Special diets due to allergies are seen more and more these days and Jenna Short is no stranger to allergies. Trained as a graphic designer, Jenna discovered a dairy allergy after eating her way through Italy – which you’ll hear more about later. Although finding out you have an allergy can be difficult, Jenna turned her discovery into a business venture. After some experimentation with cooking, she opened up her boutique catering company called ShortbreadNYC, and recently came out with a new cookbook, Cooking Allergy-Free, where every recipe comes with notes for specific allergies and how to adjust most to fit any diet.
You founded ShortbreadNYC a boutique catering company – what does that mean and why did you start it?
Shortbreadnyc is a boutique events company that suits challenging palettes by focusing on gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, Kosher and everything in between. Shortbreadnyc rose from a place of my own necessity being allergic to dairy I felt that it was a growing problem that was not shy of the events world. We cater to small and unique events and customize everything down to the invitations, designs and cake. Because of our attention to detail we like to keep our events at a small scale in order to be able to give our customers the attention and care they deserve.
What is your history of allergies or how did you get into cooking allergy free?
While majoring in graphic design at the Art Institute of Boston, I spent a semester abroad eating my way through Italy—quite literally! Upon my return, I discovered that not only had I gained 60 pounds but also had become allergic to dairy in the process. Because of my new-found allergy and my vast love of food, I decided to add some of my creativity from graphics to cooking, all with the idea that I—and anyone with a dietary restriction—deserved delicious food regardless of an allergy. Thus began my journey as a foodie, chef, and baker.
We gets lots of requests for gluten free recipes for a family member or guest – what suggestions do you have for those people?
MY BOOK! Ha, but seriously my book is a great crowd pleaser. All of the recipes in the book are “normal” but each recipe teaches you how to adapt it to suit all of your family members’ needs, and will ultimately teach them how to apply the same techniques to their own beloved recipes they used to use.
I can see many of the flavors of Israel and the Mediterranean in your cookbook, what inspired your recipe selection?
I have been living in Israel for the past 3 years and am continuously inspired by the incredible food scene here. Not only is it an up in coming “foodie” destination, but they use only fresh and local ingredients that truly contribute to the quality of any meal. Most, if not all of the “Mediterranean” recipe in the book were taught to me by friends or friends mothers who hold the secrets to cuisine from that side of the world. One of the cool things about Israeli culture is that most people are from the surrounding countries which really lend to an eclectic culinary experience.
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Any advice for busy moms looking to get dinner on the table every night?
Buy a crockpot! …All-Clad if you must know… It saves me every time. I throw together whatever I have in the fridge in the morning, sometimes premeditated- but sometimes not, and when dinner rolls along and another day swooshes by with seemingly having “done nothing” AGAIN…at least I can serve a hot and delicious meal to my family. Several of the recipes from my book are crock pot friendly, my two favorites are the Slow-Cooker Provençal Lemon and Olive Chicken and the Coffee-Glazed Braised Beef.
Thanks to Jenna for that great advice about the crockpot. I have to second that! Check out these recipes from her cookbook and then enter below to WIN your own copy:
Barley, Asparagus, and Mushroom Salad Topped with Gingered Tofu
Lamb Shawarma with Pomegranate-Mint Salsa
Sesame Tuna with Ginger-Miso Dipping Sauce
Basic Baguette
I have children with allergies this cookbook looks amazing!
Most uncommon food to be allergic to^
This would definitely benefit me because I am allergic to one of the most uncommon food but is used in everything: onions!! I am so glad someone has written recipes for people like us with allergies.
It would be a great cookbook to have since my nephew and niece, whom I cook for, have gluten and nut allergies.
chicken rice
dairy products.
I am always looking for gluten free recipes to serve my family. This cookbook seems a good place to find some new ones to sample.
Would be great to win this since our family has lots of people with all kinds of allergies
I have recently discovered that I have a dairy allergy, and my daughter is gluten intolerant. This book sounds perfect!
Bless you for this book. I have lactose intolerant children and gluten free kids as well. Looking forward to putting this book to good use
Baked ziti is my favorite casserole. Hope I win the allergy cookbook
Tuna mornay was always my favorite casserole styled dish
So many recipes look really, really good.
I am going to go with Mediterranean and Israeli food.
The food manufactures put so much junk in the food it’s a wonder more people aren’t really sick.
I love tuna casserole. Wish anyone else in my household did .
I am always looking for stuff that can be made without nuts of any kind. It would be wonderful to have something that can tell me how to substitute for this…
Spinach, tuna noodle
I like a broccoli cheese casserole. I think this cookbook is fabulous! With so many people allergic to different foods, it sure will be handy when cooking for my many Shabbat guests!
my family is not big on casseroles -some of that is because of different peoples food allergies
Chicken and broccoli.
casserole: I remember tuna noodle fondly. Off of gluten and dairy (and more!)
would do like to win this cookbook!
I’ve made a delicious casserole with swiss cheese and chunks of potato. So good!
spinach and cheese!
tuna
I can only think if casserole as my aunts macaroni , tuna, corn and peas. Oddly enough as a kid I loved it. My son is severely allergic to dairy so we haven’t really gotten into casseroles at home
Broccoli and noodles casserole
My favorite casserole is my mother’s tuna noodle casserole. It brings back such nice warm memories of my home sweet home.
chicken and rice casserole
Love to able to put stuff together and forget it that all can have
Lamb Schwarma!
Chicken and rice
Chicken and Rice. It is a go to comfort food for me.
Not really sure what my fav casserole would be since I love so many…….but let’s say a good tuna noodle bake.
It would be great to win, especially since a recent addition is lactose intolerant, and I do not know what other allergies exist. I had so many food allergies growing up, though thank Hashem that they are gone now, that i would have relished such a cookbook. Hope that I win. Thanks!
I like King Ranch Chicken casserole.
nice! as a mom of a boy with allergies, this is great!
Love the concept of this book!
I’m not much of a fan of casserole unless it involves noodles and cheese-yum!
These pictures look so beautiful and delicious!
sweet potato casserole
lasagna, if that counts as a casserole
great article!
mmmmm….taco pie casserole
tuna/noodle/spinach
Thanks! Great concept since so many people have allergies nowadays.