Carefreeglutenfree - Carefree Gluten Free

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup  chopped onions (about 1 medium)  

2 cups enchilada sauce, divided  

6 oz.  VELVEETA Pepper Jack Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into thin slices  

12 corn tortillas (6 inch), softened (see Tip)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook and stir meat and onions in large skillet on medium heat until meat is browned and onions are tender; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce; mix well.

2. Spread 1/2 cup of the remaining enchilada sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Spoon 1/4 cup of the meat mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-sides down, in baking dish; top with the remaining 1 cup enchilada sauce and the VELVEETA.

3. Bake 20 min. or until enchiladas are heated through and VELVEETA is melted.

Kraft Kitchen Tips

How to Soften Tortillas

Corn tortillas must be softened before rolling to prevent splitting. Place tortillas between 2 sheets of dampened paper towel. Microwave on HIGH for 45 sec. Fill and roll tortillas while still warm.

Make Ahead

Assemble recipe as directed; cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. When ready to serve, uncover and bake at 350°F for 30 min. or until heated through.

Cheesy Bean Enchiladas

Substitute 1 can (16 oz.) refried beans for the browned ground beef. Mix with the onions and 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce, then use to fill enchiladas and bake as directed.

Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

"Do you have a kinder, more adaptable friend in the food world than soup? Who soothes you when you are ill?  Soup does its loyal best, no matter what undignified conditions are imposed upon it."  - Judith Martin

1 pkg. boneless, skinless chicken strips

4 cups water

3/4 tsp. poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp. thyme

1/4 cup diced onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cups chicken broth

3 cups pre-cooked rice pasta (fettucini or spirals)

1. Combine first four ingredients in Dutch oven; bring to a boil and cook about 20 minutes.

2. Remove chicken and add remaining ingredients, except pasta. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Coarsely chop chicken.

3. In separate pot, cook rice pasta according to directions. Drain.

4. Add chicken and cooked noodles to soup. Simmer additional 5 minutes. Serve.

 Hot Dog Chili

2 lb. ground chuck, browned and drained 2 tsp. chili powder 2 c. catsup

Mix together and simmer for 30 minutes.

Citrus Berry Cake

This light and fresh cake has all the bright flavors of summer.  Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

Ingredients:

1-1/3 cups Gluten Free all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup soy milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 cup non-dairy butter, melted

Egg replacer equal to 1 egg

1 tablespoon orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Topping:

1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

2 cups non-dairy whipped topping

2 teaspoons orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, make the egg replacer according to package directions.  Add the melted butter, orange juice, orange peel, and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the soy milk and lemon juice.  Let sit for at least 5 minutes.  Add to the egg mixture.

4. In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.  Add in the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.  Fold in the strawberries.  Pour batter into the prepared pan.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack; remove paper. Cool completely.

6. For topping, in a small bowl, toss strawberries with lemon juice and sugar. Refrigerate until serving.

7. In another bowl, mix whipped topping and orange juice; spread over cake. Drain strawberries; arrange over top. Yield: 8 servings.

  *For tips on how to make your own non-dairy whipped topping, follow this great step-by-step tutorial.

“Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”

- Craig Claiborne

Pasta Salad

12 oz. Gluten Free Fusilli Pasta 1 large tomato 1 large cucumber 1 Tbsp. fresh basil 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper

1. In a large pot of lightly salted water, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Place in a large bowl. 

2. Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Whisk together and pour over the warm pasta.  Stir to combine. 

3. Dice the tomato and cucumber and finely chop the fresh herbs.  Add the tomato, cucumber, herbs, and cheese to the pasta.  Toss until well combined.  Serve at room temperature.

*I used Heartland's Gluten Free Fusilli.