my first gluten free Christmas!!! 🍴🎄🎁✨🤍

I was diagnosed with celiacs April of 2023. Last year, I did not have a Christmas dinner because of all the dieting and testing I was going through. The year before that I was extremely sick at dinner (which now I know why!) This year was my first official gluten free dinner with my fiancé! I was so proud and happy to have had such a normal meal!

🍴 APPETIZERS:

I made these on a whim, but I would absolutely make them again any time! I cut slices of brown rice bread into 4s, toasted them, then topped them how I pleased! I made 3 different kinds:

👉🏻 Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil & Balsamic Glaze

👉🏻 White Cheddar Goat Cheese with Apple Marmalade, Strawberry Balsamic Glaze & Rosemary

👉🏻 Cream Cheese & Pepperoni with Hot Honey & Garlic

🍴 ENTREES:

We had two main courses. My fiancé is Puerto Rican & he always grew up eating chicken or pork at Christmas. I had ham, so we decided to cook a ham and also make some rotisserie chicken! We got the ham that came with a gluten free glaze free from earning 400 points at Giant. We also just bought a pre-cooked chicken from Giant for $7.

🍴 SIDES:

All of the sides were cooked by yours truly, making it a budget friendly & gluten free!

👉🏻 Scalloped Potatoes: Yukon potatoes, milk, heavy cream, gouda cheese, & seasoning.

👉🏻 Rice & Beans: this one my sister-in-law made for us because she’s Puerto Rican as well. As simple as can be but always a good side!

👉🏻 Pineapple Stuffing: this was my favorite growing up! I used Udi’s white bread, canned pineapple, sugar, eggs, & cinnamon!

👉🏻 Hot Honey Glazed Carrots: first time making these but definitely not the last! Peeled & steamed carrots, cut into coins, topped with hot honey & red pepper flakes.

👉🏻 Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts: this is a friend’s recipe that we now make every year! Halve the sprouts, sprinkle olive oil, maple syrup, bacon, salt & pepper & throw in the oven for 20 minutes. Heavenly!

👉🏻 Deviled Eggs: Typical recipe, topped with bacon bits & paprika

🍴 DESSERT:

For dessert I made my famous cannoli dip! When I’m tired of baking (which I had done ALL day prior for a Christmas Eve dinner, I whip up this dip! One container of ricotta, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract & mini chocolate chips! I serve it with gluten free graham crackers by Partake (found at Target) as well as the honey cinnamon sweet thins by Simple Mills (also at Target!)

Super thankful for my patient fiancé as I continue to grow with this diagnosis & his support making new foods that support my health 🤍

#lemon8christmas #Lemon8Diary #dayinmylife #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreelifestyle #food #foodie #christmas #foodoflemon8