How to Survive Christmas with Dietary Requirements
Christmas is a time when families and friends traditionally get together in large numbers and all try to cater for one another. But these days in a group it’s not uncommon to find a vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, lactose intolerant, gluten free or egg-allergic member at the table, or just Aunty Doris who has decided to give up sugar this week!
So how do you go about catering for all these requirements? Our Executive Chef deals with dietary requirements daily, so we asked him to suggest some tips on how to survive Christmas with dietary requirements!
Christmas stuffing
What would a traditional Christmas turkey be without a great stuffing? And yet, for people who need to eat gluten free, trimmings like stuffing at Christmas are often made with gluten. The good news is, rice flour and maize stuffings are available, or you can make your own, and are now so well made that the rest of the party wouldn’t know they weren’t eating bread based stuffing mix.
Onion and garlic are the basis of a tasty stuffing mix, but they are also packed full of fructose. But no-one wants to forego the great flavours they provide, especially in stuffing. Fortunately you don’t have to; try a pinch of asafoetida powder which is an Indian spice, and a great alternative to garlic and onion and ‘fructose friendly’!
For added flavour, use the green parts of chives and leeks (as opposed to the white) as they are easier on the stomach.
Ham
Ham is a must-have on many tables at Christmas, but if you’re looking for a delicious gluten-free version, there are plenty of options that keep the flavour without the gluten. Try this gluten-free ham recipe from Gluten-Free Palate. It’s a classic glazed ham with a hint of sweetness and a crispy outer layer—perfect for satisfying everyone at the table while accommodating gluten-free guests.
Desserts
There are some gorgeous gluten free desserts to try out, such as Raw Christmas pudding cake pops or spicy chocolate truffles.
To avoid the fructose in fruit, rather than a plum pudding you could opt for a self-saucing chocolate pudding. Or simply replace pudding with a great cheese platter. Every cloud has a silver lining!
A great lactose free Christmas dessert is this Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue recipe
So, whatever your dietary requirements and however irksome they at first appear, make use of google and find some great alternatives so that everyone around your table has a merry and delicious Christmas.
Our Executive Chef always discusses dietary requirements with event organisers and guests prior to them staying with us at Yarra Valley Estate, so that he can prepare meals they can thoroughly look forward to. We’re always being commended for our fantastic food at YVE – as we firmly believe that food is something everyone can enjoy.
