SUNDAY BREAKFAST SKILLET

Pretty much the only day for savory breakfast is Sunday. For me anways. Simple, satisfying hamd and eggs with cheese.

And toast. Easy to make. Once I made mine, usually everyone else wants the same thing...

GOOD HAM IN HOT BUTTER

CRACK A COUPLE OF EGGS

A FEW CHUNKS OF CHEESE

WITH COVER,  EGGS GET TOP HEAT

SERVE WITH GF TOAST

LET THE DAY BEGIN

EAT ONE OF THESE AS WELL & SUNDAY IS A GREAT DAY

GLUTEN FREE COFFEE CUPCAKE

Cupcakes. A trend that just won't go away. I thought that maybe those tasty Macarons would give cupcakes a run for their money, so far not.

 Every weekend when Victoria offers cupcakes, they sell out.

After school on Friday, Isabella wanted to visit her mother at the bakery, knowing full well that it's cupcake weekend. She knows, she might score one.

Personally I am more of a Brownie fan, but when Lauren told me that she made coffee buttercream for cupcakes, I had to try one. Now I know there are lots of coffee creams out there, but Lauren really makes  premium quality.

She actually uses our private Espresso machine to run a few shots, which she then whips into this concoction of a cream. It's layers of flavor, nothing too overpowering, not too buttery, just perfect.

What is your favorite cupcake flavor?

THEM CUCPAKES....

THE PERFECT FLAVOR FOR ME

EVERYBODY LOVES THE PACKAGING

OK. OK. I HAD TWO OF THEM

ISABELLA'S FAV: CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE

BYOB (BUN, NOT BEER)

Though Victoria is not a  fan of fast food to begin with, I always ask when I go to Burger Joints if one could bring their own bun due to wheat sensitivities. 8 out of 10 times I get this look from staff, something similar to "WTF?"

When I am in the mood, I confuse them even further, just to see how well trained they are in general. Funny, actually. Including many of the managers.

This would make a great Blog. "What the Manager said..." They stumble bad. using corporation speak which makes no sense. In the end, they are all afraid. Of Issues. And I understand that. But still, it's funny.

South Street Burger, brought to us by the same company that makes those very tasty NY Fries in the mall, is located at the Cross Iron Mall in NE Calgary. That huge Mall that is only busy on Sundays it seems. Ghost town yesterday (Thursday).

Finally stopped in, looked at their really nice condiment bar with all those different toppings you can choose from. All fresh, all good, all nice. Hormone free 1/3lb Burger with fries.

The Burgers are grilled fresh to order, which is always nice. While I waited, of course I had to ask about those pesky Celiacs and if they could bring their own Buns.

SURPRISE! The dude knew what I was talking about. He immediately said that people can bring, and in fact already do bring their own Buns, they will fix up the Burger on a separate tray, etc.

Impressed. Very impressed.

I wonder if any of you ever ask that question, or if any of you Celiacs already take your own Buns to Wendy's or Burger King?

 I know Dave, from Ben's Meats in Edmonton, takes a GF PATISSERIE Hamburger Bun to a wendy's near him.

Victoria also told me that one of her regular patrons toasts her GF PATISSERIE Bun at home, takes it with her and this way gets a 100% gluten free Burger! BRILLIANT.

Here is a place that I can recommend. South Street Burger.

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

HELLO, EMPTY MALL.

ACTUALLY A GREAT BURGER

FOR LESS THAN RODEO BURGER

GLUTEN FREE BREAKFAST & SCHOOL LUNCH

Feeding a kid gluten free that's tasty can be a challenge. But then, all you need to give them is what you would like. Just make it gluten free.

Isabella's favorite breakfast is Cinnamon on toast. Easy with GF PATISSERIE'S gluten free sandwich bread. Toast lightly, schmear with some butter, pile on a spoon of brown sugar and dust with Cinnamon. Serve with hot chocolate and you are off to a good start.

Isabella likes sandwiches for lunch. Today she is getting one with spicy Soppressata and Provolone.

Along with a  fruit cup that she likes, Pineapple Strawberries and Water Melon.

As a treat, Victoria brought home a cupcake for Isabella to take to school. That's NOT a daily occurance.

I was going to bag Rice Work's Chili Chips, but Isabella got up in the meantime and requested Cheetos. Oh well. Some crap allowed.

All that inside of 10 minutes, not too hard a job if you want your kid to be happy at school.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA

It's your 10th birthday today. I am very very proud of you.

GLUTEN FREE ITALIAN FLAT BREAD

Bruno and his family came over yesterday for some get together, drinks and food. Always nice to talk Italian politics, even if it does not matter to daily life in Calgary. Berlusconi is entertainment. PURE!

But the real star of the evening was Victoria's gluten free Italian flatbread. Some of you local readers are familiar with Victoria's baking, but let me tell you.

I made simple cold cuts, salads, Rilette and a selection of sausages for dinner and we needed bread of course. Victoria brought home a few loaves of flatbread and she put one at a time into the oven while the sausages and potatoes were still in there.

I did not think it was necessary,the bread is good as it is with all the herbs and sea salt, but after baking for a few minutes, it took on a life of it's own.

An incredible crust with the nicest aroma of Italian herbs from heating them up a little, the centre soft and warm, even Bruno (with his highest of standards of anything Italian) was surprised.

So if you are a regular, but have not yet tried GF PATISSERIE'S Italian Flatbread, go get some and eat it warm.

AMAZING BREAD HE SAYS

CRISPY OUTSIDE, SOFT INSIDE

JUST BAKE FOR 4 MINUTES

IT'S ALL GOOD

BAKED BRIE, CRAB SALAD, DUCK RILLETTE

 COLD CUTS FOR THE BREAD

SALADS AND DIPS

SPOLUMBO SAUSAGES AND ROASTED POTATOS

GLUTEN FREE PENNE ALFREDO + LEFTOVER PASTA SALAD

Another quick and easy gluten free dinner fix. But first, let me tell you. We are fans of Rizopia gluten free Pasta. Tried many others, but so far none matched this Canadian line of noodles.

Today however, I found in our pantry a box of Pasta that I brough back from my last trip to the US. LUNDBERG ORGANIC BROWN RICE PENNE. Not sure if they are available here, if they are, go buy them. Excellent GF Pasta.

Dinner for Isabella and Lauren had to be quick again, Victoria and myself have a dinner meeting shortly.

Penne Alfredo, tourist's choice number one (followed by Hawaiian Pizza) when they travel to Italy. And those poor people can never find it at a restaurant in Firenze or Milano. Because it really is an American thing. Olive Garden yes, Zeffirino's no.

Regardless. We all like it. Stuck up Italians. Making fun of us tourists all the time.

All you need is butter, cream, Parmesan Cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg and gluten free Pasta.

Add some chicken, sausage or shrimp if you like and you can prep this meal inside 30 minutes.

Isabella loved it and Lauren will enjoy it too.

I made the whole box of Pasta, but only two are eating, so I quickly put together a gluten free pasta salad with the leftover noodles.

One little hint if you enjoy Pasta Salad, mix all the ingredients together while the pasta is still warm, this way the flavours soak better into the noodles.

And use good stuff,  virgin or flavored olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, good veggies or whatever you enjoy in your version. The best lunch to bring to work.

ALFREDO IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES

I ADDED PEAS FOR ISABELLA

ROAST GARLIC IN BUTTER

DO NOT COUNT CALORIES

ADD CHEESE AND HERBS

NUTMEG

STIR IN THE PENNE

HOME MADE GLUTEN FREE IN 25 MINUTES

GF PASTA SALAD

FOUND SOME SPINACH IN THE FRIDGE

BEST AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

GLUTEN FREE SOMETHING (QUICK AND GOOD)

4.40pm. I came home from Isabella's school at 3.20pm. On the way to school, I picked up some stuff to cook something with. No plan. Just see what falls in my basket. I am busy. I am leaving in 30 minutes to head to the auction. Last night of the sale. Bargains galore!

But I had to cook something for Isabella. Her mother is baking up a storm for this week's orders and the Celiac Vendor FAir, so she won't be home until 6pm.

Stir fry. Fast, healthy, easy. That was the goal. But really, I do not like it so much. I prefer something with a sauce. But sauces take time or thicken quick with too much flour....yuck.

That's why I bought sour cream. My short cut to a bit thicker sauce and adding quick taste.

Below meal is not made by recipe, just by cutting up veggies and stuff, add the beef, some flavour (Mustard, Ginger, Garlic, Red Wine, Salt & Pepper), serve it with rice. All under 60 minutes, including eating with Isabella.

Not going to win any price for looks, but the taste of it turned out pretty good for just winging it.

GLUTEN FREE QUICKIE

WHAT I BOUGHT

WHAT I FOUND IN THE FRIDGE

CHOP CHOP

FRY IT ALL UP

ADD FLAVOUR

VEGGIES FOR "HEALTHY" LABEL

A SHORTCUT, RICE FLOUR COATED BUTTER TO THICKEN

WILL SHE LIKE IT?

POSTED AT 4.52