family favorites

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.

Restaurant Review: P.S. & Company (Philadelphia, PA)

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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

While in Philadelphia, I stopped by P.S. & Co. after a recommendation from Felim (@feedmefey), specifically to try their cinnamon rolls. Since I was already in the city that morning, it felt like the perfect opportunity to see if they lived up to the hype.

They absolutely did.

P.S. & Co. is a renowned organic, vegan, and gluten-free bakery and café in Philadelphia, and the care they put into their food is immediately noticeable. The cinnamon rolls were outstanding – soft, rich, and perfectly spiced with just the right balance of sweetness. The texture was spot on and satisfying with every bite. Even without being heated at the restaurant, the flavor held beautifully, which speaks to the quality and freshness of the pastry.

Because I had a 45-minute drive back to Maryland, I chose to take them home boxed rather than warmed. Reheating them myself was simple, and they tasted just as indulgent once warmed. The cinnamon flavor came through without being overpowering, and the icing was smooth and generous without overwhelming the roll.

What made the experience even better was the personal touch. The owner, Andrea Kyan, was at the counter helping me with my order, and she was incredibly friendly and genuinely enthusiastic. Her warmth and passion for what she does made the visit feel welcoming and memorable.

These cinnamon rolls also traveled surprisingly well, something not all pastries can claim. They held their structure and flavor beautifully and made for a perfect weekend treat at home. They were a hit with my kids.

If you’re in Philadelphia and looking for a cinnamon roll that delivers on flavor, quality, and experience, especially within the organic, vegan, and gluten-free space, P.S. & Co. is absolutely worth a visit.

P.S. & Co.
1706 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

https://psandco.com/

📞 + 1.215.985.1706
✉️ info@psandco.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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