Category Archives: Gluten Free

My Favorite Meal of the Week – Tostadas

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Vegetarian by

So before we get started, I have to share a very special picture with you that my dad just found this past weekend. I’ve decided this picture means that I was clearly destined to have a baking blog one day!

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The adorable tyke in the red and white jumper is my younger brother, and the one on the stool is yours truly. This picture clearly documents an important teaching moment, that of the older sister to the younger brother about how to properly lick the bowl clean.

Ok, back to recipes. Today, I bring to you a HenderBarry family speciality – tostadas. We had these all the time growing up, and they were definitely one of my favorite meals. And I can see the appeal to my mom, fast and easy!

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Paradise Bowls Copycat

Posted in Breakfast, Gluten Free, Healthy by

When I was in Santa Barbara last summer, we discovered this fantastic breakfast place called Backyard Bowls. Since I avoid dairy and eggs, I often struggle to find healthy breakfast options when traveling (and quite often end up eating granola bars I snuck in my purse or baked goods). But this place was perfect for me. It had these bowls with blended fruit, oatmeal, açai berries, and fresh fruit on top.

I had yet to come across another similar place until I was in Manhattan Beach for a wedding two weeks ago. On a morning walk, I spotted a man walking on the street with a bowl that said Paradise Bowls and after some googling (and a little bit of stalking) I found the place. Their bowls were slightly different than those I’d had in Santa Barbara – they had granola instead of oatmeal – but they were still delicious.  This time I decided to come home and try to recreate what I had at Paradise Bowls.

Their version:
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My version:

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Kale Salad and Cauliflower Salad

Posted in Appetizers, Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Vegetarian by

First of all, I want to say how happy I am to be back blogging (if you don’t know where I was, read this). Spending a week at the beach doing very little besides reading, napping, and eating gave me lots of time to do some thinking and planning for the blog. So get excited for a summer full of yummy recipes.

Ok, now onto today’s post. After nine days of heavy meals, I returned to DC very excited to eat light, healthy summer fruits and vegetables. It also just so happened that for my first night back, I was having a friend over for dinner who was about to leave for a work trip to Afghanistan (and thus would be missing out on all the same fruits and veggies I was craving). So in honor of this, I put together the following spread:

Featured:

– Homemade Pesto (with basil from our garden) and Smashed Tomatoes served on Toasted French Bread

– A Lemon Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

– A Cauliflower and Garbanzo Bean Salad

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Mixed Green Salad with Grapefruit Wedges, Goat Cheese, and Candied Pecans

Posted in Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Summer, Vegetarian by

This week’s favorite meal of the week post is all about the grapefruit. I have always liked grapefruits, but I’ve recently remembered why they are so great. They seem to be the only sweet (and relatively inexpensive fruit) right now. In college, they were sometimes the best fruit in the dining hall at this time of year. And right now, they seem to be the best fruit at TJ’s (the berries are too expensive, the apples and oranges are bad, and it’s too early for a lot of other good things).

Today’s meal is a mixed green salad with grapefruit wedges, goat cheese, and candied pecans with a honey dressing. Pretty simple, and nice and light for the summer.

My Favorite Meal of the Week – Spinach Salad

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Lunch, Salads by

I’m all for the easy salad. Lately, we’ve been eating a lot of them (still making up for our trip to Charleston and in preparation of a vacation where we’ll be spending a lot of time in suits). My newest favorite salad involves spinach, bacon, caramelized onions, apple, blue cheese, candied pecans, and a balsamic dressing. I love the combination of flavors!

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Spinach Chicken Enchiladas

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Vegetarian by
I love all Mexican food. Good, fresh guacamole makes me weak at the knees. No really, it does. It’s the one food I’d pick if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life. But anyways, back to today’s post. I love Mexican food, but it is not always the healthiest option. Today’s recipe attempts to take a classic Mexican dish, and make it healthy. These spinach chicken enchiladas are delicious, and relatively easy to make. But sadly, I can’t take credit for the recipe, it comes from my mom who made these all the time when I was growing up.
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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Potato and Tuna Salad

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads by
I tend to stay away from tuna. I’ve cemented the idea in my ahead that mercury is bad and, therefore, I can’t eat it. In reality, as long as you don’t eat it regularly, you’re probably fine. Dave recently found this recipe and I gave in to trying it. And oh my god, so glad. It’s delicious and very easy to make. We’ve made it part of our regular dinner rotation!
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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Black Bean Salad with Corn, Shrimp, and Avocado

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads by

This salad is one of my favorites for nights when I want something healthy and fast. Although it makes for a great dinner during the summer, it is also good in the winter when you’re still craving something light and flavorful!

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Soup, Vegetarian, Winter by

There’s something so satisfying about hearty, flavorful soups in the winter. Butternut squash is a classic, but sometimes it can lack enough flavor for me. I recently tried a curried butternut squash soup that had more than enough flavor. It was delicious and pretty easy!

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My Favorite Meal of the Week – Crock Pot Chili

Posted in Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Soup, Winter by

So here’s the deal. I am really trying to be better about cooking new things for dinner, but sometimes you have to just fall back on your easy standbys when things are busy. One of my favorites is chili. And when it’s made in the crock pot, it’s even better! So here’s one of the best and easiest crock pot chili recipes.


I used this recipe. My only recommended changes are:

  • Use frozen chicken, otherwise it’s a little too mushy at the end. Also,  wait to shred the chicken until you’re ready to serve. And I shred mine in my mixer with the paddle attachment (much easier than forks).

The best part about this recipe is it lasts well. So I tend to make a big batch on Sundays and then enjoy it all week!