Gluten Free in the Big Easy!

St. Charles streetcar,  New Orleans,  LA

Is it possible to dine gluten-free in New Orleans? I hoped so, when heading with my family on vacation last week. This city, known for Mardi Gras, Bourbon St. and more recently, the devastating flooding following Hurricane Katrina, has a special place in my heart....or should I say BELLY!

Many years ago, I worked at Charity Hospital as a travelling nurse. Young, fresh-faced and most of all, a Yankee, N'awlins was a culture shock for me. I did not know how to cook,  had never heard of crawfish, but I did enjoy a good meal. Of course, back then, I ate lots of gluten. Cafe du Monde beignets, seafood gumbo and fried oysters. Gluten, gluten, gluten! 

So, before leaving for our trip, I gingerly googled "gluten free New Orleans", hoping I could still enjoy the taste of New Orleans. Muriels, near Jackson Square in the French Quarter, offers a GF menu, so I made dinner reservations for our first night in town. Muriels, though pricey, was the ultimate welcome mat for me, my "normal" eating husband and vegetarian daughter. I had the shrimp remoulade for an appetizer, the yummy fish special for my main course and creme brulee for dessert. It was a scrumptious start to our vacation!

Redfish Grill, was my husband's choice for our second night. Located conveniently in the French Quarter, this place also accommodated me very nicely. The waitress  seemed very familiar with my restrictions, although she did plop down some bread in front of me! Once again, I enjoyed their fish special and it was one of the tastiest meals I had.

We chose Jagar-haus, a German restaurant, on our third night. The waitress was not familiar with gluten free dining, but was very helpful checking with the chef to make sure the food I ordered was safe. I had a refreshing strawberry mojito, followed by a "big salad". After indulging the past 2 nights, this lighter meal tasted just right. I also had dessert here....an ice cream/berry/whipped cream extravaganza that was completely gluten free...except for the chocolate wafer "straw" stuck in the side! Luckily, my observant daughter noticed this and my husband was able to remove it so I didn't have to return this beautiful creation!

On our final day, I insisted we have lunch at one of my favorite places, The Gumbo Shop. I fell in love with gumbo at this restaurant on my first trip to New Orleans, and wanted my hubby and daughter to experience it here. I had resigned myself to having another tossed salad, but the waitress immediately pointed out that I could have the jambalaya as well as a few other entrees! She even brought out their cookbook to go over the ingredients to further reassure me. The jambalaya was to die for....I savored every bite and have been dreaming of it ever since. I also had dessert~ vanilla ice cream topped with a praline sauce! Again, gluten-free!

alligator

So, yes, it is possible to dine gluten free in New Orleans. No, you cannot enjoy the beignets or partake in much of the fried seafood, but I did not ever feel deprived. I was able to indulge (a lot) and not worry about getting sick! This was a great vacation and if you go, check out the swamp tour! It was the highlight of our trip!

Red- Headed Woodpecker

red-headed woodpecker

Yesterday, while biking on the Indian Head Rail Trail, I finally spotted the red-headed woodpecker! Patrick, my brother-in-law and avid birder, first introduced me to this type of woodpecker. I also saw a photo on the trail bulletin board, so I have been trying to catch a glimpse of this uncommon bird whenever I am on the trail. I had about given up trying to find this bird, when all of a sudden, there it was perched on top of a dead tree right in front of me!

I noticed that in flight they have very distinct black and white markings. These birds are omnivorous, eating nuts, seeds, insects and even mice! They actually store live grasshoppers in a hole or cavity and will cover them with bark.  The above photo is from the following website. http://www.houstonaudubon.org

wren gobbling mealworm

Back at home in my backyard, feeding the birds live mealworms has been a full-time job. I initially bought these wiggly creatures to try and attract nesting bluebirds, but so far, no luck with that. But, the titmice, chickadees and wrens LOVE them! I have already been back to Wild Bird Lovers to stock up! When I first bought them back in April, I asked the clerk how long these guys would keep in the refrigerator and he replied," Up to 6 months, but they won't last that long!" Boy, was he right about that!

chickadee

This juvenile was so cute sitting on the deck railing this morning. I am not sure if he is a young catbird or mockingbird, but loved how puffed up and sweet he looked! Anyone know what type he is?

Mini Mexican Corn Muffins

Tonight is leftover night. Specifically, leftover vegetarian chili with brown rice. These mini jalapeno/cheddar muffins were easy to make and should go over well with my family. This recipe came from Cooks.com.

Mexican Cornbread

• 2 boxes Jiffy cornbread muffin mix
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 can creamed corn 
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup finely chopped jalapeno pepper

Fix Jiffy mix according to package directions. Add remaining ingredients. Mix. Pour into greased and floured 13X9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees until center is firm. About 20 minutes.

I used a mini muffin pan because I like how cute they look when they are done! I also omitted the creamed corn...I do not like pieces of corn in a muffin, but go for it, if you do! I did not measure the onions/jalapenos.

These muffins are NOT gluten free since there is wheat flour in the Jiffy cornbread mixes. It would be pretty easy to make this recipe gf.

The Promise of Spring

male goldfinch

Spring arrived early in our area after a mild winter so the weeds and the insects have had a head start. The leaf lettuce my husband planted last fall is growing strong, and is enough to feed my daughter's guinea pigs daily!

A few weeks before planting our vegetable garden, I added most of the stuff from our compost bin into the soil. Not all of the eggshells or clementine peels had completely de-composed, but it is still valuable. We also put in shredded paper to aerate the soil.

We also have quite a few strawberries. They seem to get sweeter every year. I try and pick them before they are completely ripe, otherwise the birds nibble them.

Parsley, cilantro and basil

Tomato plants

I planted zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I also put some sugar snap pea seeds in. We have a lot of mysterious seedlings sprouting from all the compost leavings...not sure what they are, but I am yanking them out.

I have been birding with a bit more intensity this year. My brother-in-law and sister came for a visit, and they are both avid birders. I bought some good quality binoculars and am trying to encourage a variety of birds to our yard. Above is a bluebird house which is currently vacant. I bought live mealworms to try and entice a bluebird mama to set up housekeeping, but so far, no blues. I was thrilled to see that the tufted titmice and wrens have been gorging on the worms, so maybe the bluebirds will catch on?

fruit feeder

tufted titmouse eating mealworms

I bought this fruit feeder in the hopes of attracting orioles, bluebirds, tanagers, waxwings etc. So far, I have seen cardinals, titmice and wrens visiting the feeder. There is hummingbird food, a dollop of grape jelly and live mealworms. I read that for the fruit eating birds, grapes jelly is their favorite. You can also put orange slices on the feeder.

titmouse

Wren waiting his turn for the mealworms

new Droll Yankee seed feeder

                                                 

                                                Happy Gardening and Happy Birding!

Today Show talks about the gluten-free diet

n

 http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10437409-gluten-free-diet-may-be-a-waste-of-money-for-some-new-research-suggests


This short clip explains the gluten-free diet very well. Many people have asked me what eating gluten-free means.  Back in 2007, when I was diagnosed, my first stop was to Borders bookstore to buy a copy of  Living Gluten-Free for Dummies, by Dana Korn!


Click on the link above to answer your questions about GLUTEN!

Owls

Barred Owl

http://flickriver.com/places/United+States/Maryland/Southern+Md+Facility/in-Prince+George's/

It is the end of February and spring is around the corner. It seems like winter never really arrived this year. We had only a trace amount of snow, no ice storms, and unfortunately for my kids, no snow day! Don't get me wrong, I love when I say goodbye to my sometimes surly teenagers in the morning and can enjoy my second (or third) cup of coffee in peace and quiet. But there is something about a snow day. Our daily routine is suspended, everything outside is transformed into a snowy wonderland, and bird-watching takes on a whole new level of enjoyment for me!

I have given up on a good snowstorm this winter and am looking forward to the birds returning. Lately, it seems that some are already here, setting up their territory. I hear cardinals, robins, and yesterday I spotted a bluebird!

Eastern Bluebird

A few years ago, I bought a book for my daughter. Wesley the Owl, by Stacey O'Brien, seemed a perfect choice for her since she is interested in animals. After she finished it, she strongly encouraged me to read it. To tell you the truth,  I was reading something else, was busy and put her off. Eventually, when I needed a book to read, I picked it up. Before reading about Wesley, I didn't know much about owls.

excellent book!

This book taught me so much about owls.  Did you know that owls have excellent hearing as well as eyesight? They are silent hunters since they make almost no sound when flying, because of the way their feathers are designed. Their diet consists of mice, voles, small birds, rabbits etc. So when I read that the Wild Bird Lovers store nearby was having Mike Callahan, the current president of the Southern MD Audubon society give a talk about owls, I signed up.

I used to buy my birdseed, suet etc at the Wild Bird Center in Waldorf. A couple years ago, I noticed it was closed, and I read in our local paper that there was some sort of conflict between the owner and the corporation. I missed going there to buy my birdseed as well as chat with the Lee and his wife Dee. I loved that they had their German Shepherd roaming throughout the store. I never just went in and out quickly, but stayed to browse, chat and talk about birds.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when arriving at the store for the owl talk, that this "new" store, Dee's Wild Bird Lovers, was owned by the same couple that owned the Wild Bird Center Store. And it not new, but has been open for 2 years, as Lee Duer promptly corrected me.

I learned a lot about the 4 types of owls common in southern Md. Mike Callahan was able to make each of the sounds the Eastern Screech , Barred, Barn and Great Horned owls make. ( and it wasn't "hoot-hoot!") Many of the people attending the talk were knowledgeable birders, and listening to their questions was also a learning experience. I can't wait for March 9 when Mike Callahan is hosting an owl prowl! It begins at 7pm, location near LaPlata, Md, and to sign up click on the link below and look for the section on SMAS Field Trips 2011-2012.

 Click here for more information on the Southern Maryland Audubon Society.

Super Easy Homemade Applesauce

I grew up watching my mother and grandmother turning the handle of a food mill transforming fresh cooked apples into a soothing, sweet and comforting sauce. We would traditionally eat it cold for breakfast, especially in the winter months, when fresh fruit was not as available. Occasionally, when eating lunch in the cafeteria at school, the applesauce served to me tasted completely different. After being disappointed a couple times, I would never eat store bought applesauce. I mean, how do they change the taste of cooked apples that much???

Food Mill

I use a food mill to make my applesauce, but it can also be made with a potato masher.

My family loves applesauce when it is still warm, slathered over potato pancakes. We also eat it for breakfast.

This recipe is very simple. You can substitute Macintosh apples for another type and add more or less sugar, cinnamon or nutmeg.

I do not measure any of the ingredients. Just taste it and adjust accordingly.

Ingredients:

• 8 medium Macintosh apples
• 1 cup sugar
•  dash or two of cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• water

Directions:


Wash apples.
Fill medium saucepan with enough water to just cover bottom of pan.
Core apples with apple corer. Do not peel.
Place all cored apples in saucepan.
Cook on medium heat, uncovered until apples are mushy.
Put food mill on top of bowl.
Pour cooked apples and liquid into food mill.
Process apples by turning food mill handle until all that is left in mill is apples peels.
Remove food mill from bowl and let sauce cool a bit.
Add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.

 cooked apples

cooked apples in food mill

Food mill on bowl ( you may want to use a bigger bowl!)

Food mill after processing apples

Applesauce!