You can certainly live a delicious and gluten-free life without resorting to cardboard crackers or highly processed, gluten-free baked goods and cookies!
There are plenty of nutritious alternatives out there that also happen to be gluten-free. Whether you just want to cut back on your intake of this hard-to digest, glue-like protein, have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or you simply want some new ideas to supplement in to your diet – these foods will rock your boat!
1. Quinoa
Quinoa is actually a seed, a member of the grass family and not even a grain at all! It is however often referred to as a grain because of having similar flavor and cooking properties. This now hugely popular (read trendy!) food can be found in all sort of salad combination, in protein bars, crackers and even chocolate! I love making a bowl of quinoa, topped with steamed vegetables and a big poor of creamy sauce from herbs and nuts (very much inspired by Café Gratitude! ) One of the huge benefits of quinoa, especially for someone living on a plant based diet, is that it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein!
2. Millet
This is quinoa’s somewhat dryer sister and another great source of protein for people on a plant based diet. Millet is in fact a mineral-rich seed often found in birdseed mixes (fun fact!) It makes a mean mashed potato substitute when mixed and mashed up with some steamed or roasted cauliflower. Leftover cooked millet makes an easy breakfast porridge when mixed with some almond milk, cardamom, raw honey and fresh berries.
3. Amaranth
Amaranth is a super tiny seed similar to millet and quinoa and also a great plant source of protein, especially of the essential amino acid lysine, which other grains are low in. It is even thought to help lower cholesterol. Amaranth works great in soups, stews and porridges. The seeds are very fine and tend to get bit creamier and binding when cooked (think pudding and porridge texture!) Amaranth flour also works well in pancakes and breads. And talk about sustainability! Amaranth grows very rapidly and is thought of as a weed in many areas.
4. Brown Rice Mochi
You may have heard of mochi in the form of ice cream treats at Japanese restaurants. But, did you know there is also a delicious baked pastry version. Made with only brown rice this is as clean as it gets. With plenty of different flavor varieties to choose from for flavor (from dried fruit , nuts and seeds) you can satisfy both a sweet and savory craving with these warm and chewy treats. Cut up a few squares, pop it in the oven for 10 minutes and watch them rise to the occasion. I love dipping mine in some applesauce and almond butter!
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