Insights from our little kitchen

Nothing is quite so eye opening as cutting gluten out of your diet.  The startling truth is it's in nearly everything.  Or at least that's how things appear at first. 


Nearly all processed boxed foods, canned soups, sauces, dressings - even shredded cheese - contain gluten. 


Know what you're eating.


I started seeking out the treats still available for me to eat.  Here is a short list that I have compiled and endorse.  Even if you're not in the "gluten-free" category, these are still tasty snacks, and not at all a compromise. 


1. Crispy Crunchy Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies via Trader Joes 
2. Chobani Champion Greek Yogurt (not just for kids) 
3.  Snickers (thank goodness) 
4. Popcorn (like real legit on the stove popcorn) + basil
5. Quinoa with black beans, avocado and peppers with cumin-lime dressing
6. English toffee 
7. Rice cakes + peanut butter + marmalade 
8. Buckwheat pancakes + toppings bar via Portage Bay
9. French Macaroons via Belle Epicurean 
10. Peanut butter cookies (below)


Life is still sweet. 


Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
adapted from Joy the Baker


Ingredients: 
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 cup sugar (1/2 granulated sugar, 1/2 brown sugar) 
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda 


(that's it!) 


Preheat: 350


1. In a medium bowl cream together peanut butter and sugars

2. Add in egg and baking soda, mix for two minutes 

3. Form dough into walnut sized balls (may roll in sugar if desired) and place on greased baking sheet (the cookies like to get a little cozy, if you know what I mean, so be sure to space them adequately apart... unlike me)
4. Using a fork create the criss-cross pattern on top of the cookies

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes (mine were getting a little overcooked at 8.5 minutes - but my oven has it's own issues)

Derby Pie. A gift from my in-laws.

I have a pathetic sweet tooth.  Given the choice, I would always choose an overly salted batch of french fries over a piece of cake.  I prefer a slice of quiche over a muffin, tortilla chips over an Oreo.  And much to my husband's dismay, I really don't have much of a liking for ice cream.  I do however, have a weakness for chocolate chip cookies.  And Derby Pie is basically one big rich chocolate chip cookie... in a pie crust.

I encountered this loveliness the first time I visited Brad's family in San Diego.  We'd only been dating for three months, and I was quite honestly scared out of my mind.  I wanted so bad for them to like me.  But I'm fairly certain I only spoke when spoken to (not due to manners, rather a survival technique).   I'm sure they were wondering... who is the quiet, shy, non-communicative girl that you've brought home?  









They, on the other hand, were absolutely wonderful.  And Derby Pie made me feel a whole lot less awkward. Plus it gave me an excuse to be quiet.  


Derby Pie
Waidelich Family.


Preheat 350 degrees.


1 9" refrigerate pre-made pie crust
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 stick of butter (melted and cooled)
1 cup chocolate chips 
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup walnuts (optional - I'm sure my mother would disagree)


1.  Combine sugar and flour, mix together.  Add in beaten eggs and melted butter. 
2.  Mix in chocolate chips and vanilla.
3.  Place unbaked pie crust into a 9" pie dish, form edges.
4.  Pour mixture into pie crust.


Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Hard golden shell will form on top, middle will never completely set.