Chocolate Chip Cookies

This will make 6 dozen.  I like to cook up part, put some in the fridge for my husband (he LOVES cookie dough!), and freeze some to have on hand.

CREAM TOGETHER FOR 5 MINUTES:
1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening
2 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
2 T. vanilla
2 eggs
4 T. milk (can use rice, almond, or soy)


MIX TOGETHER:
3 1/2-4 cups W/GF Flour Mix
2 1/8 t. xanthan gum
1 1/2 t. baking soda
3 cups chocolate chips

Combine shortening, brown sugar, vanilla and milk.  Beat at medium speed until creamy, and add eggs in one at a time.  Blend together well.  Sift in flour, xanthan gum, soda, and salt.  Add chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes depending on size of cookie.  Let the cookies cool for several minutes before removing them from the pan. 

I like to scoop my dough with a 1" ice cream scoop to make sure the cookies are all the same size. (That's my perfectionism taking over.) I also recommend a baking stone.  I use the Pampered Chef Stoneware Rectangle Stone.

*Note*  The cookies will taste much better if your husband cleans up after you! 

Wheat? We don't need you!

Having a wheat allergy creates obstacles when baking and cooking.  A wheat-restricted diet can eat many foods as long as the grain source is something other than wheat. What grains can you have?

• Brown and White Rice, Sweet Rice
• Corn, Corn Starch
• Barley
• Oat
• Quinoa
• Rye
• Amaranth
• Tapioca, Tapioca Starch
• Potato Starch, Potato Flour (two different flours)
• Garbanzo Bean
• Soy
• Sorghum
• Arrowroot
• Romano or Canadian bean

  One of the first things I learned was to read food labels VERY carefully.  Even if you think you're safe, READ THE LABEL! Wheat is found in some rice crispy cereal, rice cakes, ice cream, soy sauce, processed meats (turkey, chicken, and hot dogs), marinara sauce and many other dressings.

  I'm certainly not trying to scare you or discourage you.  I am trying to inform you so you don't make mistakes that could make you sick.  If you have a smart phone that has the capability of applications, there are many "app's" that can help you while grocery shopping.  Typically if it is gluten free, it will be wheat free.  This is not always the case, and that is why you must read labels.  Here are some apps for phones that have been a huge help in providing 'on the go information'.  Rudi's gluten free bakery put this information at my fingertips when I was first diagnosed. 

• Gluten Free NYC
  Launched in 2010 for those who are living or visiting NYC with a gluten allergy. The app provides a complete list of what appetizers, entrée, desserts, brunch items, and pre-fixe menu items are safe for consumers to enjoy.
• Gluten-Free Groceries by Triumph Dining
  iPhone version of our popular gluten free grocery guide. Like the print edition, it lists over 30,000 gluten free foods, making it the largest gluten free product listing available anywhere.

• Food SmartList for SmartPhone  Makes it easy to find gluten-free products, or to check products you already use. Search by categories, brands, and ingredients. 

• Gluten Free Ultimate Solution by G-Free Foodie
  The app provides locations of US Gluten Free Restaurants near the user’s location via GPS and Search Features, and offers hundreds of Gluten Free and GFCF Recipes, many with photos or video.
• is that GLUTEN FREE? iPhone app
  Like the name says, check if your food is gluten-free. Search by categories, brands, and ingredients.
• GlutenFreeTravelSite Mobile Version
  The mobile version provides visitors with a user-friendly format for accessing the site’s gluten-free dining information when “on the go” or traveling.
• iEatOut Gluten & Allergen Free By AllergyFree Passport
  Customize safe menu choices from 7 international cuisines for restaurant dining. Quickly view meal options, ingredients & questions to ask staff based on your allergen concerns.

Link to these websites to help you find the right thing for you.

Gluten-Free apps for iPhone/iPad:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios-medical/id6020?mt=8&letter=G
Gluten-Free apps for Android:
https://market.android.com/search?q=gluten-free

Gluten-Free apps for BlackBerry:
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/search/gluten-free?lang=en

This information has proved to be invaluable in helping me grocery shop, dine out, and learn more about safe choices.

Sugar Cookies

Yeild: 5 dozen

1 1/2 cups powder sugar
1 cup butter or margarine softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T. almond extract
2 1/2 cups W/GF Flour Mix
1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter

Cream wet ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours.  Roll out on a floured surface to about 3/8" thickness.  Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.  Frost with buttercream icing.