Lori I thought of you tonight when we had this kick butt dinner that was gluten free. You have to like veggies though! Kale, White bean and Vegetable stew over Polenta YIELD: 4 servings (serving size: 1 3/4 cups) Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion (I think I used about double that) 2 (4-ounce) links Italian style chicken sausage, cut into (1/2-inch) slices. You could also use turkey sausage, and I recommend getting the spicy kind for this dish. 1 zucchini, quartered and cut into (1/2-inch) slices (about 2 cups) I added half a green pepper, but it is optional and did add a little more oomph to the flavor (again, if you like green peppers) 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 6 cups chopped trimmed kale (about 1/2 pound) 1/2 cup water (I used vegetable broth, could also use chicken broth) 2 (16-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained. (I used butter beans, I love them!) I only used one can 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. italian seasoning and a healthy dash of Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning Preparation Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saut� onion and sausage 4 minutes or until sausage is browned. Add zucchini and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add kale and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. (I added about 1 TBLSP tomato paste to thicken the stew) Serve immediately over polenta. Polenta (Get it from Bob's Red Mill, their stuff is usually very fresh) 2 cups water and 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth, or all water 1/4 tsp. salt (use 1/2 if you're using all water) 1 cup polenta 1/4 cup parmesean or romano cheese or fontina cheese 1 1/2 TBLSP butter for frying (that's optional, you can use olive oil or broil polenta instead of frying, or just serve the stew over soft polenta.) Bring the water/broth mix to a boil. Add the salt and stir in the polenta. Stir it as you add it to the pot to keep it from clumping. Turn the pot down to low. Simmer the polenta for at least 15 min., until it is very thick. Add the cheese. Pour the polenta into a large flat pan, well oiled. Let the polenta cool and coagulate in the pan. This will take about 15 min. Can make ahead. Then, cut the polenta into squares and fry in butter until browned on both sides, which should take about 10 min. Can also brush with olive oil and broil the polenta. Serve in flat bowls topped with the stew and a shaving of parmesean cheese. Yummo!

Ok, as a celiac person -- don't use teflon pans to cook for your son's friend -- the nonstick can retain gluten. Tacos -- use 100% corn tortilla Nacos -- again 100% corn chips Hot wings -- Franks hot wing sauce is GF BBQ -- Sweet Baby Rays sauce is GF For soy sauce I like SanJ-- a bit more expensive but good flavor and they do make a teriyaki sauce too. Lettuce wraps for sandwiches if you don't want to get GF bread -- if making corn bread -- watch the flour! Some Gluten Sensitive and Celiac individuals cannot tolerate Oats (I unfortunately am one) so while tasty find out about the oats before planning a oat streusel topping on desserts. Some lunch meats are "enhanced" by using broth containing Gluten -- Boars Head does not and a few other brands. Research! But as I read above -- making a meal based on a nice grilled or roasted meat, potato or rice and fresh veggies/salad (be careful not to add croutons and check the salad dressing) is good -- use fresh herbs rather than ground and no worry if they added gluten as an anti caking agent. (Plus, fresh is SO TASTY!) Some cheeses are not GF -- anything with mold is suspect -- esp in the US -- fast way to produce Bue is to grow molds on bread then scrape and mix in -- Gluten is retained. Mushrooms are an issue if not cleansed or grown on GF materials -- sent the study on that to a friend with Microbiology degree -- real science -- so I buy from known source of NON Gluten growing material . . . Love my mushrooms! For breakfast I saw a note about a frittata -- filling and yummy! crustless quiche . . . beware of flavored sausages and bacons but there are some normal priced brands labeled GF so just read packaging. A veggie and cheese tray, to start or for nibbles is good (and healthy option to some other types of apps) SIDE NOTE -- check on your hand and body soap -- some do have gluten and if having finger foods this could cause Cross Contamination. But most of all is is nice as someone GF to eat the SAME meal as everyone else -- so stick with basics and as I surmise you to be --be warm and welcoming and that will ensure a pleasant visit to all your guests. Too many thoughts running through my head . . . message me if you want more info Susan

I've been following a GF diet for over 11 years now. I remember how daunting the transition into this new world was. It does get easier as time goes by and we adjust to a new way of doing things! It's only been my husband and I in the house, but Mom just moved in. My rules are: colander for GF first, then regular pasta, then to the DW, on the days I don't drag out two colanders. I am the only one who can use the wooden spoons (for my GF cooking). I also keep separate spoon rests set up when I'm cooking "both ways". I've adapted many recipes to be GF, so unless it's pasta, all meals are GF. I generally roast poultry unstuffed now, and bake separate stuffings. We have separate toasters; I keep a separate shelf in the pantry for my pastas, flours, etc, but that's only because I can't find things unless they're organized. LOL We use the same pots and pans and cutting boards and just wash them well with hot water and soap or the DW. I've always been conscientious (ok, a bit excessive) about wiping down countertops, so crumbs aren't usually a problem. My husband has been wonderful about no "double dipping" butter, jelly, PB and the like, but now we're going to have to keep containers of "mine" and "theirs". Having more people in the house does make things a bit more complicated. I love the color coding idea. I follow it at work and will have to move it home. My husband also suggested using a label maker to mark things. I have a Zojirushi bread machine, bought in the "early days" that is working fine. I love the Bread from Anna mix. It tastes good, has some whole grains, holds up well, and acts like wheated bread in sandwiches. Welcome to the club! You're going to feel better and gain a new lease on life. :-)

About grinding einkorn in a Vitamix.... Yes, IF you have the DRY BLADE CONTAINER, which is used for hard, dry materials, such as grain, and for kneading dough. The container the Vitamix comes with is the WET BLADE CONTAINER. I have a "bevy" of mills, but I teach classes on the subject and have purchased them over the span of many years. I can mill any type of grain/seed/bean from tiny teff and amaranth to dent corn and garbanzo beans. Personally, I wouldn't use a Vitamix (with the dry blade container) because it heats the flour too much, but if you already have the dry blade container, chill your grain in the freezer and only grind it in small amounts with the least amount of time for processing possible to keep it from getting too hot. The heat destroys nutrients. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COOKIE8 - I use your recipe for FLAX COOKIES you shared on the Cooking group from 5-12-2014 (which also requires ground pumpkin seeds). Your recipe above looks great, too. :-) I sprout pumpkin seeds to make them easier to digest, and look forward to trying the recipe. -Grainlady