Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

One of my good friends Jes, who happens to be gluten free, asked me to cater her graduation party yesterday!

Of course I was so proud of her for graduating from grad school, I couldn’t say no, so I took on the job!

The menu consisted of LLB Gluten Free Favorites including Buffalo Chicken Dip, Sweet Potato Tots, Buffalo Pickle Chips, Gluten Free Chocolate Cake, and these delicious cookies!

Everything was a hit and Jes’ step dad even said these were the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies he’d ever had

Ingredients

• 2 cups Premium Gold Gluten Free Flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raisins

Begin by combining the flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Next, cream together the butter and brown sugar.

Add the eggs and vanilla and combine well, then add the flour mixture.

Mix the flour into the dough, then hand mix in the oats and raisins.

Mix all of the ingredients together then form the dough into small balls and place on a baking stone.

Bake at 325° for 20-25 minutes.

This recipe is perfect for those with a gluten-intolerance, all of the deliciousness of the classic cookie with none of the gluten!

♣ Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: This recipe is gluten-free.

♥ Love the recipe?  Don’t forget to share it with your friends!

Grilled Chicken Caribbean Pita Pockets

There’s nothing I love more than delicious pita pockets packed with flavorful ingredients!

These Caribbean Pita Pockets are full of flavor from the Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken to the sweet and tangy mandarin oranges and pineapple!

This is a simple recipe, that’s perfect for lunch or dinner during the week!

Ingredients

• 2 pieces of pita bread
• 4 large leafs of butter lettuce
• 2 tequila lime chicken breasts (recipe below)
• 1 cup mandarin oranges
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 small tomato (chopped)
• 1/2 cup honey lime dressing

Ingredients (Tequila Lime Chicken)

• ½ cup tequila
• ½ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 lb chicken breasts

Place the first 5 ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk well.

Add the chicken to the marinade.

Marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator then grill over medium-high heat for 20 minutes, flipping half way through grilling.

Slice the chicken, then begin to put the pita pockets together.

Slice each pita bread in half, then place a leaf of butter lettuce  in each half of pita bread, followed by the chicken, then top with the mandarin oranges, pineapple, bell pepper and tomatoes.

Drizzle with the Honey Lime Dressing.

I could honestly put that dressing on anything and love it, but luckily for me… and you… the rest of this pita is totally amazing too!

♣ Vegetarian Option: Substitute tofu for chicken to make this recipe vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: Substitute the Pita Bread with gluten-free pita bread (found in specialty stores) or with this recipe  for homemade gluten-free pita bread.

Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita

It’s day 3 of “Margarita-A-Day” until Cinco De Mayo!

And todays margarita is so light and refreshing that it almost tastes healthy

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
• 1/2 jalapeño, sliced and de-seeded
• 1/2 lime (juiced)
• 2 oz tequila reposado
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 cup ice

Start by adding the cucumber and jalapeño to a shaker, then muddle.

Next add the lime juice, tequila, triple sec, agave nectar and ice, then shake well.

Pour into glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

This Margarita screams poolside, summer cocktail!

Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Chicken Skewers

I’m headed to Arizona this weekend to visit friends, watch playoff basketball, and of course throw a Kentucky Derby Party with my bestie Amy Black!

Amy is the fashion girl of the group and has created an amazing post on her blog, Amy’s Vintage Closet, about what to wear for the Kentucky Derby (or in our case Derby themed party!)

Of course I was in charge of the food, so I thought, what’s more Kentucky Derby than the Mint Julep? I turned the classic cocktail into a party appetizer that is sure to be a hit this weekend!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 tbsp fresh mint leaves (divided)
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 lb chicken breasts (cut into cubes)

Begin by adding the bourbon to a small mixing bowl, then add the brown sugar and 2 tbsp mint. Muddle the mint and sugar with the bourbon.

Next, add the balsamic vinegar, then the zest and juice of the lemon.

Finally add the allspice and stir to combine all of the marinade ingredients.  Next, add the chicken to the marinade.

Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinade. After this time, remove the chicken from the marinade and place on skewers.

Grill the skewers over medium heat for 20 minutes, rotating throughout the cooking process.

Remove the chicken from the skewers.

Place a mint leaf on each piece of chicken then skewer with a toothpick and serve.

This recipe is so fun and unique, it’s sure to be a hit at any party, big hats not required

♣ Vegetarian Option: Substitute tofu cubes for chicken to make this recipe vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: This recipe is gluten-free.

Serrano Chili Mango Margarita

It’s day two of “margarita-a-day” until Cinco De Mayo!

Just like yesterday when we combined blackberries and jalapeños, today we’re combining another fruit with another pepper for a sweet and spicy, refreshing cocktail!

Ingredients

• 1/2 mango (diced)
• 1 serrano chili (de-seeded and diced)
• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 cup ice

Start by muddling the mango and serrano chili in a shaker.

Add the tequila, triple sec, agave nectar and ice to the shaker.

Shake well then pour into a salt rimmed glass and garnish with a lime.

This is the perfect drink to serve with Chips, Salsa and Chipotle Lime Chicken Fajita Skewers!