Normally humidity and heat don’t get to me. I thrive in warmer temperatures, to be completely honest. But the sun, heat, and humidity that were brought to Hawaii by the hurricanes and tropical storms is a new level of humid. And it’s a level that, being so close to the equator, I am not used to yet.
I was melting. Literally. Melting at Pearl Harbor yesterday afternoon. But, myself and my traveling compatriots all survived and had quite the experience at Pearl Harbor. Totally…unforgettable. It was the one place I was making a requirement…and the other two also felt the same way. Despite the intense sun, the humidity, and the heat…it was all worth it.
All that being said, afterwards we headed toward Kailua, which was home to the restaurant we would be having dinner in that evening. The little restaurant is Kalapawai Café, this quaint little café and market. We were early, as they don’t start serving dinner until 5 p.m. So, while waiting, we scoped out a bit of Kailua. We went to Walgreens so Jenn could pick up more Ibuprofen (sunburns suck!). We dropped by this little bookstore called Book Ends. It was in disarray, but it killed a bit of time. And as we were heading out, it was time for dinner. Talk about timing, eh?
We were greeted at the door as we entered and were able to ogle the dessert case, where I spotted macarons immediately. Jenn noted the Flourless Chocolate Cake as well. Mmmm…dessert. But, our hostess guided us to a nice cool spot (we must have looked hot!) right under the air conditioning and got us situated with menus. Our waitress soon followed, bringing us glasses of water and asking us if we wanted anything besides water. We were all trying to rehydrate after Pearl Harbor, so we just stuck with the H2O. She went over the specials and over what the Auction Price Fish of the Day, Auction Price Fresh Fish for the risotto was, and what the Auction Price Fresh Fish for the Greek Salad was. She gave us a moment to peruse the menu.
Upon her return a few minutes later, we were pretty much set. We mentioned that I was a Celiac vegetarian and she said…”Okay…so no wheat no meat…” She asked if I did dairy…I said I can…but I don’t always handle it well. So she recommended the meal I had been eyeing in the first place due to the fact that it was labeled gluten-free AND contained no meat. She said she’d just have the chef leave off the cheese. Perfect. Jenn and Cathy put in their orders too…and we cooled off, chilled, and got to watch the kitchen work. I love open kitchens. Hearing the expediter call off the orders was awesome. Seeing the small line of chefs preparing at their different stations…yep…I love this stuff.
And soon…it was our order being made and being delivered.
Oddly enough, I had pegged what Jenn was going to order. I know my friends! Jenn ordered the Crab & Artichoke Dip ($12.00), which contained huge chunks (I mean HUGE) of blue crab, chopped artichoke (which didn’t overwhelm), fresh mozzerella, provolone, parmesan, red bell pepper, sweet onion, and served with toasted crostini. Her meal looked cheesy good. And it was delicious according to her. Especially since they used great care to put chunks of crab meat into the dish itself…instead of skimping on the prize protein. That was a huge plus. The plate got polished. She said she’d offer me some, but basically everything about the dish offended me. LOL!
Cathy had gone back and forth on what she wanted, opting between the ravioli and the shepherd’s pie. In the end, she ordered the House-made Okinawan Sweet Potato & Goat Cheese Ravioli ($15.00), served with asparagus, roasted grape tomato, and a lemon-thyme brown butter sauce. She said the pasta was okay (duh!), but the star of the plate was that sweet potato and goat cheese. The star of any ravoili should be the filling. That’s the entire point. The pasta…it should definitely be homemade and good…but it it simply a way to hold the delicious filling inside. She devoured her meal. In fact, for the first time, she was the first one done eating.
As for me, I ordered the House-made Gluten Free Potato Gnocchi ($16.00), served with grilled asparagus, roasted mushroom and tomato, ver’jus and a sauce romesco. It normally would come with Manchego cheese, but they left it off my dish since dairy and I are broken up. These “gnocchi” were toasted potato puffs. Sort of like…a naked tater tot. And to be honest…that’s exactly what they tasted like. This dish was like eating breakfast for dinner. The gnocchi had this great toasted outside, think…perfect hashbrowns, and then were soft like the inside of a tater tot, on the inside. The vegetables were grilled and cooked to perfection, pairing nicely with the breakfast-like gnocchi on my plate. And the sauces gave a nice hit and addition of flavor to be sure. I loved it…because breakfast is one of my favorite things in life. It wasn’t what I was expecting. Definitely less pasta more potato. And I was okay with that. It just wasn’t what my palate had been expecting. It was a nice surprise.
Afterwards we were asked if we’d like to see a dessert menu. As we never turn down looking at least, we perused and finally opted on splitting the macaron plate (it came with 3) ($5.00). Normally this was an assortment of vanilla, lemon, and lime ginger, but they were out of vanilla, and I wasn’t too sure on the lime ginger…so we went with three of the lemon macarons. They were retrieved from the case and…oh…oh yes…they were worth it. Little pillows of lemony flavor. Like…big lemon flavor too. None of this fake stuff or lack of flavor. It was like a lemon bar and lemon chifon cake. It was just…yummy. And we were happy that we went that way with the dessert in the end.
I was actually quite impressed with the service and the food that came out of Kalapawai Café. I would return there to eat in a heartbeat. I loved the dish I was served, even if it wasn’t what I expected. And having macarons on the dessert menu always wins, because they are a light option that still feels like a treat.
Restaurant: Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hangry.
That was all there was to it. We were all hangry. Our flight out of Kauai to island hop over to O’ahu was the earliest one available. We were up at 4 a.m. Some of us sooner. Some of us without getting much sleep. But between the three of us, we were all just picking at everything.
And the added unseasonable humidity wasn’t helping matters. For me…I was doing okay…but my traveling companions don’t take to the humidity well. So, lack of coffee and food was setting in. But…we made the short hike over to Hee Hing Plaza and climbed the stairs to the second floor. We stepped inside, happy to be in some air conditioning and took a table near the middle of the dining area. A nice waitress came over with glasses of water and menus and explained to us the three new specials that Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast was now offering. After that, she let us ponder what we wanted and returned soon after when we looked ready to order.
Jenn had one question about the pancakes, and when she was given an answer as to what size they were, she ordered up. One single Ricotta Pancake ($4.00) with a side of bacon ($4.00). Cathy went with the House Omelette (bacon, potato, cherry tomato, spinach & parmesan) with Sourdough Toast ($11.50). As for me, I wanted one of the new specials for the menu:
The Smashed Avocado Toast ($9.50) on Gluten Free Toast with a Side of Fresh Fruit ($6.00).
Order in, and we continued to sit there and attempt to wake up. This usually meant that Cathy rambled on about something while Jenn and I pretended to listen or just simply blinked at her. It was one of those mornings. We watched as plates were brought out to fellow diners…all of the food looking amazing. I was ready to get something other than a protein bar in my tummy, that was for sure.
After a bit of a wait…out came some food. Happiness is food arriving at your table when you are hot, tired, and hungry. Jenn’s pancake was fluffy and looked and smelled amazing. The Web site says they serve 100% maple syrup…but she tasted it and shunned it. Not pure maple.
Tucker & Bevvy Breakfast’s House Omelette with Sourdough Toast
Cathy’s omelet was packed with vegetables. In fact, the entire top layer was vegetables. Inside the egg was the bacon and potatoes. It looked amazing. And, she does love her sourdough toast when we’re out to eat. She’s always stuck with the gluten-free stuff in our apartment due to the kitchen needing to be completely gluten-free (save for her own boxed snacks and cereals). She devoured it.
And my Smashed Avocado Toast was fantastic. I knew this was what I wanted the moment I saw it on the board at the restaurant. It is no secret that avocado and I are BFFs and when smashed over toast…I’m in a happy place. This version of Avocado Toast was made with lemon juice, an Egyptian spice blend, and toasted pistachios on top. The pistachios were a nice touch, and one I never would have thought of. But…lo and behold…it totally changed my idea of Avocado Toast. This was amazing. It was love at first bite…all the way down to the last bite. Because, yes…I ate it ALL! ALL of it. Completely all of it. And the big bowl of fresh fruit as well. The fruit was fresh and ripe and sweet…and I didn’t need it, but damn, it tasted good. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries and grapes. That’s the good breakfast life.
We all pretty much ate what was put in front of us. Cathy ate most of hers. She almost had all the eggs gone and left two of the slices of bread.
In the end, we were happy with the fact that we now had delicious food in our stomachs. It was an unexpected breakfast stop, but well worth it. I am forever dressing up my avocado toast with toasted pistachios. I mean…HELLO! Mind blown. Culinary eyes opened. Heck yeah…LOVE.
So, while Tucker & Bevvy was a spur-of-the-moment choice so the three of us didn’t claw each other’s eyes out…our hanger pains were tamed by the delicious breakfast foods at Tucker & Bevvy. Seriously, I’d go back for that toast in a heartbeat. Breakfast is love…and this was true love.
Gluten Free Avocado Toast with a Side of Fresh Fruit
Today was one of the best days I have had in Hawaii. Oddly enough, it also falls on the day that I was supposed to run the Kauai Marathon. And given the circumstances, that would be a huge bummer. And it was. It really, really was. But, to take my mind off of the situation, Cathy had a plan to drive up to the North Side of Kauai and spent the afternoon at Hanalei Beach.
Happiness is me and a beach. And thanks to my ankle, doing fun beach-y things aren’t easy for me. So, while my roommate gets to paddle around in the surf…I’ve been strolling the beach a little…carefully and slowly…wishing that the currents and waves were a little easier for me to swim around in, but the injury is a little too new at the moment. Sometimes standing on the beach is a struggle. But that was the day. We packed up just before the heavy rains hit and went and grabbed some shaved ice from JoJo’s Shave Ice while waiting for it to lighten up. When it became evident that it wasn’t happening, we decided to go driving to a scenic place to wait it out because dinner was to be up on the North Side. When that looked like it wasn’t going to happen, we opted to drive back down to Kapaa before roads were flooded and figure out dinner somewhere down here.
One place we had been eyeing last night before deciding on pizza was this great place called Caffe Coco. Caffe Coco is a quaint cottage cafe with an outdoor garden setting on the island of Kauai. This adorable little restaurant strives to serve Island grown produce, fresh Island fish, organic chicken, and whatever else that will help support local farmers. LOVE that. This restaurant specializes in vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Making it ideal for me. BUT…that being said, they do serve a few dishes that offer a seafood or chicken option. A little something for everyone!
We all finally decided that we were a little hungry after assessing sunburns (Jenn and I got nailed today!) and putting some aloe after sun gel on it. Hoping that helps ease the sting and cuts down on the redness. So…we headed out for the short drive down to Caffe Coco, being greeted upon entering and being shown to seats out in their cute garden setting. We immediately loved the quirky, free, hippy-ish setting, the glass that coated the ground and the rustic setting. It was a very happy place for me. We had glasses of water poured while we browsed the menu. And soon, our waitress came over and asked if we had any questions regarding the menu, but by that point, we had it all pretty figured out.
Caffe Coco Jamaican Jerk Chicken
So, orders went in. Jenn decided on the Organic Pasta Shrimp Fresca ($28.00) which is organic pasta and shrimp tossed with local tomatoes, basil, white wine, Parmesan, balsamic reduction and served with a green salad and garlic toast. Cathy got the Jamaican Jerk Organic Chicken ($28.00), served with purple sweet potatoes, coconut creamed kale, pineapple salsa and server with a green salad.
As for me…I went with two of the Starters listed on the menu. The first was a cup of the Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup ($5.00) and the Vietnamese Summer Rolls ($10.00) with organic greens and a peanut sauce. And after seeing it come out, I also decided to add their Hibiscus Iced Tea ($4.00) to my meal as well.
We could see the kitchen from where we were sitting and could hear the fuss with the chefs. Turns out a 20 person wedding party was set to arrive and they were working on getting out food to clear everything down to be prepared for the wedding orders. It was a little chaotic, but everything came out to the waiting tables, and all of it looked great. And soon…ours came out as well.
Everything looked and smelled amazing. Jenn’s shrimp and pasta looked amazing…and she said the sauce with the garlic toast was phenomenal. Not to mention, they didn’t skimp on the shrimp, but served her up a perfect number and all a great size. No small shrimp here. No way. Cathy fell in love with her meal at first bite, but LOVED the creamy sauce that everything was set in. That was her favorite part for sure. But it looked amazing. And colorful to say the least. She said it was spicy without being overly spicy and ‘tasty.” She was in a happy place for sure.
As for mine. HOLY COW!! LOVE. Just pure love. I loved everything about each dish. The soup had this rich depth of flavor. I loved the floating pepitas that were resting on top and the various onions and creaminess that came with each bite. Just…YUM!! I ended up saving most of this to the last bite. The Vietnamese Summer Rolls were delicious. Packed with greens laying in this delicious peanut butter and sriracha sauce. You brought me a bowl of peanut butter…I’m now a very happy girl. It paired well with the organic greens and veggies that were stuffed into each roll. And I devoured every last bite…and every last bit of that sauce. This was amazing, delicious food. Happy place…discovered.
We were given a dessert list to look at, being told that the pudding was vegan and gluten free…and the brownie and chocolate chip cookie were gluten-free as well. They were out of their homemade ice cream at the moment. We considered it for a brief moment, but decided we were ready to call it a day and we would return to the resort for the Macadamia Nut Hershey’s Kisses we had stashed there.
OH…yeah!! That soup was one of the best things I have ever eaten. I was beyond happy and satisfied…and we all left there content and full…without being too full. Love is definitely finding a great place to eat that honestly has a little something for anyone and everyone. And I felt completely comfortable eating there. Even moreso when the check arrived and my order was circled with a note that read: “**Celiac & Dairy Allergy**”. Oh yeah…that was so nice to see. It means they take their customer’s dietary needs to heart.
Everything was delicious and we all left happy plates and walked out comfortably full. Feeling good about our meal choice and loving the food we ate. This was one of the best places on the Island of Kauai. It might seem pricey, but the food is worth the stop and the price. You will not be disappointed. I was beyond impressed with service and food.
I’d go back again in a heartbeat. Hell, I’d go back tomorrow!
Caffe Coco’s Thai Pumpkin Curry Soup and Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Organic Greens and Peanut Sauce
It was a long day of driving, shopping, and some exploring. There was even beach time and some wading into the water. It was a good day, filled with a few minor bumps in the road. But…there comes a time when you suddenly realize that the crepe you ate for breakfast has completely worn off and that protein bar you consumed as a snack…even though you weren’t really hungry but you knew dinner was still a ways off…wears off.
That was yesterday.
And with me not being able to run the Kauai Marathon…dinner plans were sort of up in the air. Original plan was to get gluten-free pizza from this local chain (they have 4 locations on the island) called Brick Oven Pizza. From the reviews on Find Me Gluten Free, they did a good job with avoiding cross-contamination as much as possible. BUT…pizza was a pre-race thing and I was definitely not prepping for a race now. Before leaving for Hawaii, I had noted this to Cathy and she did a bit of poking around, finding a little spot called Caffe Coco, also in Kapaa, that serves up dishes made from island-grown produce, fresh fish, and organic chickens, wanting to support local farmers as much as possible. They specialize in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
We were sort of…not really sure what we wanted for dinner, but after looking and re-looking at menus, we decided to just go for it and get a pizza. Between the three of us, we could eat a small (8 slices) gluten-free pizza and not overdo it and kill ourselves trying to polish it off. So…Brick Oven Pizza won out.
We piled into the rental car and headed that way. It’s a very short drive from our resort, and we pulled into the parking lot and made our way inside. We were seated by the hostess near the back of the restaurant and given the menu to look over. We already knew that we were doing a gluten-free pizza. The thing is…I am not able to handle much dairy and Jenn and Cathy are cheese-lovers. I am a vegetarian and Jenn is not a not a huge fan of vegetables. So…the thought was to do a half-and-half pizza and Cathy (who can eat either way) can share on each end. BRILLIANT!
Our waitress wasn’t sure that one gluten-free pizza would be enough for the three of us, but we decided we’d grab dessert if we were still hungry (we heard about a place on the radio that had vegan ice cream)…so we convinced her that we wouldn’t starve with it just being one pizza between the three of us. So, we put in our special order, with one half of the pizza having mushrooms and pineapple with no cheese, and the other half having cheese and the house-made Italian sausage. This is how we do it!
It was quite a wait for the pizza to be made, which is fine. They did explain that the gluten-free pizzas take a little bit longer, and with a dairy-free vegetarian getting half of a pizza that has dairy and meat on it, they were just trying to be a little more diligent with the cooking and the slicing process. So, I’ll take that as a good sign. But when the pizza did arrive, we paused long enough to take pictures and then…it was time to devour.
And it did meet with a messy, messy death.
The crust itself was your typical cracker crust, which is not my favorite, but when you are gluten-free and want pizza…you get what you get. And, while it’s a thin and crispy crust, it means that it isn’t quite as filling and you don’t feel as guilty devouring it. That being said, three of us were consuming 8 little pieces of pizza. So, it was actually the perfect light pizza meal as far as we were concerned.
My carnivorous cheese-loving traveling partners really raved about the sausage on their half of the pizza, saying how full of flavor it was. They loved the cheese, and even topped off their slices with the Parmesan cheese from the shaker. The odd piece out was split between them.
My un-cheesy, pineapple and mushroom topped side was delicious. The red sauce wasn’t too heavy, but it had good tomato flavor to it. I loved the way the mushrooms were cooked in, giving them that meaty texture. And the pineapple was juicy and amazing. I really enjoyed this pizza…healthy as a pizza could be with it still being…pizza. It was easy for me to digest, which was the important part. Delicious! I was satisfied when I split the odd-ball extra piece with Cathy and we considered our dinner…done.
The waitress tried to entice us with more, but we said we were done. She happily delivered our check…our Gluten Free Half Mushroom/Pineapple Half Cheese/Italian Sausage Pizza ($18.95) was a hit, for sure. And, for a gluten-free pizza…affordable. Brick Oven Pizza does charge an extra $3.50 for a gluten-free pizza…so there was that. In the end, what we had delivered what all of us wanted in the pizza. And thank goodness they could do half and half so that we all got something that we wanted/needed with the actual pizza.
For a local chain offering a gluten-free crust, I was happy with the pizza I received. It was just enough to allow us to go to that ice cream spot we heard about and indulge a little in some local ice cream. And that…was a nice bonus. If you are in the market for a safe gluten-free pizza…try out Brick Oven in Kapaa. I’ll go back next year before the marathon for sure!
Brick Oven Pizza Gluten Free Half Mushroom/Pineapple (no cheese) and Half Cheese and Italian Sausage Pizza
Restaurant: Living Foods Market and Café, Koloa, Hawaii
Okay…so technically this was an unplanned, unexpected way to have breakfast on Saturday morning. The initial plan was to go by Sweet Marie’s Hawaii Inc., Hawaii’s first 100% dedicated gluten free bakery. It sort of reminded me a little of home with Annie May’s Sweet Café, when my friend Jenn sent me the link to the Web site. I was pretty stoked about having a 100% gluten-free facility where I could grab snacks, treats, and even a meal (see…just like Annie May’s…minus all the cool unique stuff like soft pretzels, toaster treats, and that sort of stuff).
However, it seems Sweet Marie’s is no longer in business. The sad thing is…nothing indicates this. Not one thing. We got into the car and got our morning coffee…then headed to where Sweet Marie’s was supposed to be…but it wasn’t there. A different business now occupied the spot. The Website and Facebook page do not indicate that this bakery closed…but it’s gone. G.O.N.E. And I was really, really put out and sad…because I had planned out what I wanted to get there to eat, and now I had no idea where to get breakfast that morning.
Then Cathy saved the day. While looking around on Find Me Gluten Free (which I later found a review on Sweet Marie’s from June saying that the place was closed), Cathy had discovered a place called Living Foods Market and Café, which is a local gourmet market and café that offers up the freshest seasonal specials and local favorites, as well as handpicked imports from around the world. In addition, they offer a cafeteria-type café, offering an impressive menu with items that are created by the culinary team that is employed there. They offer paninis and pizza and…the kicker…GLUTEN FREE CREPES…among other things. It was breakfast…and the three of us thought crepes sounded divine.
Living Foods Market and Café Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe
So, we left the ruins of a gluten-free bakery dream behind and took the 25 minute drive around to Koloa, where Living Foods Market and Café is located. It was a nice shop to be sure. The market was packed with familiar items and items I had never seen before. And lots of tasty, tasty sounding foods that I only wish I had time to purchase and consume before my time in paradise was up. We got in line to place our food orders…
Cathy was the oddball this time. She went ahead and ordered the Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe ($13.99), which is basically your simple breakfast crepe…smoked ham, melted fontina cheese and a soft cooked egg. It sounded like everything she liked in the world and normally couldn’t get at home, thanks to the chef of the apartment being a gluten-free vegetarian who is lactose intolerant. HA!
Jenn and I, without any conversation, apparently were on the same wavelength when it came to our choice for crepe. We both got the Sautéed Apples Crepe ($13.99). Cathy and I got bottles of water to go with ours and we went to find somewhere to sit. Most of the larger tables were taken up, but we did find a table with two chairs at it in the back, and hauled over a seat from another table for the third. I left Cathy with the table and returned to (selfishly) poke around more in the market and then retrieve the crepes upon completion.
Jenn was still inside and began to tell me about this crazy-good sounding macadamia nut butter that she found in the food isles. I had her go show me. It was crazy-expensive (well…maybe not for macadamia nut products), but sounded amazing. She was considering purchasing it. I said it was relevant to my interests. HA! So, we poked around a little more at some of the local products (as in hand soaps, shampoo, the like), until the chef at the line called Jenn’s name and heaped this plate up with the biggest crepe I had seen in my life on top. I think they used 1 full or maybe 1-1/2 apples in the apple crepe. Cathy and my order followed right after…with Cathy’s crepe looking the most normal sized and mine being this monster. I carried the breakfast plates outside to the table and we all tucked in for our meal.
Cathy did, in fact, love her breakfast-style Smoked Ham and Cheese Crepe. She especially loved it when she got to the part with the egg inside. She acted all surprised that there was an egg, despite the fact that it was listed on the description when she ordered it. She didn’t forget…she was just being Cathy. I think she’s so used to breakfast-type savory crepes having scrambled eggs inside…instead of a soft-cooked egg. Regardless…she was a happy pork-eating girl.
Jenn and I both tucked into the Sautéed Apples Crepe. This…was awesome. It is a crepe wrapper (which…I’ll get into my thoughts on that in a moment) wrapped around apples sautéed in butter and cinnamon and topped off with a drizzle of caramel and a dollop of whipped cream. I pushed my whipped cream to the side and took my first bite. So…the crepe wrap as opposed to the crepe that is cooked and toasted to this golden perfection, with a little golden crust on the outside…was missing. The crepe wrap was unexciting and dull in comparison to the crepes that I have had at Sweet ‘N Savory Food Truck in Louisville, Kentucky and C’est Si Bon! in Bexley, Ohio. Both of those gluten-free crepe places make their crepes on crepe stones, yielding a much more finished product. While the wrap here at Living Food Market and Café was…pale and a little bit gummy. The fact that the fillings were not cooked inside the wrap itself made it so that the hot apples and their juices soggied up the crepe and it eventually began to fall apart. All that being said, the apples were caramelized and cooked to utter perfection. Seriously. It was like diving into an apple pie and eating the filling only. The balance of apples to cinnamon was amazing…and filling. Whew. There were so many apples stuffed into this one crepe that it was amazing I was able to eat as much as I did. In the end, I pushed aside the crepe wrap and tried to eat the apples, but even some of that was left behind. It was not the way I intended to start the morning, but it was filling and delicious…and in the end…I suppose that’s all that matters.
After we ate and cleared our dishes, we headed out…pausing briefly while Jenn did, in fact, purchase the macadamia nut butter that was calling her name. YAY! And from there…it was off for a day of exploring (as much as I comfortably can) and some beach time. It was a nice way to start the day and left us relatively full until about 3 pm, when we packed up from the shore, drove back to the resort, cycled through showers, and headed out for dinner.
So, while it wasn’t the breakfast I anticipated, it was a hearty, and good breakfast in the end. If you love a sweet crepe…dive into that Sautéed Apples offering. Trust me!! It’s really good!
Living Foods Market and Café Gluten Free Sautéed Apples Crepe
So..day one in Hawaii was a big success. I was originally coming to enjoy the challenge of the Kauai Marathon, but things change and so do circumstances. With all that being said, the trip was, naturally, still on. The marathon would just be running without me this year. But, who says that has to stop the adventure, right?
Nothing really stops me. Things just slow me down is all.
After the longest flight ever (in retrospect, I’ve been on longer flights, but this one seemed particularly long due to the very annoying family traveling behind us who DID NOT SHUT UP the entire time and who do not have indoor voices or control over their children either!), we found ourselves in the humid, sunny atmosphere of the island of Kauai! HELLO GORGEOUS HAWAII!
After getting our rental car…returning our rental car…getting a different rental car…getting to the resort…not having a room…so going for coffee and a drive and some shopping…we got checked in…and settled and changed. We went to the beach (major props to Jenn and Cathy for helping me get out to those waves!)…we came back to the resort…and we were ready for some real food. Seriously, I had lived my day on 2 navel oranges, a Quest protein bar, and coffee…so real food was necessary…stat.
But Cathy was prepared with our dinner plans that evening. And, we were going to be enjoying a little Mexican flavor here on the Island of Kauai. I am a huge lover of Mexican food, and she found a great place located just up the street from our resort, located in the Kapa’a Shopping Center. The restaurant of choice – Verde. And it was hopping Friday night.
Never one to take a Celiac anywhere unknown, Cathy did some serious research before we headed to Hawaii…finding a lot of different and varied places to enjoy meals while we are visiting. Verde came with great reviews and a menu that boasts gluten free and vegetarian options. With the Friday night packing the little restaurant, we waited outside for about 10 minutes until a table opened up that could seat three of us comfortably inside. During the wait, the staff brought us water and menus so we could have an idea of what we might want to eat when we get seated.
Of course, me being me, had already scoped out the menu and knew what I would be eating that night. When one of the Verde staff took us inside to our table (and even carried my water for me!), they asked if we had any questions and when we didn’t, we just let them know that I was a vegetarian Celiac. With that not even being a problem…we placed our orders.
Jenn and Cathy both got the Garlic Shrimp Tacos ($13.95) (really…I think that they are just going to eat the same stuff everywhere we go, LOL!), which was cornmeal-crusted shrimp, local greens, cabbage, guacamole, pico de gallo, flour tortillas, and a roasted garlic-chipotle aioli. Jenn got hers with the guac and pico de gallo on the side (which…is totally Jenn), whereas Cathy kept her taco as a comprised dish.
I opted for the Vegan Tacos ($10.95). These intrigued me from the start. They are corn tortillas that are stuffed (and I mean stuffed) with green beans, spinach, broccoli sautéed in chipotle, and topped with pico de gallo. I had never had green beans in a taco before. Like I said…I was intrigued.
While we were waiting, a bowl of tortilla chips and fresh salsa were delivered to the table. I didn’t partake at first, because I never trust tortilla chips. Shared friers are very real and very scary to me. But Cathy flagged down one of the staff and asked if they were safe for me. He assured me they keep everything separate as his wife is Celiac and they make sure they take every precaution. YAY! It is so rare that I get to have a few of the chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant. This sort of was an exciting moment for me.
The homemade corn chips were fried to perfection, completely crispy and not overly salty. I loved the nice balance that each crispy bright brought. And the red salsa that was served with it was mild and full of flavor. A nice way to whet the appetite before the main event.
And the tacos were not a disappointment.
Verde’s Garlic Shrimp Tacos
Cathy and Jenn had these delicious looking bread shrimp tacos, greens, pico, guac and a heavenly aoili that topped it all off. They both raved about it…especially the aioli. I asked Cathy if they beat out my vegan shrimp tacos that I made (because I love to put her on the spot like that) and she stammered and stuttered and finally said they were two different things. HAHA! I told her it was okay if they were. But, both of them devoured their tacos with gusto and raved about. Cathy pretty much did that with every bite…so I say these definitely win out over my vegan version I sometimes do at home. HA!
Cathy also got a glass of the Hapa Limonada Verde ($4.00), a signature drink that Verde prepares that is a blend of Agua Fresca 4 Citrus Green Tea, Pink Lemonade, Lime, and Agave Syrup. Jenn and I each tried it…and wow…super delicious. The agave syrup as the sweetener was a nice touch for sure. Jenn and Cathy drank the rest of it up. I was sticking to water…which I didn’t get enough of that day (evident in the leg cramps that hit me that night!).
Verde’s Hapa Limonada Verde
As for me…the vegan tacos were amazing. With a lightly fried corn tortilla holding a mound of fresh vegetables, cooked to perfection, I was in love at first bite. The green beans were the main base, and they had great texture and great flavor. The broccoli, however, was the true star, cooked in chipotle spices. The pico and the spinach were a nice addition, but the main veggies were definitely the main event. I devoured…seriously…devoured my two tacos, with the packed veggies that fell out getting eaten with a fork. No veggie left behind. It was a great meal and just what this weary and sore traveler needed, for sure.
We polished off the remaining tortilla chips and paid for our meal. We left content, full, and really pleased to have actual food in our bellies. The servings weren’t ridiculous, they were perfect. The food was cooked to order, safe for me to eat, and really, really delicious. I was so happy when I left Verde that evening to return to the resort and shower off and relax for a bit before turning in. My body is getting adjusted still to the time change. I think I made it to 8 pm before turning in.
What a great way to kick off the food experience of Hawaii. If any plans fall through while in Kauai…I’d go back there in a heartbeat.
It’s not every day that I get to travel somewhere new and exciting. But this current week, I’m off on an adventure. Albeit (see an upcoming post), not the adventure that I was expecting, but you make the most of the cards that are dealt to you. You can’t change the circumstances, but you can change the attitude, right?
You betcha!
So, for one day only, I was knee-deep in the surroundings, hills, and the beautiful bay of San Diego. While my traveling buddies (Cathy (aka: the roomie) and Jenn) went to a local taco stand for lunch, I made my lunch out of a protein bar that I brought with me. I hadn’t planned on lunch, and when I can’t check out places online, I get a bit cautious. I like to read reviews and look at menus and be confident in my choice to eat somewhere. When you have food allergies, you just learn not to take risks. It was all good. My bar was filling and got me through to dinner time. Because Cathy had made reservations at a place called Bandar in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego.
Bandar is a Persian restaurant of all things. Now, I’ve had a lot of different cuisines in my life, but my taste buds had never had a go at Persian cuisine. Bandar’s owner, Behrooz Farahani, graduated with a degree in architecture and originally owned his own architectural firm. When he visited San Diego in 1986, he decided to move his family (a wife and twin daughters) there to provide them with a better life. Behrooz and his wife, Shokooh, purchased the historical buidling in the Gaslamp Quarter…and soon Bandar emerged, becoming an overnight phenomenon. This husband and wife team raised Persian dining to new heights, using authentic marinades for signature dishes involving beef, lamp, chicken, and fish. Using only the finest ingredients, Farahani insists on personally choosing each cut of meat that is served in his restaurants.
The restaurant, Bandar, is best known for its use of healthy ingredients and bold, complex flavors, bringing the flavors of saffron, limes, and other Persian spices to the forefront of each dish, highlighting the amazing flavor that comes in such a healthy and exotic cuisine.
It had been a long, long day. I was sore from making the hikes through airports to get to my flights. And then hauling around San Diego. But, it was all culminating with the final outing of the evening…dinner. And Cathy chose Bandar as our place to eat as it had great reviews on Find Me Gluten Free…and mostly everything (save the bread) is gluten-free in the restaurant (although I think the desserts are also an exception, but we were too full to even consider dessert). Therefore, this made it a great place to check out.
We were there a little earlier than the reservation and for most of the meal, we were the only ones in there. Considering it was prime dinner time, I was a bit surprised by this. But, what do you do? You get seated early (we all decided we could eat…although I’ve realized that traveling still does a number on my appetite and most times I’m not exactly hungry, but I know I need to eat something. The hostess seated us near the back at a gorgeous table and left us with menus. Water was poured and we settled in for a moment. Flat bread and butter were brought out…and to be sure we asked (because the menu misleadingly says that all food there is gluten-free) about what I could have…and the bread was a no-go. From what I was told…it was good.
The first thing we noticed was the price of the food. Holy hummus, foodies…it was pricey. And with Hawaii on the horizon, we weren’t looking for an expensive meal, for sure. I mean, the cheapest (and pretty much only) vegetarian entree on there (Eggplant Stew) was around $26. I wasn’t sure how big the entree portions were either, and, as I said, I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with. A combination of fatigue and the heat, I believe, are to blame for that. My internal clock was three hours ahead, so in my mind, it was bedtime, not dinner time.
While we decided on what to do for dinner, Cathy placed an order for the Hummus Classic ($10.00) that we could split. With that order in, we continued discussing whether or not to split some appetizers or just let me get an appetizer size plate and Cathy and Jenn split an entree. This actually went on for longer than it should have, but mostly because we were all just tired, and probably hungrier than we realized. BUT…with that being said…our Hummus Classic arrived, without anything to dip in it, so I guess that was meant for that flat bread. Cathy asked our waitress if we could have some tomatoes or something so that I could have some too…and she very quickly said she would bring out some cucumbers for me. YAY! Cathy and Jenn each scooped up a little. This was actually Jenn’s first time (she is a bean-hater, BTW) trying hummus and she did not like it at all. To dry and beany she said. Cathy, however, did like it, and when I got my cucumbers and was able to try it…it was actually really good. Smooth, seasoned with paprika and just…yummy. It had that bit of olive oil to finish and it made for a flavorful touch. It was a nice little appetizer to help get us more focused. And while we enjoyed the hummus and Jenn enjoyed some flat bread, we finally decided on dinner. YAY!
Bandar’s Albalu Polo (Black Cherry Rice and Chicken Kebab)
Jenn and Cathy, in the end, decided to split the Albalu Polo (Black Cherry Rice with Chicken Kebab) entree ($26.00). This is exactly what the dish sounds like…chunks of grilled chicken tenderloin served up with rice and black cherries. The waitress asked if they liked sweet things because it was a sweet dish. The two poultry-loving sweet-toothers were okay with that.
As for me, I went with the Dolmeh (Stuffed Grape Leaves) starter ($12.00). I have had horrible grape leaves at a local place in Louisville, Kentucky (oddly enough called The Grape Leaf) and then had some fantastic ones at a Mediterranean chain called Taziki’s. So, this is like my go-to food. This version of Dolmehs were large grape leaves stuffed with split peas, tarragon, basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, rosemary and basmati rice. When I ordered it, she said it was like a meal…so that was a good sign.
The food actually took a little bit of time to get to us. That was fine, because everything at Bandar is cooked to order. Although, it did get to the point that Jenn and I were joking about having to go find a chicken, kill it, pluck it, debone it, etc. But, lo and behold…as a few more people were coming in, our food arrived. I am very glad that Cathy and Jenn opted to split the entree they got because that platter was HUGE. It easily could have fed 3-4 people. Honestly. And the waitress said that she has seen diners finish it on their own. How that is even possible, I’ll never know. They let me try the black cherry rice, and it was really tasty. But I had my own food to dive into, so I left them to their chicken platter of DOOOOOM, while I settled in to feast on my own meal.
The starter size Dolmehs at Bandar come with four (4) very stuffed grape leaves, each one resting on a fresh slice of tomato. That was a nice touch. After photos for the blog, I carried over the first Dolmeh to my plate and settled in with fork and knife to give it a taste. I sliced through the cooked grape leaf, seeing the seasoned basmati rice, split peas, and herbs poke out and fall onto my plate and the tomato. The rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The flavors were awesome. My first bite and I got the fresh herbs immediately in the rice, the spices, and even the peas. It was a great texture, the rice soft, but not mushy, the peas the same…and that grape leaf…it was cooked to perfection. Pairing it with a slice of tomato brought a nice added touch and I ate it, whether it was a garnish or not. I love tomatoes…I could eat a full one as a snack. Needless to say…it was worth the wait…and the indecision…and the price.
And, in case you were wondering, Cathy and Jenn loved their Albalu Polo dish too. Not only was the rice cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with sweet black cherries (I never would have imagined that combination to work), they said the chicken was moist, tender, and tasty. But they hardly made a dent in the actual entree dish itself. But, they did what they could. In the end, Cathy said she could always eat the leftovers for breakfast (which I didn’t believe for a moment, and lo and behold, I was right), so they boxed it up and we left with full and happy tummies.
So, in the end, expensive, but damn, you really do get what you pay for. Honestly, I was not expecting that much food. So, honestly, when you look at it in perspective, Bandar is giving you your money’s worth on their expensive entrees. I was relieved I didn’t attempt the Eggplant Stew on my own after seeing the Thanksgiving Day platter of food that Jenn and Cathy attempted (and failed) to make a dent in.
Bandar was an interesting experience and got Jenn to at least try something new. I’m still working on getting her to try avocado. She says it scares her…but I’ll work on it. That being said, Persian food is very interesting, delightful, and delicious. And I was beyond happy with the food I was able to eat at Bandar. They brought out a tray of cakes to offer us dessert, but we were done and ready to head back to the hotel, cycle through the shower, and get ready for a 3 am wakeup call to get to the airport and continue on our way to Hawaii the next day.
And by the time we were leaving, there were a few more people inside eating. I guess the Gaslamp Quarter (home of SO MANY restaurants) isn’t quite as busy on a Thursday night. But that worked in our favor, as we never felt rushed, and our food was given extreme focus and care. It showed. It was everything I hoped for…and a little more. I’d be more than tempted to go back should I ever find myself back in San Diego.
Me (on the left) and Karla (on the right) crossing the finish line at the Foam Glow 5K – Birmingham, AL
Race: Foam Glow 5K
Place: Birmingham, Alabama
Date: August 8, 2015
Time: 39:51
Everyone remembers their first 5K…or their first race for that matter. It’s special. You go in with your own goals and expectations, not exactly sure what to expect, and not exactly sure how you’ll do when all is said and done. The first race is an important one, I believe – no matter what distance it is.
Just before I got my go-ahead to return to running, I found out via a phone call that my sister had taken up running. She goes out a couple times a week with her Couch25K program and her group of ladies…and runs. She will tell you she’s not fast…and she struggles…but she loves the company and the way she feels (despite some knee issues, which I helped clear up with KT Tape and getting her into proper shoes!) after she runs. She was training for a 5K with her friends. YAY! The only thing that was difficult for her was that she’d be pretty much running it on her own. Her pace is a little more deliberate than the girls she runs with, so she is often left to run on her own on training runs, and the race night would be the same.
When I got cleared to run, it also turned out the race coincided with a weekend where I had nothing else planned. And so…I talked it over with her, signed up for the race, and made arrangements to be in Birmingham to run WITH her at the race. I gave her the rules…her race, her pace. I’d stick by her side the entire time. She was more than okay with this. And, just to be cutesy, we started working on matching running outfits so we could be twinsies too! She ordered the shirt and I picked up matching shorts, knee-high socks, and said she had to have pigtails in, as that is the hairstyle I am best known for when I run. HA!
So, in the weeks leading up to the 5K, I was slowly adding on the minutes, then the miles to my runs. I had topped out at 7 miles in my friend’s very flat neighborhood the weekend before, and was a little sore afterwards, but nothing that really slowed me down. After work on Friday, I grabbed dinner (gluten-free peanut butter & jelly with grapes and a piece of dark chocolate) to eat on the road, and the roomie and I piled into the car (which was stuffed with my mountain bike that was just sitting on my balcony and that my sister could get some use out of) and made the trek down to Birmingham, Alabama…arriving a little later than planned (it took the roomie 30 minutes to use the bathroom at a gas station, I kid you not!), but getting in. Of course, I was up late just getting caught up with my parents (my mom had just recently broken her hand), but we were all winding down regardless. I climbed into bed around 11 p.m. CST (that’s midnight my time!) and set an alarm on my phone to wake me up at 5 a.m. so that I could get dressed, stretch, eat a little something and then get outside as it was getting light out to fit in the 8 miles ahead of the 5K that my coach had me scheduled to run.
I did just that…and it wasn’t easy. My parents’ neighborhood is just…HILLS!! So, I ran the first two miles easy and got warmed up, then wound my way through their neighborhood up to the walking trail. And there was where a majority of the run took place. Just as I was cresting the top of the start point, I heard a rumble, which, I thought might be thunder, but I was so close to the road, it could have been a car too. I figured it was a car…and I was off.
I was also wrong. It was thunder. And rain soon followed. And I was, quite literally, in the middle of nowhere, on this paved path that ran through Helena, Alabama. There is something about me running at my parents house and having it rain on me. It happens…all the time. Must be the Frankfort (Kentucky) affect. And if you don’t get that reference, you haven’t been reading my blog long enough (it storms/rains/precipitates every time I run in Frankfort, KY). So, I kept going, made it back to the start, and was greeted with a gorgeous rainbow flying high over a church. It was awesome. And I took a picture before winding my way back to their house for the last mile of my run. I ducked inside, took a shower, ate some breakfast, stretched…and then my sister came over with her kiddliewinks.
And it all got chaotic and fun. Karla (that’s my sis, btw) and her boys all tried the gluten-free strawberry breakfast cake I brought with me (my parents devoured it too!)…then we made a run to the grocery store for some necessities for the race and for lunch. Back home, where we got everyone ready to go and eat lunch at my roommate’s favorite spot, The Depot, in Pelham, Alabama. My mom and I had veggie burgers we prepared at home with some gluten-free pretzels. It was the big meal of the day as the race was at night and I didn’t want to run on a full belly. After lunch, my dad, Cathy and I hit up 2nd & Charles (bookstore), then made our way back to the house so that Karla and I could start getting dressed.
And that’s when the rain returned. Big monsoon as she and I climbed upstairs to my room to get into our matching running outfits. We checked the weather and it looked like it was going to pass…so that was good. After we got dressed, I put her hair in these tiny little pigtails, then did my own, strapped my Garmin onto my wrist, and we went downstairs so that Cathy could work some KT Tape magic on Karla’s troublesome knee. This was where I got to play with the cutest baby girl…as my sister’s youngest isn’t quite 1 yet.
With everything in order, and Karla’s hubby (that’s Bryan…who once ran a 5K with me) told me he approved of the tight running pants I selected for his wife to wear, we were climbing into their car (as in Bryan, Karla, Cathy, the two boys, and me) to make the over an hour drive to Talladega Speedway, which is where the race was actually being held. Well, we were dropping off vehicles at Cracker Barrel and then carpooling to Talladega. The boys needed some dinner, so it was Happy Meals at McDonalds (Cathy got one too!), and then…to the parking area of the race.
The Sole Sisters…and no, we didn’t actually plan to line up by shirt color. That just sort of happened!
Parking was super-easy, but expensive. A whole $10. Really?! Cathy footed the bill and Bryan got us parked right on the end of one of the rows. It would make finding the car in the dark a whole lot easier, for sure. We were some of the first ones here, as in of the group of ladies running, all of whom my sister trains with at some point. Two others were there before us, and Karla got us to where they were and introduced me to them. So, now I knew Margie and Lauren…(and yes, we were asked if we were twins!) and the rest were all a blur as they all began to arrive prior to the start. My sister and I decided to eat our protein bars early (that was our dinner), and split one if we got hungry between then and race time. After I devoured my bar, I actually got to meet up with a friend of mine (who I used to work with), Julie Hayes, who was walking the 5K with a friend of hers.
As the rest of the group arrived, along with the ring leader, Jenn, we departed for group shots and then…the most important part…hitting up the big foam pit.
Yep…after all…this was the Foam Glow 5K. And you can’t have a Foam Glow 5K without foam and blacklights. The sun was only just beginning to set, so the blacklights weren’t on yet…but the foam was being shot out these giant cannons. It was a lot of fun, stepping inside the staging area and just getting blasted with this soapy, foamy mess. The kids (most of the ladies brought their families!) absolutely LOVED it. I loved it. What a blast. After getting foamed up pretty good, it was back out to the group to get any last minute touches to our outfits. Jenn gave each of us the little bright yellow stripes under our eyes. We were now ready…for the race.
Until my sister’s 8 year old son went missing. YIKES!! He separated from the rest of the kids, who had all come running back to where we were from the foam. Karla was, naturally, in a panic so I went to the foam pit to find him. And I did, relatively quickly, getting him back over to his parents and saving the day! With that bit of hysteria out of the way, Karla was now in a good place to enjoy her first 5K and her first race. Whew.
And that was that…the sun had gone down…the wind had gone away, and the ladies in the crazy bright tank tops with the words, “We Don’t Sweat, We Glow!” on them all started toward the start area. The race was going off in waves, it it felt like only 20 people were going at a time. Once we got closer, we realized that wasn’t the case, but at least 10 waves went off ahead of us, and we were relatively close to the front. Karla, myself and Margie were actually corralled ahead of the rest of our group, so we ducked under the rope and rejoined our group. The group ahead of us was off…and we moved forward.
Karla looked so calm. She was smiling. She was joking around. She was relaxed. That was awesome. And, then, with a small countdown…the emcees at the race sent off our wave. And Karla was leading us off. She fell right into the pace, getting a little sucked into a first start with all the excitement, but that’s fine. That’s okay. We hit the dark course and she looked like a pro, already dodging and weaving through any more deliberate runners or the walkers that went ahead of us. I even told her she was already running like a pro. And, to take her mind off of the task at hand, I would frequently bother her with inane questions about how she felt, how her pace felt, how her knee felt…
At one point, I thought that the race people were sending us up the stairs to the speedway itself, but it was just people doing photo-ops. Karla kept us on course and we headed into what was going to be the first (of three) Foam Zones. This was a bit refreshing as the night had grown humid and the wind had died. So, the first one, we bounded through together and kept on trekking. Karla asked about distance and my 1 mile beep went off on my watch. I let her know that the beeps meant we hit a mile, so she had 2 more of them. She didn’t look amused.
Me and Karla in the big Foam Pit following the Foam Glow 5K – Birmingham, AL
This course was not easy. You pretty much get sent up a hill near the start, which is fine, but when it’s dark and you’re not expecting it…yeah. Well, I was there with Karla to give her some hints about how to properly run hills (Lord knows I’ve run my share of them!), such as push off on your toes, power up them with your arms, and take shorter steps. She listened and did really well. And when we got to the top, I congratulated her on a job well done. As we headed toward Mile 2, I hear “GO KAREN AND KARLA!” and it’s Julie! We threw our hands up in the same way (not planned…twinsies, you know!)…and continued on. At the halfway point, they were handing out water bottles. I asked Karla if she wanted water and she shook her head and said she just wanted to keep going. I snagged one just in case and we were back to bobbing and weaving and avoiding treacherous pavement on the dark path (seriously…some lights on the course would have been nice!). We hit the second Foam Zone and Karla, putting safety above all, decided to walk through the soapy sludge. Good call. The instant she was through, she picked her pace back up and we continued on. We were coming around the back part of the speedway, I think, and she slowed a little just to catch her breath. I handed her the bottle of water and she took a sip. Then, she passed it back, took a few breaths and picked her walk back up into a run. She was really making me proud. The second mile beeped on my watch.
One more mile. I told her as much. And the path seemed to be getting more treacherous. Karla twisted her ankle twice, but kept on going. I tripped on uneven pavement…but somehow, we were managing to stay on our feet. We were hitting up the final Foam Zone, which we walked through again, and when she picked back up to her run, I knew we had to be getting close. I checked my watch…and I figured from the pace she had been running that she had about six minutes left of the race.
“Six minutes,” I told her. “You can do anything for six minutes, right?”
“YES!” she said.
I taught all the girls my Power Pose for the end of the race! Foam Glow 5K…DONE!
Jenn caught up to us as we were nearing the Mile 3 mark, giving Karla a firm smack on the ass. We were so close. I would give Karla minute increments on how much longer she had…and I heard some walkers repeat it. They’d be out there a bit longer since they were walking (hehe). I told Karla that when we saw the finish line, we were going to sprint for it and cross it together. Well, I could hear the music at the finish, so we were definitely getting close. With encouragement, Karla lifted her head and put on her game face, focusing on her form and getting to that finish line. The blacklights were in view. The music was pumping…and I reached out and took her hand. For the last .1 miles, we ran together, holding hands, until we crossed that finish line. I paused my Garmin and there it was…Karla’s first 5K race…her pace…DONE…in a fantastic 39:15.
I gave her a huge hug and told her how proud I was of her. Those of us who were done stood around and took some fun pictures, drank lukewarm water, and just had a jolly good time. We were waiting on the remainder of the group, and once they crossed…it was after party time.
The husbands and kids were already living it up at the after party. Bryan was covered in foam when I saw him next. And that was exactly where the rest of us were heading. It was humid and hot and sticky, and the foam pit was cooling, a bit messy, a lot wet, and a whole lot of fun. I have never been so soapy in my life…and I love a good lather as much as the next girl. I hurt from smiling and laughing so much. I’d get all this foam sprayed all over me…manage to shake it off and wipe it away, only to get plastered from another canon on the other side of the staging area.
Honestly…it was a blast.
And afterwards, as things were wrapping up, the ladies returned to the cooler where I had packed Pink Salad for everyone to enjoy as a treat post-race. We were messy, soapy, and happy. We enjoyed our refreshing treat, which Karla graciously scooped up for everyone, and then…we all departed to head home. I had so much fun meeting these wonderful ladies who have drawn my sister into my world of running.
And I felt incredibly special to have been able to run her very first 5K with her.
Karla’s eldest son was spent, and he fell asleep on the way home, just after our gas station stop for some cold water. Her youngest was playing his Nintendo DS, but he was fading. As we pulled into Cracker Barrel, we said our goodbyes…and I once again told Karla how proud I was of her and how much fun I had. I was leaving early Sunday morning to head back to Louisville…so this was our goodbye.
I have to say…despite the path not being lit, the crush of walkers with the runners, and the uneven pavement…despite all of that, I had such a great time. Being able to run with my sister in her first race meant the world to me. She told me, “I’m slow.” And I told her…it didn’t matter. All-in-all, she had a great pace, and looked like a natural out there. I was truly blessed with the opportunity to see her through this run, meet the ladies who she goes out and runs with, and just have a fun experience that didn’t have me freaking out or tense prior to the start. There is something to be said about doing things with people you love.
Karla…Thank you for letting me take part in the Foam Glow 5K with you and allowing me to accompany you on your very first 3.1 mile run. Keep on running. I am so proud of you and can’t wait to see how you improve and where this road takes you!!
Sunset, foam, and blacklights – FOAM GLOW 5K – Birmingham, AL
This might surprise you if you are unfamiliar with Carolina Gold Rice and/or Chef Sean Brock (owner of Husk in Charleston, SC and Nashville, TN)…but this isn’t really ice cream. Not at all. It’s a rice dish.
*SHOCK! GASP! DISBELIEF!*
But ever since I watched Sean Brock make this dish on Mind of a Chef, and really go in depth into how amazing Carolina Gold Rice really is…I not only wanted to try the rice, but I wanted to make this recipe as well. Back in January, I went to Charleston, SC to run the Charleston Marathon, and while I was there, I hit up the market and purchased (for a hefty price…but worth it!) a sack of Carolina Gold Rice. The actual phrase “ice cream” in this particular recipe refers more to the preparation, which involves a boil-and-strain initial cooking of the rice, and then the process of oven drying it to give it a better texture. each grain is a distinct bit of food…no clumping. As the rice dries and the butter is added, the rice simply becomes the star. And that’s why it makes a simple, but perfect meal all on its own.
Since I had a bit of time yesterday, and since I wasn’t screamingly hungry, I went ahead and decided to use some of the field greens I got in my CSA bin as the topper for this dish and prepare it for dinner, using some of the Carolina Gold Rice I brought back from Charleston, SC. It takes a little bit of time and patience, but the end result…is amazing, simple, and delicious. A little elegant touch of the South right in your own home. Trust me, you’ll rethink the way you prepare rice in the future.
Recipe: Charleston Ice Cream
Charleston Ice Cream
Servings: 4
Time: Prep 5 minutes; Cook 45 minutes
Ingredients:
6 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup Carolina gold rice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
Baby lettuces (or some julienned greens) (for serving)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300°F.
In a heavy stockpot, bring the water, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, add the rice, stir once, and bring to a simmer. Simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is al dente, about 15 minutes. Drain the rice.
Spread the rice onto a sheet tray.
Dry the rice in the oven, mixing occasionally. After 10 minutes, spread the butter evenly over the rice. Continue stirring every few minutes. The rice should be dry in about 15 minutes, and the grains should separate.
Serve by plating the Rice in a bowl and garnishing with the baby lettuces.
~*~*~
This recipe is super easy and really simple to prepare. I was most concerned about the flavor being bland, but I promise, it’s not. The simple addition of salt and white pepper to cook the rice in, not to mention the bay leaf, brings in a huge amount of flavor. And don’t skip the greens. They are refreshing and add a great texture and flavor to the finished dish. It’s an unconventional way of cooking rice, yes. But, damn…it’s amazing!
I am definitely hooked on Charleston Ice Cream. And…will want to keep Carolina Gold Rice in my pantry forever from now on. If you don’t have Carolina Gold Rice, any long grain rice will substitute for it. But, if at all possible, order some in, get your hands on some, and try it. You’ll be amazed.
So…I was in Boston…for The Boston Marathon. And you know what it means when I’m gearing up for a race. The traditional night-before-the-race gluten-free pizza. It is a must. Sure, I can do gluten-free pasta, but pizza seems to be my mojo. My magical little race-day helper. And so, this tradition has gone unchanged whenever possible.
I consulted with a good friend of mine, Julie, before heading to Boston, looking for restaurant recommendations, especially for pizza. She sent me so many different options, I was elated to see how many options were available in Boston. If you are a Celiac or gluten-free and planning on a trip to Boston, trust me…it is so easy to find something to eat there. It’s wonderful. Never before have I had so many options in one place.
With her high recommendation, and the praise of my high school friend, Lydia, it was decided that we would be noshing on Sunday night (Monday is marathon day in Boston!) at a place called Upper Crust Pizzeria. They have several locations throughout the Boston area, but as we were spending the day hiking the Freedom Trail, we decided that we’d wind our way out toward Beacon Hill and land there right around dinner time.
We actually ended up getting there sooner, rather than later, so we ducked into some candy shops and walked around the Beacon Hill area until around 5 p.m. That was when we made our way back to the little establishment and stepped inside.
It wasn’t what I was expecting. This was one tiny little establishment, indeed. In fact, the kitchen was on the far right as you enter, with one long community table in the middle of the restaurant. That was it. We lucked out in that people finished up eating by the time we ordered, so we had a place to settle in and eat. Because there was no way the pizza would make it back to the hotel and still be hot.
Cathy and I had scouted the menu prior to leaving for Boston and already knew what we were going to get. This left my friends Heather and Jenn to either have pizza by the slice or split a pizza. As Heather wanted pepperoni and Jenn does just cheese, they ended up getting two slices each.
Their slices were ginormous!! Seriously!! Holy cow. It made me more than a little concerned over how big the gluten-free pizza slices were going to be and whether Cathy and I could eat it on our own.
But, our 14-inch gluten-free pizza arrived a short time after their slices…and it looked fantastic. We ordered one of the custom pies that is a “local favorite.” It’s called Charles Street ($19.00 – the gluten-free crust is a $2 upcharge), and we had it made on the gluten-free dough. It comes topped with portabella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and fresh garlic. For the sake of my stomach, we asked them to go light on the cheese on this pizza. And it looked absolutely fantastic when it arrived at the table. We paused long enough in our hunger to snap a picture before diving in, each peeling off a slice. The pizza is their “small” size…and it’s actually quite big…but it was perfect for 2-3 people to share. And since we hadn’t eaten much that day, it was perfect for Cathy and I to split without any help.
The Charles Street pizza at Upper Crust Pizzeria is AMAZING! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Totally and honestly. I ate a bite on its own and immediately was all “Mmmmmm.” Like in “Mmmmmmarathon” and “Mmmmmmore please” and “Mmmmmmgoooooood!” But then, I doctored it up with some dried herbs and a little bit of red pepper flakes. My stomach fears no spice, not even before a marathon. The crust of the pizza was thin, but not a cracker crust. You could definitely tell it was white rice flour based, but it wasn’t a distracting overlying taste. In fact, the crust was one of my favorite things about this pizza. I love a good crust, but I also love to indulge in more pizza…so a thin crust is a nice thing in my book. Cathy tried a bit of Jenn’s pizza and said the gluten-free crust was even better than the original. Score!! I loved the earthiness that flavored this particular pizza. The Charles Street had this great balance of savory with a hint of sweetness from the sundried tomatoes. It was amazing. I devoured every slice. For the first time ever, I think Cathy finished her pizza just as I was polishing off mine.
I can’t say enough good things about this pizza. At first I was a little uncertain, due to the venue more than anything. I mean, one table…and no room when we arrived for us to sit and enjoy…it was a little intimidating and off-putting…but a spot cleared up and we settled in after ordering, and all of us were happy with our pizza. I would go back and eat here the next time I was in Boston, even if there wasn’t a marathon involved. Really fantastic. There were a few other signature pizzas that they make that sound absolutely amazing, so I’m definitely eager to return and give them a taste.
If you’re in Boston…and you want a great gluten-free pizza…find one of the locations for Upper Crust Pizzeria (or go to the original one, like I did, in Beacon Hill) and order up a slice of heaven in pizza form. I know I’ll be back. Oh yes, I will be back!
Upper Crust Pizzeria’s Gluten Free Charles Street Pizza
The Celiathlete 