WELCOME !

Get your tissues out because this bread is so good, it’s going to make you cry (happy tears). For those of you who can have gluten, head to the notes section to learn how to adapt this into a traditional recipe. No matter how you slice it, it’s easy and delicious!

Wondering what on God’s green earth you’re going to do with the bounty of tomatoes that keeps coming, and coming, and coming at this time of year? How about making a batch of my mom’s crazy easy, super delicious TOMATO SAUCE? This is not your typical recipe that calls for peeling and seeding and hours in the kitchen. Nope! This quick version doesn’t waste time or resources, can be made in small batches (but scales like a breeze), works great with garden, road-side-stand, or store bought tomatoes, and freezes magnificently for year-round enjoyment.

You see what I did there?

You know, sometimes you just have to change things up a bit. I had made homemade tortillas for the first time with the intentions of making enchiladas. They turned out well for a newbie but, as I was pulling together my ingredients for the casserole, I had this idea to use them like lasagna noodles instead of rolling them up. Nothing like a little bi-lateral relations for our bellies, eh? I’m thrilled with the way it turned out and plan to do this again. Because there’s so much flexibility in the ingredients, this dish will accommodate lots of dietary preferences and your tastebuds will almost never get bored!

Making your own taco seasoning is much easier than you might expect. The bonus being, you can sass it up however you like. You can be confident the blend is clear of gluten, dairy, additives, preservatives, MSG, and nonsense. Use this in my Enchilada Lasagña, add it to soups and Mexican dishes, make a rub, marinade, or dip, or simply sprinkle it on at the table instead of plain old salt and pepper. Olé!

The concept of energy drinks may be a great one but the execution of most leaves a lot to be desired - quite a few have some pretty awful ingredients! How do you get the added pep in your step without compromising on nutrition? Mary’s Mocha Cola will put the vim back in your vigor and give a surprisingly healthy boost to your day. This guilt-free recipe is easy, satisfying, and refreshing!

I was SO hungry for chicken pot pie. In a crust or in a bowl, the whole recipe just screamed dairy and gluten, though, and you know how it is when you have a hankering for something and you want it to taste just so but when you have to adapt here and adjust there, it ends up losing something and being a tastebud disappointment. Well, not this recipe - it was a home-run! Really, I should probably call it “stoup” because it’s that hearty. Serve this classic comfort food with (gluten free) biscuits or a slice of homemade bread and it will keep the hungries away for hours.

Like ramen noodle soup but don’t like all the unpronounceable additives, added MSG, and those “I’m-not-sure-what-that-word-actually-means” ingredients? Here are three versions of an Asian seasoning blend that make a wonderful bowl of that college budget staple. These are so flavorful, you’ll use them for more than just soup….think salad dressings, marinades, and dips!

This recipe is known by many names including Creamed Beef and, believe it or not, Sh!t on a Shingle. No matter what you decide to call it, this classic blast from the past squarely lands in the Comfort Food category and has a plating range from elegant to casual. So it is with many nostalgic dishes, however, this has sadly become a bygone for many - ending up on the “can’t eat that anymore” list due to staple ingredients such as milk and flour. Thankfully, my new and improved version deliciously accommodates dairy and gluten intolerances. As always, be sure to read the recommendations to learn about creative modifications that mind a number of dietary styles and, as a bonus, offers the steps to make a hearty and hilariously (albeit shamelessly) named version you won’t want to miss.

How many people absolutely L O V E the comfort dish “crack” potatoes, also known as Funeral Potatoes or Cracker Barrel’s Hash Brown Casserole? I know I do! Trouble is, no matter the name, they all have gluten and dairy in them. Well, have no fear, your favorite FNTP is here (that’s me, don’t ya know…) to save dinner, the potluck, the picnic, or the party. Besides being healthier, my version has a lot of flexibility so you can add all the gluten or dairy you want but, I’m pretty sure, you’re not going to miss either!

Simple is almost an understatement. You could add the words adjustable, fast, economical, and flavorful and you wouldn’t be wrong, either. Use this recipe as a template and plug in your preferences. The sauce is the secret, the rest is up to your imagination.

Sometimes there will be a dish that, even though it is adaptable, no matter what is done to it, it just doesn’t taste good or right. That is not the case with this tried-and-true New England Clam Chowder recipe. Believe me, I have put it through its paces and have made it using a variety of dairy and flour alternatives. No matter what combination, I can’t mess it up - it’s always fabulous! It has won over even the most discerning of palates and satisfies the biggest appetites. Put a bowl of this in your belly and it will put a smile on your face!

OMGosh…did she just say BACON FAT?! Why yes, yes she did. And it’s every bit as delicious as you would expect. I can hear it now “but, but my cholesterol…”. Well, we’ll save that conversation for another day (hint: bacon fat isn’t evil). Until then, make yourself some of this heavenly dressing and enjoy every drop.

This tried-and-true natural remedy is loaded with powerful immune boosting, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that are commonly found in grocery stores and farmer’s markets.  While it can be made year ‘round, if you start the preparation in late summer, you’ll have a batch ready just in time for cooler temperatures and cold/flu season. This feisty and highly effective brew has a number of applications and, because a little goes a long way, you’ll have plenty to share making it a unique culinary gift!  

While the majority of posts in “What’s for Dinner” are about meals you can eat, you may recall this section is also a venue for recipes and how to’s for hand-crafted beverages, do-it-yourself supplements, remedies, and personal care products.  Enter “Listerclean”.  Unlike commercial swish and spits, theoretically you could take a nip of any of the variations and they wouldn’t hurt you (save for an awfully unique buzz). For this application, let’s just stick to it as a mouthwash, eh?

Want a blast of healthy heat? Just one Hot Shot will do the trick. This zesty little wonder’s anti-inflammatory ingredients pack a double punch as it warms and relaxes the body. Besides being a unique pain relieving libation, it might also encourage digestive juices, be helpful for mild congestion, tackle that irritating winter-time “tickle”, or quell a bit of a cough. How adventurous are your tastebuds?

A staple that will transform salads into creations, breads into snacks (dip-dip!), vegetables into a flavor party, and meats into impressive meals. Whip some up and keep it on hand for a condiment you won’t want to be without!

The origin of this traditional dish is Lebanese and is called, “Hashweh” which translates to “stuffing”. If you’re like many of the folks that frequent this site, “stuffing” is not something that is in your vocabulary. This is one, however, that can be enjoyed without concern of gluten or dairy. There are even vegetarian and vegan options so don’t let the “lamb” part discourage you. Enjoy it as a main dish, side, a head start ingredient in the Deluxe Lazy Gyro Casserole, turn it into a summer salad, or fill your favorite bread smeared with Healthy Hummus to make a hearty sandwich.

Have you ever looked at the ingredients in store bought marinades? If not, you might want to take a gander. They are often loaded with additives, preservatives, soy, wheat, gluten, or other undesirables. Similarly, many homemade marinade recipes call for soy sauce. Did you know that has gluten in it, too? Yuppers. Have no fear, I’ve created a magnificent concoction that makes flank steak shine but translates well to other meats, some fish and seafood, and even vegetables.

Yup, you read that right. Nope, it’s probably not what you think. Anytime anyone ever tastes nuts I’ve prepared this way, to a person, always remarks at how absolutely delicious they are. Many will even say it is the only way they can eat them without digestive upset. Read “Why You Should Soak Your Nuts” for the backstory of how this method will benefit your health and tastebuds and consider adopting this effortless but worthwhile approach to handling your nuts.

There is no shortage of homemade hummus recipes and sure, picking up a container at the store is easy-peasy. Still, I encourage you to try this variation. Not only does this rendition come together in a blink, it has no additives or fillers, you can tweak it to your tastebuds, and (unlike some counterparts) this one has character. It takes center stage as a nutritious snack and plays a key supportive role in culinary creations like the Deluxe Lazy Gyro Casserole. On top of all of that, did you know hummus freezes well? Enjoy some now and save some for later!

Living out of state and away from my mom for many years, I was determined to figure out how to make this buttery dish for those times when I wasn’t home to enjoying her cooking. I finally landed a close, respectable second using a pressure cooker (though mom’s version will always and forever be the best). I hope you get to taste my mom’s Rice & Pine Nuts one day but in the meantime, I think you’ll really enjoy this next best version.

Did you know that many commercially pre-made salad dressing packets often contain MSG, wheat, or fillers? Making your own mix is super simple, economical, and you can be assured you aren’t ingesting any aggravating ingredients. Use this seasoning in recipes like Deluxe Lazy Gyro Casserole, Healthy Hummus, Grilled Lamb Chops, Greek Salad Dressing & Marinade, as a dry rub (especially good when paired with balsamic vinegar), or in any dish where you’re looking for a taste of the Middle East. It keeps very well and is a flavorful addition to any spice cabinet.

No matter how you pronounce it - “Yee-roh” or “Jy-roh” - there’s nothing like a gyro. If you’re lucky enough like me to live in an International City, you will often find them in local restaurants and at festivals. Unfortunately, some of the best parts of the creation have gluten or dairy or both. In fact, did you know that there is a common version of the meat that calls for wheat as one of the ingredients? Uh-huh, I didn’t know it either. It’s always best to ask if that’s a concern. Either way, you’re safe with this casserole and, let me tell you, this will become your new favorite way to eat them no matter how you say it. Promise!

One of the bummers about many of the traditional Tabouli recipes is that they contain wheat or other digestively disagreeable alternatives. This is a non-starter for many with a range of sensitivities. Have no fear, Versatile Tabouli is here to open up near endless possibilities for keeping this most delightful dish on the menu.

Who would think that substituting one ingredient in this otherwise average rice recipe would make such an enormous difference in taste? A total game changer! The enhanced flavor profile of this common side dish will leave you pleasantly surprised and satisfied. It’ll be your new favorite way to eat rice!

Such a refreshing and complimentary dish! What’s particularly nice is that it is gluten free and can be easily adapted to dairy free. You’ll find excuses to make this and it will become a staple since all of the ingredients are commonly stocked (which also comes in handy for those “I forgot to tell you we have to bring something” moments). It pairs especially well with Chicken Luau and Coconut Rice and is a scrumptious life saver as a snack or dessert when entertaining unexpected visitors.

This is a tasty variation of a popular Hawaiian dish. With only a few (yet easy to find) ingredients, near effortless preparation, and it being remarkably simple to scale, you won’t think twice about inviting more guests for dinner. Serve this with a side of Coconut Rice and a helping of Pineapple Bake against a backdrop of slack-key guitar music and you’ll have your very own fun and flavorful tropical tiki party!

“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” Raise your hand if you remember that jingle. Touted as the answer to headaches, body pains, stomach upset, and a little too much party, that long established product has been in medicine cabinets for over 90 years. It’s a great antidote but sometimes there isn’t any on hand and sadly, certain versions have additives that may be disagreeable for those with dietary considerations. Happily, the ingredients for my EXCESSIVE RELIEF remedies can be found in your pantry and first aid arsenal and are adjustable to suit your needs. Whipping up a glass takes no time and doesn’t require a trip to the local drug store when you’re feeling punk.

If there’s one surefire way to guarantee:

a) your “grown-up drink” will be something that’s good for your digestive system
b) you won’t over drink

this self-limiting recipe, by nature, is a tasteful fit.

This bread is hearty, moist, slightly sweet and best of all, easier than you think to make. If you’re gluten free, don’t pass this recipe up without giving it a look. Many people with gluten sensitivities are still able to enjoy a slice of homemade sourdough bread. Read through the recipe to learn how this is possible and give this formula a try. You’ll also realize that making your own sourdough creations is nearly effortless, remarkably convenient and highly sustainable.