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Recipe: Gluten-Free Mozzarella Caprese Bites

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Last night I hosted a Thirty-One party for some friends and spent a lot of time looking for some different appetizers and finger foods to serve. I made some tried-and-true favorites like Buffalo Chicken Dip, but thought it would be fun to try some new recipes, too.

I found a couple recipes on Pinterest that I decided to try – one turned out fabulous, the other?  Not so much.  I’ll spare you those details and share the hit of the party: Mozzarella Caprese Bites.

This recipe was simple and so delicious!  Truly a wonderful blend of flavors!

IMG_3506Mozzarella Caprese Bites

  • Basil leaves
  • Bel Gioioso Fresh Mozzarella
  • Organic grape tomatoes
  • Nakano Balsamic Blend Seasoned Rice Vinegar
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Toothpicks

Directions:

  1. Wash basil and grape tomatoes.
  2. Cut fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces.
  3. Assemble the first 3 ingredients on toothpicks.
  4. Chill until ready to serve.
  5. Drizzle with Nakano Balsamic Blend and extra virgin olive oil.

Enjoy!

IMG_3512Nakano has several varieties of gluten-free rice vinegars (see picture).  All varieties are low in calorie and have no fat or preservatives.  These help put a great finishing touch to salads, pizza, veggies, etc.  I was very pleased with the flavor the Balsamic Blend added to the Mozzarella Caprese Bites.

Nakano products can be found in grocery stores across the US or online.  For gluten-free recipe inspiration, make sure to visit the Nakano Pinterest Board.

Review: Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 7 Comments

It was only last week that I learned that Trader Joe’s is now making a frozen gluten-free pizza. I was really excited to hear this, as I have been really happy with some of their other store brand gluten-free products.  When I knew I was going to be close to one of the two Trader Joe’s stores in the Columbus area, I made time to swing by and pick up some of my favorite products and the new gluten-free pizza.

Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pizza with fresh Roma Tomatoes is the perfect food to have on hand for busy nights or lazy weekend afternoons.  The preparation time is less than 30 minutes, including the time recommended to let the pizza sit at room temperature before it goes into the oven.

IMG_3432The back of the box says the serving sizes is 1/2 of the pizza, but Jon easily consumed it in one sitting.  The pizza has a great flavor, though the crust could be a little crispier.  I have a feeling that the crust could have been improved by baking the pizza directly on the oven rack, as the box suggests.  These pizzas have quickly become one of my favorite Trader Joe’s products to keep on hand.

Doesn’t that look amazing?  The gluten-free pizzas are priced at $4.99/each, which is a little less than some of the other gluten-free pizzas of comparable size on the market.

Have you tried Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese gluten-free Pizza?  What did you think?

Recipe: Rustic Gluten-Free Pumpkin Walnut Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

A month or so ago I had the pleasure of sampling a wonderful pasta sauce from Cucina Antica – the Tuscany Pumpkin Sauce.  I have used this sauce in many ways now and would love to share some of my recipe ideas with you.  Today I will share my Rustic Pumpkin Walnut Pizza.  I love pizza on Friday nights and after my first taste of this sauce, I couldn’t resist using it on a pizza.

This has to be one of my best creations to date!

IMG_3319Rustic Pumpkin Walnut Pizza

  • 1 Udi’s gluten-free pizza crust
  • 1/2 cup Tuscany Pumpkin sauce
  • 1/4 feta cheese
  • Sprinkle of mozzarella cheese
  • Handful of raw spinach or arugula
  • 1-2 TBSP chopped walnuts

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Top pizza with toppings in the order they are listed.

3.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

4.  Enjoy!

Serves 1-2 people

Preparing for a Gluten-Free Wedding

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

These days there are so many people who are more sensitive as to what they are eating and putting in their bodies. Whether it is just for a diet or for a food allergy, the most conscious of wedding planners will provide different dining options for all their guests needs. Being attentive of a guest’s needs prior to the big celebration will make for a much more enjoyable event with fewer complications. One popular dietary need that is more on the rise that wedding planners should be aware of is food that is free of gluten.

It may be tempting for some to try to do a completely gluten-free wedding, however this may add to an already long list of things to plan out for the big day. Instead, just a few minor adjustments to food options will allow everyone to be safely fed at your event.

Gluten-Free Menu Ideas:

Obviously planning a wedding can be quite expensive. Add into that the fact that many gluten-free manufactured foods often come with a hefty price tag and you face the possibility of running up a very large bill.  Fortunately there are many naturally gluten-free foods that will allow you to make an amazing spread without spending an amazing amount of money. Two popular items to pair with any meat or main dish is quinoa or rice. Both are grains without gluten and are relatively easy to find and moderately priced. Other recipe ideas are:

  • Hummus- provide some gluten-free crackers or better yet fresh vegetables
  • Roasted pepper and chickpea and feta salad
  • Chicken with white beans and tomatoes
  • Salmon or halibut or any fish paired with steamed vegetables and beans
  • Roasted quinoa, cilantro and bean salad
  • Balsamic chicken and rice

Whether making the whole wedding menu gluten-free or just providing some substitutions you are sure to make your wedding “guest complaint free”!

This article was contributed by Trisha Jefford, a self proclaimed foodie and wine enthusiast who loves to scour the net for new ideas and trends in food creation and presentation.

Navigating the Holidays Gluten-Free

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Yes, I did just mention the “H” word. It seems only fitting since we are in the second week of October and you know the stores will have their holiday decorations up shortly if they don’t already. As a matter of fact, I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond last week to visit the wall of coffee, and noticed a small Christmas display in the back. It wasn’t a full-on holiday, dripping with Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, etc, but a small sign that it is coming.

If this is your first year navigating the holidays gluten-free, you are probably feeling a little apprehensive. Even those of us who have navigated the holidays gluten-free before feeling this way. There are so many factors and variables involved, that it is certainly an event or season that must be planned out, but not necessarily worried about or avoided.

turkeyBelow you will find some links to articles with some wonderful information about navigating the holidays gluten-free whether you are at home or traveling.

  • Last-Minute Holiday Tips
  • Thanksgiving Timesaving Tips
  • Thanksgiving Survival Tips Part 1
  • Thanksgiving Survival Tips Part 2
  • Twitter Party Recap of Holiday Tips

One of the reasons that I am writing this post now is to ask our readers what kind of information you would like to see over the next month or so about the holidays.  Are there specific recipes you want or need help adapting?  Are lists of gluten-free holiday foods, brands, and/or establishments something that would help make things a little easier for you?  Please take this time to share what we can do to help you in the comments section below.