The Un-Gluten Guy (My Gluten Free Recipes & GF Adventures)

Whiskey, scotch, bourbon.  So you have Irish Whiskey, Scotch from Scotland, Canadian Whiskey and American Bourbon.  Depending on where and who determines if it is made from corn, barley, rye or wheat.  There is lies the dilemma for us celiacs or those sensitive to gluten.  On the other hand distillation is supposed to get rid of the gluten proteins and therefore be safe for those who have to avoid gluten.  Search online and you will find varying opinions of which ones are safe and who had reactions to what. I have had Johnnie Walker black and blue without any difficulties or symptoms.  I have been reluctant to go on a taste testing and risk a reaction. Then I found Queen Jennie Sorghum Whiskey made by  Old Sugar Distillery  in Madison, WI.  They opened in 2010.  They produce a Honey Liqueur, Cane & Abe Rum, Ouzo and their Queen Jennie Whiskey.  You can read an article in the Chicago Tribune about Nathan Greenawalt, the man b...

With the holidays coming up one thing that many people may remember or be familiar with is making a Gingerbread House.   Some years we have done really well and completed a sturdy looking house while other years after walls falling in the house would be devoured prior to completing construction. In any event it has been a few years since we have made a Gingerbread House at home because we have not found a GF kit.  Pete Bronski of No Gluten No Problem  has made one from scratch and you can find the recipe on his site ( Bronski Gingerbread House ). My wife and daughter were up in Orange County and found a GF bakery called  Sensitive Sweets .  And what did they find while they were there?  You guessed it - A GF Gingerbread House Kit. It is GF, Dairy free, Nut free, Egg free and Soy free.  They got the basic version for 30 dollars.  It includes the walls, roof, icing and some plastic decorations - the deluxe has all of the gumdrops and other...

I have been busy but I need to update the site with some new recipes - they are coming.  In the meantime I have found a bunch of new products that I wanted to share. I was in the local Whole Foods when I saw the pancake mix from  Glutino.   I thought this is going to be the greatest thing for camping.  All you have to do is add water, shake and pour.  I haven't made it yet so i'll report back when I do.  Keep this in mind when you are camping or on the road. Way Better Snacks  I have found many places.  They are certified GF.  I really like their Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips.  These are sprouted snacks made with corn, flax seed, quinoa, daikon radish, chia seed, broccoli seed.  Allergy info:  Made in a facility that uses soy, sesame, flaxseed and dairy.  They are super good with a nice little kick.  They are good plain but even better with some fresh guacamole. Chocolate.   Justin's  Dark Chocolate...

Pizza. One of the things we GF folk miss is pizza, grabbing a slice, ordering a pie, delivery pizza at home. It has been two years since the GF Food Expo in San Diego where I met the owner of the two local  Mountain Mike's Pizza.   He told me a story about his daughter, who has to be GF, and how his restaurants offer safe GF Pizza.  I kept thinking I would stop in - its been two years.  Sam Golding owns the shop in Clairemont Mesa and I believe another in San Carlos. Its not far but not close, so I didn't venture down to the Clairemont shop.  And, I'm apprehensive about new places.  I hate getting sick from contamination. This is the Gluten Free Menu. Let me tell you it was a great experience.  The girl behind the counter knew what she was talking about, they have a good GF menu - not just pizza (they even have three GF beers), and the pizza was delicious. The GF crusts are small, 10 inch.  They are GF, soy, egg and dairy free. ...

My first experience with cheese bread was at Ola, a restaurant in South Beach (you can see my review  here) .  Brazilian Cheese Bread or Pao de Queijo is a delicious cheesy bread that is naturally gluten free because it is made with tapioca flour. Brazi Bites  began in Portland, Oregon a few years ago.  The story goes that they missed their native cheese bread and tried different cheeses in America until they found just the right ingredients to make it taste like home.  Now you can find it in stores. They were nice enough to send me some samples to try.  I inquired and they do make it in a dedicated GF facility and it is certified GF.  It is super easy to make and delicious. You can find it in the frozen food section (my local Whole Foods carries it).  Preheat your over to 400 degrees. Once the oven is preheated, place the frozen cheese breads on a baking tray and into the oven for 20 minutes. Beep, they are done - it d...

If you have followed my blog you know I like pizza.  I really miss my gluten containing dough and I'm still on the search for that perfect blend.  I have tried many and I recently tried a new one. Pamela's  has a Bread Mix that is good for making bread, pie crust, cookies and pizza.  We thought we would try it out. It was super easy to make.  Add Pamela's Mix, yeast, oil and water and mix.  She offers an option of adding cheese and italian herbs.  After the first batch I now add a bit of garlic powder, oregano and honey. Next you split the dough in two, oil up your hands and flatten them out on parchment paper on a pizza pan.  Let it sit for an hour to rise.  The more you flatten it the crisper your crust. Next you par bake them in the oven at 375 for 25 - 30 minutes.  I found the longer and browner the crust the crispier the crust. Then add you toppings and cook 10 - 12 minutes.  We choose to do a half peppero...

I had a disturbing encounter at my local Von's Pharmacy in San Diego.  I thought it was important that those of us with gluten issues and anyone with allergies be aware of yet another source of contamination. I do not get sick very often and therefore do not take medicine very often.  Our dog needed some medication that needed to be ordered.  The vet said instead of driving back to her office she could call it in to our pharmacy which was closer. I went to pick up the medication.  At the counter I was told it was not ready but would only take a minute. Right behind the glass at the front counter right on top of the pill counter and bottles of medicine the Pharmacist was eating lunch.  An open bottle of soda, bag of chips, bottle of ketchup and a sandwich.  He put the sandwich down and backhanded the food to give him some room.  Picked up a large bottle and dumped it into the pill counter and then started counting pills. No gloves. No hand-was...