Ingredient Substitutions
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THE COLOR-CODED CHEF RECIPES
How to make a recipe gluten free
Color-Coded Chef recipes are made gluten free first, then when it tastes perfect, I make it with wheat flour. I always do taste tests with friends, neighbors or the local fire department to see if they can tell the difference between the two versions.
The recipes are indicated with the GF circle to let you know you can make that substitution. For baking items I use a “complete” GF flour. This product includes Xanthan gum. A key ingredient to make the flour stick together. 11/10/20 update: If a person has an allergy to corn use GF flour that does NOT have xanthan gum. Xanthan is corn based.
How to make a recipe dairy free
One of my close friends has a daughter that is dairy free. I went back and worked through the recipes and decided what substitutions could work.
In place of yogurt 🡪 Use coconut yogurt.
In place of sour cream 🡪 If it is a salad recipe, consider using coconut yogurt. If it is the baked potato recipe, there are other options for sour cream substitute.
In place of butter 🡪 Dairy-free butter may work.
In place of milk 🡪 I have used almond milk and soy milk in the recipes. I did not care for my results when using coconut milk. Consider other types of milk rice or oatmeal as another substitute. It just depends on the persons allergies.
If this is your first-time cooking for a person with a nut, dairy or gluten allergy.
Be sure to check all the box label on all of your ingredients. For example, in the case of gluten, some items may seem to be naturally gluten free. However quite often the processing facility may process other wheat items, so cross contamination can occur. Check the label (or visit the manufacturer's website) on products like oatmeal, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, gelatin, or spices.
I wanted to enjoy ice cream with my family at a local show. Upon researching the venue’s website, none of the products were gluten free. Because they make all the different flavors in the same room, they could not guarantee that NO cross contamination occurred.
Questions to ask if a person has an allergy.
If a person has a nut allergy 🡪 Ask if they are allergic to olive oil.
If a person has an egg allergy 🡪 Ask if they are allergic to flax seed (it’s a key ingredient in egg substitution)
If a person has a dairy allergy to cheese 🡪 Ask if they are allergic to nutritional yeast.
If a person has a dairy allergy to butter 🡪 Ask if they can eat soy butter? Goat butter may be an option if the person is not able to eat the plant based butters.
If I am having people over for a meal, I always ask if they have allergies. I want to make sure that all people feel comfortable and welcome. Ask your guests to come early and maybe help prepare a couple of the dishes. No one wants to sit at a table and watch everyone else eat.
Thank you for taking the time to be courteous and respectful of all who sit at your table.
Happy Cooking!
