Cooking when someone has an allergy

Guests are coming, and one of them has a nut allergy. You don’t want that person to get a separate plate. The nicest thing is a menu everyone simply eats from.

Make the whole menu safe

Cook one menu without the allergen rather than two versions side by side. It’s less work and avoids mix-ups at the stove. Umeli does this by itself: mention the allergy once and every suggestion takes it into account. If a recipe drops out because it contains walnuts after all, you see that too.

Watch the hidden places

Nuts aren’t only in dessert. Think of pesto, some spice blends, nut oils and ready-made sauces. Always read the labels. Umeli checks the recipes, not the packet you pick up in the store.

Making ahead helps

A menu you mostly prepare the day before gives you calm. You get to talk to your guests instead of puzzling in the kitchen. The chicken braises on its own, the risotto is made fresh and the pudding is already done.

Tell your household

When the allergy is set for someone in your household, everyone who cooks with you sees it too. Nobody forgets, even when you’re not around.