Gluten Free Almond Paste and Gluten Free Marzipan

Image: Gluten Free Marzipan

Needing some gluten free almond paste for an upcoming recipe that I’m creating, I decided to make my own. Though you may grind your own blanch almonds, which I did, you will find that most blanched almond flour has a smoother texture than freshly ground almonds from a food processor. I chose to use agave syrup in this recipe, as it react much slower in your blood stream than honey or sugar. Most sweeteners spike your blood sugar levels. Many people now are borderline diabetics that agave really is a smarter choice. This almond paste is not very sweet, therefore, you may add a tad bit more agave, but not too much or you’ll be on your way to making marzipan instead. As an alternative you may substitute the agave with honey. I love that this almond paste recipe can be made in about 10 minutes. Continue reading “Gluten Free Almond Paste and Gluten Free Marzipan”

Mascarpone Filled Gluten Free Cannoli Dipped in Dark Chocolate

Gluten Free Cannoli with Mascarpone Filling

I saw some regular cannoli in a bakery decorated so elegantly that my first thought was that I just had to make a gluten free version! They were filled with mascarpone cheese, which is a sweetened Italian cream cheese. The one thing I will never order in a bakery is pre-filled cannoli, as sitting there just makes the cannoli shell soft. Ordering ahead of time is the only way to go, but making them from scratch is even better. If you’re considering skipping the chocolate dipping step, consider that when dipped in chocolate cannoli  stand up properly, instead of rolling over when served or displayed. Enjoy these luscious gluten free cannoli! Continue reading “Mascarpone Filled Gluten Free Cannoli Dipped in Dark Chocolate”

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Ganache or Frosting (Raw)

Avocado Ganache

The main ingredient in this recipe may surprise you. It’s avocado! Yes. Avocado makes a wonderful substitution for fat and egg in many recipes. This dairy free ganache has very few ingredients: avocado, cocoa powder and agave syrup. Use it to frost cakes, cupcakes, donuts, fill pastries and more. It’s so rich, you’ll never go back to heavy whipping again! Continue reading “Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Ganache or Frosting (Raw)”

High Protein Gluten Free Crepes – Blintz – Cheese Rolls (Flourless)

Image: Gluten Free Crepes

I needed to create a cheese rolls recipe, often known as blintz, using tapioca flour starch for an eHow video and thought I would include dairy-free options. Though you may use cow’s milk for a creamier crepe, dairy-free milk or even water will work. I filled my crepe with chopped sauteed Swiss chard with garlic, a mixture of sauteed onion and red bell pepper, topped with a little Gluten Free Bechamel Sauce. Though these are high in egg, they do not taste eggy. Fill with anything sweet or savory. A crepe filled with cottage cheese is known in the Jewish community as a blintz. Others fill them with cheese and roll them up like a burrito around all sides and bake until warm. Usually, they are then topped with a fruit sauce. Gluten free crepes are like an empty canvas. Create away! Continue reading “High Protein Gluten Free Crepes – Blintz – Cheese Rolls (Flourless)”

Gluten Free Vol-au-Vent for Sweet or Savory Recipes

Image: Gluten Free Vol au Vent

A vol-au-vent is a French pastry which is made from layers of puffed pasty, hallowed out and filled with anything from sweet to savory. This gluten free vol-au-vent is stuffed with peach pie filling, however, you may fill it with something savory which contains a little sauce or moisture, such as a seafood mousse, chicken pot pie filling, etc. How this recipe came about was when I stumbled upon a recipe for vol-au-vent, and just had to make a gluten free version. While this recipe turns out a crust similar to pie crust, it can be made with my new flaky gluten free phyllo dough. This gluten free vol-au-vent recipe allows you to be creative. You can shape them into hearts for Valentine’s Day or four leaf clovers for St. Patrick’s Day. You can scallop the edges or whatever you desire. Give it a try. And I bet your guests will never know they are made from a gluten free recipe! Continue reading “Gluten Free Vol-au-Vent for Sweet or Savory Recipes”

Gluten Free Pop Tarts – Style Pastries

Image: Gluten Free Pop Tart

Last month one of my Facebook friends asked me for a gluten free pop tarts recipe. I created this one for her. I filled one with chocolate ganache that I already had on hand, and the chocolate held up very well, even when fresh out of the oven. It did not ooze out of the pastry once cut. The others I filled with orange marmalade (the best!). Another I made sweet and savory by using a hot and spicy raspberry filling straight from a jar. The last I filled with a sweet walnut paste that I use in my walnut butter cups. Loved them all!

Update: You may also use gluten free pie filling. Comstock brand and Wilderness brands are gluten free. Continue reading “Gluten Free Pop Tarts – Style Pastries”

Chocolate Sugar-Free Gluten-Free Donuts Doughnuts (Baked)

These are my favorite gluten free donuts, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! I had run across the cardboard wrapper that surrounded my donut pan and had been craving them, as I see it quite often. My husband’s favorite type of donuts are chocolate, and he’s coming home today from out of town. I thought what better way to greet him than have chocolate gluten free donuts awaiting him? Well, the first batch I forgot to add the milk, which caused them to be too dry. They already had been placed in the oven when I realized it. Gee, where was my mind that day? Well, I played around with 2 different batches today, and finally achieved success! Enjoy! And if you’re dairy-free, see “Tips” for a great dairy free ganache. Continue reading “Chocolate Sugar-Free Gluten-Free Donuts Doughnuts (Baked)”

Gluten Free Empanadas

Image: Gluten Free Empanadas

Empanadas are a popular pastry found in the Caribbean, the Philippines, Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. The fillings are typically gluten-free. They are filled with various ingredients, whether sweet or savory, depending upon which part of the world they are made. They tend to be on the dry side, therefore, I used a rich creamy, flaky dough in my gluten free empanadas. Adding a juicy filling is advised, however, it will most likely leak out of the pastry dough and burn while baking. Cheese is a common ingredient in savory empanadas to avoid this dryness, and prevent leaking. You can add ground meat: chicken, beef with cheese, or plain cheese, along with sauteed vegetables and spices. If you find them dry you can make a dip, as well -an avocado dip, salsa, sour cream, etc. This gluten-free recipe is made on the Argentina flavor side, yet a little different. What type of filling will you make? Check out the different types of empanada in different parts of the world and choose your favorite or experiment! You’ll enjoy making gluten-free empanadas because you can be so creative!

Continue reading “Gluten Free Empanadas”