Gluten-Free Lemon Almond Cake

 

Living a gluten-free lifestyle has been embraced by many due to its associated health benefits and it addresses health issues some are faced with the need to avoid a protein called gluten in their diets. Some points to help lessen the mystique of gluten-free.

• A gluten-free diet does not include the grains wheat, barley, rye, or hybrids of these grains. This includes all varieties and forms of these grains, such as spelt (a type of wheat) and malt (made from barley). A gluten-free diet is called a gluten-free because the grains that must be avoided all contain a protein called gluten.
• Most people who follow a gluten-free diet have celiac disease, a serious genetically-based autoimmune disease. When gluten is eaten by a person with celiac disease it triggers an immune system reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine. When the lining of the small intestine is damaged, nutrients can not be properly absorbed. Once gluten is completely removed from the diet the intestine is able to heal.
• You may be thinking that no gluten means no bread, no pasta, and no pizza. It is true that most of these products in regular grocery stores contain gluten, but there are plenty of gluten-free options available. As you may have noticed perusing the aisles of Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or any other natural food store, there are plenty of breads, pastas, breakfast cereals, and other products labeled gluten free to choose from. 
• There is also an abundance of grains that just happen to be gluten-free including rice, corn, millet, sorghum, wild rice, buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth.
• Gluten free diets mean less prepared foods and more cooking from natural sources. Thankfully, more and more stores are stocking the ingredients to make healthy food and enjoy a gluten-free life. 

Gluten-Free Almond Cake 

Cook's Notes: I can't say enough good things about this cake. Just the best for its flavor and texture. I will admit at first I was a bit skeptical not having a mix of regular flour with almond flour, using maple syrup for a sweetener instead of sugar  and olive oil. The cake baked in a springform pan is moist with a hint of lemon. There are options for this cake substituting honey for the maple syrup and topping choices.  I went with a simple mix of toasted coconut and almonds sprinkled over the batter. But another topping can be skipping this part and spread over cooled cake a yogurt topping with fresh berries. This cake is proof no need to compromise on taste just because you need to follow a gluten-free diet. 

An extra recipe bonus no mixer needed!

Recipe adapted from cookieandkate.com 

Ingredients:

Cake

• 2 cups firmly packed almond meal or almond flour (8 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 large eggs
• ⅔ cup maple syrup or honey
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (from 2 medium lemons)

Topping 

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or whipped cream sweetened with 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• ½ pound ripe strawberries, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (6 ounces)
• Optional topping on batter a mixture of 1/4 cup each toasted coconut and almonds  

Cake Directions: 

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9″ springform pan* and dust it with almond meal to prevent sticking.
• To make the cake: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of the almond flour, the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to blend.
• Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and beat with a whisk until the yolks and egg whites have blended together. Add the maple syrup, olive oil, and lemon zest, whisk to blend. Pour the wet ingredients into the almond flour mixture and stir just until mixed. Do not overmix. 
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan (it will be runny; don’t worry). Bake for 29- 30 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and the center is firm to the touch.

Topping Directions: 

• Once the cake is out of the oven, place the cake, pan and all, on a cooling rack. .
• Let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes. Carefully remove the outer piece from your springform pan.
• If using a yogurt topping add a large tablespoon to each cake slice. Place strawberries and blueberries on top. Sprinkle with some additional lemon zest.  
  
  
  

Cauliflower Rice

 

The Skinny on Cauliflower Rice 

For a well-rounded diet, be aware that cauliflower rice contains fewer calories (20 calories) than white rice (210 calories). As such, cauliflower rice may be a better option for those watching their calories.

Tips to Help You Make the Best Cauliflower Rice (so it's never bland or mushy)
If using a prepared package don't defrost it if it's frozen. Sauté instead of simmer. and use high heat to cook it quickly. Lastly, avoid meal prepping as will get soggy.

Highly Rated Top Prepared Cauliflower

• Boulder Canyon Riced Cauliflower
• Trader Joe's Organic Riced Cauliflower
• Earthbound Farms Riced Cauliflower
• Birds Eye Veggie Made Riced Cauliflower
• Earthbound Farm Organic Riced Cauliflower

How to Make Your Own Cauliflower Rice

• Cut the cauliflower into small chunks.
• Place into a food processor.
• Pulse until the cauliflower resembles the texture of rice. Work in batches, if necessary, and be careful not to over-process or it’ll get mushy. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower with a box grater.
• After your cauliflower is “riced,” you can use it plain in any recipe that calls for raw cauliflower rice.

If you plan to use it as a side dish without a recipe, or if you want to sub it for regular rice, I recommend lightly cooking and seasoning it to take off the raw, often bitter, bite. 

Skinny Chicken Fried Cauliflower Rice

Cook's Notes: It's a great alternative to grabbing Asian Take-Out. Low in calories it's a healthy dish your family will enjoy.  A timesaver is using 1-1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken. The chili paste gives the dish a "little kick". 
Note that the sodium in the soy sauce will cause the cauliflower to release its natural moisture and unlike real rice which will easily soaks up the soy sauce, cauliflower rice does not. 

Recipe adapted from cookingclassy.com and serves 4. 
Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1-1/2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
• 3/4 lb. boneless chicken breasts, diced into bite sized pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 3/4 cup diced sweet red peppers
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon chili paste
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 4 cups cauliflower rice (either prepared or a head pulsed)
• 1-1/2 cups frozen peas and diced carrots (frozen and don't thaw)
• 1/3 cup green onions, diced
• 3 teaspoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 large eggs

Directions:

• Place 3 eggs in a screw type jar, cover and shake well to mix, set aside.
• To to skillet add half the sesame and olive oil. Sauté chicken with garlic. ginger and diced red pepper 5 minutes or until cooked on a medium low heat.
• Remove chicken and place on a paper towel lined paper plate and cover.
• Add cauliflower with rest of oils, soy sauce, chili paste and peas and carrots. Stir well and cook for 3 minutes until rice is softened. Add in chicken mixture or shredded chicken.
• Push rice mixtures to side, scramble eggs on a medium low heat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir scrambled eggs into rice mixture, add chopped scallions, sesame seeds and cook 1 minute more. Do not overcook. 
  
  Serve the dish warm. Optional adding cashews on top. 
  
  
  

The Songbird's Sting

"She’d learned one certainty along the way…to stay alive, stay out of the line of fire." 

The Songbird's Sting

L.J. Martin, a seasoned writer of over 60 novels, has the formula down for writing another fast paced, action packed western novel.

“The Songbird's Sting” is the second novel in Martin's Arizona series with an added twist. Martin has created a female oriented novel with Elizabeth Anne Graystone, pseudonym songbird, as the protagonist. She has an angelic operatic voice, skilled as a thespian artist and has lots of sass which she learns to play to her advantage. The novel is character driven with seven main characters, but the songbird's story line is the focal point set in the Arizona territory 1873-1874. One of the author's writing strengths is how he effectively captures Elizabeth's female persona. She's a woman with a career, unusual for this time period. Readers will admire Elizabeth's sass as she stands up to her captors with her self assurance and resourcefulness. Despite her fashionable and genteel appearance she is not afraid to defend herself using her 1870 Hopkins and Allen .32 caliber pocket pistol to stay alive and out of the line of fire. Character and landscape description enhance the story line.

Martin skillfully incorporates into the story all the classic elements of a western themed novel capturing the lawlessness of the region with robberies, shootouts, acts of revenge, with cowboys, sheriffs and kin in hot pursuit. “The Songbird's Sting” is a wild ride for Elizabeth, her allies and captors. The story's pace moves briskly along making for an enjoyable read.

The novel takes off at a breathtaking speed with the reader propelled right into the action when Katherine O'Rourke, stage name Elizabeth Anne Graystone, boards a stagecoach in Prescott headed for a singing engagement in Tucson. She is forced to travel alone as her black manservant, Skeeter, has been sidelined with an illness. Elizabeth is barely ensconced on the stagecoach when it's ambushed by road agents (those who prey on stagecoaches and horseback riders). Several shootouts and killings ensue and Elizabeth and Don Mateo, a wealthy rancher, are kidnapped by outlaw Louie Bowen. They are forced to head with him to Mexico.

A parallel narrative unfolds within the story with Elizabeth and her brother Ryan O' Rourke. He has escaped jail with the help of his cousins. leaving a lynching mob behind. He's hoping to get to Montana with them when he receives word his sister has been kidnapped from the stagecoach by outlaws. Plenty of action ensues with pursuing lawmen, navigating desert terrain and harsh weather elements, and dodging the camps of Yaqui and Apaches.. You will find yourself rooting for Elizabeth and Don Mateo's safety. Intense action picks up the pace when Elizabeth and Louie meet up with Aracela, a wealthy widow. She runs a distillery in Crater Mountain. Several brazen moves set in motion a dramatic and imaginative conclusion to rescue Elizabeth. I guarantee you'll be turning the pages fast to see how the story ends.

L.J. Martin is a novelist and non-fiction author. He has authored 55 western, historical, mystery, and thriller novels from Bantam, Pinnacle, Avon, Gale, and Wolfpack Publishing and 12 non-fiction works. He is a member of The Society of Professional Journalism, Western Writer's of America, Mystery Writers and International Thriller Writers. Prior to becoming an author he was a real estate broker, licensed appraiser, and general contractor. He is married to Kat Martin, author of romance and suspense historical novels. They divide their time between Montana and Prescott, Arizona.

“The Songbird's Sting” publication date April 2021 by Wolfpack Publishing.

Order online at Amazon 
Follow author L.J. Martin at
Facebook at ljmartinauthor
Website www.ljmartin.com

A Healthy Start

Turn the page to a new year and healthier food choices.  Ever Ready will explore new recipes this month that are on the lighter side with less calories but still tasty.  Several of the recipes will be from this stellar cookbook, "The Skinnytaste Cookbook" by Gina Homolka. She is a food author and creator of the food blog skinnytaste.com 

Cauliflower is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood vegetables. 

Did you know it's related to kale and part of the Brassica genus family, which means it’s related to brussels sprouts and broccoli? While it can be found year-round, it peaks in the fall and spring. When choosing cauliflower, look for heads that are heavy for their size with creamy white florets.

Basically, by eating cauliflower mash instead of potatoes, you save about 53 calories and 13 grams of carbs, per half cup. Forget about oranges; reach for cauliflower when flu season hits. This vegetable is loaded with vitamins. 1 cup contains about 75% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Several cauliflower recipes will be posted in the upcoming days. 

Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Bites

Cook's Notes: Some might say cauliflower is a bland vegetable. But then maybe they haven't tried Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.  It's a savory side dish or an appetizer with plenty of flavor but light on the calories. Roasting the cauliflower adds deep flavor and an irresistible crunch. Serve with your favorite low calorie dipping sauce if desired. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and garlic powder 
• Optional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablesp0ons olive oil
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small bowl whisk together all the spices and set aside.
• Prepare a baking sheet with foil and spray with a non stick spray. 
• Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and break head into small florets. 
• In a large bowl mix florets with olive oil and mix in spices making sure the florets are well coated. Mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Spread out on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, cracked pepper and rest of Parmesan cheese. 
  
• Roast the cauliflower 35 minutes then check for doneness. The florets should be al dente not mushy. Turn florets once during roasting time.   

Another meal alternative Roasted Cauliflower and Black Beans Taco

Ingredients and Directions:

Follow all the steps above to make Smoky Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Bites. Then chop roasted cauliflower into smaller pieces. Add 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, 2 cups cabbage slaw and sliced radishes. Warm  the mixture in the microwave. In a medium hot dry skillet warm  4 corn tortillas.  Divide mixture equally among tortillas and top with low fat Mexican Four Cheeses.

Enjoy all your favorite toppings, tomato, avocados, salsa lime wedges, pepitas, chopped fresh cilantro.       

UP NEXT Cauliflower Rice 

A Year in Review

"As the Year Grows Old"
by Edna St. Vincent Millay

I cannot but remember
When the year grows old—
October—November—
How she disliked the cold!

She used to watch the swallows
Go down across the sky,
And turn from the window
With a little sharp sigh.

And often when the brown leaves
Were brittle on the ground,
And the wind in the chimney
Made a melancholy sound,

She had a look about her
That I wish I could forget—
The look of a scared thing
Sitting in a net!

Oh, beautiful at nightfall
The soft spitting snow!
And beautiful the bare boughs
Rubbing to and fro!

But the roaring of the fire,
And the warmth of fur,
And the boiling of the kettle
Were beautiful to her!

I cannot but remember
When the year grows old—
October—November—
How she disliked the cold!

And I might add besides food-What a year it's been!

Cook's Notes: Presenting some of the best on Ever Ready 2020. Some things I've learned along the way is the discovery of the versatility of chicken apple sausage. It's a healthy alternative to traditional sausage. Packed with flavor the sausage  works well for sheet pan meals and appetizer recipes. I am amazed how the Oreo cookie popularity remains strong. There's never a shortage of creative recipes featuring this cookie. Lastly, reader comments are always appreciated and help fuel my inspiration.

Enjoy some of my favorites month by month with recipe links. And yes, I do make all recipes posted which has motivated me to walk twice a day now which really is not a bad thing:) 

January

Other Pigs in the Blanket-Puff Pastry with Chicken Sausages

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/01/game-day-foods.html

February

Mini Meatloaf Mashed Potato Pies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/02/mini-meatloaf-and-mashed-potato-pies.html

 
March

Oreo Mint Mousse Pie 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/03/oreo-mint-mousse-pie.html

April-A Tie 

Iced Oreo Cookie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-spy.html

Roasted Carrots with Sweet Potatoes and Quinoa

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/04/roasted-carrots-and-sweet-potaoes-with.html

May

Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Meal with Roasted Veggies  and Couscous 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/05/sheet-pan-meal.html

June

Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/06/juneteenth-day.html

July

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/07/espresso-to-go.html

August

Classic BLT Sandwich Makeover with Avocado, Fried Egg and Basil Mayo

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/08/avocado-blt-with-fried-egg-and-basil.html

September

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Cider Vinaigrette

https:/n /sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/09/brussels-sprouts-one-of-autumns.html

October-Tie

Salted Caramel Apple Galette

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/10/salted-caramel-apple-galette.html

Avocado with Egg and Canadian Bacon Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/10/avocado-with-egg-and-candian-bacon.html

November - Tie

Mini Cranberry Pear Pie

Mini Cranberry Pear Crumbles

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/11/cranberry-pear-crumble-mini-pies.html

December

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/12/cookie-blitz-day-3.html

Thanks for your readership and see you January 1, 2021

P.S. I have a new spiralizer

Tis' the Season for Eggnog

Eggnog is available in the stores!

Recipe to Try

Eggnog Bars with a Gingersnap Crust

 https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/12/embrace-light.html

Eggnog French Toast

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/12/eggnog-french-toast.html

Cranberry Eggnog Muffins

Overnight Cranberry Eggnog Coffeecake

Glazed Eggnog Bread 

Three eggnog recipes (muffins, coffeecake, and bread) photos above found at https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/12/tis-season.html

Today's featured baker is Cathy and her Rum and Eggnog Bundt Cake 

Cook's Notes: This delicious, decadent cake is moist yet dense and brims with your favorite eggnog flavors. Don't pass up the holiday season without trying this one. The cake slices beautifully. Be sure to store any leftovers in refrigerator since it has a cream cheese frosting.    

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup eggnog, room temperature
• 2 tablespoon rum or rum extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz. cream cheese room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon rum or rum extract
• 2 tablespoon eggnog room temperature

Bundt Cake Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 10 or 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray (I use Pam for Baking).
• In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth.
• Add sugars and beat on med-high until pale and fluffy (2-3mins).
• Reduce speed and add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add rum and vanilla.
• Alternate adding flour mixture and eggnog, beginning and ending with flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of eggnog). Fully incorporating after each addition. Do not overmix.
• Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula and whack the pan against the counter to evenly distribute.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
• Place cake on wire rack to cool for 10 mins. Whack the pan on the counter to loosen the cake and turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

• Beat cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Add rum and eggnog. Beat until fully combined.
• Pour over cooled cake and add some holiday sprinkles as everything is always better with a few sprinkles. 

UP NEXT:  EVER READY'S READERS' FAVORITE RECIPES

Christmas Blessings to All

 

Assumption Church St. Paul, Minnesota 

Merry Christmas

 Christmas Blessings to All

 from Ever Ready