What an exquisite dinner.  I don’t think that I have had a better dinner in a long time, and great company too!  I met up with a good friend that I haven’t seen in a while for a nice girls’ dinner out.  We chose Cameron’s American Bistro for a couple of reasons.  I have eaten there before and love their food.  Also, they have a gluten-free menu & as most Cameron Mitchell restaurants, they are well versed on the gluten-free diet. 

From Cameron’s  website:

An American road trip for your palate, Cameron’s American Bistro brings home to Columbus delicious dishes familiar and unfamiliar, from places coastal and landlocked.

Scallops from the Bay Area.  Duckling from Indiana.  Low country shrimp and grits.  Local beef, pork and poultry. It’s ever changing, and brought to Columbus by some of America’s finest chefs, that has inspired a loyal following of diners at this neighborhood favorite and original Cameron Mitchell Restaurant.

We started with a nice bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Riesling.  This wine is the perfect pairing for seafood, which is what I was planning on having.  The wine has a very slight sweet, but crisp taste.  We both really enjoyed this wine.  For our salads, we both ordered the Chop Chop salad.  The salad is a wonderful combination of field greens, asparagus, sweet corn, hard boiled egg, smoked bacon, gorgonzola, red onions, grape tomatoes, dried cherries and golden balsamic vinaigrette.  (I omitted the onions & egg).  I neglected to get a picture of our salads (bad food blogger!).  The combinations of all of these different flavors went together so well.   I loved the smoky bacon flavor paired with the tart sweetness of the cherries & corn. 

For dinner I ordered the special of the night – blackened sea scallops served with goat cheese & thyme Yukon mashed potatoes, broccoli rabe & a whole grain mustard cream sauce.  Our very knowledgeable server, Christy, was quick to mention that she would check with the chef to see if the special was gluten-free right after she got done telling us about it and she saw the “I have  to have that dish” look on my face.  I have one word.  E.X.Q.U.I.S.I.T.E.  I have always been a fan of scallops and these were done perfectly.  Not overly seasoned & so tender.  The mashed potatoes were to die for.  They were so creamy & flavorful.  I had never tried broccoli rabe before and I loved it!!  Almost a cross between broccoli & asparagus.  The whole grain mustard cream sauce was the perfect way to finish off this dish. 

For dessert there were 2 gluten-free choices on the menu – CL ASSIC CRÈME BRÛLÉE (Chantilly cream & seasonal berries) or MEYER LEMON GRATIN (Lemon cream & raspberries).  Stacey & I decided to split the Meyer Lemon Gratin.  The dessert came out & looked so enticing!  I couldn’t wait to dig right in!  The top was a crisp sugar that had been torched like a creme brulee; the middle was an amazing lemon cream that reminded me of a crustless cheesecake.  Best dessert I think I have had in a long time. 

I highly recommend Cameron’s American Bistro to anyone and especially to those needing to eat gluten-free. 

Over the past few months I have had lots of ideas, thoughts & comments swirling around in my head about gluten-free food & companies.  I think back to where the gluten-free food market was when I first went gluten-free in January 2006 and cringe.  There are so many more options now and those options are much easier to get your hands on than they used to be.  I can do all of my grocery shopping in a mainstream grocery store, including specialty items like bread, pasta & flours, for the most part.  Yes, I still frequent the health food store, Trader Joe’s & Whole foods, but mainly because I like options and I have an addiction to those stores & can’t help myself! LOL!  My point is that I don’t have to if I don’t want to. 

Many companies make it very easy to buy their products by either having a blanket statement that they will call out any gluten ingredients on their labels; gluten will not be hidden under “natural flavors” or any other ingredient.  You can find a list of those companies here.  One company that I have just gotten an update from is Campbell’s.  Previously you had to email them to get their GF list.  Now it is listed right on their website!  I love this!!  I will absolutely support a company by repeatedly purchasing their products when they make my life easier.  If I don’t have to track down information on the GF status of their food, things are much easier for me.  I have a list of links down the right side of my blog with lots of gluten-free product information. ————–>

There are also many services out there that do a lot of the legwork for you.  There is Clan Thompson, with lists available for purchase.  There is also Zeer, an online database that has over 30,000 food products (and 500 new ones added every week!  The cost for Zeer Select is $15/month.  I had the opportunity to try out Zeer Select, the upgraded version of Zeer, and it is amazing!  Even if there isn’t a clear cut answer, the ingredients are still listed on the site, as well as the manufacturer’s contact info. 

Then you have other companies who make it very difficult for you to buy & eat their products.  I currently have an email out to Emerald regarding the GF status of their Cocoa Roasted Almonds.  I sent the email over a week ago and still haven’t received a response.  Additionally, I have been unsuccessful at locating a phone number to call them.  I purchased the almonds because they were on sale, but won’t touch them until I can verify.  They may end up being eaten my my husband if I can’t get an answer.  So, if anyone out there knows, please let me know! 😉 

Restaurants are another area in the gluten-free food market that has come a long way.  I don’t feel like I am nearly as restricted as I was in the beginning.  I have options all over, even when I travel.  Usually I pack my food for long trips, but that is based on personal preference, not the fact that I don’t have any options.  I have a list of gluten-free restaurant links down the right side of my blog with a lot more specific information.  ————>

Quick Notes:

From now until August 15th when buying Pure Bars from the Pure Bar website  enter the Promotional code “PURESUMMER” and receive 30% off your order AND free shipping on any variety and any size order.  Yes, I was sucked in.  I couldn’t help myself.  I ordered a variety pack, because as I mentioned yesterday, I need to try the other flavors.  The total for 12 bars was $20.29 with free shipping! 

Also, speaking of the lovely Pure Bar, don’t forget to check out Kristin’s giveaway.  You have until midnight tomorrow night (the 5th) to enter. 

I have some fun plans tonight that I can’t wait to share tomorrow!  🙂 

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Kristin over at Iowa Girl Eats is having a massive Pure Bar giveaway!  I love, love, love Pure Bars, but can only find the Chocolate & Cherry Cashew around here.  I am dying to try the Wild Blueberry, Choc Chip Trail Mix, among others.  So, I am writing this post in hopes that I will win some of my beloved bars. 😉  Make sure to head over & check it out!!

While I am here, might as well share my new post over at The Examiner.  Make sure to read about where to find chia seeds and you too can make some yummy Blueberry Chia Muffins!

Have a great Monday! 🙂 

It is August!!!  Holy moley, time flies!!  This week I am hosting the Gluten-free Menu Swap!  I chose cherries as my featured ingredient.  I adore cherries and have been eating them like crazy this summer.  You can find great info on cherries on Wikipedia.  I have used cherries in many different ways this year.  I top my salads with them, I eat them in yogurt, I eat them in cereal, I eat them in ice cream, I eat them straight out of the bag.  Last week I had planned on making a cherry cake, but ended up making Blueberry Chia Muffins instead because I had blueberries that needed to be used up.  What is your favorite way to eat or use cherries? 

This week is Hannah’s birthday!  She will be 7 on Thursday!!  Again, time flies!!  We had a family cookout yesterday for her and she will have a small party for her friends from school this coming weekend.  Talk about a full week of b-day fun!

Sunday ~ Rotisserie Chicken, red quinoa, grilled corn-on-the-cob & salad

Monday ~ Barbeque chicken breasts, Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, broccoli & salad.

Tuesday ~ Tacos, black beans, corn & salad (I am going out with my gal friend!)

Wednesday ~ Grilled Salmon, grilled asparagus & sweet potatoes, grilled pineapple & salad. Cherry Cake for dessert.

Thursday ~ Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans & salad.

Friday ~ Pizza night!  Bob’s Red Mill veggie for me, pepperoni for the family & salad.

Saturday~ Leftovers or breakfast for dinner.

Baked Goods

Pamela’s Bread

Cherry Cake

More Blueberry Chia Muffins

Heather at Celiac Family  has a great looking menu this week!  I can’t wait to hear how the pizza crust goes on Monday, I have that cookbook, too!!  Please make sure to let us know!

Sea at Book of Yum always makes me drool with her recipes & pictures.  She has a great recipe up on her post for Garam Masala Indian Tofu Scramble.  She also has Chebe grilled pizza on her menu for Friday. YUM!!

Elizabeth at Modern Gal has a great looking menu this week.  She has an awesome peach & tomato salad planned for Friday that I may have to try! 🙂

Wendy at Celiacs in the House has lots of amazing produce from the farmer’s market!  Look at all of those tomatoes!  I can’t wait to hear more about the homemade cherry ice cream she is making this week!

Linda at The Gluten-free Homemaker has a great looking menu!  I am interested in the Easy Rice salad!! 🙂  YUM!

Amanda at Asparagus Thin has a mouth-watering menu planned for the week!  Raspberry polenta pie?  Sweet Chili Pumpkin Salad with Pistachio Crisps?  I might be moving in!! 

Cheryl at Gluten-Free Goodness has a wonderful looking menu planned for the week!  She even has a recipe for cherry pudding!  I am dyinn to try that!  🙂

JoAnn at My Experiment in Gluten-free Living has a great menu!  Lots of fun crockpot meals!  I love cooking with my crockpot!  I am bookmarking these recipes! 

I want to thank Cheryl for running the Temporary HQ for the Gluten-Free Menu Swap.  🙂 

Don’t forget to head over to The Happy Housewife to check out lots of other menu plans.  She is filling in for Orgjunkie  this week.  🙂

Anyone who wants to participate in the Gluten-Free Menu Swap, please email me at: kbouldin@insight.rr.com and I will edit this post with your link.