I've been reading The Whole Fromage by Kathe Lison and all I can think about is cheese. But here's my problem: I'm trying to cut out cheese because, well, we're just not friends. Cutting out cheese, all dairy actually, is really hard when you are reading a book ALL ABOUT CHEESE. Since I started reading the book, I've been craving a grilled cheese sandwich -- one with crisp, buttery bread and cheddar cheese oozing from the sliced middle. However, I have yet to find a gluten-free bread that fits this order. So, I decided to improvise by making a gluten-free, dairy-free quesadilla. At the grocery shopping, I picked up rice tortillas and Daiya wedge-style cheese. Its supposed to cut and melt like cheese even though its a dairy-free product. When I was dairy-free, Daiya was the only dairy-free cheese I would buy. The shredded mozzarella was great for making pizza, even though the smell was less than desirable. The Daiya Cheddar wedge looks a lot like a block of Velveeta and … [Read more...]
My USA Today Debut
Very excited to share my first article for USA Today. Its about what's new and notable -- or hot -- in Washington, D.C. And right now, what's hot is the 14th Street Corridor and its bustling foodie scene. I've also been working on a lot of food content for a new USA Today Travel web site as well as some cruise-related content for USA Today Travel's 10Best.com. Stay tuned! What are your favorite restaurants in Washington, D.C.? Share them with me in the comments below. … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Dining on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
The first time I set sail on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, I had been gluten-free for three months and hadn't cruised in over ten years. On the rough November waters in Miami, it felt like my seas legs -- and my stomach -- had abandoned me. I wasn't sure what I could eat, if I could eat. My dinner reservation was at Chops Grille, an American-style steakhouse. Steak seemed like a safe bet. I let my server know that I was gluten-free and she surprised me with a basket of gluten-free bread, an option I didn't know was available. This was a shining moment in my dining experience on this one-night cruise. Fast forward to July and my second one-night cruise to nowhere with Royal Caribbean, this time, sailing from Baltimore, Maryland. Since I didn't have to fly to Miami for this trip, I was able to board the ship earlier in the day and enjoy lunch at the Windjammer cafe. I was pleasantly surprised to see food allergens labeled throughout the buffet. It took a bit of … [Read more...]
Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe #GlutenFree
Last fall, I took part in the WORLDFOODS Fusion Taste Team challenge and had the opportunity to sample a hamper (i.e. basket) of their Asian-inspired sauces. Our Maryland team did not win the challenge but I had fun sampling the sauces and creating a new recipe. I like how these sauces easily jazz up any recipe but I also really like that they are gluten-free, dairy-free and free of trans fats. WORLDFOODS wants to get the word out about their gluten-free products so they sent me a few more sauces to try. I was inspired by the Cambodian Pineapple Lemongrass stir-fry sauce and now I want to add this dish to our regular menu. I hope you enjoy it, too. Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, cubed 1 TBSP olive oil 1 bottle Cambodian Pineapple Lemongrass stir-fry sauce by WORLDFOODS Fusion of Flavours 1lb bag frozen stir-fry veggies 1 can diced pineapple 3 cups of rice Directions: Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok. Cube chicken … [Read more...]
The Execution of Change
Change is good. That's my current mantra. I am learning that change happens in large doses in my life. In the span of a week, I lost my job and my dad resigned from his. Six years ago, when I was offered said job, more change happened at the same time: my parents reconciled and my sister announced her pregnancy. And I know there is more change to come. My son will be starting kindergarten next month, and soon my childhood home will be home to someone else. It's all a little overwhelming, to say the least. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, whether that reason is immediately evident or not. I know in my heart that this change is for the better even though, at times, I feel like I've been knocked over by a wave, my life etched in sand erased by the tide. I've been trying to figure out what comes next, only to realize that what comes next isn't exactly up to me. I want to follow my heart but my practical mind keeps interrupting me. I want to pursue … [Read more...]
