Gluten Free Menu Swap- January 28, 2008

When I first went gluten-free, there was a lot of confusion about which vanilla extracts were in fact gluten-free. My response was to buy a clearly labeled Non-GMO, gluten-free vanilla extract from Whole Foods. However, I wasn’t satisfied with how these vanilla extracts tasted. The allergy-friendly gluten-free vanilla just didn’t scream high-quality to me. And the gluten-free vanilla powdery stuff was completely out of the question. It looked like something you would bring on a space expedition. So I was really happy when that issue was [somewhat] resolved. Most of us have come to agree that grain-based alcohols are safe and therefore, most vanilla extracts should be ok.

Vanilla

Storage: Vanilla beans should be kept in an air-tight container in a dry, dark place. Never keep vanilla beans in the refrigerator because this shortens their shelf life (promotes mold). Vanilla extract should be kept in an air-tight container to prevent loss of flavor and keeps indefinitely.

Selection: Brand of vanilla recommended by foodies is Nielsen Massey Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract Gluten-Free Girl mentions this in her post: The Dark-Brown Joys of Vanilla Extract and Joy of Baking mentions it in her Vanilla tutorial. If you are picking vanilla beans, aim for beans that are soft, oily, and have a fragrant vanilla aroma.

Varieties: Bourbon beans, Mexican beans, Tahitian beans (Check out vanilla.com)

My Gluten-Free Menu

Monday: Mahi Mahi with Coconut Rice

Tuesday: Gluten Free Goddess’ Chicken Lime Soft Tacos (classic favorite here)

Wednesday: Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen’s Fried Noodles with Garlic Shrimp (first time with this one; see her gluten-free notes)

Thursday: Grand Marnier Chicken with Brown Rice and Green salad

Friday: My Pantry Beef Casserole

OUR GLUTEN FREE MENUS

Sally’s Gluten Free Menu at Aprovechar- She has some good ideas for making meal-planning seem less overwhelming. She is making a tasty meyer lemon and vanilla bean marmalade this week. Sally will be hosting the swap next week and the ingredient will be turnips.

Melanie’s Gluten Free Menu at The Gluti Girls- She is starting the South Beach diet this week! There is a yummy recipe for Taco soup in her menu post too.

Sea’s Gluten Free Menu at Book of Yum- She has a wonderfully diverse menu planned as always. Her Hot and Sour soup sounds really, really good right now.

Sara’s Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free Dance- She is also making tacos this week and a Creole Crabmeat Casserole that sounds pretty fantastic.

Carrie’s Gluten-Free Menu at Ginger Lemon Girl- She included a recipe for gluten-free hot chocolate. Yum.

Esther’s Gluten-Free Menu at The Lilac Kitchen- She is working around other allergies these days, but she has some great ideas for getting through the week.

Karen’s Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free Sox- She is hosting a Super Bowl party this week with a New England theme. What a great idea! She is also planning on making a mushroom lasagna.

Kara’s Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free in the Greens- Her menu is also impressive. The Potato Chard Gratin sounds great and it sounds like she is trying to make a healthier version to make it even better. She is also undergoing dietary changes and trying to eliminate a lot of the meat in her diet.

Ginger’s Gluten-Free Menu at Fresh Ginger- Her menu is just mouth-watering. Her green chile empanadas would definitely hit the spot!

Monique’s Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free Pregnancy- She is planning a post for gluten free oatmeal raisin cookies this week.

My Monday Mommy Brag:

Jude parties hard and crashes hard (it took me a minute to find him after he fell asleep in my closet) !

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Posted by Natalie
Filed under: gluten free menu

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More Posts Like This:

• Gluten Free Menu Swap- February 25, 2008
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• Gluten Free Menu Swap- January 14th
• Gluten Free Menu Swap- March 10, 2008
• Gluten Free Menu Swap- November 26th