Chicago Bound....

Hi All!  I did not realize it had been so long since I have posted and updated.  But as most of you know, as of September 22, 2014, I will be a resident of Chicago, IL!   What a roller coaster the last couple of months have been!  Trying to sell my house in NY, get things finished at work and currently I am in Chicago trying to find an apartment and learn a bit about the city.  So while it is drizzling out, I thought I would update you on a few of my adventures while I have been here...

First of all, I have walked and taken both the Metra and the El all over.  It is amazing what a public transportation system will do for a community.  Don't get me wrong, there are still so many cars on the roads and parking is horrifically expensive, but I will not be one of those people contributing to the problem.  ** Note to self: SELL CAR prior to leaving NY **

I have also explored a quite a bit of the city by foot.  Downtown is the place for me. :)  I have also been to Wicker Park, Old Town, Logan Square, Humboldt Park and I finally decided on an apartment in River North.  It seems to be a quick walk to work or I can take the El which is just around the corner.  There is a Whole Foods across the street, a Trader Joe's a couple blocks away and a Starbucks nearby.  The Magnificent Mile is about 3 blocks away (or close) and many shops, restaurants, bars and so much night life! I can not wait to actually get moved in and settled.  The building also has a great Guest Suite which is a full apartment and much cheaper than a hotel :) 

Speaking of shopping, just walk a block in any direction and there is something to do... eat, drink, shop & be merry!  Welcome to Chicago!!  

I have visited Navy Pier and watched the Chicago Air & Water Show practice, had lunch with an amazing view of the sky line and walked all over just people watching!  I guess I will save the Ferris wheel for when I actually report.  

I visited the beach on Saturday where I watched the actual Air & Water Show!  What an amazing day!  Sun and sand and an Air force F-22 Raptor, the Blue Angels and the Golden Knights, a Veteran Team, and a Navy Seal Team jump squads!  It was the perfect day!  

Now lets talk FOOD!   I have eaten at some spectacular places since I have been here!  Some expensive and some not so much... But no matter what the food has been fabulous!  

Pizza:  

Lou Malnati's and Gino's East:  I guess since I am GF and Pizza is a real challenge I was thankful that both places had an option available.  At Lou's I was able to get additional toppings other than the standard cheese, sausage or pepperoni.  At Gino's they only have 3 styles available but they are made off site so there are no cross contamination issues.  Lou's is not a real "thin crust" so it feels more like you are eating Chicago style pizza.  I will say Lou's would be my pick for GF pizza!  

Lou Malnati's

Ginos East

Mexican:  

Cantina Laredo: I had chicken fajitas and chips and salsa!  The salsa was so good!!! I was pleasantly surprised!  

Cantina Laredo

Tapas: 

Cafe Iberico:  A couple of the girls from work took me out for Tapas.  We had a great time and the waitress had a GF menu... It was all in Spanish, so we had a great time playing Memory and matching the little menu with the regular menu!  The garlic shrimp was amazing! 

Cafe Iberico

Breakfast/Brunch:  

The Bongo Room: We traveled to Wicker Park to the Bongo Room for brunch.  I have to say this is not to be missed.  I had a "Greek Breakfast Burrito" and potatoes.  The burrito was deconstructed (no tortilla) with tzatziki and feta!  It was spectacular!  The potatoes were not the typical potatoes from a diner.  There is quite a bit of walking to do while you!

The Bongo Room - Wicker Park

I also picked up a GF Donut at Glazed & Infused.  The donut is a cake type made with Almond Flour.  It is chocolate with chocolate ganache.  Let's just say... this would be a real treat!  At $6.35 for coffee and a donut, not to mention the decadence, I won't be enjoying it often.  Though, it was scrumptious!  

Glazed and Infused

American/Other

Bandera:  I ventured to Bandera on Michigan Ave after a recommendation!  I was not to be disappointed.  I had the Apricot Glazed Roasted Chicken and the Mashed Potatoes... Most of you know chicken is my go to, but I had a difficult time deciding between the BBQ Salmon, the Ahi Tuna and the Chicken but I am sure it was the Mashed Potatoes that made my choice for me :)  They have jazz music in the evenings and if you are a party of 1 or 2, sit at the bar.  The wait is much less!  

Bandera - Chicago

I am sure there is more, but I can't remember at the moment!  Maybe I will see you when you visit!  

~ Share & Enjoy ~

Sweet Potato & Tuscan Chicken Chili

As a foodie, I find inspiration everywhere!  This time I found my inspiration in a support group.  This group is about starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  We technically call it a "weightloss" group, but I hope I can speak for most of us, when I say, it seems to be much more than that for me.  So many of the women are up honest and up front about the good, the bad and the ugly of changing their lives to become more healthy!  Whether it is to lose a few pounds, or to eat better or whatever their goal is we are a group that is motivated and encouraging.  I always appreciate that support in my journey.  One of the ladies posted a picture of her dinner which was recommended by her cousin (Melanie Edwards) and it looked delish!  Her dish included sweet potatoes, turkey, italian tomatoes and black beans.  I wasn't quite sure how to accomplish this, so I attempted my own and not only was I surprised about the combination with the sweet potatoes but it was so filling and yummy!

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon olive oil
3 small or 1 large sweet potato - washed and small diced
1 lb tuscan chicken sausage **
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 c chicken stock
1 c drained and rinsed black beans
3 hot cherry peppers - diced (no seeds)
 S&P

Add olive oil and the small diced sweet potato and S&P to a cast iron chicken fryer on medium heat.  Saute' for about 5-7 minutes. Then add the lemon olive oil and the chicken sausage.  Cook the sausage until it starts to brown and is in small pieces.  Then add the tomatoes, beans cherry peppers and chicken stock.  Cook on medium to medium low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are soft.  The key to this is making sure that the dice on the sweet potatoes is small and fairly uniform.  This helps them cook evenly and around the same time.  I try to dice mine to about a 1/2 inch.

** If you can't find the Tuscan Chicken Sausage (I get it at Roma's Imports in Latham, NY:  http://www.romafoods.com/) then you can use ground chicken with 1-2 tbsp Italian Seasoning and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.)

Share & Enjoy!!

Chicken Riggies

The first two years I lived in NY were spent traveling... traveling between Albany and Syracuse and between Albany and Plattsburgh, NY.  At this point I was not Gluten Free so I tried many new dishes that included an amazing amount of pasta dishes. Between Albany and Syracuse are a couple of towns known as Utica and Rome, NY.  The area is known for Utica Greens and Chicken Riggies. These are just two of the spectacular dishes that I tried and loved while traveling back and forth.  Upon my diagnosis (as you will often find in the blog), I shied away from trying to recreate dishes that were favorites or something I wasn't sure could be "just as good GF".  Now after a couple of years, I feel better about taking the leap!  This is one that I am so excited that I tried and succeeded at!

** Sorry, I didn't have any GF Rigatoni, so I used the only GF pasta I had... It was still delish!! **

1 lb Rigatoni
2 lbs chicken breast  (cut in small chunks)
2 Roasted Red Peppers (1/2" slices)
1 - 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes (whole)
7-10 hot cherry peppers (rough chopped)
5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup Romano cheese (grated)
1 cup Cooking Sherry Wine + 1/2 cup water
4 tbsp EVOO
4 tbsp butter
1/4-1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp Basil
Pinch of Salt

In a heavy stock pot (I used a cast iron dutch oven) add 2 tbsp of the olive oil and 4 cloves of the garlic over low heat.  Don't let the garlic burn and then add the tomatoes, sherry wine and water.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add the butter, basil and salt.  Turn it down and let it simmer on low.  In a separate skillet add the chicken to brown over medium heat.  Once it is almost brown, add the roasted red peppers, hot cherry peppers and the last minced garlic clove.  Saute' for a couple more minutes.  (I turned to medium low and cooked about 5 minutes).  In the sauce pot, smash the tomatoes with a potato masher carefully and stir in the cream.  Add the cheese and then the chicken and peppers.  Simmer on low while cooking the pasta to al dente.  Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve romano cheese on top.

This should serve 4-6.

As you can tell, I modified the recipe just a bit.  I actually used: 5 peppers because they were fairly large and 1/2 c of the heavy cream.  I also used I also used a bit more basil because I thought it needed it.  I love, love, love roasted red pepper and sliced mine into 1/2 inch slices instead of chopping them into chunks.

These are the hot cherry peppers that I bought.  I found them at the local Italian Market.  They are usually available in the International Foods isle at the grocery store.

Here is the link for the original recipe that I started from... Please Share & Enjoy!!

The Brooklyn Ragazza: Utica Chicken Riggies

GF Pound Cake with Balsamic Strawberries

Amazing! Divine!  Perfect!  Okay, enough about me :)  Now, that you have laughed really hard, if you have ever read any of my posts you know that I traditionally don't bake.  I am scared of it.  In the past I have tried and tried again, but even before I found out I had Celiac, baking was not something I was particularly good out, unless it was something I had been doing since I was a kid.

So, when I get the wild hair and decide it is time yet again, to waste expensive ingredients and try, I pray the end result is actually edible.  In this case.... WOW!  BOOM!! POW!!!  I DID IT!!!

Total Disclaimer:  This is not my recipe.  I found the cake recipe on Pinterest.  I will include the information from the webpage and the link also.  The only think I did to make it my own was to serve with Balsamic Strawberries.

Link:  http://glutenfreeeasily.com/perfect-pound-cake/

Author: Shirley Braden of Gluten Free Easily

 

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups gluten-free flour **
• 1 ½ tsp xanthan gum**
• 1 ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup light olive oil
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract 
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup full-fat coconut milk 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. (Update: Reader Wendy lives at a higher altitude—6600 ft—and she adjusted oven temperature to 375 degrees, per her comment below.) Grease two loaf pans or grease and flour (use gluten-free flour) a Bundt pan.
2. Combine flour, xanthan gum, sea salt, and baking powder in an extra large measuring cup or separate bowl. Set aside.
3. Pour olive oil into large bowl, and slowly mix in sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Add eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition.
5. Add milk. Mix 2 minutes. Gradually add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing well.
6. Pour batter into loaf pans or Bundt pan.
7. Bake for 50 – 55 minutes.
8. If using a Bundt pan let set for 10 minutes before flipping to cool.  

** I used Authentic Foods Baking Mix with Xantham Gum included.  This means I left out the additional Xantham Gum. **

Balsamic Strawberries

1 lb Container Strawberries - washed, hulled and sliced

1/4 c 18 year Balsamic Vinegar

1 tbsp Coconut Sugar

Add all ingredients to a bowl, stir to combine and cover and refrigerate until just before serving.  

Non-Cooking: Buffet Transformation

After recently having to have some major home repairs done, including a wall taken down and put back up in my dining room, I have learned to have faith in myself in things other than cooking! I wanted to find a piece of furniture to make this dining room my own.  I was so excited that during another remodel project I discovered the local Habitat for Humanity Store in Albany, NY.  I was fortunate to find a solid wood buffet/dresser which was very inexpensive but yet in great condition despite the horrible color (green).  After begging a friend with a truck to help me go pick it up, I then realized how LARGE and HEAVY it was, but with a bit of determination and a couple of stops along the highway to adjust the drawers to keep from losing them we made it!

Before

After letting it sit in the garage for a couple weeks and searching out paint and what I actually wanted to do with it I discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  The closest location for me was Bennington, VT.  This trip included a local antique store (to purchase the paint), the covered bridges and local lore of the town and many pictures!

Upon my return, I pulled out the picture I was using as inspiration and I asked a friend if I could borrow a sander.  Yes, Heather used a power tool... I already had a cold, so why not add to it with a bit of dust!  I anticipated a quick sanding of the top to get the green color off and then I could stain the top a bit darker.  What happened was I discovered, 2 layers of paint on top of this amazing wood.  So I sanded to the actual wood.  Three hours later, sand in my hair I trucked to the hardware store.  I am fairly certain I scared the employee in the paint section, when I asked for stain and what type of paint brush I needed.  Then I told him I was going to put wax on the top so I did not need anything to seal the stain.

After 2 coats of stain, the wood absorbed everything I put on, so I decided to add one more to even it out.  The third coat made it!  While the overnight drying began I started removing hardware and painting the drawers and base of the buffet.  After a couple days of painting and drying the base and drawers were painted.  Finally I could move everything in doors to wax and have my garage back for my car.  :)

I followed the directions (which most of you know, I rarely do), applying a coat of clear wax, buffing and then applying a coat of dark wax.  This is a tedious process but made the outcome spectacular!

I hope that you enjoyed something other than a cooking and/or Celiac post!  This was so much fun and I wanted to share it!  :)

After

Fresh Fruit Water

If you are anything like me, you could probably drink more water.  It would be better for you and you would probably feel much better!  I have realized, especially during the winter, when the temperature is sub zero, my skin and my body feels even drier.  But I don't want to drink water.  I want to drink anything but water.  After willing spring to get here, and buying some fruit that wasn't necessarily as sweet as I would have wanted (and seeing all types of pictures on Pinterest) I created all types of flavored waters on my own!  I drank all of them and more this week!  It was a total hit and became quite the joke at my office with all the trips I made to the fridge to refill my cup :)

I recycled glass pasta sauce jars that are 24 oz each.  I made 5 jars and 1 plastic pitcher that I used in the morning and the evenings when I was home. 

2 strawberries - thinly slices
4 fresh mint leaves
1 orange - rinsed and sliced with skin on
1 lemon - rinsed and sliced with skin on
2 limes - rinsed and sliced with skin on
2 pieces of pineapple
Filtered Water

Jar #1 - Strawberries and Mint
Jar #2 - 2 slices Orange
Jar #3 - 1 Lime
Jar #4 - Pineapple
Jar #5 - 2 slices Orange and Lemon
Pitcher - Rest of Citrus


I used my Brita to fill each jar and the pitcher with filtered water.  Since the jars are 24 oz, you are already getting a head start of water.  I refilled each of the jars 2X a day and they lasted in the refrigerator 3-4 days.  I don't know if they would last longer but I drank them that quickly. 

** I use Organic Produce when I am going to use the skin or when I purchase it the grocery store.  I try to support the local farmers markets but in the winter that brings me mostly potatoes :) **

Share & Enjoy!!

Buffalo Roasted Chick Peas

In case it hasn't been apparent, I went thru a "buffalo everything" phase.  It could have been because of the amount of football I was watching or because I was trying to eat something besides chicken but I have found that I love, love, love these buffalo chick peas!  They are super simple and very filling.  I promise you will be making a double batch the next time!!  Hope you share & enjoy!

1 large can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1/8 cup Franks Red Hot

Preheat oven to 400. Drain and rinse the chick peas.  Add them to a cookie sheet.  Drizzle the Franks Red Hot over the chick peas.  Shake the pan to coat.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Toss and bake another 15 minutes.  Remove and let set for 5 minutes.  Serve with Ranch or just plain.  

** You can add the chick peas and the Franks Red Hot to a ziploc bag and shake for a more even coating.  I just find it to be more clean up, so I just roll them around on the pan for a bit before I put them in the oven. **

The Journey to Wellness...

Three years ago went to visit my family in Texas, I did not have any idea how drastically my life would change.  There is no way to express how thankful I am for the help that my friends and family have provided me since the MD said "In order to find out what is wrong with you, you will need to start on an elimination diet immediately!"  Thankfully the elimination diet was only for 6 months and after that I was able to go to a strictly Gluten Free (GF) diet with some other minor modification.  It truly is Mind over Matter!  Looking back on the past three years I have accomplished so many things:

• Started Working Out:  This is part of my new life!  When I don't work out, I don't feel good, so I work out 4-5 times per week.  Whether I am in the gym, walking the neighborhood, going for a hike, or running, I try to find  away to be active! 
• Running:  This is an accomplishment in itself :)  For the girl who even in high school was held back by fear of everything, I never thought I could do this!  I may not do it as fast, or in the time that others do it, but I do it!  That is what matters!! I even run 5K's and a 4 miler for time on July 4th! 
• Made New Friends:  I have made friends in the most random places... restaurants when I have to ask for a GF menu, places that I shop because people have noticed the changes in me and more!
• Learned to Speak Up:  Someone said to me the other day, when he says he has Celiac people look at him like he has the plague.  Celiac is NOT contagious!  But, there are so many people who are curious.  Learn to educate them.  I learned to share my story and the resources that I have found along the way.  If I can help one person to feel better I have made a difference. 
• Just because it is Expensive DOES NOT make it taste better: Early in a diagnosis, most people (myself included) think everything GF has to be expensive.  This is not the case.  Fruits, veggies and lean means (nothing added) do not have to be expensive.  Buy what is on sale and shop smart.  When it comes to purchasing pastas and other products such as cereals and bagels, etc., shop around.  Buy a variety of items and try them.  Find which ones are your favorites.  If it happens to be an expensive one, then buy it, but that is not always the case. 
• Adapting:  I have learned to adapt in more ways than one.  I feel so good when I learn to adapt old recipes into something that I can eat and they actually taste good :) 
• Health:  Healthwise, I feel wonderful!  I have so much energy.  I do things three years ago I would have never even thought about doing!  I am so thankful that food is my biggest battle! 
• Best Accomplishment to Date: With all the changes that I have made, I have lost 90 pounds!  I never thought that this would happen.  Taking each day one day at a time and realizing that some days are good days and some are not as good in this battle to be healthy and maintain the weight loss are the most important parts of this... don't give up and keep going.  One.  Day.  At.  A.  Time!!

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me the last three years!  Your kind words, prayers, encouraging thoughts, emails, messages, letters, and phone calls have been so much a part of helping me make it this far!  I am thankful to have each and everyone of you in my life! 

Crockpot Oatmeal with Apples

A fall day that includes sunshine, a light breeze and apple picking with friends is pretty close to as perfect as you can get!  The challenge begins when you arrive home and realize that you now have way more apples than one person can eat and now comes the time to decide what to do with all of these apples.  I have searched high and low for ideas.  So far, I have eaten quite a few, shared with friends and I am perfecting the art of a Cran-Apple Crisp.  That is for another day though.  I found a recipe on Pinterest that was for a Crockpot Oatmeal with Apples.  Of course, true to my style, I could not leave well enough alone and follow the recipe exactly so I made it my own :) 

3 apples - peeled, cored, and chopped
1 tbsp. butter
2 cups GF Oats
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 c sugar
2 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
2 cups water

Add everything to the crockpot and stir together.  Cook on low** for 8 hours.  Makes about 6-8 servings. 

** If you crockpot cooks at a fairly high temperature on low and has a warm setting cook on warm.  My "low" temperature will make liquid bubble, so I started it on low for about an hour or so before I went to bed and then turned to the "warm" setting for the rest of the night.  It was perfect in the morning.  **

Share & Enjoy!! 

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti (NO SOUPS!)

I am sure that if you look back through my posts, there is probably at least one other one for Chicken Spaghetti in the list!  This is because I love it!  When I was in high school I started making it and everyone would ask for it... Now, this recipe has evolved because the thought of eating all the soups with the sodium and gluten, the processed cheese and who knows what else just doesn't appeal to me anymore!  It doesn't mean it's bad, it just means it is bad for me!  So after a variety of tries, I think I have found one I really like.  It uses fresh veggies and has a bit of a bite :)  If you don't like it super spicy, it is super simple to tone down!  I hope you enjoy! 

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 - 8 oz container baby bella sliced mushrooms
1 medium white onion, small dice
1 large poblano pepper, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can Rotel with Lime (or Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes)
1 small jalapeno, sliced (you can take the seeds/membrane out and slice)
1 tbsp. dried parsley
1 tsp dried cilantro
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
black pepper
4 oz cream cheese **

Add everything to the crock pot in the order listed, starting with chicken and ending with pepper.  Cook on high for 3.5 hours.  At the end of the 3.5 hours, add the cream cheese, in pieces and stir to incorporate.  Cook for 30 more minutes. 

Cook one pound of pasta separate and serve the Chicken Spaghetti mixture over the pasta. 

Since going GF in 2010, I have learned that adding the pasta to the crockpot usually turns into a huge mess!  So, I choose to serve this over the pasta and it is a simple dish with very limited prep time!

If you are not a fan of spice, exchange the Rotel for Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes and make sure to seed and remove the membrane from the jalapeno (or leave it out all together).  This has very good flavor and I will be making this all winter!  Share and Enjoy!!

Apples, Apples & More APPLES!!!

It is officially apple season here in Upstate NY!  I am so thankful for a wonderful season this year, as I am sure the farmers are too!  So far, I have visited Bowman Orchards (www.bowmanorchards.com) and Indian Ladder Farms (www.indianladderfarms.com).  This is my first year visiting Indian Ladder and I will add it to my list for future visits.  There are rows and rows of trees to pick from and the mountains in the background.  Amazing photo ops abound.  Although it is still pretty early they only had two options for us to pick today, Empire (good for baking/cooking) and Kendall (good for eating - similar to a Macintosh).  We picked and picked and picked... The trees were so pretty and inviting!

So now, I have a bushel of apples... A mixed variety of Kendall's and Empire's. Now, what can I do with all these apples?

• I can try to bake... Pies, Crisps, Muffins, and plain baked apples are yummy!
• Make Applesauce (oh yes, my crockpot will get quite a bit of use)
• Eat them plain - Don't they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away? :)
• Juice them - Fresh Juice is the best!  Add some carrots and kale and you have a great fresh green drink!!
• Dehydrate them... Yes, I am pretty sure this will be my next kitchen gadget! 

What are some of your favorites to make when apple season comes around?  Does anyone have any recommendations for dehydrators? 

Share & Enjoy!!

Taco Soup

I have to say, that after searching through what I am quite surprised to be almost 4 years of blog posts, there is no post for Taco Soup!  This is something that I make often, and is quick and easy!  It is a crock pot dish that smells up the house and is warm and yummy!  If you love Mexican food it has all the components! 

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
1 small white onion, diced
1 tsp garlic
2 tbsp. taco seasoning (I make my own)
1 tbsp. dry ranch seasoning (homemade)
1 can Rotel
1 small bag frozen corn
1 can, drained and rinsed Black beans
1 can, drained and rinsed Great Northern beans
1 box, 32 oz of low sodium GF chicken stock
S&P

Add oil, turkey, onion, and garlic to a sauté pan and brown meat.  Add the taco seasoning and ranch.  If you need add a bit of water to incorporate the seasonings.  Add the meat mixture and the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Serve with chips, cheese, sour cream and guacamole!   Share & Enjoy! 

Buffalo Cauliflower

In the last week, August has changed into September and the nights have cooled off and the trees are starting to change.  Football is upon us and so is my drive for fun foods when everyone gets together to watch the "big" game!  Go TEXANS!!!  The week was crazy busy and in my infinite wisdom I forgot to take out chicken to cook... but, I did have cauliflower I needed to use.  I also recalled that there was a photo titled "Buffalo Cauliflower" on Pinterest.  If you know me, you also know that I was not going to go back and follow the recipe exactly anyways so here is what I came up with.  It came out very well and I think that I will do it again, soon! 

1 head cauliflower, cleaned and cut the florets off
1 tbsp olive oil
S&P
1 tbsp butter
1/4 - 1/2 c Franks Red Hot

Preheat oven to 400.  Place cauliflower tossed in olive oil on baking sheet with salt and pepper.  Roast for 15 minutes on one side.  Stir and then roast 10 more minutes. Remove from oven and add to a large bowl.   Add the butter and Franks Red Hot to a microwave container and heat.  Then pour over cauliflower and serve as Buffalo Cauliflower!  A great vegetarian option with full flavor!!!

Share & Enjoy!!!

Just a few of my Favorite FALL Things...

I realized I was starting this post that the next two things I was going to blog were going to be Buffalo this & that!  It appears as though Fall is here.  If you follow me on Nanny Heather Cooks on Facebook or my personal page you will notice that even though it was only August until this week it did not stop me from posting photos of the leaves changing and going apple picking before September.

FALL!  FALL!  FALL!  Fall in Upstate NY means:

• Apples!
• Pumpkins... painted, carved, glittered and more! (even in Coffee - thank you Dunkin Donuts & Starbucks)
• Perfect clear, crisp, days!
• Leaves changing and falling 
• Buffalo anything... chicken. Cauliflower.  Taquitos.  Wraps.  Salad. 
• Fashion: Sweaters.  Boots.  Scarves.  Leggings. (Yes, I know this is fashion and not food, but it is still part of what I love!)
• Bonfires and Smores!
• Soups!  I can't wait to try some new ones.
• Crock-Pot anything and everything!!
• FOOTBALL!!!  This is not to be forgotten...

What else reminds you of FALL?  Do you have any fall favorites?  Please Share & Enjoy! 

Crock Pot Applesauce

Here comes Fall and with fall comes Apple Season! :)  Since moving here in 2008, I have come to learn that I LOVE APPLES!  This is something very new for me since as a child I did not really like them.  When picking them off the tree, there is something to be said for eating a fresh, juicy apple!  Once you have picked your fill and now have bags, yes, bags, full, what do you do with all of these apples once you get home?  This girl eats at least one apple a day and starts looking for recipes, talking to friends and family and comes up with things to make!  In the past, I have made Applesauce in the oven.  It is a bit more labor intensive and you have to "watch" it so now it is time for a crock pot recipe. 


8-10 Sweet Apples, peeled and cored
3/4 cup of water *
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp vanilla

* Depending on the juiciness of the apples you might want to start with 1/2 cup of water

Peel and core the apples and small dice them into a crock pot.  In a small bowl mix 1/2 cup of water and the cinnamon and vanilla.  Pour over the apples and mix until coated.  Then add the other 1/4 cup of water to the bowl to remove the rest of the cinnamon stuck to the sides (yes, this really happens).  Pour over the apples, add the cinnamon stick and cook on low for 4 hours or until the apples are very soft.  Use a potato masher to make "chunky" sauce or a hand mixer for "smoother" sauce.  My sauce was a bit runny when I started mashing and was very hot.  But once it cooled off (in the fridge) it tightened up to a perfect consistency. 

Please Share & Enjoy! 

** This recipe was adapted from a recipe found from The Frugal Girls online **

Mushroom Risotto

In February I attempted for the second time to make Risotto.  It is not often, that I don't find a bit of success in the dishes that I make but I have been defeated by Risotto in the past... this time not only did I find success but I found a fabulous dish!  Thankfully my friends loved it just as much!  This recipe was adapted from a Risotto recipe that I found in Food Network magazine (March 2013).  I can promise you though, it is nothing like the original!

3 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 1/2 cups water
2 tbsp. unsalted butter/olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped cippolini onions
1 1/2 cups chopped baby bella mushrooms
1 cup Arborio rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
3 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
3 tbsp. minced fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme
1 cup grated gruyere cheese
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese

Bring chicken broth and water to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat and cover to keep warm.  In a separate pan add the butter/oil sauté onions until starting to get soft and add mushrooms.  Saute about 5 minutes.  Add the rice and cook 2 more minutes.  Add the wine and cook 2 more minutes or until evaporated.  Add 1/2 cup of broth/water mixture  and stirring constantly until absorbed.  Repeat, adding the broth in 1/2 cup increments and stirring constantly and the rice is creamy and tender, about 20-25 minutes.  Remove from heat. 

Add the cheese and 1/2 of the herbs.  Stir until incorporated and creamy.  Top with the remaining herbs to serve.

As a side note, I did not use all of the broth/water.  There was about a cup left in the bottom of the pot. 

This is an amazingly rich and yummy dish!  I served it with roasted chicken and asparagus!  Rave reviews from all!  Share & Enjoy! 

Basil Oil

1 bunch of fresh basil
1 clove garlic
1/4 c light olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon olive oil
1 tbsp. champagne balsamic vinegar
1 pinch S&P
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper

Add everything to a food processor and blend until basil is puréed until smooth. 

Serve over grilled chicken or fish.  Share & Enjoy!

Sun Dried Tomatoes and Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce

Thanks to my cousin Dave and his family who are traveling and this week are spending some time on the French Island of St Pierre, Martinique, I was inspired by his dinner post of pasta and veggies with Salami for dinner.  I opened the fridge and attempted to create something similar and fresh and exciting.  Mine was vegetarian (no salami) but still so great!  Not  something I would normally make but I enjoyed it so much I am adding it to my regular schedule of meals! 

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 stick of butter (or butter substitute)
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced
10 -12 baby bella mushrooms, sliced
8 sun dried tomatoes in oil, sliced
1 tbsp capers
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 cup white wine
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
pinch of salt

Prehead a cast iron skillet to medium.  Add olive oil and butter.  Then add roasted red peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, capers, garlic and crushed red pepper.  Saute'  until for about 5-8 minutes stirring every couple minutes.  Add salt and wine.  Stir as reduces about 2-3 minutes.  Serve over pasta. 

** This is not a super saucy dish.  If you like more sauce double the olive oil, butter and wine. **

Husband Catchin' Biscuits

For as many years as I can remember my mom has been making these biscuits that she or someone dubbed "Husband Catchin' Biscuits."  I have no idea where the name actually came from, but growing up in SE Texas, I can only imagine.  When it came to Christmas Eve Dinner, and I had no idea what to make, I saw a biscuit recipe online and it reminded me of this one.  The actual recipe is NOT gluten free so I made the first attempt at making them GF!  I was so excited that they turned out well and actually tasted good too!!  Score one for me :)   Hope you enjoy & share!! 

3 cups GF Bisquick Mix (1 box)
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup club soda
butter

Mix the bisquick, sour cream and club soda together.  The mix will be a bit sticky.  If it isn't wet enough add a bit more club soda.  I started with 1 cup and added to 1 1/2 at the end.  Use a spoon and drop the biscuit mix onto a baking stone and add a pat of butter to the top.  Bake for 25-30 minutes at 400 until browned.  This makes 18-24 biscuits depending on the size that you drop them. 

Gluten Free is not a FAD for ME!!

It is not often that I use this as a soap box or a place to rant.  I use this as a place to educate and share recipes.  I love to cook and create and thru the process of learning that I CANNOT eat gluten, I have come to learn that so many out there do not know much about gluten or what it means when someone says "Do you have a Gluten Free Menu?" 

I read labels... All labels, from food, to cleaners to shampoos and soaps.  Anything that has a label that enters my home, is GF!  This is not because I have "jumped on the GF band wagon to lose weight" but because thru process of elimination and after many years of being sick, we have figured out that the culprit is GLUTEN!  There is no magic pill but it is fairly simple... don't eat it or ingest it, don't put it on your skin if it irritates it!  So that is what I have done.  And I feel FABULOUS! 

So, I was very surprised when I opened my "People Magazine" Best and Worst of 2012 today and saw a very small notation about "Gluten Free" in it! Trends of the Year (page 22) under  5 Tastes of the Town  - #5 was GF - Miley Cyrus and Elisabeth Hasselbeck followed the food fad. 

Now, I will say I have not read Elisabeth Hasselbeck's book... I have heard of people who read it and those people have had mixed opinions.  I will not give one because I did not read it.  I do not support individuals who chose the GF diet simply to lose weight. 

Those of us, who with or without an "actual diagnosis of Celiac Disease" but are still Gluten Intolerant and cannot handle Gluten in their diet know the affects of the Gluten on their bodies.  This is very upsetting to me.  When a celebrity uses the GF diet as a way to lose weight and puts it out for the world to see, the rest of us who are GF for an actual health reason lose credence.  The restaurant staff wonders if we are just on a "diet"?  This is a serious health concern for many of us... This is not for weight loss, though it may help, it is for our life! 

Please remember when someone asks you if there is a GF option available that they probably are not on a diet but have an actual health concern!