Friday, September 28, 2012

Baking for Callum Review: Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix (Dairy, Soy, Corn, Peanut & Tree Nut Free)

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Mix is amazeballs. I've read tons of bad (and older) reviews of these brownies online and all I can figure is that recipe has been changed or they were left in too long. Even my picky husband agrees -- fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and only a hint of that gluten free taste.

The first time I made them I left them in a handful of minutes too long and made delicious little rocks. Remove them as soon as a toothpick comes out clean, not a minute longer. I substitute applesauce and Canola Oil for Vegetable Oil, each time a little less oil for a little more applesauce, and they are still so good that next time I will try ditching the oil altogether.

What you will need for brownies:
1 bag of TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix
1 egg
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and/or Canola Oil)
1/4 cup water

High Altitude: No directions provided. For my home, approximately 5,500 feet above sea level, bake time increased by 5 minutes.

Bon appétit!

Also included on the bag a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies I have not tried.

What you will need for cookies:
1 bag of TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup gluten free chocolate chips
1/3 cup raisins or craisins
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)


TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Mix Ingredients: Organic Evaporated Can Juice (Sugar), Sweet Brown Rice Flour, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Tapioca, Flour, Arrowroot Flour, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Baking for Callum Review: Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy Free)

My husband had refused to accept baked goods made from rice into his heart. (And couscous. He is really bothered by cous cous.)

That was until I made Kellogg's Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats.

"They taste the same!" my husband exclaimed with little boy delight. Uh, yeah. The nice people at Kellogg's tweaked and tweaked until the ingredients were simply three: brown rice, sugar, and salt!

The funny thing is I had never made Rice Krispie treats for my own family and probably never would have if it weren't for my search to find an easy little something sweet for Callum.

The recipe is on the box. Note: the box is yellow instead of blue. It took me like 3 stores to figure that one out in my sleep-deprived state, so you're welcome. I sub Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks for the fat. The best part is that all the ingredients needed (cereal, butter substitute, marshmallows*) have enough of a shelf life that they can be kept on hand for unplanned celebrations so our little guy is never left out. Of course they can be frozen for up to 6 weeks, too, if you don't eat them all. Ha, as if!

*Some marshmallow brands do contain gluten.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Cooking for Callum: Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers (Free of the Top 8 Food Allergens)

A mother can only cook two dinners a night for just so long! Our youngest, Callum, has multiple food allergies and a severe gluten intolerance. At 16 months, he'll still eat just about anything we put in front of him, as long as it doesn't try to kill him, and he hasn't seen it yet that week. (Callum's Cardinal Rule: No leftovers!) The other challenge in finding Callum-friendly fare is that it must pass the test of four other family members, including our very picky Olive, and have ingredients I can pronounce. My goal: omit basic allergenic foods without whack-a-doodle alternatives.

This recipe, my friends, passes all our tests!

Cooking Light's Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers

(Don't forget the gluten free chicken broth and soy free alternative to cooking spray.)


We pair it with Trader Joe's Frozen Brown Rice (3 minute microwave pouch is my bff) and French Green Beans. Maybe there's wine for mom, too.

While this recipe predates our little guy, it still has his name all over it. One night back in September of 2010 I made this, one of my absolute favorite quick and easy meals, and found it so repulsive that I dumped my share onto my husband's plate and proceeded to have ice cream for dinner. It was my husband's "What's up with you?" and the kids "No fair!" that prompted me to test for pregnancy the next morning. Hello, Callum!

Bon appétit!

Callum's Turkey Meatloaf (Dairy & Gluten Free)

A mother can only cook two dinners a night for just so long! Our youngest, Callum, has multiple food allergies and a severe gluten intolerance. At 16 months, he'll still eat just about anything we put in front of him, as long as it doesn't try to kill him, and he hasn't seen it yet that week. (Callum's Cardinal Rule: No leftovers!) The other challenge in finding Callum-friendly fare is that it must pass the test of four other family members, including our very picky Olive, and have ingredients I can pronounce. My goal: omit basic allergenic foods without whack-a-doodle alternatives.

This recipe, my friends, has passed all our tests and become a family favorite!


CALLUM'S TURKEY MEATLOAF
Dairy & Gluten Free

For a family of five with two growing boys, I usually make a double recipe. If we're lucky (and have enough sides) there may a measly slice or two left for my husband's lunch the next day.

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (we use Lea & Perrins which is gluten free)
1/3 cup fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth (clicky here for a list of gluten free brands)
4 tablespoons ketchup, divided
1-3/4 pounds ground turkey, 97% lean
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (I make ours from Udi's Gluten Free Soft & Hearty Whole Grain Bread)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onion. Stir for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute. Add Worcestershire sauce, broth, and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. Stir. Transfer to a large bowl and cool.

Once cooled, add basil and oregano. Stir. Add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, egg white, and remaining salt and pepper to mixture in bowl. Mix well.

Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with non-stick oil or soy free alternative. Mold turkey on foil into loaf form, and brush with remaining ketchup. Bake at 375 for one hour or until meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees. Allow meatloaf to stand 5 minutes before serving.


Another favorite ground turkey dish: Sloppy Joes!
Be sure to check ingredients on tomato paste, as some are not pure tomato and use wheat as a filler. (Walmart's Great Value brand, I'm looking at you!)

Wednesday night we'll be trying From Scratch to Plate's Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup. I'm so excited because it's the first creamy soup recipe I've found that doesn't use nuts as a thickener and looks like something everyone will enjoy. I love me some slimy mushrooms, so they'll be jumping into the pot, too, along with a bit more veggie. Just don't tell Olive!

Bon appétit!