Holiday Hosting Made Easy: Budget-Friendly Gluten-Free Tips & Recipes
By: Molly Winsten, MS, RD – Gluten-Free Specialist
Well, somehow, someway, November has arrived. With the completion of October and Halloween festivities, the holidays are all of a sudden right around the corner! While the fast-approaching holiday season is always exciting, we know it can also be daunting, especially with rising grocery prices. This article will offer tips and tricks for the most stunning holiday spread that won’t break the bank, and 3 holiday show-stopping recipes to impress even the pickiest of guests! And while the holidays are some of the more stressful times of the year, these recipes are easy enough to lower the normal worry while still being spectacular!
The holidays can be costly, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor or presentation!! While Thanksgiving can easily average $7-$10 per person, that still leaves plenty of room to make the most beautiful, welcoming meal. Luckily, many Thanksgiving dishes are either naturally gluten-free or can easily be modified to be so. The meal often consists of 3 categories – main protein, sides, and sauces/gravies. Appetizers and desserts round out the feast, though this varies from household to household!
Appetizers
While we will detail a side, sauce, and appetizer here, it is important to note that the Thanksgiving table often has many components. Beyond that, people start their meal at a variety of times, which can also have an impact on the final offerings of the meal. There are endless possibilities, and no singular dish will make or break your table! For our featured appetizer, we are showcasing delicious herb tuna cakes. While crab cakes or fish cakes can be rather expensive, these herb tuna cakes can easily be made from canned tuna – though you’d never know it! The flavors are exquisite, and the final look of the dish feels so festive. Feel free to play around with this; you can integrate any herb you like, and the final dipping sauce can truly be anything! Other easy gluten-free yet show-stopping appetizers can include cheese & vegetable plates, hummus and other spreads, fall soups such as butternut squash or pumpkin, and beautiful salads that take advantage of late fall produce and evoke all the cozy vibes!
Side Dishes
Next up on our easily gluten-free, affordable recipe list is a classic side dish, taken to the next level – glazed carrots. This recipe takes a humble vegetable and truly makes it a star! The marinade is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and using full-sized carrots not only aids in presentation but also saves you money in the long run! This dish can also be prepared in advance and served at room temperature, making it the perfect addition to your holiday spread. Other often gluten-free side dishes include: mashed potatoes, baked green beans with garlic, candied yams, stuffing made with gluten-free bread, roasted Brussels sprouts, and cranberry sauce!
Sauce/Gravy
Our third and final recipe is a sauce, as gravy is often considered essential for Thanksgiving. This easy mustard and shallot sauce is beautiful and easy to make, yet it exudes elegance. If you don’t have shallots, onions will do just fine! White wine can also replace half the chicken broth if desired. In addition to this lovely sauce, gravy is often had at Thanksgiving. It’s important to note that while traditional gravy may seem like a gluten-free item, it often contains a gluten ingredient, such as flour, as part of it. To thicken your gluten-free gravy, try using a gluten-free corn starch slurry (simply 1 tablespoon of corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons of butter) rather than a gluten-based roux. Another gluten-free option is to make an herb butter, or to simply use the pan drippings from your Thanksgiving turkey! All of these ideas get the job done and are delicious every time.
Dessert
In addition to the three recipes above, dessert is also an important part of Thanksgiving. While pies are historically the most popular, getting them premade can be expensive, with some companies charging $60 or more for a single pie. To offset this, we advise making pies yourself! Simply follow your favorite pie recipe, making gluten-free substitutions. Another great Thanksgiving dessert is bread pudding using gf bread. This is an easy dessert that allows gf bread to shine!! If you do not have access to a gf pie crust, apple crisp can be made at a very low cost while still packing a flavor punch. Lastly, chocolate-covered fruit made at home feels so elegant and is much more affordable than most would guess!
A little planning and creativity can go a long way toward making your gluten-free celebration, affordable and full of joy.
In conclusion, November brings with it a busy holiday schedule and high price tags, but it does not need to be overwhelming in any way! Many naturally gf dishes can be made, and simple items can be elevated to the next level with a few simple tips and tricks! We so hope you try these recipes and that they make a difference on your Thanksgiving table!
Shallot Mustard Cream Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped shallot
2 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 cup chicken or beef broth
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Add oil, shallots, and garlic to a skillet over medium high heat.
Stir regularly and sauté until translucent. Add a dash of salt and pepper to season. Deglaze with 1 cup broth of choice. Simmer for about 5-6 minutes, then stir in mustard. Lower heat to medium and stir until sauce is emulsified. If using mayonnaise, turn off the heat and stir in until well combined. If using heavy cream, leave the heat on medium, add the cream and cook until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste
Hot Honey Carrots
1 pound large carrots, peeled and sliced in half length wise
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons spicy honey (premade gluten free or regular honey and 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Sliced shallots, for garnish
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 375. Mix up all ingredients except carrots until well combined. In a large bowl, toss carrots with marinade. Pour onto parchment lined baking sheet, and make sure carrots are flat side down. Roast until a fork can go through, about 20-25 minutes depending on the size of the carrots. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Top with sliced shallots and parsley!
Herb Tuna Cakes
2 cans of tuna, drained
2 teaspoons mustard
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 egg
3/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Form into 1/4 cup balls and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. When ready to cook, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Place tuna cakes in and carefully press down with a spatula to flatten. Cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with your favorite gluten free dipping sauce or salad dressing