I found some excellent chocolate chip and hazelnut cookies when on the Bridges the other day. They are made by Against the Grain, and stocked at Mcleish's. They are a bit pricey at £2.89, but oh so good.
Wait until you read the list of things they are free from: wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, aritifical preservatives/ flavourings/ colourings and added salt. My only ongoing disappointment with most packaged foods is that they do include palm oil. Oh well, you can't win 'em all, kid.
They are delicious, refined and most suitable for an adult palate. It's not that children won't like them, but for the price, they are a treat. They are delicately-flavoured, mildly crunchy biscuits that would be complimented by either tea or coffee. They may just be subtle enough to not drown out a herbal tea, but I have ye to try this combo.
I say these are biscuits rather than cookies. For me, a biscuit has more crunch (rather than moist squidgieness) and is more subtle (less sweet and vanilla-toned). It doesn't matter either way, except if you are expecting one and get the other. These are very tastelicious.
Against the grain make three other types of biscuits which I have yet to try: Almond Cookies, Ginger Crunches and Berry Delicious. I look forward to reviewing these too, all in the name of keeping blog readers informed, of course.
http://www.againstthegrainfoods.com/
Showing posts with label Provisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Provisions. Show all posts
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
pasta fantastica - Salute from Sainsbury's
I have found one really good wheat-free pasta that is tasty, a great texture and enough like the real thing that not even unsuspecting Wheat-Eaters really notice the difference.
Salute Gluten Free Spaghetti from Sainsbury's (£2.12 for 500g online, £1.89 in shops) is only marketed as gluten-free, but a quick squiff at the ingredients reveals that low and behold it's wheat-free, lactose-free, egg-free and milk protein-free. [Ingredients: Maize Starch, Pre-Treated Maize Flour, Rice Starch, Pre-Gelatinised Rice, Green Pea Concentrate, Lupine Flour*, Emulsifier: (E471)]
The Meadowbank branch is a dead cert for finding a packet, but it is more widely available as it's included on their online shopping and delivery service. The bonus of going to the shop though is I've also found Salute Fusilli, which isn't mentioned online. The Straiton shop also had Salute Penne last time I was in.
My only brief warning is that as with all wheat-free pastas, cooking time needs to be carefully monitored. The packet suggests cooking it for 7-8 minutes, and its worths putting your pinger on. Overcooked pasta is grim in most circumstances, particularly so here.
*A quick aside on lupine flour. It is derived from the lupine flower family we have in our gardens. Interestingly, this variety of plant is the closest relative to the common peanut! Be mindful anyone who might suffer peanut allergies as this might have similar effect.
Salute Gluten Free Spaghetti from Sainsbury's (£2.12 for 500g online, £1.89 in shops) is only marketed as gluten-free, but a quick squiff at the ingredients reveals that low and behold it's wheat-free, lactose-free, egg-free and milk protein-free. [Ingredients: Maize Starch, Pre-Treated Maize Flour, Rice Starch, Pre-Gelatinised Rice, Green Pea Concentrate, Lupine Flour*, Emulsifier: (E471)]
The Meadowbank branch is a dead cert for finding a packet, but it is more widely available as it's included on their online shopping and delivery service. The bonus of going to the shop though is I've also found Salute Fusilli, which isn't mentioned online. The Straiton shop also had Salute Penne last time I was in.
My only brief warning is that as with all wheat-free pastas, cooking time needs to be carefully monitored. The packet suggests cooking it for 7-8 minutes, and its worths putting your pinger on. Overcooked pasta is grim in most circumstances, particularly so here.
*A quick aside on lupine flour. It is derived from the lupine flower family we have in our gardens. Interestingly, this variety of plant is the closest relative to the common peanut! Be mindful anyone who might suffer peanut allergies as this might have similar effect.
an extraordinary loaf at The Manna House
How might I compare thee (oh Spelt and Honey Loaf) to a summer's day... (the heaven that I felt at our union)?
Let me count the ways: you remind me of my freedom and youth when I caroused the local bakeries willy-nilly, eating any wheat delicacy that took my fancy. your chewy crust, crispy to the outside. inside, your yielding and supple ways. like flickers of happy memories, you're flecked with sunflower seeds that keep me singing. you're strong, holding together my sandwich, not tearing at the application of a little butter. and you're gentle and light-hearted, not bloating me with unnecessary concerns. you've brought me so much pleasure.
If you would like to experience this or something similar... or would just like me to get to the point and want to eat some really tasty wheat-free bread, details are listed below.
Location: the Manna House, 22-24 Easter Road (pretty sure closed on a Monday but otherwise open)
The experience if you were me this afternoon: bordering on sensual - you walk in to be approached and seduced by as many gorgeous baked goods as can be held on its shelves. delights that you just want to sink your teeth into. Admittedly, most of these fancies are not wheat-free. Given my near-heaven experience of their chocolate twists, I may go as far to say as not particularly nutritious.
But there is the Spelt and Honey Loaf (featured above at a cost of £1.50). I can't tell you how long it is since I have had a truly scrumptious slice of bread that did not incur equal proportions of guilt (and possible fear for how I'd feel later). It was tremendous.
They also sell completely wheat-free 100% Rye Bread (small oblong) - £1.30
If you are able to limit your wheat-consumption rather than omit it entirely, there are 3 other types of bread available, all at £1.30: 40% Rye (round), 40% Rye with Caraway (round) and 20% Rye Baguette (long). Please note the remain percent is wheat flour.
The Manna House uses Scottish products where and when possible.
Let me count the ways: you remind me of my freedom and youth when I caroused the local bakeries willy-nilly, eating any wheat delicacy that took my fancy. your chewy crust, crispy to the outside. inside, your yielding and supple ways. like flickers of happy memories, you're flecked with sunflower seeds that keep me singing. you're strong, holding together my sandwich, not tearing at the application of a little butter. and you're gentle and light-hearted, not bloating me with unnecessary concerns. you've brought me so much pleasure.
If you would like to experience this or something similar... or would just like me to get to the point and want to eat some really tasty wheat-free bread, details are listed below.
Location: the Manna House, 22-24 Easter Road (pretty sure closed on a Monday but otherwise open)
The experience if you were me this afternoon: bordering on sensual - you walk in to be approached and seduced by as many gorgeous baked goods as can be held on its shelves. delights that you just want to sink your teeth into. Admittedly, most of these fancies are not wheat-free. Given my near-heaven experience of their chocolate twists, I may go as far to say as not particularly nutritious.
But there is the Spelt and Honey Loaf (featured above at a cost of £1.50). I can't tell you how long it is since I have had a truly scrumptious slice of bread that did not incur equal proportions of guilt (and possible fear for how I'd feel later). It was tremendous.
They also sell completely wheat-free 100% Rye Bread (small oblong) - £1.30
If you are able to limit your wheat-consumption rather than omit it entirely, there are 3 other types of bread available, all at £1.30: 40% Rye (round), 40% Rye with Caraway (round) and 20% Rye Baguette (long). Please note the remain percent is wheat flour.
The Manna House uses Scottish products where and when possible.
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
the humble oatcake – top three to buy
Tracking down a good wheat-free (WF) oatcake is harder than you might initially realise. Surely they’re all made that way, I hear you say, the clue is in the title. Sadly not. And the challenge is really on to find one that's free of palm oil (POF) and organic (O). Below I give you my top favourite oatcakes, starting from the top...
1st Place: Paterson's 'Organic Oatcakes (WF, O, POF) As their website proudly claims their '...oatcake range is also completely free from palm oil so are orang-utan friendly'. They are absolutely delicious, great depth of flavour and suitably crunchy without falling to pieces too easily. I can count 7 varieties in their range, plus 2 flavours of oatbites and oatcrackers too. www.wildaboutoats.com/
2nd Place: Simpsons of Speyside's 'Olive Oil Oatcakes' - (WF, POF) One of their range of 10 different wheat-free varieties, Simpsons has produced a delicious oatcake that meets all requirements. They use organic oats supplied from nearby and use extra-virgin olive oil. For a taste preview, go online to order or hold your breath just a little while until their Edinburgh suppliers are confirmed - details to come... http://www.simpsonsoatcakes.com/
3rd Place: Nairns 'Organic Oatcakes'- (WF, O) Nairn's range is entirely wheat-free, consisting of 6 varieties of oatcakes, plus a selection of oat biscuits and oat bites. All oatcakes (with the exception of the minis) come in sets of 6, making them perfect for a handbag handy. While the 'organic oatcakes' contain palm oil, they have been a firm favourite until recently and are readily available, both in local shops and supermarkets. http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/
1st Place: Paterson's 'Organic Oatcakes (WF, O, POF) As their website proudly claims their '...oatcake range is also completely free from palm oil so are orang-utan friendly'. They are absolutely delicious, great depth of flavour and suitably crunchy without falling to pieces too easily. I can count 7 varieties in their range, plus 2 flavours of oatbites and oatcrackers too. www.wildaboutoats.com/
2nd Place: Simpsons of Speyside's 'Olive Oil Oatcakes' - (WF, POF) One of their range of 10 different wheat-free varieties, Simpsons has produced a delicious oatcake that meets all requirements. They use organic oats supplied from nearby and use extra-virgin olive oil. For a taste preview, go online to order or hold your breath just a little while until their Edinburgh suppliers are confirmed - details to come... http://www.simpsonsoatcakes.com/
3rd Place: Nairns 'Organic Oatcakes'- (WF, O) Nairn's range is entirely wheat-free, consisting of 6 varieties of oatcakes, plus a selection of oat biscuits and oat bites. All oatcakes (with the exception of the minis) come in sets of 6, making them perfect for a handbag handy. While the 'organic oatcakes' contain palm oil, they have been a firm favourite until recently and are readily available, both in local shops and supermarkets. http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/
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