Grain Free Substitutes for Rice Vinegar

 Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice. So, if you are avoiding grains you will be avoiding rice vinegar. Now some people can handle a little bit here and there but others want to avoid it 100%, If you are like me, I prefer to buy as few groceries as possible and get the most use out of each one. For that reason I like to find the most versatile food products that I can use in the most dishes. Vinegar is one of those and my number one choice I find can replace most all other vinegars is Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar and so, for the most part, that is the only one I keep on hand. Any recipe that calls for vinegar of any kind I use Apple Cider Vinegar. There are only a few very specific recipes that may call for a very specific taste, say, maybe it needs a balsamic vinegar or something like that. Here are some great alternatives to Rice Vinegar:

Apple Cider Vinegar

Champagne Vinegar: a much more delicate light taste than apple cider vinegar

White Wine vinegar: some say when they use white wine vinegar in place of rice vinegar they add a scant amount of sugar as it is not as sweet tasting.

You could also use lemon juice or lime juice in place of vinegar, and vice versa. I avoid citrus for the most part and so I have used vinegar in place of lemon juice on occasion.

Vinegar, like lemon and lime juice is a healthy food. Remember to avoid Malt Vinegar as it is a gluten. 

"Clean" White 'CheeZy' Sauce

 

"CheeZy" White Sauce

• four tablespoons dairy free butter
• four cloves of garlic, smashed and minced
• two tablespoons tapioca starch
• two cups unsweetened almond milk
• 8 ounces dairy free cream cheese. I like Kite Hill brand and it is available in my local stores.
• two tablespoons Nutritional Yeast or Cashew Grated Cheeze like Nooch It.
• two tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper

In a skillet melt the butter, add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle in tapioca starch, stir around and quickly whisk in the milk continuing to stir until a thin sauce consistency. Remove from heat and add seasonings to taste. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. This should finish thickening to the right consistency for a sauce. Add nutritional yeast or Grated Cheeze and parsley. 

This sauce can be used for alfredo sauce, chicken enchiladas (add pickle relish and black pepper and use cilantro instead of parsley)

Make this sauce a bit thicker and use in place of melted cheese in things like stuffed mushrooms.