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Christmas

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Original poster

Gluten free

12 replies

Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 02:32

I have 12 for Christmas. One of my guests has Coeliacs. Does anyone have any tips for making sure I don’t make her ill. I’m not a great cook I do my own Yorkshire puddings and I’ve already bought her some gluten free ones.

My go to is a fruit cake and some mince pies for teatime.

It’s keeping things separate that’s bothering me. I don’t want to be standing guard over the food and the serving spoons. It’s stressing me worrying about it.

I don’t feel I can suddenly turn my kitchen gluten free, my cooking isn’t that flexible.

OP posts:
SuperGinger · 03/12/2023 02:51

It isn't too tricky, my DH is gluten free because he is coeliac. Top tips just use GF flour for thicke ning gravy and if you use flour on your roast potatoes. There are GF small Xmas puds and mince pies from M&S. I usually make GF shortbread too just using GF flour instead of regular and chucking in a level teaspoon of xanthum.

Original poster
Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 02:54

Yes, I use cornflour anyway. I think it’s just when everything is laid out, how do I stop people contaminating the gluten free food.

OP posts:
SuperGinger · 03/12/2023 02:55

If you're serving cheese GF oatcakes are widely available and to be honest I can't tell the difference

YireosDodeAver · 03/12/2023 02:57

It's easier to make the whole meal gluten free than it is to have two versions and keep the gf things uncontaminated. You don't have to be wedded to tradition to the extent of "always doing" something that can only be done with gluten, it's actuallyvery easy to make a totally gloten free traditional roast meal. If you are going to have two versions it's best to keep the gf versions in unopened commercial packaging until just before serving and involve the gf guests in at least supervising the unpacking and heating so that they can be confident there was no contamination, and ensure they are served first.

SuperGinger · 03/12/2023 03:01

Not all cornflour is GF so just check. Just give her hers separately - she is probably used to it. I usually just make the whole meal GF but with things like Xmas pudding just give that separately.

Forgottenmyphone · 03/12/2023 07:06

I sometimes put a little bit of sparkly Christmassy washi tape around the handles of the gf serving spoons

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 03/12/2023 07:10

I’m gluten free.

I go to a relatives for the day. Marks sausages are gluten free and I buy them in advance to give her. They also do a gf stuffing to cook in the oven- she already has it in the freezer. I take my own crackers, mince pies and a small Christmas pud. I also take whatever else I fancy for the day. Bisto gravy for thickening one is gf and one isn’t so just check.

Just tell people to be careful on the day or do what my relative does and have it elsewhere. Just remember that if buying a pre stuffed bird it’s not always gf.

ironixallyenough · 03/12/2023 07:31

I've got a GF guest too and honestly, it's really easy to do the whole meal GF.

Use cornflour or GF flour for thickening gravy. Check stock cubes are GF (Knorr usually are)

Lots of yummy GF stuffing packs available online. Add your own onions/butter/sausage meat etc

Cheese sauce - make with GF flour or buy a mix online

Veg/meat - no issues

Roasties - best cooked in goose fat (I think!) with no gluten

Deserts can be a bit trickier so if you're stuck, buy a pack of GF mince pies or GF cheesecake and serve seperately for your guest.

If you don't want to do the whole meal GF, then it's best to do the GF food first. Give your counters and utensils a good wipe down first and store anything on the top shelf of the fridge.

I now cook GF a lot of the time because I tend to put sauces/soups in the freezer and it's nice to know I can use them if GF friends pop round.

I used to really worry about it but I did it once and realised it's just a relatively minor adjustment. You just have to get into the headspace of reading the back of anything you use that comes in a pack.

I got caught out once by adding Maltesers to a tiffin bake (I just honestly didn't think!!!) but thankfully my friend had a bite and realised. She ended up with a gurgly tummy but was otherwise ok (whew!)

PuttingDownRoots · 03/12/2023 07:39

Is it just Christmas Dinner or is it a longer visit?

Pigs in blankets... double check these. While a lot of normal size sausages are GF little ones aren't!
Butter... Best having a separate one. When my Dad visits (hrs our coeliac) he gets a new tub to himself for his visit.
Watch out for crumbs.
Chocolates can be tricky... but most adults know to check for themselves.
Jelly babies are GF.

FusionChefGeoff · 03/12/2023 07:44

Cheesecakes made with GF biscuit base are a good dessert option.

TheSandgroper · 03/12/2023 08:38

I have been known to loudly announce that X is to serve herself first (ie me) before the plebs are allowed at it. And that the serving spoon in each bowl is to stay with that bowl only.

arguments need two parties to succeed so don’t take any shit on the matter. No one died and I didn’t get sick for a week. Win, win.

Original poster
Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 10:53

Thanks very much for for all the tips everyone. I’m not going completely gluten free. I’ve tried making gluten free Yorkshire puds and gluten free stuffing and they were a disaster. She doesn’t eat stuffing anyway, so I’ll just put the stuffing balls down the other end of the table.

I’ve made gluten free crumble before and it goes down very well.

I’m going to serve her first and put some seconds for her away from everything else. I love the idea of a glittery spoon.

Thanks again everyone.

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