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Makes 4 Servings
You’ll love this flavorful quinoa recipe inspired by one we enjoyed at Mirador in Arenas del Mar Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Arenas del Mar prides itself on being entirely gluten-free. Nutty quinoa blended with carrots, celery and peas, this has become my go-to for company. I suspect it will be yours as well.
You can make this dish 1 to 2 days ahead and warm for 2 to 3 minutes in the microwave just before serving. This quinoa pilaf goes well with a wide range of chicken, pork and fish recipes and is especially delish with Red Snapper and Cilantro Pesto (recipe posted on this web site). If dairy is an issue, the cheese and cream can be omitted.
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup finely chopped white onion (1 small onion)
½ cup chopped, peeled carrot
½ cup chopped celery, chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained, or prewashed quinoa
2 cups gluten-free chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup green peas, fresh or frozen
2 tablespoons freshly grated
Parmesan cheese of choice
2 tablespoons unsweetened cream
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
Add quinoa and sauté until its slight brown, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer about 12 minutes.
Add peas and cook, covered, about 2 to 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and cream until ingredients are combined. Serve hot.
Categories: Healthy Plate, Recipes | Tags: company meals, do ahead gluten free meals, easy gluten free recipes, healthy gluten free recipes | No Comments »
Get your Mojo on!
Garlic, red-pepper flakes, and citrus give this Cuban mojo a little kick. Adding molasses to the marinade gives the pork a rich bronze hue and adds wonderful flavor to the tenderloin. This can also be made with chicken thighs. Wedges of orange and pineapple make for a colorful presentation. Marinate the pork overnight for maximum flavor. Serve with polenta or rice and beans for a complete meal.
Serves 6 to 8 
Marinade
2 tablespoons olive oil, more for grill
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped or 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
2 tablespoons molasses (preferably dark)
2 pork tenderloins (about 2 pounds total), cut into 1 ½ -inch cubes *
1 large orange, preferably seedless, cut into 16 wedges
½ fresh pineapple cut into large chunks or 1 ½ cups canned or frozen pineapple chunks
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Extra orange wedges and pineapple chunks for garnish
In a zip-lock bag, combine oil, garlic, red-pepper flakes, mint, oregano, orange juice, lime juice, and molasses. Seal the bag and shake the ingredients to blend. Add the pork and toss with the marinade. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
Heat a grill to medium heat (about 375 degrees). Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Thread pork, orange, and pineapple chunks onto skewers, reserving leftover marinade. Season with salt and pepper. Grill kebabs (with the cover closed) 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Keep an eye on the kebabs so they don’t burn.
Heat the reserved marinade to a boil. Drizzle over kebabs or pass with the kebabs, if desired. Garnish platter with extra orange and pineapple.
*Cut the pork tenderloin into 2-inch slices and cut each slice in half to make cubes.
Recipe from Beth Hillson
This healthy, flavorful gluten free meal will be a hit with your family as it’s been with mine. The recipe is made with cooked millet, a nutrient-dense gluten-free grain that is high in fiber and protein. It adds a nutty, wholesome taste to this recipe, but you can pick another gluten-free grain if you wish. Quinoa, sorghum or brown rice will work. Store leftover cooked grain in the freezer.
Serves 4 to 6
6 bell peppers, any color
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
¾ pound lean ground turkey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1, 15-ounce can petit diced tomatoes, drained
4 ounces baby spinach
4 large crimini mushrooms, coarsely chopped (about ½ cup)
1 cup cooked millet, whole grain sorghum or brown rice
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus 2 tablespoons for topping
Vegetable broth
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the tops off the peppers. Remove and discard the stems, chop the tops; set aside. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membrane as you can. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the peppers so they stay upright in the pan. Place the peppers cut-side up in a baking dish just large enough to hold them.Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent. Add the turkey and cook, breaking up the lumps, until the meat is cooked through and just beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain any liquid that accumulates as the turkey cooks. Season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the spinach and mushrooms and cook until spinach begins to wilt. Combine with turkey mixture. Fold in millet and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
Add additional salt and pepper as needed.
Fill the peppers with the turkey and millet mixture and top each with a sprinkle of the remaining cheese. Pour a small amount of vegetable stock into the bottom of the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the peppers are soft about another 15 minutes.
Categories: Healthy Plate, Recipes | Tags: easy gluten free recipes, easy meals, gluten free dinner recipes, healthy gluten free recipes, main dishes, recipes | No Comments »
Recipe by Beth Hillson
Serves 6
Gluten-Free whole-grain sorghum is a newcomer to our great grain choices. A powerhouse of nutrients, vitamins and fiber, sorghum is rich in B vitamins and minerals, it promotes digestion, lowers blood sugar levels and reduces cholesterol. Whole-grain sorghum takes an hour to cook. Pearled sorghum contains fewer nutrients and less fiber but cooks in less time (about 40 minutes). Either way, prepare sorghum a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to use. Add delicious veggies like corn, tomatoes and kale and you’ve got a full meal.
This recipe is part of my Healthy Plate Project, a wellness program to make life healthier one meal at a time.
3 cups water
1 cup uncooked sorghum or pearled sorghum
½ teaspoon salt
6 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar, optional
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2-3 cups lightly sautéed chopped kale or baby kale
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels*
Combine water, sorghum, and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour or until. tender. Drain; cool.
Combine olive oil, tarragon, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk well . Add cooked sorghum, kale, tomatoes, and corn kernels; toss.
*Grill corn on the cob. Cool and scrape the kernels off the cob.
Recipe from Beth Hillson
Kale has been the darling of the super food movement for several years. High in nutrients and fiber, filling and versatile, kale is one of my favorites, too. This year, we planted kale in the garden. The plants produce delicate leaves that are not woody like some of the more mature kale you buy in supermarkets. However, you’ll want to make this year round so buy the mature stalks in the produce section and trim the woody stems from the leaves before preparing. It’s best if you can buy organic kale. The convention version is one of the Dirty Dozen, meaning it is a sponge for pesticides.
This recipe is part of my Healthy Plate Project, a wellness program to make life healthier one meal at a time.
Check out my crop of homegrown kale. 
The Salad
Serves 6
3 red or golden beets, peeled and cubed
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sea salt, as needed
2 bunches curly kale (about 10 cups)
3 peaches, cut in slices or frozen peach slices, thawed
2 large plum tomatoes, cut into slices from top to bottom
6 – 8 ounces feta or goat cheese
1/3 cup pistachios 
The Dressing
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
Sea salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line two pans with aluminum foil or parchment paper. On one baking sheet, toss the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and roast for 20- 25 minutes. Remove and cool.
Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. On the other baking sheet, toss the peaches and tomatoes with 1 tablespoon oil and salt. Bake 20 minutes. Remove and cool.
Cut and stem the kale. Toss the pieces with olive oil and salt and spread over cookie sheet. Bake until crisp, about 15 minutes.
Make the dressing: Whisk together all of the ingredients.
Gently mix together the roasted beets, kale, peaches and tomatoes. Toss with feta cheese and the dressing. Top with nuts and serve.
Categories: Healthy Plate, Recipes | Tags: easy recipes, healthy gluten free recipes, healthy plate, kale, kale salad, super salad, superfood | No Comments »
Recipe by Beth Hillson
Makes 14 to 16 cookies
These yummy, not-too-sweet cookies are healthy and satisfying – great for breakfast on the go, brunch or snacking. 
Double the recipe, wrap well, and store in the freezer.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free blend
1/2 cup whole grain gluten-free flour (like amaranth, buckwheat, or sorghum)
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon salt
1⁄3 cup packed light brown sugar, more for sprinkling on top
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 tablespoon cold unsalted butter or buttery non-dairy spread, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
½ cup yogurt, soy or coconut yogurt plus 2 tablespoons for brushing tops of cookies
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts or crispy gluten-free cereal
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Combine the flour blend, whole grain flour, xanthan gum, salt, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix until the brown sugar is blended into the ingredients. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
In a separate bowl using a mixer, beat the eggs, yogurt and vanilla for 1 minute. Add to the dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Fold in the blueberries and nuts.
Using a medium scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each. Use a sheet of plastic wrap to gently press and smooth the cookies into ½ -inch-thick disks. Brush with additional yogurt, sprinkle with brown sugar, and bake for 19 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.
The cookies may be reheated. These freeze well.
Recipe by Beth Hillson
Serves 4
This is an easy chili that everyone will love. Don’t tell them it’s healthy, too. You can double or triple this to feed a crowd and up the spices if your guests like the heat. Try replacing pumpkin with butternut squash, too. However, do not add brown sugar as the squash is much sweeter than pumpkin. Top with sour cream or cheddar cheese.
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound ground dark meat turkey
2 teaspoons fajita or taco seasoning
2 teaspoons chili powder
¼ to ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
3 cups cubed fresh pumpkin or butternut squash
2 tablespoons brown sugar (omit if using butternut squash)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
Cooked brown rice
Sour cream or grated cheddar cheese
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; brown turkey, stirring often, until crumbly and no longer, pink, about 10 minutes. Drain and discard any fat. Add the spices and use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate.
Heat remaining olive oil in the pan and add onion and garlic. Sauté over low heat until the onion is translucent. Add back the turkey. Stir to combine. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, sugar and vinegar to the pan. Cook, covered, on low heat until pumpkin is tender and has started to break apart, about 30 to 40 minutes. Add the beans and cook an additional 15 minutes. Check seasonings and add salt and pepper if desired.
Serve with rice and sour cream.
Categories: Recipes | Tags: easy gluten free recipes, gluten free chili for a crowd, healthy gluten free recipes | No Comments »
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About This Blog
Baking guru, Beth Hillson, transforms favorite foods into recipes that are safe for your gluten-free diet.
