How To Deal With Meals Within A New Dating Situation

[bigapplekathleen]

Hi Everyone,

I have been gluten-free now for over 4 years and am doing GREAT. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful I feel !!!! (Will even be doing a triathlon very soon and my career is going exceptionally well.) I just started dating a really great guy, who seems to really understand the whole gluten thing, and has been supportive and helpful. However, he hasn't cooked for me yet (!) and is doing so tomorrow night. We kind of talked through foods over the phone tonight, but the bigger problem is that he is a vegetarian (who eats fish but no other meats) and I am a total carnivore (!). So, are there any of you out there who have any thoughts or advice about meals that are veggie and gluten-free? I feel a little nervous about letting someone else cook for me, so want to make sure I have a little bit of control over the situation. (This comes after visiting parents for 2 weeks in August in the midwest, and having to deal with severe stomach issues every day of the whole trip, despite eating strict gluten-free...) I am always OK in my own kitchen, and can even eat at the homes of my closest friends (who seem to 'get it'). I really like this guy and don't want to put undue pressure on him, but also need to be careful of my own health and safety when eating in someone else's place. What is the most gracious way of dealing with this? And do any of you have any fabulous vegetarian gluten-free recipes?

Thanks so much!

Kat

[Miriam3]

What about rice pasta and marina-type sauce? That's what I serve people when I don't want to call attention too much to the gluten-free thing. No gluten-eater I have tested Tinkyada rice pasta on has ever disliked it. They all say it tastes just like the normal stuff! You could offer to cook and bring it along so he doesn't have to go searching for it. He can take care of sauce and maybe a nice salad. If he cooks fish, you can go that way too.

If you don't have problems with milk, parmesan cheese or some nice cheese on the salad won't be a problem either. Hope your date is wonderful!

[Darn210]

How about a nice veggie stir-fry? If he's up for it - add in some shrimp. You could offer to bring the seasoning/soy sauce so that he doesn't have to research and hunt down gluten-free versions. Then he's left with getting the veggies and rice and hopefully, a nice bottle of wine.

Good Luck

[aikiducky]

Another kind of approach - how about shopping & cooking together? That way you could explain things as you go, and also feel confident that there isn't any accidental cc. Dunno if that would be practical?

Pauliina

[hathor]

Well, what are you hungry for

I am a vegetarian (a real one, not one who eats fish ). What I usually make for guests is vegetarian paella. Folks always seem to like it. He could make a regular seafood one too.

I have a very simple baked risotto recipe to which whatever veggies you want can be added at the end. (Heck, you could add shrimp or whatever, too.) Let me know if you want it. I posted it on another forum.

Really simple also is a Thai veggie stirfry. Add a can of coconut milk and add either red or green Thai chili paste, or a little PB and some red pepper flakes. Thicken if necessary (probably will be with the chili paste versions) by dissolving some arrowroot in water and stirring it in. Then put the mixture over rice, pasta, or 100% buckwheat soba noodles.

Of course, simple Italian pasta is very doable. There are plenty of vegetarian recipes for that.

Every recipe I've tried from this site has been great. Not all are gluten-free but a number are:

Open Original Shared Link

I'm making the polenta casserole tonight I think.

[kbtoyssni]

I was going to suggest Thai stirfry, too. Tacos are great, too. I use a black bean salsa in place of the meat. Soups or chili is usually gluten-free. Or Fondue using the french bread recipe in "The Gluten Free Gourmet". I'm making a fondue meal for a bunch of people this weekend. Although, things with bread probably aren't the best because of all the "special" ingredients. Eggplant pizza (use eggplant slices instead of crust).

[Worriedwife]

For those of us who are vegeatarian but still eat fish, the term is pesca-vegetarian.

[melmak5]

I developed this recipe with a friend. You can use a can of black eyed peas in stead of fish and make it vegan.

Tilapia Coconut Curry

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons mustard seeds

2 tablespoons cumin seeds

1 tablespoon powdered coriander

1 medium onion, diced

1 medium sweet potato, diced

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon powdered ginger

2 teaspoons tumeric

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (option)

1/2 pound green beans, cleaned & halved

1 red pepper, large dice

14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, with juice

14 oz can coconut milk

1 pound trout

4 cups cooked rice

1. In a heavy, wide, large pot toast mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander, in oil for one minute or until mustard seeds begin popping. Add the onions and fry for five minutes.

2. Add the sweet potatoes and mushrooms and continue to cook over medium heat for eight minutes.

3. Add garlic, cinnamon, ginger, tumeric, salt, and red pepper flakes and fry for one minute until it releases its smell, but does not burn.

4. Add green beans, red pepper, tomatoes, and coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering on medium low heat for ten minutes. Add the fish, making sure pieces are submerged in the sauce. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.

5. Serve over rice.

Makes four servings.

[bigapplekathleen]

THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS FORUM!

Thanks for all the awesome recipes and ideas

I really have no issues with the whole gluten-free thing, since it's been over 4 years now...but introducing it to a 'date' is daunting! We ended up cooking together last night in his kitchen. My tummy got a 'little' upset a few hours later, but nothing a little charcoal couldn't take care of. I explained things as we cooked...and he seems exceptionally supportive about the gluten-free diet ! (he is a vegetarian because he gets really sick if he eats beef or poultry, so he gets it from that perspective, too.)

Kat

[Panopticism]

Well, what are you hungry for

I am a vegetarian (a real one, not one who eats fish ).

A "vegetarian" who consumes fish is called a pescetarian.

[VioletBlue]

I have done a Spanish Rice with shrimp as the only "meat". Or the old easy stand by, green salad with large prawns on top. Grilled prawns on top a bed of buttered herbed rice. Okay, I love shrimp, can you tell.

I also love making sushi. Hey, you could get yourself a how too book and learn how to make sushi together!

Violet