“Learning to Bake Allergen-Free” Review and Giveaway

Learning to Bake Allergen-Free: A Crash Course for Busy Parents on Baking without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts by Colette Martin was just published on June 19, 2012. I was fortunate in that I was sent a copy prior to its publication, and I am so happy that I did because it truly is a work of art. Below you’ll find my review, learn about the contents of the book, and enter the giveaway to win a copy for yourself. You’ll not only find allergen-free recipes in this book, but actually learn how to bake allergen-free.

About the Author

Colette Martine is not only an allergen-free baker, but a writer, (forbes.com, whenfridayswerefridays.com), speaker, allergen- and gluten-free blogger, and a 30-year veteran of Corporate America. She has a son who was diagnosed in 2001 with eosinophilic esophagitis (an inflammatory condition of the esophagus), in his case, triggered by allergies to wheat, milk, eggs, soy and peanuts. All of Colette’s dedication to converting old recipes to allergen-free recipes resulted in the birth of Learning to Bake Allergen-Free.

My Review

In real estate you always hear people say it’s all about location, location, location. Well in Learning to Bake Allergen-Free the title says it all, and Collete’s gorgeous photos (taken herself) almost gives us a taste. She has an amazing talent for creating gluten free, allergen-free recipes that most of us struggle with.

I call this a book, though it is a cookbook, as well, because in Part 1 (86 pages), and throughout Part 2, she literally educates us on how to bake allergen-free, from the tools you’ll need to substitutions, to which flours work best with specific recipes. And though she provides us with with a couple of gluten free all-purpose baking mixes you may make at home, she also provides the best off-the-shelf mixes. And ready-made mixes are perfect for busy parents or individuals.

Because not all gluten free flours are alike, Colette provides the various measurements of the most popular mixes to use in each of her recipes. She adjusts them by weight and has provided the correct measurements for us to use. She’s so helpful! They should have named it “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Allergen-Free Baking, But Were Afraid to Ask”.

One of my favorite pages is entitled, Breaking the Rules where she explains how to, and encourages, experimenting with substitutions. Many of her recipes call for off-the-shelf hemp milk (very healthy and high in protein), but she suggests you may try using rice milk instead. Her book is designed for the busy parent, or individual, in mind, therefore, you won’t find a lot of recipes for basic ingredients you can purchase. For those with a limited budget you can make these simple ingredients yourself, such as the hemp milk, which I’ve provided a link to my own recipe, above.

Each section within a chapter is prefaced with a Crash Course on allergen-free baking, e.g., Using Baking Soda and Baking Powder, Rolling Out a Crust, When Is It Done, and more. She also provides us with a summary of important lessons at the end of each chapter, which is very helpful for those who are not big readers and want to get to the nitty-gritty of the recipes.

What I am looking forward to making:

• English Muffins
• Strawberry Oat Squares
• Basic Dinner Rolls
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Vanilla Pound Cake
• Hemp Rice Pudding
• and More

The Chapters

Part 1

• A New Adventure
• Replacing Wheat
• Replacing Milk and Avoiding Soy
• Baking Without Eggs
• The Allergen-Free Baker’s Pantry

Part 2

• Get Started with Simple Batters: Cakes, Muffins and Quick Breads in a Snap
• Next Batter Up: Scones, Doughnuts and Yeast-Free Standbys
• No Butter, No Problem: Perfect Allergen-Free Cookies, Tarts and Pies, Every Time
• Rise to the Occasion: Breads, Rolls and Pastries Made with Yeast
• Chocolate 1-2-3: Tips and Tricks for Cake, Brownies, Mousse and More
• Extra Credit: Bars, Cookies and Stovetop Delights to Round Out Your Repitoire
• Mix It Up: Adapting Gluten-Free Baking Mixes For Allergen-Free Results

Recipe Links

Check out the awesome recipes below from Learning to Bake Allergen-Free:

Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten Free Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

Gluten Free Chocolate Croissants (also free of dairy, egg, and soy)

 

THE GLUTEN FREE GIVEAWAY

Eligibility

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses only.

Disclaimer: Colette Martin and The Experiment publishers provided me with a free copy of this book, 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 cookbook.

Chapters listed above are from Learning to Bake Allergen-Free: A Crash Course for Busy Parents on Baking without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts. Copyright © 2012 Colette Martin. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment. Available wherever books are sold.

And the winner is…

Kera Bell!

Congratulations, Kera!

You have until 11:59pm PST on July 25, 2012 to reply to the winner’s notification email to supply us with your U.S. or Canadian shipping address and phone number. If you do not respond within that period of time, a new winner will be chosen.

Again, congrats!

Check out all of the current Gluten Free Giveaways!