White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

 

A friend of mine posted a photo on Facebook of this holiday treat.  It's a simple recipe in theory.  All you do is melt the chocolate and sprinkle crushed peppermints on top. I know, I didn't pulverize all the candy.  I left some of it in chunks...I liked it that way!!  

I had some white chocolate here at home I decided to give it go.  But, then I read about how difficult it is to melt white chocolate.  Since we don't own a microwave my first attempt at melting white chocolate had to be done using the double boiler method.  It seized up on me because some water got into the chocolate. Thankfully, Google helped me figure out what to do... so I followed the advice to add small amounts of butter until it was back to the right consistency.

I only made a small batch for my test run but it was too rich for Tom and I to finish it off in one sitting.  So it had to be stored in the fridge because the chocolate gets very soft if left at room temperature here in Belize. I will be trying this again.. it was very tasty!!

Banana Pancakes

When I saw that my friend Kay posted these gluten free pancakes on Facebook I knew I'd be giving them a try!  This recipe is based on the modifications Kay and I each made when we tested the pancakes.

Banana Pancakes
1 ripe banana
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
A pinch of salt

Mash the banana up well. Add in eggs and blend. Add salt and vanilla. Lightly oil or spray your pan and fry on low to medium heat for about a minute or so on each side.

Enjoy!

Tea for three

A few weeks back Spencer, Meesha, and I did a bit of sightseeing in Mumbai. After visiting the India Gate we took a look inside the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. An exquisite five star hotel favored by numerous dignitaries and wealthy people for many years.  

I am so grateful that we took the opportunity to have tea at one of their many restaurants.  It was such a lovely time that I will fondly cherish in my heart.  For no more than the cost of a Starbucks coffees we were treated royally with excellent service, slowly savored our tea, and shared this precious time together!

breakfast for dinner...

 

 

 

Tom was craving pancakes so we walked down to a place called Peter's Pan.  He got his pancakes and I was able to enjoy a cheese omelet with hash browns.  We will have to go again...the food was tasty and filling.  The night that we were there every table but one was full.  The little girl in the photo seemed to be having fun taking pictures of the kitchen and watching them flip pancakes!

Which would you choose?!

India's Magic Masala or American Style Cream & Onion?

MickeyDees In India

Personally, I think McDonalds is McDonalds no matter where you are in the world. One difference I have noticed though is that the beef might taste a little different and from country to country there are usually items more appealing to the locals.

 

The atmosphere inside is always the same...families, teens, couples, and individuals. 

 

Here in India a major difference is seen in the kitchen.  Because there are vegetarian items on the menu the kitchen is divided into two sections.  Vegetarianism is a part of the culture here and the menu at McDonalds is a reflection of that.  There were no beef burgers available.  Tom and I each chose chicken.  Tom had a chicken masala sandwich and I choose the Spicy Chicken nuggets.  

We don't have McDonalds in Belize or any other typical fast food place found in the states.  So whenever we travel it's always fun to stop in and get a small taste of home.  French fries are always on the menu and they rarely disappoint...I'm loving it!

My new favorite...

We found these chips at Chen's, one of the local stores we shop at. I was surprised that they taste just like kettle corn.  It's always fun to try new snacks.  And it's even better when they're gluten free!

P.S. I forgot to take a photo when the bag was still full...I guess I was too excited to wait!

Gardening...

 

My lettuce is looking good!  It was touch and go there for a while when it was so hot outside.  I didn't know if it would survive.  Thankfully, in this cooler weather it has really perked up.  I'm looking forward to being able to step outside and pick lettuce for a salad!

What's for dinner?

Baked Spicy Mango Chicken Wings...yum!

Fast food in Belize City...

We've been to Belize City several times. but never stopped at this restaurant before.  Typical fast food here is buying a plate of rice & beans with stewed chicken, or maybe some Mexican tacos, or some fried chicken with french fries.  All of which we have enjoyed plenty of times when we are hungry and in a hurry.

Yesterday after getting our errands done we took the time before the one hour drive back to Belmopan to stop in and see what Jamboree's had to offer.  The selection ranged from burgers, to fried chicken, to fish & chips, or even salads.  Pretty much the standard fast food fare you would expect if this place were located in the US.  It was clean and the staff was kind.  We got there in the late afternoon.  Way after the lunch rush but too soon for dinner.  There was only one other family there with us.  All in all, it was a pleasant stop with filling and yummy food!

Smoothies...yum!

Trying to eat and drink a little healthier so I whipped up a few treats to soothe my sweet tooth!

Tom called this one soylent green.
It was actually broccoli, apple, ginger and banana, with the juice of one lime.

 And this one is mango, papaya, banana, and coconut water.

Whether it's a fruit or a vegetable blend it's all tasty!  And I am looking forward to seeing what other combinations will come together based on what is available at the market.  I would love to give making juice a try but the cost of juicers here is unreal.  So I'll stick with my blender and use my money to buy more produce and make more smoothies!  

Pineapple Salsa

Making this salsa was very simple.

I used half of a fresh pineapple, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium size red onion, diced
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Plus the juice of 1 lime.
Mix until combined.

I let it sit overnight in the fridge.   It can be eaten with tortilla chips or you can serve it with chicken or fish.  But, no matter how you eat it...it's yummy!

Belizean chocolate...

Spencer bought me some of this chocolate before he left for the states.  I am so very happy that it's gluten free...but sad that it's all gone!

Sweet surprises...

This weekend we had visitors from Michigan.  They left behind a few bags filled with vitamins, aspirin, tylenol, peanut butter, nutella,and so on.  We gave the majority of it away to others at church and a bag went to the men at Freedom House.

But this one treat stayed at our home...and I'm so grateful.  A container this size would cost close to $50USD.  A luxury item that I've looked at but never purchased.  

To celebrate I made up two batches of pancake batter, regular for Tom, and gluten-free for me.  Thanks Tim and Mike for this yummy blessing!

What's for dinner?

Potatoes, onions, smoked turkey sausage, fresh dill, and snow peas equals yummy!

Tasty Tuesday...Arepas

 

 

 

 

 

Last night we had breakfast for dinner!  We do this from time to time just because it's easy and with just the two of us easy is best.  This recipe comes from The Gluten-Free Bible.  The cost of the flour here in Belize was only about $3.37USD.  I was thrilled to find it in our local store.  I thought I was just buying white cornmeal so you can imagine my surprise when I read through the recipe and then looked at the flours in my pantry and discovered that I had actually purchased this specialty flour.

I will definitely be making these again...Tom and I both thought they were very tasty!

Arepas

1 1.2 cups instant corn flour for arepas (also known as masarepa, masa al instante, or harina precodica)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 to 2 cups of hot water

1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (I used half cheddar and half Monterrey jack)

1 Tbsp butter, melted

Fillings: scrambled or fried eggs, cheese and salsa

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix flour and salt in medium bowl.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups water.  Dough should be smooth and moist but not sticky.  Add more water by tablespoons if needed.  Add cheese and butter.  Knead until dough is consistency of smooth mashed potatoes.

2. Preheat heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Grease lightly with butter or oil.  Break off a piece of dough about the size of an egg, roll the dough into a ball.  (If dough cracks or seems too dry, return to bowl and add additional water by tablespoonfuls.)  Flatten and pat into 3-4 inch round disc about a 1/2 inch thick.  Immediately place in hot skillet.

3. Cook arepas 3 to 5 minutes per side until browned in spots.  Transfer to baking sheet.  Bake 15 minutes or until arepas sound hollow when tapped.

4.  To make breakfast sandwiches, split arepas b piercing edges with fork as you would English muffins.  Fill with, eggs, cheese, and salsa as desired.  Makes 6-8 arepas.

Note:  Arepas are best served warm; day-old arepas are best toasted.  Arepas may also be frozen for future use. 

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Alida's notes:  It took 1 1/2 cups of hot water plus 2 Tbsp for me to get the right consistency.  It is hard to regulate the temp on our oven so mine actually baked at 400F for 15 minutes until  they were golden and sounded hollow when I took them out of the oven.  I had a little trouble with sticking when they were in the cast iron skillet before going into the oven.  I may try my non-stick skillet next time.  I am looking forward to making these on a regular basis.  They could be used to make egg McMuffin type sandwiches with sausage or ham.  Such a great gluten-free alternative to English Muffins.

Yummo!

Cassava Fries with salsa...

I ordered these fries for the first time on our anniversary back in December when we had lunch at the Orange Gallery.  I love cassava chips and thought the fries would be fun to try.  They are light and crunchy and I love the flavor.  We visited the restaurant again after our time at the Butterfly Ranch so of course I had to have them again.  

Move over french fries...cassava fries are my new favorite!

Terribly Terrific Toffee...

I have seen this holiday treat before under the name 'Christmas Crack'.  I love recipes with just a few ingredients.  If only saltines were gluten free I would make this...it sure looks tasty!

For those of you who want to give it a try the recipe is here:  Terribly Terrific Toffee

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

These look yummy and fairly easy to make...click here for the recipe.

Tasty Tuesday...Gluten Free Cornbread

This will be my first Thanksgiving since I began eating gluten free.  I enjoy eating stuffing and don't want to miss out this year.  Each year here in Belize there is a large group of Expats who gather on Thanksgiving to share a meal. We all bring a dish and have a potluck dinner. 

I want to be able to partake in some of the traditional foods so I decided I needed to figure out how to make a few things that I can eat and hopefully others will enjoy as well. I remembered that my grandmother always used to make a bread stuffing along with a cornbread stuffing back in the day.  So I found a cornbread recipe that I think will work...I am looking forward to trying it out!

Gluten Free Cornbread

click on the title to find the recipe.

 I am still looking for a good pie crust recipe so I can make a sweet potato pie and a peach cobbler.  Not only will we have a Thanksgiving meal on the actual holiday but I also promised Spencer and Meesha that we would celebrate again when they get back from Mexico...so I have plenty of time to practice!

So are you trying anything new this Thanksgiving?