By Elizabeth Kaplan
This year I am hosting a New Year’s Eve party with appetizers and desserts — and its all going to be gluten -free!
In year’s past I would create dishes that were both gluten-free and gluten-containing. Nowadays, everything I make is gluten-free, and it is so much easier to entertain. To be honest with you, no one ever misses the gluten. I haven’t had one friend say, “Hey, where is my gluten!”
The reason I have gone this route is that my family is gluten-free: I was diagnosed 6 years ago with celiac disease, and consequently I had my three children tested and they are also gluten-free. My husband, who is extremely health conscious, does not need to be gluten-free but he goes along with it because, well, I am the cook so he doesn’t really have a choice.
This year for New Year’s Eve we are having over 8 families, kids and all. So my menu is both kid-friendly and gluten-free-friendly. Here is my menu with links to the recipes:
Appetizers:
Gluten-free Turkey Meatballs
Both kids and adults love these meatballs! You an either make the bbq sauce from scratch or purchase gluten-free BBQ sauce. I often use Annie’s brand available at Whole Foods and other finer natural foods stores.
Chicken, Manchego and Pomegranate Polenta Squares
This is the MOST delicious appetizer. Everyone loves it! Again, you can use the same BBQ sauce is you make it from scratch or you can use a gluten-free purchased BBQ sauce.
Italian Salad with gluten-free croutons
Healthy and delicious!
Assorted gourmet cheeses served with grapes, green apples and Mary’s Gone Crackers gluten-free crackers, available at Whole Foods and other finer natural food stores.
Gluten-free Cheddar Biscuits
Top these with gluten-free chicken salad served with Dijon mustard and Major Grey’s Chutney! This is a little sandwich type appetizer, filling and savory.
Desserts:
Gluten-free Chocolate Bourbon Pie
Mmmmm, this is so good served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Gluten-free Cranberry-Ginger Pound Cake
We love this for dessert and eat the left-overs in the morning with our coffee!
These recipes combine to make a fabulous, festive table: the colors and aromas will truly make for a delightful New Year’s Eve celebration! Bon Appetit and Happy New Year!!!!!
