Paul Swanson, on the right, is the man and vision behind this line of gluten-free sauce bases. Their products makes it easier for life to “go back to normal” after a Celiac Disease diagnosis.  Green Bean Casserole becomes easy again with their Cream of Mushroom Sauce Mix. Their cream sauce allows my pork-free husband to easily have biscuits and gravy again. Simply put, they help bring the joy back to cooking

Read further for the background behind Paul and his company, in his own words.

1. What inspired you to become a food producer? Why the focus on gluten-free?

Well, here is the “short” story:  We have a long family background (over 100 years combined) in the creation of  commercial soups, sauces and gravies.  My mother discovered her intolerance to wheat/ gluten almost 50 years ago.  She felt frustrated about the lack of quality options at the grocery store, so we started making our own. As the gluten free industry grew, we felt there might be real interest in quality soup, sauce and gravy choices like ours.

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Low sodium, fat free, etc?

Full Flavor Foods products are free from gluten, egg, nuts, MSG, hydrogenated oils, and trans fats.  They contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.  In addition, the majority of our products contain no soy. (The beef gravy is the exception.) Our 4 gravies are also dairy-free.  In addition, our Mushroom and Cream Soups/Sauces are also lactose free! (We use coconut oil instead of cream in our cream soups and sauces.)

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

A company independently tests every batch of Full Flavor Foods mixes before we ship them for sale.  We have never received a result indicating a trace of gluten, using the very best testing, which tests for less than 5ppm. (“parts per million”). Our products are also third- party certified as being gluten-free by the Gluten Free Food Program. (Which is endorsed by the National Celiac Association.)

4.  Do you have any stories of customers who reported back to you how important your products have been in their life?

I had a woman in Texas literally break into tears after tasting our Southern Style Breakfast Sausage Gravy (made with our Cream Soup/Sauce Base mix).  She had not enjoyed it in years because she could not find anything GF or make it correctly without using wheat flour. So, it feels like we are make a small difference in people’s lives, helping them recreate many of those comfort foods they miss.

5.  What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

We want consumers to know our products are safe for those with Celiac Disease. Not only that, but they are quite delicious, very versatile (check out our GF Recipe Booklet) and better than most similar products found in the marketplace. Why? Because we care about quality.  Where other companies make “brown gravy,” our beef gravy mix is made from real beef.

To us, this company is more than just a business.  We understand (from firsthand experience) about the challenges faced by those with Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance . We know they still want, and deserve, great tasting food.  Being gluten-free does not mean consumers have agreed to settle for substandard food!

We also want to spread the word that our mixes now come in bulk for food service customers and larger families. Our larger bags can make up to a full gallon of sauce or gravy. Orders have mostly been from grocery chains (with commissary operations), nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. However even larger families love our bigger, resealable bags.

You’ll find Full Flavor Foods products on their website, in many stores, and at many events nationwide. Some of their products are also available on Gluten Free Mall. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see where they’ll be next as well as recipe ideas!

**Full Flavor Foods sponsored this post. I adore them regardless, and all of my thoughts and opinions are my own.**

The post Full Flavor Foods Gluten-Free Sauce Mixes appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Thankful, but Anxious?

It’s that time of year. Time to start planning you gluten free Thanksgiving dinner! However, it’s also a time of anxiety for those of us who have diseases where certain foods are our enemy. I’ve already seen the anxious comments on message boards, people afraid their families will not understand about cross-contact, or have friends who say that “a little wheat” won’t hurt.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the idea that everyone comes to the table.  “Family” includes more than just those united by blood, but also those united by love. Some people (rightly) may still not feel safe eating at another person’s house due to dietary concerns. However, I wanted to share some options that can make things easier for those who are newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, or those who care for them.

Here’s my list of ways to let everyone come to the table, from Appetizers to deZZert. (A-Z, get it?)

Gluten Free Thanksgiving Appetizers

These appetizers are not only easy, but they’re relatively healthy as well. Here are my top 3 ideas.

1) Hummus and vegetables – I LOVE hummus. Seriously, what’s not to love?! Full of fiber and heart healthy fats, it should be at every dinner party. While I usually make my own from scratch, it is okay to buy store bought if you’re under the gun. Sabra and Tribe brands are gluten-free, and most brands of hummus are naturally gluten-free.

(Sesame allergy? – Hummus is made with tahini, which is ground up sesame seeds. If you have a sesame allergy, I suggest trying to make your own hummus with unsweetened Sunbutter.)

2) Cheese and Crackers –  BYOC.
As someone with Celiac Disease, we always know to bring our own crackers. My favorite crackers are Schar Table and Entertainment crackers. However, make sure you keep cheese and gluten free crackers on a separate platter from wheat based crackers. If wheat based crackers are on the same plate as the cheese, the cheese is no longer safe for those Celiac Disease, because of the cracker crumbs.  

3) Chex Mix – Store Bought Contains Wheat
Chex has a PLETHORA of fun gluten-free Chex mix recipes on their website! I’m super intrigued by this Cranberry Orange Chex Party Mix. If nut allergies will also be present at the dinner table, you can try subbing pumpkin seeds.

The Old Bird

1) Turkey – On message boards every year, it’s the same question. “Which turkeys are gluten-free?” You’d think the answer would be “all of the above,” but not necessarily. Because turkeys can be injected with flavorings and marinated in brines, some are these birds are on the “No-fly list.”

Luckily, Butterball brand proudly proclaims their turket and gravy packets contain no gluten! Honeysuckle White whole turkeys are also GF, as are Jennie-O.  You can find even more brands of gluten free Turkeys on my Gluten Free Thanksgiving Products post. 

2) Gravy– Truth- Homemade gravy is not that hard to make. Take the drippings from the bird, transfer them to apot, and cook it with a slurry made of cornstarch and water. (If you prefer using flour, I suggest  Bob’s Red Mill Rice Flour.)

But if the thought of making gravy from scratch leaves you feeling week in the wings, you can make Full Flavor Foods Turkey Gravy in just a few moments. This Michigan-Made product is made in a gluten-free, nut-free facility, and this particular gravy is dairy-free as well. Find more gluten free gravy options on my Gluten Free Thanksgiving Products post.

3) Cranberries – When I was a kid, I abhorred cranberry sauce. I think it’s because I’ve only had it from a can. Homemade cranberry sauce is a cinch to make and just tastes better. If you prefer dishes that are refined sugar free, you’ll love this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Just remember it’s made with REAL maple syrup, not pancake syrup.

The (Gluten Free) Side Show

1) Stuffing – That’s right, I’m putting Stuffing as a side. The quickest way to break a gluten free eater’s heart is to put regular stuffing inside the bird when you cook it. Not only is the stuffing off limits, but now the bird is too, because of cross-contact.

If you’re nervous about making stuffing from scratch, there are many companies that are coming to your gluten free Thanksgiving Day rescue. The big excitement this year is that Aldi has their own Chicken and Turkey boxed stuffing mixes. Just melt butter, add water and bring to a boil. I also like Aleia’s GF stuffing. For more gluten free stuffing brands, visit my Gluten Free Thanksgiving Products article.

Looking for a homemade recipe? Try my gluten free Cornbread Stuffing, or this dairy free and gluten free stuffing from Meaningful Eats.

2) Green Bean Casserole – For so many years I thought I would never enjoy this dish again. But thankfully, there are stores and brands that offer gluten free french fried onions. Visit my post on Thanksgiving products to see which stores carry them. (Fresh Thyme has them.)

This dish would NOT be possible without Pacific Organic Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup. It is the Holy Grail of cream soup. Now Campbell’s even has a gluten free version of their Cream of Mushroom soup. Just use your favorite recipe and sub the soup. Reminder- If your recipe calls for soy sauce, make sure that it is gluten-free!

3) Mashed Potatoes – Mashed potatoes were my first love after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I could eat them plain, drizzled with butter, and often covered in ketchup. (I know, my weirdness level is off the charts.)

The great thing is that mashed potatoes, unadulterated, are safely gluten free. I love to make mine from scratch, with bits of skin still on the potatoes, whipped with butter and plain Greek yogurt. A splash of milk for added creaminess, with dashes of salt, pepper & garlic powder. Have an Instant Pot? Use this mashed potato recipe from Wheat by the Wayside, this year.

This dish is pretty allergy friendly until you start adding dairy. For dairy free folks, I again suggest using Earth Balance buttery sticks. No one will know it’s not butter, trust me.

Our Daily Bread

Oh that awkward look when we say, “I can’t eat bread.” It’s like we’re speaking a foreign language or we must be from a different planet. And there’s the ever comforting comment, “Oh my, I’d die if I couldn’t eat bread.” Well lucky for us all, there are many delicious gluten-free bread varieties. Here are some suggestions that everyone will love.

1) Cornbread– While Jiffy mix cornbread is NOT gluten free, there are plenty of delicious and easy gluten free mixes out there on the market. I’ve long loved Bob’s Red Mill’s GF Cornbread Mix, but I’ve recently stared to enjoy Pamela’s Cornbread Mix. And cornbread muffins baked in liners are great for those with food allergies, because the liner provides another barrier of cross-contact from crumbs of muffins past.

But my favorite way to make cornbread is in my waffle maker. Seriously, folks it’s fast and easy and doesn’t take up room in your oven. The Pamela’s mix is much better for this. Remember, if you’re going to waffle your cornbread, it NEEDS to be done in a dedicated gluten free waffle maker. You have NO idea how stealthy gluten containing grains are and how much they love to hang out in your baking appliances.

Make my favorite easy gluten free cornbread, from Bette Hagman’s cookbook. Looking for a “corn free” version? Try Gluten Free Palate’s Paleo Cornbread this Thanksgiving.

2) Chebe – While this Brazilian Cheese bread is not a traditional flavor at a harvest feast, it is ridiculously easy to make and the mix is free of the most 9 common allergens. You can use this dinner roll recipe on their website, or just follow the basic recipe on the back of the box.

3) Homemade bread – My husband’s family traditionally eats homemade bread for basically every meal. A gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner should be no exception. Try My Gluten-Free Kitchen’s recipe for Pull Apart Dinner Rolls, or GF Jules Gluten Free Artisan Bread Recipe. Find brands that make gluten free rolls in my Thanksgiving Products post.

And NEVER make GF bread in a bread maker that’s been used for non-gf items. Just don’t. Ever.

Life’s Short, Eat Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dessert First

1) All Things Pie– If you are having someone over for dinner that has a food allergy, just a quick helpful note – we cannot just eat the pie filling and leave the crust. The cross-contact possibilities here are huge. Luckily, making pie with a gluten-free and allergen-free crust is really doable and, daresay, easy.

Not only does Chebe make great dinner rolls, you can use their all purpose mix to make a really easy-to-work with crust. A few years ago Chebe challenged me to make a pie with their crust. It took a few tries, but I’m proud to say that my recipe has received great reviews.

Once you have the recipe for the crust down, you can make a homemade pumpkin, pecan or apple pie in a snap. (All traditional versions of these fillings are gluten free, to the best of my knowledge. If a recipe calls for flour as a thickener, I again suggest Bob’s Red Mill Rice flour.)

And if regardless of food allergies, the idea of making a homemade pie crust terrifies you and keeps you up at night, Wholly Wholesome GLUTEN FREE pie crust is free of dairy, egg, soy and nuts. Find more premade gluten free pie crusts in my Thanksgiving Products post. 

Also, if you want to forego the crust, my family often makes the pumpkin pie filling by itself in a pie dish, and we call it pumpkin pudding. If you need a dairy free Pumpkin Pie, check out Minimalis Baker’s recipe for Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie.

More pie recipes –

30 Dairy Free & Gluten Free Pie Recipes from The Fit Cookie

40 + Gluten Free Holiday Pie Recipes from My Gluten-Free Kitchen

The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Gluten Free Pie from Fearless Dining

2) Pumpkin Roll– Years ago my friend Linda Fedewa introduced me to this marriage of pumpkin, cake and cream cheese. Pumpkin rolls are delicious and beautiful, and at first daunting. Trust me, if I can manage to pull this Small Batch Pumpkin Roll, so can you.

3) Cookies and ‘Cream– Regardless of the time of year, I’m always up for ice cream. A bowl of ice cream as part of a gluten free Thanksgiving meal is no exception. Pair with your favorite gluten free chocolate chip cookies, and the night is made. 

And if you’re dairy free, Coconut Bliss makes some of the best and most readily available dairy-free “ice cream.” If you can find it in yur area, Nada Moo is an excellent dairy free ice cream, as well.

Photo credit- foodsafetymagazine.com

Gluten Free Thanksgiving Pitfalls to Avoid!

1) Cross-contact is a VERY serious issue. It only takes a crumb of gluten to make someone with Celiac Disease sick, or a hint of an allergen to send someone to the hospital. Make sure to thoroughly clean pots and pans well. NEVER swap serving utensils during dinner, and don’t cook allergen free items in the same location as allergen containing foods. Have a separate butter dish for those with food allergies, as crumbs from non-gf breads will inevitably hitch a ride back to the dish.

2) Timing is everything. Make allergen free items before making allergen “full” items. Do your allergen free baking and food prep a full day before everything else. Gluten containing flours can remain free floating in the air for 24 hours or more.

3) Communication is key. Discuss your proposed menu with those with food allergies in advance (and not just the day before.) Fully disclose what you’re making and where allergens may be hiding. (Soy Sauce and Worcestershire Sauce are the sneakiest!)

Don’t hesitate to ask those with dietary restrictions to bring a dish to pass. We’re eager to help out and love to wow our friends and family with our allergen-free dishes! And in the end if someone chooses not to eat, don’t take it personally. We are the only ones that can truly safeguard our health.

The Reason for the Season

And on the flip side, my food allergy friends, remember that this time is about togetherness. Find ways to focus on those you’re with and not the foods you’re without. Plan ahead- eat beforehand if necessary or bring safe snacks with you. And remember to laugh and have fun. ‘Tis the Season.

And as I share in my 10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays, No is a complete answer.

Looking for more Thanksgiving ideas and recipes? Visit my friend Nicole, from Allergylicious, THE BEST Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Round-Up. Allergic Living wrote a post containing 50 Allergy Friendly Thanksgiving recipes free from gluten, and the top 9 allergens 

**Disclaimer- I am NOT paid in any way to mention the brands listed within this article. Chebe has sent me product to use from time to time, and many of these brands have been generous donors for our Celiac Disease camp or for the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference. I am in no way paid for any of these comments or views. **

Originally Published November 2015

The post How To Host A Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dinner appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.