Holidays

“And he himself carved the roast beef”

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 Read More »

We’re lucky that there are more and more recipes out there that taste just like the real thing. But for many people, it s easier to make some desserts that happen to be gluten-free, rather than gluten-free adaptations of “normal” foods.

Foods that are naturally gluten free avoid the expensive specialty flours. Personally, I am not a fan of spending a lot for specialty flours when I’m sharing with many non-GF folks. This avoids the inevitable complaints of friends or family who won’t even try GF foods just because they’ve decided they won’t like it.

There are a lot of treats which just happen to be GF, or mostly GF. You can find recipes in normal cookbooks, or maybe you have Read More »

Candy canes can make any cake or cupcake turn into a magical winter treat. All you need to do is take some gluten-free candy canes (click here to see my favorite brand) and crush them up.  Sprinkle them on top of your favorite frosted treat and you will end up with a beautiful creation that looks like it is from a bakery.

Some of my favorite ways to use the candy canes:

1.  Make a vanilla cake from your favorite mix.  Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter.  Bake and allow to cool.  Frost with frosting (I like the Betty Crocker canned frostings).  Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Read More »

Halloween Sandwich Cookies by Jen Cafferty

Looking for the perfect easy-to-prepare treat to take to a Halloween party? Or maybe you want to send something special in your children’s lunch?  These cookies are perfect because you can make them as you need them and you don’t even need to bake!  There is no need to make an entire batch.  Just keep the ingredients on hand and prepare a few cookies for whenever you need something cute, creative and delicious to take with you!

My baking life changed for the better when I realized that some of the canned frostings were gluten free (I use Betty Crocker). When they go on sale, I buy a few cans of various colors and flavors and keep them in my pantry.  Most versions are gluten and dairy free but make sure to read the labels carefully before making your purchase.  Of course, it is very easy to make your own frosting, but something about the ease of the can makes it even so much less daunting to make a baked good.  Or in the case of these cookies, assemble a baked good (you don’t even need to bake!). Read More »

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. Read More »

In the fall, it’s easy to get fresh, local carrots in the San Franciso area from the grocery store and farmer’s markets. There seems to be something very comforting about muffins and breads flavored with cinnamon. But on a gluten free diet, one is often denied these flavors.

GF Carrot Muffins, by A. Fothergill

Try this recipe which gives you the full flavor and texture of a traditional carrot muffin. Once cooled, top it with a little cream cheese frosting. As a muffin or dessert, this little wonder is sure to please. Read More »

Foolproof Christmas option for gluten-intolerant (+ recipe)

Home » Lifestyle » Food & Wine
Wed, 3 Dec 2008
Food & Wine

A festive almond fruitcake with a difference. This festive almond fruitcake is a superb alternative for those who are wheat- or gluten-intolerant or who would simply like to try a different Christmas cake.
The dried fruit and almonds, both chopped and ground, are glued together with a minimum of batter.

It is an easy and foolproof cake to make.

Rich, moist and delicious, it is best served in small slices.

Use a small serrated knife to cut.

The cake will keep for up to three months if wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator.

It’s great to have on hand right through the holidays.

For those with a mild glucose intolerance, a half tsp of baking powder is unlikely to be a problem.

When I checked the supermarket shelves to see what baking powders are available, I discovered that Edmonds is now gluten-free.

You can, if you wish, substitute a half tsp cream of tartar and a quarter tsp baking soda for the baking powder in this recipe to make a gluten-free raising agent, or just buy a gluten-free baking powder.

1kg mixed dried fruit
120g whole brown skinned almonds, roughly chopped
70g maize cornflour
1/2 tsp baking powder
70g ground almonds
3 eggs, size 6
1/4 cup honey, warmed
1 tsp natural almond essence
2 Tbsp amaretto liqueur or brandy (optional)

Line the base and sides of a 20cm square cake tin.

Combine dried fruits and chopped nuts in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

Sift the cornflour and baking powder together and stir in the ground almonds.

Mix well.

Beat eggs and honey in a medium-sized bowl with an electric mixer until thick and creamy.

Beat in almond essence.

Stir the cornflour and almond mixture into the beaten eggs, mixing well.

Pour this into the bowl containing the dried fruit and nuts and stir until thoroughly combined.

Spread into the prepared tin, pushing it well into the corners.

Smooth the top.

Place just below the centre of an oven which has been heated to 150degC.

Cook for 1hr 35min to 1hr 50min.

The cake should be golden brown, feel firm to touch and a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake should come out clean.

Remove from the oven and brush the hot cake with amaretto, brandy or a liqueur of your choice.

Cool completely, wrap in foil and store in the refrigerator.

It is ready for eating within 12 hours of baking.

This is not a cake for icing.

I serve it just as it is, but you could brush the top with an apricot jam glaze and decorate with glace fruits.

– Joan Bishop

Article Source: http://www.odt.co.nz:80/lifestyle/food-wine/34329/foolproof-christmas-option-gluten-intolerant-recipe

The Fourth of July is almost here and it is time for festive desserts.  When this Examiner saw that the recipe for Summer Berry Trifle on FamilyFun.com was easily converted to gluten free, it just had to be shared.  Schar makes a great gluten-free ladyfinger that can be purchased locally at Return to Eden.

Summer Berry Triffle. Courtesy: Familyfun.com

If you would rather eat cake, then Jen Cafferty has a great recipe for a gluten-free flag cake.  New Harvest Naturals makes mini pound cakes that can easily be decorated with whipped cream and fresh berries to create individual flag cakes.  You can purchase New Harvest Naturals products locally at Return to Eden.

Regardless of what you choose to make, get creative and really wow your family and friends.  It doesn’t take much effort to produce a scrumptious gluten-free dessert that is a real crowd pleaser. Read More »

Last April I attended the Nourished conference. This was an amazing experience for me and I am still thankful I had the opportunity to attend. Because I had school, my parents and I flew into Chicago the day of the conference and arrived at the “nick of time.” 

I quickly grabbed my badge, and walked into the first session room I saw. At the time I had no idea there were multiple sessions going on, but as a new blogger this session was perfect for me. The session was taught by Mary Fran Wiley of FrannyCakes and was all about Blogging 101. This was probably the one session that stuck with me the most, and was essentially what inspired me to Read More »

Tom Sawyer's Free Holiday Recipe Book. Click the image to get your copy.

Tom Sawyer Gluten Free Flour is giving away their FREE Holiday Recipe Cookbook.

This great resource gives you dozens of desserts, sides, breads and stuffings – pretty much everything you need to make a delicious and memorable Holiday Dinner. And while many of the recipes use Tom Sawyer’s Gluten-free Flour mix, any all-purpose gluten-free flour mix should work. (Of course, they may not work as well. Tom Sawyer’s mix is absolutely excellent! We LOVE the biscuits!!)

Bread Stuffing, Grandma’s Corn Bread, Turkey Gravy, Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes, Holiday Muffins, Tom Sawyer’s Award Winning Gluten Free Angel Food Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cake Roll and Cranberry Spice Bars are just Read More »