Monday, November 29, 2010

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Chocolates!

If you have other food allergies or sensitivities in addition to gluten then I have a great website for you!!

Amanda's Own Confections is a website that sells chocolate that is dairy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, egg-free, and gluten free!  There are so many amazing items on this site, including many holiday items for Hanukkah & Christmas!  They also sell chocolate chips that are perfect for baking!

You must check out Amanda's Own Confections this holiday season!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Slow Cooker Bean & Beef Chili Recipe

For these cold winter days I always love to make soups of some sort to warm me up.  Today, I created a bean and beef chili in the slow cooker.

Ingredients:
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
1 can of red kidney beans
1 can of white kidney beans
1 pound of ground beef
1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 1/4 cup of chicken broth
1/4 jar of marinara sauce
1/2 can of  El Pato brand Salsa de Jalapeno
4 diced jalapeno chilis
1 whole onion, diced
1 tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt (add more salt to taste if desired)
2 tbs. olive oil
(Optional: Grated cheese, Parsley, & diced onion in each bowl when serving)

(NOTE: The quantities listed above are for a smaller slow cooker.  If you have a larger slow cooker and want to make more of a family sized meal or wish to have leftovers, I suggest doubling the recipe.  I did this and it turned out to be the perfect amount!)

Directions:
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.  Next, saute the diced onion, diced jalapeno peppers, and diced orange bell pepper.  Cook until softened.



2.  In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef.  When cooked, drain the fat.


3. Add the cooked ground beef and onion, jalapeno, & pepper mixture to the slow cooker.  Next, add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, & salt to the slow cooker and stir.  

4. Add the cans of beans and tomatoes (including the juice) to the the slow cooker.  (I used Trader Joe's brand of beans and tomatoes.  If you decide to double the recipe, as I did, I suggest using the large can (28 oz.) of diced tomatoes, it's less expensive that way.)
5. Add the chicken broth, El Pato Salsa de Jalapeno, and marinara sauce and give a light stir to the mixture.

6. Turn the slow cooker on high for 4 hours so they flavors can sink in.  If you're home when making this chili, periodically open the slow cooker and give it a stir.  However, if you're in the set it and forget it mode, then just give it a good stir before serving.


7. If desired, top each bowl of chili with grated cheese, parsley, and diced onions.






Friday, November 26, 2010

Miglet's Gluten Free Cupcake Shop

This weekend I had the pleasure of trying out Miglet's Gluten Free Cupcake Shop in Danville, CA.  I had heard about this new bakery a few weeks ago and when I traveled to the bay area to visit friends, I knew I just had to stop in.  The shop itself was nestled in the nook of a cute shopping plaza and the outside of the shop was quite inviting.


When I walked up to the counter I was amazed at the variety of cupcakes they sell.  On the day that I visited the flavors included pumpkin, snickerdoodle, red velvet, creamy coconut, cookies & cream, strawberry lemonade, mint chip, peanut butter, & double chocolate, just to name a few.  In addition to cupcakes they also sell pies, cookies, muffins, bread, quiche, eclairs, & more.  They also have Vegan options as well as Low Sugars options.

What I love is that Miglet's truly understands that many people who have a gluten sensitivity may also have other food allergies.  Miglet's is extremely accommodating to food sensitivities and allergies and does their best to make you a baked good or special order that suites your individual needs.  Their website states that they are always happy to accommodate dairy, casein, corn, soy, egg, and nut-free orders too!  Check out their website and contact them to place a special order today!

I visited the shop with my girlfriends and their kids.  We purchased a variety of cupcake flavors & cookies and had a cupcake party when we got home.




The cupcakes were a big hit all around, and me, the only one of the group who is gluten free, adored them!  All of the flavors I tried were quite tasty and moist.  However, my personal favorite was the creamy coconut.  If you are a coconut lover, you must try these cupcakes!  They literally melt in your mouth.  If you live in the area you should definitely stop by! Miglet's Cupcake Shop is quite a delight and I highly recommend it!

 The back 2 are Mint Chip, the front left is Snickerdoodle and the front right is Cookies & Cream!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gluten Free Gravy

Are you having a gluten free guest at your Thanksgiving table?  Are you preparing your gluten free Thanksgiving meal and realize that you don't have gluten free gravy?  Of course making your own gravy from scratch is always scrumptious but if you are in a bind or realize last minute that you are in need of gluten free gravy, look no further.


Road's End Organics now has 3 flavors of gluten free gravy that can be made in minutes.  Flavors include delicious golden, savory herb, and shiitake mushroom.  I found them at Whole Foods for only $2.99 per packet.  Enjoy!

Udi's Bread & Bagels Available at Trader Joe's!!!!

In my opinion Udi's  bread is by far the best tasting on the market (and I've tasted a lot of gluten free breads!)  Their bagels are also phenomenal, so chewy and moist!  Well, according to celiac-disease.com, Udi's is now available at Trader Joes! Yippee!


http://celiac-disease.com/udis-available-at-trader-joes/

Monday, November 22, 2010

Wheat Allergy vs. Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Sensitivity – What's the Difference?

Great article on the difference between a Wheat Allergy, Celiac Disease, & Gluten Sensitivity.  Check out this link:

http://healthnowmedical.com/info/gluten_reading.html

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Gluten Free Agave Nectar & Honey Cinnamon Rolls

I decided I was in the mood for some cinnamon rolls and decided to try out the new mix that I found at Whole Foods by Chebe.

I began by following the directions for the dough that were provided on the back of the bag.  However, for the actual cinnamon rolls I altered the recipe to use agave nectar and honey instead of sugar.  Making the dough was easy.  You just mix the contents of the bag with 2 tbs. oil, 1 egg, 2 tbs. applesauce, and 3 tbs. of milk or milk substitute (if you want to keep them dairy free).  Blend all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and then knead the dough with your hands until it is smooth.  The bag says that if the mix is too dry, and mine definitely was, add more liquid.  I chose to add another 1 1/2 tbs. of milk and the dough was perfect.


The back of the bag gives a few different recipes that you can choose from to make from the dough.  I chose to make my own creation of cinnamon rolls but referred to the Cinnamon-Sugar Rolls that are written on the back of the bag.  Here's what I did:


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Roll out dough (I used a Tupperware pastry/baking mat to roll the dough onto).  Melt 1 tbs. of butter and spread onto the dough with a brush.  Drizzle agave nectar onto the dough both vertically and horizontally to make a crisscross pattern.



 



Next, sprinkle cinnamon all over the dough.

Then, drizzle honey on top of the cinnamon, also in a crisscross pattern, like you did with the agave nectar.
 






Last, sprinkle chopped walnuts all over the dough.
 
 
Roll the dough lengthwise into a log.


 Cut the dough lengthwise into 1/2" sections and place on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes and serve.
When they come out of the oven I suggest drizzling a bit more honey on the top before serving.  My hubby usually rates my baking, especially when I experiment with a recipe or something new.  The hubby rating for these was a solid 8 out of 10!  Not bad for my first attempt at cinnamon rolls!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

15% Off Gluten Free Products At Amazon

Are you interested in getting 15% off gluten free products everyday?  Why keep running out of the items you use regularly?  Well, you'll be happy to know that Amazon.com carries a huge selection of gluten free products at a reduced price with FREE SHIPPING!  All you have to do is sign up for their Subscribe and Save Program, where products that you love can be purchased in bulk for a scheduled delivery.  You can sign up to have items automatically delivered every one, two, three, or six months.  Better yet, you can alter or cancel your delivery schedule at any time so you are not locked into a particular schedule.  I absolutely LOVE this service and have many of my favorite items scheduled for delivery.  You must check it out!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Coconut Bliss Ice Cream Bars & Ice Cream

DAIRY FREE--SOY FREE--GLUTEN FREE--SUGAR FREE--VEGAN
LOW GLYCEMIC--AGAVE SWEETENED
ICE CREAM BARS & ICE CREAM

COCONUT BLISS ICE CREAM BARS & ICE CREAM
Looking for a sweet treat without some of the big allergens?  Then you must try Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss ice cream bars and ice cream, which are made with coconut milk.  The bars come in 2 flavors, dark chocolate and naked coconut and the ice cream comes in 10 flavors including naked almond fudge, naked coconut, chocolate peanut butter, dark chocolate, cappuccino, vanilla island, mint galactica, pineapple coconut, cherry amaretto, and chocolate hazelnut fudge.  They are amazing, free of all of the big allergens, and low glycemic.  What's not to love?



Friday, November 5, 2010

Chocolate-Covered & Yogurt-Covered GF Pretzels

In the mood for something salty and sweet?  That's not always easy to come by if you're gluten free.  Well, it looks like Glutino has come out with chocolate-covered and yogurt-covered pretzels.  The perfect combination of salty and sweet to satisfy your craving!


Gluten Free Pancakes in Roseville, CA.

Do you live in the Sacramento area or plan to visit the area soon?  Then you must check out the Original Pancake House in Roseville, CA.   They have breakfast options that are naturally gluten free such as omelettes, but they also have an extensive list of gluten free pancakes in many flavors!!!  They are fantastic and you must check them out.  There are other locations of the Original Pancake House, however, from speaking with the owner, only the Roseville location has the gluten free option available on their menu!



The pancakes are available in the following flavors: buttermilk, coconut, bacon, banana, blueberry, Hawaiian, pecan, chocolate chip, Reese's chip, dollar pancakes, and pigs in a blanket.

We ordered the chocolate chip ones!  Yum!