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.

Allergy show London 2014

I was looking forward to the allergy show this weekend in London, as I loved it last year, my first gluten-free one.

I went on Friday which is a bit more quiet and it gave me a chance to talk with many of the stall holders.
It's fantastic to see the smaller producers along the bigger ones, and I would recommend anyone on a restricted diet to visit.
Most products I saw were aimed at the gluten free and/or dairy free eater, and there is also the vegetarian area. I don't know if those on other food allergies would find enough stalls for them.

The hall this year is bigger and it all looks more spacious and light.

I was meeting with a few others from the Gluten Free London Meetup group and we chose to meet at the FreeFrom Cafe, although I have to say there was a lot of gluten containing produce on offer, and just a note saying that if you wanted gluten free food you could ask for their options.
I'd say this is an area that the show needs to improve on, it's such a lost opportunity.
Still, it was lovely to meet up with the others over a coffee and share tips and favourite stalls.

So, what did I take home?
I took a few photos as I got home and I was slightly worried at the amount.
I'd suggest to take some strong bags, a rucksack or even a trolley if you plan to get a few things, it soon adds up. I was lucky to have my sister with me as she carried half of it, but it was still a very heavy bag.
Also, if you plan to get some puds from Pudology, or frozen cakes from Fria or some fresh sausages, it's worth taking your cool bag with you. The sun came in in some areas and it was quite warm.

The first stall you find as you go in is from Udi's. This is a sample stall (A24) and they do not sell here, there is another stall later on where you can buy some of the products (A92).
They have a fantastic variety of products, from bread to crackers to biscuits, it's like being a kid in a candy store. You can try most things, and as a blogger I was lucky to get a few samples.
I chose some of their Oreo like cookies, that I had tasted and were brilliant, and some lemon wafers still to try.
The lemon wafers (a chocolate option is also available) are currently on sale at Tesco for a limited time, and the sandwich cookies will be available later on in the year.
I also got some of their Tiger bread, one of my favourites before being gluten-free and some of their multiseeded rolls, looking forward to them already!
There were also some of their Toaster Pastries boxes at the main entrace, so I had to get one ;)

One of my objectives at the show was to get some pizza bases from Venice Bakery (stand A42). They have an offer for the show, 4 products for £10. Brilliant, I got 3 plain pizza bases and some flatbreads. They also have some to taste there, which were very nice.

I also wanted to try again the lovely pies from Clive's (stand A44). Their sample board is fantastic, and you can try all their fillings with small crackers made with their pastry. All their pies are organic and vegetarian and they use palm oil for their pastries, which has a nice flavour and it is easy to digest.
At Heck (stand A193) we tried some of their pork sausages which were our favourites, and they also had some pork and apple and chorizo. We got four packs and got a free cool bag to take them home.
On Ben's recommendation we went to Sukrin's (stand A91) were I got some Sukrin gold. This is a brown sugar substitute that is healthier and has less calories. It's not cheap at £3 per pack but an interesting product to try.

Visiting Smooze (stand A120)  was also on my shopping list, as I tried their fruit ice last year and loved it. They also have a freezer at the show and you can buy just one ice, lovely if you are a bit too hot  (I think it was £0.70 approx).
I also got a rocky road tub from Perkier (stand A150), which I love and some Italian pasta from Elena's gluten free way (stall A208).

I met the lovely Sweedish ladies at Fria (A40) and loved their lemon muffins, and was lucky to get some samples of it and of one of their bread too, thanks!

And finally a fantastic Focaccia from Focaccia Per Tutti (stand MP2). All their focaccias look amazing, it's a pitty that their stall is located by one of the walls and not easy to see, but worth a visit. Their focaccia have won the Freefrom overall winner 2014 and Great Taste in 2013. They have big ones and also little ones if you prefer a variety of them.
There were also stalls from producers that I already like and can find easily like Lovemore foods (A164) great biscuits available at Ocado, Goody Good Stuff (A229) for sweets, and Eskal (A153) for rice noodles.

Interestingly there were two Paleo stalls too, The primal kitchen (A117) and Ugg foods (A157).
And the guys from Vitalfootprint (A118) who are developing a website/app for finding gluten free places to eat and products on the go.

Oveall, I'm very happy with my purchases, and the chats and all the fantastic tasting on offer, just need to find some storage at home so that I can enjoy my products over the coming weeks.
Looking forward to next year already!

Kimchee Korean restaurant - Gluten Free menu



Dolsot Bibimbap

I recently spotted Kimchee on High Holborn while looking for a place to eat in the area.
I've head that Korean food is good for gluten-free eating as they use rice wraps and rice noodles.
The menu looked very tasty, but as I wanted to be sure, I got in touch with them by email to find out my options.
They were very attentive and sent me their separate gluten free menu, brilliant!
The restaurant is nicely decorated, all dark wood and indirect lighting, very welcoming, with very friendly staff.

Kim Seaweed

It is quite a large restaurant, and we were lucky to get there around 7pm, as it was completely packed by 8pm with a good mix of Korean and non Korean customers.

I tried two starters:
+ Kimchee, layers of pickled Chinese cabbage with garlic and chilli. It was fantastic for me, a pickle lover
+ Kim, thin sheets of seaweed, very nice too

As main course I had Dolsot Bibimbap, Tofu served in a sizzling stone pot, with sticky rice, vegetables and egg, that you mix together at the table. It arrives with a side sauce, though I cannot remember what was in it. I love the mix of flavours and the fact that the food stays hot in the pot while you eat, so even if you are a slow eater your food is always warm for you.
There was someone nearby eating one of the barbacue dishes (served with lettuce wraps) that looked delicious too, I'll have to go back ;)
The price is also very reasonable, under £10 for main dishes and around £3 for sides and small dishes. I'd recommend it!

Kimchee
71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6EA
Tel: 020 7430 0956
http://www.kimchee.uk.com/

Marks and Spencer new Gluten Free products

 A few new gluten free products have appeared on Marks and Spencer shelves!

A very tasty looking Chocolate Birthday cake and some more bread varieties, ciabattas and baguettes.
They all look worth tasting, so one to try soon.

There are also a good amount of gluten free choices in their food to order section for when you need to entertain:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/l/food-and-wine/food-to-order/solutions-for-everybody/gluten-free

Udis Plain Bagels Gluten Free

I've wanted to try these Udis bagels for a while, but although I've had an eye out for them, I couldn't find them in any of my local stores. Finally I found them in Tesco last week.

They are actually very nice bagels, there are four in a pack and cost £2.30. They say they'll keep for 2 days, but I've had them in the fridge for around a week and they are still good to eat. I love them toasted with some tuna mayo.  There are two more varieties, cinamon and raisins and savoury (with a hint of onion), all at the same price.
Ingredients: Water, Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Rapeseed Oil, Egg White Powder, Resistant Corn Starch, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Humectant (Glycerine), Thickeners (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum), Yeast, Pea Protein Isolate, Sugar Beet Fibre, Salt, Preservative (Calcium Propionate).

Coffee and walnut Cake - Cake Angels Gluten Free recipe

Another fantastic cake made at home following the recipe in Cake Angels by Julia Thomas.

It is one of my favourite cakes! The sponge is so light and airy that it melts in your mouth. Every time I've baked it it has been loved by gluten and non gluten eaters.

Like all gluten free cakes, it is always at it best on the day of baking, but it'll last in an airtight container for quite a few days, and it doesn't really loose much flavour.

I normally switch from normal coffee to decaffeinated, but I forgot this time, so after eating a piece in the afternoon, it took me a while to fall asleep zzz