This giveaway is now closed! Check out the winners – announced over at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang. While you’re there, read this week’s theme for Gluten-Free Holiday – Favorite Holiday Entrees and Side Dishes! 
Gluten-Free Holiday is off to a roaring start! Ricki at Diet, Dessert and Dogs kicked us off with tips to stay healthy during the holidays and shared some delicious truffles. And last week, Shirley at Gluten-Free Easily shared a no-fail pie crust recipe that I’m dying to try, and we linked our Thanksgiving favorites. And as you probably are aware, there were some excellent cookbooks given away at Gluten-Free Easily as well.
The winners for The Spunky Coconut Cookbook are:
craftbition (no blog), who left this comment “following spunkycoconut on Twitter! Thought I already was, but apparently not! (Thanks for the reminder)”
and Valerie of City|Life|Eats.
The winners for Make it Fast, Cook it Slow are:
Rachel of My Munchable Musings
Jenny of Creative Cooking Gluten Free
and Ariana Anderson of The Frugally Rich Life.
Congratulations to the winners! I will also be offering up some excellent cookbooks for this week’s theme - Gifts of Good Taste. But more on the giveaway in a minute.
Yes, I realize that Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet, and I’m already discussing edible holiday gifts. But if you’re like me, you love to plan ahead and have a lot of wonderful gift ideas ready to go. (or are reading this, hoping to gain a few ideas!) This week’s post does exactly that – it allows us to all share delicious, gluten-free edible gift ideas!
Food is so often an emotional thing. There are traditions that often go back for generations, especially around the holidays. Grandma bakes her famous pie, Mom makes the turkey “just so”, and of course, the endless casseroles, sweet potatoes, and other dishes comprise the meal that defines every family’s tradition. But it doesn’t stop there. Holidays are surrounded by gifts, and many of those are edible. But as most of us with food intolerances or allergies are aware, we can’t just eat “any ol’” cookie or treat shared at the holiday season. So when someone makes a special “safe” treat, it’s that much more special. It’s truly a gift of love.
This is often where my true passion for gluten-free cooking shows. It’s around these times that people yearn for comfort, for family, for tradition. So this is when I work to present those who are dear to me something special and safe for them to eat, no matter their food restrictions. I want my family and friends to feel loved and feel as though they can still enjoy the holiday with as much celebration as they ever have. So I cook, and I bake.
Today, I have a few treats to share that would delight any gluten-free friend or family member. The first is a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan macadamia almond brittle. It’s deliciously sweet, with caramel and cinnamon notes and that lovely brittle crunch. If you make it, you might want to make double, to compensate for the amount you “test”. It’s pretty addictive.
The second is a healthier, but equally delicious cookie – a gluten-free, vegan and sugar-free pistachio coconut macaroon. This cookie is chewy, lightly sweet, nutty, and full of coconutty flavor. Also pretty darned addictive.
Both of these make excellent gifts, and would ship well without turning into crumbs, as many gluten-free cookies do. And just in case you forgot, I also shared some nut truffles (chocolate cherry, pecan pie and pistachio sesame) that would make excellent gifts as well. (however, they might not be as easy to ship, as they prefer to be chilled.) Of course, I can’t wait to see what ideas you share!
Macadamia Almond Brittle
¾ c macadamia nuts
¾ c almonds
1 t cinnamon
½ t kosher salt
3 c natural sugar (sugar in the raw)
1 ½ c water
1 T coconut oil
1 t baking soda
½ t almond extract
Grapeseed oil, for greasing the saucepan and spatula
Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or buttered parchment paper (or spray the sheet with cooking spray). Set aside.
In a small skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the macadamia nuts and almonds until just beginning to color. Remove and roughly chop. In a small bowl, combine nuts with cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
Brush oil all over the inside of a medium saucepan. In the saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, and then cover with lid and allow to cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Remove lid, turn heat down to medium, and stir. Place a candy thermometer in the saucepan, and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 265 degrees. Add nuts and coconut oil and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 295 degrees. Remove from heat, add baking soda and almond extract and stir vigorously. Turn out onto the baking sheet and spread out quickly with the spatula, making the brittle even and ensuring the nuts are even as well. Allow to cool completely, and then break into pieces.
Store in an airtight container.
Pistachio Coconut Macaroons, inspired by Diet, Dessert and Dogs
¼ c raw, shelled pistachios
2 T coconut flour
2 T flaxseed meal
Scant ¼ t kosher salt
1 c dried unsweetened shredded coconut
1 T extra-virgin coconut oil
2 T almond butter
¼ c agave nectar
1 t vanilla extract
½ t almond extract
2 T cocoa nibs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor, add pistachios, coconut flour, flaxseed meal, and salt. Process until mixture resembles a nut meal (no pieces should be larger than a sesame seed). Add coconut and pulse once or twice to combine.
In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil and almond butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and add agave nectar and extracts. Stir in the pistachio-coconut mixture cocoa nibs.
Using a small spoon, scoop and roll small balls of dough, about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place on the prepared baking sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand.
Bake for 11 minutes or until edges become golden brown. Allow to cool on baking sheet.
Makes 12-16 cookies. Store in an airtight container.
Okay, now it’s time for the giveaways!
The first giveaway is for 2 copies of Kelli Bronski and Peter Bronski’s Artisanal Gluten-Free Cooking. Kelli is a trained chef, and Pete loves being in the kitchen as well. Together they created this cookbook, which has amazing recipes for everything from naan, pies, main dishes, and even ice cream. (They also have a great blog – No Gluten, No Problem – that shares wonderful food and information.) Even that lasagna on the cover has me drooling. This is certainly a book on my wish list!
The second giveaway is for 5 copies of Jules E Dowler Shepard’s Free For All Cooking: 150 Easy Gluten-Free Allergy-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy. If you’re looking for recipes that address multiple food intolerances or allergies, this is definitely a tool worth having. The book boasts 125 recipes that are free from gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and more, and they are kid-friendly.
What do you have to do to enter into these giveaways? Well, there are lots of ways to win! You can gain an entry for doing each of the following things:
- Link up a gluten-free edible gift recipe via the linky at the bottom of this post and leave a comment telling me what you’ve shared.
- Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook and leave me a comment telling me that you did.
- Subscribe to Tasty Eats At Home in a reader or in email, and leave a comment to tell me that you did so.
- Follow Tasty Eats At Home on Facebook.
- If by chance you have already read or purchased a copy of either book, leave an Amazon review for the book and leave a comment telling me you did so.
Next week is Thanksgiving, so we will have a week off from Gluten-Free Holiday. But the week after (December 2), Diane at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang will be sharing favorite Christmas and Hanukkah Entrees and Sides. Be sure to visit and link up your favorites for more chances to win great cookbooks!
Link up your favorite gluten-free gifts via the link below.
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
[...] on Tasty Eats of Home as part of A Gluten-Free Holiday. You can gather and give your recipes for Gifts of Good Taste. There will also be lots of giveways so make sure you leave a comment on her [...]
This week I posted my GF Snack Mix which is based on the old original Chex (R) Mix (before they started adding things like bagel chips). I also shared a few thoughts on Gifts from the Kitchen and packaging ideas.
[...] UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much for participating! Head on over to Alta’s (Tasty Eats at Home) for this week’s Gluten-Free Holiday event—Gifts of Good Taste. [...]
These desserts look great! I’m going to play with the brittle this weekend for sure! This event is so much fun. I hope to see everyone on December 2nd!
[...] week’s theme of A Gluten-Free Holiday Celebration is Gifts of Good Taste hosted by Alta at Tasty Eats at Home. Of all the gifts to give or receive, the edible ones are my [...]
Your brittle looks terrific! I linked up to Spiced Maple Pecans…an addicting treat that never lasts more than a day or two in my kitchen.
I follow TEAH on Facebook.
Okay I give up! What is a “linky thing?”
I’m subscribed on my RSS feeder. Jules’s book looks good but can you review it if you haven’t read it yet. Cool flour mix though.
Laurel – the link at the bottom of the post is the “linky thing”. It is actually called Linky Tools, and it allows you to link up a blog post to share with everyone during this event.
Just look at all these wonderful goodies! Thanks to everyone for sharing and thank you for hosting the party I’m having so much fun.
Miz Helen
[...] week’s edition of a Gluten Free Holiday is hosted by Tasty Eats at Home. Here you will find many other [...]
Thank you so much for hosting this week! I love getting so many great new ideas! Would love for you to check out my yummy gluten free peppermint bark I made this week! Always a favorite!
I happily follow & “like” TEAH on FB! Your treats here look yummy!
~Gigi
Awesome giveaway! I’m a follower of TEAH on Facebook through my personal account.
I subscribed to tasty eats at home via e-mail
I’m also subscribed through the RSS feed.
[...] from Tasty Eats at Home is hosting this week’s event, Gifts of Good Taste. Stop by to get her Macadamia Almond [...]
Alta!! Thanks so much for hosting this week! I love your brittle & your cookies. Absolutely perfect for gift giving. I shared No Bake PB&Chocolate Crunch Bars. Joe said that they’re so good I shouldn’t tell anyone how I made them…he makes me laugh.
I’m excited to see what everyone else is giving this year – looks like there’s some great ideas!
Hugs!!
I subscribed in the RSS feed
I just found your blog and it is awesome. I don’t follow a gluten free diet but have a friend who does. I am always looking for recipes I can make for her as we dine together a few times a month and I hate making things she can’t enjoy along with the rest of us.
Thanks for the awesome book giveaways. I haven’t been a follower too long nor to the gluten-free scene for that matter, but enjoy receiving all the delicious recipes to try especially with the holidays coming.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American neighbors to the South??
I subscribe to TEAH in a reader! I found you a few months ago through someone on twitter. I love to see the okra in your header. It always makes me want to go home and roast some.
I added macademia nut fudge to Mr. Linky!
-Sea
I subscribe to the Tasty Eats at Home RSS feed
I just signed up for your email subscription – thanks so much for all the help you give – I am so looking forward to trying your recipes and reading your ideas.
would you be able to enter me in your draw for the books?
thanks so much,
blesssings,
Penny Kibble
I subscribed to your email list! Please consider me for your book giveaways. I’m new on gluten free diet.
Hi!
I had this recipe for christmas sugar cookies all ready to go but I can’t seem to upload it properly!
Here’s the link: http://cestsansgluten.net/www-en/dotclear/index.php?post/2010/11/07/Say-It-With-Cookies
Can you post it?
Thanks!
c
Looks so yummy. I subscribed to your blog today. Thanks.
I follow TEAH on Facebook.
Thanks for the almond brittle post, I will be trying it with agave tonight! I have subscribed by email and will be following you on FB as well! Happy Thanksgiving!
I linked to the Gluten Free Linzer Cookies from Bake This, Eat That, Then Move Blog. If I can make the GF cookie exchange this year I think I will make those. They look so festive to me and taste soooo good!
I also subscribed via Google Reader!
following on facebook.
I “liked” your FB page – haven’t seen it before!
I’m following Tasty Eats At Home on FB
FB name: Priscilla Dulin
Subscribed via email
I have subscribed via google reader
the brittle looks beyond fantastic! how lucky the recipients are.
I’ve linked to my Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds. Super yum, vegan, unique and uniquely delicious!
I’ve tasted those truffles of yours and how sad that everyone may not! Your’s are amazing! Love the Brittle!!!
I’m following on FB.
Here is my link for: Jeanies’s Wheatfree Oatmeal Raisan Cookies
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6953234779316443395&postID=748371155501344598
I am all ready a subscriber!
I am Following you/Liking you on Facebook.
Wow, is all I can say! Super thrilled I won a copy of Kelly’s book!
And, I am so making those macaroons this weekend once I get over my (gluten-free) Mellow Mushroom pizza coma…
Here is my link about the Gluten Free Holiday Contest:
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6953234779316443395&postID=1556240418437612888
I have posted a note about this on facebook!!!
Following on FB. Can’t wait to make the pistachio coconut macaroons…
My mom used to make peanut brittle, but I haven’t made any brittle for years. You definitely have me wanting to try yours. I’ve been looking forward to this week because I need some new ideas for food gifts this year. Thanks for hosting it Alta.
I am following TEAH on Facebook AND I posted about this DREAMY giveaway on Facebook!!!! Lovelovelove a) this blog b) those books c) this giveaway!
posted it on my fb!
[...] I saw that Tasty Eats at Home was hosting Gifts of Good Taste for this week’s Gluten-Free Holiday , I knew this would be [...]
just subscribed to this blog – first time here
also just ‘like’d on facebook – glad to have found my way here –
Goodness Alta, to many delicious looking sweets so early in the day! I don’t have anything new to contribute yet, but maybe soon.
I am so making brittle. I’d been wondering what would happen if I just replaced the silly old butter. Thank you.
I’ve left a review on “Free for all Cooking” on Amazon.
Linky things, facebook, twitter – technology is making my brain explode!
I don’t have a blog of my own and don’t know the rules about the linky thing. I did link to a post by the Manifest Vegan I think everyone would love. If that’s cheating, by all means please do not count this comment.
I just discovered your blog and I love your recipes!
the almond brittle looks great!! i would have to say almonds are my favorite kind of nuts. they go so well with candy!
I subscribed to Tasty Eats at Home.
Gosh, that macadamia nut brittle looks gorgeous! I love the thought of adding Macadamia nuts to the brittle! Yum. And of course, those macaroons look amazing as well. I totally love this series and all of the great holiday ideas i am getting!
xo
Kim
[...] Eats At Home), is sharing her recipes for gifts that will make everyone happy. Her choices are Macadamia Almond Brittle and Pistachio Coconut Macaroons (photo courtesy of Alta). Oh, to be closer to Alta and be on her gift list! But, no worries, [...]
[...] at Tasty Eats At Home is hosting a round up of edible gifts this week. There are some delicious treats to be found from a [...]
Hi Alta, there are so many delicious treats here. I’ve added mine via the linky just now. Hope it worked: http://gfreemom.com/2010/lemon-advents-cookies-gluten-free-perfect-edible-gifts/. Thanks heaps for hosting!
I follow you on FB
I linked up my post on a bunch of different food gift ideas, including pumpkin butter (so easy and it will beat out any storebought pumpkin butter for sure), honey butter, vanilla extract, pound cake, Rolo turtles, 3-min chocolate cake in a mug/bowl, plus more. There are so many food gift options. Love your brittle and cookies, Alta. Both look divine to me. Looking at your brittle recipe, I’m wondering if that sugar in the raw would help me make a healthier version of my mom’s fudge. Hmmm.
Thanks, Alta! Love our holiday event!
Shirley
I linked my Maple Honey Cookies.
I subscribe through RSS as My Sweet and Savory
I am a friend on Facebook as Comfy Cook
I shared a recipe for Peanut Butter (PB) Honey Oat Cookies. I’m excited to try your pistachio macaroons – I love pistachios!
I shared about this blog event in the following post:
http://delshadduo.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-honey-oat-cookies.html
I like you on facebook!
I signed up for your RSS feed! So happy to have found your blog.
Just linky-ed up my blog post about making Garlic-Rosemary Jelly, as well as some other GF Gift Ideas. I am excited to hop over to the other blogs to see about some new gift ideas. I love making up a care package for my celiac hubby each Xmas with treats specially made for him and this will give me some great new options.
I subscribed…! Thanks! Always looking for good gluten free ideas and recipes!
Following on Facebook now! Hubby has Crohn’s and so needs to eat Gluten free (gluten puts him in a flare) so I’m always looking for good ideas of what to serve him that he’ll like!
[...] Forget! There’s still time to enter into the giveaway for Gluten-Free Holiday! Visit here and enter for your chance to win a copy of Kelly and Peter Bronski’s Artisanal Gluten-Free [...]
I linked up my post on homemade hot chocolate mix, and snack mix (this is what is shown on the linky).
Subscribed to your blog via Google Reader
Following you on Facebook!
Going to share on Facebook. I think that second book appeals to me as I am trying to feed my almost 6 year old who is fairly new to having to eat gluten free (and other stuff).
Oh my these sound delicious! Really miss holiday treats so I can’t wait to try these recipes. Thanks!
I linked up my homemade chocolate drizzled caramel corn with candied nuts. What a wonderful collection getting gathered here.
babyfro97 at gmail dot com
I prepared chocolate banana cream cups – thinks chocolate cream pie in a handy portable cup form
I also posted about the giveaway in the same post as the banana cups: http://www.citylifeeats.com/2010/11/chocolate-banana-cream-cups.html
I feel a bit bad entering again as I won last week’s giveaway of the Spunky Coconut – I was so excited about that
I subscribe to your blog via my google reader
And now that I know you have a Facebook page, I hit like on it
[...] Events: This recipe has been submitted to the Gluten-Free Holiday: Gifts of Good Taste event at Tasty Eats at [...]
That brittle looks soooo yummy! I’m not too brave at candy-making, but I might manage to make that — my husband loves brittle. Thanks for your lovely blog, and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi! Love to win a book — I linked to a cornbread recipe.
I am so excited I found your blog and have subscribed in my google reader!
Just subscribed to your blog and “liked” you on FB. Keep those great recipes coming and enter me to win a cookbook. Carrie from Ginger Lemon Girl sent me!
thank you so very much for the macadamia nut brittle recipe! What a wonderful gift this will be for my sister, who loves macadamias beyond all sense of proportion! Of course, since it’s GF, I can have some, too.
I linked up a recipe!!
I figured out which had Celiac Disease about 5 years ago. I was in an auto accident 6 years ago together with became very very ill apart from having chronic pain out of your accident. It took me a year to figure it released, without a medical diploma, and to insist that doctors test me. I knew something wasn’t right and also doctors were looking within everything but Celiac. I went through each year of very expen$ive testing in order to find cancer and several other diseases, not to mention all of the crazy medicines they fit me on. I reacted for all the medicines as perfectly, which complicated everything!
Nice space…
I’ve linked my recipe Orangettes from Livetoeat!!!
http://livetoeat-megha.blogspot.com/2010/11/orangettes.html
[...] can still stop by Tasty Eats at Home to be entered into the last hosts drawing for the great cookbooks she’s giving away for A [...]
I subscribe to Tasty Eats At Home using google reader. Thanks for the chance to win!
I just saw about the cookbook giveaway from Amy Green. Your site looks great and I can’t wait to explore it further. My 43-year-old sister is awaiting results from her biopsy (for gluten), so your blog may be a godsend for her! I “liked” your page on Facebook, too, by the way!
Thanks for this opportunity! You’ve got some great recipes here! I linked up my sugar free, dairy free and gluten free snickerdoodles.
Shared this link and post on Facebook!
Followed Tasty Eats at Home on Facebook. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
This recipe is amazing! I shared it with my friends on facebook. Can’t wait to try some more recipes!
Subscribed through email.
Just found your website thanks to Jules. I added you to my facebook and also my email. wish me luck to win! And thanks for your time with all this (new to celiac). Darlyn
I added Tasty Eats at Home to my likes list on Facebook
I subscribe to your feed.
sounds good!
I just followed on TEAh on facebook and also subscribed for the email.
These recipes look wonderful!!!
I just “like”ed your page on facebook to enter the cookbook drawing…thanks!
Oh my gosh, there are a million people already here! And I can see why. That macadamia almond brittle stuff looks amazing. What a great gift idea! And macaroons are one of my downfalls. I’m not sure I even trust myself enough to make them. Pete and Kelli’s book is wonderful. It’s one of my all-time favorite GF cookbooks.
Peace, love and holiday fun!
Melissa
I “followed” you on Facebook.
I also subscribed to your blog. Looks like one I’m going to LOVE.
I subscribe and love it-thanks!
I added a link to a chocolate making site. Their chocolate supplies are celiac safe as well a few other allergens safe. Lots of fun ideas! I’m subscibring to your blog too. Does that count as two?
[...] linked our Thanksgiving favorites. Last week Alta from Tasty Eats at Home got us thinking about Gifts of Good Taste. She shared her Macadamia Almond Brittle and Pistachio Coconut Macaroons. Hopefully by now [...]
I follow Tasty Eats at Home. I also follow you on facebook.
[...] Gluten Free Holiday—visit weeks one, two, three, and four…and then stop by Carrie’s blog this Thursday for the fourth installment in this [...]
[...] out various appetizers and/or small snacks, such as spiced nuts, relish trays, and possibly some candies or cookies. Like I mentioned before, no one goes hungry at our [...]
Following you on FB.
Subscribed via email!
Posted about this giveaway on Facebook!
Linky tools list will not load or work for me, so I’ve copied and pasted a fav gf recipe here: http://www.glutenfreebetsy.com/2011/11/pumpkin-rollin-with-homies.html Betsy’s pumpkin roll is out of this world!