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!
Pin It!

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!) 




Pin It!

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! 


Pin It!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook -- Chunky Applesauce


My friend Sarah, author of Celiac in the City was one of my recipe testers for "The Everything Gluten-Free Cookbook." Sarah wasn't feeling too hot when she tested a few recipes and she said this chunky applesauce was very comforting to her.

It's a super easy recipe and it's in the first chapter of the book. Homemade applesauce is healthy and you get to control how much or how little sugar you would like added. It's great for young children as a snack or side dish. It goes with roast pork or chicken.

You can use any apples you like and make your own personal variation of this recipe.



Pin It!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook -- "Tuscan Chicken and White Beans"



I've asked several readers and fans to try recipes from my upcoming gluten-free slow cooker cookbook! Throughout the next few weeks, I plan on sharing their thoughts (from emails and pictures) on the recipes they have tried in my new book!

This review comes from Suzanne and Chris N. They decided to try the Tuscan Chicken and White Beans, a recipe from the Poultry chapter. Here's how the dish turned out for them: 

Hey Carrie

You had asked Suzanne (aka. "the wife") to test a recipe. Since I do the bulk of cooking here these days, that job actually fell on me (Chris, the husband).

We picked the Tuscan Chicken because it seemed like a recipe we normally would never try. I know that seems odd, but we've been adventurous lately.

My first impressions were not optimistic. I had to go buy a bunch of cans, which is not how we normally cook. We prefer to cook with fresh ingredients, particularly this time of year when they are so plentiful, good, and inexpensive. In any case, I followed the recipe to the letter despite my temptation to substitute fresh stuff here and there.

I must say we were pleasantly surprised. It was really good. Not sure what more I can say other than I wouldn't change it a bit. The dish was seasoned perfectly and well balanced. No particular ingredient overtook the dish. Because there is just the two of us, there was plenty leftover, so we both took some for lunch the next day, and we agreed that warmed up a day later, it tasted even better. I guess that makes sense for a dish designed to stew in a slow-cooker all day.

...We served it over rice noodles.


Many, many thanks to Suzanne and Chris for trying the Tuscan Chicken and White Beans. I specifically designed a lot of the recipes in this book so they would be "pantry-friendly" -- so for those of you who don't always have fresh vegetables available, recipes such as this can be super easy and just as healthy. I'm so glad Suzanne and Chris tried this recipe and enjoyed it! 



Pin It!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Product Review: Hodgson's Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix


Product: Hodgson's Mill Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
Company: Hodgson Mill Inc.
Location: All products made in USA
Self-purchased or Company Sample: Self-purchased

I don't keep a lot of gluten-free mixes in my kitchen. I like making things from scratch and brownies are no exception. However a few weeks ago I found this brownie mix from Hodgson's Mill and it was very reasonably priced (a little over $4.00 I think?) so I thought I'd try it out.

Last night was the perfect opportunity. Because is there ever a bad opportunity to make brownies? :-)

The mix called for 1/2 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 egg, and water. To save a few calories, I used 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce (instead of butter) and added about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. I mixed as directed and then decided to put the mix into cupcake liners to make individual servings.




On top of each brownie "cupcake" I added  a small sprinkling of chocolate chips and 2 pecan halves. I baked them for about 18 minutes and voila... some really cute & delicious brownie cupcakes!

Michael and I really enjoyed these. They were chewy and cakey at the same time. SUPER chocolately and rich... definitely a match for any chocolate craving!

This is a gluten-free baking mix I think I definitely plan to keep in the pantry for a quick dessert!
Pin It!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Book Review: Adam's Gluten-Free Surprise by Debbie Simpson


Title: Adam's Gluten Free Surprise
Written and Illustrated by: Debbie Simpson
Copyright: 2012

Back in early May (or who knows, it could have been April!) I approached Debbie Simpson, a mom in our Yahoo Gluten-Free Recipe Swap Group, for a copy of her new gluten-free children's book. She sweetly agreed to send me a copy and as soon as I saw the illustrations I knew this was going to be a great book! 

I meant to write a review for it several months ago, but life became a little topsy turvy and I'm just now getting back into writing posts that are way behind schedule!! But honestly I think this is great timing for Adam's Gluten-Free Surprise, because it's the perfect book to share with school-age children! 


Adam is a young boy who is just headed back to school. He found out the previous year that he had celiac disease and he has been getting used to a new diet and eating foods that don't hurt his tummy. This book shares Adam's experience in this new classroom with his teacher Mrs. Brown as she learns about celiac disease. Mrs. Brown learns that celiac is a very special disease that requires her to take extra precautions whenever the class plans on eating a snack or having food along with a lesson. 

This book has charming illustrations that kids and adults will both love! The story is clearly written in language that will be meaningful to all who read and listen to it. Also, I love how relate-able the characters are and how creatively the story is shared. 


This book is extremely warm, encouraging, and helpful for both children, teachers, and parents alike. Celiac disease, food allergies, and/or having food sensitivies can be a huge learning curve for all the people who interact with your children. Having this book to share could be a huge help to explain what celiac disease is, how to safely prepare food for those who eat gluten-free, and how to educate others about the gluten-free lifestyle. 

My favorite thing about this book is the truly positive outlook that Debbie shares with gluten-free kids and parents. She wants parents and children to know that while there is a lot to learn, it's not a hard process and kids are extremely adaptive to changes if you face them with a positive attitude. 

You can find Debbie's newly redesigned book on Amazon for a steal right now at only $9.56!! If you prefer ebooks, you can get the kindle version for $3.99

Please check out Debbie's great book, read it to your kids, and share it with teachers. I plan on purchasing a copy to donate to my local public library! Thank you for a truly inspiring and positive book for children about celiac disease Debbie! 

Pin It!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Gluten-Free Food Bloggers in North Carolina


I love North Carolina. I've been a resident since I moved here for college in 1997 1996 (yikes!). It's kind of amazing I've lived here longer than I lived in Virginia growing up.

Over the past 5 years I've noticed a growing number of gluten-free bloggers in North Carolina and I just wanted to highlight them today.

What I love about all these blogs is the HUGE variety of gluten-free cooking, baking, and lifestyles you will encounter. Some are parents, some are college students, some enjoy eating out, others cooking in, some live on the coast, others in the mountains!

If there's a gluten-free North Carolina blogger that I've missed in this list, please let me know (gingerlemongirl at gmail dot com) and I'll add them ASAP! 

These websites are listed in alphabetical order.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chacha's Gluten-Free Kitchen -- Written by Kathryn M. Chacha's GF Kitchen is a delightful gluten-free food and lifestyle blog based out of Cary, NC. Kathryn (aka Chacha) shares her favorite whole foods recipes, many of which are naturally gluten-free, along with her faith, her family, and finding fantastic local restaurants in the Triangle area, which cater to gluten-free patrons.


GingerLemonGirl -- written by me, Carrie Forbes. Started in 2007. A gluten-free food & lifestyle blog. My writing has morphed over the years and now focuses on healthy gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free recipes along with personal musing on holistic self-care. I am inspired by gluten-free foods that treat me well, are super healthy, and of course taste delicious. I live in rural Eastern NC.


The Gluten-Free Dish -- written by Debbie R. This blog focuses on holistic wellness and gluten-free living. As one who has thrived despite living with severe health issues, Debbie shares her journey and what she has learned along the way in the search for healthy, whole living. As a devout, loving, and faithful Christian she also shares her day-to-day life with her husband, two sons, and their happy golden retriever. Debbie lives in the Triangle area of NC.


Gluten-Free Fox -- created by Kristen Campbell and her boyfriend Tyler. Kristen is the founder and creator of Gluten-Free Beauty, a company that creates all natural and healthy gluten free beauty products such as serums and creams for healthy, happy, gluten-free skin. Gluten-Free Fox is a blog and a search engine designed to help you find everything you need gluten-free! Kristen lives in the coastal area of NC.


Gluten-Free Galley -- created and written by Liz Pearce. Liz is a gluten-free baker from Raleigh, NC. Her bakery, "Gluten-Free Galley" has been a huge success and she creates delicious gluten-free baked goods and desserts using whole, fresh, and local ingredients. Liz's baked goods can also be found in several Whole Foods stores in Raleigh and Cary. Liz also provides gluten-free baked goods to a local restaurant, Tribeca Tavern. In her spare time, she's an amazing mom, enjoys paleo-ish cooking, and hanging out with her husband Nathan.


Gluten-Free Kids Rock!  -- written by Nikki Everett. Nikki is one amazing woman who runs some of the best gluten-free and allergen-free expos in the southeast US! Nikki also started a gluten-free support group for people in the Charlotte NC area several years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. This blog shares fantastic gluten-free tips for parents and families of kids with celiac disease.


Gluten-Free Mimi -- Created & written by Melissa Friend. Melissa is a gluten-free baker selling her delicious homemade gluten-free baked goods in the Statesville area of NC. You can also find her on facebook where she shares what's she is baking for the day and when she will be selling and delivering to local stores and farmer's markets in the Piedmont!


Gluten-Free Raleigh -- written by Zach Becker. Zach has been a key advocate for those with celiac disease  in the Triangle since 2008. Hosting numerous fundraisers for the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, for kids going to a local gluten-free summer camp, and even for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Zach has worked extremely hard to bring celiac disease to the spotlight in central North Carolina. Though Zach is "semi-retired" as a blogger, he still shares the most up-to-date and accurate information about gluten-free news in the Triangle.


Gluten-Free in NC -- written by Jeff SanGeorge. This website is one of the best resources around for learning where you can eat and shop gluten-free all over North Carolina. The site is comprehensive and is constantly adding information on new gluten-free eateries and grocery stores around the state. Jeff hales from Greensboro, NC and is a passionate advocate for celiac disease awareness. Jeff also leads a gluten-free support group in the Triad.



Gluten Hates Me -- Written by April Marlow. An incredibly fun and lighthearted blog that shares "Marlow's" latest gluten-free kitchen creations, restaurants reviews, gluten-free traveling tips, and her journey through grad school. Marlow hails from Durham, NC.



I'm a Celiac -- written by Pam Jordan. Pam is a full-time celiac mother of three (including a set of twins), works part-time, and is a pastor's wife. Her upbeat blog chronicles her gluten-free journey, shares recipes for her whole family (including some veggie-hating kids!), and includes restaurant and product reviews. Pam's super fun sense of humor shines through on each post. Pam and her family live near Winston-Salem, NC.



Spoonful at a Time -- written by Jenni. Jenni is new to the blogging scene, but has a great website sharing her journey into gluten-free cooking and baking, gluten-free restaurant and product reviews, along with awesome gluten-free organization and blogging tips. Jenni recently shared a guest post highlighting some of the best places to chow down gluten-free style in Raleigh, N.C.




Yum Yum Yum -- written by Erin out of Charlotte, NC. Erin's gluten-free food blog focuses on using healthy, local, and naturally gluten-free ingredients. Erin began her blog in 2007 and has been sharing her simple, delicious, and healthy recipes with North Carolina readers ever since.


************
NEW ADDITIONS:


Gluten Free Carolina Girl -- written by Ashley, a new gluten-free food & lifestyle blogger to the North Carolina scene. We hope you'll check out her blog and find out her latest new gluten-free recipe or restaurant review! 





Do you have a gluten-free blog and reside in 
North Carolina? 
Please let me know and I'll add you to the list! 
Just email me at gingerlemongirl at gmail dot com. 



Pin It!