Take me out to the ball game...

I went to Wrigley Field recently to watch the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cubs (boo.) Despite the Cubbies loss, I still consider my $25 ticket a win because I got to hang with the boys and drink a brew.  A delicious gluten free brew.

The stadium now offers Anheuser-Busch's Redbridge, a medium body beer made without wheat and barley.
http://www.redbridgebeer.com/

Cheers to Wrigley for offering me something to drink other than water, soda or those dreadfully girly Frozen Vodka Lemonades.  Goodbye embarrassing drinks, hello light, refreshing beer.  I'm singing "Go Cubs Go!"

Cookin' Chili

In honor of today's fall-like weather and the start of pre-season football, I decided to whip up a batch of chili (gluten free ofcourse.) 

Here's what you need to cook up your own batch:

-1 lb ground beef
-5 roma tomatoes
-1 green pepper
-1/2 of a red onion
-1/8 of a jalapeno
-1 15oz can of each of the following-tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans
-3 Tbs chili powder
-1 Tbs cumin powder
-Dash of salt and pepper
-2 cups of water

Here's what you do:

-Brown ground beef in a large pot
-Add cans of tomato sauce, beans, liquid from beans and water
-Dice tomatoes, green peppers, onion and jalapeno and stir into pot
-Mix in chili powder, cumin powder, salt and pepper

Here's how to cook it:

-Heat to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer
-Stir every 15 minutes for 2.5-3 hours

Garnish:

-Sharp cheddar cheese
-Cholula hot sauce

Enjoy!

Big Bowl

I met my friend Jenny at Big Bowl for lunch last week to gab about all our favorite subjects-happy hour, weekend plans, work, dating, and of course food.

Before heading over, I looked up the menu and was pleasantly surprised to see they had a number of gluten free offerings.  http://www.leye.com/files/jenniferbell/bigbowl/Gluten-Free-SP.pdf

Because I'd already tackled a Grande Starbucks Latte earlier that morning, I decided on the Vegetable Summer Rolls.  A light, seasonal appetizer of rice noodles and veggies bundled in a rice paper wrapper and accompanied by a lemon dipping sauce.  Plated like a sushi maki roll, this meal not only hit the spot, but was easy to maneuver with chop sticks (heaven forbid I ask for a fork.)

For those of you working in the River North/Gold Coast area or doing some damage on Michigan Avenue, stop on in at Big Bowl and enjoy.

This Ice Cream's "Da Bomb"

That's right, I said "Da Bomb."  I realize it's not 1990 anymore, but seriously, this ice cream is the freakin' bomb.

Any gluten free guy or gal out there will tell you that it's hard to find a good ice cream alternative that tastes as delectable as Ben and Jerry's.  I like my ice cream filled with mouth-watering goodies and swirly goodness, and I want it to be full-fat (none of this 50% less fat BS.)

So to all you ice cream lovers out there who shed a tear every time you walk past your good ol' pals Ben and Jerry, I have some good news for you.  Say hello to Purely Decadent Coconut Milk "Ice Cream."

Da Bomb #1 (Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl)  http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/product.php?p=purely_decadent_cm_chocolate_peanut_butter_swirl

Da Bomb #2 (Cookie Dough)  http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/product.php?p=purely_decadent_cm_cookie_dough