Today on the blog I’m delighted to share a guest post from my friend Mollie, Gluten-Free Mollie D.
About This Guest Post
Mollie’s site, Gluten Free Mollie D, is a go-to for simple, nutritious, and delicious meal ideas. Over the past four years, Mollie and her husband Seth have documented every dinner they’ve cooked, sharing practical and approachable recipes that are especially helpful for those following a gluten-free lifestyle.
Her work highlights wholesome ingredients, bright flavors, and naturally gluten-free options. The photos of their meals are irresistible and full of inspiration for home cooks.
Mollie and I connected on Instagram last spring after I found her while searching local Boston hashtags for people with celiac disease. I loved her recipes and was surprised to learn we both live on Boston’s North Shore. Her storytelling, enthusiasm for food, and upbeat approach to gluten-free cooking made our friendship easy and fun. We even carpooled to a gluten-free Friendsgiving last fall — lots of laughs and great food!
I asked Mollie to share her celiac diagnosis story, how she plans their nightly meals for Gluten-Free Mollie D, and her favorite kitchen tips. If you’re reading this on an empty stomach, prepare to get hungry.
Thank you, Mollie, for sharing your passion for gluten-free food and your cooking journey with us.
Guest Post With Gluten-Free Mollie D
- About This Guest Post
- About Mollie and Seth
- Q&A with Mollie
- When did your love of cooking begin?
- When were you diagnosed with celiac disease, and how did it change your relationship with food (if at all)?
- Where do you find your recipes? Do you prefer cookbooks or websites?
- Are your recipes easy to make gluten-free?
- Do you have any go-to gluten-free brands or products you recommend?
- You’re craving comfort food. What’s on the menu?
- You’re craving something healthy and light. What’s on the menu?
- You’re craving something sweet. What’s on the menu?
- What is one meal that you always end up making, because it’s simple and easy?
- Do you find yourself gravitating toward a particular style or cuisine when cooking at home?
- What do you prefer – cooking or baking? And why?
- Jen says your cookies are absolutely scrumptious. Do you have any tips for making really delicious gluten-free cookies?
- How did you start your blog, and what can people find on there?
- What’s the best way to see what you are cooking?
About Mollie and Seth
I’m Mollie Drury, creator of Gluten-Free Mollie D, a website dedicated to gluten-free cooking and baking made in our apartment kitchen with my husband, Seth. Food is central to my life — cooking, photographing, and sharing meals brings me joy.
Outside the kitchen I enjoy time with family and friends, exploring restaurants, and visiting favorite spots like southern Maine and New York City. I also love hunting for a great pair of jeans and comfortable, stylish shoes.
Q&A with Mollie
When did your love of cooking begin?
My love of cooking started very young — I used to “cook” with sand at the beach and serve imaginary meals to my family. I also developed an early interest in photographing food, especially during holidays. That curiosity evolved into real cooking and baking skills over time. I enjoy creating meal plans, designing dishes, researching ingredients, and photographing our meals. Seth, by the way, is our household chef and brings many recipes to life.
When were you diagnosed with celiac disease, and how did it change your relationship with food (if at all)?
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in January 2013 after a bout of vertigo led to blood tests. The doctor told me to stop eating gluten right away. I adjusted quickly and felt much better, so eliminating gluten became my new normal. The diagnosis ultimately improved my relationship with food — it pushed me to explore new options and become more invested in cooking. My website, Gluten-Free Mollie D, launched in May 2017 to show how manageable and enjoyable life can be after a celiac diagnosis.
Where do you find your recipes? Do you prefer cookbooks or websites?
I love cookbooks and spent years relying on them for dinner planning, but I also use online resources now. On the blog I document every dinner we’ve made over the last four years and note the source: cookbook, website, or original recipe. Recently I’ve been using the New York Times Cooking app for meal planning. Both cookbooks and websites are valuable sources of inspiration.
Are your recipes easy to make gluten-free?
Yes. I don’t seek out gluten-free recipes specifically; I look for delicious dishes and adapt them as needed. Many recipes are naturally gluten-free or require only minor substitutions. My goal is to show that great gluten-free food is simply great food.
Do you have any go-to gluten-free brands or products you recommend?
We mostly cook and bake from scratch, but for pantry staples I rely on a few brands: Jovial Foods brown rice pasta, Aleia’s gluten-free breadcrumbs and panko, and Cup4Cup gluten-free flour for baking. On my site I keep a Mollie’s Market section that highlights pantry favorites we use regularly.
You’re craving comfort food. What’s on the menu?
Comfort food for me ranges widely: crispy panko-crusted chicken, homemade meatballs, cheesy gluten-free pasta with greens, tacos, homemade pizza, stir-fries loaded with vegetables, and a classic salted chocolate chip cookie. I’m always changing my mind, which keeps dinner exciting.
You’re craving something healthy and light. What’s on the menu?
Salads are our go-to for lighter meals. We prioritize salads that include protein so they’re satisfying — think baked crispy chicken over spinach or arugula with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a flavorful homemade dressing like spicy peanut. If we want a vegetarian option, crispy chickpeas are a great substitute for meat.
You’re craving something sweet. What’s on the menu?
I prefer desserts that balance sweet and salty. My favorite is a chocolate chip cookie sprinkled with sea salt or an indulgent hot fudge sundae. I tend to avoid overly sweet desserts and enjoy treats with contrast.
What is one meal that you always end up making, because it’s simple and easy?
We often default to “protein and vegetable” — for example, chicken with a salad, roasted vegetables, or a stir-fry. Chicken is versatile and quick, so it frequently appears on our dinner table. I’d also happily eat meatballs almost every night.
Do you find yourself gravitating toward a particular style or cuisine when cooking at home?
We enjoy mixing cuisines throughout the week. Italian, Asian, and Mexican flavors come up often, but it varies with cravings and ingredient availability. Lately, more on-the-fly cooking has forced creativity and improvisation, which I’ve found energizing.
What do you prefer – cooking or baking? And why?
I prefer baking because it’s precise and rewarding. I enjoy following recipes closely and seeing a finished product that matches the photo. For all my baking I use gluten-free flour (Cup4Cup) and often adapt non-gluten-free recipes to be gluten-free successfully.
Jen says your cookies are absolutely scrumptious. Do you have any tips for making really delicious gluten-free cookies?
Use high-quality ingredients: unsalted butter, good chocolate (60% cacao or higher), and measure precisely. Start with the lower end of the recommended baking time — cookies continue to set after you remove them from the oven while cooling on the baking sheet. Even when gluten-free cookies may need a bit more time, it’s safer to start short and add time if necessary.
How did you start your blog, and what can people find on there?
Gluten-Free Mollie D began in May 2017 after sharing food on Instagram for a few years. The website catalogs our home-cooked gluten-free dinners, features a baking section, restaurant guides, a Mollie’s Market pantry picks page, and a weekly roundup called Flavor Buffet. It’s meant to show how varied and enjoyable gluten-free cooking and baking can be at home. Restaurant guides are based on places I’ve visited repeatedly and found safe for those with celiac disease, but always alert staff about dietary needs when dining out.
What’s the best way to see what you are cooking?
Visit Gluten-Free Mollie D to view everything we’re cooking. You can also follow along on Instagram for nightly dinners and Facebook for new blog updates.
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Thanks again, Mollie, for the savory and sweet gluten-free inspiration. Time to make some crispy chicken or bake a batch of salted chocolate chip cookies…