Waffles - Gluten Free - Paleo - Grain Free - Corn Free - Potatoe Free

I have been gluten free for 13 years.  Gluten free cooking has come so far since those early days.  I was diagnosed just before heading off to college and I didn't have a lot of experience cooking in general let a lone invent new recipes. Lets just say I made better hockey pucks than pancakes.


Fast forward to now. There are so many more options available at stores and restaurants. Eating gluten free really is so much easier than ever, so you might be able to imagine how difficult it was for me when my food sensitivities became even more severe and those new quick and convenient options were no longer my options.


After a few years of symptoms and problems and working through a food elimination diet I found that grains, night shades (especially tomatoes and potatoes), dairy, legumes (beans/peas) and sugar were all problematic. You might be thinking, what on earth is left to eat, and so was I.  I was so depressed and discouraged and I had two options: continuing having those negative things in my diet and feel awful, or make a change and have the hope of feeling better.


Seems like an easy choice, but I was going back to the old days of not having pre-made, easy go-to food available and I would have to cook everything from scratch. (I don't have time to cook every meal from scratch!!) So I knew if it was going to have staying power I needed to make my food choices quick and easy when life got busy. I do that by cooking in bulk. I made a giant pot of beef stew and bottled it so when I needed a quick and satisfying meal all I had to do was heat it up.  Next I needed something for breakfast. (Sometimes I just can't stomach eggs in the morning, and bacon everyday while tempting, it has WAY to much salt and can cause muscle cramping...I should know...)


These waffles turned out amazing and it was so nice to be able to pull them out of the fridge/freezer, toast them up, and have a quick meal ready to go.  These use almond flour but with the help of Arrowroot and Tapioca Starch these aren't gritty like other almond flour foods I have tried.

Ingredients:
Dry-
1 C Almond Flour
1 C Arrowroot Flour
1 C Tapioca Starch
1/2 t Xanthan Gum
4 T Honey (I left this out and it still tasted great)
1t Salt
2 1/2 t Baking Powder
1/2 t Cinnamon


Wet-
1t Vanilla
1 1/2 Milk (or more if your batter is too thick)
4 Eggs
1/2 Oil or Melted Ghee

Mix together the dry, add eggs and stir till incorporate. Slowly add 1/4c of milk at a time and work into batter. Add vanilla and stir till combined.  Add additional milk if your batter is too thick. I like mine more runny, almost like pancake batter.


Make sure to spray your waffle iron before scooping in your batter. I love using a medium-large cookie scoop for my batter, so much easier.


Heat till crisp and enjoy!


See more fun fixes for life and crafting at:
www.craftremedy.com

Gluten Free Directory

Original Item:	Gluten Free Replacement:
Bagel	Glutino- Premium Bagels (*Sesame Flavor), Udi's Bagels
Battered Fish	Starfish Seafood
Biscuits	See Southern Style Biscuit Recipe included in brochure
Bread	Udi's Gluten Free- White, Whole Grain; Kinnickinnick- White, Italian, Brown
Bread Crumbs	Soynut Butter Company  Southern Homestyle Corn Flake Crumbs;
Bread Sticks	Kinnikinnick Pizza Crusts(add seasons and cheese), Charlotte's Bakery Breadsticks
Brownies	Blossom Fine Foods
Burritos	Amy's Gluten Free Burritos
Cereal/Breakfast  Bars	EnviroKidz Crispy Rice; Bakery on Main
Cheese Cake	Blossom Fine Foods
Chips a hoy!	Kinnikinnick- Montana's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Cake	Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake  Mix
Chocolate Chip Cookies	Kinnikinnick- Montana's Chocolate Chip Cookies; Pamela's Cookies, GF Favorites Recipe
Chocolate Pretzels	Glutino
Cinnamon Rolls	Island GF Bakery; Udi's Gluten Free
Coco Crispies	Enviro Kidz Koala Crispies
Cookie Dough Ice Cream	Turtle Moutain Purely Decadent Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Crackers	Glutino Crackers
Cream of Chicken Soup	Health Valley Cream of Chicken Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup	Health Valley Cream of Mushroom
Crepes Recipe	Bette Hagman Recipe Book
Curry Paste	Thai Kitchen- Recipe for curry on label
Dinner Rolls	Charlottes Dinner Rolls
Doughnuts	Kinnikinnick- Vanilla Glazed, Chocolate, Maple
Eclairs Recipe	Bette Hagman Recipe Book
English Muffins	Kinnikinnick- English Muffins ***, Food For Life- English Muffins
Fish and Chips	Starfish Seafood
French Toast	Udi's Gluten Free, Kinnickinnick
Ginger Snaps	Kinnikinnick- Ginger Snaps
Graham Cracker Crumbs	Kinnikinnick
Graham Crackers	Kinnikinnick- Graham Crackers, Bette Hagman Mock Graham Cracker Recipe
Granola Bars	Bakery on Main
Granola Cereal	Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch
Ice Cream Cones	Lets Do Gluten Free, by Edward and Sons
Lasagna Noodles	Tinkyada
Lemon Shortbread Cookies	Pamela's- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Macaroni & Cheese	Amys Rice Macaroni & Cheese (Freezer Section);Annie's Home Grown- Rice Pasta, Creamy Cheese Macaroni
Muffins	Udis, Kinnikinnick, and Island GF Bakery, Blossom Fine Foods
Noodles	Tinkyada
Oreo Sandwich Cookies	Kinnikinnick- Kinniktoos
Pancakes	Kinnikinnick Pancake Mix
Pizza (Ready Made)	Amy's Rice Crust
Pizza Crusts	Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust; Kinnikinnick
Pretzels	Snyders; Glutino- Regular and Chocolate Covered, EngerG
Pumpkin Cheese Cake	Blossom Fine Foods
Scones (Fry Bread)	Blue Chip Western Fry Bread Mix
Short Bread Cookies	Pamela's- Shortbread Cookies
Spaghetti Noodles	Tinkyada
Sugar Cone	Lets Do Gluten Free, by Edward and Sons
Sugar Cookies	Charlottes Bakery- Sugar Cookies
Tempura Batter	Bette Hagman Recipe Book
Thai Food	Thai Kitchen
Tortillas	Food For Life Brown Rice Tortillas
Waffle (Frozen)	Vans
Waffle Cone	Lets Do Gluten Free, by Edward and Sons
Waffles (Mix)	Kinnickinnick
Yellow Cake	Betty Crocker

Company Name:	Website/ Contact #:
Amys	www.amyskitchen.com
	1-707-568-4500
Annie's Home Grown	www.annies.com
	1-800-288-1089
Authentic Foods	www.authenticfoods.com
	1-800-806-4737
Bakery On Main	www.bakeryonmain.com
	1-888-533-8118
Bette Hagman Recipe Books	www.amazon.com
Betty Crocker	www.bettycrocker.com
	1-800-446-1898
Blossom Fine Foods	www.beverlyhillscakes.com
	801-746-4454
Blue Chip	www.bluechipgroup.net
	1-800-878-0099
Charlotte's Bakery	www.charlottesbakery.com
Edward & Sons	www.edwardandsons.com
	1-805-684-8500
EnerG	www.ener-g.com
	1-800-331-5222
Enjoy Life	www.enjoylifefoods.com
	1-888-50-ENJOY
Enviro Kidz	www.envirokidz.com
	1-888-808-9505
Food For Life	www.foodforlife.com
	1-800-797-5090
Gluten Free Pantry	www.glutenfreepantry.com
	1.800.363.3438
Gluten Freeda	www.glutenfreeda.com
	1-970-319-0382
Glutino	www.glutino.com
	1-800-363-DIET
Health Valley Organics	www.healthvalley.com
	1-800-434-4246
Island GF Bakery	www.islandgfbakery.com
	1-941-923-0200
Kinnikinnick	www.kinnikinnick.com
	1-877-503-4466
Nature's Path	www.naturespath.com
	1-888-808-9505
Pamela's	www.pamelasproducts.com
	1-707-462-6605
Rudi's	www.rudisbakery.com
	877-293-0876
Snyders	www.snydersofhanover.com
	1-800-233-7125
Soynut Butter Company	www.soynutbutter.com
	1-800-288-1012
Starfish Seafood	www.star-fish.com
	425-289-0234
Thai Kitchen/Simply Asia	www.thaikitchen.com
	1-800-967-THAI
Tinkyada	www.tinkyada.com
	1-888-323-2388
Turtle Mountain	www.turtlemountain.com
	1-866-388-7853
Udi's Gluten Free	udisglutenfree.com
	1-303-657-6366
Vans	www.nvansfoods.com
	323-585-5581 x 245

Gluten Free Expo - Salt Lake City Utah

The 2011

Gluten Free Expo

in Salt Lake City, Utah

will be held at the

South Towne Expo Center

October 8, 2011

9 am - 4 pm

for additional information click the link below:

http://glutenfreeexpo.com/2011/

Vaccine for celiac disease a step closer to reality - ksl.com

Here is a link to a recent article about a possible vaccine for Celiac Disease:

Vaccine for celiac disease a step closer to reality - ksl.com

I don't want to get my hopes up but I am excited to know that there are researchers out there making a difference for the future of those suffering from celiac.

Will a Gluten-Free Diet Improve Your Health? - from CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/12/gluten.free.diet.improve/index.html?hpt=C2

Here is a link to a recent article on CNN about the health benifits of eating gluten free even if you were tested negative for celiac.

Classico Gluten Free Pasta Sauces - Alfredo Sauces

Classico has the best tasting Gluten Free Pasta and Alfredo sauces I have had. Their Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo sauce is especially good. Here is how I put it together.

1 lb. Chicken Tenders or Chicken stirfry pieces (make sure it doesn't have any seasonings on it)
1 Jar Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce
1/4 C Frozen Peas
1 C Frozen Fajita Vegetable Mix of Red, Yellow, Green and Orange Peppers and Sliced Onions (Make sure it has NO seasonings in it.)
1/4 C Cooked and Chopped Prosciutto or Bacon
2T Oil Split into 1 T increments
4 T Water or Chicken Broth Split into 2 T increments
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat Oil in a skillet on Medium High. Meanwhile rinse chicken and pat to dry. Salt and Pepper and place in oil, don't over crowd you want to get a nice sear and brown. Once it is browned pour 2 T of water into pan and cover immediately. Turn heat down to Medium Low and Let it steam.After about 3-5 min. uncover and remove meat to rest. Mean while add additional oil and turn heat up to Med High. Once hot add in Fajita Vegetable mix. Once vegetables are soften add peas and prosciutto and then add 2 T water. Use whisk to stir up yummy chicken bits. Then add Alfredo sauce and turn Heat to low to warm sauce. Add chicken back in and once sauce is bubbling serve over pasta. Tinkyada brand pasta is the best.

Gluten Free Flours

GF Flour:

This comes from a recipe in Bette Hagman's Cook Book for GF Flour. I use this flour in combination with brown rice flour and/or cornstarch for most things.

I buy 25lb bags in bulk through the Good Earth and store the flours separately in 5 gal. food storage buckets. I mix the flour up in a large batch and keep a smaller tupperware bucket in my kitchen with all my other baking supplies for ease of use. I would avoid buying flours out of the bulk section since there is so much cross contamination. My brown rice flour I bought in the bulk section at the Good Earth always makes me sick so I need to give in and order a whole 25lb bag.

UnFlour:

This comes from a cook book I found at the GF Expo and love. Its called "Irresistibly Gluten Free".  The waffles are divine. The flour combines cornstarch with two other flours. I highly recommend buying this book.

All Purpose Flour by Authentic Foods:

My mom uses this one the most. I haven't really experimented with it much since the recipes I make the most call for GF flour but it is great for quick on the hand ready to go for any recipe. It may need more flour than what is called for in the recipe.

Thickening Soups and Gravies:

Before being diagnosed with celiac I didn't have to do to much to make gravy since there are gravy packets and cream of chicken soup, but now you'll have to make it from scratch so here are my recommendations.

- For making a bechamel sauce (buttter, flour, milk) I use rice flour, this makes a great soup base. If you need some tips on how to make this Alton Brown has a video of chicken curry pot pie and he makes his own cream sauce. I use the same technique and use different seasoning depending on what I am making.

- For thickening gravies or sauces I mix a Tablespoon or so with a Tablespoon or more of water to make a slurry and then add it in to the sauce. You have to boil it in order to activate the thickening process so if you are thickening something with milk in it be careful because boiling can cause your milk to curdle.

I'm on a roll, or Arepa

I just have to let you all know if you haven't tried it out yet, you are certainly missing out. I had my doubts but I was ever so surprised and delighted. Eleanor's Bake Shop in Salt Lake City is the best. Their arepa sandwiches are delightful and ever so tasty. I stopped in today on my way into a work meeting and it was worth every bit of effort in getting lost and finding the place. Its location is tricky to find but map it first or call for directions.  I tried out their Chicken Salad Arepas. It was full of flavor, creamy chicken, grapes, onion, cranberries, celery and a hint of cinnamon. It was perfectly paired with the slightly sweet taste and soft texture of the arepa. Needless to say their Apple Streusel Muffin was amazing. No doubt I am already planning my next work meeting close by so I have an excuse to drive the 40 mins  up and stop by.

http://www.eleanorsbakeshop.com/

(801) 563-7466

I Have New Favorite Pizza

Gluten Free and Fabulous

Pesto Margherita Pizza

I tried out this pizza for the first time tonight and it was soooo good I had to blog about it right away. The crust was crispy and chewy and the flavors were big and delicious.  I especially loved the pesto sauce instead of traditional ragu. This is a great way to go for a ready made pizza that you are sure to enjoy.


www.glutenfreefabulous.com

Gluten Free Flour Tortillas by French Meadow Bakery

I just tried out French Meadow's Gluten Free Tortillas and they were soft, elastic and not gritty as compared to traditional corn tortillas. They don't have the fullness of flavor as do regular fresh flour tortillas from my local Mexican restaurant but they are a great alternative for people who don't like the taste and texture of corn tortillas.

To prepare wet a paper towel and ring out moisture so it is only slightly damp. Wrap tortillas in paper towel, put on glass plate and cover with an up-side-down glass plate. Place in the microwave on High for 30 secs or until tortillas are good and steamed. I would suggest doing this even if you will be cooking them in an enchiladas casserole so that they wrap nicely and don't crack or crumble.

Their products are no longer available on their website, only in stores. They do have a store locator so visit: http://www.frenchmeadow.com/ for more information.

How to Make your Gluten Free Bread Taste Better

My most favorite Gluten Free Bread is hands down Udi's White Bread, but as I spoke with people at the Gluten Free Expo some of them complained that it was still dry and crumbly so I want to provide some tips and tricks I use to make it the best possible.

I freeze my bread and use it as I need it. Refrigerating bread can cause it to dry out and it doesn't last as long as it could in the freezer.

To prepare bread out of the freezer I warm it in the microwave on a glass or paper plate for 20-40 secs till it becomes soft and pliable. Be careful not to over heat the bread so that it loses all of its moisture. I let the bread sit for a minute to cool down before making a sandwich.

For bagels, English muffins or especially dry or crumbling baked goods I cover with a up-side-down bowl to "steam" the bread.  After ward I finish it off by slightly toasting it.  Toasting creates a bond on the outside of the bread that locks in the softness and keeps your bread from being mushy.

Even if you have fresh baked bread it make still be helpful to zap it in the microwave for 10 secs.  Any bread make with rice flour has a tendency to absorb and lock up any moisture making it taste dry. You need to heat it up to help it release and redistribute that moisture.

Lastly, if you happen to go to Jason's Deli to have a GF Sandwich made on Udi's bread, my suggestion would be to have it toasted or see if they will zap it in the microwave for you. It will go a long way to soften up the bread and make it more enjoyable.

My Favorites from the SLC Gluten Free Expo

The Gluten Free Expo in Salt Lake City was a great event. Thousands came enjoyed the many booths. I handed out over a thousand Gluten Free Directories as well as visit with hundreds of people who were in search of better gluten free options. Here are some of my Favorite things from the show:

- Sweet Cake Bake Shop
This tasty delightful bakery ships anywhere in the U.S. They are located out of Utah so if you are in the area you need to stop by. They had delicious soft and chewy sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies.

- Eleanor's Bake Shop
The things I loved from this bake shop were their cake pops.  At their bakery location they have sandwiches made on Arepas. If you are in the area of 9000 S. in Salt Lake stop by for Lunch, Dinner, & Dessert.

- 123 Gluten Free
Mmmmm, let's just say their pan bars (a.k.a. divinely moist spice cake) are swoonful. Add some cream cheese frosting and its heaven.  They also make many other mixes which I am trying out. I am interested to see how the biscuits turn out.

- OMGF! Flour
I was impressed by this flour. Its a GF flour blend you can use in place of regular flour in recipes. The banana applesauce muffins they made were so fluffy, soft, and moist. Three critical characteristics of great tasting baked goods.

- Irresistibly Gluten Free Cook Book
If you do nothing else but make the waffles in this cookbook you will be thrilled. I have made the waffles several times in the past two weeks. Even the non-GF'ers in my house absolutely love them. I also love this cookbook because it has the basic simple foods that you really miss when beginning a GF diet. The flour blend is so simple and the ingredients are considerably easy to find.  Had I know about this inspired flour blend 10+ years ago, I would have saved my family many meals filled with brick like breads and baked goods. This cookbook is a staple for any GF'er.

- Biaggi's Italian Restaurant
Just thinking about the Chicken Alfredo they served at the Expo makes me smile. Each bite was a piece of happiness. I can't wait to go and taste it again. (Just ask my family, I haven't been able to stop talking about it.) Their restaurant is located downtown Salt Lake City, Utah at the Gateway Mall and if you have Celiac you have to try it. They use Tinkyada pasta (my favorite) which has a great texture and flavor. Their sauces were flavorful and their chicken was grilled and delicious.

- Pirate's Booty
I was pleasantly surprised by this. They make healthy non-fried snack options. They were enjoyable and my kids loved them. They are low in fat and calories so you can enjoy, feel healthy and not guilty.

Cafe Pancake Breakfast at Home

Of all the pancake mixes I have tried to-date, Kinnikinnick's Waffle and Pancake mix is absolutely the best. I love it because even the picky Gluten Eaters in my family love the taste, texture and flavor of the pancakes and waffles.

You can find their mixes online, or at The Good Earth
http://www.kinnikinnick.com/

Picture from Kinnikinnick

Gluten Free Directory

If you are attending this weeks gluten free expo stop by and get a Gluten Free Favorites Food Directory.

Check back soon to find the directory online.

Gluten Free Expo in Salt Lake City October 9th

Come stop by our booth at the gluten free expo. We will be selling the most diving marble chocolate brownies from Blossom Fine Foods among other delicious tasting gluten free items.

Gluten Free Zuchini Bread

Posted at: http://www.mygffavorites.blogspot.com/

I love this time of year, the weather starts to cool and garden harvests are abundant. When I was out for a run I picked up a zucchini from a neighbor who had a sign up next to a chair piled with zucchini that said "FREE" and it was a good thing I was pushing the jogging stroller so I didn't have to lug it all the way back under my arm. I couldn't wait to get home and mix up some bread. I think you will enjoy it too!

Zucchini Bread

Cook Time: 50-60 min.
Bake: 350 degrees F
Makes: 2 Loaves

Wet Ingredients Bowl:
3 C Shredded Zucchini (keep the peel on but it its a large zucchini you may want to scoop out the seeds in the center)
1 2/3 C Sugar
2/3 C Oil
2t Vanilla
4 Eggs (crack into separate small bowl so you catch any egg shells before you mix with other ingredients)
1/4 Applesauce

Mix

Dry Ingredients Bowl:
1 1/2 C GF Flour
1 C Brown Rice Flour
1/2 C Cornstarch
2t Baking Soda

1/2 t Baking Powder

1t Xanthan Gum

1t Salt
1t Cinnamon
1/2t Cloves

Mix

Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet. Grease loaf pans with cooking spray and divide mixture evenly. Cook on center rack. 50-60 mins. or till a knife can be removed cleanly from center of loaf.

Storage:
Remove from oven. Use knife around edges and turn onto cooling racks. Once cool enough to handle store in gallon size Ziploc bags. Keeps well out on counter top for a few days. Don't refridgerate. It will cause the bread to dry out. If necessary, store bread longer by slicing and covering with plastic wrap before placing in Ziploc bag and then into the freezer.


Additions:

Chocolate Chips:
Add 1 Cup chocolate chips into batter for some added sweetness! I prefer semi sweet because they stand out more. Milk chocolate can sometimes be too bland to make an impression.

Cream Cheese Spread:
My favorite way to eat zucchini bread is to whip 1 bar of cream cheese with 1/4 C soft butter and a few tablespoons of powdered sugar. It makes a delicious spread to compliment the sweet cinnamon flavor of the bread. Enjoy!!

GF Flour Mixture:
6 C Rice Flour
1 C Tapioca Starch
2 C Potato Starch

7 Best Basics- Gluten Free Starter Pantry Items

Post at: www.mygffavorites.blogspot.com

Stock your pantry with these basic items that can transform into a number of dishes. These Best Basics are the best tasting Gluten Free foods to help ease your transition to living Gluten Free.

1- Udi's Bread (White or Whole Grain)-
If you've just recently been diagnosed with Celiac, you don't know how truly lucky you are that there is now great tasting gluten free bread available. Ten to fifteen years ago there were very few options and tough crumbly rice cakes for sandwich bread. This is a must have item and keeps very well in the freezer. Zap it in the microwave for 10 secs then flip and another 10 secs. (For two slices I do 20-25 secs, flip and 20-25 secs more.) It is soft, fluffy, chewy and delicious.

2- Tinkyada Pasta-
This pasta has great texture and flavor. Though it can be cooked longer than corn pasta, it tastes best when you take it off the heat a little more on the al dente side (translation: take it off the heat and strain it when it is still just a bit under cooked.) It cooks up nicely and it is so good even the non-gluten free eaters in my home eat this willingly. It comes in a variety of shapes, including noodles for lasagna3- Health Valley Cream of Chicken Soup-
Many quick and easy meals/casseroles call for Cream of Chicken soup (which contains plenty of gluten) so keep this on hand. Something to consider is that this soup is not as thick as the condensed even the non-condensed Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup so be sure to either add less moisture in the other ingredients or mix in a half bar of cream cheese so give it more fullness.


4- Authentic Foods Gluten Free Flour Mixture-
Unless you are big into cooking from scratch and have lots of space for 5 gal. food storage buckets, this is a great go-to flour mix. It is created from a variety of flours and condtioners to help it react closer to tradional All Purpose flour. Add this in cup for cup for traditional flour for your favorite recipes. Try out the Biscuit recipe and replace this flour for the GF Flour and Cornstarch.

5- Udi's Pizza Crusts-
Keep these pizza crusts in your freezer for those nights your craving pizza. If you are all out of pizza sauce and mozzerella, top with some olive oil or butter, italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt and parmesean cheese, bake for 8-10 mins. and you will have some great bread sticks.
Gluten Free BBQ Chicken Pizza- Use BBQ sauce in place of traditional marinara sauce. Top with chicken (canned or other) and cheese, bake and enjoy.


6- Gluten Freeda Cookie Dough-
This frozen cookie dough is a great go to item. It makes it nice if you are the only GF person in your home, though you might find it disappearing because even Non-GFs will be wanting a bite.
7- Kinnikinnick Pancake&Waffle Mix-
Keep this mix on your shelves and you will not be missing a trip to IHOP. The pancakes come out soft and delicious. There is no worries of dry, crumbly cakes because this mix provides a great texture to both waffles and pancakes.

Gluten Free Frozen Burritos

Post at: www.mygffavorites.blogspot.com

 

There are times where life is busy and I wish I could just pop something easy in the microwave and have a meal ready to go. So I was ecstatic when I found out the both Gluten Freeda and Amy's have both recently come out with Gluten Free Burritos in multiple flavors. You can order them online or often times I order them in bulk through my local health food store. The tortilla on the Gluten Freeda is very similar to a corn tortilla but still has good flavor. I haven't been able to get my order in for Amy's burritos yet, but I am crossing my fingers that the tortilla on those burritos is more like the normal flour tortilla I crave. Still I can't complain because a healthy gluten free microwave burrito is wonderful!

Update:

I ordered a whole case of Amy's Burritos and they were delicious. I tried out the bean and cheese. It had great flavor and though their tortillas shell isn't just like a traditional flour tortillas, it is still very good!