Pastificio Mansi - Fresh gluten free pasta

I was approached recently by Emanuela from Pastificio Mansi to ask if I would be interested in trying her new gluten free fresh pasta.

She is an artisan pasta maker who currently trades at a few London markets and has been experimenting with gluten free pasta for a while.
I clearly couldn't say no to trying it, as I love Italian GF pasta, and fresh pasta even more!

I met the lovely Emanuela in central London and a parcel changed hands. She was telling me about the quality in-season ingredients she uses for the fillings, and I could see it is a labour of love, and that she wouldn't be happy with a product she wasn't proud of.

She gave me two samples, one with a filling of Kake (+ pine nuts, Ricotta and Parmesan), and another with sundried tomatoes (+ oregano, toasted almonds, Ricotta and Parmesan).

I loved both of them. It is clearly an artisan quality product, and I'm glad I was offered the chance to try it.
What did I like most about this pasta?
The filling in this pasta is very generous, and the combination of ingredients quite tasty, you can actually recognise the ingredients in it. This tells me Emanuela is serious about making great quality pasta, and she is not cutting corners in the filling.

The pasta doesn't crumble like other gluten free pastas, and it kept it's shape very well while cooking and eating it, even my gluten-eating sister loved it and couldn't taste the gluten free in it.
I didn't feel unwell at all after eating it, so definitely gluten free, fantastic!
The pasta is sold in 100gr portions at £2.5 for fresh tagliatelle and £3 for the filled fresh pasta

She is currently trading at:
Crystal Palace food market on Saturdays (10am to 3pm) http://www.crystalpalacefoodmarket.co.uk/
Fulham market every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
http://www.rmsmarkets.co.uk/
Brook Green Market every 1st, 3rd, 5th Saturday of the month
http://www.brookgreenmarket.co.uk/
Islington Farmers Market - Chapel Market in Angel every 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday of the month
http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/islington/
Check out other venues on twitter and facebook

Pastificio Mansi
http://pastificiomansi.com/
Facebook: pastificiomansi
Twitter: @pasticiomansi

M&S growing range

Everytime I visit M&S I find some new gluten-free products. It is fantastic that the cater for us, but why not advertise it a bit more?

Most of their products are very nice, so it's a pity that we don't hear more about it, maybe more twitter photos would encourage even more of us to visit? Just an idea.

So, what did I find this time? A lovely quiche Lorraine (£3, 522 kcals per 1/2 quiche), chicken & mushroom crispbakes (£1.25 on offer, 214 kcals per bake), fishcakes (£1.80), cheese puffs (£1.70, 445 kcals per bag), green olive ciabatta rolls (£2.10, 214 kcals per roll).
I've been eating most of it over the last week and I'd say they are all very tasty and deserve recommendation.

chicken crispbakes

It is a pity that their gluten-free sandwich range is not as good. In my opinion the filling is ok (egg and crest, ham and pickle, chicken salad), just the bread is quite dry.
Of their gluten-free breads my favourite is the white boule, so maybe they could swap the bread for this one?

I read on twitter that many of their normal products are also gluten-free, although not advertised as such, so I had a bit of a label-check-fest while I was there.

Of their sausages, most of them do not have any gluten containing ingredients so one could presume they would be ok? Does anyone know if there is a chance of cross-contamination?

Also most of their fresh sauces do not have any gluten containing ingredients, so it might be an idea to get your own gravy sachet from M&S if you are going out for a Sunday roast so that you can have gravy too!

Hummus Bros New Book: Levantine Kitchen

I had been thinking of visiting Hummus Bros soon as I've been hearing a lot recently about their gluten-free options, so I was very happy when I received a complimentary copy of their book Levantine Kitchen. Thanks Pavilion!

The book has a nice and manageable format and most recipes have some amazing photos so that you know how each dish is supposed to look like.

In the introduction you also get to know a bit more about Ronen and Christian, the Hummus Bros, who are not related, and why did they start their company, and for each recipe you can also read how it came about and the best ways to serve it.

Most of the recipes are suitable for a gluten-free diet, but in case you are in doubt, there is a useful table at the back with all the dishes listed, indicating if they are gluten-free, lactose-free and nut-free, which is very helpful if you are not familiar with some of the ingredients.




Which recipes can be found in the book?

Hummus
Yes, there is quite a good explanation on how to make a good hummus and a few options for toppings.

Falafel
There are four recipes for falafel, with unusual ingredients like sweet potato and beetroot.

Soups
With chickpeas, lentils and even Jerusalem Artichokes

Breads and sauces
All sauces are ok for gluten-free and most dairy-free too, but not the breads, although it is easy to get some gluten-free pitta bread nowadays from most supermarkets to go with your hummus.

Desserts
All gluten-free but not dairy free

There are also recipes for wraps (not gluten-free), salads, drinks and quick snacks

I love having a new recipe book and experiementing in the kitchen, even if the tidy up afterwards takes a year or two, so I read through the different options and decided to start with Falafels.
I've never made them before, but that has never stopped me!

My first two attempts with green Falafel and sweet potato Falafel were not too successful, but I can report a reasonable Spicy red Falafel ;)
What went wrong, I wanted to know? 
Nothing like good old google to get some tips from those who have been there before me.

The tips that helped me where:


Spicy Falafel,  result!
 

*Dry the ingredients as much as possible before mixing so that the mixture is not wet and can be shaped into a nice ball

*Check that the temperature of the oil is not too hot or the Falafel will disintegrate (I got some good results too by cooking them in the oven, just sprayed with a bit of olive oil)

Also, I think the consistency is more creamy if you use an extra ingredient like cooked sweet potato or beetroot, so I'd try those ones first if you are cooking Falafel for the first time.

I have also tried the roasted Aubergine salad which was very nice just with a bit of salt and lemon juice. And finally I am attempting Hummus later on today!

Overall it is an interesting book if you like Levantine cuisine, and it's mix of spices and flavours or if you just like to try new dishes and experiment in the kitchen.

Update: The hummus is Amazing!!! I was very surprised when I finished making it, it's so creamy and nutty, it reminds me a bit of peanut butter but so much nicer.
Never again Hummus from the supermarket, Hbros forever!!!
Just be aware of the amount you will get. I've only done half of the recipe and I got 3 full jam jars, so I might need to organize a hummus party ;)

Udi's cookies and other Gluten Free biscuits

I love cookies and was quite happy to get some samples from Udi's at the Allergy Show.

Everyone I spoke to was raving about the "Oreo" like cookies, named "chocolate flavour sandwich cookies" by Udi's. They were delicious indeed, I was very happy to get some samples to take home.

The cookies are brilliant, although I think they need a snappier name. What about Rodeos?

Ingredients:
Sugar, Rice Flour, Potato Starch,Vegetable Fats (Palm Fat, Coconut Fat), Corn Starch, Glucose Syrup, Dextrose, Cocoa Powder (2.5%), Soya Flour, Sunflower Oil, Thickener (Xanthan Gum), Vanilla Natural Flavouring, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Salt May also contain Eggs
A serving of two cookies (30gr) has 142 calories (2.7gr saturated fat, 6.4gr sugar).
They are very nice and I would be happy to add them to my shopping list if they were easily available. They are currently available at Tesco (£3) at their Lifestyle Food Fair (till end of August, 4 for 3 at Extra stores).

However they are very similar to another cookie on the market by Lovemore.

Lovemore O'Choco Ingredients:
Rice Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Fats, Corn Starch, Cocoa Powder (7%), Potato Starch, Corn Flour, Dextrose, Glucose Syrup, Refined Sunflower Oil, Rice Starch, Raising Agent: Sodium Hydrogencarbonate, Thickener: Xanthan Gum, Flavourings, Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin, Table Salt, Biscuits contain ca. 30% of Cream
A serving of two cookies (33gr) has 148 calories (3.2gr saturated fat, 7.6gr sugar). They are sold as dairy free, so I take it that the cream they mention is soya based. I've bought them in the past at Ocado (£1.95) or Waitrose.

Between the two I wouldn't know which to choose as they are so similar. The Lovemore O'Choco cookie has a taste closer to dark chocolate and Udi's is a little bit less bitter. For me it would be a matter of availability.

What I'd like from both brands is to have the product in smaller packs of two/four biscuits so that they are easy to take away in your lunch box or when travelling (see later on review of Kelkin wafers).

I also got a sample of Udi's gluten free lemon wafers, which were delicious.
If I had to choose between the "Oreo like" and this ones, it would be a difficult choice. I've been happily testing both on and off and, as with the other ones, I'd buy them if they were easily available.

Udi's Lemon Wafer ingredients:
Cane Sugar, Potato Starch, Palm Oil, Soya Oil, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Citric Acid, Salt, Raising Agents (Ammonium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Lemon Flavouring May also contain Egg, Milk, Peanuts and Tree Nuts
Available at Tesco during their Lifestlyle food Fair (£3, offer 4 for 3)
There is a chocolate option available too.

I am comparing them to Kelkin's wafers, as it's the only other wafer I've found available so far.

Kelkin Wafer Ingredients:
Milk Chocolate 80% (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavour), Vegetable Fat, Sugar, Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Teff Flour, Soya Flour, Skimmed Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Vegetable Oil, Free Range Egg Yolk, Salt, Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate May contain; traces of hazelnuts and peanuts
I vaguely remember finding them at Salisbury's or Waitrose. They also have some orange Jaffa cakes that are very nice.

Which one do I prefer?
For taste I would choose Udi's one, it is lighter in consistency and it's more wafer-like. I find that Kelkin's has too much chocolate coating (very close to a KitKat).
However, I love the presentation of Kelkin's, with the individual wrap for each one. Not only it is easy to pop one in your bag or your lunch box, it also keeps the wafer in top condition until you open it.
What I found with Udi's wafer is that the first few I had were lovely and crisp, but by the time I got to the last one, it wasn't very crisp anymore. I'd say individual wrapping would be fantastic to have, as a pack of Udi's wafers is likely to last for a while, specially if there is only one coeliac/gluten intolerant in the household.

Overall, I would recommend all the biscuits here, all tasty in their different ways, just need to have them all in one supermarket to make my day!

Pasta from Elena gluten free




Pappardelle with tomato, asparagus and chorizo

I bought some pasta from Elena's gluten free way at the Allergy Show.
When I can, I always try to find Italian pasta, specially Pappardelle or Tagliatelle nests, they are my favourites.
There are two brands available from Elena's, Dialsi and Piaceri Mediterranei.

I got a packet of each and recently tried the Piacery Mediterranei Pappardelle.
These pasta ribbons are lovely and I really enjoyed my dinner.
I added a sauce made with tomato sauce (one tin of chopped tomatoes, one tsp of olive oil, half tsp of salt, half tsp of sugar and some ground pepper, cooked slowly for 30 mins or so), asparagus and chorizo.
Fantastic dinner, now looking forward to the  Tagliatelle ;)
My only concern is that the ribbons tend to break after cooking, I guess that is the corn.

Mediterranei Pappardelle Ingredients: Yellow maize flour (49,8%), white maize flour (49,8%), emulsifier: mono and diglycerides of fatty acids)
Dialsi Taglieatelle Ingredients: Rice flour, corn flour
Both ingredients lists are quite short, which I like, no nasty E numbers around.

They are available to buy on her website:
http://www.elenasgfway.co.uk/

Udis Gluten Free breads

I had already tried Udis bagels, and I was curious about their Tiger bread, spotted at the Allergy Show.

I was lucky to get a sample pack and another one of their multi seeded rolls.

There was some Tiger bread to taste at the stall, but I think it might have been cut a while ago, as it felt a bit dry.

Nothing to do with the lovely sample pack I got. It was very soft and very nice, and I've been eating it for the whole week afterwards, only being a bit crumbly towards the end.

What I'll do next time I have a packet is to freeze half so that even if it's just one of me, the second half will be as lovely as the first.

I also got some of the multi seeded rolls to try, and they were very very nice. I toasted them and had them with some ham. A fantastic treat!

The Tiger bread is available at large Tescos (£2.50) and online during their Lifestyle Food fair (till end August, 4 for 3 offer).
 Hopefully if there are enough sales they'll keep them going forward.

Tiger bread ingredients: Tapioca Starch,Water ,Rice Flour ,Potato Starch ,Rapeseed Oil ,Humectant (Glycerine) ,Psyllium Husk Powder ,Egg White Powder ,Yeast ,Thickener (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose) ,Dextrose ,Potato Fibre ,Salt ,Sugar ,Preservative (Calcium Propionate)

Multi Seeded Rolls ingredients: Maize Starch, Water, Mixed Seeds [10%] (Sunflower, Linseed, Poppy), Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Yeast, Black Treacle, Rapeseed Oil, Thickeners (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum),Psyllium Husk Powder, Potato Protein Isolate, Humectant (Glycerine), Sugar, Salt, Potato Fibre, Preservative (Calcium Propionate), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid) May contain Egg

Happy to recommend both products.

Perkier Rocky Road Gluten and Wheat free

What can I say? These little lovelies are gorgeous. They are available in small bites in a tub (£1.5 to £2) or in their regular size individually wrapped (£1) .

They have lots of marshmallows mixed with their chocolate and biscuit, nice!
The ingredients list is quite large though, see below.
Still, nice to have occasionally.

Ingredients: Biscuit 42% (Rice Flour, Vegetable Margarine (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Salt, Emulsifier (E475)), Partially Inverted Sugar Syrup, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate, Stabiliser: Xanthan),Belgian MILK Chocolate 29% (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole MILK Powder, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier: SOYA Lecithin, Vanilla Extract) ,Vegetable Margarine (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Salt, Emulsifier (E475)) ,Marshmallows 9% (Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Water, Gelatine, Anti-Caking Agent: Maize Starch; Flavouring, Colour (E162)) ,White Chocolate Flavour Coating (Sugar, Vegetable Fat (Palm Oil), Whey Powder (MILK), Emulsifier (SOYA Lecithin), Natural Flavouring), Golden Syrup ,For allergens, see capitalised ingredients ,Contains Milk & Soya ,May contain traces of Nuts

Tesco Italian coffee desert (tiramisu) Gluten and dairy free

I found this gluten free and dairy free Tiramisu recently at Tesco (also available was a chocolate mousse that was lovely) in their chilled cabinets. The taste is quite nice and it's free from milk, wheat and gluten and it costs £1.60 for two. It's not the healthiest pud at 250 calories per pot, although the taste is quite nice.

 

Ingredients: Water,Glucose Syrup ,Coconut Oil ,Sugar ,Maltodextrin ,Egg Yolk ,Chicory Fibre ,Cocoa Powder ,Alcohol ,Potato Starch ,Flavouring ,Egg ,Stabiliser (Sorbitol Syrup) ,Egg White ,Thickeners (Agar, Tara Gum) ,Emulsifier (Mono- and Di-Glycerides of Fatty Acids) ,Coffee Powder ,Raising agents (Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Carbonate) ,Preservative (Potassium Sorbate) ,Salt

Fria lemon muffins

These lemon muffins are very tasty, I tried them at the allergy show and was quite impressed with the lemony taste and nice consistency.

I got some free samples to take home and was looking forward to it.
However, I felt a bit unwell after eating them again, I think it is because one of the ingredients is gluten-free wheat, which I didn't realised was there at the show.
I also had some fiber bread to try, but I had the same problem.
After checking their leaflet, I have to say that all Fria products have gluten free wheat, so unfortunately not a range for me.

Ingredients: Eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, wheat starch (gluten free), rice flour, modified corn and tapioca starch,baking powder: bicarbonate and E 450a, thickeners: locust bean- , guar-, tara gum and pectin, salt, emulsifiers: lecithin (rapeseed) and E471 (veg), flavouring (lemon, vanillin)
They are available from Goodness Direct at £3.80

Clives pies

I loved to taste Clive's pies at the allergy show. Their tasting station is one of the best, with mini pastry squares that can be tasted with all their fillings.

I had to consider all my previous purchases, so I only got two of them, Minty Chickpea and French Cassoulet.
They were both very nice, but my favourite has to be the Minty Chickpea.

Ingredients )minty chickpea): Organically produced- tomato 15%, *water, sustainably sourced palm fat, chickpeas 11%, onion, rice flour, carrot, potato flour, maize flour, coconut milk, apricot 3%, tomato paste, buckwheat flour, *sea salt, turmeric, mint, black pepper, herbs.

Each pie weights around 250grams, and has around 600 calories. Available from Goodness Direct (£2.84) & Ocado (£2.54).

I didn't feel unwell in any way eating them, my only concern is the use of palm fat (highly saturated), instead of a healthier option.

Dairy Free Chocolate raisins - Fabulous Freefrom Factory

These raisins are really nice, advertised as dairy free (and no gluten containing ingredients).

I found them at Holland and Barrett, a 75 gr bag for £1.69

Unfortunately, as I was doing some more online search for this brand I've found this March 2014 notice from the Food Standards Agency, it seems that one of their batches contains milk:
http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/allergy-news/2014/mar/milk

So, one to be cautious about.

Helen's Chocolate Cupcake Mix

After trying and loving Helen's brilliant bread mix, I saw this pack at Sainsbury's and decided to try it.
It couldn't be easier!
Melt butter (or sunflower spread for me), mix with eggs, add the shifted mix, put in the oven...
After a few minutes, some gorgeous cupcakes will come out of your oven.
I never use frosting, but if you do, there are some instructions for that in the pack.

Very chocolatey, I would recommend it.

Gluten Free Crackers Comparison: Orgran v Wellaby's

I found these two packs of crackers at Sainsbury's and got both of them to compare, I always like a battle, and I could compare them to the Marks & Spencer ones that I reviewed recently.

So much choice!


 Orgran Deli Crackers

The look of these crackers is not it's strongest point. They are very pale, and it looks as if they are still to go in the oven. On the other hand, the taste is quite nice, although a bit subtle.
They are made in Australia, it seems a bit far for some crackers!
Ingredients: brown rice, wholegrain sorghum, wholegrain millet, salt, poppy seeds, vegetable protein extract, calcium carbonate, natural caramel colour

Wellaby's Delicate Humus Chips

The look is more apetizing, the colour is more golden and they seem crispier, however, the taste lets these chips down. They are a bit boring and dry, and I am struggling to finish the packet.
Ingredients: chickpea flour, corn flour, potato starch, sodium caseinate, palm kernel oil. whey proteins, sugar, black olivees, pea flour, milk (cream), garlic, sea salt, emulsifiers, leavining agents, lemon
They are produced in Greece, but the pack doesn't say who imports them into the UK (only info available is who imports it to Australia and New Zealand). I wonder why?

Between the two, I would definitely eat the Orgran crackers, although they are not better that the Marks & Spencers I reviewed recently, so unfortunately I'm unlikely to buy either again.

Helen gluten free bread mix

 Finally!!! I have never been very good at using yeast, I always blame it on my drafty kitchen, so I've always been a bit irritated by my lack of success at bread making, but thought there wasn't much I could do.

On a recent visit to a large Sainsbury's I found Helen's Brilliant Bread mix in the free from section and decided to have another go at bread.

I must say the instructions at the back of the pack are brilliant, perfect for someone like me who has not made bread before.

On reflection the tip seems to be using the right temperature for the water in the mix (200ml cold from the tap + 100ml hot from the kettle to make the tepid water) and the way to keep the mix while it raises.

The pack recommends to keep the bread tin inside another tray filled with warm water, but just warm from the tap and not from the kettle.

The photos on the right show the mix as first in the bread tin, after raising and as it comes out of the oven.
In the oven I had it at the correct temperature but did use the fan, and I think it has burned slightly on the outside. When I do it again I probably won't use the fan.

Today it is already the third day after baking and the bread is still good to eat, nice and soft.

I would definitely recommend this mix and I'll be buying again.

Gluten Free Sandwich selection at M&S

On one hand it is very good that some gluten free sandwiches are available from M&S, as it saved me the other day from going hungry at lunchtime, but on the other, they could have made a bit more effort with the flavours.

I had Ham Salad and the bread was quite dry, would have been lovely with some mayo or spread or even mustard!

Next time I find myself in the same pickle, I'll have to try Cheese and Pickle ;)

Lovemore Free From Bourbon Biscuits

Another nice pack of biscuits from Ocado, 150gr for £1.95. They have a nice taste, although some of the biscuits did not stay together as a bourbon should do.

They passed the dunking test, no lost bits of biscuit in my tea ;)

Eskal Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Wafers

These wafers from Eskal are very nice indeed. There are 130gr in the pack and they are available at Ocado for £2.50. They do contain milk and soya.

 

Konditor & Cook gluten free Almond St Clement Cake

I was at EV on Sunday celebrating a friend's Birthday, what a great venue, and lovely food too.

We all had a brilliant day, but as a gluten-free eater I had to be on full alert.

Their cakes look so gorgeous, but unfortunately none were gluten free.
Feeling a bit sorry for myself, my brain went into overdrive........
Where could I get myself a gluten free cake last minute?
Maybe a biscuit from a supermarket wouldn't be such an appalling choice after all??

And then I remembered someone had recommended the lovely cakes at Konditor & Cook and that some of them were gluten free.
Success! Now a plan was forming, at 4.20pm, would it be a bit of a push to get to the Waterloo branch in time?
Well, needs must! I had to run.

Got in before they closed and was faced with a dilemma, Chocolate Hazelnut or Almond St Clement?
How can a girl choose amongst so much deliciousness?
Almond St Clement it was and it was brilliant!

I have since checked the cake profile online and it seems that it has won the 2013 Great Taste Gold Star.
I'm not surprised ;)

There are a few branches around London, definitely worth visiting:
http://www.konditorandcook.com/about-us/stores

M&S Gluten Free Crackers

 These crackers are very nice! They are small-ish, around 2 inch squares, and quite tasty.

They are made with several gluten free flours including lentils. Unfortunately I've thrown the bag away, so can't say more than that.

Waitrose Gluten Free Petit Pains

These bread rolls are just lovely, crunchy exterior but not too hard, heavenly soft interior ... who needs gluten?
They go very well with a soup or just anything really.

The ingredients list is quite long, here they are: water, tapioca starch, rice flour, potato starch, sunflower oil, yeast, humectant vegetable glycerine, psyllium husk powder, corn dextrose, stabiliser hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, dried free range egg white, polenta, maize flour, salt maize starch, preservative calcium propionate, rice starch

Each pain weights around 40-50 gr, has 137 calories of gorgeousness and are best heated in the oven for 5-6 minutes.
There are two petit pains in the pack, and you can get them from Waitrose for £1.54.