Want A gluten-free Thanksgiving? Hound Relatives To Get Tested!

[Bobbie Jo]

Here is a really great reason to keep hounding your relatives to get tested: The more people who find out are gluten intolerant, the more safe food choices at holidays!

Last year, there were 4 of us on a gluten-free diet, and yes, I got contaminated. This year - more than half of the people at the event are on a gluten-free diet and we are planning on a mostly gluten-free Thanksgiving. And these are amazing cooks who have adapted their baking quickly to gluten-free goodness. Their pies are amazing!!!

I have to thank this Forum for guiding me the past year and a half as I navigated this new life. We need each other!!!!

What is your favorite gluten-free Thanksgiving food that is a big hit? I would love to hear!!! I'm going to start cooking and freezing this week.

[domesticactivist]

That is the best thing I've read all morning

[pricklypear1971]

  On 11/3/2011 at 3:09 PM, Bobbie Jo said:

Here is a really great reason to keep hounding your relatives to get tested: The more people who find out are gluten intolerant, the more safe food choices at holidays!

Last year, there were 4 of us on a gluten-free diet, and yes, I got contaminated. This year - more than half of the people at the event are on a gluten-free diet and we are planning on a mostly gluten-free Thanksgiving. And these are amazing cooks who have adapted their baking quickly to gluten-free goodness. Their pies are amazing!!!

I have to thank this Forum for guiding me the past year and a half as I navigated this new life. We need each other!!!!

What is your favorite gluten-free Thanksgiving food that is a big hit? I would love to hear!!! I'm going to start cooking and freezing this week.

Oh, I wish! This year I'm cooking so no problem there. Next year, who knows...

This year, to keep it simple for dessert I'm making chocolate cheesecake. I may break down and make some pies because I saw gluten-free pie crusts at whole foods yesterday - id do pecan and sweet potato.

[jswog]

  On 11/3/2011 at 3:49 PM, pricklypear1971 said:

Oh, I wish! This year I'm cooking so no problem there. Next year, who knows...

This year, to keep it simple for dessert I'm making chocolate cheesecake. I may break down and make some pies because I saw gluten-free pie crusts at whole foods yesterday - id do pecan and sweet potato.

Recipe please? Choc cheescake sounds AMAZING!

[Bobbie Jo]

  On 11/3/2011 at 11:38 PM, jswog said:

Recipe please? Choc cheescake sounds AMAZING!

I was wondering the same thing - so went to store yesterday and found the cheesecake mixes. I am thinking of just using that and instead of the graham cracker crust, making some gluten free cookies, crumbling them up and substituting those in place of graham crackers - you know, the kind of crust where you melt it with butter, add a little sugar.

I did get some gluten-free graham cracker mix in the mail today from jules gluten free site. It was part of a Thanksgiving pak - kind of expensive, but looks good.

Hopefully she will write back with her recipe.

[pricklypear1971]

  On 11/4/2011 at 6:09 PM, Bobbie Jo said:

I was wondering the same thing - so went to store yesterday and found the cheesecake mixes. I am thinking of just using that and instead of the graham cracker crust, making some gluten free cookies, crumbling them up and substituting those in place of graham crackers - you know, the kind of crust where you melt it with butter, add a little sugar.

I did get some gluten-free graham cracker mix in the mail today from jules gluten free site. It was part of a Thanksgiving pak - kind of expensive, but looks good.

Hopefully she will write back with her recipe.

Ok, I see I see. I'll go to the computer. Can't do this on the phone....

[pricklypear1971]

Ironically enough, this is from Emeril's kid's cookbook. But man oh man is it good. I've never made this without everyone going nuts...this is always hubby's birthday cake.

I make a Commander's Palace Creole Cream Cheese Cheesecake for Christmas... I'll post that next moth .

I have some gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, and bought some crunchy-looking chocolate cookies the other day at Whole Foods - thought it was better to use those than to scrape the filling off of K-Toos (or whatever the gluten-free Oreos are called).

Aside from the crust its just a regular cheesecake...I don't have any other issues so I've never tried substituting eggs or dairy. I use Ghiradelli chocolate chips for chocolate, and a Hershey bar for the grated chocolate bar. I'm sure you can improvise chocolate with whatever solid chocolate you choose.

Seriously Chocolaty Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, originally appearing in Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2002

Prep Time:30 minInactive Prep Time:5 hr 15 minCook Time:1 hr 20 min

Level:

Intermediate

Serves:

1 cheesecake, serving about 12

Ingredients

Crust:

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup finely ground chocolate sandwich cookies (recommended: Oreo), chocolate cookie part only, no white filling

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate

2 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

4 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

1 (1 1/2-ounce) milk chocolate bar

Crust:

Directions

Make sure the oven rack is in the center position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the crust ingredients with a fork and mix until well combined. Press the cookie mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until fragrant and just set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove from the oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before adding the filling.

Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Filling:

Place semisweet chocolate in a microwave-proof glass bowl or measuring cup and cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave the chocolate on high power for 30 seconds; then stir it with a spoon or rubber spatula. Continue to microwave the chocolate on high, stopping to stir every 30 seconds, until it is completely melted and smooth. (If you don't have a microwave, you can use the double-boiler method for melting chocolate.) Set aside.

Place the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large metal bowl and, using an electric mixer, beat until creamy and smooth, about 4 minutes. Turn the mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Sift the cocoa powder into the cream cheese mixture and beat to incorporate. Turn the mixer off.

Crack and add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Be sure to turn the mixer off before you add each egg. *Add the sour cream and melted chocolate and beat until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, transfer the batter to the prepared pan with the baked crust.

Bake at 350 degrees F until the cake rises and puffs and the center is just set and still slightly wiggly, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Grate the chocolate bar and sprinkle the shavings over the top of the cheesecake while it's still hot.

Let the cheesecake cool for 1 hour. Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

When you're ready to serve the cheesecake, gently run a thin sharp knife around the inside edge of the springform pan to loosen the cake's sides, then unhook and carefully remove the outer ring of the pan. Slice and serve.

Be careful not to touch the hot pan when you add the grated chocolate to the hot cake! *

*It's important not to add hot melted chocolate to the raw eggs, or you'll cook them!

Kick up your cheesecake by topping it with some fresh whipped cream.

[jswog]

  On 11/4/2011 at 6:36 PM, pricklypear1971 said:

Ironically enough, this is from Emeril's kid's cookbook. But man oh man is it good. I've never made this without everyone going nuts...this is always hubby's birthday cake.

I make a Commander's Palace Creole Cream Cheese Cheesecake for Christmas... I'll post that next moth .

Sounds YUMMY! Thank you! And I look forward to the Christmas Cheesecake recipe also!

[Bobbie Jo]

My kids are on each side of me reading this drooling.

Thank you!

[pricklypear1971]

  On 11/4/2011 at 9:17 PM, Bobbie Jo said:

My kids are on each side of me reading this drooling.

Thank you!

Tell them to start baking. It IS a kid's recipe!