Book Review: Against the Grain by Nancy Cain

Extraordinary gluten-free recipes made from real, all-natural ingredients.

The first thing that impressed me about this cookbook was its massive size. It’s a full 400 pages long.

The second thing that impressed me about this cookbook was the thoroughness. Every possible gluten-free substitutionary recipe is included in this book, that is, if there is a “regular” recipe for an item made from wheat (and gluten) then this book most likely will have a substitution for it. Included are recipes for yeast breads, quick breads, biscuits, rolls, pancakes, muffins, quiches, crepes, ravioli, tortillas, scones, crackers, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries and pizzas (and usually several recipes for each of those categories).

The author also impressed me by her vast experience with gluten-free cooking, many many years of it. She is truly an expert by experience.

I liked the large number of full page full color photographs to accompany many of the recipes. And almost all of the ingredients seemed liked they would be readily available at a normal grocery store or health food store.

The author included a thorough explanation of tools, techniques and ingredients and a little bit of science behind why mixtures of gluten-free flours work best as opposed to using only one type of gluten-free flour in recipes.

A sampling of some of the more unusual recipe names:

Sweet Potato Bread

Ciabatta Bread

Cherry Turnovers

Sherried Carrot and Kale Tart

Lemon Thyme Summer Squash Ravioli

Maple Flaxseed Crackers

Pumpkin Seed Butter Spice Cookies

Flourless Chocolate Sponge Roll

Cashew Cheesecake

Rhubarb Cream Tart

Berry Cheesecake Pizza

One thing that readers need to be aware of it that this book is aimed at people on gluten-free diets. That is, the recipes do contain other common food items that many people with food sensitivities are trying to avoid, such as dairy. There are also no healthier substitutions for sugar in this cookbook.

If you are trying to eat gluten-free, then this cookbook is for you!!

To purchase your own copy of this book go here:Against the Grain: Extraordinary Gluten-Free Recipes Made from Real, All-Natural Ingredients

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Other book reviews you may like:

From the Land of Milk and Honey by Jennifer Cote

Skinny Gut Diet by Brenda Watson

To see a list and links to ALL my book reviews go here.