Thanksgiving for the Gluten Free

If this is your first holiday season being gluten free I feel for you.  Like quitting anything, eventually you (and your family) will get used to the new normal.  In the meantime here are some options to enjoy your diet this Thanksgiving.  Remember the rule:  If you didn't make it, it probably has gluten.

If you happen to be dairy free as well, it is probably best if you skip the dinner or just bring your own.

Turkey:  The cornerstone of the Thanksgiving meal.  It should be fine to eat.  Just ask your host(ess) if the turkey was rubbed or brined with/in anything.  Some spice blends have gluten.  Some people rub the skin with flour so it is crispy.  Call ahead to large turkey producers like Butterball and ask if the turkeys are gluten free, it may indicate on the package.

Stuffing:  Forget about it, unless you made your own gluten free stuffing.  Most rice stuffing recipes are naturally gluten free.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy:  The potatoes should be alright, again always ask about seasoning.  The gravy will not be alright unless it is thickened with corn starch.  Make some of your own at home and bring it with you.  No sweat.

Sweet Potatoes:  I prefer mine savory, but for the sweet eaters, watch out for flour and marshmallows that may contain gluten.

Corn and Peas:  It seems like a no-brainer, but I can't stress enough to ask about seasoning.

Cranberry Sauce:  Whole berry or from a can this should be fine.

Rolls:  Bring your own or go without.  My gluten free donut recipe is actually a yeast roll recipe in disguise.

Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream:  Most recipes are enough filling for two pies, make one of them crust-less.  Even without being gluten free there are family members of mine who would peel off the crust anyway.  Real whipped cream and even whipped topping should be gluten free.  When in doubt, read the ingredients.

If you've read my Gluten Free Class Notes, you know that until your family has been educated on which foods contain gluten and how serious it is for you to have "just a taste," you will probably get a hard time.  If you just don't want to deal with it, offer to host, skip the dinner, or bring your own food.  Honestly in years past it was easier to use the excuse that I was on The South Beach Diet Phase 1 than to say I was gluten free.  If your family wants to know more, just print off a couple copies of my class notes and pass them around.

Cranberry Season! 3 delicious recipes, including Cranberry Pound Cake!

Avid readers may remember my desire for Cranberries during my pregnancy.  While my post-pregnant love has waned, it still exists and cannot be denied.  I bought my first bag last week.  And I intend to buy several more.  I found out last year that if you buy a lot early and put them in your fridge or freezer they will be better off than the ones that sit at the store or are shipped later in the season.

My first Cranberry desire:  Simple Ol' Cranberry Sauce

1 bag (3 cups) fresh Cranberries (washed and sorted)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Put every thing in a 2-3 quart pot on the stove and bring to a boil.  Let boil for 5 minutes.  At this point I pour it into a mason jar, top with lid and ring, and let sit till cool enough to put in the fridge.  Serves 6, 150 calories per serving.

My second Cranberry desire:  Frozen Cranberry Salad

See my post from last year for the recipe

My third Cranberry desire:  *Cranberry Pound Cake

I dare not reveal my pound cake recipe just in case I ever get back into the markets.  But if you take a regular pound cake recipe and just add a bag of cranberries (washed and sorted of course) you will get similar results.  Like I said last year as I ate a small loaf in one sitting, it's like a party in my mouth.

*I have had success making Gluten Free pound cake.  I simply substituted gluten free baking mix for flour cup for cup (in my regular and GF recipe I use 1/2 cup more flour than is called for).  It is very moist and sweet.  I had one little girl exclaim to her mother when trying a muffin (cupcake) "Mommy, I don't even need any frosting!"