Baking Day - Grainfree Style

Grain-Free Cheese Crackers?? Yes, Please!

I began this morning seeing what everyone was up to on Facebook, and one of my friends had shared a link to a recipe for grain-free cheese cracker dough... It is a paid PDF recipe, but I had never seen anything like it, and I had to have it! I am on the look out for easy grain-free foods to send in my preschooler's lunchbox and this looked perfect, and after trying it out, I definitely recommend this Primal Dough Recipe.



I tested the recipe today - with my new food scale from Wal-Mart (yep. I shop there). It was less than $20.00 and suits my needs.

I followed the directions for the "Primal Cheese Dough" which does contain dairy products, along with tapioca flour, and root vegetables. There is also a "Paleo" version provided with dairy substitutes. I have avoided Tapioca flour in the past, but decided that as a once in a while treat for lunches, car trips, etc I'm ok with it as an ingredient - and you use quite a bit of it for this recipe.



I rolled out and baked the crackers according to the instructions and they were moderately labor intensive, but not too difficult. It was fun to use my rolling pin again! (look - I baked a spaghetti squash too!) The baking takes longer than the recipe suggests as you have to break off the edge crackers and put the rest back in the oven repeatedly until they are all crisp. I found with my last batch that after I broke off the browned edge crackers, I turned off the oven and put the still slightly underdone center back in the warm oven to crisp up.



These turned out really delicious. It is difficult not to pop them in your mouth as you break them apart. Then the real test... would the picky 4 year old eat them? I gave her a small bowl to try... asked her what she thought and she said, "they're..... yummy!"

win! It's worth the $3.95: Here's where you get the recipe. :)



In other Paleo recipe testing, I made this Primal Fudge from Practical Paleo. I substituted peanut butter for the almond butter, and I swear... I just made a pile of Reece's Peanut Butter Cups!! They are SO GOOD.

Happy Baking!

Paulette, Paulette, Paulette

I am knitting away on my size 2 US needles with my fingering weight Knit Picks Palette yarn on 3 little Paulette Tunics. The 6 month size took only one ball of Palette in the "Rose Hip" colorway - this one is for my very sweet and tiny God-daughter. Clare's is the "Opal Heather" colorway, and Helen's will be out of the "Iris Heather" which we have renamed "Looks like a Unicorn" colorway. knit. knit. knit. And, I wonder... how are Dawn's Paulettes for her girls coming along?

A Little Handspun

Yesterday I completed my Daybreak Dyeworks Eggplant on BFL. It is so soft! 4 oz, 299 yards, 2 ply. It is more purple than the photo shows. Love this.



Next up for spinning? Learning to Navajo Ply.

Spinning and Dreaming

Spinning is a great time to just sit and dream. The other day I moved my wheel outdoors to watch the girls play and chase frogs. I can't believe we are having this cool weather in August... I just have to be outside!

The fiber above is Daybreak Dyeworks in Eggplant on BFL. It is a part of Dawn's Farmer's Market Series. Just lovely... a perfect dreaming fiber.



All this outside time must be going to my head because I am thinking about taking another crack at gardening (a hobby I love but feel I am not quite right for!). And, we are researching chickens! The girls are thrilled about all the visits to baby chicks and backyard chickens as we gather knowledge from our friends who already care for flocks of their own. Helen keeps telling me we need to hurry and build our chicken house, and she is right! Let's do this before we wimp out!

Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Did you ever wonder how to make delicious sweet potato chips in your oven? Well wonder no more! It's easy, quick, and yum yum yummy.



Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Preheat Oven 450F

THINLY slice 2 long and narrow sweet potatoes (don't get the big fat potatoes and expect similar results). In a large bowl stir the slices with 1/4th cup melted coconut oil.

Sprinkle with the spices of your choice and mix well. I used approximately:
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp red cayenne pepper

Lay potatoes in a single layer on cookie sheets and bake at 450F for 10 minutes. Flip the the slices, rotate the pans in the oven, and bake for another 10 minutes. Watch carefully and remove pans early if they are starting to darken. The thinner the slices the faster they will cook. Let slices cool on pans, gently remove, and enjoy! About 4 servings.

Things to Love: August 2013

Here are a few of the little things I am enjoying right now:



My $0.75 Thrift Store Mug: I am not quite sure what it is about this mug I love... maybe it is the juicy oranges, or the French, or maybe the way my hand fits the handle...
The Fall 2013 Interweave Knits: I love the changes made by the newest editor of Interweave knits - though I do miss the photo glossary... but the photos are beautiful and the patterns are lovely. I especially love the cover pattern and Concord Jacket.



Custom Cowgirl Stitch Markers: I have shown these before, but this dear friend just started a knitting podcast! Check her out - Intertwined Stitches



Knit Picks Palette Yarn: Purchased some of this yarn for a little Paulette Tunic knitting (3 of them!). I love it and it's beautiful colors, soft heathers, and gentle ply.
Vintage Seed Packet Postage Stamps: love these... must hurry back to the post office and buy enough to last forever.



Living History Farms: The neatest history of farming you will ever experience. Go to Iowa. Take your children... you will love it!
The Princess Bride: I do not have the patience for fiction that I had as a teen and young adult, but reading this is taking my back to a place that I remember.
My Book Light: Actually my mother's book light... a friendly companion when you are trying to knit in the car at 4 am.
Reproduction Scissors: best souvenir ever. From Living History Farms.



Daybreak Dyeworks Fiber: Awesome lady, awesome dyer, awesome friend... lots of fun things in her Etsy Shop too!

Enjoy the little things! Happy Spinning and Knitting!