Homemade Grain (Gluten) Free Pasta

Years ago, a dear friend of mine taught me how to make a simple homemade pasta by using a food processor.  I thought I'd give it a try with my gluten (grain) free and IC diet friendly ingredients.  It worked out fabulously and was so easy!  I think this recipe could be used as the base for gluten (grain) free ravioli or egg rolls.  I'll post when I give those a try!

Homemade Grain (Gluten) Free Pasta

Makes about 2 servings

On a work surface, place a sheet of parchment paper about 15" long, sprayed with olive oil cooking spray.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine

1 egg
Dash of sea salt (about 1/8 of a teaspoon)

Add gradually by pulsing until the dough clings together and is no longer sticky, about

3/4 cup chickpea flour (also called besan, garbanzo bean or lentil flour)

Make sure the dough is worked together evenly before transferring it to the parchment sheet.  I had to scrape the bottom and sides of my processor to get it all together and kneaded it a bit with my hands before I turned it out onto my work surface.

Spray the dough with olive oil cooking spray and form the dough into a ball. Re-spray the dough as often as necessary to keep it from drying out while working with it.  Place the dough in the center of the work surface and flatten it into a very thin rectangle.  Oil the blade of a knife and slice the pasta into the desired length and width.

At this point, the pasta may be air dried or frozen for storage.  

To cook the pasta, place the desired amount into salted, boiling water for a minute or so.  

I used my noodles in some home made chicken noodle soup.  Yum.  The photo shows the pasta served with some home made pork gravy.

Enjoy!

Best Ever Pork Chops

Best Ever Pork Chops

I wouldn't normally make such grandiose claims about a recipe I've written, however, I served these to a friend the other day.  She exclaimed, "Sharron, I don't know how you made these pork chops, but they are the best pork chops I've ever had in my life!"

...and they are so easy!  This is one of those recipes that doesn't make a person feel like they are on a special or restricted diet at all.  "IC diet?  What's that?"  That's what it feels like when I can have food like this!

Best Ever Pork Chops
Serves 4

Pre-heat the oven to 450F.  Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.  Season one side of each of the four pork chops with 

Adobo seasoning without pepper
Sea salt

Turn the chops over and season the other side as above.  Additionally,
Italian Seasonings (herb blend) may be sprinkled lightly over the chops (not pictured.)  Cover the pork chops with paper towels, if desired.  Allow the chops to rest, seasoned, at room temperature for 20 to 40 minutes.  This is very important.  If this step is skipped, but chops will not be as tender and juicy.

Remove the paper towels, if used, and place the pan in the center of the hot oven.  Bake the pork chops at 450F for 10 to 35 minutes, depending upon size and thickness of the chops.  If using a meat thermometer, the meat should register at 170F.  If not, the meat should be firm to the touch and have golden brown edges.  (A good read on the subject of doneness for pork is this short article.)  Allow the meat to rest a few minutes on the pan before serving.

Enjoy!

Inflammation and Diet

Inflammation

This blog will highlight my personal journey battling inflammation and its underlying causes.  I have a few conditions that are directly linked to inflammation.  The two biggies for me are arthritis and interstitial cystitis (IC).  The one that causes me the greatest distress is the IC.  I’ve suffered with this condition for most of my adult life, only having it diagnosed in the last couple of years by my naturopathic physician.  I am doing a number of things to help with the pain and urgency, but the real bottom line is diet.  It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what “works” and “doesn’t work” with an IC diet, but I discovered this wonderful document that really takes a lot of the guess-work out of it.  Generally, my body agrees with what the document lists as safe and unsafe on an IC diet.  It is the 2012 ICN Food List 

Some may recognize me as the author of Extreme Lo Carb Cuisine and Extreme Lo Carb Meals on the Go.  They would be correct.  While doing a modified Atkins / Paleo approach, I lost 90 pounds a few years ago.  I have since regained the weight because of this underlying inflammation.  I hope to continue to lose weight while regaining my health.

Since food is the biggest issue with interstitial cycstitis, a majority of this blog will be recipe-focused.  In addition to the general guidelines for IC, I follow a dairy-free and grain-free protocol, that some might consider a “paleo diet.”  I will share recipes as I write them.  I hope the content will bless and encourage folks struggling with IC and other inflammation- related conditions, like arthritis.  It is possible to eat well, while following a strict IC eating plan!

Blessings,

Sharron Long

cSharron Long and Adams Media, Inc. 2014



My dairy free almond milk recipe