Restaurant Guides

Months ago I was contacted by a site called Allergy Eats that does a great service to those with food allergies by providing a guide to restaurants who are sensitive to our needs. I try to stay active in the community and post responses to their blogs, one of which was about a need for restaurants to post allergy information on their menus. Such a great idea. Well, the other night I ordered take out from Mimi's Cafe. As I was leaving, I noticed a book by the host stand labeled "allergy guide." What a great breakthrough! Maybe its too costly for restaurants to print allergy info on each individual menu, but a simple guide book that is easily accessible really is possible. If Mimi's can do it, all restaurants can.We should suggest this to all our favorites.

Living Without

I recently found a magazine dedicated to food allergy sufferers. It's called Living Without Magazine. So far I have only seen it sold at Whole Foods market. But, they also have a website livingwithout.com. Its a great community with recipes, articles, and even doctor recommendations. The focus is on gluten-free and dairy free living, as most food allergy sites cater to. The only problem I have with any of these site is that my allergies are not common. I have very specific sensitivities to peas and tomatoes, and no one caters or even recognizes those allergens. But, as far as trying to create a community of support and knowledge for the majority of food allergen sufferers, Living Without is a great start.

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion

I've enjoyed a meal at countless gourmet restaurants, one of which was $150 5-course indulgence with a master chef. Roy's blows all these meals out of the water. They have a 3-course prefixed meal on the menu that was by far the best meal I have ever tasted. I started with a sashimi, next a beautifully cooked rack of lamb with a sauce I literally licked off the plate, and ended with a molten chocolate cake. I died and went to heaven! The services is excellent, and they are very conscious and accommodating when you express any food allergies. Even with a prefixed menu, they were more than willing to substitute a pineapple upside down cake for Mike because he couldn't eaten any of the dairy-based desserts. Try Roy's! It is Hawaiian cuisine turned gourmet. I guarantee they will not disappoint you!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:
5 lb young hen
2 carrots
2 celery sticks
basil
rosemary
salt and pepper
Bisquick
1/2 cup milk (soy milk, if desired)

Directions:
1. Chop celery and carrots
2. Place hen, celery, carrots, tblsp basil, tblsp rosemary, tblsp salt into pressure cooker and add water 3/4 full. Cook on high til pressure cooker steams and whistles. Turn stove down to low heat and let simmer for 45 min.
3. Take hen out of the broth and cut into small strips (be careful it'll be very hot)
4. Mix 1 cup of Bisquick and 1/2 cup milk til dough forms. Drop by spoonfuls into boiling broth.
5. Serve chicken, broth, and dumplings as desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

This is so yummy! It is a simple way to make soup for days. Add noodles one day or rice another. My boyfriend and I have gotten a good 4 or 5 days worth of meals from this 1 recipe. Bon Apetit!