Gluten free Brownie by Gauri Kekre

Yippee 1^st guest post on my blog…

When I was preparing for this challenge, I wanted to cover different aspects for differently abled kids; therapies, conditions, food etc. Recently I got acquainted with famous baker cum blogger cum dentist Dr. Gauri Kekre. And while we were just discussing the challenge in our group, I casually asked her if she can do a guest post for me. She readily agreed.

Gauri is dentist by academics, mother of two cute, angel daughters, and baker by chance and choice.  Baking is one territory which many dread to tread as it requires exact measurement. One mistake and all effort go waste and it’s difficult to fix unlike other dishes. But not Gauri, she started baking for her family and close knit friends and slowly by trial-and-error methods she learnt the art of decorating cakes. Her creative ideas started getting her orders and now she has turned into full time baker, weaving magic and churning out mind blowing cake designs.

Thank you Gauri for doing this article.

Now let's hear from Doctor-Baker herself… 

Gluten-Free Casein-Free Brownie recipe for Special Needs Children.

A cake is a universally loved food, and in kids especially, it is usually a raging favorite. But what if you have a child with special needs, who cannot digest the gluten and casein present in most cakes?

Parents whose children are diagnosed as special needs children, especially those with ADHD or autism, are always on the lookout for a diet which can significantly improve the quality of life of their kids. However it need not mean that the kids never get to enjoy goodies in pursuit of good health.

There is a whole world of recipes out there, which are perfectly suited to their dietary needs, from cookies, to cakes to brownies. Before I share my brownie recipe with you, I’d like to bring to attention some of the flours that can be used on a day to day basis.

Sorghum Flour:

Jowar or Sorghum Flour

Sorghum is known as Jowar in India. It is an off white round grain, which is ground to make flour. This flour is often used to make rotis in households of India. What we didn’t know is it can be easily used in place of wheat flour or refined flour in cakes, cookies and brownies.

Arrowroot Flour:

Arrowroot flour

Whenever you need to use a flour to thicken sauces or gravies, such as white sauce for salads etc, arrowroot flour can be used. It is a white flour which becomes transparent and thickened upon cooking.

Cornflour:

Or cornstarch as it is also known, is also a good thickening agent. In case of cakes, it can be used to replace a part of sorghum flour to increase the softness of the cake.

Chickpea flour or besan:

Although not in cakes, but in India, Chickpea flour or besan is one flour which is indispensable. It is used to make a variety of recipes such as Besan chillas, tomato omelettes etc.

Other useful flours:

Maize flour or makki ka atta, rice flour, and soya flour are all good alternatives

You may find that some of the recipes for cakes contain an ingredient called guar gum, or any other kind of plant gum. While its use in the recipe is not known, it is known to cause intestinal disturbances in some people. I find that it is unnecessary to use it, and can be easily done away with.

Onwards to the recipe:

• 1 cup Sorghum flour/ Jowar flour
• ½ cup corn flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 and ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 pinch baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1/4^th cup warm water or coffee
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• pinch of salt.

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C. Or if you are using a pressure cooker, remove the whistle and close the lid with the rubber ring in place. Heat on high for fifteen minutes.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

3. With a hand mixer or a hand held balloon whisk, mix slowly while adding the oil and water mixture. Mix it till it is homogenous.

4. Now add the eggs one by one and beat for 1 minute after every addition.

5. Pour the batter in a butter paper lined baking tin and place it in the middle rack of your oven. Bake for 40 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs.

6. In case of pressure cooker, place the cooker jaali inside the cooker, and place the tin on it. Close the lid and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 40 minutes on medium flame or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes with a few crumbs.

Yummy Gluten-free Brownie 

You can get in touch with Gauri and view her works by clicking on following links : 

Li'l White Oven

(https://www.facebook.com/lilwhiteoven)

Mind Brew

(http://mindbrewblog.wordpress.com)