Foods to keep in the cupboard

I like to keep things on hand that are quick and easy to prepare so if Aedan comes with his Mom or if Sonia comes to visit I have something good that they can eat. 2 years ago some of our family came from California to visit. They had one cousin with them that was vegan. No one told me that there was someone in their party that had a special diet so I was not prepared. When they come they expect a big Italian dinner which they love because they are Hispanic and rarely get home cooked Italian food. So I made the pasta with sauce, meatballs, sausage, roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots for lunch. When they all sat down and the cousin started asking about the potatoes and carrots if they were cooked with the chicken I knew right off I had at least a vegetarian on my hands. I felt so bad because if I had known he was vegan I could of prepared my vegan chili. Luckily, this day, I did not use the sauce with the meatballs and sausage to put with the pasta. I knew that the pasta was vegan and I had a green salad and fruits so at least he had something to eat. Funny thing was that the previous week I had made my vegan chili and used up all my TVP so I didn’t have the main ingredient for the chili. Now I make sure I have some things on hand in case this ever happens again. I keep Gluten Free Bisquick to make pancakes and biscuits. By the way I did promise the biscuit recipe. It’s not vegan but it is gluten free:
2 Cups Bisquick Gluten Free Mix
1/3 Cup Shortening
2/3 Cup Milk 3 eggs
Heat oven to 400 degrees
Cut shortening into mix, using fork, until particles are size of small peas. Stir in remaining ingredients until soft dough forms. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet Bake 13-16 min or until golden brown.
Yields: 10 biscuits
This recipe was taken right off the Bisquick box. This is one of the things I keep in my cupboard.
I also keep Gluten Free Pasta or Spaghetti, Prego traditional pasta sauce (Mindy likes to use the Heart Smart version of Prego. Still Gluten Free and vegan), Amy’s Rice Crust GF cheese pizza (frozen), UDI’s GF white sandwich bread (I also keep this frozen…lasts a lot longer),
Naturally Delicious BBQ sauce which is GF and no high fructose corn syrup, Annie’s Rice Pasta and Chedder (Mac and cheese in a box), King Arthur’s GF All purpose flour, Aleia’s Italian style bread crumbs, Bob’s Red Mill TVP, Glutino GF cookies or GF bagel chips, Ener G Egg Replacer, GF ice cream cones, GF Cocoa Pebbles and Amy’s tomato soup. This way I am ready for anyone that walks through my door.
As you could probably tell I am Italian and I love to cook and I love to make people happy by cooking them food that they love. My daughter Mindy and I came up with these brands by trial and error. There are many other brands out there but we like the taste and the way these brands are fast and easy to prepare.
I hope this helps you in your quest for ideas for your GF or vegan family and friends. It’s always nice to offer someone a variety of foods when they come to visit. Sonia is always put off when all she is offered is a salad.
I’ll be back with more ideas and recipes for you.
Till then,
with Love,
Grammy Deb

Sad experience at Texas Roadhouse

Last night was kids eat free at Texas Roadhouse so my daughter Mindy and I decided to take the kids because it was just too hot to cook. He husband who is also gluten free decided not to go with us. He was going to fire up the grill and make something for himself. We got to the restaurant, it wasn’t busy so we were seated right away. We asked for the gluten free menu and the hostess said they had to throw it away because it looked gross with food stains and it was only a piece of paper anyways. Both Mindy and I looked at her then each other with questions in our eyes but we said nothing as she kept prattling on that the chef would come out and speak to us about the gluten free options. We got to our booth and sat down. Aedan immediately picked up one of the warm rolls the waitress left on our table. At first he just smelled it making an uhum noise. He looked directly at his mother and she stared back with a “don’t you dare eat that” look. They kept eye contact as Aedan slowly opened his mouth as if to take a bite. The look in his mom’s face got even stearner. He threw the roll back into the basket and said “I hate being gluten free” his head went down, his hands folded and his bottom lip jutted out in a pout. My heart started breaking in little pieces as his bottom lip started to quiver. Just then there was a plop! He quickly jerked his head up and with a big grin grabbed for the pail of peanuts the waitress just brought. Phew! Dodged that bullet!
It’s so hard for kids on special diets and the restaurants sometime make it worse for them. Aedan was able to get the ribs (no BBQ sauce it has wheat gluten in it) and applesauce. He then wanted some of my corn which I gladly gave up. I think next time(if there is a next time) I will be sure to bring some homemade gluten free rolls and gluten free BBQ sauce so he would be able to enjoy eating out without becoming upset.
I will give you the recipe for the rolls and the name of the BBQ sauce in my next blog.

Love,
Grammy Deb