Cookbooks: The Christmas Presents That Keep On Giving : )

Christmas morning was epic this year. Not only did I come downstairs to a present filled family room, but every gift that I unwrapped was amazing and something that I wanted/will come in crazy handy. Two of the gifts that I received from my mama and dad were cookbooks. Now these were not just any cookbooks but awesomely amazing cookbooks that will make me oh so fat lol.


The first one happens to be a Gluten-Allergy friendly cookbook that looks sa-weeet! Titled Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef and written by Shauna James Ahern (the gluten-free girl*) and Daniel Ahern (the chef), the book is "a love story with 100 tempting recipes." I was particularly excited about getting this cookbook because another book written by Shauna James Ahern, Gluten-Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back...& How You Can, Too, got me through my first few months of being gluten-free and taught me how to not only cope with the diagnosis, but how to still go out in the world and live and eat with the allergy and without gluten. She, truly, got me through some of the toughest times when I felt incredibly frustrated (I would definitely recommend this fyi).

Along with the many yummy recipes in the cookbook, Shauna includes stories about her family and shopping experiences. Not only is it an excellent cookbook but an interesting read as well with fun pictures : )










The second cookbook that I got, although not allergy friendly in the least, looks absolutely delicious! Tartine is a cookbook centered around the Tartine Bakery in San Fransisco, CA. It is written and compiled by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson and "includes all the basic recipes from the renowned Tartine Bakery the couple founded in 2002: breakfast pastries, cakes, tarts, cookies, and savory items as well." Simply flipping through the cookbook made my mouth instantly! I cannot wait to try out some of these recipes, even though I will have to make gluten and dairy substitutions. In fact, I am making Devil's Food Layer Cake for my mama's birthday on the first! Whoot whoot!! : )

*Gluten-Free Girl's Blog

Christmas Day Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Amazingness!

Every year Christmas morning breakfast is the most amazing, epic, delicious meal of the year. From the coffee cakes, pancakes, cinnamon french toast, waffles, and challah bread, to the whipped cream it is a gluten-ous, dairy filled mine field (for me at least lol). This year, I decided that I would not miss out! With my Cooking for Isaiah recipe book in hand my sissy, mama, and I went to work planning some Stephanie/Food Allergy friendly foods.

Blueberry-Lemon Sourdough Pancakes

After sifting through the yummy breakfast options, we decided to make Blueberry-Lemon Sourdough Pancakes (yum!) and Penny's Apple-Brown Sugar Coffee Cake (double yum!). Jenni took charge of the pancakes and I made the coffee cake. The pancakes went swimmingly and Jenni had them done and ready to go in a snap! The coffee cake, after a bit of a hiccup in batter thickness, went a bit slower but was a ton of fun to make (mostly because I got to lick the bowl and spoon that was covered in brown-sugary deliciousness!).

When we sat down at the table, it was covered in plates pilled with sausage (yuck), bacon (poor piggys), awesome fruit (strawberries, bananas, and blueberries oh my!), challah bread french toast (not tummy friendly but my nose greatly appreciated the scent), the blueberry-lemon sourdough pancakes, and two kinds of coffee cake (my mama's and the apple-brown sugar coffee cake). I was in heaven : )

Penny's Apple-Brown Sugar Coffee Cake

I immediately grabbed three blueberry pancakes with a smidgen of light syrup, blueberries, and strawberries and dug in. From the first bite of the pancake, I knew they would have to be a recurring breakfast staple. I, first, got the taste and smell of the subtle lemon, which was followed by a burst of blueberry...it was awesome!

The coffee cake, due to be thoroughly stuffed from the massive breakfast, I saved for my lunch (healthy right?). It was soft, warm, sweet and had a slight bite from the apple slices...in a word it was euphoric.

Stormy Night Genius Mac & Cheese

Dinner was a throw back to one of my personal favorites, Stormy Night Genius Mac & Cheese with spinach and tomatoes. I was soooo stuffed and it was bellissimo!

Amici's Pizza-Berkley, MI aka Heaven on 12 Mile : )

My big sissy, always knowledgeable of the best hotspots, has been telling me we had to go to Amici's restaurant in Berkley. Not only do they have many Vegan offerings and a huge variety of delicious and creative martini's, but they also have gluten free pizza! They describe themselves as: "a comfortable place to meet friends, enjoy a gourmet pizza and relax- just like in your own living room or patio. Beer, wine, spirits and martinis are served in a casual neighborhood setting" and I couldn't agree more! A certified green restaurant, Amici's was named MetroTimes Best of 2010 Gourmet Pizza and it is easy to see, smell, and definitely taste why.

Walking up to the cozy restaurant you see an enchanting little garden patio area (that I am sure will be AWESOME come summer time) and twinkle lights all over the outside. You enter into an equally as cozy and warm looking restaurant/bar combo with a bohemian vibe. I was immediately in heaven.

After browsing their extensive martini offerings, I opted to try one that was made with lemon and blueberry flavored liqueur and had blueberries floating on top and at the bottom. It was...in a word: Divine!
When it came time to eat, I went for the build your own pizza option and made a 12-in pizza with gluten free crust, Tofu Mozzarella, basil, and tomato slices. To drink, since my martini was sadly gone, I went for the RedBridge gluten free beer...that's right, this allergy girl had her first pizza and beer experience! I now know why this combination is so celebrated and recommended...it's a-mazing!!
As for the pizza, I could not have been more satisfied. The cheese was melty, the crust was crispy, and the ingredients were as fresh as can be. I, again was in heaven.
When the time came to leave, I reluctantly got up to go...vowing that I would come back before too long.
Jenni, Paul, Drew, and I are totally doing dinner/drinks there next Tuesday : )


Amici's Website with Menu and Location Information as well as other cool tidbits

Stoved Popped Finals Food

As it 'tis the season for jolly happy Christmas songs and yummy Christmas inspired foods, it is also a more sinister time of year, a time that brings great sadness, frustration, and sleep-less nights for college students around the country: Finals time. That's right, finals season is upon us and with it comes stress eating/study eating for many a student, including chips, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, and various other non-allergy friendly foods. What is a Gluten/Dairy Allergic student to do you ask? I have the perfect, healthy, non-calorie/fat filled solution: Stove-Popped Popping-Corn.* This delicious snack, at a whopping 100 calories per 4 cups popped, can be made in a matter of minutes (providing a small, but most likely much needed study break) and does not leave you wanting, broke, or fatter. I make mine and add either I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray Butter and a smidge of salt, or for a sweeter option, spray "butter" and cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top...this truly does the trick and does not disappoint. Want proof? I am not fatter (I hope), used little $$, and passed all of my classes...yay!!

*See Recipes Page for Instructions/Ideas for Stove-Popped Popping-Corn

Christmas Cookie Baking With Sissy

So it 'tis the season...for Christmas cookie baking that is : ) And that is exactly what Jenni and I did one snowy finals "study" night. I did some serious research (via Betty Crocker.com) and discovered a plethora of amazing Gluten Free recipes that, with some minor tweaks, were also made dairy free. So with this wealth of knowledge and deliciousness at my fingertips Jenni and I set out to make three batches of the most amazing food allergy friendly cookies that I have yet to taste. We decided to make Chocolate Crinkles (easily my favorites), Chocolate-Marshmallow Pillows, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Bars with Chocolate Frosting.* Three-ish hours and a very messy kitchen later we had three batches of yumminess that can only be described through their pictures below:

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate-Marshmallow Pillows

  

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Bars with Chocolate Frosting

I whole-heartedly encourage you to go to the recipes page and try these ones out!

*See Recipes Page for Three Cookie Recipes

Thanksgiving Feasting, Yes Feasting

As I am sure its probably the same case for everyone who lives in the United States, Thanksgiving=Food Day in my family. A day of bread-pudding, rolls, garlic-bread, pies, ice cream, and other various dairy and gluten filled deliciousness, it did not bode well for me. Luckily, with my ever helpful  EBT cash from the generous Washtenaw County and my amazing Cooking For Isaiah recipe book in hand, I was able to whip together several yummy Thanksgiving worthy dishes that left me equally as stuffed and satisfied (without the after-dinner-food-allergy-belly-bloat I might add) of yesteryears. That's right, "bread" and "dairy" cocktails included! Here's what the spread looked like:

Appetizers: Soy Cheddar and Soy Mozzarella Cheese slices with gluten free crackers and grapes

Dinner: Garlic Pesto on a Gluten Free Baguette (courtesy of my lovely sissy), Quinoa Mac and Veggie Cheese Mac&Cheese, Marshmallow-Topped Yam Bake, and Spinach Salad with Gluten Free Garlic Dressing
(mouth watering yet?)

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Dessert: Gluten Free Pumpkin Cake with Dairy Free "Cream Cheese" Frosting (again courtesy of my lovely sissy), and Dairy Free Pumpkin Ice "Cream"

Cocktails: Wine (naturally) and Pumpkin Pie Martini's (YUM!!)

Needless to say, I did not have to skimp due to diet restrictions (by diet I mean food allergies, not weight watching in the least). Over all, it was an amazing Thanksgiving that left me feeling soooo thankful to all the foodies out there that experimented to create awesome substitutions and my family who all thought of me when making the food : )

Jenni (aka the above mentioned lovely sissy) and Me Cleaning with Wilby handing the floors

Tofu Pad Thai Obsession

So not too long ago my sister convinced me to try something that changed my life forever...Tofu Pad Thai from Siam Spicy in Novi, MI. I was sooo down and bummed because it was a Friday night with mama and Jenni which meant take-out+wine and I couldn't find anything I wanted to/could eat from the places they were ordering from. Then Jenni told me that I should get the Tofu Pad Thai, since it's made with rice noodles, and just ask for no spice or sauce and add my own wheat-free soy sauce. It was amazing!! For $9 you get a massive, and I mean massive, amount of noodles, green onions, bean sprouts, and delicious tofu and all you need to do it add some sauce (which lessens the calories too!) and you are good to go...I die every time I take a bite lol. Now Siam Spicy (and only Siam Spicy) Tofu Pad Thai nights have become a once weekly tradition for me and my sissy and I count down the days till the next one...t-minus 4 days : )

Mouth Watering? Yes.

Siam Spicy Website with Menu, Contact Info, and Location