Gluten Free Apple Pie Alternative

Thanksgiving begins the holidays of food. For many of us the thought of enjoying all of Grandma's famous recipes makes our mouths water. However, many families have those who can not partake in the feast due to gluten allergies.
Thankfully these allergies are becoming understood more and more and fabulous recipes are developed all the time to replace gluten containing foods with delicious safe foods.

Over at Planet Gift Baskets, we understand gluten intolerance first hand. That is why many of our gifts and recipes have been taste tested and approved by all ages. Gluten intolerant and not try out these alternatives and we share with you the best of the best.

Sometimes we even fool a lot of people with our gluten free foods.

Check out our Apple Pie Alternative Dessert. It's quite simply amazing.

Explore our gluten free recipe site for more inspiration.

Using up Thanksgiving Leftovers

Just because it's a leftover doesn't mean it can't become something just as gourmet as the Thanksgiving meal itself.

Our family favorite for using up leftover turkey and veggies is Turkey Corn Chowder. Yum, just the thought of it on this chilly day makes my mouth water. Start it in the morning and go do your Black Friday shopping. Come home to the smell of a hot warm and heart chowder that didn't take long to make.

Turkey Corn Chowder

1/4 cup butter
1 large onion
2 cups water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
*(replace 2 cups water and bouillon for 2 cups of leftover turkey broth)
4-5 potatoes
*(can use a cup of mash potatoes in place of 2 of the chunkier potatoes)
1 cup celery
*(if you made stuffing, I'm sure you have some leftovers in the fridge)
3 cups of turkey meat
*(self explanatory)
Salt and Pepper
2 cups of corn or cream corn
*(if you don't have these left over, you can open up fresh cans)
4 cups of milk
some parsley, paprika and sage

Saute onions and butter in the bottom of a large pot. Add broth or water and bouillon. Add chopped potatoes, celery and turkey. Cook about 10-15 minutes then add corn and milk and season with salt and pepper. Keep on minimum heat, or better yet, throw this mixture into the crock pot on high for 4 hours. It will be ready when you are.

A perfect soothing meal after the feasts of Thanksgiving Day.

Don't forget to enjoy some leftover pumpkin pie for dessert!

Neighbors Matter-Christmas Gifts That Will Mend Fences

Every year I want to do something for my neighbors. We say hello and smile as we pass in the car, but not more then that. When I hear my parents talk about the relationships that they had with their neighbors years ago, I wish we could  bring some of that back.

Most of us jump in the car and run to the store and to the soccer game and then to the pick up the kids from swimming lessons. And the list goes on and on.

This year I am going to get some type of gift for my neighbors and let them  know that even though we are all running in different directions, we do have a  certain bond and though times have changed, neighbors are still important and we all need each other.

The biggest problem is what to get them. I need a cheap Christmas gift. I  tried looking on the computer for cheap Christmas gifts and nothing really  jumped out at me. Most Cheap Christmas gifts ideas seemed to be just that . I  wanted something that was special and said that they were important people to  us.

Now I am really not that crafty. I mean I can’t just knit up gloves for  everyone, or sew dish towels with their names on them, but I can cook so I came  up with the idea of making my favorite bread and then wrap in up with a cute bow  and add a recipe card and a note. Hear is the recipe I used,. It is easy and you  can make it ahead and freeze it so you won’t get in to a last minute crunch. 

SOUR CREAM BANANA BREAD

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup butter

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

6 bananas, mashed

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease four 7x3 inch loaf  pans. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon  cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

In a large bowl, cream butter and 3 cups sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas,  sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in  nuts. Divide into prepared pans.

Bake for 1 hour