The Gluten free authors guide to goodies—or not. Where I talk about toiletries.

Or shampoo.

(Pic Pinterest)

Now I honestly never thought about hair shampoo and gluten. Daft? Maybe but it didn't enter my head, until it did so to speak.

Until I glutenised myself with hair shampoo. It hurt. A lot.

We were on holiday, and the lovely hubby commented he'd seen an advert saying a certain hair shampoo was gluten free. I nodded said oh really, and thought no more about it. Until I washed and conditioned my hair with the very expensive toiletries provided in the accommodation. And ouch.

My scalp stung, my face went blotchy, I itched. The dreaded spots appeared.

I have never put so much lukewarm water over my head and the rest of me so fast. It was not nice!

After I towelled myself off, I remembered lovely hubby's comment. Checked the bottles and there in the bold list of allergens was the dreaded gluten.

I was gobsmacked. It wasn't cheapie stuff where you'd imagine gluten in (or well, no actually I can't but you know what I mean) This was top of the range lusted after stuff that I had been so excited to see. And it contained gluten.

I had to find a chemist and buy some more down to earth toiletries. And suffer looking blotchy for four days. (Not a good look when you're out for posh nosh)

The moral of this is... always check the ingredients of everything. 

(And don't get me started on toothpaste!)

Happy hairwashing,

love, Raven xx

The #GlutenFreeAuthor Guide to goodies—or not.

Yes I know, how long is it since I've got my finger out and done a #GFA post?
Too long, but here we are.

This one is about supermarket food in South Africa. From Cape Town-ish to Knysna-ish. The Garden Route and the Little Karoo.

Like the ish? Well I'm not so precise you see. I'm just all over happy how the availability of gluten free foods has increased.

When we first went to South Africa,(Just realised it was 12-13 years ago, wow)   all was well, and I would half fill my suitcase with books. As an avid reader I reckoned on at least one book a day.

 Paperbacks were the first thing that went in, followed by clothes. (Lovely hubby used to ask why my undies always ended up in his case, and 'what would people think if they saw lacy knickers mixed in with his shirts?')

With the advent of my first eReader, also around 10 years ago (a Sony) I discovered I could get a lot more clothes in my suitcase and then...around 8 years ago—up until then I'd been blissfully ignorant that gluten and I were not friends—Things change. Now instead of books, I took half a suitcase of food. I had to laugh, or was it cry? Once more I offloaded half my clothes to lovely hubby.

Those first few years were interesting to say the least. The bakery where the assistant assured me 'all our bread is gluten free' and when I asked if she new what gluten was, was told, 'no, but we don't have it.'

Yes well.

Then slowly over the years more and more g-f food appeared. First it was cookies. Not very nice cookies, but cookies never the less. Then bread that if you threw it, it could kill a sparrow at ten paces. Not that I ever did, but I did drop a loaf on my toes once. Ouch.

Then around 5 years (or maybe longer, time flies) Woolworths started to sell gluten free food. Just like M&S in the UK. I got goosebumps. Bread, pasta, Cakes, you name it. And it gets better every year.

Other supermarkets are the same. SuperSpar even has flour, and Schar biscuits. And Nairns, both brands I get in the UK. Checkers, and Pick and Pay and Shpoprite all sell g-f. I found sausages, tomato sauce, burgers... I just did a thorough label check!

And things like this. The joy...

And even better, I discovered new brands, 

And the bakery In Reibeek Kasteel makes the most delicious g-f bread.

So next time, I'll be back to not needing to take over half lovely hubby's suitcase... No hold on , yes I will because now I'll have space to buy things!

Happy eating,

love Raven xx

The Gluten Free Author's guide to goodies or not. It's goodies all the way again today. Jeremy (and Walkers) come up trumps.

Morning (or whenever)

On a YES! Goodies! roll still. Great isn't it?

I'm just back from the end of the trip that started at Ode True Food in Devon and ended at Jeremy's of Scarborough, via Walkers Fish restaurant in East Ayton. (near Scarborough) It wasn't a totally foodie trip, but as anyone who can't eat gluten knows food, that is gluten free looms large in our lives. Too many times has it been a green salad! Not that there is anything wrong with salad, but that only tat can get boring...and not fill you.

However in Yorkshire last week, I had no problem whatsoever.

We went to Walkers Fish Restaurant, where I had superb fish, chips, mushy peas, (yes mushy peas as well) gluten free vinegar, and, and g-f bread and butter. The gluten free stuff is prepared separately, so no cross contamination.

Oh my, it was droolworthy, and well worth waiting until we were able to go to eat there. Mind you it is busy so maybe book ahead. 

( http://walkersfishrestaurant.co.uk/ )

Then, to end a fantastic trip, we went to Jeremy's Restaurant and Bar, just off Scarborough's North Bay, (Corner of Columbus Ravine and Victoria Park Avenue)

Yet again I was blown away how helpful him, his lovely wife Anne and the rest of the crew were. Nothing was too much trouble, and the menu was soon explained to me, in what was gluten free, what could be gluten free and sadly what couldn't (not much to be honest)

I pinched some of my husband's beetroot salad which was gorgeous, and then are every morsel of my lamb. I even had room for a pudding. Peaches in white wine with raspberries and as I couldn't eat the biscuit crumb with it, I had meringue. And yes I did just drool.

( www.jeremy.co )

So there you have it, another positive blog. It's so heartening to think the 'not blogs' are getting less and less.

Have a good non gluten week....

love Raven xx

The Gluten Free Authors guide to goodies or not. It's a bit fishy...

I'm on a roll... (G-f of course) More goodies this week.

As my husband commented when I told him about this weeks guide... "you're a bit g-f fish and chips heavy these days." Then assured me he meant my blog posts not my weight. (Just as well or he'd be on lettuce all week.)

It's true though. It seems that places are now beginning to understand how a coeliac misses normal food. Like gluten free batter.

This last couple of weeks I've had a couple of beauties.

First off, I have to give a big shout out to The Forth Inn in Aberfoyle again.

Website here

(Picture from Forth Inn website)

Michael (head chef) and Val produce the best batter ever. Crisp, tasty and ohhh the fish... Melt in your mouth perfect. And big... lots of gorgeous crispy, crunchy batter. 
As lots of them menu is g-f friendly, I tell my self next time I'll eat something different. Then... Yeah, can't resist.

Mine you how embarrassing when they see your name in the bookings and know to make the batter. And crumble. I'm now drooling at the thought of cinnamon apple crumble. GF again. And of course I ate it before I took a picture. Actually the crumble was so big, I brought 3/4 home. I did go to take picture but it seems to have disappeared, apart from a tiny bit that looks sad. Husband's excuse was well after he's been to the dentist today he might not want it, so he thought he better eat some yesterday.

So instead of  pictures of the fish and crumble, here's one of Michael instead. Who came out of the kitchen mid service for this...

Thanks Michael, the food was as ever, superb.

In fact thanks to Lee and all the team. You do us proud every time.

I'm already planning the next visit.

Then there's the fish, chips, and mushy pea ciabatta I had at the Druid Inn, Birchover.  I did take a picture there. 

website here

(Pic Druid Inn website)

Fabulous setting in the heart of the Peak District. Friendly staff, great atmosphere and a lovely area to sit out in. I could have stayed all day, but with such good beers and husband driving, that wouldn't have been fair on him. He had a half and I indulged in a good glass of Sav Blanc.

And the ciabatta. In fact they say they can do any of their butties Gluten Free. Now tht is service.

I now fancy fish and chips.

So as an aside I'm just throwing in the Gluten Free sarnie at the Carriage House restaurant, at

Chatsworth House. Where I had to wait (willingly, oh so willingly) for them to clear down a prep area to be g-f and they offered to take a slice of cake out of a new unopened cake, in case the pieces on display had been cross contaminated. That is amazing, and perfect. 

(I'd eaten most of the sarnie and then thought, oops best take a pic)

Thank you Sandra Gudgeon and team

Happy Eating,

love Raven xx

A gluten free authors guide to goodies or not... This time in the Western Cape, South Africa

Well, yes, I know it's been a long while since I wrote one of these. My bad.
 But here I am with the latest edition. With my thoughts and mainly... 'Yes. great. oh. wow. fab, mouthwatering, droolworthy, places to visit for g-f goodies.

Where to start. Well sad to say, not on KLM, who in every other aspect are superb, but their gf meals are mediocre to say the least. Luckily the cabin crew and champagne more than compensate.

(I can honestly say KLM cabin crew are head and shoulders above any other, and I've flown on a fair few airlines) On our was home it was Arietta's last ever flight, and she had all her cc friends crewing with her, and we were serenaded with her version of my way. Not a dry eye on the plane.

I digress. On to South Africa and food.

From the Cape Verde hotel (an eco-hotel at Cape Town international airport, to superb meals at Freshline fisheries, in Knysna, The Noisy Oyster in Paternoster, with its menu which made me chuckle before I drooled and ate the most amazing oxtail,

Le Coin Français and Reuben's in Franschhoek and the amazing chocolate cake and ice cream at Babylonstoren...Superb

When we first started going to South Africa, a dozen or so years ago, half of my suitcase was full of gf bread. now? Now I take a few slices until we get to Woolworth's which sells our Marks and Spencer g-f food. Woot I now have space for more clothes! (Or to buy more clothes. The sales were on)

And when we were somewhere without a Woollies nearby? Why Super Spa did an 'order today get fresh' tomorrow. so I did and it was.

So I can honestly say, eat in or out, there is no need to worry

Happy eating,

love Raven x

The Gluten-Free Author's guide to goodies or not... or as this week's ramble says, Make do and mean it

Hi all, here we are again with my occasional g-f author ramble.

Before anyone starts to throw things at the title of this post, I do not mean we make do and perhaps eat or drink anything with gluten it. Anything but.
However, there's so many ways you can go out and quietly think, okay not what I wanted/expected/really like... but...
I'm writing this because I heard such a special snowflake in a restaurant recently. Bear in mind, this place actually has a g-f menu. One which is almost but not quite the same as the main menu. This person was berating the poor waiter because one dish, one dish couldn't be make g-f.
For goodness sake get over yourself.

I love pie, I know I'm highly unlikely to get g-f pie. That's one of those facts of life. I dislike cheese, and that's always one of the g-f desert options.
I get over it. Have ice cream or something, or shock horror, go without.

Things are so much better these days for those who are coeliac or gluten intollerant. Please don't make restaurants feel their efforts are wasted.

And a bit late, but a BIG shout out to John and Sam at Fish-a-liciuos  in Leigh on Sea, Essex. ( 808 London Road) Their g-f fish n chips....fantastic...

(sorry no pic)

And on that note, I'm off to contemplate the scales, and not the fishy sort...

Happy eating,

Raven

The Gluten Free Author's guide to goodies or not in ... *Drum Roll* Hong Kong (TST to be precise)

Hello once more and a happy new year to you all.

This post is long overdue but things like wrapping presents and cooking  (and eating) too much food—g-f of course—got in the way. 
But at last, here's my own, this is what works for me, in TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

(Night view from TST across to Hong Kong Island)

Now to anyone who knows me, it's no surprise when I say that Hong Kong is my favourite city in the word. I love it. The people the attractions, the noise, bustle, quiet parks and sheer vibrancy of it all. And over the years, the growth of good places to get G-f food without having to eat salad, no dressing.

Any native would be able to tell you so much more than me. i'm just going to let you know my favourite places. It's more TST because that's where we stop, and where I wander around more. 

This year I discovered Above and Beyond in the Hotel Icon. Where you get a choice of gluten free menus. You have to ask and choose in advance but ohh my goodness. It is proper Chinese food and superb.

(A bit fuzzy but this was my menu)

Every mouthful was superb. I'm salivating thinking about it.

I also discovered a new to me Italian. La Taverna on Ashley Rd. I believe it's the oldest Italian restaurant in Hong Kong, but this year was my first visit. And I had a fabulous Spaghetti Bolognese. It hit the spot, I tell you. Perfect. I was so full I even turned down desert.

If you're a spaghetti and pizza fan, you've now got the option for pizza in Pizza Express in the K11 Mall as well. Not that long ago you had to go to Causeway Bay for g-f Pizza Express. Okay the toppings are a bit weird, but its pizza!

Spazzo (Empire Centre, Mody Rd TST) is a brilliant example of G-f Italian food as well. Not cheap but oh so tasty. And weather permitting you can sit outside and watch the traffic...

Hutong does a great G-f tasting menu, but I can't eat it all. And, I have to say I prefer the food at Above and Beyond, tho yeah Hutong wins on the view and the loos.

The Chin Chin bar in K 11 has a great BBQ (not Sunday if I remember correctly)  and the corn snacks you get with your drink are great. (I recommend happy hours 6-9 for 2-4-1 drinks) And the music is good as well. (Now April singing used to be Chinnee (sp) )

As for snacks? Well, good old M % S comes up trumps there. Bread, biscuits (take out a second mortgage) and take away salads. I love getting a meal deal and sitting in Kowloon Park with it and a good book. Or of course going down to the waterfront and watching the Star Ferry and everyone taking photos.

(Nope not the Star Ferry but I just love to see this junk)

Of course the supermarkets now have g-f flour and stuff, and lots of small bakeries and so on are around. But as a tourist, who has been lucky enough to explore Hong Kong over the years, these are my tried and tested favourites. Most good hotels do g-f bread, and are great about doing their best to avoid cross contamination. 

I'll just add my fail safe. Steak... Steak and salad if I can't get g-f chips. As my lovely husband says, Wooloomoolo steaks are blooming good.

Am I ill? On occasion. Usually because I've risked eating something that might have been in contact with gluten. But that was my fault. The restaurants are great at explaining that situation. But sometimes chips just have to be eaten...

And on that note I'm off for some food...

Take care, enjoy your g-f goodies and happy eating,

love Raven xx

Ps Yuma near The Star Ferry terminal in Central is darned good as well, and they can give you g-f soy sauce.

The gluten free authors guide to goodies—or not

Hi again...

Yes it's me chatting about food. Well when you have to read labels carefully it's a big thing, food.

It's great that so many people are now labelling gluten free foods as such, but so often it's not that easy to find out what coatings or whatever are on a pre-pack, or on ready meal or whatever.

Now before you all pelt me with rotten tomatoes (they're gluten free of course) I know the best thing is not to buy stuff that has sauces, coatings or crumbs. 

Sometimes though it's not that easy. And I swear on some foods you need a magnifying glass to read the list of ingredients. Even the ones in bold.

And you know, when you think about it. Why do you need wheat flour or bread in say,  sausage? Just to make the filling go further? 

Okay that's enough moaning. I do want to give a big shout out to those fantastic suppliers who use natural ingredients and provide superb food. Thinking Heck, The Black Farmer and Debbie and Andrew's for sausages. To say nothing of the supermarkets who now stock their own. 

The fish in g-f breadcrumbs, the scampi and pastries. All food that I accept isn't necessary but is oh so lovely.

Thank you all.

Happy eating,

love, Raven x

P.S. Dear Genius, why can't I get nan bread or croissants any more? I miss them both.

The Gluten Free Authors Guide to goodies—or not. And it's goodies all the way at The Brackenrigg Inn

I know one of these days I will remember to take a photo of the food before I eat it. After all there's not a lot of point showing you a picture of an empty plate that looks as if it's been licked clean now is it?

So first of all, apologies for not having posted sooner. I have an excuse, as in I've been away a lot lately. Great fun, but everything else slipped to one side and got added to my 'must do—or else' list.

So here I am playing catch up with everything. The washing, ironing, saying hello to the dust bunnies...you name it. Plus of course, edits, a new WIP and my blog. 

Including some g-f author posts.

Food glorious g-f food.

(don't forget the ketchup)

(pic pinterest)

Do I often seem to be fantasing about g-f fish n chips? 

It's true, I can honestly say I don't really miss a lot of my old diet, not really. The thought that if you eat something it will make you very ill tends to put a damper on desire for said whatever it is.

So you can imagine my joy, delight, rapture... Okay I'm getting carried away here, but I was darned happy to come across the best EVER G-f fish at.... 

The Brackenrigg Inn,  Watermillock Cumbria. 

(pic from their FB page which you can find here )

Now for me to say the batter was even better than ever before (and what a tongue twister that could be) anywhere else is amazing, because believe you me, I am a connoisseur of g-f batter.

But take my word for it, it was.

Head chef Tom Smalley cooked it to perfection. The batter was light and crisp, and the fish underneath it flaky as I like it. The mushy peas were perfect, and oh my, I cleared my plate. As did my husband who ate the non g-f version.

Okay before you think I'm doing an advert for Tom and the Brackenrigg, I'm not. Just the g-f fish and mushy peas. For me, the chips let the meal down. Not crisp enough, chunky and bland and whether they were or not, I don't know but they tasted as if they were of the frozen variety. Thy were cooked, but not the way I like chips.

But that's personal preference. And as I say about everything, wouldn't it be boring if we all liked the same old things?

Anyroadsup, as my dad used to say. For the perfect g-f fsh, look no further.

Until the next time,

happy eating

(g-f of course)

love Raven x

The Gluten-free Authors guide to goodies Or not...

And here we go again...

Food glorious food...

I've had the good luck to have been able to visit friends and family this last week or so, and sampled some interesting food. Both good and bad.

To my amazement, in a well recommended restaurant, I was told by a chef that his rib-eye on the bone could not possible be tough and overcooked. Believe me it was. I had pointed it out when I was asked how it was. I explained that I had asked for it medium and it was, to put it politely, overcooked for well done, let alone medium. My friends agreed with me, and refrained from saying as tough as leather sprang to mind. 

The chef then decided I had no idea what rib eye was (I do) and began to lecture me. Public relations? Hello...
I answered with restraint (somehow) that indeed I did know what rib eye, and medium cooked was.  
He ignored me, and said no one had ever said his food was appalling. When I pointed out nor had I he got very angry. Yeah...

So, my bad, I said okay then, yes it was appalling. Not a good experience, especially as the day before in a out of the way pub, I'd eaten a beautiful, perfectly cooked steak and crispy chips.

It got better though. A lot better. I went further south and had fantastic gluten free battered fish at The Cock in St Albans, and the odd g-f bacon sarnie elsewhere. 

It's so good to see how a lot of places are now experimenting with g-f batter. Palermo's Balloch, on the shores of Loch Lomond, Godfrey's in Harpenden,  and yee haa, The Forth Inn in Aberfoyle. All are great. Oh there's lots more, but they are off the top of my head.

So why don't we always get good crisp g-f chips?

Now though, it's no more chocolate mousse, g-f buns and cakes time. (I swear I put on half a stone) At least salad is g-f. Well except in a restaurant in Venice, where they insisted I couldn't eat salad! Ah well, luckily, as ever I had a g-f bar in my handbag. A bit squashed, but oh so welcome.

Happy eating,

love Raven x