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> Being Allergy Friendly Begins Here! Focaccia Style Flaxseed Thyme Bread
Being Allergy Friendly Begins Here! Focaccia Style Flaxseed Thyme Bread
Published on: February 6, 2008
by Danielle Margulies
Welcome to our new feature: Allergy Friendly where we will be featuring a recipe or product each week that is ... allergy friendly! Since joining Supermarketguru.com I've been amazed at the number of readers who are dealing with food allergies - as I am myself, so we thought it was time to introduce a page where each week we'll feature a great recipe or product for all you fellow allergy sufferers out there!  For those of us struggling with food allergies, I don't need to tell you that life can be challenging in so many ways. A group or social event involving food can suddenly become a "gut wrenching" (forgive the pun), anxiety ridden experience ... as you wonder what's in that mystery dip that looks so inviting? All thoughts of witty conversation or business-banter grind to a halt in your head as you agonize over what the hidden ingredients in the dip might be and what to do:
a) Refuse to ingest anything and stay mum; silently enduring the looks and whispers of everyone who now thinks you have an eating disorder,
b) Refuse to eat everything, informing your host of your allergy and have everyone in earshot discussing the state of your intestines, or
c) Take the wild card and go for the dip – anyone with non life-threatening food allergies has tried this one numerous times, ever hopeful, until finally beaten into submission by the inevitable outcome. But seriously, it is stressful stuff! Don't panic, we're here to help at SupermarketGuru.com and the food industry is becoming increasingly aware of the changing needs of consumers. Each week I'll scour the web and cook books to bring you a stress-free and tasty recipe or product. Email any of your own tips or recipes and if we feature your suggestion on the page we'll send you a SupermarketGuru tote bag to say thanks! The first recipe we're featuring is for a focaccia-style bread made from flaxseed – it's so hard to find a gluten free bread that doesn't have the consistency of Styrofoam and I've been looking for a flaxseed bread recipe that doesn't contain other allergens (although this does contain eggs). The health benefits of flaxseed are so numerous it's hard to list them all – Gandhi is quoted as saying; "wherever flax seed becomes a regular food item among people, there will be better health."
Studies are being conducted to research if flaxseed may even help fight heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer.
It is very high in omega-3s, which may lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, lower the risk of different types of cancers, and reduce various inflammatory conditions.
Focaccia Style Flaxseed Thyme Bread Ingredients:
 2 1/2 Cups ground flaxseed (if you can grind your own it's preferable for freshness, but if not buy the ground seed in a vacuum sealed and dated package)
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Agave syrup
5 Eggs beaten
1/2 Cup water
1/3 Cup olive oil
1/4 Teaspoon of ground thyme (or any dried herb you like)
As needed: olive oil for greasing parchment and dried thyme for sprinkling Focaccia Style Flaxseed Thyme Bread Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Line a baking pan with oiled parchment paper and sprinkle sparingly with dried thyme, (you can use any pan you like - depending on whether you want a square or a round loaf); approximate size will be 12 x 12 inches depending on thickness.
Combine dry ingredients thoroughly.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine thoroughly.
Let it set for a couple of minutes.
Spread the batter in the middle of the pan to your desired thickness and shape; a square or rectangular shape is great for sandwiches and a round makes nice triangular wedges.
Sprinkle the top with olive oil, salt and thyme.
Bake for about 30 minutes, start checking it after 20 – when the top is turning a darker brown and it's firm when pressed it's done.
Invert onto a plate or cooling rack to remove the parchment while it's still hot, let it cool and enjoy! CLICK HERE to get your FREE Food Allergy Buddy Card!
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