Gluten-Free Flour Blend for Gluten-Free Diets

February 23, 2016

Elder Care in Palo Alto CA

If your aging parent has Celiac's disease, Chrohn's disease, or another form of verified gluten sensitivity, you may find that one of the biggest challenges in your elder care plan is creating a diet that is varied, interesting, delicious, and satisfying. As people with gluten sensitivities or conditions that are exacerbated by gluten cannot tolerate traditional grain products that contain gluten such as wheat, many of these people simply give up favorite foods such as breads, cakes, muffins, and cookies. Fortunately, with a little bit of ingenuity and effort, you can create your own gluten-free flour blend that will allow you and your senior to bake wonderful foods together that will keep her nutrition and satisfaction up without putting her at risk of health problems related to gluten.   Flour Blend What You Will Need
  • 1/4 of a cup of white rice flour
  • 1/4 of a cup of tapioca flour
  • 1/2 of a cup of potato starch
  • 1 and 1/2 cups of brown rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum (optional)
  • A storage container with an airtight lid, like a mason jar or a plastic food container
  • A blender
  What to Do
  • Add the flours and starches to the blender
  • Blend on high until well mixed
  • Remove from blender and place in the storage container
  • Keep in a dry place
  • Add xanthan gum for extra binding when necessary
  Once you have made your flour blend, there is no reason to hesitate getting started using it. Get in the kitchen with your parent to try your hand at making this delectable breakfast or snack bread, or encourage her to make it with her elderly health care services provider as a mentally stimulating activity with a delicious reward at the end.   Banana Bread What You Will Need
  • 1 and 1/4 cup of gluten free oats
  • 1 and 1/4 cup of gluten free flour blend
  • 1 and 1/4 cup of almond meal
  • 3/4 of a cup of unsweetened almond or dairy milk
  • 1/2 of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 3 medium ripe bananas
  • 3/4 of a teaspoon of sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey
  • 1/4 of a cup of packed organic brown sugar
  • 1/4 of a cup of organic cane sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of grape seed or coconut oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 of a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • A microwave safe container
  • A potato masher
  • A large bowl
  • A loaf pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Non-stick spray
  • A whisk
  • Butter or honey for serving
  What to Do
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
  • Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or spray it down with nonstick spray
  • Add the banana, unpeeled, to the large bowl
  • Mash the banana with the potato masher
  • Add the vanilla extract and egg to the banana and mix
  • Place the coconut oil in the microwave safe container and melt in the microwave for about 30 seconds
  • Place the coconut oil into the mixture
  • Add the sugars and honey to the mixture and begin to stir
  • While stirring, add the baking powder, salt and cinnamon
  • Add the almond milk to the mixture and whisk vigorously to combine
  • Add the almond meal, flour blend and oats to the mixture
  • Stir until well combined
  • Pour the mixture into the loaf pan
  • Place the loaf pan into the oven
  • Bake until it is golden brown on the top and feels firm and crackly, about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool
  • Cool completely before cutting
  • Serve with butter or honey, cooled
  If you or an aging loved one are looking for elder care services in Palo Alto, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care. Call today! Santa Clara County: (408) 600-2760  San Mateo County: (650) 458-0140 Santa Cruz County: (831) 325-0890  

Tags: Elder Care in Palo Alto CA