Today is Christmas Eve … wow! We hosted my family’s celebration here this afternoon. Our time together was great. Admittedly, some of my food plans fell by the wayside as our gathering time approached, but that often happens and it was okay because of course, we had more than enough of everything. Yes, gluten-free food for Christmas!
We all do that, right? Chances are that all of you have your meals and even snack foods planned for the next few days. But, just in case, you don’t or perhaps you are already thinking ahead to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day next weekend, I thought I’d share some links for gfe recipes that are enjoyed by our family during the holidays and even some “new ones” that I’ve been serving this holiday season just to change things up.
We already hosted a party with our cousins a week ago. Everyone brought a dish and both the food and company were wonderful and enjoyed by all.
For Christmas at our house, we rarely have “formal” sit-down meals. It’s almost always all about appetizers or buffet-worthy entrees with lots of desserts.
There’s a festive beverage for the adults …
The comforting hot cider drink that can be made for all (including the kiddos) to enjoy …
A little Black-Eyed Pea Soup—hearty and comforting—to take the chill off … something different from the traditional, rich fare.
The favorite appetizer—Crab Ball (a divine crab spread made from just two ingredients) …
and there are Mom’s Deviled Eggs, too. (As you can see, a few get eaten immediately!) And, that decadent fudge of hers that I keep mentioning. One day, I’ll have a healthier version to share.
Getting in some of the green stuff means Great Salad—that salad that will have everyone eating salad and loving it!
There’s Susie’s Crab Casserole (which she brought today and I may make to take to my mother-in-law’s house tomorrow).
For more seafood, Oven-Steamed Shrimp is a nice alternative to the sometimes bland, ready-to-go shrimp rings.
Flourless Pizza, cut into small squares, is loved by everyone. I made this for the cousins’ party and again today and several family members will be visiting gfe for the first time to get the recipe. Have you made it yet?
Dessert could be any manner of goodies, but last week we had Crustless Coconut Pie and Mediterranean Chocolate Cake—with birthday candles (a cousin had just had her birthday).
Today the Crustless Coconut Pie was on the menu again, but coconut also appeared in the form of cookies—Coconut Meringues. And, no matter the time of year, my Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies are requested
Wishing you all good gluten-free food for Christmas, good health, and much happiness during this entire holiday season and the New Year!
You can see the previous 25 Days of Christmas posts below.
Day 1 – Gluten-Free Holiday Galore x 10—Review of Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? plus gluten-free treats and fun stuff.
Day 2 — Guest Post from Debi Smith (Hunter’s Lyonesse)—My Journey Back to Healthy Living
Day 3 — Corn and Butter Bean (or Lima Bean) Casserole
Day 4 — Little Cayman Beach Resort Review
Day 5 — 20 Thoughts on International Food Bloggers Conference
Day 6 — Nutiva Products (Coconut, Hemp x 2, & Chia) Review
Day 7 — Reindeer Antlers Punch for Share Our Holiday Table (You can always donate to help feed a child.)
Day 8 – Flourless Pecan Sandies (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free)
Day 9 — Volcano Pancake and Other Breakfast Fare Plus Allegro Marinade
Day 10 – The Palate Peacemaker’s Pecan Butter & Pumpkin … Uh Oh … Cake!
Day 11 — Kitchen Table Bakers Crisps (now called Parm Crisps) Review
Day 12 — Linda Etherton (Gluten-Free Homemaker) Personal Gluten-Free Story
Day 13 — The Spunky Coconut Grain-Free Baked Goods & Desserts Cookbook Review
Day 14 — Sweet and Crunchy Snack Mix and Classic Spicy Snack Mix (Make Great Gifts … Even Last Minute)
Day 15 — Winners, Gluten-Free Holiday, and Super Short Roundup
Day 16 — Review: Bakery on Main Granola and Granola Bars
Day 17 — Review of Ricki Heller’s Desserts Without Compromise
Day 18 — An Unexpected Christmas Blessing
Originally published December 25, 2010; updated December 5, 2021.
Kristina @ spabettie says
Everything looks wonderfully delicious! I am going to try that pizza… I am very intrigued!
Shirley, my friend, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!! XO
Shirley says
Hey Kristina–Thanks, dear! I’ll be waiting to hear what you think of the pizza. 😉 So far I haven’t met anyone who has tried it and has not been amazed AND loved it! If you read all the comments to that post, you’ll see how a few folks do slight variations (e.g., thicker crust, bigger pan).
Thanks so much for the heartfelt Christmas and New Year wishes! I wish you and yours the very same. 🙂 xoxo,
Shirley
Theresa P. says
Hi Shirley, everything looks so delicious! i too am going to try the pizza recipe as well as many others. but already got the ingreds. for the pizza so that will be tomarrow.Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!
Shirley says
Hi Theresa–Thanks for the kind words on the food and the wonderful holiday wishes! Wishing you the same, dear! We’re still “enjoying” the after effects of our White Christmas. 😉
Please let me know if you made the pizza and what you think. You can leave a comment on the pizza post if you are so inclined. I’ll be holding my breath until then …
Hugs,
Shirley
Karina says
Wishing you a lovely New Year filled with deliciousness.
Shirley says
Hi Karina–Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing such sweet New Year wishes! 😉 Wishing you all the same, of course! Got to look around your blog again yesterday and truly fell in love all over again. If I stay away any period of time, you always have lots of delightful changes/surprises waiting for me. 😉
xo,
Shirley
MaryBeth says
I love this site, my mother in law was told she has this same problem earlier this year. It has been hard for her to adjust along with the rest of us. When we have family gatherings I also do my best to make something gluten free and yummy for her to enjoy.
Shirley says
Hi MaryBeth–It looks like this is your first time commenting—welcome to gfe! 🙂 And, what a super sweet comment, too—thanks so much! It’s wonderful that you making delicious gluten-free food for you MIL and leading by example, too. I sincerely hope it will get easier and easier for all of you. Please let me know if there’s anything specific you’re struggling with … maybe I can help.
Shirley
Ricki says
Wow, Shirley, what a feast you all had! I can’t believe you actually have a devilled egg platter with places for each egg (Makes me think of my chip/dip plate–and how I usually forget to even use it when I serve dip & chips!) 😉 Your gathering sounds wonderful. Wishing you more special time over the holidays and a very happy New Year, my friend! xo
Shirley says
Hi Ricki–Thanks! I hope you know that we didn’t eat it all in one day. We’re still eating this food … breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are lots of deviled egg platters (with separate places for the eggs) in my family. I actually gave my mom a holiday deviled egg platter one year, and now I must ask her why she didn’t use it. Hmmm. Could be that it had more spots than she wanted to fill. 😉 I know what you mean about the chip/dip plates. I’ve been remembering to use one lately, but when space allows. Sometimes they take up so much more room than two pretty bowls set side by side.
Thanks for the special time wishes … I’m wishing the very same for you. Must go to work now though. Hugs,
Shirley
brooke @B & the boy! says
The pizza caught my eye too!!! I am going to see what I can do about that for this year. My next goal is to figure out a dairy free fondue for New Years! Belated Merry Christmas to you!
Shirley says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and the Christmas wishes, Brooke! Hope you had a merry one and are still celebrating! 🙂
I bet you’ll have no problem figuring out dairy-free fondue. If it’s chocolate, it should be quite easy … or even a savory one, should not be too hard. I’ll look forward to that and your pizza report/review when it happens. 😉
Shirley
Gluten Free Diva says
Shirley – what a veritable feast you had! The pictures make everything look utterly delectable! I hope that your holidays were and continue to be happy, healthy, and full of abundance. Best wishes to you and yours!!!
Ellen
Shirley says
Hi Ellen–As I was telling Ricki, it was a feast, but it’s lasting for days. I like having that little cooking break now and then. 😉
Such sweet wishes … thank you! I wish you and your family the same—a bountiful 2011 in all ways possible. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Alta says
I could go for that salad after way too much overindulgence! Hope you had a happy holiday!
Shirley says
Hey Alta–I find myself ready for salads and very light green smoothies, and perhaps some lean protein, but the winter weather keeps sending me back for the comfort stuff. Fighting it … 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
The Teenie Foodie says
Oh wow I wish I had spent christmas with you! These recipes all look delicious, thanks for sharing.
I will definitely try that black eyed pea soup as im in need of a light recipe for my family… And once I have recovered from my christmas gorging, the chocolate cake is a must try.
Hope you had a great Christmas!
would love it if you had a look at my newly created gluten dairy sugar free blog
http://theteeniefoodie.blogspot.com/
xx
Shirley says
Hi Teenie Foodie–The black-eyed soup is one of the best ever. Must get a new immersible blender though. It really makes a difference in this recipe. Scooping out a cup to add to the blender can be potentially harmful (and messy) … especially if one thinks the top is on the blender and it’s not. :-0
Maybe we’ll be ready for chocolate cake again at Valentine’s Day? 😉 Thanks for the Christmas wishes … same to you, and of course, welcome to gfe and blogging, too. There can’t be enough helpful gf/df/sf blogs IMHO. Will check yours out shortly. Love the name! 🙂
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
Man, you sure ate well!! What a feast to be had! And how exciting that you had a White Christmas! So jealous of that! So looking forward to 2011 and all of the opportunities that we will get to spend together! Much love to you, Smokey, and your sweet new bundle of furry joy!!
Hugs and Holiday kisses!!
xo
k
Shirley says
Hi Kim–Well, we made that food last for days, and I mean days! The White Christmas was a lot of fun and we found out how much Sonny loves snow. 😉
We’ll see you in a few weeks! Hard to believe, but true—woohoo!
Thanks fo much for everything … xoxo and happy 2011 to you all!
Shirley
Kay Guest says
Hey Shirley! Wonderful looking food, but where is the Perfect Pound Cake? What, you say you made it and mailed it to me? OH JOY! 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kay
Shirley says
Hi Kay–Haha! I might have made the pound cake if I hadn’t been low on my gf flours. Need to make a little trip to the international grocery store to restock on Asian white rice flour, etc.
Hope you’ve had a fantastic holiday so far, and happy 2011!
Shirley