Carefreeglutenfree - Carefree Gluten Free

Pasta Salad

12 oz. Gluten Free Fusilli Pasta 1 large tomato 1 large cucumber 1 Tbsp. fresh basil 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper

1. In a large pot of lightly salted water, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Place in a large bowl. 

2. Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Whisk together and pour over the warm pasta.  Stir to combine. 

3. Dice the tomato and cucumber and finely chop the fresh herbs.  Add the tomato, cucumber, herbs, and cheese to the pasta.  Toss until well combined.  Serve at room temperature.

*I used Heartland's Gluten Free Fusilli.

"Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it."        - Alice Walker

Peaches and Cream Muffins

1-1/4 c. Gluten Free baking mix* 1/4 c. sugar 1 egg 1/4 c. sour cream 2 Tbsp. peach juice 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. almond extract 1/2 c. peaches, diced

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. Mix all ingredients  together, gently folding in the peaches last. 

3. Spoon the mixture into a greased or lined muffin pan, about 2/3 full. 

4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.   

Yield: Half a dozen muffins

*I used Pamela's Product's Gluten Free Baking & Pancake Mix for this recipe.

“Like all magnificent things, it's very simple.”

- Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

Pecan Pie

In honor of National Pecan Pie Day

Yields: 2 pies

Gluten Free Pie Crust*

5 eggs, slightly beaten Dash of salt 1 box of light brown sugar 1 1/4 sticks margarine 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla Pecans

1. Beat eggs well.  Add the rest of the ingredients, except pecans. 

2. Place mixture in pie crusts and top with pecans. 

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. 

*I used Gluten Free Pantry's perfect pie crust mix.

Gingerbread Cupcakes

1/2 stick margarine, softened

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 c. sifted Gluten Free all purpose flour*

3 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. xanthum gum

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. cloves

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line each cup of a muffin tin with paper liners. 

2.  Cream together margarine, sugar, and brown sugar until soft and fluffy.

3.  Add egg and beat well.

4.  Sift together flour, baking powder, xanthum gum, and spices.  Add to the margarine mixture and stir.  Add in milk and vanilla.  Beat well until the batter is smooth.

5.  Fill each muffin cup halfway and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.  Let cakes cool on a cooling rack.  Frost with vanilla or cream cheese icing. 

Yields: 12 cupcakes

*I used Gluten Free pantry's Gluten Free all purpose flour for this recipe.

Apple Cider Pound Cake

Ingredients:

3/4 cup non-dairy butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons egg replacer

1/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup applesauce

1-1/2 cups Gluten Free all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup apple cider

Gluten Free, vegan caramel icing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  In a separate bowl, dissolve egg replacer in hot water.  Add to the butter mixture and beat until combined.  Add in the applesauce; beat well.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the cider, beating well after each addition.

Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake at 300 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely.

Frost, as preferred and serve.

{Photo via Chantal Andrea}

Peach & Cherry Crisp

{Photo via Bakers Royale}

Ingredients:

3 peaches, peeled and sliced

3 nectarines, peeled and sliced

1 lb. cherries, pitted

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 cup Gluten Free oats

1/2 cup rice flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons non-dairy butter, cold, cut into cubes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 8" or 9" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the peaches, nectarines, cherries, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and pumpkin pie spice.  Toss well to combine; set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Spread the fruit mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle the top evenly with the oat mixture.

Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.  Serve warm.