Gluten Free Bread from SuperSpar

So since I have been living in South Africa, I have had a hard time finding some gluten free foods I am use to always having back in the states. One being gluten free bread. I make my own back home from the bobs red mill mixes because most premade GF bread is not ideal for sandwiches and are really think and crumbly. While walking thru superspar, I asked the bakery if they had any gluten free pastries. They said I can order bread from them. So this morning at 9am, my roommate Adrienne (also has celiacs), our friend Chris and I took a jog down there.  When we came home I cut a slice and it was simply amazing!! I love bread but this bread was warm, fresh and fabulous.  The only down part was the huge air bubble in the middle, which wont matter when we eat the bread with mini sliders at a braai latter tonight!

Lesson learned: ASK! Do not assume that they dont have anything.

Poppadums

So as you may have noticed I am now blogging from South Africa. I am living on the university campus of Stellenbosch University on the Western Cape. I was worried about the food situation here but was sure I would figure something out. After my first day I discovered poppadums, a traditional indian crispbread and my god are they fabulous. I bought a pack from the company" spice and all things nice. They are labeled gluten free with the following ingredients:

Udad flour, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate, Asafoetida, Vegetable Oil and additional indregients for different flavors.

You pop them in the microwave for just a few seconds and TADA!! Fabulous. I also found them on the menu at JAVA coffee and bar in Stellenbosch. Try them out, really!

Checkers

The first grocery store I tried out in South Africa was Checkers. They didnt have a lot but what they did have was great. I was able to find a good amount of gluten free pasta, crackers and a few local foods labeled gluten free. I would greatly advise feeling out all the local grocery stores while traveling abroad so you can see what they all have to offer. Safe travels!

S

Gluten Free Meals on Planes

Ok so right now I am living in South Africa. I am excited to share my experience with you while I am here. But I must start with how I got here withouth starving myself to death. I called the airline in which I was flying with (South African Airways) and requested gluten free meals for all my flights. They were fabulous. I was given my meal before all the other meals to make sure it was gluten free and with dinner I even got a gluten free roll.

Breakfast (photo above) was a little different but it came with a gluten free raisin cake! They were fabulous. If you are traveling on a flight with meals I would definatly call and they will accomidate you. My expereince with both United and South African Airways was fabulous!

British Beer Company

INCLUDING ME and YOU!

My brother, niece and I went out for lunch today at the BBC and I had forgotten how great it was. A few months ago I went and had gluten free pizza but today I wanted a wrap. It is so nice to have a large menu to choose from as the BBC has just that. You really do not feel like you are missing out on anything. They even have options when it comes to gf beer, St. Peter’s Sorgham Ale and Lakefront’s New Grist Beer. How fabulous is that? Check out the huge menu for yourself and tell me what you think!

Gillians Foods

So when I first started eating gluten free, about two years ago I thought it best to avoid any form of bread, breading, cereal or anything such as. Some of the gluten free products as I have mentioned before just dont hit the spot and ruin the true taste of the food that I missed. My local Stop & Shop is always carrying new gluten free products and they have Gillian's Bread Crumbs. I love love love these bread crumbs. They have a perfect amount of seasoning and for my busy life as a college student I cannot make my own breadcrumbs like some other courageous gluten free friends of mine. I have used these bread crumbs in traditional reciepes such as chicken tenders. Delicicous.

Once I find a brand that works for me I begin to explore their other products. Gillians has a ton of great products and even better, my friend knows them making me feel even better purchasing the product. Thanks Bucci! ;) Check them out!

When I am sad, I bake

So today I didn't wake up on the happiest side of the bed. I didn't sleep well last night and felt ill this morning. I spent most of the morning moping on the couch where I eventually fell asleep. However before I feel asleep I did mangage to take a shower and get myself dressed.

I woke up to some stupid judge show where parents we arguing about something stupid. I changed it to channel 67 (the food network) I then decided I needed to get up. I went into the messy kitchen and started to clean. I washed ALOT of dishes and then began to bake.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Products. I started by baking a loaf of gluten free bread. I really am not a fan of the gluten free breads you can purchase already made at the store. They fall apart and never taste that great, so I love when I find the time to make my own bread. When the bread was baking I started to prepare cupcakes out of the gluten free chocolate cake mix. I put them in silicone cups to make sure there is no cross contamination and bake them for 15-20 mins. So delicious. I choose not to put frosting on them because I am not a huge fan and honestly didn't have any gluten free frosting on hand.

If you haven't already, try Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Products out. You can find them at most grocery stores such as Stop &Shop, Shaws and Whole Foods. I also find them at Ocean State Job Lots for a cheaper price if you have one near you.

Don't be sad, bake and be happy!

~S

It is Impossible to be Gluten Free and a Vegetarian...Isn't It?

Its is not impossible and this time of year is a great way to start. Read cookbook after cookbook and google recipe after recipe until you find what hits the spot for you. My copy of the gluten-free vegetarian ktichen is covered by splashes of sauces, seeds from cherry tomatoes and smells of amazing creations.

I cooked with this cookbook by my side until I became comfortable with it. There is no Joy of Cooking for us gluten free warriors. Maybe one day there will be but for now park your butt in the gluten free section of your favorite book store  and thumb through until you find the right one for you.

Also eating as a gluten free vegetarian or vegan is easier because you don't have to worry about finding gluten free meat, which can sometimes be impossible and tricky.

Bon Apetite! ~S

Gluten Free Girl

I know that I have written about this book before but I really highyl suggest it to anyone who is gluten free. Shauna is amazing and the book is uplifting. She explains why cheating is so not worth it and how long she gets sick if she cheats or eats something cross contamidated. She has tons of recipes folded into her story. Try them, they really are energizing and delicious.

Gluten Free Girl is a blog as well, as I have mentioned before. I found the book via her blog but would advise reading the book and referencing the blog when you need a recipe.

Enjoy!

Songs for kids with allergies....

I babysit children just like me, with allergies. Having songs that relate to you can help a lot! Listen to the Gluten Free Blues!! It is made for kids but I can tell you right now it made me smile!!

The Amazing (and Simple) Aleia's Stuffing

I found it! Well I was helped but I finally have a solution for my stuffing cravings. When at a holiday party, a family friend told me about Aleia's stuffing and said that Stop & Shop sold it. I didn't think mine did but I had not been home for a few months. I checked and they were just starting to stock the shelves with this amazing stuffing.

The package directions are a great way of making the stuffing but I needed in a rush, didn't know there was such a thing before. So I brought 2 cups of GF veggie broth and 6 tablespoons of butter to boil until the butter melted. I then added the stuffing and mixed it in. I let it sit, covered for a few minutes and then TADA! I had amazing stuffing.

I used the SAVORY flavor for this quick version of the stuffing. You can add onion, celery and carrots and cook it properly when the time allows. ENJOY!

FIND A STORE NEAR YOU!