Vegan Fruit Tart – Gluten Free Pie Crust Recipe

One reason that people believe gluten free is harder to cook is because they take recipes that were made with gluten-based products or flours and substitute non-gluten flours and expect them to perform the same.

When considering gluten free recipes or recipe conversions, think outside of the box and look for a totally different alternative.

Gluten Free Recipes

When you try to convert a wheat-based pie crust recipe to a gluten free recipe you are making the process extremely difficult. Let’s say you have a wheat flour-based tartlet shell recipe. Most of the gluten free flour alternatives will not perform the same, so substitution would not work.

• Almond flour is a ground nut.
• Soy flour is a ground dry legume.

Why would you expect it to perform like a grain?

Gluten Free Pie Crust Recipe

This gluten free crust recipe can be used for a full size pie or for a tartlet as in this case. It is totally different than a regular pie crust but is simple, fast and healthy!

Actually, it is very similar to the recipe I use for power bars (balls). It is also vegan.

Vegan Almond Tartlets

For this vegan almond tartlet you need slivered almonds and dates in a 1:2 ratio.

1 part almonds and 2 parts dates. This is not a scientific recipe that needs to be exact. Play it by feel as you combine the ingredients in the food processor until you get a compressible mixture that forms a ball when squeezed.

1. In food processor, process almonds till consistency of bread crumbs.
2. Add dates and combine until they compress when squeezed.
3. Shape into tartlets and refrigerate.

Filling:  Toss your favorite fruit with a little bit of lemon zest and all-fruit jam.

Gluten Free Recipes

While this is not a traditional pie crust it could very easily be shaped into a full size no-bake pie crust, then filled with a pudding and pie filling or a glazed fruit filling.

If you want a more traditional flaky gluten free pie crust recipe for a baked pie, then use a gluten free grain such as brown rice, amaranth, millet, oats, or pure buckwheat. This gluten free pie crust recipe has great flavor and can be used to actually bake a pie in.

When considering gluten free recipes it is often easier to think outside the box and create a whole new recipe, rather than converting a wheat- or grain-based one that is dependent on the gluten for the outcome!

Gluten Free – Low Carb Pizza Recipe

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

I was amazed at how yummy this gluten-free, low carb pizza crust is. This fun, fast and healthy pizza recipe is great for diabetics, celiacs or those who eat low carb or gluten-free.

The only draw back to this pizza is that it is so good that 2 people can eat the whole thing!!

Make Gluten Free Pizza Crust

2+ cups shredded cauliflower (this does not need to be exact)
1 egg
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. dry oregano
1 garlic clove pressed (or dry)
1/2 tsp. onion salt

1. Grate cauliflower into bowl using any type of shredder that you have. Even a cheese grater will work.
2. Place the grated cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 5 – 8 minutes or until tender but not mushy. No need to add water.
3. Cool then, add all the other ingredients and mix until combined.
4. Spread out on a sheet pan or baking stone. (This takes a bit of effort, by pressing and smushing the crust to the size and shape that you want.)
5. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown.

Assemble Low Carb Pizza

With cauliflower as the primary crust ingredient this is definitely low carb!

After the crust is baked add your tomato sauce, cheese and other toppings.

The low carb pizza does not need to bake long after the toppings are added because the crust is already fully cooked.

Just top and broil to melt the cheese.

Diabetic, Low Carbohydrate, Gluten-Free

If you are diabetic, gluten-free or eating low carb diet, this pizza will satisfy that craving for a good pizza!

If you can eat just one slice of the whole pizza (cut into 6) then the approximate calories is only 151 with about 9 grams of carbohydrates.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) it is so good that I bet you cannot eat just one!!

Low Carb Pasta Recipes

Spaghetti With Less Carbs, Calories

Most people love to eat a big plate of spaghetti or other pasta dishes, but worry about the calories or excess carbs. If you are looking for low calorie or low carbohydrate pasta dishes, try this trick next time you are cooking your favorite Italian dish.

Whole Grain Carbohydrates

Pick up some nice whole grain pasta at the grocery store and some fresh green beans.

Any grain based carbohydrates should always be “whole” to give you the most nutrition for your carb consumption. The ingredient list should say “whole” in front of the word wheat as the only flour in the list.

Most modern processed semolina pasta is made as a byproduct of the milling process. Semolina is actually not a whole grain, but a very hard part of the sugar part of the wheat that has been separated during processing.

Whole grain flour has all the natural fiber, good oils and nutrients of the wheat still intact.

Low Calorie – Low Carb Pasta

Even if you are trying to cut calories you can still enjoy a big plate of spaghetti or other pasta dishes with this low carb trick.

Use equal parts pasta and green beans as your “pasta”. Just cook the pasta until it is about half done depending on the type of pasta, then add the green beans into the same pot for the second half of the cooking process. Top with your favorite sauce!

Depending on the pasta you may cut the beans or leave them whole so that they mimic the shape and size of the pasta dish. In this case I had penne pasta, so cut the beans to smaller pieces. When using spaghetti I would leave them whole so that they are long like the spaghetti!