Category Archives: Gluten Free

Mixed Fruit “Pudding”

Baby/Toddler Food, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Pureed, , , , , ,
Orange/Banana "Pudding"
Orange/Banana “Pudding”

3 cups frozen (thawed) or fresh fruit
4 tsp Ball Instant Pectin

1. Place the fruit into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for about 30 seconds or until the fruit is well blended and completely smooth.
5. Turn the machine off and remove lid.
6. Add the pectin and replace the lid.
7. Select Variable 1.
8. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 3.
9. Blend for 3 minutes.
10. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a mason jar for 3-4 days.

Food Tip: Some fruits can cause severe allergies. It is wise to wait until a baby is at least 12 months old to try fruits like strawberries and avocados. Be sure to test them in small amounts for about a week. This recipe works well with a meal, as a snack or as a dessert for those restricted to a pureed diet. You can also blend this with a portion of applesauce. Babies and those on pureed diets can have a hard time with strong flavors.

Time Tip: Thaw any frozen fruit to be used in the refrigerator overnight for quick processing the next day.

Money Tip: When fruits are in season you can save lots of money by cleaning, preparing and freezing them yourself. Bananas are not seasonal but you can save money by peeling and freezing the “freckled” ones before they go bad and end up in the trash. Have fun experimenting with whatever fruit you have and nothing will go to waste.

Footnote:  It is summer time and I have tried this recipe with fresh peaches and nectarines.  For some reason the instant fruit pectin is not thickening it as with other fruits.  I will continue to work on other ways of thickening these and add a separate blog entry.  I am not in the habit of giving up so keep your eye on this blog for “Peach and Nectarine Fruit Pudding.

Ranch Dressing

Dips and Spreads, Gluten Free, , ,

Try this one out on your family (Shhhh! Don’t tell them what’s in it). They will fall in love with it and your cottage cheese haters will be shocked. I tried making this with a regular blender but my husband did not like it because the texture was not creamy enough. Not so with the Vitamix. I pack about a tablespoon of it in a small container and put it in his lunch with garden fresh veggies.

Ranch dressing with veggies1 cup low fat cottage cheese
½ cup milk
½ cup mayonnaise
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1. Place cottage cheese and milk into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10.
4. Blend for 10 seconds or until smooth.
5. Remove lid and add mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix.
6. Secure lid and select Variable 1.
7. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 6.
8. Blend 10 seconds or until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
9. Pour into a 3 cup container and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Food tip: Using cottage cheese to replace a portion of the milk and mayonnaise reduces fat while adding calcium and protein. The cottage cheese also thickens the dressing to make it perfect for dipping vegetables instead of using sour cream. To use as a salad dressing, add enough milk to reach the desired consistency. For thicker vegetable dip use 2/3 cup of mayonnaise and 1/3 cup of milk. You can make this recipe with just cottage or a combination of cottage cheese and milk but, if you are looking for the traditional tang of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, you will want to use the mayonnaise.

Time Tip: When using the Vitamix this dressing takes about 5 minutes start to finish.

Money Tip: Hidden Valley has a 3.75oz container of this dressing mix. It is always cheaper than the individual packages and keeps well for months in the cupboard. Cottage cheese can also be bought in larger containers for a lower price and can be used in a variety of recipes to replace whole milk, cream or half and half.

Cream of Celery Soup

Gluten Free, Pureed, Soups, , ,

GE

This recipe is a hit even with my teenagers.  It can be reduced by half and made in the 32oz container but the 64oz container is perfect for family sized soups.

2 ½ cups of water
2 green onions
4 cups of chopped celery
1/3 cup zucchini or yellow squash
1 small potato scrubbed, baked
1 garlic clove
2 tsp Knorr Chicken Bouillon
¼ tsp celery salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
¼ cup low fat cottage cheese
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1. Place all of the ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
2. Select variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 3 minutes or until steam escapes from the vented lid.

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Food tip: Using cottage cheese instead of cream, half and half or whole milk makes a richer soup while adding calcium and protein. With the Vitamix there is no need to precook the vegetables so they retain their nutritional values. Canned creamed soups contain added salt, fat and thickeners and only a small amount of vegetables. Using chicken bouillon works well but if you are on a salt restricted diet you will want to use a salt free chicken stock. Homemade stock is always the best and it can be frozen in 1-2 cup portions for easy use.

Money Tip: Fresh celery can cost less than 25 cents a pound and none of the celery needs to go to waste. This size recipe makes 2 quarts (8 servings) and costs less than 50 cents. A can of condensed celery soup (2 servings) costs $1.50 to $2.00 a can.

Time Tip: Instead of taking time to bake the potato in the oven, microwave it until it is soft then simply add it to the Vitamix container skin and all. You can also save time if you happened to bake potatoes for dinner. Simply save a small one in the refrigerator and make your cream of celery soup within the next few days. In almost the time it takes to open a can of condensed celery soup, reconstitute it and cook it, you can have 2 quarts of fresh celery soup for the entire family.

 

 

Fresh Almond Milk

Blenderized, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Milks, Pureed, Tubie Talk, , , , , ,

This recipe can be found in the Vitamix Whole Food Recipe book.  My twist on it is the added vanilla.  Because I filter my almond milk, I found that adding the vanilla after meant using less of it. Also the mash remains unflavored so it can be used in a variety of recipes.

GE

3 cups of water
1 cup of raw almonds
Sugar or sweetener to taste (optional)
1 tsp of vanilla

1. Place the water and the almonds into the Vitamix container and secure the lid
2. Select variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 2 minutes or until desired consistency is reached.

Food Tip: Milk can be filtered through a nut milk bag for a smoother consistency. The remaining almond mash can be used in lots of other recipes. Processed almond milks contain additives and many contain added sugar. One carton I found had 15g of sugar whereas fresh unsweetened almond milk has 0g and it’s always fresh.

Time Tip: Many recipes for almond milk require hours of soaking before blending. With the Vitamix that is unnecessary so it can be made on the spot with no waiting. Freeze the almond mash in ice cube trays so that they can be quickly added to recipes in 1oz portions. You never have to defrost more than you will use.

Money Tip: A quart of processed almond milk can cost $5 but making it fresh is about half if you buy the raw almonds in bulk.

 

Matthew’s Oatmeal

Baby/Toddler Food, Blenderized, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Pureed, , , , , , , , , ,
GE
Matt’s Oatmeal

This is the recipe that started it all.  After I blend this in the Vitamix, my family comes into the kitchen looking for the apple pie because that’s exactly what it smells like.  Even if you or your child has never liked oatmeal, give this recipe a try.  You will be amazed at how good it tastes.  The apples and raisins add natural sweetener.  If you like your cereals a bit sweeter you can always add your favorite sweetener to the bowl but try it first.  Enjoy!

GE
Basic Ingredients

4 cups of steel cut oats (cooked)

1 cup fresh coconut milk

2 cups of water

1 large apple (cut in quarters & seeds removed. DO NOT PEEL!) or 1 banana

1/3 cup raisins

2 tbs chia seeds (hydrated in 2/3 cup of water)

2 tsp cinnamon (substitute 1 tsp of vanilla if using banana)

  1. Bring 1 cup of dry steel cut oats, water and coconut milk to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and let stand for 15-20 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
  2. GE
    Cooked Steel Cut Oats

    Place the chia seeds, apple, raisins and 1 cup of the cooked cereal into the large Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.

  3. Select Variable 1.
  4. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed toVariable10, then to High.  Blend until completely smooth.
  5. Turn off machine and remove lid.
  6. Add remaining cereal and replace lid.
  7. Select Variable 1.
  8. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  9. Blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.
  10. Pour into ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and freeze.
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Ready for Freezing

Food Tip:  This recipe can be reduced by 1/2 and made in smaller containers.  This oatmeal is best suited for older babies and individuals on a pureed diet that can handle a bit of texture.  For younger babies and individuals with gag reflex problems it is best to start with basic oatmeal made from oat flour (see recipe in whole grains).  When making this recipe for younger babies, add 1 ingredient at a time with at least 4 days in between additions to test for allergic reactions.  This recipe tastes so good the whole family will love it!

Money Tip:  Watch your prices.  I use Steel cut oats instead of whole oat groats, old fashioned oats or quick oats.  Oat groats and Steel cut oats have a more robust flavor  and more fiber because of the oat bran.  Other than that, they are pretty much the same nutritionally.  Steel cut oats run about 65 cents a pound if you buy them in bulk.  Since you are grinding or blending, why not save some money.

Time Tip:  Each cube is approximately 1 once.  Storing you cubes in labeled freezer bags will save lots of time and your servings will always be fresh.  To serve, simply put the desired portion in a microwavable bowl the night before and heat for 15-30 seconds on high.  If the cubes have not been defrosted, it will take 30-60 seconds to heat. 4 frozen cubes takes approximately 45 seconds.