Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Brownie Mix

Another OMG! This is one of the best brownie mixes ever! Let me qualify when I say ever, Im comparing to gluten and non-gluten mixes.

I opened the box and it smelled like cocoa powder. When I dumped it into the bowl, I saw chocolate chips, cocoa powder (suspicion confirmed!) AND granulated sugar. This stuff comes at a hefty price tag and I know why. They aren't skimping on the ingredients. The box says its Hershey's cocoa. The box was so heavy at the store and the price tag so huge I thought for sure there are 2 mixes in there. Nope. One mix. One tasty tasty mix.

So the mix requires butter and eggs. No oil, no water. Just butter and eggs. Oh God its going to be rich. Anyone who cooks, you know what happens when you put butter with chocolate. Its magical. I got really excited...and that never happens over a mix. So all mixed and in the pan and bowl goes in the sink, right? Ha! Nope. This cook licks the spoon, beaters, bowl, or fingers. This batter was lick the bowl worthy.

Brownies came out looking cakey. The top did not have that shiny, solid, flaky top that you typically look for. Suspected they weren't done, but they passed the touch test. Let them cool a bit. Now I'm worried. I'm an edges fan. These are going to fail miserably if they don't have that "burned" edge that brownies have to have. My fears were unfounded. Best corner piece ever. It was perfect. They're chewy gooey in the middle and burned on the edge. OMG they're rich. Its a cross between dark and milk chocolate. I don't drink milk but I actually found myself craving one. The chocolate chips melted perfectly into the brownie. As far as mixes go, this one's a keeper. I can't wait to try the cake mixes.

Note: Betty Crocker GF mixes are price pointed at $4.50/box for all varieties (cake mixes and brownies) at Kroger in WV. If anyone finds better holler!

Pamelas Gluten Free Bread and Pizza Crust Mix

Pamelas Gluten Free Bread Mix. Oh Em Gee...This has got to be some of the best bread I have ever eaten. Couldn't tell the difference that it was missing gluten. It's a very dense bread and has a nutty, brown bread taste. I am a fan of dense breads so this works for me. Its very moist, even on day two. Its not chewy, or gritty. Very smooth and crusty. The crust doesn't even have that intense of a flavor that you find on mass produced breads. Tried plain, with butter, and as tomato and mayonaise (read miracle whip light) sandwich. Im a happy camper.

Note: Used plain Jane recipe on back of mix - oven method.

It's here! Yay!!

Amazon.com: The Best of Virginia Farms Cookbook and Tour Book: Recipes, People, Places (978089732657

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: The Best of Virginia Farms Cookbook and Tour Book: Recipes, People, Places (9780897326575): CiCi Williamson, Garry Pound: Books

Bob's RedMill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix

First foray into gluten free baking complete. Bobs Red Mill Cornbread mix. The mix package I bought contains enough for two batches. Thoughts on mixing this up. Its really, really runny and is brown -- not yellow. I'm starting to have my doubts.

This ain't no Jiffy mix (which as far as mixes go is the end all be all for me). Even spiked with cinnamon and Splenda (which is how I always make cornbread), its mix taste comes through (and the cinnamon and Splenda don't). It is super moist, though. I tried it with butter, jelly and butter, and maple syrup and butter. See a trend? ;) Butter alone isn't enough to make this stuff palatable for me.

It isn't bad, but it isn't great. Smells like cornbread, sorta tastes like cornbread, doesn't look too much like cornbread. There's some kind of extra taste in there that makes it...different. More Splenda and cinnamon next time.

...and bananas

Not only am I gluten free (GF), I am potassium deficient.  I have always been a good potato eater.  One boiled potatoe has more potassium than 2 bananas.  Unfortunately, they are high in starch and I have a Dr. who does not like me on starch so much as I am.  I LOVE white food (high starch).  I suppose genetics has a bit to do with the potato thing too...I'm nearly 50% Irish thanks to hundreds of years of mom's family not moving more than 30 miles out of the area and sticking to the motherland for mates.  Go mom for marrying a Russian (yet, again, more potatoes -- just liquefied and fermented ;)  As I digress...Ive been put on a banana-for-potassium diet.  I HATE BANANAS.  I have always always always hated bananas.  The only way I have ever been able to gag the things down is baked in breads or cake and that's only when they have been pureed beyond recognition and aren't overpowering.  *sigh*

To make the task more palatable (yes, I have to eat the little buggers raw) I have tried the choke it down in two bite method -- that's disastrous, but entertaining for male co-workers.  Smothered in peanut butter -- much more palatable and preferred, but still gross.  Banana split (sorry, hot fudge and ice cream just can't hide disgusting as well as peanut butter).  Smoothie -- might as well eat the stupid thing and save the ice for liquor.

So, I'm searching.  I love the USDA for posting nutrient data values for foods.  They have a chart dedicated to potassium levels in foods.  Hallelujah!  Cantaloupe (much better than bananas but still gross to me) and Apricots.  Thank God I love apricots.  Maybe Ill still just stick to potatoes.

First Post!

Found out I was gluten sensitive a year ago. I did the work and successfully cut it out of my life. I did it in a bad way. I just ignored all foods with gluten in them and denied denied denied. No bread. No cookies. No cake. No pie. NO PASTRY!!!! Oh the humanity. All it took was some awesome pizza and baked treats at work and I was off the wagon (about 4 months).

I had been feeling better, and eating the gluten foods again didnt seem to bother me. Hmmm. Maybe everyone was wrong after all. Boy was I wrong. A month ago, I can't hold anything in my body after eating gluten. Im not digesting. Im in belly misery. I can't enjoy any food. As one of my friends said to me years ago "Food hurts."

So now, Im doing the work again. This time Im doing it right. Im substituting.

Let me just caveat this. I am not into health foods. God created butter for a reason damn it. I dont buy into organics (but I will buy them onsale cheaper than regular stuff). I dont drink the no fried foods kool-aid. And yes, baby animals taste good.