Tag Archives: Cooking From Scratch

Homemade Gluten-Free Spinach Noodles (Hand-Cut)

Fresh spinach pasta that’s rolled and hand-cut into rustic noodles, then tossed with butter, Parmesan, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Homemade Gluten-Free Spinach Noodles (Hand-Cut)

Hello friends! Can you believe it is already September? Does September still feel like summer to you, or have you mentally moved into fall? I know the first part of September technically still belongs to summer, but once Labor Day has passed, I always start feeling like we’re on the doorstep of fall. I have had a very busy, but happy summer trying to get outdoors as much as possible and having the pleasure of spending time with family and grandchildren. Life has felt particularly full lately, but I have had these spinach noodles on my mind for a few months. I have been wanting to develop a gluten free recipe that brings back the favorite ones my Grandma Morgan used to make when I was a child when I would visit. I remember asking her before I came if she could make her spinach noodles. So this recipe is a recreation of the ones I had then, but gluten free.

I’ve also been grateful for the little pockets of fun and connection that come with my Posh business. Between that, my Etsy shop, recipe testing, and family, there certainly hasn’t been much sitting around happening here!

These fresh, hand-cut spinach noodles are made with fresh spinach, eggs, and gluten-free flour. Rolled thin by hand and cut into rustic noodles, they cook up tender and delicious. Toss them simply with butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper for an easy homemade pasta dinner. This isn’t a quick weeknight recipe, but it is fairly easy, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy the dough was to work with. These noodles can be made in advance and refrigerated, so technically you could make them when you want some kitchen time……. they are very rewarding to make….. and serve them the next day. They cook in 6 minutes! My family has enthusiastically tested them for me as I made batches until they were perfected.

Ingredients

  • 200 grams King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 50–60 grams fresh spinach, about 1½–2 packed cups
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Additional King Arthur Measure for Measure flour, for rolling and handling the dough

Instructions

1. Prepare the spinach.
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the fresh spinach and blanch for about 1 minute, just until wilted.

Drain well and squeeze the spinach very dry in a lint free clean flour sack towel. This is important because excess moisture can make the gluten-free dough sticky. You should have approximately 25–30 grams of spinach after squeezing.

2. Blend the spinach and eggs.
Add the squeezed spinach and eggs to a blender or food processor. Blend until the spinach is very finely puréed and the mixture is evenly green.

3. Make the dough.
Place 200 grams of Measure for Measure flour and the salt in a mixing bowl. Add the spinach-and-egg mixture and stir until a dough forms.

Knead the dough until it is smooth and cohesive. It should be soft and pliable but not sticky. If necessary, add a little additional Measure for Measure flour.

4. Let the dough rest.
Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. This allows the gluten-free flour to fully hydrate and makes the dough easier to roll.

5. Roll the dough.
Generously dust your counter with Measure for Measure flour. Place the dough on the floured surface and roll it out with a rolling pin to approximately 1/16-inch thickness.

As you roll, flip the pasta dough a couple of times, sprinkling the surface with additional gluten-free flour as needed to prevent sticking. Make sure the dough is well dusted before flipping.

6. Cut the noodles.
Once the dough is rolled thin, cut it by hand into long noodles or rustic strips.

Use a metal spatula to gently lift a few noodles at a time from the counter. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping the noodles loosely arranged rather than packed together.

Continue until all the noodles have been transferred.

7. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
The uncooked noodles can be kept on the parchment-lined baking sheet in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them.

8. Cook the noodles.
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Carefully add the noodles and cook for approximately 6 minutes, or until tender.

Drain well.

9. Serve.
Toss the hot noodles with butter, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

A few important recipe notes

  • Measure the flour by weight if possible. The 200 grams is more reliable than a cup measurement, especially with gluten-free flour.
  • The spinach needs to be squeezed very dry before blending.
  • Don’t skip the 20-minute rest.
  • Keep the work surface and dough lightly dusted with Measure for Measure flour while rolling and cutting.
  • 1/16 inch gives these noodles the delicate texture you want while still allowing them to hold together.
  • The noodles can be prepared ahead and refrigerated on the parchment-lined baking sheet until cooking.

I hope you enjoy these homemade hand cut spinach noodles as much as I do!

Gingerbread Pumpkin Cups

You are definitely going to want to pop these in! These are a healthier homemade treat with all the flavors of gingerbread and pumpkin! The warming spices and the melty, but chewy texture of these Gingerbread Pumpkin Cups are so delicious and a special way of treating yourself without a lot of added sugar. The flavors are comforting and a perfect treat for fall and winter. The depth of flavor from just a small amount of molasses and the maple sugar makes these next level good! There is real pumpkin in them and also some wonderful, healthy spices.

The primary fat used in this recipe is delicious coconut butter. Coconut butter is a source of healthy fats, primarily saturated fats in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs are believed to be metabolized differently in the body and can provide a quick source of energy.

There is the perfect amount of sweetness to these Gingerbread Pumpkin Cups using a little maple sugar, which is derived from maple trees and is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index than white table sugar, and molasses which is rich in minerals and flavor. Both of these flavors together give these cups a really special, yummy flavor.

There is also pumpkin in these cups to give them a softer texture and a little pumpkin flavor to compliment the spices. Just two teaspoons of ghee gives them the buttery flavor. I like ghee because it is lactose and casein free for those with dairy intolerance, and it is tolerated by many. It is also rich in vitamins. A small amount was used in this recipe. It is a saturated fat, and should be enjoyed in moderation. I do love that ghee contains antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may have various health benefits, including potential anti-inflammatory properties. Ghee has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and Indian cooking. It is often praised for its potential health-promoting qualities. It also has a higher smoke point for cooking, so it is a good choice for roasting vegetables. These cups are gently warmed. I chose the ghee for the flavor in this recipe, and only used 2 teaspoons.

I have been enjoying one or two of these delicious Gingerbread Pumpkin Cups a day. I keep them in the refrigerator. If you want to make them vegan, substitute more coconut butter for the ghee. They will be a little firmer in texture.

Here’s the recipe. This will make ten using mini muffin cup liners. These are about two bites.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Cups

Line a mini muffin pan with ten paper mini liners.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Butter (my favorite brand)

2 Tablespoons of Canned Pumpkin

2 Tablespoons of Maple Sugar

1 Tablespoon of Blackstrap Molasses

2 Teaspoons of Ghee

1/4 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon of Nutmeg

1/8 Teaspoon of Allspice

a pinch of Ground Ginger

a pinch of Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt

Directions:

Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan, and warm over low heat, whisking until the coconut butter and ghee is just melted and everything is completely incorporated. You just want to warm and melt the ingredients not bring them to a simmer, because the coconut butter will seize and get hard. Scoop the melted ingredients evenly into the mini muffin cups, tap the pan on the counter to level the cups or smooth gently with a butter knife. Then, refrigerate until firm. Remove the Gingerbread Pumpkin cups from the muffin tin, and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

As always, I love to hear from you. Share this recipe with a friend.