Late Night Treat

I usually don't eat much gluten free bread. But for whatever reason this weekend, I felt the need to make some late night cheese bread. 

I followed the simple directions on the back of the box. I only had to add oil, cheese, eggs, and water.

I think the cheese is what makes these so amazing.

These aren't an exact replica of the bread at Fogo, but an easy version to enjoy at home.

The bread is delicious when it is warm out of the oven. The left overs taste amazing in the microwave for a few seconds too.

Just the Facts

May 1st brings Celiac Awareness Month. You know how much I love Pinterest and Udi's! I couldn't help but pin several of their facts about celiac disease. Check out more of them here.

No pills, no crumbs, and no cross contamination.

So many undiagnosed out there.

My sister! And quite possibly more family members who have not yet been tested.

Eek, for me it was 18 years! I'm glad there is more awareness now.

Here's more information about celiac disease.

Sweet & Spicy

I needed to get out of the house today, so I made a trip to Central Market. Every time I'm there I look at the beer selection for new GF beers. I'm usually disappointed after scanning the GF beer section. (I really just need to be honest with myself. There aren't going to be new GF beers every month.) Then I check out the cider section, since most ciders are naturally gluten free. I don't ever recall seeing this brand before: Angry Orchard; maybe they are just new to Texas since it is made in Ohio.

There were three different flavors being sold at Central Market. I decided to pick the one that sounded the most unique. I chose Apple Ginger, but the other flavors were Traditional Dry and Crisp Apple. I'm interested to try the other flavors too. At my first sip, I really wasn't sure I was going to like the Apple Ginger. The ginger seemed strong and I second-guessed picking this flavor to try first. With each sip, I enjoyed the cider more and more. It was definitely different from other cider flavors that I've drank before. Overall I liked the Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Cider.

Justin must have been on my mind today! Yesterday we were talking about brewing our own hard cider and I bought some today. And then I decided to make some jalapeno poppers! Justin and I love to enjoy finger food/appetizers. I think I needed some comfort food today.

Of course my inspiration for the recipe came from Pinterest. I actually followed this recipe for easy baked jalapeno poppers step by step. (I omitted bread crumbs which are only a suggestion.) I halved the recipe of course because I'm only making for one! But I still ended up with a ton of left overs. First I washed 5 enormous jalapenos. Seriously I need to use jalapenos more in recipes because these only cost 51 cents.

I cut them in half.

Then I deseeded the jalapenos.

I whipped up the filling by combining the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cilantro. I was lazy and didn't really measure any of it. I eyeballed it and may have used more cilantro than the recipe called for, but regardless they came out delicious and tasty.

The amount of cheese mixture I made was the perfect amount. I didn't have any left over, but had enough for each half to be filled to the top.

I baked for 15 minutes at 425.

They came out golden brown and ready to eat.

I paired the poppers with the Angry Orchard and it made a sweet and spicy combination. I was proud of the pairing that I created on my own. These poppers were simple and easy to make. The filling was light and airy. The cilantro is a nice touch to freshen the taste. I can't wait to make them for my hubby when he comes home. I see these as a great game day treat.

Miss and love you hubby.

GF Glazed Doughnut Muffins

I am a procrastinator. I always have been, but I always manage to get what I need done. With that said, I have a final paper due for class. However, it's not due for a week, but my initial intention was to have it done and turned it at class tomorrow. I'll tell you this: that is definitely not happening. Oh well, I still have plenty of time.

So what did I do to avoid my paper? I haven't baked in a while and pinned a new recipe yesterday that intrigued me, but I would have to make it gluten free. I followed this Glazed Doughnut Muffins recipe. Of course, I subbed the flour with Cup 4 Cup gluten free flour. But other than that I followed everything just as the recipe said. It was fairly simple! 

I was also excited because I had the opportunity to use my new owl measuring cups from West Elm. I found the West Elm site through Pinterest because there are no stores in the area here. I actually ordered them back in early March but haven't had the chance to try them out until now!

The batter was very elastic-y.

The recipe said to fill 12 muffin cups. Mine were overflowing with my sticky batter. I even had an extra glob that probably would have made one more cup. If I make these again I will use more cups and put less in each one.

As you can see, my doughnut-muffins were out of control!

I dipped them in the glaze twice. Look at those glistening doughnut-muffins!

I have 12 of these massive creations. I should probably take some to my gluten free friend at work so I can share my hard work.

Unfortunately I don't have my hubby taste tester to tell me if he thinks they are comparable to gluten filled foods. So my review is that these are moist, fluffy, and so doughnut-like. Making them in the muffin tin makes the process a breeze but still gives the sweet flavor. These are almost a cross between muffins, doughnuts, and cake! I'm not a huge frosting person but this glaze is on point! The glaze pairs perfectly with the cinnamon & nutmeg spice. I am also joyful that the Cup 4 Cup flour was an equal substitute and that these turned out.

Chamomile & Carrot

Love, love, love my new day cream! I finally ditched my Aveeno face lotion that contains oats. Oats are prone to cross contaminate with wheat, so I am happy to know my daily moisturizer is completely gluten free. Acure is the same brand as the shampoo I recently started using. One squirt is the perfect amount for my whole face and the instant chamomile and carrot aroma brightens my morning. (And you know I'm not a morning person!) This moisturizer is made for normal to dry skin; I use is every morning and think my skin is loving it. My face not dry nor greasy. 

And now, my trouble maker doggie caught in action when she squeezed behind the futon and the wall. She some how managed to get in there but was a little uncertain how to escape out.

Pumpkin Pancakes

I like to try different products, despite having my favorites. For pancakes, some of my top picks are Bisquick and Pamela's pancake mix. I know there is always room to add GF products to my go-to list and Allie's Awesome Buckwheat Pancake mix was an item I purchased with my Living Social deal. I recently noticed it sold at Whole Foods too.

For some reason, even though it is April I instantly craved pumpkin pancakes when I saw this recipe on the back of the box. I had can of pumpkin in my pantry that I had purchased in fall when I was going pumpkin crazy. When I made pumpkin waffles before all I did was add pumpkin. There's something about this recipe that seemed to produce magic in my mouth. It must have been the hint of sugar to sweeten them 'cakes.

Since it is just me, I halved the recipe.

At first the batter was pretty thick, so I gradually added some milk to thin the batter until it was a consistency that I was happy with.

It made 6 thick, fluffy pancakes.

There was so much flavor in the pancakes that I only needed a hint of maple syrup. I would definitely recommend this recipe and mix. But I'll have to try to make regular pancakes with Allie's mix too.

Felt Flowers

Yesterday I went to the craft store to pick up some more adhesive to finish up my curtains to add to the dining area. While I was there I got the idea to create my own flowers for Iivana's collar. She used to have one but it recently saw it's last day and fell off.

This was her old flower.

I made her a double combo of two different flowers. I followed tutorials that I found on Pinterest to make each flower. The pink flower tutorial was from here. The red one won't open the link. I basically cut a swirl and cut half circles. I wound it together tightly. I used regular cheap felt that I bought for 29 cents a sheet. The one blog recommends wool felt, which I think I'll try next time. The wool felt looks nicer. I was just playing around to see if they really were easy to make and both flowers were! 

Then I cut a piece of elastic and hot glued it to the other side. I covered it with a small flap of felt and glued that as well. I didn't take pictures of this process because to best honest I wasn't sure if it would work or hold.

Then I hot glued both flowers to each other. Once I let them dry, I checked to see if they would fit her collar. They fit beautifully.

I'll see how long these last, but I figured it would be a less expensive option that buying her a new one. I can make her different ones and switch them out on her collar. I'm excited to try some different flower types and with better felt.