Sometimes a girl NEEDS a bowl of cereal.

I'm overdue for a recipe post, seeing how this is supposed to be about Cooking as well as all the rest. Made this bread yesterday after a wave of frustration about having to eat gluten free attacked. It didn't necessarily make things all better, but it sure did help. Next, I need to figure out how to make cereal at home. I refuse to pay $8 for the gluten free rabbit pellets that's boxed and labeled as 'cereal' in the grocery store. Because really, sometimes all I need is a bowl of cereal. Maybe with a cup of coffee. Maybe curled up with a good book. Maybe just the cereal, no bowl, no spoon. But... that will have to wait.

Gluten Free Bread (adapted from Shauna at Gluten Free Girl)

I made a half-batch as I was not sure how the recipe would turn out, and there is only one of me, so its plenty! Feel free to double and play around.

1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 egg whites
1 1/2c Flour Mix (I used Bob's Red Mills All-Purpose GF Mix)
1 teaspoons xanthan gum
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup butter, or butter substitute
1 eggs, at room temperature

Heat the milk in a small pan until just warm on the inside of your wrist. Sprinkle in sugar and yeast. Set aside in a warm place to rise, about 10min.

Beat the egg white until stiff - barely holding soft peaks. An electric beater works best, but don't be afraid to get your shoulders in it!

Whisk the flour, xantham gum and salt together. (Whisking just ensures a more even mix, but if you're lazy, just stir with a spoon. You can sift it all if you're feeling really ambitious, I wasn't this time.)

Slowly add the milk mixture, softened butter and egg to the flour and stir until combined. The dough will be thick, but closer resembling cookie dough or cake batter than bread dough. This is ok.

Fold in the egg whites until just combined. This was tricky, and looked moderately unappetizing, but it works eventually, just be patient.

Grease a small loaf pan (or muffin cups if you want buns instead) and put the dough in the pan, smoothing out the top. Cover with a clean dish towel and let it rise for 1 1/2 - 2hrs.

About half an hour before the dough is done rising, preheat the oven to 375°.

This is what my dough looked like after rising - not like your typical bread dough, but it smelled like it! (Yes, its in the microwave - it was warmest in there)

Before you slide in the loaf, brush an egg wash across the top of the loaf. For this, I just used the yolk I had left over mixed with a little water.

Put a skillet full of ice cubes on the bottom rack of the oven (This makes steam and helps the loaf form a nice crust). Put the bread loaf on the rack above it. Bake for 35min or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when knocked on with a spoon (it'll be hot, don't use your knuckles!)

Let the loaf rest and cool a bit before you try to remove it from the pan. Enjoy!

I made grilled cheese sandwiches with the first few slices. I couldn't have been happier.