I came to Cyprus after being away for 4 years. Cyprus was our home for 16 years. My youngest son Danny was born in Cyprus, my 2 older children graduated from school in Cyprus. Cyprus is our second home. We loved our life and we made friends, they are more like extended family. More than anything it's our friends that make us come back and the feeling we have when we are here is very harmonious and serene.
I started my baking business in Cyprus, I had 1 young boy who had the gluten free allergy and his mom would always order cookies,muffins and cakes from me.
In the 90's, Celiac was unheard of or very rare. Doctors were starting to diagnose children with Celiac or the gluten allergy.
Now, there is a society for people who have the gluten allergy. Shops are selling gluten free food products. More awareness is needed, but things have come a long way and people are learning more and more about healthy eating habits and organic food.
Alot of organic shops have opened. Restaurants that offer healthy salads and various nutritious and hearty dishes have opened as well.
My worry though, is that people are not conscious enough about foods that say 0% fat or no sugar added. The perception of diet food is misunderstood.This subject needs a page by itself, so i will dedicate an entire page for it at a later time.
To go back to gluten free baking, Cyprus is heading towards a big market were gluten free baked goods are available for men, woman and children who have the gluten allergy.
Hopefully when I come back again to Cyprus, a shop that sells gluten free baked good would have opened and we can all enjoy the tasty cakes and cookies even if we don't have the allergy.
Keep enjoying your summer and eat healthy.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Reading a book about food.......
One of the things that I value alot and am proud of is my bookshelf.
My choice of books and what I read has changed over the last few years. Two great books that I have and that I advise everyone to read are "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollen and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.
Once you read the first book your whole perception of food changes, it changes the way you shop for food and the way you eat. The information in this book is immense. It's also not new news to some, but shocking and dreadful to others. As we read, we realize our knowledge of the food industry is very little. The book highlights the choices that we have, to be more aware about what we put in our bodies and how to take care of ourselves just by doing small but substantial changes.
The latter is about a family that lives on a farm and eats only from the fruits and vegetables that they grow, occasionally they go to farmers markets to buy a few food supplies and encourage farmers that are close to home. The dedication of this family to its farm is very touching and inspiring. There are also alot of recipes, that are very easy to make and the ingredients are all fresh produce that we can find in a market. The book helps us understand how food is grown and harvested. It makes us appreciate food, love food, love to cook and love to farm. It's in one word an eye-opener.
The stories in this book, the information, the recipes written by the daughter of the author "Barbara Kingsolver" are fascinating and enchanting.
Make these 2 books part of your summer reads, believe me you will not regret it.
Have a great summer, eat well ,eat healthy ,eat organic and wherever you go ,go to the market and support local market places.
When you come back, cook at home, the gains are extensive and infinite. Cooking can be enjoyable and relaxing to the mind. Value the food that you are preparing and make it a healthy meal from ingredients that are fresh and tasty.
A quick advice for people with the gluten free intolerance who are traveling, pack your own gluten free bread, cookies, cakes or muffins.
Bake smaller loaves of bread, they are more convenient to carry.
Take extra baked goods, wrapped in individual servings in airtight containers.
A big cheer to all gluten free people on eating healthy and staying healthy.
My choice of books and what I read has changed over the last few years. Two great books that I have and that I advise everyone to read are "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollen and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.
Once you read the first book your whole perception of food changes, it changes the way you shop for food and the way you eat. The information in this book is immense. It's also not new news to some, but shocking and dreadful to others. As we read, we realize our knowledge of the food industry is very little. The book highlights the choices that we have, to be more aware about what we put in our bodies and how to take care of ourselves just by doing small but substantial changes.
The latter is about a family that lives on a farm and eats only from the fruits and vegetables that they grow, occasionally they go to farmers markets to buy a few food supplies and encourage farmers that are close to home. The dedication of this family to its farm is very touching and inspiring. There are also alot of recipes, that are very easy to make and the ingredients are all fresh produce that we can find in a market. The book helps us understand how food is grown and harvested. It makes us appreciate food, love food, love to cook and love to farm. It's in one word an eye-opener.
The stories in this book, the information, the recipes written by the daughter of the author "Barbara Kingsolver" are fascinating and enchanting.
Make these 2 books part of your summer reads, believe me you will not regret it.
Have a great summer, eat well ,eat healthy ,eat organic and wherever you go ,go to the market and support local market places.
When you come back, cook at home, the gains are extensive and infinite. Cooking can be enjoyable and relaxing to the mind. Value the food that you are preparing and make it a healthy meal from ingredients that are fresh and tasty.
A quick advice for people with the gluten free intolerance who are traveling, pack your own gluten free bread, cookies, cakes or muffins.
Bake smaller loaves of bread, they are more convenient to carry.
Take extra baked goods, wrapped in individual servings in airtight containers.
A big cheer to all gluten free people on eating healthy and staying healthy.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fruits and Flavors of summer
Summer is here with its beautiful, colourful and delicious fruits.
Just looking at all the different coloured berries, watermelons, peaches, apricots makes you want to take them home and have them for an after dinner guilt free desert or for a heart healthy breakfast or just as a snack with yogurt or cottage cheese. Summer fruits are a very good source of Vitamin C, they are free of fat and cholesterol. They are also a great source of dietary fibre and manganese.
Strawberry picking is a favourite summer pastime in Europe and North America, were families venture into the fields and gather baskets and bags full of red berries.
While living in Canada one of our favourite summer outings was taking Sarah and Sharif berry picking.Children love to sit in between the bushes, picking fruits, eating them, they take pride in this kind of activity. It's also very good for the kids, they learn were our fruits and vegetables come from and taking part in picking them, taking them home to be cooked and eaten is an interesting venture for kids.
There are many summer recipes that you can choose from using lots of different summer fruits. A great desert is ice cream with strawberries. If you have little children you can make ice cream and turn it into an afternoon activity. It's easy and fun. Get them to help you make this ultimate summer delight that highlights the season's favourite berry. Recipe will follow.
Or make the famous Pavlova and cover it with whipped cream and summer berries, drizzle the berries with homemade raspberry sauce or chocolate sauce :)
Lots of simple yet scrumptious deserts to choose from, but let's start with the easy strawberry ice cream recipe with raspberry sauce.
STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM:
600g fresh strawberries
1/2 lemon
100g sugar
300 ml cream
Wash and hull the strawberries and put in a bowl.Mash with a potato masher.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the strawberries and mix.
Stir in the sugar.
Stir in the cream.
Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze. Stir vigorously every 20 to 30minutes. Freeze ice cream for 5 hours.
Transfer the ice cream to the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving to make scooping easier.
Serve ice cream by itself or make the raspberry sauce and drizzle on top for an even more delectable and enjoyable desert.
For different variations of the ice cream recipe, substitute blueberries, blackberries or raspberries instead of strawberries. To make mixed berries ice cream, add a 600g combination of your favourite berries.
You can also sandwich a scoop of ice cream between 2 homemade ginger or chocolate chip cookies for a great homemade ice cream sandwich.
RASPBERRY SAUCE:
Using a food processor, puree 1 pint fresh raspberries or packaged thawed frozen raspberries. Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Drizzle sauce over ice cream and enjoy a superb summer homemade desert.
Bone Appetite.
Just looking at all the different coloured berries, watermelons, peaches, apricots makes you want to take them home and have them for an after dinner guilt free desert or for a heart healthy breakfast or just as a snack with yogurt or cottage cheese. Summer fruits are a very good source of Vitamin C, they are free of fat and cholesterol. They are also a great source of dietary fibre and manganese.
Strawberry picking is a favourite summer pastime in Europe and North America, were families venture into the fields and gather baskets and bags full of red berries.
While living in Canada one of our favourite summer outings was taking Sarah and Sharif berry picking.Children love to sit in between the bushes, picking fruits, eating them, they take pride in this kind of activity. It's also very good for the kids, they learn were our fruits and vegetables come from and taking part in picking them, taking them home to be cooked and eaten is an interesting venture for kids.
There are many summer recipes that you can choose from using lots of different summer fruits. A great desert is ice cream with strawberries. If you have little children you can make ice cream and turn it into an afternoon activity. It's easy and fun. Get them to help you make this ultimate summer delight that highlights the season's favourite berry. Recipe will follow.
Or make the famous Pavlova and cover it with whipped cream and summer berries, drizzle the berries with homemade raspberry sauce or chocolate sauce :)
Lots of simple yet scrumptious deserts to choose from, but let's start with the easy strawberry ice cream recipe with raspberry sauce.
STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM:
600g fresh strawberries
1/2 lemon
100g sugar
300 ml cream
Wash and hull the strawberries and put in a bowl.Mash with a potato masher.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the strawberries and mix.
Stir in the sugar.
Stir in the cream.
Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze. Stir vigorously every 20 to 30minutes. Freeze ice cream for 5 hours.
Transfer the ice cream to the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving to make scooping easier.
Serve ice cream by itself or make the raspberry sauce and drizzle on top for an even more delectable and enjoyable desert.
For different variations of the ice cream recipe, substitute blueberries, blackberries or raspberries instead of strawberries. To make mixed berries ice cream, add a 600g combination of your favourite berries.
You can also sandwich a scoop of ice cream between 2 homemade ginger or chocolate chip cookies for a great homemade ice cream sandwich.
RASPBERRY SAUCE:
Using a food processor, puree 1 pint fresh raspberries or packaged thawed frozen raspberries. Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Drizzle sauce over ice cream and enjoy a superb summer homemade desert.
Bone Appetite.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Baking in my kitchen
In our house, the kitchen is the place I like to be in the most. The time I spend baking is hugely important because it gets me to focus and do the thing I like to do the most. Baking from scratch gives me time to anticipate its flavor and look forward to the result especially if it's a new recipe. So whether I'm in a good mood or a blue mood I head to the kitchen, I turn the pages of my favorite cookbooks looking forward to the noises I make and to the aromas of my baked goods.
Baking doesn't have to be complicated. It can be a very easy and simple. The results can be outstanding. A simple Banana Chocolate Chip loaf or Butter Cookies filled with a good quality jam can be effortless to make and the outcome simply delectable.
Baking with a family member or a friend is even more enjoyable and worth the effort.
You laugh, you talk, you experiment and it's also a great way to relieve stress.
Baking with children is alot of fun. Children love to bake. They love making and baking cookies, particularly getting covered with flour and sampling mixture as they go, rolling out dough and making interesting cookie shapes.So when you can let them join in the baking fun.
Having friends over while baking is equally agreeable.
So whether you are baking alone or with someone, the time you spend in the kitchen is rewarding and fulfilling.
In my kitchen there is a cookie to suit every taste,so whether you are a chocoholic, an oat lover, a fruit fan or you are celebrating a special occasion you will find a special cookie to add sweetness to your day.
Happy baking from me to all of you bakers and to the ones that are starting new :)
Here are some helpful baking tips to make your experience easier and more gratifying:
Have all the ingredients from the recipe ready.
Measure the ingredients accurately and assemble them in the order they are listed.
Butter the pan ahead if it's a cake you are baking or have the baking pans covered with parchment paper ready if you are baking cookies.
Toasting nuts enhances their flavour. Spread nuts out in a single layer on a pan and bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool the nuts before using them.
Heat the oven on the recommended temperature once you start baking.
Using butter in a cookie recipe usually causes the dough to spread more and your cookies will come out tasting soft from the inside.
If the consistency of the dough is too soft add 1 to 2 tbsp rice flour.(If you are baking Gluten Free cookies)
Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 1 month. When making the cookies there is no need to defrost completely, you can shape the dough into a log and before baking let it defrost just enough to be able to slice it into 1 cm circles.
Freeze cookies in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Store cookies in an airtight container so they stay soft and moist.
Crisp cookies should be wrapped in a covered, but not airtight container.
Baking doesn't have to be complicated. It can be a very easy and simple. The results can be outstanding. A simple Banana Chocolate Chip loaf or Butter Cookies filled with a good quality jam can be effortless to make and the outcome simply delectable.
Baking with a family member or a friend is even more enjoyable and worth the effort.
You laugh, you talk, you experiment and it's also a great way to relieve stress.
Baking with children is alot of fun. Children love to bake. They love making and baking cookies, particularly getting covered with flour and sampling mixture as they go, rolling out dough and making interesting cookie shapes.So when you can let them join in the baking fun.
Having friends over while baking is equally agreeable.
So whether you are baking alone or with someone, the time you spend in the kitchen is rewarding and fulfilling.
In my kitchen there is a cookie to suit every taste,so whether you are a chocoholic, an oat lover, a fruit fan or you are celebrating a special occasion you will find a special cookie to add sweetness to your day.
Happy baking from me to all of you bakers and to the ones that are starting new :)
Here are some helpful baking tips to make your experience easier and more gratifying:
Have all the ingredients from the recipe ready.
Measure the ingredients accurately and assemble them in the order they are listed.
Butter the pan ahead if it's a cake you are baking or have the baking pans covered with parchment paper ready if you are baking cookies.
Toasting nuts enhances their flavour. Spread nuts out in a single layer on a pan and bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool the nuts before using them.
Heat the oven on the recommended temperature once you start baking.
Using butter in a cookie recipe usually causes the dough to spread more and your cookies will come out tasting soft from the inside.
If the consistency of the dough is too soft add 1 to 2 tbsp rice flour.(If you are baking Gluten Free cookies)
Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 1 month. When making the cookies there is no need to defrost completely, you can shape the dough into a log and before baking let it defrost just enough to be able to slice it into 1 cm circles.
Freeze cookies in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Store cookies in an airtight container so they stay soft and moist.
Crisp cookies should be wrapped in a covered, but not airtight container.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Keeping your baked goods always fresh
To all the lovers of my baked goods:
Keeping your cakes, cookies, breads etc fresh for a longer period of time like on the day they were baked, is very easy.
Whether your cake, bread, muffins.... are Gluten free or made from regular wheat, what you need to do is simply put them in an airtight tupperware in the freezer and not in the fridge.
The freezer keeps them fresh, while the fridge hardens them and they become too hard to eat.
Before eating the slice of cake or bread.....take it out of the freezer until it goes back to room temperature. For better results however, take the slice of bread straight out of the freezer and toast it. This will make it taste fresh moreover, if you feel like indulging yourself spread a little butter on the bread. A small twist will make a big difference.
The smell of the bread or cake being baked or toasted is soothing and nourishing to the soul.
But then again, my Love for baking is another subject that I will dedicate a whole entry in my blog for.
Until then...
Whatever you are having for dinner tonight,Bonne Appetite from me. And remember FREEZER not Fridge :) for your left overs.
Ciao for now ;)
Keeping your cakes, cookies, breads etc fresh for a longer period of time like on the day they were baked, is very easy.
Whether your cake, bread, muffins.... are Gluten free or made from regular wheat, what you need to do is simply put them in an airtight tupperware in the freezer and not in the fridge.
The freezer keeps them fresh, while the fridge hardens them and they become too hard to eat.
Before eating the slice of cake or bread.....take it out of the freezer until it goes back to room temperature. For better results however, take the slice of bread straight out of the freezer and toast it. This will make it taste fresh moreover, if you feel like indulging yourself spread a little butter on the bread. A small twist will make a big difference.
The smell of the bread or cake being baked or toasted is soothing and nourishing to the soul.
But then again, my Love for baking is another subject that I will dedicate a whole entry in my blog for.
Until then...
Whatever you are having for dinner tonight,Bonne Appetite from me. And remember FREEZER not Fridge :) for your left overs.
Ciao for now ;)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Loving baking..........
One of the most enjoyable things while baking or trying a new recipe is looking forward to the end result.Will the cake rise?Are the cookies chewy? Is the bread going to taste good.While waiting and snatching a glimpse into the oven,there is the smell too that fills the kitchen and the house.
I have been baking for many years and it's a passion I have that is very close to my heart.Each recipe has a story and each story is special.I even built wonderful friendships through my baking.
The encouraging and heartwarming words and comments that I get from friends and customers are priceless.They make me want to always improve,invent and learn.
My customers love my baked goods,my Gluten Free customers love my baked goods even more.My passion to bake for them and give them what they can't get from the market is even greater.I know their appreciation is always overwhelming and their gratitude is very touching.
Thank you to all my gluten free customers for your encouragement and for you love of MY BAKING.
Email me or call me to order the latest gluten free summer refreshing,scrumptious desert :)
Friday, May 21, 2010
What is Celiac or what does a Gluten free Allergy mean?
This post is for friends,family and anyone who doesn't know what Celiac is or what The Gluten Allergy means?
Please rememeber that there are people who choose to go on a Gluten Free Diet,just because it is a healthier way of eating,others have the Gluten Allergy ONLY and don not get sick if they cheat or eat something that has wheat in it,BUT people who have the Celiac Disease CANNOT have Gluten in any form,mainly WHEAT,BARLEY,RYE,SPELT,KAMUT,WHEAT, STARCH,SEMOLINA,MODIFIED FOOD STARCH........ and all other ingredients that have certain additives and stabilizers in them that people who have Celiac are sensitive to.
So what is Celiac?
Celiac is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.People who have celiac cannot tolerate gluten,a protein found in wheat,rye and barley.Gluten can also be found in medicine,vitamins and many other daily products that people are not aware of.That's why reading labels is a MUST for people who have Celiac.
Celiac disease is both a disease of malabsorption- meaning nutrients are not absorped properly- and an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.
celiac is a disease that is genetic.
What are the SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms may vary from person to person.
Abdominal bloating or pain
Chronic Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Unexplained Iron deficiency anemia
Arthritis in adults
Osteoporosis in adults Depression
Missed menstrual periods in adults
Sores inside the mouth
Celiac disease symptoms may vary because of many reasons.It could be the length of time a person was breastfed,the age a person started eating food containing gluten,also the degree of damage to the small intestine.
How common is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the world.Originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome,Celiac is now known to be a common genetic disorder.
Celiac is also more common among people with other genetic disorders including Down Syndrome,Turner Syndrome,a condition that affects girls development.Celiac is also common in Autistic Chidren.
How is Celiac diagnosed?
Recognizing Celiac can be difficult because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other disease like irritable bow syndrome,iron deficiency,intestinal infections and chronic fatigue syndrome.
If the Doctor suspects that a eprson has Celiac a Blood test will be done and a biopsy of the small intestine.
How is Celiac treated?
The only treatment for Celiac is a gluten free diet.The Doctor will ask the person to work with a dietition .The dietition will will teach the person how to read ingredient lists and identify foods that contain gluten.
A person with Celiac should not eat most grain,pasta,Cereal and many processed foods.
The gluten free diet requires a completely new approach to eating.
Nowadays people with Celiac have a wide range of foods,deserts,breads,pasta and cereals that are made from rice flour,soya flour,buckwheat or bean flours that taste great and are very healthy even for the people who don't have celiac or the gluten free allergy.
For great tasting breads,pizzas,cakes,cookies or any desert you wish for call or email the Wheat Free comapny.You will love my range of gluten free baked goods :)
I hope this post was of help to the people who don't know much about the Gluten Allergy or Celiac disease.
Please rememeber that there are people who choose to go on a Gluten Free Diet,just because it is a healthier way of eating,others have the Gluten Allergy ONLY and don not get sick if they cheat or eat something that has wheat in it,BUT people who have the Celiac Disease CANNOT have Gluten in any form,mainly WHEAT,BARLEY,RYE,SPELT,KAMUT,WHEAT, STARCH,SEMOLINA,MODIFIED FOOD STARCH........ and all other ingredients that have certain additives and stabilizers in them that people who have Celiac are sensitive to.
So what is Celiac?
Celiac is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.People who have celiac cannot tolerate gluten,a protein found in wheat,rye and barley.Gluten can also be found in medicine,vitamins and many other daily products that people are not aware of.That's why reading labels is a MUST for people who have Celiac.
Celiac disease is both a disease of malabsorption- meaning nutrients are not absorped properly- and an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.
celiac is a disease that is genetic.
What are the SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms may vary from person to person.
Abdominal bloating or pain
Chronic Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Unexplained Iron deficiency anemia
Arthritis in adults
Osteoporosis in adults Depression
Missed menstrual periods in adults
Sores inside the mouth
Celiac disease symptoms may vary because of many reasons.It could be the length of time a person was breastfed,the age a person started eating food containing gluten,also the degree of damage to the small intestine.
How common is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the world.Originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome,Celiac is now known to be a common genetic disorder.
Celiac is also more common among people with other genetic disorders including Down Syndrome,Turner Syndrome,a condition that affects girls development.Celiac is also common in Autistic Chidren.
How is Celiac diagnosed?
Recognizing Celiac can be difficult because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other disease like irritable bow syndrome,iron deficiency,intestinal infections and chronic fatigue syndrome.
If the Doctor suspects that a eprson has Celiac a Blood test will be done and a biopsy of the small intestine.
How is Celiac treated?
The only treatment for Celiac is a gluten free diet.The Doctor will ask the person to work with a dietition .The dietition will will teach the person how to read ingredient lists and identify foods that contain gluten.
A person with Celiac should not eat most grain,pasta,Cereal and many processed foods.
The gluten free diet requires a completely new approach to eating.
Nowadays people with Celiac have a wide range of foods,deserts,breads,pasta and cereals that are made from rice flour,soya flour,buckwheat or bean flours that taste great and are very healthy even for the people who don't have celiac or the gluten free allergy.
For great tasting breads,pizzas,cakes,cookies or any desert you wish for call or email the Wheat Free comapny.You will love my range of gluten free baked goods :)
I hope this post was of help to the people who don't know much about the Gluten Allergy or Celiac disease.
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