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Celiac.com 02/08/2025 - Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, whether that means a romantic evening with a partner, a cozy night at home, or a gathering with friends. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, this holiday can come with extra challenges when it comes to food. However, with the right planning, you can enjoy a delicious, gluten-free Valentine’s Day without worry. Whether you’re staying in and cooking a special meal or planning to dine out, this guide will help you navigate the holiday while keeping gluten off the menu. A Romantic Gluten-Free Night at Home Cooking at home allows you to have complete control over ingredients, making it the safest and often the most enjoyable option for a gluten-free Valentine’s Day. With a bit of preparation, you can create a memorable and indulgent meal that rivals any restaurant experience. Planning Your Menu When crafting a gluten-free Valentine’s Day dinner, focus on naturally gluten-free ingredients and simple substitutions for classic dishes. Here are some ideas: Appetizer: A fresh caprese salad with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. Main Course: Garlic butter steak with roasted vegetables or a creamy risotto made with gluten-free broth. Dessert: A rich, flourless chocolate cake (recipe below). Gluten-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe This decadent flourless chocolate cake is the perfect sweet ending to your Valentine’s Day meal. It’s naturally gluten-free, incredibly rich, and simple to make. Ingredients: 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips ½ cup unsalted butter ¾ cup granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3 large eggs ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Instructions: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter together in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth. Stir in the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Sift in the cocoa powder and mix until fully combined. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center is set. Let the cake cool completely before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or top with fresh berries for an extra touch. This cake is fudgy, rich, and pairs perfectly with a scoop of gluten-free vanilla ice cream. Dining Out on Valentine’s Day: How to Stay Gluten-Free For those who prefer to celebrate with a night out, navigating restaurant menus while staying gluten-free can be a challenge. However, with a little planning and the right approach, you can still enjoy a delicious and worry-free meal. Choosing a Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurant When selecting a restaurant, consider the following: Call Ahead: Contact the restaurant in advance to ask about their gluten-free options and cross-contamination policies. Check Reviews: Look for reviews from others with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to ensure the restaurant takes dietary restrictions seriously. Stick to Naturally Gluten-Free Foods: Opt for dishes that don’t require substitutions, such as grilled meats, seafood, and vegetable-based sides. Communicating Your Needs When ordering, be clear with your server about your dietary restrictions. Here are some key questions to ask: Do you have a dedicated gluten-free menu or preparation area? How do you prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen? Are sauces, marinades, and dressings gluten-free? Can you accommodate special requests to ensure my meal is safe? A good restaurant will take your needs seriously and be willing to accommodate you. Final Thoughts: Enjoy a Stress-Free, Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day Whether you’re staying in for a romantic homemade meal or dining out at a trusted restaurant, Valentine’s Day can be just as delicious and special without gluten. By planning ahead, choosing safe ingredients, and communicating your dietary needs, you can focus on enjoying the holiday with your loved ones. With a little effort, a gluten-free Valentine’s Day can be just as indulgent and romantic as any other celebration.

Celiac.com 02/13/2020 - Ahead of Valentine's Day, much of the buzz turns to chocolate. For people with celiac disease, the talk necessarily turns to gluten-free chocolate. So what are people saying about the gluten-free status of their favorite major chocolate companies? Follow the links below to see what members of our celiac disease and gluten-free forum have said about Cadbury, Dove, Lindt, M&M's and other chocolate companies. We've also included direct links to each manufacturer mentioned, along with links to reliably gluten-free chocolate and other candy. Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Forum Questions and Comments on Gluten-Free Chocolate Dove Chocolate Ghirardelli Chocolate Green & Black Chocolate Guittard Chocolate Company Lindt Chocolate M&M's Candy Toblerone Websites for Chocolate Makers Dove Chocolate Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Godiva Chocolatier Green & Black's Guittard Chocolate Company Lindt USA M&M's Candy Toblerone **Note: An official statement from Jessica Martin of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company reads, in part: "We are pleased to inform you that we are working on removing gluten ingredients from our recipes and hope to complete this work by 2020." Read about the gluten-free status of Cadbury, Hershey's and Snickers Are Cadbury Creme Eggs Gluten-free? Hershey's Chocolate Kisses? Are Snickers Candy Bars Gluten-Free? Gluten-Free Chocolate and Candy Lists Here are some links to reliably gluten-free chocolate and other candy that is safe for people with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance. Safe Gluten-Free Halloween Candy & Chocolate List Gluten-free Easter Candy: Safe and Unsafe Candy & Chocolate List

Celiac.com 02/14/2020 - This recipe for delicious hot cocoa topped with delightful marshmallow hearts comes to us via Martha Stewart, who has always got a creative and delicious twist for Valentine's Day. You'll need a small heart-shaped cutter to make these hearts. And yes, nearly all commercial marshmallows are gluten-free. Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons plus one teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tablespoons finely chopped or shaved semisweet chocolate Vegetable oil for cutting hearts Large marshmallows Directions: Bring milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until chocolate has melted, but DO NOT BOIL! When ready, remove from heat, and ladle into mugs. Use a thin, greased knife to cut several marshmallows in half horizontally, and then press the heart-shaped cutter into the center of each one. Float the marshmallows and the cutout hearts on the top of the hot chocolate.

Celiac.com 02/14/2017 - This recipe for Valentine's Day Surf and Turf is the culinary embodiment of love, and a great way to please both the meat eater and the seafood lover. A good surf and turf can please even the most divergent eaters. Not only is it Valentine's Day coming up, it still lobster season. That means there will be plenty of fresh lobsters on offer at your favorite seafood markets. Here's an easy way to please both the meat eater and the seafood lover and look good doing it. Ingredients: 8 ounces lobster tail, cleaned and chopped 2 (8 ounce) filet mignon steaks 4 teaspoons kosher salt 4 teaspoons fresh cracked pepper 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (1 stick, divided) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 teaspoon lemon zest Directions: Coat filets with salt and pepper and set aside for 20 minutes until room temperature. Mix together ½ stick softened butter with minced garlic, chopped herbs and lemon zest. Form into a log and refrigerate. Generously season the filets with salt and pepper, approximately 1 teaspoon of salt per side. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat the remainder ½ stick butter and the vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet to a high temperature. Sear the filets in the hot pan for about 2-3 minutes per side or until a nice brown crust forms. Keep spooning the residual butter in the pan on top of the meat while the steaks are searing. Once both sides are seared, carefully place the entire skillet with steak in the center of the hot oven for about 6-8 minutes, depending upon thickness. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of compound butter on top of the steaks. Remove done steaks to a plate to rest 5 minutes or so. Using the same pan, stir in chopped lobster meat, and a bit of the compound butter, and cook 2-3 minutes until lobster turns white. Place cooked lobster under hot broiler until the lobster begins to brown. Remove Spoon cooked chopped lobster meat over cooked filets. Heat the remaining ¼ cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until melted and aromatic. Spoon the butter over the lobster and steaks, and serve hot.