A Coffee Situation

This is what I call a coffee situation.

Mariposa Strikes Again

The first bite of a bagel is crisply satisfying. Sweetened by a layer of cream cheese, topped with a slightly acidic tomato and sprinkled by salt and freshly cracked black pepper, the bagel blurs the savory vs sweet breakfast line. These days, I opt for greek yogurt drizzled with honey, a bit of cheese with a side of almonds, or a plate of scrambled egg whites topped with salsa for breakfast. I'm not too much for taking the many (fabulous) gluten free options on the market and trying to convince myself that the teeny piece of rice bread actually tastes like the 12 grain toast I used to enjoy for breakfast in my pre-gluten free days.

But, occasionally, I need to bite into a crisp piece of gluten free goodness and be taken back to the days of yore, when I could drop by the corner store, pick a fresh bagel from a bin and take it home to toast to perfection and top with some delicious hummus or cream cheese. When I found myself unexpectedly in Oakland this weekend, I pretended Mariposa bakery was my corner store, picked up a few gluten free bagels, and toasted them to gluten free perfection. And I mean no disrespect, but I tell you, the corner store bagels never tasted this good.

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Kiwi?

You know, vitamin C is awesome, but I am pretty done with citrus right about now. The limes for my cocktails can stay, of course, but I'm ready to move on to berries and cherries and those fabulous pre-summer California strawberries that should start popping up any day now. And if our CSA delivers one more sustainably delicious kiwi, I might explode. I finally dealt with the overwhelming pile of kiwis this week by slicing them and throwing them into a pitcher of water, inspired by the fruit infused water at my office. The cherry blossoms in bloom bode well for the change of seasons and produce--so tell me, what spring fruit are you most looking forward to?

Gluten Free Roadtripping

I've been spending a lot of time in the car lately between a brand new commute and a recent weekend warrior trip to LA, which got me thinking about gluten free road trips and the availability of gluten free food on the road. Luckily, the glowing yellow arrow of the In-N-Out sign burns bright on I 5 on the trek south, so I know I can always find solace in a double double, animal and protein style, which is code for two giant patties wrapped in lettuce and topped with fried onions. Classic roadtripping food.

Starbucks may have pulled their valencia orange and almond cake off the menu, but they've replaced them with Kind Bars, which though not a whole meal, will hold you over until the next In-N-Out burger surfaces like a mirage in the desert.

A quick iPhone search displays a few gluten free McDonald's options, none of which are very tasty, but fill the void and ward off grumpy gluten free types. A convenience store stop provides chips and the occasional Lara bar, if you're extremely lucky.

Mainly, I pack my own snacks and keep my eyes peeled for the yellow arrow pointing to gluten free roadtripping heaven. What's your go-to gluten free road trip food?

What to Cook When You're Pining for Summer

Days in the middle of February make me long for summer (okay, and fall) tomatoes, in all of their sweet sun ripened glory, stewed into a delicious sauce that C likes to whip up. Heck, at this point, I'd even take those fried green tomatoes that I made early last summer in a fit of impatience. But I'd never turn to a watery supermarket tomato in February that is pink, not red in color and tastes of, well, water. Nor do I typically turn to a can of Progresso to fill the void. I just pine silently and slowly, waiting for the season to return. Until I saw this post from Deb over at Smitten Kitchen. Tomato lovers everywhere-rejoice! You can make succulent sauce from these three items above-an onion, a stick of (unsalted) butter, and a can of whole peeled tomatoes. Bonus points if you're snowed in, since you likely have all three in your kitchen.

This sauce is rich (must be the butter), slightly acidic in that perfect tomato way, and a welcome light surprise from all of winter's comforting yet heavy foods. C's been making this one, first by the book and then adding ground turkey and some sauteed kale and other greens when he made it the second time. It couldn't be easier to make: chop an onion in half, open the can of tomatoes, measure the 5 tablespoons of butter, and toss it all in a pot to stew for 45 minutes. Head on over to Smitten Kitchen for a more poetic description of how to make the sauce, but I tell you, it's as easy as that.

Happy (Gluten-y) Bday, C!

You know it's love when you race home from work to pick up a gluten-filled birthday treat from the delicious French restaurant in your neighborhood even though there is not even the slightest chance that you'll be able to partake in this decadent challah banana walnut bread pudding. I don't know how he'll do it, but C will have to enjoy the scrumptious dessert all on his own. It is his birthday, after all.

Gluten Free Snacking-Rosemary Roasted Cashews

I was just about to publish yet another post about champagne and its many merits, waxing poetic about its color and effervescence and why we really don't need an occasion to drink it-maybe it just being the weekend is reason enough to break out the bubbly, when I came across this inspired post about spicy nuts from one of my favorite new food bloggers (and college crony), Karen over at doesthatmakesense. And I remebered these delicious nuts that I've been making since the holidays from the beloved Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.

Just like Karen's take on Mark Bittman's Caramelized Spicy Nuts, these roasted cashews are perfect for noshing-say during the Superbowl this Sunday or on a cozy day inside, huddled up in a cashmere blankie, hiding out from the snow (hah-East Coasters) or another day of interminable rain. And if your pantry looks a bit like mine, you'll have all of the ingredients already at home. Happy Snacking!

Head on over to the Food Network for the Rosemary Roasted Cashews recipe.