Queijo - An unexpected Delight

Chewy,delicious,and mouth watering are just some of the ways I can describe Queijos  Also known as Brazilian Cheese buns, these treats are super tasty! Be creative and play around with the recipe. You will find that the Queijos (pronounced Kay-Joe) are yummy with an array of flavours. I love baking these! Like most things I bake the Queijos are indeed freezer friendly. They make a great side for hot meals especially if you like to have a "bun" of sorts to dip with. Personally, I love how convenient they are for an on the go snack. Pop one into the microwave and out you go with a delicious treat!

Recipe makes about 8 servings

Preheat Oven to 375

2 Cups Tapioca Flour

1/2 Cup Olive Oil or Butter

1/3 Cup Water

1/3 Cup Milk

1 Tsp Salt

2 Tsp Minced Garlic

2/3 Cup Grated Marble Cheese

2 Beaten Eggs

Additional Options include : Sun dried tomato and basil, Jalapeno and cheese, Cheese alone. You could even    turn the Queijos into a pizza pocket of sorts by filling it with your favourite pizza toppings.

Pour olive oil, milk and salt into saucepan. Place on high heat.When mixture begins to boil, remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Stir in the Tapioca flour and Garlic until smooth. Set aside and let rest for 15 minutes.

Stir in egg and cheese until well combined. The mixture will look chunky like cottage cheese. Scoop out mixture and place on baking pan. I use my hand but you can use anything from an ice cream scoop to a ladle to get the proportion you like.

Bake 15-20 minute on un greased baking pan until slightly brown.

Note: The resting period is necessary to prevent the cheese from becoming a greasy mess in the oven. Trust me, it happens.

Make Ahead Mini Meatpies

For me, comfort food is such a joy. There's nothing like a hot meal when the weather is miserable outside. My favourite thing about this recipe is how simple it is! You can tackle the entire recipe all at once or you can do it in stages. I like to make this recipe in large batches and freeze for future meals. The small size of the "mini meat pies" really is great as they are quite filling.



Feel free to alter filling ingredients to your own personal liking.

Preheat  your oven to 350 (varies depending on oven)


Filling
2 Cups diced cooked chicken
2 1/2 Cups chicken stock
1 Cup Diced Carrots
1/2 Cup Diced Celery
1/2 Cup Chopped onion
1/4 cup Cornstarch or all purpose GF flour
3 Tablespoons Water
1/4 Cup Milk

Season to taste

Pastry
I used 1 box of Gluten-Free-Pantry Perfect-Pie-Crust . You can purchase this online or at the Real Canadian Superstore. If your local store does not carry this item, I would suggest asking them to.  

Bring Chicken Stock to boil in large saucepan (or pot)
Add the Carrots, Celery, and Onions. Cook for 15-20 minutes
Stir in Chicken and frozen peas. Cook for 5 more minutes
Add a few tablespoons of water to flour to make paste . Place in saucepan to thicken stock.  Cook on low for 3-5 minutes. Add Milk and season to taste. 
Pour the mixture into mini pie tins that are lined with pie crust.
Top off the meat pie with a layer of pie crust. 


Bake for about 25- 30 minutes

Gluten Free Play-Doh

Play-Doh brings back fond memories of being a child. Both the homemade and store bought kind made their way to my creative little hands. There's something so free spirited about Play-Doh. You can create virtually anything....as long as you have the imagination. The best part is how much fun people of all ages can have together with something as simple as this.


Here is a fun little recipe for Gluten Free Play-Doh. It's simple, quick and easily stored. Place it in a pretty jar wrapped in cellophane and attach some cookie cutters with a ribbon to make a great gift.


(check labels to make sure ingredients are GF)

• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup water 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• Food coloring or a package of Kool-Aid (not only does the Kool-Aid add colour, but it creates a nice aroma for the Play Doh too!

Directions:
Mix ingredients. Cook and stir on low heat for 3 minutes or until it forms a ball. Cool completely before placing in an air tight container. Store in refrigerator.




Non Cook Method
1/4 Cup Salt
1 Cup GF Flour
1/4 Cup Water

Play-Doh accessories to keep on hand:

Small rolling pins

Plastic cookie cutters of varying shapes

Muffin tins for shaping

Safety scissors & dull plastic knives

Popsicle sticks

A spray bottle to moisten any Doh that is drying 

Look around your local Dollar Store for these and other fun possibilities