One of the hidden places that gluten lurks is in your vanilla extract.  There are many brands of gluten-free extract you can purchase, but why not make your own?  It is very easy and stores indefinitely.

Ingredients:
1 fresh vanilla bean
3/4 cup vodka, see note below

To Make:
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise down the center ofthe bean.  Scrape out the seeds and place the seeds and the pod in a 1 cup sealable glass jar.  Heat the vodka in a saucepan or Read More »

Pamela’s Products White Cake Mix

Homemade frosting is a delicious and decadent treat that is easy to make.  Great frosting can enhance a store-bought goodie or finish the finest of your homemade desserts.

Both the lemon and cinnamon versions of this frosting are delicious on carrot or spice cake.  For an easy dessert, make a batch of Namaste Spice Cake and frost with homemade frosting.  The cake mix can be made as a spice cake or a carrot cake and is delicious as cupcakes.  Another easy-to-make and delicious cake mix is from Pamela’s Products.  Pamela’s also has a terrific frosting mix, if you don’t want to make your frosting from scratch.

Gluten Free Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ingredients
8 oz. cream cheese (or soy cream cheese) Read More »

Do you ever wonder where you can buy gluten-free grains and flours for a discount? Check out your local ethnic markets for terrific prices and variety.

One of the most frustrating aspects of being on a gluten-free diet is the cost of food.  Whether you are buying a prepared food or a bag of flour, the prices seem to be higher than “regular” food.

Next time you drive past an ethnic market or grocery store, stop in and see what they have to offer. Asian markets offer various rice flours.  Middle Eastern and Indian markets provide a wide variety of bean flours and alternative grains.  Read More »

My family will be making these classic treats for many occasions.  The kids LOVE helping to make these sweet treats and they couldn’t be any easier.  4 ingredients and you are done.

5 Tablespoons butter or non-dairy butter (we use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
1 bag of 40 marshmallows
7 cups of Gluten Free Rice Krispies (Kelloggs are NOT gluten free.)
Icing or Frosting for decorating

In a large pot melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the marshmallows and stir until melted.

Slowly add the cereal and stir until combined.  Transfer to a spray-oiled 9×13 pan.  Press into the pan.  Allow to cool and then cut into pieces.  Decorate if desired.

Halloween Sandwich Cookies by Jen Cafferty

Looking for the perfect easy-to-prepare treat to take to a Halloween party? Or maybe you want to send something special in your children’s lunch?  These cookies are perfect because you can make them as you need them and you don’t even need to bake!  There is no need to make an entire batch.  Just keep the ingredients on hand and prepare a few cookies for whenever you need something cute, creative and delicious to take with you!

My baking life changed for the better when I realized that some of the canned frostings were gluten free (I use Betty Crocker). When they go on sale, I buy a few cans of various colors and flavors and keep them in my pantry.  Most versions are gluten and dairy free but make sure to read the labels carefully before making your purchase.  Of course, it is very easy to make your own frosting, but something about the ease of the can makes it even so much less daunting to make a baked good.  Or in the case of these cookies, assemble a baked good (you don’t even need to bake!). Read More »

Here is a list of the top ten gluten-free items that every gluten intolerant person needs in their pantry.

1. A good general gluten-free flour blend. Highly recommended: Better Batter Flour, Meister’s Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour Blend.

2. Xanthan gum or guar gum for your baked recipes.

3. Quality flavored olive oils and vinegars. Make sure these are gluten-free and you can whip up a marinade or salad dressing in no time.

4. Quinoa. Buy pre-rinsed quinoa from a company such as Ancient Harvest and save yourself a few minutes in the kitchen.

5. Great gluten-free bread such as Udi’s or Katz’s. Keep it in the freezer for those times when you need to make a sandwich on something that tastes like the “real” thing. Read More »

Fall is the time of year when we need quick and easy, nutritious comfort foods to get us through our hectic lives.  Picadillo is a traditional Cuban chili.  You can make it with less spice (cut back on the cumin, chili powder and garlic) and the children will love it.

Picadillos have some spice but also sweetness.    This can be served over Read More »

Karo Corn Syrup Photo: www.karosyrup.com

Karo corn syrup is gluten-free.  There was some confusion about Karo since it contains caramel coloring.  A few of my readers were concerned about the coloring and here is what the manufacturer of Karo Syrup has to say.

“All Karo Syrup products are free of gluten, soy, milk, egg, peanut and tree nuts. The syrup production facility does not contain ingredients with these allergens, so cross contamination is not an issue. While some caramel colorings Read More »

More and more people are on a gluten-free diet these days. Whether you have Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, an allergy, autism, or an anti-inflammatory disease, your situation is the same. You need to figure out how to tackle this crazy world of gluten-free living.

Our society is so gluten-filled that it can often be overwhelming to think about not eating gluten for the rest of your life. We are told to eat our multi-grain cereal for breakfast, our sandwich on wheat bread for lunch and fancy high-fiber grains with our dinner. But what do you do if you can’t eat any of these things anymore? Read More »

Fruit salad smoothie

Here is a really great smoothie that my kids and their friends made with our leftover fruit from a fruit salad.  They loved it and so did I! Read More »