Trotting, not galloping...

It's been a while since we started our Gluten Free life now, and I'm finding it easier than I expected.

The greatest challenge remains how to make some of the commercial gluten-free products more palatable, as try as I might, I cannot completely ditch convenience food.

My latest success is Gluten Free Wraps turned into Pan Seared Quesilladas.

On thier own, these wraps are a bit woeful. They have an unappetising leathery texture that just isn't pleasant or satisfying.

This method turns them into a crisp wedge stuffed with gooey filling and is well worth a try for Pizza Lovers.

You need:

A large non stick frypan
Spray oil (olive oil is best)
Spatula for flipping
Plate for serving
Pizza wheel or sharp knife for cutting

Ingredients:

Wraps, gluten free or otherwise if you aren't gluten sensitive
Grated cheese
Other fillings like pineapple, deli meat, capsicum (peppers), baby spinach, toasted nuts

Method:

Heat the hotplate on 'High' and place the pan on it. Spray the pan liberally with the oil and toss in one wrap.

Sprinkle the entire surface with grated cheese.

Then in a semi circle (because you're going to fold it in a minute), distribute your other ingredients evenly.

Leave to cook for a minute or so, checking underneath until the underside is toasty brown and to your liking.

If the other ingredients aren't melted and piping hot now, heat the grill (broiler) and pop the whole thing under there for a minute or so.

Remove from grill or hotplate, and flip the plain half over the filled half so you have a sort of omelette arrangement in the pan.

Slide onto your serving platter and cut in half, arranging one half over the other for presentation.

Enjoy!

We're not yet galloping along with our food choices, but we've advanced from a crawl to a comfortable trot, so we're getting there!

(photo following)

Homespun Things...Feel Better Recipes!

On my Tray of Bliss today are some grand old home remedies for the nasty chills and ills that befall us all in Winter.

Yes, it's mid-Winter here, and I've just finished preparing my ammunition against the coughs, sneezes, wheezes, shivers, groans and gurgles that I just know will be emanating from my family any day now.

Truthfully, thanks to diligent hand washing and good general hygiene practices, we don't get sick too often, but these recipes are great toasty Winter Warmers that you'll love even if you're not sick!

 Frugal Feel Better Chicken Soup

6 chicken necks

4 chicken drumsticks

1 bay leaf

6 peppercorn

2 whole cloves

4 chicken stock cubes

4 whole garlic cloves

1 whole onion

2 teaspoons grated ginger (or used minced from a jar)

3 whole chilli (if you like chilli)

Enough water to cover the lot, plus 3 cups more

Salt and pepper to taste

Put all of these in the crockpot, cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Allow to cool, skim the fat from the top. Remove all the bones, chuck the necks out, and shred the meat. Keep the meat aside. Drain the stock into a large saucepan or back into the crockpot. Discard all the 'stuff' that's left behind in the strainer.

Add:

1 chopped potato

2 chopped carrots

1/2 cup pasta shells or risoni

1/2 cup corn

1/2 cup chopped red cabbage

Simmer for another 4 hours or if you are in a hurry...pre cook all the veg and pasta and chuck it in for an hour to absorb the flavour of the stock.

Check flavour, adjust seasoning...throw in some topped and tailed sno peas or sugar snap peas, and leave while rolls are heating in oven. Serve with the warmed rolls straight after your Feel Better Bathtime Soak.

Feel Better Bath Time Soak

Have this one ready to go when the miseries hit.

2 cups Epsom Salts

1/2 cup Sea Salt

1/2 cup Bi-carb Soda

1 tablespoon oil like Almond or Olive oil

4-6 drops each Lavendar, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint and Rose Geranium oils

Put all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well with a whisk. Decant into a suitable jar with a lid and leave to allow the scent to develop for at least 24 hours. Add around 1/4-1/2 cup to the running water in the tub. Stir the bath water to make sure the salt crystals dissolve fully before entering the bath. Soak for as long as you can stand it, before hopping out, drying off, putting some of the good old fashioned chest rub or Vicks around your neck and on the soles of your feet, then dress in your snuggliest nightwear.

Finally, there's nothing like flannelette sheets, flanno pj's, bedsocks and a cuddly dressing gown or blanket  to make you feel warmed and cosseted when you've got the chills.

We favour knitted bedsocks, chenille dressing gowns and cozy rugs in our house :)

 

Stay healthy!

 

...Mimi...

Thrifty Tuesday...Holidaying at Home!

On my Tray of Bliss today is a random thought.

How come we don't do the touristy things in our own city or country?

Is it this mentality that 'it'll always be there', or 'it's not exciting enough' or is it 'that's for tourists, not locals'?

We try to be tourists in our own city every Sunday. We go out for breakfast, take the CityCat (high speed ferry), and go exploring. We buy a pass for two hours or four hours and hop on and off as we please. One of our favourite spots is the Riverside or Southbank markets here in Brisbane. Granted, the stallholders are a little thin on the ground at the moment as many of them sufferred losses in the Floods at the start of 2011, but there's still plenty to see and admire.

Here's a stall that particularly caught my eye, just for it's sheer artistic display.

I believe the pottery is Turkish or perhaps Tunisian in origin and was wildly, gaudily, madly colourful. The riot of colour somewhat detracts from the sheer detail in some of the pieces, but any one of these items would make a showy display in your own home. And without the price tag of a trip to the aforementioned distant destinations.

The picture at the top of todays' entry is taken from a hotel in McMahons Point, Sydney where we recently spent two nights. It's the view we all imagine when we say we're off to Sydney. No Opera House, which is tucked around one of the corners, but a fabulous picture postcard shot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, private boats, and luxury homes on the forshore. Airfares to Sydney from my hometown of Brisbane are ridiculously inexpensive and a fun weekend can be had for very little cash, if done wisely. Like Brisbane, the ferries and High Speed Catamarans service the Harbour and River extensively and a day pass for a family is well under $100 for as much river fun as you can stand. Hop on or off, wherever you want, and soak up the sights.

I love to travel. But I also love to pretend I'm travelling when the mood takes me. I can do this whenever I want, by behaving like a tourist in my own hometown. Try it. You'll like it!

What's on your Tray of Bliss today?

The Real Dance Mums...what the heck have I got myself in to?

 

Here is the question many Mothers ask themselves at some point....

"WHAT THE HECK HAVE I GOT MYSELF IN TO?????"

Ah, the life of a Dance and Theater Mother is never quiet. For those of you unaware, I have a daughter who is totally immersed in dance, theater, and voice lessons and she has recently discovered the world of .... cue scary music .... AUDITIONS!

I guess it had to happen. Otherwise why spend all these years, and all that hard earned money on lessons?

My darling has been competing in Dance Eisteddfods and is now preparing for Classical Ballet Exams, as well as rehearsing for a singing exam (oh, woe is me!).

She also recently auditioned for parts in a local theater production and successfully gained her first part in a play...the first she assures me, of many.

Who knew all this stuff was out there?

This all makes my head spin a bit. 

Devoted Dad and Dancing Diva are both highly musically talented, whereas I am hopelessly inadequate in this department. So while they have lively debates on all matters theatrical and musical, I must be content to act as chauffeur, cook, sympathetic ear, doctor, nurse, counselor and critic.

Fortunately, as a Mother of 32 years, these traits all come naturally to me. It should be noted thought, that my previous children, all sons, were more interested in Football, Cricket and Baseball, so alas, I remain the novice in the intricacies of The Arts.

However, despite my lack of talent in some departments, I am happy to shine in my own small way. I know that one day, when the Diva is accepting her Academy Award, she will thank me for my support, as they all do.

The rewards in having an artistic child are many though, and as a Mum of three sons, how could I not adore the world of Ballet and Theater, even as a mere onlooker.

We love it. Yes we do.