Random Tidbits: Food Edition {or Chocolate, Pizza and Guacamole}

Getting Busy in the Kitchen Again

I'm back in the saddle again...er, uh, that is, back in the kitchen again. For the past three years, I was a part of a meal swap group, which meant I didn't have to think much about what we ate for dinner. During this time, I got lazy in my meal preparations and ideas, but due to a necessary dietary change recently, I'm getting busy in the kitchen again. And it feels Great!

Now, don't get me wrong, the meal swap group was a good thing for me and my family during those three years. I enjoyed the community of the group; the getting to know the women; the convenience of having many wonderful meals in our freezer, homemade meals, prepared by moms. It was a lovely group and wonderful experience. But I do LOVE to cook and create in the kitchen, and so it's refreshing and inspiring for me.

Cooking with the Senses

Cooking is really a delight for the 5 senses. Food must not only taste good {if not amazing}, it must have a pleasant appearance, an enticing aroma, an appealing texture and create a warm and inviting bubbling, sizzling, chuckling, crackling sound while cooking. If a meal is not all of these things, it's almost not worth eating.

Well, that's what I have been busy with lately (besides everything else that I've been busy with); changing our diet by taking out all gluten, and cooking away, tweaking recipes, creating new ones and searching for tried and true recipes, and all the while serving up scrumptious meals.

There are several benefits. We have been trying to new foods, rediscovering old favorites and simply eating more fresh veggies again. My kids have been eating what I prepare much better than they had been in the last year or so while participating in meal swap. And we've been heavily contributing to Darling 1's 1^st Grade class's compost project with all of our peels and skins and tips and tail ends. Our meals have been fresh and vibrant and bursting with flavor and nutrition.

A Sample Plate of Favorite Tastes of the Moment

Last week, I posted a Random Tidbits article of points of interest. This week, the Random Tidbits post is links to recipes that I've made in the last few weeks or particular products and foods that we can't get enough of at our home.

And for the love of God, if nothing else, please try to the Primal Fudge. As my friend who texted me the link said to me, "You're Welcome!"

1. Primal Fudge (from Practical Paleo): This decadent fudge (click link for recipe) is gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly for those with special dietary needs, and still amazingly rich and easy and chocolatey for those who don't have dietary restrictions.
   1. A couple of things: I used peanut butter because that's what I had on hand and it was perfection; and it wasn't any special kind of peanut butter either.
   2. Now, with the coconut oil in it, they really aren't stable at room temperature or warmer. So, what I suggest is eat that you eat them as quickly as possible; this won't be difficult (or of course, if you want to be practical and disciplined you could just store them in the fridge)
   3. Oh, and I doubled the recipe (when I noticed it made only 10 large discs) and I used some standard size and some mini size muffin cups, as you can see from the photo.
2. Polenta Crust Mini Pizzas (from The Perfect Pantry): I was looking for this recipe and made them for Will's birthday dinner.
   1. They were tasty, easy and pretty and the boys loved them too. I didn't use the toppings suggested, but what I had on hand.
   2. I had spinach sautéed in garlic, sautéed mushrooms, onions and sweet peppers, mozzarella, parmesan and a goat's milk, sheep's milk and cow's milk blend I had in the fridge. This cheese from pungent and smooth and perfect with the veggies.
   3. I made a variety of flavors from just cheese to everything to spinach and cheese to peppers, onions and cheese and on and on.
   4. I think I would cook the crusts for a few minutes first then load them up and put them back in the oven next time I make these guys. This will help to firm up the bottom of the crusts.
3. Gluten Free Pizza Crust: We were ecstatic to find that Dominoes Pizza and Davanni's, Pizza Luce and Pizzeria Lola have gluten free crusts.
   1. Last Friday, we even had pizzas delivered from both Dominoes and Davanni's and did a taste test.
   2. The Result: both are really good. It's a thin crust and a bit chewier the regular crust, but good.
   3. Caveat: Gluten Free Crust is available in only the Small size. And it's not cheap. So, to feed a family of four, you have to order 3 to 4 and spend a small fortune for a pizza dinner.
4. Chocolate Mousse (from Celiac Chicks): Another easy peasy gluten free, but again fabulously decadent chocolate dessert recipe!
   1. Make it in small dishes; it's rich. But not too rich that I couldn't eat two small bowls, tiny really, back to back.
   2. Coincidentally, both of these dessert recipes use the blender and set up in the fridge/freezer and are marvelous.
5. Guacamole and Falafel chips (from Trader Joe's or TJ's as homeys who shop there every week, sometime more frequently, like to say): This is good stuff!
   1. We have been eating a lot of guacamole lately; on tacos, salads, with crackers, with these amazing falafel chips, on sandwiches, etc. Guacamole/avocados are so versatile and nutritious. How do you like to eat them?
   2. The guacamole is fresh and chunky and yummy. The boys love it and often take it for lunch or for snack;
   3. The chips are snappy with flavor and chock full of veggies and spices, with the same ingredients of falafel with a bean base – and no gluten - I know, it's a shocker. Darling 1 loves these. They make excellent black bean nachos too.

What inspires you to cook and create in the kitchen? What's your favorite ingredient of the season? Over and out....

Anna