Stepping inside the Annapolis mall, I'm drawn to the pastry counter at the entrance of la Madeleine Country French Cafe. But I can only look; there are no gluten-free treats here. That's okay, though, because I'm here to meet with Stephanie Miller, director of marketing for la Madeleine. Inside, I forget I'm at a mall; the decor is cozy with an inviting fireplace as the centerpiece of the restaurant. The dark woods and faux brick create a rustic and quaint look. I could easily sit here with an espresso and write for hours. Stephanie and I sit at a table and sip raspberry ice tea while she shares the la Madeleine story with me. She tells me about Chef Patrick and his passion for the French countryside and his mission to bring the flavors of that region to America. And then she tells me about No Kid Hungry, the Share Our Strength national campaign to end childhood hunger. September is No Kid Hungry Month and, this year, la Madeleine has pledged $200,000 to the campaign. With … [Read more...]
Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe #GlutenFree
Last fall, I took part in the WORLDFOODS Fusion Taste Team challenge and had the opportunity to sample a hamper (i.e. basket) of their Asian-inspired sauces. Our Maryland team did not win the challenge but I had fun sampling the sauces and creating a new recipe. I like how these sauces easily jazz up any recipe but I also really like that they are gluten-free, dairy-free and free of trans fats. WORLDFOODS wants to get the word out about their gluten-free products so they sent me a few more sauces to try. I was inspired by the Cambodian Pineapple Lemongrass stir-fry sauce and now I want to add this dish to our regular menu. I hope you enjoy it, too. Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, cubed 1 TBSP olive oil 1 bottle Cambodian Pineapple Lemongrass stir-fry sauce by WORLDFOODS Fusion of Flavours 1lb bag frozen stir-fry veggies 1 can diced pineapple 3 cups of rice Directions: Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok. Cube chicken … [Read more...]