"To be or not to be"......Gluten free that is!

                                                                              

Hi all...As you know I have been away on vacation for weeks now, thus the reason for no recent posts. It is too hard trying to use a gas stove in our RV as you have to open every vent in the place, and in 95 to 105 degree weather that is not a option, unless I want to fall over from heat exhaustion. Seems the Nu Wave and the hot plate are all we have been using while here. Forget about the oven, as its about the size of my microwave back home, and the last time I had tried to use it the bottom of our pizza was burnt to a crisp and the top still raw....not my idea of a tasty meal!

So basically I have no new recipes to share at this time. However, here are a few tips I thought you might find useful even if you have never eaten gluten free before and came across the blog by accident.

INFO:

Reasons to Go Gluten-Free
Though eating gluten free was originally just a diet to control celiac disease, many people who don’t suffer from celiac disease can actually benefit from eliminating gluten from their diets. Some people who do not have celiac disease can still suffer from gluten sensitivity, and going gluten-free is really helpful in balancing the digestive system of these people, even many who suffer from  IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Eliminating gluten can also lead to consuming fewer empty carbohydrates, which can help you lose weight. ( still need to count calories)

Gluten-Free Alternatives
Just because you can no longer eat traditional flour doesn't mean that breads, pastas, and even beer or wines are totally off-limits. Most grocery stores and every health-food store has a large variety of gluten-free products to choose from, even stores like Walmart. I have even seen gluten free products in Big Lots....Yes I said Big Lots! I am so excited to be in SC because I have found several brands that differ from what my home state of PA has to offer. I am going to have to load up before our trip home!
If you're making food at home, finding gluten-free ingredients is also really easy. Flour alternatives made from corn, nuts, flax, or soy make delicious baked goods. Although I personally avoid soy which I explained in a post way back when I started my gluten free journey, it might work for you. You can totally replace pasta dishes with quinoa or rice instead. I love quinoa in stuffed peppers!!! You can even replace bread and buns for sandwiches with lettuce leaves, sliced mushrooms, or sweet potato patties. Going gluten-free allows you to flex your kitchen creativity muscles. So experiment, and send me your favorite gluten free summer recipes, I'd love to hear from you!

I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am.....Until next time...
Sharon

Chicken breasts with lemon butter....Winner..Winner..Chicken dinner!

                                                                           

Today is one of those days when I am really not in the mood to cook. I have been through so much this past year as you well know if you have read any of my recent posts. I need quick and easy, as I want to be in and out of the kitchen as quickly as possible today. After trimming branches off trees that overhung our driveway this past week, mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and  various other yard work, I just want a light, quick, easy dinner so I can then prop my feet up while sitting on a lawn chair, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Heck....I might even set the patio table and enjoy my dinner while listening to the wind chimes as I enjoy the quiet of the evening.

So after just munching on some lemon gummy bears, a thought occurred....Why not something with lemon in it. I love the smell of lemon, it somehow seems to lift my spirits, so off to the cupboard to my vast array of cookbooks and recipes to start my searching. Lemon butter chicken breasts....Quick. Easy. Enough said, chicken it is. Thank goodness I always have a selection of frozen meats in my freezer to choose from so I definitely have what I need.

Years ago, three to be exact, I had planted some lemon seeds.  Although they have never actually produced any lemons as to date, hope springs eternal. SOMEDAY, as Tom Cruise repeatedly says in the movie Knight and Day. The only problem being is that our living in a state where we have snow in the winter months  I can't plant the trees in the ground, so they are outside during the warmer month's then inside during the winter months......I keep hoping. However, if you do rub the leaves between your fingers you can actually smell the lemon from the oils. SOMEDAY!!!

Well as promised here is the recipe.

Chicken breasts with Lemon butter:

6 medium boneless chicken breast halves, about 1  1/2 pounds
1/2 cup GF  all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
1/3 cup unsalted butter
2 lemons, washed and sliced
2 T lemon juice

Directions:

Mix the flour, salt, and the lemon pepper seasoning in a shallow bowl.
Place each chicken breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound then lightly until about 1/4 inch thick. Coat each piece in the flour mixture on both sides.

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Cook the chicken breasts in the hot melted butter, half at a time, over medium high heat for about 3 minutes on each side until brown and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from skillet onto a clean platter and cook the remaining pieces the same way, removing to the platter when cooked.

Add the lemon slices to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned turning only once. Return all of the chicken to the skillet, overlapping the pieces slightly. Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken breasts. Cook for approximately 2-3 more minutes more or until the pan juices are slightly reduced.

This is delicious served over cooked rice or quinoa, or even pasta. Makes about 6 servings. It actually turned out delicious as I had anticipated, and I did enjoy a very nice dinner on the patio listening to the sounds of nature.....Mmmmmmm, maybe a nap is in order about now!.

As always, I hope you enjoy.
Sharon




 

WWJD?......and Angel's poem

Okay....so this post has nothing to do with gluten free, no recipe today, not even a post really...

It seems I have been a little lost lately, you see I lost my best friend Angel four weeks back. Well she wasn't just my friend, she was my furry bundle of joy. She was my companion, child, roommate, friend, and so much more. Everyone couldn't believe she was really 20 years old as she looked like a young kitten, even at what the vet said would be 90-95 in people years for her as a feline.

She was my constant companion, she followed me everywhere, even into the kitchen which is probably the main reason you haven't seen any posts here for awhile now. I haven't been able to bring myself to do any baking because she's not here to cheer me on. I can see her sitting there looking up at me as if to say,  "This is the one....you got it this time!" Well that, and the fact that her treats were in the kitchen cupboard...

She started having seizure's in January and then her breathing started getting progressively worse, along with other health issues. I had to make the toughest decision in my life to let her go and not let her suffer. For those of you who are reading this and have pets that they love as if they were a child, you  know exactly what I'm feeling. A part of me is gone, never to be returned again. Life is not as it use to be.

Needless to say I have been struggling. If it can't go into the microwave it doesn't get made. I find myself eating out a lot, which when you live gluten free isn't a good thing as you well know.

So the real question is as the title to the posts suggests....WWJD? I know Jesus cried at His friend Lazarus's grave. He also cried before His crucifixion. I have done a lot of that, unceasingly as a matter of fact. Who did He have to lean on and comfort Him? The disciples were all asleep, even still they did not know nor understand the pain He bore in His heart knowing what was to come. Yet He had God.

My family and friends have been here for me every step of the way. They still are. But even they can't feel the depth or severity of my pain...they can only see it in me. Yet Jesus knows all to closely the pain of death. He bore it all upon the cross for me. I can't begin to imagine the loss God felt loosing His only Son.

I was blessed with my beautiful Angel for 20 years as my loving husband just reminded me of a few days ago.  I could have had her for less, but I was blessed with 20 full, wonderful, years. Angel is gone, but I have family who loves and depends on me. They look at me for strength and protection so I need to be strong. How then do I do this???

 So now I have to do What Jesus Would Do....I have to look to God. I need to call upon the one who created the universe. The one who entrusted Angel to me to love and take care of all those years. I thank Him for trusting me with her care, for giving me the opportunity to be the one blessed to love her and care for her.  I  have to go on and run the good race,  not only for myself, but also for the people He is still entrusting me with here on earth to love and take care of. I need to accept His healing for Angels loss, and take steps forward knowing He is beside me encouraging me on. So with Gods help, and a little from Angel also, I hope to be back posting recipes to share with you soon.

Until then, this is a poem I wrote for
        "My little Angel"


Did you ever loose a furry friend,
  who stayed with you until the end?

Who loved you unconditionally,
   Who hopped upon your weary knee.

One who made you smile, and  made you cry,
   and never ever asked you why.

Why you loved them as you did,
   and catered to their every whim.

Who gave love unconditionally,
   their very soul they let you see.

They accepted you, just as you were,
   a gift from God, this ball of fur.

The love they gave cannot be broken,
   even though words were never spoken.

These special friends they touch our soul,
   reach deep inside to let us know

Each breath they took, each look exchanged,
   it touched our lives, it made us change.

Yet deep inside we both knew,
   that someday they would be with You.

The pain's immense, the loss is great,
   I still hear the patter of your little feet.

I miss the touch of your sweet fur,
   your twitching tail, your soft sweet purr.

To have you just a few days more,
   to see you when walking through the door

I still awake looking for you,
   I need you now, to help me through.

My heart is broken, the pain does flow,
   yet we both knew you had to go.

Yet deep inside I know your free,
   free of the pain that I could see.

I hope you know I love you so,
   and when its Gods time for me to go

I hope you'll save a place for me,
   so we can share eternity.......






 

Vegan Chili.....I love Pumpkin in the summer......

 

 

Okay, I know the sun has been shining and some might think I am a little crazy for sharing a chili recipe at this time of year, but although most of us are strictly gluten free eaters, some also don't eat meat...besides, chili is a staple in our house year round. Its a comfort food anytime of the year.
So for those of you who are vegans....here's one for you!!!


Vegan/ Gluten free Pumpkin Chili

 

1 large onion, chopped1 can diced tomatoes
2 c vegetable stock
1 can black beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
1 c pumpkin puree
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp. chili powder
Ground black pepper to taste
Salt
Olive Oil

 

1. In a large pan, saute chopped onions with olive oil until soft and buttery.
2. Add tomatoes, beans, and spices. Saute until aromatic.
3. Add vegetable stock. Bring to a boil. Add pumpkin puree and bring heat down to medium. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!!!

Blends by Orly.......Bagels, bagels, bagels comin your way!!!

About a month ago Orly from Blends by Orly, sent me her Manhattan flour blend to try so I could make some bagels. I haven't had a decent bagel since I went GF and I was really craving one like crazy! I have tried the ones you find in the freezer section of most stores, you all know the ones I am talking about, right? Some passed the "OK' test while others were just so...so... I don't know what set off the craving but I was desperate to have one that reminded me of days long gone bye. Orly's Manhattan blend didn't disappoint!

The Manhattan Blend comes with a Brioche Roll recipe printed on the bag, but I found  her bagel recipe using this blend on her home site at www.blendsbyorly.com and set off to work. Measuring out all the ingredients, I turned on the oven, got my large pan of water set on the stove for the boiling process, and set off to mixing.

Now I must say I was pretty skeptical when it was time to roll the dough into "log" shaped tubes as the first ball really stuck to my hands, so I washed them and started over. I found that by really dusting the board with extra flour from the blend, and dusting the tops generously with more of the flour blend, they rolled out very easily.

I then shaped the dough into bagel circles and let them set covered on my cookie sheet the full 45 minutes to rise. Although they didn't seem like they were where  they were suppose to be at this point I was really getting anxious to have a bagel, so I started the boiling water bath for each one. It seems they plumped up a little more in the bath so I didn't feel quite so apprehensive. I seem to get a little impatient waiting for things to happen, but with only 1/2 teaspoon of yeast in the mix you really shouldn't expect a huge rise. Also, this was my first time ever making bagels so I was not sure what to really expect.

After popping them into the oven I set the timer and waited. As I mentioned before, waiting is not one of my best virtues.....however I did wait, although I was very anxiously, hovering every 10 minutes over the stove. Finally!!! The timer went off and I retrieved what looked to be golden brown works of art! OK, so the circles weren't uniformly perfect but who really cares if they tasted as good as they looked....Oh my gosh.....These were so warm, with just the texture I remember bagels to be. I have to admit that just like the Lays potato chip commercial advertises....You can't just stop at one! The recipe makes 4 large bagels or 8 smaller ones. I had opted for the smaller ones so in all reality I only ate one.....Hey I'm trying to justify here!!!!

For those of you with allergies please know that this flour blend is gluten free, nut free, dairy free, corn free, and soy free. The flour can also be used to make soft pretzels, whole grain and rye bread, Danish pastry, challah and doughnuts, plus other items. I'd say that's pretty versatile.

I have to say that these were the most moist, delicious, and the best gluten free bagel I have tasted to date. Orly has a variety of other blends that I hope to try in the future. I must say that her knowledge of pastry baking really hit the mark on this flour combination. If you are looking for a great tasting bagel fresh from the oven then look no further. Stop over at her home page and order a bag of her Manhattan Blend today. Also check out her blog for more recipes for this blend and others that she offers. This Manhattan Blend and recipe gets a 5 Star rating from this picky eater.

Here is the recipe that is on her blog:

Recipe Yields 4 large bagels or 8 small bagels

1 1/2 cups (250 grams) Manhattan Blend plus extra for rolling out the bagels
1/2 tsp dry yeast
1 T brown sugar
2 T white sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp (125ml) luke warm water
1/2 tsp vegetable or canola oil
1/2 tsp white vinegar
Additional toppings including sesame seeds, poppyseeds, and salt

Heat: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.   Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Mix: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the yeast and lukewarm water.  Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. Add oil and vinegar.  In a separate bowl, mix together the brown and white sugars, salt, baking powder, and Blends by Orly Manhattan Blend.  Whisk dry ingredients together and pour them on top of the wet ingredients.  Mix all ingredients together on slow speed for 2 minutes.  Increase to medium-high speed for another 3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and completely mixed through.  Your dough should be and sticky, but not wet like a batter.

Shape and Proof: Turn the dough out onto a surface floured with Manhattan Blend.  Divide the dough into 4 equally sized pieces, or 8 for smaller bagels. Sprinkle flour on top of the dough to prevent it from sticking to your hands. Starting from the center and working outwards, carefully roll each piece into a rope about the width of your two hands.  Loop it around your hand to overlap the two ends and press them together. Use your three middle fingers to roll these two ends on your counter and seal them together to form a bagel. Repeat the process.  Transfer your bagel dough to the baking panUse a pastry brush or spray bottom to coat each bagel with a layer of water to prevent them from drying out while they rise.  Let the bagels rise in a warm area (ideally 90-100 degrees fahrenheit) for 35-45 minutes until they have almost doubled in size and are soft and fluffy to the touch.
Boil: Bring a large pot of water to the rolling boil and add 1 tsp of honey (optional for flavor and color).  With a slotted spoon or spatula, carefully place bagels into the pot and boil on each side for 30 seconds.  Do not crowd the pot. Remove from boiling water and place back on the tray.  Now would be the time to add seeds to your bagels.
Bake bagels for 35-40 minutes, or until the outside is golden in color and hard to the touch.

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake....Yummy to the tummy!

Wow. All I can say is that the Holidays are a blur, and I am so grateful we aren't having a Winter like last years here in our area. So much had happened in our family in 2015, not good things, or pleasant things, and I am ready to try and move on with life as I now know it...

 

Looking forward to this brand new year I hope to be more active on the blog once again, and I am up for trying new recipes and flour mixtures. Oh by the way ALL my gluten free cookies I gave as gifts for Christmas were a hit! Half of my family didn't even know they were all gluten free. Now that is a compliment I will take any day of the week.

 

This past week I had to rush my 19 year old kitty Angel to the veterinarian hospital twice  as she started having seizures. Now for those cat lovers who are reading this, you will know how my heart is breaking. She is like a child to me. A companion, a friend...She has been started on a seizure  medicine three times a day and my heart is breaking...Since I have to administer the medicine every eight hours around the clock I will never be to far from home so I will have a lot more time to test and re-test recipes for the blog while keeping a close watch on her.

 

I absolutely love coffee cake and its been sometime since I have found a gluten free recipe where the cake stays moist for days, but here it is! I think it has something to do with the use of almond flour, as whenever I use it things seem to be softer and moister in texture. Also, since the cake is topped with loads, and loads of Pecans you are not really noticing the nutty taste of the cake itself so much.

 

I hope you will like it as much as we do and give it a try...After all, according to Punxsutawney Phil's perdition on Ground Hog Day tomorrow, we just might or might not be in for six more weeks of Winter!!! YUCK!!! Come on little guy.....enough is enough already!!!!!!!

 

 

Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake:

 

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour

¾ cup coconut flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

½ cup almond milk

¼ cup melted coconut oil

½ cup honey

½ teaspoon vanilla

 

Topping:

1 cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

¼ cup coconut oil

2 Tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottom of a 9 inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the paper and sides of the pan with coconut oil.

1. Combine the topping ingredients and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a small bowl, use a fork to beat together the eggs and milk.
4. Add the egg/milk mixture, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla to the mixing bow. Beat with an electric mixer for a couple of minutes until ingredients are well combined.
5. Spoon into the cake pan and spread out evenly. Spoon the topping evenly over the entire cake. (I use my fingers to sprinkle the nuts around evenly.)
6. Bake for about 35 minutes or until it is set in the middle and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool in the pan about 5 minutes. Invert onto a plate or rack, remove the parchment paper if stuck to the cake, and invert again onto a serving plate.

 

You can't judge a cookie by its FLOUR....Or a brownie made from beans...

Hi everyone. Sorry to have been away from the blog for what seems like forever....The Holidays were so busy here with baking, decorating, and entertaining, not to mention this is the 3rd time I have been sick. Ugh!!! With that said I am off and running. This post might be pretty lengthy as I am in a gabby mood, and no one home to talk to, so please forgive if I ramble on.

This year ALL my Christmas cookies were made with my gluten free flour mixture even though I wasn't sure my family would enjoy them as much as I do. Each of my three daughter's and their family's got a large tin of these assorted treats. From no bakes, rolled sugar cookies, drizzled peppermint chocolate chips, to nut cups and more. I even made buckeye candies for the very first time ever.

Being of a curious nature I was really determined to see if my family really enjoyed them. As I mentioned awhile back I am the only one in my family who eats strictly gluten free, and I really hate to put time and effort into something that isn't appreciated...Therefore last week I sent a text out to each receiver of the cookies and asked that they be honest about whether they ate and enjoyed the cookies. My first reply back was that the whole tin had been devoured....well the cookies, not the tin. :-)  The second reply was that over half of the cookies had been eaten, and they had no idea they were all gluten free! This was great news for me so I guess next year's baking is a GO!

Also recently my oldest daughter and I went to a craft fair at a local church. Front and center was a lady selling privately published cook books that just happened to be gluten free....Am I lucky or what? For those of you who are just beginning this gluten free journey it is a nice book to have. The Authors name is Joan Welsh and you can reach her at   jmmr61@gmail.com   to request a copy. The title to the book is NO Gluten, No Problem!

 In the book was a brownie recipe using NO flour, but black beans.. Well, I have seen recipes posted everywhere for no flour brownie recipes using these beans, and I have avoided them like a plague....Well that is up until now. She actually had samples of the brownies to try which were iced with one of the icing recipes in her book. I actually have to say they were really tasty, nothing like I had imagined they would be. The recipe turns out to be something I will definitely make in the future. (Recipe to follow below)

Another product I use quite often is Annie's gluten free microwavable mac n cheese. Love, love, love this product! I enjoy eating this with a side of slice beets, and applesauce. Well I do have a different view on eating than most people as you can see...LOL. You can get more information about  Annie's other products to try at  www.annies.com This tastes so much like the mac n cheese we grew up on that even my husband didn't know it was gluten free.

Well my phone keeps ringing off the hook so I will close this post and start my day. Until next post I hope you have a blessed gluten free day. I have included the brownie recipe below for you to try and enjoy.
Sharon


No flour brownies:

15oz can black beans
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 T vegetable oil or canola oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8 X 8 inch baking pan with a non stick cooking spray. Rinse and drain the beans. In a blender, combine the beans, eggs, vanilla, oil, cocoa, sugar and salt. Blend until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips with a spatula and pour mixture into the prepared pan. Bake about 30 minutes, or until the top is dry and edged begin to pull away from sides of pan. Ice with your favorite icing, or leave plain. Either way these are delish!!!



 

Mom's No Bakes...A Christmas Tradition!

Hi all. I know its been awhile but so much has happened over the past few months I don't know where to begin. Loosing several of our loved ones over the past months has seriously taken a toll on our family, myself included. After loosing my mom the stress has just seemed to pile up like a ton of bricks. Not only have I become mentally fatigued but it has wreaked havoc on my body physically as well. I have now had a cold since before Thanksgiving and am trying just about everything I can think of to get rid of it as I am scheduled for surgery on the 11th...You know the old saying, "It never rains but that it pours"...Speaking of rain, I can hear it hitting the roof above as I type.

Christmas is now exactly 25 days away and since I wont be able to do much of anything after my surgery and Christmas will then be only two weeks away at that point, I need to have my house decorated, cookies baked, presents bought and wrapped, fudge made....well you get the picture. The inside is already decorated and the tree is up so I can cross that off my list, although the outside this year is going to look rather dreary. Just too much to do and so little time!

The Buckeyes are made. This is the first time ever that I have made them and if I do say so myself they came out rather good looking, and rather tasty...YUM! Okay, so I have to give some credit to my daughter Jammie as she did help to shape them.

Christmas is not Christmas here without my mom's no bakes, and I am extremely pleased that these will freeze well so I can get them make ahead of time along with my other Christmas cookie assortment. I have my work cut out for me over the next week for my cookie trays to become a reality for the Holiday feast..

Daily chores, baking, shopping, its overwhelming when you are not feeling up to par. These cookies are on every ones favorite list and are definitely a must have. Although they are not fancy, colored, or decorative, they are loved by everyone, and a remembrance of mom.

We hope that you will enjoy them as much as we do and include them in your Christmas family tradition.

Sharon (Lee)

Mom's No Bakes:

2 cups granulated sugar
4 T cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
3 cup Quick Oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teas vanilla

Over LOW heat  (mom said this is the trick) heat the sugar, cocoa, and milk, constantly stirring until sugar is dissolved.. Once you are sure the sugar is dissolved you can turn the heat to medium and bring to a boil, Do not boil for more than 1 minute! It should have reached a soft ball stage when dropped into cold water at this point.

Remove from the heat and add the rest of ingredient at this stage. Mix until thoroughly combined. Drop by tablespoons onto waxed or parchment paper, I use a cookie scoop to make them more uniform, let set until firm and completely cooled. The cookies can be stored in freezer at this time to await the Holiday festivities!!!
                                                                                

 

Pumpkin season....and Pie in the sky!!!

Wow...where did this icky weather come from? It seems like yesterday fall had just begun, and now Halloween is less than a week away. Next thing you know Thanksgiving will be here, and then Christmas. Well I myself am at least going to try and be ready for Thanksgiving this year before it comes, so therefore I am trying out a few new recipes ahead of time. One being Pumpkin pie cupcakes.

Although this recipe turns out to be more pie like in texture than a real cupcake that's fine with me, because then I don't have to roll out pie dough and clean up the mess that comes with it on a already busy holiday. As the saying goes....I can have my cake, and eat it too. Or in this case PIE! Another nice thing is that the servings are smaller so your guests can always go back for seconds, that is after they have sampled all the other goodies we tend to busy ourselves making in the kitchen to celebrate this special holiday.

I use my own flour mixture here which makes a full cup of 140 grams, so for this recipe you will only use 93 grams of the mix or 2/3 cup. I like to weigh my flours for better accuracy.

Flour mix:

45 gr white rice flour
35 gr brown rice flour
18 gr sorghum flour
25 gr tapioca starch
17 gr potato STARCH not flour

*140 grams total = 1 cup

                                                         Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

15 ounces canned pumpkin  (not pie filling)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup evaporated milk ( makes creamier)
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teas vanilla
93 grams flour mix from above
1/4 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
1/4 teas baking powder
1/4 teas baking soda
2 teas pumpkin pie spice ( recipe to follow below)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 cupcake pan with spray. Using liners will make cakes stick...
Sift together all dry ingredients except the sugar.
Mix together the pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and evaporated milk..
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until evenly combined. A mixer on low speed works well for this.
Using a little over 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup  fill each tin in the pan.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and set on cooling rack. Let the cupcake/pies cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove from pan to cool completely on rack. Store in the refrigerator covered when cool. These are quick, easy and delish. Why not give them a trial run before the Holidays.....they won't last long, I promise!


                                                Homemade Pumpkin pie spice mix:
(makes about  31/4  teas but you only need 2 teas for above recipe)

2 teas ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teas ground ginger
1/4 teas ground cloves

Mix and store in small airtight container.

If at first you don't succeed....fallen leaves, oops.....loaves that is.

                                                                             

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months, where nothing seemed to go right, or was just a little off ? Well this is one of them for me. I have been faithfully searching the web for a place for my sister to rent to no avail. It seems that even if you are aloud to have pets, they must be small or weigh less than 20 pounds....Since she has a large German Shepard it is virtually impossible to find anything at all for her. She has till the end of this month to be moved and I have no idea how this job fell onto my shoulders to find her a place, but it has.

Since loosing my mom in July I have had this overwhelming pressure of responsibility that sometimes takes my breath away. Since we have no parents, or grandparents left, I now have the role of "Top Dog" as my husband puts it, in the role of this family. Its funny how being only 3 years older than my sister that I feel such pressure to make sure she is safe. She's not a child anymore by any means, she's a grown woman, yet I feel responsible now.

I have an allergy to dogs, and since we live in a restricted pet community, a dog of that stature is not aloud. Also I have a 19 year old cat that would not withstand the pressure of such a massive creature being in the home.

I understand her dilemma, and being a pet owner myself would hate to see her have to give up her two year old pet, but life is sometimes about survival, is it not? Its kind of like baking bread, if at first you don't succeed, then try and try again.

Well thank God I am not under pressure about baking that perfect loaf of bread...Or am I? I set the bar pretty high for myself. Seems the older I get the more I expect from myself. I have a tendency to attempt the best from myself and when I don't reach that goal I can get pretty down on myself. Therefore I am still seeking that perfect loaf of bread that may never happen, but I strive on. I guess anything is better than most of those store bought frozen loaves, right?

I made a loaf yesterday that fit every criteria. Soft and spongy, excellent taste and mouth feel, perfectly browned, flexible.. Wow I thought I was on the right track, that is until the top sank after cooling. So I cut out some water from the recipe for the second loaf I made, and although the top did not rise very high, it at least didn't sink.

I have to say that the recipe is getting pretty darn close to being posted for you also to also enjoy. Be patient and give me just a little bit more time, and I promise to post the recipe soon!

Until then, enjoy your gluten free week.
Sharon

GF Bread baking..If at first you don't succeed....try and try again....

Another day has come and I am excited to head to the kitchen for some more "trial and error'. To be perfectly honest, I'm becoming a creature of nature in this area. I have plopped more baking efforts into the trash than I care to mention. Like the old saying goes...If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.

You are probably wondering why I don't just give up trying to find that "PERFECT" flour blend and use what's out there on the store shelves. Well to be honest, sometimes so do I. My own family thinks I have a bad case of PROFESSIONALISM, but my thoughts on the subject are that I just want my baked goods to taste like my mom use to make, plain and simple!

In case I have peaked your curiosity I will straight out mention that yes I have tried almost every "Cup for Cup" flour out there on the market, and although there are some pretty good ones, to me everything tastes the same. Same texture, same mouth feel, same....same....same!

I have even tried almost every flour mixture recipe I could get my hands on. I have followed the mixtures, and the  recipes to the tee, and still had major flops! What is a girl to do? I lost my mom this July and her recipes have now become mine as my sister is not a baker by heart. Some of the recipes are hand written and are now my treasures and keepsakes. Oh what I would give to make her famous Texas sheet cake and remember the exact taste from my childhood! Getting close, but no cigar yet!

Recently I have been working on that perfect loaf of gluten free bread. To be honest I have several loaves of store bought in my freezer for emergencies, but they just lack that taste and texture I am looking for. I am getting close though! At least close enough that I can say the past few loaves have gone into the freezer, not the trash. OK, so my bread may never completely look like a loaf of  wheat bread, but it will be spongy, has a nice bend, hold up to sandwiches, and have a great taste. When I have it to where I think its as close to the perfect "wheat" laden loaf I remember from my moms kitchen, then I promise to share.

Well I have things to do, and bread to bake, so I'm off. Have a great day, and stay gluten free!
Sharon