This is an actual poster from World War I.  It used to be patriotic to eat wheat free meals!  Considering the effects that the flood waters in the US and Canada are having on the wheat crops, it makes sense to be able to plan meals that do not include wheat, even if you don’t have to.  But, for those that DO have to avoid wheat, especially the newly diagnosed, we try to keep it simple, interesting, and affordable. 

GFCF Breakfast

Frozen Gluten Free Waffles, apples and almond butter.  I do read your emails, and if you say that something is tasty and safe, I’ll definitely include it in the recipe database!  However, the waffles aren’t chock full of nutrition, so they need healthy toppings instead of just syrup.

GFCF Lunch

Tomato Spinach Soup, baked brown rice chips, hummus.  The soup calls for only 5 ounces of spinach, but if you don’t want to save the rest of the spinach for a salad or sandwiches, just use it all.  If the soup seems a bit tart, add a teaspoon or so of sugar.   If you don’t have access to the brown rice tortillas for the chips, substitute corn tortillas, but add a little salt.

GFCF DINNER

Arroz Con Pollo, roasted sweet potato rounds, Mexican fruit salad.   Arroz con Pollo is one of my favorite one pot dinners.  You could leave out the beer, but it adds such great flavor that it’s worth it to search out a GF beer.  Anheuser-Busch Redbridge is a highly rated gluten free beer that shouldn’t be too hard to find.  The link will take you to a search-by-zip page.  The side dishes add color and fiber to the meal – it would be lovely to eat on the patio!

Eat well and be well!

Today we’re going to talk about cereal in the world of food allergies.  Wait!  Don’t go away yet!  I know what you’re thinking.  You think because you can’t have dairy, cereal is pointless.  You also might not love the wheat free options available to you.  Come closer…

(This is banana walnut granola that I just photographed, just for you…and then I at it!)

I make granola every other week.  It’s good granola.  My husband puts the container in a prominent location when it’s empty.  When we go on family vacations people expect that I’ve brought a batch.  If I can do this, you can do this.  The basic recipe is  Maple Oatmeal Granola.  At least, that’s where I started. Our current favorite has almonds and dried cherries (no real amount, just what looks right).  The basic ingredients are oats, brown sugar, and maple syrup.  You can add just about anything.  I’ve played with the ingredients  adding vanilla, different fruits, nuts, no nuts, no fruit (I really like banana walnut)…  You get the picture.  It’s very simple to do.  Go add Maple Oatmeal Granola to your meal plan, edit it if you need to, I’ll wait…

Ok.  Now you’re wondering what you’re gonna do with this, especially if you don’t do dairy or soy.  Get a ripe banana.  Mash it up.  Add some apple juice (or apple sauce, or water), and mash until it’s smooth and the consistency of pudding.  If you have patience, layer the cereal and banana in a glass like a parfait.  If you’re like me, just pour granola into the bowl that you used to mix the banana.

After making a few batches of cereal you’ll wonder why you ever paid almost $4 per box!

Today’s breakfast idea is hash.   It’s hearty, endlessly customizable, and sneaks vegetables into your day before you even know what hit you. 

A good starting place is Vegetable Hash.  I usually have the ingredients on hand, but, quite honestly, I end up using whatever is hanging out in the fridge. 

The secret to a good hash is the outer layer of crispiness.  It’s simple to achieve at the end by adding a bit of oil and not fiddling with it, letting it cook until it browns.  Most recipes have you brown first, but for some reason I end up messing with it to make sure the insides are cooked, so, I decided to do it in reverse. 

If you don’t have a lot of things hanging out in your ‘fridge, add Vegetable Hash to your meal plan.  It’s a good starting place.  The potatoes give a heartiness that satisfies.  You can add poached eggs on the side as your allergies dictate.

Adding a side of ham, and some juice makes this a complete meal.  It would also make a nice lunch!

I think I’m going to add a corned beef dinner to my plan so we can have corned beef hash next week!