Growing up in an international environment, my cooking journey has been influenced by many cultures and cuisines. With American, Argentine & Italian roots while married to my Dutch husband and having lived in Singapore, Australia and Europe for most of my life I have learnt the ins-and-outs of many international dishes along the way.
Whether it was my 26 years in Singapore, my time in London spent at catering college, raising my kids in Melbourne, Australia or working in the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, Argentina I want to share with you dishes from countries I’ve lived in or visited, what they mean to each culture and how I’ve made these meals gluten-free.
I hope for this page to be a melting pot of different cuisines and experiences for me to share with you!
A true hearty Viennese goulash is a thick rich paprika beef stew with equal quantities of onions and beef which gives a sweet gravy that is seasoned with Austria’s favourite spice; caraway, plenty of garlic and marjoram. Hungary’s national dish, Gulyás was the...
As a rule, Oktoberfest is all about the beer, but not in my eyes, as I love feasting on pub fare, which goes so well with beer or strong apple juice served in humongous mugs, smacked on the wooden benches in front of my favourite dish – Austrian ribs with all its...
Being the national sweet pastry of the Netherlands, this Dutch apple pie was requested by my Dutch husband as his birthday cake recently, which conveniently falls during apple season. Dutch apple pie has a thick cake-like pastry as a base and as a lattice over densely...
Spanakopita, meaning Spinach Pie in Greek, is one of Greece’s signature dishes. It is either made into a pie and cut into slices or prepared as small bite-size pastries. The filling is mainly made with spinach and feta or Kefalotyri cheese, but every household has...
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani in Hindi) is the most popular and easiest curry to make. Tender chicken pieces marinated in tikka paste are cooked gently in a mildly-spiced tomato, butter and cream sauce. Originating from Delhi in the late 1940s, this curry has been...
Baharat is a warm spice blend known as the Middle Eastern equivalent of India’s garam masala. It is used extensively as a dry rub in all meats and fish, a vegetable topping or in curries and tajines. In Arabic, Baharat means spices, and although the blend varies from...
Lamb pide (pronounced pee-dae and known as kiymali pide in Turkey) is a boat-shaped flatbread baked with a spiced minced lamb topping. The dough used to make pide is similar to pizza dough, in fact, pide is also known as a Turkish pizza when toppings are added. Lamb...
I came across these addictive cheese puffs at the United Nations Christmas Fair in Vienna. Every December, many countries prepare and sell their nation’s typical food and the money goes to charity. The Brazilian stand is always popular for its cheese puffs which...
“You can never have too much gazpacho!”, a Spanish idiom for “You can never have too much of a good thing!” Gazpacho is a classic chilled healthy Spanish soup perfect to sip on a hot, balmy summer day or sultry evening. I like to identify gazpacho as a savoury...
Gluten-Free Chorizo Puffs Patatas Bravas Pork PinchitosGluten-free grilled bread with garlic & tomato “Eat when you drink, drink when you eat” is the saying for tapas. The idea of tapas came from Andalusia, where one complimentary tapa per drink was...
Whether you’re at the pub, an Italian bistro or at the beach, calamari fritti (fried squid) is a favourite savoury choice to enjoy, especially in the summer. There is no secret behind making crispy calamari, except an important consideration is to not overcook the...
These vegetable samosas are slightly smaller and are assembled differently compared to the beef samosas. The gluten-free samosa pastry is the same recipe used in the beef samosas, except for the cumin seeds which add an interesting touch to the pastry. Their small...
Living in Singapore throughout my childhood and then later with my husband and children, samosas were a highlight every time I visited Little India, an Indian neighbourhood known for outstanding Indian restaurants, Dosa* cafes and bakeries. After spending several...
These kebabs are not only low-calorie and light, but they are also a great prep-ahead dish as an easy, family and friend’s get-together dish. The tikka masala-spiced yoghurt marinade tenderises the chicken and improves the flavour after several hours of chilling. The...
Churros are widely popular in Spain, South America and Mexico. Best described as a long, fried doughnut, smothered in cinnamon sugar and dipped in a rich, thick chocolate sauce for those who want extra sweetness. Normally sold as a street-food snack to enjoy while...
Using my homemade bread flour blend, you can make these super-soft and tasty gluten-free flour tortillas to go with so many fillings. They can be eaten warm or cold. Best of all, they can easily be frozen and thawed quickly, so if you like the idea of having...
Pork Carnitas is basically Mexican Pulled Pork with layers of subtle flavours, using Mexican spices, beer, orange juice and onions. The pork is slow-cooked for several hours, shredded and grilled to a golden crisp, creating the most tender carnitas that is so full of...
Paella is a versatile Spanish rice dish that is great to serve to guest or family on a special occasion. Not only do all the seafood, meat and vegetables look spectacular, but every spoonful is also a magnificent combination of flavours and textures. Originating from...
French onion soup is a classic dish found in most French cafes known as Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée. Translated as grilled onion soup. A mainstay dish in France, which is also very popular in Belgium. The distinct smell of onions, garlic and cheese do an easy job to...
These Greek Easter cookies, Kourabiedes, are also known as Greek wedding cookies, remind me of Christmas cookies as they are packed with the warming taste of cloves. The texture is similar to a soft shortbread with almond, vanilla and clove notes. This is a...
This is my family-favourite Mexican dish, and I am delighted to share it with my readers and subscribers as it is super easy and has layers of exciting flavours and textures using my homemade chipotle sauce. What is chipotle? Chipotle is a smoked, dried jalapeño...
I was very tempted to call this dish “Beef and Guinness Pie” to honour St. Patrick’s Day on 17th March, but as Guinness doesn’t have a gluten-free range (yet!), I am quite happy using one of the many gluten-free beers available. Although the Guinness is missing, the...
As St. Patrick's Day is approaching, I decided to try out a typical Irish soda bread using my gluten-free bread flour blend. Most soda bread recipes seem to only require a few basic ingredients - flour, salt, sugar, milk & lemon (or buttermilk) and most...
As scones have two different interpretations in the US and UK, this recipe is referring to the classic British afternoon tea scone that so many of us are familiar with. The US have a savoury twist to their scones (aka biscuits), usually served with casserole dishes -...
Congee is a classic Chinese rice porridge served at breakfast or at dim sum. Its name comes from the Guangdong province in China, but it is also known as Jook, Juk, Bobar and Okayu across other Asian countries. This ultimate Chinese comfort food is easy to digest and...
Personally, I prefer receiving chocolates or biscuits instead of flowers on Valentine’s Day, but that’s just me being obsessed about food! If you feel the same way, here are some cute, gluten-free biscuits known as Linzeraugen in Austria, which are delicate, buttery...
Do you need a healthy change with your TV snacks? Here’s an easy, nutritional, full of fibre kind of snack that you can enjoy while watching your favourite TV show or the upcoming Super Bowl game. Most people are familiar with hummus, made with cooked chickpeas and...
Here’s a well-known dish that everyone loves to eat – Peking Duck with Mandarin pancakes, especially during Chinese New Year, which is the next festival on the calendar this year – 12th February to be exact, ushering in the Year of the Ox. In northern China, the...
Gnocchi is an Italian dish which falls in the pasta category, although it is made mainly from cooked potatoes that are formed into soft, pillow-like dumplings served with an array of different sauces. My Argentine grandmother aka Abuela, was a real pro at making...
These beef gravy-filled, deep-fried croquette balls are the most amazing Dutch snack to have at Happy Hour or as a main meal with mashed potatoes or vegetables. They can also be shaped into an oblong shape and served in a slice of bread with mustard. There is quite a...
After an abundance of Christmas fare, my taste buds start to crave spicy foods. On top of the cold snap currently hitting Europe, a comforting bowl of Chana Dhal is a perfect choice, especially as it is naturally gluten-free and nutritious. What is Chana Dhal? Dhal...
Naan is an Indian soft flat-leavened bread which is cooked very quickly and served with delicious curries and dhals. Traditionally, they are baked by slapping them on an inside wall of a very hot clay oven or tandoor oven. For practical purpose, a hot grill/broiler is...
Oliebollen or “Oil Balls” are Dutch apple doughnuts which are traditionally eaten at midnight on New Year’s Eve but are often found at oliebollenkraam (market stalls) in many Dutch cities from November onwards. The best oliebollen are the ones that aren’t oily, even...
Austrians and Germans have been baking Stollen for 700 years, calling it Christstollen as the stollen shape and appearance were reminiscent of the wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Nowadays, Stollens are sold all over Europe just before Christmas at most...
For many years, these little Russian pancakes topped with luscious horseradish cream cheese and smoked salmon parade around on platters at Christmas parties in offices or at home. The blini not only celebrates Christmas, but in Russia, they are an important part of...
Asian dumplings, wontons and potstickers were one of my favourite Dim Sum snacks in Singapore. Dim Sum is a large range of small dishes traditionally served in restaurants for breakfast and lunch. As a child, there was something magical about Dim Sum restaurants,...
Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes, Gluten-Free Cream Gravy & Homemade Cranberry Sauce Who hasn’t had Ikea’s amazing Swedish Meatballs? Besides Ikea being a well-known home furnishing brand, their meatballs are just as famous. I remember shopping...
Fajitas have evolved into a popular Tex-Mex dish that can be served with just about any meat, fish, seafood or vegetable. This versatile dish is a fun and sociable meal. Arrange all the meat, vegetables, condiments and tortillas on a large platter so that everyone can...
This chilled dessert is the Mexican equivalent of Italy’s tiramisu or England’s trifle - translated as Three Milk Cake - this cake gets its name from the three types of milk - fresh cream, condensed milk and evaporated milk. These kinds of milk infuse the gluten-free...
Arancini are well-known for their crispy exterior, crunchy rice centre and magical gooey cheese filling at its core. Considered Italy’s favourite fried snack, these rice balls - fondly known as “little oranges” in Italian for their similar shape and colour, come from...
No kneading! No mess! This recipe is so easy! You just need to allow for time. I like to prepare the dough in the morning, let it rest & rise during the day and bake it just before dinner. Focaccia derived its name from the Latin words “panis focacius”. Panis...
Healthy – Fun to eat – Kids love them – Great for parties – Easy to make in advance!! Rice paper can be found in nearly every Asian store nowadays, either round or square shaped. This recipe has a basic vegan filling. Try adding avocado pieces, cooked rice vermicelli,...
Satay originated in Java, Indonesia and were called Sate. When they arrived in Singapore, they were known as Satays. As satays are best cooked over an open-charcoal fire, the warm, balmy weather in South East Asia offers a perfect setting for this cooking set-up....
Gado Gado is an Indonesian cold salad of blanched, steamed or fresh vegetables of your choice, plus hard-boiled eggs & tofu served with a peanut satay sauce. There is no strict rule about what vegetables you choose to add to Gado Gado, so have fun creating your...
Nearly every Chinese restaurant around the world will have deep-fried prawns on their menu, but most of them will have a batter containing gluten flour – which is a huge disappointment for gluten-free diners. If you’re lucky, they may prepare it with a corn flour...
Vienna is lucky to have many beautiful blue skies with long sunny days in Summer at agreeable temperatures to make outdoor eating a pleasure. The food I prepared is usually light and seasonable, often served with a side salad. This Brie & Onion Tart is one of my...
Use your favourite soft cream cheese. I like using the Italian soft cheese in my empanadas. Baby spinach leaves or Silver beet (Swiss Chard) are excellent choices for the greensFor the Homemade Gluten-Free Pastry:Ingredients: 460g/16oz Gluten Free Flour (either...
When I started my gluten-free diet, one of the first gluten favourites that I missed was definitely Argentine empanadas. I grew up snacking on these delicious pastry parcels with exciting fillings of either spiced meat or gooey cheese & spinach every time I...
