Archive for April, 2009
Carrot Recipes
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With Easter so close, I’ve got carrots on my mind. Below are two recipes that make great side dishes for family gatherings. And, they’re naturally gluten-free!
Slow-Cooked Balsamic Carrots
This is a recipe I created for a large Easter gathering. I wanted something tasty, but quick and easy — something I could put together in the morning and forget about until dinner. The recipe listed is for serving 12-14.
Ingredients:
4 lbs baby carrots (or cleaned and cut carrots)
1/4 Cup olive oil
1/3 Cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 Cup brown sugar
Directions:
- Place carrots in a 6-quart slow-cooker.
- Mix together oil, vinegar and brown sugar. Pour over carrots and toss to coat.
- Cover and cook on low 6 – 8 hours. Every couple hours I stir up the carrots to ensure even cooking, and keep the glaze distributed. (Though I’m not sure it needs it.)
Additional Notes:
- As you would expect, the petite baby carrots will cook faster than the larger “baby-cut” carrots.
- Cooking the carrots for so long in the vinegar/sugar glaze does tend to darken the carrots’ color. For a brighter color, add the glaze 30-60 minutes before you serve it. Toss to coat.
- I’ve never seen balsamic vinegar that has gluten in it, but check the label to make sure.
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Apricot-Glazed Carrots
This is a recipe my sister has had good luck with. Perhaps better with smaller gatherings, or just double it for larger gatherings. Makes 6-8 servings.
Ingredients:
2 lbs carrots, cleaned, scraped, and cut on diagonal (I just use baby carrots.)
3 TBSP butter
1/3 Cup apricot preserves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2-1 tsp freshly grated orange peel
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice or orange juice
parsley sprigs
Directions:
- Steam carrots in salted water 20 minutes until just tender. Drain.
- Melt butter in saucepan and stir in preserves until blended. Add nutmeg, salt, orange peel, and juice.
- Toss carrots with fruit mixture until well-coated. Garnish with parsley. Serve at once.
Notable Links:
- For more gluten-free carrot recipes, visit The W.H.O.L.E. Gang for this week’s Friday Foodie Fix.
- Try Celiac Family’s dessert recipes for Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Eggs in a Cookie Basket.
Gluten-Free Menu Swap & Menu Plan Monday
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This week I’m trying something new by joining some other bloggers in posting a week’s menu. I always find it helpful to plan a menu for the week, but don’t always get it done. I’m hoping this helps motivate me to do it every week. And maybe it will inspire you, too!
I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday, where over 400 ladies (and men) share their menus every week. What a great way to get some new ideas for some tired old recipes! Thank you Laura.
Cheryl at Gluten Free Goodness is temporarily organizing the Gluten Free Menu Swap. Thank you to Wendy at Celiacs In the House for hosting this week’s Gluten Free Menu Swap. The theme for the week is salads and sides. This I could use some help with. Mostly because I try to find food that my kids will eat. They are both picky preschoolers who prefer their fruits and vegetables pretty plain. Sometimes I can sneak in a little butter or olive oil, but that’s about it. So, I don’t always make the effort to make sides that are a little more appealing to me and my husband. Most of our meals are pretty simple and quick to make. That’s just what seems to work with our busy schedules. More time-consuming meals are saved for days with no afterschool/afterwork activities.
Monday – Mexican Chicken Salad
Slow-Cooked Mexican Chicken on tossed salad with tortilla chips, lettuce, spinach, cilantro, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and salsa. I’ll heat up some corn tortillas for the kids to eat these like tacos.
Tuesday – Grilled Steaks
Steaks cooked on the grill thanks to some warmer days!
Served with Easy Acorn Squash with butter and brown sugar; and fresh green beans lightly sauteed.
Wednesday – Easy Gumbo
Hearty Cajun gumbo with chicken, shrimp, sausage, and okra poured over rice.
(I plan to make a big pot of rice, so I can use it later in the week.)
Served with Against the Grain Baguette slices.
Thursday – Mexican Rice Bowls
Leftover chicken from Monday on leftover rice from Thursday topped with black beans, green chiles, corn, shredded cheddar, sliced black olives, and avocado.
Friday – Cheeseburgers
If the weather holds out, we’ll be grilling outside again. I’m starting to get the urge for outdoor gatherings.
Burgers served on a gluten-free bun for some and left plain for others.
Grilled corn on the cob (Yes, it’s already in the grocery stores! I know it’s early, so I hope it’s good.)
Red potato and green bean salad
Saturday – leftover Gumbo and rice
Sunday – Happy Easter!
Bringing to the family gathering Slow-Cooked Balsamic Carrots, Carrot Cake, and Chocolate Eggs in Cookie Baskets
April Gluten-Free Events
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out these gluten-free events happening around the U.S. in April.
What: Celiac Awareness Night at the Philadelphia 76ers
When: Friday, April 10; 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Wachovia Center — Philadelphia, PA
More Details: To purchase your tickets for NFCA’s Celiac Awareness Night with the Philadelphia 76ers, go to: www.nba.com/sixers/celiac and enter promotional code “CELIAC” to guarantee that you get the special NFCA ticket discount and that proceeds from your ticket sales go to support celiac awareness!In addition to a great night of basketball and gluten-free food, there will be a pre-game silent auction featuring autographed official Philadelphia 76ers jerseys with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the cause of celiac disease!
What: Gluten-Free Cooking
When: Saturday, April 11; 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Carmel, IN
More Details: FREE. Get gluten free cooking tips each month from someone who lives the lifestyle & loves to cook! This month Sandy Haney dishes up Pesto Pasta Salad, homemade Country Bread & Matter of Flax Crackers. RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.
What: Gluten-Free Tours
When: Tuesday, April 14; 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Overland Park, KS
More Details: Please register in advance by calling (913) 663-2951. Join Nick as he takes you on a tour and sampling of some of the gluten-free products that we carry in our store. He will discuss a few tips and tricks on how to adopt a gluten-free diet and what to look for on a nutrition label.
What: Gluten-Free Group
When: Tuesday, April 14; 7 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Naperville, IL
More Details: Free. Whole Lifestyle Center. Join Suesson Vess for a social evening of information and support! This is an open event to all with a Gluten Free diet or sensitivities.
What: The Sweet Side of Gluten-Free Cooking
When: Tuesday, April 14; 7 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Providence, RI
More Details: Cost $5. Spruce up your repertoire of gluten free recipes with a dose of inspiration from Russell Kerman, Executive chef for the Pinelli Mara Restaurant Group and his pastry chef, Holly Nevodonski. His class here last October sold out. Sign up early to secure a seat! Please pre-register and pre-pay as seating is limited!
What: Gluten-Free Store Tour
When: Wednesday, April 15; 7 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Providence, RI
More Details: Free. Registered dietician, Mary M. Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN, will lead a gluten free store tour to introduce you to the many different products and ingredients and answer questions along the way. Please pre-register at Customer Service by April 13th.
What: Gluten-Free Store Tour
When: Wednesday, April 15; 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Carmel, IN
More Details: FREE. Take our store tour for an overview of the great values we offer everyday as well as some valuable tips on stretching your dollar. Enjoy samples too! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP to reserve your space at Carmel: 569.1517 Leave message for Sarah Smith.
What: Gluten-Free Support Group
When: Friday, April 17; 7 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — West Bloomfield, MI
More Details: Free. Email karen.russel@wholefoods.com for more information or to sign up
What: Gluten-Free Support Group
When: Saturday, April 17; Noon – 2 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Newton, MA
More Details: $10.00, Registration required at Customer Service. Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN, Director of the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, offer tips on how to live a gluten free lifestyle. The lecture is followed by a store tour and sampling of a variety of gluten free products. Class participants receive a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.
What: Living and Loving a GF Diet
When: Saturday, April 18; 11 am – 12:30 pm
Where: 3345 Duke St., Alexandria, VA
More Details: Cost is $25 for one person or $40 for two. Register at www.harriswholehealth.com/services or email Cheryl@harriswholehealth.com. Call 571-271-8742 for questions. Workshop taught by Cheryl Harris, registered dietition and nutritionist, to help you navigate the gluten-free diet.
What: Thrive Allergy Expo
When: Saturday, April 18; 9 am – 6 pm and Sunday, April 19: 9 am – 5 pm
Where: McCormick Place — Chicago, IL
More Details: $15 for both days, or $10 for one. Whole Foods Market customers can get 2 for 1 tickets by using promo code “WholeFoods” when purchasing tickets. Gluten-Free and allergy expo with special events, features, and speakers the whole family will enjoy.
What: Celiac Awareness Day
When: Saturday, April 18; 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Providence, RI
More Details: Free. Join us today for store-wide gluten free food sampling and visit with our special guests!
What: Live Free! Gluten-Free!
When: Monday, April 20; 6 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Little Rock, AR
More Details: Everyone is welcome to come learn about living Gluten Free.
What: Gluten-Free Store Tour
When: Thursday, April 23; 4 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Boulder, CO
More Details: Join Whole Foods and our Partner and registered Dietitian, Lisa Lanzano from Essential Nutrition as we learn all about a gluten free lifestyle. All guests will get a free reusable bag. Please be at the Concierge Desk by 4pm so we can start the tour promptly at 4. No reservations necessary.
What: Gluten-Free Tasting and Tour
When: Wednesday, April 29; 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Philadelphia, PA
More Details: Enjoy gluten free samples throughout our store, meet vendors, take a gluten free tour at 6:00 pm, and speak with a Registered Dietician who will be available all evening to answer any and all questions about living a gluten free lifestyle.
What: Gluten-Free Tours
When: Thursday, April 30; 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market — Overland Park, KS
More Details: Please register in advance by calling (913) 663-2951. Join Nick as he takes you on a tour and sampling of some of the gluten-free products that we carry in our store. He will discuss a few tips and tricks on how to adopt a gluten-free diet and what to look for on a nutrition label.
Seven Things You May Not Know About Me
Posted by: | CommentsI was tagged by MarylandCeliac at Gluten-Free Optimist to reveal “Seven Things You May Not Know About Me.” The rules are simple. Link to your original tagger and list these rules in your post. Simply share seven facts about yourself in the post. Tag seven people at the end of your post and let them know they’ve been tagged. And have fun! So, here it goes:
- I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee, but hate the taste. Hot Chocolate or tea for me, please.
- I am a chocoholic. I love everything chocolate, and always have some in the house. Dark chocolate is best, of course.
- As I was starting the gluten-free diet, the first gluten-free recipe I had to find was for chocolate chip cookies. When making a big lifestyle change, you’ve got to have some comfort food, right?
- I’m an Air Force brat and wife. I’ve had a lot of practice of adapting to change.
- I graduated from the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red!) with majors in Advertising and Consumer Science. I worked in advertising and marketing for 10 years before my children were born.
- I don’t have any food allergies (that I know of), but took allergy shots for several years for various allergies to Mother Nature.
- When my son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I hoped I had finally found the answer to my own lactose intolerance and IBS symptoms. I’m better on a gluten-free diet, but still have to limit my lactose and still have the occasional flare up.
Since I just got started with twitter, I thought this would be a good way to get to know people I follow and who follow me on twitter. Here are the seven people I am tagging.
- Sophie @GF_FlourArrange
- Erin Pickering @GFillustrator
- Kerrie @GFShaolin
- Debbra Teske @glutenfreedt
- Jamie Eppenauer @GlutenFreeMom
- Shelly Stuart @GlutenfreeRN
- Joyce Paige @SilknPearls
