Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken

Along with my children's combined list of food allergies, and my daughter's OAS symptoms to certain fruits, I have a  sensitivity to MSG. And, honestly, I just miss Chinese take-out. But the instant migraine and hours in the bathroom (ahem) after eating it just isn't worth it. So, I found a solution!  Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken! It is spicy, filling, and so delicious. I have even eliminated the pineapple juice, (but retained the sweetness), so common in General Tso's Chicken recipes because of my daughter's OAS. Freshly ground ginger, and sauteed fresh broccoli florets take this classic take-out dish to the next level of food bliss. Get that slow cooker out, and stay in tonight with this homemade version of a take-out staple! 

By ingredients, this recipe for Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

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Roasted Cabbage Wedges

A more appropriate title for this post might be "The best cabbage you've ever eaten. Ever. No really, I mean it."  Although Irish blood does pump through my veins, I've never been big on cabbage as a side dish. Until now. After receiving an abundance of cabbage week after week in our CSA delivery, I had to figure out new ways to prepare it.  A family can only consume so much coleslaw week after week...although, I do love coleslaw, and you can find my egg free, dairy free recipe HERE. I stumbled upon the magical combination of cabbage and bacon, and the transformative power of roasting the two together, and now, I can't wait for more cabbage from our local farm. The edges turn brown and crispy, the bacon fat bastes the wedges, and the inner leaves come out soft and buttery feeling. It's delightful. I love it so much, I might try to grow a few heads in our garden, just for this! 

*By ingredients, this pickle recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

S'mores Cookie Cups

Longing for a way to enjoy S'mores without the campfire?  I've got the answer for you! S'mores Cookie Cups!  The original recipe came to my attention on Facebook, click HERE to go to it! Needless to say, it wasn't allergy friendly for our household, so we did some tweaking in the kitchen, and came up with a delicious dessert, best served warm and gooey!

Pulled Pork and Coleslaw

I really love to  utilize the slow cooker in the Summer.  I know a lot of people associate slow cookers with Fall and Winter favorites like pot roasts and hearty stews, but when the weather is nice, I want to spend most of afternoon and early evening outside, not heading into the kitchen to make dinner! One of my family's favorite summertime slow cooker meals is Pulled Pork with Coleslaw.  Deep flavor, contrasted with crisp, tangy Coleslaw, all on a bun or in a tortilla!  Pull out your slow cooker, and let the kids help you get this one going in the morning before heading out for a day of summer fun.  By the time you get home, dinner will be waiting for you! 

*By ingredients, this Pulled Pork and Coleslaw recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

Tortilla Soup

This hearty Tortilla Soup will become a year round favorite! The big flavors of a taco dinner, with the convenience of a one pot meal!  This big batch soup is perfect for a filling dinner, or for keeping in the fridge for hungry kids to snack on during the day.  The recipe, as I have written it, is vegan, but I've included variations that utilize chicken, turkey, or beef at the the end of the post! Check out my recipes for Taco Seasoning, and Pico de Gallo, both of which I used in this soup! 

By ingredients, this recipe for Tortilla Soup is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, soy free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! (This recipe is not marked gluten free because certain spice manufacturers have a high rate of  cross-contamination.  Here's a LINK to more information!)

Red Quinoa and Avocado Salad

Add this side dish to your summer menu!  Red quinoa is gluten free, high in protein, and contains essential amino acids. Low in cholesterol and high in magnesium, quinoa is certainly a trendy superfood, but above all, in this side salad, it's delicious!  Make it in the morning and stash it in the fridge to chill for dinner. No need to spend hours in the kitchen midday during the hot summer months! Perfect for dinner at home, or for a pot-luck picnic! 

*By ingredients, this Red Quinoa and Avocado Salad is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Tex Mex Chicken Dinner

Fire up the grill, make a salad, and utilize some of the most popular recipes on this blog! Bright flavors, great textures, and simple to pull together on a summer night! Winner, winner, Tex Mex Chicken Dinner! 

Guacamole Dressing

I created this Guacamole Dressing for our Tex Mex Chicken Dinner. (Click HERE to go to that post.) I wanted something that had the bright taste of guacamole without having to actually make guacamole...so I guess this dressing was created because I was feeling a little lazy!  This dressing is creamy, tangy, and refreshing.  Best of all, it's dairy free and egg free...a rare combination for a creamy dressing!  

*By ingredients, this Guacamole Dressing recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Knife Skills for Children - Slicing

Today, I'm sharing some tips and tools to help you teach your children to become comfortable using a knife for slicing veggies in the kitchen. 

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

Refrigerator Pickles

One of our favorite summertime uses for an abundance of cucumbers from the garden or the local farmer's market, is the crisp, tart Refrigerator Pickle!  These pickles don't require any canning heat, so they stay cold, crunchy, and bright tasting!  I make a couple jars each week because it's so simple, and my kids fly through them, adding them to burgers, sandwiches, or just eating a few as a snack! So, grab a few cukes, roll up your sleeves, and let's pickle!!

*By ingredients, this pickle recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is a kid favorite in our house. It's soft, with crunchy browned bits, great texture.  It's both mild and flavorful. It can be elegant or a finger food for children. And, I serve it often because it's SO easy! This versatile side dish is perfect both for weeknight cooking and for entertaining. 

*By ingredients, this roasted cauliflower is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Hearty Chili Stoup

I love shopping for beautiful produce, wandering through the aisles, basking in locally grown, colorful veggies and fruits.  I love knowing that the food I serve my children is most often fresh. I admit, I'm a food allergy foodie. But...sometimes I need something from the pantry.  Sometimes, we get snowed in. Sometimes, I just don't make it to the grocery store before the fridge looks empty. Sometimes, the day gets away from me and it's 5 o'clock before I know it. Anyone with me here? Don't worry, I've got you covered with this recipe for Hearty Chili Stoup, my version of "7 can soup."

By ingredients, this recipe for Hearty Chili Stoup is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, soy free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! (This recipe is not marked gluten free because certain spice manufacturers have a high rate of  cross-contamination.  Here's a LINK to more information! If you have a gluten free chili powder that is safe for you, then cook away!)

Mexican Chicken and Rice

There are nine people living in my house, and at dinnertime, they are all seriously hungry.  Life is busy and sometimes I need a quick, one-pot, crowd-pleaser.  This dish is it!  We have Mexican Chicken and Rice frequently, and everyone loves it! 


By ingredients, this recipe for Mexican Chicken and Rice is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, soy free, wheat-free, gluten-free, and shellfish-free.  Top 8 free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

There have been many, many, many iterations of chocolate chip cookie recipes in our Allergy Safe Kitchen. I have one I use just for eating the dough, one for a cookie cake, and one for thin and crispy cookies. But this one...this one, is my favorite. Soft and chewy cookie goodness...I'm drooling in anticipation...

By ingredients, this recipe for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!