Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free » Spreads

Raw Cashew “Parmesan Creamy Cheese” (dairy-free)

Amy — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:00:22 +0000

No, I’m not going raw.

But, since I had to cut out dairy and choose to stay mostly soy-free I’ve found that some of the best dairy-free stand-ins are raw and nut-based. Thank goodness I can still eat nuts!

Let’s talk for a minute about where this recipe came from. I decided to make pasta for dinner and wanted something Parmesan-cheesy to stir into the dish. Yea, I could have sprinkled some nutritional yeast over the top of my noodles but that wasn’t exactly the bite I was craving. I wanted something creamy and delicious.
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Sundried Tomato & Pepita Pesto

Amy — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:00:12 +0000

With Easter right around the corner, I wanted to give you a dairy-free, nut-free option for your celebration.

After Nate was born, something funky happened and my body stopped tolerating dairy. I can’t say I’m thrilled with it. I kept trying to eat it, hoping that something would change. I really didn’t want to add one more thing to my ‘can’t eat’ list.

But, my best efforts failed and at least for today I can’t eat dairy.

I feel better. So. Much. Better. No stomach pain. No digestive distress. But, gosh I miss my yogurt and cottage cheese.

My favorite little guy is dairy-free too.
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Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Amy — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:00:54 +0000

Homemade gifts for Christmas can be easy, inexpensive, delicious, and still come from the heart. Each year, it seems the list of people I want to acknowledge at the holidays grows. That doesn’t mean I want to spend more money. So, coming up with creative money-saving solutions is one of my strategies. It takes some planning ahead. And it takes valuable time. But, in the end, handmade gifts give that something extra that store-bought gifts just can’t.

I always look forward to the special homemade gifts I know I’m getting from friends each year. And, I cherish them always.

I got my love of handmade gifts from my Dad. One of his hobbies was wood crafting. He could build anything. And he loved to make gifts for people. Every year at Christmas he made something for his mother. And, he would enlist me and my sisters to help. He taught me how to use my hands to create.
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Back-to-School Recipe Round-Up

Amy — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:34:47 +0000

For some, school is already back in session, and it’s just around the corner for others. Here’s a round-up of recipes that are great for packing in school (or work) lunches. Because our schedules can be so full, I’ve also included some easy slow-cooker recipes to help you on those busy nights!

Also, be sure to check out these 8 Tips for Packing a Healthy Gluten-Free Lunch. Don’t forget that you can add a special note to that lunchbox — Life as MOM has a free “lunch box love note” printable for you to download and use.

Sandwich Fixings

Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread with Sourdough Starter from Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free
Egg-Free Soy-Free Mayo / Vegetable Dip from Whole New Mom
Homemade Nut & Seed Butters from Whole New Mom
Mock Tuna Salad from Diet, Dessert, and Dogs (photo shown above)

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Lemon Curd

Amy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:30:31 +0000

Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Lemon Curd

This refined sugar-free lemon curd is perfect for spring and summer. I can’t help it…I’m on a lemon kick. My gluten-free Lemon Coconut Bars started the craze at my house.

When Joe gets home from work, we always talk about our day. I’m usually making dinner. He sits down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and we chat. When I told him I made lemon curd, he immediately went for the refrigerator. That’s not like him. He’s got more self-control than most people. He eats his dessert after dinner religiously.

One bite and he was all smiles. Then, he said, “Honey, if you put this in that really good pie crust you make and top it with meringue…” His sentence was cut short by another bite of sweet-tart lemony creaminess.

He couldn’t resist. Few things make me happier.

So, don’t be surprised if there’s a lemon meringue tart here soon. Joe usually gets whatever he asks for.

A Make-Shift Splash Guard to Keep Your Kitchen Clean

A little tip to help you when you’re making this at home – it splatters. To keep my stovetop and myself clean, I made a ‘sheild’ of sorts out of plastic wrap. It kept the lemon curd in the bowl where it belongs.

What has the warmer weather inspired you to make? Feel free to share links to your favorite spring recipes.

Lemon Curd

Yield: about 2 cups

Ingredients

4 extra large eggs
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Instructions

Put the eggs and the agave nectar in the top part of a double boiler. (A note: I make a double boiler out of a pot and a heat-proof bowl. For this, I used a stock pot and a large glass bowl that fit partially inside the pot.) Bring a small amount of water to boil in the bottom of the double boiler. While the water is coming to a boil, beat the eggs and the agave nectar with a hand-held mixer on high speed until they’re light yellow and ribbon, or rest on top of the mixture for a second before disappearing when you lift the beaters.
Mix in the lemon juice and lemon zest, then put the top of the double boiler on the pot with the water boiling gently. The bowl should not touch the water. Beat on medium high speed until the mixture thickens and reaches 140 degrees F. Take the lemon curd off the double boiler and beat in the butter 1/2 tablespoon at a time. Push through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, place plastic wrap directly on the curd, and refrigerate until chilled. Once chilled, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Notes

If you want your lemon curd to be less tart, reduce the lemon juice to 1/3 cup.

http://simplysugarandglutenfree.com/lemon-curd-new/