Monthly Archives: May 2014

Homemade Gluten-free Gourmet Crackers

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I am a cracker fanatic. Anything that is a crispy, crunchy and made with flour or should be made with flour is my friend.

Over the years I have stopped buying these delicious crackers if they are made with white flour, yeast and any ingredients that I can’t pronounce and I love eating the crackers that are made with spelt, or kamut flour with maybe some extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and maybe some rosemary, flax, or other similar ingredients. Trust me they taste a million times better than regular old crackers that have all this processed crap in them.

I shy away from gluten free because generally the replacement ingredients for the flour and binders are just more crap and sometimes high in sugar. This of course isn’t all of them you can find some really great Gluten free products but you do have to read the labels on gluten-free products because just cause they are gluten-free does not mean that they are healthy.
I like Elana’s Pantry and her recipes for all things gluten-free are pretty great. I came across this recipe that I thought looked interesting and I really had an itch to try it because it seemed so simple and I love almonds so why not. I am curious and always up for a good ol’ recipe that stimulates my taste buds. Well the outcome was great.  But I have to admit that I did non like the taste the egg left, the almond flour tends to absorb the taste of anything you cook it with….it tasted a bit eggy to me so I decided to make a few changes and I must say they are delicious. You should try them too!

I think these would be great served with a cheese board or even with some charcuterie or served with some preserves or even peanut butter and honey…you choose either or, but this Monday is Memorial Day and I’m sure as hell eating these. ‘Nuff said. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
Makes about 20-24

  • 1 1/3 cup Almond Four
  • 1tbsp. ground Flax/Chia seeds
  • 3tbsp. Water
  • 1tbsp. Olive oil
  • 1tbsp. Rosemary, freshly chopped
  • Sprinkle of Sea Salt

In a small bowl combine the ground flax/chia with the water. Let sit for 3 minutes.

In a large bowl combine almond flour, rosemary and sea salt and mix ingredients.

Add Olive oil to the flax & chia, mix and stir into the Almond flour mixture.

Roll the dough in between to pieces of parchment paper until about cracker thickness (so thin)

Remove the top piece of parchment paper and cut into 2 inch squares.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes. Until lightly golden.
Allow to cool completely.
Variations:
  • Use and egg instead of the flax and water
  • You can incorporate 1/4 cup sunflower seeds and/or pumpkin seeds
  • Replace rosemary with turmeric, cayenne, and any other spice you would like.
  • Hey go ahead and add something that you might like, shaved parmigiano  or black pepper. Try anything!

 

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Healthy Guacamole for 5 de Mayo

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Avocado is something that I grew up eating simply because my Mom loves it so she used to try and incorporate it in many of our meals and since a very young age I’ve just enjoyed eating it.

When I moved out at 17 I got away from it for a while because here in Italy it wasn’t so easy to find up until recently, (where pretty much every grocery store will have it), but also because it’s a little pricey and at that age I wasn’t going to spend a €1.50 on one.
I then moved to the States (as you all know) and while there I rediscovered it by going out to eat at Mexican restaurants and shopping at the grocery stores where I found it everywhere and for great prices.
Being an Italian with a vast and inquisitive palate when I lived in the United States I would only really enjoy eating out if it was Sushi, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Peruvian, Spanish, Organic and/or Vegan. I didn’t find any authentic Italian restaurants and while I’m sure there are some that are legit they will never compare to eating here in Italy, so why bother. I explore the world because I like the to get to know it and not to find Italy in it. I love all cultures and I like to enjoy their food as well.

I’ve been lucky my husband and I found some amazing Mexican restaurants and one of the things I enjoyed most was the chips and salsa and/or guacamole. I love guacamole. The only thing I find is that sometimes it has too much onion, or other ingredients and what I most like about guacamole is the avocado mashed with cilantro and lime with just a hint of salt and lots of cayenne.
So, I’ve decide to make it at home and while now we live in Italy and 5 de Mayo is no more, we still make a Mexican dinner on that night just so we too can celebrate and enjoy this cuisine that really does not exist in Italy at all.
Here is my take in a very simple dish that can really make your day!

Ingredients:
Serves 3-4

  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 Lime
  • 1 tbsp. of Cilantro, fresh
  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • Salt to taste

Halve the avocado, remove pit and place pulp in a medium bowl. Lightly mash with a fork until consistency is chunky but smooth.
Squeeze the lime and add juice, slat and cayenne pepper to the avocado and mix.
Chop the cilantro and add to avocado mix thoroughly and serve.