The search for a Pasta Roni Replacement

So prior to starting the SCD, my favorite comfort food was one box of Herb and Butter flavored Pasta Roni mixed with a box of Parmesan Pasta Roni.  It had been my go to since I was a kid!  Obviously, after starting the SCD, almost everything in that meal (if you can call it that) was off limits.  Recently, though, my wonderful husband made me zucchini pasta with a herb cream sauce that could be an excellent replacement!  The recipe for the sauce came from my new favorite cookbook, Healing Foods: Cooking for Celiacs, Colitis, Crohn's and IBS. 

The first step is to make Creme Fresh:  Heat 2 1/2 cups of heavy cream to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (don't let it boil), then let it cool to room temperature.  Combine with 1/2 cup of natural yogurt.  If you have a yogurt maker, now is the time to use it.  If not, you can put it in a dark place on a heating pad.  Let it heat for 24 hours, then refrigerate for 8 hours before using. 

To make Herb Cream Sauce:

Melt 1/3 cup butter in a small skillet over medium heat.  Add 1 clove on minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped basil, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped tarragon, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parseley, and 4 tablespoons of finely chopped sage leaves.  After sauteeing for one minute, add 1 cup of Creme Fresh, and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.    Stir and cook until paremsan has melted, and saute on low until all ingredients have combined into a creamy sauce.

Serve over zucchini pasta and enjoy!

Gadgets for the SCD Kitchen!

My Christmas list this year was quite different from those of years past- instead of the typical requests for clothing or jewelry, my wish list consisted of mostly small kitchen appliances.  I was thrilled to receive three large items and several small ones that will make my kitchen significantly more SCD friendly.  Pictures, descriptions and tips on where to find them are below:



The Yogourmet Yogurt Maker:

As anyone who has read anything about SCD already knows, making your own yogurt is an integral part of the diet!  I am ashamed to say this is only my second time making yogurt- the first time I made a phenomenal french cream (yogurt made from heavy whipping cream).  A post on that is soon to follow...  My first trip into yogurt making was done with a heating pad stashed in my closet to keep our cats from eating them- as you can imagine, this Yogourmet (from my incredible parents) will be a huge help!  We opted for three glass jars instead of the plastic container that comes with the Yogourmet.  Heating fatty yogurt in a plastic container seemed awfully dangerous.  I have a batch of goats milk yogurt brewing as I type.  The Yogourmet is available at Lucy's Kitchen.

Bass Pro Shops Food Dehydrator

This machine (from my wonderful brother and sister-in-law) is going to revolutionize my snacking!  I can't wait to make my own beef and salmon jerky and dehydrated fruits and veggies.  It is available at Bass Pro Shops.

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer Ice Cream Attachment

 
So excited to whip up some coconut milk ice cream with this amazing attachment (again from my wonderful parents)!  I will probably start with a recipe like this one from Against All Grain.  The ice cream attachment can be purchased here.

And one stocking stuffer....

William Sonoma Kitchen Towels

These great Kitchen Towels have the perfect weave to double as cheese cloth.  Great for straining almond milk or drying out cooked carrots for Carrot French Toast.