Recipes

'Malt' Loaf Homage

Another Gluten-free cooking for kids recipe

A few days ago, Carly Talbot of gutenfreeb.com asked if anyone had a recipe for a gluten free version of a malt loaf. A malt loaf uses barley malt and barley flour, both of which are not gluten free.  To get the required squidgy, stogdgy texture and the malty flavour some improvising would be required.  I was keen to have a go.  

Soreen gf.jpg

If you are into malt loaf, then you will probably recognise the brand Soreen.  This is a quintessential English/British brand, makers of the original malt loaf.  Although I have seen it on the shelves with it's distinctive packaging,  I  admit, I have never actaully tried it.  Apparently you slice off a thick wedge and slather it with butter and wash it down with a strong cup of tea. A very British experience and a bit of an acquired taste.  

Well I tried it and I like the deep treacly flavour and the saltiness that comes from the malt.  The texture is a bit rubbery and reminds me of a bread that's gone badly wrong. So whilst not a traditional copy of the original,  my version has the deep caramely overtones and an earthiness similar to the original, but the texture is more like a moist tea bread.

View the recipe...

Mrs J's Molasses Cookies

ginger snaps with cuddlies 3.jpg gf.jpg

 

Here is a recipe from my first book The Little Red Barn Baking Book.  This recipe was one which has very happy memories, eating cookies at my best friend's house after school, whilst doing our homework. Mrs. J, was my friend's mum.  I've been wanting to make a gluten free version for a while, and I am pleased to tell you, they are as yummy as i remember them.  Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the outside, with just the right amount of spice. 

The picture was styled by Ruthie, and features Ratty, Panda, Rabbity and if you look very closely a small cat, whose name escapes me.  They are settling down for some cookies and milk.  And yes, these cookies are pure bliss dunked in milk.  Those cuddlies sure do know how to live. Enjoy!

View the recipe...

Buttercrunch Toffee

buttercrunch 180 jpeg gf.jpgEveryone I know is currently on The Dukan Diet   As part of my plan to sabbotage this love affair with Pierre Dukan,  I made a batch of buttercrunch toffee, placed it in a nice box and took it  to a ladies lunch yesterday to test their will power. They all crumbled.  Even the ones I had down as Dukan Diet  die hards.  The box and the contents were demolished within minutes and every last little crispy fragment was scooped out. Lesson learned, the nice box was totally redundant.  Just a paper bag would have done the trick.  Anyway, diet or not, I urge you to make this little gem.  Your waistline may not thank you but it is a very good way to cheer yourself up when the weather is lousy and lousy it is my friends. For a summer that has drought written all over it, you could have fooled me.  It's pouring here. A piece or two or three of toffee, a cup of coffee, hey, who cares what the weather is like. The recipe comes from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz with a few minor adaptations made by yours truly. 

View the recipe...

Pumpkin Feta Muffins

pumpkin feta muffin jpeg vers 2.jpgIt's all things pumpkin 'round here at the moment.  These yummy muffins are savoury and just the right antidote to all those sugary treats that kids will be feasting on in a few days time.  Savoury muffins are all the rage in the US and I gather in Australia too.  This particular recipe adapted from www.101cookbooks.com caught my eye.  You may have to sell these in....as kids will be suspicious of anything looking like a muffin, but tasting decidely different from what they may be expecting. Tasty and nutritious I think these would be good in lunchboxes and as an after school treat.

View the recipe...

Homemade Gluten Free Sausages

Another Gluten-free cooking for kids recipe

These are delicious and can be made in advance and frozen.  Serve with oven chips and a fresh green salad.  Thank you to Moss for sharing his secret recipe.

View the recipe...

Chocolate Dipped Ghosts

Another Gluten-free cooking for kids recipe

Here's a quick little recipe for making ghostly biscuits.  The recipe is in my book (page 179) but I am reprinting it here.  What I like about this recipe is that the biscuits are very easy to make and there is no rolling out and cutting.  You can pipe them into ghostly shapes and then let the children decorate them.  A fun and not too messy activity during half term.

View the recipe...

Spooky grape jelly

Another Gluten-free cooking for kids recipe

Here's a fun recipe for Halloween.  I tried this on some of Ruthie's friends last week and they loved it.  It is really easy to make and if there are any left over maybe you can sneek a couple when the kids go to bed.  And there is nothing to stop you making this for adults.  You can substitute alchoholic sparkling grape juice to make a more adult centric dessert.

View the recipe...

Brownies

Gluten-free brownies

I won't be modest, these brownies are the best! They are moist, chocolatey and chewy and no one will ever guess that something gluten-free can taste this fantastic. The good news is they are really easy to make - just follow the tips at the bottom of the recipe.

View the recipe...