The Friendly Baker by Lucy Parr – Easy, delicious, plant-based and allergy-friendly bakes for everyone to enjoy.
Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Lucy Parr, has published her first cookbook The Friendly Baker with vegetarian recipes omitting common allergens such as dairy, egg, peanuts, and sesame.
Women Talking had the opportunity to review the book and try a few of the tasty ideas in the process.
The Friendly Baker is a cookbook designed for everyone and includes a selection of both sweet and savoury recipes for all seasons with more than 75 naturally plant-based recipes.
From savoury snacks and easy bread to celebration cakes and teatime treats, there’s something for every occasion that the whole family can enjoy.
A simple key lets you see immediately which recipes are suitable for you and your family, and the book also features handy guides to swapping out common ingredients, suggestions for putting on a spread from parties to picnics, and resources designed for those with food allergies and intolerances.
Lucy’s focus is ‘friendly’ cooking since both her daughters were diagnosed with multiple food allergies at a very young age. Lucy had to change her approach to food to cater for them and is on a mission to recreate recipes so that they can enjoy the same as everyone else. Her recipes are suitable for allergies, but they are also planet friendly as they don’t contain any animal products.
Over the years Lucy developed more than 800 unique allergy-friendly recipes and has been featured in Your Healthy Living Magazine, Meat Free Monday website, Vegan Food and Living, My Weekly and Baking Heaven.
Her next step was to take the recipes into print to make these friendly recipes even more accessible to a wider audience. The Friendly Baker is available to buy in Waterstones and in many independent bookstores and shops across the UK.
There were so many delightful recipes in the book it was hard to share a favourite, however, try this one!!
Chocolate Tiffin Mousse Cake
The idea behind this recipe is that it is a decadent pudding worthy of celebrations, but it can be made relatively easily anywhere in the world. It works with dairy-free or conventional cream, any chocolate you choose, and can easily be made gluten-free depending on biscuit choice. In my experience you should be able to buy the six basic ingredients in almost any size of food store, even small local ones, enabling you to make a sensational pudding for everyone, anywhere.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour
Serves 8
85g dairy-free chocolate
60g dairy-free margarine or butter
2 tbsp golden syrup, honey, or maple syrup
8 biscuits (such as digestives, ginger nuts, or rich tea)
250ml dairy-free double or whipping cream.
150g dairy-free dark chocolate or 175g dairy-free milk chocolate
- Line the base of an 18-20cm springform cake tin or place a cake ring onto some baking paper on a baking sheet.
- Melt the 85g of chocolate with the margarine and syrup in a microwave or bain-marie.
- Roughly break up the biscuits and add them to the chocolate mixture. Stir well so they are completely covered. Press into the base of the cake tin and place in the fridge to set.
- Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. In a microwave or a bain-marie, melt the remaining chocolate (to 45°c if using a thermometer).
- Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the chocolate to equalise the textures, then gently fold in the rest of the cream until well combined.
- Pour the chocolate mousse mixture onto the biscuit base and level off the top.
- Place in the fridge to set.
- Remove from the tin and decorate as desired. Chocolate shavings in a pattern make a nice design. Once decorated, keep in the fridge until serving.
Women Talking looks at why people seek allergy-friendly recipes:
Food allergies: Many people have food allergies, which are adverse reactions to specific foods that can range from mild to severe. The most common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. People with food allergies need to avoid these allergens in their diet to prevent allergic reactions, which can manifest as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Allergy-friendly recipes provide options that exclude these common allergens, allowing people with food allergies to safely enjoy delicious and safe meals.
Food intolerances/sensitivities: Some people may have food intolerances or sensitivities, which are not as severe as food allergies but can still cause discomfort and adverse reactions. For example, lactose intolerance is a common condition where the body has difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. People with food intolerances or sensitivities may seek recipes that avoid the specific foods or ingredients that trigger their symptoms.
Dietary restrictions: People may have dietary restrictions or preferences that exclude certain foods or ingredients for various reasons, such as religious, cultural, ethical, or personal beliefs. For example, individuals following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle avoid animal products, while those on a gluten-free diet need to avoid gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Allergy-friendly recipes can provide options that align with these dietary restrictions, allowing individuals to enjoy meals that meet their specific needs.
Cooking for others: Some people may want to prepare allergy-friendly recipes to accommodate the dietary needs of their family members, friends, or guests who have food allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions. It can be a thoughtful gesture to provide safe and enjoyable meals for those with dietary limitations and ensure that everyone can partake in the meal without worry.
People seek allergy-friendly recipes for a variety of reasons, The Friendly Baker allows individuals to enjoy delicious and safe meals that meet their dietary needs.
For more information visit Lucy’s Friendly Foods here.
Poppy Watt