Everything Zucchini!

Zucchini is one of those vegetables that transcends typical likes and dislikes. If you are a person that generally does not like squash, it is entirely possible that you may still love zucchini.

Zucchini are best when picked early, while they are still tender and fairly small, about the size of a small to medium cucumber. They should be firm and feel a little heavy for their size. If you can grow your own, all you need do is to plant the seeds and water. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of zucchini that hasn’t flourished with very little care. Zucchini are so easy to grow, if you have a place to plant them, you will soon find that your biggest problem will be finding people to give your over-abundant crop to!

Zucchinis have such a mild and tender flavor that they are a perfect marriage with other summer vegetables or even used grated in breads and cakes.

Try any or all of these zucchini recipes. If you do grow your own, we’re sure you’ll be happy to have as many recipes as possible for your never ending crop!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Lemon Rosemary Chicken Skewers with Zucchini
Barbequed Sausage & Shrimp Gumbo
Summer Vegetable & Pasta Stew
Zucchini Stuffed w/Cheese
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Bread
Fried Zucchini Sticks
Orange-Herb Chicken w/Crunchy Zucchini
Polenta w/Mixed Vegetables
Salmon Filet w/Zucchini, Carrots & Shitake Mushrooms
Summer Vegetable Pancakes
Zucchini and Corn Soup
Zucchini Gratin
Zucchini w/Cream & Gruyere
Zucchini w/Pesto

Cool Summer Snacks for Kids

This summer I’m sure many of you will hear over and over again…”I’m hungry!” from your kids, as I do daily! Cool your kids off this summer with some great snacks that will satisfy their tummies without ruining their meals.

Healthy Cool Snack Choices

Fresh fruit

Always have fresh fruit within hands reach for your kids. Give them healthy choices for their snacks and help them build great eating habits for later in life.

Gf yogurt

A great, healthy snack for anytime.

Frozen fruit

Freeze grapes, blueberries, strawberries, sliced peaches, blackberries, watermelon and the list goes on and on and on….for another cool, healthy alternative.

Juice pops

Get your kids involved and make your own juice pops. Take an ice cube tray and fill it with their favorite juice. Cover with plastic wrap. Cut small slits in the plastic wrap in the center of each cube. Insert popsicle sticks in the center and freeze.

Smoothies

Blend gf yogurt, orange juice, frozen fruit, and bananas for a delicious, healthy snack.

Sweet Treats

Root Beer Floats

A special treat for those really hot days.

Ice Cream, Sorbets & Popsicles

A summertime favorite. See June 2003’s on-line cooking class on how to make delicious homemade ice cream.

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie

See our recipe for this special treat.

Food from the Carribean

What do you think of when you think of foods from the Caribbean? Hot, spicy flavors married with tropical fruit? Aromatic spices blended with fiery hot peppers? Bananas, pineapple, mangoes, ginger, allspice are all flavors indicative of the Caribbean.

When I think of Caribbean cuisine, I first think of jerk seasoning. Jerk is a seasoning that imparts a spicy, complex flavor to meats and vegetables. Jerk is usually a combination of hot peppers, spices and fruit. The combination creates an exciting layering of hot, aromatic and sweet flavors that are spectacular on chicken and pork. Jerk seasoning is also naturally gluten-free.

To get you in the island mood, let’s start with, ‘Island Banana Bread’, a great blend of bananas, rum, lime and coconut – a delicious start to a summer breakfast. For dinner, if you are in the mood for something spicy try, ‘Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Chutney’, deliciously hot and sweet. For an island style side dish try ‘Jamaican Rice & Beans’ or ‘Caribbean Risotto’. And for those fish lovers, ‘Caribbean Fish Fillets’ is a great way to spice up your next fish meal. And let’s not forget dessert – try our mouthwatering Grilled Fruit Kebabs! Serve this delicious combination of grilled fruit over gf vanilla ice cream for the perfect ending to a ‘Caribbean’ meal!

Caribbean food is generally pretty hot, but you can tone it down by controlling the amount of peppers you add to the recipe. Serve your Caribbean meal with a cool glass of Chenin Blanc. The fruitiness will offset the heat of the peppers.

So, put on some reggae music, let a warm breeze drift through your windows and share a Caribbean meal with a few good friends.

Delicious Summer Pies

Enjoying a slice of pie is the perfect ending to a delightful summer meal. Many people with Celiac think this is a forbidden pastime…well, think again. Making delicious gluten-free pies your whole family will enjoy is just within your reach.

The obvious challenge is the crust. Our solution to this problem is turn to the people who already have developed a great pie crust…The Gluten Free Pantry. The Gluten Free Pantry’s Perfect Pie Crust is absolutely delicious and virtually indistinguishable from the gluten variety. It is very simple to prepare – a little difficult to transfer to the pie crust, however if you are making a single crust pie, it is not critical if it doesn’t lay in the pie pan perfectly the first time. If it happens to rip, just piece in the dough until it forms an even layer along the bottom of the pan (no one will even know!). Poke holes in the bottom of the crust and bake at 400 °F for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned. Let cool before filling.

If you prefer not to use a traditional pie crust you can also use a cookie crust with great results as well. Try our Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies as a great base for a cookie crust. We have also had great results with Pamela’s Shortbread Cookies. Just simply place the cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add about 1 tablespoon of canola oil and pulse until blended. Press cookie mixture into a greased pie pan and fill with your favorite filling.

Make your summer dessert menu complete with one of these delicious pies:

Fresh Strawberry Pie
Mixed Berry Pie
Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie
Peach Pie
Blackberry Sour Cream Pie
Blackberry Crisp Pie
Chocolate Velvet Pie
Banana, Chocolate & Coconut Cream Pie

A Gluten-Free 4th of July Picnic

The 4th of July weekend usually brings up some interesting challenges when dealing with a gluten-free diet. Not only do you have to contend with those well-meaning relatives and friends who desperately try to accomodate you on your diet, but you also have to be somewhat creative on finding gluten-free foods at picnics, boating excursions and outdoor barbecues. We hope that we can provide some helpful suggestions this fourth of July on how not only to survive, but actually thrive on this wonderful summer holiday.

If you happen to be invited to a family picnic or a 4th of July party, offer to bring some delicious gluten-free foods that everyone will enjoy. Not only will your friends and family see how delicious gluten-free food can be, you will also be assured that you can safely enjoy something at the picnic. Or if you are planning on hosting a 4th of July event we have a plethera of items to choose from for a delicious summer menu. Here are some wonderful suggestions that will delight all who attend the party, particularly those on a gluten-free diet. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if your biggest problem will be competing for the last piece!

Smoked Salmon on Crackers
Smokin’ Hot Drummettes
Grilled Shrimp
BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Grilled Polenta with BBQ Sauce
Pasta Salad with Chipotle Dressing
Ceasar Salad Wraps
Black Bean & Tomato Salad
Strawberry Shortcake
Grilled Fruit Kebabs
Banana Mango Frozen Yogurt

Have a safe and fun 4th of July!