This month we have a guest post from the one and only Laura, who has created an annotated menu inspired by Girlfriends' Valentine's (aka Galentine's) Day. I've actually had the pleasure of trying her 'mochi yum yum' -- it's hard to believe these delicious bite-size puffs are gluten free! (p.s. I have no idea why the dish is called 'yum yum' as yum yum sauce--which is naturally gf--is a Japanese steak house mayonnaise concoction, and this is not that.)
This post is a love letter to the ladies in my life - be they gluten free, vegan, or equal opportunity hedonists. The ladies in my life have seen me through my best and worst. They've obliged my bad haircuts and bad food experiments and loved me all the same.
This is also a love letter to a new food discovery: mochi.
Whether you're looking to host a Galentine's Party or a good old fashioned cocktail hour, look no further for a menu and recipes.
Okay, first thing's first. Here's a menu to celebrate your favorite (gf) gals (and gents) on Valentine's Day (or any day):
On to mochi. I discovered mochi while shopping at my local Whole Foods. It comes in a tan/brown brick that is not initially that exciting. The label said it was rice. Just rice. Perhaps the japanese answer to polenta? I threw it in my basket and kept on shopping.
At home, I did some research. It turns out mochi has this miraculous way of puffing up into chewy little dumplings when baked. How it does this is beyond me. What I can tell you is that it is delicious.
Gluten-free Galentine's Menu
This post is a love letter to the ladies in my life - be they gluten free, vegan, or equal opportunity hedonists. The ladies in my life have seen me through my best and worst. They've obliged my bad haircuts and bad food experiments and loved me all the same.
This is also a love letter to a new food discovery: mochi.
Whether you're looking to host a Galentine's Party or a good old fashioned cocktail hour, look no further for a menu and recipes.
Okay, first thing's first. Here's a menu to celebrate your favorite (gf) gals (and gents) on Valentine's Day (or any day):
- Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms
- Oysters Rockefeller (sub breadcrumbs for GF cracker crumbs)
- Tampenade and Crackers (bonus points if you make your own!)
- Mochi & Goodness: read on for a recipe
- Cut fruit
- Roasted root veggies
- Shrimp and cocktail sauce
- Bubbly (of course)
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| Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms, via Little Leopard Book |
On to mochi. I discovered mochi while shopping at my local Whole Foods. It comes in a tan/brown brick that is not initially that exciting. The label said it was rice. Just rice. Perhaps the japanese answer to polenta? I threw it in my basket and kept on shopping.
At home, I did some research. It turns out mochi has this miraculous way of puffing up into chewy little dumplings when baked. How it does this is beyond me. What I can tell you is that it is delicious.
Mochi Yum Yum
Ingredients:
- 1 package brown rice mochi (I found Grainaissance brand)
- Greens (mustard, radish, etc.), sliced into thin strips
- Green onions, thinly sliced
- Radishes, cut in matchsticks
- Rice vinegar
- GF tamari
- Grated ginger
- Sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes
Directions:
Heat some oil in a pan and cook your green onions over medium heat. Add in the greens and cover with a lid to steam the greens. Once the greens are nice and cooked (about 5 minutes depending on the type of green), take the pan off of the heat. Add in your radishes and season the mix to your heart's content. I recommend tamari, a healthy dose of rice vinegar and grated ginger, some sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Cut your mochi into small squares - about 3/4 of an inch on either side and pop them in the oven. They will puff up and brown. You want them to be nicely toasted.
Take your mochi puffs out of the oven and let them cool for a bit. Once they're cool enough to handle, you can cut them in half and spoon in your veggie filling.
Serve with a mixture of gluten free soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil for dipping.
And don't forget to toast your favorite gals!
