In July, we were able to participate in a food allergy study in Chicago. I think Ben's favorite part was the swimming pool and visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo! Ben remains allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy and green peas and we recently added sesame seed. We continue to avoid melon (due to OAS (oral allergy syndrome)), as well as all legumes. Leah's introduction to solids continues to be slow and steady. So far, she is not showing any indication of allergies.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Graham Crackers
2 1/4 cup gluten free flour mix
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
7 tbsp butter, cut into pieces
3 tbsp cold water
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 - Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, xanthan gum, baking soda and salt.
2 - Using your fingertips, work butter into dry ingredients.
3 - Stir in 3 tbsp cold water, honey and vanilla. If dough is too dry, add more water, a teaspoon at a time.
4 - Gather dough into a soft ball. Cover a plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
5 - Preheat oven to 325 deg. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and line with parchment paper. (I use silpat mats instead of parchment paper.)
6 - Cut two gallon-sized plastic zip bags down each parallel side so that each opens out into one long sheet. Roll a piece of dough between the two sheets to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 2"x3" pieces and prick lightly all over with a fork. Remove top zip lock sheet. Take remaining sheet with dough on it and turn it over.
7 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cookies cool slightly before transferring to cooling rack.
"Oreo" Cookies
Cookie Recipe
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (GF)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (we use Hershey's)
1 1/4 cup GF flour
1 - Preheat oven to 350 deg and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. (I use silpat sheets instead.)
2 - Cream sugar, butter, salt and vanilla until light but not fluffy.
3 - Add cocoa and flour to make a cohesive dough. Flatten dough and refrigerate until ready to bake. (If refrigerating the dough, make sure it comes to room temperature to make it easier to roll.) (Note: You can bake this dough immediately.)
4 - Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick. Use round cookie cutter (or something to make a circle cookie 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter). Arrange them on a prepared cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart. Imprint with a cookie stamp, if desired.
5 - Bake for 8 minutes or until cookies just begin to brown on the bottom. Cool on a wire rack.
6 - When cooled, spread with filling and make sandwiches. Refrigerate until filling is set.
Creme Filling
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 tsp salt, dissolved in water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Cream butter and shortening until well combined. Add salt water, vanilla and sugar. Beat until mixture is fluffy.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Basic Condensed Cream Soups
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp GF flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk/stock
Cook and stir until bubbly. Using wire whisk, stir in one cup of milk, stock or combo. Cook until just smooth and thick. (Make 1 cup = 10 oz can condensed soup)
Cream of Chicken - Use chicken broth as half of liquid. Add 1 tsp poultry seasoning and diced chicken.
Cream of Mushroom - Add 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 tbsp finely chopped onion in butter before adding flour.
Cream of Celery - See mushroom, but add 1 cup celery instead. Vary the flavor by adding garlic, onion, celery salt, lemon juice, parsley, chopped veggies, chives, etc.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Candy Corn
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup (we used Karo - too many mystery ingredients in the store brand)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (gluten free)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup non fat milk powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Red and yellow food coloring
Bring first 4 ingredients to boil over medium (at most) heat in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium to medium low and boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sift powdered sugar, milk powder, and salt into medium bowl. Add powdered sugar mixture to pan; stir to combine. Let mixture stand until slightly warm to touch, about 20 minutes.
Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; place each piece in small bowl. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to one piece of dough. Using plastic gloves to protect hands (I used sandwich bags), knead food coloring into dough until smooth and color is even, about 15 minutes. Repeat using red and yellow food coloring (to make orange) with second piece. Leave last piece white; knead dough until smooth. Roll each piece into a thin rope (don’t roll too thin or dough will break). Push three ropes together to form long rectangle. Using sharp knife, cut ropes into triangles. Using fingers, shape candy corn as desired. Store at room temperature in airtight container, separating layers with pieces of waxed paper to prevent sticking.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Chicken Sloppy Joes (tomato-free)
1 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound ground chicken
1 carrot, peeled and grated
1 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon apple cide vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup chicken stock
8 good quality burger rolls, split and toasted (we toasted tapioca bread and had them open-faced)
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes more. Combine the vinegar, brown sugar, and stock in a mixing cup and pour over the contents of the pan. Mix thoroughly and boil until reduced.
Serve on toasted rolls or bread.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Smothered Chicken and Rice
4 slices of bacon, chopped
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 pound)
4 large carrots, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup low sodium chicken broth, divided
2 oz. cream cheese
3 cups hot cooked rice
1. Cook and stir bacon in large nonstick skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove from skillet and drain. Discard drippings from skillet. (I use some of the drippings plus canola oil to cook the chicken.)
2. Add chicken to skillet; cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides and done (165 deg). Transfer chicken to plate; cover to keep warm. Add vegetables and 1/2 cup broth to skillet; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until tender.
3. Stir in remaining broth and cream cheese; cook, uncovered until cream cheese in melted and sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. Return chicken to skillet and cook 2 minutes, or until heated through.
4. Spoon rice onto serving plate; top with chicken, sauce and bacon.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Peanut Butter Free No-Bake Cookies
2 cups granulated sugar
8 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk (I used 2%)
1/3 cup baking cocoa (I used Hershey's)
3 cups gluten free oats (quick or old fashioned*, uncooked)**
1 - In large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
2 - Remove from heat. Stir in oats.* Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.
3 - Makes about 3 dozen.
4 - *If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.
** We most commonly use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats.