Tag: gluten free food

How Much!?

That gluten-free bagel costs how much!? All food has become more expensive, but the increase in specialty foods is especially noticeable. At the same time, the selection has become more limited. That can make it tempting to give up on a specialized eating plan.

cookies

I’ve been gluten-free for 20 years. I remember the days when it was difficult to find gluten-free packaged food in the grocery store. And when you did find it, the quality was often questionable at best.

Things got better. Selection grew, quality improved, and prices were steep but not heart-stopping expensive in most cases. Then things got even better in the US. Gluten-free labeled foods had a standard to meet. Woohoo! When I was overly busy and needed to grab something convenient, it wasn’t hard to find.

Now, I’ve added the complication of keeping the amount of histamine in my diet low and many days I feel like I’m back to 2003. I have to plan further ahead to make sure I have something available on days that I don’t have time to cook. I can’t find the gluten-free brands I prefer. When I do find a packaged food that meets my criteria, it’s so expensive I have to think twice. Often I opt for a deconstructed meal of a handful of lettuce followed by a cucumber followed by an apple. Then I look for some kind of protein.

Between this year’s travel, family visits, and general obligations, I’ve felt pretty frustrated at times. I haven’t hit the point of eating gluten or giving up on a low histamine diet, but I understand the temptation. And I’m still trying to figure out the most efficient and satisfying way to address the everyday dilemmas.

Here are a few things that are helping:

  • Mixing an additional batch or two of dry ingredients when I make biscuits or pancakes.
  • Freezing muffins and cookies so that they last longer.
  • Cooking roast instead of steak so that I have meat for more meals.
  • Seasoning chicken or ground beef with only the basics so that I can use them in multiple ways.
  • Freezing cooked chicken tenders, meatloaf, chopped brisket, etc. when I have some left.
  • Mixing and matching uses of a type of bread or wrap.
  • Keeping microwaveable rice in the pantry.
  • Buying multiple items online when they are marked down. Using less expensive rice crackers as a crunchy side rather than gluten-free saltines or table crackers.
  • Keeping BBQ sauce and salad dressing mixed up in the refrigerator.
  • Cooking multiple vegetables at one time even if I don’t need them for that meal.

None of these is a big thing, but all of them together help me stay ahead of hunger. They also mean I cook more from scratch and eat less prepackaged food. Not only is that healthier, it helps me avoid the sticker shock that has me asking, how much!?

No Special Equipment Required for Gluten-Free Cooking, but Some Gadgets are Fun!

If you’re new to gluten-free cooking, you’ll be relieved to learn there’s no special equipment required to make a delicious gluten-free chocolate cake, Gouda muffin, or meatball from scratch. Everyone I know has everything needed already in their kitchen. With that said, there’s no hiding the fact that some gadgets are fun!
mixer
If you have a sharp knife, whisk, grater, food chopper or blender, you have all you need to make most recipes. If you want to bake, it’s also helpful to have a dough blender, and a mixer. I’m not big on small electric appliances, so I have an inexpensive food chopper, but no electric food processor, blender, mixer, juicer, toaster, rice cooker, waffle iron, or even coffee maker.
waffle
I drink coffee, but use a French press and make waffles using an antique cast iron waffle maker. Admittedly, my waffles might fare better with a nonstick waffle iron, but I love the simplicity and durability of the one I have. While I don’t want a bunch of appliances lining my countertops, I must confess that there are a few gadgets I love to use!
grater
Cube Grater
Last weekend I was grating garlic for scalloped potatoes using a small box grater. Made by Microplane®, this 3-sided cube has 3 different blades. None of them are specifically made for garlic, but I got a great result anyway.

The bladed cube comes in a slightly larger translucent cube marked with measurements. Grate your cheese, chocolate, or coconut into the larger cube and measure it at the same time! Add the top and you have an automatic storage container.

I like having tiny grated pieces automatically trapped in a container where I can easily scoop them into a teaspoon. I also love the efficiency of the blades. This tool just works well which makes it a pleasure to use.
zester
Zester
While we’re on the subject of Microplane graters, I’ve used my zester on a regular basis for years. Again, it works well! There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a kitchen tool that looks great, but doesn’t do the job. None of those will be making my list.

Rotary Hand Mixer
I use a rotary hand mixer for cake batter, whipped cream, and meringue. It looks a lot like an egg beater, but it’s much heavier and capable of mixing a thick batter.

Just before I moved into my first apartment, my father acquired an assortment of pots, pans, dishes, cups, metal mixing bowls, and kitchen tools from a restaurant. Seems this restaurant owed him some money that they didn’t have, so he decided to collect in what was available – kitchen and dining equipment. The timing was good. I needed to outfit an apartment, and Dad didn’t really want to sue.

The hand mixer I use today, came from that transaction. I used the pots and metal mixing bowls for years. They weren’t attractive, but they were large and functional. All that’s left now is the mixer. I’m grateful to have it. It’s a workhorse!

Dough Blender
Of the several dough blenders in my drawer, an old one with a red handle is my favorite! I found it in my mother’s kitchen. Like all of the old implements I use, it’s sturdy. I find the wires more effective for cutting fat into flour than the metal blades on a more modern model I own.
pitcher
Funnel Pitcher
The day I poured boiling water across my hand while attempting to fill a French press, I learned that I might need some assistance with my pouring aim. A funnel pitcher fits the bill. It’s easy to fill dessert glasses with panna cotta or create the perfect pancake using a funnel pitcher. I like these pitchers so much, I’ve given them as gifts so other people can like them too.

Looking back at this list, it appears that I like sturdy, functional, tools that work well. That sounds right. I don’t really care whether they’re new, old, or in between as long as they have the other characteristics.

I can make do without these tools and still create delicious gluten-free food, but a well-crafted utensil heightens my cooking experience and I like that. Hopefully, you have favorites that make your kitchen time more pleasant. If not, feel free to check out my favorites!

https://us.microplane.com/kitchen_en_us/cubegraterfamily.html

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”