I have been very busy self-publishing one of my novels. For those who don't know, I have three novels published by two publishing houses but the income they bring in is pitiful, as it is for many authors. Only a tiny percentage of authors actually make money. The whole self publishing gig has exploded in the last year or two and another published friend has persuaded me to try this route. I have 18 unpublished manuscripts - yes 18. I think that at least 13 of them are worth being published and I am going to start with 8 of them. The first novel I have self-published on Amazon is the one I am most proud of and I would love you to check it out and, if you like the look of it, download it for only $2.99. Kindle books are ridiculously cheap these days. I will be publishing a new one every few days until the 8 are up there on Amazon. If it goes well, I will explore the arena of print on demand as well. You can find the book here. It's called Merciless Truth. Did I say I am very proud of … [Read more...] about Ginger Crunch – low Fodmap and gluten-free
Salmon & Avocado on Tapioca Bread Rolls – gluten and grain-free
Adriano had to eat early and go out so he cooked for himself and I allowed myself to indulge a little in my favourite things - smoked salmon, avocado and capers. Avocado is on the list of high FODMAP foods, being a polyol (the P in FODMAPs) so this was a test. And I passed with flying colours. No reaction at all. I have been too scared to test any other foods since the garlic debacle but today I took my courage in both hands and fortunately it went well. To finish off the dish I made some tapioca bread rolls I have made before as the base. This is not a low Fodmap recipe. Salmon & Avocado on Tapioca Bread Rolls Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 25 mins Serves: 4 bread rolls Ingredients For the bread rolls ½ cup olive oil ½ cup water 1 tsp salt ¾ cup tapioca flour ¼ cup coconut flour 1 egg 1 tbsp cumin seeds For the avocado 1 avocado Small pot of sour cream Juice of ½ a lemon … [Read more...] about Salmon & Avocado on Tapioca Bread Rolls – gluten and grain-free
Lemon Polenta Cake with Lemon Curd & Meringue – gluten-free
I had my first day at a new job today. There is always trepidation with such a change, that anxiety about the unknown. Fortunately, I thrive on change and don't stay around too long if I am discontent. Life is too short to dread getting up in the morning because of work. I didn't feel like that about my last job but it no longer challenged me so I have moved on. But to get back to my first day - it was good. They have just gone on the cloud so I was learning alongside others what differences this entailed. This has upset many of the members of the firm who get set in their routines but I thrive when learning new things, especially where technology is concerned. I wanted a challenge and a challenge is what I have found. The cake I baked in the weekend was also a challenge. Like my last offering, Banana peanut butter meringue bars, I needed gelatin to make sure the lemon curd was firm enough not to run everywhere when the cake was sliced so I asked Adriano to buy some at a big … [Read more...] about Lemon Polenta Cake with Lemon Curd & Meringue – gluten-free
Banana peanut butter meringue bars – low Fodmap and gluten-free
I had a hankering for marshmallow this weekend so I planned this recipe with marshmallow instead of the meringue on top but I couldn't find gelatin at my supermarket. They said they had not renewed the order because it was a slow seller. But how can you make marshmallow without gelatin? You can't, is the answer. Marshmallow is only water, sugar and gelatin. You can't remove one of the three ingredients and hope to have the same result. Is this indicative of the lack of baking that is going on in homes today? I hope not because that would be sad. So, plan B was to make meringue, which is also white and frothy. And it's another of those satisfying processes where you start with one thing and end up with something else completely. I always get a childlike pleasure out of watching the change happen. And then, of course, I get to eat the results. Just as a reminder to those who think I shouldn't be eating sugar because I have fructose malabsortption, I will explain again how I get away … [Read more...] about Banana peanut butter meringue bars – low Fodmap and gluten-free
Coconut & Oats Cookies – gluten-free & low FODMAP
There's a lovely blog, My Darling Lemon Thyme, which I have followed since well before I knew what my food intolerances were and now it is coming in useful because Emma's recipes are gluten-free. At this point, I need to explain something. I know I call my recipes gluten-free and they are, but I am not gluten intolerant. Confused? Gluten is the protein part of grains like wheat but I am intolerant to the fructans (the sugar part) in wheat, rye and barley. Fructans are chains of fructose molecules with a glucose molecule at the end. However, it's easier to say I am gluten-free because few understand the fructan story. Fructans and fructose are closely related and most people who are fructose intolerant are also intolerant to fructans. But I am not intolerant to gluten. Is that as clear as mud? Anyway, back to My Darling Lemon Thyme, I found this recipe or almost this recipe there. By reducing the sugar and removing the dried cranberries, I was able to make it also low in fructose. … [Read more...] about Coconut & Oats Cookies – gluten-free & low FODMAP
Lemon Muffins – Gluten-free & low FODMAP
My muffins are definitely getting better. I adapted these ones from a recipe at The Balanced Platter for lemon and coconut cupcakes. I left off the icing because of the overload of sugar and removed the coconut because I had none left. They are soft and moist which is more than I can say for some of my early gluten-free attempts. One of the issues with gluten-free baking is that it doesn't last longer than a few days so it is a good idea to freeze them individually and use them as you need them. If you are taking one to work for morning tea like me, it will have defrosted by the time you need it. If you have a hankering to eat one immediately, then pop it in the microwave and it will come out soft and delicious. By the way, you can buy the brown rice flour here and potato starch here. My husband is confused about what I can eat and what I can't and marinated a pork loin in a garlic mixture on Friday night. I took two bites before I realized and freaked out - with reason because … [Read more...] about Lemon Muffins – Gluten-free & low FODMAP
