Ok..day 5 Of gluten-free..what's For Dinner? I Haven't A Clue.

[Kara'sMom]

Today is only day 5 gluten-free??? It feels like day 20 million. I have NO clue as to what to fix for dinner without making two entirely different meals! Once again, I made Kara a corn tortilla pizza. Pretty soon she'll turn into one...complete with pepperoni's for eyes. I'm at a total loss of what to fix that she would like. She has plenty of snacks...but if I attempt to make a meal....I'm afraid all of my spices are gluten and side dishes??? She doesnt' like white rice...can't give her yellow rice...and other than a baked potato or mashed potato..what are my options for a side dish?

I have cube steak laid out for tomorrow...of course I usually flour it and fry it and make gravy. I can still do that for us...but what can I do with it for her?? DH suggested coating it in Corn meal? I have no idea how that might taste...plus it's House Autry...is that gluten-free? Is all corn meal gluten-free?

If ya'll have any good ,EASY suggestions that do NOT include a corn tortilla and cheese...please let me know some dinners that ya'll fix.

And while I"m here...are all baking powders and baking soda's gluten-free? I'd like to bake her some cookies.

Now......Let me take a DEEP BREATH, go take some Tylenol, and I'm anxious to check back in a while with a notebook and pencil and write down every single food choice and recipe anyone can provide.

Main course, side dish??? ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopfully in a year (or less)...I'll be the one providing a newbie like me some info. Until then --HEELLLP!

FOREVER GRATEFUL

Mary

[Mango04]

Okay, let's start simple. Do you have gluten-free flour handy (a mix, such as Bob's Red Mill, or rice flour, or even potato starch)? If so, make your steak just as you normally would, but use that instead. Corn starch would probably work too.

What kind of spices do you have, and what kind of side dishes do you want to make?

Oh, and I'd suggest always making one meal...just make everything gluten-free. It will be a whole lot easier that way.

[AndreaB]

I can't offer much as we don't have much variety ourselves.

One thing we like a lot are Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas. You can wrap those around hummus, lettuce, tomato, avocado and some meat; nutbutter & jelly, taco seasoned meat and whatever for taco's; scambled eggs and bacon with maybe hashbrowns. Maybe you could try brown rice. Brown rice is good with nut butter (instead of bread) also I will use Pacific Vegetable Broth to flavor it more. It's great to make a soup type quick meal out of. Throw in some cooked meat and veggies along with the rice (or rice pasta, Tinkyada is the best IMO) and broth. I usually dilute the broth.

We eat a lot of Sheltons Gluten Free Turkey products (Not all there stuff is gluten free.....it'll say gluten free on the box). I believe there are gluten free chicken nuggets by Ians? Not sure of the brand name but they were pretty good. I use ground beef alot. We also cook whole chicken and then I make broth out of it afterwards.

As far as seasonings McCormick is gluten free, they also have a taco seasoning packet that is gluten free. I make mine homemade so don't by the packets. They do have dairy but if you're not avoiding that, that wouldn't be a problem.

[happygirl]

re: cube steak. flour it and fry it. just use a gluten-free flour....like bob's red mill.

make gravy the same way...with gluten free flour.

Have you found Tinkyada pasta yet? Its delicious. Substitute it and make "normal" meals. Spaghetti, mac and cheese, etc.

I've never seen a baking powder/soda that isn't gluten free. List the ingredients and we'll help out if you have questions.

McCormick is a company that lists all gluten ingredients, so their spices and mixes are easy to use because they are easy to read the label.

Post some of the meals you "used" to make and we'll give you modifications for them all. Promise.

[missy'smom]

I will address the things that come to mind right now. As for the cube steak, you can make it gluten-free for everyone. Just use rice flour instead of your regular flour. And if you're making homemade gravy with pan juices you should be fine. Some canned broths and powdered gravy mixes include wheat.

Make sure you don't use your old baking soda and baking powder as they may be contaminated if you double dipped with your measuring spoons. If there is any gluten in a baking powder it would be wheat and is required to be listed so just read the label. I always use the same one(Rumford) because it's aluminum-free and haven't looked at other brands.

Read the labels on the cornmeal. Some I have found state that it is manufactured in facilties that also process wheat. I've been using Arrowhead Mills without problem. I'm sure there are others that are fine.

If you can get some plain rice or corn gluten-free cereal, you can blend or process it into crumbs and use it in meatballs, meatloaf etc. for the whole family. The cereal tends to be cheaper than buying the gluten-free breadcrumbs.

What kind of things did you serve her before?

In time you'll learn to adapt many of your old standby family recipies to gluten-free.

[Cherry Tart]

Helllo!

For side dishes, you could do skillet fried sweet potatoes, black beans, or grilled polenta (you can even get it premade in a tube - just check the ingredients).

For dinner, I like to make Han's All Natural Italian Sausages (clearly labeled gluten free - Costco) grilled, roasted potato wedges brushed w/ olive oil & sea salt, and a salad. Another favorite is soft tacos: corn tortillas, ground beef seasoned w/ tomato paste (plain), chilli & cumin powder (most are gluten-free, check the ingredients), fresh salsa, lemon juice, garlic, onion, and a dash of Tabasco. Side dishes could be roasted corn (you can buy that frozen at Trader Joes) and tomato salad + Annie's refried beans.

Hope those help!

[Kara'sMom]

Oh my goodness ...you all are so helpful so quickly. My spices are Mc Cormicks and some are from Big Lots (sad, eh?)

My baking soda is from Walmart and it says..processed in a plant that processes wheat, etc...

I guess I'll go to the Health Hut tomorrow and buy some gluten-free flour. I have NONE of the essentials to cook a meal with. No rice flour, no nuttin. Are they expensive? I think on Sunday we might go to Whole Foods in Winston-Salem to shop. If you're familiar with that store...do they tend to have a big selection at better prices? The Health Hut is just a little organic/gluten free store. It's not very big at all.

[AndreaB]

Are they expensive? I think on Sunday we might go to Whole Foods in Winston-Salem to shop. If you're familiar with that store...do they tend to have a big selection at better prices? The Health Hut is just a little organic/gluten free store. It's not very big at all.

I have found that Whole Foods is less expensive than the littler health food stores. Depends on how much you need and whether the savings are worth the drive.

Whole Foods does have quite a variety of things. They are all through the store.

I don't think rice flour is too expensive, but it's not as cheap as wheat flour.

[happygirl]

Oh my goodness ...you all are so helpful so quickly. My spices are Mc Cormicks and some are from Big Lots (sad, eh?)

My baking soda is from Walmart and it says..processed in a plant that processes wheat, etc...

I guess I'll go to the Health Hut tomorrow and buy some gluten-free flour. I have NONE of the essentials to cook a meal with. No rice flour, no nuttin. Are they expensive? I think on Sunday we might go to Whole Foods in Winston-Salem to shop. If you're familiar with that store...do they tend to have a big selection at better prices? The Health Hut is just a little organic/gluten free store. It's not very big at all.

Whole Foods generally carries a lot of Bob's Red Mill products. I rarely use any other flours...I just use their mixture. Makes it a lot easier. They also generally carry a lot of Tinkyada pasta.

Maybe this will help Open Original Shared Link

And remember to use these lists: Open Original Shared Link

or Arrowhead Mills, Aunt Nelly's, Balance, Baskin Robbins, Ben & Jerry, Bertoli, Betty Crocker, Blue Bunny, Breyers, Campbells, Cascadian Farms, Celestial Seasonings, ConAgra, Country Crock, Edy's, General Mills, Good Humor, Green Giant, Haagen Daz, Hellman's, Hershey, Hormel, Hungry Jack, Jiffy, Knorr, Kozy Shack, Kraft, Lawry's, Libby's, Lipton, Martha White, Maxwell House, McCormick, Nabisco, Nestle, Old El Paso, Ortega, Pillsbury, Popsicle, Post, Progresso, Ragu, Russell Stover, Seneca Foods, Skippy, Smucker, Stokely's, Sunny Delight, T Marzetti, Tyson, Unilever, Wishbone, Yoplait, Zatarain's.

The above companies clearly list gluten ingredients, so there is no fear of them "hiding."

We have a couple gluten free "specialty" products (some breads, a flour, a pancake mix, tinkyada noodles) and after that, everything else we eat is mainstream. It takes a little while to find out what you like, don't like, etc.

[dandelionmom]

I often use corn starch as a thickener instead of flour, I wonder if that would work for your steak? We eat mostly vegetarian so I'm not good at meat dishes!

This week we're having:

-tacos with gluten free seasoning and corn tortillas

-baked potato bar with cheese, sour cream, broccoli, bacon, cubed grilled chicken, chili, etc (a great way to get rid of leftovers)

-chili with Bob's gluten-free corn bread

-crustless quiche with fruit salad

-grilled chicken with mashed potatoes, peas, and baked beans

-a weightwatchers recipe called "tuscan skillet supper"

-a yummy Indian dish that my husband makes

[Glutenfreefamily]

First I would highly suggest making meals that everyone can eat. It will drive you nuts making two meals for the rest of your life. I did it for about 6 months and I was so sick of having so many dirty pans and so much work. Also having to be so meticulously clean with crumbs and still getting glutened. White rice does great in meatloafs. I use it in my lentil rice loaf and it holds up great.

Here's a post from the cooking/baking tips board on here that lists dinner that are easily converted so everyone can eat it.

Open Original Shared Link

[missy'smom]

Just be careful because your baking spices may be contaminated as well.

If you have an asian market near you or a local grocery that caters to an international population by carrying alot of products for them, you may find asian rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch for much less. Mine carries rice flour and tapioca starch from Thailand at less than a dollar a bag.

[lonewolf]

I posted 25 recipes that both gluten free people and gluten eaters can enjoy. Here's the link:

Open Original Shared Link

People have made some good suggestions. You need to get some Tinkyada pasta and white rice flour (to thicken sauces and gravies and use for things like your steak). There are other essentials, like flours or a flour mix for baking. You might want to start with a pre-packaged mix until you get the hang of it.

Do you have Earth Faire? I know it's in Asheville and they have a good selection of gluten-free foods too.

What are your "normal" meals? Maybe we can help you modify them so you can all eat the same things.

[Ridgewalker]

Oh my goodness ...you all are so helpful so quickly. My spices are Mc Cormicks and some are from Big Lots (sad, eh?)

My baking soda is from Walmart and it says..processed in a plant that processes wheat, etc...

I guess I'll go to the Health Hut tomorrow and buy some gluten-free flour. I have NONE of the essentials to cook a meal with. No rice flour, no nuttin. Are they expensive? I think on Sunday we might go to Whole Foods in Winston-Salem to shop. If you're familiar with that store...do they tend to have a big selection at better prices? The Health Hut is just a little organic/gluten free store. It's not very big at all.

Woohoo!!! A fellow local! Yes, I am very familiar with the Whole Foods in WS, it's the only place I can get good gluten-free stuff. It's about an hour drive for me- we're up in Pilot Mountain. I go every Sunday after Mass, since it's about 5 minutes from our church. Much more convenient.

Their selection is pretty good, and prices are about average for Whole Foods. There are a couple things that are a little higher than in other WF, I think because it's just about the only place to get gluten-free stuff. Which brings me to my next point--

They do sell out of stuff fast sometimes. Their gluten-free products are the hottest sales at this location. Again- because it's the only one around. It's not like they have bare shelves or anything. But it's best to try not to run out of something completely, because you never know when your favorite mix might be sold out.

They have everything you're going to need.

What you might want to do, is next time you go to Health Hut, write down the prices of some of the basics, and then compare to the prices at Whole Foods.

Anyhoo, if you ever want some help finding things at the Winston Salem Whole Foods, send me a PM. It's crowded on the weekends, try not to stress. We can meet up if you want, and I'll show you everything. I go every Sunday at about 1:00pm.

[mama2two]

We have been gluten-free for about 6 months and sometimes I still don't know what to fix for meals, but even when we could eat whatever, I often had this problem, I think everyone does, but being gluten-free does make it harder. I will tell you some of the things I feed my daughter. Vans gluten-free waffles with pure maple syrup, or with a nut butter for a waffle sandwhich. fresh fruit, fresh veggies, carrots, fresh meat, fish grilled, baked cooked on the stove top, with rice, potatoes, or steamed veggies. Pamela's products are great, their wheat free bread mix makes the best gluten-free bread I've ever tasted, you can add raisins, cinnamon, etc. to mix it up. Chek out amazon .com they have a large selection of gluten-free foods under their gourmet foods category and they often offer free shipping. Pamela's also makes a baking mix that you can use to make pancakes, donuts, cookies, etc. She has cake mix that is delicious!! I bring a batch of gluten-free pamela's cupcakes to any party my daughter goes to, if it's a girl I use pink frosting, if it's a boy blue or green, I find out the theme from the mom. Most moms are glad to have extra cake. check the label if you buy frosting, or make your own butter cream, (butter, milk, powdered sugar, vanilla or any other extract) GEt on the web and search out gluten-free foods, you can take any recipe and make them gluten free, but you will need staples to do this, flour, pasta, etc. Hope this helps!

[nana1]

Today is only day 5 gluten-free??? It feels like day 20 million. I have NO clue as to what to fix for dinner without making two entirely different meals! Once again, I made Kara a corn tortilla pizza. Pretty soon she'll turn into one...complete with pepperoni's for eyes. I'm at a total loss of what to fix that she would like. She has plenty of snacks...but if I attempt to make a meal....I'm afraid all of my spices are gluten and side dishes??? She doesnt' like white rice...can't give her yellow rice...and other than a baked potato or mashed potato..what are my options for a side dish?

I have cube steak laid out for tomorrow...of course I usually flour it and fry it and make gravy. I can still do that for us...but what can I do with it for her?? DH suggested coating it in Corn meal? I have no idea how that might taste...plus it's House Autry...is that gluten-free? Is all corn meal gluten-free?

If ya'll have any good ,EASY suggestions that do NOT include a corn tortilla and cheese...please let me know some dinners that ya'll fix.

And while I"m here...are all baking powders and baking soda's gluten-free? I'd like to bake her some cookies.

Now......Let me take a DEEP BREATH, go take some Tylenol, and I'm anxious to check back in a while with a notebook and pencil and write down every single food choice and recipe anyone can provide.

Main course, side dish??? ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopfully in a year (or less)...I'll be the one providing a newbie like me some info. Until then --HEELLLP!

FOREVER GRATEFUL

Mary

[nana1]

Mary,

my step-daughter was just diagnosed with gluten-celiac disease. She is 13 on the 24th of nov. She is real upset about not being able to eat like all teens do!!

My father-in-law also has celiac...he wasnt diagnosed till 3 years ago. So he had done alot of damage to his colon etc... (which from what I understand once you go gluten free you start healing inside, so thats why you feel crappy sometimes) he had burst his intestine 5 years ago, has had lymphoma, chronic diarhea . He feels better now than he has in years,just by cutting out gluten in his diet.

He has helped us alot with his grand-daughter, sat. she stayed over at gramma. and papas house and they baked and cooked us a gluten free dinner. We had pot-roast, potatoes with gravy. Bread, and Busch baked beans,and orange fluff which is delicious.

Its orange sugar-free jello pour the pack into tapioca pudding and cool whip and a can of drained mandarin oranges.Yummy! Oh yeah also they baked pumpkin bread. Everything was gluten free. You couldnt taste anything different everything was great. Also he made gluten free angel food cake and we had strawberry shortcake.

She has been gluten-free for 2 weeks now. We just bought a book "the essential gluten free grocery guide" go on amazon .com and pick one up. 20,000 products ,1000 brand name items.

You have to get gluten free flour. I bought the

[nana1]

Mary,

my step-daughter was just diagnosed with gluten-celiac disease. She is 13 on the 24th of nov. She is real upset about not being able to eat like all teens do!!

My father-in-law also has celiac...he wasnt diagnosed till 3 years ago. So he had done alot of damage to his colon etc... (which from what I understand once you go gluten free you start healing inside, so thats why you feel crappy sometimes) he had burst his intestine 5 years ago, has had lymphoma, chronic diarhea . He feels better now than he has in years,just by cutting out gluten in his diet.

He has helped us alot with his grand-daughter, sat. she stayed over at gramma. and papas house and they baked and cooked us a gluten free dinner. We had pot-roast, potatoes with gravy. Bread, and Busch baked beans,and orange fluff which is delicious.

Its orange sugar-free jello pour the pack into tapioca pudding and cool whip and a can of drained mandarin oranges.Yummy! Oh yeah also they baked pumpkin bread. Everything was gluten free. You couldnt taste anything different everything was great. Also he made gluten free angel food cake and we had strawberry shortcake.

She has been gluten-free for 2 weeks now. We just bought a book "the essential gluten free grocery guide" go on amazon .com and pick one up. 20,000 products ,1000 brand name items.

You have to get gluten free flour. I bought the Red Mill brand, cookie mix and brownie mix too. The brownies are real moist, the cookies were not bad, I think I would add a little brown sugar too the mix next time.

They can have Mrs. Fishers potatoe chips,Fritos, tostidos,popcorn. Lots of snack foods which teens and younger kids enjoy. So she hasnt felt deprived she just misses the fast food.Which isnt good for you anyway.

Hope this helps you. Debbie

[confusedks]

I totally remember when I first went gluten-free it was so hard! But, if you post what you would serve her on a typical week...people will give you suggestions. I did this, and it was the most helpful way to get ideas.

Good luck!

Kassandra

[shan]

i make a stew once a week - potatoes meat veggies, sometimes beans, in a tomatoe sauce base and both my kids love it! they would eat it every day if i made it (I gueass i'm not such a kind mom!)

Hmmm what else do i make... A lot of chicken meals - put chicken pots fried onion and garlic in a frying pan and leave it for 1-1 1/2 hours... jacket pots with all the additions.... meat balls and rice, baked fish and roast pots (My kids hate anything that says rice on it, unless it also says pasta ) They also eat quite a bit of eggs - with chips, pots fried with the eggs!

i guess i should count my lucky stars that they both like pots...

[Kara'sMom]

Helllo!

For side dishes, you could do skillet fried sweet potatoes, black beans, or grilled polenta (you can even get it premade in a tube - just check the ingredients).

For dinner, I like to make Han's All Natural Italian Sausages (clearly labeled gluten free - Costco) grilled, roasted potato wedges brushed w/ olive oil & sea salt, and a salad. Another favorite is soft tacos: corn tortillas, ground beef seasoned w/ tomato paste (plain), chilli & cumin powder (most are gluten-free, check the ingredients), fresh salsa, lemon juice, garlic, onion, and a dash of Tabasco. Side dishes could be roasted corn (you can buy that frozen at Trader Joes) and tomato salad + Annie's refried beans.

Hope those help!

how do you do skillet fried sweet potatos? That sounds good.

[Kara'sMom]

I'm still in the process of writing everything down. I've been subbing at my kids school everyday so I haven't really had time to sit down and make a plan.

I do have a few questions. A lot of you mentions stews...or roast with potatoes and carrots...how do you go about doing that? I'm used to putting it in a crock pot with lipton onion soup mix and a can of cream of mushroom soup and making a good, brown gravy.

The only "staple" i have right now is Brown Rice flour...i bought it today and she said i could fry stuff with that. I also went ahead and bought baking powder and baking soda...although I think next time I'll stick to Walmart brand. I started to buy some xanthum gum..or whatever...b/c i wanted to bake things for Kara but when I saw it was almost 13.00 for a package that fit in the palm of your hand.....I about fell over!! I guess I'll just buy the package of brownie mix for a while.

Anyway, Kara loves Italian and Mexican foods. So if anyone has any recipes...please send them my way. She loves chicken parmesean.....enchilidas (am i spelling any of these right??) and I'd like to have some chili recipes and ANY side dishes other than my same old corn, green beans....oh....any broccoli casserole recipes?

and when you roast potatoes in the oven...what spices?

THANKS! I hope to sit down on Monday and write everything down.We're having a big yard sale on Saturday...maybe I'll earn enough to buy some xanthum gum. LOL!!

Mary

[happygirl]

I'm still in the process of writing everything down. I've been subbing at my kids school everyday so I haven't really had time to sit down and make a plan.

I do have a few questions. A lot of you mentions stews...or roast with potatoes and carrots...how do you go about doing that? I'm used to putting it in a crock pot with lipton onion soup mix and a can of cream of mushroom soup and making a good, brown gravy.

Progresso Creamy Mushroom Soup is gluten free. Lipton Onion Soup Mix is gluten free.

Anyway, Kara loves Italian and Mexican foods. So if anyone has any recipes...please send them my way. She loves chicken parmesean.....enchilidas (am i spelling any of these right??) and I'd like to have some chili recipes and ANY side dishes other than my same old corn, green beans....oh....any broccoli casserole recipes?

Many of McCormick's seasoning packets are safe. I believe the Mild Taco, Hot Taco, Taco, 30% Less Sodium Taco, and Chicken Taco are all safe. The Cheesy Chicken taco is not.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

not safe: Open Original Shared Link

Their enchilada packet is safe Open Original Shared Link</a>

[lonewolf]

Anyway, Kara loves Italian and Mexican foods. So if anyone has any recipes...please send them my way. She loves chicken parmesean.....enchilidas (am i spelling any of these right??) and I'd like to have some chili recipes and ANY side dishes other than my same old corn, green beans....oh....any broccoli casserole recipes?

Did you see my post a few up with the link to 25 recipes?

[Kara'sMom]

Did you see my post a few up with the link to 25 recipes?

Yes I did and I've glanced at it but haven't had a chance to really sit down and look at everything closely. I've subbed PE for 2 days and lemme tell ya...I am too wiped out to even sit here and concentrate. But on Tuesday, when the kids are back in school, I'm gonna be on here alllllll day writing everything down in my handy-dandy GLUTEN FREE notebook.

So thank you, thank you, thank you, for the link ....I SOOOO appreciate it.

Mary