What to do About a Gluten Allergy

I asked my mother what a friend should do about her gluten allergy. This is her answer:

1) Learn to love cornbread (without any flour in it). More egg and less milk will help control crumbling.

2) Enjoy corn tortilla and masa harina products. Masa harina is made from corn that has been lye or lime treated. It is the base ingredient in corn tortillas, tamales and gorditas. Be creative and see what cookies are like when made from it.

3) Buy rice cakes.

4) Try akara balls. This African fried bread is made from back-eyed pea flour.

5) If you really want to try making bread with rice flour, find a source for xanthan gum. It makes it a little more tolerable. Do not expect it to be just like wheat flour breads. One of our local grocery stores sells xanthan gum. It is located with the speciality grains and flours.

6) Join any local Celiac Disease organizations. They will have recipes to share and also may buy commercial size packages of xanthan gum and reselling it in reasonable size portions. (You only need a teaspoon or two per recipe. ) Ask a dietitian for information on organizations and for recipes he or she might have.