Substitutions for Gluten-Free Cooking

Making food substitutions is common in any type of cooking, including gluten-free cooking. As you adjust to gluten-free cooking, you'll realize that you can choose from a wide array of gluten-free ingredients to substitute for gluten-laden ones. Here are some savvy substitutions for some of your favorite ingredients:

Flour: If your recipe calls for flour, consider using cornstarch or a gluten-free flour or mix. Experiment with the many new flours available, like bean flours, sorghum, and amaranth. They're nutritious and add flavor, and oh yeah — they're gluten-free!

Breading and coatings: If a recipe calls for breading, bread crumbs, flour coating, or a similar preparation, consider using a wheat- or gluten-free mix (either homemade or store bought). Bread and muffin mixes work well for coatings on chicken and other fried goodies. Seasoned cornmeal or corn flour (masa) and crushed potato chips (especially barbecued flavor) are also excellent alternatives.

Thickeners: Cornstarch, arrowroot flour, and tapioca starch make great substitutes for flour and other thickeners. Dry pudding mix works well for sweet recipes, and bread or baking mixes work well for just about anything.

Read more of Gluten-Free Cooking For Dummies Cheat Sheet by Danna Korn and Connie Sarros HERE.

Advanced Parents Guide to Gluten and Casein Free Diet

November 8, 6:30-8:30 PM
Child Care Links, 6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100, Pleasanton

Dr. Thauna Abrin, Naturopathic Doctor, will outline the steps to transitioning to a whole foods and fermented foods diet. Parents will learn how to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen and how to read labels to ensure the best success on the diet. She will also discuss challenges and risks of the GFCF diet, including picky eaters, weight loss, and mineral deficiencies caused by the diet. Included will be a demo on how to make coconut milk kefir. For more information and to RSVP, contact Christy at csamson@childcarelinks.org, or (925) 249-3908.

Gluten-Free and Casein-Free diet Workshop

. More successful diets for children with special needs and developmental delays

. Understanding Gluten-Free and Casein-Free diet in detail

. Challenges and risks of the Gluten-Free and Casein-Free diet

. Benefits of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free diets

When: Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: Child Care Links Conference Room

6601 Owens Dr Suite 100

Pleasanton, CA 94588

Presented by: Dr. Thauna Abrin

For more information or to register, see flyer HERE.