Cupcakes

I've made 3 batches of cupcakes so far.

This adaptation of the Chocolate Torte from Betty Crocker is the best so far.
Heat oven 325, line cupcakes set aside

Melt:

a stick of butter and 6 oz chocolate chips.
Separate:

4 eggs
Stir into chocolate:
1/2 c GF flour (I used BRM All Purpose and 1/2 t x gum)
egg yolks

Beat egg whites til foamy.

Beat in 1/2 c sugar a spoonful at a time.

Fold chocolate mixture.
Bake about 12 minutes until done.

Yum

Easy fun treat

This is a go to GF dessert- it's cheap, easy, healthier than ice cream and fancy in these cute dessert cups.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Bars

I'm running a half marathon with my sister in May. We've built our mileage to 6.5 tomorrow. We need good GF energy treats. So I made this. I substituted half of the sugar for honey and used chopped 85% dark Lindt bars for the chips. I also threw in a handful of craisin and slivered almonds. Then I cut them into small bars and wrapped them individually for running snacks.

The whole family loves them.

two week report.

We've been trying the gluten free diet for two weeks. I can see that my girl is much less swollen. Her face is not as round, nor her stomach. She's even lost a few pounds and her pants are fitting better.

Her omega 3-6-9 has arrived and we are taking that along with a multivitamin supplement.

She has been doing better at speech therapy and in real life she has had a few growths that give me hope the gluten free (much healthier b/c all junk food has gluten) diet is helping.

At school, she went up to her teacher and said, "I need water."
At speech she said to the therapist, "I want you push me," when they were playing on the playground.

Both reports were that she said things clear as day.

a glimmer of hope...

Dining out gluten free

So many things to think about when eating out. Fat, calories, portions and now gluten.

This site is super cool. It shows you how to find the GF information for the restaurants that you want to eat. Chipolte has a chart (everything is GF except flour tortillas), Chili's has a new printable GF menu every other week on their website. Pretty cool resource.

The science of GF cooking

I love the library! I've been reading about gluten free cooking. The best book so far, in terms of explaining the best replacements for wheat flours is this book. Bake Deliciously by Jean Duane.

She explains that to transfer a recipe to a GF one the cook needs to replace
50% of the flour with a grain based flour (like rice,)
25% of the flour with a protein flour (like almond), and
25% starch (corn starch or potato.)
She explains that the baker must also use 25-50% more leavening,
and a teaspoon of acid (vinegar or cocoa powder)
and a 1 of gums (guar gum or xanthan gum.)

So far I'm only working with protein based flours, coconut, almond and flax. I will try other flours eventually.

I'm working on the fococcia bread recipe I posted.

I think adding pumpkin for some of the oil will really help the overall texture of the bread. also if a savory bread is desired, I think that adding olive oil and crushed garlic to the top of the bread during the last 5 minutes of cooking would be delicious.

The flexible gyro bread I made this weekend has been a big hit for sandwiches. Sierra ate it without hesitation right out of her lunch box. She'll have it as her bun for her turkey burger tonight. :)

Weekend Plan

I will make some bread this weekend. For grain, my girl has had rice noodles, brown rice, potatoes and rice cereal this week. I thought some variety for next week would be nice.

This is what I'll bake:
Gyro type of bread
Flax Focaccia

On a side note, I'm adding these breads to my diet next week as well!!! :) I'm starting the next phase of my diet plan! I am excited to have more variety starting Monday.

It is nice that we can all eat the same things because I'm not making two kinds. My man and my boy will benefit too from less gluten! :) Less carbs for my man and more nutrients for my skinny boy!