I am still working through some of My 19 For COVID-19. My best accomplishment has been the completion of a gluten-free sourdough starter. I am trying to muddle my way through keeping it alive and feeding it. It feels very wasteful discarding part of it even now that it spends most of it’s time in the fridge.
Yesterday was my day to feed my starter. So I was determined to actually use the discard. I came across a super easy recipe for discard crackers. Crackers are so elusive in the gluten-free diet. I have not found many that are edible let alone enjoyable.
I love these and have plans to spice them differently and add some mix-ins to liven them up. But this basic recipe is very tasty
Even though this time at home during social distancing has been a time of shifting priorities and relearning how long somethings now take. I’m sure you are also rearranging cabinets to hold the extra groceries and entries to house your packages while they wait the time before you can open them with out having to spend time wiping it all down.
On my list of one hundred things for the year there is usually a few (or 20) pickled/ jam/chutney/fermented type entries. I do like how these things can add to everyday meals but am often lost as to how/what to use them.
Sushi is one of my favorite foods. This is also usually on my list of 100 “make sushi”. I did make avocado rolls earlier this year and they turned out ok. We’ve made poke bowls at home so the next logical step for me was to try and make pickled ginger.
It actually was easy. To slice up the ginger I tried using the mandolin but it was still slicing the ginger thicker than I wanted. However in the end I used even the ones I thought were too thick and it turned out fine.
Enjoy this with your homemade sushi or on top of avocado toast (just watched one of my teens do this). I’ll have to look on Pinterest to see what else people are using pickled ginger for.
Prepare a large mason jar by sterilizing it in a water bath.
Peel the ginger and slice as thinly as possible
In a saucepan combine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to boil, remove from heat and cover.
While the vinegar is heating up, bing approximately 2 quarts of water to boil. Once boiling add ginger for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Strain and transfer to the sterilized mason jar.
Poor the vinegar mixture over the ginger and put the lid on the jar.
Let cool to room temperature and then store in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Here in Illinois we are at the start of week 5 of social distancing. The weather has mostly been cloudy and rainy. The few nice days I have tried to get out and walk but my daily step counts have been abysmal. I have been working in my garden, and today am cleaning and roasting some dandelion roots to use in making tea. I have also been trying to grow some veggies from food scraps.
I have a few more started in water but I have run out of pots.
All of us are looking for comfort and grounding. Many have turned to working in their yard or potting plants on their balcony. I was so happy (there may have been some tears) when heard my favorite garden center would be open and delivering! One of the items on my to do list this week is to go through all my seeds and order more. I know I am out of radishes and am thankful to a neighbor who had some extras for me to use until I can order some online.
Another way many are looking for comfort is with baking. I have successfully created a gluten-free sourdough starter and am experimenting with new recipes. I have also been making some new soups. This soup is the best soup I have made in months. It will definitely become a regular in my food rotation.
Rutabagas are my go to replacement for potatoes. They do usually need to be cooked longer than the potatoes in a recipe when making the substitution
January 2020 has already been a success and a test of my word for the year.
I had three words for 2019, Connection, Comfort and Confidence. I needed all of them last year as I tried to do more professionally, put myself out there as an expert in living a life with multiple food allergies and Celiac disease, and feel comfortable in my life doing those things.
My word for this year is Refresh. There are many ways I feel like I am going through the motions in my business and in my life. There are somethings I need to go back to the drawing board on, some I need to take a step back and start again, and some I need to radically mend and shock myself with action. I need a refresh.
I think both of refreshing a computer when it is stuck and refreshing a room with a new coat of paint. I am also refreshing some of my go to recipes and reaching outside my comfort zone to expand my food knowledge and ways of cooking to support both my own eating and for those I am coaching.
I’m always looking to add more fresh fruits, veggies and greens to my menus. I feel fuller throughout the day when I add a salad to my lunch. I like making salad like Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad or some other “planned/recipe” salad. One of the reason’s I am not making salads from greens is that it is hard to find a dressing that is free of all the ingredients we avoid.
One of my #2020goals is to make dressing twice a month. There are a few I already make and like but want to add more to my rotation. I love this Strawberry Basil dressing. It is easy to make and during the summer I can use the basil from my garden. It will keep for just a few days in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. My trick in the winter is to make it with frozen strawberries. Not as flavorful as fresh picked in June but still a great dressing for greens.
Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Crackers, Cygnet Organizing LLC
Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Crackers, Cygnet Organizing LLC
Cygnet Organizing 