I may have. just discovered the BEST or the WORST thing ever.
Did you know peppermint bark is one of the easiest things to make? Why didn’t I ever know this? I thought the fact that you had to melt then cool…then melt…then crack and sprinkle toppings on, meant that I would be running around screaming What’s the next step?! before the chocolate hardened, like it was some type of rocket science.
Turns out I was totally wrong.
This recipe, given to me by Kathleen over at Celiac Baby, is one of the easiest things to make. It looks pretty fancy too, if I must say. I hope you like candy canes and chocolate, because it’s.about.to.go.down. (more…)
It is that time of year again! We have shining lights on all the streets, the fire light of Menorahs shimmering through windows and stars twinkling atop 6-foot tall trees. The winter holidays are by far my favorite despite the accompanied stress they tend to bring. Personally, I love when the whole family gets together for the holidays. We don’t have any of the often satirized family drama you see on TV and in the movies about family gatherings during the holidays. The holidays usually bring around a different type of stress for me: how to avoid gluten during all of the holiday dinner parties. This year, however, this won’t be an issue because my family has figured out how we can tweak our Italian traditions to be totally gluten free.(more…)
Although none of us live in a microscopic, snowflake world, we can all learn a little something from the Who’s of Who-ville. You know, the characters of that one movie about that green guy that steals everyone’s gifts with the help of his adorable dog, Max.
I know you’ve read the book, or have seen the movie (and if you haven’t, you can probably catch it on TV sometime in the next couple of days). The Who’s of Who-ville LOVE Christmas, with their singing, decorating, and all-around holiday spirit. Then of course there’s The Grinch, a (more…)
2 cups all-purpose flour ( I used Jules Gluten Free)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (Omit if you use Earth Balance Butter Sticks)
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature (I used Earth Balance)
1/3 cup evaporated cane juice
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Make Sure GF) (more…)
I know you might think I’m clever, but really, I’m not. Full credit goes to Lauryn Cohen, aka Bella Baker, who came up with this cute concept. Lauren is the queen of sweet and is known for her uniquely creative treats and crafts. She recently launched a holiday baking guide (entitled Sweet Gifts Holiday Baking and Crafting Guide- available nationwide) filled with innovative and delicious recipes for the holidays.
Lauryn was nice enough to share one of her creations with The Family Chef. In this recipe, she calls for a red velvet cupcake (you will find a gluten-free, no-dye recipe in my upcoming cookbook). You can always use a basic vanilla (gluten-free).
Here is her technique for making super cute holiday cupcakes for your friends or family. (more…)
Just 70-some miles west of Philadelphia is Lancaster, home of outlets, Franklin and Marshall College, the Amish and Shoe Fly Pie. Sadly, it’s impossible to find gluten-free pies there, but never fear…just make your own!
Ingredients
Piecrust:
• 2 1/4 cups gluten-free flour mix*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening (more…)
You don’t have to build your cookies in a tree shape – but, boy it looks cute and festive!
Let’s be honest, If there was no Jules Gluten Free Flour there would be no family recipes recreated, no homemade cookies or cakes, and no way I could enjoy something special from time to time. I may be a exaggerating a bit here, but Jules’ flour is a product I {and my mom} are so thankful for. It was the product that gave me the courage to get back to baking after becoming discouraged, and has now allowed me to take risks in the kitchen.
Like many of my virtual friends I have never met Jules, but she is one of the “gluten-free celebrities” I want to meet one day. Not only am I thankful for her flour, but I am also so thankful for all the support she has given me over the last two years of blogging, often (more…)
Now that Thanksgiving is over, the next few weeks are likely to be filled with many treats of the food and drink variety. Following the gluten-free diet can be helpful in avoiding some of those treats; don’t view having to avoid these gluten-filled treats as a bad thing – view it as avoiding excess calories and fat and treat yourself to something that is gluten-free and worth a small indulgence. Those small indulgences can be a glass of red wine with dinner, a small serving of dark chocolate or even something non-food related like a new workout top, a book that has been on your “must read” list or some new tunes for your workout playlist.
If Holiday treats are unavoidable, try to practice smart portion control and (more…)
These hazlenut biscotti have a warm, complex flavour with a lighter texture than my usual biscotti. They have a hint of cinnamon but if you want a spicier flavour just add more spice, perhaps with mixed spice or ginger as well as the cinnamon. If you like an iced biscotti, making a glace icing with icing sugar and ginger wine would work well.
This gluten free recipe for pecan pie is incredibly sweet and delicious. Don’t be intimidated about making homemade pie crust. A food processor makes the task fast and easy- just keep your butter or shortening chilled and use ice water.
The rich pecan filling is mixed in a blender, making this a fast and easy favorite.
Tip – An 8 or 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom makes a nice-looking crimped crust and makes cutting pies easy too. (more…)
I may have. just discovered the BEST or the WORST thing ever.
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