8 Recipes for a Gluten-Free Christmas
Health and Wellness
Audio By Carbonatix
By Vivian Bricker, Crosswalk.com
I have never known anyone to be gluten intolerant until a friend’s husband from college was diagnosed with celiac disease. To this day, he is the only person I personally know who actually has diagnosed celiac disease. Many people claim they have a gluten intolerance or a gluten sensitivity, but to have been diagnosed with celiac disease is an entirely different story. To be diagnosed with celiac disease, you have to undergo extensive tests, blood work, and biopsy samples to ensure your symptoms are not being caused by something else. When I started showing signs of a chronic illness, my doctor suspected I had celiac disease; however, after an invasive test with biopsies, it was discovered that I have Crohn's disease.
While gluten can cause issues for people with Crohn's, we don't have to avoid it at all costs like those who struggle with celiac disease. Those who have celiac disease have to avoid anything containing gluten, or they will get severely ill. Therefore, there cannot be any cross-contamination in any form or in any sense. This means that anything containing gluten cannot touch anything that the person who has celiac disease is going to eat. This includes silverware, plates, napkins, or countertops.
Celiac disease is a tough illness to live with, and it will affect the rest of your life. In other words, unfortunately, similarly to Crohn's, celiac disease is a disease that will last for the rest of a person's life. However, even though celiac disease has taken away the joy of many foods for those who are intolerant of gluten, it doesn't mean you still can't have a great Christmas—just hold the gluten. Here are 8 recipes for a gluten-free Christmas.
Gluten-Free Christmas Box Cookies
Without a doubt, you cannot have Christmas without cookies. In these recipes of gluten-free Christmas box cookies, you will discover a delicious variety of flavors and textures of cookies. As a bonus, this recipe is also vegan-friendly. Many recipes that are allergy-friendly tend to be both gluten-free and dairy-free, which can be extremely helpful to many of us. Despite not having celiac disease, many things I eat are gluten-free because they are vegan. Since I have to be dairy-free due to my Crohn's, I have found that most dairy-free products are also gluten-free, which I do appreciate. Gluten can irritate the stomach and cause painful symptoms. Therefore, enjoy these Christmas-themed cookies and bake them with your family for added memories.
Boneless Stuffed Turkey
While I'm a vegetarian, borderline vegan, I do understand how much everyone loves a main meat dish at Christmas dinner. This is why I'm including a recipe for a boneless stuffed turkey for a gluten-free Christmas. Turkey is known to take a long time to cook, but with proper preparation, it should still be ready in time for Christmas dinner. Any leftovers can be used for gluten-free dishes for the next day.
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
It would not be Christmas for most of us without mashed potatoes and gravy. Thankfully, potatoes are naturally gluten-free, making them a perfect side dish for those who struggle with celiac disease. Gravy is the tricky aspect as many store-bought gravies do contain gluten. Rather than purchasing a store-bought gravy, try to make your own gravy. Everyone deserves to enjoy gravy on Christmas day, as gravy really brings out the flavor of mashed potatoes.
Gluten-Free Cranberry Fluff
Cranberry fluff is often served at Thanksgiving, but I grew up with this dish being served at Christmas time, too. This is a perfect dish to have at your gluten-free Christmas celebration because it will give you something new to try without the worries surrounding any potential contamination. The recipe listed here mentions marshmallows, but it is important to know your own tolerance. If you have found marshmallows to be problematic, stay away from them and leave them out of the recipe. If you do want to keep marshmallows in the recipe, make sure you get gluten-free marshmallows, as not all marshmallows are naturally gluten-free.
I mention this because I know how bad it can get when a dietary allergy goes unchecked. It is better to be safe than sorry; therefore, make sure you double-check any marshmallows you purchase to ensure they don't contain gluten. However, even if they say they don't contain gluten, but are made in a facility that processes gluten, then it might be best to look for another gluten-free specialty marshmallow or pass on this particular ingredient.
Cheese and Potato Herb Fans
Cheese and potato herb fans are a perfect side dish for Christmas dinner as potatoes are naturally gluten-free and are filling. While many people try to demonize potatoes because they are a carb, there is actually nothing wrong with them. Potatoes help our blood sugar levels to stay stable as well as they contain fiber, which helps us to stay fuller longer. Combine these two facts together and you have a perfect recipe for a nutritious dish for Christmas dinner that is also gluten-free.
It is common for many people to feel gluten-free diets are restricting, but if you use vegetables and fruits, you will see that there are many different dishes you can make, and all of the ingredients are naturally gluten free. Gluten is mainly found in processed foods, breads, baked goods, and pasta. There are many gluten-free alternatives, but many people who have celiac disease have probably noticed gluten-free pre-packaged foods tend to irritate their symptoms as well. This is due to the emulsifiers and additives that are in gluten-free foods, which can be hard on the gut.
This is why it is important to look for ways to incorporate naturally occurring gluten-free foods into our diet. You will find that potatoes are a staple for Christmas dishes when it comes to a gluten-free vegetable. Most people love potatoes and a cheese and herb fan could be exactly what you need to make this Christmas merry and bright.
Christmas Wreath Pavlova
The first time I heard about pavlova was on an episode of the hit children's television show, “Bluey.” I had no idea what this dessert was, but I knew it looked quite tasty from the depiction of it on the show. Bluey’s younger sister really wanted a slice of pavlova, but her parents wanted her to try to have another snack before turning to the pavlova. The good news is that Bingo eventually got to enjoy her pavlova, and you can too, even if you suffer from gluten intolerance.
Christmas wreath pavlova is a wonderful dessert to serve for Christmas this year. It is naturally gluten-free as it doesn't contain any gluten or even a trace of wheat. This recipe can be a bit challenging, but with the proper preparation and careful planning, it can be a delicious dish to add to the Christmas line-up. When you are making this recipe, just make sure you allow plenty of time as it will need time to chill after you prepare everything.
Flourless Chocolate Torte
If pavlova isn't your thing, you should consider baking a flourless chocolate torte. Many people don't want a tart dessert, and they prefer something more chocolate-based. My mom and sister love chocolate more than any other dessert, and if it is not chocolate-based, they don't want it. My sister’s love for chocolate is so ingrained in our family that my mom used to say chocolate kept my sister’s eyes brown. Whenever my sister would want chocolate, it was for the important cause of keeping her beautiful eyes brown.
This recipe for a flourless chocolate torte will prove to be a delightful dessert for your Christmas celebration. Not only is this dish light and airy, but it isn't dry. Unfortunately, many gluten-free recipes end up being very dry and crumbly; however, this chocolate torte turns out great. The texture is wonderful, and it holds up after it has been reheated. Give it a try this Christmas and see what you think.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
While it is understandable that many people think pumpkin needs to stay with Thanksgiving, I believe pumpkin can also be served during the Christmas season. Since pumpkin has a warm and inviting flavor, it is a great addition to the Christmas meal plan. You probably wouldn't serve gluten-free pumpkin bread for dinner; however, it could make a perfect Christmas morning breakfast, midday snack, or sweet treat. If you haven't tried pumpkin bread before, give this gluten-free pumpkin bread a chance this Christmas.
Personally, I love pumpkin bread, and this gluten-free recipe is no exception. I've tried many gluten-free recipes in the past, but the recipe above is the only one that I have found where the consistency is right. If you are gluten-free, you know how tough it can be to find the right texture. Rest easy knowing that this gluten-free pumpkin bread will stay firm and doesn't lack in flavor. A few alternatives to gluten-free pumpkin bread could be gluten-free banana bread, gluten-free banana chocolate chip bread, or gluten-free zucchini bread.
Try your hand at making a few of these unique breads and see what you think. While many people are hesitant to try any of these flavored breads, they can be really good when done correctly. If the first batch doesn't turn out correctly, try again and try your best not to give up. Regardless of which recipes you choose to try this year, I hope you have a merry gluten-free Christmas!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kate_sept2004
Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.
