Egg Muffins

Tomorrow I start school again. I have already looked at the syllabus for each class, and have mentally prepared for the workload to come. When you're at school, it can be really hard to prioritize breakfast. By making your breakfasts for the week on Sunday, it allows you to get the nutrition you need to kick-start your day! Today's recipe is for egg muffins, a delicious option that you can customize to your taste.

Ingredients
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 cup mushroom
1/2 cup tomato
3/4 cup shredded cheddar
A handful of diced parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in the milk.
4. Add your toppings.
5. Spray a cupcake form with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Add in your egg mixture and set it in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Eat it at that moment or put some in the refrigerator to heat throughout the week!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Blackberry Ice Cream

Summer is almost over, and school is already starting in 2 weeks for me! The summer honestly flew by, and while I'm sad that it's coming to an end, I am ready to get back into the school routine. Plus, I miss my friends at college, and am very excited to be reunited with them as they begin to move in again. Today's recipe is a 3 ingredient ice cream! It's so easy to make, and the tartness of the blackberries combine perfectly with the cream and condensed milk.

Ingredients
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup blackberry jam

Procedure
1. Whip the heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk together until it gets a heavier texture.
2. Mix in the blackberry jam.
3. Add it to a container that comes with a lid and freeze it overnight.

Voila--it's that easy! Enjoy with a gluten-free cone or on its own, with a good book outside or with Netflix inside. Eat it however you'd like, it's so delicious it doesn't matter how you eat it!
Enjoy!
-Sema

French Onion Dip

I was craving chips and dip yesterday, but didn't feel like going to the grocery store to pick up a dip so I decided to make it myself! It didn't take too long, and allowed me to control what I wanted going into the dip. Sometimes it's easier to make the food yourself instead of going out to buy it! This dip was the perfect accompaniment to potato chips and a good Netflix marathon. 

Ingredients

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 cup chopped onions

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Caramelize the onions in olive oil and set them aside to cool.

2. Mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, and cooled onions.

3. Add in your salt and pepper.

That's it! Now you have a delicious dip for your potato chips that didn't take too long from your Netflix marathon (staying inside is the best way to beat this 100+ F heat).

Enjoy!

-Sema

Summer Blackberry Refresher

An excessive heat wave is about to hit my neck of the woods, which means another week of grueling summer heat! What's the best way to cope? A delicious summer drink of course! This easy drink will help you stay hydrated while adding a touch of blackberry goodness!

Enjoy!
-Sema

4 Years of Blogging!

Today marks my four year anniversary of blogging! Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past four years, I honestly couldn't have done it without you all. I started my blog to create a positive outlook on the gluten-free lifestyle, because I truly believe that gluten-free does not mean taste-free. I want you all to know that I am your gluten-free friend, and you can count on me for recipes and tips to help you navigate through the gluten-free lifestyle!

The gluten-free world has come a long way since I was diagnosed (as seen in this video), and it's a wonderful feeling being able to ask for a gluten-free menu at a restaurant as well as being able to implement a gluten-free lunch program at school. All of this is possible with the awareness of the diet and the emergence of gluten-free products at mainstream grocery stores. All we have to continue to do is make delicious food and reverse any negativity surrounding the diet!

I am very honored to be included in Healthline's Best Gluten-Free Cooking Blogs of the Year! Check out the other winners to gain insightful tips and awesome recipes!

I am excited to continue to share recipes and tips as I navigate through my college years. Cheers to many more years of blogging!

-Sema

4th of July Pavlova Cake

Happy 4th of July! While it is pretty cloudy in my neck of the woods, nothing can put a damper on today's festivities. If you are in a pinch and wondering what to make last minute, I highly recommend this pavlova cake! Nothing screams the 4th of July like a cake that includes the necessary colors of red, white, and blue.

Cake Ingredients
6 room temperature eggs
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Dash of white wine vinegar

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  
2. Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks, we will only need the egg whites for this recipe.
3. Place the egg whites in a food mixer. That way you don't have to beat it by hand, because trust me, that would take a while.
4. Set the mixer on high, and start mixing until it turns into a creamy white substance.
5. SLOWLY add in the sugar in a thin stream, as to not clump anything up.
6. Add the vanilla, cornstarch, and vinegar.
7. Let it mix until it because so thick that it doesn't run out when you tilt it over.
8. Place parchment paper over a round oven pan. (I used a pizza pan and cut out a sheet of parchment paper to fit it.)
9. Evenly distribute the batter over the pan.
10. Set it into the oven for 1 hour. 


Topping Ingredients
1 pint of whipping cream
3 tablespoons of sugar (or however much you want to sweeten the cream)
Fruit of choice (I used blueberries and strawberries)

Procedure
1. Whip the cream, adding in the sugar. You want to whip it until it becomes spreadable.
2. Wash, cut, and dry the fruit. I cut strawberries into little bits, and added blueberries.

Once your cake has cooled down, add the whipped cream, and top it with the fruit. The cake will be crispy on the outside, but creamy on the inside, and once paired with the fruit and whipped cream, it creates a delicious treat.

Voila! You have a 4th of July dessert!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Yesterday we finally had a break from the heat and humidity, and I was able to step outside without feeling like I had entered a sauna! It's those days that you really have to take advantage of in the incredibly humid summers of St. Louis, so I took the time to drink my coffee outside with a good book. In the summer time, I love making refreshing dinners that don't take too much time so that I can spend my time engaging in summer activities! I recently had lemon garlic shrimp at BARcelona tapas restaurant, and I figured that such a refreshing and simple dish would be easy to recreate--and I was right!

Ingredients
Olive oil
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
6-8 oz pre-cooked shrimp (it was about a half a bag of frozen shrimp for me)
Chopped parsley for garnish
1/2 a lemon

Procedure
1. Heat a bit of your olive oil in a frying pan with minced garlic. Stir the garlic around until you smell its aroma.
2. Add the shrimp and heat it on both sides for two minutes each.
3. Squeeze your lemon into the frying pan and stir the shrimp around to ensure it gains its flavor.

Add parsley for garnish and voila! you've got your lemon garlic shrimp. You can add this to rice or pasta, or you can just have it as an appetizer. Either way, this refreshing dish won't make you break too much of a sweat in the summer heat!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Summer in Southern Norway

I recently went on vacation to Norway, exploring several different cities and visiting family. The scenery in Norway is incredible, and you can often find a body of water every five minutes. For someone who lives in the midwest, I always look forward to sitting by the ocean and hiking in the mountains. Check out an overview of my trip here:

I had an awesome time working at Quality Hotel and Resort in Kristiansand two years ago (you can read more about how I was a princess and a pirate here), so I decided I needed to visit to see how everything was two years later. They were recently acquired by Scandic, and the interior looks so cozy! I definitely felt some nostalgia as I walked through the front doors, and it felt incredible when I was greeted by friendly faces. They offer a complementary breakfast to guests, and when I went downstairs to check out their gluten-free options I was blown away.

They have expanded their selection of gluten-free options to include different kinds of breads, muffins, cookies, and if requested they have a designated toaster! The chefs are well versed in offering safe options for gluten-free guests, which makes traveling there a lot easier. Eating a delicious breakfast ensures that you'll be able to explore the beautiful town of Kristiansand without going hungry!

Over the summer, Scandic Sørlandet becomes a children's hotel, offering guests a variety of children's activities. That was actually my job when I worked at that hotel, and nothing brought me more joy than seeing how excited the kids got when the princesses and pirates showed up. They also have a play room in the basement that the kids can look forward to (my brother was definitely excited to check it out). This hotel gives off such friendly vibes, so I will definitely visit again when I'm in Kristiansand!

-Sema

New York and Nairn's

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to New York to attend an investment banking day on the job  event. I have never been to New York previously, so all I had to compare it to was the TV shows and movies that I watch--which made it so intriguing for me to see the city. Coming from a city like St. Louis, it was very exciting for me to see a city that stays up past 10 PM, and actually get a meal at 11 PM. Wandering around, I realized how much there was to see, and unfortunately my tired feet didn't allow me to explore everything I wanted to see this time around. My favorite restaurant was Trattoria Trecolori, so if you are in the area, I would highly recommend the gluten-free Rigatoni Focaccia.

On Sunday, we ate brunch at the Peninsula Hotel, and they had a delicious gluten-free avocado toast with poached eggs. Not only was I able to enjoy a delicious lunch, but I was also able to channel my inner Blaire Waldorf (any Gossip Girl fans out there?)!

Nairn's Oatcakes sent me their product, and it was the perfect snack to bring with me on the plane. I flew with Southwest, and their snacks were not gluten-free! I am very glad that I checked the ingredients on the peanuts, because even they had wheat in them. Nothing is worst than being stuck on the plane without any snacks, so I am very happy that I was able to have these crackers with me. Not only are they delicious, but they are also very filling!

I have been doing a lot of traveling recently (I am currently in Norway), so I know how important it is to always have food on you, because you never know how much gluten-free food is going to be around!

-Sema

2 Ingredient Pancakes

We have all heard that breakfast is important, but how often do we act on that advice? Sometimes I'll be running late or I'll just grab a quick snack to sustain myself for a bit, but it's not enough! That's why I'm going to make it a goal to eat breakfast more often in my dorm. The best way to motivate yourself to eat breakfast is to make foods you'll actually want to eat/have time to eat. I am currently on Spring Break, so I finally have access to a stove again! While I miss the convenience of the dining halls, nothing quite beats a home cooked meal. Today's recipe is so simple that there's no excuse for you to skip breakfast again!

Ingredients
1 banana
1 egg

Procedure
1. Mash the banana.
2. Beat your egg and add it to the banana.
3. Mix it well (you don't want a lumpy pancake)!
4. Cook the pancake like you would any other pancake, and make sure to flip your pancake when it becomes a golden brown color.

Voila! Add some toppings and you're good to go!
Enjoy!
-Sema

DIY Snack: Crackers and Cucumbers

While the majority of my midterms are over, college life never really seems to slow down. Each week brings a new challenge that I must learn to overcome (the majority of these challenges come in the form of papers and problem sets). While I could resort to eating junk food (which I am not going to lie, I definitely did on occasion), the aftermath of eating chips and chocolate isn't quite as much fun as the actual eating part. That's why today's DIY college snack edition features a simple combination of cucumbers, crackers, cream cheese, and pepper.

For the crackers, I used the Gratify Sesame Thins, as they are not only my favorite snack but pair very well with the cream cheese. I got a pepper packet from the dining hall, and added a cucumber that I bought from the little market we have on campus. I recommend keeping a cutting board and sharp knife in your dorm room, as it allows you to eat fresh produce instead of consuming everything out of a plastic box.

While this seems like a very simple idea, it is a ~classier~ alternative to chips. It also doesn't take too much thought to make them, but you still get to enjoy a delicious snack that is much healthier than just grabbing a bag of chips!

Enjoy!
-Sema

DIY Study Snack: Candied Walnuts

It's that time of the semester when every assignment is due on the same day! Last week I was slowly preparing for my Friday which was full of assignment submissions! But that's what college is all about, and what better way to cope with all of the homework than with study snacks? This is one of my favorite study snacks to make, because it is simple to make but at the same time is a step up from raw walnuts.

Ingredients
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of cinnamon (depending on how much of a cinnamon-y taste you want)

Procedure
1. Melt the butter in a small pot.
2. Add the sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon.
3. Stir everything together (keep stirring so nothing burns) until the sugar has caramelized and coated the walnuts.
4. Immediately transfer the walnuts to a plate, separating them. If you just leave it in the pot, you'll have a huge clump of walnuts!

Voila! You have a delicious study snack to consume as you finish all of the work you have to get done.

Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Chex Mix

The last time I had Chex Mix was well before I was diagnosed, which was over 10 years ago! Today I decided to create the iconic snack to enjoy while I completed my plethora of homework. In college sometimes it's easy to eat comfort food, so during the month of February I'm going to share with you all several study snacks that will get you motivated to study!

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups Rice Chex

4 1/2 cups Corn Chex

1 1/2 cups Gluten-free bagel chips (I used Glutino)

1 1/2 cups Gluten-free pretzels (I used Snyder's)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

6 tablespoons melted butter

Optional for Cheddar Chex Mix:

Nacho cheese popcorn seasoning

Gluten-free cheddar crackers( I used Van's)

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

3. Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and Worcestershire Sauce.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereal, bagel chips, and pretzels.

5. Slowly mix in the melted butter mix into the large mixing bowl.

6. Spread everything out onto the baking tray.

7. Bake the Chex Mix in the oven for about 30 minutes, stirring it every 10 minutes.

8. Let it cool down.

For the Cheddar Chex Mix, sprinkle the nacho cheese popcorn seasoning and add gluten-free cheddar crackers. 

I loved these snacks, as they weren't too greasy as I was working on all my homework, yet they satisfied my snack cravings.

Stay tuned for more study snacks!

Enjoy!

-Sema

Gluten-free Jam Thumbprint Cookies

With a new year comes new recipes! Today my day started with a blanket of snow that created such a cozy view outside my window. It's one of those days when baking just makes sense. This recipe is a twist on the usual sugar cookie that looks like it took much more effort than it did (shhhh, you don't have to tell anyone). It's the perfect indoor activity to do with your family or friends, just put on a little music and bake away!

Ingredients
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 3/4 cup of gluten-free flour (I used Outrageous Baking flour.)
2 softened sticks unsweetened butter
Jam (I used homemade blackberry jam.)

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the butter and sugar together. Add in the vanilla and egg.
3. Mix in the flower and baking powder until you reach a cookie dough consistency.
4. Depending the size you want the cookies to be, section off the cookie dough and roll it into little balls.
5. With your thump, create an indentation deep enough to fit the jam. Carefully fill the indentation with the jam.
6. Bake them in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until the bottom of the cookie becomes golden brown. I found that over-baking them made them a little crumbly, so create a test batch in the beginning!

Voila! You have a fancier version of the sugar cookie!
Enjoy!
-Sema

The Importance of Contacting the Caterer

With the year coming to an end, it's crazy to think how much has changed this year. I just got done with my first round of finals in college, and while it was a stressful period, I feel like I've picked up on some good study habits that I'll definitely utilize next time around.

This year I finished high school and started college which is quite a transition in addition to gaining an internship over the summer. I met so many wonderful people throughout my endeavors and created a strong support system in college. While I did catch the worst cold I've gotten in a while and partially tore my achilles jumping for joy (yes, you heard that right, I literally jumped when happy), I'd say that I've had a wonderful semester and am looking forward to the next one!

Towards the end of the semester, the business fraternity I am in held a banquet. I didn't think there would be a problem with the food, but when I was informed that nothing would be gluten-free I immediately took action, contacting the caterer. To my relief, Chef Mike from Mateker's Meat and Catering immediately responded, letting me know which options were gluten-free. The menu was as follows:
-Vegetable medley (naturally gluten-free)
-Salad (they prepared a separate one for me without croutons)
-Pasta and rolls (obviously not gluten-free)
-Tri-tip and Au Jus (naturally gluten-free)

I could eat almost everything, which was a wonderful feeling!

Taking that extra step to contact the caterer, while it might be intimidating to do so, will ensure that you won't go hungry at an event. Nothing is worse than watching other people eat and you don't want to bring a lunchbox because it won't go with your outfit! I had a wonderful evening dancing the night away and taking fun photobooth pictures with my dear friends knowing that I wouldn't get sick!

All in all, I want to thank everyone for such a wonderful year, cheers to another year of blogging!
-Sema

What's in my Fridge/Pantry?

Hello everyone! It's been a crazy last few weeks, complete with a lot of calculus and homework. It's crazy to think that over a month has gone by since I moved into my dorm in August! As promised, today I will be showing you all what is in my pantry, because let's be honest, I prefer not to go hungry.

I know what you're thinking, what is the pasta sauce for? I can't exactly cook pasta in my dorm room, but I can create tortilla pizzas in the microwave! If I have too much on my plate (pun intended), and I can't make it to the dining hall, I'll take a tortilla, spread some pasta sauce and cheese over it, and heat it in the microwave. 

I keep sweet tea, sparkling lemonade, and Coke Zero so that I have an array of options :)! This morning I actually put iced tea in my coffee travel mug since I was too tired to brew the coffee.

I keep peanut butter, Nutella, applesauce, tea, and mugs on top of my fridge. I do enjoy a cup of tea after a long day of classes, and I actually started something called "tea time" on my floor. We all catch up with a good cup of tea and a few snacks, which is the best way to bond as a floor!

I keep an array of dried snacks in my basket, and it contains anything from pretzel thins to regular assorted chips. I also have a jar that contains energy bars and fruit snacks for those hectic mornings when I have to dash out to class.

Sometimes it's easy to forget to eat in the dining hall, and since I don't have a kitchen to just whip something up, it's great to have a bunch of options so I don't go hungry.

-Sema

Smoothie Bowl Recipe

Hello everyone! With the hot and humid weather upon us, sometimes we need a refreshing snack. Today's recipe is an easy smoothie bowl--a cool and delicious treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients
2  cups frozen berries
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 banana, frozen and chopped
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
A dash of coconut water
Your choice of toppings

Procedure
1. Blend the frozen berries, chia seeds, banana, Greek yogurt, and coconut water together.
2. Add your choice of toppings!

Voila! It was as easy as that!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Hello everyone! I have a delicious cinnamon swirl cookie recipe for you all today! With this little trick you can put a delicious twist on ordinary sugar cookies!

Here's the recipe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pxg1jksM3M

Enjoy!
-Sema

Potato Pizza

 

Hello everyone! The weather here in St. Louis has gotten almost unbearably hot in the last week. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was pulling my sweater closer around my shoulders, shielding myself from the icy wind. Well you know what this means--now I can stay inside and cook. One recipe caught my eye in particular on Tastemade, so I decided to try it and found that I love it! Today's recipe is a potato pizza, and it's perfect for those days when you want to make a pizza but don't want to fire up the oven in the excruciating heat!

Ingredients
Half a Potato
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Basil
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Tomato Sauce

Procedure
1. Slice the potato into very thin slices.
2. Drizzle the olive oil on a skillet and line the potato slices in a circle as pictured below.

3. Cook it on medium high heat for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the tomato sauce, cheese, and choice of toppings and cook on medium for about 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
5. Transfer your potato pizza to a plate, add some basil, and voila! you have a delicious pizza that didn't require too much effort to make!

Enjoy!
-Sema

GFAFEvent Recap

Thank you so much to everyone who came out yesterday to the GFAFEvent to meet with me and hear me speak :)! I got to meet so many awesome people, and had a great time talking to all of you.

If you couldn't make it to the event, here are a few links you can check out:

I got to see my friend CJ from Tumbling Gluten-free, you should definitely check out her blog at www.tumblingglutenfree.com!

If you haven't stopped by the Schnucks next to West County Mall in Des Peres, I urge you to do so. They have the largest gluten-free section I've ever seen, and you'll get to talk to these lovely ladies. Stop by to talk to Katie Mueller, the registered dietitian, who can help you select some delicious gluten-free snacks!

This is the first time I've tried anything from Outrageous Baking, and I can tell you, I was not disappointed. Their cakes were SO moist and delicious, and my absolute favorite was their pumpkin bread. They are located out in Boulder Colorado, but they ship their products out! Visit them at outrageousbaking.com!

If you live in St. Louis, you have probably heard about Andrea's products. They are spectacular! Check out her website at andreasglutenfree.com!

These are possibly my favorite chips ever. I usually find them at Schnucks, and they are absolutely delicious!! Check out their website at www.billygoatstl.com!

I got to chat with Dr. TJ Williams and Mark Ludwig from The Institute of Natural Health here in St. Louis! Check out their website at www.theinstituteofnaturalhealth.com!

So thank you for everyone who came out to speak with me, I really enjoyed all of the conversations!

-Sema