Burger King French Fries...and an Onion Ring?

Since we were diagnosed in 2003, I have enjoyed Burger King French fries occasionally.  I had checked the website several times to confirm the fries were gluten-free.  Several years ago, I noticed an onion ring in my French fries.  I called Burger King headquarters and they were helpful and our local Burger King was more careful after that.  It happened again a few days ago as we were in another state on our way home from our trip back East.  Unfortunately we discovered the onion ring after our daughter had eaten some of the French fries, and she got a stomach ache and several other symptoms.  Now the website has an asterisk by the words "French fries" and states:  "These products may be fried with gluten containing foods."

http://www.bk.com/cms/en/us/cms_out/digital_assets/files/pages/MenuGlutenFree.pdf

It is disappointing, though I understand that it would be difficult for every restaurant to have a dedicated fryer for French fries.  It is also a lesson to me to check websites from time to time to make sure whether restaurants have changed their allergen statement.

(Photo Source:  google images)

Burger King French Fries...along with an Onion Ring?

Since we were diagnosed in 2003, I have enjoyed Burger King French fries occasionally.  I had checked the website several times to confirm the fries were gluten-free.  Several years ago, I noticed an onion ring in my French fries.  It happened again a few days ago as we were in another state on our way home from our trip back East.  Unfortunately we discovered the onion ring after our daughter had eaten some of the French fries, and she got a stomach ache and several other symptoms.

Now the website has an asterisk by the words "French fries" and states:  "These products may be fried with gluten containing foods."
http://www.bk.com/cms/en/us/cms_out/digital_assets/files/pages/MenuGlutenFree.pdf

It is disappointing, though I understand that it would be difficult for every restaurant to have a dedicated fryer for French fries.  It is also a lesson to me to check websites from time to time to make sure whether restaurants have changed their allergen statement.

(Photo Source:  google images)

Review of Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzels

It is nice to have a snack when you travel.  We drove thousands of miles to help our son and daughter-in-law move to Rhode Island and now we are stopping to see some sites on the way home.  I bought a bag of "gluten" pretzel sticks for those in the family who can eat gluten, and a bag of Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzels for my daughter and me.  They were over $6 for one bag, but they have lasted a long time and it helps to have a crunchy snack to stay awake when I am driving.  I was surprised to find out that the gluten-free pretzels were preferred by those in our family who can eat gluten.  They said the Glutino pretzels tasted better and were more crunchy.  I am rating them at 10 out of 10. :)  Yum!

(Photo Source:  google images)

Hairspray and Shampoo with Wheat: It Stings Sometimes!

I have read that those of us with celiac disease don't need to worry about using lotions and hair products with wheat since the gluten it isn't absorbed in the skin.  However, several members of our area support group for those with celiac disease have mentioned that these products sting their skin.  This has happened to me occasionally, as well.  I decided to use only lotions and hair products that don't list wheat in the ingredients.  I especially feel strongly about this when it comes to hairspray.  We can't help but breathe in some hairspray when we spray our hair.  Here is my favorite hairspray without wheat: Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine.

(Photo Source:  Google Images)

Seriously Good Ranch Dressing

I can't imagine life without homemade ranch dressing.  Check out this recipe (also found on page 65 in my cookbook).  We love it on salad, for a dip with carrots and celery, and on baked potatoes.

(Divide this recipe in half for a family of four.)

Ranch Dressing 

4 cups gluten-free mayonnaise           

1 cup buttermilk                     

1 cup milk                               

1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon parsley             

1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon onion powder   

½ teaspoon garlic powder                  

1½ teaspoon salt                    

1 teaspoon pepper                              

1. Combine ingredients and stir with whisk until smooth.

This dressing will stay fresh for several weeks. Stir well before serving.

Ordering Gluten-free Food at a Restaurant

I had a wonderful experience today at Johnny Carino's.  I ordered the gluten-free soup and salad and had no ill side effects.  Here is some helpful information from the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University to help us when we order from restaurants:

http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/celiacdiseasecenter/treatment/restaurants-recipes/

Restaurant Guidelines

Sign in ice cream store in Buenos Aires

Eating out can be a pleasurable experience, and following the gluten-free diet should not change that. While many places now have a gluten-free menu, you should not limit your options to those restaurants. It may take a little longer for you to decide what to order, but you can still eat a safe and delicious meal whether you’re joining a last minute dinner date with friends, strolling through the streets in an unknown city, or going back to what was your favorite restaurant before your diagnosis of celiac disease. With the help of the tips below, we encourage you to make the most out of dining out anywhere!

Use the Internet. If you know your plans in advance, many restaurants now post their menu online allowing you to read through and choose items that may be safe for you.

Call ahead, especially if you are uncomfortable asking a lot of questions once you are at the restaurant. This alerts the chef that he/she will need to prepare a safe item. Remember to call at “off-hours”, not during the middle of a lunch rush hour.

Always identity yourself as someone needing a special diet. Use a statement such as: “I have a food allergy”- if you use the word allergy, you will be taken seriously. Avoid the use of the terms “autoimmune disease” and “celiac disease” as these are terms not easily understood by the average restaurant server.

Speak to manager, maître d’ or chef. The key is to get your special needs conveyed to the chef or cook. If your waiter appears uninterested or unwilling to help, ask for the manager.

Ask specific questions (see list of questions below) about any menu items that could be deep fried or contain hidden gluten sources. Use a dining card to help the staff understand your special diet. If language is a barrier use language cards which can be found online.

Order simple dishes and ask for the sauce on the side or omitted altogether.

Ask about flour dusting. Even desserts that contain no gluten are often baked in a baking dish that has been dusted with flour.

Do not hesitate to send food back if not correct.

Be prepared to leave a restaurant if you feel your needs are not taken seriously.

Thank your server and leave a generous tip for good service.

Be a repeat customer to gluten friendly restaurants as they will try hard to please a regular guest.

Questions to Ask the Server/Chef

• 
  
• *Which foods are deep fried? Avoid items cooked in a common fryer.
• *Are the chicken wings or French fries deep fried?
• *Are the corn chips and tortilla shells deep fried?
• Is there flour in this sauce?
• Do you dust your fish with flour before cooking it?
• Is there any flour, batter, or breading?
• Are there croutons on the salad?
• What is in the BBQ sauce?
• What is in the salad dressing?
• Is the meat marinated? Check marinade.
• Which of your dishes contain soy sauce? (avoid soy sauce in restaurants- avoid woks that may be contaminated)
• Are the noodles rice or wheat based?
• Are the wrappers (e.g. wonton, dumpling) made from wheat?
• Is the pan dusted with flour?
• Is the tortilla 100% corn?
• Is there artificial crab in the sushi?
• What is the thickener in this soup?
• Is there wheat cooked on this grill? (be careful to not order items cooked on a grill that has wheat(
• Is the rice or risotto cooked in a wheat-free broth?

*Foods that are deep fried are often cooked in the same oil as breaded products such as breaded onion and calamari. This means they are not safe on a gluten-free diet.

- See more at: http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/celiacdiseasecenter/treatment/restaurants-recipes/#sthash.fBwbdXO3.dpuf

Product Review of Pagodas Quinoa Pasta

I made a pasta salad (see recipe from my blog posts labeled "delicious gluten-free recipes") with Pagodas Quinoa Pasta.  I was surprised that I liked it since I am partial to Tinkyada pasta.  I am rating it at 7 out of 10.  Quinoa is a healthy choice.  Here is a recipe from my cookbook for macaroni salad that would also work well with Pagodas Quinoa Pasta:

Macaroni Salad

½ package Pagodas® Quinoa Pasta or Tinkyada® Elbow Noodles

¾ cup mayonnaise

½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon mustard

1 teaspoon sugar

½ teaspoon garlic salt

⅛ teaspoon pepper

1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)

½ onion or 2 green onions, chopped

2 hard cooked eggs, diced

1 dill pickle, finely diced

1. Cook elbow noodles until tender.
2. Combine mayonnaise with vinegar, mustard, sugar, garlic salt and pepper in a small bowl and add to drained noodles.
3. Add celery, onion, eggs, and pickles to sauce and noodles and stir well. Mix well again before serving.

Serves 5 to 7 

Just remember to make the amount of pasta salad that you can eat in one day, because I have found that every brand of gluten-free pasta I have tried becomes stale and stiff the next day (unless it is covered by a creamy sauce).

(Photo source:  amazon.com)