Friday, December 18, 2009

Baking with Nancy Reagan

Today ends our 5-day long Holiday Cookie Recipe Week! And we have a yummy gluten free recipe to share with you this morning. The recipe is from Nancy Reagan's kitchen and is for Vienna Chocolate Bars.

The ingredients that you will need include:

*2 sticks butter
*1 1/2 cups sugar
*2 egg yolks
*2 1/2 cups gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour)
*1 10 oz. jar of raspberry jelly
*1 cup semisweet chocolate bits
*1/4 tsp. salt
*4 egg whites
*2 cups finely chopped walnuts

Now, the directions are as follows:

1) Cream the butter with the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of sugar.

2) Add the gluten free flour and knead with fingers.

3) Pat batter out on a greased cookie sheet to about 3/8 inch thickness.

4) Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit until lightly browned.

5) Remove from oven and spread with jelly and top with chocolate bits.

6) Now, beat egg whites in bowl with salt until stiff.

7) Fold in remaining cup of sugar and nuts.

8) Gently spread on top of jelly and chocolate.

9) Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit.

10) Now cut in squares or bars.

And don't forget that Ms. Celiac's Market sells tons of great gluten free baking ingredients!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Chocolate Layer Bars!

Another one of my favorite holiday recipes are Chocolate Layer Bars. These delicious bars taste practically the same in their gluten free version as they do in their original form.

The ingredients you will need to prepare this recipe include:

*2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
*1 8oz. package of cream cheese
*2/3 cup (5.3 oz. can) evaporated milk
*1 cup chopped walnuts
*1/2 tsp almond extract
*3 cups gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour)
*1/2 tsp salt
*1 1/2 cups sugar
*1 cup margarine
*1 tsp baking powder
*2 eggs

Now, for the directions:

1) Combine chocolate chips, cream cheese, and evaporated milk in a medium saucepan.

2) Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth.

3) Remove from heat.

4) Stir in walnuts and 1/2 tsp almond extract. Blend well. Set aside.

5) Combine remaining ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Blend well until mixture resembles course crumbs.

6) Press half of mixture in greased 13 x 9 pan. Spread chocolate filling over flour mixture.

7) Now sprinkle the rest of the crumbs over the filling.

8) Bake at 375 degrees fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

9) Cut into bars when cool and enjoy!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Time For A Family Classic!

Today I will share with you a family recipe for Czechoslovakian Cookies. This was the first year that I made this recipe gluten free and the gluten free version turned out to taste just like the originals!

The ingredients you will need are:

*1/2 lb. margarine
*1 cup sugar
*2 egg yolks
*2 cups gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour)
*1 cup chopped walnuts
*1/2 cup grape jam

Directions:

1) First pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit and grease an 8'' square pan.

2) In a mixing bowl, cream the butter until soft. Now gradually add the sugar, creaming until light and fluffy.

3) Add the egg yolks and blend well. Now gradually add the flour and mix thoroughly.

4) Fold in the chopped nuts.

5) Spoon half of the batter into the cake pan and spread evenly.

6) Top batter with grape jam and then cover with the remaining cookie dough.

7) Bake for 1 hour or until lightly browned.

8) Cool on rack and then cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Chocolate Balls!

Another one of my favorite cookie recipes are for Chocolate Balls. These are chocolate treats covered in powdered sugar with a hint of cloves throughout them. They are delicious!

For this recipe, you will need:

*2 cups walnuts
*3 squares unsweetened chocolate
*2 eggs
*1 cup sugar
*1/4 cup gluten free dry breadcrumbs (I used Aleia's plain gluten free bread crumbs)
*1 tsp ground cloves
*2 tbsp gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour)
*Confectioner's sugar

DIRECTIONS -

1. Grate walnuts and chocolate together with a nut grinder.

2. Beat eggs slightly, adding sugar gradually. Continue beating until fluffy.

3. Now, stir in walnut-chocolate mixture, bread crumbs, cloves, and flour.

4. Start your oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease 2 cookie sheets.

5. Dump some Confectioner's sugar on a piece of waxed paper.

6. Take small amounts of cookie dough and roll into 1'' balls.

7. Drop chocolate ball in sugar, covering all surfaces.

8. Arrange on cookie sheets and bake for 15 minutes or until cookies look crackled on the surface.

Don't forget that most of the items for these recipes can be found at Ms. Celiac's Market!

Monday, December 14, 2009

7 Layers Of Goodness!

Today is the start of our cookie countdown - every day this week we will be featuring a different gluten free cookie recipe!

7 Layer Bars have always been one of my favorites! They are sticky and sweet and taste essentially like candy! And the recipe is so easy to make!

For this recipe you will need:

*1 stick of margarine
*1 cup of gluten free graham cracker crumbs (I used Josef's Gluten Free Graham Crackers and broke them into small pieces)
*1 cup of coconut
*1 small package of gluten free chocolate chips
*1 can of condensed milk
*1 cup of chopped walnuts

Now, all you have to do to prepare this simple treat is:

1) Melt margarine in 9x13 glass dish.

2) Spread graham cracker crumbs across the dish.

3) Then spread the coconut.

4) Next pour the chocolate chips.

5) Now add the condensed milk.

6) And top off with the chopped walnuts.

7) Finally, put in oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Don't forget to check out Ms. Celiac's Market to purchase the ingredients!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Let's Make A Trip To Babycakes NYC!

To those of you who are unfamiliar with the bakery, Babycakes, it is located in downtown Manhattan and offers a wide selection of gluten free baked goods.

This holiday season they have created a special "Holiday Menu" that offers many gluten free treats for us all to enjoy. So, if you do not have the time or energy to bake or if you just want to try something new, why not order some of these gluten free items for your holiday parties?

The 2009 Holiday Menu includes:

*A Few of Our Favorite Things 9'' Cake (serves 20-25) = $85
-two layer brownie cake with vanilla frosting and cookie crumbles

*Candy Cane Cake (serves 10-12) = $50
-chocolate cake log with white mint icing and candy cane stripes

*Apple Crumb Cake (serves 8) = $35
-apple cake with spiced crumb topping and vanilla glaze

*Double Chocolate Crumb Cake (serves 8) = $35
-rich chocolate cake with chocolate crumb and chocolate glaze

*Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes = $3.95/each, $44.15/dozen

*Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes = $3.95/each, $44.15/dozen

*Gluten Free Pumpkin Cupcakes = $47.45/dozen

*Gluten Free Banana Cupcakes = $47.45/dozen

*Gluten Free Brownie Cupcakes = $47.45/dozen

*Banana Loaf (serves 8-10) = $30/loaf

*Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf (serves 8-10) = $30/loaf

*Cornbread Loaf (serves 8-10) = $30/loaf

*Pumpkin Loaf (serves 8-10) = $30/loaf

*Frosted Pumpkin Loaf (serves 8-10) = $45/loaf

*Frosted Gingerbread Loaf (serves 8-10) = $45/loaf

*Apple Cranberry Toastie Loaf (serves 8-10) = $30/loaf
-cinnamon swirl bread with roasted apples and cranberries

*Regular Brownies = $11/dozen

*Agave Sweetened Brownies = $16/dozen

*Ginger Cookies = $18/dozen

*Chocolate Chip Cookies = $18/dozen

*12 oz. Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting = $16

If you live in NYC, you can have them delivered for $21 if you are below 59th street, $25 if you are between 59th and 70th and $30 if you are between 71st and 96th street.

For those of you in the contiguous 48 states, you may have their items delivered via FedEx.

Also, Babycakes: The Cookbook is available to order at Ms. Celiac's Market. It would make a great gift for a gluten free friend or family member this holiday season!

For more information, please visit www.babycakesnyc.com or visit them at:

248 Broome Street (btw. Orchard and Ludlow)
212-677-5047
[take the F/J/M/Z to Delancey Street or the B/D to Grand Street]

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Bring Out The Cake!


One of my favorite gluten free companies, Pamela's Products, has come out with a line of cheesecakes and cakes. These gluten free cakes are perfect to serve at your holiday dinner!

Currently, there are 5 cheesecakes to choose from (available in both a 3-inch or 6-inch cake):

*Pamela's New York Cheesecake [with ginger cookie crust]
*Pamela's White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake [with dark chocolate cookie crust]
*Pamela's Zesty Lemon Cheesecake [with ginger cookie crust]
*Pamela's Hazelnut Cheesecake [with a chocolate crust]
*Pamela's Agave Sweetened New York Cheesecake

If you aren't a fan of cheesecake, then you should try one of the other 2 cakes [available in 6-inch cake only]:

*Pamela's Chocolate Fudge Cake with Chocolate Frosting
*Pamela's Coffee Cake with Nut Topping

As of now, Pamela's Products Gluten Free Cheesecakes and Cakes are only available in a few select stores in Michigan, New Mexico, and California.

However, you can order them at Ms. Celiac's Market!

For more information, please visit their website at www.pamelasproducts.com.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Don't Forget To Watch Dr. Oz Tomorrow!

For those of you that haven't yet heard, the Oprah-endorsed Dr. Oz will be having a special tomorrow, Thursday, December 10th, 2009 on Celiac Disease.

In NYC, this episode will air tomorrow at 3 PM on Fox. However, make sure to check your local listings for when and where it will air in your market.

The show is being described as "Bloating? Fatigue? Joint Pain? Learn what serious disease presents with these common symptoms."

Also, both The View's Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Dr. Peter Green (Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University) will be guests on the show.

For more information, please visit www.doctoroz.com.

What type of holiday is it without Spinach Balls?!

One of my all time favorite hor d'oeuvres are Spinach Balls! I have been enjoying them since I was very young and have recently altered the ingredients a bit so that they are gluten free

 And the best part is that the gluten free version tastes just like the gluten-containing
variety! 

 To make this recipe, you will need: 
  • 2 10 oz. packages of frozen chopped spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten free plain bread crumbs
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup butter (softened)
Now, for the directions
  1. Cook and drain the spinach
  2. Combine all ingredients and roll into small bite-size balls
  3. Place on cookie sheet and freeze for about 20 minutes
  4. Put in plastic freezer bag and keep in freezer until needed
Before serving, place on cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Now, enjoy this tasty treat!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Super Sufganiyot!

Today I have another great recipe for Hanukkah baking to share with all of you. It's for a gluten free version of Sufganiyot or Jelly Donuts. To my surprise, these were very easy to make and they are extremely delectable!

INGREDIENTS -

*2 beaten eggs
*2 cups buttermilk
*1/4 cup melted butter

*2 cups white rice flour

*2 cups brown rice flour

*1 1/2 cups potato starch
*3/4 cup tapioca starch
*1 cup sugar
*2 tsp baking soda

*1 tsp baking powder

*2 tsp salt
*2 tsp xanthan gum

*1 tsp nutmeg
*1/2 tsp cinnamon

INGREDIENTS TO SET ASIDE - EACH IN SEPARATE BOWL-

*1 beaten egg
*1/2 cup sugar
*Seedless raspberry jelly


DIRECTIONS -


1. Beat the 2 eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter in a large bowl.

2. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Knead with your hands to make sure the ingredients are fully incorporated.


3. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.


4. Sprinkle additional flour mix on wax paper or cutting board. Roll out dough until it is 1/4 inch thick.


5. Use a glass with a 3-inch diameter to cut disks out of the dough.


6. Place 1/2 tsp of jelly in the center of disk and brush the beaten egg you've set aside around the outer edge of the disk. Place a second disk of dough on top and using your hands, seal the edges.


7. Repeat until you use up all of the dough. The extra scraps can be rolled into balls and fried to make donut holes.


8. Heat 2 inches of canola oil in deep pot on high heat.

9. Carefully place sufganiyot in hot oil with a slotted spatula. Cook on each side until browned.


10. Remove from oil and place on paper lined plate. While warm, roll sufganiyot in the bowl of sugar.


11. Repeat process for each Sufganiyot.


Enjoy!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Lovely Latkes!

Hanukkah will be here very soon, therefore, I wanted to feature some gluten free versions of traditional holiday recipes.

Yesterday, I decided to make Sweet Potato Latkes! As it was my first time making a gluten free version of this recipe, I was rather surprised at how well they turned out and how tasty they were.

Below are the ingredients that you will need along with step-by-step directions on how to prepare this dish. Many of the ingredients are available at Ms. Celiac's Market. The following recipe will make you approximately 10 latkes.

INGREDIENTS:

*3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
*1/2 cup brown rice flour
*1/4 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp sea salt
*1 tsp cumin
*1/2 tsp black pepper
*1/4 cup sweet potato puree
*1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk
*2 tsp honey
*olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1) Peel and grate the sweet potatoes and set aside.

2) Combine the brown rice flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, sea salt, cumin, and pepper. Mix.

3) Add the sweet potato puree, soy milk, and honey. Stir.

4) Using a frying pan, heat about a 1/4 inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, drop the latke batter by spoonfuls onto the pan, cooking one at a time.

5) Flatten batter on pan with a spatula. Flip over and make sure that both sides are crispy.

6) Drain on paper towels.

7) Ready to serve.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Let's Get Ready For The Holidays!

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to let you all know that very soon we will be starting to feature great gluten free recipes for the holidays! Although, these posts will be cookie-centric, I will also include some other delicious recipes!

Stay tuned...

~Paige