Gluten Free? Hmmm

In the beginning of March, I had the pleasure of attending a hospitality trade show for both hotels and restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland. It was an outstanding show on many levels. I had been invited to present tips and ideas for menu nutrition labeling, allergen management and gluten awareness in any type of foodservice establishment.

Ground-breaking, earth-shattering topics, I think not, but all of these are hot topics in the minds of the dining public. More and more, people are deciding where to dine based on specific nutritional needs and desire. They are voting with their wallets and restaurants everywhere are trying to keep up with the latest trends and needs.

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Quinoa Chocolate Cake

Not only does this cake contain no wheat, it contains no flour – made with cooked quinoa (rather than quinoa flour), it has a dense, moist texture and intense chocolate flavour. Excerpted from Quinoa 365 by Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming (Whitecap)
2/3 cup white or golden quinoa
1 1/3 cup water
1/3 cup milk
4 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

• Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the covered saucepan on the burner for another 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow the quinoa to cool.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 8-inch round or square cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.
• Combine the milk, eggs and vanilla in a blender or food processor. Add 2 cups cooked quinoa and the butter and continue to blend until smooth.
• Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add the contents of the blender and mix well. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans and bake on the center oven rack for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely in the pan before serving. Frost if desired. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month. Serves 8-16.source

Coconut ice

• 500g (1lb 2oz) icing sugar
• 1 x 397g cans condensed milk
• 400g (14oz) desiccated coconut
• Pink food colouring

MAPLE WALNUT RICE CAKES

Looking for an unexpected and delicious way to use leftover rice? These tender and delicious rice cakes have an appealing nutty flavour and the added bonus of being gluten-free. Recipe courtesy USA Rice Federation (riceinfo.com).
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. (30 ml) milk
1 Tbsp. (15 ml) maple syrup
2 cups (500 ml) cooked long grain white or brown rice
1/2 cup (125 ml) rice flour
1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 tsp. (2 ml) salt
1/2 tsp (2 ml) ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. (30 ml) melted butter
Additional maple syrup
Chopped fresh fruit (optional)
In a large bowl, whisk eggs with milk and maple syrup; stir in rice, rice flour, walnuts, salt and cinnamon.
Brush a large, nonstick skillet with some of butter and set over medium heat. Working in batches, spoon 1/3 cup (75 ml) of rice mixture per cake into the skillet. Press lightly with the back of the spatula to flatten.
Cook for 3 minutes or until set and bottoms are golden. Turn and cook for 3 minutes or until golden. Repeat, brushing skillet with butter as needed, until all the rice mixture is used. Serve with additional maple syrup and fresh fruit (if using).
Makes 4 servings. source

Pretty in Pink