I have a confession: I have a secret rebellion I cannot seem to reform. I bring it out into the open here in a desperate attempt to convince myself of my folly. I CANNOT FOLLOW A RECIPE to the letter. This has worked out surprisingly well, further encouraging the rebellious tendency. But my creativity has proven disasterous on several occasions like the time I was left staring at the sad puddle of goo stuck to the bottom of the pan that was supposed to be beautiful, moldable marzipan to lay atop my son’s birthday cake. Continue reading “New Yummy GFCF Bars and My Secret Rebellion Revealed”
Saturday Morning Salmon Patty Pancakes (GFCF)
Jackson pulled me out of bed at 6:15 this morning, no Saturday morning snoozing for me! He was hungry and asking for the yummy GFCF oatmeal bars sitting on top of the fridge, “Bar? Bar?” In the early morning haze, I was tempted to just plop one on his plate and head back to bed, but knowing the bar would only buy me another 30 seconds in bed and it was coated in chocolate, I decided to actually make the little man a proper breakfast. Not cognizant enough yet to trust myself to leave a waffle on the iron, I open the cupboard searching for “Jackson approved” GFCF cereal. None to be had. Continue reading “Saturday Morning Salmon Patty Pancakes (GFCF)”
Saturday morning GFCF waffles
We’re up at 6 am on this fine, Saturday morning! Jack has rejected my offer of a GFCF nut and fruit protein bar, so I guess it’s almost time to get off the computer and make our traditional Saturday morning fare: waffles.
Waffles have become an almost every day staple. I make a big batch and throw them in the freezer so I can pop them in the toaster and have a super quick, easy breakfast or snack for Jackson.
I have played with this recipe a ton using all different combinations of flours including nut, ground seeds, rice, corn, potato, amaranth, in addition to the ones listed below. I’ve tried all different kinds of milk and eggs substitutes too including homemade almond milk, ground flax seed. I usually wait a bit before throwing it on the waffle griddle and adjust the wet ingredients as needed since some of the flours absorb more liquid than others. Waffles are great for people wanting to try alternating flours to avoid developing food sensitivities.
These are great for hiding some of the fruit and veggies Jackson won’t eat by themselves like squash, sweet potato, fruit puree or sauce, and pumpkin. I think they improve the taste and texture too!
GFCF Waffles
1 c. Garfava bean flour
1/4 c. corn starch or potato starch
1/4 c. rice or tapioca flour
1/4 c. Quinoa flour
1/4 c. ground flax seed
1 TBS sugar or 1/2 c. fruit to sweeten
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. canola oil
1 c. almond, soy, or rice milk
1/2 c. pumpkin puree, apple sauce, or one banana
Pour batter into waffle iron or on griddle as pancakes! Cook to desired crispness! Enjoy!
I’ve always wanted to be a science researcher, so my kitchen has become my lab. Some experiments turn out, and some don’t go over so well…but my waffle iron has become one of my most valuable pieces of lab equipment! Soooo…happy experimenting! Please post a comment if you come up with a good combination!
By the way, we’ve just launched another website, AutismInterventions.org, to demonstrate to other parents what we’re doing with Jackson. It will be less bloggy and more broad, aimed at giving parents of autistic kids practical ideas to help them communicate. We’re working with the experts at Jackson’s school to put together an Early Intervention eBook to sell on that site as well. All in all, we’re excited. So check out the site and sign up for the newsletter if you get a chance. Thanks!
Bread: the last GFCF stronghold
You cannot be born into this family and not be able to eat bread. Bread has been one of the hardest delights for Jackson to let go of. I enjoy making homemade cheesy breadsticks, tear off bread, monkey bread, muffins…yeah…now my mouth is watering. Since Jack has been on the GFCF (Gluten Free Casein Free) diet, though, I haven’t wanted to torture him with the rapturous smells of fresh baked goods he will not be allowed to taste–unless he happens to fish some leftover crumbs out of the trash, swipe them from his brother’s highchair tray, or lick them off the floor. Bread seems a little cruel. And the $5 GFCF breads I’ve bought so far have all ended up crumbled on the plate as Jackson licks the peanut butter off the undesired slices or moldy because I forgot to stick them in the freezer or freezer burned because I forgot to take them out. Continue reading “Bread: the last GFCF stronghold”
Expanding his diet: Food tolerance
Jackson stanchly refuses to ingest vegetables and anything green. The “Green Tree” incident (his sisters’ code name) will go down in history as perhaps our most dismal food failure: Trying to convince Jackson that we could outwit and outwait his opposition to broccoli. Continue reading “Expanding his diet: Food tolerance”