Why aren’t there any recipes for gluten free desserts on the website?
I’m glad you asked! It’s not that I don’t love desserts, I do. Initially, I considered including desserts on GFchow but baking just isn’t my thing, especially gluten free baking which requires knowledge of using and combining many different types of flours together to get the best results. This is a specialty best left to the gluten free baking experts. I’m especially fond of the blog whattheforkfoodblog.com, which can be found at https://www.whattheforkfoodblog.com
If I don’t have the herb that is called for in a recipe, can I substitute another herb?
Often times fresh herbs can be substituted in recipes. When a recipe calls for basil, cilantro or mint, feel free to substitute one for the other or to use a combination. Similarly if a recipe calls for thyme or rosemary, the same applies. But you can’t substitute rosemary for basil.
When recipes call for fresh oregano, sage or tarragon, I tend not to use substitutions except for tarragon. For tarragon, I would substitute one of the heartier fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
How long will homemade dressing last in the refrigerator?
I do not have a degree in food safety so please use my answer as a guideline. Always use your own best judgement. But as a rule of thumb, as long as fresh herbs or citrus isn’t involved, the dressing should last at least one month in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If using fresh herbs or citrus, the shelf life should be approximately 7-10 days.
I hardly ever buy fresh fish. Any tips?
The trick is to buy the freshest fish possible from a trusted source. If the coloring looks off or there is an odor, don’t buy the fish. The best way to approach what fish to buy is to ask the counter person what fish came in that morning. Then find a recipe to make using that fish!
What if I don’t have access to either Whole Foods or a Korean market to buy fresh fish?
You can go to your local fish market, if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby or to your neighborhood supermarket. I also think Costco’s fish is quite good, especially if you are cooking fish for a crowd.
I’m watching my calories. Can I use vegetable spray to coat the pan instead of butter and/or oil that’s mentioned in the recipe?
For some recipes you can. For instance, you can use vegetable spray to coat the pan when making the pumpkin pancakes but you can not use the spray when the butter and/or oil is integral to the dish i.e. Sugar Seared Salmon, Crispy Trout with Lemon and Capers. If you choose to do so, it will affect the flavor and overall recipe in potentially drastic ways.
How long have you been following a gluten free diet?
I have been following a gluten free diet since 2010. I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease in 2008 and this illness affected my body’s ability to handle gluten. I was diagnosed with a Gluten Intolerance. I have been tested for Celiac a few times over the years and each time the results come back negative…thankfully. For the most part, I feel better when I follow a gluten free diet. Every once in awhile I’ll still get a killer stomachache from something I’ve eaten despite adhering to a gluten free diet which leaves me baffled. Because I don’t have Celiac, I don’t have the extra level of strictness with cross contamination issues when I cook or eat out. This simplifies my life because half of my family eats a lot of glutenous foods.