Eating Out Gluten Free

Are you on a gluten free diet? No matter what the reason, eating gluten free when you are eating out can pose a problem. But some restaurants are taking the hmmm... out of making menu choices and are offering a gluten free menu. The Cheesecake Factory is one of the latest restaurants to offer a gluten free menu to it's guests.

The Cheesecake Factory tested their new menu choices with more than 80 dishes that are gluten free. Not just a couple of choices, but 80 delish choices for you. So far only 1 cheesecake is offered gluten free. Some are reworked existing dishes that have subbed gluten free buns and pasta. So head to the Cheesecake Factory (my closest Factory is in King of Prussia PA but check their web site for your closest restaurant.

The menu cautions: "We prepared this menu for our guests with sensitivities to gluten. While we strive to provide accurate information, our menu items are freshly prepared in our kitchens, which are not gluten-free. Cross-contact with other food items that contain gluten is possible. This is especially true for fried items, which are cooked in shared fryer oil." A good thing for anyone who needs a gluten-free meal who is eating out.

Ask the host or your server for the gluten-free menu. Cheesecake Factory managers reported that gluten free dishes are one of the top requests by guests, so these new dishes should be popular.

Other restaurants offering gluten-free menu items? Applebees, Chili's, Burger King and Olive Garden all have lists of their gluten-free offerings on their web sites so head on over and check them out!

Lemonade Without the Lemons?

Photo courtesy of Very Best Baking

 

How can you make lemonade without the lemons? Try Brazilian lemonade. Brazilian Lemonade? Hmmm... sounds promising on a hot day, so why not give it a try? The folks at NESTLÉ® offer this great recipe--the trick? American Brazilian lemonade uses common limes not  Brazilian lemons. Huh? Lemonade without the lemons? Well it seems Brazilian Lemons look and have a flavor similar to our common limes so sub our limes for Brazilian Lemons to get a similar flavor.

 

Brazilian lemonade is rich and creamy and perfect for a hot hot day. Make it and serve it right away for the very best taste. Finally a new use for your trusty blender! This recipe makes 8 servings of 1 cup each or 4 servings in a tall frosty glass.

 

4 common limes (wash carefully)

6 C water, divided

1 C granulated sugar, divided

1/2C sweetened condensed milk, divided

14 ice cube (1 tray), divided (plus more for glasses when serving)

 

Take washed limes and slice off the ends. Cut each lime into eight wedges (yes, you leave the rinds on! bizarre I know!) Put sixteen wedges, half the water, half the water, half the sugar and half the condensed milk and ice in your favorite blender. Cover, blend only 20 seconds. Do not over blend it will make your lemonade bitter.) Strain into a pitcher using a fine mesh strainer(not your pasta strainer with the wide holes). This removes remaining rind pieces. Repeat with other half of your ingredients. Now you have a large pitcher of cool and refreshing Brazilian lemonade--sure doesn't taste like that powdered stuff or even frozen concentrates!

 

If your guests are looking for a zing with their drink, add some Bacardi rum.

 

We made this for a cookout recently and it was a huge hit. So give your backyard cookout some zip and serve Brazilian lemonade.