Puerto Rican Pastelón – A Naturally Gluten Free Dish

Rectangular slice of pastelon with garlic mayo ketchup spread on the top.

Pastelón de platano maduro is a Latin-American layered dish made with ripe plantains and a meat filling. Popular in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, I was introduced to the Puerto Rican version first through my fiancé and fell in love. Who knew Latin America had so many gluten-alternative dishes and ingredients readily available … Read more

Store Find: Manini’s Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Ravioli

box of manini's roasted tomato & basil ravioli

Finding gluten-free noodles without corn flour or corn starch is fairly easy in grocery stores nowadays, but finding Italian pre-made items, such as ravioli, that are both dairy-free and gluten-free (it’s usually one or the other, not both) is uncommon. Then there’s the additional complication that the dairy-free filling needs to be coconut-free as well, … Read more

Bibimbap Sauce (Cho-gochujang)

When I go to restaurants I normally eat bibimbap plain. That is, when you order bibimbap, they often serve it with a thick red sauce on the side known as “cho-gochujang (or “chojang” for short). It’s a condiment made with gochujang (Korean red chili paste) that is slightly sweet, slightly spicy (or very spicy depending … Read more

Potato Starch Noodle Stir Fry (Japchae)

Jap chae with beef

One of my favorite sides to order at a restaurant. I’m happily surprised at how easy it is to make at home. The recipe for Japchae takes your standard stir fry dish, adds flavored tare, and adds potato starch noodles. Potato starch noodles are, by default, gluten free! But like all packaged noodles, be sure … Read more

Soybean Sprouts side dish (Kongnamul Muchim)

spicy and non-spicy soybean sprouts

Outside of kimchi, soybean sprouts are my FAVORITE of the side dishes. Salty, crunchy, and savory from the sesame oil in its seasoning sauce, I find these incredibly addictive when part of a banchan set. Soybean sprouts have a different texture to mung bean sprouts (which is more commonly found in stores). They are crunchier … Read more