GFCF Yummyness, #1

P.S. I am committed to blogging often, so I will blog, even with wrist/hand/forearm pain. Ick. 
Today, I wish I had a computer that would type by voice recognition.  THAT would make things easier for me.

P. P. S. Forearm pain.....really????? I mean, who ever heard of a forearm injury?  That's almost as weak as "Oh, I'd love to come out and help you prevent baby seals from being beaten, but I have this horrible hangnail-I know, I think it's beginning to spread....".  I mean, seriously.  I think I am about as irritated with my health issues today, as I was when they began in the first place!  Humph.

P. P. P. S. On to bigger and better things....

Ok, today, I am addressing wonderful options for Gluten Free and Dairy (or casein) Free (GFCF) people.  And, as a recovering Ben and Jerry's addict, I will tell you that I am picky.  I like yummmmy things that spread creamy goodness all over my palate.  If they are served in small portions by waiters that spend more on shoes than I do, all the better.  So, when I reccommend something, it ain't no joke.  And, none of my opinions are garbled by free swag (not that I would say "no" to swag from, say, Turtle Mountain, Coconut Bliss, Trader Joe's, Udi's, or Whole Foods....hint...hint...)

I have sacrificed my slowly shrinking butt-cheeks to this quest for yum.  THAT is how committed I am. You're welcome.

In no particular order:

• Turtle Mountain's Purely Decadent Dairy Free Coconut Milk Ice Cream-I am partial to Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Cherry Amaretto and Turtle Trails, but only because I haven't tried the other 15 flavors
• Coconut Bliss Ice Cream-Once again, Chocolate Peanut Butter (I STILL miss the Haagen Dazs Deep Chocolate Peanut Butter from the late 80's-not that mamby pamby Chocolate Peanut Butter they try to pass off these days, I'm no sucker!)
• Udi's frozen pizza crusts-they are thin and quite tasty, especially compared to the yeast-y thick, spongy mess I fed to my family first, made from scratch
• Top that Udi's crust with a SMALL amount of Daiya vegan cheese shreds-really, just a pinch for cheese-like utterance.  This AIN'T CHEESE.  I honestly think they use people who have never eaten cheese to test cheese alternatives.  But, it melts, and has a cheese-like texture, and not-unpleasant taste.  I do mean that in the best possible way.  Make sure to top the pizza with a great sauce and lots of flavorful toppings-caramelized onions, artichoke hearts, etc. and then just a smackerel of Daiya. I passed it off to another GFCF, but two people that eat all those good things-and everyone had seconds!
• Trader Joe's 100 calorie dark chocolate bars.  Perfect with a glass of red wine (once again, still NEVER gonna allergy test the wine-still not a sucker...)
• Rice paper wrappers from an Asian market-use these to fill with tons of sauteed veggies and shrimp or chicken, dip in a sauce you can make with sweet chili sauce and wheat-free tamari!
• Use romaine or butter lettuce leaves to wrap up tuna or chicken salad
• Udi's white sandwich bread-I would recommend it be used in a toasted fashion-as garlic bread, french toast.  Straight, it feels a bit like the consistency of sourdough in terms of dryness
• Sofella Chocolate Cake Mix-Moist, and oh so decadent
• Namaste Chocolate brownie mix-I served this to a crowd of about 40 seniors at a birthday party-many of them Republicans-and they all raved about how great the brownies were! HA!  Little did they know, the brownies were gluten-free, but FULL of socialist propaganda...
• Cherrybrook Pancake mix-I can't recall the directions, but I know I strayed out of laziness, and use just vanilla rice milk until a thickish batter forms. Follow the directions, they don't bubble like traditional pancakes, you really need a slow heat for these, or else they can be gummy inside.  Add some fresh blueberries-they are great this way!
• Gluten-free Bisquick-these, along with the Cherrybrook above, pass the 7- and 12-year old kid loving test. However, I haven't tried these without adding the egg and oil.  I like it easier than that-I will keep you posted!

I will keep adding to this list, but my wrist is ACHING. 

Comment with a wonderful GFCF find!  I love referrals.

Peace out, my homies.