Over the years, I’ve grown to love a vegetable I thought I hated: Squash. Every type of squash even. I’ve enjoyed it now in numerous forms, seasoned in various ways, and have fallen in love with this amazing vegetable. This recipe came from a recent issue of Whole Living magazine and I was so eager to try it. My roommate and I went up to our local orchard and got an acorn squash that weekend and gave it a shot. Now, it’s a favorite go-to meal. I simply quarter the recipe so that it only feeds two.
Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Pistachios
Brush squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast cut-side down on two baking sheets until tender and caramelized, 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then fluff with a fork.
In a large bowl combine quinoa, parsley, feta, pistachios, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and vinegar. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste.
Divide filling among squash.
~*~*~
Not only is the presentation of this dish spectacular, the flavors are amazing. The squash just peels away from the flesh with the fork, and the nuttiness of the quinoa works very well with the sweetness of the vegetable itself. The parsley and pistachios notch up the flavor to a wow-factor. Seriously…give this nutritious and filling meal a try and you will find it on your menu quite often.
Despite the fact that loaves of bread are bought packaged in plastic all the time, sometimes it’s hard to fathom that something so soft and fluffy could emerge out of a vacuum sealed wrap like Schär’s rolls and breads do. It just seems to boggle the mind and go against nature. Rustic breads, such as baguettes and ciabatta (two offerings by Schär) should come wrapped in paper from the local corner bakery, right?
Well, for most people…yes. For someone with an intolerance to gluten, well…breads are never an easy task. While everyone else is gobbling up garlic toast and bread coated with olive oil and seasoning, it’s hard not to want something for yourself as well.
That’s where Schär steps in. While out at the grocery store…I admit it…I splurged. I was planning on baking up a polenta gnocchi that week to have for dinner throughout and wanted something to accompany it. Previously, I had enjoyed Schär’s ciabatta rolls. This time, I decided to grab the package that contained two baguettes and give that a try.
These baguettes come sealed in a vacuum-locked package to hold in the freshness of the parbaked bread. Upon opening it and pulling out one of the baguettes, the first thing you notice is how soft and fluffy the bread is. Nothing going stale or stiff…this bread could be eaten just out of the package. But why do that when God created an oven and a myriad of spices?
Schär Gluten-Free Baguette
One baguette is four servings, so I quartered it, put what I wasn’t using in a plastic bag in the fridge for future evenings, put the unopened baguette in the pantry, and preheated the oven to 400°. I sliced my quarter of the baguette in half, then brushed a light coating of olive oil over it, seasoned it with garlic salt and a dash of crushed red pepper…and into the oven it went for only five minutes.
What emerged was an amazing gluten-free rustic delight. The bread still had a bit of give to it, but it had crusted up to perfection. It had absorbed the seasoning and paired really well with my sauced up dish. No sauce went to waste, actually, because I now had something that could mop it up. Schär created a parbaked loaf of bread that holds up on shelves and is absolutely mouthwatering. It tastes like the real thing, fresh from the oven is like getting it hot from a local bakery as they pull it out of their own oven. It was absolutely fantastic and just once again went to prove that looks can be deceiving. Just because something comes packaged in plastic doesn’t automatically mean that it won’t bring a wow-factor to your palate.
Once again Schär does this allergic chef proud with their products. I can now pair so many dishes with a slice of these scrumptious baguettes and not feel like the odd man out at the dinner table anymore. Schär does gluten-free bread proud and with two items now that I’ve been highly impressed with, I look forward to giving other products of theirs a shot.
Need a delicious gluten-free alternative to bread…give the baguette a warm in the oven and enjoy. It’s heaven in every bite, no matter how you dress it up.
Schär Gluten-Free Baguette, quartered, sliced, topped with olive oil, garlic salt, crushed red pepper, and baked to perfection
I wasn’t kidding when I said I loved scones. In fact, when I have a morning I spend at the gym, I follow it up with a couple of scones reheated at the office. They are easy to travel with, and keep quite nicely. Once again, I used the scone recipe off the back of the package for Pamela’s Products Baking & Pancake Mix and added my own little twist to it. This time…almond butter. And wow…was it ever amazing. Try it out. Eat them up!
Gluten-Free Almond Butter Scones with Dark Chocolate Chips
Gluten-Free Almond Butter Scones with Dark Chocolate Chips
Servings: 12
Time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
2-1/3 cups Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Nestle’s Dark Chocolate Chips
4 tbsp almond butter (I used Maranatha Organic Creamy Almond Butter)
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°.
Mix the dry ingredients together.
Cut in the almond butter using two knives.
Add the milk and beaten egg. Mix together with a fork. Dough will be thick.
Drop large, tall dollops of dough (scones will spread when baking) onto lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-17 minutes.
~*~*~
What made these work so well, as far as flavor went, was the richness and sweetness of the dark chocolate chips, paired with the salty flavor of the almond butter. I loved them. But don’t take my word for it. Bake up a batch and try for yourself.
Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed
Product: Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed – $3.24+
I admit it.
I’m having a love affair with the gluten-free products produced by Hodgson Mill. I have enjoyed their gluten-free muffins, devoured their gluten-free brownies, and now had the opportunity to cook up a bit of their pasta.
My grocery store had a manager’s special going on, and included was Hodgson Mill’s Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed. Never one to snub a bargain on gluten-free items, I grabbed a box and vowed to give it a fair shake. After all…I am completely satisfied with my Tinkyada brown rice pasta items. But, a deal is a deal.
Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed (uncooked)
One night, I was craving some pasta, so instead of going to my normal gluten-free noodles, I reached for the box of Hodgson Mill Brown Rice Linguine. It was simple to make. Boil water. Add pasta. Allow to cook until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water. It’s that easy. Then…let your imagination run wild.
I topped mine off with sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and tomatoes, seasoned with parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Then I mixed in some Daiya vegan mozzarella cheese and then topped it all off with a scattering of feta cheese. Viola. Dinner was served.
So how did Hodgson Mill fair in the gluten-free pasta war? I found the texture to be very creamy. Easy to swallow. The flavor was fantastic. It paired well with everything that I put on it. And had I actually put a sauce on it, I have no doubt these noodles would have held up to it instead of becoming soggy and mushy. These noodles felt light and easily slid down the throat. They were easy to twist around the fork, and didn’t break in the process.
As a bonus, because of the Golden Milled Flax Seed, these noodles are also a fantastic source of Omega 3 oils. They are gluten-free, wheat-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and all natural. I mean, look at the ingredients: brown rice flour and golden milled flax seed. Yes…I would call that all natural. Two ingredients. Two ingredients that I recognize. No chemicals. Nothing I can’t pronounce. Nothing that I sit there, raise an eyebrow at, and wonder exactly what that is a scientific formula for.
Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed (cooked & drained)
These noodles cooked up amazingly well. Proving once again, when a company decides to do products gluten-free, they can be just as amazing (if not better) than those products they have that do contain such allergens. I have been quite impressed with the gluten-free products that I have had the opportunity to try from Hodgson Mill. And as always, I look forward to trying more.
As far as their pasta goes…I was very, very impressed. And after eating just a serving, I didn’t feel like I had too much. I’m hoping to find more of their pasta options in the stores to give it a try. If it’s anything like their brown rice linguine noodles, I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed.
Whether you have to eat gluten-free or not, give these a whirl the next time you crave pasta. They may win you over. And look at how much better they are for you compared to other brands when it comes to ingredients that go into making them. Really, you can’t argue with simplicity. Especially when it tastes so good!
Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Brown Rice Linguine with Golden Milled Flax Seed topped with sauteed mushrooms, garlic & tomatoes, seasoned with parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and topped with feta cheese
Product: Cascade Ice Organic Citrus Twist Sparkling Water – $1.00
I normally avoid sparkling waters for a reason. I don’t like them. They never quite taste…right. I think…dry is the best description for them, if that’s possible for water.
I spotted Cascade Ice on the shelf at the grocery store and thought that it might be a great alternative to just plain water. Let’s face it…water can get boring really quick. I missed the part where it said it was sparkling water and thought it was simply flavored water. No calories. No sodium. Most importantly…gluten-free!
Imagine my disappointment when I twisted open the cap and saw the rush of bubbles from the bottom up. I thought…well, maybe it will taste like Sprite or another one of those lemon-lime citrus-type carbonated beverages.
That was wishful thinking. While this did have a lemony-orange flavor to it, the carbonation completely ruined the drink. Where it promised an “enticing mixture of delicious, ripe citrus fruits,” it delivered anything but that. I took two sips of it and had to dump it out. I wasn’t impressed at all. Instead of quenching my thirst, it made me want to reach for anything else in reach. And that was just to get the initial taste and flavor out.
I was disappointed, because I am a runner and I down a lot of water, every day, to keep myself properly hydrated. The promise of a guilt-free beverage that could supplement my plain water did not happen with Cascade Ice Sparkling Water. My roommate even picked one up (hers was Organic Lemon-Lime), and she had the same reaction. It just lacked the flavor to balance out the sparkling proponent of the water.
I was far from impressed with Cascade Ice’s sparkling waters. It would take a miracle to get me to try another one. The carbonation totally took over, taking away from any flavor it might have added to the water. Such a disappointment for something that sounded like it could have been absolutely delicious.
We all love potato chips, but hate the calories and fat that come with them. Here is an interesting twist on chips, made with fresh kale, a little seasoning, and a dash of olive oil. These will change your snacking life forever…and for the good.
1 teaspoon seasoned salt (or seasoning of your choice)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner.
Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.
~*~*~
This is a simple, nutritious, and delicious snack. I could devour the entire pan and not feel guilty about it. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this recipe, and since my first attempt, have seasoned with garlic salt, with crushed red pepper, and other such ingredients. Get creative. You can’t go wrong with a snack that is so good for you. Trust me, you won’t be able to eat just one!
It’s like a right of passage when you are a kid. Rice Krispies + Marshmallows = Rice Krispie Treats. And you devour these because they are so chewy and gooey and made of snap, crackle, yum! When I became a vegetarian, this was easy to modify. When I had to go gluten-free, I could no longer enjoy Rice Krispies. Then…they created Gluten-Free Rice Krispies and these treats were back on my menu.
Gluten-Free & Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats
Servings: 12-16
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Total 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Ingredients for Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treats
3 tablespoons butter/margarine
1 (7 oz) container of Marshmallow Creme
6 cups Gluten-Free Rice Krispies
Directions:
In large saucepan melt butter over low heat.
Add Marshmallow Creme and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
Add Gluten-Free Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray.
Allow to cool.
Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Rice Krispie Treat
~*~*~
This recipe is not only simple, but delicious. And a favorite treat from my childhood is now back into my life. What more could this allergic chef ask for? Enjoy!
You remember growing up with Rice Krispies, right? From a cereal that “talks” to those delicious, marshmallow-y treats that mom made, Rice Krispies are engrained as a delicious part of growing up. And I loved them. Even as an adult, I devoured the cereal. But when I had to go gluten-free, like most of my cereals, Rice Krispies had to drop off my radar.
But then, Kellogg’s did something brilliant. They did something amazingly smart and great for their brand. They developed gluten-free Rice Krispies. And the first time I saw these on the shelves at the grocery store, I had to do my best to resist purchasing them. The only reason for that is my grocery stores sell that at over $4.15/box. When I wandered into department store that also had groceries (Wal-Mart, folks, don’t judge! I am on a tight budget!), I found it at $3.99 and it came home with me.
So, what was the first thing I did with these little puffs of rice? I made gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats, of course. And, since I’m also a vegetarian, I used Marshmallow Creme instead of marshmallows. But, naturally in the baking process, I had to swipe a few puffs to taste on their own.
These Rice Krispies are made out of whole grain brown rice and are made minus the barley malt (which is the source of gluten in original Rice Krispies). What I found was these little puffs of rice were less sweet than the original brand. But they were still very full of flavor and in no way bland.
As for how the vegetarian and gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats turned out…well…they were fantastic. Chewy, gooey, soft with that initial crunch…and safe for someone like me to eat. The perfect (and easy) dessert to make.
Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats
With the leftover cereal in the box, I used it as my breakfast cereal. And it brought a smile to my face when I poured my almond milk over it and the cereal began its signature snapping, crackling, and popping. I had to carry it over to my roommate to let her listen. Yeah, sounds stupid, but I was really that happy about it.
I wish more companies would take on the task of creating a gluten-free version of their cereals (Cheerios, are you listening?). This 12oz box (YES! You get the same size box of gluten-free cereal as you do the regular…what a concept!) brought me so much joy and made me able to not only eat a cereal from my past, but whip up a delicious dessert that was safe for me to eat and that I could share with others. I mean, everyone loves Rice Krispie Treats, yeah?
Don’t fall into a cereal slump. When Kellogg’s developed and produced this product, they did the gluten-free community a favor. A product of my childhood, now children who could never before eat actual Rice Krispies (gluten-free knock-offs are all around!) now get their day in the sun. So, fill a bowl, pour on your milk of choice, and have a conversation with your cereal again. For old time’s sake.
It was one of those days where I just wanted to treat myself. I had run a 10K in the morning, and then a 4K late in the afternoon. Energy stores were low. My tummy had a case of the rumblies. And I was ready to eat something filling, satisfying, gluten-free, and delicious. With all that running, I had earned that, right?
Normally, when it comes to pub grub, our first go-to spot is Molly Malone’s in Louisville, Kentucky. But, there was a big street festival going on right in front of Molly’s that night (part of the reason for the run), so we knew that it would be busy. Instead, my roommate and I drove into downtown Louisville to Fourth Street Live, where a plethora of restaurants and clubs are located. And among them, the very understated, but Irish-looking RíRá Irish Pub.
This wasn’t the first time we had eaten at RíRá. That distinction went to when the United States was playing England in the World Cup. But that was prior to my blogging days, and I didn’t remember too much of the meal for all the excitement of the match. This time, I could totally focus on what I was eating. Now, pubs can either be easy for me to navigate or difficult. RíRá falls somewhere in the middle. While they do have a Uniquely Veggie Burger, I wasn’t quite feeling it that day. And, let’s face it, sometimes those veggie burgers are bound with flour. So, as I was unsure, and I was feeling something crispy regardless, I opted for a salad. But, not just a boring ol’ house salad. HA! I never do that!
I ordered up their Bistro Salad ($8.95), which is a delicious and unique mix of goat cheese, toasted walnuts, green apple, red grapes, and topped off with a champagne vinaigrette. And, as this was a celebratory occasion (2 races in the same day!), I got a side of the sweet potato tater tots ($4.00). Okay, I’ll be honest…I would have ordered those anyway. Two of my favorite things: sweet potatoes and tater tots. How could this be a bad thing right? That…was instant WIN! And, naturally, my roommate ordered up her usual pub grub: fish and chips ($12.95) with a Magners Irish Cider to wash it all down.
Our server, for starters, was awesome. He took very good care of us, and let us peruse the menu at our own speed. And after he put the order in, he made sure our waters were full and would let us know when food was coming our way. And when the food was brought out, it looked and smelled amazing. I was ready to dive in…but for the blog I needed to take a few pictures. The trials of a foodie blogger.
Pictures done, I lifted my fork and went right for the tots. And I knew, if there was a heaven, it needed to be filled with these delicious bite-size delights. Sweet potatoes in tater tot form are the most amazing invention on this Earth. I think I experienced utopia in one bite. These were amazing. Crunchy on the outside, sweet and soft on the inside. Not overly seasoned. Fantastic. Bite-for-bite fantastic. I wish I had ordered the larger side instead of the small. I ended up saving most of them for last.
So, the salad was the next order of business. Now, a salad can either be really exciting or really boring. It all depends on the combination of ingredients and flavors. I’ve had many boring salads, but I have also had some that just WOW me. One bite of the Bistro Salad here at RíRá…and I was beyond wowed. I know…I know…it’s a salad. But, the goat cheese that they used in this salad made it the exquisite dinner that it was. Melt-in-your-mouth, soft, and not too strong. In fact, I had to ask the waiter what kind of goat cheese they used because now I wanted some for myself. He didn’t know, but went to check with the chef. He did return to tell us, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it was now. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the grapes in the salad, but it mixed really, really well with the cheese and the greens. And the champagne vinaigrette was amazing. And, thankfully, was only lightly dressing the salad, not drowning it. Delicious meal!
RíRá Irish Pub's Chocolate Ice Cream
And yes…there was dessert to be consumed! We ordered the flourless chocolate cake, but a few moments later, the waiter came back and said that they were out of that, so they could replace the flourless chocolate cake with a regular slice of chocolate cake. We explained why that wouldn’t work for us, and ended up ordering up a bowl of their chocolate ice cream ($4.95) instead. It was fantastic. Honestly. Smooth, creamy, and cold. It was soft and immediately melted in your mouth. Just the perfect way to end the meal.
I was quite impressed with the service at RíRá Irish Pub in Louisville, Kentucky. For being in the party district, the atmosphere was very laid back, very calm, and had the right level of rumble to make it seem like a pub, without being too much. I loved the food. The service was amazing. And the pub itself is a sight to behold. Take a look at their bar when you go in there. The entire thing was dismantled from Ireland and brought over in pieces, only to be reassembled. It’s gorgeous. And it totally adds to the ambiance.
Looking for delicious Irish food? Give RíRá a whirl. Their menu is full of Irish favorites. And I do recommend the not-so-Irish, but equally delicious sweet potato tater tots. They’ll change your life. And this pub will only make you want to come back for more of the atmosphere, more of the food, and the fantastic service.
RíRá Irish Pub's Bistro Salad with a side of Sweet Potato Tater Tots
I have a local gluten-free tasting fair to thank for introducing me to quite a few products that I will eventually be reviewing. But, more than anything, I thank my natural food store for giving me the opportunity to try things that I normally would pass on due to my financial situation and the high cost for most products that I can eat.
That being said, while I have had a successful run with products made by Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, I hadn’t tried their Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread…until a plate was handed to me at the tasting fair. And, quite honestly, my life changed.
I know that sounds pretty facetious to say, but it’s the truth. But I don’t just spend my money on any gluten-free product. Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is not only affordable…but epically delicious. So, I bought a loaf and brought it home. Just a couple bites was all it took for me to snatch this product up and take it home. That already speaks volumes.
But the food is what should do the talking, and what I’ve discovered with Rudi’s is that they make high quality, delicious, and affordable gluten-free products from basic, natural ingredients. You won’t find a thing on the list of ingredients that you don’t recognize. That is amazing reassuring. No chemicals, mixed with care and love, and winning over the gluten-free (and even non-gluten-free) hearts and stomachs nationwide.
This bread is fantastic on its own. Fresh from the bag. It’s soft and rich. But toast it up in the oven or the toaster and you really set your senses on fire. This bread smells amazing as it toasts. It reminds me a lot of the holidays, when the scent of cinnamon hangs in the air as cinnamon rolls are baked fresh in the oven. Except…I can’t eat just any cinnamon rolls anymore…but this bread gives that burst of cinnamon flavor with an added kick of the sweet raisins. And Rudi’s doesn’t skimp on the raisins either. We’re talking plump, big raisins throughout the bread. I didn’t expect that…but I’ve come to learn that Rudi’s puts a lot of care and consideration into their products and that is one of many reasons I continue to buy their line of food.
Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is great on its own, but I’ve found on race days, smearing it with a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter does amazing things for my energy levels pre-race and throughout. It’s become a tradition now. It pairs well with apple butter, or just plain butter. It’s fun to dress up for Halloween (see my recipe section for Ghost Toast) with confectioners sugar and bits of candy. It is so full of flavor that it mixes well with anything you put on it.
And…the best part is the size of the slices of bread. While not quite at regular bread size, Rudi’s comes close. I feel like I’m eating an entire piece of bread, because it looks like a full-size piece of bread. It’s a bit of a comfort.
Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin bread is substantial in size, in flavor, in spice. The cinnamon is prevalent throughout each bite. The raisins compliment the natural flavors of the bread. And, overall, this product is one of my favorite things to buy when I’m treating myself to something gluten-free. I mean, it now powers my runs on race days. When you have to run on gluten-free carbs, do yourself right with the ones you choose. For me, I will always be fueled by Rudi’s.
Love cinnamon and raisins? Then you’ll love to give this bread a try. Dress it up or keep it simple. It doesn’t matter. It’s delicious any way you slice it.
The Celiathlete 