Tag: celiac safe

Gluten Free Southwest Chicken Bowls

If you love that popular chain restaurant with the “irresistible” rice bowls, you know that this started out as a copycat recipe.  I love everything about this meal- the chicken and rice, the Pico de Gallo, the beans and corn, and that chimichurri sauce!

So, I used the restaurant entree as my inspiration, but the best part of cooking at home is that you can adapt a recipe to suit your own taste and preferences.  For instance, I left out the lettuce, and added more chicken and rice.  I used way less salt and hold the guac please (am the only person in the world who doesn’t like avocado?).

The verdict, I thought it came really close to the restaurant version, and the recipe was not difficult (shortcuts are ok!).

So, are you ready to cook?  Let’s break it down into easy steps.

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Seasoning Blend

  • 1/2 tsp. Cipotle Chile
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. onion granules

Chimichurri

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1-1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
  • pinch red pepper flakes

OR take a short cut and use a chimichurri mix

Pico de Gallo

  • 1 plum tomato, small dice
  • 1/4 cup red onion, small dice
  • 1 tbsp. jalapeno, fine dice

OR take a short cut and use store bought 😉

Cilantro Lime Rice

  • 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
  • 1/2 cup corn (optional)
  • 2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. spice
  • squeeze of lime juice
  • 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Beans and Corn

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp. jalapeno, fine dice (or more, to taste)
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil

Grilled Chicken

  • 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, thin sliced
  • olive oil
  • seasoning
  • lime juice
  • cilantro for garnish
  • gluten free tortilla strips, for serving

Preparation:

  1. Whisk together the seasoning ingredients.  This is my go-to spice blend for Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired meals.  Read more about it here.  It is bursting with flavor and brings all the components of the recipe together.  You can use as much or as little or you like.

2. Stir together the chimichurri ingredients.  If making from scratch, use kitchen shears to cut the parsley into small mince or for a large batch, you could use an electric chopper.  Be sure to do this ahead of time so the flavors have time to meld.

3. For the Pico de Gallo, dice the tomato, red onion and jalapeno and stir together with a squeeze of lime juice.  You can leave it at room temperature or refrigerate.  Score if you found it pre-made at the grocery store!

4. Next cook the rice.  Allow 15 minutes cook time and 5 minutes to rest.  Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

5. Drain and rinse the corn and beans.  In a small saucepan, stir together the corn, beans, olive oil, chicken broth and jalapeno.  Warm over low heat for 15-20 minutes.

6. Now for the final step, it’s time to cook the chicken breast.  Brush each breast with olive oil and sprinkle seasoning on both sides.  Heat a grill pan over medium heat.

Cook for 8-10 minutes depending on thickness, turning halfway.

Here’s how I served it.  I sliced the chicken breast and arranged it down one side of a platter.  I layered the rice in the center, beans and corn next, and finally the Pico de Gallo.  I drizzled the chimichurri sauce over the chicken and garnished with lime slices.  For the table, I had extra chimi sauce for serving along with gluten free tortilla strips.

Let everyone make up their bowls with a little bit of everything and drizzle more chimi sauce over the top.  Garnish with tortilla chips.  Adult beverages optional!

Notes ♪♫ When you cook from scratch at home, you have full control over your food and ingredients.  You will not have to weigh the risk of ordering from the “Gluten Sensitive” or “Gluten Friendly” menu or worry if kitchen and serving staff are trained to understand gluten free.  These bowls are absolutely, positively safe and delicious!

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Gluten Free Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine, the French classic.  What’s not to love about a yummy quiche filled with bacon, cheese and onion?  I think that a quiche is one of the easiest things to make for brunch, because you can prepare most of it a day ahead then just assemble and bake in the morning.

Is quiche gluten free?

The filling of a quiche, usually consisting of eggs, cream, meat and/or vegetables is usually gluten free.  Only the pie crust contains gluten.  Fortunately, this Gluten Free Cream Cheese Pie Crust is easy to make, and it is perfect to use with both sweet and savory pie recipes.  And of course, I just happened to have one in my freezer, waiting for a special occasion!

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

If your pie crust is frozen, take it out one day ahead to defrost in the refrigerator.  Then let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes before rolling it out between two sheets of parchment.

If it breaks, you can put it back into the refrigerator for 15 minutes then try rolling it out again.  With a gluten free crust, you do not need to worry about overworking the dough, so you can roll it out as many times as you need to.

Gently place the rolled-out dough into a glass pie dish, trim the edges and crimp.  Use the scraps to patch any holes or cracks (you can see I had quite a few!).  Yes, pie crust does not always cooperate, but I got it to work.  Remember, even if it’s not the prettiest it will taste great!

Place the pie dish in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Hint: you can prepare the pie crust to this point and refrigerate it overnight for baking in the morning.  Just cover it with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.

You can also prep the bacon, cheese and onion the night before.  Cook the bacon (in batches if needed) and drain on paper towels.  Chop it into 1/2″ pieces.  Grate the cheese and mince the onion.

In the morning, when you are ready to assemble the quiche, preheat the oven to 425º.  Take the pie crust out of the refrigerator while the oven preheats, so you are not placing a cold plate directly into the hot oven.  Spread the bacon, onion and cheese into the pie shell.

In a bowl, beat the eggs together with the light cream, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper.  Don’t skip the cayenne, it’s just enough to brighten the flavor without adding heat.  Pour the egg mixture evenly into the pie shell.

Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Then, lower the heat to 300º and continue baking for 30 minutes longer.

The edges should be nicely browned, and the center golden.  To test, you can insert a knife or a toothpick into the quiche, it should come out clean.

The quiche can be served warm or at room temperature.  Leftovers can be refrigerated for several days (do not freeze) and reheated in the oven or microwave.  And if you’re ogling that bacon wrapped sausage, get the recipe here!

Notes ♪♫ I always have gluten free pie crust in the freezer for when I want to make sweet or savory pies and quiche.  It’s a real time saver, especially when we can’t always grab a ready-made gluten free pie crust at the grocery store.  Get the recipe for easy, Gluten Free Cream Cheese pie crust here.

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Hoisin Pork Fried Rice

One of the things I miss most since my Celiac diagnosis is Chinese takeout.  Oh, how I loved those noodles, veggies and fried rice!

At first glance you might think that many of these dishes are gluten free, but did you know that soy sauce contains gluten?  It’s true, traditional soy sauce is fermented with wheat so it is off limits on the gluten free diet.

Fortunately for us, there is a gluten free alternative called Tamari.  Since I started using it in my Asian inspired dishes, I have come to like Tamari even more than soy sauce.  Use it like regular soy sauce, as much or as little as you prefer.

Another favorite condiment, Hoisin Sauce can also be found in the Asian aisle in most markets.  It’s sweeter and much thicker than soy sauce and can be used for glazing and dipping.  In this recipe I use both Hoisin sauce and Tamari for a sweet and savory flavor profile.

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Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup gluten free chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp. chive seasoning
  • 1/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup carrot, diced
  • 1/4 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1/4 cup mushroom, diced
  • 2 tbsp. red bell pepper, small dice
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 lb. boneless pork
  • gluten free Hoisin sauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • sesame oil
  • cooking spray
  • gluten free soy sauce or Tamari
  • garlic powder
  • ginger powder
  • fresh scallions or chives for garnish

Preparation:

Cook the rice according to package directions.  I did mine in a rice cooker with 1 cup gluten free chicken broth, 1 cup water and 1/2 tsp. chive seasoning.  This step can be done ahead, in fact the rice works better in this recipe if it has been cooked in advance and refrigerated.

While the rice cooks, prep all the vegetables.  You should have about 2 cups of diced veggies, total.  Dice the pork and toss it with 1 tbsp. Hoisin sauce.  Sprinkle with garlic and ginger.

With the prep work done, the rest of the dish comes together quickly.  Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium low and mist with cooking spray (I like Bertolli because it doesn’t damage my nonstick pans).  Whisk the egg with 1 tbsp. water and scramble.  Crumble the egg and set aside.

Next, add 2 tsp. sesame oil to the skillet and cook the pork.

Transfer the pork to a clean bowl and drizzle with more Hoisin sauce.  Wipe the skillet clean and cook the veggies in 2 tsp. sesame oil, about 5 minutes.  Sprinkle with garlic and ginger and drizzle with Tamari.

Add the cooked rice and egg back to the skillet with more Tamari.

Top with the pork, more Tamari and toss to heat through.

Garnish with fresh scallions or chives and plate.

I just loved this dish, all the flavors that I have been missing!

Notes ♪♫ I love San J brand Tamari and Hoisin sauce.  Both are clearly labeled gluten free and can be found in markets and online.

Originally posted 10/21/2019           Updated 12/13/2023

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Fast and Easy Gluten Free Gravy

I have a wonderful recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy that I make every year.  I start with fresh turkey legs or thighs, roast them and braise with aromatic veggies to make a rich, flavorful stock that makes the most amazing gravy.  And while I love this make ahead recipe, I can appreciate that not everyone wants to go to all that trouble.

So, for all who are short on time and need a fast and easy recipe, this versatile gravy is for you!  It can be made a day ahead or morning of the holiday, no pan drippings needed!  It can be paired with pork, chicken, turkey, veal or even beef just by varying the base broth.

Arrowroot flour is gluten free and makes the smoothest roux, no lumps ever!

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4 Servings

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Whisk together the broth, onion powder and garlic powder in a microwave safe container.  Microwave for 90 seconds.

In a small nonstick saucepan, melt butter then whisk in the arrowroot flour to make a roux.

Continue whisking until the roux begins to take on a little color like this.

Then slowly stream in the warmed broth and whisk until smooth.

Continue simmering and when it reaches the color and thickness you prefer lower the heat and keep warm.

This is a gravy that you can whip up while you make dinner, even on a busy weeknight.  I made it to go with grilled turkey cutlets and it was very good if I do say so!

Notes ♪♫ One of the things I love about this gravy, is that in addition to being gluten free, you can control the salt content.  For those on a low sodium diet, start with salt free broth, unsalted butter and use garlic and onion powder (not salt).  You can always adjust the taste by adding salt, but you are in control!

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One Pot Chicken Dinner

When casual comfort food is on your mind, keep the prep simple with this easy braised dinner.  I used fresh, naturally gluten free ingredients like chicken, potato, carrots and onion.  Slow braising ensures the chicken leg quarters are falling off the bone tender.  As a bonus, this dish goes from oven to table in the same pan for easy cleanup.

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Dinner for two

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken leg quarters
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, cut into chunks
  • 1 medium potato, cut into chunks
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • paprika
  • fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 cup white wine

Preparation:

Use a heavy, oven safe skillet with cover or a Dutch oven.  With the heat on medium low, add 2 tbsp. olive oil and brown the chicken, skin side down for 10 minutes.

Turn the chicken skin side up.  Add the onion, potato and carrot.  Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning, paprika, and fresh rosemary.

Add a splash of white wine, cover and place in the oven for an hour and 45 minutes (1-3/4 hours) at 300º.  Uncover, and cook for an additional 15 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.  Broil on low for 3 minutes to finish.  Garnish with a rosemary sprig and serve it right in the pan.

Notes ♪♫ Gluten free meals do not have to be fancy or difficult!  This recipe, made with naturally gluten free ingredients is delicious and satisfying.

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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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Gluten Free Venus de Milo Soup

Update: I first wrote this post about Venus De Milo Soup in 2019.  I was so sad to read about the closing of this iconic venue in 2020, another casualty of the COVID pandemic.  Although their banquet facility has ceased operations, their famous soup lives on as part of a take-out only foods venture.  I hope you will enjoy my gluten free makeover of this old New England recipe!

Founded in 1959, the Venus de Milo was an iconic restaurant and banquet facility located in Swansea, Massachusetts.  For decades, it was a venue for countless weddings, Christmas parties and other celebrations.  My high school prom was held there, almost 50 years ago! 😲

Venus de Milo Soup is a beloved New England tradition, and its popularity has endured over the decades.  Copycat recipes abound for this easy to prepare soup.  My mother had one in her recipe box, and today it is all over the internet.

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Although it is made with common pantry ingredients, a couple of challenges came up as I started with the original recipe.  Two of the ingredients contained gluten, and I needed to find substitutions.

First, a packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix.  Back in the day, this was a go-to ingredient for so many recipes!  When I was first diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I could not find a gluten free replacement, so I made my own mix.  Now, just a few years later how things have changed!  A quick web search turns up more than a few alternatives.  Go ahead and add one to your shopping list or do what I did.  Stir together this easy blend that contains no flour or added salt!

Next, the original soup was made with Orzo pasta.  I wanted a gluten free soup pasta that looked like orzo, but again, when I first posted this recipe I could not find a gluten free substitute.  Now, just a few years later I was able to order this gluten free orzo from Delallo made from corn and rice flour.  I also spotted this gluten free orzo from Jovial, made with cassava flour.  Or you can try my original choice for this recipe, RightRice.  It was brand new on the shelves in 2019 and has since become a part of my gluten free pantry.

Once I had gathered my ingredients, this soup came together in about 45 minutes.  Like any soup, it is better and thicker the next day.  We had several meals from this pot of soup, and it brought back so many great memories!

Ingredients:

———————————————-

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 14.5 oz. canned tomatoes (whole, diced, crushed, sauce… use what you have)
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 16 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn and green beans)
  • 12 oz. beef stock
  • 2 cups beef or chicken broth (or use water)
  • 1 cup (uncooked) gluten free orzo pasta
  • 1 ladle of reserved pasta water

Preparation:

Stir together the first 7 ingredients for the onion soup mix replacement (or use a purchased mix).

In a 4 qt. soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the meat in 1 tbsp. olive oil, breaking it up with a spatula.  Season with salt and pepper.  Continue until the meat is completely browned, then stir in the onion soup mixture.

Add the celery, tomatoes and the mixed vegetables (it’s ok to throw them in frozen).

Next add the stock and all of the broth.  This recipe is very forgiving.  You can use all broth, or all water if you wish for a total of 3-1/2 cups liquid.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a low simmer.  Cover and cook for 30 minutes.

Next cook the pasta in lightly salted water.  I do not recommend adding the dry pasta directly into the soup.  Here’s why.

Some gluten free pastas, especially those made with corn flour will release a huge amount of starch into the water when cooked, and it can be a gummy mess.  Don’t worry though, it’s delicious!  Just cook the pasta separately and rinse it under warm water before adding to the soup.

If the soup needs thickening, you can reserve a bit of that starchy water and add it to the pot.  Stir it up and do a final taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.

Let it sit for 2 hours before mealtime (soup will thicken), then just warm it up before serving.

This hearty soup is a meal in itself.  Perfect for cold winter nights, serve with grated cheese and a few slices of crusty gluten free bread.

Notes: ♪♫ Soups are notorious for containing high levels of salt.  If you are a low sodium household, always start your recipes with ingredients that have no added salt.  For example, choose unsalted broth, tomatoes, and bouillon.  It’s easy to add a little sea salt in at the end to bring out the flavor.

Original post 3/04/2019                                                                Updated 2/16/2022

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Sweet Potato Flatbread

This delicious flatbread recipe features sweet potato and cassava flour.  A must have in your gluten free pantry, cassava flour is made from the root of the yuca plant.  The entire root is grated, dried, and ground into a mild tasting flour that is both gluten free and Paleo friendly.

This gluten free, grain free flat bread was a nice change from my usual potato side, really different from anything I have ever made.  To achieve the same results, I recommend weighing your ingredients.

6 Servings

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Ingredients:

  • 1 large sweet potato, about 12 oz.
  • 1/2 cup cassava flour, about 2.2 oz. plus more for dusting
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. gluten free Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3/4 cup grated cheese such as parmesan, gruyere etc.

Preparation:

Peel the sweet potato and cut into chunks.  I used 1 sweet potato for this recipe.  After peeling, it weighed 10 oz.

Steam the potato until very soft, 25-30 minutes.  Remove the potato and add to the bowl of a stand mixer.

Beat with the paddle attachment until smooth.  Whisk together ½ cup of cassava flour with salt and Italian seasoning.  Add to the bowl and mix until a soft dough forms.  The dough will be heavy and clinging to the paddle, like this.

Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper.  I used a pie dough roller and floured fingers to gently roll and press the dough into a 1/4″ thick round.  Use a spatula to neaten the edges.

Slide the parchment onto a pizza stone.  Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with more seasoning and the grated cheese.  I used Parmesan and it browned up nicely, but Romano, Gruyere or even cheddar would be fine.  Use your favorite, or whatever you have on hand.  Bake at 375◦ for 25 minutes, then broil on high for 5 minutes.  The cheese should be melted and starting to brown, the edges crispy.  Watch that it doesn’t burn!

Use a large spatula to slide the flatbread off the parchment onto a cutting board.  Slice into wedges and serve.  You should hear a nice crunch when you cut into it.  Once the flatbread begins to cool it will soften up, so it is best eaten immediately.  Leftovers can be reheated on a pizza stone.

The verdict, everyone loved it!  Potato lovers, change up your menu with this easy, gluten free side.  Everyone will want a slice, so be ready to share!

Notes ♪♫ Cassava flour is quickly gaining popularity in gluten free baking.  If you can’t find it at your supermarket it is widely available online from sites like Amazon.

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Pork and Bean Soup

Fall temperatures have finally arrived here in New England, and for me that signals the beginning of soup season.  My Pork and Bean Soup is so rich and thick, just what we need to take away that first autumn chill.  This soup is gluten free, nutritious, and full of fiber, which is often sadly lacking in the gluten free diet.

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Fully cooked pork shanks make a wonderful soup base that is surprisingly low in fat.  I look for uncured (no nitrites) pork shanks and verify they are gluten free either by labeling or the producer’s website.  If the brand doesn’t openly identify gluten and other allergens in their products than an email may be in order (or pass).

Friends, don’t shy away from cooking with beans.  Once you know how, you will have tender flavorful beans every time!  Making your own means you control the ingredients, including salt content.

Here are some tips.  Always soak beans overnight, don’t take shortcuts.  Rinse the beans before soaking and change the water again before cooking.  Always start with cold water and plan on 3+ hours cook time at a very low simmer.  Do not add salt until the last hour of cooking.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. dry beans such as great northern, navy, pinto or a mixture.  Use your favorites!
  • 1 fully cooked, uncured ham/pork shank (also called ham hocks)
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1/2 sweet onion
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp. thyme
  • 1 tsp. sage
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1-1/4 cup gluten free soup pasta (I used Le Veneziane Ditalini) 

Preparation:

The night before, rinse the beans well and place them in a stock pot or Dutch oven with cold water.  Cover and soak overnight.  The beans will more than double in size.  After the soak, drain and rinse the beans again.  Clean the stockpot to remove any residue.

Place the rinsed beans back in the stockpot and fill with cold water.  Do not add salt.  Cover and simmer on low heat for 2 hours.

Chop the carrots, celery and onion into 1/2″ dice.  Cook the veggies in 1 tbsp. olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Drain and rinse the beans one more time, then add them to a larger stockpot along with the veggies and the pork shank.  Fill to within 2” from the top with water, about 6 cups.  Here is where you add the salt, along with the sage, thyme and bay leaf.  Simmer on low one hour more.

If using gluten free pasta, cook according to package directions.  Transfer the pork shank to a cutting board and chop or shred the meat into small pieces.

Remove the bay leaf and discard, then partially puree the beans and vegetables with an immersion blender.  Don’t skip this step, it gives the soup a nice thick consistency.  If you don’t have a stick blender, you can carefully transfer a few scoops of the soup to a regular blender, puree and return to the pot.  Be very careful not to splash the hot soup!

Lastly, stir in the cooked pasta and shredded pork.  Taste and add more salt if needed.  Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

Spoon the soup into shallow bowls and enjoy with gluten free rolls for a hearty lunch.  It really is substantial enough to be a main course!

Like most soups, this one is even better (and thicker) the next day.  I love this kind of meal throughout the fall and winter months.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will give my Facebook page a like so that you will continue to see more great meals like this one, made right here in My Gluten Free Cucina!

Notes: ♪♫ I love using a combination of different beans in my soups but avoid the popular mixes like the 16-bean blend.  Some contain barley, and even if not, it may be difficult to tell if a stray grain of barley made its way into the mix.  Bottom line, I just don’t trust the sorting process.  It’s easier to visually inspect the contents of single bean packages.  You can buy several kinds and make your own mixed bean blend.  For soup pasta, I like Le Veneziane gluten free ditalini.  If you can’t find it in store, it is available online.

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