You know you're a GUTSY cook when....

LOL... I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into here :) I'm just gonna close my eyes, say a prayer, and hope that a small degree of culinary skill will coast me through....LOL :)

Friends of our family just had a baby last week and I'm taking them a meal tomorrow. Not that it's a really big deal to take a family a meal, but you all should see the list of allergies for this family. My word. I've never seen anything like it. Granted, they are a large family and only one of the children is sensitive to all of the foods, but with each of them seriously affected by multiple foods it can really be rather tricky.

I've made dinner-type meals for them twice before when they've come to my home, but the oldest daughter (12) has always made a "safe" cobbler for dessert. Well, I'm trying my hand at a "safe" pie tomorrow and, believe me, it's an educational experience! If nothing else, I feel like I've gained a better understanding of what they deal with on an everday basis as well as the realization that it really CAN be done! :) I admit that I have felt sorry for them a bit, but now I'm coming to just admire how positively and creatively they have approached their food limitations.

The mother is very seriously allergic to all gluten products (ciliac disease). Even a tiny bit of gluten can make her seriously ill for weeks. None of the children can have ANY dairy or any product derived from sugar cane. Apples, grapes, oranges, and lemons are out in even small amounts. One of the children cannot have chicken or eggs from chickens. Soy in large or concentrated amounts is out. Tomatoes in large or concentrated amounts are out.... you get the picture.

Despite all of this, their children are wonderfully cheerful, bright, positive and normal. I'd previously thought of children with tons of allergies as usually being rather backward. What an overgeneralization!!! This family is truly precious in the upbeat way they approach all of these issues. Their attitude is that they are soooo thankful that they have learned what foods to avoid so they can better care for their children. Really, really neat family. Their children are some of my girls' best friends, and I'm very thankful for their sunny, positive dispositions :)

So, all that said, here's the recipe for the pie I'm making :) Gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, etc.


CRUST:

1 and 1/2 C. brown rice flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 C. Earth Balance (non-dairy butter substitute, amazingly like butter w/ no transfats & no cholesterol!)

1/2 C. 100 % pineapple juice

FILLING:

1 large can lite sliced peaches (packed in pear juice, no added sugar)

3/4 C. maple sugar

1 tbp. brown rice flour or tapioca

Think of me tomorrow morning!!! :) I'm making this before lunch so I can redo if I need to. I really want to make something special and yummy, especially for the children. I know they will appreciate it so much. I'll post a pic and let you know how it turns out! Too bad I won't get to taste some. Maybe if there's enough crust leftover I'll make a little tart just to taste it. I'll let you know how it all works out!!! :)

Gutsy cook??? Nah, just a sympathetic pal :)
Hugs :)