Gluten Free NYC!

I go to NYC when I am craving long talks with old friends, walking down tree-lined streets of gorgeous brownstones, feeling invincible in the hot summer night air, and most importantly enjoying the best gluten/sugar/dairy free dinning! I have blogged before about my favorite places to eat out in NYC, but this trip I decided to try all new restaurants. My first stop was Sun in Bloom, a gluten free and vegan restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn. On a lazy afternoon, I strolled into this freshly designed restaurant and ordered their sunny "Couture Futomaki" with raw pickeled vegetables, avocado, and the most amazing sesame ginger dressing! I also sipped a nice cold coffee with almond milk and agave to sweeten it.  For dessert, I picked out this precious "strawberry shortcake" cupcake. It was filled and topped with fresh strawberries! I also stopped by Sun in Bloom another afternoon and got a pro-biotic coconut milk and blueberry smoothie to go - heavenly.

Another new place I tried in NYC was the Jivamuktea Cafe in Union Square. My friend Eric had recommended the Jivamukti yoga center and told me I had to stop by the cafe after class! I am so glad I did, as there was an amazing selection of vegan and gluten free options! I had a hard time deciding what to order, but ended up getting a "BLT" sandwich made with fried tempeh and served on gluten free bread.  It was extremely satisfying. They also had tons of smoothies and salads that I want to try next time! 

When I think of NYC, I think of bagels. This trip I was determined to find a gluten free bagel place in NYC. Luckily I discovered Vic's Bagel Bar which not only serves gluten free bagels, but also vegan cream cheese! I had a fat poppy seed bagel sandwich with vegan cream cheese, smoked salmon and tomatoes - my favorite! The bagel was very flavorful, though slightly tougher than I remember glutinous bagels being. But the overall lox sandwich experience was just what I was hoping for! 

Also, one day I was wandering around the East Village and stumbled upon Tu Lu's Gluten Free Bakery. It is an adorable little spot filled with gluten free treats. I asked the lady behind the counter which items didn't have sugar in them and she pointed me to the brownies and oatmeal cookies. I said, "I'll have one of each!" The cookie was nice and hearty, and the brownie was decadent!

Finally, I couldn't resist returning to my two favorite places in NYC: Angelica Kitchen and Babycakes. I have blogged about both of these treasures before on Jasmin's Happy Tummy, and still can't stop talking about them! I have no pictures of my yummy Babycakes brownie and banana bread (I stopped there as I was running in the rain to catch the Chinatown bus), but I do have a picture of the most fabulous kale salad. Now, I eat a lot of kale dishes, but this one had an incredible dressing, sun dried tomatoes and pieces of creamy soft herbed tofu that tasted like goat cheese! I am craving this salad right now as I type! I can't wait to go back to NYC and enjoy all my favorite gluten/sugar/dairy free eateries!

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

I woke up to sound of the wind brushing against the palms outside my window this morning.  The fog and mist were turning into rain.  I hugged the blankets over my head, happy that the first rainy day of fall beckoned me to stay home.  My roommate had said it was a good weekend to make muffins, so that's what I did.  I was hesitant to make up my own recipe as the last two times I baked muffins they turned into deflated messes.  So I looked on line and found this recipe by Erin McKenna, the owner of Babycakes, a fabulous gluten free bakery in NYC.  I changed the recipe slightly and made it fresh with some lemon zest.  Listening to "This American Life" on NPR, I measured the flours, zested the lemon, and scooped the blueberries.  To my pleasure, these muffins turned out fluffy, soft and delicious.  I should have known they would be good since I love everything at Erin McKenna's bakery!  These lemon blueberry muffins will warm you up and brighten up any rainy day.   

Ingredients

• 1 cup of garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour
• 3/4 cup of rice flour
• 1/4 cup of tapioca flour (or potato starch)
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1/4 cup of melted Earth Balance
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup of maple syrup
• 2/3 cup of rice milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• zest of one lemon
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup of frozen blueberries (mostly thawed and well-drained)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degress F and line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients.
3. Slowly add in the wet ingredients (except the blueberries) and mix well until smooth.
4. Add the blueberries and stir gently- don't over mix or the whole batter will turn blue!  
5. Fill each muffin cup to about 2/3 full.  
6. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until slightly golden on top.

I Eat New York

New York City is a delicious place.... I couldn't eat this piece of gluten/sugar/dairy free banana bread from Babycakes fast enough!  It had slices of bananas in it and was so moist and flavorful.  Whenever I am in Manhattan I always make sure to stop by here and buy a box of cupcakes, brownie bites, and other goodies for me and my gluten-free friend, Eliza!




But to be honest, I really can't eat cupcakes all day long.  I need my fix of green vegetables and brown rice, too.  That is why I go to Souen, the macrobiotic restaurant in New York City that serves iced kukicha tea, vegan desserts, and uses only wheat free tamari in all their dishes.  This last time I went to Souen, I opted for a simple meal of sauteed veggies and salmon sushi.  This is a meal I could easily make at home (and often do), which some people would say is a waste of money. But when I am traveling, a dish I can and would make at home is exactly what I crave.  Most restaurants pack in sugar, butter, and all kinds of unhealthy ingredients into their dishes to make them "taste good."  But when I go to Souen, I know that every ingredient used is one that I would choose to cook with for myself.  It's not only healthy to eat like this, but comforting as it reminds me of my kitchen and my home, many miles away.








A gal like me can always count on a vegan place to have lot's of dishes that I can eat.  The V-Spot (love the name), in Brooklyn has agave sweetened lemonade, vegan tacos, and gluten free labels all over their menu!  I tried the curried kale and quinoa which was hearty and flavorful.  I also ordered the kale tostadas with my friend Anna.  They were delicious, but of course broke apart immediately as they are made with toasted corn tortillas- sin gluten, thus prone to falling apart.  Nevertheless, I picked up the pieces of avocado off my skirt and continued eating this yummy mess!



  
My friends Eliza, Liz and I spent a Sunday at Far Rockaway beach, soaking in the sun (maybe too much as I got sunburned) and jumping in the waves.  It was a magical day, especially when we ventured to the Rockaway Taco stand.  Hipsters flock from Williamsburg to munch on fish tacos from this place.  The fish tacos were wheat battered, but despite their business, they quickly and kindly changed my taco order to chorizo and carne asada!  The tacos were the perfect size, filled with well cooked meats and toppings.  My favorite though, was the fresh watermelon juice I sipped on!  Also, speaking of Far Rockaway Beach, I just found out that Babycakes is now serving waffles and other delights at this beach, too!  I only wish I had known before we went...oh next time I'll have to go.  Luckily, for me, there will always be a next time in New York!  See ya next summer NYC!

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