Barros Pizza

If you live or visit the Phoenix area, you must plan a stop to Barros Pizza.

This is the best GF pizza I have had at a restaurant.

Their toppings and sauces are so good, and they use the fresh mozzarella cheese.

You will not be disappointed.

Another great thing, they will make the pizza a half-and-half, so you can try two flavors, something that other GF pizza places don't do.

As with other GF pizza places, you can only get a small and it's a little more $$ than the regulars, but that is to be expected.

For your gluten-eating friends, they will not be disappointed either. My husband claims this to be the best pizza he's ever had.

This is the barbecue chicken and the Barros Special (pepperoni, ham, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers).

Both excellent.

I have tried the Hawaiian and the Vegetarian.

I think it's a toss up between the Barros Special and the Hawaiian to which one is my fav.

Give it a try! You'll love it!

Alfredo Fettuccine

I know that I have posted other Alfredo sauce recipes, but hands down this is the best.

Paul said it tasted like we were dining at the Olive Garden...I guess I should have lit some candles, next time. It's super easy so I will have time to decorate next time!

I got this recipe from a neighborhood cookbook from my sister in law. This recipe is from a lady whose relative who said it came from the Olive Garden, so maybe that's why it was so good.

I made this recipe a little "healthier" if an Alfredo sauce can be. I'll note the changes I made in parenthesis.

Alfredo Fettuccine

1 pt. heavy cream (1 c. heavy cream, 1 c. half and half)

1 stick butter (just 1/2 a stick)

2 T. cream cheese (reduced fat)

3/4 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 T. garlic powder

Salt to taste

Combine the first three ingredients and simmer until melted. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 15-20 min. Serve over warm GF fettuccine noodles.

Noodles & Co. Restaurant

Many of us gluten-free people travel through the holidays, here is a little article that I found regarding one of my favorite restaurants, Noodles and Co. I literally dream about the Pesto Cavatappti, and like the author of the article, I have never had a problem eating there.

Like she mentions, always order rice noodles!

To get a list of the GF options at Noodles & Co. click here.

Enjoy your noodles and your holidays!

The Olive Garden

For a baby shower, some friends and I went to the Olive Garden.

And this is what I got:

Amazing, right?!?

A few years ago, the hostess at the Olive Garden had no idea what I was talking about, gluten-free, now they actually have a menu!

A small menu, but it's a menu nonetheless!

This is the Pennine Rigate with Marinara.

It was pretty good.

Now, I'll admit, it wasn't the best-est restaurant meal I've ever had, but it was really fun being there with everyone and ordering pasta!

A few months ago, we went to Olive Garden and I tried the Mixed Grill Kabobs, which I liked better, but it didn't have any pasta, only grilled steak, chicken and veggies, which is still delish, it just depends on your mood. There are other options that I'm excited to try as well.

The salad is also GF as long as you make sure they hold the croutons!

Enjoy your next trip to the Olive Garden!

Mongolian Beef

Last night we had Mongolian Beef, the recipe is supposedly from P.F. Chang's.

Wow, that's all I can say. I found this recipe on Yum, Yum, Delicioso. And it is delicioso! Their picture is way better than anything that I took and here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Also, a little sidenote. PF Chang's does have a GF menu that is always expanding. They have many, many options to choose from and is really good. Good place to eat if you are eating out!

Pesto

All I can say is, YUM.

I love, love, love pesto.

One of my favorite places to eat is Noodles and Co. Weird, I know, of a celiac person to make such a claim, but you can get rice noodles in place of any of the dishes they serve.

{Not all the sauces are GF, make sure you ask...I know the pesto and penne rosa are safe, but not the Mac&Cheese.}

Try this pesto, it's so good. I tried to replicate Noodles, and I think it came pretty close. Next time I make it I'm going to use 1/2 of the sauce on a pizza, yum!

Pesto

1/2 cup olive oil (must be olive)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

3 medium cloves of garlic

2 cups fresh basil leaves

3 T. pine nuts

Place all ingredients in blender, except salt/pepper and cream. Process until smooth.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Add cream or whole milk 1 t. at a time until it's the consistency that you would like. Serve sauce immediately on GF noodles (I like the curly kind to hold the sauce). Makes 1 cup.

I like to saute mushrooms and roma tomatoes in olive oil to add to the pasta and top with more grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!