How to have a very merry … gluten-free Christmas
Do you have guests coming for Christmas who follow a gluten-free diet? Don’t worry, it’s easy to make sure their Christmas is merry with these easy gluten-free swaps and suggestions. Read on to find out more. With greater awareness and better diagnosis of food intolerances these days, many of us now follow a gluten-free diet. It’s important to understand that gluten sensitivity is not an ethical or lifestyle choice, but a medical condition. The good news is, it’s easy to make some simple swaps to make sure you are looking after your gluten-free guests at Christmas.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein that is found in many grains eaten in the typical Western diet – especially wheat, barley and rye. Spelt, semolina and faro also contain gluten. Consequently bread, pastry, pasta, cereals, beer and soy sauce contain gluten. Gluten can be hidden in thickeners and stabilizers so check all your labels of products like ready-made custards and desserts, sauces, dressings, and flavoured yogurts.
If you are a coeliac, have gluten-sensitivity or a wheat allergy, mistakenly eating gluten can cause very uncomfortable digestive symptoms, fatigue and bloating. Undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, mineral deficiencies and damage to the small intestine.
Good news – most traditional Christmas fare is gluten-free!
It may seem obvious, but it’s important to point out that meat, fish, salads, and vegetables are naturally gluten free, as long as they haven’t had ingredients added to them which include the main gluten-containing grains - wheat, barley or rye.
The main things to watch out for on Christmas Day are gravy, stuffing, and desserts.
Gravy and stuffing
No Christmas turkey is complete without gravy and stuffing – both of which, made traditionally, contain gluten. The answer is simple. For gravy, you don’t need to do anything different, other than use a gluten-free flour to thicken your pan juices in the normal way.
With stuffing, you have a couple of choices – make a rice-based stuffing rather than one containing breadcrumbs, or, if you want to make a traditional bread stuffing, simply use gluten-free bread. By the time you add all the delicious ingredients like bacon, herbs and fried onion you won’t tell the difference.
Desserts
Given most sweets and desserts are made with flour, this is where those cooking for a gluten-free guest may need inspiration.
The great news is traditional Christmas puddings come in a gluten-free version from our local supplier Kosie Country, to order visit Hill Street Christmas Orders. Just make sure what you serve with your pudding is gluten-free – if you are making your own custard, choose a gluten-free custard powder or make custard from scratch using eggs, milk and sugar. If you are using a ready-made custard or ice cream, check the label to ensure they’re gluten-free.
The best news of all - Australia’s favourite celebration dessert, the pavlova, is naturally gluten-free! Note that some pavlova recipes specify a tablespoon of cornfour to be added to the egg whites after whipping – this can be omitted entirely or substituted with a gluten-free cornflour. Try this festive pavlova wreath for a spectacular end to Christmas dinner.
For other ideas, consider a flourless chocolate cake, a cake or dessert made with almond meal or polenta, or order one of our Gluten-free Orange and Almond Cakes.
Poached fruit is also a great idea especially on a hot summer’s day – try these poached nectarines with vanilla cream.
Here’s some more gluten-free inspiration from Hill Street’s recipe collection:
- Gluten-free Christmas Treats
- Warm Buckwheat and Beetroot Salad
- Mushroom Pate
- Homemade Gluten-free Chicken Rolls
- Lamington Bliss Balls
- Lemon Polenta Syrup-Slice
- Gluten-free Baked Ricotta Caramelised Red Onion, Prosciutto and Blueberry Tart
- Pistachio Lime and Coconut Cheesecake Squares
- Cauliflower Bread
