5 tips for an allergy-free Christmas dinner
Allergies and religions are just as trendy as Balenciaga's. Count on it that there will be a gluten-intolerant or vegan guest at your Christmas dinner. To keep peace and harmony plus peace on earth during Christmas: five tips to keep everyone seated nicely at the table.
A small disclaimer is in order here. I, a former pescatarian (which means you don't eat meat but do eat fish), once celebrated Christmas as the odd one out at the dinner. Tip number 1: the atmosphere stays above zero if you accept someone else's dietary wishes. Don't turn your Christmas celebration into a House of Commons.
The vegetarian
‘Pepper sauce, pepper sauce over the turkey’ is a hit from the Albert Heijn commercials. Yet, you can also score very well vegan Christmas recipes from the Allerhande. Steak tartare as a starter? Then just cut a meat-tomato brunoise for the vegetarian. And then ‘Beet Wellington’ as the main course.
The vegan
Feels like a big challenge, but after less than two minutes of searching, I found this recipe: truffle polenta with porcini mushrooms, roasted vine tomatoes, and pistachio crumble. No chicken or egg involved, and I wouldn't be surprised if the table guests look enviously at their plates with ham in mustard sauce.
The gluten-free
Then you can still have the turkey and potato gratin. A gluten-free Christmas dessert requires a little bit of research, as sweets like brownies, puff pastry cups, or carrot cake are on the forbidden list. A pavlova with whipped cream, berries, and mint syrup is completely gluten-proof.
The lactose-intolerant
Goodbye creamy forest mushroom soup, cheese fondue, and chocolate mousse. If you're cooking around allergies, it's better to focus on what you can make. And that is still a lot with lactose-free. Go for coconut milk and make an Indonesian rice table. And serve raspberry macarons with mango sorbet for dessert.
Enjoy, and don't forget that your brother doesn't like Brussels sprouts and your sister-in-law doesn't eat her meat too rare.
