Coeliacs - a little bit of what you want hurts!

While the name of the blog is 'alittlebitofwhatyouwant', I've been really quiet as I have just discovered that a little bit of what I want has been making me really very ill. I have severe gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. 

Wow - didnt see that coming but to be honest, I'm delighted to know.  I've spent the last 7 years eating food, suffering intense stomach cramps and lets just say a violent need to be alone in the smallest room in the house - right now.  There didn't seem to be any rhymn or reason to the reaction and then I read an article with talked about living with coeliacs. 

It wasn't quite like one of those annoying surveys when you find out that you really are the perfect girlfriend (even though you are single and live with numerous cats).  Nope, it was simply a matter of reading through someone elses journey and recognising the embarassment and bewilderment.  Finally, it started to make sense.

So, I thought I would give it a go and I haven't been ill for almost two weeks.  I'm not tired anymore and provided I avoid gluten, I feel fine after dinner.  Woo hoo! 

Now I know, that in order to be truly diagnose, you need blood tests and endoscomy but to be honest, I feel so much better, I'm not sure I want to return to the pain and nausia that I felt as I need to go back on gluten.

For now then, I'm going to live gluten free and give my body a rest.

L xx

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @alittlebiteofwhatyouwant

Fava - the Greek Contribution to the Carb Universe

Despite the fact that 'carbs' are currently seen as the dieters nemesis, most nations have a version.  Italians love their pasta, Irish are devoted to their potatoes and the French have their bread.  Well, having wandered around Greece, I've found their contribution to the glorious carb universe .......... 

Fava which is a glorious meze of blitzed split yellow peas mixed with a little olive oil which is served in a variety of forms either with capers or red onion.  And, having eaten a few kilograms of the stuff, I was delighted to find that they are made from protein as well as complex carbs so definitely a step up from white bread.

It is truly tasty so I decided when got back, I would learn how to make it and was delighted to find that it really is just about as easy as possible.

Firstly, take 225g of yellow split peas and place in a saucepan with about 100g of chopped onion and enough water to cover.  Bring to the boil and then simmer for about 30 - 45 minutes until the peas are soft and mushy.

Take off the boil and drain any excess water.  Now crush a clove of garlic and beat this into the mixture followed by juice of a small lemon and about 1 teaspoon of olive oil.  You need to create a thick but smooth paste that you can dip bread into and get a dollop up - a bit like hummus to be frank.

When you've got the right texture, pop on plate and garnish with finely chopped red onion for a bit of crunch and / or few capers.  Or, a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds.  Or for none traditional take use little pieces of sun dried tomato or pomegranate seeds.

Serve as a side dish or with crudities as a starter.

Unusual, pretty healthy and utterly yummy

L xx

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Top 10 Foodie Tips for Visiting Athens

Having wandered around Athens, I have 10 top tips for foodies visiting the Greek Capital but I am going to start with general piece of advice.

Athens has graffiti, is gritty and you need to watch your bag as there are pick-pockets but it is actually pretty safe.  People are lovely and you can wander around in the centre without too much hassle!   Obviously don't take £2,000 worth of camera equipment and hang around in a deserted alley but I must admit, I felt completely safe and comfortable (and this can be an issue for a busty blond in Mediterranean countries) during my whole visit.

So now on to what a foodie should do:

•  There is a foodie walking tour and while I didn't do it, I would recommend someone who doesn't have the luxury of time visits - www.athenswalkingtours.gr

• If you have the time, I recommend that you visit the Acropolis, then the Acropolis Museum finishing with drinks in the Cafe.  The food isn't bad but to be honest, it is about the view - the glorious view of the Acropolis from a beautiful building with an outdoor terrace. 

• Spend an evening wandering around Plaka - this is the old town and around the corner from Monastiraki station so really easy to get to.  They have a street of restaurants which you can try Greek food at or simply enjoy a glass of wine.  While obviously, the house wine isn't going to win awards, don't be afraid to try it as it is actually pretty good for 3 euros a glass.
• Remember when you order spirits, they are not US or UK measures, they are Greek measures.  Very very generous or as my friend said, a nice glass of gin with a touch of tonic.  So while it might seem pricey on the menu, it really isn't in actuality and you normally get some crisps or nuts with the order so think about it as a package deal.
• If you walk out of Monastiraki station and walk into the square (odd statue to your left) and then walk up the wide street in front of you for about 5/10 minutes, you will get to the central food market.  It opens early and it is definitely worth a wander.  Don't be afraid of tasting the food as often, they will allow you to try the olives or chili before you buy anything.  We bought a few green pickled chillis and enjoyed them on our hotel terrace.
• Have a meze meal!  All the food is good but try ordering a few different meze - Fava is excellent as is the aubergine salad.  I really like the Greek version of whitebait and don't dismiss the humble Greek salad.  Honestly, having a few of these for lunch is bliss in the sun with a view of the Acropolis.

•  Try Greek frozen yogurt as this is a revolution for us from the UK.  You, fill your cup with your yogurt and then choose your selection of topics and then then they charge you for the weight.  All your own choice, such a nice change and if you don't like yogurt, their ice cream is pretty amazing too!
• Try Ouzo, Raki and some of the more unusual spirit.  You don't have to like them but what I would say is don't simply assume you won't.  A nice people watching drinking hole is just at the start of plaka (past the first row of shops and the yogurt shop) just next to the open plot.  They serve excellent drinks and you get to see so many people.
• Look out for one of the slightly commercial Greek Food shops and then find someone to ask questions.  They are all over Greece and stock some lovely local delicacies which many of the assistants know a huge amount about.
• Buy one of the 20 euro recipe books in the Airport and try a few things at home - may be a weird tip but the book is really good and well worth the money.

Finally, Accept the service, the atmosphere and the cats/dogs - this is Greece.  This is not the UK or the US or anywhere else.  You may have to wait a bit for a drink or find that the guys can really try to get you into their restaurant when you walk past. Don't ask for recommendations as they will simply point you in the direction of the normal tourist traps - walk. wander and enjoy.

Lxx

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @alittlebitofwhatyou