Allergy-Free Product Review #4

Amy's new gluten free, dairy free rice macaroni with dairy free (daiya) cheese! It was FANTASTIC and incredibly satisfying. I couldn't believe it. Although I don't eat much frozen, processed food, I had to try it because it was a GFDF product. It was very exciting. High recommended 5/5 stars!

GFEFDF Postickers!

I will say I was very nervous about this. About half way through doing it, I was insistent that it was an instant failure. Only to be proven wrong! They turned out fantastic! I served them to Mom, Rich and Ivan. Ivan even 'forgot' that they were actually allergy-free and all reported they tasted great! The wrappers were doughy when cooked, more bread-y than noodle-y. The filling was very tasty. Next time I won't forget the garlic!

Filling ingredients:
-Napa cabbage, chopped
-Green onion, chopped
-Mushroom, chopped
-Water chestnuts, chopped
-Carrot, chopped
-Ginger root, minced (I use a zester)
-1 Tbs Bragg's Amino 'soy' sauce-Normal soy sauce has wheat in it
-White pepper (desired amount)
-1/2 lb. ground pork sausage





Wrappers. It was very tricky to these make gluten-free and egg-free. I used a recipe from another blog called Li Loved David. It worked great! I of course have a hard time following it and should have done a better job. As I have issues with this I recommend using the original recipe if you attempt it.

Ingredients:
2 cups brown rice flour
2 tsp. xanthum gum
pinch of salt
3/4 cup hot water

I did not roll it out prior to letting it sit. It was a bit flaky and falling apart. Rolling out and then letting it sit makes sense. I wish I had a mini-rolling pin, it's pretty tough dough and needs some elbow grease. I also had issues with sticky dough so I used wax paper via Momma's suggestion. My coffee cup rolling pin was sufficient enough.







They didn't take long to fry up-even the meat one's were cooked all the way through. Ran out of wrappers because they were so thick and just threw the leftover filling in the frying pan. Yum yum yum.



This recipe was tried out with the Book of Yum adopt a blog post in mind.

My talented goddaughter... and I...

So Debra plays the alto sax, the flute, and the bassoon! Super cool. I pretended to make a sound out of the flute and failed-never been my thing. The bassoon was super cool, I had never really seen or held one. It's like a giant oboe/clarinet. I did play the clarinet so it was fun to give it a go. She taught me a scale which is as far as I got. It's much more complicated than a clarinet. It was exciting to hear her play. Thanks for sharing Debra!



Go Deb!

Lake Tahoe Nevadadventure!

Yes! I was fortunate to be taken on a Nevadadventure (coined by Rift). We went to Lake Tahoe during my time in Reno and of course it was beautiful! Some interesting information: Lake Tahoe is largest alpine lake in North America. The maximum depth is 1,645 ft. The maximum elevation is 6,229 ft. Lake Tahoe's water is 99.9% pure. The water is so clear that a 10 inch white dinner plate would be visible at 78 feet below the surface. There are also five 24-hour casinos in South Lake Tahoe. Important information. :)

My goddaughter/cousin Debra and I!





Twisted tree over the lake.



Mountains behind the lake.



Some very dedicated, crazy jet skiers, it was probably about 45 degrees for the high.



Our mini-snowman.



Eagle Falls.





Here's Uncle Leo.



A great shot, lots of snow!

Allergy-Friendly Tahoe!

The Fresh Ketch restaurant at the marina in Tahoe was incredible!

We walked in and sat down with a view of the marina. I alerted them to my allergies and they were immediately receptive. The manager came to our table and said that his girlfriend has Celiac disease so he understands the frustration and difficulty of going out. I handed him my allergy 'calling card' and he sought out to see what he could do. He returned with a variety of choices asking me what sounds good. They seemed just as excited to be creative in the kitchen and meet my needs-as I was to eat the food. It was an excellent meal and it's always nice to feel special and not... without (just like I did at camp :).

My customized dish of seared scallops laid on potatoes and broccolini with a passion fruit reduction sauce. The originial dish was: scallops with potato hash cakes (cheesey), baby carrots and passion fruit beurre blanc (creamy).



They ended the meal with something that they had 'tried out' earlier in the week. It is not on the menu and is a work in progress. Knowing I couldn't have other desserts, the manager brought out a cucumber, black pepper sorbet. It had an initial fresh cucumber taste and ended with a black pepper punch. It was fantastic. He even knew that black pepper has anti-inflammatory properties. He said he hopes to serve it as an appetizer-perhaps with oysters. It's a bit of a bang to have at the end of a meal but, I was excited to taste it for him.

Edna had salmon with broccolini and rice pilaf topped with onions and beets.



Debra had fettuccine alfredo with chicken. Very pretty.



Leo had cioppino (fish stew) with lots of fresh seafood.



Leo had to gear up for the shellfish.



Ready Set Go!

Off to Reno-Off to Tahoe

I arrived in Reno Wednesday and we (Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin/Goddaughter Debra) headed to Reno on Thursday. Here is the California/Nevada state line.



Chiquita Bear? And Debra and I.



Casino (on the Nevada side)



The ice rink!



Snow drips off the rooftops. Watch out!



This is the Gondola ride up the mountain.



Jumped in the pool for an evening swim!



Having a wonderful trip!

Bro's Band Concert!

Yay! We went to Dan's Veteran's Day Band Concert this week. Sooo awesome. Dan played all the best parts and rocked that tux!



Very busy.






Two-timing with his friend Will!



Dan plays the chimes? Whoa! Awesome!!!



The director reminded him to HIT it!



Champion tux time! (Where's your cummerbund Dan?)



Oh brother... :)

Take That Allergies!

Family took a walk to Russel Street Barbeque. It's two blocks from mom's house at Russel St. and MLK Blvd. Dan and I look a little... too related in this photo. And those are Dumdums-not cigs.



Oink!



The fam





Dan's favorite: BBQ shrimp appetizer (not allergy-free)



1/2 rack of Baby Back Ribs Pardon me, but damn!

Décor

Followed by family Rockband of course! The end to an excellent vendetta against allergies-eating things that don't have to be altered.