gluten free cherry tart

This was a special little treat we whipped up with cherries from our very own tree!

Using the gluten free mix from "cravings place" we just followed the directions for a pie crust, baked it and then add cherries that had been pitted and macerated with a little bit of maple syrup and vanilla...it went back in the oven just long enough to warm the cherries and then voila, tart, sweet summer goodness!

We drizzled a little bit of plain yogurt over the top but whipped cream, creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream would also be delicious!

banana bread

This is a delicious treat to serve with tea in the afternoon or to have toasted at breakfast too!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
8 tablespoons Ancient Organics Ghee
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2-3 ripe bananas
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
4 tbsp sour cream
1 cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using ghee, coat the inside of a bundt pan or other desired bread pans. Lightly dust with flour, discarding the extra.

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a medium bowl, whisk together and set aside.
In a large bowl cream the ghee and sugar. Once it's completely combined add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla, bananas, zest and sour cream and mix until just combined.
With the mixer on low, add the flour mix in several segments, beating until just combined. Stir in coconut.

Pour the mixture into the pan coated with ghee and smooth with a spatula to make an even surface. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let sit for five minutes. Then place a rack over the top of the pan and invert the cake, replacing it on the rack right side up to cool or putting it directly on your serving platter to enjoy while still warm from the oven (my preference!)

leek and goat cheese galette

Once again I have taken one of Deborah Madison's ingenious recipes and adapted it using ghee. The results: delicous!
I have been somewhat skeptical of using ghee in place of butter for real pastry crust and dough but I have been pleasantly surprised. I find that as long as you keep a jar in the refrigerator for recipes that call for cold butter, it works beautifully...As noted in past posts regarding baking with ghee you must use 25-50% less ghee than you would butter for optimal results...

Leek and Goat Cheese Galette

Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
8-10 tablespoons cold Ancient Organics Ghee
1/3-1/2 cup ice water as needed

To make the dough:

Mix:

Flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the ghee as you add tablespoons. You can use a hand method (such as knife and fork) or a food processor. It will resemble a coarse meal with a few pea sized chunks remaining. Sprinkle the ice water slowly over the top as you pulse the food processor until you can bring the dough together into a ball. Press it into a disk and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

Filling:

6 large leeks, including an inch of the green
2 tablespoons Ancient Organics Ghee
1 tsp chopped thyme
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 heavy cream
salt and freshly milled pepper
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 to 1 cup goat cheese (soft chevre or a harder feta both work well)

To make the topping:

Thinly slice the leeks (after thoroughly washing them). You should have about 6 cups.

Melt the ghee in a medium sauce pan. Add the leeks, thyme, and 1/2 cup water. Stew over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the leeks are tender, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and continue cooking until it's reduced, then add the cream and cook until it just coats the leeks and little liquid remains. Let cool 10 minutes, then stir in all but 1 tablespoon of the beaten egg.

To form galette:

Roll out dough ( I find that it's easiest between two sheets of parchment paper) into a 14" irregular circle about 1/8" thick. Transfer to a cookie sheet and proceed with the addition of toppings.


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread the leek mixture over the dough, leaving about 2" around the edge and then crumble goat cheese or feta over the top. Fold in the dough to make a crust around the filling. Brush the crust with the remaining egg and bake until the crust is browned about 25-30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top. Serve and enjoy!

pumpkin cupcakes

MAKES 18 REGULAR CUPCAKES AND ABOUT 40 MINIS

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp coarse salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons ANCIENT ORGANICS GHEE at room temperature
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can organic pumpkin puree

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line the cupcake pans with paper liners and set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.

In a large bowl combine sugars. Then add the eggs and ghee and whisk until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients
and whisk until smooth, don’t over stir the batter. Add the pumpkin puree and combine thoroughly.

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each a little over halfway. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean and the
tops spring back when touched, about 20-25 minutes for regular cupcakes and 15-20 for minis.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

For Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 package cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons Ancient Organics Ghee (chilled and hardened from being in the fridge)
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pulse cream cheese and Ghee in the food processor until creamy. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and
mix until thoroughly combined.
Using a knife or a pastry bag, apply frosting to cooled cupcakes and enjoy!

sunday breakfast

scrambled eggs made with ghee and goat cheese.
whole wheat toast with walnuts, spread with ghee.
sweet potato, caramelized torpedo onion and sun-dried tomato hash made with ghee.
mmmmm...

roasted cauliflower + sweet potatoes

This was born as a last minute side dish for dinner the other night...Impromptu creations are the best!

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower
2 sweet potatoes (you could also use yams, regular potatoes of any variety or carrots)
Ancient Organics Ghee (enough to coat veggies, 4-5 tbsp)
Handful of fresh herbs (ie parsley, thyme, basil, oregano) chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Chop the sweet potatoes into small (around 1") cubes
Break apart the head of cauliflower so that florettes are relatively small (about the size of the potatoe chunks so it all cooks evenly)
Put the veggies on a large baking sheet, drizzle ghee on top and then toss to coat. Stir in fresh herbs, salt and pepper to your taste then place in the oven and roast, stirring occasionally until cauliflower is browned and potatoes are cooked through (20-30 minutes). Remove and enjoy!
Especially good sprinkled with a little parmesan...
Can be served alongside meat or fish or eaten as a component of a vegetarian plate.