Rule of Crumb Gluten Free Garlic Bread

Garlic bread has a special place in my heart. This buttery, crispy, carb filled side is one of my biggest downfalls, and one of the things I most long for when I see the gluten counterpart served on the table. Over the last few years, there has been such a rise in all sorts of convenience food for the gluten free market, and when all the free from garlic breads hit the shelves, I couldn't have been happier.

Unlike a lot of other garlic baguettes, the Rule of Crumb one is cut more like a sandwich which is quite enjoyable as the garlic butter doesn't all leak out as you are cooking it! I followed the instructions on the packet  and I have to say this had fantastic results. It was just baked to perfection, there has been so many times I have cooked things according to the instructions and they feel either over or underdone. I think removing these from the freezer a little early really helps it golden up.

The outside is beautifully crisp and the inside has the most light fluffy texture. The butter doesn't weigh down the dough inside. Sometimes you can find that the garlic butter itself can make a baguette quite greasy and stodgy but this one isn't. The pockets of air are well spaced to make it light and bouncy, not holely and dense like many gluten free breads in general, although many are getting so much better.

There was also a good amount of garlic on this bread, if you find the Tesco one too over powering, this maybe the garlic bread for you. If you're anything like me, the more garlic the better the bread is, but this one is better if you have to go out after eating as you get a nice garlic hit but its not left on your breath all evening, even after brushing your teeth!

This could be a suitable side for up to four people once sliced, we did share half each when we ate ours as it was the only side I made with the pasta, but I think it would be great with a side salad too!

Each baguette is around 631 calories so 315 a portion if split into two, which isn't too bad if eaten as a meal. Obviously because of the nature of the product, it is high in fat. I don't know about you but garlic bread tends to be a weekend treat rather than with every pasta dish I serve. It can be found on Ocado and retails at £2.90 but I got mine half price. There are always good offers on these products on Ocado so just keep your eyes out and stock up!

I would love to know which garlic breads you have tried and if you think there's one that I need to give a go!

Hannah x

(Photography:  James Ireland Photography Ltd)

Budget Bride - Chicken Chorizo Jambayla

One of my firm favourites when you want a quick, easy and cheap dinner is Chicken Chorizo Jambayla. I believe it was originally a Weight Watchers recipe as my Mum started cooking it when she joined them almost a decade ago. Either way it is quick, cheap, healthy and gluten free and only requires one pan!

This dish serves 4 so is great for a family or if you're a couple like James and I you could have the left overs for lunch!

Here's how to make it!

You will need:

• 2 Chicken Breasts - This can be cooked or raw depending on if you have leftovers you want to use up.
• Half a Chorizo Sausage 
• 1 Red Pepper
• 1 Onion 
• 1 Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
• 200g of White Rice
• 1-3 Teaspoons of Cajun Spice
• Chicken Stock Cube/Stock Pot

Fry off the chorizo in the pan first to give it a smokier taste.

Add the chicken (either raw or cooked), red pepper and onion and cook through.

Add the Cajun spice, I tend to add 1-2 teaspoons, but if you like spice I recommend 3.

Add the tinned tomatoes and stir through.

Add the rice to the pan with the chicken stock which is made as the instructions on the box indicate. 

Bring to the boil and then simmer and stir regularly to ensure it doesn't stick.

Once the mixture has thickened, serve. 

I can assure you that this will become a family favourite and chef's favourite too as there is minimal mess and it's a good wholesome meal made from scratch! 

Let me know what you think if you try it! 

Hannah x 

Clive's Organic Gluten Free Aloo Gobi Pie Review

Getting bored of the usual meals we've been eating, we decided to have a good look through the Ocado website for new and interesting products. This is when the Clive's Organic Gluten Free Aloo Gobi Pie popped up! I was not too sure what to eat this with or when we would eat it, but as it was suitable for freezing I gave it a shot.

This pie retails at £2.99 and we divided it between the two of us. I think it is supposed to be a single portion but with sides it will easily do two people just fine. Like I said, I wasn't too sure on how to serve it so I decide to put it with kale and mash as I felt that this could be best suited. 

Cooked at 180 for 25 minutes, this easy dinner is done! The pie comes out the oven evenly cooked and smelling absolutely delicious! When I cut this pie in half it didn't crumble in any way, it really held up which is good to see in a gluten free pie as I have had some pastries that are unbelievably crumbly when trying to cut and serve.

Flavour wise, this pie is phenomenal! The spices bounce around the pastry and explode in your mouth. This pie isn't in any way 'spicy' in heat but has such a complex flavour palette it is really quite something else, something I have never tasted in a pie before, let alone a gluten free one! There is also so much filling in this pie it almost overflows as you cut it open. I was a little apprehensive about ordering a pie which seemed to be on the higher price range for a free from pie, but I was not disappointed, if anything I think the value for money is quite remarkable!

I found that the pastry was good and crisp all over, no soggy bottoms here! It tasted as much as a mainstream pie as I remember and James said it was a good pastry too and enjoyed it as a whole. I also found that as it is packed with great veggies this pie is only 243 calories for half, which if you are a calorie counter is great! Obviously as this is pastry there is quite a lot of carbs. 

If you are ever in any doubt to try these pies, I would completely recommend you give them a go! You certainly won't be disappointed!

Hannah x