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!

Gluten-Free Tarts

We were delighted to find this method for tart crust that will produce a delightful, flaky crust even with gluten-free flour. This method eliminates the rolling out of the dough, which is wonderful because as we know, typical gluten-free pie crust dough does not usually ‘roll out’. No more trying to patch work pieces into the pie pan.

This simple preparation blends the ingredients in a food processor. Once combined, you can then easily free form the dough into round disks. Refrigerate, then wrap the edges of the crust over on itself so that it forms a ridge, continue around the tart. After baking, you merely cover the tart with fruit, top with meringue and bake until the meringue is golden. It couldn’t be easier and more beautiful! Free form tarts are lovely and problem-proof.

Try this month’s tart recipes; Citrus Meringue Tart; Strawberry Tart; Lemon Blueberry Tart and Strawberry Cream Tart made with a gluten-free biscotti crust. Mmmmmmm delicious!

Great Grilling!

Nothing says summertime like outdoor grilling! And this month we have gone grill crazy! So brush off your grill, dig out your tongs and grab the coals; it’s grilling time again!

Grilling is a terrific way to cook all kinds of foods, not just meats. Try vegetables, or fish for a delicious added grill flavor.

If you like to grill, or if you want to learn how to grill sensational meals, this is the month for you! For starters try Sesame Shrimp with Miso Dipping Sauce or Grilled Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas. Fish has never been better than Grilled Salmon Steaks with Citrus & Herbs, Grilled Salmon with Vegetables and Hoisin Sauce, or grilling Oriental-style with Grilled Teriyaki Salmon. Everyone from the south knows that nothing goes better with grilling than pork. Try our Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa or for a quick meal; BBQ Pork Chops. And for beef; Grilled Spiced Steaks with Onion Marmalade. We’ve selected grilled chicken recipes from around the globe; Hot and Spicy Asian Chicken and Caribbean Grilled Chicken. How about salad? Absolutely! Grilled Chicken Salad with Asparagus!

June begins the grilling and barbeque season, so strap on that apron, heat those coals and let’s get grilling!