Simple and Healthy Recipe – The Allergen Free Cake (well except for the nuts)

Have you ever seen an alarming improve within the variety of individuals you recognize who are suffering from meals allergic reactions or intolerances?

In the event you assume again ten years in the past, catering for somebody with particular dietary necessities was fairly uncommon. Positive there have been vegetarians and individuals who had spiritual dietary necessities and naturally individuals who simply didn’t like some issues (like me and bananas). Aside from that, in my world it was uncommon to return throughout individuals allergic to meals.

As of late, it appears, meals allergic reactions and intolerances are virtually changing into the norm. In line with Wikipedia, 3-4% of the US inhabitants are effected by meals allergic reactions and anyplace from 2-20% are impacted by meals intolerances. There are indicators of this development rising – provided that harmless peanut butter sandwiches are being banned from faculty lunchboxes .

In my day job, it’s fairly laborious to keep away from the influence of accelerating consciousness of meals allergens has on the enterprise. Certainly one of our factories is classed as ‘nut free’. Gross sales of our rice cookies – made with out wheat – are on the rise. Intensive cleansing procedures are in place on the finish of every manufacturing run for biscuits containing recognized ‘allergens’.

However the factor that has actually introduced it house to me is my expensive outdated Dad.

Once I was little, I fondly bear in mind with the ability to depend on Dad to ‘eliminate’ something we didn’t wish to eat. When there have been icky black jelly beans round, otherwise you selected unwisely from the chocolate field – Dad was all the time there to shine off the offending merchandise.

However just a few years in the past, when he was within the midst of despair and being handled for various issues, one physician despatched Dad for an allergy check. The outcomes got here again with a constructive response to 4 little elements – wheat, dairy, eggs and peas.

On the time I bear in mind considering it was going to be robust. Savoury meals has been surprisingly OK. Assume fish or meat and salads or veg. We’ve even discovered some gluten free pasta that isn’t too dangerous. Candy treats and dessert, then again have been extremely robust.

Generally, after I’ve been cooking for a crowd on the farm I serve a separate dessert for Dad. I normally really feel a little bit responsible. Nobody ever will get as enthusiastic about Dad’s ‘particular’ dessert as they do concerning the decadent deal with the remainder of us are having fun with.

This weekend, I’m comfortable to say, I tackled the problem of a Dad compliant dessert. One thing wheat-free, egg-free and dairy-free that may additionally style scrumptious. Lets simply thank heavens darkish chocolate doesn’t include dairy. Oh and that my sister found a lactose free yoghurt.

wheat, dairy, egg & pea-free supermoist chocolate cake

serves 8 – 12

Aside from being appropriate for my Dad, the largest bonus of this recipe is how good it tastes. Decadently moist and wealthy, it’s a severe dessert cake – match for the fanciest of dinner events. Though it could be very remiss of me if I forgot to say how straightforward it’s to make. With solely 6 elements and a two step meals processor mixing methodology – it’s solely fractionally tougher than mixing up a cake out of a packet.

If you’re cooking for somebody who’s allergic to almonds, you could possibly use a distinct nut. I’ve made this cake with hazelnuts. Cashews, walnuts, pistachios or brazil nuts would all work effectively.

In the event you don’t have entry to a meals processor, you could possibly strive pre-ground almond meal. Soften the chocolate and stir by the almond meal. Then mash collectively the banana, sugar and vanilla. Stir this by the almond chocolate combine. I haven’t tried it, however be at liberty to have a go and report again.

250g (9oz) entire almonds

250g (9oz) darkish chocolate (I used Lindt 70% cocoa solids)

1t baking powder

4 ripe bananas (approx 310g or 11oz)

150g (5 1/2oz) sugar

2t vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 150C (300F) non-fan compelled. Moist a chunk of baking paper and use it to line a 22cm (9in) cake tin with a detachable base.

In a meals processor whizz almonds till you could have a fine-ish meal. Add chocolate and baking powder and whizz till finely chopped and effectively mixed with the almond. Switch to a mixing bowl.

Peel bananas and add to the meals processor with sugar and vanilla. Whizz for a couple of minutes till the sugar is effectively mixed and all of the banana lumps are eliminated. Add within the chocolate combination and whizz till it’s blended by.

Switch to the ready cake tin and easy the floor with the again of a spoon. Bake for 40-50 minutes or till the cake feels spongy and a little bit bit agency when pressed on prime.

Serve heat or cool together with your favorite cake accompaniment – lactose free vanilla yoghurt labored effectively for us.