D'Angelo Italian Market in Princeton

Recommendation: D'Angelo Italian Market in Princeton

Review: I haven't had the opportunity to visit this great Italian Market, D'Angelo on Spring Street in Princeton, but that doesn't mean I'm not a huge fan. Whenever we need to order in catering for a meeting at the office, I keep my fingers crossed that it's coming from D'Angelo's. They are very accommodating and willing to create an exceptional GF meal and dessert. The best part is that all my non-GF colleagues love it just as much as I do. 

Where to buy: http://www.dangelomarket.com/

2 Profiterole

Recommendation: 2 Profiterole Gluten Out

Review: A gift from Italy (or so it seems). Found in an orange and blue box in the freezer section,  2 Profiterole comes with 2 single serve freshly frozen cream puffs nestled in a tower of fluffy chocolate pudding, topped with whipped cream. The perfect item to keep in your freezer so you can have a decadent treat whenever you darn well please.

Where to buy: http://www.celiac.com/glutenfreemall/glutenout-glutenfree-profiterole-chocolate-covered-puffs-frozen-unit-p-2167.html

Princeton, NJ Restaurant

Recommendation: Teresa Caffe

Review: Bring your appetite, GF eaters, and head over to Teresa Caffe (hmm, they spell it with 2 Fs) in Princeton, NJ. They will substitute delicious, al dente, GF pasta in any of the pasta dishes on the menu. Yes, you will actually have a selection to choose from!  I ate every last morsel of a dish that I don't see on the menu today, but I'm sure it'll be back. A light red sauce, fresh basil, ricotta cheese, and garlic mixed with savory noodles. 

Where to buy: http://www.teresacaffe.com/

Marble Cake

Recommendation: Lilly's Home Style Marble Cake

Review: After wandering through BJ's a few weeks ago making hard decisions like, "do I really need a 5 lb bag of delicious looking lemons," I finally made it to the check-out line. All smart marketers know that the impulse buy tables are a must. Knowing this, I casually looked around to practice self-discipline and assure myself I don't need the 100 unit container of beautifully i flower decorated cookies. But then, I saw them. Two varieties of gluten free (pound cake looking) cakes. Brand name is Lilly's Home Style. I decided to try the marble cake because it looked very moist. I did eat the whole cake (a little at  time), but the only way I'd buy this one again is if I was planning to put something over it (like strawberries or icing). The cake was moist (not as moist as gluten makes things), but good enough. It was lacking a bit in flavor and in density. They did have another flavor - maple, I think. I'd give it a shot if I see it during my next visit. Although the label said Koser for Passover - so we'll see if it ends up being a holiday find only.

Where to buy: BJs (maybe)

My Dad's Cookies: GF Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Recommendation: Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Review: Topped with powdered sugar, these little treats are the perfect 'fruit in the middle' cookie for the holidays or anytime. Surprised to find a little table in the bakery section in my local Shop Rite with these and other cookies from a company called, "My Dad's Cookies." If you've tried these or any of the other varieties, do share!

Where to buy: Your local Shop Rite in the bakery section

Macaroni Grill Disappointing

Recommendation: Romano's Macaroni Grill - find another option

Review: I was excited to sit down at Romano's Macaroni Grill Friday night and ask for the gluten free menu. Think about that - going to a macaroni restaurant (albeit a sit-down chain establishment) and asking for the gluten free menu. Feeling like times have finally changed for the GF-better.

Was there with friends and our kids and was looking forward to kicking off the weekend. 

Gluten free menu in hand, I quickly went from happy to annoyed. While I appreciate the effort, a menu that offers a decent list of items "w/o pasta" and doesn't offer a substitute (eg, GF noodles or rice), is pretty weak.  So, in essence, the menu tells you if their seasoning/sauces have gluten. 

I had a house salad followed by a meal of tomato and mozzarella. The tom/moz was an unripe tomato and such small pieces of mozzarella that I was hungry again in an hour.

The best part of the evening? Shopping after dinner and ice cream with friends. 

Restaurants

Recommendation: GF Restaurants

Review: I usually only blog about pre-made gluten free food.  One of the hardest things about eating GF, after you figure out how to make your own meals, is eating out. 

It's usually challenging to scour the menu for what should be GF, then ask the waiter (who usually has to ask the chef how things are made), then... out of the 2 options left, decide what you would actually enjoy eating! 

So, here are some options to get started. Most have GF items listed clearly on their menu. As I learn of more restaurants, I'll update this list. Keep in mind these are chain restaurants. For fine dining, call ahead to ask about your GF options so the chef has time to prepare.

• PF Chang's http://www.pfchangs.com/index.aspx
• Salt Creek Grille http://www.saltcreekgrille.com/
• Uno Chicago Grill http://www.unos.com/
• Bertucci's Italian Grill http://www.bertuccis.com/
• Bonefish Grill http://www.bonefishgrill.com/
• Chipotle Mexican Grill* http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/menu/special_diet_information/special_diet_information.aspx

*There are many GF menu items, however if you are highly sensitive please read the info on the link above.

Happy eating!

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix by King Arthur Flour

Recommendation: Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix by King Arthur Flour

Review: My Mom has become an adventurous chef in her retirement years. I always look forward to Sunday "dinner" (which is really lunch, but since it occurs on Sunday, it's called dinner in our family) at my parent's house because:

a) I know there will be a delicious menu of classic and new recipes with almost everything GF

b) I get uninterrupted quality time with my family which I wouldn't trade for a pot of gold

This week, Mom tried Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix by King Arthur Flour and after the first bite, I thought it was too good to be true. My brother-in-law commented that he's never seen me have two servings of dessert. I guess he didn't see that small sliver of a third piece I inhaled after everyone left the table. Moist, savory chocolate cake. One small secret...replace the oil with 2 sticks of butter.

Where to buy: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/gluten-free-chocolate-cake-mix

Polenta

Recommendation: Bellino Instant Polenta

Review:

This little 17.6 oz package can yield enough to feed a large army (or small Italian family). It's quick, easy and a tasty carbohydrate treat for a lazy football afternoon. 

Here's how I used the Bellino Instant Polenta yesterday:

Herb Polenta with Zucchini and Leek Topping

Ingredients

• 1.5 c Instant ready made polenta
• 4 c Milk
• 1 c Water
• .25 tsp Salt
• .25 tsp Pepper
• .5 c Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• .25 c Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Oregano
• 1 tbsp Rosemary (or parsley)
• 2 large zucchini
• 1 large leek
• .25 c chicken stock (optional)

Grease large brownie pan (the bigger, the flatter the bread). 

Cut zucchini into small cubes and sauté in skillet with small amount of olive oil. Slice leek thinly, sauté in same skillet with oil or butter. Once browned, add a little chicken stock, scrape off brown in pan, then let juice cook off (optional step).

In large saucepan, pour milk, water, salt and pepper. Slowly bring to simmer over medium heat. Gradually pour in polenta while whisking the entire time (3 min). Remove from heat, add cheddar cheese, 3/4 of cooked sauteed leeks and herbs. Immediately pour into pan, cover and put in refrigerator for 30 min or until firm.

Set oven to broil. Cut polenta into perfect squares, then in half to form wedges. Broil on both sides till golden brown. (Broil when ready to serve otherwise gets soggy)

Mix together remaining leeks and zucchini. Salt to taste. 


Serve with zucchini mixture in center bowl with wedges around (like chips and salsa).

Where to buy: http://www.amazon.com/Bellino-Polenta-Instant-17-6-Ounce-Pack/dp/B001SB1TEQ