Gluten Free & God Seeking

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Lena's Gluten Free Rhubarb Crunch - A crisp with both a top and bottom crust!

For me baking with fresh rhubarb is a sign of spring. For me rhubarb brings back memories of my grandmother's rhubarb pie and rhubarb sauce. I loved the tart taste in my mouth. If you've never made a rhubarb-strawberry pie or a rhubarb crisp, it's time to try them out!

When a friend gave me some rhubarb a few weeks ago, my first thought was to make a strawberry rhubarb pie, but I didn't want the hassle so I went with a a recipe I picked up from my daughter-in-law's mother. She made this for us when we stayed with them before the wedding. It was fantastic!

After making this a few times it seems the main difference between a crunch and a crisp is you make crust for both the bottom and the top.

Lena's Rhubarb Crunch

I made my own version of this amazing dessert by adding 3 cups of chopped strawberries to the recipe, and I also tweaked the amount of butter and sugar in the recipe. Below is the original recipe with the modifications I made in blue. I want you to know reducing the sugar doesn't make it too tart--you can work with it and get it the way your family likes it.

1. Prepare rhubarb: Rinse off rhubarb and dice up 4 cups. (You may want to add a bit more--I did about 5 cups)

2. In a saucepan put:
(1) 2 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups of sugar (I used 1 cup) and whisk in 4 T of cornstarch and cook on medium heat until thickened.
(2) Add the rhubarb and stir in 2 tssp. vanilla and cook about 8-10 minutes. You don't want it to become a rhubarb sauce!

3. Make crunch:
(1) Mix together 1/3 cup rice flour, 1/3 cup sorghum flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour
(2) Stir in 1 3/4 cups brown sugar (I used 1 cup of sugar)
(3) Add 2 1/2 cups oats and 2 tsp. cinnamon.
(4) Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter and mix until blended. (The recipe calls for 3/4 a cup but it works out with a bit less.)

4. Assemble crunch:
(1) Press in 1/2 of the crumbs into the bottom of a 9 x 13 glass pan.
(2) Pour the rhubarb mixture over the bottom layer
(3) Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads & Coffee Cakes:
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread  (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!) (From a former neighbor)
Here's a Zucchini Bread with a Hawaiian Twist! Gluten Free Pineapple Zucchini Bread (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Dot's Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread (From my father's friend)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake (From my daughter's husband's grandma--whew)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake   (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake   (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake (My mother-in-law's specialty!)
The Best Gluten Free Black Bottom Cupcakes (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake (From an Internet search--tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake (From my grandmother)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Overwhelmed By Your Bumper Crop of Zucchini? Try Claudia's Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake! (From my former neighbor Claudia of 12 years)
Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake
Decadent & Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake  (From my Come & Dine church cookbook)
Debbie's Delicious Hot Water GF Chocolate Cake (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Debbie's Less Oil Carrot Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Jud's Crazy Cake (You Can Easily Make It Gluten Free!) (From a church friend)

Cookies:
The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies   (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free! (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies (From a church friend)
Marie's Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies (Also Great Gluten Free!)   (My friend Marie's recipe)
Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies (From my friend Debbie)
Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons - (Recipe on Baker's bag of coconut)
Dale's Gingersnaps Made Gluten Free (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Chewy Gluten Free Molasses Cookies (From my daughter-in-law's Family Reunion Cookbook)
Those Famous Neiman Marcus Cookies Made Gluten Free   (From my daughter-in-law)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Judi's Favorite Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits   (My friend Judi's sister's recipe)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother. She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie   (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)
My Grandmother's Favorite Banana Cream Pie  (A recipe from my grandmother)
Granny's Lemon Cheesecake Squares   (From my friend Judi's granny)
Simple & Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Judi's No Fail Gluten Free Pie Crust   (From my friend Judi)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Berry Cobbler (My husband's grandma's recipe)
Gluten Free Lemony Rhubarb Bars (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Old Fashioned Strawberry Buckle (Made Gluten Free) (A recipe I picked up from a berry farm)
From New Zealand - Triple Berry Pavlova (A friend's recipe - Heritage School Cookbook)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:

Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's pumpkin can)
My Family's Favorite Gingerbread Cookies (Now Made Gluten Free!)  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie (With extra spice-- from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake  ( Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Nordy Bars  ( From my Syre School Cookbook)
Grandma Pitcher's Old Fashioned Sandies (Made Gluten Free)  (My husband's grandma)
Make a Family Tradition & Make Your Own Fruitcake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Homemade Gluten Free Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

My Favorite Banana Nut Muffins (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Puddings & Ice Cream:

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!) (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)

Tangy Lemon Pudding (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

What is the God-Shaped Vacuum in Man?

A link caught my eye on Facebook this week. The presentation totally captured my attention because it was on a topic that is close to every believer’s heart—how to you share your faith with others. I like to carry tracts and free study Bible cards with me just in case I meet someone. The video is called the God Shaped Vacuum,

and it is based on the thought provoking writing in Section VII of Blaise Pascal’s book called Pensees.

“All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. …The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, ….

And yet after such a great number of years, no one without faith has reached the point to which all continually look. All complain princes and subjects, noblemen and commoners, old and young, strong and weak, learned and ignorant, healthy and sick, of all countries, all time, all ages, and all conditions.

Trials so long, so continuous, and so uniform should certainly convince us of our inability to reach the good by our own efforts. …What is then that this desire and this inability proclaim to us, but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God Himself” (Pensees #425, page 75).

This quote from Pascal made me wonder what time period he lived in and what made him write like this. Google is such a wonderful tool. Anyway after a few searches I found out that he was one of the keenest intellects of the 17^th century (1623-1662). He is mainly known for his scientific and mathematical discoveries like the theory of probabilities, the binomial theorem, the law of hydrostatics, and the invention of the first calculator. Another site said when he was 23 he discovered the existence of the vacuum, and this paved the way for the invention of hypodermic syringes, barometers, and hydraulic devices.

One site noted that Pascal, Leibniz and Galileo were all considered successors of the Enlightenment which began in the 1800s. One of the sites I viewed said that Pascal

realized that in spite of his brilliant intellect and his great scientific research, he was still empty within. I wondered what had happened in his life that caused his conversion. One site said that through seeing God work to heal his niece, and after he himself was almost killed in a carriage accident at 31, he was dramatically saved. The Christianity website noted that his conversion experience was so important to him that he wrote it down and sewed it into the lining of his coat:

"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and scholars...Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy...'This is life eternal that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.' Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ...May I not fall from him forever...I will not forget your word. Amen."

One of the sites stated that for the next eight years after his conversion, Pascal began to jot down his realizations on the Christian faith, and this book was later called Pensees. You can see from this excerpt from Pensees how much his conversion experience impacted his faith in God:

“Only the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of Christians is a God of love, and of comfort, a God who fills the soul and the heart of those whom He possesses a God Who makes them conscious of their inward wretchedness, and His infinite mercy, Who unites Himself to their inmost soul, Who fills it with humility and joy, with confidence and love, Who renders them incapable of any other end than Himself. Jesus Christ is the end of all, and the center to which all tends” (Pensees).

Pascal's experience touches me--especially when you realize the time period he was born in, and how God became so real to him.

Note: Section VII can be found on page 75 of Blaise Pascal's Pensees, New York; Penguin Books, 1966.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Fantastic Mahi & Vegetable Noodle Stir Fry

This recipe is a delicious way to eat more fish! Mahi is such a flavorful fish, it tastes good in anything. I like making stir fries because it's a great way to get more vegetables into my diet. I got this wonderful recipe from Aggies Kitchen. I've tried it over rice and also by stir-frying some rice noodles in at the end. That has become our favorite way of having this stir fry. The only thing I did was double the sauce because it was so good.

Mahi & Zucchini Stir Fry - Serves 8

1. Prepare fish: Rinse 1 pound of mahi and cut it into bite size pieces. Put it in a marinade of 1 T oil, 1 t sugar, and 2 T tamari for 20-30 minutes.

2. Prepare veggies:
(1) Cut 2 zucchini and 2 yellow squashes in half and make 1" slices.
(2) Cut 1 large onion in thin slices.
(3) Cut 1 large carrot in half and slice on the diagonal.
(4) Mince 2 cloves of garlic and 1 t of ginger root.

3. Prepare stir fry sauce: Mix together 2 T cornstarch, 1 t salt, 1 t black pepper, 1/2 cup oyster sauce, 4-5 T tamari, 2 t sesame oil, and 1/2 cup water.

4. Stir fry fish and veggies: Heat 1 T oil and stir fry the fish. Remove and put in a covered dish. Add 1 T more oil and stir fry the veggies until they are crisp-tender about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the stir-fry sauce. Mix with noodles or serve over rice.

Note on noodles: Cook about 7 oz of rice stick noodles. Drain and stir fry at the end about 2-3 minutes to thoroughly coat them with the sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust any seasonings. The only thing I did was add 1-2 T of tamari.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

What's the Focus of the Gospel of John?

Have you ever heard that the Bible is a book on life and building? Last week I started reading the Life-Study of John, and in the opening messages Witness Lee shares that the Gospel of John illustrates how life and building are the central focus of this gospel.

In the opening chapters he first shows how the Bible begins and ends with life and building. Then he pointed out that in between Genesis and Revelation is a record of building. Have you ever thought about that?

In the Old Testament this building revolved around the building of the tabernacle and then the temple. But the New Testament reveals that God is building a spiritual house with all of His regenerated people.

These verses in Ephesians 2:20-22 show this: Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone. In whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit. I never would have seen this so clearly without this Life-Study!!

In the first chapter of John you can see both life and building. In John 1:4 you can see the Lord’s life: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And building is implied in verse 51 when the Lord told Nathaniel that he would see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

This Life-Study said that the Jews of that time knew that the Lord was referring to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28. While Jacob was sleeping, he had a dream of a ladder and angels going up and down on it. What’s unusual is that when Jacob woke up, he said in verse 17, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God,…” Here's Witness Lee's commentary on that section in Chapter 4 of the Life-Study of John on page 49:

The Lord's word to Nathaniel was the fulfillment of Jacob's dream. Christ, as the Son of man with His humanity, is the ladder which is set up on earth and leads to heaven, keeping heaven open to earth and joining earth to heaven for the house of God, (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of John. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).

In these opening messages, he shares that these verses in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of John reveal that the life of God is for the building of God. What an outstanding connection our brother made here!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Best Fish Tacos

You know a good fish taco by its taste. My first fish taco was at Huntington Beach about a block up from the pier. All the flavors just about exploded in my mouth--it was so delicious. Anyway for years I had thought fish didn't belong in a taco shell so I had never even tried one.

But eating those fish tacos put me in recipe scout mode, and I started to Google it. I couldn't believe it when I made Rachel Ray's recipe, those flavors all came home again. The title for her fish taco does give you a clue though that this is one good fish taco.

Instead of mahi, I usually just use cod. The pico de gallo recipe is from a Texas airport cookbook.

With Cinco de Mayo just a few days away, I wanted to put up some of my favorite Mexican recipes. Enjoy!

Rachel Ray's Fish Taco Recipe

from Rachel Ray www.foodnetwork.com – enough for 15 corn tortilla tacos

1. Prepare fish: Rinse mahi mahi. I often use cod. Make the marinade for the fish with: Zest 1 lime and mix it with 1 T oil, 1 t salt, ¼ t pepper and pour over fish and set in fridge until ready to grill or fry in a cast iron skillet.

2. Prepare veggies: (I usually put all of these in three bowls to help me stay organized as I chop.)

(1) Dice 1/4^th of a red onion and put aside for the cabbage slaw

(2) Then chop the rest of it for the pico de gallo.

(3) Mince 2 cloves of garlic and set aside for the pico de gallo.

(4) Dice up 1 jalapeño that you've seeded also for the pico de gallo. It's great without it!

(5) Dice 1 green pepper for the pico de gallo.

(6) Dice 1 white sweet onion for the pico de gallo.

(7) Slice finely ¼ of a head of green cabbage for the slaw.

(8) Slice finely ½ cup of cilantro for the cabbage slaw, 1/4 cup for the pico de gallo, and 2 T for Baja dressing.

(9) Dice 1 cup of tomatoes for the pico de gallo.

3. Cabbage slaw: In a bowl put the finely sliced cabbage, red onion, and cilantro and then toss with the slaw dressing.

4. Mix slaw dressing: Whisk together the juice of 1 lime, 1 ½ T honey (I often just use agave syrup) , 1 ½ T olive oil, ½ tsp.salt, ¼ tsp. pepper. Pour over slaw.

5. Baja dressing to spread on corn tortilla shells: Mix together ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup mayo, ½ of a lemon juiced, 1 t salt, 2 T salsa, 2 T cilantro. (I halved this because it made a lot! Actually half of this recipe is enough to make about 15 tacos)

6. Prepare pico de gallo: In a bowl put:
(1) the rest of the chopped red onion
(2) 1 cup of chopped tomatoes
(3) ¼ cup of cilantro
(4) 1 small green pepper diced
(5) 1 diced medium white sweet onion
(6) 2 cloves of minced garlic
(7) Then stir in ½ cup of salsa, 1 tsp. salt, and the juice of 1 lemon or lime.
(This recipe for pico de gallo is from a small cookbook I picked up at a Texas airport. It's our favorite.)

7. Grill fish: Grill the mahi mahi or cod for 4 minutes, turn over and grill for another 4 minutes. Then cut it into pieces for the tacos.

(I have also cooked this fish in my cast iron skillet on medium high with about 2 T of coconut oil, and it comes out fantastic. I let it get a bit seared and then flip the fish over. Trader Joes sells mahi mahi and cod in small chunks that are easy to chop up.)

8. Warm up corn tortillas: Warm up shells in oven, microwave or in foil on the top shelf of BBQ.

9. Assemble: Spread corn tortilla shells with Baja dressing, top with about 2 tablespoons of fish, 2 T of cabbage slaw, and then put pico de gallo on the top.

Blog Update July 31, 2012 - Last night I made fish tacos for the international students, and for two of them it was their first time having a fish taco. Anyway I used cod instead of mahi mahi, and my husband liked it better because the cod doesn't have as strong a flavor. Either way you are going to enjoy some great fish tacos!

Other Mexican recipes on this blog:

Mexican Casseroles
Texas Style Gluten Free Stacked Enchiladas (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Acapulco Delight - A great Mexican Enchilada (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Michelle's Favorite Vegetarian Enchiladas (From my daughter)
Kathy's Baked Chili & Chips Casserole (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Fiesta Gluten Free Tamale Pie (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Authentic Chicken Enchiladas Verde (From a church friend)
Rebecca's Favorite Chicken & Chile Enchiladas (From a church friend)
Delores's Chicken & Tortilla Casserole (Made Gluten Free) (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Great Beef Enchiladas - From my church cookbook, Come & Dine
El Dorada Beef & Cheese Casserole - From my Heritage School cookbook
Mexican Beef & Bean Pie - From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook

Tacos, Chimichangas & Etc.
The Best Fish Tacos (Modified from Food Network)
Fantastic Baked Chimichangas (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Authentic Chicken Flautas (My hispanic friend Abbie taught me how to make these!)

Delicious Chicken Fajitas (A mix of many recipes)
Easy Gluten Free Baked Taquitos (From a newspaper clip)

The Best Homemade Refried Beans (From an Internet search)
Sara's Grandpa's Recipe for Mexican Beans (from my nephew's wife-a yummy side dish that is thick like a stew)

Mexican Chicken & Beef
Anna's Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken) (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Fantastic Gluten Free Carne Asada! (From an Internet search--a combination of sites)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw (From my daughter's family)
Make Your Own Chicken Burrito Bowls - A combo of my favorite recipes for beans &chicken

Soups
Mexican Chicken Soup- A Great Remedy for Colds & Flu (I got this over 25 years ago from a Mexican cookbook)
Bethany's Crowd Pleasing Tortilla Soup (From a friend in California)
Southwest Turkey Soup (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Salads
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa (My own version of something I ate in Seattle)

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