Seattle Trip 2012, Part 1

We had so many wonderful meals in Seattle, I'm just bursting to share!
Our first night, we dined at Sazerac--our hotel's restaurant. To begin, let me just say that the Hotel Monaco is totally awesome, and I highly recommend staying there if you're gluten-free. Their central location downtown allows for much exploring, and their restaurant is super gluten-free friendly. The service is excellent...they did a wonderful favour for us (which you'll hear about in Part 2), and every evening, they host a wine reception in their uber comfortable and stylish lobby. That's right, free wine, free snacks, huge couches....for one whole hour of bliss. The bacon-wrapped dates are so addictive.


Right, back to Sazerac.
We decided to do the four-course tasting menu, for the low price of $40. We didn't even order drinks because we were already pretty liquored-up from the wine reception. Here's what I had: Fresh Oysters, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Pistachios, Pan Seared Scallops with Creole Clams and Chorizo, and a bountiful Fruit Plate for dessert.

Everything was so delicious and fresh and seasoned perfectly. We came back the next night after an unfortunate dinner at Tulio Ristorante, and I had the Cedar Plank Salmon Salad which was also just perfect.

SOOOOO...about Tulio.....this was the first time IN MY LIFE that I have not eaten something served to me at a restaurant. We had made reservations, and glanced at their gluten-free menu online....I was excited, because they had duck on their menu, and I love duck. A LOT. Anyways, they had to make (apparently) so many modifications that the duck they served me was pretty gross. It was totally bland, and cold, and unsauced and naked. I make better seared duck breasts at home. The "Lemon Risotto" they served me underneath the protein was also cold and only tasted like chicken stock. The rice wasn't even cooked properly. And no lemony-goodness to be tasted. Well...that was the only unfortunate part of our whole trip. Afterwards, we made a mad-dash to Bottega Italiana so I could inhale some delicious Pistachio Gelato I had been craving for the past year. It was amazing, as expected.

On our third day in Seattle, we stopped for lunch at a classy little place called Purple Cafe and Wine Bar. Their menu didn't overly excite me, but I gave them a shot. Not to my surprise, they had no gluten-free alternatives, just modifications. I mean, no gluten-free buns, baguettes, pizza crusts, or pasta. So, I decided to go low-carb and get the Cranberry Chicken Salad. The portion was HUGE and I could only eat half of it, despite my healthy appetite, and it tasted great! I didn't even miss the bread because this salad was fully loaded with apple, cranberries, almonds, scallions and shaved parm. Just look at this beauty!

On another note, I opted out of going for breakfast while in Seattle. Why? Because I prefer to start my day on a lighter note, so greasy eggs, bacon and hashbrowns were out of the question. Thankfully, we scouted out a supermarket called Kress IGA just a couple blocks from our hotel and picked up some gluten-free goodness for our mornings. There were tons of gluten-free snack options in Kress, and if you're planning on going to Seattle, I highly recommend picking up some essentials to save you a little bit of money, and keep yourself from overindulging every meal of the day. Here's the granola I found, loved, and brought back four bags of:

And lastly, I found a fantastic fancy coffee place called Tully's; it was super close to our hotel. They had a very nice assortment of gf baked goods, which I enjoyed on a big comfy chair with my Vanilla Soy Latte.

Well, I think I'll cut this part off right here. Part two will be up soon (my favourite parts of our trip). If you ever needed a reason to spend some time in Seattle, now would be an excellent time to go and treat yourself to some gluten-free delicacies. <3 <3

Gluten-Free at UVIC--A Very Special Edition

Oh gosh. I feel terrible for not writing very often, but instead of offering a million apologies and excuses, I've decided to give a very special post for anyone who goes to UVIC, spends time there, or will be going there in the future.
I've been at UVIC for a little over a year now--it's mostly just big and scary and some days I hate it. I spent the first few months at UVIC scrounging for food that I could eat, which unfortunately ended in me getting terribly sick once. 
However, UVIC has come a long way in recent months and I'm sure they're just warming up. Hopefully in another year, I'll be able to write another edition of this with brand new food!


Let's start.....

Finnerty Express: The coffee shop by the bookstore--they also carry a variety of other snacks like chips and chocolate bars. However, I discovered they also have gluten-free goodies as well! Check out their Almond Raspberry Shortbread and their Peanut Butter Crunch Bar. To die for!

Biblio Cafe:  Beside the library... renowned for their shitty cell-phone reception. Always ASK FOR GLUTEN-FREE...and maybe even repeat it for them a few times! They have some loaded bagels, including the West Coast Classic (Cream cheese, lox, capers and onions) and a Veggie Bagel (Cream Cheese and Veggies). HOWEVER, despite their efforts to accommodate Celiacs, the effort is rather lackluster. The bagels taste like compressed sawdust...a common conception of gluten-free breads, but not exactly our only options. They could really elevate the product if they switched to Udi's Bagels (Chewy, moist, delicious). Also, they carry Melinda's Gluten-Free Biscotti to enjoy with your coffee...quite delish!


Munchie Bar: In the SUB building, at Cinecenta. It is my humble opinion that Munchie Bar serves THE BEST coffee on campus...in fact, I can't go to class without stopping by for a cup'a'jo every morning. Is it sad that a coffee bar can complete you? That sounds too romantic...they just complete my day. End of story. Anyways, Munchie Bar also carries an assortment of baked goods from Origin's bakery including cookies and granola bars. The cookies come in convenient little packs of 3...perfect for munching on during class. During the school year (non-summer) they also carry gluten-free products from Bubby Rose's bakery, like the Quinoa Chocolate Cupcake and the infamous Bubbymore Bars. However, I will caution you that the cupcakes are stored in the same containers as glutinous muffins and I advise Celiacs to not risk it. If you're dying for one of these cupcakes, just go to Bubby Rose's Bakery and pick yourself up some goodies. (I'll write a review on them later)


Grad Lounge/ Grad House:  Close to Cinecenta, just around the corner. I've only had one thing off their menu...and I've had it about five times now. This is a great little place to grab lunch with friends on campus. They offer a number of gluten-free items, but most notably, the Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa. They give you three tacos for about $8...when ordering, I simply ask for a 4th taco (big appetite) and they add it on for $2. They're perfect for a gluten-free hot lunch at school. I would really like to see Grad House carrying gluten-free burger buns and whatnot in order to offer more options to us. We'll see what happens.


That's my complete list so far, and I'd love to add to it! I've barely touched the surface of all the places to eat on campus, so if you have more suggestions, please let me know and I'll check them out!!


Hope everyone is doing great and eating well!

Personal Recipe--Chinese Style Ginger Fried Beef

So, earlier this week, my mum asked me if I wanted to come over for dinner on Saturday while her partner was in Vancouver. I agreed, and we decided we would make something we couldn't normally make. My first idea was tempura and I was pleased with that.  But then, when we drove to the grocery store for ingredients, I suggested Ginger Fried Beef--a longtime favourite of mine. We looked at each other and realized we were throwing a wrench in all our plans so I quickly pulled up a recipe on my Blackberry and off we went into the store.
The recipe is long, and the cooking instructions are in multiple steps. It was hard work, but between me and mum, we totally pulled it off. We served it with rice and stir fried vegetables. It was outstanding but totally teamwork!


Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 pounds flank steak, or sirloin

Marinade:

4 Tbsp tamari

2 Tbsp Chinese rice wine (mirin) or dry sherry

2 tsp granulated sugar

4 tablespoons ginger juice

Sauce:

2 Tbsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

2 Tbsp tamari

4 Tbsp white or rice vinegar

4 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 Tbsp water

2 teaspoon hot chili oil or crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

Other:

2 stalk celery

½ large onion

1 red bell pepper

2 carrots

2 Tbsp oil for stir-frying, or as needed

1 tsp chili flakes

2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp sesame oil

4 to 5 cups oil for deep-frying

Batter:

1/2 cup sweet rice flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tsp hot chili oil (optional)

2/3 cup water, or as needed

Preparation:

 Partially freeze the beef to make it easier to cut.

• If making homemade ginger juce, grate the ginger and squeeze out the juice until you have 4 tablespoons. Cut the partially frozen beef along the grain into thin strips the approximately length and width of matchsticks. Add the marinade ingredients and marinate the beef for 25 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, vinegar, sugar, water and hot chili oil. Set aside.
• While the beef is marinating, prepare the vegetables and sauce. Cut the celery, onion, red bell pepper, and carrot into thin strips.
• To prepare the batter, combine the flour and cornstarch. Stir in the vegetable oil, and the hot chili oil if using. Add as much water as is needed to make a smooth batter. It should not be too dry or too runny, but should lightly drop off the back of a wooden spoon.
• Heat the oil for deep-frying to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip the marinated beef pieces into the batter. When the oil is hot, add the beef and deep-fry until it is golden brown. About 5 minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in the wok. When the oil is hot, add the chilies. Add the carrot, celery, red pepper, and onions. Saute until softened. Add the ginger and garlic.
• Push the vegetables up to the sides of the wok. Add the sauce in the middle. Heat to boiling, then add the deep-fried beef back into the pan. Mix all the ingredients together. Remove from the heat. Serve with rice and veggies.

Product Reviews--Perogies and Ravioli by Conte's Pasta Co.

So, apparently being a student is synonymous with being broke half the year--thus, restaurant reviews are not flowing in as freely as I originally had hoped for. Nevertheless, I haven't forgotten about my blog and my darling fans [all 72 of you on Facebook, and maybe just a few secret lurkers if I'm lucky] !!!

Last week, I was watching Food Network and I became really grumpy, "I wish I could eat perogies" I groaned. My friend insisted that we just 'simply make them' and I was all like "that seems like a lot of work..."
I'm in the midst of finals for school and free-time is a luxury I just don't have right now, thus, any hopes for making our own perogies would just have to wait until finals are done (April 9th omgz!).

I lamented, "I won't bother making them, I figure that soon enough, a company will come out with gluten-free perogies and I will be thankful I didn't waste time and money to failing any attempt to make perogies from scratch."

It was kinda like a freaky-friday moment.

Today, by sheer coincidence, my friend and I ended up at Lifestyle's Market on Douglas St. so I could pick up some gluten-free organic sausages for dinner. As per usual, I browsed the freezer section, hoping I would find some revolutionary new gluten-free goody to make all my dreams come true, if just for a day.

Mid aisle, I look up to the top shelf....I stopped breathing for just a moment and I felt my eyes widen and stop blinking. I turn to my friend and say "No freakin' way!". I hurriedly swung open the freezer door and pulled out a bag of Conte's Spinach and Cheese Ravioli. I squealed once more, handed them to her, and I stretched up again to see what else was hiding on that top shelf of miracles....

For the third time, I squealed. Thankfully my friend doesn't get embarassed too easily, and thankfully she understands the simple pleasures of a new gluten-free find. I bet all of you share this excitement...we're a special bunch, aren't we?

I pulled out a bag of Cheese and Onion Perogies, also by Conte's Pasta Co, and I began to feel the excitement creep up over me. Perogies are definitely one of my favourite foods of all time...and it's been at least 6 years since I've had them, and during those years, I had dreamt of this exact moment. My eyes began watering...yes, I was about to cry in the freezer aisle. You must understand that this is an extraordinarily visceral reaction to potato and dough dumpling, only accomplished by a VERY burnt-out, overtired university student running on coffee and pure adrenaline. I don't expect you to have the same reaction as I did...again, I'm special.

Anyways...

I made the perogies for dinner tonight, boiled, and then fried in butter and sauteed onions, accompanied with Freybe's chicken-turkey Bratwurst and a nice Arugula salad.

The Verdict?
Umm, holy moly!! They taste exactly like regular perogies...chewy and doughy, bursting with savory potato filling. They were DELICIOUS, and I have pretty much nothing else to say about them because, well, it's such a simple food, and to eat such a simple food after craving it over over half a decade results in an experience outside of language.

I'll try the ravioli this week and attach the review to the bottom of this entry.

Sorry for the dramatics...it's been a rough week, but writing this made me feel a little better :)
~~~~****UPDATE****~~~~
Tried the raviolis last week after a few too many glasses of wine. Yes, I 'drunk-kitchen'-ed it. As far as I remember, they were delicious, but I unfortunately just slathered on some Classico sauce in a fit of desperation. Could have been much more delicious with a pesto,some friend porcuitto, sweet peas, and fresh parm.

Restaurant Review: Bin 4 Burger Lounge (180-911 Yates St, Victoria BC)

When I heard that a new gourmet burger joint was opening close to downtown, I had to check in with myself and ponder the many questions and expectations I would have of it. I didn't have much to inform my expectations in a burger eatery, aside from obvious comparisons to Pink Bicycle. I waited patiently for Bin 4 to open...and then they did open, but nothing happened. I was surprised at my passivity for trying out a new burger in town...and I just sat here, waiting for the day I would crave some gourmet meat in a bun.


I was apprehensive. I was worried about gluten-poisoning. I was worried about options. I was worried I'd be stuck with a hamburger salad [Where you don't actually get a bun, just a bed of lettuce]. I approached Bin 4 with caution; I read review after review, I monitored their Facebook page, I studied their website. And finally, this weekend, I decided I wanted a supreme burger and a couple drinks to start my reading break off right.


Now, I kick myself for having waited so long. Seriously, where has this place been my whole life?


Sunday night, we made a reservation just to be safe. This was a smart move as the place was packed when we got there at 6:30. It's a good sign when a restaurant is busy on Sunday night.




Enough small talk, let's get down to business. I looked at the menu and found myself stumped...practically EVERYTHING looked so delicious and making a decision proved to be difficult for both of us.


We started with a couple drinks; Mojitos were on special for I think $4.50 a piece so we enjoyed those pretty quickly. Just to mention, our drinks came super fast despite the crowds.


I made my decision to try the "Bin 4 Bistro Burger" [$13] on a gluten-free Origin's bun [+$1] with a house salad. Here is where my only recommendation will come in...Bin 4 could set themselves FAR APART and ABOVE Pink Bicycle if they were to get a separate fryer for their gluten-free customers. OR, better yet, make their Onion Rings gluten-free so we could all share a fryer. Even though the burger itself was so delicious and indulgent and I was happy to munch down on some leafy greens...the option to have onion rings would be just so wonderful and I could see this restaurant being a mecca for Celiacs.

But, back to the burger. The Bin 4 Bistro Burger consisted of "Island Farmhouse chicken breast, Fraser Valley bacon, brie cheese, balsamic red onion jam, roasted garlic aioli, butter lettuce, tomato". I got hooked on the idea of having brie on my burger...and trust me, it was heavenly. The bun is of course something I'm familiar with by now; however, Bin 4 toasted it just perfectly. Perhaps with butter? And I could tell it was toasted on the flat top, not the toaster. The burger itself was as perfect as I could have hoped a burger could be...in a word, it was QUALITY. In two words, QUALITY GOURMET. It was evident it was put together with serious care, and that all the ingredients were fresh. I also really loved the Butter Lettuce instead of  the predictable Romaine or Green Leaf. The balsamic red onion jam was the perfect condiment...no ketchup needed. (As a ketchup enthusiast, it wasn't easy to admit that.) The side salad I had with the burger was lovely and fresh as well...it was a perfect palate cleanser between bites of that savory burger. Not to mention the portion size was quite generous.

P.S. I also ordered a glass of Red Sangria to sip on while I ate. Just $6 for a generous glass...and it was delicious and refreshing. I consider myself somewhat of a Sangria aficionado, and Bin 4 has made it into my top 3.

Prior to ordering, I informed our server that I have a very serious allergy to gluten and to advise the chefs to take extra precaution when preparing my burger. Without hassle or an apathetic  sigh, she gladly agreed to my request and reassured me I would be well taken care of. Awwww, so nice! We all enjoy a little security from time to time. And for all you super-Celiacs out there, I DID NOT have 'eater's remorse' afterwards...no gluten-poisoning from Bin 4 Burger Lounge!


And now what you've all been waiting for, my verdict: Heck Yes I'll Be Back!  Can't Hardly Wait!


EXTRA MENTIONABLES:


1) The service was great. Everyone was super friendly and accommodating. PLUS, food and drinks came quite fast despite it being a busy night. Server was knowledgeable about gluten allergies and what I could and couldn't eat.
2) The atmosphere is great--I'm quite positive they had an interior decorator come in; the decor is clean and modern with a twist. The lighting was perfectly dim...which is preferred when eating sometimes less elegant meals like burgers.

3) They have other gluten-free dishes and appys if you're not feeling the burger-vibe. 
4) YESSSS! They have Bard's gluten-free beer to go with your perfect gluten-free burger. Drink up, Eat up!

Exciting Gluten-Free Products!

Hello all! I am writing this in protest of finishing a pressing paper due tomorrow. I guess I've been so wrapped up in school, I've kinda lost the balance in my life I usually take great pride in having. So, in an effort to bring balance to my evening (and to procrastinate just for 15 more minutes), I bring you a special blog post...

 I wandered around Lifestyle's Market (Douglas location) a couple weeks ago as an opportunity for me to spend money on 'specialty' foods that I probably can't afford. I only do this once every few months, so I somehow can justify it. Anyways, to my delight I found some really amazing gluten-free goodies just waiting to be sampled:

1) Goldbaum's Gluten-Free Chocolate Sugar Cones: a far cry from those styrofoamy goblets we enjoyed as youngsters. it's an ice cream cone...that tastes like a COOKIE! It's likely just another simple privilege that gluten-eaters enjoy regularly, but seriously, when was the last time you had a sugar cone? A must-buy as a wonderful little treat for yourself (goodness knows, you deserve it) [12 cones for about $6]

2) Mountain Top Bakery Sausage Rolls: the little fat kid inside of me loved sausage rolls--flaky dough wrapped around a log of meat?! Sounds promising, right? These little gems made for a couple perfect lunches, yet were a tad expensive. Found in the freezer section. [ 4 rolls for $10]

3) Annie's Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese: I feel like I should have known about this sooner--I feel like I was a deprived student because I didn't eat KD twice a day, and I really hoped for an authentic university experience. This lovely box of super-salty cheese dust and dehydrated elbows (pasta shape, not body part) made a perfect midnight snack while I was studying. I feel slightly more complete. [ 1 box for about $4]

4) Glutino's Chocolate Covered Pretzels: I feel like this doesn't even need justification, but in case you haven't convinced yourself that you deserve this, I'll give you some motivation. It's pretzels....covered in chocolate. Sweet and salty crunchy morsels of indulgence; super addictive, super deadly. I suggest asking your significant other to hide them once you've taken a good handful, otherwise, you'll find yourself walking back and forth from your laptop to the kitchen cupboard in an attempt to satisfy your basic human need to eat chocolate covered pretzels. Good luck with this one. [ 1 bag, for $6]

Pink Sugar Cupcakery (773 Fort St, Victoria BC)

Is there anything better than a fist-sized mound of cake and icing? Probably not. The sheer novelty of a cupcake has held up throughout the decades, and now cupcakes aren't just for birthday parties and bakesales anymore. Indeed, cupcake-culture has culminated into a North America phenomenon where the more creative you are equals more happy customers nomming on your sugar-muffins.

Enter...Pink Sugar Cupcakery.

An unassuming, yet vibrantly decorated sweet shop eagerly awaits your patronage in lovely downtown Victoria. For a gluten-free gobbler such as myself, I had come to terms that gluten-free cupcakes were for special occasions, made by myself in my modest kitchen. When I discovered Origin's Bakery had cupcakes, I jumped in on the action and gave myself a killer sugar-hangover. After I recovered, I breathed a sigh of relief "Thank goodness I don't live close enough to Origin's where I'd be tempted to indulge much too frequently"--I thought to myself. Little did I know that only a few blocks from my home was Pink Sugar, baking up gluten-free desserts on a daily basis....just waiting to get me hooked.



The wonderful thing about Pink Sugar is the vast variety you can sample from; every day is different however so if you want to enjoy the same variety I have, frequent visits are encouraged, or simply call ahead. These cupcakes are so wonderful...I wish I had known about them sooner, but I'm happy I could share my discovery with my readers! FYI, they do special orders ;)

Restaurant Review: Baan Thai (1117 Blandshard St, Victoria BC)

I've made a wonderful new friend this semester, and she's obsessed with Baan Thai. She has been known to eat it on her way to class in the morning, or sometimes twice a day. I liked the idea of trying a new Thai restaurant but I was of course nervous given that gluten allergies are not always easy to accommodate. I did my usual research; an in depth look at Baan Thai's website and online menus and to my surprise, they are able to make about 75% of their menu items gluten-free! Everything was looking quite delicious at this point as I saw a world of options open up in front of me, but I wondered to myself, when would I take the leap of faith and try something new? Well, last night was THE NIGHT! And wow...it was something special!

My friend and I ordered two dishes to share, ordered off the "Take Out Menu":
#17: Pad Thai Gai: Rice noodles, flash fried with tender chicken, extra firm tofu, salted radish, tamarind, egg, green onion with fresh bean sprouts topped with roasted ground peanuts.
#44: Pra Ram Long Song: Tender sliced beef, sauteed with fresh vegetables with Baan Thai's own peanut sauce and chili paste oil. Ordered with a side of Steamed Rice.

To our dismay, we came home with our aromatic paper bag package and opened it up--the portions were much smaller than Little Thai Place and the dishes were slightly more expensive. Usually when we order from Little Thai Place, we have enough food for two dinners under $30. "Nevermind" I told myself  "Let's see how it tastes!" My friend and I sussed out the details, ensuring each of us had the exact same amount of food each...both of us are big eaters and sometimes sharing can be complicated. We emptied out the aluminum pans of every last morsel of goodness and we sat down.

Okay, I'll be honest. Regardless of the cost or the portion size, the food was EXCELLENT. Mouth-watering, savory, and perfectly balanced. This food had serious flavor and I felt bad for judging a book by its cover (or meal by its size). I could finally understand how my new friend could eat this every day...it was everything I wish my homemade Thai food could be. And I didn't get that gross, heavy feeling I usually get after eating oily take-out--this food actually tasted like REAL food. The saddest thing was we finished our plates, and we were both hungry after. Baan Thai was satisfying in every way except it could not tame my big appetite while being friendly to my student-sized wallet. Bottom line, I would DEFINITELY have Baan Thai again, and I would DEFINITELY recommend it to anyone with a gluten-allergy. Just inform your server (or call-taker) that you have a gluten-allergy and they take care of you from there.

An Update: Where I've been, What I'm eating, and What's Next...

                               
My goodness has it been a long time! This has been the busiest time of my life so far, and I wish I was exaggerating. I'm in 3 week long courses that are condensed from the standard 14 week long course, so literally, everyday I'm at school, and every night I'm doing homework. It's super intense! On top of that, we're moving this month and the process has been anything but simple and straight forward. This month has been EXCELLENT for food though. Here's a little briefing of where we've been, and what we've eaten...
1) Noodle Box--Had the Spicy Peanut gluten-free finally and my tummy was delighted!
2) The Pink Bicycle--I had the Lamb Burger with Blue Cheese and Apricot Pesto...to die for!
3) Canoe Club-- A gluten-free success! I had the Cowichan Pulled Chicken Sandwich with a side salad, and my brother had the burger on gluten-free bread. I had heard some mixed reviews regarding their gluten-free foods, but I informed my server that my allergy was very severe and to ask the chefs to be extremely careful. It was great in the end!
4) Little Thai Place and West Coast Waffles--I would tell you more, but I haven't tried anything new from them yet! Still, love them!

I have two new favorite gluten-free products: Hunny Bunny Amazing Dad's BBQ sauce...it seems expensive for $8, but it's 100% organic, and the first ingredient is organic honey. It's SO good! San-J Tamari Peanut Salad Dressing...would be yummy on an asian-inspired salad, or on anything really! Both bought at Thrifty's.

My brother is in town and he's an excellent cook. We've been eating very well you might guess. He bought a deep-fryer just for his visit so we could have huevos rancheros with keffir lime hollandaise, and spicy fish tacos with coleslaw. Since he's been here, we've also had BBQ'd halibut, BBQ'd ribs, and burgers. Every day there has been a meal together, and it's been so delicious. It's been a marathon of food!

The future of this blog is looking very bright. I am discovering countless more places in Victoria that do gluten-free menus or food items and I'm just so excited to try them! The downside of being a student is that I can't dine-out very often, especially not 'fine dining'. Currently, I am at the end of my student loans and awards and all my funds are being set aside for bare basics for the next 25 days (yes, I really am counting down the days).  It seems that gluten-free is expanding all over Victoria and I've compiled a little list of the places I'll be eating at in the coming months.
1) Brickyard Pizza--I'm curious to see how careful they are about cross contamination, but also excited!
2) Jackalope Bistro--A peculiar little place I've walked past a million times, but they have cheap burgers on gluten-free 'corn rounds'...we'll have to wait and see about this one!
3) The Reef--Not a particularly exciting gluten-free menu, but I'm hoping it's delicious still!
4) Bon Sushi--I had this sushi once before, but now I want to pay special attention to what they do to accommodate gluten allergies and what exactly is gluten-free from the menu.
5) SkinnyTato--Polish cuisine for me? The menu looks small, but I'd go just for the cabbage rolls and potato pancakes!
6) John's Place-- They carry Origin's bread for their breakfast menu...eggs benny? Fingers crossed.
7) Pagliacci's-- An exciting pasta menu, available with rice noodles. I'll double check about cross contamination.
8) Smoken Bones--when they open in December, I'm gunna be ALL over this place.

That's it for now guys! I promise to update more come September!

Seattle Extravaganza! Part 2 of 2

The best part of Seattle was of course, all the seafood!

                                    

Crab Pot Insanity

The Crab Pot, 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA

Once we docked in Seattle, and checked into our hotels, the group decided they wanted to be real tourists and go to "The Crab Pot". For those who don't know much about this place, "The Crab Pot" is located in the super touristy district on Alaskan Way, and the restaurant itself is GIGANTIC. Like, literally, it takes up about a block, A CITY BLOCK! At The Crab Pot, you sit down at big long tables covered in paper. You order a selection of seafood including crab, mussels, clams, prawns and oysters and they steam it all up together with some red potatoes and corn on the cob. Once it's cooked, they dump it all on your table, give you a wooden mallet and block, and of course, a bib. Yes, a bib. Like a baby. The Crab Pot is nothing spectacular honestly; the seafood is delicious ), but the service is pretty bad, and the atmosphere is super tacky. You basically go to The Crab Pot just for the experience of getting messy with a bucket of seafood. It felt so American.
Gluten-Free Tip for The Crab Pot: Ask to get your meal without the andouille sausage. It is NOT gluten-free.

Sazerac, 1101 Fourth Ave, Seattle WA

Lamb Sausage with Polenta

The best part of our foodie adventures in Seattle took place at this fantastic restaurant: Sazerac. They were located in the Hotel Monaco, right across the street from our own hotel. We practically haunted Hotel Monaco the entire trip: 5 oclock wine tasting and appys in the lobby, awesome restaurant, convenience/gift  shop, friendly helpful staff that will practically bend over backwards just to accommodate you...Yah, Hotel Monaco was simply amazing. And it was the same price as our hotel which kinda sucked in comparison. We'll definitely stay here next summer. 

So, down to Sazerac. I'm going to be honest, I wish this place was in Victoria. We ate 3 out of 4 meals here...and for good reason. They will make pretty much anything gluten-free for you. Not only do they have a special gluten-free menu, but they literally will make any modification so you can enjoy whatever your heart desires. Eat your heart out indeed!

For breakfast both mornings, I had the "Eggs in Hell" which consisted of polenta, eggs, red beans, and andouille sausage which was just amazing! 

Later that night, we indulged in a four-course tasting menu; and believe it or not, I HAD DESSERT! My four courses were: Fresh Oysters on the Half-Shell with Mignonette, Roasted Beet Salad with Chevre and Pistachios, Pan Seared Scallops with Chickpea Puree, and a Maple Pecan Creme Caramel with Candied Banana. This meal was just $40. Plus, it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Literally, to die for.

Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates with Chevre and Balsamic Reduction

We ate a lot of food from Sazerac, and how could we not! Practically everything they make was ready for a gluten-free modification. I could not have asked for a better place to eat while in Seattle...it took all the stress and guess work out of searching for a delicious meal. I'm so excited to go back soon!

Odds and Ends:

Something that I cannot get out of my mind is the Gelato I had in Seattle. Bottega Italiano Gelato (1425 First Ave) had mindblowing gelato. It's made with 100% natural, in-season ingredients (no corn syrup or preservatives) I wish I had gone back at least 3 more times, it was such a delicious treat to combat the hot climate. Me and my friend shared a four-scoop cup for roughly $5. It was a very generous portion for the price. We had Chocolate, Cinnamon, Coffee, and lastly, Pistachio flavors. The Pistachio was epic, and unlike anything I've ever had before. I'm determined to find some in Victoria that is even half as delectable. They also had many dairy-free options for those of us who don't do moo-juice.

Seattle Extravaganza! Part 1 of 2

Last weekend, me and and a group of friends all made the trek over the Seattle for a Steely Dan concert. Naturally, I get quite anxious at the very thought of leaving the comfort of my city and kitchen to explore the unfamiliar and scour a new environment for delicious eats.

I did some planning for my Seattle trip. I had gone onto urbanspoon.com to get the scoop on what restaurants were being touted as gluten-free. I made a fabulous list, complete with addresses and types of cuisine. (I'm a Capricorn...making lists is just something we're obsessed with). But despite my list, I felt like it had the potential to hold me back, or worse yet, isolate me from the rest of the group. I knew I had to be flexible for improvisation.

After taking this three day trip, I kept some notes on how to improve my experience the next time I'm over there. I suppose these tips could apply to travelling just about everywhere, so hopefully this will be useful to everyone:
1) Make sure your hotel room has a mini fridge: Yes, we had a coffee maker in the room, but no accessible soy milk.
2) The Clipper has pretty much no gluten-free options: Aside from sodium-laden peanuts and potato chips, you're pretty much on your own for this 3 hour ordeal. The Clipper can at times be a pretty rocky ride; I recommend bringing these: a couple bananas, candied ginger, rice cakes, and an apple, water bottle, and coconut water. If customs gives you a hard time for bringing fruit on board, just simply explain to them these are your only food options available for the trip over. They'll be nice about it.
3) Bring ginger capsules: these handy little pills are my best friends when eating at unfamiliar places. I took about 3 with every meal, and 2 every couple of hours. I was still recovering from the gluten-poisoning I experienced nearly 3 weeks ago now, and my tum was just not ready for super rich foods. So...I forced myself to eat whatever was available, and I counteracted any unpleasantry with these ginger pills. If you wanna read more about ginger pills, go here http://www.nutritional-supplements-information.com/benefits-of-ginger-root.html.
4) Inform every place you eat that you have a gluten allergy: Ask what might be suitable options, and also don't be afraid to ask for them to make modifications. Most places I found were happy to accommodate me.

Another recommendation, find a drug store close to where you're staying. Once there, look for coconut water  in the refrigerated section. Coconut water does amazing things for my stomach, especially if I've eaten too much salt, or too rich foods. I drank about half a litre of this stuff every day I was there.

Special: Gluten-free Summer Favorites

I love how summertime brings out a completely different side of me--my appetite and food cravings shift from the rib-sticking comfort food of the colder months, to an endless search for new recipes and products to make summer just a little bit yummier each year. I don't like cooking much in the summer, indeed, I eat a huge variety of different salads like Belgium Endive with Roasted Pears and Roquefort, or Baby Beet Salad with Fennel and Walnuts. I'm pretty much obsessed with delicious and creative salads in the summer. Also, I adore anything that's been grilled on the BBQ, be it Ponzu Chicken Wings paired with cold Vermicelli and Grilled Baby Bokchoy, or Korean Red Pork Tenderloin with a chilled Brown Rice Cilantro Pilaf with Snow Peas.  These are just a few of my favorite summer dinners. In celebration of summer, I've compiled a list to share of my favorite products and ingredients to make every hour of summer delicious!

1) "So Delicious Coconut Milk Minis" in either Vanilla, Chocolate Almond, or Fudge. These little treats are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. They're a perfect light dessert to help cool you down on hot summer days, while adding a different nutritional profile to your diet. I'm addicted.

2) "Annie's Naturals Organic BBQ Sauce" This is a perfect gluten-free condiment to keep in your fridge. Unlike many other BBQ sauces out there that are super thick and processed, this brand really does deliver a great product. Simply baste on your meat in the last 5 minutes of grilling for an uber satisfying treat.

3) Fresh Herbs. If you have a little patio or window sill, I highly suggest investing in a boxed herb garden. Or create your own using materials from your local gardening store. My favorite herbs to grow are chives, basil, thyme, and my FAVORITE, flat leaf Italian parsley. Fresh herbs offer a welcomed hit of flavor to quick salads or marinades--I also like to add them to rice or quinoa during cooking to add another dimension of flavor.

4) Coconut Water. Another addiction of mine...a rather expensive addiction to say the least. But, in my opinion, nothing refreshes quite like it! If you haven't tried coconut water before, it may or may not take some getting used to. It's light (like water), but oddly really smooth (like gin, right out of the freezer). It's only slightly sweet and has a unique flavor I can't really describe without using the words "kinda coconutty, but not exactly" Regardless, pick some up. I love the brand "Taste Nirvana Natural Coconut Water with Aloe". It's packed with nutrients and low in calories. Drink up.

5) Watermelon. This is the cure-all. It's ultra cooling on a hot day, and it's packed in vitamins and nutrients--plus, it's mostly just water, therefore super hydrating. In fact, I ate half a watermelon yesterday and felt terrific afterwards. Good stuff.

6) Iced Coffee. Another daily staple for me, and simple to make. The night before, I brew a big pot of coffee, add a touch of Agave syrup or Honey, stir, and let cool on the counter for about an hour before transferring it to a pitcher and chilling it in the fridge overnight. The next day, add a couple ice cubes and a splash of soy milk and you've got yourself a perfect afternoon pickmeup.

7) "Origin's Bakery Baguettes" These carby sensations are essential to keep on hand. They freeze really well so don't be afraid to pick up a couple extra to store for an impromptu dinner party. They also defrost quickly! I adore these baguettes for creating delicious tasting platters when friends come over--try them with a Sage and White bean Hummus, Garlic Tapenade, Brie and Apple Canapes, or as a base for sampling different cured meats like  Spicy Soppressata and Porcuitto, or even get creative by making homemade vegetarian pates made from walnuts or pumpkin seeds! And remember, everything goes well with Sangria!

Restaurant Review: The Pink Bicycle Burger Joint (1008 Blanshard Street, Victoria BC)

A few days ago, I was notified that two restaurants in Victoria would begin carrying gluten-free bread products from Origin's Bakery. The Pink Bicycle is one of these two.
I have never had the pleasure of eating a burger, WITH A BUN, at a Victoria restaurant. If I ordered a burger, I would have to get it without the bun...which is hardly a burger at all. It's just a puck of meat with some lettuce. Not very exciting if you ask me. For the longest time, I just accepted this as my only option when dining out.

But something amazing happened this week...something so exciting I could hardly wait to try it: The Pink Bicycle began using gluten-free buns!

The Pink Bicycle has been revered as the "Best Burger in Victoria" for the last three years. I had begrudgingly read their menu and felt as though I would be forever left out of this special burger experience. I was tired of asking for burgers with no bun at other restaurants, it wasn't worth the money, or the shame I felt by destroying "what could have been". I'm happy to announce now though that I have eaten at the Pink Bicycle, I ate a real burger, with a damn good bun.

A little background of the Pink Bicycle is duly needed for this review: All the meats they use are organic, naturally-raised, and as local as possible. I applaud sustainable, and ethically produced meat--not only does it taste SO much better, it's good for our community and supporting small local economy, it's better for our land, and much better for our bodies. The Pink Bicycle also sources many of their other ingredients from local farms and small businesses--I am proud to support a restaurant that is so socially and environmentally conscious. Bravo, Pink Bike, Bravo.

Now, let's talk food!! Some things that gf people need to know about dining at The Pink Bicycle. The first thing, the beef burgers and the "swine burger" are seasoned with a sauce that contains minimal amounts of gluten. I steered away, but if your tummy is not as sensitive as mine, it would be fine. Next, there are three vegetarian burger options and two fish burger options if you don't feel like eating mammals and birds. I didn't get a chance to ask if these were gluten-free, but if YOU know, I'd love to know as I still enjoy a good veggie burger. Lastly, the fries and onion rings are fried in the same deep-fryer...therefore, cross-contamination does occur and those with Celiac should avoid the fries. On the bright side however, you DO get a salad with your burger, and the salad is delicious with candied pecans and local leaf lettuce.

I had the Island Bison Burger with Bacon on Origin's gluten free hamburger bun. The special sauce they put on it is gluten-free so no worries there. The servers are really knowledgeable and understanding about gluten allergies...I felt pretty safe :) Also, the desserts weren't gluten-free, but that's alright...I was stuffed after my burger and salad, plus I was just so happy to have had a real burger with a real bun :) It was so delicious, and I can't wait to go back and try every other burger they have. I'm especially excited about the Blue Cheese Lamb Burger and the Herbed Chicken Burger. This place is an absolute MUST TRY for all you living gluten-freely!

Message: Sorry for the lack of posts....

Today is Day 5 of gluten-rehab and I'm STILL super sick. I'm not really eating anything, or going anywhere...so ya....no posts really. I'll hopefully start eating real food again by the end of the week.

All this downtime is just fueling my passion of ensuring that gluten-free food can be accessible in Victoria. Furthermore, I'm considering taking action at UVIC to provide more gluten-free options, and hopefully educate food staff properly regarding allergies. We will see when I'm finally able to leave the house :p

I'm looking forward to potentially going out for a delicious lunch this upcoming weekend. I'm so hungry...it's been days without a good meal. Fingers are crossed.

Personal Story: The Worst Gluten-Poisoning We Fear the Most

Thursday will go down in history as literally, and quite possibly, the worst day I've ever had. Aside from struggling that morning to take a very difficult exam, and being notified my August Sociology class got cancelled (potentially disrupting my funding), I was super starving, and the University Centre cafeteria was closed because of convocation events (this is usually where I grab some fruit and yogurt). I went to the Biblio Cafe once I finished my exam, and decided to try their gluten-free bagel with lox and cream cheese, called the West Coast Classic.

I asked the cashier for the gluten-free bagel, I paid him, and I sat down to enjoy my first food of the day.

I knew I only wanted half of the bagel, so I separated the top from the bottom, and started eating.

I was so amazed at how good this bagel tasted, and it felt so good to eat something so delicious. I kept eating, marveling at the fluffy and chewy texture. I thought "Holy crap, they're getting really good at making gluten-free stuff now!!"

I was almost done my first half; only two bites left really, and I got a horrible feeling that something was not right. I wrapped up the bagel and brought it back to the cashier. I asked him if he gave me a gluten-free bagel...he replied "Oh...no...I didn't, sorry."

My eyes started to well-up with tears in the crowded cafe, I promptly left and started full-on crying once I got out the door. I knew I was in for total gut-hell...but for how long?? I mean, I've gotten sick from cross-contamination (think...a single bread crumb can make me sick)--what was going to happen to me after eating HALF A BAGEL?!?! I called my friend and she tried to console me while I waited for the nausea to set in. After about 10 minutes, I was super nauseous, and I called my dad to take me to the doctor to see if there was anything that could be done....once at the doctor's office, Mr. M.d. told me essentially there is nothing I can do, and that I can expect to feel really sick for about 3-4 days.

Today is Sunday--so far the easiest day post-gluten. Yesterday, however, was horrible. Every day was horrible actually. I'm making Borscht today to last me for the next few days while I give my tummy a rest and just eat really simple soups. I'm hoping to eat a really good, big meal on Thursday, but we'll see.

Lesson of the day kids: If it tastes too good to be gluten-free...it could be that it isn't actually gluten-free after all.

Personal Recipe: Meatball Subs with Tangy Slaw

I hadn't eaten a meatball sub since my glory-gluten days, and then two weeks ago, I decided that I would likely only get to eat a meatball sub if I made it myself. I didn't look for any recipes, I figured it was a pretty intuitive dish to make. I've seen people make meatballs and it always seems like a big event, with lots of complicated steps like soaking pieces of bread in milk, and grating parmesan (which I never keep in the fridge anyways). Here's my take on super quick, easy, delicious, and nutritious meatball subs!

1 lb ground beef (I prefer organic, and grass fed)
1 egg (free-range, organic, and local)
1/2 cup parsley (finely chopped)
1/2 large sweet onion, finely chopped
1 glove garlic, finely diced into teeny tiny pieces
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 tbs garlic salt
1 tbs nutritional yeast flakes (in lieu of the parm...but its still optional)
1 jar marinara sauce (I used Classico Tomato and Basil...it was on sale)
1 tbs chilli paste (optional, I just like a little bite in my marinara)
Sliced provolone cheese (optional)
Gluten free breads of somesort--I used Origin's baguette. Next time I'll use Kinnikinnick hot dog buns as they're slightly more cost efficient.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Sweat the onions in a skillet with butter, or olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Add the parsley and garlic and stir well. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.  In a mixing bowl, combine the meat, egg, quinoa flakes, and garlic salt. Next, add in the onion mix and mix well. With your hands, roll the meat into balls the size of your choice, and place them in a greased, oven safe dish. Cook for roughly 45 minutes.
Once the meatballs are cooked through, add them back into the same skillet you've already used for cooking onions, and add the marinara sauce and chilli paste and simmer on medium-low heat. Serve on gluten-free bread with provolone.

Tangy Slaw
1/2 bag of shredded cabbage mix
2 green onions. chopped
Dressing: 2tbs olive oil, 1 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs honey, 1/2 tbs dijon mustard, salt, pepper. Mix well, toss with the cabbage. Serve on the side.

Product Review: 'Pamela's Chocolate Cake Mix' (available at Lifestyles and Planet Organic)

I will admit...I can be incredibly lazy when it comes to baking gluten-free goodies. Let's face it, it's not always easy to produce delicious and successful gluten-free desserts, and this is exactly why I choose to buy baking mixes. Is this considered cheating? Am I any less creative and ambitious? Frankly, no. I'm just not a baker.

I of course, enjoy jazzing up my gluten-free baking by making my own icings and frostings, even adding my own ingredients to the mixes sometimes too, like pecans or cranberries. My suggestion: just have fun with it and thank heaven there are gluten-free baking mixes that have already been perfected by the professionals.

Down to business! I love 'Pamela's' products! I've tried all the baking mixes, and they were all amazing with the exception of the "Vanilla Cake Mix"...it tasted strange, but I wanted to love it so badly. For all the other bagged mixes by Pamela's, you can't go wrong. My absolute favorite is the Chocolate Cake Mix.

For your information, Pamela's also makes bags of tiny gluten-free cookies. They come in Ginger Snap, Chocolate Chip, and Double Chocolate--they also don't use corn products (last time I checked anyways). I have been known to eat an entire bag of these tasty cookies in one sitting...it usually happens while watching back-to-back episodes of Friends.

[Image courtesy of http://www.pamelasproducts.com/]

Restaurant Review: Hernandez Cocina (735 Yates Street, Victoria BC)

Precious little tacos from Hernandez

Have you ever noticed how authentic Mexican food is generally really balanced and fresh? Forget that cheesy mess you get at other places (although, when craved, the cheesy mess can be welcomed). Hernandez isn't some Tex-Mex, artery-clogging disaster. No, Hernandez is simply put, AMAZING! Fresh, nutritious, satisfying, generous, and honest. An eatery like this one stands alone in Victoria.

I have to confess honestly though, I have had a "gluten-tummy" just once from eating at Hernandez, but that was a couple years ago now, and I have since learned to inform the staff that I have a gluten allergy so they can be extra careful. No problems since then...only blissful chowing on Victoria BEST Mexican food.
Everything Hernandez makes is done with care and integrity, and it really shows in the final product: perfect masa tortillas and delicate and flavorful meat (all hormone-free, organic, or local). They have many vegan/ vegetarian options as well like "Tacos de Frijoles" (black bean)...just $5 for 5 delicious tacos. Ask for no sour cream to make it vegan!

My favorite dishes are these:

• Huarache de Puerco (or de Pollo): its a thick handmade corn tortilla, topped with black beans, rice, shredded pork (or chicken) full of mexican flavor, and some greens.
• Tacos de Carne: three handmade corn tortillas with local organic beef, salsa, cilantro and lime.

Most of their menu is gluten-free, except the burritos, which are made with flour tortillas. Everything else is made just for you!

Check out their website at http://www.hernandezcocina.com/ and familiarize yourself with all their traditions and their love for their cultural, family-inspired cuisine.