MY OLD school friend and I love catching up for a chat, a cuppa and a piece of cake.
The trouble, though, is that while I love baking, she can't eat my tasty morsels.
- It is gluten-free: Delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy, by Carole Hofflin. Cats Kitchen Press, rrp $32.95
My friend - like one in 100 Australians - has coeliac disease, which means she can't eat gluten, largely found in wheat, barley and rye. Left untreated, it can have severe consequences, such as bowel cancer and osteoporosis.
So when it's my turn to bake, I'm too fearful to present one of my creations and end up putting boring rice crackers on the table. But not any more.
This book has 90 easy-to-follow recipes including soups, mains and dough recipes, but also desserts, biscuits, muffins and slices.
Author Carole Hofflin, who teaches allergy cooking at tafe in Geelong, is a registered nurse and clearly understands the need to balance gluten-free with yummy, appetising recipes.
From lamingtons to baklava, carrot cake to gingerbread, all the recipes are equally as tasty for those who are gluten-free or gluten-eaters.
