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^[2]It is definitely feeling like spring around here. This month has been a mix of hot days, cool days, rainy days, and then warm days again. My plants are loving it! The kids and I have scattered flower seeds that have begun sprouting. And the mint…well, mint comes back strong every spring, and this is no different. The kids are already anxious to cut off some mint leaves to put into our tea and lemonade. My husband has even started making refreshing mojitos.

This week’s theme for the Gluten-Free Menu Swap is Mint. I’m adding some fresh mint to my Berry Fruit Salad ^[3] this week, as well as making Cheryl’s Lemony Mint Quinoa ^[4]. I’m anxious to hear how others use mint in their recipes. Other than the fresh mint I’m getting out of my garden, my monther-in-law started me on a love affair with Andes mint chips. She made some gluten-free brownies that she topped with Andes Chocolate Mint Baking Chips ^[5] that she let melt on top of the brownies. They were so delicious that I went out and bought the chips myself to top ice cream, too. For more ideas of including mint in your meals, check out the roundup of gluten-free menus below.

Celiac Family’s Menu This Week:

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Chicken Tacos

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Berry Fruit Salad

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Red Potato/Green Bean Salad

Monday -  Traditional ground beef and bean chili for this chilly, rainy day. Serving with cornbread muffins ^[8].

Tuesday – Chicken Tacos ^[6] with avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, etc.

Wednesday - Soup and Sandwich night served with a fresh Berry Salad ^[3] with mint chiffonade ^[9]

Thursday – Grilled Steaks served with Red Potato and Green Bean Salad ^[7]

Friday - Broiled Tilapia served with Cheryl’s Lemony Mint Quinoa ^[4]

Saturday - Eating out ^[10] for my daughter’s birthday.

Sunday – Leftover Buffet

Gluten Free Menu Swap Roundup

Cheryl at Gluten Free Goodness ^[11] is joining us this week. She says she doesn’t have any mint in her garden, but will be using basil and other herbs from the mint family in her Beef Stew this week. Also on her menu this week ^[11] is a Pineapple, Chicken, and Broccoli dish and Salmon on Baby Greens with herbs.

Paige at Not Missing a Thing! ^[12] is starting her week with a couple recipes that she knows her family enjoys: Quinoa Indian Chicken ^[13] and Salad Dressing Chicken and Brown Rice. She is also trying some new recipes this week. Ground Beef Goulash, Crockpot Ginger Beef with Onions, and Slow Cooker Chinese Orange Chicken round out her family’s menu this week ^[12].

Angela at Angela’s Kitchen ^[14] puts fresh mint in her Ginger Pear Mint Iced Tea, but doesn’t have enough to harvest, yet. But no mint is needed for her flavorful menu this week ^[15]: Salsa Burgers, Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Chicken Bok Choy and Cashew Stir Fry, Ginger Sweet Potato Chicken Bake, and Enchilada Meatballs.

Wendy at Celiacs in the House ^[16] used mint in several dishes last week that she tried from Carol’s new cookbook Simply… Gluten-Free Quick Meals ^[17]. She used mint in recipes for Peas, Asian Ragu, and Mango Sticky Rice. This week, Wendy is trying Carol’s recipe for Chicken Adobo in the slow cooker and Bean and Veggie Chili. You’ll also find Shepherd’s Pie, Turkey Meatballs, Salmon Cakes, and more on Wendy’s menu this week ^[16].

Debbi at Debbi Does Dinner Healthy & Low Calorie ^[18] has a menu of gluten-free meals all with recipe links to a variety of different  sites. This week, she’s eating Egg Roll Stir Fry, Tuscan Chicken ^[19], Caramelized Carrot Risotto ^[20], Rice Casserole with Bacon and Spinach ^[21], Spaghetti Squash and more ^[18]!

Thanks for joining us this week for the menu swap. Join us next week at Angela’s Kitchen ^[22], where we’ll be sharing ideas for cooking our meals on the Grill (fire, barbecue, barbie, etc.).

Want to join Gluten-Free Menu Swap?

• For this week’s roundup, email your menu link to celiacfamily[AT]gmail[DOT]com. Or, simply put your menu link in the comments below.
• ^[23]Next week’s theme will be “Get Your Grill On” at Angela’s Kitchen ^[22].
• The Gluten-Free Menu Swap Page ^[24] has the current schedule of themes and hosts ^[25]. If you’d like to host a future week, please send me an email (celiacfamily[AT]gmail[DOT]com) with your preferred date and theme.

Need more menu ideas?

• Laura at OrgJunkie.com ^[26] hosts Menu Plan Monday every week. You’ll find links to hundreds of meal plans (not necessarily gluten-free) there.
• Or, check out some of my past menu plans ^[27].