Wonderful Chocolate Chip Cookie Way

A crewman pointed out last week that we have not documented the wheatless chocolate chip cookie phenomenon.  After reviewing my logs, this was confirmed.  So we made a coarse correction and were on our way to a familiar and wonderful region of space known as "Chocolate Chip Cookie Way".  We've decided to spend a little extra time for shore leave and I didn't hear any complaints about that!

The chocolate chip cookies are wonderful!  I would prefer them over the regular type made with wheat flour any day.  I started out making the recipe with almond meal that I ground in my food processor.  The texture was not like the traditional cookie, but I honestly didn't care.  I LOVED the taste so much and the texture seemed irrelevant.  Eventually I did decide to splurge and purchase some finely ground almond flour and just see what the fuss is all about.  It did come out looking and preforming like a traditional cookie in the texture department.  I might consider using almond flour when preparing some as gifts or having people over to entertain!

I highly recommend this recipe.  Don't be afraid to dabble with it and change it up.  I do find myself wondering about using 1/3rd or 1/2 coconut flour?  But that is an adventure for another day.

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 cups almond meal/flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1/2 cup butter or coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup sour cream or coconut milk (I have used whipping cream and raw cows milk and it's fine)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia (Sweetener equal to 1/2 cup sugar)
10 ounces bittersweet or dark chocolate chips ( I just use the semisweet)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk together almond meal/flour, baking soda & salt in a large bowl.

Combine eggs, butter (or coconut oil), sour cream (or coconut milk), vanilla, and stevia in a small bowl and whisk.  Stir this into the flour mixture just until combined.  Stir in the chips.

Drop heaping tablespoons onto the baking sheet.  Press each cookie to 1/2 inch thickness.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.  Remove and place on rack to cool.

ENJOY!

Bread, oh lovely sandwich bread!

Sorry I haven't posted lately, but I'm back on the bridge of this crazy ship I call Wheatless.  I'm trying to take my duties seriously after being held captive for a while by the inhabitants of a dangerous planet in the star system Apathy.  Motivation free living was their game and it was a struggle to break free.  The tactical ship Discouragement is in hot pursuit, but I think with a little extra effort we can shake them!

I put some distance between us while exploring the Manna Cluster.  I've discovered several bread recipes that I hoped would be perfect to make sandwiches.  Who wants to explore Wheatlessness on basic, boring rations!  I had some failures with something I found called "Broccoli Bread" that called for whey isolate.  I attempted that recipe twice and then gave up on it and then I found Dr. Davis' Basic Bread recipe in "Wheat Belly Cookbook".  I was jumping for joy when I finally pulled out a loaf of bread that had risen to the occasion!

You know how I like to be thrifty, but so far I have not attempted to use almond meal or use more garbanzo bean flour then almond flour yet.  For me it would be cheaper, but I just LOVE this recipe cuz it works so well.  I will update with other versions and let you know how it goes.

I'm sorry I do not have the wonderful picture of it sliced.  I can't seem to find the photos on my camera.

Basic Bread

1 1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour
1/4 cup ground golden flaxseed (I've used milled regular and golden and it seems fine)
1 1/2 baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
5 eggs, separated
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 Tablespoon buttermilk (I've just used cream or regular milk)
1 Tablespoon xylitol or 4 drops of liquid stevia or to desired sweetness (I've tried both sweeteners and also just left them out all together on one go... why sweeten it?  It's for a sandwich!?)

Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan.

In a food processor, combine the almond flour, garbanzo bean flour, flaxseeds (in my case flaxseed flour), baking soda, cinnamon (if using), and salt.  Pulse until blended then add the egg yolks, butter, buttermilk, and xylitol or stevia and pulse just till blended.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.  Pour into the flower mixture and pulse until the egg whites are evenly distributed, but do not run the machine at a constant speed.  Spread into the pan and bake 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick comes out clean.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.  Remove and cool completely on a rack.

I am VERY HAPPY with how this bread turned out!  I will admit that the smell of the bread reminds me of my aunts beauty shop!  My mother-in-law says that is the smell of the baking soda.  It doesn't affect the taste at all and I just ignore it.  It is easy to do when you are slapping on lovely sandwich ingredients and enjoying the ability to eat a nice GLUTEN and STARCH FREE sandwich!  Oh yeah... awesome.  

Set phasers to "Knock You Out" because it will.  

I can't wait to get in there and do some tweaking.  I have considered... BLUEBERRY bread!!!  Imagine pumpkin bread, whatever you like!  Then on the savory side... break out different seasonings and go for it!  I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!!!!!

Minefield of Maltodextrin

I've been navigating a minefield of Maltodextrin lately and didn't even realize the danger of it.  Sure, I thought it was some kind of sugar alcohol or something and I've been compromising on my sugar off and on since my mom passed away. BUT I know that is no excuse and if she were here she would bust me to the Starship Wheatless' brig!  Anyway, this evil thing called Maltodextrin is actually part of a larger minefield of the most problematic hidden sources of wheat and gluten.  I share the list at the end of this post.

For the past year and a half, I've been eating some meal replacement bars off and on (Adkins).  A friend had given us a cargo bay full of them!  We try to pass them on to people that we might find in need (people on the side of the road and etc).  Sure, I checked the labels and nothing sounded like wheat or gluten, but I should have known better!  Anyway, I got lazy and they came in handy.  So that said what affects did it have on me?

Looking back on my romp through this minefield, I've noticed several things: increase in cravings and a regression of my health (pain & discomfort).  As I type this, I am munching on some semisweet chocolate morsels.  Yeah... I just can't keep those in bulk anymore because I will eventually lead daily raids on the supplies!  Potato chips and ice cream have also been and urge.

Besides the sugary cravings, there is the pain and discomfort.
Ok... it is NOT to the level of before I totally went wheat free, but I've been regressing steadily enough to worry me.  Oh and there has been the tiredness too, heck some days I have crashed on the couch just warn out.  So as of today, I am saying NO to these meal replacement bars and along with them the slight weight gain (off and on), the literal pain in the neck (and other places), and they have given me some digestive issues that has resulted in a trip to the pharmacy aisle!

Through all this, I've learned that if I do not have Ciliac Disease, then I most certainly have a gluten sensitivity.  I suspect Ciliac due to the severity of certain symptoms throughout my life before going wheat/gluten free.

Anyway here is a list of some of the most problematic hidden sources of Wheat/Gluten according to Dr. Davis' book "Wheat Belly Cookbook".  I urge everyone to go buy his books.  Keep them, highlight them and refer back to the information!  The excerpt follows:

Colorings/fillers/texturizers/thickeners:
These hidden sources can be among the most problematic, since they are often buried deep in the ingredient list or bear misleading names that suggest they have nothing to do with wheat or gluten.  Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell from the label, nor will the manufacturer be able to tell you, since these ingredients are often produced by a supplier.  A useful rule of thumb: Whenever possible, avoid processed foods that are likely to contain such ingredients.

Artificial colors, Artificial flavors, Caramel coloring, Caramel flavoring, Dextrimaltose, Emulsifiers, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Hydrolyzed wheat starch, Maltodextrin, Modified food starch, Stabilizers, Textured vegetable protein.

So as of today, the Starship "Wheatless" is in need of a good overhaul!  As captain of this ship, I hope it is swift and I do not have a mutiny on my hands brought about by crazy withdrawal behavior!  Here is focusing on the best!

I feel tired... oh no... crashing?  Yes, I had eaten a few of those bars yesterday!

Cruising the Constellation of Coconut

I have been cruising in and around the "Constellation of Coconut Flour".  I broke down and purchased a pound of coconut flour for around $6.50ish.  I know, kind of on the expensive side and somewhat violates my penny pincher code, but for the sake of analysis, I just had to!

Thus far, I find that it performs much better then the coconut powder (very small granulated pieces) that I have been buying at Saraga International Market in Indianapolis.  I'm almost ready to put coconut on my monthly shopping list.  The texture is great in some of the baking I've tried with it, like pancakes.  Oh you know I would go there!

Today I am giving a breakfast cheesecake a go!  It is in the oven right now.  I do have concerns, the directions said "Pour mixture into the pan"... well, I used all the ingredients and did what it said.  I will admit when I was mixing part of the mixture till smooth, it didn't get to smooth... just kinda clumpy.  So I just kept going with it, what the author meant by smooth... I have no idea.  We will see when it comes out of the oven in a bit!

Breakfast Cheesecake

1 cup ricotta cheese, at room temp (ok... mine might have been a bit on the cool side!)
1/2 cup coconut flour
Sweetener equivalent to 1/4 cup sugar ( I used 3 teaspoons liquid stevia based on a conversion chart )
4 teaspoons lemon juice
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9"x9" baking pan.

In a medium bowl, place the cheese, flour, sweetener, lemon juice, egg yolks, and vanilla.

In another medium bowl beat the egg whites on high till stiff peaks form.  Then beat the cheese mixture (with the same beaters) until smooth.  Fold the egg mixture into the cheese mixture till thoroughly combined.

Pour into baking pan.  Bake for 20 mins or until the edges begin to brown and a wooden toothpick comes out clean.  Cool slightly before serving.

Soooo.... how did mine turn out?  Well, I left it in about 5 mins longer because I didn't see any browning happening through the glass.  It is cooling at the moment before I can prep it for a picture.  I'm so sorry I didn't take pictures of the whole process!  I just didn't think to blog this until after I put it in the oven!

While I'm waiting for it to cool, my penny pincher self is wondering what could I mix in with the coconut to bring down that cost a bit?  Would it affect the taste in a bad way?  Humm???  Something to think about and perhaps try maybe in a little while after I have tasted the original.

I can smell it in there cooling.  It makes me think of the beach!  But coconut smells kinda do that to me.  It has drowned out the smell of 7 pineapples that were making the kitchen smell like a Hawaiian paradise earlier!  Ok.. I think it has "slightly cooled" time to taste test!!!!

Oh yeah, wild blueberries as a topping!

Captains Log

I find this recipe to be in need of further study.  As it is, it is fine.  It seems a bit dry in flavor, but not in a bad way.  I suspect the ricotta is responsible for that since it is fairly dry in taste alone.  Adding the berries was a stellar idea if I say so myself.  It gave me some ideas about perhaps adding the blueberries to the mixture before baking just to see what happens!  Might be a flop, might not.  In conclusion I find this recipe in need of future exploration and good for a healthy breakfast! 

Tuna-Spinach Burgers

This is one dinner mission I absolutely LOVE!  I find myself eating them even when I am not hungry, they are that good. Honestly it is RED ALERT when I'm near them.  If I had of had more spinach I would have doubled if not tripled this recipe.

Tuna-Spinach Burgers

Prep time 15 mins / total time 25 mins
Makes 4

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pkg (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach
2 cans (5 oz. each) wild caught tuna, drained
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ( I didn't have this so I used Jalepeno mustard instead)
2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning or seasoning of YOUR choice ( I used Herb de Provence)
1 egg
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chickpea flour

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot.  Cook the spinach, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes, or just until wilted.  Place in a mesh colander and press the excess liquid from the spinach. Coarsely chop.

In a medium bowl, with a fork or the back of a spoon, break the tuna up into small pieces.  Add the chopped spinach, pepper, mustard, mayonnaise, seasoning mix, and egg.  Mix together until well combined.  Stir in the cheese and chickpea flour and mix well.  Shape the mixture into 4 burgers, about 3 1/2" in diameter.

In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until hot.  Cook the burgers for 6 minutes, turning once, or until golden brown and heated through.

Ok, there you have it. The official directions.
But like any other person on this little planet we call home, I don't always follow the directions exactly.  For one reason or another it just doesn't always happen.  This time around I ended up dumping all the ingredients into a bowl and mixing them up together.  It all turned out fine and nothing exploded from the slight diversion!

I also have to say, I have yet to get my spinach WILTED... it seems to always turn out cooked.  So just try to coarsely chop that spinach then!  So really big globs of spinach went into the whole mix.

I don't have a bunch of behind the scenes pictures of this adventure.  When I realized I wasn't mixing it all up in the right order I put the camera down.  Well, my hubby did snap a shop of some cooking action and then I got a shot of a plateful of the finished product (minus a small one because I couldn't help but eat it!).  Yeah... I didn't make 4 big ones, I made a few smaller ones!

Do try these and have fun.  Mix it up and add new and crazy things that sound good or just all around interesting.  Have fun with it!

Black Bean Cakes TWEAKED!

I shared this recipe 2 posts back ( Black Bean Cake ).  

I did like it as it was, but I just wanted to tweak the texture a bit and add my own touch.  I decided to follow the recipe exactly as it was, but add 1 cup almond meal.  I was thrilled with the result and could see the possibilities.  

Was it perfect?  I don't know about that, but it was every bit as chocolaty as the original.  I let a friend taste it that isn't wheat free and she really was amazed.  Her eyes got big after taking a bite and she said, "that is like a brownie!  I would eat more if you made me some."

That was totally awesome to hear!  

It is not the end to the tweaking.  I plan to make it again and try coconut flower or coconut powder ( very small granulated coconut ).  Of course I have learned that I may need to add a little extra moisture since coconut likes to absorb it all!  I can also imagine adding little chocolate chips to it too... my own little "Death By Chocolate" brownie.  Another idea would be to add a caramel topping to it.  It is endless I tell you!  

It takes time to tweak and get it how you like it.  I'm happy to say that I do like both variations I've made so far. So go on, don't be hesitant.  Climb into that Captains chair, plot a course and aim for the stars because you might just be surprised with what you get.  

Reality Bites

I want to thank everyone who has been following my little world here on the net.  I know that I've been a bit lacking on the posting front.

After my mother passed away, I have had moments where I thought, "What is the point of this blog?  There are so many others out there, who would want to follow me?"

I know I wanted to keep this about food and make it a bit entertaining.
Yes, I'm a nerd and geek and you've probably noticed with some of the Star Trek and other Sci-Fi themed verbiage.  But reality creeps in.  This is one of those times.  I almost quit this blog because there is a lot you go through mentally and emotionally when you loose the only other person in your life (besides your hubby) that you KNOW will always love you and be there for you.  So... it will be a year and a half in April that my mother passed on.  And I promise that I will continue this "Mission into wheatlessness" with a little more enthusiasm.

Soon I will be sharing an update on health and I will try give you a complete picture of what this lifestyle has done for me and my hubby.  ALSO... I have had some breakthroughs with my exploration into making chocolate brownies that are AMAZING!  I am still obsessed and lusting after the perfect wheat-free pancake so I will be sharing.

This week I hope we'll be able to make some TUNA SPINACH BURGERS.  Yeah, I know.  Some will probably find that title a total turn off, BUT!!!!!  The are so freaking addictive!!!!

Thank you for joining me on this mission.  It was a bit rocky, but I'm ready to go full light speed once again!