Revamping The Kitchen

[Beth in NC]

I was diagnosed on Monday of this week. This is day 3 of being gluten-free, I think...unless I've missed something, which is QUITE possible!

It's quite ironic that I have been diagnosed with this as I run a co-op that purchases GRAIN in bulk twice a year from Wheat Montana! I am known as "the wheat lady"! Most of us in the co-op grind our own wheat and make our own homemade bread in a big mixer that will knead dough for 6 loaves at a time. I have some BIG changes to make in my kitchen!

I think I'm set on knowing to get a new cutting board, colander, non stick pans, etc. I'm obviously going to have to give up grinding my wheat, because the mill sends flour dust all over the kitchen. I only have one kid at home still, so I'm not going to go out of my way to do both gluten-free and regular. If they want store bought bread, I'll get it for them. I'll buy them cookies! But I'm not baking any! There just too much room for cross contamination.

I'm wondering about if I should just get a bread machine. I can't use the bread pans I have now. I could if they were glass, but they are metal with indentions all in them and one is a Pampered Chef stone. I've figure the stones are out, right?

Those of you who make your own gluten-free bread now, how are you mixing/baking it? Bread machine? by hand?

OH and while I'm on the kitchen topic...what about dish cloths?! I would HAVE to assume those are totally out?

Thanks for your help. I have learned a lot on here this morning and only went through a few threads! VERY helpful board!!!

In Christ,

Beth in NC

[ShayFL]

That Mill is gonna have to go too. You cannot use the same mill for gluten grains as non-gluten grains.

I am not so sure it is ironic. Sometimes it seems that we are lead down a certain path in life for a reason. There is some lesson to learn or in some way we can become stronger by the irony.

Maybe you are right on track.

Think of this as an opportunity to learn something new. New ways to make homemade breads and cookies. The gluten-free options can be very delicious (especially made at home).

I decided to have 100% gluten free home. Any gluten foods have to be eaten outside on the patio. Mostly they dont bother and just enjoy all of the gluten-free foods I make available in our home. I bake. Lately I have been on a coconut kick....trying new things. Today...coconut custard pie. It was awesome!

You should have all of your family members tested too. Some people dont have overt symptoms but have major damage going on inside.

[PeggyV]

Welcome

I also used to bake bread (especially yummy dinner rolls) by hand. Not all the time so I didnt use a mixer, love to knead the dough. Now I bake my own gluten-free bread, I dont like the store bought kind. I tried by hand, but gluten-free bread is just not as fun to make as regualar bread. So I use a bread machine. I find it convinent and easy. Took me a while to get a loaf with the taste and texture I wanted, and now I am working on adding some fiber. I have turned out some decent loafs that taste good.

Good luck, it really isnt bad after you get used to it.

[rmducote]

[quote name='Beth in NC' date='Jul 18 2008, 11:12 AM' post='448289'

I was diagnosed on Monday of this week. This is day 3 of being gluten-free, I think...unless I've missed something, which is QUITE possible!

It's quite ironic that I have been diagnosed with this as I run a co-op that purchases GRAIN in bulk twice a year from Wheat Montana! I am known as "the wheat lady"! Most of us in the co-op grind our own wheat and make our own homemade bread in a big mixer that will knead dough for 6 loaves at a time. I have some BIG changes to make in my kitchen!

I think I'm set on knowing to get a new cutting board, colander, non stick pans, etc. I'm obviously going to have to give up grinding my wheat, because the mill sends flour dust all over the kitchen. I only have one kid at home still, so I'm not going to go out of my way to do both gluten-free and regular. If they want store bought bread, I'll get it for them. I'll buy them cookies! But I'm not baking any! There just too much room for cross contamination.

I'm wondering about if I should just get a bread machine. I can't use the bread pans I have now. I could if they were glass, but they are metal with indentions all in them and one is a Pampered Chef stone. I've figure the stones are out, right?

Those of you who make your own gluten-free bread now, how are you mixing/baking it? Bread machine? by hand?

OH and while I'm on the kitchen topic...what about dish cloths?! I would HAVE to assume those are totally out?

Thanks for your help. I have learned a lot on here this morning and only went through a few threads! VERY helpful board!!!

In Christ,

Beth in NC

We live across from a grain elevator and my hubby has developed a cough. I am thinking that he is inhaling the grain dust that flies around, and now that we know he cant have gluten, it cant be good. I have a bread receipe for a bread machine that i wonderful, can use in oven too. A bit expensive at first to get all the ingrediants, but the texure and taste is worth it! I am new too. Even had to redo our med cabinet since so many OTC meds and (advil) has it too!

[Jestgar]

Most of us in the co-op grind our own wheat and make our own homemade bread in a big mixer that will knead dough for 6 loaves at a time. I have some BIG changes to make in my kitchen!

Just want to say that's quite impressive!

You may be able to clean your mill. You'll have to decide just how apart you can take it to get everything clean, and err on the side of caution, of course.

[SEAliac]

I was diagnosed on Monday of this week. This is day 3 of being gluten-free, I think...unless I've missed something, which is QUITE possible!

It's quite ironic that I have been diagnosed with this as I run a co-op that purchases GRAIN in bulk twice a year from Wheat Montana! I am known as "the wheat lady"! Most of us in the co-op grind our own wheat and make our own homemade bread in a big mixer that will knead dough for 6 loaves at a time. I have some BIG changes to make in my kitchen!

I think I'm set on knowing to get a new cutting board, colander, non stick pans, etc. I'm obviously going to have to give up grinding my wheat, because the mill sends flour dust all over the kitchen. I only have one kid at home still, so I'm not going to go out of my way to do both gluten-free and regular. If they want store bought bread, I'll get it for them. I'll buy them cookies! But I'm not baking any! There just too much room for cross contamination.

I'm wondering about if I should just get a bread machine. I can't use the bread pans I have now. I could if they were glass, but they are metal with indentions all in them and one is a Pampered Chef stone. I've figure the stones are out, right?

Those of you who make your own gluten-free bread now, how are you mixing/baking it? Bread machine? by hand?

OH and while I'm on the kitchen topic...what about dish cloths?! I would HAVE to assume those are totally out?

Thanks for your help. I have learned a lot on here this morning and only went through a few threads! VERY helpful board!!!

In Christ,

Beth in NC

Hi, Beth in NC,

I'm also in NC (on the coast)! I haven't done much gluten-free baking yet, but I've experimented a little with nut flours. I don't have a mill, just a nut grinder and a coffee grinder that gives a slightly finer meal. I made gluten-free biscuits with some almond meal added that turned out phenomenal. They were a little heavy, but next time I'll add some more gluten-free baking powder or I'll get xantham gum. With the gluten-free flours, it seems like you need to do more experimenting to get the texture right. You're right that the cookbooks have some good recipes. I'm going to try pecan meal next (the Southerner in me coming out, I guess).

Have fun with your baking!

[GFinDC]

I have a grinder and use it for various gluten-free flours. I got mine used and did a very thurough cleaning before using it. Stripped it down and cleaned every surface I could find inside. Some flours are hard to find, like pea and lentil flour. Anyway, as long as you can clean it out and dedicate the grinder to gluten-free flours you should be ok.

I don't have a good bread recipee to share. My beat thing so far was some gluten-free pancakes using green pea flour. Looked a little odd but tasted good.