Sylvie’s Gluten-Free Savory Fromage Blanc Tarte

By Sylvie Ryan, our Culinary Educator

Fromage Blanc is not readily available in The States as it is in France. My version uses with Greek yogurt, is easy to make and resembles the taste and tangy texture of Fromage Blanc. The Greek yogurt is strained through a cheesecloth-lined colander. Let the yogurt strain overnight in the refrigerator-- the longer you strain it the thicker it will get.

1 Gluten-Free Pie Crust by Fuel for the Soul (in our freezer section)

3 cups Stained Greek Yogurt

6 oz Fresh Goat Cheese Fromage Blanc (I used Rollingstone Chevre)

3 Garlic cloves, thinly minced

3 Tbsp Fresh Chives, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp Parmesan, grated

Salt and Pepper to taste

5 Eggs (white and yolks separated)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake the pie crust for about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, beat together the strained yogurt, goat cheese, minced garlic, chives, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Slowly add the egg yolks and keep mixing until combined.

In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until firm.

Gently fold the egg whites into the yogurt mixture. Pour the mixture into the prebaked pie crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the filling is set and golden.

Nutrition and the Gluten-Free Diet

By Caitlyn Davies, our own Gluten-Free Gal

Living on a restricted diet can cause nutritional deficiencies to occur. However, when most people discover they are gluten challenged and decide to go on a gf free diet, they think they are on the road to health. This is certainly true, but let's take a look at how having food allergies sets you up to lose nutrients, and why some symptoms may persist even though the diet has been modified.

If you live with digestive distress for a period of time, its obvious how much it affects your life. What isn't so obvious is what is happening on the inside of our bodies. Food allergies, lifestyle, medications and stress add a great burden to the intestines.The body responds to this by creating inflammation. Over time, this can lead to the wearing away of the mucus that coats the intestines. In turn, the lining then becomes porous and that allows small particles of food, toxins and bacteria into the blood stream. This condition is commonly known as "Leaky Gut."

In addition to the symptoms of leaky gut (bloating, flatulence, inability to concentrate, headaches, irritability, allergies and Candida) the silent symptom is the loss of the very nutrients that your body is trying to absorb. The common nutrient deficiencies associated with various gluten-related disorders are a lack of all B vitamins (especially B-12), Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D and Fiber. If you are deficient in these nutrients, you may experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping and healing, depression and other negative mood states, disrupted menses, headaches, body aches and general malaise. The good news is most of these nutrient deficiencies can be found by simple tests and supplemented for a reasonable cost.

It takes a long time to wear down the body's natural defenses. Repairing a damaged digestive tract is a task the requires patience and eating foods that are gentle and nourishing. Foods like coffee, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, sugar and certain medications can contribute to the inflammation of the intestines and are best avoided when trying to repair the gut. Going gluten free is a huge, wonderful change. If you think you may be nutrient deficient, get tested and then get those nutrients! You deserve to feel good!
        

Top Ten Reasons I Like Living Gluten-Free!

By Caitlyn Davies, our own Gluten-Free Gal!

10.  I learned living without means living with something better!

9.    I have energy!

8.   Quinoa is better than rice!

7.   You can live WELL off of veggies! Who knew?!

6.   It's awesome to have a digestive system that works.

5.   Absorbing Vitamins! Minerals! Antioxidants! Oh my!

6.   Enriched my knowledge of nutrition, food and cooking.

5.   Sunflower Mills-local and gluten free y'all!

4.   I have energy!

3.  Gluten-Free tours are fun!

2.  Almost all of the alternative flours have more nutrition than wheat flour.

1.  I feel so good!!!

.