Tag: lactose free

Pizza Express

I recently heard a rumour that Pizza Express had expanded their gluten free menu to include a vegan cheese. Naturally I needed to find out more. Quickly. So off I popped to my nearest Pizza Express. 

When I arrived I spoke to the manager who provided me with full allergy menus and options. They spoke to me about my needs, made recommendations and discussed it with the chef.

I ordered the gluten free dough balls with olive oil and balsamic followed by a gluten free margherita with vegan cheese. 

The food was delicious, the service was inclusive and I was in no way unwell. 

I would highly recommend and look forward to a future trip. 

Creamy Broccoli Soup

September is one of my favourite times of the year. I love the change of season and the autumnal spirit. Soup is a perfect Autumn weekend lunch and today I’ve used summery broccoli and vegan cream cheese to make a delicious soup.

I am lucky enough to have a lovely Le Creuset casserole pan and it makes soups really easy as you can just pop all the ingredients in and let it work it’s magic. 

For this soup, a vegan twist on broccoli and stilton, I start by chopping new potatoes, broccoli and brown onion. You can chop quite roughly as when it’s cooked it will need blending. Add all the ingredient to the pan and cover with stock. As I’m a coeliac I use Kallo gluten free stock cubes to avoid a reaction. 

Cover and cook on a medium heat for approximately 90 minutes stirring as required. Once the vegetables are soft and cooked entirely blend the soup. 

I’m serving with a soya, vegan alternative to cream cheese and flavour with salt and pepper. 

A lovely Saturday lunch in a sunny autumn day. 

Perfect Late Summer Chutney 

It’s apple time! To celebrate beautiful moment of the year when my neighbour presents me with a bucket full of apples fresh from their tree and all ready for me to transform into treats. 


This year I’m making a tasty chutney with a load of apples, a little pear and a generous serving of gin. 

Chop the apples and place into a large saucepan or cooking pot along with 2 chopped pears. I’m using my oval Le Creuset dish as it’s perfectly sized. Cover the fruit with demerara sugar, about 200g for a large pan full of fruit. 

Add 500ml red wine vinegar. I’m using red wine vinegar instead of other vinegar as it’s one of the gluten free vinegars suitable for coeliacs. Top with a generous helping of gin. Approximately 100ml. I’m using Arbikie’s gin as, like the vinegar, it’s completely gluten free. 

Switch the temperature up to high so the chutney can start bubbling and then when the liquid is beginning to boil turn down to a low temperature and simmer for about 2 hours stirring regularly. 

The apple and pear will break down forming a chutney of thick consistency. 

Dish into jars and allow to cool. This will be perfect with a gluten free cracker – I can’t wait. 

Gluten Free, Vegan Cupcakes (accesorised with Moomins) 

I’m definitely getting in the spirit for the first episode of Great British Bake Off as the new series starts tonight! 

As I’m lactose intolerant and a coeliac I don’t tend to do much baking these days but I’ve made a special effort and whipped up some gluten freee, vegan cakes. 

I’m lying. I’ve made no effort at all. These cakes came from a ready mix I actually found in Aldi. Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil Food Cake Mix. The instructions say to mix with eggs, water and vegetable oil but I’ve replaced the egg with vegan alternative before mixing and it’s worked out perfectly. 

Following the steps are simple. Mix all the ingredients together and pour into cupcake cases or a greased cake tin and bake for approximately 25 minutes. 

Once cooked and cooled I have made my own chocolate icing with Vitalite, icing sugar and cocoa powder. I’ve also topped some with Moomin cake toppers made of rice paper, not all because I ran out though. This box made 24 cakes so I will be tucking in for a while. A perfect accompaniment for when Bake Off starts at 8pm! 

Sesame Crunch Noodles

I’m going through a real sesame phase and am enjoying sesame oil and seeds. This crunchy stir fry lightly cooks the vegetables making for a crisp and delicious meal. 

Start by soaking pad thai rice noodles in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Rice noodles are an excellent staple for coeliacs as it never feels like you are missing out. Keep the noodles soaking whilst you prepare and cook the veg. 

Warm a little sesame oil in a large wok and add chopped broccoli and slices of yellow pepper. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking. After 3 -5 minutes add chopped spring onions and sweetcorn and continue to stir fry for a further 3 – 5 minutes. Drain and then add the rice noodles. Season with gluten free tamari and continue to cook. 

Serve with toasted sesame seeds to add extra bite. I love the combination of crunchy vegetables in this vegan and coeliac friendly dish. 

Coriander Stir Fry

Coriander is quite a divisive herb, those with an aversion to it will taste soap and be unable to taste anything else at all. Fortunately I don’t have this aversion and I love the warm, peppery taste of coriander and enjoy cooking with it. This stir fry uses coriander as a key flavour. 

Cook enough brown rice for the number of people eating the meal. Once cooked drain the rice and stand to one side.

Now it’s time to get to work on the stir fry. Start by chopping courgette and whilst you do warm a little sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add the courgette to the wok and cook for a couple of minutes. When the courgette starts to soften add tofu pieces to the pan. As ever I use Cauldron tofu but I’m actually using the ready marinated pieces. Continue to cook on a high heat for a further 5 minutes stirring frequently. 

Once the tofu has started to crisp add chopped spring onions, pak choi and chopped coriander. Keep stirring and continue to fry for a further 5 minutes before sprinkling with a teaspoon of gluten free tamari. 

Once all the vegetables and tofu are cooked stir through the brown rice until evenly distributed. 

Serve with an additional coriander garnish and enjoy tucking into a perfect coeliac friendly vegan meal. 

Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

A thick sweet soup with flavour and depth. Sweet potato and coconut is a perfect combination full of comfort, as well as vitamins. 

Sweet potato is a really healthy alternative to potato. Technically sweet potato is not a potato, rather a root vegetable. As such ot is lower in carbohydrate and healthier. Sweet potato is also rich in vitamins A, B and C so it is excellent for an immune boost. 

Start by chopping sweet potato. I actually leave the skin on as it gives texture to the soup when blended. To make enough soup for four people I use two large sweet potatoes. Chop white onion and cover in boiling stock – which I make up from Kallo Reduced Salt Vegetable stock cubes. Bring the pan up to heat and cook on high for approximately 20 minutes. 

By the 20 minute mark the sweet potatoes will be soft and beginning to break apart. Turn the temperature down to a low heat and add a can of coconut milk, or light coconut milk if prefered and continue to cook for a further 20 minutes. 

The next stage is blending. I use a hand blender and it is important to be careful with the sweet potato skin when you blend as it will put up more resistance. I hold the blender directly above the sweet potato skin to blend. 

Once the soup is smooth and blended dish up and enjoy. I’m certainly going to. 

Coriander and Lime Rice with Coconut Vegetable Curry

Happy Saturday. To celebrate I’m also going to enjoy a healthy Saturday with this delicious meal for my dinner. 

Start by preparing a simple curry base in a large sauce pan. I saute chopped onion, garlic and chilli in a small amount of vegetable oil at a medium-high heat. 

Whilst the onion and spices sizzle a little you can use the time to chop vegetables. I’m using celery and courgette. I really like celery but feel like it isn’t embraced in as many dishes as it could be. I love it in this as it soaks up all the flavours and adds a crisp and crunchy texture. 
Add the courgette and celery and reduce the heat to a low setting. Pop on the saucepan lid and continue to cook for 20 minutes. 

When the courgette and celery have softened as though they have been steamed add light coconut milk, coriander, fresh lime juice and spinach and continue to cook for a further 20 minutes or until the coconut milk has formed a light curry sauce. 

Preparing the rice to go along with this curry could actually not be simpler. I just add lime juice, chopped coriander and the squeezed out lime slices to the pan of rice whilst cooking (don’t forget to take thee slices out after!) The rice will become infused with the delicious flavours and  is the perfect accompaniment. 

Hope you enjoy my healthy, happy Saturday meal as much as I have. 

Roasted Vegetable Vegan Bowl

A good roast dinner is a staple in the UK so I’ve taken all the best (and all the cruelty free) bits of a Sunday roast and used it to make up a delicious bowl of gluten free veggies perfect for a vegan lunch!

Start by preparing the vegetables. Chop sweet potatoes and carrots into approximately 1cm wide slices. I leave the skin on as it adds extra flavour and nutrition. 

Then place into a baking tray and add a little oil. I use Fry Light Olive spray rather than oil as I think it produces as good a result with far fewer calories and fat. 

Seasoning is key. I use chopped sage, salt and pepper on the sweet potatoes and rosemary on the carrots. Place into a hot oven and roast for about an hour turning the vegetables half way through. 

Whilst the vegetables are roasting now is a great time to get some toasted chickpeas sorted. Again I use Fry Light Olive spray and add chopped garlic to a small frying pan. Add the chickpeas and sizzle for about 5 minutes. Then squeeze fresh lemon over the pan and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes. 

When all the vegetables are cooked start layering into a bowl. I start with a healthy base of spinach. High in vitamins and minerals spinach is a great super food. 

Add the roasted vegetables and enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch ideal for vegans and vegetarians alike. 

Nectarine and Peach Sunflower Seed Crumble

A delicious dessert with summer fruits this is one of my favourite puddings to make (and to eat).

Start by chopping fresh fruit for the base. I’m using nectarines and peaches as they are in season and very summery. Lots of recipes suggest adding sugar to the fruit you use. I am not going to do that at all as I really enjoy the natural flavours. 

As a lactose intolerant, coeliac vegetarian I’ve had to develop a different crumble to the usual wheaty and buttery crumble you find on many puddings. I’m using gluten free oats, soya spread, local honey and sunflower seeds. 

Melt approx 100g of the soya spread in a small pan. I use the Pure brand Soya spread. As the spread melts add 2 tablespoons of honey. I’m using a local honey made in Sheffield as it helps fight hayfever and supports local community farming. 

When the honey and spread is fully melted and mixed stir in approximately 200g gluten free oats and a tablespoon of sunflower seeds and mix thoroughly until the oats are evenly covered with the honey mix. Spread over the fruit and place into the oven to bake for 20 minutes at 200°. 

When cooked serve and enjoy. The use of honey and swet fruits gives a really natural flavour and the sunflowers seeds make the crumble super crunchy as well as adding extra protein to the dessert. 

I love this pudding and I hope you will too.