5 Tips for Simply Surviving Social Gatherings
February 19, 2010 by Nancy
Filed under Gluten Free Tips
You don’t have to go out of your way or live near a gluten free market to have a great party experience. Here are some simple ideas for surviving social gatherings:
1. If it’s a catered event, ask the host/hostess who the caterer is ask if they mind if you call and arrange for a gluten free preparation. It’s surprising how well this works. It’s usually just a matter of leaving off sauces on chicken, steak and fish and making sure the side dishes are free of croutons, breadcrumbs and sauces. Desserts are usually not doable, but think of all the calories you are saving!
2. Eat before you go, so you can look for veggies and other safe choices to munch on, but you won’t be starving if you can’t find them. Keep your expectations low if you are not bringing any food of your own.
3. Potlucks – Bring two things so you will have more choices – a main dish and a side dish or dessert that you can enjoy, but others will like as well.
- There are many ideas in the recipe section here that you never need to mention are gluten free.
- Grilled chicken in a gluten free marinade is always a great idea.
- Kabobs with chicken or steak, peppers, pineapple, cherry tomatoes
- Potatoes Au Gratin
- Baked Apples
- Squash Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
4. Parties – check with the host/hostess and make sure its okay to bring a contribution of your own.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip with carrot sticks and tortilla chips.
- Fruit with a yogurt dip is another good party choice
- Cut the Betty Crocker Brownies and cut into bite sized squares, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Chicken or steak skewers
- Chips and dips
5. Kid parties- the new Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookies and brownies easily pass for the real thing and your child can eat what he brought. The Betty Crocker GF cake mixes make great cupcakes as well, and these mixes are readily available at most grocery stores and even Target and Walmart. There are many safe kinds of popular chips that your child can bring as well.
Think ahead, and you can have a great experience at any social gathering.
Add your party survival tips in the comment section below!
