Meal Plan | May 2014 (Part II)

Ever since I found out about my food intolerances, I have been feverishly scouring Bloglovin. I definitely sleep later at night than I should because I'm searching for bloggers who cook the way I need to eat and make it look easy.

My stream of consciousness: I discovered nutritional yeast. You can add it to nuts to make vegan cheese! I introduced my pastry chef sister to egg-less chia eggs. I finally visited the restaurant where she works. I was reminded, yet again, that the Vitamix does NOT cook soups, even though they claim it does--unless you enjoy the raw taste of warm garlic and vegetables. I saw a garlic plant in its whole form for the first time.

Hubby & I celebrated our 3rd anniversary. Hurray!

Photo Credit: Mollie Jane Photography

Organic Garlic Plant

Please read on for my meal plan.

Meal Plan | May 2014 (Part I)

These days, I am trying to convince myself that my daily gluten-free cooking routine hasn't changed significantly after eliminating corn, soy, and oats. It's so hard to not have any dairy (oh, glorious cheese) and eggs.

Dinners typically follow the format of a grilled/roasted protein and vegetable-based side. I know starches are usually the third part of this trifecta, but gluten-free grains or carbs don't always have to make an appearance to make a fulfilling meal.

Organic CSA Basket 
It's the last basket of the Spring Quarter!

• (1) bunch scallion
• (3) bunch late Spring Walla Walla onions
• (1) bunch cilantro
• (1) bunch black kale
• (2) bunch red kale
• (1) bunch beets with tops
• (1) bunch baby turnips with tops
• (1) bunch rainbow chard
• (2) bunch collard greens
• (2) large zucchinis
• (2) cucumbers
• (3) apples
• (2) tangerines
• (1) bunch broccoli
• (1) fennel with tops
• (2) avocados

Video: Here's a look at all the produce I get for just $35 every other week. Produce is harvested on the same day. Now, that's fresh!

Meal Plan

Here's what I'll be making for the next two weeks:

Recipes marked with an * are from my latest book purchase called My Viring Diet Cookbook by
Rebecca Lorraine. Recipes are gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, corn-free, peanut-free, and sugar-free.

Meal Plan | April 2014 (Part I)

(Very) Long time, no see. 

Where have I been?!

During Lent, I decided to take a step back from promoting myself (e.g., this blog and my business), particularly on social media. I wanted to focus on my full-time job, husband, our home, and mentoring younger women in my community.

On top of that, I recently discovered, in addition to gluten, that I am also intolerant to even more foods, quite significant ones. Want details? Check out the new About Me section.

With the overwhelming news, I returned to my blog to help me be more proactive about what I buy, cook, and eat. (The good news is that there are people out there like me, and their blogs have been a comfort and inspiration to me.)

Now that Spring is in full swing, I decided to expand my herb garden, attempt to grow some vegetables, and even worm compost!


I was a busy little shopper earlier this month. Read on to see all the yummy ingredients that I got and a meal plan to boot.

Meal Planning | February 2014 (Part I)

What have I been up to the last month or so? I've been making a concerted effort to keep up on chores and started yoga again. And, spending more time with my husband <3. 

This week, I decided to go back on the Repairvite gut cleansing program for quick reboot for a few days. I should probably do it for at least five to seven days, but I just don't think I can commit. I don't even know how I survived the 30 day plan last year!

The reason for my detox revisitation is because I ate a non-gluten free sandwich on Saturday due to restaurant error. Plus, I overdosed on rice last week and, with all my baking, I've been eating lot of grains and sugar lately. I feel foggy; not as sharp. My neck & back muscles are sore. In general, I'm not feeling yippity skippity.

The Repairvite program that I do consists of the following:

Repairvite herbal & amino acid supplement (1 scoop powder, 2x/day) 

Strengthia probiotis (1 pill, 2x/day) 

GI-Synergy dietary supplements (3 pills, 2x/day)

You can buy these products on Amazon, but I highly encourage you to do the regimen & diet under the care of a healthcare professional such as a holistic doctor or nutritionist. The dose, frequency, and duration is different for each individual - typically determined by results of your blood work and symptoms. Refer to this brochure for details on the diet. 

Anyway, onto my very comprehensive meal plan. As you know I do CSA and Winder Farms. Last week, I gave Farm Fresh to You a shot. Suffice to say, I have a fully stocked fridge, so it's a must for me to stay on my meal plan over the next week or so.

South Coast Farms CSA Basket

1 bunch Red Chard
1 bunch Tatsoi 
1 head Cabbage
1 bunch Atomic Red Carrots 
1 bunch Cilantro
1 bunch Curly Parsley
2 bunch Beets
2 bunch Baby Turnips
2 Kohlrabi
2 Red Onion
1 Grapefruit
1 head Broccoli
3 Kiwi
2 Pears

Farm Fresh to You Box

1 bunch Amarosa Fingerling Potatoes  

1/3 bag Yukon Gold Potatoes 

2 extra large Sweet Potatoes

Meal Plan | Week of 12-29-13

This will be the last meal plan of 2013. Wow, I can't believe it!

Even with the holidays, I've been trying to stay on track with cooking at home. Since I have a couple days off this week, I'm going to go a little "all out," especially with the baking.

I bought my proteins from Sprouts. My CSA is still on break, so I'll be getting my produce from Winder Farms.

Organic Produce Box Items:
3 Apples
2 D'Anjou Pears
4 Kiwi
1 lb of French Fingerling Potatoes
1 Bulb of Fennel
1 Bunch of Carrots
Lettuce
1 Bunch of Broccoli I still have two heads of broccoli from last week, too. Any ideas aside from soup & roasting? Please comment below!

Pumpkin Spoonbread

Pumpkin Spoonbread - Baked

My eyes have been opened to the world of spoonbread. After I made this basic version, I decided to make a holiday version using pumpkin. 

Recipe from Bon Appetit Thanksgiving Edition

Here is my adaption for a less savory version of Bon Appetit's pumpkin spoonbread. It's a super moist cross between pumpkin pie & bread pudding. 

Ingredients

• 2½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 
• 2 tsp kosher salt 
• 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal  
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg I grated my fresh from the nut
• 1 cup canned pure pumpkin purée Bon App recommends Libby's
• 3 large eggs, separated
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground ginger  

For a sweeter version, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar

Persimmon Cookies

A Little Persimmon Cookie

Persimmons are in season in the Fall, so I have been getting the Fuyu variety in my CSA basket every other week.

I like firm and crunchy fruit. So, when my persimmons start getting a little soft, I get a little sad.

About five years ago, a former co-worker told me about how she uses persimmons in bread puddings and cookies. I grew up eating persimmons, but haven't really seen them in baked goods.

With my mushy persimmons, I decided to make cookies for the first time in my life. Enough of the excuses for not baking, I needed an excuse to use my overripe autumnal fruit!

Just a note, persimmon cookies aren't really your idea of cookies. They are more like cookie-shaped muffin tops or non-custardy bread pudding bites. These "cookies" are soft and incredibly moist. They are the perfect bite for this season.

Before I share the recipe for the cookies, you'll need to prep persimmon puree in advance.

Meal Plan | Week of 12-22-13

Photo Credit: http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/

My CSA is on break due to the holidays, so I'll be drawing my cooking inspiration for this week from my impromptu visit to Zion Market today and what I have in my pantry already.

Sunday

• Dine out at Pho 21 - spring rolls, pho well-done brisket I usually get rare steak (pho tai), but I was feeling adventurous.

Monday

• Bourbon-glazed ribeye steaks (marinade prepped day prior)

Tuesday - Christmas Eve

• Lemon oregano chicken (marinade prepped day prior)
• Next time, I will try this Bourbon Molasses Chicken Drumsticks

Wednesday - Christmas

• TBD  
• CSA is skipped this week, so I will get veggies & fruits through the Winder Farms' organic produce box

Thursday

• Gluten-free Sweet Potato Gnocchi (bake sweet potatoes earlier)

Friday

• Broiled Lobster
• Gluten-free Fresh Pasta (prepped day prior) with EVOO, tomato, basil, and Parm

Saturday

• Meat loaf Thanks, Lauren, for the recipe

Breakfast 

• Gingerbread Oatmeal variation
• Baked Blueberry Oatmeal variation

Dessert

• Gluten-free Carrot Cupcakes

Drinks

• Hot Toddy
• Ginger, lemon, honey tea
• Spinach & apple green juice

Do you have any special meal plans for Christmas week? Please comment below.

Cornmeal Spoonbread

As you know from a previous post, I've been cooking from a new gluten-free cookbook where I came across this recipe for spoonbread. It has minimal ingredients and I had all of them in my pantry already.

Interestingly, I've never heard of "spoonbread" before. (Blame it on my Southern Californian Asian-American upbringing)

Spoonbread is a moist cornmeal-based dish prevalent in the South. Although named a "bread", it's åcloser in consistency and taste to savory puddings, such as Yorkshire pudding. (Source: Wikipedia)

Below is my execution of Nicole Hunn's original book recipe. I recommend serving it with a savory meat dish with juices or sauce. Or, eat it the next day with some butter, or sweetened with honey or jam.

Oatmeal Banana Bread

The baking bug has officially bitten me for the first time in my life. (My sister, now a pastry chef, was the one who baked while growing up.)

I have been feverishly stocking up my pantry with baking essentials, and have been buying in bulk to save money in the long run.

So, what to do with the excessive amount of Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free Quick Cooking Oats from Amazon that I have? Oatmeal Banana Bread! I found this recipe on Bob's website.

Here's what I like about this spin on a classic:

• It has more texture due to the oats
• The flavor profile is mild as it doesn't have the usual spices like nutmeg and cinnamon
• Honey is used as a sweetener that gives it a sticky, caramelized exterior
• And, of course, it's gluten-free!

Meal Plan | Week of 12-15-13

South Coast Farms CSA | Fall Quarter Week 7

In this week's organic CSA box, I received the following:

• Baby turnips
• Radishes
• Fresh herbs including parsley, cilantro, and dill
• Oranges They are curiously yellow like lemons
• Grapefruits
• Fuyu persimmons
• Fuji apples 
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Rainbow Chard
• Spaghetti squash
• Potatoes I traded in a couple heads of lettuce to double my portion
• Onion
• Celery

Recipe Ideas

• Entrees
• Homemade Gnocchi
• Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with ground bison (instead of turkey)
• Flank steak I bought two (1.5-1.75 lb. steaks, each) from Costco
• Asian-style flank steak with sautéed rainbow chard
• Grilled flank steak with herb salsa verde
• Thai-style flank steak
• Flank steak with shallots and red wine sauce
• Sauces
• Herb salsa verde, or chimichurri
• Sides
• Brown butter baby turnips
• Rosemary & dill roasted carrots
• Spicy radishes
• Arugula salad with proscuitto and persimmons (see tweet below)
• Waldorf-ish salad (spinach, apples, walnuts)
• Breakfast
• Grapefruit brûlée
• Banana Orange Smoothie
• Desserts
• Orange Olive Oil Cake

Persimmons in your salad? Yes! Inspired by Bruno's (Brea). Fuyu, arugula, parm, prosciutto, lemon vinaigrette pic.twitter.com/S8I6QCOxLB
— Succulent Succotash (@asucculentblog) December 10, 2013

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits

Portioned Buttermilk Biscuits

My friend, Stella, gifted me Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap by Nicole Hunn for my birthday last month.

What to make for breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning? Buttermilk biscuits! Below is my interpretation of Hunn's gluten-free recipe to make these comforting discs of buttery goodness.

Asian Pickled Salad

Asian Pickles in Mason Jars

I am a fan of all things acidic, tart, and vinegary. This quick pickled Asian Salad is a great compliment to this hearty, salty Asian Braised Pork Shoulder dish. 

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 carrots, julienned
• 1 hothouse cucumber, sliced thinly, preferably on a mandoline
• 1 medium daikon radish, peeled, sliced in half lengthwise and sliced into thin half-moons, preferably on a mandoline
• 2 scallions, sliced thinly on the bias

Slow-Cooked Asian Pork Shoulder

Slow-Cooked Asian Pork Shoulder

I've been wanting to use my slow cooker more often as of late. But, to be honest, I am not fond of the traditional "Crock Pot" recipes. I find the traditional flavors of the usual chuck meat, potatoes, celery, carrots, and stock a little blasé.

So, anytime I see an interesting recipe for braised anything, I eagerly try to adapt it to the slow cooker.

On Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Anne Burrell introduced an Asian version of a braised pork shoulder. Since I've gone gluten-free three months ago, my Asian food options have been limited. So, this was a perfect opportunity to 1) use my slow cooker 2) enjoy Asian flavors 3) try an updated slow cooker recipe.

Gluten-Free Potato Gnocchi

Gluten-Free Potato Gnocchi

I am a huge fan of Gordon Ramsay. My friend, Eugene, introduced me to his UK cooking show "Ultimate Cookery Course." 

I stumbled upon Ramsay's recipe for homemade potato gnocchi. In my great fortune, I had most of the ingredients on hand thanks to my CSA box. Below is my gluten-free adaption of this classic Italian pasta dish.

Meal Plan | Week of 11-27-13 & 12-1-13

South Coast Farms CSA Fall Basket

I must confess I've been MIA for the last month as I was celebrating a milestone birthday and, unfortunately and unrelated, I have been experiencing more-than-the-usual migraines (read, sleeping 10-12+ hours a day to cope). 

Now that I'm back in the groove of the daily grind, I'm feeling extra motivated to empty my overly-stocked fridge full of organic CSA produce and items from my usual grocery runs.

To make up for it, here are meal plan for two weeks.

Meal Planning ~ Week 10-27-13

Last week was a blur. I don't even remember what we ate! It was a non-CSA week and there was a mix-up with my Winder Farms order, so I didn't get my organic produce box delivery. As a result, we didn't have much in the fridge or pantry.

This week, we made a trip to Costco for proteins and got our CSA box on Wednesday. A fully stocked kitchen makes my meal plan even more important.

Here is the game plan for the week:

Sunday

• Brunch - Out with girlfriends
• Buckwheat pancakes from Early Bird Cafe This is pretty much the only gluten-sensitive item on their entire menu. 

Early Bird Cafe Buckwheat Pancakes

• Dinner - Argentine BBQ Party at Ariel's
• Asado steaks chorizo sausages from El Gaucho cooked to perfection by grill master Ariel
• Choripan My non-NCGS friends ate the chorizo with French bread as a sandwich 
• Grilled red onions You'd be amazed at how sweet and addicting these are. Just lightly salted and oiled, then grilled over Mesquite coals. 
• Chimichurri I am known to bring fresh herb sauce to BBQs, especially South American ones. My original inspiration from chimichurri was from this recipe, but I make it so often now I just wing it each time. This time around, I made it with:
• 3 small bunches flat leaf Italian parsley
• 3 tbsp dried organic Oregano flakes (fresh dried from my herb garden)
• 1/4 red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves organic garlic
• Juice from 1 lemon
• A few sprinkles of red pepper flakes
• Salt & pepper to taste
• EVOO to desired consistency I like it as a thick dressing; between the viscosity of a paste and a runny mixture.
• Dessert - Layer Cake Bakery
• Mini cheesecake with gluten-free graham cracker crust Pretty good
• Coconut macaroon cookie

My Plate

The Argentine Grill

Layer Cake's GF Cheesecake

Meal Planning ~ Week of 10-6-13 (Part 2)

Meal Plan

I never got around to posting this as I was dragging my heels on finding all the photos for these meals. I finally got around to it for some proper show-and-tell. This is for the latter half of the week. For the first part of the week, check out my earlier post. 

Wednesday CSA Pick Up Day

• Dinner
• Cauliflower soup (see photo above): Cauliflower and onions cooked in chicken stock, combined in blender, add seasoning to taste

Thursday

• Breakfast
• Extra large roasted yam - 400F for 1hr 15min (made night prior)
• Green Juice 
• Lunch
• Salad - Carrot top pesto chicken thighs, green leaf lettuce, red onion, cucumber, avocado, balsamic dressing
• Dinner
• Pan-friend pork belly (purchased from Hana Butcher Shop)
• Korean ssam with red leaf lettuce
• Roasted buttercup squash soup  
• Dessert
• Healthy Chocolate Mousse (see photo below): Avocado, milk of choice, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar (if desired)

Friday

• Lunch
• Thai Shrimp Salad at Tender Greens with co-workers
• Modifications: No Thai dressing (due to fish sauce), sub with lemon vinaigrette; no peantus; no crostini
• Dinner Lobster party at our friend's place! Our friend, Mike, caught these California lobsters (as opposed to Maine lobster) in Long Beach 
• Lobster was prepared by baking with butter & garlic, as well as breaded & deep-fried for my non-GF friends
• Organic Roasted Acorn Squash Salad - Roasted acorn squash, sliced persimmons, romaine lettuce, red onions in balsamic vinaigrette

Look at this HUGE tail! Doesn't it make your mouth just water? It was definitely a succulent meal.

Average vs. Extra Large Tail

Mini Me

Hope you enjoy these recipes!

Buddha's Hand

Buddha's Hand

Frieda's Specialty Produce kindly sent me a Buddha's Hand fruit to try. Kind of timely around Halloween, right?

I actually first saw it in New York on vacation. I had no idea what it was. It looked like an alien fruit!

Contrary to what you may think, this fruit is not "new" or a hybrid; it's actually one of the oldest citron fruits originating from China. You can find them at speciality stores like Dean & Deluca and Whole Foods. If you see it, don't be scared! Give it a shot.

Gluten-free Fish Sauce

Panix

It has been over 45 days since I've gone gluten free. Overall, I think the transition has been pretty smooth, but I have had my share of breakdowns especially when I tried to eat out with my family and friends at local Asian restaurants--the authentic, mom & pop shop kinds. Staff is not always knowledgeable, nor are they keen on being accommodating.  

My worst dining out experience was going to BCD with my in-law's. (I'll be writing a restaurant review later). Hence, my Instagram post saying that it sucks to be Asian & gluten-intolerant. 

While I quickly discovered gluten-free soy sauce (typically called Tamari), it took me much longer to find gluten-free fish sauce. I thought I wouldn't be able to enjoy Thai food again.

What is fish sauce anyway? 
It's a strong briny sauce made from fermenting anchovies, water, and salt. It's a key ingredient in East & Southeast Asian foods. 

• Vietnamese - nuoc mam
• Thai - nam pla 
• Korean - aekjeot  
• Philippines - isda

A few years ago, I saw a cool documentary on Extreme Cuisine hosted by Jeff Corwin on the making of fish sauce. 

Finding the right fish sauce
Prior to my G-free days, I bought the Viet Huong Three Crabs fish sauce based on my research for a Thai green papaya salad (som tum) recipe. I didn't realize that this brand was NOT gluten-free after the fact. Look for an inconspicuously labeled ingredient called "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," translated as wheat protein.

When I found out I was gluten intolerant, I purged my kitchen of all gluten-containing items including the incomparable condiment, fish sauce.

I haven't had much Asian food since my confirmed diagnosis. Unfortunately for me, my favorite Asian dishes almost always include fish sauce, which, in turn, contains gluten.

• Korean Kimchi - depending on brand of fish sauce used to season
• Vietnamese Pho - broth & condiments 
• Som Tum - salad dressing 

Gluten-free Brands
Below are some gluten-free brands I found online. While I feel comforted in knowing that I can try to replicate Asian dishes at home, I wish that I could still go out to eat like I used to. Now that I am more familiar with brands, I can ask restaurants what brands they use.

Squid (Thai)

According to my friend, Connie, this is the best fish sauce because its extra smelly.

Three Shrimp (Thai)

Lighter in taste compared to the above brand.

Red Boat (Vietnamese)

Check out this video tour hosted by Spike Mendelsohn (as seen on The Next Iron Chef & Top Chef).

Three Ladies (Vietnamese)

Rufina (Filipino)

Thai Kitchen (American)

I think Thai kitchen products are "Americanized," and probably not the most authentic. 

Where can you buy fish sauce?

• Local American grocers depending on your neighborhood demographic 
• My local Albertson's in Fullerton has a dedicated Korean section with soju, laver, kimchi, etc.
• 99 Ranch
• Vietnamese markets in Westminster, CA
• Korean Markets: Han-Nam Chain, Zion, H-Mart, Arirang (AKA AR Mart)

Help me buy the best one. Please vote!

What is your favorite gluten-free fish sauce brand?
	Red Boat
	Rufina
	Three Ladies
	Three Shrimp
	Squid
	Thai Kitchen
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