Giving up gluten due to Celiac or an intolerance does not have to mean giving up your favorite Christmas dishes as well. Many traditional Christmas meals and desserts, including breads, cakes, cookies and side dishes can be modified to be gluten-free, while still maintaining flavor. Try these gluten-free Christmas recipes and celebrate a love of good food as well as tradition.
Sweet Potato Puff Casserole
Try this banana-sweetened twist on a traditional sweet potato casserole. It has a creamy, satisfying texture that will complement any main dish.
Combine all ingredients except the pecans in a large bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Press the mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Top with the chopped pecans right before serving.
Christmas Pear and Chocolate Trifle Recipe
Trifle is a traditional Christmas dessert that uses a cake as its bottom layer. This recipe starts with a gluten-free cake, then uses a mascarpone-based filling for a decedent, chocolate dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons chopped, gluten-free dark chocolate
1 cup butter
2 cups, plus 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
5 eggs, separated, plus 2 yolks
6 pears, peeled
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups water
5 ounces Marsala
2 tubs mascarpone cheese
Dark chocolate for grating
Instructions
Melt the chocolate and butter together in the top half of a double boiler.
Cream together 2 cups of sugar and 5 egg yolks until thick and pale.
Fold in the chocolate mixture and mix well.
Beat the egg whites in a second bowl until medium peaks form.
Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
Pour the batter into a greased, 9-inch springform pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours, or until set in the center.
Allow to cool completely.
While the cake bakes, place the pears, vanilla and water in a medium saucepan.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the pears are tender.
Allow the pears to cool in the liquid, then slice them into 6 pieces each.
Combine the remaining sugar and yolks in the saucepan, along with 6 tablespoons of the Marsala in the top half of a double boiler.
Bring the water in the bottom of the double boiler to a simmer and whisk the mixture until it thickens.
In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone with the remaining Marsala until it thins. Fold in the egg mixture.
Slice the cake lengthwise into layers.
Place one layer in the bottom of a large bowl. Top with grated chocolate, a few slices of pear and some of the mascarpone mixture.
Repeat with the remaining layers of cake and the other ingredients. Finish with a few slices of pear and some grated chocolate.
Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole with crunchy, fried onions on top is a classic dish for many holiday tables. Thanks to gluten-free condensed soups, you can make this dish for your gluten-free Christmas table as well.
Ingredients
2 medium white onions
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying
4 cups cooked green beans
2 containers gluten-free condensed mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk
Instructions
Slice the onions into thin rings.
Soak the onion slices in buttermilk for approximately 30 minutes.
Combine the flour with salt and pepper on a large plate.
Remove the onions from the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture.
Heat the oil in a large skillet and fry the onions in a single layer until golden brown.
Drain on a set of paper towels and set aside.
Combine the green beans, mushroom soup, milk and salt and pepper to taste in a large casserole dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
Top with the fried onion rings and serve immediately.
Enjoy Good Food
With some gluten-free recipes at your disposal, your Christmas dinner traditions can continue as if you never went gluten-free. Try these safe choices for your next Christmas dinner, and enjoy good food again.
