Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook (Cybele Pascal) - A Book to Save Your Allergen-Free/Vegan Baking Life!

So far on this 3 ½ year allergy journey I have read, studied, and tried recipes from countless blogs and cookbooks. There is only one that I have come across that hasn’t failed me yet. Any allergy mom knows all too well the excitement that builds when you see a recipe that looks perfect for your needs; the determination to find those foreign named ingredients that she has never heard of and the pressure of making multiple trips to different stores to piece them together; as well as the trepidation she feels as she crafts recipes that seem so far out of her gluten/wheat/dairy/egg/soy/tree nut-filled cooking comfort zone. Lord knows I have disgustedly trashed my share of finished dishes, watching my money go down the drain. My head has exploded countless times with frustration, and I have cried many tears.


But...along came a jewel, and from that point this allergy mama’s life was changed!! Thank you Cybele Pascal! If you were not married with two beautiful boys with allergies, I promise I would marry you and figure out a way for us to conceive some allergy laden kids just so we could cook your recipes. I know, that sounds crazy right? But what allergy mom isn’t already crazy!!!??? After all, we endure so much. So without further ado I introduce to you, Cybele Pascal’s, The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook. The allergy mom’s bible.

There is not one recipe in this book that I have tried that was not delicious. I mean that. I’m a foodie who loves to cook, and who truly knows the taste of great food. I am not in any way affiliated with Mrs. Pascal or her work. I am independent of it all. I'm just a groupie. I have had this book for two years and I reach for it at all times. And I vouch for it and her and each and every finger-lickin’ recipe you will dare to try.




Her gluten free beer bread is my go to bread recipe. It is quick and EASY and good. I like to enjoy turkey and cheese paninis on it while my picky munchkin enjoys cinnamon or jelly toast.



Her blueberry muffins are slap-your-mama good. Moist (almost too moist), rich and full of blueberry yumminess.


Her treats are what I reach for when I want to allow Jace a REAL treat. Her brownies make you forget you’re on an allergen-free diet and her cupcakes, well let’s just say you can never go wrong. The only downside is how I feel when I’ve become the glutton who relentlessly attacks the treats, only to sit in a guilty stooper after.


Mrs. Pascal also generously chocks the book with an extremely helpful, resource-filled section on how to stock your allergen-free pantry and a separate full section thoroughly detailing the ins-and-outs of allergen-free baking. So on top of the make-you-feel-normal-tempt-your-tummy goodness, she gives you an education that money just can’t buy. I guess you will buy the book, but you get it, right?

So, if you are an allergy mama and haven’t done so already, GET THIS BOOK! Then get your baking groove on. Feed your allergy babe some amazingly tantalizing baked goods. And then feed your own face as you smile because mama’s got a brand new bag! Well, we’re not talking bags here, but you get the point. Heck, you won’t need a reason to smile because when all is said and done, you will be in baked good heaven, and whoever wouldn’t smile about that is just crazy-ER than your average allergy mom (hee hee hee).

I purchased my book from Amazon here. Take a look and read through the reviews; there are over a hundred, giving it 4.5 stars out of 5. So...I’m not the only one tooting this horn.

Learn more about Cybele, subscribe to get her recipes, and find links to her video tutorials here.

Enjoy!

4 comments:

  1. This is TOO GOOD not to share. Have you thought about adding the 'Followers' feature? Parents with allergic babies might want to follow this blog to keep up with the recipes & resources.

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  2. Thank you dellgirl! I am new and learning so appreciate all the advice I can get. I love the idea of the follow feature and am off to look into that now. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!!

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  3. I too, love Cybele's book. She's a rock star of cooking! And I would love to have you check out my blog. I think you could find it quite helpful with a years worth of recipes. You can check it out at www.allergyfreetestkitchen.com

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  4. Thank you for stopping by Peggy. Your blog sounds so familiar! With all of your experience, I am quite sure that I came across it during my initiation into the allergy free world a couple of years ago! I am happy to skip over and explore your recipes, as we can never get too many. Oh and Cybele, yes she is a rock star in my book. I am currently doing an experiment of making as many of the recipes from her most recent 30-minute or less cookbook. So far there are some very tasty dishes that have hit my table :-). All the best to you! Headed over now...

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