What's Cooking For Breakfast

They say that breakfast is a very important meal. From what I hear people say, it really is very personal as to what you do about that first meal of the day. A lot depends on when, where, and even with whom you are eating. The question here is what to do about breakfast when you are Celiac. To answer that I like to think about what most people eat in the morning and how to have it gluten free. It gets back to basics and “Good Food-Gluten Free.” Here are some of my ideas for quick breakfasts, and I would love to hear from you with your suggestions for quick GF breakfasts.

Please check the individual sites of the companies mentioned to see their full line of GF products.

Quick Breakfasts: The days of grabbing a bagel or muffin at the local coffee spot may be gone, but we can still have bagels, muffins, waffles, cereals - hot or cold, or a “healthy cookie to grab when you are on the run. All of the following should go well with a quick cup of coffee, tea, or milk.

· Gluten Free Pantry – Muffin and Scone Mix – Add nuts, raisins, cranberries or any berry, to suit your taste.

· Erwhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

· Gluten Free Pantry Sandwich Bread or Country French Bread, or Food For Life GF Bread. These could be the foundation for a quick grilled cheese – open faced or closed. Lightly butter the bread before cooking. Add a slice of tomato before cooking (pan, microwave, broil in oven) for extra taste and nutrition.

· Glutino Bagels - Plain, Cinnamon Raisin, or Sesame.

· Greek Yogurt topped with granola, homemade or Bakery on Main Nutty Cranberry Granola. They also have other combinations, but check to see if they are GF.

· Van’s Wheat Free Waffles. They are gluten free too.

· GF Oatmeal. Bob’s Red Mill and Gluten Free Oats are two companies I have ordered from. Oatmeal can be made in a large batch and frozen in individuals portions to be heated in the microwave for a quick hot meal.

Many GF commercially baked bagels, etc are a little dense for me, so I prefer to make my own baked goods to suit my taste of the week. When possible I try to purchase organic products, and always GF.

Muffins: (All measurements are within ranges, depending on your preference)

· Mix together (a food processer works well) 1/2 stick butter (OK to use more if you prefer) or ½ cup oil, and ¾ cup raw sugar.

· Add two eggs, 1-2 tsp vanilla ½ tsp cinnamon, a dash of salt.

· Add and mix in 1 ¾ cups rice flour (brown, white, half of each, some buckwheat flour for a denser texture.)

To this basic mixture you can add and mix in one of the following. Try different combinations each time you bake to suit your taste.

· Two bananas, ½ -3/4 C. walnuts, and raisins.

· ¾ cup Apple sauce and ¾ cup shredded unsweetened Coconut

· Juice of 2 lemons and 1 cup of blueberries.

The above can be baked as muffins or in an 8” square.

Bake in loaf or 8” square. Bake about 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

After it cools you can drizzle on a light icing; Mix together ½ to one cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp. of Vanilla or Almond extract, and a little milk, cream, or e even water to desired texture. Spread or drizzle before cutting into 9-12 pieces.

Oat and Walnut Cookies – Good with coffee, tea or milk.

· Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

· Cream together 6 Tbs, butter and ¾ cup raw and brown sugar - total.

· Beat in 2 eggs, 2 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp. Allspice and ½ tsp Cinnamon, a dash or two of salt. ( In all recipes adjust the spices to your liking.)

· Add and mix in 1 cup rice flour, 2 tsp baking soda, and 1 cup rolled GF oats.

· Add ¾ chopped walnuts and ¾ C, raisins

Drop by teaspoons on baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Check for golden color. Cool and ice.(See above.)

Apple & Apricot Tea Loaf ( A food processor works well.)

· Beat together butter and sugar: ½ cup butter , ¾ cup brown sugar

· Add and beat in: 2 eggs, 1-2 tsp. Vanilla, a pinch of salt, ½ tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. Allspice.

· Mix in 1 ½ cup rice flour (*) 1 ½ tsp baking powder.

· Add and mix in: 2 grated or chopped apples and 2 chopped apricots, and ¾ cup walnuts.

Bake in loaf or 8” square. Bake about 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

After it cools you can drizzle on a light icing; See above.

To wonderful, healthful, GF breakfasts!

Best,

Geri Buxbaum

Founder, GF Delights