Gluten Free

There are many cheap wheat substitutes available in the market which makes great tasting baking delights. For instance, you can make raisin cookies made of rice flour, pizza prepared with maize flour with topping of your choice etc. There are also numerous baking recipes which does not require any flour, whatsoever. One such example is of Thai Rice Cake taken from the book "500 Fabulous Cakes and Bakes" published by Hermes House. Thai Rice Cake Makes one 10 inch round cake 1 1/4 cups Thai fragrant rice 4 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup superfine sugar 6 cardamom pods, crushed open 2 bay leaves 1 1/4 cups whipping cream 6 eggs, separated For topping: 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 1/4 cup cream cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla extract/ essence grated rind of 1 lemon 1/4 cup superfine sugar soft berry fruits and sliced star or kiwi fruit, to decorate Method: 1. Grease and line a deep 10-inch round cake pan. Boil the rice in unsalted water for 3 minutes, then drain. 2. Return the rice to the pan with the milk, sugar, cardamom pods and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Let cool, then remove the bay leaves and any cardamom husks. Turn into a bowl. Beat in the cream and then the egg yolks. Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. 4. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks and fold into the rice mixture. Spoon into the cake pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until and golden brown. The center should be slightly wobbly-it will firm up as it cools. 5. Chill overnight in the pan. Turn out onto a large serving plate. Whip the cream until stiff, then mix in the cream cheese, vanilla extract/ essence, lemon rind and sugar. cover the top and sides with the cream, swirling it attractively. Decorate with soft berry fruits and sliced star or kiwi fruits. Hope you will enjoy this cake. Regards, Sameer.