Hello! I’m Lauren Hoover!
I graduated from The California Culinary Academy and embarked on a culinary career which led me to being a Pastry Chef. Some of the places I worked include: La Folie Restaurant, Hyatt Resorts, Marriott Resorts, Fairmont Hotel, Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Wente Brother’s Winery, San Francisco Chronicle and Veggie Life Magazine. I went onto teach culinary school in California after working on the East Coast and Switzerland. I returned to college to earn a Psychology degree where I discovered and developed my deep desire to help people. I was converting recipes for myself and sharing them with my classmates….when they suggested I write a cookbook! And, this is how my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem came to be-well, with lots more work and time!
I was diagnosed with food allergies in college and converted, created and tested recipes without wheat, dairy and refined sugar using familiar, healthy ingredients including: Coconut Milk, Almond Milk, Oat Flour, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oils, vegan Earth Balance, Agave Nectar and Pure Maple Syrup, and I offer alternatives for these ingredients such as Rice Milk, Soy Milk, Barley Flour, non-hydrogenated shortening or coconut oil. I do NOT use xanthan gum or guar gum which is what sets my cookbook apart from all other gluten-free/wheat- free cookbooks.
Recipes include: Chili, Meatballs, Bourguignon, Stroganoff, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Cream Sauce, Pot Pie, Fried Chicken, and many desserts including: Puddings, Ice Cream, Cakes, Cheesecake, Buttercream, Cookies, Cream Puffs and Chocolate Truffles! In addition, a few of myfavorite recipes such as: Lemonade, Sautéed Rainbow Chard, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Hummus and Raspberry Sauce. Some delicious Vegan recipes included are: Breads, Mushroom Pot Pie, Vegetables, Beverages, Cakes, Cookies, Pies and more!
My writing style aims to have clear directions and educational, beyond cooking, with glimpses into my personality and life. Inspired recipes from my family to famous chefs, helpful hints, ingredient information, resources and websites including my own blog site all contribute to a valuable resource for everyone with food allergies, sensitivities, limited diets and everyone else who is seeking something new!
All recipes on No Wheat No Dairy No Problem are my own creations – and my intellectual property, all rights reserved and registered with the United States Copyright Office. Please do not publish my work without my consent.
2 Comments
January 15, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Hello Lauren,
I think your cookbook is a great idea. I only wish someone would publish a cookbook like this that is for vegetarians.
I too have been diagnosed, although very late in life with food allergies. Dairy, wheat, soy, yeast, canola oil, almonds, tomatoes, kidney, lima & pinto beans.
my diet basically consists of vegetables, beans, lentils, rice, quinoa, nuts and seeds. If I don’t abstain from these foods, I become sick. I am a born and raised vegetarian, so meat, chicken and fish are not an option for me. As it is a spiritual thing. I have vegetarian and vegan cookbooks galore, but not much with great “vegetable” recipes. The ones I do find are very basic and boring. Or there will be an ingredient which I cannot eat.
I am sooooo bored with food. Does your cookbook have any “main entree” recipes with vegetables, beans, grains and such?
D in the OC
January 15, 2010 at 8:12 PM
Yes, my cookbook does have things like Mushroom Pot Pie. Pureed Veggie Soup, lots of tasty vegetables. I am dedicated to teaching people to cook and season veggies so they taste fabulous. That is why I added that section into my cookbook-although they don’t usually contain much wheat and butter can be substituted for oil.
Some of the vegetarian dishes are Mushroom Pot Pie, creamed vegetables, Tempura(omit shrimp), Moussaka(omit Lamb and substitute mushrooms) Other main dishes that can be vegetarian are Chili-just omit the turkey/buffalo and add more beans. All my desserts and beverages are vegetarian and many are vegan!:) There is a great breakfast section too.
I think you will find that you can use most of the recipes in my cookbook. Hope you enjoy it and it brings some excitement into your cooking and eating!
Be Well, Lauren