7 minute chicken

On nights when I know there won’t be a lot of time to cook, I use this recipe/technique. It's one of my favorite recipes from my book, The Warm Kitchen.

What I love about it is that I can change the flavor profile of the chicken based on what herbs and spices I use. If I’m in the mood for a particular flavor or just want to use up something else, the dish can easily be transformed. I used to just call this sautéed chicken then realized one of its benefits is how quick it comes together. Yes, I timed it...7 minutes!

The chicken has to be either flattened or cut in half in order for it to cook properly in 7 minutes; otherwise, it might take about 12-15 minutes total. Adding some liquid like lemon juice or broth at the end helps to finish the cooking as well.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free. If you use a butter substitute or coconut oil instead of butter,
it is dairy-free as well.

In case you haven't seen it yet, I have been featured in the Spring issue of Cafe' Tecumseh (see below). In the interview portion, this recipe is mentioned. You can get my recipe for Chicken Tenders with Orange Mustard sauce which is in the magazine here. To view the full digital copy, click here.

I encourage you to try this recipe for your family. It's easy and tasty!

This recipe was featured on pg 25 in this magazine!

7 Minute Chicken

Serves 3-4                                                                     

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat and/or connective tissue, flattened with a meat mallet or made into cutlets but cutting across the middle

1-2 teaspoons herbs and spices (see below)

2 teaspoons olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon or ¼ cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, butter substitute or non-virgin coconut oil, i.e. plain, without a coconut smell

Optional: 1 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

FLAVOR PROFILE BLENDS

Italian blend: Mix ½ teaspoon each oregano, thyme, ground black pepper, garlic powder and salt or about 2 teaspoons of an Italian seasoning blend

Mexican blend: Mix ½ teaspoon each cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper

Indian blend: Mix ½ teaspoon each cumin, salt, and pepper and ¼ teaspoon each coriander, curry powder or turmeric, and ground ginger.

 1. Mix herbs and spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle half over chicken. You can save any extra   seasoning as long as it has not touched the raw chicken.

2. Heat medium sauté pan to medium or medium high. Once the pan is hot, add the oil and quickly place the chicken in the pan, seasoning side down, being careful not to crowd the pan.

Cook in batches if necessary. If using a non-stick pan, add oil and then heat pan. As soon as oil is hot, add chicken.

3. Do not move chicken in the pan. Sprinkle remaining seasoning on other side of chicken. Adjust heat if necessary so that you can hear the chicken cooking but so that it’s not burning.

4. Once chicken is fragrant and beginning to turn white on the edges, turn over and cook the other side. The cooked side should be brown. Again, do not move around in the pan and try not to overcook.

5. Cooked chicken will be firm when you press it. If it’s not done, it will feel soft. Try to resist the temptation to cut into it; you’ll lose a lot of the natural juices.

6. Once the chicken is cooked, you can deglaze the pan by adding fresh lemon juice or ¼ cup chicken broth. Let that cook for 1 minute, remove from heat, then add 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter. It should only take 7 minutes from the start of the cooking process to this step.

7. Optionally, to make more sauce and/or to help finish cooking the chicken, place the pan back on the burner over medium heat. Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the pan and bring to a simmer, lowering the heat if necessary. When the broth comes to a simmer, stir the cornstarch and water mixture and add it to the pan. Stir the sauce in the pan until combined. Cook 2-3 minutes or until the sauce is thick and the chicken is fully cooked. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings. If the sauce is gritty, continue simmering another 1-2 minutes.

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). 

You Get Much More Than Lemonade With This Cookbook

Buy the book from Amazon here

The name "The Lemonade Cookbook" might lead one to believe that the cookbook is about making lemonade. If you are not from the Los Angeles/Southern California region, you might actually think this. However, those from the area are probably more familiar with the cafeteria style eatery that features fresh, family-friendly dishes (umm, sound familiar?). Lemonade is described as a modern cafeteria where visitors enjoy a rotating daily spread of deliciousness, offers fresh fare that tastes as though every culture is stirred into the pot.

And that's what you will get with the book. Author Chef Alan Jackson has a style I can relate to as well. Besides being the father of 3 children, he is a successful restaurateur; he has opened 12 locations since the first one in 2007. He saw the need for quick, affordable food that was also healthy. What does a guy like Jackson do? He created a chef-driven approach to dining.

What I like most about the recipes in this book is that I want to make most of them. The photos are vibrant and detailed and the recipes are not too complex. The page below is one of my favorites; just a simple photo of different cuts (although I do have to admit it gave me a flashback to culinary school). Don't be intimidated with something like this; you do not have to be a chef to use this book.

I also like how the book is laid out. When is the last time you saw "braises" as a chapter? You can also find market vegetables, land + sea, soups and stuff, and of course, lemonade (which is harder to type than you would think; I keep typing "lemondade").  

Since we eat a gluten and dairy free diet, I wasn't sure whether or not I would be able to use these recipes. After flipping through the book, I quickly realized it would be easy to make substitutions. For example, I used almond milk instead of regular milk and gluten-free breadcrumbs in the buttermilk chicken. For the salad, I used gluten-free tamari for the soy sauce; that was easy. Most recipes can be adapted easily. 

So, my recommendation is yes, buy this book if you like to cook. Get ready to be inspired. Feel free to put your own personal spin on the recipes. I don't think Chef Alan will mind. 

Photo of Buttermilk Baked Chicken, courtesy
of The Lemonade Cookbook

My version of the chicken dish

Photo of Edamame, Snap Pea, Sesame Vinaigrette courtesy of The Lemonade Cookbook

My version of the salad with green beans and snap peas

As you see from the photos above, my versions are pretty darn close, even with my variations. Below are the recipes provided by the Lemonade Cookbook. Thank you for also providing me with a book for this review.  Enjoy!

Buttermilk-Baked Chicken

From The Lemonade Cookbook by Alan Jackson and Joann Cianciulli. Copyright © 2013 by Alan Jackson and Joann Cianciulli and reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Press, LLC.

Serves 4

Amy's Notes: I made my own buttermilk with almond milk and vinegar (add 4 teaspoons vinegar to a 2 cup measure and then fill with milk to the 2 cup mark). However, I think 1 1/2 cups would have been enough. I used less tabasco since my kids are sensitive to spice. I used a gluten-free panko bread crumb. I might not have dried off the chicken breast well enough; it was soggy. However, if it was completely dry, I didn't know how the chicken would stick to the panko. Might have to try it again. I love-love-loved the flavor of the chicken and will definitely do this again. 

Marinade:

2 cups buttermilk

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as tabasco

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for seasoning

1 onion, coarsely chopped

5 garlic cloves, smashed

4 (6-ounce) skinless boneless chicken breast halves

2 cups panko (Japanese-style) bread crumbs freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons canola oil

To prepare the Marinade, in a large mixing bowl whisk the buttermilk, mustard, hot sauce, paprika, salt, onion, and garlic together to combine. Put the chicken in a plastic storage bag, add the buttermilk mixture, and smoosh the chicken around to thoroughly coat in the marinade. Press out the air, seal the bag, and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, preferably up to 2 days.

When ready to cook the chicken, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the Marinade, wiping off any excess buttermilk, and discard. 

Season both sides of the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Spread the breadcrumbs out on a flat plate. Press the chicken breasts into the bread crumbs to completely coat all sides, shaking off the excess.

Put a cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is shimmering, lay the chicken in the pan—you may have to do this in batches. Sear for 3 minutes on each side. Nestle the seared chicken breasts side by side in the skillet. Transfer the skillet (and chicken) to the oven and bake for roughly 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden.

Edamame, Snap Pea, Sesame Vinaigrette 

From The Lemonade Cookbook by Alan Jackson and Joann Cianciulli. Copyright © 2013 by Alan Jackson and Joann Cianciulli and reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Press, LLC.

Makes 4 cups

Amy's Notes: I try to avoid soy beans so I used green beans instead. I did not have black sesame seeds so I used regular. I substituted scallions instead of chives and the shallot. I also added a drop of honey to the marinade as it was tart.

½ pound sugar snap peas (2 cups), ends trimmed

2 cups shelled edamame (green soybeans), frozen, thawed, and cooked

1 large shallot, minced

¼ cup chopped fresh chives

½ cup sesame vinaigrette

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

½ teaspoon coarse salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl halfway with water and adding a tray of ice cubes.

Blanch the snap peas for only about 2 minutes; they become tender very quickly. Using a slotted spoon, remove the snap peas from the water and plunge into the ice bath to “shock” them, i.e., to stop the cooking process and cool them down right away. This procedure also sets the vibrant green color of the peas. Drain the snap peas in a colander.

Put the blanched snap peas in a mixing bowl. Add the edamame, chives, and vinaigrette, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds, salt, and pepper, tossing well. Serve chilled.

Sesame Vinaigrette

Makes 1 cup

Amy's Notes: I made half of this recipe and still didn't need it all for the recipe above. 

½ cup seasoned rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon soy sauce

¼ cup canola oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a small mixing bowl or mason jar, combine the vinegar, sesame seeds, garlic, mustard, soy sauce, canola and sesame oils; season with pepper. Whisk or shake to blend. Keep any left-over vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Gluten-Free Falafel

The gf falafel mixture before adding flour

I'm embarrassed that I don't have that beautiful, focused in the foreground-blurry in the background photo of my completed falafel. We got so caught up in the making/eating, we forgot! I promise they looked just like what you would expect; crispy brown on the outside and greenish-flecked on the inside. 

It annoys me that 99% of the falafel found in the US has gluten; falafel are traditionally made with chick pea or garbanzo bean flour. It's also traditionally vegan; no animal products, like eggs or milk, are needed. Yea! 

So here are the important tips:

-The onion and garlic add a lot of flavor. Use less garlic if you don't like it spicy. 

-The mixture should not be wet (I made this mistake). Make sure to add enough garbanzo and/or gluten free flour to bind it together. 

-I used a combo of cilantro and parsley because that's what I had (and we all love cilantro). Use what you have. 

-Although you can bake these at a high heat, frying (even if it's just pan-fried) will give the best texture. 

-If you have more time, the traditional way to make falafel is to soak about 1/2 cup of dried garbanzo beans (so that you have the right amount for this recipe; you can always soak more) in water for 12 hours. Drain and rinse. Use this in place of the can of garbanzo beans. However, this requires at least a half of a day's worth of planning which we don't always have.

-I couldn't find fresh tahini sauce so I served it with hummus. Use what you have. It will be delicious.

-If you can't find or don't want to make fresh gluten-free pita, serve in lettuce wraps or a gluten-free roll. I like the ones from Schar. My husband brought these gluten-free pita back from the UK; they are the best I have had so far (and notice they are almost all gone).

Gluten-Free Pita from Sainsbury's, a UK based grocery store

Enjoy the recipe and don't be afraid to try these. They are easy, quick and delicious. I showed my husband how to make them so I think we have a new rotation in our household!

Gluten-Free Falafel

Makes 13-14 2” patties

1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1-2 cloves garlic, chopped into 4-6 pieces

1/4 onion (or 1/2 small), cut into chunks

1/4 cup fresh parsley, rinsed and dried off, big stems removed

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, rinsed and dried off, big stems removed (or use all parsley)

1/3 cup chick pea or garbanzo bean flour 

Juice of 1/2 lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon sea or kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4-1/2 cup gluten-free flour blend (without xanthan gum)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

1. Place all ingredients except flour blend and vegetable oil in a food processor. Puree until slightly chunky but almost smooth, scraping down the sides at least once. If it's too chunky, add a teaspoon of water and process again. Remove and place in a medium bowl. 

2. Add 1/4 cup flour blend and stir. You should be able to make patties that do not fall apart. If the mixture seems too dry, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time. If the mixture seems too wet, add more flour. It should be moist but able to form into a patty.

3. Form into patties and fry in large pan with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook until golden brown on each side. Serve with tahini sauce and/or hummus.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle Casserole

Gluten and Dairy Free Tuna Noodle
Casserole was a big hit in our house!

It's hard enough to be gluten-free but throw in dairy-free too and it can be hard to convert recipes or find substitutes. I've been looking for a good gluten-free noodle to use for casseroles but had not found one until I came across Mrs Glee's Crazy Noodles. The first thing I pictured was a tuna noodle casserole. By the way, they call them "crazy" because they are made with beans!

Now I wasn't brought up on tuna casserole but I did make a version with sautéed mushrooms and sherry that I always enjoyed. I knew I could recreate the sauce gluten-free but needed the right noodle. 

Thank you to Mrs Glee's for sending me samples of two of their noodles and their flour mix to use for recipe testing. 

Let's start with the sauce. In my cookbook, The Warm Kitchen, I detail how to make a delicious sautéed mushroom sauce. That's definitely a necessary element. The sauce should reduce for awhile so as to maximize flavor. If you don't have the book, use this gluten-free mushroom sauce.

Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tuna Noodle Casserole

Next, add a plain, unsweetened milk like almond or coconut (I used about 1 cup or so along with the broth in the sauce). Thicken with a slurry. The sauce should not be too thick or else the casserole will be dry. When you are done, you will have about 3-4 cups of sauce. 

Cool the sauce a bit and then get ready to assemble. I cooked 4 cups of Mrs. Glee's noodles. Meanwhile I measured a cup of frozen peas. I also drained 2 cans of tuna. I prefer tuna packed in olive oil so if there's a little oil left, that's fine. Preheat the oven to 350F. 

Once the noodles are cooked (a bit underdone is best), drained and rinsed, place everything in a bowl or even the pot in which you cooked the noodles. Mix the noodles, sauce, peas, and tuna. Give it a taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if necessary. Add more plain milk substitute if the mixture seems thick. 

Place this mixture in a greased casserole or baking dish. Top with either gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal, seasoned with salt and pepper. Make sure to drizzle a bit of olive oil on top, too. Cover and bake 20 minutes. Remove cover and finish baking until casserole is bubbling and top is browned. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

By the way, here's a chicken noodle soup I made the other day. I made fresh chicken broth and added some chicken to it. I added the old-fashioned noodles according to the package and cooked them about 6 minutes. At the end, I added frozen peas and corn. Delish.

Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

How to make Arepas

Arepas (ah-ray-pahs) are a corn pocket which can be found on many street corners in Venezuela. I first became familiar with them when I met Adriana Lopez Vermut from Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen at the Gluten-Free Spree in San Francisco in 2009. At the time, she only had a location in Napa's Oxbow Market. Now, there are two other locations in San Francisco (Mission and Castro areas). Click on that link and scroll down to see exact locations. I wrote an article about Pica Pica as well.

She was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. He, like most people, was blown away by Pica Picas' arepas. The flavors of the arepa fillings are really amazing. I believe he deemed them "outrageous", possibly the highest triple D compliment one can receive.

A few years ago she invited me to come to her restaurant to make a special Family Chef recipe for the arepas. I chose a sweet potato and black bean-style chili which went very well with the crunchy on the outside-soft on the inside corn pocket. Watch the video here. I only made arepas once since then and decided recently I needed to try them again; practice makes perfect!

For the filling, I made a crock pot Latin-style chicken and served it with black beans, cilantro, avocado, red onion, and lime. My family loved it (especially the make-your-own part as we each like different fillings). They were delicious!

I'm going to try to make a pabellon style this weekend with a tomato-based skirt steak filling. Yes, I think about my meals 2 days in advance!

Well, here is my tutorial for you. I hope it helps to make you successful!

How to Make Arepas
Note: This is just an overview. For a recipe with amounts, visit Adriana's blog.

1. Make the dough.


2. Make sure it's the right texture.


3. Roll it into a ball first.


4. Shape into a flat circle or puck (watch the video to see a funny interaction with Adriana and I). Move from hand to hand and shape. If the dough is too wet, add more hair a pan. If its too dry, add a little water. It should not crack. Note: I make mine smaller than Adriana's. Base it on your preference.


5. Seal on a griddle with oil just until light brown.


6. Bake in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes. This helps to cook the inside.

7. Serve with your favorite fillings!


I made a crock pot chicken, Latin-style, by adding diced tomatoes, garlic, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Watch my video here for how I make a regular one.

Weeknight Gluten-Free Pizza

This recipe comes courtesy of Paolo Mascitti, founder of Cibo Verde. CiboVerde is an LA-based meal delivery system that provides customers with meals that are based on their body calculations and  geared toward helping them reach their goal weights and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I have made this before for my family but forgot how easy it is to prepare. With school back in session, I am realizing again how sometimes we just need quick and simple dinner ideas. Even if you aren't gluten-free, you can use a flour tortilla, pre-cooked shell or pita bread. Serve this as is or with your favorite protein or veggies and pair it with a salad. Dinner in 10 minutes? Sounds good to me.

Look for more "weeknight cooking strategies" tags on the blog. Remember that anyone can be "the family chef". Enjoy!


Gluten-Free Meat and Veggie Pizza
 
Gluten-free tortilla

1 oz cooked steak (diced)

1 oz yellow onions

2 oz red and green peppers (julienne cut )

2 oz pizza sauce

3 oz of fresh mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the gluten-free tortilla on a baking sheet/pan, add marinara making sure to spread evenly on crust, followed by cheese, onions, peppers and steak.

Place baking pan with the tortilla pizza in the oven for 5 minutes at 325 degrees (just enough to allow the cheese to melt and the tortilla to crisp.)

The entire process will take no more than 10 minutes and you’re ready to eat! BON APPETIT!

Curried cauliflower with peas

 A big thank you to Aida Mollenkamp (see my interview with her here) for this recipe from her recent book "Keys to the Kitchen." I have made this twice, both times with much success. The children (now almost 9 and 7) loved it as well. I put my family chef spin on it so it's not quite as spicy. I hope you'll try it, even if you think your kids are picky eaters. It's worth a shot!

Curried Cauliflower with Peas
Adapted from a recipe by Aida Mollenkamp
Serves 3-4

Vegetable oil
2-3 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (I used ginger paste)
2-4 teaspoons mild curry powder, divided (see note)
1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 yellow onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Optional: 1 cup cooked beef (ground or chopped steak)

1 cup frozen peas, slightly thawed
¼ cup cilantro or mint, roughly chopped
Flour tortillas (regular or gluten-free) or about 2 cups cooked brown rice

Note: To make your own mild curry powder, mix together 2 tablespoons each cumin and coriander, 2 teaspoons turmeric and ½ teaspoon each ground ginger and mustard. Add cayenne pepper or crushed chile peppers to make it spicy. Store the spice mixture in a spice jar until ready to use.

1. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.  As soon as the oil is shimmering, add the ginger, half of the curry powder and all of the cauliflower. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally until fragrant and the cauliflower is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside in a bowl or on a plate.
2. Place pan off-heat on the stove. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the same pan with the onion, ground pepper, and remaining curry powder (you can add more curry powder later so go lightly until you know the amount you like). Place the pan back on medium heat. Once onion is soft, add the other ¼ teaspoon salt and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add cauliflower, potatoes, broth, and beef, if using. Bring to a boil.
4. Lower the heat, cover, and cook about 5 minutes. Stir and continue to cook until potatoes are knife tender, about 8-10 minutes. Add the peas and cook about 2 minutes or until heated.  Adjust the seasonings by adding salt or curry if needed.
5. Top with chopped cilantro or mint and serve with regular or gluten-free flour tortillas or over brown rice.

Creamy tarragon chicken

When you are looking for an elegant dish that you can serve to both adults and kids, try this one. The recipe is courtesy of Aida Mollenkamp from her book "Keys to the Kitchen" (see the interview and blog post here).  I made it for Christmas Dinner this past holiday and everyone raved.

Now, if you notice, the recipe is far from dairy-free so it was off-limits for my daughter (however, there are dairy substitutes below). I didn't really think it was going to be her thing, so after sauteing the chicken, I put some aside for her and proceeded with the recipe. If you know me, I'm not one to make two meals but I do accommodate her special diet by being just a little creative. I promise, it's possible.

After reviewing Aida's book, this one really stuck out. However, being The Family Chef, I had to put my own spin on it and make it a bit more family friendly. It's naturally gluten-free and absolutely delicious. If you need some of your own keys in the kitchen, check out Aida's book.


Creamy Tarragon Chicken

2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, butter substitute, or olive oil
2 shallots or 1 medium onion, diced
½ cup brandy, cognac, or white wine
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream or plain coconut creamer (unsweetened)
1-2 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard

Optional: 1 cup frozen or shelled fresh baby peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves (it's worth getting fresh; if you only have dried, use about half)

Steamed rice, roasted potatoes, or noodles, for serving

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season thoroughly with salt and pepper. 
2. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, quickly add the oil, tilt to swirl, and immediately add the chicken to the pan without crowding the pan (you may have to do this is in 2 or 3 batches). Cook until golden brown, but not cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat to brown all chicken. Note: if you are serving chicken without the sauce, cook it thoroughly.
3. Add the butter or oil to the pan, then add the shallots or onion. Add about 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook until the shallots are golden brown. 
4. Remove the pan from the heat, add the brandy, and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Return to the stove and simmer until any alcohol smell is cooked off and the liquid is reduced, about 2 minutes. Whisk in chicken juices that have accumulated on the plate from the chicken, the broth, cream, and mustard and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the pan along with the peas, if using, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the peas are bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tarragon, adjust seasoning as desired, and serve with rice, potatoes, or noodles.

Notes (Aida provides great tips with each recipe):

*Basil is a good substitute if you can’t find or don’t like tarragon.
*Swap pork tenderloin for the chicken.
*Add mushrooms to the shallots and cook until golden brown.

Gluten-free orange sesame beef stir fry

I was speaking to a friend today about blogging. My advice to her was that some times it's ok to just write a quick entry without spending a lot of time. That's my goal; let's see how I do (I had to write the recipe; this took the longest).

This recipe is a combination of two recipes/techniques. It's broken down into 4 steps:

1. Marinate the meat and prep the sauce.

2. Cut the veggies.

3. Cook the veggies.

4. Cook the meat.

5. Put it all together and enjoy.

I grabbed some of the veggies (cabbage, mushrooms and scallions) from the salad bar for easy prep and used cooked green beans from the fridge along with shredded carrots.  When I cook, I usually prep as I go to save time but forgot that the flat snap peas take some time to take off the string in the center. Note to self: prep the veggies first!. Once you start cooking, it all comes together very quickly.

The meat is delicious on its own so you can use this part of the recipe to make Asian beef anytime. The orange rind is added at the end so it can even be omitted it you want something less "orange-y." We served this over brown rice. My kids didn't eat all of the veggies but most of them. My son kept asking for more "chicken" (really, I did tell you it's beef, honey...sigh). Either way, it was a great family recipe that I will make again.

Gluten-free Orange Sesame Beef Stir Fry

Serves 4-6

Marinade

1/2 cup gluten-free soy sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (dark)

2 teaspoons minced ginger (you can also use a minced ginger paste)

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

1.5 lbs top sirloin, cut into strips

Stir fry vegetables, sorted in order of hardness: broccoli, carrots, red cabbage, zucchini, mushrooms, snap peas, about 3-4 cups total, more or less

Orange Sauce 

2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

4 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Oil for high heat like peanut or safflower

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon sushi rice flour or white rice flour

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon rice wine or sherry (not vinegar)

Zest of 1 orange

Optional: hot chili oil or crushed red chili peppers

Optional: more cornstarch to thicken sauce

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the beef and stir to coat evenly. Let stand for 20 minutes. Optionally cover and marinate overnight.

2. Prep all of the veggies. 

3. Mix the orange sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.

4. In a wok, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently, until lightly colored, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately pour onto a plate to cool.

5. Place a wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat on all sides. Cook the veggies until just crisp, hardest to softest. At the end, add the ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove and place all of the veggies in a bowl.

6. Drain the marinade. Add the rice flour and cornstarch to the meat and stir until combined.

7. Place wok back on stove and wipe out if necessary. Add 2 teaspoons oil. Add the beef and stir-fry until cooked but still slightly pink in the center, 2 to 3 minutes. 

8. Add rice wine and cook for about 20-30 seconds. 

9. Add orange sauce and veggies; bring to boil then lower the heat.

10. Add sesame seeds, and orange zest. Cook for 1 more minute and serve. If you like spicy food, add hot chili oil and/or crushed red chili flakes.

11. If sauce needs to be thicker, in a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cold water with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Add to the beef, stirring. This will thicken the sauce. Continue simmering about 2-3 minutes. Add more water or soy sauce if the sauce becomes too thick. 

Your Gluten-Free Holiday Meal

This could be your holiday dinner plate!

If you think that eating gluten-free means your holiday meal will be anything less than fantastic, you need this mini e-cookbook that I just published. Whether you are looking to include a single gluten-free dish or makeover your whole holiday meal, this is the book for you. 

Feel good this holiday season but not just because your meal is gluten-free...help raise money for the Hurricane Sandy relief fund AND get a great e-cookbook. For every cookbook sold, $1 will be donated to The American Red Cross. You can also choose to buy just the book without the donation.

To get more details and to purchase/download click here.

Learn how to make a gluten-free pie crust with step-by-step instructions. Instead of a pie, try an easier version; the galette.

Make your own  "custom" cranberry sauce; it's so easy!

Need ideas for leftovers? There's a whole section. Use the pie crust recipe to make a delicious pot pie.

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken

This gluten-free orange chicken was born out of a desire to make my daughter happy. When my husband had the traditional gluten-containing version while we were out for lunch one day, my daughter looked on in envy. Surely, I believed—after years of adapting recipes for my gluten-sensitive family—the same taste could be achieved without the offending wheat protein.

I found an orange chicken recipe on Food.com and made a few changes in the ingredients as well as the technique until I came up with the following. I served it to the family along with some brown rice and previously steamed green beans.

When my son gave my cooking a round of applause after eating it, I knew I must have done something right. I tried to put in a lot of details which should make it easy for you. Hopefully your family will be just as pleased!

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Gluten-Free Orange Chicken                                                  

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons sea or kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup sushi flour or white rice flour

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite sized pieces

1/4 cup oil for frying

Orange Sauce

2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

5 tablespoons sugar

5 tablespoons white vinegar

2 teaspoons oil for high heat like peanut or safflower

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon rice wine or sherry (not vinegar)

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Zest of 1 orange

Optional: hot chili oil or crushed red chili peppers

 1.  In a large bowl, mix eggs, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oil. 
 2.  In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of cornstarch and sushi or white rice flour. 
 3.  Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix well. This is the batter. 
 4. Add the chicken pieces, stirring to coat. I like to use my hands for this step. Make sure to clean your hands before and after.

5.     Place 1 tablespoon of oil in the wok and heat to medium-high. 
6.    Working in batches, carefully add about 1/3 to 1/4 of the chicken. Cook until golden brown on each side. You do not have to fully cook the chicken as it will finish cooking in the sauce but make sure the pieces are browned. Place pieces on a large plate or tray while you finish cooking the remainder of the chicken.

 

7.  Make orange sauce in a small bowl and set aside.

8.  Once all of the chicken is cooked, carefully (since it’s hot) wipe out wok if needed. Heat 15 seconds over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil. Add ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add rice wine and stir 5 seconds. Add orange sauce and bring to boil.

9.  Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook about 3 minutes.

      10.  In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cold water with the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Add to the chicken, stirring. This will thicken the sauce. Continue simmering about 2-3 minutes. Add more water or soy sauce if the sauce becomes too thick.

       11. Stir in sesame oil and orange zest. Cook for 1 more minute and serve. If you like spicy food, add hot chili oil and/or crushed red chili flakes.

Citizen Chef meals are great for busy people

When I first heard about Citizen Chef, I loved the concept: a meal which is ready to cook (just add the protein), fresh, healthy, and easy. You are eating in 15 minutes. Sounds like my kind of dinner! The bonus is that some of the meals are gluten-free, which is not easy to find.

The nice folks at Citizen Chef sent me two of their products to try out; Thai Sesame and Hawaiian BBQ stir frys. I brought them to a friend's house along with some chicken (you can use any protein) to give it a whirl. Being the family chef, I thought it would make sense to try them out with a group of kids along with adults. Here are my notes:

Ingredients: Both packages contained the same ingredients for the stir fry which consisted of onion, snap peas, carrots, and red cabbage. My kids are funny; they don't like cooked carrots. So, instead, I offered them some uncooked veggies. Problem solved. I loved the combination of vegetables along with the bright colors. Everything cooked up really nicely. If I could change anything, I would suggest slightly thinner or smaller pieces of onion.

Sauce: The adults loved the sauces, especially the Thai Sesame. The base was a coconut cream which was really flavorful and very fresh. This one was too spicy for the kids but perfect for us. The Hawaiian BBQ (a bit sweeter), in my opinion, would be better for kids but that night (maybe due to some peer pressure), the kids preferred it plain. I really don't mind that as this does not mean making two meals. It just requires removing some of the protein and/or veggies before simmering in the sauce. It was not a big deal at all.

Rice: The brown rice is really an instant-style rice. It was easy, had a good texture, and was perfect with the meal.

Instructions: The instructions could not have been easier but I got a little confused the first time around. I didn't turn over the card to see the cooking instructions at first but when I did, it was obvious.

The other side has detailed instructions with a timeline. At first I didn't realize it was a set of steps:
1) Cook rice.
2) Saute protein.
3) Steam and simmer.

I think that's just how my brain works. Now, it's obvious. My only other suggestion is that you probably only need 1 tablespoon of oil, not 2. I always go lighter. This dish is well suited for a wok which has a cover.

I encourage you to give it a try. You can buy these ready-to-cook meals at the following locations. Right now, there's also a $3 coupon offer on the home page.