Gluten Free Goodness

We have been gluten/dairy free as a family for over 3 years.. It is a tough transition initially.. finding alternatives that are affordable, taste decent, and work in the recipes that you currently have is a tricky task! I have had several people request some of my recipe's so I figured I could type them up all in one place :D lets start with my most requested recipe...

Gluten Free Flour Blend

My #1 priority for gluten free living was to find a GOOD gluten free flour blend... something that is versatile, and I can replace it "cup for cup" for most of my current recipes. There are many that are store bought, but to save a little money, I have developed my own favorite blend.

Ingredients:

Brown or White Rice Flour (I use brown to gain added nutritional benefits)
I purchase this at winco bulk bins, keep in mind its not 100% gluten free because of the other flours in the bins surrounding, but we aren't highly allergic, so this works for us. If you don't have access to winco, you can order it online on amazon.com.

Tapioca Starch same as above. (this is called either tapioca flour or starch, both are the same)

Potato Starch I order this on amazon.com. I buy the Bob's Red Mill brand.. you can also buy it in bulk or bags at Bobs red mill store or most health food stores like Whole Foods or New Seasons. MAKE SURE you don't get potato flour... it needs to be potato STARCH.

Xantham Gum This is a spendy but necessary ingredient for gluten free baking. It is the "binder" that binds the gluten free flours together..while it is expensive, you need very little, which is nice. I have found the best deal at amazon.com, but you can get this at most natural food sections of grocery stores.

(Optional) Garbanzo Bean flour. This is also at most natural food stores, including fred meyer, in the alternative/gluten free food section. Or Amazon.com

I recommend storing any unused flour ingredients in Tupperware in the freezer until you need them.

Gluten Free Flour Blend

2 cups rice flour

2/3 cup potato starch

1/2 cup tapioca starch

2 Tablespoons garbanzo bean flour

1 and 1/2 teaspoons xantham gum

 

I multiply this recipe by 6-10 and blend all the ingredients in a giant tupperware and use this flour blend specifically for cooking (thickening gravy) and baking cookies, cakes, muffins, ect... I do NOT recommend this flour for gluten free bread, or pancakes... more on that later.... :)

 

mmmm cake.