comfort food

Beef Wellington, 2,700 Miles Apart

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Christmas was already in motion when the universe decided to have a little fun with me.

I was in my kitchen making Beef Wellington when I called my brother to wish him a Merry Christmas. Mid-conversation, he casually mentioned that he was also making Beef Wellington for himself and our dad. We were 2,700 miles apart, yet somehow preparing the exact same meal at the exact same time. I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt like one of those quiet, unmistakable reminders that distance doesn’t really matter when hearts – and minds – are still connected.

This year’s Beef Wellington felt especially meaningful, not just because of that moment, but because it represented persistence, patience, and finally getting it right.

The Gluten-Free Redemption

I followed the Food Network recipe for Individual Beef Wellingtons as my guide. While I didn’t follow it exactly, it was the foundation I mimicked and adapted to fit my needs, especially gluten-free ones.

In the past, gluten-free puff pastry had been my downfall. The last time I tried making Beef Wellington with a gluten-free option, the pastry tasted terrible and honestly ruined the dish. It was dense, off-flavored, and disappointing after so much effort. I went into this attempt cautiously, hopeful but guarded.

This time, I used DUFOUR gluten-free puff pastry, and it was absolute perfection. Flaky, buttery, and everything puff pastry should be. It completely redeemed the dish and erased every bad memory of failed gluten-free attempts. I was beyond happy with the outcome, and even better, the kids loved the entire Christmas feast. Watching them enjoy it made all the effort worth it.

The Great Pâté Hunt

Then there was the pâté...

I never imagined that finding liver pâté would be the hardest part of my Christmas menu. I searched high and low – multiple grocery stores, multiple days – wasting far more time than I care to admit. It felt absurd that such a classic ingredient was so hard to track down.

Finally, I reached out to my cousin and his fiancée for suggestions. Without hesitation, Jen said, “Janssen’s Market in Greenville, DE.”

At that point, pâté was the very last thing on my list. I got in the car and drove 30 minutes, hoping they truly had what I needed because I didn’t have the energy for another dead end.

They had it!

The liver pâté from Janssen’s Market was exactly what I had been searching for, and it tied the entire dish together. Rich, smooth, and balanced, it elevated the Beef Wellington and brought everything into harmony. Janssen’s didn’t just finish my shopping list; they saved my sanity and my Christmas dinner.

Worth Every Mile

That Christmas meal ended up being more than just food. It was a connection across distance, a redemption story for gluten-free cooking, and a reminder that sometimes the last ingredient, the hardest one to find, is what makes everything complete.

Pure magic on a plate, worth every mile driven, and a Christmas dinner I won’t forget anytime soon.

Review: SouthHouse (Philadelphia, PA)

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A Gluten-Free Friendly Stop in South Philly

⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

After picking my daughter up from the airport, we made a much-needed dinner stop at SouthHouse in Philadelphia, and I’m really glad we did.

SouthHouse describes itself as a neighborhood dive-style sports bar, and that vibe comes through right away: casual, welcoming, and perfect for comfort food after a long day. What stood out to me most, though, was how thoughtfully they accommodate gluten-free diners.

Gluten-Free Options That Matter

We ordered cheesesteaks and burgers, and I truly appreciated that SouthHouse offers:

  • Gluten-free buns for their smashburgers
  • Gluten-free hoagie rolls for cheesesteaks
  • A dedicated fryer, which is huge if you’re gluten-free

Knowing that cross-contamination was taken seriously made the experience much more relaxed and enjoyable.

The Real Standout: Fries & Tater Tots

While the sandwiches were solid and filling, the real stars of the night were the fries and tater tots. Perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and fried in that dedicated fryer – they absolutely delivered. Portions were generous, too; we all ended up taking leftovers home.

If I’m being completely honest, I’d go back just for their app menu. Those fries and tots alone are worth the visit.

Service & Food Notes

Although the restaurant was not very crowded, the service was slow. We did take some time deciding what to order since we had so many gluten-free choices available – something that doesn’t happen often, but even factoring that in, the wait felt longer than expected.

The cheesesteak was a bit dry and definitely needed more Cheese Whiz. In hindsight, I should have asked for extra Whiz, as the portion provided wasn’t quite enough to balance the meat and roll.

Final Thoughts

SouthHouse earns 3 stars from me. While the sandwiches didn’t fully stand out and the service lagged, the gluten-free options, dedicated fryer, and standout fries and tater tots make this a place I’d still return to, especially for appetizers. For anyone eating gluten-free in South Philly, it remains a solid option, just not a must-visit.

SouthHouse
2535 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
📞 267-314-5937
📧 southhousephilly@gmail.com

🔗 Learn more: https://southhousephilly.com/

Gluten-Free Blueberry Sourdough Pancakes

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A Cozy Rainy Morning Treat…

It’s raining here in Maryland today, which means one thing — it’s a pancake kind of morning. There’s something about the sound of steady rain and the smell of sourdough pancakes sizzling on the griddle that makes everything feel calm and cozy.

I based my recipe off Tastes of Lizzy T’s sourdough pancake recipe, but since I use gluten-free flour, I tweaked it a bit. Gluten-free flours tend to soak up more liquid, so I adjusted the recipe to keep the pancakes soft and fluffy instead of dry. And because I had a handful of fresh blueberries on hand, I tossed in a half cup, just enough to add little bursts of sweetness in every bite.

The result was absolute breakfast perfection; pancakes with a tang like buttermilk but with a deeper, earthy flavor from the sourdough. I used two cups of sourdough discard from my fridge, and the batter rose beautifully. The teenagers loved them, which automatically makes this a win for our rainy weekend morning.

As the rain keeps tapping against the windows, I’m already thinking about making another batch tomorrow. These pancakes were light, tangy, and full of flavor, and the kind of breakfast that makes a gray day feel golden.

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🥖 My Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread (Short-Proof Version)

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After successfully bringing my gluten-free sourdough starter to life, I was beyond excited to finally bake a loaf of bread that actually worked — soft inside, golden crust outside, and completely gluten-free.

I based my recipe on Joanna Overly’s Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread but made a few changes to fit my ingredients and schedule. I used Namaste Foods Gluten Free Organic Perfect Flour Blend, filtered water, Celtic sea salt, and olive oil. And instead of an overnight proof, I proofed mine for just two hours — and it turned out beautifully!

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Homemade Lasagna

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Last night I pulled the heaviest pan of lasagna out of the oven, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it had to weigh at least five pounds. This isn’t just a dinner, it’s a full-on event — the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell amazing and leaves plenty for the next day. My cousin is the one who hooked me on ZENB pasta, and I instantly fell in love with their Yellow Pea Lasagna Sheets. They bake beautifully, hold up to all the layers, and my kids absolutely love them. Best of all, they’re oven-ready, which means no boiling required. Sadly, ZENB has decided to stop all sales to the United States. Their website says products are still available in some retail stores while supplies last, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re gone. Luckily, I can still find the lasagna sheets at Ocean State Job Lot here in town, though who knows for how long. Even if you can’t get your hands on them, don’t worry — just use any lasagna noodles you have on hand. If you’re using regular noodles, you’ll want to start by cooking them in salted water until they’re just tender, then toss them with a little olive oil so they don’t stick.

The best part about making lasagna is that it’s two dinners in one. I always refrigerate the leftovers overnight, then the next day I cut the lasagna in half. One half goes back in the fridge for quick lunches or second helpings, and the other half I wrap up and freeze for another night. It’s like having a homemade meal ready to go on a busy evening — and that makes all the effort of layering and baking feel even more worth it.

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Homemade Gluten-Free Pasta on My Diverticulitis Journey

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Living with diverticulitis this past week has definitely made me rethink the foods I eat. I’ve had to cut out a lot of things I used to enjoy, and at first it felt like all the good stuff was gone, especially pasta. I’m gluten intolerant and also need to stay away from corn now, which makes finding store bought pasta that actually works for me pretty difficult.

The other day, I decided to try making my own noodles at home. I used a simple mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and a little psyllium husk for binding. The dough came together quickly, but I had to play with the water a bit until it felt right. In the end, it took about ½ cup of water to get the texture I wanted.

I rolled the dough out by hand, cut it into strips, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But when I cooked the noodles and served them up with sauce, my kids and I were surprised — we actually loved them. The texture was light, and they held together so much better than I expected.

For me, this was more than just about pasta. It was a reminder that even with diverticulitis and food allergies, I don’t have to give up comfort foods completely. Sometimes it just takes a little creativity and a willingness to try something new.

And I’ll say this — there’s something really satisfying about sitting down to a bowl of pasta you made yourself, especially when it’s something your whole family can enjoy together.

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