Friday, April 27, 2012

New menu: Cinco de Mayo and May Day! Calloo Callay! To deliver to Boston and environs, Tuesday May 1

Happy happy May!

This coming week, we celebrate May Day on May first. Some folks like to celebrate the coming of May with lots of fresh green to represent life, and round shapes and golden hues to represent the return of the sun. Cinco de Mayo is also coming on May fifth. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we've got plenty of Mexican-inspired dishes to excite the palate. This is such a fun menu. I am so excited to bring it to you!

Please email rathercraftymary@gmail.com to place orders. Please try to order by Sunday night for delivery on Tuesday, May 1. Please please return containers and insulated bags! It helps keep prices reasonable, and it helps keep the Earth clean too! Scroll down for allergy and special diet info. Looking forward to cooking for you soon!

 Love, Chef Mary

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SOUP

Chilled Mango-Chipotle Soup. A little spicy, but not super hot - just enough to keep it bright. Sunshine in a bowl! $8

PLATES

Sikil Pak! By popular request, the traditional Yucatecan dip made from pumpkin seeds and roasted tomatillos makes a comeback! With crunchy veggies to dip. $11

Sunshine Millet: Scrumptious millet pairs beautifully with squashes and dried apricots, and veg du jour. Topped with almonds. $11

Burritos! Handmade gluten free flour tortillas, stuffed with sweet potatoes, herbed rice, and vegan refried black beans. Served with a side of locally made Alex's Ugly Sauce. (Note: the Ugly Sauce contains honey. Read all about it here! alexsuglysauce.com) $12

 A springy, dilly new variation on my awesome Nori Rollups! These are filled with a fresh raw carrot pate, seasoned with lots of fresh dill! A nice handful of nuts and seeds add protein, and a bed of spinach keeps you strong! One of my all-time favorites. $12

BAKERY

Sweet Potato Corn Muffins! The best! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies! Wonderfully chocolatey, with an exotic flair from the cinnamon and just a pinch of cayenne. I am getting snackish just thinking about these cookies! $8

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 Please inform me before ordering if you have any allergies or sensitivities! I do not use wheat, rye, barley, or any other gluten-containing foods. I do not use peanuts, soy, dairy, egg, seafood, poultry, or any meat ingredients. Everything is vegan with the occasional addition of honey; if honey is present I will note it in the dish description.

I use fresh veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole (non-gluten) grains. I use organic and/or local when possible.

For the extra sensitive and those following special diets, here is a rundown on this week's potential allergens and special diets. Obviously, more potential allergies exist than those listed so please keep me informed about yours! Nuts and seeds are used in my kitchen, but I do make an effort to keep potential allergens separate. Please use your own judgment. I am a chef, not a doctor. You know the drill!

CHOCOLATE is only present in the chocolate cookies.

NUTS: I can leave the almonds off the millet dish, and/or sub with pepitas. Burritos, soup, and sikil pak are free of tree nuts; sikil pak does contain pepitas (pumpkin seeds.) Nori rolls will contain nuts and sunflower seeds. Muffins and cookies will contain almond milk.

CASHEWS are not present this week! It's all ALMOND.

SESAME is not present this week.

GARLIC: there is a good amount of garlic in the beans in the burritos, and a little in the sikil pak and the nori rolls. Everything else is garlic free.

ACD: Everything except bakery items should be suitable for stage 2 and beyond. The best ACD choice is the Sikil Pak. Yum!

SCD: Best choices are soup, sikil pak, and nori rolls.

RAW: Choose the soup, the nori rolls, and I can even make a special raw version of the sikil pak! Thanks so much and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Much love, Chef Mary

Monday, April 23, 2012

The cake is NOT a lie!

Every now and then, I remember that this isn't just my menu site, it's my blog! And sometimes there is something too awesome not to point out to the world. Some of you may already know and love Cake Wrecks. It's a blog that shows us just how wrong (and sometimes how right) cake decorating can go. Most of the posts are abject failures of cake decorating, created by professionals in the field. Some posts, though, show us just how amazing an art form cake decorating can be for both professionals and amateurs. Today I was browsing around that site and found the most amazing SPACE INVADERS CAKE!
And a Lego cake, being assembled by Lego people
And a wedding cake homage to Katamari Damacy!
There are plenty more amazing cakes in that post, starring Link, Mario, TMNT, Angry Birds, and more! Check it out, and then click around the site. But don't say I didn't warn you, some of the cakes are amazing in entirely different (and sometimes gruesome) ways. Check it out here

Friday, April 20, 2012

A brand new menu for delivery Tuesday, April 24!

Happy happy weekend!

Did you know that next week, on Thursday, April 26, it will be Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day? For those among you with school-age kids and students, there are plenty of activities to explore at the website http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org (Penelope and I won't be participating, as bunnies and kitchens are not the best match!)

This week, our menu livens up for spring with some vivid colors and seasonal flavors, plus some well-loved standbys to round it all out. I hope you enjoy these dishes as much as I have enjoyed envisioning them!

Please place orders by Sunday night for delivery on Tuesday, April 24. I can always try to accommodate orders that come in later, but it makes my job easier if orders are in before I begin on Monday morning. You can order by emailing rathercraftymary@gmail.com

Thank you so much, and I look forward to feeding you and your families and friends soon!

Much love,
Chef Mary

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SOUP:

By popular request! Silky smooth pureed mushroom soup! Just a touch of cashew creme makes it extra amazing (can be omitted for the cashew sensitive.) $8

PLATES:

Muhammara! This middle eastern style walnut dip is traditionally made with roasted red peppers, but I am offering an even-healthier, just as scrumptious, raw version! Kissed by fragrant cumin and a splash of lemon juice. Served with crunchy veggies to dip. $11

Herbed amaranth, with pecans and veg du jour! Elegant enough for company, simple enough for a weeknight. One of my all-time favorite dishes. $12

Light and springy, and a colorful feast for the eyes! Cucumber-melon salad with sweet vidalia onions and red quinoa! Sprinkled with almonds and served over crisp greens, of course. Yum! $12

Red Bean Chili! Medium-spicy, with plenty of veggies and beans. A nice scoop of brown rice tones it down a touch and rounds it all out. Yum! $11

BAKERY:

Apple and applesauce muffins! A favorite for kids of all ages! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen.

Chocolate hazelnut spread with a chocolate chip scone to slather it on! For the chocolate-sensitive, I can make a rich vanilla scented version instead, with a (vegan and gluten free, of course) cream scone. For those who would like to keep it all raw, I can substitute crunchy-chewy-delicious raw cacao crackers as an accompaniment! Options for nearly everyone. Please specify if you would like one of the modifications (chocolate-free or all raw) as the default will be chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate! $10

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As always, all dishes are vegan - that is, free of meat, egg, and dairy products of any kind. I do occasionally use locally sourced honey, but I specify in the dish description when I do.

I do NOT use peanuts, soy, or any ingredients derived from them. I do NOT use wheat, barley, rye, or any other gluten-containing ingredients. I do NOT use anything weird or synthetic.

I DO use real ingredients! I use non-gluten whole grains, tree nuts, seeds, and lots of fresh fruits and veggies - local and/or organic whenever possible.

Please please please let me know if you are allergic or sensitive to anything at all. Specifics for this week: Everything is or can be chocolate-free. The soup can be cashew-free on request, and the only thing that can't be done cashew-free is the scone. The baked items and cucumber melon salad are free of garlic, and the amaranth is very low in garlic (I use just a little in making the veggie broth in which I cook the grain.) The mushroom soup is likewise just a little garlicky - I make the mushroom stock with some garlic in it, but Earnest (my garlic barometer) finds it not too garlicky at all! The chili and muhammara have garlic, but not a huge amount.

Ordering is done a la carte - you may order one or three or more of everything, or just a few dishes. I deliver to Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville. Please inquire about other areas; sometimes they make sense to my route, so please ask!

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Chef Mary

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Your favorite Gluten Free, Vegan Personal Chef Brings you an Awesome New Menu for Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline Delivery Tuesday, April 17!

Happy Marathon Week!

Some of you have Monday off to enjoy watching the Marathon. Some may even be running in it! Congratulations and good luck to those who are running! And to those on the sidelines, have a great time too!

I was inspired to create some wonderful dishes to replenish our energy, after a long day of cheering and/or running. And if you haven't done your taxes yet, you'll need this extra boost of energy too! Because of the weekend and the Marathon, taxes are due on Tuesday the 17th this year.

Earth Day is coming up that weekend, too. This menu has you covered with lots of eco-friendly, delicious food for all your picnics and celebrations. On Sunday, April 22 with my other job at Cuisine en Locale, we are creating a fantastic brunch to benefit Chefs Collaborative. (N.B. The CeL kitchen is neither gluten free nor vegan, so please keep that in mind.) Check it out! http://www.cuisineenlocale.com/home/39-general/153-once-brunch-on-earth-

Please order by Sunday night for delivery on Tuesday, April 17. Thanks so much!

Love,
Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Curried Carrot Almond Soup $8

PLATES:

Pumpkin and Poppy Seed Rollups! Fresh veggies and sprouts, rolled up in nori with a wonderfully raw spread of pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, and just a touch of lemon. I made a test run for lunch today and it was scrumptious! $11

Black Bean Patties with Sweet Potato Fries and Homemade Spicy Ketchup. Served on Rice "Buns." $12

Mac and Cheezy Sauce! Topped with homemade GF bread crumbs, with veg du jour on the side. $12

Local Potatoes Stuffed with Butternut Squash, with cultured cashew creme to dip. Welcome back to Boston, Jenny!!! $10

BAKERY:

This is officially now my most-requested recipe. Irish Soda Bread! $8 for a nice personal sized loaf

Granola Balls! So yummy - kind of breakfasty, kind of snacky, all delicious. My classic original flavor, made with certified gluten free oats, raisins, cranberries, toasted
almonds and sunflower seeds. $8

Banana Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Muffins. Everyone's favorite! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen (For the chocolate-sensitive, I can absolutely do a small batch without chocolate chips for you. Just ask!)

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As always, the vast majority of my ingredients are organic and/or local. I use vegan ingredients, free of soy, peanut, wheat, and gluten. I DO use nuts and seeds. Please let me know if you have any food allergies or sensitivities!

It helps me and the Earth if you return containers and ice packs after you are finished with them.

Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love,
Mary

Thursday, April 5, 2012

A beautiful new menu, from your favorite Boston-area personal chef! For delivery Tuesday, 4/10

Happy Thursday, everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying your beautiful dishes this week, whether on their own or as part of a holiday feast!

There are plenty more holidays coming our way! In addition to tomorrow being the first night of Passover and Good Friday, it's also National Walk to Work Day! And Saturday is the World Health Organization's World Health Day. In honor of these healthy holidays, as well as the more traditional holidays that continue into the new week, we have some wonderful springy dishes, featuring lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and designed to give you all kinds of great, green energy! (Basically, it's an excuse to make all my favorite foods at once!)

Enjoy the menu, and I hope to see you very soon! Please place orders by Sunday night for delivery on Tuesday, April 10.

I can deliver throughout Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline. Sometimes I venture a little way outside of those boundaries, so it never hurts to ask!

Thank you so much!

Much love,
Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Herbed Cauliflower and Potato Soup $8

PLATES:

Raw Sprouted Sunflower Seed Hummus! I adore this protein-rich, flavorful dip. Served with crunchy veggies, of course! $10

Latke Trio: Traditional Potato, Beet and Herb, and Carrot Ginger Latkes with a trio of dips to accompany them: curried cashew creme, tzatziki, and stewed apples! $12

Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Raisins, served with amaranth and veg du jour. $11

Cassoulet! A modern, vegan take on the French country classic: white beans are simmered ever so gently with aromatic veggies and herbs, then baked with a crunchy topping of homemade, gluten free herbed bread crumbs. Irresistible! $12

BAKERY:

Morning Glory Muffins! Carrots, Fruits, Nuts, Spices, these muffins have it all! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Chocomole! I have a confession to make: This just might be my very favorite food in the whole world. Raw vegan chocolate mousse, made from avocado, raw cacao, dates, and vanilla. Topped with a dollop of agave vanilla cashew creme. $10

Purple Sticky Rice with Sweet Coconut Milk and Fresh Mango! Those sweet yellow mangoes are finally back in season and I can't think of a better way to showcase them! $8

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As always, the vast majority of my ingredients are organic and/or local. I use fresh ingredients, free of meat, egg, dairy, soy, peanut, wheat, and gluten. I DO use nuts and seeds. Please let me know if you have any food allergies or sensitivities!

It helps me and the Earth if you return containers and ice packs after you are finished with them.

Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love,
Mary