As some people know, gluten does not love me. No BROW. I.E, no wheat, barley, rye or oats. I remember it as brow.
This only happened after I was asked if I could go for a fortnight without eating them. I did and oh boy, when I went back onto gluten—rich tea biscuits anyone?—my body screamed at me.
(Source, pinterest)As well as giving me spots, mouth ulcers, itchy skin, stomach pain, bloating and the inevitable dashes to the loo. The next few months were not the best in my life until gluten departed once more.
(source, pinterest)
Anyway that's by the way. I accepted I shouldn't eat anything with gluten in it. People kept asking me if I missed anything and when I thought about it, realised I didn't really. Oh yes I loved my rich tea biscuits. Chocolate fingers, crusty french bread, and good fish and chips. But if they would make me ill, what was the point in moaning I was missing them?
So it was a fair while before I noticed that gradually, a lot of places were now making more gluten free food.
And my local pub at the time (The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle) started to do gluten free battered fish with chips. What a treat.
Since then I've discovered a few favourite got to go to places that serve g-f batter. Not an everyday occurrence, a treat.
Whiteheads in Hornsea, won fish and chip shop of the year this last year and it does amazing gluten free fish and chips. (with mushy peas). And importantly, spirit vinegar. And it's not far from where I now live. Perfect. Fish and chips at the sea side and a brisk walk along the prom to get rid of some of the calories!
On holidays I'm discovering some good g-f cafes and restaurants. This year I've been lucky enough to go to Canada. The nearest bakery to where we stopped in Port Perry, near Toronto was, believe it or not a Gluten -Free bakery. Pizza's bread, and cookies that were gorgeous.
But now we get to fish and chips and chicken wings.
Ignore the weird hair—there is no red in it, it's the light, I hope—and windswept, tired look. I'd only had a few hours sleep and been for a long walk to try and wake up. Can't say it really worked, but the fish and chips did the trick.
This was Joe's on the Beach, in Davis Bay, on the Sunshine Coast of Canada. A lovely ferry ride from near Vancouver, we stopped in a place called Robert's Creek and had a great wander around. All of their batter was gluten free and I was spoiled for choice. I went for lingcod in the end and oh boy was it delicious. The fish was fresh and the batter crisp. The lovely husband had the same and agreed.
Then there was the Boardwalk Cafe in Lund.
(pic from Broadwalk Cafe website)It's worth the drive to this little place at the end of the road 'proper', though the sat nav takes you the wrong way as you get into the village. If you ever go, park in the car park at the harbour and head left along the boardwalk. Their fish and chips win awards, and are gorgeous and their chicken wings ditto.
I am now drooling at the thought of all the lovely food I ate on that holiday.
Food for thought though, as well as for the tum! It's amazing how gluten free awareness has come on. Where as a lot of supermarkets appear to be cutting their g-f selection (I do not believe its is because there is no call for it, as I have been told by some), restaurants and cafes are becoming more aware. Even though some can't offer it on the menu due to possible cross contamination. it seems that some are turning to g-f where possible. To those places a big heartfelt thank you
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing,
take care and happy reading.
Love, Raven xx
