flour question

Hi, I have a friend who can no longer use wheat flour. It was recommended that she use spelt, oat, rice, or quinoa. She is finding a lot of recipes using these flours, and is using them with great success for cooking, but not so much for baking. Her problem is when she tries to substitute one of these flours in recipes using wheat flours. She does not have a problem with gluten, but she doesn't know in what quantity to add it to baked goods for a good result with the other flours. She does realize that the products will not be exactly like those baked with white or whole wheat flours, but would like to be able to reproduce similar textures. The spelt bread recipes that she has tried, especially, are very dense, and while good, are not something she wants to eat everyday. I tried doing a google search for her, but mostly came up with gluten free websites. She doesn't have internet access. I was hoping someone here would have some suggestions. Even though I have only lurked until now, the suggestions I have come across in this newsgroup have helped me to improve my baking. Thanks to all. I will check back for replies.

Gyneth

Reply to
Gyneth
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Actually, both spelt and kamut are varieties of wheat. Some people who can not tolerate regular wheat can tolerate them, but whenever someone tells me, "I can't eat wheat, so I eat spelt", I have to comment, and suggest making sure it's been cleared with a health care professional.

It kinda depends on what you're baking. Cakes, muffins, quick breads, yeasted breads, or whatever.

In the case of bread (if memory serves), spelt absorbs more water than regular flour, but does it more slowly. Also, it doesn't like being over- kneaded, so a gentle touch is called for. I'd suggest starting with an autolyse (or, in English, mixing the water and flour together and letting them sit for 1/2 hour before adding salt, yeast, other ingredients, and then kneading.

Good luck, Mike

Reply to
Mike Avery

Thanks, Mike. I will pass along the suggestion. I'm sure she doesn't know that spelt is wheat, but that's what she told me she could eat! I will let her know.

Gyneth

Reply to
Gyneth

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might also Google for Dinkel or Spelt. All three are ancient, glutenfree wheat, suitable for peple suffering spr= ue.

-- Sincerly,

C=3D=A6-)=A7 H. W. Hans Kuntze, CMC, S.g.K. (_o_)

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"Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it Happened" _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/

Reply to
H. W. Hans Kuntze

Sorry Hans, but that just isn't so. Sprue and celiac are sensitivities to gluten. All grains with gluten in them are strongly prohibited for these people. Even the low quality gluten in rye flour is out.

Check out

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where they talk about forbidden grains..."Which grains are safe, which are not? "The common list of forbidden grains is: wheat, rye, barley and oats.

"Unfortunately, there are variants out there that go by other names. Durum and semolina are names for certain kinds of wheat that have been bred for specific uses. Both spelt and kamut are versions of wheat. (Other names for these: spelta, Polish wheat, einkorn and small spelt). Bulgur is wheat that's been specially processed. Triticale, a grain crossbred from wheat and rye, is definitely on the toxic list."

Mike

Reply to
Mike Avery

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