Comments for Top Eight Free: Your Guide to Allergy-Free Eating http://top8free.com Dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, egg-free, wheat-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free recipes from around the world Sat, 17 May 2008 10:30:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Allergens by Elizabeth http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/#comment-769 Elizabeth Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:52:50 +0000 http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/#comment-769 Can't wait to try the marshmallow recipe. My son has severe multiple allergies ( sesame, corn, potatoes. rice,.....) Can’t wait to try the marshmallow recipe. My son has severe multiple allergies ( sesame, corn, potatoes. rice,…..)

]]> Comment on Spookily Pumpkin Muffins by Jane http://top8free.com/2007/09/06/spookily-pumpkin-muffins/#comment-689 Jane Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:52:38 +0000 http://top8free.com/2007/09/06/spookily-pumpkin-muffins/#comment-689 I just found out that Chicago Metallic (the good-quality bakeware company) makes square muffin pans!! Actually, they call them 'crumbcake pans' which is why I had trouble finding them when I first read this Spookily recipe. They're the kind of pans that have a lift-out piece in the bottom to make it easier to get the crumbcakes/muffins/cupcakes/whatever out of the pan. I almost ordered one for you on the spot, but thought I'd better check first to see whether Spookily is still a hit. I just found out that Chicago Metallic (the good-quality bakeware company) makes square muffin pans!! Actually, they call them ‘crumbcake pans’ which is why I had trouble finding them when I first read this Spookily recipe. They’re the kind of pans that have a lift-out piece in the bottom to make it easier to get the crumbcakes/muffins/cupcakes/whatever out of the pan. I almost ordered one for you on the spot, but thought I’d better check first to see whether Spookily is still a hit.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Jane http://top8free.com#comment-658 Jane Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:30:05 +0000 #comment-658 This does look great! You've got quite an impressive collection by now -- and you've inspired me to try to figure out how to subscribe to RSS feeds to keep up with additions. (If I've done it correctly, this message will show up sometime in my RSS feed...) Let me know if you'd like some additional bread recipes for the 'recipes with some top 8 allergens' section -- I keep coming up with new ones all the time but can't avoid using some flour, either wheat or spelt. This does look great! You’ve got quite an impressive collection by now — and you’ve inspired me to try to figure out how to subscribe to RSS feeds to keep up with additions. (If I’ve done it correctly, this message will show up sometime in my RSS feed… ;)

Let me know if you’d like some additional bread recipes for the ‘recipes with some top 8 allergens’ section — I keep coming up with new ones all the time but can’t avoid using some flour, either wheat or spelt.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Mary http://top8free.com#comment-648 Mary Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:43:13 +0000 #comment-648 Website looks great - very well organized, easy to find your way quickly to a great idea for the next meal plan. Thank you!!! Website looks great - very well organized, easy to find your way quickly to a great idea for the next meal plan. Thank you!!!

]]> Comment on Dairy Allergen List by top8free http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/dairy-allergen-list/#comment-645 top8free Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:12:24 +0000 http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/dairy-allergen-list/#comment-645 Sharon: One of the main ingredients in most hummus recipes is tahini, which is sesame butter. It is possible to make hummus without tahini, but the stuff we see in the grocery case generally includes it. I do not know what the ingredients in Trader Joe's hummus are, and I was unable to find the information online. However, I would hesitate to reccomend any storebought hummus to someone allergic to sesame. Even if that flavor was tahini-free, there would always be the risk of cross-contamination. The name of our site "Top 8 Free" refers to foods that are free of the top eight food allergens, which includes nuts. Almond milk is not a good option for someone with a nut allergy, though I agree with you about it being yummy. (It makes fabulous hot cocoa, if you can eat it.) Rice milk does not contain as much protien as soy or cow milk, and therefore bakes differently. The recipes on this site have all been tested multiple times using rice milk, and the ingredient proportions are designed for rice milk, so they will work if you try them. Making all of your own food from stratch is time consuming, so I try to make use of the few packaged convenience foods that I can. That is why many of the recipes in this book call for boxed rice milk. If you have the inclination to make your own, more the better! I'd love to get your recipe for homemade oat milk, if you are willing to share! Thanks for the comments. :-) Sharon:

One of the main ingredients in most hummus recipes is tahini, which is sesame butter. It is possible to make hummus without tahini, but the stuff we see in the grocery case generally includes it.

I do not know what the ingredients in Trader Joe’s hummus are, and I was unable to find the information online. However, I would hesitate to reccomend any storebought hummus to someone allergic to sesame. Even if that flavor was tahini-free, there would always be the risk of cross-contamination.

The name of our site “Top 8 Free” refers to foods that are free of the top eight food allergens, which includes nuts. Almond milk is not a good option for someone with a nut allergy, though I agree with you about it being yummy. (It makes fabulous hot cocoa, if you can eat it.)

Rice milk does not contain as much protien as soy or cow milk, and therefore bakes differently. The recipes on this site have all been tested multiple times using rice milk, and the ingredient proportions are designed for rice milk, so they will work if you try them.

Making all of your own food from stratch is time consuming, so I try to make use of the few packaged convenience foods that I can. That is why many of the recipes in this book call for boxed rice milk. If you have the inclination to make your own, more the better!

I’d love to get your recipe for homemade oat milk, if you are willing to share!

Thanks for the comments. :-)

]]> Comment on Soy Allergen List by top8free http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/soy-allergen-list/#comment-644 top8free Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:01:30 +0000 http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/soy-allergen-list/#comment-644 I would love to know what other products are missing from this list. I agree that Vitamin E (often listed as "mixed tocopherols" in ingredient lists) is often made with soy, but it can also be made from wheat, sunflower seeds, or other raw ingredients. I would love to know what other products are missing from this list. I agree that Vitamin E (often listed as “mixed tocopherols” in ingredient lists) is often made with soy, but it can also be made from wheat, sunflower seeds, or other raw ingredients.

]]> Comment on Soy Allergen List by Sharon http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/soy-allergen-list/#comment-619 Sharon Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:36:50 +0000 http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/soy-allergen-list/#comment-619 You're missing some important things from this list. It may be obvious that soybean oil is off limits, but considering some of my clients have been told by their docs that soybean oil is ok and then had reactions, it would be better to spell it out separately. Also, beware of vitamin E especially, as that's usually derived from soybeans. You’re missing some important things from this list. It may be obvious that soybean oil is off limits, but considering some of my clients have been told by their docs that soybean oil is ok and then had reactions, it would be better to spell it out separately.

Also, beware of vitamin E especially, as that’s usually derived from soybeans.

]]> Comment on Dairy Allergen List by Sharon http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/dairy-allergen-list/#comment-618 Sharon Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:34:46 +0000 http://top8free.com/hidden-allergens/dairy-allergen-list/#comment-618 I'm confused why it would matter with hummus whether you're allergic to sesame or not. I've never seen hummus with sesame in it, but I've seen plenty with soy in it. Trader Joe's sells a hummus made with standard Middle Eastern ingredients that no one seems to react to. As for ice cream, we have an ice cream maker and make ice cream with coconut cream. Just add a little raw sugar and a touch of vanilla (preferably homemade) and if you want chocolate ice cream add cocoa. 20 minutes later you'll have ice cream. It's the best dairy-free ice cream I've had, at least that isn't polluted with corn or soy (which I'm also allergic to.) I haven't found any use for rice milk. I make my own milks with a soymilk machine, mostly using almonds and/or oats, depending on what I'm using it for. Rice milk is terrible for baking. The leftovers from making your own nut milk are great as a substitute for sour cream in baking recipes and are a great additive for homemade protein bars also. I’m confused why it would matter with hummus whether you’re allergic to sesame or not. I’ve never seen hummus with sesame in it, but I’ve seen plenty with soy in it. Trader Joe’s sells a hummus made with standard Middle Eastern ingredients that no one seems to react to.

As for ice cream, we have an ice cream maker and make ice cream with coconut cream. Just add a little raw sugar and a touch of vanilla (preferably homemade) and if you want chocolate ice cream add cocoa. 20 minutes later you’ll have ice cream. It’s the best dairy-free ice cream I’ve had, at least that isn’t polluted with corn or soy (which I’m also allergic to.)

I haven’t found any use for rice milk. I make my own milks with a soymilk machine, mostly using almonds and/or oats, depending on what I’m using it for. Rice milk is terrible for baking. The leftovers from making your own nut milk are great as a substitute for sour cream in baking recipes and are a great additive for homemade protein bars also.

]]> Comment on Marshmallows (Corn-free) by Top Eight Free http://top8free.com/2007/12/13/marshmallows-corn-free/#comment-570 Top Eight Free Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:08:03 +0000 http://top8free.com/2007/12/13/marshmallows-corn-free/#comment-570 I haven't tried it with rice syrup, but I think it would work. Rice syrup behaves somewhat differently when you caramelize it (as in granola bars) than cane sugar, so the end result might be a little softer and require more drying than cane sugar marshmallows. If you try it, please let me know if it works! Jeanette I haven’t tried it with rice syrup, but I think it would work. Rice syrup behaves somewhat differently when you caramelize it (as in granola bars) than cane sugar, so the end result might be a little softer and require more drying than cane sugar marshmallows. If you try it, please let me know if it works!

Jeanette

]]> Comment on Marshmallows (Corn-free) by pia http://top8free.com/2007/12/13/marshmallows-corn-free/#comment-548 pia Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:28:34 +0000 http://top8free.com/2007/12/13/marshmallows-corn-free/#comment-548 can you use rice syrup? can you use rice syrup?

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