The Gluten Free Food & Drink Guide

Tesco Freefrom Gluten free Crumpets or Pikelets as we used to call them in South Yorkshire.

I was offered a try of these this morning and I have to say they were pretty good, a little less chewy [ more powdery, maybe too much bicarb of soda? ] than the ones I remember as a kid but overall a nice morning or afternoon snack.

I was wondering how long it would be before they arrived as a gluten free package, and here they are, labeled as NEW in the stores.
Recommended

Matzaluna, Calle Real 28a, Frigiliana.

Run by Brent and Linda Williamson from Devon this is a cozy bistro style restaurant which has daily specials at very reasonable prices. Occasionally they will have themed evenings serving food with an International flavour. Particularly good is the BBQ Spare ribs and home made hamburgers made with fresh minced steak.

They have no problem cooking for a Gluten Free diet so if you find yourself in that area make time for a visit.

4 standard size pitta breads come in a sealed packet.

A traditional small oval-shaped flat Arab bread which puffs up when heated.
Uses: Pitta bread is usually heated and then split and filled with a savoury filling. It can also be sliced and used to dip into hummous, taramsalata or any savoury dips.

Recommended

2 pies come frozen and are available from outlets such as Sainsburys etc.
The pies were not particularly nice as the meat used was very fatty. The pastry was quite powdery and disappointing.
The pie on the packet looks tempting please note though it does say ’serving suggestion’.
This is a shame really as some of the DS foods are very nice.

Overall Not recommended.

My family and I recently spent some quality time in southern Spain near Malaga. We visited the coast often as well as inland venues such as Frigliana and were lucky enough to ski on the Sierra Nevada nr Granada. Here we eat at the Restaurante La Cuna which had a great menu and was very efficient. I had beef with salad, a huge pepper and chips here which was cooked to perfection. The skiing was excellent as there was fresh powder snow deposited overnight and my 4 yr old enjoyed a two hour private lesson with an enthusiastic Spanish ski instructor.

Food is usually no problem for the Coeliac in Spain as the dishes are usually prepared fresh and often the menus are in English, you just need to take care and ask [ if it contains gluten ] if in doubt.

On the coast we eat at Nerja a town famous for the Balcon de Europa, the restaurants on the Burriana beach are excellent with the Montemar a favourite of mine serving fresh fish cooked on an open fire every day. here you will find seafood Paella being cooked on giant pans 3m wide.

Have no fear, Spain really is a great place for family holidays and good gluten free food.

Gluten free, GM Free, these sausages are really very good, many sausages shrink when grilling, these stay plump and are full of flavour.
These were purchased from Sainsburys.
Website here: http://www.theblackfarmer.com/sausages.htm
Recommended.

[excerpt taken from their website]

Premium Pork Sausages

Silver Winner of the 2006 Great Taste Awards
Winner of the 2004 Taste of the West Silver Medal

With 90% meat from prime cuts of pork, these sausages are full flavoured and meaty. The seasoning really brings out the flavour of the meat. This is a great all rounder for all the family and for any occasion. It cooks well in the frying pan, grill or oven and makes a robust ingredient for casseroles as well as a perfect breakfast or tea time treat.

Try these scones with a topping of margarine, they are pretty good.

Recommended.

Pretty tasty and very acceptable as a snack, there is plenty of bechamel sauce so you could add some more of your own pasta to fill it out a little and make a main meal of it.
Comes frozen and is available in stores like Sainsburys.

Recommended.

Chef Jean-Jacques Bernat shows us how to roast and marinate red peppers.

Learn how to make a quick and delicious Mexican shrimp dish for diabetics, coeliacs and low carb dieters.