Gluten-Free Holiday Hosting Guide
By Jessica Hanson (@tastymeditation)
The holidays can be a difficult time for anyone, but especially for those with celiac disease and others who must eat strictly gluten free. Preventing cross contact can be incredibly tricky, particularly for hosts who have never cooked gluten free before. Even the smallest amount of gluten can make someone with celiac very sick. And especially considering that the host often has a lot on their plate (no pun intended), it’s very easy to get distracted and make a mistake.
People with celiac disease are often highly aware of this. Even when I’m thoroughly enjoying a gathering, there is always a part of me that is on alert - did someone just use the wrong serving utensil in the salad? Are the gluten free cookies on the same plate as the regular cookies? And I’ve certainly been in many situations that felt a little awkward.
I remember RSVP'ing to a party, and the host texted me, “So glad you’ll be there! I’m making a surprise for you!” Oh no, I immediately thought. I envisioned the inevitable moment of her presenting some homemade treat, happily exclaiming that she made it gluten free just for me, and then me painstakingly explaining that while I really appreciate the gesture I’m not totally sure if I can eat it. The thought was so uncomfortable, and I could just see the look of disappointment on her face. So I decided to respond and be honest. I told her that it sounded like maybe she was going to bake something for me, and I’m sorry to spoil the surprise but could we please talk about it? Yes, she was going to make gluten free cupcakes so I could feel included. I explained that I appreciated the thought and gesture SO MUCH, but that cooking/baking gluten free is so tricky and it’s so easy to make a mistake, even if it’s something you’re experienced with. Of course, I didn’t want to get sick, but I also said, “I wouldn’t want YOU to feel badly if I got sick at your party.” She thanked me for explaining, said that she totally understood, and of course just wanted me to feel good and have fun.
I think it’s important for hosts to understand that we don’t like saying no to things, especially such kind gestures. I would love to eat the cupcake! But it’s important for me to prioritize my health and safety.
For hosts, I believe that communication is key - even for people who are experienced with gluten free cooking. Everyone with celiac has a different comfort level, and there may be additional food restrictions, as well. Asking “how can I help make my guest feel more comfortable?” I believe is a more important question than “what food can I make for my guest?”
So I recommend contacting the guest a few weeks ahead of time to check in and have a discussion. Perhaps start out by saying, “I’m so excited for you to join me for the holidays! I know that you have some specific food restrictions, and I wanted to take some time to chat about what would make you feel the most comfortable and included,” then explain the party vibe and what you were planning to serve to the group as a whole. In addition to asking what they are most comfortable with, here are some other questions you may want to ask:
- Would you like to get here early and help with the cooking so that you can monitor and control how the gluten free food is being prepared?
- Would you feel more comfortable bringing a dish from home for everyone to share?
- Would you prefer to bring your own meal, and if so, what kitchen equipment do you need access to in order to heat it up?
- Regarding ingredient safety, are there any specific ingredients that you’d like me to get? Or are there any that you would like to bring? (Gluten free food labeling is a very complicated topic on its’ own)
- Do you have any extra food restrictions that I should be aware of?
It’s definitely possible to host an inclusive gluten free holiday party, and these simple steps and conversations can help to make a gathering incredibly memorable and special for your gluten free guest.
Jessica Hanson is a celiac disease advocate and runs the blog/social media pages Tasty Meditation (@tastymeditation) along with the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup Group.
At Bread SRSLY, our mission is to reunite people with sourdough when they thought good bread was off the table. The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to further that mission by bringing people together with food. Below you'll find some of our most enjoyed holiday recipes and our tried-and-true tips for preparing our gluten-free sourdough to share- if that's the game plan you've agreed upon with your gluten-free guests, of course ;)
For stuffing (and those leftover turkey sandwiches):
Gluten-Free Classic Sourdough Pullman Loaf
NEW! Gluten-Free Sourdough Pullman Loaf (Gum-Free, Rice-Free)
Our tried and true stuffing recipes:
Gluten-Free Classic Stuffing (make with either of our Pullman Loaves)
Gluten-Free Apple, Squash & Olive Stuffing
Gluten-Free Caramelized Onion Stuffing
For your bread basket:
Classic Gluten-Free Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Jazz up those Dinner Rolls:
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Sliders
For a little something slightly sweet, may we recommend our:
NEW! Holiday Exclusive Pumpkin Spice Sourdough Loaf (Gum-Free, Rice-Free)
Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Loaf (Gum-Free, Rice-Free)
Sweet gluten-free recipes:
Pumpkin Pie Bites (try with our new Pumpkin Loaf)
Monkey Bread (use up leftover Dinner Rolls!)
Bread SRSLY Product Care Info:
- All of our products are proudly made without preservatives, so please refrigerate our gluten-free sourdough upon arrival.
- Our bread slices best once it's been refrigerated for at least 24 hours. Use a sharp, non-serrated knife to slice.
- Our bread freezes well for at least two months. Slice before freezing and store in a freezer-safe container.
- Most people prefer to enjoy Bread SRSLY toasted.
- Gluten-Free bread typically takes longer to toast than regular bread, so definitely factor that in when you're making stuffing cubes or toasting up dinner rolls for your bread basket. When toasting for stuffing cubes, it helps to use stale bread so more moisture is removed before you put the cubes in the oven.
Got questions? We've got your answers! Check out our FAQ page or send us an email at hello@breadsrsly.com.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Team Bread SRSLY!