The Gluten Free Dude's Surf & Turf

Living in California has it's benefits like the weather , able to go to the beach and the snow in the same day. Even your food options are greater in California compared some parts of the U.S.. Californian's have a luxury that we may take for granted. We are able to buy fresh fish (wild caught) everyday.

The other day we were at Whole Foods on a Friday and as we were making our way through the store we came up on the meat and seafood counter. They had a worker out there trying to direct the shoppers to their Friday specials. One special was fresh or frozen shrimp, another was halibut. Both caught my attention so I was hooked. I get some shrimp and a 14oz halibut steak. Finished up at the fish counter trying to make our way towards the pasta/rice aisle then another worker shouted out "Organic New York Strip $9.99 per lb". My head spun around and I made a B line over to the meat counter. This was no regular deal, this was a steal. It was a grand opening for this particular Whole Foods which is why it was priced so cheap. Normally organic grass feed New York Steak is $21.99 per lb.  I of course bought 1lb and made my way through the store to finish the rest of my shopping. On my through the non dairy, freezer section and bakery I found myself staring at this huge end cap full of Udi's products and one shelf at the bottom with EnrG bread. I was really impressed. The pasta and rice aisle had a "gluten free" section designated to gluten free pastas. While down that aisle I found some arborio rice. Arborio is an Italian short grain rice that is often used for rice pudding or risotto. So my dinner is coming together nicely. I have my "surf" halibut, my "turf" new york steak and my side arborio rice. 

Preparing this meal was fun. I used my signature spice mixture (paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, garlic powder) to season the halibut and steak. Decided to add sprouts to the arborio rice to add a vegetable to the dish.

I start off by bringing a medium pot of water to a boil adding in one cup of arborio rice. Take a medium sauce pan and add water to fill the pan one half inch and bring to a boil. Grab about  6-8 large sprouts, de-bud them,  slice in half then make 1/8" slices lengthwise. This should give a shredded look to the sprouts.  Toss the sliced sprouts into a boiling water for about 7 minutes. While the rice and sprouts are boiling cut the 16oz steak fillet into two 6oz fillets and one 4oz or something close to it. Store the 4oz steak for another meal. Start coating the two fillets with The Gluten Free Dude's spice mix (recipe below). Cut your halibut in half giving you two 7oz fillets, now coat with seasoning. Once that is done take a large pan drizzle some EVOO over med-high heat. Add the steak fillets and cook each side for about 8-10 minutes depending on thickness or desired preference. After 6 minutes add the halibut fillets and cook each side for 5-6 minutes. 

While the meat and fish cook drain the sprouts and add to rice. Add 2 tbsp. of earth's balance butter and mix with sprouts into rice. Once meat, fish and rice are cooked you are ready to eat.

(click on picture to enlarge)

The Gluten Free Dude's Spice Mix recipe:

1 tbsp.- Paprika

1 tbsp.- Cumin

1 tsp. - Oregano

1 tsp. - Thyme

1 tbsp.- Garlic Powder

  

Eating an appetizer doesn't mean it can't be healthy

Not too many people think about an appetizer as something healthy unless you count vegetables, but then you are dipping it in some kind of ranch dressing.  When you go out to eat the first thing out of the waiter/waitresses mouth is: "Can I start you off with a drink or appetizer". When did it become so normal to snack before your meal? Wonder why America is the obese capital of the world, it's because we eat these carb loaded fattening appetizers. Now I am not speaking against anyone who orders these because I am one of them. I just feel if there were options for us to order appetizers that were flavorful and healthy we would order it.

In California one of the most popular appetizers is guacamole or "guac". Guacamole is made from avocados. (duh! but had to put it in there just in case someone was born yesterday and was unaware) The United States is the world's third largest avocado grower (behind Mexico and Brazil) and California is the U.S.'s largest avocado producer.  Not only are avocados tasty but they are good for you too. Can you believe that one avocado has 4g of protein, 13g of fiber and you get 23g of unsaturated fats plus 4g of your omega's as well. They are very healthy for you. I am not a nutritionist but I doubt you can find one that will tell you eating an avocado is bad for you.

Another popular appetizer is this artichoke and spinach dip. (olive garden and applebees) It contains the good stuff, cheese, wheat and a lot of saturated fats. Elephant Bar has one of the best artichoke dips. (NOT GLUTEN FREE) It has over 1200 calories 100g of carbs and 76g of fat. WOW! I know you share this with others but that's not counting the chips you eat it with either. So I thought why not make something that was healthy tasty and trendy? I created a gluten free, dairy free Artichoke Spinach Guac. I was surprised to see El Monterey already had something similar after I came up with this idea. My version of course is 100% authentic and gluten free.

1- Avocado
4- fresh artichoke hearts chopped
1- 8oz chopped spinach
1/8c- lime juice
1-tbsp garlic powder
1-tsp of cumin
1-tsp paprika
1-tbsp salt

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl serve with gluten free chips or crackers. To make this a creamier dip add 2 tbsp of gluten free sour cream. Just as a reminder adding the sour cream will up the fat content and make this a less healthy choice.