Recipe(tried): Wheat-free and gluten-free ideas for Sharon

Hi Sharon.

I saw your post and called my bestest friend who was diagnosed as a very serious Celiac a few months ago. My friend, Sue, has spent hours and days and weeks reading books, researching web sites and and reading labels item-by-item in local stores. She has also developed a support team of fello Celiacs. Eliminating wheat and gluten from her diet has led to HUGE improvements in her health. I asked Sue if she had some thoughts I could pass on. Here is what she said.

Yes, eatable wheat-free and gluten-free breads and buns are still a work-in-progress.One source told her the breads are okay only if you are desperate enough. We would LOVE to hear if anyone has found good ones.

Wheat and gluten-free bread should be put in the microwave for approx 1 minute on 7 power before eating to bring back the moisture. However, it gets hard as a rock if you don't eat fast. My friend rarely eats this bread. And, she is still trying to make her own.

She said to let you know that Spelt bread and Kamut breads are wheat free, but not gluten free. They each taste better than wheat-free, gluten-free breads.

Fritos brand corn chips (at least the ones in our area) are wheat free and gluten free. Read your labels. Sue suggests you might make your son's lunches including corn chips and a container of Mexican layered dip. Uncle Dan's Southern Dressing is also wheat free and gluten free so you could make him dips to use with veggies.

She said wheat-free and gluten-free HERB crackers are quite tasty. The added herbs seem be to be a key. You should be able to find these at health-food stores in your area. I made a few more notes about sources at the end of this post.

Oscar Meyer makes wheat/gluten-free hard salami which should be in the lunch-meat section of your market. This salami would make a good lunch with herb crackers.

My friend said many of the rice-based and corn-based pastas are very good.

When making sauces and gravy, use corn starch for thickeners. Wheat-free Tamari is an excellent product and can be substituted for soy sauce in all of your cooking. I have used low-salt Tamari for years and LOVE IT.

Many health food stores have pure corn flake type cereals.

There is an Old-fashioned Heinz cream of tomato soup your son can eat. My friend is an excellent cook, including home-made soups, and she said this soup is quite tasty.

As far as other sources ~~~~

Remember that RecipeLink has a HUGE collection of wheat-free and gluten-free recipes and links.

My friend has ordered some very good products using glutenfreemall.com and wheatlessinseaettle.com. We are very lucky because Wheatless in Seattle is located only a few miles from us. This mom-and-daughter team is totally dedicated to special needs. And, you can order using credit cards and FederalExpress. ((If you contact them my email or phone, feel free to tell them that Sue from Edmonds sent you.))

You might also check out Celiac.com

If you have trouble finding the herb crackers, my friend said you might try contacting the store near us to see if they will give you some brand names. My friend did not have any boxes on hand when we prepared this message for you. Note: Manna Mills' web site is under contruction. They can be contacted at

Manna Mills Inc
21705 66th Ave W
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
425-775-3479

Sue and I hope this helps, Sharon. If you develop any more ideas, it would be lovely if you would post them here on RecipeLink for the rest of us.

Good Luck to you.