Tag: beef

Gluten Free BBQ Turkey Meatloaf

Today my usual meatloaf recipe gets a spicy BBQ twist and dare I say a bit of a healthy spin, with the addition of ground turkey.  I’m calling it a “Turkey-Meat” Loaf!

I subbed ground turkey for half of the beef, and instead of ketchup I used a smokey BBQ sauce.  And instead of Italian seasoning I used a BBQ rub with some heat.  It was so delicious and moist (and no one was the wiser about the turkey)!

Did you know that gluten free meatloaf can be soggy and falling apart using only breadcrumbs?  I use a blend of breadcrumbs, rolled oats and mashed potato flakes for a meatloaf that is moist and holds together when you slice it!

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Mince the veggies in an electric chopper, you will need about 1-1/2 cups total.  Use what you like or what you have on hand, this is a great way to use up bits of veggies you have in the fridge.  I used sweet onion, garlic, mushroom and zucchini.

Heat a small skillet with 1 tbsp. olive oil.  Add the minced veggies and cook over low heat until most of their liquid has evaporated.  They will reduce to about 1/2 cup.  Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature.

Mix the breadcrumbs, rolled oats and potato flakes together.

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce and 1/2 tsp. BBQ seasoning.  Add the ground meat along with the cooled veggies.  Mix thoroughly with your hands.  Be sure that everything is well combined.

Begin adding the dry ingredients to the meat mixture a little at a time, incorporating with your hands.

Mist a loaf pan with cooking spray.  I love this silicone loaf pan for quick cleanup!  Spread the meatloaf evenly in the pan, be sure to get into the corners.  Drizzle a bit more BBQ sauce and use a fork to spread it over the top.

Bake for 35 minutes at 350º.  When it’s done, the meatloaf will be browning around the edges and pulling away from the sides of the pan, like this.

I served the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and butternut squash.  Everyone loved the smokey BBQ flavors.

Notes ♪♫ My favorite BBQ brand is Stubbs.  They have delicious sauces and rubs, everything from spicy to sweet, all gluten free.  My favorite is their Smokey Mesquite, which I used in this recipe.

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Beef Guazzetto – Italian Beef Stew

Would you believe that a recipe from an Italian cooking show could be gluten free?  You might be surprised to know, that other than the pasta, there was only one ingredient swap needed to make this meal completely gluten free!

Beef Guazzetto, or Italian Beef Stew was adapted from a recent episode of Lidia’s Italy, Lidia has long been one of my favorite TV chefs!

While it’s true that some recipes require major modifications, the vast majority of meals will only need a swap of one or two ingredients to be gluten free.  Today’s recipe is a great example.

If you are thinking that you cannot enjoy your favorite meals on the gluten free diet, think again.  Or better yet, let me inspire you!

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. stew beef (chuck), cut into cubes
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour (you can use rice flour)
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 sweet onion, minced
  • 2 small carrots, minced or grated
  • 2 small celery stalks, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 2 bay leaves
  • gluten free pasta
  • grated cheese, for serving
  • fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Preparation:

First, make a “soffritto” by pulsing the onion, carrot and celery in a food processor or electric chopper.

Dry the beef with paper towels, this helps with browning.

Place the beef cubes in a food safe plastic bag with 1/4 cup gluten free flour and shake to coat.

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven and begin browning the beef.  Don’t crowd the pan, brown in batches if needed.

Leave those caramelized brown bits in the bottom of the pan, they are full of flavor!  Set the beef aside and keep warm.

Add more olive oil to the pan with the onion, carrot, and celery.  Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, then clear a space in the center for the tomato paste.

Toast the tomato paste for a minute, then stir it into the vegetables.  Add the wine, using a spatula to scrape up those browned bits at the bottom of the pan.  Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking until the wine is reduced by half.

Add the beef cubes back to the pan, with the bay leaves.

Stir in the chicken stock, cover and simmer on lowest heat for 2 hours.  Add more stock if needed.

Stir the sauce frequently, be sure it isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan.  A simmer mat is great for keeping sauces on a low simmer.  As it cooks, you will see the stew gradually thickening.

After 2 hours, this is what it will look like.  You will still have distinct chunks of beef, but some will partially break down and become one with the sauce.  It is incredible!

A meal like this deserves an extra special pasta.  I decided to get out my KitchenAid® and make some fresh rigatoni.  Read about how I made it here! Of course, you can use any gluten free pasta you have on hand.  One of my favorites is Jovial brown rice pasta.

To plate, spoon cooked pasta into serving bowls and ladle the Beef Guazzetto over the top.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and fresh Italian parsley.

Notes ♪♫ An economical cut like beef chuck becomes melt in your mouth tender using this slow cooked, braising method.  With today’s soaring food prices, it is a great way to stretch your grocery budget.

 

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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

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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Gluten Free BBQ Beef Tips

Beef Tips are a year round favorite that can be served in so many ways.  I got 2 big family packs on sale earlier this summer and broke them down into 6 portions for the freezer.  Since then I have made Grilled Beef Kabobs, Asian Beef and Broccoli, and today I made the easiest BBQ Beef Tips.  This simple dish can be prepared stovetop or on the grill.

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Combine the sirloin tips with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. Montreal steak seasoning.  Cover and marinate 45 minutes at room temperature.

Heat a stainless-steel skillet on medium, brush the pan with butter and the remaining tbsp. of olive oil.  Add the sirloin tips and cook for 6 minutes, turning once.

Don’t crowd the pan, cook in batches if needed.

To finish, add 2 tbsp. gluten free BBQ sauce and toss to coat.

Cook for 1-2 more minutes.

Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chives.  Serve with more BBQ sauce for dipping.  BBQ Beef Tips can be served over rice or try my yummy Corn Cakes or BBQ Baked Beans!

Notes ♪♫ When I began my gluten free journey, I experimented with making my own BBQ sauce.  It is delicious, but very high in sugar.  So, if you are looking for a gluten free BBQ sauce with less carbs, try Stubbs, they have many flavors to choose from.  There’s even a reduced sugar option!  Check it out!

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Oven Braised Pot Roast in Wine Sauce

This Oven Braised Pot Roast is fall-apart tender!  I am a big fan of the crock-pot, but for this recipe I went with a long, slow braise in the oven.  After all, this classic New England dish has been around since long before today’s electronic cooking gadgets were even imagined!

That being said, there is no right way or a wrong way to cook pot roast, as long as you remember that this economical cut of meat requires a long, slow cook time with plenty of liquid.  Oven, stove top, crock-pot and Instant Pot are all great options for a tender and flavorful roast.

8 servings

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

This roast will be studded with slivered garlic and cooked slowly in a rich wine sauce.

Hint: Choose a roast that is nicely marbled with an even shape and uniform thickness.

Pat the roast dry.  Make 1/2″ slits all over and insert the garlic slivers.  Sprinkle both sides with seasoning.

Add a little olive oil to a deep cast iron skillet or Dutch Oven and begin browning the roast.

When the meat has been browned on all sides, add the onions and cook 2 minutes.

Pour in the club soda and let it reduce by half.

Whisk together the beef stock, wine and tomato paste.  Pour the wine mixture over everything, you should have enough liquid to just cover the meat.

Now cover the pan with foil and place the lid over the foil to form a tight seal.  Place in a 300º oven for 6 hours.

Look at that beautiful color!  And you just know the meat is going to be very tender.

Remove the roast to a cutting board, slice and arrange on a platter.  You can actually shred the meat with 2 forks, it’s that tender.  Strain some of the pan juices to drizzle over the meat and garnish with fresh chives.

Rather than cook potatoes in the same pan with the roast, I made these smashed potatoes.  You can go with the traditional carrot and potato combination or serve with mashed potato and green beans.  All are classic restaurant combos that are sure to be a hit with your family.

Notes ♪♫ When cooking with wine, choose something that you can drink with dinner.  A nice cabernet or merlot will go well with this dish.  Never buy cooking wine, it is loaded with sodium and additives.  Cheers! 🍷

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Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff

I love making over my favorite comfort foods!  Looking back through my old recipe files, I realized that I hadn’t made this dish since 2013!  Why I don’t know, because this lightened up, Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff is delicious, not to mention easier and healthier than the traditional version.  Try it, I promise you won’t miss the gluten or the extra calories!

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350º.

For best results use a heavy, oven safe pan or skillet.  I used my Cast Iron Braiser, it goes from stovetop to oven to table.  Don’t you love one dish cooking and cleanup?

Heat the pan on medium low with a little olive oil.  Add the onions and stir to coat, cook for 2 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until they release their liquid.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Add a bit more olive oil and begin browning the meat, breaking it up with a spatula.

Clear a space in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste.  Let it toast for a minute, then stir it into the beef.

Add back the mushrooms and onions, with a sprinkle of seasoning.

Cook the pasta to 3 minutes less than package directions, drain and add to the beef mixture. 

Whisk together the broth, sour cream and half and half.  Pour the mixture over everything and stir to thoroughly to combine.

Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and cheese.  Bake for 25 minutes at 350º.

I like to finish it under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, to give it that great color.  Just watch that it doesn’t burn!

Garnish with fresh chives and bring this delicious meal to the table.  Serve it right from the pan!

Leftovers (if you have any 😉) will be great the next day, just pop them in the microwave!

Notes ♪♫ I was lucky enough to spot these gluten free noodles on sale locally, and they were absolutely perfect in this dish.  If you can’t find them near you, check online or substitute your favorite gluten free pasta.

 

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Gluten Free Asian Beef and Broccoli

Asian Beef and Broccoli is a restaurant favorite that can be made right at home with just a handful of ingredients.  Adapting the recipe to be gluten free was easy, so why haven’t I made it in a while?  The short answer, sodium.

These days I try to make meals that are not only gluten free, but also lower in salt.  That means some of my Asian inspired meals have gone on the back burner because they are made with a salt bomb of condiments!  With that in mind, I am on a mission this year to makeover some of my favorite gluten free recipes and this meal was definitely a success.

Would you believe my original recipe used 1/4 cup of gluten free soy sauce and 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce?  Whew, that’s a lot of sodium!

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In this recipe remake, I’m using Coconut Aminos, a pantry staple in my kitchen that is much lower in sodium than gluten free soy sauce or tamari.  I have substituted Coconut Aminos in many of my recipes that call for soy sauce.  And a little Hoisin Sauce goes a long way, I cut the original 1/4 cup down to 2 tbsp. and it was still delicious.

4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. sirloin tips or petite sirloin (top sirloin), cubed
  • 1 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • 1 tsp. dark brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1-1/2 tsp. sesame oil, divided
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
  • 2 tsp. fresh chives
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 large broccoli crown (about 2 cups)
  • 2 tbsp. gluten free Hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted
  • rice or gluten free rice noodles for serving

Preparation:

Once you start cooking this dish comes together very quickly, so measure and prep all of the ingredients ahead of time.

For the marinade, whisk together 1 tbsp. coconut aminos, 1 tsp. brown sugar, the garlic slices, 1 tbsp. of olive oil, 1/2 tsp. of sesame oil, 1/4 tsp. powdered ginger, chives and pinch of red pepper flakes.

Cut the sirloin (uncooked) into 1″ cubes and add to the marinade.  Cover and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet, watching closely that they don’t burn.  Set aside for garnish.

Next, cut the broccoli into uniform pieces.  Steam 5 minutes.  Remove the steamer basket from the heat and set aside while you finish the dish.

Add the remaining tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. sesame oil to the skillet and begin browning the beef.  Don’t crowd the pan, do it in 2 batches if needed.  Discard any marinade left in the bowl.

Stir in 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce.

Finally, add the broccoli to the skillet and toss with the beef.

Let it cook for another minute or so, then transfer to a platter.  Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and either toss with rice noodles or serve with rice.

Here I served with Annie Chun’s Pad Thai rice noodles.

Shown here, served with rice.

So, were you thinking of ordering takeout?  Try this instead, you will love it!

Notes ♪♫ Coconut Aminos contain about 1/10th the sodium of gluten free soy sauce.  If you aren’t worried about sodium, try a gluten free soy sauce or tamari.  I like San-J Tamari, which also comes in a lower sodium version that is completely gluten free.

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Italian Pot Roast

When I was growing up in the 1960’s, Sunday morning in our Italian neighborhood was all about making the sauce.  I can still see my Mom’s Farberware Stockpot simmering on the stove, filled to the rim.

She often cooked a pot roast right in the sauce, as it was so easy to do and the resulting meal was delicious.  The aromas filled our home and beyond, in fact it seemed every kitchen in the neighborhood was busy preparing their own Italian Sunday Dinner.

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I always think of my mom when I make this recipe, but instead of stovetop I prefer using my crock-pot, which makes it virtually hands off while you go about your busy day.  The roast can be cooked on the weekend and reheated during the week, for an easy meal when you get home from work.  Chuck roast is an economical cut of beef and after nine hours in the crock-pot the meat will be melt in your mouth tender!

Ingredients:

  • 2-4 lb. chuck roast, allow 1/2 lb. per serving
  • 4 garlic cloves cut into slivers
  • 1/2 sweet onion, diced
  • cooking spray
  • olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 large can (28 oz.) tomato sauce
  • 3 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1-1/2 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp. parsley
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar

Preparation:

I got a great deal on a 4 lb. chuck roast, so I cut it into 2 pieces and froze half.  A roast like this will shrink during cooking, so when planning portions I allow 1/2 lb. per person.  If you have leftovers, this pot roast is great in sandwiches the next day.

To get started, set up your crock-pot and mist with cooking spray.  Cut the garlic cloves into long slivers.  Use a paring knife to make slits in the top of the roast and insert the garlic slivers.

Sear the roast on all sides in a hot skillet with olive oil, then place it in the crock-pot.

Add onions to the same skillet and cook until translucent.  Add them to the roast then deglaze the skillet with the red wine and pour over everything.

Whisk the tomato paste into the tomato sauce along with the remaining ingredients, through brown sugar.  Add to the crock-pot and cook on low for 9 hours.  Give it a stir about halfway through.  You can serve it immediately, but my personal preference is to refrigerate it overnight.  The flavors will continue to meld, and the sauce will thicken.

The next day, reheat the roast on the stovetop over low heat.  You can see that mine was so tender that it had broken into two pieces.

Most of the onions will have melted into the sauce at this point, but if you want an extra smooth sauce (or have picky eaters) you can puree it with a stick blender.

Slice the roast and arrange on a serving platter.

Serve with your favorite gluten free pasta.  Jovial gluten free penne is one of mine.

Bring to the table with extra sauce and grated cheese.  The only thing missing here is fresh parsley from my herb garden.  I guess I’ll have to wait for summer and make this again!

Notes ♪♫ When starting the gluten free diet, you may feel like you will never enjoy your old family recipes again.  The truth is many recipes like this one are naturally gluten free.  The only thing I changed was the pasta.  With a little patience and experimentation, I have learned that many of my childhood favorites can be recreated and enjoyed!

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Gluten Free Beef Stir Fry

I love stir fry meals for busy weeknights!  When you get home from a long day at work, you don’t want to spend a lot of time making dinner.  This is one of my favorite Asian inspired recipes that is on the table in 30 minutes.  I used frozen veggies to make the prep even faster!  Use petite sirloin when possible and slice it yourself.  It will be far more tender and flavorful than the cuts usually sold as stir fry beef.

3-4 Servings

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Ingredients:

  • 3/4 lb. petite sirloin cut into thin strips
  • 4 oz. gluten free Pad Thai rice noodles
  • 1 lb. bag frozen Asian stir fry vegetables
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 baby Bok choy, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Mirin (rice wine)
  • 2 tbsp.  gluten free soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup gluten free chicken broth
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. ginger powder
  • 1 tbsp. cornstarch
  • olive oil
  • toasted sesame oil
  • additional gluten free soy sauce, to taste
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • scallions, for finishing (optional)
  • toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation:

Toast sesame seeds in a small saucepan and set aside.

Whisk together the Mirin, soy sauce, chicken broth, garlic powder, ginger powder and cornstarch.  Set aside.  Boil water for the noodles and salt well.

Chop the Bok choy, separating the bulb from the leaves.

Heat a large nonstick skillet and add a little olive oil with 1 tsp. sesame oil.  Quickly brown the beef on the outside (don’t cook through), transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with gluten free soy sauce.

Wipe the skillet clean, and begin cooking the onion in olive oil, with a tsp. of sesame oil.  Add the bulb (bottom section) of the Bok choy, reserving the leaves.

Next add the frozen veggies, garlic and Bok choy leaves.  Season with ground pepper and a few more shakes of soy sauce.  Cover and cook 3 minutes.

Cook the noodles for 3 minutes and drain.  To finish, add the beef back to the skillet, and toss for 30 seconds to finish cooking.

Add the noodles and pour the sauce over everything, then use 2 spatulas to turn and coat evenly with the mixture.  Toss continuously for about 1 minute or until the sauce thickens.

Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with scallions and/or sesame seeds.

This dinner is a real family favorite.  People are always surprised at how easy it comes together and the frozen veggies are a real time saver.

Notes ♪♫ Always check that your soy sauce, chicken broth, seasonings and noodles are gluten free.  Avoid frozen veggies with added seasoning, sauce or glaze.

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Grilled Beef Kabobs

Here is an easy weeknight favorite to cook on the grill or stovetop, tender marinated beef tips skewered with veggies.  With a delicious marinade that you will want to make over and over again.  Serve with rice or a gluten free pasta salad for the perfect summer meal.

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup gluten free steak marinade
  • 1/2 lb. sirloin tips, cut into cubes
  • 1 small red onion, cut into chunks and separated
  • 8 Baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms, cut in half
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into squares
  • 1 small zucchini, cut into 3/4″ rounds

Preparation:

Combine the marinade ingredients in a nonreactive bowl and whisk together.  Reserve about 1 tbsp. for finishing.

Cube the steak tips and toss with the marinade.  Cover and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare the veggies.

Try to chop the vegetables to about the same size so that they cook evenly.  I did enough for 4 skewers.

The mushrooms and zucchini can be sliced thicker, so they don’t overcook.  I did the onions and peppers in single layers.

Thread the meat and veggies onto skewers and brush with any marinade remaining in the bowl.  If using wooden skewers, you should soak them in water for about an hour before using.  Now onto the grill!

Mist the grates with cooking spray or rub with oil before adding the kabobs.  Spread them out with plenty of space in between for even cooking.  Carefully brush on the reserved 1 tbsp. marinade, watch for flareups.  Turn the heat down to medium low and grill for 8 minutes total, turning every 2 minutes.  If cooking stovetop it will take about 15 minutes.

Perfect!  Nice grill marks but still juicy and flavorful.  And no gluten!  I hope you will give the marinade a try, it’s so easy and delicious.

Notes ♪♫ No grill?  No problem!  When a grill isn’t available you can cook kabobs on the stovetop.  Use a griddle, grill pan or flat skillet.  Just watch those wooden skewers, soak them in water for an hour prior to cooking so the ends don’t catch fire!

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