Do you know Mary of Gluten-Free Spinner? (Unfortunately, this site is no longer active.) Well, please allow me to introduce her! I adopted Mary for the ever-growing, always inspiring Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger event this month. Created by the lovely Sea (Book of Yum) as a way to foster community among blogs that feature gluten-free recipes, this month’s event is hosted by Lexie of Lexie’s Kitchen (now at Flo and Grace). Lexie is truly a bright light in the gluten-free, special diet community. Her tagline is Modified Recipes for Modified Diets™, and she does a beautiful job of that!
But back to my adopted one, Mary … Mary has been blogging for almost a year now. She introduced herself to me a few months back. She contacted me out of the blue and I was so happy she did. Mary’s a warm, very genuine person. After we chatted, I took a look at her blog and was totally wowed to say the least.
Mary’s blog name, Gluten-Free Spinner, comes from the fact that she spins up one delightful recipe after another and puts her own spin on dishes, as she shares on her About page. (Okay, she didn’t pat her own back and say the part about delightful recipes, but I am!) Add to that the fact that Mary is a free-lance food stylist and photographer and you get a blog that offers not only recipes that greatly appeal, but also those incredible, “make you want to reach through the screen” photos that all food bloggers strive for.
I’ve been raving over her recipes and photos since that time, so it was clear that I needed to adopt her and actually make at least one of them. Since I’m trying (once again—sigh) to be dairy free and refined sugar free in addition to gluten free, I went for one of Mary’s recipes that fit my criteria. A savory recipe was the obvious choice and it didn’t take me long to select a dish that featured one of my all-time favorite ingredients.
If you read gfe, you might have already guessed what that might be … yep, chickpeas! Did I tell you that I put chickpeas in my smoothie the other day? I was out of greens and thought a protein boost would be nice with the coconut water and pineapple. I ended up having to add some raw cacao powder to tone down the obvious hummus vibe, but it was palatable and did fuel me for a few hours. However, I digress. (Okay, focus, Shirley.)
Clearly, chickpeas make me both happy, and easily distracted. Thankfully, Mary’s Recipe Index included a Chickpea Salad. Bingo! In addition to chickpeas, this salad featured several other favorite ingredients of mine … namely avocado, red onion, honey, cumin, olive oil, garlic powder, and lemon juice. One surprising ingredient in the salad dressing was hot sauce, but I trusted Mary and made this recipe per her directions.
I expected to like this recipe and for it to be good, but I actually loved it and rated it exceptional! This recipe will definitely be added to my regular menu rotation, especially for lunch or a dinner when Mr. GFE is away (he disdains “chickapeas” as he calls them).
Of course, never rule out breakfast either … I’m crazy for non-traditional fare for breakfast. And, while I ate this salad straight out of a bowl, I’ll also try Mary’s advice in the future and serve it over lettuce or with tortilla chips.
There were in fact, many recipes of Mary’s I wanted to try! But, I have to agree with the sentiment that Maggie (She Let Them Eat Cake) expressed the other day in her adoption post for this event, I could stop writing my blog and devote all my time to making gluten-free recipes from all the other great bloggers I know. Chocolate Financiers, Cinnamon-Crusted Banana Bread with Mini Chocolate Chips, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Lime Salsa, and Foccacia Sandwich Bread are just a few recipes of Mary’s that beckon to me.
Mary also joined in on Sea’s wonderful adoption event his month by adopting another favorite gluten-free blogger of mine, Kate at Gluten-Free Gobsmacked. Mary made Kate’s Cheesy Quinoa Crackers recipe, substituting sorghum flour for quinoa flour. My word, those are some beautiful crackers. I also adopted Kate quite some time ago; you can see my adoption here. Grain-free cheese rolls and easy pizza crust anyone?
Here are my other past adoptions in case you missed them. I haven’t had a bad adoption yet, so they are worth a look for sure.
~ Wendy (Celiacs in the House)—Sweet and Savory Crepes
~ Zoe (Z’s Cup of Tea)—Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Oven S’mores
~ Desi (The Palate Peacemaker)—Pecan Butter and Pumpkin Pecan HoHos (sort of)
~ Jenny (Creative Cooking Gluten Free)—Sweet Potato Fries
~ Iris (The Daily Dietribe)—Breakfast and Sandwich Waffles
~ Pete and Kelly (No Gluten, No Problem)—Shrimp Marinara Sauce with Homemade Pasta and Brownies
~ Melanie (Gluten Free Krums)—Avocado Artichoke Salsa
~ Ricki (Ricki Heller)—Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chia Pudding
Originally published March 5, 2011; updated January 15, 2024.
Sophie says
I also love her unique blog & I am glad that you share her lovely blog with the world!! She so deserves it!
I also love her blog for the same reasons as yours!!
Thanks for this great post! Well written too, my friend!
Shirley says
Hey there Sophie–Yes, exactly, I want to share Mary with everyone because her blog is wonderful. 🙂 Thanks for slipping in nice words about gfe, too. 😉 You always know how to make a girl feel good!
Hugs,
Shirley
cheryl says
Her blog is new to me, so thanks for the intro! that looks delicious.
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–Happy to introduce hidden treasures like Mary’s blog! This chickpea salad is fantastic. Can’t wait to have it again for lunch tomorrow. 🙂
Shirley
Maggie says
Okay, I’m intrigued! I’ll be heading over to check out her blog as soon as I’m done this comment! I think we have a new blog idea Shirley – every post could be an adoption. Seriously, we’d never run out of recipes to try, and maybe they’d make a movie about us one day (think Julie and Julia, only Maggie and Shirley). xo
Shirley says
Hey Maggie–I’m sure you’ll enjoy Mary’s great blog. I just love drooling over her photos. 🙂
Ooooh, your new blog idea is very intriguing, Maggie! Do you think we can do it while maintaining our own blogs? 😉
xo,
Shirley
Zoe says
That’s one of the beauties of this event, being introduced to new, fabulous people. 🙂 I had not heard of Mary or her blog before, so thanks for introducing her, Shirley. I love that, like me, she started her blog after being pushed to write a cookbook. That, and she’s also a freelance stylist/photographer. Amazing!
I missed this round, unfortunately, to adopt a blogger but better luck next time!
Shirley says
Hey Zoe–I just barely squeaked in myself on getting Mary’s adoption post done. 😉 It’s nice to have a monthly event … that way you always know that there’s next month to join in. 🙂 Adoption events are fun. So glad to introduce you to Mary!
xo,
Shirley
Alta says
Wow, a new-to-me gluten-free blog. I so need to check this out. And I need to catch up on your blog too, Shirley – I feel like we haven’t connected in oh-so-long. And as for “trying” to be dairy-free and refined sugar-free, I feel your pain. I have been doing the dairy-free thing well, but refined sugar is an ongoing nemesis. I give it up, rejoice in how much better I feel, and then I make something – be it for Daring Bakers, the kids, my coworkers, etc with sugar, and I taste, taste, taste….and suddenly it has me back in its grasp again. That darn sugar is evil.
Shirley says
Hi Alta–So many great gluten-free blogs, so little time. 😉 Hope you get to check out Mary’s! No worries on keeping up with me, Alta. We’ll catch up eventually. 😉
Thanks for the empathy on the dairy-free, sugar-free routine. It’s just getting in the groove and, yes, rejoicing as you say. But then, just a bite here and there and the evil sugar takes hold.
Hugs,
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
Oh, I am so excited to go and check Mary out!! All I know is that this salad looks amazing. It combines some of my favorite ingredients and I can image how yummy it would be over a salad. And Kurt would be an immediate convert for this salad. If I add hot sauce to anything, he claims it to be delicious (it is how I fix any goof ups in my kitchen-just add a bit of hot sauce and he cannot even tell, LOL).
Shirley, your adoption of Mary was wonderful! I cannot wait to go find another amazing gf resource!!!
xoxo
k
ps Owe you an email – been off the computer as much as possible this weekend, though! 😉
Shirley says
Hi Kim–You’re welcome, Kim. Thanks for your super sweet words as always! See … I told you how gorgeous Mary’s photos are and how wonderful her recipes are! I could hang out and enjoy those recipes she’s spun up for a very long time. 🙂 Too funny on Kurt and the hot sauce, but hey, it’s nice to have an ingredient that will make any recipe stellar! 😉 Hot sauce works perfectly in this salad dressing. Already I’m addicted to this version of chickpeas. The problem is stopping at one portion … the salad is just so good!
Glad you are taking time off from being online … much needed for sure. xoxo,
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
Just running back to say that Mary’s blog is beautiful! Her photos are gorgeous!! And her recipes look sinfully delicious!! Thanks again for sharing her with us, Shirley girl!! xoxox
Mary says
Oh my…..thank you, shirley! I am humbled and honored by your beautiful post. Thank you for all your help this past year and your thoughtful comments, you are one special lady.
I’m glad my chickpea salad fit into your new dairy free and sugar free challenge. I’m noticing there are many who are finding great benefits…if anyone can make it work, I have a feeling you can.
Hugs,
Mary
Shirley says
Hey Mary–It was truly my pleasure! 🙂 It’s been a delight getting to know you these last several months! I’m truly so happy that more folks will get to check out your amazing blog now.
The chickpea salad is the bomb … even though that sounds lame these days. LOL But, it meets all my criteria. The only problem is stopping with one portion, althouh eating the whole thing is not the worst thing a girl could do I suppose. 😉 Thanks so much for the encouragement on my current eating plan! I know the benefits because I’ve done it before, but it’s so nice to be reminded and given a pep talk!
Hugs,
Shirley
Linda says
Shirley, thanks for introducing us to Mary. She has a lovely blog, and that chickpea salad looks good.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–You’re so welcome. Glad you took a look and saw how lovely her blog is! The chickpea salad will even convert non-chickpea lovers I think … sooo good. 🙂
Shirley
Alisa Fleming says
Ooh, that salad looks so nice and light! I just had a bowl of broccoli for dinner as I’ve been eating out (traveling) for four days and just needed something clean and simple.
I’ll have to pop over to Mary’s blog!
Shirley says
Hey Alisa–Welcome home! 😉 I totally understand the need for basic, “clean” food after being on travel. Broccoli is such a winner and rarely enjoyed just by itself … good for you! and, yes, the salad is just lovely. Next time I’m having it over greens to make it stretch out even longer. 😉
Shirley
Ricki says
Your adoption posts are always so thorough and full of great information! I hadn’t known about Mary’s amazing blog, so thanks for the recommendation (and yes, her photos are to-die-for). 🙂 Glad you liked the salad, which sounds gret to me (a little hot sauce never hurt anyone, I say!). Can’t wait to go check out more of Mary’s blog.
Shirley says
Hi Ricki–It’s wonderful how many great gluten-free blogs there are now, isn’t it? It warms my heart and Mary’s blog does much more than that. I always come away excited about her recipes! Glad you agree on her photos. Definitely the “wow” factor there. 🙂 Haha on the hot sauce! It’s perfect in this recipe … who knew? Well, Mary did! 😉
Thanks for the kind words, dear! You’re a sweetie.
Shirley
glutenfreeforgood says
I missed this post of yours the first time around! Glad I spent some time this morning wandering around GFE and discovered Mary and this chick pea salad. The dressing has some interesting twists to it. Can’t wait to try it. You and I are on the same wavelength with chick peas, Shirley. They’re a favorite of mine, as well. Boy, Mary’s photos are incredible. Good stuff!
Melissa
Shirley says
Hey there, Melissa–I think you will absolutely love Mary’s chickpea salad. I need to make it again so I can have it for lunch … or breakfast. It’s just so good and the surprise dressing really makes it! Glad you got a chance to take a look at her blog. Mary’s photos are stunning for sure. I can while away a lot of time just looking through her recipe photos. They’re just amazing!
xo,
Shirley
Christa says
How do you adopt a blogger? Sounds like fun. 🙂