Makes 16 2-inch bars

Free of: gluten and all top allergens

Ingredients

• 2 cups (475 mL) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) dairy-free, soy-free margarine or buttery spread
• 1 tbsp Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 1/4 cup canned coconut milk* (shaken to distribute coconut cream)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (475 mL) Cybele’s Basic Gluten-Free Flour Blend (see below) or Authentic Foods GF Classical Blend
• 2 tsp double-acting baking powder
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded unsweetened coconut

Method

1. Combine brown sugar and margarine in a heavy pot over very low heat. Cook while stirring continuously until melted and just starting to bubble, about 10 minutes. Don’t rush or you risk burning the sugar. Remove from heat and let cool 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the sugar from setting up. It will become thick, like caramel.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease an 8×8- inch pan.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium-high, beat in egg replacer until creamy. Mix in vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour blend, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Add dry ingredients to pot with butterscotch and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Add coconut and mix until well-distributed.
5. Transfer dough to the greased pan. Press dough to edges of pan and smooth into an even layer; it will be very sticky and dense.
6. Bake 30 minutes in center of oven, or until it has a rich golden hue, glossy top and is beginning to pull away from the pan’s edges. Set pan on a wire rack and let cool completely. Use a serrated knife to cut into squares.

Cybele’s Basic Gluten-Free Flour Blend

Ingredients

• 4 cups (950 mL) brown rice flour*
• 2/3 cup (160 mL) tapioca flour or starch
• 1 1/3 cups (320 mL) potato starch

Method

1. Mix until all ingredients are well-distributed. Then store in an airtight container.

Notes: When measuring flours and starches scoop into the measuring cups then level off with the back of a knife. Do not use the measuring cup to scoop.

*A Note on Coconut
Coconut is technically a fruit. While most allergists do not consider it a tree nut, if you are nut allergic, ask your doctor if coconut is safe for you.

*For best results: Use Authentic Foods Superfine Brown Rice Flour or Bob’s Red Mill Brown Rice Flour (which is also quite fine). However, the Bob’s product does carry a tree nut “may contain” warning. If using another brown rice flour instead, place in a spice grinder or food processor and blend for 1 minute to get the find grind needed for these recipes.

*Source Allergic Living Magazine

Serves 8-10

Free of: gluten and top allergens (for dairy-free, use canola oil)

Ingredients

• 8 cups (2 L) 1-inch cubes of gluten-free [and allergy-friendly] bread of choice
• 4 celery ribs
• 4 medium onions, peeled
• 1 cup (250 mL) canola oil or butter
• 1 recipe breakfast sausage (page 70 of cookbook) or 1 pound sausage of choice*
• 2 cups (475 mL) turkey or chicken broth [look for gf, allergy-friendly brands]
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 2 tsp rubbed sage
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp salt

Method

1. To toast the bread cubes, spread on a half sheet pan and bake in a 325° F oven until dry, about 30 minutes. Reserve and let cool.
2. Chop the celery and onions by hand, or else chop coarsely and place in the work bowl of a large-capacity food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse in batches to chop.
3. Over medium heat in a 12-inch skillet, heat the canola oil or butter. Add the celery and onions and cook, stirring, until translucent and tender, but not browned. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the vegetables cool.
4. Meanwhile, spray a 10-to 12-inch skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat over high heat. Add the sausage and sauté, breaking up the clumps with a spatula, until browned. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the sausage cool.
5. Preheat the oven to 350° F
6. Place the vegetables and sausage in a 6-quart bowl. Stir to mix. Add the chicken broth and the dried parsley, sage, poultry seasoning, and salt.  Add the toasted bread cubes and stir gently with a silicone spatula to mix.
7. Transfer the stuffing to a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with foil sprayed on one side with non-stick cooking spray, sprayed side down. Bake until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to brown the top.

*AL editor’s note: Always check with your butcher or grocer to find safe sausages. Gluten can be used as a filler in some sausages, while others can contain dairy or soy.

Variations

• Add 1 cup of chopped mushrooms to the vegetable mixture before sautéing.
• Add 1 cup of chopped Granny Smith apples to the vegetable mixture before sautéing.
• For a meatless stuffing, omit the sausage.

*Source Allergic Living Magazine