Category Archives: Snack

Pecan Bread

I have done something similar but this one is a different base that worked out great. Easy gluten free sweet bread for anyone that has no gluten free flour at home. I actually went home for the holidays and needed some type of bread for breakfast and this is what I came up with.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of crushed Pecans
1/2 Cup Walnuts
5 eggs ( yolks and whites separated)
1 Cup Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 Pinch Salt
1/2 Tbs Vanilla
1 Tbs Rum
2 tsp Baking Powder

Place the eggs in two separate bowls and whisk both well until light and fluffy. Add sugar to yolks and whisk again. Add spices, salt, vanilla, rum and baking to yolks and mix well. Then add the nuts and mix very well. Return to the egg white and whisk until peaks form. Slowly pour fluff egg whites to the nut yolk mix and carefully incorporate it all with out deflating.

Bake on 350 for about 30 to 35 minutes.

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Addictive Chocolate Burst

I was recently asked to do a Valentines special for a local network. I was having fun coming up with recipes and this one great! Warning it is addictive!

Ingredients:

9 Cups Gluten Free Chex Mix
3 Tbs Butter
1 Cup Chocolate chip’s
2 Cups Powder Sugar
1 Pack Sugar Free Jello Mix ( I used strawberry but any one would work)

Start by melting chocolate and butter in a bowl in the microwave. Pour melted mixture on top of Cereal and mix well very gently. This next step is great for a kid to do. In a large container with lid or a big zip lock bag pour the whole packet of Jell-o mix and all the sugar. Shake the sugar mixture and then add all the chocolate covered cereal. Shake..Shake…..SHAKE! Until every chocolate morsel is covered.

I apologize about the image, this stuff was so good we all ate it to fast to take a picture. Fell free to change up the chocolate type and jello flavor for a fun combo. Like white chocolate and lime, milk chocolate and orange or even raspberry and dark chocolate. Have Fun!

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Stuffed Mushrooms

For the holidays, I have been looking for fun new gluten free appetizers. Since I try to incorporate veggies as much as possible , I figured stuffing mushrooms would be great. This recipe was a hit with my family for dinner and the few leftovers became part of my egg dish in the morning.

Ingredients:
2 Packs Baby Bella Mushrooms
2 Cup Ricotta Cheese
2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic Chopped
1 Medium Size Onion Chopped
1 Pack Frozen Spinach ( thawed )

Topping:
One Cup Gluten Free Bread Crumbs or Crushed Nuts
1/4 Parm Cheese Grated
Small amount for Onion and Garlic Powder
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Start by cleaning the stem out of the mushroom ( save the stem).
Oil Mushrooms and lay on cookie sheet. Place cheese, salt, pepper, mushroom stems in big bowl or food processor. Then stuff filling into mushrooms.

Next, take all the indigents for the topping and mix together. Pour topping all over mushrooms and broil on low for 5-10 minutes until the topping starts to brown and mushrooms are cooked.

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Slow Cooker Candy Nuts

Have you ever walked down a city street and you pass a hot nut vendor? The smell fills the air with nutty sweet goodness and you crave a bag. Now imagine making it at home. I made the mistake of doing it at night in the slow cooker and kept getting out of bed to have a few more, the whole house smell amazing.

Ingredients:

1 Lb Pecans
1/2 Lb Walnuts
1 Stick Butter
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp Pumpkin Spice
1/2 Grated Whole Nutmeg
1/2 Tbs Cinnamon

Star by heating butter and white sugar in a pot until melted. While butter is melting pre-heat slow cooker. Next, place nuts in slow cooker and pour butter mix on top. Stir together well then sprinkle in brown sugar,pumpkin spice and nutmeg. Stir well and cook on high for an hour leaving the lid partly open. Then add vanilla and cinnamon and stir again and continue to cook with no cover for about another 40 minutes. Remove mixture and pour onto large cookie sheet to cool over night. Store in air tight container.

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Stuffed Grape Leaves

I am not sure what it is about grape leaves but I love them. Anything that makes food fun, great to entertain and something different is always a winner with me. You have seen me stuff them with meat asian style on NBC but now I am going back to my route and doing it the meditaranian way. At the next party skip the bigs in a blanket and do it the guilt free way.

Ingredients:

1 Jar Grape Leaves
3/4 Cup Rice Uncooked
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup white Raisin
1 tsp Salt
1 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 Onion Chopped
1 Lemon

First start by adding oil to a pot and browning the onion lightly. Add rice and water and bring it up to a boil. Once boiling add raisin’s, parsley and salt. Lower to a simmer and cook till liquid is almost gone but make sure to stir every few minutes. Once done place rice in a container and chill in fridge for about an hour to cool.

Now for the fun part. Take about five grape leaves out at a time and rinse well to remove brine. Lay one leaf flat on counter and place about a tablespoon of rice in the shape of your thumb on one edge. Then roll the leaf like you would any wrapper with folding in the sides and rolling the filling to the other side. Place each one on a well sprayed cookie sheet. Once all the rice is rolled spray the tops with oil or none stick spray and squeeze with lemon juice. Broil on low for a few minutes on each side. Make sure you watch them the whole time. They will burn easy if your not careful.

I like to serve them warm with a simple yogurt sauce. Enjoy

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Instant Pumpkin Pie for Breakfast

I love pumpkin pie but you cant always have your pie and eat it too. YOU CAN NOW!!! Pumpkin pie for breakfast! It is super fast, easy and healthy. A great guilt free spin to a classic.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pumpkin (From can or your own pured version like the one found in my Pumpkin Break Down Recipe)

1 Egg

1/2 tsp Baking Power

1 tsp Pumpkin Spice

Sweetener Optional*

Place all ingredients in a food processor and beat till will well mixed. Placed in a greased microwaveable round container. Microwave for about 2 minutes. Check to make sure center is firm to the touch and the bottom is no longer wet. Flip out of bowl and serve warm. Enjoy

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Pumpkin Break Down

With all the cooking I do it is important for me to not waste anything. This even includes all the pumpkins that are around my apartment as fall decorations. I don’t see the reason to buy the canned stuff when you make it from any pumpkin the remains after the season. One nice size pumpkin can make about 8 cans worth. I normally break down my pumpkin after Halloween and use it in all my holiday cooking. Pumpkin uses are endless as a great sub to oil in cakes, thickeners in sauces, base for soup, festive smoothies and much much more.

My family jokes that I am a little pumpkin obsessed but no one ever complains when something new and fun comes out of the over. Stay tuned for many great pumpkin inspired recipes to come.

Pumpkin Break Down Procedure –

1 Large Pumpkin ( I recommend 8-10 Pounds)

Water

4 Quart Size Freezer Containers

Start by cutting the pumpkin in quarters with a large knife but be very careful! Pumpkin are tricky and the knife can slide easily. Remove the stem and seeds (save seeds for later roasting).

Place a small amount of water on a backing sheet to about a 1 inch depth. Place pumpkin pieces skin side up on try and bake at 350 degree’s for about 45 minutes or until it is fork tender.

Remove pumpkin from tray and allow to cool for 35 minutes. Scrap pumpkin away from skin and place into large bowl. Depending on the type of pumpkin the flesh may be stringy and this is fine. Once all the pumpkin is removed from the skin strain the water either by hand or in colander over night.

Place pumpkin in separate freezer ready containers or even in zip lock bags. It is very helpful to measure it out and label the container so that you know home much to De-frost for any recipes. I like to use a kitchen hand food hand blender or food processor to pure the pumpkin before freezing. This will create the same exact product you find in the canned pumpkin from the store.

Enjoy!

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Apple Fritter

Its hard to get the best fall treats gluten free. Like the apple pies and donuts. I am trying hard to come up with some great alternatives. This time I made a simple and healthy recipe or Apple Fritters. I have been having them for breakfast and cant get enough.

Ingredients –

1 Large apple sliced into 1/4 inch rounds (remove seeds)

1 Large Egg

1 Banana

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a food processor beat egg, banana, baking powder and cinnamon till batter is formed. Pour batter into bowl. Dip each slice in the batter to coat well and cook on a hot well greased pan. Flip after 2 minutes. Cook apples on medium flame so that they cook completely with out burning the batter. I like to store the finished ones on a cookie tray in a 200 degree over while l finished cooking all the batches.

Serve hot with syrup or power sugar!!!

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Dana Slaw

I have been asking my friend Dana to make a recipe for my blog. Her cooking always inspires me do do fun vegetarian stuff. I changed the recipe a bit to make it vegan. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I would be glad to bug Dana for more.

Ingredients:

Slaw –

Cabbage Grated (I used the store bag of slaw mix because it was on sale and EASY)

1 grated apple or pear (Optional)

1/3 Cup Sunflower or Pumpkin Seeds

1/3 Cup Raisins

Dressing –

1 Tbs Olive Oil

2 Tbs Almond Milk

1 TBS Honey or Maple Syrup

1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp Marjoram Spice

Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients for slaw in one bowl. In a separate bowl mix all dressing ingredients and whisk together well. Pour dressing into slaw ad mix well. Serve as a fun side to a sandwich or soup.

Cooking a disaster deployment. I think this was our chili cook off! I miss those days 🙂

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Super Easy Squash

I love all the squash that comes around in the fall but hate the time and mess it makes to prepare it. This recipe is super easy and can be kept around for a long time.

1 Butternut Squash (peeled, seeded and chopped)

1/8 Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 Orange Juice

1/4 Water

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Put all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high for 6 hours. Use a potato masher to mash it down in the cooker. Cook an additional 2 hours on low. If you want to lose some water remove lid at the end and let it cook an additional 30 min.

I keep it in the fridge for a week and always find fun ways to use it!

 

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