Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef: A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes

As you know, I have been a fan of Gluten-Free Girl for many years now and even got to meet her in person in 2007. In preparation for Shauna and Danny's trip to New York City this weekend, I am excited to announce her new book, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. I am even more excited to see Shauna, Danny, and meet her lovely little daughter Lucy when they are in New York City this weekend. Read on to learn more about the new book, now available on Amazon.com


Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef:
A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes
By Shauna James Ahern & Daniel Ahern
When Shauna James Ahern was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2005, rather than mourning the foods she could no longer eat, she set out to discover and delight in the best foods she could find. She chronicled her journey with a popular blog, GlutenFreeGirl.com, and a memoir by the same name soon followed. Then she met Daniel, a talented chef who had spent his career cooking at great restaurants across the country. Soon Daniel was creating spectacular dishes, stunning meals that happened to be entirely gluten-free.

GLUTEN-FREE GIRL AND THE CHEF (Wiley Hardcover; $29.95; September 28, 2010) shares the Aherns’ unexpected courtship, from their first date to married life together, through stories about food. This cookbook features gorgeous photographs, guidance on cooking techniques, and 100 chef-tested recipes intended for the home cook—with an evocative, engaging voice seamlessly linking the stories and recipes together into one narrative.

Far more than just a cookbook, GLUTEN-FREE GIRL AND THE CHEF is an inspiring love story sure to give hope to anyone who believes that gluten-free food can't be devilishly delicious and seriously satisfying. Instead of distinct chapters, the narrative is divided into two sections—“At Home” and “At the Restaurant.”—the first section the story of the Aherns’ courtship, the second a day-in-the-life of the chef. Each recipe includes variations and serving suggestions, encouraging home cooks to make the dish their own. Helpful sidebars offer expert chef advice on topics such as the importance of mise en place, and selecting the right cut of meat.

The recipes are sophisticated and inspired, and of course, entirely gluten-free. Just a few of the incredible dishes you’ll find include:

• Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Port Sauce and Balsamic Onions, the dish Danny made on the night he proposed to Shauna (the food was so good, how could she resist!)
  
• Blue Cheese Cheesecake with Fig Crust, a delicious interpretation of a dessert they discovered while dining out (and couldn’t indulge in because it wasn’t gluten-free)
  
• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly—a once-every-few-months splurge with rustic French flare
  
• The ultimate Potato Puree, a dish so simple yet so satisfying
  
• And for those times when you just need a slice of bread or a big bowl of pasta, try their recipes for Crusty Bread That Even Those Who Eat Gluten Might Like and Fresh Gluten-Free Pasta (and then make Pasta with Anchovies, Lemon and Olives)

Combining tempting recipes with an authentic love story, GLUTEN-FREE GIRL AND THE CHEF is the perfect narrative cookbook for anyone who loves food—and a must-have for those who need to eat gluten-free.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Shauna James Ahern is the author of the memoir Gluten-Free Girl, which was based on her immensely popular blog, GlutenFreeGirl.com. In May 2005, Ahern was diagnosed with celiac disease, a fate that she embraced joyfully. Immediately after going gluten-free, she started the food blog, where she shares stories, photographs, and recipes. Her website won Best Food Blog with a Theme in 2006 and receives thousands of hits a day. She is considered one of the most authoritative sources on gluten-free living on the Internet. She lives in Seattle with her husband.

Daniel Ahern is the chef-in-residence on the blog, as well as a chef at The Hardware Store on Vashon Island in Washington. He has spent twenty years cooking in great restaurants across the country.