Delicious Guilt Free Gluten Free Vegan Cornbread

 

There's nothing finer than munching on freshly baked homemade cornbread. Guess what? Eating it can be free of guilt and gluten. Look below to discover how easy it is to prepare and serve this treat, one with good taste, yet without refined sugar, dairy, or gluten.

 

 

Cornbread is versatile, and goes great with a piping hot bowl of Black Bean Soup. It also is the perfect side with Vegetarian Chili or other whole food plant-based stews.

 

Perhaps you prefer cornbread as a snack, when you’re craving comfort without the bloat of wheat-based bread. My recipe is simple to make and doesn't have cholesterol. An added advantage is that baking bread at home saves  bucks. 

 Nan's Exceptionally Delicious & Easy Cornbread

Prep time is approximately 15 minutes and cook time is 30 (cook time varies, and depends on your stove accuracy and elevation).

Fun to Bake

Festive

Fresh

Fabulous

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
4 Tablespoons warm water
1 cup ground cornmeal (if you like very flaky cornmeal use coarsely ground, for more cake-like batter use finely ground cornmeal)
1 cup gluten free flour of your choosing (I like fava or chickpea flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups almond milk or other nut milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce (healthy substitution for oil, and a product to make cake moist)

Optional ingredients for a sweet tasting cornbread: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and coriander. For Southwestern style: add chopped roasted poblano and /or a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes, and one half cup of thawed frozen corn or corn off a fresh ear of corn.

Note: I use organic ingredients when available, because organic means nutrient content is higher and product is not genetically modified, not sprayed with chemicals, and is not grown in soil that contains chemical fertilizers.

What to Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Start by selecting a loaf pan (1.5 qt.-2 qt. size), or round cast iron baker's skillet and spray it with cooking spray or use a drop of olive oil on a paper towel to coat bottom and sides of pan.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together ground flax meal and water and set aside for 15 minutes. This combo acts as your binding agent. 

4. While that's setting, get a large bowl, and place corn meal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into it. Whisk ingredients together.

5. Then, get the bowl with the flax seed mixture and add milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, and any optional spices you want to add to it. Whisk to combine.

6. Pour milk mixture into flour and fold until there are no dry spots and batter is slightly lumpy.

7. Pour batter into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. For Southwestern style savory cornbread mix in a teaspoon of any form of chopped chili pepper or chili flakes you enjoy, a cup of sweet red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup of corn kernels. Pour all ingredients into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. If you're not eating the cornbread right then, let it cool to room temperature, and place bread in an airtight container and refrigerate. To serve as a dessert or sweet snack, eat a delectable slice of cornbread with berries or fruit spread. Serves about 3 or 4 people. 

Wishing you a hearty appetite and mouthfuls of good flavor. Serve this scrumptious cornbread for a family dinner, solo meal, snack food, or even for Thanksgiving. Just don’t forget to give thanks for this bounty. Cornbread stays fresh for 1 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer. 

What type of cornbread do you enjoy? Sweet or savory? Please share in the comments section below.

I must admit I like them both. I like savory with soups, casseroles, stews, and chili. Sweet is neat as a snack and dessert. 

Please comment below.  If you try this recipe, please let me know how it worked for you.

I appreciate every comment, but will not be able to share those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

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Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salads

Photo and Recipe f rom Nancy Andres

 

An easy to assemble tomato cucumber salad is a refreshing dish that combines fresh tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, and is often enhanced with onion and garlic, fresh herbs, and a light dressing. It's perfect for simple, relaxing summer meals and can be prepared quickly without any cooking.

I savor this type of salad in late summer, because it’s refreshing, colorful, and takes full advantage of Mother Nature’s Bounty, by featuring veggies when they are at their peak.

Discover Ingredient Star

 Players Below

Tomatoes:

Photo and Recipe from Nancy Andres

Tomatoes are juicy and sweet when ripe, and usually bright red, but can be yellow, purple, orange, deep crimson, or even black.

Tomatoes are low calorie, a good source of several essential nutrients including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, a plant-based antioxidant linked to improved heart health, cancer prevention, and protection against sunburns. Read Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits for details.

 

Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are a form of green vegetable that grows on a vine, and technically classified as fruit from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins. There are many varieties of cukes from Kirby, to garden, to English. Cucumbers are native to India, and have a slight melon-like taste or slightly bitter one. Use whatever variety is freshest for the recipes below.

A ½ cup serving of cucumber (raw and sliced or chopped) is about 19 calories. Cucumbers contain small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A and are about 95% water. For more see Cucumber Health Benefits, from the WebMD website.

Onions, Scallions,  Garlic, and Shallots:

Add a chopped red or sweet yellow onion or scallions, and garlic or shallots. One or more of these veggies add a lively dimension to any salad. Pick your favorite in-season organic produce to add to your late summer salad, both for good flavor and eye appeal. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.

Fresh Herbs:

Fresh Herbs including basil, parsley, dill, and even cilantro are summertime herb  favorites,  as each adds a refreshing note to most any salad. Pick one or add all of those you enjoy.

Vinegar and/or Lemon Juice:

Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, or White Vinegar are used as a salad dressing base. I find lemon juice more palatable. Vinegar has a sharp, more potent acidity, while lemon juice provides a fresh, citrusy tang. Lemon juice is often used in lighter dishes and dressings, whereas vinegar is commonly used for pickling and sauces. 

Keep on Scrolling to See a

Collection of Tempting Tomato

Cucumber Salads

Each one is Different from the

Others, yet all are Winners!

  

First up is Jessica, an award-winning photographer, videographer, and home chef! She's a wife, a new mom, and excited to meet you. There are over 1000 recipes at her website, Jessica in the Kitchen, so there’s plenty for you to choose from. 

Here's her recipe for "Cucumber and Tomato Salad." It incorporates vegan feta cheese in the salad, giving the recipe a Grecian flair.

Photo and Recipe from Jessica Hylton

Next to share is talented food blogger Judee Algazi, with her rendition of "Lemony Israeli Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers." 

Look for more of Judee's posts at Gluten Free A-Z Blog, where her vegan lifestyle puts the focus on nutrition, wellness, and personal development. 

Photo and Recipe from Judee Algazi

 

Last but not least is yours truly, Nancy Andres, creator and wellness blogger at Colors 4 Health, the place where colors and a healthy lifestyle intersect.

 

 🍅Delicious & Easy Tomato

 Cucumber Salad🥒

Photo and Recipe from Nancy Andres

 

My recipe for Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad is colorful, easy to assemble, and features in-season organic produce. I selected each fruit, vegetable, legume, or bean for its good taste, eye-appeal, and health promoting benefits. Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad can be served as a side dish or a light main course.

Ingredients:

Note: If one type of tomato, cucumber, or onion isn't available or not at its peak of freshness, choose another

2 large organic beefsteak tomatoes

1 organic English cucumber, washed and sliced thin

1 small organic zucchini, washed and sliced thin

1 large organic yellow sweet pepper, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces

4 scallions, cleaned and sliced thin (both white and green parts) and a handful of red onion sliced thin

3 cloves fresh organic garlic, peeled and minced

2 cups fresh organic parsley, washed and chopped well

1 cup fresh organic dill, washed and chopped well

1 15 oz. can organic white beans that are rinsed and drained (I used great northern beans, but feel free to use any type of white bean you like. If necessary, substitute a 15 oz. can of lentils that have been rinsed and drained)

 

Oil Free Dressing:

1 cup lemon juice

1 or 2 T Maple Syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1T Italian Seasoning Blend

 

 

 What to Do:

1. Gather and prep all ingredients as outlined above. Put them in an air tight glass container with cover and refrigerate for use within that day.

2. Get a salad dressing bottle that has a cover (a glass jar with cover will serve just as well) and pour all salad dressing ingredients into it. Cover and refrigerate dressing until ten minutes before mealtime. Then, take out the dressing bottle and let it sit on kitchen counter.

3. Take all prepped veggies out of refrigerator about 10 minutes before you're ready to serve the salad. Place prepped veggies into a medium-sized salad bowl. Get tomatoes and wash and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Add tomatoes to other veggies. Shake dressing in the covered bottle, until well blended. Then pour and fold dressing into salad.

4. Serve portions of salad in individual salad bowls or salad plates, or on a dinner-sized plate either alongside soup, a sandwich, veggy burger, or crusty whole grain bread. Recipe serves approx. 4-6 people.

Photo and Recipe Nancy Andres

Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad is full of brightly colored veggies, protein-rich beans or legumes, and light, lemony dressing. You'll want to make it often for no-fuss lunches, picnics, potlucks, and more! 💖

Photo and Recipe Nancy Andres

Thanks for checking out this post. Before you go, please comment below and then reach out to my fellow bloggers to comment on their contributions too. We love to hear from you, so thanks in advance.

Have you ever eaten a salad that didn't contain lettuce? Did you enjoy it? What veggies are your go-to ones, and do you eat salad every day? Please share. 

I welcome and appreciate all comments, but cannot publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding. 

Please visit again. You'll find easy-to-prepare whole food plant-based recipes, food facts and cookbook reviews, color energy information, and sustainable lifestyle ideas.  

 

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Yummy Zucchini Recipes, Serving Ideas, and Food Tips

whole zucchini, slices, leaf, stalk, and blossom

 

Zucchini/courgette is a mild tasting summer squash. It’s botanically a fruit, but treated as a vegetable in the culinary world. It is harvested when the seeds and skin (epicarp) are still soft and edible.

Post updated 7/20/2026

Zucchini seeds contain many types of phytonutrients that help fight inflammation and oxidative stress. The edible top (or crown) of a zucchini can be used in cooking. It is flavorful and versatile, offering a way to minimize food waste and enjoy a unique part of the vegetable. 

Discover 12 nutrition benefits of zucchini here.

Then  read tips about how to choose and prep 

zucchini.

Tip 1: Much of zucchini’s antioxidant content is found within zucchini’s skin, so it’s a good idea not to peel your squash. Scrape the skin instead. Please see the section about zucchini in the post "Three Green Summer Veggie Superstars," to learn more about zucchini. 

Tip 2: Select zucchini that has bright green firm skin and moist light yellow flesh. Those are the ones that have a mild taste and are rich in fiber and nutrients.

Without further ado, look below for recipes and serving ideas that feature ZUCCHINI! 

"Awesome Vegan Zucchini Lasagna" is an original recipe from me, Nancy Andres. Although the lasagna is low-carb and gluten free, it's colorful, hearty, and delicious. 

Here's how to slice zucchini for the recipe...

This is zucchini lasagna, when it's ready to be put into the oven.

vegan zucchini lasagna is high protein as well as flavor

Another great way to serve zucchini is by slicing (shaving) raw zucchini into a salad for good health and crunch.

dish of red-skinned potato salad with zucchini, scallions, parsley, and seasoning

Add zucchini to ratatouille, a dish that combines zucchini with eggplant, tomatoes, and other summer veggies. 

For a simple yet flavorful taste treat, munch on lightly steamed zucchini that has a splash of balsamic vinegar or drizzle of olive oil on top.

Assemble slices of a medium zucchini, 1 small can (14.5-15.5 oz.) of drained and rinsed great northern or other white bean, a small can of tomato sauce or 4 roma tomatoes chopped well, chopped onion, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 2 cups greens (I used baby kale-other options include spinach, chard, mixed greens, or collards) and combine for a simple sauté.

1 medium zucchini sliced, 1 small can great northern beans, 1 small can tomato sauce, 2 cups baby kale, seasoning, and parsley garnish for this simple zucchini sauté

 

Cadry at Cadry's Kitchen graciously contributed her recipe for squash blossoms. Here's a link to this mouth-watering recipe, "FriedSquash Blossoms with Cashew Cheese (vegan)."

 

Squash Blossom Recipe and Photo from Cadry Nelson from Cadry's Kitchen

These stuffed squash blossoms are fried envelopes of warm cashew cheese. What’s not to love?

💟

Do you enjoy eating zucchini and which ways do you like to prepare and serve it?

Please comment below.

I love to learn new things from my readers and respond to questions. I appreciate every comment and welcome feedback.

Please do not put links in comments, as they 

will not be published that way. 

If you like what you see, why not comment and share on social media with a link back to this post?

Yahoo. This post is a feature at Senior Salon Pit Stop #423. Thanks so much Melynda for choosing it. I'm thrilled and honored.

Delighted to be the featured blogger at the Aug 22, 2025 edition of Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot. Thanks a million Melynda for selecting me and my blog Colors 4 Health. I'm so excited and honored. 

Here's the Link

Please say hello by commenting. Let me know if there are any of my plant-based foods or recipes you liked reading about or want me to post in the future. 

Are you curious about ways to promote a healthier lifestyle? Use the search bar to see articles that illustrate which colors are healing, calming, stimulating, and joy inducing.

If you can't find one, I'll do my best to answer questions, hear your feedback, and fill your requests! My email is nancyandreswriter@gmail.com.

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