Ensure your gluten-free foods are healthy and exciting with these 12 recipes that will sort you out for every meal of the day
Words Sabrina Nunez
For many, incorporating a gluten-free diet is a way of life that directly combats celiacs disease and a gluten-free diet means less digestive discomfort for the person who suffers from the disease. Many have opted for gluten-free foods for health reasons and as such, supermarkets and restaurants are taking note. While this is great news for those with celiacs disease, labels on packaging claiming to be gluten-free foods do not necessarily result in options that are healthier or better for you. Oftentimes, these products are loaded with sugar and other additives to mimic the tastes of foods they are trying to replace, which can add up quickly.
Luckily, creative recipes have sprung up enabling us to make gluten-free foods from scratch, so that you are in control of what goes in and, more importantly, what stays out. Vegetables, rice and meats are all foods that are naturally gluten-free, so it doesn’t take a lot to adopt the diet, or even just the occasional meal alternatives into your lifestyle. Below are a few ideas for each meal, plus some snacks.
BREAKFAST
Banana Smoothie Pancakes
Removing gluten from your diet doesn’t mean you have to skip out on fluffy pancakes in the morning. The ‘smoothie’ in the name comes from the fact that all the ingredients get thrown together in the blender, making it quick and easy to put together. Gluten-free rolled oats are the key to making this recipe work, and the addition of homemade berry compotes only makes them better.
Raw Buckwheat and Quinoa Porridge
Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free and has a nutty taste. By soaking it ahead of time, you’ll get the creamy consistency needed for this smoothie bowl that will surely fill you up. We like this one in the morning because decorating the bowl with all the fun colours is half the fun. This is also a great way to start your morning because it has so many good things in, like nut butter and seeds.
Spicy Zucchini Noodle Egg Bake
There’s nothing boring about this breakfast that meets the paleo and Whole30 requirements while encompassing tasty ingredients to start your morning on the right foot. Making zucchini noodles as a base an instant way of adding fun to traditional morning greens, plus they provide a filling base for the remaining ingredients. Toss in some chopped spicy sausage, bacon and onion and top off with eggs, crushed red pepper flakes and nutritional yeast.
LUNCH
Kale Superfood Salad With Quinoa and Blueberries
Loaded with all things good, this beautiful salad requires little effort to achieve a healthy lunch. Kale and quinoa are each high in protein and fibre, while the blueberries bring in loads of antioxidants. The avocado and almonds provide the dish with good fats, while the goat cheese adds extra flavour and texture. The homemade lemon dressing is the perfect way to finish it off without any added sugars from the store bought variety.
Martin Clunes’ Mallorcan Paella
Perfect for a summer barbecue, paella is always an exciting dish. Starting with a rice base, combine crayfish, squid, mussels and tiger prawns for a seafood medley. This recipe also calls for chicken and loads of veg to round it out. With so many different flavours, it’s perfect to eat on its own, or use as a side with a massive salad.
Kale and Goat’s Cheese Frittata
This is a dish that keeps on giving because it’s suitable for any time of day. The best part? It’s super easy to make. Let the onions caramelise and the kale wilt before throwing in the eggs and letting it cook for a bit on the stovetop. Then, add the sun-dried tomatoes and goat’s cheese before finishing it off in the oven for a nice, crispy finish. It’s also the perfect portable meal to take to work when you’re bored of salads.
DINNER
Sirloin Steak with Merlot-Balsamic Reduction
Thankfully, steak and potatoes are safe foods for those with a gluten intolerance, so there’s very little substituting here. Marinating the steak allows you to add flavour, which you can manipulate to your taste. This recipe incorporates a merlot-balsamic reduction that is quick and easy to put together. Sides of mashed red potatoes and asparagus make this a filling evening meal.
Mexican Tacos
Taco Tuesdays just got more exciting now that you can make gluten-free flour tortillas from scratch. Dairy, egg and nut-free, these tortillas are also good for skirting food allergies. Once made, these tortillas provide the perfect base for wraps, quesadillas, enchiladas and even homemade tortilla chips. We’re partial to fish tacos topped with salsa, lime creme, coleslaw, guac and a sprinkling of shredded cheese.
Edamame Spaghetti With Avocado Pasta
Inherently gluten-free and vegan, this pasta alternative is also high in protein and fibre and low in carbs and sodium. Solely comprised of soybeans and water, the Explore Asian version boasts 23 grams protein and 42 grams fibre per serving. The best part is that it actually tastes like pasta. While some recipes recommend mixing with a peanut sauce or using ground turkey for an uber healthy spaghetti bolognese, we like this recipe that combines avocado pesto with pomegranate seeds.
SNACKS
Black Rice Pudding
Great as a snack or breakfast in a pinch, this black rice pudding looks as good as it tastes and is a saviour in gluten-free foods. Loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to help fight diseases, black rice tastes more earthy and nutty than other rices and has slightly fewer calories. The bananas, hazelnut milk and vanilla extract sweeten the rice, while the fruits give it a nice colour contrast.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies
These sweet treats are perfectly gooey and fudgey and are made with a gluten-free flour. Indulge in the simplicity of these brownies, or liven them up a bit with assorted, flavoured chocolates or nuts.
Carrot Fritters With Tahini Yoghurt Sauce
Crispy, light and packed with flavour, these fritters don’t take long to make and disappear just as quickly. The spices really come together with the carrots, onions, garlic and parsley, but the tahini yoghurt sauce is the real star of the show. We recommend making extra and drizzling it on everything.
