Gluten-Free Picnic Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

My newest picnic fave- quinoa salad with pears and pecans.

 

Labor Day is almost upon us. Summer's last bash. To inspire you to dine al fresco I've gathered my favorite gluten-free  picnic recipes, salads, and pot luck supper ideas- in one handy reference. Take advantage of the warm weather and get out of the kitchen. Spread a blanket under a tree or tote a basket to the beach.

Life is short.

We need more picnics.

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Quinoa Salad with Blueberries, Strawberries and Watermelon

A summer quinoa salad studded with fresh, ripe fruit.

I cook sparingly in the heat of summer. And only if I absolutely have to. It's one of the perks of being a grown up- and post empty nest. We cook if we feel like it. And if we don't? We grab some baby spinach and chard, frisee and herbs and make a salad. We like to keep things simple.

That's no surprise to you, I'm sure.

I don't exactly do elaborate. We don't go for complicated around here. And goddess knows, we don't do formal. If we can toss together a bowl of fresh salad greens and herbs, and add some quickly cooked protein to make a meal of it, we're content. We might add strips of organic free-range chicken grilled with lemon and black pepper. Or a piece of wild salmon broiled with a touch of agave and lime. Perhaps an organic hard boiled egg. Or two. If we're lucky, some leftover cooked quinoa.

Dinner in a flash.

Quintessential summer.

So today's post (and recipe) is a nod to the natural marriage of summer and simplicity. Get out of the house. Step away from the screen. Disconnect. Reconnect.



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Gluten-Free Picnic Recipes - Karina's Faves

Easy, easy! Grilled veggies for gluten-free pasta salad.

The summer kick-off weekend is here Darling. Let the picnics and grilling begin. June is nigh. 'Tis the season for dining alfresco. From a casual backyard family get-together to post-graduation parties, it's time to celebrate. And time for a little romance- a picnic in the park, a sunset dinner at the beach, feeding each other beneath the stars.

So air out those picnic blankets, blow the winter dust off your beach chairs and wire brush that grill. I've got some fabulous Gluten-Free Goddess® recipes for you. My best top ten gluten-free dairy-free picnic recipes, in fact. And nine of them just so happen to be vegan.

We are moving in less than week.

A stone's throw north, to Studio City. My year at the ocean is winding down fast. As I pack up our last bits and pieces, our favorite pasta bowls, spoons and cake pans, I listen to the waves and breathe in the salt air. This has been a nourishing year. Four seasons by the sea. Seasons that deepened my love for my family, nurtured my marriage, and illuminated my ongoing gratitude for each new day.

May you enjoy a meaningful Memorial Day, defined by love, gratitude, and the support of family and friends.

I'll catch you on the flip side- I'll be blogging from Studio City next week.

Be safe.


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Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes and Comfort Food

Gluten-free main dishes, comfort food, and dinner ideas.

My collection of gluten-free dinner recipes- favorite main dish recipes from my humble Brown Sugar Turkey Meatloaf to slow-cooked Beef in Pomegranate Sauce. For an easy company-worthy entree, try my Agave Lime Salmon recipe.

Vegetarian or vegan? I didn't forget you, Babycakes. Vegetarian and vegan dinner recipe favorites are listed below for a green change of pace. The most popular gluten-free vegetarian recipe? My Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas.

Make tonight delicious!

Baked chicken Mediterranean with sweet peppers.

Chicken, Turkey and Pork Recipes

Alex's Favorite Baked Chicken Mediterranean
Balsamic Roasted Pepper Chicken
Brown Sugar Turkey Meatloaf

Chicken and Artichoke Enchilada Bake with Green Chiles (New Mexican Style)
Chicken and Spinach Rice Bake with Mozzarella
Chicken Tropicale with Peppers and Pineapple
Curried Apple Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice

Easy Baked Chicken Chili Rice Casserole
Garlic Chicken Lasagna
Jazzed Up Turkey Tetrazzini
Lime Chicken Tacos

Maple Apple Sausage
New Mexican Stew with Ground Turkey
Peanut Broccoli Chicken Stir-Fry
Pineapple Salsa Chicken Enchiladas

Pork Roast in Apricot Mushroom Sauce
Roasted Corn Chowder with Chicken & Cilantro
Rustic Chicken Soup for the Soul

Santa Fe Chicken Chili
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
Stuffed Cabbage with Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Sausage
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey

Turkey and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
Turkey Meatballs and Asian Style Stir-fry Noodles 
Turkey Meatloaf with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pecan Crust
Turkey Nachos

White Bean Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Lime

Mediterranean eggplant with beef, tomatoes and mint

Beef and Buffalo Recipes

A Meat Ragù You Can Mangia- Hearty Meat Sauce for Pasta
Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake with Cranberries
Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

Beef and Potatoes au Chocolat
Beef in Pomegranate Sauce
Big Easy Soup with Beans and Andouille Sausage
Buffalo Sausage Stew

Buffalo Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Dijon Roasted Vegetables & Sausage
Irish Cottage Pie

Cranberry Buffalo Roast Stew
Good Karma Meatloaf Pie topped with Dill Mashed Potatoes
Karina's Beef Stew

Maple Meatloaf
Mediterranean Eggplant with Crumbled Beef, Tomato & Mint
Melted Peppers and Dags (yes, dags) on Rice

Roasted Hatch Chile Stew with Beef, Sweet Potatoes and Corn
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie- A Rancher's Version with Black Angus Beef

Easy agave and lime salmon

Seafood

Agave Lime Salmon
Baked Cod with Roasted Sweet and Sour Vegetables
Easy Garlic Shrimp Pizza

Garlicky Shrimp and Spinach Bake with Mozzarella
Mediterranean Fish in Foil Packets with Rice

Pineapple Salmon Brown Rice Bake with Sour Cream and Green Chiles
Salmon and Spinach Goat Cheese Strata
Shrimp Fried Rice and Veggies

Tequilla Lime Salmon
Tuna and Artichoke Pasta with Pine Nuts

Vegetarian enchiladas, Greek style with spinach, feta and chick peas

Vegetarian Comfort Food (ovo lacto vegetarian, and vegan)

A Veggie Lover's Shepherd's Pie
African Coconut and Chick Pea Soup
An Easy Savory Winter Vegetable Ragout
Artichoke and Jalapeño Savory Pie with Jalapenos

Baked Brown Rice Risotto
Baked Frittata with Gold Potatoes and Sour Cream
Baked Mac & Cheese - Dairy-Free
Balsamic Roasted Veggie Smothered Baked Potato

Cider Roasted Vegetables
Crock Pot Curry
Enchiladas Griegos for Two with Spinach and Feta

Gluten-Free Pizza!
Green Chile Egg Bake

Kicked Up Baked Mac n Cheese
Karina's Kicked Up Colcannon
Karina's Latkes with Homemade Applesauce

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Cornbread Curried Apple Stuffing
Mediterranean Pasta Frittata with Goat Cheese

Pasta Frittata with Kale
Pesto Zucchini Tomato Gratin
Purple Potato Quiche
Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf

Red Quinoa with Butternut Squash and Cranberries
Roasted Acorn Squash Risotto
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Medley with Butter Beans and Rice
Roasted Corn Chowder with Cilantro

Roasted Green Chile Bake with Cream Cheese

Roasted Vegetable Cheddar Quiche
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Roasted Vegetable Noodle Kugel
Roasted Vegetables and Brown Rice
Roasted Vegetables in a Nest
Roasted Vegetables on Broiled Polenta

Savory Vegetable Kugel
Savory Vegetable Pancakes
Scalloped Potatoes- Dairy-Free
Sexy Spring Pasta- with roasted asparagus
Spaghetti Squash New Mexican with Black Beans and Lime
Spinach and Cheddar Quesadilla

Stuffed Cabbage with Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
Sweet Potato Latkes with Ruby Applesauce

Two Artists Chili
Vegetarian Puttanesca
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie