News / Gluten free

Based in North Georgia, we can always count on Unicoi Preserves for lip-smacking & low-sugar fruit spreads. Get to know founder Suzy Neal in our Artisan Spotlight!

Pillow mints are so overrated. That's why we teamed up with Kleenerly to give you Airbnb welcome gift boxes!

We featured delicious, gluten free Oliver Farm Pecan Flour in our August subscription box. Have you used yours yet? You can also buy a bag of this Pecan Flour in our shop, whether you missed out in August or you're ready to buy more.

Here's a great way to use that Pecan Flour: Clay at Oliver Farms sent over a decadent pecan flour brownie recipe. With triple chocolate and double pecans (and 2 sticks of butter, y'all!), these brownies promise to be a truly special treat.

Pecan Flour Brownies

These pecan flour brownies are a rich, triple-chocolate treat—perfect for a special occasion. Top with vanilla ice cream for an even-sweeter treat!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)

• 1/4 cup Oliver Farms Pecan Flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup toasted pecan halves, finely chopped

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into pieces

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350º F.

2. Coat a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray, and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, pecan flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

4. Gently melt chopped semisweet chocolate, unsweet chocolate, and butter together in a medium bowl over simmering water, or in a microwaveable bowl. Cool to lukewarm.

5. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the lukewarm chocolate mixture while whisking, then allow to cool to room temperature.

6. Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

7. Pour into prepared pan.

8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating once during baking, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Do not overbake.

9. Cool on a rack before cutting.

These brownies can be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container. Best eaten within 3 days.

Recipe courtesy of Oliver Farm, via Dede Wilson on bakepedia.

Our Meet the Artisan series continues today with Lauri Jo Bennett of Lauri Jo's Southern Style Canning. Our subscribers will recognize Lauri Jo's name since we featured her delicious Georgia Peach Salsa in the August subscription box. You might also recognize Lauri Jo's name from the October 2016 issue of Southern Living magazine—way to go, Lauri Jo!

Lauri Jo Bennett is a wife, mom, former teacher, and entrepreneur in Norman Park, GA. Lauri Jo took her family tradition and personal hobby of canning—along with hand-written family recipes—and built an award-winning business. Her company produces southern favorites like pepper jellies, pickles, and more.

Lauri Jo told us that throughout her married life, she had canned fresh vegetables for her family, using the canning plant at a local high school. Now, Lauri Jo does all her canning in-house in her very own 4000-sq-ft processing facility. We're inspired to hear that Lauri Jo has achieved such success, from very relatable beginnings!

Lauri Jo, when did you launch your company? Tell us why you decided to launch.

"My business launched in September of 2009 from a much loved hobby.  After giving away gifts for my husband's trucking company made of fruits of my labor from the summer at the canning plant putting up salsa, jams, soups, and pickles, I decided to see if it really would sell. Here we are today in over 1,200 outlets."

Since you launched, what would you consider to be your most successful product?

"Our most successful product is our Southern Pecan Pepper Jelly."

What has been a true highlight of launching your business?

"I think I would have to say my biggest highlight since launching our business would have to be getting emails and notifications from people across the US telling me how much the love the products and the different ways they use them. I also love traveling the Southeast speaking and sharing my story while promoting other great Georgia Grown Entrepreneurs as well."

Thank you for sharing your story with Georgia Crafted, Lauri Jo!

You can order Lauri Jo's Georgia Peach Salsa here on the Georgia Crafted website and be sure to keep your eye out, on our site, for more of her products this holiday season!

Welcome to the very first edition of our new "Meet the Artisan" series! We'll be introducing you to the artisans, makers, farmers and more who create the products you love, right here in Georgia. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know them, just like having a chat with a vendor at your local farmers' market.

To kick off the series, we're excited to interview Clay Oliver. Clay is the farmer behind Oliver Farm, makers of award-winning artisan oils and the fantastic Pecan Flour featured in our August subscription box.

Hi Clay!  Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you and your family.

"During the midst of the economic downturn beginning in 2008, I began researching the possibility of on-farm biofuel production.  By 2012, I had decided to try making cold pressed culinary oils from seeds and nuts either grown on the farm or sourced locally.  I formed Oliver Oil Co in 2013."

Since you launched, what would you consider to be your most successful product?

"To date, we have made oil from eleven different seeds and nuts.  The most popular have been the 2015 Good Food Award winning Pecan Oil, our estate grown Sunflower Oil, and the 2016 Good Food winner Green Peanut Oil.  These oils were chosen as Garden and Gun's Made in the South Food category winner in 2015.  Of our flours, the Pecan Flour has been the most popular."

What has been a true highlight of launching your business?

"There have been many highlights in launching this business.  That special gratification that comes from seeing a dream come to fruition, accolades for our products, recognition from the state of GA for our innovation and bringing attention to our great state, but I am most proud of the fact that Valerie and I are able to work together every day at something we both enjoy." 

I am most proud of the fact that Valerie and I are able to work together everyday at something we both enjoy.

- Clay Oliver

Do you have any new products coming out soon?  If so, can you give us a hint?

"We are now offering Pumpkin Seed Oil and Benne Seed Oil and their gluten free flours year round.  I have also done a little with hemp seed oil and flour.  I have not opened it up for retail sales, just some R and D to chefs."

Thank you, Clay, for sharing your story with Georgia Crafted! 

You can order BOTH the Pecan Oil and Pecan Flour on our website! We will ship within 24 hours (inventory permitting)