Tag: #glutenfree

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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Gluten Free Chicken Cordon Bleu

Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu.  Years ago this dish was a restaurant standard, and it has long been on my culinary bucket list to make a gluten free version at home!  Swapping out the flour and breadcrumbs for gluten free was all that was needed.

This is a great dish for a dinner party, or a romantic dinner for two.  When planning your meal, allow about 6 oz. chicken cutlet and 2 slices prosciutto per serving.  You can save time by purchasing thin sliced chicken breast, but if all you can find are larger breasts then you can follow my instructions to cut and pound them into thin slices.

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Ingredients:

  • boneless chicken breast cutlets, 6 oz. per serving
  • thin sliced prosciutto, 2 slices per serving
  • grated gruyere cheese, 2-3 tbsp. per serving
  • 1 egg or 1/4 cup egg whites
  • 1/4 cup white rice flour seasoned with paprika
  • 1/2 cup gluten free seasoned breadcrumbs
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Using a sharp paring knife, slice horizontally through the center of the breast making 1/2″ slices about 6 oz. each.  Cover with plastic wrap and use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound each slice to an even thickness.

Continue with each slice, stacking between layers of plastic wrap.

When you are ready to assemble, layer each piece of chicken with 2 slices of prosciutto.

Sprinkle evenly with Gruyere cheese and roll up into a bundle.

If you have the time, roll up the chicken in plastic wrap, twisting the ends like a sausage casing.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  This is a great trick for to help the bundles stay together without using twine or toothpicks!

Pressed for time and don’t have that extra hour?  Don’t worry!  Just secure the bundles with a toothpick, like this.

Set up breading trays with the flour, egg and breadcrumbs.

Gently roll the bundles in the flour, then dip in the egg, and finally roll in the breadcrumbs.

Set the bundles seam side down on a baking sheet lined with foil and coated with cooking spray.

Bake for 40 minutes at 350º and rest 5 minutes before serving.

And that’s it friends.  A beautiful plate!

I hope you enjoyed this post and have been inspired to give the recipe a try! Be sure to check out some of my other restaurant classics that you can make at home, gluten free.

Notes ♪♫ Ingredients make the difference!  I used Aleia’s gluten free Italian breadcrumbs in this recipe.  They are simply the best!

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Gluten Free Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are a favorite of backyard gardeners and are available in stores year-round.  They come in so many beautiful colors!  Whether you grow them yourself, or do your harvesting at the supermarket, you will definitely want to try this recipe for Italian style stuffed peppers. 

Choose peppers that are uniform in size, and check that they can stand upright.

The sausage and rice stuffing is so delicious and can stand on its own as a casserole!  For a really special touch, try using my homemade Mushroom Soup and homemade Italian Sausage in this recipe, both are fabulous!  Of course, you can use store bought if you like, just make sure the ingredients are gluten free.    

This recipe will yield enough stuffing for 4 medium peppers.  In this post I am stuffing 2 peppers and serving the rest as a casserole.

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Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 cup long grain brown rice (uncooked) 
  • 1-1/2 cups gluten free Lower Sodium or Unsalted Chicken broth 
  • olive oil 
  • 1/2 sweet onion diced 
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced 
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • salt and pepper to taste 
  • 8 oz. gluten free Italian Sausage, casings removed
  • 1-1/2 cups gluten free Mushroom Soup 
  • 1/4 cup 1% milk, plus more as needed 
  • paprika 
  • 1/3 cup shredded gruyere cheese 
  • 1/3 cup gluten free Italian breadcrumbs 

_____________________________________

  • 4 bell peppers, color of your choice 
  • 1/4 cup grated gruyere or Parmesan cheese 
  • 1/4 cup gluten free Italian breadcrumbs 
  • 2 cups purchased marinara sauce for serving or make your own

Preparation: 

Cook the rice in the chicken broth.  I used long grain brown rice which takes about 50 minutes to cook, so I gave it a 35-minute head start before adding to the casserole. 

Next heat a deep, oven proof skillet to medium low and add the onions, mushrooms and garlic with a little olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.

Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Push the veggies to the side, leaving a space in the center of the pan and add the sausage.

Break up the meat with a spatula to brown it all over, then stir into the veggies.

When the rice has simmered for 35 minutes, add it to the skillet along with any broth that has not been absorbed.  Add the Mushroom Soup and 1/4 cup milk.

Sprinkle the top with paprika and place the skillet in a 350° oven.  Bake for 30 minutes uncovered. 

Stir the casserole after 30 minutes and add an additional 1/4 cup milk if it appears dry.  Continue baking for another 30 minutes.  The casserole should be set but moist.

Sprinkle with the Gruyere cheese and breadcrumbs. 

Broil on low for 5 minutes or just until the top is nicely browned.  You can prepare up to this point a day ahead.

Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the ribs and seeds.

Blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes.

Use tongs to remove the peppers from the water and set them aside on paper towels to drain and cool. 

Arrange the cooled peppers in a baking dish coated with cooking spray and spoon in the stuffing.

Top with more cheese and breadcrumbs, then bake for 35 minutes at 350°.

Simmer 2 cups of marinara sauce on very low heat while the peppers are baking.

Finish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the tops are browned. 

Remember I said the stuffing can stand alone as a casserole?  For those who don’t care for the peppers you can set aside some stuffing and simply top with cheese and breadcrumbs and finish under the broiler.  It’s delicious!

Serve with marinara sauce as a main course or side.  The peppers freeze well.  Just cool to room temperature and wrap them in foil, then store in freezer safe bags.

Notes ♪♫ I used Aleia’s gluten free Italian breadcrumbs in this recipe.  My favorite gluten free breadcrumbs, I always have them on hand in my pantry.

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Shrimp with Broccoli and Gluten Free Tagliatelle

Who said you can’t make a healthy, delicious meal from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen? Here is a light and easy dinner that will become a family favorite.  Inspired by a restaurant meal, the original was made with tons of butter and egg noodles, but I’ve made a lighter, gluten free version that is oh so good.  Ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.  Notice that I used a healthy amount of garlic?  Yes, the garlic flavor is quite prominent in this dish!  You can cut back if you wish, but I encourage you to try it.

-Dinner for two

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Ingredients:

  • 12 jumbo raw shrimp
  • 4 oz. gluten free noodles *see notes
  • 1 broccoli crown
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil plus more for finishing
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tbsp. butter, divided

Preparation:

This dish comes together in a flash, so you will want to have all your ingredients organized before you begin.  If the shrimp are frozen, thaw them under cold water, peel and devein.  Cut the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic.  Set up a pot of salted water for the pasta.

I’m using a large nonstick skillet for this recipe.  I started the dish by gently warming the garlic in 1 tbsp. olive oil over lowest heat for 5-10 minutes to mellow the flavor.  If you like, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a pop of heat!  Keep that burner on low, you don’t want the garlic to brown or burn.

Steam the broccoli for 3 minutes then run it under cold water to stop the cooking.  Drain to remove most of the liquid.  Cook the tagliatelle to 3 minutes less than package directions.

Raise the heat to medium low and add 1 tbsp. butter to the garlic.

Add the broccoli to the skillet and stir to coat.

Add the shrimp, distributing it evenly and making sure it has contact with the pan.  (Here’s where that larger skillet comes in handy).

When the bottoms are barely pink turn the shrimp over, 2-3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  The shrimp are not completely done at this point, they will finish cooking with the noodles.

Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the remaining 1 tbsp. butter.  Toss well so all the ingredients are blended and evenly coated with butter and transfer to a serving platter.

Finish with a drizzle of good olive oil.

What a beautiful plate to bring to your table.  So easy and delicious, and dare I say healthy?

Notes ♪♫ The original entrée that inspired this post was made with egg noodles.  I wasn’t able to find a gluten free version of the wide, curly egg noodles that I remembered, but we are loving the gluten free Tagliatelle from Jovial that I used in this recipe.  One of my favorite brands, they are delicious and held up well in this dish!

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Pan Grilled Arctic Char

When it comes to seafood, Arctic Char is one of my favorites.  It’s not always available in our area, so when I spot it at the market it’s a must buy!  At first glance you might mistake Arctic Char for salmon, and while they do look alike, Arctic Char has a milder taste.  It also cooks up much faster than salmon, just a few minutes per side.

Although this fish lends itself to different preparations, I prefer this simple marinade of maple syrup, ginger and sesame oil.

Dinner for two

Ingredients:

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Preparation:

Whisk together the sesame oil, maple syrup, ginger, cornstarch and water in a nonreactive baking dish.

Cut the fish into 4 pieces and place in the marinade, cover and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, turning once.  Sprinkle with maple garlic seasoning.

Heat a grill pan over medium low and mist with cooking spray.  Add the fish skin side up and cook 2 minutes.

Turn the fish, spoon the marinade over the top and cook 2 minutes more.

Turn skin side up one more time and cook for 2 more minutes to deepen those grill lines.  The fish should flake easily with a fork.

Transfer to a serving dish, and garnish with fresh chives.

I served it with a wild rice blend, roasted green beans and almonds.

Notes ♪♫ Arctic Char cooks up perfectly on my stove top, using my grill pan over medium low heat.  Although I have not tried it, cooking directly on an outdoor grill might be too much heat for this delicate fish.

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Gluten Free Potato Gnocchi with Cassava Flour

Gluten Free Potato Gnocchi with Cassava Flour

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This recipe combines two of my favorite new ingredients, Cassava flour and Hannah sweet potatoes.  Cassava Flour is made from the root of the yucca plant, and so far I have made some delicious things with it.  Check out my Cassava English Muffins, or this delicious Sweet Potato Flatbread.  As I experiment more with this gluten free dough, all I can think of is pasta!

Hannah sweet potatoes are also new to my kitchen.  Have you seen this blond version of the sweet potato?  It has a thin pale skin and cream colored flesh that disappears into bread and pasta dough with ease.

The amount of flour needed in this recipe will vary depending on the moisture in the potato, and size of your eggs.  It does require some judgement, knowing when you have the right amount of hydration.  I recommend weighing the sweet potato after it is peeled, and then gradually incorporating the flour by feel.  You can always add more flour, but you can’t take it out!

Tip: Keep a pot of boiling water going as you make the gnocchi, and throw a few in.  When they float to the top, taste them.  Are they too mushy?  Add more flour to the dough.

Ingredients:

  • 10 oz. white sweet potato, peeled and cubed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 tbsp. cassava flour
  • 2 tbsp. arrowroot starch
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
  • additional 1 cup cassava flour for kneading and rolling

Preparation:

Steam the peeled potato for 30 minutes or until very soft.  Cool to room temperature (important, so you don’t cook the eggs!).

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cooled potato with the eggs.

Add the remainder of ingredients through xanthan gum to form a sticky dough.

Generously flour a cutting board with cassava flour and knead the flour into the dough until you can easily handle it and it doesn’t feel tacky.  Reserve any extra flour for rolling.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and rest for 10 minutes.  This allows the flour to absorb more of the moisture.

Divide the dough into 4 sections.  Work with one section at a time, keeping the rest covered so that it doesn’t dry out.

Roll the dough into a long rope, about 3/4″ thick.  Use a bench knife to cut the rope into 1/2″ pieces.

Flour your hands and roll each piece into a ball.

I used a bench knife to roll each piece over a gnocchi board.  You can also use a fork.

Always follow food safety guidelines!  Pasta made with eggs should be covered and refrigerated within one hour.

When ready to cook, boil a large pot of salted water.  Add the pasta and cook for about 3 minutes.  They are done when they float to the top.

Skim them out gently with a spider strainer and top with sauce.

Notes: ♪♫ If you would like to freeze some for another meal, place the tray in the freezer for an hour then transfer to freezer safe bags.

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Gluten Free Spaghetti and Meatballs

Growing up in an Italian family I have fond memories of our Sunday dinners with my parents, grandparents, my sister and I.  There was always a huge pot of sauce on the stove with meatballs, sausage, sometimes a roast or even bracciole.  My mother made her “gravy” in generous amounts and froze the leftovers, enough for several more meals.  Then, on Wednesday we would have spaghetti with leftover meatballs and sauce for an easy weeknight meal.

Today, over 50 years later I still love a Spaghetti and Meatball dinner.  At first it was a struggle to make my meatballs gluten free.  I had a foolproof recipe my entire adult life and thought that I could just swap out the breadcrumbs.  The result was a mushy mess.  So, I had to reinvent my Italian meatballs to a new and improved gluten free version.

If your gluten free meatballs are too mushy and fall apart in the sauce, try this recipe.  You will have perfect meatballs every time and no one will know they are gluten free!  Double or triple the recipe for a large family.

*This recipe contains oats (see notes)

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Whisk together the egg and the Italian seasoning.

Add 1/4 cup tomato sauce, the ground beef and sausage followed by the breadcrumbs, potato flakes and rolled oats.  Mix thoroughly (use your hands).

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat lightly with cooking spray.  Form 9 meatballs and arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving space in between.  Broil on high for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning once.  Remove from the oven and let them rest at room temperature while you make the sauce.  This will allow the meatballs to set up and hold together.

Heat the marinara sauce in a deep skillet or braising pan.  Add the meatballs to the sauce 15-20 minutes before serving.  Keep warm but do not allow the sauce to come to a boil.

Serve with your favorite gluten free pasta and grated cheese.  With so many brands of gluten free pasta, you have more than a few options to choose from.  I used Garofalo gluten free spaghetti in this recipe.  Some of my other favorite brands are Barilla and Bionaturae.

Notes ♪♫ As you are probably aware, oats continue to be controversial as far as being safe for those with Celiac disease.  Whether or not you consume oats is a personal choice.  I personally still include oats in my diet, provided they are certified gluten free and purity protocol.  Bakery on Main is the brand that I currently use.   

 

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Oven Baked Salmon with Almonds and Pecans

When it comes to seafood, salmon is definitely one of my favorites.  Heart healthy and mild tasting, salmon can be grilled, pan cooked or baked.  This simple preparation comes together quickly, and the ingredients complement the mild sweetness of the salmon without overpowering it.  You will love it!

2 Servings

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. salmon
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar
  • maple seasoning
  • 1 tbsp. chopped almonds
  • 1 tbsp. chopped pecans
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • cooking spray

Preparation:

Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment and mist with cooking spray.  Preheat the oven to 350º.  Cut the salmon lengthwise into 2 pieces and arrange in the pan skin side down.

Season lightly with salt.  Sprinkle each piece of fish with 1 tsp. brown sugar, maple seasoning, and 1 tbsp. of chopped nuts.  Cut the butter into fine slivers and arrange over the fish.

Bake for 25 minutes at 350º.  The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Dinner is served, with a side of broccoli and Homemade Potato Chips!

Notes ♪♫ Salmon is usually available year-round where we live, but if you can’t find fresh caught then it’s perfectly fine to buy frozen.  The maple seasoning used in this recipe goes really well with salmon and is gluten free!

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Gluten Free Millet Bread

I have my favorite toasting breads for breakfast.  They are dense, hearty seeded loaves that hold up well in the toaster like Mighty Tasty Toasting Bread and Millet and Buckwheat Toasting Bread.  But as much as I love their texture, sometimes I’m craving a soft, enriched bread to make sandwiches, or maybe French Toast?  This Gluten Free Millet Bread fits the bill.  It has a soft, cake-like crumb with just a hint of sweetness.

I used Bobs Red Mill whole grain millet in this recipe.  The loaf pan is from USA Pan, made in the USA!

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I used freshly ground millet in this recipe.  Milling your own flour is a great way to add fresh, nutritious whole grains to your baking.  Learn more about using a grain mill here.  Feel free to use purchased millet flour, if you can’t find it in stores it is widely available online.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Whisk together the dry ingredients, millet flour through salt and add them to the bowl of your stand mixer.  In a separate bowl, microwave 1 cup of milk for 30 seconds.  Whisk in the yeast and honey and let it stand for 10 minutes until bubbly.

Whisk the eggs, canola oil and cider vinegar into the yeast mixture.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour in the wet ingredients.  Once incorporated, increase speed and beat 3 minutes with the paddle attachment.  The dough will be heavy and clinging to the paddle.

I baked this loaf in a 9″ x 4″ x 4″ pullman pan, the higher sides support the loaf as it rises.  I always line my loaf pans with parchment paper, to easily remove the finished loaf.

Scrape the dough into the pan and use a wet spatula to smooth it out evenly.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cover loosely with plastic wrap.  Let it rise for 1 hour.  I set my pan on top of some padding, so that the pan wasn’t resting directly on the cold counter surface.

Preheat the oven to 350º.  Just before placing in the oven, mist the top of the loaf with water and quickly mist the sides of the oven.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  The internal temperature should be between 195-200º.

Look at that beautiful loaf!  I was worried that the dough hadn’t risen much but look at the oven spring!  The high sided loaf pan definitely helped with that!

Cool completely on a rack before slicing.

This is exactly what I was hoping for.  It looks like French Toast is back in the breakfast rotation!

Notes ♪♫ Need more inspiration?  Check out this French Toast Casserole with Blueberries and Cream Cheese, or this delectable Tiramisu French Toast!  Both were made with this Gluten Free Millet Bread!

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Baby Back Ribs

I have been making Country Style Pork Ribs for years, and they are a family favorite.  While I love Baby Back Ribs, I’d never made them at home.  For some reason I thought that really good Baby Back Ribs would require expensive BBQ equipment and complicated cooking techniques.  I couldn’t have been more wrong!  In fact, I would say this was one of the easiest meals that I have made.  Since the preparation was mostly hands off, I had plenty of time to whip up a batch of my Homemade Gluten Free BBQ Sauce.  Of course that is optional, but when I make it, I always get rave reviews.

The verdict on the ribs, amazing!  I now make these year-round.

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 275º.  That may sound low, but the secret to tender ribs is to cook them slowly on very low heat.

Remove the packaging and pat the ribs dry.  Turn the ribs meat side down and use a sharp paring knife to loosen the white membrane.  Once you have it started, use a paper towel to grasp the membrane and pull it off.  While not absolutely necessary, removing the tough membrane will result in the most tender ribs.  If you would rather not do this, be sure to pierce the membrane all over with a knife.

Season the rack with salt, pepper and creole seasoning.

Wrap the ribs in foil and place on a large baking sheet (to catch any drips).  Bake at 275º for at least 3 hours and up to 4 hours.

When the ribs are done, use tongs to carefully open the foil.

Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and serve.  For other serving suggestions see my homemade Potato Chips and Gluten Free Corn Bread!

Notes ♪♫ Always watch for hidden gluten in sauces and seasonings.  The BBQ sauce is my own from scratch recipe which I make for special occasions.  If using store bought, I recommend Stubbs’s brand which is gluten free.

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