Not to toot my own horn, but I have a pretty good pedigree when it comes to baking. My grandmother was a home economics teacher and passed on plenty of her wisdom to me during my 4-H years, as we practiced baking goodies together, perfecting them a bit more each time as my grandpa, dad, and workers on our farm served as the taste-testers. Each year, with her guidance, I took home the purple champion ribbon at the end of the summer. Through 4-H, my grandmother, and my mom (who is notorious for always having a baked dessert available), I learned how to bake great cookies, biscuits, pies, breads, muffins - you name it.
One thing I never thought I'd learn, though, was how to bake goodies sans wheat flour. I grew up on a wheat farm, after all, and the word gluten was never a part of our vocabulary. It is only in the last few years that gluten allergies have come onto my radar and I've realized that processed wheat flour isn't the best option for our health.
I started experimenting with gluten-free recipes a few months ago, but living in Uganda makes for a few extra hurdles with fewer typical gluten-free ingredients at my disposal. Xantham gum and tapioca flour, for instance, are nowhere to be found, so baked goods without wheat flour require a bit more research and experimentation.
The first thing that needed to be satisfied was my sweet tooth, so I thought I would start with the basics: chocolate chip cookies. I found a few different recipes, did a bit of research, and combined that knowledge with what is available here in Uganda. I also went the extra mile to eliminate sugar and these babies are STILL delicious AND they have a great texture and consistency. When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, I'm not sure you can get much healthier than this - gluten-free, sugar free, and dairy free. And they are so easy!
Anyone want to give me a purple ribbon? :)
Ingredients:*
1 cup natural peanut butter
3/4 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup pure honey
1 egg, beaten
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup nuts
Directions:
1) In a small bowl, combine flax seed and water. Set aside for at least 3 minutes.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3) In large bowl, combine peanut butter, coconut flakes, honey, egg, baking soda, salt. Add flax seed mixture and stir together.
4) Add chocolate chips and nuts. Stir to combine well into dough.
5) Scoop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Then eat and enjoy!
*A note to my friends in Uganda
Where to find ingredients:
Flaxseed (AKA linseed): Shoprite Lugogo. You'll have to grind it yourself in a coffee grinder, or something of the like.
Coconut flakes: Checkers supermarket or Millenium supermarket in Kisementi or Embassy supermarket on Ggaba road. Many other stores likely carry coconut flakes as well.
Sea salt: Checkers, Millenium, or Embassy supermarket
Chocolate chips: Sorry, but I brought those from the states. Chopped up Cadbury bars will do, though.
Peanut butter and honey: I advise you to buy the local, natural stuff, found in local markets or any supermarket. It's so much better, more pure, and delicious!
Mmmm!!!
Ingredients:
1 cup natural peanut butter
3/4 cup coconut flakes
1/4 cup pure honey
1 egg, beaten
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup nuts
Directions:
1) In a small bowl, combine flax seed and water. Set aside for at least 3 minutes.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3) In large bowl, combine peanut butter, coconut flakes, honey, egg, baking soda, salt. Add flax seed mixture and stir together.
4) Add chocolate chips and nuts. Stir to combine well into dough.
5) Scoop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.