Learning to eat gluten-free can be an alarming challenge, at the beginning. What can I eat? Do I need to throw out all my pots and pans? Will I ever eat bread again? If you're just learning to eat gluten-free, though, I hope you are so lucky as to have the sensible Elizabeth Barbone as your guide. Her new book is a calming and wonderfully reassuring place to begin your gluten-free journey.
Quick Facts
• Who wrote it: Elizabeth Barbone (visit her website, Gluten-Free Baking)
• Who published it: Lake Isle Press
• Number of recipes: About 150
• Recipes for right now: Easy Herb Crackers, Bacon, Sweet Potato, and Onion Spinach Salad, Baked Ziti, Chicken and Cheesy Biscuit Casserole, Cheesecake Cups.
• Other highlights: Elizabeth's book's tagline is "Gluten-free, plain and simple." I think that's the perfect way to describe this book, which is spiral-bound and the perfect size and format for carrying straight into the kitchen. This book is clearly meant for folks who need to learn to cook — whether that's for the first time, or all over again, upon the diagnosis of celiac disease. This book doesn't tackle the fancy stuff — it builds a solid foundation of salads, soups, pastas, simple desserts, and breakfast dishes. There are instructions for building a good pantry, and for substituting out milk and eggs.
• Who would enjoy this book? Anyone looking to eat gluten-free, wherever they are in their journey of learning to eat this way. This book is a very practical and well-illustrated resource for cooking healthful, gluten-free meals, and organizing your kitchen and pantry as you learn.
How to Cook Gluten-Free: Over 150 Recipes That Really Work
Find the book at your local library, independent bookstore, or Amazon
(Images: Faith Durand)




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I LOVE this book & Ms. Barbone!! The many "how to" photo series (how to cut an onion, bread chicken) are worth it besides all the wonderful user-friendly recipes. She is truly a Gluten-Free Guru with lots of training, knowledge & life-experience (she has many food allergies) to back it all up!
From Scratch Club just hosted Ms. Barbone at our monthly Troy Food Swap for a book signing & demo/talk. She was fabulous, she knew her audience (only a few GF people but many who knew GF people) and presented a talk on how to safely cook & bake for friends & family who have a food allergy. It was wonderful and so informative, many swappers left with notes!
If Ms. Barbone comes to your town for a demo, class or talk, go!! You won't regret it!
I first started following her in her column on Serious Eats. Her recipes are some of the most delicious and practical gluten-free recipes I've come across. Her multi-grain pancakes are my very favorite-- gluten-free or not. I'm so glad to hear she's got the book out now!