What's for dinner?

Did you ever have one of those days where THE LAST thing you want to do when you get home is cook?  Today, my friends, was one of those days for this girl.

The hubby had a business dinner, so it was just me and the boy and we decided to make a night of it and go out for dinner.  His request?  SUSHI!  I know - not many kids like sushi, but the boy is a bit on the adventurous side.

Now when you are taking your favorite Gluten Free and Proud to Be kid out to a restaurant (or in our case, Wegman's grocery store food court), here are a few........

GLUTEN FREE MAMA TIPS FOR DINING OUT

 

1:  No kid likes their mom/dad/grandma/sister/brother/relative making a big deal out of their gluten free situation - especially in a social setting.  Remember being a little kid and saying to your parents, "I can do it all by myself!"?  Well, we let the boy ask the important questions all by himself: 

 

Does that dish have any flour or wheat in it? 

Can I please have that grilled and without a bun?  I cannot eat wheat or gluten.

Do you fry your French fries in the same oil as your breaded products?*

 *(parents - this is a very important question to ask - again, avoid that cross-contamination!)

Do you have a gluten free menu?

 

We found that empowering the boy to ask the right questions helped him to be "cool" with his having Celiac disease and also helped him to learn the tools he needed to be GF in a social setting.  Plus it isn't as embarrassing when he asks the GF questions vs. when mom asks (because let's face it - most of us mom's can be embarrassing at times.  Not often.  But sometimes.  Very few times.  But maybe once...or twice).

 

2:  Many chain restaurants offer ingredients and allergen information online.  Google before you go - preplanning is a super great tool to talk about the great GF choices the restaurant you're going to offers and your GF little one can start thinking about what they want to choose for their meal.  Focusing on what he CAN have verses what he CAN'T has really helped our boy deal and not be too sad when those French fries are fried with the chicken nuggets (dang it). 

 

3:  Read the labels and look out for those four little words:  WHEAT RYE BARLEY OATS or CONTAINS NO GLUTEN INGREDIENTS.  Encourage your GFProud2Be kid to help you look for these and ask questions if you are unsure about an ingredient. 

 

Our local grocer, Wegman's, excels at labeling products and answering questions about allergy concerns.  They have earned our family favorite best place to dine at and shop for GF goodies award.  Most of their food stations in their food court have labels to make it really easy to decipher what is GF and what contains wheat ingredients.  Boy wanted soup with his sushi so he was able to read the labels and pick one that is gluten free and proud to be:

 

Soup - there it is! " No Gluten Ingredients"

 

Now the boy loves him some California rolls.  We wanted to order them at a Japanese restaurant we like one time, but they were kind enough to let us know theirs did contain gluten.  So when we were at Wegman's, we asked our favorite Sushi chefs about the ingredients in their California rolls and other Sushi varieties.  Our chef said their California rolls contain "no gluten" and bonus - even the soy sauce is gluten free!

 





 

 

4:  Last but not least, the good news is there is a lot more awareness about gluten free eating and many restaurants have either come out with a gluten free menu or have educated their staff on gluten free dietary needs. We even have a favorite gluten free pizza place now!  This definitely makes the dining out experience so much more enjoyable!

 

What dining tips do you have to stay gluten free and proud to be? 

Any favorite restaurants you like to go to? 

On top of spaghetti...

One of the boy's favorite things is spaghetti and meatballs.  And when I have some spare time on my hands (which is rarely), I make some homemade meatballs using a basic recipe and substituting regular breadcrumbs for GF breadcrumbs or GF panko breadcrumbs.

But when I saw THESE in the frozen food section of my local grocer, I immediately snatched them up!


Holy convenient meatball batman!

To say I was excited would be an understatement!  My mind began racing - I can put them in a crockpot with sauce for GF meatball sandwiches, served on Udi's awesome GF buns...or maybe with some toothpicks and marinara for a quick, easy appetizer dish!  I know - topped with mozzarella cheese and baked with GF penne for a delicious ziti dish.  Oh! The possibilities! 

 All from this little frozen bag sent from the wonderful folks at Cooked Perfect.

GF MAMA TIP:  Convenience foods such as this bag GF meatballs may be a little more costly up front, but when you can stretch over several meals, it's well worth the expense.  We will get at least three meals for a family of three out of this one bag of meatballs!   

 
  

I threw these frozen GF Cooked Perfect Meatballs in with a jar of my favorite pasta sauce and let me tell you, this was one delicious bowl of spaghetti!!  These meatballs were so moist!!!  Delicioso!  (sorry to all my Italian friends if I spelled that one incorrectly). 

And a new family favorite was crowned!  Congratulations Cooked Perfect!  

Does your family have a "Family Favorite" GF product? 

BREAKING NEWS!

Hold on to your cheese and mustard ladies and gentleman - look at what my husband found at our local grocer today...

 

HOT BUFFALO WING AND HONEY MUSTARD GF PRETZELS

A GF shout-out to the wonderful folks at Snyder's of Hanover for expanding their product line! (and who happen to be the maker of the family favorite GF pretzel)

 

Survey says: 

 

"AWESOME!"

"THESE ARE SOOOOOO GOOD!"

"I'M GOING TO EAT THE WHOLE BAG BEFORE DINNER!"

 

GF MAMA TIP:  If you can't find a GF product at your local grocer, ask them to please order it for you.  Many will accommodate requests! 

What new GF products have you found lately that you love?

Say cheese!

Macaroni and cheese.  A kid (and adult) favorite!  And in years past, a difficult GF substitute to find for the famous blue box that all of us grew up with. 

But that was then and this is now.  There's a new blue box in town - it's gluten free kids and let me tell you it's so good even my husband LOVES it!  And I'm going to share with you my famous (not really) homemade macaroni and cheese recipe done GF style!

Again, as a working mom, quick and easy cooking is the name of my game. One of my favorite go-to Q&E macaroni and cheese products is Annie's Gluten Creamy Free Deluxe.  It has a creamy, cheese packet that you stir right in to the cooked pasta.  And it tastes almost exactly like it's gluten-filled counter part.  Plus, Annie's makes a single-serve, microwavable mac and cheese!  Not cheap, but seriously convenient for an on-the-go meal. 

 

But today was a special day (President's Day = day off for me) and I had some spare time on my hands so I made the "long" kind as the boy likes to call it.  Mac and cheese from scratch.  And it all starts with the elbow macaroni noodles.  Again, GF products can be pricey, but our favorite GF pasta is CHEAP in the GF World of Shopping!  Barilla Gluten Free Pasta - paid $1.85/box today at my local grocer.  It's been voted family favorite in our household.  Texture is smooth (not grainy nor gummy as many GF noodles can be) and the taste is spot-on delightful.  I find it in the regular pasta aisle on the bottom shelf.

 

GF MAMA TIP:  Venture outside the gluten-free/organic aisle to find more options for GF products.  They are frequently less expensive as well. 

  

And now, the recipe you've all been waiting for....

 

Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese

1/4 cup (4 tbsp.) butter

1/4 cup Gluten Free flour OR 2 tbsp. cornstarch (a great, less expensive thickener)

2 cups milk (I use 1 cup of 2% and 1 cup of Skim to cut calories and fat)

Salt/Pepper

2 tsp. paprika (optional)

1 box GF elbow macaroni

1 8oz. bag shredded cheddar (I used Colby/ Jack/ Cheddar blend because that's what I had.  And I probably use more than 8oz. because we all know that cheddar makes it better)

Gluten free panko breadcrumbs (optional)

Grated Parmesan cheese (also optional)

 

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Cook pasta according to directions on box.  In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter.  Remove from heat and add the GF flour, salt, pepper (to your liking) and about 2 tsp. paprika.  Whisk until smooth.  Return to heat.  Slowly add milk and continue to whisk, bringing mixture to a high-simmer.  Reduce heat and cook for about 2 more minutes while whisking until sauce begins to thicken.

 

In a square casserole dish (sprayed well or greased with butter), combine cooked elbow macaroni and white sauce.  I usually taste-test at this point and add any more salt/pepper if need be.  Stir in shredded cheese.  Top with GF panko bread crumbs and parmesan.  Bake for about 10-15 minutes until bubbly. 

 

For the GF flour, I use King Arthur.  It's on the pricey side, but this is worth the splurge.  It's cup-for-cup measuring and so smooth.  Bakes beautifully.  I use this as the flour substitute in all my recipes.  You can buy online here but I also find it at my local grocer in the baking aisle. 

 



 

Here's my cheeseball enjoying his with BBQ chicken and grilled asparagus. 

 

What recipes have you converted to GF successfully?  Please share!

 

 

 



 

 

 



Happy GF Valentine's Day!

 

We are sending some LOVE to Williams Sonoma - their vanilla cupcakes were DELICIOUS!

 

 

 

And isn't it wonderful that M&M's are gluten free?  They melt your heart - but not in your hands.

 

XOXO!



Oh the weather outside is frightful....

Another - yes ANOTHER snow day.  But secretly - I love a good snow day.  And what goes better with snow than homemade WAFFLES?????

Nothing. That's what.

As promised in my last post, it's time to introduce you to my love for Gluten Free Bisquick.  BISQUICK!!!  The mother of all baking mixes!  It's phenomenal.  Seriously fab.  And I make so many GF recipes with this stuff.  And one of them is waffles. 

Now come in a little closer because I have a secret to share with you. 

Closer.  Cloooosseerr.   Good.

I found gluten free baking mix at ALDI's and it is a dead-ringer for the name brand.  To be honest, my super awesome mother-in-law found it (I love her BTW).   It's a fraction of the cost than the name brand.  And for any of you who have been GF shopping, you know a seriously good GF bargain must be shared.  If you don't have an ALDI's, check your grocers.  Gluten free has gone mainstream so many generic brands have been popping up. 

Now when I make my waffles, I follow the directions on the box but add my secret ingredients:  vanilla and cinnamon.  They really enhance the flavor of the waffles.

IMPORTANT TIP FOR MY NEW TO GF FRIENDS:  You MUST use PURE vanilla extract.  Do not use the imitation - it can contain gluten ingredients. 

GF MAMA TIP:  Make an entire batch of these waffles and place them in individual freezer bags for quick, morning meals.  You can pop them in the toaster* and you have a delicious GF breakfast RTG.  That's hipster for "ready to go".  * Make sure your GF family member has a toaster dedicated just to them! Cross contamination must be avoided at all costs.  More on that in future blogs. 


 Here's the boy enjoying his with Nutella on top:

Now that there's some gluten free goodness!!   Stay warm friends!  xoxo

Gluten free and proud to be.

When my son (hereby known as "the boy") was diagnosed with Celiac disease, I began my quest for great tasting food and also ways to make him not feel like the "odd man out" because of it. 

My husband and I also eat GF because 1) I am not making two separate meals and 2) I am not making two separate meals for our family.  We have eaten our way through some really bad and some really awesome GF products through the years.  And being a working mom - I am a big fan of the quick meal. 

After much encouragement from my dear nieces, Jennifer and Amanda, as well as my son's physician, I bring you Gluten Free and Proud to Be - a little blog that will share some great recipes, GF food faves and coping tips for parents of a GF kid :)

I hope you enjoy.

xo

Share the love of gluten free treats

My son's class is having their valentine's party on Friday.  One thing every kid loves about the classroom party - delicious goodies.  And of course, as the parent of a Gluten Free and Proud to be kid, I want to make sure my Valentine has lots of fun choices.

Lucky for us, we are really blessed with awesome parents and kids in my son's class who are really supportive of the boy's GF lifestyle.  Our super-human classroom mom who organizes each of these parties always includes healthy treats that are naturally GF - fresh fruit, cheese and veggies. 

But let's be honest - the sweet stuff is the highlight of the party.  And SHCM (super-human classroom mom) always gives me first dibs on bringing the sweet treats to the party.

HELPFUL GF MAMA HINT:  Always - and I mean always - volunteer to make the cupcakes. 

So for Friday I am making vanilla cupcakes with pink icing decorated with message hearts. Easy, cute and kid approved! 

Here are some of my favorite GF baking mixes that I use frequently:

King Arthur Flour - their chocolate and vanilla cake mixes are superb! Seriously so so good!  You can find them here and I have been finding a nice selection at my local grocery store.  A little on the pricier side but worth it. 

Gotta give some love to Betty Crocker.  The gluten free mixes are very good and pretty affordable. You can see the great selection on their website  http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/glutenfree
Betty also has GF Bisquick - BISQUICK!!!  More on that later.

Williams and Sonoma also has some delish GF baking mixes.  My super-fabulous friend Kris (who is one heck of a baker let me tell you) works there part-time and has gotten me both the chocolate and vanilla cupcake mixes.  Good, good stuff - great texture (which if you are new to GF, you will find can be an issue) and really moist.  Love them.  Love Kris too.

Cool Whip makes awesome frosting and you can find them in your freezer section.  Throw in some red food coloring and wha-lah!  Pink icing! 

My BFF Polly loves my GF cupcakes - in fact I think she secretly ensures our boys are in the same class each year because she knows I'll be bringing the cupcakes. 

What GF love will you be giving for Valentine's day?