Gluten-free products for newbies

With so many new gluten-free products coming out this list may change but for now these are my favorite products. These are products I buy regularly and wouldn't hesitate to recommend. These are products my entire family enjoys, not just the gluten intolerant.

Baking

Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix
Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix
Pamela's Chocolate Cake Mix
Gluten-free Bisquick

Pasta

Tinkyada
Ancient Harvest
Wegman's Spaghetti


Crackers & Chips

Crunchmasters ~ Sea Salt Crackers
Lay's Natural Potato Chips (not something I buy every week:)
Utz Gluten-free Pretzels
Van's New Crackers

Breads & Pizza

Udi's

• Multigrain Bread
• White Bread
• Hotdog Buns
• Hamburger Buns
• Bagels

Kinnikinnick Frozen Pizza Crust

Glutino Frozen Pizzas
Rudi's frozen pizza crust

• Rudi's sandwich bread

Hot & Cold Cereal

Bob's Redmill Oats

Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise

Chex Cereals *My 8 year old likes these.
Udi's Granola
Bakery on Main Granola

New Van's Cereal Cinnamon Heaven

Frozen Waffles

Vans 

Nature's Path Buckwheat Wildberry

Cookies & Bars

I make cookies homemade most of the time but occasionally we buy prepackaged cookies. 

Udi's Chocolate Chip

Pamela's Simplebites Mini Cookies
KIND Bars

New Van's Peanut butter & chocolate bars

How to serve a safe gluten-free meal for guests

Gluten-free lasagna & Gluten-free brownies

Start with reading labels to make sure the product does not contain gluten.

• Look for gluten! (Captain Obvious)
• Avoid wheat, barley or rye.
• Avoid malt flavoring it's made from barley.
• Sometimes gluten is hidden in other ingredients so it's best to go with certified gluten-free products if you can. *not always necessary
• Cooking with whole foods eliminates having to worry over ingredients for example fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned.
• Avoid processed and marinated meats. 
• For more detailed information about ingredients click here.

Keep all gluten containing foods separated from non gluten foods.

• Use separate utensils.
• Don't double dip.
• Keep counter tops clean.
• Don't hold bread over a gluten-free dish.
• Keep gluten-free dishes on opposite ends of the table or counter.
• Always wash pots, pans and dishes thoroughly between cooking and baking.
• Use fresh condiments that have not been dipped into with a bread knife, squeeze bottles are good.

Most recipes can be made gluten-free! You don't have to have special ingredients for everything. There are a few things you need to switch. These products are readily available at most grocery stores.

• Use gluten-free pasta.
• Use gluten-free flour.
• Use gluten-free bread crumbs or bread.

Most other foods are already gluten-free as long as you don't contaminate them! When serving a large crowd it's best for gluten-free guest to be served first to prevent cross contamination. 

Slow Cooker Pork BBQ

This is an excellent pork BBQ recipe. It's simple and delicious. Just put the pork in the slow cooker (I used boneless pork ribs) then cover with beef broth and cook on slow for 6-8 hours. Take the pork out and shred with a fork and put it in a large pan. Add your favorite BBQ sauce and heat. It's a great weeknight dinner and makes great left over sandwiches like the one I just had today! I have used vegetable soup broth and chicken broth; both taste good. Just double check the ingredients for gluten.

The original recipe can be found on allrecipes.

Easy Gluten-free Desserts

These two recipes couldn't be easier. If you don't prefer Betty Crocker Mixes you can always use your favorite gluten-free brownie/cake mix or recipe. I prefer Pamela's Brownie Mix and can hardly wait to try the brownie cookie recipe!

Kinnikinnick Pizza Crust

Kinnikinnick pizza crusts are great for pizza night. They hold up to the toppings and have a light sweet flavor. My 8 year old loves this crust. It is great on the grill too. I am thinking about trying a dessert pizza using this crust.

                                                          

                                                                 

The Best Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Using Pamela's original recipe with a few changes you can make these delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. You will need Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix available in most grocery stores and Xanthan Gum. Do not over bake!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar *no white sugar
1 egg, large
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix
1/4 tsp + a dash more Xanthan Gum
1 cups semi sweet chocolate chips (1-1/2 cup chips for chocolate lovers)
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts * I used pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Soften butter, add sugar, egg and vanilla, then beat together. Add Xanthan gum to Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix and whisk together, then add to wet ingredients, chocolate chips (and nuts) mix thoroughly. Place tablespoon sized scoops of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until edges start to brown. Let cookies cool slightly and use a spatula to remove from cookie sheet.

Variation: Try white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips. Try pecans or macadamia nuts.

Enjoy with coffee or milk!

Understanding Gluten-free Labeling

On the front label this Fish Oil has a Certified GF symbol. On the back it states that it is made in a facility with wheat. Keep in mind food allergies are not the same as food intolerance. As the label states it is certified gluten-free which means it has been tested to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.(maybe even less) The label still has to disclose the top eight possible allergens for those with food allergies. So if you see the Certified GF label it has been tested. If the label doesn't not have a certified gluten-free symbol and has wheat listed as an possible allergen I would avoid that product or call the company for more information. Just because it has gluten-free on the label doesn't mean it's been tested or isn't made with other wheat containing products.

For more on the difference between food allergies and food intolerance please visit Webmd.