Gluten Free Baking Week

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By Chef/Nurse Diane

Holiday baking should be accessible for everyone.  Some people have food allergies that may prevent them from enjoying the holiday goodies.  One of these allergies causes Celiac Disease, an allergy to Gluten.  Gluten is a protein that is found on grains such as flour, wheat, bran and other grains.  Awareness about this disease has become more pronounced lately, there are even grocery aisle that contain gluten free products.  There are many cookbooks and recipe sites online that will teach you how to make the delicious holiday treats that will not affect your allergy to gluten.

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This week is Gluten Free Baking week.  Yesterday I told you about cookie cutters, so today I found a recipe on julesglutenfree.com for gluten free holiday cut out cookies that you can enjoy with your family.  So, no more excuses...get out and bake!

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Allergen-Friendly Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening (Earth Balance® Shortening Sticks)
• 1 cup granulated cane sugar (Wholesome Sweeteners) or palm sugar
• 1 egg or egg substitute (e.g. Ener-G Egg® Replacer or whisk together: 1 Tbs. milk powder or DariFree Milk Powder + 1 Tbs. cornstarch + 2 Tbs. warm water)
• 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, gluten-free
• Food coloring (optional)
• 2 1/4 cups Jules Gluten FreeTM All Purpose Flour
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Gluten-free sprinkles or colored sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Cream shortening and sugar until very fluffy
2. Add egg (or egg replacer), vanilla extract, milk, and food coloring, beating until integrated. Add the dry ingredients last, mixing until evenly blended. Form the dough into a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate or freeze until cold and no longer sticky, at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 375ºF (static) or 350ºF (convection).
4. Lightly flour the rolling surface, rolling pin and cookie cutters with Jules Gluten FreeTM All Purpose Flour. Roll the dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness and cut shapes, re-rolling dough to utilize all the dough.
5. Place cut-out cookies onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired. Bake approximately 8–10 minutes, but remove before they begin to brown at the edges. When baked and cooled, frost with Easy Cookie Icing, if desired.

Easy Cookie Icing

Ingredients

• 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, gluten-free
• Milk (dairy or nondairy), as needed
• Liquid food coloring (optional) – Select is a natural & gluten-free food coloring option

Directions

1. Whisk together sugar, vanilla, and milk, adding 1 only tablespoon at time until a spreading consistency is achieved.
2. Add food coloring, if desired.
3. Store any leftover icing in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator until the milk’s expiration date.

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Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month

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By Nurse Diane

With the holiday season approaching, planning a family gathering can be difficult if you have a large group.  There are so many likes and dislikes that people have, some are vegetarians, and others have food allergies.  On food allergy that may not be as common as dairy or nuts, is gluten.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and most oats. It basically binds starches together.  It is often used as filler for foods as well.

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The ingestion of gluten causes stomach problems for people who suffer from Celiac Disease.  The problems that are seen - or felt include, bloating, headaches, dizziness, and is commonly misdiagnosed.  There are other medical conditions that people my need to follow a gluten free diet, and some include:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Pain such as Arthritis, Nerve Damage and more
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Thyroid Problems
• Colitis
• Digestive Problems
• Fatigue
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Nervous Symptom Disorders
• Adrenal Exhaustion
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Cancer

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Lately there has been an increase in gluten free products available at the grocery stores.  November is Gluten Free Diet Awareness Month.  As you plan your holiday menu and guest list, why not check out some gluten free products to have on hand just in case.  This site has a list of foods to avoid, and also some recipes to enjoy: http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/celiac-foods-to-avoid.  You will be sure to be named the hostess with the mostest!

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