Completely Gluten Free Meal

My dearest & best friend, Brittni was diagnosed with celiac disease this past summer.  As a young woman in her early twenties, she has to always be aware of what she eats, where she goes for lunch or if there will be food she can eat at a party.

Celiac (SEE-lee-ak) disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is primarily found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten experience an immune reaction in their small intestines, causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. To read more about this condition, you can click on the following link:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/celiac-disease/DS00319

I have been wanting to have her and her fiancé over for a completely gluten free (gf) meal for awhile now.  I finally got around to figuring out a full meal (appetizers, entree & dessert) and set a date for them to come over.  I knew that she would appreciate me taking the time to cook a delicious & gluten free meal.  After all...she is my best friend and deserves it!

Appetizers:
Spicy kidney bean hummus
Feta cheese, tomato & olive oil spread
GF crackers

Entree:
Cracked pepper steak
Steamed green beans
Boiled baby red potato

Dessert:
Raspberry sherbet
Fresh raspberries

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Spicy kidney bean hummus
1-2 cans light red kidney beans (rinsed)
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
2/3 chopped jalapeno
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of cumin

Put all ingredients in food processor.  I used a bullet blender and that works just fine!
Blend until smooth.  Add more spice if needed.  Served with GF crackers & Pretzel Crips (contains gluten).  Tip: if you'd like to thicken it, add more beans.  If you'd like to thin it, add a little olive oil.

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Feta cheese, tomato & olive oil spread
1/2 block of feta cheese
1/3 cup olive oil
sliced roma tomato
dozen olives
sea salt
cracked pepper

Set oven to 450 degrees.  Put olive oil in ceramic dish, place feta cheese in dish, add olives and sliced tomatos around cheese.  Top with a pinch of sea salt & cracked pepper.  Cook for 15 minutes.  Let stand for 5 -10 minutes.  Serve with GF crackers or bruschetta bread for those that are not required to eat gluten free.

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Cracked pepper steak

Steamed green beans

Boiled baby red potato (topped with slice of pepper jack cheese)

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Raspberry sherbet
Fresh raspberries

ENJOY!