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Festive food - Catering for people with food intolerances

Christmas time is one of the hardest times of year for me, for  a lot of reasons.  Christmas reminds is of the people are who are no longer here.  This will be the first one without my dad. 

 It's a difficult time of year for those of us with mental health problems. My  depression and anxiety get worse, I find busy shops and streets hard to deal with.  My food intolerances increase my anxiety as well.  I dread the idea of eating out or being invited to someones house.

Not everyone knows how to cater for those individuals with food intolerances.  I often wonder how many people feel they can't or just avoid inviting them at all.  There are so many foods that are naturally gluten and dairy free.  

Free from foods are now more economical and readily available in our local supermarkets.  I've done some research and found ideas to share.  Hopefully making it easier for everyone this festive season.  
ASDA



Schar Gluten Free Pizza Base
Gluten, Wheat and Dairy free
Asda £3.00

 Make your own pizza, and cut into slices to serve as part of a buffet.  Or rub in fresh garlic and brush on vegetable oil and make your own garlic bread, to serve with dips.  
Schar Gluten Free Panini Rolls
Gluten, wheat and dairy free
Asda £2.00

 Use rolls to make Gluten free sandwiches, it makes it easier to  distinguish them from normal ones.  Remember to use a separate board and utensils to make them, to avoid cross contamination.

Food Heaven Dairy Free Lemon Dessert
Free from gluten, eggs and Dairy
Asda £2.99

 Find in the freezer section.  Perfect light and refreshing dessert to end a meal or serve buffet style.  

 Linda McCartney's Vegetarian Cocktail Sausages
Vegan cocktail Sausages
Asda £2.00

 Cocktail sausages on a stick are a buffet staple.  Put out some olives, roasted peppers or pickled onions, so people can make their own personal mini kabobs.  

 Using two separate coloured dishes, to distinguish between the ordinary and free from food items.  

 ASDA Free From 6 Gingerbread SantasASDA Free From 6 Gingerbread Men
Gluten, wheat and dairy free 
- Asda Santa's £1.20
- Gingerbread men £1.50

 Great treat for kids young and old, fun Gingerbread to eat.  If you're trying to amuse children set up a decorating table for them to have some fun.
TESCO
Tesco Free From Plain Crackers 125G
Gluten, wheat and dairy free
Tesco £1.43

 Serve beside dairy free cheese and chutneys, so your guests can customise their own tasty bite.  
Nairns Gluten Free Wholegrain Crackers 114G
Gluten, and dairy free 
Uses Sustainable palm oil
Tesco £1.60

 Traditional Oatcakes are make with rolled oats, so are naturally gluten free. If you have a serious allergy, Nairn also make a Gluten free produced in a sealed environment.  

 Tesco Free From Garlic Doughballs 137G
Free from Gluten, wheat, milk and egg
Tesco £2.00

 Be creative and serve your guests Mugs of soup, perfect for those chilly Winter nights.  Serve with a spoon and garlic dough balls on the side to dip in.  

 Tesco Free From Pastry Cases 105G
Free from Gluten, wheat and dairy
Tesco £2.50

 Use to make either sweet or savoury canapes.  Fill with onion or tomato chutney.  Try Thick coconut cream and a slice of fruit for a sweet version.  You could fill these with a homemade chocolate ganache filling, then sprinkle on some icing sugar for the perfect sweet dessert.   
Tesco Free From Gingerbread Stars 100G
Free from gluten, wheat and dairy
Tesco £1.99

Another Gingerbread treat that can be served in a bowl for a party.  Some people prefer a basic cookie biscuit instead of other sweet Christmas treats.

 Tesco Free From 12 Rocky Road Mini Bites
Free from Gluten, wheat, dairy and egg
Tesco £3.00
Don't just concentrate on buying luxury buffet items. These rocky road bites are vegan friendly, making them a perfect free from party food.    



Salsa and tortilla chips are a party staple


 Naturally gluten and dairy free

MORRISONS


 Morrisons Free From Cracker Selection Box

 Free From Cracker Selection
Morrisons £2.97

 Cracker are a great store cupboard staple, for any unexpected food intolerant guests.  Or buy to make them up their own personal Christmas food hamper.  
Lovemore Gingerbread men
Free from gluten, wheat and dairy
Morrisons £1.66





Great Food Falafel range
Gluten, wheat and dairy free
Morrisons £2.75



Great food Spicy Green lentil & coconut bites
Free From Gluten, dairy and egg
Morrisons £1.27

 These Falafel and lentil bites from Great food, are perfect party food. Falafel should be naturally gluten and dairy free.  So are not just for those of us with food intolerances. You can serve them with sweet chilli sauce or mayonnaise with added lemon juice.  

Fresh Fruit makes a great edible table decoration
Once in short supply, it became a Christmas stocking filler treat
Santa always left me a satsuma and apple  in my Stocking


Sainsbury's

Image for Sainsbury's Deliciously FreeFrom Garlic & Herb Coconut Based Alternative To Soft Cheese 170g from Sainsbury's
Free from garlic and herb 
coconut based dairy alternative
Sainsbury's £1.80

Violife Christmas Dairy free & Vegan cheese platter
Sainsbury's £5.50

 Cheese and crackers for those individuals who don't like sweet treats and desserts.  Serve with chutney on the side 
Tyrrells Lightly Sea salted crisps
Gluten and dairy free 
Sainsbury's £1.00

Image for Sainsbury's Deliciously Freefrom Mini Chocolate Logs x5 220g from Sainsbury's
Free From Mini Chocolate logs
Gluten, wheat and dairy free
Sainsbury's £2.50

 I'm stocking up on these for Christmas, who can resist a mini chocolate log


Freedom Mallows Vegetarian 
Sainsburys £1.50

A Dairy free hot chocolate, with vegetarian marshmallows on top is the perfect drink during winter.  A festive gathering or party doesn't need to just serve cold drinks.

Irish Coffee's or a drop of spirit added into a hot Chocolate, will work great for the adults.  I have fond memories of an evening drinking la mamba hot chocolate with brandy.  


Our family tradition is to have a pot of homemade soup or stovies on the hob keeping warm, for any guests that come visiting.   Both our easy to make Gluten and dairy free.  Festive food is what you make it, don't be constrained by what you think is normal.  Be creative and make your own family traditions.  

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