GF Facts:
There are several items that the gluten-free dieter should avoid when purchasing groceries.  Most of these are processed foods including breads, cakes, cookies, pies, pasta, rice mixes, cereal, pancakes, sweet rolls, and some teas.  Other items include processed dairy products, processed fruits and vegetables, processed meats, soups, matzo, licorice, some candies, thickeners, soy sauce, modified food starch, and malt. 

The best way to avoid these unwanted ingredients is to make your meal from scratch with naturally gluten-free ingredients.  Here’s a favorite lunch or dinner meal for a cool day in summer or any time of the year.  You will feel good knowing your corn bread and chili are additive and gluten-free!  This is also a special meal to have when guests are arriving for the holidays.  Keep the chili warm in the crockpot as people arrive at various times.

Gluten Free Corn Bread

1 cup corn meal
1 cup brown rice flour
1 tsp. xanthum gum
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup oil or applesauce
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Butter 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inch pan.  Mix together dry ingredients.  Add milk, butter and eggs.  Beat 1 minute.  Pour into buttered pan.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with honey, syrup, or vegetarian chili.

Vegetarian Chili

16 oz. dry kidney beans or bean variety, soaked overnight
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. basil
3 Tbsp. chili powder
Dash of cayenne
Salt & pepper
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup carrots, cut into circles
1 cup frozen corn
32 oz. can diced tomatoes (or 2 small cans)

Drain soaked beans.  Put beans in a big soup pot and add 6-8 cups water and 1 tsp. salt.   Cook until tender (about 1 1/2 hours).  In a frying pan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil.   Add cumin, basil, chili powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, green pepper, carrots, and corn.  Pour a bit of water to help steam the vegetables.  Add the saute to the cooked beans and water.  Stir in the tomatoes.  Simmer over low heat about 3 hours.  Serve with cheese and corn bread.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2 (NKJV)