Januar 2010 – Coconut & Vanilla

glutenfreie Nanaimo Barsgluten-free Nanaimo Bars

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

The January 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.

This month challenge was to make a classic Canadian dessert to savour the Olympic Winter Games in Canada this year. This dessert consists of three layers. A base containing crumbles of Graham Crackers, coconut, cocoa and almonds. A middle custard layer and a chocolate topping.
Since Lauren is suffering under celiac disease (dt. Zöliakie) the challenge was to bake the Graham Crackers yourself and gluten-free. Ever I was interested to try some gluten-free recipe. Finally I had the chance!
A lot of people in the world (also in Germany, yes!) have to live gluten-free, as if they wouldn’t, their villi lining the small intestine would be trancated. This reaction is caused by proteins, found in wheat, rye, barley and other crops of the tribe Triticeae.

First it was very difficult to find the needed flours. We needed rice flour, tapioca flour and sorghum flour (dt. Braunhirsemehl). Rice flour I had already at home. Tapioca flour (or starch), I found in a local Asian supermarket. The sorghum flour was much more difficult. But in a larger wholefood supermarket I didn’t just found sorghum flour, but a lot of more gluten-free flours.

I will make an extra post for the Graham Crackers, because I really like them! I do not know how they taste with normal wheat flour, but actually I don’t really want to know… they are just great as they are and I think that special flavour comes from the sorghum flour. I will definitely bake them again!

Which I can’t say from Nanaimo Bars. I wasn’t so excited about that part of the challenge, as I would never make something like that for myself, as I do not like those sort of things. It’s just too much, too heavy for me.

I also made some differences regarding to the original recipe. I substituted the almonds with hazelnuts and since in Germany something like custard powder does not exist, I made a mixture of vanilla pudding powder, crème fraîche, butter, icing sugar and a lot of vanilla aroma, because it didn’t taste like vanilla after all and it was just too sweet.

I made just half the recipe and it’s still enough and to spare. Is used an adjustable cake setting ring with 16 cm in diametre.
If I would try it another time (I won’t, but IF), I would leave out the coconut and cocoa from the bottom layer, because the main taste is coconut and cocoa. Just too much of it!
Be cautious! The vanilla pudding powder, as well as the chocolate you take for the topping has to be gluten-free as well, if you want to make it all gluten-free!

glutenfreie Nanaimo Bars

Zutaten:

für den Boden:

115 g Butter
50 g Zucker
5 EL Kakao
1 Ei, verschlagen
60 g glutenfreie Graham Cracker Krümel
55 g gehackte Mandeln (oder andere Nüsse nach Wahl)
130 g Kokosraspel

für die Cremeschicht:

115 g Butter
300 g Crème fraîche
1 Tüte Vanillepuddingpulver
Vanilleextrakt
250 g Puderzucker

für den Schokoladenguss:

115 g Zartbitterschokolade (ich hab Vollmilch verwendet)
2 EL Butter

Für den Boden: Die Butter mit dem Zucker und dem Kakao im Wasserbad schmelzen. Das Ei dazugeben, dabei rühren. Wenn die Masse eingedickt ist vom Herd nehmen. Die Kekskrümel, Nüsse und die Kokosraspel unterrühren. Alles in eine eckige Kuchenform von 20 x 20 cm oder eine 20 cm Springform drücken.

Für die Cremeschicht. Die Butter mit der Crème fraîche, Puddingpulver, Vanilleextrakt und Puderzucker hell und cremig rühren. Auf dem Boden gleichmäßig verteilen. Danach im Kühlschrank kühlen. Am besten ein paar Stunden, dann lässt sich die Schokolade leichter verteilen.

Die Schokoladen mit der Butter schmelzen. Etwas abkühlen lassen, dann auf der Creme verteilen.

Den Kuchen im Kühlschrank aufbewahren.

gluten-free Nanaimo Bars

Ingredients:

for the bottom:

115 g butter
50 g sugar
5 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten
60 g gluten-free graham cracker crumbs
55 g almonds (or other nuts you like, finely chopped)
130 g coconut (shredded, sweetened or unsweetened)

for the middle layer:

115 g butter
300 g créme fraîche
1 sachet of vanilla pudding powder
vanilla extract
250 g icing sugar

for the top:

115 g semi-sweet chocolate (I used whole milk chocolate)
2 tbsp. butter

For the bottom layer: Melt the butter, sugar and cocoa in top of a double boiler. Add the egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from the heat. Stir in crumbs, nuts and coconut. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 by 8 inch pan.

For the middle layer: Cream the butter, créme fraîche, vanilla pudding powder, vanilla extract and icing sugar together. Beat until light in colour. Spread over bottom layer. After that I used to cool mine. It’s easier to spread the chocolate afterwards.

For the final layer: Melt the chocolate with the butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, pour over middle layer and chill.

Selbstgemachte GemüsebouillonpasteHomemade Bouillon Paste

Upate: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

As I was ill the last two weeks, I wanted to do more for my blog. I made some things – I swear! But it happened, that those things were not good enough for my blog. Unfortunately.

Now that I’m back to work, I’ve done some great things and even more great photos of it! But just no time to write. So this evening I just take the time.

In my ill-time I had a lot of time to read lots of blogs, recipes and other interesting things. I got hold on a simple recipe making your own bouillon paste of vegetables. Since I’m very into making everything on my own, I was thrilled.

Since I’m not a fan of glutamate in food, I’m using only organic granulated bouillon, because it never contains glutamate. But it can contain other things that you don’t want in there, for example gluten or allergens. So making your own paste, disposes this problem. And of course it’s just great to make your own bouillon, without making a real stock!

I adapted the recipe from 101 Cookbooks. You can vary, which vegetables you use and also the ratio. I do not like celery stalks. But I like the root. So I just used that. Equally I do not like cilantro, thus I used just parsley. However It would be interesting to add some basil the next time or parsnips.

It’s recommended to use a food processor. As I do not have one, I thought optimistic and use my blender. Hmmm… wasn’t that good idea. It didn’t get the leek and the carrots alright. Celery was good with it. In the end I used my immersion blender. It took some time longer I think (since I can’t compare), but it worked very well and I got a moist paste. I didn’t used as much salt, as stated in the „original“ recipe. Maybe that leads rather to a „creamy“ paste, than a loose paste. For me it’s salty enough and if not, adding salt is less a problem, than to withdraw some.

My recommendation is to dissolve 2,5 tsp. per 250 ml (1 cup). It dissolves very good, if you wonder ;-).

I put one jar of the bouillon in the fridge and froze the rest in portions. If you are not using that much bouillon, you can freeze it in ice cube trays, so your portions to thaw are very small. I froze the rest in three portions, every equal to the amount in my fridge. It yields about four 200ml jars.

Selbstgemachte Gemüsebouillonpaste

nach einem Rezept von 101 Cookbooks

Zutaten:

150 g Lauch
200 g Fenchel
200 g Möhren
200 g Sellerie (ich nehme Knollensellerie)
30 g getrocknete Tomaten
100 g Schalotten, geschält
3 Knoblauchzehen, geschält
150 g feines Meersalz
80 g glatte Petersilie

Das Gemüse waschen.

Den Lauch halbieren und in Scheiben schneiden. Den Sellerie schälen und in Stücke schneiden. Ebenso Möhren, Knoblauch und die Schalotten. Die Petersilie grob hacken.

Wenn ihr einen Pürierstab verwendet, ist es leichter, wenn man das Gemüse in kleine Stücke schneidet.

Die ersten 4 Zutaten in die Küchenmaschine geben und etwa 20 Mal pulsen. Alternativ mit dem Pürierstab pürieren. Die anderen Zutaten dazugeben und pürieren bis man eine feuchte Paste bekommt. Mit dem Pürierstab kann das länger als 5 Minuten dauern.

Die Paste in ein kleines Glas füllen und den Rest portionsweise einfrieren.

2,5 TL auf 250 ml kochendes Wasser verwenden.

Die Paste hält sich sehr lange im Kühlschrank.

As I was ill the last two weeks, I wanted to do more for my blog. I made some things – I swear! But it happened, that those things were not good enough for my blog. Unfortunately.

Now that I’m back to work, I’ve done some great things and even more great photos of it! But just no time to write. So this evening I just take the time.

My recommendation is to dissolve 2,5 tsp. per 250 ml (1 cup). It dissolves very good, if you wonder ;-).

Homemade Bouillon Paste

adapted from 101 Cookbooks

Ingredients:

150 g leeks
200 g fennel
200 g carrots
200 g celery (I prefer roots)
30 g sun-dried tomatoes
100 g shallots, peeled
3 cloves garlic, peeled
150 g fine grain sea salt
80 g flat-leaf parsley

Wash the vegetables.

Slice the leeks. Peel the celery. Chop the fennel, carrots, celery, shallots and garlic. Chop the parsley loosely.

If you are using an immersion blender, it’s easier for you to cut the vegetables into smaller pieces. Place the first four ingredients in your food processor and pulse about 20 times. Or puree with your immersions blender. Add the other ingredients and puree as long as you get a moist paste. If you use an immersion blender it can take over 5 minutes.

Fill in a jar and keep it in the fridge. Freeze the rest in portions.

Use 2,5 tsp. of bouillon per 250ml (1 cup) boiling water.

Heidelbeer-Buttermilch-Panna CottaBlueberry and Buttermilk Panna Cotta

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

Being ill with a painful tonsilitis, which keeps me the week at home, I have a lot of time to spend with my blog. Lucky you!

Last weekend I made those beauties: Buttermilk Panna Cotta layered on blueberry puree.

Originally I wanted use up a mango fruit. I searched the internet and in the end I found a recipe at Tartelette’s. But as it came to peel the mango I realized it’s just over. Over ripe. Smelled a little bit alcoholic. So no dessert with mango then! But I already liked the idea of panna cotta. I mean I love panna cotta! My favourite dessert is coconut panna cotta. But I always want to try something different, new. And the buttermilk attracted me. Luckily it came into my mind, that I still have some frozen blueberry puree.

So after thawing the puree, I gave it into some nice glasses with the help of a funnel. And then I refroze the glasses with the puree. When it’s frozen it’s a lot easier to layer the panna cotta (or whatelse you like) on the puree so that they do not mix. The buttermilk gives the panna cottas a slight sour note. It tastes good, especially in combination with the fruit, but furthermore I prefer the classical preparation with cream.

I used leaf gelatine. And maybe a little bit too much. The recipe I adapted was with powdered gelatine. As I am not used to it and I’m liking the leaves, I tried to adapt it. The panna cottas were a bit too firm, but still good. I used 3 and a half leaf. I think 2 and a half or 3 leaves are enough. If you want to use powdered gelatine, the original recipe calles for 4 grams (1 3/4 tsp.) dissolved in 1 Tbsp. water.

And feel free to change the kind of fruit puree! I’m convinced, that it tastes delicious with (almost) every kind of fruit. Already thinking of apples, pears, quinces in this season or strawberrys in summer.

Heidelbeer-Buttermilch-Panna Cotta

ergibt: 4 Portionen

Zutaten:

ca. 250 ml Fruchtpüree
3 Blätter Gelatine
1 Vanilleschote
250 g Schlagsahne
50 g Zucker
250 ml Buttermilch

Das Püree auf 4 hübsche Gläser verteilen. Am besten einen Trichter benutzen, damit die Gläser sauber bleiben. Die Gläser einfrieren.

Einen tiefen Teller mit Wasser füllen und die Gelatine darin einweichen.

Die Vanilleschote aufschlitzen und das Mark herauskratzen

Die Sahne mit dem Zucker, dem Vanillemark und der Vanilleschote aufkochen, dabei ab und zu umrühren. Vom Herd nehmen und alles durch ein feines Sieb geben.

Die Gelatine ausdrücken und in die Sahne rühren, bis sie sich aufgelöst hat. 10 Minuten abkühlen lasse, dann die Buttermilch unterrühren.

Auf Raumtemperatur abkühlen lassen (meine war nach Zugabe der Buttermilch nur noch lauwarm).

Die Sahne auf das gefrorene Püree gießen.

In den Kühlschrank stellen und für mindestens 2 Stunden kühlen.

Being ill with a painful tonsilitis, which keeps me the week at home, I have a lot of time to spend with my blog. Lucky you!

Last weekend I made those beauties: Buttermilk Panna Cotta layered on blueberry puree.

Blueberry and Buttermilk Panna Cotta

serves 4

Ingredients:

about 250 ml fruit puree
3 leaves gelatine
1 vanilla bean
250 g whipping cream
50 g sugar
250 ml buttermilk

Give the puree in four nice small glasses with a funnel so the glasses stay clean. Freeze them.

Fill a soup plate with water and place the gelatine leafes in it.

Cut the vanilla bean lenghtwise without cutting all the way through. Scrape the seeds from the pods.

In a medium saucepan heat the heavy cream with the sugar, the vanilla seeds and the vanilla bean until the cream is just about to boil and the sugar is dissolved. Stir occasionally. Remove from the heat. Pour the cream through a fine sieve into a bowl.

Squeeze out the gelatine leaves gently. Whisk them into the cream until they are completely dissolved. Let cool for about 10 minutes and add the buttermilk.

Let cool to room temperature (mine already had room temperature after adding the buttermilk).

Pour the cooled cream onto the frozen fruit (a funnel is again helpful).

Place the panna cotta in the fridge and let them cool for at least two hours.

Selbstgemachtes MüsliHomemade Granola

Update: Nach unten scrollen für das deutsche Rezept!

Happy new year everybody!

Thank you for your visits and supports in my first months of blogging! I’m always afraid and happy, when I read your comments. I’m always pleased to return the favour and visit your blogs! Some of them have already found their way in my daily reading list.

I hope you enjoyed my new blog last year. I will do my very best this year, too.

I want to start this year with some homemade muesli. I already produced it in the end-terms of last year, but I first tasted it this morning for breakfast. As I thought of eating this muesli for breakfast, I remembered, that some photos of the making are waiting to be blogged. So I took these photos this morning.

I like the idea of selfmade granola. I’m not a fan of bought one’s. For me, they are not crispy enough or too crispy, full of raisins, which I don’t like or dried fruits, which I do not like, too. I’ve only once seen a muesli, with freeze-dried fruits and that was tasty. Neither I like that cheap chocolate pieces in bought muesli.

The benefits of an selfmade muesli are – amongst others – , that you can put in what you like: favourite nuts, favourite fruits, favourite chocolate, favourite cereals. And everytime you can try another combination!

Don’t be scared of making your own granola! It’s fun, very easy and doesn’t take a lot of time.

Over- and underneath you see the granola on a baking sheet, after combining the ingredients. Underneath I put some anti-stick coated aluminium foil from Toppits® . If something like that is not available you can also use normal baking paper or grease the baking sheet lightly. But I admit that this aluminium foil is very handy.

The recipe is enough for about 10 smaller portions (like on my photos). So if you are a muesli-fancier, consider doubling the recipe. One recipe is suitable for one baking sheet.

I like to use whole nuts, peel them, roast them in a pan and chop them then. But feel free to use already chopped nuts.

Selbstgemachtes Müsli

Zutaten:

280 g kernige Haferflocke
100 g gehackte Nüsse
40 g Kokosflocken
2 EL brauner Zucker
1 Prise Salz
6 EL Honig
2 EL Sonnenblumenöl
optional: gehackte Schokolade oder Trockenfrüchte

Den Ofen auf 150° C vorheizen.

Die Nüsse in einer großen Pfanne bei mittlerer Hitze rösten, bis anfangen zu duften. Aufpassen, dass sie nicht verbrennen!

In einer großen Schüssel die Haferflocken mit den Nüssen, Kokosflocken, Zucker und Salz mischen.

In einem kleinen Topf den Honig mit dem Öl auf niedriger Hitze erwärmen, bis sich der Honig verflüssigt hat. Über die anderen Zutaten gießen und gut vermischen.

Alles auf ein Backblech geben und gut verteilen.

20-30 Minuten backen, bis alles goldbraun ist. Zwischendrin mal umrühren.

Komplett auskühlen lassen, dann in eine große verschließbare Tüte oder Dose geben. Das Müsli klebt etwas zusammen, löst sich aber wenn man es entweder umrührt oder die Dose schüttelt.

Gehackte Schokolade oder Trockenfrüchte erst jetzt zugeben.

Happy new year everybody!

I hope you enjoyed my new blog last year. I will do my very best this year, too.

Don’t be scared of making your own granola! It’s fun, very easy and doesn’t take a lot of time.

The recipe is enough for about 10 smaller portions (like on my photos). So if you are a muesli-fancier, consider doubling the recipe. One recipe is suitable for one baking sheet.

I like to use whole nuts, peel them, roast them in a pan and chop them then. But feel free to use already chopped nuts.

Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

280 g rolled oats
100 g chopped nuts
40 g shredded coconut
2 Tbsp. brown granulated sugar
pinch of salt
6 Tbsp. mild honey
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
favourite chopped chocolate or fruits

Preheat the oven to 150°C.

Roast the nuts in pan, until they begin to smell nuttily. Be cautious, that they do not burn. That would give the muesli a slight bitter flavour.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, sugar, and salt. Stir well to blend.

In a small saucepan, warm the honey and oil over low heat, whisking occasionally until the honey is loose. Pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to combine well.

Spread the mixture evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until golden. Set a timer to go off halfway through the baking time, so that you can give the granola a good stir; this helps it to cook evenly. When it’s ready, remove the pan from the oven and cool completely. After cooling stir it. It has harden a bit, but it will loose, when stirred.

When cool, transfer the granola to a large bowl, storage jar, or zipper-lock plastic bag. Add the chocolate or fruits, and stir (or shake, if using a jar or bag) to mix.