Thursday, October 15, 2009
Out of Focus
Things are crazy here right now and I can't seem to concentrate on anything in particular. I am trying to prioritize and right now it is not on me. All of my focus has been on the illustrator's diet and trying to educate myself as much as possible on the gluten free diet. There is so much information out there with warnings of things that may be contaminated with gluten. There are also hidden sources of gluten that you have to be aware of. I can't tell you how many times in the past week I have called a manufacturer while I was in the store to make sure the product is clean! Luckily, we are getting the hang of it and starting to learn our way around the grocery store. I will tell you that I have also learned that companies are starting to label things "gluten free". This is so helpful!!! I wish it was that easy to find things labeled "dairy free"! Maybe one day we will live in a world of great food labeling!
I have a friend that brought me some left over samples of Barney Butter. I have never tried it before now even thought I have seen other bloggers writing about how great it is. I started making my own nut butters and I really just have not seen it in the stores. The first thing I noticed on the packaging...it said "gluten free". You would not believe how happy that made me. Now, I know what you are thinking, why wouldn't it be, but let me tell you...they sneak gluten into everything. So, I love to see those words on a label! My first taste of it was on a sweet potato. Oh my gosh, that was so good! Barney Butter is slightly sweet and melted into the baked sweet potato to make this super creamy luscious treat!
On to baking adventures...I have been learning a lot about gluten free flours lately. I am still timid when it comes to playing with them too much. I hate wasting money so, I am starting with things that are a little more basic. The first flour I played with is buckwheat. I was honestly blown away with the texture and flavor that buckwheat gave these muffins! The illustrator said that he could not even tell that they did not have wheat in them! That made me so happy because this is going to be my base recipe to work with in the future. These were fat free and stayed nice and fluffy for days!
The illustrator really liked them with a smear of peanut butter on them. Next time...Barney Butter!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 2:15 PM  
6 Comments:
  • At October 15, 2009 at 3:27 PM, Blogger Jessica said…

    Those muffins looks great! I am recently gluten free myself and haven't tried to do any baking yet. I would love your recipe, if you would like to share!

     
  • At October 15, 2009 at 3:28 PM, Blogger LizNoVeggieGirl said…

    I'm eating a sweet potato right now, as I type out this comment - but mine is topped with COCONUT butter ;)

    I'm gluten-free too, so tell the Illustrator to hang in there!! You too, dear Sarena!

     
  • At October 15, 2009 at 10:13 PM, Blogger laura said…

    Those muffins look wonderful! I know how you feel about the labeling. Sometimes I'm so excited to see something labeled as vegan, I'll just buy it whether we need it or not! :)

    Hang in there! You guys will get it figured out!

     
  • At October 16, 2009 at 11:57 AM, Anonymous peeree3 said…

    So I bought almond butter at Trader Joe's last weekend (label says the only ingredient is almonds) and made almond butter cookies with chocolate chips. They rocked! If you used carbob chips then they would be dairy and gluten free!

     
  • At December 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM, Blogger cooperkelly4 said…

    I am looking for this recipe for the muffins on your blog and I can't find it. Help! They look delicious and I'd love to make them for our family. Thanks, Kellyc

     
  • At December 8, 2009 at 5:07 PM, Blogger Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said…

    Hi cooperkelly4, I am working on a cookbook, so that happens to be one that I have not posted. If you would like to try it out in confidence that you won't share the recipe at this point, you are welcome to email me for the recipe.

     
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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