Gluten Free Coconut Spinach Soup

My Gluten Free Coconut Spinach Soup reminds me of my visit to Thailand, where I ate coconut soup nearly every day (yum!). To me, the magical combination of coconut and lime is like paradise on a spoon.

My quick to prepare version of this South East Asian classic is a real treat, and has a mild flavor that even children will enjoy. Because it uses mainly pantry items, you can stock up on the ingredients and enjoy it anytime. Every bite is sure to put a smile on your face! It makes a perfect light meal, or a winning side dish.

Gluten Free Coconut Spinach Soup

2 tbsp. vegetable or peanut oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 oz. can diced green chilies

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2 1/2 cups coconut milk

1 lb. fresh baby spinach leaves

Juice of 1/2 lime

Salt

Coconut, toasted, for garnish (optional)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or stockpot. Add the onion, garlic, and chilies and cook gently for about 4 minutes. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, and ginger then add the broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer the soup for about 10 minutes.

Stir in the spinach and cook for about 2 minutes or until the leaves wilt. Stir in the lime juice and salt to taste. Heat gently for a few seconds, if necessary, and ladle into soup bowls. Top with toasted coconut , if using, and serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings

*Recipe adapted from 500 Soups

*For more gluten free meal ideas visit the Gluten Free Homemaker and check out the "What Can I Eat That's Gluten Free?" page.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Can Do Kid Protein Bars - Review

Gluten free protein bars for kids? Yes, and they are all natural and SUPER tasty! Can Do Kid Bars are available in 3 kid (and Mom!) approved flavors: Chocolate Crunch, Cookies & Cream, and CAN-illa Vanilla.



When the folks at Can Do Kid sent me their bars to sample and review, I must admit I was skeptical. In my experience, gluten free bars for kids offer little nutrition, while bars created for adults are either too high in protein for a kid or do not come in flavors that appeal to kids. What a surprise to find that Can Do Kid Bars taste great and offer 9 grams of protein, and 7 essential vitamins and minerals. A bonus is that Can Do Kid Bars contain no high-fructose corn syrup or trans fat.

My kids took a liking to them from the first bite, and well... so did I. :) All of us grab one for a quick snack on the go. Can Do Kid Bars also make regular appearances in my children's lunch boxes and backpacks school snacks. I keep one in my purse for those crazy days when I forget to stop and eat lunch.

One of my kids prefers the CAN-illa Vanilla flavor, while the other two are partial to the Chocolate Crunch. The solution? We buy a 15 count case of each flavor and everyone is happy. You can purchase Can Do Kid Bars at REI, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven, independent grocers, and online at Amazon.com or www.iamacandokid.com .

Another cool thing about Can Do Kid is the positive message they send to children. Can Do Kid sells children's books that communicate the Can Do Kid spirit - I Can Do Anything! and I AM Happy Just the Way I AM. Visit www.iamacandokid.com for more information.

Gluten Free South Western Quiche

Quiche is a winner in my house day or night. I love the versatility of quiche. You can add nearly anything you want inside with delicious results. My Gluten Free South Western Quiche makes the most of your Autumn harvest. If you have garden fresh corn and vine ripened tomatoes from your garden on hand, by all means use them. I hope you enjoy this warm, satisfying quiche as much as I do.

Gluten Free South Western Quiche

1 cup milk
4 eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1/2 teaspoon chili powder,
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup fresh OR thawed frozen corn OR drained canned corn
1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 inch glass pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, stir all ingredients except corn, cheese, and tomato until blended. Stir in corn, cheese, and tomato; pour into pie plate.

Bake 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6 servings

*Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker

Enjoy!

Giveaway Winner - Nature's Path Gluten Free Cereals

The winner of the Nature's Path Gluten Free Cereals is:

*Chandice*

Congratulations Chandice! I am e-mailing you now. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to Nature's Path for sponsoring this giveaway.

Cinde's Gluten Free Spotlight - Light Life Tempeh & Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Smoothie - Gluten Free

I am so thrilled every time I discover a new gluten free product that actually tastes good! Today I am featuring two new healthy and delicious gluten free foods.

Light Life Gluten Free Tempeh

AND

Odwalla Wholly Grains Gluten Free Smoothie

Let's start with the Light Life Tempeh. Here's the situation friends... I am a vegetarian with a tofu aversion. The protein choices for someone in my predicament are pretty slim, especially if you are also following a gluten free diet! Nearly every meat substitute on the market contains wheat starch. Because the texture of tofu gives me the willies, I am limited to cheese (animal rennet free), eggs, nuts and nut butters, plant based protein powders and Amy's Gluten Free-Vegetarian Bistro Burgers.


I had heard of tempeh.... but because it was a soy product my tofu antennae went up. I figured they had to be the same texture so I avoided tempeh. Light Life was kind enough to send me some coupons for their gluten free tempeh. It is quite possibly the only way I would have ever tried it.

Boy, was I ever wrong about tempeh! It tasted NOTHING like tofu! Totally different texture and flavor. Tempeh actually has texture, which you have to chew (yeah!). It is not slimy at all. It does not taste strange in any way. In fact, it is actually delicious! The true test? When I sliced up some Light Life Tempeh and sauteed it in a little olive oil and Gluten free Tamari sauce. My 12 year old came barreling in the kitchen saying "Ummm... what's that good smell?" When I told him it was tempeh I got a puzzled glance. All of that changed at dinner time. My two oldest children each took seconds. My 7 year old was tempeh shy... but who could blame her? I only ate hot dogs and Bumble Bee Tuna (yes, it had to be Bumble Bee) for two years straight when I was that age. According to the prophesies of my Mother when I was but a lass, I should be a 42 year old hot dog right now. ;-) Thank goodness Moms aren't always right!

Light Life only uses natural ingredients in their tempeh. Check this out:

"Tempeh is a wonderful soy food, rich in protein and B vitamins, low in calories and fat and is completely free of any cholesterol. Mild in flavor and easy to digest, tempeh is a great meat substitute in any meal. We use organically grown soybeans in all of our tempeh. All of our tempeh products are Kosher and Pareve. Organic Garden Veggie Tempeh gives you a fresh, garden taste."

Want to see what's in it?

Nutrition Facts
Per Single Serving
Serving Size 4oz. (113g)
Nutrition:
Amount per Serving
Percentage Daily Value
Calories
240

Calories from Fat
90

Fat, g
10
15%
Saturated Fat, g
1.5
8%
Trans Fatty Acids, g*
0

Polyunsaturated Fat, g*
5

Monounsaturated Fat, g*
3

Cholesterol, mg
0
0%
Sodium, mg
10
0%
Potassium, mg*
300
9%
Carbohydrate, g
17
6%
Fiber, g
10
40%
Sugars, g
1

Protein, g
19
38%
Vitamin A, %

0%
Vitamin C, %

0%
Calcium, %

10%
Iron, %

15%

Ingredients
CULTURED ORGANIC SOYBEANS, WATER, ORGANIC CARROTS, LACTIC ACID (FROM PLANT SOURCES), ORGANIC RED & GREEN PEPPERS, ORGANIC ONIONS, YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC CELERY SEED, ORGANIC BROWN RICE.

Impressive, huh?

You can purchase Light Life Tempeh at natural markets in the following gluten free flavors:

Organic Soy Tempeh, Organic Garden Veggie Tempeh, Organic Flax Tempeh, and Organic Wild Rice Tempeh. (I am partial to the Wild Rice and Veggie Tempeh).

Now lets talk smoothies.

Odwalla has been a strong presence in the smoothie world for many years. It was pretty cool of them to develop a tropical fruit juice smoothie that contains gluten free whole grains (from brown rice). With two-thirds of the recommended daily intake of essential vitamins you need, Odwalla is a healthful choice a a light breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack. The gluten free Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Medley Smoothie supplies a ton of whole grains, fiber, Vitamins B1 and B2, and antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E. Wholly Grain is has no added sugar and is available in 450 ml (15.2 fl.oz) grab-n-go recyclable plastic bottles.

Odwalla recently sent me a few bottles of their Wholly Grains Tropical Medley Smoothie to sample. I thought it had a delicious taste, and it was very filling. To me it was satisfying enough to be a meal. My youngest child especially loved it. The only downside in my opinion? It is pretty pricey, coming in at just under $4.00 a bottle. If they ever lower the price, it will make regular appearances in my refrigerator.

You can purchase the fiber-filled Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Medley smoothie at grocery stores and natural foods stores everywhere.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." ~ William Cullen Bryant

I love all of the seasons, but Autumn has a special place in my heart for her extraordinary foliage, and bountiful harvests. I am especially fond of pumpkins. I love looking at them, and of course eating them. My Gluten Free Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts are one way I share my fondness of Autumn and pumpkins with my family.


Many of my readers commented on my Gluten Free Unbelievably Good Cake Doughnut recipe a few months back. These are just as delicious, but with a taste that will remind you of pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie flavored doughnuts... oh yes. I serve my Gluten Free Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts with hot apple cider on crisp autumn weekends.


How will you serve your Gluten Free Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts?




Gluten Free Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup cooked OR canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 1/2 cups Pamela's Ultimate Wheat Free Baking & Pancake Mix

1/2 tsp salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup evaporated milk

Oil for Deep Frying (I used peanut oil)

Frosting

3 cups confectioner's sugar

3-4 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon evaporated milk


In a mixing bowl. beat eggs, sugar, and butter. Add pumpkin and lemon juice; mix well. Combine Pamela's Baking Mix, salt, and pumpkin pie spice; add to pumpkin mixture alternately with milk. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of Pamela's baking mix onto a clean work area. Use an ice cream scoop to measure dough for each doughnut (dough will be sticky). Drop each dough portion onto the prepared work surface. Gently turn until all sides are coated in Pamela's Baking Mix and dough is no longer sticky. Use your hands to gently shape each dough portion into a circle. Press your finger through the center of each dough portion all the way through to the work surface below; move your finger around so that you create a whole in the center of the dough, about 1'' in diameter. Gently transfer shaped dough to a dinner plate. In an electric skillet or deep fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden, about 3 minutes (turn halfway through frying time with a slotted spoon). Drain on paper towel lined plates. Combine Frosting ingredients; spread over warm doughnuts. Yield: 2 dozen

*Recipe adapted from Taste of Home magazine

Enjoy!

Giveaway & Product Review - Nature's Path Gluten Free Cereals

I love this quote from Nature's Path Organics: "Healthy foods don’t need to be boring and tasteless." I second the motion! I believe that healthy foods can be down-right delicious, and Nature's Path has proved that. Their extensive line of nutritious breakfast cereals boasts 7 wonderful tasting gluten free varieties, and I am giving away (4) boxes to one of my lucky readers! Woo Hoo!!

Nature's Path says: "We aspire to advance the cause of people and planet, along the path to sustainability. And we like to think we put our money where our mouth is. Or rather, where our heart is."

I admire Nature's Path for their unwavering passion to respecting the earth and it's resources, while simultaneously producing some of the best gluten free cereals I have ever tasted.

Check out the (4) yummy gluten free cereals that Nature's Path has generously offered to giveaway to one of my readers:

" A unique gluten-free and wheat-free medley of Indian corn, flax, and amaranth blended into crunchy, golden cereal flakes and naturally sweetened."

Mesa Sunrise is my very favorite!"Gluten-free, crunchy nuggets made of brown rice flour."

My kids like the Crispy Rice the best. It reminds them of the Rice Crispies cereal they used to eat before we went gluten free. "NEW! Gluten-Free Whole O's Cereal: Just the thing for the whole-grain-loving, gluten-avoiding O connoisseur—or any O connoisseur really. Full of organic corn and whole grain rice, it's crunchy and delicious, one pleasingly plump vowel at a time. Try some with milk, its various alternatives, or straight out of the box."

My youngest daughter adores these because they taste so much like Cheerios, which she has really missed since going gluten free. "Crisp, golden, gluten-free flakes made of pure cornmeal, lightly sweetened with concentrated grape juice, but sweetened with a mix of organic evaporated cane juice and honey."

My kids love my Crispy Peanut Butter Treats that I make using the Nature's Path Organic Honey'd Corn Flakes (I will post the recipe next time I make them).

Nature's Path Gluten Free Cereal Giveaway!

Nature's Path has generously offered to giveaway the (4) gluten free cereals in my review to (1) of my lucky readers!

TO ENTER:

Visit the Nature's Path website and leave me a comment with your favorite gluten free food selection from any of their product lines. *(To leave an entry comment: Scroll to the very bottom of this post and click on "comments". A new window will open where you can type in your comment)

*IMPORTANT: Please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry (including bonus entries) so I can contact you if you win. Please leave me a separate comment for each bonus entry in order for each entry to count.

BONUS ENTRIES:

1. Subscribe to my Freebie Fairy giveaway & product review website by e-mail or reader.

2. Become a follower of my Freebie Fairy giveaway & product review website.

3. Grab my Freebie Fairy giveaway & product review blog button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of my Freebie Fairy website, and paste the code into your website).

4. Get (5) bonus entries if you: Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Gluten Free Taste of Home website AND the Nature's Path website. PLEASE LEAVE ME THE LINK TO YOUR POST WITH YOUR ENTRY or it will not count.

5. Visit the "Do Good" page on the Nature's Path website and tell me one way that you can "do good".

6. Visit the "Join Our Panel" page on the Nature's Path website and let me know that you've joined the Nature's Path Consumer Panel.

7. Subscribe to my Gluten Free Taste of Home recipe blog by e-mail or reader.

8. Follow my Gluten Free Taste of Home blog.

9. Grab my Gluten Free Taste of Home button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code in the side bar of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website and paste the code into your website).

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US & CANADA

*Giveaway ends on October 9, 2009 at 10:00 PST. I will select (1) winner at random and announce the winner by October 12, 2009. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.

*REMEMBER... please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry so I can contact you if you win.