Tag: celiac

Rocky Point Red Clam Chowder

I was born and raised in RI and have lived here for most of my life.  This post celebrates a Rhode Island icon of my youth, Rocky Point Park.  The amusement park, which operated from the late 1840s until it closed in 1994 was a favorite childhood destination for its incredible thrill rides.  Shore Dinner Hall at Rocky Point was the place to go for clam cakes and chowder that were famously served to thousands at a time.

Copycat recipes abound for Rocky Point Red Clam Chowder.  Here is my gluten free rendition, and I think it is a fitting tribute to the original!

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Fresh clams are always available in RI, but if you don’t want to do all that prep, frozen raw clams are a great alternative.  They are so much better than canned, and worth seeking out.  Remember, clams cook quickly and should only be added to the chowder during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 oz. salt pork
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 large, sweet onion, diced
  • 2 bottles (16 oz. total) clam juice
  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  • 16 oz. container frozen raw chopped clams, thawed
  • 1 can gluten free tomato soup
  • 1-1/2 tsp. paprika
  • black pepper to taste 

Preparation:

Peel and dice the onions and potatoes, dice the salt pork into 1/2″ pieces.

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium low heat.  Add the diced salt pork and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly.  Take your time here, you want nicely browned pork bits and all the rendered fat that is going to flavor the chowder.

Remove the browned bits with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and set aside for garnish.  Reserve the fat in the pan.

Add the onions and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the potatoes, clam juice, and Old Bay seasoning.  Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes.

Finally, add the clams, tomato soup and the paprika.  Cook 5 minutes longer (just a simmer, not a rolling boil), season with black pepper and remove from the heat.  Let stand for 1 hour before serving.

Serve the chowder with a few of the reserved bacon bits for garnish, they really make the flavor pop!  And how about those Oyster Crackers?  Yes, they are from scratch, and they are gluten free!  You’re welcome.

I hope my fellow Rhode Islanders have enjoyed this bit of local nostalgia.  Try the recipe and let me know what you think!  You don’t have to be gluten free, or a local to love this chowder, it is fabulous!

Notes ♪♫ Many red clam chowder recipes call for a can of condensed tomato soup, but don’t reach for the Campbells!  It is not gluten free.  I used Health Valley tomato soup, certified gluten free and no salt added.  It is very good in this recipe, and I used the unsalted because there are so many other salty ingredients.  Always check labels for hidden gluten, and if the salt pork is too much sodium, you can sub a few slices of low sodium bacon.

Originally published 8/31/2018, Updated 5/30/21, Rephotographed 7/16/2024

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Gluten Free Apple Zucchini Muffins

Sometimes gluten free muffins turn out dry and crumbly, but not these Apple Zucchini Muffins!  The name says it all, these muffins are loaded with little bites of apple and zucchini that you can see and taste.  They keep the crumb nice and moist too.  And what a great way to sneak fruits and veggies into your breakfast!

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Dry Ingredients:

  • 180 g. gluten free all-purpose flour (I used Better Batter Original blend)
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp. ginger
  • 1/8 tsp. cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp. baking powder

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 cups apple and zucchini, chopped
  • 1/4 cup ricotta
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. melted butter, for finishing

Preparation:

Mist a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400º.

Use an electric chopper or a knife to mince the apples and zucchini into 1/4″ pieces.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in one bowl.  In a second bowl whisk together the wet ingredients.

Stir the wet and dry ingredients together until thoroughly moistened, then let the batter rest for 15 minutes.

Fill the prepared muffin cups.  I wanted my muffins to be a little larger, so I made 9.  The recipe will make 12 if you portion the muffin cups 2/3 full.

Smooth out the tops with a spatula dipped in water and bake for 20-23 minutes depending on size.  Test the center with a toothpick.

Brush the muffins with melted butter for a nice shine, then cool in the pan for 20 minutes.  Transfer to a rack.

Look at that beautiful moist crumb!

Muffins can be stored at room temperature for up to one day or frozen.  My prediction is that they will disappear before you have to worry about it!

Notes ♪♫ I adapted this recipe from a quick bread that I used to make pre-Celiac.  It worked beautifully with gluten free flour, and as always, I recommend Better Batter.  I used their Original Blend, perfect for all your favorite muffins and quick breads.

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Burgundy Beef Tagliatelle

When you have comfort food on your mind, look no further than this hearty meal of sirloin tips, gently braised in a wine and mushroom sauce with gluten free noodles.

Years ago, I had something like this in a restaurant and never got it out of my mind.  It was easy to recreate at home, and I used Jovial gluten free tagliatelle noodles because they have the look and texture of egg noodles that you would traditionally see in a dish like this.  It came out amazing.  A hearty dinner that will satisfy big appetites!

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4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. sirloin tips
  • 1 tbsp. white rice flour
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 of a large, sweet onion, diced
  • 1 tsp. Montreal steak seasoning, divided
  • 3/4 cup red wine (I used Barefoot Merlot)
  • 1 package white or baby bella mushrooms, cut into 1/4″ thick slices
  • 2 tbsp. butter, divided
  • 6 oz. gluten free egg tagliatelle pasta
  • 1/2 cup gluten free broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
  • 1 tsp. arrowroot *See notes
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Preparation:

Cut the sirloin tips into 2″ chunks, trimming any excess fat.

Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a heavy skillet or Sauteuse with cover or Dutch oven.  Toss the beef with the white rice flour, and brown in a single layer over medium low heat.

Season with 1/2 tsp. Montreal steak seasoning.

In a few minutes you should have good color on the beef and be able to see some caramelization.

Now add the onions and let them cook down for 3 minutes.

Add the wine and stir gently.  Bring to a simmer, then cover the pan and place in a 225º oven for 3 hours.

In the last 1/2 hour of cooking, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter in a stainless-steel skillet (not nonstick).  Cook the mushrooms over low heat, just until they release their liquid and season with 1/2 tsp. Montreal Steak Seasoning.  Whisk the broth and arrowroot together and stir into the mushrooms, simmering to thicken.

Return the beef to the stovetop and stir in the mushroom mixture.

Keep the heat on low and continue simmering the beef on the stovetop with the lid off.  Allow the liquid to reduce and thicken while you cook the pasta.

Cook the tagliatelle noodles to 2 minutes less than package directions.  When the noodles are ready, drain and add to the pan with a pat or 2 of butter.

Toss well to combine and cook for a minute longer.  Garnish with parsley and serve right from the pan!

This meal is so good, the pictures don’t do it justice!

Notes ♪♫ Arrowroot flour, also known as arrowroot starch or arrowroot powder is a staple in my gluten free pantry.  Whether I just need a teaspoon for thickening, or more for bread baking, arrowroot is a nice alternative to the usual corn, tapioca or potato starch.  It is superb for making a roux, no lumps ever!

Original post Oct 8, 2021                Rephotographed Jun 28, 2024

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Veal Stew with Caramelized Onions

You won’t believe how a few simple ingredients can produce the most tender, flavorful stew.  With today’s prices, you may think that veal is not in the budget, but stew veal is made with those tough but economical cuts that benefit from slow braising, easy on the pocketbook and perfect for Sunday afternoons!

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The basic stew is quite versatile and pairs well with so many things.  The onions cook down to make a delicious gravy.  You can serve it with risotto, pasta or polenta.  For a New England style dish, you could add potatoes and carrots.  So many possibilities!  And those caramelized onions- oh my!

I used a stainless-steel universal pan to cook this meal, excellent for both caramelizing the onions and browning the meat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. veal stew meat
  • 1 large, sweet onion
  • gluten free Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 2 tbsp. butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup white wine

Preparation:

Slice the onion into thin rings.  In a stainless-steel pan with cover, add 1 tbsp. each olive oil and butter.  Begin cooking the onions on low heat.

When the onions are soft and just beginning to brown, remove them from the pan and set aside.  They will finish caramelizing in the oven.

In the same pan, heat the remaining olive oil and butter and begin browning the meat on all sides.  Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Add the onions back to the pan along with 1/2 cup of white wine.

That’s it friends.  Cover the pan and place in a 300º oven for 2 hours.

Look at that!  No knife needed to cut this meat- it is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

This was an easy meal that turned out great.  I love comfort food during the winter months and this one is on repeat!   

Notes ♪♫ Be sure to use real white wine (that you would drink) in this recipe.  Do not use cooking wine, it’s full of salt and who knows what!  I do not drink white wine, but I always keep a 4-pack of single serve bottles in the pantry for cooking.  Opening one small bottle at a time for a recipe means there is less waste.  Once opened, the remainder can go in the refrigerator.  If you enjoy the white wine, then pour a glass for the cook (red 🍷for me, please)!  Cheers!

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Gluten Free Sourdough Pain d’Epi (Wheatstalk Bread)

My sourdough starter “Sophie” is in good form, and I’ve been feeding her for a couple of days in anticipation of another bake.  Instead of my usual round or oval loaf though, I decided to step out of my comfort zone with this beautiful Gluten Free Pain d’Epi, also known as Wheat Stalk Bread (ah, the irony).

Ever since I got my gluten free sourdough starter established (read about it here), I’ve had a few bucket list recipes that I wanted to make.  This is one of them.

For the flour, I used the Artisan Flour Blend from Better Batter and as usual it did not disappoint.  The flavor was fantastic, and the bread was perfect for dipping.  This was my first time making a gluten free version of this style loaf and it was SO good.

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Ingredients:

  • 200g Better Batter Artisan Flour Blend, about 1-1/2 cups
  • 4g salt, about 1 tsp.
  • 235g warm water, about 1-1/8 cups
  • 70g active GF sourdough starter, about 1/4 cup
  • 8g olive oil, about 1 tbsp.
  • 10g honey, about 1 tbsp.
  • more olive oil for brushing
  • coarse salt, for topping

Preparation:

Combine the flour and salt and whisk well.  Add the starter, honey and olive oil to the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the warm water.  Note: Use all of the water, the Artisan Blend flour needs more liquid than usual to fully hydrate.  Increase the speed and knead for 5 minutes to form a soft, supple dough.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and proof in a warm place for 4 hours.  I used my proofing box.

Here is the risen dough.  Place it in the refrigerator overnight to really develop that sour flavor.

The next morning, bring to room temperature.  You can see how nicely the dough has puffed up, and there are lots of happy air bubbles!

It smells so good already! Now transfer the dough onto an oiled cutting board and divide it in half.  You can use a scale or just eyeball it.

With oiled fingers, gently press each section into an oval shape.  Don’t use a rolling pin, you don’t want to deflate the air bubbles.

Use a bench knife to do a letter fold with each section.

Next, with oiled hands, roll each piece onto a log.  Cover with plastic wrap and rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425º.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with cornmeal where you will lay out the loaves.

Once the dough has rested, you should easily (again, with oiled hands) be able to shape each log into a long thin baguette, about 15″ x 2″.  Lay them on the baking sheet, leaving space in between.

To create the wheat stalk pattern, use scissors to snip the loaves every few inches (don’t cut all the way through), and as you snip each section, pull it over to one side, alternating left and right.

Now brush the loaves with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt.  I infused my olive oil with garlic and rosemary, and the aroma as it baked was wonderful.

Bake for 30 minutes on the middle rack.  The internal temperature should read 210º.  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

I was really pleased with how the loaves came out, especially with this being a first attempt.  The smell of freshly baked bread (REAL BREAD!) filled the entire house.

I recommend you allow the bread to cool for at least 4 hours before slicing, so the center won’t be gummy.  Trust me, you will have a hard time waiting!

And now for all my bread friends who have been patiently waiting, check out that crumb!  I made up some dipping oil with Tuscan seasoning, fresh garlic and rosemary.  My sister came over and we had a pasta dinner.  She said she couldn’t tell the bread was gluten free!

So, have you got your sourdough starter going yet?  It will take your gluten free baking to the next level with results you never dreamed possible.  Read about my sourdough starter Sophie here.

Notes ♪♫ This bread is best eaten the day it is baked.  Leftovers can be refreshed in the microwave or toasted.  Store at room temperature up to 2 days.

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Split Pea Soup

Another Easter has come and gone, and I’ll bet you still have some leftover ham in the fridge!  And since the winter weather just won’t give up here in New England, I’m craving soup.

Everyone has their own traditions for using up the holiday ham.  I always ring in the New Year with a pot of Lentil Soup.  After Easter though, I like to make Split Pea, which is essentially made the same way.

The ham bone, of course is what you would use to make a stock.  But what if you didn’t make a ham for Easter?  Or maybe your ham was boneless.  Well fear not, you can still use your leftovers or even pick up a ham steak and use that in the soup.  This year I actually cooked a 2 lb. petite boneless spiral ham for myself after the holiday and that’s what I used.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. split peas
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1/2 sweet onion, diced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 48 oz. gluten free chicken stock or stock from ham bone
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. sage
  • 1 tsp. thyme
  • 1 packet beef bouillon
  • 2 cups diced ham
  • Schar Table Crackers, for serving

Preparation:

Rinse the split peas thoroughly in a colander and examine them for stray bits of barley or pebbles.  Place them in a stock pot and bring to a boil.  Cover, remove from the heat and let them soak while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

Chop ham leftovers into small dice.  Set aside and refrigerate.

Cut the onion, celery and carrots into even sized small dice.  Add a little olive oil to a 5 qt. stock pot or Dutch oven and begin cooking the carrots, onion and celery over medium low heat.

Season with sage, thyme, salt and pepper.  Add 32 oz. of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and bouillon.  Simmer 30 minutes.

Drain and rinse the peas again.  Add them to the pot, stir well and continue cooking for another 45 minutes to an hour, or until the peas are tender.

As they simmer, the peas will absorb quite a bit of liquid, so add more chicken broth as needed.

When the soup is ready, partially puree it with an immersion blender (don’t forget to remove the bay leaves first).  I like to leave some of the veggies whole, but you can make it as smooth or chunky as you like.  After pureeing, add back the diced ham and heat through.

Serve with Schar Table Crackers (similar to saltines).  Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for at least a week.

Notes: ♪♫ If you have a ham bone and don’t want to make soup right away, don’t throw it away!  You can wrap it in foil then place in a freezer safe bag and store in the freezer for quite a few months.  There have been times that I would find a ham bone in the back of the freezer just in time for fall soup season.

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Gluten Free Italian Sausage and Cabbage with Pasta

Cabbage!  It’s not just for St. Patrick’s Day.

🥬🥬🥬

Are you a once-a-year cabbage person? I always make the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner for St. Patrick’s Day, but until recently that was the extent of my cabbage repertoire.  Then somewhere along the way, I expanded my horizons.

This humble veggie is a key ingredient in so many recipes and cuisines.  Check out my Asian inspired Chicken and Cabbage, Moo Shoo Pork and Chicken Chow Mein.  Or how about this Portuguese Cabbage Soup with Linguica?  Polish stuffed cabbage rolls, yes please!  But wait, I’m Italian.  Shouldn’t I have an Italian recipe with cabbage?  Well now I do, and it is AMAZING.

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You know I love braised dishes, where the ingredients slowly cook down and the flavors concentrate and intensify.  Usually, this process takes several hours or more, but not in this recipe.  With a little advance prep, you can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.  So easy to make, with very little seasoning needed as the sausage flavors the entire dish.  And what a delicious meal it is.  So, let’s get started.

Dinner for two

Ingredients:

  • olive oil
  • 4 oz. sweet Italian sausage (I like Premio)
  • 2 cups sliced sweet onion
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 4 cups shredded savoy cabbage
  • crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. thyme
  • 1 cup water, more as needed
  • 4 oz. gluten free pasta (I used Farabella Rigatoni) incredible!
  • 1/4 cup grated cheese (I used a combo of parmesan and Romano)

Preparation:

Boil salted water for the pasta.

In a 3 qt. stock pot, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil on medium low, remove casings from the sausage and begin breaking it up with a meat spatula.

Continue cooking until the meat is completely browned, then add the onions.

Stir frequently and cook for several minutes until the onions are translucent.  Then add the tomato paste to the center of the pan.

Let it toast for a minute, before stirring it into the sausage and onions.

Next, add all of the cabbage with the thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (more if you like).

Stir thoroughly to combine, then add about 1 cup of water.  You can use a ladle of the pasta water if it’s ready.

Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes, adding a bit more water if it seems dry.

Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions.  Drain and add it into the pan.  You can add a little of the pasta water as needed.  Toss well and continue cooking for 2 minutes longer to finish the pasta.  When ready to serve, remove the pan from the heat and drizzle with olive oil and half of the grated cheese.

Give it a good stir then transfer to a serving bowl and finish with a little more olive oil and cheese.

Doesn’t that look good?  It was really an excellent dinner and something you can make after St. Patrick’s Day if you still have cabbage in the fridge to use up.

You can even sneak this one by the kids, just don’t mention the veggies. 😉 Picky eaters will gobble up this yummy bowl of comfort food if you let the cabbage be your little secret!

Notes ♪♫ Is it gluten free?  The only ingredient substitution needed for this recipe was the pasta, and of course I had just the thing in the pantry!  This gluten free rigatoni from Farabella was a splurge, but it was incredible.  It tastes just like real pasta- so do check it out!  If you can’t find Farabella pasta near you it is available here on Amazon.

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Gluten Free Sandwich Thins

When I hear people say that the gluten free diet promotes weight loss I have to shake my head! ????  The reality is that gluten free breads, pastas and cereals have as many or more calories and carbs than their wheat filled counterparts.

It got me to thinking, that back a few years “BC” (before Celiac) I had a great homemade recipe for the popular Sandwich Thin buns that everyone loved.  In this post I’ll show you how I recreated that recipe to a gluten free version for my lunch sandwiches.

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Mind you, I wanted my bread to be nutritious and wholesome, not just empty calories.  This recipe checks all my boxes- whole grains, small portions, great taste.  I used a muffin top pan to create perfectly shaped rounds that were all the same size, about 1.5 oz. each after baking.

The flour blend was a result of trial and error, largely based on my own taste buds as well as some sampling by my family.  Sorghum and brown rice are high on my list of favorites, and I use a combination of the two in many of my breads.  Dark teff grain has an earthy flavor that can easily overpower a recipe, but using just a little lends a wheat like flavor and color.  I also blended 3 starches together which worked great, but no corn starch as I don’t like it for baking (again, just my taste preference).

You might be interested to know that I used a coffee grinder for some of my ingredient prep.  Tiny grains like teff and chia seeds can be purchased in whole form, and ground into a flour just before baking for ultimate freshness.

You don’t need a special pan to make the buns, but this muffin top pan I used was a great for shaping and definitely helped with portion control.  The non-stick finish made for a very easy cleanup.  I liked it so much I ordered a second one!

 

 

 

 

Makes 12 buns

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. yeast
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds, ground
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water

………………………………..

  • 90 g. whole grain sorghum flour
  • 130 g. brown rice flour
  • 40 g. tapioca starch
  • 40 g. arrowroot starch
  • 40 g. potato starch
  • 15 g. teff grain, ground
  • 1 tsp. gelatin
  • 1-1/4 tsp. xanthan gum
  • 3/4 tsp. salt

…………………………………….

  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup warm water

…………………………………….

  • 2 tbsp. 1% milk, for brushing
  • sesame seeds
  • poppy seeds

Preparation:

Grind 1 tbsp. chia seeds in a coffee grinder and combine it with 1 tbsp. yeast, 1 tbsp. sugar, and 1/2 cup warm water.  Stir and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Grind 15 g. of teff grain in a coffee grinder.

Whisk together with the other dry ingredients.

Whisk the egg, olive oil and milk into the yeast mixture.

With the paddle attachment, mix in the dry ingredients along with the last 1/2 cup of water.  Beat for 3 minutes to form a smooth, wet dough.

Have a bowl of warm water ready for dipping your spoon and fingertips.  Drop a scant 2 tablespoons of dough into each well, dipping the spoon into the water each time to help manage the sticky dough.

Dip a small spatula into the water and smooth out the dough, spreading it in a circular motion to fill in the rounds.  Don’t skip this step, gluten free dough does not spread by itself!  If you are not using a muffin top pan, spoon the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and spread into 4″ rounds.

Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 400º.  After 30 minutes, brush the tops of the buns with milk and sprinkle with sesame and poppy seeds.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the buns reach an internal temperature of 205º.

Remember, gluten free bread takes longer to cook than regular, and if not cooked through the center will be wet and tacky.  Check the internal temperature with a thermometer!

Cool completely on a rack.  Buns are best the day they are baked, and leftovers should be frozen as soon as they reach room temperature.  I like to slice mine and wrap them individually in plastic wrap to store in freezer safe bags.  So easy to grab a roll for my lunch!  Here’s the crumb shot.

Just the right size for a light sandwich.  As I was baking, the kitchen really smelled like bread.  If you are gluten free you know what a big deal this is.  And the taste did not disappoint!  I have been enjoying my sandwiches knowing that I’m not overdoing it on carbs.  This recipe is a must try!  Please pin, like and share the recipe and let me know what you think!

Notes ♪♫ I placed my muffin top pans on top of another baking sheet for insulation.  This prevented the bottoms of the buns from burning before the centers were cooked through.  It worked perfectly!

Originally published 03/23/2019                   Updated 01/21/2024

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Gluten Free Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

If you’ve been following my cookie adventures on Facebook, you know that I was determined to master the gluten free thumbprint.  I tried and tried to adapt a recipe to be gluten free, I made so many cookies!  And while they all tasted good, well….

I made a giant unicookie! ????????????

I made some really flat cookies!

Then I did what I should have done in the first place, I asked an expert.

Chef Patrick Auger, who I consider to be THE ORACLE of gluten free baking shared a bit of his expertise with me on how to achieve the perfect gluten free thumbprint (hint: if you don’t have a scale go and order one now!).  Thanks Patrick!  Now, without further ado, here you are ladies and gentlemen!  Gluten Free Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies!

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Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients:  

  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened (see hint below)
  • 70 g. (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 187 g. gluten free all-purpose flour (I used Better Batter Original)
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. water (may be needed to bring dough together)
  • egg whites for brushing (optional)
  • gluten free raspberry jam (I used Smucker’s)

Hint: Don’t have time to wait for butter to soften at room temperature?  Me either.  Here’s how to get the perfect consistency every time.  Stand your butter on a plate, cover with a glass and microwave 20-30 seconds.  Perfectly softened butter every time!

Preparation:

Cream together the softened butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.  Add the vanilla.

Weigh the flour, this is critical to achieving the right dough.

Add the flour and salt to the mixer bowl and continue beating until the dough comes together.  You may have to add up to 1 tbsp. water.

Turn the dough out onto a cutting board and press into a disc.

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 15 minutes.

Line one or two baking sheets with parchment or use a silicone baking mat.

I was determined to make perfectly uniform sized cookies, so I weighed the dough and divided by 24, it came to about 15 g. each.  If you’re a perfectionist like me, you can weigh them or if not just eyeball it!

Roll each piece of dough into a ball and flatten slightly.  Place them on the cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.

Instead of my big old thumbs, I used a 1/8 teaspoon to make the indentations.

I brushed the cookies very lightly with egg white, but this step is optional.  I used the same 1/8 teaspoon to fill the indentations with jam, perfect fit!

Next, refrigerate the cookies again while you preheat the oven to 350º.

Bake for 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let the pan cool for 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack.  Try not to eat them all at once!

Notes for success:

♪ Use Better Batter Original gluten free flour

♫ Weigh your flour (use a scale)

♪♫ Follow Chef Patrick Auger on Facebook and Instagram

♫♫ Use my code MGFC30 for 30% off any full price purchase at Better Batter!

 

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Hoisin Pork Fried Rice

One of the things I miss most since my Celiac diagnosis is Chinese takeout.  Oh, how I loved those noodles, veggies and fried rice!

At first glance you might think that many of these dishes are gluten free, but did you know that soy sauce contains gluten?  It’s true, traditional soy sauce is fermented with wheat so it is off limits on the gluten free diet.

Fortunately for us, there is a gluten free alternative called Tamari.  Since I started using it in my Asian inspired dishes, I have come to like Tamari even more than soy sauce.  Use it like regular soy sauce, as much or as little as you prefer.

Another favorite condiment, Hoisin Sauce can also be found in the Asian aisle in most markets.  It’s sweeter and much thicker than soy sauce and can be used for glazing and dipping.  In this recipe I use both Hoisin sauce and Tamari for a sweet and savory flavor profile.

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Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup gluten free chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp. chive seasoning
  • 1/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup carrot, diced
  • 1/4 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1/4 cup mushroom, diced
  • 2 tbsp. red bell pepper, small dice
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 lb. boneless pork
  • gluten free Hoisin sauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • sesame oil
  • cooking spray
  • gluten free soy sauce or Tamari
  • garlic powder
  • ginger powder
  • fresh scallions or chives for garnish

Preparation:

Cook the rice according to package directions.  I did mine in a rice cooker with 1 cup gluten free chicken broth, 1 cup water and 1/2 tsp. chive seasoning.  This step can be done ahead, in fact the rice works better in this recipe if it has been cooked in advance and refrigerated.

While the rice cooks, prep all the vegetables.  You should have about 2 cups of diced veggies, total.  Dice the pork and toss it with 1 tbsp. Hoisin sauce.  Sprinkle with garlic and ginger.

With the prep work done, the rest of the dish comes together quickly.  Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium low and mist with cooking spray (I like Bertolli because it doesn’t damage my nonstick pans).  Whisk the egg with 1 tbsp. water and scramble.  Crumble the egg and set aside.

Next, add 2 tsp. sesame oil to the skillet and cook the pork.

Transfer the pork to a clean bowl and drizzle with more Hoisin sauce.  Wipe the skillet clean and cook the veggies in 2 tsp. sesame oil, about 5 minutes.  Sprinkle with garlic and ginger and drizzle with Tamari.

Add the cooked rice and egg back to the skillet with more Tamari.

Top with the pork, more Tamari and toss to heat through.

Garnish with fresh scallions or chives and plate.

I just loved this dish, all the flavors that I have been missing!

Notes ♪♫ I love San J brand Tamari and Hoisin sauce.  Both are clearly labeled gluten free and can be found in markets and online.

Originally posted 10/21/2019           Updated 12/13/2023

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