“Fresh From Elizabeth’s Kitchen: Gluten Free and Allergy Free Recipes” Review and Giveaway

The founder of The Pure Pantry gluten free products is the author of Fresh From Elizabeth’s Kitchen: Gluten Free and Allergy Free Recipes cookbook. Nowadays, individuals who are celiac or gluten intolerant, among others, are discovering more and more foods that they are allergic to. This is the perfect gluten free cookbook to avoid dairy, as well, as majority of the recipes dairy free. Whether you have celiac disease or not, Elizabeth’s cookbook really is a healthy choice.

How did her book come about? Well, her son had chronic ear infections, a red rash on his cheeks. Then after 8 courses of antibiotics by the time he was three, he developed asthma. He even developed epilepsy at the age of 6, experiencing grand mal seizures. Elizabeth had read a study on children developing asthma on long term antibiotic treatment (over 4 courses) prior to the epilepsy. Once the epilepsy begun, they endured multiple visits to specialists who wanted to prescribe her son potent drugs with dangerous side effects. Performing research of her own, she decided to place him on a gluten free diet. Having had him tested for food allergies, due to her own food sensitivities, she discovered he was allergic to eggs, peanuts, beans, peas, legumes, olive oil, gluten and soy. And her new journey of allergy free cooking began.

However, the story does not end here. During the time of getting her son diagnosed, she began to experience worsening of her own digestive issues, achy joints, inflammation, migranes and exhaustion. Seeing many specialists herself, she was tested thoroughly, misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, and sent on her way. She finally visited a naturopathic doctor who diagnosed her with celiac disease! Now her entire family is on gluten free diet. Three of her children must be on a gluten free diet, and one, dairy free, as well. Her son has been seizure free for 5 years. She’s a happy camper, as you will be with Fresh From Elizabeth’s Kitchen!

Elizabeth has been very generous in sharing some of her recipes with us:

Gluten Free Cheddar Drop Biscuits;

Gluten Free Peach Cobbler Muffins; and

Elizabeth’s Gluten Free Flour Blend Recipe.

In Fresh From Elizabeth’s Kitchen you will find explanations of commonly used gluten free ingredients, and some specific brands listed. She has a wonderful assortment of recipes, providing families with multiple food needs a workable variety. Some soy free recipes, nut free, and more.

You’ll find an entire chapter on the most important meal of the day, breakfast – pancakes and crepes, to a veggie frittata. Then there’s unique quick bread, scones and muffins. And let’s not forget the healthy to decadent, tasty soups and salads! Some of her side dishes include quinoa, and rice and lentils. And her polenta croutons sound heavenly! The family dinner chapter includes Meat and Poultry; Fish, Rice, Pasta, and Grains; and Vegetables. She got it all covered! One of her sides had my mouth watering: Sweet Potato Gratin with Pecan-Cinnamon Topping. I loved that she provides some choices, such as coconut oil or margarine. For the last chapter of recipes she ends off with a long chapter of divine desserts! – Pies; Cupcakes and Cakes; and Other Treats. I must admit, when I saw the photo of her Banana Coconut Cream Pie, I could have eaten the page!

She ends off the book with a handful of meal suggestions for special occasions or just a winter supper. Ah, comfort food!

The photos in this cookbook of plentiful. Seldom will you find a recipe without a photo, which is not often seen in cookbooks today, as it raises the cost of manufacturing the book. The book is in hardbound form already, which is costly in itself, yet the book is so reasonably priced.

THE GLUTEN FREE GIVEAWAY

Disclaimer: Elizabeth provided me with a free copy of her cookbook, and I was under no obligation to review it, if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.

And the winner is…

R Lin!

Congratulations R! You have until 9:00am PST on May 2, 2012 to reply to this winner’s notification email to supply us with your U.S. shipping address and phone number. If you do not respond within that period of time, a new winner will be chosen.

Again, congratulations!