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Adoption: Wendy of Celiacs in the House (Gluten-Free Crepes—Savory and Sweet)

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Another one of my favorite bloggers is Wendy of Celiacs in the House (sadly, this blog is on longer active, therefore, this link and all the others to her former blog site in this post have been deactivated). I’m pretty sure that we met via Linda’s (Gluten-Free Homemaker) weekly gluten-free roundup. (I’m betting that’s true for many of us—a big shout out and thanks to Linda for hosting this event, now called Gluten-Free Wednesdays.) From the start, I liked Wendy’s straightforward posts, her commitment to feeding her family real food with some occasional gluten-free specialty items thrown in, her informational posts on celiac and living gluten free, her ability to convey a lot in a brief manner (I always admire that, since I often lack that skill!), and, finally, her warm, sweet nature. So, I’m adopting her this month for the Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger event, originated by the lovely Sea of Book of Yum.

Several months ago, Wendy actually pondered giving up blogging … for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was being busy hosting a gluten-free foreign exchange student. Feeding a house full of gluten-free teenagers and supporting their various sporting activities definitely can keep a person too busy to blog. But, thankfully for all of us, she decided to continue blogging. The exchange student eventually returned home, summer break came, and we’ve been reading more of Wendy’s posts than ever with her terrific 30 Days to 50 series. In this series, she shared her own reflections on moving towards age 50 and wanting to be in optimum health. She also brought together some of the best blogger voices on health, fitness, and nutrition. Some of my favorite posts shared in the series are this one called Let’s Get Personal and this one on Wendy’s family history, but every single post in the series is worth a read.

We’ve also gotten to see Wendy more on Twitter, too. She gave up tweeting for a while and then came back and reinvented herself there with a new Twitter handle—midlife_celiac. I love the idea of reinventing one’s self and starting fresh! From her tweets, I found out that she’s also attending the International Food Blogger Conference. She’s one of several of us gluten-free bloggers who will be flying into Seattle at the end of this month for what promises to be an amazing conference and meet-up. Similar to what many other adoptive parents experience before adopting, I’ve seen photos of Wendy, read about her, read her writing (as an “older child”), corresponded with her via sometimes rapid-fire email exchanges and tweets/Twitter direct messages, and after flying across country, I’ll get to meet her in person and greet her with a hug. I can’t wait!

Until then, I’ve selected a recipe from Wendy’s blog to try out. To get maximize value/cooking mileage, I chose one that is really two recipes in one:  Wendy’s crepes, which she adapted from Carol Fenster’s cookbook, 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes.

For dinner this evening, we enjoyed the savory crepes. I followed Wendy’s lead and filled ours with a creamy chicken mixture. I used what we had on hand, which ended up being roasted chicken, bacon, mushrooms, zucchini, coconut milk, plus some mayonnaise (to add more creaminess and flavor), sea salt, pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. I made my roux using butter and sweet rice flour as Wendy directed. I filled my crepe and then added some grated cheddar cheese for Mr. GFE’s crepes. I adapted the recipe for the crepes even more because I don’t usually eat sorghum flour or potato starch. Therefore, I used a combination of my gluten-free flour mix, millet flour, and some almond flour, plus the other ingredients as specified. The results were great. In fact, we both absolutely loved the crepes.

The last time we enjoyed crepes was in a very tony restaurant in Georgetown (part of Washington, D.C.) many, many years ago. That was a day spent with old friends visiting the National Zoo before strolling through Georgetown and running into Jack Albertson in the French Market there. (Albertson was perhaps best known for his movie roles in The Poseidon Adventure and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and later  in the television show, Chico and The Man). Fond memories for sure.

I definitely need more practice as far as making thin crepes and rolling them after cooking. As you can see from the photos, some of my crepes have more of an omelet fold. That didn’t affect the taste one bit though.

Wendy filled her dessert crepes with jam, which would be a simple and lovely dessert. However, I looked at what I had on hand and decided to use a ripe banana, sliced thin; slivered almonds; very dark chocolate chunks; and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Because I had cooked the entire batch of crepes at once, after dinner I placed my room temperature crepes back in my 8-inch skillet (one at a time) on medium, placing the filling ingredients in the center, and then covering the skillet for a few minutes. Then I folded the crepe for further melting. Oh, my, this combination makes for another wonderfully simple, yet upscale, and divine dessert crepe.

Enjoy!

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Comments

  1. Zoe just posted about crepes the other day too, and i commented to her that my mom makes the best crepes and has a crepe pan that I have been dying to try out!
    I will definitely be making some with her (and getting some lessons) on my next visit to San Fran! Shirley, both the savory and sweet versions of this look amazing! You definitely did Wendy’s recipe justice! I would even eat some gooey ooey chocolate instead of hard chunks in honor of the sweet version of that you whipped up! hehehe

    Reply

    • Hey Kim–Zoe’s crepes were stunning, weren’t they? I read and commented on her post, but wasn’t thinking of them when I chose this recipe of Wendy’s. They might have been lurking in my subconscious though. 😉

      They are really quite easy to make. You don’t need a crepe pan, but I’m sure it will fun to use one and get a lesson from your mom. 🙂 I made more savory crepes tonight and we used the remaining filling. We still have flour mix for another batch of crepes though, which is pretty cool. Mr. GFE called them ambrosia tonight … ha ha. Not the right adjective, but it definitely shows his appreciation of the recipe. 😉

      LOL on the gooey ooey chocolate vs hard chunks. Letting your boys come up with the filling for the dessert ones might be fun. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  2. Shirley, you are the sweetest. What a generous, thoughtful adoption post. I think I’m blushing, but it could be a hot flash. You are the ultimate Gluten-Free Good Fairy sprinkling encouragement, support, and kindness all over the Internet. Every blog I visit, I find one of your gems in the comments, giving every GF blogger a little love and advice and pats on the back. You’ve taken your role of local support group leader to being the support group leader to the online Gluten-Free community and praise from you is all the more rewarding. The crepes look fabulous and using what you have on hand is what filling crepes is all about. You will be getting a hug in Seattle.
    Wendy

    Reply

    • Hi Wendy–I’m so glad you appreciated the post. It was my pleasure to adopt you and share a little of what I know about you and your blog! LOL on the blush/hot flash … somtimes there’s not much difference. 😉

      Wow, on the Gluten-Free Good Fairy compliment! I’m truly humbled by your generous words, Wendy.

      The crepes are truly wonderful … I think they’ll be a “go to” recipe from this point forward. 🙂 So looking forward to meeting you soon … very soon!

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Alisa–I made the crepes completely dairy free tonight and they were delighful, and so easy like you say. Really a fabulous recipe! 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hey there Kelly–Thanks! These are very delicious. 🙂 So nice to see you dear before you head off on your long and wonderful road trip to the Adirondacks! I’m jealous! 😉 But, as I shared in my comment on your chia granola post, we don’t have any plans to head that way this summer. Rats! We’ll eventually meet up though … I’m sure of it! Have a wonderful time there!

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

  5. I love Wendy’s “Gluten-Free Good Fairy” comment about you. She is so right. You do flit around the internet sprinkling GF fairy dust in everyone’s comment section. While your crepes look delicious, I’m not sure I want to try crepes without a fancy crepe pan and some lessons. Kim, can I tag along with you?

    Even if I never give this recipe a shot, I sure enjoyed the post (and comments). Wish I could just ask you to pass me one of those sweet crepes of yours and not bother with trying to figure out how to make them. =)

    Melissa
    xo

    Reply

    • Hi Melissa–Now you girls have me thinking of myself in a pink tutu with a golden wand. 😉 Seriously, thanks so much for the sweet words! I do try to offer support as much as possible, so it’s nice to know that’s recognized—thanks again!

      Now, dear, making these crepes is really so easy. In an 8-inch skillet. No special pan needed. After all, a crepe is not much different from a pancake … and you know how you love pancakes, right? 😉 Make some crepes! The savory ones are another way to use up your CSA abundance. 🙂 Now I’d certainly pass you a sweet one if I could, but I’d love to see what filling you’d come up with. More beet love, perhaps?

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Heidi–Thank YOU!! 🙂 They are pretty darned fab, if I say so myself. So glad I found them on Wendy’s blog!

      I always start using my vanilla before it’s actually “done.” It will be better if you wait, and even better as time goes on, but if the need is there, you can use it.

      Love and hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply

  7. Yummy! Crepes. I miss crepes. Now, I don’t have to. I can’t decide which look better, the sweet or savory. I just started reading Wendy’s blog a few weeks ago. But, I can’t wait to go through her past posts and check out some recipes.

    I finished the round-up. If you want to check it out, you can go here: http://wp.me/pS1ug-d3.

    xoxo,
    Tia 😛

    Reply

    • Hi Tia–Nope, you don’t have to wait. Making these will make you and the Big Man feel super special … pampered even. 😉 And, your little guy will just think he’s getting to eat pancakes for dinner. Yum!

      So glad you are reading Wendy’s blog now! And, bravo on your roundup of the adoption—terrific job on laying the recipes out, and an enjoyable read, too. 🙂

      Hugssss,
      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hey Heather–Thanks! 🙂 You are so dligent about your weekly menu plan, just add one new recipe per week to it. That wouldn’t be too hard, would it? 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

  9. Wow, those crepes look great. I have not kept up with gf events lately. I’m glad you adopted Wendy. She was one of the first Gluten-Free Wednesday participants.

    Reply

    • Hey Linda–Thanks! It’s a great recipe, and flexible as you can see from the fact that Wendy modified it and then I did, too—both with great success, I might add. 🙂 One batch of the flour mix goes a long way, too. How cool to know that Wendy was one of the first to join in on your Wednesday roundup!

      Shirley

      Reply

  10. Oooo, I need more savory crepes in my life! Recently I made crepes and got 7 out of the recipe…the next time…12, the latest time? 17! I think I’m getting better, lol. Slowly, but surely. These are great crepe filling ideas, too. We also like cannelloni, using crepes, filling with cheese and/or vegetable filling, topping with tomato sauce, and baking…kind of like Italian enchiladas?

    Would it be alright to use one of these photos on my new site, GlutenFreeFeed.com? It is a photo collage of gluten-free food 🙂 Thanks, Shirley!

    Reply

    • Hi Jenn–Yes, savory crepes make life a little nicer, don’t they? Wow, 17! You are doing great with your crepes! And, your fillings sound lovely 🙂 I think I got 8 from my first batch and about the same from the second. I think Mr. GFE likes them thicker though.

      I didn’t know about your new site! Must check out immediately … sounds terrific! I’ll send you an email.

      Shirley

      Reply

  11. Hi Shirley, I have so much to say, after reading this post and I am sure, I will forget most of it but I am giving it a try.

    The first has nothing to do with this but I made a mistake and I have meant to get back to you and straighten it out. My soy sauce is not salt free. A way back when, I used a salt free soy sauce but then gluten became an issue and I switched, thinking it was also salt free.

    Did you know that Tia’s blog was my Gluten-free blog of the week. I was so happy to meet her. she is one of the nicest foodies, I have come across.

    Whatever else, I wanted to say is gone. I am not sure if I should check the round-up at Tia’s or visit Wendy first.

    Although, I know you always have nice words for people, I know you are also truthful so I know that Wendy has a super blog and is a super person and I am off to visit her.

    I just cooked a poor man’s beefsteak eggplant with broiled tomatoes so I should not be hungry but I am ashamed to admit, after seeing those crepes, both sweet and savory, I am tempted to go back to the kitchen and make at least, one of them. I have to remember that I am watching my calories and that would be a big, “no, no”.

    I want to agree with you about Linda. Kudos to Linda who gives our Wednesdays, extra meaning.

    A;sp

    I might make a good breakfast tomorrow.

    Reply

    • Hey Chaya–Do what I do … make notes before commenting. 😉

      Tia is a true delight … so glad you freatured her in your new series. Hope you checked out both her roundup and Wendy’s site. 🙂

      I sure like your eggplant and tomato dish. Now if you can go back in the kitchen and make a single crepe, that would be the ultimate self discipline!

      Linda’s Wednesday carnival is terrific … she keeps us creative!

      Hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Alta–The crepes are great and that one recipes makes enough for three or four different batches … pretty amazing. I recommend starting out by reading Wendy’s 30 Days to 50 Series … the posts written by her. That will give you a good introduction to Wendy and her blog. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

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