Monthly Archives: April 2013

Ranch Mix

From ranch seasoning to dip and everything in between I have always been a huge fan. What kid does not like carrot sticks and ranch dressing! Now you can by the seasoning mix in a little packet and do a million things with it. I was sad when I found you that it was not gluten free. But after some trial and error I figured out how to make my own. Give it a try.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs Parsley Flakes
1 Tbs Dry Dill
1 Tbs Onion Powder
1 Tbs Garlic Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 Tbs Basil Optional

Mix jt all together and store in a small container.

You can you use it to spice meat like chicken wings. Mix with yogurt or mayo for a new dip or dressing. Make a great new side dish by adding it to potatoes or any fun veggie. Enjoy!!!!

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Gourmet Focaccia the Chebe Way

I really can not get enough of all the Chebe bread blends. No matter what I do it keeps getting better. This time I was testing it on my dad and he forgot it was Gluten Free. I love this stuff. Chebe makes a Focaccia Blend which is fun as a great brunch or dinner side. My recipe adds great twist to make your bread supper fancy.

Ingredients:

1 Box Focaccia Chebe Mix

2 Tbs Olive Oil

1 Cup Parm Cheese

Pinch Sugar

Pinch Salt

1/4 Tomato Sauce

2 Eggs

1 Tbs Milk

Topping

1/2 Tbs Salt

1 Tbs Truffle Oil

1/2 Basil

Mix all bread ingredients together very well by hand, kneading as you go. Press into a lightly sprayed square baking dish. Coat the top with truffle oil and make sure to brush it allover the top. Using your finger tips make a munch of shallow indents in the top of the dough. This will make a great texture and allow some of the oil to poll on top creating an interesting a great effect when it comes out of the oven. Sprinkle with salt and basil. Bake as directed on the box and then slice into sticks to serve. Great for dipping 🙂

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Homemade Lox

I have grown up loving lox. The salty flavor, bright color and creamy texture. Even the smallest amount often has a high price tag so I decided that I’d a great dish to re-do at home and make up the classic way with a wonderful gluten free bagel form Sweet Note Bakery.
Don’t be scared of this it’s easy!

1 pound fresh center cut salmon
2 Tbs Salt
2 Tbs Cure Salt (pink)
3Tbs Tbs Brown Sugar
1 Tbs Parsley

Rice and dry salmon well. Place plastic wrap on counter surface with salmon on top. Add both salts and sugar into a food processor and blend together well.
Pour half if the mixture in too on side if fish and run in. Flip and repeat on the other side. Now wrap fish well with plastic wrap and put into a casserole
dish. You need to press down the salmon and its easy to do with extra cans. Place In fridge and flip very 24 hours. Salmon is ready in about three day. All you need to do is rinse and dry well. Then slice thin to curve.

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World Famous Pesto

Ok so maybe not world famous but this stuff is really become something I am getting known for. When I make this for the bakery people go CRAZY!!!! I even have kids coming in asking for me to make anything with it. This is not your everyday pesto. Normally pesto is olive oil, basil, parm and pine nuts. Well basil is expensive and I try to do a lot of nut free because so many people have nut allergies lately. I use arugula because the natural nutty flavor adds a great complexity to the sauce that will trick anyone into thinking this stuff is some crazy expensive pre-made stuff.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Olive Oil

4 Cups Arugula

1/2 Cup Parm Cheese

1 Tbs Honey or Sugar (Optional)

1/2 tsp Pepper Flakes

1/2 Cup Basil

Place everything in blender and mix up. Adjust constancy however you would like with adding more argula to thicken or oil to make it more thin.

I use pesto on everything!! Potatoes, pasta, eggs, bread, pizza or even to just make a plate looks nice. This stuff is amazing!!!

Freeze any extra

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Fruit Salad Roll Up

Shopping at the Italian Market can really play tricks on me. I make it a point not to bring a lot of money with me but I still tend to over do it. I got home and had an insane amount of fruit. All super colorful and fresh. I wanted to make a fun snack and this is what I came up with. Its like a fruit filled spring roll. The colors are so great that it makes a great presentation.

Ingredients:

4 Rice Papers

1 Kiwi

1 Banana

1/3 Cup Blue Berries

The first thing is to prepare the fruit. I started by slicing the kiwi into rounds and then each slice in half. The banana I cut in long vertical strips. The berries I kept the same. Next I places one rice paper in warm water for a few seconds to help loosen it up. Then I place the paper flat on the table and on one end I place on piece of the banana across, top it with a layer of kiwi, then a few blue berries. Now just roll it all up tightly and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining fruit. I served with a simple yogurt and peanut butter sauce.

Try using any fun fruit you have on hand. Make sure its colorful and that the textures are various. I think strawberries would be a great addition.

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