Your Gluten Free Budget Gourmet Shopping List

Gluten is a protein found in many common grains we eat, including wheat, barley, and rye, and, for those with gluten allergies, presents one of the more difficult diets to shop and cook for. Cured meats and yogurt sauces are just two of the many possibilities for creating gourmet gluten free dishes that are easy to make and delicious to eat.

Breakfast
Breakfast is often thought of as the most important meal of the day, but for gluten-free dieters, this is especially true. Many breakfast foods are either gluten free or have direct substitutes within their core ingredients to make them suitable for such a diet.

Eggs, for example, are a naturally gluten free food, as are cheese, onions, pancetta, chicken sausage, and asparagus. These can be combined and arranged to create an amazing gourmet frittata, and that’s just one possibility. Stuff an omelet with meats and vegetables to create a breakfast that’s both filling and nutritious, while allowing you the guilty pleasure of eating gluten free.

Snacks
Snacks are particularly tricky for the gluten free diet, when searching for food options between meals. In this case, many would think themselves confined to just fruits and nuts. Not so. No reason, we say, to confine yourself to bland snacks with little true flavor when there are so many ways to go gourmet. Using gluten free baking ingredients, one can easily make some delicious amaretti cookies or even a chocolate dipped almond biscotti for a tasty, gluten free treat.

Salads
Gluten free snacks may be difficult to find, but salads are one of the more adaptable meals for a gluten free diet. Vegetables are another naturally gluten free option, so that you can quickly create a scrumptious salad for yourself that’s healthy and flavorful. These are some foods you can add to your favorite salads to amp up the gourmet factor of a healthy meal:

• shallots
• lentils
• lime
• mango
• cumin
• almonds
• jicama slaw
• feta cheese
• remoulade sauce
• fennel

There are endless variations you can incorporate into simple salads, with a little creativity, and still satisfy the requirements of your gluten free gourmet meal plan.

Entrees
Main dishes are also filled with opportunity for tasty, gluten free gourmet meals with lots of flavor. Again, most meat sources are naturally gluten free, including lamb, beef, chicken, and fish. As a culture, Asian diets are thus well suited to gluten free entrees.

Consider a spicy Thai lettuce wrap accompanied by a tender breast of chicken smothered with lime and ginger for a great gourmet lunch or dinner dish. A gourmet trip around the world is possible, in many cases, without ever leaving your dining room.

Desserts
Chocolate covered fruit (thankfully) is a gluten free dessert. Therefore, a frozen banana dipped in a tempting chocolate shell is one of many possibilities. Try a balsamic reduction as a quick topping for a berry medley, or a juicy frozen yogurt made from yogurt, sugar, and pomegranate. Looking for that over-the-top gluten free gourmet dessert that will wow your guests and help you stay fit? Try a dulce de leche crème brulee made with vanilla, sugar, condensed milk, eggs and a pinch of salt.

Eating gluten free doesn't mean sacrificing your gourmet taste for flavor and experimentation with healthy recipes. Gluten free diets provide an extremely healthy option for health-conscious people and those with gluten allergies. Don’t settle for bland handfuls of nuts all day long. The Internet is filled with tasty recipes with a few basic, inexpensive ingredients that won’t cramp your budget. Combined with the delicious alternatives we just discussed, having a gourmet gluten free day is easier than ever before.

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