Gluten Free Cooking Doesn't mean Taste-Free

Nourishing from the Inside Out

A DJ Perry Tallow Perspective on Real, Wholesome Cooking and Meal Planning

With the rise in food allergies due to the mix of toxic chemicals and GMOs in our meals, more people are experiencing food sensitivities, with gluten taking the lead in allergies. Avoiding gluten doesn't mean your taste buds have to miss out on flavor. However, finding the ideal gluten-free baking mix can be as challenging as finding a kitten in a haystack! In my journey to eliminate inflammation and acne flare-ups, I realized that my diet has a greater impact on these issues than environmental factors. If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, stomach issues, bloating, IBS, or acne-prone skin, try eliminating gluten from your diet to see if it makes a difference.

At DJ Perry Tallow, we’re all about returning to the basics—natural ingredients, time-honored remedies, and honoring what truly supports our bodies, inside and out. My motto is, "If God didn't make it, it ain't going in me or on me anymore!". So, when it comes to food, we apply the same philosophy. For many of our customers and community members, that means exploring the world of gluten-free cooking—not just as a dietary restriction, but as a way to nourish better, feel better, and live more in tune with what your body needs. And guess what? Going gluten-free doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or comfort. In fact, once you discover the right mixes and products that work for you, gluten-free cooking becomes a delicious, exciting journey.

Blueberry pancakes made with Pamela's gluten free pancake mix.

Healing Starts in the Kitchen

Much like how we created DJ Perry Tallow to bring balance and healing to the skin, gluten-free cooking can do the same for the gut, energy levels, and even inflammation. Whether you are gluten-intolerant, have Celiac disease, or simply feel better when you avoid gluten, cooking at home gives you full control—and that’s powerful. But here’s the key: you have to find the right tools and ingredients to make gluten-free food truly enjoyable. That’s where the magic happens.

Find What Works for You

The first few experiments in gluten-free baking or cooking might feel… disappointing. Dry muffins, dense loaves, gritty textures—it’s a learning curve. But once you start discovering the right flour blends and product brands, your meals will transform. I believe in finding what works for your body—because no two people are the same. Gluten-free cooking is the same way.

Try these ratios for baking gluten-free or to substitute wheat flour in your recipes:

• A good 1-to-1 baking flour with built-in xanthan gum for cookies, muffins, and pancakes. You can buy really good, premixed baking flours. **Kodiak (made from oat flour) is my favorite, but Pamela's, Krusteaz and Bob's Red Mill have great choices for muffins, bread and pancake mixes that rise well and taste delicious.

• Almond, cassava, or coconut flour for nutrient-dense treats. **Siete brand incorporates these into their products. I substitute almond flour when making gravies or to thicken soups. Potato starch works well if you're sensitive to cornstarch also.

• Chickpea (aka garbanzo bean flour) or lentil pasta for a satisfying, protein-packed meal. **Zeng pasta is made from yellow peas and doesn't get mushy and fall apart when cooked. It's the best gluten free pasta I've found.

  
  

  

  Gluten free Kodiak and Krusteaz mix works well for muffins.

  Here are some other gluten-free flours you can use in your everyday cooking. These flours are great alternatives for those avoiding gluten and can be used in various recipes:

  • Rice flour: Available in both white and brown varieties.

  • Sorghum flour: A nutritious option that adds a mild flavor.

  • Buckwheat flour: Despite its name, it is gluten-free and rich in nutrients.

  • Tapioca flour: Often used as a thickener in recipes.

  • Oat flour: Made from ground oats, ensure its labeled gluten-free.

    
    

I'm a huge fan of cooking with ingredients that do more—just like how beef tallow supports skin health, the right gluten-free foods support gut health, brain clarity, and sustained energy.

Whole-Body Wellness Tastes Good

One of the most enjoyable aspects of gluten-free cooking is finding new favorite dishes that are just as satisfying as they are delicious. Have you ever tasted coconut flour banana bread? Or almond flour tortillas (Siete makes some wonderful ones) paired with grass-fed beef and avocado? These meals not only satisfy your hunger but also energize you. Alternatively, you can stick with traditional meat and potatoes cooking. You can never go wrong with a superb steak!

Hamburger steak with mashed potatoes topped with French onion and mushroom gravy!! Chef's kiss x 10!!

For those who pay attention to labels and make mindful purchasing decisions: don't overlook the fantastic pre-made gluten-free brands available. Numerous small, family-run, or health-oriented companies are excelling in creating bread, cookies, and crackers that compete with any traditional variety. Most grocery stores offer a gluten-free aisle or freezer section with a wide selection of wheat- and corn-free treats.

**NOTE: We have not been paid for these endorsements, but thru trial and error have found that these manufacturers have GF options that are top notch delicious and gluten free:

• for baking: Red Mill flours are pretty perfectly balanced, and you use them like regular flour.

• for muffins/pancakes/waffles: Kodiak, Pamela's & Krusteaz are all consistent and taste great,

• for pasta: Zeng pasta products are my go-to

• and for snacks, and other Mexican cuisine products - Siete Foods, hands down.

Final Thoughts from Deb's Kitchen

As with our skincare products, the most nourishing things often come from nature—and sometimes from necessity. Gluten-free cooking can feel overwhelming at first but stick with it. Try, taste, and trust yourself to find the right fit. Before long, you’ll have your own go-to meals, favorite flours, and comfort recipes that bring warmth to your kitchen and healing to your body.

Because when we nourish ourselves well from the inside out, it shows—in our skin, in our energy, and in the way we show up in the world.

From my kitchen to yours,

Deb Perry

Founder, DJ Perry Tallow