Eating joyfully without gluten

DH is gluten sensitive.  It's not enough of an issue to show up on tests (so, not full blown celiac disease, lucky for him), but it does make a difference to his health when he cuts out gluten. 

For his birthday gift this year, I signed us up for something neat: a gluten free cooking demo/class at Stir.  It took place last week, and it was really yummy and fun!

10 of us sat around a table while a professional chef and assistant cooked a beautiful gluten free meal for us, and led us in discussion of issues, resources, etc.  Everyone was really nice, and the food was absolutely delicious, definitely worth having in the repertoire.  It didn't taste like 'dietary restriction food,' just like good, hearty, satisfying fare, so even gluten eaters are likely to enjoy it! 

It turns out most of the recipes are variations on ones that appear online.  Click through for delicious photos, recipes, and discussion!

* Gluten-Free Gougeres (Pão de Queijo) are little cheese puffs made with tapioca starch that really fulfilled the bread yearning.  If you need the recipe (which, fair warning, the chef said was finicky), let me know.
* Pumpkin Polenta with Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa Fresca was comforting and warm with a nice fresh brightness in the salsa
* Along with our entree protein we had Red Quinoa with Roasted Butternut Squash, Cranberries and Pecans.  If you have not had red quinoa before, it has a lovely nutty taste!  I think we'll definitely go red instead of white next time.
* Maple Frosted Pumpkin Cake.  This frosting was so good that I would happily have eaten it by the spoonful, and I generally find icings to be too sweet.  

Apparently every time they teach this class they offer a different seasonal menu, so if one wanted to splurge one could take it again and again for a new experience each time.  Yum! 

P.S.  Speaking of dietary restrictions, Tolly has now tried the duck and green pea and venison and green pea cat food, and likes them even less than he does the rabbit and green pea food (so Daffy and Bambi are safe from Mr Tolly).  He is now sampling the "hydrolyzed protein" food.  I was heartened to note when I opened the bag that it smells more like beef bouillon than like dehydrated peas.  We'll see how it goes...