Noodles with Baby Shrimp

Another recipe from Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes.

Little Miss on her 4th bowl of "more noodles."

This one, especially the noodles, was a huge hit at lunch today.

1 package (3 3/4 oz) cellophane noodles
3 green onions
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 package (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables (such as cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots)
1 cup vegetable broth (I used seafood broth)
8 oz cooked frozen baby shrimp
1 Tbsp gluten-free soy sauce
2 tsp dark sesame oil
1/4 tsp black pepper

1 Place noodles in large bowl.  Cover with boiling water; let soak 10-15 minutes or just until softened.  Drain noodles.  Cut noodles into 5-6 inch pieces; set aside.  Cut green onion into 1 inch pieces.

2 Heat wok or large skillet over high heat about 1 minute or until hot.  Drizzle vegetable oil into wok; heat 30 seconds.  Add green onions; stir-fry 1 minute.  Add mixed vegetables; stir-fry 2 minutes.  Add broth; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

3 Add shrimp to wok; cook just until thawed.  Stir in noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil and pepper; stir-fry until heated through.

1 cup of broth is A LOT of broth.  It made it sort of like fishing for noodles and veggies.  I would aim for, maybe, 1/2 a cup next time.

Flourless Fried Chicken Tenders

Another recipe from Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes.

1 1/2 cups chickpea flour
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
3/4 cup water plus 2-4 Tbsp
Oil for frying
1 pound chicken tenders
Curry Mayo Dipping Sauce (optional)

1 Sift chickpea flour into medium bowl.  Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and ground red pepper.  Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup water to make smooth batter.  Whisk in additional water by Tbsp if needed until batter in consistency of heavy cream.

2 Meanwhile, add oil to large heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 3/4-inch depth.  Heat over medium-high heat until drop of batter placed in oil sizzles (350 degrees).

3 Pat chicken pieces dry.  Dip chicken into batter with tongs; let excess fall back into bowl.  Ease chicken gently into oil; fry 2-3 minutes per side until slightly browned and chicken is cooked through.  Fry in batches; do not crowd pan.

4 Drain chicken on paper towels.  Serve warm with Curry Mayo Dipping Sauce, if desired.

Dipping Sauce:  Combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1/2 tsp curry powder.  Stir in 2 Tbsp cilantro.


I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour.  Its main ingredient is garbanzo beans (another name for chickpeas).
I think this recipe could have used more red pepper.  Maybe 1/4 tsp?
I made the dipping sauce but did not add the sour cream just in-case my gluten and dairy intolerant family member wanted to try it.  He did not and I wish I had added the sour cream.  Might add it tomorrow for the leftover strips.
I obviously do not fry food very often.  All three Young Men joined me in the kitchen to see and hear the "bubbles."
They, well, 2 out of 3, enjoyed the strips with BBQ sauce.
The picture of the strips at the top was the first batch.  Later batches were more golden colored.  Probably, should have let the oil heat up another minute or two.

Italian-Style Shepherd's Pie

From Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes

1 pound poatoes, peeled and quartered
2-3 Tbsp. milk  (I used raw cow's milk.  You could use broth or milk of choice.)
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound ground beef
1 chopped onion (about 1/2 cup)
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp fennel seeds, finely crushed
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups diced yellow summer squash
1 can (about 14 oz) chunky tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1/3 cup tomato paste

1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine potatoes and enough water to cover in medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Boil, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until tender; drain.  Mash potatoes, adding enough milk to read desired consistency.  Stir in Parmesan cheese.  Set aside.

2 Brown beef and onion in large skillet over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes, stirring to break up meat.  Drain fat.  Stir in Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and red pepper.  Add squash, tomatoes, corn, and tomato paste; mix well.  Spoon mixture into 2-quart casserole.  Spoon potatoes over top.

3 Bake 20-25 minutes or until meat mixture is bubbly.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Triple-Play Chocolate Cake

My mom, the amazing grandma and mom that she is, got me a cookbook for my birthday called Learning to Bake Allergen-Free A Crash Course For Busy Parents on Baking without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts.  She, also, got me some xanthan gum.
Thankfully, my birthday is 5 days before my youngest's.  So, I got to try out a cake recipe today for his 4th birthday and it was a success!  So, much so that there are only 10 pieces of a 9x13 cake left.

2 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend (I used Bob's Red Mill flour blend)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum (leave out if your flour blend contains xanthan gum)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp shortening
1 cup allergen-free chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used homemade)
1 cup flaxseed gel (equal to 4 eggs) (I used 4 eggs)
2 cups chocolate milk (I used raw cow's milk)
2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9x13 pan with cooking oil.
2 Mix the flour, xanthan gum (if needed), sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.  Set it aside.
3 Melt the shortening and the chocolate chips together in a small bowl.  Stir these two ingredients together thoroughly.
4 Combine the applesauce, flaxseed gel, milk, and vanilla together in a large bowl, with a mixer on medium-low speed, about 1 minute.
5 Add the chocolate and shortening mixture and blend for 1 more minute.
6 Gradually, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.  Blend completely.
7 Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
8 Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Greek Style Salmon

This was dinner tonight.  As I mentioned with the previous recipe, we are in the process of going gluten-free.
Another mom I know, who has, "Been there.  Done that."  Lent me a cookbook called Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes.  This is another recipe from this cookbook.

1 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 3/4 cups (1 can) diced tomatoes, drained
6 black olives, coarsely chopped
4 green olives, coarsely chopped
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 Tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 pound salmon fillets

1 Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, parsley, capers, garlic, and pepper.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
2 Cook tomato mixture 5 minutes or until reduced by about one third, stirring occasionally.
3 Rinse salmon and pat dry with paper towels.  Push sauce to one side of skillet.  Add salmon to skillet; spoon sauce over salmon.  Cover and cook 15 minutes or until salmon begins to flake when tested with fork.

I would in the future, serve this with couscous or something....some years later, I served it with a rice and quinoa mix. I, also, added Feta to the top.

Quinoa & Shrimp Salad

We have been busy going gluten-free at our house.  Which has reduced me to tears multiple times in the last few weeks and causes tension in my back every time I think about setting foot in my kitchen.  So, sad when a favorite hobby turns into a horrible nightmare.
A friend, who has gluten tolerance issues in her own home, lent me a cookbook called: Favorite Brand Name Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes.  I, greatly, appreciate all the pictures in this cookbook.  As well as finding a second recipe that uses quinoa that my husband approves of.


1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1 bag (12 oz) frozen cooked baby shrimp, thawed and well drained
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp capers
2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
3 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/8 tsp black pepper

1 Place quinoa in strainer.  Rinse well under cold water.  Bring water and 1/4 tsp salt to boil in medium saucepan over hight heat.  Stir in quinoa.  Cover; resuce heat to low.  Simmer 12 to 14 minutes or until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed.  Cool to room temp.

2 Combine quinoa, shrimp, tomatoes, basil, capers and green onion in large bowl.  Combine oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, pepper and remaining 1/4 tsp salt in small bowl.  Pour over salad.  Toss gently to mix well.

Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potatoes

This recipe was discovered on Nick's website.  However, I don't want to loose it since it is the first quinoa recipe I ever made and it was well received by both myself and my husband.  And, it falls into the category of things that my youngest can eat.

Quinoa Salad

Yield: Serves 6-8.

Prep Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Cups dried quinoa, rinsed
2 large sweet potatoes, cubed and blanched (or sub 1 medium butternut or acorn squash, halfed, roasted and cubed)
1 Cup dried cranberries (you can use raisins, cherries, mango, whatever)
1 Cup pumpkin seeds (you can use sunflower seeds)
1/2 Cup olive oil
1/4 Cup red wine vinegar
Juice from one lemon
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Teaspoon paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper

Cook quinoa per package instructions.  I purchase it bulk.  So, it is a two parts water to one part quinoa ratio.  All quinoa says to rinse thoroughly.  However, I do not own a strainer with small enough wholes.  I tried using a coffee filter, but that was to fine.  So, rinsing does not occur in my world for quinoa.

First, stick your sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and poke a few holes in them with a fork. Bake them at 350 degrees for about 50-60 minutes until they’re very tender.
By the way this is the same process I used for both the butternut squash and the acorn squash. Just chop them in half, poke some holes in the skin, and bake them for 50-60 minutes.
Let your potatoes cool for a few minutes after they come out of the oven and then peel and slice them into about 1/2 inch strips.  (Nick's instructions.)  Cube the strips.

Then, you mix everything together.
Mix the quinoa, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and seeds.
Mix your dressing up and pour over your quinoa mixture.  Toss to coat.  The dressing should be on the less is more side, not standing in the bottom of the bowl.

Spicy Pork Chop Casserole

I am writing this recipe as written in the cookbook Incredibly Easy Gluten-Free Recipes.  However, when I made it, I doubled the recipe and used a 9x13 casserole dish.  I, also, had purchased a pork loin at the grocery store on sale in the last week and had sectioned it into 3 pound sections before freezing.  I sliced the  3 pound pork loin into 9 pork chops and put 8 of the 9 on top of the casserole.  The 9th, I pan fried and then put in the oven in a separate container for my husband's dinner.
I used Italian  diced tomatoes.
Additionally, I would like to thank Laura Poe for lending me the cookbook.  As we are new to gluten-free, it has been a blessing to have her encouragement.

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups frozen corn
2 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes
1 can (about 14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, drained
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp olive oil
4 boneless pork loin chops (about 3 oz each), cut about 3/4 inch think
1/4 tsp black pepper (I used more and I used fresh ground)
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional - I didn't use)

1- Preheat over to 375 degrees.  Lightly spray 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
2- Lightly spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray.  Add corn, cook and stir over medium-high heat about 5 minutes or until corn begins to brown.  Add potatoes; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until potatoes begin to brown.  Add tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, cumin and red pepper flakes; stir until blended.  Transfer corn mixture to prepared dish.
3- Add oil and pork chops to skillet.  Cook over medium-high heat until browned on one side.  Place browned side up on top of corn mixture in baking dish.  Sprinkle with black pepper.  Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes or until meat is barely pink in center (160 degrees F).  Sprinkle with cheese, if desired.  Let stand 2-3 minutes before serving. 
Makes 4 servings.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

We have been gone and this morning we were home and the weather was cool.  So, we picked all the good stuff out of our garden.  I could not bring myself to freeze all of it and, did I mention, the weather is cool.  So, the logical conclusion is...SOUP!

 

So, after looking on-line for a recipe, twice because my youngest takes great humor in closing my tabs or clicking on and opening ads.  I came across this recipe and proceeded to follow it very loosely, which for me is NEVER done with a new recipe.  But, did get great reviews from my husband.  :-)
So, after reading the recipe, I decided to start by browning my hamburger because I do not want all that grease in my finished soup which would be added if I added my raw hamburger to my veggies.
After browning the hamburger, while it was draining, I sweated my veggies.  These are the veggies at the beginning of cooking.

Once the veggies were tender, they looked like the picture above, I put the hamburger in.

I, then, added the rice and began adding tomatoes.  I'm not really sure how much tomato is in there.  I just kept pulverizing and adding till I thought it looked good.

So, here is my version of the recipe...

1 onion chopped
3 stalks celery chopped
4 small bell peppers chopped
1 pound hamburger browned
Garlic (Definitely used more than a clove)
1/2 cup white rice (uncooked)
Tomatoes
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp sugar (I will probably use less next time)
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Cinnamon

Brown your hamburger and drain.
While your hamburger is draining, put your onion, bell pepper, celery, and fresh chopped garlic in your soup pan.  (I used some of the hamburger grease that remained in the pan to sweat my veggies.  Or, you can use a little cooking oil.)
Let veggies cook until they are soft.
Put hamburger back in the pan.
Add rice, water, tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper.  Put a lid on it and let it cook till the rice is tender, roughly 45 minutes.  Watch it and stir it occasionally.  If it is looking like there isn't enough liquid, add more tomatoes.
Taste the soup at this point to make sure you like it.  You can add more salt, pepper, sugar.  When it is to your liking and the rice is cooked and a good sprinkle of cinnamon.  Stir and serve.  (I served with saltines because I thought it might need a little extra salt but didn't want to risk screwing up the goodness I already had going by adding to much salt.)

Apple Pecan Pudding

6 peeled and cored apples, dried
2 cups milk (We use goat.)
2 cups pecans
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp cinnamon
5 dried dates
2 cups sun-dried apples
Soak dried apples in milk overnight.
Blend with remaining ingredients and place in small ceramic ovenware bowls.
Cook at 200 degrees for 20 minutes.
Cool in refrigerator before serving.

Another recipe complements of Sarah Albright.
The recipes says it will serve 3-6. I found it filled 7 bowls.
I placed the bowls on a cookie sheet to ease in getting them in and out of the oven.
A little Cool Whip would be wonderful on these. However, I haven't progressed that far in my cooking for Bear.
The next time I make these, I will chop the sun-dried apples and add them by stirring them in with a spoon. The food processor did wonderful up till I added the sun-dried apples and then it wasn't happy.

Green Beans and Sausage

1 qt, green beans, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 carrot, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb sausage, either ground or link cut into 1 inch pieces
1. Combine all ingredients except sausage in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on high 3-4 hours. Add sausage and cook another 2 hours on low.
The recipe is from Sarah Albright.
This recipe should be served with bread or something as the sauce/juices are really flavorful and need help getting off your plate and into your mouth.
Also, I used more than a quart of green beans (fresh) and a large bell. And more thyme than just a 1/4 tsp.
 I used Andouille links from the smoke house at the local grocery store. YUM!
Additionally, this is SUPER easy. The hardest part of snapping the green beans.

Crockpot Beans & Rice

1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 cup brown rice
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp dried onion flakes

Put olive oil in crockpot.  Add rice and swirl in oil until coated.
Drain and rinse beans.  Add to crockpot.
Drain tomatoes, but save liquid in measuring cup.  Add tomatoes.
Add water to measuring cup with tomato liquid.  Add mixture of liquid with water to crockpot totalling 2 cups.
Add seasoning, stir well, and cover.
Cook on low for about 6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.  It is done when the rice is tender.
*Can, also, cook rice on stove and microwave other ingredients.

Above is the recipe as it was shared with me by Sarah Albright.
However, the next time I make this, I am going to use Cajun seasoning in place of the Italian seasoning and add Andoulli sausage during the last 1/2 hour or so of cooking.  Going for a red beans and rice idea.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the brown rice cooked up.  I cooked it for four hours on high.  You don't want to over cook this because at the end of the 4 hours there was condensation on the lid but that was about it for water left in the crock.

Grain-Free Apple Flax Muffins

LINK

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flax seed meal

2 tsp baking soda

1 Tbs cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup Stevia

4 eggs

1/4 cup melted butter or coconut oil (For MSPI, use coconut oil)

1/2 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1 large apple, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Method:

Mix dry ingredients. Beat the eggs and add to dry mixture along with oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Add apple and nuts and stir to combine.

Allow fully incorporated mixture to stand 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line or grease muffin tins. Spoon into tins (the batter will be very thick) and bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 18-24 large muffins.  

We store them in the refrigerator, per the suggestion of the author of the blog we got the recipe from.

Black Bean Casserole

Original recipe found HERE.

1/2 lb ground turkey
onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, diced
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cumin
1/4 t. ground red pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 c. chicken broth
4 c. black beans
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 c bacon, crumbled
1/2 c. almond cheese  (Monterrey Jack Cheese if no Bear)
1/4 c. green onions, sliced

Preheat oven, 425F

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook turkey and 1/2 of the onion until meat is browned.  Remove.

Spray pan.  Add the rest of the onion, pepper, and jalapeno.  Saute for 4 minutes while stirring occasionally.  Add salt, cumin, red pepper, and garlic.  Saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.  (You may add up to 2 T of water if desired to help not stick if desired.)

Stir in broth and black beans.  Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.  Mash beans to desired consistency.

Put mixture into an 8-in sq. sprayed baking dish.  Top with turkey, bacon, tomato, and cheese.

Bake for  10 minutes with almond cheese so it is slightly melted (or 30 minutes until lightly browned if Monterrey Jack Cheese.) 

Top with green onions and let cool for 10 minutes.

Serve with vegan sour cream. 

Don't Feed the Bear

Little Bear is having some food issues.  He can't have dairy or sugar.  Also, he is being tested for a gluten allergy.  Let the FUN begin on learning how to cook a new way for a 3 year old and the rest of the family!