Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Buffalo Chicken Casserole - Dairy & Gluten Free

I love Buffalo chicken and I love a good casserole.  This is the marriage of 2 of my favorite things dairy & gluten free style.  (A packet of dry ranch dressing mix would be great in this if you could find a dairy & gluten free option!)

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb gluten free pasta - Tinkyada Spirals work great
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1 stick vegan margarine
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 8 oz container dairy free cream cheese
1 cup diced celery
2 cups frozen peas - optional
1/2 cup Diaya cheese - Cheddar
1/2 cup Diaya cheese - Mozzarella

In a large skillet cook the chicken, onions, and garlic with the salt and pepper until the onions are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Meanwhile cook the pasta until just shy of being done.
Melt the margarine and combine with the Frank's Red Hot, garlic power, and black pepper.
Cut the cream cheese into small pieces.
Drain the pasta well.
Combine the cooked chicken mixture, the cooked pasta, the cream cheese, the celery, and the peas.
Add the Frank's Red Hot mixture and stir to combine.
Place the mixture in a 9x13 pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Top with the Diaya cheeses.
Bake covered at 375 until the casserole is hot through - about 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and place under the broiler until the cheese melts and browns slightly.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Diaya "Cheese"

I finally found some Diaya to try.  Wow is really all I can say about it!!  It melts!  It forms that string of melted "cheesy" goodness.  I think that it tastes great!  I like both the cheddar and the mozzarella varieties.  I have to say that this is the first dairy free cheese substitute that I have liked the cheddar flavor.  I think that it is on the expensive side, but we don't really eat much "cheese" anyhow so it is fine as a treat every once in a while.

This weekend I am making pizza with  the mozzarella.  We are going to do a comparison of our old standard Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese Alternative and the Diaya.  I think that I am going to like the Diaya better but my husband isn't sold on the Diaya.  Hopefully I can convert him!