Cupcakes - dairy free 19-1-13

I didn't partake in these little cakes but my sister made them dairy and egg free . I was impressed they looked like this whilst still being egg free!

She did give me some sprinkles to bring home that were dairy free, nut free and gluten free. I can embark on a cup cake creating time in the near future.

They looked lovely and nieces and nephews said they were Yum !!!!

Spice Paragon 26-1-13

Saturday night fun provided thhe opportunity to dine out with friends at my favourite Christchurch restaurant  of the moment . What I miss as a coeliac are the wealth of choices a I used to have before my diet dictated my menu choices . I used to love eating Chinese food and we had a restaurant we used to go to BC ( before coeliac )

Often it's too hard to try to question ingredients when the restaurant owners don't speak English . Just before Christmas my husbands work mate recommended Spice Paragon a Thai Fusion restaurant in Christchurch. This type of cuisine is fresh, flavoursome and exciting; both in flavour and presentation . The menu is well labelled the staff have great knowledge .

I ordered a spinach leaf with quails egg and pork belly and then pad Thai .

The other photo is of my husbands spinach leaf and calamari followed by a main of beef cheeks.

There are a lot of interesting options for gluten free. I could eat there every night of the week


Spice Paragon
At Bush Inn Shopping Centre
Phone 03 348 8881

Check it out online

Christchurch World Buskers Festival 25-1-13

Taken out to the buskers festival with No 2 son. We really had no idea what to expect . We have seen them in Cathedral Square before earthquakes, however this time they were in Hagley Park. No one had looked at the weather report and I don't know what planet we had been on but when we arrived it was freezing, freezing ,freezing. We watched some juggling and then men on Uni cycles. We decided to call in to Coccapella at The Palms for a coffee and something else warm.

No 2 dairy-free-son decided on hot chips and I decided on chocolate mousse... No wonder I need to exercise daily at the moment . It was smooth and very nice . Excellent service as well .

Rich fruit truffles

These were made by a work colleague and were gluten free. They can be made dairy free and if you substitute sunflowers seeds for walnut they would also be nut free.

It was lovely to be able to share morning tea with my team.

Rich fruit truffles

1 cup pitted dates
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnut pieces
1 tablespoon dairy free margarine
1 1/2 Tbspn desicated coconut
1 tspn vanilla essence
2 Tbspn cocoa
Extra coconut for rolling

Place fruit, nuts, cocoa, spread,coconut and vanilla in food processor and process until the mixture forms sticky crumbs. Over processing will result in a wet mixture which is still tasty but not such a nice texture . Using wet hands, roll the mixture into 24 balls . Roll each ball in coconut and refrigerate till required,

Cafe Botannix @ Palmers Cafe 21-1-13

'Things change' - the only constant in life . When you travel you realise how you adapt your own kitchen and life around being gluten free . On my day of training in Napier I had prepared lunch to take to the place of training as I thought that maybe lunch might have been organised for my fellow colleagues. It hadn't been my intention that we would nip out and have lunch at a coffee bar. I was pretty smug that I had fruit and a sandwich in my bag .  We were only five minutes away from Palmers Cafe. Five years ago this was a great place for lunch. Ummmm not so much now. Overall it was very average. I felt the staff were  vague with there knowledge on food, this created an unsettling experience and I would definitively not rush back there.

Missionview Garden Centre 20-1-13

OMG!!!! this must have been the best filled fridge ever. It even had two gluten free slices in it and two types of chocolate brownie in another place. Funny heading back to my old stamping grounds but back when I lived in Napier I wasn't a coeliac so lived a totally different lifestyle. Being asked out to lunch by my Whanau and they made the choice I was interested to see the cafe. It is a cafe the midst of a lovely garden centre .It had a gluten free menu. Actually it had a range of menus for allergies . I thought this was great as on the whole we have multiple food issues if we dine out as a family. I ordered a Thai rice cake it was lovely and I had to have a cake as they looked so nice . Chocolate brownie berry delight was like a mouthful of joy. Heated lightly and filled with berries melted in my mouth .

Burger fuel 21-1-13

I had to help present a training in Napier so I took the opportunity and stayed with my little sister. Whilst driving around I spied a Burger Fuel store. I had read on the venerdi website that they supply buns for these stores. I just wanted to be normal and have a takeaway so I did. Expensive but hey when in Rome .... Definitively a hit . The staff were very helpful. Excellent experience . My wee niece thought she was Christmas as well as she had a burger too.

Tennis 15-1-13

Wonderful day at the tennis. Got to see great tennis Sharapova,Stouser,Djocavich
It was great . I went expecting to be able to pick up catered food like a couple of years ago. But things had changed. We managed to find sushi that was gluten free if you didn't use the soya sauce. I should have been a bit better organised. Note to self ..... Be better organised if we go again

Blog on the run 13-1-13

The World Cafe, Southbank Promenade definitely gets the tick.

The menu was well labelled they even had a gluten free garlic bread that we shared at the table. There were gluten free pizzas available . Lovely salads and three nice mains .I had a steak and greek salad. It came with a peppercorn jus with excellent flavour.Cooked to perfection, medium rare it melted in my mouth.

The staff we helpful with any queries.

Blog on the run Dinner 12-1-13

I think we were awake for 24 hours on our Anniversary and we had many little treats.We had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Hardware Lane. Hardware lane was alive was pumping with live music everywhere.We ate at an Italian restaurant called Max.MMM ... It was a nice meal .We had a waiter from Christchurch so that was quite funny. The menu was not labelled which meant a lot of discussion with the waiter, back and forward to chefs. Although they had in Huge 42 font Gluten free available.It was available you just had to find it.

I had a lovely veal dish which they altered the sauce for me.I must say with a restaurant as busy as this it's always in my mind has the chef got my meal right .

Being reasonably early in the evening we didn't feel like desert.The streets in the central city were alive with buskers.We sat for ages and listened to one guy who was totally amazing on the guitar and singing.

I have eaten breakfast at the hotel before so I take my bread and toast bags (you can buy from BInn Inn )and fresh fruit and a poached egg is simple.

We have a meal planned tonight at a restaurant on Southbank that I have eaten at before so nice and easy.

I can't post any photos as Telecom is causing me few issues at present.

Blog on the run 12-1-13

Happy 28th wedding anniversary . What a glorious day so far. Lovely flight with Air New Zealand spoiling us when they found out it was our anniversary . I had a lovely GF breakfast on the plane . Once we unloaded our luggage we took off to Queen Victoria markets looked at the bargains and oogled over the fresh fruit and vegetables . We had to buy some cherries at five dollars a kilo. Fresh from Tasmania Punnets of blackberries and blueberries two dollars . So we purchased a little bit of fruit and then went quickly through the deli part of the market . The only thing that fell in the bag were olives stuffed with garlic . I still love the look of the New Zealand salmon rolled with cream cheese .

We had a beautiful lunch at Cafe Andiamo,35-38 Degraves St. It was central city down a little alley . We spoke to Maitre'd and he said yes good options GF available. The menu was marked GF and there were lots nice choices. I choose a risotto that had chicken in wine and cream with sun dried tomatoes , spring onions and cashews. Not a weightwatchers choice that's for sure . Full of flavour . Oh yes . The waiter when I queried a couple of things asked are you a coeliac ?. He explained his sister was so although young he had a great knowledge and went off to check my every question.

My hubbie had a risotto as well the seafood one . Surprise surprise !!!. It too was GF and lovely but mine was the pick . I gave attached few photos but they don't do the food justice .


Awaiting my surprise tea ..........

Before I turn into a pumpkin 11-1-13

The night is closing and an early 3am rising is imminent .

Gluten free bread is in my hand bag for breakfast at Koru lounge in the morning . Bread is in my bag and soy sauce as well.

Letter for medication and food is in my luggage so all is ready.

Tea - was easy , lovely new potatoes and coleslaw with some new brand sausages . Hellers odd flavoured ones, bratwurst and Vietnamese. Have to say no don't think I would rush back to have them again. They were dairy and gluten free .I have had much better but I was in huge hurry.

Roll on 3am.

Take the night off 10--1-13

Phew, has been a very busy week.I would have to say.

The left overs were eaten during the day by the DF son. Good on him. We took some greek salad to work that was left over I added some smoked chicken to it - Be wary of smoked chicken I have noticed lately some are not gluten free.

I had an appointment with my specialist re Coeliac disease and my other auto immune disease.All was great as I follow my gluten free diet to the letter. I am going to have all the tests redone for the markers in July so all is good.We had a discussion on how some Coeliac's who have no symptoms just carry on regardless. He said for every one diagnosed Coeliac there are five undiagnosed . Amazing.!!!!!

He said some patients just can't be bothered!!!!. Bowel cancer in the making then  for them.....

Tea for me tonight off was some  lovely gf toast , oak baked beans and a poached egg. As by the time I finished with the doctor it was pretty late.

Behind the scenes this week my Hubbie has been emailing restaurants in Melbourne  to see what there GF menus are like. He was doing this on the quiet and then when he was hitting a brick wall he discussed this with me. We decided to use our contacts. As  I share info on the Coeliac face book page and have helped a lovely Australian this year regarding where she could eat in Christchurch . I emailed her and she gave me a link for the Australian Coeliac Society . They have a restaurant guide . My Hubbie used this and as it is a surprise tea for our 28th Wedding Anniversary I don't know where he has decided.All will be revealed.

I have just checked that the airline- Air New Zealand has got my gluten free meal ordered on the way over to Melbourne. It is recommended that you do this 48 hours before you fly.I know that the accommodation cater for gluten free for our breakfast as I have stayed there before.I will take my own bread over as it is handy to have and I don't have a problem declaring this when we go through customs.I usually take a fresh bottle of soy sauce so I can have sushi if needed or Japanese.

Lots to do before early hours of Saturday morning. Rather excited........

The cake cut 9-1-13

We cut the cake

The 21st birthday dinner 9-1-13

Well the day started at 5.30 with the knowledge of busy day ahead . Last day of month end at work for me and 21st birthday. Knowing that I was up till 11 cooking the night before when I got up at 4.00 am not good recipe for Helena . I am terrible cooking when I am really tired I don't know how many times I have said not to ever cook when tired.

I broke my own rule and I found a recipe that I was trying to invent from the paper. It was a spongemwith a marshmallow filling . I tried to make the sponge in the weekend . Then last night the marshmallow did not turn out . Then this morning I made DF son lovely oat pancakes I had GF ones and breakfast was beautiful.

After getting up at 5.30 and doing breakfast I decided to attempt the marshmallow again. I needed 200 g sugar I had 197 g so that's ok . But no I burnt it . URgggggh .

So my 81 year old neighbour had offered to try to make the sponge for me as I have an earthquake damaged oven so we thought that might not help my cause.I battle through with most things but it doesn't shut so it makes intricate cooking impossible.So she offered to try the marshmallow that I burnt this morning and looked like frisbee last night.

With whitebait fritters cooked outside using BBQ and then BBq lamb and salads for tea the the beautiful cake all is happy.

Better go cut the cake . Post recipes tomorrow.

Re Veal 8-1-13

Well how does a busy person work out how to prepare a different cut of meat? Answer: discuss with work colleagues and if all else fails Google it. We brought a little piece of rolled veal a couple months ago, I had it stashed in freezer so I thought my DF son could cook it today as he had the day off. I decided it wouldn't need too much cooking time so waited until I got home from work to give instructions. I only had ten minutes at home as I had appointment, so lucky I have attentive males and they took over. The veal was covered in Gluten free mustard and coated in marjoram and gluten free breadcrumbs. Be interesting to see and taste.

Behind the scenes I am planning a feast for tomorrow as the DF son turns 21. He is the baby of the family as well. I will be getting up at 5.30 foregoing the call of the swimming pool and start to prepare. We are having a lovely family dinner tomorrow night with some of his close friends. I am working full time so it will be simple and full of flavour. It will need to be dairy free and gluten free, which is no different to our everyday food . I often bake only dairy free as I don't very often eat baking so it doesn't matter to me .


Won't mention the plan for tomorrow until tomorrow . Early rising !!!!

Sweet & Sour 7-1-13

Well I arrived home tonight and my men had bet me to it. I had left a note in anticipation that I was not going to be home in a hurry . Work being full on, plus I started my swimming again as they had closed the pools for Christmas. So I got up at 5.30 ,organisation is the key to my life. Takeaways are not an option.

My men were left with a list of what to cut up and when I walked in I made the sweet & sour sauce and my DF son cooked the dinner in the wok. Easy and amazing flavour. This is the Whanau fav.



recipe

1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbspns caster sugar
2 Tbspns GF soy sauce
2 Tbspns white wine vinegar
2 Tbspns GF cornflour
1 tin 440g pineapple pieces, retain juice to use
1 Tbspn olive oil
600 g lean chicken , pork or firm fish,
1 long fresh red chilli, depending on your chilli tolerance deseed it if you don't like it too hot.
2 garlic cloves , crushed
3cm piece of ginger ,cut into fine matchsticks
1 red onion, cut thru into wedges
1 red capsicum, cut into 2.5 cm pieces
1 green capsicum, cut into 2.5 cm pieces
2 stalks celery , cut into 2.5 cm pieces
1 telegraph cucumber, sliced and seed removed then but on angle into 1.5 cm pieces


 2 cups basmati rice to serve.

Method.

Combine tomato sauce, soy sauce, sugar , vinegar,cornflour, pineapple and retained juice in a small bowl set aside.
Meanwhile , heat a wok over high heat. Add half the oil and heat for 30 seconds . Stir fry chicken ,chilli, garlic and ginger for 5 minutes or until chicken is browned and almost cooked through. Transfer to a bowl.
Heat remaining oil in wok over high heat. Stir fry onion and capsicum,cucumber for 5 minutes or until softened.
Return chicken mixture to wok with sauce mixture .stir for 2-3 minutes or until chicken cooked through and vegetables are tender.We like ours crispy, crunchy still. serve with rice and spring onion garnish.

Dairy Free Chocolate and Banana Muffins made 6-1-13 (not gluten free)

Dairy free Chocolate and Banana Muffins

2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips - I use Sweet William ones
1/2 tsp salt

100 g non dairy margarine
1 cup soy milk or milk alternative
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup (2-3) mashed bananas

Method

With a fork, stir together in a large bowl the flour,caster sugar,chocolate chips and salt.

In another container melt the margarine. add the milk, egg, vanilla and beat well.

Mash the banana and stir in with liquid.Tip all the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. fold everything together carefully until all the flour is dampened, stopping before the mixture is smooth. don't over mix.

Spray 12 muffin tins and cook for 12 - 15 minute at 220 degrees Celsius.

Cooking done off for the day 6-1-13

Work tomorrow so I thought I would get up and get tea before the day takes off. I wanted to bake some dairy free but not gluten free muffins for DF son as he is back to university study and working this week. I wanted to throw some in the freezer.

So recipe found for banana and chocolate chip muffins. I had some old bananas that went into the freezer last week waiting for muffin making energy. I used Sweet William chocolate chips for these muffins.

I had a meat loaf, GF in oven . I used just the usual things for this.mince, carrot, egg, onion, zucchini,1/4 Cup homemade GF relish, GF breadcrumbs.Thats in oven will be out soon. Made a big batch of this so DF son can use for lunches . It is good sandwich filling for hearty boys sandwiches.So we can have for tea and I will put some in freezer.

I think with gluten free and allergy cooking making good use of the freezer helps stress . I am in the kitchen enough but if I can have few meals , baking in freezer it helps the busy weeks.

So days cooking done apart from vegetables for tea all before 10am. I think the botanical gardens are calling.