Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What EVERY Gluten-Free House needs...

This is not a sponsored post. 
Simply an opinion of someone who has been cooking and working with all the gluten free products out there that are available to me.. 
Here are some products that I think every gluten-free house should have. 
These products have made my life so much easier. 
Can't find them? Order from them online! A vast majority of these companies offer free or discounted shipping. Many people do not realize they can order directly from the companies. The days of having to sift and mix are over. I am not getting any reimbursement for recommending these products. They are just simply my favorite and I want to share with others.
Check out my top picks for ease of use and great taste:


Kinnikinnick - Their Gluten-Free Panko Style Bread Crumbs are the best. Probably my number one favorite new product this past year. Example of use in a recipe here.


Maninis bread mix and flours. In my opinion the absolute best multi-purpose gluten free flour on the market. Example of use in a recipe here.


Venice Bakery - So far the best premade gluten free focaccia I have had. Example of use in a recipe here.

Schar - Their gluten-free  Ciabatta, Sub rolls and Baguette breads are to die for! Example of use in a recipe here.

Mina's Purely Divine - Simply the best gluten-free chocolate cake mix so far.  Example of use in a recipe here.

Better Batter - Favorite gluten free brownie mixExample of use in a recipe here.


Ancient Harvest Gluten Free Organic Pasta- My favorite gluten free pasta to cook with. Full of protein and the end product is almost impossible to tell the difference. Have Spaghetti again! Example of use in a recipe here.


San-J - The best gluten free sauces, dressings and marinadesExample of use in a recipe here.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Lemon Garlic Herb Cream Cheese

You know those cute little tubs of Boursin at the grocery? It is a soft creamy cheese available in a variety of flavors. Call me old school, but I like to make things from scratch. I love to know every little thing I put in my body. Years ago I read "the Fat Fallacy". It changed my way of thinking about food and good fats. I realized I really can eat anything I really want to, as long as I make it from scratch with wholesome ingredients. This is my go at making a Boursin type of cheese. 
Lemon Garlic Herb Cream Cheese
adapted from Lauren's Latest
8 oz. softened cream cheese
2 tablespoon chopped chives 
2 tablespoons chopped parsley 
The zest of one lemon 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients together into a bowl. I used my kitchen aid mixer to get it light and fluffy, but a hand mixer will do. 
I served mine with gluten free toast squares. 
I won't be buying boursin anytime soon, I will however be coming up with different varieties of this lovely homemade cheese spread. 

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Crock Pot Citrus Rubbed Pulled Chicken



So how is every one's weekend going? Ours has been fabulous. My husband flew home late Friday night. So on Friday night I went out with a few of my girlfriends and had the Sips and Bites at West Steak and Seafood. I only had my cell phone with me, so I did not get a great picture. But here is the picture I got:
It is cool, you are to start on your left and that is the appetizer, middle is the main course and dessert is on the right. Each bite is served with a shot of a cocktail that is supposed to pair with it. I really enjoyed it.
My girlfriend Maria, the one that started www.theheartgiver.com gave me these flowers: 
Aren't they pretty? I was given so many wonderful gifts through my birthday week. I took a picture of these because I am slowly learning photography and they were fun to play with, while on my camera. 
Saturday morning my Husband and I got up and went out to breakfast with 2 friends. In true Southern California form, it was a beautiful day. Again I didn't have my camera (I really need to just start taking it with me everywhere). But I did have my cell phone. So I snapped a picture of my husband under a palm tree with his Starbucks. 
Sigh. I just love it here. Every weekend feels like a vacation. 
So then we went grocery shopping and I came home and worked in the kitchen all day making dinner and prepping lunches for the week. He always loves a lot of chopped fresh veggies and my homemade ranch dressing. I make it every weekend and pack his lunch with it. 
This is an easy dish to have cooking in your crock pot while you tend to other duties. 


Citrus Rubbed Crockpot Pulled Chicken
adapted from Food52


2 pounds Boneless Chicken (breast, thigh... doesn't matter)

1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion
2 limes, zested
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Chicken Broth
Combine sea salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, and lime zest.

Rub on the chicken to coat evenly.
Pour olive oil into crockpot and place coated chicken in the pot and flip to coat both sides with the oil. 
Pour in Chicken broth to just cover entirely. 
Cover with your lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours in the crock pot. or on low for 7-8 hours.
Once the meat is done, shred with a fork.
Keep in the crock pot in the juice on warm and cover until ready to use.

Citrus Slaw:
4 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons Agave Nectar -or- Sugar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger root
3/4 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
8 ounces raw cole slaw mix 
12 corn tortillas
In a medium bowl, mix everything together but the cabbage and the corn tortillas.
Add the cabbage and coat well.
Warm the corn tortillas and fill with pulled chicken and slaw.
Garnish with choices of  lime, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, jalapenos, or green onions.
This dish was good, but all of us agree it would be even better with fish. 
Here they are fully loaded:
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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tanka Gluten Free Grab and Go pick of the week

Ok, I am a couple days behind on my gluten free grab and go pick of the week. I blame the birthday festivities. Cuz I can. So today I bring to you Tanka Bars. As they advertise on their site: Tanka Bars are a delicious nutritional bar that exceeds the dried meat concept, giving you a truly authentic Native American experience.  A union of organically grown buffalo meat and cranberries are Gluten free - Nitrates free - MSG free - Hormone free. For this reason Tanka bars get our gluten free grab and go pick of the week. You can read more about them HERE
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