Ever been asked is something is gluten free? Servings guests can be quite difficult when some of them have a food intolerance. But, lately there has been an increasing appearance of 'free from' food recipes to help people easily cater for every need. We've collected some of our favourites so next time you are struggling for ideas we've got a selection of delicious dishes you can get together.
Why do you need 'free from' recipes?
Food intolerance's are pretty common, more so than food allergies. Unlike an allergic reaction that can cause immediate and sometimes life threatening effects, the reaction of a food intolerance can cause abdominal discomfort. The best ways to battle an intolerance is to avoid certain foods or buy 'free from' alternatives.
We're sharing a collection of Gluten Free and Lactose Free recipes which will keep your guests asking for more!
Gluten free
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other types of grains. As gluten can be found in bread, pasta, pizza AND cake, it can make you feel like your dinner ideas are limited. But the only thing stopping you is your creativity. If you are finding yourself in a real pinch, here are some gluten-less options you must try!
Goat's Cheese Quiche (1 hour, 20 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)
225g gluten free flour
100g butter
3 eggs
1 white onion (diced)
100g watercress
150ml milk
150ml goat's cheese
Pinch of salt
1 tsp oil
The Quiche. A dish when made correctly is the sign of an excellent chef. Starting with the pastry, pour your flour and pinch of salt into a mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, press the butter into the mixture. When the mixture turns into breadcrumbs, add one beaten egg and 1tbsp of water, and stir until soft. Knead the dough and then wrap it in cling film and let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. After half an hour, knead the dough again and place it onto a quiche tin.
Now, for the contents, fry the onions and then the watercress. Before adding the milk and eggs, beat the two ingredients and then stir into the pan. Bake the pastry in the oven on a 200C heat for 5 minutes and then add the quiche mixture. Reduce the heat to 180C and cook for 30 minutes.
Spanish meatballs (50 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 3-4)
400g beef mince (shape into meatballs)
1 large red onion (chopped)
2 peppers (red and yellow)
3 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 tbsp smoked paprika
2 x 400g chopped tomatoes (canned)
400g butter beans
Parsley chopped
This Spanish inspired dish doesn't take long to prepare and can be left to cook in the pan. Cook the meatballs in a frying pan until brown. Heat up a large cooking pan and cook your onions and peppers. Add the meatballs into the pan and stir in the paprika and garlic. When the vegetables are soft, add the tomatoes and cover the pan, leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans and the parsley, leave to simmer for an additional 10 minutes without the lid. Then ready to serve!
Gluten-Free Spaghetti Bolognese (45 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)
500g beef mince
400g gluten-free spaghetti
2 tins of chopped tomatoes
2 large onions (chopped)
2 peppers (any colour, chopped)
2 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp tomato puree
Handful of fresh basil
Cook your mince in a frying pan until brown. Add the garlic, onions and the pepper. Once the vegetables are soft, add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and basil. Leave the bolognese to simmer and boil the spaghetti for the recommended time on the packet. When cooked, serve your spaghetti and your bolognese, and enjoy gluten-free spaghetti bolognese.
Lactose Free Recipes
Being lactose intolerant means you are unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products. This is a common digestive problem and it is commonly mistaken as an intolerance to all dairy products, when in fact it's just the lactose sugar you need to avoid. Make sure you don't get them confused!
Hot chicken and veg curry (40 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)
4 Chicken Breasts (chopped)
2 Red Onions (diced)
2 Peppers (chopped)
4 tbsp mild curry powder
400g coconut milk
400g kidney beans
1-4 tbsp hot sauce
... And don't forget your rice!
Start cooking your chicken in a frying pan and cook in another pan the chopped onion and pepper. When they are both cooked, put them together in one pan. Sprinkle the curry powder and add the coconut milk. Leave the curry to simmer for about 30 minutes, the sauce should thicken slightly. Then add the kidney beans and hot sauce. Let the curry simmer again for another 5 minutes-ish and then it's ready to serve with your choice of rice.
Florentine style pizza (50 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)
On the pizza
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cloves of garlic
400g chopped tomatoes (can)
2 eggs
Basil leaves
Chopped rocket leaves
Toppings - olives, pepperoni, peppers, anchovies, choose what you like (just make sure it's lactose free!)
Base
350g white flour
7g fast action dried yeast
1 tbsp semolina
1 tsp salt
To make the base you need a food processor or mixer. Add the salt and the yeast into the processor and then add 275ml lukewarm water. Mix it on a slow speed until the dough starts to stick together and then speed up the mixer for 5-6 minutes. When the dough is thick, place it on a plate oiled lightly with olive oil and leave in a warm area, this gives the dough time to increase in size whilst you work on the pizza toppings. Olive oil into your frying pan and when hot add the chopped garlic cloves. Add the chopped tomatoes and leave to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, you want the sauce to thicken. Turn your oven onto 200C and whilst that heats, knead your dough and then split it in half to get your two pizza bases. Flatten and circle your dough, dust your baking trays with semolina and then place your pizza dough onto the tray. Add your tomato sauce, add your pizza toppings and spinach. Cook the pizzas for 5 minutes before adding an egg on each pizza. Leave to cook for an additional 10 minutes, then you're done. Add your rocket and basil to decorate.
Spicy chicken wraps with avocado (25 minutes)
INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)
2 chicken breasts (cut into thin strips)
1 tsp chilli powder
1 garlic clove (crushed)
4 x seeded tortillas
1 avocado (quartered)
1 red onion (chopped)
1 pepper (any colour, chopped)
Cook the chicken in a frying pan and when cooked, add the pepper, onion, garlic and chilli powder. Warm the tortillas for the recommended time on the packets. Squash a quarter of each avocado onto each tortilla and then serve the spicy chicken and vegetables onto the tortillas. There, done!
Who said cooking 'free from' meals would be difficult?
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What do you think of our gluten free and lactose free recipe ideas? Share your own recipes in the comments below!