Tag: Condiments

Homemade Gluten Free BBQ Sauce

This is a simple BBQ sauce that you can make at home in small batches.  My husband said he likes it better than his favorite store brand, very high praise indeed!  Use it to baste and glaze meats, as a dipping sauce, even a pizza sauce.

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Whisk the ingredients together and warm in a small saucepan.

Try using it on my BBQ Beef Short Ribs or my BBQ Chicken Pizza!

Notes ♪♫ I keep this recipe lower in sodium by choosing unsalted ketchup and low sodium Worcestershire sauce.  Use garlic granules (or powder) instead of garlic salt.

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Gluten Free Mushroom Sauce

This sauce was something I threw together to accompany a weeknight meal, almost an afterthought.  I am usually not one for sauces and gravies, but Mr. Cucina loved this Mushroom Sauce so much, that I thought it deserved a post of its own.

The first time I made it we were having pork chops.  Since then, my husband has declared it to be wonderful ladled over poultry, steaks and meatloaf as well.

Using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream was unexpectedly good.  At first, you really taste the yogurt tang, but as the sauce rests it becomes less pronounced.  It gives the sauce a smooth, velvety texture.

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Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. button mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 4 oz. sweet onion, small dice
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp. arrowroot starch/flour
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 3 oz. plain Greek yogurt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Add 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. butter to a small skillet.  Add the onion and cook until translucent.

Add the mushrooms and stir, cooking several minutes longer or until they release their liquid.  Set aside to cool.

In a separate saucepan, melt 1 tbsp. butter.  Add the arrowroot flour and whisk, whisk, whisk!

Lower heat and continue cooking (don’t stop whisking!) until the roux has some color, like this.

Stream in the wine and broth, whisking constantly to keep lumps from forming.  There’s our sauce taking shape!

Next stir in the mushrooms and onions.

Remove from the heat and whisk in the yogurt.

This sauce goes well with so many things.  Beef, poultry, pork…  I am especially proud of this next recipe for Sausage Stuffed Turkey Rolls.  Paired with the Mushroom Sauce and a side of wild rice, this was a great meal.  Check it out here!

Notes ♪♫ Don’t shy away from making a roux!  I used to be so intimidated about doing this, but it’s easy when you use arrowroot.  A beautiful, smooth roux every time!

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Onion Gravy

This is one versatile gravy that can be made a day ahead, no pan drippings needed!  It can be paired with pork, chicken, turkey, veal or even beef just by varying the base broth.  Making a gravy is not my favorite thing, especially trying to pull one together from pan drippings just as a holiday meal is about to be served.  Take the pressure off the big day and make a delicious onion gravy the night before!

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sweet onion, minced
  • 2 tbsp. gluten free corn starch
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of gluten free broth, warmed (I used 2/3 cup each of chicken, beef and vegetable broth)
  • 1 tbsp. brandy
  • 1 tbsp. heavy cream (optional or use half and half, or milk)

 

Preparation:

Pulse the onions in an electric chopper to make the prep work fast and easy.  You should have 2 cups total, minced.

In a heavy skillet melt the butter, add the onions and season with salt and pepper.  Stir frequently and cook slowly over medium low heat until the onions begin to break down, about 20 minutes.

Have the corn starch, broth and a whisk ready for the next step.  Sprinkle the corn starch evenly over the onions and whisk whisk whisk for 1-2 minutes.  Don’t stop!

Stream in the warmed broth and continue whisking.  The gravy will thicken.

See how the onions have almost melted into the gravy?  If you don’t want the little bits of onion that remain you can strain the gravy or puree it with an immersion blender.  If you like a little texture definitely leave them in.

Transfer the gravy to a small sauce pan, then stir in the brandy and cream.  Cover and keep warm until serving.

This gravy was made with a combination of chicken, vegetable and beef broth (2/3 cup each) and has a pale cream/light brown color.  I’ll be serving it with a pork roast.  You can use all chicken, beef or vegetable broth, or a combination as I did here.  Experiment with each or make a blend to create the shade and flavor you prefer.

Notes ♪♫  If making a day ahead, cool the gravy to room temperature and refrigerate.  The day of the meal gradually reheat and thin with a little extra broth if needed.

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Gluten Free Steak Marinade

Summer is here and it’s time to fire up the grill!  This Gluten Free Steak Marinade has been one of my most popular posts, and no wonder!  It’s an easy and tasty blend that goes perfectly with steaks and kabobs!  And now, for those of us who want all of the flavor but with less salt, I’ve added a lower sodium option.

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Ingredients:

Lower Sodium Option:

Preparation:

Whisk all of the marinade ingredients together in a glass bowl or baking dish.

Add steaks or beef tips, turning to coat.  Cover and rest at room temperature for 1 hour, turning the meat halfway through.  Then cook or grill as usual.  For dinner ideas, check out my ribeye steak or beef kabobs!

Notes: ♪♫ Soy sauce contains gluten, so choose one that is specifically labeled gluten free.  I actually prefer the flavor of gluten free soy sauce, Kikkoman is one of my favorites, and I also love San-J brand gluten free tamari.  If you are limiting sodium, try the lower salt alternative using Coconut Aminos, I have successfully substituted it for soy sauce in many of my recipes.  Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce is gluten free in the US, but thanks to my reader Denise for pointing out that in Canada the ingredients may be different and are not gluten free.  McCormick clearly lists gluten containing ingredients in their labeling.  I use their Montreal Steak Seasoning on steaks, burgers and kabobs.

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Easy Mexican Spice Blend

Whisk together an easy Mexican spice blend for all your Cinco de Mayo recipes.  I prefer to purchase single spices for my pantry to create my own mixes.  It is both easy and economical.

This is a spicy blend!  You can use more or less as desired to suit your palate.  I do like it spicy, but of course it depends on who you are cooking for.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. crushed Chipotle Chile
  • 2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. onion granules
  • 1 tsp. cumin

Preparation:

Measure the ingredients then grind in a coffee grinder or use a mortar and pestle.  Store in an airtight container.

Notes: ♪♫  Single spices are much more likely to be gluten free, while some purchased blends may contain gluten.  To be certain, always check labels and if necessary contact the manufacturer.

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