Spicy Cheddar Cheese Crackers ~ Gluten Free (Just Like “Cheese Straws”)

Spicy Cheddar Cheese Crackers ~ Gluten Free (Just Like “Cheese Straws”)

Do you remember those wonderful “Cheese Straws” that were always around in abundance during the Holidays? Well, these little “Spicy Cheddar Cheese Crackers” will take you right back to your childhood! And, if you’re Gluten-Free, fear not, these are not only Gluten-Free, but are so easy to make and only require 7 ingredients (if you include water) 😉 I chose to cut my dough into leaf shapes for the Autumn season, but any shape will do (Christmas Trees, Snowmen, Wreaths, Holly Leaves, etc.) These make the perfect little Holiday Gifts 🙂
Enjoy!!!
Note: The original non-GF recipe can be found in just about every cookbook out there, but I want to give credit to Ree Drummond (aka: “The Pioneer Woman”) for her non-gf version of this recipe that I adapted to “fit” our family (please see the “Copycat Cheez-It” version for the GF and non-spicy recipe for these same crackers) 😉

  • 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 Cup GF All-Purpose Flour (I use “Caputo” brand – it makes an incredible dough to work with)
  • 4 Tbsp Salted Butter (cold and cut into small pieces)
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Seasoned Salt (I use “Season All”)
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp Cayenned Pepper (I use 1/4 tsp for a little more “kick”)
  • 3 Tbsp Ice Water
  1. Place all of the ingredients, except for the Water, into a Food Processor and pulse until the mixture looks like “sand.”
  2. With the Food Processor running, slowly add the Ice-Cold Water, one Tbsp at a time, through the shoot until the dough forms a large ball.
  3. Wrap the Cheese dough ball in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  5. Line 1-2 baking sheets with Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats; set aside.
  6. Roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness on a lightly floured surface, cut into desired shapes and place on the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
    *See notes for “crisping” up crackers if they turn soft.
  8. Allow the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack to develop the flavors and desired crispness.
  9. Enjoy 🙂

*Note: if your crackers get a little soft, simply toss them onto a baking sheet and re-heat in a 275 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes. Let cool and gobble them up!

Appetizers, Hors d’Oeuvres, Snacks




Baked Turkey-Ranch Meatballs with Spicy Avocado Sauce (Gluten Free)

Baked Turkey-Ranch Meatballs with Spicy Avocado Sauce (Gluten Free)

Oh my goodness! These savory and slightly sweet meatballs paired with the spicy Avocado dipping sauce is out of this world!!! I always make a triple batch when I’m making any type of meatball, so I can freeze some for another busy night. However, after making a triple batch of these yummy meatballs, I didn’t have enough to freeze…my family LOVED them and not only went back for seconds, but thirds 🙂 I served this with a fresh salad, topped with cucumbers, strawberries and a store-bought Honey Poppy Seed dressing…delicious! I hope you enjoy 🙂

The Meatballs:

  • 3 lbs Ground Turkey
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1 Cup Gluten Free Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  • 1/8 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons (heaping) Ranch Dressing Powder Mix (I use Hidden Valley Ranch)
  • 1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar (I do not pack this)
  • 2-3 Pinches Ground Black Pepper

The Spicy Avocado Sauce:

  • 1 Large Ripe Avocado (seed removed and sliced into smaller pieces)
  • 2/3 Cup Mayonnaise (I use Hellmann’s Mayonnaise)
  • 2/3 Cup Buttermilk or Buttermilk Substitute (Since Buttermilk is difficult to find right now, you can make your own: pour 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar (or Lemon Juice) in a 1 Cup measuring cup, then add milk of your choice to fill remaining cup (I used Plain Rice Milk))
  • 3-4 tsp Onion Powder
  • 3 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • Dried Parsley (for sprinkling on top)

Making the Meatballs:

  1. Gather the meatball ingredients.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  3. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the Turkey Meatball ingredients and mix very well, either with a fork or your hands.
  5. Using a 2″ cookie scooper (or spoon), scoop turkey mixture onto the prepared baking sheets (16 meatballs per sheet). You may either form the meatballs using your hands or just drop meatballs directly onto sheet using the cookie scooper.
  6. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until inside temperature measures 165 degrees (I usually cut the center-most meatball in half to check for any pinkness).

Making the Spicy Avocado Dipping Sauce:

  1. Gather the Avocado ingredients.
  2. While the meatballs are cooking, blend the Avocado ingredients (except for the Parsley) in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into serving bowl and top with dried Parsley. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Once the meatballs are cooked, drizzle some Spicy Avocado Sauce over the tops and serve with your favorite veggie! Yum!!!

*Thank you to californiaavocado.com for sharing the Spicy Avocado Ranch Dressing recipe…I made a few minor adjustments 😉

Appetizers, Dinner, Hors d’Oeuvres, Lunch, Main Dish
American




Spicy Roasted Cauliflower (Gluten Free)

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower (Gluten Free)

I’m not a big fan of cauliflower, not because it tastes bad, but because it really doesn’t have much flavor at all. But, THIS recipe sold me on eating more cauliflower…it’s SO Spicy, Flavorful and Easy to make that I just can’t get enough!!! It’s even great cold the next day! Bon appetit! 🙂

  • 1 Head Cauliflower
  • 3/4 Cup Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour, sifted (I prefer King Arthur brand)
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Pepper
  • 3/4 Cup Skim Milk (You can substitute with Rice Milk, Oat Milk, Coconut Milk or Soy Milk)

Spicy Sauce:

  • 1/4 Cup Hot Sauce or Buffalo Sauce (For a less-spicy version, use a mild Buffalo Sauce)
  • 2 Tbsps Canola Oil (You can substitute with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, etc.)
  • 1 Tbsp Honey
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray) and set aside.
  3. Cut up the Cauliflower into bite-size pieces and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk the GF Flour, Spices and Milk together until thoroughly blended. Add the Cauliflower pieces and stir to completely coat.
  5. Dump the coated Cauliflower pieces onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them out into a single layer.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring the pieces at the halfway point.
  7. While the Cauliflower is baking, thoroughly combine the Hot Sauce, Oil and Honey.
  8. After the first 20 minutes, brush or spoon the Hot Sauce mixture evenly over the Cauliflower pieces. Continue baking for another 20 minutes.
  9. Serve while hot or warm. The Sauce mixture becomes like a crusty cheese coating…it is SO yummy!

Thank you to Pierce Abernathy @ Tasty for sharing the original recipe…I just made a few minor changes to make it GF, lower in sodium and fat 😉

Appetizers, Dinner, Hors d’Oeuvres, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snacks




Spicy Pasta in Creamy Pink Sauce (Gluten Free)

Spicy Pasta in Creamy Pink Sauce (Gluten Free)

This recipe was an instant hit with my family! Inspired by Giada De Laurentiis, this Creamy Pasta Recipe can be the Main Dish or a Side. It’s SO quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for those busy nights! Enjoy 🙂

  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Chopped Garlic
  • 2 Shallots (Finely Chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Chile Flakes
  • 1 12-13 oz. Uncooked Pasta (Gluten Free) (I used Gluten Free Spiral Pasta, but any Pasta you have on-hand will do.)
  • 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine (I used Barefoot’s Pinot Grigio)
  • 1 Cup Tomato Puree
  • 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half (Bring to room temperature)
  • 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated or Shredded)
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, chopped (I used semi-dried Basil (found in the Produce Section))
  1. Gather your ingredients.
  2. Fill a Large Pot with water and 1 tsp. Salt. Place on burner and set on high heat.
  3. While water is heating up, place a large skillet on cooktop and add the Olive Oil, Garlic, Shallots and Salt. Heat over medium-low until Shallots are a light, golden brown (about 5 minutes).
  4. Add the Chile Flakes to the large skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes to bring out the flavor of the Chile Flakes.
  5. Once the water for the Pasta has come to a boil, add the Uncooked Pasta and cook according to the package instructions, minus 2 minutes. Do not drain!
  6. While the Pasta is cooking, add the Wine to the large skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture has been reduced by half.
  7. Next, add the Tomato Puree and Cream to the large skillet, combining well. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  8. Once the Pasta is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the Pasta from the water to the large skillet. Add 3/4 cups of the Parmesan Cheese and gently stir to thoroughly coat the Pasta with the Sauce and Parmesan.
  9. Top with the remaining Parmesan Cheese and Basil right before serving…Enjoy!
Main Dish, Side Dish
Italian




Baya’s Spicy Holiday Pecans

Baya’s Spicy Holiday Pecans

These spicy, crunchy Pecans bring back the fondest memories of the Holidays with my husband’s Grandmother, Baya. She used to make these delicious Pecan treats during Thanksgiving and Christmas for guests to snack on. I make sure to always have a batch or two baking in the oven during the Holidays to fill the house with warm, spicy fragrances. These Pecans also make the perfect Gifts! I hope you, your friends and family enjoy them as much as we do 🙂

  • 4 Cups Pecan Halves
  • 10 Dashes Tabasco/Hot Sauce (Add more if you REALLY like some heat)
  • 1/3 Cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Salted Butter, Melted
  • Salt (Sprinkle as little or as much as you desire)
  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Preheat oven to 270 degrees.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the Tabasco, Worcestershire Sauce and melted Butter. Mix well.
  4. Next, add the pecans to the Tabasco mix and toss gently with a rubber spatula to thoroughly coat the pecans.
  5. Dump the pecans on a cookie sheet and spread them out evenly. Sprinkle with salt (as much or as little as you desire).
  6. Bake in the center of the oven for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven, stir, salt and return to oven for another 15 minutes or until lightly crispy.
  8. Cool on a paper towel for 10-12 hours (I usually do this in the evening, so I can let them cool/crisp overnight).
  9. If you’re giving these as gifts, pack in a plastic gift bag or tightly sealed container.
  10. Or place them in pretty bowls throughout your house for friends and family to munch 🙂
Snacks




Easy Homemade Beef & Chicken Chili (No Beans; Gluten-Free & Keto Friendly)

Easy Homemade Beef & Chicken Chili (No Beans; Gluten-Free & Keto Friendly)

There is nothing better than a huge pot of Homemade Chili simmering on the stove! I make this Beef & Chicken Chili just about every other weekend throughout the Fall and Winter seasons. It’s so easy to make and the mix of chili spices is delectable! And, it’s Gluten-Free and Keto Friendly! Enjoy 🙂

  • 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
  • 2 lbs Lean Ground Chicken
  • 1 Large Onion, diced (I use Vidalia)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 5 Tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 4 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
  • 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (Increase by 1/8 teaspoon at a time of you want a spicier chili)
  • 1 12 oz. Canned Tomato Paste
  • 1 Cup Beef or Chicken Broth (I usually use Beef Broth)
  • 1 Large Fresh Tomato, diced (Or canned (Otional))
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Topping)
  • Sour Cream (Topping)
  • Green Onions (Topping)

The Meats

  1. Gather Ingredients
  2. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground meats to the pot and cook until browned (about 8-10 minutes). Lower temperature to medium-low.

The Spices

  1. In a medium sized bowl, add all of the spices and blend well.
  2. Next, add the blended spices to the meat mixture. Mix well.

The Broth and Tomato

  1. Add the tomato paste, diced tomato and broth to the pot. Mix well.
  2. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, onions, etc.
Lunch, Main Dish
Mexican