Merry Christmas

Sorry for my absence recently, I have had limited computer access. My computer crashed and wiped out all of my pictures and recipes. I hope that all of you back up your computer more diligently than I did. Anyway, I will be up and running again soon with a new computer. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

I was going to do a post about apple crisp today. However, I have been having weird obsessive pumpkin cravings lately. And no, I'm not pregnant, thanks for asking. I came home from work this morning and decided to find a good pumpkin muffin recipe to go with my coffee. I turned to a reliable source for everything delicious; joyofbaking.com. Yet again, I was not disappointed. With the temperature outside spiraling downward and the cold, cold Oregon rain falling, a warm pumpkin muffin loaded with hints of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg was the perfect morning coffee companion.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins
from Joy of Baking, modified to be GF
Makes 12 muffins
1-1/2 cups (195grams) GF flour mix
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp xanthan gum
1 stick of butter (113g) softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup (75g) pumpkin puree (I use Libby's)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Baking Directions
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 18-20 minutes
Start by whisking all the dry ingredients(the first 8)together in a medium bowl.
Next, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as necessary. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and the pumpkin puree. Make sure you are using plain pumpkin puree, not the pre-seasoned pumpkin pie filling.

Finally, mix in the dry ingredients a third at a time until thoroughly combined. If you are using chocolate chips, stir them in at the end. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line with paper cups a 12 muffin pan. Divide the batter equally and bake for 18-20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on a rack for a few minutes. Pour yourself a cup of fresh coffee and try not to devour all 12 muffins in one sitting. Enjoy!!!

Gluten Free Fall Treats

Since Fall is upon us and some good food holidays are just around the corner, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite holiday treats. Just click on the picture to take you to the recipe.
This pumpkin cheesecake is soooo smooth and creamy it will be a hit with any pumpkin loving guest. That is, if you decide to share.

Pumpkin pie is a must have at any holiday meal. I use Whole Foods brand GF pie crusts to save time so I can tend to other cooking.

Pumpkin bread pudding is a nice alternative to pie and cheesecake.

I know, Crack Pie is not a standard holiday dessert. At least not yet. I can't give you a list of great treats and not include this one. One bite and you will be addicted.

Green bean casserole may not be a dessert treat, but it is certainly a treat for anyone who has had to give it up because they are gluten free. This green bean casserole is amazing.

If you are looking for something to munch on or something easy to bring to a party, then you should try these sweet and spicy pecans. They have just the right amount of sweet and spice. They will disappear quickly.

Last but not least, Chex mix is another simple snack to bring to a party or set out as the guests begin to arrive.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season this year. Enjoy!!!

Gluten Free Coconut Bread with Pineapple Butter

This post is originally from October 2009. I am submiting this over at The Gluten Free Homemaker's Create a Quick Bread Challenge this month.
After documenting all the food that my family eats over the last nine months, I now realize that we consume more butter and sugar than some small developing nations. But hey, I'm on roll, why stop now? In high school gym class they always yelled; "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Shouldn't that apply to food as well? As we head in to the weekend, I've got a nice little breakfast / anytime treat for you.

Gluten Free Coconut Bread with Sweet Pineapple Butter:

inspired by: Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen modified to be GF

1/2 cup butter (1 stick, melted)

3 cups GF flour mix

2 tsp xanthan gum

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Zest of 1 lemon (finely grated)

1-1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk

1-1/2 cups shredded coconut (toasted)

Powdered sugar for dusting

Sweet Pineapple Butter:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick, softened)

4 ounces crushed pineapple (drained)
Bake at 375 degrees F for 50-60 minutes Begin by toasting the coconut in a 350 degree F oven for 5-10 minutes, stirring periodically. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.
While the coconut is toasting, whisk all the dry ingredients, except for the brown sugar, together in a bowl and set aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, eggs, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly. Next, slowly mix in the coconut milk.

Finally, stir the toasted coconut in to the batter. Pour the batter in to a greased 9x5 pan and bake at 375 degrees F for 50-60 minutes.
While the bread is baking, place 1 stick of softened butter along with 4 ounces of well drained crushed pineapple in to a food processor.
Pulse the butter and pineapple together until light and fluffy.
Remove the bread from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before turning out on to a cooling rack. Slice the bread, toast it, and top with pineapple butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy with a cup of fresh coffee!!!

Gluten Free Thai Chicken Flatbread

I've made a couple of big mistakes lately. I never should have made gluten free naan bread. Now that my wife has tried gf naan, she wants me to make it everyday. In fact we just had kebabs again the other night. I can't complain though because I enjoy all of it as much as she does. As long as I was making naan for the kebabs, I decided to double the recipe and find another use for it. I came across The Steamy Kitchen cookbook which had a recipe for Thai Chicken Flatbread using naan as the flatbread base. Here is mistake number two. This Thai Chicken Flatbread is beyond words. There are elements of sweetness and spice, warm chicken and bread countered by cool crisp cilantro and mung bean sprouts. To top it all off, the ooey gooey mozzarella brings it all together.
Thai Chicken Flatbread
From The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook
1 batch of gluten free naan
Thai Peanut Sauce
2 tsp canola or vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic (pressed)
1 tsp grated ginger
3 Tbs sweet chili sauce like (Mae Ploy)
2 tsp ketchup
2 tsp gf soy sauce
2 tsp honey
1 tsp garlic chili paste (sambal)
2/3 cup water
3 Tbs peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
Flatbread Topping
1/2 pound (250g) chicken
2 tsp gf soy sauce
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbs olive oil
8 ounces (250g) shredded mozzarella
fresh mung bean sprouts and cilantro sprigs
For the Thai peanut sauce; heat oil in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat, add the garlic and ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients, stir until smooth.
Simmer the sauce until it begins to thicken. Remove the sauce from the heat and cool to room temperature. This sauce will last in the refrigerator for up to a week if you want to make it in advance.
For the topping, cut the chicken into bite size pieces, I used 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts. Put the chicken pieces in a bowl, add 2 tsp of gf soy sauce, 1 tsp of honey, and 1/2 tsp cornstarch. Mix thoroughly and let the chicken sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat and cook the chicken until done, stirring frequently.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly brush the edges of the naan with olive oil. Next, spread the peanut sauce on the bread, add some cooked chicken and cover with shredded mozzarella. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and top with fresh mung bean sprouts and cilantro sprigs. Amazingly delicious. Enjoy!!!

Gluten Free Brownies

I have a terrible sweet tooth. Anything with butter, sugar, and chocolate is always welcome in my home. Since brownies have an abundance of all three of my favorite ingredients, they are welcome house guests. Now you may be thinking, "hey Brian there are all these gluten free brownies mixes available, why would you make them from scratch?" Good question. A- They are super easy to make. And B- These brownies taste better than any store bought mix I have ever tried. You just have to make them to see for yourself.
Gluten Free Brownies:
from Joy of Baking modified to be GF
5 ounces (140g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate- chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 113 grams)- cut into pieces
2 Tbs (15g) cocoa powder
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup (95g) gluten free flour mix
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp xanthan gum
It's best to get your ingredients all together before you start. Whisk the salt and xanthan gum into your gf flour mix and you can add the cocoa powder to the granulated sugar.Place a stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler.) Melt the butter and chocolate together until smooth.
Take the bowl off the heat and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder. Next, whisk in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Finally, stir in the gf flour mix that has the salt and xanthan gum in it.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Pour the brownies mix into a lightly greased 8inch X 8inch pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!!!
For more gluten free recipes visit Linda over at The Gluten Free Homemaker

Gluten Free Naan Bread

Alright, who ran right out and made the Lamb kebab recipe that I posted the other day? Go ahead raise your hand.........No one, not one person. Pfffft. Well then, allow me to push you one step closer to a meal that will have your taste buds dancing and jumping for joy. If you are not into lamb I understand. As I said before, the marinade works well with chicken too. To send the whole kebab meal into overdrive, you need to make naan to go with it. What is naan you ask? Great question. Naan is a flat bread native to Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is similar to a pita bread but not exactly the same. If you make up this naan bread recipe along with the lamb kebabs and tzatziki, you will find yourself with something that resembles a Greek Gyro. Seriously, who can pass that up?
Gluten Free Naan Bread:
.25 ounces of quick rising yeast(about 2 tsp)
2 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup warm water (103-106 degrees F)
2-1/4 cups GF flour mix
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp xanthan gum
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
1-1/2 Tbs milk
butter for frying
In a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, salt, xanthan gum, minced garlic, and garlic powder. Add 1 lightly beaten egg and the milk.
In a bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, add the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Proof the yeast for about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should foam up slightly.

Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix with a dough hook until thoroughly combined.
Lay parchment paper over a baking sheet or cutting board and lightly dust with gf flour. Use your hands to divide the dough evenly into four pieces. Lightly flour your hands and press the dough into four flat rounds a bit larger than your hands. Cover the pressed dough with a clean towel and place in a warm area to rise for about 20-30 minutes. The dough will not rise dramatically.
Next, preheat a heavy skillet, I used cast iron, add 1/2-1 Tbs of butter to the skillet. Fry your naan bread on each side for 3-4 minutes per side. Add a little more butter to the skillet and repeat with the next piece of bread. Finally, take all the cooked naan and wrap it in foil. Place the bread in a warm oven (250-275 degrees F) for about 4-5 minutes. The steam inside the foil will add a nice chewiness to the naan. Now the combination of the naan, lamb, and tzatziki will have your family carting you around the house on their shoulders singing your praises. I'm not joking, it's that good. Enjoy!!!