MonaVie Mmun, PB Cookies, Fab new find - gf chicken tenders BREADED

In the past few months since my last entry I started classes once again, my computer crashed and I have found many more fabulous gf products to include on my list.  Let me begin with THE BEST gluten free BREADED (yes that's right, breaded) chicken tenderloins.  I found these at Costco and everyone loves them - even those who are not exclusively gf!  These treasures are Bell & Evans Air chilled chicken breast tenders - delicious (I like them too)!

Secondly, there are so many bugs floating around (by bugs I mean germs) - all 3 of my kids will be partaking in MonVie's latest product Mmun.  I can't wait to report on its effectiveness, I've heard nothing but rave reviews.

Thirdly, I made some pretty fabulous peanut butter cookies using the self-rising flour mix in my previous blog.  They certainly rival any I have had from a gf bakery.  If you have any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear them, thanks for reading, I will post again soon.


PB Cookies
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (I use sugar in the raw)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter (I like Kirkland organic)
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cups self rising gf flour (see recipe in blog of flour recipes)
M&M's (optional)

Mix together sugars, pb & butter.  When smooth add egg.  Add flour slowly and mix for approximately 2 minutes on medium speed.  Chill for 2 hours (covered).  Heat oven to 375. Using large cookie scoop, scoop balls and place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  I like to put 2 M&M's in the top middle of each cookie before making the traditional criss cross with a fork.  Bake about 12-15 minutes (remember, keep checking, all ovens bake differently).  Cool for about 10 minutes and remove from baking sheet.

Would love to hear what you think!@!

New reviews & BREAD!!

We have now settled into the beginning of the school year and I have begun baking once again!! Below you will find a new bread recipe that we just made, very good texture and taste. We have tried a few new products.
Kinnickkinnick (who also make k'toos - gf oreos) has come out with a 4 pack of premade gf crusts. We had sworn by glutino in the past, but KinnickKinnick has surpassed the taste and texture. They provide a soft crust which can also be made into bread sticks or whatever else you can come up with, excellent!
San-J, our favorite gf soy, now has szechuan sauce as well! It has a kick, so use your discretion with your children.
Glutino gf lemon wafer cookies. My 4-year old wants these constantly, I have to hide the box, or Molly would never get one!

The following recipe had a great flavor and texture, although not as pretty as a traditional baguette. Next time, I am going to try adding 3/4 cup of asiago cheese and dusting the top with some fine cornmeal.

Baguette
3 cups gf high protein flour blend
(see previous post, in this blend I use garbanzo, arrowroot, tapioca, brown rice flour)
1 Tbsp cornmeal, more for dusting
2 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp xanthan gum
2 pkgs. (4 1/2 tsp) rapid yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 tsp cider vinegar
2 eggs, room temperature
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a double baguette form (I used a jelly roll pan) with foil,extending foil up the sides by 2 inches. Lightly grease foil and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Mix dry ingredients together in the bowl of stand mixer.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, vinegar, eggs and oil. Add to dry ingredients.

Using beater or paddle of mixer (I used the paddle), beat mix on low speed until well blended. Then turn the speed up (I used level 5) and beat for 5 minutes.

Wth oiled hands or oiled plastic wrap, divide the dough in half and shape into 2 baguettes. Place in prepared pan and cover with lightly greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes.

Spritz with water, place in preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until done.

Enjoy!

Please let me know what you think!!

Living Without, or something like that

I can't believe how much time has passed since I last blogged!! We have moved (a tad closer to Chicago) and I am very impressed at the gf offerings in the grocery alone! We have a large Irish population :) and as such I am certain a higher percentage of celiacs as well.

The goody I am raving about today is BREAD! I just found Schar bread products (in the gluten free aisle - does not need to be refrigerated until you open) and they are fabulous. My daughter was finally able to eat a PB&J with a bread that had the same texture as its glutenous relatives. Today I made a grilled cheese with tomato soup - soul food that she can now partake.

Living Without?

I just picked up a magazine this past weekend entitled "Living Without." Apparently there is controversy over the name, to me this is a nonissue, don't care. Truthfully, I wouldn't have even picked up the magazine, but there was Elizabeth Hasselbeck tearing a loaf of bread on the front. This enticed me. I flipped through and saw some things I liked - so I purchased. I am going to share the flour recipes I found in the back - although I have not tried them yet, I plan to soon!

One item of interest for my friends and readers who are also dairy free - Spectrum Organic shortening (especially if serving to others!!) in place of butter.

*Quick tips for xantham gum, unless quantity is listed

• 1/2 tsp xantham per cup of flour blend to make cakes, cookies, bars, mufffins and other quick breads.


• Add 1 tsp per cup of flour blend to make yeast bread, pizza dough or other items that call for yeast.

All Purpose Flour Blend

for all of your gluten free baking.

1/2 cup rice flour

1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour

1/4 cup cornstarch or potato starch



High-Fiber Flour Blend

This high-fiber blend works for breads, pancakes, snack bars & cookies that have chocolate, warm spices, raisins or other fruits - do not use for light flavored recipes like sugar cookies, crepes, cream puffs, birthday cakes or cupcakes.

1 cup brown rice four or sorghum flour

1/2 cup teff flur (preferably light)

1/2 cup millet flour or Montina flour

2/3 cup tapioca starch/flour

1/3 cup cornstarch or potato starch



High-Protein Flour Blend

This blend works great for wraps & pie crusts - can't wait to try

1 1/4 cups bean flour (garbanzo or soy)

1 cup arrowroot starch, cornstarch or potato starch

1 cup tapioca starch/flour

1 cup white or brown rice flour



Self-Rising Flour Blend

Use for muffins, scones, cakes, cupcakes or any recipe that uses baking powder for leavening - this will be the first I try - rating to follow

1 1/4 cups white sorghum flour

1 1/4 cups white rice flour

1/2 cup tapioca starch/flour

2 tsp xantham gum

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Happy Baking & don't forget to send me your feedback :)

More Yummies 2 (Pound Cake,Short Cake, Cookies

I am cooking a late breakfast this morning (blueberry pancakes, gf of course) and it occurred to me that it is Wednesday and shopping lists are being made for the weekend. I wanted to share the Pound Cake recipe that I mentioned previously as well as the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. We are also conducting experiments with our chocolate chip cookies - even more fabulous recipe coming soon!

For the Pound Cake & most other cakes I use the following flour recipe:

3 cups organic brown rice flour (fine ground)
1 cup potato starch (not potato flour)
1/2 cup tapioca flour

1 1/4 teaspoons xanthan gum

*Sometimes it can be tricky to find brown rice flour that is fine enough, so I usually pop it into the food processor for a few minutes to remove the graininess.

I usually make 3x the flour batch at a time and store in a ziploc so I always have enough.

Gluten Free Pound Cake (Can be used deliciously as shortcake)

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

3 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups gf flour mix (recipe above)

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325

In medium bowl mix butter (room temp) until smooth with electric mixer. Gradually add sugar and mix until very light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Mix in vanilla and add eggs one at a time (incorporating well after each addition). Slowly add flour in 1/2 cup intervals until well mixed. Stir in sour cream, just until thoroughly mixed. Pour into loaf pan (either 8x4x2 or 9x5x3).

Baking times will vary as oven temps, humidity and elevations do as well. Bake for 50 minutes and continually check every few minutes, the cake is done when you can insert a wooden toothpick and it comes out clean. Remove from pan (loosen with knife around edges) to cool. Do not store, best served within a few hours of baking.

So Simple Peanut Butter Choc Chip cookies

1 cup Peanut Butter (Do not use natural Peanut Butter!!!!! I use Simply Jif)
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 lg Egg beaten
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Place rounded teaspoon of cookie batter on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

That is all for now! I welcome your comments and suggestions, please share :) I can't believe in my rush to post my 1st blog I inadvertantly forgot to mention Lundberg Risotto, we love this and it is often an accompaniment to our nightly meals, at least once to twice a week.