Glutenfree eating at Wagamama’s

Yesterday was my 2nd trip to pan- Asian restaurant Wagamama’s. I wasn’t disappointed, upon mentioning my dietary requirements to my server, I was immediately presented with a special menu detailing exactly what I could and could not have. I was able to easily make my choice and choose from the main menu, quite a novelty!
I was a little disappointed that Itame wasn’t listed as G/F this time. It was a few months ago when I visited and I really can’t see anything on the ingredients list that would prevent you from having it. Their website offers conflicting information, so maybe it was just the branch I visited. However, I decided to play it safe and instead had Saien Soba (minus the Waga seasoning and swapping wheat noodles for rice, simple!) http://www.wagamama.com/our-menu/saien-soba In my opinion it could do with a little more flavour, probably due to the omission of the seasoning. But it was still yummy, a lovely light meal. I really think that Japanese cuisine is lovely, healthy and tasty. A shame that the chef decided to add the tough end of the asparagus though- didn’t add anything to it. It was my first experience of eating tofu and I can’t say I’d want to eat it fried again.
It’s so nice to be able to choose pretty much any dish in a restaurant and feel like any other guest. I highly recommend Wagamama’s.

Product review Marks and Spencer gluten free sandwiches, London

I’d heard recently that M&S had started making sandwiches and they were available in some stores. On a recent trip to London, I’d eaten all my packed lunch and was still hungry. Looking around desperately for something G/F to eat, my husband spotted these lurking on the bottom shelf of M&S Simply Food at Waterloo Station. I had a choice of cheese and pickle or ham salad.
I fancied ham salad, but pay careful attention to the ‘Use By’ dates. The first pack I selected was out of date! They are also very expensive at £3.50 for a pack of 2 sandwiches, but needs must sometimes! I think they make their own bread which is said on the pack was a seeded brown made with Quinoa. I was pleasantly surprised by these sandwiches- there was plenty of ham in them, salad consisting of lettuce, tomato and cucumber and even gluten free mustard which gave them a delightful tang. There was just the right amount of feeling to bread and they were moist, delicious and satisfying.

Well done M&S, but maybe you could bring the price down to bring them within the reach of more consumers!
http://health.marksandspencer.com/our-health-ranges/made-without-wheat

Glutenfree frustrations

Does anyone else get fed up not being able to do their shopping in one supermarket now they’re gluten-free? I despair of having to go to one shop for bread, another for pizza bases, another for noodles etc etc. I do not understand what the advantage to brands is, by not having their product stocked in all available stores! Certainly the major ones anyway. However, I do not profess to know anything about how supermarkets choose to stock their products. But for a person not following a gluten-free diet, they would certainly be able to buy all the necessities in one shop. Grumble over…..for now!

DS gluten free frozen ready meal lasagne

http://www.ds4you.com/en/ds-products/readytoeat/lasagne-gluten-free/

Holiday eating necessitates a quick and easy option sometimes. So I thought I’d give the new DS ready meals a whirl. I chose to heat mine in the oven, as there were two of us waiting to eat. I also prefer my lasagne to be golden and bubbling, unlike the anaemic looking offerings microwaves can provide. I would rate this meal as reasonable. I think its very expensive (£3.29 from Tesco) for a small portion. Given the price, you’d rather hope it would contain more than a smattering of meat. But, it’s far tastier than the Sainsbury’s own brand I tried, whilst on holiday a few months ago! At least it was easy on holiday, but you’ll definitely be better off making your own otherwise. I hope to post my own recipe soon, so keep reading!

Gluten-free eating out on holiday in St Ives, Cornwall

Eating out is tricky at the best of times, so I Googled before leaving. My search came up with a few options and these are the ones I tried.

Becks Fish and Chips, Longstone Hill, Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall. Really oddly they don’t advertise the G/F option anywhere in their takeaway section that I could see, so I had to ask. But they straight away knew what I was asking, confirmed that the fish is fried in separate oil and that they serve it EVERY night they’re open- not just Wednesdays here! 😉 You don’t know how long I’ve been hanging out to have a proper fillet of fish, let alone one from a fish shop. You can choose your fish too- cod, plaice, haddock, saithe or hake. I had the hake, though I must admit I think battering takes away its delicate flavour. I can’t recommend this place highly enough- if only I lived locally. They couldn’t believe that I didn’t have the same options at home.

The Tea Room, Wharf House, St Ives, TR26 1PG. This place took a little bit of finding, but was well worth it. I had my first ever G/F cream tea- the scones were great. Much better than any homemade or packet effort I have made. I have taken tips from them and I’ll let you know the results, next time I’m baking scones. They swear by Doves Farm G/F Self- Raising Flour and Xanthan Gum. Don’t work the dough to much, barely touch it or roll it out and make them bigger, as they shrink when cooking. They also have G/F cakes on offer, though I was too full to sample them.

Both of these places are 5*.