Meaning of Christmas . . .

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom.

 

Merry 'Gluten-Free' Christmas!

 I'm officially comfortable with cooking/baking with gluten-free recipes now that I've started to master both Thanksgiving and Christmas cookie baking. My husband took cookies to work and no one could tell there was any difference from my usual offerings to them in other years. There is a bit more to the baking but just enough for me to enjoy the challenge. No complaints and I'm anxious to try converting some of our family favorites to gluten-free. Naturally, my husband is very happy he isn't left out of the baking treats.

Hope every one's baking efforts are one hundred percent successful and that a very Holy and Merry Christmas is had by all.

Black Forest Cake - The Easy Way!

Chocolate and cherry is a favorite flavor combination for my son. When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to keep it on hand and share with you.

Vegetable oil spray a 9 x13-inch baking dish. I like using the glass, Pyrex type. No such pan in your kitchen? Use a couple of layer cake pans or even a tube cake pan. Just adjust the time for the changes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 box chocolate cake mix - your choice.
20-ounce can of cherry pie filling
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon
Grated zest of one orange (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in your mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until the mixture is just combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan(s). Bake for 40-45 minutes (depending on size you used for pans). Test cake  by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake. It should come out 'clean' with no wet batter.

Cool completely and serve with freshly whipped cream.

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all the ingredients in a mixer bowl and beat until stiffened and fluffy. Don't over beat as you aren't looking for making butter here!

You can either frost your cold cake with the whipped cream or serve it along side a generous slice. The whipped cream holds up well for about three days in the refrigerator.

Until the Cows Come Home . . .

More and more, I am observing an epidemic that is invading even the 'more polite' society of the world . . . gum chewing. Whereas the habit of chewing gum used to be with the younger, bubble gum set, is now a part of many grownups' life style. Nothing more fun than being crammed in a plane seat with a jaw-snapping gum chewer. You can often hear the popping of an ardent gum chewer an aisle or two away in the supermarket. You attend a funeral or wedding and it is not unlikely that the father of the bride will come down the aisle, jaw in motion. What is disheartening are the senior citizens who have joined the movement of the jaw.

Is open-mouthed gum chewing now considered a fashion statement? Have any of these people every taken a look in the mirror to see what they are showing others when pursuing this occupation? What is the value of a wad of gum that's been pounded between teeth for hours? The flavor is long gone. Am I out of touch because I don't indulge in the occupation?

One Sunday, I glanced over and saw a large family in an adjoining pew, all completely in rhythm as they listened to the sermon and 'kept time' with their busy jaws loaded with a wad of gum. It was like seeing a line up of cows happily ruminating on their cud.

Now, I'm not against gum. It can have it's uses but to share the contents of one's mouth to view on a constant basis and still be classy . . . sorry, it doesn't work.

A wonderful video to start the day . . .

http://www.videosmotivational.com/best-clips/happiness-videos/believe-in-your-dreams-this-pantene-commercial-made-me-cry/#video

Gluten-Free Bread . . .

 I tried a recipe out of my new bread book acquisition today . . . and the family said it was definitely bread even without the use of wheat flour. It took a little longer as I wasn't used to the new method but the outcome was worth the effort. Naturally, I made an Italian pasta meal (rice pasta, of course!) and the bread sticks added the final touch. We didn't realize that we even missed bread until we ate the first bread stick! Who would think that an odd combination of ground rice, etc., would produce bread!

You can bake bread and still be gluten-free?

I pre-ordered this book because it sounded amazing and, upon receipt of said book, it has more than lived up to my hopes and expectations. Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread by Nicole Hunn is fantastic. She has taken the work and thought out of figuring out bread and presented it to the world in a beautiful baking book. Although I haven't had time to try any recipes yet, I can tell from the reading of them that she has it 'figured' out. I've used her other two books with great success and know this new one will not disappoint. I've been waiting since July for it to finally reach my greedy, little hands!

The one thing my husband has missed since he discovered he and gluten don't agree on any level is the scent of baking bread and a warm dinner roll. I'm looking forward to treating him to this in the near future.

Just as an aside - I have been planning my Christmas baking and a lot of my cookie recipes, gluten-free, have come from either Nichole Hunn's other books or her fantastic blog. Google just about any gluten-free recipe and you are sure to have several of hers show up.

My Christmas treat for my husband - a warm loaf of bread without the adverse effects.