Moroccan-Spiced Chicken & Rice Bake

Its all about quick and easy this holiday season with all the shopping, gift wrapping, and cookie making I will be doing, so I decided to try a new recipe that seemed to look quick and easy. I have never really experienced Moroccan cuisine before, and I am so glad I gave this recipe a try. I may even be searching for more GF recipes in this category as I found the blend of spices quite different and enjoyable.

I found this recipe strange enough, in a Nestle cook book of all places. Except for cooking the rice, which took about 15 minutes tops, and the 40 minute baking time, the recipe was quite easy. It calls for rice and chicken, my two favorite staples, and the flavor combination was really delightful.

The flavors were mild and soothing to the taste, and although  the blend of ingredients for the rice mixture itself seemed strange, each played off  of each other for a comforting, delicious dish. My family enjoyed it as much as I did, and it will be a regular on the table from now on. I hope you will give it a try, and that you will enjoy it as much as we did. Until next post,  have a great wheat free day!

Sharon

Moroccan-Spiced Chicken & Rice Bake

6 C cooked long or medium grain brown or white rice
1 T ground cumin
1 1/2 teas salt
1 teas ground black pepper
1 1/2 teas ground paprika
6 chicken thighs, skin removed
2 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk (I used Fat Free)
1 can (14 1/2 oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained
2/3 cup raisins
3 T lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

Combine the cumin, salt, black pepper and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle 2 teas of the blended spice mixture on both side of chicken thighs. (save remaining for rice mixture).

Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium high heat. Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and cook on each side for about 4 minutes until browned.

Combine the cooked rice, evaporated milk, drained tomatoes, raisins, lemon juice and the left over spice mixture in a large bowl. Pour the rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.

This is a filling, quick, one pot gluten free dinner that everyone will enjoy, even the finickiest of eaters....











 

Bisquick GF Pancake and Baking Mix...

Good evening all. It is rainy here in Ohio today and I could think of nothing better to have than a comfort food such as pancakes, topped with rich butter and creamy maple syrup.....Mmmmmmm!

I remember my Mom mixing up Bisquick pancakes when I was growing up on those cold damp days of Winter. The whole house smelled warm and comforting while they cooked. Now I can still enjoy that same great taste even in my new gluten free lifestyle.

I must admit that I even like the gluten free mix better than the original. The pancakes are light, fluffy and moist, actually moister in my opinion than the original mix. I also have always loved making Strawberry Shortcake from their mix, so it seems I am in Bisquick heaven at the moment!
I love the ease of working with gluten free mixes, and to be able to stay with a company I have virtually grown up using, is a great feeling.

Although the price is definitely higher for the gluten free version, it is a product I will definitely keep on my shelf. The mix is very versatile, from making pizza crust, chicken fingers, oven baked chicken, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and strawberry shortcakes to cookies.

The ingredients list is fairly short, with words even I can pronounce:
Rice flour, sugar, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), Modified Potato starch, salt, xanthan gum.
*May contain soy ingredients.

The mix is distributed by General Mills, which is a sponsor of The Celiac Disease Foundation, and is made in a gluten free facility. This mix also contains no artificial colors or preservatives. The 16 ounce box costs just a little over $4.50 but there is enough mix to make a few of the recipes that are listed on the side of the box.

Mix, milk, oil and 1 egg are all that is needed for sweet, delicious pancakes to enjoy within a few minutes! You can even refrigerate leftovers, if there are any that is, and reheat for about 1 minute in the microwave. Try adding a few chocolate chips before flipping for some added sweetness...and a little added bliss!

*I used Coconut oil to fry these delicate morsels to add more fiber. Although you can smell the coconut scent as they cook, it does not leave any coconut taste to the pancakes themselves.

Rating 5 Stars

Have a great wheat free week!!!
Sharon

 

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake Mix review...

Hi everyone. Sorry I was off the web for quite a few days, I came down with a virus and I am just getting back into the grove of things as you can see.
I actually felt well enough today to conjure up some gluten free chocolate cupcakes using one of Betty Crocker's gluten free cupcake mixes. After days of chicken soup and toast I needed a change, and since chocolate is my weakness, I tried a mix I had on hand from Betty Crocker.
You might remember that my husband recently joined me in my gluten free journey a few months back, and although he is not as much of a "sweet' lover as I am, I was actually afraid I wasn't going to even get to try any of these delightful morsels. He asked for one the minute they came out of  the oven, and within a hours time another two had disappeared from the cooling rack as I waited for them to cool enough to ice.
I have to tip my hat to Betty Crocker on this one! Although the mix only makes one dozen cupcakes it was well worth every dime spent...My husband said they were the best cupcakes he has ever eaten, and I have to agree they were as good as he said, when I finally got to try one.
I also used Betty Crocker's Cream Cheese icing to decorate the remaining few, and the blend of flavors was simply divine. The cupcakes were moist, fluffy, and filled with a rich chocolate flavor.
They are as simple to make as any regular cake mix and just as tasty. I am now anxious to try their other Gluten Free products which include a  Vanilla Cake mix, Brownie mix, and Chocolate Cookie Mix. I have a few Christmas ideas for these mixes in mind which I will share with you in time to try for the Holidays! Mmmmmmmm....

Ingredients:
Sugar, rice flour, potato starch, cocoa processed with alkali, tapioca starch, leavening( baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate ) salt, guar gum, soy flour.

Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed these.
P.S. Sorry there is no photo....They didn't last long enough to take one!!!!!!!
Rating 5 Stars 

Are Egg Beaters Gluten Free?

Before I had posted the recipe for the delicious Crustless Thanksgiving Pie, which originally called for egg beaters instead of regular eggs,  I had contacted the company to find out if egg beaters were indeed gluten free. Since I hadn't heard back from them in time for pie making over the holiday, I used real eggs, which made the pie come out excellent by the way, but I did receive a email from the company upon my return that I would like to share...

 

 

Sharon,

 

Thank you for your email concerning our Egg Beaters.

We understand how important it is for people who have been medically diagnosed with gluten sensitivity to obtain accurate information about our food to help plan their meals and diets. And we continue to look for ways to meet the dietary needs of our consumers.

Since wheat is a major food allergen, if it is used in the product it would be listed in the contains statement following the ingredients list. The flour used in many of our products is wheat flour and you should avoid these products if you have gluten sensitivities. If any ingredient in the product includes rye or barley, it will be listed in parentheses immediately following the ingredient. Oats do not contain gluten, but they frequently have been exposed to wheat or barley and are not recommended for Celiac patients. If Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, or Spices listed in the ingredients list contain wheat, rye or barley, these ingredients would be listed in parenthesis immediately following the ingredient. Some fermented or distilled products such as vinegar may be derived from wheat. Most of the vinegar in our products is distilled and through the distilling process protein gluten is removed.

Starting January of 2012, we began producing the following brands validated as gluten-free with gluten-free printed on their labels:

-Cocoa: Swiss Miss all varieties
-Egg Beaters: all varieties-Tomatoes: Hunt's all varieties (excluding Pasta Sauces, Tomato Sauces and Ketchup's)
-Orville Redenbacher's: all Ready to Eat varieties
-Pudding: Swiss Miss & Snack Pack, excludes those containing Tapioca

Below is a list of some of our other products that do not contain added gluten*

Category/Brand/Items:

-PAM Cooking Spray: all varieties except PAM Baking
-Hebrew National: all items except Franks in a Blanket
-Wesson oils: all varieties
-Peter Pan Peanut Butter: all varieties
-Popcorn: Act II microwave, Orville Redenbacher jar and microwave, excluding Crunch n Munch and Poppycock
-Spreads: Parkay, Blue Bonnet, Fleischmann's and Move Over Butter
-David Seeds: all varieties
-Tomato Sauces: Hunt's tomato paste and sauces excluding pasta sauces
-Ketchup: Hunt's all varieties
-Reddi-Whip: all varieties
-Ro*Tel Tomatoes (excluding sauces)

*These items have been identified as not containing gluten. They are not currently routinely tested to affirm they contain less than 20ppm gluten for a 'gluten-free' claim.

We always advise consumers who may have sensitivities to recheck the ingredient list on each package. Products are oftentimes reformulated and the ingredients may change. If you have additional questions about your personal dietary needs, please consult your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Christine Consumer Affairs Representative ConAgra Foods Case: 61320050 If you have any questions or concerns about any of their products you may contact them at the number listed (1-877-266-2472) or visit them at this site: http://www.congrafoods.com Most companies will answer any questions or concerns that you are unsure of, if you will contact them. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Holiday, and as always....Have a GREAT wheat free day!!! Sharon

Holiday Baking Ingredients...

If you are fairly new to gluten free holiday baking, as I am, then you know how hard it can be sorting and reading through labels on all those baking products needed to make your favorite cookies and other holiday treats into gluten free.. I have added a list of  just a few of the most used  gluten free ingredients needed in making those beautiful Holiday delicacies. I hope the list helps to make your holiday baking a little easier this year, and  that you can use the time saved to spend with friends and family!.


  Jellies, Peanut Butters & Spreads:
  
   Polaner All Fruit

Jiff Peanut butter-all types

Skippy Peanut butter-creamy, crunchy, reduced fat, and roasted honey nut

Smuckers Jellies and Jams

Smuckers All Fruit

Smuckers Natural Peanut butter

Welch’s Grape jelly and jam

Marshmallow Fluff

 

Molasses and Karo:

 

Brer Rabbit Molasses

Grandma’s molasses

Karo corn syrups-light and dark

 

Butters, Shortenings, Oils, Spreads, and Sprays:

 

Cabot Butter

Cabot Whipped Butter

Crisco Oil

Crisco Shortening-regular and butter

Fleishman’s Light Margarine

Mazola oils and sprays

Smart Balance Shortening and Cooking Spray

Smart Balance Buttery Spread

I Can’t believe it’s not Butter, -all types

Benecol spread (reg and light)

Land O Lakes butter-salted, unsalted and whipped (NOTE: light butter is NOT gluten free)

 

Sour Creams, Yogurts:

 

Axelrod sour cream

Cabot Sour Cream-regular and lite

Columbo yogurts-fat free, light, low fat, classic

Yoplait yogurts-original, light, thick and creamy, whips, go gurts, smoothies

Axelrod Yogurt

Dannon plain yogurt-low fat, nonfat, natural

Dannon Dan Active plain yogurt

 

 

Baking Goods/milks:

 

Carnation Evaporated and Fat Free Evaporated Milk

Carnation Sweetened Condensed Milk

Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk

Thai Kitchen Light Coconut Milk

Thai Kitchen Premium Coconut Milk

A Taste of Thai Coconut Milk

 

Sugars and Misc:

 

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Domino’s sugar-brown-light and dark, confectionery, and granulated white

Fleishmann’s Yeast

Splenda Sweetener

 

 

Chocolate and Chocolate chips:

 

Hershey’s chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, baking chips

Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa, unsweetened baking bar,

bittersweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips,

semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and baking bar

 

 

Spices and Extracts:

 

McCormick’s extracts (all flavors, pure and imitation)

McCormick’s spices (not blends)

McCormick’s food color

Real Lemon and Real lime juice

Nestles Toll House morsels

Betty Crocker candy sprinkles

Betty Crocker Neon decorating gels

Splenda Sweetener

Durkee Spices

 

Pie Fillings:

 

Comstock pie fillings-all flavors 

Lucky leaf pie fillings

Libby’s pure pumpkin

* As always it is up to the individual to read labels to make sure that products used in recipes posted are gluten free, as companies do change ingredients from time to time.

* Splenda...There are no gluten containing, grain based ingredients derived from wheat, rye, or barley, nor any ingredients derived from oats, used to produce SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) or the SPLENDA^® Sweetener Products. However they do not test their finished products for the presence of gluten.

As always have a great wheat free day!
Sharon

Crustless Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie...

Ingredients:


1 - 15 ounce can Libby's Pumpkin puree...not pie filling
1  - 12 ounce can Carnations fat free evaporated milk
3-  egg whites
1 tsp  Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves)
2/3 C Splenda for baking

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Prepare 9" glass pie dish by spraying with Smart Balance cooking spray.
Combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth and well blended. Pour mixture into prepared pie dish.
Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes; reduce oven to 325 F and bake for additional  45 minutes, or until a knife  inserted in the center comes out clean.

 Allow to cool completely for several hours before slicing.

* Splenda...There are no gluten containing, grain based ingredients derived from wheat, rye, or barley, nor any ingredients derived from oats, used to produce SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) or the SPLENDA^® Sweetener Products. However we do not test our finished products for the presence of gluten.

Thanksgiving Gingerbread Cake

It is 4:44 in the morning and although I am tired I just can not sleep with all the thoughts running through my mind. My husbands job has brought us to sunny Tennessee and I will be here for two weeks, of which one has already passed.

I am not an early bird by nature, but since my husband is working twelve hour days, up at 3 AM each morning, and we are staying in a RV for the duration of the visit, it is hard not to be woken during his morning routine of getting ready for the day. I prefer to stay up late and sleep in, not the case as of late!

I decided instead of tossing and turning that I would simply post on the blog. Since I haven't had my computer up and running for over a week I have much catching up to do. I have hundreds of emails to sort through and answer, and I find that the products I need to sample and review will all have to wait until I return home, as RV life is somewhat of a challenge when it comes to cooking!!!

My first attempt at baking a pre-made GF pizza in the tiniest of ovens

Katz Gluten Free storm and shipping update...

Hi all. I just received this email from Katz and thought I should share with those of you who have possibly placed orders.

To all our valued customers:

Unfortunately Katz Gluten Free has been affected by the Storm that has passed through the Northeast.

The Glass Rooster Cannery...

A few weeks back I stopped at the Glass Rooster Home Cannery on one of my grocery shopping outings. I had passed the Cannery many times over the past few years and just never took the time to stop. Shame on me! It was definitely not what I had expected it to be at all. I had pictured a store filled with jars and jars of preserved foods for sale, and found a rare hidden gem instead. It is actually a Licensed Kitchen with a clean, inviting facility for novice and experienced cooks interested in storing a safe food supply efficiently from home grown sources.

I was greeted by Jeannie who was preparing for an Appetizer class, yet she graciously took the time to talk with me and answer my many questions. After explaining what the Cannery offers in the way

Eat..Pray..Love..& Groceries...

Last night I watched the movie "Eat..Pray..Love" with Julia Roberts, who by the way is a beautiful actress. I hadn't seen the movie for quite some time and I was exhausted after a long day in the kitchen tweaking a bread recipe to meet my own personal tastes, and I needed a break. Needless to say every loaf  I had made went into the trash. They were either too moist, to brown, or collapsed while baking.

There is a saying that goes... "Don't believe everything you hear"...well the same could be said for everything you read! How can you print a cook book and leave out important information

Gingerbread cake made gluten free...

Hi all. I have made the gluten free version of this gingerbread cake recipe several times now, tweaking it as I went, to make sure it was something "ALL" ginger lovers would enjoy before sharing the recipe. This makes a 8x8 inch pan and serves 9 generously. It is light, moist