Tag: celiac

Gluten Free Meatloaf Ramekins

Look at these cute little ramekins!  They can elevate the humblest of meals to dinner party status!  Gluten Free Meatloaf Ramekins are fun to make and perfectly portioned for kids, small plates and small appetites.

You can vary the veggies in this meatloaf to suit your taste.  I used onion, zucchini and bell pepper.  Unlike my other meatloaf recipes, this one contains no oats.  So, if you can’t have oats or are avoiding them for the time being, this one is for you!

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Servings: 4 ramekins

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Heat olive oil in a small skillet and sauté the veggies until they have released their liquid and reduced to about 1/3 cup.  Season to taste.

Transfer to a bowl to cool (so you don’t cook the egg).

When cooled, whisk in the ketchup followed by the egg and more seasoning.

Next add the beef, working it in with your hands.  Gradually add the potato flakes and breadcrumbs and combine well.

Mist the ramekins with cooking spray and place them in a square baking dish.  This will make them easier to handle when going in and out of the oven.

Divide the meatloaf mixture between the 4 ramekins.  Top with ketchup and smooth the tops with a fork.

Bake at 375º for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 150º (check with a thermometer).

Serve with ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce (my favorite is Stubbs Smokey Mesquite).

Notes ♪♫ Love ramekins?  Check out my Shepherd’s Pie Ramekins and Ramekin Stuffing cups!

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Barramundi with Lemon Butter Sauce

The price of seafood has increased so much in the last few years!  No wonder I am always on the lookout for a bargain, especially in the frozen section.

That’s where this caught my eye, a 12 oz. package of Barramundi Fillets for less than $10, perfect for seafood night!

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Also known as Asian Sea Bass, this white fish has a firm but delicate texture and a mild, sweet taste.  The wine-lemon-butter sauce really brings out the flavor of this fish without overpowering it.  It can be pan cooked or oven baked in under 30 minutes!

Dinner for two

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Melt 1 tbsp. butter in a nonstick grill pan or skillet.  Add the fillets, season with Old Bay and cook 5 minutes.

Turn the fish over.  Add the remaining 1 tbsp. butter, wine and juice of 1/2 lemon to the pan.  Cook 5 minutes longer.

Oven Preparation:

Alternately, you can add the fillets, seasoning, wine, lemon and butter to a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes at 400º.

To plate, sprinkle with a little more Old Bay and garnish with fresh chives.  Here I served with short grain brown rice and sugar snap peas.

Notes ♪♫ You do not need an array of seasonings or sauces for most seafood dishes.  Keep it simple and let the flavor of the fish take the spotlight.  If you are making a seafood dish and don’t know what seasoning to use, just sprinkle with Old Bay, it is a natural for seafood and has been around (and gluten free) since 1939.

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Gluten Free Apple Pie

There is nothing like a homemade pie for a special occasion.  Just look at that crust!  Apple pie was the first pie that I learned to make, and it is still my favorite!

Before my Celiac diagnosis, I used to buy the refrigerated pastry dough in the red box (remember those days?) for my pies.  Today I use this easy make ahead Gluten Free Pie Crust, and always keep it on hand in my freezer so I’m ready to make a dessert pie, meat pie or quiche.

The filling was adapted from Taste of Home, an old classic from back in the day.  I always use Honeycrisp apples for pie, they are excellent for cooking and baking.  You can use other firm apples like Braeburn, Cortland or Granny Smith.  My apples were quite large, so I only used 4 for this recipe.  For medium sized apples you will need 5-6.

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Ingredients:

  • gluten free pastry dough for double pie crust (recipe here)
  • 5-6 medium apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp. gluten free flour (I used Better Batter Original)
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ginger
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1 tbsp. egg whites

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Preparation:

The first thing you’ll want to do is roll out that pie dough.  If you had it in the freezer, let it defrost in the refrigerator the day before then leave at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling.

The easiest way to roll the dough is to lay it on a sheet of lightly floured parchment and cover with a sheet of plastic wrap.  Take your time rolling the dough, until it is large enough to fit your pie dish.  Place the rolled-out dough in the refrigerator while you make the filling.

Next, whisk together the sugars, flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in a small bowl.

Squeeze the lemon juice into a large bowl.  Peel and dice the apples and add to the bowl, tossing with the lemon juice after each addition.

Combine the sugar mixture with the apples and toss well to coat.

Now for the moment of truth.  Place one sheet of pastry dough in the pie dish.  The easiest way to do this is to remove the plastic wrap and flip the dough onto the pie dish.

Carefully peel away the parchment and ease the dough into the dish like this.

Whew, look at that it worked!  Now trim the edges and use the extra pieces to patch any cracks or holes.

Fill with the apple mixture and dot with the butter.

Use the same technique to place the top sheet of pastry dough.  Fold the edges over and crimp, it doesn’t have to be fancy.

Cut slits to allow steam to escape.  Whisk the egg white, and brush all over the top.

Place the pie on a sheet pan (in case it drips) and arrange strips of foil loosely around the edges.  Don’t press the foil into the dough (it may stick).

Bake for 25 minutes at 375º.  Use tongs to remove the foil then bake an additional 25 minutes.

Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.  It smells so good you will have a hard time waiting!

Notes ♪♫ Pie crust has always been my nemesis.  That is, until I learned to make this incredible Gluten Free Cream Cheese Pie Crust, then a whole new world of gluten free baking opened up.  Try it, I promise it is easy to prepare and rolls like a dream!

Apple Pie filling adapted from Taste of Home

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Gluten Free Peas and Elbows

Do you get bored with the same old side dishes?  I tend to always go with rice or potatoes for dinner, but it gets monotonous!  So, here’s a little something I made to change things up one weekend.  I served it with steak, but this nifty little side dish would go well with chicken or pork chops too!

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Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 1 cup gluten free chicken stock
  • 1 cup (3 oz.) gluten free elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1 heaping tbsp. shredded parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
  • sea salt, to taste
  • fresh chives, for garnish

Preparation:

In a small nonstick saucepan, sauté the onion in 1 tbsp. olive oil until the onions are translucent.

Add 1 cup gluten free chicken broth, 1 cup water, salt to taste and seasoning of choice.  Bring to a simmer and add the elbows, cook to package directions.  With 5 minutes left on cook time, add the peas and simmer 5 minutes longer.

Stir in 1 tbsp. butter, a heaping tbsp. of cheese (or more if you like) and transfer to a serving bowl.

Garnish with fresh chives or parsley.  I love this easy side, so it will definitely be going into the dinner rotation!

Notes ♪♫ I used Jovial brown rice elbows in this recipe.  One of my favorite brands of gluten free pasta, I was thrilled to find elbows at the store.  If they aren’t available where you live, you can get them here on Amazon.

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Ginger Bok Choy Egg Drop Soup

This Asian inspired soup is just the thing for a light dinner or first course.  If you love Egg Drop Soup, you will love this adaptation that combines the best of Egg Drop and Ginger Bok Choy.  Only a few ingredients are needed, and since it does not require all day simmering you can throw it together after work.  Stir in a beaten egg and rice noodles just before serving and it’s ready to eat!

This was quite a bit different than my usual soups, but the recipe is a keeper!  So good for those chilly nights, or when you’re feeling under the weather.

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4 servings

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Heat 1 tsp. sesame oil and 1 tsp. olive oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven.  Mince the garlic and ginger (I used an electric chopper) and add to the pot.  Cook for 30 seconds then add the sliced mushrooms.

Stir until the mushrooms release their liquid, then add the bone broth, 2 tsp. of tamari and 1 tsp. sesame oil (or more, to taste).  Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.

Trim away the tough, lower part of the Bok choy, then rinse and halve the leaves.  Stir them into the soup to wilt and lower the heat to keep warm.

Cook the rice noodles in a separate pan according to package directions.  Just prior to serving, drizzle the beaten egg into the soup and swirl it around with a whisk.  Add the cooked rice noodles.

Ladle into bowls and serve with Chow Mein noodles for texture (optional), or a simple garnish of green onions if you want to keep it simple.

Notes ♪♫ I love these extra wide rice noodles from A Taste of Thai.  I was able to find them locally, but if not available in your area you can get them here at Amazon.  I use Coconut Aminos in my Asian recipes, but if you are not limiting salt, try Gluten Free Tamari.

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Hash Brown Muffin Cups

Aren’t these the cutest?  Hash Brown Muffin Cups are fun to make and eat, kid friendly and adult approved!  Using frozen hash browns really cuts down on the prep work.  This is a great brunch recipe because you can prepare it the night before and bake in the morning.

The Lazy Gastronome
Are hash browns gluten free?

As long as you are buying plain hash brown potatoes, they should be fine.  I always look for the gluten free label as an extra measure of security, but as long as the only ingredient is “Potatoes” you are good to go.  If the potatoes are seasoned or include other ingredients, then investigate further before buying.  I used Ore-Ida frozen shredded Hash Browns in this recipe.

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Ingredients:

  • 20 oz. frozen shredded hash browns (for a standard 12-cup muffin tin)
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic granules
  • 1/8 tsp. paprika
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Weigh 20 oz. hash browns and place in a zip top bag.  Defrost in the refrigerator.

I used a salad spinner to be sure the potatoes were as dry as possible (see notes).   After spinning the potatoes (or pressing them dry with paper towels) transfer to a clean bowl.

Toss the hash browns with the cheese and seasonings.  Drizzle with 2 tbsp. olive oil and toss again to coat thoroughly.

Mist the muffin tin with cooking spray and spoon the potatoes evenly into the 12 cups.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, preheat the oven to 400º and spritz the tops of the muffin cups with olive oil spray.  Bake for 45 minutes.

The edges should be browned and crispy.  Use a spoon to slide them right out of the pan onto a serving dish!

Hash Brown Muffin Cups will be a great addition to your brunch menu, or a fun dinner side.  They reheat well, and ours stayed crispy even after microwaving.  You will want to keep a bag of hash browns in your freezer pantry, so you can make a batch any time you like!

Notes ♪♫ My salad spinner is over 20 years old.  We originally purchased ours when my husband used to plant a large garden and I needed an easy way to wash the veggies.  Today I still eat lots of salads and this is just a handy thing to have in your kitchen!  Here’s the current model.

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Gluten Free Apple French Toast Casserole

Did you see the Gluten Free Cinnamon Swirl Bread I posted a few weeks ago?  If not, check it out here!   I used that same recipe to make this overnight Apple French Toast for Easter.  The cinnamon swirl bread goes so well with apples!  This is a wonderful make ahead recipe for a brunch, get it ready the night before and bake in the morning!

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf Gluten Free Cinnamon Swirl Bread
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 2 tbsp. maple syrup
  • 3 apples (I used Honey crisp)
  • 7 eggs
  • 1-3/4 cups milk (I used 2%)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • cooking spray

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Preparation:

Make the Cinnamon Swirl Bread 2 days before and store at room temperature.

The night before your brunch, melt the butter, brown sugar and maple sugar in a small saucepan.  Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

Mist a 9 x 13″ glass baking dish with cooking spray and pour the butter mixture into the dish.

Peel and slice the apples and spread them over the butter mixture in a single layer.

Cut the bread into 3/4″ slices and arrange over the apples.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon.

Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices and press down with a spatula.

Mist a sheet of foil with cooking spray, cover the casserole and press down with your hands to be sure the bread slices are submerged in the egg mixture.  Refrigerate overnight.  Here’s what it should look like in the morning.

In the morning, take the baking dish out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter to warm up for at least 30 minutes before baking (going directly from refrigerator to oven may shatter a glass baking dish).  Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes at 350º then broil for 2-3 minutes to finish.

You can dust with powdered sugar (optional) and serve with real maple syrup!

Notes ♪♫ There are many breads that will work well in this recipe.  Check out my Gluten Free Millet Bread that I often use for French Toast recipes.  Be sure to make the bread two days before assembling the casserole, a drier loaf will better absorb the eggs.

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Chocolate Hazelnut Rice Pie Tartlets

Rice Pie (Torta di Riso) is a traditional Italian dessert served at Easter.  When I was growing up, every Italian household had Rice Pie during Easter week and it is still widely enjoyed today.  You might be surprised to know that the recipe contains no flour at all and most of the ingredients are naturally gluten free!

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I jazzed up the plain rice pie we had as kids with toasted hazelnuts, candied orange peel and chocolate chips.  Instead of a pie dish, I opted for this mini fluted tart pan to create 6 individual servings.  Perfect for small Easter gatherings!

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes at 325°.

Line the tart pan with paper baking cups and mist with cooking spray.

Add milk to a saucepan and heat to a simmer.  Add the rice and stir.  Next stir in the sugar, vanilla and ½ tsp. hazelnut extract.

Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered on low for 45 minutes.

Hint!  Do not walk away while the rice is cooking!  You will need to stir frequently and watch that it doesn’t burn or boil over!  

Remove the cooked rice from the stove, transfer to a bowl and let it cool slightly before combining the rice with the egg mixture (you do not want to cook the eggs).

Whisk the eggs and ricotta in a large bowl. Add the remaining ½ tsp. of hazelnut extract.

Fold in the toasted hazelnuts, candied orange peel and chocolate chips.

Gradually add the rice to the egg mixture, one scoop at a time to temper the eggs.  Stir well after each addition of rice until it is completely incorporated.

Divide the mixture evenly among the 6 cups, each should be about 2/3 full (they will rise to the top during baking).

Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes.  Check with a toothpick and touch the center with your finger (it should feel set, no liquid). Remove from the oven, and while still warm, brush the tops lightly with Frangelico (optional, if serving to adults).

Cool completely in the pan.

Serve the tartlets at room temperature or chilled.  Before serving, dust with cocoa powder and powdered sugar.

This showstopper of a dessert is bound to become one of your Easter favorites!  I know it will at our house!

Notes ♪♫ Carnaroli Rice is widely regarded as the best for making risotto and it is worth seeking out if you can’t find it at the grocery store.  It is a high-quality short grain rice with a wonderful texture that is perfect for making risotto that is creamy but firm.  If you cannot find Carnaroli rice locally, it is available here on Amazon or substitute Arborio rice.

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Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns

“One a penny, two a penny,
Hot-cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons!”
~Mother Goose

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This recipe was adapted from one that I saved from the King Arthur website in 2012.  I used the Artisan Flour Blend from Better Batter (* see notes) and adjusted the liquid per instructions.  The verdict- amazing!  Hot Cross Buns were always an Easter favorite, and I am thrilled to be able to enjoy them again!

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

Adapted from King Arthur Baking Company

Ingredients:

  • For the dough
  • 1/4 cup rum
  • 1/2 cup raisins (I used Sunmaid)
  • 2-1/2 cups milk, warmed
  • 2-1/4 tsp. instant yeast
  • 2 eggs plus 1 yolk (reserve whites)
  • 6 tbsp. butter, softened
  • 607 g. Better Batter GF Artisan Flour Blend
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1-3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 1 egg white, reserved from above for brushing
  • 1 tbsp. milk, for egg wash
  • For the Icing
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 4 tsp. milk

Preparation:

Line a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with parchment paper and mist with cooking spray.

Place the rum and raisins in a small bowl to soak while you make the dough.

Microwave the butter on low for 30-45 seconds to soften.

Add milk to a microwave safe container and microwave 1-1/2 minutes. Whisk in the yeast and let it proof for 15 minutes.

Separate one egg and set aside the whites.

Whisk the yolk with the remaining 2 eggs.

Add the dry ingredients, flour through baking powder, to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk thoroughly.

Add the butter, eggs and milk/yeast mixture and mix together on low with the paddle attachment.  It will look like wet pancake batter at this point.  Increase the speed and beat for 5 minutes to form a soft, smooth dough.

Finally, add the rum-soaked raisins and their liquid, mixing for one more minute to incorporate.

Gather the dough together in the bowl, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Turn the dough out onto an oiled cutting board (mist it with cooking spray) and use a bench knife to divide it into 12 equal pieces.

With oiled hands, roll each piece into a ball and arrange in the prepared pan.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap, and let the buns rise until puffy and touching one another, about 20 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 375º.

Whisk the reserved egg white with 1 tbsp. milk, and brush over the buns.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 205º (check with a thermometer).

Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting (** see notes)

Whisk the icing ingredients together, and spoon into a pastry bag.  If you don’t have a pastry bag (I don’t), use a clean zip top plastic bag with the tip of one corner snipped off.  Pipe the cross over each roll.

Be sure the buns are completely cooled before frosting.  They smell so good, you will want to eat them right out of the oven.  Try to resist, because they need time to set (or the centers may be gummy).  Plus, if you frost the buns while they are warm the glaze will melt away.  Patience!

Notes ♪ I used and recommend Better Batter Artisan Flour Blend for this recipe.  This flour requires twice the liquid of typical recipes, so if you use another flour, you will need to adjust the liquid to flour ratio.  Start with half the milk (1-1/4 cup) and only add more if needed, 1 tbsp. at a time.

Notes ♫ Do you need special cookbooks for gluten free baking?  During the first year following my Celiac diagnosis I donated most of my old cookbooks, thinking I could never use them again.  I was so wrong!  I wish that I had known the truth, that most mainstream recipes can be adapted to gluten free, often with an exchange of one or two ingredients!

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Gluten Free Zucchini and Prosciutto Quiche

Making a gluten free quiche has been on my recipe bucket list for a long time.  This week I finally did it!  The filling is a savory blend of zucchini, prosciutto, mushrooms and Gruyere cheese.  I still can’t believe how tasty it was.

Of course, the foundation of a good quiche is the pie crust.  If you missed my earlier post on how to make an easy, gluten free pie crust you can check it out here.

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350º.

Roll your pie dough into a circle, using your pie dish as a guide.  You want the dough to fit into the pie dish with a little extra to fold under and crimp.

Carefully lift the dough and place in your pie dish.

Trim the excess (can be used to patch any cracks or holes), fold the edges under and crimp.

Because the filling is made with heavy, wet ingredients, you will need to blind bake (pre-bake) the crust for 10 minutes to keep it from getting soggy.  Be sure to weigh down the crust down to keep the bottom from puffing up.  You can cover the crust with parchment and use beans or pie weights.  Or you can try this gadget, it works like a charm and it’s so easy to remove and clean!

While the crust is baking prepare the filling.  Cut the zucchini and mushrooms into thin slices and chop the whites of the scallions into 1/4″ pieces.  Grate the cheese and tear the prosciutto into small pieces.

Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a nonstick skillet, add all of the veggies and sprinkle with seasoning.

Cook the veggies until they have released their liquid and reduced to about 1 cup.  Transfer to a colander to cool and drain.

Take the partially cooked pie crust out of the oven after 10 minutes and remove the pie weight.

To finish the filling, beat the eggs and milk.  Stir in the drained veggies, 3/4 cup of cheese and the prosciutto.  Add about 8 grinds of fresh ground pepper.

Pour the filling into the prepared crust and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese.

Place the quiche on the center rack of your oven.  I put a cookie sheet underneath, to keep the bottom from getting over cooked.  Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top is set, and edges of the crust are well browned.

Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes ♪♫ We had this quiche for dinner, and reheated leftovers for lunch the next day.  Like any pie, the number of servings will depend on your appetite, somewhere between 4-8 wedges.  It was delicious and would be an amazing addition to your brunch menu!

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