Traveling. Dining out. Hosting. “What’s the plan?” asks my mom. With three teenagers, horses, chickens, and a dog, traveling has become a bit cumbersome. With our kids each recognizing their unique physiological responses to gluten, dining out is challenging. So that leaves hosting.
Traditions + Gluten Free = Yummy
Traditions are important in my family so we are having a traditional Thanksgiving meal beginning with the turkey and ending with pie. We have something old and something new… Grandma’s recipes and never-been-tried recipes. See below for links to some of our gobble-gobble go-to’s.
Turkey
It even says GLUTEN FREE on the label. Um, it’s a whole turkey. It better not be injected with gluten!
Mashed potatoes
The guy at Costco tried to convince me I should go back to the deli for the pre-made spuds. I told him I preferred to watch my ten pounds of red potatoes transform from whole to mashed myself. Mine are loaded with cream cheese, garlic, butter, some of the boiling liquid, and salt and pepper.
Gravy
McCormick now has Gluten Free (GF) turkey gravy and also GF brown gravy. I know I can make it from scratch, but I prefer the package for special events.
Stuffing
After visiting multiple stores, I finally found some gluten free croutons. I also found a link to a recipe that looks just like my Grandma’s. It has ground beef, chicken broth, butter, and lots of seasonings! Yummo! /
Rolls
Bread will even bless our table this year. We will use Brazi Bites.
Cranberries
My mom is starting with a bag of fresh cranberries. After simmering, she will grace the table with her cranberry sauce!
Green beans
Beginning as regular green beans, this year they’re ending as Cheesy Baked Green Beans.
Dessert(s)
Custard pie is my dad’s favorite. He just had a birthday and I didn’t know what to get him. So I’m going to make him a pie using his mom’s recipe, albeit with a gluten free crust, which I get at Fresh and Natural in Shoreview. Ssshhh!
Not everyone likes custard so there will also be a chocolate dessert of some kind. Will it be the yummy moist Trimtastic Cake with zucchini ? Maybe I’ll make a chocolate pudding pie. Better yet, maybe I’ll go to Nadia Cakes and buy a couple of gluten free pies to compete with the custard.
Roots
This song has the perfect lyrics for Thanksgiving! “My roots always keep me grounded. Remind me where I’m from.” Thank you to my mom and dad for being the BEST ever. “What don’t kill you, will only make you stronger.” And I have to say, we are a STRONG family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PJRnr3wi6I
May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, food, and fun. May you remember your roots. Love you all!
PS Comment below on some of your favorite holiday traditions
NOTE: THERE ARE AFFILIATE LINKS ABOVE, WHICH HELP SUPPORT MY MISSION OF SHARING STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT LEARNING WITH EDUCATORS AND PARENTS. THANK YOU FOR USING THOSE LINKS.
