Product Review of Mom's Place Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

This mix is quite good and is easy to prepare.  I chilled the dough overnight and I decided to roll it out on parchment paper.  I tried doing it without dusting the parchment flour with gluten free flour (which is specified in the instructions :).  The dough rolled out easily, but removing the cookies was another story.  It was a sticky mistake.  So, my daughter scooped up the dough and got it off the parchment paper, and we started over on a new piece of parchment paper that was dusted with gluten-free flour.  It worked much better and we were able to remove the cookies with ease.

The mix directions specify to roll it out to 1/2 inch thick, but I prefer to roll them out thinner and add more frosting. :)  These cookies have great flavor, but because they are a little bit dry, I am rating them at 7 out of 10.

Merry Christmas!

My husband wrote this beautiful tribute to the Savior that I want to share with you.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

One cannot overstate the glory and power of the Savior's life and sacrifice for each one of us. The hymn "Redeemer of Israel," written by William W. Phelps, tries to capture the greatness of Jesus Christ.

Redeemer of Israel,
Our only delight,
On whom for a blessing we call,
Our shadow by day
And our pillar by night,
Our King, our Deliv’rer, our all!

The phrase, "our all"  is powerful.  It is as if W.W. Phelps in trying to describe the greatness of Jesus Christ came to the conclusion no title or list of titles describing greatness could adequately capture who the Savior is and what He has done.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ is both grand and glorious while being very personal and powerful.  It reaches out to all of God's children in the world and to world's without number while helping each of us in our daily personal struggles.  His sacrifice is for everyone and can mean everything to each one of us.  

Merrill J. Bateman stated, "The Atonement involved more than an infinite mass of sin; it entailed an infinite stream of individuals with their specific needs. Alma records that Jesus took upon himself the pains, afflictions, temptations, and sicknesses of his people. In addition, he experienced their weaknesses so that he would know how to help them (see Alma 7:11–12). Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would bear “our griefs, and [carry] our sorrows”; that he would be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4–5). Paul explained to the Hebrews that Jesus tasted “death for every man” and woman (Hebrews 2:9). No wonder “his sweat was as it were great drops of blood” coming from “every pore” (Luke 22:44).  (BYU Devotional Sept. 1997)

During this Christmas Season we pray that you and your family will feel the power of the Savior's love and atoning sacrifice.

Product Review of Glutenfreeda Gluten-Free Burrito

Every once in a while, it is nice to know there is something in the freezer that you can warm up quickly for lunch on a busy day.  My daughter and I tried out a Glutenfreeda Chicken and Cheese Burrito.  Unfortunately, it wasn't the tastiest.  I am rating it at 6 out of 10.  The texture of the tortilla was kind of spongy, which looked different than usual...but we are acquainted with some gluten-free food having an unusual texture. The biggest drawback was the lack of great flavor overall, and the chicken tasted like turkey--with a rubbery texture.


                      (Photo source:  google.com images)

Heavenly Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake

It was a good day when I was experimenting with the recipe in my cookbook for Angel Food Cake.  It came together the first time, which is rare when creating gluten-free recipes. :)   This was our daughter's request for her birthday.  I hope you enjoy it.

Angel Food Cake

1½ cups powdered sugar

½ cup brown rice flour

¼ cup potato starch

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

¼ cup tapioca flour

1½ cups egg whites (about 12 egg whites)

1½ teaspoons cream of tartar

1 cup sugar

1½ teaspoons vanilla

½ teaspoon almond extract

¼ teaspoon salt

strawberries

whipping cream, with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar added

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Mix powdered sugar (not granulated sugar), rice flour, potato starch, xanthan gum, and tapioca flour in a plastic storage bag or mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a separate 3-quart bowl on medium speed until foamy. Beat in sugar on high speed, ⅛ cup at a time, adding vanilla, almond extract, and salt with the last addition of sugar. Continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not under beat.
3. Sprinkle powdered sugar–flour mixture, ¼ cup at a time, over meringue, folding in with a rubber spatula until powdered sugar–flour mixture disappears. Spread batter into ungreased angel food cake pan. Cut gently through batter with knife.
4. Bake until cracks on top of cake feel dry and top springs back when touched lightly, about 30 to 35 minutes. Invert pan on heatproof funnel (or a can of unopened food) until cool. Wash and slice strawberries.
5. Whip the cream and add 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Combine strawberries and whipped cream. Serve over cake.

Serves 6 to 8

Product Review of Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Cookie Mix

This is a tasty cookie mix, and I like the lower price compared to some other gluten-free mixes (although any gluten-free mix costs more than a gluten counterpart, unfortunately).  I am rating it at 7 out of 10.  The flavor is good, but the cookies tend to fall apart easily.

Photo Source:  amazon.com

Recipe for Mandarin Orange Salad

If you are looking for a delicious gelatin salad, this is a creamy and smooth recipe.  It is found on Page 79 of my cookbook.  I couldn't find tapioca pudding when I went to the grocery store last week, so I bought coconut cream pudding and it was a great substitute.

Mandarin Orange Salad

1 small box of orange gelatin

1 small box of vanilla pudding (not instant)

1 small box of tapioca pudding (not instant)

3 cups water

12 ounces whipped topping

2 small cans of Mandarin oranges

1. Place gelatin and pudding in large pan. Add water and bring to a boil for one minute, stirring often.
2. Cool mixture in large mixing bowl in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Add whipped topping and oranges.

Serves 8 to 10

Delicious Gluten-Free Stuffing

I love it when gluten-free stuffing is consumed just as quickly as the gluten-type stuffing.  :)  I hope this recipe will come in handy next week for Thanksgiving.  Give it a try.


*It is helpful to make the bread ahead and freeze it, or buy Udi's Rich and Hearty Whole Grain Bread if you don't have time to make bread.

Delicious Gluten-Free Stuffing

8-9 slices Whole Grain Bread (see earlier blog post on 9-28-12 for this recipe or my cookbook on P. 42)
6 tablespoons butter
Half of an onion
2 stalks celery
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Garlic salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chicken broth

Step 1:  Slice bread into cubes using a sharp knife or an electric knife.  This is easier if the bread is partially frozen.

Step 2:  Dice onion and celery.  I like to do this in my blender with water added, and then drain off the water.  It chops it finely.  (You can get the same results with a food processor).

Step 3:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt butter in frying pan. Add diced onion and celery.  Cook until tender, stirring occasionally.  Season with poultry seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper.

Step 4:  Add bread crumbs and chicken broth and stir well.

Step 5:  Bake for 30-35 minutes in greased 8 X 8" baking dish, covered with foil.