What books have inspired you since be... - Gluten Free Guerr...
What books have inspired you since being diagnosed Coeliac?
It always make me laugh when other coeliac ask about cookery books, because just after I was diagnosed and like most newly diagnosed coeliac I felt lost. And after being diagnosed about a month I went to a car boot sale and bought a couple of cookery books the best by far was the ''Womans Weekly'' cookery book with over 300 recipes. It is the 1953 version and it talked about rationing and how to substitute rice flour for wheat. I've never had a propblem with savoury dishes and just didnt use wheat or gluten but cakes and bread were now a grey area. And the cakes and biscuits in this book are basic with simple ingredients which I found perfect to adapt.
Drifting off at a tangent (just for a change) Just after buying this book I saw a black and white film made near the end of WW2 and it was a drama set in the country side and I grew up in the country side and this character dissapeared for a few hours one afternoon and his wife said where have you been and he replied that a farmer 6 miles away had some eggs and he carefully got his hanker chief out of his pocket with 4 eggs wrapped in it and she was thrilled and praised him for walking 12 miles for 4 eggs. This really made me think how lucky I actually was and to see how much we now take for granted.
The only gf cook book that I have bought is: Bette Hagmans ''Everyday gf cooking'' and my favorite recipe in here is a quiche made with mashed potato instead of pastry and it is easy to make and is great.
From a reading point of view I really like autobiographies and find them fascinating.
My 4 year old daughter is Coeliac and we absolutely love 'The Gluten-Free Cookbook for Kids' by Adriana Rabinovich. It's excellent and everything that I have made so far has been a big hit! Highly recommended.
My husband recently purchased for me a copy of Hannah Miles (ex Master Cheff Contestant) The Gluten Free Baker. I've not made anything out of this book yet so can't vouch for the recipes- but I was surprised to see a recipe for puff pastry. The picture looks quite good and the method doesn't look too scary- but of course the proof is in the pudding. The pictures in the book are fantastic, which always makes me a little suspicious (and a little jealous!) but I will definately have a go and make some of the recipes. The stollen recipe in the book is first on my list to try.
My other recommendation is Leith's Cookery Bible. Although not specifically gluten free, this is my go to book when I am wanting to try out something new. The recipes are fully tested and you are in safe hands. Now I know that an eyebrow or two will be raised, as this is an expensive book and also there is lots that isn't gluten free- but the point is that this is a book which is strong on technique and it will help you to understand what is actually happening in a recipe. My theory is that by learning how things work, you are in a much better position to know how best to adapt a recipe.
And I must agree with Jerry, that for the most part, look for cookery books that interest you and don't worry too much if they are not gluten free. I do find that the best way to improve your gluten free repertoire is to experiment and books that interest you or inspire you should not be ruled out because they are not entirely gluten free. You are bound to learn more from the disasters then the triumphs.
When my daughter was first diagnosed I started a file of gluten free recipes which I cut out of magazines. I have one or two recipes which I use constantly and also remind me of that time, when I found the whole experience of baking gluten free very daunting.
And not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but the most used cookbook in this house is definately The Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids. Most of the pages are splashed and my own copy is very dog eared which makes it all that more treasured. When people come to visit they are often surpised to see me using it- and expect that I would know all of the recipes from memory. I use it constantly and even though I have made brownies thousands of times- I still like looking at the recipe!
Gluten free for Dummies - so helpful, so simple
Just reading Wheat Belly by William Davis,
Really helpful if a bit American.
Do I have Coeliacs, gluten intolerance or what?
The anomalies of being a coeliac.
Just diagnosed with Coeliac 
