Gluten Free Choco-Chip/"Oreo"/Brownie Supreme

*I adapted this idea from: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-recipes/ultimate-chocolate-chip-cookie-n-oreo-fudge-brownie-bar.html

Wow! When I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew that I had to recreate it, GF-style! But decadence like this doesn't come easy ... I just don't have the time or the GF baking know-how! So, I opted to take the easy route... Instead of making my own cookie dough and brownies from scratch, I used Betty Crocker box mixes.  Gluten free baking is hard enough - why reinvent the wheel?! Betty’s got it in the bag! This recipe also called for double-stuffed Oreos, so I substituted with Glutino brand “oreo” wannabes.  Mix in some organic eggs and butter (I used Spectrum brand organic vegetable shortening) and voila… Decadenceville! I attempted to per-serving-calorie track, but lost count ;)  

Betty knows what to do... these box mixes have minimal ingredients and can be altered to suit a vegan lifestyle!

Not bad ;)

I used this instead of butter ... 

NOTES: the cookie layer came out a little dry.  It may be because I added an extra egg.  I thought that it would make the cookie layer fluffier, but this was a mistake.  Next time I try these, I will probably just use one egg and add a little extra veg shortening.   

Yes, it's oozy and yummy!!

Nice layering!!

IndeBlue, Collingswood, NJ

Rating: 8.5

I've eaten at IndeBlue a handful of times ... how can you say "no" to gluten-free Indian food? (You can't!) And even though I have a mild allergy to dairy (casein too, not just lactose) I keep on going back for that delicious, spicy and savory goodness.  Before IndeBlue moved to their new location, the service as awful…I’m not going to lie.  Each time I went, I swore off ever returning. However, when they opened their new store it somehow magically fixed their service issues. It’s definitely not 4-star dining service, but at least the food comes out relatively timely to when the order was placed, which was previously an issue. 

The food is so good.  And the chef is cool.  Yum yum yum!

The pictures in the review contain my dining partner and my appetizer, Onion Bhajia. It's gluten-free fried potato and onion goodness... The entrees, Vegetable Korma and Paneer Makhani were both delicious.  The Korma was coconutty and cashewey and the Makhani was delicious, although a little sweet! Both were served with traditional Indian-style rice infused with some saffron speckled rice, topped with shredded cilantro leaves! The gluten-free naan is not the bomb; oh well! It's kind of chewey and a little too wet. They make up for it in other ways!


http://www.indebluerestaurant.com/index.php



Onion Bhajia appetizer ... the chutneys are both amazing!!



 



Vegetable Korma







Paneer Mattar Makhani



Gluten Free Naan

Pei Wei, Cherry Hill and Moorestown, NJ

Pei Wei, Cherry Hill and Moorestown, NJ

Rating: 7
I really like Pei Wei, and although it is a “fast-food” version of the more popular P.F. Chang’s, I think it is better! There is one thing that I love to order when I am there: the GF Pei Wei Spicy Shrimp… sauce on the side! Why? It’s crunchy and delicious, and they serve larger-sized shrimp accompanied by steamed carrots and sugar snapped peas!

On the menu, it's listed as GF Pei Wei spicy chicken...you need to ask to "sub shrimp." Also when you order, it’s smart to ask for the spicy sauce on the side; not because it’s too spicy, but because it keeps the dish from getting soggy.  They offer white or brown steamed rice with the dish and for some reason I always go for the brown.  However, I think that the white rice is much tastier! Maybe next time…

Pei Wei always seems busy and the service is fast.  Besides the typical fountain sodas and Chinese food-inspired teas (Mandarin green tea and a spicy black tea) they offer Jones Soda in a bottle. Unfortunately, I was told that Moorestown location was phasing-out the Jones, but they had it yesterday at the Cherry Hill store.  (My fave is the Jones Cherry!!)

The bottom line is that Pei Wei is consistent: you get the same thing every time, and I think that’s a good thing!

Gluten-free Pei Wei spicy shrimp. 

Chicago’s Uno Grill, Maple Shade, NJ

Surprise!!!

Rating: 6.5

Chicago’s Uno Grill, Maple Shade, NJ

So, I’m not really one for chain restaurants; I actually try to avoid them! But on a whim I googled “gluten free pizza” (waiting for a miracle, of course) and a hit for Chicago’s Uno Grill (formerly Pizzeria Uno’s) popped up! Well, having only been able to satiate my pizza needs using frozen boxed pizza (translation: sub-par,) I headed right over!!

Despite the menu and ambiance being generically “chain,” I rate the pizza a decent-plus! The gluten-free crust was thin and came in three flavors: tomato and cheese, pepperoni and veggie.  I went for the plain ol’ pizza.  Good stuff.  Realistically, a real slice of pie can never really be replaced; but at least this one was fresh (not frozen) and hot out of an oven!

Another surprise was my side salad which was a good portion and tasted pretty fresh… no residue of lettuce-from-a-bag or anything.  The gluten-free basil-lemon vinaigrette was tasty! Two gluten-free desserts were offered: the standard ice cream sundae (not too exciting) and bananas foster.  I had that! Also good. 

For the beer drinkers, Uno has Redbridge in a bottle. 

Side Salad with GF lemon-basil dressing

GF Tomato and Cheese Pizza.  The mozz is a bit burnt because I asked for my pizza extra crispy!!



GF Bananas Foster



Decent experience!

GF menu: http://www.unos.com/menus/glutenFree.php



Lilli and Loo's, NYC

Lilli and Loo’s, NYC

Rating: 8

Delicious!!

I don’t frequent Manhattan too often, but recently I sought out some gluten-free Chinese food while I was in town.  Lilli and Loo’s, at 792 Lexington Avenue, had an extensive selection of “authentic” Chinese dishes (authentic as-in not P.F. Chang’s!)


The restaurant was clean (a big plus!!), ambiance was simple and modern, and service was fast.  There were several other tables of diners during an off-dining time (4pm) which, in my opinion, is testament to the food’s deliciousness!!


I had the Crispy  General Tso’s Shrimp and my dining partner had the Sizzling Platter beef. Gluten-free goodness!!!

Check out the links to Lilli and Loo’s gluten-free menus:
http://store6.geomerx.com/lilliandloo/index.cfm?fuseaction=category&categoryID=29

http://store6.geomerx.com/lilliandloo/index.cfm?fuseaction=category&categoryID=39

http://store6.geomerx.com/lilliandloo/index.cfm?fuseaction=category&categoryID=40


GF Sizzling Beef Platter


GF Crispy General Tso's Shrimp

Alma de Cuba, Philadelphia

Alma de Cuba, Philadelphia

Rating: 9

Let’s Start Off Positively...

Love it!!

To begin, I would like to highlight my favorite restaurant in Philly which does not soley advertise “gluten-free”… But they have several amazing selections that are gluten-free! Alma de Cuba at 1623 Walnut Street in Philadelphia boasts an authentic take on Cuban cuisine. 

From ceviche to soups, seafood dishes to steaks, Alma de Cuba has a fantastic variety of gluten-free options. Amazingly enough, their little biscuits (“pon de bono”) are gluten free.  Repeat: gluten-free biscuits! Currently, my favorite entrée is the Brazilian Shrimp Stew.  Previously, it was the lobster ceviche which is sadly on hiatus! (The mojitos aren’t bad, either!)

Check the link for their gluten-free menu: http://www.almadecubarestaurant.com/pdf/glutenFree.pdf