Wednesday, March 10, 2010

April, 2010 - Cooking Course Registration

Newly Diagnosed??

Don't panic. Think of this as an adventure.

If I had to do it all over again from scratch I would make a list of all the whole foods I love and get lots of them in the house. Dried figs, almonds, strawberries, blueberries, cheeses, etc. I would then sort of do a cleanse and eat meals that were simple at first to let my body experience the joy of not having to process a lot of foods it has been processing that have been toxic to it.

I would make sure my meals had really yummy things in them like fresh herbs, sweet potatoes, squash, fresh fish, seafood, yummy steak, chicken, salads with homemade vinaigrettes. Adding ham and chicken and cheese to a salad for lunch makes it hearty and filling for instance...you can take that anywhere. Corn pasta is the best tasting to me, or the tinkiyada brown rice brand.

If I wanted a dessert I would do a flan/creme caramel/creme brule, flourless chocolate cake.
Feel better about being diagnosed now because gluten-free over took whole grains as the leading growth market in food production last year and there is lots available now that was not even 2 or 3 years ago. Relief is in sight.

Go to www.celiac.org as they have a list of things that you can and can not eat. Ketchup is still okay but if you have any French's mustard in the fridge -toss it out. Mustard has hidden gluten in most cases. Maille's Dijon is an acceptable choice. Anything McCormack's puts their name on will tell you if it has gluten or not. Toss out your soy sauce and get one that does not list wheat as an ingredient. Oats you will have to get in a health food store and must be labeled gluten-free - they are rotated in crop growing with gluten crops and seeds are left over in the harvesting that contaminates them. Potato starch makes a great thickener for gravies (use it like you would corn starch - it has better flavour and is a more stable product) and soups.

Buying store bought items can be expensive and disappointing for flavour - although as I mentioned things are getting better. I resent personally having to buy mixes when I never bought them before. Between taste, nutritional content (all those rice/tapioca/corn products have little nutritional value) and cost I have spent 6 years delevoping recipes that really do taste and perform like their wheat counterparts. When my 19 year old daughter who is not Celiac told me that the cakes were turning out better than wheat ones and asked me to makes her "dulce de los tres leches" on her birthday this past year, to me that was a sign that I have triumphed!

I do apologize for not having my ebook available yet. There have been a lot of personal issues going on in the past year that have needed my attention. In the meantime you can contact me to get a lesson summary of one of the classes or if you are in Ottawa, attend a course - it is well worth the 8 Monday's. Although each class 80% of the recipes are different, no one ever returns as they truly understand the fundamentals of creating their kitchen in a totally gluten-free environment and the joy that yields.

All the best. Susan pce@magma.ca 613-234-0849

Buttertart muffins

Buttertart muffins
you will never go back to regular muffins

Pork, Fig, Mushroom Quesadillas

Pork, Fig, Mushroom Quesadillas
Mouth watering like you would not believe

Blueberry pie

Blueberry pie
The real deal - just scrumptious

Sorghum French loaf/Classic White bread

Sorghum French loaf/Classic White bread
fresh for days - light and fluffy, dairy free, egg free sorghum

Cinnamon Raisin Buns

Cinnamon Raisin Buns
Shared this one. Ate 5 before it. Felt like I had waited my whole life for that moment. Do you know what I mean?

Shortbread

Shortbread
The new recipe - exactly like the old one that had wheat - no wheat - And we are done here.

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread
Exactly what happened to the raisins???

Apple Pie

Apple Pie
My sister Lesley (chef at the Hunt Club in London ON) says granny smith are best. I agree!

Pear Custard with Raspberry Coulis

Pear Custard with Raspberry Coulis
In Great Grandma Nancekivell's dishes

Ecuadorian Meat Stew with Teff Bread

Ecuadorian Meat Stew with Teff Bread
And that is what I had for lunch. I was just so happy.

Garlic Shrimp

Garlic Shrimp
Fast and not to be missed. A feast fit for a King. No a Godess.

Now Famous Brownies

Now Famous Brownies
swear they are the best you have ever eaten.

Creamed spinach and little meat patties

Creamed spinach and little meat patties
I know. I know. I know. But you know what - it is the only meal that every time will bring my 20 year old home for supper. It is really really good.

Mexican Lasagna - leftovers stolen from the fridge by my 20 year old who is not Celiac.

Mexican Lasagna - leftovers stolen from the fridge by my 20 year old who is not Celiac.
Learn how to get an amazing cream sauce at class.

vegetable tempura

vegetable tempura
link to A Chanel morning show here

Mexican salad

Mexican salad
great for lunch - cream cheese or bean base

lemnn meringue pie with fool proof pastry

Discover hearty soup with mashed plantain - so yum

Feasting on Simple Pleasures

Waffles anyone?

kids are celiac too but no one has to know