Enjoying a gluten-free lifestyle is comprised of many psychological, social, and practical elements, not the least of which is food!Being able to eat without worrying about getting "glutenated" (contaminated with gluten) starts with knowing what you can and can’t eat, beginning with the most basic ingredients.

Cooking and preparing gluten-free dishes and meals doesn’t have to be burdensome. In fact, doing so can be a fun adventure. Your goal is to make and create dishes that are tasty and yummy, while also ensuring that you or your family members who can’t eat gluten can enjoy delicious food. The following are some important tips to help you as you cook gluten-free.

There are a lot of good reasons to choose to eat gluten-free, and doing so isn’t as daunting as many people think. If you think you have celiac disease, you need to get tested before you take on a gluten-free diet, and if you decide that such a lifestyle is for you, know that with small changes often a whole new level of well-being arises.

This cold crab dip is quick and easy to prepare. Get out those gluten-free crackers and dive into this crabmeat dip at your next party! Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus 2 hours chilling Yield: 2 cups 4.5-ounce can crabmeat 1 hard-boiled egg 1 green onion 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon dried dill 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Drain the crabmeat and then flake it in a medium bowl.

Try this recipe for gluten-free perfect pancakes for your next weekend breakfast or brunch. You can throw a handful of fresh blueberries or mini chocolate chips into the batter while mixing to sweeten your cakes. Or add the mix-ins to individual pancakes in the pan, and you can make multiple variations from a single batch.

Salmon with mustard dill sauce is packed with flavor. The recipe for this gluten-free dish is easy. If possible, use wild salmon which has a deep, natural color and a much richer taste than farm-raised salmon.Preparation time: 5 minutesCooking time: 15 minutesYield: Four servingsIngredients: 1 teaspoon plus 3 tablespoons olive oil Four 5-ounce wild salmon fillets 1 garlic clove 1 lemon 2 green onions 1/2 teaspoon dried dill 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons slivered almonds 1 teaspoon brown mustard 1/4 teaspoon pepper Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Double, triple, or quadruple this gluten-free recipe when you host a birthday party for your children’s friends or whenever you have your friends over to watch a game. Spoon several heaping spoonfuls of hamburger mix on top of a toasted gluten-free bun. Now close your eyes and savor the spicy harmony of flavors.

You may have to try several times to get your gluten-free baked loaves to come out right, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t picture perfect. Use these troubleshooting tips to solve potential problems: Underdone bread: If your baked loaf of bread isn’t fully cooked inside, the easiest remedy is to bake the dough in two smaller pans next time.