Pasta with Brie, Spinach, Eggplant & Arugula

*Photo taken from Real Simple Magazine (David Prince)
I took a hiatus from blogging, made some changes, moved across country, and even added some new things to my diet. With new ingredients, come new recipes. With my late night weekday schedule, I was finding it challenging to get real cooking in, which was discouraging. So, I have become a weekend warrior of sorts, this weekend determined to get some great fresh meals in to spread out for the rest of the week. The advantage of living in such a mild climate (at least one of them) is the year-round local farmer’s markets. I went a little overboard last week, so I am trying come up with as many recipes in as possible with the ingredients I have in my refrigerator, which includes the innards of the pumpkins my friends and I carved out last week. I whipped together a fantastic pumpkin curry that seemed to be a crowd pleaser last week. Last night I created a rich and fresh pasta combination for my sister and friend that I will share with you today.

The foundation of this recipe I took from Real Simple magazine, which I am beginning to enjoy more each month. If you do not subscribe to it, it is worth grabbing this month’s issue from your local grocery store or even the library because it has great new ideas for thanksgiving dishes, and of course the meal I am blogging about. I had a about a half hour window to cook in, so this recipe was really put to the test, and I changed the ingredients to fit both my dietary needs and what I had on hand. On top of that we it was well into the evening--- Friday night, with over exhausted people to feed. So, I threw on Pandora, grabbed a juice box of white wine, and sent the friends off for a nap, while I cooked up this dish. It was pretty simple, and I was pretty tired. The end result was pretty damn positive. It was a yummy, flavorful and unique twist on late night pasta.

First off, I made two versions of the pasta: gluten-free, brown rice pasta from Trader Joe’s, and traditional penne pasta for the non-gluten averse. Literally while the pasta cooked, I made the rest of the mixture and it was pretty much timed within 10 minutes of each other. The Real Simple recipe called for arugula and mushrooms and the main ingredients, but instead I substituted fresh spinach, and Japanese eggplant (I used the arugula too). Additionally, I added capers, and garlic (it’s the Italian in me). It was pretty easy: I chopped up a red onion (use one small red onion), some arugula (about ½ cup), and one Japanese eggplant. Throw in the onion, 1 tsp minced garlic, salt and pepper, and olive oil into a frying pan. Let the onions start to brown, then splash in some dry white wine (to taste), the spinach, and capers. Let that cook in together for another 10 minutes.

Then slice Brie into 1-inch squares. I only used about 4.4 oz of Brie, and trimmed the edges. I also recently switched to mostly goat or sheep dairy products because they are easier to digest than that of cow, so I chose a goat Brie from Trader Joe’s.

When the pasta in cooked, strain the pasta, but set aside about ¼ cup of the pasta water. Throw the squares of Brie into the pasta, add the heated water, and stir together until the pasta is coated with Brie, making a lovely white sauce. I salted and peppered a little more here. Then I added the vegetable mixture to the pasta. Lastly, I tossed in the fresh arugula, which added a light flavor and bright color to the dish. It makes an impressive presentation, and a rich, full flavored meal. Dinner was served in about 30 minutes. Perfect for a weekday meal, when you’re just a little grumpy from work, and overtired from yoga (to get over from being grumpy from work). Bottom line, Friday ended pretty well. Hope you all enjoy the recipe—time for a little Halloween!

Serves 4
Total Time: 30minutes
Ingredients

* 12 ounces penne (brown rice pasta)
* 1-tablespoon olive oil (or whatever you prefer)
* 1 small red onion, sliced
* 1/2 cup dries white wine
* 1 small Japanese eggplant
* 1-½ cups of fresh organic spinach
* Kosher salt and black pepper
* 1 Tbs capers
* 1 tsp fresh minced garlic
* 4.4 ounces Brie, cut into 1-inch pieces (goat brie also works)
* 1/2-cup baby arugula

1,000 gluten-free recipes!

here’s a look at one of the latest gluten-free cookbooks on the market--1,000 Gluten Free Recipes by carol fenster, published by wiley. you can check out this soon-to-be released book on the wiley site, or amazon.com (discounted). i have been lucky enough to get an advance copy of this title because i worked with the production editor on this book, amy zarkos. (thanks amy!)

i’m excited about this book because it includes so many varied recipes, with unique illustrations, in a hard-cover format, making it a great gift for the gf in your life. carol fenster, a gluten-free cook, has published many gluten-free cookbooks. this one covers everything from breakfast to dessert. it will make an excellent addition to your cookbook collection. i recommend this book to all gluten-free chefs out there. (this book should be available in october).

FREE dining cards for a good cause!!!

triumph dining is giving away FREE "american dining cards" until the end of August. There’s absolutely no purchase necessary. simply visit http://www.triumphdining.com/freediningcard.aspx to participate and get a free dining card.

the purpose of this give-away is to raise money for celiac disease awareness. if 15,000 people to sign up for free dining cards, triumph dining will make a $10,000 donation in support of a national celiac disease awareness campaign. and, with $10,000 funding behind a national campaign, we can diagnose and educate more celiacs.

indian cuisine by jac and gil

let me start by letting you all know of a new weekly posting by jac and gil (jill). each week my friend jac from devourthis and i are getting together to make a gluten-free meal together then post about our results. perhaps it was beginner's luck, but this week was a success! read on....

so jac and i put ourselves up to a challenge. the first part was easy: go to the gym or skip and make dinner? we conquered that hurdle--we went home with gym bags in hand, and started on planning our meal. due to some recent mouth pain, (my dear friend jac has decided to get braces; any former braces wearers must remember that pain?!) the challenge was trying to find a palatable dish that was soft and appealing. of course i offered up the idea of various forms of mashed potatoes, a chart-topper on my list of comfort foods. but after a week of pasta combos, and even skipped meals for jac, i think it was time for some substance, and taste. additionally i had a craving for vegetable pakoras, which i convinced jac (who originally dismissed my suggestion) that we could make soft instead of crunchy. i know this is not exactly truthful, but i am a ruthless campaigner and now had the salty taste of pakoras in my mind. by the time we walked back to jac's house, we had pretty much settled on indian food. there was one catch-- where would we find chickpea flour? without hesitation i called our local organic, health food store, basic, and sure enough found besan (chickpea flour). with that confirmation jac was off and running on the main dish, as she is the much more senior (and talented) chef of the two. coincidentally, she had found an indian recipe months back that she had been meaning to try, so we rose to the challenge. we read her recipe for easy chickpea and spinach curry and of course, altered to our liking and ingredient options. we did the same for the pakoras. i find it easier to find recipes that are intriguing as a foundation, and then alter them to my dietary needs or ingredient options. flexibility is key. epicurious is a great place to start.

our pakoras called for deep-frying, but we chose to pan fry instead, and were pretty happy with the results. the recipe was very quick and easy. essentially all i needed to do was combine chickpea flour, some oil, salt, cumin and water and throw it in the food processor until it got smooth and fluffy (about 4 to 5 minutes in the food processor). then i set it aside at a warm temperature, which was for us the kitchen temperature— a comfortable 90 degrees this ridiculously hot and humid day. i can’t believe we ventured to cook during an east coast heat wave in a non-air conditioned kitchen, while there were plenty of indian options just minutes away. but, as i said… it was a challenge. part me was holding out for the suggestion of eating out, but jac is always up for cooking, so i kept the idle chatter in my mind quiet and got back to the pakoras. next we chose vegetables that we thought would taste good and remain somewhat mushy. we went with onions, spinach, and peas. i went a little crazy with the chopping, and i think the onions were diced too thin and small. i prefer longer strands of onions in pakoras for texture and appearance. i would change that next round. i also followed the suggested amount of salt from the original recipe, which i found too salty. so, i have adjusted the amount of salt in the recipe below. after the veggies were chopped, i mixed them into the chickpea batter, and they were ready to be fried.

while i was working on the pakoras, jac was busy making the main dish. she used a combination of fresh and frozen spinach, again because that is what was in the house, diced tomatoes, and chickpeas. the original recipe called for a slow cooker and dried chickpeas, but we made this on the stovetop and used canned chickpeas, and it turned out great. jac added indian spices to the dish and let the meal stew on the stove until it became a soft texture, the perfect consistency. surprisingly, this meal was easy to make and actually very healthy. the end product was better than we imagined. the pakoras were so tasty, and yes, a bit crispy on the outside, but soft enough inside and so flavorful that even jac enjoyed the appetizers. the main course was also extremely flavorful and just a perfect blend of spices. we put it over a combination of rices, jasmine, wild, and brown. we were not equipped with those wonderful indian sauces that come along with most indian fares at restaurants, but we did use tangy mango chutney to compliment the dish. nice work jac, this was exactly what i was craving.

check out devourthis. for more exciting dishes by jac.
(recipes below taken from devourthis.typepad.com)
easy chickpea and spinach curry
adapted from epicurious
serves 6

2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 10 oz. package frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garam masala (you can buy this spice mix premade.)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
peas, (just a handful for garnish)

just throw everything in a large pot, stir, and cook over medium heat anywhere from 15 min. (to heat everything through) to 40 min. (to let flavors meld more thoroughly). stir occasionally. enjoy over basmati rice.

breezy vegetable pakoras
adapted from indiaforvistors.com
makes 12-15 pakoras

1 cup chickpea flour
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt ( stick with 1 teaspoon; i used a little more and it was on the salty side)
1/2 cup water
1/2 onion, diced
1 10 oz. package frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted
3/4 cup canola oil

accompaniment: mango chutney (for spice, stir in crushed red pepper flakes!)

in a medium bowl, mix together the first 5 ingredients then beat in a blender or food processor 2 to 3 minutes to incorporate air. let the batter rest for 30 minutes in a warm place (like jac’s kitchen). add the vegetables and mix in evenly. in a large sauté pan, heat the cup of canola oil until a drop of batter sizzles upon impact. with two spoons, form small, thin patty shapes with the very wet batter and gently drop into the oil. be careful not to crowd the pan. cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. drain on paper towel.

finally, a slice of nyc pizza

in lieu of working, i spent the day roaming around the city with a good friend, searching for bookstores, until finally finding the perfect books for the day, catching some great holiday sales, and of course eating gluten-free food. the first place we stopped was mozzarelli's on 38 east 23rd street, another one of these gf-friendly places i have been reading about, but not quite getting too. i have now tried several gluten-free pizzas in various places throughout manhattan, but this place has been called “the best gluten-free pizza in nyc,” then again i have heard that tagline before. but still, i couldn’t help get one review out of my mind i read on yelp or city search, where a brooklynite said he traveled the boroughs just to get a piece of gluten-free pizza this good. so, i found myself standing in the storefront, perusing the menu with a myriad of gluten-free options, and of course, ending up with a slice of pizza. hats off to the guy from brooklyn because this is to date the best gluten-free pizza i have ever had (sorry mom).

it didn’t hurt that the restaurant is located right across the street from madison park, which on this particular day was sunny and inviting. we found a bench, and ate our greasy, cheesy slices on top of the brown paper bags, and paper plates they were served to us on. the weather was great, and even new yorkers seemed to be smiling today—perhaps because we all we not in our cubicles. i went for a traditional slice of cheese with thick marinara sauce smothered underneath the globs of mozzarella cheese, but it was incredible. beyond the flavorful pizza sauce, it was the crust that sold me. let’s be honest, gluten-free carbs are not typically the tastiest. but, this crust was soft inside, crunchy outside, and tasted rich from the buttery dough. i’m smiling just writing about it.

for all the gluten-free people out there, this is a must on the food list. i was pretty satisfied with my midday meal, so after we rested in the park for a bit, we headed up to central park with our books and blanket in hand. by the time we made the trek all up to central park, we had worked up our appetitive again. or perhaps we were just craving dessert on this summer day. we hopped into a little frozen yogurt shop near the park to end this gluten-free dining experience. we took our desserts with us to the park, laid out our blanket, grabbed our books and just relaxed. I must admit, there really isn’t much better than a beautiful day in central park, with an ice cream, blanket and a good book. sometimes, it just takes a day off to make you realize how much there is to enjoy in life.

mac & cheese, please!

another dreary day in the city. i’m talking torrential downpours, the kind that chills you from the inside out—and leaves your whole being just damp and cold. it was one of those days. i was meeting my friend for an early dinner at a gf friendly place that i have been talking about for over a month--s’mac—a restaurant dedicated completely (and i mean completely) to mac & cheese—what a concept. why hasn’t someone thought of this before? i had planned on meeting my friend here before i looked at the weather forecast, but i really could not have chosen a more perfect comfort food than this for the day that we were having. i took a would-be pleasant walk (on a sunny day that is) to the strand to take a look at some books on my way over. i love meaderning over there and just picking up books and reading the first few lines or so. i took a few moments out on my walk to s’mac to peruse the new books at the strand, and was greeted with the a plastic umbrella bag that just makes whatever part of you that’s not wet, wet. i could stay in that store forever, but food beckoned me. so, after a quick pit stop, i was on my way back out to walk in the rain. at this point, i didn’t even see i a need for the umbrella. could i get anymore drenched?

when i reached s’mac, i was pleasantly greeted by warmth, and a soothing aroma of cheese. i walked in the doors, and it was as if the grey from outside was left out there. seriously, it looked like the sun was shining on this place. i couldn’t help but smile. i kidd you not—it was sunny in there! as soon as i entered the cozy restaurant, i was enveloped in warm hues and comforting smells of cheese that wafted through the air. i felt like a just stepped into a giant grilled cheese sandwich, all warm, and orange, or i guess more appropriately, a bowl of mac & cheese?! i took a seat in the corner, next to an old- fashioned radiator, which emitted even more warmth, and i looked up to admire the low-hanging orange lamps, that gave this place a hip vibe and orange hues… ah, now i got it. it really did seem orange in there. beyond the warmth and the soothing ambience, the smell of melting cheese permeated the restaurant. i took a seat and waited for my friend. within minutes i saw her outside, miserable and wet, shaking her head and her umbrella probably for the same reason. i watched her expression as she walked through the door. she stepped in, looked around, and smiled. “this place smells great! and it’s so warm.” if i have not sold you yet purely on the atmosphere, let’s talk food.

the options are limitless. there are so many varieties, sizes, cheeses, toppings of mac & cheese dishes, you could come back everyday and always try a new combo. most importantly for people like me, they have gf options, rice pasta. i was thinking cheesy, like kraft mac & cheese cheesy. i ordered a combo with american and cheddar cheese, broccoli, basil and roasted tomatoes. and yes, it tasted as good as it sounds. each order comes in its own little skillet, and potholder to boot. my friend ordered a variation with feta and parmesan cheese, olives, basil and broccoli. it looked great. the best part is that it is served baked and crusted over at the top, so you have to break into the baked cheese layer to get to the gooey, melty cheese center. the portions are perfect sized also, just enough to fill you up from the rich cheese. everyone was smiling in s’mac that day. it is a ‘must’ on the places to eat in nyc, for the gluten and gluten-free among us.

thanks s’mac… what a great experience! i will definitely be back.

gluten-free evening in nyc

my friend was in town from boston, and we made plans to meet up for dinner in the village. it was one of those dreary, rainy, spring nights, last week. all i wanted to do was to get out of my work clothes, throw on some comfortable shoes, and grab a pizza and piece of chocolate cake—what a perfect evening. nothing better than catching up with a girlfriend over comfort food and comfy clothes. but wait. something just seems wrong with this scene… ah, yes, i’m in nyc, the national capital of impeccably stylish, yet outrageously uncomfortable shoes, and… i can’t eat wheat. already the evening had taken a turn for the worse. i actually don’t mind finding some gluten-free options on random dining menus, but when i have visitors sometimes i just want to enjoy, and not have to rethink the menu options.

luckily for us (not our feet) we were in new york. i hopped on citysearch.com for some gluten free options, and i looked up the address to risotteria restaurant—the gluten free eatery that recently won raves from the new york times. i’ve wanted to go to this place for so long. it is truly a gluten-free gold mind. seriously--- there’s gf pizza menu. when is the last time you actually ordered gluten-free pizza in a restaurant? well, i did just the other day, sicilian style crust none-the-less. it was delicious, and filling. both my friend, who by the way has no aversion to gluten, and i thoroughly enjoyed our meals. to begin with, they offered gluten free breadsticks before we ordered, crispy on the outside and warm and soft inside. i was so excited i had to take a photo of the breadsticks as i was eating them. admittedly, by the time the entrees came, i was so engrossed by the food that i forgot take some pics before i started chowing down. when i thought of it, i have already done too much damage to the food. (please note the photos are from the web site).we split a veggie pizza for an appetizer, and then we both ordered our own entrees of risotto, of course. there was so much food that was so rich, we took home leftovers.

risotteria comes highly recommended for both the gluten-free and non-gluten people out there. it is a quaint restaurant with a great location, right on bleecker street, and truly friendly service. it was a wonderful eating experience. you can buy rice pasta there too! additionally, there are desserts ranging from brownies to apple pie.

by the time the check came around, we were so filled up; we thought it necessary to walk some of our dinner off. we headed down bleecker street in search of a café to end the evening with a warm cup of tea. there are a lot of options on bleecker street. but we ended up in café angelique, which came equipped with antique chairs, with heart-shaped backs, and a menu that is hard to resist. despite our stomachs, we ordered more treats. i did not plan on having dessert, but when i perused the menu, my eyes fixated on the chocolate irish whisky cake (wheat free). at this point in my life, when i see anything wheat free, i am inclined to purchase it. so, that is what i did. it was decadent, rich, smooth, and worth every sinful bite (i went back for another piece over the weekend—it’s that good).

photos from risotteria web site