Make Me Gluten-free... The Ultimate Bundle!: My Cooking Survival Guide, #5

By Nelly Baker

Do you find gluten a no-go-zone? Then this ULTIMATE gluten-free recipe bundle will set you free AND send your tastebuds to nirvana!

Gluten allergies can make life a nightmare, right? It’s just not worth the stomach aches, skin rashes, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain or fatigue just to TRY something new and tasty.

This cookbook will change everything! Break the rules and make yourself the most delicious gluten-free cakes, brownies, muffins, pies, fudges, pancakes, candy and puddings and slow-cooked gluten-free soups, roasts, casseroles, desserts, breakfasts, breads and stews – all so quick and easy!

Take charge, break the gluten-sickness cycle and put taste back on your menu!

***

Would you like to whip up mouth-watering gluten-free soups, roasts, casseroles, desserts, breakfasts, breads and stews gluten-free pies, muffins, brownies and puddings without raising a sweat?

Then you are going to LOVE this no-fuss stress-free ULTIMATE gluten-free recipe cookbook bundle!

Make Me Gluten-Free… the Ultimate Bundle! will guide you through EVERYTHING you need to know to create more than 250 mouth-watering gluten-free breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, each in no time at all!

In this ULTIMATE BUNDLE YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• 101 simple step-by-step original gluten-free dessert recipes, including faultless Brownies and Cookies, perfect Pies and Pancakes, divine Sweet Treats and Muffin and Cakes, failure-free Ice creams and Popsicles, Unbelievably easy Puddings, Lip-smacking Beverage concoctions, fantastic Fudges and Candy recipes
• 101 easy original recipes for superb slow-cooked gluten-free Soups, Lip-smacking Beef recipes, awesome Pork crockpot dishes, Gluten-free Bread, perfect Lamb, divine Fish meals, Failure-free crockpot Poultry, unbelievably easy Vegetarian dishes, slow-cooked Desserts, fantastic Rice recipes, unbelievable slow-cooked Breakfasts
• PLUS YOU GET A BONUS COPY OF MY COOKBOOK MAKE ME GLUTEN-FREE IN 30 MINUTES! WITH EVERY PURCHASE! This cookbook includes 30 easy, delicious Gluten-Free main-meal recipes that will have you cooking up a gluten-free storm in just 30 minutes! Step-by step recipes are included for mouth-watering beef, chicken, fish, pork, lamb and vegetarian dishes
• As an extra Bundle bonus, I’m also throwing in a GLUTEN-FREE CHRITMAS COOKBOOK celebrating the twelve days of a gluten-free Christmas!

DON’T MISS OUT … Get yourself a copy of Make Me Gluten-Free… the Ultimate Bundle! and you’ll be enjoying the most delicious gluten-free meals and desserts in no time at all!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Herring Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540179074

Nelly Baker

Nelly Baker is a former journalist who has a great love for healthy cooking and for sharing knowledge. She is a firm believer in regular chocolate and even more regular naps, and has a secret plan of marrying actor Daniel Craig. She resides with her family and gorgeous German Shepherd Miss K in a little house with  lovely garden. You can contact Nelly on Twitter at @nellybakercooks, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mycookingsurvivalguide or by email at [e-mail]

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DISCLAIMER: This book contains general information about gluten and wheat-related conditions. This information is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, or as an alternative to seeking medical advice from a licensed medical professional. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to their health and particularly with respect to any symptoms which may require diagnosis or medical attention. Never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice or discontinue medical treatment due to any information provided in this ebook.

Nutritional or herbal supplements can cause side effects, allergic reactions or interact with medication. Always consult a healthcare professional before adding nutritional or herbal supplementation to your daily routine.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from the use or application of any contents of this book. By reading beyond this disclaimer, each reader agrees the author  may not be held responsible for any such consequences.

Your free gift!

Thank you sooooo much for choosing Make Me Gluten-Free... 101 Crockpots! As a token of my appreciation, please find a copy of my first cookbook Make Me Gluten-Free... in 30 Minutes! in the appendix :)

Introduction

A delicious crockpot-cooked meal cannot be beaten – and a gluten allergy is no reason for you to miss out.

Hi, my name is Nelly, and I’m going to show you how a healthy gluten-free crockpot feast can taste better than any other slow-cooked meal you’ve ever had in your life!

I’m a food lover, but I’m also a firm believer that there’s no reason why you need to compromise on taste, quality, budget or time spent in the kitchen to prepare a fantastic gluten-free crockpot meal.

In Make Me Gluten-Free... 101 Crockpots!, I’m going to show you how easy it is to braise lamb shanks, manage a meatloaf or even serve up a hearty soup without a hint of gluten in sight.

I’ve tried to cover all bases in this recipe collection - from chili, to soups, stews, breads, puddings and even breakfasts, there is something for everyone. Rest assured - my recipes focus on the important things – speed, flavor, nutrient content and saving dollars.

If you like this book, I’d love for you to visit me at www.mycookingsurvivalguide.com and join ‘Nelly’s cooking club’, a fun and friendly place here I share tips, recipes, freebies and discounts!

If you take anything away from this book, make it this – gluten-free doesn’t mean flavor-free or fun-free.

I hope you have as much fun making and eating these gluten-free crockpot meals as I had creating them!

Love,

Nelly

A brief introduction to gluten-free eating

A gluten-free diet is one that avoids (as you might expect) ‘gluten’, which is a protein mainly found in grains, such as wheat, barley or rye. If you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, even a small amount of gluten in your food can be overwhelming for your digestive system.

There is currently no cure for gluten intolerance - the only way to avoid the symptoms is to embrace a gluten-free diet and lifestyle. (For more information about how to live a gluten-free life, have a look at your free copy of my lifestyle guide Make Me Gluten-Free.. In 30 Minutes!, at the back of this slow-cooker recipe book).

Following a gluten-free diet isn’t easy - it can be frustrating at times, given just how many different food products have gluten or traces of gluten as an ingredient. But if you get organized and stick to some basic rules, it becomes piece of cake.  And it gets even easier if you buy yourself a slow cooker.

A slow cooker is a huge advantage if you want to live and eat gluten-free. Why? It makes the cooking process soooo much easier. Using a crockpot not only saves you time, but  it also gives you tastier food with a richer flavor and better texture. This is because you can cook at lower temperatures and for longer, making it more tender.

Approved food types on the gluten-free ingredient list include beans, seeds, nuts, eggs, meat (beef, pork, poultry), fruits, vegetables and dairy products, as well as ancient grains such as amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, rice, millet, quinoa, sorghum, soy, tapioca or teff. Certain types of flour are also gluten-free, including rice flour, potato starch and bean flour.

Now it’s time to let your crockpot take over! Just mix up ingredients and your crockpot will cook your food slowly, allowing it to develop unique vibrant flavors without turning mushy (as it might when cooked over a stove).

Remember, your slow cooker is your best friend in the kitchen!

‘Slow cooker’ versus ‘crock pot’

For people new to slow cooking, the terms ‘crockpot’ and ‘slow cooker’ can some times be confusing. What’s the difference between the two? Very little!

‘CrockPot’ is a brand, and was the original slow cooker. Many people consider it as the best type of slow cooker, as it heats food from both sides as well as the base, for more even cooking.

For the purposes of readability, this guide will use the terms ‘slow cooker’ and ‘crockpot/ interchangeably. They are the same!

Tips on slow cooking

Slow cooking has various advantages, including:

●  Boosting your food’s flavor: The long cooking time at a relatively low heat allows the flavors of each ingredient to develop properly. This extra cooking time allows vegetables and meat to release their aroma and flavors better, and infuse each other. Slow-cooked meals often taste better than those made in a more traditional way

●  Saving your time: Crockpot cooking doesn’t require much effort. Often all you need to do is chop a few ingredients, which usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes! Once chopped, mix your ingredients together in your slow-cooker and you’re set to go!

●  Saving money: Slow cooking means you can use cheaper pieces of meat that you might otherwise avoid if you were using a stove or oven (they would otherwise be too tough and would take too long to cook). For a slow cooker, tough pieces of meat are exactly what you want. The long cooking time means the meat becomes incredibly tender, and it won’t fall apart when you serve it.

●  Less stress: There is no need to watch the crockpot while it cooks (except maybe the first time): You can get on with other things while the slow cooker creates an exquisite meal

●  Healthier: Slow-cooked food is healthier! Using a crockpot means you should cut off as much fat from your meat as possible, which leads to lighter meals and fewer health problems

●  Versatility: You can cook almost anything in it – breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, bread – and I’ve included recipes to cover all of these options!

●  Save money: Slow cooking saves you money on your electricity bill, and it’s easy to clean up afterward!

How to choose the best slow cooker

It’s not difficult to choose a good slow cooker, as all crockpots work the same way. Your biggest decision comes down to personal preference.

Most simple slow cookers consist of a base (which contains the heating element), the pot-shaped ‘insert’ (which holds the food), and a lid, usually made of heatproof glass. More expensive crock pots have additional features, but they aren’t necessary.

Remember, crock pots work best under the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Silly!)

Pro-tip: When you buy a crock pot, choose one with a removable liner. They are much easier to clean! When I think about trying to clean a hot-to-the-touch slow-cooker... my fingers  just cringe at the thought!

However, if you have a crock pot without a removable liner, you can line it with a cooking bag to reduce the amount of cleaning up you have afterward.

General slow cooker tips

●  Don’t over-water! If you are adapting a traditional recipe, cut your liquid amounts in half, except for soup recipes. Traditional cooking methods via stove-top or an oven see a lot of liquid evaporate. However, with a crockpot this doesn’t happen as much of this liquid is trapped inside the pot itself. Also, keep in mind that many ingredients (such as mushrooms) will actually add additional liquid to the recipe!

●  Vegetables cook slowest: Believe it or not, for some strange reason vegetables cook slower than meat in the crockpot! As a result you should put denser vegetable ingredients such as carrots, sweet potato, squash, onion on the bottom or sides so they receive the most heat!

●  Cut ingredients the same size: This means everything will be ready at the same time.

●  Add your herbs and spices at the end: Adding them too early can mean they dissipate and lose their punch. For this reason consider using concentrated flavors.

●  Dairy: If your recipe calls for milk or cheese, add them to the pot near the end of the cooking time. Milk-based products tend to separate or curdle if they cook for long periods of time, so it is best to add them in the last hour of cooking.

●  Seafood/nuts: Add any seafood to the pot close to when the recipe has finished cooking. These ingredients cook quickly, so they should be added late in the piece. Don’t add nuts directly to a crockpot – instead, it is best to wait until it is served and add them as a garnish

●  Ideal temperature: For most slow cookers, the ‘low’ setting is meant to reach about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, while the ‘high’ setting should hit about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The minimum safe cooking temperature for food is 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but to be sure, check that your crockpot reaches this

●  Don’t put frozen ingredients directly into your slow cooker! Make sure you defrost them first (especially if you are using dense ingredients such as meat cuts or heavy vegetables)

●  Timing: As a rule, two hours on LOW is equivalent to cooking one hour on HIGH

●  Don’t overload your crockpot: Fill to no more than three-quarters full. This is so that your food is cooked properly. If you find yourself going above this level, it’s best to purchase a larger model!

●  Leave it be: Once the ingredients are in the pot, resist the temptation to lift the lid and ‘check how it is going’! By doing this you will lose all the heat that you are cooking with . It will take your slow cooker at least 20 minutes to heat back up again... who’s got that time to waste?

●  Soak, don’t scrape: If food gets stuck on your crock pot liner, soak it for half an hour in a sink of hot water, then use a sponge to clean it. Don’t use harsh abrasive cleaners or scratchy metal brillo pads  - you’ll ruin the finish!

●  Remove as much fat as possible from cuts of meat and poultry before cooking them. Remove the skin from chicken as well. This is because excess fat in slow cooking recipes can make food extremely greasy, as it can’t escape the pot when cooking.

●  Size matters: Slow cookers range in size from 2 ½ quarts (2.4 liters) to 5 ½ quarts (5 liters). Five quarts holds enough for 8 people!

●  Flavor boost: Pour up to half of the liquid in any crockpot dish into a saucepan and boil it down by half, then put it back into the pot. Half the volume means double the flavor!

●  Even more flavor: Browning meat or poultry before putting it in your slow cooker can boost the flavor out of sight! (Yes, I think the extra mess is well worth it!)

●  Don’t overcook: Don’t stretch the cooking time of any slow-cooked meal past what the recipe recommends by too much – your food may end up mushy and overdone.

●  Timing tricks: If you’re cooking overnight or while at work all day, you can add an hour or two to the specified cooking time by chilling your ingredients in the fridge until the last minute. However, if you do this, you absolutely must not preheat the slow-cooker – you may crack the base!

●  More timing tricks: Another way to extend cooking time is to plug your crockpot into a timer – this means you can safely leave your food sitting in your cold slow-cooker for two or three extra hours if you leave it in the refrigerator until the last minute.

●  Size matters more: The size of your slow cooker can affect your cooking time. If you have a 5 ½ quart slow cooker and it is only one quarter full, then you can reduce the cooking time by an hour or so. If you fill your slow cooker above the ¾ level (but not too much above!) then add an hour’s cooking time.

●  Oh, the joy: Take a nap, watch a movie, read a book – and your dinner is cooked! Fantastic!

Soups

Badlands Beef Soup

This staple recipe is a must-try for any slow-cooking beginner. It’s filling, tasty, simple, gluten-free and nutritious – what more can you want?

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 pound (450g) beef roast, cubed

½ pound (225g) green beans, sliced

4 potatoes (450g), peeled and cubed

1 cup (200g) green peas

1 can (400g) diced tomatoes

1 sweet onion, chopped

1 celery stalk, sliced

2 carrots, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups water

1 thyme sprig

Directions:

1.  Combine all of your ingredients (beef, green beans, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, onion, celery, carrots, water, thyme) in your slow cooker.

2.  Add salt and pepper to taste, and place your thyme sprig on top.

3.  Put the lid on and cook on ‘low’ for 8 hours.

4.  Your soup is best served warm.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 219

Fat: 3.8g

Protein: 21g

Carbohydrates: 25.1

Fiber: 5.4g

Sugar: 4.6g

Shiloh White Bean Soup

Beans are filling and nutritious and team up well with beef in this slow-cooked gluten-free treat. Is there anything they can’t do? Pro-tip: Use dried beans for more flavor, and garnish your soup with plenty of herbs just before serving for a amazingly fragrant burst.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 pound (450g) beef roast, cubed

2 cups (400g) dried white beans, washed

4 tomatoes, peeled and cubed (450g)

1 cup (250ml) gluten-free beef stock

3 cups (750ml) water

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 carrots, sliced

1 sweet onion, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

1 thyme sprig

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Directions:

1.  Mix the beef, celery, carrots, onion, beans, tomatoes, stock and water in your slow cooker.

2.  Add your thyme sprig and bay leaf, as well as salt and pepper.

3.  Cook your soup on ‘low’ for 8 hours.

4.  When done, sprinkle your soup with chopped cilantro and serve it warm.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 299

Fat: 4.2g

Protein: 30.2g

Carbohydrates: 35.8g

Fiber: 9.2g

Sugar: 4.1g

Winter Chicken Noodle Soup

This slow-cooked gluten-free recipe is a must during winter. It will boost your immune system and make you feel better if you’re recovering from a cold. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe which you can customize for the kids with a variety of vegetables and even ‘novelty pasta’.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken, cut into smaller pieces

4 ounces (110g) gluten-free egg noodles

2 carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

1 onion

2 garlic cloves, sliced

6 cups (1500ml) water

1 bay leaf

1 rosemary sprig

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Mix your chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, water, bay leaf and rosemary in a crockpot.

2.  Add salt and pepper to taste and cook your soup on ‘low’  for 4 hours.

3.  Remove the lid and stir in your egg noodles. Continue cooking for another 4 hours.

4.  When finished, remove the chicken from your pot and shred the meat off the bone. Stir it back into the soup

5.  Serve immediately.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 304

Fat: 10.8g

Protein: 41.7g

Carbohydrates: 7.6g

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 1.5g

Coronado Chicken Chili Soup

This hearty slow-cooked gluten-free soup is perfect during winter when your body needs more carbohydrates and nutrients to keep going through the cold. It’s spicy, filling and easy to make – bring it on!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 8 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, cubed (450g)

2 cups (400g) white beans, washed

2 cups (500ml) chicken stock

2 carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 red bell peppers, cored and sliced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

¼ teaspoon cumin seeds

1 jalapeno chili pepper, chopped

6 cups (1500ml) water

1 rosemary sprig

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Combine your chicken, carrots, celery, bell peppers, garlic, cumin seeds, jalapeno and white beans in your slow cooker.

2.  Add the water, stock and rosemary, then season with salt and pepper.

3.  Cook your soup on ‘low’ for 8 hours.

4.  Serve your soup warm.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 255

Fat: 3.3g

Protein: 22.6g

Carbohydrates: 34.4g

Fiber: 8.8g

Sugar: 3.3g

Smoky Mountain Pea Soup

Creamy soups are ideal candidates for the slow cooker because the long cooking time mean you don’t need to puree the ingredients, especially when using peas. The bacon adds a smoky texture which enhances the flavor of this gluten-free favorite and makes it incredibly rich and tasty!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 7½ hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

8 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound (450g) green split peas

2 cups (500ml) gluten-free chicken stock

1 sweet onion, chopped

1 carrot, diced

½ celery stalk, diced

5 cups (1250ml) water

1 bay leaf

1 thyme sprig

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Directions:

1.  Combine all of your ingredients (bacon, peas, chicken stock, onion, carrot, water, bay leaf, celery) in your slow cooker.

2.  Add salt and pepper to taste and pop your thyme sprig over the vegetables.

3.  Cook the soup on ‘low’  for 7¼ hours.

4.  Serve your soup warm, topped with freshly chopped parsley.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 308

Fat: 8.8g

Protein: 21.4g

Carbohydrates: 36.8g

Fiber: 15g

Sugar: 5.7g

Tomato Fish Soup

Believe it or not, the tangy tomatoes and the rich salmon in this gluten-free slow cooker recipe create a match made in heaven! This delicious soup is a favorite at any time of year, with its delicate aroma and hearty ingredients!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 7½ hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

3 salmon fillets, cubed

4 tomatoes (450g), peeled and diced

4 potatoes (450g), peeled and cubed

1 carrot, sliced

1 celery stalk, sliced

1 small fennel bulb, sliced

2 red bell peppers, cored and diced

¼ cup white wine

4 cups (1000ml) water

½ lemon, juiced

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Put your carrot, celery, fennel, bell peppers, tomatoes and potatoes in your slow cooker.

2.  Add the wine and water, as well as your salmon fillets and lemon juice, then season well with salt and pepper.

3.  Cook your soup on ‘low’ for 7¼ hours.

4.  Serve the soup warm.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 195

Fat: 4.5g

Protein: 15.8g

Carbohydrates: 22.7g

Fiber: 4.5g

Sugar: 4.6g

Secret Weapon Soup

If your kids hate spinach, then this gluten-free slow-cooker soup is your secret weapon! If spinach isn’t to your taste, feel free to substitute vegetables such as kale or Swiss chard instead. Pro-tip: Add the green vegetables