Gluten Free Vegan Living

Flax is one of the oldest cultivated crops going back to the Egyptian times.  The slender plants grow as tall as 4 feet and are sometimes used as an ornament plant in gardens.  Canada is current the largest growers of flax.

Flax is also grown for its seeds which are often processed to make linseed or flax oil.  Flaxseeds are grown in two varieties:  brown and yellow seeds.  High in dietary fiber, they also contain a very high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids and can taste slightly spicy.

Flaxseed can be eaten whole, cracked or ground.  Once cracked or ground, they should be eaten within a week to avoid becoming rancid, or refrigerated for up to six months.

Uses for Flaxseed:

• Added whole to breads or topping for cereal or salads
• Ground and added to breads or muffins
• Ground and added to water as a replacement for eggs in baked goods:   2 ½ tablespoons flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of warm water will replace one egg.

Flaxseed, like many other seeds, makes wonderful tasting crackers.  Following is a recipe I found in my favorite cookbook:  Complete Gluten Free Cookbook:

Crispy Sesame Flaxseed Wafers

1/3 cup soy flour
¼  teaspoon gluten free baking powder
½ cup sesame seeds
½ cup untoasted flaxseed
2 teaspoons anise seeds
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
½ cup coconut oil or butter substitute
¼ cup granulate sugar
¼ cup water

Combine flour and seeds in a large bowl.  Mix well and set aside.

Cream butter substitute and sugar in a separate bowl.  Add water and beat well.  Slowly add dry ingredients.

Drop small spoonfuls of batter onto cookie sheets, at least 2 inches apart.  Flatten with the bottom of glass.  Bake at 325 degrees for 13 to 16 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring crackers to rack.  Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Photo and information source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flax

Complete Gluten-Free Cookbook: 150 Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free Recipes, Many with Egg-Free Variations

Click below for Flax products:

Brownies are my favorite dessert! Knowing this, of course, Gluten Free Vegan Brownies, are especially my favorite! Boxed mixes are okay, but Gluten Free Vegan Brownies made from scratch are even better tastings!!

Here is another recipe to share with you:

Vegan and Gluten-Free Brownies

By Healthy B Daily | Shine Food – Mon, Mar 26, 2012

1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax + 3 tablespoons water, whisked
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
1 cup whole almonds, ground into a flour/meal & sifted (or substitute 1 1/2 cups almond flour)
2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or cornstarch may work)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Earth Balance (coconut oil also works, but I didn’t like the flavor as much)
1 cup organic cane sugar (or just use white sugar)
1/2 cup + 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate, divided
1/4 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

READ FULL RECIPE

The first item on the list (ground flax in water) is, of course, the egg substitute — and a wonderful substitute for eggs!  Personally, I use Egg Replacer because I am allergic to flax *sigh*!

I hope you enjoy these Gluten Free Vegan Brownies!!

Vegans, especially, tend to watch the protein level of the foods they eat — at least I do!  One way to deal with this is to use gluten free flours that contain high levels of protein.  But which ones are higher in protein?  Carla from Gluten Free Recipes gives us a list of the many high protein flours and how to use them in your menu planning.

High Protein Gluten Free Flour

Gluten free flours that contain high protein are: bean (fava, chickpea/garbanzo, garfava, and soy), pea, quinoa, gluten free oat, sorghum, millet, amaranth, teff, buckwheat, Montina Pure Baking Supplement, potato flour, nut flours, chia (introduce into diet slowly), and flaxseed meal. ... Learn the characteristics and protein levels of high protein gluten free flour and how to use them in your gluten free baked goods.

Read Full Story

Of course, we are not going to add eggs to our bread as she suggests at the end of the article!

If you are looking for a good flour mix to make bread, check out Pamela’s Amazing Bread Mixes available in three sizes.

Pamela’s Products Amazing Bread Mix, 25-Pound Bag

Pamela’s Products Amazing Wheat Free & Gluten-free Bread Mix, 4-Pound Bags (Pack of 3)

Pamela’s Products Wheat-Free & Gluten-Free, Amazing Bread Mix, 19-Ounce Packages (Pack of 6)