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If only the girl has to eat gluten-free, then find out what she likes and order food specifically for her. I don't suggest an entire gluten-free menu for one person, particularly if you are working within a budget, as gluten-free food can be very expensive.
If money is no object, still I'd only order or prepare gluten-free food just for her. Having an entire spread of gluten-free food for the whole party may not be as enjoyable for the other guests who aren't used to eating gluten-free (gluten-free greatly limits menu options), especially if you get gluten-free versions of normally gluten-based foods like cakes or cookies. The taste and texture is different and won't appeal to people who aren't used to eating foods made of gluten-free flours.
When attending catered functions where those putting on the event knows my dietary needs, they make or order something specifically for me and order regular food for everyone else. Since her Jewish family isn't strict kosher and only avoids pork, coming up with a menu for them will be the easiest. You will spare yourself a lot of stress and grief if you only prepare a gluten-free meal for the person who has to eat that way.
Yes, I suggested my friend serve a buffet, with something for everyone. I believe she's planning on roast beef, some kind of potatoes, vegetables and then adding this and that.
Not to get off the subject, but there are 5 little kids to feed also. The engaged couple is each divorced from flakes and have custody of their children, all between 5 and 8. Its going to be a fun, loud smorgasbord of food and people. It is also the day after her gay son's wedding. Some people have much more interesting lives than me.
If money is no object, still I'd only order or prepare gluten-free food just for her. Having an entire spread of gluten-free food for the whole party may not be as enjoyable for the other guests who aren't used to eating gluten-free (gluten-free greatly limits menu options), especially if you get gluten-free versions of normally gluten-based foods like cakes or cookies. The taste and texture is different and won't appeal to people who aren't used to eating foods made of gluten-free flours.
This is not necessarily true. You can plan an entire menu of healthy tasty foods, and most people would never know they're eating a completely gluten free meal. And not all gluten free cakes and cookies are unappealing to those who aren't GF. I recently bought a GF birthday cake from a local bakery, and the general consensus among the non-GF folks was that it was better than most regular cakes.
Why not make it a pot-luck, and let everyone participate in the food preparation. This will take some of the load off the host or hostess.
As someone who is GF, this is kind of my nightmare. If one person prepares food, I can ask the appropriate questions to make sure I'm not eating something with gluten in it. If 20 people prepare food, it's safer if I just don't eat.
If I just trust that people understand all the hidden sources of gluten (most don't), I'll probably wind up very sick.
This is not necessarily true. You can plan an entire menu of healthy tasty foods, and most people would never know they're eating a completely gluten free meal. And not all gluten free cakes and cookies are unappealing to those who aren't GF. I recently bought a GF birthday cake from a local bakery, and the general consensus among the non-GF folks was that it was better than most regular cakes.
But a lot of people who don't eat GF can tell the difference so it's best to err on the side of caution, especially given than the OP is unfamiliar with GF food and cooking. I still wouldn't suggest a whole gluten-free spread.
But, hey, what do I know? I'm only a celiac who has been eating gluten-free for seven years. :-)
This is not necessarily true. You can plan an entire menu of healthy tasty foods, and most people would never know they're eating a completely gluten free meal. And not all gluten free cakes and cookies are unappealing to those who aren't GF. I recently bought a GF birthday cake from a local bakery, and the general consensus among the non-GF folks was that it was better than most regular cakes.
Gluten free cake, when made well, is much better than regular cake - the sponge is much nicer. And home made cookies - people often can't even tell the difference. Its only really bread and bread-like products that are worse, even GF pasta isn't that bad these days. Definitely easy to make a good menu totally gluten free but it could get quite expensive.
But a lot of people who don't eat GF can tell the difference so it's best to err on the side of caution, especially given than the OP is unfamiliar with GF food and cooking. I still wouldn't suggest a whole gluten-free spread.
But, hey, what do I know? I'm only a celiac who has been eating gluten-free for seven years. :-)
Why not? I've served an entire GF Thanksgiving Dinner for extended family, and the only people who knew were the ones close enough to me to know I'm GF and watched me eat everything. In fact, the GF dressing got rave reviews and requests for the recipe (I had to admit that it was a mix)
Gluten free cake, when made well, is much better than regular cake - the sponge is much nicer. And home made cookies - people often can't even tell the difference. Its only really bread and bread-like products that are worse, even GF pasta isn't that bad these days. Definitely easy to make a good menu totally gluten free but it could get quite expensive.
I was frankly amazed at the cake I bought. It was almost like a pound cake, and the flavor was out of this world.
I agree that breads can be tricky. They can be done well, but it takes lots of practice with various alternative flour blends. Most breads are kind of disappointing.
wow, that is a new one: I am thinking maybe start with lox and bagels. I don't think bagels have gluten, but if they do, you might be able to find a bagel shop that does make them. Oh and are we talking morning, afternoon or night and are we talking appetizers or a full meal. I am also thinking chicken salad would be gluten free?
Bagels and any wheat products have gluten, the gluten free ones are terrible.
Just set out a buffet and label anything that is gluten free. We are used to that.
People always worry about it, and I tell them I will make do as long as there is an entree and some side dishes it's all good.
I was frankly amazed at the cake I bought. It was almost like a pound cake, and the flavor was out of this world.
I agree that breads can be tricky. They can be done well, but it takes lots of practice with various alternative flour blends. Most breads are kind of disappointing.
My mum makes amazing GF cakes, if/when I get married I'm getting her to make my wedding cake for sure! Even my OH, on his very first attempt, made an excellent GF layer cake (I find that adding a bit of powdered milk to the mix really helps for some reason)
My breads are nearly always too dense but luckily there's a really decent frozen sliced loaf I can buy from my local shop that is pretty close in texture to regular bread.
Why not? I've served an entire GF Thanksgiving Dinner for extended family, and the only people who knew were the ones close enough to me to know I'm GF and watched me eat everything. In fact, the GF dressing got rave reviews and requests for the recipe (I had to admit that it was a mix)
In my experience, trying to serve gluten-free items just doesn't go over well. Besides that, it's too expensive to cook a whole gluten-free meal for everyone if you are going to substitute gluten-free items for everything. It's really pointless to cook gluten-free spread if the whole party doesn't have celiac disease.
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