St. Louis Food and Wine Experience program from January 2008

Just ran across this program from the St. Louis Food & Wine Experience held at the Chase last January.  Wish I’d had a camera then.  As luck would have it, I was at a prime table, next to the chef stage and adjacent to the table where Tony LaRussa was sampling his At The Plate dressings. 

I really enjoyed attending last year.  Lots of chef demos and tons of food and wine to sample.  The next Food and Wine Experience is set for January 2010 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.  I’m sure it will be a grape event!

-Linda

Pesto Festo Feasto

November 7, 2009

Gluten free bread sticks locally baked by Free Range Cookies in Ferguson, MO

These breadsticks are heading to Pesto Festo tonight at the Savoy Theater in Ferguson, MO.  You going, too?

-Linda

EarthDance is once again hosting Pesto Festo, a fundraiser which benefits their organic farm program in Ferguson, Missouri on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Savoy Theater.

Get your tickets for Pesto Festo here – this event sold out last year.  

-Linda

Starfish crispy gluten free halibut

Looking for a gluten free battered fish?  Head to Whole Foods.

I purchased several kinds of breaded fish, including Starfish haddock and halibut at Whole Foods in St. Louis.  Perfect if you’re looking for fish fry kind of fish.  Try Starfish and you’ll get hooked. 

Whole Foods also carries Dr. Praeger’s  fish filets and sticks.  Both are fin-omenol.

These are great products that anyone would enjoy.  And that’s no fish story.

-Linda

How do you feel about . . .

November 1, 2009

Have a bootiful holiday

October 30, 2009

Halloween Sugar Cookie Mask for NAC Party in Ferguson, MO

The Northern Arts Council is having a Mask-Art Silent Auction and Halloween Party today (Friday) from 7-9pm.  Costumes are optional, but appreciated.  Wear a mask and eat it, too.  Refreshments will be served, including this tray of gluten free baked goods from Free Range Cookies

The NAC Gallery is located at 27 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson, MO, across the street from the Ferguson Farmers’ Market.  Last market day, by the way, is this Saturday, Oct. 31 for one of the most popular farmers’ markets in the St. Louis area.

-Linda

Gluten free oatmeal cookies

October 29, 2009

Gluten free oatmeal cookie with chocolate chunks at Free Range Cookies

Cookies need no excuse.  At least, that’s what I said on twitter.  

If you do feel the need to justify eating a cookie, make it easy on yourself.  Add some oats.  Besides being full of whole grain goodness, oats are a delightful way to add textural interest to all sorts of baked goods.  Of course, when I mention oats, I’m talking about pure, uncontaminated oats.  If you can’t find these oats in your area, there are several companies that sell gluten free oats online. 

Mesquite flour and chunks of chocolate make these oatmeal cookies a special treat. 

Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies

Combine the following in a large bowl:
1 and ½ sticks Earth Balance Vegan Butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Combine the following, then add to large bowl:
1 and ½ cups gluten free flour*
1 and ½ teaspoons xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix thoroughly, then add:
2 cups gluten free oats
Chocolate chunks to taste
(I added about 10 ounces of chocolate)

Flatten dough balls into little pucks before baking.

Let dough rest in fridge for about an hour.  Then scoop dough using a #16 disher.  Flatten dough balls into cookie pucks.  I baked cookies for 13 minutes in a 325 degree convection oven.   Yield: 14 big cookies.   If you make regular sized cookies,  bake for about 10 minutes in a 350 oven.

 *Gluten Free Flour Blend – combine in a large container:

  • 6 cups brown rice flour
  • 2 cups potato starch
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • -Linda

    gluten free scaredy cat cookie

    The Northern Arts Council is having a Mask-Art Silent Auction and Halloween Party this Friday, October 30 from 7-9pm.  Costumes are optional, but appreciated, I’m sure.  Need an easy costume idea?  Pin a dryer sheet and sock to a sweater and go as dryer lint.  Refreshments will be served, including gluten free baked goods from Free Range Cookies. 

    Go. Bid on a handmade mask or two made by a talented artist.  Some masks are wearable. Other masks are unique works of art to be savored all year.   Winning bidders will receive their masks shortly after bidding ends at 8:30pm.

    The NAC Gallery is located at 27 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson, MO, across the street from the  Ferguson Farmers’ Market.  Last market day is this Saturday, Oct. 31 for one of the most popular farmers’ markets in the St. Louis area.   

    -Linda

    Halloween Sugar Cookies

    October 24, 2009

    Sugar cookies at Free Range Cookies in Ferguson, MO

    One more week! 

    What a great day to bake up some pumpkin cookies!  Use a pastry brush to moisten the unbaked cookies lightly with water.  Then sprinkle with sugar – this way the sugar will stay attached.  It’s the same principle as using an egg wash, only with water.  I pressed chocolate chips into the dough slightly to make faces on the pumpkins. 

    This is my favorite recipe for making roll and cut out sugar cookies. 

    Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

    Combine the following ingredients in a large bowl:
    1 and 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
    1 and ½ teaspoons xanthan gum
    ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
    ½ teaspoon baking soda
    1/8 teaspoon salt

    Then add in and mix until crumbly:
    ½ cup Spectrum organic shortening

    In large cup combine the following, then add to large bowl:
    1 egg
    ½ cup sugar
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Let dough rest in fridge for about an hour.  Then roll out using powdered sugar to keep dough from sticking to work surface. Cut into shapes as needed. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

    -Linda