Gluten-free Summer #1

Summer is a fantastic time to go gluten-free.

For those of you that have followed my story you will know that this isn't the first time I've eaten gluten free. After 4 weeks of pain, fog and discomfort I feel like I can now free my body of gluten and move forwards to a healthier and more energetic summer.

Whether this is the first time you're going gluten free, the second or if you just fancy trying some healthy summery snacks the following foods show you how you can enjoy the summer without feeling deprived!

This weekend I will showering the blog with a short series of Gluten-free Summer posts. Let me know if you try them and tell me which ones you enjoy! If you're a tweeter send me over a picture of your delicious gluten-free treats @thesteelplate

Cream tea              Summer fruit meringue cheesecake with iced green tea.

Scrap the scones and try this simple desert instead:

half packet of gluten free biscuits of your choice (try M&S for a treat)
50g butter
2 tubs cream cheese
100g icing sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla essence (invest in a good one - it is so worth it)
3/4 meringue nest (if you're brave you could even make your own)
a range of fresh fruits
(for the tea)
3 green tea bags
fresh fruit of choice
fresh herbs of choice
ice
water

Bash the biscuits
Melt the butter and stir in the biscuit bits.
Press the biscuit mixture into a tin and chill for 30 mins
Whisk the cream cheese with the icing sugar
Fold in the fresh fruit
Break up the meringues and fold the pieces into the cream cheese and fruit
Spoon the mixture on top of the cheesecake and top with a few springs of mint and some grated dark chocolate

Boil the kettle and make a large pot of green tea (Use a infused one for a slightly fruity flavour)
Let the tea cool and fill a large jug with fresh fruits (I love orange and lemon) and herbs like mint and rosemary.
Chill in the fridge and finish with ice and edible flowers.

Enjoy!