Gluten-Free Miniature Desserts: Tartlets, Mini Pies, Cake Pops, and More

Image Credit: Skyhorse Publishing

There's one thing that has helped me stay on track with my whole foods diet. Sweets. Yes, that's not a typo.

I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't deprive yourself of what you love. For me, it's chocolate.  And, caramel. Oh, and cookies. Enjoying these goodies in moderation makes it easier to eat sensibly the rest of the time.

When a copy of Gluten-Free Miniature Desserts: Tartlets, Mini Pies, Cake Pops, and More from Abigail R. Gehring came across my desk I was delighted. The whole idea of this cookbook focuses on enjoying sweets in respectable portions. Sign me up!

I know when I make a pan of brownies or a homemade pie I want to cut huge, decadent pieces. Well, that's what leads to bad eating habits and a little extra padding around the mid-section, you know?

With Abigail's recipes, you can enjoy your sweets without the worry of an allergy reaction if you're gluten sensitive or have Celiac Disease. Yes!

OK, so what's inside the book?

• You'll find helpful information on baking with gluten-free flours and ingredients. I know my first few ventures into working with rice flour and xanthan gum were disastrous. This book takes out the guesswork if you're new to gluten-free baking.
• The book includes tips for finding uncommon ingredients (like gluten-free graham crackers) or necessities like cake pop sticks for making bite-size desserts.
• And of course, there's recipes galore! Get ready to drool over cakes, cheesecake, petit fours, tartlets, whoopie pies, cobblers, mini pies, galettes, parfaits, frozen treats and even bonbons! Hungry yet?

The only thing missing is a break down on the nutritional value and calorie counts of each recipe. But then again, maybe I don't want to know. Sweets are treats, not meals!

I simply can't wait to wrap my lips around the rhubarb shortcake sliders once the stalky vegetable is in season. What's your favorite dessert to make? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Disclosure: The cookbook, Gluten-Free Miniature Desserts: Tartlets, Mini Pies, Cake Pops, and More from Abigail R. Gehring, mentioned in this blog post was provided free of charge from Skyhorse Publishing for review purposes. No monetary compensation was sought or awarded in exchange for the review. All thoughts expressed on Whole Foods Living are solely my own. ~Angela

Gluten-Free Dunkin' Donuts Coming Soon?

Dunkin' Donuts. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Ok, so doughnuts aren't healthy or a whole food.

But, if you're gluten-sensitive or have Celiac Disease you eat healthy most of the time, right? I do! So, it's ok to want to splurge on a sugary treat every once in awhile. (Hey, I'm human!)

Dunkin' Donuts is taking a proactive approach and reaching out to folks following a gluten-free diet. The company temporarily added two new items to store menus in Boston and Miami to see if customers are interested in having gluten-free treats, according to the Miami New Times.

Individually wrapped blueberry muffins and cinnamon sugar donuts are now available. You can read more about the menu change in my news commentary article on Gather News.

Do you live in Miami or Boston? Have you tried these treats? I'm curious! Many pre-packaged gluten-free items I've tried are dry or have a tough texture. Since a Dunkin' Donuts is opening in my neck of the woods soon, I'd love to have a gluten-free option to enjoy.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Did you miss these posts? Check out these gluten-free topics!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins that Actually Rise!

Gluten-Free Soy Sauce Alternative: Liquid Amino Acids

What Is Xanthan Gum?


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Gluten-Free Soy Sauce Alternative: Liquid Amino Acids

Whether you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, you may be surprised to find out soy sauce is no longer on your menu. Thickeners made from wheat and barley often taint the Chinese condiment. Since I'm a lover of whole grain brown rice and fresh sauteed veggies, I was thrilled to learn about liquid aminos. The savory sauce with a salty kick is gluten-free and a close cousin in flavor to soy sauce.

Add liquid aminos to a fresh, whole foods stir fry.

 

                 Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Made from soybeans, liquid aminos also pack a powerful healthy punch. The brand that I have been using, Bragg Liquid Aminos, contains 16 essential amino acids needed for organ and tissue growth.


The list includes Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine and Lysine.

Plus, the Bragg brand is free of preservatives, artificial dyes, alcohol, chemicals and genetically modified ingredients. Basically, it's soybeans and water.

According to the Bragg website, 1/2 tsp of liquid aminos contains 310mg of protein, zero calories and 160mg of sodium. So, use the liquid sparingly if you're on a low-sodium diet. I enjoy drizzling the liquid over a stir fry, adding it to soups in place of salt and using it as a base in homemade salad dressing.

Have you used liquid aminos? Let me know!

Until next time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela
Whole Foods Living

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