Friday Night Feasts~ Gluten Free Tuna Salad

Basketball Regional Semifinals are the topic of most every conversation around town. I am curious, is your team still in the hunt?

To go along with all of the wonderful game foods this weekend at our house there will be at least 1 healthy choice...Gluten Free Tuna Salad. It's never too early to start working on a healthy diet. Now don't start feeling sorry for my friends and family, there will be a well stocked kitchen overflowing with delicious Gluten Free game food...Brownies, pizza, wings, meatballs, chips, cheese, dips, salsa and possibly a veggie tray.


Tuna Salad
How many different ways do you serve Tuna Salad? By the scoop on a bed of lettuce, stuffed in the cavity of Avocado or Tomato, on toasted bread as a sandwich, in a croissant, on crackers, as a dip for vegetables, baked?

Basic blend or mixture can easily increase or decrease volume as needed.

3 large cans of Chunky Tuna in water, drained removing as much water as possible
1 small sweet Onion, minced
½ cup minced Celery
1 small jar of diced Pimento Peppers, drained removing as much liquid as possible
¼ cup Pickle Relish, drain slightly
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Mayonnaise

In large bowl break apart Tuna chunks before adding Onion, Celery, Pimento, Pickle Relish, and Black Pepper. Blend these ingredients well. Slowly add Mayonnaise until lightly coated, you do not want the mixture to be dominated by the Mayonnaise to the point the colors change or appear milky. Place in tightly covered container and store in the refrigerator.


Variation:
* Use Dill Pickle Relish
* Add 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
* Add 1 teaspoon Dill
* Omit Pickle Relish
* Add 1 tablespoon fresh Lemon juice
* Add 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
* Top with crushed Cashews


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feasts~ Gluten Free Chocolate and Popcorn

Who can think about eating a real meal at the start of tournament season? All I have is visions of junk food! Corn is a vegetable and chocolate is plant based so the way I see it is this is a perfectly healthy junk food! hahahahaaaa Seriously though, this is delicious! Slightly salty, crunchy, sweet and chocolate! If you are expecting a large crowd you will want to prepare an extra batch or two.

Chocolate and Popcorn
2 – 3 servings of Popped Plain Popcorn, more if serving in large group
3 cups of melted Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Place prepared Plain Popped Popcorn, [no salt or butter] in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle melted Chocolate Chips over Popcorn toss and allow to cool until chocolate sets.

Variation:
*Also add melted White Chocolate Chips and drizzle over Popcorn
*Add melted Dark Chocolate Chips and drizzle over Popcorn
*Add mini Chocolate Chips once chocolate has cooled and set

Enjoy the games!


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feasts ~ Gluten Free Pulled Pork BBQ

This is going to be an adventure filled weekend! We have tons of events planned and tonight's feast is perfect for providing leftovers which can be easily transformed into tasty time saving meals. I'm going to make a large batch of Potato Salad and Fresh Coleslaw to have on hand, freeing myself from the kitchen this weekend.

Pulled Pork BBQ
3 – 6 pounds Boneless Pork Shoulder
½ cup Water
¼ cup Dark Brown Sugar
¼ cup prepared Yellow Mustard
¼ cup Worcestershire Sauce
¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ cup fresh Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon Celery Seeds
1 teaspoon ground Cloves
2 cloves minced Garlic

Place all ingredients in slow cooker on Low Heat setting. Meat will easily shred apart when fully cooked. Great as is or on Gluten Free Buns or Rice.

Variation:
*Use your favorite brand bottled Gluten Free Barbeque Sauce
*Omit Pork and use Chicken instead 😊 for Pulled Chicken BBQ
*Omit Pork and use Beef instead 😊 😊 for Pulled Beef BBQ


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feasts~ Gluten Free Broccoli Salad

Winter weather is still hanging around our corner of the world but I've decided to start preparing for Spring! Tonight's feast is brought to you by one of our favorite salads! This recipe along with other Gluten Free salads can be found in my recently published cookbook, Art in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide a Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book.

Broccoli Salad
1 large head of fresh Broccoli or several large crowns
1 large Red Onion minced
1 cup chopped Pecans or ½ cup Roasted Sunflower Seeds
1 cup Dried Cranberries
1 cup thinly sliced Carrot disc
1 small can crushed Pineapple, Drained
½ - 1 cup cooked Bacon crumbles
1 bottle Sweet Onion Salad Dressing, there will be dressing left over for other salads

Wash and prepare fresh Broccoli into small bite size pieces, you may discard the stalk if preferred. Place all ingredients into large mixing bowl, tossing with Sweet Onion Salad Dressing.
Cover and chill. This is a crowd favorite, make extra if you are counting on leftovers. 😊

Variation:
*Add 1 cup small Cauliflower florets
*Add Golden Raisins
*Exchange Pecans for other nuts: Walnut, Almonds, Cashews

Enjoy!
And remember, Spring is just around the corner!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feasts Keeping it Simple

Some weeks simple is best. You know the weeks, when every second of the day has been filled with a month of tasks and exciting creative adventures. The week you forgot to go to the grocery on the way home. Keep it simple, left-overs can be a wonderful base for a creative tasty Friday Night Feast.

Our family has been known to enjoy comical dinners and interesting combinations of delicious Left-over Wonders. For example, green beans, potatoes and summer squash make great pizza toppings when you are not in the mood for vegetable soup.

Today I challenge you to Keep It Simple. Working with your weekly left-overs be inspired to explore and invent a delicious Left-over Wonder for your next Friday Night Feast!
I can hardly wait to learn of your new recipe and your guests reactions.

Happy Friday! Grab your apron, empty your refrigerator and get creative!


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast Gluten Free Spaghetti Sauce

This recipe calls for a tiny bit more time invested in the kitchen but worth the effort knowing you have a large batch of homemade Gluten Free Spaghetti Sauce which will be cooking for most of your day in your trusty slow cooker. This sauce is versatile and can also be used as a Pizza Sauce for Saturday Night Pizza.

1/2 cup Olive Oil
3 large Spanish Onions, diced
6 Cloves fresh Garlic, minced
2 Large Green Bell Peppers , seeded and diced
1 pound fresh Mushrooms, chopped
Cook the above ingredients on HIGH in your slow cooker stirring occasionally until Onions are translucent.

Add the following ingredients to your slow cooker and continue cooking on LOW Heat setting for the remainder of the day. You may add 1 15 ounce can of Chicken or Beef Stock/Broth for a thinner sauce.

2 cans of Tomato Paste
1 large can of crushed Tomatoes
1 tablespoon granulated White Sugar
1 tablespoon Celery Seed
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Dash of Cayenne Pepper

Variations:
Add 2 pounds of cooked ground Beef
Add 2 pounds of cooked ground Beef and ground Pork Sausage Blend
Add Meatballs


Serve over your favorite Gluten Free Pasta

Enjoy!

PS
This sauce freezes well, plan ahead for busy weeks.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder is one of our all time favorites! A large bowl of Corn Chowder curled up in front of a fire is a wonderful ending to a busy week.

In your slow cooker you will be adding the following ingredients.

1 pound Italian linked sausage, cut into discs and browned
1 1 - 2 pound bag of frozen cubed Hash Browns
1 12 - 14 ounce package of frozen Creamed Corn
1 10 ounce can of Sweet Corn, drained
1 medium Onion, minced
1 teaspoon Celery Seeds
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 14 ounce can of Chicken Stock/Broth [if you desire a thinner broth add an additional can or two of Stock/Broth

Cook on Low setting. Enjoy your day!



https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast White Chili

Chili is perfect for Game Nights! This White Chili recipe is a fun twist and great for Chili Bars with a large selection of sides and toppers.

Using your large slow cooker, you will be adding the following ingredients in order as presented below. Suggestions for sides and toppers will also be included.

2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves minced fresh Garlic
2 large Onions, petite diced
1/2 cup petite diced Celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced Carrot discs
1 teaspoon Celery Seeds
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
3 - 4 cups cubed cooked Chicken or Turkey
3 15 ounce cans of Cannellini Beans, rinse and drain
1 15 ounce can of Chicken Stock/Broth
1 12 - 15 ounce jar of mild Chili Verde Sauce

Cook on Low setting.
Suggestions for serving: Over cooked Rice or Baked Potato
Possible Toppings: Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Hot Pepper Rings, Bacon Crumbles,
Green Onions
Side Options: Cornbread, Tortilla Chips

Enjoy!



https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast Beef Stew

You will be using your large slow cooker for the Beef Stew.
Ingredients are presented in order of addition into the slow cooker.

3 - 4 pounds of fresh Beef [ Roast, Flank Steak, London Broil] cubed
3 large Onions, diced
3 Celery sticks, diced
4 large Carrots, cut into bite sized pieces or 1/2 inch discs
3-4 large Potatoes, cubed
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Celery Seed
1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup of Water

Cover and cook on Low Setting.

Enjoy!

If you have any left overs, this make a great addition to homemade soups!



https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast Homemade Tomato Soup

Cold Winter nights call for the ultimate comfort food!
Homemade Tomato Soup and Gluten Free Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

You will soon learn that my slow cookers are my go to kitchen appliances! I have multiple sizes from 3 cups - 1 1/2 gallon capacity. Place ingredients into your slow cooker in order of appearance. And as always, read, Read, READ the labels of the ingredients to verify they are Gluten Free. Industry changes frequently, brands in the past which were Gluten Free can suddenly contain Gluten if there are changes during processing.

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Butter
1 15 ounce can of Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 15 ounce can of Tomato Sauce
1 15 ounce can of Reduced Salt Chicken Stock/Broth
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Blend

Cook on Low Setting
Serve with Gluten Free Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. For a change of pace, use two slices of different flavored cheese and grill using your waffle iron.

Enjoy!


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming

Friday Night Feast Chicken Dinner

Let the fun begin! Starting this week on Friday's I will be sharing one of my Gluten Free Recipes with you. These are time-savers, freeing you to explore other options for the day: lunch with friends, shopping, gardening, hobbies, reading, time in your studio, preparing for game nights. You get the idea~ less time in the kitchen and tasty Gluten Free meals.

This week~ Chicken Dinner.
I throw this in my slow cooker in the mornings and by Supper a tasty meal.

Layer in your slow cooker in order of appearance.

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Garlic in the center
5 Chicken Breasts
1 cup diced Carrots
1 large onion sliced in rings and quartered
1 teaspoon Italian Herb Seasoning
2 cups Broccoli Florets
1/2 stick of Butter sliced and spread evenly across the Broccoli
Sprinkle lightly with Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Cover with Lid
Cook on Low

Goes great with Wild Rice and a tossed salad as side dishes.

Enjoy!

What is your favorite side dish to serve with Chicken?


https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheARTArt in the Kitchen A Starving Artist's Survival Guide A Gluten Free & Time-Saver Cook Book
amazon.com/author/carollanefleming
© 2019 Carol Lane Fleming