Tasty Treats for Those with Food Allergies

Every year is a struggle for some trying to accommodate a loved one who has food allergies by wanting to make their holiday treats, and dinners as pleasurable as everyone else who do not have food allergies. Even the best avoidance of ingredients could still always pose a problem for some.

It is recommended that you speak to your doctor or allergist before assuming some ingredients are safe! Get to know their differences before consuming any ingredients you may be allergic to, because food allergies can be life threatening!

Following is a few great candy recipes "free" of Hydrogenated Soy (soy protein) and any nuts of any kind, egg, and wheat.

Chocolate covered Candy Canes

Step 1. READ ALL INGREDIENTS- to be sure the label doesn't have any ingredients in it you cannot have.

Purchase a block of Brown Chocolate that does NOT include hydrogenated soy and is NOT made on equipment that processes nuts of any kind. A good block of chocolate for this can be Ambrosia Real Milk Chocolate Coating. Usually sold at your local grocery store. Be careful to read all ingredients before selecting and know that white chocolate can have ingredients that the brown chocolate does not and vice versa. Just because the brown chocolate you have found says it does not have hydrogenated soy in it does NOT mean that the white won't, or that it does not contain an ingredient you might not be able to have. For example: Hydrogenated palm kernel oil can sometimes be in white chocolate where you may not see it in brown chocolate. (Some individuals cannot tolerate hydrogenated palm kernel oil)

Step 2. READ ALL INGREDIENTS again while selecting your candy canes to make sure there is no hydrogenated soy or that it is not processed on equipment that manufactures nuts of any kind. This may or may not include hydrogenated palm oil, again, some individuals cannot tolerate hydrogenated palm kernel oil, so know your tolerance or the individual's you are baking for.

Purchase candy canes, preferably thin sticks or tiny ones. Candy canes usually do not have egg or wheat ingredients in them. Your allergist may tell you that soy lecithin and soybean oil is tolerable where hydrogenated soy is not. Everyone's allergies are different, this is why it is important to discuss the ingredients with your doctor /allergist. Food allergies can be life threatening.

Step 3. Melt chocolate according to the directions on label (usually printed on the back of the label).

Step 4. Prepare a cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Step 5. Dip Candy canes into chocolate allowing the top of Candy Cane to remain uncoated or the very bottom of the candy can, so you have something to hold onto.

Step 6. After dipping the candy cane into the chocolate, lay the candy cane onto wax paper and let cool. To speed up the process you can place your cookie sheet into the freezer to harden the chocolate.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

READ ALL INGREDIENTS-to be sure the label doesn't have any ingredients in it you cannot have.

Follow the same steps above. A suggestion would be Rold Gold Brand pretzels that are free of hydrogenated soy (soy protein). Rolled Gold pretzels do have wheat in them! However they are known to be hydrogenated soy free, egg free, and nut free. Be sure to reread label each time you purchase an item to make sure the manufacture hasn't changed any ingredients.

The above recipes may be found in your any cookbook or online if you search the titles.

Chocolate Covered Crispy Treats

Read ALL ingredient labels on ALL products before purchasing to be sure there are no allergens

Purchase a chocolate block -suggestions: Ambrosia OR Hershey's chocolate chips (double check these ingredients, usually hydrogenated soy free and nut free. Some Hershey's products manufacture some of their chocolate chip flavors on the same equipment as they manufacture nuts on, so be watchful of the differences on the packages. Some individuals cannot tolerate hydrogenated palm kernel oil)

Begin to slowly melt chocolate in pan according to instructions on chocolate label so it is ready when the Crispy treats are ready.

'Kelloggs Brand Rice Krispies may have a recipe on their box and Roundy's Marshmallow bags may also have a recipe on the marshmallow package that is similar but suggest using Roundy' s brand items. Again, be watchful of the ingredient differences on the packages.

Follow their recipe on the box or bag or with the following ingredients:

3 tbls. Of Butter. If allergic to hydrogenated soy DO NOT USE MARGARINE! Most margarines have hydrogenated soy in them!

1 Bag of Marshmallows about 40

6 cups of Crispy cereal or Kelloggs Rice Krispies cereal

You will need to first grease a 9.5x11 pan with REAL butter only to avoid the hydrogenated soy allergy. If you are allergic to dairy you may not want to use this recipe as the butter may be a problem.

Crispy treats

Step 1. Melt butter in pan.

Step 2. Add marshmallows

Step 3. Stir until melted.

Step 4. Gradually add Crispy cereal and mix together well

Put crispy treat in the greased 9.5 x 11 pan

Once crispy treats are finished and in a pan you can pour the chocolate over them and let them cool.

You can also use different types of cookie cutter shapes for holiday fun.

Party Finger Foods (Not good for someone with a dairy allergy)

Purchase Deli Ham usually a honey flavored (optional). Be sure to ask the deli clerk if you can read the ingredients label to be sure the ham has not been cured in a hydrogenated soy (soy protein)/ juice and does not come in contact with nuts of any kind.

You can also check the meat isle for packaged slices of hams that are soy free, nut free, etc.

Purchase dill pickles, cream cheese, toothpicks.

Step 1.Cut the pickles into one-quarter inch (bite size) chunks.

Step 2. Spread the cream cheese onto the ham.

Step 3. Slice the ham in lengthwise strips.

Place the pickle chunk onto the ham strip, roll the strip until you have a small roll. Stick the toothpick through it to keep it from unraveling and set on a plate for serving.

**It is important to read each label carefully and that the individual consuming these ingredients is not allergic to them as food allergies can be life threatening.**

www.foodallergy.org
The Food Allergy Network
10400 Eaton Place, Suite 107
Fairfax, VA 22030-2208

There are alot of foods that can be made that are allergen free. Getting to know what ingredients are tolerable and what are not is the key. The Food Allergy Network may also be able to provide recipes online.