Educating people about Celiac Disease one person at a time. Consultant, author & advocate.
Eating Gluten Free Made Simple
Monday, April 30, 2012
Spring Is Here
If you are like us, you eat most of your family meals in the kitchen, which means you get real tired, real quick of your table setting. I change ours every couple of weeks, keeping it fresh for us.
So, let me ask you . . . does my kitchen table look like fun or what?
Labels:
Entertainment Ideas,
Table Decor
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Friday, April 27, 2012
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Sometimes finding that unique dish that all can eat and enjoy can be elusive, but not when heirloom tomatoes are in season. After all, what do you get when you combine fresh, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese, capers, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar? An absolutely fab and beautiful salad to kill for.
The great thing is that this beauty can be on the table in 12--count 'em--12 minutes or less. Now, how much easier can it possibly be?
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 4-inch heirloom
tomatoes
2 tablespoons goat cheese, broken into small pieces
4 large Fresh basil Leaves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon capers drained
1. Place balsamic vinegar in small sauce pan over medium low
heat. Heat until reduced by half, about 10 to12 minutes.
2. While balsamic vinegar reduces, divide one 4-inch
heirloom tomato into eight equal parts. Place half one each of two salad
plates. Sprinkle each with one-half of crumbled goat cheese, one-half of
capers, and one half of basil strips.
3. Garnish each with a small spray of basil leaves. Drizzle
each with one-half of balsamic vinegar.
Servings: 2
Calories Per Serving: 149.65
Labels:
Gluten Free,
Nut Free,
Salad,
Soy Free,
Vegetables,
Vegetarian
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Back to Basics--Proper Measuring Equipment
At the risk of boring you to death with stuff you already know, please bear with me!! Daily I watch folks professional chefs measure ingredients incorrectly. The finished product they show their viewers is always perfect, and it should be with enough photographic touch ups.
Teaching my high school home economics students how to measure correctly was the spot we always began semester after semester. We will revisit how to read and analyze recipes a little later. But, for now let's look at just the equipment needed.
There are three basic types of measures required for cooking:
- Liquid
- Dry
- Weight
#1 For me, I relay on 3 basic liquid measuring cups: a 1-cup, a 2-cup and a 4 cup measure. I do have 8 and 12 cup batter bowls which look like a regular measuring cup on steroids, but the basic three are more than sufficient for the basic three.
| Basic 1-cup measure |
| Basic 2-cup measure |
| Basic 4-cup measure |
What do you measure in liquid measuring cups? Just that, anything liquid. We will talk more about the correct way to do this in the next post. KEY POINT: Never, but never, measure anything that is dry in these cups.
#2 I rely on a 4-piece stainless steel set of dry measuring cups. Actually, I have several, but I cook a lot!
| 4-piece dry measure set |
| Weight measure |
| Measuring Spoons |
Labels:
Cooking How-to,
Gluten Free Training
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Back to Basics--Where Do I Start?
At
the risk of boring you to death with stuff you already know, please bear with
me!! Daily I watch professional chefs measure ingredients incorrectly. Being a retired Auburn University professor and home economist, watching such makes my skin crawl.
I want to help those who are
suddenly faced with having to cook at home from scratch because of eating a medically necessitated gluten free diet to learn the correct
way to cook. Learning good habits from the beginning is so much easier than
unlearning bad habits.
Every two or three days, I will have an
educational post with a link to the post on my Back
to Basics--Cooking 101 page ( tab located at the top of my blog).
Okay, let's get down to walking into the kitchen and knowing how to get started. These are the same steps I took my high school home economics students through during my earlier years of teaching. The same principles apply today and work equally well. These are the steps I go through every day at home, not just when I give demonstrations.
Second, read each recipe thoroughly.
Third, make sure you have all the ingredients on hand.
Third, get yourself organized.
How does the novice cook get organized? The same way that I do!!!
1. Read the recipe thoroughly, AGAIN. Line the ingredients up in the order used in a recipe.
2. Get all equipment together, i.e., measuring equipment, mixing bowls, spatulas, wooden spoons, mixers, or whatever.
3. Go to my post on Back to Basics--Let's Measure.
Rice Cake Snack
When you have the munchies mid-afternoon, this makes a terrific and pretty snack. We keep these rice cakes in our cupboard all the time. One rice cake alone is only 80 satisfying calories and this brand is the real, gluten free deal.
1 Lundberg Flax with Tamari rice cake
1 tablespoon mascarpone, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons Blueberry Merlot Jam (click for recipe)
Spread mascarpone cheese evenly over rice cake. Top with
jam.
Servings: 1 Total Time: 2 minutes
Calories Per Serving: 178.86
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Monday, April 23, 2012
Spring Change of Pace
Tired of your table settings? Sometimes the smallest changes can make such a difference! You have seen all the items used previously. I just mixed things up a little every once in a while. By putting old things together in new combinations keeps my tables fresh and new, making meal time so much more enjoyable.
Let me show you how!
| Table #1: Kitchen Table April 20 '12 |
I kept a few of the table appointments the same for the sake of convenience that I had used originally following Easter (pictured on Table #2). The same green linen napkins are at home in their flower pot clay napkin ring holders. I also kept the little clay bird shaped tea light holders as well. We eat from our Fitz and Floyd dinnerware every day and use the same silverware most of the time. So why not leave it out to make serving easier. Brightly color wine glasses replaced the matching mugs for a sparkle of color that picks up the colors in my new fresh flowers!
For us, mealtime is a time of catching up with one another, making plans for the next day or simply enjoying time spent together, and I think we deserve to pamper ourselves at home just a little. Don't you?
| Table #2: From Easter to Spring '12 |
| Table #3: Easter Table '11 |
| Table # 4: Easter Dining Table '12 |
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Buttermilk Brownies with Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting
If you don't tell someone these very rich squares of goodness are gluten free, they would never know! I promise!
| Buttermilk Brownie with Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting & Chocolate Covered Strawberry |
Here is my recipe:
2 cups Jackie's Quick Flour Blend (click for recipe)
2 cups sugar
1 2/3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened to room temperature
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened to room temperature
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Here is how I did this:
1. Mix flour, sugar and cocoa thoroughly.
2. Combine water and butter in saucepan. Bring to a boil. (Note: Butter should be at room temperature BEFORE combining with water. If not, water will come to boil too quickly.) Pour over flour mixture. Beat at low speed until completely blended. Turn to high; beat mixture until smooth. Add baking soda, buttermilk and eggs. Mix well (approximately 3 to 5 minutes on medium speed).
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Pour into a 15x10x1-inch pan. Allow to sit on cabinet 15 minutes prior to placing in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven. Bake 21 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake. Allow to cool 10 ten minutes before icing with Buttermilk Frosting.
Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting:
1. Mix cocoa, buttermilk and butter in saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. (Note: Butter should be at room temperature BEFORE combining with other ingredients. If not, the buttermilk will come to a boil too quickly.) Remove from heat once combined mixture reaches a boil.
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Spread evenly over warm brownies. Allow to cool at least one hour before cutting into squares.
Servings: 30 Yield: 1 15x10x1-inch loaf pan
Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne Copyright: 2012
For recipe, please click Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
Labels:
and Desserts,
Cakes,
Gluten Free,
Nut Free,
Pastries,
Soy Free
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Very, very elegant! This jewels make a big impact for minimal effort.
The key to making these strawberries so special and festive are the tiny little appetizer spoons.
12 medium strawberries, washed & dried
6 cubes Plymouth Pantry almond bark
2 teaspoons pecan meal
1. Cut almond bard into small pieces. Place in top of a double boiler over medium heat. Do not let the bottom of the top boiler come in contact with the simmering water.
2. When bark has completely melted, holding strawberry by the stem, dip strawberry bottom two-thirds of strawberry into melted bark.
3. Place each strawberry into an appetizer spoon; sprinkle with pecan meal and enjoy!
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 46.45
Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne Copyright: 2012
Author's Note: This brand of almond bark does contain soy lecithin and is produced in a facility that also hands milk and nut products.
Labels:
Appetizer,
Brunch,
Dessert,
Finger Foods,
Fruits,
Gluten Free,
Vegetarian
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Friday, April 20, 2012
Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Adobo Sauce
This terrific entree is super with almost any side dish you choose. Pork tenderloin is one of the most affrdable and I keep Adobo Sauce (click for recipe) in my freezer for those times I don't have time to prepare it from scratch.
Here is my recipe:
Adobo Sauce
2 tablespoons minced onion, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Tenderloin
2 1-pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sauce
3/4 cup chicken stock
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons fresh parsley sprigs, chopped
Here is how I made this:
Adobo Sauce:
Place peppers, 2 tablespoons onion, 3/4 teaspoon garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt,1/2 teaspoon sugar, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves and vinegar in food processor. Puree until smooth. Add reserved soaking liquid one tablespoon at a time until still thick, but smooth in texture. Cover and refrigerate.Tenderloin:
1. Place trimmed pork tenderloin with 1/4 cup of adobo sauce in container. Turn tenderloins so that each is coated with adobo sauce. Seal and refrigerate for about1 hour. Remove and allow to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes.2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While oven is heating, place 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet. When olive olive is hot, sear the tenderloins on all sides until golden brown, approximately 4 to 6 minutes. Place tenderloins in baking dish; place in oven and continue to cook until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer, which takes about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before slicing to keep the juices in the meat.
Sauce: While tenderloins are baking, place the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in medium saucepan over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the remaining 1/4 cup onion and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic. Stirring often, cook until onion and garlic are soft, approximately 4 to 6 minutes. Add 6 tablespoons of the adobo sauce; cooking for 1 additional minute. Add chicken broth and heavy cream; cook until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, approximately 8-10 minutes. Add chocolate and stir until melted.
To Serve: Place sliced tenderloins on serving platter, drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle the entire serving tray with finely chopped parsley flakes.
Servings: 6 Yield: 2 cooked tenderloins
Oven Temperature: 350°F
Calories Per Serving271.03
Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Staying Safe at The Grocery Store
One of the scariest times for me is buying products that you need such as say mustard, but don't want to make for that tablespoon or so that you need for a recipe. There are no ingredients on the list that seems to be a problem, BUT there is no certified gluten free label posted anywhere on the label either. So what do you do?
Here is what I do:
I call the company if there is a number on the panel anywhere and ask the following?
1. Is there gluten in this product? If they cannot answer definitively, put the product back on the shelf and keep shopping.
2. If the answer is no, then ask:
- Was this product produced is a gluten free facility? If the answer is no, then ask:
- Was the product produced on dedicated equipment?
- What steps are taken at the facility to prevent cross contamination?
- How often is the final product tested for gluten?
- What standard do they use (which should be below 20ppm)?
Labels:
Gluten Free Training
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Monday, April 16, 2012
Buttermilk Salad Dressing
Of all the made-from-scratch dressings I do, this is our favorite! Light, refreshing and absolutely drinkable. This salad dressing also doubles as a dip for raw veggies.
2 cups Hellman's Mayonnaise
1/2 teas garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion salt
3/4 teaspoon salt to taste
5 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Here is how I did this:
1. Place all ingredients in bowl of food processor. Process on high until thoroughly blended.
1. Place all ingredients in bowl of food processor. Process on high until thoroughly blended.
2. Place in sealed container and
refrigerate at least four hours before serving.
Author's Notes:
- The key what makes this dressing/dip taste so-o-o good is to use (a) only Hellman's Mayonnaise and (b) only fresh parsley.
- Dressing will keep in refrigerator up to two weeks in refrigerator IF you take out only the amount needed each time.
Servings: 16 Yield: 4 cups
Labels:
Gluten Free,
Hellman's Mayonnaise,
Nut Free,
Salad Dressings,
Soy Free
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
French Salad Dressing
Consider me paranoid, but I just don't trust many store bought combinations not to have wheat lurking in one of the ingredients. So, what do I do to combat this problem. I make my own. This is one that we just love.
Here is my recipe:
1 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
5/8 cup catsup
5/8 cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, gluten free
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1/2 cup onion finely chopped
Here is how I make it:
1. Combine all ingredients in
bowl of food processor. Process on high until all ingredients are pureed and
thoroughly blended.
2. Place sealed container and
refrigerate until ready to serve. Shake or stir dressing well before serving.
Servings: 20 Yield: 5 cups
Labels:
Gluten Free,
Nut Free,
Salad Dressings,
Soy Free
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
A pretty side dish is always a nice addition to any meal. Although we served this one for Easter, it would also be a show-stopper at a Christmas meal.
Here is my recipe:
2 pounds asparagus spears, large
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt to taste
4 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 sticks butter (no substitutes), melted
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
Here is how I did it:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Fahrenheit.
2. Trim fibrous ends from
asparagus spears. Place spears in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil. Using
clean hands, coat spears with olive oil. Place in preheated oven for 12 to 15
minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and place on serving platter.
4. While asparagus roasts, bring
water in bottom of a double boiler to a low simmer. Place egg yolks in top of
double boiler BEFORE placing over heat. Whisk in lemon juice until doubled in
volume. Place eggs over simmering water being careful not to allow eggs get too
hot or they will scramble. Slowly whisk in melted butter, whisking until
doubled in volume. Whisk in salt. Remove from heat and drizzle over roasted
asparagus. Dust with cayenne.
Servings: 8
Labels:
Gluten Free,
Nut Free,
Soy Free,
Vegetable,
Vegetarian
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Blue Tiger (Cocktail)
For our greeting cocktail, I put a spin on the traditional mimosa and champagne. Instead of using orange juice, I used two types of orange liqueur--one is blue. This delicious cocktail, matched my "Blue, White & You" theme perfectly. Being a retired Auburn University faculty member and our team's colors are orange and blue, I naturally named it "Blue Tiger".
Here is my recipe:
1 ounce orange liqueur
1 ounce Blue Curacao
3 ounces champagne
Here is how I made it:
Chill all ingredients to about
55 degrees. Pour liqueurs into a champagne flute, then follow with the
champagne. Garnish with orange curls, if desired.
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Beyond Easter '12 & Onto Spring
There comes a day after Easter that the bunnies go back into hiding 'til next year. So, how do you dress the table--in this case, my kitchen table.
My centerpiece consisted of flowers given to us by our guests at Easter dinner. The combination makes for a short-lived, but colorful centerpiece.
| Centerpiece flowers! |
Individual place settings consisted of a lime green place mat appointed with a navy, gold & white dinner plate and coffee mug made by Fitz & Floyd, plus a four piece stainless silver plate place setting. All on atop of an aqua plaid topper.
| Place setting! |
| Bird shaped clay votive candle holders mirror flower pot shaped napkin holders. |
Labels:
Holiday,
Home Decor,
Table Decor,
Tablescape
Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, AL, USA
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Homemade Adobo Sauce
Some things that should be simple can make the gluten intolerant or Celiac life's suddenly complicated. One of those supposedly simple things are prepared ingredients. Chili peppers in adobo sauce. Tired of avoiding recipes calling for this ingredient, I got busy and perfected my own version.
I place my homemade sauce in a plastic ice cube tray, freeze and then store in a labeled resealable plastic bag.
So, put a little kick back in your life!
| Frozen cubes of adobo sauce--just thaw & proceed with recipe. |
10 dried jalapeno chile peppers
6 tablespoons minced onion, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1. Place peppers in medium size skillet over medium heat. Stirring often cook until peppers are very soft. Remove and place peppers on a plate or tray. When cool enough to handle, remove stems and seeds and discard.
2. Place peppers in saucepan. Cover with water; place over medium high heat. Once water comes to a boil, remove from heat. Allow pepper to soak until plump and soft or about 20 minutes. Strain, reserving soaking liquid.
3. Place peppers, 2 tablespoons onion, 3/4 teaspoon garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt,1/2 teaspoon sugar, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves and vinegar in food processor. Puree until smooth. Add reserved soaking liquid one tablespoon at a time until still thick, but smooth in texture. Cover and refrigerate.
4. To preserve, spoon into plastic ice cube tray and freeze. Turn out and store in resealable plastic bag.
Servings: 6 Yield: 1 1/2 cups
| Adobo Sauce cooking away! |
| Plastic ice cube tray. |
| Freshly cooked adobo sause in tray prior to going into freezer. |
Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2012
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