I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.


Gluten and lactose are not my friends.


Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.


I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

October 9, 2012

Chocolate Cracklies



















This week my little friend E is having a birthday




It's going to be huge, with Super Heroes, games, a Jumping Castle, and lots of friends- the only trouble is that some of his friends are InTolerant like me.

Not that this is a bad thing of course, but his Mummy has come to me and asked me to help her out with a few ideas that will make party food not just fun and yummy, but safe too. He also needs a treat for school.

Our schools are trying to create a safe environment for kids with allergies and InTolerances by banning peanuts and other nuts, and often not allowing special treats in the classroom that might contain dairy, eggs or gluten. That's great, but the good old birthday cupcakes are nearly a thing of the past. So many Mummies just don't know what else to offer. In E's class cupcakes have been replaced with birthday fruit- not as exciting when the kiddies have a mandatory fruit break anyway, with plain flat gf pancakes- no topping, not even jam, and veggie sticks- not always popular with the 4yr old crowd. I wanted to create something that fun, excitingly delicious for the littlies and still resembled a birthday cupcake. Yummo right?

I thought back to typical kids parties when I was little.....
Cake, jelly (jello), chips, lollies, red and green cordial, little cocktail franks, chocolate crackles- That's it! Chocolate Crackles! Just one little change and I'm good to go

Now as my regular Dear Readers might know, my blog is about food that is normally easy to source. I don't use patented flour blends, or fancy-pantsy stuff that you can only get at just one shop in the whole city, I want to make it easy for everyone. If you live with InTolerances you source out specialty items anyway, but when I blog I mostly use ingredients that can be found at the two biggies Coles and Woolies, to make my recipes easy and non-threatening for those just starting out or those like my friend who want to make a special treat for someone with InTolerances like me.


















A quick look at the supermarket shelves produced a great basic start to any kiddies party:
chips, salsa, chipolatas, lollies and chocolate - all definitely gluten, dairy, egg and nut free, and delicious too. I would also include jelly cups, lovely fresh fruits and other naturally friendly foods- I don't worry about it being too healthy overall as Party food is 'Sometimes' food, not to be eaten all the time but enjoyed as a special treat- like a Party!
I grabbed Plain Smiths Chips, Old El Paso salsa, Woolworths Select Party mix, Coles brand Pork Chipolatas, and Sweet William chocolate- the only item I got in the specialty 'Health' area ,but there are actually so many choices hiding on the shelves, if you just have the time to look.





Now for the main event, the Chocolate Cracklies

Every ingredient readily available. The only 'special' ingredient was the Rice Puffs that were in the health food aisle, normal Rice Bubbles contain barley malt as an ingredient and aren't gluten free





















When shopping, check the ingredient list on the back or side of the product. Every ingredient must be listed, and Australian products also have allergen listings as well.
I got items that had no allergen issues with gluten, dairy, eggs or nuts and avoided any that said 'may contain traces of....' The only product that I didn't like so much was the cocoa that stated it was 'packed on equipment that also processes products containing milk' but the web site states that the product itself contained no dairy products.


Chocolate Cracklies

(I thought I'd better change the name as these ones are gluten free unlike the original crackles)
All the ingredients are conveniently listed on the back of the Copha packet

















1 block Copha (solid hydrogenated coconut oil)
4 cups Rice Puffs
1 cup Pure Icing Sugar
3 tab Cocoa
1 cup dessicated Coconut






Melt the Copha






















Mix all the other ingredients in a large bowl






















Add in the Copha, and mix until it's all thoroughly coated






















Scoop the mix into paper patty pans/ cupcake papers and chill in the fridge until nice and set






















Now for a pretty little touch of Birthday Bling I added some sprinkles. These ones were all allergy friendly as well and found in the baking section


























See, so pretty!




























Easy Peasy Party Food

I quickly poached the chipolatas, just for ease but you quickly fry them instead, and otherwise just ripped open a few packets for a great choice of Party Fun

Happy Birthday E!






















So Dear Readers, what is your favourite Party Food, and has it really changed much from when you turned 4?

























.

29 comments:

  1. Cracklies makes them sound much more fun! I keep saying it over in my head with the accent of the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz - I'll eat you my little cracklies! Heehee.

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    1. I hope you're not scaring Poppy, Christie! She might be afraid of party food for life :)

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  2. Those are great cracklies, Rebecca, and you are right, it's become so necessary to make children's parties so much more inclusive for those with allergies or intolerances. I love chocolate crackles and it's very hard to stop at one! xx

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    1. Thanks Charlie! It's hard for anyone to feel left out, let alone kiddies :( It is hard to stop indeed- I cleverly sent my lot around to E's house for him to eat! xox

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  3. Chocolate crackles, honey joys and hundreds and thousands topped toffees are what my childhood was made up of! "D

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    1. Oooh we always had those toffees at school fetes, and I lost more than one tooth to their sticky pull! I hope I know better now Lorraine, but I fear not :)

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  4. I love chcolate crackles, so it's great to know you can make them for children (and adults) with allergies. thank you! Anne Marie @ the food dept

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    1. Thanks Anne Marie! We make so many allowances for vegetarians,and other ethical/religious food choices, that it seems unfair to leave out those of us who have no choice at all when it comes to InTolerances or allergies :)

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  5. I hadn't heard of Cracklies.. these look yummy!!

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    1. Thanks! Also known as Chocolate Crackles, and a childrens party favourite for decades over here!

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  6. Oh, I'm sure they just loved you, Becca, especially if party food has been fruit and plain gf pancakes to date! :)

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    1. It does sound a bit dreary otherwise, doesn't it Celia? It's always a bit sad when I go to a function and my dessert option is just a piece of fruit, that I just couldn't let the littlies miss out! xox

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  7. Chocolate Crackles bring back so many fond childhood memories. These are bound to be a hit. You are such a helpful friend. Enjoy the party!

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    1. Thanks Sherilyn! I always say that gluten free should never be taste free :)

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  8. Sausage rolls and fairy bread. The fairy bread is suprisingly nice when made with GF bread!

    Love the cracklies!

    Michelle

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    1. Fairy bread is just so pretty and Lots of little rainbows would make even gluten free bread taste good I'm sure Michelle :) Thanks!

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  9. Mmm love kids party foods! They're always so bright, cheery and fun to eat!

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    1. Thats right- even if it IS gluten/dairy/egg/nut free it's certainly not flavour free! :)

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  10. I can't remember the last time I had chocolate crackles... yum.

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    1. I know Tania, it was years for me too! But they were just as yummy as I remembered :)

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  11. I love chocolate crackles and honey jumbles but my all time fave is the good old fair bread. I may or may not still devour it at kids parties ;)

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    1. I just loved the smell of Honey Jumbles Nic! I think that's a great challenge to come up with an InTolerant version too :) I promise your party secret is safe with me honey ;)

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  12. Wow...these take me back. These used to be a huge fave of mine and I haven't made them in years! One of my retro faves was 'spiders' Mum used to make out of those Chang fried noodles, chocolate and peanut butter.. oh man I think i have the ingredients in the cupboard and this only means one thing noooo hahah

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    1. Oh those are so good too, and even better Changs make a gluten free crispy noodle!!!

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  13. Omg this is such a cute idea. One that appeals to both the young and young at heart hehe. How can you not have a smile on your face when given these chocolate cracklies. Very thoughtful and generous of you to whip this up for little E. Am sure you guys had a great time that day!!

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    1. Thanks Winston, it was a super day indeed! E had the best time, and there were just crumbs left at the end of the day :)

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  14. Awe! These remind me of my dad - he loves them! Probably because he only had 1 party as a child (breaks my heart!). He was the eldest of 6 so, yeah. I have fond memories of all the classic party food - party pies/sausage rolls, fairy bread, frankfurts, twisties. The works :)
    Heidi xo

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