Win-It-Wednesday: “100 Best Quick Gluten-Free Recipes” By Carol Fenster
Sometimes eating gluten-free gets me into a rut. It seems like I always rely on my one or two “go-to” recipes when I need a quick and easy meal, snack, dessert or dish to bring to a party. Borrrinnng!
And sometimes when I find gluten-free recipes that look delicious, they are often full of numerous hard to find items and designed for those that have the luxury of spending hours in their kitchen. Not realistic for a working gal like myself.
So… if you’re like me… a no-nonsense, give me a yummy recipe that’s quick and easy to make type-of-gal… you will LOVE Carol Fenster’s newest cookbook, “100 Best Quick Gluten-Free Recipes”.
If you’re not familiar with Carol Fenster, let me start by introducing her as one of my all-time favorite gluten-free chefs and cookbook authors. She is the author of eleven (YES! ELEVEN!!) gluten-free cookbooks including Gluten-Free 101, and the award-winning 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes. When it comes to gluten-free baking and cooking, Carol’s cookbooks are the best out there.
The “100 Best Quick Gluten-Free Recipes” cookbook is divided into five sections: Breakfast & Breads; Soups, Salads, Sandwiches &Snacks; Grains, Beans, and Pasta; Main Dishes; and Desserts. The cookbook starts by outlining how to stock a gluten-free kitchen (this was a nice refresher even for a seasoned-celiac like myself!) along with ideas for combining the recipes in the cookbook for occasions or themes – such as brunches, luncheons, an Italian feast, or Asian, Southwestern or All-American suppers. I also love that there are plenty of slow-cooker
and one-pot recipes – always time-savers in my kitchen.
And the best of all? ALL recipes can be made prepared in 30 minutes or less!
Some of my favorite recipes in Carol’s new cookbook are: Chicken Enchiladas; Focaccia Flatbread; Microwave Muffin in a Mug; White Chocolate, Apricot, and Almond Balls; and the Chocolate Refrigerator Cookies.
All these quick, easy and delicious reasons are why I am so excited that the sponsor of this Win-It-Wednesday is Carol Fenster and her new cookbook “100 Best Quick Gluten-Free Recipes”!
Two lucky winners will each win a copy of this new cookbook. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 15 and Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 11:59PM EST. So – make sure you enter to win two times!
How can you win?
Easy!
Reply to this blog and tell us a gluten-free tip or trick that makes your life more simple (or… if you are new to the gluten-free lifestyle, ask a question on simplifying your life!)
Good luck, always keep things simple, quick and easy… and of course, yummy! And, as always,
Be Free!
Want to buy this cookbook now? Find it here on Amazon.com. Also, make sure you follow Carol Fenster on Facebook and Twitter!
Tags: Carol Fenster, Win-It-Wednesday
October 8th, 2014 at 5:57 am
Buy flour and other item when they are on sale at large places. When baking have patience. It takes time to learn how to bake Gluten Free. Watch the calories in premade stuff, they are loaded with sugar.
October 8th, 2014 at 9:38 am
“Spices” in an ingredient list means pure spices and not a, not to be trusted, spice blend. Cost me a $35 annual membership to a Celiac Disease organization to learn that, but at the time it was the best $35 I had spent in a long time. (That was 10 years ago so the information is probably easier to find today.)
October 8th, 2014 at 9:52 am
I always carry GF snacks with me. When I am out and about and have to order a GF meal, it this becomes a great time to educate others. I have found over the years, that many places are becoming more and more GF friendly! This is great for the newbies coming on board with being GF!
October 8th, 2014 at 10:12 am
My one tip is to always read the food labels to ensure the product is truly gluten free. Also, I’ve been reading a lot about substituting Coconut Flour as an alternative when baking and I did see some of your blog recipes include Coconut Flour. I really interested in trying it now and see if our family has a taste preference. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity and I love the idea that all the recipes in this cookbook can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Any area where I can simplify my life just a teeny bit is wonderful!
October 8th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Experiment. I remember when I first went gluten free. I ruined so many loaves of bread. They just weren’t perfect. So I learned to cube it and dehydrate for bread crumbs, stuffing, croutons, or bread puddings. I learned to turn my failures into victories. It’s a choice. How you handle things.
October 8th, 2014 at 11:11 am
One tip I have is that anything that I buy fresh I keep in the fridge. It keeps fresh longer and it is better preserved.
October 8th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
I have a toaster that no one else uses. One of my daughters crocheted a cover for it so when not in use it is covered and every one knows not to use it.
October 8th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Using Carol’s flour blends has simplified my life.
October 9th, 2014 at 4:34 am
I started ordering some gluten free items on a subscribe abd save order through Amazon. They arrive monthly. It saves money and I always have my basics on hand. Pankcake mix,instant oatmeal,cereal and school snacks.
October 9th, 2014 at 7:04 am
My kitchen pantry is not complete without ground flax seed. It can be used for so many things. It adds texture and flavor on top of vegetables and baked dishes, as well as acts as a great low carb substitute for in baked goods. In baking it can used in place of oils and eggs. Most importantly, it is a great source of omegas and fiber. Truly a must have!
October 9th, 2014 at 10:14 am
Cooking and preparing several small dishes at a time and freezing them will help you plan your lunches easier without any stress.
October 9th, 2014 at 10:33 am
Make meals ahead to keep in the freezer. This helps to keep you from grabbing something less healthy for dinner.
October 9th, 2014 at 10:38 am
Tip: I recently learned a good alternative to sandwiches while camping: corn tortillas rolled up with ham and cheese slices.
October 9th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
I use a flour blend now which is so much better than trying to find all of the flours yourself when starting out!
October 9th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Buy Gluten Free items when on sale and make extra to freeze.
October 10th, 2014 at 4:29 am
Remember to take your reading glasses when you go to the store. You need to read the label, then pick it back up and re-read the label.
October 10th, 2014 at 10:31 am
I have several of Carol’s cookbooks- all of which are well used. I would love a copy of her new one.
Since we are at a stage in life where I am more of a caregiver for my husband, I always keep an emergency bag filled with non-perishible food. When we have to go to the hospital in a hurry I at least have food ready for myself since I can’t always depend on hospital food.
October 11th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I just don’t buy prepared and processed food to avoid gluten. I make my food at home.
October 12th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Instant potatoes makes a great thickener for gravy or soups.
October 13th, 2014 at 8:19 am
I always keep GF bread crumbs in my freezer. I cook extra and freeze in portion sizes. And I always make sure I have flour blends on hand. Fresh veggies and fruits are a must.
October 14th, 2014 at 10:28 am
what, I am looking for is corn tortillas, that rival market basket found out that they have wheat in them. also the gluten free bread is a lot better now than when I started my celiac journey.
October 14th, 2014 at 10:31 am
I am always trying new recipes and experimenting using different ingredients. I have learned a lot by doing this, some failures but there is always a lesson to be learned……especially in GF baking.
October 14th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
A tip I’ve learned is to freeze my flours so they don’t go rancid-they keep much longer in the freezer. I also always have a batch of my one to one cup for cup flour mix in a sealed Tupperware container. When I need a flour for any kind of cooking or baking it’s already to go so there no mixing, etc.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:36 am
I use alot of white vinegar and household soda for cleaning and freshing.
October 15th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Being GF requires thinking outside tradition box and start with basic 5 ingredients to begin some of my famous apple sausage stew.
October 15th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I keep GF baking mix and coconut flour in the fridge. Stays fresh longer.
October 15th, 2014 at 10:59 pm
When possible make extras of meals that can be frozen for easy work or school lunches! THis makes the half hour lunch breaks at work much easier as well as the student lunches that defrost in time for lunch (or when given permission to use microwaves).
October 16th, 2014 at 6:26 am
Read labels, shop health food stores, look for gluten free areas at the grocery! Target one had a bunch of gluten free things on sale. Look everywhere!
October 16th, 2014 at 8:36 am
I focus on eating naturally gluten free flours to keep my life simple.
October 16th, 2014 at 8:47 am
I make my own flour mixes and keep in a large Tupperware container. I find it much cheaper than buying a pre-mixed flour mix.
October 16th, 2014 at 10:09 am
I create a double or triple batch of flour blend and store it in a large container. It saves me time when baking!
October 16th, 2014 at 10:16 am
Cook up extra pasta. Package individual portions and put in freezer for use later.
October 17th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
My only gluten free tips are to focus on real healthy food, rather than relying on packaged gluten free, which is often just junk that doesn’t even taste all that good. There are exceptions, but on an extremely limited budget, I can’t experiment. I did just discover Aldi (we just got a store in Lincoln, NE) and their gluten free section. Their GF wraps are wonderful, and that is saying a lot from me, who hates almost every commercially GF product I’ve ever tried. And their bread is not bad, better than most, and much cheaper than all the rest.
October 17th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
We default to hummus and carrots/other easy vegetable for snacking and picnics with friends. Usually easy to make or find at the grocery when we are in a hurry.
October 17th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
i make a batch of meat cooked with seasonings. Then I can make a quick meal by adding veggies
October 17th, 2014 at 8:33 pm
We decided to just cook naturally GF meals…Meat, veggies and starches. The substitutions were too expensive. Now we all eat healthier!
October 20th, 2014 at 4:47 am
I was invited to have lunch with a few friends to celebrate my birthday. I took my own Gluten-Free crackers so that when everyone was crunching down on the fabulous just baked French Bread before our entrees were served, I had something to munch on also!!! Made all of the difference in the world!
October 20th, 2014 at 8:27 am
I make sure my pantry and freezer has a good supply of gluten free ready to eat and easy to prepare items. That makes my life so much more simpler.
October 20th, 2014 at 10:50 am
Don’t tell people if you are bringing a dish that it is gluten free. I notice people turn their noses up or already purpose in their hearts it’s awful if you tell them before they try it. Use regular recipes and just learn to adapt them. I switch all my recipes over to gluten, dairy, and soy free. No one noticed unless I say something. Keep at it if the recipe fails. It’s trial and error. Took me months to perfect bread.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Always have a protein bar in your purse when you leave the house. That way you have something if you get hungry:) my favorite, think thin bars, or the stablyze ones from costco.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:33 pm
I always keep a jar of gf pasta sauce, a package of gf pasta, and a package of gf sausage on hand for those days when time gets away from me and I need to make a quick meal!
October 21st, 2014 at 5:01 pm
I have two types of high fiber/flax and almond meal single serve muffins that I can make in less than 3 minutes for my breakfast. With a little prep, I can have all the dry ingredients in a baggie for an easy travel breakfast item. Just add the egg/ or flax egg and microwave for 80-90 seconds.
October 21st, 2014 at 9:05 pm
i just found out yesterday i am a celiac my only thing is to have a support system up down and all around this diagnoses. In the end can only trust that God has a plan for this in my life so tip is pray plan and be prepared
October 22nd, 2014 at 1:03 am
I always have a cooler in my car with something simple to eat in case I am traveling or even at work and don’t have access to GF foods. It has saved my stress level so many times because I have things prepared and there for the eating! I also keep a bag of packaged foods for the same reason.