Topped with Coconut Cream and a spoonful of seasonal fruit this is a wonderful dessert for a summer seaside luncheon: easy, light, delicious, and pretty. It can also be served with coconut ice cream and bittersweet chocolate sauce or warm with a little papaya or passion fruit jam for a weekend breakfast treat. Any way you slice it, …
This recipe is an homage to Sarah with a nod to the Barefoot Contessa. Who knew that Ina Garten (M.B.A. George Washington University) worked for the U.S. Government as a nuclear energy budget analyst before (taking off her shoes) to own and operate a specialty foods shop? Last month Sarah, who moved to Maine from NYC seven years ago, …
Tested and enthusiastically approved by GF and non-GF friends and family, this is one of our new favorite scone recipes. We like the combination of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. They’re great for breakfast or as a side for salad or soup. 4 years ago we moved from Falmouth back to South Portland (SoPo) where …
It’s strawberry season in Maine, there’s a rain delay at Wimbledon, and I’m meeting Kari and Stephanie at 11:30 to walk around Back Cove before lunch: time to bake a cake! Fresh picked local organic strawberries are fragrant and delicious, but often delicate because they’re not bred to endure cross country shipping. When you think your berries …
This outstanding banana bread is more fun to make than any other and arguably more delicious than our favorite Kona Banana Bread. Roasting the bananas takes a little extra time, but the dimension it adds to the flavor is worth every minute. Using coconut oil and almond milk make it dairy free, however substitute butter for …
Just back from an island with an organic coconut field and organic banana field. Plus there is a LOT of coconut flour in the larder. So when I was sent a link to Empowered Sustanence’s I clicked on it. Easy, satisfying, healthy, and delicious, these may become a staple in your kitchen. Our recipe is …
Late Winter Carrot Soup (Serves 8 -12) This special hearty soup is tangy and thick enough to serve over pasta. Last week I used it on pizza under arugula, feta, caramelized onions, and fig jam. Nathaniel made a ragu for vegetable “noodles” from the Paderno Spiralizer. Served as a soup it can be garnished with pesto, or a drizzle of …
28 years ago four women each had their first child within a five week span. One of those babies will have her first child in two months. The three boys, errr… men aren’t there yet, following Daphne as they did growing up. This afternoon we’re hosting a baby shower. All that stuff about time and change goes without saying. The guests have various …
I am very good at what I do – just pulled a beautiful fragrant GF Citrus Olive Oil Cake out of the oven. But, BUT, yeast is not my friend, so our successful crusty, chewy bread recipes are few. I confess to not having cultivated the relationship carefully, preferring to spend time with cookies and scones. Those of …
Read somewhere (an airline magazine?) about popular chefs’ favorite sneaky, secret ingredients. One admitted to using powdered milk in his conventional cookie recipes because it adds chewiness. Since “chewy” is a rare descriptor when it comes to gluten free cookies I was determined to experiment. Finding Organic Valley Non Fat Dry Milk at Whole Foods cemented it. I’ve …
Tandem Coffee opened a second location: a cafe in a renovated service station on Portland’s Congress Street. Briana Holt is creating excellent sweet and savory baked goods. But fair warning: gluten-free offerings are occasional and the open kitchen precludes a GF environment. However, something I had last week was worth adapting: Briana’s Birds’ Nest Breakfast Muffins. A whole …
Delicious, nutritious, easy, fast, this savory dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even if you splurge on the nicest free range eggs, organic cheddar, heirloom tomatoes and Vidalia onions, it’s an inexpensive way to satisfy the craving for a hearty meal. Traveling to Lake Tahoe to visit Gus who is working at Stanford …
Book Group met last night to discuss The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud. The link is to a (more positive) NPR review because I suggested the book and still think it’s work reading. Have some fun and Google the meanings of the names of Messud’s characters should you delve in. As hostess I made the …
I first experienced Pastry Chef Ben Spungin’s desserts at Marinus, in Carmel Valley, http://www.bernardus.com/. His mom must be extraordinarily proud. Ben’s sweets are some of the most creative, smart, irreverent and successful I’ve experienced. The entire meal was outstanding. Run don’t walk to Marinus for your next special occasion (make a reservation first.) My dinner selections were mostly vegetarian …
Nothing says “Spring” like the scent of Meyer Lemons! This combination of white chocolate mousse and lemon curd makes a beautiful and decadent dessert any time of year, but especially now when bunches of tulips greet one at the market and long stemmed branches of pussy willows aren’t far behind. I like keeping the …
This has been a summer staple since we had it at Cheryl and Norine’s Cafe Always in the 1980’s. The spectrum of colors and flavors is always welcome on a plate, so when fresh organic corn on the cob finally appeared at the market, we knew what to do with it. Continue reading
These are the excuse you’ve been waiting for: invite friends, GF or otherwise, for drinks and bake a batch from scratch: satisfaction guaranteed! Continue reading
Last night the woodchuck ravaged the broccoli: arghhh! In his defense we committed a major offensive on the entrance to his underground network last weekend, a reminder that humans rank as an invasive species: filling, paving, digging, diverting, building, and emitting with startling speed and efficacy. The woodchuck is owed a little broccoli. Continue reading
Organic plums are showing up at Whole Foods and independent health food markets, a harbinger of late summer. It’s a little early, but we couldn’t resist the pretty fruit, knowing their tanginess would be perfect with the flavors of lemon and almond. Continue reading
Our personal Tsunami rolled in when Gus was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a little after 10:00 a.m. on October 20, 1996. Three days later he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Surf?!! First we had to learn to “swim.” Continue reading
One of the best things about curry dishes is the toppings. I’ve suggested some of our favorites – add to, or amend the list. Curried Quinoa Salad makes a delicious summer lunch or dinner. If the evening’s not too hot, you might even consider frying up some Papadam, a traditional gluten free cracker bread, to … Continue reading
This cake’s floral bouquet “says” summer. Making it conjures images of beach roses, bees harvesting pollen, lazy late July afternoons, and warm evenings. Serve it with a side of minted greek yogurt and a generous handful of fresh blackberries: a satisfying compliment to the honey’s sweetness. It’s special… a perfect summer birthday cake. Continue reading
One of the most powerful food combinations is oatmeal and orange juice. Combined their health benefits are more effective than eaten independently. Since reading the Men’s Health article about healthy food pairings I’ve been thinking about a recipe for gluten free muffins that combines OJ and oats. This one is an unqualified success! Continue reading
More healthy and flavorful food from south-of-the-border: orange lentils, black beans, raisins and a rich Mole Sauce combine to make this sweet and savory dish perfect as a side for salad or Oven Stewed Mexican Chicken. The slide show will take you half way through the Mole preparation, but written directions should get you to … Continue reading
Make Mexican Chicken the day before, the night before two hours before guests arrive…. This colorful (practically one-pot) dish is perfect for summer entertaining. Marinate it when you have the time; cook it for an hour. Serve out of the oven or at room temperature, and use leftovers for salad, soup, enchilada filling…. Our Three Brothers’ … Continue reading
Gluten Free Gus 