Some questions for those who are gluten free

[melk]

I am having some friends for lunch next week and they are gluten free and dairy free. I looked online and found a recipe for a chicken chili with sweet potato that looked good.

The thing is, it calls for bone-in, organic, free range chicken breasts. I was wondering if I could just use the cooked rotisserie chickens that BJ's sells. Does anyone know if they are gluten free (I have no idea what is and what isn't)? I am trying to make it a little easier on myself by not cooking the chicken but if it's going to harm them I don't want to take the chance.

It also calls for gluten free chili powder. Does anyone know if that is available at regular supermarkets? I've just never noticed it.

If anyone has any good gluten/dairy free recipes they would care to share I would really appreciate it. I don't mind looking on the internet but I really prefer to try ones that people actually recommend.

Thank you!

 

[mjkacmom]

I believe it is gluten free. Instead of trying to find gluten free chili powder, Google the brand you have. It could very well be gluten free.

 

[anniemae]

I would not use rotisserie chicken unless it is labeled as gluten free, it is seasoned with stuff that is most likely containing gluten. In all honesty, I would be very careful about cooking for GF friends. You must have a dedicated GF kitchen, using utensils, bowls etc. that have never touched gluten otherwise you risk making your friends sick depending on their gluten allergy.

I would buy something that is pre-packaged gluten free for them, because in all honesty, they will be nervous to eat your cooking. It is SO easy to contaminate a dish with gluten if you are not used to cooking GF. It is awkward for a person who is GF to eat something they are unsure of, they don't want to hurt your feelings, but most people have no idea how to truly make a dish GF because gluten is hiding everywhere.

Of course it depends on the severity of their allergy. Some can become really sick if they eat even a crumb of gluten, others just avoid gluten for health reasons, but are not allergic to gluten.

 

[SMD]

Usually rotisseries chickens are prepared locally in each store. You'd have to ask at the store's deli if they use all gluten free ingredients. For example, soy sauce marinade or spice blends that either contain modified food starch (can come from a wheat source) or are processed on shared equipment.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I would make sure the chicken is labeled gluten free or find out some way that it is without a doubt gluten free before serving it. "Caramel coloring" which is used on some chicken is usually not gluten free, a generic ingredient of "seasonings" could be iffy as well. If you want to be safe you can just poach some boneless chicken breasts. Be careful with some chicken stock though as some contain gluten. It's like walking a minefield because gluten hides in weird things - lol

 

[piglet1979]

My mom has celiacs. She wold much rather bring her own meal then take a chance of getting sick. Her allergy is severe and even being in a room with noodles will make her sick. She has all of her own pots and pans and serving utensils. She also has dedicated counter space for gluten food and the rest are gluten free. I would ask your friends how they feel about what you are serving. They may even be able to help you with what to make and the ingredients to use.

 

[anniemae]

My mom has celiacs. She wold much rather bring her own meal then take a chance of getting sick. Her allergy is severe and even being in a room with noodles will make her sick. She has all of her own pots and pans and serving utensils. She also has dedicated counter space for gluten food and the rest are gluten free. I would ask your friends how they feel about what you are serving. They may even be able to help you with what to make and the ingredients to use.

Yes, this. Your friends may be more comfortable bringing some things that they cooked.

 

[Dancind]

I have to say though, kudos for trying! You're a thoughtful friend.

 

[melk]

Thank you everyone for the replies, they've been insightful. It is my understanding that they don't have any severe allergies, I think more of an intolerance, they feel better since they have cut these things out of their diet.

I won't take the chance with the rotisserie chicken, though. I think I will get some chicken breasts and cook them myself to use in the recipe.

Thanks again!

 

[ashley0139]

Usually rotisseries chickens are prepared locally in each store. You'd have to ask at the store's deli if they use all gluten free ingredients. For example, soy sauce marinade or spice blends that either contain modified food starch (can come from a wheat source) or are processed on shared equipment.

Modified food starch is gluten free. If it is made from wheat, it must be labeled, and even THEN it is gluten free. There is exactly a 0% chance of modified food starch not being gluten free.

I would make sure the chicken is labeled gluten free or find out some way that it is without a doubt gluten free before serving it. "Caramel coloring" which is used on some chicken is usually not gluten free, a generic ingredient of "seasonings" could be iffy as well. If you want to be safe you can just poach some boneless chicken breasts. Be careful with some chicken stock though as some contain gluten. It's like walking a minefield because gluten hides in weird things - lol

Caramel color in the US is gluten free.

A rotisserie chicken should be fine, but I would check. Usually it is just spices - thyme, oregano, lemon, etc which are all fine. Chili powder should be naturally gluten free but check your ingredients. I've been gluten free for 25 years (Celiac) and would have no problem eating the chili you described. YMMV.

 

[Shanti]

Modified food starch made in Canada or Europe (or anywhere else) may not be labeled with it's wheat content, and while modified food starch made in the U.S. is supposed to be gluten-free unless otherwise labeled, cross-contamination is always possible. Same goes for caramel coloring.

 

[bookgirl]

I am allergic to wheat and my SIL has Celiac Disease. I cook for her all the time and the my kitchen is not gluten free, and for that matter neither is hers (except her toaster and the fact that she has no wooden spoons or cutting boards). I also try to stick to glassware and stainless steel utensils when cooking for her, but that doesn't always work out. She does fine and she's super sensitive.

Ask you friend if they are okay with you cooking. Spices are not labeled Certified GF because of shared facilities. There are some GF spices but the only ones I found are at Whole Foods and super expensive. I use my regular spices to cook with as does she. HOWEVER don't assume corn bread or tortilla chips are gluten free. Many tortilla chips contain wheat products and most commercial cornbread has some wheat flour. I buy Certified GF cornbread mixes (unfortunately most have sugar which I hate in my cornbread but there is one that I can't remember the name of now that is sugar free) and Certified GF tortilla chips (Tostados and Walmart's Great Value and Tia Rosa's are GF).

Hope this helps.

 

[leebee]

Thank you everyone for the replies, they've been insightful. It is my understanding that they don't have any severe allergies, I think more of an intolerance, they feel better since they have cut these things out of their diet.

I won't take the chance with the rotisserie chicken, though. I think I will get some chicken breasts and cook them myself to use in the recipe.

Thanks again!

Talk with your friends and make sure this is the case. If they truly have celiac, they won't be able to tolerate consuming gluten; it will make them SICK. If they have just cut out gluten because they think they "feel better" without it in their diet, I wouldn't worry so much. I'd get the rotisserie chicken and discard the skin; it sounds like it should be fine, if they really don't have celiac disease but just prefer to eliminate/reduce gluten in their diets.

I have a close friend whose 2 children have celiac, and she has to be extremely careful with their diets and lifestyle; GF free kitchen/utensils, GF foods and spices, etc., and her son cannot spend time in places that have flour in the air. He is sensitive enough that the flour in the air mixes with the moisture in his nose and he has a gluten reaction within an hour or so of exposure. I thought she was crazy, at first, but I've seen it happen. It's been interesting to learn about all the things that have gluten in them. For example.... most flavored potato chips have gluten in them. The food industry uses a gluten wash to "glue" the seasoning to the chip, so BBQ chips, sour cream and onion chips, etc., usually contain gluten even though potatoes and oil (basic ingredients for potato chips) are GF. It's made me think about how our food supply has changed since I was growing up in the 50s and 60s.

 

[kimmar067]

I am having some friends for lunch next week and they are gluten free and dairy free. I looked online and found a recipe for a chicken chili with sweet potato that looked good.

The thing is, it calls for bone-in, organic, free range chicken breasts. I was wondering if I could just use the cooked rotisserie chickens that BJ's sells. Does anyone know if they are gluten free (I have no idea what is and what isn't)? I am trying to make it a little easier on myself by not cooking the chicken but if it's going to harm them I don't want to take the chance.

It also calls for gluten free chili powder. Does anyone know if that is available at regular supermarkets? I've just never noticed it.

If anyone has any good gluten/dairy free recipes they would care to share I would really appreciate it. I don't mind looking on the internet but I really prefer to try ones that people actually recommend.

Thank you!

...McCormick's makes a GF chili powder, turkey gravy, and brown gravy. Also, I don't know if BJ's chickens are GF but the Shop Rite and the Stop'n'Shop rotisserie chickens are....

 

[kimmar067]

You could shop at Walmart for those McCormick products, but sometimes it's a hit-or-miss thing [I've also seem them at Shop Rite].

 

[kimmar067]

Talk with your friends and make sure this is the case. If they truly have celiac, they won't be able to tolerate consuming gluten; it will make them SICK. If they have just cut out gluten because they think they "feel better" without it in their diet, I wouldn't worry so much. I'd get the rotisserie chicken and discard the skin; it sounds like it should be fine, if they really don't have celiac disease but just prefer to eliminate/reduce gluten in their diets.

I have a close friend whose 2 children have celiac, and she has to be extremely careful with their diets and lifestyle; GF free kitchen/utensils, GF foods and spices, etc., and her son cannot spend time in places that have flour in the air. He is sensitive enough that the flour in the air mixes with the moisture in his nose and he has a gluten reaction within an hour or so of exposure. I thought she was crazy, at first, but I've seen it happen. It's been interesting to learn about all the things that have gluten in them. For example.... most flavored potato chips have gluten in them. The food industry uses a gluten wash to "glue" the seasoning to the chip, so BBQ chips, sour cream and onion chips, etc., usually contain gluten even though potatoes and oil (basic ingredients for potato chips) are GF. It's made me think about how our food supply has changed since I was growing up in the 50s and 60s.

....likewise here - my DH has Celiac and he can tell within 30 minutes if something he has consumed has gluten or was even contaminated....

 

[kimmar067]

Modified food starch made in Canada or Europe (or anywhere else) may not be labeled with it's wheat content, and while modified food starch made in the U.S. is supposed to be gluten-free unless otherwise labeled, cross-contamination is always possible. Same goes for caramel coloring.

....as well as autolyzed yeast extract...