Croissants
28 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in Breakfast, Dessert, Recipes, Snacks Tags: breakfast pastry, Croissant, Dairy Free, flaky crust, france, french recipe, gluten-free, Xanthan gum
When you think of France, you think croissants right? Here is something interesting. Alan Davidson, editor of the Oxford Companion to Food, found no printed recipe for the present-day croissant in any French recipe book before the early 20th century; the earliest French reference to a croissant he found was among the “fantasy or luxury breads” in Payen’s Des substances alimentaires, 1853. However, early recipes for the croissant (without butter, and so not puff pastry-based) can be found in the nineteenth century and at least one reference to croissants as an established French bread appeared as early as 1850. Wherever they came from, croissants are DELICIOUS and you can enjoy your own without stepping foot on a plane.
Gluten Free Croissants
Who needs Pilsbury when you have these! 
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour (Better Batter is a great flour. I need to order some ASAP)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum (omit if using Better Batter)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant (rapid-rise or breadmaker) yeast
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted vegan butter, divided (4 tablespoons at room temperature, the rest chilled)
- 3/4 cup almond milk, warmed to about 100ºF
- 2 extra-large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, divided
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, xanthan gum, yeast, 6 tablespoons sugar, salt and 4 tablespoons butter (divided into tablespoons). Beat on low for about 1 minute, until the butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients. Add the ¾ cup warm milk, the whole egg and 1 yolk, and mix until the dough just begins to come together. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface, and dump the dough out onto the plastic wrap. Press the dough together, and cover tightly with the plastic wrap. Place in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
- Once the dough has chilled, roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper into a rectangle that is about 10-by-15 inches, and about ¼ inch thick, no thinner (see photos). Dust with additional flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking to the parchment paper. Take the remaining 12 tablespoons (chilled) butter and divide into individual tablespoons, and then space evenly over ⅔ of the dough, leaving one short side bare (see photos). With the bare short side facing you, fold it over the middle third of the butter (as you would a business letter), then fold the remaining third over to seal in the tablespoons of butter (see photos).
- Roll the dough out again into a rectangle about 10-by-5 inches, and fold again in thirds (see photos). Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 15 minutes or until firm. Congratulations. You have just completed the first ‘turn.’
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator, uncover it, and place it horizontally on a fresh sheet of parchment paper. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper, and roll out again into a rectangle about 10-by-5 inches. Fold once more, business letter style, and return to the freezer for another 15 minutes or until firm. Repeat the process once more. After 3 turns, cover and place the dough in the freezer for about 30 minutes (or in the refrigerator for at least an hour), until firm.
- Once the dough has chilled once more, roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper into a smaller rectangle, this time about ⅜ inch thick. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, slice the dough in half, into two equal rectangles. Stack the rectangles on top of one another, with the edges squared. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut the dough into triangles that alternate top to bottom.
- On a large piece of parchment paper, separate and line up all the triangles in rows. For each triangle, with the base of the triangle facing you, slice a 1-inch slit vertically (see photo). Then, fold the two new points toward the outside edge of the triangle, away from one another. Press down gently to seal. Rolling away from you, roll up the dough toward the tip of the triangle until it is shaped like a coiled cylinder. Create a “U” shape by turning the edges toward one another (see photo). Repeat with the remaining triangles.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF, and prepare a lined or nonstick baking sheet.
- Arrange the shaped croissants about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Place in a warm, draft-free area to rise a bit (about 15 minutes). If they don’t rise much, don’t worry. Don’t bother waiting much longer. They will spring up in the oven.
- Brush liberally with the remaining egg, beaten with a splash of milk. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake, rotating once during baking, until golden brown (about 15 minutes).
Kwegyirba Croffie is a freelance Associate Producer at News 12 Connecticut and a Special Events/Event Planning and Social Media Intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a Quinnipiac University alumni and a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. She enjoy cupcakes,Broadway musicals, Forever 21 ,giraffes, peacock feathers, orchids, lillies and anything Disney.
Chocolate Bread Pudding
27 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in Breakfast, Dessert, Recipes Tags: bread pudding, Chocolate, Chocolate Bread Pudding, cinnamon raisin bread, Dairy Free, decadent dessert, gluten-free, udi's gluten free
Chocolate Bread Pudding
Using cinnamon raisin bread brings even more flavor to this delicious bread pudding! This pudding can be served warm, room temperature, or cold. To chill, let cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter, plus more for baking dish (Earth Balance)
- 8 slices (8 ounces) Udi’s Gluten Free cinnamon-raisin bread
- 2 cups rice milk milk
- 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Lightly butter an 11-by-7-inch (or 9-inch square) baking dish; set aside.
- Toast bread (in the oven or toaster) until lightly crisped.
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, chocolate, and butter; place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes.
- Tear bread into large pieces (about 4 or 5 per slice); scatter evenly in prepared baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in warm milk mixture until combined. Pour over bread.
- Bake until pudding has puffed and is firm, about 25 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes, and dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.
We’re Going To Disney World!
27 Feb 2012 3 Comments
in Breakfast, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Restaurants, Snacks Tags: allergy awareness, Disneyland Resort, food allergy and anaphylaxis network, gluten-free, travel gluten free, traveling, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort
I’ve got travel on the brain and I want to head someplace warm. Sure a beach is fine and dandy but I want to go to Disney World and a gluten free guide to ALL
the parks would sure come in handy!! Well guess what, I’ve got it! Walt Disney World Food & Beverage has the Walt Disney World All Parks Gluten Free Guide. It takes you through all the parks and gives you a breakdown of each restaurant/eatery with what you can have to eat!
I definitely have to give Disney HUGE HUGE kudos on taking gluten allergies and other allergies seriously. Disney is where dreams come true and they are committed to making sure every guest has a magical time, no matter what allergy they may have. No one should be left out of feeling the pure Disney magic.
In 2011, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts received an award recognizing its leadership and commitment in the area of food-allergy awareness by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
Disney’s journey from a provider of traditional food offerings to a leader in best practices for food allergies began 12 years ago when a Disneyland Resort chef received phone call from a mother concerned about gluten-free options for her child. Since that time, Disney has worked to craft an extensive food program that offers meals to suit the needs of guests with food allergies and other dietary preferences.
According to Disney network chief executive officer, Julia Bradsher, Disney’s Parks and Resorts operation has the most extensive program that she is aware of. She adds that the parks have “been doing this for quite some time, so I think they were ahead of the curve.”
Disneyland Resort recently set up a web page that lists comprehensive information to help guests make informed decisions about where they can find food in the parks meets their needs.
The company has also set up a special hotline number where park guests can call ahead with specific food requests. That number is 714-781-DINE. If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and would like to call ahead to discuss special dietary needs, guests may call 407-824-5967. Certified executive chef Bill Orton says that “the resort helps thousands of visitors” with their dietary needs, and handles most needs immediately.
Here is Walt Disney World’s Food and Beverage Gluten Free Guide
Make your next trip to Disney the most magical one yet!
Kwegyirba Croffie is a freelance Associate Producer at News 12 Connecticut and a Special Events/Event Planning and Social Media Intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a Quinnipiac University alumni and a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. She enjoy cupcakes,Broadway musicals, Forever 21 ,giraffes, peacock feathers, orchids, lillies and anything Disney.
Italian Amaretto Margaritas
23 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Drinks, Recipes Tags: amaretto, Dairy Free, gluten-free, italian amaretto margarita, Lemon, lime, Limeade, margarita, Orange juice, Sugar, Tequila
I know National Margarita Day was yesterday but another recipe to add to your margarita selection couldn’t hurt. Variety is the spice of life!
Italian Amaretto Margaritas
Amaretto gives this drink a fun twist! Frosty glasses rimmed with amaretto and sugar make this drink even better.
- 4 fluid ounces amaretto liqueur, plus additional
- white sugar
- 6 fluid ounces frozen limeade concentrate
- 6 fluid ounces tequila
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 6 cups ice
- lemon and lime wedge for garnish
- Dip the rims of 4 margarita glasses in amaretto, then into sugar; set aside.
- Pour the limeaid, tequila, amaretto, orange juice, and ice into the bowl of a blender.
- Puree until smooth, then pour into prepared glasses.
- Garnish with lemon and lime wedges.
Crawfish Beignets with Spicy Rémoulade
23 Feb 2012 3 Comments
in Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tags: beignets, crawfish, crawfish beignets, delicious flavors, diary free, gluten-free, Seafood, spicy dipping sauce, spicy remoulade
I’m still in a Cajun state of mind guys! Cannot get enough of those delicious flavors!
Crawfish Beignets with Spicy Remoulade
This is definitely a recipe that will wow whoever is sitting at your table! Yes, it’s a LOT of ingredients, but A LOT of great flavor! Don’t be intimidated, it will be delicious! For vegetarian Cajun beignets, simply eliminate the crawfish and increase the amount of red peppers and scallions by approximately 1 cup (this measurement includes both vegetables).
For the Beignets:
- 10 ounces crawfish, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose gluten free flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon if you want more heat!)
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic, finely diced
- 3 scallions, finely diced
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 dashes Tobasco
- Vegetable, Canola or Peanut Oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for serving
For the Rémoulade:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons cornichons, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons capers, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 tablespoon minced shallots
- 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 dashes Tabasco
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt and pepper
- First, make the rémoulade. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cornichons, parsley, capers, tarragon, shallots, vinegar, paprika, Tabasco, lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Stir to combine; season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and set aside.
- Next, make the beignets. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced red pepper and cook until soft, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional two minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the gluten free flour, salt, baking powder, paprika, oregano and cayenne pepper.
- Add the water, scallions, crawfish, red pepper and garlic, stirring well to combine.
- Cover with a damp towel and set aside for 15 minutes.
- In an electric skillet or a heavy pot, heat 2-3 inches of oil until it reaches 350ºF. Drop the crawfish batter by small spoonfuls into the oil and fry until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer beignets to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve the beignets warm with lemon wedges and rémoulade for dipping.
Spicy crawfish. Now that is southern, down home goodness!
ENJOY!
Kwegyirba Croffie is a freelance Associate Producer at News 12 Connecticut and a Special Events/Event Planning and Social Media Intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a Quinnipiac University alumni and a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. She enjoy cupcakes,Broadway musicals, Forever 21 ,giraffes, peacock feathers, orchids, lillies and anything Disney.
Hushpuppies
22 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tags: appetizer, Cayenne pepper, cornmeal flour, Dairy Free, deep fry, Fry, gluten-free, hushpuppies, hushpuppy mix, southern cooking, spices
The first time I had hushpuppies were at Bubba Gump Shrimp in Miami, Florida the day before heading on a cruise as my high school graduation present with my dad and little brother. (Great trip, great food!)
That was before I was gluten free. Thanks to Food Network (thanks Pat and Gina Neely!), I have found a great recipe that I can tweak a little bit and all while remaining DELICIOUS!
Hushpuppies
A hushpuppy or cornbread ball is a savory, starch-based food made from cornmeal batter that is deep fried or baked in small ball or sphere shapes. Hushpuppies are a food with strong ties to the South, although they are available in many areas of America on the menus of deep fried fish restaurants. 
Ingredients
- Peanut oil, for frying
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 3/4 cup gluten free flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 small Vidalia onion, finely grated
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Preheat 2 inches peanut oil in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven to 375ºF.
- Whisk the cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar, cayenne and paprika in a large bowl to get rid of the lumps. (No one likes a lumpy hushpuppy.)
- Mix in the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine.
- Dip 2 spoons into a mug of water (this allows the batter to come clean off).
- Scoop up about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter and carefully slide it into the hot oil, working in batches.
- Fry the scoops of batter 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked all the way through (test the first one for doneness).
- Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet, seasoning with salt as soon as they come out of the fryer.
ENJOY!!





