My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free - by Jannell Lo (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

At last, a gluten-free spotlight on Asian flavors, with plenty of plant-based, dairy-free, vegetarian, and pescatarian options!

Anyone who eats (or cooks) a gluten-free diet understands the struggles of avoiding gluten. In East Asian and Southeast Asian foods especially, gluten is hard to avoid: it's embedded in integral staples like soy sauce and gochujang and foundational foods like noodles and dumplings. But the struggle is over! In My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free, you'll find completely gluten-free recipes that celebrate a spectrum of Asian flavors.

Inspired by her celiac husband and wanting to share the foods of her Chinese-Canadian upbringing with him, Jannell Lo set out to create gluten-free options for all her favorite recipes, plus some creative takes of her own. Designing flavorful and inclusive dishes let Jannell explore her own cultural identity through food in new and meaningful ways. The result: this cookbook, with chapters that include salads and fresh bites in Tossed & Assembled, satisfyingly saucy pairings in Nice with Rice, crispy stir-fries in Fried & Sizzled, and easy Sweet Treats with textural flair.

My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free is exciting for all eaters, gluten-free or not, with:

• Gluten-Free Solutions to Asian Classics: For anyone feeling left out at restaurants, find GF answers to Canto-Style Mapo Tofu, Japanese-Style Curry, and Hot & Sour Soup.
• Barrier-Breaking Recipes: Cross culinary borders--think Thai, Chinese, Filipino--with Tom Yum Corn Chowder, Shanghai Stir-Fried Gnocchi, and Pavlova with Calamansi Curd inspired by Jannell's travels as a third-culture chef.
• Easy Everyday Meals for All Dietary Needs: Whip up weeknight wins like Rice Cake Soup, Chili Miso Salmon, and Roasted Coconut Tamari Chicken with plant-based, vegetarian, dairy-free, and pescatarian options for many!
• Menus for All Occasions: Serve your friends and family multi-course menus, like a cozy holiday feast, a Lunar New Year dinner, and even a sumptuous plant-based spread.

With eye-catching illustrations and vibrant photos, My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free is an accessible and fun exploration of a world typically off-limits to gluten-free eaters. Finally, you can make your favorite Asian dishes at home.

Review Quotes

"Navigating a new cuisine can be difficult--or seemingly impossible on a gluten-free diet. Jannell has provided a valuable gluten-free guide for those who love Asian food, opening up kitchens and palates to a rich tapestry of flavor, bringing family and friends together around the table, no matter their diet!"
--SARAH LEUNG, co-author and co-creator of The Woks of Life

"If food is your love language, this is the book for you. Asian recipes are oftentimes hard to navigate for celiacs and those who cannot tolerate gluten. In these pages, Jannell teaches you how to create a gluten-free, mouthwatering repertoire not only for your celiac friends and family but for all."
--ARAN GOYOAGA, author of the Cannelle et Vanille books and James Beard Award finalist

"To be loved is to be included. Jannell does a beautiful job of creating gluten-free versions of the food she holds dear from her culture and beyond with smart and artful alterations that don't detract from the source material."
--KRISTINA CHO, James Beard Award-winning author of Mooncakes & Milk Bread and Chinese Enough

"My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free is a bold and refreshing cookbook featuring pan-Asian-inspired, gluten-free dishes made with readily available ingredients. Jannell's deep respect and love for Asian flavors shine through, as does her playful creativity in exploring unexpected, cross-cultural combinations that simply work. The recipes are approachable, easy to follow, and thoughtfully include many plant-based alternatives. Gluten-free food has never looked so vibrant and delicious!"
--CHRISTINE WONG, author of The Vibrant Hong Kong Table

"Jannell is a wonderful chef who is as thoughtful and creative as she is kind and inclusive. From her blog of gluten-free Asian recipes to her Dump the Hate fundraiser supporting the Asian community, she works to bring people together over incredible food. I'm delighted to see this cookbook out in the world with colorful recipes so clearly made out of love."
--KERRY DIAMOND, founder and editor of Cherry Bombe

"My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free is a heartfelt celebration of flavors, creativity, and inclusivity. As someone who deeply values the way food brings people together, I am inspired by how Jannell masterfully reimagines Asian-inspired dishes for a gluten-free lifestyle without compromising flavor. Her thoughtful recipes and warm storytelling reflect her passion for making everyone feel welcome at the table. This cookbook is not just a guide--it's an invitation to explore, savor, and connect through food."
--CHEF NUIT REGULAR, award-winning chef and author of Kiin̈

About the Author

Jannell Lo is a food creator and writer with a decade of experience working in the food industry, from being a line cook in Hong Kong to honing her pastry skills in Montreal and managing catering operations in her hometown of Toronto. As the founder of the blog My BF Is GF, she champions gluten-free cuisine inspired by her travels and Chinese-Canadian upbringing. Her fundraising initiative, Dump the Hate, has made a significant impact in supporting organizations that fight anti-Asian prejudice. Jannell has written for Food52, and has been featured by Food Network Canada, Cherry Bombe, and more. She lives in North Vancouver, where she enjoys nature walks, picnics, and beach time with her husband (and the best friend who inspired her blog), Reid.