Local Dining Options

With the growing awareness of gluten free living and recent celebrity endorsements of a "gluten free" diet come an increase in the number of restaurants that now offer gluten free options. It seems gluten free restaurant menus are popping up everywhere! This comes as a mixed blessing to those of us with celiac though because some restaurants out there offering gluten free options don't quite get it, e.g. brushing the croutons off a salad as it is being served to you, etc.

Below is a list I have started compiling of restaurants in McHenry county as well as the Chicagoland area that either provide a gluten free menu or accommodating gluten and dairy allergies. Please let me know if you have a restaurant that you'd recommend adding to this list or one that should be removed from this list!

Algonquin

Biaggi's: I've eaten here several times and have had a pleasant experience each time. The Grilled Chicken Pietro is my personal favorite.

Bonefish Grill: I've had several, delicious dinners here. I order off of the gluten free menu and ask the server to have the chef use oil instead of butter for any sauteing of vegetables or fish. I LOVE their Bonefish House salad.

Bistro Wasabi: Located on Algonquin Rd in Lake in the Hills, this is one of the best sushi restaurants I've found in the suburbs. It has an urban feel and a great selection of fresh sushi, as well as appetizers and main meals. In talking with the manager, I learned that they have accommodated many patrons with food allergies and can modify menu items to meet your needs. You are also welcome to bring in your own, gluten free soy sauce to use at your table.

Arlington Heights

La Tasca: They carry a variety of tapas that can be made gluten and dairy free. Unfortunately, most dessert items contain gluten or dairy. Fresh fruit is always an option.

Barrington

Barrington Gourmet: I have not eaten here yet, but did have a lengthy conversation with one of the owners on the phone about the menu. She informed me that a local teacher with celiac spent quite a bit of time working with the owner and chef on their menu, teaching them about ingredients and cooking gluten free. They currently do not offer a dairy free cheese for their gluten free pizzas, but their homemade gluten free brownies are also dairy free!

Egg Harbor: I recently dined there and was my server's first gluten free customer. We talked over their gluten free menu and substitutions for making them dairy free, and I had a very yummy salad with grilled chicken. Their dressing was not gluten free, so my server brought over several packets of Kraft salad dressings for me to choose from. My son enjoyed one of their gluten free lettuce wrap sandwiches. He didn't even complain that he couldn't have their Rainbow Pancake!

Francesca's: (located throughout Chicagoland) I've eaten at several of the Francesca's restaurants throughout Chicagoland and have had great experiences. They have a varied selection of gluten free items, and at the Arlington Heights location, crusty gluten free bread. Did you hear that? Warm, crusty gluten free bread!!!

South Barrington

Cooper's Hawk: My husband and I dined here last year for our anniversary. I spoke with our server about preparing some of their gluten free menu options so they could accommodate my dairy allergy. After enjoying a few glasses from their winery, I ordered the scallops with asparagus and rice. When my food was ready, the manager personally delivered it to the table and made sure it met my needs. Impressive, especially for a busy Saturday night!

Anna Shea Chocolate Shop: We stopped here after our dinner up the way at Cooper's Hawk. There is a multitude of decadent chocolate confections. Unfortunately, most all contain dairy. They do offer gelato which is free from gluten and dairy, as well as a dark chocolate bar. The cashier called the owner at home to ask about the ingredients in the chocolate bar, so we could confirm it was gluten and dairy free. They also offer soy milk for their espresso and coffee drinks!

Pinstripes: I haven't had a chance to get out here yet, but have heard rave reviews from other moms. I need to bring the kids to their Mom & Tot times. My son would be so excited to bowl and eat from their gluten free menu! They do request 24-hour notice for ordering their gluten free pasta.

Claim Jumper

Cary

Tapas Calpe/Orchard Prime Meats: Not only do they have the best cuts of meat in town, they have a tasty tapas menu for an evening out. I spoke to the owner and the chef can work with gluten free patrons to modify menu selections. The menu and specials change frequently, so they can prepare items with olive oil instead of butter, omit cheese, etc. http://www.tapascalpeofcary.com/menu_calpe.html

Cary Country Club: They are currently undergoing renovation and have new management in the restaurant. Stay tuned for updates, but I will be meeting with their chefs in March about adding some gluten free menu options.

Crystal Lake

Benedict's La Strata: (located in Dundee as well) They have several omelet and salad options that are gluten free. They have accommodated my dairy free needs as well, by eliminating cheese or cooking omelets in oil rather than butter. They also offer gluten free pancakes, however they do contain milk.

Duke's Ale House: They offer several gluten free menu options that can be modified to eliminate dairy plus GF Hard Cider and wines.

Wild Orchid Thai Bistro: Many of their menu options are naturally gluten free. They have had regular gluten free patrons, so can make accommodations. I stopped in and spoke with the manager for quite a while about their menu and some gluten and dairy free options include: salads, noodle dishes (substitute rice noodles for larger noodles), fried rice, and classic thai curries. They have a special gluten-free soy sauce that they use for gluten free patrons.

Nick's Pizza and Pub: (located in Elgin as well) Aside from the fun peanut shells you can toss on the floor, they have a special gluten free pizza crust that comes in its own pan. I order mine loaded with veggies and without cheese. My son has had the cheese and sausage many times. Yeah for a yummy gluten free pizzeria!

Lake Zurich

Julio's Cocina Latina: I've eaten here several times and never been disappointed. A friendly, attentive staff that truly understand gluten and dairy allergies. They have a wide variety of items on their menu and even indicate those items that can be easily made dairy free.

Walker Bros. Original Pancake House: They offer gluten free pancakes that are cooked on a separate grill from other menu items. Unfortunately, the pancakes do contain dairy (cultured buttermilk is one of the ingredients).

McHenry
Paisano's: Located on Broadway St. in Richmond, this Italian restaurant offers gluten free pasta.


Schaumburg

Big Bowl: They have a separate gluten free menu. Their pad thai is to die for!

Maggiano's: They carry gluten free pasta.

Wildfire: They have a wonderful gluten free menu and bring warm gluten free bread to the table! Unfortunately, it contains dairy.

Woodstock

Expressly Leslie Vegetarian Specialties

Woodstock Public House: (also own Williams St. Public House in Crystal Lake) They offer a gluten-free menu, but when I inquired about fried items on the menu, I was told that french fries and other items share the same fryer as gluten items. All sandwiches listed on the menu are "naked" i.e. without a bun.

Throughout Chicagoland

Aurelio's: They offer a gluten free pizza crust that comes in its own pan.

PF Chang's

Chipotle

Downtown Chicago
The number of available gluten free dining options downtown seems to be growing by the day, but below are a few places that I've personally enjoyed:
Adobo Grill

Feast

Hub 51

Zapatista

Blackberry Apple Smoothie

We pulled the blender out again this morning to try a slightly different smoothie concoction. Success! This one makes good use of leftover blackberries and frozen blueberries.

Blackberry Apple Smoothie

1/2 pint blackberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 banana
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup Silk vanilla flavored soy yogurt
1/2 cup Vanilla flavored almond milk
1 heaping tablespoon rice protein powder (I use NutriBiotic brand - Plain. For those that can have dairy, you can use a gluten free whey protein powder instead)

Dash of vanilla extract (McCormick brand)

1-2 tablespoons agave nectar

Crushed ice

Add all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

I know it seems like an eternity before spring and baseball season will arrive, but since players are reporting to spring training, it got me thinking. Last summer, we were fortunate enough to score a sitter for the entire day to enjoy a Cubs game on a sunny July afternoon. I was a little concerned when I started thinking about what my dining options would be at Wrigley Field. After a phone call and lengthy conversation with the head of Wrigley's concessions, I was pleasantly surprised to know that they offer a few gluten free options at several of their concession areas (Sheffield Grill, Brew House) for those gluten intolerant fans.

We had bleacher seats, but I sent my husband on the beer run and he located a frosty Redbridge beer for me from one of the concession areas. Other snacks that are offered include gluten free gummy bears for the kids and pistachios. They do check bags and purses upon entering the field, but you are welcome to bring in your own lunch or snack which I did do.

Not to exclude our South Side fans, I investigated gluten free food at US Cellular Field as well. They have even more dining options which include sandwiches and hot dogs on gluten free bread and buns, nachos, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, and Bard's Tale gluten free beer.

So, start looking for those opening game tickets!


Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field Concessions

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/fanmap_field.jsp

Chicago White Sox - US Cellular Field Concessions
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/attractions/index.jsp?content=concessions

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

I know pumpkin usually conjures up images of cool, crisp days, fall leaves, and Halloween. Pumpkin is really a versatile food that can be used year-round. You can mix it into soups and chili as well as breakfast breads or pancakes. These muffins are a great way to start the day, get a little extra dose of fiber, and use up any leftover pumpkin you may have sitting in your fridge.


Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1/2 cup millet flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch
3/4 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup canola oil
1 egg
1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water (mix and let sit for 2 minutes)
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 tsp McCormick's Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 cup chopped, roasted walnuts
1/4 cup raisins

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-muffin pan with paper baking cups. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, salt, xanthan gum, baking soda, and pumpkin spice. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, oil, egg, flaxseed meal mixture, vanilla and water. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in nuts and raisins. Pour into muffin cups and bake 24 minutes until slightly golden. Remove muffins from pan and let cool on a rack.

Let Them Eat (GF/CF) Cake!

I enjoy expressing my artistic side, so when my son and daughter's birthdays approach, I start scouring the Internet for cute birthday cake ideas. A Disney character is usually on the top of their list of themed cakes, but it can vary depending upon their current favorite activity or toy of choice.

Inspired by the recent Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes reality shows, I decided to venture into the world of fondant covered cakes. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that fondant can easily be made with gluten and casein free ingredients. Use McCormick's food colorings, the fondant recipe below, a Betty Crocker gluten free cake mix, Pillsbury vanilla frosting, and voila, you have a celiac-friendly and very festive decorated cake. Here are some of the favorite cakes I have made, along with a brief description of what I used to make the cake. My cakes are far from perfect, but I have to admit it is a bit of messy fun rolling and forming the fondant shapes. The expression on the kids' faces when they are surprised with a fighter jet or tea cup are priceless too!

Fondant Recipe
1 lb Jet Puffed white mini marshmallows
2 lbs C & H Powdered Sugar
2-5 Tbsp. Water
1/2 cup Crisco Vegetable Shortening (sticks or tub)


Peggy Weaver's Baking Corner provides an excellent breakdown of the steps for creating fondant. I won't lie - it is a messy process and does take some time to create the various colors.

Springtime Flowers and Butterflies
This was a lot of fun to create for my daughter's 4th birthday. This cake was constructed using two 9-inch cake rounds placed on top of one another with a third, smaller round cake on the very top. I used Betty Crocker's gluten free yellow and chocolate cake mixes and Pillsbury's chocolate frosting as the layer beneath the pink fondant. The grass, flowers and butterflies are all made from fondant dyed pink, green, and yellow. The two large butterfly embellishments are not edible.

Tea Pot Cake
For this cake, I used a 1 1/2 quart ovenproof bowl and made 2 cakes that laid on top of one another. The handle and spout were made using pink card stock. This cake was frosted with Pillsbury Vanilla Frosting tinted yellow. There is a wrapped Hershey's kiss on the lid of the pot - not casein free :(

Blue Angel Fighter Jet Cake
This cake started as a single sheet cake that was cut into a fuselage, a set of wings, and a tail. The standing tail section was created using two Marshmallow Crispies secured with bamboo skewers. Glenny's Brown Rice Marshmallow Treat are gluten and casein free. The runway was constructed using black and yellow construction paper.

Under the Sea Cake

I think I had the most fun with this cake. The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. This cake was constructed using two 9-inch cake rounds placed on top of one another with a third, smaller round cake on the very top. Ariel and her seashell came courtesy of my daughter's toy bin. Flounder, Sebastian, and the other undersea creatures were my own creation.

Lightning McQueen Cake
This cake was probably the most challenging to construct because of all of the rounded edges and fin at the back of the car. It also took quite a bit of red food coloring to achieve the dark red hue. I started with a sheet cake again, and this time cut a smaller, curved piece to place on top as the windshield and roof. The fin is actually a piece of cardboard that I inserted in the back at an angle before covering with fondant. The wheels are made using Kinnikinnick chocolate dipped donuts (gluten and casein free).

Lego Man Cake
This was very quick and easy to create for my son's 6th birthday party. This took 4 Betty Crocker gluten free cake mixes and ended up containing 4 9-inch cake rounds stacked one on top of another with some reserved for the smaller, lego top. The frosting was simply Pillsbury Vanilla frosting tinted yellow.

Biscotti Break

I found myself reminiscing about past vacations to Italy the other day, so I decided to try and re-create a bit of the experience here at home. I will provide details and helpful tips about traveling overseas with celiac in a separate post, but for now, wanted to share this recipe for chocolate chip biscotti.  Buon Appetito!

Chocolate Chip Biscotti
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup quinoa flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder (Hershey's Natural Unsweetened)
1 tsp. espresso ground coffee
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. xantham gum
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 large eggs
1 tsp McCormick's pure vanilla extract
3 Tbsp. Earth Balance Vegan Spread (softened)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Guittard or Ghirardelli are gluten and casein free)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl whisk together the gluten free flours, cocoa powder, espresso, baking powder, xantham gum, and salt.  In another bowl, mix together the earth balance spread and sugar until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined well. Stir in flour mixture until a stiff dough is formed. Stir in chocolate chips.

On a greased baking sheet  (I use Air Bake insulated cookie sheets) form dough into a semi-flattened log.  Bake for 20 minutes or until slightly firm.  Let biscotti log cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes.

Either carefully on the baking sheet or on a cutting board, slice the log into half inch slices at a diagonal. Arrange the biscotti cut side down in rows back on the baking sheet.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake biscotti for another 10-15 minutes until they are slightly brown and crisp.

Brew a nice pot of hot coffee and dunk to your heart's content!

Chicken Soup for the Celiac Soul

To follow on my previous post of gluten and casein free medications, probably the best medicine when you are feeling under the weather is a nice, hot bowl of chicken soup. I load mine up with a few extra veggies and noodles.

Chicken Noodle Vegetable Soup

1 Tbspn. olive oil
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 small carrots, chopped
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
2 cups chicken, cooked
3/4 cup potato, cooked and cut up into chunks
3/4 cup lima beans, cooked
2 quarts gluten free reduced sodium chicken broth or stock (Pacific Natural Brands, Swanson's Natural Goodness, or Kitchen Basics Chicken Cooking Stock)
1 1/2 cups uncooked gluten free penne pasta (Tinkyada brand holds up best)
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp McCormick's poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in stock pot and saute onion and celery until translucent (4-5 minutes). Add carrots, parsley and chicken broth to pot and bring to a boil. Add seasonings and let simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken, lima beans, potatoes and uncooked pasta. Continue to simmer 15 minutes or until pasta is done. Serves 6.

Enjoy with Glutino gluten free original crackers or Ener-G wheat-free table crackers.

Go Team! Superbowl Appetizer Ideas

It's that time of year again where I scramble for some good snacks to make for the big Superbowl game. If you are like me, the high point of the afternoon is usually the commercials, the half time show, and the food. Fresh fruit and veggies are always a healthy alternative on game day, but when you are looking for something a little more indulgent, here are a few things to try.

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Almonds
There are several brands of gluten free bacon out on the market, including Hormel, Oscar Mayer and Wright's brand. I prefer Hormel's Natural Choice because it is free of nitrates and nitrites as well.

1 lb of Gluten Free Bacon
1 package Whole Almonds
1 (8 oz.) package of Dole Whole Pitted Dates
Toothpicks

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place almonds on a baking sheet and bake until toasted. Remove from oven and let cool. Take bacon from package and cut into half slices. To assemble appetizers, stuff date with almond and wrap with a half slice of bacon. Place individual appetizers onto aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Once baking sheet is full, place appetizer in oven and cook until bacon is browned and crispy. Remove from oven and place on paper towel lined plate, to absorb excess grease. Insert toothpicks into appetizers to serve.

Didn't Know They were Coming Taco Dip
In my former gooey cheesy existence, this was a simple and delicious appetizer to prepare for a gathering. With the dairy modifications, it still is just as easy and tasty too!

2 (8 oz.) tubs Tofutti Imitation Cream Cheese (No Butterfat version has no trans fats)
1 can Hormel Chili (Regular Beef with Beans, Chunky and Low Sodium varieties are gluten free)
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. Daiya brand Cheddar Style Shreds
1 Bag of Gluten Free Tortilla Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread both tubs of Tofutti cream cheese in the bottom of a 9x13 oven-safe glass dish. Spread chili on top of cream cheese. Then sprinkle Daiya Cheddar style shreds on top. Place in oven and cook for 10-15 minutes or until cheese melts on top. Dip chips! Being from Chicago, El Milagro brand of tortilla chips are my favorite.

Asparagus Roll-Ups
The combination of flavors with the bacon, creamed cheese and asparagus is always a hit.

16 Fresh Asparagus Spears
16 slices Udi's Gluten Free Bread (crust removed)
1 (8 oz.) tub Tofutti Imitation Cream Cheese - No Butterfat (this version does not have any trans fats)
8 Gluten Free Bacon Strips, cooked and crumbled
2 Tbspn. Fresh or Dried Chives
1/4 cup Earth Balance Vegan Spread, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook asparagus until crisp tender. Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Combine the imitation cream cheese, bacon and chives. Spread 1 tablespoonful onto each slice of bread. Top with an asparagus spear. Roll up tightly. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet and brush with butter. Cut roll-ups in half. Place onto baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes. Makes 32 appetizers.

Helpful hint: You can make these the night before and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator and cut just before baking, to make slicing easier.