Help, Please. Cooking For A Celiac Relative

[lavenderhoney]

My SIL is visiting me this week. I want to be able to cook a few meals and not make her feel like she's putting me out because her diet is different. I had a college roommate with Celiac, so I know some about it. I've just not cooked for anyone with celiac. I've helped her get gluten free food products that weren't available in her area, so I'm a bit familiar with what's available for substitutes. I'm just afraid of not realizing that gluten is hidden in something that I use. I've checked my chicken broth (Trader Joes' Organic) and it says barley at the end of the ingredients. I'll find another brand. I know I need to check my sauces--like the soy sauce I'd like to use for a marinade, but I'm not sure of everything I'm looking for. I don't think SIL is allergic to corn or soy. I've not been told of that. I have rice flour, but I'm willing to pick up anything to make a good visit for her.

I was going to grill/smoke a pork shoulder using white distilled vinegar and spices. (I have an apple allergy so I don't use apple cider vinegar) I make my own bbq sauce because of my allergies. My SIL loves pancakes, so I was going to try to make some out of the rice flour I got at Trader Joes. She also loves biscuits and white gravy, but I don't know that I can recreate those.

I've searched the boards this morning, so I've seen some of the lists. I also made two lists for her: one of restaurants that might be ok, and the other of products that contained gluten. I really appreciate everyone's help.

[hez]

I would keep it simple. It is easier for you and less chance of cross contamination for her. I love grilled meats, fresh vegies and fruit. For dessert try ice ceam Pick up some wheat free soy sauce (I think I use San-J, check the label they also make a wheat based soy sauce) and do a quick stir fry with rice. If you limit the processed food you will limit her chance of getting sick. Have a great visit

Hez

[tarnalberry]

The best thing to do (IMHO) to make her feel safest, is to not use things that have labels. Use whole, natural, unprocessed foods (produce and meats) that are naturally gluten free. Then she doesn't have to worry about something you picked up that says "natural flavors" or something like that. Cook from scratch, and cook relatively simply. Since you make your own bbq sauce (from scratch, I'm presuming), that's probably alright), but talk to her. If she's involved in the process, it will make her more comfortable. We can be control freaks about our food.

[StrongerToday]

We can be control freaks about our food.

Ha! Understatement!!

No, no barly, no malt or malt flavoring, but ketchup and vinegar should be fine. I use Kitchen Basics broth, La-Choy or San-J wheat free soy sauce. Watch out for other marinades containing soy sauce - it's probably got the wheat kind.

[Nantzie]

What a great SIL you are. She's very lucky to have you. ((Hugs))

There is a mix called Pamela's Ultimate Baking and Pancake Mix. It makes great pancakes!

La Choy soy sauce is gluten free. I've heard San-J is much better, but if you can't find it, La Choy works.

The main thing that gets celiacs sick when eating in other people's houses, even when they're being extremely careful, is cross contamination. Gluten gets into the grain of cutting boards and wooden utensils. It also gets into the little scratches that happen in nonstick cookware, even small ones. It also gets on the inside of the toaster. So you can't use any of those things if they've been used for gluten. No matter how much you clean, it just doesn't come out. Gluten is just sticky and sticks to everything. Even with your hands, you can't just rinse them off or use Purell. You've got to use soap.

I'm the only one in my house that's gluten-free, and all I keep as exclusively gluten-free are some wooden spoons, a cutting board and a toaster. I use stainless steel pans, and those don't hold gluten, so it's fine to use with both if you clean it well. I also keep, on hooks next to my sink, a dishrag for washing my gluten free things and a kitchen towel for drying my hands. They are specifically gluten free, and no one but me touches them. With a 2yo and a 4yo, I'm constantly touching gluten, and I wash my hands all the time. So having a towel that I know 100% hasn't been used for anything else, helps a lot.

If you've got the funds, you might want to invest in a cheap cutting board, so you've got a surface you know is gluten-free, and maybe a skillet if you don't have any cookware that can be used. You can also use wax paper or tinfoil for clean surfaces.

That's about all I can think of right now.

Nancy

[Guhlia]

Be careful if you're planning on grilling food. There was a post a while back about charcoal not being gluten free. Also, if you use a grill that has had gluten-filled food on it, then you will need to use aluminum foil under her food to keep it from touching the grill.

[CarlaB]

Others have already mentioned good stuff, so I won't repeat.

Since you're using your own bbq sauce and want her to be comfortable eating the food you are making an extra effort to prepare, I'd suggest emailing her the menu and all the ingredients in what you are preparing from scratch. Ask her to look it over and let you know if she sees any problems. I'd hate to see you go to all this trouble, then find she won't eat the meat that you marinated because of an ingredient you overlooked. It takes us quite a bit of time and effort to learn all the in and outs of eating gluten-free, the easiest thing for you would be to let her tell you if the products are okay.

If you're buying gluten-free pancake mix, then just list that on the menu as gluten-free pancakes. Be sure the syrup is gluten-free! I'd buy plain maple syrup, the real stuff.

By handling this all in advance, you are saving both of you the effort later. Thank you for going to this extra effort. The last time I visited my mother for a week, she ordered pizza one night, my husband paid for the pizza because we have six kids ... then he took me out to get something I could eat. Mom got so mad she told everyone that we were so rude and went out to dinner and didn't even invite them. This is pretty common with many of us around here, so don't think what you are doing for your SIL is a little thing. It will mean a lot to her.

Also, don't be offended if at the last minute she decides not to eat something. It's better for us to take the chance of looking rude that to be sick for a few days over being polite!

[StrongerToday]

You may want to pick up a couple cans of Progresso Chicken and Wild Rice soup. It's gluten-free, and if there is ever a time she just wants something light it's a great thing to have on hand.

[mommida]

A lot of Celiacs are sensitive to the distilled vinegar, check with her. (not that it has gluten in it just some people are sensitive)

By some parchment paper and aluminum foil to cover your normal cooking/prep. surfaces, instead of buying something new. No iron skillet cooking please.

Pamela's baking mix makes great pancakes, but do not pour it - lift it out of the bag with a spoon and place in the mesearing cup.

Save the labels, and buy new jars of things like mayo and peanut butter that are usually contaminated with gluten crumbs.

If you can call or e-mail ahead to discuss the menus. You may want to pick up a small bag of gluten free flour mix, for any little bit of flour you may be forgeting about in your recipes.

You can also use Bragg's liquid Aminos for soy sauce.

What a wonderful hostess you are. ((HUGS)) for you, for being so sweet!

L.

[tarnalberry]

There are a bunch of gluten-free recipes in the recipes section (a few of us have started threads, and there are a bunch of single recipes there too), if you want some additional ideas.

[Daxin]

First of all, I would like to thank and commend you on behalf of all of us, for doing your research before entertaining your SIL for a meal. Well done!! I wish there I had relatives that would take the time.

I can only restate what has already been posted, so I won't take up too much time.

I hope your meal goes well, and you all have a great visit.

[queenofhearts]

I don't have much to add except another thank you for caring so well for your Celiac Sis-in-Law!

And I just have to mention that I am crazy about lavender honey. Yummmmmmm! You sound like a sweet person in every way.

Leah

[gfp]

I would say like Tarnalberry says just avoid anything in a packet ... but the main thing to make her feel safe is talk to her and involve her. you sound like a wonderful SIL and you are obviously willing to do what it takes but it does take lots of experience.

I honestly think that if you just involve her she will appreciate more than her being polite and not asking questions to avoid hurting your feelings but then worrying about each meal.

... at least I would.

[lavenderhoney]

Thanks, everyone.

I have all clad cookware, so I'm ok there. I do have a cast iron skillet, so I'll tuck that away. I have some of those saran disposable cutting boards, so that will work. My charcoal is natural lump. (cooking is my hobby ) I have an anaphlaxic food allergy to oranges, so I'm used to reading labels and separating things. I wouldn't have thought about the dish cloth though or the mayo. I did just buy new jars of jam.

I am going to keep things pretty simple this weekend. SIL's favorite dessert is cheesecake, and she oked a gluten free cheesecake because dairy doesn't bother her. I always have ice cream.

I don't use a lot of processed foods, but I do use a few products.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

(I have interstitial cystitis, and there were many things I couldn't eat. It was frustrating not to be able to eat what everyone else was eating--especially when they would go out for pizza )