Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns - Simply Wize

I first tried out the gluten free Hot Cross Buns from Simply Wize back before Easter 2011, and it is great to see them back in 2012. They are simply Yummy.

They have a really nice taste and the texture and balance of fruit and spice is delicious. The buns aren't large but are the perfect size for a quick snack or light breakfast for me.

At the end of Easter 2011 I made a raid on my local Coles and cleaned out all the remaining stock that they had. These 10 or so packets lasted me well into May!
Maybe Simply Wize could make a version of these for the rest of the year???

I have already purchased some of these this year from Sunnybrook. About $4.75 for a pack of 6

You should also be able to find these in the freezer section of your local Coles. (But only if I don't get there first)

I highly recommend these yummy Easter Buns. Have a very Happy Easter.

Simply Wize on the web at: www.momentumfoods.com.au

Melinda's Heavenly Chocolate Fudge Brownie

You can always find one or two packets of this brownie mix in our pantry.

It is fast and easy to make and is very delicious. The finished brownie doesn't last long in our house.

The box shows that the brownie is gluten free, wheat free and yeast free and the recipe only asks you to supply 2 extra large eggs and 120g of butter.

We like to make a dairy free version of the brownie and the recipe recommends using soya margarine for this. Instead of butter or margarine, we use a quarter of a cup plus two tablespoons of vegetable oil and find that this works well.

Update: Late in 2013, Melindas changed the recipe and combined all the ingredients into one packet. We still make a version that is also dairy free but with an additional step to separate out the chocolate chips.

Making the brownie couldn't be much easier. Our daughter often makes the brownie with only a little help from Mum or Dad.

1. Sift the brownie mix into a bowl and separate out the chocolate chips.
2. Melt the chocolate chips from the packet with the butter/oil in the microwave
3. Add the melted chocolate mix and two lightly beaten eggs
4. Mix it all together with a big spoon
5. Pour it into your lined baking tin
6. Bake

This takes only 10 minutes to mix and 20 minutes to bake (depending on how "fudgy" you like your brownie).

The result is a very addictive brownie. It's hard to stop at one piece.

If you need a gluten and dairy free treat, this is a fast and as delicious as they get. Thanks Melinda's!!

I buy these at our local Woolies or Coles for $5 to $6

See the Melinda's website for ingredients and their other great products.

Patties Gluten Free Lamingtons - New Improved Recipe

I have been a regular consumer of Patties Gluten Free Lamingtons for many years.
On a recent visit to the supermarket, I noticed the addition of "New Improved Recipe" to the packaging.

On tasting the "New Improved Recipe" I was immediately disappointed. In my opinion, the original recipe was perfect and did not need any "improvement". The new recipe is very different and I, sadly, won't be buying them again.

As you can see below, the ingredients list will show the differences.

Original Ingredients:
Sugar, reconstituted egg, strawberry jam [sugar, strawberries (40%), gelling agent (440), acidity regulator (330)]
coconut (9%) [contains preservative (220)], rice flour, starch (maize), water,
margarine [vegetable fats and oils(sunflower, canola, palm), salt, emulsifiers (471, 322 - sunflower), flavour, vitamins (a, d and e)],
cocoa (3%), vanilla flavour, raising agent (500), stabiliser (415).
Contains: Egg

New Ingredients:
Water, Sugar, Strawberry Jam [Sugar, Strawberries, Pectin, Citric acid], Dessicated Coconut (8%) [Coconut, Preservative (220-Sulphites)], Rice Flour, Maize starch,
Margarine [vegetable fats and oils, emulsifiers (322 - Soy, 471), antioxidant (306-Soy), Colours (160b, 100)],
Egg solids, Cocoa (2.5%), Potato starch, Sodium bicarbonate, Fruit fibre, Acidity regulator (450), Thickeners (415, 412), Humectant (420), Emulsifier (471, 475 - Soy), Natural Flavour.
Contains: Egg, Soybean products and added sulphites.

http://www.patties.com.au/our-brands/pattiesglutenfree.htm

What do you think? Tell us in the comments section below.

Report: 2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

September hosted the 2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.
For us, this is an event that is not to be missed.

This year, the major sponsor was Macro Wholefoods Market. (You might remember that Macro was bought by Woolworths in mid-2009)

Presenters included: Tobie Puttock & Dr Sue Shepherd.

Here are some of our highlights:

• Macro Wholefoods Market
  Macro had a large display of their products, most of which you will find in your local Woolworths/Safeway.
  Recipe brochures from Toby Puttock, Spencer Clements, Dr. Sue Shepherd & Rowie Dillon were given away.
• Larder Fresh
  Roast Pumpkin & Chickpea Burger. Gluten Free, Egg free, Dairy Free, Wheat Free, onion & garlic free, preservative free. We picked up some of these. Very tasty. Great for a snack, or light lunch. No onion but still full of flavor. They also produce Falafel but these have onion.
  http://www.larderfresh.com.au/
• Bayview
  Bayview is an Australian owned company producing a wide range of crumbed fish, chicken and related products, including a gluten free range.
  New products are in the works, including: Calamari & easy to cook Fish in a bag.
  You can always find their fish fillets and chicken tenderloins in my freezer.
  A suggestion for Bayview: Please include the ingredients list for your products on your website.
  http://www.bayviewseafoods.com.au/
• Melindas
  You will always find some of the Melindas range in our pantry, especially the "Heavenly Choc Fudge Brownie Mix".
  They were promoting their own Gluten Free Self Raising Flour mix and their iPhone Allergy Free Entertaining app. (Android version soon)
  One of our clan sampled their Tuscan Style Rissotto Cakes, which received the thumbs up. These are gluten free, but do contain onion and cheese is part of the recipe.
  http://melindasgfg.com/
• House of Biskota 
  had a very interesting display of biscuits that are gluten, dairy, egg and yeast free.
  For those conscious of fructose, be aware of the biscuits that have jam as the ingredients show this contains apple.
  http://houseofbiskota.com.au/GlutenFree
• "Uncle" Rick Grant
  Rick & Rhonda were showing off a new range of seasoning mixes that are gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, soy free and fructose friendly (no onion or garlic).
  Expect to see a lot more from Rick during 2012.
  http://www.rickgrant.com.au/
• Well and Good
  were present again with a fantastic range of products. Always full of enthusiasm and coming up with something new. They were showcasing several new products.
  http://www.wellandgood.com.au/
• Table of Plenty
  Gluten free Mini rice cakes but with a delicious top coating of chocolate.
  http://www.tableofplenty.com.au/
• Mary's Gone Crackers
  This range of crackers and cookies are made in the USA but distributed in Australia by Real Food Distributors.
  The Love Cookies range are fantastic, with our favourites being the N'Oatmeal Raisin (No Oatmeal!!) and the Double Chocolate.
  You can find these in health food stores and independent supermarkets.
  http://www.realfooddistributors.com.au/page/products.html
  http://www.marysgonecrackers.com/
• F G Roberts
  Regular show attendees, F G Roberts were presenting their new Palmira's bread mix which is gluten and wheat free and the bread can be made without yeast. Detailed information packs with recipes were made available.
  http://www.glutenfreehealth.com.au/
• Celebrate Health
  have an interesting range of gluten free baking mixes based on Chestnut flour (contain dairy), and a range of flavoured Quinoa: Tomato & Basil; Moroccan Spiced and Lemon & Thyme. (I've spotted these in Coles since the show)
  http://www.celebratehealth.com.au/
• Peppercorn Food Company
  were cooking up their range of gluten free sausages which are delicious.
  Not all of the them are fructose friendly as they contain garlic & onion.
  Unfortunately, the website does not list ingredients. These should be available at your local Woolworths. Ask your supermarket manager if they are not.
  http://www.peppercornfood.com.au/
• Gluten Free 4U
  This is a new bakery that has opened in Moorabbin and covers bread, pizza bases, tarts, cookies & cakes, all manufactured in a dedicated gluten and nut free enviornment.
  5/1 Bignell Rd. Moorabbin
  http://www.glutenfree4u.com.au/
• Kez's Free
  were launching their new Vienna Eclair gluten free biscuits.
  Not dairy free. Try the Melting Moments for a gluten and dairy free biscuit.
  http://www.kezs.com.au/products-kezs-free.asp
• Deeks Health Foods
  We first tried this bread while traveling in the ACT a few years ago and found it to be very good.
  Deeks is now becoming available in Victoria and definately worth a try. Available at Sunnybrook.
  http://www.deeks.com.au/
• Vitality Bakehouse
  Have a large range of gluten free baked goods.
  Their Christmas Pudding is also dairy free along with our favourite, the Orange Poppy Seed Muffins. (Hard to find on the Internet)
  http://www.raffleshealthyfoods.com.au/
• San Remo Pasta
  This is our first stop for gluten free pasta. Our favourites are the Penne & Spirals.
  http://www.sanremo.com.au/
• Yes You Can
  has a range of bread, cake and pancake mixes that are gluten, wheat and yeast free.
  Some have dairy free options including the cupcake mix.
  http://yesyoucan.net.au/yes-you-can/home

You can be sure we will be back in 2012 to see (and taste) the latest gluten free products on the market.

2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show is on again in Melbourne on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of September, 2011 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibiton Centre (Jeffs' Shed).

As always, we look forward to discovering new gluten free products and tasting them all at the best gluten free show around.

Major sponsor this year is Macro (Woolworths) which is a change for this show. Previously, Coles has been the  major sponsor and has supported the show very well with a very large display of its products. Hopefully, Macro will be up to the task.

Book online before the show at http://www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au/

Aldi Gluten Free

A catalogue from the Aldi supermarket chain arrived in our mailbox recently and we were very interested to see several pages outlining a range of products that are gluten, wheat and dairy free.

The range is called: "Has no...gluten, wheat & dairy" and goes on sale on Thursday the 21st of April, 2011.

The featured products in the "Has no..." range include:

1. Gluten Free Pancake Mix 375g $2.99
   Gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, yeast, soy and peanut free. Suitable for vegans. 80c per 100g
   
2. Gluten Free Falafel Mix 200g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians and vegans $1.50 per 100g
   
3. Italian Buckwheat Pasta 500g $2.99
   Gluten free Fusilli and Spaghetti made from buckwheat. Made in Italy. 60c per 100g
   
4. Italian Gluten Free Pasta 500g $2.99
   Gluten free Fusilli and Spaghetti. Fusilli made from 100% rice flour. Spaghetti made from combination of corn flour and rice flour. Made in Italy. 60c per 100g
   
5. Gluten Free Bread Mix 450g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. 66c per 100g
   
6. Gluten Free Plain Flour 500g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $5.98 per kg
   
7. Gluten Free Self Raising Flour 500g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $5.98 per kg
   
8. Gluten Free Rice Crumbs 300g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $1.00 per 100g
   
9. Gluten Free Gravy Mix 200g $2.99
   Gluten, dairy, wheat, soy, egg, yeast, GMO and nut free. No added cane sugar. $1.50 per 100g
   

Unfortunately, there is no further ingredient information available but you can see the items on the Aldi Offers page.

Some Googling around for "Aldi gluten free" finds that Aldi have sold this range in the past but that the release is limited. Once stock runs out, that is the end. This maybe how Aldi usually works or they may be testing the market for these kinds of products.

Some of these products look interesting to us and we will be heading to Aldi on Thursday 21st April to pick some up to try. If the products turn out to be of good quality and we all try them out, we may be able to convince Aldi to carry them full time.

Report: 2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

October 1 & 2 was a busy weekend in Melbourne with the AFL Grand Final Replay at the MCG and the 2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.
We visited on the Sunday and the show looked as popular as ever, with a slightly different layout to previous years.

Here are some of our highlights:

• Coles - Major Sponsor
  Once again, Coles were present and a major sponsor of the show with a large display of the gluten free products that they stock.
  The goodie bag given to all show attendees, this year included a booklet of discount coupons for gluten free products from Coles.
  www.coles.com.au


• F.G. Roberts
  We have seen F.G.Roberts at every gluten free show we have attended and they have been very active in producing gluten free flour alternatives; soy products and bread mixes in Victoria since the 1930s.
  Their hands on demonstrations of their Cottage Bread Mix was exactly what we like to see at these events, along with plenty of samples. We look forward to trying this new mix out ourselves. They had a day old loaf for tasting which was still quite good for gluten free bread.
  www.GlutenFreeHealth.com.au


• Chang's Authentic Asian Cooking
  We were very impressed by the extensive range of Chang's Asian cooking sauces that are gluten free. Our cupboards always have a few of these ready for our next stir fry.
  From their flyer:
  In the manufacture of Changs Soy based sauces, gluten is first completely removed from the wheat flour. This leaves wheat starch, which is the extract of wheat named as an ingredient. Both sauces have been tested and found to contain NO detectable GLUTEN. which explains why wheat is mentioned on the ingredients list. Good to know.
  http://www.changs.com


• Bayview Gluten Free Products
  Bayview produce a range of frozen foods that are gluten free, dairy free, yeast free with no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or GM ingredients. Most of these are also fructose friendly.
  
  • Crumbed Chicken Tenderloins (Our favourites)
    
  • Crumbed Flounder Fillets
    
  • Crumbed Fish Bites
    
  • Crumbed Salmon & Vegetable Patties
    
  • Crumbed Chicken Breast Nuggets
    
  • Crumbed Vegetable Patties
  
  www.bayviewseafoods.com.au
  A suggestion to Bayview: Their website has nutrition information for each product but no ingredients list. I like to know what is in something before I buy it. Reading ingredients lists of products in the freezer section of the supermarket is not my favourite hobby.


• Well and Good - Crusty Bread Mix
  Well & Good continue to come out with some excellent products, many of which we have tasted for the first time at these shows.
  This year we were very impressed by the samples of bread made using their new Crusty Bread Mix. Very Tasty.
  Since the show, we have made our own bread using this mix. See the results here.
  Check out all their products on their website:
  www.wellandgood.com.au


• Simply Wize
  Simply Wize are another Victorian company with a history of quality gluten free products.
  This year they presented their Crusty Bread and French Stick mixes along with thier prepackaged Gnocchi.
  We are yet to try these products.
  www.momentumfoods.com.au


• San Remo
  San Remo gluten free pasta is a staple in our house and it is great to see them active in the gluten free marketplace and events like this.
  They were one of a very few of the manufacturers to have a Suggestion Box at their stand and I think it was getting plenty of use. What a great idea! Events like this put gluten free product manufacturers face to face with their end customers. A perfect opportunity to see what is working/not working with their products. Well Done San Remo!
  www.sanremo.com.au
  Suggestion: Ingredients list on your website please


• Kez's Free
  Kez's continue to produce a very high quality range of biscotti, biscuits and breads, all of which are are gluten free and some are dairy free.
  I always have a packet of the Melting Moments in the cupboard.
  New products from Kez are:
  • Chocolate Chip Indulgent Biscuits - Gluten Free
    
  • Cranberry Choc Chip with Chia - Gluten & Dairy Free
  
  The cranberry biscuits contain honey, so those of you with fructose malabsorption will need to be careful.
  www.kezs.com.au


• Boscastle Pies
  Boscastle is a well known name in the world of gourmet pies which now includes a gluten free range. The excellent allergen information available on their website indicates that these pies are also dairy free. They do contain onion & garlic so fructose malabsorption sufferers, be careful.
  We asked if they would ever produce a pie without onion? Their answer: No.
  www.boscastle.com.au


• Peppercorn Food Company Sausages
  Peppercorn Food Company had a great display of their many gluten free products and with plenty of samples being tasted.
  We were very pleased to find out that several of their sausages do not contain any onion. We went home with several packets of the Chicken Sausages with Fresh Lime and Spices; the Extra Lean Sausage Italian Style and Extra Lean Beef Sausage with Fresh Aisan Herbs and Spices.
  www.peppercornfood.com.au


• Eskal Noble Choice Dairy Free Chocolate
  It can be hard to find good quality dairy free chocolate. After a quick taste test of Eskals Noble Choice Dairy free chocolate with Mint, we'll be looking out for this one on the shelves.
  www.eskalfoods.com


• Orgran
  Orgran are a very well known brand in the gluten free market with an extensive and growing range of products.
  To make life easier for their customers, they have produced a quick reference guide that easily shows allergen information for each of their many products.
  A great idea from Orgran
  www.orgran.com


• Patties.....Missing
  Patties were a noticable absentee from the show this year. Patties Sausage Rolls; Meat Pies and especially the Lamingtons are items that I always have in my freezer.
  www.pattiesglutenfree.com


• Fox In The Box
  The Foxy Ladies from our much loved Fox in The Box restaurant in Brighton were present promoting their excellent allergy aware dining experience along with some new products: Foxy Hot Chocolate and Turkish Delight.
  www.foxinthebox.com


• Mamasita
  Mamasita is an authentic Mexican restaurant in Collins St with a menu that is entirely gluten free. They were serving up plenty of very interesting looking food throughout the show which we didn't get to taste.
  We will be trying out this restaurant soon.
  www.mamasita.com

It was great to see the two restaurants above at the show promoting themselves and we hope to see more like this next year.

Congratulations to the organisers on another excellent show!

Usual disclaimer, we have no connection with any of the producers listed. We look forward to seeing these products on local shelves and to next years show. See you there!