I haven't really had very accessible Internet access for about a week, so I haven't been able to update my blog. Monday night I went to a gluten free baking class. I would highly recommend it for anyone who lives in Aurora or anywhere in the Denver metro area. It was one of the Aurora Parks and Rec cooking classes at the kitchens at Expo. Everything we made was really good. The first recipe was Lemon-Glazed Blueberry Muffins. They were more like cupcakes because they were very sweet. I brought one home to my husband and he and my two older kids tried it and really liked it. I really liked them, too. The next recipe was Date Nut Bread. It was probably my least favorite, but it was still pretty good. I brought some home, and my family really liked it, so I'll probably be making it. The next recipe was Flourless Chocolate Cake. The was really tasty. The amazing part of that recipe is that it is made with BEANS! You absolutely could not tell though. It was actually pretty healthy except for the sugar in it. It had beans, orange juice, eggs, bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda. I also brought a slice of this home and everyone liked it. The next recipe was Corn-Chipotle Biscuits. They were fabulous. I told the instructor she made my little Southern heart so happy! They quite a kick to them because of the chipotle chile powder, but you could use a different chile powder - or less - or none. The recipe called for one cup of amaranth or sorghum flour. We used amaranth, but the instructor said that sorghum flour is good for biscuits because it is "fluffy." We ate all of those in class, so there weren't any to bring home. I'm going to make them with a potato-chipotle casserole tomorrow night though, so I'll test them out on my family then! The last recipe was a Gluten-Free Pizza. The crust was the best gf crust I've tasted (out of threee). It was quite good, and I think my family will really like it. I'll probably try to make it this weekend.

I've made a few new recipes lately. Last night I made Two-Step Southwestern Stew with brown rice and Earth Apple Torte. They were both great. The torte was amazing and my family went back for seconds. The stew was quite good, too - plus healthy and easy. It had onions, canned tomatoes with chiles, kidney beans, hominy, zucchini, cumin, and cilantro. Tonight, I made Garlicky Grits Cakes with roasted red pepper tapenade and Tempeh-Potato Breakfast Patties. My kids liked both recipes. My husband wasn't crazy about the grits cakes but liked the patties. I liked them both, and they will probably make a regular appearance at weekend brunch. Tonight I made Bob's Red Mill gf brownies. I put chocolate chips and pecans in them and made a chocolate topping for them. I really, really liked them! My husband didn't think they were "cakey" enough, but I don't like "cakey" brownies. I like gooey brownies, and they were gooey - especially with all the chocolate I put in them! So far, Bob's Red Mill products have proven themselves to be quality products.

My mom is doing really well on a gf diet. Her doctors are taking her completely off one medication, and cutting two more in half. We are all waiting anxiously to see the results. She is moving a lot better with a lot less pain and that is exciting and encouraging. We talk everyday about the new products and recipes that we are trying.