Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

I got this recipe off of my pinterest HERE and, granted, mine doesnt look as pretty as the pictures from the original pinner, it tasted goooo ooood. Here are some steps I took to make a gluten free version:

First off, for the batter I used Sweet Cake's Master Mix flour, and as always, it worked perfectly. 

Secondly, I added some spices to the flour mixture that are my current favorite for chicken season:

Chili powder

McCormick's Montreal Chicken

(Their Montreal Steak is AWESOME for beef)

I also used salt and pepper and garlic powder.

Then I gave it a whisk~

Now, for the cream sauce, she recommends one cup of milk and one cup of cream. I just used 2 cups of half and half and it turned out great. I also added some chopped asparagus to add some green... twas a good decision. 

After they were done, I added some simple frozen peas for a side dish, and voila! Dinner is served.

After all is said and done, I had A. TON. of sauce left over. So I bagged it up and stuck it in my freezer. Just think of how nice it will be to just thaw this yummy cheese sauce out and use for... well... anything! The possibilities are endless.

As you can see, this isn't a complete recipe, just tips and tweaks from my own version. Gluten free can be just as good, if not better than "normal" food! You just have to start getting your hands dirty and seeing what works best for you through trial and error.  This recipe was great and was fairly easy! There was more prep work than usual with crock pot meals, but I think it was worth it and we will definitely be eating this again over at my place! 

A few of my favorite things..

A few months before I was first told that gluten was basically poison to me, I had just been starting to really enjoy baking. Paula Deen and I were basically homies. So after Celiac entered into my life, I quickly went online and searched out recipes and how-to blogs to find the perfect gluten free baking solutions. After about an hour of intense research, I remember vividly saying to my husband that I would just have to give up baking because this was WAY too complicated for my liking. 

Fast forward 2 years later, and I am happy to say that baking and cooking gluten free no longer scares me. I have found that there is indeed life after our lovely little friend Cecil Celiac becomes our new "homie." 

....Now, I just need to really stress that I am NOT a professional by any stretch of the imagination, and I also haven't tried making my own GF bread yet, so take all of this for what you will! 

In 2 or 3 posts, I will share with you some of the products that have saved me these last 2 years. I cant count how many times I have had a friend who has celiac, or knows someone who was recently diagnosed with celiac, ask me what my favorite products are, where to dine out, etc. Here are a few from that list to start out with:

Sweet Cakes Bakery 

-Kaysville, Ut. 

This divine bakery just so happens to be right up the street from my mom's house (who is also the author of this book!). When my nephew Gabe and I were diagnosed, we decided to give it a whirl. I can summarize how I feel about this GF Bakery in 3 little words. IT.IS.AWESOME.  Seriously.. Bob's GF mixes dont even TOUCH their baked goods. No aftertaste. Yummy, moist breads and goodies (cookies included.. mmmmmm). Flour mixes. They also sell their own Xanthan Gum. You can order it all online. 

Since I dont live in Utah, I order their Master Mix (GF flour mix) online and it comes with 3 bags that weigh 2lbs each. It is worth every penny!! I use it to not only make the obvious cookie or cake, but also pancakes, batter for anything fried, making roux's for soups or sauces, ....the possibilities are endless! I cant count how many times my husband has to ask me if our dinner is GF when I use Sweet Cakes. It just taste that good! ...And trust me on this one, my husband does not pretend to like anything GF for my sake! He can almost always tell a difference when I use other flours or mixes, but not with Sweet Cakes! Find their website HERE

Mariposa, Artisan Crafted Gluten Free Bakery & Cafe 

-Oakland, CA

This place is INSANELY good!! They are a Gluten free bakery located in the Bay Area, which lucky for me, is right up the street from my house! I discovered them through a local pizzeria that offers a GF crust. After a phenomenal pizza, I called them up and asked them if they make their own crust or get it from somewhere else, and they directed me to Mariposa. I am eternally grateful they did! I have gone to their little shop multiple times and have craved it basically from the moment I leave the store.. I just want more! Pizza crusts, bread, ROLLS (oh my goodness, these are the best EVER), donuts, cupcakes, cookies, fresh fettucini!! (SOO amazing!! I seriously got teary-eyed when I made fettucini alfredo with their noodles. I was just so happy to have that beautiful taste in my mouth again!) and so much more. Find their website HERE

This is definitely not my complete list of favorite gluten free secrets, but its a good start and these 2 bakeries definitely will not disappoint! Check back within the next few days for a new recipe I tried tonight off of my pinterest: "Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu" made GF of course! Mmmmm... As well as more of my favorite GF products!