thanksgiving!

we (okay, mostly 'i') pulled off a gluten-free and mostly casein-free and very tasty and very traditional thanksgiving feast.  i have to admit i am pretty satisfied with myself (at least on this endeavor).  i plan to post the recipes in the next few days, but first let me list the menu:
turkey
cornbread stuffing
mashed potatoes and gravy
stir-fryed green beans
yams
cranberry sauce
onion rolls
pumpkin pie
apple pie
and coconut whipped cream
if i have a minute between projects tonight, i will post the recipes!

'mac-cheeze'

new discoveries (at the market and online) afforded that some foods, once considered completely off limits, could be found in modified forms; some of the best have come from amy's kitchen prepared foods.  as far as i am aware, all of amy's products are natural and vegetarian.  **not all are allergy friendly so be sure to always read the labels.**

one of lucy's favorites is the gluten-dairy free mac and cheeze; what picky girl doesn't love mac and cheese?  uhh, gluten-dairy free mac and cheese, yum??  believe me, skepticism didn't even etch the surface of my doubts.   anyway, it is delish and convenient. the biggest drawback is the price; this particular meal is about $5 for 4 ounces.  those of us on a gluten-casein free diet know that the foods are spendy, espeically those foods that stand in for regular gluten-full products. therefore, i developed my own recipe for gluten-casein free 'mac-cheeze'

mac-cheeze
1 package lundburg's brown rice elbow mac (you can use whatever shape you prefer as long as it is small-ish) cooked per package directions, water reserved.
1 package daiya deliciously dairy free cheddar-type shreds
2 T. clarified butter aka ghee (use only clarified butter as it is casein free.  alternatively, a substitution with oil is acceptable)
2-3 T. bob's red mill white rice flour
2-3 T.  nutritional yeast (read the label to ensure it is gluten and/or casein free, most i have found is vegan but may contain gluten; i like bragg brand)
2 tsp. dry mustard powder
1 T. salt (more or less, to taste)

method
1.  in a large sauce pan, melt the clarified butter of medium heat
2.  slowly whisk in the white rice flour
3.  cook together about a minute or so, keep stirring so it doesn't burn
4.  add about 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and combine well until thickened.  add more water as needed.
5.  using a spoon, stir in the 'cheese' slowly!
6.  keep stirring until melted into a sauce.
7.  add nutritional yeast, mustard powder, and salt.
8.  stir in the noodles.
                                                                                 



                                                                                                        9.  enjoy!!

i freeze the leftovers as portion sizes in microwave safe glass containers.

delish beans and rice recipe!

i had not planned on including this recipe, but, i made it the other night and reminded myself how tasty it is!  this recipe appeals to everyone from allergy-inflicted to omnivore to vegan.

ingredients:
4 cans of beans (make sure you have at least one can each of red and black beans)
1 can of tomatoes (i use diced or stewed, though i chop if stewed)
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped bell pepper (i mix up the color, usually whatever i have on hand)
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves minced garlic
2 T. (yes, tablespoons) basil
3 bay leaves
s&p to your liking
cayenne pepper aka red pepper (you can use hot sauce if you don't have this on hand)
cooked rice

method:
saute' celery, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the olive oil and liberally salt and pepper the veggies; i just do this in a large stock pot or dutch oven to conserve dirty dishes for the clean up crew.  once the onions soften and become transparent add the basil, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper saute' a few minutes (a little goes a long way, so better to add more later if it is too tame).  then add the tomatoes and beans.  that's it.  you can let it simmer until thick or enjoy immediately (i personally like it to thicken so it isn't too soupy).  serve over rice and enjoy!
serves:  6-8

party, party, party!!

the menu for the garden party included:  peanut butter and jam 'snails', 'worms in the dirt', 'bug juice', 'ants on a log', cupcakes, and fruit.

snails 
for about 10 servings you will need:
crepes (i used the namaste waffle/pancake mix and followed the crepe directions)
smooth peanut butter
your choice of jam

1. make the crepes, separate them with a piece of wax paper between each and refrigerate.  (half of the mix should make about 4 ten-inch crepes).
2.  warm 1/2 cup peanut butter for about 20 seconds in the microwave then mix with the jam.
3. spread pb&j mix on the chilled crepes
4. re-refrigerate!!
5. slice in 2-inch slices and serve

worms in the dirt
makes about 4 cups of 'dirt'.  you will need:  
Simplebites Extreme Chocolate Mini Cookies,  dr. oetker chocolate pudding (or another gluten-free pudding mix), and 2 packs of gummy worms.  
1. make the pudding according to instructions using almond milk instead of dairy (or perhaps rice, though i have only tired almond) then refrigerate.
2.  crunch up all the cookies; a rolling pin works like a dream for this task.
3.  mix pudding and crunched up cookies, stir in the worms .  i served in a painted garden pot lined with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.  






bug juice
simple enough: lemonade and frozen raspberries (both organic from publix)


ants on a log
you will need:  celery, creamy peanut butter, and either raisins or another dried smallish fruit (or a combo of what you like).
1. spread peanut butter on the celery
2. line up your ants
3. cut
yep, simple but really cute.

cupcakes
i made mine from a mix out of necessity (remember, i just found out about the allergies).  i cannot, in good conscience, recommend a mix at this time.  


bug juice design adapted from these fabulous websites (via pinterest):  http://party.tipjunkie.com and http://www.hostessblog.com

so lucy has allergies, now what?

as it turns out my little toddler is allergic (or intolerant to) gluten, casein, and soy; so much for the allergy diet! her dad and i found out right before two major(ish) life events: lucy's second birthday and a cross-country move.  talk about good timing. so we enacted an action plan once reason shoved panic back to the abyss.

party planning this garden party for lucy's birthday bordered on obsession following the discovery of {gasp!} pinterest!  so very many fantastic ideas.  anyway.....when this mama tried to figure out what to serve at the function, i found little inspiration for the allergy friendly food i needed!  hence, the blog.  this is for all you parents, friends, relatives, coworkers etc. who are looking for some food ideas that will often stand in for their not-so-allergy-friendly counterparts.  please let me know your thoughts, ideas, any recipes you may like to share via comments to this blog.