Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts

1. Gluten is not in everything
2. Gluten-Free does not mean Yummy-Free
3. Gluten-Free diets do not have to be weight loss diets ;)

Gluten-free product labelling is currently voluntary in the US.
AND the FDA does not currently have an official definition of what gluten-free means.

celiac sprue association website has information about the current regulations: http://www.csaceliacs.org/ProductLabeling.php

celiac.com article showing what happens when product labelling is voluntary, and un-defined http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?showtopic=54905

(suitable for a dish of approx. 23x33 cm)
FOR THE NUT BOTTOM:
125g pecan nuts
125g hazelnuts
50g pistachio nuts
150ml sugar
75g melted butter
FOR THE TRUFFLE:
300g dark chocolate
300ml cream (heavy, whipping, double - 35-40% fat content is what you want)
125g unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 egg yolks
Directions:
FOR THE NUT BOTTOM:
1) Crush the nuts coarsely in a food processor.
2) Mix w/sugar & melted butter.
3) Press out into a large dish (23*33 cm) that you have lined with foil or paper. Let cool completely.
FOR THE TRUFFLE:
4) Chop the chocolate & place in a large bowl.
5) Bring the cream to a boil & pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
6) Add the butter and the egg yolks, & stir until everything is completely mixed.
7) Pour this on top of the nut bottom, cover w/plastic and place in the freezer.
8) Thaw before serving (or cutting) but not completely - it should still be cold and firm.
TO TOP:
You can use anything to top it really - I used finely crushed freeze-dried berries, but a little pinch of chilli flakes would be nice, sea salt is always good, a sprinkling of finely ground nuts wouldn't hurt, or by all means just leave it plain. We've had leftover pieces with coffee, or for a slightly more fancy dessert, with a side of a simple raspberry sauce. (Mash raspberries with some powdered sugar.) All good. Very good.

http://annesfood.blogspot.com/2007/01/chocolate-nut-truffle.html

(makes 4-6 servings)
5-6 large firm apples
TOFFEE-ALMOND TOPPING:
50g almond slices
50g unsalted butter
200ml soft brown sugar
100ml whipping or double cream
1tbsp potato flour
Directions:
1) Pre-heat oven to 200 C / 400 F
2)Peel the apples (optional*), halve & core them. Fit them snugly into a buttered oven-dish, cut-side down.
3)Mix brown sugar & potato flour in a small saucepan, add butter, almond slices, & cream, & bring slowly to the boil, stirring regularly.
4) Spoon the toffee mixture onto the apples.
5) Bake in the middle of oven for 20-30min (cooking time depends on the apples), until apples are cooked & toffee topping has thickened.
6) Cool a little & serve with ice cream.

**NOTES: In general, I tend not to peel apples from my mum's or grandma's garden, or apples from a reputable organic source. However, peeling apples beforehand makes for neater presentation and easier eating afterwards.

http://nami-nami.blogspot.com/2008/09/oven-baked-toffee-apples.html

it is possible to eat scrumptious foods on gluten-free diets :)