Granola

One of my favorite podcasts, the Slate Culture Gabfest, recently had a goofy segment about granola. The group was in general agreement that granola must do the following in order to be worthy:

-Contain oats, nuts, and some sort of dried fruit
-Be good straight out of the bag AND hold its own in a bowl of milk
-Contain - or have previously contained, prior to jostling - some sizable clusters. (Loose oat "granola" is really just glorified muesli, no?)

I had given up on finding a good GF granola years ago, but this podcast segment got me thinking. So I went for it, and scored big on only the 2nd try. Behold, the most kickass granola, GF or not:

There are a few different flavors but I fell for their Peanut Butter Whole Oat Clusters and haven't strayed. It meets every criteria for perfect granola, save for the inclusion of dried fruit. Since I prefer to add my own (organic Thompson raisins, berries in season, banana, etc.) I see this as a plus. Depending on the package, some of the clusters are as large as a cookie - and taste just like one(!), though are - thankfully - less sweet.

It's widely available at Whole Foods, local groceries and bodegas, Amazon.com, as well as directly from Kind. 

Lost Count at 40 (GF-Friendly Eateries and Products)

I know I often extol the virtues of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup to the high heavens - and I'm here to do it again! It's just a great group of folks with a collective wisdom about living GF in NYC that can't be beat. I always leave an event with another GF tip - whether it be a new place to eat or a new product to buy. I also always leave feeling like I can't remember 5 or 10 other great tips because I was busy enjoying myself! To that end, I started taking notes at a recent event. When I explained what I was doing, attendees started listing so many good ideas, that I just passed a notebook and pen around! I typed the list up and sent it to all who attended the dinner.

Below is a copy of our list. It's arranged by neighborhood, borough, state (there are some NJ businesses listed). While one or more of us have eaten safely at many of the venues, it is definitely NOT a guaranteed safe list! Please exercise your usual GF caution before dining, i.e. call ahead, ask about their processes, etc. Personally, I would not eat at a number of the venues below, because I am so very sensitive to even small amounts of gluten. I am listing them anyway because I know there are people who are much less sensitive and would likely choose to dine at many of these eateries.

The venues with asterisks are places where I've personally eaten safely. (If you'd care to make similar notes and share, please do so in comments below!) As I mentioned, the list is arranged by neighborhood. (I am geographically challenged, so please correct any mistakes, please and thank you!)

This list is a work in progress. I'll be updating it with new venues, hyperlinks, and a map (most) every Friday. I hope it helps get you out in the world more often, enjoying safe social eating with the people in your life.

LES:

*Babycakes (Vegan/Kosher/Soy-free/GF cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and more. A must-go when in NYC.)

West Village:

*Risotteria (Italian: risotto (of course), pizza, fantastic breadsticks, and baked goods. Their old-school black and white cookies are amazing; I have made the trip for those alone.)

Gustorganics (Organic. Clearly marked GF items on menus.)
Gobo (Vegan/GF)

East Village:

Pommes Frites (All French fries, all the time)

*Stogo (Vegan/GF ice cream + baked goods/sweets from Babycakes and other vegan/GF producers)

*Tu-Lu’s Bakery (All GF. Offering sweet and savory baked goods, as well as gorgeous panini on homemade bread.)

*S’mac (Mac ‘n cheese.)

*Rice (292 Elizabeth St.) (One of my very favorite places to eat in all of NYC! Ask for the separate GF menu.)

Pala Pizza (Regular pizzeria offering GF options.)

Caracas (Arepas)

Sacred Chow (Vegan/Kosher)

Chelsea:

*Friedman’s Lunch (Many, many GF options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Located in the historic Chelsea Market.)

Union Square:

*PIE (GF pizza. Delicious. Not available by the slice.)

Flex Mussels

Gramercy/Flatiron:

Bar Breton (Buckwheat galettes)

Blue Smoke (BBQ – with a jazz club one floor away!)

Eleven Madison Park (Offers GF diners a GF breadbasket with a selection of Everybody Eats artisanal breads)

Midtown:

Bistango (Very GF-friendly Italian – and they now have GF cupcakes!)

Times Sq.:

Ruby Foo’s (Asian food. A limited GF menu. Have heard only good things about their food and ambiance.)

Midtown West:

Heartland Brewery (There are multiple Heartland locations in NYC, but this is currently the only site offering a GF menu.)

Nizza (Italian. Separate GF menu.)

Midtown East/UES:

*Lilli and Loo (GF Asian, including sushi!)

UES:

*Lumi (High-end Italian)

Flex Mussels

Candle 79 (Vegan/GF)
Candle Cafe (Vegan/GF)

*Peters’ Gourmet Diner (Upscale diner where most of the menu is GF)

Gobo (Vegan/GF)

UWS:

Café 82

Nice Matin

Café Fiorello

Multiple locations:

Spice

5 Napkin Burger (One member of the NYC Celiac Meetup group reports that they have GF buns and a dedicated GF fryer. As always – be sure to inquire before ingesting!)

We also hear that gluten-free street food is coming to NYC – a kiosk – somewhere in lower Manhattan. Details when I have ‘em. 

Brooklyn, Park Slope:

*Bogota Latin Bistro (2 dedicated GF fryers and a newly expanded GF-friendly menu!)

*Everybody Eats (All-GF bakery, offering beautiful baguettes, bagels, challah, cookies, and more)

*Sun in Bloom (All vegan, many GF menu items – all GF baked goods)

Sheep Station (Carrying Everybody Eats buns for sandwiches and burgers)

V Spot (Vegan with some GF)

Brooklyn, DUMBO: 
Rice (One of my very favorite places to eat in all of NYC! Ask for the separate GF menu.)

NJ, Hoboken:

Filipos

Anthony David’s

Pasta Truck

Bin 14

Basic Foods

Stax – GF pancakes

Hoboken Farms

GF products/places to shop:

*GFree NYC (Of course! NYC’s first all GF store!)

Katz’s Gluten-Free (Brooklyn)

Gluten-free Shoppe (Brooklyn)

Cider:

*Original Sin cider (I can vouch for this one: D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.)

Chains:

PF Chang’s

Rosa Mexicano

Pizzeria Uno

California Pizza Kitchen

Bonefish Grill

Carabas Italian

Outback Steakhouse

TGIFriday’s

Le Pan Quotidian – (One member of our group has enjoyed their GF quiche with all buckwheat crust)

Etc:

*Foods by George (To-die for brownies and other baked goods)

*Namaste mixes (Low sugar, "natural" baking mixes)

Jacques Torres chocolates, including Easter chocolate bunnies

GF App for iPhone: http://www.glutenfreeapp.com/www.glutenfreeapp.com/Welcome.html

GF Diner Joy (Peters', With Pictures)

This past Monday was (yet another) grey, rainy day here in NYC. Despite the weather, 12 hungry celiacs attended a NYC Celiac Disease Meetup at Peters' Gourmet Diner. Peter was so very accommodating, setting us up at a nice long table along the center of the restaurant, with plenty of room on either side for people to visit and mingle.

In case you aren't familiar with Peters': It's owned by a Peter and is decorated with photographs featuring (other) famous Peters:  Peter Gabriel, Peter Jackson, Peter Faulk - you get the idea. It has an upscale diner feel, with a handful of booths, many tables, and both a front and back patio. It's equally great for a big family meal and quiet solo dining, you and a book on a weekday night.

All that, and their menu is almost completely gluten-free! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. Pancakes, omelettes, club sandwiches and burgers, chicken parm and pasta. So many options that it took us a good 20 minutes to make up our minds. For the most part, we went old school:

Cheeseburger and fries - can't beat that with a stick.

With a little twist:

Cheeseburger with salsa and avocado

Lighter fare:

Broiled 1/2 chicken with sauteed vegetables. Much brighter and happier than my sad little camera pic lets on.

And the dish I coveted the most (while thoroughly enjoying my burger):

Chicken parm, baby. And, YES, those cutlets are BREADED, gf-style.
 

There were also beautiful salads, stuffed potato skins, sandwiches, GF beer, and more - I didn't want to hold up the chowing down with my picture taking. Forgive the low light of the pics I did take: just wanted to give you some idea of what Peters' has to offer, to encourage you to get on over there!

(And if it helps to put your worried GF mind at ease: half of the kitchen at Peters' is dedicated GF, with its own fryer, toaster, griddle, etc. Peter has been operating this way since the diner's inception, prompted by a good friend's GF diagnosis. About 20% of their clientele is GF. Let's increase that percentage, shall we?)

I also can't overstate what a fantastic time we all had - chatting, sharing stories and recommendations, and just enjoying time with people who get it. If you haven't already, please consider joining the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup, a Celiac Meetup in your area - or starting one if there isn't one where you live!

Tourist Season (Downtown and UWS Eats)

Well, it's about that time, the point in spring when we natives fall in love with the city all over again and the population seems to double with an influx of tourists. Whether you're a resident or visitor, you should be able to ramble and roam the city - not always easy to do when you're gluten-intolerant. Planning ahead is key when you're GF. When I know I'll be out and about with others, I get a ballpark idea of where we'll be in town and get a list of safe places I'll be able to eat when we're there. To that end, here are two of my go-to spots: Hampton Chutney Company on Prince St. and the UWS.

Both sites sell dosas and uttapas (both fabulously gluten-free), which I can best describe as filled crepes (dosas) or pancakes (uttapas) made with a sourdough chickpea/rice flour batter. While the batter is traditional, most of the fillings are not. They do offer a masala potato filling, but most others tend towards upscale sandwich ingredients, i.e. goat cheese, arugula, roasted red peppers, etc. My favorite is actually their breakfast dosa with eggs, spinach, roasted tomato, and jack cheese. Nice, right? And each meal comes with your choice of Hampton's many chutney options.

So if you'll be meandering through the LES or heading out for a stroll in Central Park, put Hampton Chutney Company on your delicious and safe eats list.

French Toast for a Very Monday-ish Saturday

Despite being Saturday, this day started out feeling like a Monday. Reason? My neighbors started hammering and sawing at 7:30am. Let me repeat, SEVEN-THIRTY A.M. ON A SATURDAY MORNING! I haven't a clue what the project is and why it couldn't wait until a more civilized hour, but after tossing and turning, cursing the gods, and trying desperately to get back to sleep, I gave up and did this:

Aaaaaaah, Saturday.

For the record: I don't even really like French toast. Growing up - during the gluten-filled years - it was a regularly endured, if not enjoyed, breakfast/brunch offering. So I've been surprised by my insane craving for it recently. Here is my fast and easy gf version:

Sandwich bread (I used Udi's white this time)
2 eggs
milk (enough to fill bowl such that you can submerge the bread)
salt
vanilla

Blend with a fork or whisk and submerge bread slices for just a few seconds apiece in the egg mixture. Heat some salted butter in a pan and brown bread slices over medium heat.

Since gf bread can be crumbly - especially after being dunked in the egg mixture - I used the Udi's straight from the freezer (I keep a load of gf bread in there at all times). This week, I used the entire loaf of bread and froze individual French toast servings for later, as insurance against other Monday-ish mornings.

Perhaps you noticed the sausage links in the picture? They're from celiac-friendly Jones Dairy Farm, available online and nationally.

Mmm, pork!

I grew up eating the original Jones breakfast links; these rice and pork ones are lower in calories (130 for 3, should you care about such things) and are, of course, gluten-free. In fact, 46 of 48 products listed on the Jones site are certified gluten-free! Can't beat that with a stick.


If you've read this far, then btw...

This post had an alternate title: "So-Good-I-Made-it-Twice-Today French Toast".

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I have a so-bad-it's funny tale: I put the first two slices of French toast in the pan and - oh my goodness - did it smell amazing! At that point, the hammering was still loud and annoying. With jangled nerves, I quickly reached for the spatula so I could turn the toast and...

(1) Knocked a glass jar from an overhead shelf, which
(2) Smashed the pint glass of water I had on the counter
(3) Causing shards of glass to fly into my mug of tea, onto the floor, AND into the bowl of egg batter.

I did what any sane person would do [correction:  what I guessed they would do]: I cleaned up the mess, laughing at the inane sequence of events, and made a fresh batch of batter and cup of tea. Redoing everything = totally worth it.

Hope you're inspired to make some (shard-free) gf French toast of your own! It's really that good.

Greek-American Joy (Bisquick Revisited)

Why yes, it does taste even better than it looks!

Strawberry shortcake with loads of whipped cream? Nope - better. I swear.

Gorgeousness above = Fage 0%, honey, and strawberries atop a gluten-free biscuit made with gf Bisquick. Biscuit recipe is straight from the back of the box, with butter (minus 1T) subbed for the shortening.

Nonfat yogurt has never looked this good.

If It Looks Like a Bagel, Acts Like a Bagel, and Tastes Like a Bagel...

then it's probably a bagel from Everybody Eats! Seriously, look at this beauty:

Schmear-ready bagel goodness.

They're small and dense, with a crusty outside and chewy inside. And they really do "act" like regular bagels,  toasting up properly, giving that good crust on the outside. At Everybody Eats, they boil and bake them, the old fashioned way. This is as close to a real NYC bagel as I've found among the gf options. And Everybody Eats? It's in Brooklyn!

While they don't have a storefront, you can stop by their office at 3rd Ave and Carroll St. in Brooklyn (between 9am and 6pm) to pick up orders you've called in. On Saturday, they're open from 10am-5pm for walk-in sales. No need to call ahead, just stop on by. One of the owners, Bruce or Pedro, will be there to greet you... and give you a cookie. (No, really - they give you a cookie! This Saturday it was a warm chocolate chip, last weekend it was one of their insanely good old school sugar cookies.) A sleeve of 4 bagels costs $7.00 and is completely worth the price, especially if you grew up eating real bagels (i.e. not some frozen grocery store impostor). Live on the left coast? Have a gf former NYC-er in your life? You can order online, via telephone, or email and have your items shipped anywhere in the country! Bagels, pizza, pasta, baguettes, challah, burger buns and more - they make so many amazing products.

Bread+(Insert Filling Here)

Oof. It's another scorcher here in NYC - up near 100 again. The gusts of wind feel like they're coming out of a forced hot air heating system. I don't know about you, but eating is the last thing I want to do.

Unfortunately, I am not one of those metabolically gifted folks who can function without regular meals. My mood and mental acuity plummet after a few hours sans food. So today, as on busy days, I am doing my standby: "meals" consisting of bread + something.

As I prepared my pb&r ("&r" = raisins), I got to wondering: what bread are other gf people enjoying these days? I've been eating Food for Life Brown Rice bread for so long that I can tolerate it untoasted. I settled on that one because of (1) Price: about $3.50 a loaf at Trader Joe's; (2) Texture: it's outstanding toasted. It reminds me of the Arnold Brick Oven Bread that my grandparents used to sell in their deli in Brooklyn. And, once toasted, it travels very well if you let it cool and/or wrap it in a paper/cloth towel before putting it in a ziploc; (3) Fiber: At 2g per slice, it has more than most gf bread; (4) Fat: At 2g per slice, it has WAY less than most gf bread!

I will admit to buying Udi's on occasion (I prefer the bagels over the bread) - usually if I'm without a gf meal and decide to make a Whole Foods run because of that. (Whole Foods is my gf safety net, but that's another post.) My problem with Udi's is the cost (over $5/pkg) and the fact that I'm usually still ravenous after eating it! It has very little fiber, so is little better than the Wonder Bread that it resembles texturally. But, oh, the texture! A pb&j on Udi's white bread? A little bit of heaven(!) - and well worth the financial cost when your gf soul needs a lift.