*Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake*

Blogging LIVE from the bedroom while the puggle and I suffer through the balmy -10 degree night by hiding under the covers!  If only it were warm enough to walk downstairs and watch The Sound of Music special...

Thanksgivukkah was a roaring success and the Mister and I are still recovering... by starting a new project!  Do you expect any less from us?  Here's a sneak-peek before you get the full, final view:

Don't mind the blurriness or the fact that I'm in my pajamas and slippers... this pic wasn't staged at all...

Back to the real purpose of this post...

Per usual, I tried a new recipe on a night that we had guests over (Thanksgiving) but, luckily, it turned out beautifully!  I couldn't decide between two delectable cheesecake recipes that I found on the internet so, at the last minute and after two trips to separate grocery stores, I decided to combine the two.  Here's the result:

Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs (I used Midel brand)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar

3 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger1
1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 large egg yolks


FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap outside of a 9-inch diameter springform pan with foil to catch drips. Place ] gingershaps into a 1-gallon plastic freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Measure out the 1 1/2 cups and combine them with the butter and sugar in a bowl. Press mixture into bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the springform pan. Bake crust about 5 minutes until slightly darkened. Set aside. (Adapted from this recipe)


FILLING:
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on low speed, blend together cream cheese, light-brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth, about - 30 seconds. Mix in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Add in pumpkin and vanilla and mix on low speed just until combined. Add in whole eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition just until combine, then add in egg yolks and mix just until combine. Lift and tap mixing bowl against the counter several times to release air bubbles from mixture. Pour mixture into gingersnap crust and bake in preheated oven (325 degrees) for 1 hour, then turn oven off and allow cheesecake to rest in oven 20 - 25 minutes (without opening oven door). Remove from oven and allow to cool 15 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap and chill 5 hours.  (Adapted from this recipe)


Before Serving: I drizzled store-bought caramel sauce, sprinkled with a generous pinch of sea salt, and topped with homemade whipped cream.

DELICIOUS!

*Recipe* Allergy-Friendly Pizza Crust

I changed the title on this post because I don't want to scare you with the ingredients.  Long story, short: I cannot eat traditional pizza crust anymore and I've searched high and low for a new recipe that the Mr. and I can both agree on.  There have been a lot of icky nights during these experiments!  But, alas, I knew there was an option out there!  I started with breadsticks using nearly the same recipe (which were delish!) but jumped all over the chance to try this as pizza crust.  It did not disappoint.  This is what we had for our Valentine's Day dinner:

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

1 cup riced, cooked cauliflower

1 cup shredded mozzarella (though I only used about 3/4 cup) 

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. dried oregano

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

pizza sauce

shredded cheese for topping

additional toppings of your choice (we used peppers and onions)

Instructions:

Use a food processor (pulse - don't puree it!) or cheese grater to "rice" the cauliflower.  Place the riced cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for approx. 8 minutes, stirring halfway.  Drain some of the moisture after heating to make the crust a little crispier.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  In a medium bowl, stir together cauliflower, egg and mozzarella.  Add spices and stir.  Using your hands, transfer to the cookies sheet and pat out into a 9" round.  Brush with olive oil (or cooking spray) and bake for 15 minutes. 

Remove from oven and add sauce, toppings and additional cheese.  Place back in the oven and bake just until cheese is melted, approx. 3-5 minutes.

THIS DOES NOT TASTE LIKE CAULIFLOWER!!

It's a little difficult to pick up and eat so you might need a fork.  I made two pizzas for the two of us so you may want to at least double the recipe if you're feeding more than one person!  Rumors say that making one large pizza doesn't work as well because the center won't cook as it should.

Enjoy!