Hi, I’m Sara K.— food allergy mom, maker and baker.
When my daughter Cora was 9 months old, she grabbed a waffle loaded with peanut butter off of my breakfast plate and ate it. Within seconds the reaction started: sneezing, coughing, wheezing, hives, crying and struggling to breathe. The next terrifying two hours would forever change our lives.
Thankfully we were already on our way to the pediatrician that morning—for a wellness check in—and she survived this first of several harrowing, life-threatening anaphylactic food allergy experiences.
Today, our family, friends and community help Cora manage severe food allergies to eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame and shellfish. Every day, every meal, every snack, dessert, drink and treat requires consistent and confident vigilance.
We understand the importance of clear communication, taking responsibility and building trust to ensure that foods are safe for anyone who’s living with food allergies.
Kettle Provisions recognizes that solutions for enjoying meals at home or out and about, and especially at celebrations and throughout the holidays can—and must—be unique to each person’s distinct food allergy requirements. While there may be 9 “Top Allergens” there are infinite combinations thereof, and there are many other foods that also provoke allergic responses.
For those who manage food allergies, our goal is to create and customize these go-to assets to serve you and those around your table:
Working pantry
Fool-proof recipe collection
Entertaining practice
Dining out checklist
Communication strategies
We also coach food service providers on safely and inclusively accommodating food allergies using Universal Design Principles.
For more than 12 years, Cora and I have invested our time, energy, creativity and countless hours of trial and error learning how to source and make delicious allergy-friendly foods that are safe, nutritious, gorgeous and mouth-watering despite being free of some of the most common savory and sweet ingredients.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to spice up your repertoire, we get it and we’ve got you.
Let’s eat!
Sara K.
“Whatever you love to eat, we can find a way to make it so you and yours can share the experience of enjoying it together.”
~Sara K.
Here’s just one small example of managing food allergies in real life:
Fresh off the Fields Strawberry Shortcake
Cora and her BFF picked four quarts of berries at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, roughly half of which made it through the car ride home—then down to Grandma's—and into the kitchen!
Fresh is best, but in a pinch frozen berries (of any variety) work just as well for these shortcakes. While this common berry is a favorite with kids of all ages, it is also (unfortunately) listed in the #1 slot on the 2023 Dirty Dozen, so look for organic and local (and be sure to wash them) to use the friendliest strawberries for your desserts this year.
As we like to say at our house, there's never a dull moment—in this case, it was actually Grandma's house, and the beautiful big old oven was on the fritz. But we fired up the BBQ and baked these babies out in the pouring rain, on the grill with the lid closed and using another baking pan below the parchment lined one to limit scorching the bottoms. These are classic cream scones, minus the egg or any nuts, and made with organic wheat flour and heavy cream. (Gluten- and dairy-free versions are similarly quick to whip up with easily available substitutions.) First time for everything and they came out golden all over—which surprised all of us. "I thought these were going to be hockey pucks! I lost 5 bucks in a bet with my Dad. Womp womp."—CMM
Grandma's got a good view—and offers a great reminder of what a difference a day makes. Between a busted oven and bleak skies, we opted for a rainy hike, a little en plein air painting and ate a sunny leftover shortcake for a late afternoon snack waiting for the New England weather to change, as it always does, and usually right when it's time to head home!
Breakfast? Afternoon tea? Dessert? Midnight snack? Yes please. We can (and do) eat this all day! Egg- and nut-free Strawberry Shortcake. There are lots of ways to make this treat work using other fruits and one of the myriad new dairy substitutes now readily available at many grocery stores—the most important is choosing the one that is not potentially cross contaminated. Do you read labels every time? Ask us about about the modifications you might need to remake to your favorite dish to eliminate food allergens, that's exactly what we're here for.
P.S. If you happen to be within driving distance of Cape Cod, spring is the perfect time to enjoy a brisk morning hike on the Lowell Holly trails, a Trustees of Reservations site, located in Sandwich and Mashpee, Mass. Wander through Native American holly trees and blooming rhododendron along the peninsula surrounded by Mashpee Pond, The Narrows and Wakeby Pond. If you need allergy-friendly picnic ideas get in touch!
How can we help you?
From grab’n’go breakfasts to packable lunches and weeknight dinners, to birthdays and b’mitzvahs and all out bashes, let’s fill your table with foods you love, trust and just can’t get enough of!
Kettle Provisions and Your Health
Managing food allergies requires rigorous attention to ingredients and processing, label-reading and trusted resources. For individuals managing food allergies, it is critical to consult with professional healthcare providers and specialists to determine the appropriate course of action regarding allergen avoidance and an emergency treatment plan. Our services are not a substitute for medical advice.
© Kettle Provisions 2023
All photography and food styling by Sara Kaminski except where otherwise credited