Finding gluten free breads that also taste good can sometimes be difficult, so I try to feature those here when I find them.  Here is a recipe I ran across for gluten free potato bread.  Enjoy!

Gluten Free Potato Bread Recipe

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 package dry yeast
• 2 cups Gourmet Blend flour
• 1/2 cup instant potato flakes
• 3 tbs. non fat dry milk
• 2 tsp. xanthan gum
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tbs. sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tbs. margarine, melted
• 2 eggs, room temperature, beaten
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 7/8 cup warm water

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients.
2. Whisk to blend thoroughly.
3. Transfer to gluten free bread machine.
4. Combine and whisk all liquid ingredients.
5. Transfer to machine.

[Recipe Courtesy of YT Recipes]

In order to maintain a completely gluten free diet, it is essential that you do a lot more than just look for gluten in foods.  Did you know that gluten can also be found in all sorts of other things?  Did you know stamps contain gluten?  Certain medicines?

It would be to difficult to compile a complete list of these products, but here are some things you should look for if you are living gluten free:

• Lotions, creams and cosmetics (primarily for those with dermatitis herpetaformis).
• Stamps, envelopes or other gummed labels.
• Toothpaste and mouthwash.
• Some medicines contain gluten.
• Some brands of rice paper.
• Laxatives.

Can you think of any non-food or drink items that contain gluten that I might have missed?  Let me know in the comments below!

A couple of days ago I received a helpful email from one of our readers, Jean.   The email was a quick review of a restaurant in Lynchburg, Virginia, that offers a gluten free menu.   Here is what Jean had to say:

Logan’s Roadhouse (we went to the one in Lynchburg, VA) was very understanding about my son’s allergies to gluten, casein, soy, rice, and corn.  They do not have a gluten-free printed menu, but they have many menu items that are free from gluten and other allergens.  Most of their meats can be prepared safely to avoid contamination.  They cooked my son’s chicken breast on a separate part of the grill.  He also ate unseasoned steamed broccoli, and he had no adverse reactions.  The food was wonderful!

Thanks Jean!   If you live in the Virginia area, you may want to check out Logan’s Roadhouse.   And as always, if anyone wants to write up a quick review of a restaurant they’ve visited that has a gluten free menu, please contact us.

For people that are new to living the gluten free lifestyle (whether by choice or necessity), the first thing you often need to do is find a good collection of recipes.  Of course the first place you should always look is here at Gluten Free Resource, but the internet isn’t always handy, right?

One book I’ve really enjoyed is a new book called You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten Free! This book includes 500 delicious gluten free recipes that anyone would enjoy and is already receiving great recipes from the gluten free community.  Check out You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten Free!

Are you a fan of Eggplant Parmesan?  Here is an excellent gluten free Eggplant Parmesan recipe that is both gluten free and vegan.

Gluten Free Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 small eggplant
• 1 cup Braggs liquid aminos
• 1 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 12 ounces gluten-free spaghetti
• 14 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano

Directions:

1. Start boiling water for pasta. Whenever it boils, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
   Meanwhile, start heating spaghetti sauce in a saucepan.
2. Add garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and oregano, and any other seasonings you like. Fresh herbs are even better if you have them. Be sure to stir occasionally.
3. While the water is coming to a boil and the sauce is heating, also heat oil in a frying pan. Use enough to cover the bottom of the pan with about 1/4 inch of oil. Don’t skimp.
4. Mix nutritional yeast and cornstarch. Slice eggplant.
5. Dip each slice in Bragg liquid aminos then in yeast mixture.
6. Fry coated eggplant slices in oil. Note: if oil is not hot when you add the eggplant, you will have soggy eggplant.
7. You may have to fry the eggplant in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your frying pan. Set the cooked slices aside on a plate covered with a paper towel.
8. Add more oil in between batches if necessary, but be sure to heat it before adding more eggplant.
9. When everything is cooked, add a little pasta and a few eggplant slices to each plate.
10. Top with spaghetti sauce and sprinkle with vegan parmesan or more nutritional yeast. If you use pretty plates and garnish with a little fresh parsley or fresh basil, people with think you were in the kitchen all day.

[Recipe Courtesy of Recipe Zaar]