GFree For V

The numbers of people with a gluten allergy and intolerance is on the rise so there is even more need than ever to find some edible yummies, especially with holidays. This may pose a bit of a quandary for those who are counting down the days until Valentine's Day arrives. Are you still in the dark as to what you can make for your sweetheart? Do you have a gluten free girlfriend? Does your boyfriend say "Beware!" whenever you hold up a recipe or a new product to try? I, Nutrimom, along with the help of the wonderful peeps at Glutino have decided enough is enough! Let me show you just how easy and delicious gluten free can be.

Behold- I give you four gluten free recipes that will be enjoyed by both gluten free and those who do not normally eat gluten free. There is also the added bonus of time. Or, should I say, the lack of- each of these recipes can be made in 20 minutes or less. Tell me your ears didn't perk up after that.

Salted Caramel Bacon Hearts

For my bacon lovers- how about a sweet surprise?

Ingredients:

Bacon of your choice (we love Wellshire Farms)

Glutino Salted Caramel Covered Pretzels (crushed)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

Place the strips of bacon into a shallow glass baking dish with sides (bacon splatters, let's not catch the oven on fire for Valentine's Day...totally different kind of flame that we don't want!). Form each bacon strip into a heart shape and bake until beginning to crisp (approximately 15 minutes). Sprinkle the crushed pretzels onto the bacon and place back into the oven for another five minutes to allow the caramel to melt. 

Remove gently with a spatula to keep the shape and allow to cool on plate lined with paper coffee filters to catch the grease. Serve (or, secretly hoard all of them and tell no one).

Love Bites

Toast is ok but why not add a touch of love and sweetness?

Ingredients:

1/2 of a Glutino Multigrain English Muffin (cut into quarters)

Winona Pure Popcorn Butter Spray

Glutino Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Strawberries (sliced & cut into hearts)*

Glutino Pretzel Sticks

Taking each quarter piece of the Glutino English Muffin, form it into a heart by first cutting a "v" at the top of the quarter, then cutting down the sides at an angle. Place the heart-shaped muffin pieces onto a baking sheet or foil and spray lightly with Winona Pure Popcorn Butter Spray. Toast in a toaster oven set at 300 degrees for approximately 5 minutes. Remove, top with a chocolate covered pretzel, a heart-shaped strawberry and secure with a pretzel stick (also a handy little way to pick it up and, not to mention, fully edible). 

* Not sure how to make a strawberry heart? Easy peasy! Since I am a visual person, I thought I would share this link from Crafty Baking to help all of you out too! (Just click & get ready to make hearts).

Hot dog Hugs

Who doesn't love a mini hot dog and some mustard (wait, where's the mustard?!)

Ingredients:

Winona Pure Olive Oil

Hot dog of your choice (we used Applegate)

Glutino Instant Pancake Mix

Glutino Honey Mustard Pretzels, crushed

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease a mini muffin tin with the olive oil, making sure you use your finger to completely cover the inserts as well as the outer rim to avoid sticking (because nothing is worse than cute food that gets stuck!). Set aside.

Next, cut your hot dog into chunks that are about 1/2 an inch thick. At the top, cut a "v" and slice along the sides to form a heart shape. Set aside.

Prepare the pancake mix as directed. Fill the mini muffin tins half way (no more than that because, again, overflow= sticking, which leads to angry people on Valentine's Day. That's a no-no). Sprinkle with chopped honey mustard pretzel pieces. Place one hot dog heart into the middle of each muffin insert. 

Bake for approximately 5 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before removing to avoid having your "hug" fall apart....can you even imagine?!

Buffalo Mac & Cheese Bites

Bite-size, buffalo, cheese, need I say more?

Ingredients:

Winona Pure Popcorn Butter Spray

Leftover mac & cheese of your choice (prepared)

Cheese of your choice 

Glutino Buffalo Style Pretzels

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a mini muffin tin by spraying it with the Popcorn Butter spray. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the leftover mac & cheese and your choice of cheese. Spoon into the mini muffin inserts and top with crushed pretzels (OR, for an even spicier version, mix half of the crushed pretzels into the mac & cheese too!). Drizzle a small amount of Popcorn Butter spray onto the filled cups and bake until slightly brown. 

Allow the cups to cool before removing- doing so after they are taken right out of the oven will not allow the cheese to mold it into a proper "bite"....flash forward to an awkward food presentation moment, showing just a pile of cheese, noodles and pretzels. Still tasty, just not as cute.

Wishing all of you a safe and happy Valentine's Day.

I would like to thank Glutino for sending me these product samples to use with my creativity in compiling recipes. I did not receive any compensation other than the products themselves as all of my product reviews are always of my own opinion.

*Please be aware that Glutino does process products with some allergens. As always, I recommend that you check ingredients and their website for more information to see what is safest for your allergy needs.