Luscious Lemon Cake

This recipe comes directly out of  the Delight Gluten Free magazine. I opted out of frosting the cake because it's sweet enough. This easy to make cake is ideal for a sunday brunch or even Mother's Day. Enjoy!

                                                              Luscious Lemon Cake

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemonade
2 tbs lemon zest
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs + 2 egg whites
2 cups Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a fluted pan with non-stick spray.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add the lemonade, lemon zest and vanilla and combine until a smooth mixture forms.
3. Add the eggs and egg whites, beating well after each egg. In a separate bowl, sift together Pamela's baking mix, baking powder and salt. Add to the ingredients already in the mixer and mix well.
4. Slowly add milk. Mix until incorporated.
5. Pour batter into the prepared fluted pan. Bake for 38 to 42 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool for 10-15 minutes before removing cake from pan and transferring to a wire rack.

Gluten-Free in Stockholm, Sweden

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Stockholm recently. In Sweden, celiac disease and eating gluten free is well accepted and the blank stares of confusion are rare at restaurants! I did my research before going on the trip about where to eat and shop for food. I highly recommend visiting the cafe at Junibacken museum. They have many gluten free options including a Swedish meatball, mashed potato and lingonberry dish that was fantastic!

Swedish Meatballs

                                                      an enormous chocolate dipped macaroon

For fast-food, visit McDonald's for a cheeseburger and fries. The french fries are cooked in clean oil so there is no risk for cross contamination with breaded items. I have to say- I never really like McDonald's, but I had to try it out in Sweden! The fries were good, the burger still sucks. But if you are like many people, and really love and really miss McDonald's, take a vacation to Stockholm.

Other fast food options include the Taco Bar. I'm from New Mexico, so my opinion of eating Mexican food in Stockholm is quite biased. But to give the restaurant credit, almost everything on the menu is gluten free, including the tacos and enchiladas. Dinner for 2 was about 120sek. Not too bad! The salsa was mild but extra jalapenos perked up my chicken tacos.

Stockholm is not cheap. For a decadent and tasty meal try out the Vassa Eggen Steakhouse. This hip bar and steakhouse was extremely accommodating. I was able to have warm gluten free bread, Swedish boiled potatoes and a beautifully charcoal grilled steak topped with roasted garlic and red wine sauce. Yum. Plan on spending about 350sek for 2 people.

One of the best meals we had was at Lao Wei. This ever popular Chinese vegetarian restaurant fills up very quickly, but it's well worth the attempt of getting a table! The whole menu is gluten free and vegetarian. The flavors are fantastic and the ingredients are fresh! Highly recommended. 

So good, we forgot to take a photo before eating!

Another great restaurant is the  Resturang Cypern. The menu is clearly marked of what items are gluten free. Plus it was really tasty Mediterranean food. We enjoyed the food and relaxed atmosphere so much, that we had dinner here two times. 

                                                           Chicken Kebabs with Greek Salad

Ikea cafe- when in Stockholm, don't forget to visit the Ikea mothership. Almondy tortes are sold in the cafes and in the freezer section of the store. I enjoyed a slice of almond torte and a cappuccino at the cafe. It was well worth the 20 min free bus ride from downtown.

One of the best places to have a lunch or an afternoon snack is the Vete-Katten bakery. They serve "Friends of Adam" gluten free muffins and bread. You can have a wonderful sandwich on gluten free bread, a sweet muffin and a hot cup of tea. This place is awesome. It's comforting and beautiful all at the same time. I was able to read and people watch one rainy afternoon. Absolute bliss.

                                                     Cardamom Muffin by Friends of Adam

                                                     Feta and Cottage Cheese Sandwich

Many hotel chains offer a gluten free breakfast. We stayed at the Elite Stockholm Arcadia Hotel- the continental breakfast included boiled eggs, cheese, variety of meats, fresh fruit, and gluten free bread- just ask the breakfast staff!

Grocery stores are always a life saver. I found a great selection of GF bread, cookies, crackers, cereals and other snacks at Hemkop. I bought bread and sandwich fixings to take my lunch on the go. This saves money and ensures you always have a safe meal to eat when out and about.

                                                     Ham and swiss cheese on Shar Bread

Eating gluten-free in Stockholm is about as easy as eating in Boulder, Co. It's a gluten-free playground and I would be more than happy to visit again!

'tis the season of strawberries...

Although it still feels like winter in Colorado, I think the wait is over. Fresh, flavorful strawberries have arrived in the markets. Sometimes the simplest meals are the best. This comes from the current issue of Martha Stewart. It's a wonderful breakfast and snack.

Strawberry and Nut Butter Toast
Ingredients (serves 1-2)
2 slices gluten-free bread (I used Schär)
2 tbs sunflower-seed butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
~6 strawberries, thinly sliced

Toast your bread, spread with sunflower-seed butter and top with strawberries! Yum. Yum. Yum.

Mama's Best Banana Bread

This is my Mama's best banana bread recipe made gluten-free. Luckily it tastes just the same as when she used to make it for me as a child, I just happen to feel better eating it this go-round!

Ingredients
1 egg
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups GF flour (bistro blend all-purpose GF flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Using a standing mixer beat egg slightly, then add sugar and melted butter. Beat until well combined. Add mashed bananas and continue to beat on slow-medium speed for about 1 minute. Add flour, soda and salt into mixture. Beat until smooth. Fold in walnuts.  Pour into a greased (with butter) and floured (using GF flour) bread loaf pan. Bake for 55min to 1 hour at 350° F.