Simple Rice Cereal - Gluten, Dairy, and Oat Free

Eating warm, comforting rice cereal for breakfast was a staple as a child.  It's similar to rice pudding, though perhaps a bit more simple.  

It's delicious for breakfast and it always gets rave reviews from my kids. 

Simple Rice Cereal - Gluten, Dairy, and Oat Free 

4 1/2 c. milk of choice (I use rice and/or coconut) 

1 c. water  

dash of salt 

2 1/2 cups of rice
1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. raisins 

1 c. additional milk (I use rice) 

Bring 4 1/2 c. of milk, water, and salt to a boil. Add rice and cover.  Turn heat to low and cook until rice is done, about 15-20 mins.  Add cinnamon, raisins and extra 1 c. of milk and cook for 3-5 mins more over low heat. 

Serve warm, with more milk added and a spoonful of brown sugar, if desired.  Top with strawberries or other fruit, as desired. 

YUM! 

Morning Glory Muffins - Gluten, Dairy, Oats, and Nut Free

I have a love-hate relationship with muffins.  

Love, love to eat them. 

HATE to clean up the mess my kids make every time they eat them. Why do kids make such a mess with just a muffin? I will never know. 

Alas, I make them often. Love wins every time. 

These are worth it.  They are really, really, yummy.  Like, really.   

Morning Glory Muffins - Gluten, Dairy, Oats, and Nut Free 

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. light (in taste) olive oil 

2 eggs 

1 1/2 c. milk of choice (I use rice milk) 

3 tsp. vanilla
5 Tbsp. ground flax 

2 1/2 c. gluten free flour 

4 tsp. baking powder 

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. cinnamon 

1 tsp. salt

3 large carrots, grated 

1 large apple, grated  

1 c. raisins 

Mix the brown sugar and olive oil in large bowl.  Add the egg, milk, vanilla and flax and mix well. Let rest while grating carrots and apples. Stir in the rest of ingredients, except carrots, apple, and raisins.  Fold in carrots, apples and raisins. Let batter stand for 5 mins more, to thicken, before cooking.  (If you can't manage this, skip it and it will still work.) 

Cook at 350* for 30 mins, until golden brown.  Cool thoroughly before eating, or they will fall apart a little.

Enjoy! 

Simple Microwave Popcorn - Gluten and Dairy Free

 A little picture tutorial today for the best microwave popcorn you'll ever have! 

None of that nasty stuff you can't even pronounce.  Just plain, simple, delicious popcorn.  

And so easy to make my 8 year old is going to demonstrate how to do it.  We make it a lot for after school snacks.  It's the best. 

Add 1/3 c. of popcorn seeds to a brown paper bag: 

Add a swirl or two of olive oil: 

Sprinkle some salt in: 

Fold your bag down twice and add a staple. It will be fine in the microwave. 

Shake bag to cover seeds in oil and salt. 

Lay flat and cook according to your microwave.  For us it is done perfectly at 1:30 mins. 

Add more salt if needed and enjoy! 

Yum yum! 

Spiced Apple Rice Porridge - Gluten and Dairy Free

 Making breakfast before bed and then having something warm and ready in the morning pretty much guarantees a perfect day from then on out. 

Doncha agree? 

Try this recipe and see if you don't agree.  'Cause I'm sure you will. 

Spiced Apple Rice Porridge - Gluten and Dairy Free 

1 1/2 c. brown rice 

8 c. water

2 apples, cored and cubed

1/2 c. raisins

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 

1/2 tsp. salt 

Combine all ingredients in crockpot and stir.  Set to low and cook for 8 hours. 

Serve with milk of choice and a scoop of brown sugar, if desired. 

Yum! 

Adapted from http://www.glutenfreeschool.com/recipe/easy-apple-porridge/

Coconut Chicken Curry - Gluten and Dairy Free

I have the greatest friend.  

Most people that hear of our numerous, excessive food allergies look at us with wide eyes and a look that says, "Good luck with that!" But this wonderful friend and neighbor has not only offered to cook for us (!) but also has given me a couple of recipes that are safe for us!  Isn't it amazing?! 

This is one of her recipes.  Definitely a new favorite for us.  I have to double the recipe she gave me, 'cause everyone loves it so much.

Coconut Chicken Curry - Gluten and Dairy Free

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped up 

4-5 cups veggies (I use the Normandy Style frozen veggies at Costco - broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) 

1/4 c. diced onions

4 Tbsp. Oil 

4 tsp. curry powder (I use one with no mustard in it)

1 1/2 tsp. salt 

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 Tbsp. grated ginger 

8 oz can of water chestnuts, drained 

2 c. chicken broth

2 cans full fat coconut milk 

Slice uncooked chicken and cook in skillet (you can also boil them or cook in your crockpot - whatever works for you).  Remove chicken then cook veggies and onions in oil until they are crisp tender. Add curry powder, salt, garlic powder, ginger, and water chestnuts and cook a few minutes more.  Add chicken broth and coconut milk and bring to a boil.  Simmer for several minutes more.  Add cooked chicken. 

Serve over cooked rice.  I cook 3 cups of dry rice for this recipe, and sometimes it is still not enough! 

Yum yum! 

Spanish Rice - Gluten and Dairy Free

Do you need a little spanish rice to go with your fajitas? 

Spanish Rice - Gluten and Dairy Free 

1 c. rice 

3 Tbsp. olive oil 

2 c. chicken broth 

1 small tomato, diced (half a can of stewed tomatoes works too, in a pinch)

1/4 of a small onion, diced 

Brown rice in oil until golden brown.  Add broth, tomatoes, and onion and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 mins, until rice is done. 

Fajitas - Gluten and Dairy Free

 One of my (and my family's) all time favorite meals here today. I get rave reviews from everyone every time I make this. 

Fajitas - Gluten and Dairy Free 

3 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded 

1 tsp. garlic powder 

3 tsp. seasoned salt 

3 tsp. cumin 

pinch of red pepper 

4 Tbsp. olive oil

4 Tbsp. lemon juice 

------------------------------

3-4 Tbsp. olive oil 

3-4 large bell peppers, any colors, sliced 

1/2 onion, sliced 

Boil and shred chicken breasts.  Place in a gallon ziploc bag with all spices, olive oil and lemon juice.  Shake until completely combined.  Let marinate for as long as possible.  (I try to start early and let it marinate, but if I can't, it is still great.) 

Slice peppers and onion and cook in skillet with olive oil until crisp-tender.  Add marinated chicken and cook a few minutes more. 

Serve on corn tortillas, with spanish rice, and top with cilantro, if desired.  

Try not to die and go to heaven. 

German Pancakes - Gluten and Dairy Free (TWO Ways!)

I can't explain it people, but somehow I am back on breakfast.  It's my favorite meal, what can I say.

Also, there are very few cold cereals we can buy so I am cooking breakfast every, single, day. 

Now, perfecting GF and DF German Pancakes has been a long road! We have tried many variations and somehow were always left  . . . well . . . grossed out.  It just wasn't working. 

But, never one to give up I have tried it with our new absolute favorite flour and now we are HUGE fans!  The people that eat gluten and dairy in this house could not even tell the difference and just assumed they were eating the gluten and dairy-full kind!   That is a true testament to their awesomeness! 

Gluten and Dairy Free German Pancakes (Variation Below!) 

1 c. of GF flour 

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

6 eggs 

dash of salt 

Preheat oven to 450*. Generously grease a 9 x 13 pan (I use olive oil).  Beat all ingredients together until smooth.  Pour into pan.  

Cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Serve with syrup, applesauce, fresh berries, or any other toppings you like! 

For delicious Cinnamon Apple German Pancakes: 

In generously greased pan, line sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.  Cook the apples for 5 minutes while mixing the rest of the ingredients, the same as above. Pour the batter on top of the apples and cook as you would normally. 

Enjoy!