Schar Gluten Free Bread Rolls

When we visit my in-laws, my MIL always makes homemade bread. Especially when she cooks a beef roast. However, thanks to Schar’s shelf stable packaging, I can enjoy my pot roast with delicious gluten free rolls. Schar makes a variety, including baguettes, sandwich rolls, and ciabatta.

Can’t seem to find them in a store near you? Schar just launched their own online store! Now you can order all of their gluten free bread rolls, plus their hamburger and hot dog buns. 

What is a Beef Roast?

Technically, a beef roast can come from various parts of a cow. For these recipes, I used a chuck roast. Sometimes people call this a pot roast. This portion comes from the shoulder of the cow.

This section tends to have more fat, often called “marbling.” This fat can be trimmed, but adds a depth of flavor. For more on the different cuts of beef, I highly recommend this post on Epicurious that explains all about beef roasts, from chuck to rump.

While I enjoy a good beef roast or beef stew, sometimes my palate craves something more intriguing. Below you’ll find three ways I used one pot roast, for multiple meals. From dinner to breakfast, I’ve got you covered!

World’s Easiest French Dip

I recently bought an Instant Pot and discovered the beauty of pressure cooking. The key to successfully using an Instant Pot is liquid. You need at least one cup of water, in any recipe. My trick? I use one can of Progresso Gluten Free French Onion Soup.

One can equals two cups of liquid, which is perfect for pressure cooking. Place the roast in the pot, add the can of soup, and set the timer for 90 minutes (or 1:30), and you’ll have the most flavorful beef. (No soup? Feel free to just use straight beef broth.)

It becomes so tender, it falls apart. I remove the beef roast completely from the liquid, and allow it to cool. Then I shred it, and use it in sandwiches, like this French Dip.

I slice a Schar Sandwich Roll down the middle and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. at 350 degrees. Then, take the bread out, add beef, a slice of provolone, and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes. The leftover broth makes the most delicious au jus! No onion cutting needed!

Gluten Free Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

In our  household, it’s just my husband and I. Therefore, we don’t eat a whole beef roast in one sitting. That’s why shredded beef is great for repurposed meals.

For example, use the leftover beef, add your favorite bbq sauce, and lunch is ready! Use store bought bbq, or this recipe I like for Sweet and Tangy Barbecue sauce from The Kitchn. How much sauce to add? I like my sandwiches super saucy, but you may not. I say, add as much as you prefer.

When it comes to barbecued beef sandwiches, I like to use Schar ciabatta rolls. They’re so incredibly soft! Unlike other gluten free buns that are so thick you can’t bite into them, these are the perfect size. I also use them to make garlic bread at our gluten free kids camp. The kids devour them as fast as we make them!

Gluten Free Shredded Beef Roast Hash

We’ve covered dinner and lunch. How about breakfast? This shredded beef roast is the perfect addition to a breakfast hash.  Here’s what I put in mine.

I saute the onions and potatoes for about 15 mins, then add the shredded beef and bit of apple. Lastly, make a well for the eggs and cook until the whites are set. I usually cover the pan while the eggs cook, as it tends to speed up the process.

Beef Hash for Two

• 3.5 oz Yukon potatoes
• 2 oz sliced onion
• 4 oz shredded beef
• 1/2 small apple, diced
• A handful of wilted spinach
• 2 eggs

What is breakfast without bread, right? I like to toast the Schar baguette  in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes, and serve it with breakfast. Spread with butter or jam (like the one in my jam hand pies!), or simply dip in the egg yolks. The Schar baguettes come two to a package, but each are individually sealed to maintain freshness!

7 Other Ways to use a Beef Roast

Of course, there’s more than one way to use a roast beef. Try some of these gluten free recipes to round out your meal planning. The stroganoff recipe would be a great way to use up the leftover cooking liquid from making shredded beef, as well!

• Instant Pot Classic Pot Roast from Betty Crocker
• Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef Tacos from Gimme Some Oven
• Shredded Slow Cooker Roast Beef with Pumpkin and Salsa from Food Faith Fitness
• Gluten Free Homestyle Beef and Noodles from Iowa Girl Eats
• Shepherd’s Pie made with leftover beef roast from Spruce Eats
• Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff from Fit Foodie Finds (use Jovial GF Tagliatelle)
• Peruvian Beef Stew from Eat At Our Table

What’s your favorite way to use a chuck beef roast? Or do you prefer a leaner tenderloin or steak? Let’s share our favorite meal ideas so everyone’s week is a bit more delicious!

**This post was sponsored by Schar. I was compensated for my time and talents. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have been a huge fan of this brand, and their devotion to helping medical professionals learn more about Celiac Disease.

This post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!****

Originally Published October 2019

The post Beef Roast: 10 Easy Gluten Free Meal Ideas appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Store Bought Gluten Free Graham Crackers

These gluten free S’mores bars are the epitome of summer memories. They have the ooey, gooey fun of the roasted ‘mallow without the need for an open fire or roasting sticks. Plus, this makes a batch large enough to feed a crowd at your next gluten-free picnic. Or at least a highly ambitious family of 5.

One could start this recipe with any of these certified pre-made gluten-free graham crackers. Brands include:

• Schar Honeygrams are my personal favorite gluten free graham cracker. They are dairy, egg and nut free, but do contain soy.
• Kinnikinnick S’moreables are very popular. They are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free and soy free. Kinnikinnick also sells premade graham cracker crumbs.
• Enjoy Life Foods– Their  vanilla honey graham crunch cookie is free of the 9 most common allergens.
• Pamela’s Gluten Free Graham Crackers – These graham crackers come in three flavors- Honey, Cinnamon and Chocolate Chip. All three flavors contain oat bran and dairy, and are also certified gluten free.
• Partake Graham Crackers – These are available at most stores. They are top 8 allergen free, and contain oat flour.

Homemade Graham Crackers

However, I took my baking game to the next level. I made my graham crackers for these gluten free S’mores bars from scratch. I did so by using GF Jules Graham Cracker – Gingerbread Mix.

Jules produces her mix in a facility that is free from the 8 most common allergens, which makes them safe for most! Don’t have access to her mixes? Try my homemade gluten free graham cracker recipe.

Ohio Inspired

I’d like to say I created the recipe for these gluten free S’mores bars from scratch. But, I’m too afraid of failure so I altered the S’mores Bars recipe from Julie’s Eats and Treats. Her pictures looked JUST like the gluten-free S’mores bars I remembered at Cherbourg Bakery. You can even find Cherbourg’s S’mores Bars recipe on their website.

These bars turned out just like I remembered. Chocolatey, gooey, and simply delicious. I used Enjoy Life Foods Mini Chocolate Chips to make sure the chocolate melted in every place possible! Don’t just take my word for it, though. I took them to a church potluck and they were quickly devoured!

Other S’mores Related Recipes & Ingredient Substitutions

Want homemade graham crackers without a mix? Try my homemade gluten free graham cracker recipe. I also use them as the base of my gluten free Mallomars, which are super close to a S’more. You could also use my chocolate pudding recipe, layered with graham cracker crumbs and mini marshmallows to make a S’mores parfait!

Want these bars but can’t do eggs and dairy? Try this vegan version of Gluten Free S’mores Bars from The Pretty Bee. I also recommend this S’mores Skillet Dip from A Dash of Megnut. These Mini Gluten Free S’mores Pies from Gluten Free on a Shoestring also look fantastic.

Print

Gluten Free S’mores Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour I used Krusteaz Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour
• 2 cups gluten-free graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 c. butter room temperature (mine was extra greasy on the bottom. You might get away with 3/4 of a cup.)
• 1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 13 oz. container of Marshmallow Fluff.
• 1 bag Enjoy Life Foods Mini Chocolate Chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan.
• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs and baking powder.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg, beating after each addition.
• Add dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture, and mix well until all dry ingredients are absorbed. You should have a very moist dough.
• Julie suggests dividing the dough in half. I’d suggest dividing it into thirds, and placing two thirds of the dough into the bottom of your 9×13 pan.
• Next, carefully spread the container of Marshmallow Fluff on top of the dough. I found that if I microwaved the fluff for approx. 15 seconds it came out of the container much more easily. Second, evenly sprinkle Enjoy Life Foods chips on top of fluff.
• Finally, sprinkle remaining dough on top of chocolate chips. It may not cover it perfectly. That’s okay! We want that marshmallow fluff to be poking out!
• Bake bars in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven when cookie dough is fully baked. Cool completely before trying to cut. Julie suggests that they may cut best when they’ve been refrigerated.

This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

What’s your favorite way to enjoy a S’more? What’s your favorite summer time treat? Leave a note below! 

Originally Published July 2017

The post Gluten Free S’mores Bars – A Summer Favorite appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Schär Gluten Free Crackers

Every week, someone in a Facebook group asks the following question. “What gluten free alternatives are there for saltines / Ritz?” I love Schär Table Crackers and Entertainment Crackers, respectively, for those very purposes. Certified gluten free, these crackers are my go to for snacking and recipes.

For example, the Table Crackers create the crunchy topping on my gluten free Au Gratin Potatoes. My friend Erica Dermer uses the table crackers for her Christmas Crack. My friend Chrystal uses the Entertainment Crackers for her Jalapeno Poppers. Can’t find them in stores? Order directly from Schär’s online shop!

What To Include on a Gluten Free Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie (pronounced [shahr-koo-tuh–ree]) involves prepared meats and cheeses. Think of it as a grown up version of a lunchable. A very LARGE lunchable. Many people add dried or fresh fruits, as well as nuts and jams. Here’s a run down of what’s on this specific board.

• 3 cheeses – Brie (baked and topped with cranberry sauce), Gouda, Port Salut (you can use more)
• 4 meats – sliced turkey meat, beef summer sausage, turkey pastrami, turkey pepperoni
• mini dill pickles and kalamata olives
• cherry tomatoes
• dried, roasted chickpeas (a great alternative to nuts!)
• 2 dried fruits – apricots, dates (dried pears or pineapple could be good, too!)
• jam
• fresh fruit – grapes (others have used strawberries, blueberries and apples)
• greenery for garnish- green onions and sprigs of rosemary

I bought moat of the fresh fruit, cheese and vegetables at Aldi. They truly have become my favorite cheesemonger. I shop at our local Middle Eastern market for the dried chickpeas and dried apricots. They also have fantastic prices on olive oil. I picked up some fancy jam and beef summer sausage at Horrock’s Farm Market in Lansing.

How To Arrange Items on a Charcuterie Board

My biggest tip on layout? Place foods of contrasting color next to each other. Place a dark jam next to light crackers. Add dark red tomatoes next to bright cheeses. Use white and bright bowls on the board to add a pop of color. For more help, watch this video on how to place items on your Schär-cuterie board.

Pork Free Meats

Typically, one uses pork based meats for a charcuterie board. However, pork products turn my husband’s stomach. Since he graciously doesn’t bring gluten into our home, I gladly keep our house pork free as well. Since prosciutto and salami are made from pork, those two are out.

I bought some turkey pastrami for fun. However, the easiest meat to manipulate for the board was round deli turkey lumchmeat. You could also use sliced roast beef or other thin sliced deli meats. A note that some beef summer sausages may contain pork. Make sure to read labels thoroughly if your guests abstain from pork.

A Touch of Something Sweet

Adding fruit and jam to a gluten free charcuterie board balances the saltiness of the meats. I’ve seen some add chocolate to their boards. Therefore, I felt this was a perfect time to try the new Schär Gluten Free Chocolate Stix. They are small, and add just a touch of sweetness and cookie crunch.

I used a small glass jar to place my Stix. (Leftover yogurt jars are so versatile!) This way it makes it makes them easier to grab. In addition, it keeps them away from any meat or fruit juices. P.S. Have you seen Flippin Delicious’ Candy Stuffed Brownies? She used the Schär chocolate stix in them, and they look amazing!

Gluten Free Charcuterie Board Hardware

I used a large cutting board for this gluten free charcuterie board. You can be as fancy or as simple as you like. I also recommend using small bowls for the pickles and olives. This keeps the juices from running onto the board. (Nothing worse than the smell of pickle juice you can’t get out of wood!) I bought my small white bowls from Pier 1.

Make sure to have small spreaders and forks for guests to use to pick up items on the board. You can also use toothpicks. If planning for a large group of guests, I recommend disposable plates. The point of a gluten free charcuterie board is to allow people to eat freely, and to you have less dishes to do! I bought mini forks and small plates at Party City on the cheap.

Beverages to Serve with a Gluten Free Charcuterie Board

In our house, we’re not big wine drinkers. Therefore, we use (Michigan based) St. Julian sparking juices. That way, our guests can drink as much as they want, without concern of impaired driving. For an idea of what wines work best with which meats, check out this article from Portland Monthly on Charcuterie & Wine Pairings.

If you’re looking for something with alcohol, I recommend A Dash of Megnut’s Easy Cranberry Mimosas. Boulder Locavore has a whole list of holiday cocktails your guests want you to make! If you’re looking for more non-alcoholic drinks, This Vivacious Life twenty mocktails you may want to check out!

What do you like to snack on at gatherings? When you throw parties, what appetizers do you like to serve? Tell me in the comments below!

**Schär sponsored this post by paying me for my time and energy. This post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

Originally published in 2019

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Are Schar Products Celiac Safe?

Unfamiliar with Schar? While these Schar gluten free pizza crusts may be new to you, they are not new to the market. In truth, Dr. Schar “has been making products to support a healthy diet” since 1922.

In collaboration with doctors and Celiac support groups, they launched their first gluten free line in 1981. Although their headquarters are in Italy, they have production facilities in Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and in the United States.

What Gluten Free Products Does Schar Make?

If you read my blog a lot, you know that I LOVE Schar products. I really appreciate that their products, like their Artisan bread, are shelf stable and travel easily. They make delicious cookies and snacks, like their Chocolix and Twin Bars, which taste like Twix and Kit Kat, respectively. In addition, produce delicious graham crackers, which I used in my gluten free Nanaimo Bars. Learn more about the Schar Gluten Free product line over at Eat At Our Table, too..

Where Do You Buy the Schar Pizza Crust?

I find these Schar gluten free pizza crusts at my local Meijer. You can use their store locator to find them near you. They cost approximately $8 for a 2 pack of shelf stable pizza crusts.

The crusts come individually packaged in sealed plastic bags. I love this, because in a household of two, I only prepare one pizza at a time. These Schar gluten free pizza crusts boasts a pretty lean ingredient list. No eggs, no dairy, and no long chemical additives that you can’t pronounce.

Gluten Free Pizza WITHOUT Tomato Sauce

Pizza really can be anything you make it. I needed to clean out our refrigerator prior to going on a vacation. Inside my fridge, I had a small piece of chicken, a few strips of bacon, a bag of spinach, and some milk about to turn south.

Therefore,I cooked up the chicken and bacon, wilted the spinach, and made this white pizza sauce recipe I found on AllRecipes. Friends, the finished product was a true taste sensation. Don’t worry, I wrote out my recipe for you below!

Do I Need to Pre-Bake the Crust?

Before you make it, I want to share a few tips. Although the box doesn’t direct you to do so, I prebaked my Schar gluten free pizza crusts in the oven for about 3 minutes. I hate soggy crust, and I needed to make sure this pizza held up overnight. In addition, I baked my pizza on a pizza stone. Don’t own one? It makes such a difference. Using one recreates the “wood fired oven” kind of heat that makes pizza crust so crisp.

Michigan Made Italian Herb Blend

Also, the original recipe linked above calls for various Italian herbs. I simply substituted “Just Add Tomatoes” seasoning blend. A Michigan father created this blend after having difficulty finding products safe for his son, who has food allergies.

I use it in tomato sauce, but also on chicken, popcorn, and more! You can order it directly from their website. Or simply use any gluten free Italian seasoning instead! Without further ado, here’s the recipe for my gluten free Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza!

Recipe

Print

Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Equipment

• Schar – Pizza Crust – Certified Gluten Free – No GMO’s, Wheat or Lactose- (2 – 5.3 oz) 4 Pack
• Just Add Tomatoes Pizza Sauce Seasoning Mix (192grams)
• Nordic Ware, Tan Pizza Stone Set, 13 inch diameter
• Dreamfarm Scizza | Non-Stick Pizza Scissors with Protective Server | Stainless Steel All-In-One Pizza Slicer & Pizza Server | Easy-To-Use & Clean Pizza Cutters | Black

Ingredients

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/4 c chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp Bob’s Red Mill Rice Flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 c grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning I used Just Add Tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pinch of black pepper

For the pizza

• One Schar Gluten Free Pizza Crust
• 4 oz chicken breast cooked
• 4 strips turkey bacon
• 1/4 bell pepper chopped
• 4 oz chopped spinach wilted
• 1/2 c mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• In a small pot, melt butter and oil together. Saute onion and garlic until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add gluten free flour, and cook for 3 minutes, while whisking. 
• Add milk, cheese and spices and cook until thickened. This will take approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. 
• Next, prepare the pizza toppings. Chop the chicken in to small chunks and cook in a well oiled, hot skillet. Once cooked, remove to a side dish and cook the bacon. Cook bacon to desired crispness, and remove from heat. 
• Next, cook diced bell pepper (I used an orange one.) Cook for about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet, and then cook spinach until completely wilted. Remove from pan. 
• Cook Schar crust, brushed with oil but otherwise untopped, in oven to brown. 3 minutes tops. Then remove from oven to add toppings.
• Add white sauce to pizza crust, filling the sunken well in the crust, until it reaches the edge. Then add cooked chicken, bacon, bell pepper, and then finally cooked spinach. Then top with mozzarella cheese. Place topped pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and just barely browned. 
• Remove from oven and allow to cool approximately 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!

Have you used the Schar Gluten Free Pizza Crusts before? What’s your favorite pizza toppings? Find more ideas in gluten free pizza article, including restaurants to order from.  

**Schar provided me with coupons. They did not otherwise sponsor the recipe for my gluten free Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Originally published March 2015

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What Are Nanaimo Bars?

Back at the end of September, I asked my Facebook followers what Christmas recipes they needed converted to a gluten free recipe. Cori, from Canada, asked for a recipe for Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars. I admit, it required a bit of research on my part! Up until then, I’d never heard of Nanaimo Bars. They appear to be a traditional Canadian Christmas dessert. They consist of three, decadent layers.  Looking at the recipe, it appeared to be relatively simple.

For the most part, only one ingredient in the original recipe presents a problem for those with Celiac Disease. Graham Cracker crumbs. Lucky for me, my local grocery store stocks Schar Honeygrams. I love that each box contains three individual packages. This not only helps keep them fresh, but also helps with portion control! I found that each “6 cracker package” breaks down into approximately one 1/2 cup of crumbs. Therefore, one box equals 1 and 1/2 cups of crumbs.

Origins of the Nanaimo Bar

Prior to making this recipe, I researched other recipes on the internet. People take their Nanaimo Bars very seriously. The original recipe originated in Nanaimo, British Columbia. However, when others have tried to duplicate and make a few tweeks, some people get a bit defensive! (You should see the comments on the King Arthur Flour Nanaimo Bars recipe! Oh my goodness!) Therefore, I tried to stick the the main recipe, making as few changes as possible in my Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars recipe.

When I read the ingredients for the crust, I realized the texture would be similar to no bake cookies. (By the way, this recipe requires no baking!) Therefore, I chose to pulse the coconut and almonds in my Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars recipe. I felt this would make a more uniform crumb mixture. In addition, I chose unsweetened coconut, because many mentioned how sweet these bars taste. The rebel in me added a bit of espresso powder to the crust mixture, but it’s not necessary. A touch of espresso powder enhances the taste of chocolate.

Custard Powder vs. Vanilla Pudding Mix

In Canada, they use Bird’s Custard Powder in Nanaimo Bars. While being gluten free, this ingredient is not readily available here in the states. Therefore, I used Jello-O Simply Good Vanilla Bean Pudding Mix. However, any vanilla pudding mix will do. For the powdered sugar, I chose Domino’s, as I find my store brand has an off taste. If you need powdered sugar WITHOUT corn starch, you can order it from Better Batter.

Possibly my biggest difference in my Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars from the original is the ganache. The original recipe calls for adding butter to the melted chocolate to make ganache. However, when I hear the word “ganache,” I automatically think cream. Being I never keep regular cream in the house, I used coconut cream. It comes in a can, is shelf stable, and contains only the slightest hint of coconut in my opinion. If you want to use butter instead of cream, combine 6 oz of chocolate with 2-3 tbsp of melted butter.

Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars SUCCESS!

All in all, I’d call these Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars a huge success! I sent a few over to my friend who just had a baby and she LOVED them! This recipe veers from the original a bit. However, I feel it approximates it closely, and allows us all to make it easily. That’s my goal here. To make our favorite “pre Celiac diagnosis” dishes doable, and as with much ease as possible. An additional note. These Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars freeze well if you want to make them ahead of time.

If you love layered bars like these, you might also like my Gluten Free Triple Mint Brownies! Craving something with more layers? These Gluten Free Magic Cookie Bars from What the Fork definitely fits that order! Looking for thinner? Try this Gluten Free Dairy Free Christmas Crack from Celiac and the Beast!

Recipe

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Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 1/2 c butter
• 1/4 c sugar
• 3 tbsp Hershey Dark Cocoa or 5 tbsp regular
• 1/4 tsp espresso powder optional
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 c gluten free graham cracker crumbs
• 1 c unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 c almonds

For the Filling

• 1/2 c butter softened
• 2 tbsp vanilla pudding mix I used Jello brand
• 3 tbsp milk
• 2 c. powdered sugar sifted (I used Domino’s)

For the Ganache

• 6 oz. semi sweet dark chocolate chunks I used Scharfenberger
• 3 oz. coconut cream I used Thai Kitchen
• **Note make sure you whisk the contents of the can of coconut cream together before using, as separation occurs.**

Instructions

• In a food processor, break down gluten free graham crackers into crumbs. Once completely ground, add coconut and almonds. Pulse a few times until they are coarsely chopped. Set aside. 
• Place a large glass bowl over a medium pot of hot water, on the stove. (Creating a double boiler.) Add butter and sugar to bowl, and melt. Add cocoa powder and espresso powder (if using) until all dry ingredients are thoroughly absorbed. 
• Add egg to hot mixture and whisk for about a minute until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add graham cracker crumb mixture. Press crust into an 8×8 pan, lined with parchment paper. (This makes removal of the finished bars from the pan MUCH easier.) Chill crust in fridge while creating cream filling. 
• For the filling, place softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. (Or use a medium bowl and hand mixer.) Cream butter until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla pudding mix and milk, and incorporate thoroughly. Finally, add sifted powdered sugar, and blend all ingredients together. Spread filling over the chilled crust. Return to refrigerator while preparing the ganache. 
• In a small / medium bowl, add 3 oz of coconut cream. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, and add the 6 oz. of chocolate chunks. (You can use chocolate chips if you have that on hand.) Allow chocolate to rest in bowl, covered, for 2-3 minutes. Remove cover (I tend to use a plate) and whisk chocolate into cream until all is melted and smooth. Spread ganache mixture over the cream filling, and return to refrigerator for 1-2 hours. (If not serving that day, cover with plastic wrap after bars are completely chilled.) 
• To serve, pull up on parchment paper strips to remove bars from pan. I cut this recipe into 16 squares. You can cut them into 25 if you want them more “bite sized.” 

What’s your favorite way to use graham cracker crumbs? What holiday goodies are you making with Schar products this year? (I’m hoping to make Almond Banket with their new Puff Pastry!) Leave a note in the comments so we can all get some holiday inspiration! 

**Schar graciously sponsored this post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am beyond grateful to Schar for their continued support of my blog, as well as our Michigan Gluten Free Kids Camp.**

Originally Published November 2018

The post Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars: Canadian Tradition appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Coney Dogs: Detroit Vs. Flint Style

My husband and I grew up an hour away from Flint, in Lansing. Truth be told, I don’t think I’d ever eaten a coney dog as a child. When we moved to Flint, every other restaurant appeared to be named a “Coney Island.” A family diner, which served hamburgers and basic entrees. But their menu fixture was always a Flint Style Coney Dog.

In Michigan, one can get a coney dog served Detroit or Flint style. The main difference, as fas as I can ascertain, is that a Detroit style coney dog is “wetter” than a Flint Coney Dog. That, and most Detroit style recipes only use ground beef in the sauce. Flint coney dogs include chopped up hot dogs. And no other hot dog will do than Flint-owned gluten free Koegel Hot Dogs!

How to Build a Flint Coney Dog

To make my Flint coney dogs gluten free, I used Schar gluten free hot dog rolls. I love that they are shelf stable until I’m ready to use them. Aside from being gluten free, they are also egg and dairy free, and contain no gmo ingredients. Most coney dog recipes called for steamed buns. Therefore, I placed my Schar hot dog rolls in the microwave, with a cup of water, and warmed them for 40-60 seconds. A great tip I learned from Kathleen Flinn’s recipe for Flint-Style Coney Islands.

Traditional Flint Coney Dogs are topped with onions and mustard. No ketchup here. While you can use whichever mustard you like, traditional recipes call for yellow mustard. Most yellow mustard on the market contains no gluten. The only excpetion to the rule, I’ve found, is Colman’s Mustard, which contains wheat.

What to Enjoy with a Flint Coney Dog

It’s no secret that I’m a big supporter of all things Michigan made. Great snacks to enjoy along with hot dogs include potato chips, like Better Made. If you crave a pickle with your dog, McClure’s Pickles fit the bill. Wanting to complete the meal with a ball park vibe? Try some Second Nature nuts. And I always recommend finishing off any meal with a scoop of Michigan Made Hudsonville Ice Cream.

What beverage should you enjoy with your Flint coney dog? No soda (or pop) is more Michigan than Faygo. Unfortunately, I recently realized they’ve now added sucralose to all their beverages, so I can no longer drink them. Eat Like No One created a list of other Michigan Made Pop brands, such as Towne Club and Vernors. Looking for something more “adult?” Check out my list of Michigan gluten free alcholic beverages.

Flint Strong

When I tell people I live in Flint, their first reaction is often “How’s the water?” Better. Much better. However, there’s lots of great things about Flint that get overlooked. Even in the decade I’ve lived here, a resurgence is starting to help change the image of the city. Busineses continue to invest in Flint, as I’ve previously shared in my post on reconstruction.

For instance, we have an amazing coffee scene in Flint. We have our own hockey team, called the Flint Firebirds. Our brand new soccer team, the Flint City Bucks, won the championship in their division in their first year as a team. The college cultural area includes great museums, and more.

Flint Public Art Project

My favorite new initiative in our city is the Flint Public Art Project.  Over the past few years, painters have turned boring building walls into major works of art. We now have over 100 murals throughout the city. They include murals of Olympic Gold medal winner Clarissa Sheilds, Beyonce, and various sports stars.

However, it’s the murals of the not so famous that I love. Like the man on the Blackstone’s building, pictured above. Or the children, hiding among the sunflowers, at the Ennis building. Or the mural of the homeless man, with the weight of life etched into his face, at the Catholic ministries building. I highly encourage you to take a trip to Flint to experience them for yourself. Allow this Flint Public Art Project map to be your guide!

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Gluten Free Coney Dogs

Ingredients

For Chili Mixture

• 1 tsp oil or butter
• 1/2 onion finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped (1/2 tsp)
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2 hot dogs finely chopped
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1-2 tsp cumin
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup water more if needed
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pepper to taste

For Coney Dogs

• 4-6 Gluten Free Hot Dog Buns I used Schar
• 4-6 gluten free hot dogs cooked (I use Koegel)
• 1/2 Sweet vidalia onion diced
• yellow mustard

Instructions

• Finely chop one half of a sweet Vidalia onion, and garlic. (I actually buy jars of pre-chopped garlic, and use 1/2 tsp.) Also finely chop hot dogs. 
• Add oil or butter to the skillet, and heat. Add onions and saute for approximately 5 minutes, until soft. 
• Add ground beef, hot dogs, and garlic. Cook until ground beef is no longer pink.
• Once meat is cooked, add paprika, cumin, tomato paste, water, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing beef to continue to break down. Add extra water if needed to prevent meat from drying out and burning. The finished sauce is intended to be dry, not soupy. It will look a bit like Sloppy Joes, just not as saucy. 
• To assemble coney dogs, steam buns in the microwave with one cup of water, and heat for 40-60 seconds. 
• Place cooked hot dog in bun, top with 2-3 tablespoons of coney sauce, diced onions, and mustard.

**Schar provided the ingredients for this post, and compensated me for my time. This post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

The post Flint Coney Dogs – Gluten Free appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Scalloped Potatoes Vs Au Gratin Potatoes

Crunchy bits and cheese. Technically, these are the two major differences between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes. By definition, scalloped potatoes contain neither. However, people often interchange the two. For example, my friend Amanda at Eat At Our Table calls her family’s version Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, even though it contains cheese and crackers. As long as it tastes great, who cares what it’s called!

Regardless of what you call this dish, choose the correct bakeware. I chose to use my ceramic Staub 2 qt gratin dish. Ceramic bakeware holds heat well, and can be placed under the broiler, unlike glass bakeware. It can go from oven to table, then from fridge to microwave with no issues. Can’t do that with a metal pan!

What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?

Let’s get cooking. First things, first, my husband was right. In selecting potatoes for this dish, I first used russet potatoes. Which work fine. However, he recommended white potatoes. Lemme say after multiple attempts, his suggestion of white potatoes worked better. How he knows all this stuff, I don’t know. He needs to go on Jeopardy.

Secondly, after three attempts at these gluten free au gratin potatoes, I decided my idea of soaking the potatoes was not ideal. This washes off the additional starch in the potato, which we want! It is key to making a richer sauce as the potatoes cook. Finally, while some suggest using a food processor or mandalin, I slice my potatoes by hand. Just try to keep them as uniform and thin as possible.

Ratio of Cream to Cheese to Potatoes

The first time I attempted these gluten free au gratin potatoes, I tried to copy the sauce from Schar’s macaroni and cheese recipe. They start a roux with their crushed Table Crackers. Yeah, that doesn’t work here. Many recipes suggest using milk and flour. However, I wanted to keep this as simple as possible. Therefore, I went with the heavy cream + cheese method.

I consulted many cream based recipes. After looking at Once Upon a Chef’s recipe for Potatoes Au Gratin, I settled on a simple ratio. For every 8 oz of potato, I use 1/2 cup of cream and 1/4 cup of cheese. Extrapolate that to 2 lbs of potatoes, and you get 2 cups of cream and a cup of cheese. (If you’re not a fan of dairy, this recipe isn’t for you.)

Gluten Free Saltine Crackers

As mentioned previously, the difference between gluten free scalloped potatoes and gluten free au gratin potatoes is the presence of cheese or a crunchy topping. Since I’m an over achiever, I did both! In groups, I often see people asking about a good replacement for saltine crackers. Without fail, I always mention Schar Table Crackers.

Therefore, I chose to highlight them in this dish. I mean, these crackers taste amazing on their own. It’s a good thing they come in individual packs of 6 crackers. Otherwise, I might eat the whole package in one setting! However, they work great in casseroles and anything needing a bit of crunch.

What To Serve with Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

I chose to make this dish after a handful of people on my Facebook page said Easter isn’t Easter without potatoes. But what to serve with it? We don’t eat pork, so ham was right out. Therefore, I made Iowa Girl Eats’ Perfect Roast Chicken. Being spring, I lean towards making Brussels sprouts, even though they’re not in the picture.

Other people mentioned rolls, therefore I made gluten free crescent rolls. Many mentioned deviled eggs, but my husband won’t touch those with a ten foot pole. Since I don’t want to eat them all myself, I passed. For dessert, I remade my mother in law’s Easter cake, filled with homemade lemon curd. You should too.

Live Simply – Delegate

Can I be honest? I made the rolls, chicken, lemon curd, frosted the cake, and  potatoes all in one day. AND I HURT. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I don’t know how people do all this in one day! For certain, holiday meals are not for the faint of heart. Pace yourself friends – this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Definitely make a written plan, and time your dishes accordingly. Make what you can the day ahead. Think through what oven space you have to work with. Suggest others help by bringing dishes to round things out. I think Aunt Esther can safely bring Jello. Uncle Bob can bring the olives and pickles. YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!

Need Dairy Free, Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes?

As mentioned, my recipe contains lots of milk and cheese. If you need a dairy free version, I recommend The Pretty Bee’s version of Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes. Looking for that cheesy flavor? Try this Creamy Vegan Potato Au Gratin from Allergylicious.

Recipe

Print

Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

Equipment

• Schär Shop – Table Crackers
• Hamilton Beach Food Processor 10 Cups
• Staub Ceramic Baking Dish Set, 3pc, Dark Blue

Ingredients

For the base

• 2 lbs white potatoes 8 medium
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste

For the topping

• 3 tbsp butter melted
• 9 Schar table crackers crushed
• 3/4 c shredded Gouda or Swiss cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Wash and peel potatoes, and slice as thin as possible. Cut to uniform width, using a mandolin if necessary. 
• Place a layer of potatoes on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. (You will do 4 layers, so use a quarter of what you have.) Sprinkle the top of the potatoes with salt and pepper (You choose how much. I’d say no more than a 1/4 tsp of salt and an 1/8 tsp of pepper per layer. I did not measure it when i made them.)
• Then top the potatoes with 1/2 cup of cream and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese. I used Cheddar, but you can use something else if you wish. 
• Repeat for three more layers until all ingredients are used up. 
• Cover casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. 
• While potatoes are baking, crush 9 Schar table crackers, and mix with the 3 tbsp melted butter and 3/4 c shredded Gouda cheese. (If you’re not a big fan of a crunchy topping, you can reduce it to 6 crackers (crushed), 2 tbsp melted butter, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.) 
• After the first 30 minutes of baking, remove casserole from oven, and remove foil. Sprinkle coating on top and return to oven. Bake for another 30-45 minutes, until potatoes are cooked to desired tenderness. (I cooked mine for 30 minutes more, but you might like yours more tender than I do.) 
• Serve hot. I served 6 with this 2 quart casserole dish. 

**Schar sponsored this post by compensating me for my time and talents. In addition, Staub sent me the gratin dish featured in this recipe, free of charge. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

Originally Published April 2019

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A Gluten Free Gathering

In 2019, I joined others from the Grand Rapids area at Amore Trattoria Italiana. After hearing friends gush about it, I pounced at the chance to go when invited. We gathered around a table, and prepared for a lunch feast. The restaurant recently started opening for lunch, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Waitstaff faithfully answered every concern or question we tossed their way.

Gluten Free Mangia, Mangia!

While Amore Trattoria Italiana offers a gluten free menu, we ordered off the regular lunch menu (pranzo) menu, which notates gluten free options. While we perused the menu, Chef Jenna Arcidiacono graciously sent fresh, hot gluten free bread to our table. After some discussion, we put in our orders and got to chatting.

Our special lunch gathering included people newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, as well as long time experts. Conversation included everything from oats, best resources for gluten free recipes, and just every day life. While we waited for our food, Chef Jenna sent out a simple pizza for us to snack on.

Our waitress was a great sport, holding it near the window so the natural light could show off it’s beauty! Amore Trattoria Italiana uses a dedicated pizza oven for gluten free pizza and other items, and use a dedicated gluten free pizza cutter  for their GF pizzas.

Why Does Amore Trattoria Offer Gluten Free Items?

I started my meal with a delicious Spinach and Smoked Gorgonzola Soup. Rich and creamy, and incredibly flavorful. I asked Chef Jenna why she chose to offer gluten free options at Amore Trattoria Italiana. She said “I have loads of friends with gluten allergies/intolerances I wanted to accommodate.”

“I love feeding people and to me that means that everyone who walks through my doors at Amore Trattoria Italiana, regardless of food restrictions, should get a satisfying meal. Since I’m a vegetarian, I got tired of salads and boring items at restaurants. Therefore, I understand how gluten free eaters might feel the same!”

How Does Amore Trattoria Differentiate Gluten Free Orders? 

For my main dish, I ordered the Pasta alla Vodka. I asked Chef Jenna about the intentional steps they take in preparing their gluten free pasta. They boil separate, clean water for all of their gluten free pasta.

When it comes to serving the customer, Amore Trattoria Italiana uses colored, fiestaware bowls for all gluten free meals.  It gives the server a visual reminder that this is a specially prepared meal. By the way, all Amore staff took allergen safety courses. Impressive, as the state of Michigan only requires one person to be trained!

Does Amore Trattoria Serve Gluten Free Dessert?

As mentioned above, Chef Jenna loves to impress. Given enough advance notice, she willing prepares special dishes. For this special gluten free meet up, Chef Jenna went above and beyond by making Gluten Free Tiramisu.

She used Schar ladyfingers, and it tasted better than I could ever imagine. I told her Chef Jenna I had been planning to make it at home, but there’s no way I could come close to creating something as delicious as hers!

More about Chef Jenna

Chef Jenna really is a rock star of a chef, while remaining incredibly personable and humble. Named one of 50 most influential women in West Michigan, she wants to create a scholarship fund for young women to grow their culinary skills.

Beyond that, she was a guest chef on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. The episode was called Flavortown Fright Night, and aired around Halloween. As always, she sported her signature pink hairdo, and represented Michigan well.  Chef Jenna shared, “I loved my time on the Food Network show. Guy, his staff and the judges were all amazing.”

Food Hugs

Chef Jenna is well known for her desire to give back to others. She started a non-profit called Food Hugs, which allows her to love on others who could use some support. Want to spread the love? Visit the Food Hugs website to donate or volunteer your time.

Other Grand Rapids Gluten Free Dining Options

As I often tell people, Grand Rapids is my favorite place to eat gluten free. There you’ll find Papa Chops, a dedicated gluten free restaurant. The menu at Mexo is mostly gluten free. Don’t forget to visit Rise Authentic Baking, Grand Rapid’s dedicated gluten free bakery. Find these and more gluten free dining suggestions in my Grand Rapids Dining Guide.

Amore Location, Hours and Contact Information

Amore Trattoria Italiana
5080 Alpine Ave NW
Comstock Park, MI 49321
(616) 785-5344
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Open Tuesday – Saturday 5pm – 9 pm

**I was not paid or compensated in any way for my meal. I look forward to going back with my husband someday and introducing him to Amore Trattoria! Find this and more on my list of Michigan Gluten Free Dining Suggestions.**

The post Amore Trattoria Italiana Gluten Free Options appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

2018 – Unexpected

If I needed to sum up the end of 2018 in one word it would be “unexpected.” It felt like a whirlwind, in quickly and over in a snap. Many of my unexpected moments included negative things. Someone smashed the windows on both of our cars. My husband became ill over break, and my father landed himself in the emergency room with Afib.

Not the way I would have planned it. However, I experienced some unexpected positive things as well. You all loved, and shared, my gluten free Monkey Bread recipe. My grandmother generously gifted us with enough money for our repairs. In addition, I tried this gluten free almond banket for the first time, and LOVED it.

Schar Gluten Free Puff Pastry

The new Schar gluten free puff pastry dough made this last one possible. Here’s the down low on the dough! One box of Schar gluten free puff pastry dough contains two sheets of pastry. One sheet weighs just over 8 oz. and measures approximately 9.5 inches square.

Schar gluten free Puff Pastry comes frozen, and can be thawed three hours at room temperature or 5 mins in the microwave at reduced power. I highly recommend thawing it at room temperature. Silly me thawed the second roll in the fridge over night, and it was not as easy to work with. It comes rolled in its own parchment paper, which makes baking easy!

Where Do You Buy Schar Gluten Free Puff Pastry?

Many people ask me where to find the Schar puff pastry. As of this printing, it is not available online, nor is it available nationwide at Whole Foods. As with all new products, I highly recommend going to your local independent store and requesting it in person. Give them the Schar Product Request Form, which has the UPC codes to aid in ordering. Here in Michigan, it is available at most Meijer stores.

Origins of Gluten Free Almond Banket

In September I asked on Facebook what Christmas recipes you wanted me to recreate. As you can tell by the date of this publication, I fell a little behind on sharing this before Christmas.

However, I kept my word that I would try this recipe for gluten free almond banket! So glad I did, because this dessert is amazing. Basically, it’s a mixture of almond paste, egg and sugar baked inside a flaky pastry. Therefore, I figured the Schar gluten free puff pastry was perfect for this treat.

Gluten Free Almond Banket comes from the Dutch heritage. Grand Rapids and the west side of Michigan is home to many Dutch people. (After all, we have a city named Holland that has a well known Tulip Festival.)

Therefore, I sought out wisdom from those in the Greater Grand Rapids Gluten Free Facebook page. They were incredible helpful, as was my pastry chef friend Annie. While she’s not a dedicated gluten free baker, her artistry is amazing! (I first met her when I visited Hall Street Bakery. ) I found watching this YouTube video helpful as well.

Prepping Your Gluten Free Almond Banket for Baking

Gluten Free Almond Banket compares to cinnamon rolls, in that you roll filling in dough. However, the similarities stop there. First, you don’t spread the filling out flat. Instead, your form it into a log, then roll that log in pastry.

Second, it differs by closing up the ends securely. Otherwise, the filling will completely bake out. Trust me, you don’t want this to happen. You then tuck the ends underneath and secure them firmly. Thirdly, you don’t cut it into rolls. It remains one large log.

An important step in making this dessert is to close the ends of the dough firmly, as pictured above. The Schar gluten free puff pastry was very malleable at room temperature. I was able to pinch the ends and fold them under the roll fairly easily.

The biggest trick is getting the main seam to seal well. When I made it a second time, I found that rolling the whole log against my pastry mat, with a touch of flour, helped it to stay firm.

The Beaten Egg Coating Is Important

To  help keep your fully formed gluten free almond banket sealed, you will brush the dough generously with beaten egg. The beaten egg coating also helps the roll to bake into a golden brown color.

You can stop there, or do as I did and add some “embellishments.” I chose to sprinkle mine with granulated sugar and adorn it with slivered almonds. I gave it as second light coating of egg, so the almond slivers refrained from burning. I must admit, I felt pretty impressed on the presentation.

The News on the Ooze

On my blog, I want to be real. Transparent. Honest. Therefore, I’m sharing the image of what happened when I pulled this first attempt at Gluten Free Almond Banket from the oven. It cracked and the filling seeped out the side.

Apparently, from pictures shared in the Grand Rapids group, this is not a rare occurrence. Many said they just cut it off, once it cooled, and then ate the banket as usual. However, I’m pretty sure that ALL my filling seeped out. As it cooled, I stuffed the filling back inside, and it resealed itself as it cooled.

And voila, here’s the final product. The filling in this Gluten Free Almond Banket was gooey, but I think that’s because it didn’t bake fully in the crust. Don’t get me wrong, it tasted delicious. My friends, family and husband all enjoyed it. However, I had extra filling to play with. Therefore, a second attempt was in order.

Gluten Free Almond Banket Made with Homemade Puff Pastry

While the Schar Puff Pastry box comes with two sheets, I wanted to save the second for another treat. Therefore, I made Dessert for Two 15 Minute Puff Pastry recipe from scratch, using Cup 4 Cup flour. I made it according to Christina’s directions. However, it was very moist. If I made it again, I would use less water, maybe quarter of a cup instead of a third of a cup. Due to the excess moisture, it took a lot of extra flour when rolling.

The outcome of this gluten free almond banket was better, in my opinion. However, this is partly due to extra refrigeration time on the filling, allowing the sugar to absorb the moisture from the egg. It did still split, however it was at the top, and the filling stayed in. I also rolled the  completed pastry like a log, using my hands and pressure to seal any cracks. Personally, I feel this helped in preventing it split along the edge.

I am far from a banket expert. This was a fun attempt, and I wanted to share the process with you. I’m including the steps I used, as clear as I can remember. (Nothing messes with your mind quite like having your father in the emergency room!)

Below I am including a from scratch dough recipe, with permission, from Kate Teske. She belongs to the same Greater Grand Rapids Facebook group that I do. I have not tried it personally, but this is what her family faithfully uses. Let me know if you choose to use it, and tag me in any pictures you take!

Print

Gluten Free Almond Banket

Course Recipes

Keyword banket, gluten free banket, schar puff pastry

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Equipment

• Odense Almond Paste, 7 Ounce Tube
• Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll, 60 Square Feet
• Dreamfarm Brizzle-Red

Ingredients

For The Filling!

• 8 oz almond paste
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 egg beaten

Puff Pastry Dough

• Two sheets of Schar Gluten Free Puff Pastry thawed on the counter for 3+ hours

Kate Teske Dough Recipe (this is enough for two rolls)

• 8 oz cold butter 2 sticks
• 2 cups King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c ice cold water

For Baking

• 1 egg beaten for wash
• 1-2 tbsp sugar for dusting
• 2-3 tbsp slivered almonds for decorating

Instructions

• Remove Schar gluten free puff pastry from freezer and place on counter to thaw for 30 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the filling. This will be enough for two gluten free almond banket rolls. Place in refrigerator to chill.
• If using Kate's homemade dough recipe, follow these instructions – 
• Pulse all but water in a food processor or cut the butter into the flour mix using pastry blender. Drizzle in ice water until the dough forms a ball (I erred on the side of slightly too wet). Roll the dough into an oblong strip, fold into 1/3's, wrap in plastic and let rest in fridge for 20 minutes. Repeat 2 more times. I chose to let it rest in the fridge for over 24 hours after rolling out the last time. (This is somewhat similar to Christina Lane's recipe for 15 minute puff pastry.)
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
• After filling has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Divide filling in half, and roll into log shapes. I made mine into 8" logs, as the Schar Puff Pastry dough is just over 9 inches long. 
• Place filling on puff pastry dough and roll up. Some suggest rolling the filling up in the dough loosely. This may help prevent the side from splitting. 
• Take care to close the seam as much as possible. You may want to use a touch of water to get the dough wet to help. Pinch the ends of the dough closed, and fold ends under the bottom of the log. I found rolling the log as a whole a few times helped in my second attempt at making this dessert.
• Repeat process with second batch of dough. 
• Brush the completed logs entirely with a beaten egg. If desired, sprinkle with sugar and adorn with slivered almonds. 
• Place logs on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake gluten free almond banket logs at 400 for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool completely on cookie sheet before serving. 

**This post is not a paid promotion for Schar. However, they did send me a box of their new gluten free puff pastry for free. This post does however include Amazon Affiliate Links. Purchases made through those links provide me a small commission. However, this does not influence the cost of your purchases. Thank you for helping to support this website!**

The post Gluten Free Almond Banket: A Dutch Dessert appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Where is Mason Jar Cafe?

This past summer, we visited Michigan’s west coastlines. We explored St. Joseph, South Haven, and New Buffalo. Coastal towns that draw people vacationing from Chicago and others across the state. However, just a jaunt from the coastline lies Benton Harbor. This small town, the headquarters of Whirlpool appliances, presents its own unique finds. Enter, The Mason Jar Cafe.

How Long Have They Been in Business?

I forget when I learned of The Mason Jar Cafe. Sometime shortly after this eatery opened in May of 2014. Therefore, when I found ourselves in their neck of the woods, almost 3 hours from my home, it was time for a visit. Reviewers on Find Me Gluten Free leave great reviews about it. Indeed, it ended up being the perfect ending to our 15th anniversary vacation. I mean, how can one go wrong with gluten free zucchini bread waffles?! This MLive article states these are the best waffles EVER.

What Gluten Free Options are Available?

I mean, this is a thing of beauty, is it not? The Mason Jar Cafe prides itself on using the freshest, and most local, ingredients that they can. They proudly list on their menu all the farms and businesses from which they procure ingredients.

Before ordering, I verified with our server that they take precautions for those with Celiac Disease. Indeed, they prepare these gorgeous waffles in a dedicated waffle maker. In fact, i believe it is the ONLY waffle on their entire menu. The whipped butter tied it all together.

I LOVE grits. Like, I seriously could eat them every day and not grow tired. However, add goat cheese to them and fry them and top them with an egg? Oooh dang. The Mason Jar Cafe speaks my love language, y’all. However, this plate belonged to my husband. My wonderful husband who intentionally ordered it gluten free and let me try some! The awesomeness doesn’t stop there.

Does the Mason Jar Cafe Serve Lunch?

They serve more than just breakfast. The boast a complete brunch menu. (They close at 3 pm daily, so get there or be square.) Do you SEE what’s on this menu? Crab Cakes. Gluten Free Crab Cakes. I regretted not ordering any.

However, my stomach felt so full, I couldn’t squeeze anymore in my tummy. (And the hubs has a severe intolerance to shellfish. Doctors say it’s not a allergy, but we don’t take chances.) Just means I need to return on a girl trip and eat ALL the crab cakes.

Great Food + Art Gallery

The Mason Jar Cafe offers more than just food. You’ll find this unique eatery inside an art gallery. Sculptures greet you as you enter the courtyard. While waiting for your table (and expect a wait!), you can stroll inside and find art from various types of artists. Glass, paintings and sculptures keep you company while you smell all the aromas of the food they cook there. The surrounding neighborhood flourishes with local art as well. Make sure to not miss it!

So the next time you find yourself near Michigan’s west waterways, make the drive to Benton Harbor. Walk its streets and taste the eats at The Mason Jar Cafe. Do me a favor? Order those crab cakes and tell me how amazing they are!

Restaurant Location and Contact Information

Mason Jar Cafe
210 Water St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Website | Facebook | Phone

Have you visited The Mason Jar Cafe? What did you order? Have you found other restaurants on Michigan’s west coast? If not, check out Silver Beach Pizza. Otherwise, please drop a comment of where I should stop when I venture there again! Find this listing and more on my Michigan Gluten Free Dining Recommendations. 

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