Anyone can be "the family chef". You just need good recipes and techniques! Chef Amy Fothergill shares her best recipes with you for quick and easy dishes with an emphasis on gluten-free.

Get information here about her cookbook, The Warm Kitchen: Gluten-Free Recipes Anyone Can Make and Everyone Will Love.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Massel products giveaway!

If you've been reading my blog recently you've already heard me rave about Massel's bouillon and stock products. Over the last few weeks, I've experimented with some of the different flavors in my polenta and chicken-less stew recipes and have been very pleased with the results.

Massel prides itself on providing healthful and delicious flavor bases that are vegan and gluten-free. The Australian-based company also uses recycled packaging, harvests its palm oil from sustainable sources and doesn't rely on excess salt or MSG for its taste. In fact, there is no MSG in the products at all.

Massel provided samples of their products for my review.


Want to win everything pictured above?! To enter the giveaway, these are all chances to win:
Comment on this blog post
Like the post on Facebook
Leave a comment on Facebook
Retweet the post on Twitter
Reply to the Twitter post
Like The Family Chef on Facebook and Twitter
Like Massel on Facebook (Search for Massel Stock Cubes Bouillon Powders and Gravies) and Twitter

Leave a comment on this blog entry letting me know which of the above you did. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 12, 2014. Winner must be over 18 years of age and reside in the United States. Good luck!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Tastefully Simple provides true to its name



True to its name, Tastefully Simple provides easy-to-prepare foods that require only two items and three steps (or fewer) to prepare. They recently launched a line of gluten-free mixes that are both tasty and simple!

Thank you to Tastefully Simple for providing samples for me to try. My opinions are my own. 

Below you'll find the company's product descriptions followed by my pictures. The mixes were all super easy to assemble and yielded great results. One thing you should be aware of is that the products were not made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and some of the products contain dairy. I made adjustments as needed. 

Gluten-free beer bread: calls for one egg and gluten-free beer or sparkling water. I used gf beer; it was really easy to make. It was a bit on the sweeter side and we found it better toasted. I would have liked it with melted cheese or pesto spread. My kids didn't love but then again, they are not beer connoisseurs! It would be good for appetizers with something else in my opinion.
Makes 13 servings. 13.9 ounce pouch. Kosher.





Gluten-free fudgy brownie mix: loaded with real chunks of fudge. Simply add butter (or oil) and eggs. Again, very easy and tasty. I made this and brought to a function. No one knew it was gf. 
Makes 16 servings. 18.8 ounce pouch. Kosher.

Gluten-free cinnamon apple cake mix: glorious cinnamon-spiced goodness. Just add eggs and apples. Although this cake took a bit more effort to make it was absolutely our favorite hands down. I shared some with a friend and they were quite enthusiastic. I added some chopped nuts along with the apples. I would make this again in a heartbeat!
Serves 9. 16.5 ounces. Kosher.



      









Gluten-free vanilla bean pound cake mix: flecks of vanilla bean. Just add water and butter. Yes, this was an indulgence and one that my dairy-free daughter could not have. I brought this to a function for sharing and everyone loved it. I would say this runs a close second to the apple spice cake above. I would like it better if there was no dairy.
Serves 8. 14.8 oz. Kosher. 





Depending upon your level of sensitivity (remember, they are manufactured in a plant that also uses wheat), these gluten-free mixes are both delicious and easy to make. If you are interested in possibly being entered for a give-away, leave a comment!








Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The best gluten-free chicken tenders

Without a doubt, these are better than anything I or my children have ever had in a restaurant! Well, in my humble opinion, that is. When I make these, I make a double batch. We use half for the meal and I either freeze the rest or use it for lunches or leftovers.

You can use this recipe for fish or almost any other protein, even tofu! For our family, I use a dairy substitute like almond milk to make it dairy-free. Although a few years back some people thought eggs were in the dairy category, they actually are not. Dairy refers to anything that comes from a cow. I'm also providing an egg-free substitute as well as this can be another allergen many children and even adults can't tolerate.

Want something a little more sophisticated? Try serving them with an apricot Dijon sauce (yes, that's in my cookbook, The Warm Kitchen) or a sriracha or sesame oil mayo. Getting ready for the game? Toss these with your favorite buffalo wing sauce. So many possibilities! Does your child like ranch dressing but can't have dairy? Try Follow Your Heart's vegan ranch dressing.

Give it a try and don't be afraid to fry these. I fill a big pan with about 1/4"-1/2"of oil since I don't fry too often. It's so worth it. Let me know how you like them.

For more gluten-free recipes like this, check out my cookbook, The Warm Kitchen!


Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders 

Makes about 12-16, depending upon the size of the tender

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders

2 tablespoons white rice flour
2 tablespoons potato starch
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp each black pepper

1 large egg or egg substitute (see below)
1 tablespoon milk or milk substitute, plain and unsweetened

2 cups gluten-free corn flakes, crushed or ground in a processor (measure first, then crush)

1-2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Egg Substitute: to make 1 egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons warm water in a bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes.


  1. Slice chicken breasts into strips; if using tenders, proceed to the next step. Pat dry if wet.
  2. Mix flour, starch, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Place egg or egg substitute and milk in another shallow bowl and beat lightly. Place corn flake crumbs in another shallow bowl.
  3. Bread the chicken. Take 3-4 pieces of chicken and first dip in flour mixture. Shake excess. Dip in egg and then corn flake crumbs. Place breaded chicken on plate or tray until all chicken is coated.
  4. Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a large sauté pan. Heat to medium heat. Add one piece of chicken to the oil. If chicken does not make a sizzle sound, let the pan heat up more. Add chicken pieces but don’t crowd pan. Don’t move chicken; allow to brown. Turn once and cook until heated through. Place on a piece of paper towel on a plate and place chicken on this plate to absorb some of the oil. Use more oil if needed.
  5. To keep tenders warm or to crisp up, place tenders on a baking sheet and place in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Serve with So Simple Tomato Sauce, Spicy Orange Sauce, or Barbecue Sauce (see cookbook).