Chex Commercial Focuses on Gluten Free!

Many of Chex cereals have been naturally gluten free for years.  However, more recently, General Mills, the manufacturer of Chex cereal, has decided to label their cereal boxes as such.  Well, I am happy to report that there is now a mainstream ad campaign/commercial for gluten free Chex cereals that focuses on the fact that it's gluten free.  Big news for the gluten free community!  I was very impressed with the commercial and hope this is just the start of gluten free being featured by larger companies.  Click on the link below to check it out for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_BwF0R2S7g

Recall on Ian's Gluten Free Items

Important Information: Ian's is voluntarily recalling "Wheat Free & Gluten Free Mac and No Cheese" and "Wheat Free & Gluten Free French Bread Pizza" due to a risk of contamination with bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes.  Only 492 individual boxes are potentially affected and only boxes with specific UPC codes were affected.


The following two products with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are being recalled because they may have been distributed to retailers nationwide and sold in the frozen foods section of the supermarket:

• 8-ounce boxes of Ian’s Wheat Free, Gluten Free Mac and No Cheese with a use-by date of 26Aug2011
  and UPC code 7-49512-43670-8 (372 packages impacted)
• 8-ounce boxes of Ian’s Wheat Free, Gluten Free French Bread Pizza with a use-by date of 28Aug2011
  and UPC code 7-49512-91572-2 (120 packages impacted)

Please check out the link below for more detailed information.

http://www.iansnaturalfoods.com/productinfo.html

French Toast-Made With Rudi's Gluten Free Bread

I had the pleasure of tasting Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery's new line of breads.  Although I tasted the Multigrain bread, they do have 3 flavors: Original, Multigrain, and Cinnamon Raisin.  I was pleasantly surprised at the soft, moist feel and taste of this bread, as some gluten free breads are extremely dense and crumbly.  Rudi's has recently launched a new website, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery.  Their website provides all the detail you need about their new gluten free breads including product ingredients, nutrition facts, local availability, helpful information about local gluten-free events, a variety of gluten-free recipes, and links to their partners and educational resources. 

I decided to make french toast with the Multigrain bread.  First, I beat an egg in a small bowl and added a bit of milk.  Then, I dipped my pieces of Rudi's bread into the egg mixture.  I was once again extremely impressed with this bread.  I have tried to make french toast in the past with other brands and they simply crumble in the egg mixture or as soon as I placed them into the frying pan.  Rudi's bread was soft, absorbed the egg mixture quite nicely, and cooked the french toast quite evenly.

Overall, I thought that Rudi's new gluten free bread was fantastic!  It was soft, moist, and simply delicious!  I already have a few more recipes up my sleeve that I can make with this new find!  I highly recommend you pick up a loaf for yourself!  Click here to get a coupon for $1.00 off a loaf!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary products from Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery and decided to write a review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.

Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery

Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery has started a new venture!  They are working with the National Foundation Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to support education for the diagnosis of celiac disease.  Their program is called "Spread the Bread", a charitable program that launched in late December.

Check out the link below for a coupon for $1.00 any Rudi's gluten free bread.  For every dollar coupon downloaded, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery will give a dollar to the NFCA, up to $20,000, to help in its efforts to better educate physicians in the diagnosis of celiac disease. 

They have also recently launched a new website, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery.  Their website provides all the detail you need about their new gluten free breads including product ingredients, nutrition facts, local availability, helpful information about local gluten-free events, a variety of gluten-free recipes, and links to their partners and educational resources.  

In addition to their new website,  Rudi's has also launched a new blog, Baked on the Bright Side, where they’ll be providing all of the latest news on Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery and the gluten free community. 

http://www.rudisglutenfree.com/spread-the-bread-coupon/

Cornmeal Batter Fried Chicken Strips

Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2/3 cup all purpose gluten free flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)
1/3 cup cornmeal
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/8 tsp. paprika
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 cup milk
2 tbs. cooking oil (for batter)
cooking oil for frying

1. Skin and rinse chicken and cut into strips or pieces.  In a large sauce pan cover chicken with lightly salted water.  Bring water to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Drain chicken and pat dry with paper towel.

2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients together: flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic salt, poultry seasoning, and paprika.

3. In a smaller bowl, combine egg, milk, and oil and beat lightly with a fork.  Mix these liquid ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.  

Beginning to mix dry & liquid ingredients together.

Mixture fully combined.

4. Dip pieces of chicken into the batter and cover thoroughly. 

5. Meanwhile, pour oil for frying chicken into a frying pan.  Fill about an inch high and turn on heat.

6. Place a couple of pieces of chicken into the frying oil and cook.  When one side is browned, use tongs to flip the pieces over and cook the other side.  Continue until all of the pieces are cooked. 

7. As pieces are done cooking, place them onto a plate lined with paper towel.

8. Grab your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

For a twist on these chicken strips, you can make parmesan crusted chicken strips as well.  To do so, simply omit the garlic salt and poultry seasoning from the dry ingredients and instead add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 2 tbs. parsley, and 1/4 tsp. garlic powder.  Also, increase the milk content to 2/3 cup.

What I love about this recipe is that you really get your bang for your buck when it comes to how far 2 chicken breasts can go.  I used 2 organic chicken breasts, which are generally smaller than regular chicken breasts, and I was able to make a huge plate full.  I also love that if desired, you can cook a larger amount of these and freeze them for future lunches and dinners.  Enjoy!

This picture shows how many chicken strip pieces I was able to make with only 2 chicken breasts.  It yielded a large amount.

This recipe was adapted from the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are a great side dish for a small family dinner or if you're serving a large group.  They are easy to make and have few ingredients. 

The only ingredients you'll need are potatoes, garlic salt, and fresh grated parmesan cheese (not the type that you buy in the shaker).  I have bought the fresh grated parmesan cheese at both Costco and Trader Joe's but when I did the math based on quantity, it actually ended up being less expensive from Trader Joe's. 

You will need a 9x9 or 9x13 glass pan.  For the smaller 9x9 pan I use 3 large potatoes.  I know it seems like you would need more but, as long as the potatoes are large in size, it will be plenty to fill the pan.  For a 9x13 pan I suggest using 5-6 potatoes.

To prepare, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Spray the bottom of your glass pan with olive oil.  Then, slice your potatoes.  Next, put one layer of potatoes at the bottom of the pan, sprinkle thoroughly with garlic salt, and top with parmesan cheese. 

Continue with additional layers as described above.  I usually put 3 layers of potatoes, garlic salt, and cheese but feel free to put as many layers as you like.  Just remember, the more layers you put, the longer you will need to cook your dish.  Put extra parmesan cheese on the top layer.

Adding additional layers to the dish.

Extra cheese for the top layer.

With 3 layers in a 9x9 dish, cook at 375 degrees for 1 hour.  If you are using a 9x13 dish you will need about an hour and 15 minutes.  However, I suggest checking your dish at about the hour mark to check its progress.  At this point I would monitor the potatoes and use your judgment as far as additional cooking time.  When the potatoes are soft and the cheese is golden, your cheesy scalloped potatoes are done!  Enjoy!

Fabulous Gluten Free Super Bowl Snacks!

Have you been thinking ahead to your upcoming Super Bowl party and are wondering how to make it gluten free?  Well look no further.  This link has a list of amazing snacks that are perfect for the big weekend!  These Super Bowl Snacks range from dips to sandwiches to pizza.  Everything you need to make your Super Bowl party rock!

Go Gluten Free in 2011!

If you live in the Bay Area, you must check out this link below.  It gives details about going gluten free in 2011!  The San Ramon Whole Foods store is putting on an in store education program on January 13th & January 27th from 7:00pm-8:00pm.  If you attend, you will be walked through the store with a food educator who will share her knowledge of gluten and how to avoid it in your everyday diet.  It sounds fantastic and a great way to become more informed about eating a gluten free diet!

http://sanramon.patch.com/articles/go-gluten-free-in-2011

Organic Powder Paint Kit-Gluten Free

Have you been looking for paints that you know for certain are 100% gluten free and therefore safe for your little ones?  Well look no further!  Check out these organic powder paints that are completely gluten free!  These would make a great gift for a celiac or gluten sensitive kiddo in your life.

http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Powder-Paint-Gluten-Free/dp/B003JBCI6G

Breakfast Anyone?

Are you looking for a quick, easy breakfast that you can just pop in the toaster?  Then look no further.  Trader Joe's carries gluten free waffles & pancakes in the frozen aisle!  In addition, the pancakes are also dairy free.  Whether you're on the go or ready to sit and relax on a weekend morning, these breakfast treats will suite your fancy.  Check them out at your local TJ's.

Gluten Free Play Dough Recipe

The best thing about this recipe is that it's not only gluten free but also dairy free, egg free, and nut free.  Since so many people who have a sensitivity to gluten also have other allergies or sensitivities, it's important to take this into account.

One of the most vivid memories I have as a child was making things out of playdough.  I just loved using my imagination and making my own creations.  For children with celiac or gluten sensitivities this can be challenging.  Luckily, making your own playdough is easy, fun, & quick to whip up!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice flour or any all purpose gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour)
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cooking oil
• Food coloring, if desired

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients into a small pan.  Slowly add water and oil.

2. After about a minute add food coloring if desired.  I used 3 drops for a half recipe and the playdough became a light green color.  I suggest using a few more drops for a deeper, rich color.  Cook and stir on low heat for 3 minutes or until mixture forms a ball. 

 3. Cool completely before storing in a sealable plastic container or bag.

The ball of dough cooling on parchment paper.

Once cool, you can roll the dough into a rounder ball.

One twist on this playdough would be to add a scent since it smells very flour-y.  I suggest either putting a drop or two of vanilla or maybe even some essential oils such as peppermint or lavender.

*Please note that the photos above were taken when I made a half recipe since I only needed a small amount.  A half recipe was plenty to fill a small plastic container.  If you are looking to make various colors, I suggest making a half recipe of each color.