Gluten-free? Ideas for holiday meals

(ARA) - Have you found yourself searching for more labels that carry the "gluten-free" tag? There are many reasons you might be doing this, but for many people the search for gluten-free starts with celiac disease.

Sensitivity to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley, affects more than 15 percent of the population. An advanced sensitivity is medically recognized as celiac disease. Recent studies show that about 1 in 133 people have celiac disease, but only 1 in 4,700 is ever diagnosed.

Diet is the only way to combat celiac disease. And - thanks to a greater awareness of gluten sensitivity - an increasing number of people are trying gluten-free diets. In fact, some experts say that many individuals are now ahead of their own doctors, self-diagnosing and altering their eating in response to gluten sensitivity. Gluten sensitivity usually must be advanced to show up in traditional blood tests or intestinal biopsies.

Many people are experimenting with gluten-free diets for a variety of other conditions, too. Whatever the impetus, if you or someone in your home is gluten-free this holiday season, you may be thinking about the fact that everyone's meals will be affected. How do you plan those celebratory meals and stay gluten-free?

If you're sticking with tradition, start with the turkey - some brands of turkey contain additives that must be closely checked to see if they contain gluten. Read the ingredients, and make sure you're safe.

Gravy is a holiday must - here's a recipe using Simply Organic Mulling Spice that you might want to try for a new, gluten-free twist.

Cider Gravy

Ingredients:

1 cup apple juice

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon garlic

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons Simply Organic Mulling Spice

1 teaspoon thyme

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, combine apple juice and chicken broth. Whisk in garlic, mustard, lemon juice and cornstarch. Heat on medium-high until sauce reaches a low boil, then reduce heat. Grind mulling spice in spice or coffee grinder. Add mulling spice and thyme to mixture. Heat until desired thickness is achieved. Serve immediately.

By the way, to create your own gluten-free gravy, cooking experts recommend using cornstarch or arrowroot flour (rather than grain flour) to thicken your gravy as needed.

Check celiac disease websites for recipes for gluten-free appetizers, side dishes, breads and holiday desserts. And for a variety of convenient and delicious gluten-free mixes for holiday cooking - including delicious baked goods like pumpkin and cranberry breads, carrot cake and cocoa cayenne cupcakes, visit www.simplyorganicfoods.com.

From appetizers through the main course and dessert, it's entirely possible to go gluten-free this season. And, with a little help from gluten-free recipes and mixes, your fare is sure to delight everyone at the table.