These are the ramblings of a self-described wheat, grain and gluten-free “gourmet girl” that loves to cook and eat good food. I love creating and sharing recipes and photographing “beautiful food”. In July 2012, I eliminated wheat, grains and added sugar from my diet and rediscovered real, whole fresh foods again and effortlessly lost 65+ pounds. Join me in my wheat, grain and gluten-free journey. See how easy it is to enjoy grain free gourmet, one meal at a time! Welcome to my blog. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Farm Fresh Omelet -- Colorful & Delicious!
This afternoon a coworker shared some "farm fresh eggs" with me. Evidently another one of my coworkers raises chickens and harvests fresh eggs. I don't believe I've had a farm fresh egg since I was a child when my family would stop at roadside markets on the way back and forth to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, every summer where my parents had a place. I remember my Mom would buy large brown eggs that had double yolks. When I buy eggs at the store, I try to purchase organic cage free eggs. It was nice having a chance to enjoy local farm fresh eggs and to know that I now have a nearby source to get them from when I choose to. They were so beautiful (once I washed them). I must admit, I'm not much of a country girl, and when I initially opened the egg carton, I was quite surprised to see "poop" on some of them...LOL. I took a few deep breaths and couldn't wait to get home to wash them. I'm not sure if you are supposed to wash them off or not, but if I was going to eat them or put them in my fridge, then that was what was going to happen first! ;-) When I got home, I introduced my eggs to Dawn "Oxy" dish soap. I placed the freshly washed eggs in a bowl to dry and looked down at them and realized how beautiful they were. They were a mix of pastel colors...light tan, medium tan, white, very pale green and a light almost blue-green color -- sort of like pastel Easter eggs. They were too pretty not to snap a few pictures of. I just happened to have some leftover cut up fresh veggies and meat from the pizza I made over the weekend. I had sliced red, yellow and orange peppers, onions, steamed fresh baby spinach, cooked mushrooms and about 1/2 cup of leftover seasoned browned ground beef & onions. So, naturally, my thoughts went to making an omelet for dinner! I quickly sauteed the peppers, onions, & mushrooms and heated up the meat mixture along with the added spinach. My dinner came together quite nicely. I added a bit of white cheddar cheese with jalapenos and "Voila"...a super fresh and colorful "farm fresh" omelet was served! I snapped a few photos of the gorgeous eggs below. Enjoy!
Hi GGC,
ReplyDeleteThey are awesome, aren't they? And what lovely colors! :-) I must say, though, that I'm *very* surprised that you had to wash them. We've gotten them from three different places and they've always been pristine. Our latest "egg lady" told us that the hens stop laying in the winter. However, someone else recently said there are things that can be done with their environment(such as lighting and temperature)to keep them laying all year. Guess the hens are getting a vacation. Or maybe *the egg lady* wants some time off ... and I wouldn't blame her one bit! Anyhow, we've found a source for "winter" eggs ... yay!
Best wishes for your appointment.
Hi CyberSis - Thanks -- yes, it is nice having access to fresh eggs and they are beautiful. Good that you've got a source for eggs now, too. My appointment is this afternoon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi GG,
ReplyDeleteWas wondering if you might recommend which one of your bread recipes you consider to be the best. Since your cheddar biscuits are so good and so like regular biscuits, but I still can't have cheese!, could you recommend a bread recipe that would be closest to the real thing, in your humble opinion. Smile.
Warm Regards,
Loretta :-)
Hi Loretta -- too bad about you still not being able to have any dairy. I went back through some of my recipes looking for a "bread-like" recipe that didn't contain any dairy. I wondered about my "bagel-nut" recipe (a cross between a bagel and a donut). I'm thinking if you reduced the sweetener, removed the cinnamon, that you might be able to make a decent bagel-like bread. Here is the link: http://www.gourmetgirlcooks.com/2013/10/bagels-maple-pecan-bagel-nuts.html
ReplyDeleteThis is what I'm thinking might work -- I showed you below where I would make tweaks in the original recipe.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut flour, sifted
1/2 cup blanched almond flour
3/4 cup ground golden flax seeds
USE: 2 tablespoons (instead of 1/4 cup) confectioners style Swerve (or powdered erythritol)
2 teaspoons baking powder
OMIT: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs
7 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil or coconut oil
OMIT: 2 teaspoons pure maple extract
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
OMIT: 12 drops stevia, or to taste
ADD: Toppings, optional (your favorite herbs or seasoning)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 6-cavity donut pan with olive oil or coconut oil spray and set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, mix first 6 dry ingredients together with a whisk to help break up any lumps. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture; add eggs, water, oil, apple cider vinegar; mix until well combined. Dough will be thick and somewhat sticky. Divide and spoon batter evenly among 6 molds; smooth tops with a finger, lightly dampened with water.
If desired, sprinkle with herbs or seasoning, lightly pressing into top of bagels. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the bagel feels done when lightly pressed near center. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing. Enjoy warm spread with cream cheese or butter, if desired.
*Note - Apple cider vinegar helps leaven the dough a bit and won't be tasted
Loretta -- P.S. -- I would add a bit of salt to make them savory -- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon.
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest joys since being wheat-free has been scouting out places to buy local eggs, since we use so many of them now. I think it's a fun challenge, and have found several nearby farms. Prices are most always reasonable, too. (although they are not as plentiful now during the cold!) Hope you got good news today!
ReplyDeleteHi Darlene. I was glad to know that I can get fresh eggs from one of my coworkers -- who knew they were right under my nose all along - although eggs is not a typical topic I discuss with most folks! :-) I was told that I had a case of pericarditis (inflammation in the membrane surrounding the heart). He said it can be caused by a virus or anything. So...that is my official diagnosis -- while I feel better (no real pain to speak of)...I still feel a bit tired but I think I am okay. I follow up again in a few months. Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi GGC,
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that you got a good report. It sounds somewhat similar to pleurisy, which probably explains your "added" symptoms this time. I'm sure it'll take a little time yet to get completely over it, but sounds like you're on the mend and feeling better than you were.
Well, I had it wrong about the rain (heard only what I wanted to hear, probably.) We warmed up a bit the last two days. Today we had slush falling from the sky. Then it changed to "thunder snow." Later today we're due for a lot of "real" rain plus high winds. Next week another "polar vortex." Good time to stay indoors and cook ... and knit! :-)
Again, good to hear that you're OK. Hoping for a quick and uneventful recovery. Take care!
Hi CyberSis! Wow...don't think I've ever experienced "thunder snow" before. Believe it or not, the temperature gauge on my car while coming home from work today read 75 degrees!!! Last week at this time we had snow and ice!!! How strange is this weather? I'm hearing we might be in the 20s again next week. This is a very strange year so far weather-wise. Thanks for the well wishes! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi GG, I am glad to hear the good news about your condition! Your family, especially your husband must be relieved. Although an *inflammation* of anything is not good, let us hope that you will recover from it soon.
ReplyDeleteWheat and Grain free eating helped me for a while, but now my inflammation is in *full bloom* again and I feel totally defeated!
My doctor visits are frustrating because the Doctors really do not know what to do , all I get is suggestions of switching to different disgusting and life threatening drugs!
Thank you for the bread recipe, I will try that, but leave out the sweetener .
Your biscuit can not be any better, my husband a very disciplined man can not just eat one, let alone two. Last night, after having enjoyed two, he said what if we share another one! He usually does not over indulge r, so his behaviour regarding your biscuits is so unusual and quite funny!
Hope that you get more sleep! Barbara.
Yeah so glad to hear you're doing well and getting better every day. I know I speak for all of us when I say I was so worried about you! Keep taking good care of yourself and have a wonderful restful weekend. Maria
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara -- Thanks. Yes, my husband is relieved but still concerned. I actually did not feel too good today (mainly extreme fatigue) and the nurse at the doctor's office told me that is normal and it could last for a few weeks (the doctor never mentioned that to me Wed.). They told me it will feel like I am getting over the flu. I feel good at times and then I overdo things and get reminded that everything isn't "normal" yet. I still expect like I should go at 90 mph when I need to slow down to 50 mph for a bit...LOL. I'm sorry to hear that your inflammation is rearing its ugly head again. I hate taking medicine. Is there any other type of supplement you can take to help with that? Several people have suggested tumeric to me and I will look for it this weekend. I don't know why, but it makes me laugh about your husband being such a fan of my biscuits! LOL I actually think its pretty cute. If I remember correctly, these are the "Easy Cheddar Black Pepper Biscuits" and not the buttermilk biscuits. The cheddar/black pepper are my favorite, too. I am hoping to make some in the morning for breakfast along with some of my "farm fresh" eggs. You'll be pleased to know that I'm actually trying to get more sleep this past week. I think I have gone to bed by midnight (or before) almost every night. I hope you can find some relief from your inflammation other than the drugs you don't want to take. If I could take it away, I would! Take care. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Maria! I am getting better, just not as fast as I want to. I want to be 100% now. I need to be more patient and rest more. Thank so much for your kind words -- they are appreciated more than you know! :-)
ReplyDelete