I Might Be Back! (And a recipe for Cheesy Biscuits)

Well, hi everyone! 
It's great and scary to be writing this blog post for you. I've not blogged in over a year (has it really been that long?) and have had good reason. I've moved across the country, been dealing with some heath issues, and have been adjusting to a new job in a new city. Lots of overwhelming things. But thankfully God is good. And here I am, slowly gaining traction in my new life. 
See, I was planning on putting together a little cookbook but that got pushed to the (way) back burner. I think someday I will do it, but now is not that time. But I often have people ask me for my recipes so I thought I'd post some of them here for you lovely people. No guarantees on how often I'll post, but I promise will get a few good ones out to you! :)
I thought I'd kick off this new season of posting with a recipe that I've made over and over (and usually with my little nephew helping me) because they are just that good and easy. 
Cheesy Biscuits!
Yep, cheesy and buttery and grain/gluten free! Now, these aren't like Pillsbury flaky biscuits or the kind that you'd get at a diner with gravy.  These have a different texture- perhaps like a cheesy cornbread texture? (I've never liked cornbread, just so you know.) Anyway, they are prefect with any meal right out of the oven! Yum, just writing this post is making me want to go bake these right now. 
Ok, enough with the talk, here's the recipe (and photos!)

Fresh out of the oven!

Biscuits and gravy. YUM!

me with a tray of goodness :)

LC's Best Biscuits

• 1 ½ c fine almond flour ( I like Honeyville, but most kinds will work)

• ¾ c shredded mozzarella cheese (or whatever kind of shredded cheese you want.)

• 6 tbsp butter, softened

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder

• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum

• 1 ½ tsp cider vinegar

• and dash of salt

- Preheat oven to 375º and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

- With a stand or hand mixer, combine all ingredients well.

- Portion out six to eight equal scoops of dough (free-form adds to the charm) about two inches apart on the cookie sheet.

- Place in oven and reduce heat to 350º.

- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until browned.

- Remove from oven and serve right away. 

*Please let me know what you think of them or how you altered them to fit your lifestyle. I'd love to know! 
Thanks for reading.
- Lindsay
© Lindsay Coleman - do not use or reproduce without giving direct credit and linking back to this post. 

- Pumpkin Walnut Cream Cheese Muffins -

   I know we're a ways past Fall and traditional "pumpkin season" but I have a great recipe for you! While I was visiting family for Thanksgiving, I got to bond with my littlest nephew Z [he's almost two]. He saw me baking and cooking every day and associated me with the mixer. It was too cute. First thing in the morning two days before my trip ended, Z saw me, took my hand, walked me to the cabinet with the mixer, and handed the mixer to me. All while saying in his cute voice, "Cinnnnmiiinnn, Nutmeg."  That was his sweet little way of telling me, "Let's bake, Aunt Linny!" :)  And though I didn't have plans to bake anything right then, I couldn't resist spending time with Z and letting him help me bake.

 the cutie pie with the mixer

So that's when I came up with this recipe for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Walnuts. And, boy, am I glad Z wanted me to make something! These muffins turned out so well. Much better than my first pumpkin muffin attempt! They've got a great consistency, and spicy-pumpkiny flavor, and the walnuts add a nice crunch. The cream cheese makes it even better with its creamy sweetness.  Definitely a crowd pleaser. Everyone that tried these really liked them. Including little Z.

MUFFIN

• 3 eggs
• ½ c ZSweet

• 4 tbsp butter, softened

• 1 c almond flour

• 2 tbsp coconut four

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ c pumpkin

• 1 ¼ tsp xanthan gum

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp cloves

• ½ cup of finely chopped walnuts

- Preheat oven to 350º

- Grease&flour muffin tin or line with liners.

- In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients- except walnuts- until well mixed.

- Add walnuts and stir to incorporate.

- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop batter into muffin tin filling ¾ the way up.

- Try to make an indent in the middle of each for the cream cheese.

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING

• 5 tbsp cream cheese, softened

• 1 tbsp heavy cream

• ½ tsp vanilla

• 1 ½ tbsp ZSweet, powdered [granulated works, too]

- In a small bowl beat ingredients until fluffy.

- Place about a tablespoon of mixture into indents in the dough.

- Evenly distribute any remaining cream cheese mixture.

- Bake muffins for about 20 minutes.

- Remove from oven and let cool in pan at least 10 minutes prior to eating.

ENJOY!


And check out these recipes from others:
Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free

- Almond Flour Bread -

Ok, I admit, there are days when I wish I could just eat a bagel or a croissant [especially a chocolate-filled one], or the bread at a restaurant- partly for taste but also for convenience. But, because I m dedicated to my health and well-being, I choose not to eat them. So on one of those longing-for-a-piece-of-bread days about a month or so ago, I decided to try my hand at creating a grain-free bread recipe. Not a grain-free cupcake or muffin. Nothing sweet. Just a basic loaf of bread, darnit! :)  And while I only had a vague idea of what I was doing the outcome was a success. While in Colorado visiting family two weeks ago I made this the day I arrived. It wasn't for nibbling on- it was supposed to be the base of the grain-free stuffing I was making for Thanksgiving. I had them try little pieces and they all liked it, especially my 21-month old nephew! So that loaf was about gone in 3 days. Needless to say I baked another loaf for the stuffing.

My sister asked me for this recipe because she wanted to be able to have this healthy bread around after I left Colorado. And the other day I got a text from her letting me know she made this bread and it turned out great!

I am quite happy with this bread. Of course, I'll try making different variations, improving it how I can, and whatnot [I've already used this as a base for spice muffins and chocolate coconut muffins. Recipes to come!]. But overall I'm satisfied with this grain-free bread. 

A couple notes for you: If you use a 9"x5" loaf pan the bread won't be tall like a typical loaf of bread. This is normal. But, you could use a 7"x4" loaf pan and it would be taller. I don't know the bake time for a smaller pan, so if you try it please let me know! Also, this bread can be toasted but watch it carefully- it burns quickly. And lastly, because it's almond flour it is dense and quite filing. Delicious with any meal or as a snack!

Almond Flour Bread

• 2 c blanched almond flour
• ⅓ c flax meal / ground flax
• ½ tbsp coconut flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
•1 tsp baking soda
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 4 eggs
• 3 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 tbsp olive
• 1 tbsp almond oil
• ½ c. whole milk Or almond milk
• ¾ tbsp apple cider vinegar

- Preheat oven to 350º and grease&dust w/ almond flour a 9x5 metal loaf pan.
- Add all ingredients together in a large bowl and beat/mix until incorporated.
- Scoop into loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.
- Let cool in pan for at least 10 minutes. 

- Turn out and let cool on wire rack. [Store in the fridge!]

- Eat and enjoy!

* If you try this recipe, please come back and let me know. I'd love to know what you think of it or any variations you might have made.*