I can't explain how happy I was when I first found out about this place.

I found out about The Dirty Bird about a year and a half maybe two years ago now. At that time, it seemed like chicken and waffles was just becoming the next big craze so it was perfect timing for me to stumble upon it so that I could indulge as well! :)

My first time trying chicken and waffles was in Ottawa at this cafe called the daily grind which was entirely gluten free. After trying them once, I was OBSESSED. Unfortunately that place shut down. I was sooooo upset because it was one of the very few spots where I could eat and feel entirely safe. At the same time, I live in Toronto so either way, I needed somewhere more convenient for some Chicken and Waffles and I was determined to find it.

That's basically how I found out about The Dirty Bird. I first came across the Kensington location and later on found out about their Bathurst and Bloor location which has now become my second home. Just kidding, but I meaaaaan... might as well be. Anyway, the reason why I trust and recommend The Dirty Bird is because a) ALL of their chicken is coated with gluten free breading meaning that there is no risk of cross contamination in the fryers. What makes it even better is that the Gluten Free waffles are made separately in a separate waffle maker but ALSO in an entirely separate area all together!!! How awesome is that? :)

I don't know about anyone else, but my face lit up when I was told. To say that I was a very happy celiac is an understatement. I felt super safe knowing the procedures they took and I knew that I could trust them because they take the necessary precautions to avoid cross contamination.

For those who know me, you know that I don't like recommending places unless I myself feel safe eating there. So incase you're hesitating, rest assured it is safe and delicious. :)

Here are some pictures I took the last time I was there.
Pictured is the Dirty Bird'ger and the Dirty Fries.



I also have a vlog below of a visit earlier this year with some friends if you're interested in seeing the layout and what the food looks like, click below!



I hope this post helped you guys find a new spot to indulge with your friends without feeling left out! This place is awesome for anyyyyone.

Happy eating friends!
Love you all.
xox Léa S.

Maamoul are a Lebanese traditional dessert especially around Easter.  They are a Lebanese pastry that come in several fillings ranging from dates, pistachios, to walnuts and more. My personal favorites are the date filled ones. My mom used to always bake dozens upon dozens of batches but after I got diagnosed with celiac, it got a little harder and took me some time to figure out a recipe that I liked. This year, I finally whipped something up that I thought would be worthy of sharing with the rest of y'all and it's actually quite easy. They taste just about the same as the originals and can definitely satisfy your sweet tooth without the added sugar.

Here's the recipe:

Pastry dough:
2 cups of Gluten Free all purpose flour (I used Enjoy life's)
2 1/2 cups of Gluten Free Polenta (Corn meal)
2 1/2 cups of Coconut oil (feel free to replace this with butter)
1/2 tsp of yeast
1 Tbsp Rose water
1 Tbsp Orange blossom water to taste

Start off by combining the all purpose flour and polenta in a large bowl. Proceed by adding in the coconut oil rubbing it into the flour until it forms a gritty texture. Make sure to rub the ingredients together rather than kneading. If preparing overnight you can let it rest in a cool area. Add the yeast, rose water, and orange blossom water the next day. If not, let sit aside in a cool area or the fridge for 25-30 minutes. Afterwards, combine the yeast, rose water, and orange blossom flower and mix them into the dough. Knead the dough and let it rise for minimum 30 minutes.

Dates Filling: 
2 cups of dates
a splash of rose + orange blossom water to taste
1 tbsp coconut oil

While you wait for the dough to rise, combine the dates with rose and orange blossom, or you can also leave them on their own if you wish. I also added some coconut oil in order to form a smoother paste. You can either knead it by hand or in a mixer. I used my hands as I felt I had more control over the dates and deciding how smooth I wanted the paste.

Once the filling is ready, take the dough and form dough balls. You may then proceed by filling each ball one by one with some date filling. In terms of shape, you can just do a simple circular dough ball, use a mold, or anything you wish. I decided to shape mine the way my mom used to when we were kids. In order to do that, I took a piece of dough and rolled it out using a rolling pin. I then took some date filling and rolled it into a sausage like shape using my hands. I placed it into the dough and rolled the dough over it. I then folded the dough into a circular shape which resembles that of a donut.

And that's it! :) It's as simple as that.

Once you have your Maamoul ready, place them onto a baking sheet lining it with parchment paper or just greasing it with some oil. Bake the Maamoul for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Once the Maamoul start browning, remove them and allow to cool for at least an hour. You can also sprinkle some icing sugar once they have cooled. There you have it, gluten free Maamoul for everyone to enjoy! :)

Here is the final result:








































I hope this helps some of you in making some gluten free treats for Easter or any other events. :)
Happy eating,
xox Léa S.

Have any comments, questions, or suggestions?
Please leave them in the comments below, I would love to hear your feedback! :)

Last year, at the Gluten Free Expo here in Toronto, I came across a new brand of pizza: Oggi pizza. The fact that it was approved by the celiac disease association is what initially caught my eye. This pizza was also not a thin crust like most gluten free pizza's would be. That made me extremely ecstatic and I was so excited for it to be in stores.