Sunday, November 8, 2009

No Eggs, No Dairy, No Gluten, No Nuts!

Some of you may or may not have heard any of the words above. You may have been told by a doctor, naturopath, or other health professional that you need to avoid any or even several of the items above.

It is becoming more commonplace for people to have to avoid certain foods as technology catches up with us and health professionals are better able to determine the cause of many people's issues with food. I can speak from experience, a child with food intolerances has led me to scour many articles and books looking for answers, when no-one has been able to determine the problem.


We luckily have found a solution to our problem and I will blog about that in more detail next time.


Today I wanted to be able to share with you some more information about our new 'Allergy-friendly Cookbook' by Alice Sherwood. We recently started stocking this book and it is literally walking out the door.


Alice Sherwood was thrown into the bewildering world of food allergies when her two-year-old son was diagnosed with nut and egg allergies. Frustrated with the food on offer, she set about devising her own delicious recipes.


In her book she has over 100 of her family favourites from crusty, tasty bread and creamy ice cream to melt-in-the-mouth sponge cakes - plus dazzling dinner party ideas.


There are also helpful chapters to describe food allergies in more detail, staying positive, 'Your allergic child', eating out, special occasions, travelling, shopping, and much more.


This book is virtually 4 cookbooks in one - each recipe can be made without one or more of the "big four" allergens - those being EGGS, DAIRY, NUTS and GLUTEN.


With the Allergy-friendly Cookbook, you don't need to feel you are on a restricted diet. Every recipe has a version that is tailor made for you.


For Example:


CHICKEN PIE - A classic dish - ideal for family and guests. The vegetables are sauteed first for extra flavour and the chicken is lightly poached in stock and wine. Cornflour is used to make the sauce and the whole lot is combined under a crisp, glazed pastry crust. Even the egg-free version has it's own glaze, for a pie that looks as good as it tastes.


The original Chicken Pie recipe is noted as 'nut free', then there is also the 'dairy free version', the 'egg free version' and finally the 'gluten free version'. So whichever allergen you need to avoid you can!


Alice Sherwood has taken a more positive approach to having to cook several meals to accommodate for family members who may have a restricted diet. Instead she has found ways to sidestep the restrictions in her own favourite dishes. She has also used this method whist exploring the cuisine of other cultures.


Alice has a positive attitude towards the challenges faced by a family with a food allergies, and this book offers an insight that could only be offered by someone with first-hand experience.


Some of her fantastic recipes include:


  • Honey granola
  • Blueberry muffins,
  • Tortillas,
  • Chicken fajitas,
  • Bacon & onion quiche,
  • Tabbouleh,
  • Tandoori fish
  • Osso bucco
  • Meatloaf
  • Classic shepherd's pie
  • Crepes
  • Focaccia
  • Chocolate crinkle cookies
  • Carrot Cake
  • Chocolate truffles
  • and another 85 recipes!!
So if that hasn't made you hungry enough, I'm now off to start work on tomorrow nights dinner - Leek & butternut pumpkin soup, French-style bread, and finally Dark Chocolate Torte.......Yum!

Make sure you order your own copy today - and then don't forget to write and tell me your favourite recipes!