Tag: gluten free

Cakes · Gluten Free · New Favorite · Vegan · Vegetarian

Chocolate Cake…Vegan and Absolutely Delicious

cathysmaha2 Comments

Who doesn’t like chocolate cake?  I wanted to make a chocolate cake for a gathering of friends, two of which are Vegan.  We all love to share salads, fruits, pastas, but dessert is always a bit tricky.

This cake was moist, delicious and almost healthy!  I would make it again and again whether my guests were Vegan or not. Even one of my Grand Dogs thought it was worthy of his attention!

Chocolate Cake…Vegan &Delicious

3/4 cup plain flour/GF flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup unrefined cane sugar/brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting: 

This makes a small amount of frosting as the cake doesn’t need much, but for a full batch

    1 1/2 tbsp. lite Nuttelex or other dairy free butter/margarine alternative
    1 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
    1/2 cup sifted icing sugar
    1/2 tsp. vanilla

    • Preheat oven to 180°C/355°F.
    • Grease and line a small cake tin (or cupcake tins)
    • In a large mixing bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
    • In a separate medium mixing bowl combine applesauce, sugar and vanilla and pour into dry ingredients.
    • Mix until just combined and pour into cake tin.
    • Bake for 20-35 minutes or until cooked through and a skewer inserted removes clean. If making cupcakes, cook for ~10-15 minutes or until cooked through.
    • For the frosting, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a mixer, adding in the cocoa and vanilla and mixing until combined. If needed, add a couple of drops of milk/non dairy milk until your desired consistency is reached

    Recipe from Southerininlaw.com

    Family · Family Favorites · Gluten Free · New Traditions

    Peach Blueberry Crumble

    cathysmahaLeave a comment

    Peaches are in season and I love a peach dessert.  I adapted a recipe from Barefoot Contessa to be gluten-free. It was delicious. The rice flour is lighter, therefore, you need to add about 25% more rice flour that the all-purpose flour called for in a recipe.  I’ve shown the rice flour and the all-purpose flour proportions in the recipe below. I also sprinkled sugar on top of the crumble to give it a little extra sweetness.

     

    The Crumble served warm with good vanilla ice cream…it’s what I wish I were having for dessert tonight!

    PEACH AND BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE

    GF=Gluten-Free

    2 pounds firm, ripe peaches (6 to 8 peaches)
    2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
    2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    1/2 cup granulated sugar
    3/8 cup rice flour (GF) OR 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (non GF)
    1 cup fresh blueberries

    Crumble:

    1.25 cups rice flour (GF) OR 1 cup all-purpose flour (non GF)
    1/3 cup granulated sugar
    1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Immerse the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until their skins peel off easily. Place them immediately in cold water. Peel the peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour. Toss well. Gently mix in the blueberries. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture into buttered ramekins or baking dish.

    • For the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it’s in big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit.
    • Place the ramekins on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    Recipe Adapted From Food Network, 2006 Barefoot Contessa

    Family Favorites · Gluten Free · New Favorite · New Traditions · Vegetarian

    Pesto Schmesto…on Pizza and Caprese Salad

    cathysmaha3 Comments

    Have I told you I love pesto?  Fresh ingredients and CHEESE…what’s not to like?  My basil did well this year and I’ve enjoyed a few batches of this tasty delight. This year I tried a recipe from Iowa Girl Eats blog.  After all, a recipe originating from a cook in my home state of Iowa gets my attention. I like her recipe because it’s small in proportions but you can double, triple, etc. based on your desired volume.

    PESTO SCHMESTO

    25-28 fresh basil leaves
    2 tablespoons pine nuts
    2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    1 garlic clove
    salt & pepper to salt
    2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    • Combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in the food processor.
    • Pulse until finely ground.
    • Slowly stream in the olive oil and pulse until smooth.

    Adapted from Pesto by Iowa Girl Eats

    PESTO PIZZA

    Udi’s GF pizza crust (or precooked crust of your liking)
    Pesto
    Thinly sliced zucchini
    Slow roast tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
    Turkey or chicken (or omit for vegetarian pizza)
    Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Mozzarella)

    • Layer the ingredients on the pizza crust in the order given.
    • Bake per crust instructions until pizza is hot, cheese is melted.  YUMMMMM.

    PESTO CAPRESE SALAD

    Fresh sliced tomatoes
    Fresh sliced buffalo mozzarella
    Pesto
    salt & pepper

    • Layer in order above and enjoy!