LIST - The Best Gluten Free Holiday Gifts

Give the gift of gluttony

Having Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance is not a gift I would ever gift. But there are plenty of gifts you CAN give to make your gluten free friend or family member feel special. Here I've compiled some ideas for different types of gluten free-ers: The Newbie, The Cook, The Traveler, The Reader, and The Adventurer.

Just remember, holidays are about giving, not receiving. Don't take a sneak taste at the goodies you give. No matter how well you reseal that package, we'll all be able to tell it was opened.


For the Newbie: Give the gift of gluten free baked goods, show 'em there are replacements for all that "wheat" stuff.
1.  Goodies from Mariposa Baking Co. - Based in Oakland, CA, this bakery is truly magical. I went there a few months ago and almost had to be dragged out (see the review here). From fresh baked gluten free breads to frozen take-home goodies, this place is the ultimate score. Check out their gift sets, which you can order online and have shipped across the US. 

2. Sweet Treats from BabyCakes on Gilt Taste - Check out Gilt Taste's offerings of gluten free (and vegan) goodies from BabyCakes in NYC! I've visited the bakery, and trust me, it's good. They have a bunch to choose from including banana bread, double chocolate cake, muffins, and chocolate chip cookies.

3. Baked Goods from Schär Gluten Free - Based in Europe (Italy, Germany, UK), normally you would have a hard time finding these gluten free products in the US. I first came across them at a small health-food store in NJ, and now everywhere I go I keep an eye out. The rolls are just stellar, they come par-baked so they don't get dried out in transit. They're light, chewy, just perfect. Order some from their website and make your gluten free-er's dreams come true.


For the Cook: These cooking essentials will ensure they are fully stocked to make some great gluten free food. As the gift giver, you can certainly insist on some samples.
1. Gluten Free Flours from Bob's Red Mill - Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a bag of xanthan gum!! Bob's Red Mill is like the Wall-mart of gluten free ingredients. They have everything you need to cook anything gluten free, from gluten free oats to gluten free all purpose flour. Be sure to check out their gluten free bakers bundle, a great gift set.

2. Measuring Spoons with a 1/8 tsp - You'd be surprised how often you need a 1/8 tsp. measure for making gluten free food. These are nice stainless steel and can be separated. Especially good for a kitchen that cooks gluten-filled foods too. Your gluten free-er can have his or her own separate measuring spoons to ensure there's no cross-contamination.

3. Refillable Cooking Spray - It may seem like a gag gift at first, but this is truly practical. Gluten free cooking requires a lot of spraying to make sure your goodies don't stick, so this refillable canister saves a lot of dough over time.


For the Traveler: These gifts make traveling gluten free much easier and less stressful.
1. Food and Travel Translation Cards - A heck of a lot easier than trying to learn how to say "I am allergic to wheat, barley..." in many languages. If you know someone that is a frequent international traveler (or even planning their first gluten free vacation), this is a great gift so he or she can be stress-free and communicate clearly with restaurant staff. Available in Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, you name it! It even features cards to multiple allergies like lactose intolerance + gluten free or nut allergy + gluten free.

2. LÄRABAR in Bulk - Stuffing your travel bags with snacks is no longer limited to a trick your mother has! I love LÄRABARs because they are natural and simple, made from whole foods, tasty, and they are all gluten free. You can buy online in bulk, or get a fun variety pack.

3. Triumph Dining Gluten Free Restaurant Guide - The most recent restaurant guide from Triumph Dining features over 6,500 restaurants with gluten free options across all 50 states in the US. At nearly 500 pages, this guide is great for a road-tripper to always have an idea of where to get their next gluten free meal.


For the Reader: Some great material to learn all about the gluten free lifestyle.
1. Journal of Gluten Sensitivity - A quarterly journal published by Celiac.com, available in print or online. This subscription is perfect for someone curious about the latest scientific research and information for those with Celiac.

2. Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise Roberts - In my opinion, the best gluten free cookbook for making amazing breads, wonderfully chewy pretzels, moist cakes, even apple pie. The perfect gift.

3. Gluten Free Living Magazine - The first national magazine dedicated to the gluten free lifestyle. Printed quarterly, this magazine focuses on helping individuals living with Celiac or gluten intolerance, understanding mystery ingredients, and understanding more about Celiac disease.


For the Adventurer: New ways to have a wheat-free adventure!
1. Gluten Free Cooking Classes - A fun way to meet new people and learn to cook some great gluten free foods. Also, after your recipient takes the class, you can absolutely demand some samples. It's a win-win. Check out ICE in NYC, but also many cooking schools across the country have gluten free classes.

2. A Gluten Free Vacation - I stumbled across this site the other day, and this is a perfect gift for someone looking to travel in a group with a set itinerary. This company adds another dimension by scouting and planning meals at that are gluten free. They are even able to customize trips for you if you do not wish to travel with a group.

ARTICLE - Should a Whole Family Knock Out Gluten for One Celiac Member?

I recently joined the American Dietetic Association (ADA) as a student member(!!) and they send me these amazing daily newsletters with health and nutrition articles. This one came in the newsletter today.

Read the full article from The Daily Telegraph in Australia here

Here's the question: If one member of your family has Celiac (or a gluten intolerance), should the whole family cut out gluten?

It's not as easy to answer as you think. It is definitely easier and cheaper to cook one meal for dinner. When I was younger, my dad would make 3 meals a night: one for me (the vegetarian), one for my mom (the lactose-intolerant), and one for him and my brother, who fortunately would eat anything. Cooking multiple meals is a pain in the butt, especially when you've got gluten-filled mixed with gluten-free. It works for some meals like burgers, but 9 times out of 10 I would choose to keep it all simple and gluten free.

But that doesn't mean your whole kitchen has to be a gluten free zone. Those that can eat gluten should. There are many vitamins and nutrients present in wheat and barley that are difficult to replace. It's totally fine to make the non-gf family members some pancakes for breakfast, a sandwich on wheat bread, or some cookies for a dessert treat. Just be sensitive to keeping your "glutard" safe!

Here's how you can successfully keep a mixed gluten kitchen without accidentally glutinating someone:

- Keep the toaster oven a gluten free one. Fully clean it out so your gluten free family member can put their toast right on the rack! Put all gluten-filled foods in tin foil. Suck it up.
- Don't leave gluten-filled foods open on the counter or in the pantry. Wrap them up to avoid crumbs contaminating something else.
- Be mindful of utensils. If you are scooping peanut butter/jelly/mayo/etc onto gluten-filled bread, scoop and fling it onto the bread; do not touch the knife to the bread until you are done dipping it into the jar. You don't want to contaminate the jar with bread crumbs.
- Do a good job washing dishes (if you do them by hand... like me). Don't leave any gluten behind.
- Don't take your grimy, glutiney hands and go touching everything in the house. Wash them first.
- If you have gluteny leftovers, label them in the fridge. I like to put a sticky note with a skull and wheat  crossbones on them (see above). That way everyone knows that there is danger inside.

*** Note: gluten intolerance is a spectrum, and everyone has a different level of intolerance to the stuff. While I write here that you can put a piece of gluten-filled bread on some foil in the toaster and it's ok, that doesn't mean that this is safe for everyone. You know best how sensitive you are, so be cautious.


What do you think? If you live in a mixed-gluten household, how do you handle preparing meals and keeping your gluten-free family members safe?

RESTAURANT - Pizza Fusion: LA + NJ

I try to make it back to LA, where I'm from, at least once a year. See my nearest and dearest friends. Jay-walk knowing you're not allowed to, but doing it anyways because I'm a New Yohkah now. Remembering how to drive. Amoeba Records*. And now, visiting Pizza Fusion in West Hollywood.

Last year our trip to LA was the Eric's first trip sans-gluten. We did all the research ahead of time, and Pizza Fusion stood at the top of our list. It did disappoint. Because he was a bit of a gluten free virgin, the waiter was thrilled to tell him about their multiple gluten free beers, gluten free pizza crust, and, oh ya, a gluten free brownie!

Since last year's LA trip, we went to another Pizza Fusion location in Red Bank, NJ. Totally different atmosphere, in a good way. Replace vegan models for families, bar service for BYOB, and teens practicing for their singing audition with children singing loudly.

After these two great gluten free times, Pizza Fusion in WeHo (ya, I'm that cool) was on the top of our to do list. Look up to see the gluten free flatbread with olive tapenade, artichoke dip and marinara. I'm pretty sure the flatbread is the same crust as the pizza, but it's extra crispy.

And here is the gluten free pizza with vegan soy cheese and pepperoni. This crust is ridiculous. Ya, you'll pay a little more for the crust, but just keep the toppings simpl and the price is pretty reasonable.

End your meal with an AMAZING gluten free brownie. The first time we got this last year, the waiter was almost giddy to bring it out to us. It's like when you are throwing someone a surprise party, and YOU are the person bringing the guest of honor to the party. I did this a few years ago for my good friend Sam, and it took everything I had not to spill the beans and burst out laughing 10 feet from the door.

See for yourself...

Check out Pizza Fusion's website for more info. There are lots more locations than the two I mentioned.

Pizza Fusion
7950 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90046
(323) 375-3390

Pizza Fusion
95 Broad St.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 345-1600

Photos by Lobo Jones Photography
www.lobojones.com

* I'm leaving out one very important place from my list of things I look forward to in LA. In N' Out burger. Duh. I figured it was overkill to mention In N' Out and Pizza Fusion in one post. It's just unfair to the readers. Fear not, East Coasters! Check out The Burger Garage in Queens. See my post here.

RECIPE - Gluten Free Pasta w/ Turkey Meat Sauce

No, you're not looking at the cover photo for a popular gluten free magazine. This is some straight up home cooking! Photo courtesy of Eric Van't Zelfden. Plates and ambiance courtesy of Kristin Van't Zelfden.

The idea for this dish is for it to be super easy. We made this on our vacation in California. It was our last day in LA before driving up the coast to San Francisco, and we wanted to make something quick, easy, with minimal leftovers. Ta Da!! This is so easy, and if you already have your meat defrosted you can cook it in 20 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 lb gluten free pasta (we used the fusilli from Trader Joe's)
1 can tomato sauce (we use the marina from Trader Joe's, seeing a trend?)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp italian seasoning (a great blend includes basil, thyme, parsley, red pepper flakes, and garlic)
salt and black pepper
parmesan cheese on top

Directions:
Sauce
Heat a saute pan with olive oil. Add turkey and stir to break the turkey up. Once about half way cooked, add 1 tbsp of the italian seasoning and keep stirring until the turkey is fully cooked. Add the tomato sauce, rest of the italian seasoning, and some salt and pepper. Keep the temperature very low and heat the sauce slowly.

Pasta
As if you don't already know. Heat a lot of water. Once it boils, add a lot of salt. Add pasta. Stir. Stir every few minutes. Taste to see if it's cooked. Once it's nearly cooked, drain. **Here's the trick**. Put drained pasta back into its pot and add in sauce. Add in fresh parsley. Heat until sauce boils, stirring constantly. Heat for just 2-3 minutes and serve.

RESTAURANT: Hot Spud in San Francisco, CA

Hot Spud is a relatively new restaurant in San Francisco near Fisherman's Wharf, and it is a potato paradise! I don't know where they get their spuds from, but they are all the exact same size, and gigantic. I'd say the size of a mango.

The process of making a hot spud is fascinating. First, they find the perfect potato that has been baking slowly. They split the spud, scrape down the sides, and mash it up with butter, salt, and cheese. So already you have a base of mashed spud. Then, they add the toppings. In the picture above we have sausage, peas, corn, olives, sour cream, and some special sauce. Top it off with some sour cream and you've got one giant spud!

Mostly everything is gluten free, with the exception of some obvious croutons. Even the sweet potato brownie and sweet potato cheesecake are gluten free!! Here's a pic of the sweet potato brownie. Delicious!

Hot Spud
2640 Mason St (b/w Jefferson and Beach Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94133
www.hotspudsf.com