Gluten Free Menu - McAlister's Greenville NC

I'm having lunch this week with a few friends at McAlister's Deli in Greenville. I contacted the restaurant and they sent me a link to their gluten free menu items.

Gluten-Free Choices*
McAlister's is sensitive to the requirements of guests with gluten intolerance and we make every effort to provide options on our menu. Following is a list of gluten-free choices:

Protein
Smoked Deli Turkey
Roast Beef
Corned Beef
Chicken Salad
Tuna Salad
Griled Chicken Strips
Grilled Chicken Breast

Soup & Chili
Southwestern Roasted Corn Soup

Spuds
Plain Baked Potato with or without Land-O-Lakes Butter
Spud Max
Grilled Chicken Spud
Bacon Spud

Salads
Chef Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad
Savannah Chopped Salad

Sides
Mashed Potatoes (without gravy)
Potato Salad
Fruit Salad

Dressings and Extras
Cheese - all of our cheeses are Gluten Free
Salad Dressings - all of our dressings are Gluten Free
Lite Sour Cream
Bacon Bits
Bacon


* Several of our vendors have supplied us with statements quantifying their products gluten free. Please be aware that we may change vendors and/or ingredients on a product as needed without notification. We are only able to make the above recommendations with the current vendor statements and are not liable or responsible for future menu changes. Please feel free to ask us for updated information.


I'll let you know how my visit goes this week! Check out McAlister's Deli if you ever visit Greenville, NC!

Free Gluten Free Lettuce Wraps from PF Chang's!

As you probably know, PF Chang's in Raleigh has an extensive gluten free menu.

For a limited time they are offering FREE lettuce wraps with the purchase of an entree! Click here to register for the coupon.


I've heard some amazing things about those lettuce wraps, so if you want to try them for free, enter now! This offer expires on July 31, 2010.

Have you tried PF Chang's in Raleigh NC?
Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of them and the gluten free menu!

Local Farm Spotlight: Rainbow Meadow Farms

All summer long we've been enjoying fresh produce & meats from Rainbow Meadow Farms. The farm is located in Snow Hill, just a hop & a skip from Wilson.

My husband and I are avid supporters of Community Supported Agriculture. It's awesome to know we can buy a share of produce every year late spring through early fall. It costs around $350 for a half share (what we usually buy). The produce is supplied for 20 weeks each year, that's only about $18.00 a week for fresh, local, organic produce. You can't beat that.

Rainbow Meadow is special because they also produce lots of healthy, free range meats, chicken, lamb, etc... We buy eggs from them every week over the summer and they are the best eggs we've ever eaten.

This week's produce in our CSA box includes:

• Corn,
  
• Tomatoes: Roma and Slicing,
• Red Irish Potatoes,
• Sweet Potatoes,
• Spring Onions,
• Yellow Squash,
• Blueberries,
• Eggplants: Thai (Green Spotted Round) and either White or Purple Japanese Eggplant
• Peppers: Bell and either Poblano or Key Largo
• Field Peas: Pink Eye/Purple Hull
  

Genell Pridgen, is one of the owners of Rainbow Meadow Farms and she runs the CSA operations every year. Her children help her to grow & pick the vegetables every year. This year, the children used some of the earning from the CSA to go to camp!

We've also purchased fresh meats such as ground beef, boneless sirloin tip roasts, and fresh applewood smoked bacon. The meats are absolutely wonderful. I've also had the boneless leg of lamb, and I'm looking forward to trying the lamb chops, ground chicken, and a whole roasting chicken.

If you are interested in purchasing fresh, locally & ethically raised meats, please consider calling Genell at Rainbow Meadow Farms & visiting their website. Let them know that Carrie sent you! :-)

While I have not specially asked Genell if the meats are gluten free, since they are fresh and not overly processed I think everything they sell is gluten free naturally. I'll make sure to ask Genell the next time I see her! :-)

To order beef, chicken, eggs, pork, lamb, or rabbit from Rainbow Meadow Farms, please visit their ordering page.

For more information about the Rainbow Meadow Farms 2011 CSA produce shares, please email Genell Pridgen (rainbow28580 at embarqmail dot com).

You can also read about the daily happenings at Rainbow Meadow by visiting their blog.

Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu

One of our Wilson Gluten Free Meetup Group members, Jaime visited an Olive Garden restaurant in Jacksonville, NC over the weekend.

Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu

Jaime learned that the gluten free pasta available is basically a packaged microwave meal, but she was still able to find a tasty meal for her celiac daughter to eat. Here's what Jaime had to say about her experience there:

"We went to Olive Garden in Jacksonville today. I was kinda sad to find out their pennine rigate was actually just a microwave dinner. Totally didn't look like something my celiac daughter would eat. However, the chef himself came out and spoke to me. When he found out this wasn't "just some allergy" (grr LOL) he was awesome.... He was VERY understanding of my concerns. He made her a beautiful grilled chicken breast with sauteed mushrooms. She also ate a salad. This girl never ate salads before going GF! I'm so impressed with my sweetie... she didn't even fuss over the breadsticks. God love her heart!"

I have to admit that I've been leary of visiting an Olive Garden because I was afraid that the possibility of cross-contamination was too great. But after reading about Jaime's experience I think I'd be willing to give it a try!

This would be a great restaurant to take your own bread if it's allowed. That way you don't have to salivate over the garlic bread sticks they serve with the salad! :-)

What are your gluten free experiences with Olive Garden?

The Melting Pot has a Gluten Free Menu!!!

Check this out! The Melting Pot in Raleigh, now has a gluten free menu!!

Cheese Fondues
Each cheese fondue includes fresh breads, vegetables and apples
for dipping. Please choose one cheese fondue per cooktop at your table.
GF - Request a GF cheese dipper bowl and no bread or chips.

Wisconsin Trio Cheese Fondue
Fontina, Butterkäse and Buttermilk Bleu cheeses with
white wine, scallions and a hint of sherry.
GF - Request to be made with cornstarch.

Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue
Gruyère and Emmenthaler Swiss cheeses, white wine,
garlic, nutmeg, lemon and Kirschwasser.
GF - Request to be made with cornstarch.

Big Night Out Cheese Fondue
Enjoy the seasonal cheese fondue showcased in our
Big Night Out. Ask your server for pricing.
See Big Night Out page for GF information.

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue
Fontina and Butterkäse cheeses,
spinach, artichoke hearts and garlic.
GF - Request to be made with cornstarch.

Fiesta Cheese Fondue
Cheddar cheese with the flavor of Mexican herbs,
spices, jalapeño peppers and salsa. Served with crisp
tortilla chips and made as spicy as you like.
GF - Request to be made with cornstarch and Redbridge® beer.

Cheddar Cheese Fondue
Aged, medium-sharp Cheddar and Emmenthaler Swiss
cheeses, lager beer, garlic and seasonings.
GF - Request to be made with cornstarch and Redbridge® beer.

Salads
Enjoy one of our delicious salads each featuring
one of The Melting Pot's homemade dressings.

The Melting Pot House Salad
Crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese,
fresh tomatoes, crispy croutons and sliced egg with
your choice of Peppercorn Ranch Dressing or our
Sweet and Tangy House Dressing.
GF - Request no croutons.

Spinach Mushroom Salad
Fresh spinach, baby portobello mushrooms,
red onion, chopped bacon and Roma tomatoes
with a warm Burgundy Shallot Vinaigrette. GF

Big Night Out Salad
Enjoy the seasonal salad showcased in our
Big Night Out. Ask your server for pricing.
See Big Night Out page for GF information.

Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, shredded
Parmesan cheese, crispy croutons and an added
touch of Parmesan encrusted pine nuts.
GF - Request no croutons.

California Salad
Mixed baby salad greens, Roma tomatoes,
walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese, with Raspberry Black
Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing. GF


This menu and the information on it is provided by The Melting Pot, in
cooperation with the Gluten Intolerance Group®(GIG®), as a service to our
customers. The Melting Pot and GIG® assume no responsibility for its use
and information which has not been verified by The Melting Pot. Patrons are
encouraged to their own satisfaction, to consider this information in light of
their individual requirements and needs. Updated 3/2010
GF

Individual Entrée Selections
All entrées are cooked tableside in any of our four flavorful cooking styles located atthe bottom of this page.
All entrées are accompanied with an array of vegetables and include a salad of your choice.

Land & Sea*
New York Strip, breast of chicken and white shrimp.
GF

The French Quarter*
Filet mignon, breast of chicken and shrimp, all seasoned
with cajun spices, served with Andouille sausage.
GF

Seafood Trio*
White shrimp, scallops and cedar plank salmon.
GF

Cedar Plank Salmon*
Our version of an American classic
with a perfectly balanced smoky flavor.
GF

Breast of Chicken*
GF

Signature Selection*
Filet mignon, white shrimp, teriyaki-marinated
sirloin, breast of chicken and cedar plank salmon.
GF - Request a substitution for teriyaki-marinated sirloin.

Pacific Rim*
Teriyaki-marinated sirloin, white shrimp, marinated pork
tenderloin, breast of duck, breast of chicken and potstickers.
GF - Request a substitution for teriyaki-marinated sirloin
and potstickers.

The Vegetarian*
Edamame or onion rings, artichoke hearts, portobello
mushrooms, Thai peanut marinated tofu, asparagus,
spinach artichoke ravioli and our Big Night Out pasta.
GF - Request substitutions for tofu, ravioli and pasta.
Request no batters.

Filet Mignon* 6 oz. & 9 oz.
GF


Entrée Cooking Styles
For cooking your entrée, choose one style per cooktop.

Court Bouillon
Homemade, seasoned vegetable broth.
GF

Bourguignonne
European-style fondue in cholesterol-free
canola oil. 0g trans-fat Oil.
GF - Request no batters.

Mojo Style
Caribbean-seasoned bouillon
with distinctive flavors of
fresh garlic with a citrus flair!
GF

Coq au Vin
Flavors of fresh herbs,
mushrooms, garlic, spices
and burgundy wine.
GF

*Our Fondue-style service may result in the undercooking of certain ingredients.
GF-5.10 Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS may increase your RISK of foodborne illness.
Add a cold water lobster tail to any individual entrée.* GF

Entree Sauces

Curry - A mild yogurt based curry that is particularly great with vegetables and salmon. GF

Green Goddess - A blend of cream cheese, sour cream, onions, chives and parsley. Great on vegetables and makes a great stuffed mushroom. GF

Gorgonzola Port - Rich and robust cheese sauce that is great on the filet mignon as well as the vegetables. GF

Ginger Plum - Our own unique recipe with red and green bell peppers, ginger and just a hint of plum sauce. Great on chicken
and shrimp. GF

Chocolate Fondue
Complete your fondue experience
with the ultimate finale!
GF-Request GF dessert plate: strawberries, bananas,
plain marshmallows and pineapple.

Big Night Out Chocolate - Passion Fruit Yin & Yang Fondue
Our signature decadent dark chocolate swirled together
with passion fruit infused white chocolate. GF

The Original
This original recipe features our
signature milk chocolate with a
swirl of crunchy peanut butter.
GF

DISARONNO® Meltdown
Silky white chocolate swirled with
Disaronno® Originale Amaretto
and flambéed tableside.
GF

Cookies ‘n Cream
Marshmallow Dream
Dark chocolate topped with
marshmallow cream, flambéed,
swirled together and garnished
with crushed Oreo® cookies.
GF - Request no crushed Oreo® cookies.

Flaming Turtle
Milk chocolate, caramel and
chopped pecans, flambéed tableside.
GF

Pure Chocolate
Milk, dark or white chocolate,
melted for the most pure of all
chocolate fondues.
GF

Bananas Foster
Silky, white chocolate swirled with
bananas, brown sugar and a dash
of cinnamon, flambéed tableside.
GF

Yin & Yang
Half dark chocolate and half
white chocolate, artfully swirled
for a perfect balance of flavors.
GF

Chocolate S’mores
Milk chocolate topped with
marshmallow cream, flambéed
and garnished with crushed
graham crackers.
GF - Request no crushed graham crackers.

I think we need a road trip Ya'll!!

Gluten Free Groceries at Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter in Wilson carries a great selection of gluten free processed foods, frozen foods, and baking supplies. Here is a growing list of the products I've seen there that I know you can buy readily. If you know of something I've forgotten or left off this list, please add it to the comments below!

Baking supplies
Hodgson Mills Brown Rice Flour
Hodgson Mills Buckwheat Flour
Hodgson Mills Soy Flour
Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Baking Flour
Bob's Red Mill White Rice Flour
Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Starch
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Brownie Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Hearty Sandwich Bread Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix
Bob's Red Mill Homemade Wonderful GF Bread Mix
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
Bob's Red Mill Xanthan Gum
Fleischmann's Bread Machine Yeast (best buy if you make bread at home)
Cream Cornstarch
Gluten Free Baking Powder
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix

Pasta & Dry Goods
HT carries several types of gluten free pasta. Deboles is one brand, but unfortunately it does not have the best reviews. It can be easily overcooked and becomes mushy.
Another brand called Notta Pasta is much like Asian rice noodles and holds up really well after cooking. You can also find the Thai Kitchen brand of rice noodles in the Asian section and they taste really good, stand up to sauces, and are not mushy after being cooked.
Other things that are naturally gluten free that you can find:
Risotto
Rice, any kind as long as it's not in a mix
Cornmeal
Amy's Kitchen Soups

Frozen Foods
Amy's Kitchen Frozen Meals
Cedarlane Frozen Meals
Food For Life Brown Rice Bread
Brazilian Cheese Bread - This is super yummy if you miss cheesy bread! (I'll get the brand name the next time I go!)

Cereals
Rice Chex, (any variety now -- just make sure the label says gluten free!)
Envirokids Cereals
Bob's Red Mill Hot Grain Cereal


This is NOT a complete list by any means... this is just what I can think of off the top of my head. If you know of additional gluten free food at HT, please leave a comment below and let me know! Also, let me know what your shopping experience has been at HT in Wilson!