Gluten free Lamb of God Bread

Here is another gluten free alternative to a recipe/idea in the archives!  This one was submitted by Monica, from The Vintage Hare.  Thank you Monica!

Here's a fun gluten free bread idea that can be used for Christmas, Easter or even to adorn a Saint Joseph Altar (Table).

If you don't eat gluten free, you can substitute 3 cups of wheat flour for the rice, sorghum, tapioca, potato starch and quinoa flours. You would also omit the water, xanthan gum and most likely use less salt and maybe only one egg, but with making substitutions, it is good to have some bread-making experience as I've not tried this except as a gluten free bread.

The Recipe:

1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 cup quinoa flour (or millet or amaranth)
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1 tablespoon flax meal (optional)
2 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 eggs, beaten, room temperature, medium or large size
1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey or sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup of milk (you may be able to use a high protein substitute)
1 pkg. baker's yeast

1/4 cup of water + 1/4 cup water (water should be warm) You can substitute warm milk here.

Directions:
Thoroughly mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
Heat milk and sweetener of choice to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat and stir in baker's yeast. Allow to set 10 minutes. Mixture should be foamy. Mix milk/yeast mixture with eggs and oil in another bowl. Add to dry ingredients. Put a bit of olive oil on your hands and mix the mixture with your hands. It should form a nice, heavy ball. Now add 1/4 cup warm water (or warm milk) Mix and knead dough 2 minutes while it is still in the bowl. Add the second 1/4 cup of water (or warm milk). Mix and knead dough about 2 minutes. The dough should be soft and somewhat squishy and fairly damp but not runny. It should look something like this:

Gluten free bread dough needs to be much more moist than regular bread dough. As you knead the dough, wet your hands with water. The dough should not stick to your hands much if any. Shape into a large ball, a medium ball and two smaller balls:

Spray a baking pan with cooking spray. Shape the large ball into a longish oval shape for the Lamb's body. Shape the medium ball into a triangular shape for the head. Shape the two small balls into ovals and set them next to the head. Wet your fingers and smooth the dough. Water is great for smoothing out the imperfections! Add peppercorns to make the eyes and nose.

Set in a warm place to rise. After 30 minutes the dough should feel dry. Cover lightly with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out too much. Allow to rise another 1- 1 1/2 hours.

Set in a 350 degree oven. Bake 25-30 minutes and then baste with melted butter to brown the Lamb. Bake an additional 5 minutes or so until browned. (Watch it closely so that it does not get over done.) Cool. Using a spatula positioned under the head and partly under the body, transfer to a platter. Add greenery such as rosemary along with cranberries to decorate. (Yes, those are washed and dried fir boughs in my picture!) Serve with butter. Yum!

The bread has a moist texture and a very slight nutty flavor, but it is as close to wheat bread in flavor as it gets. At least according to my own taste buds!

And somewhere along the way, the Lamb of God lost His nose but I gave Him a new one. And then He lost it again...

Prayers, please, for Jessica!

Happy update: Baby boy was born at 5:02 am
weighing 7lbs. 5oz. Mom and baby are doing great!
More details later. Thank you for your prayers!

Please pray for our lovely blog hostess, Jessica and her little man. She has been in labor for the past few hours and might still have another few more to go. Baby Boy is definitely making his appearance today!

Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve Jessica from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which she now carries, that he may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Gerard, pray for us!

St. Therese the Little Flower, pray for us!

St. Lucia Chocolate Chip Cookies

"To God's servants the right words will not be wanting, for the Holy Ghost speaks in us. Yes, all who live piously and chastely are temples of the Holy Ghost.” ~ St. Lucia

Saint Lucy
Virgin & Martyr
December 13 ~ New & Traditional Calendar

~~~

Lucy, patron of Sicily, and one of the saints of the Canon of the Mass, was martyred at Syracuse in the persecution of Diocletian about the year 304. The legend of her martyrdom says that she was denounced as a Christian by a rejected suitor. Refusing to apostatize, she was condemned to a brothel, but a mysterious force prevented the persecutors from moving her from the tribunal. After an unsuccessful attempt had been made to burn her to death, her neck was pierced with a dagger.

 

~~~

This is a late addition for this feast day since it was a surprise from my eldest daughter, Rose. Because of her surprise, they will forever be referred to us as St. Lucia’s Cookies.

~~~

"O virgin Lucy, why do you ask of me what you yourself can procure for your mother? For your faith too has come to her aid and therefore she has been cured. By your virginity you have indeed prepared for God a lovely dwelling."

~St. Agatha’s words of consolation to St. Lucy, in a dream

 

Recipe: St. Lucia Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 8 min. | Cook Time: 13 min.| Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 24 small cookies

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 tablespoons refined coconut oil
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup dark chocolate (or semi-sweet) chocolate chips

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Whisk the coconut flour and the baking soda together in a med. bowl.
• Mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl.
• Add the the dry ingredients into the wet, mix.
• Add the dark-chocolate chips.
• Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.

NOTES:

The consistency of these cookies are a bit flakey and soft. However, they are a fine replacement to the traditional version.

Gluten-free St. Lucy Cinnamon Buns

The following recipe was submitted by Jeannine, from Grace and Peace. Thank you Jeannine!

These are gluten-free cinnamon buns, and they are, in my opinion, easier to make than ordinary cinnamon buns!  No rising time!

I think I found a link to the original once when I was poking around Sarah's charming Amongst Lovely Things, which is, indeed, lovely!

They may be refrigerated overnight in the pan, and then baked up the following morning! Sometimes we must toy with the plan and have them for dessert rather than breakfast, but my daughter always gets to carry them in on a tray. We stick candles into the buns rather than atop her head!

Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns

- with dairy-free options!

Dough:

2 tbsp. butter (I have used shortening with success)
1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk, warmed gently (I have used almond milk with success)
1 tbsp. rapid rise yeast
1 egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup potato starch
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

a couple extra teaspoons sugar for sprinkling the plastic wrap

Filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Frosting:

I usually just make a glaze with two tablespoons of soft butter or shortening and about a cup of confectioner's sugar, thinned with a few drops of milk or almond milk. Add a sprinkle of salt (yes!) and a few drops of pure vanilla. It would be easy to use commercial vanilla frosting from a can, too.

1. Oven to 375.
2. Grease a round pie pan.
3. Add yeast to warm milk, plus a couple of spoonfuls of sugar from your measured 1/4 cup sugar. Combing thoroughly and let it bubble a bit.
3. In a medium bowl, combine sugar and butter.
4. Add yeast/milk mixture to sugar/butter mixture.
5. Add remaining ingredients. Dough will be very, very soft, but the xanthan gum will work its magic and make it stretchy enough.
6. Lay down a 14" long strip of plastic wrap on your counter. Sprinkle a couple spoonfuls of additional white sugar on the wrap. Lay the ball of dough on the sugared wrap. Lay another 14" strip of plastic wrapover the dough. Pat the dough down to make a rectangle that fills the plastic wrap almost to the edges. I use a rolling pin, too. Lift the top wrap periodically to reposition if necessary. The dough is incredibly sticky, but the plastic wrap tames it magically. Remove the top piece of wrap when you are satisfied with your rectangle.
7. Combine the filling ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over dough. Use the plastic wrap to roll the dough. Slice the log into 10-12 slices. Lay the slices touching in your greased round pie pan. Bake 20 minutes. Frost while warm.

Sprinkling the additional sugar on plastic wrap.

Using the plastic wrap to roll the dough.

Here they are unbaked, tucked into the pan. Sorry I don't have a luscious baked picture...we will bake them early tomorrow morning, for the feast of St. Lucy. Then we'll spread them with frosting, too! Kids are having carrot sticks, poached chicken, and celery for dinner to balance all the sugar coming in the morning!  (Updated to add additional pictures of the baked cinnamon rolls. Thank you Jeannine!) 

These are heavenly. The whole family will appreciate them, but especially your gluten-free loved ones. I do hope you try them.

Lovely for St. Lucy, or for any time during the Christmas season!

Additional recipes for celebrating Santa Lucia Day can be found in the archives.

Champurrado por Nuestra Dulce Madre!

…Champurrado for Our Sweet Mother!

On this beautiful feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe we will be celebrating with a few books, coloring pages and food.

I think I've mentioned before that in our family food is a BIG part of the way we celebrate. So, after a conversation with a sweet friend on facebook the other day, I decided to make Champurrado to go with tonight's dinner of shredded chicken burritos and tacos.

Champurrado is a thick Mexican hot chocolate drink. It is traditionally made during Las Posadas (the Christmas season) and other festive Mexican holidays. Mexican chocolate, finely ground corn flour, milk and cinnamon are combined to make this frothy treat. I thought it would be perfect to make this drink in honor of Our Lady's sweetness. :)

Here is a recipe for Champurrado that I found on Foodnetwork.com --

Ingredients:

1/4 cup masa harina

 (You can usually find this in the Hispanic aisle of your supermarket. We bought ours at Walmart.)

3 1/2 cups cold water

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups of milk

1 (3 oz.) tablet of sweetened Mexican chocolate, flavored with cinnamon

(Again, you can usually find this in the Hispanic aisle of your supermarket. We bought ours at Walmart.)

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl combine the masa harina with 1/2 cup of water mixing by hand to form a paste. In medium saucepan add the paste and the remaining 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Cook slowly for 20 minutes, the mixture will thicken.

While this mixture is simmering, in another saucepan add the milk and bring to a boil. Add the chocolate and cook for about 10 minutes until the chocolate has completely dissolved. Pour the chocolate into the masa harina mixture stirring until well incorporated. With a milinillo or an eggbeater, whisk until a foam forms on the top, about 3 minutes. Serve in a large bowl, spooning some of the foam on top.

Serves 4 

Nuestra Dulce Madre Santa Maria de Guadalupe, 

ruega por nosotros!

Beehive Buns for the Feast of St. Ambrose

On December 7th we celebrate the feast of St. Ambrose of Milan.

"St. Ambrose is also known as the "Honey-Tongued Doctor," a pun on the saint's name (the word for honey in Latin is ambrosia); his preaching was said to be mellifluous, as sweet as flowing honey. Also according to legend, when Ambrose was a baby, a swarm of bees settled on his mouth, an omen that he would be a great orator. St. Ambrose is the patron of bee keepers, bees, candlemakers, domestic animals, learning, Milan Italy, and students. He is often depicted with a beehive or bees in his iconography, symbols which also indicate wisdom." ~ Catholic Culture

Here is a great recipe for Beehive Buns, which I made this past June for our last Good Shepherd's Garden Party.  The recipe is originally from an Easy to Bake, Easy to Make recipe card.

Beehive Buns

1 envelope (.25 oz) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105F - 115F)
2/3 cup warm milk (105F - 115F)
1/2 cup honey, divided
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) plus 2 Tbsp butter, softened, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 -3 3/4 cups flour (I ended up using just over 3 cups)

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in milk, 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup butter. Stir in salt and enough flour to form a soft dough.

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes.

Place dough in a greased bowl turning to grease the top also. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Lightly grease or spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Punch dough down; divide in half. Roll each half of dough into a 12 X 6 inch rectangle.

Cut one inch strips from the long edge of each rectangle. Curl into a behive shape with a wider base and narrower top on the baking sheet.

Cover; let rise until doubled in size again, about 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake buns until golden, 15-20 minutes.

Combine remaining honey and butter in a small saucepan.  Heat until butter melts.   Brush warm glaze over buns.

Yield: 1 dozen.

Additional recipes for the feast of St. Ambrose can be found in the archives. 

Dairy-Free St. Nicholas Cocoa Mix

This recipe was submitted by Jamie, from Ad Silvam Ibimus.  Thank you Jamie! 

I tweaked the original St. Nicholas Cocoa Mix recipe to come up with a dairy free version for my son. I had looked high and low online and didn't find anything...so thought this might be helpful for other readers.  The results were delicious and we could taste no difference.

Dairy-Free St. Nicholas Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

4 cups (one canister) Vance's DariFree* in original flavor
8oz Ghirardelli* instant cocoa
3/4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups miniature marshmallows
3-4 ounces finely crushed peppermint candy
Candy canes, optional

Directions:

Combine powdered milk, cocoa, powdered sugar, marshmallows and peppermint candy; mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 2.5 quarts roughly

For each serving, put ½ cup of mix in a regular-size mug, fill with boiling water.

* Vance's DariFree can be found at any supermarket that has a good natural/alternative/allergen free section. I have found it at Wegman's and Whole Foods.  The Ghirardelli cocoa is the only I have found that is dairy free, but feel free to use any dairy free cocoa you come across. Any variety of Ghirardelli is fine just watch some of them do contain coffee and therefore caffeine. We used Double Chocolate flavor.

Celebrating St. Nicholas

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!   

Our family enjoyed a delicious brunch this morning, complete with our annual Candy Cane Coffee Cake, Oranges and St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Mini-Marshmallows, plus Chocolate St. Nicholas Treats and St. Nicholas Coins for all the children.   I'll post about our celebration later, since I need to head to town for my 36 week OB check-up this afternoon... However, in the meantime, I thought I'd add a linky here for whoever would like to share pictures from their own St. Nicholas Day Celebrations!

St. Nicholas of Myra, 

Pray for us!   

Mighty Miter Cake 2011

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

We are sharing this year's Mighty Miter Cake, following the same instructions as last year with a slight change of color.

This year we used carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for a white and gold "mighty miter."(Much like the image on this napkin:)

God Bless your feast day celebrating the "Champion of the People!"

St. Nicholas Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for
the example of St. Nicholas,
who fed the hungry, 
brought hope to the imprisoned,
gave comfort to the lost,
and taught the truth to all.
May we strive to imitate him
by putting you first in all we do.
Give us courage, love and strength
of St. Nicholas, so that, like him,
we may serve you through loving
our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Recipes for December ~ Month Dedicated to the Divine Infancy

The Month of December is dedicated to the Divine Infancy.  "Mary wraps up a small bundle of clothes for the use of her little Son, and then, going to the crib, she says with tears in her eyes to her sleeping Child, 'O my Son, and my God! Thou hast come from heaven to save men; but hardly art Thou born when they seek to take Thy life.'" ~ 2010 Catholic Calendar

December 3rd, St. Francis Xavier (New, Trad.):

• St. Francis Xavier - December 3 (Polla a la Vasca- Basque Chicken with Pimiento)
• Tempura for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
• Xaver Suppe (Soup for St. Francis Xavier's Day)

View all recipes for St. Francis Xavier here. 

December 6th, St. Nicholas of Myra (New, Trad.):

• Upcoming From Thy Bounty Fair, St. Nicholas (includes links and ideas)
• From Thy Bounty Fair, St. Nicholas (more links and ideas!)

Breads

• Cherry Angel Bread
• Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake
• Candy Cane Coffee Cake

Cakes and Cupcakes

• St. Nicholas Cake
• A Mighty Miter Cake
• St. Nicholas Cupcakes

Chocolate Coins and Candy

• St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins (download printable here)
• A Chocolate St. Nicholas

Note:  After sharing this idea with the St. Nicholas Center, they came up with a few more printables!   Here is the link.   If you'd rather not make your own, you can also purchase pre-made St. Nicholas Coins from Emmanuel Books or Paidea Classics.

Cookies

• St. Joseph's Staff (Candy Cane Cookie Recipe)
• St. Nicholas Cookies and Cookie Cutters
• Speculatius (German Spice Cookies)
• Saint Nicholas Purse Cookies
• Pepernoten (Dutch Peppernuts)
• St. Nicholas Gingerbread Cookies

Hot Cocoa

• Saint Nicholas Cocoa Mix
• "Saintly" Hot Cocoa to warm your December Celebrations (German Chocolate Hot Cocoa for St. Nicholas)

View all recipes for St. Nicholas here.

December 7th, St. Ambrose (New, Trad.):

• Christmas Honey Cookies for the "Honey-Tongued" Saint
• Sweet Beehive Cake for St. Ambrose
• Bumblebee Cookies for St. Ambrose
• Peanut Butter Bumble Bees
• Honey-Curry Chicken
• Honey Trail Mix

View all recipes for St. Ambrose here.

December 8, The Immaculate Conception (New, Trad.):

• Meal Ideas for the feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Blueberry Muffins for Our Lady
• Mary's Immaculate Conception (A complete dinner menu!)

View all recipes in honor of the Immaculate Conception here and all recipes in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary here.

December 9th, St. Juan Diego (New):

• Mexican Chocolate Cake
• Una Fiesta Mexicana
• Rosy Treats for the Feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Mexican Sopapias for St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Fish Tacos for Friday
• Cheese Enchiladas
• Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ Mexican Wedding Cookies
• "Saintly" Hot Cocoa to warm your December Celebrations  (Mexican Hot Cocoa)
• Cinnamon Vanilla Cake with Mexican Hot Chocolate Buttercream
• Mexican Crispas
• A Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

View all recipes for St. Juan Diego here.

December 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe (New, Trad.):

• Mexican Chocolate Cake
• Una Fiesta Mexicana
• Rosy Treats for the Feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Mexican Sopapias for St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Fish Tacos for Friday
• Cheese Enchiladas
• Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ Mexican Wedding Cookies
• "Saintly" Hot Cocoa to warm your December Celebrations (Mexican Hot Cocoa)
• Cinnamon Vanilla Cake with Mexican Hot Chocolate Buttercream
• Mexican Crispas
• A Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

View all recipes for Our Lady of Guadalupe here.

December 13th, St. Lucy or Santa Lucia Day (New, Trad.):

• St. Lucia's Braided Bread
• St. Lucia Buns ~ Lussekatter
• St. Lucia's Day ~ December 13: A Fabulous Breakfast Feast
• Cuccia ~ St. Lucy Wheat
• "Saintly" Hot Cocoa to warm your December Celebrations (Scandinavian Orange Chocolate Hot Cocoa)

View all recipes for St. Lucy/Santa Lucia Day here, or visit last year's Santa Lucia Day Link Up for even more ideas! 

December 17th thru 23rd, O Antiphons (New, Trad.):

• O Antiphons
• O Antiphon Coins
• O Antiphons :: Incorporating an Old Monastic Tradition in the Home

View all O Antiphon recipes here. 

December 24th, Vigil of Christmas (Trad.):

• Starlight Cookies for the Last Week of Advent

December 25th, Christmas - The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (New, Trad.):

Breads and Cakes

• Candy Cane Coffee Cake
• Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake for Christmas
• Christmas Panettone
• First Holy Communion Breads
• Lamb of God (Rolls)
• Monkey Bread Birthday Breakfast Christmas Cake
• Staples of Our Feast Day Celebrations Part One: Bread

Candy

• A Chocolate Nativity Scene
• Christmas Coins

Cookies

• Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange Link-Up (2010)
• Christ's Diapers
• Nativity Cookies
• The Gift of the Christmas Cookie

Other

• From Thy Bounty Fair - Holiday Foods and Feasts!
• Mealtime Prayers for Christmas
• Staples of Our Feast Day Celebrations Part Two: Wine

View all Christmas Recipes here.

December 27th, St. John the Apostle (New, Trad.):

• St. John's Love (Blessing of Wine)
• Eagle Cake
• Edible Eagles (Eagle Head Cookies)
• Fun Food for the Feast of St. John the Apostle (Marshmallow Eagles and Eagle Quesadilla)

View all recipes for St. John the Apostle here. 

December 28th, The Holy Innocents (New, Trad.):

• Christ's Diapers
• Feast of the Holy Innocents (Coconut Rice Pudding with Raspberry Sauce)

View all recipes for the Holy Innocents here.

December 29th, St. Thomas Becket (New, Trad.):

• Sword and Miter Cookies for the Feast of St. Thomas Becket

View all recipes for St. Thomas Becket here. 

December 31st, New Year's Eve :

• Seafood Paella for New Year's Eve

ADDITIONAL RECIPES FOR ADVENT:

Throughout Advent :

• Venite Adoremus ~ An Apron for Advent
• Jesse Tree Coins
• A Jesse "Tea" for Advent

First Sunday of Advent ~ Stir-Up Sunday :

• Stir-Up Sunday: Jamaican Fruit Cake

Second Sunday of Advent :

• Grasshoppers and Honey
• Grasshopper Parfaits
• St. John the Baptist Locust and Honey Snack
• St. John the Baptist ~ Locust & Honey

Third Sunday of Advent :

• St. Joseph's Staff

St. Andrew's Christmas Novena

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen.

Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew's Day (30 November),

ending on Christmas Eve