Friday, May 29, 2020

CANE RUSSO - fantastic gluten free Neapolitan-style pizza

After years of watching others ooh-and-ahh while eating Cane Russo pizzas, I can now join them.

Finally, there is a gluten free ("friendly" - so beware of cross-contamination, if needed) pizza dough offered by this carefully curated small chain of restaurants.

I can highly recommend the CAPRA salad of "mixed greens, tomato, dried cherries, goat cheese, almonds, with balsamic vinaigrette." The sweet-salty, soft-crunchy combination is one of the best salads I have ever enjoyed. I can't wait to have this salad and pizza just like others who flock here for the highest quality of ingredients and tastes.

Currently they have a robust take-out service and at their Carrollton, Texas location are planning a large, socially responsible patio arrangement with a nearby brewery and ice cream joint!
https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2020/05/29/cane-rosso-joins-forces-with-a-brewery-and-creamery-to-create-outdoor-carrollton-corner-o-fun/

Please click on their link to review menus and availability.
 http://www.canerosso.com/carrollton

~ Leeanne

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Good news about a new gluten free granola

FYI

I'm posting a link below to an article in The Dallas Morning News today. I could re-hash the whole story, but why when another writer has done it so well?!?

The title of the piece is: 

"Local gluten-free granola from Park Lane Pantry expanding to grocery stores"

"You can now find their low-sugar and even nut-free granola at Central Market."


The article byline is: Kristen Massad of Dallas, a pastry chef and graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, blogs at joyoliver.com.

Have a good read..https://www.dallasnews.com/food/cooking/2020/05/26/local-gluten-free-granola-from-park-lane-pantry-expanding-to-grocery-stores/

Saturday, March 28, 2020

A health-filled grain that's tasty and not tough

If you have to eat gluten free like me, I am always looking for a new taste and texture in my hunt for grain/carb satisfaction.

While reviewing a health story from December, 2019 in Consumer Reports online, I found something new (to me). The CR report talks about "Get the anti-aging benefits of whole grains - these 5 foods make it easier to switch from refined grains to healthier ones. Find it here:   https://www.consumerreports.org/healthy-eating/whole-grains-anti-aging-benefits/?EXTKEY=YCRBRAND_LL0115A

The BIG surprise?  I never expected to find a gluten free grain I was not familiar with after being gluten free for 11 years. But, I did. It's called Teff. I had thought it was a wheat derivative. It's not!

Then, to find other support of this claim, I found old article from 2013, supporting the recent CR one giving a lot more interesting details. Find it here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2013/10/07/teff-a-surprising-addition-to-the-gluten-free-diet/

The best line from the Allergic Living story is this: "Using Teff is Not Tough."

Teff comes in both seeds and flour which make it easy to incorporate to recipes. Take a look at the chart and start experimenting to increase nutrition and taste in baked goods. This type of recipe adapts well because there's usually a sweetener and oils/butters to enhance moisture absorption to disperse flavors.

Wishing you good health today in these trying times, and always,

~ Leeanne






Friday, August 30, 2019

HEALTH WARNING: Biodegradable STRAWS may have GLUTEN IN THEM.

I just saw this on an FB post for the page: Beyond Celiac. It takes a lot to shock me, but this notice did.  I'm not going to paraphrase it. I've included it as written here:

"UPDATE: ...Wheat paste or other "edible" adhesives seem plausible for straws, and we felt the caution was warranted. As always, we strive to be evidence-based and needed to do more research before issuing the cautionary note. Some restaurants *do* use actual pasta for straws, so if nothing else, we want people to be aware of hidden sources of gluten where you might not imagine to find it. We will continue to try to get to the bottom of the paper straw issue.
Attention: Paper straws can contain gluten, as can other natural or biodegradable straws that use wheat starch as a binding agent. Some restaurants even use pasta straws!
When eating out at a restaurant or coffee shop, be careful when using a paper straw -- always ask for more information and if none is available, do not use the straw.
For other environmentally-friendly options, consider metal straws, straws made from bamboo or hay, or no straw at all!"
Let's be safe out there. Just like bringing our own gf crackers and breads out to restaurants, maybe keep some safe straws in your car, handbag, or backpack, too.
Have a good weekend!  
See you soon at the Nourished Festival in Dallas, Sept. 7 & 8

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

THE NOURISHED FESTIVAL is coming to Dallas - everything you need to know!

#1)  The details... (it's less than 8 weeks away!)

SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2019
10:00 am - 3:00 pm on Saturday the 7th
10:00 am - 3:00 pm on Sunday the 8th
DALLAS MARKET HALL-NORTH HALL
2200 Stemmons Freeway (public enters off Market Center Blvd.)
Dallas, TX 75207
Parking is FREE.  Wifi is FREE.

#2) What do you get with your Festival Ticket?
  • Entry into the vendor fair with 100+ exhibiting brands
  • Coupons from the best gluten-free & allergen-friendly brands
  • Free samples from exhibitors - including hot and cold selections of
    baked goods, gooey pizza, crunchy snacks & refreshing healthy options
  • Discounted products available for purchase
  • Informative classes related to the special diet lifestyle
  • Free reusable bag to carry your goodies
  • The chance to meet your favorite brands, restaurants, authors & bloggers

#3) Click here for tickets and a great time with a fun mission -
       to eat well regardless of our allergies, and for the betterment
       of our health.




Monday, July 1, 2019

All about buns (that got your attention) for 4th of July

What's the worst gluten free product? Bread.  What's the most desired gluten free product? Bread.
Do you see a theme here?

Well, WalMart (of all stores) did, too. They have taken the plunge and have gone with varied assortment of SCHAR products that are, almost as great as regular bread in the "rolls and buns" category.

The Schar bread products include ciabatta rolls that will rival the best of any bakery (especially when toasted or grilled) and the new sandwich rolls that are like small hoagie/submarine rolls. There are even good hamburger rolls.  The key if to toast, grill, or warm them up for flavor and texture that is just like REAL bread.

There is the chew, flavor, and consistency of real bread. And these two items, as well as many more are available of in WalMart grocery stores in the section for "gluten free foods" (marked with a yellow sign).  Even more exciting, WalMart has an extensive collection of products online (over 1000!). If you order over $50 of any food products, shipping is FREE.

Have a Happy G-Free 4th of July!

(photo credit: SCHAR.com)








Friday, June 22, 2018

Carrabba's North Dallas - tasty Italian food for everyone

Italian food is more than just great pasta - and it should always include great pasta. One restaurant that does this well is Carrabba's North Dallas (https://www.carrabbas.com/) with locations also found throughout the U.S. (click on my link to the 'Find Me Gluten Free' on the right side column to find a location near you).

With a dedicated gluten free menu, you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, and so can your friends and family.  Check this out and MANGIA!

SMALL PLATES
GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH PROSCIUTTO - Wood-grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and fontina, drizzled with balsamic glaze

APPETIZERS
TOMATO CAPRESE WITH FRESH BURRATA - Creamy burrata mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, red onions, balsamic glaze, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil

SOUPS AND SALADS
MAMA MANDOLA’S SICILIAN CHICKEN SOUP - Spicy chicken soup that has soothed the family for generations. Available in cup or bowl sizes. Request without pasta.

MINESTRONE SOUP - 
Traditional Italian vegetable soup. Available in cup or bowl sizes.

SOUP & SALAD COMBO - 
Your choice of a cup of soup paired with a side salad

ITALIAN SALAD - 
Mixed greens, garden vegetables, kalamata olives and our Italian vinaigrette dressing

CAESAR SALAD - 
Romaine hearts, croutons, parmesan cheese and caesar dressing. Request without croutons.

JOHNNY ROCCO SALAD - 
Wood-grilled shrimp, scallops, roasted red peppers, olives, ricotta salata, romaine lettuce and mixed greens in our Italian vinaigrette

ITALIAN SIDE SALAD - 
Fresh Romaine hearts and mixed greens with carrots, grape tomatoes, red onions, and kalamata olives served with a side of our vinaigrette dressing

HOUSE SIDE SALAD - 
Romaine hearts tossed in our creamy parmesan dressing with carrots and shredded red cabbage topped with sliced radish, pepperoncini and Kalamata olives

PASTA
LINGUINE POSITANO - Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with Wood-grilled chicken, crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil

SHRIMP & SCALLOP LINGUINE ALLA VODKA - 
Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with sautéed shrimp and bay scallops tossed with basil in our tomato vodka cream sauce

FETTUCCINE CARRABBA - 
Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with Alfredo sauce, wood-grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms and peas

SPAGHETTI POMODORO - 
Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with our Pomodoro sauce

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE - 
Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with our Bolognese meat sauce

FETTUCCINE WEESIE -    
Featuring our Gluten-Free Casarecce pasta along with Alfredo sauce, sautéed shrimp, scallions, basil, garlic and mushrooms in our white wine lemon butter sauce

CHICKEN, PORK AND VEAL
TUSCAN-GRILLED CHICKEN - Wood-grilled and seasoned with our signature grill baste, olive oil and herbs

TUSCAN-GRILLED RIBEYE - 
13oz

CHICKEN BRYAN -
Wood-grilled and topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and our lemon butter sauce

CHICKEN MARSALA -
Wood-grilled and topped with mushrooms and our Lombardo Marsala wine sauce

POLLO ROSA MARIA -
Wood-grilled chicken topped with fontina cheese, prosciutto, mushrooms and our basil lemon butter sauce

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED PORK TENDERLOIN -
Medallions wrapped in prosciutto, wood-grilled and topped with our port wine fig sauce

STEAKS & CHOPS
TUSCAN-GRILLED FILET -Available in 9oz

TUSCAN-GRILLED PORK CHOP -
Available with one chop or two chops

STEAK & CHOPS - TOPPINGS / 
The following toppings are gluten-free: Spicy Sicilian Butter, Gorgonzola Sauce, Marsala Sauce and Bryan Topping

SEAFOOD
WOOD-GRILLED TILAPIA -With olive oil and our signature grill seasoning, topped with roasted tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze

SALMON CETRIOLINI -
Wood-grilled and topped with diced tomato, cucumber and dill in our lemon white wine sauce

COMBINATIONS
THE JOHNNY -Tuscan-Grilled Sirloin Marsala & Chicken Bryan

CHICKEN TRIO -
Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria and Chicken Marsala

SIDES
SAUTÉED BROCCOLI -GRILLED ASPARAGUS -GARLIC MASHED POTATOES