Gluten Free & God Seeking: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gluten Free Chinese - Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Don't like broccoli? Sticking it into stir fries is one way to get more of this amazing cancer fighting vegetable into your diet! I've only made this recipe a few times, but this past weekend I made it again and adjusted the seasoning in the sauce to give it a little bit more zip. The Asian students and my husband all said it was a keeper. The original recipe doesn't call for carrots and celery, but I wanted to add more color and vegetables to this delicious stir fry.

Gluten Free Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

1. Prepare chicken: Rinse 1 pound of chicken breasts and cut into 1"strips. Season with salt and pepper and put into the refrigerator until needed.

2. Prepare veggies:
(1) Cut 2 cups of broccoli florets
(2) Slice 1 red/yellow/green bell pepper cut into strips
(3) Cut 1 small onion into thin slices,
(4) Slice 2 carrots and 2 celery on the diagonal.
(5) Mince 2 cloves of garlic and put in a separate pinch bowl, and chop up 1 T of fresh ginger and put that in another pinch bowl.

3. Prepare the stir-fry sauce: Whisk 2 cups of chicken stock or 2 cups of water with 4 t of chicken bouillon, with 8 T tamari, 2 T rice mirin or cooking sherry, 3-4 T cornstarch, 2 t salt, 1 t black pepper, and 1 t red pepper flakes in a bowl.

4. Stir-fry chicken: Heat 2 T of coconut oil in a wok or large skillet and let warm up, add the garlic and ginger and stir fry until fragrant about 30 seconds.

Then add the chicken and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until white.

5. Stir-fry veggies: Add the vegetables and stir fry until crisp-tender about 3-4 minutes. Then add the stir-fry sauce and stir about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies

Nothing beats a cowboy cookie. They're my husband's all time favorite. And they have to have walnuts and lots of chocolate chips. A warm cookie with a glass of tea on a cold day helps make the cold fall and winter days more cozy.

I love the way cookies make a house smell. And it's a lot of fun to bake with my granddaughters! This recipe comes from the Cowboy Cookies recipe from my Heritage School Cookbook. It's definitely one of those gluten free eating at its best kind of recipes!

GLUTEN FREE OATMEAL COWBOY COOKIES

Makes 3 dozen

1. Mix dry ingredients in a medium size bowl:
(1) Your favorite gluten free flour mix for 2 1/2 cups: I use 1 cup white rice flour, 1/2 cup sorghum flour, and 1/2 cup tapioca four and 1/2 cup brown rice four.

(2) Add leavening & spices: 1 t soda, 1/2 t baking powder, and 1/2 t salt

2. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar:

(1) Put in 1 cup of softened butter and cream that with 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar (The original recipe calls of 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar, but I often reduce the amount of sugar). Cream for 5 minutes.
(2) Add 2 large eggs, and 1 t of vanilla.
(3) Beat all ingredients together until combined.

3. Combine ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and stir after each addition until all the flour is mixed in or if you like, you can use your beaters.

4. Now's the fun part, stir in:

(1) 2 cups of rolled oatmeal (add more if necessary)

(2) 1/2- 1 cup of raisins

(3) 1/2 cup of craisins

(4) 1/2- 1 cup of walnuts

(5) 1 cup of chocolate chips

5.  Bake cookies: Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Take out of oven and let sit for a few minutes to finish. Then let cool on a wire rack before putting in a container.

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)

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 grandma)
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)

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)
Judi-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)
Scrumptious Gluten Free Blackberry Cake
Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons - (Recipe on Baker's bag of coconut)

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)

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)

Monday, November 28, 2011

Why Should You Read the Bible?

I took this in Arizona.

How long have you been reading the Bible? It's not always easy to start, and it's twice as hard to keep going. But over time, you develop a habit. I've been reading the Bible for many years, and it's a special experience when you read it with a new believer. This week we started reading the Bible with some Christian students who got saved this year. We told them you don't have to read too much, just 15-20 verses a day is a good way to build up a habit.

This weekend I was listening to some conference messages, and what spoke to me was the encouragement to read the Bible every day. I liked this point on one of the outlines: “In our daily living we need to receive, experience, and enjoy the divine dispensing [from God's word] in a normal, gradual, and steady way.” This makes me think about the tortoise's motto--Slow and steady wins the race! It's not how fast you get through it--just read a little bit of God's word every day.

Then the brother shared several verses that show how God Himself gradually and steadily supplies us-I added some of my comments based on the message:

Isaiah 50:4 The Lord Jehovah has given me the tongue of the instructed, that I should know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me morning by morning; He awakens my ear to hear as an instructed one. (The Lord wants us to come spend time in His word each morning.)

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart; but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (Our time each morning causes us to be renewed a bit more each day.)

Isaiah 28:10 For his words are: Rule upon rule, rule upon rule; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little. (It's important to read the Bible and other spiritual material throughout the day.)

John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. (The word gives us grace--every day we should ask the Lord to give us that day's portion of grace.)

Psalm 84:5-7 Blessed is the man whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; indeed the early rain covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, each one appears before God in Zion. (The grace we enjoy becomes our spiritual strength!)

Exodus 23:30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have become fruitful and inherit the land. (As we enjoy the Lord's word and partake of His grace, the Lord will drive out little by little all the ugly things of our fallen nature.)

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit. (This continual daily process causes us to be transformed from one degree of glory to another until we are like Him!)

Other  College Student Dinner Fellowships on This Blog:

Do You Have the Assurance of Your Salvation?

Getting Spiritual Food From God's Word

What are the Securities of Your Salvation?

Hearing God - Dinner Fellowship with College Students

Why Should a Believer Get Baptized?

Why Should You Read the Bible?

What Happens When You Read the Bible?

Coming to the Lord in His Word

Did You Know God Made You With Three Parts?

What is the Key to Experiencing Christ? - A Fellowship with College Students

Calling on the Lord Makes a Difference!

What's the Secret the Third Generation of Mankind Found?

Why Are Just 2 Trees Mentioned in Genesis 2?

Discussion with College Students--What is the Church?

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 1

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 2

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread

This cornbread is the best you'll ever get! It's probably because it's full of corn, green chilies, and cheese! Anyway I got this recipe from a school cookbook where I used to teach. The mother who shared this recipe was from Georgia, and she was well known for her cooking.

I had to try to make this recipe gluten free--it's that good. When I made this cornbread one day, I told one of our Chinese students he could have some for lunch. When I arrived home, I found out he had eaten the entire pan! We all laughed. That was the best compliment!!

Beth’s Cornbread - Made Gluten Free

1. Prepare creamed corn: Put 1 can of cut corn into a pan and mix in 2 T of cornstarch. Stir until thickened. Let it cool until needed.

2. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix together 1/3 cup rice flour, 1/3 cup sorghum flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 4 tsp. baking powder, and 1/4 tsp. salt.

3. In a large bowl mix: ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup applesauce, and ½ c sugar (The recipe calls for 1 cup, but I usually reduce it).
Note: The regular recipe calls for butter, I have reduced some of the oil by adding some applesauce in its place, and you know what, it doesn't affect the taste at all!

4. Add 4 eggs ONE at a time to the oil and sugar mixture, beating well after adding each. Then add a 4 oz. can of mild chilies and the cooled creamed corn. Stir until combined.

5. Grate 1-2 cups of cheddar/jack cheese and then add to the egg/oil mixture.

6. Combine ingredients: Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until combined.

7. Bake: Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

This cornbread tastes really good with Vi's Best Chili.

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)
Janah's Oatmeal Cookies with a GF Spin (My daughter's recipe)
Homemade Gluten Free Butter Cookies   (From My Heritage School Cookbook)
An Old Fashioned Favorite Made GF - Hermit Cookies- Hermit Cookies (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
A New Twist on Holiday Peppermint Cookies (You can make them Gluten Free) - (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Who Wouldn't Love a Cookie that Tastes Like a Brownie? GF Cocoa White Chocolate Chip Cookies - (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)

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)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:

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)

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