Entertaining Without Gluten
Do you struggle when planning a dinner menu for gluten-intolerant guests?
Dietary needs have become a hot topic. Many people are adopting a gluten-free lifestyle, and unlike fad diets, people suffering from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease must strictly follow their dietary restrictions.
Entertaining in today’s world is not just about delicious recipes. It’s also about understanding allergies, food sensitivities, and the benefits of healthy eating.
One of the most difficult tasks can simply be finding delicious gluten-free recipes when faced with this challenge—and worrying about gluten cross-contamination in your kitchen for guests who suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
What Is Gluten, Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac disease and Wheat Allergy?
Some people are unknowingly affected by gluten. Some may be gluten intolerant, and others may have celiac disease. There is no gluten allergy, but there is a wheat allergy.
Gluten is a combination of proteins found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. There are two factors in gluten: gliadin and glutenin. These two are the ones that are tested when you are testing for celiac disease.
celiac disease,
In Celiac disease, there is damage to the lining in the small intestine, called the villi. The villi absorb nutrients from food; when this is damaged, serious health issues may arise, such as osteoporosis, anemia, neurological issues, etc.
If celiac disease is undiagnosed, it can cause serious health problems like autoimmune disease, depression, and even cancer.
gluten sensitivity,
Gluten sensitivity has very similar symptoms to Celiac disease but without intestinal damage.
The symptoms of gluten sensitivity are typically abdominal pain, constipation, inflammation, migraine, skin disorders, fatigue and more.
wheat allergy,
Wheat allergy is just that – an allergy! Think of it as an allergy to dairy, eggs, peanuts or crustaceans. The symptoms may include runny nose, wheezing, sneezing and even life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Is there a cure for Celiac disease?
There is no cure at this time for celiac disease. However, following a gluten-free diet, you will eliminate damage to the small intestine lining that may be caused by consuming foods that contain gluten.
Is processed food gluten-free?
I can assure you that most processed food found in your local supermarkets is not gluten-free. This is why it is important to understand that even a small amount of gluten can make someone with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease very sick.
How to keep gluten out of your kitchen?
When preparing gluten-free food for your guests, your kitchen must be gluten-free. What does this mean? It is important to avoid cross-contamination from ingredients that contain gluten.
This may happen when foods that contain gluten are prepared on the same cutting boards, countertops, using the same kitchen equipment and tools, and even hands that are not properly washed after handling foods that contain gluten.
How to de-glutenize your kitchen.
All the equipment, utensils, cutting boards, countertops, bowls, and everything you use to prepare your guests’ dishes must be thoroughly washed, preferably in a dishwasher.
Cutting boards are virtually impossible to clean properly, so it is best to allocate one cutting board used only for preparing gluten-free food.
Entertaining without gluten doesn’t have to be complicated!
You will find these tantalizing gluten-free recipes will impress your guests every time. You don’t need a whole lot of technique to make something memorable.
Gluten-Free Appetizers and Small Bites
Appetizers or finger food set the tone for the meal to come. For large gatherings, finger food offers a good selection of gluten-free foods for your guests, especially if you don’t know their diet concerns.
Gluten-Free Beef Chili Cups With Avocado Aioli
The Very Best Jalapeno Poppers
Salmon Pops With Piquant Dill Sauce
Gluten-Free Ham and Cheese Fritters
Hot Pizza Dip – (Gluten-Free, Keto)
Gluten-Free Firecracker Chicken & Mozzarella Meatballs
Bacon Wrapped Cauliflower with Avocado Aioli {Keto}
Gluten-free Salads and Salad Dressing
There are simple ways to keep salads gluten-free and healthy. Keep the ingredients fresh and wholesome, and use homemade gluten-free salad dressing.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Gluten-Free Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
Grilled Corn Salad With Cucumber & Minty Cilantro Vinaigrette
Vegan Ramen Salad With Sesame Ginger Dressing
Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad (our most downloaded recipe on the blog and #1 on google)
18 Healthy Gluten-Free Salad Dressing Recipes
Gluten-free Soups
Soups are satisfying any time of the year, and you can serve them as a starter or a main dish. Chilled creamy soups in the summer, hot soups for that comforting feeling, or hearty soups on cold winter nights. Whether you are making vegan, vegetarian or a full-on meaty soup adding fresh herbs and spices will make any soup packed with flavour.
Clam Chowder with Charred Corn
Vegan Asparagus Soup With Mint
Vegan Carrot and Coriander Soup
Spicy Thai Chicken Coconut Soup
Paleo Instant Pot Buffalo Sweet Potato Soup
Gluten-Free Mains
Whether preparing an intimate dinner or entertaining a crowd, these simple, gluten-free dishes will impress even the pickiest eaters.
Very Best Gluten-Free White Spinach Lasagna
Gluten-Free King Ranch Chicken
Salmon With Thai Coconut Cream Sauce
Sheet Pan Spanish Chicken Dinner
Crispy Chicken a l’Orange Recipe
One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake
Chilli Lime Chicken With Chorizo Rice
Skillet Roasted Herb Chicken With Lemon Potatoes and Shallots
Santa Fe Skillet Chicken Dinner
Gluten-Free Sides
You will discover how easy it is to whip upsides to complement your mains. These recipes are allergy-friendly and fresh tasting.
Yam And Sweet Potato Mash With Coconut Milk
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Shallots
Green Beans with Maple Bacon & Ginger
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes – Vegan
Zucchini Gratin with Bacon and Leeks
Smashed Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Herb Lemon Butter & Parmesan Cheese
Upside-Down Mac And Cheese Pie With Bacon
Gluten-Free Desserts
Creating decadent gluten-free desserts is not complicated. We have picked the simplest but most impressive desserts that will impress your guests every time.
Gluten-Free Coconut Lemon Custard Pie
Gluten-Free Boston Cream Pie Recipe
Gluten Free No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Tart
Gluten-Free No Bake Carrot Cake
Dairy-Free Coconut Crème Brûlée
The Very Best Gluten-Free Caribbean Rum Cake
Gluten-Free 3 Layer Blueberry Key Lime Cake
Easy Gluten-Free Strawberry Tiramisu
Gluten-Free Strawberry Cream Pie
I hope you will find these gluten-free recipes fun and inspirational next time you are entertaining family and friends. If you need some ideas on how to decorate your holiday table check out 67 Easy Easter Table Decor Ideas and Wow-Worthy Centerpieces
Kristina xx