“Food for Thought”

College of DuPage Nursing student Bertie Schlossberg asks, “Do you or someone you know have a food allergy or intolerance?” If you answered yes, you might want to keep reading.

Per the Food and Allergy Research and Education network (FARE), 1 in every 13 children in the USA underage 18 have food allergies. Although less common in adults. Food allergies affect nearly 15 million people a year (healthykids.org). Below I have included some easy recipes …whether you are just starting out on your new diet or you are a seasoned pro you are sure to enjoy these recipes. Leave a comment or share your favorite allergy friendly recipe.

Gluten Free (www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-lasagna/)

Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-cup-Lasagna

Ingredients you’ll need:
2  [8 oz] softened cream cheese [16 ounces total]
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
16 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 [14 oz] box chocolate graham crackers gluten free
1 [12 oz] bag miniature peanut butter cups
3/4 cup cocktail peanuts [sea salted peanuts or plain salted peanuts]
Chocolate drizzle:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup heavy cream
Topping:
8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To prepare the chocolate drizzle: Melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream together in the microwave until smooth. Melt in 15 second increments stopping to stir periodically. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
2. To prepare the filling: In a medium mixing bowl, whip together both blocks of softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla.
3. Whip for 2-3 minutes until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be thick.
4. Add 16 ounces of thawed whipped topping, 8 ounces at a time. Continue to whip until fluffy and light. The filling will be divided into thirds to layer the dessert.
5. Remove the wrappers from the peanut butter cups and chop. Roughly chop the peanuts. Divide both into thirds for layering. In a 9 x 13 inch dish start with one layer of graham crackers.
6. Add ⅓ of the filling mixture, sprinkle with ⅓ of the chopped peanut butter cups and ⅓ of the chopped peanuts.
7. Gently press the next layer of graham crackers into the filling and repeat, ending with the final ⅓ of the peanut butter filling.
8. Frost with whipped topping, and sprinkle the top with the remaining chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts. Drizzle with chocolate.
9. Chill for at least 4-6 hours before cutting.

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese (www.forkandbeans.com)

Ingredients

• 1 box gluten free elbows pasta
• 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets
• ½ c. cauliflower florets (or use peeled potato)
• ½ c. butternut squash, cubed
• ¼ c. carrots, cubed
• ½ c. nondairy milk, unsweetened
• ½ c. vegetable broth
• 2 Tbsp. gluten free flour
• 3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp. mustard powder
• ½ tsp. worcestershire sauce (omit for soy free option)
• ¼ tsp. sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pot with 2 cups of boiling water, cook the cauliflower (or potato), butternut squash, and carrots until tender (approx. 15 minutes). Drain.
2. Cook the pasta as directed on the box. One minute before the cooking time is over, add the broccoli florets to lightly cook with the pasta. Drain.
3. In the same pot cooking the veggies, throw in the nondairy milk, veggie broth, and gluten free flour and cook on medium-high heat. Whisk until the flour blends into the milk and becomes thick and bubbly.
4. Whisk in the spices, nutritional yeast, and worcestershire sauce.. Cook for another couple of minutes.
5. Add the softened veggies and sauce mix into a high speed blender to smooth out OR place the veggies into the pot with the sauce mix and use a hand blender. If you use a blender you will get a smoother sauce.
6. Transfer back into the pot and add the pasta and broccoli. Season as desired.

NOTES

This sauces freezes so well that you can double the recipe for the dairy free cheese sauce and place half of it into an ice cube tray or a freezer-safe container. Allow to defrost for a quick removal from the container and warm up in a saucepan over medium low heat until heated thoroughly.