The Smiling Onion

Vegetarian and Gluten-free Cooking

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Archives for August 2017

Chinese-Style Broccoli with Brown Sauce and Crispy Ginger (Soy-Free & Sugar-Free!)

August 30, 2017 By Alana Leave a Comment

Broccoli with Brown Sauce

One of my favorite things about cooking for people with dietary restrictions is developing personalized recipes. This sauce was born a couple years ago, when I used to cook for a client who was soy-free, sugar-free, grain-free, and dairy-free. Some people might conclude that your standard American-style Chinese food was out of the question, since it’s normally loaded with soy and sugar. But I had a feeling that wasn’t the case.

One week, the menu leant itself to an Asian-style glaze. I knew I could replace the soy component and some of the sugar with coconut aminos, which is not only a great soy-sauce substitute but also lends a nice sweetness to marinades and sauces. For the rest of the sugar, I decided to use just a little bit of mandarin orange juice. Next, I added a touch of toasted sesame oil and boiled those three simple ingredients together until…voila…I had a soy-free, sugar-free Asian-style glaze. And I couldn’t stop eating it…

This recipe uses a very similar procedure to yield the brown sauce, but instead of mandarin juice, I’ve used navel oranges. These have a lower sugar content than mandarins, so the glaze takes a bit longer to reduce and becomes more of a sauce (as opposed to a sticky glaze) once you toss it with your broccoli. (By the way, I’ve also chosen to roast the broccoli, which I find is one of the easiest ways to get perfectly cooked, crispy-but-not-oily, lovely little florets!)

Since this dish is so simple (you basically roast some broccoli – easy peasy – boil the three ingredients to make your brown sauce  – even easier – and toss the two components together), I decided you’ll definitely have the time and energy to make some awesome crispy ginger to really take this dish over the top. Believe me, it’s well worth the extra 5 minutes!

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Tagged With: Broccoli, Coconut Aminos, Ginger, Orange, Sesame Oil Filed Under: Asian, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Entrees, Grain-Free, Peanut & Tree Nut-Free, Sides, Simple and Easy, Twists on the Classics, Vegan

Gluten-Free in Italy

August 22, 2017 By Alana Leave a Comment

Gluten-Free in Italy

August is winding down and I’m amazed that another summer has passed by so quickly. Last August, I managed to take a week-long vacation in Rome, and – floored by the sheer variety and quality of gluten-free options there – I wrote up a blog post with some highlights. Yet somehow, I never got around to posting it. So, on the one year anniversary of my trip (as I sit here wishing I was happily munching away in a Roman trattoria), I’ll content myself with remembering ….

Note: A version of this story is published on Celiac Travel, a wonderful resource for gluten-free travel!

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Tagged With: Gluten-Free Restaurants in Rome, Italian Food, Italy, Rome Filed Under: Musings

5-Spice + Turmeric Carrot Breakfast Pudding

August 10, 2017 By Alana 7 Comments

5-Spice & Turmeric Carrot Pudding

What if it were acceptable to eat pumpkin pie filling for breakfast? Would you? Even in summer? I might. Because this 5-spice + turmeric carrot pudding tastes like a breakfasty twist on pumpkin pie – in pudding form of course. The spices are subtle yet warming – the perfect start to your day – and the color is vibrant. And, as an added bonus, the fresh turmeric root provides a nice anti-inflammatory boost!

While this 5-spice + turmeric carrot breakfast pudding screams autumn, I find myself craving warming breakfasts like this year round. Would you expect anything less of a winter ice-cream eater? Anyway, if you’re not much for warming breakfasts in summer, this pudding is also fantastic cold. (In fact, if you chill it, it will taste even more like pumpkin pie filling.) I, however, actually prefer it warm,  with a splash of almond milk, a sprinkle of raisins, and some toasted coconut. The notes of molasses in the jaggery sugar compliment the cloves and pepper in the 5-spice perfectly, and the raisins add a nice bite.

So…breakfast pudding, anyone?

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Tagged With: Carrots, Coconut Milk, Five Spice, Jaggery, Turmeric Filed Under: Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Grain-Free, Low FODMAP, New American, Peanut & Tree Nut-Free, Simple and Easy, Twists on the Classics, Vegan

Imitation Horchata

August 1, 2017 By Alana Leave a Comment

Horchata

Horchata is a delicious, creamy beverage that originates in Valencia and is popular in many parts of Latin America. The version I’m familiar with is served in Mexican restaurants and usually made from rice, but this “imitation” version uses boxed almond milk for simplicity’s sake. In fact, I almost didn’t want to post this recipe, since it’s laughably easy! However, I realized that if I was making it all the time, maybe others would want to do the same – especially since drinking something cold, sweet, and creamy on a summer day just can’t be beat. Boy does it hit the spot! So I decided to share.

All you need is some unsweetened almond milk, maple syrup, and a light sprinkle of spices. Mix it all together and it tastes like…well…horchata! So easy!

This drink is a perfect afternoon pick-me-up, especially if you’ve been out in the sun all day. It’s also fantastic as a dessert craving quencher or the sweet ending to a spicy meal. You’ll be amazed how something so easy can taste so delicious.

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Tagged With: Allspice, Almond Milk, Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg Filed Under: Baked Goods and Desserts, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Grain-Free, Low FODMAP, Mexican, Simple and Easy, Twists on the Classics, Vegan

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Hi, I’m Alana!

Thanks for checking out my collection of gluten-free and vegetarian recipes (with many grain-free, vegan, and dairy-free options) inspired by the cuisines I like most :-)

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Recent Posts

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