Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Split Pea Soup

Save your Christmas or Easter ham bone and leftover ham to make this heartwarming soup on a cold winter day.

1 ham bone
saved pieces of ham

1 tbsp vegetable oil 
1 large onion, finely chopped 
2 each carrots and stalks celery, finely chopped 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
2 bay leaves 
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 
4 cups (1 L) sodium-reduced chicken stock (gluten free if desired)
2 cups yellow split peas 

In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-low heat; fry onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, salt, pepper and ham bone, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.


Add stock, peas and 2 cups  water; bring to boil over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until peas break down, about 1-3/4 hours. 

Remove ham bone. Any ham left on bone can be taken off and used in soup. Discard ham bone and bay leaves. In blender (or immersion blender right in pot) puree half of the soup; return to pot along with ham . Ladle into bowls.  Can be garnished with green onions.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Whipped Shortbread Gluten Free

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' (icing) sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but good)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but good)
  • 1 cup white rice flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • cherries, coloured sugar or sprinkles for decorating.

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. 
  • Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Place the butter and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted 
  • with a paddle attachment. Starting on slow speed, and slowly increasing, 
  • beat the butter & sugar until fully combined, scraping down the bowl in between. 

  • Add the extracts if using, and beat until blended.In a separate bowl, whisk 
  • together the remaining ingredients. Slowly add to the butter mixture while
  •  the mixer is on low speed. Once the flour has been worked in, slowly increase 
  • the speed to medium. Beat on medium speed for 5-6 minutes. 
  • This is crucial, as it adds the lightness to the dough, giving you a light, airy cookie.

  • Scoop 3/4-inch balls of dough onto the cookie sheet, keeping 2-inches between cookies. 
  • A small cookie scoop works well for this, works perfectly.Use a fork, that has been 
  • floured with rice flour, to press the cookies down slightly. 
  • Place cherries, sprinkles, or coloured sugar on the top of the cookies, if using.

  • Bake in preheated oven for 23-25 minutes. You do not want the cookies to 
  • brown at all, just for the dough to set. Let cookies remain on cookie 
  • sheet for 2-3 minutes before removing to wire cooling rack
  • .Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.

  • Perfect for Christmas or New Year's Day.  
  • This year we enjoyed shortbread for Christmas and 
  • then a fresh batch to bring in the New Year after a skate on the lake.