One of my goals is to give information and resources to everyone with food allergies, not only with the allergies my kids have. This is a guest post by Margaret Clegg. She is the author and owner of MI Gluten Free Gal. She lives in Michigan with her wonderful husband and her two dogs, and loves all things related to Michigan State University. She’s been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for almost two decades, is the leader of her support group, and helps to organize a gluten-free expo. Check out her website, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest.
So often when people are diagnosed with Celiac Disease or a wheat allergy, they are at a loss for what to cook. It is through a health issue like this many learn how to cook. Trial by fire. Here is a list of 5 gluten-free cooking resources that are my go-to’s even after 15 years of diagnosis. Hopefully you can learn from these gurus and have experiments that end up with ooh’s and ah’s instead of in the trash can.
Bette Hagman - Celiac Cookbooks
Bette Hagman was a gluten-free savior for so many. When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease back in 2001, she was THE gluten-free cookbook author. Her name was on every person’s lips at support group meetings. Her cookbook was the gift you gave to any gluten-free eater. It’s full of more than just recipes. Her books contain definitions, lists of resources, and insights for anyone who eats gluten-free. She was the ULTIMATE gluten-free cooking resource.
My copies of her cookbooks are well-worn, with post-it tabs throughout the book on favorite recipes. Her cornbread was the foundation to my yearly Thanksgiving stuffing. Nobody knew it was “gluten-free.” She passed in 2007, so there is no website of her recipes to see, no Pinterest page to follow. If you’re lucky enough to find one of her 7 cookbooks, stroll through its pages. Her love for food and for humans is evident on every page.
My copies of her cookbooks are well-worn, with post-it tabs throughout the book on favorite recipes. Her cornbread was the foundation to my yearly Thanksgiving stuffing. Nobody knew it was “gluten-free.” She passed in 2007, so there is no website of her recipes to see, no Pinterest page to follow. If you’re lucky enough to find one of her 7 cookbooks, stroll through its pages. Her love for food and for humans is evident on every page.
Bette Hagman Cookbook, photo credit Margaret Clegg, used with permission
GF Jules
Jules Shepard was diagnosed with Celiac Disease just a few short years before me. Regardless, she has been a powerhouse of advocacy and inspiration to many. All of her recipes are made with a flour blend that she created herself, and sells on her website and select stores. If you have a preferred flour blend, don’t let that stop you from trying her recipes. I made her 5 Minute Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake for my birthday with a different flour blend and it turned out heavenly.
Jules has written multiple books and also does podcasts. This is why she is a gluten-free cooking resource for so many. I appreciate that she is cognizant of food allergies other than her own. One of her many cookbooks is entitled Free For All Cooking. This cookbook includes 150 recipes that also make modification for dairy, soy, egg and nut sensitivities. She prides herself that they’re not just safe, but EASY as well. Living with food sensitivities is hard on its own, cooking shouldn’t have to be as well.
Jules has written multiple books and also does podcasts. This is why she is a gluten-free cooking resource for so many. I appreciate that she is cognizant of food allergies other than her own. One of her many cookbooks is entitled Free For All Cooking. This cookbook includes 150 recipes that also make modification for dairy, soy, egg and nut sensitivities. She prides herself that they’re not just safe, but EASY as well. Living with food sensitivities is hard on its own, cooking shouldn’t have to be as well.
Gluten Free on a Shoestring
Nicole Hunn, author of Gluten Free on a Shoestring, is a wiz. I’m so impressed (and encouraged) by her. She started out as a lawyer and has become a trusted gluten-free resource. She has written multiple cookbooks, all that showcase recipes that are intended to be inexpensive, quick and easy. Her step-by-step photos put help encourage you on the right path.
Her website has an extensive list of gluten-free recipes and tricks. The one I found most helpful was her Gluten Free Apple Pie in a Bag. The trick of cooking your apple (or any fruit) pie in a bag is that it keeps the crust from drying out while still cooking perfectly. Rip the bag open the last 10-15 minutes to get that golden brown color. Hints like these will make her one of your favorite gluten-free cooking resources for years.
Her website has an extensive list of gluten-free recipes and tricks. The one I found most helpful was her Gluten Free Apple Pie in a Bag. The trick of cooking your apple (or any fruit) pie in a bag is that it keeps the crust from drying out while still cooking perfectly. Rip the bag open the last 10-15 minutes to get that golden brown color. Hints like these will make her one of your favorite gluten-free cooking resources for years.
All Recipes
This is not a completely gluten-free website, but it IS a great gluten-free cooking resource. What makes it unique is that you can search for recipes that DON’T contain a certain ingredient. Want to make a soup that doesn’t start with a rue? Search “soup” and exclude “flour” and you find over 1,000 recipe suggestions. You can also search directly for gluten-free items. They even have a category for gluten-free breads that contains over 100 recipes.
The other great thing about this website is that the recipes are scaleable. Only 2 of you for dinner? You can reduce the number of serving sizes. Making dinner for a large crowd? Scale the recipe up to 50 and feed the neighborhood. (You may have to adjust the cooking times if you do.) So many “regular” recipes are easily converted to gluten-free simply by subbing the necessary ingredients. **Note - This website is a collection of recipes from various people, so make sure to pay attention to reader reviews. ‘
The other great thing about this website is that the recipes are scaleable. Only 2 of you for dinner? You can reduce the number of serving sizes. Making dinner for a large crowd? Scale the recipe up to 50 and feed the neighborhood. (You may have to adjust the cooking times if you do.) So many “regular” recipes are easily converted to gluten-free simply by subbing the necessary ingredients. **Note - This website is a collection of recipes from various people, so make sure to pay attention to reader reviews. ‘
The Kitchn
I love this website and people love the food I make from this website. While this is also not a dedicated gluten-free website, it has become my tried and true gluten-free cooking resource. My favorite has to be the Cauliflower Fried Rice. I”ve made it so many times, you’d think I’d have it memorized by now. The Tart Cherry Crumble, which could easily be made with gluten-free flour, is a HUGE hit every time I make it for our homeless shelter.
Even more important it teaches the basics of cooking. For example, there’s a whole post about how to cook spaghetti squash. Or how to cook rice. Or how to peel garlic. If you’ve been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and now have to cook for the first time in your life, this is a site you need in your repertoire.
Even more important it teaches the basics of cooking. For example, there’s a whole post about how to cook spaghetti squash. Or how to cook rice. Or how to peel garlic. If you’ve been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and now have to cook for the first time in your life, this is a site you need in your repertoire.
What Are Your Favorites?
There are so many other great gluten-free cooking resources out there. My friend Cindy has a great website called VegetarianMamma that has hundreds of vegetarian, gluten-free and peanut-free recipes. Beth Hillson has a great cookbook and website, and she’s willing to help you makeover your family favorite gluten-filled recipes. Flippin Delicious, Sarah Bakes Gluten Free and My Gluten-Free Kitchen are all amazing recipe websites as well. There are lots of great gluten-free cooking and baking resources out there, so get in the kitchen and have fun!
If you have celiac or a wheat allergy, what are your favorite gluten free cookbooks or resources? Please share in the comments!
If you have celiac or a wheat allergy, what are your favorite gluten free cookbooks or resources? Please share in the comments!
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