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Favorite Things August 20, 2021

some of my favorite things are dahlias. These lovely orange hued dahlias on a white background are perfect for late summer.

This a collection of things I'm loving right now. I've included recipes that are perfect for this season and some of my favorite things. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and scroll through all the stuff I've enjoyed this week.

New for Fall in the Kitchen

I love adding a few updated pieces each season for my kitchen and dining room. Adding plaid for fall is a must and this apron is absolutely perfect. I also like to get a new serving board and plate for the upcoming holidays. There are so many lovely options to choose from!

Recipe Ideas for the Week

Gluten Free Angel Food Cake

Gluten Free Instant Rice Pudding

Gluten Free Plum Cake

Stuff I Love

What I'm Listening to - I just listened to Dr. Will Cole's podcast The Art of Being Well with Jorge Cruise about the Science + Spirituality of Stopping Sugar and Carb Cravings. It's an interesting listen and something I struggle with at times. Sometimes I just want to eat my feelings and that means sugar and carbs for me.

What I'm Watching - I've been on a kick of rewatching shows and movies from the 90's. I just rewatched the movie Mallrats and I'm rewatching Friends too. Watching the cast of Friends in the first season laugh as each other delivers lines makes my heart happy.

What I'm Reading - I just got the latest issue of The Magnolia Journal and the cover is so good! I love the dark and moody look. I couldn't wait to dive right in. I'm so ready for Fall.

What I'm Loving - I struggle to find comfortable bras. I can't be the only one, right?! I just got this lightly lined wireless bra from Calvin Klein and I'm loving it!

What I Want to Get - I don't really need new lights for by our bed, but I'm in love with this glass globe and brass wall sconce. It's so simple and pretty. Makes me want to update our bedroom!

What I'm Loving - My old air fryer finally broke and needed to be replaced. I got this Instant Vortex Air Fryer and I love it so much! The roast setting makes amazing roasted potatoes and the air fry setting cooks a perfect steak or burger. It's so good!

New Fall Denim

Favorites From Around the Web

I love to have functional and pretty items in my kitchen. This set of rose gold whisks are so lovely! I think I need them.

I love these black wire baskets for pantry storage. They would be perfect for snacks and extra baking supplies.

I love ankle boots for fall with my jeans. This tan pair, this cognac pair and this taupe pair are under $35 and perfect for fall.

Speaking of fall, bring on all the warm and cozy socks! I love these textured crew socks and these tie dye ribbed crew socks.

I know that white sneakers are back in style, but I remember how hard they were to keep clean in the 90s. So I'm opting for these cream sneakers or these tan sneakers that I may actually be able to keep looking nice.

I have this sweater pullover and joggers in my cart right now in cream. They look so comfortable! These cozy slip on clogs are also in my cart to go with them.

I love all the things from Acure that I've tried. I want to try this Resurfacing Overnight Glycolic Treatment to keep my skin glowing as we change seasons. My skin tends to get dull as we head into fall and winter.

I love having ramekins to bake single serving desserts or to make french onion soup in. This set of 8 ramekins for $15 is a good deal! They are a must have for fall and winter in my kitchen.

Gluten Free Angel Food Cake

This easy recipe for gluten free angel food cake is a delicious dessert made with egg whites. My recipe to make this light and fluffy cake from scratch without cornstarch is perfect with whipped cream and berries or a sauce. This is the perfect cake for summer baking!

a gluten free angel food cake on a white cake stand next to white plates, a silver serving knife and a glass jar of strawberry rhubarb sauce

I make this gluten free angel food cake all summer long to serve with fresh summer fruit. This cake is perfect to make the day before a gathering or picnic so you can just slice and serve. I love the golden edges with the light and fluffy inside!

I topped the cake in these photos with my gluten free strawberry rhubarb sauce.

You can find all of my cake recipes here: Gluten Free Cake Recipes

a gluten free angel food cake on a white cake stand next to white plates, a silver serving knife and a glass jar of strawberry rhubarb sauce
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Ingredients

Instructions

Move your oven racks to the lowest height. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Do not grease your tube pan!

Sift and then whisk together gluten free flour, 1 cup confectioner's sugar and arrowroot powder in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer on medium speed whisk together egg whites, cream of tartar and sea salt until light and foamy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. Increase the speed of your mixer to medium-high and whisk the mixture until the egg whites have increased in volume and are thickened.

Add 1 cup of confectioner's sugar gradually and whisk until a stiff meringue forms. You can check this by removing your whisk attachment and seeing if you have peaks that don't fall.

Fold in the flour mixture using a spatula.

Spoon the cake batter into your tube pan. Do not grease your tube pan!

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. The cake will be lightly browned, the top of the cake will look dry and slightly cracked and will spring back when you touch it when it's done.

Remove the cake from the oven and invert the tube pan either on its legs or over a bottle.

Cool your cake for at least one hour and then using a knife go around the edges of the pan to remove the cake from the tube pan.

Serve your cake with whipped cream and berries or my Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce.

Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

Are store bought angel food cakes gluten free?

No, they typically have wheat flour in them and are not gluten free. It's always important to read the ingredients and check to see what else is processed with food to make sure they are truly gluten free.

This recipe is really simple to make, so it's a great option if you need a light and fluffy cake.

Can I use a bundt pan to make this gluten free angel food cake?

I don't suggest using a bundt pan for this recipe. An angel food cake pan is inexpensive and totally worth having. You will need to run a knife around the edge of the pan to get the cake to release. Using a bundt pan with it's intricate edges makes that really hard (and frustrating).

I prefer a two piece angel food cake pan. They cost a bit more, but I think it's worth it to spend more for a pan that makes getting your cake out really easy! For the two piece pan you can run a knife around the edges to release the sides and then run a knife along the bottom of your cake to get the second piece off. You are left with a nice clean edge and no fighting to get your cake out of the pan.

How should I store my angel food cake?

Gluten free angel food cake can dry out really easily, so I suggest as soon as the cake cools you either wrap it in plastic wrap or cut it into pieces and store it in a sealed bag or container.

The cake can be left out on the countertop for a couple of days, but then after that it needs to go in the refrigerator to be stored up to a week. To freeze the cake, wrap the pieces in tinfoil and then place in a sealed bag or container and freeze for up to a month.

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

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Gluten Free Angel Food Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This easy recipe for gluten free angel food cake is a delicious dessert made with egg whites. My recipe for make this light and fluffy cake from scratch without cornstarch is perfect with whipped cream and berries or a sauce. This is the perfect cake for summer baking!

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

Move your oven racks to the lowest height. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Do not grease your tube pan!

Sift and then whisk together gluten free flour, 1 cup confectioner's sugar and arrowroot powder in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer on medium speed whisk together egg whites, cream of tartar and sea salt until light and foamy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. Increase the speed of your mixer to medium-high and whisk the mixture until the egg whites have increased in volume and are thickened.

Add 1 cup of confectioner's sugar gradually and whisk until a stiff meringue forms. You can check this by removing your whisk attachment and seeing if you have peaks that don't fall.

Fold in the flour mixture using a spatula.

Spoon the cake batter into your tube pan. Do not grease your tube pan!

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. The cake will be lightly browned, the top of the cake will look dry and slightly cracked and will spring back when you touch it when it's done.

Remove the cake from the oven and invert the tube pan either on its legs or over a bottle.

Cool your cake for at least one hour and then using a knife go around the edges of the pan to remove the cake from the tube pan.

Serve your cake with whipped cream and berries or my Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

Gluten Free Instant Rice Pudding

a white bowl of gluten free instant rice pudding with fresh blueberries and strawberries on top.

This easy recipe for gluten free instant rice pudding is made with cooked rice. You can make this creamy dessert quickly on your stovetop. The recipe includes cinnamon, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk.

I love using this recipe for leftover rice or microwave rice so it's really quick to make. I usually serve this with fresh berries, but you could also serve it the classic way with raisins. This is a really rich and creamy dessert that is always a hit!

a white bowl of gluten free instant rice pudding with fresh blueberries and strawberries on top.

Is there gluten in rice pudding?

There shouldn't be any gluten in rice pudding. Rice should be gluten free, but if it's processed with other ingredients that include gluten it can be contaminated. Always be sure to check the package to see if it is gluten free. There should either be the gluten free seal or the ingredient section should disclose if there could be gluten.

Do I have to use cooked rice for this recipe?

Yes! This recipe will not turn out properly with these short cooking times if the rice isn't precooked. This is a great recipe to use leftover rice or to use Lotus Foods Microwave Jasmine Rice.

I like to use Jasmine Rice. I add two cups of rice to four cups of water in a large stockpot. Using medium high heat I bring the ingredients to a boil and then I turn the heat to low and let the rice cook for 14 minutes. When the rice is done remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

Gluten Free Instant Rice Pudding Supplies

What rice is best for rice pudding?

I like white rice best for making rice pudding. I think having the husk removed allows the rice to soak up the creamy sauce better. My favorite white rice is Jasmine rice because I think it holds together the best and has a nice texture. For gluten free be sure that the packaging states the rice is gluten free and that the rice is not cross contaminated.

Gluten Free Instant Rice Pudding Ingredients

If you like this recipe you might also enjoy:

Gluten Free Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
Gluten Free Strawberry Jam Bars
10 Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts
Gluten Free Raspberry Cornmeal Cake
Gluten Free Cream Cheese Pound Cake

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

Print
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Gluten Free Instant Rice Pudding

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: approximately 3 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This easy recipe for gluten free instant rice pudding is made with cooked rice. You can make this creamy dessert quickly on your stovetop. The recipe includes cinnamon, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk.

Ingredients

Scale

2 - 8 ounce packages Lotus Foods Microwave Jasmine Rice or leftover cooked rice
1 - 8 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tbsp. Heavy Cream
1 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Egg, beaten
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Ground Nutmeg
¼ tsp. Sea Salt
Fresh berries for serving

Instructions

In a saucepan combine the sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, butter and salt. Bring mixture to a simmer. Turn off heat and add the vanilla extract.

Place the egg in a bowl and beat until frothy. Add ¼ of the mixture to the beaten egg and whisk together. 

Add the egg mixture to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg to the egg mixture and whisk to combine.

Cook the Lotus Foods Microwave Jasmine Rice per the package or use leftover cooked rice. 

Add the rice to the sauce in the saucepan. Put the saucepan back on medium heat and heat through. Remove from heat.

Serve rice pudding warm with fresh berries or raisins.

Notes

The rice for the recipe must be cooked.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

Favorite Things August 13, 2021

one of my favorite things are indoor houseplants to purify the air

This a collection of things I'm loving right now. I've included recipes that are perfect for this season and some of my favorite things. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and scroll through all the stuff I've enjoyed this week.

New Fall Sweaters at Target

I know lots of places are still really hot and in the midst of a summer heat wave, but I've found in years past that women's fall sweaters sell out fast. So, while you're enjoying some air conditioning inside it's the perfect time to do some online shopping! These are some of my favorite sweaters in Target's new fall collection.

Recipe Ideas for the Week

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Roasted Cashews

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

Gluten Free Raspberry Cornmeal Cake

Stuff I Love

What We Just Tried - We tried the new Kind Frozen Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars and the new Kind Peanut Butter Ice Cream. We loved the bars, but the ice cream wasn't very good (and it gave me indigestion). My favorite peanut butter chocolate ice cream is still Tillamook!

What I'm Watching - On Apple TV I've been watching Home Before Dark. The first couple of episodes felt like a kids show, but then it picks up and I'm really liking the mystery.

What I'm Reading - I'm currently reading Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy. The book is about a woman that goes to work at the Playboy Resort in Wisconsin in 1981 and then her life during and after her experience. I like the main character and the book has been interesting. If you enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six you would like this book.

What I'm Loving - I've been using these bottles all summer long to hold simple syrups and agua fresca in my fridge door. They seal nicely and are really easy to pour from.

What I Want to Get - I love an elbow length t-shirt for fall and winter. I'm loving this black and white elbow length tee that I have in my cart at Target!

New Items for Fall I'm Loving

Favorites From Around the Web

I love this retro velvet pillow from Drew Barrymore's new line at Walmart. The colors are all really pretty and would make a simple update to your couch for fall.

I'm also loving the small kitchen appliances in the new Drew Barrymore line at Walmart. This air fryer is super pretty in matte black or white.

I'm loving all the black and white access pieces that are popping up for the home this fall. This pillow, this pouf and this rug are three of my favorites.

I've been looking for a new crossbody bag. I think this brown version is so pretty and this black version would go with everything. This brown pleated crossbody bag looks like it would hold all of my stuff!

This long skirt is perfect to go from late summer into fall. I would pair it with sandals now and then switch to boots for fall. The color and pattern is lovely!

Speaking of boots, this brown pair of ankle boots from Target looks like the Fry version, but at a much lower price. This rich brown color is perfect with jeans!

I've been thinking about doing an office refresh. I love this gold wire basket rolling cart and this midcentury upholstered office chair.

All of the simple hoop earrings that are everywhere right now are so pretty! I love this silver pair of oval hoops, this set of three worn gold hoops and this trio of texture gold hoops.

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

This easy recipe for cantaloupe agua fresca makes the perfect drink for summer. Using the fruit, lime juice and water you can quickly have a tasty mocktail. I love this agua fresca plain or served with sparkling water.

a glass of cantaloupe aqua fresca with ice and lime slice with a bottle of aqua fresca behind it

If you aren't a fan of cantaloupe you can substitute watermelon or honey dew melon. If you are going to add another fruit that is more tart you may need to increase the amount of sweetener you add to the recipe.

This recipe is a great way to use leftover cantaloupe that you sliced up and have in the refrigerator. The lovely orange color is perfect to serve at gatherings. This drink is always a hit served very cold over ice during the hot summer months.

If you are looking for more tasty cold drinks try my Homemade Blueberry Lemonade made with Frozen Blueberries, my Pina Colada Mocktail, my Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktails, or my Homemade Raspberry Lemonade.

You can find all of my drink recipes here: Gluten Free Drink Recipes

a glass of cantaloupe aqua fresca with ice and lime slice with a bottle of aqua fresca behind it

Cantaloupe agua fresca is a light, refreshing beverage that captures the sweet, mellow flavor of ripe melon in every sip.

This cantaloupe drink is a staple summer beverage in many warm-weather regions, offering a naturally sweet and hydrating alternative to sugary sodas or heavy juices.

With its smooth texture and vibrant color, this melon agua fresca recipe is a delightful way to enjoy cantaloupe in liquid form-perfect for cooling down on hot days.

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Ingredients

Instructions

Put cantaloupe chunks, lime juice, sugar, sea salt and 1 cup of water into your blender. Blend until smooth. 

Strain the cantaloupe mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a jar, pitcher or bottle. Discard the solids.

Add the remaining 2 cups of water and stir or shake to combine. 

Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Serve over ice. You may want to serve with some sparkling water to add some fizz.

Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is agua fresca made of?

Agua fresca is made of water, fruit, lime juice and a sweetener. For this version I used cantaloupe, granulated sugar and also added a bit of sea salt to cut the sweetness just a little. You could easily replace the cantaloupe with watermelon, honey dew or another fruit that you have.

Depending on how sweet the fruit is you're using you will want to adjust the amount of sugar you add. For this recipe I used ripe cantaloupe which is naturally very sweet. If you want to use fruit that is less ripe or a fruit that is more tart you will want to add more sweetener.

Does agua fresca have alcohol in it?

No, this drink is water based and does not contain alcohol. It is very close to a juice and is great for non-alcoholic drinks and to serve to children. If you wanted to you could add alcohol to make a cocktail or sparkling water to cut down on the sweetness.

How should I store cantaloupe agua fresca?

I like to put mine in a bottle, but you could also store your agua fresca in a jar with a sealed lid. You can store this cantaloupe agua fresca in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!

Print
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Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This easy recipe for canteloupe agua fresca makes the perfect drink for summer. Using the fruit, lime juice and water you can quickly have a tasty mocktail. I love this agua fresca plain or served with sparkling water.

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

Put cantaloupe chunks, lime juice, sugar, sea salt and 1 cup of water into your blender. Blend until smooth. 

Strain the cantaloupe mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a jar, pitcher or bottle. Discard the solids.

Add the remaining 2 cups of water and stir or shake to combine. 

Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Serve over ice. You may want to serve with some sparkling water to add some fizz.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free