Rocky road brownies

One thing I miss since being dignosed, is the quick and easiness of cake and brownie mixes.  I love making cake mix cookies or poke cakes. Dressing up plain jane brownie mixes is a favorite pass time.  One bag of GF brownie mix later, I made rocky road brownies. These brownies are made with any of the gluten free brownie mixes that are available.  I've only tried Bob's Red Mill GF brownie mix but I do have some of Betty Crocker's GF mix to try as well. 

Rocky Road Brownies
1 bag or 1 box of GF brownie mix
1/3 cup of chocolate chips
1/3 cup of mini marshmallows
1/2 cup nuts
Follow directions on box or bag for mixing up brownies.  Add chocolate chips, marshmallows and nuts.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Gluten free tomato soup

This recipe is a combination of two that I found online.  I really do miss just opening a can of soup and putting it in the pot. 

Tomato soup
2 cans of Hunts crushed tomatoes with basil
4 cups vegetable stock
3 carrots diced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced or 2 tsp already prepared garlic
1 cup Greek yogurt plain
Salt & pepper to taste

Saute carrots, onion and garlic.  Once veggies are soft add tomatoes and stock.  Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  For chunky soup leave as is and add yogurt.  For smooth soup use a blender or submerge blender.  Add yogurt once smooth.  Let soup warm through.  Pairs really well with grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Gluten free beer bread

Before she moved, my in-law gave me some gluten free beer to try.  The pale ale had a taste that was something that I did not care for but thought I would try to make some beer bread with it in my bread machine.  I used the New Planet's pale ale and it made my bread taste like a strong Jewish rye but without the rye.  I haven't tried this recipe with other GF beers so I cannot say if the bread will taste like rye every time.  I just know that when New Planet's pale ale is used, it does. 

Gluten free beer bread (adapted from Bob's Red Mill)
1 package of Bob's Red Mill whole grain gluten free bread mix (there is a yeast packet in the mix)
1 1/4 cup beer
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
1-2 tsp salt
Follow instructions for your bread machine.  For my machine, all the items must be at room temperature.  Then liquids, eggs, flour, salt, and make a hole for the yeast.  Set bread machine on the basic white cycle.

 

GF chili seasoning

This makes a bulk serving of chili seasons. I use about 1-2 tablespoons in my chili.

Chili Seasoning
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon or less, crushed red pepper
1/2 tablespoon or more, salt
2 tablespoons dehydrated onions
2 tablespoons GF flour
1 tablespoon sugar
Mix all ingredients together & keep in an airtight container

Oops I ate real Chinese

I wanted real Chinese today & it was great, until I had to come home and pass out. Now I'm paying for my "sin" day. Headache, body aches, & wonderful bowel problems. Using regular soy sauce is definitely something I won't be doing again. The GI doc said try it because he did not think I would react as badly to it as I would to a piece of bread. Wrong-O.

Steak with red-eye gravy

1-1 1/2 pounds beef, roast or ham steak
4 cups string coffee
2 cups gluten free flour
Salt & pepper to taste
1-2 tablespoons gluten free Worcestershire or gluten free soy sauce
Flour & brown all meat. Add coffee, sauce & make sure there is enough liquid to cover meat. Cover & bring to a boil. Reduce to low & simmer for 2 hours or until meat is tender. Can thicken gravy with corn starch if needed. Serve with potatoes or rice.

More in the pantry

I have also been adding some new flours and good old Bisquick but in it's gluten free version.  My sister in-law recently made a cake from Betty Crocker's gluten free mixes and it was wonderful.  No one will be able to tell the difference.  Another must is all purpose mixes.  I'm too new to GF to try one that isn't already made.  I have come to like Bob's Red Mill all purpose GF baking mix.  I use it in quick breads and muffins.  The newest mix I have tried is the King Arthur's GF muffin mix. It passes the family's test.  Unable to tell it is gluten free.

1. Variety of flours-brown rice, sorghum, potato flour and starch, tapioca flour,  almond flour
2. GF Bisquick-Betty Crocker website has a great gluten free section
3. GF flour and all purpose baking flour

Blueberry & raspberry muffins

Today is Saturday & it is the day when I get caught up on everything. Shopping, laundry, cleaning, & homework. I'm going to mix up a batch of muffins so we have some quick breakfasts to go. Udis makes great muffins but unless I order online or drive 12 miles I'm out of luck. Next best thing King Arthur's GF muffin mix. Easy to follow instructions & you can add whatever you want to the mix. We did blueberry & raspberry. Mix is in most stores but Amazon has a good deal on buying in bulk.

Bell pepper & onion salad

I have been on a mission to spice & change up veggies. The new diet at work right now is the ideal protein. I've never tried it & probably won't. Plus I haven't seen where it is certified gluten free. However, the dressing everyone is using are. Walden Farms has right on the label. I use the balsamic vinaigrette as the dressing in the pepper salad.

Bell pepper salad
4 bell peppers varied in color, diced
1 red onion diced
1 hot pepper diced (can be omitted)
1/3 cup or more of balsamic vinaigrette
Salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients. Can be served right away or put in the fridge for later.

Gluten free in the pantry

When I started cleaning out cabinets, I had no idea how many items had gluten in them. I was even more shocked to find out many of my pantry favorites do not have gluten in them. Stocks & broths can be hiding gluten. I call those products "hiders." Another old favorite that hides gluten: diced tomatoes with green chiles. I have yet to look at or call about Rotel ones but the Walmart brand has traced of wheat in it. My pantry mainstays:
1. Diced tomatoes (Hunt's has gluten free in the label)
2. Kitchen basics stocks
3. Tomato sauce (comes in handy for pizza sauce)
4. An all purpose GF baking mix
5. Variety of canned veggies (I make sure they are GF & low/no sodium)
6. Noodles (GF & regular; rest of my family can eat gluten so I let them)

Sweet & spicy ham glaze (adapted from Rachel Ray)

While the original recipe called for its that had gluten in them, I still wanted to try this glaze for my Easter ham. This is my gluten free version of the cherry ham glaze that I found on Rachel Ray's website.
Sweet & spicy ham glaze
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp cardamon
1 tsp chili powder
2 tablespoons Dijon or grainy mustard (private selection at Smith's is gluten free)
1/2 cup cherry preserves
Mix all ingredients in sauce pan. Bring to a boil on medium high & then reduce temperature to low. Summer for 10 minutes. Glaze ham after it has reached 140 degrees. Continue cooking ham until internal temperature reaches 160. Cover & let ham rest for 20 minutes.