Help! Need Ideas For A gluten-free, Dairy Free, Soy Free Dish To Pass!

[Miss Emily]

Since being diagnosed, I have gone through several phases when it comes to potlucks. First, as a newly diagnosed Celiac, I had no idea what I was doing and ate everything but the bread rolls. Then, after I learned exactly what gluten free meant, I resolved to sit in the corner and pout. After that, I avoided gatherings with food altogether. Finally, once I was comfortable and done feeling sorry for myself, I began bringing my own food. I would bring a Glutino Frozen Meal or Spaghetti in a tupperware and I was content with this for over a year. However, now, I really want to contribute. I want to bring a dish to pass that I can safely eat too! This is a huge undertaking for me, as I am Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, and MSG/Additive Free. Also, I would like to bring something that is substantial, not just a fruit salad or veggie platter. I want to be able to go to the table and take a portion of what I brought just like everyone else. So, I need help! Ideas, recipies, anything! Please!!!

Thank you

[FMcGee]

Hi! I totally hear you on the difficulty-of-potlucks thing. I make this dish all the time, for non-celiacs and non-vegetarians, and everyone loves it:

Barbecued Baked Lentils

3 c. water (you might need a little more)

2 c. dried brown lentils

1/2 tsp. salt, divided

1 c. diced onion

2/3 c. gluten-free ketchup (I had some low-sodium gluten-free ketchup, but I ran out and now I can't remember what the brand was)

1/4 c. maple syrup

1/4 c. gluten-free mustard

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Preheat oven to 350. Combine water, lentils, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Drain lentils in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 c. cooking liquid. Combine lentils and diced onion in an 11x7" baking dish. Combine 1/4 tsp. salt, cooking liquid and remaining ingredients in a bowl. Pour over lentils, stirring to combine. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

I hope you like it! It sounds like an odd mix of ingredients, but it's really, really good.

[Miss Emily]

  FMcGee said:

Hi! I totally hear you on the difficulty-of-potlucks thing. I make this dish all the time, for non-celiacs and non-vegetarians, and everyone loves it:

Barbecued Baked Lentils

3 c. water (you might need a little more)

2 c. dried brown lentils

1/2 tsp. salt, divided

1 c. diced onion

2/3 c. gluten-free ketchup (I had some low-sodium gluten-free ketchup, but I ran out and now I can't remember what the brand was)

1/4 c. maple syrup

1/4 c. gluten-free mustard

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Preheat oven to 350. Combine water, lentils, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Drain lentils in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 c. cooking liquid. Combine lentils and diced onion in an 11x7" baking dish. Combine 1/4 tsp. salt, cooking liquid and remaining ingredients in a bowl. Pour over lentils, stirring to combine. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

I hope you like it! It sounds like an odd mix of ingredients, but it's really, really good.

Thank you so much!

[FMcGee]

  Miss Emily said:

Thank you so much!

Any time! Let me know what you think if you try it. I'm supposed to be talking with my beloved caterer for my entirely-gluten-free wedding soon, and if she has any great ideas that sound like non-caterers could make, I'll post them somewhere on these boards.

[samcarter]

I made this broccoli slaw for a party and it was a huge hit. If you can find mayonnaise that is not made with soybean oil, you're good to go. Make it the day before.

2 heads broccoli, florets separated, stems peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks

1/2 small red onion, minced very fine

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 T sugar

1 t salt

Use a food processor with the slicing blade or a mandoline to slice the broccoli thin. It'll be messy, but worth it.

Toss the broccoli with the cranberries and onion and almonds in a large bowl.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt together. Add to the broccoli and toss.

Cover, refrigerate overnight so the onion will mellow and not be sharp.

[purple]

I was thinking of "meaty" baked beans. Your favorite cooked meat, beans of choice, cooked onions, bbq sauce or ketchup/brown sugar/molasses/garlic powder etc. Adjust to taste. Heat in a crock pot. Be sure to add enough sauce so it doesn't get dry later on.

I like bacon, baked beans or a mixture of beans (this is the only way I will eat baby lima beans), ground beef, onions, brown sugar, dab of molasses and mustard, garlic powder, ketchup...

Beans, chicken bits and bbq sauce.

Water chestnuts will give it a crunch.

Or chili and bring add ons in a sectional dish like cheese/sour cream (for others), onions , olives, chopped tomatoes, jalapenos, avocados or guacamole...chips too!

I have a 3 and a 5 sectional dish I use often for salads toppings or cut fruit.

[FMcGee]

Ooh! I just thought of something else. You could make quinoa, and add in spices that you'd put in chili (cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, whatever) and also add in beans, corn, cilantro, tomatoes, and lime juice. Quinoa's really flexible, and surprisingly popular despite its wacky name. You could also probably just make this with rice, too, but in my head, a cold quinoa salad sounds really refreshing. Then again, I'm in Florida and taking my dogs out to do their stuff is practically giving me heat stroke.

[Juliebove]

I've made a pasta salad that is really good. I don't have an exact recipe because we modified one out of my daughter's cookbook. We just put in what we like.

Basically you need some pasta in somewhat large shapes. We use a tricolored quinoa pasta. I cook it until just done, then plunge it in cold water, changing the water a few times to cool it.

Put the pasta in large bowl and mix in whatever vegetables you like. I use grape tomatoes, bell peppers cut in bite sized pieces, cucumbers cut in bite sized pieces, green onions cut in slices, black olives, baby carrots and a can of kidney beans. Other beans such as black, garbanzo, or even white beans could be added. Green olives would be good in this too. To make it even more substantial, you could add some hard salami that has been cut in strips. Not sure if salami has MSG in it or not. But really any kind of cooked meat cut in bite sized pieces would work or even a can of tuna!

Mix it with some gluten-free Italian dressing and add salt, pepper and parsley to taste.

Another yummy dish you can make is layered enchiladas. Get some corn tortillas. Make a layer of these then add some cooked ground beef, cooked chicken cut in bite sized pieces or shredded, or some cooked shredded beef or pork. Then add a layer of sauce. You could use made up canned enchilda sauce, salsa, or even canned tomato sauce with a little chili powder mixed in. Top this with some canned creamed corn to give it the illusion of cheese. Pinto, kidney or black beans can be used instead of meat or in addition to. Make as many layers as you want.

You can do this in the crockpot, but be sure not to cook it over about 2 to 3 hours or your tortillas will sort of melt into the dish. Or you can put it in the oven and heat through. This can be garnished with green peppers and white onions either chopped or cut in strips, and black olives either whole or sliced.

Or you could make a quick chili. Just use three cans of beans (different kinds) and a can of corn. Drain the beans or not, depending on how thick you want it. Add a can of corn and a jar of salsa. I usually doctor this up with some chili powder, cocoa powder. This only needs to be heated through so you can do it on the stove or in the crockpot. You may add cooked meat (same as you would put in the enchiladas) if you want. This can be served over rice.

[RiceGuy]

Well, I don't want to make you feel uneasy about it, but isn't there a risk of CC, with everyone bringing the serving spoon to their plate and all that? And suppose someone uses a spoon from another dish? I guess you'd know better than anyone if that might happen.

Anyway, looks like you've gotten some fine ideas so far. The first thing that comes to mind is a large pot of chili. Or use gluten-free macaroni to make something like American style goulash.

[hannahp57]

Why not just do a potroast? meat, carrots, potatoes and maybe an onion. this is naturally gluten free so you won't be sharing your slightly more expensive pasta and it will definitely be a hit!

[Miss Emily]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, everyone! So, I ended up making Pasta Salad. I used tri-colored gluten free pasta, GFSFDF Italian dressing (Seeds of Change brand), cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. I also brought a bag of potatoe chips and some Bushes Baked Beans! I kept in mind the CC issue and set my food out last, right before everyone ate, and grabbed a large helping for myself before anyone else dug in! I also made sure to take extra spoonfuls so I would have plenty for myself and gave the leftovers to the hostess. I can't wait to try all of these other recipies soon! I found a recipe for the Meaty Baked Beans too Happy Father's Day!

[CountryStar]

Well, today for Father's Day my aunt gave me a recipe to share.

I think it would fit with your needs.

It is Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Apple Crisp:

base:

4 c. chopped apples

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 c. Sugar

Dash of water

Mix these ingredients together and place in a sprayed baking pan

topping:

1/2 c. rice flower

1/3 c. oil

2/3 c. sugar

mix well and spread over the apple mixture

bake on 400 until bubbly and brown

it was really quite tasty!

[purple]

  Miss Emily said:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, everyone! So, I ended up making Pasta Salad. I used tri-colored gluten free pasta, GFSFDF Italian dressing (Seeds of Change brand), cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. I also brought a bag of potatoe chips and some Bushes Baked Beans! I kept in mind the CC issue and set my food out last, right before everyone ate, and grabbed a large helping for myself before anyone else dug in! I also made sure to take extra spoonfuls so I would have plenty for myself and gave the leftovers to the hostess. I can't wait to try all of these other recipies soon! I found a recipe for the Meaty Baked Beans too Happy Father's Day!

Pasta salad with Italian dressing is yummy! I add mayo to make it more creamy.

I found this recipe, similar to what I have made before, for meaty beans, but I never use sausage or lime juice and less lima beans.

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