Celiac’s Guide to a Gluten-Free Christmas Dinner
Having food allergies or sensitivities can sometimes limit the excitement of holiday dinners due to the smaller number of dishes one might be able to consume. With a little menu planning, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can enjoy delicious holiday meals made with sorghum. We’ve gathered creative ways to integrate sorghum into your holiday menu that will have even those without food sensitivities coming back for seconds!
Appetizers
Stuffed Mushrooms – This mouth-watering, savory dish has the perfect vegetarian combination of bite and gooey cheese. One batch will also serve a crowd, so this is great for any holiday event.
Popcorn Shrimp (& Grits) – Well-seasoned shrimp and cheesy grits by Chef Marc Forgione make this appetizer a great option for a more upscale party or dinner. It’s also perfectly portioned for individual plates!
Heavenly Fruited Sorghum Salad – To offset all the savory flavors, this sweet and fruity option created by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board would be a nice addition to the holiday table. The bright color in of the mandarin oranges and pineapples make this appetizer bright, colorful and cheery.
Entrees
Strip Steak, Escargot, Braised Lettuce and Sorghum Air Bread – Many people enjoy a hearty prime rib for Christmas dinner, and this dish made by Chef Marc Forgione offers that same beef decadence and upscale feel.
Slow Cooker Sorghum Chicken and Peppers – Instead of takeout Chinese food on Christmas Day, this meal is perfect since it can be left to cook all day in the slow cooker.
Sorghum Bourbon-Glazed Quail and Three Cheese Whole Grain Risotto – Quail is another great option for a special holiday dinner. The salt of the bacon and mixed cheese risotto are a tasty compliment to the sweet sorghum-bourbon glaze drizzled over top the quail.
Side Dishes
Sorghum Potato Gratin – There is always a buttery, tasty dish at the holiday dinner table and this side fits the bill. Sorghum flour is the base of the creamy white sauce that covers these hearty potatoes.
Sorghum Sweet Potatoes – This dish has a combination of sweet, savory and spicy. It’s the perfect, colorful, creamy recipe to pair with many main dishes, like ham or turkey.
Roasted Carrots with Espresso, Dates, Sorghum and Lime – What a fantastic combination of flavors and textures! This vegetable dish created by Chef Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman is full of surprises, including the tart espresso flavor and sweet sorghum sauce.
Desserts
Apple Gingerbread Skillet Cake – Nothing says Christmas like the smell of gingerbread. This skillet cake is a fun twist on the traditional flavor by pairing with another classic fall taste – apples!
Authentic Italian Tiramisu – Coffee is the perfect way to round out a holiday feast. This gluten-free ladyfinger recipe from Hugo’s Restaurant is a great way to integrate sorghum flour into the traditional after-dinner sweets.
Spiced Sorghum Cookies with Cranberry Glaze– These sweet treats are a great dessert and can provide great entertainment for the whole family! Little ones can help roll out the dough, cut the shapes and even assist in decorating the finished cookies with the cranberry glaze and sprinkles!
Use our easy search tool in the “recipe” section to find more holiday meal ideas categorized by type of dish–appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts. We hope you and your family have a great holiday meal!
