Keep it simple...

Following on from my back to basics post, I wanted to share something else that i have learned over the last 7 years. Being an allergy mum is difficult (no really??) first you have to make sure you read EVERYTHING, looking for the lurking ingredients that might put your child into the hospital.

 Next, you have to be vigilant everywhere you go..when we traveled to Russia, i was surprised to find that most of the bread available in supermarkets had milk in it (here in Cyprus our bread is not made with milk- thank goodness!)

And lastly, when you buy cookbooks and look for recipes online, you usually find really complicated recipes, with 5 ingredients that you are supposed to use in place of the one that you can't (this is especially true if you are trying to replace egg!).

I have found that if you keep it simple, you can usually do the things that you want to do ...simply!

Case in point- pancakes! When George was first diagnosed he was allergic to lots of things- including milk,wheat,eggs,tomatoes,celery, apple and a few others that i can't remember off the top of my head. I really had my work cut out, trying to make pancakes without milk, eggs and wheat! If you are determined though, you can do anything, and i soon figured out that egg, in this case, adds a little richness and protein to the batter- bit that if you leave it out, it really doesn't make too great a difference.


For the milk, you can substitute your favorite non dairy milk, i favor soya, but it will work with just about any liquid (including water). Now wheat- i have to say i LIKE wheat! I found lots of other flours, and i used them when i had to, but i was VERY relieved when he was able to eat wheat again!





So, the simple answer to pancakes? 1 cup all purpose (or plain) flour, 3/4 cup soya milk, (you can add an egg if tolerated to bump up the protein). 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Mix until you batter is thick and smooth. Heat a saucepan, and put in a teaspoon of oil. When the oil is hot, pour the oil out of the pan, and pour in some batter- fry on each side until golden and put on a plate. Continue until you have no batter left. I make pancakes that are around 4 inches wide, and i made around 13 of them today with this recipe.
Enjoy , people!