Gluten Free Biscuits/Scones/Cookies - Updated

1/2 c almond flour (finely ground)
1/2 c gf oat flour
1 T flax seed meal
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3/4 t baking powder
1 T butter, softened
1 large free-range eggs
a little bit of milk/kefir/yogurt if dough is dry (I usually add 2 T yogurt)

Mix everything together and place on lightly oiled baking sheet in little mounds, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter
Bake at 350 for 8-10 mins

Optional Additions:
     1 t maple syrup or honey
     1/4 c chocolate chips
     1/4 c dried fruit
     1/2 tsp cinnamon
     sub out oat flour for all almond flour to make grain-free

Lebanese Easter Cookies

In our family it is tradition to have a huge Easter celebration that includes traditional Lebanese cuisine, an element of which are the cookies, traditionally made by as many of the women of the family that can attend, and made by the dozens.  It's a wild and busy day, but full of fun and laughter and toddlers underfoot.

This year I had to make a grain-free version since I am gluten intolerant, and haven't been able to eat grains without discomfort during this pregnancy.  This is the recipe adaptation I came up with that preserves the original taste and texture, though I wasn't able to get the dough firm enough to hand shape, so they are scooped and flattened into little disks.  (We usually hand shape them in to Christian symbols such as crosses, fish, and baskets.)  One of my aunties thought they were even better than the "original" and my mum preferred them as well!

Lebanese Easter Cookies (Kaik) Grain Free (Primal)

makes 24-30 2" cookies

1/2 c warm-hot whole milk

1/2 c unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1/4 - 1/3 c honey

2 t yeast

1 T anise seed, finely ground

1 T + 1 t mahleb, finely ground (bitter cherry pit)

1 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t ground nutmeg

pinch of sea salt

1/4 c finely ground flax seed meal

2-4 c finely ground almond flour

2 T sesame seeds

1 eggwhite

Preheat oven to 350f

Combine warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and honey in a bowl, stirring to blend and dissolve honey.  Allow to reach a comfortable temperature, no longer hot, but warmer than room temperature.  Add in yeast and stir gently to distribute.  Set aside.

Combine spices, salt, flax meal and 2c almond flour, mixing well.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly.  Add additional almond flour as needed until dough resembles cookie dough - malleable but very soft.  It is essential  to have a soft dough so that the cookies do not end up dry and brittle.

Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, place rounded balls of 1" diameter onto lightly oiled cookie sheet.  Flatten balls to 1 cm thickness with the back of a spoon, spread egg white on surface, and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.

Bake at 350f for 12-18 mins, until lightly colored.

The Boy's happiness for his cookie: he wouldn't stop dancing around for the joy in his tummy, so this is the best of his photos.

GF Biscuit/Cookie/Scone/Yumminess

I'm writing this recipe for a friend who NEEDS IT RIGHT NOW! from memory of a biscuit I make that doesn't have a recipe, so forgive me if I don't have it completely right...  I usually judge the amounts as I go along...  Next time I make these I will update this post (and include a photo)!

1/2 c almond flour (finely ground)
1/2 c gf oat flour
1 T flax seed meal
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3/4 t baking powder
1 T butter, softened
1 large free-range eggs
a little bit of milk/kefir/yogurt if dough is dry

Mix everything together and place on lightly oiled baking sheet in little mounds, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter
Bake at 350 for 8-10 mins

Optional Additions:
     1/4 c chocolate chips
     1/4 c dried fruit
     1/2 tsp cinnamon
     sub out oat flour for all almond flour to make grain-free

almost Paleo Protein Snack Balls

I saw a tasty-looking recipe on Pinterest from Caveman Strong, and I was intrigued, but I rarely make anything as it is given, so here's my version:

almost Paleo Protein Snack Balls

1 c almond flour (very finely ground)
1/2 c coarse almond bits
1/4 c shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 c chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp maple syrup
1 large free-range egg

Mix dry ingredients together, then add in wet ingredients.
Form into 1 1/2" diameter balls and bake at 350f for 8-10 mins
enjoy!

Laundry on the Line aka Summer in March

Yesterday we hung our jeans out to dry - it was perfect line-drying weather.



















We also planned our garden and built the first garden box of four, one of which will be half-sized for the littles to plant and dig in.

The box is by no means perfect, but all it has to do is hold dirt, right?  Oh, and that funny looking thing on the near left post, that's seeds germinating in the warmth.

Pancakes

These are GF, of course!  and oh so yummy!

60 gm almond flour, finely ground (you can make it finer by re-grinding in a coffee grinder)
40 gm GF oatmeal flour

1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 - 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanillla extract

Mix the dry ingredients together and wet ingredients together and then combine, mixing until well blended, adding the extra milk as needed for a smooth, thin consistency.

Cook on hot, lightly oiled griddle until set on first side (about 60-90 seconds) then flip to other side, cooking until lightly golden.

Makes 4 1/2 dozen 2" pancakes, or 2 dozen 3 1/2" pancakes.
     I usually make 2" pancakes because The Boy likes to eat them in one bite, and 2" is just right for a little mouth.

Cheesy Nacho Hashbrown Casserole

2 1/2 lbs grated potatoes
12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated and divided, 4 ounces kept out for topping
6 oz sour cream
10 oz condensed milk
10 oz nacho cheese sauce
1 TBSP minced garlic
1 tsp black pepper
2-3 cups milk
1/4 cup diced mild chiles

Pre-heat oven to 350 F
Mix everything together in a large bowl, reserving 4 ounces of grated cheddar cheese, and pour into lightly oiled large baking dish, approximately 11x17.  Sprinkle top of casserole with reserved cheese.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, until cooked through, cheese is melted and top is lightly browned.

Real Food Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

YUM!

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar, honey or maple syrup
2 TBSP vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt

Mix everything together in a medium sized bowl, and pour into a 2 quart ice cream maker, freezing per maker's instructions.

Enjoy!