Wheat-Free Cornbread Dressing

Heat 11/2 cups chicken broth; add 1 tsp each of caraway seeds and thyme. Let stand. Sauté 1 medium onion, chopped and 1/2 cup of chopped radish in 2 Tbsp pure olive oil. In a large mixing bowl, crumble 1 pan of wheat-free cornbread. Pour broth, onion mixture, and optional ingredients over cornbread. Fluff with two spoons until mixed and moistened evenly. Spread in a 9 x 13″ baking dish. Bake covered for 35 mintues at 350°F.

Cranberry-Hibiscus Relish

Place 4 cups raw cranberries and 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp hibiscus syrup into a food processor. Pulse until the cranberries are very finely chopped. The mixture should be dark pink, but not liquified.

Hibiscus Syrup

Toast 5 pods of cardamom.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Then add 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, 2 sticks of cinnamon, 1 tsp whole cloves, and the cardamom pods.
Boil gently for 1 minute; then allow mixture to steep and cool.
Strain out solids, and return the liquid to the pot.
Wisk in 2 cups of sugar. Boil for 4 minutes. Cool and pour into a sterile jar. Refrigerate and serve.

Spinach Salad With Beets and Feta

Toss 2 cups of baby spinach with 1 1/2 Tbsp pure olive oil and 1 1/2 Tbsp honey vinaigrette dressing. Place in serving bowl and top with 1 quartered and sliced beet, 1/4 cup butter-toasted pecans, and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.

Butter-Toasted Pecans

Spread 1/2 lb of raw pecan pieces in a 9 x 12 glass baking dish with 3 Tbsp of butter. Place in a 300°F oven for 24 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes. Salt to taste.

Beef or Chicken Stroganoff

Sautee 2 medium onions, cut into thick strips with 3 Tbsp butter and 1 clove minced garlic. Set aside. In the same pan, brown 2 lbs chicken or beef strips. Add 1/2 cup sake, stir and boil. Then add 1 1/4 cups broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes. Bring to a boil; then simmer for 10 minutes. With heat off add a mixture of 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup gluten-free oat flour. Stir and boil to thicken. With heat off again, add sour cream. Heat until hot but not boiling, serve over gluten-free noodles.

Corned Beef

Every year, my family celebrates our Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day by donning green cothing with Celtic prints, or in recent years, Armstrong tartan kilts. We gather for a family feast of Corned beef, cabbage, and piles of mashed potatoes; listen to The Fenians and other Celtic music; and toast with glasses of Guiness….

Tomato-Free Marinara

In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan, lightly brown 3 cloves of crushed or minced garlic in 2 Tbsp of pure olive oil. Stir in 3/4 lb of chopped tomatillos and 2 good-sized sprigs of fresh basil. When the tomatillos have released a lot of liquid, and the mixture begins to boil, stir in salt, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Uncover and add 3/4 lb of cooked, puréed beets. Heat until just beginning to boil again. Serve over gluten-free pasta with freshly grated parmesan.

Chicken Paprikesque

To make this non-traditional, but delicious Hungarian meal, brown 3-4 lbs of chicken pieces in canola oil over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken and sautee 1 chopped onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Turn off the heat and add 3 Tbsp gluten-free oat flour and 3 Tbsp ground chili California. Stir in a puree of 3 oz beets, a 4 oz can of mild green chilis, and 4 tomatillos without the seeds. Also stir in one cup of chicken broth. Put the chicken into the mixture and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve over noodles and enjoy!

Quick Italian Sausage

Place 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the following spices over the meat: 1 tsp each of dried parsley and onion powder, 2 tsp each of salt, dried basil, and chile California powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Mix the meat and spices with two spoons as if tossing a salad. Either brown as is for crumbles or mix with hands and then form into patties to make a denser sausage.