Jude and Dan have been keeping me so busy these days! Making dinner is interesting juggling these two. Jude loves to “help” and Dan wants to be held/nursed a lot in the evenings. However, I managed pretty well last week. It is good to be meal-planning again! I had dinner on the table every night. The only last minute change was changing almond-crusted chicken to a stir-fry with coconut rice when I needed to cut my dinner prep time in half. Having the ingredients on-hand made it possible to switch things around and still have a home-cooked dinner.
In local news, we are still in a major drought in North Carolina. This will make buying local produce harder this year. We are under major water restrictions, which are scheduled to get even stricter in March. Luckily for us, we bought a newer house that is fairly eco-friendly which will make things easier. However, I cloth diaper Dan (Fuzzibunz), which may not be possible if these water restrictions continue (even with a energy-efficient washing machine). I am going to continue to pray for rain!
Leeks
Resemble scallions but are larger with bigger bulbs and flat leaves. Leeks have a sweeter, more subtle flavor than onions.
Family: Allium- related to garlic, onion and scallions
Nutrients: Manganese, Vitamin C, folate, iron, Vitamin B6
Selection: Leeks should have smooth white bulbs (no yellowing or cracking) with dark green leaves. Leeks should not be overly large- purchase only those leeks with a diameter of less than 1.5 inches.
Storage: Keep leeks in the refrigerator unwashed and untrimmed in a plastic bag to retain moisture. Leeks will keep for about a week (maybe 2).
Our Gluten Free Menus
Book of Yum’s Gluten Free Menu - Sea is having enchiladas this week and will be using leeks. I have never used leeks in my enchiladas, but that is a fabulous idea! I may try that in my enchilada recipe this week.
Esther at Lilac Kitchen’s Menu- She is making a bean and vegetable soup with dumplings this week. I would love to see that recipe. I miss dumplings!
Kara at Gluten Free in the Greens’ Menu- She is making an artichoke and chickpea soup this week.
Monique at Gluten Free Pregnancy joins us this week! I love the theme of her blog. I am always pregnant (not now, seriously), nursing, or trying to conceive. haha Check out her poll. She is making a black bean chili that sounds healthy and delicious.
Karen at Gluten Free Sox has posted her menu. She is making a potato and leek soup and her black bean soup this week.
Sara at Gluten Free Dance’s menu is up. She is going to try my salmon recipe this week. She is also going to try a Chebe pizza at the end of the week.
Deborah at One Beggar’s Bread’s menu- she has a lot of breakfast and lunch ideas too! It sounds like a yummy week at her house.
My Gluten Free Menu
Monday: Chicken Cacciatore
Tuesday: Sausage and Kale soup (leeks included) with mixed green salad
Wednesday: Enchiladas
Thursday: Lasagna w/ mixed green salad
Friday: Fish Tacos
Other Gluten Free News!
If you have a favorite gluten free flour mix, Gluten Free Cooking School is having a blog event called Gluten Free Gusto! Please send her your favorite gluten free flour mixes!
The Mommy Brag is “Big Dan” again! (At the age of 2, Jude is harder to photograph!) Dan was dragged to the park today with Jude and forced to wear baby bunting. He looks completely unamused here.
Posted on January 14th, 2008 by Natalie
Filed under: Gluten Free, Celiac, Menu Plan
I have always hated leeks. Growing up we always new when spring was here because everyone would start eating leeks and the smell was awful. Our church always had ham and leek dinners and people would like up for hours to eat leeks. Our local fire department still holds a leek dinner every year and that’s all you can smell when you drive through town. Just lately though I started making soups with them and the soups are so much tastier with them. The larger leeks are much different from the wild ones that people go nuts for here. The smell isn’t as potent.
I love the picture of “Big Dan” . He just does not looked thrilled.
Oh by the way I love the new look of your site.
Here’s my menu for the week:
http://glutenfreesox.blogspot.com/2008/01/menu-plan-monday-menu-swap-january-14.html
I’m going to try Leek and Potato Soup. I had it for the first time a few weeks ago, and really liked it, which surprised me, since I don’t like onions at all.
Karen
OK, I finally got it all together and up.
http://glutenfreedance.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/menu-monday-2/
Love the un-entertained pic of Dan! I need to meet him soon!
Yay for 200! The bunting is adorable!
Lea- That is a very funny story! I am sure leeks could be pretty terrible if they smelled up the whole town. haha
Karen- I LOVE onions. I did not like them when I was pregnant though. My husband thinks I am a completely different human being when we are expecting.
Sara- Thanks!
Kristyn- You do. I really want to come out to San Antonio when Dan gets a little bigger. Do you ever get time off?!
Christina- He is really cute in it. We will have to take all the kids on a walk soon. He looks like a little elf child in it.
Wow, I am so impressed that you and others can plan a whole weeks worth of menus. When my boys were younger I tried to that but I never could follow through. I do however have a yummy recipe for leeks which is super healthy and delish too. You can check it out.
http://simplygluten-free.blogspot.com/2008/01/salmon-with-braised-leeks-and-spinach.html Your som is adorable!
I meant son not som! I guess I need spelling as well as organization!
Wow, the new look is great! I have been reading it mostly on Google reader and switched to the site to check out your salmon pics. I am a bit behind on blog reading. Snappy and in two of my favorite colors, blue and brown!
Natalie - You did a lovely job on your new site. The new look is fabulous!
Sheltie Girl @ Gluten A Go Go