GF Pizza

Here is a quick, easy GF dinner.  One gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free Mariposa pizza crust (one of my favorite) and the toppers: pesto(see below), spinach, onions and fresh tomatoes straight out of my mom's garden.  Sprinkle with fresh grated pepper and a dash of salt & pop it into the oven. 20 mins later...dinner is ready!

Home-made pesto:

Ingredients:

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts (I used almonds because I had them!)

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese (which I decided to leave out...and it was still great)

Directions:

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.  Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

Gluten Free Tamales

This weekend I got a text from my friend, Keli, who often sends me texts of all things gluten-free...so this GF find you have her to thank!  Gluten Free at Torrance Farmers Market Saturday mornings.  If you have not been to the Torrance farmers market then you are missing out.  There is a large selection of booths and lots of great veggies! This is a great way to try new veggies -- if you don't know how to cook it, ask! All of the vendors are very friendly and they are happy to share their recipes.  There are also a few booths that have specifically gluten free fare...gluten free tamales and the gluten free baker to name a few.  Enjoy!

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!!!