Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls)

peanutbutterballs small

Peanut Butter Balls (aka Buckeyes)


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


2 cups GF Graham Cracker Crumbs [Kinnikinnick]
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup of Peanut Butter [Skippy]
2 Tablespoons softened butter

4" x 4" chunk of dipping chocolate.
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips [Nestle's]

Mix graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar until blended.
Into the crumb mixture, work in the peanut butter and butter.
Form mixture into 1" balls and place on cookie sheet
Put populated cookie sheet into the freezer for 1 hour

Melt dipping chocolate and chocolate chips together in microwave on low power. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate.
Place back on cookie tray and return to freezer for another hour.

Put in a tightly covered container and store in a cool place. We keep them in a closet that is adjacent to our garage [it's cooler].

Peg Notes:

I go so much by feel, this is hard to explain. I'll do my best.

If the graham cracker mixture seems too dry, add more peanut butter - 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time. Mixture should hold it's shape easily. It's a play dough type consistency.

Dipping these things are messy - I just use my hands. I have not found an easier way to do it. Some have good luck with inserting toothpicks, I have not.

If chocolate starts hardening back up, put it in the microwave for another minute.

Enjoy!

Baked Alaskan Cod

Baked Alaskian Cod

Baked Alaskan Cod


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

Wild Caught Alaskan Cod, thawed, cut in 4" to 5" pieces
1/2 stick of butter, melted
5 to 6 lemon slices
1/2 187ml bottle White Zinfandel wine
1/2 medium white onion, sliced
1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Granulated garlic (Penzey's)
Granulated onion (Penzey's)
Smoked paprika (Penzey's)
Tuscan Sunset (Penzey's) (optional)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Place lemon & onion slices, and minced garlic in bottom of 9 x 13 glass pan.
Pour in 1/2 bottle of wine and melted butter.
Season mixture with pepper, and a pinch of salt.

Drizzle each side of cod with olive oil. Season each side of cod with salt, pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, smoked paprika, and a sprinkle of Tuscan Sunset.

Place seasoned fish in pan and cover with foil and place in oven.

After 30 minutes, uncover fish and return for another 10 - 15 minutes. Fish will flake apart.

Spoon liquid over the top of fish and squeeze of fresh lemon after plating. The liquid is also great poured over rice

Auntie's Cutout Cookies



Auntie's GF Cutout cookie Paleo

Auntie's Cutout Cookies
Original recipe by Edna Schwandt
Gluten-Free Adaption by Peggy Klapperich

When using any flours/grains, nuts, seeds, etc - make sure they are labeled gluten-free. Gluten contamination of these products are very likely if they’re not produced in a dedicated facility.

To learn more about this, see
Grain-Free for the Gluten-Free

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Peggy's Aunt Edna makes
the best cutout cookies. Many years ago, Peggy learned how to make them. They continue to be holiday family favorites - except for me.

When I had to go gluten-free, this meant an end to these cookies. Since 2003, Peggy has been trying to replicate these beloved cookies. Many different custom blended and commercial flour mixes have been tried.

While the GF versions of this cookie have been good - they still weren't like Auntie's cookies - until now. These cookies are the closest version yet. They remain crispy on the outside, soft on the inside - even after freezing them.

Step aside
Almond Flour Sugar Cookies, there's a new favorite cutout cookie in town.


Cookie Ingredients:

4 cups
Bob's Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour
1 1/2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Sprinkle of Salt


Potato or Tapioca starch (not flour) for rolling.


Frosting Ingredients*:

1/2 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 or 2 tablespoons of milk or almond milk

*The amounts listed are approximate. Adjust them until it's as stiff or loose as you like.


Directions:

In mixer bowl, cream butter, sugar & vanilla together.

Add eggs - beat until fluffy

Add dry ingredients - mix throughly - at least 2 to 3 minutes.

Chill dough over night (3 hour minimum)

Remove about 1/4 of the dough keeping the rest in the fridge.

Dust counter with starch. Coat dough until it's no longer sticky.

Roll dough to 3/8" thickness. It is best to keep these cookies on the thicker side. They are a bit fragile.

Cut out cookies and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Set scrap aside in the fridge. Do not add rolled dough to fresh dough

Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes - until edges start to brown. Note: cookies brown quickly. Don't let them get too brown.

Remove cookies from oven. Allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Place on waxed paper.

Repeat rolling & baking process until fresh dough is gone.

Combine dough scraps, re-roll, cut and bake.

Tip: Do not frost these cookies to far in advance. They will absorb some moisture from the frosting.


Yield: 6 dozen cookies


Almond Flour Sugar Cookies

Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
Original recipe by
Erin of MeaingfulEats.com

When using any flours/grains, nuts, seeds, etc - make sure they are labeled gluten-free. Gluten contamination of these products are very likely if they’re not produced in a dedicated facility.

To learn more about this, see
Grain-Free for the Gluten-Free

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


We have tried a number of sugar cookie/cut out cookie recipes over the years. So far, this is the best one we have found. It’s our gluten-free holiday cookie go-to recipe. Refer to the original recipe for hints and tips for making these.

Cookie Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, ghee, or palm shortening, softened
1/4 cup softened coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (Penzey’s)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (Arm & Hammer)
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour (Honeyville) (scoop and slightly pack it down when you measure it)
1/2 cup coconut flour (Bob’s Red Mill GF)

Frosting Ingredients*:

1/2 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 or 2 tablespoons of milk or almond milk

Directions:

Cream together the butter, coconut oil, and brown sugar in mixer bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract - mix well.

Combine baking soda, salt, almond & coconut flour in separate bowl - mix well. With mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients 1 cup at a time. Beat well after each addition.

Place dough on plastic wrap and form into disk. Wrap dough and refrigerate for 30 min to overnight. Overnight is best.

Preheat oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper

Sprinkle coconut flour on clean flat surface. Roll out dough until it’s 1/4” thick. It helps to roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper. If not, coat rolling pin with coconut flour.
Cut cookies with your favorite cutters. Work quickly so the dough stays cold. Use spatula to transfer cookies to baking sheet.

Gather the scraps. Ball, roll, and repeat. If dough gets too warm, refrigerate it again.

Bake for 13-15 minutes - until lightly golden. Baking these longer than typical sugar cookies. This allows the outside to get a little crispy, but the inside will be soft. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Frosting Directions:

Combine ingredients into mixing bowl. Mix with stand or hand mixer until fluffy.

*The amounts listed are approximate. Adjust them until it's as stiff or loose as you like.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp



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Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Most medical professionals say gluten-free oats can be tolerated in limited amounts [up to 1/2 cup per day for adults]. They also suggest restricting oats for one year for those newly diagnosed.


Some celiacs will react to the protein found in oats [avenin], just as they react to the proteins in wheat, barley, rye.

If you choose to add oats to your diet, please make sure they are gluten-free purity protocol oats.

To learn more, please read our
oats article.



If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Filling Ingredients:
2 cups rhubarb - cut into 1" pieces
1 cup of strawberries. Cleaned, hulled and sliced.
1/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)
2 tablespoons of Gluten-Free Sweet Rice Flour (
Bob's Red Mill)
2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Topping Ingredients:
1/2 cup Purity Protocol - Certified GF oats [
GF Harvest Oats] (Quinoa Flakes can be used instead of oats).
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup
Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter


Yield: 2 - 7oz Corningware Ramekins


Topping Directions:

Combine oats, brown sugar, GF flour, cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Cut in butter till mixture is like course crumbs.

Fruit Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
Divide mixture between two ramekins. The filling is almost to the top.
Sprinkle topping ingredients over the top. If you like lots of topping - add a good amount.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until GBD (Golden Brown & Delicious)

Some spill over may occur when this bakes. Place ramekins in pan or on foil.

Make sure it's cooled sufficiently before serving. This allows the fruit to set up.


Different fruit modifications:

Apples, Pears or Peaches - coat fruit with 1.5 tablespoons of sugar instead of flour/sugar mixture written above.

Berries & Cherries (Blueberries, Raspberries) - use recipe as written above.

Oatmeal Cake


Oatmeal Cake (1)
Oatmeal Cake (a.k.a “Crack Cake”)



The original recipe was designed for baking in a microwave. The directions here are for baking in a normal oven.

Most medical professionals say gluten-free oats can be tolerated in limited amounts [up to 1/2 cup per day for adults]. They also suggest restricting oats for one year for those newly diagnosed.

Some celiacs will react to the protein found in oats [avenin], just as they react to the proteins in wheat, barley, rye.

If you choose to add oats to your diet, please make sure they are gluten-free purity protocol oats.

To learn more, please read our
oats article.


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Cake Ingredients:

1 cup of purity protocol certified gluten-free oats (
GF Harvest Oats)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup favorite GF flour blend (
Krusteaz Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour Mix)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Caramel Topping Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar
6 tblsp butter
2 tblspn milk
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions Cake:

Cook oatmeal and water uncovered until mixture boils. About 3-4 minutes in microwave. Stir once and set aside.

Blend all ingredients well. Stir in oatmeal mixture.

Grease bottom of glass12x8 pan. Pour into pan.

Bake at 325 for 40-50 minutes - until toothpick comes out clean.


Directions Topping:

Combine all ingredients and heat. When well blended spread over cake.

Topping may be put under the broiler for a few minutes till golden brown.

Twisted Chipsters

Twisted Chipsters Large

Chocolate Chip Cookie - A new twist on an old favorite.
Original recipe by Laurie Donaldson


This was Peggy's entry for the 2015 Cookie Daze Bake & Taste Contest. She tweaked
Laurie's Grain-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe slightly; replacing some of the almond flour with coconut flour. This helped combat the humid weather we have this time of year.


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Ingredients:

2 cups almond flour (Honeyville)
1/4 cup coconut flour (Bob’s Redmill)
1 teaspoon baking soda (Arm & Hammer)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar with 1 tblsp water (consistency of honey)
1 teaspoon vanilla (Penzey’s)
1 egg
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup chocolate chips (Nestles)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.

Mix together the dry ingredients: flours, baking soda & salt.

Mix together the wet ingredients: sugar, vanilla, egg, melted butter.

Combine dry and wet ingredients, then add chocolate chips.

Place tablespoon sized dough balls on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 325 for 14 -15 minutes or until edges lightly
brown.

After removing from the oven, allow cookies to cool slightly before removing from pan.



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Rhubarb Cupcakes

Rhubarb Cupcake
Rhubarb Cupcakes


Peggy converted
this gluten recipe from FineCooking.com, courtesy of Pinterest…of course.


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Cupcake Ingredients:

1-1/4 cup
Krusteaz GF flour blend
3/4 cup
Pamela's GF Artisan flour blend
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup sour cream
4 oz. (8 Tbs.) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 extra large egg
2 extra large egg whites
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups 1/4-inch-diced rhubarb (7-1/4 oz.)

Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon


Directions Cake:

In a large mixing bowl blend together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well with mixer. Add rhubarb and mix to combine. Scoop into paper lined muffin tins. Top with sugar topping and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until top springs back to touch. Cool for 5 minutes in pan then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling. Makes about 18 to 22 muffins.

Peg notes: You can substitute your favorite gluten free flour blend. Use sugar topping to your taste.




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Pumpkin Pie

pumpkin pie

Pumpkin Pie

A standard pumpkin pie - gluten-free style. The crust portion is made from a Whole Foods recipe.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Pie Crust Recipe
Recipe by: Whole Foods

http://bit.ly/WFGFPieCrust

Crust Ingredients:

1/3 cup potato starch, plus extra for dusting
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup millet flour
1/3 cup almond meal
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten

Crust Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Put potato starch, tapioca flour, millet flour, almond meal, sugar and salt into a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add butter and pulse again until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg and pulse until completely combined to make a slightly sticky dough.

Turn dough out onto a large sheet of waxed paper dusted with potato starch. Sprinkle potato starch over dough and knead gently, working in about 2 more tablespoons potato starch, until dough holds together without being sticky but is still very pliable. Using your fingertips, press dough into a 10-inch circle.

Invert a 9-inch pie pan on top of the dough then quickly flip over both the pan and the dough so that the dough now rests in the pan. Gently peel away and discard wax paper and press dough into pie plate, patching it together, if needed. Crimp and trim the edges as desired then prick sides and bottom all over with a fork.

Peggy Tip: If you don't fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans, do not par-bake, just fill and bake it.

Line crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until crust is just set and slightly dry around the edges, about 15 minutes. Remove parchment paper and pie weights, fill with pie filling and bake as needed. Alternately, for a pie that requires a pre-baked crust, return to oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes more.


Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie
Right off the can of pumpkin

http://bit.ly/1xgaduJ

Ingredients:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 9-inch Gluten-Free Pie Crust (see GF pie crust recipe)

Directions:
Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into gluten-free pie shell.

Bake in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Pecan Pumpkin Pie

pecan pumpkin
Pecan Pumpkin Pie

This is a gluten-free version of a Penzey's recipe. The crust portion is made from a Whole Foods recipe.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Pie Crust Recipe
Recipe by: Whole Foods

http://bit.ly/WFGFPieCrust

Crust Ingredients:

1/3 cup potato starch, plus extra for dusting
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup millet flour
1/3 cup almond meal
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten

Crust Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Put potato starch, tapioca flour, millet flour, almond meal, sugar and salt into a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add butter and pulse again until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg and pulse until completely combined to make a slightly sticky dough.

Turn dough out onto a large sheet of waxed paper dusted with potato starch. Sprinkle potato starch over dough and knead gently, working in about 2 more tablespoons potato starch, until dough holds together without being sticky but is still very pliable. Using your fingertips, press dough into a 10-inch circle.

Invert a 9-inch pie pan on top of the dough then quickly flip over both the pan and the dough so that the dough now rests in the pan. Gently peel away and discard wax paper and press dough into pie plate, patching it together, if needed. Crimp and trim the edges as desired then prick sides and bottom all over with a fork.

Peggy Tip: If you don't fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans, do not par-bake, just fill and bake it.

Line crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until crust is just set and slightly dry around the edges, about 15 minutes. Remove parchment paper and pie weights, fill with pie filling and bake as needed. Alternately, for a pie that requires a pre-baked crust, return to oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes more.


Pie Ingredients:

1 gluten-free pie crust (see crust recipe above)
1 15oz. Can of pumpkin
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon GF vanilla extract
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup of evap. Milk

Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup of butter unmelted
1/2 cup of brown sugar
3/4 cup of coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Make GF pie crust per directions. Press or roll into 8.5" pie tin.

Preheat oven to 350
Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt, vanilla, eggs & milk into mixing bowl. Mix well.
Pour mixture into unbaked GF pie crust.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Mix topping ingredients until crumbly.
After pie has baked 40 minutes, sprinkle mixture on pie and bake for another 25 minutes.
Cool and refrigerate for a couple of hours for best slicing.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits



Gluten-Free Garlic Cheese Biscuits

If you have missed Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits, you'll like these! This is a slightly modified recipe from LARavenscroft on Food.com.


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Pamela's Baking and Pancake mix
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup buttermilk


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine dry ingredients
Cut in butter.
Stir in cheddar cheese.
Add beaten egg and milk.
Drop onto an ungreased baking sheet
Bake for 15-17 minutes or until GBD (Golden Brown and Delicious)


Tomato Soup




Gluten-Free Tomato Soup

Peggy came home from work and was hungry tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. However, there was a small snag in this plan; we didn't have any tomato soup.

As many of you know, most tomato soup is not gluten-free. Since I'm not a huge fan of tomato soup, this fact was not a hardship for me when I went gluten-free.

It was late and neither one of us wanted to run down to the store to get a can. I said, "It is tomato soup, it can't be that difficult to make, I'll just make some [gluten-free of course]".

So I hop on the iPad and Peg grabs her laptop. In few minutes we a have few recipes that are quick and easy [and good and gluten-free!]. While I worked on the soup, Peg made the grilled cheese sandwiches. We make a great team!


If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes [with juice]
1 1/2 cups gluten-free chicken broth or water
(Kitchen Basics, Swanson’s, Pacific, Imagine)
2 Bay leaves
1/3 cup skim milk (we didn't have any heavy cream)
Salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions:

Place medium sized pot [enough to hold all the ingredients] on medium heat. Add butter and olive oil. Add onion, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté until onion is soft and just start to caramelize [about 10 - 15 minutes].

Add tomatoes and juice to the pan and stir to crush dices of tomatoes. Add the broth [or water] and bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Simmer until tomatoes pieces begin to break down, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat, remove bay leaves, and allow soup to cool slightly. Carefully spoon some of the soup in blender/food processor [you may have to do this in batches]. Blend until smooth. Return soup to the stove over low heat and stir in cream.

Taste for seasoning adjustments.


Even though I'm not a fan of tomato soup, I have to say, I did like it and will make this again.

If you're looking for a kicked up grilled cheese sandwich, check out our
Pesto Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Sauteed shrimp and steamed asparagus garnish the soup.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Al

Seasoned Rice with Chorizo



Seasoned Rice with Chorizo

Most meals around our house are like an episode of The Food Network's Iron Chef. We never know what we're going to have too far in-advance.

It usually starts with "You know we have ________ in the fridge yet".

However, in this case, I was digging through the freezer looking for a protein. Chicken - nah, just had it. Beef - nope, need to give it a rest. Pork chops - mmm nah-uh, just not feelin' it.

Tonight's secret ingredient is...Chorizo sausage! Allez Cuisine!

Now...what to do with it? This is what I came up with...

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

1 cup rice (Lundberg)
2 cups of gluten-free chicken broth
(Kitchen Basics, Swanson’s, Pacific, Imagine)
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
Penzey's Forward seasoning

Klemment's gluten-free chorizo sausage - sliced
1 or 2 carrots, finely diced
1/2 cup diced white onion
Salt & Pepper
Granulated garlic
Olive Oil
Green Peas (frozen, but fresh if you've got 'em)
Fresh Parsley - roughly chopped

Directions:

Combine rice, broth, butter, salt and seasoning in a pot. Bring to boil and stir once. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add olive oil and carrots to large pan saute on med-high heat until carrots start to soften. Add a bit of water to help steam carrots.
Add onion and stir
Season with salt, pepper, granulated garlic
Add sausage to pan and stir.
Lower heat once everything is heated thru
Add rice to pan when it's finished cooking.
Mix ingredients well.
Add chopped fresh parsley right at the end.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Al

Seasoned Vegetable Medley with Shrimp




Seasoned Vegetable Medley with Sauteed Shrimp

This veggie dish has become a favorite in our house. I make a large batch so I can have left overs. I like to make an omelet with these veggies.

This dish is all about timing. You don't want the shrimp to get done first and get cold. You don't want to leave the veggies in the pan waiting for the shrimp to get done.

The veggies will cook at different rates; you can help adjust for that by paying attention to piece size. Cauliflower and carrots tends to take longer to cook due to their density. I like to have a bit larger pieces of cauliflower, so those go in first. I try to keep the carrot slices about 1/4" thick. Broccoli, squash, and zucchini cook pretty quickly - keep a close eye on them so they don't turn to mush.

I tend to like my veggies on the crunchy side, so adjust the cooking times to suit your tastes.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Veggie Ingredients:

Cauliflower
Carrots
Broccoli
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
1/2 lemon - quartered
Grass Fed Butter
Olive Oil
Granulated garlic (Penzey's)
Granulated onion (Penzey's)
Tuscan Sunset (Penzey's)
Salt
Fresh ground pepper

Shrimp Ingredients:

1 lb raw, peeled, devained, and cleaned shrimp
Olive Oil
Granulated garlic (Penzey's)
Granulated onion (Penzey's)
Forward (Penzey's) Adds a bit of heat and spice
Salt & fresh ground pepper


Directions:

Place shrimp on a plate.
Season shrimp with garlic, onion, Foward, salt & pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Mix well.
Set aside while working on the veggies

Cut veggies into bite sized pieces. Place large saute pan on medium high heat.
Add olive oil to pan. Add cauliflower. Stir.

Squeeze lemon pieces over cauliflower and add lemon pieces in the pan.
Add splashes of water to create steam. When water has evaporated, add a bit more. Do this through out the entire cooking process.

Lightly season with granulated garlic, onion, Tuscan Sunset, salt and pepper.
Stir. Allow cauliflower to saute/steam for about 2 - 3 minutes.

Heat another saute pan for shrimp.

Add carrots - lightly season - stir - add a bit more water - stir for 3 - 4 minutes.

Add a bit of olive oil and shrimp to other saute pan. Stir.

Add broccoli - lightly season - stir - add a bit more water - stir for 1 - 2 minutes.

Stir shrimp

Add squash and zucchini - lightly season - stir - add a bit more water - stir for 1 - 2 minutes.

Remove shrimp pan from heat. Shrimp should be pink.

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter to veggies. Stir while melting.
Taste and add additional seasoning if needed.
Remove the lemon pieces.

Plate the veggies, top with shrimp.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Al

Carrot Cake




Gluten-Free Carrot Cake


Peggy converted this recipe she got from a co-worker. We served this cake for GIG of ECW's 5th anniversary celebration.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients

1/2 cup GF coconut flour (Bob's Red Mill GF)
1/2 cup GF sorghum flour (Bob's Red Mill GF)
1 cup gluten-free flour mix (Jules GF Flour Mix)
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum (Ener G)
1 tsp double strength vanilla (Penzey's)
4 extra large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup coconut oil (Dr. Bronner's White Virgin)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
3 cups grated carrots
¾ cups organic raisins (Roundy's – nothing but raisins)
1 cup raw, unsalted pecans (Nuts.com - GFCO)
3 teaspoons cinnamon (Penzey's)
2 teaspoons baking soda (Arm & Hammer)


Frosting

4-5 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp softened butter
3/4 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla (Penzey's)
1 tsp milk


Cake Directions

In mixing bowl cream together eggs, oil & sugar. Add vanilla. Mix in shredded carrots. Add dry ingredients. Mix with mixer for 5 minutes. Fold in nuts & raisins.

Grease two 9” round pans. Add parchment paper to bottoms. Spoon mixture into pans.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 min. or until toothpick comes clean or golden brown and pulls away from sides of pan. Cool in pan on rack for 5 min, then remove cakes from pan and allow to finish cooling on rack.


Frosting Directions

Place ingredients in mixing bowl. With mixer whip ingredients mix for about 5 minutes or until fluffy.

Frost cooled cake. Refrigerate after it's frosted to firm up frosting.

Garnish with chopped pecans.

Note: Due to the coconut oil, refrigeration of the cake will result in it being firm. Best to serve at room temperature, unless you like firm cake.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Peggy & Al



Lemon Garlic Chicken over Cauliflower Mash



Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast
over Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash


Facebook is not all time-wasting games, people-sharing-more-stuff-than-we-really-wanted-to-know...it can be a really useful tool. Seriously...

I believe one of my Paleo Diet friends posted the low-carb
Lemon Garlic Shrimp over Cauliflower Mash recipe from Nancy at SheCooksHeCleans.net. Like a good husband, I asked Peggy to Pin it for me so I could make it for her. The ironic thing...it's just the opposite in our house...I cook and Peg cleans...just the way I like it.

I did make the shrimp & cauliflower and we both loved it! We had tried mashed cauliflower in the past, but we weren't impressed [at least with that particular recipe]. This recipe on the other hand...is a keeper!

In my adaptation of Nancy's recipe, I am simply replacing the shrimp with chicken and removing the lemon juice and red pepper flakes from the sauce. Actually the chicken you see was actually grilled the night before. Peggy is not a fan of reheated meat, but she had no problems cleaning her lunch plate.

If you like garlic, you're going to love this dish! It calls for fourteen to sixteen cloves. You'll need a way to peel them quickly; watch this video, it really works:
http://vimeo.com/29605182

Oh yeah, word of caution, don't plan on going out after eating this, you're a walking Garlic Weapon of Mass Destruction. This gives a whole new meaning to "chemical weapon".

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients

Marinade:

Zest of 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound (3 or 4) chicken breasts


Cauliflower Mash:

1 head of cauliflower, cut into even medium to large sized florets
6-8 cloves garlic, peeled
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Half and half or cream / Milk or broth, optional use if needed to correct consistency

Lemon Garlic Chicken:

Marinated Chicken (from above)
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 slices bacon
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup white wine, or gluten-free chicken broth
1/2 sweet onion, minced
Pinch or two of dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped


Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients of marinade in a bowl large enough for all the chicken pieces. Place chicken in the bowl and make sure each one gets well coated. Cover and place in refrigerator for 1 - 4 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 and fire up your favorite grill (gas or charcoal). Place cauliflower and garlic cloves in foiled shallow pan [sided cookie sheet or jelly roll pan]. Drizzle enough olive oil to coat the pan/foil and the vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover loosely with foil and roast for 15 min. Remove foil and carefully stir vegetables so they don't stick and so they brown evenly. Uncover and roast for another 15 – 20 minutes or until cauliflower and garlic are soft and lightly browned. Remove from oven.

3. As the cauliflower is roasting, get your grill grates cleaned and prepped. I like to heat my gas grill to about 500-600° to carbonize anything that might be sticking on the grates. Brush the grates with a grill brush to remove any carbonized food particles then clean with several layers of paper towel that was liberally coated with vegetable oil. This clean the grates, but it also creates a non-stick surface. Close grill cover and allow internal temp to rise back up to 500+

4. Place chicken breasts on the grill. Grill until meat is firm and juices run clear (or internal temperature reaches 165
°). Remove from grill, cover allow to rest and keep warm.

5. Place cauliflower & garlic with a couple tablespoons of butter in a food processor and puree. Add parmesan cheese and mix well. The cauliflower should be a mashed potato or grits consistency (fairly thick, not runny). Add a touch cream or broth if it's too thick. Place in a heat-proof bowl and keep warm.

6. In a sauté pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon set aside on paper towels. When cool, chop into small pieces. Set aside.

7. Add two tablespoons of butter to the bacon drippings and melt on medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add minced garlic, and oregano – sauté for a minute. Stir in wine/broth. Cook until liquid is reduced by half (only a few minutes). Salt & pepper to taste.

Note: I also had left over bacon, so I did not have bacon drippings to help create a sauce. So, in order to re-heat the chicken and make a sauce, in a pan melt 2 tablespoons of butter, a splash of olive oil and sauté some minced onion and garlic. After onions soften, add some gluten-free chicken stock (1/4 - 1/2 cup?). Cover just the chicken with a small cover and allowed the sauce to reduce & slightly thicken. Near the end of cooking, add some dried oregano. If I had some white wine, I would've used that instead of chicken stock.

8. Slice chicken and place over mashed cauliflower, spoon sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped bacon.


Until the next good eats - cook well and be well.

Al


Peg's Home Econ Banana Bread


Banana Bread


The original recipe is from my 9th grade Home Economics class. I've adapted this version so it's GF. I also modified the GF and the non-GF recipe to reduce the sugar.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:
1 cup Gluten-free Sorghum Flour
1 1/2 cups Jules Gluten-free Flour Blend
3/4 cup Gluten-free ground flax meal
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup Vegetable Shortening (Earth Balance Baking Sticks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
(can use un-sweetened applesauce if not enough bananas)
1 1/2 teaspoon Gluten-Free Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Vanilla Extract

Makes 2 regular sized breads or 6 mini breads.

Directions:

Cream butter, sugar, & eggs together well. Stir in bananas/applesauce. Sift dry ingredients together and mix with banana mixture. Pour into grease 2 bread pans or 6 mini bread pans. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes. Bread is done when inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Peg

Pumpkin Bars




Pumpkin Bars


While they are called "Pumpkin Bars", it's really more like a cake. The finished product is about 2-3" tall - not flat like a brownie.

They guys are an annual fave around our house and with family & friends. In almost all cases, Peg makes these [the GF version] since they are indistinguishable from the gluten bars.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

4 eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Penzey's cinnamon
1 tsp Arm & Hammer baking soda
1 tsp Calumet baking powder
1 cup of
Jules Gluten Free Flour (GFCO Certified Product)
1 cup of Sorghum Flour (Bob's Redmill)
1 tsp Xanthan gum

Combine all ingredients & mix well. Pour in to greased 11x15 pan.
Bake @ 350 for 25-30 min. 8 x 11.5 pan will work for 1/2 recipe


Frosting:
4-5 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp softened butter
3/4 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp milk

Mix & beat until fluffy. Spread on warm pumpkin bars.

These will freeze quite well.


Until the next good eats...

Al n Peg

Lemon Blueberry Bread





Lemon Blueberry Bread


It's a cool fall day, so that means baking, particularly when we are on vacation. While I was painting the bathroom, Peg was in the kitchen converting a gluten-full recipe to a gluten-free recipe. The cut loaf shown here didn't last long.

While this might look like a bread, it's more like a cake. Regardless of what you call it, it's darn tasty!

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Bread Ingredients:

1 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar (scant)
3 eggs
2 1/4 cup Jules Gluten free flour blend
3/4 sorghum flour
1/4 tsp xanthum gum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp lemon extract
3/4 tsp double strength vanilla
2 tablespoons tightly packed lemons, zest of
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
8 ounces or so frozen blueberries

Icing Ingredients:

8 ounces powdered sugar (or 1/2 box)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 tablespoons tightly packed lemons, zest of
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice


Directions:

1 - Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2 - Important: grease and flour two loaf pans.
3 - Cream butter and sugar.
4 - Add eggs and beat until smooth.
5 - Add buttermilk.
6 - Mix dry ingredients together and add to buttermilk mixture.
7 - Blend well.
8 - Mix in lemon juice and zest.
9 - Gently fold in blueberries and only mix until incorporated.
10 - Pour batter into loaf pans.
11 - Bake loaves on the middle rack of the oven for 60 to 65 minutes.
12 - Cool bread 10 minutes, remove from pan and place on a large cookie sheet, top side up.
13 - For icing: Combine icing ingredients in a bowl.
14 - Beat icing with an electric mixer until smooth.
15 - Drizzle icing over the warm loaves.
16 - The icing will harden when the bread cools to room temperature.

I halved the icing recipe and had plenty.

Original recipe:
http://www.food.com/recipe/lemon-blueberry-bread-69730


Until the next good eats....

Al n Peg

Brownie Bites with Raspberry Chocolate Topping




Peg first made non-GF Brownie Bites for her co-workers. Since they were such a hit, she decided to make a gluten-free version of them.

The outside is slightly crispy, but the inside is moist and chewy - like a...brownie. Kinda funny how that works...

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Gluten-Free Brownie Bite Ingredients

4 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp double strength vanilla [Penzey's]
2 cups GF flour mix [Jules GF Flour Mix]
1/2 cup GF sorghum flour [Bob's Red Mill]
1/8 tsp xanthan gum


Brownie Bite Directions

Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Heat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 8 min. or just until set. (Do not overbake.) Cool on baking sheet 1 min.; remove to wire racks or waxed paper. Cool completely.

Frost Brownie Bites with Chocolate Raspberry Topper (see recipe below)

Peg converted this original recipe.



Chocolate Raspberry Topper Ingredients

1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder
6 Tbsp Ball® RealFruit™ Classic Pectin
4-1/2 cups crushed red raspberries
6-3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands


Chocolate Raspberry Sauce Directions

Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.

Combine cocoa powder and pectin in a medium glass bowl, stirring until evenly blended. Set aside.

Combine crushed raspberries and lemon juice in a large stainless steel saucepan. Whisk in pectin mixture until dissolved. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Add sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Ladle hot sundae topper into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.

Process jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Special thanks to Colleen for sharing this original recipe!

Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup




If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

1 medium onion - chopped
2 celery ribs - chopped
2 medium carrots - grated
1/2 cup of butter or margarine
2 tablespoons of sweet rice flour
4 cups of milk
1 can Progresso Cream of Mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups of cubed cheddar cheese
3 cups of chopped broccoli - steamed
3 cups of chopped cauliflower - steamed
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned salt


Directions:

In a Dutch oven, sauté onion, celery and carrot in butter until tender. Stir in GF flour until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add soup, cheese, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and Lawry's; mix well. Cook and stir until cheese is melted and soup is heated through. Yield: 10-12 servings (3 quarts).


If you can do lots of dairy - this is a good one. We have not tried subbing out the dairy.

Note:

You can use the same base to make potato soup by replacing broccoli/cauliflower with 6 large potatoes, peeled, diced, and cooked (about 8 cups)


Minestrone Soup



This recipe is adapted from Living Without Summer 2005 issue.

It's one of our favorites and gets rave reviews from all who've tried - gluten-free or otherwise.

We save it for the fall/winter when it is cold and yucky on the outside and warm and yummy on the inside.

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves minced garlic
1 large onion - diced
2 medium carrots - sliced
2 stalks celery - sliced
1 medium potato - diced
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 small zuchinni
1 tspn oregano
2 tspn salt
4 cups GF chicken broth (Kitchen Basics, Swanson’s, Pacific, Imagine)
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 cup fresh or frozen green bean (1 1/2" pieces)
1 15oz can kidney beans - drained & rinsed
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (optional) or 2 cubes of frozen homemade basil pesto (See Al Notes)
Parmesan cheese (optional)



Add olive oil, butter & garlic to a large soup pot over medium heat. Saute until onion is transparent and soft.

Add celery, carrots, potato. Sauté for another 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes, oregano, salt and chicken broth.

Bring soup up to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-30 minutes. Veggies should be tender.

Add the corn, green beans, kidney beans, zucchini and simmer for another 15-30 minutes.

Stir in fresh basil or add frozen pesto cubes and allow to melt.

Serve hot and don't eat too much. You could also top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.


Al Notes

Since we made a double batch, we use both kidney beans and black beans.

In the summer I will make fresh basil pesto. This is usually a Saturday project for me. We have a little farmers market downtown and I'll get several bunches. I'll whiz up a batch and pour it in ice cube trays and freeze it. After about a month of pesto making, we'll have several freezer bags full of pesto cubes we can use for a whole bunch of things...like this soup!

Peg's Primo Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookie

If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free guest, please read our Guide to Gluten Cross-Contact.



Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup Skippy Peanut Butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon gluten free vanilla (McCormick's or Penzey's vanilla)
3 cups of your favorite GF Flour Blend (Krusteez)
2 teaspoons gluten free baking soda (Arm and Hammer)
½ teaspoon salt

Yield: 8 – 10 dozen

Cream shortening, sugars & peanut butters.
Add eggs and beat well
Sift flours, baking soda, salt – add to creamed ingredients. Mix well.
Refrigerate in a sealed container overnight.
Shape into balls - ½ tablespoon dough
Place on cookie sheet & flatten with fork. Dip fork in sugar first.

Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Time may vary depending on your oven.


Peg Notes:

You can use a single gluten-free peanut butter of choice. I happen to like the Natural Peanut Butters.

If you don't live in a 100% gluten-free household, make 100% sure the peanut butter has not been "double dipped". The easiest way to do this is to use an un-opened jar. Crumbs from non-gluten-free bread will contaminate the peanut butter and thus making it off-limits to those following a gluten-free diet. The butter dish is another huge contamination risk - it's best to get out a fresh stick. The same contamination rules applies for the Crisco & the sugars (or any product) as well.

Yes, crumbs matter.

You can also use any gluten-free flour mix you wish. Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour Mix is readily available in most grocery stores. This recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to the type of GF flours. I use the sorghum flour to slightly boost the nutritional value.


Peanut butter cookie - top


5/7/21 - update recipe