Gluten Free Cooking Tips

Gluten-free cooking can be as easy as pie but there are a few things to think about, especially if you live with people without coeliac disease.

Avoiding cross contamination

Reduce the risk of contaminating gluten-free food with gluten by:

• Washing down surfaces before preparing food

• Using separate toasters for gluten-free and regular bread

• Cooking foods containing gluten in separate pots and pans from foods that don't

• Washing hands before handling gluten-free food, especially after other food preparation

• Serving gluten-free foods with separate serving plates and utensils

• Using separate containers for butter, margarine, chutney, pickle, jam etc for people with and without coeliac disease, as knives can transfer crumbs from regular bread

Know your tools

• Gluten-free cooking relies on the accurate measurement of ingredients so invest in a decent set of weights and measures and follow measurement instructions carefully

• Correct cooking temperatures and times are important too. As ovens and microwaves differ, familiarise yourself with how yours work and remember to check the manufacturers' instructions

• To save time, prepare things in advance and freeze so you can have your own gluten-free 'ready meals'

• Don't put pressure on yourself. Just experiment and have some fun!

Learn the art of gluten-free cooking with our chef!

The professional chef, Peter Vaughan, will show you how easy gluten-free cooking can be.

• Nothing compares to the smell of freshly baked bread! See how to bake your favourite loaf with no trace of gluten at all! Remember that you will find all mouth-watering recipes on the back of our flour mixes packs. If you are sensitive to wheat-starch don't forget that our mixes are wheat-free too.

• Shortcrust pastry is an important base for pies, quiches and tarts. Having watched Peter's tips why not print our recipe and do it yourself?

• A must for your Sunday roast. Learn how to make yummy Yorkshire Puddings.

• Attention please! Nation's favourite Victoria Sponge now goes gluten-free. Watch Peter in action or follow this simple recipe.

• Finally, Peter will show you how to make a light, tangy and fruity Celabration Cake. Yummy!

Why not email our gluten-free home economist, Kay Deakin, with all you cooking queries?