Almond Flour Cookies (Orange Chocolate)

This is my new obsession.  It's bad.  Really really bad.  When I'm down to the last cookie, I mix more dough.  It's bordering on sad...

The original recipe is from www.thewannabechef.net blog.  He's gluten-free, too, and I pop over there more than I should.  I'm eyeing the g-free Lemon Crinkles.  I will do more than that soon enough!

Anyway...I wanted to get away from butter, subbing coconut oil where ever possible, and it works here.  I upped the flavor profile, because I could!  I used the zest from an organic Valencia orange.  WOW!  Pure magic with dark chocolate...

(I've been playing with evaporated cane juice in lieu of sugar.  The crystals are larger and incorporating them takes a bit more elbow grease than does mixing regular cane sugar.  I allow a little "soak" time before continuing...)

ALMOND FLOUR COOKIES (ORANGE CHOCOLATE)               Oven:  375 F.

1/4 C coconut oil, soft                    Mix sugar into coconut oil until smooth, as non-
1/4 C sugar                                    gritty as you like.
1 large egg                                     Add egg til blended.
1/2 tsp vanilla
zest of one orange                         Add vanilla and zest.  Blend well.

6 ounces almond flour                   Combine dry ingredients.  Add to wet mixture.
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

1/2 C dark chocolate bits               Mix in chocolate bits.  (I use good quality dark 
                                                      chocolate and chop it into the size I like.)

Divide into 13 (roughly) dough blobs.  I use a parchment-lined jelly roll pan; the size accommodates a bakers' dozen nicely.  Bake 12-14 minutes.  (I pull mine just before 13 minutes.)  They will cool and become firm but soften again after you box them up.  IF you manage to box them up...!!

Gild the Lily:  Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the tops; eat!

Gluten-Free Pork Chops (Shake & Bake style)

I acquired the original recipe for this nearly two decades ago and have zero recall as to where I found it.  From the local newspaper, if I had to guess.  Of course, it called for regular flour but we dealt with that along the way!  Feel free to increase the spices to suit your taste.  I think using smoked paprika and a bit more of it is a really good idea!  Bonus:  It takes less than 15 minutes to throw together!

G-FREE SHAKE & BAKE STYLE PORK CHOPS         Set oven:  425 F

4-6 Rib or Loin Chops, 1/2"-3/4" thick (I love using boneless!)

Place all dry ingredients in a plastic bag, shaking to mix well.
3 T yellow cornmeal
3 T sorghum flour
1 1/2 tsp ground sage
3/4 tsp granulated onion
1/2 tsp paprika (Spanish smoked paprika is fantastic!)
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Dip chops in milk (I use cashew milk.)  Coat as thoroughly as possible.  Placing one chop in the bag at a time, press dry mixture onto all sides of each chop. Place chops on a rack in a shallow pan.  If any mixture remains, I press a little more onto each chop.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.  (I have a silly habit of turning them over for the last five minutes or so; there are usually a few spots of the flour mixture that I want the juices to work on!)  Use an instant read thermometer if you have any doubts about doneness.  I've never let them bake beyond 40 minutes.  They cross the line into too-dry very quickly so checking is better than not!

I'm sorry it took me so long to remember to post this one.....
 

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Oat Flour Pancakes

The title is long but I wanted you to know exactly what this recipe is all about!  I got this in my head one morning and couldn't shake it out; I had no choice but to try it.  I did a quick search but wasn't satisfied, as usual, with what I found so off to the kitchen I went.  I apologize for using extra large eggs here but they were only two cents more per dozen than large eggs...so that's what I bought.  You could adjust the moisture slightly if you have only large eggs.  Also, I usually have buttermilk on hand but made do with what I had.  I'm sure you could substitute 1 C for the yogurt/water and come out with the same result.

If you make the pumpkin oat bites, you'll have the perfect amount of pumpkin left from a 15-oz can to use for these!

The original recipe was found on bakingwholegrains.com

PUMPKIN SPICE OAT FLOUR PANCAKES

1 1/2 C oat flour (g-free, of course!)      Mix all dry ingredients together.
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, whisk til yolks are completely mixed with whites
1/2 C pumpkin puree, slightly rounded
1/2 C Greek yogurt                               Whisk in remaining 'wet' ingredients to the
1/2 C water                                             whisked eggs.  Whisk in dry ingredients.
1 T pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla

I use my 10" Calphalon Unison pan, adding a dot of butter for good measure.

Heat pan on low until ready.  Add batter to make three or four small pancakes, less than the size of your palm, no more than about four inches in diameter each.  Cook for approximately three minutes; the glossy tops will turn dull.  Flip.  It will take another three minutes for the second side, maybe slightly more.  

These are quite filling!  I swirl pure maple syrup over each one as I make my short stack and am happy for hours!  You can always up the spices or change them to suit.  DO try them, no matter what!