Without Grain, Without Problems

Gluten is everywhere from the obvious baked goods to the not so obvious in salad dressings.Imagine, though a life totally free of it, and free from troubles and ills that come with it.Celiac sufferers can , thanks to a new cookbook, chock full of recipes and advice.

Hayley Barisa Rycezek has written an interesting and informative cookbook entitled Without Grain: 100 Delicious Recipes for Eating a Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free Diet (Fair Winds Press). This is a must buy for anyone or their family suffering from gluten allergies. Ms. Rycezek explains what it a gluten allergy and what it can do. What is interesting is the  extra list of non edible items such as stamps and shampoos certain medications and makeup that are also chock full of gluten .There are detailed explanations about the differences between good fat and bad fat along with which ones to avoid. One of the drawbacks to healthy eating is that it does cost more but not to worry. There are good tips too, to save money. For example  Ms. Rycezek recommends slow cooking a whole chicken and also using the drippings and bones along with buying in bulk. The book also tells readers what "flours" to  stock up on, namely almond flour, and arrowroot starch, She also issues a ninety day challenge for readers to get off grains. The book makes it easy thanks to the tasty array of recipes that are divided into chapters. There are the usual ones , breakfast, main meals, soups and desserts but there is also one featuring grain free basics and  kid approved ones. The last is appropriate since so many children suffer from celiac disease and miss out on all the fun stuff.

Taking Ms. Rycezek's challenge would be an easy one.  The recipes are fun and some are copies of store bought foods. The grain free basics cover everything from breading mix to pie crust to gravy made with potato and arrowroot starches.Breakfasts can consist of cinnamon square cereal made with almond flour and tapioca starch or cinnamon rolls with  that ooey gooey cream cheese frosting.Party givers will appreciate the chapter on appetizers which run the gamut from spinach and artichoke dip to meat filled egg rolls.There are also recipes for grain free Cheezits and crackers that will rival the store  bought versions.The chapter on soups and stews is an extensive one with such favorites as Italian wedding soup.and a hearty Hungarian goulash.The Main meals have such classics as stuffed peppers with cauliflower rice as opposed to the real thing.Cauliflower rice is an easy sub in for rice, with the veggie being pulsed into small rice like pieces in a food processor. Kids will love the kids approved recipes like  the no corn corn dog made with uncured hot dogs and almond flour They will go mad for the Parmesan crusted chicken tenders and the ham and cheese hot pockets. Desserts are amazing. Those missing sweets will love the Key Lime pie, chocolate chip cookies,and the grain free Oreos made a combo of various starches and potato flour. A birthday cake recipe is thrown in , complete with a butter cream icing.

Without Grain: 100 Delicious Recipes for Eating a Grain-Free,Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free Diet is the must have book for celiac sufferers and those wanting to improve their lives through eating. The advice is priceless. The recipes are out of the world. Going grainless is the way to go, especially with this cookbook as your guide.

Gluten Free Slow Cooking

Gluten free cooking can be a bit labor intensive however there's a brand new cookbook that can help. It's chock full of delicious and fun slow cooker recipes that range from breakfasts to dinners, from snacks to desserts. Even those without celiac disease would enjoy the many dishes that can be made.

Hope Comerford, author of A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventure blog, decided to put all her recipes into one fantastic cookbook, The Gluten Free Slow Cooker (Fair Winds Publishers).It is a great book for those with gluten allergies who not only want variety but also freedom from the kitchen. Ms. Comerford starts off with advice about what kind of slow cooker to have.There are also tips for novices such as buying cheaper cuts of meat because slow cooking tenderizes out the toughness along with no peeking which can affect cooking. She also recommends buying crock pot liners because these keep the crock pot form becoming messy,If those can;t be found then use non cooking spray which makes cleaning up afterwards a dream. Ms. Comerford has written an extensive list for a gluten free pantry. It is a practical one  with name brand ingredients such as Mrs. Dash Seasonings along with fresh fruit and produce. She is also one for using short cuts such as frozen vegetables and gluten free cake mixes to make prepping just that much simpler.

The recipes are fun as well as being tasty. Breakfasts start with frittatas rich with tomatoes and avocados,and onions, spiked with hot sauce. There are fun oatmeals such as banana bread oatmeal made with bananas and  brown sugar and cinnamon roll oatmeal which is Cinnabon in a bowl. I love the chapter called Starters And Snacks They'll Want To Attack, especially the recipes for pizza dip and the ones for   Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and Chili Lime Wings. Soups are hearty and healthy, with recipes for cabbage and lentil soups.There are main meals such as apple and onion pork loin and cranberry glazed turkey breast that  can be made at lunchtime and forgotten until dinnertime.There is a yummy and easy eggplant  Parmesan casserole, chock full of eggplant, Parmesan cheese  and a jar of instant sauce.Sides are also included such as brown sugar mashed sweet potatoes, redolent with butter and brown sugar and white wine mushrooms , slow cooked with wine, chicken stock and a variety of herbs. Desserts are amazing, and Ms. Comerford includes sauces such as caramel and strawberry orange, perfect on ice creams or custards. There are also easy to make pumpkin  and Irish cream brownies made with gluten free chocolate cake mix which also goes into the slow cooked chocolate lava cake.

Gluten free cooking doesn't have to be a chore. Thanks to The Gluten Free Slow Cooker  celiac sufferers can have tasty meals and treats without any work at all. It ' all down to a slow cooker and this great cookbook.