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. 
How about a 2-ingredient gluten free recipe so scrumptious you won't be able to resist?! What if I told you it's super-simple to make and GOOD FOR YOU, too? Sounds too good to be true, but I assure you, it's not. My Gluten Free Avocado Fries have all this and more!  Legend has it fairies place pots of gold at the end of rainbows. Leprechauns are said to guard the pots. Capture the leprechaun, and the treasure belongs to you! Of course, if you don’t have time this St. Patrick’s Day to chase after mischievous leprechauns, you can make your own rainbow and pot of gold. It’s simple, affordable, and even if it’s not the “real thing”, rainbows are magical. That's especially true when they are made of an array of naturally gluten free, nutrient-rich veggies! No less dazzling is my savory Pot O' Gold Dip! This blend of roasted butternut squash and seasonings makes a terrific dip for raw or steamed vegetables. Everyone will feel lucky when you serve this eye-catching display, on St. Patrick’s Day, or any day of the year! 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! 
Pretty in Pink Gluten Free Granola ~ Easy, affordable, healthy, and delish!
Will you be my Valentine? I made granola for you. Not just any old granola, either. For you, only the very best gluten free healthy granola. Except, it doesn’t taste healthy. It tastes like guilty granola. It’s magic...sort of. 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...  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." 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! 
Gluten Free Magic 7-Layer Bars say "home" for the holidays!
Home For the Holidays ~ Gluten Free Style Welcome to this fantastic event, hosted by Shirley at gfe—gluten free easily! Shirley has gathered 25 gluten free foodies together to share favorite recipes that say “Home for the Holidays”. What fun, and what an honor to be part of this talented group! Thanks to Shirley, there are daily giveaways, too! There are nearly 100 prizes you can enter to win! Could it get more exciting?! YES! Each time you enter a giveaway on any individual site, you become eligible for the final prizes! Fabulous Final Prizes Grand prize: A top-of-the-line Vitamix blender! 2nd Prize: $150 Shopping Spree at Free From Gluten! 3rd Prize: A Giveaway Package from Caveman Cookies valued at $89! There are also three awesome prizes you can enter to win below. You’ll find those, along with ways to enter and more exciting giveaway details, after my recipe! First, I want to share some holiday MAGIC with you! | 
 
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 Creating Clarity & Balance for Parents ~
Visit Debi, an Autism Specialist, offering a transformational system for children with ASD.  Give the most UNIQUE and HEALTHY holiday gift anywhere... Avocados! My friends at California Avocados Direct simply have THE BEST! !  Visit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness by clicking here!archivesMay 2012 categoriesAll  |
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