“There Is No Greatness Where There Is Not Simplicity, Goodness, And Truth.”

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

Jell-O Cookies

Enjoy these light, flavorful cookies as a allergen-free alternative for baby showers, birthday parties, or a simple springtime treat.  A twist on the classic sugar cookie, this simple dessert can be easily adapted using any Jell-O fruit favorite. (Pictured above: Strawberry and Berry Blue)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup non-dairy butter substitute, room temperature

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1 3 oz package Jell-O (any flavor)

Egg Replacer for 2 large eggs (3 tsp. Egg Replacer + 1/4 c. warm water)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups Gluten Free all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening, sugar and Jell-O.

3. In a separate bowl, prepare the Egg Replacer mixture.  Dissolve completely.  Add the vanilla.  Pour into the sugar mixture.  Beat well.

4. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and xanthan gum.  Add slowly to the sugar mixture while beating.  Mix just until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

5. With a small spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and roll into a 1" ball.  Place the ball onto a nonstick cookie pan, leaving about 2" between cookies.  Once all the cookies are on the pan, take a small bowl and gently press the cookies down into a circle.  Sprinkle the top with granulated sugar.

6. Bake for 6-8 minutes.  Let cool.  Serve.

  Yield: approximately 30 cookies

Adapted from a recipe by Giada De Laurentiis

2 cups buttermilk 1 pound whitefish or other mild fish, cut into strips, each about 3-inches long and 1/2-inch thick 1 1/4 cups finely grated Parmesan 3/4 cup Gluten Free Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs* 1 teaspoon kosher salt Olive oil, for drizzling 2 cups marinara sauce

1. Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet liberally with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Put the buttermilk into a large bowl. Add the fish strips, stir to coat, and let stand for 15 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together the Parmesan, bread crumbs and salt. Remove the fish from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl, and dredge in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated fish in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and bake until golden and crispy, about 14 minutes. Cool slightly and arrange on a serving platter.

4. In a small saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium-heat until warm. Transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve the marinara alongside the fish sticks as a dipping sauce.

*I used Kinnikinnick's Panco Style Bread Crumbs mixed with 1 tsp. of Italian seasoning.

Char-grilled Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Celiac Disease Foundation

Serves: 24

Ingredients:

1 bag Pamela’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix

8 tbsp butter (1 stick) or butter alternative

1 egg (large) or egg replacer (prepared)

Directions:

Bring butter or alternative to soft room temp.

Combine with Pamela’s Mix and one large egg (or prepared egg replacer), and mix until completely incorporated. Dough will appear dark, oily, and slightly crumbly.

Press together heaping tbsp dollops and place on foiled wrapped cookie sheet.

Lightly flatten and bake in closed grill for 18 – 20 minutes.

 Hot Dog Chili

2 lb. ground chuck, browned and drained 2 tsp. chili powder 2 c. catsup

Mix together and simmer for 30 minutes.

“Oh, I adore to cook. It makes me feel so mindless in a worthwhile way.”

Truman Capote

Granny's Chocolate Cobbler

Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman:

1 cup Gluten Free All-purpose Flour

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

¼ teaspoons Salt

7 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder, Divided

1-¼ cup Sugar, Divided

½ cups Milk

⅓ cups Melted Butter

1-½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

½ cups Light Brown Sugar, Packed

1-½ cup Hot Tap Water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. First stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tablespoons of the cocoa, and 3/4 cup of the white sugar. Reserve the remaining cocoa and sugar.

3. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla to the flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

4. Pour the mixture into an ungreased 8-inch baking dish. I prefer my small oval Corning Ware glass dish.

5. In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining white sugar (it should be 1/2 cup), the brown sugar, and remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.

6. Pour the hot tap water over all. DO NOT STIR!

7. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the center is set.

8. Let stand for a few minutes if you can hold yourself back. Serve with homemade ice cream using the gooey sauce to spoon over all.