Most people today have a child, spouse, friend or family member that is gluten intolerant and with the Holidays quickly approaching there will be many opportunities for entertaining gluten free guests.
Entertaining can be stressful and intimidating enough but by adding food allergies or special dietary restrictions it can make the experience overwhelming if you don’t plan properly.
Hopefully these tips will help you feel more confident and at ease when serving your gluten free guests. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you might think!
- Talk with your guests first– get an idea of the things they can and can’t eat. It’s always a good idea to ask for food likes and dislikes which will help you in your planning. Assign your gluten free guests a dish to contribute that way you can ensure that there is something available that they can and like to eat. If you are asking someone who isn’t on a special diet to bring a dish make certain they know exactly what is safe. Of course not every dish has to be gluten free but it’s nice to create a menu that most everyone can enjoy.
- Meal plan– how many meals will your gluten free guests be eating with you? Will you just be hosting a dinner or will they be there overnight in which case you need to consider breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc. You can even run the menu by your guests so they might be able to identify any potential issues. Do your research. HERE is a good summary of a gluten free diet. If you are hosting a large party make sure to clearly label everything that is gluten free or make sure the entire spread is free of gluten.
- Read all food labels– make sure to always read the labels as there is the possibility of hidden gluten. Avoid food and drinks containing the following: wheat, barley (malt, malt flavor and malt vinegar are made from barely), rye or triticale. Some food items you wouldn’t expect do in fact contain wheat such as dressings/marinades, soy sauce, taco seasoning, BBQ sauce, etc. Many labels will display the “gluten free” sign on the label if they are indeed gluten free, others you will have to read the ingredient list. HERE is an overview of foods that are safe, foods to check and foods to avoid on a gluten free diet. Don’t forget there are many gluten free brands, such as Udi’s gluten free products that can offer you a variety of products from baking mixes to ready-made dinner rolls.
- Focus on naturally gluten free foods– there are so many naturally gluten free foods like meats and seafood, beans and legumes, eggs, most dairy products, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, rice and many other starches like quinoa, amaranth, sorghum, corn, buckwheat, etc.
- Avoid cross contamination– be care of of your workspace when preparing gluten free dishes. If you are hosting friends or family with Celiac disease even the slightest crumb of gluten and cause unwanted symptoms. Make sure to prepare the gluten free dishes first and/or use different cutting boards and cooking utensils if necessary. Sanitize all counters and crevices in between each dish preparation as well.
Here is a sample gluten-free Holiday inspired menu:
Breakfast
Fruit Salad
Yogurt Parfaits with Gluten Free Granola
Lunch
Jalapeno-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup
Dinner
Main dish- turkey, ham, Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, roast beef, etc. (all naturally gluten free)
Risotto, rice gratin, mashed regular or sweet potatoes
Vegetable such as Roasted Brussels sprouts with Apple and Bacon, Asparagus, Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
Side salad
Dessert
Apple or Pumpkin pie using store-bought or homemade gluten free pie crust
Flourless chocolate cake
Fruit Crisp (topping using gluten free baking mix and/or gluten free oats, nuts, sugar, coconut, etc.)
It is very doable to serve gluten free meals by focusing on naturally gluten free foods and making simple substitutes. When in doubt talk with your guests about foods they normally eat and let them help you plan the menu. You will feel more confident and comfortable when entertaining your gluten free guests.
Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi’s Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.
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