Imagine my surprise when I spotted this box of Gluten Free Betty Crocker cake mix in my small town grocery store.  I’d seen the BC GF products on Amazon, but really didn’t want to buy the four-box package in case it turned out disgusting

I whipped up some cupcakes and was pleasantly surprised with the results.  It was exactly what you would expect of Betty Crocker–few ingredients, easy-to-understand instructions, reliable and tasty.  The cupcakes weren’t gritty, which you can get in some GF baking.  The tops got a little bit soggy by the second day (I did not frost them), so then I just used them as a bottom for strawberry shortcake.

**Photo modified with Poster Edges filter.

Now I just have to figure out where to buy them to try them out.

Closest store to carry them is 35 miles away.

At Amazon, I can buy a case of six.  Hmmmm…..not sure I want six boxes of brownie mixes; I’m bound to eat them all.

• Spaghetti
• Tofu with picante sauce served with rice and vegetable
• Ham with sweet potatoes
• Black Bean Tostado

We had this for the first time last night.  What makes it is the dressing for the lettuce.  Toss the lettuce in a splash of lime juice, sugar, and cumin.  Just that little bit of extra makes all the difference.

• Polenta-Filled Peppers

This is really good.  It takes a little while to make but is worth it.  You make the polenta first, stuff the red peppers with the polenta, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, and then bake.

• Chili with Cornbread

I tried this new gluten-free cornbread mix from Bob’s Red Mill with very positive results.

W: This cornbread is different

Me: Different good or different bad?

W: Good

That, ladies and gentlemen, is a major compliment.

• Poached catfish with steamed fresh green beans and baked sweet potato
• Pork loin chop with beets and brown rice
• Steak with cauliflower mash and peas
• Spaghetti with marinara sauce

That’s it for this week.  I have to work late tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday, so I went ahead and made the rice since it takes 30 minutes to cook.

I have this idea to publish a family cookbook, so Mom brought over some of Granny’s old books, including Rare Recipes and Budget Savers: As Compiled from the Columns of the Wichita Eagle’s HomeTown News.

I don’t know about you, but I think this sounds disgusting:

A very nice, cheap drink which may be made to take the place of lemonade, and be found fully as healthful, is made with one cupful of pure cider vinegar, half a cupful of good molasses, put into one quart pitcher of ice water.  A tablespoon of ground ginger added makes a healthful beverage.

How about his one:

Good for Worms in Children–1/2 teaspoon sugar, 2 or 3 drops of turpentine or coal oil

An Old Indian Remedy for Lockjaw:

Take a plug of strong smoking tobacco, soak in hot water.  Split it and bind on the pit of the patient’s stomach.  This will make him sick at the stomach and the jaws will open.  If need be, repeat the process next day, soaking the same tobacco and apply as before.

• Chicken Parmigiana

• Salmon Kabayaki

• Chili with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Steak Salad

Sirloin steak cooked and served over lettuce with artichoke hearts, feta cheese, cucumber, and whatever else we have to throw in.

• Roast

Cooked in the crockpot with carrots, potatoes, and onions.

• Chicken with apricot sauce

The apricot sauce is taken from the P90X recipe book and consists of apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce.

• Vegetarian Tostado

GF wheat tortilla layered with refried beans, tomato, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa

• Chicken Toes (holdover from last week’s menu)

To make this gluten-free, I use rice flour in place of the wheat flour.  I used Corn Chex instead of Corn Flakes.  Served with french fries and baked beans.

• Ham with Sweet Potatoes

Straightforward–sliced ham with baked sweet potatoes and a green vegetable

• Tuna Rice Casserole

OK, so I am kinda embarrassed about having this dish on the menu.  I grew up eating this though, so it is a major comfort food that is cheap and easy to make.  Will serve with a vegetable and cranberries.

• Mexican Chicken and Rice

I made this for the first time tonight.  I thought I had celery but did not, so I just added a bit of water.  I thought the dish was good.  The avocado and salsa definitely liven it up a bit.  W thought it was OK, but LM took one bite and spit it out. “Disgusting,” he declared.  Not the most adventurous eater, but I keep trying.

• Rosemary Apple Chicken

Another recipe from Elana’s Pantry.  I have not made this dish before, but it looks good.  I have tomorrow off for Veteran’s Day, so I actually have time to cook something that has to roast for 90 minutes.

We had this tonight, and it was absolutely delicious!  I didn’t have grapeseed oil, so I just used olive oil, and it turned out fine.

• My Own Dish

I couldn’t think of a good name for this dish that I created; it was really good though.

Chop up the leftover chicken from the Rosemary Chicken served the night before.  In a medium-sized pan, add frozen peas and a can of stewed tomatoes to the chicken.  Heat until hot.  Serve over rice.  Sprinkle with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

With going back to work and not getting any sleep at night, I totally whimped out on the luncheon–almost nothing homemade.

Here’s what we had:

• Sliced honey ham
• Rolls
• Macaroni salad
• Deviled eggs
• Spinach/strawberry salad
• Chips, dip, salsa
• Cake and ice cream

• Turkey burger with french fries (holdover from last week’s menu)

I mix ground turkey with gluten-free breadcrumbs.  I will add whatever flavorings I feel like (barbecue sauce, mustard, parsley, etc.)

• Homemade macaroni and cheese with barbecue meatballs and green vegetable

Gluten-free penne pasta coated with a white cheese sauce thickened with corn starch.  For the meatballs, I basically use a meatloaf recipe (breadcrumbs, barbecue sauce, egg, garlic salt) and make little balls instead a larger loaf.

• Spaghetti with meat sauce

Spaghetti is one of the few meals that I actually make two pastas–one gluten free and one regular.  W really doesn’t care for the GF spaghetti noodles.  Same sauce for everyone.

• Tacos

Hamburger, taco sauce, taco shells, tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce

• Chicken Toes

This is a fun recipe to make with kids.  I didn’t have any GF corn flakes, so I am going to try Corn Chex and see how that works out.  I think any kind of crunchy cereal will work.