Recipe: Gluten Free Peach and Blueberry Crisp

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Jenna has been eating gluten-free for many years; Jodi and I have joined our sister in the fight against gluten on our bodies in recent years/months. So, sometimes we think our palette is somewhat jaded. Are we so accustomed to eating GF that we think a pizza that resembles the taste of cardboard is actually good? Many gluten-free items are good now, and there are so many options, but at times it’s hard to get some of our favorites to taste like the real thing.

This past weekend was not only a success because we were all together {which is our most favorite times}, but also because we shared laughter and tears over a delicious, homemade gluten-free Peach and Blueberry Crisp. Whatever you want to call it – Peach and Blueberry Crisp or a Peach and Blueberry Crumble – it was a good one.

It’s sad to see summer near an end – so celebrate what’s left of it – and what’s left of summer’s ripe peaches.

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Gluten Free Peach and Blueberry Crisp
recipe adapted from Ina Garten

For the fruit:

  • 6 ripe peaches
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup gluten free all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup fresh blueberries

For the crumble:

  • 3/4 cup gluten free oats, ground
  • 1/4 cup gluten free all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup pecans, broken into small pieces

Directions:

  • Immerse the peaches in a medium saucepan with boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Remove them and immediately set in cold water.
  • Peel the peaches, slice them into small wedges, and place them in a large bowl.
  • Add the lemon juice, sugar and flour. Toss well.
  • Mix in the blueberries.
  • Spoon the mixture into a pie dish.
  • For the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in a large bowl. With clean hands, gently break the butter apart and mix with the dry ingredients. Continue to blend the ingredients together with your fingertips to form pea-size crumbles.
  • Sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit in the pie dish.
  • Top with pecans.
  • Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is brown and the crisp is bubbling.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream….or plain! So yummy.

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Gluten Free Pancakes {recipe}

gluten-free-pancakes-july-4th-firework-breakfast-blueberry-strawberryThis 4th of July firework pancake breakfast will be enjoyed by those who are GF, and those who are not. We have found some gluten free store-bought pancake mixes to be decent. Some are better than others. This homemade, gluten free pancake recipe is easy to make, and our favorite thus far on our gluten-free venture.

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Gluten Free Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 2% milk {almond milk can be substituted}
  • 1/4 cup butter {4 tablespoons}
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup gluten free quick cooking oats, ground {we use a Magic Bullet to grind it}
  • 1/2 cup Pamela’s gluten free flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, add the dry ingredients, including flour, ground up oats, baking powder, salt, sugar and flax seeds.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, add two eggs and whisk.
  3. Melt the butter in a pan on the stove with the milk until butter melts.
  4. Stir the milk and butter into the eggs and whisk.
  5. Slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients.
  6. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk to make it a consistency you like.
  7. Pour and flip.
  8. To make the pancakes festive for July 4th, use a star cookie cutter to create star pancakes that can resemble fireworks.
  9. Spread butter on top, decorate your plate with blueberries and strawberries to make the stars look like fireworks, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and then pour maple syrup over the pancakes.

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Fig and Goat Cheese Appetizer

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It’s true that we all studied abroad in Florence, Italy. It’s true that we all daydream about one day being back there – actually one day is more like now. And, it’s also true that Jessica gained a good 25 lb. in the 6 month time frame she studied abroad.

Let it be known that she doesn’t regret a single bite. While in Italy, what does one do? Enjoy the breathtaking sites, shop Gucci and Prada, and embrace the rich culture and history, of course. But for the ultimate experience, one also must eat and drink their way through the beautiful country. So, she did just that. She blames all the late night indulgences of pasta, wine, bread and cheese. We say, bring it on!

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We’re talking cheese and bread today, so get a glass of vino ready and take note of our delicious and oh so easy appetizer.

Ingredients:

  • Loaf of fresh Italian bread from the bakery
  • Olive oil
  • Fig Spread
  • Goat Cheese

Directions:

  1. Slice the bread into thin pieces.
  2. Brush one side with olive oil.
  3. Set on a Cast Iron Grill Pan {with the lines} on medium high for a couple of minutes until you see the nice brown lines on the slice of bread.
  4. Add fig spread on top.
  5. Top with goat cheese on top of the fig spread. goat cheese and bread appetizer-fig-

{images via j. sorelle}

Vanilla Ice Cream Topped with DIY Frozen Strawberry Hearts

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We love February.

We love ice cream.

And our daughter’s still love the movie Frozen.

So, with vanilla ice cream topped with frozen strawberry hearts, we figured we couldn’t go wrong. We were right! This easy, simple and delicious dessert has been a hit around our houses, and it’s so cute, we can’t wait to make it for friends and family.

Surprise your loved ones this month{after all, it is the month of love} with ice cream topped with frozen strawberry hearts.

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Here’s how…

Ingredients
Strawberries
Sugar
Wilton Mini Heart Silicone Mold
Vanilla Ice Cream
Bananas
Wilton Round Linzer Cutter Set

How to Create
Cut off the stems from about 8-10 strawberries and place them in a blender or Cuisinart.
Add 1-2 tablespoons sugar.
Puree the strawberries and sugar together until smooth.
Use a spoon to fill heart silicone mold with strawberries puree. Fill the molds to the top, without overflowing them.
Place in a freezer bag and freeze for at least 3 hours.
Once the hearts are set and you’re ready for some ice cream, scoop vanilla ice cream in a bowl, and simply press the strawberry frozen hearts out with your fingers.
We love vanilla ice cream with bananas, so we also used a Wilton Round Linzer Cutter to cut slices of bananas into small hearts, and froze them along with the strawberries. The combo of strawberries, bananas and vanilla ice cream was delicious…in fact, the bowl was devoured in less than 2 minutes!

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 {images via j. sorelle}

Bear Party Activities and Crafts for Kids

Before the bears go back into hibernation, let’s celebrate and learn about the furry, cuddly and powerful nature of bears.

Disneynature Bears takes us on a journey where a mother bear raises her young cubs in the big and beautiful world of Alaska. And, just like humans, she does her best to guide, protect and teach her young so they can one day survive on their own.

With the recent DVD release of Disneynature Bears, here’s 10 great ways to immerse yourself and your children into the wonderful world of BEARS this fall.

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1. Rent or buy, Disneynature’s Bears on DVD now.

2. Throw a mini Bears Party for your home movie feature, followed by a Bears Scavenger Hunt {free printable here} like we did.

3. Serve delicious and nutritious bear-inspired snacks for your hungry cubs that highlights magazine shared.

4. Crafty Morning shows us how to make adorable paper bear plates with these instructions.

5. Did you know a bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times stronger than that of a human? You can learn many more facts about bears by downloading free activity pages from Disneynature Bears.

6. What kid wouldn’t want to end the day with a treat – gummy bear popsicles? Yes, please. Foodbeast invented the yummy and colorful idea.

7. Read any and all of the creative and sweet Bear Books by Karma Wilson such as Bear’s New Friend. This book series is a household favorite around here.

8. Make sure your little ones stays warm as the weather starts to turn cold with this Bear Scarf Hat.

9. Karma Wilson’s charmed bear character needs some help dressing for the seasons. Print the sheet for a fun activity for your kids.

10. Katarina’s Paperie keeps the day bubbly with DIY honey bear bottle bubbles.

{images via Highlights, DisneyCrafty Morning, Foodbeast, Amazon, Zappos, Karma Wilson and Katarina’s Paperie}