Demo risotto/pasta alternative help - gluten and rice free

[jadejadelee]

Hi, I'm a new consultant and next week I am giving a demo for a lady that is gluten free and steer clear of rice too.  So what would you reccommend I do for the demo, I really would like to cook something that she can eat too.  But it needs to be something that a farmer would eat, cause that's what her partner is, a farmer.

I was thinking maybe jambalaya, but do you think this is too 'alternative'.  Or perhaps a veg curry...

I value your opinion
Jade

[Meagan]

Jade what about using a gluten free pasta to do the pasta fagioli? Or soup?

[jadejadelee]

Thanks, do you think a soup would show the same feature as the risotto? Like maybe a pumpkin soup.

And to tell the truth, I'm not that fussed on the pasta (demo).

what about the edc minestrone soup with gluten free pasta?

[faffa_70]

Add another clove of garlic to the pasta and an onion as well - it helps! I always use heaped amounts of stock too. Get rave reviews on the pasta ...

The beans can make a difference too. Which ones are you using? I always use Borlotti (sp?) for the sauce and either white beans (cannellini(sp? again!) I think they are) or a 4 bean mix in with the pasta. I find two tins of the Borlotti too strong and chalky - my own opinion though 

[RM]

I agree that the pasta demo is over rated.  A little bit three bean mix to me! When I asked the consultant if she did other menus she stated she had 2 which I felt was what she had to conform to.  Is this so or can the consultants be a bit more adventurous?   Cant wait to get my thermomox though, it has arrived but the day I went to town the consultant was booked up so will have to wait till later in the week when I go back in.

[faffa_70]

pretty much the pasta and the risotto RM 

The other thing which a lot of people forget to do is add the parmesan cheese - that makes a huge difference, as does salt and pepper.

it is still a case of each to their own. We love this dish as a family dish and it is one that all 7 of us eat happily 

[RM]

I have to say it was healthy and we ALL ate it.  Can't wait to try a risotto.

[brazen20au]

gluten free pasta fagiole is fine - i usually use the basco or orgran (can't remember) buckwheat spirals or quinoa penne

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

We had it for dinner tonight as I just couldn't be bothered with anything else. It was quite nice with extra garlic, cracked pepper, 450g pasta and sprinkled with fresh herbs and parmesan. 

[quirkycooking]

We love it too and have it about once a week for an easy lunch - I add a couple of blobs of tomato paste, and use 250g gf tortellini. I like it a little bit soupy so I can dip my bread in it, and so it won't go 'gluggy' once it sits for a bit. 

[jadejadelee]

Hi all, thanks for your replies, the only prob is that the host avoids all pasta even the gluten free kind. 

I know that as a demonstrator I am limited to just the risotto or the pasta dish but I don't think it is fair to tell her she just can't have it, you understand what I mean.

So I'm still open for ideas, the demo is tomorrow night, thursday 6th april.   I would really like to cook something that the whole family will enjoy yet meet all criteria.  I'll let you all know what I end up doing and how it goes.

 

[meganjane]

What starches does she eat then? Sounds incredibly restrictive!

I guess you could use potato and make a vegie curry or minestrone.
I'd contact head office if I were you to find some alternatives.

[judydawn]

What about gnocchi ? Potato gnocchi from the EDC or Ricotta gnocchi from the Vegetarian book.

[meganjane]

Good idea, JD.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Great work JD.  Hopefully the farmer-husband is partial to gnocchi.