Sprial Pasta with Vegetables in Tahini Sauce (gluten free, dairy free)

I have been cooking for a woman who has cancer and has many dietary restrictions. She also needs to gain weight. She is not allowed to have dairy, wheat, night shade vegetables (eggplant, peppers,small amount of potatoes), no citrus except for lemon juice, no vinegars except for apple cider vinegar, no sugars or sweeteners of any kind. Needless to say it is challenging cooking, however, whenever I am faced with these types of challenges it brings out my creativity and I blossom for the occasion. I have created some very interesting and delicious meals. If anyone has these type of restrictions or needs to gain weight they might find these recipes of great interest. The first recipe is with brown rice fusilli with vegetables in a Tahini sauce. It is vegetarian, but if desired, sauteed chicken or shrimp can be added for protein to balance out the carbohydrates and fat. Tahini is made out of sesame seed paste and has a delicious nutty flavor. It is very important to always add water to the tahini before mixing with other ingredients. It needs to blend well with the water and become very smooth before adding other ingredients. Click here for the recipe http://ChefGloriab.com

Grilled Bluefish with Citrus Marinade, Perfect for the summer

Bluefish is not a wildly popular fish. However, it is native to the Massachusetts area, high in Omega 3 fats, and a very moist fish. Many people who don't like it haven't tried it prepared correctly. Bluefish is an oily fish, with a citrus marinade it pulls the oily taste out and imparts a more delicate flavor to the fish. It can take a lot of spice too. I don't recommend marinading for longer than 1 hour or it will start to "cook" in the citrus juice as when making Seviche. I also recommend grilling on a very hot flame to get the fish crisp but not dry. For the full recipe go to www.ChefGloriaB.com

Baked Haddock with Mushrooms and Scallions

I was looking for something interesting to do with Haddock. Here in New England it is winter and we have a limited fish selection of locally caught fish. Haddock and Cod are the most plentiful now. They aren't my favorite fishes because I really prefer oilier fishes. I found a recipe on line that sounded interesting however it had butter and didn't have enough seasoning for my taste buds. I used it as a spring board to create my own recipe. It did call for shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, however being lactose intolerant I substituted a combination of Almond Cheddar and Almond Mozzarella instead. I also served it to folks who weren't lactose intolerant and used the reduced fat jack cheese and no one knew the difference, they just loved the taste of it. I also didn't have enough scallions and added a leek which I think made it more flavorful. Have fun with this recipe. It doesn't take long to make, except for cleaning the mushrooms! I enjoyed serving this with wild/brown rice, butternut squash, and baby bok choy. Click here for the recipe www.chefgloriab.com

Tilapia With Lemon Caper Sauce

Are you looking for an easy, delicious recipe to have on the table in twenty minutes? Then this is the dish for you- Tilapia with Lemon Caper Sauce is so simple to prepare and it's healthy too! All you need is: lemon juice, capers, garlic, parsley, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper! Go to http://www.chefgloriab.com to see the recipe.

If preparing food is not your thing but you want to eat healthy let Chef GloriaB cook it for you. We are a certified personal chef service. We will also teach you how to prepare healthy easy recipes if you would like to learn. Read about all of our wonderful services to help you stay healthy and eat delicious foods see www.chefgloriab.com for more information or call Gloria at 781.598.9313 or email at Gloria@Mybnl.com.

Smoked Turkey - The Best way to Make Turkey

The most time consuming recipe in my cookbook Zone Perfect Cooking Made Easy, is the Smoked Turkey with Apple and Onion. It is marinaded a day or two before Thanksgiving and then put on the grill to smoke. It is so moist, flavorful, and delicious you will never have another turkey quite like it. One year we tried brining the turkey because everyone said it was the best, this is far superior! It starts out with lots of garlic (full head) and dry vermouth or dry white wine. The garlic cloves get chopped into small pieces (can use food processor) and put under the skin and into the cavity of the turkey. I also use lots of fresh chopped rosemary underneath the skin and in the cavity. Then using a turkey needle (a large plunging needle) fill with wine and inject into the bird all over shots of wine. I use almost a 1/2 bottle of Dry Vermouth for a large turkey. Then season the bird with sea salt, pepper, Herbamare (Sea salt that has seeped with 12 different organic herbs for a year, available at health food stores). Cover the bird with slices of onion from two onions and stuff the inside of the bird with 1/2 apple and 1/2 onion for added flavor while cooking. Refrigerate until ready to smoke. If you are interested in how to smoke the turkey please email me at Gloria@Mybnl.com or visit my website at www.Mybnl.com

Saving Yourself at Thanksgiving! Some Tips!

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of the year. What's not to love, lots of delicious food, family and close friends! However, many people go into food overload and get food hangovers from eating too much! It's difficult not to overeat when there is so much food on the table. I have a few suggestions to have a great holiday and not get sick!

1. When making stuffing, be sure and do it outside of the bird. When the turkey stuffing is put inside the turkey all the fat drippings of the turkey end up in the stuffing. That is pure saturated fat and will create stomach pains!
2. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Starvation creates more hunger and you will end up eating more than your stomach can physically handle. Eating small meals a few hours apart will be much more satisfying and healthful. Start your morning with an egg and steel cut oats with some almonds to keep satisfied for hours or have some low fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with fruit and a few almonds.
3. Drink plenty of water. Be sure and keep hydrated, especially if consuming alcoholic beverages.
   
4. Take small tastes of everything that you desire. If Aunt Sarah's sweet potato pie isn't one of your favorites, move on to the things you really enjoy. Ask for a doggie bag if you can't finish everything you desire.
5. Be sure to walk or get some exercise the morning of the holiday.
6. Focus on socializing with the ones you love. Give thanks to be together and enjoy this wonderful holiday.
7. For great holiday recipes that taste delicious and are healthy see my website at www.Mybnl.com or get my book Zone Perfect Cooking Made Easy.
8. If you need help with the holidays email me at Gloria@Mybnl.com
   

Looking for a Great Party Idea in the Greater Boston Area?

On Saturday night I did a Surprise Birthday Cooking Class for the birthday boy(man) and 15 of his closest friends. It was a blast! We prepared five different dishes and everyone had enough food for a complete meal. The birthday man's wife and I spent an hour a couple of weeks before the party going over the foods he likes and what they would like to learn how to make. She wanted to surprise him! We planned everything out and I shopped for all the ingredients and brought everything to the party including a special birthday chef's hat and apron I created and gave him as a gift. Everyone got involved in someway, either cutting, serving, cooking or just observing. The cooking party took three hours and after I left they were still having a good time. What a fun way to spend your birthday: with people you love, eating delicious food, drinking good wine, and learning a few new recipes and techniques. To find out how to have a cooking class party in your home call Gloria - 781-598-9313 or visit my website at http://www.chefgloriab.com or email me at Gloria@mybnl.com