How To Have an Inclusive Friendsgiving Meal
by Jennah Owda
Let’s be honest for a second and admit that the turkey is not the best part of a Thanksgiving dinner. The creamy mac ‘n’ cheese and pillowy-soft croissants fill up most of our plates, yet when we think of making a vegetarian/gluten-free meal, our minds suddenly go blank. Making an all-inclusive meal for our friends with dietary restrictions does not have to be as hard as it may seem. In case you find yourself stuck, here are 5 dishes to satisfy all of your friends’ delicious needs.
Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
You can never go wrong with any form of pasta. This savory dish is perfect for those who are gluten intolerant and vegetarians. To make this dish festive, after making the
spaghetti squash,
simply plate the pasta into a carved-out squash and garnish it with some fresh parmesan and parsley. This meal is filling and satisfies the need to indulge in some festive food.
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
If you have been on any form of social media, you would know that these vegan and gluten free wings are “bussin’.” While it’s not as traditional as the classic 20-pound turkey, it’s just as delicious and is a great alternative. To add a bit of sweetness to this dish, along with buffalo sauce, garlic, and paprika, add a
tablespoon of honey
for a perfect sweet ‘n’ spicy wing. This is a recipe that will become one of many Thanksgiving traditions.
Deviled Potatoes
Who doesn’t love a mean deviled egg? It’s the perfect one-bite appetizer that holds the guests over until the turkey is done cooking. This
recipe
calls for red potatoes that will be cut in half and then carved out after baking. Besides the mayonnaise, which could easily be substituted out for vegan mayonnaise, the dish is gluten free and vegan-friendly! No one could ever turn down a creamy mini baked potato. Making this recipe a must for this Friendsgiving!
Bloomin’ Apples
A nice warm apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is heavenly after a savory dinner. However, with most apple pie crusts being full of gluten, it can be difficult to accommodate, but that is where
bloomin’ apples
come in. The sour tang coming from the classic green apple and the sweetness from the caramel serves as the perfect light dessert after a large meal full of indulging, not to mention the scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream on top!
Flourless Molten Chocolate Cake
Don’t get me wrong, pecan pie, apples, and pumpkin spice during the fall weather is great and all, but at times I crave a classic
chocolate cake
. However, there is nothing classy about this flourless molten chocolate cake. While this dish is gluten free and vegetarian-friendly, it can also be vegan-friendly with a few substitutions! This brownie-like textured cake will satisfy your sweet tooth after a single bite, leaving every guest happy!
