Still blogging, Expo West and an update

Yes, I know, it’s been a looong time since I last posted anything. Thanksgiving to be exact. In addition to a taxing full-time job, my blog has been flooded with spam in recent months (which is why I’ve closed comments on this post), I am having difficulty posting photos or linking anything, and I’ve had a variety of personal obligations to attend to.

Happily, I’ll soon be migrating all of my content to a new site, which will have better spam protection, a new name and URL, and a fresh (and much needed) new design. Once that’s launched, I’ll be posting regularly again and experimenting with some new features, including product spotlights and new product news. And of course, lots more recipes!

In the meantime, I’ll be heading off to Anaheim tomorrow to attend Expo West, which will run Friday through Sunday. As I did last year, I’ll be posting updates on the most exciting new gluten-free product launches at the show. I’m already jazzed about some of the new products that have been announced, including Justin’s candy bars in three flavors and Fabe’s new gluten-free pie crust.

If any of you have ever ordered the fabulous raw foods and desserts from Minnesota-based Pure Market Express, you’ll be delighted to know, as I was, that some of their pies will soon be available in retail stores across the country! Flavors include turtle, mudslide, key lime, boston creme, chocolate truffle, apple crisp and lemon tart (check out their website for details: www.puremarketexpress.com). They’ll be exhibiting at Expo West, and I’m hoping they get listed in some Vegas-area stores.

Stay tuned for updates in the days to come!

Posted in Events, Product news | Comments Off

Orange Cranberry Cheesecake (gluten, grain, dairy, soy, egg and refined sugar free; vegan)

Sea at Book of Yum is hosting a Gluten-Free Vegetarian Thanksgiving Event and I decided to bring–what else?–dessert! This vegan cheesecake combines sweet orange and tart cranberries for a decadent and festive-looking finale to your holiday meal. Since it requires no baking, it won’t compete for oven space with your squash and green bean casserole either.

This recipe makes one party-size 10-inch cheesecake. Happy Thanksgiving!

Crust:
2¼ cups raw organic pecans
1T coconut sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp vanilla powder (optional)
¼ cup fruit-juice sweetened dried cranberries
4 large Medjool dates
5T coconut flour

Filling:
3 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 3 hours and drained
1½ cups coconut or other nut milk (I used So Delicious unsweetened)
1 cup honey
1/4 cup organic lemon juice (fresh squeezed, if possible)
1/2 cup organic orange juice (fresh squeezed, if possible)
2 drops Medicine Flower vanilla extract or 1 tsp regular vanilla extract
5 drops Medicine Flower orange extract or 2 tsp regular orange extract
3/4 cup coconut oil
3T raw organic sunflower lecithin

Topping:
2 cups fresh cranberries
¾ cups coconut nectar or honey
1T lemon juice
1 to 1½T arrowroot powder
1 drop Medicine Flower vanilla extract (optional)
A few shakes cinnamon

Topping directions: (Note: Topping can be made the day before and refrigerated to save time). Combine all ingredients except arrowroot powder and vanilla extract in a non-stick pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring periodically, until mixture begins to bubble and cranberry skins start to pop. Sift in arrowroot powder slowly, one-half tablespoon at at time, and cook until mixture is thickened to the consistency of cranberry sauce. Remove from heat and stir in extract, if using. Set aside.

Crust directions: Soak dates and dried cranberries in a small bowl. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine all other ingredients except coconut flour and blend until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Drain dates and cranberries, add to processor bowl and blend again until the mixtureholds together in a clump. It should look quite moist and oily. Add coconut flour a tablespoon or two at a time, processing between additions.

Lightly grease the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan and dust with coconut flour (tip: for easier serving, invert the bottom of the springform pan–a little trick I learned from one of my favorite raw dessert books, Sweet Gratitude). Press prepared mixture into bottom of pan and set aside, uncovered.

Filling directions: Drain cashews and add to Vita-Mix or high-speed blender along with all other ingredients except coconut oil and lecithin. Process at high speed for a minute or more until mixture is completely emulsified. Add coconut oil and process again. Add sunflower lecithin and process again.

Assembly: Pour cheesecake filling onto crust in prepared springform pan and freeze for at least four hours or overnight (the longer, the better). Remove side ring from springform pan and spread with cranberry topping. Garnish as desired, slice and serve (tip: if you cut slices while the cake is still frozen, the cranberry topping won’t bleed as heavily into the filling, making for a cleaner presentation).

Note: For a completely raw version, substitute a sweetened-up version of Elana’s raw cranberry sauce for the topping. You could even drizzle with raw chocolate sauce for  added decadence.

I’m also sharing this recipe at Sugar Free Sunday, Sunday School, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Fat Tuesday and Gluten-Free Wednesdays.

Posted in Cakes, Dairy free, Desserts & donuts, Egg free, Events, Gluten free, Grain free, Pies & tarts, Primal/Paleo, Raw, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, Seasonal and holiday, Soy free, Vegan | 10 Comments

Pumpkin Pie Kefir Smoothie (gluten, grain, dairy, egg, soy and refined sugar free; paleo/primal; vegan)

So Delicious has introduced a couple of fantastic seasonal flavored beverages, but unfortunately pumpkin isn’t one of them. I whipped up this low-glycemic version using their cultured coconut milk (formerly called kefir–I’m not sure what’s behind the name change), pumpkin, coconut sugar and stevia.

This is quite spicy, so feel free to tone down the spices or up the sweetness level to suit your own tastes.

1 cup So Delicious Unsweetened Cultured Coconut Milk
1/2 organic pumpkin puree
1T coconut sugar (or sweetener of choice)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
5 drops SweetLeaf English Toffee Stevia (or other stevia)
1 drop Medicine Flower Vanilla Extract or pinch vanilla powder
1 drop Medicine Flower Orange Extract (optional, but it really livens it up!)

Combine all ingredients in a blender or Vita-Mix. Pour into a glass and serve topped with coconut whipped cream, cinnamon, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips or festive garnish of your choice. Serves 1.

I’m sharing this recipe at Gluten-Free Wednesdays.

Posted in Beverages, Dairy free, Egg free, Gluten free, Grain free, Primal/Paleo, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, Seasonal and holiday, Soy free, Vegan | 3 Comments

Apple Cinnamon Tunnel Cake (gluten, grain, dairy, soy and refined sugar free; SCD legal*)

This cake is so deliciously addictive it should come with a warning label. It’s modeled after the old-style tunnel Bundt cakes that were fashionable generations ago, but the taste is unquestionably timeless.

* This recipe can easily be made SCD legal by substituting coconut flour for the arrowroot powder (or try this great SCD-legal apple pie filling instead) and replacing the maple syrup and coconut sugar in the cake with honey. Raisins would be a great addition, too. It’s very moist and dense, so a little goes a long way. Take my word for it—this one’s a winner!

Filling**:
4 medium to large organic apples, cored, peeled and sliced (about 5½ cups)
2T lemon juice
Scant 1 cup honey (I used half Honey Infusionz Spiced Apple Honey and half Honey Infusionz Cinnamon Honey, but plain honey will work just fine)
1T cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
2½ to 3T arrowroot powder (*or substitute coconut flour for SCD legal; thanks for the tip,  Julie!)

Cake:
4 cups almond flour, lightly packed
2 heaping tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup coconut oil
¼ cup maple syrup, coconut nectar or honey
¼ cup coconut sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 drops Medicine Flower Vanilla Extract or 1 tsp regular extract
2 drops Medicine Flower Walnut Extract (optional)

Filling: Place the apples in a medium-sized pot and toss with lemon juice. Add honey, spices and salt and stir to combine. Heat over medium heat until bubbling, then slowly sift in arrowroot powder one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. Continue to cook down until thickened to a gooey pie-filling consistency. Allow to cool (if you have time, refrigerate it). 

Cake: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a small to medium-sized Bundt pan with coconut oil and dust lightly with coconut flour (a tiny sieve or sifter works well here). Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In another bowl, beat eggs with a hand mixer. Add coconut oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, applesauce and extract(s) and beat to combine. Stir wet ingredients into dry until thoroughly combined.

Spoon half of the batter onto the bottom of the Bundt pan and use a flexible rubber spatula (trust me—the spatula will make it so much easier) to run mixture up the sides a bit and create a shallow “moat”. The batter will be very thick and sticky, but do your best.

Set aside about 2/3 cup of the pie filling to ladle over finished cake. Spoon remainder into your cake batter moat, being careful to leave a small rim of batter on each side to prevent bleed-throughs. Cover with remaining batter, again using your trusty spatula to smooth and seal any holes.

Bake about 30 to 35 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted around the edges comes out clean (the center will be perennially gooey, of course). Allow cake to cool completely then run a flexible plastic knife around the edges of the Bundt pan to loosen any stuck-on cake. Invert onto a serving platter and spoon remaining pie filling over top.

Slice and serve topped with non-dairy ice cream, whipped cream or whipped coconut cream if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers.

* with substitutions noted
** You can make the filling the day before and refrigerate overnight if you wish

Tunnel of love :)

I am sharing this recipe at Sugar Free Sunday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Fight Back Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Sunday School and the Flu-Fighting Foods breakfast event at The Humbled Homemaker.

Posted in Cakes, Dairy free, Desserts & donuts, Gluten free, Grain free, Primal/Paleo, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, SCD legal, Seasonal and holiday, Soy free | 19 Comments

Pumpkin Spice Pudding (gluten, grain, dairy, egg, soy and refined sugar free)

It was a cold, rainy, miserable week here in Vegas so the rich spiciness of this non-dairy pudding really hit the spot. I suspect it would be excellent in a nut-based pie shell topped with whipped coconut cream–pumpkin pudding pie!

MimicCreme is a heavy cream substitute, so if you can tolerate dairy and would prefer to use the real thing, feel free. I’m working on an alternative recipe using coconut milk, so watch for that in the weeks ahead.

3 cups unsweetened MimicCreme (or heavy cream, if you prefer)
1/2 cup maple syrup, coconut nectar or honey (I used half coconut nectar and half maple syrup)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3T arrowroot powder
3/4 cup organic pumpkin puree

In a medium-sized pot, combine MimicCreme, sweetener(s) of choice, spices and vanilla. Whisk lightly over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble lightly (turn down the heat if it’s boiling).

Sift in the arrowroot powder one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. As the pudding continues to cook down and bubble, whisk in pumpkin.

Continue to cook down and whisk lightly until the mixture reaches a pudding-like consistency; you can leave it a little runnier than you ultimately want it to be, as it will thicken upon standing and chilling. Cover and refrigerate when fully cool.

Note: This recipe makes a LOT of pudding, so you might want to cut it in half.

This recipe is linked to Sugar Free Sunday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Allergy Friendly Friday and the Flu-Fighting Pumpkin Party at The Purposed Heart. Proud to be part of the Allergy-Friendly Virtual Halloween Party at Allergy-Free Vintage Cookery too!

Posted in Dairy free, Desserts & donuts, Egg free, Gluten free, Grain free, Primal/Paleo, Puddings & custards, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, Soy free | 18 Comments

Orange Cranberry Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins (gluten, grain, dairy and soy free)

This recipe is adapted from my Chocolate Chip Mini Muffin recipe posted earlier. To me, these taste like Christmas in muffin form. The chewy, sweet cranberries and crunchy little chocolate bits play off each other well, I think. Feel free to tinker with the recipe and use nuts in place of the chocolate chips, dried cherries and almond extract in place of the cranberries and orange, or whatever you wish.

3 cups blanched almond flour, lightly packed
1 heaping tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
3 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut nectar
2T unsweetened coconut milk (I prefer So Delicious brand)
5-6 drops Medicine Flower Orange Extract or equivalent regular extract
1 drop Medicine Flower Dark Chocolate Extract (optional)
1/2 cup fruit-juice-sweetened dried cranberries (e.g., Eden brand)
1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together all dry ingredients with a spoon except dried cranberries and chocolate chips. In another bowl, beat eggs with a hand mixer. Add coconut oil, coconut nectar, milk and extracts of choice.

Stir wet ingredients into dry with a spoon, then fold in dried cranberries and chocolate chips. Scoop into paper-lined mini muffin tin or silicone mini muffin pan, filling each cup full or slightly overflowing if you want bigger muffins. Bake for approximately 20-35 minutes, depending on size of your mini-muffin pan. Makes about 15 large minis (hee hee, sounds funny, I know).

This recipe is linked to Muffin Monday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays and Allergy Friendly Friday.

Posted in Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Muffins, Recipes:, Soy free | 4 Comments

Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins (gluten, grain and soy free)

This is a simple recipe that you can vary to your tastes by adding almond, coconut, orange or even mint extract. These muffins don’t photograph well, but are beautifully moist and taste absolutely amazing.

3 cups blanched almond flour, lightly packed
1 heaping tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp vanilla bean powder (optional)
3 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut nectar, honey or liquid sweetener of choice
2½T unsweetened coconut milk (I used So Delicious brand)
3-4 drops Medicine Flower Vanilla extract or 1 tsp regular vanilla extract
1 drop Medicine Flower Almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together all dry ingredients with a spoon except chocolate chips. In another bowl, beat eggs with a hand mixer. Add coconut oil, coconut nectar and milk plus extracts of choice.

Stir wet ingredients into dry with a spoon, then fold in chocolate chips. Scoop into paper-lined mini-muffin tin or silicone mini-muffin pan, filling each cup completely full or overflowing if you want bigger minis.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes, depending on size of your mini-muffin pan. Makes about 14 large mini-muffins (if you can forgive the oxymoron).

This recipe is linked to Muffin Monday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Allergy Friendly Friday and These Chicks Cooked.

Posted in Gluten free, Grain free, Muffins, Recipes:, Soy free | 10 Comments

Recipe review: Elana’s Dark “Rye” Bread

Dark breads were always my favorite when I ate gluten-based baked goods, so when I saw this recipe for grain-free “rye” bread at Elana’s Pantry, I had to try it.

I didn’t have the correct-sized loaf pan, so I spooned the batter into English muffin rings instead to make sandwich buns. What a delight…. not only do they look rich and hearty, but the taste brings back wonderful memories of my Bavarian-bread-eating days, which sadly came to an end when I embarked on a gluten-free diet more than 10 years ago.

I didn’t have any cream of tartar on hand so I subbed a bit of aluminum- and gluten-free baking powder and they still came out perfectly. I love the caraway seeds inside; they really lend an authentic taste and texture. Great recipe, Elana.

Posted in Breads, Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Primal/Paleo, Recipe reviews, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, Soy free | 3 Comments

Mini Cheesecakes (gluten, soy and refined sugar free)

When I saw this recipe posted by Katie of This Chick Cooks a while back, I knew I had to make it. My husband is a cheesecake fanatic and we always have a glut of gluten-free cookies in the house left over from expos we’ve visited and samples sent to me for review.

Since my better half isn’t a big chocolate fan, I decided to use Pamela’s Agave-Sweetened Shortbread and Enjoy Life Snickerdoodles (note: the latter aren’t refined sugar free) as crusts. Both fit the bottom of the baking cups perfectly.

To make the recipe gluten free and lower glycemic, I used coconut flour in place of the regular flour and coconut sugar in place of cane sugar. It made five mini cheesecakes, which were gone within a day.

Plain cheesecake with Snickerdoodle crust

The following day I made a double batch and got a bit creative. I swirled one with Rawtella, one with caramel agave and another with maple syrup. I also topped a number of them with my homemade cherry pie filling. They were a huge hit.

Rawtella swirl

Caramel swirl

Next time I’ll try making them with some grain-free cookies and a nut-based cheesecake topping so I can eat them, too. Stay tuned.

Posted in Cakes, Desserts & donuts, Gluten free, Pies & tarts, Recipe reviews, Recipes:, Refined sugar free, Soy free, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Peanut Butter & Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie (gluten, grain, dairy and soy free)

Elvis had it right: peanut butter and banana are an unbeatable combination. Peanut butter and chocolate, too. The three together? Perfection. This ice cream pie features a crunchy peanut butter crust and low-sugar banana ice cream drizzled in a gooey chocolate glaze. It’s the perfect summer dessert. Be sure to freeze immediately after assembling or you’ll end up with a soupy mess, as above (see my words of warning at the end). It’s delicious anyway.

Peanut Butter Crust:
Prepare this one from Eat the cookie! according to Liz’s instructions then press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, running it up the sides so it can accommodate the filling. Bake as directed. 

Chocolate Drizzle:
1/3 cup coconut nectar or liquid sweetener of choice
1/3 cup cacao powder
1-2 drops Medicine Flower vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp regular vanilla extract
3-4 drops Medicine Flower dark chocolate extract (optional)

Mix coconut nectar and extracts in a small bowl then sift in cacao powder and whisk vigorously until free of lumps. If the mixture is too thick, you can warm it lightly or add a few drops of coconut oil to thin it out but I didn’t find this to be necessary. Set aside.

Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream:
1 can organic coconut milk
2 eggs
1 very ripe banana
2T coconut nectar, honey or liquid sweetener of choice
2-3 drops Medicine Flower vanilla extract or 1 tsp regular vanilla extract
Generous pinch vanilla bean powder (optional)
4-5 drops Medicine Flower banana extract or 1 tsp regular banana extract (optional)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life dairy free) or chopped chocolate of choice

Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips in a Vita-Mix or other high-speed blender then pour into ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s instructions. While it’s churning, prepare Chocolate Drizzle (above). About 3-5 minutes before ice cream reaches desired consistency, dump in chocolate chips.

Immediately fill pie crust then top with Chocolate Drizzle (you can use any leftover to pour over individual slices before serving).

DO: Freeze immediately for 30-60 minutes before slicing and serving. DON’T: Spend the next 15 minutes in your hot kitchen taking photographs of your impressive creation or you’ll end up with pools of ice cream spilling over the sides as I did. If this happens, use the photo as your lead shot and let people to think you styled it that way on purpose, just to be fancy.

Elvis lives...

Posted in Cakes, Dairy free, Desserts & donuts, Gluten free, Grain free, Ice creams, Pies & tarts, Recipes:, Soy free | 5 Comments