What's the Story in Dalamory » gluten-free http://www.freda.org.uk Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:37:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Gluten Free Cinnamon date rock cakes http://www.freda.org.uk/2011/03/08/gluten-free-cinnamon-date-rock-cakes/ http://www.freda.org.uk/2011/03/08/gluten-free-cinnamon-date-rock-cakes/#comments Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:56:41 +0000 freda http://www.freda.org.uk/?p=4437 Continue reading →]]> As explained previously, HBTW has to have a gluten-free diet, so we have been trying to experiment with baking. Shop-bought Gluten Free cakes and buns are not a great success.

Today’s Birthday Month Treat was to try and devise a recipe for a kind of cinnamon and date rock bun. And in the end they turned out very well.

Recipe:

  • 300gm Dove Self Raising gluten free flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 100gm brown/demerera sugar
  • 40gm chopped dried dates
  • 40gm mixed peel or sultanas
  • 2 eggs
  • Milk to mix

Mix all the dried ingredients, add in egg and milk and use on folding setting on beater or stir well with spatula until mixture reaches dropping consistency.

Bake in around 20 small cake cases at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes.
Delicious! And good enough for Shrove Tuesday – even though they are not pancakes.



Related Posts

]]> http://www.freda.org.uk/2011/03/08/gluten-free-cinnamon-date-rock-cakes/feed/ 5 Chocolate cake and Kings http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/11/17/chocolate-cake-and-kings/ http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/11/17/chocolate-cake-and-kings/#comments Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:22:01 +0000 freda http://www.freda.org.uk/?p=4016 Continue reading →]]> Today has been one of those nothing days, you get up, it is light, you sit down, you do one or two emails, you look up and it is dark. And what has been achieved? Nothing very much.

Actually that is not quite true – the email was to the MSP for this area (Member of the Scottish Parliament) and it got some things off my chest about the way Local Government is wriggling out of shedding management jobs by charging for frontline services.

I haven’t read any blogs so far today, neither have I listened to or searched for any news. However, I suspect that there is much about the engagement of Prince William and Miss Middleton. It has been said that it took Maggie Thatcher 3 years to organise a royal wedding to take the heat off her unpopular government; whereas the Coalition have only taken 9 months! Anyway, I must add my congratulations to the happy couple, and admit there is a sense of being glad of good news for a change.

Yesterday was the last of our Living the Questions discussion group, so HBTW and myself cheered ourselves up by baking a gluten-free chocolate cake. To be honest it was a bit dry – any suggestions for a new recipe to try out?

The evening was challenging as always and there was a sense of being pleased with ourselves for lasting the whole of the 21 week course, and still being cheerful.

It’s worth quoting Gordon D Kaufman, Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He says:

We may find a certain security in believing that “our” way is the only way. This is a natural part of any cultic religious experience. Far greater faith is required, however, to seek and trust that which you accept as infinite, beyond your comprehension and subject to change. Today, this just may be the challenge of an educated and thinking Christian – and to retain a faith ‘in the face of the mystery.”

In other words, God or the Divine Spirit or the Divine Essence or even “The Force” is bigger and more mysterious than we can ever imagine. When you think of the consequences of that thought, it is the biggest challenge ever.

Related Posts

]]> http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/11/17/chocolate-cake-and-kings/feed/ 5 Living the Questions again http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/09/07/living-the-questions-again/ http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/09/07/living-the-questions-again/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:42:40 +0000 freda http://www.freda.org.uk/?p=3735 Continue reading →]]> There we were at the discussion group in the church hall talking about incarnational theology. Alright – I know it is getting late. Bear with me. The course consists of written material, a DVD wherein well-known theologians and clergy take part, followed by suggested questions to instigate the discussion. The idea being that this space becomes safe for people to express their views, thoughts and doubts about the Christian faith.

Tonight the topic was entitled “Incarnation: Divinely human” Plenty of scope for a good debate. So what happened? A thunderclap and the lights going out. Only for a time, but if one cares to push the metaphor………

Down to earth again at home, Little Dog, spirits the remaining gluten-free biscuits out of the bag and into her stomach. Incarnational chocolate no doubt. Wonder if it will give her indigestion?

Related Posts

]]> http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/09/07/living-the-questions-again/feed/ 4 Smallholding Life http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/07/21/smallholding-life/ http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/07/21/smallholding-life/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:22:19 +0000 freda http://www.freda.org.uk/?p=3459 Continue reading →]]> Being on a smallholding has its joys as well as its problems. For example: what to do with the rising mountain of duck eggs? (21 at the moment and rising.) Yesterday was the first day of our visit when we didn’t have duck scrambled eggs – they are very rich and scrumptious, but we need a change.So…. onto the net to hunt for some ideas. So far these include:

  • lemon curd – uses two duck eggs per jar
  • lemon meringue pie – uses three
  • lemon drizzle cake – three
  • quiche  - three

Now the next problem, not being in my own kitchen is to find the appropriate tins and dishes. The smallholders themselves will be home at the weekend so all has to be tidied up before then and any failures hidden away. (Don’t worry, Family #2 we won’t try feeding them to the horses. Dogs….. maybe.)

This all feels a bit like being in an episode of The Good Life……. a long-ago favourite TV programme which you can still find on Sky or cable. Years ago when we were in the throes of children, chickens, dogs and a horse all of this would have been second nature. But nowadays it all takes a bit more planning. Of course things are made more challenging by Him Behind the Wheel having coeliac disease, that means everything has to be gluten free. But, Hey, what’s life without a challenge or two.

Baking is a good occupation for a rainy day, so time to get on. By the way, if anyone has any other ideas for using duck eggs, do let me know. They keep on laying!

Related Posts

]]> http://www.freda.org.uk/2010/07/21/smallholding-life/feed/ 4 Nice surprise http://www.freda.org.uk/2009/06/27/nice-surprise/ http://www.freda.org.uk/2009/06/27/nice-surprise/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:13:47 +0000 freda http://www.freda.org.uk/?p=2376 Continue reading →]]> Had a busy day yesterday: Oban in the morning – including a superb lunch at Eusk, an “Italian” overlooking the bay. Him Behind the Wheel has coeliac disease and is limited to a strictly gluten free diet. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that the restaurant had gluten free pasta and pizza available. Definitely a first and deserving a ten out of ten.

In the evening we went with new neighbours to a local Quiz Night in the church hall. Lovely evening with much laughter, especially when I inevitably had difficulty with a biblical question.

Misty was in charge of the house for much longer than usual and did a very good job. Needless to say today is a rest day.

Related Posts

]]> http://www.freda.org.uk/2009/06/27/nice-surprise/feed/ 4