Broccoli and Tatertot Casserole (Traditional)

1 pkg frozen tatertots
1 lb hamburger meat
1/2 onion, diced
1 tsp garlic
2 large heads of broccoli, trimed and steamed for 3 minutes
1 large tomato, diced
1 can of cream of mushroom soup, plus 1 can of milk
1/2 cup of cheese

Layer the tatertots in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Add the hamburger, onion and garlic to a sauce pan and brown. Set aside. Add the broccoli to a steamer (or dunk in boiling water for 3 minutes). Remove and drain. Mix the soup and milk together.

Remove the tatertots from the oven. Layer the hamburger mixture over the tatertots. Then add a layer of broccoli. Pour the soup mix over the top. Add the diced tomatoes and cheese. Bake for 25 minutes on 350 until bubbly.

Share & Enjoy!!

Vitamin Water (and Zero) & Modified Food Starch

Last week I wrote to Coca Cola the distributor of Vitamin Water. I asked the question... What is your Modified Food Starch made of... Corn or Wheat? This is the response that I received...

Dear Heather,
Thank you for taking the time to contact glacéau®. You may be interested to know that the usual source of the modified food starch we use is corn. For those products that contain modified food starch, it will be listed in the ingredient declaration. All vitaminwater®, vitaminwater zero™, and smartwater® products are gluten free. None of our products contain any of the fda designated “big eight” allergens. We hope this allows you to enjoy our products. If you have any questions or if we can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thanks again for your interest in glacéau!
Sincerely,
Alice
Consumer Relations Representative
glacéau
www.glaceau.com

I was so excited to get this email. It opens up more opportunities for me to try new products! If you are GF and like Vitamin Water (Zero) you now have another something to add to your diet! Share & Enjoy!

31 GFCFSF Items in Honor of Celiac Awareness Month!

In honor of Celiac Awareness Month (May 2011) I am posting 31 of my favorite items that are Gluten Free (GF) Dairy Free (CF) and Soy Free (SF)! They are posted on my FB page! These items include pastas, milk (almond), snacks, and many other items! These are items that you would most likely find in my pantry and fridge when you come visit! If you would like these items posted here also, let me know!

** Please remember: I buy certain brand items because they are free of the things that I can't have. If you choose to purchase off brand products PLEASE READ the ingredients list so you don't make yourself or your family sick ** Share & Enjoy!!

Creamy Asparagus and Potato Soup with Homemade Croutons

The weather is finally looking towards Spring here in Upstate NY! It's the time of year were you break out the grill, sleep with the windows open and it's still warm enough to go out without all the winter gear to soak up the lovely sunshine! With that said, I had to hit the grocery stores this weekend... I have been able to do my regular shopping at 1 store a week and then during the week hit up what I need to for a couple other things. After realizing that my store didn't have the milk that I drink, I headed across to the other store. At the checkout line there was a recipe for Asparagus soup. I thought, WOW, one more idea for the use of Asparagus!! So, since I couldn't make it quite like the recipe says due to limitations, here is my take on it! It turned out very well and can be made to your tastes!! Share & Enjoy!!

Creamy Asparagus and Potato Soup

1 tbsp olive oil
3 stalks of celery, cleaned and diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
1 Italian Cubanelle pepper, diced
4 medium yellow potatoes, washed, peeled and diced
1/2 lb petite red potatoes, washed and halved
1 bunch asparagus, washed, ends trimmed and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
32 oz stock (chicken or veggie)
1 can cannelinni beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
S&P to taste

Add everything oil, veggies, potatoes and asparagus to a large stock pot. Saute for about 10 minutes. Then add stock and seasonings. Bring to a boil and turn down to medium high heat and cook for 10 minutes. Add beans and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add to a blender and puree or use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. Return to the pot on low heat to heat. Serve with homemade croutons!

Homemade Croutons

3 slices of GF bread, about 3 days old, diced in 1 inch pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp parsley flakes

Preheat the oven to broil. Add bread, olive oil, garlic powder and parsley to an oven safe baking dish. Toss together and lay in a single layer. Broil for about 5 minutes on one side then flip. Broil a couple more minutes. Serve on top of the soup!