If somebody had told me when I was 7 years old that when I grew up I would no longer be able to drink “real” milk, eat “real” cheese, or cook with “real” bread, I would probably have asked to be shown the way to Tuck Everlasting’s watering hole.
Having 20 years’ notice to prepare for lactose and gluten intolerance would have been nice, but because I was never warned and have no family history to speak of, I recently found myself as a full-grown adult forging the waters of lactose and gluten intolerance with much fear and trepidation. I don’t have an allergy, thank goodness–so my problem is nowhere near life-threatening, and I can indulge in a piece of cake or pizza every once in a while–but I am definitely sensitive to foods containing gluten- and dairy given the unfortunate digestive after-effects and fatigue that hit me like a freight train after consuming macaroni and cheese, deep-dish pizza, a milkshake, or other delicious foods with dairy or gluten that I used to enjoy. I fear the day I show up at a party and all they have to eat there is cheese, crackers, and crème brûlée.
In the grand scheme of things, I have come to recognize these dietary limitations really aren’t too limiting given I am able to eat whole fruits, vegetables, lactose-free yogurt, and nuts at snack time (General Mills even recently released gluten-free Cheerios! woo hoo!). Armed with cookbooks and websites, I have found meat and vegetables (near paleo-diet) to be my best friends (in addition to my husband, who is a great encourager!). For the ability to focus on the positive things about my diet instead of the things I can’t eat much of anymore, I am thankful, and I wanted to share these three full meals I can cook and eat without suffering in hopes you may perhaps find them delicious, too!:
1) Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin (from Taste of Home)
We add potatoes to this recipe and it comes out oh-so-good!
2) Chicken Salsa (from Allrecipes.com)
We add golden corn and two cups of rice/water mixed with dairy-free sour cream to the pan when we bake this. Muy delicioso!
3) Five Decker Dinner (family recipe from my mom / grandparents :))
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon; 4 beef patties; 1 large onion; 4 medium potatoes; 1 bag baby carrots; 1/4 cup water; olive oil for pan; salt and pepper to season
Directions: Pour olive oil to cover bottom of stovetop skillet. Lay the bacon across the bottom of the olive-oil laden stovetop skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the beef patties on top of the bacon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place layers of sliced onions, potatoes, and carrots. Salt and pepper each layer. Place skillet on medium heat and cook for three minutes after the bacon begins to sizzle. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover pan and turn heat to low. Cook for 35-40 minutes, or until beef is cooked through.
Do you have any delicious gluten- and dairy-free recipes to share?? If so, comment below! 🙂 #wereallinthistogether
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