Giving up favorite foods is no fun. Neither is reading a label then wondering if “natural flavor” or “spices” may be covering up hidden gluten.
An email I recently received from Kathy C. in Wisconsin helped me realize it was time to share a favorite recipe with all of you.
Kathy wrote:
“I’m so tired of playing hit-and-miss with foods since going gluten free. I love canned chipotle sauce in all sorts of dishes, and even when I buy the brand that doesn’t list wheat as an ingredient, I still get sick. The only ingredients are chipotle peppers, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, salt, and spices. Do you think there could be hidden gluten in there? I’m so tired of giving up things I used to eat! Thanks so much for all you do for us trying to live gluten free!”
This note caught my eye for two reasons:
(1) I absolutely love chipotles in adobo!
(2) Not long after going gluten free over 4 years ago, I’d had the same issue as Kathy not knowing which canned chipotle peppers were “safe” for me to eat.
After some investigating, I found some companies add wheat as a thickener to the sauce. Occasionally they even list wheat as an ingredient. Unfortunately, gluten can go in the can without ever showing up on the label.
A few possible hiding spots for gluten in canned chipotle peppers are:
(1) tomato sauce (added to thicken it)
(2) natural flavor (depending on source and processing)
(3) spices (depending on processing, if blended, and packaging)
An email I recently received from Kathy C. in Wisconsin helped me realize it was time to share a favorite recipe with all of you.
Kathy wrote:
“I’m so tired of playing hit-and-miss with foods since going gluten free. I love canned chipotle sauce in all sorts of dishes, and even when I buy the brand that doesn’t list wheat as an ingredient, I still get sick. The only ingredients are chipotle peppers, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, salt, and spices. Do you think there could be hidden gluten in there? I’m so tired of giving up things I used to eat! Thanks so much for all you do for us trying to live gluten free!”
This note caught my eye for two reasons:
(1) I absolutely love chipotles in adobo!
(2) Not long after going gluten free over 4 years ago, I’d had the same issue as Kathy not knowing which canned chipotle peppers were “safe” for me to eat.
After some investigating, I found some companies add wheat as a thickener to the sauce. Occasionally they even list wheat as an ingredient. Unfortunately, gluten can go in the can without ever showing up on the label.
A few possible hiding spots for gluten in canned chipotle peppers are:
(1) tomato sauce (added to thicken it)
(2) natural flavor (depending on source and processing)
(3) spices (depending on processing, if blended, and packaging)
Homemade Chipotles in Adobo ~ Naturally Gluten Free!
My solution back then was simple... I’d make my own chipotles in adobo!
With a quick read of a label, a little experimenting in the kitchen, and some spicy sampling, I was soon enjoying my favorite condiment on everything from my morning eggs to my favorite salsa!
That you might enjoy this simple sauce, too, never crossed my mind. This is why your notes and comments are so important. You help all of us by letting me know what gluten free recipes you need.
Chances are if you are in need a particular recipe or are having trouble adapting a favorite food to gluten free, so are others! I am willing to bet dozens of you have experienced the exact same frustration as Kathy and I have over these chipotles.
But no more! For Kathy, and for all of you, I have my own Homemade Chipotles in Adobo recipe that I know you’re going to love!
I make mine pretty spicy, so you may want fewer chipotles in yours; or maybe not. You may want more garlic, or to toss in some dried Mexican oregano. Go for it! Make it your own, to suit your tastes, then enjoy this spicy sauce any way you like.
Remember my approach to gluten free living: it is not about giving up favorite foods... it’s about giving up all those nasty health issues we had as a result of eating gluten. When it comes to the food, we can refashion recipes, making new , healthier, gluten free favorite versions out of our old favorites!
Homemade Chipotles in Adobo
Gluten free, vegan, soy free, nut free
12 chipotle peppers (smoked, dried jalapenos)
1/2 large onion, chopped, about 1 cup
10 whole garlic cloves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 (15-ounce) can organic tomato sauce
1 (4-ounce) canned mild green chiles (either chopped or whole will work)
2 teaspoons ground cumin (toasting whole seeds and grinding them in a spice grinder will provide best flavor)
30 ounces water (that’s 2 tomato sauce cans full), plus extra for soaking the chipotle peppers
Soak the peppers:
Place chipotle peppers in a glass bowl. Pour boiling water over to cover peppers. Soak for 30 minutes to soften. Drain; discard soaking water.
Prep the peppers:
After soaking, pull off the pepper stems and tear them with your fingers or use kitchen shears to open the peppers to remove the seeds. You may use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, or hold each pepper under gently running water over a colander in the sink and rinse the seeds away. Discard the seeds. (I prefer the “hold under running water method”, which I show you in the how-to video.)
Note: You may want to wear gloves to do this, especially if you are very sensitive to capsaicin, the chemical in peppers that gives them their heat and pungency. Capsaicin can burn skin, eyes, etc. Also be sure you’re in a well-ventilated work space. Be extra-extra careful when preparing this recipe every step of the way.
Let’s cook!
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add all ingredients, including the prepared chipotle peppers. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Let’s blend!
Blend with an immersion blender or in batches in your food processor or blender until the mixture is smooth.
Store it...
in glass jars with tight-fitting lids in refrigerator.
Use it...
anywhere you like: In Mexican dishes, to add a little sass to your salsa, or to spice up barbeque (or other) sauce.
See me spice things up making my Homemade Chipotles in Adobo!
With a quick read of a label, a little experimenting in the kitchen, and some spicy sampling, I was soon enjoying my favorite condiment on everything from my morning eggs to my favorite salsa!
That you might enjoy this simple sauce, too, never crossed my mind. This is why your notes and comments are so important. You help all of us by letting me know what gluten free recipes you need.
Chances are if you are in need a particular recipe or are having trouble adapting a favorite food to gluten free, so are others! I am willing to bet dozens of you have experienced the exact same frustration as Kathy and I have over these chipotles.
But no more! For Kathy, and for all of you, I have my own Homemade Chipotles in Adobo recipe that I know you’re going to love!
I make mine pretty spicy, so you may want fewer chipotles in yours; or maybe not. You may want more garlic, or to toss in some dried Mexican oregano. Go for it! Make it your own, to suit your tastes, then enjoy this spicy sauce any way you like.
Remember my approach to gluten free living: it is not about giving up favorite foods... it’s about giving up all those nasty health issues we had as a result of eating gluten. When it comes to the food, we can refashion recipes, making new , healthier, gluten free favorite versions out of our old favorites!
Homemade Chipotles in Adobo
Gluten free, vegan, soy free, nut free
12 chipotle peppers (smoked, dried jalapenos)
1/2 large onion, chopped, about 1 cup
10 whole garlic cloves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 (15-ounce) can organic tomato sauce
1 (4-ounce) canned mild green chiles (either chopped or whole will work)
2 teaspoons ground cumin (toasting whole seeds and grinding them in a spice grinder will provide best flavor)
30 ounces water (that’s 2 tomato sauce cans full), plus extra for soaking the chipotle peppers
Soak the peppers:
Place chipotle peppers in a glass bowl. Pour boiling water over to cover peppers. Soak for 30 minutes to soften. Drain; discard soaking water.
Prep the peppers:
After soaking, pull off the pepper stems and tear them with your fingers or use kitchen shears to open the peppers to remove the seeds. You may use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, or hold each pepper under gently running water over a colander in the sink and rinse the seeds away. Discard the seeds. (I prefer the “hold under running water method”, which I show you in the how-to video.)
Note: You may want to wear gloves to do this, especially if you are very sensitive to capsaicin, the chemical in peppers that gives them their heat and pungency. Capsaicin can burn skin, eyes, etc. Also be sure you’re in a well-ventilated work space. Be extra-extra careful when preparing this recipe every step of the way.
Let’s cook!
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add all ingredients, including the prepared chipotle peppers. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Let’s blend!
Blend with an immersion blender or in batches in your food processor or blender until the mixture is smooth.
Store it...
in glass jars with tight-fitting lids in refrigerator.
Use it...
anywhere you like: In Mexican dishes, to add a little sass to your salsa, or to spice up barbeque (or other) sauce.
See me spice things up making my Homemade Chipotles in Adobo!
Join me in the kitchen and try more of my gluten free recipes to see how tasty living gluten free can be!
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Questions?
Click here to check out my FAQs and you might just find your answer!
If not, email me: mailbox (at) glutenfreegigi (dot) com.
I’m always happy to hear from you, but need to ask for your understanding and patience when it comes to responding. I receive lots of email these days, which I love, but it does make it more challenging to respond to each one. I am trying to answer as many of your questions as possible in my How-To videos so everyone can benefit. Keep watching for YOUR question!
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You can also check out my boards on Pinterest and find out what I’m posting on Google+!
These are places I like to go have fun and share what’s going on in the Gluten Free Test Kitchen and in my home kitchen, too!
I love following you, too! Make sure you let me know you’re out there!
Share it in the “comments” section below!
Questions?
Click here to check out my FAQs and you might just find your answer!
If not, email me: mailbox (at) glutenfreegigi (dot) com.
I’m always happy to hear from you, but need to ask for your understanding and patience when it comes to responding. I receive lots of email these days, which I love, but it does make it more challenging to respond to each one. I am trying to answer as many of your questions as possible in my How-To videos so everyone can benefit. Keep watching for YOUR question!
Follow Along...
on Twitter and "Like" my Facebook page!
You can also check out my boards on Pinterest and find out what I’m posting on Google+!
These are places I like to go have fun and share what’s going on in the Gluten Free Test Kitchen and in my home kitchen, too!
I love following you, too! Make sure you let me know you’re out there!
~g~
Thank you for taking time to visit!
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to make healthy gluten free living accessible for as many people as possible, while keeping it simple, affordable, and fun! Sharing my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence is my passion!
Visit here often for my most recent gluten free recipes and useful, practical wellness information each Tuesday and Thursday.
I'm glad we're sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
(You can learn more about me here.)
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to make healthy gluten free living accessible for as many people as possible, while keeping it simple, affordable, and fun! Sharing my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence is my passion!
Visit here often for my most recent gluten free recipes and useful, practical wellness information each Tuesday and Thursday.
I'm glad we're sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
(You can learn more about me here.)
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