Go Gluten Free: For A Healthier and Better Life

Gluten, came from the Latin word 'Glue', is a binding agent that gives elasticity to dough, helps it rise and maintains its shape. It is a protein that is found in gains like wheat, rye, barley and all their species and hybrids. When flour is mixed with water, gluten forms a sticky ross-linked network of proteins, giving elastic properties to dough and allowing bread to rise when baked. Gluten contains hundreds of proteins, which have low biological and nutritional value and high contents of prolamins, as opposed to the grains of pseudocereals (gluten free), which are rich in proteins with high biological value. Gluten is used in many types of foods, such as bread, baked products, soups, pasta, cereals, sauces, salad dressings etc.

Why to Go Gluten Free?

Before you decide to go on a full blown “gluten free diet” you should have a clear conception of why do you want to do that. Though whole wheat, does offer some health benefits, the gluten can actually be harmful. The most sever thing that can be caused by gluten is Celiac disease. And that’s not all. Here are some reasons you may want to go gluten free!

Many People have Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease

Gluten is consisted of two proteins: gliadin and glutenin. People react negatively to the gliadin part. When gluten reaches the digestive tract and is exposed to the cells of the immune system, they mistakenly believe that it is coming from some sort of foreign invader, like a bacteria. Now for those people who are gluten intolerant, this causes the immune system to mount an attack against it. 

In celiac disease, the immune system attacks the gluten proteins, but it also attacks an enzyme in the cells of the digestive tract called tissue transglutaminase cause the gluten protein looks pretty much the same as your own body tissue. That means gluten exposure in celiacs causes the immune system to attack both the gluten as well as the intestinal wall itself, which leads to nutrient deficiencies, various digestive issues, anemia, fatigue, failure to thrive as well as an increased risk of many serious diseases.

Gluten is a Pro-inflammatory Agent

Inflammation is the process through which your immune system treats injuries. Whenever you get a cut or splinter and the surrounding area gets all red and tender. That means the injured area is getting healed. The proteins in wheat are gut irritants: they’re like that papercut or splinter digging into the lining of your gut, causing an inflammatory response.

Gluten Can Cause Leaky Gut Syndrome

Inflammation in the gut causes a problem called intestinal permeability. The gut has a very complex system of 'border control' that lets digested food into bloodstream while keeping everything else out. We swallow millions of random viruses, bacteria, indigestible molecules like dust, and other stuff every day, that need to go out the other end, not into our bloodstream. Inflammation in the gut messes up that system of border control. It loosens the junctions between cells in the gut wall so too much stuff can pass through. This is often described as making the gut 'leaky'. In short a Leaky gut syndrome is a condition whereby stuff is leaking from your gut into your bloodstream, stuff that shouldn’t be there.

Increased Vulnerability to Non-Celiac Autoimmune Diseases

You’ll find a bunch of studies linking it to all kinds of other autoimmune diseases if you go digging into the research on celiac disease and gluten. Wheat gluten is a major potential trigger of Type 1 Diabetes (that’s the autoimmune type, not the diet-and-lifestyle type). A study showed that feeding mice a gluten-free diet reduced the rate of Type 1 diabetes in their children. There’s also evidence that breastfeeding human children reduces the rate of type 1 diabetes, which would make sense if gluten is the problem because breastfeeding delays the introduction of gluten to the baby.

Wheat is a Top Listed Allergens

Wheat and wheat gluten is a trigger of various allergic reactions. Millions of people all over the world suffer from gluten allergies every year. For causing all these autoimmune skin diseases, gluten is one of the 8 allergens found these days. And the more concerning fact is people don’t even no they are allergic to gluten!

So does that mean you have to resist yourself from all the good tasty treats? Certainly not! Pud for All Seasons offers a range of excellent gluten free puddings to cheer you up. Here we are sharing two amazing gluten free pudding ideas for you!

Gluten-Free Vanilla Pudding

This simple yet delicious pudding comes together with just a handful of ingredients and a little stirring. Mix sugar, cornstarch, and a bit of salt, then whisk in milk and egg yolks. Then cook the whole mixture over medium heat, until thickened, then take off the heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract.

Strain it, and finally let it cool in the fridge, and you’re done! The hardest part of this recipe is probably the waiting for it period, before you can devour it. You can top this delicious pudding with sliced pears browned in a frying pan in butter and sugar, with a sprinkle of cinnamon or with a dollop of cream.

Gluten-Free Plum Pudding

The best way to finish your Christmas lunch is with a traditional Christmas pudding. What if the pudding is filled with healthy ingredients and completely gluten free. This gluten free delicacy is filled with the fruity goodness of plums and the sauce with is just makes it even more special, keeps well and is usually made well in advance of the seasonal festivities. Many families make their pudding on Stir Up Sunday, a month before Christmas.

A small percentage of the entire world population is actually gluten intolerant. But others may have negative effects by the over consumption of this protein. Cautious is the key here. To avoid all kinds of gluten related side effects you can easily skip this not-so-healthy ingredient all together!

It's Always Handy To Have Pudding in the Pantry!

As we’re sure you know, we’re big fans of cakes and puddings here at Pud For All Seasons. Suitable any time of the year, our puds can be enjoyed after a meal and also make a great snack if you’re feeling a bit peckish. Having a few puddings on hand is a great idea, as they’re popular with people of all ages. Read on to find out some of our favourite uses for them...

1. Whenever unexpected visitors drop in, you want to have a go-to snack that you can prepare quickly. Pop a pudding in the microwave for 3.5 minutes, and you’re set! Alternatively, you can serve slices of pudding cold, which are great with coffee.
2. Our puddings are healthy as well as being very tasty, so they’re always a hit with the younger ones. A slice of pudding can make a great snack at recess, so why not put a slice in the kids’ lunchbox?
3. If you’re out of ideas about what to buy someone, a pud can make a great gift for the person that has everything. A cute little pudding makes the perfect birthday or Christmas present, or just as a way to say thank you!
4. Possibly the greatest thing about pudding is that it can be served in so many ways. Here’s some of our favourite pud serving suggestions:

• Use it in a trifle with Custard and Portwine Jelly.

• Fry a slice in a little butter - very Scottish!

• Layer the cold pud in a sundae glass with icecream, cream and sauce. Yummo!

• Crumble the pud, roll it into balls and dip it in chocolate.

• Slice the cold pud into fingers and serve with a custard fondue.

• The little single serve puds make great Bon Boneire too!

For a full range of regular and special dietary puddings like gluten free, dairy free and vegan puddings, check out the Pud For All Seasons website. We can guarantee you won’t be disappointed by our homemade pud!

Christmas Pudding Tradition

It’s nearly that time of year again: Christmas is right around the corner, and people are already in the holiday spirit. The stores are starting to fill up, many have already put up decorations and sales and advertising efforts are in full force. You can even hear Christmas music playing, and some shops and homeowners have already put up all their Christmas decorations. And don’t forget about travel plans and meals. If you’re not knee-deep in travel plans, then you’re already planning your big Christmas meal. But what would the summer holidays be without delicious traditional Christmas puddings? 

Christmas puddings are a holiday tradition – for many, the holidays just wouldn’t seem the same without it. Of course, you can take the cheap and easy way out by purchasing pudding cups at the local grocery store. But that’s just not the same, especially when it comes to Christmas. Even though, you’d love to make homemade pudding, who has the time for that this time of the year? Thanks to Pud for All Seasons, though, you can get the best of both worlds.

From orange to peach to almond to plum too, of course, chocolate, Pud for All Seasons makes homemade pudding the way your grandma used to make it. And you can tell the difference, too, from puddings made en masse from a machine compared to handmade puddings. Pud for All Seasons for all also uses local ingredients, when possible, and they only use all-natural ingredients.

In other words, instead of puddings made with artificial flavors and sweeteners, you’re getting real chocolate or real coconut, for example. Puds also use local free-range eggs and Australian dried fruits whenever possible. The apples and oranges are fresh, and the bread comes straight from the local baker before it’s crumbled by Pud for All Seasons. They also offer gluten-free products.

And you don’t have to stop with pudding: Pud for All Seasons also makes and sells chocolate coated puddings, dessert sauces, and various other chocolate goodies. What is the best part? They can deliver it straight to your door. You can also find Pud for All Seasons products online and at some grocery stores and supermarkets in your area.

Everyone who celebrates Christmas has their own set of traditions. Maybe your family celebrates the holiday on Christmas Eve. Or perhaps you pack up the family and travel somewhere. Don’t forget about all the shopping that’s involved, too, from toys and gifts for the family to your grocery list for the big meal. Although you don’t want to deviate from tradition, it can all seem a bit overwhelming at times.

And you can forget about skipping even one aspect of your particular holiday traditions – you’ll never hear the end of it from your family and friends. But when it comes to traditional Christmas pudding, Pud for All Seasons will take care of your sweet tooth without the added hassle. Not only do they hand-make their puddings, their prices are hard to beat and their home delivery means you have one less thing to worry about – and you’ll have a household full of happy people after your big meal.

How to Prepare Tasty Steamed Puddings

What can be better than a mouth watering, delicious warm pudding that you can enjoy in your home getting all cozy while it's gloomy and freezing outside!

There is hardly anyone who doesn’t like puddings! And among all the versions of puddings available in the world, steamed pudding is very famous in Great Britain, Europe and Australia. This steamed pudding has a long and loving history, because of its YUMMY taste!


These steamed puddings are denser than most of the usual baked pudding. And they are being served with various sauces, including, chocolate, lemon, butterscotch, and other different kinds of sauce. Using these sauces add an extra taste to the steamed puddings flavour. These steamed puddings were originated in Great Britain, and have a base of Flour, cereal, with butter, sugar, or honey. These steamed pudding can be of different types; Savoury, Dessert.

The most famous steamed pudding is the English Christmas pudding. This steamed pudding is made with flour and bread crumbs, several eggs, and sugar. Later some candid fruits like raisins, plumbs, or cherries are used to increase the taste. And one can add different kinds of nuts, to make it tastier. Chocolate pudding is another favourite pudding of all time. This steamed pudding is quiet easy to make. All you need is chocolate, butter, flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, egg, caster sugar, milk with added vanilla essence. You just need 1 hour 30 minutes to cook this chocolate steamed pudding.

There is one kind of Savoury pudding that most of the people is familiar with, whether they have prepared it or not, is steak and kidney pie, a favourite lunch in Great Britain. This pudding is made by putting together diced steak and beef, and lamb’s or pig’s kidney pieces in gravy pastry. This type of pudding most of the time contains mushrooms in addition with other kind of herbs.


Another type of steamed pudding is sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce. You can always order online but in case if you want to try this yummy steamed pudding at home, the ingredients and preparation method to serve 10 people is shared:

Ingredients

 

For the Pudding:

• 250g pitted dates 
• 300ml water  
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda  
• 60g butter  
• 2/3 cup caster sugar  
• 3 large eggs  
• 1 1/4 cups (185g) self-raising flour
  
  

For the Butterscotch Sauce:

• 1 cup (220g) brown sugar 
• 125g butter  
• 375ml thickened cream  
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
  

Preparation Method

 Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 1 hour 30 minutes

For the Pudding

1. Combine the dates and water in a medium saucepan; bring it to the boil. Stir in the soda. Remove from the heat.
2. Cream the butter and sugar in a food processor; add eggs, one at a time. Add the date mixture and process for 10 seconds. Add the flour; process for 20 seconds or until just combined.
3. Grease a 1.5 litre (6-cup) pudding basin. Pour the mixture into the basin. Cover the pudding with a greased piece of wax paper or foil and then the lid.
4. Put the bowl inside a covered steamer with boiling water coming halfway up the sides of the basin. Boil for 1.25 to 1.5 hours.

For the Butterscotch Sauce

5. Combine the sugar, butter, cream and essence in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until smooth.
6. Serve the pudding drizzled with the sauce.


You should definitely try making all these yummy steamed puddings at your home. But do use the best quality ingredients, always. And you can always get different kind of pudding sauces at some well known, reliable pudding stores.

How to Make Your Christmas Meal One to Remember

Christmas is one of the most celebrated times of the year. People are generally excited and make grandiose plans that often prevent them from remembering the simple and most important details of the season. 

Christmas cooking is one of the most important activities that people are involved in, and yet despite its importance, many approach the task with fear and trepidation, unsure how to impress their visitors and families. It is understandable as this time of year we may be cooking for over ten people and this logistical nightmare is one that we may not encounter at any other time of the year.

The truth about Christmas is that more often than not, families and friends will prefer lighter foods and desserts during Christmas. This is because the general state of excitement forces a natural inclination towards lighter instead of heavier foods.

In order to avoid embarrassments, and also save your declining energy as the day goes by, it is important that you stick to simplicity when it comes to the display of your culinary skills. Your families and friends will then be able to truly enjoy your meal and will no doubt compliment your accomplishments.

Source: www.nigerianfoodtv.com

One top tip is to prepare what you can the night before. The Christmas stuffing can be prepared, the main dish, the Christmas Turkey could even go in overnight. Any preparation that can be done should be done. This will dramatically relieve the stress and pressure on the day.

If you have ever heard the saying “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”-then you should have no excuse not to know what it means for your Christmas. Homemade or locally made puddings are one of the best ways of finishing the meal with real panache. Serving a well made chocolate or a traditional plum pudding, can be an exciting experience. You could even use brandy and bring the pudding in flaming to the awe of your family and guests. Dining is all about the experience. Anything exciting or different will enhance the mood and atmosphere.

Source: www.goodtoknow.co.uk

Other Christmas additions that can add flavor and increase smiles are devilled eggs, seasoned mashed potatoes, apple pie, and mince pies. Don’t forget to have plenty of custard and to whip the cream yourself.

The whole essence of Christmas is to bring together families and friends, whether it is just the nuclear family or also the extended ones that live far and wide – Christmas is to bring great memories for everybody, and the food that is served can go a long way in forcing or inspiring those memories. In the spirit of the day it can be a good idea to ask guests in advance if there is any particular food they enjoy. This can help you to ensure that everyone is catered for to their tastes.

Source: www.ebay.com

The next time Christmas arrives to make sure you make it a memorable one for your family. If you have less time and culinary skills, just keep it simple and buy good ingredients; and don’t forget the plum puddings!