WildFlours GFG Group, January update

My favorites from 2011

Hello everyone!  I hope the turn of the New Year was welcome for all of you.  With all the going’s on… I did not have time to organize our monthly meeting for January.  Before I knew it the third weekend was upon us and I had not done any planning or communicating!  I apologize for that and will work harder at getting our February meeting (on February 19th) ready in advance.

So, that brings me to what I wanted to share with you all that really helped me out in the gluten free kitchen this last year.  Here are my top five new finds from 2011 that I hope stick around:

1. Teff (flour and whole seed).  This wonderous seed has many grain like features and is touted as the world’s smallest “grain”.  It’s name literally means “lost”!  What it lacks in size it makes up for in nutrients.  Boasting a healthy serving of: Calcium, Phosphorous, Iron, Copper, Barium, Potassium, Thiamine, Amino acids, and especially high levels of lysine.  Teff is quite versatile and can be prepared many different ways. It can be boiled and prepared as a simple hot breakfast cereal… or, ground and used as a flour replacement… or, since it has slight mucilaginous properties, it works well as a thickener in sauces or stews. Teff can also be sprouted and used as a topper on sandwiches or salads.  We have come to love the addition of teff to many dishes (cooking and baking alike) and one of our favorites is simple porridge.  Watch out for a series on the “Gluten Free Adventures with Teff”… coming soon!
2. Glutino’s Classic Gluten Free Crackers.  While I really wish that they would work on the packaging… I really love this cracker!  It is nice to have a cracker that stands up to cheese, sunbutter and jelly or as a side for a bowl of soup again. Thank you Glutino!
3. Coconut Sugar.  It is amazing to me what the simple coconut has to offer.  Everything from the coconut meat to nutritious water, it is just amazing.  Earlier this year I discovered Coconut Sugar… which now makes it possible to make sweet treats again without using cane sugar or other sugar alternatives that our bodies don’t have a clue how to process.  I have welcomed its subtle sweetness that does not overpower baked goods.
4. Unsweetened Coconut Milk.  Okay, another “coconut” item… but I have to say this is another winner this year in our kitchen.  Number one, it is very easy to make with flaked, unsweetened coconut, hot water and a blender.  Second, So Delicious and Trader Joe sell an unsweetened version in a carton, making it just that much easier to use.  I love it as a milk alternative in everything!  I have even used it to make coconut ice cream… turned out awesome!  Next up for this milk is attempting coconut milk yogurt… anyone done this yet?  I could use some pointers I think.
5. Freeze dried fruits, especially blueberries!  In our house, we have to watch out for gluten and nuts (as well as eggs and dairy) when it comes to snacks.  Freeze dried fruits are so helpful as they are just the fruit… NOTHING else!  Trader Joe is a godsend here as they stock many varieties.  Plus, freeze dried fruit bits are easy to add to cereals, porridge, muffins and homemade trail mix!

So, what are your favorites new on the gluten free and/or allergy free scene this last year?  Let me know what you have found as we are always looking for new products to try out and use in our kitchen.

In the weeks ahead, Chinese New Year is approaching.  The Year of the Dragon.  I will share some of our family favorites in the week to come as we enjoy a lot of food for this traditional celebration.  Looking forward to discovering what 2012 has to offer with you all.  Stop and write a note when you can.  I would love to hear from you this year!