[loisba]

I've got a major craving to eat Chinese. Let me say upfront that our local Chinese restaurant is a little Mom and Pop type place, and I don't think I will get very far in asking what is made gluten free, nor is there any kind of special gluten free list to order from. It is a buffet type, though there is a menu also, so I know there might be the possibility of cross contamination.
That said, generally speaking, what is the situation with Chinese food as far as gluten is concerned? Are there certain dishes that are always gluten free, or certain dishes that I should absolutely avoid? I know some types of soy sauce can have gluten in them. Any advice, please?

Hungry hugs,

[aklap]

Hi Lois,

Chinese places have huge cross contamination risks. Traditionally they don't not wash their woks - it destroys the seasoning. Since they more than likely use NGF soy sauce - it would be a issue. Do you have P.F. Changs in your area? They have dedicated GF woks and a GF menu.

www.pfchangs.com

[KimS]

Don't go.

Let us know what you're craving and we'll try to get some recipes for you to make at home.

Sorry, I know that's probably not what you wanted to here.

I've been making a chicken ball and rice dinner at home for years, because we couldn't find a restaurant that was 'safe enough'.

[Curious]

lois...stay clear of the buffett. even if a dish started out gf...it won't end up that way. you never know which tongs or spoons the patrons or employees have used. i have seen employees stirring food around from one dish to another with one spoon.

PF Changs...aklap...now you have ME craving chinese food.

[Jomar]

Yes- Man, this title is having me craving some good Chinese food too.
I usually try to copy a recipe/style and make it at home.
Beef N Broccoli
or
a general stir fry w/ frozen veggies mix , w/chicken, beef or just veggies
the bottled stir fry sauces are a help until you can figure out how to make the flavors yourself

but I don't know about the gluten factor of them - I just had to post because of the title!

[loisba]

OK, you've got me convinced! But give me some good recipes, please! Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, egg rolls, to start with!!!!
I know I can get the right kind of texture on the chicken pieces by dipping them in corn starch and frying. But I've never yet made a really good, authentic tasting sweet and sour sauce.
Hugs,

[KimS]

How about a plum sauce instead? That's what we use now and have become quite accustomed to it.

Fried rice is just boiled rice that is later fried... the nice thing about homemade is that you can add whatever you want to it. It depends what I have in the fridge (leftover). Sometimes I like chicken, sometimes I just want mushroom. Dh doesn't like bits of scramble egg in it and he does like celery... so we do that.

Depending on how you're doing, I would suggest limiting this meal to once a month as deep frying (or cooked oil) can cause issues. Limiting it to once a month will allow you to have your treat and also allow you to establish any 'side effects'.

We found that there were too many side effects to do it once a month even... So now we use this meal as a 'special day' menu choice... like Birthdays, Canada Day, etc. If you have 12 children, however, this type of 'food management' won't be so helpful.

[rachelb]

Hey Al, are you sure PF Changs has dedicated woks??

I've only eaten at one once and I got sick. We have a new one in town that DH is really wanting to go to and I've been dragging my heels. If they have dedicated woks I might try it.

Rach

[rachelb]

I was googling PF Changs to see if I could find something about the dedicated wok and found this: http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=ewK0LjP7E&b=34866 which says that they routinely reuse their wok oil so that you have to ask for fresh oil when ordering.

Maybe I'll give them a call today and ask about the wok.

Rachel

[KimS]

Rachel,

It could be that they use canola oil in their fryers. Maybe ask that too. (Al is leaving for Disney tomorrow so if you don't hear back from him, he's busy packing today. )

Sorry to hear about the faux pas.

How did your ds fare? Or did you dare not take him?