Atlantic City -Not GF Friendly!

Just got back from Atlantic City-- the worst place I have ever been for Gluten Free dining. I found a number of places recommended online as having gluten free options that really didn't. The first day there I was glutened at the Rainforest Cafe-- big time. I lost a day a of my vacation to that mistake!

We went to Harahs that supposedly has GF options and I did okay there, but they don't have a GF menu and they don't seem to be aware of GF needs.

I did find one place that was safe, had a GF menu and seemed to understand cross-contamination-- Los Amigos Restaurant at 1926 Atlantic Avenue ~ 609-344-2293. The food was pretty good and they didn't make me sick-- so that was great.

Most of the time we drove out of town to find restaurants. We tried to find Drazil Organic Restaurant in Egg Harbor Township, which had good reviews but sadly it was gone.

Atlantic City was nice enough, but I doubt we will be going back anytime soon.

Udi's GFCF Bread

Udi's is my new favorite GFCF bread. It makes amazing toast. It even tastes decent without microwaving or toasting. It's a bit dry, but the first gluten free bread I've found to be edible without some kind of cooking.
I also recommend the Udi's bagels. They don't seem to be boiled, so they are really more like a roll with a hole than a bagel. However, it's a nice roll and tastes great with margarine and sprinkled with lemon juice to simulate cream cheese.

You will find Udi's in the gluten free freezer section. I have found it in the Stop and Shop natural foods aisle, Whole Foods, the Good Food Store and the Fruit Center.

For more traditional tasting bagels I believe you have to make them yourself. See my post (http://pheelingphoody.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-just-made-some-really-good-bagels.html) for a link to a great recipe.

GFCF French Toast

I came up with this recipe for vegan gfcf french toast. I cook it in a cast iron skillet to give it a nice texture.

Heat cast iron skillet on medium heat for five minutes. After four add a quarter cup of canola oil

1 c Trader Joe's vanilla rice milk
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
1 T EnerG Egg Replacer (or rice flour + 1/4 t baking soda)
4 slices Udi's White Sandwich Bread

Note that some of it will fall apart-- but it tastes great anyway!

Pizzapalooza (Gluten Free Pizza & Pasta in MA)

Pizzapalooza is a casual restaurant in Hingham and Needham, MA. They have gluten free pizza and pasta that can be made up without cheese. The gluten free pizza is pretty good, but the best part is the texture of the gluten free spaghetti. Usually the gluten free pastas are better when they are the smaller variety like macaroni, this is the first time I've had one of the long varieties of pasta that is good.

It's so nice to find a place that is reasonably priced, fast and delivers. I even have more than one choice! It's a good find.

Babycakes (GFCF Vegan Bakery in NYC & LA)

Babycakes NYC (www.babycakesnyc.com/)

Vegan Bakery with choices that are free of wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs.

Unbelievably delicious! The chocolate chip cookies actually look, feel and taste like the traditional variety. If you can get to New York or Los Angeles I highly recommend this bakery. If you can't check out the cookbook.

They do offer spelt options which is not good for those following a gluten free diet, so be clear when ordering. Note that spelt options are cooked in a separate

kitchen from gluten free options.


Two Locations:
New York City (248 Broome Street)
212.677.5047
*Los Angeles (130 East 6th Street)
213.623.5555 

(*Locations I've been to indicated by asterisk)

Irish Soda Bread – GFCF

Irish Bread – GFCF

I love this Americanized GFCF Irish Soda bread. I say Americanized because it has sugar, raisins & caraway seeds added. It's a blend of several traditional and GFCF recipes I've tried. It's a little fluffier than the kind I grew up eating,  but really good anyway. If you want a round loaf, put it into a cake or pie pan, as this dough is more runny than the traditional version. Note: the coconut flour needs the egg. If you don't eat eggs, replace the coconut flour with an alternative flour and reduce the amount of vegan butter milk.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

½ c tapioca starch/flour

¼ c brown rice flour

½ c coconut flour

¾ c garbanzo bean flour

1 t xanthum gum

½ t baking soda

1/2 c sugar

2 t baking powder (1 t if you like more dense bread)

1 t caraway seeds

2 T Spectrum vegetable shortening
1 egg

2 c vegan butter milk (1 ½ T cidar vinager in measuring cup, then fill to top w/ rice milk)
¾ c raisins

Whisk together dry ingredients. Cut shortening into dry mixture (works best to cut small pieces in and mix up with two butter knives). Add vegan butter milk, let sit approximately one minute. Add egg and mix together. Last add raisins. Put into greased bread pan.

Bake for 35+ minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. If not cooked after 35 minutes, tent aluminum foil over top and check every five minutes until cooked.

Chocolate Icing - GFCF & vegan

Really Chocolate Icing
If you like dark chocolate, this icing is worth the calories. It's addictive. It's great on GFCF cake, brownies or sugar cookies, and I'm sure there are other appropriate applications.

6 T spectrum vegetable shortening

2 1/2 c confectioners' sugar

3/4 c unsweetened cocoa

1/3 c rice milk (I like Trader Joe's vanilla rice milk)

1 t vanilla extract

Mix together with a hand mixer on a low setting.