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Celiac.com 01/17/2025 - Maintaining a gluten-free diet is essential for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, but the cost of gluten-free foods can be daunting. Many people assume that a gluten-free lifestyle automatically comes with a hefty price tag, but with careful planning and smart shopping strategies, you can enjoy safe and nutritious meals without overspending. Let’s explore practical tips and affordable alternatives to help you save money on specialty foods while staying true to your gluten-free needs. Rethink Your Staples One of the easiest ways to cut costs is by focusing on naturally gluten-free, whole-food staples. While specialty gluten-free products like bread and snacks can be expensive, foods like rice, potatoes, beans, and vegetables are budget-friendly and versatile. These items can form the foundation of your meals, providing essential nutrients without breaking the bank. Affordable Gluten-Free Staples: Grains and starches: Brown rice, white rice, quinoa, cornmeal, and certified gluten-free oats. Proteins: Eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, and canned fish like tuna or salmon. Fresh produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables offer variety and nutrition at lower prices. Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese are naturally gluten-free (check for additives). Building your meals around these staples not only keeps costs down but also ensures a balanced diet. Cook from Scratch Pre-packaged gluten-free foods are convenient but often come with a premium price tag. Cooking from scratch allows you to control ingredients and save money. For example, making your own gluten-free baked goods, soups, or sauces can be significantly cheaper than buying pre-made versions. Easy DIY Alternatives: Gluten-free flour blends: Create your own mix using affordable ingredients like rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour. Homemade snacks: Bake gluten-free muffins, granola bars, or crackers to replace pricey packaged options. Simple sauces: Use cornstarch or arrowroot as thickeners for gravies and sauces instead of buying specialty mixes. Cooking in batches and freezing portions also saves time and ensures you always have affordable, gluten-free meals on hand. Shop Smart and Plan Ahead Strategic shopping can make a big difference when managing a gluten-free diet on a budget. By planning meals and shopping with intention, you can avoid overspending. Tips for Cost-Effective Shopping: Meal planning: Write out a weekly menu based on affordable, gluten-free staples and sales. Buy in bulk: Purchase gluten-free grains, flours, and snacks in bulk to reduce cost per unit. Many stores and online retailers offer discounts for larger quantities. Shop sales and use coupons: Watch for deals on gluten-free products and use manufacturer coupons whenever possible. Explore store brands: Many grocery stores now offer their own gluten-free lines, which are often cheaper than national brands. Farmer’s markets: Buying fresh produce directly from growers can be more economical, especially for seasonal items. By sticking to your list and avoiding impulse purchases, you’ll keep your grocery bill under control. Affordable Gluten-Free Alternatives Specialty gluten-free items, such as bread, pasta, and snacks, are among the most expensive parts of a gluten-free diet. Finding affordable alternatives can help reduce costs. Budget-Friendly Substitutes: Bread: Instead of expensive gluten-free bread, use rice cakes or corn tortillas for sandwiches. Pasta: Opt for rice noodles or spaghetti squash as a replacement for gluten-free pasta. Snacks: Swap out specialty chips for popcorn or roasted chickpeas, which are both gluten-free and inexpensive. Breakfast: Replace costly cereals with gluten-free oatmeal or homemade granola. These swaps not only save money but often provide healthier, less processed options. Use Technology and Resources Leveraging technology can help you find deals and connect with the gluten-free community for advice on saving money. Useful Tools and Resources: Apps for gluten-free shopping: Download apps like Gluten-Free Scanner to identify safe products and compare prices. Online shopping: Websites like Thrive Market and Amazon often offer discounted prices on gluten-free items. Community support: Join online forums or social media groups for tips on where to find affordable gluten-free products and recipes. Staying informed about sales, discounts, and budget-friendly brands makes managing your diet easier and less expensive. Enjoy Dining Out Without Overspending Dining out can be a challenge for those on a gluten-free diet, both in terms of safety and cost. However, there are ways to save while still enjoying the occasional meal out. Tips for Affordable Dining: Research menus: Look for restaurants that clearly label gluten-free options to avoid unnecessary costs from trial-and-error ordering. Choose simple dishes: Opt for naturally gluten-free meals like salads or grilled proteins with vegetables to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and extra charges. Bring your own sides: Some places allow you to bring gluten-free bread or crackers to accompany your meal. Limit dining out: Save restaurant visits for special occasions and focus on cooking at home most of the time. By being selective and informed, you can dine out confidently without overspending. Why Budget-Friendly Gluten-Free Living Matters For many in the gluten-free community, cost is a major concern. Eating gluten-free on a budget is not only achievable but can lead to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. By focusing on whole foods, cooking from scratch, and shopping smartly, you can enjoy a delicious and safe diet without financial strain. Whether you’re managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, these strategies empower you to take control of your food choices and wallet. With a little planning and creativity, gluten-free living can be accessible for everyone. Watch the video version of this article:

Celiac.com 09/09/2024 - The popularity of gluten-free living has grown significantly in recent years, whether due to health conditions like celiac disease or as a personal health choice. Unfortunately, many people associate the gluten-free lifestyle with higher food costs, believing that it’s impossible to maintain without stretching their budgets. However, with a little planning and smart shopping, anyone can enjoy a balanced, gluten-free diet without breaking the bank. This guide explores affordable meal options and offers practical tips for cost-conscious gluten-free grocery shopping. The Basics of Eating Gluten-Free To understand how to eat gluten-free on a budget, it’s important to first grasp the essentials of the gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Therefore, people following a gluten-free lifestyle avoid foods like bread, pasta, cereals, and baked goods made from these grains. Key Ingredients to Avoid (see a full list of gluten ingredients) Wheat (including spelt, farina, semolina, and durum) Barley Rye Malt Brewer’s yeast Naturally Gluten-Free Foods (see a full list of gluten-free foods) The good news is that many staple foods are naturally gluten-free and often budget-friendly: Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, and canned options (without additives) are all gluten-free. Rice: White, brown, wild, and even specialty types like jasmine or basmati rice are naturally gluten-free. Legumes: Beans, lentils, and peas are excellent, affordable sources of protein. Potatoes: Whether baked, mashed, or roasted, potatoes are a versatile and cost-effective gluten-free choice. Corn: Cornmeal, popcorn, and corn tortillas can serve as excellent gluten-free alternatives to wheat products. Oats: Certified gluten-free oats offer another affordable and filling option, especially for breakfast. Affordable Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping Tips Shopping gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to splurge on specialty products. Here are practical strategies for navigating the grocery store on a budget: 1. Focus on Naturally Gluten-Free Staples Instead of filling your cart with gluten-free alternatives to bread and pasta, opt for naturally gluten-free foods like fresh produce, rice, beans, nuts, and lean meats. These staples are often more affordable and widely available, especially when compared to specialty gluten-free products. 2. Buy in Bulk Many gluten-free staples such as rice, quinoa, and beans can be purchased in bulk at warehouse stores or the bulk bins in your local grocery store. Buying in larger quantities often reduces the cost per unit, making your money go further. Additionally, storing these items for long periods is easy since they’re non-perishable. 3. Shop Generic or Store Brands More grocery stores are offering their own gluten-free product lines at lower prices than name-brand versions. These items, including pasta, bread, and snacks, are often just as good but come at a fraction of the cost. Look for “gluten-free” labels on store-brand products to save some cash. 4. Cook from Scratch One of the best ways to reduce the cost of eating gluten-free is to cook meals at home using basic ingredients. Instead of buying premade gluten-free items, which are often more expensive, try making your own bread, snacks, and meals. It’s easier than you think and can save you a lot of money in the long run. Budget-Friendly Gluten-Free Meal Ideas When planning gluten-free meals, focus on versatility, nutrition, and affordability. Here are some budget-friendly meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner: Breakfast Options: Oatmeal: Certified gluten-free oats are an affordable breakfast option. Add fruit, nuts, or a dollop of peanut butter for extra flavor and nutrition. Egg-based dishes: Eggs are naturally gluten-free and a great source of protein. Try scrambled eggs, omelets with leftover veggies, or boiled eggs for a quick, easy breakfast. Smoothies: Blending frozen fruits, a handful of spinach, and a spoonful of yogurt or nut butter makes for a nutrient-packed, gluten-free breakfast at a low cost. Lunch Ideas: Rice bowls: Combine cooked rice (or quinoa) with beans, roasted vegetables, and a simple dressing or salsa. This makes a filling, nutrient-dense lunch for minimal cost. Salads: Lettuce, spinach, or kale-based salads with veggies, beans, hard-boiled eggs, and a simple homemade dressing can be both delicious and inexpensive. Gluten-free wraps: Opt for gluten-free corn tortillas or homemade gluten-free wraps filled with hummus, leftover chicken, or veggies for a portable lunch option. Dinner Ideas: Stir-fry: Use rice as a base and toss in whatever vegetables you have on hand with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for a simple and tasty gluten-free dinner. Chili: A hearty chili made with beans, tomatoes, and ground meat is naturally gluten-free and affordable to make in large batches. You can freeze the leftovers for future meals. Baked potatoes: Top baked potatoes with your choice of toppings like cheese, broccoli, beans, or leftover meats for a budget-friendly, customizable dinner. Affordable Gluten-Free Snacks Snacking gluten-free doesn’t have to mean buying pricey, packaged snacks. Here are some budget-friendly snack ideas that are naturally gluten-free: Popcorn: Buy popcorn kernels in bulk and pop them yourself for an inexpensive, gluten-free snack. Rice cakes: Look for plain, unsweetened rice cakes, which are a versatile snack you can top with peanut butter, avocado, or hummus. Fruit and nuts: Fresh fruit or a handful of almonds or sunflower seeds provide healthy, gluten-free snacking options. Homemade trail mix: Combine nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to make your own gluten-free trail mix, saving money by avoiding expensive prepackaged versions. Maximize Savings with Meal Planning Planning your meals in advance is one of the most effective ways to stay within your budget while eating gluten-free. By preparing a weekly meal plan and grocery list, you can avoid impulse purchases and make sure you're using ingredients that are already in your pantry. Tips for Effective Meal Planning: Use what you have: Before shopping, take an inventory of your pantry and fridge. Plan meals around items you already have to reduce waste and expenses. Batch cooking: Cook larger portions of meals like soups, casseroles, or stews so you can freeze leftovers or eat them throughout the week. Keep it simple: You don’t need fancy, complicated recipes to eat well on a gluten-free diet. Focus on simple, nutrient-dense meals that use fewer ingredients to keep costs down. Conclusion Eating gluten-free on a budget is entirely achievable with a bit of planning and creativity. By focusing on naturally gluten-free foods, shopping smartly, and cooking at home, you can enjoy a varied and healthy gluten-free diet without overspending. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, affordable gluten-free meal options are readily available, and with the right approach, you can nourish yourself without stretching your wallet.

Celiac.com 11/26/2022 - Longing for soft, warm and delicious gluten-free breads? Then consider a bread machine, one of the most popular kitchen appliances—perfect for our home made gluten-free breads. When you think of it as a small oven, free of drafts and temperature changes it is easy to understand how it can turn out beautifully risen breads with great texture and remarkable taste. There are many benefits to using a bread machine, including: Frees up regular oven for other uses Keeps kitchen cooler Saves money on electricity Move it around the kitchen, put it in your camper or take it to your dorm Avoids cross contamination Lends itself to creativity in the kitchen Safer for younger family members to use Less expensive than purchasing a second oven Perfect for those who have had difficulties with yeast breads rising in the oven Success Starts with Purchasing the Right Bread Machine for your needs Before you make your purchase, answer these questions: What is your budget? Bread machines run from $29.99 through $249.99. The good news is all price ranges offer the required features for successful gluten-free breads. How much space do you have? Sizes vary considerably. Measure the space where you will be using the bread machine. Some machines have shorter cords than others so notice the distance to electrical outlets. Remember you must have enough clearance space to be able to open the bread machine lid. Do you want a bread machine that is fully programmable or one that may require you to manually change the settings during the baking process? The more programmable the machine, the more money it will cost. The most programmable machine is the Zojirushi BBCC-V20. It retails for about $249.00, so it is best to try to find it on sale. Bread machines with less programmability, such as Oster, Toastmaster, Welbilt, ($50 - $60 price range) also bake great bread. You will need to manually change the programming from the one hour Dough Cycle to the one hour Bake Cycle, unless you use the No-Knead No-Rise Method. Bread Machine Features: The most important features are the two cycle indicators: Dough Cycle and Bake Cycle. You will need both. Are indicators easy for you to locate and read? Do not purchase a machine if the cycle indicators are hidden under the lid or are too small to read. Look for a large window. You will want to know if the bread is mixing well, or if it has risen to its full height, all without lifting the lid. Purchase a bread machine that will handle 11⁄2 to 2 pound loaves for the sake of versatility. Open the box and look at the bread pan inside the bread machine. Does it pop out or twist? Is the pan easy for you to operate? Open the box and look at the bread pan inside the bread machine. Does it pop out or twist? Is the pan easy for you to operate? Some of the most common questions I receive about purchasing a bread machine: Does gluten-free bread have to rise more than once? No. One rise is sufficient. That is why we recommend the Dough Cycle and the Bake Cycle rather than the full cycles. Does gluten-free bread have to knead? This is a matter of semantics. It does not have to ‘knead’ since there is no gluten. However, it does have to be fully mixed. Our experience, after baking over 500 loaves of bread, all in bread machines, is that using the Dough Cycle provides sufficient mixing time. What are your favorite bread machines? This is tough since models keep changing. I have used over 8 different styles of bread machines, and every one of them has their good and their “Gee, I wish this was different” features. This is no different from the other tools we use in the kitchen, our sewing machines or even tools in our tool box. My three favorite machines are the Zojirushi BBCC-V20, the Welbilt ABYK and an old round bread machine that I purchased at a garage sale. Prices I paid were $169.99, $39.99 and $5.00, respectively. How long a bake time should I look for in a bread machine? I recommend a 60 – 90 minute bake time option. This is not available in every machine style. If the model you like only has a 60 minute bake cycle, see if you can restart the Bake Cycle after the 60 minutes are over, just in case the bread is not done. Do breads usually take longer than 60 minutes to bake in the bread machine? Just like your full oven, it depends on the bread recipe. Fruits, vegetables or heavy flours may take longer to bake. Is the Add-in ‘Beep’ feature necessary? My technique is to add all wet ingredients in the beginning, this includes the fruits and vegetables, since they contain water which will affect the water to flour ratio. Dry ingredients, such as nuts, seeds and cheese can be added at the beep. You will develop your own style. Making a decision on which machine to purchase and learning how to operate your bread machine may take about one to two hours of your time, but it is well worth the effort—as the reward will be great gluten-free bread!

Celiac.com 08/28/2020 - Have you checked your grocery bill lately? Chances are you are experiencing sticker shock. Food, like everything else, is costing more. Have you been inundated with articles and news snippets about eating healthier and the need to get more fiber in your diet? So now you are trying to save on your grocery bill… and eat healthier… AND adhere to a gluten-free diet. Like all problems in life, this one is not insurmountable. There are always viable, wise choices. With a little pre-planning, you can cut that grocery bill and eat healthier and stick to your diet. First, make a weekly menu plan. It will reduce trips to the grocery store (saving both time and petro) and help reduce impulse spending. As you make your menus, check out the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what foods you can use that you already have on hand (cutting food cost for the week). Planning menus ahead gives you time to incorporate healthier foods. Once you have a list of foods you already have on hand, scour the grocery store ads in your local newspaper and build your meals around the weekly specials. Then take a look at your calendar. Plan to make the longer-cooking items (roasts for example) on the days you will be home all afternoon and think of quicker meals on the days you walk in the door at 5:30 p.m. Figure out a novel way to use up leftovers for dinner one night a week. If you have 8 meatballs, 6 chicken wings, a partial bowl of leftover peas (or green beans, or asparagus, or most any vegetable), and some rice left over, you can serve this ‘as is’ like a picnic, or you can spread the rice in a casserole, sprinkle the peas over the rice, lay the chicken wings and meatballs on top, then stir together 1 tablespoon of Just Like Lipton Onion Soup Mix with a can of Progresso Creamy Mushroom Soup and spoon in over the top – bake, and voila! You have a ‘new’ dinner from leftovers. Planning leftovers once a week will save money, but it will also save you the hassle of cooking from scratch one night. Below are meal suggestions that are both lower in cost and higher in nutrition. Healthier Lower Cost Breakfasts Gluten-free breads are pricey, so ration their use. Save them for packing lunches and find other alternatives for breakfast. Make a breakfast burrito with a corn tortilla, scrambled egg, grated cheddar cheese and a little salsa (adding bacon, ham or sausage adds to the cost and to the fat content). Fold cut-up fresh or juice-packed fruit into plain yogurt (this is healthier and less expensive than pre-packaged fruit yogurt). Make a smoothie with frozen or fresh strawberries (which are less expensive than raspberries or blueberries), milk, yogurt, and a dash of vanilla. For kids, spread a banana with peanut butter and serve with a muffin. Chi Chi’s makes a Sweet Corn Cake Mix (cornbread or corn muffins) that is gluten-free, cost-effective and sold in regular grocery stores. (While Chi Chi’s Restaurants are out of business, their food line is still being produced.) When making homemade muffins, add the following to your batter: 2 tablespoons ground light flaxseed meal dissolved in 2 tablespoons water and shredded “something” for fiber and nutrition (shredded carrots, apples, pears or zucchini, chopped walnuts, unsweetened coconut, or chopped dried fruit). If you opt to make homemade pancakes, add something for nutrition (flaxseed meal, shredded fruits, mashed bananas) and top with fruit topping or all-fruit jelly instead of sugar-rich maple syrup. Healthier Lower Cost Lunches Low fat, low sodium turkey breast costs far more at the deli than it does to roast turkey tenderloin at home and slice it thin for sandwiches. It only takes an hour to bake or 25 minutes to grill – the time spent cooking it is worth it. You will be eating a healthier sandwich at about half the cost. Tuna salad sandwiches are popular; chop in plenty of green pepper, onion, celery, and carrots, use just enough mayonnaise to hold the mixture together, then top with lettuce and sliced tomatoes for a healthier version of an old stand-by. If you cook a beef roast, pork roast, or meatloaf the night before for dinner, reserve a few slices for tomorrow’s lunch. Kids love pizza – Make their pizza on a corn tortilla with chopped veggies on top instead of sausage or pepperoni, and use half the cheese to cut back on fat and cost. Season a small can of tomato sauce for the pizza instead of using pricier, higher sodium, prepared pizza and spaghetti sauces. Think salads… Put some lettuce in a plastic container and top with last night’s vegetables, sliced meat, and a few strips of cheese. Again, you will be recycling what you already have on hand. A little steamed quinoa goes a long way when making a healthy tabouleh salad. Boil a small amount of gluten-free elbow pasta then slice in lots of fresh veggies (carrots, green onions, broccoli, beans, celery, cauliflower, peas) and you have a healthy pasta salad. Tacos can be as healthy or unhealthy as you choose to make them. A half pound of lean ground meat can easily make 4 corn tacos so it stretches your grocery dollar and lowers your fat consumption. Top the meat with a little bit of grated cheese and a lot of shredded lettuce and chopped tomato or low sodium salsa. Skip the sour cream – it costs money to buy, adds fat calories, and a taco can still taste great without it. One cup of gluten-free flour mixture will go a long way when you add chopped green onion, minced green pepper and shredded cheddar cheese to make waffles to use as a base for sloppy joes instead of expensive gluten-free buns. Healthy Lower Cost Dinners Remember that beef roast you made for dinner last night and those leftover vegetables? Chop them up; thicken some gluten-free beef broth with a little cornstarch, then make a pie crust for a beef pot pie. Or shred the remains of the roast, add a little barbeque sauce and spoon over the cheese waffles mentioned above. If a typical serving of meat in your household is 6-8 ounces, reduce that to 5 ounces. Eating less meat is healthier and will save on the grocery bill. You can stretch meat by adding lots of fresh veggies to stews, soups, stir-fries and casseroles. The white meat of a chicken is healthier for you than the dark meat, so stock up on chicken breasts when they are on sale. Don’t pay extra for skinless breasts; remove the skin yourself and save a few cents. Other meals that are both cost-effective and healthy include shepherd’s stew, baked chicken with vegetables, meatloaf (filled with shredded veggies), soups and stews, veggie chow mein served over rice noodles, tuna quesadillas or tuna rice casserole, and canned salmon casserole (fresh salmon can be quite costly). Make a large pot of chili, and then freeze the leftovers to use over hot dogs or hamburgers, on top of spaghetti or rice, over corn pancakes, to stuff a baked potato, or to use in tacos or taco salad. Healthy Lower Cost Side Dishes Brown rice is far healthier for you than processed pasta and costs less per serving than gluten-free pasta, so use the pastas sparingly. One night, make red beans and rice; the next night add salsa to make Mexican rice. Potatoes and beans are two of the least expensive items at a grocery store and both are tasty and filling and healthy. Add an extra can of beans to a pot of chili to make it stretch further and add extra fiber. Add beans to salads, casseroles, and rice dishes. Instead of serving baked beans which are high in sugar, bake your own Creole beans. Potatoes are good for you – it’s what we add to the potatoes that can be the problem. Roasting potatoes that have been sprinkled with dill, salt, pepper and a little olive oil costs far less and is more nutritious than topping potato slices with heavy cream and cheddar cheese and baking. If you roasted too many potatoes and have some left over, recreate them into a potato salad for tomorrow’s side dish or mash them with a little milk, butter and parmesan cheese to make mashed potatoes. If you have mashed potatoes left over, stir in some shredded zucchini, carrots, green pepper and green onions to make latkes. Cabbage is usually a bargain, so stuff it, boil it, add it to salads, stews, soups, and shred it for cole slaw. In the fall, zucchini is a good buy, so that’s the time to make a zucchini tomato casserole, zucchini bread, ratatouille, and grilled zucchini slices. If your family loves French fries, serve them healthier fries -- Make them from sweet potatoes and bake them instead of deep frying. Healthy Lower Cost Desserts One box of tapioca can provide dessert for multiple evenings when you make homemade tapioca pudding. The homemade version is healthier and less expensive than pre-packaged mixes. Baked custard is another inexpensive and healthy dessert if you cut back on the sugar just a bit. Less expensive yet is homemade rice pudding; make it with brown rice and 2% milk for added health benefits. In the fall, round up the family to go apple picking (apples cost must less this way). Make baked apples for dessert one night. Slice a few to make Dutch apple pie – instead of using a fattening pie crust, opt for a deep dish pie with the healthier pure oats granola-type topping. If you picked too many apples and they are starting to go soft, chop them up and make a pot of homemade applesauce. Layer frozen yogurt, cut-up fruit, and crushed gluten-free cinnamon-flavored cereal in parfait glasses. Use up those slices of gluten-free bread that crumbled or dried out by making bread pudding; add diced peaches or apples to the pudding when they are in season. Puree juices or fruits you have left in the refrigerator and make homemade popsicles. Make a sweet potato pudding (it tastes very much like pumpkin pudding). The healthy choices are endless. The budget choices are out there but you have to shop for fresh products that are in season and watch the paper for sales. Online, there are many sites that offer money-off coupons. Eating can still be fun, safe, healthy and cost-effective with just a little bit of planning. Gluten-Free Baked Stuffed Zucchini This recipe is from the “Wheat-free Gluten-free Reduced Calorie Cookbook” by Connie Sarros. The stuffed zucchini may be assembled ahead of time and frozen without the cheese topping. Thaw before baking. Ingredients: 4 small zucchini 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 onions minced ½ pound lean ground beef 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon mint ¼ cup spaghetti sauce 1 egg, beaten ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon milk Paprika Directions: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out the pulp, leaving the shell intact. Chop the pulp. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet. Add the onion and ground beef; sauté, breaking up the meat with a fork. When the meat is browned, drain off any fat. Stir in the zucchini pulp, parsley, salt and pepper, mint, and spaghetti sauce; simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon the filling into the shells and place the shells in a baking dish. Bake 35 minutes or until shells are soft but still hold their form. Preheat broiler. Mix the eggs, cheese, milk and a dash of salt and pepper; spread on top of the stuffed zucchini. Sprinkle each with paprika. Place under the broiler for 3 minutes to brown. Serves 8 as a side dish; serves 4 as a main entrée.