Sometimes there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of chili. Cold weather, warm weather, on top of hot dogs. I found this recipe for cozy comfort chili in my Curves Complete recipe book. This chili is full of vegetables and fiber-rich beans and under 400 calories per serving. It’s become a frequent meal in our house and it will quickly become a favorite of yours.

Gluten Free Chili For Two or More

While we usually prepare this dish for just two servings in our house, I wanted to increase it to feed a crowd. That makes this cozy comfort chili perfect for any party. This chili would be perfect for a Super Bowl crowd, March Madness, or the NBA playoffs. Not planning any parties soon? Prepare a large batch as directed and freeze portions for meals during the week.

What To Serve with Gluten Free Chili

In our household, I always make a batch of Bette Hagman’s gluten free cornbread when I make chili. Or, you could make my gluten free crescent rolls. My friend Johnna told me people in Kansas prefer cinnamnon rolls with their chili.

Meat Free Chili Options

Not a meat eater? No worries. Sub one half cup cooked lentils for every 3 ounces of cooked meat in this cozy comfort chili. It would be a delicious dish for those wanting to add more meatless meals to their culinary repertoire. The great thing about this dish is that it’s open to customization. No kidney beans? Sub chickpeas. Don’t like spicy? Leave those spices out. (We do!) Like things hot? Add as much gluten free chili powder as you like!

Other Gluten Free Chili Recipes

Looking specifically for a vegetarian chili? This Instant Pot Four Bean Chili from Vegetarian Mamma is great for busy nights. Craving chicken instead? This Crock Pot White Chicken Chili recipe from Iowa Girl Eats looks fantastic! I love squash in the fall and this Butternut Squash Chili from Chew Out Loud sounds amazing!

Print

Gluten Free Chili

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1/2 each of red yellow, green and red peppers, diced
• 1 large onion diced
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced (2 tsp)
• 2 tsp oil
• 1 1/2 pounds of 93% lean ground beef or 4 cups cooked lentils
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cumin
• 4 cans of canned beans- mix of black kidney and pinto beans
• 3 cans of 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 1-2 8 oz cans of tomato sauce

Instructions

• Dice onions, pepper and vegetables.
• In a large pot, saute vegetabes in 2 tsp for 5-7 minutes until soft.
• Next, add meat and cook throughly until no longer pink.
• Add cumin and salt, and saute for 1-2 minutes until cumin is fragrant.
• Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans. Simmer for 20-30 minute or longer if you like.

When’s your favorite time to eat chili? What’s your favorite seasoning to add? Share your chili commentary!

First Published February 2017

The post Cozy Comfort Chili appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Polenta, Corn Meal and Corn Flour

To make this gluten free cornbread, I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Corn Grits, aka Polenta. We eat polenta porridge for breakfast, so I simply use this instead of buying additional cornmeal. Please be aware that Bob’s Red Mills sells two difference bags of “polenta / corn grits,” and one is gluten free and one is not.

So how are these three “types” of corn meal different. As Epicurious explains their post about the difference between polenta and cornmeal, polenta is more coursely ground than cornmeal. In addition, true cornmeal for polenta is made from flint corn instead of dent corn. It is traditionally milled differently as well.

Technically, this recipe calls for corn flour. However, I use corn masa flour. The difference? Corn masa flour, per Brass Brasserie, is cooked in a lime solution, and then ground. I use Maseca corn masa flour for making tortillas. Corn flour is not cooked, but simply ground.  (Also, Corn Flour in the UK is what we would call “corn starch” here in the United States.) For more on the differences between corn meal, flour and grits, see this post from Epicurious.

Bette Hagman – My First Gluten Free Cookbook

I’ve been making this easy gluten-free cornbread recipe by Bette Hagman for over a decade. Her cookbooks are an amazing gluten-free resource for those who are newly diagnosed. Through her I learned to make banana bread and spice cake. Her cookbook, pictured above, still has Post It tabs from all my favorite recipes.

This gluten free cornbread uses no special “gluten-free flour.” Just cornmeal & corn flour, some fat, moisture and a bit of leavening. And just a touch of sugar. My husband loves its deep, rich corn flavor. Bette’s original recipe calls for buttermilk. However, I never have that on hand, and simply use milk mixed with vinegar.

Cook Your Gluten Free Cornbread in the Waffle Maker!

You can make this easy gluten-free cornbread in any vessel you choose. I’ve made it in regular muffin tins, mini muffin tins, and a cast iron skillet. If you choose to use a skillet, make sure to oil and preheat the skillet in the oven. Doing so not only prevents it from sticking, but gives the most beautiful golden brown color on the bottom.

However, my favorite way to prepare cornbread is in my waffle maker. It sections the cornbread into individual servings. In addition, if you’re preparing a large meal, it’s one less thing in your oven. Cooking the gluten free cornbread in the waffle maker only takes 4 minutes per waffle. Fast and delicious!

Other Uses for Gluten Free Cornbread

I use this recipe as the base for my gluten free cornbread stuffing. However, my husband’s favorite use for this batter is my gluten free corn dog waffles. It also pairs nicely with my Cozy Comfort Chili. Cut the recipe in half and use it to top this Mexican Beef & Cornbread Bake from Five Heart Home! Or turn it into breadcrumbs to coat chicken!

Want cornbread, but have additional dietary restrictions? Introduce those on a corn / grain free diet to this Paleo Cornbread from Gluten Free Palate. Avoiding eggs and dairy? Try this Top 8 Free Cornbread from Allergy Awesomeness. She uses applesauce as a replacement for eggs, just like my basic gluten free donut recipe.

Easy Gluten-Free Cornbread Recipe (from Bette Hagman’s The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cookbook)

Print

Easy Gluten Free Cornbread

Course Recipes

Keyword cornbread, gluten free cornbread

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup corn flour can use gluten free all purpose flour, also
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup whole milk or 1 cup buttermilk, and leave out the vinegar
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 4 tbsp butter melted

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350. If using iron skillet to bake cornbread, lightly coat it with oil and place in oven to warm. Otherwise, line muffin tins (or mini muffin tins) with liners – or grease and flour them well.
• Combine milk and vinegar to as a buttermilk substitute. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes. (You can just use buttermilk if you have it, and leave out the vinegar.) 
• If using polenta, grind it in spice grinder 10-15 seconds to break it down finer into cornmeal. Combine cornmeal, corn flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in bowl. Whisk together well.
• Whisk in beaten eggs, melted butter, and milk + vinegar. Batter will not be runny, but not incredibly thick either.
• Pour into heated skillet or spoon into prepared muffin tins. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the top starts to turn a golden brown. (I would check on it after 20 minutes.)

What’s your favorite use for corn bread? Do you use is it in recipes for just enjoy it as is? Do you have any mix-ins you like to add? Please leave me your suggestions, below! 

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Originally Published December 2016

The post Easy Gluten Free Cornbread- A Bette Hagman Recipe appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.