Gingerbread (egg free, nut free, dairy free, includes gluten free option)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

 

This gingerbread recipe makes 16 large gingerbread people, or can be used to make a gingerbread house.  The gingerbread house is always a hit at our place at Christmas time.  Look for allergy friendly lollies to decorate, anything colourful will work.  The gingerbread can be made up to 3 days ahead before decorating, store in an airtight container.  A great Christmas activity for the kids!

Gingerbread
125g Nuttelex (see pic, or any preferred margarine)
1/2 cup of boiling water
1 cup golden syrup
4 cups plain flour (use gluten free if needed, see pic)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
2 and 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
choc drops or currants for decorating people

Melt the margarine in the boiling water, add the golden syrup.  Sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix well.  Refridgerate for one hour covered in plastic wrap.  When ready, preheat oven 190 degrees celsius, or 180 degrees with fan.  Roll out to1cm thickness (place dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap or baking paper for easier rolling).  Cut the shapes:
If making the gingerbread house, see pattern for gingerbread house below, use left over dough for a chimney, trees or little people to add to the house.  Cut holes for windows and a door before baking (remember to keep the door and bake with the rest of the dough).  
If making the large gingerbread people, use choc drops or currants to decorate before placing in oven. 
Bake either option for 15 minutes.  Leave on trays to cool.  Cool completely before icing people or assembling the house.

Icing
3 cups pure icing sugar sifted
boiling water 

Place the sifted icing sugar into a bowl, pour small amounts of boiling water onto icing sugar stirring after each addition.  Stop when icing reaches stiff spreadable consistency.

Decorating and Construction 
Allergy friendly lollies
Icing sugar for dusting

If making gingerbread people, when cool, place icing mixture into a piping bag (if you don't have a piping bag, any clean plastic bag or sandwich bag with a very small corner snipped off will do) and decorate as desired, my kids love superheros, but your people can be anything you like! 

If making the gingerbread house, cover a large flat serving plate with foil, or use any flat board as a base for the house to sit on.  Use a piping bag to pipe a layer of icing around where the walls of the house will sit and begin building the house using the icing as glue (see pic below).  Build all of the walls first, then the roof.  You will need to hold the pieces as the icing sets.  You can use pins to keep the pieces in place, be sure to remove them when the icing has set.  Use a lot of icing to prevent collapse. Once the house is constructed, add a little more water to some of the remaining icing to make it thinner and gradually drip it down the edges of the roof for the icicle effect.  Stick lollies on with icing and dust the whole house with extra icing sugar for snow effect.

Template for gingerbread house.  Cut 2 of each piece. Measurements are: Roof 20cm x 13cm, Side 15cm x 10cm, front/back 16cm x 10cm with additional triangle measuring 4cm from centre of rectangle to peak of triangle.

Use lots of icing to prevent collapse, note icing on plate to hold pieces in place, assemble walls first, then roof.

Nuttelex margarine: Dairy and nut free margarine found in most supermarkets.

White Wings Gluten Free flour works best for the gluten free option in this recipe.  Be sure to buy gluten free plain flour if you are making the gluten free option, this is a pic of self raising flour. 

Orgran gluten free flour also works for this recipe's gluten free option.  Be sure to buy gluten free plain flour if you are making the gluten free option, this is a pic of self raising flour.

Cheesecake (Dairy free, Egg free, Nut free, includes Gluten free option)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

 Here is an easy dairy-free cheesecake recipe for all of those cheesecake lovers who thought you would never be able to enjoy another cheesecake due to allergies. My dairy tolerant friends told me this recipe was as good as a dairy cheesecake!  You could also make a white cheesecake, substitute the chocolate for white chocolate.  Another alternative is to crush a packet of allergy friendly biscuits for the base, this would not require baking, simply add the top and refridgerate until set.

Base
1 cup plain flour (for gluten free, use a gluten free flour, and use more water)
2 tablespoons caster sugar
80 grams nuttelex margarine (see pic)
Water as needed

Preheat oven 180 degrees celsius.  Line a 20cm lamington tin with baking paper. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, or mix by hand, rubbing in margarine.  Add enough water in spoonfuls and mix until a crumbly dough forms.  Spread out onto the lamington tray.  Bake at 180 degrees celsius for 20 minutes.  Allow to cool before adding the topping.

Top
100 ml boiling water
1 tablespoon gelatine
200 grams Sweet William dairy free chocolate, you can use either the white or original (see pic)
2 tubs of Tofutti (see pic)

Stir gelatine with boiling water, set aside. Gently melt the chocolate in a small saucepan on the stove.  Watch closely, remove from heat just before it has all completely melted to avoid burning it. Empty both tubs of tofutti into a bowl, stir with a spoon until soft and creamy.  Add tofutti and gelatine mixture into the saucepan with the melted chocolate, stir until combined.  Pour mixture over cooled base and refridgerate until set, at least 3 hours.  Sprinkle with nutmeg (if tolerated) before serving.

Nuttelex (dairy free margarine, find this in most supermarkets)

Tofutti (find this in Coles supermarkets near the cream cheeses, and in most Woolworths/Safeway supermarkets)

Sweet William Dairy Free Chocolate (find this in Coles and Woolworths/Safeway in the health food aisle, and sometimes Aldi supermarkets)

Chocolate Toppings for Icecream (Dairy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free, Gluten Free)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

Make your own safe chocolate toppings for ice cream.  The chocolate goes on runny and sets hard.  This is a winner in our house!

Makes enough for 4 serves
10 pieces of white or brown Sweet William allergy friendly chocolate (see below)
1/2 teaspoon grapeseed oil
So Good icecream (vanilla or chocolate)
Ice Cream cones (I use the "Funtime Cups" from Coles or Woolworths), check ingredients, if you need gluten free, put the ice cream into bowls

Place the chocolate into a small microwave-safe dish, and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Stir the chocolate and heat for another 20 seconds in the microwave.
Add the oil, stir, and return to the microwave if needed for another 10 seconds.  Chocolate should be runny.
Pour over ice cream and add 100s & 1000s if you like - check ingredients, some may contain traces of nuts.

Sweet William Chocolate, find it in health food aisle of Coles and Woolworths

Grapeseed Oil, find it in most supermarkets

Soy Ice Cream, available in most supermarkets

Ice Cream Cones, egg free, nut free, dairy free

 

Easy Gluten Free Pizza Base (dairy free, egg free, nut free)

For an easy home-made pizza base that has a great texture, try this Orgran product.  I found it in the local health food shop.  You will need extra ingredients so make sure you read the back of the packet.  It makes 2 large sized pizzas.  I was very impressed with the texture and flavour, hard to tell it was gluten free!

Lasagne (egg free, nut free, dairy free, includes gluten free option)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

Here is an easy way to make lasagne using tortillas instead of pasta sheets.  I like to use beef mince, but for a variation you could use turkey or chicken mince.  This recipe freezes well, so make enough to freeze leftovers for a quick meal another night!

Feeds 6 - 8 large portions

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 brown onion diced
1 kg beef mince
2 cloves of garlic diced
1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
1 x 170g can tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried thyme (use fresh if you have it, the leaves removed from a few sprigs)
3 carrots peeled and diced
2 sticks of celery diced
4 button mushrooms diced (optional)
small handful of chopped spinach
2 cups water
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 packet of 10 tortillas (I like the 'Select Woolworths' brand, but any safe tortillas will work. Check the ingredients list on the packet for allergens. For gluten free use 3 of the 4 pack Freedom Foods gluten free wraps)
sprinkle of paprika 

Ingredients - white sauce 
3 cups soy milk (or preferred milk)
1/2 cup extra soy milk (or preferred milk)
3 heaped tablespoons corn flour (check ingredients on corn flour, some contain wheat and may contain traces of egg and nuts)
1 teaspoon salt


Method - meat sauce
Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
Saute the onion over medium heat until soft.
Add the beef mince and increase the heat to high, stirring to brown the meat.
Add the garlic and mix into the meat.
Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, thyme, carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach, water, and sugar, and stir over high heat until mixture boils.
Turn heat to low and simmer uncovered over low heat for 30 - 45 minutes stirring occasionally.
Taste the meat sauce, and season with salt and pepper to desired flavour.
Set aside.


Method - white sauce
Pour the 3 cups of milk into a small saucepan and heat on high. Do not boil.
Meanwhile, in a separate cup mix the remaining 1/2 cup of milk with corn flour to make a paste.
Once the milk is hot (not boiling), turn the heat down to low.
Slowly add the paste to the hot milk while stirring, and the mixture will thicken.
Mixture should stick to the spoon (see photo), if it's not thick enough you can turn the heat up high and stir for another minute to thicken it more.
Add the salt and stir.  Take off the heat.


Method - building lasagne
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Grease a large (approx. 20cm x 30cm) rectangular ovenproof dish, or 2 smaller ones.
Spread a thin layer of meat mixture along the bottom of the dish.
Arrange the tortillas over the meat (cut them to fit) so they reach right out to the sides of the dish.  Use the off-cuts to fill in any gaps.
Divide the remaining meat into 3 roughly equal amounts.
Spread one of these meat portions over the tortillas making sure to cover the tortillas right to the edges.
Divide the white sauce into 4 roughly equal amounts.
Drizzle one portion of the white sauce over the meat.
Arrange another layer of tortillas on top.
Continue layering with meat, white sauce and tortillas 2 more times.
On the top of the final layer of tortillas spread white sauce only, and sprinkle lightly with paprika.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Serve with a green salad.

Garlic Cloves

White Sauce

Indulgent No Bake Chocolate Cake (egg free, nut free, dairy free, includes gluten free option)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

You have to try this one!  We call it Prince William's Wedding cake because I was inspired to create this allergy friendly recipe from one of Kate and Will's wedding cakes.  It has been very popular, with many requests for copies of the recipe, my son requested it for his birthday cake, and it's really easy!  You can use half measures for the cake if you want to make more of a slice, but I still suggest the whole ganache quantities if you do this.  This is not a cheap cake to make, but it is well worth the expense and it goes a long way.  Remember to cut thin slices to serve, it's very indulgent! 

Ingredients - cake
1 kilogram Sweet William Chocolate (see below for photo and details)
200 grams Tofutti (see below for photo and details)
1/2 cup soy milk
1 packet McVities Digestive biscuits broken into pieces (these biscuits contain wheat and are made on a production line that processes other products that contain milk - so if you need to stay away from wheat/gluten or traces of milk replace these with 2 boxes of Orgran vanilla Outback Animal biscuits or 400 g of other safe biscuits broken into pieces)

Ingredients - ganache
120 grams Sweet William chocolate
3 tablespoons Tofutti
50ml soy milk

Method - cake
Line the bottom of a 20 cm spring form tin with baking paper and grease the sides.  If you don't have a spring form tin you can use a solid tin with high sides, make sure you line the sides with baking paper and leave enough paper at the top to help you ease the cake out when it has set.
Gently melt the chocolate in a medium saucepan on the stove over low heat. 
While the chocolate is melting, pour the Tofutti into a separate bowl and stir for about 30 seconds to soften.
Add the milk to the Tofutti and stir to combine.
When the chocolate has melted remove it from the heat and stir in the Tofutti and milk mixture.
Stir in the biscuits until coated in the chocolate.
Pour the whole mixture into the prepared tin.
Cut another circle of baking paper to cover the top of the cake.
Using another flat circle tin base press on the top of the cake to flatten the mixture. You can use anything flat to do this if you don't have a spare tin base.
Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
If you used a solid cake tin, you can gently warm the sides of the tin to ease the cake out, do this slowly and carefully.
Turn the cake upside down and remove from the tin. Leave it upside down on the plate, this should give you a flat surface for the ganache.
Top with ganache and serve. 

Method - ganache 
Gently melt the chocolate in a small saucepan on low heat on the stove.
In a separate bowl, stir the Tofutti for about 30 seconds to soften, then add the milk and stir until combined.
When the chocolate is melted, leave on gentle heat and add the Tofutti and milk mixture.  Stir until combined.
Remove from heat and leave to cool slightly before spreading onto the cake.
Use a hot knife to smooth the ganache if you like a smooth finish.
If you need to store the cake in the fridge before serving it, the ganache will crack - don't panic, you can smooth the ganache by dipping a knife in hot water and sliding it across the ganache again. 

Sweet William Dairy Free Chocolate: also available in chocolate chips, find it in the health food aisle in both Coles and Woolworths/Safeway

Tofutti (find in the fridge in Coles near other Tofu products, and Woolworths/Safeway near cream cheese products)

McVities Digestive biscuits contain wheat and made on a production line that processes products containing milk, find these in the biscuit aisle of most supermarkets.

Outback Animal cookies: a gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free alternative biscuit usually found in the health food aisle of supermarkets and in health food shops

Dairy Free Sour Cream (gluten free, egg free, nut free, dairy free)

*please note: all measurements are using standard Australian measurements, to work out conversions for your country please refer to the following link: conversion tables

This is a quick and easy recipe.  Serve it on tacos, baked potatoes, or use it as a dipping sauce with raw vegetables cut into sticks.  My kids love this one!

1/2 a 227g tub of Tofutti
3 tablespoons Kingland Soy Mayonnaise

Place Tofutti in a bowl and stir for about 30 seconds to soften.
Add the mayonnaise and stir until combined.

Tofutti 
(find this in Coles and Woolworths/Safeway
in the fridge near cream cheese products)

Kingland Soy Mayonnaise 

(find this in Coles near Tofu products)