Matthew's Birthday Party

So, my youngest turned 8 this week and we had a few friends over after school.
After last years very popular and MASSIVE star wars party I took it down a notch this year, but the kids said they loved it even more than last years!

We started off with pass the parcel and in each layer was a glider and chocolate, with a bigger prize for the end.

The kids made their gliders while we got some afternoon tea on the table.
They then had snacks and it was time for a glider race, through the clothes airer.
The furtherest glider won, they kept playing that one over and over!

Then we had angry birds where they had to knock down cardboard boxes on to pigs.

They LOVED that too.
Then we had pinata and musical cushions - they also kept asking to do that over and over.

We had lots of fun, even the 9 year olds really enjoyed themselves.

Gluten free buns even my boys love!

I prefer a diet for myself and my family that is low in wheat - if I could easily and inexpensively buy

crackers and other snacky foods, we would have a no wheat diet - until my Husband saw some good looking bread and bought it home!
Arghhh....

BUT, for the food I make, I don't use wheat or sugar.
So, my kids have had a lot of different foods thrown at them (not literally).

They are such good boys. I not long ago gave them raw croquettes. Our rule is that they just have to eat tea, they did very well - as they were really not very nice! I knew it was going to be tough when my husband said "I just can't eat any more"

I let the boys and the husband off that time. My boys are great encourager's, "You did a good job on this tea mum, but it looks disgusting"
 - I am trying to teach them to be honest while learning tact. I don't mind them telling me that, as I am their Mum (we're still working on the tact part!).

We use a grading system so I can decide whether or not to make a certain food again. 1 out of 10 means 'please don't ever think of putting this on my plate again', while 10 means 'I love it'.

So, when I dished up these hamburger buns for the boys and husband, I got 10 out of 10 all round - except my youngest who said he would like it 10 if it didn't have salt on top.

It is a recipe adapted from one at  The Gluten Free Homemaker. I love it because it is quick and easy to make and really, is THE BEST gluten free bread I have ever had - and I have tried quite a lot! I LOVE bread and I can go as far to say that these are even better than any wheat bread I have had - I love them that much.

They also freeze very well and keep well till the next day if wrapped in plastic.

But, more importantly, my kids love it. Easy, GF and the kids love it? Can't do better than that.

Italian style Gluten Free Buns

• 1 1/3 Cup Brown Rice Flour
• 2/3 Cup White Rice Flour
• 1 Cup Tapioca Flour
• 1 T Yeast - I use Allinson Easy Bake Yeast
• 2 t Gelatin powder
• 1 T  Xantham Gum
• 1 t Salt, plus 1 -2 t rock salt for topping
• 1 t Dried Onion, chopped fine
• 2 t Honey
• 1 1/4 C Warm water
• 4 Eggs
• 1 T Chia seeds
• 1/4 C Olive Oil, plus extra for top
• 1 t Cider Vinegar
• Black Olives, about 3, sliced

My metal mussel fritter rings and a frozen bun

1. Preheat your oven to as low a setting as possible. These rise the best in a very low oven. You want it only warm.
2. Spray oil over the inside of some muffin rings - I use ones for making mussel fritters and they are perfect. They are 10cm across. Place these on an oven tray which is also sprayed.
3. Put the chia seeds in 1/4 C of the warm water and set aside for a few minutes.
4. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, olive oil, honey and vinegar.
5. Add in the cup of warm water, as well as the chia seed water and mix well again with a wooden or plastic spoon.
6. Once the wet ingredients are all well mixed, sieve in the brown rice flour. Once it is all in, mix well. 
7. Sieve in the rest of the dry ingredients and add in the dried onion. Mix well, making sure the dry ingredients at the bottom are mixed in. Mix for about 2 minutes, if your arm can stand it!
8. You should now have a good thick looking batter.
9.  Divide the mix among 7 rings and spread with our fingers to the edges. Wet your fingers and make the tops smooth and level.
10. Brush the tops with Olive Oil and sprinkle over the sliced black olives and coarse salt.
11.  Put the tray into the warm oven and allow to rise for about 45 minutes. They will rise about another 1/3 of their height, by this time they are ready to come out so you can heat the oven.
12. Heat the oven to 180 Celsius, fan oven.
13. Cook the buns for 15 minutes, till golden.
14. We eat these straight from the oven, but be careful, they are hot!

Cupcakes. Small packets of sweet deliciousness.

I love baking, but trying to find something wheat free, sugar free and using 'healthy' sweetners - like stevia or dates and maybe honey, is hard going.
Trying to find one my boys like? Almost impossible!

Aha! But this one they liked. In our f amily we rate things out of 10. This one didn't quite get themm both giving 10, but an 8 is close enough!

The  dried strawberry on top adds such a great flavour as you bite through it. We often have strawberries, when in season, so I can give my younger son some variety in his fruit, as he doesn't like much fruit. But, they go off so quick I dried some in the dehydrator. They worked a treat on top of these, as well as staying in good condition much longer. The taste of strawberry is so much more intensified too.
Recipe coming soon.