Friday, January 11, 2013

Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking

Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking
Publisher: The Experiment (2012)

Artisanal Gluten-Free CookingIf you need to be on a gluten free diet, no doubt you’ve faced the temptation (or frustration) of confronting restaurant menus, grocery stores and celebrity chefs proudly declaring the joy of experiencing and selling artisanal food. From crusty, rustic loaves of sourdough to rough, bronze-die cut pasta cloaked in delicate sauce, crunchy grain filled crackers and blistered, brick oven pizzas, it seems that the label “artisan” is akin to “dough” – and a hearty, wheat-filled dough at that. However, artisanal simply means “made by an artisan” – that is, a master of their craft – and a myriad of delicacies can be made with integrity and passion, without a drop of gluten. Kelli and Peter Bronski have dedicated their lives to the art and science of gluten free cooking, and their second edition of Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking is clearly evidence of their passion.

With 275 recipes created from scratch, Artisanal definitely aims to bring the love of food and cooking back to the kitchens of those with celiac disease. While newbies to the lifestyle (especially those trying to cook for friends and loved ones) often see the diet as complex and difficult, the Bronskis detail supermarket tips, product recommendations, and gluten-free resources that ease the journey. Coupled with a signature gluten free flour blend that is a breeze to make in mass quantities, the family-friendly collection will help keep costs down and flavours up when compared to most store-bought specialty meals. Mindful of the other dietary restrictions that often accompany celiac disease, the omnivorous Artisanal includes Vegetarian Options (p. 317) and Useful Substitutions (p.321) sections as well.

Gluten Free Speculaas
Speculaas Cookies (p. 247)
Artisanal’s recipes span every meal, sweet and snacktime yearning the reader could ask for – from fluffy Belgian Waffles (p.22) at breakfast to Gnocchi (p.148) and Margherita Empanadas (p. 135) for dinner. Desserts and drinks aren’t excluded either – even Pie Dough (p. 265) gets the gluten free makeover. The recipes are fairly simple to put together, but items like the Pizza Dough (p.140) and the Tortellini (p. 156) are a bit of a process (but then again, gluten-filled versions of either recipe are too).  Thankfully, the recipes that take longer to prepare can be refrigerated or frozen for later enjoyment, so a quick pasta dinner is still an option. Artisan does have many quick and simple meal options as well, and the recipes channel cuisine from all over the globe. The results are consistently delicious and are almost indecipherable from “normal” home cooked meals, because that’s exactly what the recipes are –food made at home, with love.

One thing I noticed in Artisan which seems to be a running theme with many allergy-free cookbooks is the inclusion of recipes that were always gluten free, or so simple that I didn’t even know a recipe was needed to prepare them. While I appreciate their attempt to be like every other cookbook in it’s “normalcy” by including items like German Potato Salad (p. 108), the bulk of the “Sides” chapter is made of items like Grilled Asparagus (p. 112), Applesauce (p. 116) and various plain rice-cooking how-tos, and neither Pan-Seared Scallops (p. 168) nor Steamed Lobster (p. 170) are “recipes” per se, more techniques one could easily look up in any Joy of Cooking-esque book or learn via Google. I also wish there was more photography throughout the book, as the stigma of gluten free food as “boring” and “bland” is eradicated by the stunning photos already within the work’s pages.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies (p. 238)
That said, the recipes (rather than techniques) in this book are worth their weight in gold when it comes to their flavour. The Brussels Sprouts and Tofu Fried Rice (p. 183) was delicious, especially with a dash more chili sauce – and was a great way to re-discover the vegetable. Both the Chocolate Chip Cookies (p. 238) and Speculaas Cookies (p. 247) were huge hits over the holiday season, and I even added the twist of chopped peanut butter cups to the chocolate chippers for one batch. Bear in mind that Artisan is not a “diet food” cookbook – butter, sugar, eggs, chocolate and cream are all used throughout, but considering the majority of those with celiac disease have trouble keeping weight on I’m sure this was  not an absentminded choice by the Bronskis.

If you are faced with the situation of cooking gluten-free, whether for your own health or the health of a loved one, there is no sense in sacrificing the foods you love to eat. Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking proves that easy, weeknight meals as well as those for special occasions are not only possible, but delicious. It is a wonderful way to bring everyone to the dinner table regardless of restrictions in a manner that doesn’t alienate the afflicted diners, and I applaud Kelli and Peter Bronski for this welcome contribution to my collection.

Available on Amazon

11 comments:

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clean_teris said...

It’s great to see practical advice paired with inspiring dishes. For anyone looking to track their recipe timing, tools like timestamp converter are perfect for planning prep and cook times.

clean_teris said...

The Bronskis really know how to make gluten-free food feel special and accessible. I appreciate the inclusion of vegetarian options and substitutions, which makes the book versatile for many dietary needs. Also, for anyone who enjoys measuring ingredients precisely for baking, a onlineruler app
can be handy for scaling recipe cards or measuring pastry sizes accurately.

clean_teris said...

What I love about this cookbook is how it balances simple everyday meals with more elaborate recipes like Tortellini and Pizza Dough. It’s inspiring for home cooks who want to try authentic artisanal dishes without gluten. When experimenting with portion sizes or plating, pantallanegra.com is a fun way to test out visual layouts digitally without distractions.

clean_teris said...

Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking really takes the intimidation out of gluten-free cooking, showing that it can be rich, flavorful, and fun. The photography and recipe variety make it a joy to browse. For organizing grocery lists or sharing recipes with friends, huarentie is a surprisingly useful resource to connect with local ingredients and community tips.

clean_teris said...

I love how this book makes gluten-free cooking approachable without sacrificing flavor. The recipes remind me that practice and patience matter, just like when I warm up my brain with a few rounds on Wordle Unlimited Unblocked — both require focus, attention to detail, and a little creativity to get perfect results.

clean_teris said...

The chocolate chip and Speculaas cookies sound amazing! I appreciate that the authors aren’t afraid to use real ingredients like butter and sugar. It’s similar to building a perfect beat in Sprunki Incredibox Game — layering flavors or sounds carefully creates the ultimate experience.

clean_teris said...

Reading about the variety of recipes—from Belgian waffles to gnocchi—reminded me that gluten-free doesn’t have to be boring. It’s like mastering a tricky combo in FNF Online : the first tries might feel challenging, but once you get it right, it’s immensely satisfying.

clean_teris said...

I really appreciate the practical tips for weeknight meals and make-ahead options. Cooking with intention is just like planning a construction project — you wouldn’t pour concrete without calculations! Using the Concrete Calculator analogy fits perfectly: preparation leads to a flawless end result, whether in food or building.