Gluten Free Greek Isle Tossed Lentil Salad Recipe

1 can (15 oz) lentils, rinsed and drained well
1/4 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp dried oregano
pinch kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup chopped calamata olives
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
1/2 cup diced green peppers
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
8 grape tomatoes, cut in halves
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper until frothy; add the drained lentils to the dressing in bowl and toss gently to coat well.

Add the remaining ingredients (except feta cheese) and toss gently to combine.

Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Just before serving, add the feta cheese and toss gently.

This makes a large salad that will serve 6 to 8, or more.

Easy To Make Gluten Free Flour Mixes

Try these easy to make gluten free flour mixes. These mixes are ideal substitutes for common everyday flour.

Gluten Free Rice Soy Flour Mix Recipe

1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour

Mix together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Makes a good flour to use in pancake batter or for brownies.
Makes 1 cup flour.

Gluten Free Baking Flour Mix Recipe

2 cups rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum

Mix together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Makes a good flour to use in breads, rolls, and other baked goods.
Makes 3 cups flour.

Gluten Free Rice Potato Flour Mix Recipe

8 cups rice flour
2 2/3 cups potato starch
1 1/3 cup tapioca flour

Mix together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Makes 12 cups flour.

Gluten Free Lighten Up Rice Flour Mix Recipe

4 cups rice flour
4 cups tapioca flour
4 cups cornstarch
1/4 cup potato flour

Mix together and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Try this flour for foods where a lighter texture is called for.
Makes 12 1/4 cup flour mix.

Become A Master Cook With These Tips

Becoming a successful chef, whether in your home kitchen or professionally, takes both talent and learned skill that can overwhelm everyone. Cooking is so accessible because you can go at your own pace, and if you try applying these tips, you can be a master chef faster than the blink of an eye.

There are some things you should be aware of if you plan to cook with skewers. If you are using metal skewers, stick to twisted or square designs, as this can grasp food more effectively.

You should do the prep work for your meals in advance. This will simplify matters when you are cooking your meals. That way, when you're ready to cook, it takes some of the stress out of it, especially if you have a deadline to meet. Prepare early to avoid later stress.

Get a cookbook with easy recipes or a specific theme you find interesting to get you started. Try looking online or to your local library or bookstore. Pick out a few recipes to try and decide after it has been eaten if it is a recipe you want to add to your permanent collection. Be sure to be patient as you try these new recipes.

When creating a meal for someone you are friends with or fond of, try making what you already are good at making. Don't experiment with recipes or ingredients that you've never used before. This makes cooking less stressful.

Do you regret having to throw out old fruit? Is it alright to eat fruit after removing the moldy sections? Unfortunately, there isn't any way to salvage fruit that has begun to rot. In fact it is best to throw away the fruit. Mold can grow much deeper than the eye can see, and eating it could potentially make you very ill.

A nutritious way to reduce the calories from your mashed potatoes is to replace some of the potatoes with cauliflower. The taste of cauliflower will blend nicely with the potatoes. You'll still be able to enjoy mashed potatoes, but with less fat and calories!

Vegetables should be cooked rapidly to obtain peak results. If you slow cook vegetables they will lose nutritional value and taste. These methods usually create healthier vegetables. It is worth it to take the time to use cooking methods that preserve the most nutrients.

Once in awhile, burgers stick to the cooking surface making it nearly impossible to get them off in one piece. Try brushing vegetable oil on the cooking surface prior to cooking so that food does not stick.

When you make chicken stock, a good piece of advice is to make it in a big quantity. Make a giant pot and store what you don't use in your freezer. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. To preserve your stock for future use, just simply make sure that it is stored in heavy duty freezer bags and frozen solid. This way the stock should keep for several months or so.

Knowing how to cook will always come in handy when you want to prepare a meal that impresses. Everyone, ranging from all races, genders, and sexes, sits down to eat food. If you implement the tips in this article, it won't be long before you are an accomplished cook and your dinner parties are the talk of the town.

Gluten Free Fruited Rice Pudding Recipe

2 cups water
1 cup long grain rice
4 cups evaporated milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 egg whites
1/4 cup crushed pineapple
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

Put water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice, lower heat to medium-low and cook gently for 10 minutes. Pour rice out into a fine mesh strainer and drain; set aside.

Put the saucepan back over medium-high heat, add the evaporated milk and brown sugar, whisk and cook until heated through, then add the drained rice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Turn heat to low and cook stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid has thickened. Remove and let cool completely.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and spray a small casserole dish with non-stick cooking oil.
In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy, then add to the cooled rice mixture, and stir. Add the crushed pineapple, raisins, and dried apricots to the rice/egg mixture and fold together until blended - don't over mix.

Turn the mixture out into the casserole dish.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pudding sets up.

Serve warm out of the oven or allow to cool. This is good with a little drizzle of cream over the top and a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon.

Gluten Free Easy Blended Egg White Waffles Recipe

6 egg whites
1 cup gluten-free oatmeal
1 cup cottage cheese
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
dash salt

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Prepare your waffle maker as normal.

Pour batter out of blender into waffle maker and cook until light golden brown.

Will make 2 large Belgian waffles or 4 regular waffles.

Back For Seconds: Cooking Tips No One Can Resist

Wanting to cook well is something many want to do, but the process you go through to be a grand chef can be overwhelming. The thing with cooking is that progress can be charted in baby steps, and if you follow the advice below, you will be convinced that you have what it takes to be the next top chef.

Make sure to keep herbs and spices in an area that is cool and dim. The flavor of the spices and herbs will decrease if they are kept in areas with light, humidity, and heat. Generally speaking, spices that have been ground will keep their flavor for about one year. If kept whole, spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. Keep spices fresh for the longest time possible by storing them correctly.

You should slice meat thinly and also on the bias when cooking stir-fry dishes. Getting the perfect cut can sometimes be a challenge. Remove the meat before it is frozen, but still firm, and slice it at 45 degrees against the grain.

Spices should be stored in an area with little light and low temperatures, like a pantry. Leaving your spices out will expose them to moisture and light, which will diminish their quality. Keeping your spices in darkened, cool areas will lend extra longevity and flavor. Fresh spices can greatly enhance your meals, making this effort well worth your time.

A good tip when cooking with oil is to put it on the sides of the pan so it's already hot when it slides down into the food. This helps to bring out the flavor in your food.

For crispier French fries, put raw potatoes into cold water and let them sit there for about half an hour before frying. Allowing the sliced potatoes to soak up more cold fluids helps to reinforce the fibers that are in the vegetable, that way when they are deep fried, they are better able to stand up to the heat and won't completely break down.

If you want to reduce the amount of calories and fat in a mashed potato dish, substitute cauliflower for some of the potatoes. The bland cauliflower taste will make it so that you do not notice much difference in the taste, while accentuating the taste of some of the other ingredients. It also mimics the texture and color of the potatoes almost perfectly letting you up your vegetable intake, and drop the calories, all the while giving the same delicious potato experience we all know and love.

Cook your vegetables quickly to retain quality and nutrients. Using slow cooking methods can rob vegetable of their taste and nutritional value. You have an added bonus, because these certain techniques make vegetables healthier in general. The key to improving your vegetables is learning how you can cook them in the minimum amount of time.

Whether you plan to dazzle your family with a well-cooked meal or impress a hot date with a romantic dinner, culinary talent will enhance your life in many ways. Eating with family and friends is a custom that transcends place and culture. Become a better cook and host a great dinner party by applying the tips in this article.

Gluten Free Double Chocolate Berry Surprise Cupcakes Recipe

3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate baking chips
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large eggs
36 berries (blueberries or raspberries)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put cupcake liners in 12 compartment muffin tin.

Put bittersweet choco chips and butter in saucepan over low heat and stir until chips are melted; remove from heat.

In a medium size bowl, stir together the sugar and cocoa powder, then add the eggs and whisk, mixing well. Then, while whisking, drizzle in the melted chocolate until well combined and a batter is formed.

Pour this batter into the cupcake liners each about 1/2 full, set 3 berries into each, then top off to 3/4 full.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes or until puffed up and cupcakes spring back when touched.

Remove and let cool for a few minutes, then tip over onto a rack and let cool completely.

Gluten Free Curried Veggie Amaranth Pilaf Recipe

2 cups amaranth (may substitute or combine amaranth/millet/quinoa)
1/2 tsp curry powder
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 small zucchini, diced
2 small yellow squash, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
3 green onions, chopped
8 grape tomatoes, cut in half
salt and pepper to taste

Put the amaranth (or combination) in a dry (not oiled) skillet over low heat and toast until light golden brown; remove from heat and immediately add the curry powder and stir to combine. Leave off heat and let cool.

Get out a soup pot and dump the curried toasted amaranth in, then add the chicken or vegetable stock, stir, and put over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, turn heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer slowly for about 20 minutes. Check to see if all the stock is absorbed and amaranth is tender.

In a large skillet, add the olive oil, zucchini, yellow squash, and red pepper, and cook over medium-low heat until vegetables soften slightly, then add the onions and tomatoes and cook just until the tomatoes are hot.

Add to the skillet the cooked amaranth, toss gently to combine, then add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately. Will serve 4 to 6.

All Your Cooking Questions Answered Here

Even the kitchen at your own house can seem rather boring from time to time. You can change this by taking up a hobby, like cooking. If you like what you're doing in the kitchen, then going there will be a pleasure. The next few parts of this article will inspire you with a few tips that revolve around cooking.

When you are cooking food on skewers, there are some basic guidelines to know. Metal skewers will work better if they are twisted or squared.

When making a stir-fry dish, the meat needs to be cut into very thin slices, always on the bias. This may take some time and effort. When the meat feels firm, pull it from the freezer and cut across the grain at a 45 degree angle.

Always cook what you know whenever you are cooking for someone special. New recipes can be difficult to make and can create unnecessary stress. This will ensure that your cooking experience is stress-free.

For crispier French fries, put raw potatoes into cold water and let them sit there for about half an hour before frying. Soaking potatoes accomplishes two important things for your French fries; it takes out sugar and starch during the soaking process.

Take the stress out of a major cooking endeavor by completing as much prep work in advance as possible. Recipes should be examined and items that won't spoil that can be prepared a day or two ahead should be done first. The day before the cooking happens, there can be a lot of prep work done. This can make it even easier to cook complicated dishes and make them more enjoyable.

When you put flour or other baking needs away, put them in a vacuum seal holder. Airtight containers keep your food fresh and protect it from bugs and bacterias. A variety of plastic containers, bags and decorative canisters will protect your food.

You should think big when preparing chicken stock. Make enough so that you can freeze it and use it in your recipes. This stock is a popular base that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to casseroles and much more. To preserve your stock for future use, just simply make sure that it is stored in heavy duty freezer bags and frozen solid. This way the stock should keep for several months or so.

To cook flavorful veggies that turn out well, use chicken broth. By using chicken broth instead of water, you will add extra flavor to your vegetables. Chicken broth is usually available for relatively low prices at most grocery stores.

Sauteing vegetables in a little chicken broth is a healthful way to cook them. Broth adds flavor to the vegetables while reducing the quantity of oil necessary for sauteing. This is a wonderful way to cook, and enjoy, your vegetables.

Use the ideas presented here as a jumping off point for your own ideas. You should be able to prepare foods that your family and you thoroughly enjoy eating. Cooking can be a recreation that is enriching to your diet as well as your life. Your kitchen will be the place everyone wants to be.

Gluten Free Crispy Cheese Cracker Recipe

1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup gluten-free flour*
1 tsp kosher salt

Smash together the softened butter and shredded cheese in a bowl. You can use a potato masher. Continue smashing until the mixture is creamy.

Add the flour and kosher salt, smash until you can form a dough ball with the mixture.

Divide the dough ball into 4 equal parts, then roll each one into a log that's 1 inch in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic food wrap, then seal in zipper bags. Put in freezer until the dough is semi-frozen.  It's easier to slice that way.

Remove from freezer. With a sharp knife, cut logs into thin circles and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

When oven is hot, bake the crackers for 10 to 12 minutes, or until light golden brown.

Remove and cool before serving or storing in airtight containers.

Will make about 6 dozen crackers.

*Try almond flour for a nice nutty taste.

Gluten Free Diet Tips: How To Cope With Celiac Disease

You're Diagnosed With Celiac Disease - Now What?

When you or a member of your family are told by your doctor that you have celiac disease, you will most likely feel overwhelmed.  Of course, you may also feel relieved to know that your symptoms are easily treated, and damage to the small intestine can be reversed with the proper diet.

Then you find yourself slipping back into overwhelmed mode. You may even be tempted to stop at the grocery store on your way back from the doctor's office to grab all the foods in the 'gluten-free' aisle you can get your hands on. However, this will surely cause even more frustration. 

So, what should you do when you are diagnosed with celiac disease? Read. Study. Learn. Let's take a look at a few simple suggestions for changing to a gluten-free household.

Learn to Read Labels

One of the best things that happened in the gluten-free world is new food labeling laws.  All foods manufactured and labeled after January 1, 2006, must be labeled in plain language with the eight most prevalent food allergens, which includes wheat. If any wheat gluten is used in any form and in any amount, it must be clearly stated on the label. Even if gluten is used in coloring or flavoring, it must be listed.

Of course, that just covers wheat gluten. You will still need to watch ingredient labels for other sources of gluten, such as barley (malt) and rye. You may wish to avoid oats, as well, even though they are not actually a gluten product, because there may be cross-contamination in grain packaging and processing plants.

Learn to Recognize Gluten
 

Any simple internet search for the term 'gluten free foods' will give you lists of foods with gluten, foods without gluten, and foods with 'hidden' gluten. Start by creating a list for yourself of all foods with gluten (obvious foods like wheat flour, crackers, pasta, etc.), along with the potential 'hidden' sources of gluten (ketchup, broth, soy sauce, croutons, stuffing, marinades, dressings, etc.)

Now make a list of all the foods that are naturally gluten free. Here is where your whole fruits, vegetables, and proteins such as meat, fish, chicken, and eggs come in.  I guarantee, once you list all the foods you can eat without worry, you'll feel better about sacrificing other foods.

Purge the Pantry
 

With a good understanding of how to read labels, and with your lists in hand, you are ready to begin at the beginning - in your kitchen. Rather than approach the grocery store yet, dig into your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer and purge anything that you know to have gluten, such as anything made with wheat flour.

Once you have cleaned out the obvious sources of gluten, it's time to put your label reading expertise to work. Take your time and read the label of each packaged food, looking for both the allergen listing and the ingredient list. Double check the labels against the list you made of foods with gluten, and remember to look for the 'hidden' gluten sources. This will take some time, but you and your health are worth the effort.

Time to Shop

The reason you go through your kitchen first is because you need to see how much food you already have in the house that is actually gluten-free.  You may be surprised to find plenty to get you by for a few days.  If not, then get ready to take your lists to the grocery store.

However, before you embark on this journey, remind yourself that you don't need to stock the kitchen full of special 'gluten-free' foods.  You'll be overwhelmed (and over budget) if you start out by buying these specialty items. Many foods are naturally gluten free, making the shopping much easier, especially in the beginning.

Start with the basics so you can eat healthy without the frustration of trying to discover new foods. Shop the perimeters of the store, which is where your fresh produce and proteins typically can be found. Stick to the foods that you know are gluten-free to avoid label reading over-load. There is plenty of time for that later.

Stock up on naturally gluten-free foods and plan out your first few meals. Try fish seasoned with real lemon and fresh dill, and a side dish of quinoa tossed with diced fresh vegetables. Skip all the prepackaged foods to make these first meals easier.  Then you can branch out and look for other foods that are gluten-free when you're feeling more adventurous.

This is a learning process, so take it slow and you can relax and enjoy (finally!) how good you feel after a delicious meal.

Gluten Free Creole Tomato Fish Stew Recipe

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 small green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 bayleaf
1/4 tsp rosemary
1 tsp cumin
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
1 lb fresh fish, cut into small chunks
2 cups hot cooked brown rice

Put olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the onion, celery, and green pepper and cook, stirring, until veggies soften. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more.

Add the parsley, bayleaf, rosemary, and cumin, and cook for 1 minute more.

Add the tomatoes and cook until just hot, then turn heat down to low and simmer (uncovered) for 15 minutes.

Add the fish pieces, gently pushing down to submerge them, trying not to break them up any more. Continue cooking on low heat for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.

To serve, ladle fish stew into bowls and top with a generous spoonful of hot cooked rice in the center of the bowl.

Will serve 2 to 4.

Glutenn Free Diet Tips: Celiac Symptoms

The Return Of Celiac Symptoms May Not Be Gluten Related

The process of diagnosing celiac disease is not a simple one. Symptoms can mimic other intestinal conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), anemia, or even chronic fatigue syndrome. In fact, for many people the diagnosis process is more difficult than the treatment.

The good news is, the painful symptoms of celiac disease may start to improve after only a few weeks of following a strict gluten-free diet. And, many doctors report their patients have had a complete reversal of damage to the small intestine in less than a year.

However, even after following a strict gluten-free diet, some people will report to their doctors that they still have times when the same symptoms return. Once a person's health and digestion feel normal again, having similar symptoms return is frustrating. 

Because people on gluten-free diets have been so focused on their celiac disease symptoms, they may assume that any distress is caused by gluten sneaking into their diet. But, these symptoms may not be the result of eating gluten.

The fact is, there are foods that irritate the digestive system that have nothing to do with celiac disease. Yes, a person with celiac disease may have a reaction to ingesting certain food items, but the same may hold true for many others without celiac disease.

In other words, if you are eating a gluten-free diet, and you suddenly suffer symptoms again, you may not have gluten to blame.

Here are a few food items that may cause stomach and intestinal distress that have nothing to do with gluten.

Lactose

The lactase enzyme necessary to digest the sugar in milk (lactose) is lacking in people with celiac disease until the small intestine is healed completely. For a time, you may have to avoid milk or choose a lactose free milk. The symptoms for gluten intolerance are often similar to those who suffer lactose intolerance; bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Allergens

People who have celiac disease often have other food allergies or intolerance. We mentioned lactose already, but other common allergies include eggs, corn, soy, and nuts. Eliminating only gluten from your diet will not address these issues.

Flaxseed

This is a common food item used to replace wheat flour and meal for cooking. The downside is flax is also a natural laxative. Switching your diet to include a lot of flaxseed flour or meal could cause diarrhea, which would concern anyone with celiac disease.

Sorbitol and Guar Gum

These additives are found in all sorts of candy, medicine, and other packaged goods. Read the labels carefully and try to eliminate these ingredients from your kitchen. These items often cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain and cramping in many people regardless of whether they have celiac disease or not.

Acid Rich Foods

Even foods as wholesome as tomatoes, apples, oranges, and grapefruit can cause discomfort or pain. If this happens when you eat acidic foods, you may be experiencing 'acid reflux' - a condition that feels very much like gluten intolerance. Also, watch out for coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol.

Once you are on a gluten-free diet for a month or so, you should be feeling better. But, what happens when you are surprised by the return of the same symptoms?

After eliminating the possibility of ingesting gluten, examine these other irritating foods. Remember, eliminating gluten from your diet is the first step. After that, you will need to be vigilant and look outside the gluten-free world if symptoms return.

Gluten Free Cream Of Soup Mix Recipe

2 cups powdered nonfat milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
3 Tbsp dried onion flakes
1 tsp dried garlic flakes (optional)

Put all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until mixed well. Store in an airtight container.
To use:

1/3 cup Cream of Soup Mix

1 1/4 cups cold water

Put in saucepan over low heat and whisk until mixture thickens. Use as you would any 'cream of soup' from a can.

You Can Cook And Have Fun Too

When you first start cooking, you need to begin somewhere. Most people aren't born with the ability to prepare the perfect meal. That said, everybody has the ability to learn how to cook. There are some things that you need to learn if you want to master cooking. There are some wonderful ideas that will set you onto the road of success.

Your spices should be stored in a place that is cool and dark. Putting them in a warm, lighted area can reduce their useful life, due to light and heat exposure. Try to find a cool, dark cupboard if you want to increase the flavor and lifespan of your favorite spices. Using fresh spices will make your food taste better.

When you cook vegetables for a long time, like boiling them, a lot of essential nutrients will be cooked away. If you are not serving the vegetables in their raw state, consider steaming, sautéing or even roasting your vegetables to protect their vitamin and nutrient content.

Do you ever hesitate to toss moldy food? Have you ever wondered if you could simply cut away the part with mold and keep the rest? Saving half-rotten fruit in a healthy way is not possible. The bacteria that causes mold goes deeper than you think, so it's always best to throw away food with even the smallest of mold spots.

Vegetables are just better all-around the faster they are cooked. Using a slow cooking method is sometimes suggested, but the results are less nutritious and don't taste as good. Vegetables cooked in these ways make healthier side dishes and ingredients in recipes. The less time you take to cook them, the better your vegetables will be.

Do you enjoy using fresh basil in your dishes? Put a some of it in a cup. Fill with water to cover the stems. You can keep it on the kitchen counter for several weeks. Most often times, basil will actually take root in water. You can encourage the basil's growth even further by trimming it back from time to time, keeping it fresh and healthy even longer.

If you've made sauce, you should place any that is leftover in an ice tray and freeze it. When you need sauce for another meal, you already have individual portions, ready to grab and reheat in a pan. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the trays.

When it's time to cook your meat, has it ever been an issue trying to decide how long to grill it for? Use a digital or other high-quality internal thermometer to check whether your meat is cooked enough. If you are cooking thicker cuts of meat on the grill, for instance thicker than one and a half inches, close the lid to cook it faster.

Though not everyone was born with skill in the kitchen, but if you follow the simple tips from this article, you can become a good chef rather quickly. It really is not as hard as it seems. When you keep the tips you learned here in mind, there will be no stopping you.

Gluten Free Corn Dogs Recipe

2/3 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup white rice flour
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tsp potato flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs

Fill your deep fryer with gluten-free oil, or fill a heavy pot with gluten-free oil and set on stove top.

Get out 8 to 10 hotdogs, poke a stick into the end of each hot dog for a handle if you wish, and let sit out to come to room temperature while you prepare the batter.

Put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir to mix well.

Put buttermilk and eggs in a small bowl and whisk until mixed well.

Put buttermilk/egg mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined; batter will be thick.

Heat the oil until it reaches about 360 degrees or until the oil spits when water is dropped in.

Dip the hot dog into the batter and let excess drip off, then gently lower into hot oil; fry until golden brown.

Don't over-crowd the oil in the fryer, just deep fry a few at a time if necessary.

Remove to a paper towel covered rack to cool.

Gluten Free Diet Tips: How To Avoid Nutrient Deficiency

The Gluten Free Diet And Nutrient Deficiency Connection

Eating a gluten free diet is a part of life for many people. Some people choose to avoid gluten because they feel better when they don't eat foods with gluten. Other people have been diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition in which the small intestine has an immune reaction to gluten, causing inflammation and, over time, the inability to absorb nutrients properly.

If you are avoiding gluten in your diet, for any reason, you may be missing some important nutrients.  Let's take a look at a few considerations when choosing your gluten free foods.

Fiber

Many people depend on cereal and bread for 'roughage' or fiber in the diet.  When these foods are completely removed, there has to be a replacement.  Many raw vegetables contain plenty of fiber, so be sure to increase your intake. Also, consider adding brown rice, millet, buckwheat (which is not wheat), and quinoa to your diet to get another boost of fiber.

Iron
Cereal, bread, and pasta are very often made with 'enriched flour.' This means nutrients have been added; nutrients such as iron. Again, when eliminating foods we have relied on for certain nutrients, we have to find replacements. Be sure to eat plenty of meat, fish, and poultry, along with nuts, seeds, eggs, greens, and even blackstrap molasses to get your iron.

Calcium

This deficiency comes in a round-about way. Many people with celiac disease, or a sensitivity to gluten, are also lactose intolerant. Because of this, they avoid not only gluten, but also dairy. And, since dairy supplies the majority of calcium in many diets, you can see where a deficiency may occur.  To get the calcium you're missing, add broccoli, kale, and turnip greens to your diet, along with plenty of nuts like almonds. You also need vitamin D to absorb calcium, so be sure to add fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna to your diet.

Folate and other B Vitamins

When the villi in the small intestine are damaged due to celiac disease, the absorption of folate and other B vitamins is affected. A large source of these nutrients is missing in our diet when we remove foods that are 'fortified' with these vitamins; foods like cereal, bread, and pasta. It's important to replace these 'fortified' foods with other foods rich in folate and B vitamins; foods such as broccoli, asparagus, legumes, nuts, sesame seeds, eggs, milk, meat, chicken, turkey, liver, fish, and seafood. All these foods are excellent sources of folate, B6, and B12.

Other Considerations

As we can see, the inability of the small intestine to absorb certain nutrients causes nutritional imbalances. You can address many of these concerns by eating the right foods and taking supplements when needed.
However, there are other symptoms that present themselves in some people with celiac disease, or in people who avoid gluten for other reasons. There is the possibility of developing constipation due to lack of fiber, diarrhea due to an increased intolerance to milk products, slow growth in children, osteoporosis, weight gain, and weight loss.

When a person on a gluten free diet avoids certain foods, they could be missing some main sources of nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium, and even protein may be lacking. Be sure to assess your nutritional needs with your doctor any time you severely limit food groups from your diet. If you suspect celiac disease, ask your doctor for an evaluation.

Gluten Free Coconut Cinnamon Rice Pudding Recipe

1 1/4 cups coconut milk
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked rice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Put coconut milk and water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; whisk to combine.  Bring to a boil, add the rice and salt, stir, turn heat to low, cover pan, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes, undisturbed.

Add cinnamon and stir. Serve immediately.

You can top the rice pudding with a little cream, some raisins, or even nuts and shredded coconut. This can be served for breakfast or as a dessert or snack.

Gluten Free Diet Tips: Is It Celiac Disease Or Is It Gluten Sensitivity?

There is a lot of talk about eating a gluten-free diet these days. It may be a bit confusing to the casual observer, especially when the term 'celiac disease' is thrown into the mix.

Does everyone on a gluten-free diet have celiac disease? Do you need to be diagnosed with celiac disease to start a gluten-free diet? Is it important to know if you have celiac disease or not?

What defines celiac disease is damage to the small intestine. When a person with celiac disease eats the protein gluten, it damages the 'villi' of the small intestine. This damage  makes it almost impossible for nutrients to be absorbed into the body and bloodstream, which leads to a nutrient imbalance and malnourishment. 

If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to osteoporosis, thyroid disease, infertility, cancer, and other diseases and conditions. Celiac disease is a hereditary autoimmune disease. For these reasons, being tested for celiac disease may be in your, and your family's, best interest.

It's true that 'celiac disease' and 'gluten sensitivity' both present similar symptoms, making the diagnosis process lengthy sometimes. However, the only way to diagnose celiac disease is with a blood test and, if warranted, a biopsy. Diagnosis based on symptoms alone will not be enough when celiac disease is suspected.

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are treated the same; a gluten-free diet. There are no medications to treat either condition. However, complications from untreated celiac disease (as mentioned above) may result in further treatment.

Once a gluten-free diet is followed for several weeks, both people with celiac disease and people who have gluten sensitivity will feel relief from their symptoms. If they return to a diet with gluten, the symptoms will return.

Some of the symptoms that present for both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are as follows:

abdominal pain
bloating and gas
diarrhea
constipation
fatigue
skin rash
mouth sores
numb feet and/or hands
weight loss
weight gain
poor growth
bone fractures
thinning tooth enamel or discoloration

You can see why diagnosing celiac disease can take years. These symptoms may be explained away in many different ways. But, what's important to understand is that if you suffer more than a few of these symptoms, and they are persistent, you will want to talk to your doctor or other health professional.

Is it important to know whether you have celiac disease or have gluten sensitivity? If these symptoms are new to you, and avoiding gluten makes the symptoms disappear, you can discuss this with your doctor to see if you have all the information you need to start a gluten-free lifestyle.

However, if these symptoms have been plaguing you for some time, or if you have any conditions outside of these symptoms, you want to ask your doctor to test you for celiac disease. Since celiac disease is hereditary and it does cause small intestine damage, having a diagnosis may make you and your family more aware of the risks. That knowledge may also be what you need to stay focused and vigilant with your health and the health of your family.

Gluten Free Classic Tuna Casserole Recipe

1 cup milk
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
2 cups cooked long grain rice
2 cups frozen peas
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 can (7 oz) albacore tuna, drained
1/2 cup almond meal
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a medium size casserole dish.

Put milk and cornstarch in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk and bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and add the chicken bouillon, salt, and mustard, stirring to combine. Continue stirring until mixture thickens; remove from heat.

Add the rice, peas, cheese, and tuna to the saucepan and stir gently to combine, then turn out into the prepared casserole dish.

In a bowl, stir together the almond meal and melted butter, then evenly sprinkle over the tuna casserole.
Bake (uncovered) in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and lightly browned around the edges.

Remove and let stand for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Will serve 2 to 4. This recipe can easily be doubled.

Gluten Free Cooking Tips: How To Find Hidden Gluten In Your Food

Hunt Out And Eliminate Lurking Gluten

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with celiac disease, you probably already know you've got your work cut out for you. Perhaps you have started memorizing the foods that contain gluten, and you probably have become schooled in reading food labels. You may have started cleaning out your pantry and refrigerator and feel well on your way to becoming gluten-free.

However, like most dietary restrictions, the initial work yields excellent results but the long-term commitment finds us falling back into complacency.

That's why we must be vigilant. We must search out gluten that may be hidden in food products - under the radar, if you will. Let's take a look at some of the questionable food products that should be examined for lurking gluten.

Grains

The avoidance of wheat, barley, and rye is obvious, but what about oats? Even though oats aren't a gluten, they are often processed with wheat products. Most gluten-free folks will avoid oats for that reason. However, you may find specially processed oat products that are guaranteed to be from a 'cross-contamination free' source.

The trick now is to recognize foods that you wouldn't guess grains have been added to,  but they have. Just consider the number of restaurants that add wheat flour to their eggs to make an omelet fluffier. If you're buying prepared foods such as breakfast burritos, for instance, you may think because it's a corn tortilla that it is safe. Read the label. Those burritos may include wheat or other gluten to solidify or fluff up the ingredients. You may also find prepackaged frozen hash browns are coated in wheat flour to keep them from sticking. And, surprisingly, the same may go for shredded cheese.

Proteins

Now, this should be totally gluten-free, right? Not necessarily. Most processed meats (hotdogs, sausage, luncheon meats) contain grain as a filler. That Thanksgiving turkey with the self-basting buttery sauce most likely contains a thickener containing wheat or other grain. Even imitation seafood like the 'krabstick' you see in sushi contains a binder made from wheat or other grain. Any meat which comes in a marinade is suspect because marinades typically include soy sauce for flavor, or an emulsifier.

Any protein (meat, fish, and poultry) that is packaged with a coating should be investigated before eating. Some are obviously coated with a breading, while others are lightly coated with seasoning which can also contain gluten. As mentioned, shredded cheese is often coated with flour to prevent clumping. Roquefort and Bleu cheese may contain bread mold in the processing.

Produce

You can trust fresh fruits and vegetables to be gluten-free. But if you buy canned or frozen produce, you'll need to be vigilant. Most will have some sort of preservative and/or thickener which contains gluten.
Beverages

Any milk with flavoring is immediately suspect. Instant coffee, instant tea, or any flavorings to be added to your coffee or tea most likely will have some gluten added. Stay away from the flavoring syrups for coffee, both at home and at a coffee shop. Beer, root beer, and even wine coolers are not normally gluten-free.

Condiments Etc.

All those bottles and boxes that don't make up an actual food group is in this category. Every seasoning combination, blended dressing, flavored sauce, and marinade must be investigated. Soy sauce, teriyaki, balsamic vinegar, salad dressing, marinade, dips, grill seasonings, bouillon cubes, and even candy have hidden gluten sources.

Ketchup, mayonnaise, and some mustard have added gluten for emulsifying, stabilizing, and thickening. Dry seasoning blends often have added ingredients to keep the blend from getting sticky, and these ingredients are often gluten.  Creamy sauces need emulsifiers to hold together, and these emulsifiers are often gluten. Remember, gluten is used to bind - glue - ingredients together. That's why you find it in blends of ingredients, dry or wet.

Outside the Kitchen

Think about the items you use daily. Many of them are blended. Your favorite lipstick or lip balm needs something to hold it together, and that something is often gluten. Toothpaste and even vitamins need a binder. If it's blended and needs to be 'glued' together, it may include gluten.

With a gluten-free diet, especially for someone who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, there is no room for complacency. The danger of ingesting gluten can cause not only discomfort, but serious pain and damage to the small intestine. Spend time looking for lurking gluten in your kitchen, and throughout the house, and you'll be happy you did.

Gluten Free Chicken Nugget Knockoff Recipe

3 large or 4 smaller chicken breasts, skin and bone removed
2 Tbsp white distilled vinegar
1 tsp garlic salt
1 cup milk
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
peanut oil for frying

Cut chicken into 1 inch chunks, keeping them as uniform in size as possible so they fry up evenly.

Put chicken pieces in a large glass bowl, add the vinegar and garlic salt and toss to coat evenly; cover with plastic food wrap and set aside for 15 minutes to marinade.

Get out a heavy Dutch oven and fill it with enough peanut oil to have at least 3 inches in the pot; set aside.
Prepare the coating:

Pour the milk into a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix together the cornstarch, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Just before ready to fry, prepare the chicken:

Dip chicken pieces first in milk, then in the cornstarch mixture and set on a rack, then continue until all pieces are coated.

Put the Dutch oven with the oil in it over medium-high heat and heat the oil to 350 degrees. (It's best to check with a thermometer.)

Carefully lower a few chicken nuggets at a time into the hot oil, making sure there is enough room to allow the nuggets to fry evenly - don't over crowd.

Fry for about 5 minutes or until nicely browned all over, then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel covered rack to drain. Sprinkle with salt if needed while the nuggets are still warm.

Continue frying the chicken nuggets until done, then serve warm with gluten-free dipping sauces as desired.  This is a good 'copy cat' recipe for chicken nuggets your kids would typically get out at a fast food place.

Gluten Free Cooking Tips: Weight Loss

Gluten Free Diet For Weight Loss? Here's The Real Skinny

If you've been anywhere near a television, magazine, or blog, you have probably heard about celebrities who are on a 'gluten-free' diet to lose weight. You may even know someone who has "cut out the gluten" to lose weight. Perhaps you have even seen some positive results.

Going on a gluten-free diet CAN help you lose weight and may even give you a boost in your energy levels. Does that mean we should all run out and stock up on all those great gluten-free products at the grocery store? As tempting as it is to do, the answer is NO. Let's look at some simple facts and misconceptions about the gluten-free diet.

Celiac Disease Explained

The gluten-free diet, eating a diet devoid of gluten, is intended for those who are either diagnosed with celiac disease or are gluten sensitive or intolerant. To know where you fit on that scale, you would need a blood test. Celiac disease is diagnosed with a blood test; gluten sensitivity can not be diagnosed with a blood test.  However, a person can determine if they are sensitive to gluten by documenting how they feel eating food with gluten and eating food without gluten.

If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, it means that gluten (the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley products) inflames the small intestine, destroying the finger-like protrusions (the villi) which transport nutrients from the food in the small intestine into the bloodstream. When the villi are destroyed, the body can not absorb the nutrients it needs, causing malnourishment which results in many health concerns.

Someone diagnosed with celiac disease must not eat any foods containing any gluten in any form. This is for health reasons, and not for weight loss.

Weight Loss Explained

A person who has celiac disease may be thin, especially in the early stages. Weight loss may occur in people with celiac disease as a result of nutrients not being absorbed properly.

Aside from people with celiac disease, you may see people lose weight who are on a gluten-free diet. There are a number of reasons for this weight loss which may have little to do with whether or not gluten is in or out of their diet. Let me explain.

When someone says they have cut gluten out of their diet to lose weight, they may actually be saying they have eliminated bread, pasta, bagels, crackers, and all those 'gluteny' foods. An elimination of processed foods of any kind will help facilitate weight loss. If you replace your bagel for breakfast with fresh fruit to eliminate gluten, you are simply eating a healthier diet which could result in weight loss.

Reading labels when on a gluten-free diet becomes almost fanatical. Being aware of all the added sugars, fats, and carbs will help you make smarter, healthier choices. Depending on what foods are eliminated, and what they are replaced with, a person who is eating a gluten-free diet is going to make better food choices because they are better  informed.

Weight Gain Explained

When the gluten-free diet is used as a weight loss tool, there may also be weight gain as an unpleasant consequence. There are a few reasons this may occur.

Eliminating grains for your diet (wheat, barley, rye, etc.) can mean a drastic cut back in fiber. You need dietary fiber in your diet to prevent constipation. If your body is not working right, your metabolism will slow and you will begin to gain weight instead of lose weight. You can help correct this by remembering that not all grains are forbidden on a gluten-free diet. Be sure to include plenty of safe fiber (brown rice, guinoa, clean oats, etc.) in your diet to maintain a healthy dose of dietary fiber in your digestive tract.

Adding prepackaged gluten-free specialty foods is not the answer to the weight gain dilemma, either. Refined gluten-free flour is still refined flour; no fiber and little nutrition. Many of these packaged foods are less filling because they lack fiber, and they are loaded with sugar and fat to make up for the missing flavor.

Another odd side-effect of gluten-free eating to lose weight is people may become unaware of how much they're eating. We see many people eating gigantic portions of gluten-free foods because, after all, it's good for you. Well, not necessarily. Special gluten-free bread, pasta, and crackers are oftentimes very high in carbohydrates with very little fiber to offset the carb count. Calories may be very high, as well. So, if you're thinking "gluten-free equals healthier" you need to think again and read the labels. A big plate of gluten-free spaghetti is still a big plate of spaghetti.

Energy Boost Explained

It is true that some people get a nice little energy boost when they eliminate gluten from their diet. That may be in part to the elimination of carbohydrate-loaded foods like pasta and bread. When we overload on carbs and don't work it off with exercise, we get sluggish.

Replacing carb-loaded foods with fresh fruits and vegetables will help you feel lighter and more energetic. However, as mentioned, if you start replacing wheat bread and pasta with specialty gluten-free versions of the same foods, the high carb count in those foods, combined with the less than impressive fiber count, will eventually slow you down again.

In Conclusion

If you want to lose weight and enjoy an energy boost, you may get results with a gluten-free diet.  However, you have to do the work, read the labels, and be very aware of portion control.  You also have to remember that processed foods, gluten-free or not, are still processed foods. The flour used is refined, nutrients are removed, and the calories, carbs, sugars, and fat should always be questioned.

Remember, too, that if you are eliminating a food group from your diet, you must consult with your doctor or health professional to determine what nutrients you will need to be watching. If your diet typically included whole grain wheat bread, cereal, or pasta, then you need to have another source of the nutrients and fiber those foods provided.

The gluten-free diet is intended for people who have celiac disease. If you feel you exhibit some of the symptoms, please see your doctor and ask for the blood test needed for diagnosis. If you simply feel better when you don't eat wheat, barley, or rye products, then by all means don't eat them. You still want to consult with your doctor if this is the case.

If you want to lose weight and feel more energetic, you can try eliminating gluten from your diet and see how you feel. Just remember that to experiment with a gluten-free diet for weight loss is a process that needs to be carefully observed. Always check with your doctor first, then proceed slowly and wisely. I wish you the best of health!

Gluten Free Cheesy Egg Potato Skillet Recipe

1 Tbsp butter
1 cup diced ham
1 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp chopped green bell pepper
1 cup diced cooked potatoes
1 cup chopped tomatoes
8 eggs, beaten slightly
3/4 cups milk
salt and pepper
1 cup shredded cheese of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add butter, and when melted add ham and cook until just browned.
Add to the skillet the onion and green pepper and cook just until onion is starting to soften, then add the potatoes and cook just until lightly browned.

Add diced tomatoes and cook until warmed through, then remove from stove.

In a separate bowl, add the milk to the beaten eggs, stir, then pour evenly over the ingredients in the skillet; salt and pepper to taste.

Put skillet in preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are completely set.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, return to oven and cook just long enough for cheese to melt, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove and let sit for a few minutes before cutting. Will serve 6.

Gluten Free Diet Tips: How To Order At A Restaurant

Eating Away From Home On A Gluten Free Diet

The first thing most folks do when they or someone in their family is diagnosed with celiac disease is clean out their own pantry and refrigerator. Their mission is to wipe out all the gluten in the vicinity.

Of course, that is an excellent first step. But we all know we don't eat at home 100 percent of the time. Whether for convenience sake or for fun, eating out at a restaurant is part of our life.

Eliminating gluten from your diet does not mean you can never walk into a restaurant again. It does mean you'll have to do a bit of research, learn the menu, and get to know the staff well. It might sound like a lot of work, but if you don't want to miss out on some of your favorite restaurants, it will be well worth the effort. 
Let's take a look at a few suggestions for handling a meal out when you are eating gluten-free.

Check the Menu

Most restaurants now offer an online menu. Go ahead and start there. Scroll through the menu to find any offerings that are marked 'gluten-free' or 'GF.'  Be sure to make a list so you are ready when the time comes to call the restaurant for more information or to order when you get there.

Call the Restaurant

With menu in hand, give the restaurant a call and ask to speak with the general manager or kitchen manager. Be sure to call during the off-peak hours, not during the lunch or dinner rush. Choose a few specific items on the menu and ask about the ingredients and how it is prepared to avoid cross-contamination. A good manager will be happy to discuss this with you. If not, find another restaurant. It's not worth the chance you would be taking with your health to get rushed or incomplete answers.

Chat with the Staff

If you go to a restaurant without doing the first two steps, you will need to have a talk with the server or manager before you order. Tell him or her that you need a gluten-free meal. Ask them to point out items they recommend, then be very specific about how the food is prepared. You can't expect your server to be absolutely up on all the gluten-free do's and don'ts, so you have to know your stuff, and know what to ask.

Honey vs Vinegar

You know the saying; "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."  Well, not very appetizing when talking about eating out, but I wanted to make a point. Restaurant managers and servers are busy people. They are trying to serve everyone well and keep everyone happy.  For that reason, it is best to be patient and polite as your server gets you the information you need.

Of course, you should ask all the questions you need to arrive at a good decision when it comes to ordering a meal away from home. And, of course, you should be very specific about what you need to know. This may frustrate your server, so it's best to let him or her know right up front that you will have a lot of questions about how the food is prepared. That way a manager may be called to your table right away to avoid some of the back-and-forth in trying to find answers for you.

If the restaurant staff is not able (or willing) to take the time to answer your questions, then it's time to bid a polite farewell and find another restaurant.

Watch Out for Surprise Gluten

It's amazing how many strange places gluten can be found. We have learned to watch out for gluten in packaged foods we bring home, but who would think that pancake batter would be added to make omelets fluffier at a restaurant? Did you know that wheat flour may be added to salad dressing to make it creamier, and that meat may be marinaded in soy sauce?  Soy sauce may be added to a variety of foods to make it richer looking and saltier. French fries may be deep fried in the same vat with breaded chicken. These are all areas to check carefully.

The good news is, most respectable restaurants now offer at least some gluten-free choices on their menu. They are also aware of cross-contamination issues. If your favorite restaurant is behind the times, have a nice chat with the manager or owner and see if you can catch them up. Gluten-free diets are not going to disappear, and restaurants will be eager to please when they see their guests walk out the door.

Be persistent with your questions, in a polite way, and soon you'll be enjoying an ever-increasing choice of gluten-free meals away from home.

Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff Skillet Recipe

1 lb lean ground beef
1 Tbsp oil
1 can (12 oz) V8 juice
1 (10.5 oz) can chicken broth
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 tsp finely chopped onion
1 tsp finely chopped parsley
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 lb rice noodles, cooked
1 cup sour cream
salt and black pepper to taste

In a large heavy skillet, brown the beef in the oil over medium heat, stirring to break up the beef, cooking until the beef is browned; remove beef and set aside.

Add the mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until softened; add the beef back in.

Add the remaining ingredients (except the sour cream) to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil, then turn heat down to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in the cooked rice noodles, then add the sour cream and stir until combined and mixture is hot. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Gluten Free Recipe Tips: Recipe Ideas For Kids

Easy Gluten Free Meal Ideas For Kids

When your child is diagnosed with celiac disease you are bound to have mixed feelings. It's a relief to know what it is that has been making him or her so sick. And you know celiac disease is easy to manage with the proper diet, even healing the damage already done. But in the same breath you may be panicking about what on earth you're going to cook.

Keeping gluten-free foods in the house for adults is one thing. Keeping gluten-free foods for kids is something altogether different. Not only do you have to make sure your child doesn't accidentally eat something with gluten in it, but you have to make sure the poor child isn't going to starve! We all know kids will stare into a fully stocked refrigerator and exclaim; "There's nothing to eat!" Imagine if most of the food in there was truly off limits.

That's why you need to plan ahead. Creating gluten-free meals and snacks is not that difficult if you prepare yourself. Start by learning the basics about the foods that are naturally gluten-free. Once you practice and perfect your label reading abilities, you can branch out into packaged foods with more confidence.
Let's start by looking at a few simple ideas for meals and snacks that are not fancy, but that will certainly be a welcome sight on your child's plate.

Breakfast

Here's where you can go crazy with fruit, yogurt, and nuts. Forget trying to figure out if your multi-grain cereal has gluten in it. Dish up a bowl of unflavored yogurt with fresh berries and a big scoop of chopped almonds. There are also lactose free dairy products to choose if your child is also lactose intolerant.

Scramble up some eggs and mix in cheese and veggies, then roll up into a corn tortilla for a breakfast burrito. Fried potatoes are another welcome change from a bowl of cereal. As a matter of fact, your child may not miss the cereal at all. Of course, Puffed Rice or Cream of Rice cereals can be enjoyed. Again, be sure to double check the label.

Lunch or Snack

Simplicity is the name of the game here. You want some grab-and-go foods handy, but they still have to be filling. Stock up on lots and lots of nuts for snacking and for mixing into salads. Rice cakes or rice crackers with cheese, peanut butter, or hummus is a welcome snack on the go. Celery sticks dipped in hummus is another filling snack or light lunch.

Have a bag of corn chips on hand for quick nachos with melted cheese and fresh salsa. Again, label reading is a must when buying anything in a jar, can, or box. Slice up apples and spread with peanut butter. Or, better yet, put whole apples in the oven, stuff them with raisins, and bake until soft. And don't forget popcorn. Avoid flavored popcorn;  instead choose regular plain popcorn and add your own gluten-free flavorings.

Dinner

When you cook dinner for your kids, you probably already make many gluten-free dishes. The trick here is to avoid as many packaged items as possible to make things easier on you. Use fresh citrus like lemon, lime, or even oranges to flavor chicken breasts. If you like a crunchy topping just chop up nuts and coat the chicken. Bake on a rack in the oven and you have a delicious meal that is gluten-free and simple to make. Serve with a quinoa or brown rice side dish mixed with fresh chopped veggies.

Use corn tortillas and put together easy pizzas in a flash by adding your favorite meats, cheese, and vegetables, then baking until the tortilla is crisp and cheese is melted. Bake potatoes and load them up with lots of cheese and veggies. Toss together some good albacore tuna with salad greens, chopped red bell peppers, celery, peas, and lots of crunchy nuts, then sprinkle with olive oil and red vinegar for a light meal on a hot summer night. Dinner is the time to serve plenty of lean meats, poultry, and seafood. Once you learn a few flavoring tricks, there is no reason your child should go hungry or under-nourished.

The cupboards do not have to be bare in a gluten-free kitchen. Nor do you have to spend loads of money on specialty foods. Look for naturally gluten-free foods, learn to read labels, and be creative. You'll get the hang of this in no time, and enjoy delicious foods right along with your child.

Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread Recipe

2 1/2 cups brown rice flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups smashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously grease a 9x5 loaf pan.

Put flour, salt, and baking powder in a sifter and sift into a large bowl.

Put the butter and honey in a mixing bowl, and With an electric mixer cream until smooth, then add the eggs and beat until well blended.

Add the bananas and dry ingredients slowly into the creamed mixture, stirring as you add, until blended. Add the nuts and stir until combined, then scrape the batter into the loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges and top springs back when touched.

Remove and let cool slightly in loaf pan before turning out and slicing to serve.

Gluten Free Diet Tips: Women And Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease Targets Women And Reproductive Health

Even though the term 'celiac disease' is becoming more well-known, the disease itself is still seriously under-diagnosed. It is estimated at this time that almost 3 million people in America are affected by this genetically linked disease; and of those people, only about 5% are properly diagnosed.

Along with the under-diagnosis of celiac disease, another factor to consider is that, like other autoimmune diseases, more women than men are affected; in fact, 2 to 3 times more. For this reason, health issues specific to women need to be addressed.

Celiac disease is often misdiagnosed as other conditions women are familiar with will present in the same way; conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, irritable bowel syndrome, and hormonal imbalance.

Left undiagnosed and untreated, celiac disease can, and often does, lead to health complications such as thyroid malfunction, osteoporosis, infertility, menstrual irregularities, and cancer.

Even though the most recognized symptoms of celiac disease are related to digestion - abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea - there are increasing instances of other health concerns and conditions unrelated to the digestive tract that can be attributed to celiac disease. Here is a list of some symptoms that could indicate a test for celiac disease is needed:

chronic fatigue
anemia
menstrual irregularities
early menopause
infertility
miscarriage or stillbirth
osteoporosis

When any of these conditions is unexplained, celiac disease should be investigated. As a matter of fact, in almost 10% of otherwise unexplained infertility, celiac disease is the reason.

Reproductive health is an important issue to all women, whether they are trying to conceive or not, or are menstruating or in menopause. If our body is not getting the proper nourishment from our food due to celiac disease, the health risks will escalate as years go by.

Thankfully, a blood test will tell you and your doctor the facts. And, if you do have celiac disease, the good news is it is a highly treatable disease. With the proper gluten-free diet, the small intestine will be repaired and your body will be returned to functioning at its nutritional best.

If you are exhibiting any of the typical symptoms of celiac disease AND you are also concerned with what's happening with your reproductive health, get your blood tested now. The road to recovery is one shared by many women, so please give your doctor a call today. You are not alone!

Gluten Free Baking Powder Applesauce Biscuits

1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3 Tbsp safflower oil or sesame oil
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Set oven to preheat to 425 degrees.

Put the dry ingredients in a big bowl and stir to blend.

Drizzle oil over the top and cut in with a pastry blender or a couple forks. The texture should be 'pebbly.' Then stir in the applesauce gently.

Drop dough by tablespoon on an ungreased baking sheet, patting into biscuit shape gently.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Remove and serve while still nice and warm.

Tips For A Gluten Free Lifestyle

What Is Gluten And Where Is It Found

There are some words that enter our vernacular rather suddenly without much in the way of a formal introduction. The word 'gluten' is one such word.

If you discuss eating, cooking, or diets at all, you have probably heard the word. You may have heard about people who have to avoid gluten. Perhaps you or someone you know has to follow a 'gluten-free' diet.
In this article, we will discuss the basics about gluten - what it is and where it is found. Let's look at the dictionary definition first:

glu·ten; (noun)
A protein substance present in grains, such as wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. From the Latin 'gluten' meaning 'glue.'

To explore that definition further, let's look at the scientific definition:

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health; "Gluten proteins play a key role in determining the unique baking quality of wheat by conferring water absorption capacity, cohesivity, viscosity and elasticity on dough."

That's the definition and the science, but that just seems to bring up more questions. Does this mean that gluten is just found in wheat bread? No. It's more complicated than that.

Let's begin with a list of grains with gluten. Some you will recognize immediately, while others may be less well known to you.

Barley
Bulgur
Couscous
Durum
Farina
Faro
Matzo
Orzo
Panko
Rye
Seitan
Semolina
Spelt
Udon
Wheat

As you can see, gluten can be found in many other places than wheat alone. All these foods contain gluten, the protein that creates elasticity and cohesiveness when processed. It's what makes bread, cookies, and pasta stick together.

It's easy to see now where you would find gluten in baked goods, pasta, and even in crackers and crispy coatings on fried chicken. But, there are surprising places that you might not expect to find this protein. Because of gluten's versatility in both cohesiveness and as a leavening agent, gluten is a handy additive to have around in many food processes.

Let's take a look at some foods where you would likely find gluten.

Beer, ale, lager
Bacon Bits, imitation
Coating mixes
Communion wafers
Candy
Luncheon meats
Broth
Roux
Sauces, condiments
Soup bases
Self-basting poultry
Soy sauce
Marinades
Medicines
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms
Play Dough

In each of these items, gluten is present as an additive used to bind or leaven.

Now that you see where gluten is present, I'm sure you'd like to know where you won't find gluten. Again, some of these items may be familiar while others may not. Let's take a look at a short list of gluten free food items.

Amaranth
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Corn
Flax
Millet
Potato flour
Nut flours and meal
Quinoa
Rice and rice bran
Sorghum
Soy
Tapioca
Oats*

*Although oats are considered gluten-free, they are processed so often with other grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye, that oats are often 'contaminated.' This means that when purchasing commercial grade oats, you will most likely be getting some gluten in the finished product simply by being in the same batch, bin, or vat. You should look for oat products specifically labeled "gluten free" if you want to avoid gluten in your oats.

Now that you know what gluten is, and where gluten is, and isn't, you will have a working knowledge of how to recognize a diet with gluten, and a diet without gluten. These lists are beneficial to anyone with an intolerance to gluten, but are by no means all inclusive. Any symptoms of celiac disease or gluten intolerance should be diagnosed by your physician or other health care professional.

Gluten Free Bacon Parmesan Spaghetti Caronara

1 box (16 oz) brown rice spaghetti
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan
8 strips bacon, diced and fried crisp

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions; drain and set aside.

In a large pot over medium heat, add the oil, and when hot add the garlic, stirring and cooking for just 1 minute.

Turn burner down to low, then add the cooked spaghetti.

While you stir the spaghetti in the pot, slowly add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly until eggs set up - are cooked.

Add the Parmesan, stirring until melted slightly, then sprinkle the bacon pieces in, stir to combine.

Serve immediately. Will serve 4 to 6.

Wonderful Cooking Tips To Simplify Your Life

Anyone can cook! Do you have the capability to purchase ingredients, and can you stick to a recipe? Do you own basic cooking equipment? If you answered yes to those two questions, then you are able to cook. Keep reading the tips below if you are trying to bump your culinary skills up to the next level.

bake tart or pie crusts longer that you think they should be baked. It will help if you achieve a darker, more delicious golden caramel color, rather than stopping when the crust is still pale. This color means that the sugar has caramelized within the pie crust and will have a crunchy and sweet flavor.

Make sure that you cut your meat extremely thin as well as on the bias for stir-fry. This may take some patience and it can be a bit time-consuming. When you remove the meat from the freezer, it should be firm, not frozen. Slice across the meat's grain while holding the knife at a 45-degree angle.

Boiling takes time and removes the nutrients from veggies. Use quick cooking methods instead to maintain their healthy quality. Examples of these methods are steaming, sauteing, or the best one is to eat them raw.

Add cauliflower to your mashes potatoes to make this dish healthier and tastier. Because cauliflower has a pretty bland taste, it blends well with the potatoes and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. When they're mashed, cauliflowers have the same appearance and consistency as potatoes, too. Adding a little cauliflower can take calories out of your favorite mashed potato recipes and add in a little vegetable goodness, too.

Don't use a type of wine in your meal that is a kind you wouldn't drink regularly. If you select wine that you do not enjoy or use a bottle that you have never tried, you may not like how your food turns out. Try using wines that are sold specifically for cooking.

Prepare some of your food the night before to save time and headaches. Try preparing any required sauces, prepping vegetables, or marinating meats the evening before the meal will be cooked. Doing the prep work ahead of time will decrease stress, and increase your enjoyment of finishing the meal.

Stop! Don't throw away those turkey leftovers! Rather, cut up the meat and store in in the freezer. The turkey meat will keep its freshness and can later be used for making sandwiches or as a salad ingredient.

Every cook knows how important it is to organize their cooking supplies. Poorly organized supplies cause confusion and mess. Keep certain similar tools in one area. For instance, spices can be placed in the same compartment.

Whether it is a life skill, a hobby interest, or a profession, cooking is important. The only limit to what you can make is your imagination, but you need to learn some of the principles of good cooking from the masters in order to make your perfect dish a reality. Next time you're in the kitchen, give these tips a try.

Try These Ideas If You Want To Be A Good Cook

Some people do not have the proper information to cook, while even the most experienced chefs can always benefit from learning new things. There is so much to know about cooking that you can make improvements your whole life and still never learn everything. This article is a great way to jump start your cooking improvement process. The tips below will give you some great ideas to boost your cooking skills.

Before cooking with skewers there are a few things that you need to know. To get a better hold on the food, use a square or twisted type metal skewer.

If you are baking crusts for a pie or tart, you will probably need to bake them for a while longer than you thought. The crust should have a nice golden color to be fully cooked. That deeper color shows that the sugar has caramelized. This creates a crisp crust, which is also sweeter.

If you want your food to come out as good as it can when you are cooking with oil you should be sure to add the oil to the side of the pan so it is hot once it reaches the food. This helps to bring out the flavor in your food.

When you want to cook your meat in strips, do it while it is slightly frozen. Asian inspired dishes such as Chinese and Thai will particularly benefit from this technique. Freezing the meat prior to slicing immobilizes the fibers and makes for cleaner, more efficient slices. For even cooking, let the strips of meat thaw completely before you start to cook.

Does pitching moldy fruit into a trash can upset you? You may have wondered if it is okay to cut out the rotten part. The truth is that a rotten spot often signifies that the whole fruit is bad. Rid yourself of this fruit. The mold can run deep and can make you sick if eaten.

Vegetables are just better all-around the faster they are cooked. Slow-cooked vegetables lose nutritional value and taste. In addition to these beneficial results, the overall effect is also serving vegetables that are healthy and more nutritious. When you know how to cook vegetables in the least amount of time possible, you will enjoy better tasting and nutritious vegetables.

Poultry seasoning is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways not just with poultry. Sprinkle it on roasted pumpkin seeds to create a savory snack, or add it to your scrambled eggs. You can cultivate a reputation as a mysterious wizard of flavor just by using a judicious dash of such seasonings.

If your recipe calls for a liquid, try using something other than water or milk. This will add a spark to that tired old dish. As a substitute for water, try broth. Juice can work as well. Some people use the water left over from boiling vegetables. Buttermilk, yogurt and sour cream can be great substitutes for milk. A simple switch like changing a liquid in a recipe can improve the nutritional quality while giving the dish a whole new spin in taste.

Creating a delicious meal from basic ingredients is exciting. It is exciting to eat a meal you have created and cooked yourself. Our hope is that this article has provided you with some great information that inspires you to become a better chef. Never settle for a microwave meal again!

Try Out These Great Cooking Tips Today!

Although most people want to be able to prepare meals that amaze others, the process to becoming a great chef can often seem overwhelming. Luckily, you can take cooking one technique at a time, so continue reading this article to learn some tips to help you take your meals from ordinary to extraordinary!

Prepare as much of your recipe as you can ahead of time. You'll be glad you have your prep work done when it's time to cook. That way, when you're ready to cook, it takes some of the stress out of it, especially if you have a deadline to meet. Begin your meal preparations as soon as possible to avoid last minute stress.

If you are working on creating more home-cooked meals, try the library for cookbooks that offer a variety of easy recipes that will be fun to prepare. Create at your own pace and allow for patience as you get the trick of cooking down.

Try this quick trick to salvage your efforts. You need to mix 2 tablespoons filled with water and 1 tablespoon filled with corn starch in a bowl. Stir the mixture into simmering sauce to make the sauce thicker. The mixture needs to be added slowly so that it does not make the sauce too thick.

When you are seasoning meat, try a small piece prior to adding seasoning to the entire thing. Many meats require seasonings that are carefully chosen. Cook only a portion of the food prior to seasoning the entire dish. You should cook a smaller patty first, so that you can make sure that the seasoning is delicious. Change your seasoning, or cook the rest of the meat if you are satisfied with your sample.

Having knives that are very sharp is essential when cooking. If your knife is dull, it's obviously tougher to use, but it is also much more dangerous in general. You have a much higher chance of cutting yourself because you will probably have to force the knife through your food, instead of having to gently cut it.

Texture and taste don't have to suffer when you are trying to lighten up your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower makes for a great substitute to help drop the fat and calorie content. The taste of cauliflower will blend nicely with the potatoes. As a bonus, cauliflower is the same texture and color as potatoes, so no one will be the wiser when you improve the nutritional content and lower the caloric content of your mashed potatoes.

It's very frustrating to try to cook a tasty hamburger and see it deformed or ruined, because it gets stuck to your grill. To prevent this in the future, brush a bit of vegetable oil onto the grates before adding the food.

Whatever reason for becoming a good cook, knowing how to cook will always prove beneficial. Sharing meals with friends and family is a worldwide practice. Follow the advice you have just learned and you will eventually reach your culinary dreams.

The Best Cooking Tips You'll Find Anywhere

Cooking skills can help you at times when you least expect it. A home-cooked meal is enjoyable to eat by anyone! However, not all people are up to par on their cooking skills. Read below to find great advice to improve your skills.

Cooking with skewers may seem easy; however, there are some tips that will make your skewer cuisine delicious every time. Regarding metal skewers, square or twisted varieties are preferable to round ones, as the round ones do not hold food items as well as the other two types.

Make sure that all your preparation is done prior to cooking. Try to have the prep work completed before cooking; this is important. When you have a schedule as to how long you plan to be cooking, things can get a little stressful in the kitchen. You can spare yourself a great deal of hassle by doing prep work in advance.

Cooking a large meal for friends or family requires a great deal of preparation ahead of time. Make sure you have all the ingredients ready. Plan your meal a day in advance to make sure you have everything you need. This will help to alleviate your anxiety and maximize your potential.

The longer the cooking process, the more nutrients that you lose from most vegetables. When you use faster cooking methods, such as steaming and sauteing, vegetables keep more of the nutrients intact. The best way to make sure you get all the vital nutrients housed within veggies is to eat them raw.

Do you ever hesitate to toss moldy food? Is it possible to simply cut out the moldy, rotten part of the fruit? If you have fruit that is just a little rotten, throw it away. Any rotten or moldy fruits should be discarded immediately, even if it just looks like surface mold. Mold can actually be deeper in the fruit, even if you can't see it. When you consume it, it can cause a number of illnesses.

Garlic is a wonderful taste, but not such a wonderful smell to have on your hands. One tip is to utilize the stainless steel feature of your sink; swipe your hand across it when you've been handling garlic or other ingredients with strong odors. It both cleans your hands and helps to avoid transfer the odor to other foods.

Grilling is not an exact science, but you may have encountered some confusion the last time you hit the barbecue. The best way to cook meat consistently is to invest in a digital meat thermometer that gives accurate readings of the temperature inside the meat. To reduce cooking times on thick meat, lower the lid on your grill.

It's very frustrating to try to cook a tasty hamburger and see it deformed or ruined, because it gets stuck to your grill. To avoid this possibility, you can apply a light coat of vegetable oil to the grill before cooking.

As you can see, cooking can be easy. With the right techniques, creating delicious dishes for family and friends can suddenly become a breeze! Now that you have been introduced to these great tips and tricks, you just need to make the time to go and give them a try!

Temp Your Taste Buds With These Cooking Tips

Anyone can learn how to cook. If you are able to follow instructions, you too can learn to cook. Do you have access to basic cooking equipment? If you have the ability to follow the steps listed, you too can cook. Make use of the tips below to make excellent food that anyone would envy and add a star to your chef ranking.

If you are just starting out with cooking, consider doing your research at your local library. There are plenty of cookbooks with simple recipes available. Try making three or four of the recipes that appeal to you the most, and give yourself plenty of time to perfect your newly acquired skill.

For stir-fry dishes, meat should be sliced very thinly and on the bias. This can sometimes be a tricky undertaking and very time-consuming. Once the meat is firm, not frozen, cut across the grain at a 45-degree angle.

If using oil in your cooking, pour it in the pan in an area away from the food. By the time the oil reaches the food it has been heated up and is ready to roll. This will give your food maximum flavor when it is done cooking.

As you season meat, you should try a cooking a little piece first. Take care when seasoning foods like hamburgers, meatloaf or meatballs. Avoid cooking all of it after it's been seasoned. Cut a little piece of meat into a patty before cooking it thoroughly. After you do this you can either completely cook it or add more seasoning as you see fit.

Crispier fries come from potatoes that have been left to soak in ice cold water for about 30 minutes. Soaking the potatoes helps to make the fibers within them stronger, which makes them better able to handle the heat during frying.

Ice trays can be a great tool for freezing sauces. You can easily take them from the freezer when needed for a meal, and quickly reheat in a saute pan. The frozen sauce will keep extremely well until the next time you need it!

It's very frustrating to try to cook a tasty hamburger and see it deformed or ruined, because it gets stuck to your grill. Brushing vegetable oil on the grill will help keep your food from sticking.

A great cooking tip to employ is to cook your vegetables in chicken broth. Simmering vegetables in the broth will keep them from adhering to the bottom of the pan and also infuse them with rich flavor. There is not a lot of expense when buying chicken broth, and most grocers carry it.

Carefully measure the oil you cook with. Avoid pouring oil directly from the bottle to the pan when you cook, as this will allow you to lower your consumption of fat. You'll be able to carefully account for all of the oil that you use.

Cooking can be skill, a hobby, and a profession. There are many ways to cook food, and a great way to learn some of these ways is to learn from someone who is good at cooking. Next time you're the one in charge of cooking the meal, try out a few of these tips.

Low Carb Mixed Veggie Beef Stew - Slow Cooker

2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed small
1 can (28 oz) peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 pkt (2 oz) dry onion soup mix
1 box (26 oz) beef stock
1 cup water
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables (your choice)

In large skillet, brown beef, then put in the slow cooker.

Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Set the slow cooker heat on LOW, cover and cook for 7 to 9 hours.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Spice Up Your Life With These Cooking Tips

With just a little knowledge, anyone can learn to cook. Are you able to follow the steps in a recipe and buy all of the ingredients that are listed? Do you have access to basic cooking equipment? That's all you need for cooking. Follow the tips below for great advice on how to skyrocket your culinary skills and make fabulous, effortless, delicious meals.

In order to get the most out of your selection of spices, you should store them out of the light and heat. If you leave them out somewhere, you will expose them to light, wetness, and heat, and it could ruin them. Always keep your spices in a dark and cool location to extend their longevity. If you use fresh spices, your food will taste better.

To add oil to food already cooking in a skillet, carefully pour it along the sides of the hot pan so that it has a chance to heat through before touching the food. This will help to maximize the flavor of your food when you are done.

Do not throw away the product of your hard work. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons' worth of water with 1 of corn starch. Stir the solution into the simmering thin sauce to make it thicker. Don't add all the starch at once, and avoid stirring erratically. Either of these could over-thicken the sauce.

Try adding cauliflower to your mashed potatoes to lower the fat content. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower also matches the color and texture of the potatoes. This is a great way to add veggies and eliminate calories from a favorite dish.

If you've made a big pot of sauce, freeze the leftovers by pouring the extra sauce into ice cube trays. Take them out to use on another night when you'd like a no hassle home cooked meal. Simply reheat the sauce cubes slowly in a medium pan on your stove top. Nothing to worry about as the sauce will be fine even after it's been sitting in ice cube trays.

Always begin your cooking with utensils that are spotlessly clean. If there is food leftover after washing, this could ruin whatever you are going to cook. This could lead to problems from bacteria being spread.

When cooking with fresh herbs like parsley or dill, bunch them together and cut them with a pair of scissors. They will be light and fluffy, and won't have the wetness that chopping would give them.

Macaroni and cheese should be cooked with careful attention to the instructions. The macaroni cooks perfectly when you do this and is nothing short of spectacular after the nice, creamy, melted cheese is poured over the noodles. Use a solid face spoon when you serve to make sure you get plenty of cheese scooped up with the macaroni. You can add more flavor to your dish with pepper, a spoonful of mustard, or additional cheese.

Cooking can be skill, a hobby, and a profession. There are millions of ways to prepare food, and the best way to learn new cooking skills is to take advice from people who are good at what they do. Use these tips and see how successful you can be in the kitchen.

Low Carb Ropa Vieja - Slow Cooker

2 lbs beef flank steak or skirt steak
1 Tbsp cooking oil
1 can (14 oz) beef broth
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 small onion, cut into thin strips
1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp red pepper flakes

Put cooking oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat; when oil is hot, add beef and quickly brown on both sides; turn heat off, remove meat from skillet, and set aside.

Add all ingredients to skillet, stirring to combine and get browned bits off bottom of skillet.

Pour mixture into your slow cooker, then set browned beef on top, spooning the mixture over the top of the beef to coat well.

Turn the slow cooker on LOW, cover, and cook for 8 to 9 hours or until beef is tender.

You can shred the beef and serve mixture rolled in low-carb tortillas, or spooned over greens such as shredded lettuce or shredded cabbage for a low carb dinner. Or serve over rice or quinoa if your diet permits.

Will serve 4 to 8 depending on how you serve it.

Do You Need Help In The Kitchen? Follow This Advice

Cooking is generally a rewarding and relaxing hobby by many. An aroma filled kitchen full of fresh food will brighten anyone's day. Though, sometimes it is hard to find the best tips for the perfect meal. There are a number of suggestions in this article to assist you in making a great meal.

Store your spices in a cool, dark place. Storing them out exposes them to light, excessive heat and humidity, which can reduce their shelf life. Keeping your spices in a cooler space with little light will enhance their flavor and shelf life. Using fresher spices can make tastier meals.

You can make healthier mashed potatoes with the same taste and texture you love by substituting cauliflower for potatoes in equal proportions. Because cauliflower has a pretty bland taste, it blends well with the potatoes and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Additionally, cauliflower has the same texture and color as mashed potatoes, so it makes it an easy, healthy addition to your dish.

It can also be used on other foods, rather than just on meat. You can use your favorite spices and seasonings to enhance the naturally delicious flavor of scrambled eggs and roasted pumpkin seeds. Just be sure not to use too much seasoning, because you don't want to completely overpower the natural flavor of your food.

Optimize your efforts when making your own chicken stock. Make a giant pot and store what you don't use in your freezer. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. Simply cool the stock, and then freeze it into Ziploc, heavyweight freezer bags.

If you are trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol, try to decrease the amount of fat in your diet. Most of the time, the oils you cook with have high amounts of unnecessary and unhealthy fats. This is also true of butter. Nonstick cooking spray is a great alternative that will give you the same end result as the oils with less unhealthy ingredients.

If you have decided to serve salad with the meal that you are preparing for guests, be sure to serve the salad dry and serve the dressing on the side. Let people add what they want to their salad. You should also provide a large variety of dressings to serve your guests.

If you love using herbs and spices, make sure to keep them stored someplace that is dark and cool to maintain their freshness and flavor. When you keep them in cabinets or in warmer areas, they tend to lose flavor.

Before you begin to cook, your utensils should be clean. Bits of food on your utensils could contaminate the dish you are cooking. Beyond that, dirty utensils allow bacteria to grow which could make you ill.

As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don't know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article's advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.

Low Carb Kielbasa Sauerkraut Dinner - Slow Cooker

3 lbs Kielbasa, cut into chunks
2 jars (or bags) (28 oz size) GOOD sauerkraut (do not drain)
1 large sweet onion, sliced into very thin wedges and separated
1/2 tsp carraway seed
1/2 tsp celery seed

Put the Kielbasa chunks in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown slightly; set aside.

Dump 1 jar (or bag) of sauerkraut into the crockpot, then scatter 1/2 the browned Kielbasa over the top,

1/2 the onion over the Kielbasa, then sprinkle 1/2 the carraway seed, and 1/2 the celery seed over everything. Repeat the layers.

Set the slow cooker to LOW, cover and cook for 7 to 8 hours. This dinner goes well with mashed cauliflower.

Will serve 6 to 8.

Lets Learn How To Become A Better Cook With These Helpful Hints

Even home cooks can learn a thing or two about their craft. Even minor changes can sometimes transform a two-star meal into a four- or five-star meal that your family will want to eat again and again. Make every meal exceptional with the following tasty tips.

Keep all spices stored out of the sunlight. Storing spices in lighted areas or warm areas can reduce their length of freshness. Keeping your spices in a cooler space with little light will enhance their flavor and shelf life. You'll taste the difference in your dishes.

Partially frozen meat is easier to cut into thin strips. This works well for Asian dishes, like Chinese or Thai. When you freeze the meat, fibers stretch less making it cut easier. Allow the meat to thaw prior to cooking though, so that it can cook evenly.

Boiling your vegetables can drain the vitamins and nutrients out of your vegetables and leave them in the water that you’ll drain from the vegetables after boiling. When you use faster cooking methods, such as steaming and sauteing, vegetables keep more of the nutrients intact. The best way to make sure you get all the vital nutrients housed within veggies is to eat them raw.

Do you love to cook with fresh basil? Place your basil into a large glass. Make sure the stems are covered with water. It will remain fresh for weeks, just sitting on the kitchen counter! Change the water once in awhile, and before long roots will even form on the basil. You can encourage the basil's growth even further by trimming it back from time to time, keeping it fresh and healthy even longer.

You can use it on a variety of foods, not just meat. It can be put on pumpkin seeds for a yummy snack, or even in scrambled eggs for a zesty breakfast. You can cultivate a reputation as a mysterious wizard of flavor just by using a judicious dash of such seasonings.

Beans and tofu contain a lot of proteins. Both of these protein-rich foods are available at most grocery stores. Make a yummy meat alternative by pan frying the tofu with some seasonings. For a tasty bean dish, simply boil them with your favorite herbs.

If you are looking for a nutritionally beneficial way to cook your vegetables, try sauteing them in a small amount of chicken broth. Not only does it lessen the amount of cooking oil needed as per a traditional saute, the broth adds an extra dimension of flavor to the vegetables. This is a nutritious and delicious method for cooking vegetables.

When you need to season your food, add your seasoning a little bit at a time instead of all at once. By cooking in this way, you can help different seasonings "open up" and release their flavor into the dish without overpowering it.

Apply the tips from this article to help guide you towards having a better handle on cooking. With improved culinary skills, not only will you eat better, the people around you will eat better as well. You may be the next Julia Child.