One of the most difficult things about a dietary changeover is the idea of giving up those foods you love the most. 

“We all crave certain foods. At times, we want a meal or dessert that is quick and easy to fix and at other times, we want something that nourishes us,” says Susan O’Brien, a healthy eating coach and cooking instructor who has authored a series of books on gluten-free eating.

One of them,Gluten-Free Vegan Comfort Food (Da Capo Press), was written in response to O’Brien’s readers looking for ways to transform comfort foods into gluten-free vegan treats, such as the recipes for meatballs and pizza crust shown here.

Meatless Meatballs

1 tbsp olive oil

3/4-1 cup chopped raw walnuts

2/3 cup finely chopped onions

2 cups chopped and cleaned mushrooms

1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 clove)

1 tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp red wine

1/4 cup dried parsley flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp vegan Worcestershire*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. or tamarind sauce

1/4 cup finely crushed gluten-free cornflakes

1 tsp chia seeds whisked together with 2 tbsp warm water

1/2 cup mashed potatoes

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.Most brands contain anchovies.

Yields: 6 meatballs

Pumpkin Pizza Crust

1 tsp chia seeds

1 cup warm water, divided

1 tsp yeast

1 cup brown rice flour

1 cup sorghum flour

1/2 cup tapioca starch

1 tsp guar gum

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup cooked canned pumpkin

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/4 cup canola oil

Yields: one 9” to 10” pizza crust