My husband has been gluten free for over a year. When you are gluten intolerant there really isn’t much a doctor can help you with other than the advice to avoid wheat. It was difficult at first to make the switch, but as time progressed, I was able to learn more about gluten-free food, changes that need to be made in kitchen and also realized on the way that gluten-free is healthier in general for everybody. This book, “Simply Sugar and Gluten Free” has immensely helped me.
Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free 180 Easy and Delicious Recipes You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less by Amy Green is a great resource for anyone looking for an excellent and well put list of recipes that do not use wheat or white sugar. Amy’s goal in this book is “to take the often intimidating world of gluten-free, sugar-free cooking and make it as easy as pie and, as a result, help as many people as possible to live a healthier lifestyle without being chained to the kitchen”. The book focuses on quick and simple recipes; most of the recipes take about 20 minutes of hands-on time.
The book has sections for breakfast, main dishes and frozen desserts. It also has a collection of starters, spreads, soups and salads, as well as side dishes, cookies, frostings, cupcakes and more. I had been experimenting with some of the recipes and very delighted with the results. The recipes are not dairy free, egg or nut free (although if they are it is indicated), they are exactly what the book says simply sugar and gluten free. I really liked the oven recipes. I also liked how the quantity of ingredients is simply the right amount health-wise without giving up on the taste.
Some of my favourite recipe from the book are: Oven-Baked Cumin Lime Tortilla Chips, Applesauce Spice Cupcakes, Almond Anise Biscotti, Oven-Baked Brown Rice, Hodge Podge Bread Pudding, Chewy granola bars.
Features I like the most in this book:
- Variety with 180 recipes in total.
- Recipes are well organized with ingredients on the left column and preparation on the right column of every page.
- Tips with every recipe on alternatives, options, recommendations and how to avoid common mistakes.
- Majority of recipes use commonly available ingredients.
- Chapters on flour blends, kitchen essentials and tips on kitchen organization are very helpful.
I would have liked pictures with every recipe simply because I am a highly visual person but it does compensate for it with clear and precise instructions. Amy Green’s blog does have more recipes that include pictures. Be sure to visit her at www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com
Overall it is a great book with 180 well experimented recipes that will not disappoint you. It fulfills the needs of those looking for sugar-free and gluten free food and anyone desiring to eat healthy. The book is available on amazon.com for purchase.
