Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»News»In The News»Simply Healthy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Appetizers for Entertaining

    Simply Healthy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Appetizers for Entertaining

    0
    By Alisa Fleming on December 9, 2007 In The News, News

    The holidays are here, which means swarms of social events, tables filled with food, and a variety of palates to cater to.  With each passing year, more and more people are dreading this holiday smorgasbord, as special diets seem to be moving closer to the norm than the exception.

    While very few guests would want you to rearrange your entire menu for their personal needs, a few tasty offerings that everyone can eat will be appreciated more than you might think.

    Contrary to popular belief, catering to special diet or two need not be difficult.  Here are a few easy shortcuts for gluten-free and dairy-free appetizers:

    • Ask the guest to bring a favorite dish or two.  They may not feel comfortable showing up with food unannounced.  So, be honest with them and let them co-host a few items.
    • Ask the guest for suggestions.  If you really want to cater to all guests, but have a lack of ideas, give them a call and ask for a few menu ideas.
    • Make that little extra effort and customize a few favorites.  If you have little experience in special diets, don’t try to tackle gluten-free breads overnight or take a stab at dairy-free cheese.  But, if your favorite recipe merely calls for a few tablespoons of flour, try using alternative gluten-free flour, such as rice flour.  In such small amounts, it should have little effect on the delicious outcome.  If the only problem is milk, non-dairy alternatives can be used at almost every occasion.  Just pick up an aseptic package of soy, rice, or almond milk for a couple of bucks at most markets.  For butter, sub in a dairy-free margarine (trans fat free of course, such as Earth Balance), or opt to replace the fat with a heart-healthy oil.
    • Don’t hide the box. Keep in mind that pre-packaged items from bread to mustard can contain a myriad of strange ingredients.  Rather than fussing, just keep the original packages handy so that your guest may request to peruse the ingredients.
    • Think basic. Last but certainly not least, turn to dishes that naturally meet your guests’ needs for an effortless “free-from” dish or two:

    Dairy-Free Dips

    This selection of easy to make dips will suit most guests, from the food allergic to vegans and vegetarians…

    • Hummus – Rich with garbanzos and sesame, this flavorful and versatile dip is nutritious and delicious. Plus, with so many varieties to choose from, how can you go wrong?
    • Guacamole – Skip the sour cream and opt for an avocado and salsa type guacamole that will bring smiles to so many faces.
    • Tapanades – An Olive or Sun-Dried Tomato Tapanade will add a touch of elegance to your appetizer table.
    • White Bean Spread – Beans may not sound elegant enough, but when paired with a little rosemary, they are truly holiday-worthy.

    Simply Healthy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Appetizers for Entertaining

    Dairy-Free Appetizers For Dipping

    Bread is obviously a problem for gluten-free guests, and surprisingly, many bread products harbor milk in various forms.  If you don’t have time to procure just the right bread, stick with the basics…

    • Chips – These may not be the healthiest option, but many brands of plain potato chips and tortilla chips are safe for gluten-free, dairy-free diets.  Be sure to ask the guest to recommend a brand, or let them supply the chips!
    • Vegetables – An assortment of vegetables, including carrot sticks, celery, cherry tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and … the list goes on … will be appreciated by all guests who can already feel those holiday pounds creeping on.

    Simply Healthy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Appetizers for Entertaining

    Dairy-Free Appetizers For Snacking

    • Cocktail Style Seafood – Unless you have a shellfish allergic guest arriving, simply prepared prawns and crab can be excellent and healthy finger food.  Though I would always ask the guest for recommendations, cocktail sauce can on occasion harbor gluten, so ask your guest for a recommendation, or make it homemade with a basic recipe and even a simple healthy ketchup.
    • Fresh Fruit – Melon balls, pineapple slices, orange wedges, and other palate cleansing bites are a must for any holiday table.
    • Prosciutto Mellon Balls – Dress up that fruit with this delicious classic.
    • Nuts – A bowl of nuts for cracking always brings holiday fun, but some homemade sugar pecans or other spiced nuts, will also be a tasty treat.
    • Popcorn – Just a drizzle of coconut oil and some salt is all you need and people will be munching for hours. But you can make it even more addictive with spices.

    Simply Healthy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Appetizers for Entertaining

    For more wonderful recipes and ideas, see the following:

    • Tips and Recipes for Delicious Safe Free Of Holidays
    • Over 75 Dairy-Free Pies for the Holidays
    • The Biggest Gathering of Thanksgiving (and Christmas!) Recipes
    • Over 150 Dairy-Free Appetizer Recipes
    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    Dairy-Free Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe - creamy, cheesy, rich, and fulfilling. Optionally gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Plant-based nd vegan-friendly.

    Dairy-Free Stuffed Mushrooms with Perfect Cheesy Creamy Flavor

    Pizza Pizza Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Vegan Options

    Pizza Pizza has the Biggest Dairy-Free & Vegan Menus Around

    Over 50 Dairy-Free Valentine's Day Treats you can Buy at the Store with Allergen Notes and Vegan Options!

    50 Dairy-Free Valentine’s Day Treats you can Buy at the Store

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    Dairy-Free Queso Recipe that's Kindly Allergy-Friendly and Truly Plant-Based - nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, sesame-free, vegan, and even oil-free. From Dreena's Kind Kitchen Cookbook

    Dairy-Free Queso that’s Kindly Nut-Free and Truly Plant-Based

    Strawberry Love Muffins - Vegan Strawberry Muffins Recipe that's sweet, simple, and naturally dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free.

    Strawberry Love Muffins are a Simply Sweet Vegan Treat

    Enjoy Life FoodsFames Chocolates. From Brooklyn with loveEat dairy free bookChocolate Emporium
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.