allergy friendly hummus

Dips are easy to make from scratch and everybody loves them.
So why not make an allergy safe dip to take along to that Christmas event to share the love.

We like hummus at the moment, served along side carrots, celery, cucumber and raw broccoli.
 I have taken this dip recipe from Sue Dengates Failsafe cookbook.

The combination makes for a yummy, healthy snack for all involved. For less than 5 min make come on and dip it allergy style! :D

Hummus

440g can chickpeas (garbanzos), drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic crushed
3tbsp canola oil
1/3 tsp citric acid
1tbsp parsley, chopped
                                                                 salt to taste

Combine ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Use as a spread on sandwiches and rice cakes or as a dip with preservative-free bread and salad.

yummy homemade golden chicken nuggets

Our homemade nuggets! YUM

 Commercial chicken nuggets contain nasty additives such as flavour enhancers, in most cases "may contain traces of egg, gluten.....". and hardly  any chicken!!!

For a safer, tastier, healthier, natural, allergy friendly and extra easy homemade chicken nugget recipe made from good cuts of chicken look no further.

I have had my fair share of commercial chicken nuggets in my time and I was very chuffed that my home cooked chicken nuggets were so much tastier than any I had previously consumed (not hard when your using chicken and not mechanically reclaimed meat :S) Did I mention it's easy!!!

2 chicken breasts, diced (about 500g)
1/2 rice crumbs
salt to taste
canola oil (if you wish to shallow fry)

Put rice crumbs in a freezer bag, add chicken and shake until evenly coated.
Place on a lightly oiled baking tray and bake at 180 degrees for 10-15 minutes or shallow fry for a more golden appearance (I shallow fried ours).

These nuggets are free of egg, gluten, dairy, nuts and preservatives

These nuggets are sooooo yummy and a great treat for any little people or adults and you don't have to worry about any hidden nasties or ingredients that may trigger a reaction to your allergies.

You only have to click and watch Jamie Olivers Chicken Nugget experiment to see what is in the commercial chicken nuggets and you might think before you eat/buy them again :S

Simply try the recipe I am posting and enjoy without to a queasy tummy, an allergic reaction, a dose of artificial flavours and all those nasties!!! enjoy simple yummy safe food :)

Crisp Coconut Biscuits

Crisp Coconut Biscuits

(Contains gluten, free of dairy, egg and nuts)

125g butter (or nuttlex for dairy free)

1 cup caster sugar

1 egg (or egg equivalent, we used 'no egg')

2 cups self-raising flour

Pinch salt

1 cut coconut (we used dessicated coconut)

extra sugar

• Cream butter and sugar, beat in egg, add sifted flour, salt and coconut.
• Roll into balls and press flat between the hands. Dip top side in extra sugar.
• Place on a greased oven trays sugar side up; allow for spreading.
• Bake in moderate oven  for 10-15 minutes (makes about 40)

These biscuits are so yummy and are great with a cup of tea!

I was lucky enough for some resident birdies to join me as I devoured by biscuits and tea :)

Chocolate Fudge Bars

I thought it would be cruel to not share this recipe with you all, although some of you who may be dieting might think it's cruel of me to share it :D

I was inspired by some of my face book friends to make these yummy treats - they were quite quick to brag about their trip to beautiful Montville last weekend, indulging themselves with a to die for English morning-tea with a mountain view, a visit to the fudge shop, pottering in and out of little nooks and cranny's in shops full of treasures.....you know who you are! :P

So here you have it, easy homemade yummy Chocolate fudge bars to indulge ourselves -

 whether it be a little treat along side a dainty tea cup full of your fave tea, that special something to eat while you enjoy your 'mummy time' while the kids are tucked in bed, a cooking experience to share with your little ones or simply cook them because you can!!!
They were yummy enough for Thalia to want to pray about them when she went to bed last night ..lol
That girl loooooves her food!!!!

Chocolate Fudge Bars

(contains gluten and dairy, free of egg and nuts)

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup coconut

1 tablespoon cocoa

185g butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate icing- 1 cup icing sugar

2tablespoons cocoa

30g butter

1 1/2 tablespoon hot water

coconut

• Sift dry ingredients into a bowl, add melted butter and vanilla, mix well.
• Press mixture over the base of greased 28cm x 18cm (11in x 7in) lamington tin.
• Bake in moderate oven for 20 min. Cool in tin
• When cold, ice with Chocolate icing, sprinkle with coconut.
• Cut into bars when icing has set

Chocolate icing: Sift icing sugar and cocoa into a small bowl, add melted butter and water, mix until the icing is smooth and glossy.

ENJOY!!!!!

Pretzel Butterfies

Do you often wonder what quick, low-fat and tasty homemade treat you can make for hungry kids....
Here is something they will not only  keep them healthy and safe, but it will make their imagination go wild and put a smile on their dial :)

I came across this idea in a 'Good Taste' magazine and tweaked it a little to suit the munchkins diet.

Carrot Pretzel butterflies
Serves: 2  Prep:10 min
(shown in top of pic)

Cut 1carrot in half length ways and into 2x10cm lengths.
Cover the flat sides of the carrot sticks with 1tbsp cream cheese.
Place 2 pretzels in the cream cheese to make butterfly wings.
Place 2 pieces of copped celery along the length of the carrot underneath the wings.
Break 2 small pieces off 1 extra pretzel and place above the whole pretzel's to make antennae. Serve immediately.

Celery Pretzel butterflies
Serves: 2 Prep: 10 min
(shown in bottom of pic)
Cut 1 celery into 2x10cm lengths.
Fill each piece with 1tbsp cream cheese.
Place 2 pretzels in the cream cheese to make butterfly wings.
Place 2 pieces of copped carrot along the length of the celery underneath the wings.
Break 2 small pieces off 1 extra pretzel and place above the whole pretzels to make antennae. Serve immediately

Variations:

• If your children have dairy allergies, try using peanut butter instead of cream cheese.
• If your child's diet allows sultana's and/or raisins you could incorporate them into the butterfly design. e.g. instead of the chopped celery or carrot below the pretzel wings.