Gluten Free Living in a Non-Gluten Free World: Where You Should Eat And What You Could Try Archives - Page 6 of 7

May 27, 2014

A Sad But True Gluten Free Update On Disney’s 50s Prime Time Cafe At Hollywood Studios

Our second day in Disney was fantastic, from an early start in Epcot riding some rides and meeting and greeting some of my daughter’s favorite Disney faces to tasting new and exotic treats around the World Showcase leading up to a gluten free lunch at Tutto Gusto. With little one wide awake after a lunch in Italy, we took our time and wandered through the remaining countries, visiting characters and taking in all of the beautiful topiaries. Soon enough, my little girl’s full belly made her incredibly sleepy allowing mommy and daddy some time to get a drink and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds that Epcot has to offer.

After some meandering through air conditioned stores throughout the rest of the world, it was time for us to head over to Hollywood Studios for dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe. Having fallen in love with this restaurant the past few times that we visited Disney in the gluten free phase of my life, it was a no brainer to make an advanced dining reservation here. For the past few months I’ve been craving their delicious, gluten free crispy fried chicken, something I’ve only ever been able to enjoy thanks to Disney! To say I was extremely excited heading over to 50s would be an understatement!

By the time we reached Hollywood Studios little one was still sleeping so we scooted into 50s Prime Time Cafe, checked in, and were quickly seated with a sleeping toddler by our side. A quick once over of the menu to just make sure the fried chicken still made an appearance and I was ready to place my order with the chef. Much to my dismay, as I was discussing my menu options with him and tried to place my fried chicken order I was told that they no longer could make the gluten free fried chicken. My mouth literally fell open as I turned to my husband sitting across from me. After some prodding, the chef went on to explain that they no longer keep any of the ingredients in the restaurant so you would need to order your meal with them far in advance. He went on to say that additionally they don’t make this dish anymore because of hazards with the fryer along with the lengthy amount of time that it takes to prepare the dish. Needless to say I was very confused after a number of different excuses were thrown at me, I mean could I order the fried chicken in the future if I call three months ahead and place my order or even after that when I am finally there to enjoy my ordered ahead meal will I be told it’s not safe to make this dish?

After the shock wore off, I asked the chef what else I could order off of the menu and learned of the meatloaf and pot pie without the crust, neither of which I’ve ever really enjoyed prior to my gluten issues so they weren’t really options for me. One item that did catch my eye was the pot roast which sounded quite tasty, however I was told that wasn’t a possibility either due to the flour dusting. Instead, I ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad with blue cheese dressing, not nearly a satisfying and substantial substitute for my beloved gluten free fried chicken. Nonetheless, we were there and enjoying the atmosphere so I was determined to eat something gluten free and end with their amazing brownie dessert.

I’d like to say that their Chicken Caesar Salad was the best I’d ever eaten but it didn’t even come close. The portion was pretty small for the price and the main component of the dish, the lettuce, was odds and ends of romaine. As far as salads go it really wasn’t that bad, unfortunately though it didn’t hold a candle to what I had set my heart on. Thankfully though as dessert rolled around and little girl was still resting her eyes, my husband and I shared the gluten free Dad’s Brownie Sundae, which consisted of a gluten free brownie, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, m&ms, caramel pop corn, and probably a number of other toppings that I missed. This was delicious! So delicious in fact I forgot to take a picture before we dove in. Trust me though, it’s a work of art, definitely worth saving a little bit of room for at the end of your meal. Just a note though, it is pretty big so you might want to consider sharing it if you’re not too hungry still.

All in all, 50s Prime Time Cafe was disappointing this time around. They’ve developed such an impressive reputation online among the food blogs for their ability to cater to gluten free diners in a unique way, providing options that you really can’t find anywhere else. Their fried chicken was so crispy and moist and really put other restaurants who were unable to make this gluten free at home to shame. Sadly it looks as if I can’t really say that anymore. The explanations that the chef provided were confusing and unclear so I suppose in our future Disney trips I’ll have to call and speak directly to a chef months ahead and see if I can possibly enjoy this dish again. The sad truth that I’ve learned traveling, mainly cruising, while gluten free is that many restaurants require advanced notice for a gluten free dish so they can acquire the ingredients. Although these restaurants advertise and develop notoriety because of their gluten free menus, they still do not carry gluten free items for their menu on a day to day basis. This, in my opinion, remains as one of the major pitfalls in dining out gluten free where you have to do so much homework before being able to enjoy a meal with your loved ones at a restaurant.

This situation reminds me a bit of my gluten free travels over the past few years. My husband and I enjoy cruising and have done so several times while eating gluten free. Although they for the most part, with some exceptions, have been phenomenal in catering to a gluten free diet, they required advance ordering at every restaurant prior to our reservation. For me, this just kind of takes away from your meal a bit when you have to hunt down a chef days ahead to place an order for your dinner a couple days away; not to mention, who knows if I’d still be in the mood for a dish that I ordered a couple days ago. Sadly it looks like 50s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios may be adopting a bit of this approach, at least when it comes to this unique gluten free dish. The funny thing though, I really didn’t mind and wouldn’t mind ordering in advance if I knew I could get an amazing dish that I would enjoy, which in the case of our cruises happened more often than not. Here’s to hoping that 50s Prime TIme Cafe can still put together a fantastic plate of Gluten Free Fried Chicken just like I remember with a little bit of advanced notice. We’ll be visiting Disney again in the next few months so I’ll report then if I have any success!

Keep watching for our next Disney food adventures from Dole Whips and Pop Corn to dinners at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian, Epcot’s Mexico and England, and one of our favorites Cinderella’s Castle!

Have A Magical Day,

Lindsay

May 23, 2014

A Gluten Free Lunch At Epcot’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

Our morning in Epcot was filled with fun for all, from meeting some of little one’s favorite characters like Mickey and friends and Snow White to riding some of Epcot’s best rides. By lunch we were all famished and ready to give some place new a try. Dan and I love wine so we’ve been looking forward to giving Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Epcot’s Italy a try for quite awhile leading up to this trip, unfortunately I had a pretty bad sinus infection the week of our trip so the wine tasting didn’t quite happen except for one of my favorite glasses of wine. Food wise though I was very eager to test the waters and see how Tutto Gusto could lend itself to the gluten free diner.

Tutto Gusto’s menu is amazing, including a large variety of meats and cheeses, paninis, and tasting portions of some more diverse dishes. After being seated, I spoke with the chef and he recommended a pasta dish using their gluten free pasta, topping it with a roasted tomato sauce, burrata mozzarella cheese, and basil. I was a bit hesitant to order something so heavy for lunch but by then at Epcot we certainly had walked up a huge appetite. I simply couldn’t resist the deliciousness that he had described so I was on board for the Pomodoro pasta dish done gluten free. After I had placed my specialty order, my husband ordered the Tuscan Pork Ribs and we ordered the chicken fingers for my little girl to enjoy. While our order was being made, we couldn’t help but to look around and enjoy the authenticity of the wine cellar architecture.

Dan and myself have been incredibly fortunate to travel to Europe both on our honeymoon and another time after that visiting a number of places in Italy, Greece, and Spain. We fell in love with every Italian city we had spent time in, most notably Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples (the Island of Capri). We hope to one day go back and bring our children there so they too can enjoy the beauty of one of our favorite countries but for now we relive our memories through pictures and visiting places like this. Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar reminded us of the small restaurants that we once had the pleasure of dining in in Venice and Florence. It was such a wonderful memory to relive but this time with our little girl by our side. We can’t wait to introduce her to our favorite country’s beauty in the years to come, but for now we love being able to walk her around the world thanks to Epcot’s World Showcase.

Soon enough our food was placed on our table and all of the sights and smells were incredibly overwhelming. It was love at first glance for me, I couldn’t wait to dive in and take my first bite of my Gluten Free Pasta Pomodoro.

Gluten free rice pasta topped with a tomato sauce, basil, and burrata mozzarella.

Presentation wise this dish was exquisite. The whole roasted tomatoes scattered throughout and the mound of burrata mozzarella cheese placed in the center made my mouth water. And I must say, the portion was huge. I’m not sure if this was typically a lunch size portion but it was incredibly large, more than enough for two to share.

Soft and creamy burrata mozzarella cheese.

Now onto the actual taste of this dish. The actual pasta component of the dish was very tasty and perfect in texture, not mushy in the slightest bit, just how gluten free pasta should be cooked. As far as the tomato sauce, I’m usually not a huge fan of tomato sauces but this one was very light and not overwhelming in the slightest bit. The burrata cheese was a smooth and creamy version of fresh mozzarella and was the perfect addition to the light tomato sauce and gluten free pasta. My first bite of pasta, tomato sauce, burrata cheese, and a smidgen of basil was pure heaven. The flavor combination was absolute perfection for my picky palate! I shared a bit with my husband when he had finished his Tuscan Pork Ribs and he too agreed that the gluten free dish was truly amazing! Thank you Tutto Gusto for such a filling and satisfying lunch, I can see many a gluten free lunch and dinner here in our future!

Gluten free Chocolate Panna Cotta topped with cherries.

While we were certainly all filled after our pasta, ribs, and chicken fingers, who could seriously resist the temptation of a Gluten Free Chocolate Panna Cotta topped with cherries? We just had to give it a try, so we ordered one and shared it between the three of us. My little one who had become especially picky with food on our vacation (more than likely because of her brewing ear infection, which I’ll tell you more about that scary experience in another post) absolutely loved this treat! It was light and fluffy, and not too sweet but with the addition of the cherries, it was a perfect ending to a wonderful lunch!

Just a few tips about Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, you can’t use your dining plan here, however the experience and different food options were totally worth an out-of-pocket dining for us. Also, they do not take reservations which I kind of like so you can just spontaneously stop in and give it a try if you’re in the mood for that type of cuisine. Most of their dishes are either small plate or large enough to be shared which they indicate on their menu, if you’re unsure just ask your server. To take a look at their menu in its entirety just follow this link. I personally can’t wait to stop in here again and either order my beloved Pomodoro pasta dish or a gluten free non-pasta dish (fingers crossed)!

Stay tuned next week for more of my Disney dining likes and dislikes!

For now, have a magical holiday weekend,

Lindsay

May 22, 2014

Gluten Free At Epcot’s Flower And Garden Festival 2014: Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries

This Disney trip we were so fortunate to be able to attend the Flower And Garden Festival at Epcot, we’d never been but have heard fantastic things about how gorgeous Epcot is decorated by Disney’s finest topiaries and flower displays. On Day 2 of our trip, Epcot had extra magic hours so we decided to venture over in that neck of the woods for the day. The reviews that we had read on the festival prior to going did not do the hard work and creativity that goes into the elaborate displays placed everywhere throughout Epcot any justice. Just after scanning our magic bands to enter we were greeted by huge Donald, Daisy, and Goofy topiaries which my little girl couldn’t have been happier to see. The attention to detail was truly remarkable, not terribly surprising when you’re talking about Disney though. Here’s a quick look at Donald, Daisy, and Goofy who welcomed us into Epcot!

Welcome to Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival 2014. — Welcome to Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival 2014.

Our first stop was to do the parent swap for Soarin and then to revisit the revamped Test Track. Both were amazing as always, I have to say they did a great job with Test Track, it certainly is a bit more thrilling then what I can remember. By 9 am though we were in line to meet little one’s Disney favorites: Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. At only 1 1/2 she truly knows and loves each of Disney’s characters, Mickey and his friends being her favorites. After a quick wait she was in sight of Mickey, waving and saying hello frantically. Finally, it was her time to shine, she ran over to give Mickey a huge hug and kiss giving us so much to awe about. Visits with Goofy and Minnie were just the same, filled with so much love and happiness from out little baby girl. After an amazing start to our morning we were off to enjoy Nemo and his aquarium and then it was time to head over to the World Showcase.

I was excited to hear that there would be some different food stands offering gluten free treats at the Flower and Garden Festival this year. One item in particular that caught my eye were the Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries in China. While little one napped after her exciting morning, Dan and I meandered around the countries, trying tiny bites here and there and finally we came upon China. I couldn’t help but give the gluten free candied strawberries a try.

Candied Strawberries Epcot Blog Pics (1) — Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2014: China’s Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries

After ordering, three huge candied strawberries greeted me at the kitchen window. These were huge strawberries which was a fantastic sight to me as I happen to love strawberries. They were covered in melted sugar and dusted with sesame seeds which I thought was an interesting twist. I must say I really enjoyed the candying effect of the strawberries, which were perfectly sweet and delicious. However, the sesame seed addition wasn’t my favorite. While I wasn’t a fan of the sesame seeds, my husband, who has by far a much more adventurous palate, seemed to really enjoy them.

hjksdfhls — Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries dusted in sesame seeds.

All in all, they were a refreshing treat. I loved the combination of the candy idea with huge and sweetly plump strawberries but could have done without the sesame seeds atop, or at least on only half so my husband could enjoy them on the other half. It was so nice to be able to participate in this extra part of the Flower and Garden Festival so I’m so grateful for Epcot taking the extra step to indicate gluten content on any of these extra dishes at their food stands. These strawberries were definitely creative and worth giving a try!

Stay tuned for Day 2’s lunch at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Epcot’s Italy!

Have A Magical Day,

Lindsay

May 21, 2014

Gluten Free Disney Family Favorite: Dinner At Be Our Guest Restaurant

Disney Day 1 at Magic Kingdom was filled with all of the classics from Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion to Peter Pan and Cinderella’s Carousel and some of the newer rides too like Ariel’s Under the Sea and Winnie the Pooh, each was so much fun and made my little girl smile from ear to ear. After an afternoon of rides we were ready for our first extra special dinner reservation at Disney’s new Be Our Guest Restaurant. Having eaten at this one on our previous vacation in the fall I knew how fantastic they were at catering to the gluten free diner so I couldn’t resist paying them another visit.

Be Our Guest offers a number of amazing dinner options from Chicken and Grilled Strip Steak to Ratatouille and a Puff Pastry Seafood dish. For me, I narrowed my choices down to the Chicken Provencal or the Grilled Strip Steak. As with every one of my Disney dinners I always request to speak with the chef to review each of my options so I can choose the safest and tastiest dish for me to enjoy. As per usual, the chef greeted our table within moments of being seated and reviewed the gluten free options on the menu. Hearing that the Grilled Strip Steak could be made as seen on the menu with its garlic-herb butter sauce and pommes frites the decision was simple for me and I went with the steak. Only moments after ordering our food while I was entertaining my little girl I was shocked to see our appetizers and bread coming out and minutes after that our main courses quickly followed. Their speedy service at Be Our Guest is fantastic and greatly appreciated by this mommy of a toddler who although is quite patient and loves too color is still a 1 1/2 year old who has places to go and people to see.

My first bites at Be Our Guest were of their delicious gluten free dinner rolls, which I later inquired to find out that they were Ener-G brand. These were a perfect start to the meal, warmed and covered in butter, so good!

For me, it’s just refreshing to even be able to participate in the bread course of a meal, when usually I just sit and gaze at the gluten filled rolls that were placed in the center of the table. Disney is superior at making all of their diners happy from the start of a meal to the finish, as evident by their offering of gluten free rolls! Just moments after my first few bites into these rolls I caught a glimpse of my main course arriving and I couldn’t have been more excited to give the garlic-herb butter that I was promised a taste.

As you can see, this dish is gorgeous! You get a generous size piece of steak accompanied by a large helping of both green beans and pommes frites. First comes first though, I couldn’t wait to taste the steak along with the garlic-herb butter that was free of gluten. The steak was cooked to perfection, well done just how I like it, and the garlic-herb butter sauce that topped it was absolutely DELICIOUS! It added so much flavor and was incredible, I’m so glad that the chef informed me that this one was gluten free!

dsf — Be Our Guest’s gluten free grilled strip steak with garlic-herb butter sauce.

The green beans were equally as tasty, but I have to say the second star of the dish were the pommes frites or rather their french fries. They were a lovely cross between a thin and steak size french fry and were seasoned to perfection. They had a delicious mix of seasonings that made them irresistible to both myself and my daughter. Just talking about them is making me wish that I could just enjoy one more bite!

sdfsd — Perfectly seasoned gluten free pommes frites, the perfect accompaniment to Be Our Guest’s grilled strip steak.

I’m so grateful for Disney’s Be Our Guest Restaurant who creates an amazing dining experience. Although their food is divine, the world that you step into truly takes over and makes you feel as though you’re in Beauty and the Beast. If you haven’t dined here you absolutely must give it a try, you won’t be disappointed by the food nor the environment. And if you’re gluten free, ease any fears of safe dining, Disney is superior at catering to diner’s needs in all shapes and forms and Be Our Guest certainly lived up to this standard. The meal was amazing from start to finish, my only wish being that I could take this restaurant home with me so I could enjoy their gluten free service all of the time!

It was the perfect food ending to our first day in Disney! We couldn’t wait to enjoy a bit more of the sights and sounds of Magic Kingdom before turning in but thanks to Be Our Guest our bellies were all full and happy!

TIP: Not so much as a tip but more of a tidbit of information that I learned about Be Our Guest Restaurant. My husband and I just marveled at the attention to detail in the castle and throughout the restaurant so as we were dining we spoke with the waitress about the restaurant and learned quite a few interesting details about it. One of our favorite features was the ceiling of the ballroom that was covered with cherub angels and gold chandeliers. My husband commented that the angels looked extremely realistic like they were real pictures of babies. Our waitress actually informed us that the imagineers who worked on the project were given a gift to pick one of their family member’s baby pictures and incorporate it into the ceiling of the ballroom as the cherub angels. So next time you take a walk through pay special attention to the ceiling and you’ll be able to see the realness in this piece of art. For now, I posted a picture that I captured of the ceiling so you could take a quick look!

Have A Magical Day,

Lindsay

May 20, 2014

What’s The Best Way To Start And End Your Gluten Free Trip In Disney? Try A Turkey Leg!

Our Disney adventure started out with an early morning flight, which is by far my least favorite activity of a vacation. Not only do I not love flying in general but the idea of being contained to a tiny little space with a highly active and mobile toddler is a bit intimidating too. With snacks, toys, and an ipad full of Disney Junior in hand though we were armed for the relatively short flight. All in all it wasn’t too bad; it was slightly hectic when little one left us a surprise in her diaper and required a change in the tiny tiny airplane bathroom but after some walking back and forth she passed out for a short nap until we landed in Orlando.

I don’t know about any of you but just stepping off of the plane in Orlando you get that magical feeling that Disney brings. After a short tram ride through the airport we were whisked away by Disney’s Magical Express to one of our favorite resorts, The Wilderness Lodge. The ride was filled with so much anticipation as our little one just sat in awe watching the bus tv as Mickey splashed across the screen. Only 30 minutes later and “we were home”. After checking in and leaving our carry-ons at the front desk, we were off to start Day 1 at the most magical place on Earth.

One of my favorite perks (and my daughter’s too) of staying at the Wilderness Lodge is the option to take a quick and scenic boat ride to get to the Magic Kingdom. Going with tradition, we headed over to Magic Kingdom first via the boat and a short 10 minute ride later we caught a glimpse of the castle for the first time. Just seeing the castle makes you feel like a kid again, filling you with so much excitement and anticipation. Soon enough we were docking right in front of the gates to Magic Kingdom and we couldn’t wait to unload and experience the magic.

Little one was a bit sleepy after a long commute earlier that morning but awake enough to point and scream with excitement at the all of the sights and sounds that filled Main Street. She just loved the hustle and bustle of it all, so much to see, hear, and smell for my little 1 1/2 year old. Her signature twinkle in her eyes grew ten sizes that day with her first gaze of the castle and the character show going on in front of it, a little expression I’ll never forget. We headed straight for Fantasyland to start our trip off with my little girl’s favorite ride, It’s A Small World. Even as an adult I love this ride too, but my little one just couldn’t take her eyes off of all of the dancing and singing dolls. She loved this one 9 months ago when we first took her to Disney, so much so I had an It’s A Small World inspired 1st birthday party for her! This time on this ride was filled with just as much amazement.

After riding through It’s A Small World, we headed over to Frontierland to get some lunch. Little one had a sandwich along with applesauce and fruit while Dan and I indulged in one of our all time favorite lunch options at Disney, and it’s gluten free! We love love love the Turkey Legs, you know those huge, smoked hunks of meat that look like they belong in a Flinstone’s episode. If you haven’t had one of these, I’m sure you’ve at least seen someone at some point walking around with one during one of your Disney trips. They are amazing and more amazing they are safe for those that are gluten free!

dfgfd — Smoked turkey legs courtesy of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!

These smoked turkey legs are huge and make a perfectly filling lunch that is a little different then a burger or hot dog and fries. Each bite is filled with a juicy and smokey tasting piece of turkey that actually tastes a bit more like a ham with texture of turkey. My favorite part about these is that they are far from your traditional turkey that can be dry, these actually are incredibly juicy so make sure you arm yourself with plenty of napkins. I just love that these are safe for those that are gluten free and that both my husband and myself and one day little one can enjoy these together!

Just a heads up these turkey legs are messy and cannot be eaten in a pretty way so get ready to dive in and just enjoy the tastiness of this one! Also, they are a bit pricey, coming in at about $9 a piece, but are totally worth every penny. Like I said, these are huge and can certainly be shared if you don’t mind. Also, if you have a dining plan too this makes for a great quick service option! It counts as a quick service meal and you get one turkey leg, one drink, a bag of chips, and a pack of cookies which I believe equates to about a $20 meal, a great deal for a quick service option on the dining plan. We always use at least one or two quick service meals each at a turkey leg stand during our trips!

So next time you’re in Magic Kingdom, head over to Frontierland and check out their turkey legs! These are a delicious gluten free lunch option while in Disney and are actually available in several if not all of the parks! As always though, when you visit be sure to look at their allergy binder for any item that you want to try to check the ingredients as these can change.

Stay tuned for our dinner on Day 1!

Have A Magical Day,

Lindsay

May 5, 2014

Fluffy Gluten Free Gnocchi Smothered In A Scampi Sauce: A Palermo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria Review

It was another busy weekend in the Gluten Free Mom To Be’s house filled with our niece’s first communion festivities, swapping out spring for winter clothes, packing for our Disney vacation next week, and doing a little yard work. For a little break in the kitchen, we decided to order from one of our favorite local Italian restaurants. Palermo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria has been a family favorite since our childhood and has thankfully made a triumphant return to our lives by catering to my gluten free diet.

Tossing around the idea of ordering my all time favorite dinner, vodka rigatoni, or one of their other standout dishes, the gluten free gnocchi, I opted to go with door number two. The chef, who has a child with Celiac, is well versed on the gluten free diet and all that goes into safely delivering a gluten free meal, so as per usual my fears of being glutened with dining here were minimal. Along with the understanding of what gluten free really entails, the chef delivers quality gluten free meals that surpass my expectations each time. The gluten free gnocchi certainly have done just that. For a little bit of a change from the norm, I went with the gluten free gnocchi smothered in a flavorful scampi sauce of lemon, garlic, butter, and additional seasonings.

First and foremost, whatever pasta and gnocchi they use at Palermo’s is delicious. The gnocchi specifically though are soft and pillowy, and are the perfect base for my beloved scampi sauce. Typically the gnocchi can come with a vodka sauce, but I just love the lightness of a scampi sauce that just seems to embrace the gluten free gnocchi. In my own experience, I must say that Palermo’s goes above and beyond when they are catering to the gluten free diet. Most restaurants merely adjust their dishes to be gluten free by omitting one or many components or supplying a gluten free pasta substitute. One of the downfalls for many restaurants though comes to the sauces. For many, sauces typically are a no go to be adjusted gluten free, but Palermo’s goes the extra mile in this department by making a number of gluten free sauces from vodka, to pesto, to scampi. And from personal experience, each have been equally as delicious as the other!

These gnocchi are delicious, so soft, just like little pillows!

It is truly a delight to order a meal with the comfort that the chef who’s making it takes the necessary precautions for safety but also the extra steps to ensure excellent quality. The gluten free gnocchi with scampi sauce is superb and has even been made to be dairy free as well for my sister. Either way, the garlic goodness emitting from the sauce is the perfect complement to each soft and tender bite of gnocchi. Palermo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria had certainly done it again in my book, producing a fantastic gluten free pasta dish that anyone could enjoy! To check out my other favorite Palermo’s dish and their entire gluten free menu check out my gluten free vodka rigatoni post here.

With our bellies full and energy refueled, we were able to finish out the beautiful weekend with gusto. It was a great Spring weekend that was filled with family, good food, and lots of fun outside. Thank you Palermo’s for adding a perfect gluten free touch to an already amazing weekend!

Sincerely,

Lindsay

May 2, 2014

Wegmans: A Grocery Store Paradise For The Gluten Free Shopper

Grocery shopping is probably one of my least favorite activities to engage in, especially now with a toddler in tow. Little one just loves to turn around in her seat and pull out every last item to hold. By the end of a very long experience, she’s stuffed in the front seat along with a good quarter of my groceries. While grocery shopping for many others may be rather quick and painless, for us to pick up groceries is quite the ordeal. I spend many an hour prepping for the actual trip, from couponing to sale searching and list making. Then finally we come to the actual main event, which I have to admit takes quite awhile to navigate the aisles, always checking labels for gluten and spotting new products that may be gluten free, all while tackling a sticky fingered toddler. I have to give my little girl props though. She loves the hustle and bustle of the store along with the chit chat with its patrons (not to mention the lunch meat samples at the deli counter!) which keeps her in good spirits for a good portion of the adventure.

In our house we try to stick to making biweekly grocery shopping trips, along with a little one in the middle n to pick up milk and bread that don’t quite get us through the entire two weeks. We typically shop at our local Shop Rite which is only about 10 minutes down the road. While their gluten free section has come leaps and bounds since my earlier gluten free days, it never fails, I’ll always have to make a farther trip to either Wegmans or Whole Foods to buy the remainder of our shopping list. This week, as we’re overdo for a larger shopping trip but are also only a week and a half away from Disney, I decided to attempt a smaller trip to Wegmans to pick up the essentials and a few extras for our planned dinners next week.

I personally love Wegmans. Although I can’t quite navigate it blindfolded yet as I can Shop Rite, I love the welcoming feeling that you get just from walking through the door. They are home to a number of gluten free and allergy free brands that can’t be found many other places. In fact, I’ve found a number of gluten free gems here over the years from premade, reasonably priced, and delicious gluten free cookie dough to, my most recent find that I’m super excited about, gluten free gnocchi straight from Italy. They offer so much variety, as much that’s available at least, to individuals that find themselves with a limited variety of groceries to choose from.

While Wegmans houses a number of gluten free and really allergy free brands, my biggest perk with shopping there is their own product line that indicates gluten content clearly on the labels. This is almost unheard of in terms of store brand labeling. For Shop Rite, this has been one of my biggest gripes shopping there. I only purchase store brand products when their price is cheaper than a brand equivalent, as many do. For Shop Rite brand, this process is a bit more complicated, as allergy information is not printed on labels and you have to call regarding each individual product. While this process is incredibly daunting, it’s also very necessary to make sure that the purchased products are gluten free for me. So usually after I’m done shopping, I call Shop Rite and interrogate them on a number of purchased products. On many an occasion, this phone call has saved me from a dangerous run in with gluten and is accompanied with the return of many of their store brand products.

For Wegmans, the guess work and interrogation step is taken out of your shopping trip. You literally can now go up and down each aisle of a grocery store, not just the gluten free section, and easily pick out a cheaper, gluten free option than a name brand. Not to mention, I’ve enjoyed many of their store brand products, such as pasta sauces and even ice cream, more than name brands. So how easy is it to pick out gluten free items among a sea of Wegmans brand products? Well, not only are their ingredient labels clear and indicative of allergy content, but posted right on the front by the name of the product is a convenient and easy to find gluten free symbol in the form of a G with gluten free written underneath, which you can see here on one of their pasta sauces. They offer a number of labeled gluten free, Wegmans brand products including pastas, sauces, cheeses, deli meats, desserts, snacks, beverages, and many more (not to mention my favorite broccoli and cheese soup available at their market). To take a look at their full selection at a store near you, just follow this link to the product finder page, make sure you select a local store, and finally search gluten free and you’ll find over 1500 gluten free products to choose from.

Wegmans is an outstanding store to either pick up a few odds and ends or do your entire grocery shopping. They are coupon friendly and their gluten free selection can’t be beat. Every time I leave there I always walk out with a few more products then I had intended on grabbing, not to mention a higher grocery bill to boot, but nothing can beat growing your gluten free selection at home. I’m so thankful that a store like this exists and is local for me, making my gluten free experience much more doable and enjoyable.

TIP: If you don’t have a local Wegmans, check out any of your local grocery stores and see if they too offer gluten free store brand products or if they even have a complete list of their gluten free products. If neither of these are available to you, don’t be afraid to go with the route that I still do with Shop Rite. Making phone calls isn’t necessarily fun but if it can save you some money and provide you with safe gluten free alternatives then they’re worth making.

Sincerely,

Lindsay

April 14, 2014

A Gorgeous Weekend And A Gluten Free Pizza

Spring is finally here!!! The weather was gorgeous this weekend, but along with the emerging warmer weather and budding trees come clogged sinuses, invading allergies, and sleepless nights for me. With temperatures in the mid 70s to mid 80s in the end of the April though I mustered up enough energy to get my little one out and about and take advantage of the gorgeous spring weather after a very LONG winter. On our agenda, a morning trip to the zoo, long walks with our furry family member, early morning trip to our local farmer’s market, frozen yogurt, a fantastic Easter egg hunt, and finally Sunday family dinner with dying Easter eggs (whew). It was a busy one but a fantastic weekend nonetheless; little one loved being out in the fresh air, spotting all of the animals and picking out all of those Easter eggs, being sure to add to her basket and everyone else’s too!!!

In the middle of all of this running around I decided to save myself from making dinner and order pizzas. Gluten free pizzas are certainly way easier to find now than they were even a few years ago, however finding a good gluten free pizza is a task and a half. Although there are a number of local pizza places and chain restaurants that offer gluten free pizza now, sadly not all of them are overly thrilling especially with their extremely high prices. After many trials, I’ve finally found a fantastic gluten free pizza for an even better price. Mamma Mia Trattoria is home to a gluten free diner’s dream menu. They offer an extensive gluten free Italian menu filled with chicken, seafood, vegetarian dishes, pasta, and pizzas. I must admit each time we’ve dined here I’ve only ever gotten their pizza (it’s that good!!!) so I can’t vouch for the rest of the menu, however if it’s like their pizzas, they’ll exceed your expectations. To take a look at their full dinner and pizza menus take a look here.

Now back to the pizza. Unlike other gluten free pizza offerers, Mama Mia lists seven different pizzas, along with of course a plain option. I personally have never seen any other establishments offer anything other than cheese and sauce so this was certainly a pleasant surprise. Among the varieties are their Margherita with fresh mozzarella and basil, Veggie white pizza with sauteed spinach and broccoli, Toscana with tomato slices and mozzarella, Grilled Chicken and roasted red pepper, Capri white pizza with veggies and ricotta cheese, Florentina with chicken and mushrooms, and Eggplant Romma with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. Each of these are either $12.95 or $13.95, which is extremely reasonable for a gluten free pizza. Additionally, you can pick and choose whichever toppings you’d like, from about of a list of twenty or so gluten free toppings, and make your own pizza.

The best gluten free pizza! — Fantastic restaurant offering an extensive gluten free menu.

Like I mentioned earlier, I usually order a plain cheese pizza but I have in the past ordered the Grilled Chicken pizza and it was phenomenal. For this weekend though I went with my standby of a plain gluten free cheese pizza. As usual, I was not disappointed in the slightest bit. One of my biggest gripes with gluten free pizza offerings is the crust. All gluten free crusts are certainly not created equal. In Mama Mia’s case, they offer their gluten free pizza atop a separately cooked premade crust that is quite large as far as premade crusts go (maybe 12 inches, I honestly haven’t measured it but it’s definitely larger than a personal pan pizza). It’s a thin crust, reminiscent a bit of Udi’s, and keeps its form through all of the toppings. They take such pride in their pizzas and are always sure to layer plenty of toppings on top of the gluten free crust, producing a beauty like this one!

It’s been a long time since I’ve honestly felt like I’ve enjoyed a take out pizza or one at a restaurant as much as those that were filled with gluten years ago. However, after my first glimpse of my order I knew this one would be an exception. Each bite was filled with that cheesy goodness that I used to love in my pizzas, making me less and less enviable of my husband and daughter’s large gluten filled cheese pizza. With all of our bellies full and exhaustion setting back in we rested up for another day of fun filled outdoor activities. Thanks Mama Mia for adding to a perfect weekend for my little family!

This restaurant exceeds any preconceived idea of gluten free dining. They take the necessary precautions to avoid contamination and produce excellent products that will keep you coming back. To make a gluten free pizza look and taste like their normal pizzas is no easy feat and Mama Mia seems to do it with ease. So if you’re in the area, make sure you pay them a visit! If not, take a look online for local Italian restaurants that offer gluten free menus. They aren’t that abundant that’s for sure, however, don’t be afraid to scour the internet and make a few phone calls to possibly uncover an establishment like this one close to home!

Thank you Mama Mia Trattoria for helping make the gluten free world a bit less scary for a gluten free diner!

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 9, 2014

Get ready….Gluten Free Pastries Do Exist!

Rarely would a gluten free eater see the terms gluten free and pastries together but it’s true, gluten free pastries do exist! Not only do they exist, but they are deliciously perfect in every way!

Since going gluten free, it’s been a rare occasion that I’ve been able to enjoy a dessert not baked by myself. Although I consider myself handy in the kitchen I am by no stretch a baker so it’s certainly a pleasure to come across not only one gluten free treat but a whole bakery full of them! When I first introduced you to Wildflour Bakery/Cafe here I showed you how talented they were in creating an entire gluten free experience from drinks to enjoying dessert, every part of the meal was a success! Although we had tasted a few of the desserts then, we only brushed the surface of the variety that they had to offer.

As my birthday had approached I had considered suggesting a trip to Wildflour’s to experience more decadence but Dan beat me to it. Much to my surprise, the morning of my birthday I woke up to a unfamiliar sight of a pastry box waiting for me on my dining table. I literally felt like a kid on Christmas morning, not being able to open the box fast enough to reveal the deliciousness inside. Finally, I lifted the lid to reveal a beautiful gluten free sight and smell.

Wildflour GF pastries to go! — Wildflour gluten free pastries to go!

That wonderful husband of mine had read my mind and delivered such a thoughtful gift. In the box were two familiar cranberry scones that were my favorite dessert from our first visit, a great reminder of our lunch experience. All I can say is that these wonderful scones are a perfect breakfast accompaniment to coffee or a sweet finish to a great dinner. This scone has a perfect texture with natural sweetness from the cranberries and a sugary sprinkled top. Scones are such a tasty breakfast pastry without being overly sweet and it is a welcomed surprise to see their triumphant introduction into the gluten free world. Immediately after trying these I began my search for gluten free scone recipes and cannot wait to give these a try, so stay tuned!

Next, Dan had picked out a chocolate cheesecake. I haven’t had a cheesecake in a number of years as the base of the cheesecake is full of gluten. Wildflour’s cheesecake was a chocolaty delight, free of a crust and smothered in a chocolate ganache. I split this with Dan and little one after dinner that night as I knew Dan, a cheesecake lover, would enjoy it as much as I would. After the first teaspoonful, I was instantly reminded of the beautifully light texture of cheesecake but surprised with the uniquely chocolaty flavor of this delight. Both Dan and little one devoured their portions as well, proving Wildflour’s ability to create gluten free food that tastes good and doesn’t carry the gluten free stigma With no room left after dessert, the remaining scone and cream puff just had to wait for the days that followed.

Chocolate cheesecake covered in chocolate!

After devouring the second scone for breakfast the next day I finally was able to try my last birthday surprise, a chocolate smothered cream puff for dessert the day following. Boy was this a tremendously good dessert worth the wait! Underneath the chocolate, was an oversize cream puff, consisting of just the right lightness and flakiness, filled with a deliciously sweet cream inside. It certainly was a perfect addition in my birthday pastry box! Thanks to Dan and Wildflour’s, my birthday this year has been the sweetest yet! Head to Wildflour Bakery/Cafe today and try them for yourself, take a look here to see many of the bakery treats that they offer!

Wildflour’s continues to raise the bar for gluten free cooking and baking. If only more restaurants took on the task to accommodate all diners in this fashion our dining world would become much bigger and more enjoyable. For now though, I look forward to my next trip to Wildflour’s and to see what tasty culinary experience I’m in store for. Thank you Dan and little one along with Wildflour’s for such a wonderful birthday surprise!

TIP: Search around in your neighborhood to see if you have a hidden gem like this one close by. Don’t be afraid to venture a little distance because you might just unveil a wonderful go to gluten free experience that you can indulge in from time to time.

Sincerely,

Lindsay

March 2, 2014

Happy Birthday Mommy and Daddy- A Review of Salt Creek Grille

The month of March is a very special month in our house as Dan and I share it as our birthday month and even better than that we share a birthday week! This year our little family ventured out to Salt Creek Grille. In addition to the food, the restaurant itself is certainly an experience. Both outside and inside Salt Creek Grille resembles that of a wooden ski lodge and is even equipped with cozy fireplaces. Their kitchen is open to the dining room so you can watch the hustle bustle of your food being prepped. But ultimately our biggest concern as gluten free eaters is what our gluten free menu will look like.

Salt Creek Grille does not have a separately designated gluten free menu, but instead they have highlighted items on their main menu that are inherently gluten free without any adjustments. After some discussion with our waitress we learned that most of the menu could be made gf with only a few adjustments. Their menu has quite a few options from soup and salads to seafood and steaks. You can take a look at their entire dinner menu here as well as the dessert menu (Yes they do have a gluten free dessert!).

On this particular occasion, I decided to order the wedge salad as well as the filet mignon, which was actually not marked gluten free on their menu. The filet mignon was gluten free except for the demi-glace sauce that usually accompanies it; to make this gluten free, I simply requested my go to steak sauce of choice, the béarnaise sauce, which I knew could be made gluten free from previous experience. Along with the filet, was a side of yukon gold mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. I have to mention that the béarnaise sauce is near and dear to my heart as I first and lastly enjoyed it at our wedding. Since going gluten free shortly after our nuptials, I have only been able to order a steak with béarnaise sauce when we have cruised but never at a normal restaurant on land. Unfortunately, many sauces are thickened with flour and thus chock full of gluten, this particular sauce is no different. Therefore when we dine at Salt Creek Grille I don’t miss the chance to indulge in this rarity.

While feeding little one some steamed veggies prepped at home, our appetizers were brought out. The wedge salad is definitely one of my favorite salads and this one was just right, picture perfect with a perfect proportion of blue cheese to bacon along with several cherry tomatoes to round it off. Just as we were licking our plates from our appetizers and little one doing the same of her veggies, our entrees were arriving. My filet was cooked well done, just how I like it, and the sauce was just what I wanted, reminding me of our wedding meal a bit. Everything was delicious and perfectly gluten free!

Although we’re not big on ordering desserts, I can’t resist when the opportunity actually exists, especially on our birthdays. Salt Creek Grille offers a flourless chocolate cake, actually something I’m trying to replicate later on for my own birthday. It is so perfectly fudgy and cakey at the same time with a delicious dark chocolate sauce on the side as well as chocolate ice cream. As my daughter was nibbling on her goldfish Mickey’s and Cheerios she kept eyeballing the chocolatey treat; I couldn’t help but give her a taste and as her mouth closed in on her little fork her eyes glistened with pure bliss. She certainly has an eye for the good stuff!

Salt Creek Grille is an excellent example of how a restaurant should be able to accommodate all of its diners. Every time we’ve dined here our entire family has always left full and satisfied! Such a wonderful way to celebrate our birthdays, Happy Birthday to us!

TIP: When making gluten free sauces, the best thickeners are either gluten free flour or cornstarch, both of which should do the trick. If a restaurant entree comes with a sauce that is not gluten free, inquire if either the sauce can be left off making the dish gluten free or as an alternative if the chef could provide a replacement gluten free sauce to accompany the dish.

Sincerely,

Lindsay