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Any Other gluten-free British Looking For gluten-free British Food?

GFBrit

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GFBrit Newbie
GFBrit
Posted

Originally from the UK I've been living in the U.S for 20 years now. Never had a problem finding the comforts and traditional foods from the typical British shops online until I was diagnosed gluten intolerant. I love the U.S.A but I do miss my traditional English foods especially at times like Christmas. Christmas means Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, Mince pies, Sausage Rolls. (If you are an American it's like having Thanksgiving without the Turkey and Pumpkin Pie). So last Christmas for me was just not the same, foodwise, and I love food and cooking. When there's an occassion it's all about the food for me. I've tried making my own pastry and pies but they are just not the same and it takes too long to assemble all the ingrediants, then if the kids see me eating it, it must be "Mums food", which in their opinion can only be eaten by me as it doesn't taste the same!! This year was the first trip back to England since being diagnosed......OMG!! I went to Sainsbury's and wanted to yell and scream "LOOK, LOOK, LOOK AT ALL THE FOOD 'I' CAN EAT!!!!" Amazing, Bakewell Tarts!! Mince Pies in June!! Real Bread, that tasted fresh!! I felt normal. Yes, I pigged out!! Jam tarts and a cuppa!! It was lovely, to have a sandwich, cake, cup of tea just like everyone else. I didn't have to explain what I was eating, you know that question... " Why are you eating that?, what is it anyway?, and why don't you eat this? I brought food back but have eaten most of it now. Last night I ate Sticky Toffee Pudding. MMMmm delish. I used to bring back chocolate digestives, Jaffa cakes, one of my Mum's homemade Christmas puddings, sometimes the beer. Never a big beer drinker but it smelt so good! Let's not even go there. Am I alone, the only gluten-free Brit??

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love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Though I am not a Brit I do have British blood and have been to the UK many times. Man, I totally understand what you mean about mince pies, sausage rolls, sticky toffee pudding...I really miss Steak and Ale Pie, Banoffee Pie, Chicken and Leek Pie and Cornish pasties as well. Oh, and the fish and chips at Whitby! I can imagine the sublime time you had on your recent visit.

I like making gluten-free pastry for my meat pies but have not yet tried sticky toffee pudding, though I am sure it would be pretty easy to replicate. For some reason I have not done it yet - have been gluten-free for nearly six months. It is simple to make cakes, cookies, etc. gluten-free but not as easy for things such as breads, fresh pasta, English muffins and so on.

Do you eat many fools or Eton Mess? I love those things and they are intrinsically gluten-free. I have made strawberry and raspberry fools several times this summer.

My husband and I know a guy from Northumberland who makes truly authentic Cumberland sausages a few hours' drive from here. They are gluten-free and absolutely divine. One bite immediately takes me back to those I have had in England. I've made bangers and mash many times and thankfully it is very simple to make that gluten-free.

I feel your pain on missing out on some really fabulous dishes. :(

rosetapper23 Explorer
rosetapper23
Posted

I can totally relate to your feelings. I visited my daughter in Australia last year and fell in love with all the yummy gluten-free products. It was so liberating to go to High Tea at the Queen Victoria Building and not be treated as someone "special." They have a gluten-free tea that is almost identical to the "regular" one, and it includes tarts, cookies, sandwiches, cakes, etc. It was heaven! It was also incredibly wonderful to travel around and be able to order gluten-free versions of sandwiches at restaurants and scones or coffee cakes at regular bakeries. No one made me feel different or strange. In the morning, my daughter and I would walk to a nearby bakery to pick up a loaf of gluten-free bread--it was so great to be able to do so. When people DID notice that I was eating something slightly different, they would always chat me up, saying, "Oh, do you have celiac?" Everyone seemed to know what celiac is and what it's all about. I felt normal there, and I'm returning in a few months' time--and, believe me, I'll be taking an empty suitcase with me to fill with all the lovely treats that have become my favorites. My daughter sends me the shortbread cookies I love (made of real butter!) for special occasions. Maybe once the FDA settles on the 20 PPM labeling, we'll see some of these great products on our own shelves.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Originally from the UK I've been living in the U.S for 20 years now. Never had a problem finding the comforts and traditional foods from the typical British shops online until I was diagnosed gluten intolerant. I love the U.S.A but I do miss my traditional English foods especially at times like Christmas. Christmas means Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, Mince pies, Sausage Rolls. (If you are an American it's like having Thanksgiving without the Turkey and Pumpkin Pie). So last Christmas for me was just not the same, foodwise, and I love food and cooking. When there's an occassion it's all about the food for me. I've tried making my own pastry and pies but they are just not the same and it takes too long to assemble all the ingrediants, then if the kids see me eating it, it must be "Mums food", which in their opinion can only be eaten by me as it doesn't taste the same!! This year was the first trip back to England since being diagnosed......OMG!! I went to Sainsbury's and wanted to yell and scream "LOOK, LOOK, LOOK AT ALL THE FOOD 'I' CAN EAT!!!!" Amazing, Bakewell Tarts!! Mince Pies in June!! Real Bread, that tasted fresh!! I felt normal. Yes, I pigged out!! Jam tarts and a cuppa!! It was lovely, to have a sandwich, cake, cup of tea just like everyone else. I didn't have to explain what I was eating, you know that question... " Why are you eating that?, what is it anyway?, and why don't you eat this? I brought food back but have eaten most of it now. Last night I ate Sticky Toffee Pudding. MMMmm delish. I used to bring back chocolate digestives, Jaffa cakes, one of my Mum's homemade Christmas puddings, sometimes the beer. Never a big beer drinker but it smelt so good! Let's not even go there. Am I alone, the only gluten-free Brit??

I have been to the UK many, many times and usually come home loaded with food items I cannot find here in the States. Here's a link which may help you to find what you need: Open Original Shared Link. The Mrs. Crimble's Bakewell Slices are downright addictive and for the Sticky Toffee Pudding, I make my own by converting recipes to gluten-free. I have also had gluten-free digestive biscuits in the UK, which tasted the same as the non-gluten-free ones. I think the brand name was True Free or something like that.

I have yet to order from these people because I haven't figured the shipping yet but plan on ordering soon. I want some Bakewell Slices! :lol:

Streetlegal Apprentice
Streetlegal
Posted

I really, really miss the bread, which is fresh and "mainstreamed" (ie found with the regular bread). I never ever have sandwiches in the States. Last time I went home I brought back packs of DS Ciabatta rolls which are great re-heated! Apparently, these are now available Stateside (actually produced in Italy by Schar) and I am hoping to purchase them soon. I also miss cider as this has replaced by former-love of beer and is found in every pub. Marks and Spenser do a fantastic fruit cake.

However, the States has some great products (gluten-free beer, waffles, Larabars)and the bread is definitely catching up, so things are evening up I would say! I can eat Planters dry-roasted nuts here, unlike most of the dry-roasteds in the UK. And I find the restaurants better here, I think, as there are more chains with gluten-free-specific menus.

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