Category: Gluten Free

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Roasted cauliflower and pear puree (CleanCuisine)

Belinda

Absolutely divine, different and dairy-free! Another great food blogger’s recipe.

Serves 2 but can easily be doubled

1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup of thinly sliced leek
1 medium cauliflower, chopped into small florets (about 1lb chopped cauliflower)
2 small pears, peeled, cored and diced
1/4 tsp salt
a few sprigs fresh thyme
2 tbsp vanilla unsweetened almond milk, warmed
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 375 F
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
When the oil is shimmering, add the sliced leeks and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened.
Add the cauliflower and pears and sprinkle with salt. Increase the heat to medium high and cook for another 6-8 minutes, until the cauliflower is lightly browned in spots.
Turn off the heat. Place the sprigs of thyme on top of the vegetables and tuck in.
transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 25- 30 minutes, turning once or twice until the cauliflower is very tender.
Remove the sprigs of thyme and set aside a few pieces of vegetables for garnish, if desired.
Place remaining vegetables in a food processor and add the almond milk and nutmeg.
Process until smooth and serve hot

Accompaniments · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Vegan · Vegetable-related

Ginger cranberry sauce

Belinda

This is vibrant and tangy and the ginger gives it a somewhat exotic flavor.

1 large red onion cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1lb fresh cranberries
zest and juice of 3 large oranges
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

In a non-reactive saucepan coated lightly with oil on a medium heat, saute the onions, ginger and orange zest until soft, about 4 minutes.
Add the cranberries, orange juice, sugar and season.
Simmer for 30 minutes until very soft.
Check for seasoning and put aside until needed, or freeze until Thanksgiving/Christmas

Gluten Free · Grains · Vegetable-related

Spinach, mushroom and lemon pilaf (CleanCuisine)

Belinda

This is very easy and has a really clean zesty flavor.
It comes from the BBC Good Food website, always a great resource!

Ingredients

1/2 lb spinach, washed and roughly chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced (you may not need to use the whole lemon in the recipe)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp butter
8oz basmati rice
4oz chestnut mushrooms, sliced
2 onions, finely sliced
14 fl oz chicken or vegetable broth
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
4 bruised green cardamon pods

Method

Cook the onion and garlic in the butter in a large shallow pan until soft and golden.
Add the mushrooms and cook until softened.
Add the spices and cook, stirring for 2 minutes, then stir in the rice, lemon zest and stock. Cover.
Cook on a gentle heat for about 15 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed.
Stir through the spinach and lemon juice, cover for 2 minutes until wilted and serve.
Serves  4 – 6 people

Do-ahead · Fruit · Gluten Free · Grains · Nuts · Salad

Quinoa, beet, feta and caper salad

Belinda1 Comment

I had a version of this at Hugos restaurant in Hollywood and absolutely adored the combination of flavors. I rushed home, via the supermarket and immediately made a version of it that is actually better!
I don’t want to dictate measurements too much as you can pretty much improvise.

Screen Shot 2019-04-13 at 9.15.24 AM

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or chicken broth. (I like to use chicken broth as it gives more flavor)
4 large beets, roasted, peeled and chopped small (1/2″ size cubes)
finely chopped red onion and scallions
small cubes of peeled raw carrots
1/2 cup golden raisins
finely chopped fresh Italian parsley and fresh mint
1 tbsp capers, drained, but keep the liquid to use in the dressing.
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese
1/2 cup lightly toasted walnut pieces
cayenne pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
good balsamic vinegar
freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Roast the beets individually wrapped in aluminum foil and a few drops of water per beet so as not to dry out while they’re cooking. They will take about 1 hour or even more. Pierce each foil parcel with a fork or skewer to test they’re cooked, then remove and peel when a bit cooler.
Chop the beets into small cubes.
Cook the quinoa in boiling water or broth for 15 minutes until all the liquid has gone, then put into a large bowl and allow to cool.
Add the chopped beets, chopped onions, chopped herbs, raisins, capers, crumbled blue cheese, walnut pieces and mix well.
Pour in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and season well. Add some caper juice, a little cayenne pepper and mix well.
Leave the salad in the fridge for 1 hour for the flavors to mingle.

Asian flavors · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Grains · Vegan · Vegetable-related

My brown rice salad with two sesame flavors

Belinda

This has a wonderful nutty flavor and is very moreish.

1 cup (at least) uncooked long or short grain brown rice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 cup peeled and coarsely shredded carrots
A good handful of chopped cilantro
1/2 cup thinly sliced trimmed scallions
1/2 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts
2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted in a dry skillet

Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and let stand, uncovered until cooled.

Whisk the oil, lemon  juice and sesame oil in a large bowl. Add the cooked, cooled rice, carrots and scallions and cilantro. Toss to blend and season if necessary.

Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and sesame seeds, toss once and serve

Appetizer Vegetarian · Appetizers · Gluten Free · Nuts

My quick pesto mushroom starter

Belinda

This is ever so quick and tasty, especially if you have your own homemade pesto, but a good brand of store-bought pesto works really well too. I haven’t given measurements as it’s a recipe to be creative with!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Serves 4

4 large portobello mushrooms
about 2 tbsp pesto sauce per mushroom (preferably homemade)
2 large balls of fresh mozzarella (the ones in water)
good olive oil
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
ground pepper
lightly toasted pine nuts, (about 1 tbsp per mushroom)

Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp cloth, do not wash under running water, remove the stalks and put on a baking tray dark side up.
Sprinkle each with olive oil then put in the pesto sauce.
Top the pesto with torn up pieces of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle the pine nuts over.
Season with ground pepper and a little kosher salt. Add grated parmesan cheese, about 1-2 tbsp per mushroom.
Put under a broiler first and cook on a medium heat so as not to burn the pine-nuts, then if the mushrooms are still too raw, put them on the top shelf in the oven for about 10 minutes to soften them.

Serve!

Gluten Free

Zucchini and black olive rice pilaf

Belinda

This is a really lovely pilaf and also very easy to make.

2 medium zucchini
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp minced yellow onions
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup long grain white rice
1/4 cup (at least) pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt

Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a handheld grater. Squeeze out some of the juice from the zucchini.
In a saucepan, melt the butter with the oil over medium-low heat. When the butter melts, add the onion and ground pepper and saute until the onion is translucent, 2 – 3 minutes.
Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until opaque and coated with the butter and oil, 3 -4 minutes longer.
Add the chopped olives, cilantro and zucchini  and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds to blend the ingredients together.
Pour in the broth, add the salt, raise the heat to medium high and bring to the boil.
Cover and reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed all of the broth, about 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let rest, covered for about 5 minutes.
Then fluff with a fork and serve,

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Meat

Pork in Black Bean Sauce

Belinda

Serves 4. This is so easy and delicious and is a great recipe to double.

1lb pork tenderloin (1 pork tenderloin with silverskin removed)
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp cornflour
1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil

1 1/2 tbsp dried Chinese black beans, rinsed and coarsely chopped (available in Asian markets)
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp scallions (spring onions) finely chopped
1 tbsp shallots, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp chicken stock
1 tbsp sesame oil

Cut the pork into thin slices 1 1/2 inches long. Put the slices in a bowl and mix them well with the rice wine or dry sherry, soy sauce, sesame oil and cornflour. Leave to marinate for about 20 minutes.

Heat a wok or large frying pan until it’s very hot. Add half the oil and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, lift the pork out of the marinade with a slotted spoon, put it in the wok and quickly stir fry for about 2-3 minutes. Transfer it to a bowl at once.

Wipe the wok or pan clean, reheat it and add the rest of the oil. Quickly add the black beans, garlic, scallion (spring onions) and shallots. A few seconds later add the rest of the ingredients. bring the mixture to the boil and then return the pork to the wok or frying pan. Stir fry the entire mixture for another 5 minutes.
Turn it on to a warm serving platter and serve at once with some hot steamed rice.

Asian flavors · Beverage · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Vegan

Fresh ginger ale with lemongrass

Belinda1 Comment

This is a ginger ale for grown-ups, a spicy, not-too-sweet, ultra refreshing drink that combines fresh ginger, lemongrass and chilies in a way you’ve probably never had them.
It makes 1 quart of syrup, enough to make at least 10 glasses.  The syrup keeps for weeks, refrigerated

Thanks to Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

1lb fresh ginger root, unpeeled and cut into small dice
2 stalks lemon grass, trimmed and roughly chopped
2 small chilies, stems removed
1 1/2 cups white sugar
soda water
lime wedges

Combine the ginger, lemongrass and chilies in a food processor and process until minced, stopping the machine periodically and scraping down the sides, if necessary.

Place the puree in a saucepan with the sugar and 1 quart water. Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat. Cool, then strain and chill.

To serve, place about 1/4 cup of the syrup in a glass full of ice. Fill with soda water, taste and add more syrup if you like. Garnish with a lime wedge, then serve

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Nuts · Poultry · Salad

Thai chicken, cucumber and coconut salad (CleanCuisine)

Belinda

I made this last night and we were blown away by the flavors. It’s light, healthy and full of flavor!
You can buy palm sugar in Asian supermarkets like “99 Ranch” (in Los Angeles)

Serves 4

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
165 mls coconut milk
40 grams palm sugar, (shave it off with a knife) or if you can’t find any, demerara sugar
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 large English cucumber
2 long sweet red chillies, thinly sliced  (I noticed that Trader Joes has these)
small bunch fresh coriander, leaves picked
1 good sized thai shallot or regular shallot, finely sliced
50 grams roasted peanuts. crushed

Put the chicken between two sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin or heavy pan to flatten a little so it is all the same thickness.

Put the coconut milk, palm sugar and fish sauce in a wide, shallow pan. Add the chicken to the cold liquid then gently bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 15 minutes. Take off the heat and leave to cool in the liquid, turning it a couple of times.

Using a vegetable peeler, cut the cucumber into long thin ribbons.

Take the chicken from the poaching liquid and slice as thinly as possible, then mix all the ingredients except the roasted, crushed peanuts.
Serve drizzled with some of the cool poaching liquid and sprinkle with the peanuts.

It’s SO delicious!