gluten free familyA mum's blog about gluten-free living in Australia

Snack fatigue. That little phrase completely sums up our relationship with the vast array of gluten free snacks on the market.

What our little boy embraces with passionate intensity one week is often declared inedible the next, leaving my cupboard littered with half-eaten packets of yesterday’s favourites – which I hang on to in vain hope that they will swing back in favour one day.

You may argue that we pander too much, and he should just eat what is in front of him – but as every parent knows, it is quite difficult to argue with an untouched lunchbox. And so we tackle it a bit like we used to deal with his toy box when he was two.  We rotate often. Read the rest of this entry »

Gingerbread minimen from Dragonfly foods.

Our gluten free family has got used to doing without certain things when we are out and about. We mainly take it in our stride, but every now and then I have to explain to my four-year-old son why can’t have one of those delicious looking gingerbread men lurking temptingly at eye level when we visit certain food outlets.

I make a yummy gluten free version of these at home, and he always just assumes gingerbread is one of those things he is allowed to have. Read the rest of this entry »

The season of Easter hunts and bakery treats is almost on us once more, and while the littlies dream of shiny chocolate bunnies, my thoughts have been turning more toward toasted, buttery, hot cross buns.

It’s been a while you see. We missed out on hot crossed buns last year because I don’t have a gluten free bakery near me and as much as I love my Easter buns, I just couldn’t find the time (or inclination) to make my own.

But they are back on the menu this year because Simply Wize is selling some yummy gluten free hot cross buns (pictured above) in Coles’ freezer section alongside the other gluten free frozen goods like Bayview’s nuggets. Read the rest of this entry »

Dairy-free chocolate icecream

‘Tis a fact of life that many of we gluten sensitive types must also avoid dairy—and so it is in my family. So although we may call ourselves a gluten free family, we are in fact a gluten-free casein-free (or GFCF) family.

So it was with great interest that I agreed to review some pre-mix dairy free icecream this week. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s nothing like having a few friends over for a sausage or two and a bread roll… oh, unless you happen to be gluten free. Read the rest of this entry »

My Christmas girth may not yet be as wide as Santas, but some gluten free mince pies I found in Coles health food section have certainly made my festive season a bit jollier than last year.

Made by a manufacturer called Jon-Jon, these mini gluten free mince pies are handy little bite sized treats that have rather taken my fancy. And when it comes to calorific damage control – I am hoping size really does count.

But if you really must have something a little larger than Jon-Jon’s tasty bites, then you might like to check out your nearest gluten free bakery. Read the rest of this entry »

the haul

Where have all the cupcakes gone? That’s what I found myself humming yesterday at Sydney’s Irresistible Gluten Free Show at Moore Park.

A reader who attended the last Sydney expo in August noted at the time that there were too many treats and not enough savouries being spruiked. At this show, the exhibitors seem to have struck a better balance.

Actually at this show, there are fewer exhibitors overall. This makes it a little bit easier on the feet. The challenge of healthy eating on a gluten free diet also seems to be a growing theme, and this is visible both at the stands and amongst the presententations.

Fewer exhibits has meant there is more space for information gathering: there are numerous Coles Kitchen cooking demos, expert sessions on gluten free living (we sat in on quite a few of these yesterday and will share some of their insights over the next few weeks) and a large cooking school featuring up close and personal demos from the experts.

yum!

So, back to the cupcakes. As you can see from the pic, I did not go home empty handed in this regard, but I swear these Rowies cakes are the only ones and even these are only being sold by the boxload!

There are plenty of other goodies and some new products as well which I will share with you soon!

The Sydney  Irrisistable Gluten Free expo is running this weekend at the Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park.

MB

Eveleigh farmers market

I think I tasted the best gluten free cupcakes ever on the weekend at the Eveleigh farmers market near Redfern in Sydney.

I was having gluten free expo withdrawals so I headed into town to check out what was on offer at this gathering of boutique growers, makers and bakers.

Most of those in the baker category seemed to have something gluten free in their product line-up and the kids and I had a great time sampling their wares.

But lots of other products were also trading on their gluten free credentials – good to see!

So, back to those cupcakes.

I wanted to take a picture because they were also very pretty but they kind of got eaten. However I managed to grab a business card. They were made by The Cupcake Princess.

Healthy Feast also had a stall so I got to try a few more of their products including a couple of fruit pies and sausage rolls. Yum!

And I couldn’t resist a couple of gluten free chocolate and raspberry brownies from Fare Gourmet of Castle Hill. Read the rest of this entry »

What happens when you own two squishy bananas and a new gluten free cookbook?

Banana bread of course!

Unlike many gluten free cakes, this bakery treat is indistinguishable from its wheat-based equivalent.

And the one I made tonight was up there with the best.

My inspiration was 100 Best Gluten-free Recipes, a new US cookbook by Carol Fenster.

I had to tweak the recipe a little as it asked for a specific US brand of sorghum flour, but it turned out well regardless. Read the rest of this entry »