Egg Free Minefield!

[Grauntie Mag]

Next week I am hosting Sunday lunch for friends, one of whom has a gluten free diet (easy), but is also extremely allergic to egg. I want her to be able to eat everything on the table which I thought would be a doddle. Ha! I found a recipe for a salmon and prawn terrine to start, then I read the ingredients on the gelatine packet. May contain egg and milk. I have googled alternatives and only come up with Agar which I read does not set in contact with cling film or oil or spinach, all things the recipe calls for. I can substitute of course. My other idea was mushroom soup which isn't too heavy, then I remembered another guest is unable to eat mushrooms. I need to make something the day before as I have a Hospital appointment at 8.3o a.m. on Sunday (!) I have never used Agar before, has anyone else?
Desperate of Essex.

[Oma]

No never but I have heard it's good alternative , what about veg soup to start or chicken noodle soup that's nice and light and no eggs involved or mushrooms , I'm sure its Daisy,s family members who have these kind of dietary needs maybe she could advise

[Gemini]

Yes I think Daisy may have useful input on this subject!
I have a vegan SIL married to a vegetarian who is nut allergic, so I do understand the challenges GM. I have never used agar, I just avoid recipe which need any jelly when catering for them!
How about melon and Parma ham, or some soup other than mushroom?

[Nanto2girls]

Never used agar, but I have heard of it. Good luck with it all,Grauntie Mag, so many considerations for you. Hope the hospital appointment goes OK as well.

[Grauntie Mag]

Thanks all. I really wanted to push the boat out for this person. Eating out is so difficult for her. I have been with her when people who should know better have offered cake for others but nothing she could eat.
I'm going to have to buy some Agar and experiment I think. I'm just amazed at all the ingredients that contain gluten. I have checked absolutely everything, even the baking powder. I have to admit I have enjoyed it.
Nan2 thanks for good wishes, it's a CT scan and I've been waiting ages. NHS so I can't cancel.

[Sum1Ls]

Why not slice a lovely avocado and fan it out and make a dressing from the usual oil and white wine vinegar but add puréed raspberries to the dressing. It makes a beautiful sauce and the colour contrast is stunning. Very easy to do as well. And no fretting about forbidden ingredients.

[Sum1Ls]

However, if you still want to do the terrine you don't need to set it with anything. Just combine the salmon with cream cheese and chopped lightly steamed leeks or scallions and season well. If you then put it in a mould and chill well it will turn out perfectly.

[Grauntie Mag]

Brilliant, thanks Sum1Ls. 😃

[Daisy]

Yes, it is my family!! One is gluten- and dairy-free and two others are gluten-free. GM - I'm assuming your GF guest eats dairy.

You can get GF baking powder if you want to make something cake-based without eggs. Dove SR gluten-free flour is excellent, but you need to add Xanthan gum if you use it for pastry. Beware of things like stock cubes/powder, and thickening agents of any sort (I use rice flour). A browse round your local health food shop is useful - I often find ingredients there.

I think I would make soup for the starter - perhaps a very simple tomato soup, or parsnip soup with orange or lemon to add a delicate touch to it. But if you wanted bread rolls obviously you would need GF ones. I was going to recommend a nice GF mix I've found, but it contains egg whites!!

I seem to remember reading in a GF cookery book (not mine, so I can't check) that Agar wasn't worth the trouble - just don't do anything that needs it! I'll try and find out more.

I think you're a lovely friend to be taking so much trouble, and I'm sure it will be very much appreciated.

[Grauntie Mag]

Thanks for all that info Daisy. OH and I both like the sound of Sum1Ls's avocado. He may have to do the lion's share of the prep so the simpler the better if I can't do it the day before.

[Daisy]

I fancy trying Sum1Ls's starter too. It will look - and taste - stunning.

[Nana]

I'm in a similar position. I'm trying to think of foods my GS2 can have as he has to have a dairy free diet. I think I'll have to search on Google. Tomatoes don't really settle well with him either. Sorry Grauntie, I don't mean to steal your thread. It just popped into my head.

[Grauntie Mag]

Nana it's fine. I have a dairy free diet too. I can't have soya either so that excludes soya cream etc. Almond milk is good, I find. There are also several ice creams on the market but I find them too sweet. Swedish Glacé is nice though(but not for me!).Sorbet is good too.Cheese is all I miss.

[Daisy]

Here's a link about using Agar in cooking:

http://notenoughcinnamon.com/2012/08/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-agar/

[Grauntie Mag]

Thanks Daisy, much appreciated.It reads like the answer to all ills!!.