Friday, April 26, 2013

No-Grain Quick Bread Squares

Very simple dinner last night - spicy chili and this 'corn' bread.  There is no cornmeal in it, actually, and although it tasted delicious, a few seasonings to make it more savory would have worked very well - and a few sweet seasonings would have just as happily rendered it into a tasty snack cake dessert.

This recipe is the neutral template - it can and should be altered, because the important part is that it works.  It is moist, has a mouth-feel identical to quick bread squares made with flours, and it's quick and easy to make up.  It tastes good as-is, but is totally open to variations.

As a side note - I am totally sold on the blend of almond flour, coconut flour and arrowroot as the key to making grain-free breads that aren't unduly dense.

No-Grain Quick Bread Squares
(makes 8 x 8 square pan)

1 1/2 cup almond flour
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/3 cup arrowroot flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup whole milk (or almond milk)
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or other good fat)
3 eggs
3 T. maple syrup or honey

Lay a square of parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 square baking dish or cake pan.
Combine flours, baking soda and salt, and stir to blend.  
In a separate bowl, combine milk, oil, eggs and sweetener and whisk to combine.
Make a 'well' in the center of dry ingredients and add wet ingredients.  Whisk to combine until all dry ingredients have been moistened.
Pour into prepared baking dish, spreading if necessary.
Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes.  Test for doneness with a knife or toothpick inserted into center.
Let cool slightly and cut into 9 squares to serve.

Ideas for savory bread squares:
Decrease sweetener slightly (keep in mind wet to dry proportions) and:
Add a cup of grated cheese to batter.
Add diced green chiles (drained) to batter.
Add some savory spices to the dry ingredients, such as chili power and cumin or a selection of herbs.
Add minced garlic and/or onion.
Add some salsa or a bit of chopped chipotle pepper
Mix in some chopped black olive and feta cheese crumbles
(you get the idea - take it from there!)

or top with any of  the above before baking.

Ideas for sweet snack cake squares:
Increase sweetener slightly and add:
Dried fruit bits, raisins, nuts, etc.
dark cocoa powder 
chunks of dark chocolate
Sweet spice blends - gingerbread seasonings, etc
Bits of fresh fruit, such as apples or bananas

etc, etc, etc.

I am looking forward to experimenting further with this!  If you have any ideas for how to use it, please do add them to the comments!

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23 comments:

  1. Ha! Today, I was ready. I had coffee and corn muffins when I got here. Maybe tomorrow, I'll have some No-Grain Quick Bread Squares, they look tasty!

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    Replies
    1. Nibbling on the last of it and realizing that with the right topping, this would be some good coffee cake! ;)

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  2. Good Afternoon Lynda, This is an intriguing recipe as I have never baked with coconut flour or almond flour before. I shall have to hunt for these things when I go shopping next week. I like the thought that this mix can be turned into something sweet or savoury.
    I have enjoyed my visit and I have become a new follower, thanks to Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
    I would like to invite you to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! the door will always be open.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  3. I CAN'T wait to try this!!!! Pinned it:)

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  4. Wow, I actually happen to have all the ingredients in the house! Will try it tomorrow, I'm always on the lookout for a good gluten free bite.

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    1. Oh man! Tried it with cheese, served it with soup. My crew tore through the whole batch - and I don't mean the soup.
      This one is a keeper, thanks for sharing!

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    2. Oh I'm so glad to hear how it went! It really is pretty amazing - it's actually fluffy!

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  5. I have some left over almond flour will give your bread a try. Thanks for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

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  6. Such an interesting recipe! I love these healthy recipes that you share with us.

    Thanks so much for joining in this week!

    xo
    Claudia

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  7. Popping over from Claudia's party, and now I am starving! LOL

    Thanks for sharing this with us. I'll have to give it a try. My husband and I are trying to eat with less flour in our lives and less grain. This would be perfect.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  8. This recipe looks great. I just pinned it and I'm printing it out to make today.We have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/04/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_30.html
    We hope to see you there.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

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  9. You had me at quick! My life needs a little more quick right now! Perfect recipe! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! :)

    Be sure to stop by to see who the winner of our So Lucky GF Basket is! We are ALSO having a fantastic giveaway this week to kick off Celiac Awareness month! :)

    Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

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  10. I love how you put in some different suggestions for changes to make. I am not very "creative" when it comes to changing recipes up, lol!

    Thanks for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party today! :)

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  11. This is a must try recipe.....Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  12. This bread looks delicious - I've been missing cornbread and can't wait to try your combo of flours. Would love for you to share this at my link party, Allergy Free Lunchbox Love (http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com/2013/05/allergy-friendly-lunchbox-love-5313.html). I would love to find a piece of this bread in my lunchbox :)

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  13. I want to make this; it sounds wonderful! I've been looking for more recipes for almond flour. Thanks.

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  14. I need to try this! I have all 3 in stock, and I love the idea of no xanthum gum which is not easy for me to find.

    Thanks for sharing your recipe at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!

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  15. Looks like a great side for summer BBQs. Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Greens!

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  16. We are mostly grain free! This looks like an easy recipe. Thanks for sharing this with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday!! Hope to see you again today!

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  17. Sounds delish! Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you again tomorrow!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/05/the-homeacre-hop-18.html

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  18. This looks great. I'm using almond and coconut flours more but haven't made anything like this. I like that it's versatile and can be used for sweet or savory.

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