After eating far too many boxes of Ghirardelli’s Double Chocolate brownie mix, I was convinced that with my baking experience I could create a homemade rival. After many attempts, I finally came up with something to brag about and I never pass an opportunity to share these chocolaty delights with friends. Whether it is a neighborhood bake sale, birthday, or just a gathering of friends – I always bring my brownies.
So a few days ago when I got wind that a group of special friends was going to be visiting from out of town, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share my wonderful brownies. There was only one problem – one of these friends has an allergy to gluten.
Now, I am no stranger to food issues and allergies. I myself am lactose intolerant, as well as my significant other. Yes - we were made for each other. But on top of us sharing dairy issues, he has a laundry list of foods he cannot process including: corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, squash, honey, cranberries, cow meat, and even more. Since the past three years I’ve had to be very creative in the kitchen, I figured I could handle this gluten thing pretty easily.
I got to work on my brownies.
Living close to a Whole Foods and shopping there regularly, I knew there were many gluten free items available. The only thing in my brownie recipe that has gluten is flour so I figured all I needed to do was switch to gluten free flour and we’d have a success. I was wrong. My brownies with the gluten free flour tasted like chalky, chocolaty, dirt. I was disappointed. And worse, after spending all day shopping and baking I had nothing to share with my special friends.
I hate wasting food, so I did not want to throw them out – but they were really inedible. Even my boyfriend who will devour an entire pan of brownies (or anything chocolate) couldn’t finish one. I decided to leave them in the fridge over night just in case I was hit with inspiration.
And I was!
I thought, “If they taste like dirt – why not continue with the dirt theme an make Dirt-cups!!” I remembered this chocolaty treat from Halloween parties as a kid, and figured I’d give it a try. The brownies were headed for the trash anyway – it couldn’t hurt.
With time running out, I woke up early and went to Whole Foods again. To my luck there was gluten AND dairy free chocolate pudding, as well as gluten free gummy worms! I got home and mixed everything together (brownies, pudding, gummy worms). I even added some agave nectar for flavor. Then I gave it a taste. It was a success! Something inedible turned edible – and actually quite tasty. I am excited to share these with my out-of-town friends tomorrow.
So a few days ago when I got wind that a group of special friends was going to be visiting from out of town, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share my wonderful brownies. There was only one problem – one of these friends has an allergy to gluten.
Now, I am no stranger to food issues and allergies. I myself am lactose intolerant, as well as my significant other. Yes - we were made for each other. But on top of us sharing dairy issues, he has a laundry list of foods he cannot process including: corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, squash, honey, cranberries, cow meat, and even more. Since the past three years I’ve had to be very creative in the kitchen, I figured I could handle this gluten thing pretty easily.
I got to work on my brownies.
Living close to a Whole Foods and shopping there regularly, I knew there were many gluten free items available. The only thing in my brownie recipe that has gluten is flour so I figured all I needed to do was switch to gluten free flour and we’d have a success. I was wrong. My brownies with the gluten free flour tasted like chalky, chocolaty, dirt. I was disappointed. And worse, after spending all day shopping and baking I had nothing to share with my special friends.
I hate wasting food, so I did not want to throw them out – but they were really inedible. Even my boyfriend who will devour an entire pan of brownies (or anything chocolate) couldn’t finish one. I decided to leave them in the fridge over night just in case I was hit with inspiration.
And I was!
I thought, “If they taste like dirt – why not continue with the dirt theme an make Dirt-cups!!” I remembered this chocolaty treat from Halloween parties as a kid, and figured I’d give it a try. The brownies were headed for the trash anyway – it couldn’t hurt.
With time running out, I woke up early and went to Whole Foods again. To my luck there was gluten AND dairy free chocolate pudding, as well as gluten free gummy worms! I got home and mixed everything together (brownies, pudding, gummy worms). I even added some agave nectar for flavor. Then I gave it a taste. It was a success! Something inedible turned edible – and actually quite tasty. I am excited to share these with my out-of-town friends tomorrow.
So a lady learned a lesson: When life hands you gluten free brownies that taste like dirt, make Dirt-cups!
Can you tell I am proud of myself today?
As always,
I am a lady | adarose
Can you tell I am proud of myself today?
As always,
I am a lady | adarose
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