Gluten-free doesn’t mean Flavour-free!

Hello Makan Kakis! Are you looking for organic, ethically sourced, allergen-free, top quality produce? Are you looking to heal yourself and your loved ones with food? Then meet Wendy Foo, co-founder of Ryan’s Grocery, Singapore’s only full-service organic butchery and gluten-free specialist store.

She and her husband Sebastian set-up Ryan’s Grocery when they learnt of their son’s (he’s THE Ryan in their store name!) intolerance to gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, egg, and yeast. They searched local markets for products and produce, and even made personal trips internationally to look for a range of dietary items to support his needs. It was then they saw a demand for such a specialty store and Ryan’s Grocery was born.

HEAR:

• Click here to listen/ download podcast of Wendy introducing the Ryan’s Grocery brand.
• Click here to listen/ download podcast of Part 2 of Wendy’s interview, including her signature allergen-free recipe and advice for parents of children with allergies.
• Click here to listen/ download podcast of Wendy’s recommendation for Gluten-Free Cantonese Cuisine!

SEE:

After years of research & careful searching, Wendy and her family have found a few choice places where everyone (even Ryan) can eat safely and comfortably with peace of mind. If you love Cantonese cuisine, you might already know about the exquisite Michelin-starred  Summer Palace at The Regent Singapore. But did you know they have a dedicated, 100% Gluten-Free Menu? To Wendy, this was a wonderful and welcome discovery, as many with gluten allergies would know, it’s extremely difficult to find Chinese Restaurants that do anything gluten-free. So rejoice! Summer Palace has a pretty extensive and varied Gluten-Free menu and here are Wendy and her family’s favourites:

1. Pan-fried Kurobuta Cutlet in Mongolian Sauce (see picture above) is always a winner. The savoury sauce is rich with the flavours of with ginger & scallion and 100% soy & gluten-free. The pork is tender a & juicy, with just enough fat running through. Served with the Mongolian sauce, it’s just fantastic.

2. Brown Fried Rice with Wolfberries, Pine Nuts, Mushrooms and Kailan. The rice is fragrant, with a good al dente bite. Combine that with the hint of sweetness from antioxidant-rich wolfberries, nutty element of the pinenuts, soft squishiness of the mushrooms and the crunch of the kailan, you’ve got a texture and flavour explosion in your mouth!

3. Double-boiled Soon Hock Soup served in Golden Pumpkin. Actually, Wendy always starts her family feasts at Summer Palace with this dish. The fish broth is clean and delicious, with no fishy taste, so warming and comforting to the stomach & can even heal the gut! Sip the soup and scrap up the rest of the ingredients & the insides of the adorable mini pumpkin. It’s the perfect palate-pleaser to prepare you for the next few courses!

4. Garlic Fried Chicken served with Plum Sauce. Wendy says this is a must-order because they don’t do much deep-frying at home and if you have a gluten allergy, you know better than to attempt eating deep-fried food when dining out, because you never know what allergens are in the seasonings, batters and oils used in restaurants. Except at Summer Palace. This is Ryan’s favourite and he can finish a whole portion himself – it’s that good and testament to how carefully gluten-free Summer Palace have made their dish.  The chicken is crisp, yet juicy & crisp. drizzled with the beautifully balances sweet & sour plum sauce, this dish absolutely satisfies their craving for deep-fried food!

Click here for Summer Palaces’s FULL GLUTEN-FREE MENU!

Trust Wendy – their Gluten-Free menu is so good that you won’t even be able to tell the difference – in fact, Wendy often hosts friends at Summer Palace and they don’t even realise they’re eating Gluten-Free! And that really, is the best compliment, don’t you think?

TASTE:
SUMMER PALACE
Level 3, The Regent Singapore
1 Cuscaden Rd S(249715)
Opening Hours: 12 – 2:30 pm (Lunch Mon – Fri); 6:30 – 10:30 pm (Dinner Daily); 11:30 am – 2:30 pm (Brunch Sat – Sun)
Tel: +65 67253288

* All photos via The Regent Singapore’s Facebook Page.