Welcome to the 2008 Valentine's edition of the
Gluten Free Menu Swap!
If you want to know more about the weekly gluten free menu swap blogging event, or would like to volunteer to host one week, please visit Natalie, the Gluten Free Mommy's Headquarters!
Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome!
The special ingredient this week is chocolate! This was actually Natalie's pick for the week, and I can't agree more. I am a chocolate addict. When I was a little girl, I believed Hershey's milk chocolate was the bomb... now I really like fancy dark 70% cocoa Belgium chocolates... don't ask me what happened.
My wonderful Valentine Michael is still a "milk-chocolate-Hershey's" kinda guy. And I like that about him. He likes anything with chocolate, and if I ask him what he wants for dessert, I can almost guarantee that "chocolate" will be in the title. He especially loves my chocolate chip cookies!
Cocoa seeds were discovered over 2000 years ago. The first people known to make chocolate were from the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. The first chocolate creation was probably a hot spicy drink made from crushed cocoa seeds and various spices.
Chocolate can be sweet or spicy, savory or subtle. One of the best qualities of chocolate is that it can be made in so many different ways and is shared in so many different cultures!
To learn more about the history, culture, and making of chocolate, please visit this fantastic website from The Field Museum of Chicago.
Gluten Free Menu Swap!
If you want to know more about the weekly gluten free menu swap blogging event, or would like to volunteer to host one week, please visit Natalie, the Gluten Free Mommy's Headquarters!
Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome!
The special ingredient this week is chocolate! This was actually Natalie's pick for the week, and I can't agree more. I am a chocolate addict. When I was a little girl, I believed Hershey's milk chocolate was the bomb... now I really like fancy dark 70% cocoa Belgium chocolates... don't ask me what happened.
My wonderful Valentine Michael is still a "milk-chocolate-Hershey's" kinda guy. And I like that about him. He likes anything with chocolate, and if I ask him what he wants for dessert, I can almost guarantee that "chocolate" will be in the title. He especially loves my chocolate chip cookies!
Cocoa seeds were discovered over 2000 years ago. The first people known to make chocolate were from the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. The first chocolate creation was probably a hot spicy drink made from crushed cocoa seeds and various spices.
Chocolate can be sweet or spicy, savory or subtle. One of the best qualities of chocolate is that it can be made in so many different ways and is shared in so many different cultures!
To learn more about the history, culture, and making of chocolate, please visit this fantastic website from The Field Museum of Chicago.
Your Gluten Free Menus This Week:
(If you would like your menu listed, please email me at gingerlemon_girl(at)yahoo(dot)com)
Ginger of Fresh Ginger will be having a lovely international week! She will be serving up wild boar burgers and crab curry and on Valentine's Day she'll be serving up some mouth watering fare in an ode to Aphrodite! Check out her fun menu today!!
Karen, of Gluten Free Sox will be making roast pork with an apple cranberry glaze (that sounds SO delicious Karen!!) and on Valentine's Day she will be making a special "Smoked Trout Pizza" with a flourless chocolate cake for dessert! I hope you will post that pizza recipe Karen!!
Cris, of Red Dirt Girl will be joining us for the first time today! It's her first weekly gluten free menu plan ever! Way to Go Cris! Welcome to the swap!! Cris has a great commentary on why she's decided to begin menu planning and she will be making an Indian inspired meal with Delhi Korma Simmer Sauce with Chicken and basmati rice. She will also be serving a chocolate pudding in honor of Valentine's Day this week! Check out her excellent menu this week which also includes some recipe links! Thank you for participating Cris!
Mary Frances, of Gluten Free Cooking School is having an budget-conscious, frugal menu this week! (We are doing this too Mary Frances!) and has a great commentary on her budgeting and weekly shopping skills! She will be making an Eggplant and Tomato Stew with Garbanzo beans, Sweet Potato Peanut Stew, and Falafel with cilantro Sauce! (I really must try your recipe for the Falafel Mary Frances!) And for Valentine's Day she will trying out a Chocolate Creme Brulee! Yum!!
Sea's menu this week at Book of Yum looks absolutely Delish, as always!! She will be making Vegetarian Eggplant Moussaka, Summer Rolls with a peanut sauce, and a Chocolate fruit fondue (that's making my mouth water Sea!!) She will be going of town this week, but has great plans for what she will make "on the go" while she's gone!
Sally at Aprovechar, has a lovely Valentine's menu this week! Included in her menu this week is a Healthy 7 Grain Broccoli Soup and she will have a Baked Potato Night. Sally will also be making a romantic Valentine's Dinner for her sweetie with a 3 course meal including a fruit and cheese plate, Red Lentil Soup, and for dessert: Brownies topped with sliced bananas, dairy free caramel, and whipped coconut cream! Also check our her menu this week for some fabulous gluten free breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas!
Kara, at Gluten Free in the Greens, has an excellent menu plan this week! She will be serving Paella with Turkey and Shrimp, Coconut lemon grass soup, and asian noodle bowls! She also has some great information on her favorite new cookbook (which I can't wait to buy)! Kara also shares her recipe for dark chocolate meringues in honor of Valentine's Day!
Natalie, our beloved Gluten Free Mommy, also has her menu up for the week! Natalie shares excellent information about gluten free chocolates you can buy this week for your sweetie! (I love See's candy too Nat!) She will also be making braised chicken with peppers, potato soup, and she will possibly be sharing a recipe for baked italian flavored fish!
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Our Menu:
Monday
Spicy Peanut Pasta with Baked Tofu
Green Leaf Salad
Tuesday
Millet with Black-Eyed Peas and Soy Sausage
Green Beans with Almonds
Granny Smith Apple Slices
Wednesday
Nan's Skillet Dinner
Gluten Free French Rolls
Romaine Salad
Thursday - Valentine's Day
Classic Beef Stroganoff with GF noodles
Steamed Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
Honey Sweetened Carrots
Michael's Favorite Chocolate Cupcakes
Friday
Going out of town on a surprise trip with my Valentine!
Baked Goods and Breakfasts
Michael's Favorite Chocolate Cupcakes
Super Quick and Yummy Banana Nut Muffins -- version 2.0 (recipe coming soon!)
Elizabeth Barbone's Easy Sandwich Bread
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Check back later this week to enter the Winter Mystery Photo Contest (there is a prize!!) and for another recipe using that incredible new Gluten Free Master Baking Mix!
