Gluten-free Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

When was the last time you had a mozzarella cheese stick? Well now you can make one! It's a perfect appetizer, study snack, or any-day snack that doesn't require too many ingredients. I am very excited to present you guys with my latest recipe for gluten-free mozzarella cheese sticks!

Ingredients
The Spices
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
 
The Cheeses
1 teaspoon shredded Parmesan cheese
4 1/2 mozzarella string cheese sticks (I used the low-fat kind).

Other
1 cup gluten-free bread crumbs (I toasted three slices of the Trader Joe's gluten-free bread and blended it)
1 egg

Procedure
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine your gluten-free bread crumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, dried basil leaves, and Parmesan cheese
3. Cut your cheese sticks in half.
4. Beat your egg and put it into a separate bowl.
5. Coat your cheese stick in the egg and then coat it with the bread crumbs.
6. Lay the coated cheese sticks on a baking pan that's covered with parchment paper.
7. Repeat the last two steps if the cheese sticks aren't completely covered.
8. In a wok pan, add about 1/2 an inch of canola/vegetable oil. Heat the oil up until it's hot.
9. Turn down the heat and add the cheese stick. I fried them one at a time so that I didn't accidentally burn them. Fry each cheese stick on each side for about 10-15 seconds, or until the coating becomes a golden brown.
10. I put the cheese sticks in the oven for a few minutes to melt the inside a little bit more.

Voila! You have delicious mozzarella cheese sticks. You can add some pasta sauce to dip them in--it's a perfect combination.
Enjoy!
-Sema
 

Gluten-free Fruit Roll-ups and Mango Walnut Candies

 Hello everyone! The trees are covered with a sprinkle of snow, and I spent today baking candy while drinking peppermint hot chocolate! I'd say that's a pretty good winter day. Today I have two desserts that stem from the same recipe (only one has walnuts!). You can choose to make one, both, or neither ;).

Ingredients
2 mangoes
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 cup of sugar
A handful of walnuts

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
2. Peel and slice the mangoes into little bits and add them to a blender.
3. Puree the mangoes, and once they reach a smooth consistency, add the lemon juice and sugar.
4. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
5. Add the mixture to a pot and set it on low heat for about 25-30 minutes, occasionally stirring until the mixture becomes thick.
6. Line the baking pan with parchment paper, and spread your mixture over it. Make sure that you spread it evenly.
7. Set it in the oven for 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours.
8. Take it out and let it cool enough to the touch.

Now this is where you have to options:
1. Cut it into strips and roll it into wax paper.
2. Cut it into larger strips, and add walnuts to strips, rolling them in. Cut them into smaller pieces.

Voila! You have two candy ideas that are equally delicious!
Enjoy!
-Sema

DIY Gluten-free Pasta Sauce

Hello everyone! It has gotten very cold here in St. Louis, the type of cold that seems to bite at you when you go out. That is why I spent the day inside cooking, because nothing feels better than preparing a warm meal in a warm kitchen. Today I have a pasta sauce recipe for you, proving that you don't always need to buy the ready-made kind (even though the ready-made kind makes life so much easier). :)

Ingredients
1/2 cup diced onions
3 cups of canned tomatoes (use a food processor or blender to crush the tomatoes until they are completely blended)
2 cloves of chopped garlic
A handful of parsley leaves
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon corn starch

Procedure
1. Add the olive oil, diced onions, and garlic to a large pot.
2. Sautee your onions and garlic until the onions become soft.
3. Add the canned tomatoes, and bring it to a boil.
4. Chop your parsley (you can add how much or how little you please), and add it to the mixture.
5. Add the corn starch, and be sure to mix it in well.

Let it sit on a low heat while your spaghetti/pasta cooks, occasionally stirring.

Voila! You made your own pasta sauce!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Cauliflower Pizza

 

Today I have a pizza recipe for you all, but this is no ordinary pizza crust--it's made of cauliflower! This is honestly the first time I've worked with cauliflower, and it was quite good (I turned around for a second, and someone had already eaten half of my pizza which is a great sign). This recipe is great when you don't have any flour around, but are still in the mood for pizza :).

Ingredients
1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/2 a stalk of cauliflower
Pizza sauce
1/3 cup of parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Your choice of toppings
1 clove of minced garlic
1 egg

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cut the cauliflower into small pieces, and blend it into cauliflower flour.
3. Steam the cauliflower until it gets soft, and then drain it.
4. Rinse your parsley, and cut it into small pieces. Make sure you drain any excess water.
5. Combine your egg, parsley, salt, pepper and cauliflower together, and mix it well.
6. On a baking pan, add parchment paper. I made mini pizzas and traced perfect circles with a cup on my pizza dough.
7.  Bake the crust in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until it sets.
8. Add your pizza sauce and toppings, and bake it until the cheese melts.

Voila! You have a healthier version of a pizza!
Enjoy!
-Sema