Vans Gluten Free Foods

Vans is a brand that contributes tremendously to the deliciousness of the gluten free diet! I'm a fan of Vans because they offer a wide variety of products that are not only gluten free, but also corn free!!!!!!! Wooohooo!!!! Ok, forgive my childish expression, but I love eating cereal, crackers, and granola bars. Especially when they taste yummy, and have very little sugar in them. They also offer granola. These pictures were taken at Walmart who seems to be embracing the fact that people want gluten free products. 

 Vans cereal selection...

 A few granola bars....

Crackers anyone???

Want to know more about Vans delicious products?  Check it out here:www.vansfoods.com

Christmas Food Traditions

When it comes to Christmas Traditions, there's nothing like Christmas cookies! For me it was sugar cookies, pumpkin cookies, and oatmeal cookies. Every year the kitchen would be smelling sweet with Christmas treats as they came steaming hot out of the oven. Apple pie, and pumpkin pie were also part of the celebration, but not as big of an impact as the cookies.
What is your favorite Christmas Tradition food??? (Hint: I am gathering ideas for the next Gluten Free Em recipe!!!!)
Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie recipe that you want converted into a gluten free, corn free, xanthan gum free gem? Leave your comments!!!

Cream of Broccoli Pot Pie

1/2 a medium onion
2-3 large carrots cut in 1/4 inch chuncks
Frozen brocolli florets (about 2 cups)
1 medium clove garlic
1/3 stick of butter
Salt
3/4 cup brown rice flour
Several cups of milk
Simmer in pan till gravy thickens.
Pour into deep baking dish; this will be your filling.
2 cups brown rice flour
2-3 tablespoons ground flax
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 of a stick of butter cut into flour mixture
1- 1 1/2 cups yogurt to form a wet dough
Drop by the tablespoons on top of filling.
Back at 400 degrees till top is browned and dough is cooked through, about 20-30 minutes.

Gluten Free Em's French Toast (Fall Favorites)

Are you aching for a little fall flavor? Try this recipe for a delicious breakfast, snack, or anytime of the day!

French Toast
serves 4
1/2 a loaf of My Best Gluten Free White Bread cut in 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices
2 eggs beaten well
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla flavor
1/2 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon or ginger (your preference)

Preheat a griddle or skillet to 375 degrees. Combine eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and spices together mixing well. Dip slices of bread in egg mixture just before placing on a lightly buttered griddle or skillet. Cook both sides till golden brown. Serve with 100% pure maple syrup, or your favorite jam. Enjoy!

Sugar sensitive??? Me too, just simply leave the sugar out, and enjoy with a pad of Kerrygold butter instead of maple syrup!

Green Apple and Ginger Bread

I have a juicer. Not one of those expensive ones, just one I got from Walmart for about $50. I recently mixed up a juice that my little ones loved! (Which for me is a great accomplishment.) They usually take one sip and set the glass down, but not this time. Anytime they ask for more, I know I made a hit! (One happy mom here!)

Here is the juice recipe so you can share it with your family!

8 medium organic granny smith apples

2 medium organic gala apples

2 organic carrots
10-15 large green grapes

1 1/2 inch fresh organic ginger root peeled

About 8 oz of fresh organic raw baby spinach leaves

Once I juiced it, I diluted with water to a 40:60 ratio with 40% being water and 60% being juice.

There is one thing about those cheap juicers though that really eats me up: they leave behind a tremendous amount of pulp. Wasted veggies and fruits, is how I see it. I am always looking for new ways to use the pulp so it doesn't go to waste.

Here's my newest recipe for you to try at home!

Green Apple and Ginger Bread 

(A fall flavor! I just love fall!)

You will need:

The pulp from the previous juice recipe.

1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt (I use Strauss Family Creamery brand)

Blend until smooth and no chunks of greens are left.

Then mix together in a separate bowl:

1 1/2 cups freshly milled organic brown rice flour (I mill mine out of Lunberg Rice)

3/4 teaspoon baking soda (I use Arm n Hammer)

3/4 teaspoon salt (I use David's Kosher Salt)

Add dry ingredients to yogurt/pulp mixture, mixing well.

Add 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (I use California Olive Ranch)

3/4 - 1 cup organic raisins (I use Sun-maid Organic)
1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds (optional)

1/4-1/2 cup Sugar in the Raw (Regular sugar will work if that is all you have, brown sugar is better, but raw sugar is preferred for the specific flavor.)

Bake in a 8-9 inch square glass Pyrex pan that has been generously oiled with extra virgin olive oil at 350 degrees until bottom and top are moderately browned. Toothpick inserted into the center should also come out fairly clean.

Let sit for 10- 15 minutes for the flavors to mellow, then serve warm! Enjoy this fall favorite with your family this season!

Happy Baking!

~Gluten Free Em~

Homemade Sugar Free Jam

So, I have this issue with sugar, but detest the 'sugar free' jam's and jellies on the market today, so I have learned to make my own.
It is rather simple and requires few ingredients.
First, I start with organic fruit. I only use organic berries and fruit for many reasons, but mostly for the taste. The organic ones taste much better to me.
I get out a large saucepan and pour in about four cups of berries. You can use blueberries, strawberries, cherries, or apples, really whatever you like.
Cook it on medium heat for 1-2 hours, stirring often, until they have reduced to a bubbly syrup. Allow them to cool to warm, then blend them until smooth. It will be a little runny but if cooked long enough they will set to a smooth jam texture when completely cooled.
My family does not like sugar free jam. Most people don't. This recipe is so versatile that you can easily sweeten it with a few drops of Stevia, or a cup or so of Sugar in the Raw. (For those of you who are corn sensitive, be careful with the Stevia. A lot of times there is a corn based stabilizer involved, even with the Stevia in the Raw.)
So, there you go, my own personal jam recipe! Try it! Get creative, add ginger, or cinnamon for example, make it your own!
Have fun, and have a happy, healthy, gluten free day!
~EM KENNEDY~

Fall is here! Applesauce Raisin Cake

So its that time of year again: pumkins, hay bails, scarecrows, apples, cinnamon and nutmeg! Fall has come and with it comes the seasonal favorites. I could spend a lot of time telling you about all of my favorite fall recipes, but who has a lot of time? So, here is just one of my family's favorites.

Applesauce Raisin Cake
1 3/4 cups freshly milled organic brown rice flour
2-3 tablespoons of freshly ground flax
1/4 cup of shelled pumpkin seeds
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2-3/4 cup organic raisins
3/4-1 cup organic applesauce
3/4 cup organic full fat greek yogurt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/2 inch fresh organic ginger root minced (optional)
Preheat oven to 425°.
Butter the bottom of a 8 or 9 inch square glass baking pan generously with Kerrygold Butter.
In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients, mixing well. Add wet ingredients; mix well with a spoon. Gently stir in raisins and pumpkin seeds. Bake in prepared pan until top is golden brown. About 20-30 minutes. (Each oven is different, so check it often.)
This is my #sugarfree #glutenfree #cornfree #dyefree #annattofree #carrageenanfree #nutfree rendition of an all time classic.
1/2 cup sugar can be added if desired, but watch for quicker browning.
Happy Baking!
~EM~