In preparation for my upcoming banana cream pie recipe, I decided to create a gluten free pastry cream recipe, instead of using my go-to Gluten Free Baked Custard, which I use in almost all of my desserts calling for custard. That recipe is actually my creme brulee recipe, but it’s a good catchall. This recipe thickens quickly, which is a pleasure for a change when compared to most custard and pudding recipes. A matter of fact, you may wish to cut back on some of the flour or starch. Continue reading “Gluten Free Pastry Cream”
Spun Sugar
Have you ever wondered how they make those caramelized designs on fancy desserts? Some people try to make it using a mixture of water and sugar. When you add water to sugar during the caramelizing process, you are risking the chance of crystals forming. It is best to use sugar alone. I even found a recipe online calling for vinegar and water to be added to the sugar. Vinegar is only needed if you are going to use quite a bit of artificial food coloring. As in red velvet cake, vinegar offsets the bitter taste of the food coloring. You can create different shades of spun sugar by altering the time you brown the sugar. The longer you cook it, the darker it becomes. However, overcooking it can harden the sugar. Temperature is key. However, it is so easy to make…only one ingredient. How simple is that? It’s a great way to garnish creme brulee′ or flan. Continue reading “Spun Sugar”
Gluten Free Bread Machine Recipe – Oat Bread
This is the second gluten free bread machine recipe that I have developed and recently published. This oat bread is my all-time favorite, though I need to experiment with substituting the tapioca flour/starch for cornstarch, due to allergies. I’ve created a specific category for these Gluten Free Bread Machine Recipes. So, you may check it now and again to see what’s new (see link above). Continue reading “Gluten Free Bread Machine Recipe – Oat Bread”
Crisp Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies / Wafers (Girl Scout Thin Mints)
Refrigerated dough is so much easier to handle and prevents dough from spreading too much. In addition, chilled dough helps create crisp cookies. That’s exactly the features this cookie dough provides. They resemble the crunch of Thin Mints® Girl Scout Cookies. You’ll never miss the real thing. Continue reading “Crisp Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies / Wafers (Girl Scout Thin Mints)”
Healthier Gluten Free Grilled Cheese Sandwich
You can coat your bread with tons of butter and fill it with ton of oozing melted cheese, but why not make your gluten free grilled cheese sandwich healthier? Add healthier fats by adding avocado, and using less cheese. Or…use the same amount of cheese, but add additional fiber. It will balance out the carbs from higher starched bread, resulting in lower net carbs. You can add your favorite raw veggies such as sprouts, tomatoes, and cucumbers, which provide additional fiber. In addition, use a higher fiber and higher protein bread. Learn about high protein gluten free flours. They are usually higher in fiber, as well. Instead of tons of butter, use a healthy oil of your choosing. I enjoy lite/light extra virgin olive oil. It has the same nutritional value as extra virgin olive oil, but less of the olive flavor. Another favorite of mine is grape seed oil. It’s clear, and virtually flavorless. Enjoy, with less guilt! Continue reading “Healthier Gluten Free Grilled Cheese Sandwich”
Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
This delicious gluten free chicken pot pie recipe was adapted from All Recipes’ Chicken Pot Pie IX recipe, with a couple of twists of my own, creating a very flavorful sauce, with a touch of sweetness, which you may control. I’ve never enjoyed a pot pie before, even when they were made with gluten, but I went back for seconds on this gluten free pot pie! My newly developed gluten free pie crust is moist, light, and flaky, and the sauce in this recipe is so flavorful, making this is a match made in heaven! My husband had to stop eating premade pot pies years ago due to his low-sodium diet. So, he was in heaven with this version, as I was able to control the sodium content. He eats gluten, and truly enjoyed it! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Continue reading “Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie”
Gluten Free Pie Crust – Perfect for Double Crust
This gluten free pie crust is awesome to work with! I developed it for KitchenAid’s new 13-Cup Food Processor with ExactSlice System. It’s the perfect gluten free crust! If you’d desire, you can even weave a top lattice crust using this dough. It is a lighter crust than typical pie crusts, similar to a pâte brisée, which is a half fat (butter and/or shortening) and half flour ratio. However, in this recipe, I used quite a bit more flour. I just wanted to lighten up a regular crust a bit. It turned out an amazing gluten free pie crust, as it was not dry at all, but moist, flavorful and flaky. Continue reading “Gluten Free Pie Crust – Perfect for Double Crust”
Gluten Free Broccoli Salad with Bacon
This recipe can be made naturally gluten free, though I chose to add bacon, which you’ll need to ensure is gluten free. I love this gluten free broccoli salad, as it you can make it a number of ways….add shredded cheese, carrots, use almonds or walnuts, kick it up a notch with a spicy salad dressing, and more. I’ve listed a brand of bacon and bacon bits that are gluten free, but you can check out the Gluten Free Products List to find more. If you desire a dairy-free creamy dressing trying creaming avocado with a vinaigrette. I hope you enjoy this recipe. Continue reading “Gluten Free Broccoli Salad with Bacon”
Gluten Free Meringue Buttercream Frosting – Italian Buttercream – Italian Meringue (Silky & Corn-Free)
Many people are seeking to find a gluten free buttercream frosting recipe that is silky smooth. True buttercream frosting (homemade at least) is usually naturally gluten free. The recipe below is made in a professional manner, versus the quick type we tend to make with only butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla/flavoring. This meringue buttercream frosting recipe (see below) does not use powdered sugar, making it corn-free. However, you can find corn-free powdered sugar (Trader Joe’s Organic), I find that meringue buttercream is not only silky, but it lacks that powdery taste that traditional buttercream creates.
I explain how you can flavor the frosting besides using extracts. Fruit purees are wonderful in buttercream frosting. They not only provide flavor but natural coloring, as well. What do you like to add to yours? Continue reading “Gluten Free Meringue Buttercream Frosting – Italian Buttercream – Italian Meringue (Silky & Corn-Free)”
Gluten Free Pita Bread
Over a year ago I tried to make gluten free pita bread, but was under the misconception that rising them prior to rolling would be fruitless. Now that I’ve experimented more, I know this not to be the case. When someone recently asked me for a yeast-free pita bread recipe, it was a reminder that I needed to give them another go. And I’m absolutely thrilled how they turned out. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been about 10 years since I’ve had one or not, but they taste like gluten pita bread to me! This recipe was adapted from its gluten cousin Pita Bread Recipe on About.com. You can serve this pita bread with hummus dip, or use it as substitute for gluten free bread, as I did in one of the images below, with chicken salad. Enjoy! Continue reading “Gluten Free Pita Bread”

