Vegan – Page 20 – The Celiathlete

November 23, 2014

Restaurant Review: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

Via Napoli - Italy Pavilion - Epcot — Via Napoli – Epcot – Disney World

Restaurant: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Epcot – Disney World

It was Epcot Day! YAY! I love Epcot Day. I don’t know why…because so much of it features the World Showcase…which during the Food & Wine Festival…features foods from all over the world. Even the regular pavilions that are standard in the showcase don’t offer much for a gluten-free vegetarian. But I still love Epcot Day.

Since we were in Epcot, on our final night, we wanted to go somewhere in the park for dinner. It took a little bit of back and forth, but we finally decided on Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. It had gluten-free pasta on the menu, so we were good. Something I could eat. Which, definitely was important on Epcot Day…as our morning actually started at the Magic Kingdom…where we at Dole Whip for breakfast. Pictures were taken for proof. I am not ashamed.

But…let’s fast forward.

The entire day was spent doing a few rides and exploring the World Showcase. My friend, Jenn, was having a difficult time on the last day. Her feet…her poor feet…had blisters in places I didn’t know one could get blisters. It was a slower moving day, but I was fine with that. Take in the showcase. Stop and watch the new Lumberjack Show. I miss Off Kilter though…I’m not going to lie. Cathy snagged a lunch in Morocco (she had to have her lamb shawarma!), while Jenn and I toddled over to Brazil for the (naturally gluten-free) Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread). I later had one of my protein bars and half of a clementine (Jenn had the other half) because dinner reservations weren’t until 7:45 p.m. Late.

But, we made use of our time…checking out different things along the way, resting when Jenn needed to get off her feet, exploring the different countries, and shopping. Of course. We got in line for the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros at the Mexican Pavilion…and that sort of ate up (see what I did there?) the rest of the evening down time before food. It was a bit of a stroll back to Italy in Epcot…but Jenn was a trooper…and she got there.

I went up to the hostess desk in the very crowded lobby and let her know we were there for our reservation. She asked me some questions, it was hard to hear her over the din of the lobby. But we got it worked out. And, of course, my food allergy thing. So, there was a short wait…but after about 5 or so minutes, the lobby was emptying and we were up next. The really nice hostess took us all the way to the back for a table with a bench and two chairs. Cathy and I sidled up on the bench. Jenn took the chair this time.

We. Were. Starving.

I perused the menu and noted that, yes, gluten-free pasta was the only option for me. The downside…none of the listed pasta dishes on the menu were vegetarian. Yikes. As I was just starting to look at the menu, the customer liaison came over to speak to me about my food allergy. He noted the gluten-free and pointed out that they do not have gluten-free pizza but any of the pasta can be done gluten-free. And then he was off.

Which left our poor waiter to be the one who would have to seriously help me out. Not that he minded. And as I am the tricky one…I ordered first. And my first statement was…

“Well, I am a gluten-free vegetarian…so…”

He came over to my side of the table to look at the pasta dishes. “Gluten-free…it’s easy,” he said. “The vegetarian…” He looked at all the pasta options again and finally said, “I tell you what…we will have the chef prepare some mushrooms and vegetables with our marinara sauce.”

Works for me. Order in.

Jenn opted for the Lasagne Verde, which is a white lasagna that is stuffed with spinach, parmesan, ricotta, and a besciamella sauce ($22.00). Cathy went for her go-to when we first go to an Italian restaurant…the Spaghetti e Polpettine, which contained hand-crafted veal meatballs in a tomato sauce ($21.00). I have to say, I usually giggle a little when Jenn orders something with cooked spinach or vegetables in it…because most of those veggies get tossed to the side of the plate. But…she is Italian…and she knows her Italian food.

We waited for a bit…no gluten-free rolls or any bread at all at the table. We watched a woman at the table next to us devour an entire pizza on her own, while her dining companions watched her. And as she was taking her last few bites, their food arrived. It was weird. We couldn’t figure out if they were just there to watch her eat (like some crazy Disney World food challenge or something)…but…who knows. She then got to watch all of them eat so…turn around is fair play…or something?

But, soon our attention turned to our own food as our dishes arrived and were delivered before us.

Pasta with Veggies and Marinara — Pasta with Veggies in Red Sauce

I have to say, my bowl of pasta was beautiful. A good helping of marinara sauce (which would have been awesome with a gluten-free bread product of some type!) with a variety of vegetables cooked in. I spotted zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms immediately. And the gluten-free pasta was fusilli…so twisty and perfect for capturing delicious sauce. I will call this dish…”Pasta for the strange gluten-free vegetarian at the table in the back.” Or…more simply…Pasta and Veggies in Red Sauce ($22.00).

Now, this is the second Italian restaurant I have visited at Disney World. Normally we just head over to Hollywood Studios and enjoy our food (complete with gluten-free dinner rolls and gluten-free dessert!) at Mama Melrose’s. But since were were in Epcot…we figured it would be easier to eat there than park hop.

I sort of wish we park hopped…

It’s not that Via Napoli was bad. It wasn’t. The food was actually quite good. It was just…average though. The pasta in my dish was actually cooked to perfection. A lot of gluten-free pastas, especially when crafted from rice flours, tend to get gummy and fall apart. These were a perfect al dente and held up to the marinara and the vegetables. But…there was a lot of pasta in that dish and I ended up picking out the veggies at the end and leaving the noodles alone. I ate about 3/4 of the dish…and that was it. I was done. The marinara had a lot of flavor to it. And the vegetables were a nice touch and I appreciate the chef at Via Napoli for doing that to accommodate my dietary needs. I just…had better. Elsewhere.

Jenn enjoyed her lasagna…after she picked out most of the spinach. And Cathy made sure to eat all of her meatballs. They were much smaller than what she normally gets in a spaghetti and meatball dish, so she appreciated that too. But she too had to soldier on and leave some of her pasta noodles behind.

No dessert here for us…we had plans. Cathy wanted her chocolate cannoli from one of the gelato carts in the World Showcase, and I headed to France to get some Salted Caramel Gelato from an ice cream shop there. Yummy!

So, as it stands, Via Napoli put out good food. I can’t think of anywhere at Disney where I have had bad food. It’s just…Mama Melrose’s had more options for me…and a bit more to offer. So next time…I think I’ll return to Mama Melrose’s. But, thank you, Via Napoli, for the fine cuisine. A little taste of Italy never goes wrong with me.

November 20, 2014

Restaurant Review: Red Rooster, Harlem, New York

Restaurant: Red Rooster, Harlem, New York

I totally broke tradition. I did. I was in New York City to run the TCS New York City Marathon…and so far I had managed really amazing gluten-free pizza the night before the race. Normally, after I race, my friends and I go to a pub to celebrate the occasion.

Not. This. Time.

But, it was of my own doing that we ended up in Harlem just after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.

How?

Well…since we were going to be in New York City, I thought it might be fun to check out a restaurant that belongs to one of my favorite chefs of all time.

The venue: Red Rooster.

The chef: Marcus Samuelsson.

After all, we were celebrating my finish at the marathon earlier that afternoon. Why not make it special. So, yeah…I broke tradition and decided to forgo the pub for something…a little different. And I have never made a better decision in my life.

Prior to heading to New York City, I had told Cathy that I really wanted to go into Harlem and eat at Red Rooster. She knows how much I adore Marcus Samuelsson. And, honestly, we’re both foodies…she was right there with me. So, she went ahead and called the restaurant and talked to them about reservations on marathon eve. She mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian and they said that food for me would not be an issue. With that done, Cathy set up a reservation for 6 p.m., giving me plenty of time to run, shower, walk around, come back and change, and get there with my group of friends. We had reservations for 4 people…me, Cathy, Heather, and my good friend Marisa.

So, that night, I dressed up in this elegant vintage dress…but kept on my recovery compression socks (and wore them with my heels, HA!), and my three friends and I went down to the subway and hopped the train to Harlem. We emerged steps away from Red Rooster. Literally.

And about 10 minutes late. Whoops. But…we got there…before they handed our table away.

We were seated near the kitchen, which was fantastic for me because I could see the people bustling around in there, working hard at the various stations. I loved the feel of Red Rooster…very chic casual. A fun, vibrant, laid back, but classic vibe. It was the kind of place I would want to return to and bring everyone I know…at least once. Totally my style.

Our server, Ryan, came over to greet us. He said that if we had any questions regarding the menu to let him know. I mentioned that I was a gluten-free vegetarian, and he said that wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, he would go and talk to the chef and see what they could do for me. I thanked him and we all studied the different menu options. At one point, I know Cathy was trying to convince Marisa to try the soup with tripe in it, but that wasn’t happening.

Ryan returned, and said that he mentioned that I had run the TCS New York City Marathon and was a gluten-free vegetarian, to which he said the chef would like to create a dish for me. I was thrilled and thanked him for checking.

With that said, Cathy took one matter into her own hands. We were, after all, celebrating. So, she ordered a bottle of wine for the table. We went with a sweet wine (Heather prefers dry…but she was a good sport), opting for a local Riesling – the 2013 Brotherhood from Washingtonville, New York ($48.00).

We were ready to order, it seemed. Ryan already had mine. He said the chef was going to do up a Vegetable Plate ($21.00) for me. So, I was excited to see what would emerge from the kitchen. Cathy went with Marcus Samuelsson’s signature dish – Helga’s Meatballs, which are served with lingonberries, braised green cabbage, and buttermilk mashed potatoes ($23.00). Heather ordered the Triple-Double Burger, which is served with bacon, jarlesburg, and rooster sauce ($19.00). Marisa did a little picking and choosing, and went with the Upstate Farms Squash Soup, which includes yogurt, honeycrisp apples, and lentils ($12.00) with a side of the Cornbread ($4.00). And, because they sounded good…Heather and I split a side of the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.00).

Red Rooster Entrees: Helga's Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger — Red Rooster Entrees: Helga’s Meatballs, Upstate Farms Squash Soup, and Triple-Double Burger

Ryan went to put or order in and we all got down to talking about New York, about work, about life, about the race, about food, about events…whatever we wanted to talk about. We were in no rush and the restaurant was not rushing us. I loved being able to just drink in the atmosphere.

Just before the food arrived, Ryan returned with our Riesling bottle, pouring a little bit into Cathy’s glass. Cathy lifted the glass and took a sip. And it was love at first taste for her. So he poured some in each of our glasses, and I made sure to keep drinking my water too. No dehydration here.

And then…our entrees arrived, each one settled down in front of us carefully.

The plates…were gorgeous!

Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate - Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts — Chef Creation: Vegetable Plate – Curried Black Eyed Peas, Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The chef created a fantastic dish for me. In a bowl on my left was Curried Black Eyed Peas. And on the platter beside it…Charred Broccolini, Berbere Carrots and Parsnips, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Oh…I will note, these Brussels Sprouts tasted different than the side that Heather and I were splitting. It was chef magic. And it was a beautiful and gorgeous plate. One that I looked forward to eating.

Let’s start with the Curried Black Eyed Peas. Just…WOW. WOW! So much flavor. Lots going on. And yet…simple. I like to traditionally have black eyed peas on New Years Day…and this is how I would want them this year. For real. Just this incredible depth of flavor with the curry spices. Not hot…just simply bringing out more of the peas themselves. One of the best dishes involving peas of any sort I have ever had in my life. And, trust me, I’ve eaten plenty.

The vegetables that the chef prepared were a delicious and filling treat for me. The broccolini was gorgeously cooked and vibrant green. It had the right amount of crisp to it, yet, still soft and easy to bite through. I love broccolini, and this was just as it should be…simple and delicious. The Brussels Sprouts were roasted to perfection, giving that outer layer some depth of flavor, yet keeping the vegetable itself soft on the inside. Fork tender perfection.

My favorite thing, however, on that plate was the Berbere Carrots and Parsnips. HOLY COW! This side is exactly why I rushed out to a spice store in order to purchase berbere. This spice is awesome. It has this great flavor to it, followed with a little bit of heat at the end. It paired beautifully with this root vegetables. In fact, these were what I saved for my last bite. Completely in love with a plate of vegetables. How amazing! My compliments to the marathoning chef. My meal was sheer perfection.

Red Rooster's Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts — Red Rooster’s Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts

And I know you’re wondering about the Hearth Roasted Brussels Sprouts that Heather and I split, right? Of course you are! These were different from the ones that were on my plate. These sprouts had this amazing char to them, but also hit up with a bit of a lemon or citrus flavor. Sprinkled on top were macadamia nuts. It was a combination that I hadn’t had before with Brussels sprouts…and I liked it.

But, wait…there is more!

Because when we celebrate we get dessert too! We were handed the menus so we could peruse the options. Ryan was taking care of another party at that moment, so I asked the new server about gluten-free options. She highly recommended The Green Apple Viking Delight ($11.00). I was game. Heather actually ended up doing that too. Leave it to the Scandinavian Minnesotans to order something with the word “viking” in it. HA! Cathy knew she wanted to have cheesecake in New York City, so her choice was the obvious one…Vanilla Cheesecake, served with yogurt, a granola crumble and pomegranate sorbet ($11.00). Marisa went for the signature dessert of the restaurant, the Red Rooster Doughnuts, which are filled with sweet potato and coated in cinnamon and sugar ($12.00). It came with an icing to dip them in as well.

Red Rooster's Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts — Red Rooster’s Vanilla Cheesecake and Red Rooster Doughnuts

Red Rooster's Green Apple Viking Delight — Red Rooster’s Green Apple Viking Delight

Desserts arrived shortly after and…yeah…we were quite happy with our choices. I thought The Green Apple Viking Delight was like a cold crème brûlée. It was a green apple sorbet set on top of a white chocolate fennel cream. On the side was chopped apple and fennel. And a little tuile was set on top, giving it a little crunch and texture. I was totally in love with the flavors, even though I wasn’t completely certain, at first, that they would work. They complimented each other perfectly and each bite was a burst of sweetness, with a bit of richness from the white chocolate. Divine.

Cathy loved her cheesecake (it looked deconstructed…so cool!) and Marisa was more than pleased with the doughnuts. Needless to say…we are girls. Desserts are awesome. But these…these took awesome up to the next level. Which I guess is phenomenal. Or, in the culinary world, a sweet note to end the night on.

We left the restaurant completely satisfied with the meal. The ambiance of Red Rooster was like no other restaurant that I have been in to date. A live jazz band had started to play during our desserts and we really just took a moment to not only savor the food, but savor the experience as well.

I have been a Marcus Samuelsson fan for years…being able to eat at his restaurant was a dream come true. Having a dish created for me, and having a careful and very caring staff made it unforgettable. I was congratulated so many times on finishing the marathon. It was an amazing day, but that night really just sealed it as one of the best days of my life. Good race…good friends…good food…good times.

Thank you, Marcus Samuelsson and Red Rooster.

November 18, 2014

Restaurant Review: Don Antonio by Starita, New York, New York

Restaurant: Don Antonio by Starita, New York, New York

Restaurants are not hard to come by in New York City. Not at all. It is the birthplace of many a Michelin star restaurant and James Beard Award nominee and/or winner. It is the land of dreams…and a burgeoning hub of chefs and restauranteurs looking to make a name and a statement.

No, restaurants are not hard to find.

GOOD restaurants, however, can be difficult to find with all the options that greet you on every street, avenue, corner, block, etc.

When I was in The Big Apple for the TCS New York City Marathon at the beginning of November, I already knew I wasn’t going to be there long enough to really explore the vast and diverse food scene. Not this trip. What I did know was that I was in town for a marathon, and what that required of this beautiful city was…gluten-free pizza.

The original plan had been to go to this place called Nizza. It had good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free and wasn’t too far from the hotel where we were staying. The problem turned out to be that we were only able to get a reservation for 4 p.m. Granted, I appreciate eating early the night before a race. The problem was…this was too early. Heather was meeting up with her cousin at 1 p.m. for lunch…which would mean she wouldn’t even be hungry at this point. The time couldn’t be adjusted. Cathy and I tried back at the hotel. No later reservations until much too late for my liking.

That being said, I had gotten onto Find Me Gluten Free when we were on the shuttle bus coming back from the race expo and found another option. It was this place called Don Antonio by Starita. And it has only three locations: New York City, Atlanta (Georgia), and Napoli (Italy). Cathy gave them a quick call as there was no place to see about reservations. They informed her that they do not take reservations, but even on a Saturday night, they turn through tables quickly and there is never more than a 45 minute wait.

We took them for their word, and around 6 p.m., began to make the easy walk down to the restaurant.

The place was hopping. There were people standing out on the damp and windy streets. I ducked inside to get my name in with the hostess and was told they would call my name when our table was ready…which would be around 45 minutes. Fair enough. We were told as much on the phone when we called that afternoon.

The popularity of the place was amazing. But part of the reason the front of the restaurant, near the bar, was so crowded was there was a party of 14 there for a birthday party. No joke. So, they were pretty much what was holding up a lot of the tables and movement of the patrons through for their meals. We were in no rush…so we just sort of tucked in against the wall inside and people watched.

Due to the longer than normal wait, one of the waitresses came out with a sample pizza for those who were waiting on a table. I didn’t get to partake, but both Cathy and Heather tried one of the slices. I could tell from their reactions that we made a good decision to come here instead.

Soon, my name was being shouted over the loud din of the diners and bar…by the guy, we assumed, was the general manager. We took to calling him the Italian Adam Levine…because he really reminded us of the Maroon 5 singer. Go figure. And honestly, he could have called my name out again and I wouldn’t have complained.

But…we were nearing 7 p.m. now and I was starting to get hungry. After I stepped forward, he guided us toward a table at the top of a couple of stairs, right in the corner. I took the seat next to the railing, with Cathy taking the bench and Heather taking the seat in the walkway. We were handed menus and all ordered water for something to drink.

Marathon night. HYDRATION!

Cathy and I already knew we were doing a gluten-free pizza. It was just a matter of choosing which one. Part of the draw of this place, in addition to serving gluten-free pizza, was that there were also vegan options. And one of them really stood out to me on the menu. Decision was mine, as it was my pre-race meal. So…we were now ready.

Don Antonio by Starita's Montanarine Genovese (front) and Montanarine (back) — Don Antonio by Starita’s Montanarine Genovese (front) and Montanarine (back)

Heather ordered the Salciccia e Friarielli ($16.00) which was composed of smoked buffalo mozzarella, Italian rapini, sausage, and extra virgin olive oil. She paired it with the Montanarine ($1.00), one of Don Antonio’s famous fried dough puffs, topped off with the signature Starita tomato sauce and pecorino romano.

Cathy decided to try one of the dough puffs as well. She went with the Montanarine Genovese ($2.00), which is a fried dough puff topped with onion, pancetta and pecorino romano. She called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. LOL! For the pizza though…I ordered the Gluten Free Marinara ($15.00), which is a simple and basic pizza on the gluten-free crust, that is composed of tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.

NO CHEESE!! No discomfort from dairy. Happy day.

As Cathy placed the order, she confused our waiter, Antony H, just slightly. Because the friend dough puff was not gluten-free. The pizza we were getting was. So he kept telling her the Genovese was not gluten-free. And she kept assuring him that it was fine…because she was not gluten-free, I was, and we were splitting the pizza…not the fried dough puff. I appreciated him making the effort to ensure safe dining.

We were left to socialize for a little while, and soon, both Heather and Cathy were delivered their appetizer dough puffs. They each took their little ball of Italian friend goodness and took a bite. Like I said…Cathy called it the best savory doughnut she’s ever had. I think that’s a high compliment. Both she and Heather only had good things to say about their choice.

The appetizer plates were cleared away and soon our pizza was being delivered. Heather’s pizza had this rustic, amazing crust, charred to perfection in the wood-fired oven. It looked amazing.

Don Antonio by Starita's Gluten Free Pizza Crust — Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust

When our pizza was set down, I had to look very closely at it…because this was only the second time in the almost four years I’ve been eating gluten-free, where the crust was actually a crust. No cracker crust here, folks. This was a true, honest-to-goodness, pizza crust. The only other time this has happened has been at my local gluten-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café, in Louisville, Kentucky. Can you imagine my glee to see an actual pizza being placed in front of me! I snagged one of the four large slices, placed it on my plate, and went to take a bite.

Not only was the crust an actual crust…it was good too. Not quite “Annie May Amazing”…but right up there. Probably the second best gluten-free pizza crust I have ever indulged in. Quite honestly. I loved that it had this crispy, yet still chewy texture, especially on the ends. It didn’t get soggy with the pool of amazing marinara sauce poured over the top. The herbs elevated the flavor. And the olive oil was the perfect finishing touch. That marinara sauce, though…that was the star. Followed by the crust. I dove into my second, and much larger slice, soon after I devoured the first. It was not a tiny pie either. It was substantial. And it was amazing. And I was pleasantly stuffed at the end of the dining experience.

I still talk about that pizza. To this very day.

I have to say, if you find yourself in Manhattan and are looking for exceptional gluten-free pizza (or just pizza in general)…head over to Don Antonio by Starita, on West 50th Street. You will be so glad you did. This far exceeded my expectations for sure. And next time I’m in the city…it will be hard not to go back. And, who knows, maybe when all is said and done…I will anyway. Food so good, it is definitely worth the repeat.

Thank you, Don Antonio by Starita. You’re doing gluten-free justice!

Don Antonio by Starita's Gluten-Free Marinara Pizza — Don Antonio by Starita’s Gluten-Free Marinara Pizza

October 19, 2014

Product Review: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Mesa Sunrise Cereal

Product: Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Mesa Sunrise Cereal – $4.39+

Okay…here’s the awful truth. The moment I pulled this box down from my pantry this morning and looked at the cover I said a silent prayer. Seriously. I had to. I was really concerned that, sort of like the last flaky cereal I ate (sorry Freedom Foods…I love you but…NO!), these would taste like cardboard. There is nothing worse, especially in this day and age, than getting a gluten-free product and having it taste like…a box. It just shouldn’t happen.

So, with much trepidation, I opened up the box and scooped out a serving of the cereal. I snagged a couple of the flakes…just ready to get angry at myself for risking my morning cereal tradition with a new flavor, despite being made by a company I trust. It didn’t work out for me with Freedom Foods (and I love all the other stuff I tried of theirs…just not that one cereal!)…so I begin to doubt ALL the brand names now.

This…is the life of a Celiac…who is still taking risks and trying new stuff. I mean, hey, I can’t just stick with the classics. Well, I could, but what fun would that be.

Nature’s Path has an entire line of organic cereals and a good number of them are gluten-free. I’ve treated myself to many of their Envirokidz cereals in the past, as well as these “adult” cereals…you know…the ones with actual flakes from ancient grains and no cute animals on the box. I guess sometimes I do need to act my age. HA! Anyway…this was one of the ones that was on sale when I was out shopping for cereal…and it intrigued me at the time. The sale price, I guess…more than anything. I am a girl on a tight budget…sometimes I see gluten-free and a sale sticker and that’s what goes in my shopping basket.

The Mesa Sunrise Flakes cereal is a naturally sweetened ceral of crunchy, golden flakes that are made from a blend of Indian corn, flax, and amaranth. Completely gluten-free. They look like speckled corn flakes, honestly. And, perhaps, that’s exactly what they are. But…upon first appearance I had that initial thought:

“Oh…these are going to taste like cardboard…and for the next week…I’ll have to choke them down.”

So, those couple of flakes I snagged from the serving I dished up in my cereal bowl were the primary test. And…

They were not just good, but really good.

First of all, the texture is great. You get this perfect crunch with each bite…so you feel like you’re eating something substantial that won’t go soggy in 30 seconds once you top off your cereal with almond milk…or whatever you like to put on your cereal. That was a huge plus. But the most surprising thing was the flavor. I thought these would be bland and dry, but they weren’t. In fact, they had this nice touch of sweetness to them, the result of sweet corn and the addition of evaporated cane juice, I’m sure. But it had this great flavor and I could tell that it would stick with me after I ate it…unlike most gluten-free cereals, which tend to be laden with sugar and less protein and fiber. I burn through those. This actually felt substantial. And healthy. And good! And being made from some great whole grains does help make this a well rounded and delicious breakfast.

Let’s talk about these ingredients for a moment, shall we? The Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes are made with organic corn meal, organic yellow corn flower, organic evaporated cane juice, organic flax, organic buckwheat flour, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, sea salt, and tocopherols (natural vitamin E). These flakes are gluten-free and cholesterol free.

As far as nutrition goes, the Nature’s Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Flakes are a great way to start your day. Very healthy. A serving size is 3/4 cup. In this serving, you will be taking in 120 calories and only 1 gram of fat. This serving provides you with 125 mg sodium and only 4 grams of sugar. And you will be consuming 3 grams of filling fiber and 3 grams of protein. It’s a substantial and hearty cereal that is low in sugar (LOVE that!) and healthy thanks to being made from whole grains. I am in love with this cereal.

Nature’s Path has become a reliable and easy-to-find brand when I’m searching for some gluten-free options. Every cereal I have tried, both in their grown-up line and their Envirokidz line, have been outstanding. No wonder this company is thriving. If you need a healthy breakfast, I highly recommend trying the Nature’s Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Flakes. Great cereal and a great way to start your day!

October 19, 2014

Product Review: Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists

Product – Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists – $3.19+

So…I’ve been savoring a product that I received in my first ever Cuisine Cube (May 2014)…for good reason. You see…I love sweets. No surprise. I mean, I’m all about eating healthy and all that, but I believe treats are a welcome part of life. And without treating yourself every now and again, you will go insane and be no fun at all. This is why I believe in dessert after dinner. Moderation is key, of course, but…I think your day of eating should end with a treat, be it fruit, a piece of candy, ice cream, a cookie, a brownie, or a slice of cake. You’ve earned it. Even if it’s just a bite.

Well…having just signed up for my monthly cube of gluten-free goodness, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I, of course, had read about Cuisine Cube before actually choosing to sign up for the delivery service…but knew next to nothing about what would all be involved. What is involved is that, every month, a delicious box of gluten-free goodies arrives, spanning the entire spectrum of meals. One breakfast item, a snack item, a lunch item, a dinner item, a dessert item, and then…every now and again…a bonus.

In May 2014’s cube…there was a bonus. This one included…

CANDY!

Yes…I am an athlete…but I’m also a real person…and I like candy as much as my 7 nieces and nephews do. However, when I had to go gluten-free three years ago…certain candies that I loved were now off the table, as it were. One such favorite treat was…Twizzlers. Not only did Twizzlers make mouths happy throughout my childhood and…yes…even my adult life…but I loved them. Simple flavored licorice (only the red…not a fan of black licorice at all!)…fat free…chewy…delicious. Something so simple and yet…so fundamentally iconic. Makes mouths happy, indeed. But…Celiac disease happened…and Twizzlers became only a fond, distant memory.

Until…May 2014. Inside my Cuisine Cube that month was…this little pouch of little organic licorice twists. The brand was Candy Tree. I’d never heard of them before but now I wanted to marry them. Hey…sometimes it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy. I vowed I was going to eat them and relive all my Twizzler moments. I put them in my snack drawer…and thought about opening them on countless occasions and then…I just…didn’t want to. I didn’t want to fall in love with them and not be able to have them again.

But, after not really wanting to make anything for dessert tonight, and not feeling cookies (shock!)…I wanted something light. And, then I remembered the licorice twists in my drawer. The package held two servings…perfect for my roommate and I to split between us.

Candy Tree was actually founded in 1984 by two parents who were concerned with what their seven children were eating. They began to cook up lollipops, toffees, licorice and hard candies, all made with organic ingredients and using an organic corn malt as a base. They then would flavor these treats with real fruit and organic apple juice. These treats are made in Holland, with strict precautions being taken so that there is no gluten contamination. So…you are literally getting something to satisfy your licorice craving without all the bad stuff.

And…tonight…I opened up the little plastic pouch and split the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists between myself and my roomie. Moment of truth.

I don’t remember much about Twizzlers, as it has been three years since I’ve had them…but I do remember them being really soft and chewy. The Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists…are not as soft and chewy. My roommate, who literally just had Twizzlers on Friday, said the same thing. They are a little tougher than licorice twists she’s used to…but the flavor was amazing. You would be hard pressed to believe that these organic licorice twists have no added sugar at all. None. Everything comes from the real fruits and fruit juices that help to create these. While these were a little tougher than I normally would like licorice…I just want to say…I WAS EATING LICORICE!! So, I didn’t care that they had a little bite to them. They were packed with great flavor and they were sweet without being over-the-top sugary sweet. In fact…I ate through my serving in what is probably record time. You try not having something you love for three years and then having something that is the gluten-free equivalent in your grasp and see how long it lasts. HA!

So, let’s discuss what the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists are actually made from, shall we? These licorice twists are made with organic corn syrup, organic rice flour, organic rice starch, organic apple juice, organic concentrated fruit juice: raspberry (3%), organic flavor: raspberry, citric acid. This product is gluten-free, wheat-free, milk/casein free, soy free, and organic.

As far as nutrition goes, a serving size of the Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Twists is 40 grams (or 1/2 of the package). There are two servings per package. A serving will provide you with 140 calories. These are completely fat free. One serving also will give you 19 grams of your daily sugar intake. A serving has no fiber and only 1 gram of protein. So, it isn’t filling. It’s candy. A treat. Enjoy it.

So…while they weren’t the highly processed (thank goodness!) Twizzlers I grew up eating, they were very delicious. It was a very nice throwback to a candy I used to devour at every waking moment. These were a great, organic, no sugar-added treat that I would be more than happy to eat all over again. Thank you, Cuisine Cube, for introducing this fantastic candy treat to me.

Candy Tree Organic Raspberry Licorice Twists

October 18, 2014October 19, 2014

Product Review: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix + Recipe Bonus

Product: Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix – $4.99+

For the last few issues, I’ve noticed that my Delight Gluten Free magazine has had ads for this vegan meat replacement called Neat. I was beyond intrigued and immediately went on the hunt in my local natural food stores. Sadly, but not surprisingly, no one in my area carried this product. At least not yet. I said I’d get online and see if I could order it, but, naturally, I forgot to do that. Story of my life.

I can’t help it. I have too much to think sometimes and these mental notes and reminders get lost in the shuffle.

But then…it was as if they felt the need to answer my unspoken prayer…my favorite monthly delivery arrived. Cuisine Cube’s October cube arrived in the mail and I immediately tore into it, wondering what sort of surprises awaited inside. And if you haven’t looked into ordering a Cuisine Cube yet…get over to their Web site and try it out. Seriously, this is one of the best investments I have ever made. Receiving gluten-free items from smaller and lesser known companies each month has become a treat I look forward to every month. So…if you have made a mental note to check them out, and it’s gotten lost in the shuffle…click on the link above and check it out. For real.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog…

So, October’s Cuisine Cube arrived and one of the items inside was…you guessed it…because I’m blogging about it…Neat – A Replacement For Meat! The version included in the box was the Mexican Mix. Neat, for the record, also has an Original Mix (for burgers/chili), an Italian Mix (for “meatballs” and lasagna), and also a Breakfast Mix (for quiches and breakfast sandwiches). Let me tell you…I did this happy little dance of joy and might have squeaked a bit when I pulled that pouch out of the cube. Seriously…after reading about it and looking for it…I finally had it in my clutches!

As a gluten-free vegetarian, vegan/vegetarian meat substitutes are hard to come by. Most vegan/vegetarian meat substiutes have some sort of vital wheat gluten in them. And a lot of companies refuse to go the gluten-free route because it would “jeopardize the integrity of the product.” BOOOO!! So, up until recently, I’d just season up some tofu and work with that. But…it’s not the same.

So, what exactly is Neat? Neat is a meat replacement that is derived from nuts and other non-GMO natural ingredients. It is a product that was created by a mother of two children who decided that they were going to become vegetarians. At first she would puree beans into sauces to help her girls get the protein they wanted, but after awhile, everyone got tired of it. And that was when she got into the kitchen, experimented, and created what is now marketed at Neat.

Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix (in a skillet with chopped onion and chopped green pepper) — Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix (in a skillet with chopped onion and chopped green pepper)

Neat comes in this shelf-stable pouch in a powdered form. All you do to prepare it is pour the pouch into a bowl, add two eggs (or a vegan egg replacer), plus two tablespoons of water. Stir all the ingredients together and throw it into a skillet over medium heat, just as you would ground beef, for about seven minutes. To make it into crumbles, as it cooks, stir and chop it up, and what you end up with is this perfect texture of meat crumbles that is not just completely vegan/vegetarian…but also gluten-free!

Now…gluten-free and vegetarian tacos are sort of something I’m famous for. I have gotten really creative with how to prepare tacos (Tour De Taco happens often at my apartment) to make them not just gluten-free, but also meat free. And a meat replacement hasn’t been used in a long time. So, while I had a pouch of the Mexican Mix from Neat, I decided to bring back an old favorite of mine as a kid, back when I ate meat and would basically beg my mom to make this for dinner.

What I did was cook up my mom’s famous Enchilada Hotdish. Normally this is made with ground beef, but this meant I could use the Neat Mexican Mix for a different purpose. Tacos…been there, done that. Enchilada Hotdish…haven’t had that in AGES!! So, that’s what I did. I picked up a gluten-free and vegetarian can of chili and I got a roll of Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese…and the rest was vegetables and seasonings I already had at home. Perfect.

So, tonight…I pulled out the Cuisine Cube treat of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix and set out to prepare it. I chopped up the vegetables that were needed and then retrieved the can of chili and the vegan nacho cheese (which I substituted for the cheddar cheese soup) and had them ready with my seasoning. First things first…preparing Neat.

Super easy. I poured the powdered contents of the package into a medium mixing bowl. Then, per the instructions, I added two eggs and the water and mixed it up. It created this…sludge of sorts…but I trusted it and went with it. I had a non-stick skillet on the stove and put the Neat into it to start browning. The vegetables were also added so they could start to get soft before I added the rest of the ingredients. With everything in the pan, and heated through, I began to assemble the hotdish itself. This meant putting the “meat” mixture into the casserole dish, then layering it with tortilla chips, then repeating it. Into the oven it went to bake and about 30 minutes later…viola!! I was enjoying a version of my mom’s Enchilada Hotdish.

So…how was it?

It is not an exaggeration when I say I want to marry Neat. For real. WOW! I was SO impressed, not only with the flavor, but how great the texture it. Here is a company that is getting ti right. Going into the pan to cook, it didn’t look appetizing or promising, but it all came together. And it was the perfect meat substitute for the beef that would have been normally used in this recipe. I am thrilled with this product and think I’ll be placing an order to try ALL the Neat products. And, I also might straight-out make tacos next time. But, I figured I should really put this product to the test. Trust the hype…it’s amazing.

Also…tested it out straight from the pan on the tortilla chips and…oh…yum. Makes a great dip too! HA!

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish (made with Neat - A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix) — Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish (made with Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix)

Let’s first delve into the nitty-gritty ingredients and nutrition of Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix. The Mexican Mix version of Neat is made from pecans, garbanzo beans, organic whole grain gluten free cornmeal, sea salt, and spices. So, where this is meat-free and dairy-free, and also gluten-free…it is NOT nut-free. So, if you have a nut allergy…this product is not for you.

As for nutrition, a serving of Neat Mexican Mix is 40 grams and each pouch contains 4 servings. This serving will give you 21o calories and 15 grams of fat (healthy fat as it is coming from beans and nuts). A serving will provide you with 333 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. And, trust me, the 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein will leave you feeling full…whether you’re making a hotdish or having taco night.

But…there is more!

I’ve decided, since it worked out so well, that I would share the recipe I used this product in. This is a family recipe of my mom’s and it is SO delicious!! If you are not a vegetarian, you can use 1 pound of lean ground beef…and if you can handle dairy, please use your cheddar cheese soup (as long as it is gluten-free!)…but this is how I prepared the dish tonight…with great success!!

Recipe: Gluten Free Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Enchilada Hotdish

Servings: 6
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 package Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix
2 organic cage-free eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 package Teese Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
1 can vegetarian chili (I used Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium Medium Chili)
1/2 can water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F.

Pour the Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat Mexican Mix into a medium bowl. Add two eggs (or egg replacer if vegan) and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the Next Mexican Mix, onion, and green peppers. Cook until vegetables begin to soften and the Neat can be chopped into a meat texture. Add the chili powder, vegan cheese sauce, chili and water to the mix and mix well. Allow it to heat through for a few minutes to marry the flavors together.

In a 9×9 oven-proof dish, place in layers, alternating the meat mixture with 1 package of tortilla or nacho chips.

Bake for 30 minutes.

~*~*~

Thanks to Cuisine Cube and Neat – A Healthy Replacement For Meat, I was not only able to recreate a version of an old family favorite, but it tasted so much like how I remembered it tasting when I was growing up. I couldn’t have been happier tonight as I sat and devoured my dinner. I can’t wait to get my hands on the other Neat products. Talk about having a desired product land in your lap!!

Seriously…seek out this product!! I highly recommend it! The product is so versatile…beyond just a protein base for tacos. Try out the recipe above or use it in one of your own family favorites. You will not be disappointed. I promise!

October 12, 2014October 12, 2014

Restaurant Review: Izzy’s Ice Cream, St. Paul, Minnesota

Restaurant: Izzy’s Ice Cream, St. Paul, Minnesota

There are a few traditions that I keep when I run. The first thing is…after a big race, I hit up a pub or a Mexican restaurant. Don’t ask me why or how this became “a thing” as mentioned in the previous review…it just did. But the other thing I do is treat myself to something creamy, cold, and delicious. Mainly…ice cream.

Here is the sudden caveat, however.

While I have, in the past, been able to tame the lactose intolerance by taking a lactase supplement…it hasn’t been working out so well for me in the recent weeks. Frustrating. Because I am an ice cream nut. Oh…and this is one tradition I refuse to let up on.

Before leaving for Minneapolis, Cathy was already on the hunt for a place to uphold this long-standing tradition. And so…she found Izzy’s. And what made Izzy’s Ice Cream (aside from being a local specialty ice cream shop in the Twin Cities) stand out from the other options was…they had soy ice cream flavors. YAY! No dairy to wreak havoc on my tummy. This…made me happy! So…so…so very happy!

What made the Izzy’s experience even better was, that day, I was spending the afternoon with my grandpa. Yes…the very man who got me interested in running. Cathy and I took him out to lunch at The French Meadow Bakery & Café in Minneapolis. Then, afterwards, I told him that we were going to get celebratory ice cream at Izzy’s Ice Cream. If he was interested, I’d love for him to come along. He was certainly interested! So, we made the short 10 minute drive from our lunch spot over to St. Paul. Izzy’s Ice Cream awaited…and we entered and couldn’t wait to get started.

As I was the goofy one, Cathy made me order first. I asked about the soy ice cream flavors, hoping that there was a chocolate or peanut butter option here. But, alas…my options today were either Soy Strawberry, Soy Mango, Mango Sorbet, or Strawberry Sorbet. I was just a little disappointed. A little. At least they had other options instead of just sorbets though. So, without chocolate to fulfill my craving…I opted for the best option available. Strawberry. Because I am not a fan of mango. Not really.

So…order in. On a gluten-free ice cream cone (because…yeah…they have those and…yeah…I wanted one because I never get ice cream cones!), I ordered a regular scoop of Izzy’s Soy Ice Cream ($3.75) with the Izzy Scoop (a 3/4 ounce scoop) of the Strawberry Sorbet on top. Because that’s what Izzy’s does. You get this cute little scoop atop your scoop. And it’s like…an added bonus of ice cream awesomeness. And…I GOT AN ICE CREAM CONE! I might be 34, but sometimes I want to be 5 and eat my ice cream out of an ice cream cone. Added bonus, because she knew of my gluten-free and lactose intolerance, she wrapped the scoop in paper before she dished up my ice cream. How fantastic is that?! Guaranteed not to give me a tummy ache!

Cathy ended up getting a regular scoop on a regular sugar cone of Izzy’s Lemon Custard with the Izzy Scoop of Ricotta Ice Cream ($3.75). And grandpa…grandpa went classic. Traditional. As grandpa’s tend to do! He was torn between the vanilla and the chocolate, but ended up getting a kiddie scoop of the Chocolate Ice Cream on a cake cone. Oh…and they topped it off with a little chocolate candy on top. Nice touch!

The verdict?

Really good. Really solid (as in it had good taste and texture…not that it was rock hard!) ice cream. Cathy thought the ricotta flavor was interesting, but, naturally, loved the lemon custard. Seriously, if you give this girl a choice between ice cream or custard, she’ll choose custard…which is awesome. And if there is lemon involved…she is all over that. Grandpa really enjoyed his cone of chocolate ice cream.

And my choice…was good. I loved the creamy nature of the soy strawberry ice cream. I loved tasting the real bits of strawberry inside. And the topper of strawberry sorbet made it a berry-licious treat indeed. But, even more than the ice cream, I was happy when I got to crunch and munch on the gluten free sugar cone. I love ice cream cones more than most adults should…but when you really can’t have them, you tend to appreciate them more when you can. It’s the little pleasures in life…like soy ice cream and…gluten free sugar cones at an ice cream shop.

Life was good that day. I had a great afternoon with my grandpa. We had great eats and treats. And he even loved the ice cream.

A great place to go…with spots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. You better believe I’ll be back. And maybe this time they’ll have some Soy Chocolate for me.

Izzy's Soy Strawberry Ice Cream with an Izzy Scoop of Strawberry Sorbet on a Gluten Free Sugar Cone — Izzy’s Soy Strawberry Ice Cream with an Izzy Scoop of Strawberry Sorbet on a Gluten Free Sugar Cone

October 12, 2014

Restaurant Review: The Liffey Irish Pub, St. Paul, Minnesota

Restaurant: The Liffey Irish Pub, St. Paul, Minnesota

I finished. I ran. I walked. I crossed the finish line of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. And after all the hullabaloo at the finish line…the gathering of essentials like finisher’s medal, finisher’s shirt, banana, water, photos, chocolate milk, salty snacks, and so on…I met up with my adoring public…Heather and Cathy. They were at the designated spot at the runner reunion area. And the night before we had made noises of checking out a pub after my run.

It has sort of become a thing…we either do a pub or Mexican food after I run a marathon.

You don’t mess with a thing.

Bad things happen when you mess with…a thing.

So, it just so happened that a great Irish pub in St. Paul, called The Liffey Irish Pub, wasn’t but a couple of blocks away from the finish area. While I was getting some compressions socks on and a different pair of shoes, Heather called ahead to see what the wait would be like. It turned out we were in between the rushes. So, after I stretched for a moment, we decided to pack up and make the hike to the pub. It was a slow hike…my foot, my ankle, my legs were killing me. I had never felt like this after a marathon…but I’d been injured (still was) and couldn’t train. It sucked, but my friends were more than willing to work with me.

Our good friend, Paul, whom we met through the big U2 summer of concert madness a couple years ago, met us there. He had been one of the group at Mile 17 and had said he could join us for lunch. I stepped inside and immediately was given a hug. We were immediately seated by the hostess, but before hitting up the table, Cathy and I ducked into the bathroom so I could get out of my running clothes and into something more comfortable (yoga pants and a t-shirt!). We found the table where Paul and Heather were seated and I started looking at the menu.

Usually it takes me awhile to be hungry, but at this point, I was hungry. Amazingly enough. And, also a plus, we knew from the Internet search, that The Liffey had a gluten-free menu. And when our drink orders were taken (water for starters and then Heather and Paul got drinks with their food), we were given the opportunity to think about what to eat. Easy here. For the non-vegetarian and gluten-free (my dining compatriots), it seemed that Fish and Chips (Heather & Paul got the North Atlantic Cod – $14.00; Cathy got the Canadian Walleye – $15.00) was the pub grub of choice (naturally!). For me…the Quinoa Salad ($9.75) sounded like the meal of choice. Ideal for recovery too!

Orders in…and we started talking about everything we had been up to…and U2 stuff…and all that jazz. In fact, we were so busy talking that it took us a moment to realize that the tray that came in a little later had our food on it! I think we were all ready to eat. Paul actually got his fish and chips with a Guinness and Heather got hers with a delicious Strongbow cider. Mmmm. I was feeling dehydrated so it was water only for me with my meal…this time.

The Liffey Irish Pub's Quinoa Salad — The Liffey Irish Pub’s Quinoa Salad

The Quinoa Salad was a fantastic bed of spinach that contained quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, capers, basil, and avocado. All these amazing vegetables and grains were tossed with a fantastic, and highly delicious lime vinaigrette. The quinoa and spinach were great protein for after the run. And I loved the flavor. I didn’t actually expect the sweet potatoes to be cold, but didn’t mind it in this salad. While I’m not a huge fan of capers, the salty and vinagery flavor complimented the lime vinaigrette and the earthy vegetables in the salad. I enjoyed this salad down to the last bite. Amazing. And it takes a lot to amaze me when it comes to salad. This one hit all the right notes…and was like no other salad I’ve had before.

I like different.

I also like being able to enjoy a dessert when I go out to eat. And there happened to be a few that I could indulge in here at The Liffey Irish Pub. Oh, St. Paul…you’re winning me over with this gem of an Irish pub. A fruit cup was an option. Or the local Izzy’s Ice Cream (flavors unknown). But the one that interested me was the gluten-free version of their S’more Pot du Crème. We asked for four spoons.

The Gluten Free S’more ($5.50) was a rich chocolate custard with Izzy’s Vanilla Bean ice cream. All of this was topped off with a fantastic marshmallow fluff brûlée. It sounded beyond delicious. And when it came out…all four of us dove in. Seriously. Four spoons dipped into the toasted marshmallow top, through that layer of vanilla ice cream and touching that decadent chocolate custard.

BEST. DESSERT. EVER.

We licked that bowl clean. While I was glad there were four of us going after this dessert, I probably could have eaten the entire thing by myself without feeling any regrets. It was so good. The rich custard with the cold ice cream and the warm, fluffy nature of the fluff was the perfect combination. It felt like I was eating a delicious s’more at a campfire. But better. This was just…the best campground treat elevated to restaurant quality. High class. Amazing. I was wishing for one more bite once we polished it off.

It was unanimous, really.

BEST. DESSERT. EVER.

Should I say it again?

BEST. DESSERT. EVER.

I was way beyond satisfied when I shuffled out of their with my friends. We each said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. Paul one way, Heather to take us to our car and then meet up with us at my grandpa’s house so I could shower and then we could keep me moving by walking the Mall of America.

Where I bought a fantastic dress…

But, that’s of no consequence. What is, however, is the fact that, without hesitation, without any doubt, I would eagerly return to eat at The Liffey, in St. Paul, Minnesota, whenever I happened to be in the area. Forget any other pubs that might be more convenient to where I am in Minneapolis. This one blew me away. And, I of course would have to get another taste of the…BEST. DESSERT. EVER.

Yep…I’ll be back. Count on it!

The Liffey's Gluten-Free S'more (aka: BEST. DESSERT. EVER.) — The Liffey’s Gluten-Free S’more (aka: BEST. DESSERT. EVER.)

October 12, 2014

Restaurant Review: Pizza Lucé, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Restaurant: Pizza Lucé, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This past week I was in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was there for a few reasons. To visit with family. To see some friends. And to run/walk the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Yes. Run/Walk. Am I ashamed of this? Not at all. This race was a warm-up. A warm up to the race I am running in 3 weeks exactly.

New York City Marathon.

And, as my training schedule was completely killed with my foot injury and then…orthodic problems…I went to Minneapolis not quite certain I’d be able to even run/walk the course. I figured, I could at least spend time with family. On Saturday morning, I was pretty certain the race was off. I went to the expo and hobbled through, getting my race number, buying new shoes, shopping, checking out the vendors and other races that were there…and the more time I was there, the more I wanted to do it. It also helped that my friend Heather was telling me I could do it. Walk the hills. Just walk the hills. And to help, she took me on the tour of the entire race course…and…yeah…I figured I could at least give it a go.

While touring the course, my aunt, Jan, and my cousin, Molly, texted me to find out dinner plans. They know that the night before the race is gluten-free pizza night. And to avoid that horrible mistake that was Pizza Ranch last time I raced in Minneapolis, Cathy did some research before we left. I heard only good things about Pizza Lucé, both on Find Me Gluten Free and in regular reviews. In fact, they are touted as “The Best Pizza In Minneapolis.” So…that had to be good right. We hadn’t thought of reservations, but as there was going to be at least 11 of us there…Molly went ahead and got that arranged.

That evening, at 5 p.m., we showed up at Pizza Lucé on West 66th Street in Richfield, Minnesota. My cousins, their significant others, and the children were all there. My aunt was the last to arrive. But there we were…me, my roomie, my bestie, my family…ready to give this place a try. I don’t think the Pizza Ranch experience will ever be forgotten. We joke about it even now. All of us who endured it.

But, as this place had not only gluten-free, but also vegan options…I was already feeling good about it. We were seated and our drink orders were taken while we looked over the menu. Heather was onboard with splittling with Cathy and I up until I said I needed the vegan cheese. Then, Cathy left it to me to choose what pizza to do (or build our own, which is an option). I was actually torn between a seasonal special or one of the signature pizzas on the menu. I was going back and forth and when I mentioned the Curried Coconut Butternut Squash Pizza (roasted butternut squash whipped with curry and coconut milk and finished with fresh red bell pepper, feta cheese, red onion, pineapple and fresh cilantro) to Cathy, she seemed very unenthusiastic about it. So, I decided to go with my other choice…the Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza ($18.89).

While the various orders for each of us (some of us got pizzas, some got pastas)…we all sat around and talked about tons of things. My cousin Molly had a new baby girl that I hadn’t met yet…her two boys were entertaining on the other end of the table. My cousin, Andy, just got married and he and his wife were there…so we talked wedding. We talked running. We talked family. We talked about everything. Literally.

And then…tasty food began arriving.

The Gluten Free Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza was set down next to me – a fantastic 10 inch gluten-free crust that was topped off with olive oil, fresh basil, arugula, caramelized onion, garlic, a wild mushroom blend (cirimini, oyster, portabella, and shiitake) and Daiya cheese (vegan!). It looked AMAZING! I mean, my mouth immediately began to water. And it was then that we realized that Heather, Cathy and I totally forgot to grab lunch today. So, yeah…we were ready to dig in.

I served 3 slices, half of the pizza, to Cathy and saved the other half for me.

OH. MY. PIZZA. GOODNESS. This was creamy, crunchy and good! Beyond good. This pizza was so delicious. I love a good white pizza and this went above and beyond what I am used to. It was so creamy because they actually got the Daiya cheese to melt down to a perfect gooey texture. The blend of flavors was classic, with the arugula adding a hit of peppery flavor to the sweetness of the caramelized onion and the earthiness of the mushrooms. I might have devoured every single bit of it. Seriously. Like hoovered it all down. I was so happy with the food here I really considered going back. They, after all, also have a gluten-free stuffed shells on the menu. Pardon me while I drool!

In a heartbeat…I would definitely return to Pizza Lucé in the future. This place beyond impressed me. And I think all of us who survived the disgusting nastiness of Pizza Ranch the year before were grateful to have delicious food and the variety of options that Pizza Lucé offered. If I had been there longer, I would have returned during the rest of my stay in Minneapolis. Seriously…so happy and can’t wait to go back next time I make it to Minneapolis!

Pizza Lucé's Gluten-Free and Vegan Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza — Pizza Lucé’s Gluten-Free and Vegan Wild Mushroom and Arugula Pizza

October 10, 2014

Recipe: Irish Stew

Twas the day before I left for vacation and I still had a lot…and I mean a lot of fresh produce left from my bin. Sometimes I think I should cancel it the week I go out of town, but never really want to. After all, I love my local and organic fresh produce being delivered to me and I hate these weeks I get back from a trip and have nothing in my fridge resembling a fresh fruit or vegetable. I had to do something with the plethora of produce that remained…and I wasn’t exactly sure what I could manage.

All hail the Happy Herbivore. In the cookbook, Happy Herbivore Light & Lean, which, for those of you keeping track, is the same book I got the Garden Vegetable Chili recipe from, I found an amazing recipe for Irish Stew. Yes…vegetarian Irish Stew. Her recipe was not gluten-free…but I made a couple of adjustments…and added a more nontraditional ingredient (to use it from my crisper drawer before leaving, naturally) to make the recipe work for me. Honestly…it is delicious. And so easy to prepare. Like any stew, chili, or soup…just let it simmer and let all those flavors soak in. That’s what it’s all about.

Recipe: Irish Stew

Servings: 3-4 (but I managed 6)
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 50 minutes

Ingredients:

2 portobello mushrooms (I used 16 ounces of crimini mushrooms)
2 cups No-Beef Broth (I used 2 cups organic vegetable broth)
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 thyme twigs, fresh, de-stemmed, or 1-2 tsp dried thyme
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalk, sliced
2 medium white potatoes, diced
1 cup Guinness stout (I used Redbridge Gluten Free Bear)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2-3 bay leaves
1-2 tablespoons Vegan Worcestershire Sauce (I used gluten free low sodium tamari)
**(In addition, I added 2 leeks to this stew…as I had them in my crisper…and why the hell not?)**

Directions:

Remove stems from portobello mushrooms and discard. Cut the mushroom caps into strips and set aside.

Line a large pot with 1 cup of no-beef broth. Saute onion and garlic over high heat until onions are translucent, about a minute or two.

Add thyme, carrots, celery, potatoes, stout, and tomato paste, and stir.

Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook for about 10 minutes.

Add mushrooms on top, along with Dijon, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and remaining broth. Bring to a boil again, cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring every so often.

Continue to cook until mushrooms and potatoes are very soft – past fork-tender.

Taste, adding more Worcestershire sauce if desired.

Add a generous amount of black pepper and salt if desired.

Remove bay leaves and serve.

~*~*~

This is definitely a healthy and hearty stew. It has that great ‘stick-to-your-ribs’ feel to it, yet is completely plant based. Gotta love that. And I thought my addition of the leeks actually worked quite well. As I had to use a beer instead of a stout, the flavor is a bit more mild, but this has Ireland written all over it. A little nontraditional…but very good.

I froze a few servings of it and this thaws out and reheats beautifully. Trust me. You’ll love this! Especially as we enter the perfect time for soups!! And with just over 115 calories per 1-3/4 cup serving…you won’t feel guilting indulging in this stew either. I can’t wait to try out more of the Happy Herbivore dishes!