Gluten free cookbook...

Hi all. Well I have had the past few days off from work as we are having some issues with our washing machine that seriously needed to be taken care of. It sounded like a helicopter taking off when it was on the spin cycle, and spitting black stuff onto my floor....I sometimes feel that life is out to get me, along with the washing machine!

A few days ago I posted that I was going to try agar agar in my bread recipe and let you know how it turned out. I have only made one loaf so far and I had actually tried a new flour mixture at the same time, so I honestly can't give a reasonable opinion. I will say however that I did keep the finished loaf and its in my freezer, so I guess it wasn't all that bad!!!

For the past month I have been feeling out of sorts with a irritated stomach most of the time, and when searching the web on gums and their affects I  found out that I had  many of the symptoms that others who can't consume xanthan gum have had...Seems not only was it affecting my gut, but also the lining of my nose and its membranes. Since I have been careful not to consume products the past few days with any xanthan gum in them my symptoms seem to be clearing up. I will keep you further posted on this matter when I have been off  it for a longer period of time...

Also I have been doing some intense research on the web about using a gum replacement along with the agar agar, or on its own, and have ordered another product that I am hoping will help solve my dilemma. I will also keep you posted on this venture.

Tomorrow it will be back to work as usual :-( , and after being retired once, I am definitely looking forward to that day soon again. Its hard working on new recipes and flour mixtures when I am so tired after a day of work...All I want to do is prop my feet up and try and relax. Maybe someday I will finally be able to complete the cookbook I started over a year ago....

Well that's all for today. Hopefully my "surprise" gum replacement will arrive this week and I can post some hopeful results for you all soon.

Until then have a great gluten free week.
Sharon

 

Agar Agar Powder

Today is my day off and naturally instead of sleeping in I woke up at 5:30 AM....So far I have cleaned, made cookies, and taken a cat nap with my cat Angel.. LOL All joking aside it has been a prosperous day so far I believe.

 Lately I have been contemplating about some of the gluten free flours and products I have been using. I have been doing some extensive  research about the binding ingredients used in gluten free baking such as Xanthan gum, and the other gums.

I know you need some sort of binding as there is definitely NO gluten's in the flours I use so I started researching some alternatives to use,  as it seems the gums seem to be giving me some issues as of late.

I came upon a article online that states you can use a product called Agar Agar  Powder in place of these gums, and therefore I have ordered a jar and hopefully plan to give it a try in my recipes in the very near future. As soon as I have some results I will post them.

In the mean time I am still "mixing it up"  with several flour combinations trying to find the best flour blends for different baked goods. I hope your gluten free living is going well and I'll be back online soon with more fun recipes...

Until then if you have any suggestions or recipes you would like to share drop me a line in the contact form.

Sharon

 

QUICK Homemade Vanilla Pudding ...

Hi all. As you all know by now I am a BIG chocolate fan :.) Lately I have been fighting off a cold and the other night I was in the mood for something warm, creamy, and of all things....VANILLA! Go figure. I racked my brain, searched through my cupboards, thought about driving to the store but didn't have the energy,  all to no avail...

 

Then I started reminiscing about being a child and how my mom always made something special for us when we weren't feeling well. Then it hit me...I remember how she use to make vanilla pudding on the stove from scratch and the sweet aroma that use to fill the kitchen as it cooked on the stove. So even though I wasn't feeling well I searched my pile of recipes until I came upon a old family favorite.

 

The great thing about this recipe is even though it takes a few minutes to make  it is not loaded with preservatives and all that added gook of store bought varieties...and I can eat it while its still warm and soothing.

 

So here is the quick, simple recipe, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did....YUM!!!

 

Quick Homemade Vanilla Pudding:

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups milk
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

 

In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until bubbles form at edges.

In a small bowl combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Pour into hot milk, a little at a time, stirring to dissolve. Continue to cook and stir until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Do not boil. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter.

Pour into serving dishes, cover with plastic wrap laid across top of pudding so a film does not form. Chill before serving or eat while warm, either way it's delicious.

 

Have a great gluten free day!

Sharon

Fresh Farm Berry Mix

  I just joined a new site with great products....Hope you will stop by and visit  :-)
Farm Fresh Berry Mix This is just one of the many items available for your home.

Sharon