Saturday, February 9, 2013

Gluten Free Dumplings


As a child, my mom made chicken and dumplings. Just saying those words brings back wonderful memories. Choosing to completely stay away from gluten has been good for me. I wanted to find a simple recipe for gluten free dumplings to put in my chicken soup. Well, this is it. I tweaked it a little and it turned out wonderful. In fact, my family really liked it too. Hoping you will enjoy this also.

Blessings,
Carol






Dumplings
(Makes about 12 dumplings)

2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend*
3 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives or other fresh herbs (optional)
2 tablespoonsoil
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk of choice
1 large egg, beaten



Make the dumpling batter by sifting together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add chopped chives or other fresh herbs. Add melted butter, milk and egg to the dry ingredients. Gently mix with a wooden spoon or fork until mixture is moist and comes together.  Do not overmix or dumplings will be too dense.


Drop dumpling batter into the simmering stew by heaping tablespoonfuls, over the surface of the stew. (Note that the dumplings will double in size as they cook.)  Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, about 15 minutes.   Do not uncover and peek while the dumplings are cooking.  In order for the dumplings to be light and fluffy, they must steam, not boil. Uncovering the pan releases the steam. If after 15 minutes they are still not cooked through (use a toothpick or skewer to test) cover pan again, and cook for another 5 minutes.


* If all-purpose flour blend contains salt, do not add additional salt.  If blend does not contain xanthan or guar gum, add 1 teaspoon gum to the dry ingredients.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Recipe for Gluten Free Doughnuts

I have had to go back to complete gluten free. The holidays did me in. Too much gluten where I was not feeling well after Christmas. So, I am back on track and tried an amazing doughnut  recipe. As my daughter says, "It's a keeper and amazing!" My husband and son loved them too. Hoping those of you out in Internet land who are gluten free, will love this as much as my family does.


Blessings, 
Carol


My gluten free flour mix is 5 cups brown rice flour, 2 cups white rice flour and 2 cups tapioca flour (all mixed together.)


Amazing Gluten-Free Buttermilk Donuts / Doughnuts
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted
5 cups gluten-free rice flour mix (see note)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1/2 cup sugar, set aside in a bowl
Directions:

1
Beat the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter in a large bowl with a whisk.
2
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Fold slowly into the wet ingredients, mixing by hand with a wooden spoon. When the ingredients are mostly combined, use your hands to knead a few times to make sure the ingredients are fully incorporated.
3
Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Sprinkle extra rice flour mix on your countertop or a large cutting board. Roll out dough to between 1/3 and 1/2 inch thick. If dough is sticky, work in more rice flour blend.
4
Heat 2-3 inches of canola oil in the bottom of a pot until very hot (375 degrees F).
5
Cut dough with doughnut cutter OR use a glass, biscuit cutter or jar with approximately 3-inch diameter to cut disks out of the dough and use the cap of the oil bottle to cut out the center hole.
6
Remaining dough scraps can be rolled into balls ("donut holes") and fried.
7
Carefully drop each doughnut in hot oil with fingers, being cautious not to splash oil. Cook until golden brown on both sides (just a few minutes). You will need to cook just a few at a time, but the cooking doesn't take long at all so this goes quickly.
8
Remove donuts from oil with a slotted spoon or spatula, and place on a plate lined with two layers of paper towel or brown paper to absorb oil. While still warm, roll each donut in the bowl of sugar to coat fully. Alternately, you may omit this step and apply a glaze at this time.
9
Serve while warm.


















Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry CHRISTmas

May Christmas this year be wonderful for you and your family. Jesus is The Reason for the Season.

Blessings, 
Carol and Family

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas

Christmas Day is less than one week away and our family has been busy. Making some real cute felt ornaments and I am unable to currently post. I broke my camera several weeks ago. Hoping to get a new camera by the first of the New Year.

Praying that God is the focus of this Christmas season. Remember He is the Reason for the Season!!!

Merry Christmas,
Carol

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Joyful December Everyone!!

In my life there are so many things, people and events to be joyful and thankful about. On November 14th the Lord took my mother to be with him in heaven. Yes, it has been a tough couple of weeks but God gave me some good moments in between. 1) My mom made sure I received her first bible that she received in 1948 from her grandmother. 2) Thanksgiving day was filled with wonderful old friends and a new one we got to know better. 3) We decorated our entire home the day after Thanksgiving with our beautiful Christmas decorations. 4) I have precious friends who checked in on me and have prayed for my family during my mother's funeral. 5) God has blessed me with homeschooling my children.

Matthew 5:1-20 give me such great hope and comfort in this world filled with many troubles and trials. Personally it's not fun but, I would not want it any other way. My God uses these moments to refine me more into his image, as time goes by.

May God give you peace and comfort if you are in the midst of many hardships this day.

Blessings,
Carol

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Project for today

Today my kids and I made corn husk dolls. They were alot of fun to make. I found the directions online and then we changed it up a little. I will try to take a photo later then add to this post. Fun project to celebrate the upoming Holiday.

Have a great day.

Blessings,
Carol

Monday, November 12, 2012

Thanksgiving is so much fun for our family

Our family is a non traditional feast family. In the past we have had the following foods; Mexican, Thai, BBQ and some others. This year our feast shall consist of Greek food. We are very excited to try some of the new recipes I found on line. Greek seasoned chickens, Greek salad, Baklava  Greek spice cake, oven roasted potatoes with green beans, and Gluten Free crescent rolls. It all sounds so good that I am getting hungry just writing this.

For our place cards I found a really cute printable project that has squirrels standing on a log. Here is the link to the pdf fild. Just click here. It has been fun putting these together. Find something online to create some super festive decorations. Make them out of items you have at home. That's exactly what I did.

Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Carol