Lee's Quick and Easy Hommus
Last weekend we were fortunate enough to secure some complimentary tickets to watch my team play Australian Rules Football. There was great excitement as the day drew closer. The day arrived and saw us catching the train by mid afternoon. In our usual style we managed to miss the train that we should have been on but the next train arrived 15 minutes later so it was no big deal except that we had a certain time limit in which to collect the tickets. As the train arrived at the station Child No. 2 and I high tailed it to the collection marquee while the two plus ones meandered up to the stadium. Concerned about missing the game and the centre bounce (kick off) we ran up myriad of stairs and sprinted to the collection marquee only to find that there had been some 'issue' and we had to queue. Well there were approximately 10 people in front of me and all I could hear was the roar of the crowd from inside the stadium every time something exciting happened and from where I was standing there was a lot of roaring and often. Eventually they gave us tickets. Whilst they were NOT Reserved seating as promised but General Admission, they were free tickets nonetheless and we were busting to get inside. We hurried in only to be directed to the 4th floor; OK no big deal sometimes the best view is halfway up and behind the goals. We handed the man our tickets and we were directed to "any seating that starts after AA". Now if you know the layout of a stadium and how the seating works you know where I'm going with this. We started ascending the stairs and just kept climbing and climbing until there were only six rows of seats behind us. Going back for snacks and refreshments was not an option. The players looked like ants and I'm pretty sure the air was a lot thinner up there because within 5 minutes of being seated we were all laughing and having a great time even though we could barely see the game below. Even the screens weren't much help and I'm pretty sure I scared the people off next to me because I was clearly affected by the altitude and being overly friendly. I didn't give them my number or even a business card but a lot was said about 'our' team and 'the other' team and suddenly they were gone. I thought they were nice people. Anywho the point I'm trying to make here is that we could have been at home in the comfort of our own lounge room with some beautifully prepared Lee's Quick and Easy Hommus and Black Olive Tapenade with fresh vegetable sticks, watched the game and not scared anybody because everyone that knows us understands 'that's how we roll' when it's footy finals. Unfortunately my team didn't win last week but 'they' and we will be at it again this Saturday night with No Milk No Wheat No Sugar snacks aplenty. Enjoy your day. Lee x
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It seems like almost every household has their turn, some once a year and others every alternate year. I am talking about the dreaded Man Flu. (Cue disaster music). Don't get me wrong, I am not unsympathetic when it comes to anyone feeling unwell but the man flu really has its own place in the category of what can go wrong in a home and I think the word sympathetic is the correct word - in part. In most homes when things go wrong it's gloves off to protect our loved ones but with the man flu or any other nasty bacterial or viral infection it is definitely gloves on and straight to the kitchen. Now in some households man flu can strike and stay for well over a week but fear not because I have the perfect remedy that is super quick and easy to prepare and will do all the germ chasing and killing with very little effort. My Chicken Dumpling Soup is just what is needed to soothe and relieve a nasty cold or infection and perfect for you, the cook, because let's face it, sometimes putting up with man flu is far worse than you actually being unwell. This soup has healthy doses of garlic, ginger and chicken and tastes terrific. It is sure to restore appetites and reality (for some) toute de sweet. Whilst I'm not a member of the medical profession I can prescribe the best way to deal with man flu, having tackled it head on many times. 1. Place affect/infected persons on the couch/sofa. 2. Ensure that the T.V. remote and tissues are within arms reach. 3. Stroke the patients brow, pout and say 'awww poor baby'. 4. Run to the kitchen and whip up the No Milk No Wheat No Sugar Chicken Dumpling Soup. 5. Administer soup. 6. Enjoy the moan free space and have a bowl of soup yourself. 7. Administer more soup if necessary. 8. Get on with life. He will be fine in the morning. Crisis averted. Well done you. Now go and put your feet up you deserve it. Enjoy your day. Lee x Yesterday saw us up at the crack of dawn preparing for a netball tournament. Arrival was nice and early in order to get a park (in the mud) and whilst I didn't wear my gumboots there were moments when I wished I had. Fortunately the kids don't play in the mud they play on a special surface that is kinder than asphalt when you land. Spectating is very exciting as players dart around the court in their brightly coloured uniforms and parents and onlookers attempt to deny the weather that is happening on and around them. Melbourne put on her usual display of drizzle, rain, more rain and sun, and full on sunshine which found us all peeling layers off only to look up at the sky and hurriedly put them back on and grab an umbrella. Between games I would sit (I am sooooo grateful some parents bring chairs and never sit in them) and listen to the kids giggle and exchange snacks which consisted mainly of sugar laden bars and of course who can forget the "energy giving" lollies. I wondered if these 'snacks' really produce better athletes. Some of these teams clearly consumed a different diet as their players were not only more robust looking than their city sisters, they were also towering over them so much in fact that our reasonably tall team was significantly dwarfed. I would hazard a guess that perhaps the food available to our country cousins is less refined and closer to its pure form. Of course they have the option of junk food but the corner shop would have a limited supply and most goods would be home made and possibly home grown. Now watching the country kids verse the city kids one would assume in netball that because you are closer to the ring (very tall) it is easier to shoot, correct? Apparently not. My not so little angel is practically pint sized by comparison and yet has far greater accuracy and whilst she appears to be skinny she really is one tough cookie mentally and physically and no amount of swear words by the opposition would ever put her off her game. In fact she plays harder and smiles even more. Back at parent central midday had rolled around and my thoughts turned to heading home to some genuine comfort food, No Milk No Wheat No sugar comfort food. My latest comfort food is a yummy dish that is really simple and is perfect hot or cold. I call it Spiced Apple Rice Pudding. It is the perfect antidote to a day of spectating and bad weather. The end result of the day? Well they didn't make the finals but a good time was had by all, even the frozen, boiled, water logged parents and onlookers. That said, who's up for another serve of my Spiced Apple Rice Pudding? Enjoy your day. Lee x Happy Mother's Day! Today's the day that all mums get to kick back a little and enjoy someone else cooking the Sunday breakfast. In our house it is more like brunch but if someone else is cooking I can wait. As I type twiddling my new earrings that are shaped like angel wings, one of my many beautiful gifts, I am happily basking in the glow of my beautiful children who are now young adults. I can hear my dad saying to me "Ya did good kid, they turned out OK." My youngest has decided that she would cook me pancakes, Banana & Blueberry pancakes from one of my recipes; and although she has eaten these many times before she was surprised by how easy they were to make. She was further excited that these pancakes were actually really tasty; in our house it's cook's privilege to eat the first pancake out of the pan or the tester pancake. What I am most proud of is that she is starting to change the way she thinks about food and understand that there are some very good alternatives to a lot of basic ingredients. Most excitingly she had made the decision to put 'ice cream' on top. But allergy free 'ice cream'. She got the Yonanas machine out and put a couple of frozen bananas through it and Voila! Banana ice cream. She topped it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and desiccated coconut. I know this cook was very impressed; her kitchen definitely rules. It really is nice to know that the youth of today are starting to realise that they have a choice where food is concerned and contrary to popular belief this 'alternative' food is not just 'awesome' but quick and easy to make. So even if you have to do the cooking yourself have crack at these Banana and Blueberry pancakes it's a great way to reward yourself for another years hard work and even if your not a mum you can still enjoy these delicious pancakes whatever the celebration. Enjoy your day. Lee xx Here in Melbourne we have had some beautiful weather for Autumn or Fall until today that is. Today is drizzly, overcast and generally not very inviting. This morning child no. 2 asked IF we wanted the heater on. "Well I'm no Scotsman" was the reply from the bedroom, roughly translated it means "heck yeah". It is also a clear sign that winter is definitely on its way. This can only mean two things; time to get the beloved tracksuit and moccasins out and time for my famous Yuletide hot chocolate. Ok I know it's not Christmas but when this recipe was created it was Christmas time in the U.S. and other parts of the world and that equals freezing cold weather. And because I care so much about you all I feel obliged to provide you with comfort food/drink that is seriously good for you and tastes "AAAAAAAAAAAmazing" (direct quote from child no.2). Another exciting aspect of today is the school sports carnival which brings to mind images of teenagers fervently cheering on their team mates as they lead their School House to victory over the others. Although not to me; working with teenagers on a regular basis conjures up something completely different in my mind. On one hand there is the extremely competent and physically superior individual that wins all the events and is somehow prematurely comfortable in their own skin and then there is the goofy, still growing and not yet in control of their limbs kid with a heart of gold and hours of entertainment for onlookers. Which ever category these kids fall into, they are all having a go and having to brave the (now pouring with rain) weather. So this afternoon when my little drowned rat gets home, blue and shaking from the cold, I will have towels at the ready, the heater on and the smell of Yuletide hot chocolate wafting through the house. Athletic prowess aside, all participants would be well rewarded and lovingly warmed by a cup of Yuletide hot chocolate both filling the belly and satisfying the taste buds. The real star of the day though is you for having the good sense to make this delicious and soothing beverage and the astuteness to pour yourself a cup at the same time. Good job you and well done to all the junior athletes out there that braved Melbourne's appalling weather. Enjoy your day. Lee x Well it's that time of the year again here in Oz; Easter that is and with all that chocolate floating around I sure as heck will not be missing out. I guess you could call them a truffle but I have stuffed these beauties into a mould and called them Easter bounty aka Choc Mint Truffles. In fact these ones I made for my mum because she loves all things mint and being Easter that would be all things mint and chocolate. Easter in our house usually goes like this; Good Friday starts with oven heated hot cross buns and then a large dose of Easter Television i.e. The Ten Commandments or The Story of Easter and Saturday is much the same. By Sunday morning those kids err teenagers leap out of bed looking for chocolate faster than jack rabbits. Once the bounty has been found the blood sugar roller coaster ride begins and the frenzied chocolate scoffing ensues with the periodic trading, fighting, arguing, crying and eventually peace because they are in a sugar coma and either sleeping or staring at the TV. And after all of that there is remorse; remorse for over eating, remorse for lying around for days at a time and remorse that they didn't make the chocolate last longer. Meanwhile back at camp stable blood sugar the only remorse I have is giving in and buying that awful blood sugar spiking commercial chocolate and not insisting that they eat my chocolate. Well this year WILL be different. I will be doing a whole lot of sharing and whilst I did cave in and buy some commercial chocolate it is just enough to relish and not enough to over indulge. Besides they now know what really good chocolate tastes like and that I can produce it within minutes; far quicker than climbing out of the chair and going to the shops. They could even become energised by the ingredients and all those antioxidants and dare I say it motivated to get off the couch and go to the movie theatre. I hear they are showing reruns of old Al Pacino movies. Happy Easter and enjoy your day. Lee x Monday was the second birthday in our house in less than a week. Now whilst I spend a lot of time creating good food that has no milk, no wheat and no cane sugar, I am not a control freak so occasionally I will let those I love eat outside my boundaries; though for the life of me I can't understand why they need this 'other' food because the food I am making really does taste good and they (my family aka guinea pigs) will attest to this. To me a breakfast menu consisting of Chocolate pancakes with chocolate sauce and fruit salad on the side with organic coffee is the stuff my allergic dreams are made of and yes I did create them all without gluten, wheat, dairy and cane sugar. They even got the thumbs up and can't speak eating response from the birthday day boy and child no. 2. So far so good. Dinner rolls around and the 'special' requests are prepared for dinner; roasted chicken wings with wheat free pasta salad. Well the accolades went on for at least a couple of hours but in between was the sugar laden, insulin spiking, dairy filled dessert with a nutritional value of negative 100 and enough of the bad things to put even the slightest allergic person into a coma. Meanwhile back at allergy central my mother and I had Cinnamon and Honey 'Ice cream' that was 100 percent free of all the nasties and those unwanted side effects; now I know where my will power comes from - thanks mum. So the allergic bunnies leave the table feeling well indulged but not overly and definitely sated and as for the rest of the house the "I feel sick" "I think I ate too much, I need heart burn medication" was met by deaf ears because they knew all too well what they were getting themselves into. Happily for the teenager she awoke from a not too bad night's sleep and definitely a little hung over from the sugar but the birthday boy has the worst sugar hang over and knows it. His words "I think I have a food hang over". His remedy: "next year I'll drink Burbon instead". Interesting that he would replace one type of sugar with another and either way he is guaranteed of the same result. Perhaps next year he will put in an order for my Lamington Birthday Cake and he can rejoice in his food choices. Enjoy your day. Lee x Last week Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalised for a "gastro complaint" and I'm guessing "not amused". One wonders when food is prepared in strict conditions (a scrupulously clean kitchen) for a Monarch just how does one 'contract' gastro. Well I'm guessing that once you've got gastro it neither matters how nor where said gastro came from but what can be done to avoid this nasty bug in the future. Perhaps Her Majesty could follow the no milk, no wheat, no sugar diet, have a read through some of the recipes and get her cook to peruse the website at the same time and make some vitamin and antioxidant packed food to sure up her immune system. My latest creation was made in honour of Queen Elizabeth II being released from hospital. I have called them Raspberries Royale (Royal Seal of Approval pending) sure to excite ones taste buds and perfect for high tea or even a snack on the run because let's face it Her Majesty is showing no signs of slowing down. So don your hat and gloves and get out your multi-tiered cake plate it's time for high tea or at the very least a dainty treat. If you click on the picture that will take you to the recipe on the website. Enjoy your day. Lee x Being the competitive little soul I am, I took up the challenge issued by child number 1 (see my previous post) to make shortbread. She saw a piece of shortbread made into what appeared to be a tea bag. This was very cute and apparently gluten free. Well, not to be out done I tinkered with it and voile I came up with a shortbread that was not only gluten free, but dairy free and cane sugar free. Now whilst this isn't the place for me to extol the benefits of organic coconut palm sugar, I will say that the shortbread that I produced is seriously good for you and tastes and we would say in Australia, "bloody beautiful". As to the shape of my shortbread, I did not attempt the tea bag because "it's been done before". At the time I was feeling very girly and I could only find a flower shape cut out that coincidently lends itself to the perfect portion per biscuit/flower. And to prove myself as a complete nutritional over-achiever, I did make the 'chocolate' from raw cacao, organic coconut butter and organic coconut palm sugar although I only half dipped the flowers. Oh and the response from said daughter that issued the challenge "nom nom ... it's very rich, just like real shortbread but better and with a hint of caramel ... yeah good, real good Mumma." That'll do, that'll do. Enjoy your day. Lee x The now famous Burnt Toffee Child number one, excited by the movement of my site (visits) and that the food I am turning out genuinely tastes good - she is very hard to impress that one, has issued me with a challenge. The challenge being shortbread. How hard can it be I hear you ask, well as I have discovered using alternative ingredients, not as easy as it looks and a damned site tastier. And while we are on a voyage of discovery I am still on the fudge making trail. I haven't perfected it yet but I have produced the most incredible burnt toffee, the kind the allergic you, can only dream about. It's not really burnt but is very dark and has a beautiful caramel flavour which works well for me because back in the day I was a caramel fiend. In fact it is hereditary, thanks Dad - (I miss you)! And yes it is headed straight for the cook book as well. So I say to you dear daughter, "challenge accepted", and I will enjoy trying, knowing that with these fabulous ingredients the only way I could die trying was if I accidentally burned the house down or was killed in a storm because I wouldn't abandon my post... the stove that is. Meanwhile back at No Milk No Wheat No Sugar kitchen I will continue to sail on the good ship Allergy Free and create gastronomically for all of us that are, as my hubby would say, "finely tuned pieces of machinery", my response and yours should always be "and don't you forget it". I'll let you know how I get on with the shortbread and continuing saga of the Allergy Free Fudge. Enjoy your day. Lee x |
AuthorHi and welcome to the No Milk No Wheat No Sugar Blog page. I have lived with food intolerances and allergies most of my life and I'm on a quest to bring great tasting, highly nutritious, allergy free food to you all. Follow me on the road to better health and living a full life. CategoriesArchives
June 2019
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