Gluten Free

April 5, 2010 Monday

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, especially in your way of thinking" M. Aurelius

Everyone is concerned about processed foods and so am I. To be gluten free is a better way of life, especially if you are gluten sensitive and, more importantly, if you have Celiac disease, Crohn's or even ulcerative colitis.

The grains that are gluten are B-R-O-W = barley, rye, oats and wheat.

There is gluten in spelt, couscous, modified food starch, teriyaki sauce, Bulgar wheat, and sprouted wheat and barley.

What are the gluten free grains you can have?

1.Millet

2.Amaranth

3.Teff

4. Quinoa

5.Buckwheat

6.Corn

7. Rice (brown rice is best)

8. Rice Bran

9. Steel cut Irish Oatmeal

What about wheat pasta?

You can have corn, buckwheat, rice, artichoke and quinoa.

Did you ever think about using gluten free flours? Here are some suggestions for the best flours for a variety of different foods. For cakes and cookies: white rice flour; for fried foods: Garbanzo or Garfava flour; for that good pizza you are missing: 3 parts white rice flour mixed with 2 parts tapioca or potato starch. You can always buy a gluten free pie crust already made. Using the white rice flour is good but you must limit volume or the slices you have. For bread: brown rice flour or bean flour. The flours best for thickening include arrowroot, sweet rice and tapioca (again watch the sugar). The flours with a strong taste include garbanzo bean, quinoa, teff, soy and sorghum.

Now start cooking...

The crossstitch bookmark was finished so it could be sold in the store, It's Simply Green in Cherry Grove, Fire Island. I love doing bookmarks--easy and quick. Rick owns the store, which carries all green products that are good for environment. This year he will feature new products. As usual, I will contribute by making pillows and bookmarks.

Until tomorrow...