Carefreeglutenfree - Carefree Gluten Free

{Photo via Chantal Andrea}

Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet

Ingredients:

1 cup Mint Simple Syrup, recipe follows

2 cups 100 percent pomegranate juice (recommended: Pom Wonderful)

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (dairy-free)

Mint Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 packed cup packed fresh mint leaves

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using. Yield: 1 cup Directions:

In a glass pitcher, combine the Mint Simple Syrup, pomegranate juice, and orange juice. Pour the pomegranate mixture in an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.  During the last 10 minutes of freezing time, add the mini chocolate chips. Scoop the sorbet into dessert bowls and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Black Bean Salsa

1 (10 oz) can Rotel, original flavor, drained

1 (15 oz) can Black Beans, drained & rinsed

1 (11 oz) can white shoepeg corn, drained

1 small onion, diced

Fresh cilantro, diced, to taste

Stir to mix.

Mix the following and heat just until the sugar is melted.  Pour over bean & corn mixture:

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup sugar

Best after setting overnight and will keep several days.

Serve with tortilla chips or use as a side dish.

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped fine

2 cloves garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup green or red bell pepper, chopped

12 ounces patty pan, zucchini, or yellow summer squash, diced (about 2 medium squash)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon Ancho chile powder (or mild chili powder)

1/8 -1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (or to taste)

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, well rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

2 teaspoons lime juice

1 can enchilada sauce (or 10 ounces homemade sauce)

8 corn tortillas

chopped green onions, for serving

Directions:

Saute the onion in a medium-sized saucepan until it begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the bell pepper and squash and cook, stirring, for about two minutes, until squash is just beginning to become tender. Add the cumin, chile powders, black beans, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and lime juice. Check seasoning and adjust to taste.

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray one large rectangular baking dish or 4 individual baking dishes with olive oil. Place a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of each dish, reserving most of it to go on top. Microwave the tortillas for about 20 seconds to soften them. Place a tortilla in front of you and arrange about 1/4 cup of the bean mixture across the center. Roll up and place seam-side down into the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beans. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbling. Sprinkle with sliced green onions to serve.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

- Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

Peach Crisp

4 c. fresh sliced peaches

1/2 c. orange juice

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 c. Gluten Free all-purpose flour*

1/3 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1. Combine peaches with orange juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. 

2. Combine flour, sugar, and baking powder.  Add egg and butter, mix until crumbly.  Sprinkle over peaches.

3. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over crumb mix. 

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the topping appears golden brown.

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

Char-grilled Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Celiac Disease Foundation

Serves: 24

Ingredients:

1 bag Pamela’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix

8 tbsp butter (1 stick) or butter alternative

1 egg (large) or egg replacer (prepared)

Directions:

Bring butter or alternative to soft room temp.

Combine with Pamela’s Mix and one large egg (or prepared egg replacer), and mix until completely incorporated. Dough will appear dark, oily, and slightly crumbly.

Press together heaping tbsp dollops and place on foiled wrapped cookie sheet.

Lightly flatten and bake in closed grill for 18 – 20 minutes.

 Hot Dog Chili

2 lb. ground chuck, browned and drained 2 tsp. chili powder 2 c. catsup

Mix together and simmer for 30 minutes.