Free From Food Awards: And The Winners Were...

That’s right, the Free From Food Awards took place during the week and all the top class winners were announced and from the looks of it everyone had a brilliant time! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get over to London this week to attend the awards (whimper whimper and woe is me’s!) but I can’t WAIT to try out all of the winning, running up and commended products from the categories that I didn’t get to judge myself!!




 So let’s get right into it.... The overall best in show number one winner in this year’s 2012 Free From Food Awards was none other than

... drum roll please....

  Vegusto Mild Aromatic Dairy-free cheese!!!!
You might remember me gushing about a fabulous nut based cheese after the judging was completed so you can imagine how thrilled I am that this manna from heaven swiped the top prize! -so deserving and I just simply can’t wait to start finding Vegusto in some Irish shops!!

The runner’s up for this very prestigious #1 award were:
- The Gluten Free Kitchen’s Ovencrust Chicken &amp
- Bacon Pie (Winner of the Pies, flans and ready meals category)
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (Joint winner of the Ingredients category)
- Anila’s Sauces Goan Green Sauce (Joint winner of the Ingredients category)
- Daas – Ambre Beer (Winner of the Gluten-free Beer category)
- inSpiral’s Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn (Winner of the Raw food category)

...and the Innovation Award went to:
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. for their Lemon Ice Cream.  


The rest of the categories and their marvellous winners are listed below but if you would like to see all the fun award winning pictures, see who the very generous sponsors were and read some of what the judges had to say about the winners please see the links at the following links!
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/winners-12.html

http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/index.html http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/winners-12-

pics.html


Dairy-Free Animal Milk, Butter, Yogurt:
Woodlands Dairy Gooseberry & Elderflower with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt (would love to be able to try this one out!!)  


Plant 'Milk', Spreads & Cheese:
Joint Winners!
CoYo Natural yoghurt (TOTALLY amazingly yum!!!!)
Vegusto Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese (I think you already know how I feel about this one!)  


FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals:
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Oaty Granola  


Gluten-Free Breads and Bread Mixes:
Fria Grova Dark Seeded Sliced Loaf

Gluten-Free Pasta and Pizza Bases/Mixes:
Farabella Acini di Pepe/Pasta Grains  


Freefrom Foods Manufactured for Food Service:
Joint Winners! 
Red House Foods - Gluten Free Chicken Bites
Sauces of Choice - Sauces for Kids Tikka Sauce  


Freefrom Ingredients:
Joint Winners!
Anila’s Sauces Goan Green Sauce
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour  


Raw Foods and Superfoods:
inSpiral Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn  


Savoury Pies, Sausages & Ready Meals:
Meat-based meal centres: Co-operative Truly Irresistible Minted Lamb Burgers

Pies, Flans & Pizzas: 
Gluten Free Kitchen Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie  


Gluten-Free Savoury Biscuits and Snacks:
Joint Winners: Darling Spuds Tomato, Olive & Oregano Juvela Crostini Bites  


Gluten-Free Scones, Sweet Tarts, Bakewells, Muffins, etc:
Joint Winners!
Sugargrain Almond, Apricot and Tahini Flapjack
Sweetcheeks Almondies  


Gluten-Free Cakes and Mixes:
Joint Winners!
Sweetcheeks Maple & Pecan Cupcakes
The Cake Crusader Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake   (I saw these guy's van in Dublin! yum yum yuuummm)


Gluten-Free Puddings, Desserts & Cheesecakes:
Food Heaven Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake  


Dairy/Gluten-Free Chocolate and Snack Bars:
Booja Booja Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles (which I personally LOVED!!)  


Dairy/Gluten-Free Christmas Foods:
Foodamentalists Frangipane mince pies  


Gluten-Free Beer:
Daas Ambre Beer  


whew!

 ....Now all that’s left to do over here in Ireland is for all of us to start hounding our local suppliers and health food shops to please please please start stocking some of these amazing Food Allergy Friendly products!!! so get out there and get begging! ;)

New Allergy Free Finds in Dalkey's Select Stores

Last Saturday I finally took the trip out to Dalkey Select Stores. I’ve been meaning to do it for aaaaages but something always came up which left me wondering just what does go on down in Dalkey in the famous Select Stores?... So last Saturday I was happily educated with the answer! Select Stores is like a Health Food Shop but is more Food than Supplement... And as all we Food Allergic and Food Intolerant know, where there are ‘healthy’, 'alternative' foods there are sure to be Free From Allergy Friendly products to try! Dalkey Select Stores have a juice bar, a salad bar and savouries (courtesy of Blazing Salads), teas, some warm foods and a few tables amid the piled high shelves and massive windows which come together to make a really comfortable and positive ‘wholefood’ feel. Afterwards I was daydreaming about having my morning porridge in Select Stores, looking out into the waking village (the powerful nut filled porridge comes highly recommended by staff!).

What makes Dalkey Select Stores different and worth the trek, is that rather than being a ‘health food store’ they give me the impression of being more of a ‘lifestyle’ store. Sure, they have a few supplements in stock such as Higher Nature and Patrick Holford but they also have a very large Fruit & Veg section. People really gather in and happily chat away while sipping their smoothies (I got the Miller Mix-up Super Smoothie which I’ll tell you about later!) and munching on their salads and savouries.

image courtesy of F.

The shelves are made for browsing and rambling. Every corner contains something new and even though each section is not extensive, ie: I didn’t see Gluten Free Pizza Bases, but I did see a cross reference of Gluten Free and Spelt based pastas such as Doves Spiral Brown Rice pasta, Brown Rice Udon noodles and Spelt Spinach Tagliatelle. Tucked away in one corner were Health related books, another corner housed a healthy stock of Eco cleaners and up the front was a small natural cosmetics section containing brands such as Trilogy, Faith in Nature, Dr. Haushka, Burts Bees, Green People and Weleda. There were food brands and flavours that I'm yet to elsewhere in Dublin yet like Stevia Sugar Substitute sold by the jar and Ecomil Sesame Milk! There was even a little tasting table set out on the day we arrived with cheeses, bread, crackers and chorizo for sampling different oils and pestos. Of course I couldn’t try any but it all added to the overall happy, content vibe.

Top of the Pops was the cake table up front with Gluten Free Foodie and The Gluten Free Bakery goods (many of which are Dairy Free+ and otherwise Food Allergy Friendly). And of course the Smoothie Bar was a big hit too (see the Juice/Smoothies menu. Note: Many of the smoothies contain yoghurt which can easily be omitted but beware before ordering or accepting any taste testers - I had to abandon the taste tester which was offered to us filled with something pineapple and smelling amazing due to yoghurt ingredients. I was recommended to try the Miller Mix-Up Super Smoothie which sounded horrific but was actually quite tasty, albeit very green.

The Miller Mix-up contains:
Lime
Pineapple
Avocado
Ice
Apple
Cucumber
Wheatgrass
and Spirulina

Like I said, it doesn’t read well and if it hadn’t been recommended I NEVER would’ve ventured that direction but it was surprisingly better than expected and a massive size for it’s €5 price tag.

I would definitely recommend Dalkey Select Stores to locals, to day-trippers from the city looking for a resting spot and anybody looking for some unlikely or off the beaten track Allergy Free food products that you won’t find everywhere like the Curry Sauce Co. 9 which I’ll review next!), Jarred Clams, Cottage Cookies Ltd and Gertie’s squares/bars all of which I can’t vouch for other than their newness to the market! Obviously Select Stores isn’t bursting at the seems with Free From foods but there is a nice selection and you are bound to find something you haven’t tried yet.

The only downfall I could say, and it’s a very noteworthy, and somewhat serious one, is that the ingredients listings on the muffins and squares at the smoothie counter can’t be trusted. I almost bought the most amazing looking Spelt muffin only to find out that the ingredients taped to the cover were not what was inside... So do remember to ask the staff to confirm the ingredients before purchasing and eating!!! Other than that F. wanted me to mention that the aisles and definitely not buggy/pram-friendly being very narrow and twisty... which we noticed as we sipped our massive smoothies and watched a family of 5 maneuver themselves through the shelves and tables...

Have you been to Dalkey Select Stores? What do you think? What is your favourite smoothie!?

Dalkey Select Stores
1 Railway Road
Dalkey, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 285 9611
web: www.selectstores.com
opening Times: Mon - Fri 07:30 -18:30; Sat 08:00 - 18:00; Sun 10:00 - 17:00; closed Bank holidays. Juice bar closes 1hour before closing

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Organic and Speciality Foods Found at The SuperNatural Food Market

There are so many parts of town that I don’t get to unless I have specific business in the area... so last Saturday I made it my business to get to the SuperNatural Food Market to check out the Food Allergy Friendly goings-on. Where is this ‘SuperNatural Food Market’ you ask? Well, basically if you keep heading down Pearse St until you’re only 3 blocks away from Grand Canal Dock you will find a lovely little park and across the road, inside the St. Andrews Resource Centre (114-116) is the market with the best name in town. Here, every Saturday, you will find a food market with all things nice inside.

Of course, if you are a regular reader you will know from Monday’s post that Antoinette’s (Gluten Free) Bakery is sometimes found in the SuperNatural Food Market serving up her ever popular Gluten Free baked goods as well as Vegan, Potato Free and Refined Sugar Free creations.

But Antoinette’s Cakes are not the only thing to draw you in, there is also a baker who has many Dairy Free breads, a few Spelt based breads (including a Spelt based soda bread) and a Gluten Free loaf made with Chickpea Flour and by the time I got to the market at about 2pm there was only 1 Gluten Free loaf left!

Also in the market is an organic butcher who cooks up some sausages on site and also sells his own home-made Gluten Free sausages.

There is the regular fare such as Organic Veg, a flower stall (who is selling custom pots for mothers day - March 18th), a Whole Foods dealer with a quite a nice selection of products on offer, a fish stall and a natural cream/brush/soap type stall too.

There is also a really interesting stall selling Gluten Free and Dairy Free meringues and all sorts of jarred goodies such as pesto, jelly and tapenade. The ingredients are all foraged or home grown so the products change with the seasons. The only down side is that there are no ingredients listed but the maker is right there so you can ask her anything...

And if you are looking for something a bit more hearty to chew on you will also find a hot dish table selling indian styled food such as samosa’s and curry (ingredients are listed but I would advise to ask to be sure, as the lists aren’t very detailed)...

The SuperNatural Food Market is a great little spot. It’s not crowded to the gills so you can actually get a chance to look around at your ease and the atmosphere makes you want to take a seat and linger over your lunch or tea. The market runs from 9:30am to 3:30pm and there are definitely reasons a plenty to make it your business to head out to this little pocket on Pearse St next Saturday.

The SuperNatural Food Market
Location: St Andrew’s Resource Centre
114-116 Pearse St
Dublin 2
Web: www.supernatural.ie
Opening Times: Saturday 09:30 - 15:30

Raw Soup & Tea Parties

I was working in the city centre all last week which meant that I was keeping an eye out for affordable healthy Food Allergy Free lunches to tame my midday beast. Unfortunately I’m not used to having such a short lunchtime allotment so I kept ending up in Blazing Salads rotating between the Buckwheat burger and the Millet burger (I seriously can’t decide which I like more!) and sadly forgot all about the Blazing Salads stamp cards that have been tucked away in my wallet out of sight and out of mind for months… but one thing that I did spot was the Carrot & Avocado Living Soup now available in Cornucopia. I was thinking about it all week and really really wanting to try it out but the ingredient of raw garlic just didn’t seem a plausible lunchtime solution for fear of knocking my co-workers down with raw living garlic breath so at last, Saturday rolled around and when F. suggested a soup lunch I jumped at the opportunity!

- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Raw
- Vegan
- Vegetarian

And boy, What a treat!! It was a luxuriously creamy blend of avocado and carrot with lemon and garlic - yum, Yum, YUM!!! But despite how much I loved it, sadly F. was not as impressed. He liked the taste but a bowl of cold soup is definitely not his thing (mental note to self: never make Gazpacho soup for F!). All of Cornucopia’s breads are Dairy Free and they have Gluten Free bread too but I chose the Spelt slice to accompany my living soup which was very rustic brown (resembling many moist rye breads) with whole seeds throughout. And can I take this moment to say that I LOVED it? Because I truly did... Perhaps I extra loved it because I had been refraining from Wheat and Gluten for so long that spelt bread was such a luxury, but I think the real reason is because it was the perfect partner for dipping each bite into the soup creating a full creamy wonderful taste with a soft moist bite. Now yes, yes, I know that dipping baked bread into a raw living soup is a bit of a contradiction but I’m not actually a Raw foodist so I think that I’m exempt from such rules ;)

However, if you are less interested in my Raw soup and baked bread combo and more interested in Raw food, Raw activities and Raw talks you should check out Sseduced’s Afternoon Tea Party. Síl, from Sseduced, is having a Raw Tea Party at in Clontarf on March 17th at 15:30 - 17:30 (a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day alternative might I say!).

image courtesy of sseduced

On the menu will be Banana Walnut Muffins, Carrot Goji Cake, Quiche, Waffles and more! And of course, everything that Síl makes is always

- Raw
- Sugar Free
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Yeast Free
- Soya Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Organic

So head on over to www.sseduced.com to read more about it and book your place! But hurry because there are limited places and it’s booking up fast.

**************************************************************************************

Cornucopia's Raw Living Carrot & Avocado soup is €3.50 for a small bowl and €5.00 for a large bowl (1 slice of bread included or €3 & €4.50 without bread)

Síl’s Afternoon Tea Party is €36 and you can book your place here: www.sseduced.com

Gluten Free Breakfast: (Tasty) Gluten Free Porridge

I’m sure that you’ve seen the scattering of certified ‘Gluten Free’ porridges for sale in the health food shops and larger grocery stores but perhaps, like me, you were looking for something that was also Oat Free... Well, I have finally settled on a recipe that gives me a tasty warm breakfast cereal which mimics my beloved oat porridge without the Oats, Gluten, Wheat, Milk or Sugar!

Recently I’ve been eating Barkat’s Gluten Free Organic Porridge Flakes which are made from millet flakes and rice flakes. It took a little getting used to due to the slightly more gelatinous texture and the different taste but after a little bit of testing and maneuvering I’ve managed to get a bit attached. Not so attached that if in the morning someone told me I could have oats again that I wouldn’t drop it like a hot potato but definitely to the point of enjoying my breakfast again despite having no milk or sweeteners to hide failings.

What I’ve been doing is this:

Ingredients:
1 part Barkat Gluten Free Organic Porridge Flakes
2.5 parts Rice Milk
1tbsp (or to taste) cinnamon (for 1 person)
1tbsp pea protein (for 1 person)
4 heaped tsp ground flax seeds (for 1 person)
4 heaped tsp ground pumpkin seeds (for 1 person)

Directions:
Heat the rice milk to boiling point. Stir in the Porridge Flakes and Cinnamon. Stir continuously for 3 - 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the remaining ingredients (I find it best to have the dry ingredients already mixed together in the bowl and then add the cooked porridge on top and throughly mix).

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Milk Free
- Soya Free
- Egg Free
- Yeast Free
- Free from Added Sugar
- Corn Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan

This little breakfast blend totally lasts you until lunchtime due to the pea protein and pumpkin seeds as well as managing to taste quite nice without the need for added sugar because of the natural sweetness of the rice milk. I think that when you are Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Milk Free (not to mention Sugar Free) it’s extra important to inject the added bang of the flax, pea protein and pumpkin seeds to help the longevity of the breakfast as well as the texture and consistency, thereby reducing the gel-like qualities.

What do you eat for breakfast? Or how do you cook your porridge to make it yum-town good?

Barkat Gluten Free Organic Porridge Flakes
Ingredients: Organic rice flakes, organic millet flakes, guar gum.
Nutritional Information per 100g:
Energy 372.18kcal/1557.29kJ
Protein 10.11g
Carbohydrates 76.99g
of which sugars 1.7g
Fat 3.14g
of which saturates 0.27g
Fibre 3.3g
Sodium 8.7mg

Delicious Chocolate Brownies - Gluten, Wheat & Dairy Free

I don’t know if you remember but shortly before Christmas I spontaneously posted about the best Food-Allergy-Friendly mince pies ever. (If not you can see the review here). They were made by the aptly named ‘Delicious Gourmet Foods’ and were found in Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer St. These mince pies were the first product I tried from the Delicious range until a few weeks ago when I got my hands on a tasty Delicious’ Chocolate Brownie (before I quit the sugar and all things sweet!) which claims to be Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free and Yeast Free (also in Fallon & Byrne). There was a little bit of mystification regarding the ingredients due to a temporary printing error which meant that Sugar and Margarine were mistakenly excluded from the ingredients list. I had a brief and very excited moment where I thought that my coming Sugar and Sweet Free lent had just gotten WAY easier but after company contact and the discovery of the printing error the ingredients began to make more sense...

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Dairy Free (note: made in a factory that handles milk)
- Yeast Free (note: contains sugar)
- Potato & Nightshade Free
- Recipe does not contain Nuts (note: made in a factory that handles nuts)
- Vegetarian

My official opinion is that the Delicious Chocolate Brownie would taste really great with some Dairy Free and Gluten Free ice cream or cream substitute. I enjoyed eating it out of it’s individual paper pot with a spoon (which is essential as the sides have some serious stickage to the tray) and although I thought that it tasted nice (great Gluten Free substitutions from the traditional recipe) I did feel like more sugar, or another form of natural sweetener wouldn’t go astray. Texture was brilliant and if you are looking for a more subtle brownie in the sweetness category then Delicious is the brownie for you.

I do have a slight concern about Yeast Free claims because although the recipe doesn’t contain any added yeast, if you are following a Yeast Free diet due to candida overgrowth, etc it is very important to refrain from all sugars as well as 'actual' yeast. Therefore I think that it’s important to highlight that the recipe for Delicious’ Chocolate Brownie does contain Sugar... but considering that we are actually talking about a brownie I doubt that the sugar content will come as a huge surprise!...

Delicious Gourmet Foods can be found in the Fallon & Byrne Foodhall on Exchequer St. Word on the street is that Delicious products can also be found in some SuperValu shops and Avoca. All of the products are Gluten and Wheat Free and are made in a dedicated Gluten Free bakery. Not all of the products are Dairy Free but many are so keep an eye out. Also, if you are in Cork (Carrigaline) call round to the factory on Fridays from 10:00 - 14:00 for ‘Factory Friday’ days where you can buy freshly baked Gluten Free treats that aren’t available in the stores or pre-order your favourite items on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and then collect your pre-ordered items on the following Friday.

Have you tried Delicious’ Brownie, or any other Delicious products? Or maybe you have seen them available in other locations or maybe even cafés... If so, do please share your finds and what you thought of them! Their mince pies are seriously the best ever, in my humble opinion!

Delicious Chocolate Brownie
Ingredients: Flour (maize starch, soya flour, rice flour, modified maize starch, raising agent: (acid calcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), egg albumin (contains acidity regulator: citric acid, foaming agent: triethyl citrate), salt, calcium carbonate, anti-caking agent (tri-calcium phosphate) stabiliser: (methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose), vitamin (B1, B2, niacin, C), Emulsifier (E741, E435), Flavouring, Colour (E100, E160b)), free range eggs, cocoa powder, glycerine, sugar, margarine. (note: some packages do not state sugar and margarine in the ingredient list due to a printing temporary printing hiccup but it is in fact present)
Nutritional Information per 100g: Unavailable
Allergy Warning: Made in a bakery that handles nuts, eggs and milk

Delicious Gourmet Foods: The Gluten Free Bakery
Location: Unit 6 Carrigaline Industrial Park, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
Tel: 021 4919583
Web: www.delicious.ie (check out their tempting little recipes too!)

The 2012 Free From Food Awards Shortlist is Released!

Yesterday the Free From Food Awards Shortlist came out. What does that mean? That means that there is a wonderful list of almost 170 quality Food Allergy Friendly foods and products just waiting to be tried, be it Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free, Soya Free, Egg Free, etc, etc. I find that one of the biggest problems with the food allergy market is that some of the products can be a bit pricey which makes taste testing a gamble because nobody wants to fork out big bucks for something that might not taste worthy...but now, with the Free From Food Awards, our woes are behind us because the Shortlist is almost like a key to the food allergy friendly world! As one of the judges I can assure you that the tasting is rigorous and that although there can be split camps from time to time, all the products which get shortlisted are definitely worth a try...and of course the winners (which will be announced in April) are like gold dust - the stuff food allergy free dreams are made of, and therefore DEFINITELY worth a try!

The thing about judging is that there are at least 9 other judges all with different taste buds and different agendas, be it health, versatility, etc, so even if I absolutely loved something, that didn’t mean that it was going to win because the whole group had to agree... Therefore the below product comments are my opinion only and not a clue to any of the winning products - for that you will just have to wait until April 17th!!

The three categories I judged were:
Category 3: Plant Milk, Spread, ‘Yoghurt’, ‘Cheese’ & ‘Ice Cream’
Category 6: Pasta & Pizza Bases
Category 15: Chocolates, Snack Bars & Petite Fours

The most exciting of these categories, for me, was Category 3. There was an amazing Coconut-based Yoghurt from CoYo which blew my socks off! So, I definitely recommend trying that one!! (queue praying to the heavens that CoYo gets wide release in Ireland!) The wonderful thing is that it’s completely Soya Free but doesn’t taste like coconut (happy days!) making it a plain, reliable and versatile yoghurt with the perfect hint of tangy yoghurt sour making it ideal for cooking into savoury recipes or for flavouring to your own sweet desires. For me, this was the best thing in the yoghurt market since the pea protein yoghurt I tried once, but without the sugar!!

The category also made me re-think my stance on plant milks, previously I was not an oat milk lover but after having to taste them all side by side I actually had to praise Oat Milk for it’s top class taste... and of course I still think that Kara Coconut milk is an amazing substitute, despite my life-long love of sweet, light, refreshing Rice Dream rice milk! ;)

And then there were the cheeses.... Vegusto Melty Cheese was the first Dairy Free cheese that I have come by which actually melted nicely! It still didn’t loose it’s shape like traditional cheese but it didn’t shrivel into a dry lump, there was no overbearing taste of vinegar and the consistency was really nice and managed to keep it’s ‘softness’! It’s only downfall was that it tasted like average soya-based Dairy Free cheese when it wasn’t melted)... And then there was the nut based Soya Free Vegusto cheese made from Cashews and Rice Milk - YUUUUUUUM!!! I LOVED it, if you hadn’t already guessed... Unfortunately, it didn’t melt well at all, but who cares! It tasted REALLY nice. In fact I would even recommend dairy cheese eaters to eat it! It would be right at home sitting on a cheese board among the stilton, chevre and aged cheddar. Yum Yum Yum Yum... Savoury and hearty with an ‘I can’t stop eating it’ lure. Note: Vegusto’s packaging was a bit of a let down but don’t let that ward you off because by all signs they seem to be an awesome company with a tasty Dairy-Free cheese sauce too!

Category 6 was a joint category with Gluten Free pastas and pizza bases. The pastas disappointed me a bit because they were almost all corn based, which is not my cup of tea. I can’t understand why manufacturers keep making the same thing!? In my opinion, a mix of flours, is WAY better and corn based pastas tend towards being a bit rubbery and ever so slightly tangy in taste, not to mention the amount of people who actually have a corn allergy/intolerance!... but then again, I guess that that’s just my opinion. However, there was a cool little product from Farabella which were Gluten Free Pasta Grains intended for use in soups such as minestrone, but also a really neat product to use in place of bulgar. Cook it up, cool it down and make into a salad for a satisfying, healthy lunch! If I see it on the shelf I will definitely pick up a pack...despite it’s corn base ;)

On the topic of pizza bases I was more impressed. I like a thick base (my Canadian roots I suspect) and I quite liked the ciabatta-like thick oily pizza base made by Amisa, reminiscent of take-away pizza (which sadly didn’t make it to the shortlist). It was a bit crumbly but reminded me of the thick ciabatta squares of cheese-less pizza slices available from the bakery in Marks & Spencers. I have always felt that a lot of sauce and a thick base is essential for a cheese-free pizza...but I was alone on that one...
There were some other good products too, but what struck me most is how much the bases changed when tomato sauce was added! One of my favourites was the pizza base dough mix from Bob’s Red Mill which made a fresh Gluten Free Wholegrain pizza base of top quality...but then again, this probably isn’t surprising as Bob’s Red Mill products are the bees knees!

The last category, 15, chocolates, snack bars and petite fours was a sugar and caffeine attack! But The Booja Booja’s Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles and Tickety Boo Cakes’ Roo’s Crunch were sooooo delicious that I think I’m in love!...sorry F.

Previously I wasn’t familiar with Tickety Boo’s Roo’s Crunch (tongue twister alert!) brand but hopefully it’s shortlisted status will encourage Irish stockists to branch out! In fact, a lot of the chocolates were good but I’m not sure how many dark chocolate bars are necessary in the world. As a dairy free lifer I would like to see more milk chocolate alternatives, like the white chocolate alternatives, or flavoured bars substituting for ‘Double Deckers’ and ‘Twix’ etc... mmmm, I’m salivating at the thought!... Maybe next year!

Anyway, the list is extensive which goes to show how far the FreeFrom market is coming along! It’s so exciting to see really good quality foods available in mainstream shops for we Food Allergy Free shoppers. It can only serve to help people stay away from their poisons and show the world that alternatives sell so please keep making them!!...maybe one day the food allergy world will take over!? whahahha...

After reading the shortlist for the rest of the categories I was surprised by some products, such as Dee’s Omega 3 Vegetarian burgers which I haven’t had success with...perhaps F. is right, and I’m just not cooking them properly.... and boy, do I wish that I had a chance to try out Foodswild Gluten Free Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer!!..Bizarre - and curious! And what about the Mango & Passionfruit Non-Dairy Cheesecake bu Mamma Cucina - hello! that its definitely something that I want to be part of my life! ...and happily the other day I passed by a van marked ‘The Cake Crusader’ in Rathmines only to notice on the Shortlist that the very same Cake Crusader makes a Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Dairy Free Carrot Cake - I will have to put on my scouting suit to uncover this Cake Crusaders stockists in our wee little Dublin!

You can view the full Short-list below and try to remember it or you can keep an eye out for the Free From Shortlist or Free From Winner logos on the various products... And if you want to go to the source of the Shortlist see here which lists all the products with links to the shortlisted companies! www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/shortlist_12.html

2012 FreeFrom Food Awards shortlist
(listed alphabetically)

1. The Innovation Award
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Vanilla
BoojaBooja – Banoffee Toffee Truffles
Conscious Chocolates – Wild at Heart
CoYo – Coconut Milk Yoghurt – Natural
CoYo – Coconut Milk Yoghurt – Mixed Berry
Foodswild – Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer
Knead Bakery – Carrot Cake
Provamel Botanicals – Alternative to Yoghurt Apple & Green Tea
The Foodamentalists – Brown Bread Mix
Triano Brands – Tofutti Ricotta Soya Cheese Alternative

2. Dairy and/or Lactose-Free Animal Milk, Butter, Yogurt – sponsored by Swedish Glace
Delamere Dairy – Natural Goats Yoghurt
Delamere Dairy – Semi-Skimmed Goats Milk           
Delamere Dairy – Goats Butter          
Woodlands Dairy – Gooseberry & Elderflower with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt
Woodlands Dairy – Rhubarb & Ginger with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt
 
3. Plant 'Milk', Spread & Cheese – sponsored by Pure Dairy Free
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Natural
CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Mixed Berry
Delamere Dairy – Sweetened Soya Milk
Essence of Eden – Virgin Coconut Oil
Higher Nature – Omega Excellence Organic Virgin Coconut Butter
Its Only Natural – Fruit Freezies Orange and Mango
Kara Dairy Free – Alternative to Milk Original + Calcium
Vegusto – Melty Dairy-Free Cheese
Vegusto – Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese
Vegusto – Dairy-free cheese sauce

4. FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals – sponsored by Fria Gluten Free
Bob’s Red Mill – Pure Traditional Oats
Groovy Food Company – Corn Flakes
Groovy Food Company – Choco Crispies
Juvela – Fibre Flakes
Morrisons – FreeFrom Gluten Free Oats
Nature’s Path – Maple Sunrise
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Oaty Granola
Tesco – FreeFrom Special Flakes

5. Gluten-Free Breads & Bread Mixes – sponsored by Genius Gluten Free
Butterfly Snacks – Gluten Free Rottis (Naan/Bread Wrap)
Crazy Bakers Bundies Brothers – Brown Bread Rolls
Finax – Oat Bread Mix
Fria – Grova Dark Seeded Sliced Loaf
Fria – Grov Minibaguette Dark Seeded Roll
Glutafin – Gluten Free Wheat Free 4 Fibre Rolls
Juvela – Gluten-Free All Purpose White Mix
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Soft White Seeded Rolls

6. Gluten-Free Pasta & Pizza Bases/Mixes – sponsored by Tesco
Bob’s Red Mill – GF Wholegrain Pizza Crust Mix
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Fusilli
Doves Farm Foods – Organic Tricolore Pasta           
Eskal Foods – Corn Pasta
Farabella – Acini di Pepe/Pasta Grains
Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Penne

7. Freefrom Foods Manufactured for Food Service – sponsored by Livwell
Costa  – Gluten Free Fruit Cake
Doves Farm Foods – Gluten Free Plain White Flour Blend without Buckwheat
Doves Farm Foods – Organic Brown Rice Penne
Foodamentalists – Golden Batter Mix
Red House Foods – Gluten Free Chicken Bites
Sauces of Choice – Sauces for Kids Tikka Sauce
Triano Brands – Tofutti Grated Mozzarella Soya Cheese Alternative

8. Freefrom Ingredients – sponsored by Juvela
Anila’s Sauces – Goan Green Sauce
Black Farmer – Spicy Muscovado sauce
Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
Clearspring – Kuzu Gluten Free Starch Thickener
Finax – Psyllium
Go Free Foods – Pancake Mix
Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Pepper & Stew – Jollof  Sauce
Sauces of Choice – Balsamic & Garlic Sauce

9. Raw Foods & Superfoods – sponsored by Asda
Elements for Life – Raw Chocolate Making Kit
Elements for Life – Spiced Hot Chocolate
Higher Nature – Omega Excellence Raw Organic Walnut Butter
inSpiral – Raw Blackout Tart
inSpiral – Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn
James White Drinks – Beet It Organic Stamina Shot
Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Pulsin' – Beond Organic Acai Berry Bar
Raw Health – Organic Chia & Flax Dippers
The Living Food Kitchen – Raw Hummus

10. Gluten-Free Savoury Pies, Flans, Sausages & Ready Meals – sponsored by Delamere Dairy
Meat-Based Meal Centres:
Black Farmer – Pork Meatballs
Black Farmer – Pork, Onion & Chive Sausages
Cloughbane Farm – Gluten Free Beef Sausages
Cloughbane Farm – Gluten Free Steak Burgers
Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Pork Sausages
Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Minted Lamb Burgers         

Pies, Flans, Pizzas, One Pot Meals:
Amy’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Vegetable Lasagne
Amy’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Bean and Rice Burrito
Butterfly Snacks – Gluten Free Chicken Spring Rolls
Dee's – Organic Omega Burger 
Dr Schar – Gluten Free Tortellini
Dr Schar – Gluten Free Bonta d’Italia Margherita Pizza
Easy Bean – New Mexican Chilli Fairtrade Red Bean with Sweet Pepper One Pot Meal
Foodamentalists – Pork, Black Pudding & Caramelised Red Onion Pie
Genius – Mozzarella Cheese & Tomato Pizza
Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Steak Pie
Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie
stewed! – Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Feta One Pot Meal
The Food Resource – Fusilli al Funghi
Worthenshaws – Chicken Tikka with Brown Basmati Rice
Worthenshaws – Thai Green Vegetable Curry with Brown Basmati Rice

11. Gluten-Free Savoury Biscuits & Snacks – sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Amisa – Multiseed Crisp Bread
Conscious Foods – Millet Crackers with Rosemary
Crazy Bakers – Half Pipes Swedish Crispbreads
Darling Spuds – Fire Roasted Jalapeno Crisps
Darling Spuds – Sour Cream with a hint of Mexican Chilli
Darling Spuds – Tomato, Olive & Oregano
Juvela – Crostini Bites

12. Gluten-Free Scones, Sweet Tarts, Bakewells, Cake Bars, Muffins, etc. – sponsored by Tesco
Asda – FreeFrom All Butter Lemon Sicilian Shortbread
Conscious Foods – Ginger Thins
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Triple Chocolate Cookies
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Fruited Teacakes 4 Pack
Crazy Bakers – Oaties
Heavenly Cakes – Gluten & Wheat Free Millionaires
Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Coconut Biscotti
Morrisons – FreeFrom 6 Assorted Jam Tarts
Sugargrain – Almond, Apricot and Tahini Flapjack
Sweetcheeks – Almondies
Tesco – FreeFrom Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tesco – FreeFrom Ginger Cookies

13. Gluten-Free Cakes & Mixes – sponsored by Mrs Crimbles
The Brilliant Bakers – Cupcake Gift Cake
Cake Angels – Traditional Cherry & Almond Cake
The Cake Crusader – Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake
The Cake Crusader– Rich Fruit Cake
Cakes Divine – Dairy & Gluten Free Carrot Cupcakes
Cariad Cakes – Gluten Free Orchard Plum & Ginger Cake
Fria – Kladdkaka Chocolate Brownie Cake
Incognito Cakes – Choc Fudge Cake
Incognito Cakes – White Choc Raspberry Muffins
Lewis & Cooper – Gluten-free Fruit Cake
Ms Cupcake – Cupcakes
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Chocolate Chip Muffins     
Steph’s Free From Cakes – Lemon Drizzle Cake
Sugargrain – Banana & Chocolate Chip Loaf
Sweetcheeks – Maple & Pecan Cupcakes

14. Gluten-Free Puddings, Desserts & Cheesecakes – sponsored by Hale & Hearty
Food Heaven – Summer Fruits Cheesecake
Food Heaven – Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake
Tideford Organics – Butterscotch Rice Pudding        
Mamma Cucina – Mango & Passionfruit Non-Dairy Cheesecake     

15. Dairy/Gluten-Free Chocolate & Snack Bars – sponsored by Tesco
Biona – Organic Sour Snakes
Booja Booja – Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles
Celtic Chocolates – Choices FreeFrom White Choc Easter Egg & Buttons   
Conscious Chocolates – Essential Orange
Eskal Foods – Chocolate Coated Pretzels
Eskal Foods – Yoghurt Coated Pretzels
Gourmelli – Secret Passion Organic Strawberry Dark Chocolate Bar 74%
Kinnerton – Dairy, Egg, Gluten and Nut Free Bar
Nut Free Chocolatier – Pomegranate & Elderflower Truffles
Pulsin’ – Raw Choc Brownie
Tickety Boo Cakes – Roo’s Crunch

16. Dairy/Gluten-Free Christmas Foods – sponsored by Produced in Italy
Cariad Cakes – Christmas Cake 
Conscious Chocolate – Cherry Christmas  
Christine’s Puddings – Rum and Ale Pudding 
Foodamentalists – Frangipane Mince Pies
Friendly Food and Drink – Xmas chutney
Genius – Gluten-free mince pies  
Lewis and Cooper – Plum Pudding
Livwell – Christmas cake    
Morrison's – FreeFrom Christmas pudding
OK Foods – FreeFrom Mince Pies     
Pyman Pates – Chickenliver with port, brandy and cranberries 
The Heavenly Cake Company – Christmas cake

17. Gluten-Free Beer – sponsored by Asda
Daas – Ambre Beer
Daas – Blond Beer
Foodswild – Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer 
Gluten-Free Shop – Ambar
Green’s – Bottle Refermented Blonde Ale
Green’s – Premium Golden Ale
Wold Top – Against the Grain

And thank you again to Michelle Berriedale-Johnson of Foods Matter, for making the Free From Foods Awards exist!!

The Month in Review: January’s New Reads, Food Allergy Warnings & Fun!

It’s already the 4th of February - high time to review what happened in January I should think.... Well, it was a bit of a chaotic month for me filled with new opportunities, life changes and buckling down. That was all well and good but then on the very last week I discovered that I was going to have to move house! Aghast! I’ve been in my house for more than 6 years and in the area for almost 10! But with the right tinted glasses I can see this as an opportunity to maybe move to the northside of Dublin. I have long felt Survival Guide to be a bit southside heavy purely because it’s my main drag and so, what better way to research the northside of the city than to move right into the middle of it!?
Other than my personal upheaval, January was a month of gossip and news flashes with some allergen free sweets to tempt your post-Christmas taste buds (not HALF as much as I had thought - my guilt must have been related to my own cravings & indulgences!) and some ideas and product tastings in hopes of finding Gluten Free (and Dairy Free, etc.) breakfasts worth waking up for!

RESTAURANTS
Jan 16: Going to Nando’s - Ask for the Ingredients Book for Full Allergen Listings!

FREE FROM PRODUCTS
Jan 9: A Worthy Repeat - Dairy Free Caramel Flavoured Choices
Jan 18: Siesta Carob Bars - Sugar Free, Tasty & Naturally Caffeine Free

LIFE, LIVING & TRAVELLING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
Jan 4: ‘Medicinal Cookery’ by Dale Pinnock - The Real Scoop on Super Foods
Jan 11: All About Oreo & It’s Overseas Allergens
Jan 13: Gossip & Gatherings: What’s Been Going On Allergy-Wise
Jan 20: Gossip & Gatherings Cont... Raw Vegan Restaurant & Events
Jan 27: What I’m Reading: Fresh Starts, Free From Recipes & The World of Restricted Diets

BREAKFASTS & RECIPES
Jan 23: Gluten Free Breakfast (Vegan)
Jan 30: The Search Continues: Gluten Free Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

Gossip & Gatherings Cont... Raw Vegan Restaurant & Events

Moving & Grooving
A Little Update on Last Friday’s Post which you can see here
Word on the street is that Fresh is planning on re-locating but is just searching for a new venue. The biggest problem with Powerscourt is that they closed at 6pm which was no longer suitable to Fresh... possibly meaning some late night free from food on the menu?! ... but remember, these are still just rumours - I haven't heard anything direct from Fresh.

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Also looking for a location is that much talked about Raw Vegan restaurant which I believe will be called ‘Aphrodisiac’. Síl from www.sseduced.com (and future proprietor of Aphrodisiac) confirmed for me that they are ready and waiting to open once they find an appropriate location, preferably in the Grafton Street or Temple Bar areas of Dublin 2. And to help Aphrodisiac get on its way here’s a tempting little offer from Sseduced: “We're looking for premises ready to go...If anybody sees anywhere suitable that they would like to recommend to us, they can kindly write to sil@sseduced.com. If we use the premises they recommend we'll reward them with a number of special meals and gifts from Sseduced!” So get your scouting hats on!

And if you can’t wait for that, then check out Sseduced’s monthly Raw Food Events (first one starting tomorrow, Jan 21st at 12:30pm. Also, Feb 2nd at 2pm!) which are like cooking-get-togethers and gives you a feel for what it’s like to be raw for a day with a cooking class, a demo, talk, gourmet meals! Check out the website for more information and booking: www.sseduced.com.

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And yes, that ever important day is tight on our heels again. If you want your 2012 Valentine's to be a little more cool and a little less sappy (OR a little more fun and a little less lonely) check this out: Sseduced is also doing a Valentines Raw Vegan party for both singles and couples. Check out the video ad for it here www.sseduced.com - I love the boy bears voice! Now I’ll have to get on to F. and see if he would like a bossa nova filled February 14th this year!

P.S: When I refer to Aphrodisiac/Sseduced that means:

- Dairy Free
- Gluten free
- Wheat Free
- Sugar Free
- Soya Free
- Yeast Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Raw

Gossip & Gatherings: What’s Been Going On Allergy-Wise

The 2012 Free From Awards & Yours Truly!
My most exciting news is that I’m going to be a judge at the 5th Annual Free From Food Awards in London! I seriously can’t wait! Likewise, I can’t wait to tell you all about it and the wonderful products that will be competing (but of course, the later will come only after the shortlist is released in March). The winners will be announced in April and if you’re wondering what on earth I’m on about because you’ve never heard of the Free From Food Awards: They’re only the best thing since sliced Gluten Free Bread! They are the UK’s only awards for Free From excellence and obviously are a much needed force in the industry for food allergy/intolerant eaters everywhere because they set the bar and can only help the Free From world get better and bigger and tastier - which is what we all want after all, isn’t it?! The organisers conduct a blind taste test for the judges which are made up of food professionals, dietitians, nutritionists, people with food allergies, bloggers (like me!) and some ‘normals’ to benchmark against mainstream equivalents. They announce a shortlist in March and then in April award the winners in numerous categories with ‘Winner’, ‘Highly Commended’ and ‘Commended’ crowns plus an overall competition winner for the best Free From Food for the year. There are loads of sponsors (The 2012 Awards are being sponsored by Asda, Delamere Dairy, Fria Gluten Free, Genius Gluten Free, Genon Laboratories , Hale & Hearty, Juvela, Livwell, Mrs Crimbles, Produced in Italy, Pure Dairy Free, Swedish Glacé, Tesco). And they judge a whole range of foods which are one or all of the following: Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Yeast Free, Soya Free, Sugar Free...Basically they’re only awesome so watch this space! For more on the awards, the sponsors, organisers, how to enter your free from food (which is closed for 2012) and all that, see: www.freefromawards.co.uk


Say Good-bye to Cafe Fresh in Powerscourt

In other news, Cafe Fresh which was located upstairs in the Powerscourt Townhouse is closed - My friend S. confirmed to me only this morning that the doors are closed and their Facebook page has been removed! This, so close on the heels of Juice’s abrupt closure makes for a dark time for vegetarians, vegans and free from eaters in Dublin, non? Supposedly there is hope of just a relocation with Fresh, but with no notices up it seems doubtful. All this definitely makes me hope that my next piece of gossip will be a successful reality!


The On-Going Vegan Restaurant Rumours
In other news I’ve been doing some digging with relation to the rumored Vegan Dublin City Centre restaurant meant to be coming our way but I have nothing solid yet. I THINK, the proprietor might be Síl from Sseduced?? Her website, www.sseduced.com has a hopeful little line on the restaurant page saying ‘Dublin’s 1st ever Raw Restaurant is now quickly becoming a reality right at the Heart of the City in early 2012!’
It seems that Sseduced has, in the past rented out The Joy of Chá located on Essex Street in Temple Bar two nights a week to serve vegan raw living food but this is no longer happening. I’m eagerly awaiting confirmation of a permanent location/opening because if it’s all true then we can look forward to: Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free, Soya Free, Yeast Free, Egg Free, Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian and of course, RAW food in a sit down restaurant in the city centre and seriously, how great would that be?!

The MOST AMAZING Gluten, Wheat, Dairy & Yeast Free Mince Pies

This is just a last minute post because my sister was given a gift of some 'Delicious Gourmet Foods Mince Pies'. These little pies are obviously made in heaven because not only are they Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free and Yeast Free but they come in a box of six and are ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

Myself and my Gluten and Wheat Free Mom were literally gob-smacked with the quality. The pastry is nothing less than AMAZING. It’s like a soft shortbread... no crispiness... no dryness... no ‘Gluten Free taste’... they were truly fabulous. Note that I am speaking in the past tense, because all 6 have already been devoured!
Added bonus is that there is no Potato Flour in the Gluten Free mix. I don’t know what they cost being a gift and all, but they were bought in Fallon & Byrne... And I promise, even if you are not Gluten Free or Dairy Free or Anything Free these little babies are the bees knees.

- Dairy Free (note: made in a bakery that handles milk)
- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Yeast Free
- Potato Free




Ingredients: Flour (maize starch, soya flour, rice flour, modified maize starch, raising agent: (acid calcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), egg albumin (contains acidity regulator: citric acid, foaming agent: triethyl citrate), salt, calcium carbonate, anti caking agent (tri-calcium phosphate), stabiliser: (methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose), vitamin (B1, B2, niacin, C), Sugar, Margarine (veg oils, water, Emulsifier (E471, E435), Flavouring, Colour (E100, E160b)), Eggs, Lemon, Sultanas, Almonds, Spice, Orange, Xanthum Gum, Brandy
Warning: Made in a bakery that handles nuts eggs & milk

The Verdict on Free From Mince Pies

This day week we’ll be lying on our backs wishing that we hadn’t eaten so much the previous day ... but that's only because there are SO many wonderful allergy friendly foods on the market now, and thus, absolutely NO reason to go hungry at Christmas... but remember, pace yourself. Just because you’re not allergic or intolerant to it doesn’t mean that eating the whole box won’t make you feel sick!

So, on the last 5-6 days before Christmas I thought it essential to do a cross reference of some of the Free From Allergy Friendly Mince Pies on the market this year. Of course, I couldn’t try ALL of them, but I hope what I did try will help you in your shopping and your Christmas feasting.

[UPDATE NOTE: I just had the MOST wonderful Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free & Yeast Free Mince Pies - with NO Potato either... see December 22nd 2011's Post "The Most Amazing Gluten, Wheat, Dairy & Yeast Free Mince Pies"]

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Lovemore’s Free From Mince Pies

The tops are rather hard (almost crispy on the edges) but the filling is super moist and you can definitely taste the brandy. There is a bit of the famous gluten free (and soy free) dry aftertaste but I have experienced the same with other 'gluten filled' mince pies from time to time. The pastry is quite spicy (in a home baked nutmeg and clove kind of way) and although Lovemore’s Free From Mince Pies don’t rock my world they’re not a bad alternative and I wouldn’t be completely disappointed to see them on the table during the Christmas season. Available at Nourish and Health Matters: €3.99 approx for a box of 4

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Milk Free
- Soya Free
- No added Nuts (note: but made in factory that handles nuts)
- Vegetarian

Ingredients: mincemeat (49%) [vine fruits (29%), Bramley Apple puree, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Maize Flour, Vegetable Oil], Palm oil, rice flour, maize starch, potato starch, grabulated sugar, dextrose, maize flour, liquid egg, beet fibre, raising agents: diphosphates, potassium hydrogen carbonate; stabilizer: xanthan gum; salt, preservative: potassium sorbate; emulsifiers: polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

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The Foods of Athenry

Definitely My favourite Mince Pies this year. The box is beautiful, the Pies are beautiful and they definitely have the best Gluten Free pastry of the bunch. My only compaint is that the pastry is VERY crumbly, so much so that it is quite difficult to get the pies out of their tin cups in one piece. But the taste is good so the perseverance is well awarded. The filling is heavy in peel and a bit thicker than other brands but not dry. they definitely get my thumbs up and are my standing favourite amoung the Gluten and Wheat Free and well as the Gluten and Wheat Filled. Available in Numerous Health Food Shops and Gourmet Grocers. Definitely available at The Hopsack and Fresh, The Good Food Market: €5.49 approx. for a box of 4

- Dairy Free
- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Egg Free
- Soya Free (I rang and confirmed)
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Free From Hydrogenated Fats
- No Artificial Colours
- No Artificial Flavours
- No Artificial Preservatives

Ingredients: Pastry: Gluten Free Flour (Rice, Potato, Tapioca, Maize & Buckwheat), 100% Vegetable Non-Hydrogenated Margarine, Sugar, Raising Agents (Mono Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Xanthan Gum. Mincemeat Filling (50%): Sultanas, Sugar, Apple, Raisins, Fresh Grated Carrot, Dates, Apricots, Mixed Citrus Peel, Currants, Glace Cherries, Vegetable Suet, Brandy, Irish Cider, Glucose Syrup, Mixed Nuts, Walnuts, Maize, Mixed Spice, Lemon Juice, Acidity Regulator: Acetic Acid, Plain Caramel, Orange Rind Oil, Lemon Rind Oil.
Allergen Information: Contains Nuts


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Sargents 6 Standard Shallow Mince Pies

Sargents mince pies are of bargain basement quality. They are very shallow and just happen to be naturally Dairy Free. They are not a dedicated ‘Food Allergy Free’ product, and although they naturally do not contain many common allergens, there are a few ‘may contain’ warnings which I have listed below. SO, that means, Sargent’s is strictly for the food intolerant gambler looking for a bargain. The filling is at a minimum and is definitely dryer than other brands whereas the pastry is softer but contains a slight dryness in taste. In general, they are exactly what you would expect from the extreme bargain price. Available at Dunnes Stores: €1.89 approx. for a pack of 6

- Dairy Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Egg Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Nut Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Soya Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- No Artificial Colour
- No Artificial Flavours

Ingredients: Pastry: Wheat Flour, Vegetable Shortening [Palm and Rapeseed Oils], Vegetable Margarine [Palm and Rapeseed Oils, Water, Salt, Emulsifier (E475), Sugar, Water, Salt. Mincemeat Filling (35%): Sultanas, Acetic Bramley Apple Pulp (Bramley Apple, Acetic Acid), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Candied Orange and Lemon Peel [Contains Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Acidity Regulator (E330), Preservatives (E220)], Vegetable Suet (Vegetable Oil, Rice Flour), Water, Modified Maize Starch, Mixed Spice (Coriander, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Caraway, Cloves), Raisins, Colour (E150a), Orange Oil.
Contains: Wheat, Gluten, Sulphites. May contain traces of nuts, milk, eggs or soya.


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Blazing Salads

The Blazing Salads mince pies are freshly baked and sold separately. They are a bit of a different beast because they are Free From Sugar, which makes it more difficult to compete. But my final verdict is that the pastry is quite hard on the base but the filling is very moist and super fruity. I actually think that they contain rhubarb which makes for a bit of a change. My friend S. was very disappointed with them whereas my friend A. quite liked them. I thought them messy to look at but OK in taste, albeit not as ‘Christmasy’ tasting as other brands. But on the whole I think they are a good alternative for people looking for a Sugar Free healthier option. Available from the Blazing Salads Deli. €1.45 each

- Dairy Free
- Egg Free
- Sugar Free
- Yeast Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan

Full ingredients unavailable

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Happy Mince Pie Eating!

Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free Rich & Fruity Cider Cake Anyone?

So.. Today is the eleventh day before Christmas .... which means that if you haven’t started thinking about foods, recipes and meals for the Holidays then you better jump on the band wagon or you’ll miss it - especially if you need food allergy friendly ‘Free From’ items which have a nasty habit of disappearing off the shelves rather quickly! Note: Down to Earth only take Gluten Free cake and pudding orders, so time is definitely of the essence)

This year, I’ve noticed the Foods of Athenry EVERYWHERE.. they’re in:
- Gourmet Grocers
- Health Food Shops (I got mine in The Hopsack)
- Markets
- Luxury Corner Stores like ‘Fresh’ (definitely the one located in Grand Canal Dock)

It’s great to see the company expanding so much and its even better for the Free From community because their products are top notch. The Foods of Athenry’s ‘Rich & Fruity Cider Cake’ is the perfect christmas treat and stands in (for me) as a marizpan and icing free christmas cake. It’s moist, fruity and makes me want more! It comes in a 450g shrink wrapped round size that looks like a giant muffin.

The essential part, as is the case with all Gluten Free products, is to eat it while it’s fresh. I opened mine, and had a finger or two while I was cutting it and thought that it was amazing! It tasted exactly like the ‘real’ wheaty, gluteny, milky thing... even F. agreed that there was no difference ... but then two hours later, after it had been lying out sliced up and exposed to the air it began to get dry and as F. said: transformed into a ‘gluten free’ product. It’s almost like a Cinderella cake that MUST be eaten before it gets turned back into a pumpkin. Although, I will say that even when it was a bit drier and tasted gluten free it was still nice, it’s just that the magic was gone.....
So, do buy it but save it until exactly the time you want to eat it and if you can’t eat all 450g maybe try immediately wrapping the remainder tightly in cling film until you need a pinch of magic again!

- Milk Free
- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Soya Free (I rang and confirmed!)
- Yeast Free (but contains sugar & dried fruits)
- Vegetarian
- No Hydrogenated Fats
- No Artificial Colours, Flavour or Preservatives

The cake is about €8.99 or there about which seems a bit steep for the size of it but it’s actually quite tasty and larger than it looks.

Ingredients: Fruit 42% (Raisins, Sultanas, cherries, Mixed Peel, Dates), Gluten Free Flour (Rice, Potato, Tapioca, Maize & Buckwheat), 100% Vegetable Margarine, Brown Sugar, Eggs, Irish Cider 5%, Mixed Nuts 4%, Cinnamon, Mixed Spice, Orange Rind Oil, Lemon Rind Oil, Concentrated Fruit Juice, Rice Starch, Raising Agents (ono-Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Xanthan Gum
Contains: Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs

Nutritional Information per 100g:
Energy 1418.8kJ/337.9kcal
Protein 6.3g
Carbohydrates 47.0g
of which sugars 36.8g
Fat 13.8g
of which saturates 0.8g
of which trans fats 0.01g
Sodium 0.151g
equivalent as salt 0.377g
Vitamin B7 7.61ug
Vitamin D 1.10ug
Copper 0.28mg
Potassium 356.72mg