Simple Hamburger Veggie Soup - Gluten and Dairy Free

 It has been the winter to end all winters around here.  

And now it's Spring, but Mother Nature obviously didn't get the memo, cause it's still winter outside. Not gonna lie . . . it makes me a little grumpy. 

Alas, never fear .  . . there is always soup to warm your heart and soul. 

Simple Hamburger Veggie Soup - Gluten and Dairy Free 

4 -5 potatoes, thinly sliced 

3 celery stalks, diced 

4-5 carrots, diced 

2 c. corn 

1/2 green pepper, diced 

~1 lb. cooked ground beef 

5 c. broth (beef is best, but chicken will do)

2 cans of stewed tomatoes (chop the tomatoes up a bit, if desired)

1 1/2 tsp. salt 

1/2 tsp. pepper 

kale, chopped very small 

Add all ingredients, but kale, to crock pot.  Cook for 6-8 hours on low.  When done cooking, add kale and stir. 

Yummy and warm! 

(I forgot to add the kale when I took these pics. Oh brother!) 

Pancakes - Gluten and Dairy Free

Well, we seem to be in a bit of a breakfast rut around here.  Ok, back to dinner . . . or something else . . . soon enough.  But for now? More pancakes! 

We have two other pancake recipes here.  Green Pancakes and Pumpkin Pancakes.  Both which I consider very healthy and guilt free.

But sometimes you just want a normal pancake. 

These are those.  

So yummy, you might be like my kids and ask over and over if they are truly gluten and dairy free. 

Yep, gluten and dairy free can (and should!) be synonymous with DELICIOUS! 

Gluten and Dairy Free Pancakes

3 c. all purpose Gluten Free flour 

2 Tbsp. baking powder 

3/4 tsp. salt

3 beaten eggs

3 c. of milk of choice (I use rice milk) 

6 Tbsp. light (in taste) olive oil 

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.  In separate bowl whisk eggs, milk and oil together.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk till smooth.  Cook on hot, greased griddle. 

**I always double this recipe and use it for bread for my kids that can't have yeast.  It makes a perfect sandwich! 

Crockpot Secret Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats - Gluten and Dairy Free

***One of my children has become severely allergic to oats...so while I do make this for the rest of the family occasionally, I don’t do it very often.***

Pumpkin combined with steel cut oats? 

Can't. Get. Better.

(Since my son was diagnosed as anaphylactic to pumpkin we now use "secret pumpkin".)

Crockpot Secret Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats - Gluten and Dairy Free 

2 c. steel cut oats

4  c. water

1 c. canned, full fat coconut milk

2 cups of sweet potato puree (or 1 can of pumpkin -15 oz. - if tolerated) 

1/4 c. pure maple syrup 

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg 

1 Tbsp. vanilla 

1/2 tsp. salt 

Add all ingredients to crockpot and stir.  Cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with your choice of milk and a small scoop of brown sugar, if desired. 

Yum! 

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free

***One of my children has become severely allergic to oats...so while I do make this for the rest of the family occasionally, I don’t do it very often.***

I make baked oatmeal quite often.  It's pretty much the perfect breakfast. 

So simple, so easy, so healthy, so yummy! 

This is just one of many, many flavors to come. 

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal - Gluten and Dairy Free 

6 c. oats 

1/2  c. unsweetened applesauce 

3-4 overripe bananas, mashed 

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. brown sugar

2 c. water 

1 tsp. vanilla 

2 eggs 

cinnamon and sugar for topping 

hemp hearts (for a nutty flavor, optional) 

Put all ingredients in a 9 x 13 pan and mix until well combined.  Top with cinnamon and sugar and hemp hearts, if desired. Bake at 350* for 35-40 mins. 

Enjoy cut like a piece of cake, or in a bowl with milk.

Bulk Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

Like I mentioned before, we have started using Minimalist Baker's gluten free flour blend.  

It is easy, less expensive, and healthy.  I like that it doesn't have any added gums and is made with a whole grain (brown rice). 

  

The kids like that it tastes great! Every recipe we have tried with it has been awesome. We use it for everything now. 

Of course, her recipe is TINY for my crew.  Since I don't want to make it every. single. day. . . this is how we work it (and often I double this even - though warning: It gets VERY difficult to stir thoroughly when it is doubled!). 

Bulk All Purpose Gluten Free Flour

24 c. brown rice flour

8 c. potato starch

4 c. white rice flour

4 c. tapioca flour 

Add all ingredients and stir very thoroughly.  I store this is in a bucket.  

Sesame Free Hummus

I feel like such a dummy.

Unless the recipes here are my own, I really try to give credit to the original recipe owner (unless the same recipe is found in many multiple places online).  I have lost my reference for this recipe though.  I didn't come up with this recipe on my own . . . and I have no idea who did. 

But whoever you are . . . thank you so much! 

This recipe is a huge crowd pleaser. Everyone who tries it loves it.  My kids adore it.  I have to make a double batch for after school snacks. 

And best of all? No sesame (tahini) which is a no-no in this family. 

Yay! 

 Sesame Free Humus

1 (15 - ounce) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained

1/4 c. water 

slight 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. lemon juice 

Combine all ingredients in food processor and process for a full 2 minutes, until creamy and smooth. 

Enjoy with chips or veggies. 

I served this hummus as part of a gorgeous spread made of ALL allergen free food for a party held in honor of my allergic boy.  All foods were safe for him - which NEVER happens at a party.  It was a wonderful day, and the hummus was a huge hit with everyone. 

See it there next to the potato chips? 

Waffles - Gluten, Dairy, Oats, and Egg Free!

You might think I am a HUGE waffle fan, seeing as I have now posted 3 different waffle recipes on here.  

But nope.  I actually prefer a savory breakfast.  

In fact, this morning I made Green Pancakes (no dye needed for St. Patrick's Day!) for the kids, but I had a piece of GF toast, with an avocado smeared on top, and a boiled egg. It was pretty much heaven. 

Anywho. . . . I prefer a savory breakfast, but I make waffles often because I like to make a double batch and let my gluten free, yeast free kids use them for bread.  They love it.  

And now, this new recipe because sometimes I get concerned about the amount of oats and eggs we eat.  We eat A LOT.  This recipe is the perfect answer. 

Free of gluten, dairy, oats, eggs, yeast, nuts, . . . well everything really. 

And they are delicious! The taste is fantastic (our new favorites even!) and they are nice and crispy, just the way I like them! 

Gluten, Dairy, Oats, and Egg Free Waffles

2 1/2 c. rice milk

2 tsp. lemon juice 

4 c. gluten free flour** 

3 tsp. baking powder 

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon 

2 Tbsp. ground flax 

1 c. light (in taste, not fat) olive oil

2 tsp. vanilla 

First, mix rice milk and lemon juice in bowl and let stand while mixing the rest, at least 5 mins.  In blender, add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ground flax.  Give it a quick mix, then add the olive oil and vanilla.  Add rice milk and lemon juice.  Mix until all combined.  Cook in well greased waffle iron. 

Enjoy! 

**I have started using Minimalist Baker's Gluten free flour blend.  We are loving it.  It's cheaper and healthier than any others we've tried, and mainly . . . we really like the taste so far! 

Chocolate Pudding Pie - Gluten and Dairy Free

 We are big nerds in this house people.  Big nerds.  We definitely do our best to celebrate "Pi Day" every year.  (March 14th - you know, 3.14) 

And this year that involved a fantastic Chocolate Pudding Pie.  

Now, no matter how hard I try I can not seem to take an appetizing picture of this pie.  It has to do with lighting and my inability to take the picture during normal day light hours.  

But whatchagonnado?  #aintnobodygottimeforthat  

I am a mother of 6 kids, not a professional photographer.  I'm just glad I managed to make the pie! 

Trust me.  It's so delicious. 

Chocolate Pudding Pie - Gluten and Dairy Free 

 1 can, plus 1/4 c. of canned coconut milk (full fat) 

1/8 tsp. salt 

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder 

1/4 c. sugar 

1/2 c. of canned coconut milk (full fat) 

3 Tbsp. arrowroot powder (can sub cornstarch) 

1/2 c. dairy free chocolate chips 

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract 

Warm the 1 can + 1/4 c. of coconut milk, salt, cocoa powder, and sugar in saucepan, whisking it together.  While that is warming, whisk the 1/2 c. of coconut milk and arrowroot powder in a small bowl until arrowroot powder is dissolved.  Add the arrowroot/milk mixture to the warm milk mixture and bring to a boil.  

Stir with a spatula, just until thick then remove from heat.  

Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, and stir until chocolate chips are melted.  

Put in refrigerator until cold.  Add to cooked, gluten free pie crust. 

Yum! Yum! 

Adapted from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/06/25/healthy-chocolate-pudding-recipe/  

Spaghetti Squash and Veggie Sauce - Gluten and Dairy Free

When starting to eat this meal my hubby, ever the adventurous eater, proclaimed, "I usually try to eat the salad first, but with this meal I don't even know where to begin!"

So. Many. Veggies.

This is a good thing, right? RIGHT? Right.

It soothes my veggie loving heart. 

Spaghetti Squash and Veggie Sauce - Gluten and Dairy Free 
~ 1/2 lb. of ground beef
chopped bell peppers, any or all colors
1 finely diced carrot
1 finely diced celery
chopped mushrooms (or canned)
1 can of stewed tomatoes (chop the tomatoes up if desired)
2 cans of tomato sauce
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. sugar

Brown ground beef.  Add veggies and cook until tender. Add spices and tomato sauce.  Simmer.

Serve on top of cooked spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti squash cooked in the microwave:
Slice squash open and clean out seeds.
Place cut side down in a dish with about 1" of water.
Cook 5-10 mins (per half) depending on size of squash.

Easy Asparagus

Asparagus has been making an appearance on our plates lately. 

We love this vegetable. 

There is a literal fight over them, whenever I make them. 

The toddlers shove entire spears in their mouths. 

It's veggie madness!  

Easy Asparagus

*Wash asparagus and snap off woody ends. 

*Line a cookie sheet with foil and lay asparagus on it, in a single layer.

*Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. 

*Bake at 350* for 6 mins. 

*Turn asparagus over and bake another 6 mins. 

*For extra yumminess, dip asparagus in mayonnaise. 

Enjoy! 

Easy Healthy Chip Dip - Gluten and Dairy Free

Last week we had one of those evenings. The kids were all crazy. One of my two, 2 1/2 year olds was following me around crying. I was driving the teenager all over. 

And I had to make dinner. 

I Googled "5 min easy Gluten Free" dinner and came up with nothing. 

My fussy 2 1/2 year old was screaming, over and over, for a tortilla chip.  I couldn't think of much past his demand for a chip.  

Finally I figured it out.  I would throw together some ingredients and make a quick chip dip and then he could have his chips.  It literally took me 5 minutes to make this meal. 

Dinner solved.  

I didn't think much of this "meal" but the kids soon started raving about how yummy it was and were racing to finish off the last bite before anyone else did. 

Apparently, desperation breeds innovation. Hooray! 

Easy Healthy Chip Dip - Gluten and Dairy Free 

1 pound, or so, of cooked ground beef  

1 can of black beans, undrained 

1 1/2 c. of corn (or 1 can, drained) 

1 c. of salsa 

kale, finely diced 

Warm all ingredients, except kale, in a pot.  Just before serving add the kale.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

You can add more toppings if time allows, like: 

*chopped tomatoes 

*olives 

*green onions

*avocados 

Enjoy!