Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook BIG GIVEAWAY!


Over the past two months I've shamelessly begged & pleaded for you, my dear readers, to help me spread the word about my new book, my blog, and my facebook page. And you did. You shared with friends & family, you left kind and uplifting comments on my facebook page and I'm incredibly grateful! We've reached over 3,000 likes on facebook and that was the magic number I was hoping for in time for the book release! The book (while still not officially released) has been flying off the virtual Amazon shelves and has received very positive reviews thus far! And now it's time to share with you!!

This week I'm giving away FIVE brand new, signed copies of my book and TWO of those winners will receive a brand new 4-quart Rival Crock Pot brand slow cooker (purchased by ME and sent to you!! The winner can choose black or red!)  This was the slow cooker that I used for MOST of the recipes in the cookbook and I think it's the perfect size for mid-range slow cooking!

Using the 4-quart slow cooker to make pumpkin bread

Want to win a copy of the book and a new slow cooker? Here's the nitty gritty:

THE CONTEST IS NOW OVER! Congrats to our winners:  
  1. Sarah
  2. Jill H. 
  3. Abigail H. 
  4. Anna
  5. Denise W. 

The Giveaway
  • I am giving away FIVE copies of my new book to FIVE of my lucky readers. TWO of these readers will also receive a brand new 4-quart slow cooker. 
  • This giveaway is limited to residents of the 48 contiguous United States aged 18 and older.
  • One entry per person.
  • Enter by leaving a comment on this post AND please include a way for me to contact you -- Your email address preferably.
  • The giveaway begins October 4, 2012 and ends on October 10, 2012  at 11:00 pm eastern time.
  • No purchase is necessary.  Odds of winning are based on the number of entries.  
  • The winners will be randomly chosen and will be contacted by email.  The winners will have 24 hours to respond.  If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Disclaimer:  The new cookbooks and slow cookers to be given away in this drawing were purchased solely by myself and not provided by the publishers or companies listed. 

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Monday, October 1, 2012

This Week's Menu -- Learning to Cook Fish


Heather of Celiac Family chose 'Fish' as the theme for this week's gluten-free menu swap and the timing couldn't be better. Several weeks ago I went to a gluten-free potluck and the host of the meal made fish. It dawned on me that I very, very rarely ever made fish at home... and I wasn't sure why, because I love fish!

Michael isn't as big a fan as I am... but in the past few weeks I've been including more fish in our diet. I'm learning how to use it and cook it. Fish (in my experience) can be a tricky thing to cook. And I think that's why we haven't eaten it more often. I've made quite a few "bad" fish meals in my time...

So a few buying tips I've learned in the past few weeks... that at least work for us:
  • If buying fresh fish, buy it the day you plan to use it -- don't let it sit in the fridge for days, it will become "fishy." 
  • If the fish is fresh it doesn't smell like "fish" -- it will have a slightly salty scent and even smell like the ocean.
  • If using frozen fish -- defrost in the refrigerator overnight and use immediately -- the longer it sits, the more "fishy" it will become. 
  • So the basic key to using fish -- fresh, fresh, fresh!! Don't let fish wait in the fridge for days whether fresh or frozen. 
If you're new to eating fish (or feeding those "new" to eating fish), start with "white" fish varieties that don't have a strong flavor like cod, whiting, tilapia, or flounder. 

An Easy Fish Recipe: 
A good place to start with fish? Bake them. Place fresh fish fillets on a greased cookie sheet with edges (to catch liquids). Sprinkle fish with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Add a few sprigs of dill and lemon slices on each piece of fish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-16 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately with steamed broccoli or a salad. 

This Week's Menu: 
  • Monday -- Breakfast for dinner: yellow grits, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon
  • Tuesday -- Turkey barbecue with homemade coleslaw and baked beans
  • Wednesday -- Baked whiting fish with steamed broccoli and brown rice. 
  • Thursday -- Leftovers or out to eat
  • Friday -- Traveling
  • Saturday -- Pan-grilled steaks with baked sweet potatoes and garlicky sauteed zucchini
  • Sunday -- Slow cooker roast chicken with lemon green beans & steamed carrots

Check out more gluten-free menus at Celiac Family's Gluten-Free Menu Swap
Check out hundreds of menus of all sorts at OrgJunkie.com.

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Monday, September 24, 2012

This Week's Menu -- Pantry Slow Cooking


Pantry week! Simple foods, tons of slow cooked recipes, that's what on the menu this week!

This Week's Menu: 

  • Sunday -- Kale and Bacon Quiche -- we tried this recipe and it was delicious! We may have added lots more bacon than called for. 
  • Monday -- Chicken & Rice Soup (from the cookbook
  • Tuesday -- Slow Cooker Cube Steak with sweet potatoes and green beans
  • Wednesday -- Chicken Paprikash (from the cookbook) with sauteed kale and carrots
  • Thursday -- sandwich night or out to eat (errands night!) 
  • Friday -- Homemade Pizza or Ground Beef Taco Salads
  • Saturday -- Beef Roast or a Roast Chicken (definitely putting the slow cooker to good use!) with mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed broccoli
If I have time... 
  • I've been wanting for weeks to make this green soup again... it's comforting and warm and just a great fall soup using fresh greens. 
  • Soup, soup, soup... maybe it's because I've been feeling off this week... I would love to make a batch of Congee (A simple rice porridge) -- which can also be found in the new cookbook! Meanwhile you can make Gluten Free Gobsmacked's recipe
  • Debating on a few recipes to try from three cookbooks I'm reviewing in the next few weeks (possible giveaways! hint!!) I'm having such a hard time figuring out what I want to make! The cookbooks? Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen's Nourishing Meals, Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook, and Tammy Credicott's Paleo Indulgences! Have you tried recipes from any of these?? Let me know!
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Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe


Gluten-free pumpkin bread made in the slow cooker. When you love your slow cookers as much as I do, you want to make everything in them... including quick breads. Why? Well, because it's super easy, it can cost less than using your oven, and most importantly... it's FUN! And gluten-free baking should be fun right? 

And even better the slow cooker steams your bread so it's super moist and delicious. For most of the breads in the cookbook and this recipe I used my favorite 4 quart slow cooker. It's perfect for making one batch of quick bread, and in this case... pumpkin bread!  


The only additional equipment you need to make this bread is three aluminum cans. Preferably cans that would hold about 15 - 15.5 ounces (generally from canned veggies, beans, or fruits). I've used these same three cans for about 2 years. They last forever and they are easy to clean and re-use. 

SAFETY FIRST!
  • Wash the cans out with very hot, soapy water using a baby bottle brush. 
  • CUT any sharp edges OFF of the rim of the cans with heavy duty metal cutting shears or scissors. This is why it's good just to create a "set" of cans to use, so that you don't have sharp edges to worry about time after time! 
  • Make sure to completely remove the paper wrapper and the glue residue on the outside of the can before using to cook with. 


Before each use spritz the inside of the cans with non-stick cooking spray or use a paper towel to wipe olive oil or coconut oil evenly inside the can. By greasing the cans the bread shouldn't stick to them when baking.

To make the bread you will simply add 1/3 of the bread batter to each aluminum can and place the cans in the slow cooker. The cans will be anywhere from half to 3/4 full. Add about 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup warm water around the bottom of the cans to steam the bread and prevent the slow cooker from cracking. Place the lid on the slow cooker and then slip a chopstick right underneath the lid to help excess moisture escape during cooking.



When the bread is finished it will be cooked through and a toothpick inserted in the  middle will come out clean. Allow the bread to cool for a few minutes in the slow cooker with the lid off. You can then carefully remove the cans using a potholder or kitchen tongs.

To remove the bread, just shake the can a little and the bread should slide right out. Alternatively, you could also used the "canned" bread as a homemade gift by wrapping it decoratively in colored paper and tying it off with a pretty ribbon!

For more recipes like this gluten-free pumpkin bread and to learn more creative ways you can use your slow cooker, please check out my brand new cookbook!



Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
Created by Carrie of Gingerlemongirl.com
Free of gluten, dairy/casein, and soy
Printer-friendly recipe.

Dry Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice flour
2/3 cup arrowroot starch
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups plain cooked pumpkin (I used most of a 15 oz. can of Libby's 100% pure pumpkin)
1/4 cup oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)

Slow Cooker Directions:
  1. Spritz three (15 - 15.5 oz) washed & dried aluminum cans with non-stick cooking spray, or use a paper towel to grease with oil. 
  2. In a large bowl whisk together all dry ingredients. 
  3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Stir to thoroughly combine into a thick batter. 
  4. Add about 1/3 of pumpkin bread batter into each can. 
  5. Place cans in a 4-quart slow cooker. Add about 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup warm water around the bottom of the cans. 
  6. Place the lid on the slow cooker and add a chopstick right underneath the lid to allow excess water to escape. 
  7. Cook the bread on high for 3 1/2 - 4 hours until the bread is cooked through and a toothpick inserted into the middle of each can comes out clean. Allow the cans to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them using a potholder. Gently shake bread out of the cans onto a plate. Cut each loaf into 4-5 slices and enjoy! Store pumpkin bread slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This bread also freezes well for up to 6 months. 

Oven Directions for Pumpkin Bread Muffins:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 serving muffin tin and set aside. 
  2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together ALL dry ingredients until well incorporated. In a medium sized bowl mix together all wet ingredients. 
  3. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until mixture is thoroughly moistened. Muffin batter will be thick. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter into into muffin tin for 12 large muffins. 
  4. Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes prior to eating (if you can wait that long!) 
  5. Store in an airtight container on the counter. (Slow cooked bread is stored in the refrigerator because it is much more moist than the oven-baked bread!) 




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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook -- Current Giveaways!!


BOOK UPDATE:

The book has been released MUCH earlier than expected! Nearly a MONTH earlier! So if you pre-ordered via Amazon you will most likely have already received your book OR you will receive it very soon! Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered! I truly cannot thank you enough!

Once you've received your cookbook, if you could do me a BIG favor and leave your online feedback through a product review:
These reviews are truly priceless and really help other customers decide whether or not this book is a good fit for them! I hope you'll find the book a truly useful and helpful gluten-free cooking resource for you and you'll want to share that! 


CURRENT BOOK GIVEAWAYS: 

Currently there are two giveaways right now for the book, and they are ending soon so please enter ASAP if you are interested in winning a copy of this great book!


FUTURE BOOK GIVEAWAYS: 
  • I have a host of other bloggers who are also going to host giveaways of this book! I'll share the links when those giveaways are up and running!
  • Once I get 3,000 followers (and we're so close!) on my Gingerlemongirl.com Facebook page, I will be giving away 5 copies of the book AND two of those winners will also receive my favorite 4 quart slow cooker! So if you haven't already, please head over to facebook and "like" my page
  • I will be hosting a BIG giveaway next month in celebration of the cookbook... so please stay tuned for awesome news on that event! 


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