gluten free Archives - Page 25 of 30

Cranberry Chocolate Truffles (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-free)

December 18, 2013 By Becky Leave a Comment

I promise that after today’s post we will take a *short* break from all the cranberries.

Did you make a batch of cranberry maple syrup and cran-maple compote yet? You’re going to need it for these amazing cranberry chocolate truffles!

The inside of these candies is a beautiful dark pink color thanks to the cranberry maple syrup, and has just a hint of cocoa powder. The truffles are dipped in dark chocolate to make their snappy outer shell, and then sprinkled with shredded coconut or chopped pecans just before the coating has time to set. They may be the most festive thing I’ve ever made, other than this tart. They are great for gifting. I love the way the tart cranberry filling tastes with the rich dark chocolate, and I bet you and your lucky giftees will, too.

I think I just made up a word. It’s probably time to for me to stop and just get on with the recipe.

One more thing: these are adorable packaged in an egg carton. Wrap that all up and see how befuddled people are when they open it and think you’re giving them a carton of eggs for Christmas.

Cranberry Maple Syrup & Cran-Maple Compote (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-free)

December 14, 2013 By Becky 1 Comment

You heard it here: cranberry is the new pumpkin! I am pretty much ready to put these little red super-berries in everything I make from now until Christmas. I love the depth the tart flavor of cranberries adds to desserts, and they’re great in savory dishes, too.

This recipe is so easy–just two ingredients, and you end up with two delicious and giftable condiments. The cranberry maple syrup would be great on pancakes, but I’m also thinking about incorporating it into a festive cocktail. I’ve already used it as the base for another dessert (involving chocolate) that would make a great gift, so stay tuned! If you want to be really prepared, make a batch of this now and just stash it in your fridge. I promise you won’t be sorry you did!

The cranberry compote is also delicious, and less sweet than the syrup for those of you who don’t want to get a toothache. I used some to make a parfait with yogurt and pecans this morning, and it was amazing. (Holiday parfait–it’s a thing! A delicious thing that rhymes!) You could also spread the compote on toast or even serve it with pork chops.

I had so much fun watching and listening to the cranberries pop while I was making this recipe. It’s more subtle than popcorn, but still great. I tried to make a video of it to post on Instagram, but it turns out I don’t know how to do that. Anyway, it made me think of the song “Get It Poppin’” (warning: explicit lyrics) from ten years ago–it’s a completely ridiculous Fat Joe song where he asks the ladies what they’re gon’ do, and they say “I’ma get-get-get it poppin!” over and over again. So, yes … that song has been stuck in my head since I made this. Still totally worth it, though!

Cranberry Orange Tart (Paleo, Gluten-free, Dairy-free)

December 9, 2013 By Becky 5 Comments

I had this bag of cranberries left over from Thanksgiving that was begging to be used up, and it had been far too long since I’d made any kind of a curd. I came up with an idea: a cranberry orange tart that would give me the chance to use up my cranberries, make a curd, and finally do something with my tart pan.
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Baked Eggs in Squash Rings (Paleo, Gluten-free)

December 7, 2013 By Becky 14 Comments

These baked eggs in squash rings make a healthy and simple breakfast that’s also elegant and delicious. They’re paleo and Whole 30-compliant! (New photo added August 2019, but I’ve left the old ones for posterity!)

There is a lot going on right now! I have three final exams next week, holiday parties are starting to pop up everywhere, and I’ve decided to put together a little e-cookbook for my email subscribers (click here to subscribe to make sure you get it as soon as it comes out!). Don’t ask me why I started a new project right before finals week–I just couldn’t help myself. Once I think of a fun idea, I need to get started as soon as possible.

With so much happening, it’s important to start the day off with a good, healthy breakfast. This one is elegant enough for a weekend brunch, but simple enough to make any day of the week.

Caldo Tlalpeño

December 2, 2013 By Becky 4 Comments

When I lived in Houston, I loved to stop at El Rey Taquería for a big bowl of their tortilla soup, which was packed with chicken, shredded cheese, corn, avocado, and crispy tortilla strips, and also called caldo tlalpeño. The restaurant is open until 3 am on the weekends, and has a drive-through. I miss living the easy life in H-town, with all the drive-throughs, cheap prices, and delicious Mexican food! I decided it was time to make my own caldo tlalpeño up here in the frosty north.

A little research revealed that caldo tlalpeño and tortilla soup are not really the same thing. Tortilla soup usually has tortilla strips in it (shocking, right?), and caldo tlalpeño often has chickpeas and other vegetables like chayote. This is my version of the soup, which combines the best of both worlds. If you can’t find chayote (I found mine at the Vietnamese market), you can use zucchini instead or leave it out.

Salted Pepita Chocolate Bark (Great Gift Idea!)

November 23, 2013 By Becky 2 Comments

Here’s another post with an easy idea for a great gift: salted pepita chocolate bark. I brought little baggies of this to work last week, and everybody loved them. My coworkers were convinced that I bought the bark somewhere fancy. No one needs to know that this gourmet treat takes only minutes to make! I wrapped mine up in little cellophane treat bags, but you could also pack a bunch up in a nice holiday tin for a more sizeable gift.

If you missed my first post in the great gift ideas series, check it out. When you’re done making vanilla salt, come back here to read about the bark. See you in five minutes!

Done? If not, you can substitute any coarse or flaky sea salt here, but the vanilla salt really takes this over the top. The pepitas provide a nice crunch and a pop of color, and the combination of vanilla bean, salt, and dark chocolate is absolutely amazing.

I like to make this right before bed, then leave it out to harden while I sleep. When I wake up in the morning, it’s ready to break into pieces. Because of this routine, Ben calls this “breakfast chocolate”. I can assure you, however, that it’s delicious any time of day. I’m planning on making some more so I can put out a big bowl of it on Thanksgiving, for those of us who like to nibble on something sweet while waiting for the turkey. Enjoy!

Homemade Vanilla Sugar & Vanilla Salt (Great Gift Idea!)

November 22, 2013 By Becky 2 Comments

Do you agree with me and the Barenaked Ladies that vanilla is the finest of the flavors? If you do, and/or if you remember that song, you should definitely make some vanilla-infused gifts this holiday season.

Vanilla sugar can be used anywhere you would use granulated sugar, but it’s especially wonderful as a finishing sugar, sprinkled on top of cakes, cupcakes, creme brulee, homemade caramels, or ice cream. You can also put it in your coffee or tea for a delicious touch of creamy sweetness. Are you sold on vanilla sugar yet? If not, I’m not sure what to do with you! You can even make it with coconut sugar for a paleo-friendly vanilla treat. You know you want to!

If you love sweet and salty flavors together, you will love this vanilla sea salt. I made mine with Celtic gray coarse sea salt, and it’s strikingly beautiful, fragrant, and complex. You can sprinkle it on top of any dessert that needs a salty finish (like these cupcakes or these bars), or even try adding it to savory dishes. I used a bunch in a batch of chocolate bark I made last night, and it was amazing (recipe coming soon)! Once you make this, you’ll realize that salt and vanilla are meant to be together. You’ll start wishing all your vanilla were salted, and all your salt vanilla-ed.

I made a bunch of little jars of vanilla sugar to give out as favors to all my friends and family who are coming for Thanksgiving. I love the idea of giving guests something delicious that they can take home and use for a long time. Both of these would also make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and wedding favors. The best part is that they only take about five minutes to make!

Quick Curried Pumpkin Soup

November 18, 2013 By Becky 1 Comment

I’m on a really big soup kick right now. It’s so comforting to sit down with a bowl of soup on a chilly fall day, especially a soup that’s both kinds of hot: warm and a little spicy. The only problem with soup is that it sometimes takes a while to make. Not this one, though. You can have this soup on the table in less than 15 minutes! It’s a deliciously creamy, warmly spiced fall soup that has a depth of flavor not usually achieved in super fast recipes. If you have a well-stocked pantry, you can whip up this soup at a moment’s notice. It’s great for lunch when paired with a big salad, and would also make a great Thanksgiving starter!

I used homemade chicken stock made from a rotisserie chicken for this soup. It was my first time making chicken stock, and I’m so glad I took the time to do it! It made the whole house smell wonderful, and I felt like I was being really frugal. I froze some of the stock in an ice cube tray, so now I have a bag of homemade stock cubes to use to make sauces and other recipes. This recipe will also work with store-bought stock, though–the real flavor star here is the curry paste.

To make the soup vegan or vegetarian, just omit the fish sauce or use a splash of coconut aminos instead. The soup will still be nice and flavorful with just the curry paste, stock, and pumpkin. You can even omit the sunbutter or almond butter if you’re out, but it adds a nice richness to the soup.

Paleo Flour Blend Recipe

November 15, 2013 By Becky 114 Comments

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Paleo Flour Blend | acalculatedwhisk.com

This easy-to-make paleo flour blend works beautifully as a cup-for-cup replacement for all-purpose flour in many dessert recipes!

Are you as addicted to baking as I am? Are you also, like me, trying to eat healthier food without spending all day and night in the kitchen? This paleo flour blend is for you. When you bake grain-free, you can make delicious treats without all the guilt and gluten.

When I stay gluten-free, I have more energy and fewer tummy problems. Even if you’re not technically gluten-intolerant, you may still feel better without it! I also bet your hips will thank you.

To save time in the kitchen, this flour blend creates a one-stop-shop for gluten-free baking: you measure once and get the benefits of three grain-free flours in precise balance with each other. If you haven’t tried baking without grains yet, whip up a batch of this flour blend! Then start experimenting, and see who you can fool. I bet you’ll be hearing, “I can’t believe this is gluten-free!” in no time.

I like to make my baked goods with a combination of almond flour, tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour), and coconut flour. The almond flour lends flavor and richness, the tapioca starch adds lightness and helps with browning, and the coconut flour helps achieve a cake-like texture.

I’ve been experimenting with the best ratio for these three flours, and have settled upon 3:2:1–three parts almond flour, 2 parts tapioca starch, and 1 part coconut flour.

Once you have the right quantities, the next step is to sift the three flours together to make a blend, so that you only need to measure my flour once to make a recipe. You can of course make any amount of this flour blend by following the 3:2:1 ratio; the recipe below will make about four cups.

You can start by using this flour blend in these molten chocolate cakes (pictured above)–just use 6 tablespoons of the blend instead of the smaller quantities of each type of flour. Next you can use it in these Mexican brownies!

I’m experimenting with substituting this flour blend cup-for-cup for all-purpose flour in regular recipes, and will update this post to reflect which recipes I’ve had success with. I can’t guarantee that this will be an effective flour substitute in every case, but it’s a great place to start. If this blend works for you with a particular recipe, leave a comment with a link below so others can try it, too!

Update: I used this blend instead of all-purpose flour in this blondie recipe from Smitten Kitchen with great results! I also used coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, but other than that I followed the recipe exactly.

Note: I haven’t tested substitutions for this recipe, but some readers have, so try searching the comments if you have a question!

If you enjoyed this flour blend, come join me on Instagram to stay in the loop as I develop new recipes!
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Molten Chocolate Cakes (Paleo, Gluten-free)

November 14, 2013 By Becky 10 Comments

These molten chocolate cakes are ridiculous! They are rich, adorable, and delicious. They’re the kind of dessert that seems so fancy that it doesn’t occur to you to make it at home. Guess what, though? These little cakes are super easy. Spend 15 minutes or less throwing the ingredients together and 15 minutes waiting for them to bake, and you’ll have four perfectly-portioned, restaurant-style desserts. Can you think of a better way to spend half an hour on a dark, cold evening? I know I can’t.

My favorite part about these is all the different layers of chocolatey textures. The outer edges are crispy, and right next to that is a layer that goes from chocolate cake to gooey brownie as you move toward the center. Finally, there’s the lava–the decadent heart that gives this dessert its name. To be honest, it’s all almost too much. ALMOST. I recommend serving these with a little whipped cream or ice cream to balance out the rich chocolate flavor. I had mine with some vegan pumpkin ice cream, and it was perfect.

These cakes are adapted from Taza Chocolate, and inspired by my visit to Taza’s Day of the Dead celebration a few weeks ago. I also used my new favorite Rodelle extracts in this recipe. If you don’t have chocolate extract, don’t worry–your cakes will still be very chocolatey without it. That being said, you should probably pick some up. It’s really fun to have on hand.

I used a tablespoon of Jamaican rum in this recipe. You could also try red wine, which is what the original recipe calls for. Since the center of the cake is not fully cooked, some alcohol might remain after baking. If that’s not your thing, you can use a tablespoon of coffee instead, which will also intensify the chocolate flavor.

I substituted my three favorite gluten-free flours (almond, tapioca, and coconut) for the all-purpose flour in this recipe, and the resulting cakes tasted pretty much exactly like their gluten-laden cousins to me. This is an ideal recipe to make gluten-free since it calls for such a small amount of flour relative to the total quantity of ingredients. That means that if you’ve been wanting to try gluten-free baking but have been worried your desserts would turn out funny, this is a great place to start! Try serving it to some unsuspecting guests, and I bet they won’t notice a thing.

Mashed Rutabaga and Squash with Roasted Garlic (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-free)

November 12, 2013 By Becky 2 Comments

Mashed Rutabaga & Squash with Roasted Garlic (Paleo, Vegan) | acalculatedwhisk.com

Mashed rutabaga and squash with roasted garlic is a paleo and vegan side dish that’s comforting and packed with flavor.

Have you ever tried rutabagas? They’re also called yellow turnips, and they make an amazing low-carb replacement for mashed potatoes. I was initially inspired to try them after seeing Ina Garten’s recipe for mashed rutabaga with crispy shallots, and I like to serve them with bacon-wrapped shrimp. I once asked Ben what his favorite dish that I’d ever made was, and he told me he’s always happy when I make mashed rutabaga.

Since I’m working on Thanksgiving sides this week, I wanted to put a fall spin on things. Here I’ve added winter squash, as well as a generous amount of roasted garlic. The combination of mashed rutabaga and squash is fabulous.

Don’t be scared by the fact that this recipe calls for a whole head of garlic–once the cloves are roasted, they’re soft, mellow, and almost nutty. If you haven’t roasted garlic before, you have to try it. It’s really nothing like its pungent, raw self. If you need more reasons to try it, consider this: garlic has lots of antioxidants, and you won’t have to worry about running into any vampires.

Caramelized Shallots (Paleo, Gluten-free, Vegetarian)

November 10, 2013 By Becky 2 Comments

Ben and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year! My mom is coming, and so are several of my friends from school whose families are too far to visit during our short break. I have never hosted Thanksgiving before, and I’m a little nervous! Ben is going to make the turkey, which I guess is the hardest part, but I’ll still have lots of work to do making appetizers, sides, and dessert.

I tested two Thanksgiving sides today–these caramelized shallots, and a roasted garlic, squash, & rutabaga puree (coming soon). They were both delicious! I served them alongside these pork chops from Simply Recipes, and it was the best lunch I’ve had in a long time.

I’ve been wanting to make these shallots ever since I first got my hands on Barefoot in Paris (I am a huge Ina Garten fan!). They are amazing–sweet, tangy, salty, buttery, and beautiful! I made a couple of changes to make the recipe paleo and reduce the fat a bit. Ina also recommends leaving the roots attached to the shallots, but I trimmed mine before cooking because I wanted to be able to eat them without cutting anything off. You could try leaving them on if you like–it does make for an elegant presentation.