Category: Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie Ramekins

Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie Ramekins

Individual serving ramekins take this ordinary comfort food to dinner party status!  The presentation will wow your guests, while still keeping it fun and casual!  I love using the ramekins for portion control, and one serving was plenty filling!

Most of the ingredients are straight from the pantry, like ground beef, frozen mixed veggies, and instant mashed potatoes!  Yes, I cheated and used these instant mashed potatoes from Idahoan, I always keep them on hand.  (Check out how I use them in my meatballs and meatloaf!)

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. lean ground beef
  • 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup diced sweet onion
  • 1-1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1/2 tsp. thyme
  • fresh ground pepper
  • seasoned salt
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp. gluten free Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup gluten free instant mashed potato flakes
  • cooking spray
  • 1/4 cup grated cheese
  • paprika
  • fresh chives for garnish
The Lazy Gastronome

Preparation:

Heat a braising pan or deep skillet with olive oil.  Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spatula.  Season with fresh ground pepper and seasoned salt.

Add the garlic and onion.  Continue cooking several minutes then add the mixed vegetables, and thyme.

Clear a spot in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste.  Let it toast for a minute then stir into the meat and veggies.  Stir in the broth and Worcestershire sauce, then bring to a boil.

Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.  Stir every 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375º.  In a small sauce pot, prepare the instant mashed potatoes according to package directions.

Spray the ramekins with cooking spray and arrange them on a baking sheet (this will make it easy to transfer in and out of the oven).  Spoon the filling into the ramekins, leaving room for the mashed potatoes.

Spread mashed potatoes over the top and use a fork to smooth it out.  Top with grated cheese and sprinkle with paprika.   Bake for 15 minutes, then finish under the broiler on low for 2 more minutes.

Garnish with fresh chives and serve.

I hope you were inspired to try these Shepherd’s Pie Ramekins!  For another twist on this traditional comfort food, check out my Shepherd’s Pie with Rutabaga, it’s a long-time family favorite!

Notes ♪♫ Most of the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten free.  Always check labels on condiments, broth and seasoning.  Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce is gluten free in the US but not in Canada (make sure yours is made with distilled white vinegar, not malt vinegar).

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A Week of Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes

Last weekend my stove broke down. ???? At first we looked into repairing it, but in the end it made more sense to buy a new one.  So, with a new range on order and delivery a week out, the Air Fryer became the star of my kitchen.  With supporting roles from the Rice Cooker and microwave, we were in no danger of going hungry!

These meals are so easy, that I decided to make a little collage of what we had for dinner each night.  Some require a bit of prep, while others need no more than a light brush of oil and sprinkle of seasoning.  All meals are for 2 servings.

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Night #1 Pork Tenderloin, rice and broccoli

First up, an easy pork tenderloin, done in the air fryer using the rotisserie spit.  I brushed a 12 oz. piece of pork tenderloin with olive oil and sprinkled with seasoning.  I air fried it for 20 minutes at 370º.  While the meat was cooking, I made a side of rice and steamed broccoli in my Rice Cooker.  If you like pork tenderloin check out some of these recipes!

Night #2 Chicken Thighs with green beans, and                              leftover rice

For night 2, I coated 2 chicken thighs with tapioca starch and seasoning, gave it a light spray of oil and air fried for 30 minutes at 400º.  I added green beans to the air fryer during the last 8 minutes.  The rice was left over from the previous meal.  If you liked this meal idea, check out this detailed post on how to make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.

Night #3  Salmon with Red Potatoes and                                            Broccoli

For night 3, I tossed diced red bliss potatoes with olive oil and seasoning.  I started them in the air fryer at 400º for 20 minutes.  I brushed the salmon with olive and maple seasoning, and added it to the air fryer during the last 10 minutes of cooking.  The broccoli went in for the last 5 minutes.

Night #4  Ribeye Steak with Potatoes and Carrots

For this magnificent ribeye, I’ll admit I spent a bit more time on prep.  I started with a 2-hour marinade, then air fried it for 21 minutes at 400º.  I also cooked potato wedges and carrots in the air fryer at the same time.  Read more about it here.

Night #5  Breaded Pork Chops with Brown Rice and                      Mixed Veggies

For our final meal, I cooked 2 pork chops in a traditional flour-egg-breadcrumb combination (yes, they were big!).  I dredged the pork chops in rice flour, dipped them in egg then coated them with gluten free seasoned breadcrumbs.  I let them rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, then air fried them for 20 minutes at 400º.  While the pork chops cooked, I made brown rice in the rice cooker and microwaved frozen mixed veggies.

I hope you got some meal ideas for your air fryer, in case your oven malfunctions like mine did.  Or for when it’s just too hot to light the oven!  These are easy weeknight meals that are perfect for two.  I’m excited to say my new range has since been delivered and I can’t wait to try it out!

Notes ♪♫ Air fryer best practices.  Always preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the food.  Don’t crowd the air fryer, the air needs to circulate around the food as it cooks.  Turn the food halfway through the cook time for even cooking.  For browning, a light brush or a few sprays of oil will give you that delicious crispy crust.

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Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

Can you really cook a steak in the air fryer?  This is a question I had never even considered, until the day my stove malfunctioned.

I love a good ribeye, and my cooking method of choice has always been the reverse sear, which produces a perfectly cooked steak every time.  Read about it here.

Now without a stove, I turned to my other appliances.  Microwave, crock-pot, or air fryer.  Yes, I was worried about ruining a perfectly good (and expensive) steak.  I did some research and decided to try the air fryer.

The verdict, excellent!  It turns out that yes, you can cook a steak in the air fryer, and it was delicious!

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ribeye steak, about 1-1/2″ thick
  • gluten free steak marinade (recipe here)
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Marinate the steak for 2 hours before cooking.  Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a non-reactive dish and add the steak, turning every 30 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400º.  Remove the steak from the marinade and place on a rack for a few minutes to drain off the excess liquid (if you have a basket style air fryer just pat your steak with paper towel before cooking).

Add 1 tbsp. of water to the bottom tray of the air fryer.  Add the steak and cook 8 minutes per side.

Continue cooking until your steak reaches the desired temperature.  I prefer medium (pink in the middle), and it took a total of 21 minutes for mine to reach 145º.

Time will vary from one air fryer to another, so be sure to check the temperature with a meat thermometer.

Also keep in mind that if you are cooking other things in the air fryer at the same time, it will extend the cook time.  I had carrots and potatoes in the air fryer, and it took 30 minutes for the potatoes (started 10 minutes before the steak), and 20 minutes for the carrots.

Important!  Always let the steak rest 5 minutes before slicing.  Place it on a warm plate and cover with foil.  This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the steak moist and flavorful.

Doesn’t that look good?  No one went hungry while waiting for the new range to arrive.

Notes: ♪♫ This dinner serves two, and the fit was just right in my 3-shelf air fryer.  Potatoes on top, carrots in the middle and steak on the bottom.  You can rotate the shelves during cooking for even results.  Remember that items on the top shelf (closest to the fan) will cook faster, so watch that they don’t burn!

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Gluten Free Moo Shu Pork

Gluten Free Moo Shu Pork

Moo Shu Pork!  Today was my first time making this popular Chinese-American dish, and it’s a keeper!  The flavor and texture of the marinated pork and crisp veggies was just incredible.  And how about those little Mandarin pancakes?

What makes this dish gluten free?

There are a few ingredients you will need to be cautious about in this dish.  While the pork and veggies are naturally gluten free, you need to read the labels on those Asian condiments!  Hoisin Sauce, Plum Sauce, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce all may contain wheat.  You can find gluten free condiments, just read the labels carefully!

I thought I would be getting out of my comfort zone with the Mandarin pancakes, but they were really easy to make!  Surprisingly, they have just 3 ingredients and require no special equipment!  That’s right, no stand mixer, no food processor, just a rolling pin!

Mise en Place

As with all stir-fry recipes, you need to have your ingredients prepped and organized before you begin the cooking.  I was well into the process when I realized I did not have enough Hoisin sauce for the recipe.  Don’t be like me (spoiler alert, I was able to improvise, and it came out great)!!!

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Marinade Ingredients:

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cup grated carrot (about 1 medium)
  • 1-1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
  • 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 scallions, bottoms and reserve greens sliced on diagonal for garnish
  • toasted sesame oil

Mandarin Pancake Ingredients:

  • 125 g. (about 3/4 cup) gluten free all-purpose flour (I used and recommend Better Batter Original Blend)
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • toasted sesame oil

Preparation:

The first thing I did was whisk together the marinade ingredients.  This allows the flavors to meld a bit before you begin cooking.  Divide the marinade into 2 portions, use one for the meat and reserve one to drizzle on the finished dish.   Remember I said that I didn’t have enough Hoisin sauce for this recipe?  Well, I used what I had and topped it off with a little Plum sauce, so delicious!

Next, I prepped the veggies.  I used a coarse grater for the carrots and a mandoline to shred the cabbage.

Now for the pancakes!  You are going to be surprised at how easy they come together.  First whisk together the flour and salt.

Add the water, stirring in a little at a time to form a dry, shaggy dough.  The dough should hold together when you give it a squeeze.  Shape the dough into a log.

Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let it rest for 10 minutes to hydrate.  While the dough is resting, cut the pork tenderloin into thin strips (I used kitchen shears).  Place the strips into a bowl with half of the marinade and stir to coat.

Use a bench knife to divide the dough log into 8 equal pieces.

I used 6″ wax paper squares to help roll out the dough.  Brush the paper with toasted sesame oil (so it doesn’t stick), place one section of dough between two sheets and roll it out to about 5″ diameter and 1/8″ thickness.

Continue with the remaining sections of dough and stack them between sheets of oiled wax paper.

Now we are ready to finish the dish.  Heat 2 nonstick skillets, a larger one for the stir fry and a smaller one for the pancakes.  In the large skillet, begin cooking the pork.  Discard any marinade remaining in the bowl.

Use tongs to turn each piece to quickly brown both sides.  The pork does not have to be cooked through at this point; it will finish cooking with the veggies.

Add all of the vegetables to the skillet.

Stir fry the veggies for several minutes, turning frequently to wilt the cabbage.

When the veggies are crisp tender, turn down the heat.  Brush the smaller skillet with sesame oil.  Remove 2 of the Mandarin pancakes from the wax paper, stack one over the other and place in the skillet.  Cook for 30 seconds, flip and cook another 30 seconds.  Then, carefully separate the 2 layers and transfer to a plate.

Note ♪ Cooking the pancakes two at a time allows them to heat through on the outside and steam in the middle.  As long as they are well oiled, you should have no problem peeling the layers apart.

Continue with the remaining pancakes and arrange on a serving platter or individual plates.  Spoon the Moo Shu Pork onto each pancake.  Drizzle the reserved marinade over each and garnish with scallion greens.

If you have leftovers, they will keep well for a few days in the fridge.  I stored the Mandarin pancakes in a zip lock bag, with a sheet of wax paper between each and they remained soft and pliable.  Reheat the Moo Shu Pork in the microwave and spoon over a pancake, no need to heat the pancakes as they will warm through from the heat of the pork.

Notes ♪♫ Mandarin pancakes are a thin, unleavened flatbread, similar to a tortilla.  They came out great and reminded me of the wheat wraps I used to buy.  I used (and recommend) Better Batter Original gluten free flour for this recipe.  I have not tested the recipe with other flour blends, so be aware that if you decide to use a different brand your results may vary.  In general, I find that Better Batter is superior to other gluten free flours for recipes that require rolling and shaping of dough.  CLICK HERE for 30% off any non-sale item with my Code MGFC30.

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Gluten Free BBQ Chicken Pizza

Ever since my Celiac diagnosis, I have slowly been recreating all of my favorite recipes to be gluten free.  Pizza has been one of “the last frontiers”!  Have I made gluten free pizza?  Sure, I’ve come up with a few acceptable recipes.  Here’s a Sausage and Mushroom Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust that was actually quite good.  I also made a Cauliflower Pizza with BBQ Chicken, a grain free version of today’s recipe.

Still, I was missing the real deal, the pizza that I used to make back in the day.  Then along came Better Batter with their gluten free Artisan Flour Blend, and everything changed.  This flour makes a gluten free pizza with the most amazing crust.  Just the right balance of crisp and chewy.  If you haven’t treated yourself to a bag of this extraordinary gluten free flour yet I hope this post will inspire you!

Today pizza is back in our dinner rotation.  BBQ Chicken Pizza is my favorite, and my “go-to” recipe.  It’s a crowd pleaser that both kids and adults love.  The sweet and savory toppings compliment the crispy gluten free crust.  It is the closest thing to the wheat pizza that I remember so fondly.

*** When you shop Better Batter and use my (affiliate) code MGFC30 at checkout, you will receive 30% off any non-sale item! 

CLICK HERE to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to try the flour that I call my little miracle in a bag!

Ingredients:

Dough Ingredients:

Topping Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/4″ medallions
  • 4 strips of gluten free bacon, cut into 3/4″ dice
  • 1 medium sweet onion, sliced
  • 1 dozen mushrooms, sliced
  • olive oil
  • gluten free BBQ Sauce (I like Stubbs)
  • gluten free BBQ Seasoning
  • 1-1/2 cups grated cheese

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Preparation:

Combine warm water, yeast and sugar.  Proof for 10 minutes.

Sift the flour and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer.  Combine the yeast mixture, sifted flour and olive oil.  Beat for 6-8 minutes.

Bring the dough together in the bowl, cover and refrigerate for one hour.

While the dough is resting, prepare the toppings.  Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium low.  First cook the bacon and drain on paper towels.  Leave the bacon fat in the skillet.

Cook the onions in the bacon fat until browned and soft, adding more olive oil as needed.  Drain the onions in a colander then transfer to a bowl.

Tip: Drain all of the toppings in a colander so your pizza dough won’t be soggy!

Next, add the mushrooms to the skillet with more olive oil and seasoning.  Cook until they release their liquid, then drain in a colander and transfer to a bowl.

Finally, add the chicken medallions to the skillet with more olive oil and seasoning, turning to brown both sides.  Drain the chicken and transfer to a bowl, then toss with 2 tbsp. BBQ Sauce.

Trim 2 sheets of parchment paper to fit your pizza stone.  Place the pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500º.  Remove the proofed dough from the refrigerator, it will have doubled in size.

Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces, place each one on a sheet of the prepared parchment and roll each out into a 1/2″ thick circle.  Proof for an additional 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

Brush each piece of dough with olive oil, sprinkle with seasoning then spread with 2-3 tbsp. of BBQ Sauce.

Divide the onions, mushrooms, chicken and bacon between the 2 pizzas.  Top with grated cheese and drizzle with more BBQ Sauce.

Use a large spatula or pizza peel to slide one pizza (including the parchment) onto the heated pizza stone.  After 5 minutes, carefully slide the spatula under the pizza and remove the parchment paper.  Continue baking for an additional 12-13 minutes.  When the first pizza is done, repeat with the second.  There it is!

Two pizzas will generously feed 3-4 people.  The crust was nice and crisp, even in the middle.

Notes ♪♫ This pizza crust was made with Better Batter Artisan Flour Blend which I absolutely love and recommend.  I have not tested the recipe with other brands, so if you do substitute be aware that results will be different.

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Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

Boneless chicken medallions, breaded and baked with sausage, carrots, onions, potatoes and cauliflower.  This easy sheet pan dinner proves that gluten free does not have to be complicated!  From oven to table, you don’t even need a serving dish.

I didn’t take step by step pictures of the preparation as I normally do, because honestly I never thought this meal would make it to the blog.  But it came out really delicious, so here we are.

The simple, fresh ingredients speak for themselves in this perfectly seasoned, one dish meal.

I was featured at the senior salon pit stop

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

  1. Heat a large nonstick skillet with 2 tbsp. olive oil.  Line a half sheet pan with foil and mist with cooking spray.  Preheat the oven to 400º.
  2. Cook the sausage coins in the skillet until lightly browned, then use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the baking sheet.  Leave the oil behind in the skillet.
  3. Place the breadcrumbs in a food safe plastic bag, add the chicken medallions and shake to coat.
  4. Brown the chicken on both sides in the same skillet, about 1 minute per side.  Do not cook through, it will finish cooking in the oven.  Arrange the browned chicken on the baking sheet.
  5. Add several more tbsp. of olive oil to the skillet, with all of the vegetables.  Sprinkle liberally with Creole seasoning.  Par cook the vegetables in the skillet for about 10 minutes to give them a good head start, then arrange them on the baking sheet with the chicken and sausage in a single layer.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400º and bring right to the table for a fun and casual meal.  If you like, serve with BBQ Sauce for dipping!

Notes ♪♫ While the chicken and sausage cooked very quickly, the veggies took quite a bit longer, especially the potatoes and carrots.  Giving the veggies a 10-minute head start in the skillet is the secret to having everything finish in the oven at the same time.

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Gluten Free Cavatelli with Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas

Cavatelli are a small, indented pasta popular throughout Southern Italy.  Similar to gnocchi, they are among the easiest types of hand formed pasta to make from scratch.  Cavatelli were a favorite of my Dad, who was definitely not a pasta lover but I remember he liked the “cavati” from the Italian market.  Perhaps they brought back a long ago memory of pasta being made in the home.

Traditional cavatelli are made with semolina flour.  They are shaped on a smooth surface, with the cavity formed by pressing fingers into the dough, or by using a knife.  To make them gluten free, the semolina was replaced with a gluten free flour blend and the addition of eggs (again not traditional) helped form a smooth stretchy dough.

I served the cavatelli with an easy pan preparation of Italian Chicken Sausage, mushrooms and peas.  It was so good!  A simple, satisfying meal that was just the right amount for the two of us.  If you have bigger appetites or want leftovers just double the recipe!

Dinner for two.

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Ingredients:

For the pasta

Finish the dish

  • 6 oz. (2 links) gluten free Italian Chicken Sausage
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil + more for finishing
  • pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • splash (~ 1/4 cup) of white wine
  • 1 tbsp. of butter
  • grated cheese
  • Italian parsley

Preparation:

Combine the pasta ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat 3-4 minutes with the paddle attachment.

Gather the dough into a ball and dust with flour.  Cover with plastic wrap and rest 15 minutes.

Generously flour a cutting board.  Use a bench knife to divide the dough into 4 sections.  Working with one section at a time, roll the dough into a 1/2″ rope.

Cut the rope into 1/2″ pieces, then use a small paring knife to gently press and drag the pieces toward you to form the center indentation and curled edges.

Place the formed pasta on a floured tray and refrigerate until ready to cook.

To finish the dish cut the sausage links in half lengthwise and then slice into half moons.

Heat a braising pan or heavy skillet on the lowest setting and add 2 tbsp. olive oil.  Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and gently warm them to infuse the oil.  Heat a large pan of salted water for the pasta.

Add the sausage to the pan, cook for 1 minute then add the peas and the mushrooms.

Turn up the heat and cook, stirring frequently until most of the liquid evaporates.

Cook the pasta for 3 minutes.  It’s done when it floats to the top.

Add a little more olive oil, splash of white wine and a pat of butter to the skillet.  Drain the pasta and toss with the sausage mixture.  Cook for 1-2 more minutes to incorporate the flavors.

Drizzle with olive oil, then top with grated cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.

Notes ♪♫  As you probably know, I am a huge fan of Better Batter brand gluten free flours (not sponsored).  Both their Original Blend and Artisan Flour Blend are wonderful for making fresh pasta, either by hand or machine.  Check out some of my other made from scratch pasta dishes, like this Gluten Free Trofie and Gluten Free Pappardelle.

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Gluten Free Cabbage Soup

Another St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, and I still have some cabbage in the refrigerator.  And since the Corned Beef dinner is a once a year occasion at our house, I wanted to make something healthy to use up what’s left of the cabbage.

This soup contains a whopping 8 cups of shredded cabbage (1/2 head) and it is packed with flavor.  Along with the cabbage, I made this soup with ingredients from my pantry.  I had diced tomatoes, beef stock and bouillon, carrots, celery and onions.  Also, the last container of frozen turkey stock from last Thanksgiving, about 2 cups.

The first ingredient in the list may surprise you, but it was all part of the “use it up” nature of this recipe!

Need more ideas to use up that cabbage?  Check out my Asian Chicken and Cabbage, a healthy and delicious stir fry dinner.

The Lazy Gastronome

 

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Use a 4 quart soup pot or Dutch oven.  Begin by browning the diced sausage in a little olive oil.

Dice the carrots, celery and onion and add to the pot.  Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add the diced tomatoes with their juice.

Now stir in the stock, sage, thyme, pepper flakes and bouillon.

Bring to a low simmer, add all of the cabbage, cover and cook on low for 3 hours.

Stir every half hour and add more stock (or water) if needed.  Soup is done when the cabbage is tender.  Cook the soup pasta according to the package directions and add to the pot.

This is a hearty and filling soup that can be a great first course or a meal by itself!  Serve with gluten free bread or dinner rolls.

Notes ♪♫ Although many recipes for Cabbage Soup use ground beef, I did not have any on hand.  A quick search of the freezer and I found some gluten free Linguica sausage.  Wow, what a happy accident!  This was an incredibly flavorful soup with some nice heat from the sausage.  I’ll make it this way from now on!

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Gluten Free Chicken Lo Mein

Back in the day ordering Chinese takeout was such a treat.  I really miss being able to do that since being gluten free.  There are few places in our area that offer gluten free Chinese food, but cross contact is always a concern.

That’s why I learned to make gluten free alternatives at home, like this Lo Mein.  The recipe is gluten free and lower in sodium than takeout, so I would call that a success!

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Although a true Lo Mein would be made with egg noodles, I used Annie Chun’s Brown Rice Noodles in this recipe, and they were a great stand in.  I use their noodles in many of my Asian stir fry meals.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

For the Lo Mein:

  • 1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cut into 1″ cubes
  • 1/2 cup celery
  • 3/4 cup carrots
  • 3/4 cup onion
  • 3/4 cup mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper
  • 3/4 cup snow peas
  • sesame oil
  • olive oil
  • coconut aminos
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger powder
  • 4 oz. gluten free rice noodles

Preparation:

This is one of those recipes where you need to get organized before you begin cooking.  Prep the veggies, cut the chicken into cubes and have all other ingredients lined up and ready.

Begin by whisking the sauce ingredients together and set aside.

Set up a pot of salted water for the rice noodles and bring to a boil.  Heat a large nonstick skillet with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. sesame oil.  Cook the chicken, turning to brown on all sides.  When the chicken is almost cooked through, remove it from the pan and set aside.

Wipe the pan clean and add 1 tsp. sesame oil.  Begin cooking the carrots, peppers and snow peas for several minutes until crisp tender.  Next add the mushrooms and garlic with an additional tsp. of sesame oil.  Cook for 1 minute.

Add the rice noodles to the boiling water, and at the same time return the chicken to the skillet.  Pour half the sauce over the chicken and vegetables.

Drain the pasta after 3 minutes, add it to the skillet and top with the remaining sauce.  Toss well and stir to combine it all, cook for another minute.

Transfer to a platter and serve.

Notes ♪♫ Have you ever purchased a large piece of gingerroot for a recipe, only to use a small amount and have the rest go bad in the refrigerator?  Here’s a trick I learned this past winter, you can cut fresh ginger into smaller pieces and freeze them for later use.  It is so easy to grate gingerroot right out of the freezer.  Perfect for recipes like this one, where fresh ginger is a key flavor in the sauce.

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Gluten Free Seafood Casserole

When you think of a casserole, do you imagine a heavy, calorie laden meal full of butter, cheese and cream of something-or-other?  Not this one!  Enjoy a lightened up, Gluten Free Seafood Casserole with all the flavor you crave and a fraction of the calories.  The rice and orzo combination is reminiscent of the packaged rice pilaf mix, but it’s completely gluten free.

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I made this dish with ingredients from my pantry, so no extra trips to the store.  For the fish, I used this Frozen Seafood Medley from Whole Foods (availability varies, see notes), which made the meal extra easy to prepare.  For the pilaf, I used Delallo Gluten Free Orzo, which I always have on hand for soup, and for the crumb topping I used Schar Gluten Free Entertainment Crackers.  Old Bay Seasoning is a natural for seafood dishes and it has always been a part of my spice collection.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

I defrosted the fish in a bowl of milk, about 3/4 cup of 1% milk for 1 lb. of fish.  The milk lends a milder taste and texture to many types of seafood, the squid rings especially will benefit from a short soak.  Cover and let the fish defrost at room temperature for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

To begin preparing the casserole, cook the rice in 1/2 cup chicken broth with seasoning of choice, 15 minutes.  Transfer the cooked rice to a bowl, cover and keep warm.

Next, cook the orzo in 3/4 cup water with seasoning of choice, 10 minutes.  If the pasta water looks gummy, drain and rinse the orzo under warm water before adding it to the rice.

Drain and rinse the seafood under cold water.

Heat 1 tbsp. butter in a braising pan or oven proof skillet.  Add the celery and cook on low heat for 2 minutes.

Add the fish to the pan and season with Old Bay.  Cook for 2 minutes.  The fish does not have to be cooked through at this point, it will finish in the oven.

Add the zucchini slices to the pan, along with the rice and orzo mixture.  Sprinkle more Old Bay, then add a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 cup 1% milk.  Stir well to combine.  Pulse gluten free crackers in a processer or electric chopper (or just crumble them with your hands).  Spread the cracker crumbs over the casserole and dot with butter, about 2 tbsp.

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 350º.

Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes ♪♫ I love the flavors in this casserole.  You can change up the seafood to suit your taste.  The seafood medley from Whole Foods was delicious, but you could make your own mixture of shrimp, scallops and squid.  Add more shellfish, or a flaky white fish like cod or flounder.  I had zucchini in the fridge so that is what I used, but you can sub other quick cooking veggies like asparagus or broccoli.  Use your favorites and make it your own!

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