Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Top Ten Stocking Stuffers! All under $15!

Stuff the Stockings With Kitchen Gear!

We're getting very close to Christmas and I know that some of you are looking for awesome stocking stuffers. Here are 10 of my favorites that just might make Christmas a little more merry for the cook in your household!  And here's the bonus: they're all under $15!
 

Number 1: My book, of course!  "Love Letters from My Kitchen"
                  is a wonderful gift for anyone in your family, or in your
                  life who bakes, or wants to bake, for someone with food
                  allergies. Cookies, breads, cakes, waffles, brownies, and
                  more, it's all in here!
 
 
 
 
Number 2: Unique measuring spoons!  Add some charm or color to
                  the baking experience. This double-sided, rainbow-
                  colored set nests and clicks together, so I'm never       
                  searching through the drawer for the elusive 1/4   
                  teaspoon. The elongated bowl of the narrow end is
                  perfect for fitting into spice jars!
 
 
 
 
 
Number 3: Microplane! I adore my microplane.  I use it most often
                  for zesting citrus, grating nutmeg, and grating fresh
                  ginger.


 
 
Number 4: Silicone baking mats!  These are a must for a budding
                  or serious baker.  Cookies slide off easily no matter how
                  sticky or delicate.  Eliminate the need for parchment
                  paper, and make clean-up easier with these mats. The
                  mini-marshmallows in my "Mega-Mash-Up
                  Cookies" (page 42 "Love Letters from My
                  Kitchen") stay perfectly gooey and manageable when I
                  bake them using my silicone mat!   
 



Number 5: Curious Chef products!  Do you have a young chef-in-
                  the-making in your home?  Curious Chef products are
                  durable and perfectly sized for little helpful hands.  The
                  line includes mixing spoons, spatulas, knives, aprons,
                  measuring spoons and cups, peelers, whisks, cookie
                  cutters, oven mitts, and more! My kids love to help me
                  cook dinner and make dessert, they each have their own
                  little knife and spoon set of Curious Chef tools.  Kids
                  with food allergies need to know how to cook, so get
                  them in the kitchen with you!

 
 
Number 6: Non-stick spatulas!  Choose a set that has one larger and
                  one smaller spatula.  You'll use both for different
                  applications in baking and cooking.  I like that these
                  sturdy red spatulas are one piece construction, because I
                  have been known to snap the tops off of cheaper ones
                  with my vigorous stirring! 
 
 
 
Number 7Glass bottles with rubber stoppers! These beauties are
                  perfect for making and storing homemade salad
                  dressings, and making your own extracts.   
 
 
 


Number 8: Cookie scoops!  My kids love these scoops almost as
                  much as I do. My favorite sizes are 3 Tablespoon (size
                  20) for muffins and cupcakes, and 2 teaspoon (size 60)
                  for any manner of drop cookie.  Ensure consistent
                  results by using scoops for uniform baked goods!    
 
 
 
 
Number 9: Off-set spatula!  Get a few in a variety of sizes!  Perfect
                  for smoothing frosting, or gently moving rolled out
                  dough to a baking sheet.  
 
                          
 
 
 
Number 10: Organic Vanilla beans!  I always try to have a few high
                    quality, organic vanilla beans on hand for making
                    "Honey Vanilla Spread" or just boosting vanilla flavor
                    in my baked goods.  Buy a glass bottle and some
                    vanilla beans, then package as set for
                    making homemade vanilla extract.  (You can find a
                    recipe for both "Honey Vanilla Spread" and vanilla
                    extract in my cookbook, "Love Letters from
                    My Kitchen"!) 
 
 
 
Happy Shopping!  Now, go fill some stockings!
 
 

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 9, 2013

My first cookbook!

https://www.createspace.com/4518788

I am SO very pleased to announce that my first cookbook is now available for purchase!  I know I've been away from the blog for a while, but for good reason.  I have been working on developing and perfecting dessert and baked good recipes that are free from all dairy, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts.  These recipes are now all available to you in "Love Letters from My Kitchen" !!!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

"Supermom Cinnamon Rolls", Sunday Mornings Will Never be the Same!


The welcoming smell of cinnamon, the feel of sweet orange icing oozing over fingertips, the decadent warmth of a cinnamon roll on a Sunday morning before the kids get up... Ok. Stop drooling, I'll share my secret to making this blissful scene a reality - without any dairy, eggs, or nuts!  My secret?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Serious Comfort Food Series - Potato Leek Soup

Potato Leek Soup

This is a wonderful, hearty, healthy soup for a cold day.  My kids actually request leftovers the next day!  There isn't any dairy in this recipe, and yet blending the soup with an immersion blender yields a creamy potato texture.  Substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock for a vegan soup. This Potato Leek Soup recipe freezes and defrosts beautifully, so make a pot and save some for later! 




*This recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Serious Comfort Food Series - Sorbet Fruit Cup


Sorbet Fruit Cups

When I was a little girl, my doctor said that the best thing for a sore throat was ice cream.  My six-year old self loved him for that! But, with several dairy-allergic children, ice cream is not a possibility.  Sure, there are great soy-based alternatives, and even some coconut-based frozen treats, but they are in very tiny, very expensive containers.  I needed something that would be lower cost, safe, and maybe even healthy!  Made with only ½ cup of sugar for the entire batch, this recipe is healthy and packed with goodies like vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit! I came up with these Sorbet Fruit Cups and the kids loved them!!!   

Getting ready to make sorbet!
*This recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Serious Comfort Food Series - Cream of Broccoli Soup

In honor of this flu and cold season, I'm going to post a series of comfort food recipes.  Often our favorite comfort foods are easy foods from a can, a box, or the freezer section; mac and cheese, any variety of soup, flavored noodle dishes, or frozen bag meals.  Just as often, these "pre-made" meals contain ingredients that are unfriendly or dangerous for those with food allergies. Make these flavor - packed, comfort food recipes and freeze in individual containers for an easy, safe meal when the "sickies" strike your family!

Let's kick off the "Comfort Food Series" with a personal favorite, Cream of Broccoli Soup.  I am going to give you my basic recipe AND the ingredient substitutions to make a dairy-free version that is just as yummy!
The version pictured here is non-dairy! Doesn't it look yummy and creamy?

*This recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free (if following substitution list), egg-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Kitchen "Must-haves" - supplies for the new year!


Happy New Year!  I just purchased a few new kitchen goodies at post-Christmas prices, so I thought now would be a good time to write about kitchen items that I LOVE!  Part of being a successful cook at home, is having the right tools to work with.  So here are my:

 "New Year's, Top Ten, Kitchen Must-Haves"!  (In no particular order)