Goodie Goodie Gluten-Free®

I have heard so many wonderful reviews of  Bar Breton through other blogs, celiac meet-ups and plain reviews through Google.  This lovely little French restaurant on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Chelsea, NYC was a place I had wanted to try for months!  Their mouth watering menu alone had me salivating with thoughts of amazing gallettes (crepes) both in dessert form and dinner form with ingredients such as ham and goat cheese to Nutella and chocolate mousse wrapped by a buckwheat pancake.  Their menu both interesting and diverse, I thought would draw in a crowd both gluten-free friendly and gluten friendly. Forest Ham and Egg Buckwheat Gallette Nutella Buckwheat Gallette I have to say that I was quite disappointed with the taste, but blown away by the presentation.  How could these gorgeous meals prepared so beautifully taste so tasteless??!  I was shocked.  I even brought a date to this restaurants as I was sure ...

So I think I can now say that Betty Crocker comes to the rescue in times of bind.  Her devils food cake rocked, her chocolate chip cookie mix made vegan was worthy and now the latest Chocolate Coconut Chip Cookies.  I don't use her mixes as is.  I always add ingredients.  I find without the additions the mixes arent fabulous, and gluten-free should be, well Fabulous! They are great basic mixes, but they do need other ingredients. I decided to play around with extracts this time.  I of course added in the xanthan gum, because her mixes do not use that, and that is essential!  I added in 1/4 tsp. of xanthan gum, 1/2 tsp. Coconut extract and 1/2 tsp. Chocolate extract.  I also added in 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips (GF).  What a difference!  Omg! I brought these to work and everyone even the skeptics were dazzled by the taste! Most importantly besides ingredients...is pressing the balls of cookie dough till flattened....

Another restaurant becomes gluten-free friendly.  This time it's Manhasset, Long Island.  One would think an Asian Fusion restaurant couldn't really accommodate the gluten-intolerant  but lucky for us they can. Menu Items that are Gluten-Free friendly: Chicken lettuce cups minus the plum sauce.  Their ground chicken has no sauce whatsoever in the meal.  This dish is very gluten-free friendly and I always get it when I am there. Sushi but minus the soy sauce (unless you bring your own) Sashimi or tar tare minus the soy sauces.   Steak, Chicken or Fish naked and plain. Steamed veggies. Now granted you cannot indulge in the noodles and saucy dishes, but when it comes to the entree the chef will make you anything steamed or naked.  When it comes to restaurants like these, if you want to dine there you just have to eat a bit more plain and work around your allergy. Just make sure at you speak to the waiter about your allerg...

Many months back I won a "gluten-free mix giveaway" from Mixes From The Heartland   I was super psyched because I have never won anything in a contest before and was even more excited that it was something I could put to use.  I received 1 huge box filled with tons of mixes from dip mixes to dessert mixes to dinner and soup mixes.  Wow. Last night I made the Spinach -N- Chives dip mix.  It was great!  All I had to do was add sour cream.  I tasted more of the chives then the spinach.  It's a great dip to make if entertaining.  Serve it with chips or crackers.  This I recommend as quick and easy.  Everyone needs these recipes sometimes. xoxo Julie http://www.goodiegoodiegluten-free.blogspot.com/

If you are ever in the mood for those cheese doodles you ate as a kid, then try these.   They are addicting and completely gluten-free.  In fact all UTZ branded foods are.

Best crisp breads out there!  I highly recommend these.  They are made from buckwheat rather then corn and barely any calories. Buckwheat is one of the better gluten-free grains and is high in fiber. Orgran is a brand manufactured in the U.K.-actually one of my favorite processed brands out there.

Since going gluten-free over four years ago, I said goodbye to donuts...not that I needed them anyway, but a donut and gluten-free...and good?  It seemed highly unlikely... Until now. They are addicting.  Delicious.  So good.  No joke.  Warm them up.  Beware, you may eat the whole box! These donuts are not only gluten free, but wheat free, dairy free and soy free. Enjoy! xoxo Julie http://www.goodiegoodiegluten-free.blogspot.com/