Thriving Gluten & Dairy-Free...
During the Holidays
Getting through the holidays can be challenging for those with dietary restrictions but with a little forethought and preparation, you too can experience a satisifing holiday experience while remaining gluten and dairy-free. Below are a few strategies I have found to help me during those special family gatherings:
1) Offer to host the holiday dinner at your home. This will allow you to control many elements of the dinner.
2) When attending dinner at someone else's home, offer to bring side dishes and a dessert that are safe for you. I usually prepare several vegetable dishes, a quinoa dish and a dessert. I then only need turkey to complete my meal.
3) If someone else is preparing the turkey, call ahead of time and find out the details of how they prepare it. Most people are eager to accommodate your restrictions. If needed, deliver a gluten and dairy-free package ahead of time including items such as Earth Balance spread (in case they baste the turkey with butter) and any other gluten and dairy-free items they may not be familiar with.
4) Research the Internet for modifications you can make to your old favorite holiday dishes. Most recipes can be easily modified and will give you that old holiday feeling again.
5) Prepare a quick and simple dietary restriction response for inquiring relatives. I have found it's best to keep your explanation simple, to avoid long drawn out debates about your dietary choices, and then quickly change the subject if you can. Example: "I've decided to try some modifications to my diet and I'm feeling so much better...by the way, how's your neighbor doing that was in the accident?"
Below I've featured some holiday products that can make life easier for you. It's amazing how many gluten-free products have flooded the market.
Glutino Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix
This is the first gluten-free stuffing mix I have found in the stores. I make my own stuffing (click here for the recipe) but it's good to know you can purchase a mix. I cannot rate this yet because I have not had a chance to try it.
Find at: Whole Foods Market
Imagine Roasted Turkey Gravy
 
I make my own turkey gravy but it's nice to have a box of this Imagine prepared gravy around just in case you run out. You can also take one of these to a family gathering so you don't have to worry about the flour (gluten) in someone else's gravy recipe.
Find at: Whole Foods Market, Sprout's Farmers' Market, possibly Draeger's Market and Raley's
Fabe's Gluten-Free Apple Pie (no dairy or eggs either)
  
I have not eaten apple pie for six years. I decided to try this one by Fabe's because it it gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free. The texture was odd. The crust crumbled in my mouth and the slices did not old up well either but the taste was amazing. I think I'm going to buy one of these for Thanksgiving (although I really don't need the calories). They also had an empty pie shell (dairy and egg-free) for making your own filling and a pumpkin pie (which was GF but not dairy-free).
Find at: Sprout's Farmers' Market
The Cravings Place Grandma's Unsweetened Cornbread Mix
  
I've been on a serious quest to find easy to make "Southern Style" cornbread (non-sweet). I was hoping this would fit the bill but disappointingly, it did not. The texture and taste where both very odd.
Crave Gluten-Free Pie Shell
Another empty pie shell to bake your own pie filling. This Crave pie shell is gluten, dairy and egg-free.
Find at Whole Foods Market
Kinnikinnick Gluten-Free Pie Crust
If you want a pie crust you can roll out yourself, this is the one for you. It's gluten and dairy-free. Contains soy and egg.
Find at: Whole Foods Market
These rolls are really good. I've decided to have a completely gluten and dairy-free dinner at my house this year. These new dinner rolls will definitely help satisfy my "gluten eating teens." Available in Classic French and Seeded Whole Grain. Udi's also has a new GF baguette. Gotta love Udi's!
We've tried several gluten-free cornbread batters and this by far is our favorite. It's a Yankee style bread (sweet). It makes great muffins.
Find at: Draeger's Market, Miglet's GF Bakery (Danville), Whole Foods Market, Sprout's Farmers' Market, Raley's, Target and Safeway
What would a nice warm roll or corn bread muffin be on the holidays without "butter." For a dairy-free experience, Earth Balance soy-free spread is my favorite. I think it tastes just like butter. Earth Balance also makes a new coconut spread that is yummy. Find at: Draeger's Market, Whole Foods Market and Sprout's Farmers' Market
I've always loved egg nog and it was very sad to pass it by when I first gave up dairy. The soy version by Rice Dream just did not do it for me. This So Delicious brand is thick, rich and creamy.
Find at: Draeger's Market, Whole Foods Market and Sprout's Farmers' Market
I ordered this online after seeing an ad for it in a gluten-free magazine. I followed the directions and ended up with a very watery hot chocolate (even after using coconut milk which is thick). It was more like warm chocolate milk. I then added another tablespoon of chocolate mix to the cup and it was then acceptable to Sammy. I prefer a much thicker hot chocolate mix but Sammy likes this mix. My favorite remains Bittersweet. NibMor is available in chocolate mint and six spice as well.
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