Flour Blend

Today I made gluten free banana bread. I love banana bread...I could eat it everyday for breakfast. I usually make it a couple of times a month. After I would eat it, I felt "off." Not bloated, but different. I used to think it was the bananas (weird I know) but now I know it was from the flour. I found this recipe on www.tasteofhome.com.

What is a flour blend?  It is a mix of gluten free flours or starches that you substitute instead of regular flour. There are many types of blends - it all depends on your preference and what you are making. I made an all-purpose blend. Other kinds: High-fiber, high-protein, or self-rising flour blend. (livingwithout.com)

All-purpose flour blend - you can double or triple this recipe to make as much flour mix as you need. It is important to store in tight container in the refrigerator until used.
1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
1/4 cornstarch or potato flour/starch

Banana Bread

2 cups  all-purpose flour blend
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used homemade provided by my in-laws)
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c  chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 c chocolate or white chocolate chips (optional)

Directions
In large bowl, combine eggs, bananas, sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Blend dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Stir in walnuts and/or chocolate chips.
Transfer to two 8in x 4in loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake 350 degrees for 45 -55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

I didn't know what to expect when I took the bread out of the oven. I couldn't wait for them to cool...I had to try a slice. Yum...they were good! Ben, Owen and Landen agreed.
              
Meals:
Breakfast - Green drink and raisin toast - yes, boring, boring. Maybe an egg tomorrow?
Lunch - Chicken salad sandwich. When I was at the Fresh and Natural Foods store the other night, I also purchased a loaf of rice bread. I was excited to eat a sandwich again. It was very dry, not light and fluffy like normal bread. I still ate it...wasn't that bad. I do want to make my own bread. I hope to find some good recipes to share - if anyone out there has one for me to try, I'll take it!
Dinner - We took dinner to our friends, Paul and Lindsey, who recently welcomed their 4th son, Sawyer. I made a beef roast, jello with  mandarin oranges, a tortellini spinach salad and served it all with Hawaiian sweet rolls. It was hard not to eat a roll or the tortellini.