OMGoodness!

Every once in a while I'll give a restaurant or product review that will earn an "OMGoodness" rating. Well this is one of them. This was such a yummy treat that I'm headed back this Saturday. I've got to have some more of that vegan cheesecake. Read on for all the yummy details...

The Plant Cafe Organic

I discovered this gem on Pier 3 right down the street from the Ferry Building. It's a cute little cafe on the water with outdoor seating. The modern decor was fresh and clean feeling. It was really delightful to sit by the water and enjoy the sun and lite breeze.

I love the menu here. It is not entirely gluten and dairy free but all wheat free and vegan items are marked. They offer an interesting array of seasonal soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, panini's, burgers and pasta (no gluten free bread or pasta though - although I did suggest it). I had the "special seasonal salad of the day," butter lettuce with cherries, almonds and goat cheese (I can tolerate goat's milk) with a side of sauteed "fish of the day." You can also order chicken as well. It was very lovely and I loved the fact that they didn't coat their nuts in sugar.

Other dishes I have planned for the near future are Roasted Red Beet Salad with shaved fennel and roast walnuts, Ginger Miso Quinoa (it's tough to find quinoa on most menus) and then Pistachio and Cornmeal Crusted Tempeh. They also offer a full menu of drinks (spirits included) and fresh juices. I was surprised to see Zevia soda on the menu. I don't think I've ever seen Zevia at a restaurant. It's a soda sweetened with Stevia sweetener (a natural, zero calorie sweetener) but I was most excited about the "green drinks." I've been curious about juicing for some time now. I ventured out on a limb and ordered the "green basic." It is kale, parsley, celery, apple and lemon. It was yummy! I was so inspired that I actually bought a juicer. I'm now juicing and loving it! They also offer a menu of smoothies with non-dairy milk options (almond and soy). I just love this place! Oh, BTW...for coffee drinkers, they offer Blue Bottle! I'm not a big coffee drinker but I think this is really huge for those who do.

The Green Basic

Now on to my favorite part of the feast....dessert! Now let's just face it...on a gluten and dairy free diet, you don't get dessert dining out very often. Well, this restaurant had two options on the menu so we ordered both. I'm so bad. :)

The first thing that caught my eyes was the Raw Raspberry Cashew Cheesecake - both wheat free and vegan! Can you believe? OMGoodness...it was delicious. You know what I'm eating on Saturday.

 

The other dessert was also yummy. Yellow Nectarine Sorbet with Creme Fraiche, Madeleine cookies and berries. All vegan and wheat free!

Here's my little guy, enjoying a dessert at a restaurant - a rare treat for this little GFCF eater! Yes, I did manage to share some of the cheesecake with him...reluctantly.

I've found my new favorite dining spot in SF. If you've been there, share your experience and you're favorite gluten and vegan dish. Happy GFCF eating!

GF Hot Dog Buns

I know this is a little late but I just had to post it. This is my son having a hot dog in a bun at a Giant's game this past summer. This was a special day since he's not had a hot dog in a bun for three years. I brought in my own GFCF, organic, nitrate free hot dogs with Udi's new GF hot dog buns. The lady at the gate was not happy with my stainless steel containers for the food but I pulled the, "my son has serious allergies and cannot eat anything here," line and she let me through the gate. She mumbled something about bringing plastic containers next time so if you do go to a game with your own food, I would bring plastic food containers. You can always line them with foil to protect the food. Happy GF hot dog eating!

GFCF Casserole - Comfort Food

I have to admit that one of the dishes I miss on a gluten and dairy free diet is a nice cheesy casserole. Casseroles are great comfort food. I love them because usually they will last two meals at my house which gives me a night off from cooking (big smiley face). Since I have a "dual household" of both gluten/dairy eaters and non-gluten/dairy eaters, it has been a challenge to accomplish a casserole everyone is happy with. Well, I think I nailed it. This casserole got a "thumbs up" from everyone at our house.


Creamy Beef Casserole (contains soy)


1 package of gluten-free elbow or penne style pasta (I use Jovial, Tinkyada or Andean Dream)
2 lbs of organic ground beef (I use 100% grass fed, if possible)
1 TBL of organic olive oil
3 cloves of minced garlic or 1 TBL of jarred crushed garlic
1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely
1/2 organic red bell pepper, chopped finely
(if your child has texture issues, you can run this through the food processor until it's like "pulp")
You could also add chopped mushrooms if your family likes them (mine does not)
1- 8 ounce can of organic tomato sauce
1- 14 ounce can of organic diced tomatoes; I use a roasted garlic variety but regular will do fine.
(again, if your child had texture issues, you can substitute another can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes)
1/3 container of Tofutti brand non-dairy sour cream
1/3 cup of Tofutti brand non-dairy cream cheese
1 cup of Daiya brand mozzarella type cheese
1 cup of Daiya brand cheddar type cheese
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to instructions. Cook to "al dente" so the noodles will not be too soft and become mushy in the casserole.
3. In a large saute pan, begin browning ground beef. When the beef is cooked half way through, add the onions, garlic and bell pepper and continue to saute. If you are using "grass fed" beef, you may have to add a little olive oil during cooking time to prevent premature browning in the pan. This is due to the lean nature of the meat. Cook until meat is thoroughly browned, stirring frequently.
4. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly and simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
5. Combine beef mixture, cooked pasta and the sour cream and cream cheese and mix thoroughly.
6. Spread the mixture into a casserole pan and top with Daiya cheeses.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese melts. Enjoy!