delightful country cookin': this week's craving: special diets!

First things first...have you entered to win Gooseberry Patch's 101 Hearty Recipes? Giveaway goes until Friday!

This Week's Cravings is devoted to those who have to follow a special diet. Whether it's gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, egg-free, etc., following a special diet is HARD! I know...I had to do it for several years.

I think the roughest thing about being on a special diet was losing the freedom to socialize with friends because my needs wouldn't be met at their dinner table. I couldn't just go out to eat with them because often the restaurant wouldn't have any choices for me. I ended up either cancelling social engagements or (more awkward) bringing my own food with me wherever I went.

If you have a friend on a special diet, show them some love in the next few weeks by attempting to make a dish that they can enjoy with you! It's often not as difficult as you might think. :)

A great gluten-free option might be enchiladas made with corn tortillas and homemade sauce. These spinach mushroom enchiladas are some of my favorites.

Also, if you are going wheat or gluten-free, you can't go wrong with just a plain old meat and potatoes kind of meal. My husband created these saucy steak strips and twice-baked potatoes for me to enjoy while I was eating wheat-free. They were delicious!

A hearty gluten-free and non-dairy option is this meat 'n' potatoes skillet meal. It's a favorite at our home when we are looking for something easy, filling, healthy, and delicious.

These are just a few suggestions - the possibilities are endless! If you are new to dairy-free cooking, I suggest a website called Go Dairy Free. It can help you figure out how to substitute dairy-free products for dairy products in your favorite recipes. For those looking to cook gluten-free, resources are even more abundant. Here's a gluten-free cheat sheet to get you started.

I'm curious - are you following a special diet or do you know someone who is? What has been your biggest challenge when it comes to cooking for that diet?