Bacon Apple Fritters- Gluten Free

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Bacon Apple Gluten-free Fritters

Bacon Apple Gluten-free Fritters

One of the biggest hits at this year’s Doughnut Days were the gluten free fritters. Inspired by my friend Blayne, I decided to give gluten free baking a try. I found a gluten free flour at Costco that promised you could use it measure for measure like regular flour. The end result were bacon and apple fritters with both great flavor and texture. One thing I noticed is that they were getting brown faster than regular fritters. We lowered the heat a little to cook them. Thanks again Blayne for the advice. Topped them with a maple glaze.

Bacon Apple Gluten Free Fritters

2 c. gluten-free flour

2 T. sugar

2 T. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 c. milk

2 eggs, beaten

2 T. melted butter

1 c. diced apples

1 c. cooked, crumbled bacon

oil for frying- I used coconut oil

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Mix together milk with the eggs and butter. Stir in dry ingredients until just moistened and add the apples and bacon. Heat oil to 350. If using regular flour heat oil to 375. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Don’t do more than 4-5 at a time. It will take about  4 minutes in total but you need to turn them to brown evenly so 2 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. Dip in maple glaze (recipe follows) while warm or roll in powdered sugar. Makes about 32.

Maple Glaze

1 c. Powdered sugar

1/2 c. maple syrup

a little water if mixture gets too thick

Combine all ingredients and set aside until ready to use.

The gluten-free flour I found at Costco

The gluten-free flour I found at Costco

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Chocolate Buttermilk Doughnuts

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Chocolate Buttermilk Doughnuts

Chocolate Buttermilk Doughnuts

These are a cake type doughnut- using baking powder as leavening instead of yeast. These doughnuts have a soft texture inside with a slight crispiness to the outside. We made them yesterday using a doughnut cutter so we got both rings and doughnut holes. I am happy just serving them with a dusting of powdered sugar. With the help of some creative kids we ended up with chocolate doughnuts glazed, sugared and decorated with sprinkles. So pretty and so tasty. Here is the recipe.

Chocolate Buttermilk Doughnuts

3 1/4 cups flour

1/3  c. cocoa

1 T. baking powder

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. salt

2 beaten eggs

1 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla

2/3 c. buttermilk

1/2 c. butter, melted

oil for deep frying- I used coconut oil

assorted topping such as cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, powdered sugar glaze, sprinkles, chocolate glaze

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Beat together eggs, sugar and vanilla. Combine the buttermilk with the melted butter. Add half the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir until just blended. Beat in half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining ingredients.  Cover  and chill dough for at least a couple of hours before using. When ready to make doughnuts heat oil in a pan until it reaches about 375 degrees. While oil is heating, on floured surface, roll dough 1/2 -inch thick and cut out with a doughnut cutter. Fry doughnuts about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. If rolling in sugar do so while they are still warm. They can be frosted and decorated with sprinkles when warm or at room temperature. Makes 20-25  doughnuts.

Decorating the doughnuts

Decorating the doughnuts

Dipped in glaze and rolled in sprinkles

Dipped in glaze and rolled in sprinkles

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Ricotta-Cinnamon Fritters

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Ricotta-Cinnamon Fritters

Ricotta-Cinnamon Fritters

Still recovering from a wonderful day of making doughnuts with old and new friends. As promised I will be posting recipes for all the doughnuts we made on Fat Tuesday. I’ll start with the Ricotta Cinnamon Fritters. Light and not too sweet. They are also easy to make.

Ricotta-Cinnamon Fritters

3/4 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 T. cinnamon

1 c. ricotta cheese

2 eggs, beaten

3 T. sugar

2 t. vanilla

Powdered sugar for dusting

oil for deep frying

Heat oil to 370 degrees in heavy saucepan. While oil is heating combine dry ingredients with cinnamon and set aside. Beat together cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in dry ingredients. Working in batches spoon batter by level tablespoonfuls into hot oil, turning occasionally until golden brown, about 3 minutes in all. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Dust with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar and serve. Makes about 3 dozen.

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Feed the Birds- Fruit!!!

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Robin eating grapes

Robin eating grapes

I have always  fed the birds in Winter. It is a family tradition that I keep up. I know black oil sunflower seeds are the preferred food for many birds so that is what I fill the feeders with. Other things are good for them, too. I noticed a sweet robin hanging out under the bird feeder a few days ago. I know robins like fruit so I tossed out a couple of slightly shriveled apples that were going to go to the compost heap. The robin began eating them almost right away. Today she was out there pecking at an apple so I brought out some grapes. She started eating the grapes right away. It was sweet. As I shoveled the walkway she’d give me a look but never flew away. She just kept eating her unlikely Winter treat.

It brought to mind a robin from years ago. My Mother always  fed the birds and one snowy day she saw a robin sitting under the feeder. She wanted to give her something she would really like so she sent my Father out to the bait store to get worms. She would toss a few out the window whenever she saw the robin. It was not lost on my Father that while he was NEVER allowed to bring bait into the house there was now a box of worms in the fridge. Mom read up in one of her bird books and discovered that robins are also fruit eaters so she switched to feeding the robin raisins. Eventually the robin would chirp under the kitchen window and my Mother would toss out some raisins. Over time the robin would flutter by the window if the raisins weren’t tossed out when she first arrive. You have to understand that my Mom had a special gift with all animals. They sense something in her that  was gentle. Mom decided to hold the raisins in her palm rather than toss them one day. Sure enough the robin landed in her hand to eat them. The ritual continued for several winters. The robin would chirp, Mom would open the window and hold out a hand of raisins and the little bird would sit on her hand and eat them. I got a chance to feed her as well on several occasions.

So if you have some extra fruit around the house consider sharing with our feathered friends. They will be a welcome change. Who knows? You might even get a chance to hold a robin.

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Butternut Squash Cupcakes

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Butternut Squash Cupcake

Butternut Squash Cupcake

Since I still have some winter squash I decided to use one the the butternut squashes to make a dessert. The cupcakes are moist, sweet and have a nice spice flavor. The orange butter cream complimented them well. I don’t like a lot of frosting so I made just enough for a swirl on each cupcake. You might want to double the frosting recipe if you like more.

Butternut Squash Cupcakes

4 eggs, slightly beaten

3/4 c. oil

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 c. cooked butternut squash, you could use other winter squash or pumpkin

1 3/4 c. flour

1/4 c. cornstarch

3 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. cloves

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

3/4 t. salt

Blend together in large bowl eggs, sugar, squash and oil and set aside. In another bowl combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and beat until well blended. Pour into paper-lined muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until cupcakes spring bake when touched lightly. Cool 30 minutes before frosting.  Makes 30-36. Frost with Orange Butter Cream.

Orange Butter Cream

1/3 cup butter

4 1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup orange juice concentrate

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a bowl beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the confectioners’ sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in the juice and vanilla. Slowly beat in remaining sugar.

 

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Chicken with Romaine Lettuce Sauce

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Chicken with Romaine Lettuce Sauce

Chicken with Romaine Lettuce Sauce

I found myself with some Romaine lettuce and was just not in the mood for a salad. Probably because it was snowing outside and very cold. I added the lettuce to my chicken and created a wonderful dish.

Chicken with Romaine Lettuce Sauce

oil

1 medium onion, sliced

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

flour

salt and pepper

6-8 cups shredded Romaine lettuce

1 c. chicken stock

fresh chopped parsley

hot pepper sauce

Heat oil in a large skillet and cook onion until golden. Meanwhile combine about 1/2 cup of flour in a plastic bag and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and shake to coat. Add chicken to the skillet and brown chicken pieces on both sides. Cover and let the chicken cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes longer. Add lettuce and stir in along with the chicken stock, parsley and hot sauce. Cover and allow to cook for 5 -10 more minutes or until chicken in cooked through and sauce has thickened. Serve alone or over pasta or rice. Serves 2-3.

Add lettuce to chicken in the skillet

Add lettuce to chicken in the skillet

Ready to serve

Ready to serve

 

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Garbanzo and Roasted Pepper Salad

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Garbanzo Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Salad

Garbanzo Bean and Roasted Pepper Salad

No matter how cold it is I still enjoy a salad. This one is simple and with the addition of a roasted sweet pepper it has a slightly smoky taste. It can be served as a side salad or even as a vegetarian main dish. 

Garbanzo Bean and Roasted Pepper Salad

1 or 2 roasted sweet peppers, drained and chopped- Any color is fine. I used yellow peppers

2 (15 oz.) cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 c. sliced green onion

1/2 c. chopped celery

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T. fresh chopped parsley or 1 t. dried

3 T. oil

3 T. lime or lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

lettuce leaves

Combine peppers, beans, onion and celery in bowl. Combine seasonings with oil and juice in jar with tight fitting lid and shake well. Toss over pepper mixture to coat well. Chill several hours and serve on bed of lettuce. Serves 3-4.

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Tortilla Soup

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Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

This is one of the dishes we had in class last night. Great night for soup. It’s an easy soup to make and full of flavor. I like to serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who want a spicier soup.

Tortilla Soup

1 onion, sliced thin

1 T. oil

6 c. chicken stock

1/2 -3/4 c. salsa

2 T. chopped cilantro

1/2 t. cumin

2 c. diced cooked chicken

8 small or 4 large tortillas

Heat oil in soup pot and cook onion until tender. Add stock, salsa and seasonings and simmer, covered 10 minutes. Add chicken and heat through. Meanwhile roll tortillas up tightly one at a time and cut cross wise into 1/2-inch wide strips. Divide strips among 4 bowls and ladle in the soup in the bowls. Serves 4.

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Blackberry Scones

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Blackberry Scones

Blackberry Scones

I was in the mood for scones and was thinking of using some of my frozen blueberries but while looking for them in the freezer I saw the frozen blackberries first and ended up making blackberry scones instead. The end result was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. Warm from the oven they are  crisp on the outside and moist and tender inside with a lot of juicy blackberries. Think it’s time to put on water for tea.  Here is the recipe so you can make them, too.

Blackberry Scones

 2 c. flour

1/3 c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

¾ t.  salt

6 T. chilled butter

2 c. blackberries -do not defrost if using frozen

1 t. orange zest

2 large eggs

1/3 c. heavy cream or half and half

Mix dry ingredients together in bowl and cut in butter to resemble coarse crumbs. Toss in berries and zest. Beat together eggs and cream and stir into flour mixture. Mix very gently to avoid bruising berries. Use 1/2 cup ice cream scoop to scoop batter onto a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with a little extra sugar, if you like. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 22-24 minutes. Makes 10-12.   

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Tomato Bisque Soup

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Tomato Bisque Soup

Tomato Bisque Soup

I had a chance to do a local television show recently. This is the soup I made on New Day Cleveland. It is an old family recipe. My grandmother used to make it in the summer with fresh tomatoes. Since I can tomatoes every year I can make it anytime I like. There is something about opening a jar of canned tomatoes that always reminds me of summer and of my grandmother making this soup.

 

 

Tomato Bisque Soup

2 T. oil

1 c. chopped onion

28-29 oz. can whole tomatoes, cut up or diced tomatoes, undrained or 1 quart canned tomatoes

1 qt. beef or chicken or vegetable stock

½ c. raw rice

1 c. sour cream

Cook onions in oil until tender. Add tomatoes and stock and bring to the boil. Add rice, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Place sour cream in bowl and stir in a cup of the hot soup, stirring until smooth. Add another cup of the soup and then add this mixture to the pot. Heat through, but do not boil. Makes  6-8 servings.

Variations: Brown or wild rice can be added instead, but cooking times will be longer, about 45-50 minutes. Barley can also be added instead of the rice, but allow 45 minutes to cook.

Seafood: Once rice is tender, but before adding sour cream you can add any one of the following; ½ -1 pound raw diced fish (mild white fish are good or even salmon for a special treat), ½ -3/4 pound  salad size raw shrimp, 2 cans crabmeat, 2 (10 oz.) cans clams, drained.

Here is my TV appearance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmjL7vd6MD8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUtLd3sOV5Jl0hBqi6tS9-hA

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