Passover Spotlight: Gefen-Frosted Chocolate Cake Mix- GF

    While grocery shopping for passover goodies, a red box immediately caught my eye. It said, Gefen Frosted Chocolate Cake Mix- Gluten Free. This is the first time I'd ever seen a Gluten-Free version of a Passover cake mix. I bought it and quickly rushed home to test it out. The mixes ingredients are: sugar, potato starch, salt, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and vanilla.

   The recipe it self is pretty simple. I added a few alterations of my own.I pretty much followed the directions, except I replaced the 2 eggs with egg whites and the oil with a large banana. I thought I go for the healthier option, and banana & chocolate is always a winning combination^^

Banana prep:

1) Take one large banana chop it and put it in a bowl

2) Add 1.5 tbsp of water

3) Put banana in the microwave for 1 minute on high

4) Remove, place in mixing bowl and beat on high speed until the texture becomes creamy

5) Then add the egg whites and the rest of the following ingredients.

    The frosting in this recipe is a bit tricky. When adding the 6 tbsp's of hot water the frosting will become very watery, but don't worry if you let the frosting cool for around 1 hr it will become nice and thick. If you want quick frosting, don't the add 6 tbsp at once. Instead, add one tbsp at time until the desired consistency is achieved.

   The cake came out great and was very easy to prepare. The only issue with this mix is, the frosting; the directions just aren't accurate. Regardless, it's a great cake mix. It worked well with our substitutions and is delicious with or without frosting ^^ Until next year Gefen!

The Good Stuff Rating: Cake Mix- 4/5 & Frosting- 1/5

Yehuda's Gluten-Free Matzo- The Short Review

    Last time on The Good Stuff, we showed you a sneak peak of Yehuda's Gluten-Free Matzo. The verdict is in, this Matzo is delicious. It's even better than regular Matzo! So what does it taste like? This Matzo is very crunch, had great texture, it's salty with a hint of sweetness. The taste is similar to Lay's Baked Potato chips. This is a matzo that everyone will enjoy. Wheat Matzo looks like you have some competition. So,go out and buy a box^^

The Good Stuff rating: 5/5

Dayenu!!

    The wait is finally over; Let there be Gluten-Free Matzo! Yehuda's Gluten -free matzo is made of a mix of : Tapioca starch and Potato starch & flour, and Eggs. Best of all it's economically priced between 5-7 dollars a box. Most Gluten-Free Matzo's on the market are made of gluten-free oats,and the prices are expensive. ( see last years passover entry here)

   Stay tuned, as we give this matzo: The Ultimate Good Stuff Taste-Test. (*drum roll*) Get Ready for Gluten-Free Matzo Brei, Pizza, reviews and much more. Happy Passover ^^

Super Bowl Special: Green Bay Packer's Veggie Chili

In Honor of the Green Bay Packers winning Super Bowl 45, & in Good Stuff tradition this year recipe will be named, Green Bay Packers Veggie Chili. For you true sports fans out there, we added lots of green and yellow veggies. Congratulations to the Packers on an amazing game!

Super Bowl Special: Green Bay Packer's Veggie Chili

Ingredients:

4 medium sized zuchinni's chopped

3-4 parsnips chopped

2/3 of a cup of celery chopped

4-5 baby carrots chopped

1 red pepper chopped

1 yellow pepper chopped

1- 24oz can of diced tomatoes

2- 8oz cans of tomatoes paste

1/2 cup of Redbridge Gluten-free beer

2 can of pinto beans

1 can of black beans

1/2 medium red onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic diced

1/2 tablespoon of grape seed oil

Spices:

(This recipe work great with all spices, here's a simple suggestion below)

2 dried chili peppers

1 tablespoon of wholefoods chili powder

Preparation:

1) Wash and chopped all vegetables and garlic.

2) In a large pot, on medium heat, pour 1/2 tablespoon of grape seed oil. When warm add garlic, and let it sweat for about 2-3 minutes. Then add the chopped onion and let it continue to sweat for about 7 minutes.

3) Add the zuchinni and stir, then add parsnips, if there are hard cover the pot with a lid and let them steam until semi-soft.

4) When veggies are semi soft; add the 24 oz can of diced tomatoes including the juice, 1/2 cup of Redbridge Gluten-free beer, and cans of tomatoes, then stir, and lower heat.

5) Then add the 3 cans of beans & spices, and stir, then cover, and let it simmer for about 15 mins

6) Last but not least add, celery, carrots and peppers, continue simmering for another 10 mins.

Go Packers ! Enjoy ^^

Meat-Lovers version:

Substitute the zuchinni's and parsnips with 1/2 a pound of either ground beef or turkey. After step 1 & 2 add ground meat and cook until well done. Then follow the rest of the recipe.

Chanukkah Special- Alien Latkes *Original Recipe*

Chanukkah Special- Alien Latkes

It's that time of year to fire up the skillet and make the latkes. Traditional, latkes are made from potatoes. These are a funky fresh twist on an old tradition, and yes their green. You could say these latkas are out of this world. ^^

Ingredients:

1 shredded zucchini
1/2 of a small red onion chopped
1 green onion chopped
5-6 mushrooms minced
3 egg whites
3 tablespoons of grape-seed oil

Preparation:

1) Prep your vegetables: grate zucchini, chop green and red onions, and mince mushrooms, put it all together in a large bowl.

2) In a small bowl beat egg white, ( you can use whole eggs if you wish)

3) Then add eggs to the large bowl and mix contents together.

4) Add oil to skillet and heat it up. When skillet is warm take about 2 tablespoon of zucchini mix and put it on the skillet to form latkas ( the should look like cakes or patties). *Don't make them too large; their easier to turn when there small.*

5) Cook until they're nice and brown at the bottom, then flip and cook the other side.

6) Repeat with the remain mixture.

7) Don't forget the sourcream and apple sauce, when your done. If you really want an out of the world flavor add ketchup instead.

Take me to you leader -(^^)- Beep.

Sauted Escarole *Original Recipe*

Escarole is a type of endive, and a bitter leaf vegetable. It is a great addition to soups, pastas, salads and can be eaten raw. Its like they say the simplicity is best, and that what this recipe is all about. Escarole just goes great with garlic and oil, but I added a few onions for fun.

Ingredients:

1 Head of Escarole
2-3 gloves of minced garlic
1-2 tablespoons of grape-seed oil
1 green onion
a dash of red onions

Preparation:

1) Wash Escarole. Chop and minced garlic, green onion and red onion

2) Set skillet on medium heat, add grape-seed oil let it warm up, then add garlic cook for about 4 mins, then add green & red onions.

3)Add Escarole, and saute until soft.

Enjoy ^^

Whole Food's Surprise

It's day before Thanksgiving, and I'm in the middle of doing some last minute shopping at Whole Foods Market. Then, one of the staff gave me this beautiful paper turkey. I'm calling this a Thanksgiving miracle ^^ I used this turkey to compliment my traditional thanksgiving muffins. It's our own special family tradition.

This turkey has made our thanksgiving even more special. I would like to thank the kind staff at Whole Foods for giving it to me, he will forever becoming part of our thanksgiving tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone !!