GLUTEN FREE APRICOT CAKE

Apricot cake is the Austrian equivalent to Apple Pie. A must in every household, every weekend during season.

I spotted the first apricots at Sobey's the other day and nudged Lauren to make a cake. I love apricot cake. We dug out a recipe from Austria, Lauren adjusted the details to the gluten free flour mix that's such a hit at GF Patisserie and the result is nothing short of fantastic.

Almost similar to an Angel food cake, just a bit tastier, thanks to the lemon zest and of course the apricots.

But I ask you, why did I ask for my favorite summer cake, if all I get is two (2) slices??? I did not mean to give GF Patisserie another great idea, I wanted a cake!!

This is maybe the tough part of the whole thing with me being on the inside. I can taste it all, a piece here, a slice there, but so much of the great cakes sell by Friday, Saturday and poor me? Nada, nichts, nothing.

Enjoy your weekend.

GLUTEN FREE @ SUPERSTORE

The real Canadian Superstore. Not my favorite grocery store to begin with. Always too busy, too noisy, I do not enjoy shopping there at all.

At the produce section you can get the impression that TODAY is the last day of fresh fruits and veggies. People are in a frenzy and on the verge of a food fight.

Maybe it's their commercials on TV , or other subliminal messages that reach me and I find myself going there more often than before. Usually I try to rush through for my essentials and get out, but yesterday I hung around the store and wanted to see what else they have to offer.

The concept has changed I would say. Big banners touting their healthier and organic choices, deli staff that actually can answer question and some funky imported products that made my exploring fun.

A huge rice selection, soft drinks with a "genuine Caribbean taste" (which let me tell you tastes not that good), FREYBE cold cuts which are 100% gluten free, fresh Lychees, which I never had and a very big variety of Choy...

By far the largest Rizopia pasta selection in Calgary, a freezer full of Kinnikkinick, Glutino and Pamela's products, so even for Celiacs it is worth it to stop by that store. Prices seem to be lower than at Sobey's or COOP, but I am not that much of a comparison shopper.

What do you buy at Superstore?

GIN FIZZ

A very old fashioned drink. At one point renamed Tom Collins. My favorite cocktail. Since it seems to finally feel like summer, I mixed a couple of them this weekend.

Simple syrup, FRESH lemon juice, Bombay Sapphire and sparkling water. That's it. I got a bit creative this time with my syrup and infused it with Roesmary to enhance the Sapphire a bit.

This great blogger wrote about simple syrup and I gave it a try. VERY good.

http://www.cakeandcommerce.com/cake_and_commerce/2009/05/simple-syrups-for-cocktails-and-sodas.html

I feel like summer. Finally!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA

It's your 9th birthday today. Congratulations Isabella. You make me and your mom very happy and proud.

Here are some pictures I found of you.

BREAKING NEWS! GLUTEN FREE BAGELS

YES, BAGELS!!

HAND MADE, BOILED & BAKED!

I love Tuesdays. Experiment day at GF Patisserie.

These are the trials and until Mrs. Perfect (Victoria) deems them ready for the public, they are for home consumption only.

Now go send GF PATISSERIE an email that you want bagels!

GLUTEN FREE COLD CUTS

Growing up in Europe, cold cuts were a daily thing. Especially in central Europe, the main meal of the day is lunch, and dinner usually consists of much lighter fare, such as pates, ham, cheese and pickles. Served with dark rye bread and butter.

I am sure with the global influence this is changing even there, but to this day every time I do ring up my parents and ask what they will have for dinner, it's still cold cuts. Nothing fancy, just good quality stuff from the local farmer or butcher.

At the end of our May long weekend I had the urge to just eat that, a platter of meats and cheeses. For the sake of images, I "tarted up" the platter and put it all on the cutting board. Much less formal otherwise. But it was great to spruce it up with all the condiments dished up instead leaving them in the jars and plastic bowls.... It even lured Lauren to the table for a nice family dinner.

Everybody got something they enjoy. Milder ham and Cheddar for Isabella, Brie and Soppressata for Victoria and Lauren, Anchovies and Stilton for me.

A few chunks of Assagio and Parmesan, Westfaeler Schinken, a milder German relative to Prosciutto and some fresh roast beef completed the platter.

We found some great fruit wine from a local 'winery" at the Farmers' market and I also served a french apero, Pineau des Charentes. It's basically a fortified wine from grape must and they add a bit of Cognac. Victoria had a glass of Shiraz, overal a very nice and easy dinner.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

Nope, I am not turning into a granola head health nut just yet. This is about a delivery of gluten free baked goods to Vickie and her family in Vulcan, Alberta. Victoria tried to arrange a delivery with Greyhound, but I actually offered to go, to finally visit this place I heard so much about.

A small Prairie town about 90 minutes south of Calgary, Vulcan has the same name as that planet so prominently featured in the Star Trek series. And some of the smart town folks there really know how to ride that fame.

Isabella was curious as well and she came along for the ride. And it was a great road trip. The whole place seems to be benefitting from their relationship with Spock and his extended family. Big murals with Star Trek themes, Spock days, a famous Trekkie festival every summer, memorabilia stores and plain friendly citizens.

I really liked that town. Star Trek fame aside, it had everything a small town should have, a butcher, a bakery, general store, a very old hotel with a coffee shop/bar and an overall feel of content. There is something about small town life in the Prairies.

Now we are just waiting to hear back from Vickie and her family, how she enjoyed GF Patisserie's breads and buns. It was their first time to order and there are six family members on a gluten free diet. It's a good reason for me to go back to Vulcan.

"Live long and prosper"

MAY 16TH, 1999

Today, May 16th 2009, is our 10th anniversary. Ten years ago Victoria and I eloped to Las Vegas (What? Did you think I would get hitched in a real church??) to get married.

A total of 7 people in the ceremony, including bride & groom, I do remember the day like it was last weekend. In the morning of the wedding date I placed a high risk/high reward parley bet on the Basketball playoff games and won. The proceeds paid for the whole affair, including hotels, dinners and then some.

Victoria, over the last ten years you have been my Gibraltar, my moral beacon ( 90% of the time it worked), my best friend, my most important love, the best mother any child can have, a brilliant business person and I am looking very much forward to the next decade. But can we slow down a bit? Thank you.

GLUTEN FREE CAMPING?

GF Patisserie received more orders for gluten free Hamburger Buns and Hot Dog Buns than ever before.

The emails are rolling in since last Saturday and it took me until today to figure out why.

May long weekend!

Canada's official start to the gardening season (though it was -1 last night in calgary), and the camping season starts as well! A website promoting bookings for those gorgeous Alberta & BC campgrounds crashed last week, hit with too many campers who want to finally start the long overdue warm season.

So of course now that the Celiac community knows all about those GF Hamburger- & Hot Dog Buns from GF Patisserie, it's just natural to take some to the camp ground. Be like the rest of them. You can have the bun and eat it too!

If any of you out door enthusiasts ordered some gluten free buns and is going camping, I would love to see a picture or two of the BBQ you are having, while living outdoors.

CRAVINGS

Most of us have cravings for something once in a while. My most common one is a good, home made sandwich. Chocolate and cake cravings are less common nowadays, since I get it all all the time....

Nothing beats a sandwich with the ingredients you love most. With a good bun and some Dijonaise.

This is my sandwich: Mortadella, spicy Sopressata, Romano cheese, Tomato, some greens and that Dijonaise.

Craving satisfied.

P.S. VICTORIA WANTS ME TO TELL YOU THIS IS NOT A GLUTEN FREE SANDWICH