Gluten Free At Westfield Stratford

Despite the countless posters saying that there's something for everyone restaurant-wise at Westfield Stratford, there actually isn't anything for me. That's because of my pepper allergy though, there are gluten free menus in some of the restaurants however last time we tried to eat there catering for my allergy wasn't an option.

For those of you who need gluten free and can ingest pepper, here's a selection of places that offer gluten free dishes:

Smoked Sea Bass

Sea Bass In The Smoker

Stovetop smoking is my favourite way to cook, it's pretty effortless and the flavours are amazing. Sea Bass smoked with alder wood chips has a really delicate sweetness about it, it's a lovely flavour that is very light and Summery, perfect for the current (hellish) heatwave!

The Free From G Caesar Salad

Hearty Caesar Salad

It's still incredibly hot here and though there were elements of cooking required for this recipe, overall it's a really great meal for a Summer's day. Everything in this Caesar Salad is naturally gluten free except for the croutons, for those I used a trusty Dietary Specials Brown Ciabatta.

Gluten Free Summer Rolls

Summer Rolls Filling

Last Summer I discovered Vietnamese food after a glorious day out in Brighton and lunch at the very laid back Pho (Pho in London's Wardour Street was another matter however). In the days that followed I did some research on Vietnamese cuisine and happily discovered that lots of it was naturally gluten free.

Summer Rolls are made up of rice paper and filling. They're really easy to make and the beauty of these is that you can use whatever filling you fancy whether it be meat, fish, shellfish or vegetarian. If you wanted to make really simple Summer Rolls with no cooking required, you could even use raw ingredients such as salad or veg. If you have Sushi quality fish you could also use that. Lots of possibilities with this dish!

Why Cheese Fondue Is The Perfect Hot Weather Meal

I think I'm melting, I cannot cope with this heat. I thought yesterday was unbearable but today it's even worse. It's definitely not test out recipes weather, the kitchen gets way too hot. I don't want the hob or the oven on, it's already like a sauna in here, they would make it 10X worse.  If you're a regular reader then you will know of my passion for Cheese Fondue. If you've happened upon this page, hello, my name is Lee and I absolutely love Cheese Fondue!  There, all up to speed.

Habanero Heatwave

Habanero Bomb Last Slice

As if it wasn't hot enough here in London today, I had the bright idea of adding a little habanero to the Zombie Bacon Bomb to spice it up a bit. I only added one but from past experience I should have known that even that was too much for my OH to bear.

So whilst sweating from the weather we also had a very hot flush from the chilli. Wasn't a great idea.

I promise that I will never again add any habanero to a shared meal. Promise!

The Byron Bay Dotty

Yum In A Packet

This cookie has really grown on me recently, it's ideal for when a chocolate craving strikes. For me it's almost brownie like in texture when you chew it, then you get the crunch from the Smartie type sweets (the dots) and it's all just a big chocolaty fun party in your mouth.

I love the fact that you can actually break big pieces of the Dotty off and they hold together without crumbling.

Big Burst Of Randomness

I intended to go to the Allergy and Free From show in London on Friday but I didn't get there, the head cold and sinus problems got to much and I ended up sleeping for a lot of the day, hence no blog post. In terms of the head problems, pretty much gone. Is it coincidence that I started drinking Vita Coco again on Friday night and today I'm good again? I don't know, but I do know that UFC coconut water did nothing for me.

This Is A True Story

Seeing as I have no new recipes to post and the fact that I'm not feeling great I thought that I would tell you about something that happened to me when I was 14. It's not coeliac related so feel free just to pass on by, but if you want to read something gross and connected to why I'm not feeling at my best carry on reading, I swear it's all true!

Gluten Free Smoked Haddock Chowder

Smoked Haddock Chowder

Apologies for the lack of a post yesterday, not sure what is going on but I'm exhausted. Think I may have a head cold and definitely sinus issues but is that what is making me so tired? I don't know. The only other thing that I can possibly think of is the coconut water change over, I established that the new brand didn't have as many nutrients, maybe that's the reason. Either way, man I'm tired.

Anyway, here's a lovely comforting bowl of tasty chowder that is really quick and easy to make.

New Coconut Water Discovery

If you're a regular reader then you probably know that I believe that coconut water helped me out massively the last time I was glutened. I've been drinking Vita Coco for probably a year now and though I do think it's wonderful, it's a bit on the pricey side at £3.49 per litre when you drink as much of it as I do.

Last week I discovered a new brand of coconut water in the world food aisle of my Tesco, so I gave it a go along side Vita Coco and it proved to be a success.

Byron Bay Domino Cookies

It's Big

Byron Bay are a bit special to me because I discovered them during a really hellish time. Their cookies not only kept me free from hunger, they also provided much needed energy and comfort at a time when I couldn't find anything to eat on the go other than dry gluten free bread.

Discovered totally by accident on a minuscule free from shelf in a little Sainsbury's, Byron Bay cookies have since become a firm favourite of mine and yesterday I was lucky enough to try the new Gluten Free Cafe Cookie, the Domino.

They Arrived!

My Box Of Byron Bay Goodies

They're heeere! I have already devoured the new Domino Cookie but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to read exactly what I thought about it. If you want to know what I think of the Strawberry and Clotted Cream Cookie see here.

Cookietastic!

Jersey Royal Potatoes - Jersey Fries Recipe

Potato Royalty

They're only available for a few months each year but I definitely make the most of that window. April to June are when Jersey Royals are in season and for that duration I rarely use another potato, these are superior in every way.

These potatoes are so special that just like the Champagne region of France who are only allowed to call their sparkling wine Champagne, Jersey Royal Potatoes have a Protected Designation Of Origin which means they they cannot be grown anywhere else and still be the real deal. It's all about the soil.

But enough facts, there's only one way that I ever serve these little gems and it will come as no surprise to regular readers that it's in a comforting and non fussy way. Simple but delish.

The Free From G Low Key Bacon Bomb

My Idea Of Low Key

If the other Bacon Bombs have been a bit too in your face flavour wise, this may be the one for you. It's basically a stripped down quesadillia, the tortilla replaced by a bacon weave and instead of making guacamole, avocado slices were used instead.

I know! I said that the Chilli Bomb was the last one, but I've had this written up for a while and so it seemed silly not to post it, I was just waiting on the photos.

It's subtle hence the name so not spicy, rich or tangy, it's more of a low key flavour that is a bit creamy due to the avocado, with a bit of depth from the onion and pepper. You could of course spice it up with hotter chillies and a squeeze of lime would really make it zing. Just wanted to illustrate that not everything has to be over the top flavours on Free From G, most, but not all!

Cheesy Potato Croquettes

Potato, Potato, Potato

Sorry to regular FFG readers, I would have loved these to have gone out yesterday but on Friday I was too frazzled to write the recipe up, I did try though. The bank holiday weekend was a triumph, lots of fun and laughs and a much needed recharge. If only every weekend could be a long one!

These tasty croquettes are a bit indulgent, don't say that I don't spoil you with oodles of gluten free comfort!

The Free From G Chilli Bacon Bomb

Chilli Bomb

This is the last Free From G Bomb you'll be seeing for a while, I need to get creative with bacon in other ways. If you like chilli and you like bacon, try this, it's a real taste sensation that is pretty simple to make. Plus, you can make it as hot or mild as you choose. Be bold though, choose hot!

Ready?

2012 Is Sucking Beyond Belief

Apologies returning readers, today I was finally going to post the Chilli Bomb recipe but it's just not flowing, I have a head cold or something and I feel completely miserable. I could write you a top 10 list of the reasons for this and you would no doubt concur that I do indeed have every right to feel like a complete mizog, but I won't as it isn't coeliac or gluten related. That I'm thankful for.

Chilli Bomb recipe will go out tomorrow, pounding head or not.

This made me smile though. I love the cat chair!

Gluten Free Scotch Eggs

Hot Scotch Eggs

I had been planning on making these for a while, last night I finally got around to it. They were much quicker and easier to make than I had anticipated with a minimal cooking time, always a bonus!

This recipe made 6 Scotch Eggs, they're pretty filling, I managed 2 and a half but that was definitely my limit served with side veg.

Gluten Free Fish Fingers

Battered Fish Fingers

Though it is possible to buy free from fish fingers, the brands that I'm aware of contain pepper so I can't have them. I'm also unaware of what fish they use so in the grand scheme of things I would rather make my own and know that they contain top quality ingredients anyway.

Free From G may be full of comfort food recipes but they're definitely high quality comfort foods! If you're new to the blog see more indulgent gluten free recipes here.