Product Review: A Taste of Thai

I made sure to provide a close up in case you didn't believe your eyes: gluten-free fortune cookies.  And they are amazing.

I guess I should really begin by talking about the company, A Taste of Thai.  I always find their products at Target stores, and they are super inexpensive.  According to their Product Facts sheet, nothing contains gluten, and they are reduced sodium.  They make a ton of different products; along with their quick meals, I am also a huge fan of their rice noodles.  The quick meals come in several flavors, and I just found these fortune cookies today.

I bought the quick meals in two flavors, Peanut and Yellow Curry.  The peanut flavor has been my favorite for a while now, mainly because I miss the tasty peanut sauce I used to get at Vietnamese restaurants.  I use my San-J Thai Peanut sauce all the time, but when I don't want to soak rice noodles, the Taste of Thai quick meal peanut noodles are perfect.  You simply pour one cup of water into the empty box, add the ingredients, and microwave for three minutes.  Take it out and let it sit, closed, for one minute and it's ready.  Great for lunch at work, or if you are too tired to cook at the end of a long day.

This was my first time trying the yellow curry noodles and they are pretty good too!  I love how you can really taste the sweetness of the coconut milk and the warmth of the curry.  I really want to try Coconut Ginger flavor but have yet to find it.

The fortune cookies are seriously out of this world.  I never thought I would find something like these.  Have you ever had one of those gluten-free "discovery moments"?  I become over-the-moon excited when I see a new gluten-free product and it totally makes my day.  These fortune cookies are my latest favorite product find, and I think everyone should try them as soon as possible!  They are individually wrapped and about an inch and a half long, and kind of look like mini cannolis.  They contain coconut milk, tapioca flour, coconut sugar, egg, black sesame seeds, and salt. They are so crispy and delicious, and the fortunes are adorable.  These would be perfect for a gluten-free kid's lunch, heck they are perfect for my gluten-free adult lunch!

My Gluten-free Lunch & Super Protein Snack #2

When you first start eating gluten-free, it's hard to come up with lunch ideas.  I mean, how many salads can a person eat?  It took me a while to get into the swing of things (and get used to waking up earlier to make my meals) but it's easy once you get the hang of it.

I always loved bringing leftovers, but my new job doesn't have a microwave.  I also love gigantic spinach salads with tons of toppings, like dried cranberries, blueberries, walnuts, and tomatoes, and these are so easy to make ahead of time and throw everything into one of those fancy produce ziplocks.

Right now I really like making mini-wraps using corn tortillas and different fillings.  This week I've been making avocado/chicken breast/bacon wraps and they are awesome!  I make two, since the corn tortillas are small.  You can fill them with all sorts of foods: chicken salad is yummy, I like to combine traditional chicken salad with a Waldorf salad and throw in pieces of green apple, halved grapes, and roasted pumpkin seeds.  Normal taco fillings would be tasty, but so would a slice of cheese and some mashed beans.  What about spreading some peanut butter and sliced bananas on the tortilla?  There are so many great ideas!

The secret to making corn tortillas pliable is to heat them in bit of oil before using them.  Ok, maybe this was only a secret to me, but for well over a year I thought corn tortillas were awful because they always fell apart.  I was really, really bitter on taco night.

Spread a little mashed avocado, top with Boar's Head sliced meat (or whatever you prefer.  I like BH Everroast Chicken Breast), and half a slice of bacon.  Wrap and you're good to go!  I secure mine with a toothpick before rolling them up.

Can I just pause and say how awesome Boar's Head is?  They are totally gluten-free.  This makes packing lunches so much easier.

My smoothie looked beautiful the other morning! 

Super protein snack #2, eggs!  I love hard-boiled eggs with a heavy dosing of black pepper.  It's the perfect snack: you can boil a few on Sunday and eat them all week.  They are packed with goodies like protein, choline, and vitamins.  They are less than 100 calories each and are naturally gluten-free!

Here are my first two meals of the day!  I drink a giant smoothie in the morning and eat the egg a bit later.  I prefer my wraps cold, so I wrap them in foil and put them right on top of the ice pack in my lunch box.  I also carry a string cheese stick, which is also a great source of protein, and a Fruity Pebble Treat (don't judge me!).  Fruity Pebbles cereal is gluten-free now, and so are the rice treats!  Of course they are still full of sugar, but that's why I like them.  I end up eating these around 3pm when I need a sugar high to help me kick into gear the last few hours of work.

Last Minute Easter Food!

Our neighbors invited us over for Easter dinner at the very last minute (I was just going to make Pad Thai so it was nice to do something different!) and I couldn't go over empty-handed.  This sort of situation prompts a Celiac predicament...I know I prefer to be well prepared and researched before eating somewhere new, but what if that place is someone else's home, with only a few hours to prepare?

To be honest, I probably took the easy and dumb way out.  Instead of bringing up my restrictions, I cooked a side and hors d'oeuvres, popped a GlutenEase (I will do a separate post on GlutenEase later.  While it doesn't prevent damage or pain, it does help me "pass" everything faster and easier if there is possible contamination) and hoped for the best.  I was very lucky to have a moment to do a quick label-read on the salad dressing my neighbor used, and was so thankful to not have any gluteny issues later in the evening.

I had marinated cucumbers, ham, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, and stuffed tomatoes.  I almost brought deviled eggs, but decided to be selfish and keep the boiled eggs for myself this week! I could tell Matt was excited to eat all the gluteny food that we never have at our house: he ate dinner rolls and had cookies for dessert!  What a feast!  It was such a treat to have Easter dinner with our neighbors and do something new for a change.

Now on to the food!

Stuffed tomatoes and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts

I didn't want to spend much time at the grocery store (especially on a Sunday, double-especially Easter Sunday!) so I scoured our pantry and tried to think of minimal ingredient foods.  We had parmesean cheese, an onion, and I had about 6 bread ends from Udi's loaves.  I also have a gigantic spice collection, so seeing the basil and oregano, so I decided on stuffed tomatoes.  A tried-and-true favorite, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are easy and only have three ingredients, so they were an obvious must!

Follow the jump for recipes.

Gluten-free Fishing and Jalapeno Poppers

I have grown up near the water my entire life, in a fishing community on the panhandle.  My grandfather taught me how to fish off a bay dock, catching croakers and pinfish to fertilize our backyard garden.  My mom taught me how to clean and filet fish, and I consider her an expert when it comes to preparing and cooking seafood.  I just love fishing because I was raised to enjoy it, and I think it is such an easy, cheap way to eat sustainably.  Gardening, hunting, and fishing are ways to provide food for your family in the most direct way possible using your own resources: no taxes are put onto your food, no chemicals, no pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics.  Does it get much better than that?  Not to mention it is an amazing opportunity to learn about nature and spend great times with friends and family creating memories. 

Nice young jack crevalle that we caught on a spoon lure

We are fortunate enough to live only a couple miles from Sanibel and Captiva Islands, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  The water is amazing and the fishing is pretty good too.  Matthew and I recently found a decent spot for shore fishing and have caught some fun fish.  Jacks are one of my favorites, the sound of the reel flying as soon as they hit and the fight to pull them in is an adrenaline rush for sure.  They are not a great eating fish though, so all jacks are throwbacks, along with a few other species we catch a lot of (ladyfish, catfish, croakers).  We don't keep anything we won't eat because it is wasteful of a precious life.

Spanish mackerel and the rod holder that I rarely use (I usually stay in the water to cast and pull in)

Today we went out with high hopes and were not disappointed.  Live bait was definitely our best method, unlike last week when the spoon was working so well.  I caught a few jacks and ladyfish, but Matthew pulled in a beautiful Spanish mackerel.  I cleaned and fileted it once we got home: thin filets but enough for a two person meal. 

Mackerel are known as a dark, oilier fish with a strong taste.  They have a dark blood line which runs the length of the body and if not cleaned properly, will give the fish that "fishy" taste which most people dislike.  The easiest cooking method involves just a few ingredients: Italian salad dressing, oil for frying, and cornmeal.  Marinate the fish in the dressing for just a few minutes, then dredge the meaty side in cornmeal and throw it into your frying pan, meat side down.  Don't bread the skin side: with mackerel, it's much easier to remove the skin after cooking than to try to do it while cleaning the fish.  Cook for just a few minutes each side and drain on a paper towel for a minute or two.  Flip it over and scrape off the skin.

I also made a quick sauce to help mask the strong flavor using mayonnaise, dried dill, olive oil, and lemon juice.  I know seafood is good for me, but I wish I enjoyed eating it more than I do catching it!

We were basically out of any fresh groceries, save for a few fruits and these jalapenos.  I made baked poppers using cream cheese, crumbled bacon, and cheddar cheese.  Gut the peppers (leave in some rib pieces if you like it super spicy) and be sure to wear gloves when handling the peppers.  Put the mix into a piping bag (ziplock with the tip cut off) to make filling the peppers easier.  Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350, and I like to broil them for a few minutes to brown the cheese. 

Super Protein Snack #1

Why protein is so vital to people with Celiac Disease:

• It rebuilds and repairs body tissues
• It strengthens the immune system
• It produces energy and stamina

I am always looking for new ways to eat protein throughout the day without eating meat or fatty nuts (like my favorite, cashews).  My most frequent technique is making smoothies for breakfast. They are so easy to customize to your own liking, and it just makes my body feel good and full after drinking a giant, cold smoothie. 

In order to pack some protein punch into your smoothies, you should use milk or yogurt.  I prefer Stonyfield Probiotic yogurt, which is certified gluten-free, and I can usually buy 2 packages of 4 yogurts for $4.00.  Plus you can find coupons on their website, and sign up for Stonyfield Rewards.  I also add soy protein powder from Jarrow, which is gluten-free and dairy-free.

 Did you know papayas contain an enzyme called papain, which breaks down proteins and aids digestive issues?  Plus it is a good source of folate, and the vitamin C content is through the roof!

The rest of the ingredients are completely up to you!  I use bananas, strawberries, papaya, and Florida orange juice.  This combination makes an incredibly powerful smoothie: vitamin C, protein, folic acid, potassium, calcium, and fiber.  There are tons of variations though; you can tailor it to your cravings or what you have in your fridge.  Every once in a while, I use yogurt, soy protein, bananas, and a spoon of Dark Chocolate Dreams.  It's so tasty, and feels like you are eating dessert for breakfast.

Gluten-free in Miami (Quick Weekend Trip!)

This past weekend my boyfriend and I took a quick trip to Miami with some friends to watch the Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat (go Celts!).  It was beautiful there and so different from any other large city.  Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to relax and spend a couple days on the beach, but we crammed as much into a two day trip as we could!

As soon as we got into Miami, we immediately drove to South Beach.  We had lunch at Naked Pizza which blew me away.  It was the perfect pizza.  The gluten-free crust only comes in a medium, but it was just the right amount.  It was thin and greasy and the cheese was browned...a true pizza!

Matt got pepperoni on his side and I got sun-dried tomatoes on mine!

The best part about Naked Pizza is not just that they have gluten-free crusts and ingredients, it's that they are committed to keeping cross-contamination at an absolute minimum.  Haven't you ever wondered how careful chefs and cooks really are back in the kitchen while preparing your food?  Naked Pizza eased my mind (and will ease yours, too!) with this video available on their website:

Pretty awesome huh?  I can't say I have ever seen another company show this step in gluten-free preparation.  While there are not locations in every state, they are expanding quickly and you can keep track of opening locations on their website.

We also ate at RA Sushi just outside Miami on the way home.  I had never been to RA before but Matt and I are always up for yummy sushi.  I didn't pack any special gluten-free sauces or snacks for this trip, so I was a bit bummed that I wouldn't have any tamari during dinner.  I ordered the Pacific Roll, and as luck would have it, didn't even need (or miss) the tamari at all!  This roll reminded me of fresh Mexican food due to its unique ingredients: cilantro, jalapeno, mango, red onion, and avocado.  It was wrapped in avocado slices, topped with a mango salsa, and also contained albacore tuna and sauteed cashew pieces; if you order this, be sure to leave out the beet tempura bits.  While I forgot to take a photo, this one I found via Flickr does the roll pretty good justice!

I'm sure there were many, many other gluten-free places in Miami and I am disappointed that we didn't have the time to enjoy more restaurants.  But there is always a next time, especially when we are only a couple hours away!

Catch Up and Some Gluten-Free Sanibel Treats!

I haven't had time to post lately because I finally got a job a few weeks ago.  The job market is tough in South Florida, like most places, and it took me almost three months to get my foot in the door.  I am working in Sanibel and loving it; between seeing osprey catching fish in the morning and watching the dolphins swim in the bay on the drive home, I think I am pretty satisfied.  It keeps me busy busy busy, and my off days consist of cleaning up my apartment and taking care of my dog.  Not much time for blogging!

I did want to share about an adorable place in Sanibel though.  It's called Pocoloco, and they have coffee, smoothies, and sandwiches. While the sandwiches are obviously off limits, the smoothies and coffee are out of this world!  I had a Groupon coupon for $8 and bought two lattes and a smoothie.  I make smoothies every day and it was such a treat to pick up such a tasty one, and the girl who works next door was excited to have a surprise latte (you didn't think I was going to drink both, did you?).

Running out of room in my car!

If you are ever on the island, stop by and get the Snowbird smoothie...apricot, pear, and peach, your choice of milk (regular, skim, soy, or yogurt) completed with a drink umbrella.

Also, Jerry's supermarket on Sanibel (Pocoloco is in the same shopping center) carries a few gluten-free products, like Udi's bread.  Bailey's General Store carries an amazing amount of products, and even created a gluten-free product list (which includes many other allergens) for their store.  Matzaluna's can make gluten-free Italian dishes, although I've never been to the restaurant.  And the Over Easy Cafe is a great place to grab breakfast food: I love their cheese grits with a side of bacon.  You can get a personal size gluten-free pizza from Island Pizza, which is made on a pre-packaged rice crust. It's not the best gluten-free pizza in the area but it will do in a pinch!  The Island Cow has a gluten-free menu if you ask for it; but be warned: as my waitress handed it to me, she said "not to go by it."  I ordered chicken salad on top of leafy greens with some fruit on the side and felt fine.