Gluten-free Gourmand

One of the things that I promised myself after returning from Hiatus 2015  was that I'd figure out how to make Cochinita Pibil.  It's kind of a regional specialty in the Yucatan and all the restaurants compete for the title of "Best Cochinita."  So I made it yesterday for the first time.  Here's the method: Chicken Pibil 1. Go to a cute Mexican store.  I chose Mercado Don Pancho on Alberta because it's like a portal to another world.  Why spend so much money on a plane ticket when you can just go to the Mercado and be instantly transported to another country?  There I purchased a small package of Achiote for

For people just starting the gluten-free diet, there can be a lot to digest.  Sometimes, the biggest shock to the system isn't about the food itself - it's about how much it costs.  Here are some strategies for easing the blow to your wallet. Cut down on waste .  A recent study found that Americans let 40% of their food go to waste - in spite of having almost universal access to the most advanced technology in quality control and refrigeration in the world.  Have a plan for when you will eat everything perishable that you buy, and don't buy more than you can use. Make what you have .  If you find yourself running over budget in the week, try to see what you can make without going to the store.  Don't have any meat in the house?  Use eggs, tuna fish, peanut butter, nuts or beans for your protein instead.  Necessity is the mother of invention, and you might end up creating a new recipe out of common ingredients that you can use again. ...

If you're like me, you haven't had a chance to do anything with your turkey leftovers yet.  On Black Friday, I worked all day.  I work in retail, so there was no getting around that!  Yesterday I had a family leftover dinner.  However, I still have plenty of leftovers to deal with, so today I'll be making turkey soup. Use this recipe as a template and make it your own.The ingredients you use will depend on what you have leftover.  Typically you will not need to buy anything extra, which makes this dish very cheap to cook.  Most ingredients in this recipe can be substituted out for something else that you have on hand.  The amount of salt you will need will vary greatly depending on how salty the other ingredients in the dish already are.  Making soup is a very easy way to use your leftovers for a new dish, although it does take some time.  Allow about 4 hours to make this recipe.  Here are the basics on how to make turkey soup ...

Springtime is the season for Lamb.  It's tender and flavorful now, and because it's the right time of year you can sometimes find a bargain.  I got this lamb shoulder on sale for $4.49/lb at Whole Foods (it's usually at least $6.50).  I picked up the asparagus at the Portland Farmer's Market.  I wouldn't call it a bargain at $3/bunch, but there was plenty of asparagus in there and it was just how I like it: the stalks were thin and very fresh.  I only used about half the bunch for this dish.  The whole meal cost me about $4. I cook some variation of this meat-and-vegetable meal on a regular basis.  It takes about 10 minutes to cook, but if you have more time you might consider taking the lamb out of the fridge ahead of time to bring it up to room temperature before cooking.   This makes it easier to cook it medium-rare without getting a rare-rare spot around the bone.   Ingredients: Lamb shoulder steak Olive oil Salt Pepper Sag...

This one may look fancy, but it was really quite simple.  The recipe calls for: fresh salmon baby lettuce olive oil paprika dill salt pepper I usually only get salmon when it's on sale and in-season, which makes this dish qualify for my quick and cheap gluten-free meals round-up.  I found some good-looking steelhead salmon today for $4.99/lb - a very good deal! Salmon Paprika Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on medium-high.  Rinse and pat dry: 1/4 to 1/2 pound fresh salmon fillets per person rub with: olive oil Sprinkle the top side of the salmon with: paprika salt pepper dill Place the salmon in the heated skillet, skin-side down.  Cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on thickness.  The salmon should look like this: Turn on the broiler and place the skillet on the top shelf of the oven.  Broil the top of the salmon until the dill is slightly crispy, another 2-4 minutes.  The inside should not be cooked thorou...

Continuing on with my quick and cheap gluten-free dinner ideas , I want to mention that Progresso is now labeling some of their soups gluten-free!   According to their website , Progresso has also decided to remove MSG from all their soups.  This is good news!  The MSG was keeping me from buying their soups more often.  Thanks, Progresso!

This is one of the fastest and easiest meals I make.  It generally takes about 10-15 minutes, from the time I turn on the stove to sitting down to eat.   There's only one pan afterwards.  This recipe is low-carb, but very filling.  There are only four ingredients: Pork lettuce olive oil salt 1. Turn the stove to medium and heat a cast-iron pan. 2. When the pan is nice and hot, place your cut of pork in the pan.  Let it cook for 2 minutes for a one-inch-thick piece, 30 seconds for a thin piece. 3. Turn the pork over.  Let it cook for thirty seconds to one minute, then turn off the burner and cover the meat with a large lid. 4.  When the piece is just cooked through, salt it on both sides. 5.  Place the meat on a bed of lettuce dressed with olive oil and salt. Or, for another version, prepare this dish with roasted vegetables in the oven as I described in Quick and Easy Gluten-free Soy-free Dairy-free Dinner Idea: Roasted Vegetables. ...

The biggest drawback to the gluten-free diet is the expense.  Wheat is the cheapest food that you can buy, and having it off your list guarantees a higher ticket at the grocery store.  Here's a quick list of the easiest and least expensive gluten-free meals out there.  Some of them are even naturally gluten-free, and they are all delicious! Pasta Carbonara Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Rice Oxtail Soup   Rice Pasta with Marinara Sauce Roasted Vegetables with Bacon If you have a favorite cheap and easy gluten-free meal, leave a link or a recipe in your comments!