A Gluten Free Gigi How: Grain Free Gluten Free (Oven Free!) Chocolate Covered Sunbutter Bites 05/08/2012
Free from: gluten, grain, dairy, eggs, soy, & nuts!
All May long, we’re going "against the grain" to gain insight into how simple grain free baking can be! Last week, we satisfied our munchies with my amazingly simple and delish Grain Free Gluten Free "Pot" Brownies. This week I have another sweet treat to share just in time for Mother's Day! My Chocolate Covered Grain Free Gluten Free (Oven Free!) Sunbutter Bites are special enough to fill a candy box tied up with a pretty bow for Mom to show her how much you care! In fact, this recipe is so incredibly easy and FUN to make, you'll want to keep it near the front of your recipe box to use any time you want to share a sweet gift from your kitchen. (We don't even need to turn on the oven for these!!) Of course, once you try one of these decadent little bites, you might just decide to double the recipe and make extras to nibble on for yourself (I know I do!). And that's a-OK because these decadent candy bites are free of the most common "Big 8" food allergens as well as gluten free and grain free!! That means nearly everyone can enjoy them! Now, let's get that recipe and get in the kitchen! 6 Comments 
Gluten Free Grain Free Brownies
Brace yourself for an action-packed, information-filled month here at GlutenFreeGigi.com! I don’t think we’ve ever had so much fresh, exciting, new, and useful content packed into only a few short weeks! Take a look what I’ve got in store for you... Be sure to mark these important dates on your calendar so you don’t miss a thing! Then we'll get to today’s stellar grain free recipe! (To learn more about grain free, don't miss the "A Side of Science" article I wrote discussing the topic here.) Beginning today, and all month long on Tuesdays, we’re going "against the grain" to gain insight into how simple grain free baking can be! Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking you can’t have your favorite foods if grains are off the menu! Overcomplicated recipes and long ingredients lists are not necessary when cooking grain free. We can enjoy all the foods we love - grain free! - using a few simple tips, tricks (and even some secrets!) I know. I’m going to share them with you this month... It's my May treat for you! May is also Celiac Awareness Month. Every Thursday in May my “A Side of Science” articles will focus directly on some aspect of Celiac disease (CD). My goal is to raise as much awareness as possible this month by providing science-backed, unbiased information about living with CD you can immediately use to enhance your wellness. In fact, I’d love it if you would join me in increasing CD awareness by sharing each “A Side of Science” post during the month of May on your Facebook page, via Twitter, or even on your own website if you have one. The more we spread the word, the more people we can educate about CD and living gluten free. That helps everyone, so let’s do it!!! Also, mark your calendar for Food Allergy Awareness Week May 13-19. Many of you, like me, live with multiple food allergies, so again, let’s work together to share information and ideas about food allergy awareness, especially during this week. Raising awareness is particularly critical for those of us with children on special diets due to a food allergy. I understand that because I live it every day in my own home with my own child. On May 23rd and 24th I am personally presenting, as part of my ongoing monthly webinars, unique information in a comprehensive discussion on children with food allergies that could literally save your child’s life! I’ll be sharing more details and registration information soon, but save those dates because this webinar is guaranteed to sell out early and it will not be offered again! Now... on to this week's recipe! I promised delish grain free dishes all May long and this first recipe will not disappoint. My Gluten Free Grain Free “Pot” Brownies take gluten free, grain fee eating to an all time high! Even if you aren't grain free, trust me, you will want to keep this recipe handy! It is simply that good. 
Strawberries - in season for spring - are the perfect partner for my Dairy Free Lemon Ice Cream!
Even though there's still a chill in the air, the sunny skies and warmer temps of spring can't help but bring chilled bowls filled with frozen treats to mind! Of course, I want a recipe that comes together in a snap with a few simple, affordable ingredients. I know you do, too! My dairy-free ice cream fits the bill, but that's not all... This recipe is versatile enough to become our warm weather "go to" dessert - no oven required! So, this week, I'm sharing with you my recipe for Dairy Free Lemon Ice Cream along with several variations I've made! And I have so many more in mind... The possibilities for this simple ice cream seem nearly endless, and that's precisely the idea! I'm excited for you to take this recipe, check out my variations, try one (or more!) of them, then make your own custom flavors of rich, creamy dairy-free ice cream to keep you cool all spring and summer long! 
To spring forward into March, I have a new dessert recipe for you... Gluten Free Sweet Potato Brownies. They're filled with nutrition and a (naturally) sweet surprise! Brownies are, by definition, chocolate, but I couldn’t resist making a chocolate-free version with antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes. They are my favorite wholesome, nutritious addition to gluten free baked goods. If you haven’t baked with them before, I encourage you to give it a try! Sweet potatoes can be used to replace up to half the fat called for in recipes like coffee cakes, traditional brownies, and muffins. They add a valuable nutrient boost, too! In this recipe, they are truly the star of the show! When adding sweet potatoes to my baked goods, I typically use cooked, mashed sweet potatoes. For my Gluten Free Sweet Potato Brownies, I discovered mashed sweet potatoes yield a very dense brownie. After a little experimenting, I found the key to these tasty brownies is using finely grated sweet potatoes. This gives the brownies just the right texture with fabulous sweet potato flavor! To enhance the natural sweetness of the potatoes is that sweet surprise I mentioned... Date sugar. Have you tried it!? Dairy Free Ice Cream 02/26/2012
Dairy Free Ice Cream 1 pint coconut milk creamer (in the coffee creamer section of your dairy case) 1 cup rice milk (or other milk of your choice) 1/2 cup honey (maple syrup or agave nectar would work) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (make it organic & make it certified GF) 3 Tablespoons of melted non-dairy soy-free buttery spread (I use Earth Balance) Now, I already know what you're thinking...buttery spread? In my ice cream? Well, yes. I realize that you could use canned coconut milk and make a nice ice cream, but canned coconut milk is incredibly high in fat. For an "everyday" ice cream, I like the richness Earth Balance imparts without all the fat of coconut milk. It adds just enough fat to give the ice cream a real ice cream texture and to prevent icy-ness in the finished product. Regarding using coconut milk creamer instead of coconut milk, I've had good results using the coconut milk creamer in recipes where I once used heavy cream (i.e., chowders, soups, scones). The creamer is non-fat, so I'm more in control of the fat content of the ice cream when I use it. Note: (1) if you haven't tried it, coconut milk creamer does NOT taste like coconut at all, and (2) the Earth Balance blends into the ice cream and is not noticeable in the finished product, nor does it impart any detectable flavor. To prepare the mixture, combine creamer, rice (or other) milk, honey (or other liquid sweetener), and vanilla in a large glass mixing bowl and whisk by hand until the honey is blended in. Melt the buttery spread just until melted, then drizzle it into the milk mixture as you whisk to blend. Pour this into your ice cream maker (I use a countertop model) and churn until frozen. Serve immediately, or scoop into a freezer safe container, seal, and store. 
~g~ Join me in the kitchen and try more of my gluten free recipes. Click here to see all of the recipes I have for you! Living gluten free tastes so good... you'll see! To receive every new gluten free recipe right in your inbox each week along with my latest “A Side of Science” articles like this one be sure to click here to SIGN UP for my FREE E-LETTER! Let's Connect! Do you have Comments about a specific post or recipe? Please share in the “comments” section below! Do you have Questions? Click here to check out my ALL NEW FAQs and you might just find your answer! If you don't find your answer in my FAQs, email me: mailbox (at) glutenfreegigi (dot) com. I’m always happy to hear from you, but need to ask for your understanding and patience when it comes to responding. I receive lots of email these days, which I love, but it can be challenging sometimes to respond to each one. I answer as many of your questions as possible in my How-To videos and posts so everyone can benefit. Keep watching my videos and website for my answer to YOUR question! Follow Along... On Twitter and "Like" me on Facebook! You can also check out my boards on Pinterest and find out what I’m posting on Google+! These are places I like to go have fun and share what’s going on in the Gluten Free Test Kitchen and in my HOME Kitchen! I love following you, too! Make sure you let me know you’re out there! Thanks for taking time to visit! Come back for my weekly recipe and how-to video posts on Tuesdays and useful "A Side of Science" articles on Thursdays. If you don't, I'll miss you! My mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to make gluten free living easy and accessible for everyone. I can help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence because I understand how challenging it can be! Click here to learn more about who I am and my gluten free story. I’m super-excited to have YOU here! The journey's fantastic when you're sharing it with folks who have things in common... I'm glad you're sharing the gluten free journey with me!! P.S. -- Click here to sign up for my free e-Letter so you don't miss a thing! Gluten Free Valentine's Day Treats! 02/13/2012
Some say LOVE is all you need...  CLICK IMAGE for Gluten Free Red Velvet Cake recipe I say gluten free CAKE is important, too! Try my Gluten Free Red Velvet Cake, or how about...  CLICK IMAGE for Gluten Free Coconut Cake Recipe this gorgeous Chocolate Glazed Gluten Free Coconut Cake?  CLICK IMAGE for Gluten Free Jelly Doughnut Muffins recipes Or maybe you'd rather have Gluten Free Jelly Doughnut Muffins! But let's not stop here... there's much, much more... 
Isn't it just beet-iful?! Naturally Gluten Free Beet Fluff
It's time we get to the heart of the matter when it comes to naturally gluten free beets. What better time than during the month of LOVE?! After all, I promised you a month filled with ways to love living gluten free! Beets wear the color of LOVE year-round, and you have to admit, it's one sexy shade of pink! If this rosy root isn't at the top of your grocery list, I understand. It's not always love at first sight... or at first bite. I'm not asking you to rush out and buy a bundle of beets, but I do want you to read on. What you discover might surprise you! In this month of loving, why not give beets a chance?  Whatever, Debbie! Gluten Free Gigi's Oatmeal Cream Extreme Pies I never really thought hers were very tasty. They were sweet, soft, chewy... almost gooey in the center. But they lacked chocolate. I always wondered about that Debbie, not wanting chocolate in her oatmeal cream pies. Didn't you??  Fudge-y filling spread onto each cookie before adding the marshmallow creme is essential! I've never missed those cellophane-wrapped cakes, but one evening Little Chef and I were in the kitchen (always!) chattering away (always!) about food. Our topic: Snacks from my childhood versus those she eats. How times have changed! You see, Little Chef doesn't really know Little Debbie all that well. Even before I went gluten free, Debbie was rarely invited to our house. So, in our kitchen chatter, I told Little Chef how, when I was a child, everyone seemed to have a cupboard full of boxes with that rosy-cheeked girl smiling out at you. I could tell she was imagining how delicious those sugar-y treats really are. You know, there is huge kid-appeal in the box alone, not to mention how attractive they make the cakes look with all that waxy "chocolate" and those funky shapes. I told her they really aren't that good. "But didn't you eat them when you were a kid?" she wasn't buying it. "Yes, but... I didn't really like them. They were just there," it was true. I told her if I had been Little Debbie, I'd make something extreme, something magnificent, something with chocolate that was brimming with so much sweet filling no cellophane wrapper could contain it! She turned on the oven and said, "I'll help you." A Side of Science: Love Living Gluten Free with A Reader Recipe Makeover ~ Gluten Free Cake! 02/02/2012
 Have your (gluten free) cake and eat it, too! My Little Chef made those candy hearts and shared some to accent my cake! Love! February. Hearts, flowers...LOVE! Don’t you feel it in the air?? I do! I’m sharing the love with YOU all month long with 4 more weeks of all-new heavenly gluten free recipes and information. I want to help you love and appreciate your gluten free lifestyle more each and every day! You know by now there’s more to special diets here at GlutenFreeGigi.com than simply omitting an offending food. Just as I did before eliminating gluten (and dairy, soy, and nuts) from my diet, I continue to take a "lifestyle" approach to health, focusing on nutrition as fundamental to long-term wellness. That doesn't mean there isn't room for favorite foods like cake! Foods we love need not be left behind, even on our healthy gluten free diet. Dairy Free Coconut Milk Whipped Topping 02/01/2012
You'll never miss the whipped topping on that piece of pie again!
Dairy Free Coconut Milk Whipped Topping 1 can full fat refrigerated coconut milk (I use Thai Kitchen) 1/3 cup powdered sugar (heaping; if you do not eat corn, Whole Foods carries their brand of powdered sugar that is corn free. It is made with tapioca starch instead.) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
3 simple ingredients are all it takes to make this creamy dairy free whipped topping!
Chill the unopened can of coconut milk in the fridge before you begin. I usually pop a can in the fridge when I buy it and leave it there until I'm ready to use it. If you don't do that, give it an hour or two to fully chill. It needs to be cold so the cream and liquid portions separate. When you open the can, the solid portion will be on top. That's the part you'll want to use. Scoop that into your blender. Gluten Free Gigi Tip! I find a blender works best for this recipe. I have made it in a standard blender and in my Blendtec, Red Hot Momma (click here to meet Red Hot Momma. She's cool!). I do not recommend using a food processor. I'm sure a VitaMix would work well based on my Blendtec results.  Chilled coconut cream from canned coconut milk. This is what your coconut milk will look like. It's pretty firm, don't be alarmed. Scoop all of the solid cream into your blender. Hang on to the liquid underneath. Gluten Free Gigi Tip!Don’t toss out that leftover liquid! You can add it to soups or curries, or use it as part of the cooking liquid for rice, quinoa, or other gluten free grains. It’s also a terrific addition to a smoothie! Next add the sugar and vanilla and blend on high to achieve a smooth, creamy mixture.  Rich, creamy dairy free whipped topping! As soon as your mixture looks like this, you're all done! It only takes a few minutes, start to finish! 
Enjoy in your favorite dessert!
Join me in the kitchen and try more of my gluten free (dairy free, soy free, and nut free, too!) recipes. Click here to see all of the recipes I have for you! Living gluten free tastes so good... you'll see! To receive every new gluten free recipe right in your inbox each week along with my latest “A Side of Science” articles be sure to click here to SIGN UP for my FREE E-LETTER! Let's Connect! Comments about a specific post or recipe? Share it in the “comments” section below! Questions? Click here to check out my ALL NEW FAQs and you might just find your answer! If not, email me: mailbox (at) glutenfreegigi (dot) com. I’m always happy to hear from you, but need to ask for your understanding and patience when it comes to responding. I receive lots of email these days, which I love, but it can be challenging sometimes to respond to each one. I answer as many of your questions as possible in my How-To videos and posts so everyone can benefit. Keep watching my videos and website for my answer to YOUR question! Follow Along... On Twitter and "Like" me on Facebook! You can also check out my boards on Pinterest and find out what I’m posting on Google+! These are places I like to go have fun and share what’s going on in the Gluten Free Test Kitchen and in my HOME Kitchen! I love following you, too! Make sure you let me know you’re out there! ~g~ Thanks for taking time to visit! Come back for my weekly recipe and how-to video posts on Tuesdays and useful "A Side of Science" articles on Thursdays. If you don't, I'll miss you! My mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to make gluten free living easy and accessible for everyone. I can help you navigate your gluten free life with ease and confidence because I understand how challenging it can be! Click here to learn more about who I am and my gluten free story. I’m super-excited to have YOU here! The journey doesn't seem nearly as long when you share it with folks you like... I'm glad you're sharing the gluten free journey with me! xo, Gluten Free Gigi P.S. -- Click here to sign up for my free e-Letter so you don't miss a thing! | 
 
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