Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes Recipe

I make this recipe with either the baby potatoes from Trader Joes or baby redskin potatoes from any supermarket.

2 pounds of potatoes
4-5 cloves of garlic
4 sprigs for Rosemary
1 tablespoon (or more) of soy garden (or butter if you prefer)
olive oil

Wash the potatoes and put them in a roasting pan.
Crush 4-5 cloves of garlic and put the garlic over the potatoes
Add the soy garden or butter
Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and sea salt
Add Rosemary
Cover the potatoes with about 1/3 cup of olive oil (enough to cover potatoes)
Mix everything together so the potatoes are all covered with the seasoning

Heat oven to 400 and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes or until potatoes are soft
Turn the potatoes every 15 minutes

I serve this with Pork Loin and string beans for my carnivorous family. I usually make myself a salad or soup when I make these potatoes.

Gluten Free Mall Discount Code

Try discount code dab7fc at www.glutenfreemall.com for a 10% discount in October!

Think Thin Bars Gluten Free and Sugar Free

I have been enjoying Think Thin high protein, gluten/sugar free bars for about two years. They have a good flavor and make a satisfying snack or meal replacement. I usually carry them in my purse for when my blood sugar drops. As one with Celiac disease and hypoglycemia, I can't count on being able to find a safe food when I need to eat. The bars come in several flavors (Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate Chip, Brownie Crunch, Creamy Peanut Butter). My favorite is Chocolate Fudge. Think thin has several other lines of bars and some are made with fruit and nuts. Check the label if you are concerned about sugar. I order my bars online at Amazon.com but these bars can also be found at Trader Joes, Nature's Pavillion in Pompton Plains, Natural Foods in Toms River and Whole Foods. Sometimes Amazon.com runs specials with free shipping when you purchase the bars in bulk.

Vegan Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe

I made this last night and it was delicious!

1 bunch of asparagus
1/2 block of Trader Joe's soft tofu
1/2 box of Trader Joe's organic low sodium vegetable broth
3 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon Soy Garden spread

Clean the asparagus and cut off the bottom step.
Put the olive oil and soy garden in a saute pan and crush and add the garlic.
Add the asparagus and saute. Add a little water.
Put the cooked asparagus into a Vitamix or other blender and add the tofu and vegetable broth.
Blend until it is a creamy liquid.
If you have a Vitamix, run the machine until the soup is hot.
Otherwise, pour the soup into a pan and heat before serving.
Add fresh ground pepper and sea salt to taste. If the soup gets too thick, add some water or extra broth.
Enjoy!

Trader Joe's Edamame Hummus

Try Trader Joe's Edamame Hummus. No gluten and it is a delicious variation of hummus. I enjoy it on Mary's Gone Crackers. I also make sandwiches with Trader Joe's Brown Rice Tortillas. I put the hummus on the tortilla and add Trader Joe's shredded carrots, mesculin salad and a little lemon juice. It's a nice vegan/gluten free/balanced lunch or snack. Carbs, protein and greens are all covered.

Aunt Gussie's Gluten Free Cookies

I love Aunt Gussie's chocolate chip/almond gluten free cookies because they are also sugar free. Aunt Gussie's also has chocolate chip made WITH sugar and sugar free vanilla cookies. You can't eat too many of the sugar free cookies because they contain malitol. I usually have one or two with my homemade soy cappucino when I want to treat myself. I found these cookies in Whole Foods, Natural Foods in Toms River and once even in Foodtown. Since I eat the cookies far and few between, I like to freeze them so they stay fresh.

Celiac/Gluten Friendly Restaurants

I have visited or frequent the following restaurants that are kind to gluten free folks. The best thing to do is to order meat or chicken and ask questions about the coatings and sauces. If you are a vegetarian and have no choice but to eat pasta, then call ahead and warn then of your arrival so the chef is prepared to help you! Tell them that Mary sent you! (They are in no particular order)

1) Washington Park in Nutley - owned by my cousin Anthony! See you on a Friday night! Great food, reasonable prices and friendly people .
2) La Piazza in Nutley and in Little Falls. Little Falls has gluten free pasta on hand and a beautiful new dining room. Nutley is cozy and Tony can memorize all my nitpicker orders!
3) Cafe D'Amici (the old Bella you know what) in Clifton by Styertowne. Pretty and cozy dining room with great food! Closest you'll get to grandma's Sunday dinner flavor.
4) Torino North in Nutley- feels like a NYC restaurant, attentive service, great selection
5) Bella Notte's Alta Cucina in Little Falls - unique atmosphere and attentive service
6) LuNello in Cedar Grove - Fabulous fine dining experience! Chef has gluten free pastas, food was delicious, elegant ambiance and the service was great. Go for lunch, less crowded.
7) Luna Rosa in Seaside Heights-beautiful outside dining or inside ambiance, Cousin Gerard Esposito sings there on Sunday nights.
8) Francesco's in West Paterson - haven't been there in awhile but the food was good and they were nice
9) La Courrone in Montclair -adorable place by Watchung Ave, delicious food.
10) Leone's in Montclair -large dining area, family friendly, great food and pizza
11) On Top of Spaghetti in Seaside Heights - Grandma's house with an artsy twist. Great food & nice people.
12) Il Giardinello in Normandy Beach - great vodka sauce, nice servers

Banquet Halls: Nanina's in the Park/Belleville NJ

Places that did NOT accomodate me:
I was disappointed that Gianna's in North Caldwell would not accomodate me even though I had a table for 8.
Was also disappointed that the Brownstone in Paterson would not accomodate me at a party they catered at a VFW. I don't think "Caroline" the NJ housewife would have turned me down!