Easy and Quick Gluten-Free Potato Soup

There is a forecast of snow for us so I thought that a soup would be appropriate for dinner.  I love making soup because it is filling but no too much so and it is warm.  We take leftovers to work in small containers because it reheats well.

Here is what you will need:

4-6 potatoes (peeled and cubed)
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6 cups milk
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup onion (chopped)
Cooked sausage
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
2 cups chopped carrots

1.  In a large pot cook potatoes and carrots in boiling water until done
2.  Drain the potatoes and carrots and set aside
3.  Return empty pot to the stove and melt butter
4.  Add cornstarch and whisk with butter until a smooth base is formed
5.  Add the onion and seasonings
6.  Add 2 cups of milk and bring to a boil
7.  Slowly add remained of milk and bring to boil
8.  Add sausage, sour cream, and cheese
9.  Heat until thickened

The Best Gluten-Free Brownies on the Planet!

WARNING!  These brownies are not for those who only passively enjoy chocolate, these brownies are for those who love chocolate.

These brownies have everything, dark chocolate, chocolate chips, and chocolate frosting.

For the brownies you will need:

3/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup butter melted
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup and 1 Tablespoon of sweet rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca flour, and soy flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Grease a 13x9x2 inch pan
3.  In a large bowl whisk together cocoa and baking soda
4.  Add half the melted butter and stir until combined
5.  Add the boiling water, the sugar, eggs, vanilla,and remaining butter and stir until well combined
6.  Add the flours and stir well
7.  Add the chocolate chips
8.  Pour into prepared pan
9.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until done
10.  Cool completely on a wire rack

For the frosting you will need:
6 Tablespoons softened butter
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla

1.  Cream the butter with an electric mixer in a small bowl
2.  Add the powdered sugar, cocoa, milk, and vanilla
3.  Beat with mixture until it is is spreading consistency
4.  Cover cool brownies completely

*Make sure the brownies are completely cooled or the frosting will melt
**You can use plain cocoa instead of dark chocolate

Enjoy!!

I am off to the gym to work off this baked treat.  Just because I used dark chocolate does not make them less fattening :)

Gluten-Free Breakfast Quiche

This is one of my most versatile recipes.  This morning I put sausage and cheese in the quiche but you can put vegetables, bacon, ham, soy cheese, turkey bacon, green chili, or whatever you would like inside.  The concept is pretty simple and it is a pretty big crowd pleaser.  I make it often when we have guests.

To make this quiche here is what you will need:

2 medium potatoes
2 Tablespoons oil
cooked sausage or meat of your choice
1-2 cups grated cheese or soy cheese
5-7 eggs
1/4 milk (approximately)

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2.  Over a pie plate grate potatoes
3.  Add oil and toss with potatoes
4.  Place inside the oven to make crispy while preparing other ingredients (the oven does not yet have to be at 450, as the oven warms the potatoes will become crispy)
5.  Brown sausage in skillet
6.  Grate cheese onto a paper towel
7.  Beat eggs in a medium bowl and add milk
8.  Once the rest of the ingredients are ready take the potato crust out of the oven and add the sausage (drained), the cheese, and the eggs.
9.  Place back into the oven at cook for 20-25 minutes or until eggs are cooked thoroughly

Gluten-Free Potato Pancakes

I often get tired of eating leftovers.  I try to think of things to do with them to make them taste differently and give them a new life.  I made mashed potatoes with dinner the other night and today I made potato pancakes with the left overs.  They are not "traditional" potato pancakes but they are delicious. 

Here is what you will need:

Left over mashed potatoes
1/8 cup cornstarch and potato starch
1/4 cup rice flour, sweet rice flour, and tapioca flour
salt
pepper
red chili powder
Butter

1.  Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat
2.  Mix flours and spices in a small bowl
3.  Using your hands, roll mashed potatoes into balls
4.  Roll the potato balls in the flour
5.  Gently flatten between the palms of your hands
6.  Place carefully in melted butter
7.  Cook on both sides until golden brown and warmed through

*The finished product will be crispy on the outside and warm on the inside.
**You may need to add more butter after making a few pancakes because the potatoes partially absorb the butter.

Serve with applesauce or green onions.  Experiment and have them with whatever you like.  They are delicious as breakfast or as a side.

Gluten-Free Fried Chicken

A while ago I promised a post with a recipe with leftover mashed potatoes.  Well, since I used them all in that epically failed attempt at a recipe I needed to make them with something else so I could try again.  I made fried chicken tonight with mashed potatoes and green beans.  Not only is this fried chicken recipe great I have great plans for the mashed potatoes again (hopefully).

To make fried chicken you will need:

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup potato starch
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Oil

1.  Heat oil (I use Crisco sometimes and others just plain vegetable oil) in a pan over medium heat.
2.  Whisk together the potato starch, cornstarch, salt, pepper, xanthum gum, baking soda, chili powder, garlic, and onion powder
3.  Rinse chicken breasts and cut into thirds or fourths (depending on size and preference)
4.  Coat liberally with the above mixture
5.  Place in heated oil and cook until all sides are browned and the chicken is cooked thoroughly (Undercooked chicken can make you very sick!)
6.  When the chicken is finished cooking place on a plate with paper towels to drain excess oil

ENJOY!

Homemade Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been a cookie fiend for my entire life.  I love all kinds of cookies and as a child I wished I was able to east as many cookies as the Cookie Monster on Sesame Street.  When I first started to eat gluten-free I missed baked goods the most and it was frustrating trying to find a decent cookie recipe.  So here is the one my mom and I use.

1/2 cup and 1 Tablespoon sweet rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca flour, and soy flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
chocolate chips

1.  Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
2.   With a mixer beat the softened butter until fluffy
3.  Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter and beat until well combined
4.  Add the vanilla, eggs, salt, and baking soda and mix very well
5.  Add one of the flours in at a time and mix (by hand) well until all four have been added
6.  Add chocolate chips (I use just under a whole bag)
7.  Place onto cookie sheet (I place about 12 on one sheet, make sure to give them space to expand)
8.  Bake for 9-12 minutes depending on the size of the cookies
9.  Once finished cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet and then transfer to a wire cooling rack until completely cooled

*I suggest mixing the flours by hand because I feel that the cookies come out softer by doing so.
**I know eating cookie dough is delicious and fun but I do not recommend doing so because 1.  eating raw eggs is never good and you can become sick and 2.  gluten-free cookie dough is not very tasty.

Gluten-Free French Toast

I woke up this morning thinking about french toast.  I like to make french toast because it is easy and quick on a busy Saturday or Sunday.  The whole process takes about 20 minutes and I stay full for a long time after just a couple of pieces.

To make french toast you will need:

3 eggs
2/3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
7-9 slices of Udi's bread
cinnamon
nutmeg
butter
powdered sugar or syrup

1.  Beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl
2.  Melt a small amount of butter in a heated skillet
3.  Cover all sides of the bread with the egg and milk mixture
4.  Place in skillet
5.  Sprinkle the uncooked top of the bread with desired amount of cinnamon and nutmeg
6.  Flip and cook both sides until golden brown

There is some contention in our house about how to eat french toast.  My husband likes to eat it with syrup and only a small amount of powdered sugar.  I eat it the best way.  A long time ago my Dad taught me to butter my french toast and sprinkle it liberally with powdered sugar and skip the syrup.  This is by far the best and only way to truly enjoy french toast. 

Gluten-Free Cheeseburger and French Fries

Friday night we like to stay home and watch movies.  Sometimes we go out but often we stay in like we did tonight.  Instead of going out and paying six dollars for a cheeseburger I made my own with homemade french fries.  I like to make my burger interesting by adding a couple of extra ingredients.

Here is what you will need for the cheeseburgers:

1 pound of ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce (I use Lea & Perrins because it is easy to find and says gluten-free right on the label)
4 pieces sliced cheese

1.  Add the paprika and worcestershire sauce to the ground beef and mix thoroughly in a medium sized bowl (I ofter clean my hands well and mix it with my hands because that seems to work the best)
2.  Form mixed beef into burger patties
3.  Place on already heated grill or onto a pre-heated skillet on the stove
4.  Cook to desired taste (I prefer medium)
5.  Place cheese on top of cooked burger and let melt

*I use slices of Udi's bread as a bun
**Be wary of those individually sliced and packaged cheeses because they can contain gluten.  I try to always use cheese I know is gluten-free from the deli counter.

For the french fries you will need:

cooking oil (I usually use 1 container)
potatoes
salt

1.  Heat cooking oil on the stove over medium-high heat
2.  Peel and thinly slice potatoes
3.  Carefully place into the heated cooking oil
4.  Cook until the potatoes are cooked all the way through and slightly crispy
5.  Carefully take out of the oil and place onto some paper towels to drain excess oil
6.  Salt to taste and enjoy

*I reuse my "fry oil" by letting the oil cool over night and placing it back in the container and labeling it.  I usually use it more than once to make french fries.
**You can keep the fries warm by placing them on a cookie sheet in the oven set to 200 degrees or using the "keep warm" setting.

Epic Fail

According to my post from yestersay I was supposed to have a new recipe for you today about what to do with any leftover mashed potatoes.  Well, my idea, although good in theory, was not good in practice.  I was going to make little potatoy balls of goodness and instead it turned out to be a mess.  I would post pictures of my kitchen but I am embarassed.

This is not the first gluten-free idea I have had that seemed good but ended badly.  Over the years I have learned to move on from the bad recipes and not let it upset me.  I choose to believe that if I didn't fail I would never learn or grow as a cook. 

This is the end of my "lessons learned" post.  Hopefully tomorrow's recipe will be better.

Herbed Creamy Pork Chops

I know I have posted mostly chicken recipes and I am sorry.  Chicken is cheap and versatile but don't worry here is a recipe that has nothing to do with chicken.  These pork chops are very easy to make and very fast.  They make a great week night meal and my husband and I fight over who gets to take the leftovers to work the next day (if there are any). 

For this recipe you will need:

3-4 thick cut pork chops
1 1/2 Tablespoons of butter or margarine
1-1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 Tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/3 cup beef broth (I use Safeway store brand)
1/3 cup milk
2 Tablespoons water

1.  Melt butter over medium heat in a medium to large skillet
2.  Salt and pepper pork chops (if desired)
3.  Place pork chops in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes
4.  Turn pork chops and add carrots to pan and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until no pink remains
5.  Combine milk, broth, herbs, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl or mixing cup
6.  Add to skillet with cooked pork chops and carrot
7.  Cook and stir until thickened (You may need more than 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, add any extra slowly until gravy is desired consistency).

*Sometimes I make more gravy by adding more broth and milk.  I don't have exact measurements I just add until I feel there is enough based on how many people I am planning on serving or how much gravy I am in the mood for.

**Make sure you cook the pork chops thoroughly to avoid food borne illness.

I like to serve this dish with mashed potatoes.

Coming soon, a recipe for the left over mashed potatoes!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pancakes

My mom and I LOVE chocolate, probably more than most people.  Tonight I made chocolate chip pancakes before my husband and I went to see a movie.  They were quick, easy, and man did they taste good.

Here is what you will need:

1/4 cup tapioca flour, soy flour, sweet rice flour, and white rice flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
chocolate chips

1.  Heat skillet on medium heat
2.  Whisk the flours together in a medium sized bowl
3.  Whisk in the sugar, baking powder and salt
4.  Add egg, milk, and cooking oil
5.  Pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto the heated skillet, add desired amount of chocolate chips, and cook until the surface is bubbly and the edges are slightly dry
6.  Flip and cook until the second side is browned and the middle of the pancake is no longer runny

*This batter will be a little thicker than the waffle batter recipe I have posted.
**I love to eat these pancakes with just a little butter but my brother likes them with peanut butter
***You can make these healthier by omitting the chocolate chips and using fruit or making them as plain pancakes

Enjoy!

Parmesan and Garlic Chicken

This is my husband's other favorite recipe and one of my favorites too.  It is super easy and quick to make and the leftovers are wonderful.

To make the chicken you need:

1/2 cup grated Parmesan (I use the kind that comes pre-grated in the containers.  Make sure you check the label)
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing mix (I use the All Natural version)
1/2 teaspoon of garlic or 1 clove fresh diced garlic
3-4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2.  Cut breasts into thirds or fourths (depending n size)
3.  Mix cheese, garlic, and dressing mix
4.  Rinse chicken pieces with water and cot with cheese mixture
5.  Bake for 20-25 minutes on a shallow dish or cookie sheet or until the chicken is cooked through with no pink.

* I use the Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix but always double check the label since ingredients to products change often.*

Here is a link to Kraft's gluten-free information:

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/healthy-living-ideas/articles/food-allergies/glutenfreefoods.aspx

Amazing Chicken Pot Pie

This is my husband's favorite dish.  I try to make it when I have leftover chicken like I did last night.  This recipe is a little more involved than I usually like to make but it is well worth the little bit of extra effort.

Everything for this pot pie is made from scratch so here is what you will need.

Filling:

2 carrots peeled and dices or a 1 cup of baby carrots
2-4 peeled and diced potatoes (depending on size)
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked chicken
1/2 cup of peas or green beans (optional)

Crust:

1/4 cup soy flour, tapioca flour, sweet rice flour, and white rice flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup softened butter
3-4 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon milk
2 Tablespoons milk (To brush crust with)

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2.  Cook the carrots and potatoes until soft (I use the same pot)
3.  Met the 1/4 cup butter in a sauce pan, add cornstarch, and cook for 30 seconds
4.  Add chicken broth, milk, and seasoning
5.  Bring to a boil and cook until thickened
6.  Prepare pastry by mixing flour and salt in a medium sized bowl
7.  Cut in the 1/3 cup butter using a fork
8.  Add milk and water
9.  Roll onto a floured surface (I use tinfoil) (I usually don't use a rolling pin because this dough tends to be a little sticky; I press it with my hands to the size I need for my baking pan)
10.  In a glass baking dish mix together cooked chicken, cooked carrots, cooked potatoes, sauce, and cover with the crust
11.  Brush the top of the crust with milk
12.  Bake for about 20 minutes

Your family will love this recipe!

Easy Baked Chicken Breasts

I like to make things that are easy and create leftovers to use as ingredients in other dishes.  This recipe is both those things.  I always make an extra chicken breast to use in my chicken pot pie (tomorrow's blog). 
To make baked chicken breasts you will need the following.

Skinned Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Poultry Seasoning
Very Mild Red Chili Powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place uncooked chicken breasts on a baking sheet
3. Sprinkle lightly with poultry seasoning and chili powder
4. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until completely cooked throughout (aka no pink or red in the middle)

Here is what my chicken breast look like uncooked.

Here is what they should look like when they are finished baking.

I serve the chicken with my faithful standby sides, rice, baked or mashed potatoes, and a vegetable (tonight it was corn). 



Tomorrow I will be making a chicken pot pie with the second chicken breast.  It is my husbands favorite dish so please keep reading!

Oh yeah...YAY GIANTS!!

Gluten-Free NY Giants Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

My wonderful father is a huge NY Giants fan and they happen to be playing in the Superbowl this year.  I made this cake as a way to celebrate with him even though we live more than 1,000 miles apart.  I decorated the cake with red and blue M&M's and cream cheese frosting.

Here is what you will need to make this delicious cake.

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup and 3 Tablespoons of white rice, sweet rice, tapioca, and soy flour
3/4 cup Cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup boiling water

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Grease and flour (with extra from the above list of flour) 13x9x2 inch baking pan
3.  Stir together sugar, flours, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
5.  Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla
6.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes
7.  Stir in boiling water (the batter will be thin)
8.  Pour into prepared pan
9.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden tooth pick comes out clean if inserted into the center
10.  Cool and then turn out of pan and onto a plate for decoration

To make the frosting you will need:

6 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon of milk

1.  Beat the cream cheese and butter with electric mixer until smooth
2.  Add half the powdered sugar, the vanilla, and the milk and mix completely
3.  Add the other half of the powdered sugar and mix completely
4.  Spread onto completely cooled cake and decorate

Gluten-Free Waffles that are Awesome

On Saturday mornings I like to make a good breakfast because for most of the week we have cold cereal on the way out the door before work.  Today I made Waffles. 

These waffles are light and crispy and pretty easy to make.  I sometimes make them during the week as a dinner.  You can also freeze any leftovers and they reheat well in a toaster or toaster oven.

Here is what you will need.

1/4 cup and 3 Tablespoons of white rice flour, sweet rice flour, soy flour, and tapioca flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

2 eggs

1 3/4 cup of milk

1/2 cup cooking oil (not pictured)

1.  In a large bowl thoroughly combine all four flours, baking powder, and salt

2.  Add the wet ingredients

3.  Pour onto warm waffle iron and cook according to the waffle irons manufacturers directions

4.  Repeat with remaining batter

5.  To keep already cooked waffles warm set oven to 200 degree and place waffles inside

The batter should look something like this.

The cooked waffles should look something like this.

Enjoy!

Tomorrow's recipe is my homemade gluten-free chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting decorated with the New York Giants colors for the Super Bowl.  Go Giants!



 

Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Fried Steak

One of my favorite gluten-free things to make for dinner is chicken fried steak.  This recipe is fast, easy, and inexpensive to make.  I usually serve it with mashed potatoes, a baked potato, or rice.  I sometimes make gravy to go with it especially if I have it with mashed potatoes.  This time we had it with rice and I skipped the gravy.

Here is what you will need.

Cube Steak (I use 2 or 3 for my husband and I)
1/4 cup of sweet rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca flour, and cornstarch
1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, and red chili powder
3-4 eggs
Smidge of milk
Oil

1.  Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a frying pan
2.  Mix the flours and cornstarch in a small bowl with the salt, pepper, and red chili powder
3.  Beat the eggs and milk together in a separate bowl
5.  Carefully place the cube steak into the heated oil and cook about 5-6 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked all the way through
6.Place cooked steak on a plate with paper towels to drain off excess oil
7. Enjoy

Tomorrow I am making waffles!

*I use tongs to turn the cube steak over to avoid splashing hot oil all over myself and the kitchen.
**Be sure to cook the steak sufficiently to avoid food borne illness.

Helpful Info on Shopping for Gluten-Free Food

Over the past few years, the gluten-free diet has become more well known and as a result it is no longer necessary to shop exclusively at health food stores.   

Because labeling laws are soon changing, you will notice a lot of the products now say somewhere on the packaging if gluten is part of their product.  Many big brand name companies are creating or adjusting their products to be gluten-free.  Companies such as Betty Crocker are making cake mixes, a brownie mix, and cookie mix that are gluten-free.  Kellogg's Rice Krispies now come in a gluten-free variety.  General Mills Chex cereals have also changed a few of their cereals, not all, to be gluten-free.  Progresso brand of chicken, beef, and vegetable broths as well as many Boars Head deli meats are gluten-free as well.  Many grocery store chains now offer some of their own products gluten-free which can save you a lot of money. 

In the future we will see a huge growth in the market for gluten-free products whether it is name brand or store brand.

Remember to always read the labels!

Gluten-Free Brownies

The more I continue to blog and the more that people read this blog the more obvious it will be that I LOVE baked goods.  I love to make treats from scratch and I love to use pre-made mixes when I am short on time.  I love to bake because it makes my house smell wonderful and also because gluten-free baked goods can be amazing.

Today I want to share one of my favorite pre-made brownie mixes.  It is the King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Brownie Mix.  This mix most closely resembles other name brand non-gluten-free mixes and is one of my go-tos.  I find it at my local gluten-free market and sometimes in the regular grocery stores.  You can also find it on King Arthur's Flour website.

This mix takes 30-35 minutes to bake and about 3 minutes to mix together.  All you need to add is 2 eggs, 2 Tablespoons of water, and 1/2 cup of melted butter or oil. 

It mixes up on only one bowl and comes out looking like this.

The only tip I can give you about making these brownies is to makes sure you grease the pan well or they WILL stick.

I appreciate everyone who has been reading my blog.  Soon I will post instructions about how to make a gluten-free cake from scratch.





In the Beginning...

The very first time I went shopping I learned that just because the package says the product is "wheat free" doesn't mean it is "gluten free".

 You must educate yourself with the words that are used in ingredient lists of the products you purchase.  Gluten is in so many products that you may not even think of.  Foods that may or may not contain gluten are: baked goods, baking powder, battered and breaded foods, burgers, candy, cereal, corn bread, deli meats, granola, gravy mixes, icings, instant cocoa, pie crusts, powder drink mixes, salad dressings, sauces, sausages, seasonings, soy sauce, and stuffing mixes to name just a few. 

 Some words to look for on the ingredient labels that may reveal gluten in a product are:  bran, bread and bread crumbs, bulgur, cereal extract, coucous, crackers and cracker meal, dextrin, farina, flour, gluten, graham, hydrolyzed plant protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, maltodextrin, modified food starch (unless specified otherwise), seasoning and spelt to name a few.

 Until you become familiar with these words, I recommend that you carry a list of words with you and refer to it often.  Like any other life change, this way of eating for becomes normal.  In the meantime, plan extra time for your shopping!