Gluten Free Gravy – The Perfect Thickener

Image: Gluten Free Gravy

The most asked question from new gluten free dieters I receive is how to make gluten free gravy. Over the years, I have experimented with several different methods. I have tried several different gluten free all-purpose flours and starches, even using several mixes of my own. They all resulted in thinning once refrigerated, frozen, or reheated. I even tried a technique that was in a scientific gluten free book made for professional and scientific recipe developers. I was hopeful, however, it did not work either. After some recent experimentation I tried something new. It turned out well. I froze it and just defrosted it the other day. It worked! It was still thick upon reheating. Yes! Sweet success! Continue reading “Gluten Free Gravy – The Perfect Thickener”

Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes

Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes

I’ve been contemplating what new gluten free Valentines’ Day recipes to post in the coming days. I wanted to make some gluten free red velvet pancakes using buttermilk, but since I didn’t have any, I needed a substitute. You know how you can make homemade buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (or white) to 1 cup of regular milk? Well, I decided to use some heavy whipping cream instead. The results? Absolutely amazing pancakes!

In essence, I made creme fraiche (soured cream), similar to buttermilk, but using cream.

Vinegar is always added to red velvet pancakes and baked goods because it masks the bitter flavor of artificial food coloring. No bitter taste, here! You could taste a slight hint of chocolate, and the rest just rich, moist, and a little sweet.

These pancakes were like eating a dessert, and not a gluten free one, either. You have to try these at least once. I towered the one in the photo below for a young boy, “Red Volcano Pancakes”. Enjoy! Continue reading “Gluten Free Red Velvet Pancakes”

Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake

Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake

This cake turned out so well – moist, rich, and chocolaty! Ever wonder what makes German chocolate cake so creamy and moist? It’s the buttermilk, as well as butter and sugar. A gluten free German chocolate cake recipe uses the same exact ingredients as a traditional one, except for the flour, and the brands of certain ingredients. German chocolate is very sweet. I use a mixture of good bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder instead. In addition, traditionally it is made with 3 layers; this is 4, or you can make just 2 layers (and use less frosting). It tastes good at room temperature or cold. Enjoy! Continue reading “Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake”

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Image: Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Whether you live in the U.S. and call this dish apple crisp or in the U.K or Australia and call it apple crumble, they all taste the same. The use of rice flour makes this gluten free apple crisp, actually crisp on top. Adjust the juices to your liking by using lemon or apple juice. Or kick it up a notch with rum; or when all else fails, plain old water works. You’ll find many apple crisp recipes that call for tart apples, however, this one calls for red apples. You will want to use sweet crisp apples such asĀ Braeburn,Ā Empire, or Gala, however, good old Red Delicious will do. Just make sure they’re firm. They don’t hold up as well as the other varieties. On the other hand, I enjoy soft, cooked apples. How about you? Continue reading “Gluten Free Apple Crisp”

Cheesy Gluten Free Polenta

Image: Cheese Polenta

Being half Italian, once in awhile I just get a craving for polenta. This creamy, cheesy, gluten free polenta recipe was a welcome change compared to the plain creamy polenta I usually make. You can spice it up with fresh garlic or powdered; use milk, or a dash of whipping cream; anything your heart desires. Two different kinds of cheese work best, but you do not need to stick with the Parmesan and cheddar listed below. Dive in and experiment with your favorite ingredients! Continue reading “Cheesy Gluten Free Polenta”

Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce (Corn-Free Tomato-Free)

Image: Gluten Free Corn Free Worcestershire Sauce

Though you can purchase gluten-free and tomato-free Worcestershire sauce such as Lea & Perrins The Original or Reduced Sodium, but finding a corn-free version is very difficult. At least I haven’t had any luck finding one. For my readers with corn allergies, I thought they would appreciate a gluten free Worcestershire sauce recipe that was corn-free. You can increase the various ingredients below to meet your tastes. Enjoy! Continue reading “Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce (Corn-Free Tomato-Free)”

Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Using Oven Roasting Bag

Image: Sliced Gluten Free Sourdough Bread

I no longer use this recipe. See my popular Gluten Free Sourdough Recipe.

This recipe is a work in progress, but I am very pleased on how it turned out for the first time. I really wanted to have a much rounder, higher gluten free sourdough bread at the end, but in transferring it to the baking pan, I was afraid it would rise too much. So, I spread it out a bit. Though I used cornstarch in this recipe because I am allergic to tapioca, I believe it will result in a fluffy, higher risen bread by using tapioca flour/starch instead. Though cornstarch has more flavor.

This bread is very sour, if you allow the gluten free sourdough starter to develop gray liquid (hooch). Therefore, be careful to follow the instructions in my starter recipe.

We’ll never be able to reproduce that flavor by using gluten free flour. It’s just not the same. However, this recipe did satisfy my cravings for sourdough bread. I had used 1 teaspoon of salt, but it was not nearly enough. Try starting with 1 1/2 teaspoons and increase from there the next time you make it. I plan on making this again using tapioca flour/starch and 1 teaspoon sugar for my husband, just to see how different it turns out. I’ll update this post then. Meanwhile, enjoy this crusty wonder! By the way, it’s egg-fee, dairy-free, and sugar-free, too! Continue reading “Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Using Oven Roasting Bag”

Gluten Free Date Bars

Image: Gluten Free Date Bars

These lovely bars are made with either wine, for adults, or with orange juice for the kids. Either way, these gluten free date bars are a wonderful treat. They are similar to their gluten cousins, Fig Newtons. A matter of fact, you can use figs in the recipe, as well as dried apricots. There a few variations that I have created and listed below including adding nuts, using wine (really cannot taste the wine – more like grapes) or orange juice as a reduction/filling, or spicing it up a bit with some ginger.
Continue reading “Gluten Free Date Bars”

Chocolate Gluten Free Rice Crispy Treats

Image: Gluten Free Rice Crispy Treats

These little babies are not only the first chocolate gluten free rice crispy treats I’ve ever made, but the first ever Rice KripsiesĀ® treats I’ve ever made. As a child I not only never made Rice Krispies Treats, but had never tasted one. I know! I had a mother who loved dessert, and if there was going to be dessert in the house, she was going to want some. So…we usually had more adult desserts. Though she used to make a 3-layered Jello dessert only us kids would eat. Continue reading “Chocolate Gluten Free Rice Crispy Treats”