Friday, June 12, 2009

Cookbook Watch: Diet restrictions

babycakes

Two interesting books today. First, "Babycakes" by Erin McKenna. This is a book from a bakery in New York, and what's special is that everything they bake is completely vegan and gluten-free, and low in sugar as well. The book has all their great recipes, and I have to say, it sure looks nice. Even for those without diet restrictions, of course! However, it's not that easy to follow the recipes, since they require so many special ingredients. I can't get half of them, so I won't be keeping this - unfortunately. But if you live in the US, or elsewhere with easy access to agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, xanthan gum, coconut flour and Bob's Red Mill flour mixes, you should definitely get this.

valenti

And then we have "You don't have to be a diabetic to love this cookbook" by Tom Valenti. Definitely interesting - and you can tell by the super-long title what this is about. It has over 200 recipes that are low in carbs and sugar - something which can be good for everyone and not just those who actually have to eat that way. Now, it also has some basic dietary information which I'm not that interested in, but the recipes seem nice. It doesn't have many photos, unfortunately, but I really want to try the grilled portobello mushroom quesadillas with mozzarella and roasted red peppers, and snacks like shrimp wrapped with goat cheese, basil and prosciutto.

8 comments:

Pille said...

Agave nectar is widely available here in Estonia (in organic food shops, of course) and doesn't cost too much. I love mixing this into my smoothies instead of honey, as it dissolves more easily into cold drinks and has a low GI.

Pille said...

PS Too bad you're far away in Sweden- I would have loved to borrow Babycakes for a while :)

Anne said...

Pille - I'll be happy to send it to you! :)

Margret Ros said...

Actually this stuff you're describing isn't that hard to get (beside the last thing you mentioned). I live in Stockholm and I can easily get it all. If coconut flour is difficult to reach you can always order online because this stuff is easy to transport.

Anne said...

Margret - how interesting! Where do you get it? I'd love to know - and I'm in Stockholm to.

smilinggreenmom said...

This sounds yum! I just found your site and I can't wait to hear about more goodies to eat...I too, am a food junkie. ALthough I am a Health-food junkie! Our son has dealt with severe food allergies and Eczema for three yrs and after trying all kinds of treatment options, we finally found an all natural probiotic from Vidazorb! It has been an answered prayer...and along the way, we have learned so much about natural living and eliminating artificial ingredients...replacing them with healthier ones. I will have to check this out for sure :) smilinggreenmom *find me on twitter!!

Barbara said...

Babycakes looks wonderful...finding unusual ingredients is often a problem though. I'm going to pass the information on to my niece who has a son with celiac sprue.

Liz said...

Hi! I'm new in the blog world. I just want to say that I love your blog and I always find very inersting recipes in it. Thank you.