Gluten Free

Chocolate Buttercream Icing

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I have to admit, I am somewhat of an icing snob. I don’t consider buttercream to be genuine if anything other than butter is used. So don’t try and fool me!
Chocolate icing has never been my first choice, but being that it is my husband’s favorite, I will make it. I discovered this recipe after a search for “best chocolate buttercream” yielded Martha Stewart’s website and Billy’s Chocolate Buttercream icing. It is very smooth and rich due to the melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder. I have to say, this particular icing has made me a fan. It is delicious!

Ingredients:
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted BUTTER, softened
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1-3 tablespoons of milk
5 cups powdered suger, sifted

1. Sift powdered sugar in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, beat butter until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3. With the mixer on low, add chocolate until combined.
4. Mix vanilla in with butter and chocolate mixutre until combined.
4. Start mixing sugar in slowly, one cup at a time, until well combined.
** I add milk at the end, if any at all. I think it depends on the day, the weather and/or the temperature of the butter as to the consistency of your icing. It may be smooth enough that you don’t need to add any milk.

Easy Ginger Apple Roasted Pork

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This is a new recipe for our family, and was also an instant favorite!  I found this one on Allrecipes.com where it earned nearly 5 stars by 325 reviewers.  The original recipe title was Easy Roasted Pork, but I felt the flavors were bold enough to earn a place in the title.  It’s a sweet one!  (Also, this recipe was specifically made in a Reynolds oven bag, as written, but a roaster, dutch oven or even a slow cooker could work successfully!)

Ingredients:
2-3 lbs boneless pork loin roast
1/4 c water  
1/2 c packed light brown sugar*
1/4 c cinnamon applesauce
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger


Also used
Reynolds Oven Bag (Lg.)
1 T Flour*

   
 
 
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
  2. Open the Oven bag and spoon in the flour.  Shake vigorously to coat the bag.  Place the bag into your baking dish. 
  3. Place the pork roast inside the oven bag and pour water around the roast.  
  4. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, applesauce, and ground ginger.  Pour the mixture over the roast.
  5. Following the instructions for the Oven Bag, use the nylon tie to close the bag and tuck the ends of the bag into the pan.  
  6. Cut six 1/2″ slits in the top of the bag for steam to escape.  
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours or until internal temp. has reached 160 degrees f.
Served with steamed green beans and sweet potato fries
*This originally called for 3/4c brown sugar, but I felt that a 1/2 cup was plenty.
*for a gluten-free version, leave out the flour.  I’ve accidentally left it out a few times and the oven bag worked just fine without it. =)

Cafe Zupas Summer Chicken Salad

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On a recent vacation to Utah, we ate at a wonderful restaurant called Cafe Zupas.  I had never heard of it before and knew nothing about it, which normally would make me a little wary about trying it.  But since I was tired of fast food and this place supposedly had good salads, I was up for an adventure.  SO glad we went there.  I got the Summer Chicken Salad and it was SO delicious.  I actually got the 1/2 portion and it was just the right amount for me, but a full portion makes a hearty meal.  (I actually want to start using their site as inspiration for all sorts of lovely salads!)  I vowed to find the recipe when I got home, and was lucky enough to stumble onto it at food.com.  However, I found that some of the amounts didn’t reflect the proportions I remember from my salad; so I tweaked the amounts a bit.  This recipe is for one portion of salad, since their salads are made fresh to order, right in front of you.  Tossing the salad before serving ensures that each bite is bathed in tasty dressing.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 ounces mixed salad greens
3 ounce diced cooked chicken breast (I prefer to pull my chicken off the bone into bite-sized pieces)
2 ounces Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing
2 Tbsp. dried cranberries (about 20 cranberries)
10 red grapes
2-4 sliced strawberries
1/2 ounce chopped cashews

1.  In a medium-sized bowl toss the mixed greens, chicken, and dressing.  Transfer to serving bowl.
2.  Top salad with dried cranberries, grapes, and sliced strawberries.
3.  Sprinkle chopped cashews on top to finish.

Source:  Cafe Zupas by way of food.com

Cafe Zupas Strawberry Vinaigrette

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This dressing is the perfect accompaniment to Cafe Zupas Summer Chicken Salad.

Ingredients:
1 cup red wine vinegar
4 strawberries
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 cup canola oil

1.  In blender, combine vinegar, strawberries, salt, and sugar.  Blend well.
2.  While blender is going, slowly pour in oil.
3.  Toss with salad.

Source:  Cafe Zupas by way of food.com

“It’s a Breeze” Tropical Smoothie

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One of our favorite summer treats, especially on the hottest of days, is a fresh smoothie!  The ingredients are simple, the kids love to help, and guess what? There’s no added sugar!

Ingredients:

3 cups 100% Apple Juice
About 2 cups frozen Dole Mixed Fruit (strawberries, mangoes, peaches, pineapple)
1 or 2 bananas (optional)
1.  Measure juice into a blender or smoothie machine
2.  Blend until smooth
Serves 6-7

Limey Guacamole

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If you like lime–you’ll LOVE this guacamole!  Over the past 3 years I’ve been on the hunt for the best guacamole recipe; this one is a combination of several.  The real secret to this guac is the fresh style salsa.  With the fresh ingredients already chopped and the flavors already mingled, it’s easy and unbelievably tasty!  


Ingredients:  
4 large, ripe hass avocados 
1 heaping cup of fresh salsa (with onions, and cilantro) 
   (I recommend Italian Rose from Sam’s Club) 
1 tsp. minced bottled garlic
2 tsp. coarse kosher salt
1 T lime juice (I use bottled most of the time…but fresh is always best!)


1.  Peel and pit avocados, mash into a semi-chunky consistency 
2.  measure and add all other ingredients, stir until blended.  
3.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips! 


How to choose avocados for guacamole
How to peel an avocado