GlutenFreeHolly

Tomorrow there is no school for the kids, and tonight, our au pair’s family is visiting from Germany! I needed a fast dinner menu to serve 8 that could be prepped in advance (or in part in advance) on a evening complicated by a doctors appointment, swim team practice and piano lessons. Pizza is great because you can make the dough in advance and the toppings….well they can be as fancy or as simplistic as you want. Gluten free is hard to make big, so I typically will make one gluten free (first!! To avoid cross contamination) and the others with regular dough

So first- the dough!

Gluten Free Pizza Crust

Mix: 1/2 c warm water

1 T yeast

1 T sugar- wait until begins to bubble

Add 1 egg white

1T oil

1 T Apple cider vinegar

Add slowly 3 cups gluten free flour mix (I use Pamelas) & dash salt www.pamelasproducts.com

Mix well, then turn out dough ball onto greased surface or non stick silicone pad and press out with greased wax paper. Allow to rise at least 20 mins (can put in fridge & use next day too)

Bake at 400 20 mins, add toppings and then bake again

Regular dough

Mix 1 c warm water with 1 pkg yeast and 2T sugar, let bubble and then add 2T oil & dash salt

Mix in 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour until smooth dough ball, place in greased bowl, cover & let rise

gluten free dough ball

press out with your hands

The dough is done! Need some ideas for your topping?

Spinach (aka my favorite!!!) Pizza Pie :

Mix: Chopped spinach – 2 boxes thawed, drained and squeeze out extra water

1/2 c Parmesan

1 egg

1 c mozzarella

1 8oz ricotta cheese

3 t red pepper flakes

For gluten free, prebake crust as above; for regular, just roll out lower crust onto pan. For either, Cover with Swiss cheese slices, then spinach mix, top with more shredded cheese. For Gluten free, place tomato slices on top and bake 25 mins 400. For regular, roll top crust and place on top, crimp edges, cut small slices in top crust and bake at 400 45 mins.

Serve with tomato sauce in the side.

cover crust with swiss cheese, then spinach mixture, then….. MORE cheese!

for regular, cover with top crust

spinach pizza pie!

gluten free pizza palooza! yum yum yum!!!!

More pizza recipes tomorrow! ❤️

YOU CAN DO IT! GF Chocolate Chip Pumpkin pancakes may just help!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On April 1, 2015

In Gluten free

Mornings… The chaos, the missing homework, knots in the hair, left shoe has run away… I KNOW! Pack the lunches, tame the children and their hair…take 10 mins and feed them and yourself right!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancakes (gluten free)

This is a great cake like recipe- light, yummy and nutritious… And easy! This actually took me 10 mins start to on table and I packed the lunches while they cooked… And I only burned one set!!!

Serves 4-5 hungry people…

Mix these dry ingredients :

1 1/2 c Pamela’s pancake mix

2T sugar

1t cinnamon

Dask pumpkin pie spice

Then mix the wet ingredients together before adding to dry

1/2c water

2 eggs

1t vanilla

2T oil

1/3 c pumpkin pack (oh yes… Sneak in those vitamins!!! And it’s sooo good!)

Mix! Cook . Add chocolate chips to your desired level immediately after putting batter in frying pan – that makes sure everyone gets equal chocolate chips ..(harmony, people!!)… And if someone doesn’t want them (I can’t stand chocolate in the morning) – leave them out!

Ok! Serve up delicious nutrition! You Can do it! ❤️

breakfast… start your day right!

The Big Cheese! Gluten free Mac & Cheese Perfection!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 30, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

So easy, so fast, so delicious!

This recipe serves 6 with leftovers (unless the natives are famished)

11/2 box gluten free penne pasta (tonight I used Ronzoni)

2c milk

1t mustard

Dash nutmeg

4T butter

1/4 c gluten free flour (I use Pamela’s)

2-3 c shredded cheese ( tonight I used 1c cheddar, 1c italien blend

1/2 c shredded Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400. Cook pasta to al dente per package instructions, rinse and drain…but not too well, and return to big pot.

Melt butter and whisk in nutmeg, mustard, & flour. Add milk and whisk until thickened.

whisk it…whisk it real good!

Once thickened, stir in 1-1 1/2 c cheese. Pour over pasta and stir until all pasta coated.

its ok….taste it…just to make sure its cheesy enough!

Pour it into baking pan & top with remaining cheese & then Parmesan.

go ahead….add more cheese…

Bake at 400 25 mins. Let sit a couple mins while you try to get your kids to set the table…and the resign yourself to setting it…

the big cheese!…lets eat!

That will make a happy table! Share the love! ❤️

Top 5 sights of my happy Monday run!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 30, 2015

In Uncategorized

Coral gables isn’t called The City Beautiful for nothing…that’s for sure! I woke up to a crisp, clear, cool (by Miami standards) morning and decided to go for a quick run before heading into work. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes and really take in the sights, but this morning, I decided to take some pics to share with you! I fall quite often while running….(seriously!) so this was a little dangerous…. But me, my iPhone and my knees all survived!

1. The first thing I really enjoy are the canals and bridges. I cross over 3 on my usual 5k route, and it always gives me a little inspiration to see the water & wildlife right inside the city!

the bridges of the gables waterway

each bridge is a different style

overlooking the junction of the mahi waterway with the gables waterway

2. I am always amazed by the fertility of the ground here. Fruit trees and bromeliads like pineapple abound. Mango, avocado, banana, star fruit (carambola), papaya and coconut fill the yards of the neighborhood homes.

papaya tree

mango madness

3. Flowers EVERYWHERE – amazing beautiful flowers … Too many to share in one post. Flowering trees, shrubs and, of course orchids. Here are some pics…all from my run (with lots of breaks) today.

4. Spanish moss & other epiphytes – huge trees shade the roads & sidewalks and many of these are home to beautiful epiphytes. These tropical air plants get their nutrients from the air, rainwater and organic debris that gets trapped in the roots! So pretty & does not harm to its host tree!!

5. Distracting accents like traffic circles, old coral walls, and sculptures dot the city of Coral a Gables keeping me entertained while running! It’s no wonder I fall so often…

Get out and enjoy your city! Make your neighbors crazy by running through their yards and taking selfies with their flowers! Have fun!

Hello Beautiful!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 30, 2015

In Gluten free

in the mood for a quick smoothie for a snack or light lunch/ breakfast? I love beets… I really don’t know why… But that earthy flavor with salad or cheese is just so delicious to me. If you don’t love beets, stop reading!!!

all you need… plus chia seeds

Hello Beautiful!beautiful color, beautiful taste, beautiful YOU

Today’s smoothie:

1cup frozen berries

1/2 c açaí juice (Sambazon)

1/2 c beet juice (biotta)

1 c chobani vanilla yogurt

3T chia seeds

Yummmmmmmmmm blend that beautiful fuschia and Drink the rainbow…

Choose happy❤️

Hey! You wanna piece of ….. My yummy gluten free coffee cakes? You & your family are going to enjoy these!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 29, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

When I was first diagnosed with celiac, it was late October a few years back, and one of the first things that crossed my mind was my families tradition of Christmas morning Irish Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Well NO PROB here! It took a few tries, but now I make a gluten free version with great texture, taste and consistency… Such that you can serve this to anyone and they will not know its gluten free! Plus, you can change around the toppings depending on who you are cooking for! Another favorite of mine is pumpkin coffee cake. Today I’m making pumpkin loaf modified from the Pamela’s pancake mix recipe www.pamelasproducts.com . Pumpkin bread is great, because it’s delicious and its a great way to get some extra vitamins and nutrition into your body and those of you kids.

well worn recipe card!

Gluten free Irish Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Cream 1/2 c butter

1 cup sugar

Add and mix well 2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 T Apple cider vinegar

1c sour cream

Mix dry ingredients together and then add to wet

2 cups Pamela’s pancake mix/ gluten free flour

1/2 t salt

1t baking powder

Topping: traditionally cinnamon, sugar & nuts…today I added semi sweet chocolate chips too!

Place half the batter in round pan, top with half the topping, repeat with second layer

Bake at 350 for 45 mins. Enjoy!

place in batter, top with toppings, repeat

yes! looking good!

anybody want a piece of that?

Next up…

Pumpkin Loaf 

Mix 4 T melted butter

2 eggs

2 T Apple cider vinegar

1/2 c sugar

1t vanilla extract

1 can pumpkin purée/pack

Add dry ingredients mixed together

1 3/4 c Pamela’s pancake mix/ gluten free flour

1 t baking powder

Dash salt

1 t each cinnamon, ginger and 1/2 t nutmeg

Top with raw sugar and walnut or pecans to taste. Bake at 350 for 50 mins

place all batter in greased pan

your family is going to love it! and youre going to love all the vitamins from pumpkin

put out your Sunday Best

make it a great day! ❤️

Shrimp & Grits. Fast, Gluten Free & Just Plain Good

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 28, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

Shrimp & grits… It’s so fast…you can have dinner done in 10-15 minutes. After all of the yard work today, I’m plumb tuckered out and just want a delicious meal that I can eat while I enjoy my new view!

What you need:

Shrimp- 6-8 per person

Tomatoes, cherry or other small tomatoes

Olive oil

Seasoning- garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning

Grits

Cheese – I use Parmesan and shredded Italian blend

Tomatoes-

Mix with olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper & Italian seasoning (fresh rosemary would be great…I just used a standard dry blend), red pepper flakes. Bake for 10 min 350 degrees

ready for the oven! looking good!

Grits- quantity for 3 adults… Multiply as needed

Bring 1c milk and 1 c water to a boil

Whisk in 1t salt & 1/2c grits

Reduce heat and whisk until thickened.

Add 1/2 c shredded cheese and 1/4 c Parmesan

Serve with Parmesan sprinkled on top

whisk the grits in a little at a time to prevent clumping

Shrimp

heat 2T olive oil with 1t garlic and 2t red pepper flakes

Add shrimp, cook on med high 3 mins per side

dont stir the shrimp…let them get a liitle browned

Serve and Enjoy! Gluten free and sooooooooo easy!

deliciousness !

Dreaming of an Outdoor Oasis…..

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 28, 2015

In Gluten free, Home organization

its it such a pleasure to have an outdoor space to relax in! It doesn’t have to be big. A small balcony, a large backyard, or even an urban yard with a zero lot line can all be converted into a nice space for relaxing, dining or entertaining! I started today with some pretty lofty goals, and I finished the day with exactly what I wanted… My Coral Gables Oasis….and an upgraded balcony at my boyfriends apartment to boot!

We started out at IKEA, Friday night… Where we got a patio set for the apartment and some lighting (solar powered!) www.ikea.com, then we dropped by Home Depot for some drought hardy, sun tolerant flowers….watering plants is definitely not my strong suit, and I have a plant graveyard to prove it!

Mission #1 – apartment oasis

We headed to downtown early, before Ultra traffic became a problem and set up the Grunnet IKEA patio set. With such a great view, it was really a shame not to have an outdoor space to sit and enjoy it! This set was not the easiest IKEA set that I’ve put together, but the table is sturdy and the seats very comfy, and for the price of $269 for the table & 4 chairs, it’s a great deal, too!

this is a NOasis

what a view! this needs high table seating to allow dining & relaxation without compromising the view

imagine coffee here every day? Definitely OASIS

Mission #1 accomplished! We head back home for some more hard work!

Break! I’m HUNGRY!

First, a yummy omlet! I made this with left over black beans from taco night, and cheddar cheese! Gluten free and SO DELICIOUS!

lunch break! black bean & cheddar omlet

Mission #2 – backyard lighting & color!

I started out last year with the IKEA Äpplarö outdoor set. storage benches ($70) with wall panels ($35) really created an relaxing seating area with adequate storage, but today, I want to add some lighting and color! I started out with trimming of all the hibiscus ($ = i buned that omlet) that were peeking out above the fence line. Once done, we installed LED solar powered pendants and lighting chains (Solvinden ($5-9.99) with Solarvet ($12.99 for 24 LED lights). I also found some beautiful indoor/outdoor solar powered stars by “threshold” at Target ($11). These were both super easy to install, and really worth it. I used small clear cable ties (like in 50 shades of my-yard-is-about-to-be-awesome!!!) to secure the light chains. My patio looks so good….and these lights with the wood panels could really turn even a zero lot line yard with a view of a cement wall into a peaceful garden!

We added some drought resistant flowers to an IKEA socker ($39.99) plant stand, and used electrical tape wrapped just below each pot bracket to improve performance & reduce slippage. Socker flower boxes were filled and hung over fence ($14.99)… Final result… The oasis I was dreaming of! Happy 🙂

before… overgrown & old, drooping light chains

hibiscus trimmed and bulbs being assembled for the light chains!

handpainted wall by my daughters & I, IKEA seating, flower boxes and lighting done!

solar powered LED stars from Target & IKEA solared powered pendants

oasis day & night! even my dog loves it!

avocado tree with pendants and stars lighting the evening sky….peaceful

welcome home….

The Top 5 Reasons I a Choose to use an AuPair for Childcare

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 26, 2015

In Uncategorized

Its that time of year again… An email from the AuPair agency reminds me to “start my search” for my familiy’s next AuPair. Every year, I reassess the program, and again this year I have decided in favor of an AuPair for my childcare needs. Here are the top 5 reasons that I choose to use an AuPair for childcare:

1. Excellent childcare & flexible-

An AuPair will provide 45 hours per week of in home childcare. The do not do housekeeping. The just have fun with your family, help with homework, go to the park, play barbies and games, and participate as a family member for the year they are with you! They can drive, take to and from school and after school activities…everything most parents need in a childcare provider. In home care means flexibility….that means you can go for a run….outside….at 6 am. Awesome! You can meet a friend after putting the kids to bed. Love it! You get stuck at work …it’s covered. Just keep within the work hour regulations and remember your kids want to see you too!

2. Wonderful cultural exchange –

The wonderful AuPairs that have stayed with my family have all been from Germany. There are AuPairs from everywhere! I choose Germany, because my kids are in a bilingual language magnet program (german, obviously). Our AuPair speaks to the kids in German and helps them with their German homework, and we learn a bit about Germany while she learns about the US. AuPairs must take college classes during their year. They have a great time meeting new people, getting out of the house. It is a great way for a young woman to learn important career skills and become independent!

past and present Au Pairs on vacation with my kids at disney this year

3. Au Pairs are good role models for my children-

Strong, independent young men & women who take initiative to leave their homeland for a year to gain a cultural experience, language skills and polish their college applications? These young men & women are AWESOME! Just what I want my kids to see!

4. Affordable childcare –

There are upfront agency recruitment fees and then a weekly stipend and educational stipend that are very reasonable. The upfront charges vary by agency. The weekly stipend is set by the government at $195.76 as this is an official government sponsored exchange program! Both the program and your AuPair have a tax ID, so you can deduct them and your AuPair can pay taxes.

5. Comprehensive package–

if you use an agency, they provide you with education, program guidelines, recruitment, help with interview, flight to and from US, a program coordinator with monthly meetings for your AuPair and help… even mediation if required. They also provide program materials, including a communication log and if needed, a program to find your AuPair a new home and you a new AuPair if things don’t work out. ( I have not had to do this!) Also, the AuPair is provided with health insurance.

Basically, I love the program and recommend it. I use cultural care AuPair and have been a happy AuPair host mom for the last 4 years! www.culturalcare.com

taken from www.culturalcare.com

Shula’s … Pretty nice date night

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 25, 2015

In Gluten Free Dining

wednesday night… Still no kids… Hair already done... I’m going to skip the run and have a nice date night! We park in South Miami and begin perusing menus and decide upon Shula’s…. Where, suprisingly, we have yet to try!! Www.shulas347gables.com

they should not have given me a pen

The ambience is quiet… Steakhousey (yes, that IS a word), and almost romantic. We get a booth (getting closer 🙂 )and check out the menu! Drinks are good… I have a glass of wine and my date has dragonberry mojito! (Yum)

The chef answers quickly and informatively regarding gluten free items ( so far, no pain, so all good here!) and we order… Now I should mention, we are not 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 dessert type people… I just can’t fit all that in!! However, a couple of sneaky PEEPS fit after dinner anyway! So.. We ( means I) order truffle fries, spinach salad with grilled chicken-hold-the-chicken (yes… I can see it in the waiters eyes, but he casually says “see! There are so many things for a gluten free vegetarian!”), my date gets bbq shrimp and for dessert… Thank goodness! There is always gluten free creme brûlée! (No pic of the Creme brûlée because I ate it too fast) All in all, thumbs up… Understanding staff, educated chef, multiple menus choices & good drinks (see… I saved the best for last!). Have an awesome night!