Gluten-Free Doesn't Have To Mean Taste Free

 Until very recently gluten-free food has had a reputation for being bland and flavorless. The good news is that this is no longer the case. Indeed, with the flavorful recipes below you can serve gluten-free dishes that pack a punch. 

Why gluten-free?

A gluten-free diet cuts out all gluten. Gluten is a substance that comes from wheat, oats, barley and rye. Those that keep to a gluten-free diet do so for a variety of reasons, for some, it's to improve their health while for others it can be to avoid triggering an intolerance. Those people with an intolerance of gluten are known as celiacs. 

Celiac disease is a chronic immune disorder that affects the small intestine, causing digestion problems that can prevent the body from getting the important nutrients it needs. Of Course, for those that are allergic to gluten, eating a diet without it is vital.

Naturally gluten-free 

The good news is that there are a lot of naturally gluten-free foods that are safe for those with celiacs to eat. This includes most fruits and vegetables, eggs, lean and no processed meats and fish, as well as low-fat dairy products. In their unprocessed forms seeds, legumes, nuts and beans tend to be gluten-free as well. 

Gluten-free recipes 

Indeed, a person could live quite successfully off of all the individual foods that are naturally gluten-free. However, to truly enjoy all the flavors that food has to offer, it's important to have some delicious recipes to rely on, which you will find below: 

Creamy Chicken and Mash Pie Recipe

A great warming gluten-free recipe that the whole family will enjoy is this delicious Creamy Chicken and Mash Pie. It includes a cheesy mashed potato top and a creamy sauce flavored with thyme and chives. 

The gluten-free secret to this dish is finding a good stock that is suitable for coeliacs. Chicken works well, but you can change things up with ham stock too if you would prefer. 

Pavlova recipe

Pavlova is always a great gluten-free choice for afters, as it makes use of fresh fruit, cream and meringue which are all gluten-free. This pavlova recipe, in particular, is a great option as it only takes 10 minutes to prepare with a stand mixer. 

Just be sure to wright your eggs so you know you have the right proportions to work with, as meringues can be a little temperamental. Putting the raw meringue into a very hot oven and then lowering the temperature will help get the outside crisp while keeping the inside mallow-ey and delightful too. 

Add any fruits of your choice, but simple red berries will work perfectly with the whipped cream to provide a dessert that everyone will enjoy. Alternatively, go for a tropic vibe with passion fruit, pineapple and kiwi. 

Almond flour choc chip cookies 

Some of the most requested gluten-free items tend to be bakes, as these are traditionally what those with celiac disease have to avoid because of the flour. However, it is possible to create wonderful dishes like these gluten-free cookies by using almond flour instead. Get the recipe here.