I have been eating Brookfarm Macadamia Muesli since I was diagnosed and love it but I find it best more as a sprinkle on top of my fruit and yoghurt. Yesterday tried out a new muesli from Tastefully Yours – Flip Shelton’s GF Natural Muesli. This muesli is great to have as a cereal with milk as stays nice and crunchy. I also like the Real Good Foods GF Bircher muesli as can soak this in some natural yoghurt and serve with fruit.

Was very pleased to discover Simply Thai that can modify most dishes to be gluten free with tamari instead of soy sauce and rice noodles. We had Pad Thai, Mussaman and steamed rice. Very tasty and they do take away and a lunch menu.

Made a spur of the moment trip to Perth today to go to the opening day of the Perth Apple store and visit the Crumpler store to get a new bag to fit my iPad. Couldn’t make a trip to Perth without a visit to Jus Burgers in Leederville. They make the best burgers and even better can make them gluten free. The burgers, most sauces and the hand cut chips are gluten free. Today my burger was not the best one had there as the Bodhi Bakery buns they use can tend to fall apart but still tasted delicious. The vibe is also very relaxed and funky.

I have tried lots of different gluten free breads and my favourite commercially available bread is from Bodhis Bakehouse. That said the best bread is the one I bake myself using Sunbeam Quantum Smartbake with gluten free cycle. Tastefully Yours sell the breadmaker and all the supplies to make the bread.

Ingredients
500ml warm water
3 x free range eggs
1/2 cup oil (olive, grapeseed or chia)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup besan (chick pea) flour
2 cups white rice flour
1 cup arrowroot
3 tablespoons grain (chia, pepitas, sunflower seeds)
1 tablespoon xantham gum
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons yeast

Method
1. Place ingredients in bread pan in order listed
2. Place bread pan into breadmaker
3. Choose gluten free cycle, dark crust and 1kg loaf size option
4. Press start

The bread takes about 2.5 hours to bake and smells delicious like any bread baking. It needs some time to cool before slicing but is great fresh. After the first day bread is best toasted or freeze individual slices for later use.

Took my iPad for coffee and cake at Fez. Caf-Fez is my favourite cafe because of the excellent Yahava coffee and Bannister Downs milk. They also have a good gluten free selection including cakes and bread. Today we also had GF nachos with chicken which were very yummy weekend treat.

It is Friday night and I don’t want to cook but sometimes going out for dinner gluten free can just be all too difficult! Not at The Singing Chef where most things on the theme menus are gluten free or easily adapted to be gluten free. June is French theme and on a chilly evening the food was warm and satisfying.

I started with the Soupe de Poisson, a robust fish soup with tomato and garlic rouille. For mains I chose the Beef Bourgoigon, a tender braised beef and merlot with parisienne potato and carrots. Aubrey had the Filet de Poisson avec Epinard Beurre Rouge, a tender Barramundi fillet wrapped in spinach and steamed butter sauce with pilaf rice. For dessert I picked the Creme Brulee custard with burnt caramel topping which was delicious with a crispy shell to crack open to reveal warm creamy custard. Finished off with strong Yallingup Coffee Company flat white made to perfection.

On a cold morning there is nothing like warm porridge! I am missing my oats and have been looking for a substitute.   I made a bowl of Real Good Foods Organic Lemon Polenta Porridge with milk this morning and added some extra sultanas and chopped dates – was delicious.   I bought it at Balingup on our recent visit but Tastefully Yours stocks the same brand or check out their website here.

Aubrey and I had lunch at the 100% Gluten Free Balingup Bronze Cafe to celebrate our three year anniversary of meeting at Dome in Fremantle.   This is my favourite cafe as I can eat anything on the menu and be assured it is gluten free. It is also always delicious and flavoursome. I had the arborio rice balls stuffed with spinach and fetta and covered in a lovely crispy coating. Aubrey had the bacon and mushroom cheesy slice. Both were served with generous and tasty side salads with a tangy balsamic dressing. We took a stroll around picturesque Balingup and bought some herbal sprinkle and stock cube substitute at Tinderbox. Then back to the cafe for coffee and baked cheesecake which was delicious with a nutty base and tangy cheesecake filling.   The coffee at Balingup Bronze Cafe is not for the faint hearted and very Melbourne style!   There is also a gluten free store and bought some lemon polenta porridge which cannot wait to taste.   Check out my link to the Balingup Bronze Cafe – you won’t be disappointed.

I had to travel to Melbourne for a work conference and as usual travelling GF is difficult and requires prior planning.   Calling Qantas to get special meal ordered as cannot do online, checking with the hotel and conference organisers that GF meals available. Travelling to the airport was a good excuse to stop for lunch at my favourite place in Perth – Jus Burgers in Leederville.   They do the best GF burgers and chips and it is a treat – thank goodness I don’t live close by. The meals on the plane were OK but annoys me that because GF assumed I am lactose free as well and get soy milk which I really cannot tolerate.   The meals at the conference were OK as well though show how little people understand as had GF bread but no ‘safe’ way to toast as forgot my toaster bags! It was all made worthwhile by a walk from Albert Park to Fitzroy St in St Kilda to Cacao Fine Chocolates.   What a divine place, flourless chocolate cake, hot chocolate and delectable selection of chocolates mostly GF.   The staff were well informed about GF products in the shop and packaged and wrapped my selection with care. Check out the website here