ZOODLES AND MEAT SAUCE

I have been on a zoodling kick after getting a spiralizer for Christmas!  Zoodles are a great substitute for pasta and grains, and can be made from a wide range of veggies.

You can use this as a base recipe, and add different vegetables and spices to change it up.  I made a variation with mushrooms, and subbed one can of tomato sauce for diced tomatoes and it turned out really well.


ZOODLES AND MEAT SAUCE
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Easy recipe for zucchini noodles and meat sauce without all the gluten and carbs. It can be dairy free if you leave out the cheese topping.
Author:
Recipe type: gluten free, sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 3
Ingredients
  • 2 zucchini
  • 2 cans of tomato sauce
  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, grated or diced
  • sprinkle of grated cheese, optional
  • 3 tbsp of spices* It seems I am always missing a spice, so I have tried with a mix of basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, and thyme. All of these flavors lend themselves to Italian dishes!
Instructions
  1. First, slice the ends of the zucchini off and spiralize. The smallest blade makes an angel hair type zoodle. The medium blade makes a spaghetti or linguini sized zoodle.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Add half of the spices, diced onion, and garlic to the meat.
  3. Once meat is browned, add the cans of tomato sauce and the other half of the spices and stir to combine.
  4. In a separate skillet, heat a splash of oil and add zoodles. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent zoodles from sticking.
  5. Add zoodles to meat sauce, and top with cheese if you please!
Notes
This recipe is best eaten fresh. If you plan to have as leftovers, keep zoodles separate from meat sauce. The zoodles release moisture over time, and would make the sauce more soupy after sitting in the fridge.

 

 

GLUTEN FREE SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES

Tis the season for holiday treats!  Every year, I make the family Christmas cookie recipe.  This year is no different, however I tested it out with gluten free flour.  Success!!The finished product tastes best with cream cheese frosting.  Just beat an 8oz package of cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter with 4 cups powdered sugar and a splash of anise extract.

Frost in the brightest colors possible and share with family and friends!  This recipe makes a whopping 60 cookies, depending on what size cookie cutters you use.  I like to do some small shapes so I can justify more than 1 cookie in a sitting.


GLUTEN FREE SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
family Christmas cookie recipe adapted to be gluten free
Author:
Recipe type: dessert
Cuisine: gluten free
Serves: 60
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ cups all purpose gluten free flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1½ tsp anise extract
Instructions
  1. Cream butter with sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
  3. Add sifted dry ingredients, alternate with sour cream, mixing after each addition.
  4. Blend in anise.
  5. Chill 3-4 hours, or overnight.
  6. Roll out on a floured board, and cut with cookie cutters.
  7. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12 minutes, or until browned.

 

 

GLUTEN FREE APPLE PIE BARS

I love dessert.  Like really LOVE dessert.  After going gluten free, the biggest challenge has been recreating recipes that actually taste like the real deal.  I was introduced to these apple pie bars drizzled with salted caramel sauce over Thanksgiving, and knew I needed to attempt it with gluten free flour.Start by slicing up apples,and then tossing with cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and all purpose gluten free flour from Trader Joe’s.  Make the crust with butter, flour, sugar, vanilla, and salt.  After baking the crust, spread the apple mixture on top. Time to make the crumble topping!  In goes gluten free oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and even more butter.  No one said this was a health food! Add the topping and pop in the oven.  Wait patiently while it bakes.  In the meantime, make the salted caramel sauce.  I like desserts with texture, so I also broiled the fully baked dessert until the top was browned. 


GLUTEN FREE APPLE PIE BARS
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Gluten free apple pie bars with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce on top, adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction
Author:
Recipe type: dessert
Cuisine: gluten free
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
  • CRUST
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup gluten free flour
  • APPLE FILLING
  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp gluten free flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
  • CRUMBLE
  • ½ cup gluten free rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup gluten free flour
  • ¼ cup cold, cubed butter
  • salted caramel sauce
Instructions
  1. Head on over to Sally's Baking Addiction for the full list of instructions and how to make the salted caramel sauce.