Sweet Laurel Savory: Everyday Decadence for Whole Food, Grain-Free Meals

Los Angeles bakery owners Gallucci and Thomas follow Sweet Laurel with a cheery collection of savory recipes suitable for those who, like Gallucci, suffer from an autoimmune disease that restricts their diets. No grains are used, and the authors also exclude legumes, an inflammation trigger for Gallucci, resulting in, for instance, hummus made with avocado rather than chickpeas. Lest this sound ascetic, more indulgent choices include a beef burger served on an almond flour bun (as well as a vegan variation) and slow-cooked pork carnitas. Gallucci and Thomas have plenty of clever replacement tricks: grain-free focaccia is made with almond flour, while dinner rolls incorporate coconut flour. They also excel at making homely dishes attractive: a savory tarte Tatin with roasted cherry tomatoes resembles a bouquet, and cassava-flour tortillas can be colored with matcha powder, turmeric, beet juice, or butterfly pea flower tea. The organization can feel a bit scattered, especially a loose collection of celebratory recipes that features both a meat pie that serves a crowd and chicken cutlets for two. The solid recipes and bright tone make this a promising choice among the growing number of books for those with special diets. (Mar.)