I have been experimenting lately with gluten free baking. A year ago I would not have imagined I would be baking with brown rice flour, buck wheat flour, or garbanzo bean flour. Now, I feel very comfortable with gluten free living and it is kind of a rush when something turns out well. :) Gluten is the protein in wheat that helps hold everything together when you are baking. So when I make something gluten free I might add extra eggs and xanthan gum powder to help it rise nicely. So far I have tried some cookie recipes, cakes, muffins, and now biscuits. This was my first batch and it was going along with chicken soup so I was really hoping they would turn out. When Clay took his first bite he said, "these are the best biscuits you have ever made." I told him they were gluten free, and he said, "well, they are the best." So they passed the test! The kids always love anything I give them, I mean they are four and two. But when Clay loves something it means more.
Ellie has been asking about gluten and things that have gluten. She is very sweet about it. Sometimes she will say things like, "I could get you some cookies with no gluten Mommy!" Her and Clay made a Walmart run and came home with gluten free Chex cereal; she was so excited to give it to me. And I was more than willing to indulge in a junkie pregnant snack. :)
Anyhow, here is proof that biscuits can be made gluten free. And these were made with Bob's Redmill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. This is turning out to be my favorite flour because it isn't grainy like most other flours.
I'm thinking of starting to do some cooking with bean flour, because it's supposed to be excellent for your blood sugar. I'm not diabetic currently, but I'm hoping that it will help with weight loss as well. So what do you think of the garbanzo bean flour? Do you want to share any must-make recipes? =)
ReplyDeleteI loved your little story of Ellie w/the Chex. Seriously, could she get any cuter? Every time you tell a story involving Ellie, it just warms my heart.
Jill, gluten is really hard on our gallbladder and pancreas. And you know, your pancreas is lacking somewhere if you struggle with blood sugar. So what I mean is, probably any flour that is gluten free would be great! I don't just use straight garbanzo bean flour, the Bob's Red Mill All Purpose (GF) is part garbanzo bean flour. I really like this mixture a lot. I also use buck wheat flour to make our pancakes, it has a great flavor and they turn out really well. Actually, I use regular recipes and substitute with a 1:1 ratio if I am using Bob's Red Mill, you have to add the xanthan gum though. I am just now getting GF cookbooks from the library. If you try something let me know! Thanks about Ellie, there is NEVER a dull moment around here with her personality and Little Man's...I'm sure you know all about that with two adorable little girls. Thanks for your comments, I get excited when I see one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your posts - I get excited when I see one! lol Or if I haven't checked in a while and there's two & three, that's even better! Anyway, back to the flour....I didn't know that, about gluten being hard on the pancreas. Of course I have done zero research on it. Xanthan gum...where exactly would I find that? Health food store? My mom has made buckwheat pancakes before, so I know for sure that I like them. Is buckwheat gluten-free? (just throwing me for a loop with the word 'wheat' in there) Totally love your suggestion about getting GF cookbooks from the library - duh! I am definitely doing that as well. =)
ReplyDeletehttp://moneysavingmom.com/2011/04/reader-tip-make-gluten-free-flour-using-your-coffee-grinder.html
ReplyDeleteThought you'd find this article interesting! Be sure to skim the comments as well. =)
Thanks for the idea about the coffee grinder, I have not thought of that! --- Buckwheat is not a wheat at all. :) I'm not why it is called that. So yes, it is gluten free. You might find that you have more energy from cutting down on the gluten. For a Mommy that is a plus. Bob's Redmill also sells xanthan gum in one of their bags. You could probably find it in your health food store or online. It is a little expensive, but last forever. Have fun trying these things!
ReplyDelete