Tomato Bisque ~

I am a soup person - I love soups of all kinds but a lot of the time eating soup in a restaurant, that's not home made, is quite impossible due to the abundant use of wheat flour in most soups as a thickener. Rarely is there a time when I find a safe soup that I can completely trust to be gluten-free. I know it's the same for most of you, as well.

This past weekend I was fighting off a crummy cold (again) and decided after a bountiful shopping spree at Whole Foods that I would hunker down and cook...soup.

One of my new, most favorite cook books I've been working out of is Cristina's of Sun Valley, by Cristina Ceccatelli Cook. A Tuscan native who moved to Sun Valley, Idaho years ago, is not only the author of this book but the founder and owner of Cristina's Restaurant, which she opened in 1993. It's such a delightful restaurant tucked away in my most-favorite location in downtown Ketchum, ID at 520 Second St. East.

The food put forth at Cristina's is always uncomplicated, original and delicious...rooted in her native Tuscan taste buds and classic flavors. Whether you drop by (make sure to call for a reservation) for a delicious, hearty breakfast or brunch, a visit to the colorful and tempting deli case to pack up for a picnic, or dining by candlelight in the cozy dining room, you are sure to leave Christina's sated and armed with one of her cookbooks!

So back to soup...I have to admit that I've never cooked a Tomato Bisque from scratch. It's one of my favorite soups though, so when I found Cristina's tomato bisque recipe that was so simple and fresh I couldn't resist. My mom assisted and we whipped up a huge pot of warmth and a very healthy and warm meal that I've been enjoying for several days. It was a small accomplishment that put a big smile on my face upon the first taste while thinking to myself, "hey, I just cooked this delicious soup."

It is such an easy recipe that I don't think Cristina will mind me sharing it with you all, and most importantly...it's gluten-free!

Tomato Bisque - Serves 6

- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

- 1 Small yellow onion, diced

- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped garlic

- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil chiffonade

- 1/2 Cup white wine

- 8 Cups fresh, ripe Italian tomatoes, diced, with their juice, or 8 cups canned Italian tomatoes

- 1/2 Teaspoon red pepper flakes

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1 1/2 Cups cream

- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

- 2 pieces of Udi's toasted bread with olive oil (for GF crostino)

Simply saute the onion, garlic and basil in olive oil until onions are tender and light gold in color (until they become transparent). Then add wine and let cook for a few minutes. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then pulse mixture briefly in a food processor or blender to obtain a creamy consistency. (I had to pulse the mixture in two different batches, for the same amount of time and it worked perfectly).

Return (all batches) to the original pot, whisk in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. When ready to serve, drizzle each bowl of soup with olive oil and garnish with a fresh basil leaf and home made gluten-free croutons.

Croutons: Thanks to a gluten-free friend, I learned of the delicious Udi's Gluten-free food/bread that I've been toasting all week. I just toasted the bread, drizzled with olive oil and then cut into squares and garnish the soup. I also grated fresh parmigiano that topped it off perfectly.

Cristina says that this soup is also very good served chilled for a summer evening- similar to a gazpacho. Mmmmmmmmm




Stay warm. Eat gluten-free soup. Say thanks to Cristina!

Tea for Two ~

I am a true lover of teas.

My favorite quote that graces the bottom of my email signature reads ~
"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be diminished by a nice cup of tea."~Bernard Paul Heroux(1900's Basque philosopher)

It's not just because he was Basque like I am...it's just simply the truth. I've tested out his quote theory for years and found over and over again that a lovely, simple cup of one's favorite hot tea can truly relieve most troubles and restore a sense of peace and warmth to the soul. Drinking tea is a cherished and ancient ritual that dates back to the earliest of civilizations and cultures, as well as being used for its healing powers. The true country of tea's origin is China, and its history and impact on the world is truly fascinating.

As we've established...tea has history on its side, as well as a sense of elegance that seems to accompany each leaf, each pot, each sip. Black tea, Green, White, Oolong...mmmmmm

The flip side of honoring the true history and beauty of tea is found in a quote I once heard from a very strange fellow who referred to tea in this manor..."hot tea is basically the equivalent to drinking...(okay wait for it)...weed water!" At the pronouncement of this statement, monarchies all over the world crumbled and deceased royalty were literally rolling over in their graves.


Have you ever wondered how "afternoon tea" came to be? I found this interesting article about the conception of this event...The English ceremony of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 1840s but rather than being 'invented', it actually evolved out of the rituals and routines that had surrounded tea drinking in Britain before that time...


A fun piece of French tea history comes from my most beloved tea company, Mariage Freres, goes like so...Around 1660, on behalf of King Louis XIV and the French East India Company, the ancestors of the Mariage brothers sailed to distant lands on a quest for new exotic flavours of tea. Tea soon became a strong family passion maintained over the centuries in a tradition of excellence in taste and creativity, giving birth of the French Art of Tea.

I could go on and on about this topic - there are thousands of varieties from hundreds of countries around the world, all boasting their own unique flavors and qualities, depending upon their origin. Personally, whenever I travel to another country I always try a foreign tea and if I enjoy it, bring some home! It's a true treat and lovely way to later conjure up the memory of a hot cup of tea you drank or pot you shared while sitting along the Seine or the Yangtze rivers.

Here are a few of my most favorite teas:

- Mariage Freres - A "must visit" to their gorgeous shop when in Paris!

- The Hediard - Another lovely spot in Paris and be sure to have lunch there

- Harmony Tea - Delightful and the wrapped bags come in reusable tins

- Tazo Tea - Fun website that reads your tea leaves and great teas in so many flavors

- Davidson's Tea - A northern Nevada local favorite offering organic teas

- Mighty Leaf Teas - Some of my favorites and I love their loose leaf bags and silk tea pouches

- Yogi Tea - Offering detox, and more medicinal teas that heal the body

- The Tao of Tea - I dig their flowery herbal blends

- Harney & Sons Fine Teas - They make a delicious raspberry herbal ice brew

- Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Their Ceylon teas are simply delicious

As I wrap up this post while sipping my favorite Tazo lemon green tea with honey and warming by the fire (it's been snowing here for 24 hours straight!)I am reminded of what simple pleasures come from a delicious cup of tea and what it can do for my spirit and mood. There's a comfort that your favorite cup of tea provides, not to mention its nourishing and healthy qualities.

I'm not sure what flavor or brand of tea tomorrow will bring to my lips, but I look forward to the surprise...right now, I'm leaning towards a delicious Early Grey partnered with warm almond milk and my favorite honey from Marshall's Farm.

What are your favorite (gluten-free) teas that you would love to share?

Sweet tea to you~

Piperade in San Francisco ~

It must be the season for eating amazing French Basque food.

First it was La Ferme, and now I was lucky enough to have just returned from a quick weekend to San Francisco where I was attending a dear friend's birthday celebration, and the grand fete was held at Piperade, one of my most favorite restaurants in the City.

It had been some time since I had the pleasure of dining at Piperade, so it was a real treat not only for my friend Alison (the birthday girl) and her 14 guests made up of family and friends, but for me, as well. Gerald Hirigoyen, the famed owner of Piperade and Bocadillos, and a good friend of mine, was on hand last Saturday making sure our table was having a great time and even took time out of his busy night to sweetly autograph his newest book, Pintxos, for Alison.

Onto the food...and my amazing gluten-free meal! Just so you all know, if you are a Celiac or on a gluten-free diet, Piperade's kitchen is very accommodating and able to ensure a safe and delicious GF meal. I have eaten there now for many years and always been safe and incredibly sated...so enjoy and just make sure to inform one of their friendly and professional staff of your special dietary needs.

My first course was this incredible Tipiak, or small plate that's a favorite - the flavors of sweet tanginess melded with creamy cheese are so unique.

Warm sheep's milk cheese and ham terrine with aged sherry

Next came this little lovely that was shared and devoured...

Pequillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese, pine nuts and golden raisins

And then my Handiak (or big plate) arrived...this amazing Euskaidun, or Basque classic dish of pork literally melted in my mouth and fell off the bone.

Roasted pork tenderloin with braised cabbage and figs

Sadly, I didn't get a snapshot of my "Koka", or caramel custard this time - it all happened so quickly, with candles and singing and birthday wishes...by the time I pulled out my camera to shoot my dessert - most of it had been shared and eaten up...oh well, there's always next time! But I did get a shot of the birthday girl's beautiful sweet treat -



Next time you are in San Francisco, make sure to visit Piperade or Bocadillos for an unforgettable lunch or dinner dining experience...and tell Gerald that I sent you!

Eskerrik Asko Gerald and staff for a perfect night out on the town!!

Piperade is located at:
1015 Battery St.
San Francisco, CA
(415)391-2555

Lunch served / Monday - Friday
Dinner served / Monday - Saturday
Closed / Sunday

La Ferme French Country Restaurant ~ Genoa, NV

A week ago, I had the pleasure of dining with the publishers of the upcoming new Edible Reno/Tahoe Magazine at the wonderful La Ferme Restaurant in Genoa, NV. The French Country restaurant is owned by a close family-friend, Gilles LaGouge who is French-Basque. He and his business partner and chef, Yves Gigot, opened La Ferme in the tiny, quaint and historic town of Genoa in 1998. The pair have roots in Los Angeles, along with pretty famous and interesting careers to back them up that have spanned 25+ years in the restaurant biz - very impressive!


La Ferme is like no other restaurant - its European charm and warmth envelope you as soon as you set foot on Gilles' property and by the time you've completed your dining experience for the evening, you just want to move in and never leave. Not only does their food offer and extraordinary journey for your taste buds, but truly all of your senses will be touched and catered to during a trip to La Ferme.


In addition to the wonderful and rustic house that La Ferme resides in, there is also the experience of stepping inside Gilles Menagerie & Boutique, housed inside one of the oldest bunk houses in Genoa - it's been restored of course, and oozes charm and charisma just like its owner, Gilles. The Boutique is Gilles' "sanctuary" so to speak, and a creative place that grew from his heart, offering clients the chance to purchase unique, one-of-a-kind gifts from all over Europe and the world...my favorite items come from the Basque Country, of course. In addition, Gilles has created a gorgeous line of jewelry that can be custom-ordered. It's an experience that's NOT to be missed when visiting La Ferme. Gilles' clientele come from all over the States and the world, scooping up his treasures, while appreciating his fine taste and eye for beauty.

Now to the food...our meals were incredible, as always. I hadn't been back to La Ferme in a couple of years and I had missed the experience of dining there and the fun and enchanting conversations that are always had with Gilles. This trip was especially enjoyable and fruitful, connecting La Ferme with the great gals Amanda and Jaci, who are starting Edible Reno/Tahoe magazine. Their appreciation for great, organic, farm-fresh food is contagious, and I can say that it was a very enlightened night of conversation and toasts! In addition, we received a tour of Yves' kitchen and met with their darling sous chef, Anne.

They make quite a team!

The other important news to share with fellow Celiacs or the gluten-intolerant is...La Ferme is very aware and able to prepare a variety of meals sans-gluten. That's the benefit of eating food that's incredibly fresh and not too tampered with - so have no reservations about being able to dine fabulously and without fear...but do make reservations.

Our first course was brought to us courtesy of Chef Yves Gigot, and other than the bread, I was able to eat everything.

Cured salmon with toasted almonds, an amazing cherry compote, with crisp, cheesy bread sticks

My next course was incredible - the Mediterranean antipasti. The yogurt cheese just melted in my mouth and Gilles home-grown cherry tomatoes that were marinated in some kind of fresh fruit were out of this world...

Mediterranean antipasti, yogurt cheese, house pickles (including amazing cherry tomatoes), and lemon hummus

The baby green salad was shared by the three of us and it was so fresh and delish-

Baby Mixed Green Salad , Pistachio Vinaigrette, Toasted Pepitas

My entree was so beautiful to the eye, that I really didn't want to disturb its perfection...but alas, my desire and hunger won out...This has always been my favorite dish at La Ferme...and somehow they continue to perfect it!

Coq au Vin "Mere Grand"

And if it's hard to believe there was still room for dessert, think again. This amazing little French creation was like eating sugary, lemony clouds dancing around in the sky...sigh....can it get any better than this? Non!

Floating Island: lemon curd and oeufala neige. A French-Basque treat!

Now that your mouth is watering and your are warming up the car to drive to La Ferme for dinner, make sure you call first for a reservation and note that they are closed on Mondays.

La Ferme is now also offering, in addition to their fabulous daily menu, a three-course meal that includes wine and coffee for only $35 per person - an amazing offer that you can experience Tuesday through Sunday nights.

And finally, Gilles wanted everyone to know that La Ferme is also in the catering business, providing clients with the incredible quality of food served in their restaurant, with very affordable catering/event rates. They are able to cater small gatherings to large events and weddings...and everything in between. Contact them directly for more information.

As we were leaving La Ferme last week after our fantastic dining experience, we had the pleasure of being visited by one of Gilles and Yves' gorgeous Great Pyrenees dogs, Neige. She and her siblings are regulars at La Ferme and they truly add to the unique, family-like atmosphere...don't be mistaken, they ARE part of the La Ferme family. There's a grand portrait of them all above the kitchen door to prove it!

Bon Appetit!!

See you in Genoa~

Tia's Sweet Treats in the News...

Good morning -

We woke up to find our first news article about Tia's Sweet Treats in today's (this week's) Northern Nevada Business Weekly! We are so excited about carving our little Gluten-Free niche here in Reno, and well beyond.

We are baking away this week, so place your orders now on-line or call:775-230-1442 .


The other great news for Tia's Sweet Treats is that our macaroons are now being sold at The Hub Coffee Co. in Reno on Gluten-Free Thursdays!

The Hub is located at: 26 Cheney St. in downtown Reno.

See you there for an amazing cappuccino and macaroon!

Simply Yummmmm~

A post-holiday crazy, busy week inspired this yummy and simple breakfast-for-dinner idea that I thought you might like to cook in your kitchen.

Growing up in my family, there were times when we would have breakfast for dinner - the occasional omelette or pancakes were always a big hit with my brother and me and still to this day, I love whipping up scrambled eggs as an entree! With that in mind, I've been revisiting my childhood love (totally inspired by my mother)of poached eggs on toast...or in this case, a softly fried eggs on toast. Paired with some delicious cheese, and fresh tomatoes with a fig balsamic, you've got yourself one tasty and nutritious meal that can be created in ten minutes.

I've also been on a fresh herb kick lately. While perusing the Whole Foods produce section the other day, I came across a perfect package of fresh sage, thyme and rosemary and have been throwing them in with just about everything I've eaten. I'm always amazed at what a fresh herb will do to your food - with nothing more than some olive oil and sea salt to accompany, food comes to life under the profound influence of an herb.

Isn't that wonderful?

And when I cook this way, it's a distinct reminder about the essence and importance of eating real food and why we do not need to alter everything, process it with junk and throw it in a box to be eaten via microwave. Blahhh - I'm getting the chills just thinking about that process, all the while, the poor food screaming out, "we taste great just as we are, just as nature intended...honest!"


So, to keep your food from screaming out with displeasure...try this simple recipe for lightly fried/poached eggs on toast with rosemary, avocados and delicious little tomatoes.

Serves 2-

- 4 Fresh eggs

- 4 Slices of gluten-free bread (your choice but I like Food for Life's Rice Pecan bread)

- 1 Ripe avocado

- 2 Pats of organic butter

- 2 Tsp. olive oil

- Sprigs of rosemary, thyme and sage (as much as you desire)

- 4 Slices of any delicious Swiss, jack or mozzarella cheese

- 4 Oz. of sliced turkey, gluten-free

- 8 0z. package of mixed medley cherry tomatoes (I love the yellow and orange variety)

- 2 Tbsp. Fig balsamic

- Salt and pepper to taste

First, wash and half the cherry tomatoes and place them in a saute pan with 2 tsp. of olive oil, salt and pepper. Add sprigs of fresh herbs, as much as you like, and saute for 5-7 minutes on med-high, until tomatoes start to soften. Then put bread slices in toaster for your desired amount of toastyness. While toasting, remove tomatoes from burner and place to the side in a separate bowl. Use the same saute pan to lightly fry your eggs - cook with rosemary and until yolks just start to form.

Spread pats of butter onto the toast, then place two on each plate. Layer with fresh cheese slices, turkey and then place fried egg on top (to melt it all together!). Slice fresh avocado on top of the eggs and divide up the sauteed tomatoes onto each plate. Drizzle fig balsamic on tomatoes. Salt and pepper to your liking.

That's it - simple and delicious.

Enjoy your breakfast-for-dinner or whenever really, and keep your food happy!

I would love to hear about what your favorite gluten-free recipes are!
Please pass them along.

Welcome 2010!!

Happy New Year!!

I don't know about you, but I can say that I'm thrilled to be leaving good old 2009 in the dust and moving into 2010. It's not that last year didn't have it's bright spots, but let's just say it was a very challenging year, especially in regards to my health, given the numerous gluten poisonings that I endured.

This year the goal is = NO Gluten encounters whatsoever!!(Can you hear me knocking on my wooden desk?)

Seriously though...It is my goal. Better self care and being a stronger advocate for myself.

I think this All-Clad saute pan I received for Christmas is going to help me reach the above mentioned goal. You see, I've been dreaming of receiving this gorgeous All-Clad Stainless Steel saute/ simmer pan for quite some time, and now I have my secret-Santa to thank for delivering this little jewel under my tree! (Thanks Dad!)


The point is that I can't wait to start cooking more and more at home and eating out less and less. I will also have to fess up to the fact that I've now watched the movie, "Julie and Julia" three times and am seriously contemplating selling everything I own, throwing caution to the wind, and moving to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu! I wish. But don't think this thought hasn't seriously been swirling around my head for the past two weeks, all inspired by a love of cooking, a really good movie and cookbook and the beginning of Tia's Sweet Treats. Cooking and baking seem to be taking up permanent residence in my kitchen and in my life - I love that.

There's just something so damn romantic to me about being inside my cozy home, music playing low, candles lit and being in the kitchen creating delicious and gluten-free food to eat and share with others. I am finding more and more that the kitchen is becoming my inspiration for creative thinking, and the more I want to cook, the more I want to write...okay and then travel! They all seem to inspire me in equal-parts/different ways.


That being said, after this latest Christmas/family trip/NYE vacation to San Diego to spend time with my brother and his family, I'll be staying put for a while. Thought I was soooooooooo grateful to have traveled for ten days without any gluten incidents...see, I'm already off to a good start. Even our day at Disneyland proved to be joyful and safe. Not only did we pack a hearty lunch for everyone, but the Mexican restaurant that we ate dinner at (us and 10 million others) contained one very helpful chef who KNEW all about eating gluten-free, and guided me through my entire meal selection. It was awesome, I have to say! Thank you Mr. Disney chef!


On another bright note - Tia's Sweet Treats is up and running and ready to take your orders. Our gluten-free, organic Macaroons brought a lot of smiles to the faces of our first customers during the holidays. We would love to put smiles on more and more faces.


Between baking macaroons and cooking in my new All-Clad saute pan, I'm sure to be a very happy camper in the coming days and weeks, and I cannot promise that I won't be tempted to move "Julie and Julia" back to the #1position in my Netflix queue - sorry, just too tempting and inspirational!

I wish you and yours a wonderful, joyful, prosperous, and Gluten-Free 2010~