Category Archives: Gluten Free

Most of the world’s recipes can easily be made gluten free.

Italian Sliced Fennel Salad

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Sometimes when I’m posting something ridiculously easy to make here, I think – does this even constitute a real recipe? But this is a classic Italian side dish and I had never tried it. Now, I cannot get enough of it. It is so simple and yet so delicious and healthy. No wonder Italians make it all the time.  So it makes me happy to share it with my family. While this recipe just uses fennel, I’ve been told from one of my Italian friends that her mother used to add raw mushrooms sliced extra thin to the dish – and I’ve read that others add sliced onions. It’s a great side dish and now a staple on my table or when we bring a side dish to a barbecue or other outdoor Summer event.

Traditional Italian Sliced Fennel

Ingredients:

 

  • 1-2 Fennel Bulbs
  • Fruity Olive Oil
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon
  • Fresh shaved parmesan cheese 
  • Salt and Pepper

 

1. Cut the green stalks and the hard bottom off of the fennel bulbs. 

2. Rinse the fennel bulbs well to remove any dirt or sand.

3. Slice thin.

4. Spread out onto a large plate.

5. Drizzle olive oil , lemon juice and salt and pepper on top. 

6. Then, shave the parmesan cheese on top. Done.

French Steak Butter

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We frequent a French restaurant in Redondo owned and run by a man and wife team. He works hard every day in the kitchen and she runs the front of the house , greeting all of the guests every shift. The food there is amazing and I just love going there because I know how much hard work goes into every meal that comes out of their kitchen. I realized I craved the steak they serve there for one reason – the steak butter he tops it off with that melts onto the meat and plate to be absorbed by his , “pommes frites”. He also drizzles garlic butter on top of the French fries which doesn’t hurt. 

 

French Bistro Steak ButterNow, I make this butter, store it in the fridge and whip it out when we make steak. It really does gives it that simple and delicious  “je ne sais quoi”. 

 

  • Butter, 1/2 to 1 stick 
  • Garlic Clove, 1/4 only smashed
  • Lemon Zest, 1-2 teaspoons
  • Lemon Juice, 1-2 teaspoons
  • Salt and pepper, Pinch to 1/2 teaspoon
  • Fresh Thyme (or fresh green herbs of choice like basil, parsley…) 1-2 teaspoons

 

Bring butter to room temperature to make it easy to mix. Mix ingredients with a fork or food processor (my favorite is a little old-fashioned one called an “Oscar” although there are mini-processors available now in stores). Keep in the fridge or freeze until ready to add to the top of a finished steak right before serving.

Muhammara Dip : Delicious Red Pepper and Walnut Recipe

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Recently, I had to pick up dinner after work before I went to rehearsal. I stopped into a new restaurant in Beverly Hills that looked like a Deli. I had found a parking spot right in front and just wanted to run in and out and take my sandwich or salad with me. Once inside, I realized the restaurant served salads along with Middle Eastern fare. I looked down into the deli case and there it was – a large ceramic dish filled with something I had

Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Walnut Dip. Delish!

Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Walnut Dip. Delish!

never heard of before, Muhammara Dip. They were nice enough to offer me a taste of it. It was one of the most delicious dips I had ever had. I immediately had to go home and research what the ingredients in this dip were and make it.

 

It turns out Muhamarra is served all over the Middle East including Turkey and supposedly the recipe originated in Syria. Either way, since it can be made quickly in a blender using all natural ingredients, it is now a healthy recipe to be made in my kitchen regularly here in the good old USA. Like the other recipes I post here, you can easily change up the quantities of ingredients to your liking and it will still turn out delicious. Don’t like hot dishes? Omit the spicy pepper. Prefer it less sweet? Then add less Pomegranate Syrup. Speaking of Pomegranate Syrup, you can find it in ethnic markets rather easily here in Los Angeles or even in health food stores where it’s offered as a healthy supplement to be taken in spoonfuls. I always have Pomegranate Juice from Trader Joes in my fridge for various reasons, one of which includes vodka. I just reduce the juice down on a low flame until it becomes a syrup. But it is certainly much easier to purchase the syrup.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Walnuts
  • 1 (12 ounce) jar Roasted Red Bell Peppers 
  • 3 Tablespoons Pomegranate Syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oli
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 Pinch (or more if you like it spicy) Crushed Red Pepper Flakes 
  • Squeeze of Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

 

 

Add all ingredients with the exception of the oil into a food processor or blender. Blend until mixed and then add the olive oil slowly into the mix. Cover and chill until ready to serve with Pita Bread or Vegetables like Celery etc…Great option when entertaining guests who eat Vegan or Gluten Free!

 

 

Dijon and Tarragon Chicken Breasts

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This is a chicken recipe I make often because it’s

Dijon, Cream and Tarragon make this Chicken Recipe sauce.

Dijon, Cream and Tarragon make an amazingly delicious and easy sauce for Chicken Recipe.

just so simple and quick yet still elegant – that and my family loves it!

 

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 Cup Cream 
  • 1 Tablespoon Tarragon

 

Sprinkle salt and pepper on chicken.

 

Brown each side of each chicken breast in a pan of heated oil.

 

Remove chicken from pan with tongs. 

 

Add the cream, dijon and tarragon to the pan and stir until blended on low flame.

 

Add the chicken back into the sauce. Done!