I Finally made Gluten Free Pastry!
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
June 15, 2007 1:24am CST
Finally, I have been able to make gluten free pasty well enough to make pies.
My husband is gluten free, which means traditional pies, pasties & sausage rolls are a no, no for him.
I have tried gluten free pasty before, & it is incredibly difficult. Gluten is the actual protein that helps bind flours. Without gluten, the pastry falls apart.
I had read of Zantham Gum being successful in helping to bind pastry, & eventually I was able to buy some. There were no specific instructions for making pastry, only for bread. So I calculated the quantity used for bread, & by following the instructions for gluten free pastry (without zanthum gum), I came up with an approximate quantity.
It worked. I was thrilled, as it made the pastry easy to manoever into a suitable shape , without tears, for three middle size pies.
My husband will get one for tea, & I will freeze the other two.
3 people like this
7 responses
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
15 Jun 07
I think that this is one recipe that deserves to be posted. It would help lots of people. Does it work with potato flour? That is what my friend eats. If you are concerned not to post it in the actual discussion would you put it in a private message. I do not know if she will take the trouble to do it, but I would.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
16 Jun 07
I have no qualms about posting it here, if there is interest.
Xantham Gum is made by Nu-Vit (gluten, free, low fat, no preservatives). It is made in Australia.
www.nu-vit.com.au
You are bound to be able to buy it under a different brand name in your country.
The gluten free flour I use for pastry is Basco, multi-purpose mix (gluten & wheat free).
Basco is a New Zealand company.
www.greens.com.au
RECIPE FOR PASTRY MIX
300g multi-purpose gluten free mix
1 tbls margarine
1 egg
100ml water
1 desertspoon of xantham gum
1. Put multi-purpose flour mix, xanthum gum & margarine in a large mixing bowl.
2. Rub margarine using finger tips until mix resembles fine bread crumbs.
3. Add egg & water & mix with knife.
4. Turn mixture onto lightly floured surface & knead dough until smooth
5.With a flour covered rolling pin, roll out as thinly as pastry will allow without breaking.
**6.Cut into desired shape, add meat/vege mixture.
Numbers 1 to 5 is the basic pastry mix. If you want to make sausage rolls, just put the meat mixture on the pastry, then cut the pastry to a size which will roll round the meat.
The trick for pies, or pasties, is to purchase a suitable size "tray". There is no bakery container available for this porpose. I found these oval shaped, stainless steel containors, approx 12cm length & 4cm depth. They were perfect for a good size pie. (also very good shape for gluten free bread rolls). My friend uses individual quiche trays. Whatever you can find that is a suitable shape, will do.
Place the container on the pastry, cut around it with a knife. Place gently in the pie container. Put in meat mixture. Cut out another shape, & place on top.
Bake at 180 degress celcius (mid raange temp) FOR 20 TO 25 MINUTES..
As for potato flour, it should work with xanthum, but not on it's own. I believe potato flour needs to be mixed with rice flour , & one other (probably arrowroot flour).Now you have me interested, I will buy some potato flour, etc this week & try making some pasrty, and report back to you. Could be very tasty.
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
I havn't been able to buy potato flour for about two weekls now, at my usual local supermarkets. I will have to shop more widely to obtain it. I still want to try out my own gluten free pastry, with potato flour, rice flour & maybe arrowroot. And then will let you know the recipe!
My husband has to avoid cornflouur too.
@Willowlady (10657)
• United States
15 Jun 07
Congratulations. I am glad you found a source for the zantham gum and that you were successful in making the end product. Let us know how he likes it and how well it ends up freezing. Good things to know and I hope you wrote down how much you used etc. That could prove invaluable to another when you find the opportunity to share it.
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
16 Jun 07
He loved it & when I said I would make sausage rolls next, he was very excited.I have put one in the freezer, & I will let you know how it is when defrosted.
I didn't write it down, as I have memorised it.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
18 Jun 07
My boyfriends sister and father have celiac disease so I am going to pass on the recipe you posted, to them. I am sure they will appreciate it. His sister is always talking about what she can't eat and I think it would be nice to share this with her. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
Celiac disease is very serious. If you need more recipes for your boyfriends sister & father let me know. I have lots!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
15 Jun 07
Okay now Grandpa Bob will show his ignorance now. HAHAHA! What the heck is "gluten"? And what is it that your husband has to be gluten free? Does it or is it I mean bad for the health? For certain people or what? I am totally lost. HAHAHA. Could be also that it's 3 a.m. Anyhow grats on being able to calculate the correct amount in the recipe and all. Now what does the pastry taste like without this "gluten"? Told ya I'd show my ignorance. HAHAHA!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
16 Jun 07
Now that's one reason I love being a member here on myLot. I just learned something new. Thanks for the explanation of this.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
15 Jun 07
that's great. I didn't think it would be possible for a non professional to do that. you deserve a pat on the back for that,lol
2 people like this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
16 Jun 07
My friends daughter has to have a gluten free diet. I never really thought about it before. But we were talking about it in the playground one afternoon and she was telling me all the things her daughter cannot have. And the expense of the products is horrendous. Luckily (she has split from her partner) she is able to get bread and a few other products on prescription for her. Our local chemist gets samples of products and distributes them to families that need them if they are surplus to requirement.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
Yes, gluten free products are very expensive. We can't get any on prescription I'm afraid.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Now you have me thinking of pies while my hubby is eating ice cream..lol Well thats wonderful and I wish I could get some of that too . Best wishes and enjoy that pie....
