Hot Cross Buns - Any Day of the Week!

Ever wonder why we seem to feel that traditional Holiday Fare must be served solely on their respective observed Holiday? Wouldn't it be wonderful to both awaken the energy held in said Holidays and enjoy the foods served, during other times of the year?

The dark chocolate chunks made this a dessert. Of course you're welcome to use a few raisins instead.

ChiPPY Hot Cross Buns

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3¼ cups gluten-free flour (about 1 lb.).
    For the best results use a GF flour blend; 1-1/4 c. Sorghum flour 1-1/8 c. Gluten Free Oat Flour (e.g. Bob's Red Mill) 1/4 c. Potato Starch, generous 1/2 c. Almond Flour/Meal

  • 2 Tbs. Coconut Palm Sugar or Birch Xylitol

  • 2 Tbs. Apple Pectin (opt)

  • 2½ tsp. Yeast

  • 2½ tsp. Psyllium Husk powder

  • 1 tsp. Ceylon Cinnamon

  • 1 tsp. Pink Sea Salt

  • ¼ tsp. each: Ginger, Cardamom, Nutmeg

  • 3/4 c. Dark Chocolate Chips or 1/2 c. Raisins

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1½ c. Almond Milk

  • 3 Range Free Eggs

  • 4 Tbs. organic, grass-fed Ghee, melted

  • 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

Next day:

  • 1/4 teaspoon Instant Yeast ( or regular yeast mixed with 1 Tbs. warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes)

  • 1 Tbs. Warm Water

Egg Wash:

  • Mix 1 large Egg with 1 Tbs. Almond or Coconut Milk

Method

  1. Combine all dry ingredients (except fruit or chocolate chips)

  2. Combine wet ingredients and then add to the mixed dry ingredients. Fold in fruit or chocolate chips.

  3. After mixing dough thoroughly, cover tightly with wax paper, then a clean dish towel and refrigerate in a bowl overnight.

  4. The next day: Dissolve the 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast in the water. Stir this into the dough.

  5. Grease two 8"x8" square or two 9" round pans with coconut oil, and place 8-9 balls of the dough into each pan. Preheat oven to 350º F.

  6. Smooth out the tops of the buns and brush with the egg wash.

  7. With a sharp knife, slice a shallow cross (+) in the top of each roll. Let them rest in a warm room (or 100 degree oven) for about 10-12 minutes.

  8. Place baking pan in the center of the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating once during baking, until the buns are golden brown and firm to the touch.

  9. Allow buns to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely... if you can wait that long!

No icing necessary, but you must try them warm with a smear of coconut oil and sprinkle of cinnamon.

Dreaming of Minty Kabobs

Minty Lamb Kabobs

This recipe makes about 4 servings.

  • 1 Tbs. whole wheat Bulgur, rinsed (use quinoa for Gluten Free version)

  • 2 tsp. Coriander

  • 2 tsp. Cumin seeds

  • 3 whole Cloves

  • 3 green Cardamom pods

  • 6 black Peppercorns

  • 1/2 inch piece of fresh Ginger

  • 2 Garlic cloves

  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh Mint

  • 1 small organic Onion, chopped

  • 14 oz. ground organic grass-fed Lamb

  • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

Dip

  • 1/2 c. plain Soy or Coconut Yogurt

  • 1 tsp. Lemon juice

  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh Mint

  • 3-inch piece of organic Cucumber, grated

  • 1 tsp. Mango Chutney

Soak bulgur wheat in 1/4 c. of warm water for 5 minutes. Drain.

Preheat oven on Broil.

Heat skillet over medium heat, and dry-fry the coriander, cumin, cardamom pods, cloves and peppercorns, until they turn a shade darker and release a roasted aroma. Watch and stir often to avoid burning.

Grind the spices in coffee grinder, spice mill or with mortar and pestle.

Put ginger and garlic in food processor or blender and process to a puree.  Add the spices, bulgur, mint, onion, lamb, and salt and process until finely chopped. You may alternately do this by hand, chopping garlic and ginger.

minty lamb kabobs

Mold kabobs into small sausage shapes or  4 metal or pre-soaked wood skewers. Cook under broiler for 10 - 15 minutes, turning skewers occasionally.

To make dip, mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.

Serve kabobs with lime slices and the cucumber - yogurt dip. Garnish with mint leaves.

~ To Your Health! ♥

Chia n Chocolate, Cha Cha Cha

I wanted to make a non-dairy pudding using Chia seeds, since they are just like tapioca once add to liquid.  I found a couple of recipes and tried one, but was not happy with the results. (Read about Chia Seeds here.) After an experiment or two I came up with an acceptable version!

Let me know how you find it!

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

choco chia pudding2
choco chia pudding2
  • 1/4 cup Chia seeds
  • 1/4 c. organic Almond Milk
  • 3/4 c. Coconut Milk (canned)
  • 2 packets Stevia or 1 Tbs. Xylitol (to taste)
  • 1 small ripe Banana, mashed
  • 3 ounces 75% or more Dark Chocolate, melted
  • 2 Tbs. Cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. pure Vanilla Extract (optional)

In a medium bowl, whisk Chia and almond milk, and let sit while you mix the rest of the ingredients.

Whip Coconut milk until thickened. Add sweetener and banana and mix well. Add melted chocolate, cocoa and vanilla and whisk to mix.  Add Chia mixture and whisk again to combine.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

choco-chia-pudding
choco-chia-pudding

Stir pudding, ladle into glasses and garnish.

~ Chia cheers! ♥