Blueberry lemon Rolls

I was inspired by The Chew, Blueberry sticky Buns presented by Daphne Oz (Who I thin is Dr Oz's daughter)
It's a cinnimon roll reecipie using Pizza dough, and blueberries (not rasins) and let's agree that a sad dried up grap has no place in a yummy gooie sticky treat.
SO I tried my own version, a lot less sticky.

I used Bob's red mill Pizza crust Mix.
Prepared as directed for cinnamon roll dough.
I rolled/ Patted it out to about 14 inches square, as that was as big as I could without it tearing.
I sprinkled it with cinnamon sugar, dolloped a little butter, and generously sprinkled frozen blueberries over it. And spritzed it with Lemmon juice.
I Rolled it up. Sliced it as best I could. Let It rasie for at least a hour. And baked it up.
Super yummy.
But it could hae used a little  more moisture. Next time more berries and more butter.
And you can BET there WILL BE a NEXT TIME!!

Breakfast biscuits. Easy on-the-go Breakfast.

Breakfast biscuits
Easy on-the-go Breakfast.

I used the Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix.
I followed the recipe on the back of the box to make the biscuits.
With just a tablespoon more watter.
I then mixed in about half a pound of cooked ground breakfast sausage
and about a cup of cheese. Cheddar and mozzarella.

With VERY WET hands scoop small balls onto a oiled baking sheet.
Bake at 375 for 15-20 min until golden brown.

Then I let them cool, and toss 3 or 4 into small sandwich bags. Those go in the freezer. Then in the Morning Just grab a bag, microwave for 20 seconds, and you have a warm breakfast ready to go.

Cinnamon Rolls - Be still my heart

I found a recipe for Cinnamon rolls on the back of my Pizza dough Mix (Bob;s red mill) and I thought "Ill give this a try"
It was Remarkably easy

I did not put all the recommended filling in; just a little Cinnamon sugar and a few pecans.
Super yummy!
I could totally do that again!

Healthies Granola

I think I got it:

Granola
3 Cups Bob's red mill Gluten free oats
1 Cups Cashew chopped
1/2 cup sunflour seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds
1/4 Cup Organic light Maple syrup
1/4 Cup EVOlive Oil
1/4 Cup light Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup dried apple
1/2 Cup Cranberries
Pinch salt
Dash Lemon Zest

Baked at 250 for an hour.

This combo got the Calories per half cup to under 250, Fat to 15, Carbs to 30 and Sugar to 5.

The heavy weight of calories is the oil. Olive oil is already the lowest, So there it is.
The Oats and Cashews have about the same calories per cup, so I suppose you could increase the volume of the fruit, and decrease the oats and nuts, and that would make it less calories, but more sugar.
You can use a "light" maple syrup, reducing calories there, but adding chemicals, and often doubling the salt (?!)
So it is my conclusion, that any of those changes will do more harm then good to the over nutritional value.

Easy as Pie

Gluten free baking is tricky.
Not just a horse of a different color, it's a different animal entirely.
Someone who is an excellent baker can not necessarily translate their skills over to gluten free baking.
If anything, In my experience, the better you are at regular baking the worse you are at gluten free baking. If for only the fact that you know what it "should" or "supposed to" look like, act like, or taste.
Pies for example.
My MIL made 5 pies for Thanksgiving. One she made gluten free.
 Putting the obvious concerns of cross contamination aside, the gluten free pie should not have been dealt with in the same manner as the other pies.
So let me tell you have it should have been dealt with.
1. Combine all of the dry ingredients. Ideally you sift them together, or a whisk will do.
2. Use half Butter and Half Shortening. Cutting them in completely
3. Combine the wet separably, then it can be added.
4. Roll it out, put it in the pan. Cover and chill until solid.
5. When ready to bake, cover edges, (and top crust) with foil.
6 Take it out when it is Just beginning to darken.

Those are the basic tricks. Pie is not easy. And each mixture might have its own nuance.

"Healthy" Granola

I posted a Granola Recipe Back on March 12 of 2012.
It listed it with multiple ingredient variations. But Since I was making it today, thought I would post it again, with the ingredients of today, and also the nutritional value of those choices.

Granola
3 Cups Bob's red mill Gluten free oats
2 Cups Pecan nuts, chopped
1/4 Cup Organic Maple syrup
1/4 Cup EVOlive Oil
1/4 Cup Golden Brown Sugar
1 Cup Raisins

Baked at 250 for an hour.

And The nutrition (estimated)
Per half cup serving
295 Calories
70 g Fat
31 carbs
9 sugar
8 Protein
3 Potassium
11 Iron
2 Calcium
And in addition to being Gluten free, it's Vegan.



Now, the Udi GF Granola, original flavor is
120 calories
4 g Fat
19 Carbs
7 sugar
3 Protein
No Potassium
4 Iron
2 Calcium
Theirs is a Hunny based recipe, with a bigger verity of fruit and nut.
Bakery On Main is also Hunny based, but runs more in the range of 250 Calories.

In conclusion, I think that making your own, you get to decide the flavors, as well as the benefits.

I think, for my next batch, I'll see how low in calories I can make it.

Bob's red mill Chocolate chip cookie mix

I used a bag of Bob's Red Mill Chocolate chip cookie mix to make some "breakfast cookies"
Essentially I just increase the water by a tablespoon, and toss in a palm full of oats (gf) and dried fruit. These one was cherries, cranberries, and raisins because I had them on hand.

The dough is very loose, or more accurately, it's mostly crumbs. You have to form the dough into balls.
I find, to make the cookies the ideal shape Instead of balls I form them into cylinders.
I get the dough in my hands, and squeeze it into a disk, and then press in the sides.

As these don't puff or puddle much, you turn out about like they go in, so forming the cylinders helps then brown and bake more evenly.
And I would recommend you take them out just before you think they are done. They got harder as they cooled, When left out overnight, the stayed soft enough to munch.
Overall a good mix.
But one you can NOT eat the dough.

Popcorn Balls. 5 Dark Caramel

Today's popcorn balls are a rich Dark Caramel.
It's a variation on a recipe By Robert Irvine, (from Food Network) he uses for making caramel apples.

Dark Caramel

2 Cups dark brown sugar.
1 stick butter
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c corn syrup
1/4 c maple syrup
1 tsp molasses
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch Salt.

Heat on stove top until boil. Boil 3 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly.
Pour over popcorn, or Apples.
I made 3 apples AND one bag of microwave popcorn. With enough left over I could probably have done another bag of corn...

I like the richness the dark caramel gets from the Molasses and maple.
And you will note tat I don't use green apples. (scof) I had to go with Johnny Gold, because I could not find Cameo apples anywhere !?!

Popcorn Balls. 4 Carmel with syrup

Last November I posted 3 different popcorn-ball recipes.
All were the candy type verity.
This November, I bring you new popcorn ball recipes. From the Carmel verity.

Caramel Apple Popcorn balls

Caramel Apple Popcorn Balls

1 Stick soft salted Butter

1 C light Brown sugar

1/2 C light corn syrup

1/4 C sweetened condensed Milk

2 TB green apple flavor syrup. (like for Italian soda)

3 bags of popped Microwave popcorn.

Bring to Boil

Boil 2.5 minuted

Let cool slightly

Pore over popcorn

Form into Balls.

This made about 18 very large balls.

The apple flavoring is not very strong. 

I have also heard of mixing dried apple pieces into the popcorn to increase the apple flavor...

Great Harvest Bakery

Yesterday we went visiting family in West Seattle.
Squeaker fell asleep after having lunch with one of his Great Grandmothers. So she was kind enough to sit with him in the car while I ran into their Great Harvest Bakery.
This chain of bakeries in all over the Seattle area. But the one in West Seattle advertises gluten free baked goods.
They should have had cinnamon rolls, but sadly they did not.
I got a Chocolate chip cookie (with salt on it ;P)
a Pumpkin chocolate chip cookie (not as good as mine)
AND I tried their Cinnamon Chip bread.

The highlight was certainly the Bread.
It was dense, moist and super yummy.
I was tearing hunks off of the loaf and munching them down on the drive home.

I thought "this would make excellent french toast sunday afternoon" But none of it lasted that long.

I think I can pass on the cookies, but that bread was worth going back for.

Gluten free Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

SO I wanted to make pumpkin cookies.
I have a cupboard full of mixes. SO I when I ran across a recipe from Betty Crocker, using a box of their cookie mix I decided to give it a try.

Gluten free Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

3/4

cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/4

cup butter, softened (not melted)

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

egg

1

box (19 oz) Betty Crocker® Gluten Free chocolate chip cookie mix

1/4

teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Step 1. Heat to 350. Spray oil cookie sheet Betty said Grease, but oil worked for me.

Step 2. Stir Pumpkin, butter, vanilla spices and egg. My soft butter did not blend well

Step 3. Add cookie mix. Stir. Betty said "soft dough" but mine was very stiff.

Step 4.. BAKE 10-15 MIN. They did not puff or puddle, but browned nicly.

And lasted nicly in the freezer

baby girl shirts

My Cozen just had a baby. Its a girl.
As our gift my mother got a package of Onsies, and I decorated them.

The Butterfly on the top left, is from Appliqué Fun.

The sheep under it is an applique from Anita Goodesigne Stuffer Animals. 

And so are the Bunny and Duck, but not as applique.

The second butterfly is a Decode Colection Quilt stitch.

Haggen Bakery has Gluten free cookies

Hubby was at the local Haggen's Bakery and noticed they had fresh baked gluten Free cookies. So I brought them home for me. Not sure what the kitchen methods are, so might be a cross contamination issue.

I don't know if it is just our local Haggen or if others bake gluten free too. 

Gluten Free Chocolate chip

Overall, soft, chewy, and the most resemblance to how I think a home made chocolate chip cookie should taste. Keep in mind it's been about 13 years since I had a non gluten free cookie)

The package contained ten cookies. Each was palm sized, not Huge, but not tinny either. In my opinion ideal sized.
Cost was about 6 dollars, so overall a good price.
Package lasted about 4 days. And last cookie was just as good as the first.

I will get these again.

Portal Pumpkin Carving

Portal Pumpkin.
Hand Carved. There is a little Portal Person going in the side and coming out of the top too, Just did not photograph well.

Quick Pear blueberry cobbler

In late summer i like to slice up pears, mix them with blueberries and microwave them for about 5 minutes.
Then sprinkle some granola on top and maybe a scoop of ice cream.
Surprisingly those flavors go great together.

Corn bread debate

My perspective, when it comes to Corn bread, is that it is divided into three styles. Southern corn bread, SW corn Bread, and Appalachian Corn bread.
My brother spent some years in the south. And My sister in the Rural NE. Their opinions, with the support of others, has led me to the opinion that there are three schools of cornbread.
The Southern Corn bread is quick bread. Only corn is involved, no flour, it has baking powder and baking soda, usually buttermilk, and bacon grease or butter. Often the recipe on the back of the cornmeal package.
Northern Corn bread is a bread in the way the Zukini bread is a bread. More cake like. Baked in a cake round, with Flour in addition to cornmeal, sugar and usually no baking soda, but more eggs, and using oil instead of butter.
And the South West style is their rebel child. Flour and Corn meal, less sugar then Northern, buttermilk, and butter. Crumbly, moist, and often employing an addition, like Chile peppers, creamed corn, or cheese.
Some people are oblivious to the distinction.
Some People on the east coast think there is only the first two, and will stare, appalled, at the idea of putting something IN the corm bread.
So hence the arrival of the third group.
Up her in the NW we know the choice of corn bread has a lot to do with the rest of the meal. Like choosing the right wine for fish as apposed to beef. It have to complement the meal, not detract. Personally I don't drink, but I understand the concept.
If you are eating a NY firehouse Chili, then you want a norther corn bread.
If you are eating a pinto bean Chili, go with a southern cornbread.
If you are eating a Habanero Killer Chili, you NEED the SW corn bread with sour cream.

If I was ambitious I might make a pan of each. But I have a toddler, and am pore at time management. So I'm not going to do that.

Feijoada: Brizilian Chili

Hubby spent 2 years in the Porto Alegre area of Brazil enjoying Feijoada. It is basically Black beans and any Pork meat that was handy. This is the recipe he uses here in the United States to make it for our family. Gluten free of coerce.

Feijoada Ingredients

• Beans:  5 15 oz cans of black beans
• Meat: Half pound each of; mild sausage, spicy sausage, ground beef, pepper bacon, smokey bacon, salted pork, pork chop, Linguica* and ham*.
• Seasoning: one large Onion, two garlic cloves, half tablespoon Salt, one teaspoon pepper, 1 tsp thyme,  Bay leaves. Can of Beef broth.

 Feijoada Directions

• In a frying pan, brown sausage with beef.
• Then, in a Slow cooker, place everything. Including pan drippings, and water from bean cans. Cook on low for at least 8 hours.
• Serve with Rice. Serves 14 + "‘Bota água no feijão!’"

*I used Hempler's Brand Meat because they are Gluten free.

I call it "fishwater"just to annoy hubby. It is quite good. He won a "golden spoon" award at a chili cook-off in 2011. It's not a spicy Chilli SW style Chilli. It is a nice, hearty comfort food.
Excellent with a moist corn bread.

Fix-up a gluten free vanilla cake mix

I have been craving a light cake. 
Not chocolate or birthday cake with frosting, but a nice, bunt cake, or pound cake. 
I had a Bob's Red mill vanilla cake mix, so I thought I would dress it up.
Lemon sour cream cake

Ingredients:
1 Package Bob's red mill vanilla cake mix
4 oz butter, soft
8 oz sour cream
1/3 c Milk
4 eggs
3Tb lemon Juice
2 tsp lemon zest

Grease two loaf pans. 

Beat eggs, butter, cream, milk, juice. 
Slowly add Mix
Beat on low, 60 seconds

Bake at 325 for 40 min

Baby Tie shirt

Here I turned a bodysuit undershirt into a Sress shirt, compleat with tie.

I drew it on with fabric paint.

Cloth diapering. Part 5. Assembeling Stuffer style

With the elastic on the leggs, you next you the Braded elastic to sinc up the back.
About 5 inches, stretched accros the back, and sewn down with the stretch/zigzag stich.

At this point pin the wing reinfoucements on, and basting stich arround the edge. Leavin as tinny a seam allowance as you can.
Pin the liner fabric on, right sides together and sew then together, leaving the back opened just big enough to get your hand in.

Right side out them.

Cloth diapering. Part 5. Assembeling Covers

With the legs done, Start at the back, and pin, folded over, your fold over elastic. Folow arround the outside of the diaper.
IN the frount tummy section, place the piece of linner just under the edge of the elastck so that as you sw arround you will catch it.
When you get tot he back again, cut off the extra, overlaping a little.
Sew the elastic down, using a zigzag or stretch stich.

Now you are ready for your closures.

Cloth diaper. Part 4 . Start Asembeling

First you want to lay out your diaper shaped PUL, fabric side down.
Pin your Wing reinforcing fabric, just arround the edges.
Keep in mind any place you pin the frabric is a place that moisture can get thru.

First elastic:
4 inches per leg of the clear elastic. Pin it down, Just at the ends, of the leg section.
It is best to sew thease down at this point.
Using a zigzage or stretch stich, sew the elastic down, along the curv, while you stretch it out.
[]
Now from here the style's branch out.

Cloth Diaper. Part 3. "soakers"

The soaker's are the part that does the work of soaking up the pee or poo.
 Cotton, Hemp. This is the absorbent stuff.

1. For the Covers style

1. Prefold.
1. Several layers of lightweight fabric, sewn together into a rectangle.
1. You can get them almost any baby supply place, for $1 each
2. Standard in the 60-80s
2. flat fold. Just a flat piece of  fabric, hemmed on the edges, that you fold around the baby's bum. 
2. Stuffer style

1. The Stuffer or Insert  is several layers of absorbent fabric sewn tightly down,into a single piece.
2. Sized needs to be slightly less wide and slightly shorter then the core of the finished diaper. Approximately 11 X 4 inches.
3. I have made then out of all t-shirts, towels, washcloths. Size is not too important as long as they don't stick out of the diaper. But they do need to lay flat.
3. All in one style
1. Several layers of absorbent fabric sewn into several leafs
2. Sized needs to be slightly smaller then the core of the finished diaper. Approximately 11 X 4 inches.

Cloth diapers Part 2. Cutting out the "diaper"

Lay ut you PUL and cut out your chosen diaper shape.
I like to lay my pattern out like so for cuting the PUL fabric. It makes it easer to fit the pattern four times.
And the piece that is left over. from between the diapers, can be cut up to use for reinforcing the wings on the diaper. I end up with very little waste fabric.
Green Bonus.

And cut a small piece of liner going across the tummy.

If you our doing the Cover style, then you are ready for the next step.

If your doing Stuffer style or All in one style: Cut out you Diaper pattern on the PUL as well as the Liner fabric.

 

Cloth Diapers. part 1. Supplies

1. 1/2 yard of Waterproof PUL fabric.
1. Polyurethane Laminate fabric is used to make the outer shell.
2. This is the same regardles of the style or option
2. The diaper pattern. You can find then online, or just sketch out our own.
3. Liner. Microfiber, Microflease or microswade.
1. For the Cover style, you just need a 1/8th of a yard.
2. For the Stuffer or All in one style you need 1/2 yard.
4. Elastic
1. For the Cover Style
1.  fold over elastic. 
2.  Clear elastic. 1/4 inch wide, 48 inches long
2. For the Stuffer or All-in-one style 
1. Polly brade elastic. 1/4 inch wide 24 inches long.
2. Clear elastic.1/4 inch wide, 48 inches long
5. Closures Option
1. Hook and loop, or Velcro. one ince wide, 24 inches long.
2. snaps. 48 sockets, 16 studs, 64 caps.
3. Ribon & S hooks, 8 of them.

This will get you all set to make 4 diapers. For me, this came to about $12 a diaper.

You can get this stuff at most fabric stores, or online at specilty baby diaper places
Like: verybaby.com  or find your own.

Stuffed Shells, Microwaveable

I have had Conte's and Caesar's frozen/microwavable pasta dishes before, but never side by side.

So, for science, and future purchases:

First off, they never looks like the package.
The filling was about the same, a smooth white center, lightly seasoned.
The texture of the pasta in either is wonderful, not chewy or crunchy, or mushy.
Conte's marinara had more flavors to it.
Ceasar's had more cheesiness.

My personal preference is to the Cheesiness.
SO I might lean towards the Ceasar's. But if the Conte's shells are on sale, I will not pass them by.

Gluten free Hot dog Buns

As summer draws to a chose, I have finished my hunt for a gluten free hot dog bun.

I was looking for something sturdy enough to hold up until hot dog was finished, not crumble apart, and with a flavor that did not detract.

Tied for First place: 

Schar, sub sandwich roll 

Undi, classic hot dog buns

Second choice:

Rudis

Kinnikinnick

And in the not worth the price category:

Jensen. tasted stale and crumbled apart.

Ever-G. Dry, and crumbly.

Katz. Was like eating a sponge.

Jovial Chocolate cream filled cookies review

Jovial makes a few kinds of cookies. I recently gave them a try.

Our first try was the Chocolate cream filled.

These are crispy crunchy, crumbly cookie shells, filled with a dollop of chocolate frosting. Not very rich, or filling. 

They reminded me of when my mom would take the leftover chocolate frosting from a cake, and put in between gram crackers....

My sister liked them a lot. She is not GF. 

Each cookie is fairly small, about half an oz. 80 calories each.

The cookies come in packs of two, good for tossing into a lunch bag or purse.

GF HA ha from marylandceliac

glutenfreeoptimist.gluten-free-jokes

Robot Charm

I made this Charm.


It's a Robot.

Snickerdoodle W.O.W vs UNDI

Wow vs undi.

Wow,  soft, moist, chewy. Smooth.
Undi is a little more course, and sweeter.  
And a foot note is the new packaging

More RedRobbin Buns

I am so happy that I can get a good burger, in a bun, and not get sick after.

This is the Mushroom Swiss. Supper tasty

Red Robbin BUNS!!!

My Sister in law let me know that Red Robbin now has gluten free buns available on their menu!
It's an option just like whole whear or a touf patty.
So we had to give it a try.
I got the Bacon Guacamole burger.

It was yummy, and the bun was good. Our waiter could not tell me where RR got the Buns from so I might have to look into that.
The bread had a good texture, a little chewy. The bun did not get soggy or fall apart. My hubby thought the GF bun was "more satisfying" then the regular sesame seed bun.

Pot pie

On June 9th I made a pot pie.
For the top crust I used Gluten free pantry Pie crust.
For the filling I used precooked chicken, vegatables, and made the gravy using a little tapioca flour and butter.

Looked good and tasted good.

A cookie is just a cookie...

Snack food is the number one thing that stinks about being gluten free.
I was having a craving for a fig nuten. but i did not know of any gluten free version.
So we gave thease a try. Jovial, gluten free fruitfilled organic cookies.

taste  was good, but very  fradgil, and texture was dry. not as good as i hoped

GF ha ha: dusting

2010
Cheese Cake Factory

me: I understand that the Gadiva chocolate cheese cake is flourless?
Waiter: Yes. It is a mousse on top of flourless torte.... Well, except that they dust all of the cheese cake pans with flour...

How can it be "flourless" if there is flour all over the outside?

Subsitutes for alchol in cooking

I don't drink alcohol.
And I don't cook with it.
A lot of people who are Gluten free know that you can't use malted liquor, because the barley, hops and other gluten no-nos.
So here is a very good, extensive list of substitutes, 

alcohol-substitutes

Thanks to the gourmet sleuth

Canvas Bag Tutorial pt 2

Fold the bag, right sides, out sides together.

Marking the middle with a pin. Unfold.

From the middle pin, measure out three inches, in each direction, and mark with pins again.

Do this on Both sides.

This indicates your bag's bottom.*

With the bag flat out, one handle in front of you, pinch the fabric at the center pins, and fold it up towards you to meet the second set of pins. Then fold the other handle up to meet the first handle.

It should look like this, from the side.



Pin it down, and then sew up the sides as is.

When you right side out the bag, the tucked section will fold up, and that makes the bag's base.



* At this point you could use some iron on vinyl to make the bottom more waterproof, or some fusible interfacing to make it more stiff, but it's not necessary.

Canvas Bag Tutorial pt 1

If you have ever gotten one of those “fabric” “reusable” bags at the grocery store you might be disappointed. They rip, and they don’t wash well.  (YES you should wash them; your food was in there!)

Make your own? But most styles require piecing the bag together, with up to 5 pieces, not counting  structural support and handles.

So check this out for Easy and sturdy:

Supplies:

Get 20 Inches of some 36 inch wide canvas fabric.

3.5 yards of one inch wide coordinating ribbon.

Thread and you are set.
 
Instructions: Pt 1
Lay out the Fabric, flat.

On the short end, measure in six inches, and pin the end of the ribbon, with the tail coming out.

Measure about 23 inches of the ribbon into a loop, and then pin that spot down six inches from the edge, on the same end.

Continue with the ribbon, laying it down the length of the fabric, keeping six inches from the edge.

When you reach the other end make a matching loop of 23 inches. And then continue down the length of the ribbon to meet up where you put the first pin.

Sew the ribbon down.

At this point, you can embellish the bag. Embroider, fabric paint, you get the idea.

Gluten free Woppie Pie

We used a star shaped woppie pie pan and the Betty Crocker yellow cake mix.

Turned out good, if I do say so my self.
Two stars, some marshmallow fluff and strawberry slices.
Yummy
And Happy 4 th of July!

Make your own Cloth diapers

I am inspired to publish a multi part tutorial for making your own cloth diapers.
I'm doing it, so it can't possibly be that hard.

Cotton Babies is an EXCELLENT source for cloth diapering info. Their Blog answers most questions. But only you know what will work for you.

But for my purposes cloth diapers comes down to three variables;
How it assembles and how it stays on.

Style 1_ Basic cover/wrap. Single layer that hold moisture, goes over the thing doing the absorbing
Style 2_ Stufer/pocket. Two layers that you can stuff the absorbing cloth between
Style 3_ ALLinONE. Multiple layers that absorb and hold, that are pre-assembled.
Opt _1 Snaps Closure
Opt _2 "hook and loop" Closure
Opt _3 "S hook" Closure

 So to give you an idea:
Diaper 1.1 would be a basic cover, with snaps. Econo Bums brand is this style
Diaper 3.2 would be an ALLinONE with hook and loop closure. bumGenius brand is this style.

I will also tell you about the "brands" of cloth diapers that I have experienced. Not all of which are official, or even still exist :) Each has pro and con, and people dedicated to each.

Some people go for one style at night and another during the day, and a third for travel.. My hubby said he wanted me to stick with ONE style so that he did not have to think too hard when changing.

Cupcakes in Kirkland

I recently went to Kirkland. There is a bakery there, that I have mentioned before: sweet cakes. on this particular day it happened to be a Wednesday, and on Wednesday the fresh cupcake flavors are key lime and orange creamsicle.Yummy as always, but costing over a dollar each.  

Also on Wednesdays in Kirkland, in June, it it summer market day, and so only a few feet away were fresh berries, flowers, and competitive gluten free baked goods. Several vendors advertising that their products were gluten free.

Fancy Free Bakery.
The Minni cupcake on the left is from Fancy Free, the right is Sweet Cakes.
Fancy free cost $.75
The frosting on the Sweet Cakes was sweeter. The Cake from Fancy free was moister.
Both were delicious

GF Ha ha: Gelatin

I love my dad. He has learning Disabilities, Just like me. He can't spell, Just like me.
One year he did a bunch of research about Passover, and our Jewish ancestry/heritage. He got a few books.
Since I was diagnosed shortly before moving out, my parents have never had to immerse themselves in the GF community as deeply as I have so there have been some miscommunication.
One day he calls me up, very concerned:
Dad: "You can't have Jell-O."
me: "why whats up?"
Dad: "There is Gluten in it."
me: "Really...where did you hear that."
Dad: "In my book, it said its not kosher, because they use horse hooves and pig skin to make the gluten."

I paused for a moment. horse hooves to make Gluten? No I don't think so...Ooooh I think it's gelatin not gluten. I can see where he got those confused. :)

Cinnimon rolls

I was able to pick up a pan of 'Take and Bake" Cinnamon roles from Fancy Free Bakery.
The instructions for baking were clear.
The baked up very nicely.
And they were scrumptious right out of the oven.
I like the idea of getting them as dough, and baking them at home. It makes fresh cinnimonrolls on a sunday morning, in your PJs a posability again.

Fancy Free Bakery

Fancy Free Bakery fancyfreebakery.com
I found them in a booth at local markets.
I got some Minni doughnuts.

Very minni.
Taste good. Dence, but moist. Best I have ever had.

"Cinco De Mayo"

It think that American’s like to dabble in as many cultural holidays as possible. Especially if it can be used as en excuse to drink.

Anyways, it being the 5th of May, I decided to make dinner with a southwest flair.

We did not have any corn chips in the house, so I turned the package of corn tortillas in the freezer into chips. 'Cause hay, if the girl at Qudoba with the Cantonese accent can do it, so can I.

So here are my instructions:

Take the tortilla, cut it into quarters. Spray with oil, sprinkle lime juice and a pinch of salt.
Place on a baking sheet, under the broiler untill toasted crispy and golden.

Yummy.

And lower in sodium, because the Lime flavor takes over for the lack of salt.

The rest of the meal was just a can of "mexicorn" mixed into refried and black beans, topped with cheese.

GF HA ha: Sweet

2003
Lynnwood

me: "Do you flour your beef, in the Beef with broccoli?"
Women Behind Counter: "He?"
me: "Is there wheat flour in this?" *pointing*
WBC:"... It spicy, not sweet."
me: "How do you make it?"
WBC: *waves frying pan at me*

Um, ok. I'll just get the steamed rice.

Gluten free by choice?

A friend of mine, who works with Children asked me how I felt about people going gluten free, who "don't have too"

Well, that depends on what you think makes it required.
I would eat gluten if it did not make me ill.

But I have known people who swore that there child with autism does so much better on a gluten free, no sugar, non dairy diet.

I know diabetics who find Gluten free diets easier to manage with less insulin.

Oprah, Gwyneth Paltro and other Celebrities claim that being gluten free is essential to a good Detox.

I'm behind anything that makes gluten free products more accessible to me.

In 2006 Reader's Digest published a list of the 10 diseases that doctors miss. http://www.rd.com/health/10-diseases-doctors-miss/}  # 7 was "CELIAC DISEASE In adults it takes an average of 11 years to diagnose celiac disease,... An estimated two million Americans have the disease but an astounding 97 percent go undiagnosed."
So, I can imagined that in the 6 years since then, with all the attention that it gets, we have gathered up most of that 97%

On the other hand, When I hear about someone claiming to be gluten free who is obviously not doing it seriously, It makes my teeth clench. Weather it's "My Doctor said, but I still eat cake" or its someone doing "low carb" and calling it gluten free.
For some this is a fad diet. They think that eliminating gluten will help them lose weight, or something superficial like that.

.

In 2010, in Spain they did a study that found that "healthy adults who ate a gluten-free diet for a month had a dramatic drop in protective gut bacteria and immunity-boosting chemicals." SO it's not a good idea to do it if you dob't NEED to.

So I think, if you suspect celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, get tested. If your test is negative, try the "diet". If you don't feel better, then Gluten is NOT your problem. Put your focus somewhere else.

Mother's day- WOW cookies

It's Mother's day.
SO I indulged in some cookies.
WOW cookies.
"Bakery Tubs"

Snicker doodle. Light, chewy, moist. A light coating of cinnamon/sugar around a soft cookie. As good as I remember. Delicious. I will get these again!!

Peanut butter, Chewy, moist, dense. But Not peanut enough. I expected more, as the first ingredient is Peanuts. Nice bits of nut, thought the dough.

Overall, good, worth the calories, but if I'm craving peanut butter I'll make my own.
I suppose my standards are a bit high, from my Grandmother's Peanut butter chewies.

More Adventures in Bread

I used a Bob's Red Mill bread mix in my Bread machine and was disappointed with the result.
I mixed the Dough before I put it in, as sometimes it does not get mixed well. And I read on line that beating down GF dough for a second raising is not necessary. SO I thought, I would just take the mixing paddle out of Mr Loaf, and then way it would Just rise, and Bake and be all good.

Well as you can see. It was not All good.
Sponge, and the bottom of the loaf was Doughy.
SO it was a fail.
On the up side, our Whole Foods market has UNDI's loafs doe $5.00 Can't beet that!

GREAT U: Gluten-Free Guide to College Living | NFCA

While wondering the Internet, on a gluten free Google I cam across this publication.
GREAT U: Gluten-Free Guide to College Living | NFCA
I wish there had been something like this for me when I went off to college almost a decade ago.

When I started at Washington State University, I did a lot of negotiating with dining services on these same items they brought up in the “red flag” article. 

WSU Require all freshman to live in Dorms, and that was a BIG problem for me to get GF foods from the Dining hall. Luckily the head of Dining services was a very kind women, and her Daughter had recently been diagnosed with a miled food allergy, so she was receptive to me concerns. Sadly, there was not much she could do about it. They could  not revise there whole system just for a handful of kids with allergies. But she did help me figure out what was safe, and what was not. And with her help I got approval to only spend one semester in the Dorms, and it was a building that had a kitehenstt on each floor, soI could make my own meals. After that I got into Campus Apartments and had my own Kitchen.

 I made connections with other GF students over my years there, and some were un-prepared to advocate for their food safety. Some were so use to their mother baking them everything for scratch they were shocked at how little GF food was available to them in the real world.

There was a Co-op bakery, over the state line, in Idaho, the carried GF Specialty products. Ther was one day month I was out of class early enough to hop on the bus, walk 6 blocks, get my groceries, walk back to the buss stopp, and make it home before the buses stopped running. I would Stock up. I had my own minni fridge, which I kept in the corner of my dorm room, cranked up as cold as it would go, and wrapped in blankets to insulate it. That little cfreezer was STUFFED with GF foods. My servival was dependent on it.

Monogram Napkins

I prefer using place mats over table cloth.
My MiL got my some Green leafy place mats.
As well as Rosemary(purple flowers) themed place mats
My mother made me purple hydrangea place mats.
Hubby got me Purple gingham place mats.

My dishes are White, with a blue trim.
Our cups are White with blue rims
you get the Idea

Purple and blue do go together...But I wanted to make a stronger connection.
SO I got these white napkins.
And Put a Blue monogram on it.

Perhaps it needs a purple accent?

Schar Chocolate O's

We have my sister to thank for the last few Snack food reviews. Yay for Cons!
Any way:

I noticed that the Schar stand had a new product, Chocolate O's.
I got the Kinnicknick Brand too, for comparison

My sister and I cracked open the cookies at SacuraCon, in the largest AMV viewing in the USA.
IN the dark we munched, first on the KinniToos.
My sister was enjoying them. I then told her that she had to have some of each, to compare, for the Blog. Then she had one of the Schar. And would NOT have another.
She thought the Schar had the texture, and taste of dirt. And the filling was dry.
On there own, the next day, the Schar cookies were not bad. But compared to the Kinni Toos, they failed.

Almost Normal

A good example of Gluten free acceptance in Mainstreem

Kettle Cuisine, Chicken Soup review

Kettle Cuisine Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles.
Frozen
The taste was quite good.The portion was small. The whole box, containing the soup and bowl is only 10 OZ. The whole thing is 140 calories. And loaded with a quarter of your daily Sodium. My conclusion:Good in a pinch, as a single serving of soup for a sick person.But if you are well, your better off making your own, starting with a low sodium can of chicken broth.

It's still me

Due to the changes in Google, I am finally making an alter-ego for this Blogg.
SO that I can continue to bring you Gluten free product reviews.

Say Hello to 180 Miles From Ordinary

Cheetoes and Gluten

If you follow this link: cheetosyou can see what I'm about to interpret for you.

Cheetos have no gluten Containing ingredients.
However, only Natural while Cheddar, has validated through analytical testing to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.
All of the other flavors of Cheetos "may be manufactured on the same lines as products that contain gluten."
If you want to see there whole legal statement it is Here: fritolay
And so is a list of all their products that are GF to that Magic Less then 20 ppm.

Basically, it's an individual call if you going for the Classics Cheetos or one of the Officially Gluten free Off Brands. You have to weigh taste against safety

Michael Season's Feel Good Snacking Baked Cheese Curls

4/30
Michael Season's Feel Good Snacking
Natural Gourmet
Baked Cheese Curls in Cheddar
Wheat Free   Gluten free

If you are not trusting of Other Cheese flavored corn puffs, then these are up your alley.
Printed right there on the Bag, it said G;uten free. Kosher too, if you wondered.
Only 7% of you daily fat per Cup, and about half of that saturated, but NO trans.
Calcuim, iron, fiber. Over all a "good snack"
Pricier, and frankly just not as tasty as the more "Dangerous Variates". More on that Tomorrow!

Home Made Burgoo in a Slow cooker

Crockpot Burgoo Recipe
1 chicken Brest
1 Lb Beef shank cross cut
1 Can Chicken broth
1 Can Beef Broth
-On low 3 hrs. Brake up meat, fish out bones
1 can diced tomato's
1 cup diced carrots
1 can black beans
1 can of corn
1 cup cubed pealed potatoes
1/2 cup onion
1 clove garlic
2 Tb dark Brown sugar
2 Tb Cider Vinegar
1/4 C mashed potato flakes
(Green peppers and Bacon not included this time)
- On low 3 hrs.

Yummy.

Jennies Gluten Free Bakery Pound Cake Minni's Marble

Today's review is from Jennies Gluten Free Bakery
It's there Pound Cake, Minni's in Marble flavor.
5 individually wrapped.

The first one I had did not have any Marble to it. It was all White cake. And rather dry.
They second one did have some darker cake in the center, but it was barley noticeable, and it lacked any change in flavor.
The overall flavor was alright. It did remind me of what Pound cake tasted like. But it lacked the structural integrity that I was hoping to find in something called pound cake. IE: it crumbled when sliced, and did not hold up when I tried to layer it with whiped cream and berries. (the dish for which I had purchased it.)
Would probibly have been sutable to toss into a lunch, as is, aslong as there was milk to go with it.
Not likly to get it again.

Applegate Gluten free Chicken Nuggets

Applegate Gluten free Chicken Nuggets
-1 The Chicken was a little dry.
+2 The coating was thin, and had a good flavor
-2 There was WAY less in the box then I thought there should have been for the price
-2 they were much smaller then I thought they should have been. (About the size of a nickle)
+1 The Nuggets were of uniforn size and shape
-5 overall flavor compaired to my own recipie.

Total score: -7

Nana's Cookie Bars- Nana Banana

The cookies came indvigually wraped. Nice for packing in lunches or tossing in your purce.
They had a nice Subtle Bananna flovor, not too overpowering.
The texture was good. A little dry.
You could tell that is was prodomently made of rice.
I could have done without the "puffed rice" in the cookies. I was not a fan of the sudden change in texture.

GF Ha ha: Flour

2012
Ruth Chris, Bellevue

Me: Could you find out if there is wheat in this dish? I'm concerned about Gluten.
Waiter leaves, and returns several moments later.
Waiter: It's gluten free. You can have flour right?
Me: Um, if it is Corn flour, or some kind of flour other then wheat flour"
Waiter: Oh, um, it did not say what kind of flour....

So NO, it is not Gluten free if "flour" is an ingredient

another Easy Gluten free Granola recipe

Most Granola recipes have wheat in them. Easy enough to switch out. But most also require Hunny. Not something I can keep without it getting all thick and gloopy. So my recipe uses maple syrup.

Granola recipe:
-3 cups Bob's red Mill Gluten free rolled oats
-1 cup maple syrup
-1 cup Olive oil
-1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Mix well. Spread on a baking sheet. Bake at 300, stir after 10 min, repeat 5 times.
then take out of oven, and mix in:
-1 cup coconut shredded
-1 cup nuts
- 1 cup dried fruit

Not putting the fruit in the oven keep it form over cooking or burning.
Ta Da!

Green eggs and Ham

March 2nd was Dr Seuss's Birthday.
I had put chicken in the crockpot, but when Hubby called to say he was on his way home, I checked the chicken and it was still raw. That's what I get for using frozen chicken.

So I whipped up some scrambled eggs, with green food coloring, and some Gluten free Grilled cheese toast.

Fun at our house