Classic pairing

Tips for a lactose free cold weather classic. 

     This week has been really cold. I am lucky enough to have a mother-in-law who had just the thing to warm us up. It had been a long day, we were cold, and we did not feel like cooking much at all. My mother-in-law decided that some classic comfort food would end our day on a high note. What better way to warm up on a cold rainy day then with tomato soup and grilled cheese. 

Tips from Mom Heckman for this classic pairing 

  1) Doctor up that canned soup. When using condensed soup add lactose free milk instead of water. 
      This makes the soup have more of a bisque texture and a richer taste. 
 2) Make it your own. you can add pepper, basil, oregano, or whatever you think would go well with       tomato. 
 3) When making the grilled cheese first coat the outsides of the bread with smart balance or earth            balance butter. 
 4) For the inside of the your grilled cheese I recommend Daiya cheese. It has some of the best melts,       of the lactose free cheeses I have tried. 

5) Don't be afraid to dip !

Hope these tips help you enjoy a quick, comforting, and delicious lactose free meal.  

Quick and Cheesy Quesadilla

Quick and Cheesy Quesadilla (Don't worry it's dairy free)

Dealing with quesadilla cravings? Don't feel bad it happens to the best of us. It can be a major pain when dealing with allergies. On top of my Lactose issues, there are quite a few spices I can not handle, (this includes taco seasoning).  So in order to get my cheesy crunchy fix I devised a quick solution to make at home. The great thing about this recipe? You can totally make it your own. I have included some suggestions for you in the recipe. The recipe below feeds four.  

What you will need: 

1) Tortillas (corn or flour will do whichever you like)

2) 6-8 TBS Salsa ( Store bought  in a jar or cold section or make your own) 

3) 1/2 bag- 1 full bag of Shredded dairy free cheese  ( My favorites are Go Veggie or  Daiya) 

4) 2 large Chicken Breasts or 8 chicken tenders

Step one - Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook chicken on medium-high heat for 5 minutes. flip chicken about half way through. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, Take chicken off heat, cut into strips or bite size chunks and set aside. 

If you can eat taco seasoning you could add it in at this step. If you like beef you could use that instead. If  you rather just have a plain cheese quesadilla, skip step one. 

Step two - As chicken is cooking, in a microwave safe bowl mix together cheese and salsa. Once mixed well, microwave mixture for  10 seconds at a time.  Take out and stir. Repeat this step until you reach a total of 30- 40 seconds of cook time.  You should see the Cheese mixture just starting to melt. DO NOT LET THIS MELT THE WHOLE WAY. 

Okay, so I know this part sounds odd.  The reason this step is so important because dairy free cheese does not melt like dairy based cheese. It takes a lot longer. This step helps to prep the cheese to melt faster once it is in the pan. Also, mixing in the salsa gives the cheese more flavor and a little kick.

Step three- When cheese mixture is ready, mix in the cut chicken.  

Step four- Spray skillet with cooking spray and trow on your favorite tortilla. Top the tortilla with the cheese and chicken mixture. Top with another tortilla and cook on medium heat until golden brown on each side (about 2-3 minutes). 

Serve with  with your favorite quesadilla toppings.  I hope you enjoy! 

Lactose Free Milk Review Part 2

Happy Saturday everyone!! Sorry for the late post, I am trying to post on Fridays but sometimes life happens. So here is part two of my lactose free milk review:

4) Ricemilk - This is another option worth mentioning, but I do not have much experience with is ricemilk. I have only had rice milk once or twice. Ricemilk is very sweet. That is really the only thing I can recall about it. This alternative does not have a lot of protein. I am sure you can use this for cooking, but just keep in mind it is sweet. Personally, I was not impressed with this type of milk. I know some people love it. Feel free to comment your experiences with this product.  

 5) Almondmilk (image via google images)

Almond Breeze is  one of my favorite brands of  Almond Milk; and yes, I also enjoy Silk’s Almond Milk too.

Taste? - Almondmilk does have a little bit of an almond taste. Shocker, I know. Almond milk is also a little sweeter than soymilk. This “sweetness” is there no matter if you get the unsweetened original  milk or not.  I am partial to the vanilla flavored options of almondmilk.

Varieties within the brand? - Original, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Hint of Honey. They also provide these options in reduced sugar and unsweetened.

What can you do with it? -  Weather it is straight up, on cereal, in oatmeal, tea, hot coco, coffee, smoothies, and baked goods. For me, almondmilk is too sweet for savory dishes; However,  it is perfect for all those sweet things you want to make.

Is this the right alternative for me? -  If you are looking for an alternative to milk during breakfast or dessert this is the alternative for you. If you have any ideas for savory recipes made with almond milk, let me know.  

6)  Lactaid milk (selfie below featuring me and my milk bestie)

Please pardon me for being a little goofy here, but this is my favorite lactose free milk. All of the options I have listed above are not only lactose free, they are non-dairy. This option is a little different because Lactaid milk contains dairy, but it is lactose free. It is my understanding that Lactaid milk  is real milk, real dairy, but they are able to add the lactose enzyme directly to the milk. Why does this matter? Well, if you are lactose intolerant you are enzyme deficient and  your body can not produce this enzyme on it’s own. I am so grateful to have lactaid milk in my life. It makes it easier for me to cook and enjoy meals with all of my family.

Taste? -  It is milk…. So it tastes like milk. I have family members that tell me “normal” milk is richer, however I have other family members that tell me they can’t tell the difference at all.

Varieties within the brand? -  Lactiaid milk is just like regular milk. The varieties you can choose from are fat free, Lowfat 1%, reduced fat 2%, whole milk, and Chocolate. These also come in calcium enriched options.

What can you do with it? -  Drink it as it is. Mix a little chocolate syrup into it. Make all of your favorite baked goods. Cook all of your favorite dairy filled recipes. Anything milk can do, Lactaid does better for the Lactose intolerant.  

Is this the right alternative for me? -  Weather you are just sensitive or full blown lactose intolerant, lactaid milk is for the dairy lover. If you have an issue with anything in dairy products other than lactose, this is not the alternative for you. If you have problems with milk protein, this product is not going to help you. Know your body, and just be careful not to over do it with the dairy products.

I hope this helps in your quest for Lactose free milk options or for understanding of a loved one's struggle.  I hope you have a great weekend and check back next week for more.