicy instead of sweet, since the caramelized onions already provide enough sweetness. I also think that there could be more parmesan cheese in the cheese mixture. The sauce is more bitter than sweet, but it counteracted the sweetness of the caramelized onions nicely. I loved the sundried tomatoes and thought they added a great touch to the pizza.

The Blue October has rave reviews all over the internet, but I have to say that I wasn't blown away...at all. Zing uses a supremely mild blue cheese that doesn't add anything to the pizza. The butternut squash puree is lovely, but a more powerful blue cheese would have made it even better. The spinach doesn't add anything to the pizza flavor, and the mozzarella simply just holds everything together. I'm really disappointed because I thought that the contrast of sweet squash with assertive blue cheese and rich caramelized onions would be a bold combination of flavors, but instead, the flavors fell flat and the squash puree on it's own wasn't enough to keep me entertained.

I'm probably going to get a lot of people disagreeing with me on this review, but that's the way my GF cookie crumbles. Overall, I think the Sundance Kid was much better than the Blue October, and with a few ingredient changes I think both pizzas would be as good as all of the reviews they've gotten. It's not that I disliked Zing, it's just that I prefer bold rather than mild flavors, my expectations were beyond this universe, and my experience didn't match my expectations.

I do think that everyone should go check Zing out for themselves, and I know that I'll be returning to try a half Jon Doe cheese pizza/half pepperoni pizza.

Price: $18.11 with tax
Location: 1925 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
Website: http://zingpizza.blogspot.com/

Lunch: Provolone, Virginia Ham, & Smoked Turkey Sandwich

2009-07-09T14:35:00.005-04:00

I have a feeling that a lot of GF eaters are suspicious of deli meat, and even I only used to purchase packaged deli meats, but I think you'll be surprised that service deli meats from your local grocer are usually okay to eat.

The key is to know your deli, know your brands, and don't be afraid to ask your service person to change his or her gloves or to wipe down the slicer because of your allergy.

Some of the brands that have announced their gluten-free deli products include Sara Lee/Hillshire Farms, Boar's Head, Dietz & Watson, and Applegate Farms. I found this article that might help anyone who has more questions: Deli-Meat GF List

Anyway, here's my favorite sandwich...I eat some sort of variation of it at least three times per week (including within the last hour).

My favorite sandwich:

Glutino Fiber Bread, toasted (or Kinnikinnick plain bagel toasted, or half of a Glutino plain bagel toasted)
Sara Lee provolone cheese
Boar's Head Virginia ham
Sara Lee smoked turkey
Gulden's spicy brown mustard
A small schmear of Hellman's mayo

Price: Varies
Calories: 380-400

Amy's Tortilla Casserole & Black Beans

2009-07-08T20:54:00.006-04:00

I hate when this happens: I had a terrible experience with Amy's tonight. I remember having the Tortilla Casserole and Black Beans bowl last summer, and I thought that I loved it at the time. Tonight's experience makes me wonder if they changed the recipe, because it was totally disgusting and I couldn't eat it.

I even had one of my non-GF friends who eats Amy's frequently try the meal to let me know if I was just being picky. She thought she tasted blue corn, and I thought I tasted salsa, neither of which were listed in the ingredient label.

Amy's...if you're out there...what the hell is going on with this meal? I actually had to drive home to get a different GF meal from the freezer tonight because I couldn't force myself to consume this disaster at my friend's house. I'm sad...I hate giving Amy's bad reviews because I think I've loved almost every GF meal I've ever eaten from them. Someone clue me in: did they change the recipe?

Price: ~$6.99-$8, Shaw's and Whole Foods
Calories: 390

Caesar's Stuffed Shells

2009-07-08T20:22:00.004-04:00

I think this might be a really random product review, but I had Caesar's Stuffed Shells with Cheese in Marinara Sauce for dinner tonight. I'm not actually sure how many stores carry it, especially since Caesar's doesn't have a website, but I have to say that I didn't hate it.

The ricotta filling inside the shells was spiced well, and the texture of the shells was what I would expect from most frozen "pasta" dishes, whether gluten-free or not. Overall, I would say that I was satisfied, but not blown away.

I don't know if I'd buy it again, mostly because I think I need more than three shells to satisfy me as a dinner entree, but I'd definitely be willing to try their other gluten-free products, which include manicotti and lasagna.

Price: $3.99-$4.99 (don't have my receipt on me right now) at Whole Foods on Prospect Street in Cambridge...word is that they sell Caesar products in DC too
Calories: 370

Snack of the Day: Bakery on Main GF Granola

2009-07-08T14:24:00.007-04:00

I actually hated granola before I was diagnosed as a Celiac, but I was basically buying anything that was GF approved during my first few gluten-free months. The fatefulness of my disease combined with a trip to Whole Foods spawned my love affair with Bakery on Main.

It's pretty pricey, so I try to buy it monthly or bi-monthly and I only eat it according to the serving size on the nutrition facts. I actually have to hide it from myself sometimes because it's sooooooo good. It's also a great study snack and you can pair it with yogurt for breakfast.

My two favorite "flavors" are the Nutty Cranberry Maple Granola and the Apple Raisin Walnut.

Oh, and non gluten-free people love this granola too, and can't even tell that it's GF! My mom called me from Down to Earth in New City, NY today to tell me she was buying herself the Apple Raisin Walnut and sending me some too!

I'm also currently sitting in a library with a non GF friend right now and she is totally dominating the bag :)

Price: ~$5.99-$7 at Whole Foods, Mrs. Green's grocers, and Down to Earth
Calories: 260 for 3/4 cup
Website: You can purchase it online too! http://www.bakeryonmain.com/pages/gluten-free-granola.php

Snack of the Day: Glutino Crackers

2009-07-07T15:02:00.003-04:00

Glutino crackers are glorious little prophets of the gluten-free world. The consistency is that of a classic Ritz cracker (my personal favorite), the taste is slightly buttery, and the texture is supremely smooth.

There's a bit of a white rice flour aftertaste if you eat them on their own, but you won't really notice it unless you're looking for it. Plus, I'm a toppings kind of a girl, which is why Glutino crackers have been named the snack of the day.

There are endless topping options with this gem of a snack, but my personal favorites include:

Tuna salad
Country Crock butter
Philadelphia whipped chive cream cheese
Trader Joe's edamame hummus
Extra sharp cheddar cheese

Price: $4.79 at Whole Foods, please note that these are only at the Whole Foods on Prospect Street in Cambridge...I couldn't find them at the Symphony Whole Foods last week
Calories: 140 for 8 crackers

Smart Treat Cookie

2009-07-07T13:22:00.002-04:00

I picked up an individually wrapped Smart Treat "Chips of Everything" cookie at Whole Foods yesterday. Yeah...that was clearly a HUGE mistake. Seriously, here's a picture of the cookie upon impact with my unhappy mouth...

I don't even know how to begin to describe this cookie. How about a parable...

I fell off my bike while riding on the beach at Kiawah Island a few weeks ago, and I ate a pile of sand when my face hit the ground. I would have to say that the texture and taste of actual sand is superior to that of this cookie.

The cookie tastes like old brown sugar that hardened after being left in the pantry for a few years. It's difficult to actually determine what's inside the cookie..I see what looks like a macadamia nut and raisins, but can only taste what I think might be coconut and some sort of syrup.

So, here's to hoping that none of you will spend money on the Chips of Everything cookie by Smart Treat, because the sand at Kiawah Island in South Carolina is free and definitely tastier.

Price: $2.89 at Whole Foods
Calories: 330

Obsessed: Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

2009-07-06T20:24:00.002-04:00

When I was in Charleston about a month ago, one of my sorority sisters introduced me to Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka served with lemonade. From Charleston, I headed to DC and over-indulged in this absolutely sublime concoction at almost every bar and restaurant I encountered for several days.

But once I got back to Boston, I couldn't find a bar or restaurant around that served my dear Firefly. Sure there was Sweet Carolina Sweet Tea Vodka...but it wasn't the same, and I wouldn't let myself convert out of convenience.

I meant to call the Massachusetts distributor over the past few days, as @FireflyVodka instructed me to do so on Twitter, but I kept forgetting. Fortunately, while walking down Harvard Ave today, I decided to stop into Blanchard's just in case they happened to have it...AND THEY DID!

So here it is...THE drink of summer...
1/2 cup Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
1/2 cup lemonade
Slice of lemon for garnish
1 straw
Happiness

Basil Salmon and Broccoli Cheddar Risotto

2009-07-06T19:15:00.002-04:00

What's for dinner? Salmon seasoned in basil and cooked in garlic, butter, and lemon juice, served with Lundberg gluten-free broccoli cheddar risotto.

What you'll need:

1 piece of salmon, 4-6 oz
1 tablespoon butter
1-2 teaspoons of crushed or minced garlic, depending on your taste preference
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1-2 teaspoons of crushed flake basil

1 box Lundberg Cheddar Broccoli Risotto
2 cups water
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tbsp olive oil

What to do:
Cooking the salmon

Rinse the salmon in water, season it with salt and pepper (I seasoned mine, and actually, I season all fish and meat with Goya's Adobo), sprinkle ~1 tsp lemon juice over the salmon, rub 1/2 tsp of basil into the fish
Place the butter in a skillet on medium heat, when the butter has started to melt enough to spread over the skillet...add the garlic
Once all of the butter has melted, sprinkle the skillet with 1/2 tsp of basil
Place the salmon (skin up) in the skillet, pour 2 tsp of lemon juice over the salmon, and sprinkle 1/2 tsp basil over the skin side of the salmon
Cook (skin up) side for 10 minutes, when flipping to the other side add another tsp lemon juice to the pan (the flipped fish should have a nice brown crust on it at this point)
6. 2 or 3 mins after the flip, pour another tsp of lemon juice over the top of the fish, and sprinkle another 1/2 tsp of basil over the fish, let the salmon cook for the remaining 7-8 minutes

Cooking the risotto

Sauté rice with ½ tbsp olive oil in a 2-qt heavy saucepan over medium heat
Add 2 cups of water and ½ cup milk, and contents of seasoning pouch, stirring well to blend seasonings.
Heat to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Do not cover. Cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve piping hot.

The end..

Price: $5.29 6oz salmon at Whole Foods, $2.00 Lundberg Broccoli Cheddar Risotto at Shaw's
Total Price: ~$8
Calories: ~300/350 for salmon with butter, lemon juice, and garlic, each 1/2 cup of risotto is 146 cals
Total cals: 446-500 for salmon with 1/2 cup risotto

Nature's Path Organic Homestyle Gluten-Free Waffles

2009-07-06T09:58:00.000-04:00

I decided to start my day off with some frozen GF waffles, and I must say that I am severely disappointed. I'm not sure who the hell is rating these suckers on the Nature's Path website...but don't be deceived by the 5 heart rating of "awesome."

First of all, they have this strange smell that I can't quite put my nose on, but can only describe as faintly floral. Secondly, the taste is reminiscent of an uncooked yet burnt drop cookie with too much sugar.

The only slightly redeeming quality about this waffle is that the texture is very similar to a "real" Eggo waffle. Other than the texture, I would rate these waffles inedible. I threw both of mine into the trash after several bites, and had I not been writing a review on them, I would've thrown them out after the first bite. Syrup couldn't even rescue these waffles.

Time to go brush my teeth, because post-waffle consumption tastes like something died inside of my mouth.

Price: $3.79 at Shaw's
Calories: 270 for 2 waffles

Stone Hearth Pizza Co.

2009-07-05T15:09:00.001-04:00

Sweet Jesus, my stomach and taste buds are in heaven right now!

Stone Hearth Pizza Co. is a small, gourmet, friendly pizza shop delivering local, sustainable, and organic ingredients directly to your belly from it's Porter Square location. The Neapolitan style thin crust pizzas are beyond what your little gluten-free heart could have possibly imagined.

I started off with the Meatball Poppers. Three tiny, earthy meatballs stuffed with mozzarella, onions, and a combination of spices. The sauce was spicy and tasted extremely fresh...I felt like I was licking the inside of tomatoes (which I loved!).

My only complaint was that the mozzarella didn't have much taste to it, although it did provide a nice little surprise when cutting into the meatball. The meat fell apart when you dug into it, leaving you with a nice image of the melted mozzarella and spices inside.

I ordered a half Classic, half Margherita pizza with gluten-free crust. Be aware that you can only order the gluten-free pizzas in the regular size, which made me exceed my budget beyond what I wanted to spend.

The Classic pizza is beyond cheesy...the mix of mozzarella and provolone cheeses is phenomenal. This is the closest I have ever come to tasting something even remotely similar to one of my favorite thin-crust pizza places at home in NY.

You can't even tell that the crust is gluten-free until you get to the absolute end of the crust when there isn't any sauce or cheese left, and even then, the taste is barely noticeable unless you have a fine-tuned gluten-free palate.

The Margherita pizza was also delicious, but I had the same complaint as I did with the meatballs...the mozzarella's flavor was too delicate for my liking. The basil wasn't overpowering, which I always fear with Margherita pizzas, and the sauce was outstandingly fresh.

I came home with leftovers, and I'm seriously struggling to restrain myself from eating the rest of the box right now. Time to hit the gym!

Price breakdown: Meatball poppers - $5, Diet coke - $2, Pizza - $9.50, Total - $20 with tip and tax
Location: Stone Hearth Pizza Co., 1782 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Celiac Friendly Eatery Map for Boston

2009-07-05T12:35:00.001-04:00

A fellow Bostonian Celiac created this map of gluten-free dining options in the Boston area..check it out!

Celiac Friendly Eatery Map for Boston

Kinnikinnick White Sandwich Bread

2009-07-05T11:22:00.000-04:00

I've only been a Celiac for three years, and I can definitely say that I still remember what "real" bread tastes like. Bread and butter was one of my favorite snacks as a kid, so I'm particularly harsh when judging gluten-free sandwich bread.

There are three criteria that I use when determining what makes a gluten-free bread worth purchasing: taste when not toasted, taste when toasted, and overall texture.

Most gluten-free bread tastes strange if it isn't toasted, so if I can manage to eat an untoasted slice without gagging or spitting..well, then I think that's a pretty good sign. If it tastes strange even after being toasted, then we have a serious problem. In terms of overall texture, a lot of GF breads can taste gritty or rough, and I haven't really encountered a brand that is fluffy like "real" bread..I'm sure the fact that the bread is always frozen or refridgerated doesn't exactly help the texture.

All of that being said, I've recently been eating Kinnikinnick White Sandwich Bread. It isn't terrible untoasted with condiments. Two weeks ago I actually had it untoasted as a raspberry peanut butter sandwich, and I didn't hate it!

It's definitely tasty when toasted, and it isn't as gritty as most gluten-free breads that I've tasted.

I think Kinnikinnick White Sandwich Bread is the best choice if you're looking for a bread that'll make great morning toast with simple butter or strawberry jam. It has a taste that I can only describe as pure when I think about eating white bread.

Finally, it's only 70 calories per slice, which is the least amount of calories that I have ever seen in a GF bread, AND is less calories than a lot of regular sliced white bread!

Price: $5.99 at Whole Foods (Symphony and Prospect Street locations)
Untoasted: * * *
Toasted: * * * *
Overall texture: * * * *

(all ratings are out of five possible stars)

GF 4th of July!

2009-07-04T09:57:00.000-04:00

Whether you're heading to a cookout, or hosting one yourself, you NEED to make these low-cal chili cheese dogs. These dogs are half to three-fourths the calories of regular chili cheese dogs, and they're so good that you don't even need to go searching for a GF hot dog bun.

Grill or broil the hot dogs, heat the chili on the stove, throw some hot chili and cheese on the dogs, and let the cheese melt.

What you need:

Hebrew National 97% reduced fat hot dogs ($1.99 at Shaw's)
1 can Hormel Vegetarian Chili with Beans ($1.79)
Shaw's Shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese ($3.29)

You can peel and cut up some potatoes and fry them in a tablespoon of oil to go along with the chili cheese dogs.

Calories: 1 hot dog, 1/4 cup cheddar, 1/4 cup chili = ~167 cals
Total price: ~$7 for 1 7 pack of hot dogs, 1 can of chili, and 1 bag of cheese

Dining Out: Top 10

2009-07-03T13:03:00.001-04:00

Top 10 gluten-free dishes in Boston: The numbering is based in order of what I crave most frequently, and now that I've written this...I'm craving everything. Damnit.

Double Header, half Mexican Bean and half Caesar Salad on coconut rice - smoky black bean puree, monterey jack cheese, and cherry tomato salsa make up the Mexican Bean, while Caesar salad with tofu croutons sits aside, both on a bed of coconut rice ($7.25, order before 5 PM for double header, Veggie Planet)
Truffled Gorgonzola french fries - french fries with gorgonzola cheese topped with truffle oil ($5, Deep Ellum)
Spicy Seafood Maki - crab stick, shrimp, octopus, tobikko, cucumber, spicy mayo, and scallion ($7.50, Fugakyu)
South of the Border fiesta nachos, without chili - hot nachos topped with jalapenos, scallions, tomatoes, black olives, jack and cheddar cheeses, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and sour cream, with salsa on the side ($8.99, Sunset Cantina)
Shirred Eggs - baked shirred eggs with Irish bacon, cream, cheddar, and scallions, and a side of home fries. ($12.95, Sonsie)
Grilled Tenderloin Salad, without fried shallots - sliced tenderloin of beef, roasted potatoes, marinated mushrooms, grilled red onions, served on field greens tossed with gorgonzola cheese and roasted red pepper tomato caper vinaigrette ($17.95, Stephanie's on Newbury)
Sauteed cod - sauteed cod with apple, butternut squash, smoked bacon, sage and cider butter sauce ($26, winter menu, Rendezvous)
Le Péché au Chocolat - A rich creamy white and semi-sweet chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce ($8, The Elephant Walk)
Keema Matar - an ancient recipe of ground lamb cooked with peas and herbs ($11.95, India Samraat)
Cheeseburger and fries, without the bun - at the 636 Beacon Street location, they are super nice and careful if you tell them that you have a gluten allergy (between $4.29-$8.29, Uburger)

Budget-Friendly: Simply Steam

2009-07-03T12:41:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have a sick obsession with Green Giant Simply Steam products. They're cheap, low in calories, quick to heat, and delicious.

Even if you don't like vegetables, I can almost guarantee that you will like the Garden Vegetable Medley. It has a light, vaguely peppery sauce that gives it a kick...just make sure to carefully shake the bag after it comes out of the microwave.

If you're trying to keep your calorie count down, accompany a Simply Steam meal with a thin sliced chicken breast coated in lemon juice and minced garlic. Easy, cheap, low-cal, and tasty!

Price: Usually 3 for $6 at Shaw's with your Shaw's savings card
Calories: LOW, the entire Garden Vegetable Medley bag is 100 cals! Most of the other bags are similar in calorie range.

The beginning

2009-07-03T03:07:00.000-04:00

Why gluten-free? Why Boston?

Well, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in October 2006 during my sophomore year at Boston University. At the time, I had an on-campus apartment with a kitchen, but I also had a meal plan and frequented the dining halls often. I didn't know what to eat, how to cook, where to shop, or what the rules were on how to maintain a gluten-free diet.

I was extremely strict with my diet, eating became a hassle, and I lost about twenty-five pounds and dropped down to 93 pounds. Since then, I've learned how to survive on a gluten-free diet on an extremely limited budget, when there aren't any stores around with gluten-free options, and when I've wanted to drop some excess weight.

So I've finally started this blog in order to share what I've learned thus far, and what I'm continuing to learn about living gluten-free in Boston.