Gluten Free as Fudge

gluten-free lifestyle, travel, and recipes

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Bareburger - Washington, D.C.

The arrival of the Impossible Burger on the consumer market has rocked headlines the past few weeks, so I decided to try one of the few places in D.C. offering this new menu item: Bareburger. Full review below the fold.

$$$ - $35 bought me an Impossible burger, a small order of fries, and a milkshake.

At first glance, I was impressed with how extensive a menu Bareburger had for both gluten-free and vegan diners. The front of the menu (photo below) was for more “regular” items with GF substitutes well marked. The entire back side of the menu presented all vegan options, including vegan shakes. 

I ordered an Impossible burger with a GF bun and the “special” sauce. It turned out they were out of several items when we went, including GF buns. So I stuck with a burger in a collard green wrap. 

The Impossible burger patty itself was tasty, meant to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of beef though made from plant material. The fries were great (appropriately salted) and the vanilla shake was delicious, but maybe not worth $8. 

Verdict: While I liked the patty, the kale wrap was cold and tough to chew. I would order the burger again, but only with the GF bun. 

[kimi-eats-gluten-free]

Crispy Paneer & Halloumi Fries {gf}

With guacamole, salsa and sour cream to dip in. 🧀 

[glutenfreeasfudge]

What a healthy, delicious looking snack!

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Gluten Free King Cake Recipe

This gluten free king cake recipe is super easy to make and nobody will know the difference!

Link above: Seriously craving a gluten-free king cake! Eager to try this recipe soon.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Interesting video on the rise of gluten sensitivity.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Rise Bakery - Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.

Rise Bakery, a fully gluten-free bakery in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C., offers a wide selection of baked goods. These include cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, pastries, bagels, and specialty breads. 

One of their most unique GF offerings, challah bread, is an item I’m told sells out fast. But you can easily order a loaf for pickup.

I got a cinnamon roll and a loaf of banana nut bread. Both were a bit more dense than I was expecting. The cinnamon roll was tasty, but the banana nut bread was a bit bland and dried out by the second day.

I wouldn’t get the banana nut bread again, but I do plan to go back and try their bagels, biscuits, and superfood bread sometime soon.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Erin McKenna’s Bakery - Lower East Side, NYC

For my last stop in NYC, I went to Erin McKenna’s Bakery to try their GF and vegan dessert options. I was pleasantly surprised by the texture and flavor of their cupcakes, given the limitations of cooking without eggs, milk, and wheat.

$ - Cupcakes were $5.50 each. 

I had a carrot cupcake with vanilla-cinnamon frosting (photo below) and a mocha chip cupcake. They also had donuts, cakes, and cookies.

Prices were a bit steep, but for being refined sugar-free, wheat-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and egg-free the cupcakes I tried were deliciously moist with great flavor - especially the mocha chip!

Highly recommend for @kimi-eats-gluten-free, @vegan-yums, @veganfoody, @veganfoodblog, @celiacandthebeast

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Tate’s Bake Shop Cookies

To all the GF dieters out there, Tate’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies were one of my best finds this year! They’re sold in many chain groceries stores, priced around $5 per bag. 

Both crunchy and satisfyingly salty-sweet, these cookies elicited happy childhood memories. I sometimes make up an excuse to go to the store just to pick up a bag of these cookies!

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Hu Kitchen - Union Square, NYC

Located in Union Square, Hu Kitchen is a magical concept for GF and Paleo diners. The cafeteria-style eatery features hearty favorites like meatloaf, burgers, chilis, and sides all made with the right gluten substitutes. 

$ - The meal alone was on average $15 per person.

My favorite was the Forager Bowl with pork meatballs, slaw, and delicious chunks of savory-glazed pineapple over a bed of greens (photo below). The chicken burger was also good, served with a sweet potato bun and sweet potato wedges. 

They had an ample selection of fresh juices, smoothies, and coffee drinks, in addition to brunch and breakfast options.

What I enjoyed most though, was the unique layout and smart details of this location, such as the water taps in the dining area. I drink a lot of water with my meals, and being able to refill my cup was a welcome benefit.

My dining companion said he’d gladly eat here again, even though he is neither GF nor paleo. I agreed!

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Doughnut Plant - Lower East Side, NYC

Doughnut Plant is a NYC donut staple. The “plant” features a variety of flavors ranging from passion fruit to banana, but the location I visited on the Lower East Side offered only one GF option the day I went in: almond doughnut. 

$ - Donuts were about $4 each.

Admittedly delicious, the quality and texture of the donut more than made up for the lack of options! If you happen to be in the neighborhood, it’s worth stopping in.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Little Cupcake Bakeshop - SOHO, NYC

Located in the SOHO district of New York City, Little Cupcake Bakeshop offers a wide variety of sweet treats for gluten-free and vegan eaters. From cupcakes to cookies and cheesecakes, this was the largest selection of GF baked goods I have seen so far. 

$ - I got two cookies and a cupcake for around $11.

Their vegan, gluten-free oatmeal chocolate banana cookie was satisfying - albeit very similar to my own oatmeal-banana-chip cookie recipe. 

I also tried their banana cupcake with peanut butter-chocolate icing. It was superb. 

All in all, this bakeshop merits a visit next time you’re in NYC.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Good morning, NYC!

Wonderful GF breakfast this morning! Layers of tasty avocado slices atop creamy Toscano cheese and Norwegian crispbread. Finished with red pepper flakes and a drizzle of EVOO. 

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Recipe: Mattar Paneer (Indian Peas and Cheese)

A beloved North Indian vegetarian and gluten-free dish served with rice and yogurt.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25 mins | Makes 4 servings

Ingredients 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large onion, roughly chopped

1 green pepper, roughly chopped

1 ripe tomato, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 cups frozen peas

14oz package of paneer, cubed

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp turmeric 

1/2 tsp red chili powder or more to taste

1/2 tsp ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbs vegetable oil

1/2 Tbs tomato paste

1 lime, juiced

OPTIONAL: Basmati rice (or gluten-free toast) and plain yogurt on the side

Instructions

Heat oil on medium heat with cumin and mustard seeds in large pan. Add cubed paneer and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Remove paneer from pan and set aside. Saute carrots on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. 

Add onion, garlic, and green pepper and saute for 3 minutes. Then add tomato and tomato paste and stir. 

Add salt, black pepper, turmeric, ground cumin, and red chili powder and stir. Next, add in the peas and add the lime juice. Cook for 4 minutes. Add paneer back into the pan and simmer for 4 minutes (add half a cup of water if the pan is too dry or if you want more sauce). Remove from heat and serve with basmati rice and plain yogurt on the side. 

Pro tip: 1 cup of basmati rice serves two people. Alternatively, you may substitute gluten-free toast for rice.

[glutenimage]

d’après Roy Fox Lichtenstein

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Gluten sensitive pop art: buttered toast, hold the toast

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Caribbean Rice and Beans

Photo by Sebastien Gabriel on Unsplash

This recipe is one of my weekday meal staples. It’s delicious, gluten-free, and the prep time will go by in a flash as you listen to your favorite podcast!

Servings: 4-6 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 15 mins

Ingredients

1 cup white rice

12oz can coconut milk

2 12oz cans of black beans

1 orange bell pepper, chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tomato, chopped

1 fresh jalapeño, finely sliced (optional) 

1 clove garlic, minced

olive oil

1-1.5 tsp cumin, or to taste

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

sour cream (optional)

pickled jalapeños (optional)

Instructions

Place rice in a small saucepan. Add coconut and a small amount of water to equal 2 cups of liquid and pour liquid in with rice. Set at high heat until the contents start to boil, then turn to simmer and cover.

In a medium sauce pan, heat olive oil. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain most of the liquid from the black beans and pour the beans in with the onion/bell pepper mixture. Season with cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste and mix thoroughly. Add in the tomato and fresh jalapeño slices. Let simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat. 

Once rice is done, remove from heat. Remove beans from heat. Add in the rice with the beans and mix. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and pickled jalapeños on the side.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Gluten-free diet not healthy for everyone

Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash

Link here for CNN article.

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Austin Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Goes Completely Gluten-Free

Photo by Taylor Kiser on Unsplash

To all my Texas people: see the link below. An Austin fixture for chicken and waffles has now reopened with a full gluten-free menu!

Link here to Eater Austin.

[glutenimage]

d’après Pieter Brueghel

[glutenfreeasfudge]

Brilliant take on a classic painting sans the wheat harvesting activities!