Heavenly Homemakers

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Last Day! $10 off Simple Meals Subscription!

May 4, 2018 by Laura 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Did you do it? Have you signed up? Time’s running out, but if you hurry, you can still get $10 off Simple Meals through midnight tonight!

Ready to get $10 off your first year’s Simple Meals subscription?

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Save time, save energy, save money. Put wonderful, simple meals on the table in the most efficient way possible, thanks to our Simple Meals Planning Packets. They’ll come to your inbox each Thursday morning. You’ll LOVE all they offer each week, from menus to recipes to time saving tips and more.

(Need to eat Gluten Free? The packets include adaptations needed to accommodate you.)

Hurry to take advantage of this discount offer!

Sign up below – While this shows up at the regular $52 price-tag, once you click to purchase you’ll see that the price you pay for your first year’s subscription is only $42! Enjoy the great discount and the wonderful meal plans this year!!

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Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

How to Make Roast Gravy

May 3, 2018 by Laura 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

If you saw my recent “Easiest Way to Make Beef Roast in the Instant Pot” post, you saw that I promised to share How to Make Roast Gravy. Where there is roast, there must be gravy. There is no other way.

While I shared that I struggled with making a good roast for over 20 years before figuring it out, I perfected my gravy-making skills long ago. I guess that’s a good thing, seeing as my roasts weren’t great. At least we drown the dry meat in gravy.

Making gravy truly isn’t difficult, though in my case, it took some practice. Did I ever tell you about the first time I made gravy for Matt? He had to spread it onto his potatoes with a knife. Good times. (That was in our dating days. Praise God he saw gravy-making potential and still chose to marry me. It was probably because of how I rocked the big hair. Or the high waist pants, which are somehow now back in style. Why, girls? Why?)

How to Make Roast Gravy

How to Make Roast Gravy
 
Save Print
Author: Laura
Ingredients
  • 1-2 cups beef broth/drippings from a roast
  • ¼ cup cold water
  • 2 Tablespoons corn starch or arrowroot powder
  • Sea salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Pour the drippings from a cooked roast into a small sauce pan.
  2. Heat to boiling.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together water and cornstarch in a small glass or jar.
  4. Slowly pour water/cornstarch mixture into the boiling beef broth, stirring/whisking constantly.
  5. Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture has thickened into gravy.
  6. Salt liberally as desired.
3.5.3229

 

Need to thicken your gravy? Make another mixture of water/cornstarch and whisk it in to the boiling broth little by little until you’ve reached the desired gravy consistency you want.

It is important that you mix the water and cornstarch together before stirring it into your drippings/broth! Sprinkling cornstarch directly into the hot drippings will only give you lumpy gravy. Ask me how I know.

What are you better at making: Roast or Gravy? Maybe now we can all be good at both!

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

The Easiest Way to Make Beef Roast in the Instant Pot

May 1, 2018 by Laura 9 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

My mom used to be the queen of perfect Sunday roasts. But for some reason, it’s taken me over 20 years to figure out how to get my roast to fall apart and taste delicious. Today I’ll share what I’ve learned about making beef roast in the Instant Pot. Aha! Now we’re on to something.

After years of trial and error, I finally learned to make a Melt–in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast in the Crock Pot. This is all well and good except for the days I don’t have 12 hours to wait for my beef roast to cook to perfection. A recent Sunday morning, “What can I make for lunch before we leave for church in ten minutes?!” panic led me to investigate how to make a beef roast in my Instant Pot.

Wait. You don’t have an Instant Pot? Trust me. I understand. It took me years of hearing about them to get on the Insta-Train. Now that I’m on board, I’m declaring it to be one of my favorite appliances. Is an Instant Pot worth your investment? I give an emphatic, “Absolutely!” (I have this one.)

So anyway, back to my pot roast. I discovered that there are many Instant Pot roast-making instructions out there. But I have to admit what you already know about me: I really do not like recipes that instruct me to take several steps before walking away from my food to let it cook. After all, what good is using a Crock Pot or Instant Pot if I have to spend 30 or more minutes prepping the food?

Therefore, while most recipes I found instructed that I sear both sides of the roast and sing it a lullaby before allowing the Instant Pot to work its magic, I decided to do what I do best: Throw the food into the pot, turn it on, and walk away. After all, I don’t have time to sear meat on a Sunday morning, nor am I interested in going to church smelling like caramelized onion. And all my fellow worshipers said amen.

I figured the worst that might happen if I took a few shortcuts is that my roast would be mediocre, something my family has dealt with for most of my roast-making life. This is why God invented gravy.

So into the Instant Pot went the roast. I dumped on some sea salt, worchestershire sauce, water, onion, and carrots. We went to church and came home to this:

The meat fell apart. The flavor was incredible. Continue to sear your roast if you must, but as for me and my house, I will continue to throw in the food and let the appliances do the work.

The Easiest Way to Make Beef Roast in the Instant Pot

The Easiest Way to Make Beef Roast in the Instant Pot
 
Save Print
Author: Laura
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 3 pound beef roast
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 medium-sized onion
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 5-8 medium-sized carrots
  • 1 cup water
Instructions
  1. Place roast on the metal trivet in your Instant Pot.
  2. Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of the pot.
  3. Cut onion into fourths and place in the pot.
  4. Peel carrots, cut them in half, then place them on the roast.
  5. Salt liberally, pepper as you like.
  6. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal it.
  7. Cook it at High Pressure, Manual Setting, for 70 minutes.
  8. I do natural release as I'm usually still at church during this time.
  9. Shred meat and serve!
3.5.3229

 

Add 3ish pounds of scrubbed and cut potatoes to the pot if you like. :)

Be on the lookout for a tutorial on making Roast Gravy.

Am I the only one who has struggled to make a good pot roast? Here’s hoping this recipe solves all your roast-making issues!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.

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Simple Cheeseburger Hashbrown Cups (or Casserole)

April 29, 2018 by Laura 9 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Sometimes I experiment with recipe ideas and they turn out to be big flops. You don’t know about these because they don’t get shared here, for all the obvious, not-so-tasty reasons. This Simple Cheeseburger Hashbrown Cup or Casserole recipe got rave reviews at our house, making it definitely blog worthy. How can cooking real food continue to get easier??!

Have I mentioned that I discovered Mr. Dells Frozen Hashbrowns at the grocery store and declare them to be a fabulous option? They contain one ingredient: Potatoes. Other frozen hashbrowns at the store have a slew of ingredients listed that I can’t pronounce. So either make your own frozen hashbrowns or see if you can find a brand like Mr. Dells that includes plain ol’ potatoes. I try to have big bags of these on hand at all times now as they are super convenient!

To make this recipe, simply brown meat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Spread mixture into a casserole dish (easy!!) or scoop the mixture into muffin tins (still easy but one more step). Bake and serve. Enjoy the deliciousness!

Simple Cheeseburger Hashbrown Cups or Casserole

Simple Cheeseburger Hashbrown Cups or Casserole
 
Save Print
Author: Laura
Serves: 24 cups or 6-8 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef, lamb, or turkey
  • 15-ounces frozen shredded hashbrowns
  • ½ - 1 cup ketchup (depending on how much your family likes ketchup)
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 Tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (we like Colby jack or pepper jack best, but any variety will work!)
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Brown meat in a skillet until no longer pink.
  2. Mix cooked meat and remaining ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
  3. For Cups: Scoop mixture into prepared muffin tins (I find that it works best to melt a bit of oil in each tin so that the baked nests pop right out!) Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. For Casserole: Spread mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
3.5.3229

Freezer Friendly!

Make this recipe into a casserole, cover, and freeze. When you’re ready to bake it, take it from the freezer, cover it with foil and slide it into a cold oven. Bake at 250 degrees for 2.5 hours or until bubbly.

Want more Simple Recipes?

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  • Simple Sweet and Sour Baked Chicken Legs
  • 20-Minute Taco Soup
  • Simple Cheesy Baked Chicken
  • Simple Creamy Chicken Stew in the Crock Pot
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  • Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Legs
  • The Easiest Mashed Potatoes in the World
  • Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Simple Crunchy Ranch Chicken Strips
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  • Simple Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
  • Simple Barbecue Beef Roast
  • Simple Spanish Rice Bowls
  • Simple Roasted Rotiserie Chicken
  • Simple Green Chile Chicken
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  • Simple Crock Pot Taco Pasta
  • Simple Grilled Chicken
  • Simple Hawaiian Beef Roast
  • Simple Crock Pot Creamy Stew Meat
  • Simple Cheese Stuffed Burgers
  • Simple Hashbrown Casserole (For Instant Pot, Crock Pot or Oven!)
  • Simple Lasagna Casserole (For Instant Pot or Crock Pot)
  • Simple Chili Mac
  • Simple Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
  • From Burrito Bar to Casserole (a 5-Minute Meal!)
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  • Simple Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
  • Super Simple Lasagna
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  • Simple Lemon Garlic Chicken Legs
  • Simple Noodle Soup
  • Simple Three Cheese Spaghetti
  • Simple Crock Pot Salsa Shredded Beef

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$10 off Simple Meals – One Week Only!

April 27, 2018 by Laura Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

It is our pleasure to offer Simple Meals planning packets as a wonderful way to help you put great food on your table each day. We save you money, save you time, and free you up to focus on what truly is important!

We’ve done the research and have found that Simple Meals is the least expensive menu planning subscription around. This is not because it isn’t valuable – it’s simply that we want to make it affordable for everyone. The fact that the meal suggestions are all family friendly, made with real food ingredients, and super delicious is a bonus.

And did we mention simple? No complicated recipes here. In fact, we always fill the packet with extra tips to make your cooking time super efficient!

Grab a FREE sample Simple Meals Planning Packet here. This truly will free you to enjoy more family time, ministry time, and spiritual focus while still enabling you to feed your family wonderfully!

While we’ve priced this at just $1/week, right now we’re making the deal even sweeter!

Join Simple Meals and get $10 your first year’s subscription!

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We love how Simple Meals has been saving family time for so many, and helping people put great food on the table each night! For one week only, we’re happy to offer you an awesome $10 discount!

Sign up below – While this shows up at the regular $52 price-tag, once you click to purchase you’ll see that the price you pay for your first year’s subscription is only $42! Enjoy the great discount and the wonderful meal plans this year!!

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This offer ends Friday, May 4, 2018.

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Simple Crock Pot Salsa Shredded Beef (2 Ingredients!)

April 26, 2018 by Laura 1 Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Ready to cook dinner while you’re sleeping? This Simple Crock Pot Salsa Shredded Beef idea is genius!

My Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast has become a staple around here. So one night I thought, “Why can’t I try the same idea but use salsa instead of bbq sauce? Then we can have Mexi-Wraps for lunch tomorrow?

I love it when good ideas turn out amazing results! But I love it even more that this recipe is so easy your two year old can make it. My favorite is that this cooks while we’re sleeping so we can wake up and have a good meal ready to serve later in the day. Or if you prefer, start this cooking in your crock pot first thing in the morning and have an awesome meal ready at the end of the day.

Now, some have cautioned against putting frozen meat in a crock pot. I have no hesitation about this, and I think we all know I’m terrible about ever remembering to thaw meat. So if given the chance, I will put frozen meat into my crock pot because this saves brain power. Coffee can only do so much.

The work involved in making this Simple Salsa Shredded Beef includes none other than:

  1. Putting a frozen roast in a crock pot.
  2. Dumping on a jar of salsa.
  3. Letting it cook all night or all day.

Praise God, Glory Hallelujah.

After cooking for 10-12 hours, this meat has become so flavorful and tender it practically falls apart before you even come near it with a fork. Shred it quickly, cry a joyful tear over how marvelous your meal is going to be, and serve this to your family with a smile. After all, you didn’t have to work hard to make this. So you still have energy to smile. What a gift.

Use this Simple Salsa Shredded Beef as Mexi-Wraps in tortillas with taco/burrito fixin’s. Use it to make Simple Spanish Rice Bowls. Toss it into a Taco Salad. Eat it directly out of the crock pot. Who can help it?

Simple Crock Pot Salsa Shredded Beef

Simple Crock Pot Salsa Shredded Beef (2 Ingredients!)
 
Save Print
Author: Laura
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 3-4 pound beef or lamb roast
  • 16-ounces salsa
Instructions
  1. Place frozen or thawed roast into a crock pot.
  2. Pour salsa over the top.
  3. Cook in a crock pot on low for 10-12 hours if frozen. If thawed, cook for 8-10 hours on low.
  4. Shred meat and serve.
3.5.3229

Want even more Simple Recipes?

  • Simple Baked Salmon and Asparagus
  • Simple Crock Pot Chicken Soup with a Kick
  • Simple Skillet Taco Pasta
  • Last-Minute Lentil Chili
  • Simple Sweet and Sour Baked Chicken Legs
  • 20-Minute Taco Soup
  • Simple Cheesy Baked Chicken
  • Simple Creamy Chicken Stew in the Crock Pot
  • Simple Italian Beef and Broccoli Skillet
  • Simple Bacon Ranch Chicken
  • Simple Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken
  • Simple Taco Rice Dinner
  • Simple Last Minute Nacho Plate
  • Simple Chicken Cheeseballs with a Kick
  • Simple Beanie Weanies
  • Simple Crock Pot BBQ Spareribs
  • Simple Pizza Chicken Bake
  • Simple Italian Chicken and Green Bean Bake
  • Last Minute Creamy Bacon Spaghetti
  • Simple Hamburger Soup
  • Simple Parmesan Broiled Fish
  • Simple Overnight Saucy Crock Pot Chicken
  • Simple 15-Minute Meal
  • Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast
  • Simple 3-Cheese Crock Pot Pasta
  • Simple Oven Fried Chicken
  • Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Legs
  • The Easiest Mashed Potatoes in the World
  • Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Simple Crunchy Ranch Chicken Strips
  • Simple Crock Pot Shredded Ranch Chicken (for salad or tacos)
  • Simple Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
  • Simple Barbecue Beef Roast
  • Simple Spanish Rice Bowls
  • Simple Roasted Rotiserie Chicken
  • Simple Green Chile Chicken
  • Simple Tex-Mex Creamy Chicken
  • Simple Waffle Omelets
  • Simple Crock Pot Taco Pasta
  • Simple Grilled Chicken
  • Simple Hawaiian Beef Roast
  • Simple Crock Pot Creamy Stew Meat
  • Simple Cheese Stuffed Burgers
  • Simple Hashbrown Casserole (For Instant Pot, Crock Pot or Oven!)
  • Simple Lasagna Casserole (For Instant Pot or Crock Pot)
  • Simple Chili Mac
  • Simple Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
  • From Burrito Bar to Casserole (a 5-Minute Meal!)
  • Simple Bacon Cheeseburger Roll
  • Simple Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
  • Super Simple Lasagna
  • The Simplest White Chicken Chili
  • Simple Lentil Nachos
  • Simple Tuna Patties
  • Simple Banana Pancakes
  • Simple Crock Pot Applesauce BBQ Chicken
  • Simple Hashbrown and Egg Nests
  • Simple Cornbread Waffles with Chili
  • Simple Veggie Fritters
  • Simple Lemon Garlic Chicken Legs
  • Simple Noodle Soup
  • Simple Three Cheese Spaghetti

Enjoy all these recipes without effort when you become a Simple Meals member! Every week we’ll send you a great menu plan full of Simple Recipes like this one. We’ll equip you with a grocery list. We’ll break everything down so that your meal prep is as simple as possible. We’ll give you bonus tips and recipes and freebies. And this is all for just $1 each week. You’ll love it!

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Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Why I Like My Teenagers’ Music

April 24, 2018 by Laura 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Oh the irony. Today as I was working in the kitchen while my boys were blasting tunes in the living room, I thought of the idea to write about why I like my teenagers’ music. As I began formulating a beautiful post in my head, my kids started playing the sound track from Lord of the Rings. This filled my shoulders and face with such tension that I thought I might say something unwholesome if I had to listen to it for one more minute.

So I guess I’d better say, I like almost all my teenagers’ music. I’m not sure why but for me, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars sound tracks are incredibly stressful tunes to hear in the background when I am trying to peacefully make a delicious lunch. I don’t even want to talk about it anymore.

What I do want to talk about is why I (mostly) like my teenagers’ music.

Why I like my Teenagers’ Music

The biggest reason I like my teenagers’ music is because well, I like my teenagers.

I determined years ago (without much effort, because I like my kids) that I will be my teenagers’ biggest cheerleader. When they are playing a sport, I will be there cheering the loudest. When they are on stage singing or performing, I will be the one in the audience with eyes glued, trying (unsuccessfully) not to cry. When they are working on a difficult assignment and the details finally click, I will be there first with a high-five, and then with a sigh of relief on their behalf. Whenever they are doing whatever it is that they are doing, I will be their biggest cheerleader.

Until they all get married and their wives step into that role. :)

So my teenagers’ music? You bet I’m going to like it.

Never, ever do I feel it is appropriate for a parent to say, “Kids these days” or “Oh, the music these kids listen to nowadays” or any such comment that alienates our kids from us and prevents them from wanting to share any part of their lives with us. Kids these days can be awesome, and so can the music they listen to. I delight in all my kids want to share with me, from their music to their musings.

More than once my kids have said, “Hey Mom, Lecrae (or Andy Mineo or Gawvi or KB or…) came out with a new song I think you’ll really like!” How honored am I that they thought of me?

So what if most of the music loudly streaming through our speakers these days is rap music? I never thought I’d enjoy it, but my kids love it and now so do I. In fact, I have learned that there is incredible talent in the presentation and fabulous creativity in the lyrics of rap music. Who knew? (Our entire family got 116 apparel for Christmas this year. These are some of our favorite artists. #notashamed)

Take time to listen to what your kids enjoy listening to.

If it isn’t clean or appropriate, obviously that’s a no-go. This is a no-brainer.

But learn to appreciate the style(s) of music your kids love. It provides many opportunities for great conversation and fun when you listen to music together. Alexa is our new best friend as she cranks out the tunes all day long that our entire family enjoys listening to together – from Christian rap artists to Lauve to Imagine Dragons.

As for Lord of the Rings sound tracks, I’ll do my best to be supportive. But maybe the boys can wait to play that one until I’m at the grocery store.

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

6 eBooks for $6 – Simplify Your Kitchen – Final Sale Day!

April 23, 2018 by Laura Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Ready to simplify your kitchen? Today’s the final day for this fun 6 for $6 offer!

In an effort to provide you with resources that will help you simplify your real food kitchen, we put together this great collection of eBooks. Then we marked them all down to a dollar each. Then we added freebies. See? I told you we’ve had fun!

Today only, you can get 6 fantastic eBooks that will help you:

  • Save time
  • Save money
  • Save energy

Plus these eBooks contain hundreds of recipes and tips so you can feed your family fabulously! To top it all off, we’re throwing in these great master lists to load you down with bunches of simple food ideas!

Hurry to take advantage of this offer today before it’s gone!

Your eBook package will land in your inbox within minutes, then your simple kitchen fun can begin!

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Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Super Moist Flourless Brownies

April 22, 2018 by Laura 22 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

From now on, these Super Moist Flourless Brownies are the ones I will be making for my family. I’m very happy to share that there are no bananas involved in the making of this recipe. Allow me to explain how I really feel about this…

Deliver me from all recipes that are naturally sweetened with bananas. (See also: Pudding made creamy because of avocados.)

I love the idea; I think it is beautiful. What a fantastic way to sneak in fruits and veggies by adding them to our treats! But I’ve tried the banana-peanut butter-cocoa powder ice cream and I just can’t make myself like it. The same is true of the pancakes made with only bananas and eggs. Chocolate pudding made by blending avocados? I just can’t.

Am I picky? I like to think not. For goodness sake, I’m the girl who eats fresh spinach straight out of the container as a snack (basically this is me being too lazy to actually take time to get out bowl and a fork). So picky I am not. But I just can’t get into eating blended frozen bananas that are pretending to be ice cream.

Should we broach the subject of brownies made with black beans? I think this is a genius idea, but my children are less than impressed. Most of my healthy attempts at creating a low-sugar-no-flour brownie have fallen ridiculously short of, “Mom, make them this way every time!”

Until now.

The ingredients in these Super Moist Flourless Brownies won’t even shock you. There’s no secret ingredient that will cause you to cringe or question whether or not your family might actually try one.

You’ll be wonderfully amazed! These brownies actually have the taste and texture of brownies that come from a box, only of course, the real food ingredients make them even more delicious! My kids took a bite of these and couldn’t believe that these brownies were “actually healthy.” Our first pan lasted a very short time.

Look at these ingredients! How good can we feel about feeding these brownies to our kids? Good enough to serve them for breakfast? Absolutely.

Super Moist Flourless BrowniesYum

Super Moist Flourless Brownies
 
Save Print
Author: Laura
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups (12-ounces) Almond Butter
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
  1. Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
  2. Spread batter into a buttered 8x8 inch baking dish.
  3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 13-15 minutes. (Remove them from the oven when they are just slightly underdone so they come out moist!)
3.5.3251

Can you sub out peanut butter for almond butter? I don’t know why not. In fact, I think that would create a delicious chocolate-peanut butter brownie worth writing home about.

Enjoy the simplicity of this recipe! Get excited about the nourishment and energy the brownies provide. Savor eating brownies for breakfast with your morning coffee. Delight in the fact that there are no bananas involved in the making of this treat. As for me and my house, we’ll save the bananas for creating smoothies and banana bread.

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Did you notice that this new Super Moist Flourless Brownie recipe includes only 5 ingredients? How does this keep happening?? (OK, I admit. I’ve been on a High Five Recipe rampage. We all win when I get on a kick like this!)

Want 111 more recipes that include 5 or fewer real food ingredients? Here’s our best collection!

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Also, I’ve got to be sure you all see this incredible deal that is only being offered a few more days! 6 eBooks for $6!!

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Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

How to Feed Guests Who Can’t Eat Gluten

April 19, 2018 by Laura 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Gluten intolerance has become a big issue in America. I could go into all the reasons for this, but for now, let’s just thank Jesus for being our bread of life. :) Regarding this very serious gluten situation, when serving food to friends or family members who can’t eat gluten, it is very important that we know how to extend hospitality so we can prevent our guests and loved ones from becoming sick.

Sick?? Yes. While some simply experiment with eating gluten free to see if it is a diet that helps them feel better or lose weight, there are some who have a solid diagnosis of Celiac Disease or other gluten intolerance that mean that they must avoid all gluten, all the time, no matter what.

What is gluten?

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten can also be found in regular oats that have been processed in a facility that processes wheat, rye, or barley. (Oats that have been clearly labeled “Gluten Free Oats” are safe.)

How to Feed Guests Who Can’t Eat Gluten

Truth: A person with Celiac Disease can’t eat even one tiny morsel of something that contains gluten without getting sick. We’re talking about sauce that has been thickened with a tiny bit of wheat flour, chicken that has been breaded with crushed wheat crackers, or even a small nibble of communion bread at church. There’s no such thing as “don’t worry – this only has a little bit of wheat in it” when it comes to feeding someone who must eat gluten free. For these people, gluten free eating isn’t an option, it is a must.

Sooooo, be aware of this and be cautious! But don’t be afraid. I’ve learned over the past decade how to easily feed my friends who can’t eat gluten. I don’t even need to buy special food to do this! I simply cook regular food, making sure to read all labels and avoid wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

Easy Meals to Feed Gluten Free Friends

You’d be amazed at how many foods are naturally gluten free! When in doubt stick with meat, fruit, and veggies. For more ideas, check out this huge list of simple meal ideas! They are gluten free without even trying!

  • Simple Baked Salmon and Asparagus
  • Simple Crock Pot Chicken Soup with a Kick
  • Last-Minute Lentil Chili
  • Simple Sweet and Sour Baked Chicken Legs
  • 20-Minute Taco Soup
  • Simple Cheesy Baked Chicken
  • Simple Creamy Chicken Stew in the Crock Pot
  • Simple Italian Beef and Broccoli Skillet
  • Simple Bacon Ranch Chicken
  • Simple Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken
  • Simple Taco Rice Dinner
  • Simple Last Minute Nacho Plate
  • Simple Chicken Cheeseballs with a Kick
  • Simple Beanie Weanies
  • Simple Crock Pot BBQ Spareribs
  • Simple Pizza Chicken Bake
  • Simple Italian Chicken and Green Bean Bake
  • Simple Hamburger Soup
  • Simple Parmesan Broiled Fish
  • Simple Overnight Saucy Crock Pot Chicken
  • Simple 15-Minute Meal
  • Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast
  • Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Legs
  • The Easiest Mashed Potatoes in the World
  • Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Simple Crock Pot Shredded Ranch Chicken (for salad or tacos)
  • Simple Barbecue Beef Roast
  • Simple Spanish Rice Bowls
  • Simple Roasted Rotiserie Chicken
  • Simple Green Chile Chicken
  • Simple Tex-Mex Creamy Chicken
  • Simple Waffle Omelets
  • Simple Grilled Chicken
  • Simple Hawaiian Beef Roast
  • Simple Crock Pot Creamy Stew Meat
  • Simple Cheese Stuffed Burgers
  • Simple Hashbrown Casserole
  • Simple Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
  • Simple Bacon Cheeseburger Roll
  • Simple Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
  • The Simplest White Chicken Chili
  • Simple Lentil Nachos
  • Simple Tuna Patties
  • Simple Crock Pot Applesauce BBQ Chicken
  • Simple Hashbrown and Egg Nests
  • Simple Veggie Fritters
  • Simple Lemon Garlic Chicken Legs

Easy Snacks to Feed Gluten Free Guests

  • No Bake Cookie Cups (5 minute prep!)
  • Cream Cheese Salsa Dip (2 ingredients!)
  • Parmesan Crisps (so easy you won’t believe it!)
  • Sweet and Salty Almonds or Pecans
  • Chocolate Cheesecake Fudge
  • Creamy Italian Veggie Dip
  • No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Honey Sweetened Flourless Peanut Butter Bars (3 ingredients!)
  • Easy Cheesy Popcorn
  • Creamy Chocolate Fruit Dip

What to Avoid When Cooking For People Who Can’t Eat Gluten

Again, the ingredients to stay away from when cooking gluten free are wheat, barley, rye, and regular oats. In addition, you need to avoid:

  • Previously opened ingredients: There might be wheat bread crumbs in your jar of peanut butter or on a used stick of butter. Start fresh to be sure your food isn’t contaminated with gluten!
  • Baking stones and cast iron: These can absorb gluten, so it’s best to use stainless steel or glass pans and bowls.
  • Wooden cutting boards and wooden spoons: Again, these can absorb gluten. Use stainless steel utensils and a plastic cutting board instead.

A Few More Gluten Free Cooking Tips

  • If you want to serve bread with your meal for guests who can eat gluten, place it away from the food that is gluten free.
  • It’s a good idea to cover a baking pan with parchment paper before putting food on it in an effort to protect it from gluten contamination.
  • If you use your blender or mixer, be sure to wash it thoroughly first.
  • If you’re planning to grill meat (a wonderful choice for cooking for GF friends!) be sure to clean the grill grates before cooking meat so you can keep the meat gluten free. (This is important if you ever use your grill to heat up bread or Texas toast.)
  • Don’t be offended if the person you’re feeding asks to see packages, ingredients lists, or if they ask specifics about how something is cooked! Their health depends on it and they must be assured that the food they are eating is safe for them!

Gluten Free Friends: What are your favorite meals? Are there any other tips you’d appreciate the rest of us knowing about?

Remember, cooking gluten free food truly isn’t difficult once you realize how many thousands of food options there are that are naturally gluten free. Again, be cautious and courteous, but don’t be afraid. You’ll find that making gluten free meals really is as easy as cooking meat, steaming veggies, and slicing fruit!

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