Carol's Culinary Cues - April, 2010

 (c) Carol Fenster, Ph.D. - President, Savory Palate, Inc.

8174 South Holly St., #404, Centennial, CO  80122

800.741.5418

ISSN 14244


IN THIS ISSUE:

-GLUTEN-FREE ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM (PBS)

-SOLD-OUT CLASSES AT BOB'S RED MILL COOKING SCHOOL

-FOOD FOR THOUGHT

-WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CAROL?

 

GLUTEN-FREE ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM (PBS)

I was invited to tape three shows in the studios of “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden,”  located in a beautiful new studio at Eastern New Mexico University. Sheryl Borden is the host of this 34-year-old show; it is broadcasted in 50 states, in over 100 stations and covers a wide variety of topics.  http://www.kenw.org/creative-living.html  

I taped 3 shows focused on gluten-free baking without eggs or dairy. That’s my new book in the photo, 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes, (in stores after Labor Day) and that's me with the hostess, Sheryl Borden (left) along with my wonderful assistants, Virginia Schmuck, of Lubbock, TX, (next to Sheryl) and Genevieve Potts of Portales, NM, on the right. These two ladies made sure the food looked great before each camera short and took care of all those little details that happen when filming food. Thank you, Virginia and Genevieve. You were wonderful!!! By the way, they are dedicated leaders in their own communities and have helped many gluten-free patients.

In the studio of "Creative Living with Sheryl Borden"

 

Show #1: Egg-Free Baking

The first show focused on how to replace eggs in baking, probably one of the hardest substitutes to make.  (My cookbook, Cooking Free, is egg-free and my youngest grandson is egg-free.) In place of each large egg (which measures about one-quarter cup) I showed how to use one-quarter cup of soft silken tofu (blended in with liquid ingredients until creamy). Then, I showed how to use one-quarter cup of the flaxseed mix (3 tablespoons stirred into 1 cup of boiling water until it is like runny jello). Keep leftover flax mix in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Both tofu and flax add fat and moisture to baking, plus they bind the ingredients. I made Chocolate Brownies using a tablespoon of Ener-G Egg Replacer powder; it’s best in low-rise foods like Brownies. 

 

Show #2: Dairy Substitutes (yogurt, milk, and butter)

The second show focused on how to use substitutes for yogurt, milk, and butter in baking. There are so many wonderful replacements for cow’s milk.  Choose milk that is fortified with nutrients and then be sure to shake the box each time to make sure those nutrients are well distributed.  Butter is easily replaced by buttery spreads (or canola oil if you wish) such as Earth Balance (which I use at www.GfreeCuisine.com).  I demonstrated how to make Homemade Yogurt using cashew cream (cashew nuts  soaked in water overnight and pureed in a blended with water) and then fermented overnight in a yogurt maker with a starter that I purchase online. I’ve been using cashew cream for many years now and love its creamy goodness.  I also talked about how to make your own kefir using Body Ecology starter and any milk that suits your diet.

 

Show #3: Dairy Substitutes (cream cheese, sour cream, and whipping cream)

The third show focused on dairy substitutes for cream cheese, sour cream, and whipping cream.  The two main brands for cream cheese and sour cream substitutes are made by Tofutti and Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet; each work very well especially in the Dairy-free Cheesecake that I made. It was in a Cookie Crust that I usually make with Health Valley Rice Bran Crackers (which I couldn’t find, but you could use dairy-free versions of Pamela’s cookies or Ener-G cookies). Then I made an easy Cheesecake Parfait that was simply layers of crushed cookies, the cheesecake filling mentioned above, and cherry pie filling. You can see it in the lower left-hand corner of the photo. It makes a spectacular dessert for guests and it is super-simple to assemble.

 

There are so many wonderful substitutes for the foods that many of us can’t eat. Whether you’re allergic, intolerant, or follow a vegan diet, these substitutes make our lives easier. By the way, all of my books are dairy-free and the recipes at www.GfreeCuisine.com are as well. We are so grateful to the manufacturers who make it possible for us to eat!

 


SOLD-OUT CLASSES AT BOB'S RED MILL COOKING SCHOOL

Cooking school director, Lori Sobelson, invited me to teach a class on time-saving approaches to gluten-free baking in the beautiful kitchens at Bob's Red Mill Store in Portland, OR. Our first class immediately sold out, with a waiting list. So, they opened a second class on the same day, which also sold out, with another waiting list. That's how popular our gluten-free diet has become!

I demonstrated 5 dishes (1 bread, 4 desserts) that can be streamlined to save time without sacrificing taste or texture. Here is a brief run-down of what I did (and you can do at home).

Flatbread. First, I made a very quick flatbread called Pissaladiere (from the South of France). While bread doesn’t seem “quick”, my method certainly is. You quickly mix it in a bowl, then spread the ultra-soft batter with a wet spatula on a baking sheet. It bakes quickly since it is quite then, then cut or tear the pieces and dip them in a sauce of balsamic vinegar, herbs, and olive oil, just like in restaurants.

Carol’s Time-Saving Tip: You can use your favorite flatbread recipe. Mix the batter the night before, using cold milk and cold eggs, so the yeast isn’t stimulated to rise. Then refrigerate overnight, tightly covered. The next evening or up to 3 days later, spread as much of the batter as you want on a greased baking sheet, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake it as directed. You have fresh bread, hot from the oven with minimal fuss. Keep any leftover batter in the fridge so it doesn’t spoil.

Cherry Cobbler and Strawberry Shortcake. I used the Bob’s Red Mill Vanilla Cake Mix (you can use any GF vanilla cake mix) to make Cherry Cobbler and Strawberry Shortcake. I divided the mix in half so I really got two desserts for the price of one. Then mix in the liquid ingredients specified on the package (halved, e.g., 1 egg instead of 2) and you’re ready to bake. Instead of cherries, you can use peaches, nectarines, plums…whatever is in season or on your pantry shelf.

Carol’s Time-Saving Tip: Don’t have mixes on hand or prefer to make your own?  Use your own recipes, assemble the dry ingredients and then mix thoroughly, then divide in half. Store the halved mixes in your pantry, and you’re immediately ready to bake by just adding the (halved) liquid ingredients.

Frangipane Tarts and Toffee Bars: Bob’s Red Mill Shortbread Cookie mix (halved) provided the base for these two delectable treats. The base for the frangipane tart was the cookie dough, topped with fragrant almond paste, and then fresh fruit (I like nectarines, but pears are in season now) glazed with melted jelly after baking. It is very elegant-looking and often seen in French pastry shops, yet super-simple. A tablespoon of molasses transformed the cookie mix into a toffee-flavored bar. It was topped with chocolate candy bars immediately out of the oven so the bars melted on the hot dough. A sprinkling of toasted almonds completed the treat. If you like more chocolate; use more chocolate bars.

Carol’s Time-Saving Tip: Use your kitchen scales to carefully halve the total weight. These scales are readily available in kitchen stores and discount stores at reasonable prices, so consider it a gift to yourself and an investment in your gluten-free health. If you don’t own a scale, pour the whole mix into a glass measuring cup and divide in half by volume.  Half of the BRM Shortbread Cookie Mix is 1 ¾ cups + 2 tablespoons. Half of the BRM Vanilla Cake Mix is 1 ¾ cups. Bon Appetit!


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Tis easy enough to be pleasant, When life flows along like a song; But the man worthwhile is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong." --Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American writer

 


WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CAROL?

Wednesday, April 22, 2010, at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM classes: Milwaukie, OR at Bob's Red Mill Store

Friday, May 28, 2010: Montreal, Canada, Canadian Dietitian's Conference

Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 1 PM: Minneapolis, MN, GIG Annual Conference, Minneapolis Airport Marriott

Friday, October 25, 2010 at 2 PM: Boston, MA, Natural Products Expo East at the Nutri-Books signing my new book, 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes

November 7-9, 2010: Boston, MA, Exhibitor at Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo

 

Please Visit http://www.savorypalate.com for information on our Gluten Free Cookbooks.