Tag: Celiac meals

Gluten Free Sourdough Discard Pancakes

My gluten free sourdough starter Sophie is getting more bubbly each week.  She turned one month old recently, and I was getting ready to bake another loaf of bread in the morning.  But first she had to be fed a couple of times, and there was the inevitable discard.  You know I don’t want a bit of this magical culture go to waste, so I thought I would test a small batch of Sourdough Discard Pancakes.

It was my first-time making pancakes with sourdough and I was pleasantly surprised.  The familiar sweetness of pancakes with just the right amount of savory sourdough flavor, who knew?  Using the sourdough discard seemed to give my pancakes an extra high rise too.  These pancakes were hearty and filling, guaranteed to satisfy big appetites.

I made 5 pancakes with my test batch, about 1/3 cup batter each.  Double the recipe for a family breakfast.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp. melted butter plus more for the griddle
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 1/4 cup sourdough discard
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2/3 cups milk (I used 2%)
  • 120g. gluten free all-purpose flour (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

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Preparation:

Melt the butter in the microwave and set it aside to cool while you gather the other ingredients.

Combine the first 5 ingredients, butter through vanilla in a small bowl.  In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Use a batter whisk to stir the wet and dry ingredients together with 2/3 cup milk.  If the batter is too thick, you can add a little more milk, 1 tbsp. at a time to reach the right consistency.

Preheat your griddle or nonstick skillet for 10 minutes and let the batter rest.

Hint: Do you know why they say the first pancake always comes out a little weird?  It’s probably because the griddle wasn’t hot enough. 

When you are ready to begin, butter the griddle or skillet generously and begin spooning out your pancakes.  I like a nice big pancake, so I scooped the batter out with a 1/3 cup measuring cup.  You can make your pancakes as large or small as you like.

Keep a close eye and be ready to flip the pancakes over as soon as the bottom is set, time will vary depending on how large you make the pancakes.

You should get a nice rise as soon as you flip them over.

When the second side is set check the center for doneness with a toothpick.  I had to flip mine another time or two.

Here’s breakfast!  This was a delicious and filling pancake; one was more than enough for me.  Look how thick it is!

Once they were cooled to room temperature, I wrapped the rest of the pancakes individually in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer safe bag.  They will keep for a couple of months in the freezer (at least) and can be defrosted and reheated in the toaster or the microwave.

Notes ♪♫ I used and recommend Better Batter Original Gluten Free Flour in this recipe.  It is a high-quality flour that will change the way you bake!

Use this link to shop Better Batter and remember to use my code MGFC30 at check out for 30% off your full price purchase.   

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Gluten Free Chicken Mushroom Ragu with Fusilli

Gluten Free Chicken Mushroom Ragu with Fusilli

Like many Italian recipes handed down from one generation to the next, this one has the magical ability to transform simple ingredients from the pantry into the perfect comfort food meal.  I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs and pre-sliced mushrooms to simplify the prep.  In fact, if you buy some diced onions in the produce section, you can put away the cutting board.  How’s that for simple?

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I was featured at the senior salon pit stop

4 Servings:

Ingredients:

  • 1 carton gluten free chicken broth (you won’t need the whole thing)
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • olive oil
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp. Tuscan seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup white wine (not cooking wine)
  • 8 oz. package white button mushrooms, sliced
  • 6 oz. gluten free fusilli pasta
  • Italian parsley for garnish
  • grated Parmigiano Reggiano for serving

Preparation:

Add 1 tbsp. olive oil to a deep nonstick skillet over medium low heat.  Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook several minutes per side.  It does not have to be cooked through at this point.

Remove the chicken to a plate and sprinkle with Tuscan seasoning.  Add the onions to the pan.  Cook for several minutes then add the tomato paste in the center.  Let it toast for a minute then stir into the onions.

Stir in the white wine, bay leaf, rosemary and cloves.  Simmer 5 minutes to reduce by half.

Add the chicken back to the pan with about 1 cup of chicken broth.  Cover and cook for 25 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the pan and shred or cut into pieces.  Add all of the mushrooms to the pan with about 3/4 cup more chicken broth.

Bring to a simmer and add back the chicken.  Cook for an additional 15 minutes.  While the ragu finishes, boil water for pasta.

To serve, drain the cooked pasta and toss with the ragu.  Sprinkle with cheese and Italian parsley.  Serve it right in the pan, with extra cheese for the table.

Notes ♪♫ I used Rummo Gluten Free Fusilli in this dish.  I noticed it at Whole Foods and picked it up there but it’s available on Amazon as well.  The corkscrew shape is perfect for this dish, and it cooked up perfectly to al dente.

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Gluten Free Shrimp Scampi

Sometimes you have a meal in a restaurant, and it just sticks in your mind until you finally take the time to recreate it at home.  This is one of those meals.  I love seafood pasta and Shrimp Scampi has to be at the top of my list for all-time favorites.

Did you know this dish is super-fast and easy to prepare?  Yes, a five-star dinner that is quick enough to make on a weeknight!

Dinner for two

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Ingredients:

  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup (about half of a 14.5 oz. can) fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tbsp. white wine
  • 2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 4 oz. gluten free spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp. shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley

Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a nonstick deep skillet or Sauteuse Pan.  Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.  Cook for 30 seconds.

Add the tomatoes, salt, and wine.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Heat a large pot of salted water for the spaghetti and bring to a boil.  Add the spaghetti and set your timer for 1 minute less than the package directions.

When you have 8 minutes to go on the spaghetti, add the shrimp to the sauce with the lemon juice.  Cook for 3 minutes then turn to finish.

Drain the spaghetti and add it to the pan with 2 tbsp. unsalted butter.  Cook for 1 minute longer to marry the flavors.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh Italian parsley and shaved Parmigiano.

Notes ♪♫ I know the food police will say that combining cheese with seafood flies in the face of Italian culinary tradition.  But when I had this dish at a restaurant, it came topped with Parmesan shavings and let me tell you it was out of this world!  Use the good stuff, real Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved fresh right before serving.  I am 100% Italian and trust me, it’s wonderful.

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Fajitas with Spanish Rice

We had a Fajita night this week and here’s what I made.  Steak, peppers and onions cooked stovetop on the griddle with a side of Spanish Rice.  I served it all with gluten free corn tortillas, salsa and sliced fresh mango.

Fajitas are traditionally cooked and served in a cast iron pan like this one.  They make a great presentation, coming to the table with a sizzle.  But – if you don’t have one, or if like me you can’t lift cast iron pans anymore, it’s perfectly fine to use a nonstick griddle or skillet to cook this fun meal.

I mixed up my own seasoning blend for this recipe.  I always have a large collection of individual spices on hand, so I can blend together just enough for a specific meal with nothing wasted.  Another benefit is that I can adjust the flavors to my liking.  More heat?  Add more chipotle.  Don’t like cumin?  Just leave it out.  You get the idea.

For my friends who love spicy food, you are going to want to make this meal!  I loved the Spanish rice.  Considering I make rice several times a week, this was a nice change from my usual preparation.

4 servings

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Ingredients:

Seasoning:

  • 1 tsp. crushed chipotle chili flakes
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Fajitas:

  • 3/4 lb. sirloin, skirt steak or flank steak, sliced thin
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin
  • 1 lime, half juiced and half for serving
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • gluten free tortillas for serving
  • salsa, for serving (this one is my favorite)
  • fresh mango, for serving (optional, my favorite!)

Preparation:

Combine the spices and mix well.

Add the sliced peppers and onions to a medium bowl with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. of the spice blend.

In a separate bowl, toss the beef strips with 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. of the spice blend.

Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet and warm the tortillas, about 30 seconds per side.  Remove to a plate and keep warm.

Add the peppers and onions to the griddle and cook to crisp tender, stirring occasionally.

Push the veggies to the back of the griddle and add the meat.  Cook quickly about 1 minute per side.

Toss with the peppers and onions and squeeze the juice from 1/2 lime over the top.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with the tortillas, lime wedges, rice and salsa.

Spanish Rice Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 tbsp. minced bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp. tomato sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. fajita seasoning (from above)

Preparation:

In a small saucepan, combine olive oil, onion and bell pepper and cook over medium low heat until the onions are translucent.  Stir in the rice, tomato sauce and chicken broth.  Cover and cook 15 minutes.  Garnish with cilantro.

Notes ♪♫ Truth be told, I was not a fan of the store-bought gluten free tortillas.  Next time I will make them myself, but that’s another blog post!  Sometimes you need a shortcut, right?  And this dinner was a success in every other way. 🙂

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