An Irish Meal: Slow-Cooker Irish Stew, Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread & Baked Apples
by Tally Flint

If your family doesn’t need gluten-free meals, invite a family over who does.

Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread, Serves 8
1 1/2 cups white rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk*

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Combine the rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into the cake pan. Bake for 65 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Wrap bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and let stand overnight for the best flavor.

* Don’t have buttermilk? Mix up one cup of your own: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a measuring cup, then fill with milk to make 1 cup.

Slow Cooker Irish Stew, Serves 8
2 lbs. beef pot roast (or lamb, cubed)
1 teaspoon dried onions
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 gluten-free beef bouillon cube (such as Herb-Ox)
2 tablespoons gluten-free cornstarch (such as Argo)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups baby carrots
2 cups cubed potatoes
Water
Herbs and spices to taste

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker, cover meat with water. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Baked Apples, Serves 8
6 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons rice flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 350. Place apples in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Stir spice mixture into apples until evenly distributed. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Spoon into a greased dish. Pour milk evenly over apple mixture. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until soft and bubbly. Cool slightly before serving.