The Un-Gluten Guy (My Gluten Free Recipes & GF Adventures)

First of all - I want one.  It was so nice to go to a true GF GastroPub where you can order a flight of GF  beer and anything on the menu because it was all GF.  If they want to open one in San Diego I would in line to be an investor. I found Harvester Beer  when I first traveled to Oregon.  I have been through the GF beer train and have settled on New Planet as the closet anyone has come to making a GF beer taste like a beer.  That was until I found Harvester - their beer is incredible and I would easily serve it to non-GF friends and not feel embarrassed that they had to drink it - I'm sure many people wouldn't even notice it was GF.  Actually I'm too selfish to offer it to friends since I can't find it in San Diego yet.  Any bottles I bring home I cherish and save for special occasions. When I heard that Harvester opened a Gastropub next to the brewery I made plans to go there on my next trip to Oregon. This was a good sign that I was ...

I really love garlic.  It is great in pasta sauce, soups, veggies and meats.  The one problem is that peeling a lot of garlic can be a chore, the skins stick to your skin and buying a bottle of pre-peeled garlic is expensive. So, I have a new method for you.  I can't remember where I exactly learned this - but I remember it was around some holiday and everyone was talking about cooking. WARNING:  This makes a lot of noise , but it is fun and you can take out some anger if you have to. First, break off the cloves from the head.  Use as many as you need. Next,  toss them into a metal bowl.  You can peel as many as you need, I have peeled two whole garlic heads at once.  You will need two bowls of the same size and I find it is best for it to have a lip to hold onto the bowls when you shake them. Cover the bottom bowl with an similar size bowl (identical if you have it - we have lots of bowls).  You can see how the lip gives you ...

For those of that live in southern California we are extremely lucky to have Disney, Legoland, Sea World, The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park all within close driving distance.  For visitors there are tons of places to visit. Most of these places do not offer great dining options for the Gluten Free traveler.  Disney has done a really good job, you can see my post  here on the blog.   Legoland is another place that offers a bunch of GF options and the staff always seems to be well trained, you can see my post  here.   The San Diego Zoo and Animal have much to be desired when we were there last so pack your own food. All of these years here we had never visited  Knott's Berry Farms.   It is only a few miles past Disneyland if you are coming from San Diego and two turns off the highway and you are pulling into the parking lot. If you search the Knott's website under dining it lists all of the dining options but there is no mention of GF opt...

This year I choose to do something different.  Every year I'm working, shopping and then come Thanksgiving Day I'm off of work.  And you know what I do - wake up early, cook and cook and cook and cook.  We eat and then spend way too much time cleaning up.  By the time friday rolls around its back to work and I'm tired. And what is the best part of Thanksgiving?  Leftovers! So this year I decided to eat leftovers for Thanksgiving.  No cooking, no cleaning.  Just eating, watching football, more eating, playing football, drinking and lots of dessert. SUNDAY On Sunday I made the ice creams - cinnamon and mint chocolate chip. For the Philadelphia Style Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Mix together 2 cups 2% milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp peppermint extract, 1 tsp GF vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp salt.  Place into ice cream maker.  Once it is done stir in 1 cup of mini chips and store in freezer For the Cinnamon Ice Cream Mi...

Whiskey, scotch, bourbon.  So you have Irish Whiskey, Scotch from Scotland, Canadian Whiskey and American Bourbon.  Depending on where and who determines if it is made from corn, barley, rye or wheat.  There is lies the dilemma for us celiacs or those sensitive to gluten.  On the other hand distillation is supposed to get rid of the gluten proteins and therefore be safe for those who have to avoid gluten.  Search online and you will find varying opinions of which ones are safe and who had reactions to what. I have had Johnnie Walker black and blue without any difficulties or symptoms.  I have been reluctant to go on a taste testing and risk a reaction. Then I found Queen Jennie Sorghum Whiskey made by  Old Sugar Distillery  in Madison, WI.  They opened in 2010.  They produce a Honey Liqueur, Cane & Abe Rum, Ouzo and their Queen Jennie Whiskey.  You can read an article in the Chicago Tribune about Nathan Greenawalt, the man b...

With the holidays coming up one thing that many people may remember or be familiar with is making a Gingerbread House.   Some years we have done really well and completed a sturdy looking house while other years after walls falling in the house would be devoured prior to completing construction. In any event it has been a few years since we have made a Gingerbread House at home because we have not found a GF kit.  Pete Bronski of No Gluten No Problem  has made one from scratch and you can find the recipe on his site ( Bronski Gingerbread House ). My wife and daughter were up in Orange County and found a GF bakery called  Sensitive Sweets .  And what did they find while they were there?  You guessed it - A GF Gingerbread House Kit. It is GF, Dairy free, Nut free, Egg free and Soy free.  They got the basic version for 30 dollars.  It includes the walls, roof, icing and some plastic decorations - the deluxe has all of the gumdrops and other...

I have been busy but I need to update the site with some new recipes - they are coming.  In the meantime I have found a bunch of new products that I wanted to share. I was in the local Whole Foods when I saw the pancake mix from  Glutino.   I thought this is going to be the greatest thing for camping.  All you have to do is add water, shake and pour.  I haven't made it yet so i'll report back when I do.  Keep this in mind when you are camping or on the road. Way Better Snacks  I have found many places.  They are certified GF.  I really like their Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips.  These are sprouted snacks made with corn, flax seed, quinoa, daikon radish, chia seed, broccoli seed.  Allergy info:  Made in a facility that uses soy, sesame, flaxseed and dairy.  They are super good with a nice little kick.  They are good plain but even better with some fresh guacamole. Chocolate.   Justin's  Dark Chocolate...