Gluten Free Go-to Foods in the Philippines

We’re back with some more useful gluten-free diet tips for you! These are great to know if you have sensitivity, intolerance to gluten or have Coeliac disease, and are living in Manila or anywhere in the Philippines.  Be a smart gluten-free shopper and build your vocabulary for basic Filipino gluten-free meals, so that you can wing it and be safe even without the proper gluten-free label, or too heavy planning. You’ll be an expert in no time.  So, let’s get started!

Suman, Biko and other rice cakes

Rice is gluten-free. And this leaves us with a plethora of options.  Tasty rice cake can be a go to meal or snack at any time of the day. With traditional bread made from wheat flour out of the picture, this can be a very good substitute especially if you’re looking for carbohydrate sources that are still yummy and filling.

A good tip here is to stick to rice cakes that traditionally made purely from rice without thee need for extenders, wherein stealth gluten from wheat may sneak its way in.

Rice noodles

Pure rice noodles is a safe bet when looking for meals that are gluten-free. As always, be mindful of possible additives and extenders which contain gluten. 

The sahog for your pancit recipe would also be a tricky part. To be safe, stay away from fish balls or squid balls, as these typically have wheat flour in the ingredients, and opt for gluten-free seasonings.  Try other meats instead like chicken or real seafood: shrimp and squid.

Veggie and Fruit Snacks

 

Wheat, barley and rye are things to stay away from if you need to be on a gluten-free diet. And so… vegetables and fruit snacks or chips are actually free territory. Horaay! 

What you would need to be mindful about are any additives that may have gluten in them.  Remember to stay away from flavorings, breading mixes that would commonly have wheat flour. Try making some at home, to make sure what really goes into them. Filipino snack dessert banana cue, or ube halaya are classic and a definite treat. 

If you are one of those who suffer from Celiac disease, gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity, it is important for your nutrition (and general convenience), to have a number of Pinoy food items on your gluten free food list.

What else are your go-to Filipino gluten-free food? Feel free to leave us tips and comments!

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How to Make Gluten-Free Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a decadent luscious treat that you may indulge in that is perfect for satisfying your craving for something caffeinated, creamy and delicious.

The only concern you will have for making Tiramisu are the cookies you will use. Luckily you can now buy gluten-free lady fingers that will make it even easier for you to make this dessert, as you won’t need to make them from scratch. This recipe also incorporate a gourmet touch, by using  strong coffee made from coffee capsules. Yum! Let’s get started!

INGREDIENTS

4 Coffee Capsules, full-bodied and strong
1/2 cup marsala (or another liquor of your choice)
1 jar of Gluten-Free Broas or lady fingers
250g mascarpone
300ml whipping cream, lightly whipped
3 eggs, yolks and whites separated
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Cocoa powder, for dusting

DIRECTIONS

Pour coffee and marsala into a shallow dish and set aside. Beat egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until pale and thick. Add the mascarpone and whipped cream, mixing gently to combine. Beat egg whites in a medium bowl with electric beater until soft peaks form. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture.

Dip enough lady fingers into the coffee mixture to cover the base of your ceramic dish of choice, ideally 9 square inch in size. You can choose to line the sides of the dish with the coffee dipped lady fingers for added accent. Cover the biscuits with one-third of the mascarpone mixture. Repeat layers 2 times, ending with the cream. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Dust generously with cocoa and serve.

TIP: Only dust with cocoa powder right before serving the dessert!

Classic Baked Salmon

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The thought of preparing a whole salmon, head, bones and all, may seem intimidating at first. But this is actually one of the easiest dishes, that can feed a large number of guests. It is an excellent choice for a family staying on a gluten-free diet. This recipe is a no-brainer when I need to prepare gluten-free dishes that can be consumed for several meals, or feed a larger crowd. What else are your go-to gluten-free recipes for parties or big gatherings? Feel free to share with us in the comments!

INGREDIENTS

1 whole salmon, gutted and cleaned
4 sprigs fresh parsley
½ lemon, sliced
2 bay leaves
150ml/5fl oz dry white wine
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Heat your oven to 375°F. Place the two large sheets of foil on top of each other on a roasting pan, and coat it with olive oil. Place the salmon on top, with parsley, bay leaves and lemon, salt and pepper, in the body cavity. Tip: Defrost the salmon overnight in the fridge before preparation. Cover with another sheet of foil, and fold the edges together but leave an opening to pour in the wine. Fold edges of the foil completely to seal. Put pan in the oven and roast for 50 to 60 minutes. You can choose to serve dish hot or cold. Serve over a nice serving tray with lemon slices and sprigs of parsley.

Enjoy!