Foodie...

A sweet friend and her little man came over for brunch and a playdate today. Hadn't seen her since December. When she asked if we were going to try for another baby soon and I had to bluff my way around the question. What with me standing there all miracle pregnant and stuff.

Sigh.

She understands.

She also understands cooking.

Frequently, I am caught drooling over a dinner she's made and posted for all of us to envy. With the occasional exception, I gave up experimenting with cooking about eight years ago.

Right. Amazing how that matches square up with the job I just left.

Again.

Celiac's helped push me back towards the kitchen. Although for the most part, I simply looked for ways to convert our usual meals into g-free usual meals. But lately, thanks to Pinterest and my general repulsive boredom with our "usuals", I've been exploring more.

My SIL, Meredith, gave me a Cooking Light Gluten-Free cookbook for Christmas. For the most part, g-free recipes have 148 ingredients. Give or take 62. Not so with this cookbook. Simple, easy to follow and uses g-free baking mixes to make life easier.

I am all about easier.

So that brings me back to brunch today. Take a friend I haven't seen in far too long, add in said friend's love of food, a cup of new cookbook and a dash of totally bored, you get...

Cilantro-Pear Turkey Breakfast Sausage

1 pound ground turkey breast (on sale at Tom Thumb, buy one get one)

3/4 cup diced unpeeled pear

3/4 finely chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon canola oil, divided (I used olive oil because that's all I use)

Combine first 10 ingredients in a medium bowl. Shape into 8 (1/2 inch thick) patties. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 patties; cook 4 minutes. Turn patties over, and cook 3 minutes or until done. Remove patties from pan; drain on paper towels. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and remaining patties.

I typed the instructions exactly as Cooking Light wrote them.

However, I could have just said throw it all in a pan, mix good, make patties, fry. And left it at that.

These were so yummy. A little spicy. I will tone down the allspice next time. But that's the only change.

Also made some Strawberry Muffins and fruit. Although God made the fruit. I just sliced it. The muffins were really good. For g-free.

One day, maybe, I'll have totally forgotten what gluten-filled baked goods tasted like.

But not today.

Of course, the company was the best part of the day. Aubrey Kate has been asking for her little man all afternoon. So precious.

Thank you for a wonderful day and for being a fabulous Guinea pig!