Veal Paprika- page 272
Has your copy of Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef- A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes Cookbook arrived? If you pre-ordered it you should have it by now but if not, what on earth are you waiting for? OK, have you at least visited their blog, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef? Shauna and Danny will be expecting you. Tell them I said hello.
As soon as mine arrived last week I sat down and started reading the stories and listing which recipes I would make for this review. When I looked at my list of 30 recipes I knew I was in trouble. I could not possibly make all of those and share them in the week to come. So for now I skipped the Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly (doesn’t that just scream my name), Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon and Crusty Bread (they cooked it for me themselves), Cassoulet, Tenderloin Pan-Seared with Port Sauce and Balsamic Onions, and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Brownies. I will be working on those soon enough.
As I mentioned Shauna and Danny cooked for us while we were at the IFBC (International Food Blogging Conference). The meal was wonderful. The Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon with a wonderful Pasta, their Arugula and Fig Salad with Blue Cheese and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette and that amazing Crusty Bread. To top it off they also made their Peach-Blackberry Crumble. I licked my plates clean.
Reading through this book and cooking these recipes has been such a joy. Every story that is tied to a recipe makes me want to make it right then. I finally narrowed it down the list of dishes I would make based on my crazy week. I had to do most of my cooking on Sunday for the week. So I settled on Danny’s Meatloaf, Potato Puree and Veal Paprika. I hope by the end of the week to make one of the seafood dishes as I had mentioned on Menu Plan Monday.
The first two dishes I made was Danny’s Meatloaf and the Potato Puree. The meatloaf was to be made in a 9×11 loaf pan. When I went to look for mine and couldn’t find it I realized I probably gave it to my son in college. Either way, I need a new one. So I grabbed my large round crock from Longaberger and used that. I’m so glad I did and didn’t use the 4 smaller loaf pans instead. It worked great all in one container. I was happy to see that the Potato Puree was very similar to the way I usually make mashed potatoes so I had all of the right equipment and was used to the method. I would serve these together.
For some unknown reason to me my family decided they were not going to eat dinner that night but I was not going to be deterred. I followed the directions on the meatloaf, made the glaze and applied with my pastry brush. I’ve made lots of meatloafs so how could this one be very different. I finished the potatoes and I sat down to dinner.
My husband sat down with me at the table as I began to eat Danny’s meatloaf. Well have you ever seen the movie When Harry Met Sally? I was Sally, at the table eating this meatloaf. Of course my husband had to have some too. I would have married anyone who made me that meatloaf on the spot! It is by far our favorite from the cookbook and it will become a regular at our dinner table. I will warn you however, it is really difficult to stop eating it. The mouth feel and the taste are well, Sally-esk.
Tonight I finished making the Veal Paprika. The recipe said you could make it to a certain point and then finish it the next day and the flavors only got better with a little time. Well one day turned into three. Did I mention this was a crazy week. The flavors were so wonderful. The veal was extremely tender and the taste filled your mouth. The only change I made to the recipe was using a dairy free sour cream. I served my husband’s with a little rice like pictured in the cookbook and I had another side of those potatoes.
This cookbook is wonderful. It is so much more than a book of recipes. There are gorgeous photographs, guidance on cooking techniques, 100 chef-tested recipes and it is all interwoven with this amazing love story from their first date to married life together. I have to say reading it makes me think I should get my husband in the kitchen and teach him to cook.
Oh, did I mention all of the recipes are gluten free.
All I have to say is brilliant. I love it and I can’t wait to make more of these recipes. Thank you Shauna and Danny.
Lucy, Shauna, Danny and Diane
Oh, what an awesome review, Diane … uh, I mean Sally. LOL Oh, that's right, you're only Sally when you are eating a recipe from Shauna and Danny's new cookbook. 😉 I mean who doesn't want to be Sally? Everyone will be buying their book now, Diane. Way cool! And, I love that you got the photo with all of them. See … that was a photo opp I missed. Rat finks! I still love that you were savvy enough to grab some of their awesome bread and eat it on the plane. Sitting beside you (and not having been that smart) was tough, let me tell you! Great post and review, Diane! I love that you not only get a cookbook, but Shauna and Danny's story. 🙂
Shirley
I loved this review. I think that it might be enough to push me over the edge and find a copy. My only question is will it be difficult to make these recipes dairy free as well?
Stephanie- I only eat dairy free and have not had any problems. I use Earth Balance spread that is Soy Free. It's in a red container and I find tastes the most like real butter. I also use almond milk and Tofutti sour cream. No dairy or gluten for me! Grab a copy, you won't be sorry.
Shirley, sometimes I'm a little slow. Next time just ask me for some of whatever I have. Happy to share. Guess I was just in a daze on the plane. Not enough to eat that weekend.
When I asked Scott tonight if he liked the Veal Paprika or Danny's Meatloaf better he immediately said the veal was really great but nothing tops that meatloaf. 🙂
Great review, Miss Sally (even if it was a touch food-pornish). I just received my copy today, so I'll start in on it soon. Love the cover photo. Plus, the photo of the 4 of you is wonderful! You get around, don't you, Diane!
That salmon Danny made for us at IFBC was over-the-top good. Can't wait to try making it myself. And I'll take your word for it on the meatloaf. That will be on my list as well. Yes, "I'll have what she's having."
Shirley — rat finks? Rat finks? That cracked me up! Is that a southern thing? Haven't heard that one out here in the wild west. I'm still smiling.
Peace, love and homemade meatloaf (banging on the table good).
Melissa
xo
What a lovely review. I have made a few of the recipes from the book and also found them fabulous!
Thank You Diane, the comment about "When Harry met Sally" is always what I can hoped someone would think about my food….. Oh wait, she does..
Danny (The Chef)
You should post this review at Amazon!
I received my book yesterday, and read passages aloud to my daughter in law, who is so supportive of my diet, unlike most of my family. It is a love story, a food story, and who misses the gluten in these recipes?
I did post a review there but didn't want it to be about me so I didn't share the link. Maybe I should have. Have you written a review on Amazon?
We all need champions like your daughter-in-law. I'm so glad you have her. When I first found out I couldn't have gluten anymore I bought my family copies of Shauna's first book so they could read and understand more. It really helped them to read about this and not just hear it from me. Send them all a copy of these books.
Thank you for such great recipes and a wonderful story. I can't wait to cook more. You two are so great together. I can see this book being made into a movie!
What have been your favorite so far?
Gosh, food porn and I get around all in one comment. Not sure I can live up to the Miss Sally status but I'm willing to try. 🙂
Diane, you have done an awesome post! The humor in this alone would entice someone to run out and get the book. I am making the bread tonight. Still cannot get over how good it was! And poor Shirley, making her starve like that on the plane while you teased her with that amazing bread! ;D
And Shauna and Danny should be so proud to know that one of their meals actually induced a Sally moment! I am still waiting for that to happen with one of mine! hehe…
And you are getting to be quite a Picnik pro! Your pics all look beautiful. Beautiful!
xo
Kim
Thank you Kim. I'm very excited to be having leftovers of Danny's Meatloaf tonight.
Gosh I was mean. I was so hungry after hardly eating all weekend that I was probably in a zone of don't interrupt me while I inhale my food. Sometimes people have to beat me over the head.
Glad you like the pics. Still learning but I'm enjoying Picnik. I hope to play with it some more during football this weekend.
Great review, Diane!! I think my favorite part is the pic of you, Shauna, Danny, & Lu. How precious…
Yes, congrats on the Sally moment. Aren't those grand? But you are quite talented….I know – I have your book. 🙂 Hugs!!
Amy, you are too kind. Thank you.
OMGosh, can't wait until my copy arrives. That mashed potato and meatloaf dinner is what my dad has on every birthday –it's his favorite. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the book!
Elana- Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm with your dad, that is one of my favorite combos.
This is a real jewel of a cookbook. So stylish and so tasty! I got into the fresh pasta and it was terrific.