Gluten Free the old style way

ragz_2

Approved foods often have gluten free stuff, I just bought 4 bottles of gluten free soy sauce for a quid, would cost nearly a tenner in the supermarket!

Mayflower10cat

A good friend's son is gluten intolerant and his favourite dishes are Indian. He can eat almost everything on the menu! Except naan breads of course, but we make a gluten-free version for him and if they're eaten hot straight from the pan are very tasty.

Oh and cornflour can be used to thicken sauces, casseroles etc., it's gluten-free. Use Rice noodles instead of wheat noodles.

Agree that the Doves Farm flour is very good - it's far easier than using rice flour and potato flour as we used to do.

chewynut

The thing about a GF diet is that you can make decent GF versions of things you love, you just have to be prepared to experiment with different flours, ingrediants and methods, etc. Some things simply aren't going to look or feel the same but what's the big deal if it tastes nice?

Some tips:

If he's been diagnosed then he should be able to get GF foods on prescription. My big two is pasta and Juvela GF White Mix. The White Mix makes glorious bread if you're prepared to practise and experiment with it.

If you do make bread, freeze it on the day you make it and defrost when needed. GF bread doesn't keep at all but defrosts nicely.

Utalise things like baking powder and Xanthan Gum (make sure the gum is GF. I think there are a few varities because of the way it's made). One of the biggest complaints about GF food is how stodgy everything is but it doesn't have to be that way. There's no need for those nasty brick cakes and breads from supermarkets. Sift your ingredients to get plenty of air in there and add a good spoon of baking powder. Your cakes, breads and Yorkshire puddings puff right up and they're as light as a normal version.

Other tips for the outside world:

If you're planning on going out for a meal, ring ahead to let them know one of you is Coeliac. It'll increase your chances of having GF gravy with your meal rather than having to wait 15 minutes for it.

anniemf2508

A big tip.....check ALL labels, its amazing some of the foods that gluten appears in!

Beware of cross contamination at home....for instance using a toaster.

Doves farm flour is good, but if you want rice flour, gram flour etc, try and get to a indian/chinese supermarket as they are usually cheaper there.

On another note...be aware that gluten free bread doesn't contain added calcium like most normal shop bought bread, so make sure your OH is getting enough elsewhere.

cwtw

Morning all:hello:

I was wondering if anyone has any good gluten free pastry recipes? Currently I use the DS frozen pastry and haven't been able to make a good home made equivalent.

On a separate note, I was flying back from holiday and got my (yucky) inflight meal labelled GLUNTEN free. Yum yum :rotfl:

Long_tall_sally

I have a few g/free recipe books as my son has Coeliacs. What sort of thing are you after? Sweet or savoury?

*iluvmymini*

Just had a positive blood test today, got the biopsy booked for 3 weeks time. My mum is coeliac so it's not a surprise really. I'm eating normally until the test, in fact, I've made a 'bucket list' type thing of food to eat for the last time, in anticipation of a positive diagnosis! (Mostly junk, biscuits and cakes!).

I am just researching recipes and ideas for a REALLY tight budget, so this thread is very interesting.

Eyeore

Hi everyone, I am Coeliac too. I order fresh bread from an online company, I order once a month and freeze it. It is just like proper bread and I get bagels too! Delivery day is best day of the month!

I like cooking Chinese so I substitute the following - sherry for shoashing rice wine, tamari soy sauce as this is GF, cornflour to thicken. I use Gok Wan's book and can do most recipes from there with these ingredients. So tonight we had crispy chilli beef and spicy prawns with cashews - yum.

As for baking I make everything just as normal but replace the flour with Doves, always turns out well. For pies, generally I will swap pastry for thinly sliced potatoes, usually have this the day after a roast, nice and easy just chop up the leftover veg and meat, mix with leftover gravy, top with sliced pots, brush with melted butter and bake for 40 mins at 180.

Will try and think of some others!

cwtw

Hi longtallsally any good recommendations gratefully received!

In terms of budget, if you are diagnosed coeliac then do check what you are entitled to from your GP as it helps with making everything from scratch. I wouldn't buy the bread it is BAD, but making your own and baking your own cakes is much better and not that expensive.

Do keep an eye out in supermarkets for discounted gluten free things, surprisingly Waitrose often reduces stuff. Also, don't automatically go to the gluten free section, where things seem to be expensive, but check in the 'mainstream' aisles too.

Let me know if there are any recipes that you would like.

strandedinaber

I've recently switched to a gluten free diet for health reasons (it triggers migraines for me), but am realising just how expensive gluten free staples like pasta, flour and oats are. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to bulk order these items, please? I know they're only a few pounds extra in the supermarket but if you eat porridge daily and eat a fair amount of pasta - it adds up! I've tried my usual stop (organic superstore) but not finding that any cheaper than off-the-shelf in the supermarkets.

Thanks!