Whilst organising a Christmas menu around allergens may seem a little challenging the basics such as prawns, ham and turkey don’t require a lot of modification apart from finding a suitable stuffing! Mince pies and puddings require more significant modifications.
One significant issue is the ratio of stuffing to turkey. This recipe for stuffing cups from Donna Hay is a great solution to that option. I have made it by substituting gluten free breadcrumbs and nuttelex (for the butter) and they work really well. Just make sure your pancetta is gluten free too!
The side dishes for Christmas can be a range of salads or hot dishes, there are some useful suggestions in my blog on Four easy ways to add Brassica vegetables to your meals. Salad options with a dressing based on either mayonnaise (no dairy) or oil and vinegar can also be a good way to add vegetables and variety to the day.
Focussing on baking these are my two essential Christmas recipes and they are both from my Mum!
Mince pies (Makes approx 36)
Fruit mince – I jar
Sweet Shortcrust Pastry
2 1/2 cups of gluten free flour,
1/2 cup castor sugar ,
185g butter (or Nuttelex for milk protein allergies)
2 eggs.
Combine butter and sugar, add flour until mix is like crumbs and then mix through egg to combine. Put on a floured surface and loosely knead. Wrap and chill in fridge for an hour before using.
Rollout pastry between two sheets of baking paper or on a floured surface. Cut into small rounds and use half for the base and the remainder for the lids. Spoon a heaped teaspoon of fruit mince into each pie and then seal lids by pinching the pastry together. Cook at 180C for 12-15 minutes.
Christmas Pudding
250 g each raisins, currants, sultanas and 60 g peel
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup plain gluten free flour
3 Tblspn Rum
250 g Butter or Nuttelex (Dairy Free)
2 cups soft breadcrumbs from gluten free loaf
Rind of an orange and a lemon
1/2 tsp each salt, mixed spice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and bicarb soda.
Chop raisins and peel, add other fruit and combine with rum. Leave covered overnight.
Cream butter, sugar and fruit rind. Add eggs slowly beating each in well then stir in fruit in alternation with the sifted flour and spices and breadcrumbs.
Place in greased pudding dish. Cover with foil and simmer for 6 hours. Keep water level about half way up the pudding bowl and check levels regularly.
Serves 10-12 people.
Ideal to serve with Coconut Milk icecream such as Over the Moo Vanilla Bean or Coyo Vanilla or Vanilla Bean and Nutmeg.
If you are busy over the holidays and looking for some healthy options have a look at my E-book Healthy Holiday Options .
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