This would be a good time to share some family recipes inspired by our family reunion, but it will take me awhile to come up with something because so far my cousins have not served up anything worth sharing.

Tonight someone's fiance from Laredo, Texas, down there on the border, is going to supervise the preparation of an authentic Mexican dinner. Something about marinated chicken, and he has assured all the gluten frees and dairy frees and picky eaters that there will be something they will be able to eat.

It's probably a good thing he came to a family reunion before the wedding so he can get a better idea of what kind of family he is marrying into. My family was bad enough, but if Mr. Kitchentales had met my cousins before we got married, I don't think we would have tied the knot. Needless to say, he did not accompany me to this event.

Here's a half-hearted recipe that can be gluten free, in honor of my cousins:

Healthy Steak Chow Mein Slow Cooker

This is one of the best slow cooker recipes around because it combines crunchy vegetables with tender beef. This healthy easy recipe for a slow cooker makes for an ideal healthy meal.

4 ounces can mushrooms (or use fresh)
1 1/2 pounds lean round steak, cubed
4 stalks celery
2 medium onions
1 cup hot water with 3 low sodium bouillon cubes
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 pound can Chinese vegetables (or figure out something fresh)
2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water

Combine mushrooms, steak, celery, onions, bouillon water, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vegetables and cornstarch water in a slow cooker.

Cook eight to 10 hours in slow cooker on low.

One hour before serving, drain, rinse, and add Chinese vegetables and cornstarch and water.

Notes
If you follow a gluten-free diet, double-check that the bouillon cubes and soy sauce you use are gluten-free.

This is from the Fave Diets - Free Healthy Recipes website.