More Gluten Free Restaurants!

This weekend I visited one of my favorite Mexican restaurants -- Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Grill -- and was surprised to see a new addition to their menu -- "Gluten Free Options available."  I have eaten many times, and at many locations and they are always great and always accommodating but now GF is on their menu!  Also, the staff knew exactly what I was asking about.  I recommend the "Baja Bowl" with fish!

There are 11 locations in LA and OC so check their website and give them a try!

Also, if you happen to try their San Clemente location there is also a new bakery behind the restaurant that sells GF cookies and cupcakes...Sugar Blossoms.  I was too full to give them a try but they looked really good! Click here to see their menu.

Cupcakes!

Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach offers very stylish, delicious and gluten-free cupcakes!  Not only are they GF but there is a variety!  Check their website before you go and see which GF cupcake was made fresh that day.  Also, their executive pastry chef assured me that they "...do sanitize every piece of equipment prior to making and baking the gluten free cupcakes. We also bake them by themselves in the oven. We are as careful as possible not to cross contaminate with any gluten products..."  Of course you are still taking a risk...they do cook "regular" cupcakes in the same kitchen. Enjoy!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

 Five Guys Burgers and Fries is a East Coast hit and they are making their way to the West Coast! The only thing on their menu that has gluten in it are the buns - check the FAQ's and then give it a try.  The new SoCal location is in the Southbay Pavillion (near IKEA) in Carson.  Click here for the map.

Gluten Free Pizza at BJ's

If you like pizza with a thin crust you have to try BJ's Restaurants GF Pizza.  The crust is crunchy and has lots a great herbs.  There are lots of great veggies and meat to put on top or you can enjoy a great cheese pizza!  The Torrance branch manager was great and even stopped by our table to make sure we were enjoying our gluten-free dinner!

Fruit Cobbler Crumble

Plums, peaches and other great fruits for cobblers are in season!  Last weekend we picked fresh plums and made my mom's GF plum cobbler.  You can easily substitute any fruit for the plums or mix a few of your favorites together.  The cobbler is great by itself but it is also great with scoop of Dreyer's Vanilla ice cream on top!

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose GF flour (Pamela's or Trader Joe's is fine)

1/2 cup GF oats

1 stick cup cold butter, diced

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 Cup Sliced almonds, optional

Instructions:
Process in food processor or with a fork to a crumbly texture with all of the butter well mixed into the other ingredients; mixture will be crumbly. If too moist add more oats and GF flour by the tablespoon until crumbly.

2lbs of plums, peaches, nectarines in 1/2 inch wedges.
Spread fruit in 9 inch pie or square pan and sprinkle topping.
Bake at 435 degrees about 30 minutes. Fruit will be tenderand crumble toasty brown.

Enjoy!!!