It’s a wrap | Kirsten Chick

19 Apr 2019

This week nutritional therapist, Kirsten Chick, shares her delight and method for gluten free wraps…

Move over sandwiches… for a lighter, tastier and healthier option, make a gluten-free wrap.

I used to think wraps were just dry, stodgy and joyless. That’s because when I first tried one it was bought from a supermarket. Then a delicious, moist wrap with marinated halloumi, salad and home-made coleslaw at the Brighton Fringe Festival showed me the way, and now I’m a wrap convert.

The gluten-free wrap

While I find yeast-free wheat products, such as wraps, much easier on my digestion than normal bread, my tummy is happiest when I am gluten-free. Less bloating, less heaviness, more energy.

You can buy gluten-free wraps in most supermarkets and health food shops now. I have tried a couple of them and can vouch that they are very satisfying and a good consistency. However, it takes several minutes to read the list of ingredients! Whereas you can make your own gluten-free wrap with just 2 ingredients quickly and easily.

Gluten-free wrap recipe

Gram flour (chickpea flour)
Water
That’s it. In terms of quantities, it depends how much batter you want to make. I usually add about a cup of gram flour to a bowl, and then gradually stir or whisk in the water until it’s a batter consistency, so like thick pouring cream.
You can, of course, spice it up with some extras. For example:
Cumin seeds
Turmeric and a little black pepper (the pepper helps with absorption of the magical curcuminoids in the turmeric)
Chopped fresh coriander
Caraway seeds
Chopped fresh chives

This batter will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, so you can make fresh wraps at the drop of a hat.

Method

Melt a little coconut oil, butter ghee or butter into a frying pan on a moderate heat
Pour a little batter in as if making a pancake – swirl around so it reaches the edge all around
Patiently wait until it moves freely when you shake the pan
Flip it over and cook the other side for a few minutes
Filling your wrap

There are so many delicious combinations you can fill your wrap with. Here are just a few ideas, but you can get really creative with this.

Mackerel salad (pictured)

1. Make a fish paste with about 60-70g cooked (or tinned) mackerel, 1tbsp horseradish sauce, 2-3tbsp sheep’s yoghurt, chopped chives and seasoning. I also added mixed seaweed flakes. This will be enough for 2 wraps.

2. Layer lettuce, mackerel paste, cucumber, radish and any other salad bits you have to hand. I like chicory leaves with this combination, and sometimes some avocados. Grated beetroot would also add something special. You just need to make a 3″wide column of filling down the middle of the open wrap.

3. Fold sides over, tucking the bottom under as you go, and wrap a napkin or piece of kitchen towel round the bottom to help hold it in place and catch any drips as you eat.

Refried beans

1. Soak black beans overnight, cook until soft (add bay leaves or kombu seaweed to help make them more digestible), then drain. Gently simmer chopped onions and garlic in coconut oil until soft, add the beans, ground coriander and cumin, turmeric and black pepper, and heat through. Add tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) to taste and mash.2. Make guacamole by blending avocado with lemon or lime, fresh coriander leaves, seasoning and a little yoghurt or coconut cream. Optional: also add a little red chilli and a chopped tomato.
3. Make your wrap as above with salad, beans and guacamole, and perhaps a sprinkling of fresh coriander leaves.

Mushroom and avocado

1. Gently fry or bake sliced mushrooms with some tamari, coconut oil, black pepper and fresh thyme or parsley.
2. Make wrap as above with salad and slices of avocado.

Chicken and warm slaw

Use any leftover chicken (or tofu) and warm slaw, and make wrap as above.