A little savoury goodness

I had one hanging off my leg, one shouting to me from the toilet and one heading out the door to school.. kids that is.. I had to think on my feet.. baking before 8.00am.. obscene.. but when the mood strikes..

Sometimes it's all about convenience and the good people at Melinda's gluten free goodies have it all figured out.  With a great range of gluten free savoury and sweet pre-mixes you can't go wrong.

Road testing Wholesome Sundried Tomato & Spinach Muffins  premix this morning.

Melinda's is an Australian based company that delivers what it promises and all from the convenience of a box.  With choices that range from crackers to flour, slices, muffins & cakes it's great gear to have in the pantry.

You'll find them in Woolworths, Coles, selected IGA stores and online.

..and the verdict.. delicious and they make your house smell fantastic!

Ok so this wasn't quite what Abbey & Ben were looking for when they spied a cake like creation in a paper case emerge from the oven (I had a tough time explaining what business savoury had in a patty case) but who cares.. more for me :)

www.melindasgfg.com

Coffee Anyone?

Raspberry & Coconut Cupcake

I have discovered that one of my loves as an adult person is coffee.  I'm no coffee buff by any stretch but I do appreciate a good cup of Joe.. and so it was quite to my delight that we discovered Yahava (pronounced "Jah-ha-va") Koffee Works Swan Valley right on our doorstep.

What a find.  This funky little coffee mecca is my new favourite morning tea haunt and it comes with gluten free yummies.  On the day of our visit they had freshly baked raspberry & coconut and orange & almond cupcakes winking at me from the cabinet.  One of each? Why not! and the verdict.. delicious.  They also have gluten free cookies by Spotted Cow available.

Coffee was superb, cake was delicious and company was.. meh.. Ha! just kidding Garrick, don't get your knickers in a twist.



Yahava also have quality teas available and a great little gift section which has all sorts of coffee & tea paraphernalia and quirky little knick-knacks that will have you lingering longer.

Roasting 7 days a week and with a brilliant 'Roast 'N' Post' service there is no excuse not to indulge.

Open daily 9am-5pm
Located at 4572 West Swan Rd, Swan Valley

and for you South Westers..
Cnr Bussell Hwy & Rosa Brook Rd, Margaret River

www.yahava.com

Grill'd

Garrick and I were in downtown Mt Lawley yesterday - one of the trendy boutique and 'be-seen' cafe district suburbs of Perth.  There are some superb eateries here and Grill'd is no exception. 

Grill'd is not new, it has been around for a while now but for those of you gluten fighters who haven't ventured in to this bodacious burger bar, you had best get a move on.

These guys focus on quality, fresh local ingredients, steering away from the mass production and over processed we see so much of these days. With a menu that is extensive and smells that stimulate the olfactory senses it makes decision making a difficult task.

After selecting your gluten free bun, the choice is abundant. Just avoid the following ingredients and you are one step closer to burger euphoria:

· veggie pattie                                                                                                    

· chickpea pattie

· sweet chilli mayo

· satay sauce

· croutons

Oh and the chips are gluten free!

The staff member that served us was really switched on. After a chat about preparation, she kindly offered to prepare the burger out the back, away from the main prep area & not in the same toaster as other breads so as to avoid any cross-contamination issues.   **There is a 'may contain traces' statement on the menu board so obviously use common sense here. The golden rule here is - if in doubt, then leave it out.

With locations in most states and 5 here in Perth, there's bound to be one closeby.

So if you've got a hankering for a tasty burger, get on down to Grill'd. You'll be glad you did.

Check out their website www.grilld.com.au/

Banana Cake

I had several bananas in the fruit bowl looking very ordinary indeed, everyone had given them the cold shoulder and Garrick had given me the usual drum up about wasting food yet no-one wanted to eat them.. What to do?? An oldie but a goodie, Banana Bread or Banana Cake as it is referred to in this recipe, saved the day.

This recipe is from the Coeliac Society Gluten Free Recipe Book (2nd Edition)



125g (1/2 cup) softened butter                             
100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon bicarb. soda
125ml (1/2 cup) milk
2-3 ripe bananas
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
400g (2 cups) GF self-raising flour

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a large loaf tin.

1. In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
2. Add bicarb. soda to milk.
3. Mash bananas and add to milk mixture.
4. Add banana mixture to egg mixture and beat until well combined.  Add vanilla.
5. Fold in the sifted flour.  Stir until all the ingredients are just combined.  Spoon into prepared tin and smooth surface.  
6. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 45-50 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  Cool in tin for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Houghtons Cafe

Called in to Houghtons Cafe (Houghtons Wines) this morning.  Living in the Swan Valley has its perks.  Superb wines, beautiful surrounds and great places to eat!

Houghtons doesn't disappoint where gluten free is concerned - providing a number of gluten free options including gluten free bread & crackers.  Although the children's menu and chips contain gluten, the staff at Houghtons are happy to talk to you beforehand to agree on a menu and prices for a child's pack catered to dietary requirements.


From Chilli mussels to sumptuous salads I am sure there is something to appeal to the most discerning diner.  Items that are gluten free change from menu to menu.


Although just a coffee and cake today I can assure you I will return at a later date to sample the wonderful menu.


Located at Dale Rd, Middle Swan
Houghton Cafe is open from 10am - 4pm (lunch service 11am to 3pm)
(excluding Christmas Day, New Year's Day & Good Friday)

http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/

Mia Freedman's Enough of the Sweet Talk

http://www.perthnow.com.au/mia-enough-sweet-talk/story-fn6o0xxk-1226267754958

A clever article written by columnist Mia Freedman

I just have to say that some of these "people" make me crazy.  They are making the coeliacs and gluten intolerants of the world look bad.  I mean if Abbey and I could eat gluten, let me tell you.. we would be first in line in the donut queue..

Chicken Stir Fry

Everyone loves a good stir-fry...


1 & 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
500g chicken cut into strips
2 tablespoons crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
1 large brown onion cut into wedges
1 head of broccoli cut into florets
1 red capsicum cut into thin slices
1 long red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped
2 tablespoons GF oyster sauce
small tin of water chestnut slices
2 cups bean sprouts
2 cups snow peas
tin of baby corn or fresh if available


Heat a wok or suitable pan over high heat until hot. Add 2 teaspoons oil. Add half the chicken. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with 2 teaspoons oil and remaining chicken.

Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to wok. Add garlic, ginger, onion and chilli. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add capsicum, broccoli, snow peas, corn, water chestnust and lastly bean sprouts and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

Return chicken to wok with GF oyster sauce. Stir-fry for 1 minute or until combined. Serve with steamed rice.