Making: Gluten-Free Crepes with Strawberries

Recently I became rather obsessed with the idea of trying to create gluten-free crepes that taste as good as I remember traditional crepes to be. About a year ago I started using Carol's Gluten Free Flour, and it's really the only gf flour I use anymore. It has the lightest texture and flavor of any gluten-free flour I've ever tasted. So far it has worked perfectly for everything from delectable cupcakes to scrumptious apple ring fritters. I know I probably sound like an infomercial, but I really just love this stuff (no payment or reimbursement has been sent my way for me to say that)...although Carol, if you're listening I wouldn't mind a bag or two of flour (I plow through this stuff like nobody's business).

So anyhow, I decided it was time to see if my trusty flour was up for the challenge of becoming crepe-worthy. Turns out it was! My daughter and I have been feasting on crepes stuffed with fresh strawberries and whipped cream just about every weekend for the past 5 weeks. Even my daughter who said in the past that she "thinks crepes are gross," has requested them more than a couple times. Delicious!

Anyhow, for any of you who are interested, below is the adapted (and sweetened) recipe I've been making. For those of you who are lucky enough to be able to feast on traditional floury goods, the original recipe can be found here (although I'd probably still sweeten it a bit if you'll be having them with berries). Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Crepes with Fresh Strawberries & Whipped Cream | (Makes 5 large crepes)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla, gluten-free

1/2 cup milk (I use non-fat)

1/2 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-2 tablespoons sugar (add more or less depending on your preference)

1 cup Carol's Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour

2 tablespoons salted butter, melted

1 tablespoon butter, for pan

(optional) - powdered sugar and whipped cream

Directions:

Place 2 tablespoons of butter into a small saucepan, and melt over low heat. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, milk, water, salt and sugar until thoroughly combined. Gradually add in the flour with whisk to combine. Remove butter from heat, and pour into batter in a steady stream while slowly whisking to combine. Mix until smooth. Note: Crepe batter is much thinner than pancake batter, so don't be alarmed if it seems runny. You can always whisk in an extra bit of flour to thicken it up a bit if need be.

Heat a small amount of butter in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/3 cup for each crepe. As soon as you've poured the batter, tilt and swirl the pan in a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Use caution...this is the part when I usually burn myself.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Using a rubber spatula, flip the crepe and cook the other side. Repeat this process with remaining batter. You can keep your finished crepes warm in an the oven (on very low heat) until you are ready to serve. Top crepes with fresh strawberries, a dallop or two of whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Fresh Strawberry Topping

1/2 to 1 container fresh strawberries, washed and cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste)
(optional) 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon or orange zest

Place strawberries into a bowl and sprinkle with sugar and zest. Use a spoon to gently mix the berries until the sugar has coated them. Set aside and allow berries to soften in the sugar before serving. About 5 minutes.

Yummo!

I also thought that this post was the perfect time to use (and show off) the new photo backdrop that my daughter and I made a couple weekends ago. Doesn't it look like an old weathered table?! We just took two old wooden palettes, removed the boards from one, and then nailed them all together onto one palette. I think it looks pretty good!

Oh, and I also thought it would be amusing for me to show you the way things really look behind the scenes when I'm not so closely focused in on the food. Messy desk and pile of bills, check! Ugly scanner to the side and two photo backdrops propped up on a folding tray, check! Oh, and of course music from Pandora playing on my computer, check!

If you're looking for some last minute Easter/Springtime inspiration for your weekend, here are a few sweet posts here on Creature Comforts that you might have missed:

• DIY Fabric Peony Flowers for Accessories, Home Decor, and Gift Topping
• A roundup of 10 Springtime Printables & DIY Projects
• 3 Unique Easter Gift Basket Ideas for Adults
• 12 Pages of Free Eater Printables (designs for both girls & boys)
• Create an easy Teapot Floral Centerpiece - perfect for Easter brunch
• Also be sure to check out my Easter and DIY & Freebies boards over on Pinterest for more great inspiration and DIY ideas

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! I'll see you all next week. xo Ez

Color Inspiration Daily: 04. 06. 12

'Buttery No. 2' Photographic Print by Shannon Blue, on Society 6

A Sweet Scavenger Hunt with Amy Atlas

{Sneak peek at one of the projects/stories inside Amy Atlas' new book Sweet Designs}

Amy Atlas is a magician and a maven all rolled into one when it comes to party planning and her famous dessert tables. If you've seen her work before, you undoubtedly agree. So when Amy got in touch and asked if I could help her with a fun and playful virtual scavenger hunt / sneak peek of her new book Sweet Designs, I was delighted. Of course I said "yes!"

Like with most scavenger hunts, there is an awesome prize involved. If you're new to the hunt today, here's how it works. All day today, Amy has been sharing clues on her blog about the blogs you will need to visit in order to pick up your scavenger hunt clues. After visiting each site she shares (7 in all) you will have a complete sentence (from the clue words) that you will then use to enter to win this:

A 5-quart Stand Mixer from KitchenAid! Um yea...can I just say that I'm jealous of whomever of you wins. Oh...and one of you WILL win, because the first person who answers the scavenger hunt challenge correctly who says they came from Creature Comforts will win. That means one reader from every blog participating is going to win. So exciting!

There is only one clue left after the one I'm about to give you, so hurry over to Amy's blog to get caught up on the first line-up of participating blogs/clues, and be sure to check back on her blog in one hour for the final clue. After you have all your clue words, hop over to Amy's blog one last time at 4pm Eastern Time to be the first from Creature Comforts to enter in the completed sentence in the comment section of her blog. Be sure to say that you came from Creature Comforts!

And now...your clue word: "PINK"

I hope you'll come back by and let me know if you're the lucky winner. Good luck everyone! xo Ez

Book Image – Copyright Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It, Hyperion Books 2012. Photography by Johnny Miller.

Update on Thursday, April 5, 2012 by Ez

Hi guys! For those of you who have been trying to access Amy's site but running into an error page, here's  a bit of an update for you from Amy:

"You have all been so amazing. We knew there would be great support, but the response was so overwhelming that we just can't get our site back up. I am so sorry. I'm trying to figure out a way to deal with this fairly for everyone. In the meantime, unfortunately, I have to hold off on the last post until tomorrow. Even if my site goes back, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to put the last post up so everyone has notice. I know you have all been patient. Thank you again, and I'm so sorry for any inconvenience." - Amy For more update, you can keep an eye on her Facebook page.

Color Crush: Corals

I'm so happy that Coral is having a moment this season, because after aqua, it has to be my favorite hue. It just cheers me up to no end seeing it pop up everywhere from fashion and accessories to homegoods. Are you crushing on any one particular color lately? xo Ez

1. Framed Sreenprinted Circle Art - Sandra Thomsen (via Megan) | 2. Seaport Watch - Kate Spade (via Sarah Katherine) | 3. Serving Spoon - Leif | 4. Heart Umbrella - Mango | 5. Highland Fling Polish - Scotch Naturals | 6. Wrapped Rope Necklace - Leif | 7. Kiera Socks - Monki | 8. Leather Clutch with Foldover Flap - Zara

P.S. Sorry that my post was so late today. I'll have one more out of the ordinary, time sensitive, and fun post to share in less than an hour (mysterious, huh). So be sure to come back for that! xo Ez

Color Inspiration Daily: 04. 05. 12

Wish to be Invisible by Jennis Li Cheng Tien, seen on Patternbank (via Nikoly)