Tag Archives: Baking

Taste your heritage with these ancient flours

I was thrilled and amazed when I first learned that there were different types of wheat.

Why? Perhaps because this city-boy was waking up to the fact that food didn’t have to be subjected to a supermarket monoculture, or perhaps because it was like touching the past – grains that hadn’t been tasted for years could be revived and bring a new consciousness to the troubled British palate.

Bread means power and knowledge is freedom and this was a heady combination of both.

Bake a piece of history

Bake a piece of history

How many people do you know who have tasted the 10,000 year old Einkorn grain with its fine, nutty, aromatic flavour and greater nutritional value? Or how about a taste of the Renaissance with Bartholomew andApril Bearded Heritage Flour varieties of wheat which bake into a dark, wheaty, intense loaf.

If you are into creating something new, while plunging your hands into a sense of the past, you’ll want to try these new Doves organic flours.

I’m just hoping that they’ll be able to produce the original Emmer wheat as well.

Sustainable resources for the kitchen – a little love from If You Care

Can you be eco-friendly when baking in the kitchen?

If You Care you can!

If You Care are committed to providing you with environmentally friendly  products for you to use while you cook.

You can make a difference

You can make a difference

Items such as coffee filters, baking cups, baking paper, sandwich bags and aluminium foil, even environmentally safe firelighters if you cook with wood or charcoal.

Paper products are unbleached and biodegradable. Everything is recyclable and oils and inks are made from vegetables.

Every care is taken to ensure that each step – from factory to store shelf – conforms to strict standards for the conservation and protection of our greatest asset – the environment.

If You Care products are available from GoodnessDirect but check their website, ifyoucare.com, for more valuable information.

Vanilla Cupcakes – Gluten-Free recipe from Phil Vickery’s new book – out today!

Phil Vickery has a new cookbook out today! If you hadn’t heard of this celeb chef before, you certainly will now. All coeliacs listen up. The book is called Seriously Good! Gluten-Free Baking.

Phil Vickery is a talented chef who appears regularly on This Morning. Not only that, he’s already authored of several best-selling cookery books.

So why get excited about this one? Well, apart from the fact that his last ‘Seriously Good!’ book: Gluten-free Cooking was an enormous success and he’s Coeliac UK’s Food Ambassador, this new one is all about baking! Baking can be the coeliac’s nightmare. Not anymore.

Baking gluten-free isn’t the easiest thing to do – it’s the gluten that gives most cakes their spongy feel. So I’m predicting that this book might be even more popular than Gluten-Free Cooking was.

Here’s a sample recipe from the book for Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes.

“Cupcakes are all the rage at the moment, and they come in many different shapes and sizes from baby cakes to giant versions that you can fill with ice cream, like I did once on This Morning.

The good thing, though, is that you don’t need to be a baker or experienced cook to make them! This recipe has four simple steps and hey presto, they’re ready to pop into the oven. So add what you like to this basic recipe, and have a bit of fun. I think this recipe is softer and tastier than a standard sponge recipe.”

Makes: 12
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 15–20 minutes

180g caster sugar
2 medium eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon glycerine
175g Gluten-Free Flour Mix
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
130ml sunflower oil
130ml whole milk

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Place 12 paper muffin cases in a muffin tray.

Place the caster sugar, eggs, vanilla and glycerine into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high speed for 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder and xanthan gum together and mix them really well. I find it best to sieve them a couple of times, to make sure the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Next, mix the oil and milk together in a jug.

Once the egg mixture is nice and thick, add the flour mixture and liquid. Whisk well, but don’t go mad.

Divide the mixture between the muffin cases. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until well risen to the top of the paper cases. Remove the cakes, in the paper cases, from the tin and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Ice and decorate however you like.

Try a different flavour…
Add any of the following to the egg mixture with the flour: 50g dried fruit, 75g fresh berries, 50g chopped plain chocolate, 50g chopped nuts, zest of 1 lemon or 1 orange.

To Store: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
To Freeze: Once cooled, store either in a plastic bag or an airtight container.

Phil Vickery’s Seriously Good! Gluten-Free Baking is published by Kyle Cathie  at £19.99. You can order it today from Amazon.

Foccacia – Gluten-Free recipe from Phil Vickery’s new book

If you haven’t heard yet Phil Vickery has a new cookbook coming out! It’s called Seriously Good! Gluten-Free Baking.

(Phil Vickery – he’s the talented chef who appears regularly on This Morning and Ready Steady Cook as well as his own TV work.  He is a with a Michelin Star chef and author of several bestselling cookery books, including Seriously Good! Gluten-free Cooking.)

We’ve been running a competition to win a copy of his book – make sure you enter before 23 September 2010. But, just so you know, Phil Vickery’s Seriously Good! Gluten-Free Baking is published by Kyle Cathie and will be available from 30 September at £19.99.

Here’s Phil’s recipe for a Gluten-Free Foccacia

“This recipe took seven attempts to get right – I wanted to achieve a light and spongy texture and good flavour. As you will see, there is no salt in the mix, I find this tends to weaken the protein structure, giving you less of a risen bread. I tend to stick to adding granular rock or sea salt to the top of the bread along with olive oil, rosemary and garlic cloves. I like to include vitamin C powder in this recipe, as I’ve found it really helps improve the structure of the bread. It is widely available from chemists.”

Foccacia - Gluten Free!

Foccacia - Gluten Free!

Makes: one 30cm bread
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 15–20 minutes

vegetable oil, for greasing
2 x 7g sachets easy-blend dried yeast
500ml warm water
2 teaspoons caster sugar
500g Gluten-Free Bread Mix
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vitamin C powder
2 egg whites
10 garlic cloves, halved
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sea salt
4–6 sprigs fresh rosemary

Oil a 3.5cm deep 30cm non-stick pizza pan.

Whisk the yeast, water and sugar together well, then cover and leave in a warm place for 15 minutes to activate.

Meanwhile, place the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and vitamin C powder into a bowl and mix well.

When the yeast is frothy, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Pour the yeast mixture over the flour and add the whisked egg white and bring together. Mix well, but do not over-mix.

Spoon into the oiled pizza tray, cover lightly with clingfilm and press down  lightly with your hands. Remove the clingfilm.

Press the halved garlic cloves into the dough and re-cover with a fresh piece of clingfilm. Leave to prove in a warm place for 15–20 minutes, or until just doubled in height.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220˚C/gas mark 7.

Once the dough has risen, carefully remove the clingfilm, spoon over the oil and sprinkle over the salt and rosemary.

Bake for 15 minutes or until well browned.

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Slice into wedges to serve.

To Store: The bread will keep for 1 day in an airtight container.
To Freeze: Yes, once cooled and wrapped well.

Baked Doughnuts suitable for vegans and coeliacs

I have a sweet tooth and so try and steer my way through life avoiding and abstaining.  I have never been much of a doughnut fan but occasionally if my friends are eating my mouth does begin to water.  But now I have found this recipe that I thought worthy of sharing with you all as it is gluten free (if you use gluten free all purpose flour) egg free, and milk free.  Fantastic for all my vegan friends too.  As it is baked and not deep fried, it  is a healthier way to enjoy a doughnut!

Although they are not the same as deep-fried varieties, these are still delicious treats, and they are significantly healthier than traditional varieties. Feel free to glaze your doughnuts as you like; if you prefer, simply dunk them in melted soy margarine and then dust them with powdered sugar when they come out of the oven.

Makes about 18-20 doughnuts

Prep Time: 1 hours, 45 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F (Gas Mark 5). Lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the yeast with the warm water, stirring to dissolve. Let the mixture stand for several minutes, or until bubbly. (If your mixture does not bubble, then your yeast may no longer be “active”. If this happens, discard the mixture and start again.)

3. Meanwhile, combine the warm dairy-free milk, sugar, salt, and dairy-free soy margarine, stirring well to dissolve the sugar and melt the margarine. Add the mixture to the yeast mixture, stirring well to combine. Add the potato starch and flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and knead until elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and set in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

4. Punch down the dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out the dough until about 1/2 inch thick. Flour a round cutter about 3-4″ inches in diameter, and cut out the doughnuts, placing them on the baking sheet as you work. Punch out the doughnut “holes” with a smaller round cutter (I use mini-fluted pans), and either discard the holes or place them on the sheet. (Note: the holes will bake faster than the doughnuts, so watch them when you bake.) Cover the doughnuts loosely with a paper towel and let rise in a warm place until double, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

5. Bake in the oven until lightly golden, about 8 minutes. Remove and transfer immediately to a wire cooling rack. Place a pan beneath the rack to catch any drippings from the glaze.

6. Prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar, hot water and plain soy yogurt until well combined. Glaze the doughnuts immediately and enjoy!

Original recipe from Ashley’s Dairy Free Cooking Blog.  Thanks Ashley.

Rosemary and Cheddar Scones

Makes 20-30 depending on the cutter size.

  • 340g (12oz) self raising flour
  • salt & pepper
  • 40g (1oz) margarine
  • 1 level 5ml tsp dried rosemary
  • 100g (3oz) grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 140ml milk

    Preheat oven to 230°C (450°F, Gas Mark 8)
    In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt and pepper
    Rub in the margarine and then add the rosemary and cheese, mixing well
    Stir in the beaten egg (reserving a little for brushing the tops), and then the milk
    Again mix well
    Roll out on a floured board until 1cm (½in) thick
    Cut into rounds, place on a greased baking sheet
    Brush the tops with the beaten egg and if you like, sprinkle extra grated cheese on top
    Bake for 15-20 minutes

  • Sine Chesterman © Inbalance Magazine

    Peanut Butter Quinoa Cookies

    Cookies made with Quinoa – easy to make and great to eat!

    Ingredients

    Oven Temperature

    • 250 Degrees/Gas Mark 4

    Instructions

    • Mix honey, brown sugar, butter, peanut butter and vanilla essence until creamy.
    • Add Quinoa flour, Quinoa flakes, baking powder and salt. Beat until mixture is well blended.
    • Add nuts if desired.
    • Place teaspoons of mixture on to a greased baking sheet about two inches apart.
    • Cook for 10 minutes or until light golden brown.

    Sharon © goodnessdirect .co.uk

    Home-Baked Malted Brown Bread

    This quick, easy to bake recipe requires 3 small tins, or 3 flowerpots 5½ inches in diameter, or 2 baking trays. And goodly amounts of elbow work!

    Ingredients

  • 1kg Organic three malts brown flour
  • 3tsp Fine sea salt
  • 35g Fresh yeast (about the size of a large walnut)
  • 1 tbsp Sunflower Oil
  • 550ml Warm water (30° in summer, 40° in winter)

    Method

    1. Add the yeast to about a third (200ml) of the warm water. Whilst this is left to froth up nicely for 10 minutes in the warmth of the kitchen, mix the flour and sea salt well, warming the flour, if necessary to take off any chill.

    2. Now pour the yeasty liquid into the flour, then the oil, and gradually add all the remaining water. Knead well for about 10 minutes to a polished, silky soft dough and stand for 20 minutes covered with a clean, damp linen cloth.

    3. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F or Gas Mark 7)

    4. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces, knead out the air and place in the carefully warmed and oiled tins or pots. Cover again with the damp linen cloth and leave to rise in a snug corner, free of draughts, or an airing cupboard. About 80°F is ideal, until the dough is double its size (about 45 minutes.

    5. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Turn out onto wire trays and tap the bottom of each loaf: a hollow sound means the bread is baked. If it’s not, turn upside down and bake a little longer.

    Leave to cool for 1 hour before tasting.

  • © Shipton Mill

    Gluten Free Pitta Bread (makes 20)

    A delicious recipe for fresh, easy, gluten free Pitta Bread.

    Ingredients

    Method

    1. Mix together the Gluten Free White Bread Mix and yeast using metal spoon.
    2. Stir in oil and sufficient water to form soft dough.
    3. Knead dough lightly until smooth for 1 minute on surface lightly dusted with Gluten Free White Bread Mix.
    4. Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Place on baking tray and cover with oiled cling film.
    5. Prove in a warm place for 40 mins until spongy to the touch.
    6. Lightly knead each piece of dough and roll out to thin oval shape approx 12.5 x 7.5cm (5×3”).
    7. Place pitta bread on hot baking tray and place under hot grill until lightly browned. Turn breads and toast reverse side.
    8. Repeat with remaining dough.
    9. Serve warm.

    Dietary Specials © Nutrition Point

    Gluten Free Nutty Butter Cookies

    Ingredients

    • 125g (5oz) butter
    • 150g (6oz) sugar
    • 100g (4oz) chopped nuts
    • 1 egg
    • 150g (6oz) rice or buckwheat or gluten free flour
    • 1tsp baking powder
    • 2tbsp water

    Method

    1. Cream together the butter and sugar, followed by the egg.
    2. Mix in the flour, baking powder and nuts, then finally the water.
    3. Place spoonfuls of mixture onto oiled baking tray and cook for 15 – 20 minutes in an oven pre heated to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4.

    © Doves Farm