Holidays

Host a Gluten-Free Halloween Party!

Cristina_Swenson_gluten_free_works

gluten-free-halloween-party

Spooky gluten-free fun!

For me, the hardest time of the year to have food issues is when holidays arrive. It seems that around every corner, I’m reminded of the things I can’t eat that everyone else around me can.

My personal goal is to make holidays and holiday parties more about friends and experiences than about food. One of the many reasons I like Halloween is that there are fewer expectations. Your party can be anything you want it to be. There are many fun suggestions online for various party themes. You can find ideas by typing “Halloween Party Themes” into Google. By keeping in mind your audience, you will be able to find something that works for you. Themes involve decorations, the costumes your guests wear, and the games you play. And yes, it even involves the food you serve.

Decorations can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. I’m not into elaborate decorations myself, and so I find many simple ideas involving real pumpkins very nice. Many appealing (and pretty minimalistic), ideas can be found on Martha Stewart’s website, for example. Halloween decorations are fun because not only do they not have to be perfect, but they shouldn’t be! Spiders, ghosts, pumpkins, zombies, vampires, tombs, blood, witches, all scream Read More »

Gluten Free Spiced Apple Cakes

Annie_gluten_free_works

 
When I heard that Gluten Free Works were encouraging bloggers to contribute recipes for Halloween/Fall it set me to thinking about some apples that I needed to use up.  They had been given to me by a fellow gluten free friend on a recent visit and I wanted to do something with them other than make crumble.

gluten-free-apples

The best kind of gift

 

I have an apple cake recipe that I always use but I wanted to try making smaller cakes, spiced with the flavours that invoke thoughts of Christmas/Thanksgiving and the warm flavours that we love to wrap ourselves in as the weather turns colder.

I have only recently discovered that my pressure cooker is the best thing to use when Read More »

Gluten-Free Halloween Party Ideas and Recipes

 

gluten free halloween party table

Gluten Free Halloween Table

If you have ever been in a social situation and can’t have the food around the buffet table, whether it’s related to allergies, religion or weight loss, it can be quite difficult.

 

What if it was the other way around? Imagine arriving and being able to eat everything! I thought it would be useful to create some ideas for gluten-free occasions (after getting some great advice from Amy Sherman of Cooking with Amy). So here is my first holiday list: Halloween.

 

Maybe you are the host and you are getting ready for a ghoulish party. If you need to plan it around one or more gluten-free eaters, you might need some ideas beyond hummus and rice crackers or tortilla chips with guacamole.

gluten-free-pumpkin-muffin

Gluten free pumpkin muffin with pumpkin cream cheese frosting

When you are doing your planning, think about the items that you can’t eat when you are gluten-free: bread, crackers, pretzels, pizza, cookies, cakes and cupcakes, doughnuts. Today, there are many options for all of these items. Of course, if you are the one hosting, you will have much more control. That’s my plan this year; delegation! And, even if you aren’t gluten-free, you can use the ideas below to plan your own party.

If you are the host and not the one with the sensitivity, make sure you understand the needs of your guests. Someone with Celiac disease looks at gluten as seriously as someone with a peanut allergy. Gluten can be in ketchup and bbq sauce and is almost always in Read More »

Gluten Free Caramel Corn Recipe


gluten_free_caramel_cornHomemade caramel corn is buttery, crunchy, sweet and best of all it’s naturally gluten free. And it’s so buttery fresh, a quality hard to find in a can or bag! If you like, use organic popcorn, butter, sugar and agave syrup for an extra special treat.

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients: Read More »

Gluten-free Halloween Candy Lists and Recipes

Gluten Free Works Jennifer Harris

gluten-free-halloween-candyHalloween is quickly approaching and it is important to take time to decorate the house, buy a costume, find gluten-free recipes to bake, and determine which candies are gluten free. We tend to give out gluten-free candies at our house because there are so many great ones from which to choose.  More and more companies are labeling their candy gluten free, but remember it is important to read the labels on all of the candy bags as ingredients do tend to change.

If you are in doubt of a specific candy’s status, go to the company’s website and check their gluten-free list, or you can call their 800 number for further clarification. Remember not all of these gluten-free candies are made in a dedicated facility, so be sure to read the disclaimer located on the package and make the choice that is right for your child.

Listed below are the gluten-free Halloween lists we found online. Read More »

Udi’s Gluten Free Buns and Ancient Grain Breads

Udi’s Gluten Free is launching their NEW line of Hamburger Buns, Hot Dog Buns and two varieties of Ancient Grains Breads this month… just in time for your summer BBQs!  I have been waiting for what seems like a very long time for Udi’s Gluten Free to make buns; I figured that since their bread is soft, delicious and doesn’t need toasting that their buns would be superior to others on the market.  I was right.

My family sampled Udi’s new gluten free buns and Udi’s new gluten free Ancient Grain Breads and they were a hit!  My daughter enthusiastically announced “I love Udi’s Hamburger Buns” at the dinner table; I especially liked them toasted on the grill.  I was impressed by how Read More »

Gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day Recipe Round Up

Gluten-Free Shamrock Sugar Cookies Photo: istockphoto

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and for me that means wear something green or you are going to be pinched.

For others that means preparing traditional Irish dishes to celebrate the holiday.  Every year when this holiday arrives this Examiner is always thankful that corned beef and cabbage and potatoes and carrots are all naturally gluten free and easy to prepare.

Listed below are some of the great gluten-free St. Patrick’s Day recipes we have found: Read More »

Have a Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day!

Have you checked out Gluten Free Works yet?  You really should.  Founded by Cleo and John Libonati, it is  dedicated to “helping people get well, look good and stay healthy living gluten free.”  And right now, they’ve got some very sweet Valentine’s info posted.

There’s a gluten-free brownie recipegluten-free strawberry heart rice crispie bar recipe and even a heart-shaped pizza recipe from Terri Gruss, MS, one of their regular contributors.  Jen Cafferty, founder of The Gluten Free Cooking Expo, shares a starter list of Read More »

Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day Brownie Hearts

Photo 2010 © Teri Lee Gruss

Use this delicious recipe for homemade gluten-free brownies to make special heart-shaped brownies for a Valentine’s Day treat. If you’re short on time, use one of the great gluten-free brownie mixes on the market, like Gluten-Free Pantry® Chocolate Truffle Brownies.

 Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes Read More »

Gluten-Free Strawberry Heart Rice Crispie Bar Recipe

Heart-shaped gluten-free strawberry rice crispie bars make a lovable Valentine’s Day treat!

I used freeze-dried unsweetened strawberries (purchased at Costco) but if you can’t locate this ingredient, substitute with your favorite dried fruit. Dried cherries or cranberries would look equally great in this Valentine’s Day-inspired recipe.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes Read More »