Italian lessons

There's a lot of Italian cuisine in Wellington. But, believe it or not, finding an Italian restaurant with a range of tasty gluten-free options has been a bit tricky for us. 

Over time we have learnt that one restaurant has everything we are looking for.

Scopa Caffe Cucina - where authentic, exceptional Italian cuisine meets trendy Wellington style.

Senza glutine - adj. gluten-free

Of all the cuisines I have tried while gluten free, Italian has been the most problematic. 

Even though restaurants are now offering more "gluten-free" options, I have had some very severe gluten symptoms on a number of occasions. There are a couple of restaurants in Wellington that I avoid for this reason. (I won't name them here because I can't prove that they did anything wrong but if you are worried, send me an email.)

Things to look out for when eating Italian: 

• It's not enough for the pizza base to be gluten free. It has to be prepared away from where the gluten dough is being rolled. 
• Similarly, pasta MUST be boiled in different water (it seems simple, but I believe this is where I have run into trouble in the past so it's an important one to watch for). 
• Pizza toppings can be a problem, especially sauces (along with meats and other items). Always check.  
• Risotto might seem like an easy option (it's just rice, right?), but watch out for stocks thickened with wheat flour. 

There are only a few Italian restaurants that we trust and Scopa is one of them. 

Opzioni - n. pl. options, choices

But what sets Scopa apart is the range of gluten-free options.

A lot of places do gluten-free pizza or pasta - but not both. Scopa do both exceptionally, along with lots of delicious extras.

(The only thing missing is fresh gluten-free pasta. If anyone knows of an Italian restaurant that serves fresh gluten-free fettuccine, please tell me. It would make my life!)

Gustoso - adj. tasty

Scopa offers exceptional traditional dishes with exciting flavours and a modern edge. 

There's a range of light, delicious pizzas in classic and indulgent flavours. Drizzle some chilli oil over your pizza for an extra vibrant taste sensation (it's not too spicy - promise).  

Pappardelle, pizza of the day, and roasted potatoes with herb salt and aioli.

There's scrumptious pasta, of course. We like the pappardelle - gluten-free pasta with mushrooms, chevre (goat's cheese), and spinach and walnut pesto.

And tasty sides, including crispy, perfectly-seasoned roasted potatoes with tasty herb salt and creamy aioli. 

Check out how crispy those spuds are!

And don't forget dessert!

We can't go past the Scopa classic: real Italian hot chocolate. It's basically melted chocolate on a spoon - only much more dignified. This rich, creamy delight is what dreams are made of. 

The waiter accidentally gave us the large size. It defeated us.

Delizioso! 

Try Scopa - because tasty gluten-free options should never be hard to find.

Note: Since writing this review, I have also discovered that Scopa is also great for people on a low-FODMAP diet - their pizza sauce doesn't contain onion or garlic! Try a gluten-free margherita pizza, roast potatoes (no aioli), and a glass of Pencarrow chardonnay for a great low-FODMAP dinner option. Delicious! 

Martha's Pantry

Last weekend, Ross and I had the pleasure of joining his parents for a delightful visit to Martha's Pantry for gluten-free high tea. 

I actually don't think I can describe the entire experience in words. So instead, here are my top ten highlights:

1. So. Much. Pink.

Cute. Dainty. Adorable. Sweet (quite literally). Pretty. Delightful. Quaint. Lovely. Beautiful. Oh, and delicious. Martha's Pantry is all of those things. 

2. Tea - and a whole menu of it

I'm not sure what I love more, the antique cups, saucers and plates, the knitted tea cosies, or the fact that their tea menu is actually a book.

So much to love. (Gluten-free delights on the right)

3. A wee bit of everything 

I can tend to work myself up into a bit of a lather trying to decide what to eat. But with high tea, no need to choose!

4. Cheese, pesto and ham toasties

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life (or perhaps the cheesiest) that you really can't beat. 

5. Planning what treat to eat next

Deciding on the perfect crescendo from savoury to sweet is a planner's dream. 

6. Everything is bite sized

You'll get to try a little bit of everything. And everything tastes like cuteness.

Too cute to eat?

7. Salmon mousse

Salmon and cream cheese - what not to love?

8. They have their priorities right 

A two-for-one ratio of sweet to savoury. Yes, please.

The gluten-free goodies.

9. Opera Cake

Almond sponge laced with coffee, layered with ganache and coffee buttercream, then topped with chocolate glaze. 

10. Boys love it too

Everyone should have some pretty, delicious treats once in a while - so don't leave the boys at home! 

When Ross heard that Carol and I were planning on going for high tea, he didn't want to miss out. And I'm so glad he didn't. 

It was a lovely afternoon that I'm glad the four of us could share.  

Ross, me, David, and Carol.

Comfort food

Winter is coming. And all the joys that come with it, including - for me, at least - the common cold.

Avoiding spreading my malaise, combined with being generally run down, has called for a much-needed sick day.

So here I am. Dosed up on vitamin C and Panadol, sniffing continuously, literally wearing a blanket - and in desperate search of something for lunch. Thankfully, my appetite hasn't gone - that's when you know that standard sickness has transitioned to full-on misery.

And, lucky for me, I have discovered the best comfort food. Ever.

Ross's parents came to stay this weekend, and with them they brought a box of goodies from Totally Gluten Free Bakery in Christchurch.

The products are amazing - plus, you can order them online! We had a lovely few days with David and Carol, involving much fun, laughter and - of course - food. I will tell you more about our delicious adventures when my brain is functioning properly again.

So, what perfect comfort food did I discover in our box of happiness?

Gluten-free pain au chocolat.

Oh yes, that's right. And it's just like the real thing. Absolutely stunning.

Chunks of chocolate, wrapped in sweet, light pastry (that's actually flaky!). It makes for a moreish treat served cold, and a gooey decadent delight warmed up.

If you're feeling under the weather, it might not be quite what the doctor ordered.

But never underestimate the healing powers of pure chocolatey goodness.

Double dose of chocolate.

Staying warm in Wellington

On a wet, dark, miserable evening like this it's nice to write about - if not eat - the sort of food that fills the belly and warms the heart.  

And nothing does that quite like a good Indian curry. 

Indian food is a great choice for naturally gluten-free food. And during my time in Wellington, I have been to some restaurants that were heavenly, a lot that were characteristically average, and a couple that were downright abysmal.

Based on our extensive sampling, Ross and I have two favourite Indian restaurants in Wellington. One is a wee drive away (there's a hint) and I will tell you about it another time. 

The other is Great India. 

The curries at Great India are, of course, amazing. Rich, succulent, flavoursome, and exotic. 

But delicious accompaniments are what makes a good Indian meal truly outstanding - even for someone who is gluten free. 

Sadly, we can't have the breads (except in Blenheim - this place wins major kudos). But, of course, there are other options. The coconut rice and onion bhajia (in chickpea batter) are an absolute must.

An Indian restaurant is a step above the rest if I can go there, eat gluten free, and have food so exquisite that I forget that naan bread ever existed. Great India does that.

But, as if that wasn't enough, the service at Great india is impeccable. And the atmosphere is quite special, making it perfect for an intimate date, a fun BYO, and everything in between.

An inviting setting with mouth-watering food - bringing warmth to even your dreariest of evenings.

Chicken madras, chicken masta masala, and coconut rice

Onion Bhajia

The hardest thing about being gluten free

Sometimes people ask me if being gluten free is hard.

They ask me if it's difficult to stick to the diet. They ask me if sometimes I'm tempted to give in and eat gluten. They ask me what I miss most (pies, for the record).

But, actually, for me the hardest things about being gluten free is not the food - or lack thereof.

The hardest thing is this: no matter how careful you are, no matter how many questions you ask, no matter how willing you are to annoy (even argue with) wait staff, sometimes gluten will slip into your food.

I've been glutened (yes, it's a word) a few times over the past couple of weeks, so this weekend Ross and I are playing it safe.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that sometimes people have the attitude of "oh, a little gluten won't hurt" (low-gluten products, anyone?). And this is something that I really struggle with.

Because it does hurt. It hurts so much.

For me, being glutened means severe stomach pains.

Sometimes it's immediate. And often it's excruciating.

Everyone who has coeliac disease or is gluten intolerant will react in different ways. Some, like my Dad and I, will know very quickly if we have been poisoned. Others, like Ross, won't know they have been affected at all - yet, it will have very serious effects on their long-term health.

Ross and I are lucky that I provide a good litmus test for whether food is safe for us to eat.

But others are not so lucky. And many have far worse reactions than we do.

It is so important for cafes and restaurants to understand that a little gluten does matter, whether your symptoms are noticeable or not. And the same applies for people with a whole range of allergies and intolerances.

Of course, unless we tell them, it's hard for people to understand how much it matters.

And, for many of us, that's hard. Really hard.

It's hard to speak up when people might think we're being annoying / fussy / precious / paranoid (or whatever other words come to mind). And that's a misconception we need to battle, too.

Actually, it's ok to ask questions. It's ok to tell people what you need. And it's ok to politely insist that your food is treated with care.

Because your health really matters. Because you shouldn't have to suffer. And because it helps us all.

Every time someone with a dietary restriction speaks up, it makes a difference.

Every time someone asks a question, it increases people's understanding.

And every time someone argues with a waiter about whether couscous is gluten free - yes, this happened - it moves us all that little bit closer to being able to eat with confidence.

Seoul food

Ross and I really need to do some more planning for our trip in September. But, given the choice between sorting out travel insurance and familiarising ourselves with the local cuisine, you can guess which one we tend to choose. 

We are heading to Hong Kong and Korea - two countries that are rather difficult when it comes to gluten-free dining (but, hey, a good challenge never hurt anyone!). To help us on our journey, my lovely mother-in-law, Carol, has pointed us in the direction of these wonderful travel cards.  

I've been to Korea before - prior to discovering that I am gluten intolerant - so I know that I love the food. But, up until recently, Ross had not had the pleasure of trying it.

A year or more ago Ross and I visited every - I mean EVERY - Korean restaurant in Wellington to see if they could make us something gluten free. But to no avail. Many of the sauces used in Korean cooking contain gluten and we were told that it simply wasn't possible to feed us. 

We had all but given up on the idea when six months ago - a few months before we started planing our trip - we discovered amazing gluten-free Korean food in the most unexpected of places. 

We were wandering down Willis street on a lazy weekend and noticed a new market with an outdoor food court. Intrigued, we went and had a look to discover - lo and behold - that there was a Korean food stall that, not only catered for gluten-free, but had a menu with numerous gluten-free items labelled. In fact, they are the only stall that has anything labelled, which is astonishing given the trouble we have had in the past.

When I say they cater for gluten-free, I'm not talking about being able to do a rice and vegetable dish with meat and no sauce (don't you hate that!?). I am talking about being able to do a full range of snacks - BBQ popcorn chicken, anyone? - mains, and even dessert - all without hurting my sensitive wee stomach. 

And the food is incredible. Fresh, wholesome, delicious meals, with zingy Korean hot sauce that will make your taste buds sing, your eyes pop, and your nose run - all at the same time. 

Our delicious Seoul food. 

I might need to go to Capital Market again soon so that I can ask the amazing cooks at Miss Kangsta if they have any restaurant recommendations for when we are in Seoul.

All for the important purpose of organising our trip, of course. Not because I'm more than a little bit obsessed with their popcorn chicken....

Beautiful Bethany's

On Saturday we celebrated the launch of my Mum's new book Born for Life: A Midwife's Story. It was a beautiful time with family and friends, coming together to acknowledge Mum's extraordinary accomplishment and the courage and determination it took to document everything she has experienced and overcome. It is an absolutely captivating read. 

It was an amazing and overwhelmingly surreal day. So much so that I didn't give much thought to the restaurant chosen for our celebration dinner with the extended family (very unlike me, I know).

So, I was unexpectedly delighted by the exceptional dinner we had. 

Bethany's is located in the centre of Palmerston North, and has a beautiful view overlooking the square. The food is an excellent balance between family fare and fine dining  - a BYO restaurant that serves ostrich! 

The meals are delightfully gourmet but also filling and generously portioned. Bethany's cater very well for gluten free and a range of other dietary requirements. Almost all of the main meals can be done gluten free (but make sure you tell them what you need because they may require altering). 

I had the ostrich, which was divine. If you have never had ostrich before (I hadn't), it's like a lean, rich fillet steak. The grilled ostrich was served with gourmet potatoes, a fresh, delicate salad, and an exquisitely tasty sweet chipotle mayo. Simply delicious.   

Ostrich.

For dessert, I had Bethany's raspberry creme brulee. The brulee was heavenly - sweet and creamy with the tart taste of fresh raspberries running through it. I usually get disappointed when bits of my dish that aren't gluten free - in this case, biscotti and a white chocolate truffle - are taken away and not replaced by anything else. But, to be honest, the dessert serving was so generous, I can't complain. I simply couldn't have eaten another bite!    

Bethany's raspberry creme brulee. 

Bethany's was a great choice, Mum. A beautiful meal at a beautiful venue to celebrate a beautiful woman in my life. xx  

Born for Life: A Midwife's Story - Julie Watson.