Eat, drink...and eat again. Or don't...whatever.
It’s almost time for the cry-i-est night of the (my) year: NEW YEARS EVE.
Time to settle in with cozies, comfort foods, and a sensible glass (or bottle) or champagne. And because COVID-19 has stolen this year's joy, this ain’t the time to bust out your velvet holiday dress and pray for a NYE kiss.
Basically, keep your lips away from me and everyone else. Thanks.
While you’re internalizing your NYE kiss blues, there’s no reason to skip the yummy sides! Thanks to Trader Joe’s (my unwavering companion), here is a list of my TOP 3 favorite gluten-free comfort foods and snacks.
Trader Joe's Top 3:
Gluten Free New Year's Eve!
Butternut Squash Mac’n’Cheese
Photo Credit: TheBananaDiaries.com
OKAY. First, I must give credit where credit is due. My beautiful kooky friend Bruce told me about butternut squash mac n cheese two years ago. I didn’t believe them - how could my beloved mac n cheese get any better? WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, that’s how. This jazzy little comfort dish is chock full of pureed squash, gluten-free quinoa pasta (YUM), and - of course - cheeeeeeeeese. Seriously, it’s amazing.
WHAT YOU NEED:
1 container cubed butternut squash
1 bag of Trader Joe’s Quinoa & Brown Rice Fusilli
1 Cup of dairy (or non-dairy) creamer
4 tbs. Unsalted butter
1 bag of shredded SHARP cheddar cheese (trust me)
1 bag of shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 container of fresh Rosemary
Salt & Pepper to taste
WHAT YOU DO:
Roast butternut squash, rosemary, salt, and pepper at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Basically, wait until it’s soft and smells like magic.
Puree butternut squash! Leave some chunks if you love texture.
In a saucepan, add butter, creamer, and shredded cheese! Mix until melty and amazing. Add as much or as little as you like - I like to go a little cheese crazy, but to each her/their/his own.
Boil pasta (duh)
Add puree to cheese sauce. Watch them become best friends.
Dump everything into your favorite dutch oven, cast iron skillet, or tin. Mix it all around.
Add extra rosemary, pepper, and shredded cheese!
BAKE for 30 minutes.
Voila.
Think of me as you eat like a KWEEN.
NACHOOOOOOOOOOS
(aka Nachos)
For the record, I’m not normally a messy-nachos kinda gal, but THIS. THIS?!
You’re not ready.
WHAT YOU NEED:
1 bag of Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips
1 container (20 oz) of Trader Joe’s Harvest Chili (YUM)
Trader Joe’s Shredded Sharp Cheddar
Trader Joe’s Spicy Guacamole
1 bag of Trader Joe’s frozen Mexican-style charred corn
1 Lime
Salt, Pepper
The instructions are very self explanatory, but I'll tell you what to do, I GUESS.
WHAT YOU DO:
Dump the chips on a baking sheet (don’t forget the tin foil or you’ll hate yourself. Add the chili, shredded cheese, corn, and salt/pepper. DON’T add the guacamole yet (ew). Bake at 350 until the cheese is gooey. Scoop some guacamole on top. Squeeze on some lime juice.
Start stuffing your face.
Overstuffed Peppers
Photo Credit: FoodieCrush.com
Well, I have my ex-boyfriend’s uncle to thank for this gem (Thanks, Uncle Tony!).
I eat this ALL the time, guys. It’s the easiest thing in the world, and you can sub with your favorite vegetarian/vegan meat products if you’re not about that beef life.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Red, Green, and Yellow peppers (whichever suits your fancy)
1 onion, roughly chopped
Ground Turkey
Trader Joe’s light spreadable cream cheese (only about 2 tablespoons)
Parmesan Cheese
Shredded Cheddar & Mozzarella
Cayenne Pepper
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
WHAT YOU DO:
Halve each of the peppers. Scoop out all the weird stuff.
Oil the peppers. Place them outside-up on a baking sheet. Roast at 400 for about 15 minutes.
Throw ground turkey, onions, salt, pepper, and cayenne in skillet. Once the ground turkey is cooked (but not tough), it’s time for the cheese!
Stir in 2 Tbs. cream cheese. Add parmesan and cheddar to taste (I use cream cheese pretty sparingly, but it’s all about what works for your taste buds).
Add extra Cayenne if you like it spicy!
Once your ground turkey-cheese mix is looking hot and delicious, scoop and fill each of your now-roasted pepper cups.
Add extra cheese on top and pop those suckers in the oven! 350-375 for about 30 minutes.
Serve and enjoy (you will).
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me, you really can’t mess around with your gluten-free dietary restrictions. These meals are easy to whip up, inexpensive, and completely gluten-free. Eat them in your comfy cozies while you watch your favorite NYE flick (When Harry Met Sally, duh).
Happy New Year!
XOXO
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