Gluten Free

Kentucky Pimento Cheese: Budget-Friendly, Easy, and Delicious!

June 13, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Pimento Cheese, Fixing to Happen

Okay, so why do I call this Kentucky Pimento Cheese?? Well…

It’s Pimento Cheese
I live in Kentucky

Mystery solved! Actually, I thought the words Pimento Cheese looked kind of lonely and wanted to give them a friend.

This is my go-to recipe for pimento cheese because it’s easy, simple, and (most importantly) delicious. It’s creamy and a little sweet (thanks for all you do for me, cream cheese). You can add a little jalapeno and/or cayenne pepper (just a little, don’t get crazy with it) to it if you’d like to balance the sweetness, but as a true southerner, sweetness floats my boat, so I take him as he is.

A few quick notes…

Make this your own by adding more cheese if you like, as much salt and pepper as you prefer, and adjusting the mayo to fit your personal tastes.
It’s always a great idea (with any food, actually) to shred your own cheese rather than buying it shredded. It simply tastes a lot better. A LOT better.

A Simple and Delicious Summer Salad that Begins with Prosciutto & Mozzarella Rolls

May 31, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Prosciutto Rolls Salad

I’m working on adding more really quick, simple, and summer-friendly meals and dishes to the blog – after all, when the weather is gorgeous OUTSIDE, who wants to be INSIDE any more than they have to!?!

Meal prep is a dream come true, not only for those who work outside of the home, but for anyone who wants to maximize their time without compromising healthy food that that tastes great.

So, you’ll be seeing a lot more meal ideas and recipes with all of this in mind. Actually, many won’t even be recipes as much as they’ll be ideas. The one I want to share with you today is delicious and couldn’t possibly be simpler. I got the idea for this simple summer salad from one of my favorite fast food “sandwiches” the Vito Unwich from Jimmy John’s. Italian meat, veggies, cheese, and a dressing in a lettuce wrap… it’s more delicious than you can imagine.

Which is why I wanted to incorporate the flavors at home, in a nice simple salad.

First, you’ll need a package of Prosciutto & Mozzarella Rolls (most grocery stores sell these little roll ups in the refrigerated deli department). You could, of course, buy the Italian meat(s) and mozzarella and make your own rolls, but we’re aiming for simplicity, here!

Second, buy premade packaged greens all gussied up and ready for salads OR buy your own favorite greens and make your own. We’re a romaine lettuce kind of family, so I always have crunchy romaine on hand. For most summer salads, I like a mixture of my favorite greens (arugula, romaine, iceberg, spinach, red leaf…) but for this particular salad, I always go with romaine exclusively – it’s simply better that way.

As far as other vegetables go, by all means add your personal favorites: tomatoes (when in season), sweet onion, green onion, etc. If you want to include others, such as cucumbers, carrots, celery, or broccoli, I think it’s best to simply put them to the side. This simple salad is its best when it adheres to the word simple.

Dressing? You can go with your favorite homemade Italian dressing or use your favorite bottled dressing. I normally make my own dressing, but this particular time (when these photos were taken), I was battling seasonal allergies and the zombie-brain-inducing medicines that come with them and wanted sweet simplicity. I used the wonderful Olive Garden Dressing (Amazon link) I always have on hand for such emergencies. This dressing is fantastic and I wouldn’t dream of ever running out of it.

Prosciutto Rolls Salad

Super Sauce for Salmon Patties and Salmon Burgers… So Long, Tarter Sauce

May 1, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Super Sauce for Salmon Patties & Salmon Burgers

I make salmon patties or salmon burgers at least once a week. To keep them from becoming tiresome, I often mix up what I put in them and usually change up the sauce I prepare to go on top. Sometimes I add just onions, sometimes onion and celery… sometimes bell pepper and/or garlic. You get the idea.

I’ve come across a sauce, by trial and error, that I love on top of salmon patties so much that I might not be switching up the sauce any time soon.

I call this “Super Sauce” for a few reasons:

My 4 year old grandbaby has started using the word “super” like its his job. Things are often “super” rare, “super” fun, “super” old (I always duck when he uses this one because someone in their 50s undoubtedly seems SUPER old to a 4 year old!).. so, naturally, if I associate a word with someone who has my whole heart, it becomes one of my favorite words.
It’s super. Plain and simple. It’s super.

Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese…. Delicious!

April 30, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

While it’s no big secret that homemade macaroni and cheese is superior to anything out of a box (if, that is, the cook is good at what they do), many times you simply want a fast, easy, simple way to add macaroni and cheese to your day. It’s times like these, I’m thankful for quite a few really good gluten-free macaroni and cheese brands on the market. When it comes to box varieties, Annie’s (Amazon link) and Kraft (Amazon link) make outstanding gluten-free macaroni and cheese.

I recently saw something in the frozen food aisle that jumped out at me… it jumped with such precision that it landed right in my cart… Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese. I have to admit, while I was anxious to try it, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it is. Another brand (one that makes MANY outstanding frozen gluten-free products) has a gluten-free macaroni and cheese on the market and it is ghastly.

I’m very pleased to say that Stouffer’s Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese isn’t the least bit ghastly – what it is is extraordinary. I have already bought more. They make for a delicious (and quick and easy) side for just about anything.

I’ve been known to simply slice a tomato and have this macaroni and cheese as my entire lunch. When a co-star is this good, it slides over from the role of side, right into the spotlight.

A Greta Garbo move if I ever saw one.

If you’re unable to find this deliciousness in your local supermarket (or Wal-Mart, Target…), you might check Amazon. They carry so many grocery products these days, they may just have it.

Easy, Lemon-y Hummus with Enough Garlic EVEN For My Husband!

April 20, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Easy Hummus Recipe: Garlic and Lemon Make it Happen!

When it comes to hummus, like quite a few things actually, my husband and I have very different tastes. His favorite hummus ingredient, and the flavor he wants to dominate, is garlic. Mine? Lemon…. most definitely lemon.

This particular hummus recipe is one that keeps us both happily dipping our crackers, toast triangles, and veggies.

1/2 cup tahini
1/4 + 1 TBS for drizzling cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 garlic cloves, mashed and chopped finely (no big clumps!)
2 (15 oz) cans of chickpeas, drained
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water

Combine the tahini and olive oil well – if possible, use a food processor and process until smooth. A blender also works in a pinch. Add the garlic, garbanzo beans, lemon juice, water, and salt. Combine until smooth.

Taste and add more lemon juice or salt if needed.

When serving, I like to add a little drizzle of extra olive oil and a bit of coarse sea salt. Looks pretty and adds a little more flavor.

Hummus and Gluten-Free Crackers

Review: Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (I LOVE this Cookbook to Distraction!)

April 11, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Four-Layer Folded Ranch

I was recently sent a copy of a wonderful Quesadilla cookbook in exchange for telling you all about it and I KNOW you’ll love it as much as I do. Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (Amazon link) is a dream come true for me for more reasons than one.

When you have to eat gluten-free, you turn to gluten-free tortillas, like the AMAZING ones from Mission (Amazon link) often. Roll-ups, wraps, quesadillas, burritos, etc. Things you can’t put in pliable bread, you can most absolutely put in pliable gluten-free tortillas!
I am obsessed… obsessed I tell you… with everything even remotely connected to Mexican or even Tex-Mex.
Quesadillas are a meal that comes together really fast. Meal prep can all be done ahead of time, leaving you with only one task – put it all together and make the magic happen.
This is a cookbook with easy to find (I’ve found that I usually have the ingredients on hand) recipes – ones you’ll use again and again and again.
It’s a physical cookbook. Let me tell you why I find this to be a HUGE plus… I detest searching through my phone, files, and drawers for a recipe! Detest it like a shy 12 year old kid hates giving an oral book report in front of a roomful of other kids with every single eye staring a hole right through me… I mean her. Physical books mean the recipe is always right where you left it. Each and every time.

Book Description from Amazon:

Simply put, the quesadilla is a delightful package of melted cheesy goodness―all sandwiched inside crispy tortillas. But now these little gooey snacks we all used to make as kids have evolved into savory meals and scrumptious desserts that are bursting with flavor. Featuring all new photography, Quesadillas contains some of these delicious favorites, including Roasted Veggie and Goat Cheese, Thai Peanut, Parmesan-Crusted Italian, Chicken Caesar, Philly Cheesesteak, Peanut Butter Apple, Triple Chocolate Decadence, and Pecan-Crusted Pear.

The first recipe I made was the one titled Four-Layer Folded Ranch. It involves bacon, cream cheese, Ranch dressing mix, chicken, tortillas, pepper jack cheese… see why I chose it first?? It’s pictured at the top and was even more delicious than it looks.

Remember how I spoke of meal prep above? I am a firm believer and ardent follower of the meal plan attack for suppers. I have the JOY (one of the greatest blessing of my life if we’re keeping score) of watching my grandbabies (from around 8:00am to 4:00-5:00 pm) while their parents are at work. I have two (ages 4 and 2, both boys) every weekday and some days also have their cousin (18 months, also a boy!). My days are FULL of fun, dinosaurs, Hot Wheels, laughs, and immeasurable love.

They’re also deliciously busy – and, if you’re familiar with little people, you know that between 3-5 is the crazy zone. I mean, they kick it up a notch or 50 around then, don’t they?! That’s why I love meal prep and that’s why I turn to things like quesadillas so often.

For the quesadillas pictured at the top, I cooked the chicken and the bacon earlier and placed them in meal prep containers. Then I sliced the cheese and combined the other ingredients I’d need. When 5:00 came, all I had to do was heat up the gridle and throw everything in place.

Whether it’s adorable miniature humans or a not so adorable 9-5 job, meal prep may be your new best friend.

Other Recipes Include:

Crowd-Pleaser Sheet Pan (Giant Quesadilla!)
Old World Mexico (potatoes and chorizo)
S’Mores (a scrumptious looking dessert)
Peaches and Cream
Greek Isles (Feta, spinach, black olives…)
Black and Blue (spicy beans and several cheeses)
Four-Layer Folded Caprese (cream cheese, diced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil..)

There are International, Vegetarian, Meat-y, and dessert recipes as well as a section for salsas and sauces… they are amazing.

I can’t recommend this wonderful cookbook enough. I know you’ll love and use it as much as I do!

For more information, please see Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (Amazon link).

Quesadillas by Donna Kelly

Caulipower: Quite Possibly THE Best Gluten-Free Pasta

February 1, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Caulipower Linguine with Meat Sauce

Years ago, when I had to give up gluten and wheat (health reasons), the first f0ur things I thought of were…

doughnuts
pasta
fried catfish
pizza

These are four of my favorite things in life and have been since my life began. I was afraid there’d be no hope to enjoy these great loves ever again and, frankly, with doughnuts, my prediction held true. There ARE gluten-free doughnuts, of course, but they are not the ones I remember from bakeries.

Until fairly recently, the pizza and pasta prediction also held fast, but lately, great strides have been made and (as a pasta and pizza fanatic) I couldn’t be more thankful.

However… when it comes to gluten-free pasta, it has always been a case of, “this one is pretty good” or “this one’s acceptable” instead of anything close to, ‘Holy cats, this gluten-free pasta is outstanding and tastes like the pasta I remember!”

Then I found Caulipower’s new gluten-free pastas – let’s just say it’s a GAME CHANGER.

(Review Continued Below….)

Caulipower Linguine

Caulipower is a brand I’ve been familiar with for a while because I buy their gluten-free pizza crusts (Amazon link) and gluten-free pizzas (they’re outstanding and I actually now prefer cauliflower crust to regular gluten-free crust). When my youngest daughter told me they had come out with gluten-free pasta, I’m not even exaggerating… I went to the store immediately. They’re in the frozen section and, while I first wondered about them being packaged frozen, I now LOVE the fact. This allows them to cook in just three minutes!

THREE MINUTES! Simply boil the water, add the frozen pasta, stir, and get ready to plate the deliciousness. The first one I tried was the Caulipower linguine because I’ve had difficulty finding linguine in a gluten-free pasta AND I love it.

For anyone who loves “meal prep hacks,” pasta night doesn’t get any better. Simply make up your pasta sauce (I always add ground beef, garlic, onions, green pepper, and mushrooms) and put it into a container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to make supper, warm up your sauce and cook your three minute pasta!

CauliPower Linguine Pasta

I love that the portion is perfect for two people (with a little left over even) and the fact that it cooks so quickly makes it IDEAL for busy weeknights. The best thing, however, is the fact that it is delicious! I added a little salt to the water like I do with all pasta, then added it to a meat sauce I had made beforehand.

While you could, of course, simply top the pasta with sauce, I thought adding it TO the meat sauce would make sure there was no cauliflower taste to detect. Mind you, I am obsessed with cauliflower, so it would make me giddy if there was a cauliflower taste but my husband is not a cauliflower fan, so I wanted to make sure that IF there was any flavor there, the sauce would mask it.

I tasted the pasta before adding it to the sauce and, even then, it was simply outstanding – no cauliflower taste and, best of all, it had the true consistency of “normal” pasta. Most gluten-free pasta you find in the stores is tough and not remotely “pasta-like” when it comes to the mouth feel. This one is so perfect it nearly brought a tear to my pasta-missing eye.

But it gets better.

If you’re familiar with gluten-free pasta, you know that leftovers are hideous. Gluten-free pasta, after being refrigerated and warmed-up gets even tougher. Not Caulipower pasta! When I warmed it up the next day, it tasted just like I had just made it fresh.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

(Review Wrapped Up Below…)

CauliPower Linguine Pasta with Meat Sauce

Before allowing you to get on with your life, I just wanted to point out two things to let you know just how excited I am about Caulipower pasta and how thrilled I am to have found it:

This is NOT a paid post, NOT sponsored, and NOT in any way associated with the Caulipower brand. I was NOT sent coupons or products to review. This is simply a case of a pasta lover who has to eat gluten-free finally finding the pasta that makes her excited to eat pasta again!
Many times, after I have a food or use a product, I will schedule a time in the future (maybe a week later) to blog about it on the food blog. This particular pasta I tried just last night for supper and just warmed it up for lunch. I was SO anxious to share the good news that I dropped everything to sit down and tell you all about it.

If you have to eat gluten-free, are cutting back on carbs… OR simply want a more convenient and delicious pasta, I hope you’ll try Caulipower pasta as soon as possible. It’s a perfect 10 out of 10 and, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go have a little more.

Caulipower Pasta

Keto Coleslaw (This One Has Become my “Go To” Coleslaw)

December 31, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Low Carb Coleslaw

While I don’t follow a STRICT Keto diet, I do try to incorporate as many keto/low carb meals into my cooking and eating as possible. I believe it’s the healthiest way to eat and since we are very much only as healthy as our diets, I am trying to be as strict as possible.

Besides, you just feel better when you cut back on the unnecessary things in your diet.

Eating low carb can be a bit of a challenge, I will be the first to admit it. It takes a little period of adjustment for your taste buds to go from eating very sweet foods to marginally sweet foods. Coleslaw (one of my personal favorite sides) is a great example. The coleslaw you buy in stores and restaurants is crazy sweet (they must use CUPS of sugar), so making one with Truvia (or your sugar alternative of choice) may take getting used to.

Personally, I love that you can taste the vegetables more without the added sweetness. When cutting back on sugar with anything, if you focus on ADDING flavor instead of what you’re taking away, you’ll open up a whole new world. Adding a little more sea salt and/or pepper often does the trick beautifully. I’ve also found that inviting green onion to any party makes it instantly better.

Low Carb Coleslaw

Tips:

You can use a food processor to make the coleslaw smaller (like KFC’s) or use it straight out of the coleslaw mix bag. When I make a vinegar coleslaw, I like it straight out of the bag… coarser.. but when adding mayo, I run it briefly through a food processor. Why? I have no idea!
Duke’s is my go to mayo, but simply use your favorite!
Keeping healthier coleslaw on hand is ideal for a great side. When I have some made (which is almost always), I’m able to grab a burger off the bun through a drive through, avoid the fries, and bring it home to have with a healthier side.

Gluten-Free Breakfast Burritos Made with Egglife Egg White Wraps

October 25, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Egglife Egg White Wraps

Every now and then I see something new in a store that’s so exciting and delicious looking that I stop my cart so fast I nearly throw one of my grandbabies out of it! It happened fairly recently at Meijer when I spied these Egglife Egg White Wraps.

I’m crazy about wraps – breakfast wraps in particular. Blame it on McDonald’s – they got me hooked on them with their delicious breakfast sausage wraps. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I had to give up all gluten and wheat, which meant I had to kiss these wonderful breakfast burritos goodbye. Making them at home has always been a little tricky too because gluten-free wraps aren’t always pliable or soft.

That’s why I got so excited when I saw these Egg White Wraps. I knew they’d be soft enough to fold around my fillings and soft enough to bite into without each bite making my brain register “gluten-free… it tastes and feels like this because it’s gluten-free.”

These wraps were even better than I expected – as easy to use as a tortilla wrap but much, much, MUCH more delicious.

Gluten-Free Breakfast Wraps with Picante Sauce

To make these gluten-free wraps, I cut potatoes into chunks and fried them with onion. While they were frying I made my bacon. I didn’t add scrambled eggs to these wraps because… well… the wraps ARE eggs!

I added shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and Pace Picante Sauce and the wraps were absolutely outstanding. I can’t wait to try them with sausage next time.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Meijer store near you, check for these wraps on your next trip. I got the original flavor but others are available.

Amazon has another brand of egg wraps and many other wraps (Amazon link) available. As of now, they don’t have the Egglife brand available.

Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats (Highly Customizable!)

October 11, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats

Here’s a recipe for gluten-free overnight oats that’s so simple and customizable I almost hate to even call it a recipe. It’s more of a blueprint. When it comes to overnight oats, it’s hard to go wrong as long as you stay somewhat within the “portion” guidelines…. but, even then, going off script a little isn’t going to hurt anything. If your oats ever turn out with a little more milk (almond, coconut, whole milk, oat milk…) than you’d prefer, simply add more fruit, flaxseed, chia seeds, or nuts.

If it turns out a little drier than you’d like, add juicy fruit or a little more of the milk you used in the first place. Customize the heck out of your overnight oats and use your favorite fruits and milk in the process.

The technique I used for the Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats are below. A few quick words, first. This makes two servings (possibly even three), so if you want one serving, simply use half the ingredients.

2 Cups Blueberries
2 TBS Maple Syrup
1 TBS Chia Seeds
1 TBS Flaxseed
1- 1/3 cup gluten-free oats (I use Quaker Gluten-Free Quick 1 Minute Oats)
1-1/4 Cups Almond Milk

Don’t stir or shake or anything crazy. Just put a lid on it and put it in the fridge overnight.

Very important… before serving, stir everything together! This way you’ll get something of everything in each bite… plus, you’ll be able to quickly decide if you need a little extra milk or fruit.

Substitution or Addition Ideas:

You can add or substitute fruit or nuts and experiment to find your favorite type of milk. My personal favorites are Almond milk, Oat Milk, or Cashew milk because they don’t rival the fruit or oats for taste supremacy. Coconut and rice milk (which I love in many things) can often try to dominate the conversation if you know what I mean. They’re often like Greta Garbo.. they don’t just want the spotlight, they demand it!

If you want a different fruit, you can try peaches, apples (peeled), blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc. Just be sure to keep the measurement at two cups (1 cup peaches + 1 cup blueberries, for example… hmm, that sounds good actually). Also, if you use frozen fruit for your overnight oats, let them thaw completely before using.

If you prefer honey to maple syrup, go for it. I alternate between these two sweeteners each time I make overnight oats.

I hope you give these a try – they’re quick, convenient, and so good for you.

Thanks for reading! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Blueberry Overnight Oats