Monday, June 30, 2008

Summer Salad Monday - Build-a-Better-Burger Salad


Okay, you've missed me right? Finally feeling a little better. Still covered in hives when I stop the meds, so we'll see what happens.

Thought we'd start fresh with Summer Salad Monday's again! Well, it is officially Summer now, too!

Here is one I made a few weeks ago. This is inspired by Cheeburger Cheeburger restaurants just up the road from us. They have the most fabulous burgers, which when going gluten free filled me with fear that I'd never eat again! Well...they do a Serious Salad there where you get to build your own! MMMMMM....I always do the same thing...A serious burger, smotherd in fried onions and mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. Served on my salad of greens with red onion, tomatoes and a horseradish thousand island dressing. MMMMM. I've come to trust them, but cannot go there every time I crave one! Oh well!

SO...I made my own!!!

I started out with a grilled burger and covered in slowly sauteed and simmered onions and mushrooms. I melted cheese overtop and served over a salad of romaine lettuce, sliced FRESH vine ripened tomatoes, and sliced red onions.

Okay, so where's the recipe you ask? Did you forget the horseradish thousand island dressing????

Horseradish Thousand Island Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellman's)
1/3 cup ketchup (watch these! some are not gluten-free)
1 Tbs milk
2 Tbs sweet pickle relish
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 Tbs Prepared Horseradish

Mix all ingredients together and serve over your Salad! :D

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

An Apology....

Ahhhh....my loyal listeners/readers (LOL)....I need to apologize for my absence.

Since returning from vacation, I have awoken every day covered in hives. Saturday it got worse and I awoke with a swollen face. Thankfully, Benedryl helped it come down...however, I looked like Botox Jane for a few hours!

I went to the Doc on Monday, and have had a ton of blood tests done. Doc said hives are usually caused by an internal source (i.e. food) vs. an external one.

So...the allergy meds, etc, have left me exhausted and non-desirous of trying to cook new foods...

I AM SORRY...and promise to start experimenting SOON!!!!

Please don't give up on me, and stay tuned!!!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Rice Chex Muddy Buddies

Okay.

So...

It's just too danged hot here in the northeast to post a soup recipe. It did turn out lovely and worth sharing, and it will be shared...maybe when this heat wave breaks!

Okay,

Now onto why we're here today! General Mills has caught onto the "gluten-free" trade and is now producing their Rice Chex gluten-free. Says so right on the box. I think this sent a shockwave of joy through the Gluten-free community!

Well...

This weeks highlight is a recipe I always wanted to try and never did because I didn't want to buy an expensive box of gluten-free rice chex alternative cereal and use it for something I couldn't share! LOL :D Well, our local grocery store just ran a special on Chex cereals and I got the large box for $2 each! I stocked up, let me tell you!

The recipe I tried was the Chex Muddy Buddies. Extremely easy to create and extremely delicious. A treat that won't heat up your kitchen, and is kept in the fridge, so it's a nice cool treat in this awful heat!

I hope you go whip yourselves up a batch and enjoy! :D

And rejoice that at Christmas we'll be able to do an inexpensive Chex Party Mix to share! :D

Monday, June 2, 2008

Summer Salad Monday - Broccoli Salad


So...just got back from vacation on Friday night. We left the house on Friday morning the 23rd and it was in the 50s in our little Philadelphia suburb. On arriving home last Friday, the temperatures were in the 80's and, lets just say, YUCKY humid.

It's summer. Once again, we've skipped spring and gone straight to summer. Well, to be fair, we had spring in April, winter returned in May, and then June is summer. :D

When it starts to get hot out, I start thinking "salads" for dinners, and sides. Anything to keep from heating up the kitchen. I have decided to start a series this summer for summer salads. On Mondays, I will share with you a favorite summer salad - either a main dish or a side. This should give you a few choices when the mercury reaches the awful temps!

On our vacation, my husband and I were talking about food. Food was a big thing for me this trip. Being forced to eat EVERY MEAL out for seven days really messes with your mind as a celiac. I think I've taken more Immodium in the last week, than I ever had. Granted, it doesn't prevent a reaction for me, but certainly slows the process if ya know what I mean! Well, we were talking about favorites, and my husband brought up his love for his mother's broccoli salad. Not a personal favorite of mine, but for my husband (of 13 years on June 3rd - Happy Anniversary honey!), I'll do anything!

Upon returning home, I emailed my SIL, Anne of Cooking With Anne, I figured if anyone would have it she would. (Well, as an aside, I searched thru every loving newsletter my MIL produced to no avail) Here's Annes response to me, verbatim "Broccoli - a couple nice sized heads, broken into florets. A few slices of bacon cooked crisp and crumbled, a cup or so of shredded cheddar and moisten the whole thing with mayo and cream until it "looks good" lol" . Now, you have to understand my SIL, she is a brilliant chef. Trained, and she cooks for 8 people every day (7 of them kids!!!!). She has an amazing palate, and can take 3 completely unrelated ingredients and turn them into the most amazing meal you've ever had! (Make sure to take time to check out her blog - she is NOT "gluten-free" but several of her recipes are certainly adaptable). Thanks Anne. :D

I kept track of my own measurements for this salad so that I could share it with you all. Now...I know when you hear salad, you hear "healthy". I'd like to tell you that this fits the bill...but...well...I can't. It is FAIRLY healthy. And is better than eating a pound of bacon in one sitting, BUT...this is one of those recipes to be savored and enjoyed!

I wasn't a Broccoli Salad fan when I started making this. I changed my mind. This was totally yummy! and a great summer treat. I dare you to make it for you next gathering or BBQ, I don't think you'll have leftovers, that is, if it makes it to the gathering or BBQ at all!


Broccoli Salad

2 to 3 nice sized heads of broccoli (save stems - recipe on this tomorrow!)
3 green onions, sliced thin
6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut in tiny dice (or shredded if you prefer)
2 tbs mayonnaise
2 tbs sour cream
pepper to taste

Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Combine with onion, crumbled bacon and cheese chunks. Add mayo, sour cream and pepper. Mix well and chill for about 2 hours before serving.