The Pure Pantry: Chocolate Chip Cookie Review

They definitely had their work cut out for them-

making a dairy, soy, gluten, nut, and egg free cookie.

BUT they did it.

The Pure Pantry offers several baking packages to get us allergen people through.

I baked their chocolate chip cookies today and I am trying to decide what I think.

First of all, it is not the texture of your typical chocolate chip cookie... its a little more grainy.

It kind of reminds me of some country cornbread my grandma once made.

It even has a bit of a corn bread flavor...

Maybe its the organic corn flour.

Plus, they are a little dry.

Will I eat the entire 24 cookies?

You bet cha!

Would I ever serve them to friends?

No thanks.

I guess what I am saying is-

If you are in a pinch and the cookie craving hits.

These are good to go in about 15 minutes total time.

Don't get me wrong- I love everything The Pure Pantry is trying to do.

Unfortunately, I am not in love with these cookies.

Shrimp Pasta! So good you will think you are in a restaurant!

1 lb Uncooked Shrimp, peeled & Deveined

1 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes in Garlic & Olive Oil

1/3 C Olive Oil

3-6 Cloves Minced Garlic (I used about 4)

2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar

2 TBSP Dried or Fresh Basil (I used Dried)

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

Enough Spaghetti for 2 People

In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients but Shrimp and Pasta. Blend until it looks Saucy : )

Pour just enough of the sauce to coat the shrimp in a bowl. Mix the shrimp in and be sure it is fully coated.

Place COVERED in the fridge to marinade for 30min -1 hour.

Put water in a pot on the stove and cook spaghetti. Add 1 T of Salt to the water to flavor the spaghetti.

Drain pasta when fully cooked.

Add remaining sauce to the pasta.

Cook on low while you put the shrimp in s skillet.

Cook on medium heat 3-4 minutes on each side.

Add the Shrimp to the Pasta.

Serve!!!

A Dairy & Soy Free 4th of July BBQ!

I know, its traumatic- dieting on Holidays.

BUT just one meal with D&S can stay in your system for 2 weeks then in baby's an additional 2.

Thats a total of 4 weeks of illness for one bit of temptation.

Kind of daunting isn't it?

With a few modifications, and some label checking,

you can still enjoy the 4th with the rest of em!!

Appetizer

Bacon Wrapped Smokies (See recipe below)

Salad

Romaine Mix with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Main Dish

BBQ Chicken Breast With Sweet Baby Ray's

Sides

Sweet & Spicy Corn (See recipe below)

Roasted Potatoes (See recipe below)

Desert

So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream

*Bacon Wrapped Smokies

These aren't your typical smokies although those are also good too. These disappear sooo fast at every event I bring them to. Ingredients are simple: Package of smokies, 1 lb of Hickory Smoked Bacon, 1 Bag of Brown Sugar. Steps are just as simple: Cut the bacon strips into 3rds. Wrap one piece around a smokie then sit on a baking tray. This can not be a cookie sheet, it needs to have a raised edge to it- a brownie pan works just fine. Once all of the smokies are rolled in bacon, top with 1/2 inch of Brown Sugar. I know, it seems like a lot. Just do it. It melts and caramelizes as it cooks. Bake for about 20-30 minutes- you can tell it is done when the bacon begins to look crisp.

*Sweet & Spicy Corn

4 Ears UN-SHUCKED corn

1 T Olive oil

2 t minced garlic

1 t brown sugar

1/4 t crushed red pepper

1/4 t cayenne pepper

Peel Corn back and pull out all of the hair. Keep enough of the leaves? on to fully cover the entire ear of corn. Mix the rest of the ingredients together. Coat the corn then wrap the leaves back over the ear. Grill.

*Roasted Potatoes

Very, very simple.

Peeled, cubed potatoes, Olive Oil, Seasoned Salt

Wrap the potatoes in foil, coat lightly in olive oil and sprinkle fairly liberally with seasoned salt. Grill until the potatoes look slightly burnt. They will have a little crunch to them and will be very tasty.

For Bread Lovers.

Milk is pretty much in every bread.

I am luckily not a huge bread lover so I don't miss it too much.

Who wants dinner rolls without butter anyway?

I can't stand a hamburger without a bun though- I never would have made it on Atkins.

Finding bread without milk is hard enough,

finding one without milk and soy is close to impossible.

I will admit, I have eaten Ezekiel Bread a few times but I justify it,

because I know the soybeans are 100% organic.

(That likely does not matter,

so I would avoid them all together if your baby is, in fact, allergic to soy.

For me, I feel like a lot of the problem is the genetic modifications cows milk and soybeans are exposed to.

So, as usual-CHECK YOUR LABELS.

If you are fortunate enough to have a Fresh and Easy store nearby-

SOME Of their artesian bread is D&S Free.

I am actually eating their French Baguette as I type this.

For every day sandwiches, I use Silver Hills brands.

They have a few different options that are D&S Free.

The picture I posted above is my favorite, Little Big Bread.

Enjoy!