Mexican Chocolate Cake (Vegan + Fabulous!)

When vegans come to call, serve this rich and dairy-free 
Mexican chocolate cake. You'll score serious points.

Serious alchemy is afoot in the humble guise of a vegan chocolate cake recipe. You know what I'm talkin' about- those of you out there with me in spirit, baking your tender little hearts out, hoping to conjure edible bites of bliss without gluten, dairy and eggs. It ain't easy. In fact, I'd venture to say that to keep at this thing- this GF/CF and allergy-free baking thing- without losing your ever fragile sanity (never mind your sense of humor) is a heroic act.

Pure and simple.

Continue reading

Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies Recipe with Pecan Meal

A rich, gluten-free chocolate brownie with pecan flour.

Everyone needs a rich decadent brownie treat now and then. Especially if you wake up to snow and ice and no electricity. Which means of course, no heat. No hot water. No shower. Which translates into one very bad hair day. And one prickly, cranky goddess. I'm serious.

What does Mother Nature think this is, December?

Oh. Wait.

I've been deep in denial, I admit it. I've been distracting myself tweaking blog color schemes and rustling up pumpkin waffles and cozy soups and watching old Humphrey Bogart movies and downloading music pretending Autumn Shade is forever. But winter, I hate to tell you, is only twelve days away, inching closer every shivering second. It's a good thing we have a kiva fireplace and a stack of pinon outside the door. With nothing to do, I bundled up and settled in to read (long overdue) Temple Grandin's amazing book Animals In Translation.

Continue reading

Gluten-Free Baking Tips + Substitutions

I receive so many requests for substitutes in cooking and baking recipes (food allergies are on the rise, you know, not to mention those tender-hearted animal loving vegans- their smiling faces are popping up everywhere these days) that I thought I would write a post about what works- and what doesn't- in quirky Substitution Land. And...provide a permanent link to this vital information in the Karina's Kitchen sidebar. For your convenience, Bubbie. See how much I think of you, Dear Heart?

So now you can scoot your accommodating Aunt Sadie over to this Baking + Cooking Substitutions link when she calls you up to ask, For the love of Pete- how the heck do I fix you a mac and cheese casserole if you can't eat gluten or casein? You can now answer, Have I got a blog for you.

Of course, then she is sure to ask, Um, what's a blog?

Continue reading

A Creamy Sauced Gluten-Free Pasta

Artichokes and a creamy sauce make this pasta pure comfort food.

This was almost a vegan recipe. Until I added the bacon. Non-carnivores, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. (Edit: I've returned to the fold now that my hip has healed completely.) I was standing there (quite innocent!) in my humble little kitchen stirring this velvety cream sauce (that I'd just improvised with some leftover sweet potato) listening to my pick-me-up when I'm draggin' 80's playist (Phil Collins, The Church, Suzanne Vega, Tears For Fears, Wham! and Simple Minds) when I remembered the smoky gluten-free and casein-free Sunday bacon Steve had cooked earlier. 

And that, as they say in Guy Ritchie land, was Bob's yer uncle. And speaking of Tears For Fears- I have one quick question. Does everybody want to rule the world? Because to me, it seems like too much work.

For those of you who are fans of my Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe and well acquainted with nutritional yeast- a fab source of those requisite B vitamins and a non-dairy sort-of-but-not-exactly cheesy nutty flavor spike for those us lucky enough to live gluten and casein-free by celiac necessity or neuro-different choice (or hope or, I don't know why it works it just does) you'll love this variation on a vegan cheese sauce theme.

Continue reading

Gulabjamun and Dry Coriander leaves puri

This post is special for my Mom and Dad. My mom is far away form me but always near to heart. Mom Happy Marriage Anniversary.

Love you and Miss you MoM

Gulabjamun
An Indian sweet preparation traditionally made out of evaporated desiccated milk blended with wheat flour, fried and soaked in sugar syrup.

Ingredients:
Ready made gulabjamun paket of 200 gm
600gm sugar
Ghee for deep fry
Few strands of saffron

Method of making Gulabjamuns:
Step 1: Mix the ready made jamuns packet with 125 to 150ml water in parts in big vessel. (For richer jamuns, use simple milk instead of water.)
Step 2: Knead gently into soft and smooth dough.

Step 3: Apply ghee on both palms and then shape medium round and smooth jamuns without cracks from the dough. Cover the jamuns with moist cloth until we make sugar syrup.

Step 4: Take 600gm sugar in vessel.

Step 5: Add approximate 600ml water in it.
Step 6: Turn on the gas and heat this sugar mixer until they are bubbling.

Step 7: When bubbling is stop and mixer becomes slightly thick then turn the gas in lowest flame. Don’t turn off the flame until we simmer the gulabjamuns.

Step 8: Add few strands of saffron in sugar syrup.
Step 9: Take a thick pan and heat the ghee or oil on medium heat.

Step 10: Place the jamuns softly in heat oil in law flame.

Step 11: Deep fry in ghee in low flame until it turn golden brown.

Step 12: Drain excess ghee and place the hot sugar syrup in low flame.

Step 13: Soak the jamuns in hot sugar syrup for 15 minutes.

Step 14: After 15 minutes place it in another serving bowl and enjoy with your dinner or lunch….:)

Coriander leaves dry puri (Snack Item)

Ingredients for making coriander mixer:
3 cups fresh coriander leaves
9-10 long fresh green chillies
3 big size lemons (½ cup lemon juice)
1 tbsp turmeric powder
3 tbsp sugar
Salt to taste

Method for making coriander paste:
Step 1: Wash the coriander leaves very nicely and chopped it.

Step 2: Cut the green chillies and blend all material in mixer with little water.

Step 3: Mix till smooth paste.

Ingredients for making puri:
2 cup wheat flour
1 cup semolina (Rava/ Suji)
6 tbsp oil
Oil for deep fry the puri

Method of making coriander leaves puri:
Step 1: Mix the both flour with 6 tbsp oil very nicely.

Step 2: Add the mixer of coriander leaves.

Step 3: Knead slightly stiff dough and add little water if it needed.
Step 4: Cover with a moist cloth and keep aside for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Knead again and divided into big portions.
Step 6: Roll into big round shape and then cut into small round shape with help of round shape.

Step 7: Make small Slits with the tip of the knife on top of the puris.

Step 8: Deep Fry the puri in hot oil and fry until they are golden brown on both side.

Step 9: Drain excess oil.

Step 10: If you like square shape than try in square shape it is easy to shape and quick to make.

Step 11: Store in a container.

Step 12: Enjoy it in your breakfast or snack time…..............:))

Let us love everyone, who comes our way, every element that is a part of our life....To make this world more beautiful. :)