What We’re Eating Now

December 23, 2024

Woo-hoo! It’s time for all our grand winter celebrations. Hopefully, you have your menu planned and ingredients bought and at the ready. If you don’t or want more edible gifts to bestow upon yourself and others, read on. We’ve got good stuff for Hanukkah, Christmas, feeding guests, and New Year’s Eve!

Also, since you might need some last-minute ideas, check out our gift guide; it’s loaded with great stuff, much of which can still be delivered by Christmas or Hanukkah. I just bought a bunch of stuff today that’s scheduled for delivery tomorrow!

Finally, it’s not to late to download our free holiday handbook for 22 pages of recipes and tips you can use this year and for years to come.

Wishing you and yours the merriest of everything!

Latkes with Horseradish Cashew Cream and Caviar

ou can’t get any better (or crispier!) than this recipe for the ultimate Hanukkah latkes. Follow our tips for success here and you can’t miss. Serve them with (dairy-free) horseradish cashew cream and caviar, as we do here, or offer them alongside a bowl of homemade or store-bought applesauce. Once you master the basics, try our creative potato pancake recipes. Get the recipe

Perfect Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Sticky, cinnamony, comforting, and sweet, these real-deal cinnamon rolls have it all and taste like Christmas morning. The recipe is totally doable — we take you step-by-step with photos and lead you to cinnamon roll perfection. Give it a try— your overnight guests, family, or just you will be glad you did! Get the recipe

Chicories Salad with Moscato Vinaigrette, Hazelnuts, and Pomegranate Seeds

This simple but special salad will round out and lighten up any holiday meal and is a great recipe to keep in your back pocket. We JUST made it this week for a large gathering and the bowl got emptied fast! Get the recipe

The Best Butterscotch Pudding, Period.

There are few desserts better than a truly good butterscotch pudding. This one is the most elegant, exceptional recipe I know of. Make and serve it with or without the optional brittle and whipped cream if you really want to wow guests. Get the recipe

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

This two-ingredient recipe is so easy, but amazingly delicious! The crispy, salty bacon is the perfect complement to the sweet, gooey dates. Keep this one in mind for last minute guests, your holiday party, or a cozy New Year’s eve at home. Get the recipe

December 15, 2024

Woo-hoo! We just announced the 87 winners of this year’s Great Holiday Giveaway!

To see if you’re a winner, go to our giveaway page and look for your partially encrypted email address. If you see your address, check your inbox for an email from me with instructions on how to claim your prize. Or respond directly to this email. Don’t delay! To qualify, you must respond within 48 hours. 

If you didn’t win, you can still score! Scroll on for discount codes from some of our wonderful giveaway partners plus exceptional recipes for you holiday entertaining. 

Also, if you still have some gift shopping to do, check out our brand-new gift guide; it’s loaded with great stuff, much of which is on sale. Or browse our favorite cookbooks and kitchen essentials — the latter are perfect stocking stuffers. Shopping through us supports our efforts, so thanks for that!

Discount Codes for GF Goodies
Save and send yourself or someone worthy some gluten-free deliciousness: 
Bread SRSLY: Sample my favorite sourdough for less— it’s spectacular and has affordable shipping!
Use code GFFMAG5  to get 15% OFF your first order. 

Gluten Free Meister Ramen: For a limited time, get 20% OFF a noodle-only 10-pack from the makers of real-deal Japanese ramen. Bonus: their products are amazing and top 8 allergen-free. Discount automatically applied when you tap the link above.  

Cult Crackers: Enjoy 20% OFF super-seedy, nutrient-dense, fabulous crackers from Cult Crackers with promo code GFFHOLIDAY20; one-time use per customer thru Dec 31, 2024.

ZĒGO Foods: Now’s the time to stock up on the purest, tastiest oats, oatmeal, muesli, plant-based protein powder, and more! Use code GFFMAG10 for 10% OFF your order through December 31, 2024.

Custardy Gluten-Free Brioche French Toast Bites

Will you make these custardy French toast bites as a delicious dessert or a breakfast nosh centerpiece? You choose! These creamy-sweet treats drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar are irresistible at any meal. Get the recipe

December 13, 2024

Woo-hoo! It’s full-on holiday season. I’m in the middle of a move, and my new kitchen … actually a very old kitchen with a quirky-cute surface makeover (I’ll share pics once its finished) … is making me want to settle in and cook. And good thing because feast time is here! With hosting in mind, this week, I share a carnivorous and vegetarian headliner, plus a super simple salad that does a nice job of refreshing the palate between richer bites. 

For more holiday recipes, download our free holiday handbook; it’s 22 pages of recipes and tips for holiday deliciousness.

Also, if you’re still gift shopping, check out our brand-new gift guide; it’s loaded with great stuff, much of which is on sale now. Or browse our favorite cookbooks and kitchen essentials — the latter are perfect stocking stuffers. Shopping through us helps keep the lights on here at GFF, so thanks for that!

Finally, LAST CHANCE to enter to win one of the 87 prizes in our Great Holiday Giveaway: It ends on midnight on December 14, 2024, so enter now!

Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin

If you need a no-fail roast beef recipe this holiday season, look no further. This recipe could not be simpler. The meat should be salted at least four hours before roasting, so plan ahead. Get the recipe

Porcini Mushroom Risotto

For the vegans at the table — and risotto or mushroom lovers everywhere — this earthy, richly flavored risotto. Deceptively easy to make – it requires about 20 minutes of attention while stirring at the stove – it can be a side dish for the meat lovers and a main course for your plant-based people.  Get the recipe

Pear, Escarole, and Endive Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts and Sherry Vinaigrette

This flavorful salad will brighten up any holiday meal and provide a welcome contrast to heavier dishes. It’s no wallflower though–sweet pears, crunchy hazelnuts, and a snappy dressing give this dish its own star power. Get the recipe

November 29, 2024

Happy Holidays Season is On!

This means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to holiday baking!

You could start with our GF/DF yule log, which has been one of the most popular recipes on our site since mid-November (honestly, it’s great any time of year, but wow, people kicked into the holiday spirit early this year).

Still, this is COOKIE SEASON! So, let’s get to it with recipes worth making.

Also, since you’re probably scanning the Black Friday deals, check out our brand-new gift guide; it’s loaded with great stuff, much of which is on sale now.

While you’re at it, download our free holiday handbook if you haven’t already; it’s 22 pages of recipes and tips for holiday deliciousness.

LET’S BAKE COOKIES

Spiced Cocoa Polvorones Cookies

These pretty snowball cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies, are like a rich cup of coca in cookie form. Only their buttery, crumbly, nutty goodness makes them even better. Get the recipe

Gingerbread Cookies

This dough for this gingerbread cookie recipe is so versatile that you can use it to build a gingerbread house, roll it and cut it into shapes, or press it out into circles and sprinkle them with powdered sugar. Most important, it’s truly delicious. Get the recipe

Vegan Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Nutty and sweet, these jewel-toned cookies have just the perfect jam-to-cookie ratio. Plus, they look pretty and festive and couldn’t be easier to make. Get the recipe

Almond Meringue Cookies

These star-shaped meringues are as easy to make as whipping egg whites, piping the mixture onto a baking sheet, and baking the oven. They are amazing as is, or can be dipped in chocolate. Either way, they’re an elegant accompaniment to a cappuccino or a cookie platter. Get the recipe

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Ginger Crinkle Cookies Recipe

It’s the simplicity of these vegan cookies, plus the punchy bite of candied ginger, that makes them one of my favorites for the holidays and beyond. Add a cup of tea and you have the perfect cozy afternoon. Get the recipe

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

Here is the perfect cookie dough to have on hand all season long. A full recipe will make about 12 dozen cookies; the recipe includes directions for storing extra dough in the freezer, but you can also make a half batch. Brown butter makes them extra special, adding depth of flavor and nutty, caramelized notes. Get the recipe 

November 26, 2024

BIG NEWS ALERT!

We’ve been working hard to shower you with extra good stuff this holiday season. And I’m not just talking about our annual holiday giveaway, which, as always, will start on December 1 (watch for our alert) and will provide dozens of opportunities to win wonderful GF prizes. 

This year, there’s more! Read on to kick off the gluten-free holidays with us, and get ready for more tastiness ahead. 

Your FREE Gluten-Free Holiday Guide is Here!

I’ve spent the past 24 years hosting gluten-free holidays without missing any holiday deliciousness. I created a free holiday handbook to share what I’ve learned, from the GF crackers and helpful ingredients worth buying to the GF recipes that make the season extra tasty. Use this book to ensure the yummiest of holidays, with love from us to you. Tap the link to see the book, then save it and feel free to share it with friends and family. Get your free book

Shop the GFF Gift Guide

If you want some help with gift ideas this year, we’ve got you! Our very first online gift guide offers something for everyone on your list. Bonus: many of the items are under $50 (I love a bargain) or are on sale during Black Friday week. Check out the guide now to find gifts for everyone on your list (who doesn’t want a passport holder with a built-in phone charger or an epic salt pig?!)! Bonus: shopping with us supports our business, which is important since we don’t run ads and are eliminating subscription access, thus making our site free for all! Browse the gift guide

Our gift guide is part of a bigger new effort: we launched an online shop! It features all our favorite stuff, including foods and ingredients worth buying, kitchen essentials, and more. Browse the shop

November 19, 2024

With the holidays coming, now’s the time to bake someone happy! Or rather, bake EVERYONE happy. The following desserts aren’t just fab-ul-ous. Many of them can be made vegan too (hello, amazing apple-chestnut tart and cranberry-pear crumble). 

Sure, you can make a perfect pumpkin pie (vegan option available), but add any of the following desserts to your holiday table and you’re likely to establish new, delicious traditions. 

It’s worth noting that many of these call for hazelnut flour. If you don’t have or want to buy it, you can easily make it by blending raw hazelnuts until fine and nubby in a food processor. 

Thanksgiving Desserts

Apple-Chestnut Tart with Salty Caramel

I can never say enough good things about this tart. With its crumbly-crisp press-in crust, surprisingly easy assembly, and exquisite just-sweet-enough flavor, it’s truly epic. Plus, if you’re short on time, you can use store-bought caramel, making an easy dessert even easier. Get the recipe

Kabocha Hazelnut Tart

This beauty combines squash and spices with an elegant press-in hazelnut shortbread crust that can be made days in advance. Topped with maple syrup and sour cream-flavored whipped cream and a sprinkle of hazelnuts, it’s a luxe and luscious upgrade to pumpkin pie. Get the recipe

Vegan Cranberry Pear Crumble

Here, tangy cranberries, maple-roasted pears, and a crumbly, spice-kissed hazelnut topping combine to become the perfect, jewel-toned seasonal dessert. Serve it with dairy-free vanilla ice cream to keep it vegan, if you like. Get the recipe

Chocolate Hazelnut Flour Cake with Whipped Mascarpone and Pomegranate

This velvety chocolate cake is amazing any time of year, but the pomegranate and hazelnut flour (which can be substituted if you don’t want to buy or make hazelnut flour in a food processor) make this festive dessert seasonally sensational. Get the recipe

Pumpkin Clafoutis with Pears

Custardy cake with pear and hazelnuts gets a dusting of powdered sugar and a hailstorm of hazelnuts for a luscious, gorgeous dessert centerpiece. Get the recipe

November 12, 2024

If you know me, you know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and that I always make the same crazy turkey recipe, which includes GF stuffing and gravy recipes that inspire raves for years to come.

Sides are another story. While I go for classic mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, I always leave room for new favorites.

I’m sharing a few worthy options here, including a delicious dressing that instantly becomes stuffing if you stick it inside your turkey and cook it along with the bird instead of in a casserole dish. 

Speaking of worthy options, if you haven’t tried Queen Street Bakery bagels, you should. Scroll down to read about them and get a discount coupon — they’re our fave supermarket option and are perfect for feeding yourself and any visiting guests. 

Starring Sides

Salt-Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Yogurt and Hazelnuts

The presentation alone is reason to serve this dish. But here are two more: it requires a few simple ingredients and takes very little active time. Plus, salt roasting gives the vegetables intense flavor and exquisite texture. Rested on a bed of yogurt with a finishing sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts, this is side-dish divinity. Get the recipe

Spinach Soufflé

I love soufflés! They seem so fancy, yet are about as easy to make as scrambled eggs — perhaps even easier since you don’t have to micro-manage their cooking. They’re also a great side for any holiday meal, from turkey to roast beef, and they’re vegetarian, too, so they can be a hearty offering for anyone passing on a meat main course. Get the recipe

Roasted Beets, Quinoa, and Greens with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Salad is critical for the holiday table, as long as it’s not soggy! A great salad adds respite from heavier flavors and textures, not to mention crunch and color. This beauty has it all: happy greens, crunch from onion and sunflower seeds, vibrancy from citrus wedges, and substance from beets. Want to go vegan? Skip the feta! Get the recipe

Yukon Gold, Sweet Potato, and Caramelized Fennel Gratin

Everyone loves a gratin. And why not? Luscious layers of creamy potatoes plus crunchy topping equals pure joy. This two-tone version offers double the potato pleasure with gold and sweet potatoes. Get the recipe

Cornbread Dressing

Before the three families I celebrated holidays with moved away to various parts of the country, we traded off hosting, gathering our kids and ourselves for giant festivities filled with shared laughs and recipes. This dressing is a beloved tradition of one of those dear friends; her family served it with roast beef for Christmas, but it works anytime! Make it using your favorite boxed GF cornbread mix for an easy base. Then add sausage, hard-boiled eggs and traditional aromatics for the ultimate comfort. Get the recipe

November 4, 2024

As we mosey into holiday entertaining season, It’s time to earmark appetizer recipes to get you through all the parties and potlucks.

But also, bite-size foods are great to have in the fridge for quick noshes between shopping, working, and other plans during this busy season.

Browse this week’s nibbles and plan your menus — with the variety of grab-and-devour bites I’m sharing here, there are sure to be new favorite appetizers for your repertoire. 

Festive Appetizers

Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

Pomegranate molasses lends a sticky sweet-‘n’-sour tang to these unforgettable, gorgeously glazed party starters. Get the recipe

Falafel with Mediterranean Pear Relish

If you’ve never made falafels, you don’t know that they’re easy to make, super affordable, and far better from scratch! Add pear relish, and you’ve got a wholesome, pretty holiday appetizer, first course, or foundation for a meal. They’re also vegan, so they appeal to a wide variety of partygoers. Get the recipe

Buckwheat Blini Recipe Plus 3 Topping Combos

A classic appetizer for a sophisticated gathering, blini, or mini pancakes, are so easy to make ahead and can be topped with anything you like, from smoked salmon and sour cream to ham to caviar. Make a bunch of them and top them with your favorite toppings. Get the recipe

Harissa Deviled Eggs

A hearty dash of harissa and a splash of apple cider vinegar give these little devils a spicy-tart touch that will have your guests gobbling them up and asking for the recipe. Get the recipe

Roasted Squash with Feta, Honey, and Fried Sage

Warning: it’s nearly impossible to avoid eating half of these the minute you make them. The combo of sweet honey, salty feta, and earthy sage is irresistible. Serve them as mini skewers or serve a platter of garnished squash bites with fun toothpicks. Get the recipe

October 29, 2024

I hope fall is treating you right. Here at GFF HQ, we’re already deep in holiday prep (yes, that includes December’s huge annual giveaway).

Standing at the precipice of the entertaining season got me thinking about bread baking and just how thrilling it is to make gluten-free bread that is not just “good for gluten-free” but actually fantastic. 

Should you make this week’s recipes, they will bring you that kind of crusty-moist, lusciously textured joy.

Popovers

What’s not to love about light and airy popovers? Make ’em sweet with jam for a breakfast treat or mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or serve with roast beef or turkey to sop up the gravy. Get the recipe

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Dinner Rolls

I remember how excited I was the first time I made these — and how blown away I was that a battery dough resulted in these crisp-light, puffy, and downright delectable rolls. I still get excited when I make and share these, and I love the fact that they can be made ahead,  frozen, and reheated with a brush with olive oil and a few minutes in the oven. Get the recipe

Flaky Caramelized Onion and Fennel Biscuits

Best served fresh from the oven, these oniony biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a warm bowl of soup or a brisk afternoon and a cozy blanket. Get the recipe

Yorkshire Pudding

More of a mini bread pudding than a straight-up bread, this tasty British classic joins the dinner table to sop up juices from Sunday roasts and other juicy goodness. And it’s absolutely delightful.  Get the recipe

Banana Bread with Pecans

I can’t stop making this. It’s been my go-to for years. I carve the loaf into individual slices, freeze them, and enjoy moist, delicious banana bread with pecan crunch anytime. Swap the nuts for walnuts if you wish — I sometimes do — or add chocolate chips to gild the lily. Get the recipe

October 23, 2024

Hi GF Friend!

I hope you’re having a happy October. It’s been so hot in San Francisco this fall that I’ve never been more excited for sweater weather … or comfy food cooking. You know the kind: the edible hug sort of cooking that warms your bones and your heart? The kind that pairs perfectly with thick socks and someone you love or some binge-watching of good TV. 

I’m sharing some of these snuggle dishes here. The best part? They’re not labor intensive, so you can whip them up and get right to cozy dining. 

Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta

This cheesy baked pasta requires little more than boiling pasta, cooking up some ground meat, and letting the results bake together. Most of the prep time is hands-off, it easily feeds crowds and is perfect for potlucks, too. Omit the meat and it’s vegetarian! Get the recipe

Apple Cider-Glazed Pork Chops, Roasted Apples, and Brussels Sprouts

Don’t let the fact that this one-skillet dish seems to be floating on air make you think it’s too fancy or ethereal to make on a weeknight. It’s a spectacularly solid dish grounded in sweet-and-sour fall deliciousness. It takes about 45 minutes to make from start to finish, and much of that time is hands-off. Get the recipe

Roasted Cod, Potatoes, and Tomatoes

The simplest of simple, this dish — with its fabulous foundation of peek-a-boo potatoes — almost makes itself. The only prep is slicing spuds. Everything cooks in the oven on two sheet pans — easy peasy and elegant enough to serve company. Get the recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Skip the takeout and try this lip-smacking, healthy stir-fry! It cooks up in minutes in a wok or big fry pan. For a vegan version, keep the orange- and soy-kissed sauce, skip the beef, and add a variety of your favorite veg. Yum! Get the recipe

Maple-Baked Pears with Bourbon Sauce

Who says everyday dessert can’t be fancy? This recipe for baked pears with flavors that nod to pecan pie is easy enough to prepare tonight or any night. Or tuck it away for holiday entertaining. It’s easily made ahead and plated at the last minute and it is sure to wow. Get the recip

October 15, 2024

It’s squash season, and there’s much more to it than pumpkin spice! 

This week, I share some truly excellent recipes using this season’s great gourds. I encourage you to make them all — they’re that good. But perhaps start with spaghetti with butternut squash sauce. It’s extra easy and irresistible. Ditto the squash spice cake. It’s perfect for all your holiday festivities, starting with Halloween!

Kabocha Squash Soufflé

If you’ve never made a soufflé before, start with this recipe. There are a few steps, but they are totally doable and the results are divinely fluffy, silky and comforting. Any squash variety will work here. Add a salad and it’s a luscious fall comfort meal. Get the recipe

Spaghetti with Creamy Butternut Squash Sauce, Fried Sage, and Walnuts

This dish is gorgeous in its simplicity. The clingy, creamy butternut squash sauce is rich, full of fall flavor, and a perfect complement to spaghetti. Sub veggie stock for chicken stock and you’ve got a vegan dish. Get the recipe

Lentil and Roasted Squash Salad with Bitter Greens and Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

This vegan recipe has it all–flavor, texture, nourishment and crunch. It’s a hearty complete meal and also works as a side dish alongside any protein of choice. Get the recipe

Butternut Squash Rosti with Fried Eggs

A rosti is like a crispy potato latke. This one is made with grated squash. Top it with an over-easy egg and it becomes a truly special and unassuming breakfast or light supper. Get the recipe

And Dessert!

Squash Spice Cake with Chai Whipped Cream

This smooth, moist, elegantly spiced cake is so easy to make. Zest it up with a dollop of chai whipped cream for the ultimate fall dessert. Get the recipe

October 8, 2024

Mirin-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms

If you like a sticky and rich Asian-inspired glaze, try this easy salmon and vegetable recipe. Serve on its own or with some fluffy jasmine rice. Get the recipe

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts, Asparagus, and Lemon-Cream Sauce

For this yummy dish with a luscious pan sauce, the chicken is quickly sautéed to crisp the skin before going into the oven with its accompanying vegetables. Get the recipe

Herbed Panzanella Salad with Roasted Squash and Beets

Fall is the perfect time for this hearty and light vegan main course or side dish that showcases gorgeous seasonal vegetables. Get the recipe

Roasted Sausage, Peppers, and Fennel

I never tire of this fantastically easy combo of sausages and vibrant roasted veggies. Don’t skip the toasted pine nuts; their texture and flavor take the dish over the top. Get the recipe

And Dessert!

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Forget the pumpkin spice latte and make this sumptuous cake loaded with cozy fall vibes. It’s also easily transportable and will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days for easy future desserts. Get the recipe

September 24, 2024

You probably know that our recipes undergo serious scrutiny before being deemed worthy to share. When developing a recipe or evaluating one from our amazing contributors, we test and retest, and then, as we taste it, we ask ourselves, “Is this dish so good that we’d go out of our way to make it again?” The answer is yes for all the recipes on gffmag.com.

Still, all of us at GFF have our personal favorites. The recipes in this week’s newsletter are some of mine. Of the hundreds of recipes we feature, these are the ones that pop into my mind and direct me to the kitchen regularly. Try them, and let me know if they beckon you. Or better yet, let me know your GFF favorites and I’ll share some in an upcoming newsletter. You can write me at erika@gffmag.com anytime.

Brick Chicken with Potatoes and Onions

I pretty much always recommend this 8-ingredient recipe. It’s quick and easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to plunk in the center of the table for company. The seduction is not just juicy chicken. It’s that as it cooks, its juices settle onto the potatoes, garlic, and onions in the pan, caramelizing them along the way and infusing them with unctuous, irresistible melt-in-your-mouth flavor. And you don’t even need a brick to make it! Get the finger-licking recipe. 

Pan-Seared Halibut with Brown Butter and Hazelnuts

There are a few special things about this fish dish. First, you can swap in any light, flaky fish you want. Second, it features a quick, delicate Dijon-mustard marinade that lends depth to the final flavors. Third, brown butter sauce and toasted hazelnuts! It all comes together in minutes and tastes so, so good. Get the recipe

Chicken Salad with Tangy Peanut-Butter Dressing

I pretty much live on salads, and this one is the reigning champ. Crunchy, fresh, and hearty, it’s also easily modified to include whatever vegetables you want. I make extra dressing so I can enjoy this salad whenever hunger pangs hit. Get the recipe

Buckwheat Chocolate-Chip Almond-Butter Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies have perfect chewy, crisp-edged texture and spectacular flavor. The recipe is flexible, too, so sometimes I swap the type of nut butter I use or sub another flour for buckwheat when I don’t have it. Whatever modifications I make, the results are always amazing.  Get the recipe

August 26, 2024

With Labor Day near, we’ve got one last long weekend honoring warm, lazy days. Let’s make the most of it with fantastic party provisions. Make this entire menu or some of it. All the recipes are easy and excellent. Don’t skip dessert. It’s like an upleveled boba!

The Drink

Turmeric Mojito Cocktail

Light, bright, and refreshing, this cheerful sipper is a festive accompaniment to any gathering, with or without the rum! Get the recipe

The Appetizer
 
Grilled (or Pan-fried) Clams with GF Buttered Breadcrumbs

Fabulous starters don’t get simpler than this one. It requires a handful of ingredients, five minutes of prep, and eight minutes of cooking and it’s plenty fun to eat. Get the recipe

The Main Course

Grilled Skirt Steak with Charred Tomatillo Salsa

This pretty, simple steak salad is an all-in-one meal. Double it to easily feed a crowd! Get the recipe

The Sides 
 
Burrata and Grilled Vegetables with Arugula and Basil Oil

This is one of my favorite sunny day dishes. Vegetables caramelized by the grill, grill pan, or roasting pan are combined with fresh greens, basil-flavored oil, and creamy burrata. Yes, it impresses with its pretty looks. But more than that, it’s genuinely delicious. Plus, if you set out rolls, guests can make their own grilled vegetable sandwiches! Get the recipe

Roasted Red Potato Salad with Whole-Grain Mustard Dressing 

This mayo-free potato salad is on regular rotation for my parties. The roasted red potatoes lend an unexpected twist to the picnic favorite, while a lemon-Dijon dressing and mustard seeds make it a tangy, textural side that can sit out all day. Get the recipe

A Chill Dessert

Iced Coconut Cream with Tapioca Pearls

A cross between tapioca pudding and sweetened iced coconut milk, this refreshing GF/DF dessert is simultaneously unusual, approachable, and captivating. It’s also great for crowds. Get the recipe

August 20, 2024

It’s been a while. Between another bout with Covid and getting Junior Editor Viva college-ready, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed. But I’m back having fun in the kitchen and am excited to share with you. 

This week is all about excellent fish preparations — and an amazing giveaway and dessert!

Salmon is my favorite fish because it’s delicious and so versatile. It’s even good cold! This week, I share three different preparations, which you can use for other types of fish, too. Along with the joys and pretty presentation of cooking fish on a wood plank, I’ve rediscovered my love of cooking en papillote or wrapped in parchment paper. No mess with all-in-one-meal results. It also keeps in all the juices for an extra moist and flavorful dining experience. Pan-searing is my quick weeknight meal go-to, though this week’s example is so pretty and delish, I often make it for company, too. 

On to dessert! We’re still in the throes of berry season, so take advantage with a simply divine pavlova. Go all strawberries, or mix it up. It’s all good!

Fabulous Fish Preparations

Cedar Plank–Roasted Salmon with Apricot Glaze, Roasted Stone Fruit, and Green Beans

All it takes to make this beautiful dish is salmon, an easy apricot jam and miso-based glaze, and a couple of  water-soaked cedar planks (available at most grocery stores). Try it once and you’ll understand the glories of cedar-plank cooking. Get the recipe

Salmon and Lentils en Papillote with Cilantro Pesto

I’ve been on an “en papillote” or “in paper” kick lately. The ease and results are too good to ignore. For this version, you combine salmon, lentils, spices, spinach, and cherry tomatoes in parchment paper, cook it, and serve it right in the paper for the easiest clean-up and serving ever! Don’t have parchment? Use foil! Get the recipe

Pan-Roasted Salmon with Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs and Snap Peas

Pan-searing to perfection is easier when you finish the cooking in the oven. And it’s better when you top the fish with crunchy seasoned breadcrumbs and serve it with perky snap peas! Get the recipe

Strawberry Pavlova

For dessert on a summer night, how about a fruity, crispy-soft, and puffy cloud of deliciousness? This stunning and easy-to-prepare pavlova is just that. It takes some hands-off time to bake and completely cool the pavlova, so plan ahead. I like to make the pavlova and slice the berries in the morning. Then, after dinner, I just whip some cream and assemble the finale on a pretty plate. Get the recipe

May 30, 2024

We may still be a few weeks from the official start of summer, but you can feel the change in the literal and figurative air: it’s warm-weather party time! This week’s recipes offer inspiration for what to bring when you want to wow everyone, including yourself!

GF/DF Coconut Berry Cream Cake

Let’s start with dessert! It’s strawberry season, so, by all means, take advantage. This cake helps you do it! It’s one of my all-time favorites — plus dairy-free, too! — it partners the fabulous, sweet in-season flavor of strawberries with tender, moist cake and fluffy, light whipped coconut cream. Yes, it’s impressive to look at, but wait until you taste it! Get the recipe

Pea Pasta Salad

Oh, how I love this pasta salad! So, so easy to make, it combines the gentle sweetness of green peas with the savory character of chicken broth. Together, they create a luscious, thick sauce for gluten-free pasta. Use a noodle that stands up after cooking (like Jovial), serve it warm or at room temperature and you’ll be happy. Get the recipe

Crunchy Salad with Tangy Peanut Butter Dressing

There are times of year when I make a bunch of the dressing for this salad, stick it in the fridge, then mix together shredded cooked chicken, lettuce, and slaw and essentially live on this salad daily. It’s that good and easy! But don’t keep the secret to yourself. Bring it to an event and everyone will ask for the recipe. Get the recipe

White Bean and Asparagus Salad with Optional Asiago Crisp Croutons

The crunchy bits of panfried Asiago cheese are awesome in this hearty yet light, lemon-kissed salad, but if you want to make it approachable for vegans, serve them on the side. Get the recipe

May 23, 2024

The sunshine season is here and temperatures are rising. For me, this signals snack season, when light noshes replace bigger comfort meals. But getting into a snacking rhythm only works when you have tasty grab-and-eat snacks at the ready. For this reason, I batch-prep irresistible snackables that can wait in the fridge until I want them. If you’re ready to join me in the amazing graze, start with following recipes!

Oh! Also, we’re participating in an incredible giveaway to Cabo, complete with a resort stay, airfare credits, awesome GF churros (talk about irresistible snacking), and more. Enter here for a chance to win, and see below for more info!

Smoked Salmon and Avocado-Pea Puree on Crackers

Oh boy do I love this combo. The creamy avocado spread has lush, sweet-pea-and-garlic-kissed allure, the crackers add crunch (see our favorite crackers here), and the smoked salmon is, well, smoky goodness! Together, they’re snack perfection at its easiest! Get the recipe

Indian-Spiced Greens on Papads (or Other GF Crackers!)

I’m always trying to eat more greens. This recipe helps. A quick stir-fry of vegetables and a few spices results in a flavorful topping for crackers or, if you have access to them, papadams, which are incredibly crunchy-good, super cheap, and totally GF. Get the recipe

Daikon Radish Kimchi

Make your own kimchi? Heck yes! Then stick a fork into some whenever you have an urge for exciting, refreshing flavors! Get the recipe

Beautiful Beet Hummus

Hummus, of course! Always a pleasure, whether enjoyed with crackers, cucumber wheels, carrot sticks, or a spoon, it’s just so satisfying. This colorful version has nice dill and lemon accents plus pistachio crunch! Get the recipe

May 17, 2024

I hope your spring is going well. It’s a busy time.

Here at GFF HQ, my daughter, Junior Editor Viva, is graduating from high school (!), and I’m throwing a celebratory luncheon in her honor. In cases like this, I always scroll through all the GFF recipes to find foods that’ll work best for the occasion. For this party, I want things that are casually elegant, will taste fresh even after sitting at the table for a while, can be made mostly in advance, and will appeal to a wide variety of palates.

I’m guessing you’ll have an upcoming event or two when you’ll need similar types of foods, so I’m sharing the menu. Of course, you don’t need an occasion to make any of them. They’re just as wonderful for the everyday!

Caramelized Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tatin

Now that it’s easier to find GF pastry dough, it’s easier to put together a delicious nosh like this one. It takes just eight ingredients and includes an unexpected ingredient that elevates the flavors in surprising and delicious ways! Get the recipe

Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini with Quinoa and Feta

I forgot about this recipe for a while, but I made it for my book club and fell in love with it all over again. A lemony vinaigrette perks up the quinoa and vegetables to create a bright and light yet filling dish. Get the recipe

Potato Salad with Saffron Onions and Paprika Vinaigrette

I wish you could taste this through your screen. The photo can’t possibly do it justice. Just try it. It’s especially awesome because this potato salad doesn’t contain mayo, so it can sit out a long time. Get the recipe

Lemon Custard with Glazed Blackberries and Flaxseed Crumble

This single-serving dessert isn’t just gorgeous and abounding with luscious, velvety, lemony flavor. It’s also GF and DF! Get the recipe

May 6, 2024

Mother’s Day means different things to different people. For some, it’s a celebration and honoring. For others, it’s a remembrance, loneliness, or longing, or even a chore. Over my dozens of Mother’s Days as a daughter and a mother, I’ve experienced the spectrum. 

The part that’s always been good, no matter the undercurrent, is the food. Be it a restaurant brunch, a dirty-fingered child’s arrangement of simple breakfast snacks, or a home-cooked meal made by me or someone else, the sharing of food is a great equalizing comfort. 

This Mother’s Day is my fifth without my mom and my last with my child living at home. My daughter isn’t a cook …yet, so I suspect I will get a handmade card and lots of love. Then I will probably make GF eggs Benedict for us to enjoy together because it’s my favorite brunch dish and because our recipe includes a blender hollandaise, which takes the work out of the affair. 

Regardless of your Mother’s Day situation, if you like eggs Benedict, you’ll love this version. In fact, you’ll probably never make hollandaise the old way again. If you don’t like eggs Bennie, I’m sharing a few other ways to deliciously greet the day

Eggs Benedict with Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce

A fancy and delicious breakfast couldn’t be easier and more fun to make. Thanks to a blender sauce, it takes mere minutes and a few ingredients to get restaurant-quality Eggs Benedict is on the table. If you’ve never poached eggs before, this recipe will teach you how. Get the recipe

Grain-Free Lemon-Blueberry-Thyme Muffins

Many gluten-free muffin recipes require several different types of flour. This grain-free version uses just almond flour and a few other ingredients, making it incredibly easy to get a batch of deliciously lemony muffins in the oven before Mom (or anyone else you love) wakes up! Get the recipe

Banana–Nut Crunch Granola

This vegan, low-sugar granola recipe comes from our friend Phoebe Lapine, author of the cookbook Carbivore. (You can read our review here.) The granola is made with nuts and oats, mashed banana, and just a hint of optional maple syrup. It’s nutrient-dense, loaded with fiber, and most important, crunchy and delicious. It’s an awesome topping for yogurt and berries or a nourishing take-along snack. Get the recipe

Vegetable Pesto Frittata

A frittata is a great clean-out-the-fridge breakfast, lunch, or dinner dish because you can use any vegetables you have on hand and add cheese if desired. The basil pesto topping here makes it extra special with its punch of fresh, bright flavor. Get the recipe

Sweet Potato Doughnuts with Maple Glaze

Freshly homemade doughnuts are the ultimate breakfast treat. Preparing these beauties is a project and requires several steps, including deep-frying. But it’s totally worth the effort. After all, when was the last time you had an epic GF doughnut? Get the recipe

April 30, 2024

Hola, Gluten-Free Amigos!

Cinco de Mayo may be the inspiration for today’s recipes, but if you ask me, every day is a great day for Mexican food! 

I’ve spent a lot of time south of the border over the past three years, and one of the many things I learned is that everything about the country is vibrant in the best possible way. Colors — in nature, art, and textiles — are incredibly vivid. Music and birds are unabashedly celebratory, sometimes with the sound turned up to 11! And, of course, there’s the food and drink. In even the tiniest pueblos, you can find superior chiles, avocados, mangoes, papayas, limes, beans, rice, and the freshest tortillas, meat, cheese, and eggs — all of which are used to create exceptionally flavorful cuisine that pairs beautifully with tequila, mezcal, and the phenomenal — and gluten-free — rice drink, horchata.

Make any or all of the following recipes and you’ll see that any Mexican meal is a party.

“Farmarita” Carrot Juice Margarita Cocktail

I love a classic margarita, but when I want to bring a fresh wow factor to the party, the Farmarita is the way to go. Straight from Flora Farms outside Cabo San Lucas, it’s a colorful, delicious twist on the classic tequila drink. And it’s a looker, too! Get the recipe

Chorizo Queso Fundito

With this recipe, you’re eight simple ingredients away from the ultimate warm and ooey-gooey tortilla-chip dip! Make it, and you’ll understand why “fun” is in the name! Get the recipe

Black Bean Taquitos

Cross-contamination makes these crunchy finger foods a no-no at restaurants that also fry up chili rellenos and the like. But at home, you can roll up and revel in as many taquitos as you want! These are amazing as is, but you can also add cooked chicken, beef, or chorizo. Get the recipe

Grilled Short Ribs Tacos

This recipe is magic — and three recipes in one! The first is for 4-ingredient grilled short ribs that are so good I often make them on their own. (And you can make them in a grill pan too.) Then there’s quick pickled onion, a fantastic garnish for everything from tacos to salad bowls. And, of course, there are the tacos, which combine these two delicacies along with store-bought GF tortillas, sliced avocado, radish, and cilantro. Get the recipe

Double Orange Flan

It takes four ingredients and 15 minutes of active kitchen time to create this vibrantly citrusy-creamy dairy-free dessert, and one bite to fall in love with it! Get the recipe

April 12, 2024

Preparing a traditional Passover seder can be daunting. If you are going all-in, there are lots of components: hard-boiled eggs, gefilte fish, and matzo ball soup, to name a few. And there are often many mouths to feed. My advice? Delegate! Your family and guests will feel more connected and invested in the experience, and your load will be lightened. Ask people to bring a dish or manage plating or dish duty, for example.

We’ve got you covered in terms of the meal. Scroll down to see our recommendations for doable, festive Passover dishes that will leave you with plenty of energy to enjoy the celebration. The best part? All of them are easy and worthy enough to make year-round.

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts, Asparagus, and Lemon-Cream Sauce

I adore this recipe because it is so adaptable and easy to double, or triple (or more!) to feed a crowd; after browning the chicken, everything roasts in the oven on one sheet pan with minimal intervention. A quick pan sauce finishes everything off—substitute canned coconut cream for heavy cream (or omit) for Passover. Get the recipe. 

Classic Roast Beef

Cooking doesn’t get any easier than classic roast beef, especially when the recipe comes from a revered butcher. Not surprisingly, the key to its succulence is starting with excellent-quality meat. But there’s also seasoning it just right the night before, and letting it sit at room temperature for at least an hour before roasting. Marrow bones optional! Get the recipe

Slow-Roasted Salmon with Meyer Lemon Gremolata

If salmon is on the menu, try this simple slow-roasted preparation for perfect results every time. Don’t skip the zingy lemon gremolata; it adds springy freshness. Get the recipe

Braised Green Beans with Dill

This is the epitome of a simply divine recipe. Though easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, the results are transcendent with outstanding flavor and texture thanks to chicken broth, onions, and dill. Plus, the beans taste great at room temperature and pair well with most main courses. Get the recipe

Chocolate, Olive Oil, and Citrus Cake

This chocolaty, citrus-kissed masterpiece is one of my go-to dessert recipes whether I’m entertaining at home or bringing a finale to a friend’s house. It puffs up in the oven, then falls afterward, resulting in a gorgeous, rustic presentation that’s crackly crusted on the outside and fluffy-rich on the inside. It requires just a few ingredients (use good-quality chocolate!) and is equally fantastic is you skip the citrus. Plus, if you skip the whipped cream garnish, it’s dairy-free! Get the recipe

GF/DF Almond Cookies

The recipe for these crunchy-chewy almond cookies comes from By the Way Bakery, a favorite gluten-free destination in NYC. Along with being crowd-pleasers, these pretty cookies are dairy-free, so they’re perfect for equal opportunity enjoyment! Get the recipe

April 5, 2024

I love entertaining so much that my first cookbook was about throwing parties — but not just any parties. I was known, quite literally, as “the last-minute party girl” — which, incidentally, was the name of the cookbook — because I regularly put together great dinners with little advance planning. 

Ironically, I’m not one of those magician cooks who can disappear into the kitchen without a plan and return with a fabulous feast. My secret for tasty low-effort dinner parties has always been leveraging great recipes that impress without stress. 

When I have time, I still love spending a day cooking labor-intensive, glamorous dishes in anticipation of evening guests. But just as often, I’m happy to whip up a deceptively easy centerpiece dish and dessert and embellish with store-bought yummies like cheese, the best GF crackers, and fruit. This strategy guarantees that by the time my company is seated at the table, I have the energy and focus to savor the night. 

The following recipes are for when you want to do the same. 

On a completely separate note, we just published an article on everything you need to know about Canyon Bakehouse sandwich breads — including flavors you might not yet know about and how to get a discount! 

Also, we’re hosting a cookbook giveaway on our Instagram page. Enter before April 9 for a chance to win!

Brick Chicken with Potatoes and Onions

This is one of my favorite recipes, period. It’s a looker for sure, but what gets me is the juicy, crispy-skinned chicken and the potatoes and caramelized red onions wading in luscious pan drippings. Bonus: this is a great Passover recipe. Get the recipe

Sweet and Sour Moroccan Chicken and Rice Casserole

We just got our hands on Phoebe Lapine’s brand new cookbook and are sharing some of her recipes on our site. This one is just one tasty example of how to cook and enjoy GF-friendly carbs while avoiding inflammation and glucose spikes. Get the recipe

Japanese Seafood Hot Pot (Kaisen Nabe)

Plate your desired selection of meat, seafood, and vegetables, place a hot pot filled with seasoned hot water in the middle of the table, and let everyone cook and eat what they want — with homemade ponzu sauce for dipping! Get the recipe

Seafood Paella with Baby Back Riblets

You have no idea how many times this dish has been the centerpiece of one of my parties. Considering how much I’ve made it, neither do I. But I do know that it makes enough broth for two dinners, so you can freeze extras for a nearly effortless paella party 2.0! Get the recipe

March 26, 2024

I’m on a mission to get some rhubarb into your meal plan this week. Why? Because rhubarb is much more than a pretty pop of bright pink color. Its tart character is a party for the palate, offering a refreshing counterpoint to sweetness in pies, jams, and crumbles. Raw, it’s a surprisingly delightful snack, dipped in sugar for an instant burst of tang. Plus, rhubarb is packed with fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants, making it a beneficial addition to breakfast or dessert. 

Most importantly, it’s seasonal — you’ll find it in grocers or farmers markets between early spring and early summer. In other words, it’s now or next year for this colorful diversion from the everyday. 

Below are some wonderful rhubarb recipes. If you have a favorite you’d like to share, I’d love to hear about it. Send me details and a photo if you wish at erika@gffmag.com. Also, just in case you’re not up for rhubarb adventure, I’m sharing another spring favorite, so scroll on!

Orange-Honey Poached Rhubarb with Cashew Cream on Toast

Poached rhubarb toast? Heck yes, especially with luscious cashew cream (if you’re lazy you can sub DF or regular yogurt or ricotta).  Get the recipe

Apple, Rhubarb, and Ginger Pie

This sweet spring pie is full of flavor and texture; beyond the rhubarb, the filling features fresh apple and ginger, adding zing and layered complexity. The pistachio crumble topping brings it home with exciting, wholesome crunch. Bonus: the crust recipe — should you choose to use it rather than go with a store-bought crust — is simple and versatile.  Get the recipe

Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

Equal parts easy and designer, this gorgeous rhubarb-striped upside-down cake truly highlights rhubarb’s beautiful color and unmistakable tang. All you have to do it line the rhubarb along the bottom of a cake pan and top it with yummy cake batter. The cake itself is reminiscent of a traditional olive oil cake, but the rhubarb takes it to new heights. Plus, it’s a stunner! Get the recipe

Lemon Sheet Cake with Lemon Cream-Cheese Frosting

This bright and happy cake works well any time of the year, but it also highlights the freshness of spring and is perfect for Easter, birthdays, and beyond. Plus it makes a lot of cake, so you can freeze leftovers…if there are any! Get the recipe

March 19, 2024

One of my favorite things about holidays is that they inspire me to take extra time to cook and try new, exciting recipes. This week’s offerings will hopefully encourage you to add some fresh flavors to your Easter table and beyond. 

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Grilled Meyer Lemons and Black Olives

This super-flavorful roast by James Beard Award-nominated San Francisco chef Melissa Perello is surprisingly easy to make. The secret to its lusciousness is the garlic-herb-paste rub applied before roasting. Plus, charred Meyer lemons (worth adding to any roast recipe, honestly!) and black olives! Fresh herb purslane adds springy flair and a pop of color, but you can also substitute parley, your favorite greens, or no greens at all. Get the recipe

Spinach and Harissa Shakshuka

How I love this one-pan extravaganza. It’s easy enough to make on a weekday morning, but elegant enough to star at brunch. Plus, you can embellish it however you like. To make it, you simply prepare the sauce in a pan on the stovetop, add spinach and eggs, cook in the oven, then top with feta, avocado, and optional parsley. Serve alongside gluten-free toast or rolls (see below) to sop up the spicy sauce. Get the recipe

Caramelized Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tatin

Flaky, buttery, gorgeous, and oh-so-spring, this tatin is a perfect addition to an Easter buffet table. If you have trouble finding GF puff pastry, here’s a trick I often use: Open up the Instacart app, search for “GF puff pastry” and you’ll get a list of stores that carry it. Get the recipe

Shaved Snap Pea Salad with Toasted Almonds and Whole Citrus Vinaigrette

This palate-cleansing, crowd-pleasing salad stars crisp snap peas, crunchy toasted almonds, a tangy citrus vinaigrette, and finely grated hard-boiled egg whites and yolks. Pretty, yes. Fancy, yes again. Hard to make? Not at all. Get the recipe

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Dinner Rolls

These fantastic, airy, golden rolls can be made a day ahead and reheated in the oven right before serving. Crisp on the outside and soft, stretchy, and chewy inside, they’re so good you’ll want to make them for more than just holidays. They freeze well in zippered freezer bags with the air removed, too. Get the recipe

Ginger Lemon Bars with Coconut-Flour Crust

These lemon bars are tangy, bright, and fresh with extra zing from ginger in the lemon curd. Since they need leisurely time to cool, you can make them a day ahead of time; just hide them so they survive until the dessert course! Get the recipe

Classic Carrot Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing

Carrot cake is the perfect finishing touch for Easter dinner, and this classic version, from our friend Heather Hardcastle of Northern California’s Flour Craft Bakery, will not disappoint. By gluten-free baking standards, the recipe has relatively few ingredients and only requires two basic types of flour. Get the recipe

March 12, 2024

For better and for worse, I’ve always approached GFF from a place of love and passion for sharing GF goodness rather than a place of generating revenue. Consequently, I don’t always do the “right” business thing — for example, we have no ads on our site and no annoying ad-buffer /SEO-boosting filler content burying our recipes. I also scramble to keep up while earning a living primarily through freelance writing. As a result, I sometimes overlook the obvious, like sharing when we post new recipes and articles to our site. Doh! 

So today, I’m sharing some newcomers you definitely want to know about. From a fun hot-pot dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining to new drool-worthy desserts, here are new, tasty reasons to get into the kitchen and get cooking. 

Kaisen Nabe (Japanese Seafood Hot Pot)

This hot pot recipe is fun, interactive, and easy to prepare: dunk seafood and vegetables into a centerpiece pot of hot broth, fish them out with chopsticks, and eat! A quick trip to the Asian market and you should be able to find any special ingredients. Plus, the recipe includes instructions for how to make homemade ponzu sauce, which is a wonderful addition to other dishes. Get the recipe

Market Salad with Bagna Cauda Dressing and Parmesan Crisps

This salad has the bold, salty flavors of a classic Caesar salad. Instead of croutons, we top the greens with easy-to-make Parmesan crisps. Get the recipe

Vegan Berry Bars

This recipe is incredibly easy. Really. The simple press-in dough comes together in minutes, and the spread-in filling is a combo of store-bought jam and frozen berries. After a quick bake, the resulting cheerful, fruity bars are ready to share and enjoy. Get the recipe

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Flaky, buttery, nutty, sweet-‘n’-salt-kissed, these pretty, festive cookies are perfect for any occasion!  Get the recipe

March 5, 2024

It’s the time of year when filling up on hearty-yummy things without working too hard for them feels like the exact right thing to do. 

Enter sheet-pan dinners. 

Easy to make and clean up, they provide effortless opportunities to make extra so you can have leftovers and even lazier future meals. 

Crispy Chicken Legs with Roasted Root Vegetables

My goodness do I love this dish. Colorful, hearty, wholesome, delicious, affordable — it’s all the good things you want from a dinner recipe. Plus, it’s got a savory-sweet-’n’-sour tang going thanks to the additions of apple chunks and an apple cider vinaigrette. Get the recipe

Mirin-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Bok Choi and Shiitake Mushrooms

A savory-sweet Asian-inspired glaze turns simple vegetables and salmon into an occasion with just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time. Get the recipe

Roasted Red Sausage with Peppers and Fennel

For some reason, it never occurred to me to roast fennel alongside other vegetables. This recipe clued me in; they add great flavor to this beautiful dish, as do the sausages. Plus, roasted red onion! Get the recipe

Chicken with Artichoke Hearts and Lemon Cream Sauce

While there’s some cooking done in a skillet along with a sheet pan, the extra cleanup is worth it, as it gets the chicken skin extra crispy, plus the skillet is where you’ll make the light and creamy sauce, too. Get the recipe

Whole Meyer Lemon Tart

It’s not a sheet-pan meal, but I didn’t want to skip dessert, so here’s your chance to celebrate Meyer lemon season! If you’ve never blended a whole Meyer lemon before, skin and all, this fabulous tart gives you reason to do it. Along with a perfectly tangy tart, this recipe gives you a fantastic sweet pastry crust recipe to use for all your baking. Get the recipe

February 27, 2024

Usually, when we develop recipes to share with you, we create them or get them from experts, test them for perfection, adjust them in-house (i.e., at my house) as needed, and then have a pro photographer photograph them with perfect lighting and lots of nice props (also at my house).

But my real-life cooking is different, especially at breakfast time. No nice lighting, no eye-catching backdrop — my kitchen is functional, not fancy — I make quick, yummy meals for my daughter before she heads off to school that are easy enough that no recipe is needed. Yet they taste delicious and deliver solid morning energy, so I’m sharing them with you — iPhone photos and all — because everybody needs easy, no-recipe-needed breakfast ideas every now and then, not to mention a reminder that food doesn’t need to be photo-ready for it to be fantastic.

Gluten-Free Breakfast Burrito

For this fast breakfast, I smear salted butter in a pan over medium heat, add a tortilla and top with grated cheese. While the cheese melts, I whisk together in a bowl two eggs with salt, pepper, and a splash of water, then cook them in a small buttered pan until barely wet — with or without onion or shallot. Then I scrape the eggs onto the tortilla with cheese and fold up the edges of the tortilla. Fridge finds become garnish. In this case, some avocado and salsa. Easy yum!

As a side, it’s been exciting to find the gluten-free wheat-flour-like tortillas on store shelves. I use Tortilla Factory brand sometimes, but they have a bit of a tang to them. Trader Joe’s gluten-free tortillas are more neutral in flavor.

See more breakfast recipes

Chia Pudding with Fresh Berries

If you have chia seeds, milk or alternative milk, vanilla, and maple syrup, you have what you need to make chia pudding. Just combine 1 cup milk and ¼ cup chia seeds in a bowl, stir in a splash of vanilla and maple syrup to taste (it doesn’t take much), let it rest for a few minutes, then stir and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. (Obviously, you want to make this long before you need it.) Top with berries and go! Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for days.

See other chia pudding recipes

Nut Butter Toast with Banana and Cocoa Nibs

I can never get enough of this breakfast-meets-anytime snack. I love peanut butter but any nut butter will do. Just toast some bread (this generous slice is Canyon Bakehouse’s Heritage Whole Grain), slather with nut butter, then top with banana slices, cacao nibs, and a drizzle of honey. I always hope my daughter doesn’t finish hers so I scavenge a few extra bites. And yes, when available, I do add a sliced berry on the side for flair and flavor. 

Dragonfruit Smoothie

I go through phases when I forget how much I love smoothies. Then I make one again and am back on a smoothie kick. For this drink, I combine a banana with frozen berries — usually a strawberry-blueberry combo — some chunks of frozen dragonfruit, and about a half cup of water. Often, I’ll add GF protein powder or some magnesium powder. In either case, it’s antioxidant-rich perfection! And yes, we use glass straws, which I clean with a cute little straw brush. You can find those and more things we love at our Amazon store. 

February 20, 2024

At GFF, we talk a lot about “brown food.” Brown food is just what it sounds like: food that’s brown. Most of my favorite foods — and probably yours too — are brown (ahem chicken nuggets, roasts, roasted potatoes, risotto, bread, other baked goods, etc.). And there’s nothing wrong with that  … until you want to photograph it to look enticing by contemporary food-beauty standards. You see, most brown food doesn’t photograph well. It needs color contrast to look its best. This is why many recipes call for a finishing tablespoon of chopped parsley, chives, pomegranate seeds, etcetera. Though the embellishments may add a bit of flavor, it’s a desired pop of color that often inspires recipe writers to add colorful garnishes to the ingredients list. After all, when looking at a recipe image and deciding what to make, you taste with your eyes, so we recipe developers try to make lookers. 

I have never been a fan of adding ingredients — and consequently expense — simply to make a dish ready for its close-up. So, today I’m celebrating some of my favorite unabashedly brown foods. Trust me when I say they deserve a place at your table. And FYI, the red sauce on my favorite meatloaf is definitely more than for show!

Chicken Chasseur with Polenta (Tomato-Wine Chicken Stew with Polenta)

Yes, you can skip the finishing sprinkle of parsley when making this cozy French-inspired stew. With or without it, it’s comfort food at its best, and it comes together in about a half hour. Serve the saucy chicken over polenta, as we do in the recipe, or spoon it over mashed potatoes or rice. Get the recipe

Orzo and Bean Soup with Pequin Chile Oil

Below the finishing drizzle of spicy chile oil and the scattering of minced fennel leaves it the brownest of brown vegan soups. It’s also one of my top 15 recipes we’ve ever published. The flavor is unmatched and there are few joys greater than that of opening the fridge and finding this soup waiting to be reheated. Bonus: you can use store-bought or no chile oil at all, and if you want green without the expense, mince and sprinkle some of the leaves from the required celery. Get the recipe 

Pan-Roasted Salmon with Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs and Snap Peas

Okay, so technically, this dish is pinkish and green, but somehow, together, it takes on a brownish character that belies its awesomeness, even with the pop of lemon yellow. With herby breadcrumb crunch and plenty of flavor from the salmon and snap peas, this gorgeous, nourishing, quick-prep dinner is one I turn to for weeknights and hosting guests. Get the recipe

Wine-Braised Lentils with Smoked Sausage and Spinach

I suppose we could eliminate the brown factor here by using black (Beluga) lentils. But why bother? Flavored with wine and broth and dotted with sausage and vegetables, it’s delicious and easily made in a single skillet! Get the recipe

Meatloaf with Spicy-Sweet Tomato Glaze

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve made this meatloaf recipe. But I can say that the hearty slab of goodness is that much better with its sweet-‘n’-hot-mustard-spicy glaze! Get the recipe

February 13, 2024

Break out the apron and measuring cups. With Valentine’s Day tomorrow and winter weather keeping us indoors, it’s prime baking time! As you’ll see from today’s batch of recipes, I’m on a chocolate chip cookie kick. But for variation, I’m also sharing yummy butter cookies plus an opportunity to get $5 off any Against the Grain product, because great GF pizza and baguettes are happiness-makers too. 

Double Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

More is more with this cookie that mixes the nutty goodness of peanut butter with cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Get the recipe

Vegan Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Plant-based, sweet ‘n’ salty, chewy, and gorgeous, these are seriously delicious cookies. Get the recipe 

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever, Period.

We started GFF Magazine 10 years ago with this recipe for delicious, somewhat cakey chocolate chip cookies. Today it’s still special, partially due to a few included ingredients. Check it out, even if only to add the secret ingredients to your personal fave chocolate chip recipe! Get the recipe

Butter Cookies

These yummy classics are great on their own, but you can also ice them for last-minute Valentine’s Day love. Get the recipe

February 6, 2024

Valentine’s Day is our annual reminder to share thoughts and actions love, to delight someone, or many people, with heartfelt gestures. As commercial as it is, I relish the opportunity. After all, who doesn’t want or need more love in their life? 

Cooking for people has always been my love language. For me, spending meditative time in the kitchen, slicing and chopping, stirring and cooking, tasting and adjusting, and then plating and presenting a meal or a treat is an unparalleled expression of care and nurturing. It’s my way of saying I love you.

In case you’d like your expressions of love to include food and need some ideas, I’m sharing some wonderful recipes you can make and delicious treats you can buy and send. And hey—self love counts too, for Valentine’s Day and everyday. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself. You, of all people, deserve your love the most. 

The Girl and the Fig Ricotta Pancakes

Yes, there are a gazillion GF pancake recipes. But this one is beyond the beyond. I discovered it while dining in California’s Sonoma Wine Country a few years back. It calls for Pamela’s baking and pancake mix (which I always have on hand anyway), but the secret is adding butter and ricotta cheese to the batter and adding butter to the pan, which results in wildly fluffy cakes with delightfully crisp edges. If you decided to include the accompanying (ridiculously good) orange whipped mascarpone and apple butter, make it and drain the ricotta cheese the night before, store them both in the fridge, and you can create an epic Lovers’ Breakfast in mere minutes. Get the recipe

Citrus Salad with Pistachio Dukkah and Mint

Yes, she’s a looker. But the real seduction of this simply elegant fruit salad is the unexpected flavor and texture of the topping (crunchy spice mix, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds). With juicy, vibrant citrus fruits, the combo stars on its own as a light breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea. But if you want to go full-on food love fest, it pairs well with the aforementioned pancakes. Get the recipe

Chickpea Flour Flatbread with Arugula, Red Onion, Goat Cheese, and Olives

Love on a plate, this gluten free chickpea flour flatbread can be paired with tumblers of rosé and someone sweet for a perfect appetizer or light meal. Get the recipe

Plant-Based Gratin with Beet and Fennel and Mint-Coconut Cream Sauce

When I first tried this vegan gratin, I thought it was a side, but when I couldn’t stop eating and devoured my half of the dish, I concluded it’s an entree—and a fabulous one at that. Plus, it’s sooooo pretty. Get the recipe

Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake

This creamy, tangy cheesecake is made in a loaf pan, so it’s the perfect size for an intimate gathering, with leftovers you’ll be glad you have. Besides, you’ll learn how to make a fantastic GF chocolate crust, classic cheesecake filling, and tart sour cream topping combined with bright swirls or raspberry chia jam. Hello lover! Get the recipe

White Chocolate Bark

The beauty of white chocolate bark, besides the fact that it’s so yummy, is you can make it in minutes and garnish it with whatever you want. This recipe includes pistachio, rose petals, ground dried raspberry, and the occasional macaron (buy or make your own), but you can top yours with essentially anything you like. Get the recipe

Gluten-Free Raspberry Macarons with Rose Buttercream

These are fantastic gifts for a special someone (including you) and they’re easier to make than you think! Don’t have the raspberry or rose? They still work and are totally awesome! Get the recipe

Chocolate Cherry Cakes

The cute factor reigns with these pretty little cakes that also happen to be crazy delicious. Get the recipe

January 30, 2024

I’m a fair-weather football fan. I love watching games during the championship season when the stakes are high and the tailgate and viewing parties are extra enthusiastic. This is certainly the case this year since my hometown team is in the big game. Regardless, I love the revelry even more when there’s great GF food to eat, so I’m sharing recipes that’ll help make the day a winner no matter which team takes the trophy. Bonus: these dishes can be made ahead of time so you won’t have to miss the commentary-worthy commercials or halftime show.

Smoked Chicken Baby Bell Bites with Chipotle Mayonnaise

How cute are these? More importantly, how delicious! Just slice, stuff, and broil colorful baby bells, then watch them disappear! Easy to make with just a few affordable ingredients and easy to keep backups ready for quick cooking in the broiler, they’re topped with luscious two-ingredient chipotle mayonnaise. Don’t skip it; it gives the bites a creamy, cool finish. Get the recipe

Smoky Manchego Popcorn

Elevate everyday popcorn with a simple finishing sprinkle of spices and grated cheese! Get the recipe

Party Hummus with Herbed Olive Oil and Tomatoes

The great thing about this party hummus — aside from its awesome flavor and crunchy-creamy texture — is that you can make all of it from scratch or go half-homemade, with excellent results. Plus, it’s loaded with protein and vegetables and herbs make the hummus experience even more exciting. Get the recipe

Italian-Inspired Nachos

Though it’s easy to fall back on nachos classics, a little variation goes a long way in exciting finger foods. This version leans Italian with sweet Italian sausage, pickled vegetables, and tomatoes. But you can add anything you wish! For better game-day fun, brown the sausage ahead of time and make batches of nachos as needed. Get the recipe

Vegan Gluten-Free Chili

Cozy, comforting, and nourishing vegan chili? Heck yes! This recipe can be made a day ahead for easy entertaining. Dried beans will need to soak for at least 6 hours, but you can substitute rinsed canned beans if time is of the essence. Serve alongside your favorite toppings for a festive build-your-own experience! Get the recipe

Salted Chocolate Coconut-Flour Blondies

These blocks of chewy-crunchy-chocolatey goodness go quickly, so make more than you think you’ll need; extras make perfect afternoon pick-me-ups. Get the recipe

January 22, 2024

This winter weather has me in all-day nosh mode. You know the kind … when you’re always wanting something yummy to snack on. I’ve got a cupboard filled with tasty GF crackers and other snacks. But I’m always more excited when I open the fridge and find wholesome, freshly made foods waiting for me. That’s why when I have a little down time, I make recipes like the following. Try them to hook yourself up when you head to the fridge looking for a comforting nosh. 

Farinita

So easy, so wholesome, and so totally customizable, this savory chickpea pancake recipe can be altered in infinite ways. Here it’s flavored with a few herbs and some caramelized onions (ultra yum!), but you could just as easily add spices and top with roasted vegetables before cooking or salad, smoked salmon, or both afterward. Once you get the hang of the base recipe, you’ll know how to satisfy hunger with little more than chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil! Get the recipe

Daikon Radish Kimchi

Crunchy, spicy, and fun to snack on, this dish is easy to make and to love. Make more than you think you’ll need and you’ll be so excited next time you mindlessly open the fridge looking for satisfaction. Get the recipe

Chickpea Tabouleh Salad

If you’ve got a can of chickpeas, some spices in the cupboard, and a bit of lemon, onion, and garlic, you have the essentials for this fast, delicious dish. Add greens and cheese, if you have some, and you’re instantly gourmet! Get the recipe

Vanilla Chia Pudding

I make this a lot this time of year. It’s great on its own but even better with berries on top. Sometimes, I’ll even mix in some unsweetened cocoa powder for a wholesome chocolate treat! Get the recipe

January 16, 2024

It’s cold out and dark out there! This hibernation weather makes me want to get into pajamas right when the sun goes down — and make yummy soups to keep me feeling warm, comforted and full. I don’t have much in the way of PJs advice, except onesies are THE BEST! But I do have fantastic soup recipes. Break out your soup pot and scroll on for inspiration. 

Winter Minestrone with Parsley Pesto

Fresh veggies and GF noodles merge to present a delicious wholesome meal that can keep in the fridge for the week. With its perky, palate-cleaning character, the accompanying parsley pesto is worth making, but you can certainly sub store-bought pesto with grand results! Get the recipe

Moroccan Lamb and Pumpkin Stew

Brothy, rich, meaty, and vegetable-y with chunks of creamy pumpkin and carrot, this stew is edible comfort. Get the recipe

West African Peanut Soup

If you’ve never tried peanut soup, that needs to change immediately! It’s sooooo good! Try this luscious soup dotted with chicken, sweet potato, and collard greens and you’ll instantly become a fan. Get the recipe

Italian Wedding Soup

Brothy, vegetable-heavy, and chicken meatballs — what’s not to like? Get the recipe

Mexican Hot Chocolate with Bourbon Whipped Cream

Here’s the perfect happy ending to a deliciously cozy winter meal. It is worth using Mexican chocolate disks for this recipe to add the complexity of its warm spices. Make it with or without the bourbon whipped cream for an amazing cup of cocoa! Get the recipe

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