Today is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day

It brings me great joy to announce that on August 3, 2010, the United Sates Senate voted unanimously to adopt S. Res. 605, a resolution designating today, September 13, 2010, as National Celiac Disease Awareness Day.

United Sates Senator James Inhofe  R.(Okla.) had this to say,

“As an ongoing supporter for this cause, I am pleased that the U.S. Senate passed this resolution again this year. I applaud the efforts of both Members of Congress and the many organizations who continue to raise much needed awareness for celiac disease that currently affects an estimated 3 million Americans and thousands of Oklahomans. Greater awareness of this disease is needed to properly diagnose and treat the many who suffer the debilitating affects caused by celiac disease.” 

Why September 13th? Well today is Samuel Jones Gee's birthday. Gee is attributed as the first person to link celiac disease and diet. Gee is also known for his inclusion of children in his work.

August 13, 2006, was the first National Celiac Disease Awareness Day; and thanks to Senator Inhofe and others, our government is taking notice and encouraging the ever needed awareness of this complex and often misunderstood disease.

Easiest Smoothies Ever

This recipe was obtained while walking through my local Wegmans grocery store. An employee was whipping up smoothies from behind a little cart. And well, let's just say, "It was love at first slurp". 

Easiest Smoothies Ever
1 cup orange juice
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup blueberry yogurt

Recipe Tips: This recipe has endless options. I have used strawberries, bananas and a variety of other fresh fruit.  I have also used peach yogurt as well as vanilla. Once in a while I toss in a 1/2 tsp of ground flax seed for a hearty kick.

Put fruit and orange juice into blender and puree together. Next pour yogurt into blender and blend to desired consistency. Pour into glasses and enjoy.

It just doesn't get an easier than this. I will make these numerous times over the next several months. My children love them before school (and so do I)!

Crustless Potato Quiche

Crustless Potato Quiche from cooks.com is an elegant egg dish whose ingredients may surprise you. I know, I know, what more do you need than egg, cheese and bacon for a fantastic breakfast dish. Well what if I told you cottage cheese, green onion and hot sauce are a part of this unbeatabely easy quiche!

Crustless Potato Quiche
5 beaten eggs
1 12oz. pkg. frozen hash browns
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 green onion, chopped
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Dash of hot sauce
Paprika
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Recipe Tip: I have mistakenly put the bacon into the mixture before baking and it has turned out just fine; but I do recommend following the recipe for best results.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine first 8 ingredients, stir well. Pour into lightly greased 9" pie plate. Sprinkle top with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. Sprinkle bacon evenly on top and bake for 5 more minutes.

Pamela's Products Chocolate Walnut Biscotti

Pamela's Products are by far my favorite gluten free products on the market. The Chocolate Walnut Biscotti is pleasing to the eye and the taste buds; add a cup of coffee and now that's amore.
These biscotti are very chocolaty and crisp even after being dunked in coffee. The shape is perfect and now that there are six in a box, they are economical as well.

Maryland Crab Quiche

This past summer, my family visited my best friend and her family. This reunion was made even more memorable by the fantastic food that was prepared with care. The recipe I am about to share was based on a recipe from allrecipes.com  My friend took this good recipe to the next level and gave it a WOW factor which has now put it at the top of my all time favorite breakfast dishes.

Maryland Crab Quiche
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
5 eggs, beaten
3 cups shredded cheese, Asiago &  Mozzarella
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Approx. 1-2 cups crab meat seasoned with Old Bay (preferably from a crab feast the night before)

Recipe Tip: If you do not have crab meat, this quiche is still awesome, just substitute 10 pieces of bacon cooked and crumbled. I have made this recipe a variety of ways using different ingredients. I have always been pleased with the results.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook stirring occasionally until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture is gone.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, crab, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

I must give credit to the crab. Without the crabfeast the night before; our quiche would not have come to be.

Crabfeast 2010

Cupcake Quiche

Readers Choice: Morning
In the second Gluten Free and You poll, readers voted morning as their favorite time of day. I promised to share a variety of recipes for the early risers who voted. I am also including in this special tribute some of my favorite gluten free breakfast products. Without further ado, thank you to all who participated in the poll. 

The first recipe is Cupcake Quiche!

Cupcake Quiche
12 pieces bacon, crisply cooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
1 cup half and half
salt and pepper

Recipe Tips: I prefer not to use muffin papers. Also, during baking quiche will puff up a bit; upon cooling quiche will shrink a little.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray. Combine crumbled bacon and shredded cheese and then divide evenly among muffin tin. In a separate bowl beat eggs, add half and half and blend to combine. Salt and pepper egg mixture to taste. Carefully pour egg mixture into tins evenly. Bake for 30 minutes. Quiche are done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.