Diet Food

If you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, or an allergy or intolerance to wheat, rye, or barley, you know just how bad these common food ingredients can make you feel. Weight gain, bloating, stomach pain, gas, and mental fogginess are just a few of the negative side effects of consuming gluten-based breads, baked goods, and condiments. Finding ways to eat well without ingesting harmful glutens can be a journey of education and discovery - for many people who avoid glutens, learning how to prepare healthy, balanced meals is a challenge.

You should know that there are plenty of exciting recipe options for the gluten-free diet - with a little knowledge and experimentation, you can create delicious, nutritious meals that don't leave you feeling deprived. Getting the hang of gluten-free living can be easier when you explore alternative, gluten-free flour mixes and sauces. From moist, flavorful muffins, to rich-tasting breads and battersalmost any popular recipe idea can be altered to make it gluten-free. Here are some interesting ideas you can use to add interest and variety to your basic meal plan:

Appetizers Homemade guacamole dip is creamy and satisfying, and it can be served with gluten-free corn chips or breads. To make easy guacamole, look for the freshest ingredients. A basic guacamole recipe requires four ripe avocados, one tablespoon of tangy lemon juice, a little minced onion (2 tablespoons) and a couple of juicy tomatoes (deseeded and cut fine). To make the dip, put all the ingredients in a glass bowl and combine. It's so easy to put this crowd-pleasing recipe together, and the taste is amazing. For healthy tortilla chips, look for Guiltless Gourmet Blue Corn or Black Bean tortilla chips (or another low-fat, gluten-free brand). Arrange your appetizers on a platter and serve. Sweet and savory seasoned pecans can also be an irresistible complement to any menu. These easy-to-prepare appetizers require a range of savory spices, as well as 2 cups of halved, best-quality nuts, 1/3 cup of sugar, an egg white, and a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil. Loaded w ith protein and intense flavor, these spicy, sweet sensations also make a lovely gift idea - they can be packaged in a metal tube or preserve jar and tied with a ribbon and a homemade gift tag.

To make the pecans, you'll need the following spices: cayenne pepper (3/4 tsp), a teaspoon of salt, tsp. of coriander (ground), of a teaspoon of cinnamon (ground), and 1/8 tsp. allspice (ground). To prepare, mix the sugar and spices in a bowl and combine well; then, add the egg white, stirring to coat. Add the pecans and stir until they are covered in the seasoning - then, transfer them to a large baking sheet. Bake for 18-24 minutes at 300 degrees, flipping occasionally with a spatula. Cool and serve.

Entrees

Roasted chicken and wild or brown rice can be simple, rustic, and delicious choices for a special main entre. Fresh vegetables with healthy, gluten-free vinaigrettes will be excellent side dishes for this type of meal. To roast a chicken without flour, bouillon cubes, or other gluten-rich ingredients, coat the bird with olive oil, and then stuff its cavity with wedges of fresh lemon, cloves of garlic, and fresh herbs, such as tarragon or dill. Rub the oiled bird with salt and pepper - if you like, add a little white wine to the bottom of the roasting pan. Ground mustard can also be added to the wine for a rich, gourmet effect. Once your bird is seasoned well, begin to bake it according to instructions for its weight. Baste frequently with the cooking liquid to keep the chicken moist.

Cook some brown or wild rice in a rice cooker or saucepan, following the instructions on the package. To create a delicious, gluten-free side dish, wash and trim some fresh green beans and boil until tender-crisp - then, place the drained beans in a bowl and coat with a drizzling of olive oil and minced garlic. Your guests or family members won't miss bread or gluten-free dressings when they taste this healthy, luscious combination of rustic food choices. For a change of pace, substitute baked potatoes or baked butternut squash for rice.

If you're craving noodles, pasta, and other forbidden comfort foods, look for gluten-free brown rice pastas and noodles - use them as a base for stir-fried vegetables and meats, or create a simple, gluten-free tomato sauce in your blender. Avoid soy sauce in Asian-inspired dishes - instead, use ginger and garlic to bring out flavors.

Desserts To create delicious desserts without wheat, barley, and rye flours, get creative! Use fruit to make simple, striking desserts that taste as good as they look. Poached pears are one wonderful option for a special meal - and they are so easy to prepare, you may want to enjoy them on a regular basis.

To cook your peeled pear halves, you'll need to poach them in a fragrant liquid made of honey, spices, sugar and water. Star anise, cinnamon, and cloves are some stellar spice choices for this sort of elegant dessert. For the basic broth, combine four cups of water with a third of a cup of honey and a third of a cup of sugar - add spices to taste. Drop the pears gently into boiling water and then reduce heat - simmer for 20 minutes or until tender. If you like, reduce the sauce in a pan to turn it into an aromatic, tasty glaze for your pears.

As you can see, great food is not out of reach on a gluten-free diet. Do what's easy - use foods that contain no gluten to get started - then, experiment with gluten free flours and packaged products to add more interest and variety to your meals.

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