Gluten Free Doughnuts (Donuts) - A Guest Chef on Cheekyricho

Sink bath in Christchurch

This is a quick post to share the work of someone very near and dear to me, who enjoys cooking just as much as I do. It may have taken some time (post-pregnancy, Love's first year and then some...) but I've finally got my baking mojo back. I'm experimenting with new flavours and techniques and the best part is that I have a wee helper, who perches on my kitchen bench and is content to stir, pour and knead just about everything.

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Cheeky began her YouTube channel several years ago to connect with other home cooks and in that short time, she has amassed more than 14,500 subscribers to her channel. Her followers are keen to learn new ways to prepare dishes from all over the world and to share their own recipe variations and traditions. Her videos are presented honestly from her own kitchen in a fun and informative manner. She includes reviews and tips on basic cookery and her short videos have solved a number of 'what should we have for dinner?' dilemmas around our own kitchen table.

Today, I'm happy to share Cheeky's recipe for home cooked gluten free doughnuts (donuts), with a very special guest chef (you may recognise her!)

If you've got a few moments, scroll through Cheeky's other videos for a colourful selection of over 1000 recipes, including meals adapted for a range of allergy and dietary requirements and different tastes.

If you're a busy parent and cringe at the thought of cooking due to the mess, I sincerely hope the giggles and fun help to ease the anxiety. Post-cooking bath time is always a calming way to melt the time away until your dough has rested or your cake has baked to golden perfection.

Bella xx

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Mama's Gluten Free Buckwheat Flapjacks with Maple Butter

Mothers are wonderful so many reasons, not least because they pick us up when we fall, they listen and offer advice and greet us with open arms after long absences from home.

Mothers are also wonderful because they adapt their cooking styles to food allergies and breathe new life into old favourites, such as flapjacks with maple syrup.

This is my mother's adaptation of soft flapjacks, made with buckwheat flour. Gluten free, delicious and served steaming hot with softly whipped maple butter, stewed apples and pecans and traditional Canadian maple syrup. They're dairy free too, but do contain eggs.

Buckwheat Flapjacks with Whipped Maple Butter

Maple Butter

100g soft butter
100g real maple syrup

In a small mixing bowl, place butter and begin to gently whip. Add a thin stream of maple syrup until the creamy mixture is pale and fluffy and all of the maple syrup is incorporated. Scrape the maple butter into a small serving dish and refrigerate until ready to use. Can be made in advance.

Stewed Apple with Pecans

2 Granny Smith apples
Pecans
1 Cinnamon stick
50 mL maple syrup or orange juice

Peel and core apples, chop roughly into approximately one inch slices. Heat a small pan, add apple pieces, pecans and finely grate about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (or use 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon if you don't have a cinnamon grater). Stir to coat evenly. Add the maple syrup or orange juice (the preference is up to you) and cook, stirring until the apple softens. Serve steaming hot with flapjacks. De-lish!

Flapjacks

200g buckwheat flour
50g chickpea (gram/ besan) flour
1 tsp GF baking powder
Pinch salt
*400ml rice milk
2 free range eggs
Olive oil

*400mL full cream dairy milk may be substituted.

For the Flapjacks:

Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl, make a well in the centre and pour in the rice milk. Add the eggs and whisk to incorporate.

Heat a large frypan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and once hot gently pour in the batter in batches. You do not need to turn the frypan to spread the batter, just pour the desired volume, without overcrowding.

Tiny bubbles will appear in the cooking flapjacks. Flip them once the bubbles begin to burst. They should have an even, slightly golden colour. Cook for a further 20-30 seconds or until both sides are evenly golden. Serve immediately with whipped maple butter and stewed apples with pecans.

This is an indulgent brekky that won't top the world's healthiest breakfast list but when it's a rainy day and you're indoors with your family, it's a treat everyone can enjoy.

Lazy weekends with family, flapjacks and a game of Scrabble to follow. The kids can make quilt fortresses in the lounge room whilst the rain continues to pour outside. They'll be laughter, cuddles and soft music. Oh the fun to be had on rainy days!

Bella xx

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