Petzel and Pecan Crust for Cold Pies

This Pie crust is UNBELIEVABLE!!! You can make it with butter
flavored Crisco instead of real butter for a Dairy Free version.
You will need the following,
2 cups salted GF Dairy, Egg Free Pretzels, I use Glutino
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 T. unsalted butter or Crisco- melted

In a food processor, pulse all dry ingredients until a very fine crumb
Add melted butter or Crisco and pulse until a moist ball of dough is formed.
Using your fingers, press dough into a 9" inch pie pan.
Bake for 8 minutes in a 325 degree oven.
Chill completely before you fill it with a cold pie filling
or cheesecake.
Chill until very very cold before serving.

You will never miss a graham cracker crust again! I guarantee!

NEW! Dairy and Egg Free Banana Bread

I have been asked for dairy and egg free recipes for a long time. They are hard to come by, at least ones that taste good. This Sunday morning, when the temperature is 1 degree outside, seemed like a great morning to try and whip something up, at least the oven will warm the house. But I even surprised myself with these banana nut muffins, and the family couldn't even tell the difference! Let me know what you think! Leslie


GF Dairy and Egg Free Banana Walnut Muffins


One box of Banana Walnut Bread Mix or the Recipe from the CQF Book


4oz. natural applesauce


2 T. cornstarch


1/2 stick Butter Flavor Crisco- room temp.


2 ripe bananas


1/2 cup water


Pre Heat oven to 375


Beat bananas with applesauce in electric mixer until blended


Add Crisco and water and beat until well mixed.


Add cornstarch with mix and add to wet ingredients in 3 small batches.


Beat on med.-high until light and fluffy.


Add walnuts to mix if desired.


Using a 6 Texas size muffin pan, use two muffin papers per muffin hole and


spray the papers lightly with PAM


Divide the batter evenly between the 6 muffins tins, and top with raw sugar


Bake in 375 oven for 15 minutes and then turn down the heat to 350 and bake


20-25 minutes longer, until light brown and done.


Cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

Closure of mamocomo foundation

I am truly sorry to have to say that we are closing our charity, mamocomo foundation.

The small amount of profits from the sales of our products are not enough to substain

our foundation. The Economy is very poor and many well deserving charities must close.

I encourage all of you to help out when ever you can and give as much as you can without

causing undo harm to your own family unit to any mental health charity of your choice.

I also support the late Paul Newman's charity, The Hole in the Wall Gangs.

He was my mentor and I tried to model my own charity and GF food products after

his successful company, Newman's Own.

You can contact NAMI.org to find out about mental health charities in your area.

HO! HO! HO! Where did the year go?

Hi All!

The Second Annual Gluten Free Holiday Fair was a blast! I released my new little book at the fair last Saturday. It has all my recipes and the flour recipe also. The cost for the hardcover is $25.00 and for a limited time, until supplies run out, a softcover book with a small flour for $20.00 You must order directly from me, the address is on the front page of this web site.

The recipe for the Hawaiian Pound Cake is not in the book. So my Christmas present to you is the recipe! It is very simple, and so good! For a large bundt cake or 2 regular size loaf pans or 12 Texas size cupcakes, you make 2 Banana Bread Mixes with the following changes. ADD:

1 cup of shredded coconut, 1 8oz. can of crushed pineapple, drained and save the juice!, 1 cup of chopped macadamia nuts. Mix all the above with the mashed bananas. Measure out the saved pineapple juice and add enough water to make 1/2 cup to add to the above. Continue with the recipe for the banana nut bread or if you have a mix, save the walnuts for a later time or if you want, just add them also! Bake as directed. Make sure you cool and chill the bread before serving for the best possible taste. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Beginning in 2009 I will not be doing any farmer's markets. You will have to order online or

once a week I will be doing a local delivery service to the following areas, Parker and Lone Tree.

Email me your order and I will get back to you the day of the delivery. If you live out of the area,

and you are willing to meet me in Parker, that will work too.

My email is crazyQfarm@msn.com

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving and I hope to hear from all of you soon!

Leslie

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

I would like to ask all of my wonderful clients to send well wishes to Shauna and Danny Ahern on the birth of their daughter, Lucy Marie. She has had a little bit of a rough start in life learning how to breath on her own. Check out her web site, http://www.glutenfreegirl.com/ which I think is one of the best GF sites on the web. You will learn all about her struggle with Celiac Disease and how she found the love of her life.

August 9th Picnc CANCELLED

Hi All,

Sorry to say that the GF Picnic on August 9th has been cancelled. Please make a note of it. I was really looking forward to it, but what I didn't realize is that most of the vendors I want to be there are also farmers market vendors. That means they would have to give up their market space for the day. Most did not want to do that. The Farmers Market season is a short one.

Speaking of farmers markets, the mountain markets in Edwards and Lake Dillon are doing great!!

You should take a drive up to one of the many markets in the mountains during the summer. The weather is cooler and the air fresher! You won't regret it. Also, right now, I am suppending the Parker, Southlands, and Lone Tree farmers markets. Please order on line. I hope to be up and going again in the fall. Meanwhile, for an easy and cool desert, why not make the little gingersnap Tiffle in the photo? Just take an instant GF vanilla pudding mix, and layer it in a fancy glass with banana and crispy gingersnaps. Chill in the refrigerator until serving time. YUM!

Happy Father's Day!

If its Summer, it must be picnic time!

It seems that everyone is having a picnic this summer! That's o.k., I just need to find the time to fit them all in. Boulder County Celiacs picnic is July 27th. For more info visit their web site at

http://www.bouldercountyceliacs.com/ The Denver Chapter #17 of CSA is August 2nd. 11:30-1:30pm at Addenbrooke Park, 600 South Kipling. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

And of course mine is August 9th. We are having a Gluten Free Farmer's Market and Picnic at the Hilltop Schoolhouse in Douglas County. We are selling a gluten free lunch or bring your own and tailgate. The Hilltop Schoolhouse is a 100 year old one room school house set in the country under tall pine trees. Come see us between 10am - 3pm.

The photo is of a Chocolate Chip pound cake with Orange Sauce. So easy to make! Make the Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake and omit the walnuts and add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Bake as usual. Chill. Orange Sauce - In a small saucepan on med heat, mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons corn starch. Add 1 1/2 cups orange juice and zest of an orange. Heat and stir until thick. Remove from heat. Peel orange and cut into small pieces and add to sauce. To serve - Place a piece of cake on plate and top with orange sauce. Yum!

Let the Market's Begin!

Next weekend, May 31st. and June 1st. is the first two days of market season. We start at Lone Tree on Sat. and Parker on Sun. You will notice that we have changed our packaging this year. We now are a "green retailer" using 100% recycled paper boxes. They are FDA food approved and you can carry on by reusing the box for storage or sharing some of the pumpkin or banana bread you bake with a friend. Dress up the box with a little colorful tissue paper and a pretty little bow and make someones day!

The other new thing this year, we have changed our recipes just a little. We are not using any dried egg whites. You will have to use fresh eggs or replacers. Many people are very allergic to eggs, so we are doing our part in helping out. We also can make any of the mixes Sugar Free by special order. You will have to add your own sweetener of choice, and not all will work well. I like a half and half mixture of Splenda and Xyitol. If you have a special blend that you find works well, please let me know so we can pass it on to our diabetic customers!

Thanks, and Mark and I hope to see you soon!

Leslie

May Celebrations

May is a fun month for me. I celebrate 3 major events in one month! Mother's Day, my Birthday and my wedding Anniversary. I just usually pick just one day in the month and celebrate all three. Just One BIG Party! This year is a little more special though, Mark and I are celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are going to Tulum, Mexico for a few days. That is on the Maya Riviera, one of the most beautiful places you will ever see! So needless to say, no shipping product May 16th - May 20th. Feel free to place your orders and I will get to it as soon as I get back in town. On your next BIG occasion, try my Double Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake! Guaranteed to please! To all those mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day! Leslie

No Show in Boulder!

Hi Everyone! Sorry, but the Sunflower Farmers Market is a no show!! They will be open and the local fair I believe is still on for Saturday the 19th. However, I will not be there. Until June, the calendar is on the web site, you can order there, or wait until the "real" farmers markets start and get your products from me. I am planning a August GF Picnic! More about that soon!
Leslie

Grand Opening of Sunflower Markets in Boulder, Co.

News flash! If you live in the Denver, Boulder Colorado area or even the State of Colorado, Sunflower Markets are having a Grand Opening Local Vendors Fair at their new store in Boulder. Co. on Saturday, April 19th 7-11am. Come and see this beautiful new store and visit me! Even though I currently do not sell in their store, I will be giving out samples and even being allowed to sell my products to raise money for my charity, mamocomo foundation! How sweet is that! I will have my new Spice Cake Mix and samples! Looking forward to seeing all of you, Leslie P.S. The picture is Dried Blueberry Coffee Cake made with my new Spice Cake Mix.

Gotta have the recipe, well its on the back of the bag! Come and get it!

Spring has Sprung!!

I just love the smell of spring in the air! It has sprung up on me early this year, with Easter just a few days away. My fingers are just iching to get into the dirt( still frozen here) and get that garden going. I am planting a fall garden this year, pumpkins, sunflowers, squash and corn. Until then, I guess I will start my taxes. I like to save this tast for one of those spring blizzards we always have in March or April. Put on a big pot of Beef Stew to warm the kitchen and the heart and dig in. I have a great tax tip for you all. This came from Howard J. Kass, CPA and was printed in the March issue of Taming of the Sprue, Denver Metro Chapter #17.

"The Cost difference between gluten containing food products and specialty gluten-free alternatives is tax deductible for celiac patients. The cost of other items, like xanthan gum, are completely deductible. The shipping cost for these items are also tax deductible. However, in order to qualify, you medical expenses must exceed the 7.5 percent of the patient's adjusted gross income." So keep you recipts and cancelled checks. Isn't that great!! Happy Easter! Leslie

2008 Gallo Awards

My Sour Cream and Walnut Pound Cake has been choosen as a finalist in the 2008 Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Metal Awards!! Since 2006, Gallo gives out awards to companys that offer products that adheres to tradtional artisanal methods. There is 7 different categories, mine being in the Outstanding Bread/Baked Good.

For me, this is the ultimate compliment! I could not be any more proud! Judging is March 26th in New York City.

Wish me luck!! Leslie

Best Fish Recipes Ever!

Thought you would never have battered fried shrimp again? Well guess what, you can! Take equal parts of CrazyQFarm Bakery's Gourmet Baking Flour and Club Soda. Add 1/2 tsp. salt per cup of flour. And of course feel free to add any spices that float your boat! We use Old Bay Seasoning when we want something a little spicy. Beat the flour and soda and salt together in a large bowl. Let stand at room temp. for about 15-20 minutes. Beat again until very smooth. Dip your shrimp in batter and shake off any excess and fry for just 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. I use Crisco Vegtable Shortening to fry with. Try Cod or other firm white fish.

Catfish and Oysters are great fried in the Cornbread Mix as a coating. Wash and dry fish or shellfish well before trying to coat or batter, it will stick better. Serve with your favorite dip.

Or how about, a sweet batter, dipped in coconut and fried? Serve with a fruit dip! Have Fun!

If its February, it must be Lent.

For some of us, Lent means alot of fish. I don't mind fish, fish frys are fun. Next time you are going to fry up some cod, instead of plain cornmeal, I want you to try my Cornbread mix. Just shift the mix well and coat and fry your fish as you would normally do. Feel free to add any spices to the mix. Try baking it. Use 1/2 a bag and use the other half for 6 corn muffins. The new and improved Cornbread Mix uses 2 fresh eggs. As many of you know, you put in the mix a small carton of yogert. I recommend Brown Cow GF yogert. It is very creamy and rich. Let me know what you think!!
While you all are enjoying your fish, I will be having my second and hopfully final leg sugrey. I have recovered nicely from the first one, thank you, so onward and upward. No orders will be shipped Feb. 25th through March 2nd. Thanks for understanding. See you soon! Leslie

Meeting Shauna and Danny Ahern!

I knew it was them the minute I saw them. Peeking out behind the bookshelves with nervous little giggles as they watched us settle in for our reading. It was a snowy and cold night in Denver, a blizzard in Parker. Mark and I picked up Bev and headed to town. Thank goodness the weather improved as we got closer in. The warmth of the Tattered Cover was comforting. I was apprehensive what the new building would feel like, only going to the Cherry Creek store my whole life. It was nice to see some of the old rickety chairs, that made it through the move, still there. I planted my butt in one and propped up the "leg" in another. I was ready.
Only having surgery 3 days ago in my left leg, left me groggy, so I only took 1/2 a pain pill so I could remember what Shauna had to say. I was in luck, she read several of my favorite passages from the book. Shauna is a cute, little Italian woman, louder in voice than I though she would be and Danny, more sensitive and shyer than I thought he would be. Both are wonderful, warm people. They let us know that there will be a second book coming and a second web site for info and tidbits. Great minds think alike!
I waited until everyone had their autographs and I hobbled up there and introduced myself.
I brought her a little basket of mixes for a gift, a thank you gift, for her wonderful book.
In parting, she signed my book, said our good byes, and feeling fully satisfied, like a great meal and a full stomach, we left to go home.
On the way home I gave my book to Bev to read, she said, " Are you sure you want me to read you autographed copy?" "Of course! this book is to be loved, cooked with and enjoyed, grease stains and all"

New Years Day 2008

This will be a new and on going addition to the CrazyQFarm Bakery web site. It will contain info on varies events, tidbits, cooking tips, and other little things I hear along the way I think all of my loyal customers would want to know. As you know, right now I am on a little break from the 3rd of January for about a week. I needed a little tune up on the old body. You can still put in your orders, but no shipping until January 10th. By now I hope you all have had the pleasure of reading Shauna Ahern's book. You know, the glutenfreegirl.com chick. She will be at the Whole Foods Cooking School on Sat. Jan. 5th, or see her at the flagship store of the Tattered Cover on Colfax Jan. 7th. 7:30 pm to read from her book. Can't wait!!
I went in for my pre-op visit a few days ago and did the routine blood work and CBC. I learned that if your folic acid count is low, I mean really low, it could be a sign of Celiac or Sprue. It could warrant additional blood work to help find out a positive diagnosis. I hear a lot from all of you that getting a positive diagnosis is still difficult even now. I know from what I hear all year long from all of you who come and chat with me, its how your body feels that makes you change over to gluten free. No one wants a scope done, so I hope this little tidbit will help next time you have a routine blood test. And of course you know that I am not a Doctor, the info I received was from Kaiser Permanente medical info books..
I am hard at work lining up my new 2008 calendar of farmers market sites. This year, we will be at two mountain markets! Edwards and Lake Dillon. Of course, we will be at Southlands and probably Parker, however the market site will be at new location for 2008. I am sure by April we will have a set schedule.
Also this year, due to the fact that last years Gluten Free Holiday Fair was such a huge success, we are planning to double the size of the event this year. More info on that later this year.
So as you can see, I have a lot going on so early in this new year! I wish you all good health and prosperity this year! - Leslie