Ribs, Chicken, Pulled Pork,Hot Spot BBQ,Pensacola Fl.

Can People With Food Allergies Eat BBQ?

by Chef Mick Brown

Courtesy of http://www.bbqrescues.org

Dr. Ruchi Gupta MD,Chef Elizabeth Falkner,Food Allergies,2018 World Food Championships,Orange Beach, AL.
Dr. Ruchi Gupta, MD and Chef Elizabeth Falkner presenting Addressing Food Allergies seminar at 2018 World Food Championships in Orange Beach, AL.

As long as you are not allergic to meat or fresh vegetables, there is no reason a person with allergies cannot eat BBQ. The important thing is to be conscious of all ingredients being used, and to guard against cross contamination. While judging my first World Food Championships last week, I got to attend a seminar called Addressing Allergies in Food Service. It was a half day program including experts: Dr. Ruchi Gupta, MD and Celebrity Chef Elizabeth Falkner (of Food Network’s Next Iron Chef and Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters fame). The seminar was skillfully moderated by Tonya Winders, President & CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network.

Chef Elizabeth Falkner,Allergy Friendly Food,2018 World Food Championships
Chef Elizabeth Falkner prepares Allergy Friendly Menu at 2018 World Food Championships.

Of course the highlight was tasting food made by Chef Falkner, who is also known for her famous San Fransisco restaurant Citizen Cake. It was one of my favorite go-to places whenever I visited the city (the Short Ribs were amazing).  Unfortunately they closed in 2012, when the chef relocated to New York City. While preparing two dishes (plus dessert), Dr. Gupta, Chef Falkner and Tonya Winders gave us the scoop on cooking for people with Food Allergies.

Yes, they kind enough to do Photo Ops, upon request.

Though Gluten Free foods have taken the public spotlight, the eight most common allergies are:

  • Tree Nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Dairy
  • Soy
  • Shellfish
  • Wheat
  • Other common allergens include Chocolate, Mustard Seed, Sesame, Citrus, Onion/Garlic and Sulfites.

Allergy Friendly,Gluten Free,Roasted Pumpkin,Gnocchi,Chia,Herb,Pesto,Roasted Pumpkin Seeds,Chef Elizabeth Falkner
Allergy Friendly Gluten Free Roasted Pumpkin Gnocchi with a Chia Herb Pesto and Zesty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds prepared by Chef Elizabeth Falkner. Light and Delicious.

Most of us are fortunate to live without food allergies. However, people with allergies suffer from anaphylaxis, a condition that can go from causing discomfort to life threatening reactions. They depend on having Epinephrine available to combat these reactions. So if you are cooking anything, including BBQ, for someone with an allergy, please take it very seriously. To be safe, it is best to make everything from scratch instead of using processed foods- that can be manufactured in facilities with Nuts or Wheat. If you must use prepared foods, be sure to read the label carefully.

Collard Greens,Enchiladas,Salad,Corn,Black Beans,Chef Elizabeth Falkner,2018 World Food Championships.
Collard Green Enchiladas Salad with Corn, Black Beans and Rice prepared by Chef Elizabeth Falkner at the 2018 World Food Championships.

Sadly, some restaurants and other eateries will not accommodate those with allergies. They think allergic people are just picky eaters. Moderator Winders shared the sad story of she and her young daughter being kicked out of a restaurant that refused to alter their menu. If you are cooking for those with allergies, be sure to determine how sensitive they are to certain foods. For example, many Pizza places offer Gluten Free crusts, but there’s regular flour all over the place. Someone with severe Celiac disease would be wise to take a pass.

Chef Elizabeth Falkner,Dairy Free,Chocolate,Flax Seed,Mousse ,Carob,Mesquite Powder,Streusel,2018 World Food Championships
Chef Elizabeth Falkner’s Dairy Free Chocolate Flax Seed Mousse with Carob/Mesquite Streusel at 2018 World Food Championships.

Chef Falkner’s menu for the day included Gluten Free Roasted Pumpkin Gnocchi with a Chia Herb Pesto and Zesty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. It was light and delicious. She also made a salad with components of her Collard Green Enchiladas dish. The original recipe uses whole Collard leaves as a substitute for Tortillas, but only chopped leaves were available that day. For dessert, the chef prepared a Chocolate Flax Seed Mousse with Carob/Mesquite Streusel. She somehow made the preparation of these Iron Chef worthy dishes look simple.

For more on Cooking BBQ (or anything) for People with Food Allergies, check out these links:

Allergy and Asthma Network (general information and resources) http://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/

Allergy Safe Dining (free download of great info for food professionals) http://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/outreach/publications/special-publications/allergy-safe-dining/

AllergyHome (emphasis on schools and kids) https://www.allergyhome.org/

Summer Barbeque Tips for Hosts and Guests (allergy safe suggestions) https://www.foodallergy.org/about-fare/blog/summer-barbeque-tips-for-hosts-and-guests

Have an Allergy Friendly Barbecue (more tips for people with allergies) https://blog.americanmedical-id.com/2017/07/allergy-friendly-barbecue/

Eating Safely at the Family BBQ (Gluten Free suggestions) https://www.allergicliving.com/2010/07/02/ask-the-celiac-expert/

More on Chef Elizabeth Falkner’s Books and Online Classes https://www.elizabethfalkner.com/books-television

The Food Allergy Experience (book by Dr. Ruchi Gupta with free links to allergy research) http://www.ruchigupta.com/the-food-allergy-experience-1/

Tasty Freedom- How We Mastered Fear, Illness and Foreign Travel with Severe Food Allergies (a charming little book by my friend Chef Jaquy Yngvason and hubby Josh Greenfield, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other outlets) https://www.amazon.com/Tasty-Freedom-Mastered-Illness-Allergies/dp/0692982825

AllergyEats- website is like the Yelp for people all over the country for reviewing restaurants https://www.allergyeats.com/

#healthybbq #gumbo #glutenfree #getfitchallenge #bbqrescues

“Not-So” Fat Tuesday Grilled Gumbo

By Chef Mick Brown

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRESCUES.com

#healthybbq #gumbo #getfitchallenge #bbqrescues
‘Not So” Fat Tuesday Grilled Gumbo/Jasmine Rice with Grilled Vegetables, Smoked Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage. Being naughty never tasted so Good.

Sin. Repent. Repeat. Can you really make a #Grilled #GlutenFree version of #Classic #NewOrleans #Gumbo actually #Healthier and #Tastier than the Original? Even #Vegan/#Vegetarian with “Hot #Grilled #HolyTrinity” (#Celery, #BellPeppers & #Onions) and/or with #Smoked #Shrimp, #Chicken and #Sausage? YouBetcha! Add the sweet flavors of #Applewood and Hickory? Fuggedaboutit! Check out this Robust #Calorie #Shredding #Recipe inspired by the #UrbanPressWinery in #Burbank, CA., using their #PinotNoir as part of the #Recipe. #ChefMickBrown also uses #Kingsford’s new #Applewood #Charcoal, #Hickory #SmokingChips and #HEROIC! Gluten Free #NoSalt/#NoSugar Blend by #CaliforniaGoldBBQRubs. #Vegetarian, #Seafood and Classic Mixed #Meat “Not So” #FatTuesday #Gumbo #Recipes are available on http://www.BBQRESCUES.com. Part of the #BBQRESCUES #GetFitChallenge where #LowFat, #LowCalorie #Grilling is #Delicious & #Fun!

#Kingsford #Applewood #Charcoal #BBQ #Gumbo #GetFitChallenge
“Not-So” Fat Tuesday #Grilled #BBQ #Gumbo lightens up on the #Calories but loads up on Flavor by adding sweet smoky #Kingsford #Applewood #Charcoal and #Hickory #SmokingChips #GetFitChallenge

Grilled Vegetarian Gumbo (Serves 8)

Catering or Hosting a Big Party? It is better to start with a pot of Well-Seasoned, Mild, Vegetarian Gumbo. It can be perfectly delicious served with Diced Grilled Vegetables. Then split into a second pot to add Smoky Grilled Shrimp, Crawfish, Chicken, and/or Andouille (or Mild) Sausage. Another option is add Meats, and Spicy Hot Sauce to individual Servings. Be mindful of any Guests who may want to avoid Shellfish, Pork or Hot Spicy foods.

Ingredients:

8- Variety Yellow, Red and Orange Bell Peppers

3- Bell Green Peppers

1- Bunch Celery

4- Large Carrots

2- White Onions

2- Cups Urban Press Petite Wine

1- 16 Oz. Can Stewed Tomatoes

1- Cup Chopped Garlic

1/2 Cup- Chopped Green Onions

1/2 Cup- Chopped Fresh Parsley and/or Rosemary

4 Tbsp- Superfood BBQ Rub or Seasoning

2 Tbsp- Browning and Seasoning Liquid

2 Tbsp. File Powder

4 Cups Vegetarian or Onion Broth

2 Tbsp. Louisiana Cayenne Hot Sauce (optional, to taste)

Salt/Pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Season, Marinate and Smoke Peppers, Celery, Carrots and Onions for at least an hour. Reserve 1/2 for Puree, Dice 1/2 for soup and cover with 3 Cups Vegetable Broth, simmer slowly.

2. Pan Roast Chopped Garlic, heat with Wine and remaining Veggies. Puree until smooth and combine with 1 Cup Broth to make Smooth. Add to pot with Stewed Tomatoes. Season well with BBQ Seasoning, Browning and Seasoning Liquid, File Powder, Salt, Pepper and Hot Sauce to taste.

3. Reserve Green Onions and Parsley for Garnish.

VIDEO

Related Recipes:

How To Grill Veggies Recipe

Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Kingsford Grilled Chicken Recipe-https://www.kingsford.com/how-to/boneless-skinless-chicken-breasts/

Smoking Sausage, Hot Links or Hotdogs (Youtube)-https://youtu.be/l18zVDOyous

LINKS

California Gold BBQ Rubs website: http://www.californiagoldrub.com/

HEROIC! Rub on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/HEROIC-BBQ-Gluten-Free-Added/dp/B00IEEYCRQ

Kingsford Charcoal https://www.kingsford.com/

Urban Press Winery/ Wine Club https://www.urbanpresswinery.com/Homepage