Tag: gluten-free

After Miso Soup, Other Ideas for Miso Paste

While I bow to the curative powers of chicken soup, I prefer miso soup to help me through times of trouble. The salty, savory taste — with or without the addition of tofu and greens — makes even the worst day seem much better. It’s so easy make miso soup, and I keep a tub of miso paste handy for just that reason.

(Plus the miso soups you get in most restaurants are not gluten free, so making it yourself is the safest bet.) Continue reading “After Miso Soup, Other Ideas for Miso Paste”

Getting Past the Gluten-Free Blues

I recently had a conversation with a colleague. It went something like this:

Her: Yeah, two doctors told me I needed to eliminate gluten. I try, but, you know, you have to cheat sometimes.

Me (being as polite as possible): Cheat? No, I never cheat.

Her (looking at me like I’ve grown another head): Really? I cheat all the time.

Me (not saying, “this is why you feel so horrible”): So, we had a great experience with one of your staff last week… Continue reading “Getting Past the Gluten-Free Blues”

Missing Soy Sauce? Try This Instead

Between you, me, and the wall, I was in the “ain’t never gonna buy or try something call fish sauce” for many years. Let’s face it: the name doesn’t sound appealing. And, well, you know, fish sauce. I was pretty sure I’d hate it.

I didn’t. It was love at first bit. It became an addiction. The kind of addiction that had me making gratuitous fried rice and dipping sauces just so I could get my fish sauce fix (hello spring rolls!). I started sneaking the stuff into dishes where no fish sauce had been contemplated before (when I added it to my caramelized onion dip, I got raves). Continue reading “Missing Soy Sauce? Try This Instead”

Leftovers: Pulled Pork Version

There are, I have learned, people out there who don’t adore leftovers. This baffles me — if it’s good enough to eat the first time, it’s surely just as good the second time. In fact, some foods are even better the second day!

When I made pulled pork for the first time (and the second and third…), I naturally had way more pork than I needed. I only buy pork shoulder when it’s on sale, and it’s generally sold in 3-pound packages at my local store. After a day in the crockpot, the pork is falling apart and so tasty. It makes a fine (gluten free) pulled pork sandwich. Just add a huge spoonful of mustardy cole slaw!

But what to do with the leftovers? Below are some options, and this week’s menu idea features a recipe for one of my favorite ways to serve pulled pork:

  • The easiest solution for leftover pulled pork is to use it as a basis for carnitas. Carnitas are typically pork cooked in lard, pulled, and then fried, griddled, or baked until crispy on the edges. You can then use them in tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, or burritos (here’s a recipe for gluten-free tortillas I’m dying to try!) And don’t forget the sopes from last week — leftover pulled pork is perfect with them.
  • Or, hey!, use that leftover pork in fried rice. Super-simple, super-tasty.
  • How about pulled pork — maybe tossed with a little barbecue sauce — as a pizza topping?
  • Toss it with some potatoes, bell peppers, onion, and you have a quick hash for breakfast or dinner. Top with a fried egg to make it that much more delicious!
  • Stuff a pepper — poblano, bell, your choice — with a mix of pulled pork and quinoa (or rice). Add other veggies, like corn, as you wish.
  • Make spring rolls! Once you get the hang of working with rice paper wrappers, spring rolls take just minutes. I’ve had them with both shrimp and pork as the filling, but if you don’t have shrimp, use that leftover pork. Matchstick some veggies or shred some cabbage or lettuce. Make a spicy dipping sauce out of chili paste, or try a nice peanut sauce.
  • And, of course, you can always make yourself another sandwich. Maybe with melty cheese and roasted peppers?

How do you handle leftovers? What dish do you make just so you’ll have plenty left over for future meals?

Tip of the Week

For the nachos below, make your own tortilla chips. Traditionally, you want to cut the tortillas into six triangles; for these, cut the tortillas into thirds so they’re easy to pick up. Then season them up a bit: brush them with olive oil or spritz with cooking spray, then sprinkle a mix of salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until crispy and brown!

Menu of the Week

I like an ooey, gooey platter of nachos as much as the next person, but when faced with all those chips and cheese and salsa, I tend to overindulge. By placing all the ingredients on a single chip, I get lots of flavor while making a serious (though sometimes losing!) attempt at portion control.

These are also perfect for dinner parties or backyard gatherings. The single-serving size is easier to handle. By quartering the tortillas, you get a larger chip base. Use leftover pulled pork (or chicken, beef, or veggies), mix with shredded cheese, and bake until hot and the cheese is melted. Top with a light salsa. Eat.

Latin American Corn Breads

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the awesome-tasting breads made with chickpea flour (and reader, I confess, I gobbled those breads so fast, I barely managed a picture!). Those breads were largely European in nature; this week, I’m turning my tastebuds to South American and Mexico.

I have three favorite corn flour, or masa harina or masa arepa, based breads to share with you. While the ingredients list is essentially the same, the three are very different. These easy-to-make breads won’t replace my beloved corn tortillas; they simply add delicious options to my dinner routine. Plus, they are naturally gluten-free, which makes them even better! Continue reading “Latin American Corn Breads”

Cachapas (Corn Pancakes)

Cachapas are a sweet and savory (and gluten free!) corn pancake from Venezuela. Traditionally, they’re eaten with a bit of butter and melted cheese (just fold them in half and enjoy!). You can customize them however you want, of course. Pulled pork, roasted vegetables, chicken — all make great fillings for your naturally gluten-free corn pancake. Adjust the size of the pancake (and cooking time) accordingly.

I like to serve mine with a simple salsa either directly over the melted cheese or as a dipping sauce on the side.

(Note: this recipe isn’t 100% authentic — I’ve developed it over time based on lots of research.)

Finding the Right Chile for Your Chili

I crave chili during weather extremes — when it’s very hot or when it’s very cold. Okay, I also crave chili when I’m running late for book club and need to throw together a fast dish for the group (see: how many times has Kassia made Frito Pie featuring Amy’s amazing vegetarian and gluten-free chili in the past year?).

Seriously, chili is a great dish for parties, for dinner, for lunch, for just about any meal. It can be hot and spicy or suffused with a nice mellow heat. Best of all, with a little prep work, chili can cook away in your crockpot all day — it’s just a braise, when you get down to it — while you secretly dream of toppings while you’re pretending to work.

It makes me sad that more restaurants don’t serve gluten-free chili. As you can see from the recipe linked below, this dish really doesn’t need the addition of wheat-based ingredients! Continue reading “Finding the Right Chile for Your Chili”