Pages

Friday 7 October 2011

Eating Out: Gluten Free

Eating out can be a real nightmare for coeliacs. After being diagnosed it took me a long time to gain the confidence to eat out and trust that I wasn't going to be 'glutened'. The first takeaway I tried was curry, as most are gluten free (please make sure to check with the staff for cross-contamination) and it was wonderful to feel relatively normal after such a massive transformation in my diet and lifestyle. I knew the diet would test me from time to time and I'd miss quite a lot of my favourite foods, or so I thought. I actually found it easy to substitute most of what I liked with a gluten free version and consequently sticking to a strict gluten free diet was made easier.

Another issue with eating out is a lack of awareness and training among restaurant staff and owners. Too often have I asked waiters and kitchen staff what might be suitable on the menu and to be greeted with blank, expressionless faces enquiring 'what's gluten'? I bet most just think I'm on some fad diet or I'm a fussy eater, but I can assure you I would like nothing more than to stuff my face with anything on the menu and not pay the price of terrible stomach cramps and diarrhoea for several days! 

Lunchtime can also be problematic. Whether it's a working lunch or you’re out and about - preparation is key to not starving or risk being glutened. Wherever possible I bring my own lunches to work, which not only saves me a fortune, but also ensures there is no risk of cross contamination and I can enjoy a healthy and well-balanced diet.

The best thing to do is do your research. Whether you're meeting a friend in town or on a works night out - make sure you can eat something on the menu and that the staff are aware of your dietary requirements. The most important thing to check for when eating out is cross contamination, this also applies when eating at home.
  

Monday 25 July 2011

Should I eat oats?

Oats
To eat oats or not to eat oats? This is certainly a sticky and controversial area within the Coeliac community, from dieticians, doctors and coeliacs themselves.

When I first visited the dietician and received a guide on coeliac disease and the gluten free diet, the dietician explained what I couldn't eat, which was wheat, rye and barley. However, she did scribble out the last word, which was oats. This was great news, I loved oats and to continue eating them was a treat! However, as many coeliacs know the only oats you can eat (if at all) are the oats that are not cross-contaminated in the milling process with avenin, which is very similar to gluten, and are 'pure' or uncontaminated (always check the label).  Although some coeliacs are so sensitive that even gluten free or 'pure' oats are not suitable. Before I tried them I wanted to make sure my body was healing properly and my tTg (gluten anti-bodies) was on its way down, so I waited a year after being diagnosed before trying, under the supervision of my dietician. This ensured I was entirely gluten free for a prolonged period and if I did have any reaction to oats, it would be obvious.  

Oats are a great source of soluble fibre (for healthy bowel function), it lowers bad cholesterol, is high in protein, regulates blood-sugar levels, reduces high blood pressure and is a great source of B-vitamins.  Is there a down side? Yes. Although oats are tasty, gluten free oats are très expensive! Not to mention the possibility of having a reaction to them. So....should you eat them? Before you do, make sure to consult your dietician/doctor first and if you get the go ahead consider trying them. I'm due for my yearly blood test and although I've had no obvious reaction to GF oats, is it still damaging my gut? It's very hard to tell, besides having another gastroscopy (no thanks!) or blood work done. I am a little concerned, but if my tTg has increased then it will be a sure sign that oats are not for me, in which case I'll be very sad and miss them a lot. 


Pure Oats?
In late September 2011 I bought and consumed practically a whole bag of pure oats, which I later found out were contaminated with low levels of gluten. I had been eating the oats for almost a week and was suffering with terrible stomach pains but was confused as to what was causing it. I stick to a very strict gluten free diet and was very concerned why I was feeling this way. It was not until I read a post on one of the coeliac groups on Facebook that I heard an announcement that some pure oats had been contaminated. I later received a letter from Sainsburys saying:
"We understand from our records that you recently bought our Sainsbury's Freeform Pure Oats 450g. The safety of our customers is extremely important to us. We have identified that a limited number of packets of this product may contain low levels of gluten which has not been declared on the packaging....If you have an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, please do not consume this product and take it back to your local Sainsbury's store for a full refund.....Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused".
It turns out that the recall was not just from Sainsburys, 5 different companies had to recall their oats and oats muesli, which leads me to the conclusion they all have the same supplier. Oats are very good for you and should be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet, but when you're a coeliac and putting your trust in supermarkets and gluten free products not to make you ill and they do it knocks your confidence. I will try pure oats again, but it has put me off for a little while.
As a coeliac and a consumer I expect foods that are labelled gluten free to first and foremost  be gluten free, also tested thoroughly for safe consumption and all gluten free products to be baked/cooked/manufactured in a safe gluten free area to eliminate cross contamination. 

Sunday 12 June 2011

Gluten Free Travel: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a great place to visit and there are many coeliac-friendly places to eat and snack. I've been fortunate enough to have visited Amsterdam 5 times, can't get enough of the place! There's so much to do and see in Amsterdam - plenty of culture, beautiful architecture, crazy museums, coffeeshops and vibrant people. This blog is not only to give advice on where to eat gluten free, but also recommendations of places to visit too. Hope you enjoy!

La Place
A great place to eat for coeliacs and non-coeliacs is La Place (inside V&D department store). They have a wide variety of fresh foods and produce, from salads to fish dishes, stir fry to soups, (bring your own GF rolls) cooked how you like it, right in front of you. The prices are very reasonable and they have a great place to sit upstairs to spy on the tourists doing their shopping! Coeliacs be warned, the cake section is very cruel and should be avoided at all costs! They do serve the best pastries and cakes I've tasted in Amsterdam (before being diagnosed that is!). However, they also do the best fruit salads and I'm sure if you asked nicely they wouldn't mind cooking with your GF pasta. 
Food
La Place is not far from Muntplein and the Bloemenmarkt (flower market). La Place is based on Kalverstraat 203, 1012 XC Amsterdam and the Kalverstraat is one of the main shopping streets in Amsterdam and a great place to pick up some bargains!
Bloemenmarkt
Once you've eaten lunch at La Place, check out the Bloemenmarkt (flower market) - the only floating flower market in the world, based on the Singel canal. It certainly is a party for all the senses and hayfever sufferers be prepared! About half way down the flower market there is a beautiful little Japanese shop, which I always go in and stock up on dolly shoes and other nic nacs. I could spend a fortune in that shop.     
Cau
Cau is an Argentinian restaurant on the Damstraat (just off Dam Square). I ate there with my brother last year and the steak was amazing! They offer 4 types of cut - Cuadril Rump, Lomo Fillet, Chorizo Sirloin and Ancho Ribeye, cooked exactly how you like it. I had mine with chips and a peppercorn sauce, nom nom! If you're a vegetarian, don't despair they do an amazing vegetarian  platter with grilled veggies. The food was a little pricey, however it was a treat and we both loved it! Friendly, and helpful staff with a great interior.
Inside Cau
Just to give you a little history lesson; the Argentines have bred and reared Aberdeen Angus cattle organically, since the late 1800s and as a result of their environment the meat is naturally low in saturated fat and high in vitamins and iron. Cau uses the best cuts and you can really tell the difference. The address for Cau is Damstraat 5, 1012 JL, Amsterdam. 

Eberhardt
On a shopping note, one of my favourite shops is on the Damstraat at number 7, called Eberhardt. It's crazy and wonderful at the same time. Downstairs is filled with fairies and all things mystic and upstairs is my fav - a Japanese shop, filled with beautiful ornaments, teapots, incense and the most stunning dresses you have ever seen. I've bought two from there and they are lush!

If you have the opportunity to cook for yourself whilst you're away then this is probably the most economic way of eating gluten free in Amsterdam. I went last month and stayed with my friend Pip and eating gluten free was a lot easier. We got most of our food from the Albert Heijn and the amount of gluten free food was impressive. They don't have a specific gluten free section, however they are very good at labeling their food. 
I'm currently addicted to their tropical juice and ended up bringing a couple of bottles back in my luggage! Breakfast was a passionfruit yoghurt with apricots, lunch was mostly sandwiches which we prepared in the morning for going out and about and there was lots of choice for evening meals at the Albert Heijn. My favourite was chicken wrapped in palma ham, stuffed with Bousin with chips on the side, nom nom!    

Ah, the old trusted favourite - Wagamama. These guys come in so handy, as they have restaurants everywhere! Fantastic gluten free range and helpful staff. The food tastes great and they cater for a wide range of dietary requirements

Our Lord in the Attic
Amsterdam has plenty of markets to offer, ranging from nic nacs to flowers, food to clothes. One of my favourites is called Nieuwmarkt which is only open on Sundays and sells really quirky things! Nieuwmarkt is very close to China town and the famous Red Light District. Now, the Red Light District is certainly is an eye-opener at night, however if you fancy giving it a go during the day then there is a wonderful little curiousity called Museum Amstelkring or 'Our Lord in the Attic' which is actually a 17th century church hidden inside a canal house.

Me on boat ride
If it's entertainment you're after then head to Leidseplein.  If  you fancy a chillout with some relaxing jazz head to Jazz Café Alto. For comedy head to Boom Chicago, which is run by a crazy bunch of Americans who certainly now their way around improv. Think Whose Line is it Anyway? For the best boat ride in Amsterdam, head inside Boom Chicago near the bar and sign up for the St. Nicolaas Boat Club of Amsterdam - it's run by the locals and is a 'non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic boats on the Amsterdam canals'. It's free to ride, but they do ask for a donation at the end (well worth it!). As the boats are smaller they go off the beaten track a bit more than the bigger tourist boats, so you get to see the best bits of Amsterdam! 
 
Me and Pip
When I went last month, as an early birthday pressie my friend Pip took me to Artis Zoo which was awesome! The have lots of cool animals and creepy crawlies. At one point we freaked ourselves out in the insectorium by screeching at the spiders they had. Meanwhile small kids aged about 5 were pointing and staring in fascination at the spiders and then us... Lets just say we didn't stay in there too long! *shudder* The zoo is expecting a baby elephant in June 2011 and we saw the mother having a pedicure in one of the enclosures, not something you see everyday! We both came prepared with our sandwiches, I had cheese and ham on some GF bread I'd brought from home and a snack for later on in the day.
Crazy Sea Urchin
I think my favourite part of Artis is the aquarium. They've got loads of crazy fishes and strange underwater creatures. This picture on the left is a really cute sea urchin - I'd never seen one quite like it before! The zoo is a great day out for kids and adults, plenty to do and see.
Me on NEMO
Artis Zoo is not far from NEMO too - an amazing kids museum with plenty of trippy things to do and see. I went with my brother last year and we ended up doing an experiment in the labs there with kitty litter. Quite strange, but oddly enjoyable! If it's a sunny day, check out the views on the top of NEMO, stunning! 

I will no doubt keep adding to the Amsterdam post as time goes on and more visits take place. I love Amsterdam and if you've not been it's well worth it, you'll love it!

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Tuna Niçoise Salad

This is one of my favourite meals and so quick and easy to make, great for lunches too! If you don't like tuna, switch to salmon and if you don't like eggs leave them out. Quantity: feeds 2 people and you will need 3 pans and a pestle and mortar. You can also lob in some olives, sun-dried tomatoes, potatoes, or anything you fancy really - you can't go wrong!

1x tin of tuna or fresh if feeling flush!
Green Beans
 2 - 4 cloves of fresh garlic (depends on your taste!)
2 tsps Dijon Mustard
6- 8 tbps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-3 tbps Balsamic Vinegar
Rock Salt & Pepper
Pinch of sugar
Gluten free pasta
Eggs (4 eggs for 2 people)

First, boil the kettle and fill the other 2 pans with cold water and place on the heat. Grab the pestle and mortar. Pop in a pinch of sugar, rock salt and pepper. Crush your garlic and use the pestle to make it into a paste in the mortar. Add the dijon mustard, balsamic and olive oil and mix. Have a taste and add more balsamic/garlic/dijon/olive oil, if needed. Once the kettle has boiled pour it into the pan for your pasta. I usually do my eggs for about 6 mins and green beans for about the same, but this is personal preference and also it depends on how quick your pasta cooks! So adjust your timings accordingly. Once cooked drain the pasta, add your mix, green beans, tuna and eggs and serve!



Bacon, Mushroom and Blue Cheese Risotto

 I LOVE risottos. They're so versatile, tasty and most of all gluten free! You can make them vegetarian, vegan or a meat feast, whatever floats your boat. The main thing you need to check when making a risotto for a coeliac is to ensure the stock cubes are gluten free. The main ones I use are by Kallo and you can buy them from most health food shops and supermarkets.
I get mine from Sainsburys – see picture below.
 This particular risotto is a favourite of mine. Perhaps not the healthiest, but certainly packed with lots of yummy goodness!  The principle for cooking will be the same, so substitute any ingredients you fancy. This recipe should feed 4 people and you will need 2 pans: 1 for stock and 1 frying pan. 

Risotto rice (1 box for 4 people)
Celery (few sticks)
4 Red or white onions
Unsalted butter
2 stock cubes (pick your fav flavour, for meat risottos I tend to use chicken)
1x pack bacon
1x pack chestnut mushrooms (or whatever is on offer!)
Blue cheese (Stilton, St Agur, Gorgonzola etc)
White wine (optional)

Boil the kettle & crumble 2 stock cubes into a pan. Keep on a low heat throughout cooking. Start chopping the celery and onions and brown them in the frying pan. Meanwhile chop the mushrooms and add to the onions when brown. After a few mins chop up the bacon and fry until cooked.  Once everything is browned nicely, make a well in the middle and add a knob of butter. When the butter has melted pour in the risotto rice in and stir (if adding wine to the mix, add one glass now and wait for it to reduce before adding the stock). Once mixed add enough stock to the main pan to cover the rice. Keep on a medium heat and let it bubble away, stir occasionally. Once the first lot of stock has been absorbed, add some more to cover it again. Keep stirring. Once absorbed try the rice to check the consistency, if it’s soft enough then it’s ready to serve, alternatively if chewy then add more stock until absorbed and it should be done. At this point if it needs any seasoning (salt, pepper, chilli, italian herbs etc) pop them in now. Turn off the heat and flake in some blue cheese and stir it through, serve and enjoy! 

Baileys and Chocolate Cheesecake

100g/3½oz butter
250g/8¾oz gluten free bourbon biscuits (or GF digestives), crushed

600g/1lb 5oz Philadelphia cream cheese

25ml/1fl oz Baileys

100ml/3½oz icing sugar

300ml/10½oz double cream, whipped

100g/3½oz grated chocolate


To garnish (Optional)

200ml/7¼oz double cream (whipped
)
cocoa powder (to dust)

Melt the butter in a pan and add the crushed digestive biscuits. Mix well until the biscuits have absorbed all the butter. Remove from the heat and press into the bottom of a lined springform tin. Pop it in the refrigerator and leave to set for one hour. Meanwhile you need to prepare the filling:  lightly whip the cream cheese, and then beat in the Bailey's and icing sugar. Fold in the whipped cream and grated chocolate. When smooth, spoon evenly onto the biscuits and then lick the spoon clean, hehe! Refrigerate and allow to set for a further two hours.

Once set, remove and decorate with whipped cream and cocoa powder dusted over the top. Voila! 

This recipe was inspired by a BBC food recipe.

Jeni's Gluten Free Brownies


115g unsalted butter (room temp)
300g caster sugar
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla essence
70g gluten and wheat free flour
70g cocoa powder
230g galaxy chocolate
1 1/2 tsp baking powder (check gluten free or use Xanthan Gum)

Put butter and sugar in a bowl and beat till soft and fluffy, then mix in vanilla. Gradually beat in eggs little at a time. Sift flour with cocoa (and baking powder) into the bowl and stir well. Lastly mix in melted chocolate and spoon mixture into prepared tin, spread evenly. Bake in preheated oven at 160C (325F) Gas 3 for about 20 minutes until 'firm' to touch. Once cooled, cut into squares and stuff your face :o) Happy baking!