"To be or not to be"......Gluten free that is!

                                                                              

Hi all...As you know I have been away on vacation for weeks now, thus the reason for no recent posts. It is too hard trying to use a gas stove in our RV as you have to open every vent in the place, and in 95 to 105 degree weather that is not a option, unless I want to fall over from heat exhaustion. Seems the Nu Wave and the hot plate are all we have been using while here. Forget about the oven, as its about the size of my microwave back home, and the last time I had tried to use it the bottom of our pizza was burnt to a crisp and the top still raw....not my idea of a tasty meal!

So basically I have no new recipes to share at this time. However, here are a few tips I thought you might find useful even if you have never eaten gluten free before and came across the blog by accident.

INFO:

Reasons to Go Gluten-Free
Though eating gluten free was originally just a diet to control celiac disease, many people who don’t suffer from celiac disease can actually benefit from eliminating gluten from their diets. Some people who do not have celiac disease can still suffer from gluten sensitivity, and going gluten-free is really helpful in balancing the digestive system of these people, even many who suffer from  IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Eliminating gluten can also lead to consuming fewer empty carbohydrates, which can help you lose weight. ( still need to count calories)

Gluten-Free Alternatives
Just because you can no longer eat traditional flour doesn't mean that breads, pastas, and even beer or wines are totally off-limits. Most grocery stores and every health-food store has a large variety of gluten-free products to choose from, even stores like Walmart. I have even seen gluten free products in Big Lots....Yes I said Big Lots! I am so excited to be in SC because I have found several brands that differ from what my home state of PA has to offer. I am going to have to load up before our trip home!
If you're making food at home, finding gluten-free ingredients is also really easy. Flour alternatives made from corn, nuts, flax, or soy make delicious baked goods. Although I personally avoid soy which I explained in a post way back when I started my gluten free journey, it might work for you. You can totally replace pasta dishes with quinoa or rice instead. I love quinoa in stuffed peppers!!! You can even replace bread and buns for sandwiches with lettuce leaves, sliced mushrooms, or sweet potato patties. Going gluten-free allows you to flex your kitchen creativity muscles. So experiment, and send me your favorite gluten free summer recipes, I'd love to hear from you!

I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am.....Until next time...
Sharon

Chicken breasts with lemon butter....Winner..Winner..Chicken dinner!

                                                                           

Today is one of those days when I am really not in the mood to cook. I have been through so much this past year as you well know if you have read any of my recent posts. I need quick and easy, as I want to be in and out of the kitchen as quickly as possible today. After trimming branches off trees that overhung our driveway this past week, mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and  various other yard work, I just want a light, quick, easy dinner so I can then prop my feet up while sitting on a lawn chair, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Heck....I might even set the patio table and enjoy my dinner while listening to the wind chimes as I enjoy the quiet of the evening.

So after just munching on some lemon gummy bears, a thought occurred....Why not something with lemon in it. I love the smell of lemon, it somehow seems to lift my spirits, so off to the cupboard to my vast array of cookbooks and recipes to start my searching. Lemon butter chicken breasts....Quick. Easy. Enough said, chicken it is. Thank goodness I always have a selection of frozen meats in my freezer to choose from so I definitely have what I need.

Years ago, three to be exact, I had planted some lemon seeds.  Although they have never actually produced any lemons as to date, hope springs eternal. SOMEDAY, as Tom Cruise repeatedly says in the movie Knight and Day. The only problem being is that our living in a state where we have snow in the winter months  I can't plant the trees in the ground, so they are outside during the warmer month's then inside during the winter months......I keep hoping. However, if you do rub the leaves between your fingers you can actually smell the lemon from the oils. SOMEDAY!!!

Well as promised here is the recipe.

Chicken breasts with Lemon butter:

6 medium boneless chicken breast halves, about 1  1/2 pounds
1/2 cup GF  all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
1/3 cup unsalted butter
2 lemons, washed and sliced
2 T lemon juice

Directions:

Mix the flour, salt, and the lemon pepper seasoning in a shallow bowl.
Place each chicken breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound then lightly until about 1/4 inch thick. Coat each piece in the flour mixture on both sides.

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Cook the chicken breasts in the hot melted butter, half at a time, over medium high heat for about 3 minutes on each side until brown and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from skillet onto a clean platter and cook the remaining pieces the same way, removing to the platter when cooked.

Add the lemon slices to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned turning only once. Return all of the chicken to the skillet, overlapping the pieces slightly. Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken breasts. Cook for approximately 2-3 more minutes more or until the pan juices are slightly reduced.

This is delicious served over cooked rice or quinoa, or even pasta. Makes about 6 servings. It actually turned out delicious as I had anticipated, and I did enjoy a very nice dinner on the patio listening to the sounds of nature.....Mmmmmmm, maybe a nap is in order about now!.

As always, I hope you enjoy.
Sharon