Carefreeglutenfree - Carefree Gluten Free

Ingredients:

2/3 cups soymilk (You may use other types of milk instead.)

3 Tablespoons Ener-G (brand) Egg Replacer

2 cups of your favorite gluten free flour mix

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon xanthan gum

½ teaspoon salt

3/4 cup canola oil

¾ cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

½ cup orange marmalade

1/3 cup orange juice

3 cups grated carrots

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with shortening and a dusting of flour mix.  I use organic palm oil shortening to grease the pans and then shake in sifted flour blend, dumping excess flour once the pans are covered lightly. 

2. If you are using the Ener-G egg replacer and soy milk blend suggested above, prepare that now so it will have time to “bloom” into a sticky egg-like substance.  For this, I heat 2/3 cup soymilk in the microwave for about 22 seconds, then stir in the egg replacer.  Use a fork to whisk it so that no clumps are remaining.  Set aside to bloom!

3. Sift together the dry ingredients, including the cinnamon and xanthan gum.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine canola oil, white and brown sugars, marmalade, orange juice, and Egg Replacer and soy milk blend (or eggs, or flax meal if you so chose).  Mix for about 30 seconds.

5. Now, at a low mixer speed, add dry ingredients gradually in thirds.  Mix only until blended and smooth; then briefly blend in carrots.

6. Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.  A toothpick or metal skewer inserted in the middle of the cakes should come out clean to indicate doneness.

7. When baking is complete, cool cakes for at least 10 minutes in pans on a cooling rack then remove from pans to finish cooling.

8. Now, use your favorite icing to finish.  I make a vegan version of “cream cheese” icing.  (Recipe here.)  It’s delicious and looks great!  If you want to garnish the cake further, consider grating lemon and/or orange peel on the icing.

Taco Salad

{Pictured: "Taco Salad" by Moon Cookie Gallery}

This spicy taco salad is a quick and light meal that is full of flavor.

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. lean ground beef

1 3/4 cup beef broth (preferably low sodium)

2 cups brown rice

1/2 cup salsa

2 Tablespoons Gluten Free taco seasoning

4 cups shredded lettuce

1/2 cup shredded non-dairy cheddar or nacho cheese (optional)

1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, brown beef.  Drain and set aside.

2. In the same skillet, add beef broth.  Bring to a boil.  Add rice and cook according to package directions.

3. Once the rice is done, add to the meat.  Stir in the salsa and taco seasoning until the meat and rice mixture is well combined.

4. Place lettuce on the serving dish.  Top with crushed chips, rice mixture, and cheese.  Serve.

Eggplant Parmesan

1 large eggplant, cut into 1/4"-1/2" round slices

4 c. gluten free corn chex, crushed

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 egg

2 Tbsp. milk

2-3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/2 c. onion, chopped

28 oz. tomato sauce

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. marjoram

1/2 tsp. basil

2 c. shredded Mozarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix 1 egg and 2 Tbsp. milk.  Combine Italian seasoning and crushed Chex.  Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, then in Chex mixture.  Place on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.

3. In a small saucepan, heat olive oil, garlic, and onions until tender.  Add tomato sauce and spices.  In a 9x12" casserole dish, layer eggplant, sauce, and cheese.  Repeat. 

4. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sauce bubbles.  Serve.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Add some sweetness and vitamins into your breakfast or snack with this healthy and delicious gluten free, vegan baked bread. 

Ingredients:

2 cups Gluten Free all purpose flour 

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup Dairy Free chocolate chips

Egg Replacer equal to 1 egg

2 Tbsp melted Dairy Free butter

1 cup apple sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease a 9x5” loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine flour, sugar, xanthan gum, and salt in a large bowl.  Mix well.

In a medium bowl, mix egg replacer and baking soda together until well combined and foamy.  Add vanilla, melted butter, and apple sauce. Add to the flour mixture and stir until blended.

Add the zucchini and chocolate chips and carefully fold into the mixture.

Pour the batter into the bread pan.  Bake for 40-45 minutes.  Let cool.  Serve.

Easy Oatmeal

{Picture via weheartit.com}

Ingredients:

1/2 c. vanilla almond milk

1/2 c. gluten free quick-cooking oats

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and microwave for 2 minutes at 80% power.  Stir.  Top with your favorite fruit, nuts, peanut butter, jam, etc. if desired.

(May also cook over low-medium heat on stove top for 5 minutes.)

Yield: 1-2 servings

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first."

- Ernestine Ulmer

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped fine

2 cloves garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup green or red bell pepper, chopped

12 ounces patty pan, zucchini, or yellow summer squash, diced (about 2 medium squash)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon Ancho chile powder (or mild chili powder)

1/8 -1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (or to taste)

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, well rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

2 teaspoons lime juice

1 can enchilada sauce (or 10 ounces homemade sauce)

8 corn tortillas

chopped green onions, for serving

Directions:

Saute the onion in a medium-sized saucepan until it begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the bell pepper and squash and cook, stirring, for about two minutes, until squash is just beginning to become tender. Add the cumin, chile powders, black beans, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and lime juice. Check seasoning and adjust to taste.

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray one large rectangular baking dish or 4 individual baking dishes with olive oil. Place a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of each dish, reserving most of it to go on top. Microwave the tortillas for about 20 seconds to soften them. Place a tortilla in front of you and arrange about 1/4 cup of the bean mixture across the center. Roll up and place seam-side down into the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beans. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbling. Sprinkle with sliced green onions to serve.