I love ice cream. The problem is…ice cream doesn’t always love me back. And, more so, some of my favorite flavors from the “pre-gluten-free” days, I am no longer able to consume. Totally bums me out on occasion.
But then…I haul out the ice cream maker and do something about it. In this case…I make my own gluten-free and vegan ice cream. This is actually very simple and uses basic ingredients. Nothing too outlandish or crazy. No dairy either. The base is coconut milk. Seriously. Full fat coconut milk. So good.
I used Glutino sandwich cookies for the “cookie” portion of this recipe and sweetened it with coconut palm sugar. The recipe is super simple…and super good. As my friend Greg said…”This is rich…and delicious!”
YAY!
So, the recipe is below, adapted from Food Babe so that it fit my dietary needs.
Recipe: Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
Ingredients:
Base:
1 can of full fat coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
1 tbsp arrowroot powder (optional thickener)
3frozen bananas or ½ cup coconut palm sugar (I used the coconut palm sugar)
pinch of sea salt
For Cookies & Cream Flavor:
1 tbsp vanilla extract
10 Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Creme Sandwich Cookies broken into pieces (or cookie of your choice)
Instructions:
Combine base ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Add vanilla into blender and blend again.
Pour mixture into ice cream machine and turn on.
Mix for at least 20 minutes or until ice cream is formed.
Stir in cookies.
Serve.
Store in an airtight container in the freezer.
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Hello delicious ice cream that won’t upset my stomach. Where have you been all my life? I still have some Glutino cookies and just bought more coconut milk. You know what’s going back in my freezer very soon? Yep. Because this recipe is SO easy to make and yes…it really does make a delicious, rich ice cream. You don’t have to be gluten-free or a vegan to enjoy this.
Make some for yourself. I promise…the real ingredients will change the way you think about ice cream.
Besides…I got to have cookies and cream ice cream again. Pardon me while I sit down with a spoon and indulge a little…or a lot.
I dedicate this entry to, honestly, the best meal I have ever consumed in my life. No joke. Sorry mom…but it’s true. Never before have I been treated to such an exciting and taste-defying tasting menu, all of it done by the chef’s whim. And yes…all of it done to suit any food allergies at the table. For me…being a gluten-free vegetarian. For my friend Tawn…no shrimp.
What am I talking about?
Disneyland.
Napa Rose.
Chef’s Table.
OMGTHEFOODWASAWESOME!
Okay…now that I got that out of my system…kind of…let me explain…
You see, Disneyland has a lot of nice treasures inside its gates. And, after running the Disneyland Half Marathon, Indy wanted to treat all of us, plus her hubby and her dad, to a nice meal out…which would be our Christmas and Birthday gifts. She chose Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as the scene of this adventure. After a long day, the four ladies got all dressed up and met up with Evan (Indy’s hubby) for a ride over to the restaurant. Her dad was staying there so he’d meet us there.
A few drinks in the lounge and two Joey Fatone (from *NSYNC) sightings later, we were making our way to the Dessert Counter and being seated, napkins placed on our laps, and about to be treated to one of the finest, most epic, amazing meals of our lives…complete with wine tasting. All of this…completely at the whim of the chef.
So…let’s get started:
Amuse-Bouche: Plum with Grape Relish and Gluten-Free Flatbread
Amuse-Bouche: Plum with Grape Relish and Vegan & Gluten-Free Flatbread
The rest of the counter was treated to a Panna Cotta with Great Relish…but not this girl. The chef kept is simple, elegant, and instead of the panna cotta, served me up an amazing warm Plum with Grape Relish on top. The plum was sweet, pairing beautifully with the slightly sour tones of the chopped grapes. It was the perfect way to wake up the palate and prepare it for the rest of what was to come that night.
In addition, while the rest of the counter got to share this large basket of various breads, a basket of vegan and gluten-free flatbread was delivered to me. This bread had a fresh herbiness to it. It was crispy, yet still soft. And when it was fresh and warm…there was nothing like it in the world. It was a nice change from the gluten-free rolls I am so used to getting. It’s not everyday this girl gets to indulge in flatbread. And indulge I did. Because I just couldn’t stop eating it!!
First Course: Cauliflower Tower
Cauliflower Tower
What…you may ask…is a Cauliflower Tower. Simply what it sounds like. Cauliflower…in a tower. But…it is really so much more than that. In fact, while the base of this dish was, in fact, a cauliflower mash, it was blended with couscous, raisins, pistachios, and was drizzled with a blood orange sauce. I love cauliflower, so using it as a base for this meal was sheer brilliance. The couscous gave it a bit more body. Toss in the sweet raisins with the salty nature and crunch of the pistachios and you have a meal made in heaven. Seriously. Angels eat this when they picnic on the clouds. I swear. The blood orange sauce just sealed the deal. It gave this savory dish a little zing. It was fantastic. Down to the very last bite. If this was any indication of what was left to come, I was all in. I didn’t record the type of wine any of my meals were paired with…but I loved them. All of them.
Second Course: Grilled Peach Salad with Green Beans and a Peach Yogurt Sauce
Grilled Peach Salad with Green Beans and a Peach Yogurt Sauce
The usual version of this dish is served with roasted duck. But, being that I was the sole vegetarian at the table, the chef made one with duck, which Indy received, and made mine without it. But this made me want to grill peaches ALL the time. ALL the peaches. And then consume ALL the peaches with ALL the food that I could think would pair well with them. I will say this…I never would have paired peaches with green beans. But…this worked. This worked remarkably well. The peaches had this rich sweetness to them, the green beans were cooked perfectly, so they had that crispiness to them. And that yogurt sauce just tied everything together. This was fantastic. I could have eaten plate after plate of this and been one happy girl. But more goodness was still ahead.
Third Course: Heirloom Tomatoes with Golden Tomato Essence with Fava Beans and Parmesan
Heirloom Tomatoes with Golden Tomato Essence with Fava Beans and Parmesan
I do believe either Tawn or Cathy made the Silence of the Lambs reference when I was served this beautiful, rainbow dish. I mean, the colors on this dish just popped. The sweet tomato essence was what really made this dish so savory. The beautiful heirloom tomatoes were ripe, gorgeous, juicy and the flavors danced across my taste buds with the first bite. The fava beans added a little body…and some texture. And to top it all off…shaved Parmesan cheese, which gave the dish that big of salty seasoning that just brought it all together in the end. Rich, succulent…and fantastic. Each dish was topping the last…
Fourth Course: Chef’s Creation – Vegetarian Mushroom and Tomato Plate
Chef’s Creation – Vegetarian Mushroom and Tomato Plate
Be jealous. Because the chef made this one specifically for me. His gluten-free, vegetarian diner. What exactly was it? Savory goodness, that’s what it was. Honestly…this was fantastic. From the first bite he reigned me in with perfectly cooked mushrooms, beautifully seasoned and topped with gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and greens. I wanted to hoover this dish so much, but I sat there like the lady I am and ate it like the sophisticated foodie I see on television and dream about becoming. No…really. I savored this dish. Every bite of it. And I never wanted it to end. But…my fork fell onto the last slice and soon it too was gone.
Dessert:Meyer Lemon Crème Brûlée with Blueberries and Mint
Meyer Lemon Crème Brûlée with Blueberries and Mint
Without even knowing anything about me save for my food allergies and preferences, the chef sent out the most perfect dessert for me. It involved lemon and blueberries…and that pairing is, by far, one of my absolute favorites. So, without even knowing it…the chef capped off the perfect evening with the perfect dessert. His Meyer Lemon Crème Brûlée with Blueberries and Mint was a stunning plate to start with. The crust on the crème brûlée was brilliant. And that lemon flavor was just enough without overpowering the entire dessert. Toss in the blueberries (one of my favorite berries) and the hint of mint and I was in a delicious, tasty food coma. Seriously. I dug right into this dessert and savored it as long as I could. I even ate the drizzle of chocolate letters around the plate wishing me an early happy birthday. Yes…I enjoyed it…for real…down to the very last bit. But, I’m a dessert girl…and this was one hell of a dessert.
My hat is off to Indy, for this fantastic food experience. If I were to choose my last meal on Earth…it would be this. I would want to be at Napa Rose…at the Chef’s Counter…once again receiving the dishes of his choosing for me. I loved being surprised and not knowing what to expect when my plate was carried out and placed in front of me. The company was the best I could ever be with at this venue. The food was outstanding. I’ve been spoiled. No other meal has come close to equaling this one…and I am starting to wonder if one ever will.
My food hat is off to the chef of Napa Rose…the food that is served there…the wine it is paired with (SO GOOD!)…and the good friends I shared the experience with. If any of you find yourself at Disneyland…do try to experience this for yourself. It isn’t cheap…I can tell you that…but the food and the experience is worth every dollar you put towards this meal. I promise.
Product: Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters – $4.99+
Gluten-free granola is becoming a staple in my apartment. Why? Because it is so versatile…and personally, I love the texture and flavor that it adds to my morning breakfast parfaits. Honestly. The most important part, for me, however, is to find one that is more nutritious than it is indulgent. Indulgent is all fine and good, but I’m trying to cut down on sugars in a lot of goods…and my breakfast shouldn’t be just a wash of sugar. I’ll burn through that in no time and then need to snack more. So, I’m very particular about the granola that finds its way into my pantry.
That being said, I have always…always trusted Love Grown Foods when it comes to their Oat Clusters. I find that they use real ingredients and cut back on things like sodium and sugar and still manage to put out one of the most fantastic products on the market.
I’ve reviewed quite a few of their products before…but somehow had never blogged on their Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. What’s up with that? I mean…HELLO…chocolate for breakfast?! Yes please. Even better when you don’t feel bad about what you are eating. And when it comes to the products that Love Grown Foods puts out on the market…I never feel guilty.
And when I am able to pronounce every ingredient on the package…well…it’s a safe bet that I’ll feel comfortable putting it in my body. At Love Grown Foods, founders Alex and Maddy create delicious foods that are full of nutritional benefits that everyone can enjoy. Everyone. Even someone like me…who is gluten-free. In fact, they believe that kids (and adults) should have access to a healthy, wholesome breakfast…and that belief is what helped them create Love Grown Foods…a company with a passion to make true change when it comes to making changes in the food world and, in the bigger picture, improving kids’ nutrition.
As I am running the Chicago Marathon for Action For Healthy Kids, a non-profit charity organization that emphasizes nutrition and exercise to children, you can see how passionate I am about this cause. Love Grown Foods hits on the exact thing I am running for next month. It’s a worthy and important cause. Children are our future and so many of them go without good nutritious food, nor are they learning about proper nutrition. Processed and unhealthy foods (fast food, etc) is cheaper and more affordable…and that’s what these kids are growing up on. That…and game systems, computers, and anything that makes them live a more sedentary lifestyle. It needs to change. And thanks to the options provided by Love Grown Foods…it’s happening.
With that being said…let’s talk about chocolate for breakfast! Mmmm. Doesn’t sound very nutritious does it? Sort of sounds like the complete antithesis of what I just rambled on about. But, guess again. We’re talking about Love Grown Foods here…and they actually get their Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters a healthy dose of important nutrients. And with the subtle, sweet flavor of real dark chocolate…kids will be eating healthy and thinking they are totally getting dessert for breakfast.
I thought that too when I opened up my bag of Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. For real. Sweet, indulgent chocolatey goodness was inside. I had to try some on its own for the sake of the blog. But after a couple of pinches, I knew it was time to build my breakfast parfait. And I was making a new one. With PB2, vanilla Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, fresh slices of banana, and now…Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters. With the initial tasting…I knew this would be one epic breakfast parfait. And it didn’t disappoint.
Here’s the fantastic thing about this granola, aside from being made from real ingredients, Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness is a sweet indulgence that you don’t feel bad about eating. Not one bit. Yes…it is chocolate. But who doesn’t like chocolate for breakfast? I live for chocolate for breakfast. And this is a much better and healthier way of doing it than say…chocolate chip pancakes or a high sugar chocolate cereal. These oat clusters are little chunks of gluten-free oats that have been sweetened with agave and honey instead of refined sugars or (even worse) artificial sweeteners. To hit the sweetness right on the money, 63% dark chocolate chips are added to the mix. So, with no junk this is really a guilt-free chocolate indulgence that you can feel good about eating. So…it’s sweet, but it comes by it honestly and naturally. And it isn’t “give-me-a-cavity-with-each-bite” sweet either. It’s subtle…savory…and decadent without being too much. And that’s a very fine line when it comes to chocolate. Trust me…I’m a chocoholic. I could eat this straight from the bag (and have!) and not need it with anything else. Seriously…it is that super good. Mixed in with the contents I chose for the parfait and it was a nice, rich, and deliciously filling breakfast treat.
Ingredients are simple and understated. Nothing is processed and everything is real and something you would recognize if you were walking down the aisles of your grocery store. Certified gluten-free oats, honey, organic agave syrup, expeller pressed canola oil, coconut, 63% chocolate, sunflower seeds, pure vanilla, milled flaxseed, 100% pure cocoa powder and sea salt. Ten simple and recognizable ingredients and you get BIG flavor and epic deliciousness without feeling bad about taking a little more than intended.
Now…down to the nutritional nitty-gritty! A serving of Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters is 1/4 cup. In this small, but filling serving, you will receive 130 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. In addition, you will be served up a scant 35 mg sodium and 8 grams of sugar. These chocolatey oat clusters also provide you with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Not bad at all!!
We all like a sweet indulgence every now and again. With Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters you can indulge all you want and never, ever feel guilty. Love Grown Foods serves up nutritious and delicious products with a whole lot of love.
And that’s why I keep buying the brand. I believe in what they are selling and the mission they have set out for their company and products. I’m a believer. And I’m totally hooked.
“Chunky Monkey” Breakfast Parfait made with Greek Yogurt, PB2, banana, and Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters
By the end of next week…I’m going to be out of town. This means I have a lot of fresh produce to work through before leaving. I never want anything to go to waste, so I make a point to use up everything before it goes bad and spoils.
It’s also Friday…and this morning my bin for my CSA was placed outside my front door. Soon after I got home tonight from work, my new one arrived with a whole new round of fresh produce. I still had quite a bit from the two previous bins before that…so I put myself on a mission tonight…to use up most of what I had from the old bin so this coming week I could focus on the new stuff.
Mission accomplished. I found an Eating Well recipe from 2011 that used 3 medium zucchini. I didn’t have zucchini but I had 3 medium yellow squashes in my crisper drawer just begging for some action. My usual go-to would be to sautee them in a pan and serve them up as a side. But I thought…why not try something new. And with the exception of an onion and some diced green chiles…I totally had everything else to make this super-simple and highly flavorful dish.
My entire meal was loaded with veggies tonight. And the star was definitely the mash that I made from the squash. I made it vegan…using Diaya cheddar shreds in place of reglar extra-sharp cheddar cheese. But if you aren’t affected by dairy…feel free to use regular cheddar cheese. My roommate and I both devoured this. So delicious.
1/2 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (I used Daiya Vegan Cheddar Shreds)
Directions:
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add zucchini and onion; stir to coat.
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
Stir in chiles and salt; cook until heated through, 1 minute more.
Transfer to a medium bowl. Mash with a potato masher until chunky, not completely smooth.
Stir in cheese and serve immediately.
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My onion and squash got this amazing caramelization on them from cooking. It really sweetened up the onions and the squash became super soft. After mashing it up…it really didn’t look like much. But once I mixed in the vegan cheese, everything started to come together. This is a rich tasting, sweet and savory sort of dish that would be delicious as a side as well. Forget mashed potatoes…serve up some squash mash. It’s packed with flavor and SUPER healthy too. My roommate and I split the entire pan as our entree, and that was only 238 calories for that huge serving on that plate. I served it up with oven roasted broccolini and some herbed corn off the cob to complete a veggie-packed, but quite filling dinner.
We’re already talking about making it again. Really delish!! Go ahead…try something different with your squash or zucchini. It’s worth it.
You know…up until I started on my new 70/30 Clean Eating plan my sports nutritionist has put me on…I never would have thought twice about enjoying the basically guilt-free products put out by Walden Farms. I mean…I’ve had quite a few salad dressings from their extensive line-up that I have quite enjoyed. And, a couple weeks ago, a bottle of their Balsamic Salad Dressing just happened to wind up on Manager’s Special at my local grocery store. I hadn’t tried this flavor yet…so I figured I’d give it a shot. If I didn’t like it, I wasn’t out much thanks to the reduced price.
So…I initially was introduced to Walden Farms by Rocco DiSpirito in his Now Eat This cookbooks. He uses the calorie free (yes…CALORIE FREE) ketchup in a few recipes as one of the ingredients. I was intrigued. I had seen a few of these Walden Farms products lurking at numerous grocery stores in my area…so…one day I decided to try one of the salad dressings. And…it really wasn’t bad at all. For the record…I have never tried the ketchup.
Anyway…a few salad dressings later…here I was with one of my favorite dressings to have when out at a restaurant. Mostly because it’s safe. Any vinaigrette is normally a safe bet when it comes to dressing up a salad. And I’ve always loved the flavor of a good Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Polishing off the lettuce, tomato, and green peppers from my last CSA bin, I’ve been making quite a few salads this week. Tonight, I needed a new salad dressing. So…out came the Walden Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing. I tore off the seal and twisted off the cap, taking a light sniff of the bottle. It smelled just like Balsamic Vinaigrette…so that was a good sign.
I put the 2 tablespoon serving size over my salad (yes…I did measure it!) and dove in.
The flavor is authentic. It has the feel, taste, smell…everything a normal Balsamic Vinaigrette would have. Just…this one happens to have no calories (save the trace ones that are always in something you eat or drink…even those zero calorie diet sodas!). I was impressed. I was beyond impressed. It was like having a full-barrel version of this dressing…but without all the fats and calories. Delicious. Amazing. Just what my salad needed to be dressed with. It complimented every vegetable inside my bowl. Two tablespoons almost felt like too much. This was a hearty dressing…while still having that oil and vinegar consistency.
But…here is where my sports nutritionist has ruined me. As I’m feasting on this dressing, I start to wonder how a dressing that is normally made from a wine vinegar and olive oil could exist without calories. Yes…these things run through my mind. So, I turned the bottle over and took a look at the ingredients. They include: triple-filtered purified water, balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, cellulose fiber, salt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, natural flavors, natural spices, caramel color, xanthan gum, sucralose (SPLENDA!! NOOOOO!), and sodium benzoate. Yeah…first of all…SPLENDA! NO NO NO NO NO!! SPlenda is bad. And bad for you. And now I just want to dump this dressing down the drain and get something real and good and made with natural products. That’s my next problem…cellulose fiber? Sodium Benzoate? Huhwha?
As far as the nutrition panel reads…it’s flooded with zeros. Zero calories, zero fat, zero cholesterol, zero protein, zero fiber, but it does have 260 mg of sodium. This dressing is gluten-free, calorie-free, sugar-free, and fat-free.
But the Splenda thing is really bothersome. I just don’t like it. At all. So…fat and calories aren’t bad for you…you just have to take them in moderation. And so that is how I shall take my salad dressing.
But no longer from Walden Farms. While I appreciate their products and have enjoyed all the ones I have tried…I just can’t continue to put Splenda into my body. Not when I’m trying to better it.
Product: Crunchmaster Grammy Crisps Cinnamon & Sugar – $2.95+
One of my favorite things in life is that sweet/spicy blend of cinnamon and sugar. Honestly. I love a light coating on my gluten-free French toast…or over my air-popped popcorn. I love it just dusted over a schmear of vegan butter spread on a gluten-free slice of bread, tasted in the oven…to make the perfect cinnamon toast. Yes…cinnamon and sugar is my thing. It might explain why Snickerdoodles continue to be my favorite cookie…ever!
And while this product is no longer really all that “new”…I had really never been able to find it in the stores around here. Until a local grocery store started to carry them in their gluten-free section. I am, of course, speaking of Crunchmaster Grammy Crisps Cinnamon & Sugar. I fell in love with Crunchmaster crackers a long time ago. And about a year ago, I believe, they introduced a few new products. One of which was the Grammy Crisps. When I spotted these on the shelf…I had to take them home. I had to. There was no arguing with me about budget this time. This was a necessity.
Now…growing up I loved graham crackers. I still do, but my gluten-free options are pretty limited to two brands. So, when I heard about the Grammy Crisps from Crunchmaster, I immediately envisioned that flavor of those cinnamon sugar graham crackers from my youth. You know, the ones where one side is coated in crystals of sugar and cinnamon…the other side plain. And what you get is the most amazing graham cracker flavor…ever?
That’s what I envisioned with these.
And I was…kind of right.
Today was the day I broke out the box of Crunchmaster Grammy Crisps Cinnamon & Sugar and dished up a serving (30 grams) to take to work with me for my afternoon snack. I think I sat in anticipation all day, wondering what these would taste like. I almost started to berate myself for not having a backup in case these were just…nasty. But I don’t think I’ve ever had a product from Crunchmaster that wasn’t at least consumable.
When 3 p.m. rolled around, my snack drawer was opened and I was pulling out my little container that held these squares of graham-cracker like cinnamon sugar flavor. Without any show of self control (because sometimes I have none!)…I popped one of these crackers into my mouth and crunched away. My first initial thought was that it actually lacked in flavor. It just tasted…bland. And I was sad. But then, the dusting of cinnamon and sugar on these rice crackers finally kicked in. So…they weren’t overly sweet…or very sweet at all…but then you get this nice hit of semi-sweet warmth from the cinnamon and sugar. It takes a moment…but it gets there.
The texture of these crisps reminds me a lot of what regular Crunchmaster crackers are like. Very substantial, crunchy, but light. They really do give you a nice crunch with each bite. I just wish the seasoning was, perhaps, cooked into the crisps rather than dusted on the outside. It is just this close to perfect. But it misses the margin ever so slightly.
Let’s talk ingredients. I would say, with the exception of the sugar, that this snack would almost be considered clean. It has very few ingredients, being made from brown rice flour, whole grain sorghum flour, sugar, cinnamon sugar seasoning, potato starch, safflower oil, and salt. I recognize every single one of those ingredients. Which is always reassuring when it comes to buying something processed in the store. At least I don’t have to look up some crazy preservative or chemical additive to find out what it is. The Crunchmaster Grammy Crisps Cinnamon & Sugar are certified gluten-free, free of peanuts, cholesterol free, contain no saturated fat, and are made from 100% whole grain.
Now, let’s talk the nutrition aspect. These are little brown rice crackers that are dusted with a cinnamon sugar blend. One serving is 30 grams, or about 25 crisps. This serving will dish you up 130 calories and 2 grams of fat. That isn’t bad for a snack. The sugar level sits only at 5 grams, which is actually amazing considering that these are cinnamon and sugar flavored snack crackers. These have only 150 mg of sodium as well. And, this serving will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein.
My love for Crunchmaster products continues…even though I wasn’t blown away by these crisps. They are good. They are. They remind me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch…actually…just without all the sweet sugary flavor that encapsulated every little square of that cereal. That was my sister’s favorite cereal growing up, so we ate that a lot. The flavor of these is a bit reminiscent of that. I liked these though, enough to polish off the box in the next couple of days (I’m a serving-size stickler). If you love the flavor of graham crackers…with a touch of sweet and spice…then the Crunchmaster Grammy Crisps Cinnamon & Sugar might just be for you.
If you find them…they are at least worth a taste. If you like the taste of cinnamon and sugar…these have it. It just isn’t the initial WOW-factor on flavor I expected. But, they are definitely worth a try. Trust me.
Rice is a staple in my kitchen. It can be used as a base for my quick Indian foods from Tasty Bite. It can be made into a filling for a taco or gluten-free quesadilla. It can be thrown into a stir-fry. Or…it can be used to make a risotto. The possibilities are endless. And I have every variety of rice hanging out in my pantry…trust me.
It just so happened that my CSA bin, last week, had four lovely ears of yellow corn inside. I didn’t have time to get to the corn last week, so I started trying to come up with some unique way to use it…rather than some deconstructed Mexican corn dish or something. The answer came to me via a recipe on the vegetarian food blog, Amuse Your Bouche. A risotto made with roasted corn and smoked paprika. It sounded fantastic. And between my bin and items already in my fridge and pantry…I just happened to have everything necessary to make it.
So…this morning after an 8 mile run, I came home, showered, then got to roasting up the corn for this particular risotto. The kitchen smelled fantastic as it was roasting away in the oven. Yes…the oven. The rest…that all was worked on after a quick circuit training session. And it all came together in a beautiful and highly tasty dish. In fact, Cathy, my roommate, declares it her favorite risotto I have ever made. And I’ve made a lot of risottos in my cooking days. So, that was a huge win.
250 grams corn kernels (I used fresh, cut from the cob, and weighed it. It was just over a cup. You could also use sweet corn from a can, if fresh corn is not an option for you)
10 grams butter (just under 1 tablespoon)
100 grams cheddar cheese, grated (just under 1/2 cup)
Salt
Black pepper
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
200 grams arborio rice (I weighed it, and it’s just about 1 cup)
4 cups vegetable stock (or 1 stock cube plus ~4 cups hot water)
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
Directions:
Lay the corn kernels out on a baking tray in a single layer.
Add a few small pats of butter and sprinkle with just a little of the cheddar (around 2-3 tablespoons – save the rest for later).
Season with salt and pepper and place in an oven heated to 400°F for around 30-40 minutes, stirring well halfway.
Remove from the oven when it is golden brown and the pieces at the edge are beginning to turn crispy.
While the corn is roasting, prepare the risotto itself.
Heat the oil in a large, deep frying pan, wok or risotto pan, and cook the onion and garlic, along with the paprika, over a medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
Add the rice and cook for about 2 minutes more.
Then begin to add the stock, around 1/2 cup at a time, allowing it to be mostly absorbed by the rice before adding a little more. Be sure to stir regularly. It’s okay if the mixture bubbles very gently, but keep it on a low heat.
Continue adding more stock (and stirring well) until the rice is cooked and at your desired consistency – around 30 minutes. Add the remaining grated cheese, the chopped coriander (if using), and the roasted corn.
Serve warm.
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The Amuse Your Bouche Web site does say that this risotto reheats really, really well. Which is good, because both Cathy and I have a serving of it for tomorrow’s dinner as well. Honestly, this risotto was packed…and I mean…packed with flavor. Cathy said it reminded her a lot of a gourmet macaroni and cheese…but with rice and corn.
I know…sometimes she states the obvious. But…the fact is…this risotto was just amazing. Super delicious. Creamy. Filling. And just made of epic YUM!! But…you should be the judge of that. So…don’t fear risotto. Embrace it. And make some tonight. I recommend this recipe. I highly recommend it.
Baking makes me as happy as cooking does. Especially when I am doing it for other people. And it has become a bit of a habit for me to spend my Friday nights in my little closet of a kitchen, baking up something for all the runners who come out and do their long distance run on Saturday morning. I am a part of this group. And, I think we all need something to run for, when it comes down to it. Why not a little treat…a reward for pushing through all those miles and ending up back at the coffee house where those who didn’t go as far, or perhaps ran a little faster, congregate and catch-up for a bit.
There is one member of this group of amazing people who has been having so many issues with the foods she eats. She is currently trying the Paleo diet, but working in some of those “forbidden” foods…because she is an athlete and she needs certain things to power her through. It’s just been a matter of seeing how her body reacts to certain things. Have I ever been there, done that. While most of my goodies are gluten-free (the Paleo diet is gluten-free), they haven’t always had items that she could eat. I was determined to change that this week.
As I have donut pans that are always begging for use…I went out, purchased a small bag of coconut flour (for an ungodly amount of money) and spent the later hours of the evening making donuts for my group the following morning, using a recipe from FastPaleo. Paleo donuts. Donuts she could, in fact, eat. Who would have thought? And I made them with two of my favorite things…pumpkin and cinnamon. Yummy!
Combine all ingredients in a mixer, food processor or blender (anything works) except for the glaze.
*Note that coconut oil and maple syrup is needed for the doughnut and the glaze. Optional ingredient if it appears too dry: 1 cup room temperature applesauce (the kind with cinnamon would rock).
Evenly distribute onto the baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Cool on a cooling rack.
When cool, flip over to allow them to fall off pan.
The Glaze:
Combine the coconut oil and maple syrup in a dish.
Combine the coconut crystals and the cinnamon in a bowl.
Use a pastry brush to brush the top (or all sides) of the donut and then dip it onto the dry mix.
~*~*~
It’s really that easy. I didn’t need to add applesauce to my mixture of ingredients. And these donuts were soft, moist, and really, really packed with flavor. I was beyond impressed. So was my group, apparently. Because I ended up baking 20 of these and only 3 of them were left on Saturday morning after we all finished our runs. And the leftover three were devoured by my roommate and I this morning for breakfast. Even gave them a little warm-up in the microwave, as if they were fresh out of the oven. Honestly…SUPER delicious.
One of the group was raving to me afterwards about the donuts. It makes me happy to share something I love to make with those I enjoy being around. And with those I know appreciate the time and effort I put into these.
My Paleo runner was not there this past week…but after this three week hiatus where I am out of town…I’ll resume my baking trend and see what I can create that will be safe for her as well.
Until then…I intend to make many many more of these donuts. And at 104 calories and 6 grams of fat per donut…it’s a treat that is definitely worth indulging in. Epic yum! Try them. You don’t have to be gluten-free or Paleo to enjoy them. Obviously. My running buddies proved that. High marks and high praise all around.
Seviche – A Latin Restaurant, Louisville, Kentucky
Restaurant: Seviche – A Latin Restaurant, Louisville, Kentucky
After a lot of talking about doing it…and then never…never…ever getting around to actually doing it…my roommate and I, along with our co-worker, Justin, have been making a point of visiting various local restaurants in the ever-expanding foodie city of Louisville, Kentucky. And why shouldn’t we? It’s in our own backyard. We live here…and yet we fell into always going to the same spots over and over again. And yet, Louisville is really finding its voice in the culinary world. Why overlook the spoils that we are readily provided?
Yesterday, we upgraded a little as far as restaurant choice. We opted to go to Seviche – A Latin Restaurant, located on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. In all the years I’ve lived here, I have often walked by this restaurant, gazing in as I’ve passed…seeing the white table cloths and wondering…what the food was like.
Tack onto that the fact that the restaurant’s kitchen has three-time James Beard semifinalist, Anthony Lamas, at the wheel. Anthony Lamas has been featured at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, and Bobby Flay’s Breeders’ Cup “A Taste of the World” event. He proudly serves only sustainable seafood at Seviche. He opened Seviche in 2005 and since then, the restaurant and Lamas has garnered major praise and attention. Esquire magazine said that “Seviche has emerged as one of America’s best and most innovative Nuevo Latino restaurants with plenty of the chef’s personality in every dish.” It later states that if you have time for one meal in Louisville…you should make it Seviche. In 2011, Lamas won the title of Extreme Chef on the hit Food Network show by creating a wedding menu with $99 worth of ingredients from a 99 cent store.
As for the restaurant itself, it was named “one of the ten great places for Latin flavor and flair” by USA Today in 2009. Louisville, Kentucky is very lucky to have this little gem. Honestly…I was impressed, hands down, even before I reached the restaurant.
Here’s why…
You see, with my special dietary needs, I tend to look at menus ahead of time and then get in contact with the restaurant itself in order to better prepare for my visit. It’s always good to know if I’ll be dining on a protein bar while my friends eat or if I, too, can indulge in the food that is being served. That being said, I sent an e-mail to the General Manager, Hap Cohan, who replied promptly to my inquiry about gluten-free and vegetarian options. After all, I was heading to a restaurant known for…seafood…so I wasn’t sure what would be good for me to eat. He replied that they do not have any gluten-free vegetarian options on the menu, per se, but the chef would be more than happy to make something for me. They often do a local vegetable plate with whatever fresh produce is in house…or they could build an entree with the items that are on their regular menu. He also recommended the gazpacho that was served during the summer. He asked for my name and party I am dining in so he could notate my requirements on the reservation so the chef and manager on duty would be aware when we arrived.
And when I arrived, I didn’t even have to specifically ask for the gluten-free menu. The hostess was already grabbing for it for me. I felt a lot of relief. We were seated and given a chance to look over the options for dinner. I was really stoked about being all dressed up for dinner at local restaurant that has received so much praise and high accolades for its food and its chef. I already had an idea of what I’d be eating…but then an option caught my eye on the gluten-free menu. So, I think I had my mind made up right away. As for drinks, while they had an amazing list of alcoholic beverages to choose from, with a 20 mile run awaiting me the following morning, I stuck with water, which comes with a cucumber in the glass. Refreshing. And different. Loved that. When Justin arrived (fashionably late), we all settled in to decide on what we’d like to eat that evening.
Time to place our orders. Justin went with the Mahi Mahi Tacos ($19.00), which included pico de gallo, cabbage, and a cuban lime aioli. Cathy went off the specials menu…ordering first the Sopa de Dia, which that evening was a Chipotle Cheddar Potato Bisque ($7.00). With that, she went out of her comfort zone, ordering the Albacore Tiradito Seviche ($15.00). She always said she hated tuna…so this surprised me. Turned out she forgot Albacore was tuna.
As for me, I ordered the Roasted Beet Salad ($13.00), which included lemon arugula mojo, capriole goat cheese, and mustard.
Seviche – A Latin Restaurant’s Roasted Beet Salad
With our orders in, we were able to sit and chat, drink our water (or in Justin’s case…his mojito)…and just talk about whatever we wanted…that didn’t involve work. As we all work together…that seems to be the way of it. And it’s nice that way.
When food arrived, I was just blown away by the sheer beauty of the plates. First of all, every plate on our table was a different size and shape. We joked with the waiter who brought out the food about it being culinary Tetris. But, we managed to get it all on the table and soon we were diving in. Cathy first tried the soup, immediately falling in love. She said it was right at her heat threshold…the perfect amount of spice and heat without it killing her palate. This is saying something because, as stated before, she is a heat and spice wimp! As for her Albacore Tiradito Seviche…she was in love. It was paired with watermelon, yuzu, and chili flakes with it. And yeah…she was enamored. With TUNA!! I applaud her foodieness. I told her not to judge tuna by the stuff in the can. She agreed!
We asked Justin how his Mahi Mahi Tacos were, and he was already done with one of the two he was served. Obviously…he was impressed. This was good, because he didn’t look at the menu before coming to the restaurant and had a bit of sticker shock at the prices. It was good that the food did live up to the cost. Besides…sustainable seafood. That’s important.
But…with the gluten-free vegetarian dining at a Latin Restaurant known for seafood dishes…well…I was the tricky one. First of all, the Roasted Beet Salad looked stunning. So bright and vibrant. Beets are a great food for runners. So, that was part of the reason I chose it with my long run the following day. It’s supposedly like legal doping. Who knows. I’ve grown very fond of roasted beets, so this salad won me over. Pairing it with the goat cheese and the mojo and mustard was fantastic. Fresh tomatoes were scattered about the beets as well. Super delicious. I savored each bite. And this was not a giant salad by any means. But every bite of it was amazing. I definitely cleaned the plate.
When our waitress returned…we had clean plates and smiles on our faces. She inquired if we were interested in desserts. Cathy said…”We are always interested in desserts!” She retrieved the dessert menu and we made the initial inquiry as to what, if anything, was gluten-free. She didn’t think anything was, but went to the kitchen to check. She returned a short moment later, saying that the renowned The “Avocado” dessert was gluten-free, as was the Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding and the Housemade Ice Cream. Since they were known for The “Avocado,” Cathy and I decided we had to get that. So we decided we would split it. Justin got one all to himself.
The “Avocado” ($7.00) is avocado ice cream, formed into the shape of half an avocado and sitting in a chocolate shell. The pit is a bourbon chocolate truffle. It is accompanied by dulce de leche and a coffee pine nut soil. It definitely sounded intriguing. And…hello…avocado ice cream. SOLD!
This dessert was gorgeous. Literally…gorgeous. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was plated beautifully and totally looked like an avocado. I love whimsical dishes and this definitely was a fun play on a favorite food. All in delicious dessert form. It looked gorgeous, but how did it taste? SUPER! Cathy took the “pit”…the bourbon truffle…and ended up saving it for last because, while she is not a fan of bourbon…she loved the flavor of that particular morsel. The avocado ice cream was fantastic. Seriously. It was mild, but had light citrus (perhaps lime) notes to each bite. The chocolate shell was crumbly and yummy. And that dulce de leche…the best pairing with the avocado ice cream and chocolate. As for that coffee and pine nut “soil”…when you put everything together…it was magic in your mouth. I was beyond impressed. I was in dessert heaven to be honest. One of the best desserts I have ever been served. Seriously. EVER!
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment about visiting Seviche if you had just one restaurant to go to in Louisville, Kentucky. Be prepared for a high quality meal…and with that…higher prices than someone might be accustomed to paying. But Seviche, the servers, and the chef all took great care of me and worked with me and my food allergies. For that, I am forever grateful. And the food…it blew me away. I’ve been spoiled. I loved every bite of everything I ate there. I’ve heard good things about their guacamole (also on the gluten-free menu), so next time I venture to that restaurant…I think an appetizer might be in order.
For what it’s worth…Seviche is worth its weight in gold because it really does put out fantastic food, great service, and it’s all right here in my own city. I am one lucky gluten-free girl.
Seviche – A Latin Restaurant’s The “Avocado” dessert
Endangered Species Natural Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso Beans
Product: Endangered Species Natural Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso Beans – $2.99+
I love chocolate covered espresso beans. They are little “pellets of power” as my roommate calls them. And she couldn’t be more right. But they have to be dark chocolate coated. Why? Because dark chocolate…as I stated before…is my favorite chocolate and the only one I prefer to consume. Milk chocolate is not for me. And white chocolate…it’s never really impressed me. Dark chocolate, with all it’s healthy antioxidants and heart-healthy qualities is the way to go.
I still remember reading one of Dean Karnazes’ books (he is the Ultramarathon Man for those of you who are unfamiliar with the name) about running in his first ultra marathon. He was at one of the checkpoints and he was given a slice of brownie. What made this brownie the most amazing thing he had ever tasted…was the espresso beans that were baked inside the chocolate fudgey treat. Runners love that extra kick that caffeine can give to their runs…and having it with a hit of chocolate is my favorite way to eat espresso beans.
Imagine my joy when I was at my local Earth Fare store and spotted the Endangered Species line of chocolate bars. They had so many varieties on their shelves and my roommate told me to pick one. ONE!!!!! How was I supposed to choose? But…I did. And while the Dark Chocolate Bar with Blueberries was very tempting (blueberries…another super food for runners!)…I ended up selecting the Natural Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso Beans.
And I couldn’t be happier with my choice. This chocolate bar ended up getting tucked away in my drawer of run goodies in my kitchen. And, like the chocolate bars that came before it…I totally forgot that they were in there. With sell by dates coming up…I figured now was as good a time as any to work my way through them. A nice little sweet treat for the office day. Perfection. Just what I needed for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up. With the espresso beans, that shouldn’t be a problem.
So, this past week, I opened up the bar and broke it up into 1/5 portions. The serving size on the back indicates that the actual serving is 1/2 of the entire bar. But I just needed a taste…not half a bar at 2 p.m. Just saying.
Let me say this…this bar won me over at first taste. The dark chocolate is some of the best I have ever had the chance to taste. Rich. Smooth. It wasn’t too bitter at all. Just the perfect hit of dark chocolate goodness. And it’s the perfect percentage for dark chocolate so that it isn’t too bitter and you still know you are eating dark chocolate. This particular bar sits pretty at 72% cocoa. The espresso beans…oh…yeah. Just like eating a few dark chocolate espresso beans. That’s what this tastes like. Caffeinated love with a hit of coffee flavor. Color me a happy chocolate-eating girl.
This chocolate bar is certified gluten-free, vegan, uses Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa, it’s kosher, and it’s non-GMO certified. The cacao is sourced from ethically traded cacao farms that ensure fair trade, responsible labor practices and sustainable farming. Are you sold on this yet? What is even better, 10% of the net proceeds of each bar purchased are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity. That means…indulging in a cause. A very good and important cause.
So…this clean eating chocolate loving lady gives this bar a huge, huge thumbs up. Honestly. I’m totally addicted. Maybe it’s the espresso beans. Maybe it’s the delicious bittersweet dark chocolate. But I’d wager it’s the combination of the two. As far as ingredients go, this chocolate bar is made up of bittersweet chocolate, and roasted coffee. No…really. How’s that? It’s sweetened from vanilla and beet sugar. Clean eating chocolate for sure.
Nutritionally speaking, by breaking it up into 5 portions of 3 squares, I only consume 84 calories and 7 grams of fat. But, if you were to consume the 1/2 bar (or 43 grams) listed as the actual serving size, you’d be taking in 210 calories and 17 grams of fat. It is cholesterol-free and sodium-free. Seriously. And, for a chocolate bar, the 12 grams of sugar isn’t enough to make my eyes bug out of my sockets. There is also 5 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein as well. Love it.
If you want a sweet treat without breaking up with your diet…if you just require a hit of chocolate every now and again, I highly recommend the Endangered Species brand. Even better…if you love coffee…indulge a little in the Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso Beans. You won’t be sorry. And it does give the right hit of bittersweet goodness and a little pick-me-up when you need it most.
Indulge in a cause. Indulge in Endangered Species Chocolate. Enjoy!
Endangered Species Natural Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso Beans (unwrapped)
The Celiathlete 