Tag: gluten-free

Making Your Own Gluten-Free Spice Blends

Recently, I tackled the project of reorganizing my kitchen cupboards and drawers. I still have a lot of work to do (I suspect this is a never-ending project), but I learned a lot about myself. Particularly about how I manage my spices and seasonings.

Not surprisingly, once I dug into my former spice cabinet, I discovered I bought a lot of spice mixes that had only been used once, maybe twice. Most were years old, which lead to me seriously consider how I handle my spice, herbs, and other seasonings. Mostly, I mix my own…taking a bit of this, a bit of that, and coming up with a flavor profile that really suits me.

About a week later, a friend — one of the best cooks I know — confessed that she’d been making her grilling spice blends. Like me, she used to buy lots of different products; like me, she was going her own way. Unlike me, she makes hers in larger portions so she’s always ready to go.

Needless to say, she is much smarter than me.

I will note that spices and herbs are inherently gluten free. Unfortunately, some commercial blends are not.  Continue reading “Making Your Own Gluten-Free Spice Blends”

Gluten-Free Casserole Ideas

For me, the word “casserole” evokes memories of books rather than childhood meals. We weren’t a casserole-type household, but mentions of casseroles popped up all the time in my reading. I was intrigued, mostly because casseroles seemed like something from other, magical cultures.

Of course, now I know that casseroles aren’t all that exotic. Basically, it’s a meal — protein, veggies, starches (in any combination you wish) — cooked in an oven. This differs from stews, which are usually cooked on the top of a stove. Continue reading “Gluten-Free Casserole Ideas”

Cookbook Review — The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook

I’m a bit of a recipe hoarder. Okay, it’s not “a bit”, it’s a huge problem. I love to collect recipes. How I manage them is another post for another day (mostly because this is a work in progress for me).

And despite an Internet full of wonderful recipes, I still collect cookbooks, though at a slower pace than I once did. One reason for this is because I haven’t been impressed with cookbooks dedicated to the gluten-free cook. This is why looked forward to the America’s Test Kitchen gluten-free cookbook with both eagerness and skepticism. Continue reading “Cookbook Review — The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook”

Ready, Set, Eat!

I’ll admit it: I envy people who have time to make full meals during the week. Every day, my inbox is filled with recipes and meal plans and great ideas to feed my family. As I look at complicated ingredient lists and photos of artful garnishes, I wonder if I’m doing something wrong.

Because, during the week, I don’t have the luxury of meals that take forever to prepare. My menus are filled with fast, efficient meals. Any artful garnishes that hit the plate are pure luck! Continue reading “Ready, Set, Eat!”

Salmon with Miso Glaze

Salmon is a great weeknight meal — filling but not too heavy. Adding a miso glaze is perfect whether you’re cooking the salmon in the oven or on the grill. Glaze the salmon a few times during the cooking process to deepen the sweet and salty flavor.

Best of all, this is a fast meal. You can have dinner on the table in under thirty minutes.

Make sure you buy gluten-free miso. Some brands include barley or wheat. If you’re looking for other ideas for using up the miso you bought, here are some suggestions.

Get Gluten-Free Food Delivered

It’s no secret that I love to cook. And I love to eat. Naturally, there are some nights when the thought of cooking exhausts me. Often those are the nights when the thought of getting back in the car and hitting a restaurant is equally exhausting.

The trouble is, there aren’t a lot of delivery options for gluten-free diners. We rely most often on a service called LA Bite, which delivers foods from local restaurants. There are a few restaurants in our area that make safe gluten-free foods. On those nights when I need help, this service is a (slightly pricey) lifesaver. Most major cities have options for similar services. Continue reading “Get Gluten-Free Food Delivered”