Saturday, March 28, 2009

Favorite fast dinner


I love this dish. It may be only me that loves this dish, but that is OK. I will go on loving it, and making it, for a long time to come. It is especially good when you are so hungry you are willing to put just about anything in your mouth, because it is very FAST to make.

Here is what you do:
  • Cook some frozen peas, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 cup (I love peas)
  • Take some leftover grain, such as rice or quinoa - both work well - add it to the peas.
  • Add some nuts, which could be plain roasted peanuts, or slivered almonds, or almonds, or whatever you like.
  • If you have legumes sitting around, such as the fabulous always-ready lentils from Trader Joe's, you can add some too. Always good.
  • Cook (see methods below) until hot and season with butter, salt and pepper, or, my personal favorite-can't-be-without, Penzey's Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
  • On the stove, I first cook the peas and then add in the leftover grain and nuts. In a microwave, start the peas first in a large bowl, then add the grain and nuts and zap again.
  • Fancy add-ins - a little grated parmesan cheese, or maybe some dried cranberries, etc.
  • Put in a bowl and eat it up.
Sorry my picture is a little blurry - I was hungry and wanted to eat and was maybe a little too close to the food!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Welcome to the blog

Other American cities have a strong GF presence in the blogosphere. I am trying to do the part for Washington, DC where I live and work (and eat!).

I will be posting various GF related adventures in the city and listing useful sites for celiacs, their family, friends and fellow diners.

Enjoy!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Queen of Sheba


We love Queen of Sheba, finding it a ready oasis for hungry city denizens at virtually any time, even on a Friday or Saturday night. QoS is on 9th and P Sts NW and has an unassuming store front. It is a little further away from "Little Ethiopia" up the street, but quite worth the trek.
We find it to be tastier (spicier) and more flavorful than some of the other places in town. Plus it is in the hood so location can't be beat. Prices are reasonable too.

First things first though, I have to talk about the injera, which is a spongy bread served alongside the dishes. Now, my friend Martha, who hails from Ethiopia herself, says that in country, the injera is made only from teff, which is a GF friendly grain. However, we started inquiring at a number of Ethiopian restaurants in DC, and found that their injera is typically made from a combination of teff and wheat. So, that puts it out of the running for us GF types. Bummer. But, here is what we do at Queen of Sheba...

I order the 7 veggie special and ask for them to serve it to me on a plate with brown rice and no injera. Be patient. You may need to explain this a few times. It is sometimes confusing to the servers there. But, bottom line, they really want you to enjoy the food and delicious it is. And eventually they get it. Ask for a fork, they will bring you that, and you can dig in to the mound of veggie delights with gusto.

Oh - you can eat all the veggie options except for the salad which also has injera in it. There are 8 options, so it is easy, just say Veggie 7 with all but that one salad.

In the photo above you see my food joy, and in the background, my companions' "normal" order, which was that night another veggie 7 plus beef tibs I think.

www.queenofshebadc.com

Rustico

My former office mate, who also has a friend who is celiac, told me about Rustico in Alexandria, VA a little while ago. My erstwhile GF-friendly BF accompanied me down out of town to check it out.

Rustico has a chickpea crust pizza that is fairly crispy, thick, and quite filling (even at my hungriest, no way I can eat more than half a pizza!). You can get a variety of toppings. What is even more fun, is that there are also gluten free beers so you can munch and sip and approximate ye olden days before your diagnosis...there are even several suggestions for the beers and the one I had was quite decent!

It is a fun destination for a mixed-company group (GF and non GF) as the ample menu has many other pizza options, plus burgers, a large beer selection, and a friendly, convivial atmosphere.

www.rusticorestaurant.com

Pete's Apizza


This post could be very, very short indeed. Here is what you should do:
  • Get yourself to Columbia Heights. Be hungry.
  • Go to Pete's Apizza.
  • Order a Kyra's pizza.
  • Eat. Enjoy. Smile.
In the years since my celiac diagnosis, of course finding decent pizza somewhat reminiscent of the "real mccoy" is perhaps a celiac foodie's equivalent of the holy grail. My beloved non-GF BF (that's non gluten free boyfriend) found this gem in December and I make a trip, er, pilgrimage at least a few times a month since our first time there. The proprietor is super friendly and will gladly assist you with menu questions. The Kyra's pizza is on the menu in homage to a family friend. Now, the same disclaimer does apply in this restaurant and for all restaurants where you do not prepare the food yourself - there may be a risk of some cross contamination. But, knock on wood, so far I have eaten there safely every time. So, don't walk, run...and go sink your teeth into crunchy crusty goodness.
http://www.petesapizza.com/