Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (I made sugar free but you don't have to!)

 

I made Teriyaki Chicken with broccoli stir-fry and cream cheese wontons, using a homemade teriyaki sauce.  By the time I thought of posting the recipe for the sauce,  we had already finished the meal....  but luckily, still had a plate made up for my husband, who was working late that night and wasn't home yet.  I grabbed his plate out of the microwave, took a quick picture with my iphone and well, there you go. 

I made a sugar free version but I'm adding the regular version as well. I used it to marinate our chicken as well used it in the stir-fry.

Teriyaki Sauce

1/2 c soy sauce
1/4 c sugar substitute
1 T brown sugar substitute
1/2 c water
1 T ginger, powdered form
1 T minced garlic
1 t xanthan gum or corn starch

In a saucepan place the soy sauce, sugar, brown sugar, water, ginger and garlic.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, lower the heat but keep it simmering.  In a small container mix the teaspoon of thickener with about 1/4 cup cold water.  You can stir the corn starch smooth with just a fork but if you are using the sugar free version with xanthan gum, you will need to mix like a mad woman (or man) with a whisk as xanthan gum will clump.  You could mix it with a stick blender too.   Now whisk the thickener into the soy sauce mixture on the stove.  Again, if using xanthan gum, whisk like crazy while you drizzle it in.  If whisking hard and fast enough, it should be rather smooth by now.  Simmer just a few more minutes until thick.

Irish Soda Bread - The real version and the Spotted Dog version

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. I've never really been a fan of Irish Soda Bread because, well, honestly?  I can't stand bread with raisins in it and everyone that has ever offered me their version (be it neighbors, mothers or people at work who would bring it to the break room to share) has put raisins in it.

This morning I had St. Patrick's Day and 'traditional Irish Soda Bread' on the brain and was happily surprised to find out - true Irish Soda Bread does not have raisins in it!  As a matter of fact it sounds very simple to the artisan breads I make and I bet I would actually like it!

The website of the Society for the Preservation of Traditional Irish Soda Bread explain; 

"If your "soda bread" has raisins, it's not "soda bread!  It's called "Spotted Dog" or "Railway Cake"!  If it contains raisins, eggs, baking powder, sugar or shortening, it's called "cake", not "bread."  All are tasty, but not traditional Irish Soda Bread!"

"The basic soda bread is made with flour, baking soda, salt, and soured milk (or buttermilk).  That's it!"

White Soda Bread
4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour.
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
14 oz of buttermilk


Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees.  Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.
In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough.  Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape).

Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.

Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot).  Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.  Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.
 

 * * * * * * * *

I am happy to say this year I will be proud to make traditional Irish Soda Bread!  But... for those of you who still want a sweet bread or like putting little raisins in your breads, I'm going to put this one here for you.


How many people make Irish Soda Bread 
 (which I learned today the traditional Irish would call this Spotted Dog)


3 c flour
1 c sugar
3 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 egg
2 c milk
1/2 c butter, melted
1 1/2 c raisins
2 T caraway seeds

In a bowl combine the dry ingredients;  flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  In a second bowl whisk the egg and milk with the melted butter.  Stir the wet and dry ingredients together just until blended.  Fold in the raisins and caraway seeds.  Transfer to a greased, round Irish Soda Bread baking bowl or pan.  Bake the bread at 350 for approximately 40 minutes or until a cake tester or sharp, thin knife inserted in the center, comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack.












Or you might be interested in Mixes instead;

                            

Just Make Brownies... regular and sugar free

It's getting colder outside.  A storm is moving in.  It's dark and dreary and cloudy even though it's only 4:30 in the afternoon and if it's like that where any reader popping in to this page lives as well;  well, I declare it's time to make some brownies. 

Here are two versions;  the first has flour and sugar but the second is no flour, no sugar.  Both are fabulous.  No, really.  Fabulous!

Incredible Brownies

 
1/2 c canola oil
1 c sugar
1 t vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/3 c cocoa
1/4 t salt

In a bowl, mix oil and sugar with a wooden spoon. Add eggs and vanilla; stir just until blended.  Add the flour, baking powder, cocoa and salt.  Beat with a wooden spoon until well blended.  Pour into greased or parchment lined 9 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 about 20 minutes.  The sides will pull away from the pan and the middle will be set.  Cool completely without cutting.  Frost if you wish - or sprinkle with powdered sugar - and cut into squares of your own choice of size.

 Low Carb, Sugar Free Brownies

4 squares Baker's Unsweetened chocolate
3/4 c butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 c Xylitol
1 c Splenda
3 eggs
2 t vanilla extract
1 c almond flour (ground, raw almonds)
1/3 c chocolate whey protein (low carb, sugar free)*

 Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl in the microwave.  Stir smooth.  Beat in the eggs and sugar substitutes with a wooden spoon, 100 strokes.  Beat in the eggs.  Add the vanilla, almond flour and whey protein.  Pour into a greased or parchment lined 13X9" pan and bake at 350 about 20 minutes or until done.  Cool, slice and serve.  Can be topped with Swerve or Ideal Confectioner's sugar sprinkled on top or a sugar free icing or whipped cream. 

*This is probably optional.  You can increase your almond flour if you don't have it.  I also played around with a bit of coconut flour but it wasn't necessary.

You might be interested in some of the products I used;

         



 
Now Foods Xylitol, 2.5 pound bag
Ideal Confectionery Low Calorie Sweetener
Swerve Sweetener Confectioners Style, 16oz
Nature's Best ISOPURE CHOC (LOW CARB) 3LB

   

Homemade Whole Wheat Crackers

Whole Wheat Crackers

2 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c sugar
1 t salt
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c oil of your choice
salt or other herbs or spices for flavor

In a bowl, blend the dry ingredients;  flour, sugar and salt.  Add milk and oil.  Blend.  The dough will be crumbly but will come together in a ball.  Add additional milk or flour by drops to get the right consistency.   Divide in 2 portions. On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, roll the dough very thin.  Sprinkle lightly with salt or other flavors you prefer. Do the same with the second portion now or wrap tightly and refrigerate to use later. With a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut into individual crackers and prick with a fork in multiple places.   Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Healthy Flaxseed Pumpkin Bread (Low Carb and Sugar Free too)

There are two ingredients I like to cook with because I know they make almost anything they are added to moist, and will probably (more than likely) always turn out.  Cocoa and pumpkin.  Cocoa powder in cookies always makes the most delicious and chewy never-dry-out cookies and pumpkin does the same in breads and bars.  I'm a fan of quick breads - from zucchini to pumpkin and everything in between.  On my pumpkin bread I like to smear it with a bit of cream cheese icing as it is then just like a yummy pumpkin bar.  But the bread is so good and so moist, you don't need to top it with anything if you don't wish to.


This bread is also very, very healthy!  Ground flaxseeds have a nutty taste and are a noted health-giving digestive aid. They are also high in fiber and are powerful natural cholesterol controllers. In a 2 Tablespoon serving size (13 grams) the fiber content is 1.33 grams of Soluble Fiber and 2.67 grams of Insoluble Fiber. Ground Flaxseeds are a good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, with 2 Tablespoons having 2400 mg of Omega 3. 

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 c Golden Flaxseed Meal
1/3 c coconut flour
1 c almond flour
1/4 c brown sugar substitute
1/2 c Erythritol
1/3 c whey protein powder (unflavored or vanilla)
2 1/2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t Xanthan Gum
1 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice (or use 1 t cinnamon, 1/4 t ginger and 1/4 t cloves and dash nutmeg)
1/2 t salt
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
5 eggs
1/4 c coconut oil
1/3 c almond milk (unsweetened)
15-25 drops liquid sweetener
1 t vanilla

In a bowl place the dry ingredients;  flaxseed meal, coconut flour, almond flour, brown sugar substitute, erythritol, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, spices, salt.  Stir well.  In another bowl place the wet ingredients;  pumpkin, eggs, melted coconut oil, almond milk, vanilla and sweetener.   I used about 25-30 drops of liquid sweetener but do a taste test and use what you prefer.

Combine dry and wet ingredients.  Stir well with mixer or by hand.  Place in a greased 9X5" loaf pan and bake at 350 for about 55 minutes or until the center is set and comes clean when you insert a thin knife or cake tester.  Let cool in the pan at least 10-15 minutes before removing to cool completely.  If you can wait 1 more day to eat this, I suggest wrapping in plastic wrap, then in foil, and refrigerating 24 hours.  I love the flavor and texture pumpkin breads have when you do this - although it's not necessary.







Products I use to make this bread;
(Ideal is no longer available but Just Like Sugar and Truvia make products you could use)
Natural Almond Meal Flour - 5 Pound Bag
Brown Sweetener: 16 oz by Just Like Sugar
Truvia Brown Sugar Baking Blend
Now Foods Erythritol Powder 100% Pure 2.5 lb
Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Flour (Gluten Free), 16 Ounce Canister
Bob's Red Mill Organic  Flaxseed Meal, 16-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4)
Bob's Red Mill Gum Xanthan, 8-Ounce