White Chili

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”

- Leo Tolstoy

“Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”

- Craig Claiborne

Eggplant Parmesan

1 large eggplant, cut into 1/4"-1/2" round slices

4 c. gluten free corn chex, crushed

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 egg

2 Tbsp. milk

2-3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/2 c. onion, chopped

28 oz. tomato sauce

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. marjoram

1/2 tsp. basil

2 c. shredded Mozarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix 1 egg and 2 Tbsp. milk.  Combine Italian seasoning and crushed Chex.  Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, then in Chex mixture.  Place on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.

3. In a small saucepan, heat olive oil, garlic, and onions until tender.  Add tomato sauce and spices.  In a 9x12" casserole dish, layer eggplant, sauce, and cheese.  Repeat. 

4. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sauce bubbles.  Serve.

October is National Cookie Month.  Celebrate with this fall cookie classic.

Nestle's Oatmeal Scotchies

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies

1 1/4 c. Gluten Free all-purpose flour*

1/4 tsp. xanthum gum

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. butter or margarine, softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. Gluten Free quick or old-fashioned oats*

1 2/3 c. Butterscotch flavored morsels

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine flour, xanthum gum, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.  Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in oats and morsels.  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.

3.  Bake for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies, or 9 to 10 minutes for crispy cookies.  Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

*I used Gluten Free Pantry's Gluten Free all-purpose flour and Bob's Red Mill's Gluten Free quick cooking oats for this recipe.

Cowboy Beans

Ingredients:

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained

2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained

1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained

1/2 cup ketchup

2/3 cup BBQ sauce*

1 Tablespoon molasses

1-2 teaspoons hot sauce

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Cook on low for 3-4 hours.  Serve with Gluten Free corn chips or GF cornbread.

*Make sure BBQ sauce and other ingredients are Gluten Free!

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup  chopped onions (about 1 medium)  

2 cups enchilada sauce, divided  

6 oz.  VELVEETA Pepper Jack Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into thin slices  

12 corn tortillas (6 inch), softened (see Tip)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook and stir meat and onions in large skillet on medium heat until meat is browned and onions are tender; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce; mix well.

2. Spread 1/2 cup of the remaining enchilada sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Spoon 1/4 cup of the meat mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-sides down, in baking dish; top with the remaining 1 cup enchilada sauce and the VELVEETA.

3. Bake 20 min. or until enchiladas are heated through and VELVEETA is melted.

Kraft Kitchen Tips

How to Soften Tortillas

Corn tortillas must be softened before rolling to prevent splitting. Place tortillas between 2 sheets of dampened paper towel. Microwave on HIGH for 45 sec. Fill and roll tortillas while still warm.

Make Ahead

Assemble recipe as directed; cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. When ready to serve, uncover and bake at 350°F for 30 min. or until heated through.

Cheesy Bean Enchiladas

Substitute 1 can (16 oz.) refried beans for the browned ground beef. Mix with the onions and 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce, then use to fill enchiladas and bake as directed.

Chicken Nuggets

Adapted from the recipe "Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets"

16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 c Gluten Free breadcrumbs*

1/4 tsp Italian herb seasoning

2 tsp olive oil

2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

olive oil spray

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray. 2. Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese in another.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.

4. Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 - 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked though.

*I used Kinnikinnick’s Panco Style Bread Crumbs for this recipe.

Pecan Pie

In honor of National Pecan Pie Day

Yields: 2 pies

Gluten Free Pie Crust*

5 eggs, slightly beaten Dash of salt 1 box of light brown sugar 1 1/4 sticks margarine 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla Pecans

1. Beat eggs well.  Add the rest of the ingredients, except pecans. 

2. Place mixture in pie crusts and top with pecans. 

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. 

*I used Gluten Free Pantry's perfect pie crust mix.

 Hot Dog Chili

2 lb. ground chuck, browned and drained 2 tsp. chili powder 2 c. catsup

Mix together and simmer for 30 minutes.