Gluten-Free Blog

Chicken Chilaquiles

I love leftovers, but sometimes figuring out how to repurpose them is a challenge. Especially when it comes to party leftovers, like, oh, tortilla chips. Oh sure, it’s easy enough eat them in their natural state (and believe me, I do!), but you can only have chips for dinner so often before people start to talk.

Chilaquiles, with or without chicken, are a perfect solution. All you need are gluten-free tortilla chips, salsa, some protein, and a bit of cheese. Or skip the protein. It’s your call. Seriously, this recipe can be modified, reconfigured, or reimagined to suit your every taste and whim.

If you do this right, you are hitting a leftover trifecta: chicken, tortilla chips, and salsa. That’s a win!

Eating Real Food While Remaining Gluten Free

Gluten-free grocery shopping involves reading a lot of labels with laser-like intensity. And, frankly, it only took me a few minutes to discover that much of the food on store shelves was filled with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce, much less spell. That was when I started focusing on buying foods with simple, clear, understandable ingredients.

(The exception being, sigh, the occasional gluten-free bread or cracker item.)

The thing about eating real foods is they are, by and large, gluten free. Fruits, vegetables, dairy and eggs, meats, gluten-free grains. Depending on how you buy these foods, they can be quite economical. In my opinion, they taste much better than highly processed foods. I believe my taste buds have evolved since I eliminated gluten, and packaged foods, even though they’re gluten free, tend to taste like they’re designed to mask the flavor of the food. Continue reading “Eating Real Food While Remaining Gluten Free”

Simple Gluten-Free Dinners

One thing I love about being gluten free is that is has really forced me to step up my game in the kitchen. Most nights, I’d rather make a meal than eat out. Since I rarely get home before 7:30, and usually must closer to 8 than I’d like, I’ve had to learn ways to make great meals that cook fast.

I’ve also learned that it’s absolutely critical to have meals planned in advance, so I have necessary ingredients on hand. This eliminates frustrating trips to the grocery store after work…because it seems like whenever I’m in a hurry, it has never occurred to the person in front me that, you know, groceries require money. Continue reading “Simple Gluten-Free Dinners”

Grilled Fish Tacos

Let me be perfectly clear: while this recipe is for fish tacos, you can make a good taco out of just about anything. Steak, chicken, and carnitas (shredded pork) are popular fillings. But fish tacos are something special. And they’re so easy.

Obviously, since these tacos are gluten-free, they’re not covered in a heavy, and often greasy, batter. Instead, the fresh flavor of the fish shines through, and additional yumminess comes a tangy cabbage slaw. If you’re not up for making a slaw, diced onions and cilantro with a bit of lime juice works just as well. If you like your tacos with a bit heat, add a small amount of diced jalapeno.

Homemade Salad Dressings

A year or so ago, a friend tweeted to the world at large about her major discovery: making her own salad dressing was fun! And easy! And it tasted so much better than bottled dressing!

Yeah, we all tweeted back, we know. Welcome to the club.

Since going gluten free, one of my rules for food is that what I eat should include as few ingredients as possible (it makes reading labels so much easier!). I also want to be able to pronounce every ingredient. If you look at the ingredients on a bottle of commercial salad dressing, you might wonder what is going on. I, for one, am curious why “color” needs to be added to some of these products. Continue reading “Homemade Salad Dressings”

Budget Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping

As I read an article on the very real challenges of buying healthy foods while while on a budget, a comment made by the author gave me pause. She noted that organic or gluten-free designations increased the price of food. And on one hand, this is is true. On the other…

If you’re gluten free and you’re on a tight budget, there are so many great options for you beyond the specialty food section. I think it’s common for the newly diagnosed celiac or person who is concerned gluten is a problem to hit the grocery store and buy everything labelled “gluten free”. It’s also expensive.

The following ten tips will help you find ways to save money while enjoying great meals. And, of course, if you have any ideas I haven’t listed here, please share them! I’m always looking to save money. Continue reading “Budget Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping”

Easy Eggs for a Fast Gluten-Free Breakfast

Growing up, I was never much of an egg eater. Or perhaps my mother wasn’t much of an egg cooker. And, of course, as a child, I had typical, rational worries about consuming incipient baby chicks. I am embarrassed to admit I was in my thirties before I discovered this was a warrantless concern.

These days, I eat a lot of eggs. Particularly fried eggs. They make my bunless burgers so much more fun. One of my favorite dinners involves a great burger on a bed of lightly dressed greens, cheese, a fried egg, and bacon. Because, well, bacon. It’s my version of a breakfast burger, and it is so good.

Here are some great egg ideas that are perfect for a gluten-free breakfast — and most are simple enough to make before you’ve had your first cup of coffee. Or lunches. Or dinners. They range from five-minute dishes to thirty-minute dishes. Many of these dishes can incorporate leftover meats and veggies as well. Continue reading “Easy Eggs for a Fast Gluten-Free Breakfast”