Sharabelle bakes

Free from Christmas Recipes Christmas Star Cookies I dread the Christmas season every year, since most of the festivities revolve around food.  I feel almost apologetic explaining my food intolerance's to people.  I'm the awkward person who's food requirements need to be taken into consideration.  While other people look forward to their works night outs or Christmas meals with friends , I end up researching the chosen  restaurant menu's to see not what I want to order, but what meal I can actually eat.  It's not a easy as you would think, as most vegetarian options include some form of cheese, or hidden Gluten.  I never really enjoy what I end up eating.   Being invited to family or friends house for Christmas dinner, fills me with anxiety and fear. I find it's more tactful to turn the invitation down, than try to explain my dietary needs.  If you have family or friends with the same problems as I am, Ive found some tasty ...

Eggnog - What is it??? The traditional eggnog recipe is a basic homemade custard, spiced and thickened with egg. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are the main spices used, a dding alcohol is optional.  you can serve it either hot or cold depending on your preference.   Even though the recipe originated in the UK, it's more popular in the USA. The drink seems to be mentioned or featured in nearly every American Christmas movie.  Frankly I had to look it up as I had no idea what was in it. It sounds really similar in taste to a chai tea latte, one of my personal favourite hot beverages.   It's not exactly vegan friendly recipe, however I've found some great dairy free recipes that you can make instead. Girl makes Food blog Vegan Egg - girl makes food I really like this recipe, it looks quick and easy to make.  It also includes my favourite fruit banana  Vegan Eggnog Recipe - BBC good food This recipe takes a little time as,...

Cooking when you have a  chronic illness When people talk about not being able to cook, you just assume there not confident in their food knowledge.  When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I discovered how much having a chronic illness could also affect my ability in the kitchen. I've had IBS for over 20 years, you never really get used to living with food intolerances.  It gets worse as you get older.  You can develop new symptoms and the food you can safely eat can change.   I've always been lactose intolerant however 2 years ago I had to add gluten to my do not eat food list. I'm basically a lactose and gluten intolerant pescatarian, who  follows a  Low Fodmap diet  to manage my IBS symptoms.  It's a bit of a mouthful to say, which means I rarely talk about it. Low Fodmaps is short for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are more commonly known as carbohydrate. ...

Bicarbonate of Soda Not just for baking I don't remember how it started, but it ended up as a joke between my mum and I.  All the things that you can do with bicarbonate of soda.  Every time we needed to do something in the house, "get the bicarb out" Why bicarbonate of soda? It's a chemical compound that's a type of salt. Historically it's been used in one form or another since the Egyptian times, when it was used in natural form as Natron. It's seen as Eco friendly, which is something we all need more of in this world.  It's the one kitchen item you can use to bake a cake, then clean the oven it was baked in.   The Kitchen helper - Chopping Board : To get rid of strong smells and odours from your chopping board, sprinkle on 3 tbsp of Bicarb followed by enough water to moisten.  Leave for 15 Min's, the rub well clean then dry. - Worktops :  Use the same principle as above, to clean down your worktops.  Only use ho...

Live Strong Health Benefits of eating Seeds Seeds are not just for breakfast, I've found lots of ways of using them when preparing food.  There a great natural way of replacing vitamin pills.   I don't really believe in taking vitamin pills, unless they are specifically recommended by your Doctor.  My Doctor advised me to take calcium pills since I'm lactose intolerant. However trying to find a brand that does not contain lactose is really hard.  Which kind of defeats the point.  So now I try and get my calcium from my food and by eating fortified non dairy products. Main Benefits - Seeds contain more fibre per ounce than nuts.   - Good source of Protein - Contain vitamins and minerals There great as a snack or can easily be added to a lot of recipes.  The crunchy texture works well with a lot of dishes.   FOOD IDEAS -  Use Sesame seeds instead of tahini when making hummus or other dips.  Tahini is made by p...

I've grown up loving oatcakes, one of our traditional Scottish food products. We used to eat them with cheese, or served with soup instead of bread.  They are also a great served with homemade Scottish Stovies.  Personally I love them topped with hummus and sweet pickle.   Since I gave up Gluten to help manage my IBS, I switched to oatcakes because they are a lot cheaper than Gluten free bread.  Real oatcakes our naturally gluten and dairy free, however I always check the list of ingredients.   Traditional Scottish Oatcake Recipe Oatcakes must be made with 100% Oats, I get annoyed at recipes or food manufacturers that add in flour.   Im glad to say my favourite Brand Nairn, makes them the traditional way. The majority of their products are vegetarian and vegan.  They have now also added a   Gluten free - Nairn  range. Along with their traditional oatcakes, they also make a sweet biscuit version.   The most recent one Iv...

Rice pudding is one of my all time favourite comfort foods.  My mum used to make baked rice pudding for us, when we were kids.  We would fight over who would get the skin that was on top.  Rice pudding is an easy recipe to make dairy free, gluten free and vegan.  The recipes I've found could easily be served at a dinner party. Not just for a family meal.   It has always fascinated me,  how many global variations of the same basic recipe there are.  Did it happen because of global travel and migration.  Or did a lot of cooks just have the same idea.  Vegan Coconut rice pudding   from neurotic mommy Using tinned coconut milk makes this recipe extra creamy.  I love to top mine with fruit compote.  Rice pudding is one of those dishes that can be served hot or cold.     Zardah recipe  from In search of Suckoon Pakistani Royal Dessert made with Sweet Yellow Rice and loads of nuts, raisins, murabbas an...

Things to do list - Recipes I need to make My recent blog on cake has left me craving a sweet dessert.  Since It's like going on a treasure hunt trying to find a restaurant that serves both a vegan and gluten free one, I'll just have to make my own.   Vegan coconut Panna cotta  - from Green Evi's blog The photo is gorgeous, even better there are only 3 ingredients in the recipe.  Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.  She's served it with fresh fruit, which adds a splash of colour.  I can't wait to try this recipe myself. No bake sweet potato cake  - Green Evie's blog Another recipe from Green Evie's blog.  It's a really unique recipe, I would never have thought of using sweet potato this way.  The shredded coconut and cocoa powder act as a binder in this recipe.  I'm really interested to try this one out. Vegan Chocolate pie  - from Food 52  I've used silken tofu in...

SCOTTISH CAKE AND BAKE  STALL CLASSICS One of my favourite memories of my grandma was home baking.  Whenever a local church, girl guides or charity had a jumble sale she would always be there. She always had frozen some of these treats for us to eat w hen we went to visit her.  The cake and bake stall is always a favourite of any fundraiser.  I love how everyone involved would bake something to bring in for the stall.  Certain people would be famous for their particular bakes, so these would usually go first.  You never knew what you were going to find.  Every country has their own version, so I thought I let you into what you can find at a Scottish one. CAKES A must for every cake and bake sale are small cakes.  The Americans had cupcakes, we make our own smaller version.  Cupcakes seem to have taken over lately, but I love the nostalgia of our smaller cakes.  There also small enough for kids to enjoy.  Lets be hones...