Tim Horton's Gluten Free Macaroons

They sent me this handy picture to show you

Having gone to school in Canada, Tim Horton's holds a special place in my heart.  There's nothing like a hot chocolate on a -40 degree day (I wish I was kidding about that temperature).  And who doesn't love timbits?  Timbits were actually on the menu the weekend I got so ill I knew I had to finally go to the doctor regarding my pesky chronic stomach aches.

I had long resigned to no more Tim Horton's treats in my life until I was contacted recently about their new gluten free coconut macaroons.  A small package arrived a few days later with a sample of the macaroons.  They come two in a two pack and are pre-wrapped to avoid cross contamination.  So far, they are winning.  They sent me some literature with the macaroons that informed me that not only are they available in all Tim Horton's locations, but they are only $1.29 per package.  This seems very reasonable to me.  They also tasted good. So, overall nice work Tim Horton's.

I've read some reviews that complain how unhealthy they are.  But come on, you are at a doughnut shop, what do you expect?  Low cal, all natural, organic macaroons?  If you are going into Tim Horton's in the first place you aren't there for a nutritious snack.  You are there for some delicious treats.  And now you can have a safe delicious treat along with the rest of 'em.

While I appreciate the gesture of a gluten free treat from Tim Horton's, I do have one complaint: they aren't timbits.  Dear Tim Horton's, please start working on gluten free glazed timbits.  Love, Anya.

4 Ingredients Gluten-Free Cookbook

I was at Whole Foods this week for a cooking demo and book signing by Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients.  Kim McCosker and Rachael Bermingham started their cookbook series 4 Ingredients a little over 4 years ago.  The concept is simple: hundreds of recipes with four or less ingredients.  Recently, Kim and Rachael realized the need for a gluten free version and voila, here it is.

I love the concept of this book.  The recipes are pretty basic, but sometimes that's just what you need to get dinner going.  There are over 400 recipes in the gluten free version including condiments and dips, breakfasts, appetizers, light lunches, sides, mains, desserts, drinks, and recipes for kids.

It was fun to meet Kim at the event.  She was very nice, engaging, and gave lots of tips.  I was able to try her BBQ beef stir-fry, guacamole, chocolate covered marshmallows, and another dessert I don't remember the name of.  I'm looking forward to trying the Chicken Tikka Masala made with just chicken, tikka masala paste, condensed GF tomato sauce, and plain yogurt.

The only question I had in the book was about the ingredient gluten free self rising flour.  Apparently, this is something they have in Australia where Kim is from, but not really in the US.  When I asked her about it, she told me to just add a teaspoon of baking powder to a regular all purpose gluten free flour blend to make it "self rising".  Easy.

I've been in a bit of a cooking rut lately and I hope this book is just the jump start I need.

New York City Wine & Food Festival

If you read my blog maybe you like food.  And wine.  I like both.  Maybe you also like supporting organizations dedicated to fighting hunger.  I know I do.  Maybe you would like to attend a food and wine festival that also helps fight hunger.  You can do this by either buying a ticket to an event at this year's Wine & Food Festival, or if you aren't quite on that financial level, you can volunteer at an event and eat and drink for free (this is my personal choice).

I have volunteered at this festival for the last two years.  If I can, I plan on doing it again this year.  It is a weekend full of really fun events, lots of good food, and plenty of opportunities to see famous chefs.  Best of all, the proceeds of this festival go to the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength, both of which are organizations dedicated to ending food poverty.

Check out the different events here.
You can buy tickets here.
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out this survey or email my friend Brian Pham at the Food Bank.

For my gluten free friends: I cannot guarantee you gluten free food at any of these events, but I can guarantee you'll have fun while doing something good for society.

Free Williams-Sonoma Gluten Free Baking Class

I'm not sure how many gluten free people in New York City actually read my blog, but I think you should go to this if you are.  I'm going to be out of town, but if not, I would be there.  Especially since it's free!

Complimentary Williams-Sonoma Technique Class: Gluten-Free Baking

When:Sunday, August 28, 2011
Time:11am
Where:Williams-Sonoma Columbus Circle
Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, Suite 114
New York, NY 10019
212-765-0001
Cost:Free w. Reservations

From Williams-Sonoma:

Attend one of Williams-Sonoma’s popular free technique classes to learn the art and science of cooking from their own culinary experts. Each class is dedicated to a specific culinary topic, from the best way to work with specific ingredients, cookware and tools to creative ideas for seasonal meals.

• Hour-long technique classes are free and include tastings of prepared dishes.
• Participants enjoy 10% savings on select same-day store purchases.
• Available at all stores; class times vary by store location.
• Class size is limited – call your local store to register

FEATURED CLASS:

• Gluten-Free Baking

For more information, contact Williams-Sonoma Columbus Circle at 212.823.9750.

MI-DEL Cookie Giveaway!

Erin of Gluten Free Fun emailed me recently about hosting a giveaway on my blog.  She had received an email from MI-DEL but couldn't eat anymore gluten free cookies at the moment.  I, on the other hand, was happy to participate.

Here's the deal.  May is Celiac Awareness Month and MI-DEL cookies is celebrating by giving away free cookies.  They sent me three free coupons to try whichever of their products I wanted.  I picked three.  I tried three.  Now I write about them.  Then I get to give three away!

MI-DEL has nine varieties of gluten free cookies.  They also have all natural and organic regular cookies.  Check out all their products here.  I chose to try the gluten free arrowroot cookies, gluten free chocolate chip cookies, and the gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies.  Yum.  The following are my thoughts on each one.  You may not know me very well, but I wouldn't say I liked these if I didn't.  Also, I didn't have to pay for these, but they are usually very reasonably priced, which makes me happy.

Before buying any of these cookies, I was most excited about the chocolate chip.  But these arrowroot cookies were such a pleasant surprise.  Like traditional animal crackers, they come in animal shapes and are a perfect snack for kids, or really fun adults like myself.  And, dare I say, they are better than the animal crackers I remember in my childhood.  Sweet, but not too sweet, with a touch of vanilla.  I ate several of these on the way home from the grocery store.  No gluten free kid would feel left out with these around.

Next I tried the much anticipated chocolate chip cookie.  I love chocolate chip cookies, but I realized after I bought these that I like them made from scratch and warm from the oven.  These were good, and quite comparable to Chips Ahoy.  If you miss packaged chocolate chip cookies in your life, these are a good substitute.

These chocolate sandwich cookies are very much like Oreos.   They are delicious.  I can't stop eating them.  I would buy them again.  Enough said.

Which cookies do you want?  (Now is the time when three of you get them free!)  Go to MI-DEL's website and check out their choices: www.midelcookies.com.  To win, leave a comment here or email me at anothergfblog@gmail.com to let me know which product you'd like to try.  It doesn't have to be one of their gluten free options.  I'll randomly pick three people in the next few days.  Anyone in the US and Canada can participate.

Also check out MI-DEL on facebook or twitter.  (Oh, and if you want to check me out on twitter I'm @ _anyak_)