Gluten-free Pizza (A Winning Crust)

I almost titled this blog post, The Day This Blog Became a Cooking Blog.  But, then I remembered an article I had read about blogging and Google searches.  It is better not to be cute, but instead be practical when titling blog posts.  Practical therefore wins today.

You know I am not a cook as I explained here.  I don't claim to be.  However, I am on a roll and being much braver in the kitchen.  I have tried so many recipes lately that I am ready to write a cookbook myself.  The cookbook title will be Recipes That Really, Truly Work!  I'm pretty tired of recipes that do not work as written.  Recipes that I have to adjust the temperature, cooking time, ingredient list, or quantity.  Me!  I am not a cook.  Cooking doesn't come intuitive to me.  Yet, here I am tweaking away at recipes.

Sigh.

So, since I have zero time to write my Recipes That Really, Truly Work! cookbook, I thought I'd share the best recipes here when I discover them.  If anything it will be a great list of my family's favorites and perhaps inspire others to share their recipes that really work, too.  We can all grow our cooking skills together.

As I mentioned in my Brave Cooking blog post, Miss O is on a gluten-free, egg-free, etc.-free diet since November.  I've been looking for a pizza crust that would work for her - no gluten, no eggs, and no icky stuff.  This quinoa crust is the answer AND it really works!   I've now tried it twice and my only modification is I make two smaller crusts (instead of one larger one).  When I make the crusts smaller, the crust get crisper and the center pieces hold up super well.  In the photo below, look at that hold!  Amazing, right?  No floppy, soggy pizza crust here.

This gluten-free pizza crust also tastes great.  Since it is made from only quinoa, baking powder, salt and water (and a spray of oil on the parchment paper) it has more nutritional punch than a regular wheat-based crust.   Plus, now that I've made the batter a couple of times, I'm dreaming of others ways to use it.  Savory quinoa waffles?  Quinoa breakfast toasts?  Add some agave or honey and make it a sweet treat? More Brave cooking ahead!  You can find the quinoa crust recipe here (there's even a video to watch if you want to be taken through the crust recipe step-by-step).

OK, it's your turn.  What are your recipes that really, truly work?  Leave 'em below or email me, yes?

All the best - bon appetit,
Jen

Glow Sticks in the Classroom? Yay!

Blogging must be in my blood.  Look, my cousin blogs, too.  And she is soooo creative.  I remember growing up and thinking she was so smart and creative and pretty.  She still is all those things.....

You've got to head over to her blog, Creative Party Ideas by Cheryl, to see the gift she left me - make that us!  A clever way to use glow sticks in the classroom - not candy or sweets.  And it is perfect for Valentine's Day or just showing students you care (or anyone for that matter).

Thanks, Cousin Cheryl. 

My heart is a glowin'.

Love,

Cousin Jen

Food and Parties: My Debbie Downer Philosophy

It is almost that time of the year again.  Celebrations for Valentine's Day (or something cleverly disguised as such).  Some of you may dislike me for this stance.  But, I can't stand celebrations in the classroom that include food.  Why? Let's make this simple.

Childhood obesity.  Diabetes.  Food allergies.  Food intolerance and sensitivities.  Celiac Disease.  Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Someone is going to be left-out.  And that someone is going to be a kid who is alienated all the time at birthday parties, family gatherings, most restaurants and just about every theme park on the planet.  Why do they need to feel left-out again in our classrooms?

Join me in saying "No" to food in our classrooms for celebrations.  Save the food stuff for at home.  Instead, say "Yes" to alternative celebratory activities:

• Hat day!
• Pajama day!
• Crazy hair day!
• Backwards clothing day!
• Read your favorite story or magazine day!
• Bring your iPod, iTouch and headphones to school day!
• Bring a special person to school day!
• Reverse schedule day!
• Silly music day!
• Awesome music day!
• Pirate day!
• You get the drift day!

I don't mean to be Debbie Downer, I am just so tired of our kids having to feel alienated one more time, in a place that should be inclusive - our classrooms.

Join me - please!

Jen

PS - If you must include food in your classroom, make the food decoration, yes?  Little O and I made this from this tutorial in about 1.5 hours.  We both have the hot glue gun marks to prove it.