Take a look at some of Roundz Gourmet Market’s daily gluten-free dishes in the photo gallery. Polenta, a corn product, is great. In its most basic form it contains only cornmeal and water. If you are looking at corn chips or other corn-based foods at the grocery story, make sure you read the labels carefully because sometimes they contain gluten additives or are tainted with gluten-containing foods during processing.   Because Roundz creates dishes from fresh ingredients, there are a variety of gluten-free options. For example, this week we’ve offered Sautéed Baby Zuchini with Pearl Onions, …

Overcast skies did not dampen the spirits of approximately 40 area residents and community officials gathered in a Gambrills parking lot Thursday for the grand opening of Roundz Gourmet Market, owned by Crofton resident chef Zachary Pope. The new business is located at 2299 Johns Hopkins Rd., at the end of the Hopkins Place shopping center. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Anne Arundel County Councilman Jerry Walker (7th District) presented Pope with a proclamation signed by all seven council members offering congratulations and appreciation for his “commitment to better serve the citizens of …

As a chef and a dad, I’m always looking for opportunities to teach my sons about healthy eating choices and food preparation.   I plan meals for them and make new dishes that I want to introduce.  As school starts, lunch time provides an opportunity for them to put into practice what I’ve been teaching at home.  Dad isn't standing at the lunch counter, so the choices are up to them.   School lunches have been the brunt of jokes for as long as kids have been lining up with plastic trays.  Maryland has made great strides in promoting healthy eating with the Farm to School program which helps …

As a chef and a dad, I’m always looking for opportunities to teach my sons about healthy eating choices and food preparation.   I plan meals for them and make new dishes that I want to introduce.  As school starts, lunch time provides an opportunity for them to put into practice what I’ve been teaching at home.  Dad isn't standing at the lunch counter, so the choices are up to them.   School lunches have been the brunt of jokes for as long as kids have been lining up with plastic trays.  Maryland has made great strides in promoting healthy eating with the Farm to School program which helps …

Summer time and grilling go together, but when the late season heat is on and you’ve flipped countless burgers it’s easy to lose your grilling mojo.  Reinvigorate your passion for propane or briquettes by returning to the grand grilling tradition: Steak.  For this recipe, I chose a New York Strip and a Flank Steak.   New York Strip comes from the short loin section of the cow, an area that does little work so it is particularly tender.  Flank steak is a lean, long and flat cut of beef from the cow’s abdominal muscles.  Because this is a well-exercised part of the cow, flank is a tougher cut …

Backyard barbecues are an American tradition, right up there with July 4th fireworks and parades.  An industry poll shows that Independence Day is the most popular outdoor cooking holiday.  With eight out of ten US households owning a grill, that’s a lot of charcoal and propane.  For most folks, hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs and chicken top the list of favorite barbecue foods. But outdoor cooking is not just for the main course.  Since most of us will spend time at the grill this weekend, why not try something different?   Expand your barbecue horizons.  In addition to burgers and dogs, explore …

Warm weather, cool drinks and good food is a recipe for the perfect summer party.  When it comes to menu planning for a casual summer gathering, you want a maximum “wow” factor for minimum work.   A great way to achieve this is by featuring an hors d’oeuvre that can be presented in several ways.  One of my favorites is Tortilla Crisps with Roasted Pork Tenderloin.  They are easy to make and can be topped in many ways to suit almost any taste.  Tortilla Crisps with Roasted Pork Tenderloin For the Tortilla Crisps: Ingredients: 1 package of any size flour tortillas (Corn tortillas won’t crisp in…

What do you remember about the last wedding you attended?  Can you name one song performed during the ceremony?  A typical wedding guest can’t recall nuptial details, but he will remember those amazing petite tomatoes stuffed with quinoa served at the reception.   While the bride and groom hold the spotlight during the ceremony, cuisine steals the scene after the “I do-s.”  This wedding season, I’ve seen some definite trends in how couples express themselves through their celebration food.  Celebrating Culture and Ethnicity  Wedding receptions have evolved from “by the book” events to …

If a word could be classified as “delicious,” I would list “summer” as one of the tastiest words I know.  Summer is about taking a break from normal routines.  Kids are out of school.  People take off work for vacation.  Life slows down a bit in summer, giving you time to try new things.   One of my favorite summer sights is the neighborhood kids’ lemonade stand with the cardboard box counter and hand-lettered sign.  My own sons have occasionally run a very lucrative stand in front of our house in Charing Cross.  While powder mix lemonade is the norm, my boys discovered their biggest profits …

Creative inspiration comes from many sources.  As a chef, I get some of my best ideas when surrounded by the brilliant colors, textures and aromas of fresh ingredients.  So when Lea suggested we visit the farmers’ market and “whip up something from whatever we find,” I liked the challenge.   I specifically wanted to explore local organic offerings.  Maryland Sunrise Farm in Gambrills sells their produce at the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market in Annapolis.  The 857-acre Sunrise Farm is the largest certified organic parcel of land in the state.  Farm representative Virginia Gambrell was at …

Cooking is my passion and my profession.   I spend more time in a kitchen than anywhere else.  Because of the creative nature of my business, I’m always learning and discovering.  One of my greatest joys is sharing these revelations with my sons, Patrick, 8, and Cameron, 5.  Father’s Day around my house is great.  My wife Jennifer and the boys always do something extra special for me.  But this day also reminds me how becoming a father led me to this point in my career as a chef.  I worked for years in some of the greatest restaurants in Washington, DC.  I always dreamed of having my own …

Quinoa is one of my favorite “go-to” accompaniments.  If you aren’t familiar with this power-packed seed, you aren’t alone.  While not common in most home kitchens, it is growing in popularity because it’s loaded with amino acids, is a great protein option for vegans and provides numerous health benefits for people suffering from migraines, cardiovascular ailments and other conditions.   Although widely thought of as a grain, quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is related to leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard.  Cultivated in South America, where ancient Incans considered it a …

Margaritas rule Cinco de Mayo celebrations.  Cinco de Mayo is the commemoration of Mexico’s unlikely victory over France in 1862. In America, it has evolved into a salute to Mexican history and tradition. Tequila is also a tradition from Mexico. This blue agave-based spirit is most famously produced in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, Mexico.     These on-the-rocks margarita recipes will shake up your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Start with a margarita base mix and go from there. You can leave out the tequila and triple sec for those who love the taste of a margarita but not the alcohol.  …

“Life, Love, Food”- I have that phrase on my business card.  Food is more than just fuel for our bodies.  Food brings comfort.  It links us to places, times in our lives, family events and favorite people.    Food traditions are also historically important.  Do you know anyone who cans his own garden harvest in Mason jars?  Have you ever made bread without using a machine?  As we enjoy the benefits of fresh foods available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we risk losing the history of many dishes we enjoy. Tinker with a food tradition and you risk the ire of those who hold it dear, something …

If you’ve ever been in a discussion about where the best beef barbecue is made (Texas) or where you can find the best shrimp and grits (South Carolina), you understand how food can passionately link to a geographical area. In our area, folks in St. Mary's County sing the praises of the southern Maryland stuffed ham—a tradition that dates back to 17th century. There are variations in the preparation, but the constant is ham and locally grown greens. This delicious, easy-to-prepare main course is a fitting addition to any Easter menu.   Ingredients: 8 lb. smoked cooked ham 2 large onions, …

Remember those New Year’s resolutions about eating healthier and losing weight?  It’s not too late to work on that.  As you contemplate the approaching swimsuit season and plan picnic menus, think about healthier ways to enjoy seasonal favorites.  Chicken salad is always popular on the picnic circuit, but the mayonnaise in traditional recipes can be high in fat and sometimes subject to spoilage when left on an outdoor buffet.  I serve a mayo-free chicken salad that capitalizes on fresh ingredients without compromising the taste and texture we love.  Ingredients:  Dry ingredients: 2 stalks of …

What’s for dinner? How many times have you heard that question? With work, household errands and family commitments, there is little time to prepare a healthy meal every night.   In my house, I make two to three big meals a week.  In my meal prep, I try to make extra items that I know will work in other meals.  This is not “leftovers,” since I’m planning ahead.  I like to think of it as menu re-tasking.  For example, potatoes provide some of the easiest, most economical opportunities to re-task menu items.  If you are baking potatoes as a side item for a big dinner, bake 3 extra to use the …

The month of March is a tease, offering brief glimpses of warmer temperatures mixed with days of biting cold.  This in between season is the perfect time for spring cleaning and a great place to start is the spice rack in your kitchen pantry. “Best by” dates are stamped on almost everything edible, including bottled spices and herbs. Fortunately for your kitchen budget, these seasonings have a lengthy shelf life, ranging from 6-12 months for dried herbs to several years for dried spices. Seasonings won’t spoil, but they will lose potency, which can be a recipe killer.  So, in lieu of a “best …

I love pie. Like many folks, I have fond memories of pie made by favorite relatives. There is no way anyone can challenge my Grams’ Lemon Meringue pie recipe, so in honor of February’s National Pie Month -- and out of respect for Grams -- let’s move pie from the dessert menu to the main course.  This seafood pie is simple to make and very satisfying. Preparation time: 15-20 minutes Cook time: 5-7 minutes Yield: 2 individual seafood pies Ingredients: 2 5” pie shells- available in the freezer section of your grocery 12 medium shrimp- peeled and deveined 2 oz. crab meat- you do not have to use …

Chocolate and cocoa companies in the U.S. ship $14 billion worth of product a year -- according to Valentine’s Day facts on the History Channel’s website -- and much of that is consumed around Valentine’s Day. In literature and popular media, chocolate is a food of love.  Charles Schulz’ cartoon Peanut Lucy Van Pelt said it best: “All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!” Anyone can grab a box of chocolates for a special valentine, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But consider how much you’ll impress her them with a hand-crafted labor of love. Chocolate…