A Few Questions On Cooking And Baking (new To Board)

[Ivanna44]

Hi all,

I have been 3 weeks gluten free now. I am in Calgary. My doctor suggested I try out the gluten free after some readings on a bunch of blood tests made her feel it was worth the shot, going gluten free to see if it helped out my stomach. So here I am.. and ty again to the welcomes I received from other areas of this forum.

I am a mom, home schooler, and very busy. Prior to life, as gluten free. We lived a lot on "Lean Cuisines" and those type due to an over extended social life outside the home. It was too the point that at least once a month, I'd have to find something different than the Lean Cuisines, as I got sick of the pasta all the time. But, they were fast and easy > Just Zap and Go!!!! many days I just have 1 hour at home, before I'm out again, doing something related to one of my two kids social activities.

I am trying my best to precook meals, and save leftovers in single serving sizes, and store them in my "separate" gluten free freezer box. Problem is, I am just home 2 evenings a week (this coming week is an exception; its spring break time, and those many activities are shut down this week). So I need ideas on meals that I can make ahead of time (freeze) so they are ready for the Zap and Go!!!!! lifestyle I have. I don't have support in terms of making items that are "gluten free" that my family would eat too. So I'm very alone on the eating table. >>>>>> Thats ok. I just set myself a real pretty table setting cause I'm special and worth it.. hehe

I try each time I am home for the evening to make extra and freeze it. Last week I made chili (mild) and today, I found some gluten free hotdogs at the grocery (froze those in baggies of 2) and I made some gluten free hamburgers. I need some ideas on meals I can make, that freeze well, kinda of a gluten free "gluten-free Cuisine" Zap and Go!!!!!! if you follow me. I am not big on mexican foods, or other hot spicy foods, as they did a # on me, prior to the gluten free days. Any ideas on "fast" meal ideas would be appreciated. I know for the next few days; I'm set, as it's Easter and there will be tons of turkey left over, for turkey sandwiches and turkey salads.

I also, wondered does gluten free breads, freeze the same as the gluten kind. I know we used to freeze bread all the time. 2 odd months etc. Does the gluten free breads freeze the same. I did my shopping today; and got some more gluten free bread, gluten free pizza shells, and cinnamon buns. They were already frozen when I bought them, they had a expiry date of April 10 on them. I am presuming that the expiry date, referrs to if the item was keep in the fridge at home. Do they keep longer in the freezer??

I also wondered if someone had a good "all purpose" gluten free flour recipe that worked out good for them. I know the frozen bread product I get now (gluten free kind) has tapiaco flour in it, and not potato flour. It tasted in (my opinion) better than the rice, potato flour mixes. I'd like one that just has 3 odd flours like (corn, rice, tapiaco) for example. That is relatively simple to make. And more importantly easy to find flours. My grocery doesn't carry a lot of gluten free stuff, other than the premade frozen breads, and the odd Bob Mills one. Later this week, I am hoping to get to a local Organic Market, that supposely carries the brand name I like (in terms of the frozen bread I mean) this organic market not only has the frozen product; but also carries their prepared mixes. I am also hoping this Organic Market has more variety too, in terms of gluten free foods.

I just get paid once a month (monthly government child credits) and so far, the cost of gluten free foods, has fallen on me. I am trying to make this as economical as possible, by buying in bulk and preparing freezer meals to Zap and Go!!!!!! lol Any ideas would be appreciated.

Another odd question? How do you other members get that blurb to show up at the end of your postings. Such as: gluten free since Mar.04/08. Is that something that is set up in the profile part? Just curious.

thanks

[itchygirl]

Hormel shelf stable dinners are quite zap able

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You'll generally just find me with my face in a bag of their pepperoni, however.

[kbabe1968]

First...I am REALLY sorry that your family won't join you in your gluten free eating! How sad. Now...I have more time than you...and I homeschool too...so I know all about the activites!

I do cook gluten free for my whole family. I do allow them to have bread, cereal and waffles that aren't gluten-free...but I cook one meal for dinner and that is it. Don' t like it...don't eat. MEAN MOMMA!

That in mind, I try REALLY hard to cook things that we ALL like. My one child was never hip on pasta...so even that's a minimum.

I make chili, tacos, carnitas (mexican pork), baked lasagna (tinkyada lasagna noodles). I try really hard to take some of the leftovers to freeze for on the quick meals. Stews and soups are great for on the go too.

I'm kinda busy today - my husband just tore our kitchen to the floor boards yesterday! I can post a few recipes later that you could make in big batches and freeze single servings for yourself.

[Ivanna44]

First...I am REALLY sorry that your family won't join you in your gluten free eating! How sad. Now...I have more time than you...and I homeschool too...so I know all about the activites!

I do cook gluten free for my whole family. I do allow them to have bread, cereal and waffles that aren't gluten-free...but I cook one meal for dinner and that is it. Don' t like it...don't eat. MEAN MOMMA!

That in mind, I try REALLY hard to cook things that we ALL like. My one child was never hip on pasta...so even that's a minimum.

I make chili, tacos, carnitas (mexican pork), baked lasagna (tinkyada lasagna noodles). I try really hard to take some of the leftovers to freeze for on the quick meals. Stews and soups are great for on the go too.

I'm kinda busy today - my husband just tore our kitchen to the floor boards yesterday! I can post a few recipes later that you could make in big batches and freeze single servings for yourself.

Thank you kbabe1968,

Good luck with the kitchen, sounds like some remodeling is happening .... I hope maybe in the summer to do some kitchen remodelling, mainly painting and redoing the floor tiles. I just homeschool my daughter [dyspraxia] , my son has autism (age 4) and goes to a specialized preschool (they get the help when young, prior to grade school levels, so I'm getting him the help he needs, while I can access it)

I adore my son, but he is a handful. Its a year round school, so I can still do things like house fixups in the summer months.

It's also, nice to know there's another gluten free homeschool mom on this forum, who can relate to the NO time lol,

I am thankful if you could later, when you have the time, for your willingness to post some big batch dinners, that make handy leftovers for freezing.

[myst]

I buy very little, if any, pre-made gluten-free stuff. I stick mostly with fresh/frozen veggies, fresh/dried fruits, meats, nuts, seeds, and I make bread/buns from time to time. I'll buy Tinkyada pasta, and maybe a box of cookies once in a while, but that's about it.

Crock pot meals - roast beef, chicken, pork chops, (all with whatever veggies you choose - or not ), bbq beef or chicken or pork. Takes only a few minutes to put it all together, then toss in a crock pot and let it simmer on low all day. Make extra so you can freeze some.

Soups and stews - chicken veggie, chicken rice, hamburger soup/stew, veggie beef, tomato bisque, carrot-ginger (ok, those last two take a bit more work, but the others can be done in a crock pot if you choose).

I'll make extra of spaghetti sauce, bbq's, taverns, taco meat, meatloaf, salmon patties, etc. and freeze in single-serve portions.

I also stir-fry chicken and/or pork and freeze for sandwiches.

I've roasted a small turkey and frozen the meat for sandwiches, salads, soups.

Tinkyada noodles are great - your family probably won't even notice the difference. I don't know how they freeze, though.

You could keep a container of various fresh veggies on hand - carrot sticks, celery sticks, broccoli, cauli, cabbage, peppers, whatever you like. Easy to grab and go.

Dried apricots, figs, raisins are good, too. Mix them up with some cashews, almonds, sunflower seed kernels, dried cherries or blueberries or cranberries or whatever sounds good and you have your own trail mix.

When I make a batch of pancakes, I freeze the extra with parchment paper between them so they don't stick. When I want some, I just pop them in the toaster frozen. They come out hot and slightly crispy. Yum! Add a side of sausage that I've previously cooked and frozen, nuke it til it's hot, and I have breakfast. Or lunch...or supper...

Hope this helps some.

myst

[CarolX]

Ivanna44,

My husband is the Celiac in the house, never formally diagnosed, but after switching to a glueten free diet 3 years ago, all his aliments went away.

I can tell you, as a busy working mother of 5 (3 at home), the transition is tough at first. I can not come home and throw on a pot of mac and cheese for all. But little by little you learn what works and what doesn't.

Research what is available at your regular grocery store. The best quick items are the "single ingredient" items - fruits and vegtables. There are a lot of things available that do not contain gluten.

My slow cooker is my best friend - I always double up so I have leftovers that can be thrown in the microwave or can travel to work.

After a while - I learned it really takes no more time to make mac and cheese from "scratch" then to use the boxed version.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck!