Zuppa Toscana

This has to be my favorite soup by far. I used to get it at the Olive Garden, before the Olive Garden became a place of pure gluten Hell. (You know, before I was diagnosed :P) I know my hubby desperatly wants to eat there, but I just cant bring myself to even come within a mile radius of one. Just the smell of the breadstick alone would be enough to send me over the edge, and I would be sick for days. Thankfully, my hubby also loves this soup which makes advoiding the Olive Garden a little easier. So onto the recipe....

Zuppa Toscana

1 pound mild italian sausage (ground)
1/4 tsp cayanne pepper (or more depending on your taste)
4 slices of bacon cut into pieces
1 onion diced
1T (or 3-4 cloves) minced garlic
64 ounces GLUTEN FREE chicken broth
8 potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4-1/2 bunch Kale stems removed and chopped into small pieces

1. First cook italian sausage in large stock pot. While sausage is cooking sprinkle on the cayanne pepper. Drain and set aside.

2. Place bacon, onion, and garlic into stock pot and cook until it starts to brown. Add chicken broth, potatoes, and kale. Bring to a boil and cook til potatoes are tender.

3. Reduce heat and add cream and sausage. Heat through.

Thats about it. It seems like it takes forever but its fairly simple and quick. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

*On a side note... Make sure that the chicken broth you are using is Gluten Free. Believe it or not, alot of broths seem to have gluten in them. I dont know how many times Ive accidentally poisoned myself, thinking "Why would you need to add wheat to a broth?" Ha ha... boy was I wrong!!

I know its not autumn but... White chocolate pumpkin muffins

Okay so dont hate... I know they dont look all that good, but they taste sooo good. I made them for the first time last night, and I had to practically sit on my hubby to keep him from eating them all!!

WHITE CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow cake mix
3 eggs
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup butter
1/2 package of pumpkin spice Jello pudding/ pie filling
1 cup (or more) white chocolate chips
chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

Prepare muffin tins with either nonstick coating or cupcake liners.

Mix together all ingrediants in large bowl. (I didnt use nuts but I think that these would taste really good with some chopped pecans. Its really up to you if you want to add them)

Use 1/3 measuring cup to fill muffin tins with the muffin mixture.

Place in oven and bake 18-23 minutes or until done. (Mine only took twenty minutes but it varies oven to oven)

Let cool and enjoy!!

Makes about a dozen muffins. You could also try topping the muffins with a cream cheese frosting for a more cupcake look... I bet that would taste fantastic!!

I personally cant wait to make these again this autumn. I have a feeling they will become a fall favorite!! Yum yum!! I hope you enjoy!!

My first blog post EVER!!

I am so excited to being typing my first blog post ever, that I am almost shaking!! My hope for this blog is to help others that may be struggling to find good gluten free recipes. Having been diagnosed with Celiacs disease a little over a year ago, I understand the struggle that comes with a gluten free lifestyle. When I first started going gluten free, I was horribly sick. While I wanted to get better, the lure of all the foods I was used to got the better of me. I wanted my Pizza Hut and Olive Garden, and couldnt imagine giving up all the food I loved so much. It wasnt til a binge session at a local Long John Silvers that I vowed never to eat gluten again. Breaded seafood and Celiacs does NOT agree, and I know that from experience!! Since that session, I have made my best effort to adhere stictly to my gluten free diet. Besides the occasional mishap at a fast food restaurant (not my fault, I promise!) I have not intentionally poisoned myself. And now I finally feel confident enough in myself to share some of my gluten free recipes for others to enjoy!!

This blog will be for all types of gluten free cooking. There will be baked goods, dinners, and all kinds of yummy food. I have done my best to try to imitate some foods from restaurants that I used to think I could never have again, but don't hate me if they arent exactly the same as the original :P My goal is to have so many recipes in the end, that I no longer feel like Im missing out on anything.

I hope that you will try my recipes and leave me some feedback. You can never get better at something unless you know what you are doing wrong, so please, if you have any suggestions feel free to let me know. I am all about constructive criticism. And if you have any questions or recipes youd like me to try, feel free to post those as well!!

Lastly, I hope you enjoy my blog and thanks for reading!! Now lets get the party started!! Woo hoo!!