I’m always forgetting the recipe for crumb topping because I never write it down. Well, here it is so whenever you (or I) need it we can find it…

3/4 cup sorghum flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

5 to 6 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Spread (cold)

Mix the first 4 ingredients together. Drop the Earth Balance into the mixture in chunks. Using a fork or clean hands mix the butter into the flour mixture until it’s fully dispersed and forms clumps. This makes enough topping for a pie or 9 inch cake. If you like a really thick layer of crumbs increase the amount of the sorghum flour and brown sugar to at least 1 cup each and the other ingredients accordingly.

Note: I made an adjustment to the Earth Balance amount in the recipe because when doubled it required an extra 2 tablespoons. So, if you need an extra tablespoon to make a nice crumb go ahead and add it.

I’m an avid label reader. And, if the ingredient list is really long I just put the item back on the shelf. Finding the hidden gluten, egg, or dairy can be tiring and I’m just not that good at it.

Making food at home alleviates that issue. And, a nice thing is—after some trial and error—the result is usually better.

This Buffalo Sauce is so easy to make. The bonus—we really like it. It can be spiced up, or if you prefer you can make a milder version. Try it with Buffalo Chicken Wings.

Note: Apparently different brands of cayenne pepper can have different magnitudes of heat. So, add the cayenne last in small amounts and test for your level of desired spiciness! Added 10/28/09

Buffalo Sauce

3 tablespoons oil (1 of olive oil, 2 of grapeseed or other vegetable oil)
1/4 cup Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
1 teaspoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons chile powder
½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (variable dependent on desired heat)
1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon each paprika and cumin
½ teaspoon salt

Combine all the wet ingredients and stir until fully mixed. Whisk in the spices—holding back on the cayenne pepper if you’re worried about the level of heat. Taste and alter by adding more of the spices to your liking. This recipe produces a medium spicy sauce.

Here’s the link for Frank’s Original Hot Sauce gluten-free information.

Use this aioli on fish or in chicken salad. I'm sure you'll find a lot of other dishes that will welcome this little dressing.

1/2 lemon , juiced
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon brown mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey
3 tablespoons plain yogurt, soy or coconut
salt and pepper

Squeeze the lemon juice into the bowl of a small food processor. (Alternatively you could use a small bowl and whisk, whisk, whisk to get the same results.)

Put the top on the processor and turn it to high. Slowly add the olive oil to the bowl through the well in the top of the lid. Whir until creamy -- about a minute or two. Add the mustard, honey, yogurt, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whir another minute or so to yield a creamy, lemony aioli.

To make this vegan you could try agave instead of honey.

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Try Chicken Salad with Chia Seeds

Chicken Salad with Chia Seeds