Category: Gluten free Page 3 of 8

This weekend we had a couple get togethers and I was in charge of veggies and dip! (Woohoo! That’s the easiest!) At the end of it, I crammed the remaining celery, carrots and snap peas into a Tupperware container and thought….soup. Yes! …. Okay…So, what I really wanted was bread with Brie… But somehow I needed veggies and the soup completed the meal!

First stop.. The freezer section.. Udi’s has multi grain and French bread that are gluten free. Tonight I went for the multigrain! yum!

Second stop… Brie…(yummmmm). I’m pretty sure my kids think Brie is butter.

Third.. Kitchen

Here’s what you need

1 onion – chopped- quickly to avoid the crying

2 T garlic

1 sweet potato chopped

Toss these in big pot with some olive oil and sauté a few minutes on medium high

Add

1 cup shredded or coarsely chopped carrot

Leftover celery- chopped – maybe 1/2 c?

Leftover snap peas- cut into thirds about 1/3 cup

Any other veggies you have

Add to pot,

Add 3 T Italian seasoning

2 t salt

1 red pepper flakes

1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed

Sauté for about 10 mins

Add 4 cups dilute veggie bullion (2 cups bullion, 2 cups water)

Cover and turn heat to low

15 mins before serving add 6 oz gluten free penne pasta

Serve and enjoy!❤️

Friday Night Peachy Delight! Gluten free and delicious!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On September 11, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining, Uncategorized

Are we there yet? Yes.. We have officially made it! It’s Friday night and I made it in the door at 645. Dinner will not be on the table by 7, but it’s the weekend and I’m so happy to be home! You?

So I’m making gluten free Mac and cheese for dinner … Plain Jane… But sooooo yummy! But my real planning is for a gluten free peach pie! I haven’t tried this before… So, I’m a little nervous (spoiler alert … It turned out really yummy… Fresh, not too sweet and perfect with a little vanilla ice cream!)

peach pie and ice cream!

My week was rough… A newborn baby with a difficult surgical procedure, a teenager with a terrible cancer…Thursday morning, prior to the difficult newborn surgery, I went to 6 am yoga. The teacher said something that really struck me.. “On the other side of fear is freedom”. For some people the fear they face must be so overwhelming… The path to freedom so difficult. For others of us, we are so fortunate that the things we fear may be small, may be truly overlookable …but do we? Or do we blow it up, fret, focus, perseverate…create monsters that don’t really need to exist. Fear is normal. Recognize it, accept it, and move through it. Find the freedom… And try this peach pie!

Crust

2 cups King Arthur gluten free flour

1 tsp salt

2 T sugar

1/2 cup butter

Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter and mix until pea sized clumps

butter and flour… always a good thing

1/2 cup ice water

1 egg

1 T apple cider vinegar

Mix wet ingredients – add a little at a time just until the crust forms

Press crust into pan

the crust… just waiting to be covered in peaches

2 peaches thinly sliced

Place in crust

no filter… just that beautiful

I package of gluten free maple syrup and brown sugar instant oatmeal

1 T soft butter

1T turbinado

Mix above and sprinkle over peaches

ready for the oven!

Bake at 350 for 40 mins

Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

ahhhhh… that is good!

Have a wonderful weekend!

TGIF…Saturday morning training? I got your back (and tummy) with this Gluten Free Pre- run dinner of Apple Spice Waffles

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 29, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

Friday night! WE made it! The kids through their first week of school, my fiancé got back from overseas business travel at 0400, my parents arrived back this evening from vacation (for their 50th Anniversary!!!), and me too… From a week of work, school supply shopping, driving, guiding, cooking, airport dropping & picking up and all the things that we, as working moms, do. I’m proud to say, I even hurricane “readied” (you’re never really ready) my home…. I know… I technically should have done that a couple of months back…but Hey! It’s done now.

At the end of this whirlwind of a week… Kids stressed, tired and a bit anxious… The crazy hours and loads of homework and after school activities, I really had a moment when I realized how very blessed I am. Friday morning, I got up at 4, went to the airport, picked up my BF, came home, took my son to the metro, went to the pool and had an awesome swim and while walking to my car, I got an email. From a patient… She wasn’t sure if I’d remember her (I did),but she’s now 25 and doing well after a horrible, terrible cancer, and she wanted to say hi, that she will always remember me and thanks. BOOM. Mind blown. That’s it right? That’s all. That is the singular reason why I love my everyday… Life and the resiliency of the human mind, spirit, and body… Truly beautiful. I have the career I always dreamed of, beautiful parents that have stayed together 50 years, 3 healthy children, wonderful friends and a truly fabulous fiancé… Who, by the way, is training for New York Marathon number 8? (I think) … (More on marathons and the stresses of being a marathon cheerleader later… Let me tell you.. That’s gonna be a long blog.)

Anyway, nutrition is important and Runners world, which my fiancé reads and follows… Religiously…suggested some pre-run meals to fuel the run and minimize those GI issues (runners… You know what I mean…ugh). One of their suggestions was pancakes and eggs.

So… Gluten free waffles… High in protein, fiber, but not too much… Serve with an egg (or add extra to the mix) and you’ve got yourself a great Pre-run meal that will beat spaghetti any day!

Gluten Free Apple Spice Waffles

This recipe was for 8 people (18 waffles)

2 apples – cored, chopped, peel on. I used organic daisy girl

1/3 cup sugar (turbinado)

2 tsp cinnamon

Dash nutmeg

2 T lemon juice

Mix together in small bowl and allow to sit

daisy girl organic apples.

sugar & spice & everything nice

ok… i did eat a bit of this yumminess?

1/2 cup butter, melted

5 eggs, separated

2 t vanilla

2 T apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 c water (can use milk)

4 cups Pamela’s gluten free pancake mix

Dash salt

Whisk egg white until stiff peaks, set aside

Mix wet ingredients together reserving several tablespoons of butter to brush on the waffle iron, mix in Apple mix

Add wet to dry and mix until just thoroughly combined. Fold in egg whites.

Cook in waffle iron.

lets get this party started!

Serve with eggs, fresh fruit, walnuts and maple syrup.

a meal fit for a table of hungry athletes

dinner, breakfast, brunch or lunch… this is just, plain, good

YUMmmmmmmmm❤️

Be Brave, Try new things… Especially these yummy tacos- Honey chipotle Drenched Fish and Beef Tacos

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 14, 2015

In Gluten free, Uncategorized

From the response of my last blog, it seems that a little inspiration is needed… Maybe more out of the kitchen than in…I don’t know if I’m one to inspire, but I am often inspired by others…. Actions little or big, unintentional or not, nice or mean… I think ALOT while I cook. I think ALOT when I exercise. I’m not one to review or perseverate about the day once I put my head down. Literally, 2 deep breaths and that’s it – “in with the good…… Out with the bad x 2 and I’m unconscious.

Everyone deals with stress differently, some are good strategies… Others utterly destructive. So much of our stress if from that “could have…” So today, while making Honey Chipotle Drenched Tacos on the Grill I want you to think about being Brave. Brave, not foolish. Confident, not aggressive. Do you have the solution at work? Do you know the answer at school? Did you just figure out how to find world peace or feed the hungry? Or were you just wrongly accused or think that color looks great on your friend? Speak up! Lift that beautiful head of yours (or your pen if you’re that kinda person) and put it out there! Lack of confidence can become lack of opportunity, lack of action, lack of getting from point A to the point you want to B. Sometimes you don’t have to be confident – you just need to be Brave. Take a deep breath and go get em tiger. Now… Let’s get cooking!

I decided to grill tonight. Grilling in Miami is like a sauna, hot tub and steam facial all in one… And since at 44 I still have skin difficulties, I’m in.

I’m grilling meat tonight as the going away dinner for our wonderful Au Pair, who will be truly missed as have been the 2 before her. This program, through cultural care Au pair, is such a wonderful thing!

Anyway! Back to the grill!

Pick a nice fish, like Mahi or grouper or snapper. Also I chose thinly cut organic beef

you cant put too much!

Mix

1/4 c honey

1/3 c chipotle sauce

1 green onion sliced

Pepper to taste

1/2 onion

1/2 t red pepper

Drench the meats with this sauce, cover until ready

Other things you need

Guacamole (see prior post)

Slaw if you like (I love!!) simple cabbage, cilantro and dressing

Corn tortillas

Rice and beans

All these you can find, if desired, in prior posts

Put the beef on the grill first and after turning, add the fish- cook the fish only 3-4 mins per side or until flaky

my sauna

Serve with additional chipotle

dinner party time!

yum!

Enjoy! Be brave! Be confident! Be You!❤️

Gluten Free Smorkies! (Smore chocolate chip cookies)

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 9, 2015

In Gluten free

I saw a recipe on Twitter last week by Alea Milham (my kids say “thank you”) and I just had to try it gluten free. Quick and easy, homemade or from premise cookies this is just a snap!

I made a big dinner tonight, so I used pillsbury gluten free chocolate chip cookie mix… But any chocolate chip cookie dough will work!

Smorkies!

Marshmallows

Chocolate chip cookie dough

Chocolate syrup

That’s it… Really!! Ready?!?!

Scoop chocolate chip cookie dough into muffin pan (grease well, including the top in case of marshmallow puff over)

add a little cookie to each cup

Bake 12 mins at 350

Add 1 marshmallow to each and bake 5 more mins

press in a marshmallow! (this is such a good idea!!)

Allow to cool 5 mins, take out and top with chocolate syrup.

yummy!!! wish i had a campfire

ok. this is seriously sweet deliciousness

Enjoy!!!!

❤️

Sunday morning happiness

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 9, 2015

In Gluten free

Sunday, not on call, I have a couple early morning errands, but I would LOVE to have a yummy breakfast with the kids. I don’t know about you, but I can’t start cooking until….. Until I exercise, until I take care of the dogs, until I clean up the kitchen… This one I don’t understand. I’m about to make a big mess, but I refuse to start unless the dishwater is empty, the counters cleared and wiped. Yeah, I agree, I have OCD. I try to control it, but fail…. I start breakfast at 1045… After errands, after hot yoga, after 2 cups of coffee & the kitchen is shining.

My daughter has requested waffles.. Pumpkin waffles. I’m in! I have ripe bananas, so while I’m trashing the kitchen, I’ll make banana bread.

Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal Waffles -Gluten Free

3 eggs separated

1 c milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c butter, melted , plus 1 T reserved for griddle

3/4 can organic pumpkin pack

1 T apple cider vinegar

Whisk egg whites to soft peaks, and put aside. Mix all wet ingredients

2 1/2 cup gluten free baking mix (I used Pamela’s)

1 packet gluten free oatmeal mix (I used Eco-planet maple & brown sugar)

1t pumpkin pie spice

Whisk together and mix in wet ingredients

Fold in egg whites

Brush griddle w butter, cook…

gluten free flour with oatmeal

the kitchen getting dirty….why i needed it clean first….i dont know

fold it in 🙂 inhale…. yum

yum, yum, yum! not even a crumb left….

Gluten Free Banana Bread

2 eggs

1/4 c melted butter

1 t vanilla

1/3 cup sugar

2 bananas

1/4 c pumpkin pack

1 T apple cider vinegar

Mix well

1 3/4 gluten free flour ( I used Pamela’s baking mix)

If using plain flour, add salt, baking powder & baking soda

1/3 cup walnuts

1t cinnamon

Dash nutmeg

1 t pumpkin pie mix

Mix with wet ingredients

Pour into greased bread pan, top with raw sugar & walnuts

Bake at 350, 55 mins

i dont know what youre thinking, but im thinking EAT!

moist, delicious, nutritious !

Happy Sunday! Make it a great day❤️

Quinoa Crusted Quiche….Vegetarian & Gluten Free!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 5, 2015

In Gluten free

I’m out of ideas for dinner….and its 6 pm…and I’m on call….I don’t like to be on call, because they call, a lot. It makes me cranky. I recite “it’s my job…I love my job” and I do, but not so much the night call. It’s the fear of the unknown, waiting for the other shoe to drop. So, wimpy, whiny and trying to regain my PMA (positive mental attitude), I decide to try my hand at a Quinoa Crusted Quiche.

During the creation, I had a couple of “technical difficulties”… I never get the water to quinoa ratio quite right, but I think I got this worked out. In the end, I have a yummy, protein rich meal fit for a family of 6 :). And, my mantra has worked, the challenge of a new dish has me happily distracted!

Quinoa Crust

1 1/2 cup quinoa

2 1/2 cup water

1 t chili powder

1/2 t salt

1 T olive oil

Rinse quinoa, add everything and bring to a boil, and then simmer until ALL the water is absorbed.

Whisk in 2 eggs (Whisking makes me happy…did you know that?)

1 c shredded cheese (cheese makes me happy too!)

1 c gluten free bread crumbs

Press into greased pan ( bottom & sides) and bake at 400 for 20 mins

press the quinoa mix into a pan

Quiche Filling

Add olive oil to pan,

Sauté 1/2 red onion

1 white onion (small)

1T chopped garlic

Add 1 c chopped butternut squash

1/2 c chopped red pepper

1 can black beans rinsed

Salt, pepper to taste

1 t chili powder

2 t oregano

Sauté until veggies tender

butternut squash.. but you could use any veggies!

saute up deliciousness

a little call can’t stop me! (well, actually it can…but so far, so good!)

Once crust ready,

Whisk 8 eggs

1c shredded cheese ( I used “Mexican blend”)

Veggies

whisk that whole mess together! like it spicy? add some chipotle!

the more cheese, the better!

Pour into crust, bake 30 mins at 400

Top w cheese & serve with salsa verde on the side!

looking Good!

catastrophe averted!

PMA Success!

I really thought this was going to be a dinner catastrophe! Instead my kids each had 2 servings and it was DELISH!

❤️

Get Your Grills Ready! Grilled veggies, Sriracha Glutenfree Mac & Cheese …. and Burgers for the Carnivores

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 4, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

Its Monday night and after 4 months of an empty propane tank, I finally have a refill (many thanks to my fiancé ….as I would have just let the grill rust vs. go get a new tank) and I’m feeling inspired (And a little obligated). After reading the terrifying instructions on reinstalling a propane tank….let me tell you…I used an entire watering pot of “soapy water” to check those seals and still was a little scared when I ignited the first section. My daughter walked by right then and I yelled “GET BACK!”. Poor thing just watched Mission Impossible and looked like she was going to duck & roll.

Grilled veggies are the best… And really any combination turns out amazing on the grill. Here is my veggie combo from last night.

Grilled Veggies

1 potato sliced

1 summer squash, sliced

2 sweet potatoes. sliced

5 sweet peppers

1 cup sliced carrots

1 c cherry tomatoes

1 red onion, chopped roughly

2 sprigs of fresh thyme, sprinkled across

1T olive oil, 1T hot pepper oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper

Mix together and grill in roasting pan 45 mins

don’t they already look good!

i love, love, love this sesame oil

grilled veggies ready for the table

Sangria

While grilling, I love a glass of wine… Especially after taking my life in my hands with the tank install! I prefer red…but goodness IT IS HOTl so I decided upon red sangria. An easy, refreshing mix, and so delicious! To prepare …pour glass of red wine, add several splashes of margarita mix, ice cubes, frozen berries….yep. time to grill!

now Im ready to grill!

Sriracha Mac & Cheese

Cook gluten free Penne pasta 7-8 mins, drain and rinse, set aside

In pot, melt 1/4 c butter

Stir in 1/4 t mustard

1 tsp Sriracha

Whisk in 1/4 c gluten free flour

2 c milk, whisk gently til thick

Add 1 c cheddar cheese

Mix into pasta, sprinkle and additional cup of cheese over top, add 1/4 c Parmesan over top, garnish with Sriracha. ( I only did 1/3 of the pan as 2/5 of my house is spice averse)

Bake a 375, 40 mins

I’m pretty sure NOONE wants to hear how to cook burgers from someone who doesn’t eat meat, so I’ll keep it short!.. Basically I just mix in salt, pepper, worchestshire sauce and throw on grill. I have no idea if they even taste good….but they disappeared quickly!

Anyway, make it an awesome day!

❤️

Sunday afternoon project & a quick delicious gluten free lunch! Amy’s Tomato Soup and Gluten free Cheese Bread

By GlutenFreeHolly

On August 2, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining, Home organization

A year ago, I redid my pool deck tiles (they were so slippery that it was just a hazard) and saved 2 of the wood pallets, with the idea that I would do something AMAZING with them….but…..I never did. Last week they fell over with thunderstorms twice… And they are quite heavy…so back to a dangerous situation, I decided it was time to do something with them. I looked at so many amazing vertical gardens on Pinterest, but the shape of the pallets, and the need for chicken coop further delayed progress. Then…came a near fatal hit to my idea of reclaim, reuse, beautify….my fiancé said “they are really ugly, and heavy, and that’s my opinion”. True… They are plain Jane, and heavy…. So, in their place a bought 3 planters and stuck in some lime and lemon trees and was about to call it a day when I remembered the exterior paint samples I got last year to paint the patio wall.

last years project! aftee we finished, Queiro construction added tile to the floor and a cool wood slab atop this wall.

You can buy these little samples at Home Depot and have them colored to your liking. I have used these little sample bottles so many times on projects inside and out of my home!

I decided, before throwing them away, to try one last thing. So while our delicious lunch was cooking, I got out the paints! First lunch!

I needed a fast, east, yummy lunch…something like soup and sandwich, but yummier and gluten free. I decided to mix up a modified pão de queijo and serve it with Amy’s Tomato Soup. That soup is so good that even my tomato hating so loves it!

For the cheese bread, I blended

2 cups tapioca flour

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

Once well blended, I added 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, the remaining mozzarella (?1/4 cup), and 1 cup of shredded Italian blend cheese. I blended some more and then baked in muffin pans (greased) at 350 for 40 mins.

Lunch is served!

let’s eat!

While the cheese bread was cooking, a painted a base coat of blue and turquoise on the boards and moved them to the ugliest outdoor are of our house… Right by the front door. I chose this for the reasons 1. This wall cannot look worse…2. it’s close to the trash pile if I’m unhappy with the result.

the ugliest area… also used for tennis… note the poor light

My yard has a section entitled “the graveyard”. It is where all the plants that I have killed go, along with their containers…One year, I took all the dying orchids and strapped them to the trees, leaving their maintenance to nature (wise move… They’ve done great). This left a pile of hanging orchid baskets in the graveyard. I gathered these up, plus a trough basket recently purchased at Home Depot and got started.
First the base layer was painted. Next, my daughter, Anna (a wonderful au pair from Germany), and I painted some designs on the wood.

painting away

ready for the next step

The next step was to fasten the old hanging baskets and the trough basket to the pallets. We lines them with black plastic and filled them with potting soil.

the baskets could be hung by cutting the hangar off and twisting the wire behind the frame, or by nailing it to the frame

I found it easier to nail them in

The baskets were then filled with heat tolerant plants…. At this point I was wishing I was heat (and mosquito) tolerant (bienvenidos a Miami) and epiphytes that we found after yesterday’s horrible thunderstorms were placed in the natural nooks and crannies of the pallet.

finished!

So, what do you think? Keep or toss? Send your ideas for reusing pallets… Would love some inspiration!

Easy, cheesy, beautiful… Tostadas! Meatless Monday is Here!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On July 13, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

On call all weekend and now I want to have a nice family dinner. I have avocados that are ready to go… I’m pretending that I need a reason to cook Mexican….

Well, I don’t – and so its rice and beans and tostadas and sopes and Key Lime Pie! That’s right, Baby!

I know… I’m pretty psyched for dinner too… My daughter’s friend, who was here for a play date, took one look and asked if she can stay for dinner. Yep… That makes me feel good!

So, this is too easy! Get your beans and rice on auto pilot. I bought vegetarian old El Paso refried beans, some premade tostadas and I’m halfway done with dinner!

What you need and how-to!

(See prior posts for rice and beans, key lime pie, and sopes)

dinner prep in action! sangria, beans, sopes, tostadas & key lime pie! oh YES!

Tostadas- fry your own, or pre- made.

Old El Paso refried beans

1c shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

2 avocados

1 tomato

1 green onion

Cilantro

Warm tostadas in the oven on a cookie sheet, heat beans, spread beans on each tostada, sprinkle with cheese and then garnish with tomato, green onion and avocado.

Enjoy the easiest dinner EVER!!