Tag archive for "friendship"

April Raw Foods Potluck

Raw Foods

April Raw Foods Potluck

10 Comments 29 April 2013

The Raw Foods Potluck Girls met yesterday for another off-the-charts, delicious meal. We didn’t choose a particular theme, but we decided to bring something we’ve been enjoying or have worked on lately. It had been several months since our last event, and we just needed to get together, catch up, and marvel at the beauty of raw food.

We started the afternoon with a Green Smoothie toast shared by Glenda, a new raw foodie friend. I love that she brought her Nutri Bullet already packed with kale and a variety of fruit. Convenient and brilliant!

Diane brought an original creation of Pate Stuffed Peppers. They were as delicious as they were gorgeous.

Dallas shared Ani Phyo’s “Salmon” Patties with Hollandaise Sauce. Made with her Sunny Dill Cheeze, carrot pulp, and dulse flakes, these patties were delicious smothered in the lemony sauce.

You can find this recipe in Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen.

I relied on one of my favorite vegan bloggers for a my contribution to our raw foods event.  Gabby of The Veggie Nook never ceases to amaze me with her raw creations. Her Raw “Baked” Fettuccini Alfredo is one of my favorites. Made with spiralized zucchini noodles and a creamy walnut-based sauce with a touch of nutmeg and cayenne, this noodle dish “bakes” in the dehydrator to create a deliciously comforting meal.

I used the straight blade of the Vegetable Spiralizer to make these cute little ribbon noodles.

The main course was delicious.

But dessert might have been even better. I made Gabby’s Raw Chocolate-Coated Key Lime Pie, which has been submitted to the Eat What’s Good Vegan Recipe Contest. You can vote for this incredible recipe here. It’s so delicious that I’m voting for it every day!

I’m not sure which of the three layers is my favorite. The date and walnut crust? The center chocolate layer? Or the light, creamy filling made with avocado, banana, and lime?

Dallas and Diane combined forces to create another delicious dessert.

Made with a chocolate truffle base from The Art of Raw Living Food, slathered in Diane’s strawberry sauce, and covered with sliced strawberries, this Raw Chocolate Strawberry Cake is now one of my favorite desserts.

It was a successful, delicious, low-key event. I hope the links are helpful in finding some great raw foods recipes and the pictures help to inspire your own raw creations. See you at Raw Foods Thursdays!

Readers, dish!

  • Which dish above would you like to make?
  • What should our next potluck them be?
  • Do you have a favorite resource for raw foods recipes?

Other Raw Foods Potluck posts you might enjoy:

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chunk Cookies

GF Recipes

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chunk Cookies

15 Comments 02 December 2012

I have a very special cookie to share with you. It’s a special cookie because I created it for a very special event. I’m not a baker. You’ll notice there are very few cookies on my recipe list. I love them, but I don’t dare bake them often! Truly, I just don’t have the patience to learn the chemistry involved in baking. Baking well. But this is a special occasion. And it’s for a very special cause. (Yes, I’m quite aware that I used the word special five times, now six.)

My friend Sunny from And Love It Too asked me to participate in  the Kitchenaid’s Pass the Plate event through BeBetsy.  Not only is it so much fun to receive a plate of homemade cookies in the mail on a gorgeous plate, but every time the plate is registered and passed, Kitchenaid donates $5 to Susan G. Koman for the Cure ®. Eat homemade cookies and support breast cancer research and awareness? Absolutely! My mom is a breast cancer survivor, and I’m so incredibly thankful for all the research that went into her treatment. Praise God she is 9 years cancer free!

I received these delicious Vegan Carrot Cake Coconut Macaroons with Maple Cream Glaze from Sunny. And I’m passing the plate on to Debi of Hunter’s Lyonesse with these Vegan Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I hope they arrive safely.

And without cat hair!

Print friendly recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chunk Cookies

by Heather

Ingredients:

  • 2 c. almond flour
  • 1/2 c. pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 c. coconut oil, slightly melted
  • 1/3 c. coconut sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 T. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 c. dairy free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

3. Place spoonfuls of batter on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

5. Cool on a wire rack.

Yields 1 1/2 – 2 dozen depending on size of cookie

I promise, Debi. I took them away as soon as he jumped on the table!

Hey, wait! Are those all for Debi? Can’t I have one?

Readers, dish!

  • If you could pass a plate of cookies to a friend anywhere in the world, who would it be?
  • What kind would you send them?
This recipe will be share with these events:

2013 Cooking Desk Calendar Gifts and a Giveaway

GF Product Reviews, GF Recipes, GF Resources, Healthy Living

2013 Cooking Desk Calendar Gifts and a Giveaway

31 Comments 30 November 2012

Can you believe that New Year’s Eve is exactly a month away? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to shake off the dust of 2012 and start anew.

I love the fresh start that January and the New Year brings. I love resolutions, new plans and goals, and I love buying new calendars! If you’re like me, you are going to love this new desk calendar. This isn’t just any desk calendar. This 2013 Cookbook Desk Calendar created by my friend Diane of The Whole Gang is the fresh start that we’re all looking for. It has gorgeous color photos of monthly dishes with easy-to follow recipes on the back. And it all sits in a clear CD case specially made to stand-up and display on your desk or countertop. Just look at the recipes that come with the desk calendar:

  • January: Jicama Tacos & Tostados
  • February: Little Lasagna Flowers
  • March: Tunisian Frittata
  • April: Garlic Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Prosciutto
  • May: Easy Layered Mexican Casserole
  • June:  Oven Roasted Pesto Vegetables Deluxe
  • July: Can’t Beet California Cobb Salad
  • August: Summer Vegetable Rosettes
  • September: Hash in a Flash
  • October: Smoky Simmering Soup
  • November: Cashew Cream Yam Cannelloni
  • December: Mushroom Party

All recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free! There are also instructions to modify the recipes to be Vegetarian, Vegan and Paleo.  In addition, there’s a secret access code for a hidden page full of insider tips, tools, cooking videos, resources & 28 additional recipes on The WHOLE Gang website.

I know you’ll want one for yourself, but what a great gift to give your friends and family. Toss out the fruitcake and hand them something delicious that will keep them well nourished and motivated to eat well all year long.  Each calendar comes in its own gift/shipping box to make your gift-giving much easier.

To order, head to The Whole Gang. But you can also enter to win a copy of this inspiring cookbook desk calendar right here!

You can leave up to 4 entries today by answering a dish question and letting me know in separate comments that you followed Gluten-Free Cat on Twitter, “liked” Gluten-Free Cat’s Facebook page, and that you shared this post on Twitter or Facebook.

Giveaway Guidelines:

  • This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents 18 and older.
  • Enter by leaving a comment on this post.
  • You are limited to 4 entries.
  • The giveaway begins November 30, 2012 and ends at 11:59 pm central time on December 6, 2012.

No purchase is necessary.  Odds of winning are based on the number of entries.  The winner will be randomly chosen and will be contacted by email.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond.  If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Readers, dish!

  • Why do you want to win this cookbook calendar?
  • Which of the monthly recipes look the most delicious to you?
  • What are you looking forward to the most about 2013?

Contest is closed. Congratulations to Rose!

Raw Foods Thursdays 10/4/12

Raw Foods, Raw Foods Thursdays

Raw Foods Thursdays 10/4/12

5 Comments 03 October 2012

Happy, happy birthday!!!  No, it’s not my birthday, but I’m more excited about this birthday than if it were my own.  My close friend and college roommate is coming all the way from Portland, Oregon to spend her birthday weekend with me.  And while we’ll have a great girls’ weekend talking, shopping, and being pampered, I can’t wait to make a few raw recipes with her.

No, we aren’t spending the weekend in the kitchen. We have far too much else to do.  And it’s been too crazy of a week to have any sort of a menu plan at this point. But there’s one recipe that I know I’m making just as soon as she gets here.  And I wouldn’t have known about it without Raw Foods Thursdays.

Raw Baked Fettuccine Alfredo (Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Raw)

by Gabby of The Veggie Nook

Thanks, Gabby, for sharing this recipe last week at Raw Foods Thursdays! (We can’t wait to try it!) Now it’s your turn. What raw recipes would you like to share this week?

Here’s how you can participate:

  • Simply link up a raw foods recipe (see What Are Raw Foods Meals?), mention Raw Foods Thursdays, and link back to this post so your readers can join in the fun!
  • Please link to the recipe, not to a blog’s home page, so we can all find your raw foods recipe.
  • You may link up a recipe that you’ve made in the past. Just make sure to share something different each time you participate.
  • Be sure to leave a comment letting us know who you are and what you’re sharing.
  • Feel free to use the Raw Foods Thursdays blog badge created by the lovely, talented Heather Peters!

What are Raw Foods Meals?

  • Plant-based meals that are not cooked.  Dehydrators may be used no higher than 118 degrees.  (The raw foods community has differing views on temperature, but the range is between 104 and 118 degrees.)
  • Raw Ingredients: vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, gluten-free sprouted grains, beans, and oils.

What isn’t raw?

  • Anything cooked above 118.
  • Anything processed.  If it comes from a can or a package that lists more than one ingredient, chances are it’s not raw!



Stuffed Acorn Squash

Fitness, GF Recipes, Healthy Living

Stuffed Acorn Squash

21 Comments 24 September 2012

I have this strange habit.  I sign up for a challenge, accomplish it, and then stop. Cold turkey.

On Memorial Day weekend, I ran a marathon.  A FULL marathon.  My FIRST marathon.  That was FOUR months ago.  I haven’t run outside since crossing that finish line…well, except to see who just fell off the monkey bars at recess.  Three years ago, I finished an Olympic length triathlon.  I swam, I biked, I ran.  But after finishing that event, the bike sat in the garage, and I don’t think I’ve entered a lap pool since.  While I haven’t miss the pool, I felt badly for my poor bike.

I even loaned it out to a few people for a few races. It’s a great bike, and it seemed such a shame to have it sit collecting cobwebs. But me? I was content to teach spin classes. Inside.

I have no idea why a finish line holds such a sense of finality for me.  Not just for the day. Not just for the season. But for quite a long time. I tell myself that it’s because I pour myself into my training. By the time the event arrives, I’m ready to be done, and I’m ready for something else. During the last few weeks of training, I dream of yoga or lying on a beach somewhere. Maybe I just don’t have the drive of a true athlete.

But I’m happy to say that I’m finally back to riding my bike.  And I owe it all to my friend, Julie. Julie is an inspiration to me. She is currently training for her second century ride. (Yes, that’s 100 miles. My butt bones can’t even imagine 100 miles in a saddle.) And she has sweetly put on the brakes to allow me to keep up with her for portions of her training rides. I am LOVING it!  Despite the soreness, I love riding in the cool of the early morning, knocking off 30-40 miles before church on a Sunday. It has become the highlight of my week.

What does this have to do with acorn squash?

Nothing really, but as Julie and I ride the rolling hills of the Nachez Trace, I find that our conversation always seems to come back to food.  Recently, Julie asked me if I liked acorn squash. My mind instantly went back to the squash memories of my childhood.  The kind that involved the phrase “you will not leave the table until…” But while grocery shopping later that afternoon, the pile of acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squash just looked so fresh and inviting. The gourds smiled at me and said, “This is Fall.  Enjoy me.” Okay, maybe I needed a little sugar after that long ride.

But I loved the acorn squash. And I think you will too. Stuffed with a sweet apple and spinach filling, this squash dish ushered in the season of Fall.

Print friendly recipe

Stuffed Acorn Squash

by Heather

Ingredients:

  • 2 acorn squashes
  • 1 green apple
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 c. chopped onion
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 4 c. spinach
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 T. grade B maple syrup
  • 1/2 c. pine nuts

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 375.

2.  Cut 2 acorn squashes in half, remove the seeds, and place the squash face down on a jelly roll pan covered with foil.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Then turn them over and cook for another 30 minutes.

3.  Core and chop apples and toss the apple pieces in lemon juice to keep them from browning.

4.  Heat olive oil in a large pan on medium heat.  Add minced garlic and stir for 2 minutes.

5.  Add onions and apples and sprinkle with nutmeg.  Cook for 5 minutes.

6.  Add spinach, and cook until the spinach wilts.

7.  Season with sea salt, add maple syrup, and remove from heat.

8.  Toast pinenuts in a toaster oven, or wait until the squash is cooked and toast them in the oven.

9.  Remove squash after it’s cooked, stuff each half with apple spinach mixture, and sprinkle with pinenuts.

Serves 4

Thanks, Julie, for your inspiration!  Both physically and in the kitchen!

Readers, dish!

  • Do you like acorn squash?
  • How do you deal with physical challenges?
  • Do you enjoy running or biking?
  • What’s your favorite finish line memory?
This recipe was shared with:
Gluten-Free Knoxville: 5 Strikes and You’re OUT!

GF Friendly Restaurants, Travel

Gluten-Free Knoxville: 5 Strikes and You’re OUT!

16 Comments 03 September 2012

While traveling last month we stopped in Knoxville, Tennessee for several reasons.  We were hoping to catch a quick visit with my Sweet Cousin. The Husband also had to make a conference call in a parking lot.  And it was lunch time, so I definitely needed to check out the gluten-free scene.  Following my tried and true Eating Out Gluten Free Tip #1 Do Your Homework, I was confident that I’d be able find a safe place to eat.

Sweet Cousin and Me

I was all excited about The French Market Creperie.  I can’t remember the last time I had crepes, and I had read that the French Market Crepery made Buckwheat Crepes!

I found several reviews that reported these buckwheat crepes to be gluten free!  Yippeee! Should I choose a sweet or savory crepe?  There were just so many to choose from.  I finally settled on the Vegetarian Delux and pranced up to the counter to place my order.

Thankfully, I also followed Eating Out Gluten Free Tip #4 Ask Questions.  It only took a few moments to learn that their flours come from France, and the buckwheat flour comes through the same chute as the regular wheat flour.  Their crepes were not gluten free. Strike One Knoxville.  I was very disappointed, but so thankful for a cognizant server who saved me from starting off vacation doubled over.

Since I had done my homework, and had a tip from the Sweet Cousin, we went to The Tomato Head.  Sweet Cousin had told me that they were vegan/vegetarian friendly and that they had gluten-free pizza crust.  Sweet!

The restaurant was packed with college kids, both behind the counters, in the line for take out, at the tables, and spilling out into the courtyard.  And this cute little girl was attracting animal lovers like me out front.

After perusing the menu, I had my heart set on the #5.  A gluten-free, vegetarian pizza with mushroom, artichoke heart, red and green peppers, and red onion was calling my name.  But then I heard the dreaded phrase…

“We’re out of gluten-free crust.”

Strike Two.  At this point, we had two choices.  Walk out and try a third restaurant, or stay and see what other gluten free options they had.  Considering that it was already late, we were hungry, and our travel destination was still 2 hours away, we opted to stay.  And since we were staying, it was time to use Eating Out Gluten-Free Tip #2 Be Nice To Your Server.  It wasn’t her fault that her restaurant was out of gluten-free dough.

I was immediately impressed when the server said that she could give me any of their sandwiches on a corn tortilla.  This girl knew customer service.  And she seemed to understand gluten. She knew that the baked tofu contained gluten, but the marinated tofu did not.  She even pulled out a binder that listed all of their menu items that contained gluten and checked. BUT SHE WAS WRONG. (More on that later.)

We were starving.  So we ordered hummus and organic blue corn chips.  Guess what they were out of.  Blue corn chips.  Strike Three.  But we asked for the hummus with corn tortillas, and she was glad to accomodate.

Their hummus, gluten-free of course, is out of this world.  A little powerful on the garlic scale, which I love, and chunky.  If we weren’t heading out of town I would have picked up a few of these for home.

I ordered the Veggie Chef Salad, and as soon as it arrived, all disappointment from not having gluten-free pizza dissipated.  This salad was packed with color, flavor, textures, and nutrients.

Veggie Chef Salad with romaine lettuce, organic marinated tofu, broccoli, artichoke hearts, mushroom, red onion, cucumber, tomato, black olive, green pepper, carrot, red cabbage & sprouts

Incredible salad.  And far healthier than any gluten-free pizza on the planet.

Or so I thought.

The marinated tofu was NOT gluten-free.

Strike Four!

For the next day my stomach twisted and turned, and I couldn’t figure out why.  I thought I had eaten a clean salad for lunch at The Tomato Head, and I had an incredible dinner at Posana, a 100% gluten free restaurant.  Thankfully, my reaction was not severe.  But I was exhausted, slept long hours, and I dealt with the intestinal distress knowing it would pass in a few days.

On the way home, we decided to stop through Knoxville again for a late lunch.  Feeling better, I was hoping that The Tomato Head would have gluten-free pizza to try.

Strike Five.  They were still out of gluten-free dough.  So I tried to order that same delicious Veggie Chef Salad with marinated tofu, and I double checked that I was ordering the tofu that was gluten free.  Apparently, NEITHER tofu option is gluten free!  No wonder I had been sick over the weekend.  Mystery solved, but I was more than a little miffed that a restaurant that claims to be gluten friendly could make such a terrible mistake.

The food at The Tomato Head is definitely delicious and fresh.  I enjoyed this Southwestern Salad immensely (as well as my glutenous Veggie Chef Salad), but my recommendation comes with a caution.  Ask lots of questions, and ask for proof.  Look at that allergen binder yourself! The servers are not all on the same page.

How about that gluten-free pizza?  I tried twice and they didn’t have any in.  (Let me know if you ever have the chance to sample it, because this cat is done with The Tomato Head!)

Tomato Head on UrbanspoonThe Tomato Head
12 Market Square
Knoxville, TN  37902

 

Readers, dish!

  • Have you tried The Tomato Head?
  • How do you handle disappointment when gluten-free options are not available?
  • What is your favorite gluten-free pizza restaurant?

GF Resources

The Sunshine Award

18 Comments 10 July 2012

Thank you to France at Beyond the Peel and Judee of Gluten Free A- Z Blog for nominating me for the Sunshine Award.  What an honor!

“The Sunshine Award is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers. The recipients of the Sunshine Award are: “Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogoshere.” The way the award works is this: Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them. Answer 10 questions about yourself. Select 10 of your favorite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they have been awarded the Sunshine Award! Don’t forget to copy and paste the award on your blog!

So here are the questions attached to the Sunshine Award.  This was the easy part.

  • 1. Favorite Color:  I love every shade of blue.  The shade depends on my mood.  Today is a sky blue day.
  • 2. Favorite Animal:  Well, cats, of course!  I have a particular affection for black ones.
  • 3. Favorite Number: 111
  • 4. Favorite Drink:  Wine, either pinot noir or merlot.
  • 5. Facebook or Twitter:  Twitter.  It moves fast, like me, and I can catch a quick glimpse of what’s going on at any given moment of the day.  Facebook is a little more cumbersome.
  • 6. Good Movie or Good Book:  Good movie. A good movie slows my brain down enough to relax.
  • 7. My passion:  Helping people to see that gluten intolerance is not a death sentence.  It’s the beginning of a whole new life of health, flavor, and vibrance, especially when living gluten-free naturally.
  • 8. Giving or Getting presents:  I thought about being humble here…but I LOVE getting presents, especially out of the blue.
  • 9. Favorite Day of the Year:  The day after the last day of school.  Such a feeling of freedom!
  • 10. Favorite Flower: Red roses

Now for my nominees.  This was the hard part as I follow so many incredible bloggers.  I’d love for you to check out the bloggers that I’m nominating for the Sunshine Award. Some you may know well, and others may be new to you.  Please go visit these bloggers, because they are all spreading sunshine in their own unique ways.  And don’t we all need a little sunshine?

The Tasty Alternative  Amber radiates sunshine!  She even has sunflowers adorning her blog banner!  I love Amber’s allergen-friendly recipes, but she gets the award for spreading sunshine through her comments on other blogs.  I always feel hugged when Amber comments at GFC!

Enjoying Gluten Free Life  Shannon recently started her blog, and she dove right in by interviewing gluten-free bloggers and hosting June’s Adopt A Gluten-Free Blogger.  I’d love for you all to check out her site!  She’s a fellow Nashville blogger, a researcher and writer, and I can’t wait to see how her blog develops!

Gluten-Free Jesus Freak  Courtney is a pastor in Wisconsin who just happens to be one of my dearest friends.  She tackles issues about gluten-free living in a church community, a rural town, and in family life.  And she does it all with a smile and a witty sense of humor.

And Love It Too!  Sunny is a wife, mother of 5, and educator who somehow has time to spread sunshine around the blogosphere.  I love her blog, her recipes, and her sunny outlook on life. Be watching for her upcoming Lunch Box series!

City|Life|Eats  Valerie was one of my first inspirations to try vegan recipes.  She posted her lunch boxes that were filled with foods I’d never even heard of before.  I fell in love with her creations and always feel encouraged when I talk with her and read her posts.

Daily Bites  Hallie’s recipes just make you feel good.  They’re made with pure ingredients and are easy to make.  Hallie’s simple approach and innovative dishes encourage us to make healthy choices. I love her cookbook The Pure Kitchen.

Gluten Free Gigi  Whenever I need to really know something, I go to Gigi’s site.  I’m not wired to attend to research articles for long.  But I LOVE reading Gigi’s posts, because she makes learning fun.  That’s the sign of a good teacher!

Laura’s Gluten-Free Pantry  Laura is one of the gracious hosts of Allergy-Free Wednesdays. I’ve just recently started following her blog, because her delicious recipes are healthy, and she has a joy that’s attractive.  Joy = Sunshine.

Gluten Free Happy Tummy Another blog that is new to me, I was attracted to it because Caralyn is a gluten-free vegan.  Her recipes creatively work for those on the Body Ecology Diet for Anti-Candida healing.  I’m excited to get to know this NYC foodie better!

Healthful Pursuit  Leanne is a wholistic nutritionist who focuses on eating intuitively and leading a balanced lifestyle.  I love this girl’s energy!  Her passion for life, health, fitness, and good food is contagious!

I hope you will visit some of these blogs and feel the sunshine for yourself!

Readers, dish!

  • Who would you nominate for a Sunshine Award?
  • Answer one of the Sunshine Questions.  I’d love to learn more about you! 
On Their Blogs By Their Hands: Let’s End With Cookies

GF Recipes, Travel

On Their Blogs By Their Hands: Let’s End With Cookies

6 Comments 05 July 2012

This is my last post about the incredible food that my blogger friends made for us at our blogger retreat.  I’ve been stretching this series out, because I haven’t wanted it to end. Our retreat was so special, and I’ve enjoyed reliving each moment by posting about each friend’s recipes.

You could say that I saved the best for last.  Or you could say that I had such a hard time finding one recipe to represent such an wonderful blogger and sincere friend that it had to wait until the very end.  Or you could say that I was waiting to adopt Debi for Adopt A Gluten-Free Blogger hosted by Shannon of Enjoying Gluten-Free Life.  Or you could say that it was all of the above.  But regardless, this is my last retreat post, and it holds something delightful for you.

It was a joy to spend more time with Debi of Hunter’s Lyonesse.  She and I had met at the 2011 Allergen and Gluten-Free Expo and spent an evening talking and laughing.

Heather and Debi hanging out with Brittany of Real Sustenance

But I really got to know Debi at the blogger’s retreat during our long walks and quiet moments with Shirley after the party died down to a dull roar.  Debi is a thinker, a reader, and a researcher.  And she does a great job sharing what she learns at Hunter’s Lyonesse.  She also loves to experiment in the kitchen, and her results are delicious!

That’s why I had such a hard time choosing just one recipe to highlight for you.

At the retreat, Debi was constantly working in the kitchen.  She manned the Vitamix for the Dairy-Free Chedda Cheese Fondue.  (Oh, did I not tell you about our Chedda Fondue Party? Well, you must go watch this video at The Whole Gang to see for yourself!)  Debi bustled around the kitchen.  And she brought us delicious muffins.

But one of her most popular recipes is her Flourless Pumpkin Pie Cookies.  And I don’t care that it’s summer and that it’s not pumpkin season.  These cookies are amazing any time of year!  It was even worth turning on the oven for 10 quick minutes on a 100 degree day.  Plus, with just a handful of ingredients, these dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, refined-sugar free cookies are a snap to make.

Have I convinced you?  Head over to find Debi’s Flourless Pumpkin Pie Cookies recipe and whip up a batch for yourself!

Other On Their Blogs, By Their Hands posts:

Readers, dish!

  • Are you a pumpkin fan?
  • What would make you turn on the oven on the hottest day of the year?
  • Have you visited Debi’s blog?
  • Are you grain free? Share some tips!
On Their Blogs By Their Hands: Vegan BBQ (faux pulled pork)

GF Recipes, Travel

On Their Blogs By Their Hands: Vegan BBQ (faux pulled pork)

18 Comments 03 July 2012

After a full day of work, two flights, and an hour and a half drive in the dark, I was ready to retreat.  Thankfully, I arrived at the home of Shirley of gfe safely.  I would have to wait until morning to actually see the gorgeous countryside, the lake, the incredible mountain-style home with the screened-in back porch, and the towering trees.  All of that would feed my spirit in the days to come.

But I arrived to a welcoming group of pajama-clad food bloggers who were all tapping away at their iPads and laptops.   Immediately, laptops were closed, hugs went all around, and the refrigerator door opened.

“Oh, no, I’m not really hungry.”  I had missed dinner, but I had snacked and could wait until breakfast.

“But we had Johnna’s Vegan Pulled Pork for dinner, and we saved you some.”

Vegan Pulled Pork?  How can you turn that down, even at 11:00 p.m.?

It was astounding.  Not only was it a delicious late night snack, but it was so remarkably like eating pulled pork barbecue that it was hard to believe it was vegan.  Johnna was a genius.

Johnna of 52 Sweets (and various other 52 blogs) is a gluten-free vegetarian who started her blog by chronicling her quest to eat only one sweet treat every week for a year.  That lead to other 52 projects like 52 Donuts and 52 Foods on a Stick that you can read all about here. Johnna is so cool.

She is full of laughter, light, encouragement, and joy.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and can’t wait to see her again!  Until then, I can make the recipes from her blog and enjoy chatting online.

As soon as I got home I went on a quest for the secret ingredient in Johnna’s Vegan Pulled Pork.  Jackfruit.  I couldn’t find it at Whole Foods.  But I finally found it at an International Market, and I’ll be keeping them in stock!

Does anyone else get this excited to find recipe ingredients?

The next day, I made Johnna’s Jackfruit BBQ for a pool party, and everyone loved it, meat eaters and vegetarians alike.  The jackfruit is very tender, much more so than pork, and it takes on the flavor of the barbecue sauce perfectly.

Spooned into a corn tortilla, it made delicious Vegan BBQ Tacos.

The hardest part about making this Vegan BBQ was finding the Jackfruit.  The rest was a snap.  Toss the ingredients in the slowcooker, wait, and shred.  You can find Johnna’s Jackfruit BBQ Recipe here.  Johnna and I must have been on the same wavelength last week as she also posted a recipe for Jackfruit Tacos that incorporates wild rice.  I’m trying that one next.

Other On Their Blogs, By Their Hands posts:

And there are still more to come!

Readers, dish!

  • Have you found Johnna’s blogs?
  • Have you ever tried Jackfruit?
  • What missing ingredient have you had to hunt down?
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A Curious Girl in the Gluten-Free World

I'm a curious girl, wife, teacher, friend, fitness fanatic, gluten-free foodie, health food nut, child of the King, and Mama Cat to two amazing little creatures. I love gluten-free cooking and baking and want to share my successes and failures with you. Follow me, and I'll take you on my gluten-free journey!

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