Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Banana oatmeal nut muffins

gluten free banana oatmeal nut muffins
This is one of those recipes that you kinda make up when you're bored and procrastinating and need to use stuff up, like a packet of oatmeal and a really ripe banana.

Makes a hearty muffin that's just barely sweet. You might want to add another 1/4 to 1/2 c. sugar if you're feelin' a sweet muffin. The banana flavor is subtle because I only had one banana, so feel free to add another one and leave out the applesauce. You can't really tell there's oatmeal in there; it blends right in. It's got kind of a crunchy top and a soft middle. Perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or as a snack.

Banana Oatmeal Nut Muffins

1/2 c. brown rice flour
1/2 c. corn starch
1/2 c. sorghum flour
1/2 t. xanthan gum

1/8 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon

1 packet Gluten Freeda's Banana Maple Flax oatmeal, made according to package directions (or 1/3 c. cooked GF oatmeal. I like Gluten Free Oats)

1 egg, slightly beaten
1 T. olive oil
1 T. maple syrup
1 T. unsweetened applesauce
1 mashed, really ripe banana
1/2 t. vanilla

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Mix the dry ingredients together, then mix the wet ingredients together. Mix everything into a big bowl, then add the walnuts. Put into muffin tins either greased or lined with princess frog liners. (They don't show up in the picture but they're so CUTE!) Sprinkle a few oats on top just to make them pretty.

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the tops start to brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Makes 12 muffins.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Pamela's Peanut Butter Cookies

picture links to product info

This box of cookies came in a gluten free gift basket of goodies I got for Christmas. This is the first time I've tried Pamela's cookies. I usually make my own because they're so simple, but sometimes it is nice to have cookies without any waiting or dishes.

I was excited because peanut butter cookies are my favorite.
So how did I like them? To be honest, I didn't. Not at all.

I didn't like them for two main reasons.

1. They were chewy, but a little -too-chewy. The texture wasn't pleasing; something was a little off, like I was chewing on candy or something other than a cookie.

2. They didn't taste enough like peanut butter. It was more like a hint of peanut butter. I like my peanut butter cookies to have that rich peanut butter taste.

So, the extra-chewy texture combined with the so-so peanut butter flavor didn't really rock my socks. It may be that I'm just a picky peanut butter cookie person, but I wouldn't spend my money on them.

Does anyone disagree, or have any other Pamela's cookie products they recommend?

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Haiti & Celiac Teen

Lauren at Celiac Teen is gathering submissions for an e-cookbook which will be used to help Haiti.

"Send your favourite, most loved recipe that makes you feel at home with an email subject line of "Haiti Ebook" to mail (at) celiacteen (dot) com {replacing the (at) and (dot) with applicable characters!}. Please also include a picture! The recipe does not have to be gluten free. It can be a baked good, a meal, a breakfast, a treat, anything. Whatever it is though, make sure it makes you think of home. They lost theirs, so a comforting dish is the best way in my eyes!"

I think it's a great idea and it takes just a few minutes to send her an email with your submission.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Enjoy Life Granola- New and Improved

picture links to product information

The first time I tried this stuff, I was very fresh off the diagnosis train and thought it was horrible. Terrible. Worst cereal I'd ever tried. Clusters that were dry and strangely moist at the same time, with a terrible fake fruit and bitter taste. I threw it away with a sinking celiac heart.

Fast forward to a few days ago, when my mom saw a few gluten free things on sale and bought them just because they were on sale. This granola was part of that purchase, and I cringed when I saw the bag.

But, I decided to open it just for kicks. When I looked inside, I noticed that it looked different. So I tried some and oh my gosh, it was good! Nice and crispy like granola should be.

I don't know if the first box I tried was bad or what, but this granola is very much New and Improved. It's a completely different cereal and I really like it, especially on yogurt. The bag says there are pieces of freeze dried fruit, but they are not really noticeable. Either way, Yum.