GF Crazy Cake

This is almost identical to the other Crazy Cake recipe that I just posted.  However this recipe is egg free, dairy free, soy free AND wheat/gluten free.

1 c white rice flour
1/3 c potato starch
5 T and 1 tsp tapioca flour

3 T cocoa
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp white vinegar
5 T cooking oil
1 c cold water

Sift all dry ingredients into an 8 inch square greased pan. Make three depressions in four mixture and add vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the second and oil in the third. Pour cold water over all and stir thoroughly. DO NOT OVER MIX! Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Notes: This cake really needs to be mixed by hand. A hand mixer or a stand mixer over mixes the batter and kills the leavening process between the baking powder and vinegar.


Also, the dry ingredients really do need to be sifted. This distributes the baking powder evenly and without lumps. Baking powder lumps DO NOT dissolve during the baking process and taste icky if you bite into one.

Crazy Cake

This is an awesome cake!  This is the first cake that I learned to make.  It is from the Depression Era when money was tight and supplies were limited.   It does well for people who like chocolate but are unable to eat it due to medical or allergy restrictions since cocoa is used not chocolate.

1 1/2 c flour
3 T cocoa
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp white vinegar
5 T cooking oil
1 c cold water

Sift first five ingredients into an 8 inch square greased pan.  Make three depressions in four mixture and add vinegar in one depression, vanilla in the second and oil in the third.  Pour cold water over all and stir thoroughly.  DO NOT OVER MIX!  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Notes:  This cake really needs to be mixed by hand.  A hand mixer or a stand mixer over mixes the batter and kills the leavening process between the baking powder and vinegar. 

Also, the dry ingredients really do need to be sifted.  This distributes the baking powder evenly and without lumps.  Baking powder lumps DO NOT dissolve during the baking process and taste icky if you bite into one.

The next time I make this I am going to scoop the batter into cupcake papers.  Will let you know how it turns out.

Serving suggestions:  Growing up this was served with sliced strawberries and whipped cream or ice cream.

Nun's Puffs

My house smells so incredibly yummy right now with these baking in the oven!  I found these in our Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook Special Edition and had to try them.  I realize that they do NOT fit into an allergy free diet so I had to wait until I could make them and it was well worth it.  These are NOT for the faint of arm strength.  Making Nun's Puffs really works out your arm muscles!

1/2 c butter
1 c milk
3/4 c all purpose flour
4 eggs
1 T sugar
Dash of salt (optional)
Honey (optional)

Generously grease twelve 2 1/2 inch muffin cups, including the edge and around the top of each cup; set aside.

In a medium saucepan melt butter; add milk.  Bring to a boil.  Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon.  Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that does not separate.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for five minutes.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute with a wooden spoon after each addition or until smooth.

Divide dough evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling cups about 2/3 full.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Add a one grind of salt from a salt grinder per muffin if desired.

Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and puffy.  Remove from pan.  Serve immediately.  If desired, serve with honey.

Serving ideas:  Sprinkle with powdered sugar or a side of Nutella or fresh jam.  Another idea is to fill with a custard of some kind.

Tri-Color Couscous Salad

1 c tri-color couscous
1 1/2 c water
1 c grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 c feta cheese, goat or sheep are the best
1/3 c pine nuts
1 T chopped fresh chives
1 T chopped fresh parsley

Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add couscous.  Cover for five minutes.  Remove lid and fluff couscous.  Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool for five minutes.  In bowl toss couscous with remaining ingredients.  Chill.

Notes:  I used feta when making the salad this time BUT goat cheese, fresh mozzarella or cubed cheese of your choice would work as well.  Pine nuts are considered seeds not nuts but some folks react to the pine nuts after eating them.  Please exercise caution.

Chicken Saltimbocca

1/4 c fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 T fresh chopped chives
2 t olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t dried sage
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 slices gluten free smoked ham, cut in half
1/2 c gluten free chicken broth
1 c pasta sauce

Combine basil, chives, oil, garlic, oregano and sage in small bowl.  Lightly pound chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap with flat side of meat mallet to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness. Spread one quarter of herb mixture over each chicken breast.  Place ham slice over herb mixture; roll up to enclose filling.  Secure with toothpicks.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil to pan.  Heat oil for 30 seconds.  Cook chicken breasts, seam side up for two to three minutes or until browned.  Turn chicken and brown all other sides.  Add chicken broth; reduce heat to medium -low.  Cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken to cutting board, leaving liquid in the skillet.  Let chicken rest for five minutes.  Add pasta sauce to skillet; cook over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Remove toothpicks from chicken and slice crosswise into slices.  Serve chicken with pasta sauce on top.

Notes:  I did not have any dried sage when I made this.  I substituted some summer savory which worked fine.  Another option is to use Italian Seasoning.


I used some lunch meat ham that we bought from the deli counter.  It was not smoked but still very yummy.
To keep this recipe gluten free, serve with a side of spaghetti squash.  We served this with Tri-Color Couscous Salad

Joan's Broccoli Madness Salad

Sweet Tomatoes is one of our favorite restaurants to visit.  There is something for everyone there.  One of our favorite salads is the Joan's Broccoli Madness Salad.  Sweet Tomatoes actually posts this recipe on their website but to make it easier for everyone I have included it here along with the tweaks that I make for our family.

Serves 6-8.

Salad:
1 bunch uncooked broccoli*
½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
½ cup cashews
1/3 cup raisins
¼ cup chopped red onions

Dressing:

1 cup veganaise
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl.  In a second bowl, beat dressing ingredients together gently until smooth.  Toss the salad with the dressing approximately 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve on chilled salad dishes.

*The broccoli is a loose guideline: often people have to make it a few times before they get it just the way they like it.

For our family I actually make two salads. One with regular mayonnaise and the second with Vegenaise which is egg free and dairy free but not soy free.

Pink Lemonade

This is compliments of Dacia Grace.  She found this recipe in her Highlights, June 2009 and requested we make it.  Very easy and so good.  I plan on trying it with some San Pellagrino water instead of plain water one of these days.  Mmmmm!

1 c simple syrup
1 c lemon juice (6 lemons)
1 c cranberry juice
3 c water

Combine ingredients in pitcher and stir.  Chill and serve over ice.

Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar
1 cup water

In saucepan combine sugar and water.  Heat until a boil.  Boil for one minute.  Sugar will dissolve creating a clear syrup.  Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.  Can store in fridge in air tight container for 10 days.