Non-wheat/non-dairy Christmas pud ideas needed urgently

[lilolilbethlehem]

My DH has just today invited the couple next door to have Christmas lunch with us (they usually go to relatives but not this year and have both been working away from home so frazzled). I have no problem with that at all, the more the merrier and plenty of food to go round. BUT one of them doesn't eat wheat or dairy so need to think of an alternative to Christmas pud. We have other commitments the next couple of days so little time. The best I can come up with is pears poached in mulled wine, served with dairy-free ice cream. Anyone got any other ideas (am going to struggle to spend too long on preparation)

Go to sainsburys or M&S buy their dairy free, wheat free, alcohol free, taste free (only kidding !!!!) Xmas pud. Lovely and quick!!

Actually teh free from puds are lovely (ds adores them- east them all year round) so very much the easy solution!

bear in mind the sausages and gravy too btw! (alternatives to both easily available but not everyone realises...)

If you can find anything from 'The Village Bakery' they often have wheat/dairy free stuff that is good (I buy it for my mum when she comes over). Waitrose stock it, other supermarkets might do too.

rice pudding made with light coconut milk, molasses, vanilla and then your poached pears or some frozen mixed berries

Thanks all, are the "free-from" range puddings ok then?
Had thought about gravy - am assuming that if I make a separate batch with Swiss marigold bouillon, thickened with cornflour, that woudl be ok? Can anyone advise?
Re sausages, we buy them from local butcher who makes his own. i thought he didn't add anything other than meat, but am assuming our neighbour will know whether they can or can't eat them from that particular shop. I really don't mind this, just wish I'd had a bit longer to sort it out properly!

ooh. like the ricepudding idea Suzy Wong. Don;t have molasses but can substitute muscovado sugar or honey?

yes indeed

you could let it go cold in the fridge and then put in the frozen berries and cover the top with muscovado and brulee it under the grill.

(or even use the blow torch I got last Christmas and never got round to using !!!)

oh hark at her! A blow torch indeed.

I think your hands are tied and it is your duty to make this dessert

From teh perspective of having a gluten-free mum, cornflour should be ok, but you may want to check with your neighbour. Sausages are almost certainly a no-no, I think they all contain a bready/starchy something or they would be really heavy.

swiss marigold bouillon contains lactose (ie dairy!)
Kallo do a 'just bouillon' gravy granules for poultry- dairy & gluten free, available from supermarkets.

I have a recipe for a gorgeous mulled fruit sorbet, but it's faffy and takes time. I can post it if you'd like, tho'.

Sainsburys do gluten free sausages,other sausages contain bread to bulk them.

You're kind to be so considerate, it will be appreciated. i'm going to fils for christmas, and am a little worried about the food

Actually I think pears poached in mulled wine is an excellent christmas dessrt option.

Was going to suggest Orange slices in caramel syrup and cointreau...

Tesco do gluten free sausages (fresh and frozen) now as well, it's all spreading

cornflour is fine for thickening sauces, gravy etc.

Nigella's clementine cake - does have eggs, do your lot eat eggs? - is very easy and quite blissful.

my DS is gluten and wheat free

I do delias flour free cake ( squidgy chocolate log ) for him but substitute the cream filling for a butter cream one ( using 'pure' spread of course )

or

Meringues with raspberries and swedish glace ice cream which is gfdf and delicious and available at supermarkets. No preparation required

I think the poached pears sound great! Meringues are easy to make - imo easier than poached pears and Swedish Glace ice cream is delish. The sausages are probably not OK, but I wouldn't worry, I assume there's loads of other stuff. If you are out shopping though most supermarkets do have gluten free/wheat free sausages.

Delia's vegetarian book has a fantastic recipe for all the fruity and nutty bits of Christmas pudding done in Marsala, but no floury bits so is wheat free. It's supposed to be served with zabaglione or syllabub or something distinctly non-dairy free, but you could swap that part.

Or pears poached in marsala or red wine. Poached pears are dead easy and are my standard pudding when having to deal with lots of people with different intolerances.

Oops, see you actually mentioned poached pears in your OP .

Thanks for all the ideas and advice. Was hoping not to have to go shopping again other than to collect fruit and veg from greengrocers, but think I have enough for her not to go hungry even if I haven't time to make e.g. stuffing substitute/buy "safe" sausages. Just wish I'd had a bit more notice so I could have done a "proper" job for her!