How to Replace Ingredients and Adapt Recipes For Grain Free Diets and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet GF SCD

When embarking on a grain free diet, don't throw away your recipe books because it really is quite simple (with a little trial and error) to convert your favourite recipes and make many of them suitable for a grain free diet. When I first started cooking for the SCD, I was quite overwhelmed by it all but it didn't take me long to learn the "rules" and I've listed a few ways that we have converted our favourite recipes below.

Pear and Ginger Pudding GF SCD

A few years ago I shared this recipe as part of the Seasonal Real Food Blog Series on Recipes to Nourish.  At the time I made this grain free dessert with pears but the combination of apples and pears together works beautifully and if you pop in some berries, the nutritional value of the pudding increases in leaps and bounds. Ginger has exceptional healing properties and is also well known for its powers in aiding recovery from colds and flu making it an ideal choice as a spice in cooking at this time of year. Plus, it's so warming and comforting.

The Primal Pantry Bars, Grain Free and SCD Legal

Not all fruit and nut bars are created equal as you will quickly realise once you've taken a bite out of one of these delicious bars. "The Primal Pantry" was the brainchild of Suzie Walker. Struggling to find clean, healthy snacks for her daughter, she decided to create them herself from the fruit and nuts in her own pantry. The positive feedback she received encouraged Suzie to start her own business, which is now flourishing and expanding to a place near you!

Gluten Free Granola GF

Did you know that granola was invented in the 19th century? Originally called granula, it was created by Dr James Caleb Jackson, a huge believer in the benefits of water therapy. Dr James Caleb Jackson opened his own spa in Dansville on the site of a mineral water spring and this grew to be one of the largest water therapy centres in the world. A vegetarian, he believed that the key to good health was diet.

Grain Free Rhubarb Crumble GF SCD

My memories of rhubarb crumble go back a long, long time - back to my childhood and farm holidays in the south-west of England. Every year my parents would take us to Somerset, Devon or Cornwall and we would spend the first week on one farm and then pack up to go to another for the next. One of my clearest and fondest memories is being woken up at half past three in the morning to find my father at the bedroom door announcing it was time to get up and go on holiday, we were so excited. In those days there were no motorways and the journey could take anything from 12 to 14 hours in our little salmon pink Triumph Herald.

Grain Free Crumble Topping or Breakfast Cereal GF SCD

This crumbly, crunchy dairy free and grain free crumble topping is perfect for sprinkling on top of fruit whether it's fresh or stewed or even to eat with dairy free milk as a breakfast cereal. It's very simple to make. Made from almonds, coconut and sunflower seeds it's both nutritious and delicious.

Gluten Free and Grain Free Christmas Cake GF SCD

I decided to improve my other gluten and grain free Christmas cake recipe this year and I thought you might like the recipe since it has turned out so well! It's easily one of the best Christmas Cakes I've tasted. Christmas Cake is a favourite in our house and Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it.

Caramelised Pears GF SCD

When roasting pears, I've always taken out the core as well as the stem but apparently you can make the pears look much prettier if you just use a melon baller (I couldn't find mine) to take out the core and leave the stems intact. Doing this will create a more "impressive presentation". That said, these are much easier to eat!

Naturally Sweet and Gluten Free by Ricki Heller - A Review

I don't remember how I came across Ricki's web site a couple of years or so ago but I've followed her blog ever since. Her deep knowledge of nutrition and extremely witty personality both strongly shine through in her writing. Ricki's gift for designing innovative and tasty recipes ensures that her new cook book will be loved by all and I was delighted to be asked to write a review for Naturally Sweet & Gluten Free. This is my very honest opinion.

Date Paste GF SCD

One of the oldest cultivated fruits, dates are the fruit of the date palm or Phoenix dactylifera. The exact origin of the first date palm is not known but references can be traced back as far as 5000-6000 B.C. in Iran, Egypt, and Pakistan. A few facts you may not know :

How To Make Almond Milk GF SCD

Finding a healthy milk alternative on the supermarket shelves is virtually an impossible task. Have you ever picked up a carton of non-dairy milk and read down the list of ingredients? For me it was an instant put-off. Home made almond milk is an excellent, healthy alternative to cows milk and it's so simple and quick to make. I'm becoming quite fond of this silky, smooth and refreshing drink.

Grain Free and Refined Sugar Free Carrot Cake GF SCD

This delicious grain free, gluten free and refined sugar free carrot cake recipe is a great choice if you're looking for a healthier option. It's not just the carrots which make this cake a nutritious treat, the walnuts, almonds, apricots and spices add an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

Baked Beans GF SCD

Haricot Beans are also known as Navy Beans. This is because they were a staple food of the US Navy in the early 20th Century. I suppose you could say that baked beans were one of our staple foods before I started cooking for the SCD and I developed this simple recipe so we could continue to enjoy one of our favourite foods.

Toffee Ice Cream GF SCD

I think one of the most difficult things about making ice-cream is remembering to put the bowl in the freezer the night before. Frozen yogurt can be just as delicious as regular ice cream and makes a lovely treat for followers of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

Pineapple Muffins GF SCD

Pineapple is one of my favourite fruits especially freshly chopped with bananas. It's packed full of Vitamin C as well as being a fantastic source of manganese which helps to support good bone health. It also contains the enzyme, bromelain which has anti-inflammatory properties and also aids digestion.

Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt GF SCD

There's nothing more delicious than frozen yogurt! It's like a cross between sorbet and ice cream. It's definitely worth investing in an ice cream maker,especially if you are following the SCD or a gluten free diet. When I first made frozen yogurt we were stood over the bowl scooping small spoonfuls from the machine as it was churning, we couldn't wait for it to finish, it was a delicious ice cream recipe from Grain-Free Gourmet.

Gluten Free & Vegan Coffee and Walnut Cake GF

This vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free coffee and walnut cake is so delicious you wouldn't realise that it's egg free. I made it to celebrate my husband's birthday at our annual family gathering for the May Day celebrations in our village.