Gluten-free fried fish

 

Every summer my family would drive up to Good Harbor beach or Cranes beach in Massachusetts to bathe in the sun, swim in the freezing cold water 'till we were blue in the lips, and build castles in the sand.  My parents were judges for the annual sand castle competition at Cranes beach, where professionals, families, and even kids could compete (yes, my sister and I won the kid's category one year!)  I remember the professionals building the Eifle tower, or castles big enough for me to walk into, or humongous dragons that looked like they were swimming in the sand.  At the end of the day, after all the blue ribbons were given out, everyone would go to Woodman's in Essex, Ma.  

This old seafood restaurant is extremely popular with lines out the door.  We would feast on their fried full belly clams and fresh lobsters.  I have always been a seafood junkie, and would order the fisherman's platter- which was overflowing with fried fish, fried shrimp, fried clams, fried scallops, and french fries- and finish then entire thing by myself (not that I didn't get a slight stomach ache on the car ride home)!  Since going off gluten, it's been a long time since I had some fried clams, and also a long time since I've had a beach day like I did when I was a child.  This July, though, my family and I returned to Good Harbor beach.  Just like old times my sister and I splashed in the big waves together like we did when we were kids, and then we all stopped at Woodman's for dinner.  

I was craving some fresh New England lobster that you just can't get in San Francisco.  But to all of our surprise, my sister noticed they had a gluten free option for all their fried dishes.  I was so excited that I ordered not only a lobster, but the gluten free fisherman's platter (granted this time I shared both with my brother.)  It was amazingly delicious- reminding me of when I was a kid chowing down all that fried goodness.  My brother, who eats gluten said it tasted great- just the same, only slightly lighter.  By the end of the dinner I was covered in lobster juice and grease. I took off my plastic lobster bib, looked out to the sun setting around the marsh, and sighed in such gratitude for this delicious gluten free meal.

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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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A San Francisco Day

The other day I was a tourist in my own city.  I went to the SFMOMA to see the Stein collection and then wandered downtown until I found myself at the Ferry Building.  It was Tuesday so the farmer's market was  hopping.  At that point I was hungry from all the art watching that morning, so I stopped at the Indian stand where they sell Naan and delicious dips like fire roasted eggplant and..... gluten free spinach chickpea bread! This bread by Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Food is so savory and delicious- look for these guys at other Bay Area farmer's markets:

I bought a pack of the bread and the eggplant dip and sat along the water noshing on my goodies.  I was surrounded by tourists speaking French, Japanese, and German around me.  Though I am not a tourist in San Francisco anymore, that afternoon I did feel the same sense of anonymity in a new place.  I rarely go downtown, as I work in different neighborhood, so on a relaxing day off I could truly appreciate my surroundings like a tourist:  basking in the sun reflecting off the very clean pavements, admiring the view of the Bay Bridge, and enjoying the novelty of the Ferry Building's decadent treats.  And laughing when one 4 year old girl in a pink dress asked her sister, "Why don't you call it ice cream?  Why do you always have to say gelato?"  You know you're in San Francisco when 4 year olds are arguing about gelato....