One serving Black forest Cake!

Winter soups and stew are marvelous. I have been working on those too. But as the simple chocolate cake recipe flourished in the past couple of days.  I find that I was trying to figure out how to have friends come over for tea... while being reading with dessert. 
When the mug cake or ramekin mircrowave recipe started my cake lover mind moving.
I love cake and the frosting and the filling and the layers and the complex design of a confectionery delight.

Being
- Gluten Free
- Nightshade Free
- Dairy free
has been challenging in how to maintain a healthy balance of treats and wholesome food that haven't gotten boring.

so I decided to experiment... Yes... this is really from the Quincidence Kitchen!
recipe as before.  except for these modifications.

Things you can add to the recipe for something special.
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
either or both

If you don't have problem with Nightshades... you could always add cayenne pepper.

Well, what did I do?

I added two dashes of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, and poured the mixture into ramekins.
Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds.

Spoon Tablespoons of cherry pie filling onto one ramekin.
the other ramekin I spread a lovely creamy mixture of 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 cup sour cream tofutti, 1/2 cup cream cheese tofutti, this mixture is an awesome frosting!  so spoon on the cake mixture onto the cherries, figure out what will work for you....
But here is what mine looked like.

I then poor

Less than five minutes ~ Less than five ingredients ~ Less than five supplies ~ 5 star results

Cake *****

Something that makes us mellow.

Some decadence that makes a stoic smile.

Something to make the sweet smile return after a tough day.

Something you need to monitor the intake of as usually eating the whole CAKE by yourself... is bad.

So, this time.

How about a little less guilt, alot more results.

Essential ingredients for a curl up on the couch, or make it and take a break.

Even on the go this is portable as well.

Seriously, how can you go wrong with chocolate cake?

Ingredients/Supplies

• 1- spoon
• 1 - Mug - I like a sizable coffee mug, a soup mug does well too.
• 1 - Chicken Egg try to use the larger and of course if you can freshest makes the best.
• 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar *see tip below
• 2 - Tbls Cocoa - Ah Laska is an awesome cocoa powder.

How is this 5 ingredients you ask?

Well for me to prepare this I simply don't use a measuring spoon, or measuring cups. I use the one spoon to rule them all. That's right the spoon with which I plan on eating the delight.

So I know my larger soup spoons are a tablespoon whn dry material is put on it. Don't level it and you have 2 Tablespoons.

a 1/4 cup?  easy 4 tablespoons

* I pulled out the coffee grinder at an earlier time and put in white sugar. grind fine - espresso setting. TADA! You have a lovely powdered sugar, which I make in batches cause I am NOT buying powdered sugar when white sugar is so cheap.

Directions?   Hmmm
crack egg into mug - if you must use a whisk you won't hurt my feelings... but if you don't have one... just make sure to mix well.
Add powdered sugar, mix.

I might have added cinnamon and nutmet which is the specs you see in the egg/sugar mixture.

Add Cocoa, mix again....

Chocolate lava in the making. remember this is just a soup cup.

a variation in the making of Black Forest Cake - Cherry Pie Filling dollop in the middle

When the mixture is smooth.... microwave for 60 seconds.
let it sit for hmmm maybe 30 seconds.
ALLOW to slightly cool... molten cake on the tongue is sooooo not delicious!
This is why I use the larger coffee mug or soup mug.. cause if you want... after washing off the spoon, you can scoop on some Whipped cream, sour cream, ice cream, cherry pie filling, cinnamon whipped cream, even some greek yogurt... Trust me the cake can stand up to it.

So... if this doesn't have your mouth water.. you are out what?  A buck work of ingredients?  Hmmm... maybe an easy, solution to

• My best friend is coming over and wants to have girl chic flick night. - I have CAKE!
• My boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend just left me. Ah, but I have CAKE!
• My parents just told me to start shopping for myself - I still have CAKE!
• My oh my... I really would love a nibble of cake, but I can't afford to have that much cake in the house... but a nibble would be nice... I HAVE CAKE!
• I need a quick birthday cake for the friend I forget was her birthday - as did everyone else. I mad you a CAKE!

See?
5 Things.
5 Minutes.
and a moment of chocolate delight.

ENJOY!

Please feel free to leave a comment if you liked this post.

need cake - but not the hassle? Part I

I remember a few years ago, reading a blog, and my friends writes her sorrows. She rights about how the last week is just going down the tubes and she wants to make a cake to share, hoping it would make the world a better place. Yet, she realizes she would get to the whip the eggs, or beat the batter, or some such thing, break down crying, and never even get a slice of cake for herself.
I know some of you know portion control is important, and sharing is important, HECK... I know I do.  I honestly just don't feel like making a whole cake to share with people as sometimes finding people to share it with that will come off there diet to share CAKE... *shudder* can in itself be a daunting task.
So, she found a MUG RECIPE.
Yes, one mug of cake is all it takes.
No need to share and no need to go to the store for a Betty Crocker single serving high priced, over preserved, puck of chocolate.

She made me smile.
Perseverance in the search of chocolate is key to the chocoholic members.
So the other day, I was having an exceptionally "woe is me day" and I forlornly thought of the fact that gluten free, dairy free, nightshade free, is $10 a splurge and I don't want 4 servicings. I just want a little treat and don't need the whole BOX OF FREAKING CHOCOLATES thank you Forrest Gump.

I decided to experiment a bit - please link and credit if you are pinning, or cross referencing.

Cocoa/Oat candy bars - 1 day's worth of servings NO MORE... (wink portion control)

1 cup Bob's GF Rolled Oats
3 unleveled (heaping)Tbsp HONEYCOMB - The Old Bohemian Farmer (local farmer's market)
            (yes the whole comb -The Old Bohemian Farmer has a great Raw Honey that I simply adore.
3 Tbsp GF - Organic cocoa Powder Ah laska
1 dash (oh alright about 1/2 teaspoon) GF Vanilla
2 Tbsp soy or almond milk (I used Very Vanilla Silk Soy)

Dollops of Honey comb in the mug first, mush and mash a bit to break it up.
Dump in the oats, roll them around a bit.
Milk next cause you will see that the oat needs some *help* making friends with the rest of the ingredients otherwise.
then the powder... careful to add it slowly or in small amounts or it will "POUF" right out of the mug. (This part... made me laugh the first time I did it.)
When the consistency is questionable... guess what?!?  Add the vanilla extract and mix just a bit more.

take what looks like a mess that isn't making friends, and microwave for 60-90 seconds depending on the strength of your microwave. Bring that steaming mug out, and apply the spoon of doom. No really it all mixes real nice. If not. then add a few more drops of milk to give it a chance.

When you have a rich brown mixture pour out onto a flat wax paper sheet and let cook. Infact put the wax paper on the cutting board, a cookie sheet or even a pizza pan... stick it in the fridge.
Of course your first try you will have to taste test the batch to know when it is really set... so this is why it only makes one day's worth.

Raw Food, Brownies that look SOOO good.... try them

I have cravings!  Don't you?
Some people say that when you stop eating certain foods, you crave them. Well YEAH!!! We hate being told what to do, and what we can't have.

So I am going to tell you what you can have.
These delicious brownies serve my needs as I am an AVACADO junky!
I am a certified chocoholic and I have a desire for BROWNIES!
So, today I happen to find this recipe.
Hope you like Brownies too and will share with me the links you find to Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Nightshade Free treats.

Raw Brownies Recipe

Recipe created by Toni Bark

 Makes 16 brownies.

Published on June 18, 2012

Photo: Richard Majchrzak/Studio D -

Raw Brownies Recipe

Recipe created by Toni Bark

Makes 16 brownies

Ingredients

Base:

• 2 cups walnuts or pecans
• 13 ounces pitted baking dates
• ⅛ tsp. coarse sea salt
• ⅛ tsp. orange zest
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 avocado, pitted and peeled
• ½ cup raw cocoa powder

Frosting:

• 3 avocados, pitted and peeled
• ⅛ tsp. sea salt
• ½ cup raw cocoa powder
• ½ cup raw agave nectar, plus more to taste

Directions

Active time: 40 minutes
Total time: 3 hours, 40 minutes

In a food processor, mix all base ingredients, then pat down in an 8-inch square baking pan. Puree all frosting ingredients in a food processor and spread on base. Cover and freeze at least 3 hours. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve cold.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Raw-Brownies-Recipe#ixzz25tMaLuRc

Looking for great Gluten Free Brownies For Passover?

Try these! moist, and delicious and I recommend the decadence.

Nigella Lawson’s Flourless Brownies
slightly adapted from Nigella Express: Good Food Fast

100th post - DELICIOUSNESS abound

Pamela's makes a lovely mini-single serving cheesecake.
Commonly found in the gluten free area or Organic section, are a single serving cheesecake. I find them useful for last minute indulgence. I also find that if I put a little dish together before an event, and take my own little treat that looks THIS GOOD, I am not jealous of the plethora of treats that are at the holiday parties. Make sure to pack a few cookies and possibly a wonderful little surprise that will make everyone jealous of YOUR TREAT.
Just remember, don't share the spoon with someone who has been including gluten foods in their feasting that day. Get a clean spoon and share, and don't let them double dip.

1 mini-single-serving cheesecake
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup frozen red raspberries
GF Chocolate Syrup.

Here is what my cheesecake for a guest looks like when I am done.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nightshade Free Delicious Dessert

Girl Scout Banana Boats, made in the microwave or Firepit

I remember a delicious treat from the fireside of Girl Scout camp outs.
I never really liked the Graham cracker, so when I realized that a banana, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips could make something better.... I started something new.

So in the FIREPIT
you slit a banana open, and stuff the cleft with mini GF marshmallows, and GF chocolate. (if you need dairy free, make sure the chocolate is Dairy free), wrap in aluminum foil, fold over the ends tight, and place the delectable banana in the charcoals. You will have to do some trial and error, as each person has a preference for how done they like their banana.

Microwave? In a bowl
Slice the banana into 1 cm sliver discs
CAMPFIRE GF Ultra huge marshmallows work best. slice them into 5 or 6 slices and line a cereal bowl, then place banana slices for the next layer, then sprinkle with 2 to 3 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, or I break up some Ghiaradelli single serving 72% bars.

Microwave on high for 1 and a half minutes if you need to stop and turn the dish. then another 30 seconds.

IS IT DONE YET?
The marshmallows should puff and melt, the banana will be shiny and smothered in chocolate lumps.. which when gently folded, NOT STIRRED, will allow you a lovely layered dessert.
Enjoy!

Added bonus? this can be prepared ahead of time and put in a Tupperware/Corning-ware (I prefer ceramic to plastic any day) container for a 2-3 pm work treat in the microwave at work. You will drive your co-workers wild with jealousy.

Gluten Free - the way to be! Bakery recommendation

The Rustic Kitchen
www.rustic-kitchen.com

Email	gfwisconsin@gmail.com
Phone	920-527-8818

AWESOME GLUTEN FREE OAT CHIP COOKIES. attained at the New Moon coffee house. NUMMY~!

Nummy Bunnies

Annies's Homegrown Bunnies....
check them out for a few of their treats.
//www.annies.com/glutenfree (old link) the Current link edited in thanks to Haley Studio's contribution, 5/22/11
http://www.annies.com/products/category-32
nummy
delicious
crunchy
soft
sweet
adorable
and such a great easily measured comfort food.
Take a few zip lock bags, and you have some great snack bags.

I take my bunnies to work....
How about you?

Beat the Summer heat

I got a new hand wand smoothie maker and BANANAS beware!!!

8 oz unsweetened almond milk
2 medium small bananas
1 teaspoon cocoa powder ( I suppose Hershey syrup is GF so you could do that too and skip the agave)
2 teas agave nectar
2 small GF chocolate chip cookies
(yes I know.. naughty, but I haven't had a cookie with ice cream anything in ten years)
half a tray of ice cubes...

put the almond milk and ice cubes in the container in which you which to blend or mix your drink.
Let sit for a few minutes.. This chills the milk much more and means the cubs when made to chips won't melt as fast when the drink is done.
then add two bananas, the cocoa powder and agave, or Hershey syrup, which ever you find suits you, and last the cookies.. other wise they get pulverized too much.
Also, the cookies two the size of half dollars, add thickness to the already thick banana smoosh... so it is for texture.

*GF - Gluten Free

Grocery Store list vs. cost

I spent time carefully weighing my options.
I picked up the nice little package of my new favorite cookies.
I picked up the organic half&half for the coffee 3.89 for a full liter. I was disappointed the Cream line Dairy non-pasturized half&half was out. That stuff is delightful!
So I compromised for the liter of half&half, but made sure to pick up the blueberry, Vans gluten free waffles.
I picked up some boysenberry jam, since the grocery store carries a local brand, and I know it is safe.
A sweet potato for a lovely casserole later, some raspberries and a bag of apples to make my own stewed fruit, and some zucchinis for the deep dish casserole.
hmmm what else...
Reb bush tea, vine ripened tomotoes, some local makers sold in the store pickles (also super safe but not a national brand), and my one actual indulgence. GF stuffing made by kinnicinic. Man did I miss stuffing for years. I mean a few tines since 1999 I tried, but it was made of mediocre - not-worth-it product.

So when I got to the check out counter with my 12 items that came to $50 dollars. I wasn't surprised, but the woman behind me was. She blurted out. good god are those golden pickles or what? This is why I don't bu organic.
Then she realized how REALLY ruder her outburst had been.
I turned to the lady and smiled. Sure I could pick out less quality food, but in the end i would be sick and unhealthy from your white bread. I have food allergies and eating right doesn't always allow frequent luxury. Sometimes it requires choosing between what is available and what will nourish you.
--She stammered...but you hardly have two bags of groceries.....
Yes maam, but those two bags are all food that I can count on to keep me healthy, and certainly they are going to be delicious.

Her eyes fell to the floor, her scarlet cheeks still burning... "what you must think of me with my generic peanut butter, potato chips, little debbies and chex mix bags"

I gently smiled and laughed... if you were my friend we would shop together and make choices that were good for your budget and your body. But, in the end, you seem like an adult that can make choices for herself, and I assume the kids that those little debbies are for... since there seem to be adult cookies in the cart too?

her eyes lifted...
you know.. I am going to put these back... maybe I can find some real TREATS in the organic section. you are right, I like the food to be good, not just cheap.. Happy new year.

and she walked back to find something for herself... I assume truly FOR herself is the way to say it.

Happy New Year

Primo - dining experience

Oshkosh Wisconsin
Jackson Street
PRIMO

Serves Redbridge beer
has gluten free pizza that make me happy.
Has wonderful gluten free flourless chocolate death cake...

dinner was scrumptous.

Kindness breaks my heart

after a rough day, my boss took a break and went off to do errands. He stopped a local Small chocolate/confectioner factory/shop, and picked up three pieces of delicacy to cheer me up.

I almost cried at his kindness, except, two months ago, I stopped there myself, to check on gluten free options...
Oaks, does not have anything gluten free.
they dust the surfaces for everything they prepare, with white flour!

I graciously explained that he had been so truly kind and gratefully thought he was fabulous, but even though I wouldn't eat them, I couldn't accept due to them being so truly tempting.
I felt awful. truly awful, and yet grateful.
What dos a girl do to be gracious? I could have accepted them, but then I would have had contaminated candy, deliciously tempting me.. and god knows, I was stressed... there are moments of weakness that leave me stupid...